THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT SPECIAL CENTENARY CONGREGATION, MARCH 14, 2008

MUHAMMAD YUNUS

[Renowned economist Muhammad Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his leadership in the field of microcredit, visited UBC to receive an honorary degree and participate in a colloquium on social corporate responsibility.]

[Known as "the world's banker to the poor," Yunus has extended more than $6 million in small loans to more than 7 million of the world's poor through Grameen Bank, which he founded in Bangladesh in 1983. These loans have helped thousands, many of them women, to achieve financial independence.]

[Yunus had accepted UBC's invitation in 2006 to receive an honorary degree; however, his visit was postponed when he and Grameen Bank were announced as co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. He received his degree as part of UBC's Centenary celebrations.]

View webcast


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 21, 2008

JOAN A. STEITZ

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

When Joan Steitz was a graduate student there were no women professors in the biological sciences at any major university.

In 1963, she became the sole woman in a class of 10 to begin graduate studies in biochemistry and molecular biology at Harvard. At that time, Dr. Steitz never thought she would teach, mentor graduate students or be on the faculty of a prominent university.

In fact, she thought she would end up as a research assistant working in a man's lab. That was then -- and this is now.

Today, Dr. Steitz is an award-winning scientist, internationally recognized as a leader in the field of molecular biology concerning small ribonucleoproteins or ‘snurps'.

Dr.Steitz has been described as a tireless promoter of women in science and is one of the greatest scientists of our generation. Her research has had a significant impact in clinical medicine by improving the diagnosis and prognosis of autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

She is a Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University School of Medicine as well as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Joan has served as scientific director of the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research and as editorial board member of Genes and Development.

In addition to inspiring a new generation of women researchers, Dr. Steitz's distinguished work may yield new insights into the diagnosis of lupus.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, to recognize her outstanding contributions to scientific discovery and basic medical research and as an international leader in her field, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Joan Steitz.

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 21, 2008

CHRISTOPHER GAZE

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

For Christopher Gaze, the play's the thing.

Mr. Gaze is the founder, artistic director and actor of Bard on the Beach, one of Canada's most notable cultural festivals.

In 1990, Mr. Gaze had a brainwave: why not stage the works of Shakespeare outdoors, just as the playwright intended?

Indeed, the bard's magnificent language plays beautifully against the stunning backdrop of ocean and mountains. Audiences seem to agree. Last year, Bard on the Beach broke all previous box office records. The festival sold out all 205 performances, attracting more than 86,000 patrons.

This phenomenal success has piqued the attention of British media. Spectator magazine recently suggested that Vancouver could give a few pointers to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Bard's hometown.

This is indeed high praise for Mr. Gaze who was born and raised in England. During the early 1970s, he studied acting at the acclaimed Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Following his training, Mr. Gaze worked in English repertory theatre.

Moving to Canada in 1975, he worked with the Shaw Festival for three seasons in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Upon visiting Vancouver in 1983, he saw "a glorious city" and decided to stay.

Mr. Gaze's voice is heard regularly in cartoon series, commercials and on the radio. He hosts Vancouver Symphony's popular Tea and Trumpets series and their annual Christmas concerts.

His many honours include induction into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, Canada's Meritorious Service Medal and the 2007 Medallion from the Children's Theatre Foundation of America.

In addition, Mr. Gaze recently won a Jessie Award for Best Supporting Actor in Equus at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, to recognize his outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Canada, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Christopher Gaze.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 22, 2008

MICHAEL J. FOX

Teen Wolf. Marty McFly. Alex. P. Keaton. Whatever acting role Michael J. Fox has played, I think to many of us in this room, he has always been the kid from Burnaby who went to Hollywood and made it big.

Week after week, we tuned in to catch him in Family Ties and Spin City, or flocked to our local cineplexes to watch him in such movies as Back to the Future, The Secrets of My Success and Bright Lights, Big City.

With pride and delight, we watched the self-proclaimed "army brat" emerge as one of our country's most prominent actors, raking in four Golden Globes, four Emmy awards and two Screen Actors Guild awards.

But more recently, Mr. Fox has taken on the role of his life. In 1991, he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disorder that often impairs motor skills and speech.

Mr. Fox believes that, through funding and research, a cure is possible in our lifetime -- and, like all the roles he has played as an actor, he has truly risen to this new challenge.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which he founded, has raised more than $120 million towards Parkinson's research. He has also been an outspoken advocate, raising crucial public and political awareness, for people living with the disease.

And at a time when celebrities can appear to live in a world much different that ours, Mr. Fox has remained refreshingly down-to-Earth. As he says in his best-selling memoir Lucky Man, when people ask "why him?" he responds "why not me?"

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, to recognize his outstanding contributions both as an entertainer and an advocate for Parkinson's, I ask you to confer the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on a home town hero, Michael J. Fox.

THOMAS R. BERGER

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

Few Canadians have made greater impact in advancing the rights of Aboriginal people and safeguarding our country's pristine environment than Mr. Thomas Berger.

Mr. Berger was counsel for the plaintiffs in the 1973 landmark case Calder v. Attorney-General of British Columbia, in which the Supreme Court first recognized the place of Aboriginal title in Canadian law. The case laid the foundation for virtually all Aboriginal land claim treaties that followed.

The youngest judge appointed to the BC Supreme Court in the 20th century, Mr. Berger headed the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry. The findings, released in 1977, led to a landmark moratorium on major development in the Mackenzie Valley and enabled ensuing Aboriginal land claim settlements. It also led to the establishment of a wilderness park in Northern Yukon to protect one of the largest great caribou herds of North America.

At a time where ruling against economic development in favour of Aboriginal peoples and the environment was unheard of, Mr. Berger's foresight and courage were instrumental in the inclusion of Aboriginal rights in the new Canadian Constitution and paved the way for future victories in our quest toward building a truly civil society.

A UBC alumnus, Mr. Berger is also a dedicated educator and prolific author, with books published in English, French, Japanese and Spanish. He has been recognized with numerous honorary degrees and is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and Order of Canada. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and leader of the provincial New Democratic Party.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, in recognition of his tireless pursuit in advancing human rights, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Thomas Berger.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 23, 2008

CLARA HUGHES

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

Clara Hughes is a highly decorated Olympic champion, a philanthropist and a passionate advocate for the environment.

Ms. Hughes is one of two athletes in history to win multiple medals in both Winter and Summer Olympic Games. Competing in speed skating and cycling, she has won a total of five Olympic medals.

Born in Winnipeg, Ms. Hughes first saw speed skating on television. That's when her Olympic dreams began, while watching the skaters glide around the oval. Ms. Hughes believed that she could one day represent Canada in the sport.

She began speed skating at the age of 16 and in her first year won a silver medal at the National Championships in 1988. Soon after, Ms. Hughes entered the world of cycling, which eventually opened doors to her first Olympic competition.

At the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Ms. Hughes brought home two bronze medals in cycling. As a dual sport Olympic athlete Ms. Hughes' achievements are unsurpassed. She won a bronze medal for speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, she won both a gold and a silver medal in speed skating.

Ms. Hughes works hard so others can play. She is an advocate of Right to Play, a not-for-profit organization that operates in 23 countries, within some of the most destitute regions of the world. Right to Play programs seek to foster the healthy development of children and youth through sport and play.

Ms. Hughes also believes in safeguarding the planet. She is a spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, raising funds to protect and manage the Sutton Mountain Range, one of the last large wilderness areas in southern Quebec.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, to recognize her outstanding contributions to athletics and humanitarian efforts within Canada and globally, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Clara Hughes.

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 23, 2008

MARGARET-ANN ARMOUR

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour has dedicated her career to making the laboratory a safer place for discovery and the sciences a welcoming arena for women.

For the past quarter of a century, Dr. Armour and her research team have led the development and testing of some of the most widely adopted techniques for the recycling and disposing of waste chemicals.

She has authored or co-authored three laboratory manuals and more than 80 papers on chemical education and hazardous waste disposal. This is an impressive body of work that has enhanced the safety of laboratories around the world and earned her the 1989 Alberta Environmental Award for Education.

A founding member of the University of Alberta's Women in Scholarship, Engineering Science and Technology program, and as Associate Dean, Diversity, in the Faculty of Science, Dr. Armour has worked tirelessly to encourage women to enter careers in the sciences and to increase the proportion of women in decision-making roles.

She received the YWCA Tribute to Women Award in 1990, before being named Woman of the Year by the Edmonton Business and Professional Women's Club the following year.

In 2003, Maclean's Magazine named her one of 10 Canadians making a difference. She was named "Edmontonian of the Century" as part of Edmonton's centenary celebrations in 2004 and she joined the Order of Canada in 2006.

Described by friends and colleagues as having "the patience of a saint" and touted as Canada's premier ambassador of science, Dr. Armour is equally at ease in front of six-graders and high-powered executives.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to laboratory safety and women in science, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Margaret-Ann Armour.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 27, 2008

TERRANCE R. BOURK

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

Advancements in technology over the past two decades have changed the world as we know it. Today, we are a true global village connected through Internet and wireless innovations.

Since obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at UBC, Terry Bourk has helped lead the way to communicating and connecting the world faster than ever before.

