Dr. Bonnie Henry, Greta Thunberg to receive honorary degrees from UBC

BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and renowned global climate activist Greta Thunberg will be among 18 people to receive honorary degrees from UBC this spring.

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and internationally renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg will receive honorary degrees from UBC this spring. They are among 18 remarkable individuals being recognized. https://t.co/X161hcGebq pic.twitter.com/Lk0IcrA3n6

— University of British Columbia (@UBC) March 31, 2021

UBC announced Wednesday that Dr. Henry will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Vancouver campus and Thunberg will get an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Okanagan campus.

“I am delighted to bestow honorary degrees on Dr. Henry and Ms. Thunberg, along with all of our remarkable recipients this spring,” said UBC President and Vice Chancellor Santa J. Ono in a statement.

“Dr. Henry and Ms. Thunberg have served as leading voices in the midst of two of the most significant crises we collectively have ever faced: the global pandemic and climate change. They are truly an inspiration to us all at UBC.”

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Honorary degrees are the highest honours granted by the university to individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and society as a whole. There are three types of honorary degrees: Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, and Doctor of Science.

“It is an honour to have Dr. Henry and Ms. Thunberg, together with all 18 recipients this year, join the UBC community” said Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal of UBC Okanagan Lesley Cormack.

“As a university that is committed to bold thinking and social and technological innovation, their contributions to the most urgent issues of our day—including public health and climate change—are critical in our journey towards a better, safer and more sustainable future.”

Among the other recipients of the award are Shashi Assanand, Chief Clarence Louie, and Elders Jessie Nyberg and Roberta Price.