Spring 2025 Honorary Degree Recipients
Marjorie Violet Birdstone
Marjorie Violet Birdstone is a Ktunaxa linguist, language consultant, scholar-educator, and language activist. A survivor of the residential school system, she has dedicated her adult life to maintaining Ktunaxa language and culture and to the reclamation and resurgence of Indigenous sovereignty through land, language, and learning. As a legal researcher for the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, she has made significant contributions to advancing land and environmental claims of BC First Nations communities.
Doctor of Letters, to be presented on May 23, 2025 at 1:30 pm.
Erik Lindholm
Erik Lindholm is a visionary inventor whose innovations have reshaped the landscape of technology. With 128 US patents, he held the titles of Senior Distinguished Architect and Master Inventor at NVIDIA, widely regarded as one of the world’s most innovative companies. He has made key contributions to the invention and evolution of the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that is now powering the AI revolution. His remarkable career began with undergraduate and graduate studies in Electrical Engineering at UBC, and he remains an engaged and committed alumnus, steadfast in his dedication to both innovation and education.
Doctor of Science, to be presented on May 28, 2025 at 8:30 am.
Alex Nelson ‘Ok’wilagame’
Alex Nelson ‘Ok’wilagame’, a member of the Musgamaqw-Dzawada’enuxw First Nation, has dedicated his life to transforming access to sport and recreation for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Born in 1946 in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Alex endured seven years in the Alert Bay residential school system where soccer became his outlet for reclaiming a sense of personal freedom and making strong connections with peers. This formative experience led to a lifelong commitment to overcoming barriers to sport for Indigenous communities across Canada.
Doctor of Laws, to be presented on May 22, 2025 at 8:30 am.
Mary-Woo Sims 沈明麗
Mary-Woo Sims is the former Chief Human Rights Commissioner for British Columbia. She has been a lifelong advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and social justice, especially advancing same-sex spousal and transgender rights. She has contributed to legislative changes in both Ontario and British Columbia, which extended equal rights to same-sex couples in family law and adoption. Throughout her career, she has championed human rights through her involvement with various organizations and initiatives and regularly challenges racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.
Doctor of Laws, to be presented on May 21, 2025 at 8:30 am.
Dr. David Turpin, O.C.
David Turpin is an eminent academic, biological scientist and senior university administrator. In the span of a 40-year career, he has led major research teams in the areas of biological oceanography, physiology and biochemistry. He has served as an academic leader at a number of Canada’s most distinguished universities, including Professor and Head of the Department of Botany at UBC, Dean of Arts and Science and VP Academic at Queen’s University, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Victoria, and President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Alberta.
Doctor of Laws, to be presented on May 27, 2025 at 8:30 am.
Fall 2025 Honorary Degree Recipients
Dr. Philippe Cury
Dr. Philippe Cury is an eminent scholar renowned in many parts of the world for his contributions across multiple fields and within key international agencies and research initiatives. He is currently a senior scientist at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in France and a leading interdisciplinary researcher in the fields of fisheries science, management and policy. For many years he has maintained a strong connection to the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at UBC.
Doctor of Laws, to be presented in Fall 2025.
Kenneth Edzerza
Kenneth Edzerza is a community leader and advocate committed to Indigenous community empowerment, education, and sport. A member of the Tahltan Nation, he has dedicated his professional life to dismantling systemic barriers and uplifting Indigenous communities. His role as a youth advocate, particularly working with at-risk youth, combined with his pioneering work in Indigenous sports, have enabled him to develop unique and culturally sensitive programs to promote social change.
Doctor of Laws, to be presented in Fall 2025.
UBC Okanagan Convocation Honorary Degree Recipients
For a list of this year’s recipients visit https://graduation.ok.ubc.ca/honorary-degrees/2025-honorary-degree-recipients/.