In the early 1980s Bourke led the development of the first-ever Very Small Aperture Satellite (VSAT) network. Today, that network has evolved into a wireless satellite communications system that serves home and business users independent of the terrestrial infrastructure.

Following this, he led a technical team on the design of the Personal Handyphone System (PHS) for Japan. He then led the engineering team that designed a chipset for the phones and the base station technology that are now deployed throughout Japan.

His passion to imagine and then develop the impossible has inspired a new generation of researchers and innovators –- "the Bluetooth Generation".

As Chair of the International Bluetooth Committee, he oversees all the new feature developments of Bluetooth – a specification that allows wireless information exchange between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, printers, GPS receivers and digital cameras. As of this date, 1.5 billion Bluetooth devices have been built.

His leadership, motivation and determination has made him a role model for those around him.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, to recognize his outstanding contributions to advancements in the field of global wireless technology, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Terrance R. Bourk.

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 27, 2008

BING THOM

Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

I’m just going to come out and say it. Walking across the stage to receive your degree feels great.

Bing Thom knows this. With both Bachelor and Master degrees in architecture -- one from UBC, I might add – he has done it more than once.

But today has to be just a little extra special: That’s because it's not everyday that an architect is honoured -- by his family, by his peers, by his Alma Mater -- in the very building that he created.

And that’s what we are doing today. For more than 40 years, Mr. Thom has been designing award-winning buildings around the world, including our very own Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, which has become the artistic and ceremonial heart of our campus since opening 10 years ago.

His list of landmark projects goes on: the Canada Pavillion at Expo '92 in Seville, Spain, the Vancouver Aquarium’s Pacific Canada Pavilion, the highly anticipated Arena Stage theatre complex in Washington, D.C. Working with mentor Arthur Erickson, he was also architect on Vancouver’s Law Courts and Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.

And as if designing buildings wasn’t challenging enough, Bing Thom Architects, the firm he founded in 1980, has created master plans for entire cities, including Dalian and Yuxi in China and Fort Worth, Texas.

For these and other achievements, Mr. Thom has received Canada’s highest honour, the Order of Canada and the Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding service to his country. Premier Gordon Campbell has called him one of the creative spirits of "the new British Columbia".

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, for a brilliant career in architecture and citybuilding, I ask you to confer the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on UBC alumnus Bing Thom.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 28, 2008

NAN-B de GASPÉ BEAUBIEN
PHILIPPE de GASPÉ BEAUBIEN II

Mr. Vice-Chancellor:

Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien II and Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien are two talented and exemplary leaders in the development of public communications in Canada, including broadcast radio, magazine, cable television, and cellular phone industries.

Mr. de Gaspé Beaubien has demonstrated excellence and accomplishment in all that he has done – from founding Telemedia Corporation, which grew to become a leader in Canada’s mass communications industry, to founding ParticipAction, Canada’s independent fitness promotion agency, and serving as president in concert with ParticipAction’s first chair, the Rt. Hon. Lester B. Pearson.

Mrs. de Gaspé Beaubien is a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Broadcast Hall of Fame, was a visionary in creating highly acclaimed human resources programs for Telemedia, and has continued throughout her life to put the interests of families first – in business, education and in all aspects of our lives.

Working together, Mr. and Mrs. de Gaspé Beaubien developed Telemedia into a comprehensive media enterprise, encompassing a magazine company and a radio broadcasting company that included more than 75 radio stations operating in two linguistic cultures across Canada.

Mr. de Gaspé Beaubien was the director of operations for the 1967 World Exhibition in Montreal, served as chair of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, and has in his career distinguished himself as a director of such notable organizations as the Toronto-Dominion Bank, the University of Montreal, and the Fullbright Program.

Mr. and Mrs. de Gaspé Beaubien provided leadership and vision in founding University Centres for Business Families across the country. This unique initiative means thousands of business family members throughout Canada have a place to go to discuss their issues and find hope, encouragement and support.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, for their contributions to the advancement of communications in Canada, their support of Canadian families in business, and for their commitment to humanitarian service and philanthropic endeavours, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien II and Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, NOVEMBER 20, 2008

F. JOHN BLATHERWICK

Madam Chancellor:

It is a privilege and honour today to recognize the outstanding contributions Dr. Francis John Blatherwick has made to improving the health of Canadians and to serving his country.

Dr. Blatherwick is Canada’s longest-serving medical health officer. He has served as a B.C. medical health officer for 36 years and as the Chief Medical Health Officer in Vancouver for 23 years.

As one of British Columbia’s best-known public health advocates, Dr. Blatherwick has been a catalyst, innovator, and the drving force behind a number of important public health initiatives. These include: leading Vancouver's public health response to the SARS epidemic; advocating for harm reduction programs for injection drug users which resulted in the opening of the first supervised injection site in North America; and campaigning against exposure to tobacco smoke which led to the establishment of municipal smoking bylaws and reducing population exposure to second-hand smoke -- to name just a few.

He is also the recipient of an impressive set of awards including the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia for his work in public health, the George Elliot Award for lifetime contribution to public health in British Columbia and the Silver Medal of Service from the BC Medical Association.

Dr. Blatherwick has served for 39 years in the Canadian Forces Reserves. He represented Canada at NATO as the head of the Canadian Forces Reserve Medical Group for six years. He is the Honorary Colonel of 12 Vancouver Field Ambulance. He has written 20 books, mainly about Canadian orders, decorations and medals, and airplanes.  He is a father of four and an active participant in community sports.

Madam Chancellor, to recognize his outstanding leadership in public health, his unyielding dedication to improving the health and well-being of citizens locally, nationally, and internationally, and for his relentless courage to tackle controversial issues in trying times, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Francis John Blatherwick.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 20, 2009

SIR JOHN SULSTON

Madame Chancellor, the achievements of British molecular biologist Sir John Sulston are remarkable in every way, and rank alongside history’s greatest biological and medical discoveries.

After completing his Ph.D. on the chemical synthesis of DNA at Cambridge, he moved to the U.S.A. as a post-doctoral fellow to study pre-biotic chemistry at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

He returned to Cambridge in 1969 as a staff scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. It was there that he and a team of researchers collaborated with American colleagues to make scientific history by becoming the first to sequence an animal genome, an achievement that helped to initiate the International Human Genome Project.

In 1992, he was appointed founding director of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute at Cambridge and entrusted to lead the British contingent of an international army of publicly funded scientists selected to contribute to the Human Genome Project. At the same time, he also became one of the project’s most influential leaders.

From the beginning, he fervently proclaimed his belief in the free and open exchange of the scientific information that would emerge from the project, and which, he argued, would inevitably hasten the pace of discovery. Guided by these principles, the Human Genome Project was structured so that all the findings were public, encouraging an unparalleled international collaboration among scientists and researchers, and ultimately what many regard as the greatest scientific endeavour of our time.

His brilliance, passion for discovery and principled leadership have been honoured in numerous ways throughout his career, culminating in the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, which he shared with colleagues in 2002.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of achievements that have helped usher in a new era of scientific research, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Sir John Sulston.

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 20, 2009

IRVING GUTTMAN

Madame Chancellor, for well over half a century, Dr. Irving Allen Guttman has been a central figure and a driving force in the cultural life of Canada.

A pioneer of the operatic art form in this country, Dr. Guttman was among the first to study in the newly opened Opera School at the Toronto Conservatory of Music in 1947.

After graduating in 1952, he went to Montreal to work as a freelance stage director before moving west to Vancouver to direct the expansion of opera in Western Canada. In 1960, he was named artistic director for the newly formed Vancouver Opera, a position in which he served for 14 years and directed a majority of the company’s productions.

During that time, he introduced West Coast audiences to some of the world’s great performers, bringing many to Vancouver to make their Canadian debuts, and directing the likes of Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, and many other well known performers.

During and after his time with the Vancouver Opera, he introduced new audiences to opera throughout Western Canada as the founding artistic director of the Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, and Opera Saskatchewan.

Dr. Guttman is today an accomplished director with credentials seldom seen in the opera world, having directed productions featuring major international stars, including Luciano Pavarotti, Beverly Sills and UBC graduates Judith Forst and Ben Heppner.

His accomplishments have been recognized through numerous honours and distinctions, including the Order of Canada just prior to his retirement in 2003.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of the excellence he attained in his profession, and for his contributions to the cultural life of our province and country, I ask you to confer the degree Doctor of Letters, honoris causa upon Dr. Irving Guttman.

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 20, 2009

WILLIAM MILLERD

Madame Chancellor, the abundance and diversity of live theatre within the city of Vancouver is owed to a number of circumstances, but perhaps to none more than the enduring presence of one of this institution’s own graduates.

As the longest-serving artistic director in Canadian theatre, Bill Millerd has devoted almost four decades to nurturing the growth of professional theatre as the Artistic Managing Director of the Arts Club Theatre Company.

Born in Vancouver, he majored in Political Science and International Studies in the UBC Faculty of Arts before moving to Montreal to study Technical Production at the National Theatre School.

He later went to work for several Canadian theatre companies, including the Shaw Festival and the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. In 1972, he began directing plays at the Arts Club when it was a small, new organization, but one that thrived under his leadership.

The company’s growth was highlighted by the construction of two new theatres on Granville Island: the Granville Island Stage in 1979, and the Revue Stage in 1983, as well as the restoration and re-opening of the historic Stanley Theatre as the 650-seat Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in 1996.

