Four Western alumni and two honorary degree recipients have been named to the Order of Canada, the second-highest national honour for merit.
The recipients were among 88 new appointments announced by Governor General Mary Simon on December 18.
“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” Simon said in a statement. “They broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries.”
Simon welcomed the new appointees by acknowledging their “perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit.”
Established in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes Canadians across all sectors of society who have made sustained, exemplary contributions to the nation. Anyone can make a nomination.
The Order of Canada has three levels: Member, Officer and Companion. Members are recognized for distinguished service to a particular community, group or field of activity. Officers demonstrate a high degree of merit in service, especially to Canada or humanity at large, and Companions exemplify outstanding achievement to the highest degree nationally or internationally.
A person appointed as a Member can be promoted to a higher level a minimum of five years later by demonstrating further exceptional achievements.
Tricia Smith is a four-time Olympian, silver medal winner, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee and member of the International Olympic Committee. (Submitted)
A Western honorary degree recipient was promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada on Dec. 18:
- Tricia Smith, LLD’23, for her leadership in sporting endeavors and her advocacy for women in sport. Smith, award-winning rower and four-time Olympian who won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, is president of the Canadian Olympic Committee and serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Four Western alumni and one honorary degree recipient were appointed as Members:
- Dr. Sandy Buchman, BA’77, for advancing equitable access to palliative care and compassion for patients seeking medical assistance in dying (MAiD). As a physician, teacher, advocate and leader in palliative care, he has advanced standards in Canada and abroad.
- R. Douglas Elliott, BA’79, for advancing and protecting 2SLGBTQ+ rights under Canadian law in landmark constitutional cases, notably serving as lead counsel in the LGBT Purge class action. He is also a leader and volunteer with professional and non-profit organizations.
- Lorin MacDonald, JD’09, for championing inclusion for people with disabilities. Born with profound hearing loss, she became a human rights lawyer, educator and leader whose advocacy removed communication barriers in academic, legal and theatrical settings.
- V. Kumar Murty, DSc’23, for advancing knowledge in various mathematical fields, including analytic number theory. As a professor and one of Canada’s leading mathematicians, he has published over 130 papers. Murty is also a renowned scholar of Indian philosophy who has been an influential mentor to Indo-Canadian youth.
- Colin R. Clarke, who attended Western from 1998 to 2002, for his leadership in ensuring that underserved groups in the greater Toronto area have opportunities to learn to play music. A recipient of the Clifford Evens Award for Conducting at Western, he is also the founder and artistic director of the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra program.
