Djavad Mowafaghian a major supporter of brain health research, Michael Audain, an advocate for Canada’s visual arts and Bonnie Klein, filmmaker and human rights activist, are among influential leaders receiving honorary degrees during spring graduation ceremonies at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Others include a First Nations master carver, international forestry and stem cell scientists, history and law scholars and a business leader.
UBC awards honorary degrees in recognition of substantial contributions to society at the provincial, national or international levels. The recipients will receive their degrees during the Spring Congregation ceremonies, held May 21-28.
UBC’s Okanagan campus will honour Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak during spring graduation.
BACKGROUNDER
The 2014 spring honorary degree recipients are:
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photos of the honorary degree recipients are available here.