October 18, 2024
Three distinguished individuals to be honoured at Fall 2024 Convocation
Waterloo welcomes new honorary doctorates for their substantial contributions in a diverse range of fields
The University of Waterloo is pleased to recognize three esteemed individuals with honorary degrees at the Fall 2024 Convocation.
An honorary doctorate is the highest honour conferred by the University with each degree awarded to individuals who inspire and demonstrate exceptional service and leadership within their discipline. Each recipient of the award this year has made significant impact on a local and global scale through their personal and professional experiences.
"Our honorary doctorates are trendsetters, disruptors and innovators who inspire our graduates," says Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. "Their leadership and contributions in computing, mathematics, science, the humanities and environmental studies serve as motivation to our graduates as they strive to make a positive impact on the world."
Learn more about this year’s honorary doctorates and their accomplishments below.
Jim Estill (BASc ’80)
Jim Estill is the president and CEO of Danby Appliances, a role he has held since 2015. A successful entrepreneur and investor, he has backed more than 150 start-ups throughout his career. In 2015, Estill gained international recognition for sponsoring the resettlement of 50 Syrian refugee families in Canada. In honour of his philanthropic contributions, he was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2017 and the Order of Canada in 2018. Estill holds a BASc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Guelph.
Myeengun Henry
Elder Myeengun Henry joined the University of Waterloo in 2022 as Indigenous knowledge keeper in the Faculty of Health. He is former elected chief and band councillor for the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. He served as manager of Indigenous services and educator of Indigenous studies at Conestoga College. Elder Henry conducts Indigenous ceremonies and teachings on campus. He is also a traditional medicine practitioner, environmental protectionist, Indigenous counsellor, Pow Wow co-ordinator and Indigenous advisor to the Ontario Provincial Police and Law Society of Ontario. Elder Henry works with compassion alongside the Office of Indigenous Relations toward reconciliation.
Mark Yantzi (BA ’69, MASc ’77)
Mark Yantzi is a pioneer in restorative justice and a leader in addressing conflict. He earned a BA in Sociology in 1969 and a MASc in Human Relations and Counselling in 1977, both from the University of Waterloo. As a parole officer in the 1970s, Yantzi implemented Canada’s first formal use of restorative justice in criminal sentencing. He founded and led community justice initiatives, developing programs to support victims and offenders. He served Waterloo as a city and regional councillor and was a mediator for Correctional Service of Canada. He is the author of Sexual Offending and Reconciliation and recipient of Conrad Grebel University College’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award.
