Canadian comedian Steve Smith to receive honorary degree

Hamilton, Ont. May 11, 2011—Comedian Steve Smith is to receive an honorary doctorate at McMaster University’s Spring convocation.

Smith, the creator of the popular Red Green character, is to address Humanities and Arts & Science graduands at the ceremony to be held at Hamilton Place June 13 at 2:30 p.m.

The writer and actor behind the internationally popular Red Green Show is to receive a Doctor of Letters degree. He and the university confirmed the details today.

Smith’s portrayal of the amiable yet curmudgeonly handyman character emerged from Smith & Smith, the sketch comedy show he created with his wife, Morag Smith.

He joins former Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin and former national president of the Canadian Auto Workers Buzz Hargrove on a list of prominent Canadians receiving honorary doctorates at convocation ceremonies in May and June, when approximately 5,400 students.

Details are available online at: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/story.cfm?id=7978

Honorary degree recipients are recognized for contributions in such areas as public service, education and scholarship, creative and performing arts, and for work within the McMaster community.

McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 23,000, and more than 140,000 alumni in 128 countries.

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For more information, please contact:

Wade Hemsworth

Public Relations Manager

McMaster University

905-525-9140 ext. 27988

hemswor@mcmaster.ca

Michelle Donovan

Public Relations Manager

McMaster University

905-525-9140 ext. 22869

donovam@mcmaster.ca