Paul Quarrington is recognized as one of Canada?s most influential literary figures. A novelist, musician, screenwriter and non-fiction writer, Quarrington?s work has garnered numerous awards. His novel King Leary was awarded the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1988 and was a finalist for Trillium Book Award.

In 1989, his novel Whale Music won the Governor General?s Award for Fiction. His novel Galveston was shortlisted for the prestigious Giller Prize in 2004. In 2009, the Writers? Trust of Canada awarded Quarrington the Matt Cohen Prize for a distinguished lifetime contribution to Canadian literature. Quarrington also taught creative writing for more than 20 years, served as the Chair of the Writers? Union of Canada and was a board member of both PEN Canada and Fringe Theatre Toronto. Quarrington died from lung cancer on January 21, 2010.

His only solo album Paul Quarrington: The Songs was  released nationally, June 8th, while is last book Cigar Box Banjo was released at the end of May, accompanied by the national broadcast of an hour long documentary about his his life in music aired the same weekend on CTV/Bravo.

The other honorary degree recipients include Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, local artist Jack Lockhart, women?s advocate Marsha Greenfield and Jon Dellandrea, most notably known for university advancement, and Former Ontario premier Mike Harris.

A committee of the senate, which includes board members, students, faculty and alumni, decides who receives honorary degrees. Nominations are made by the committee and accepted from outside sources. The list of candidates are taken to the board of governors for approval.