Second World War veteran, Blue Jays broadcaster, R&B singer among honorary degree recipients at Laurier spring convocation

April 15, 2026
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO and BRANTFORD — Six distinguished community leaders will be recognized for their professional and philanthropic efforts during Wilfrid Laurier University’s spring convocation ceremonies. Decorated veteran Sir George Herbert Beardshaw, R&B singer Jully Black, retail leader Diane J. Brisebois, Indigenous educator Ningwakwe George and sports broadcaster Dan Shulman will be presented honorary degrees. Longstanding student services leader at Laurier, Dan Dawson, will receive the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Brantford campus ceremonies will be held at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts on June 9. Waterloo campus ceremonies take place at Lazaridis Hall from June 15 to 19.

Sir George Herbert Beardshaw, Honorary Doctor of Laws | June 9, 10 a.m., Brantford

Born in Thorne, Yorkshire, England in 1923, Sir George Herbert Beardshaw is a British-born “Home Child,” one of 100,000 migrant children sent to Canada between 1869 and 1939. He emigrated in the early 1930s and was placed on a farm near Lindsay, Ont. to work as an agricultural labourer. During the Second World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Army with the Queen’s Own Rifles, landed on Juno Beach after D-Day, fought in Normandy and was later captured in The Netherlands. Beardshaw was held as a prisoner of war for 28 days in 1945. After the war, he made his home in London, Ont. Now 102 years old, Beardshaw is recognized as the last surviving British Home Child in Canada and is one of the last surviving veterans of the Queen’s Own Rifles. He was awarded the French Legion d’honneur in 2022 and granted an honorary knighthood for his role in liberating France. Beardshaw has been a passionate advocate for British Home Children and Canadian Armed Forces members his entire adult life.

Dan Shulman, Honorary Doctor of Laws | June 15, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo

Longtime broadcaster Dan Shulman, whose career highlights include calling the Blue Jays’ thrilling run to Game 7 of the World Series last year, has returned to Toronto to call another season of Blue Jays baseball. Now with Rogers Sportsnet, Shulman has been a college basketball announcer for more than 30 years in the United States with ESPN, and also called Major League Baseball for ESPN for 25 years, including 12 World Series on ESPN Radio. Shulman began to carve out his reputation as the play-by-play voice of TSN baseball telecasts with Buck Martinez during the 1990s, and has also covered the NHL, NBA and three Olympics. He cut his teeth while studying actuarial science at Western University, calling varsity games with Radio Western. Following a brief period working as an actuary, Shulman’s real passion beckoned.

Ningwakwe Priscilla George, Honorary Doctor of Laws | June 16, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo

Ningwakwe (Rainbow Woman) George is Deer Clan Anishinaabe Kwe from Saugeen First Nation #29 (SFN). She has been involved in Indigenous literacy and education for more than 30 years at the local, provincial, national and international levels. George worked in the Ontario provincial government as a community development officer and policy analyst. She has also worked with ArrowMight Canada and as part of a team of Cuban and Canadian educators that developed literacy curriculum for delivery via DVD across Canada. Since moving home to Saugeen First Nation in 2014, George has been the Indigenous mentor and visiting Elder at her former high school, Saugeen District Senior School. She has served as research coordinator for the First Nations Wellness Initiative, a collaboration between SFN and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, since 2018. In addition, George is the SFN coordinator for the Further Education Society of Alberta national project, “Pathways: Creating Opportunities for Indigenous Youth Employment in the Tourism and Government Sectors.”

Diane J. Brisebois, Honorary Doctor of Laws | June 17, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo

Trailblazer Diane J. Brisebois is recognized for bolstering Canada’s retail sector, advancing ethical and inclusive business practices, and fostering the development of future leaders across the country. Brisebois led the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) as president and chief executive officer for more than 30 years until her retirement in late 2025 and built a resounding voice for 45,000 retailers across Canada — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her calm stewardship, collaborative approach, and commitment to evidence-based decision-making helped safeguard both economic stability and community well-being for retailers of all sizes. Brisebois’s support for education, sustainability and equity extends well beyond the boardroom. She is a strong advocate for fair and transparent global supply chains through her work with the Fair Factory Clearinghouse, advancing human dignity and responsible business practices worldwide. Her longstanding contributions to mentorship and education include service on advisory boards for the top retail management programs at Canadian universities. Among her many accolades, Brisebois was named to the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame, receiving the first ever Star Women in Grocery Icon Award in 2025.

Dan Dawson, Order of Wilfrid Laurier University (OWLU) | June 18, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo

A member of the Laurier community for 41 years, including as assistant vice-president: student and ancillary services, Dan Dawson has made an impact on generations of students and on the institution. After graduating from Laurier with a bachelor’s degree in Geography and a Business diploma, Dawson became a Laurier employee in 1989 through various roles in the Students’ Union. In 2003, he took the position of director of student services before moving on to the assistant vice-president of student services role in 2010, portfolios that include housing and residence life, food services, conferences and events, printing, the Hawk Shop and the Special Constable Service. Laurier’s Alumni Association will recognize Dawson with a Forever Golden Hawk award on May 28. As Dawson prepares for retirement, Laurier’s residence leadership team has created the Dan Dawson Community and Belonging Award, which will be given annually to a residence student staff member on each campus.

Jully Black, Honorary Doctor of Music | June 19, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo

From a young girl singing in church in Toronto at 6 years old, Jully Black, the daughter of an inspiring Jamaican immigrant mother, has grown into a visionary, trailblazer, truth-teller and Canadian icon. With a career spanning over 30 years, Black is a multiple JUNO Award-winning, platinum-selling artist, most recently earning a JUNO in 2026. She is also an inductee into Canada’s Walk of Fame and recognized by CBC Music as one of the 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever. Beyond music, she is an actress, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and wellness leader. She has collaborated with Nas, Destiny’s Child and Ian Thornley, and has shared the stage with Alicia Keys, Elton John, Céline Dion and Joni Mitchell. A passionate advocate for the Black community, human rights, Indigenous rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, she uses her platform to drive meaningful change. Through The Power of Step and the Jully Black Family Foundation, she empowers others to embrace self-love and growth.

Other Honours

Convocation ceremonies will also honour the outstanding accomplishments of Laurier faculty members: 

Faculty Award for Service Excellence and Community Engagement:

• Xu (Sunny) Wang, June 16, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo
• Michelle Skop, June 19, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo

University Research Professor:

• Jasmin Zine, June 18, 1:30 p.m., Waterloo
• Steve Sider, June 19, 1:30 p.m., Waterloo

Tickets are required for all Laurier convocation ceremonies. Members of the media are asked to RSVP to attend. For more information, visit  wlu.ca/convocation.