SFU 2007 Honorary Degree Recipients

The university presented eight prominent citizens with honorary doctorates at its 2007 June and October convocation ceremonies. They are:

Larry Beasley, longtime Vancouver city planner largely credited with transforming the city’s downtown core into “walkable” neighborhoods containing a diverse range of housing and jobs. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Beasley on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.

Dr. Beasley's citation
Dr. Beasley's convocation address

Marguerite Ford, community planner, former Vancouver city councillor for 10 years, Order of British Columbia member, community volunteer and advocate for better healthcare and housing for the elderly and disabled. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Ford on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.

Dr. Ford's citation
Dr. Ford convocation address

Stephen Jarislowsky, philanthropist, Order of Canada officer and chairman and CEO of Jarislowsky, Fraser and Company, one of Canada’s largest and most successful investment management firms. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Jarislowsky on Friday, October 5, 2007 at the 9:45 am ceremony.

Dr. Jarislowsky's citation
Dr. Jarislowsky's convocation address

Terry Snutch, molecular biologist and SFU alumni-award winner whose Neuromed Pharmaceuticals recently signed the largest agreement in Canadian biotech history with Merck & Co. for the painkiller MK-6721 (NMED-160), potentially worth $500 million. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Snutch on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at the 9:45 am ceremony.

Dr. Snutch's citation
Dr. Snutch's convocation address

Douglas Coupland, novelist, playwright and visual artist best known for his 1991 international bestseller Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, which popularized the terms "Generation X" and "McJob." The degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Coupland on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.

Dr. Coupland's citation
Dr. Coupland's convocation address

Ray Hyman, parapsychology critic, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Oregon at Eugene and founding member of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Hyman on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.

Dr. Hyman's citation
Dr. Hyman's convocation address

Richard Lipsey, renowned economist and SFU professor emeritus, Order of Canada member, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council gold medalist (2005), and fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Econometric Society. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Lipsey on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the 9:45 am ceremony.

Dr. Lipsey's citation
Dr. Lipsey's convocation address

Eleanor Wachtel, writer, broadcaster and host of CBC Radio’s "Writers & Company" and "The Arts Tonight,” Order of Canada member and former SFU adjunct professor of Women's Studies. The degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa was conferred on Dr. Wachtel on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at the 9:45 am ceremony.

Dr. Wachtel's citation
Dr. Wachtel's convocation address