John Daniel O’Leary will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony on Friday, June 10 “in recognition of his lifelong commitment and leadership in advancing literacy among marginalized and underserved communities and his service to the unique educational opportunity offered by Frontier College.”
Born in Toronto, he studied history and political science at Carleton while playing linebacker for the Ravens football team.
He spent a year studying with the Jesuits, teaching in schools in Chicago and Winnipeg, and he lived with the L’Arche community, assisting people with special needs. After teaching literacy in an Ontario prison, he joined Frontier College as a literacy teacher in Manitoba prisons.
He then joined the Frontier staff and, in 1990, was appointed president of the organization. His goal was to recruit university students across Canada as literacy tutors for disadvantaged and oppressed people.
He now works in development at Teach for Canada and serves on the boards of the Christian Resources Centre and the Toronto Native Friendship Centre.