Over the course of seven ceremonies running from Oct. 14 to 23, 91ÑÇÉ« will confer honorary doctor of laws (LLD) degrees to four influential changemakers during 2026 Fall Convocation.
Honorary degree recipients are recognized for their contributions to community building, their advocacy for social justice and their philanthropy. Recipients will offer words of encouragement, motivation and congratulations to graduands.
Below are the honorary degree recipients in order of the Faculty ceremonies at which they will be honoured.
Flavio Volpe: Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. – Glendon College; Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change; Faculty of Education; ; and Faculty of Science
Volpe is president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, representing one of Canada’s largest manufacturing sectors. A leading voice on industrial policy, trade and economic competitiveness, he has played a prominent role in advancing Canadian manufacturing interests and strengthening the country’s automotive supply chain.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Volpe helped mobilize automotive suppliers to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment. He also launched Project Arrow, Canada’s first all-Canadian zero-emission concept vehicle, showcasing domestic innovation on the global stage. Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023, he serves on both the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and the Ontario Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Investment.
Bruce Kidd: Oct. 14, 3:30 p.m. – Faculty of Health
Kidd is a scholar, educator and Olympic athlete whose career has shaped sport and physical education in Canada. A professor emeritus and founding dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, he has written extensively on the history and social impact of sport, authoring or editing 14 books and hundreds of articles over a career spanning more than five decades.
A member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and an Officer of the Order of Canada, Kidd has been a lifelong advocate for human rights and athletes' rights. He helped advance national sport initiatives including Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program and the Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada and played a key role in establishing the Toronto Track and Field Centre at 91ÑÇÉ«.
Kristian Alexander: Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m. – ; Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Alexander is an internationally recognized conductor, music director and cultural entrepreneur whose career has taken him to major concert halls across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. He serves as music director of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, the Orion Symphony Orchestra and the International Music Academy, and has built a reputation for championing both classical masterworks and contemporary music.
As artistic director of the Markham International Music Festival and the International Music Festival and Competition, Alexander has helped create opportunities for professional and emerging musicians while fostering cultural exchange through music. Over more than three decades, he has collaborated with leading artists and ensembles in Canada and around the world, combining artistic excellence with a commitment to mentorship, community engagement and institution-building.
Bill Graham: Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. – ;
Graham is a business leader whose career has spanned more than five decades across the financial services, technology and automotive sectors. He was the founding chief executive officer of Proponix Inc., a global financial technology company, and previously held senior leadership positions with Citibank in Canada and Asia, including serving as head of institutional banking operations across the Asia-Pacific region.
Beyond his corporate career, Graham has been a dedicated supporter of business education and alumni engagement at 91ÑÇÉ«'s Schulich School of Business. He served as president of the Schulich Global Alumni Network for 21 years and as an executive-in-residence for the school's International MBA program. A recipient of both the Schulich Alumni Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution and 91ÑÇÉ«'s Bryden Alumni Award, he continues to serve on Schulich's Dean's Global Council.