THUNDER BAY – A former deputy prime minister will be among those honoured by Lakehead University during their annual convocation ceremony.
Lakehead announced the recipients of their annual honourary doctorates, which this year include Jean Charest, Helen Cromarty and Keijo Virtanen.
Charest served as deputy under former prime minister Kim Campbell in 1993, later serving as Progressive Conservative party leader. In 1998 he switched arenas to provincial politics, heading the Quebec Liberals and served as premier from 2003 to 2012.
Cromarty was born in Sachigo Lake First Nation, graduating with honours in nursing from Lakehead University. She spent 45 years working as a nurse before transitioning to become a health policy analyst and liaison with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and a special advisor for First Nations health with the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.
Virtanen, a former president of the University of Turku in Finland, extensively studied the history of Finnish immigrants and their influence of North American culture.
The university also announced Tammy Squitti, the current chair of the Nanabijou Child Care Centre, and Bill Bartley, chair of the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority as well as past president of the school’s alumni association and past governor, will be honoured as fellows.
The five individuals will be honoured during convocation ceremonies taking place on May 27 and 28.
