Peace-builders honoured

Lloyd Axworthy

Phillip Currie

Lanny McDonald

John Lau

Convocations celebrate community stars

By Meghan Sired

His Royal Highness Prince el Hassan bin Talal of Jordon and the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, both of whom are recognized internationally for their work to eliminate land mines, are among 10 University of Calgary honorary degree recipients this spring.

“The work of universities is really about improving the quality of human lives,” said U of C Chancellor Joanne Cuthbertson. “The University of Calgary Senate is therefore proud to honour these two giants in international peace-building. I believe that Canadians take enormous pride in our role in bringing safety, security and a better quality of life to people in other parts of the world who need our assistance.”

The Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree is the university’s highest accolade, bestowed on those individuals who have made extraordinary achievements and done a great service to the community. The Prince of Jordan will receive his degree on June 13 at 9 a.m., and Axworthy on June 11 at 9 a.m.

Also receiving honorary degrees this spring are:
• Khalid Aziz, a world-renowned authority on petroleum engineering (June 9, 2 p.m.);
• Philip Currie, one of the world’s leading paleontologists (June 10, 2 p.m.);
• Mary Hetherington, the first female judge in Calgary (May 8, 2 p.m.);
• John Lau, chief executive officer of Husky Energy Inc. (June 12, 2 p.m.);
• Bev Longstaff, a former Calgary alderman (June 11, 2 p.m.);
• Lanny McDonald, retired professional hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (June 10, 9 a.m.);
• Ruth Ramsden-Wood, president of United Way of Calgary and area (June 13, 2 p.m.); and
• Robert White, a major player in the Canadian theatre industry (June 12, 9 a.m.).

“It is a privilege to be recognized by the University of Calgary,” said McDonald, NHL Man of the Year in 1989. “Calgary is our home and we’re proud to be a part of such a vibrant community. The designation of the Honorary Doctorate of Laws humbles me and it is with great appreciation that I accept it.”

In addition to the honorary degree recipients, nine individuals will become part of the Order of the University of Calgary this spring, which recognizes those who have a record of distinguished service to the university.

Those to be initiated into the Order include:
Amanda Affonso, BA’00 (June 11, 2 p.m.), Ronald Bond (June 12, 9 a.m.), Michael Boorman (June 10, 2 p.m.), Lesley Conway, MBA’89 (June 9, 2 p.m.), Grant Gall (May 8, 2 p.m.), Aritha van Herk (June 11, 9 a.m.), Fred Terentiuk (June 13, 2 p.m.), Mary Valentich (June 13, 9 a.m.) and Warren Veale (June 10, 9 a.m.)

Convocation ceremonies take place in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium at the University of Calgary on May 8 and June 9 to 13.

For complete biographies of honorary degree recipients and inductees to the Order of the
University of Calgary, click one of these links: Honorary Degrees or Order of the U of C.

For more information on convocation ceremonies, go to http://www.senate.ucalgary.ca/.

Faculty members wishing to participate in the June academic procession should register before June 2 at www.senate.ucalgary.ca/procession.