Honorary Degrees
At most Convocation ceremonies, the University confers an Honorary Degree on an individual, who then gives an address. The tradition of granting honorary degrees at the University of Alberta dates back to our first Convocation, in 1908.
Honorary degrees are generally awarded for one of three reasons: to recognize extraordinary intellectual or artistic achievement; to honor service to the university and to the wider society; and to recognize men and women who might serve as examples to the institution's student body. An honorary degree, it is said, honours both the grantee and the spirit of the institution.
Conferred honoris causa, "for the sake of honor," honorary degrees are awarded as one of three types:
- Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
- Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
- Doctor of Science, honoris causa
The PhD is granted only as an earned degree.
Selection process
Honorary Degree recipients are chosen by the University Senate.
Honorary Degrees/Convocation Speakers
Spring Convocation 2025
June 5, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Augustana Faculty in Camrose
Convocation Speaker: Dr Brian Wildcat, Honorary Degree Recipient 2023
June 9, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Ms Shana Dion
June 10, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Dr. Patrick Pilarski
June 11, 2025, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Dr Kenrick Martin Lewis, Doctor of Science
Convocation Speaker (3 p.m.): Dr Kenrick Lewis (honorary degree conferred in the morning)
June 12, 2025, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Ms Peggy Garritty, Doctor of Laws
Convocation Speaker (3 p.m.) Dr Peggy Garritty
June 13, 2025, 10 a.m.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Dr Michael Sadelain, Doctor of Science
June 13, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Dr Jana Rieger
June 16, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Dr Carla Prado
June 17, 2025, 10 a.m.
Convocation Speaker: Dr. Husan Uludağ
June 17, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Dr Tian Tang
June 18, 2025, 10 a.m.
Convocation Speaker: Mr Jerome Cranston
June 18, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Dr Guillermo Hernandez Ramirez
June 19, 2025, 10 a.m.
Mr Radhe & Mrs Krishna Gupta, Doctor of Laws
June 19, 2025, 3 p.m.
Convocation Speaker: Mr Mustafa Farooq
Past recipients
The complete listing of honorary degrees granted is published in the University Calendar and on the Senate website.