Spring Congregation Honorary Degree Recipients
Michael Audain, O.C., O.B.C.
Michael Audain is a businessman and philanthropist with a long history of activism and support for visual arts and culture in B.C. and Canada. He launched the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and established the Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts in British Columbia. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.
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Dempsey Bob, O.C.
Dempsey Bob is internationally renowned as a master carver and is one of the foremost Tahltan-Tlingit artists of his generation. He has been a cultural ambassador, forging links between First Nations, Aboriginal and Maori artists and leaders. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada. Photo: Dean Heron
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James Clifford
James Clifford is a leading American historian who helped shape the field of the history of anthropology. His influential research and books have sparked critical debates in many disciplines. Clifford has been a strong supporter and positive critic of UBC’s Museum of Anthropology and served as a member of the Museum’s advisory board from 2010 to 2013.
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Bonnie Klein, O.C.
Bonnie Klein is an outstanding documentary filmmaker, author and human rights activist. After two strokes and three years in rehabilitation, Klein made a remarkable recovery and has become an advocate for the disability rights movement. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada.
Raymond Lee
Raymond Lee is a business leader who has embraced the triple bottom line approach with the company he founded, Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd. The company invests in exploring sustainable business practices and adopting production methods that use less water and coal. An electrical engineering alumnus, Lee is also heavily involved in the community and donates his time and resources to numerous organizations.
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Justin Yifu Lin
Justin Yifu Lin is a leading thinker on why some countries develop more successfully than others. As chief economist and senior vice-president of the World Bank from 2008 to 2012, former director of the China Centre for Economic Research at Peking University and now honorary dean of the National School of Development at Peking University, Dr. Lin has been a strong voice for the role of government in promoting economic growth. His books on the Chinese economy are used in economics courses at leading universities around the world. He is one of China’s most influential advisers on economic policy and reform.
See Justin Yifu Lin’s citation
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Djavad Mowafaghian, C.M., O.B.C.
Djavad Mowafaghian is a business leader and philanthropist whose generosity has touched many lives. After he moved to Vancouver, he created the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation, which has the mandate to better the lives of children through health and education. He has supported many organizations in Iran and Vancouver including BC Children’s Hospital, UBC, and SFU. He is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and was named a member of the Order of Canada in December.
See Djavad Mowafaghian’s citation
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Janet Rossant
Janet Rossant is a scientist and professor who is recognized for her groundbreaking work in understanding the role of genes in embryo development. She holds positions at The Hospital for Sick Children, the University of Toronto, and the Canadian Stem Cell Network and is actively involved in the international developmental and stem cell biology communities.
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Lisa Sennerby-Forsse
Lisa Sennerby-Forsse is a leading forestry scientist and professor who has held prominent positions and advisory roles at universities, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions in Sweden and the European union. Her works spans many fields including environmental issues, plant physiology, cell biology and silviculture.
See Lisa Sennerby-Forsse’s citation
View awarding of Honorary Degree – YouTube
Michel Sidibé
Michel Sidibé has catalyzed the global movement for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support. Throughout his 20 years of service to the UN and 14 years at UNICEF he has focused on improving global health, education and human rights. Since 2009 he has served as the Executive Director of UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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Marvin Storrow, Q.C.
Marvin Storrow is recognized across Canada for his significant work in the area of Aboriginal Law; some of his contributions laid the groundwork for historic changes to Aboriginal rights in Canada. Storrow graduated from UBC’s Faculty of Law in 1962 and has worked in both civil and criminal law. He has made almost 40 appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada.
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Fall Congregation Honorary Degree Recipients
There were no honorary degree recipients during the Fall 2014 Congregation ceremonies.