TORONTO, ON—Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce that its honorary degree recipients for 2025 will be Mrs. Lorna Dueck and Mr. Paul Henderson. Both will receive their honorary degrees at Wycliffe’s spring convocation, which will take place at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 12 in Wycliffe College’s Sheraton Hall.
For over 30 years, Lorna Dueck has been a prominent voice in Christian media, advancing Christian public discourse. Through her journalism with shows like Context with Lorna Dueck, she helped bring Christian values and perspectives into mainstream media, fostering informed discussion on faith, ethics, and social issues.
From her years as The Globe and Mail’s monthly voice on faith and public affairs, to her international documentary reporting on faith-based responses to humanitarian crises, and her leadership as the former CEO of Crossroads Global Media Group and YES TV, she has influenced Christian broadcasting and outreach in Canada. By addressing moral and spiritual issues in the public square, Dueck has modelled how theology and media can work together to engage culture thoughtfully and meaningfully.
She will be awarded the degree Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa).
Though Paul Henderson may be best known for his inspirational leadership on the ice, and that iconic goal during the 1972 Summit Series, he is also known for his strong Christian faith which he openly shared throughout his career. Since retiring, Paul has continued to advocate for youth sports, encouraging youth to live with purpose, integrity and a sense of spiritual grounding. Active in faith-based initiatives, he has shared his testimony through speaking engagements and books, and in later years he has shared how his faith helped him overcome life challenges including cancer. His Paul Henderson Legacy Foundation promotes sportsmanship, health, and Christian faith.
Henderson will be interviewed during the Holy Communion service preceding the Convocation. He will also be awarded the degree Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa).
The Rev. Dr Andrew Stirling will deliver the Convocation Address. In 2008 Wycliffe College recognized his contribution to preaching with an honorary Doctor of Divinity. In 2016 Dr Stirling was appointed a Lifetime Fellow of Acadia Divinity College (Wolfville), and in 2020 Emmanuel College (Toronto), established a preaching award in his name. He has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Divinity College and an Academic Visitor at Regent’s Park College, Oxford.
He currently serves as Ambassador for the Canadian Bible Society.
The honorary degree is Wycliffe College’s highest distinction. It is awarded to people whose lives and service to the Church and society merit recognition.
Founded in 1877, Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto is a graduate school of theology committed to preparing students for lives of practical ministry and theological scholarship. Rooted in the evangelical Anglican tradition, Wycliffe is home to students from a wide variety of denominations seeking to deepen their commitment to Christ and knowledge of the Gospel through study and community. Wycliffe offers diverse programs from part-time certificates to doctoral degrees.
