Cornwall, ON – Cornwall Chief of Police Daniel Parkinson has not only devoted his life to his busy career in law enforcement, he has also given his time to serving his community. It is with that inspirational service and commitment to volunteerism that St. Lawrence College is pleased to announce that Chief  Parkinson will receive an Honorary Diploma at the Cornwall Convocation ceremony on Friday, June 3, 2016. Chief Parkinson will address the graduating class at the 5:00pm ceremony.

Chief Parkinson will add the Honorary Diploma to many other impressive honours and awards he’s received, including: the 2015 Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Clubs of Cornwall, the highest honour a club can bestow; the 2013 Officer of the Order Merit, Police Forces, Government of Canada, for exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Police Services; the 2013 Police Exemplary Medal, which recognizes police officers who have served in an exemplary manner characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency; and the 2012 President’s Award of Merit from the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, bestowed by OACP to a member who has made significant contribution to policing in the Province of Ontario.

Outside of going above and beyond to serve the community in his capacity as the Chief of Police for the Cornwall Community Police Service, Chief Parkinson has also served and continues to serve on many local boards including: Cornwall Community Hospital; Baldwin House women’s shelter; Family Counseling Services of Cornwall; Koala Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre PrevAction; Cornwall Youth Advisory Committee; and the Social Development Council of Cornwall. Chief Parkinson is also currently the Chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Cornwall and SDG.

“I’m humbled to have been nominated, and to receive this prestigious honour,” he said. “I am profoundly aware that this is the highest form of recognition that the College can bestow, and it is a significant landmark in my personal and professional life.”

Three Convocation ceremonies will be held at St. Lawrence College on Friday, June 3 at 10:00am, 1:30pm and 5:00pm. The 10:00am ceremony will be held for students graduating from programs in the Schools of Baccalaureate Nursing and Health Sciences, the 1:30pm ceremony will graduate students from the Schools of Applied Science and Computing, Business, Akwesasne, Skilled Trades and Tourism, and Online and Continuing Education, and the 5:00pm ceremony will graduate student from the Schools of Community Services and Justice Studies and Applied Arts.