An academic highlight, Memorial University’s spring convocation ceremonies will see more than 3,000 degrees, including more than 900 graduate degrees, conferred. Convocation takes place at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre on May 15 and at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre from May 27–30.

Honorary degree recipients

Memorial will also recognize seven people for their leadership in cultural, academic and social spheres with the awarding of honorary degrees.

At sessions in St. John’s, honorary degrees will be awarded to journalist and historian James Furlong; scholar, academic and cultural champion Dr. Noreen Golfman; educational leader and volunteer Leslie O’Reilly; entrepreneur and philanthropist Brendan Paddick and humanitarian and international Santa Claus Hall of Famer Bruce Templeton.

At Grenfell Campus, honorary degrees will be awarded to French culture, language and education advocate Robert Cormier; and medal-winning Canadian Paralympic Games swimmer and para sport ambassador Katarina Roxon.

Read full biographies below. 

Robert Cormier

A Memorial University alumnus (BA’91), Robert Cormier has been a teacher and school principal, a founding member of several francophone organizations, a town councillor and a volunteer board member to many local organizations.

Mr. Cormier grew up in Cape St. George, located in the Acadian and francophone region of the Port‐au‐Port Peninsula on Newfoundland’s west coast.

He spoke French at home, but education was provided solely in English, meaning many members of his community were never given the opportunity to learn to read and write in their mother tongue.

Thus began his 50-plus-year dedication to promoting and preserving French language and culture in Newfoundland and Labrador and to advocating for and developing the province’s French education system. 

He is a founding member of the first French association in Newfoundland and Labrador, Les Terre-Neuviens Francais, and a founding member of the provincial association, Les Fédération des Francophones de Terre Neuve at du Labrador, and served as president of both organizations.

He helped obtain French-first language education for Newfoundland and Labrador students and French immersion in 1975 in Cape St. George; the French-first language program was launched provincewide in 1988. The English School Board and the Francophone School Board now offer the programs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

For his efforts, Mr. Cormier received Le Prix Roger‐Champagne, an award from Newfoundland and Labrador’s francophone community, and l’Order des francophone d’ameriques, a national award for the preservation and nurturing of the French language and culture in the Americas.

He is a member of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and an inductee of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

For his commitment to his community and to preserving and promoting French language, culture and education throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, Robert Cormier will receive the degree of doctor of laws, honoris causa, at the 10 a.m. session.

Katarina Roxon

When Leonard and Lisa Roxon immigrated to Canada from India in 1990, they likely did not dream of having an internationally award-winning swimmer as a daughter. 

That Katarina Roxon was born with her left arm ending below her elbow and growing up in the small town of Kippens on Newfoundland’s west coast, likely made such a dream even more unlikely when she began swimming at the age of five.

Ms. Roxon became a decorated Canadian Paralympic swimmer and is the first Canadian female swimmer to compete in five Paralympic or Olympic Games. A few of her competitive highlights include a dominant showing at the 2015 Para Pan American Games winning six medals; the gold medal in the 100-metre breaststroke in the Rio 2016 Games, crowning her a Paralympic champion; and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

A world-class swimmer whose athletic success is worthy of the highest accolades and praise, she is also an advocate, motivator and role model, using her success as an athlete with a disability to encourage others to dream big and boldly. She has served on the Provincial Council for Persons with Disabilities and relishes her role as an ambassador for Para swimming and Para sport by representing the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canadian Olympic Committee and the War Amps of Canada. 

One of the youngest members inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, she is also a recipient of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. She was named one of the most influential women by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity. 

For her tremendous success as an athlete and her dedication to inspiring all people to realize their unique potential, Katarina Roxon will receive the degree of doctor of laws, honoris causa, at the 7 p.m. session.