Nine lives of work receive university honours

U of T's 2026 honorary degree recipients include Indigenous educators and legal leaders, a stem cell scientist and an Olympic rower. Published in Alumni Digest as verified reporting from the University of Toronto.

U of T's 2026 honorary degree recipients include Indigenous educators and legal leaders, a stem cell scientist and an Olympic rower.

Alumni Digest editorial deskSeptember 18, 20262 min read

In the September issue

Campus

University of TorontoSt. George, Mississauga & Scarborough

Focus

Community impact & civic lifeCommunity

Outcome

Verified reportingSeptember 2026 issue

The context

Where the work begins

U of T has announced nine honorary degree recipients for its spring and fall 2026 convocations. They include Indigenous education scholar Eileen Antone, SickKids Foundation chief Jennifer Bernard, former judge Marion Buller and philanthropist Gregory David. Former Ontario lieutenant-governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell is also among the honorees.

The takeaway

What follows

Film producer Martin Katz, Olympic rower and senator Marnie McBean, developmental biologist Janet Rossant and arts leader Jesse Wente complete the group. The university recognizes work ranging from Indigenous languages and access to health care to Canadian cinema and research ethics. Recipients are expected to address graduating students during the ceremonies.

Nine lives of work receive university honours

Where the work begins

What follows

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