A pair of notable Fredericton residents will receive honorary degrees from St. Thomas University during this year’s graduation ceremonies.
Dr. Mary McCarthy-Brandt and Maggie Paul were announced as the degree recipients through a university press release on Thursday.
“Each of these remarkable individuals has used her voice to celebrate and preserve their respective histories and culture and bring attention to pressing current day social issues,” said Dawn Russell, president and vice-chancellor of St. Thomas University, in a news release.
“We will be honoured to highlight their accomplishments at Spring Convocation as our class of 2022 graduates.”
Through her work as a writer, educator and historian, McCarthy-Brandt dedicates her time to preserving the history of Black New Brunswickers. Her work includes researching segregated and forgotten graveyards in New Brunswick.
Paul is a Passamaquoddy elder, teacher and song carrier who currently lives on Sitansisk Wolastoqiyik, also known as St. Mary’s First Nation. For more than 40 years, she has preserved formerly banned Passamaquoddy and Wolastoqey songs.
She is known for using music to inspire and guide Indigenous youth.
“When you bring the songs back, you’re going to bring the dances back,” said Paul in the news release.
“You’re going to bring the people back. You’re going to bring everything back.”
McCarthy-Brandt and Paul will receive their honorary degrees at STU’s upcoming graduation ceremony, which takes place on Tuesday, May 17, at the Grant Harvey Centre in Fredericton, N.B.