News & Events

As part of this year’s convocation ceremonies, Ryerson University will award honorary doctorate degrees to three outstanding Canadian authors who have made a significant impact on literature in Canada. Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson and Rohinton Mistry will be recognized for their achievements and contributions to the world of literature at Ryerson’s spring convocation ceremonies, which take place from June 6 – 15.

Rohinton Mistry is the renowned author of A Fine Balance, Family Matters, and Such a Long Journey, among other works. A banker by trade, Mistry began writing fiction in 1983 and quickly made a name for himself as an author with nominations for many prestigious awards. Mistry went on to win the Governor General’s Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book (Such a Long Journey), the Giller Prize, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book, (A Fine Balance) and International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Canadian Authors Association Fiction Award (Family Matters). Mr. Mistry will receive a Doctor of Letters degree from the Faculty of Communication & Design on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.

Margaret Atwood is one of Canada’s most prolific authors with more than fifty volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction to her credit. Ms. Atwood’s work has been published in more than forty languages and a number of her titles have been adapted in theatre, opera, television, and film. Her many awards include the Booker Prize (The Blind Assassin), the Prince of Asturias Award for Letters, the World Economic Forum Crystal Award, and the Giller Prize (Alias Grace). She was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2001, and in 2011 she was named among the top one hundred of Canada’s most powerful women. Ms. Atwood will receive a Doctor of Letters degree from the Faculty of Arts on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 1 p.m.

Graeme Gibson is a writer, cultural activist and naturalist, who has enriched Canada’s literary life and worked extensively on conservation issues. Gibson is founding member and former chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada, he established and chaired what is now the Book and Periodical Council as well as founded and later chaired the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Gibson’s many awards include the Toronto Arts Award for Writing and Publishing, the Harbourfront Festival Prize and the Writers’ Trust Distinguished Contribution Award. Mr. Gibson will receive a Doctor of Letters degree from the Faculty of Arts on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 1 p.m.

For a full list of the notable Canadians to receive an honorary degree from Ryerson University this spring, please visit: http://www.ryerson.ca/news/media/General_Public/20120321_ma_hondocs.html

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Note: Media are invited to attend the convocation ceremonies. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Johanna VanderMaas.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Johanna VanderMaas
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000 x 4630
johanna.vandermaas@ryerson.ca
@RyersonNews

If you require this in another format, please contact Ryerson University Public Affairs at 416-979-5000 x 7134.