Honorary degree and Order of the University of Calgary recipients announced for spring 2023 convocation

Calgary Chancellor Jon Cornish and President Ed McCauley are pleased to announce the Honorary Doctor of Laws (Hon. LLD) and Order of the University of Calgary recipients for the spring 2023 convocation ceremonies.

The honorary degree is the University of Calgary’s highest academic distinction and is bestowed upon individuals whose notable achievements and community service merit recognition. These distinguished recipients address our graduating class at the convocation ceremonies, sharing words of wisdom they have gained through years of excellence and leadership in their fields.

The Order of the University of Calgary honours recipients who have a record of exemplary and distinguished service to the university. The nominees can be current or past members of the university community.

To read the recipients' full bios and learn more, visit the convocation website.

Honorary degree recipients

Jodi Kovitz, Hon. LLD’23

Jodi Kovitz is a visionary CEO, global brand builder, and passionate connector of people. As the CEO of the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA), she brings a wealth of experience and a pioneering spirit to her leadership. Jodi founded #movethedial, a movement promoting the growth and equitable participation of all women in tech, impacting over 60,000 people worldwide. Her previous roles include leading growth at Vetster, serving as CEO of Peerscale, and practicing as a family law lawyer and legal business development strategist.

Passionate about equity, innovation, and the future of work, Jodi has been featured in Forbes Women and recognized as one of Canada's 25 Women of Influence and one of WXN’s Canada’s 100 most powerful women. She co-chaired the innovative #Tech4SickKids fundraising strategy for SickKids Foundation capital campaign, raising $1.3 billion. Jodi holds an HBA from Ivey Business School and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. She is also the author of Go Out of Your Way, a book about the power of genuine connections.

Fania Wedro, Hon. LLD’23

As a survivor of the Holocaust, Fanny Wedro has dedicated her life to promoting Holocaust education. A leading philanthropist and speaker, Wedro continues to give back to her community with a lifetime of volunteerism, speaking to schools, community groups and government officials about her horrific Holocaust experiences and the mass graves in Eastern Europe, known as the “Hidden Holocaust.” 

Wedro, who immigrated to Canada in 1948 as a domestic worker became one of Western Canada’s leading entrepreneurs and established the Wedro Holocaust Foundation in Calgary. She led multiple groups of students and adults on “March of The Living” journeys through Europe’s concentration camps.

Order of the University of Calgary recipients

Dr. John “Jac” Andrews, PhD

Dr. Jac Andrews has dedicated more than 30 years to advocating for children's diverse learning needs in schools and communities. Highly respected amongst his peers in the Werklund School of Education, Andrews has been instrumental in establishing the School and Applied Child Psychology program within Werklund and has chaired this program since 2010. He has advanced the program as a national leader in school psychology, enhancing the student experience within the program. The program was recently accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association, with UCalgary only the fifth school in Canada to achieve this.

Over his academic career, Andrews has been an advocate for children and improving school mental health services, while connecting UCalgary students and faculty with the wider community.

Dr. Paul Kubes, PhD

As one of Canada’s most esteemed immunologists, Dr. Paul Kubes is a world-renowned researcher in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. He currently works as a professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine and is a member of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Kubes also leads the Infections, Inflammation and Chronic Diseases research strategy at UCalgary.

He is known for establishing many of UCalgary’s most innovative research facilities, notably the Live Cell Imaging Suite and the International Microbiome Centres. These facilities have put UCalgary on the map as a world-class location for microbiome research, and a recognized institute for research excellence.