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.
Sarah McLachlan
2025 (Summer)
Musical icon named 2025 Honorary Fellow.
Karin Larsen
2024 (Summer)
CBC journalist and Olympian named 2024 Honorary Fellow.
Mebrat Beyene
2024 (Winter)
Activist and vulnerable populations advocate Mebrat Beyene named 2024 Honorary Fellow.
Marcus Youssef
2023 (Summer)
Playwright named Douglas College’s 2023 Honorary Fellow.
Justin McElroy
2023 (Winter)
Local journalist named 2023 Honorary Fellow.
Dr. Heather Mohan
2022 (Summer)
Doctor and Counsellor named 2022 Honorary Fellow.
Lillian Howard
2022 (Winter)
Lillian Howard of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation named 2022 Honorary Fellow.
Rhonda Larrabee
2021 (Summer)
Chief of Qayqayt First Nation Rhonda Larrabee named 2021 Honorary Fellow.
Rick Hansen
2021 (Winter)
Paralympic medalist and Canadian icon Rick Hansen named 2021 Honorary Fellow.
Evelyn Voyaguer
2020 (Winter)
Innovative educator and Indigenous health-care leader Dr. Evelyn Voyageur named Honorary Fellow in 2020.
Evan Adams
2019 (Summer)
Indigenous health-care leader and award-winning actor Dr. Evan Adams received Douglas College's highest honour.
Robert Thirsk
2019 (Winter)
New West astronaut, physician, educator and space health-care leader Dr. Robert Thirsk is the 2019 Honorary Fellow
Sandy and Cathy Burpee
2018 (Summer)
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.
Christopher Gaze
2018 (Winter)
Douglas College is presenting its 2018 Honorary Fellow award to Bard on the Beach founder Christopher Gaze.
Chief Dave Jones
2016 (Summer)
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)
Douglas College presented its 2016 Honorary Fellow Award to environmental conservationist Dr. Elaine Golds.
Wally Oppal
2015
For Wally Oppal, one of the most challenging roles of his career involved overseeing the provincial Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.
Julio Montaner
2014
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
Douglas College will award business and community leader Peter Legge with the College’s highest distinction today.
David Neima
2012
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.
Bill Hughes and Tim Agg
2011
Radio legend Bill Hughes and youth justice leader Tim Agg have been selected as the first-ever recipients of Douglas College's highest honour.