A man who brought education programs to refugee camps in Kenya, an occupational therapist who works with marginalized people and two scientists will receive honorary degrees from UBC during fall graduation ceremonies.
The fall 2015 recipients include Windle Trust executive director Marangu Njogu, mathematician Hugh Possingham, atmospheric scientist Susan Solomon and occupational therapist Rachel Thibeault. UBC awards honorary degrees in recognition of substantial contributions to society at the provincial, national or international levels.
In addition to the four honorary degrees, 2,900 students will graduate from UBC’s Vancouver campus between Nov. 25 and 27 during fall congregation.
The 2015 fall honorary recipients and schedule:
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Hugh Possingham is currently the Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Ecology at the University of Queensland. He is renowned for his contributions to conservation ecology and his work helped protect ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Marangu Njogu is the executive director of Windle Trust Kenya who has led the development of refugee education programs in Dadaab, Kenya. Under his leadership, UBC has become a partner within a consortium of universities to offer a teacher education program for secondary school teachers in the Dadaab refugee camp.
Friday, November 27
Rachel Thibeault, O.C., is a professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Thibeault is an officer of the Order of Canada and is recognized for her work on issues of social justice in health care. She has worked with victims of war in Sierra Leone, persons with AIDS in Zambia, leprosy in Ethiopia, and disability in Nicaragua. Thibeault will give a public talk on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Susan Solomon is the Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a leader in the field of atmospheric science and her work has provided insights into the destruction of the ozone layer.