PETERBOROUGH/TORONTO - Brothers Michael and John de Pencier recently received honorary doctorates from two Ontario universities.

Michael de Pencier is chairman of Key Publishers, the magazine, book, and electronic publishing company that has produced Toronto Life, Fashion, WEDDINGBELLS, WHERE, OWL, the Environmental Guides, Quill and Quire, Gardening Life and several other magazines.

Mr. de Pencier is the founder and first president of the Canadian Magazine Publishers Association and the National Magazine Awards Foundation. He is currently Chairman of the World Wildlife Fund Canada and a director of WWF International. He is also Chairman of Investeco, a group of mutual funds investing in alternate energy, waste management, clean air, and water.

He received an honorary doctor of Letters at the ceremony for the Faculty of Communication & Design at Ryerson University June 6.

John de Pencier is a retired insurance executive who has distinguished himself as a governance volunteer for many Canadian institutions. He has had a long association with Trinity College School where he was Chair of the Board, and has served on the Boards of both the Toronto Symphony and the National Ballet. Mr. de Pencier is also a founding member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association and a director of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. He served as Chair of the Council of University Board Chairs.

As a parent of a Trent University student, he has been actively involved in fundraising at the University and in various governance roles. Mr. de Pencier joined the Board in 1982, has served on the Nominating Committee and Investment Committee, was Board Chair for five years from 1986-1991, and continues as an honorary member of the Board of Governors. As an original member of the university's Foundation he remains active in Trent's fundraising efforts and serves as Chair of the Foundation. Mr. de Pencier received an honorary doctor of laws from Trent University May 31.

For more information contact:

Professor James Neufeld (Citator), English Department, Trent University (705)748-1011 ext.1544

Susan Mackle, Advancement, Trent University (705) 748-1011 ext. 1207

Christine Julien-Sullivan, Office of Public Affairs, Ryerson University, (416) 979-5000, ext. 7000