May 29, 2006 -

Ottawa (Canada) -- The convocation season has arrived and with it, news that Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre (NAC) will be receiving Honourary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Manitoba on Thursday, June, 1, 2006 and from Brock University in St. Catharines on June 7.

“The University of Manitoba is delighted to honour Dr. Herrndorf, a University of Manitoba graduate, for his significant contributions to journalism, broadcasting, education and the arts over the past 40 years, says Dr. Emoke Szathmary, President and Vice-Chancellor, the University of Manitoba.

“Dr. Herrndorf is a recognized leader in the Canadian cultural community and as President of the National Arts Centre is playing a major role in fostering excellence in the performing arts. His alma mater is proud of his achievements which will be recognized formally by the conferring of the degree, Doctor of Laws (honoris causa).”

Also, on Wednesday, June, 7, 2006 Peter Herrndorf will be honoured in St. Catharines by Brock University with a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa). Brock University will recognize Peter Herrndorf for his outstanding contributions to journalism, broadcasting, education and the arts in Canada.

"Brock is pleased to recognize Peter Herrndorf with a Doctor of Laws Honorary Degree for his outstanding contributions to the vitality of the arts in Canada throughout his career," says Terry Boak, Acting President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University. "Under Mr. Herrndorf's leadership, the National Arts Centre now serves as a catalyst for the arts across the country by supporting artists and arts organizations, and their relationships with local communities in a way that enriches the quality of life in Canada."

Peter Herrndorf is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He holds a BA in Political Science and English from the University of Manitoba and a law degree from Dalhousie University. In 1970, Herrndorf earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School in Boston, Mass.

After working as a reporter, producer, head of TV Current Affairs and Network Vice-President at CBC/Radio-Canada and as Publisher of Toronto Life magazine in the 1970s and 1980s, Herrndorf joined TVOntario in 1992 as Chairman and CEO. Under his stewardship, TVO and TFO developed an international reputation for quality children's programming, won an unprecedented number of national and international awards, and dramatically improved its earned revenues.

Herrndorf has taken a leadership role in many community and industry activities in Canada and he has given his expertise and leadership to a broad range of boards, committees, advisory panels, foundations and other public and private sector organizations.

He is currently the Chairman of the Canadian Broadcasting Museum Foundation Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Board of Governors of the University of Ottawa. He was the Founding President of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation; a former member of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto; past Chairman of the Stratford Festival; past Chairman of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa/Gatineau; and past Chairman of the Canadian Stage Company in Toronto. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Ontario College of Art and Design, was a Senior Visiting Fellow at Massey College and served as a Distinguished Visitor in Journalism at the University of Western Ontario. He has also received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from York University in 1989, the University of Winnipeg in 1993, Dalhousie University in 2000, and Carleton University in 2004.

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For more information:
Nadine Lunt
Communications Advisor
National Arts Centre
Tel. (613) 947-7000 x 560