Michelle Audette
Faculty of social sciences
“What I leave you with is hope, love, and a positive image of men and women, here in Canada, who have carried a nation for thousands of years.” Our history is not so bleak. It is beautiful and it deserves to be known. Help me rebuild it, help us build it together.” (1 h 30 min 08 s)
Senator Michèle Audette, who hails from the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, is a well-known Indigenous leader. Since the 1990s, she has played a key role in transforming the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Quebec and Canadian society. Her important contributions and achievements, most notably in the service of Indigenous women, have won her many honours and awards.
Anne McLellan
Telfer School of Management
“You embrace diversity because you are, according to peer research, the most diverse generation in history. You are socially minded, independent thinkers who recognize your responsibility in shaping a more equitable future. Par conséquent, grâce à vous je suis optimiste pour l’avenir. I am optimistic about your future and our country’s future.” ( 1 h 17 min 19 s)
The Honourable Anne McLellan, PC, OC, AOE, has had an impressive career in public service. She has been a professor, chancellor, dean, cabinet minister, deputy prime minister, and attorney general. She remains very involved in the community, most notably as co-chair of the Coalition for a Better Future.
Édith Cloutier
Faculty of Law
“We all have inherited a common history that links Indigenous peoples’ destiny to that of this country. We certainly cannot change the past, but we can decide, individually and collectively, to walk the path of reconciliation side by side.” (1 h 21 min 44 s)
Édith Cloutier, a member of the Anicinabe First Nation, is dedicated to building bridges between peoples, improving the well-being of Indigenous individuals living in urban settings, and advocating for the rights of First Peoples. Her remarkable journey has earned her several distinctions.
Jerome Bickenbach
Faculty of Health Sciences
“I again wish you all the great achievements of your robust and infinite opportunities, but I remind you, at the same time, of our common humanity and of our vulnerability, therefore, our dependence on each other. I remind you of your common humanity.” (1 h 20 min 00 s)
Jerome Bickenbach is a professor at the University of Lucerne and emeritus professor at Queen’s University. He co-leads the unit responsible for policy and research implementation at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil, Switzerland.
Julia Elvidge
Faculty of Engineering
“I challenge you to look around when you are sitting in a discussion in your next organization. Be aware of who is there. Is it a good mix ? I challenge you to ensure everyone’s voice is heard and that they are comfortable in the situation or the environment they are in. If not, ask for their thoughts or ask for what accommodations they might need to become more comfortable.” (1 h 18 min 57 s)
Julia Elvidge (BSc, BASc, ICD.D) puts her 30 years’ experience in high tech to good use as an adviser, manager, and investor. Intellectual Property Magazine named her one of the top intellectual property strategist in the world.
Vera Etches
Faculty of Medecine
“I am so thankful, as I look and I think about your training, that you are going to be able to help reorient our health system, our approaches, and our policies, so that we can improve health and equity, including by addressing the racism that impacts inequitable access to care and the other things we need for well-being.” (1 h 29 min 10 s)
Since 2018, Doctor Vera Etches has been chief public safety officer for Ottawa Public Health. Well known for her work in mobilizing both patients and the community, this University of Ottawa professor also actively works to eliminate barriers to equality in public health caused by racism and colonialism.
Mamokgethi Phakeng
Faculty of Education
“Failure is vastly underrated. Everyone wants to run and hide from it. But failure is the essence of life. The issue is not whether you will experience it or not, but whether you will be able to bounce back or not after it happens.” (1 h 35 min 14 s)
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng is vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town. Her research and community work have earned her many awards. Her dedication to teaching and research go well beyond her career aspirations, and she is a member of many committees, academies, and associations.
Paul C. Genest
Faculty of Arts
“Make friends, not enemies, as you go through life. Be a good friend to your friends. Try to be there when they need support. We all struggle at some point. Take the initiative in doing kindnesses for them without being asked.” (1 h 38 min 41 s)
Paul C. Genest has been senior vice-president of Power Corporation since 2016, having previously served as senior vice-president of Power Financial. His extensive experience includes work in government, academia, and business. A champion of diversity, he has been honoured for his advocacy for the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Molly Shoichet
Faculty of Science
“My advice is simply to remember that life isn’t a straight line: there are many ways to get to where you are going and you don’t have to go there alone. With friends, mentors, advocates, you can share life’s journey, and with resilience and a positive outlook, you too can say yes to new opportunities.” (1 h 29 min 31 s)
Molly Shoichet is among a very select group of University of Toronto faculty members (less than 2%) who hold the title of University Professor. She is also the Michael E. Charles Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto in the department where she is associate director of graduate studies.
The University awards honorary doctorates to individuals who have contributed significantly to their profession, to science, and/or to society at large. An honorary doctorate acknowledges that the recipient deserves to be recognized for their extraordinary achievements, whether personal or professional.