Four University of British Columbia professors, four alumni and two honorary degree recipients have been named to the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours. The ten UBC community members are among 91 new appointees who will accept their award at a ceremony later this year.
The Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of achievement and contribution to society. UBC professors Julie Cruikshank, Clyde Hertzman and Dr. David Scheifele were appointed Officers of the Order of Canada for their contributions to preserving indigenous histories, early childhood development, and preventing infectious diseases respectively. Former UBC professor Jane Coop was named a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a pianist and educator.
UBC alumnus and former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt, who is also the associate director of UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. Fellow alumni Michael Brown, Stevie Cameron and Roald Nasgaard and honorary degree recipients Ken Dryden and Ian Wallace were also named to the Order of Canada.
BACKGROUND
Pianist Jane Coop has been named a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a musician, performer and educator. From 1980 until 2012, Coop was a faculty member of the UBC School of Music. She was also the founding Artistic Director of the Young Artists’ Experience, a summer chamber music camp for youth held at UBC. Coop has performed in 28 countries around the world.
Anthropologist Julie Cruikshank, a professor emerita in the Department of Anthropology at UBC, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. Cruikshank studies the oral tradition and her research in Canada’s North has helped to preserve the history of indigenous peoples by recording the life stories of Athapaskan and Tlingit elders.
UBC professor Clyde Hertzman was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his work in population health and early childhood development in Canada and abroad. Hertzman is the director of UBC’s Human Early Learning Partnership. His research has found that what happens to children during their early years is important to lifelong health and wellbeing. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research named Hertzman Canada’s 2010 ‘Health Researcher of the Year.’
Dr. David Scheifele was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for improving health care through the prevention of infectious disease. Scheifele is a professor in UBC’s Faculty of Medicine in the Division of Infectious and Immunological Diseases. He is also a senior clinician scientist with the Child & Family Research Institute and the Director of the Vaccine Evaluation Centre. His work focuses on vaccines and immunizations, vaccine safety and evaluating immunization programs.
Former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt, who received his Bachelor of Arts, a law degree and an honorary degree from UBC, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his leadership on civic, legal and sustainability issues and for promoting spinal cord research. Harcourt is the associate director of the UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability.
UBC alumnus Michael Brown was recognized for developing the technology sector in western Canada, and for fostering innovation in Canadian start-up companies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UBC. Investigative journalist and alumna Stevie Cameron was appointed to the Order of Canada for her achievements as an award-winning journalist and for her volunteer work. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from UBC. Alumnus Roald Nasgaard, who received a Masters of Arts from UBC, was recognized for promoting contemporary Canadian art as chief curator of the Art Gallery of Ontario and as an author.
Two UBC honorary degree recipients were also appointed to the Order of Canada. Ken Dryden (1992) was recognized for his contributions to hockey, law, writing and politics. Ian Wallace (2010), one of Canada’s most influential art photographers, was recognized for helping shape Canada’s contemporary art scene.
For more information about the Order of Canada, visit: www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14904
