Dr. John Blatherwick, a trailblazing public health leader and widely recognized as one of Canada’s longest-serving medical health officers. His achievements include responding to the SARS epidemic and establishing the first non-smoking in the workplace by-law. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Blatherwick on Thursday, October 7 at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony.

Dr. Blatherwick's citation
Dr. Blatherwick's convocation address (YouTube)
Dr. Blatherwick's convocation address (Transcribed)

Dr. Catherine Clement, an award-winning community history curator, exhibition designer and dedicated volunteer, has been fundamental in uncovering and sharing stories of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown and Chinese Canadian history, shedding light on the lives of people from marginalized communities. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Clement on Monday, October 5 at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony.

Dr. Clement's citation
Dr. Clement's convocation address (YouTube)
Dr. Clement's convocation address (Transcribed)

Dr. Andreas Dracopoulos, a dedicated philanthopist in both his public and private life. He is Co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), which has made nearly 5,000 grants to non-profits in more than 130 countries over 25 years. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Dracopoulos on Thursday, June 24 at the 6:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Dracopoulos's citation
Dr. Dracopoulos's convocation address (YouTube)

Dr. Michael J. Fox, an award-winning television and film actor. He is a tireless advocate in the fight for a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Through his foundation, he is helping lead the charge on research and therapeutic development toward a future without Parkinson’s. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Fox on Tuesday, June 29 at the 4:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Fox's citation
Dr. Fox's convocation address (YouTube)

 

Dr. Victor Hayes, a pioneer in the field of information technology and communication, he played a critical role that led to the success of Wi-Fi. Its creation launched a multi-billion-dollar industry, fundamentally changing the way people work, study and live. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Hayes on Monday, June 28 at the 6:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Hayes's citation
Dr. Hayes's convocation address (YouTube)

Dr. Herb (Jay) James, a charter student at SFU, has, through his foundation, spent more than half a century providing free hearing screening and treatment, including surgeries to deaf and hard of hearing children in developing countries. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. James on Monday, June 28 at the 4:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. James's citation
Dr. James's convocation virtual address (June 2021) (YouTube)
Dr. James's convocation address (Fall 2021) (YouTube)
Dr. James's convocation address (Fall 2021) (Transcribed)

Dr. Margo Kane, a renowned interdisciplinary artist and a major advocate for advancing Indigenous performing arts in Canada. She has dedicated her life to mentoring Indigenous artists and creating opportunities to showcase their work and culture. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Kane on Thursday, October 7 at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.

Dr. Kane's citation
Dr. Kane's convocation address (YouTube)
Dr. Kane's convocation address (Transcibed) 

Dr. Nurjehan Mawani, a lawyer, humanitarian, global Canadian and consensus-builder. She is a champion of human rights, inclusion and gender equity. Her groundbreaking work in law and policy transformed refugee determination to recognize gender-related persecution in Canada and internationally. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Mawani on Wednesday, October 6 at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony.

Dr. Mawani's citation
Dr. Mawani's convocation address (YouTube)
Dr. Mawani's convocation adress (Transcribed)

Dr. Wally Oppal, a former judge and B.C. attorney general, has led five high-profile commissions on policing and is a groundbreaking leader in B.C.’s South Asian community. He has made significant contributions to law, community safety and justice for society’s most vulnerable. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Oppal on Friday, June 25 at the 6:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Oppal's citation
Dr. Oppal's convocation virtual address (June 2021) (YouTube)
Dr. Oppal's convocation address (Fall 2021) (YouTube)
Dr. Oppal's convocation address (Fall 2021) (Transcribed)

Dr. Maria Ressa, an award-winning journalist and the co-founder of Rappler, the top digital news site that is leading the fight for press freedom in the Philippines. She has endured political harassment and arrests by the Duterte government in her battle for truth and democracy. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Ressa on Tuesday, June 24 at the 4:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Ressa's citation
Dr. Ressa's convocation address (YouTube)

Dr. Malinda S. Smith, author, professor, researcher. She is a world-renowned political scientist, a tireless advocate of equitable, inclusive, decolonial and accountable approaches in higher education, and the inaugural Vice-Provost Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Calgary. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Smith on Friday, June 25 at the 4:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Smith's citation
Dr. Smith's convocation address (YouTube)

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s first female Chief Public Health Officer, is a leading expert in immunization, infectious disease and emergency preparedness. She led the fight against the 2003 SARS outbreaks and the current opioid crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Tam on Monday, June 28 at the 6:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Tam's citation
Dr. Tam's convocation address (YouTube)

Dr. Siila (Sheila) Watt-Cloutier, a respected Inuit leader and one of the world’s most recognized environmental, climate change and human rights advocates. She has been instrumental in raising public awareness about climate change and its impact on the Arctic and its peoples. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Watt-Cloutier on Tuesday, June 29 at the 6:00 p.m. virtual ceremony.

Dr. Watt-Cloutier's citation
Dr. Watt-Cloutier's convocation address (YouTube)