Some 500 plays have been produced during Bill Millerd’s 37-year tenure as head of the Arts Club, including the production of 110 works by Canadian playwrights and 70 premiere performances of new Canadian plays, underscoring his deep commitment to developing Canadian talent, and launching the careers of many of the country’s foremost playwrights and performers.

His many contributions to enriching the cultural community of Canada have been widely recognized, including his appointment in 1993 as a member of the Order of Canada.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of diverse talent, creative leadership, and a lifetime of contribution to the growth and enhancement of theatrical production, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon William Millerd.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 21, 2009

THE HONORABLE IONA CAMPAGNOLA

Madame Chancellor, few are those who have served their province and nation as effectively, as conscientiously, and in such a varied manner as the Honourable Iona Victoria Campagnola.

She entered federal politics in 1974 when she was elected as Member of Parliament for Skeena, and was immediately appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Two years later she was named Canada’s first Minister for Fitness and Amateur sport. It was in that capacity that she established the foundation for Canada’s modern amateur sport system, which remains in existence today and has garnered Canada a reputation as one of the great sporting nations of the world.

She later became the first woman elected as President of the Liberal Party of Canada, where she served two terms and led an internal reform process that resulted in sweeping changes to party-government relationships.

After leaving public life, she continued to work tirelessly both in Canada and abroad in support of social justice, human rights and the environment. She has served on the board of numerous non-governmental organizations, including the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development. Her work has taken her to West Africa, South America, China and other parts of the world in support of humanitarian and educational aid, and sustainability projects.

Most recently, she served for six years as the board chair of the Fraser Basin Council, an organization which she co-founded to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of British Columbia’s Fraser River communities.

In 1994, she was appointed the first chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, and, in 2001, as British Columbia’s 27th Lieutenant Governor.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of her exemplary record of service to the province and nation of her birth, I ask you to confer the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon the Honorable Iona Campagnola.

Read her acceptance speech


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 22, 2009

SUSAN POINT

Madame Chancellor,

For generations, Aboriginal artists have captured and preserved the images and traditions of their centuries-old cultures, but few have expressed them so prolifically and in such a wide range of mediums as has Susan Point.

She began to investigate traditional Coast Salish art forms and designs in the early 1980s and soon began experimenting with traditional two-dimensional designs. She later worked to define her interpretation of traditional art forms by blending colors and exploring non-traditional techniques. Eventually she began creating both large and small scale three-dimensional art in materials such as glass, bronze, wood, concrete, polymer, stainless steel and cast iron.

Along the way, she encountered critics who said her work had become non-traditional. As it turned out, by pushing the boundaries of tradition, Susan Point made it even more vibrant, and strengthened its presence within a wider creative milieu.

Her marriage of traditional imagery and non-traditional mediums resulted in a vast and eclectic body of work. She has been awarded numerous public commissions, including large sculptures and building facades on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border as a reminder of the rich cultural history of the first peoples of both countries.

Her work has also been commissioned by numerous corporations and private collectors, and is displayed in galleries and museums throughout North America, including the UBC Museum of Anthropology, and the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian.

Not surprisingly, the brilliance of her career has been recognized in many ways prior to today, including her appointment to the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts in 2004, and to the Order of Canada in 2006.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of remarkable artistic achievement and contribution to preserving the cultural history of her people, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Susan Point.

Read her acceptance speech

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 22, 2009

STANLEY FALKOW

Madame Chancellor,

It is with great pleasure that I present Dr. Stanley Falkow, a professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine who has earned worldwide recognition for his research into understanding how bacterial agents cause infection and disease.

He is sometimes referred to as the father of molecular microbial pathogenesis -- the study of how infectious microbes and host cells interact to cause disease at the molecular level.

One of his first groundbreaking discoveries was that packets of genetic material, called plasmids, carry a single gene that makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

He also pioneered the study of the trillions of non-disease-causing germs that inhabit humans, a field now recognized as so important that the United States National Institutes of Health has launched the Human Microbiome Project to identify and characterize them.

Dr. Falkow earned his Ph.D. from Brown University. Following the completion of his graduate studies, he went on to become a staff member at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the Department of Bacterial Immunology.

In 1966, he went to Georgetown University School of Medicine as a professor of microbiology, and later to a similar position at the University of Washington, before joining the faculty at Stanford in 1981.

He is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine; the National Academy of Sciences; the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also elected into the Royal Society as a Foreign Member and has twice been nominated for a Nobel Prize in Medicine. In September of last year, he was one of five scientists awarded the prestigious Lasker Award for medical research.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to science, to the global research community and to humankind, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa upon Stanley Falkow.

ALAN BERNSTEIN

Madame Chancellor,

Doctor Alan Bernstein is an internationally renowned bio-medical researcher and a visionary leader, who has been responsible for ushering in a promising new era in health research in Canada and in many other countries throughout the world.

After receiving a Ph.D. in medical biophysics from the University of Toronto, he went to the United Kingdom to undertake a two-year period of post-doctoral studies in cancer research before returning to the University of Toronto to join the Faculty of Medicine in 1974.

He later accepted a series of escalating leadership positions at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, eventually assuming the role of Director in 1994.

Over the course of his brilliant career, Dr. Bernstein made extensive and significant contributions to the study of cancer, embryonic development, the development of blood cells, and the formation of the cardiovascular system.

In 2000, he was selected by the federal government to undertake an important new challenge as the inaugural president of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

During a seven-year term, he led the organization’s creation and implementation, doubled the number of sponsored researchers, tripled its annual budget to close to one billion dollars, and led a significant change in the approach to supporting health research in Canada.

Today, the CIHR has become a model for the world, as noted in a report tabled in the British Parliament in 2006 on the organization of health research, and it is one that is being emulated by many countries.

Just last year, Dr. Bernstein accepted another important challenge when he was asked to serve as the inaugural executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, an international alliance of researchers and advocates committed to accelerating the development of an HIV vaccine - one of the most pressing medical challenges of our time.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of health research, and for his service to the people of Canada, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa upon Dr. Alan Bernstein.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 25, 2009

MICHAEL APSEY

MADAM CHANCELLOR: One of the most essential economic imperatives in the history of our nation has been the responsible stewardship of our forest industries, a challenge to which Michael Apsey has contributed more than perhaps any other Canadian.

After graduating from the UBC Faculty of Forestry, he began his career in the provincial government’s Department of Industrial Development, Trade and Commerce. A short time later, he was recruited by Vancouver­based forestry company Macmillan Bloedel, where he further honed his skills as an analyst by conducting studies and recommending strategies for the export of forest products to world markets.

He traveled to Turkey in 1968 to work for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to prepare a long­range development plan for that nation’s pulp and paper industry.

He returned home to British Columbia in 1970 to serve as a vice­president of the Council of Forest Industries, an organization he would later serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, but not before undertaking leadership assignments within a myriad of public and private organizations, including a term as provincial Deputy Minister of Forests.

Today, Michael Apsey is clearly one of Canada’s most influential and respected forestry professionals, whose extensive experience encompasses all manner of public and international service.

His career has also been highlighted by a clear devotion to the principles of sustainability. To that end, he has given invariably of his time and energy to an enormous range of industry and public organizations, and continues to serve as a board member of several.

Madam Chancellor, in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to the forest industry and the promotion of sustainable forests across Canada, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon MICHAEL APSEY.

Read his acceptance speech


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 26, 2009

KENNETH STEPHEN JULIEN

Madame Chancellor, after becoming the first to be awarded a doctorate in Electrical Engineering from this university, Kenneth Stephen Julien returned to his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago to embark on a brilliant and eclectic career that led to the near complete transformation of that nation’s economy.

His leadership and influence took many forms. As an entrepreneur, he established the largest engineering consulting firm in the Caribbean, as well as a successful development company, and also served as a director of various public and private corporations.

As a national leader, he chaired numerous economic development commissions, task forces and advisory councils, and effectively became the chief architect of Trinidad and Tobago’s thriving energy industry.

This work included a ten-year term as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. Under his leadership, the nation became the fifth largest exporter of Liquid Natural Gas in the world, and the strongest economy in the Caribbean.

As an educator, he served for 35 years as a professor at the University of the West Indies, and for 12 years as Dean of its Faculty of Engineering.

In 2003, at the request of the national government, Professor Julien undertook the lead role to establish the National University of Trinidad and Tobago – an institution which he presides over today, and which has grown in just four years into a university with 36 programs, 374 faculty members and 5,500 students.

His list of professional honours includes fellowships in three nations, and he has been the recipient of countless industry and public service awards, including his country’s highest honour, the Trinity Cross.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of the wide range of service that has transformed his homeland, I ask you to confer the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Kenneth Stephen Julien.

DANIEL GELBART

Madame Chancellor,

Daniel Gelbart is an extraordinary engineer and a born innovator, whose patented inventions and entrepreneurial spirit have had a profound impact upon the economy of this region.

Born in Germany and raised in Israel, he obtained Bachelor and Master of Science degrees at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology.

He came to Canada in 1973 and joined MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, where his expertise and creativity were the foundation of two local technology companies: MDI-Motorola and Cymbolic Sciences. The first of his many crowning achievements was the development of a mobile data terminal that quickly became the best selling device of its type in the world.

In 1983, he co-founded Creo Products, a technology company that developed innovative products for the printing industry. He grew the company to some 4,000 employees prior to its acquisition by Kodak in 2005 for the sum of one billion US dollars.

Frequently described by friends and colleagues as a modern-day Edison, Daniel Gelbart has more than 100 patents to his name, with cumulative revenue from sales of his commercialized products in the multi-billion dollar range.

Of equal importance to the technology industry in this region, he retains ample time and energy for young engineers and innovators, and he has been invariably generous with his time, energy and resources in support of undergraduate education in the Faculty of Applied Science at this university.

His support takes many forms. He has provided equipment and material to enhance problem-based learning programs; delivered a popular course in industrial design; actively supported Co-op education opportunities; and hired graduates in their hundreds into positions at the forefront of global technology development.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of an extraordinary career as an innovator, entrepreneur, and mentor, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Daniel Gelbart.

JUDY GRAVES

Madame Chancellor,

It was equally extraordinary measures of wisdom, courage and compassion that enabled Judy Graves to help thousands of homeless people, and to bring about meaningful change in the delivery of social welfare in this province.

In her career as a housing advocate for the City of Vancouver, she sought to obtain a better understanding of the circumstances of those she was trying to help, and the causes of their marginalization.

She confronted the grim reality of those who slept in the streets by reaching out to them in the early morning hours, trying to break through to find the humanity beneath the broken figures.

These acts of courage confirmed her belief that an astonishing number simply didn’t have the skills and confidence to navigate the social system designed to provide the assistance to which they were entitled.

Her solution was to form the Vancouver Homeless Outreach Project, and in the spring of 2005, she and a small team of outreach workers set out to begin a daily process of gathering up lost souls, ushering them through the process of qualifying for financial aid and finding affordable long-term accommodation. Within the first two years, some 700 had been helped to leave the streets behind -- most for good.

At the same time, she lent her expertise to various organizations throughout the province to help establish similar outreach programs, and to field inquiries on her work from public health and welfare experts nationwide.

In just four years, she and others inspired by her determination and success have helped close to five thousand homeless people living in 48 communities throughout the province find affordable housing.

Madame Chancellor, in recognition of her exemplary service to the people of British Columbia, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Judy Graves.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 26, 2010

JAMES C. HOGG

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

Breathing easy is something we never think about – until we can’t. That is why medical experts like Dr. James Hogg are so important.

Dr. Hogg is a celebrated pioneer in the field of lung disease research. A UBC professor emeritus of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Hogg’s career spans more than 35 years.

His knowledge of respiratory issues is remarkable. His research accomplishments stand out in the field. For example, Dr. Hogg is known worldwide for breakthrough discoveries in dealing with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

At St. Paul’s Hospital, he founded the Pulmonary Research Laboratory. It was renamed in 2003 as the James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research in his honour.

At present, the iCAPTURE Centre has more than 250 researchers working on solving the problems of heart, lung and blood vessel diseases.

Dr. Hogg continues to inspire students and the medical community. He is a talented leader and a dedicated mentor. He gives of himself and readily shares his vast experience.

Dr. Hogg was recently inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, one of only 76 Laureates to have this honour. Other accolades include the prestigious American Society for Investigative Pathology Chugai Award. Dr. Hogg is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Madame Chancellor, for his remarkable achievements in respiratory medicine, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon James Cameron Hogg.

Video

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 26, 2010

DAL RICHARDS

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

Forgive me if I can’t help but tap my toes a little.

It’s just that, for many British Columbians, the great sound of the Big Band era is synonymous with one man: musician and bandleader Dal Richards.

Mr. Richards first started playing music in the late 1930s after graduating from Kerrisdale’s Magee High. And I am happy to report that 75 years later, Vancouver’s coolest 92-year-old is still going strong.

If you wanted to dance and be seen in the 1940s, 50s or 60s, you went to the Panaroma Roof at the Hotel Vancouver where a young band of hep-cats called the Dal Richards Orchestra drove crowds crazy every Saturday with their infectious mix of rock and roll, pop, swing and big band classics. Their shows at the Roof were broadcast across the country by the CBC.

Since then, Mr. Richards has performed at the PNE for 70 consecutive years, led the BC Lions Football Club half-time shows for 25 years, been the star of two documentaries, and hosted his long-running weekly radio show every Sunday night. He still plays concerts, weddings, fund-raisers, festivals and has had a New Year’s gig for 72 consecutive years.

Mr. Richards, or “Dr. Swing” as he’s been affectionately called, has been honoured many times for his music and work with charities like the Variety Club. He’s a recipient of the Order of Canada, Order of British Columba, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and a BC Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee.

Madame Chancellor, for his contributions to the social and musical fabric of our city and our country, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Dallas Murray Richards.

Video

RICK MERCER

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

From pushing Rick Hansen off of a 160-foot bridge in Whistler to getting Don Cherry to design a suit for him, Rick Mercer has contributed plenty to the Canadian identity.

As a Canadian comedian, Mr. Mercer has been making us laugh at ourselves for the past 20 years. He is the co-creator of This Hour has 22 Minutes and host of The Rick Mercer Report

As a political satirist, few politicians have escaped Mr. Mercer’s charm and antics.  While skinny dipping with Bob Rae or having a sleepover with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mr. Mercer has addressed the issues that affect our nation.

For his contribution to the arts, Mr. Mercer has been awarded more than 20 Gemini Awards.  In 2004, he was the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.  He also holds honorary degrees from Laurentian, Memorial and Brock Universities.

Outside show business, Mr. Mercer has been dedicated to the "Spread the Net" campaign which aims to prevent the spread of malaria.  As a co-chair, he raises money to buy bed nets for children living in Africa. Recently the campaign achieved its initial goal with 500,000 bed nets donated.

Mr. Mercer has also contributed time and effort to advocating for the support of people living with HIV and AIDS. He was the 2005 spokesperson for the Canadian AIDS Society’s Walk for Life. Mr. Mercer has also been a strong supporter of his home province, Newfoundland.

Madame Chancellor, for uniting the people across this vast nation in laughter, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Richard Vincent Mercer.

Video (Part 1) (Part 2)


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 27, 2010

DOUGLAS COUPLAND

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

From Gen X to Gen A, Douglas Coupland deftly captures our life and times.

Mr. Coupland is celebrated in Canada and internationally for his ability to both distill and decode the world we live in.

He has published 18 major literary works, including 11 fiction and seven non-fiction works. Many of you will recognize titles that include, of course, Generation X, along with Microserfs, JPod, Hey Nostradamus!, Eleanor Rigby, City of Glass, and Terry.

Perhaps Mr. Coupland’s role as public intellectual is best described by Canadian writer John Ralston Saul. Mr. Saul notes that Mr. Coupland is “very much the natural inheritor of the Harold Innis/Marshall McLuhan tradition in Canada.”

How fitting, then, that Mr. Coupland’s latest work is a biography entitled Marshal McLuhan,  published this spring as the latest instalment in Penguin’s "Extraordinary Canadians" series.

Best known as a novelist, Mr. Coupland is also an accomplished graphic designer, journalist, visual artist, playwright and filmmaker.

Since 2000, he has created or contributed to more than 20 major visual art projects, installations and exhibitions.

Some of that history is now available at UBC Library thanks to Mr. Coupland’s generous gift of his archival records. Dating to 1980, these records include manuscripts, fan mail, photos, visual art, correspondence, press clippings, audio/visual material and more.

Madame Chancellor, for his prolific and prodigious contributions as a writer and artist, and for his uncanny ability to inject new memes into our cultural bloodstream, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Douglas Coupland.

Video (Part 1) (Part 2)

IAN WALLACE

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

Vancouver enjoys a very strong reputation in creative and performance practice in the international arts community.  One of the important reasons for this is Ian Wallace, a Vancouver artist, art educator and scholar of visual and literary culture.

A pioneer in photo-based conceptual art, Mr. Wallace earned his B.A. and M.A. in Art History at UBC. He has become one of the most significant creative artists and thinkers on visual culture.  He commands tremendous respect among artists, educators, curators, and collectors, all of whom acknowledge his distinction as a creative practitioner and critical thinker. His impact upon the development of both traditional and photographic conceptual art has been profound.

Nowhere is that impact more evident than in his former students.  He has taught generations of art students both here at UBC and at the Vancouver School of Art, now the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. They include Jeff Wall, Rodney Graham, and Stan Douglas and others who are part of a group whose work has become known as the Vancouver School of conceptual art.

Because of this Mr. Wallace might rightly be regarded as a founder of the Vancouver School and a driver of our city’s reputation in the arts community.

Mr. Wallace helped establish the Or Gallery, a site of innovative art exhibition and discourse. He has also served on the Boards of the Contemporary Art Gallery and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

He was awarded the VIVA Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts in 1997, and a Governor General’s Award for the Visual Arts in 2004.  Last year he won the Molson Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Madame Chancellor, for his fundamental role in reinvigorating visual arts education in B.C. and Canada, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Ian Wallace.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 28, 2010

ALANIS OBOMSAWIN

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

Dr. Alanis Obomsawin is one of Canada’s most distinguished documentary filmmakers. For more than 40 years she has directed documentaries at the National Film Board with strong social content, inspired by the desire to let the voices of her people be heard.

A member of the Abenaki Nation, she was born in New Hampshire but spent her early years on the Odanak reserve north of Montreal absorbing the songs and legends of her people. It was her later difficult experiences as the only First Nations student in her school that sparked a desire to bring change.

Dr. Obomsawin began her career as a singer, writer and storyteller, and launched into film-making in 1967. She has made more than 30 uncompromising documentaries on issues affecting Aboriginal people in Canada.

Her film Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, made in 1993 and the first of a series about the 1990 Oka crisis, is one of her best known and has won 18 international awards. Among her many other films, she has also produced Our Nationhood, which chronicles the determination of the Listuguj Mi'gmaq people to manage the natural resources of their traditional lands.

University communities should pay attention to her 2009 film, entitled Since when do we divorce the right answer from an honest answer?, telling the story of unconventional former McGill University professor Norman Cornett.

Dr. Obomsawin is an Officer of the Order of Canada. She is a lifetime member of the Board of Directors of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and a Member of the Board for the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in Vermont and National Geographic International.

Madame Chancellor, to recognize the contributions made to our understanding of vital social and First Nations issues, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Alanis Obomsawin.

Video

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 28, 2010

MARIA KLAWE

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

Few individuals have done more to encourage and advance women in science and engineering than Dr. Maria Klawe, and we are honoured to call her one of our own. 

As head of the Department of Computer Science, Vice President, Students and Dean of Science at UBC, Dr. Klawe pioneered strategies to support women and underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

She then went on to serve as Dean of Engineering at Princeton University, where she developed the “Engineering for a Better World” strategic plan for the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Since 2007, Dr. Klawe has been President of Harvey Mudd College, a top undergraduate engineering school in the U.S., where she is fostering curricular changes that emphasize experiential learning and the societal value of engineering. She knows the school’s 700 students by name and writes a personal note to every woman who is accepted into the college. Due in large part to her efforts, the percentage of incoming women has increased to 40 per cent.

Her far-reaching influence is reflected in the formation of the Image of Computing Initiative, a national effort to convey a positive image of computing co-led by Microsoft and major industry players. Her own research on factors that engage girls in computer games has also been influential within the gaming sector.

She has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and served as the first female vice-chair of the Computing Research Association, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology.

Madame Chancellor, for her visionary leadership and unwavering support of students and colleagues, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Maria Margaret Klawe.

Video (Part 1) (Part 2)


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, MAY 31, 2010

NORA VOLKOW

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

In a city where the affects of addiction are sometimes uncomfortably visible, we can appreciate the leaders who strive to understand the disease. Nora Volkow is such a leader.  She has devoted her career to studying the health implications of drug addiction.

As Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, Dr. Volkow has played a fundamental role in shaping the direction of addiction medicine research. 

Internationally recognized for her work, Dr. Volkow’s research was instrumental in identifying the addictive properties and toxic effects that drugs have on the brain. Her research showed that addiction is a disease of the brain, and is not about weakness or self-control.

Throughout her 30-years as a researcher and doctor, Dr. Volkow has published more than 440 peer-reviewed articles and more than 60 book chapters and non-peer reviewed manuscripts.

She is a pioneer in the use of brain imaging to investigate mental and addictive disorders.  She has made contributions to the neurobiology of obesity, ADHD and the behavioural changes that occur with aging.

Dr. Volkow is a strong advocate for evidence-based public policy.  She has always stood out among her colleagues for her strong leadership and passionate work.

In 2006, Newsweek identified Dr. Volkow in a list of 20 people to watch. A year later, she was named one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 People Who Shape our World.”  She has also won the Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association, and the Prix International from France’s Institut National de la Santé et de la Récherche Medicale.

Madame Chancellor, for her relentless efforts to find what lies at the heart of drug addiction, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Nora Volkow.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, JUNE 1, 2010

IBRAHIM GEDEON

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

It will take people of extraordinary skill and vision to keep Canada at the forefront of the rapidly changing global technology sector. Today we recognize such an individual: Mr. Ibrahim Gedeon.

Mr. Gedeon is Chief Technology Officer at TELUS Communications Inc. In that role, he is responsible for technology strategy, network and services architecture and network support systems.  He is widely respected for his organizational achievements, for his active leadership in the global technology sector, and for his strong support of industry-university collaboration.

Among his many achievements, Mr. Gedeon played a pivotal role in establishing the IPShere 2008 telecommunication network, enabling the first-ever consumer connectivity across the globe between Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden, Germany and Canada.

As a member of the board of the International Engineering Consortium, he was instrumental in bringing the first Broadband World Forum to Canada, and Vancouver, in 2006. In doing so he demonstrated remarkable leadership by building collaboration with industry giants like Nortel, Microsoft and Nokia, and promoting Canada as a leader in connected communities.

I want to underline Mr. Gedeon’s support for university learning and research. He earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the America University of Beirut, and a Master of Science degree in Electronics at Carleton University. While at TELUS, he has been instrumental in supporting the UBC Faculty of Applied Science in major research grants. He has been a member of the UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Board. He is a board member with Engineers Without Borders, which has a very active UBC student chapter.

Madame Chancellor, for his contributions to Canada’s technology sector, and for his active commitment to learning and research, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Ibrahim Gedeon.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION, JUNE 2, 2010

JOHN FURLONG

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

When John Furlong arrived in Canada more than 30 years ago from Ireland, a customs officer offered this greeting: "Welcome to Canada.... Make us better".

After the extraordinary lengths that Mr. Furlong took to ensure the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games truly resonated with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, it is clear that he took those words to heart.

As CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee, Mr. Furlong realized early on that this was more than simply a sporting event. It was an opportunity to show the world, and ourselves, the real Canada and to express the values of this great land.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there would be medals – including our first Gold on Canadian soil. And the most gold medals Canada had ever won. Yes, there were some truly unforgettable performances.

But for Mr. Furlong, it was also an opportunity to reach out to our First Nations, to produce the greenest games ever, and to strengthen communities with legacy venues like UBC’s very own Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. This facility has already become a new social and athletic heart for our campus and the surrounding community.

Of course, I’m just scraping the surface here on the monumental task John Furlong and his team had, including: the venues, the security, the ticketing, the negotiating, the sponsorships, the marketing, the broadcasting, the unforgettable opening and closing ceremonies.

Madame Chancellor, for his skilled leadership, and for helping to unlock unprecedented levels of national pride, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon John Furlong.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION ON NOVEMBER 25, 2010

JULIE PAYETTE

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

Few people have accomplished so much, so high up, as Dr. Julie Payette.

Dr. Payette has been to space twice for a total of more than 25 days.

During her first flight with the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1999, she made aerospace history as the first Canadian to participate in an International Space Station mission. During this mission, the crew performed the first manual docking of the shuttle to the International Space Station. Dr. Payette held responsibility for the station’s systems and operated all three robotic arms: the shuttle’s Canadarm, the station’s Canadarm2 and a special purpose Japanese arm.

Dr. Payette then visited the space station in 2009 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and made history again when she and astronaut Bob Thirsk marked the first time that two Canadians were in space at the same time.

In between her space travels, Dr. Payette served as Chief Astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007. She was appointed a Chevalier (or Knight) of the Ordre national du Quebec in 2000. Last year, she helped carry the Olympic flag during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Vancouver. And in June she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

A person of many talents, she also plays the piano and has sung with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Piacere Vocale in Basel, Switzerland, and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto.

Throughout her career, she has encouraged boys and girls of all ages to believe in their dreams.

Madame Chancellor, for inspiring us all to reach for the sky, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Julie Payette.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION NOVEMBER 26, 2010

LOUIS NIRENBERG

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Dr. Louis Nirenberg is one of the outstanding mathematical analysts of the twentieth century.

A former director and professor of mathematics at New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, he received the National Medal of Science in 1995  – the highest scientific honour in the United States.

We might take pride, then, that one who has had such a major impact came from Canada. Dr. Nirenberg was born in Hamilton and grew up in Montreal, where he earned his undergraduate degree at McGill University.

He is quoted as saying that he discovered his love for math while attempting to learn Hebrew. His Hebrew teacher liked mathematical puzzles, and language lessons ended up being spent on math problems. We can be glad they did, for those lessons must have planted the seeds that would one day bear tremendous fruit.

Dr. Nirenberg has made major contributions in the area of partial differential equations. He developed intricate interactions between mathematical analysis, differential geometry, and complex analysis and applied them to the theory of fluid flow and other physical phenomena.

Along the way he has inspired generations of mathematicians through his work with students and through his writing, lectures and articles.

Among his many activities, Dr. Nirenberg was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1969, served as Vice President of the American Mathematical Society from 1976 to 1977, has edited dozens of prominent journals and was elected as Foreign Correspondent of the Academie des Sciences de France in 1989.

Madam Chancellor, for his immense contributions to the mathematical tools of modern science, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Sciences, honoris causa, upon Louis Nirenberg.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT SPECIAL CEREMONY
APRIL 21, 2011

AMARTYA SEN

MISTER VICE CHANCELLOR,

A passion for understanding and improving society has driven Amartya Sen’s success in the fields of economics, philosophy and decision theory.

An innovator in social choice theory, welfare economics, development economics, public health, gender studies and the economics of peace and war, Dr. Sen’s research has touched many fields. Deeply influenced by the social imagination of poet Rabindranath Tagore, Asia’s first Nobel Laureate, Dr. Sen has consistently demonstrated the necessity and applicability of humanist ideals in social policy and practice.

Best known for his work to understand the mechanisms of poverty and famine, Dr. Sen’s ideas have been turned into action, for example, by helping to develop solutions for preventing and minimizing the effects of food shortages.

Challenging the idea that only self-interest motivates human activity, Dr. Sen is also internationally renowned for his ground-breaking research on social choice theory.

Using ideas he explored in development economics, Dr. Sen has been a driving force behind United Nations policy. His work has been used to measure poverty and inequality around the world and to provide information on improving economic conditions for the poor.

Recognized globally for his ideas and work on welfare economics, he is the recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics, was named to the Order of Companion of Honour in the United Kingdom and has been awarded the "Bharat Ratna", the highest honour awarded by the President of India.

Currently the Thomas W. Lamont University Professor and Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University, Dr. Sen is also a senior fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He has taught at the University of Calcutta, Delhi University, the London School of Economics, Oxford University and Harvard University, and on a visiting basis, at M.I.T., Stanford, Berkeley, and Cornell.

Mister Vice Chancellor, for his efforts to empower us with knowledge in a troubled world, and for continuing the inspirational work of Rabindranath Tagore, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Amartya Kumar Sen.


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 25, 2011

DIANE LOOMER

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

When Diane Loomer conducts music, notes, sounds and tones come together to produce enriching melodies, captivating harmonies and electrifying rhythms.

Ms. Loomer has spent her career as a choral conductor, teacher and musician. Among her greatest achievements is the founding of the internationally recognized and award-winning Chor Leoni Men’s Choir and Elektra Women’s Choir.

With these two choirs, Ms. Loomer has traveled the world, performing in music festivals and competitions. These choirs are two of the most distinguished choral ensembles in Canada today, and have become a symbol of pride to Canada’s music community.

Recognized for her ability to inspire, Ms. Loomer has taught and mentored musicians of all ages around the world. She works with children, professional ensembles and with older adults in EnChor, a choir created for seniors.

As an advocate for choral music, and having helped to establish Vancouver as an international choral centre, Ms. Loomer is an ambassador for Canadian music.  Her work with renowned conductors and orchestras has led to exchanges, joint performances and partnerships for Canadian musicians. In recognition of these achievements, Ms. Loomer was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1999.

Madam Chancellor, for her unwavering efforts to inspire and lead in the choral art form, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Diane Mary Loomer.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 26, 2011

THE HON. JACOB (JACK) AUSTIN

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

As Vancouverites celebrate the one-year first anniversary of the city’s first Olympic Winter Games, and the title of the most livable city in the world, we have Jack Austin to thank.

Mr. Austin has left an indelible impression on our landscape. He was instrumental in securing federal government support for Expo 86, which 25 years ago transformed the city and redefined its image around the world as an open and cosmopolitan destination.

That investment planted the seeds for what would later become the city’s most recognizable landmarks and institutions – Canada Place, the Convention Centre, the Pan-Pacific Hotel and the cruise ship terminal.  The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada – that laid the foundation for our successful bid for the 2010 Olympics. And last year, in recognition of his great service to British Columbia, Mr. Austin was named to the Order of British Columbia.

His influence has gone far beyond this province.  He has played leadership roles nationally as a public servant, political advisor, and senator.  And he has been a visionary builder of International partnerships.   His involvement in promoting trade relations between Mexico and Canada has earned him the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest foreign honour given by the government of Mexico.

As the architect of the Team Canada visits, as progenitor of the Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy, as Sage Counsellor to both sides in difficult times, no Canadian has had a steadier or more important influence on Canada’s engagement with the People’s Republic of China than Jack Austin.

We are proud to call Mr. Austin one of our own. An alumnus, former member of the Faculty of Law and former advisor to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, currently an Honorary Professor in the Institute of Asian Research, he has touched many members of our community with his wisdom and dedication and eternal optimism.

Madam Chancellor, for his service to Canada and British Columbia, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Jacob Austin.

Read his acceptance speech | Video

THOMAS WING FAT FUNG

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

When we first arrive in a strange land or a new place, we seek the familiar – stories or faces that reflect our lives.

Thomas Fung understands the need for such reflections.

Mr. Fung is the founder of Canada’s premier and only national Chinese-language TV and radio network. His company, Fairchild Media Group, provides a platform for political and cultural discourse in languages that otherwise would not be available.

Mr. Fung has also influenced real estate and retail development. He built North America’s first and largest Asian-themed shopping and entertainment venture, Aberdeen Centre in Richmond. In 2008, he established Sea Land Air Flight Centre, an advanced flight training school for both commercial and private pilots.

Mr. Fung received the inaugural Spirit of Vancouver Leadership Award from the Vancouver Board of Trade. He was named one of Canada’s most influential people by Time Magazine.

Mr. Fung is known for his generosity and kindness to those who work for him. As well, he frequently gives of his time, energy and resources for worthwhile causes. One such effort was the Community Care Foundation which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Lower Mainland hospitals.

His love of film and media inspired him to establish scholarships for UBC’s film and theatre department and the Graduate School of Journalism.

Madam Chancellor, for his keen business sense and even keener love of community, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Thomas Wing Fat Fung.

Read his acceptance speech | Video

KENNETH LYOTIER

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

Dumpster diver. Binner. These words have become part of our modern day lexicon – especially in cities like Vancouver.

Ken Lyotier knows well what these words mean. For several years during the 1980s, Mr. Lyotier earned extra money through binning, searching for containers that could be recycled for cash on Vancouver’s Eastside.

But he found that storekeepers were often reluctant to provide refunds for the recycled containers. That’s what motivated Mr. Lyotier and his friends to establish United We Can. They organized for five years to set up a bottle depot in the Downtown Eastside. They opened United We Can in 1995.

Today, this successful social enterprise processes about 20 million containers each year. It has an annual budget of $2.5 million. Each day, more than 700 binners drop off recyclables and get paid.

United We Can has expanded to include other businesses such as street cleaning, bike and computer repairs and a plant store. United We Can has inspired similar efforts in cities around the world. These endeavours provide dignity and hope to those who most need it.

Mr. Lyotier knows what it is like to exist on the margins. As a young man, Mr. Lyotier was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Frequent hospital trips and operations defined many of his days. His discovery of drugs and alcohol further compounded health problems.

But through all these difficulties, Mr. Lyotier looked for the truth and the true value of each person no matter what their circumstances.

Madam Chancellor, for his courage, tenacity and compassion, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Kenneth Lyotier.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 27, 2011

LEON BIBB

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

British Columbia has an important musical and cultural treasure in the person of Leon Bibb. A distinguished actor, folk singer, and advocate for minority rights, Mr. Bibb began his career with a generation of performers who were at the forefront of social change.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he pursued classical training as a baritone in New York. He made his first major theatre appearance in the original 1946 production of Annie Get Your Gun, starring Ethel Merman.

Bibb turned to folk music, and was heard, along with such luminaries as Pete Seeger, on the 1954 album Hootenanny Tonight! He performed in the inaugural Newport Folk Festival, the Broadway production of Kurt Weill's Lost in the Stars, and he also appeared as a member of the Skifflers, in tandem with folk music legend Milt Okun.

In 1971 he moved to Vancouver. His contribution to the B.C. arts community has been fundamental. He helped establish the success of the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre when he obtained the rights to Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Among his many other career highlights, his One More Stop On The Freedom Train, a gospel musical about the underground railroad, was premiered in Toronto and mounted in Vancouver at Expo 86.

In 1992 Mr. Bibb founded A Step Ahead, a program that provides youth with a forum to discuss diversity, racism, bullying and multiculturalism. This program has been performed in more than 120 schools in Canada.

He is an inductee into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal recipient, and in 2099 was appointed to the Order for British Columbia.

Madam Chancellor, for sharing his extraordinary talent and inspiration, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Leon Bibb.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 30, 2011

NANCY JEAN TURNER

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

To her colleagues, Nancy Turner is synonymous with the field of ethnobotany – the study of the relationship between people and plants.

But to the many elders and youths in British Columbia’s First Nations communities whom Prof. Turner has worked with over the past three decades, she also personifies the best in human relationships – ones that are deeply rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

Prof. Turner is recognized worldwide for her pioneering work in documenting the traditional use of plants among Aboriginal peoples, and for her tireless efforts in ensuring the continuity of that knowledge in these communities. Through her work, Prof. Turner has provided extraordinarily rich accounts of the lives, loves, fears, and joys of different cultures that may have otherwise been lost forever.

Known for her enormous energy and subtle charm, she’s been called an anthropological magician, with an ability to incite curiosity and excitement from those around her. But perhaps she can be most aptly described as a citizen-scientist, the rarest among us who embodies a commitment to scientific rigour, respectful collaboration, and community betterment.

Prof. Turner was elected to the Royal Society of Canada and appointed to the Order of British Columbia in 1999. She was voted one of the Top Ten Thinkers in British Columbia in 2000, and she was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2009. Her long and intimate involvement with scholarship here at UBC, starting with her doctoral studies here in the 1970s, has benefited students and colleagues alike.

