Robert Laughton, former Chair of the Carleton University Board of Governors, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 4:00 p.m. ceremony on Thursday, June 16, “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Carleton University as Chair and a member of the Board of Governors, and to the Ottawa community.”
A graduate of Carleton and Queen’s universities, Robert Laughton has practised law in his native Ottawa for more than 40 years. A former managing partner of one of Canada’s largest law firms, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, he currently serves as Counsel to the firm.
An enthusiastic supporter of Carleton University, he has served the University in a variety of capacities, including Chair of its Board of Governors and Chair of its Executive, Nominating and Finance Committees. He is also the Director of the Carleton University Foundation.
Laughton’s community involvement, however, spans well beyond the campus borders. He is a former Chair of the Royal Ottawa Hospital Board of Trustees and a current Governor of the Community Foundation of Ottawa. He has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of Canada, the National Capital Region YM-YWCA, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame Inc., among other community and national organizations.
Robert Laughton’s contribution to the community and Canada has been recognized by several local and national honours and awards, including a Commemorative Medal for Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, and a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.