Lakehead Convocation Honours Steve Clarke
Seven hundred students will graduate from Lakehead University at its convocation ceremonies at the Orillia campus on June 7.
In addition to celebrating the graduating class of 2024, Steve Clarke will receive the Civitas Award for his contributions to the growth and development of the university and will honour veteran broadcaster and journalist Valerie Pringle with an honorary degree.
Steve Clarke is a prominent business leader, former mayor of Orillia and an advocate for Lakehead University. He was engaged in strong lobbying activities for provincial government support of the Orillia Campus and the Lakehead University-Georgian College Partnership. As mayor, he consistently supported and promoted the University through his public platform. Through his business, Brewery Bay Food Co., Steve is involved in Lakehead’s Humanities 101 program by hosting fundraising events and providing meals for students.
Steve’s service also extends into the community, where he supports local sports teams, causes and charities. He has been recognized with the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Award; the Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce’s Strengthening Our Community Award and the Hats Off Award; the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Awards; and Orillia Citizen of the Year. Additionally, Steve and his wife, Chris, were named Business Person of Year. Steve and Chris have called Orillia home for over 30 years.
Honorary Degree
Valerie Pringle will receive an Honourary Doctor of Humane Letters. She has had a distinguished career as a broadcaster for 50 years. She was a well-known anchor of two national news programs – Midday on CBC and Canada AM on CTV where she covered major stories of the day, from national elections and Royal weddings to space launches and the Olympics. Valerie is currently host and producer of Canada Files on PBS.
She has championed AIDS research for CANFAR, played a key role in building the Trans Canada Trail across the country, and tirelessly advocated for the treatment of mental illness, currently serving as Chair of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.
In 2006, Valerie was honoured with the Order of Canada for her work in broadcasting and philanthropy. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2010 and is an honorary fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m.
In addition, Orillia campus student, Aleathea Steele will receive the Lloyd Dennis Award for Outstanding Citizenship.
Convocation will take place at Rotary Place beginning at 10 a.m. The proceedings can be watched online
(Photo by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia and Images Supplied)
