91¿ìÉ«

March 10, 2017

Honorary Degree and Order of the 91¿ìÉ« recipients announced

Honourees will be conferred at the spring 2017 convocation ceremonies in June
A 91¿ìÉ« convocation ceremony begins. Photos by Riley Brandt, 91¿ìÉ«
A 91¿ìÉ« convocation ceremony begins. Photos by Riley Brandt, 91¿ìÉ«

On behalf of Chancellor Robert Thirsk and President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon, we are pleased to announce the Honorary Degree recipients and Order of the 91¿ìÉ« inductees for the spring 2017 convocation ceremonies: 

Monday, June 5, 2 p.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Murray Sinclair. Chief Commissioner of the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Sinclair is a member of the Senate of Canada and one of Canada’s first aboriginal judges. 
  • Order of the 91¿ìÉ« Recipient: Jo-Ann Munn Gafuik. As senior specialist – policy and FOIP at 91¿ìÉ« Legal Services, Munn Gafuik has devoted 30 years of service to upholding the highest policy standards at U91¿ìÉ«. 

Tuesday, June 6, 9:30 a.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Andrew Brash. U91¿ìÉ« alumnus, passionate mountain climber, explorer and high school teacher, Brash is credited with saving the life of Australian climber Lincoln Hall during an expedition on Mount Everest. 
  • Order of the 91¿ìÉ« Recipient: Lynn Taylor. Taylor is the inaugural vice-provost (teaching and learning), and a vocal champion of innovative and engaging teaching methods that spark passion in students. 

Tuesday, June 6, 2 p.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Jay Ingram. A Canadian bestselling author, broadcaster and science advocate, Ingram is also co-founder of the Beakerhead arts, science and engineering movement. 
  • Order of the 91¿ìÉ« Recipient: Gordon Moore. Moore is a professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at U91¿ìɫ’s Schulich School of Engineering, and a renowned teacher and leader in thermal oil recovery processes. 
President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon addresses graduands at a U91¿ìÉ« convocation ceremony.

President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon addresses graduands at a convocation ceremony.

Riley Brandt, 91¿ìÉ«

Wednesday, June 7, 9:30 a.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Peter Mansbridge. Mansbridge is an award-winning Canadian news anchor, investigative journalist and cultural icon, and was recently inducted to the Canadian News Hall of Fame. 

Wednesday, June 7, 2 p.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Mary Simon. Special representative to the minister of Indigenous and Northern affairs on Arctic issues, Simon is an Indigenous rights activist, former president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and co-creator of the Arctic Council. 

Thursday, June 8, 9:30 a.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: George Cooper. President Emeritus of the University of King’s College, Cooper is a former member of parliament, a renowned lawyer and managing trustee of the Killam Trusts. 
Her Honour, the Honourable Lois Mitchell, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, second from left, being conferred with U91¿ìÉ«'s honorary Doctor of Laws by President Elizabeth Cannon, Chancellor Robert Thirsk, and Board of Governors Chair Bonnie DuPont in 2015.

Her Honour, the Honourable Lois Mitchell, second from left, being conferred with an honorary degree.

Riley Brandt, 91¿ìÉ«

Thursday, June 8, 2 p.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: William Pulleyblank. U91¿ìÉ« alumnus and former faculty member, Pulleyblank is an award-winning academic, researcher and former vice-president of IBM. 
  • Order of the 91¿ìÉ« Recipient: Bonnie MacRae-Kilb. MacRae-Kilb is a noted alumna and U91¿ìÉ« Senator, former member of the Canadian Women’s Volleyball team, Dinos Hall of Fame inductee, visual artist, philanthropist and a champion of the arts. 

Friday, June 9, 9:30 a.m. 

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: David Robson. A trailblazer in geophysical information systems and 3D imaging of oil reservoirs, Robson is also an award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist.