Canadian Governor General David Johnston helps lead our country. His wife, Sharon Johnston, has completed extensive research in rehabilitation science. Daniel Alfredsson is a celebrated hockey player, the former captain of the Ottawa Senators, and an advocate for mental health. All three individuals were among the 15 honorary degree recipients during Carleton’s spring convocation ceremonies held earlier this month.
The university bestows honorary degrees to a select number of individuals annually. Carleton’s Senate Honorary Degrees Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations, which are solicited from the wider Carleton community. Students, staff, Board of Governors members and faculty are all able to make nominations.
“Our practices ensure that the candidates that come forward to the Senate are individuals that truly inspire us by their singular accomplishments and by the way that they live their lives,” Donald Russell, Clerk of the Senate and Carleton professor, said in an email.
In their speeches during the June 7 ceremony, Alfredsson and the Johnstons told graduates there is more to building a successful career than academic success and talent.
Alfredsson received an honorary Doctor of Laws for his community outreach within Ottawa. He has partnered with the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health and participated in the Ringside for Youth events. He also created the “You Know Who I Am” campaign aimed at raising awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Alfredsson said during his speech that he thinks his community service is just as important as his hockey career.
“Many have told me that my speaking out on mental illness gave them permission to have their own conversations, to start to take action, action to improve their lives. This too, is what I’m most proud of,” he said.
David was recognized for his involvement in post-secondary education across Canada. He has served as president of McGill University and the University of Waterloo, taught law at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto, and was the dean of law at the University of Western Ontario.
Sharon was honoured for her research aiding cystic fibrosis patients and for her recently published book, Matrons and Madams. Sharon said she drew inspiration for the book from her grandmother, as well as Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the impact colonization had on their lives.
She incorporated many of the topics featured in her book into her convocation speech. Standing before a room full of graduates, she emphasized the importance of remembering how our nation came to be.
“Far too few Canadians know the history of residential schools, the history of the treaties, and the contributions Aboriginal peoples have made to the building of our country,” she said. “The early European explorers to our country would not have survived without the knowledge, wisdom and generosity of our First Nations.”
The Johnstons also received the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa – a Latin term meaning “for the sake of the honour.”
Their honorary degrees make them part of a 62-year-old tradition at Carleton.
According to the university, Carleton has been awarding “outstanding individuals” with honorary degrees since 1954. World-renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and CBC Radio host Anna Maria Tremonti are among past honorary degree recipients.
The degrees conferred at each convocation ceremony are meant to present role models to the graduating class, in hopes their messages will inspire the students to lead by example, according to Carleton president Roseann O’Reilly Runte.
Canada’s 28th Governor General stressed the importance of having “instinct and the capacity for caring.” He said he hopes the graduating class sees caring and intelligence “as Canadian characteristics we want to see in our culture and develop as our legacy for generations to come.”
Alfredsson used his speaking time to remind graduates of the importance of having strong self-confidence.
“In hockey, as in life, it’s not the smartest, the toughest or the fastest who is going to win,” Alfredsson told graduates. “It’s the hardest working, it’s the most disciplined, the most focused and the one who never stops believing in themselves that always has the edge.”
—With files from Allison Gram
