Doctor of Letters
(honoris causa) DLitt
Paul Quarrington posthumously received the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters. His daughter, Carson Quarrington accepted the honorary degree and delivered the convocation address to graduates of Nipissing’s Faculty of Arts and Science and Concurrent Education program on Thursday, June 10, 2010.
Paul Quarrington is recognized as one of Canada’s most influential literary figures. A novelist, musician, screenwriter and non-fiction writer, Quarrington’s work has garnered numerous awards. His novel King Leary was awarded the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1988 and was a finalist for Trillium Book Award. In 1989, his novel Whale Music won the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. His novel Galveston was shortlisted for the prestigious Giller Prize in 2004. In 2009, the Writers' Trust of Canada awarded Quarrington the Matt Cohen Prize for a distinguished lifetime contribution to Canadian literature. Quarrington also taught creative writing for more than 20 years, served as the Chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada and was a board member of both PEN Canada and Fringe Theatre Toronto. Quarrington died from lung cancer on January 21, 2010.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Carson Quarrington accepting on behalf of her late father, Paul Quarrington
Carson Quarrington shares her experiences and thoughts regarding her father receiving an honorary degree from Nipissing University.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Carson Quarrington for her father Paul Quarrington
2010 Convocation Address