An honorary degree is the highest honour that Trent University can bestow on an individual and is given in recognition of exemplary achievements or social contributions in Canada or internationally. Joining the ranks of decades of esteemed honourees the following four distinguished Canadians will be presented with Trent's highest honour at the 2023 convocation ceremonies:
Master Warrant Officer Moogly J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel | Honorary Doctorate of Laws
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 10am on Peterborough Campus
Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Moogly ‘Moog’ J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel has led a distinguished 21-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and has been instrumental in implementing and deepening Indigenous knowledge systems and grassroots consultations within the CAF and the DND. Tetrault-Hamel is known for his humble and passionate way of fighting discrimination by supporting those who faced bias, serving as Senior Advisor in regard to employment equity, and providing impactful awareness training to CAF and Department of National Defence (DND) leaders.
He is known to work at any time of the day or night, which has had a direct and positive impact on military members who face mental health struggles. Tetrault-Hamel, a proud father of six, received numerous distinctions and awards over the years including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and the Order of Military Merit in 2022.
Drew Hayden Taylor | Honorary Doctorate of Letters
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2pm on Peterborough Campus
Drew Hayden Taylor is an award-winning playwright, journalist, filmmaker, humorist and author who is described by the Canadian Encyclopedia as "one of Canada’s leading Indigenous playwrights and humorists." Author of more than 20 plays and 34 books, his work has left its mark on the Canadian literary scene and around the world. Hayden Taylor, Ojibway from Curve Lake First Nation, has also worked on 17 documentaries exploring Indigenous experiences including Going Native, currently airing on APTN, in which he examines stereotypes and traditions while discovering new ways Indigenous people are shaping their culture in the 21st century.
Hayden Taylor has worked as scriptwriter on many acclaimed series including North of Sixty and The Beachcombers, and has been an actively engaged with Trent University as a regular contributor to Indigenous Performance programming, reading from his plays in classes, and engaging with students in their interpretation on stage.
Dr. K. Jennifer 'Jenny' Ingram | Honorary Doctorate of Science
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2pm on Peterborough Campus
Dr. Jenny Ingram M.D. is a specialist in Internal and Geriatric Medicine, a Trent University adjunct professor, on the inaugural advisory board of the Trent University Centre for Aging and Society, and an accomplished community leader, who in the very best of Trent's mission, has spent more than three decades ‘challenging the way we think’ about aging and dementia. She is the founder of the Kawartha Centre – Redefining Healthy Aging, a community-based senior’s medical clinic and clinical research site. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to increase health care capacity to serve complex seniors and those with dementia including working with primary care locations to develop the skills and capacity of family health teams in diagnosing and managing dementia and Alzheimer’s at their medical home. She was instrumental in the development, funding and implementation of 12 interdisciplinary Geriatric Assessment and Intervention teams and the Seniors Care Network that regionally serve 6,000 seniors living at home annually, helping them stay home longer.
She has also become the resource for many Geriatric Medicine residents wishing to learn how to develop geriatric programs in underserviced communities. As a result of her efforts, the Central East region now has 11 geriatricians, whereas a decade ago there had been only one. Thanks to Dr. Ingram, the Peterborough region is now a provincial leader in caring for seniors through specialized geriatric outpatient and community services and is at the forefront of age-friendly community initiatives in Canada. Dr. Ingram continues to inspire Trent University in embracing Aging and Dementia in curriculum, research, credentialling and community engagement through her ongoing work with students and faculty in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Psychology graduate program, and the Trent Centre for Aging and Society.
Christine Elliott | Honorary Doctorate of Laws
Friday, June 16, 2023 at 2pm during Durham Campus ceremony at Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa
Christine Elliott is Ontario’s former minister of Health and deputy premier who was integral in overseeing the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elliott is also a lawyer who was a founding partner at Flaherty Dow Elliott & McCarthy until 2006 when she was elected as MPP for Whitby-Ajax. She was subsequently re-elected as MPP for Whitby-Oshawa in 2007, 2011 and 2014 and as MPP for Newmarket-Aurora in 2018. During her political career, Elliott served as both minister of Health and deputy premier from 2018 to 2022, and as Ontario’s first patient ombudsman (2016 to 2018).
In September 2022, Elliott announced a return to private life and joined the health law group at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. Elliott is also a passionate advocate for vulnerable community members and has volunteered with many organizations including Grandview Children’s Centre, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lakeridge Health Whitby Foundation and Durham Mental Health Services, which named one of their homes in her honour. She is also co-founder and former director of the Abilities Centre, a multi-purpose athletic, recreation and performing arts facility where everyone is welcome and everyone’s abilities are celebrated.
Click here to view a complete list of past Trent University Honorary Degree Recipients.