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Governor General David Johnston recently appointed 17 members of the University of Toronto community to the Order of Canada.

The awards celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of alumni, faculty, and honorary graduates with backgrounds ranging from medical innovation to musical prowess, philanthropy, politics and beyond.

"Congratulations to our colleagues David Jenkins, Eliot Phillipson and Ian Tannock on receiving Canada's highest honour,” said Catharine Whiteside, dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “Dr. Phillipson's work as the former President and CEO of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation has advanced research in many fields, while Dr. Jenkins has ensured Canadians are able to make better informed food choices and Dr. Tannock has advanced cancer treatments. 

"Our alumnus Dr. Morton Doran, has also distinguished himself as a surgeon, an educator and advocate on behalf of people with Tourette’s syndrome. On behalf of our Faculty, I congratulate all four on their appointments to the Order of Canada."

Attesting to U of T’s strength in a range of fields, several leaders in the music community were also recognized by the Governor General.

Faculty of Music Dean Don McLean extended his congratulations to award-winning soprano and U of T alumna Nancy Hermiston on being named to the Order “for her achievements as an opera singer, stage director and educator.”

“The extensive professional career of soprano Nancy Hermiston (BMus 1973) has included a stint with the Nuremberg Opera and a Carnegie Hall debut with the late Mario Bernardi and the National Arts Centre Orchestra,” said McLean. “Nancy taught at the Nuremberg Conservatory and with U of T's renowned Opera program before moving to BC where, over the past two decades, she has transformed professional vocal training and really put the UBC and Vancouver Opera programs on the map.”

Avant garde musical composer and U of T honorary degree recipient R. Murray Schafer was appointed the awards’ highest designation, Companion of the Order of Canada.

“An icon of Canadian contemporary composition and musical thinking, Schafer's first classic engagement half a century ago with acoustic ecology and the sonic environment, and his conception of our new world soundscape still feel like ideas ahead of their time,” said McLean. “Schafer's creation of new works continues unabated and his music finds ever deeper appreciation from performers and listeners.”

McLean also congratulated alumnus Bill Waters, named to the Order of Canada for “his engagement in broadening access to higher education for students in Toronto and for his generous support of musicians and arts organizations alike.”

“Bill's extraordinary championship of music and the arts, and his visionary philanthropy for higher education in general, have helped transform the lives of many aspiring young people and have moved our collective mission forward in discreetly powerful ways,” said McLean.

And, though he graduated long before a journalism program at the University of Toronto was established, host of The Agenda on TVO, Steve Paikin was named to the Order "for his contributions as a journalist who engages, informs and educates viewers on a broad range of public policy issues."

"Steve Paikin represents what is the very best of public broadcasting: smart, eloquent, fair and contextual,” said Jeffrey Dvorkin, director of the journalism program at University of Toronto Scarborough. “The Agenda is a model of what all great public affairs journalism ought to be. U of T should be very proud of Steve. In the journalistic community, we all are."

Members of the University's community’s citations are as follows:

COMPANIONS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., O.N.B.
Toronto, Ontario
For her transformational philanthropic contributions to organizations across Canada and for her enduring commitment to early childhood development.
This is a promotion within the Order.

R. Murray Schafer, C.C.
Indian River, Ontario
For his contributions as an internationally renowned composer of contemporary music, and for his groundbreaking work in acoustic ecology.

OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

Michael Bliss, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
For his contributions as a historian and author dedicated to illuminating Canada’s history.
This is a promotion within the Order.

Nancy Hermiston, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
For her achievements as an opera singer, stage director and educator.

David Jenkins, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
For his contributions as a nutrition scientist committed to helping Canadians make informed food choices.

Steve Paikin, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
For his contributions as a journalist who engages, informs and educates viewers on a broad range of public policy issues.

Eliot A. Phillipson, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
For his contributions to the field of sleep medicine and for his visionary stewardship of health and science institutions.

Keren Rice, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
For her contributions as a linguist and scholar whose research on Canada’s North has notably helped to preserve the Athapaskan languages.

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA
Shirley Blumberg, C.M.
Member of the Order of Canada
For her contributions to architecture and for her commitment to creating spaces that foster a sense of community.

Paul G. S. Cantor, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For his contributions to the Canadian financial sector and for his support of post-secondary education.

Morton Doran, C.M.
Fairmont, British Columbia
For his efforts to raise awareness of Tourette Syndrome, particularly as a surgeon living with the condition, and for his commitment to medical education.

Roger Greenberg, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
For his contributions as a fundraiser and trusted counsellor to numerous charities and educational institutions in the National Capital Region.

Danielle Juteau, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
For her contributions to sociology, particularly in ethnic studies and women’s studies.

Douglas Letson, C.M.
Waterloo, Ontario
For his contributions to the betterment of his community and for his leadership of numerous organizations in the fields of education and health care.

Sandra Rotman, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
For her leadership in support of health care and the arts, notably as a driver of initiatives in global and mental health.

Ian Tannock, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For contributing to our understanding of tumor cell behaviour and to improving the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments.

William Robert Waters, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For his engagement in broadening access to higher education for students in Toronto and for his generous support of musicians and arts organizations alike.