Nelly Auersperg, UBC professor and Terry Fox research scientist with the National Cancer Institute of Canada, who has made major contributions to women’s health research. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Auersperg on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Dr. Auersperg's citation
Dr. Auersperg's convocation address
SFU 2008 Honorary Degree Recipients
The university presented ten prominent citizens with honorary doctorates at its 2008 June and October convocation ceremonies:
Cary Fowler, executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, creator of the first global seed bank. An SFU alumnus (’71), his career in the conservation and use of crop diversity spans 30 years. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Fowler on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Fowler's Media Release
Dr. Fowler's Citation
Dr. Fowler's Address
Rick Hansen, president and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, who has spent the two decades since his Man in Motion World Tour raising awareness and funds for spinal-cord research. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Hansen on Friday, June 6, 2008 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Hansen's citation
Dr. Hansen's convocation address
Martha Piper, UBC’s first female president and an advocate for the importance of universities’ research contributions to economic and social development. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Piper on Friday, October 10, 2008 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Piper's Media Release
Dr. Piper's Citation
Dr. Piper's Address
Mossadiq Umedaly is Chairman of BC Hydro and Chairman of Xantrex Technology Inc., and also served as Chief Executive Officer at Xantrex from 1999 to 2003. Mr. Umedaly was formerly Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ballard Power Systems, the world's leading fuel cell company. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Umedaly on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Umedaly's citation
Dr. Umedaly's convocation address
Iain Baxter, professor emeritus in the School of Visual Arts at the University of Windsor and an internationally known contemporary artist whose work has helped reshape and redefine the Canadian modern art scene. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Baxter& on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Dr. Baxter's Media Release
Dr. Baxter's Citation
Dr. Baxter's Address
William Gibson, noted science-fiction writer whose 1984 award-winning novel Neuromancer helped introduce the concept of cyberspace. The degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Gibson on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Gibson's citation
Dr. Gibson's convocation address
Michael Kirby, chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada and a former Canadian senator. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Kirby on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Dr. Kirby's citation
Dr. Kirby's convocation address
Susan Point, internationally renowned artist whose work has played a prominent role in renewing of the Coast Salish First Nation’s cultural heritage. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Point on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Point's citation
Dr. Point's convocation address