Madam Chancellor, for building relationships between people and the environment and between diverse peoples, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Nancy Jean Turner.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 31, 2011

JAMES ALLEN McEWEN

MADAM CHANCELLOR:

A celebrated Vancouver biomedical engineer, James McEwen’s leadership and expertise have spread far beyond the Lower Mainland, benefitting Canadians and people around the world.

Best known for the microprocessor-controlled automatic surgical tourniquet system he invented, Dr. McEwen and his team have developed numerous medical devices that have changed the way health care is delivered in Canada and internationally.

The tourniquet system is now standard equipment in operating rooms worldwide and is used in an estimated 20,000 surgical procedures every day.  It works to protect patients by improving the precision, speed and safety of surgery.

A UBC alumnus, Dr. McEwen is considered one of the founders of the Canadian biomedical engineering industry. He helped establish several medical technology companies, invested in many others and was a driving force behind the creation of biomedical engineering programs here at UBC and at Simon Fraser University.

Having held many positions of leadership throughout his career, Dr. McEwen’s guidance and foresight have led to the creation of partnerships between hospitals, universities, industry and non-profit organizations.

These partnerships have helped boost the Canadian economy. They have supported students as they work towards becoming Canada’s future biomedical engineers and they have laid the groundwork for developing new medical technologies that address the needs of patients and health care professionals.

Madam Chancellor, for developing new medical technologies, for guiding the growth of Canada’s biomedical engineering fields and for helping improve health care, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon James Allen McEwen.

Read his acceptance speech | Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
NOVEMBER 24, 2011

MARIO JOSÉ MOLINA

When Mario Molina was a child, he created a makeshift laboratory in his family home to conduct chemistry experiments with a toy microscope.

Now, I don’t mean to suggest that committing yourself early to science necessarily guarantees you the Nobel Prize for Chemistry – which he received in 1995 with two colleagues – but let’s just say it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Because not long after his early embrace of chemistry, Mario Molina co-authored one of the truly landmark studies of our times. Published in Nature journal in 1974 – while he was still a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, Irvine – his research suggested that a class of chemicals  - chlorofluorocarbons, once ubiquitous in refrigerators, aerosol spray cans and solvents – could compromise the ozone layer’s ability to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

Not only did his work advance our understanding of atmospheric chemistry, it also had a profoundly positive impact on the environment: Those of us here of a certain age surely still have the indelible image of ominous holes growing in the ozone layer imprinted in our minds from this time. Mario Molina’s work captured the imagination of scientists, the public and government – and inspired real change in the form of a global ban on CFC emissions.

Since then, he has been involved with the chemistry of air pollution of the lower atmosphere, and with the science and policy of climate change. He has received more than 30 honorary degrees and his many memberships include the U.S. President's Committee of Advisors in Science and Technology, and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences of the Vatican. He is a currently a professor at the University of California, San Diego, and President of the Mario Molina Center in Mexico City, where he was born.

Madam Chancellor, for his immense contributions to society and our planet, for reminding us of the power of research to transform the world, and for inspiring the type of thinking that led this university to recently open North America’s greenest building here on the Vancouver campus, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Mario José Molina.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
NOVEMBER 25, 2011

DAVID SUZUKI

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

David Suzuki has been called Canada’s environmental conscience. Pointing out what is right and what is wrong, he holds Canadians accountable for our actions and our inactions. With his authenticity, passion and perseverance, Dr. Suzuki inspires us to think critically about the planet and our relationship with it.

UBC’s relationship with Dr. Suzuki began almost 50 years ago. Starting out as a geneticist, he came to UBC as a professor in 1963. Today he is a Canadian icon -- a celebrated researcher, science broadcaster and environmental activist.

Through his award-winning work as a radio and television broadcaster, Dr. Suzuki has brought science into the homes of Canadians. The host of the long-running CBC series The Nature of Things and former host of Quirks and Quarks, he has a gift for making science accessible.

He has worked tirelessly to popularize environmental issues and has a unique ability to convey the state of the planet and his passion for achieving a more sustainable world.

He is also the co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, an organization that works to conserve our environment by providing science-based education, advocacy and policy work, and acting as a catalyst for social change.

As Canada’s best-known environmentalist, Dr. Suzuki is an inspiration to generations of young Canadians. He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Order of BC, a UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for Science, the United Nations Environment Program Medal and the Right Livelihood Award.

Madam Chancellor, for his ability to inspire us to think, act and work together to protect the environment and make the world more sustainable, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon David Takayoshi Suzuki.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 23, 2012

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Buffy Sainte-Marie is an iconic musician, artist, social activist and educator who has left her mark on the world stage. Her award-winning music is loved equally by people from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. She has advocated on behalf of Aboriginal people and spoken out against war.  

Born in Saskatchewan and of Cree heritage, Dr. Sainte-Marie – who holds a PhD in Fine Arts -- grew up in the United States. She began her wildly successful musical career in the 1960s. Since then, songs like "Universal Soldier", "Up Where We Belong", and "Until It’s Time for You to Go" have become international hits.

Dr. Sainte-Marie continues to leave her mark on music and the arts today. She is the recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Gemini and three Junos, most recently for her 18th album Running for the Drum in 2009.

Having spent time with indigenous groups around the world, Dr. Sainte-Marie makes a special effort to bring her music into their communities. She has established a scholarship foundation to fund Native American study and is the founder of the Cradleboard Teaching Project, which aims to enrich the public education system with Native American content.  And during a stint on Sesame Street, Dr. Sainte-Marie wanted to impart that “Indians still exist.”

An Officer of the Order of Canada, Dr. Sainte-Marie has made contributions to the visual arts and to education, as a professor and lecturer at universities in Canada and the United States.  

Madam Chancellor, for her powerful music, her role as an educator and for her dedication to causes that touch all of us, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, upon Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 24, 2012

JOE CLARK

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Throughout his storied career as a public servant, the Right Honourable Joe Clark has been tirelessly committed to a Canada that is progressive and globally influential, reflecting the values of integrity, unity and civility.

“Young Joe” (as he was first known to many of us) became Canada’s 16th Prime Minister the day before his 40th birthday, and the youngest person ever to hold our highest office.

Mr. Clark was elected to the House of Commons eight times over 35 years in politics. As Leader of the Opposition, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Acting Minister of both National Defence and Justice, and Minister of Constitutional Affairs, he has served in some of the most challenging positions in government.

Born in the “cowboy country” of High River, Alberta, Joe Clark has remained true to his Progressive Conservative roots, which combine socially progressive values and a focus on sound fiscal responsibility and innovation.

Clark played an important role in finalizing negotiations for the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which helped to transform our economy for success in the 21st Century. Thanks to his efforts, Canada was the first Western nation to respond to Ethiopia’s 1984 famine and the first G7 country to introduce sanctions against South Africa’s brutal apartheid regime. Clark also made immense contributions to constitutional issues.

Since retiring from politics, he has received many honours, including the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence. He has served as a Special Representative of the United Nations’ Secretary General, monitored elections around the world, and shared his vast expertise in foreign affairs through positions at American University in Washington, DC, University of California, Berkeley, McGill University, and the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars.

Madam Chancellor, for his dedication to the people of Canada and the world, and commitment to global citizenship and civil society, I ask you to grant the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon the Right Honourable Charles Joseph Clark.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 25, 2012

SOPHIE PIERRE

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

When Sophie Pierre was three years old, living in the Kootenays, her grandfather gathered his people to determine who would succeed him as Chief. 
Little did she know, sitting there listening to her grandfather, that one day she too would follow his footsteps as Chief, on her way to becoming one of Canada’s most accomplished Aboriginal leaders.

Chief Pierre currently holds the challenging position of Chief Commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission, where she works to resolve contentious land-claims negotiations. Prior to that, she was the elected Chief of the St. Mary’s Indian Band for 30 years, spent more than 25 years on the Ktunaxa-Kinbasket Tribal Council and served as co-chair of the First Nations Summit.

Chief Pierre was instrumental in the creation of the St. Eugene Mission Resort Hotel on the traditional land of her people outside Cranbrook, B.C. Once a residential school, this re-developed facility is now an important multi-million dollar driver of economic growth in her community, helping to transform a painful past into a source of pride and independence.

UBC has a long history of Aboriginal education programming, and Chief Pierre has been one of its great supporters. She was instrumental in the creation and continued success of the Ch’nook Program, a business and mentoring initiative for young Aboriginal entrepreneurs at UBC.

Chief Pierre, who Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo has called “an amazing woman and leader,” has served on numerous boards and is a recipient of both the Order of British Columbia and the National Aboriginal Achievement award.

Madam Chancellor, for these and other contributions to Aboriginal people across the nation, and for enriching the lives of all Canadians, I ask you to grant the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Chief Sophie Pierre.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 28, 2012

WALTER HEPWORTH LEWIS AND MEMORY ELVIN-LEWIS

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Three quarters of all modern drugs come directly or indirectly from plants used in folk medicine. Walter Hepworth Lewis and Memory Elvin-Lewis, both UBC alumni, have spent their careers in a race against time to uncover new cures for diseases such as malaria, hepatitis and tuberculosis. They have had to find promising plants before pristine jungle ecosystems were compromised – and the traditional knowledge of their medicinal properties was lost forever.

