USask celebrates distinguished honorary degree recipients

Earlier this month, University of Saskatchewan (USask) celebrated the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of philanthropists Gordon and Jill Rawlinson, award-winning author Yann Martel, and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier (PhD). 

“Their respective achievements span a broad spectrum of disciplines and fields, and we are grateful for the opportunity to express our admiration and appreciation by bestowing the university’s highest honour during this year’s USask Spring Convocation celebration,” said USask President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff.  

Here is a closer look at the speeches given by this year’s honorary degree recipients: 

During her concise but inspiring speech, Emmanuelle Charpentier described the many places and people that shaped her life and research. Looking back upon a brilliant career, which includes being one of the youngest female Nobel Prize Laureates, Charpentier was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree at Spring Convocation ceremonies at USask on June 4.   

“New positions always come with new challenges. It is always a fight, but a fight for such a good cause. Science,” she said during her acceptance speech via video at Merlis Belsher Place.  

Recognized world-wide for her groundbreaking research that laid the foundation for the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering technology, Charpentier shared a heartfelt congratulations to those graduates crossing the stage during Spring Convocation. 

“You have worked very hard, sat (through) lots of exams, and written reports and theses. But the most important thing is these few years you have spent at the University of Saskatchewan that have already made you a more mature individual,” said Charpentier.   

“Today, it is also certainly the greatest privilege and honour for me to receive an honorary doctorate from your university, and it is a pleasure to celebrate it with you.” 

In addition to challenging those graduates in attendance to continue to further themselves academically, Charpentier offered advice for those looking to find ways to serve their community through science. 

“Be inspired and be a source of inspiration for those who follow you. Be persistent, tenacious, curious, passionate, and keep yourself well informed.” 

Best known as the author of the novel Life of Pi, the No.1 international bestseller (translated into 50 languages) and the 2002 winner of the Man Booker Prize, Yann Martel is no stranger to USask.  

Having served as a visiting scholar in the USask Department of English from 2005-2007, Martel was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters at Spring Convocation ceremonies on June 4, where he shared some valuable advice with those graduating. 

“Flossing.” 

Over the course of a speech injected with humour and irreverence, Martel offered some offbeat advice for those wishing to find the recipe for success in life: be kind, open-hearted and non-judgmental. 

“And flossing will help, because what do we do when we are open, kindhearted and non-judgmental? We smile, we smile, and flossing will help your smile,” said Martel.  

Having been named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2021 – one of the country’s highest civilian awards – for his “contributions to literature and his philanthropic commitment to the betterment of his region” and earned the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in Saskatchewan in 2022, Martel encouraged those from USask to work for the collective good of the planet and to use their education for problem solving.  

And, of course, to never forget to floss.  

During their acceptance speech on June 5, community builders and celebrated philanthropists Gordon and Jill Rawlinson took turns giving a heartfelt thank you to the USask community who gathered at Merlis Belsher Place for Spring Convocation.  

Generous supporters of health care, education, the arts, as well as Indigenous achievement, the Rawlinsons described being “humbled and grateful” for being honoured during the ceremonies, while Gordon offered those in attendance some advice that his father gave him that served him well throughout his career: “The better you serve your community, the better you'll do.”  

With a remarkable record of philanthropy and business success, the couple have demonstrated what it means to be a truly unique and inspiring USask success story.  

“The future of Saskatchewan is bright, and the province needs people like you that are smart and well-educated,” said Gordon. 

“We're so grateful for the extraordinary recognition and award, and especially to include me--from this extraordinary university. It really is a wonderful thing,” added Jill.

 

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An honorary degree is the university’s most prestigious award, acknowledging worthy and unique contributions recipients have made to their community and to the world.

Click here to learn more about the honorary degree recipients who were celebrated at the 2024 USask Spring Convocation ceremonies.