The University of Windsor will confer degrees on graduating students during 11 sessions of the University’s 121st Convocation ceremonies June 4 through 7 at the Toldo Lancer Centre.

To recognize their outstanding contributions to society, the University is awarding honorary degrees to three exceptional individuals who have paved the way in their fields.

Learn more about UWindsor’s 2024 honorary degree recipients:

Gail Donner is professor emerita and former dean at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, and is also a partner at donnerwheeler Career Planning Consultants. With a career spanning nursing, academia, and healthcare leadership, her professional achievements include pivotal roles such as director of nursing education and research at the Hospital for Sick Children, executive director of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and chair of nursing at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University). Her research interests encompass health policy, health services administration, and career development.

Recognized with honours like the Order of Ontario and the Jeanne Mance Award, Dr. Donner volunteered for such organizations as the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children. She has led public policy initiatives and served as external advisor on home and community care to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care from 2015 to 2018.

She will receive a doctor of laws, honoris causa, at the seventh session of Convocation, 9:30 a.m. June 6.

Allan Gregg, a prominent figure in Canadian research, strategy, and social commentary, has been integral to numerous campaigns over the past three decades. Renowned for his ability to develop research-based strategies, he excels in various facets of campaign management, including policy formulation, media relations and grassroots campaigns. With a background in political polling, he has extended his expertise to diverse sectors, aiding clients in navigating complex issues and charting effective paths forward.

As a co-founder of Decima Research in 1979 and the Strategic Counsel in 1995, Gregg has made significant contributions to the field. His media presence has been notable, hosting Allan Gregg in Conversation with… on TVO from 1993 to 2013 and participating in CBC’s “At Issue” panel for over a decade. His contributions have been recognized with such awards as the Public Affairs Association Award of Distinction and induction into the Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends in 2012.

He will receive a doctor of laws, honoris causa, at the second session of Convocation, 2 p.m. June 4.

Wanda Thomas Bernard made history in November 2016 as the first African Nova Scotian woman appointed to the Senate of Canada. Representing Nova Scotia and her hometown of East Preston, she advocates for issues affecting African Canadians nationwide. She serves as the liaison for the Progressive Senate Group.

With a career rooted in social work, Dr. Bernard is deeply committed to social and racial justice. After frontline social work and founding the Association of Black Social Workers in 1979, she joined Dalhousie School of Social Work in 1990, eventually becoming its director for a decade.

In her Senate role, Bernard serves as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and as a member of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology as well as the African Canadian Senate Group. She received the Order of Canada in 2005, the Order of Nova Scotia in 2014, and the Frank McKenna Award for Leadership in Public Policy in 2021.

She will receive a doctor of laws, honoris causa, at the first session of Convocation, 9:30 a.m. June 4.

Convocation Schedule

Tuesday, June 4

Session 1: 9:30 a.m.

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (undergraduate and graduate studies)

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Women’s and Gender Studies

Session 2: 2 p.m.

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (undergraduate and graduate studies)

• All other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences programs not included in Session 1

Session 3: 6:30 p.m.

Faculty of Science (undergraduate and graduate studies)

• All Faculty of Science programs not included in Session 5

Wednesday, June 5

Session 4: 9:30 a.m.

Odette School of Business (graduate studies)

Session 5: 2 p.m.

Faculty of Science (undergraduate and graduate studies)

• Computer Science

Session 6: 6:30 p.m.

Faculty of Engineering (graduate studies)

• M.Eng Mechanical Engineering
• M.Eng Mechanical Engineering - Automotive

Thursday, June 6

Session 7: 9:30 a.m.

Faculty of Nursing (undergraduate and graduate studies)

Odette School of Business (undergraduate studies)

Session 8: 2 p.m.

Faculty of Engineering (graduate studies)

• M.Eng Electrical Computer Engineering
• M.Eng Electrical Engineering

Session 9: 6:30 p.m.

Faculty of Engineering (undergraduate and graduate studies)

• All Faculty of Engineering programs not included in Sessions 6 or 8

Friday, June 7

Session 10: 9:30 a.m.

Faculty of Education (undergraduate and graduate studies)

Faculty of Human Kinetics (undergraduate and graduate studies)

Session 11: 2 p.m.

Faculty of Law (undergraduate and graduate studies)

Every session will be livestreamed on the UWindsor YouTube channel.