Niagara-on-the-Lake resident John Scott has received an honorary degree from Niagara College in recognition of his contributions to the school and to Canada’s corporate community.

Scott, who was CEO of Canada’s largest grocery association, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, for 22 years, received an honorary bachelor of business administration in international commerce and global development from college president Sean Kennedy.

Addressing graduates of the college’s School of Business and Management on Saturday, June 14, in Welland, Scott noted, “You are now the stewards of your community, your nation and the world. Make it a better place.”

Scott, who chaired the college’s board of governors from 2017 to 2020, called that experience “an unparalleled privilege,” which he attributed to his interaction with the school’s students.

Recalling previous convocations, he said, “I saw young people coming forward confident in their future. I knew when I looked into their eyes that these would be the people who would, regardless of their choice of vocation, establish their families, sustain our communities and build our nation in the years ahead. And that is where I found hope — in you,” he told the class of 2025.

He acknowledged that graduates would make “great decisions” and “spectacular mistakes,” but emphasized the importance of learning from both to build their success.

“Receiving this degree from Niagara College is one of the greatest honours of my professional career,” he added.

Kennedy noted in a statement that Scott’s “extensive committee and board involvement are a testament to his dedication and community service. His strategic leadership and years of industry expertise have been invaluable to Niagara College and he has truly left a legacy” at the school.

Scott told The Lake Report that during a lunch with Kennedy last December they spoke about how a new greenhouse that Scott advocated for when he was chair would soon be opening.

“He asked if I would be around in June. I assumed it would be to be on hand for the greenhouse opening.”

“The next thing I received was an official letter from Sean in March informing me that I had been awarded the college’s highest honour and asked if I would accept at June convocation.”

“I was simply overwhelmed,” Scott said. “Saturday was remarkable and sitting there on stage watching those young people come confidently forward gave great confidence in the contributions each will make to the communities of the future.”
Though retired, Scott is active as an adviser in the food sector and is a frequent speaker to public organizations and private companies.

His wife Michelle, their three children, Nicole, Jared and Chris, plus several friends from the NOTL area were among those on hand for the convocation ceremony.