Watch the fall convocation honorary doctorate speeches
Honorary doctorate recipient Louise Penny recently co-authored the political thriller, State of Terror, with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Penny is a graduate of Ryerson’s Radio and Television Arts program and has written 17 crime novels set in Quebec. (Ryerson University/YouTube)
Watch the videos to see Ryerson’s fall 2021 honorary doctorate recipients address graduates.
They include:
- Louise Penny, award-winning writer, who recently co-authored the New York Times best-seller State of Terror with Hillary Rodham Clinton
- Wes Hall, the first Black ‘dragon’ of Dragon’s Den and one of Canada’s 50 most influential people, according to Maclean’s magazine
- Brian Gluckstein, globally recognized Canadian designer
Wes Hall
Above, watch Wes Hall’s convocation address. (Ryerson University/YouTube)
Breaking barriers: In 2020, Hall launched Black North Initiative. The organization collaborates with Canadian businesses to remove systemic barriers that negatively affect the lives of Black Canadians.
Most recently, Hall joined the cast of Dragons’ Den, becoming the first Black “dragon” to appear on the CBC Television series. He also serves on a number of boards, including the Toronto International Film Festival and SickKids Foundation, and teaches a course at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. The course, Black Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Canada, the first of its kind in North America, examines anti-Black racism and teaches students how to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
Brian Gluckstein
Above, watch Brian Gluckstein’s convocation address. (Ryerson University/ YouTube)
Did you know? Brian Gluckstein’s design work has appeared in countless publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor and House Beautiful. He has been voted favourite interior designer by the readers of House & Home magazine, and for 30 years, he has appeared on the daytime television show Cityline.
Louise Penny
Above, watch Louise Penny’s convocation address. (Ryerson University/YouTube)
Best seller: A member of the Order of Canada, Louise Penny recently co-wrote a book with Hillary Rodham Clinton, former secretary of state of the United States. Their political thriller, State of Terror, focuses on nuclear war and diplomacy.
Penny graduated from Ryerson’s Radio and Television Arts program in 1979 and became a journalist. After 15 years with CBC Radio, she left to focus on writing and her debut novel, Still Life, was published in 2005.
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