A Ryerson professor was admitted to the Order of Canada on Friday Sept. 12.
According to the Governor General’s office, David Smith, a political science professor, was made an officer of the Order of Canada, the second-highest rank.
Smith is among 14 honoured as officers and joins the likes of fellow astronaut Chris Hadfield, TV personality Rick Mercer and Ryerson’s third chancellor, Raymond Chang, who died in July.
In a news release on Wednesday, Rideau Hall said Smith is one of Canada’s leading authorities on constitutional governance and a notable contributor to the public understanding of the Canadian political system.
“His early work on Saskatchewan’s governance and Prairie populism are considered classics in the field,” it said.
Smith joined Ryerson in 2013 as a distinguished visiting professor, following an almost 50-year career at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. He earned his PhD and master’s degrees in political science from Duke University, as well as a bachelor of arts in economics and political science from the University of Western Ontario.
Smith did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Gov. Gen. David Johnston is expected to preside over the investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall Friday morning.
Zachary Dodds, Ryersonian Reporter.
He graduated from the Ryerson School of Journalism in 2015.