Honorary Fellows

Douglas College awards an Honorary Fellow designation to recognize outstanding achievement or distinguished service by an individual on a community, provincial, national, or international scale. Honorary Fellows serve to inspire graduates and reflect the values of the College. One or more Honorary Fellow designations may be conferred at the February and June convocation ceremonies.

Headshot of Mebrat Beyene, Activist and vulnerable populations advocate, 2024 Douglas College Honorary Fellow

2024 (Winter) - Mebrat Beyene

Activist and vulnerable populations advocate Mebrat Beyene named 2024 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Mebrat

Marcus Youssef

2023 (Summer) - Marcus Youssef

Playwright named Douglas College’s 2023 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Marcus

Honorary Fellow

2023 (Winter) - Justin McElroy

Local journalist named 2023 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Justin

Photo of Heather Mohan

2022 (Summer) - Dr. Heather Mohan

Doctor and Counsellor named 2022 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Heather

Lillian R. Howard joined thousands of people in the Vancouver Walk for Reconciliation

2022 (Winter) - Lillian Howard

Lillian Howard of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation named 2022 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Lillian

Rhonda Larrabee

2021 (Summer) – Rhonda Larrabee

Chief of Qayqayt First Nation Rhonda Larrabee named 2021 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Rhonda

Rick Hansen

2021 (Winter) - Rick Hansen

Paralympic medalist and Canadian icon Rick Hansen named 2021 Honorary Fellow.
 

Meet Rick

evelyn voyaguer

2020 (Winter) – Evelyn Voyaguer

Innovative educator and Indigenous health-care leader Dr. Evelyn Voyageur named Honorary Fellow in 2020.
 

Meet Evelyn

Dr Evan Adams

2019 (Summer) – Evan Adams

Indigenous health-care leader and award-winning actor Dr. Evan Adams received Douglas College's highest honour.
 

Meet Evan

robert thirsk

2019 (Winter) – Robert Thirsk

New West astronaut, physician, educator and space health-care leader Dr. Robert Thirsk is the 2019 Honorary Fellow.

Sandy and Cathy Burpee

2018 (Summer) – Sandy and Cathy Burpee

The homeless and housing advocates' numerous achievements include building community support for a permanent shelter for persons without a home in the Tri-Cities in the face of aggressive opposition from surrounding neighbourhoods.
 

Meet Sandy and Cathy

Christopher Gaze

2018 (Winter) – Christopher Gaze

Douglas College is presenting its 2018 Honorary Fellow award to Bard on the Beach founder Christopher Gaze.

Chief Dave Jones

2016 (Summer) – Chief Dave Jones

New Westminster Police Chief Dave Jones received Douglas College’s highest distinction for his tireless work and dedication to keeping the community safe.

elaine golds

2016 (Winter) – Elaine Golds

Douglas College presented its 2016 Honorary Fellow Award to environmental conservationist Dr. Elaine Golds.

Wally Oppal

2015 – Wally Oppal

For Wally Oppal, one of the most challenging roles of his career involved overseeing the provincial Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.
 

Meet Wally

julio montaner

2014 – Julio Montaner

Douglas College is today awarding its highest distinction, honorary fellowship, to Dr. Julio Montaner, a renowned researcher and pioneer in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

peter legge

2013 – Peter Legge

Douglas College will award business and community leader Peter Legge with the College’s highest distinction today.

David Neima

2012 – David Neima

A New Westminster eye doctor who has provided free surgery and eyeglasses for thousands of needy people around the world has been selected as the recipient of Douglas College’s highest distinction.

 

2011 – Bill Hughes and Tim Agg

bill hughes
tim agg

Radio legend Bill Hughes and youth justice leader Tim Agg have been selected as the first-ever recipients of Douglas College's highest honour. 

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