Paralympian Katarina Roxon receives honorary MUN doctorate

Paralympic swimmer Katarina Roxon — the pride of Kippens, N.L. — received an honorary degree from Memorial University as part of convocation ceremonies.

Roxon smiled as she approached the podium.

She said it's a moment she knew was coming since February, but it was still a shocker.

"[Learning about] it was very exciting, but I think it's only setting in right now," she told a crowd in Corner Brook Thursday. "Thank you all so much, I really appreciate this."

Roxon competed in her fifth Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024, where she also served as Canada's co-flag bearer during the opening ceremony.

To date, she has four Paralympic medals, two of which are gold. But outside of sports, Roxon is also among the youngest members of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and a recipient of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Speaking with CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning earlier this month, she called the award a tremendous honour that ranks among her important accomplishments.

"I don't think it's possible to choose one [moment], because they're all intertwined. They're all connected in some way possible," she said.

She credits her parents for instilling values of independence and determination, and said those qualities can help anyone achieve their goals, something she says her younger self would resonate with.

"There's going to be so many low moments in your life, and there's going to be a few high moments. But all those low moments are going to make all those amazing high moments absolutely memorable, absolutely incredible," she said.

"All the people that are going to be in your corner is going to astound you so much. Just be prepared for the ride of your life."

Today, Roxon is taking time away from the pool to plan her wedding, but also has her sights set on the festivities at the Canada Games this summer in St. John's.

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