John Hunkin, president and CEO of the CIBC group of companies, will receive an honorary degree from York University, one of eight to be conferred during the school’s spring 2004 convocation ceremonies.

Hunkin will receive a Doctor of Laws in a Schulich School of Business ceremony on Thursday.

“Our honorary degree recipients represent individuals whose pioneering spirit and groundbreaking achievements reflect the York vision of success,” said Lorna R. Marsden, York University president and vice chancellor.

This year’s honorees include high achievers in fields as diverse as immunology, jazz music, international law, Holocaust education, welfare economics, publishing, the furniture industry and investment banking.

Hunkin, who joined CIBC in 1969, is chairman of the advisory council of the Schulich School of Business and a former member of the York University board of governors and a director of the York University Foundation.