Eleanor Wachtel was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature, honoris causa, at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, “in recognition of her illustrious career as author, interviewer, radio personality and arts commentator, placing Canadians on the world stage and bringing the world to Canada.”
A native of Montreal, she studied English Literature at McGill University. In 1987, she moved to Toronto as literary commentator on CBC Radio’s State of the Arts and reporter for The Arts Report. Wachtel hosted The Arts Tonight from 1996 to 2007, co-founded and hosted Wachtel of the Arts and has hosted Writers & Company since its creation in 1990.
Her unique blend of integrity, warmth and intelligence consistently wins the trust of international, high-profile writers. At the end of their conversation in 2013, John le Carré told her: “You do it better than anyone I know.” Wachtel has received many honours for her contributions to Canadian cultural life, including the NY Festivals Award for World’s Best Radio Programs and Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2015, the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) named her among their 100 Most Powerful Women – Arts & Communication. Wachtel has received eight honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Laws from Concordia University (2010), Doctor of Letters (2009) from McGill University, Doctor of Laws (2007) from Dalhousie University, D.Litt. (2007) from Simon Fraser University, D. Litt. (2002) from Mount Saint Vincent University, D.Litt. (2001) from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, D.Litt. (2000) from Athabasca University and D.Litt. (1999) from St. Thomas University.