Figure skating icon and artist Toller Cranston was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, June 8, “in recognition of outstanding contributions to international sport and Canada’s cultural life.”
Toller Cranston is widely recognized for transforming figure skating in the late 1960s and 70s with innovations like spectacular spins that were widely copied by other skaters. Heralded as one of the most exciting skaters of his time, Cranston was the 1971-1976 Canadian national champion, the 1974 World bronze medallist and the 1976 Olympic bronze medallist.
Over the course of five decades, he has also made significant contributions to the artistic enrichment of Canadian culture. His art has been exhibited in major international galleries, museums and more than 250 one-artist shows around the globe.
In 1976, he was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and in 1978, he was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. He was also inducted into the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1997, Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2003 and into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004.