ÈâÈ⴫ý

Skip to main content
Dal.ca Home
Dal.ca Home

Recognizing alumni leaders and innovators with honorary degrees

Five outstanding individuals, including Dal alumni Denise Pothier (BEng’93) and Jamal Shirley (MES’02), received ÈâÈ⴫ý’s highest honour during Spring 2026 Convocation, recognizing achievements in research, global leadership, community impact and more.

±Ê´Ç²õ³Ù±ð»å:ÌýJune 12, 2026

By: Dal News staff

Headshots of the five honorary doctorate recipients. L-R: Dr. Noni MacDonald, Clare Hutchinson, Denise Pothier, Roslyn Bern and Jamal Shirley. (Provided photos)

Convocation is ÈâÈ⴫ý’s moment to celebrate all that graduates have achieved in completing their studies. It’s also a time to recognize accomplishments beyond the student community.

This spring, ÈâÈ⴫ý awarded honorary degrees to five individuals whose leadership, service, and contributions reflect the university’s values. Presented across 21 ceremonies from May 29 to June 9, this year’s recipients included two alumni whose journeys began at Dal and grew into impactful careers across Canada and beyond.

Denise Pothier (BEng’93): Community champion for representation and inclusion

June 2, 9 a.m. ceremony:

Denise Pothier, a graduate of ÈâÈ⴫ý’s Chemical Engineering program, was recognized for a career defined by leadership, inclusion, and impact. An accomplished engineer and executive, she has led complex national and global initiatives while advancing excellence in professional practice, sustainability, and organizational culture.

Following senior roles with Stantec Consulting, Pothier is now Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business working to strengthen relationships between Indigenous entrepreneurs and Canadian enterprises. She is widely respected for her collaborative leadership and longstanding advocacy for women, Indigenous peoples, and historically excluded communities in STEM.

Her contributions extend across numerous boards, including Engineers Canada, EfficiencyOne, and IWK Health. A recipient of a ÈâÈ⴫ý Aurum Award and a Fellow of Engineers Canada, Pothier continues to be recognized as one of Canada’s leading business leaders and is an alum of the 2022 Governor General’s Leadership Conference.

Jamal Shirley (MES’02): Leader in northern research, discovery and engagement

June 9, 12:30 p.m. ceremony:

Jamal Shirley, a graduate of ÈâÈ⴫ý’s Master of Environmental Studies program, was honoured for his leadership in advancing research and innovation in Canada’s North.

As Director of Innovation and Research at Nunavut Arctic College, based at the Nunavut Research Institute, Shirley plays a central role in supporting applied research, training, and knowledge mobilization across Nunavut. His work spans climate change, sustainable resource management, and wildlife protection.

Shirley also oversees the territory’s research regulatory and ethics review processes, supporting more than 160 projects annually while ensuring research is ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to northern communities. A strong advocate for Indigenous representation in research, he works to ensure knowledge is shared with and returned to the people of Nunavut.

Additional honorary degree recipients

Dr. Noni MacDonald

May 29, 10 a.m. ceremony: 

A trailblazer in pediatric infectious diseases and global health, Dr. MacDonald was recognized for her leadership in medical research, education, and public health. A former dean of ÈâÈ⴫ý’s Faculty of Medicine and a member of both the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia, her work has shaped immunization programs and global health initiatives.

Related: Equipping communities with research skills — Dr. MacDonald’s MicroResearch model

Clare Hutchinson

June 1, 4 p.m. ceremony: 

An international advocate for gender equality in conflict settings, Hutchinson has influenced policy and practice through senior roles with the United Nations, NATO, and global institutions. Her work has helped reshape peacekeeping efforts and advance human security worldwide.

Roslyn Bern

June 8, 9 a.m. ceremony: 

Through her leadership of the Leacross Foundation, Bern has championed education opportunities for women and children. The foundation supports initiatives at ÈâÈ⴫ý and beyond, including scholarships, leadership programs, and research opportunities in STEM fields.

Read more about the honorary degree recipients in Dal News