General John de Chastelain

General John de Chastelain

Doctor of Civil Law

General John de Chastelain will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree. His is a retired Canadian soldier and diplomat who is an expert in international conflict resolution.

He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, served with the Princess Patricia?s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) in Canada and overseas, was twice appointed Canada?s Chief of the Defence Staff, and in 1993 was named Canada?s 19th Ambassador to the United States.

After retiring from active military service in 1995, he was one of three international chairmen involved in the Northern Ireland Peace talks which led to the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement of April 10, 1998. Since 1997 he has served as a member and chair of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IIDC), the body responsible for ensuring the decommissioning of arms by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.

He is also a member of the International Advisory Board for Peaceful Schools International, an organization in which Saint Mary?s was the first university internationally to gain membership.

Honors received during his career include the Order of Canada (Officer), Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Companion of Honor (U.K.), Commander of the Order of St. John, and Commander of the Legion of Merit (U.S.).

This honorary degree recognizes his work on conflict resolution, particularly in Northern Ireland. Students from Saint Mary?s travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland each year to work with young citizens and teachers to address issues surrounding peace and the importance of conflict resolution.