Divinity Convocation 2018

Bishop and Dedicated Trinity Alum to Receive Honorary Degrees from Trinity College

Trinity College is pleased to announce that The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson and John Goodwin will receive honorary degrees from Trinity College at its Divinity Convocation on May 8, 2018. The Rev’d Kevin Robertson will deliver the Convocation address.

“It’s a great honour for the Faculty of Divinity and Trinity College to be able to acknowledge these two outstanding individuals for their dedication to Trinity College and the Anglican Church of Canada,” said The Rev. Dr. Chris Brittain, Dean of Divinity and Margaret E. Fleck Chair in Anglican Studies at Trinity College.

This year, 22 Divinity students will be graduating, including those receiving Master’s and Doctoral degrees (which are awarded conjointly with the University of Toronto), diplomas and certificates.

“We are immensely proud of the 24 students who will be graduating this year. They are a credit to Trinity College and to the wider Toronto School of Theology. We look forward to witnessing the next stage of their careers, and the contributions they will make to the church and the wider society,” said the Rev. Dr. Brittain.

The Trinity College Divinity Convocation 2018 will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:30 pm in Strachan Hall (Trinity College at 6 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto). This is a non-ticketed event. All guests are invited to join in a reception in Seeley Hall after the ceremony. If you have any questions, please contact provoffice@trinity.utoronto.ca.

The following honorary degrees will be conferred

The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson

The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson is the Area Bishop of York-Scarborough. Before being elected bishop in 2016, Bishop Robertson was the incumbent of Christ Church, Deer Park and the Regional Dean of the Eglington deanery. He previously served as the liturgical officer for the York-Scarborough area; incumbent of St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff; and incumbent of St. Peter, Oshawa. Bishop Robertson has a Master of Divinity (Hons) from Trinity College at the University of Toronto and a B.A. (Hons) from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario. He was ordained deacon in 1997 and priest in 1998. Bishop Robertson and his partner Mohan have two children and live in Toronto.

Bishop Robertson is being honoured in recognition of his constant loyalty to ministry of church and community, his quiet witness to authentic life in a changing church and world, and to his care for those in need, at all social levels.

The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa), and will be presented by The Rev. Canon David Neelands, and hooded by Dean of Divinity and Margaret E. Fleck Chair in Anglican Studies The Rev. Prof. Chris Brittain.

John Goodwin

John Goodwin is a retired partner with the law firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP. John practiced primarily in the field of employee benefits. He is a graduate of Trinity College, University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. Mr. Goodwin was a member of the 1992 Federal Judges Commission on Judges’ Salaries and Benefits, has served as President of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute and as Chair of the Provincial Judges’ Pension Board. Mr. Goodwin has served on the Allocations Committee of the United Way of Metropolitan Toronto, the Executive Committee of The Big Sister Association of Metropolitan Toronto, the Board of Directors of People & Organizations in North Toronto and as President of the North Toronto Historical Society.

Mr. Goodwin served as Chancellor of The Diocese of the Arctic, Anglican Church of Canada for 13 years. Mr Goodwin served on the Board of Trustees, Trinity College, University of Toronto, for 6 years and as a director of the Administration Corporation of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System for over 4 years. Mr. Goodwin was the recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Pensions and Benefits Law on June 12, 2014. He and his wife (Mary, Trinity 1958) have three children Jennifer, Timothy and Geoffrey and seven grandchildren.

John Goodwin’s exceptional dedication and significant contributions as a Trinity alum who has served as a wise, accomplished and generous supporter of Trinity College on numerous committees, on the Board of Trustees and on Corporation.

John Goodwin will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa), and be presented by C. Ann Wainwright and hooded by Robert Painter.

Categories: Awards & Honours; College News; Student News; Theology