The University of Windsor will celebrate the achievements of its graduating students during 10 sessions of its 123rd Convocation, June 3 to 6 at the Toldo Lancer Centre.

In addition, the University will recognize three exceptional individuals with honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degrees, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to their fields and society.

Michael Connelly, professor emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, is internationally recognized for his leadership in curriculum, teacher education and narrative inquiry. A graduate of the universities of Alberta and Chicago, he holds an honorary doctorate from the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and honorary professorships at Southwest University and Northeast Normal University in China.

Dr. Connelly is co-founder and longtime editor of Curriculum Inquiry, and has written extensively on science education, multiculturalism, and comparative education. He directed Canada’s Second International Science Study and the OISE/UT doctoral program at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Connelly has supervised more than 170 postgraduate students, many of whom have won prestigious research, teaching, and dissertation awards.

He worked in curriculum, teacher education, and human resource development in Egypt, Jordan, Hong Kong, the West Indies, and China. He drafted the terms of reference for the Egyptian Professional Academy of Teachers and served as a UNICEF consultant to the League of Arab States, contributing to a pan-Arab curriculum and teacher education framework.

Connelly co-directed the Canada–China Reciprocal Learning Partnership with UWindsor professor Shijing Xu and co-edits its associated 15-volume book series. His many honours include a lifetime achievement award from the American Educational Research Association and the Outstanding Canadian Curriculum Scholar Award.

He will receive his honorary degree at the second session of Convocation, 2:30 p.m. on June 3.

Jerry Norcia is the chief executive officer of DTE Energy and chair of the company’s board of directors. A leader with more than three decades of experience in the energy sector, he has held senior roles spanning business development, engineering, operations, and executive leadership.

Norcia joined DTE in 2002 as president of its gas storage and pipelines business. He went on to serve as president of both DTE Gas and DTE Electric before being named president and chief operating officer. He was appointed CEO in 2019 and board chair in 2022, taking on strategic oversight of the company’s electric and gas utilities as well as its two major non-utility businesses.

Before joining DTE, Norcia was vice-president of business development for Union Gas. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Windsor.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Norcia is deeply involved in his community. He sits on the boards of Henry Ford Health, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Partnership, and the Downtown Detroit Partnership. He also contributes to shaping the energy industry through his roles on the boards of the American Gas Association, Edison Electric Institute, Nuclear Energy Institute, and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

He will receive his honorary degree at the third session of Convocation, 9:30 a.m. on June 4.

Jacqueline Wayner is a leader in information technology and cybersecurity, with a career defined by innovation, service and advocacy. A University of Windsor mathematics graduate, she was hired there as a computer systems analyst, helping to pioneer early computing systems at a time when few women studied math or computer science.

She later earned advanced degrees from the University of Detroit and Northwood University and achieved the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation, which meant being a part of an elite network of cybersecurity professionals recognized around the world.

As an information technology (IT) senior security and control engineer, she was recognized for her leadership in information systems security in a corporate global data centre. She developed optimal solutions to complex problems and played a key role as an IT security technical expert, contributing to audit success, improved risk management and the implementation of best practices.

Wayner has also been a lifelong community advocate. A two-term past president of the Hour-A-Day Study Club (HADSC), she computerized its processes and supported its cultural and educational programs. In 1966, she received a scholarship from HADSC and later was on the steering committee for the fourth National Congress of Black Women in 1977, hosted by the HADSC. She served on the executive of the Local Council of Women of Windsor and attended Provincial Council of Women of Ontario and National Council of Women of Canada conferences advocating for women’s empowerment.

Wayner’s legacy reflects her belief that education and service are keys to progress. She will receive her honorary degree at the eighth session of Convocation, 7 p.m. June 5.

For more information about the University of Windsor’s Spring 2025 Convocation, visit uwindsor.ca/convocation.