UPEI to confer four honorary degrees during Convocation 2023
The University of Prince Edward Island will hold Convocation during four ceremonies scheduled for May 16 to 19. Over 1,100 graduates comprise the Class of 2023.
“UPEI is so proud of the Class of 2023,” said Dr. Greg Keefe, interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “In the last four years, they have broadened their knowledge and skills, expanded their understanding of the world we live in, and, in the process, have become important members of the UPEI community. They worked hard to achieve their dreams while dealing with some major challenges, chief among them the global COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to greeting and congratulating each graduate as they cross the stage to receive their degrees.”
Convocation ceremonies will be held in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on the UPEI campus at 10:00 am on the following dates:
May 16—Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Nursing
May 17—Faculty of Business and Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
May 18—Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Graduate Studies (Master in Global Affairs)
May 19—Faculty of Science
During each of the four ceremonies, honorary degrees will be conferred, and valedictory addresses will be given by graduates.
On May 16, Dr. Heather Morrison, community medicine and public health leader, will be presented with an honorary degree, and Henrietta Obodo, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will give the valedictory address to the graduates of the faculties of Nursing and Veterinary Medicine.
On May 17, John Horrelt, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and volunteer, will receive an honorary degree, and Prabhakar Bholah, Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering, will speak to the graduates of the faculties of Business and Sustainable Design Engineering.
On May 18, Dr. Kathy Martin, internationally renowned scientist and ornithologist, will be awarded an honorary degree, and Nicole Lodge, Bachelor of Education, will address the graduates of the faculties of Arts, Education, and Graduate Studies (Master in Global Affairs).
On May 19, Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, public health specialist physician, will be conferred an honorary degree, and Ellis Blay, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, will give the valedictory address to graduates of the Faculty of Science.
Due to safety regulations, seating at the Convocation ceremonies is limited to guests with invitations, which must be presented at the door. Guests are asked to arrive early to ensure everyone is seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony start time as there will be no admittance once the academic procession enters the Sports Centre.
Parking is available within a five- to ten-minute walk of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Please refer to the campus map for the location of general parking areas on campus. There are a number of accessible parking spots, designated by the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair) located in front of the Sports Centre and the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.
All four Convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed at upei.ca/live.
Honorary degree recipients:
Dr. Heather Morrison
Dr. Heather Morrison is the Chief Public Health Officer of Prince Edward Island. In this role, she has guided PEI through the COVID-19 pandemic and other health-related issues. The first female Rhodes Scholar from PEI, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from UPEI, her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Oxford University, and her medical degree from Dalhousie University. In July 2007, she was appointed PEI’s Chief Health Officer while also practicing emergency medicine. She has served in various health-related leadership roles at the provincial and national levels and has been widely recognized for her high standards of excellence in the medical profession. She and her family live in Charlottetown, PEI.
Mr. John Horrelt
Mr. John Horrelt is a well-known entrepreneur involved in commercial and residential real estate, small business management services, retail, and the property development and construction sectors. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce in marketing and finance from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1987, he moved to PEI to work in the construction industry, and has become an integral part of the Island’s community. He is a long-time volunteer and philanthropist, with interests in mental health, housing, vulnerable populations, education, and amateur sport. He has been on many University committees and fundraising initiatives, including the INSPIRE! Campaign and the new UPEI/Memorial Medical School Community Engagement Sub-Committee. He and his wife Kim live in Stratford, PEI.
Dr. Kathy Martin
An internationally renowned scientist, Dr. Kathy Martin has had a sterling career in academia, scientific research, and publications. A professor in the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry, she is a global authority on arctic and alpine grouse and ptarmigan, and on tree cavity-nesting vertebrates. She recently retired as a research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from UPEI, Master of Science from the University of Alberta, and PhD from Queen’s University. She has held leadership roles in many national and international scientific organizations and has received numerous awards in recognition of her contributions to ornithology. She lives in Stanhope, PEI.
Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed
Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine. She is a public health and preventive medicine specialist physician who is a passionate advocate for high-quality public health services in Canada. She sits on several national population health-related organizations including the board of the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from UPEI, Master of Science from the University of Guelph, and medical degree from Dalhousie University. She lives in East Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia.
