Dr. Gervan Fearon to receive honorary degree from University of Guelph

By Neil Armstrong

The University of Guelph will confer an honorary degree on Dr. Gervan Fearon, the president of George Brown Polytechnic, at its summer convocation where six leaders in agriculture, education, food safety, public service, and veterinary medicine will be awarded for their work June 8 to 12.

An honorary degree is one of the highest honours bestowed by the university, celebrating exceptional people whose accomplishments have inspired the University of Guelph community.

Dr. Fearon, who is an alumnus of the University of Guelph where he earned his
B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, will receive the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, on June 10. 

“Dr. Fearon is passionate about the power of education in unlocking social and economic opportunities and creating positive change. Those actions serve as an inspiration to empower students, colleagues, and the world towards a better future,” said Dr. Andrea Chance, a professor at the University of Guelph-Humber who was the lead nominator of Dr. Fearon for this recognition.

She underscored his research work and noted that he has done many things to highlight both international and Caribbean academic institutions.

The University of Guelph said Dr. Fearon’s leadership and passion for post-secondary institutions has been a driving force in advancing innovation and excellence. Since 2021, he has served as the president of George Brown Polytechnic, following his tenure as president and vice-chancellor of both Brock University and Brandon University.  

His tenure at Brock University was from 2017-2021, and at Brandon University, 2013-2017, he became the first Black president of a university in Canada. Dr. Fearon has also held numerous progressive roles in post-secondary education, including vice-president, academic, at Brandon University; dean of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), the largest school of adult education in Canada; associate dean at York University’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies; visiting scholar at the University of Washington; and as an associate professor at York University. He also has a strong teaching and research record.

At Brock University, Dr. Fearon co-founded the Canada-Caribbean Institute, along with Sir Hilary Beckles, vice-chancellor at The University of the West Indies. The Canada-Caribbean Institute is dedicated to connecting scholars from across Canada and the Caribbean to collaborate on vital economic, environmental, and social issues that contribute to the shared prosperity of both regions.

Passionate about the role of post-secondary education in supporting regional development, Dr. Fearon has served on numerous community boards and helped champion significant community development initiatives.

“He has used his platform in post-secondary education to drive meaningful change through diversity and inclusion and improving access to transformative education opportunities for diverse communities. His influence extends well beyond Canada, and he continuously empowers communities around the world, said the university.  

Describing Dr. Fearon as a community builder, Dr. Chance said, in 2021, he was very influential during his time at Brock University in getting the Canada Summer Games there.

He chairs the federal government’s External Reference Group for the Black Canadian Communities Initiative and served as the president of Tropicana Community Services.

As a survivor of prostate cancer, Dr. Fearon is the honorary chair of the men’s health group, The Walnut Foundation’s annual walkathon which will be held on June 6 at the Etobicoke Creek Trail Brampton from 8am to noon.

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  Guelph