Wilson, Firth to receive honourary degrees at UAlberta

Friday, April 21st, 2017 3:32pm
Truth and Reconciliation Commission member Marie Wilson will receive an honourary doctor of laws degree at the U of A spring convocation. (Photo: Shari Narine)
“Honorary degrees are intended to recognize individuals whose character and whose extraordinary intellectual, artistic or athletic achievements or service to society set a standard of excellence that merits the university’s highest honor.”

The University of Alberta has announced that Marie Wilson and Sharon Firth are among its 12 honorary degree recipients for the 2017 spring convocation.

Wilson is a former commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She will receive her honorary doctor of laws degree on June 8.

Firth, an Olympic cross-country skiing athlete, was the first Indigenous woman elected to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She will receive her honorary doctor of laws degree on June 14.

Also to receive honorary degrees are Doug Goss, whose role as chair of the Fort Edmonton Management Company Board, was instrumental in the creation of the Indigenous People’s Experience at the park; Anne Smith, president and CEO of the United Way of Alberta Capital Region, co-chairing task groups examining homelessness, poverty, mental health and the End Poverty Edmonton initiative; and Governor General David Johnston.

“Honorary degrees are intended to recognize individuals whose character and whose extraordinary intellectual, artistic or athletic achievements or service to society set a standard of excellence that merits the university’s highest honor,” said UAlberta chancellor Doug Stollery.

“In accepting an honorary degree, each of our recipients for spring convocation 2017 also honors the spirit of the university.”