Nipissing announces 2016 honorary degrees
Nipissing University will bestow its highest distinction, an honorary degree, to three outstanding individuals, Debra Lynne Brown, Dr. Dawn Memee Lavell-Harvard and Jerome Berthelette, during convocation in Brantford and North Bay.
Convocation takes place in Brantford on June 7, and in North Bay on June 9 and 10.
The university will graduate 1,038 students in four separate ceremonies:
- Tuesday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m., Brantford – Ms. Debra Lynne Brown
- Thursday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m. – Dr. Dawn Memee Lavell-Havard
- Thursday, June 9, 2 p.m. – Mr. Jerome Berthelette
- Friday, June 10, 9:30 a.m. – Dr. Paul Cook will deliver the Convocation Address
“We are honoured that these exceptional Canadians understand and support Nipissing University’s mission and will be helping us celebrate our graduates,” said Dr. Mike DeGagné, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University. “Convocation is one of the highlights of the year. Sharing in those celebratory moments when our graduates cross the stage in front of family and friends is a highlight of the year for everyone involved. It is gratifying that each one of these extraordinary individuals have accepted the university’s highest honour and are solidifying their connection to our institution.”
Debra Lynne Brown is the original choreographer for the world renowned Cirque du Soleil. Born in Brantford, she got her start as a trained acrobat and choreographer at the local YM-YWCA. She is a graduate of York University and the University of Western Ontario. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Brown has been the principal choreographer and an integral part of many world-renowned productions including her involvement in the choreography for Cirque du Soleil since its inception in 1987. Her touring shows include Cirque Reinvente, Nouvelle Experience, Saltimbanco, Alegria, Quidam, Corteo, Amaluna, the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour and most recently Luzia, which opened in May 2016. Permanent instalments include O, Mystère, Zumanity and Zarkana in Las Vegas; La Nouba in Orlando; and Zed in Tokyo. Ms. Brown is founder of Line 1, a visual feast embracing music, circus, dance and multimedia spectacle where musicians fly and dancers sing. Ms. Brown will receive an honorary doctorate of Education and deliver the convocation address on June 7 at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanderson Centre (88 Dalhousie St, Brantford).
Dr. Dawn Memee Lavell-Harvard is the President of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), elected at the 41st Annual General Assembly, July 11, 2015, in Montreal, Quebec. She is a proud member of the Wikwemikong First Nation, is the first Aboriginal Trudeau Scholar and has worked tirelessly to advance the rights of Aboriginal women over the course of her career. In 2015, Dr. Harvard was named a member of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments. She was the president of the Ontario Native Women's Association from 2004 – 2015, and was interim president of NWAC from February 2015 until her election in July of that year. Previously she served as vice-president of NWAC for three years. Dr. Harvard is proud to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, a noted advocate for Indigenous women’s rights. Since joining the Board of the Ontario Native Women Association as a youth director in 1994, Dr. Harvard has been working toward the empowerment of Aboriginal women and their families. She was co-editor of the original volume on Indigenous mothering, Until Our Hearts Are on the Ground: Aboriginal Mothering, Oppression, Resistance and Rebirth, and has recently released a new book, with Kim Anderson, titled Mothers of the Nations. Dr. Harvard is the mother of three girls. Dr. Harvard will receive an honorary doctorate of Education and deliver the convocation address on June 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Jerome Berthelette is the Assistant Auditor General with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, a position he was appointed to in 2009. As Assistant Auditor General, he is responsible for the performance audits of National Defence Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, as well as the three Territories. Mr. Berthelette was seconded to the Auditor General’s Office from Health Canada in 2001 when he assumed responsibilities for the Aboriginal issues portfolio. He joined the Auditor General’s Office in 2004 as the Principal responsible for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. In 2008, he became the Principal responsible for National Defence Canada. Mr. Berthelette previously worked with Health Canada in the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. He was also Secretary to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Executive Director of the National Association of Friendship Centres. His volunteer work includes serving on the board and executive of the N’Amerind Friendship Center and the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres and on the board of the National Association of Friendship Centres. He served on the board and executive of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Vanier Institute of the Family. He was presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Vanier Institute of the Family. Mr. Berthelette holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nipissing University (1976) and a Law degree from the University of Western Ontario. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Mr. Berthelette will receive an honorary doctorate of letters and deliver the convocation address on June 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Paul Cook, recently installed as Nipissing’s fourth Chancellor and bestowed an honorary doctor of letters, will deliver the convocation address on June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
All North Bay convocation ceremonies will be held at the Robert J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre at Nipissing University.