Theatre Advocate, Philanthropist to Receive Honorary Degrees at Fall Convocation 

For nearly 30 years, Nina has been changing the landscape of Canadian theatre. A graduate of U of G’s College of Arts and an award-winning theatre director and educator, Nina’s artistic process is a blend of intuition and precision. She is highly respected in artistic communities, not only for her meticulous craft, but for her inspired presence as a champion of playwrights.  

Throughout her career she has mentored, empowered and uplifted the voices of artists of colour, first for her own Filipino and Asian Canadian community, and then more broadly. Aquino pushes creative boundaries while dismantling historical barriers and demanding visibility to redefine what excellence in Canadian theatre looks like. This work began as a student at U of G, where she produced the first Asian-Canadian play. She is a changemaker who knows how to put values into action. 

A generous and visionary donor to the University of Guelph, his alma mater, Edward (Ted) Morwick’s career has spanned law, literature, agriculture and philanthropy. As a lawyer committed to public service, Ted championed the rights of rural communities, shaping agricultural law in Ontario. As an author and historian, his works, The Chosen Breed and The Holstein History, have preserved the cultural and scientific heritage of Canadian agriculture.  

His philanthropic contributions to U of G have advanced global leadership in sustainable groundwater research through a $10-million gift to establish the Morwick Groundwater Research Centre. Ted has empowered students with scholarships in the arts, aquatic biology and water resources engineering, exemplifying values of generosity and lifelong learning. 

During her 40 years of service to the University of Guelph, Irene played a critical role in enhancing the University’s living and learning environment. Guided by her deep sense of caring for students’ psychological, physical and personal well-being, she developed innovative support and learning programs as associate director of student residence life that are now accepted as best practices across the country. 

Irene developed many successful programs focused on improving the student experience and well-being and championed these programs to other universities across Canada, receiving the Ontario Association of Colleges and University Housing Officers Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was also known for her depth of care and support for her team, mentoring hundreds of student leaders and leading her team through crises calmly and with a focus on student support. The student-centred programs and policies Irene championed will continue to change the lives of U of G students for years to come.