Jennifer Allen Simons, an award-winning educator, thought leader, and nuclear disarmament specialist is founder and president of The Simons Foundation, which aims to advance positive change through education on peace, disarmament, international law and human security. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Simons on Wednesday, June 10 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
SFU 2015 Honorary Degree Recipients
Simon Fraser University presented nine prominent citizens with honorary degrees at its 2015 June and October Convocation ceremonies:
Jennifer Allen Simons | Nini Baird | Lorna Crozier | Meeru Dhalwala and Vikram Vij | Judy Graves | Harry Gray | Maggie Ip | Sut Jhally | Ken Lum | Deepa Mehta | Bill Nye | Nancy J. Turner
Nini Baird is chair of the Knowledge Network Corporation Board, the TELUS Fund and the TELUS Vancouver Community Board, and a member of the Order of Canada, who was recognized in 2013 as one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Baird on Tuesday, June 9 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Dr. Baird's citation
Dr. Baird's convocation address
Lorna Crozier, an award-winning poet, essayist, and professor emerita who has authored 18 poetry books and two children’s books, is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, and an officer of the Order of Canada. The degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Crozier on Thursday, June 11 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Meeru Dhalwala and Vikram Vij are the team behind three award-winning Metro Vancouver restaurants, including the world renowned Vij’s Restaurant. They have co-authored two acclaimed cookbooks and are active in sustainable agriculture and business mentorship. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Dhalwala and Dr. Vij on Tuesday, June 9 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Dr. Dhalwala and Dr. Vij's citation
Dr. Dhalwala and Dr. Vij's convocation address
Maggie Ip is an award-winning teacher and volunteer who is the founding chair and now patron of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., one of Canada’s largest multilingual and multicultural social service organizations. The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Ip on Friday, June 12 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Sut Jhally is an award-winning professor of communication at the University of Massachusetts, executive director of the Media Education Foundation, and a prolific filmmaker and author. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Jhally on Thursday, October 8 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Ken Lum is an artist, educator and SFU alumnus who is renowned worldwide for his conceptual and representational art, including the iconic Monument for East Vancouver that overlooks False Creek Flats. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Lum on Friday, June 12 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Deepa Mehta is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director and producer whose work in film has attracted significant recognition, including the Governor General’s award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, the Order of Ontario, and the Order of Canada. The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Mehta on Wednesday, June 10 at the 9:45 am ceremony.
Bill Nye, scientist, educator, and television performer “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” is CEO of The Planetary Society, and was recognized in 2010 with the Humanist of the Year Award from the American Humanist Association. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Nye on Thursday, October 8 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.
Nancy Turner is an acclaimed ethnobotanist and ethnoecologist who has collaborated with First Nations peoples for more than 40 years to document, retain, and promote their traditional knowledge of plants and habitats. The degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred on Dr. Turner on Friday, October 9 at the 2:30 pm ceremony.