This husband-and-wife team, each with an enviable career and unique expertise – Dr. Elvin-Lewis as a microbiologist and Dr. Lewis as an ethnobotanist – has traveled the world to evaluate and document traditional medicines used by Aboriginal peoples. Their discoveries have yielded patents for anti-malarial agents and proof of the value of traditional hepatitis remedies. Their award-winning textbook Medical Botany, a pioneer in ethnobotany and pharmacology, has withstood the test of time for more than four decades.

As firm believers in collaborative research – a principle we hold dear here at UBC – the Lewises facilitate negotiations among native peoples, universities, and pharmaceutical companies in order to get new drugs to market while ensuring the holders of this traditional knowledge are fairly compensated and acknowledged for the wisdom their communities have gleaned for centuries.

Dr. Elvin-Lewis once said that one must “have patience for technology to catch up to you and your discovery.” It is perhaps this foresight that drove her to preserve a specimen of a mysterious case of Kaposi’s Sarcoma in 1969. That sample, tested almost two decades later, proved to be the first case of AIDS in the United States. Dr. Elvin-Lewis, we take great delight in knowing that it was a microbiology course here at UBC that sparked your interest in the field.

Madam Chancellor, for their visionary contributions to unearthing and preserving knowledge for the benefit of all peoples, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa upon Walter Hepworth Lewis and Memory Elvin-Lewis.

Video

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 28, 2012

ROBERT HUNG NGAI HO

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Few British Columbians seem to live and breathe the teachings of the Buddha as does Robert H.N. Ho.

Indeed, we are fortunate to call Dr. Ho one of our own, although many great cities around the world – Hong Kong, New York and London to name a few – would like to make a similar claim.

After a successful career in business and journalism, Dr. Ho did not simply retire to the golf course. Rather, he turned his attention to our cultural landscapes.  Through the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, he launched the United Kingdom’s first permanent gallery of Buddhist sculpture at the Victoria and Albert Museum; he brought the mythical Terracotta Warriors from China for their first visit to Canada; and he began art education programs to inspire creativity among young people in Hong Kong.

The Foundation has endowed the Center for Buddhist Studies at Stanford University, and  funded the establishment of Buddhist Ministry Studies at Harvard Divinity School.

Here at UBC, Dr. Ho carried on the legacy of his grandmother and helped establish North America’s first Buddhism and Contemporary Society program through the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation.

And the Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, which houses some of the top UBC scientists in cancer and mobility health research, has enabled groundbreaking research with immediate, far-reaching benefits for seniors and people suffering from prostate and ovarian cancers.

Dr. Ho, you once said that Buddhism stresses the need for kindness at every level, from personal relations to global action. You are living proof that one man’s kindness and compassion can reverberate around the world.

Madam Chancellor, for his tireless philanthropy, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa upon Robert Hung Ngai Ho.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
MAY 30, 2012

DOMINIC BARTON

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Many Canadians believe – somewhat modestly – that there needs to be more of Canada in the world.

We see ourselves as decent, hardworking, ethical and brave. In the case of Dominic Barton, we are not far off the mark.

Mr. Barton is the Global Managing Director of McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s pre-eminent management consulting firms. During its 85-year history, the company has earned the trust of business and government leaders throughout the world. McKinsey now operates in 50 countries.

Mr. Barton has urged private and public sectors to strategize for the greater good. He advises them to work together to solve looming challenges such as climate change, water governance and national debt crises.

Mr. Barton graduated from UBC in 1984 and was selected a Rhodes Scholar before beginning his 25-plus years career at McKinsey. We are grateful that over the years he has remained involved with UBC, for example, speaking to Sauder School of Business forums.

Mr. Barton has worked in Asia, heading McKinley’s Korea office and then overseeing the entire Asian region. As a result, he has a unique understanding of how China and Korea will shape the world’s economic and political agendas.

A prolific author, Mr. Barton is known for his extensive writings on global commerce, development and reform. His most recent book is entitled China Vignettes: An Inside Look at China.

Mr. Barton is an active participant in international forums including Davos, the Asia Business Council and the Aspen Strategy Group. He is a trustee of the Brookings Institution, one of Washington’s oldest think tanks. He is also Chairman of the International Advisory Committee to the President of South Korea on National Future and Vision.

Madam Chancellor, for his contributions to global cooperation and corporate governance, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa upon Dominic Stephen Barton.

Video

HONORARY DEGREE CEREMONY FOR JAPANESE CANADIAN STUDENTS OF 1942

[A special ceremony was held during UBC’s 2012 spring congregation to recognize and honour the Japanese Canadian students whose university experience was disrupted in 1942 when they were uprooted and exiled from the B.C. coast - a violation of their citizenship rights.]

[Honorary degrees were conferred on the students who were unable to complete their education as planned and degrees were re-conferred on the students who completed their studies but may have missed their graduation ceremony when they were forced to leave their homes.]

Tribute | Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
NOVEMBER 21, 2012

MICHAEL WINGFIELD

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

Forests are an important resource – economically, environmentally and culturally – for communities worldwide. In South Africa, Dr. Michael Wingfield has been working tirelessly to protect forest health for the past 30 years.

Recognized internationally for his research in forest biotechnology, Dr. Wingfield studies how pests and pathogens cause diseases that degrade timber and the value of trees. He also studies the origin and global movement of tree diseases. This pioneering work has led to the creation of new forest management options that help reduce losses to the industry.

Throughout his career Dr. Winfield has demonstrated a commitment to sharing his discoveries through popular articles, public lectures and outreach to foresters. In this way he has contributed substantially to socio-economic development in many parts of Africa.

Among his most significant accomplishments, Dr. Wingfield established the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme. Bringing together South Africa’s forestry companies, researchers and government organizations, the program aims to minimize the impact of tree diseases on the country’s forests. The initiative is responsible for all issues of forest protection in South Africa and has become the largest tree health project in the world.

Dr. Wingfield is also the founding director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria. It is recognized as a centre of research excellence and attracts leading experts and students, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr. Wingfield himself has been an advisor to more than 115 masters and doctorate students.

Dr. Wingfield’s work has extended well beyond the borders of South Africa. Members of the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute are involved in projects on almost every continent.

Madam Chancellor, for dedicating his career to forest health and for translating his research into knowledge that makes a real difference, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon Michael Wingfield.

Video

THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
NOVEMBER 21, 2012

PAUL MARTIN

MADAME CHANCELLOR,

History shows us a persistent gap between those with power and those without. But history also reveals the rare few – those who seek to bridge the divide, to share power.

The Right Honourable Paul Martin – Canada’s twenty-first Prime Minister from 2003 to 2006 – belongs among those precious few.

Today we honour his many contributions to Canada’s economic and social fabric. For example, in 2005 under Mr. Martin’s leadership, the federal government reached a historic consensus with Canada’s provinces, territories, First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders. Called the Kelowna Accord, the agreement would eliminate the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in the areas of health, education, housing and economic opportunity.

As Prime Minister, Mr. Martin also introduced the Civil Marriage Act, which transformed the traditional definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

Mr. Martin’s advocacy work continues in areas where he has shown considerable passion: Canadian Aboriginal issues, and partnerships with Africa.

He co-chairs a two hundred million dollar British-Norwegian fund to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development for the Congo Basin Rainforest.

He also sits on the advisory council for the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa. He works with sponsors such as the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union to address critical issues facing the continent.

Closer to home, he is tackling two daunting yet inspiring projects. One is the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative which aims to reduce the dropout rate for Aboriginal youth and also increase their attendance at post-secondary institutions.

With his son, David, Mr. Martin founded the Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity and Entrepreneurship Fund. The Fund seeks to foster economic independence through business ownership among Aboriginal peoples.

Madame Chancellor, for his political and humanitarian service, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon the Right Honourable Paul Martin.

Video


THE TITLE AND DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS, (honoris causa) CONFERRED AT CONGREGATION
NOVEMBER 22, 2012

BRAMWELL TOVEY

MADAM CHANCELLOR,

One of Shakespeare’s best-known quotes could easily describe Mr. Bramwell Tovey’s journey so far. “If music be the food of love, play on.” And Maestro Tovey does.

The greatly respected and much-loved music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is entering his twelfth season with the VSO. He continues to delight audiences with his gifts as a conductor, composer and musician.

Mr. Tovey is celebrated for his warm and charismatic presence on the podium and, his extraordinary versatility and reach, with a repertoire that includes operatic, choral, British and contemporary music.

An esteemed guest conductor, he has worked with famed orchestras including the London Philharmonic, the Frankfurt Radio Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

He is also the founding host and conductor of the New York Philharmonic’s Summertime Classics series at Avery Fisher Hall.

He is happily recognized for his fine work, having won both Grammy and Juno awards in 2007 for his recording with violinist James Ehnes and the Vancouver Symphony of the Walton, Korngold and Barber concerti.

He has also garnered praise as a composer, winning a Juno award in 2003 for his classical composition entitled Requiem for a Charred Skull. Last year, he premiered his first full-length opera, The Inventor, at the Calgary Opera, to great success.

We deeply appreciate his ongoing contributions to our community, through his relationship with the UBC School of Music and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

Madam Chancellor, for enriching the musical life of cities throughout the world, especially Vancouver, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Bramwell Tovey.

Video