Saint Mary's University will award honorary doctorates at the 2026 Fall Convocation to two distinguished individuals whose research, leadership and vision have made a lasting impact across Canada and around the world.
Dr. Michael Zaworotko
Dr. Michael Zaworotko
An internationally renowned chemist and former Saint Mary’s professor, Dr. Michael Zaworotko ("Dr. Z") has spent more than four decades advancing the field of crystal engineering and developing materials with the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Born in Wales, Dr. Zaworotko earned his B.Sc. from Imperial College London and his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. He joined the faculty at Saint Mary’s University in 1985, where he spent 13 years before moving to the University of Winnipeg and then the University of South Florida. In 2013, he joined the University of Limerick in Ireland, where he serves as Bernal Chair of Crystal Engineering.
His research explores the design and properties of crystalline materials, with a particular focus on ultramicroporous and flexible materials, and pharmaceutical cocrystals. This work has applications ranging from carbon capture and water purification to the development of improved medicines.
Dr. Zaworotko has published more than 580 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and patents, and his work has been cited more than 70,000 times. He has been recognized internationally for the influence of his research, including being named among the world’s most highly cited researchers across chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, and cross-disciplinary research. He is also a member of the Royal Irish Academy.
He will receive a Doctor of Science, honoris causa.
Michael Medline
Michael Medline
Michael Medline is one of Canada’s most accomplished business leaders, with a career spanning retail, grocery, investment, law and corporate strategy.
He is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Woodbridge Company Limited, the primary investment vehicle for the Thomson family of Canada and majority shareholder of Thomson Reuters. He previously served as President and CEO of Empire Company Limited and Sobeys Inc. from 2017 until his retirement from the company in 2025.
During his tenure at Empire, Medline led a significant transformation of the business, strengthening its financial performance, expanding its portfolio through the acquisitions of Farm Boy and Longo’s, and overseeing the launch of a new national loyalty program. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Canadian Tire Corporation, including President and CEO.
Medline serves on the boards of Thomson Reuters Corporation, The Globe and Mail and Scotiabank, where he chairs the Corporate Governance Committee. He is also Vice-Chair of SickKids and Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of Huron University College, among other roles.
His contributions to Canadian business and industry have earned numerous honours, including The Globe and Mail’s CEO of the Year, Canada’s Most Admired CEO, the Retail Council of Canada’s Trailblazer Award, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business Principled Achievement Award and the Food Industry Association of Canada’s Golden Pencil Award.
Medline holds an MBA from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary, an LL.B. from the University of Toronto and a BA from Huron University College at Western University.
He will receive a Doctor of Commerce, honoris causa.
Fall Convocation takes place on Friday, November 13, 2026. Ceremonies will be live-streamed at smu.ca/graduation.