Ani DiFranco to receive Honorary Doctorate from University of Winnipeg

Our friends and neighbors to the north at the University of Winnipeg present the little folksinger with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters this Friday, November 22.

The Honorary Doctor of Letters is conferred upon those who have made a significant contribution to the Arts and Humanities. Past UWinnipeg recipients include cellist Zara Nelsova (1985), folk singer – and previous Winnipeg Folk Festival Artistic Achievement Award winner – Oscar Brand, and conductor Bramwell Tovey (1993).

The ceremony takes place 12:30 to 1:30 pm in Convocation Hall, 2nd floor, Wesley Hall. Journalists and the general public are welcome to attend.

"DiFranco has long been an advocate for social justice and environmental sustainability, and she lives those values as both a performer and entrepreneur," said Lloyd Axworthy, president and vice-chancellor of the U of W.

"Ani is a strong example of courage, tenacity and compassion — characteristics that our university holds in high esteem. We are pleased to welcome Ani to our university community and we are grateful to our partner, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, for its significant role in facilitating our ability to bestow this honour."

This accolade takes place on the same day that Ani receives the Winnipeg Folk Festival Artistic Achievement Award for 2013.

Thanks Winnipeg!

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