29 July 2025 News Releases
LtoR: Ms. Mary-Liz Warwick, Chair of the Huntington University Board of Regents, Dr. Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas, Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters recipient, Dr. Kevin McCormick, Huntington University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Bela Ravi, Chancellor | Photography credit: Gino Donato
For his longstanding service in Ottawa and enduring support of the Peruvian Canadian Institute, Dr. Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas, former Ambassador of Peru to Canada was recently bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters by Huntington University during a ceremony held in Greater Sudbury on May 21, 2024.
An Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters is the highest honour of achievement conferred by Huntington University and Dr. Rodríguez Arnillas, a career diplomat with more than three decades of exemplary service in the Peruvian Foreign Service, received the prestigious accolade in recognition of his many outstanding career accomplishments and contributions, as well as his unwavering support of the Peruvian Canadian Institute – an international centre of excellence at Huntington University.
“I would like to thank the Board of Regents of Huntington University for this esteemed honour bestowed upon me today. It is with great pride that I accept this honorary degree and join the long list of eminent Honorary Doctorate recipients who have come before me, and are now a part of the university’s legacy. I was introduced to Huntington University several years ago through Dr. Kevin McCormick – an outstanding leader in his own right. As Founding President of the Peruvian Canadian Institute, Dr. McCormick was rapidly successful in getting the work of the institute noticed at an international level. As it stands today, the Peruvian Canadian Institute has strong ties and support within the Canadian and Peruvian governments, collaborates with leaders across the globe, engages partners in business and higher education, and has supported many post-secondary students with academic awards. I will continue to support the activities of Huntington University and its international institutes, and am privileged to be affiliated with this impressive institution.”
- Dr.Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas, Huntington University Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters recipient (2024)
Dr. Rodríguez Arnillas is currently posted in Lima, Peru, working within the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Director General for the Americas. In May he travelled to Canada with his wife, Mrs. Roxana Recalde de Rodríguez, for the convocation ceremony. Ottawa is still an important part of his life however, as two of this three sons are currently attending post-secondary school in the city.
“The conferring of an honorary degree reaches beyond the walls of Huntington University, recognizing deserving and distinguished individuals who merit special recognition for genuine achievement and whom exemplify commitment through leadership and service. Dr. Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas has dedicated decades of his life to a career in international relations, promoting positive global connections and exchanges for the betterment of his home country of Peru, as well as North and South America and the world. He has also been a steadfast supporter of the Peruvian Canadian Institute at Huntington University and a champion in helping to further the work and accomplishments of that institute. On behalf of the Huntington University Board of Regents, it is a profound honour to confer an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters upon him, and we offer him our sincerest congratulations.”
– Mrs. Mary-Liz Warwick, Chair, Huntington University Board of Regents
About Dr. Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas:
Dr. Rodríguez Arnillas holds the rank of Ambassador within the Peruvian Foreign Service and served as Ambassador of Peru to Canada in Ottawa from 2018 to 2023. Outside of Peru, Dr. Rodríguez Arnillas has also worked as Deputy Chief of Mission in Canada (2012-2014), Deputy Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations in New York (2010-2011), Consul of Peru to Guayaquil (1993-1995), and has served at the Peruvian Embassies in Brazil (1996-1997) and the United States (2000-2005). During his career, developed in Peru, Dr. Rodríguez Arnillas has held the following positions: Director General for Multilateral and Global Affairs (2023-2024), senior adviser for foreign affairs at the Office of the President (2016-2018), Chief of Staff of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2015-2016), member of the adviser´s team at the cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014-2015, Chief of Staff of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007-2009), adviser to the Office of the Prime Minister of Peru (2006), Head Officer of the Division of Brazil and the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty Organization (1997-1999), and worked in the Economical Promotion Division (1990), Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs (1991) and the International Cooperation Division (1992). He has also been recognized by the Peruvian Government and awarded with the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services.
About Huntington University:
Huntington University is an internationally-recognized learning institute for higher education located in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. For more than 60 years, Huntington University has made a name for itself by proudly partnering with many organizations, both national and international, to foster relations and build community. The university has also successfully established several centres of excellence, such as the first Teaching and Learning Centre in the north and the Peruvian Canadian Institute, which have enhanced northern Ontario’s academic landscape.