Canada’s chief of defence staff received an honorary doctorate of sacred letters from Huntington University on Nov. 18.
Gen. Jennie Carignan became the first woman to hold the position of Canada’s top soldier when she was appointed in July.
“With sincere appreciation, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Huntington University Board of Regents for presenting me with this prestigious honour,” Carignan said in a news release. “As someone who has dedicated much of my own life to the Canadian Armed Forces, this recognition holds even greater meaning, knowing Huntington is led by Dr. Kevin McCormick, a senior and highly respected honorary colonel in the Canadian military.”
A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada in Engineering, Carignan was commissioned into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1990. Since then, she commanded two Combat Engineer Regiments — Royal Military College Saint-Jean and the 2nd Canadian Division — leading more than 10,000 soldiers and spearheading crisis operations during the flood relief efforts in the spring of 2019 in Quebec.
Carignan also led NATO Mission Iraq from November 2019 to November 2020 and participated in three previous expeditionary operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Golan Heights and Afghanistan. From 2021 to 2023, Carignan served as Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture.
Carignan also holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Université Laval and a second Master’s degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. She is also a graduate of the National Security Studies Programme from Canadian Forces College in Toronto.
Invested as Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Carignan is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Cross, as well as the Gloire de l'Escolle medal from Université Laval. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Université Laval.
For his part, McCormick highlighted the general’s service.
“Her outstanding and distinguished military career, spanning nearly four decades, is a testament to Gen. Carignan’s exemplary leadership, unwavering professionalism, and selfless dedication in service to others,” said McCormick. “On a personal level, it has been a profound honour to play a part in bestowing the honorary degree from Huntington upon such a prominent and distinguished member of our Canadian Armed Forces.”
Carignan is married and the mother of four children, two of whom serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Huntington University has a proud history of recognizing illustrious leaders whose determination and dedication build better communities for all. Gen Carignan has dedicated much of her life to the Canadian Armed Forces, heading up missions on Canadian soil and in conflict zones around the world. She is a trailblazer, accomplished as a commander and leader who inspires others, and someone who consistently strives for excellence in all that she does,” said Mary-Liz Warwick, chair of the university board of regents. “On behalf of the Huntington University Board of Regents, I offer Gen Carignan our sincerest congratulations and give thanks for her enduring service to Canada.”
