Huntington University Honours Abbas Homayed

On March 5th, 2015 at 7:00 PM, over 170 people gathered in celebration as Huntington University bestowed upon Abbas Homayed a Honourary Doctorate of Sacred Letters in the Cavern at Science North.


Dr. Homayed was born in Lebanon and came to Canada in 1986. Through his ongoing advocacy for economic growth and community development, he has truly made his mark as an inspiring community leader within the City of Greater Sudbury. As Vice President of Laurentian Publishing Ltd and Publisher of Northern Life Newspaper, he demonstrates his strength in leadership by directing multiple media and events operations that deliver online and print coverage of local, regional and provincial news. He is passionate about the promotion of growth of local businesses and ensures that the efforts of community organizations and the contributions of community-minded individuals are always in the spotlight.


A graduate of Cambrian College, Dr. Homayed is often asked to contribute his services to local charitable campaigns and events. In 2004, his alma mater nominated him for their Premier’s Award, in recognition of his “excellence in career and contributions to the community,” and in 2007, he was asked to join the Board of Governors of Cambrian College where he served as Chair of the Board from 2009-2011. In 2013, Abbas Homayed was named chair of the board of directors of Maison Vale Hospice, and is also a member of the Sudbury Food Bank’s Board of Directors. Moreover, Abbas spent 6 years on the United Way’s Board of Directors helping to raise over $8 million for local community charitable groups.


He has recently been appointed to a two-year term as President of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association, an organization that represents over 700 community newspapers across Canada.

Patricia Mills, a Sudbury trailblazer who is also in the publishing industry, and wife of Abbas, delivered a heartwarming speech centered around the generosity of Dr. Homayed, and how he is always looking to help other individuals and organizations that he believes in.


“Thank you to Huntington University for this honour; you are truly a great educational institution that continues to provide excellent education to all of your students. Led by Dr. Kevin McCormick – an exceptional community leader – this university has a reputation of empowering its students and teaching them to be the best they can be.”


Along with the Premier Award from Cambrian College, Abbas was also honoured in 2011 with a Paul Harris Fellowship by The Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers, the club’s highest recognition of service, and in May 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding community service.


Dr. Kevin McCormick, Huntington University’s President and Vice Chancellor commends Dr. Homayed and is elated to honour him with the university’s highest accolade.


“Dr. Homayed is truly an amazing community and business leader. Through his decades of tireless dedication, his passion for community service has become a national standard of excellence. Through his professional contributions he has been at the vanguard of media innovation and has been directly responsible for transforming the way in which the media informs and empowers communities across Canada and the globe.”

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