Honorary Degrees
At most Convocation ceremonies, the University confers an Honorary Degree on an individual, who then gives an address. The tradition of granting honorary degrees at the University of Alberta dates back to our first Convocation, in 1908.
Honorary degrees are generally awarded for one of three reasons: to recognize extraordinary intellectual or artistic achievement; to honor service to the university and to the wider society; and to recognize men and women who might serve as examples to the institution's student body. An honorary degree, it is said, honours both the grantee and the spirit of the institution.
Conferred honoris causa, "for the sake of honor," honorary degrees are awarded as one of three types:
- Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
- Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
- Doctor of Science, honoris causa
The PhD is granted only as an earned degree.
Honorary Degree Books Collection
To celebrate each honorary degree recipient, librarians in Bruce Peel Special Collections specially select a rare book or artwork. Each selection both recognizes the recipient's achievements and enriches the Peel library's research and teaching collections. Discover the collection of over 400 rare books and artworks that the Peel library has acquired since the program began in 1987, showcased in the digital exhibition.
November 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients + Convocation Speakers
Convocation Speaker: November 24, 3 p.m.
Amanda Rummery is a Canadian para-athlete based in Edmonton, Alberta. Following an ATV accident in 2015 that left her left arm paralyzed, she discovered a passion for para track and field. In 2018, she chose to undergo an amputation, embracing her path forward with remarkable resilience, determination and humour.
Within a year of her surgery, Amanda established Canadian national records in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. She qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games after setting a new personal best in the 400m, subsequently placing fifth in the world with one of the fastest times of her career.
After eight years representing Canada on the international stage, Amanda retired from competitive athletics to dedicate herself to physical education. Through teaching and advocacy, she continues to raise awareness for para-sports and inspire individuals of all abilities to pursue active, healthy lives.
Convocation Speaker: November 25, 10 a.m.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Aga Khan University (Karachi, Pakistan)
Since April 2025, Dr. Carl G. Amrhein has served as the President and Board Chair of the European-Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research. He also serves on numerous boards and committees across Alberta, including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Edmonton and the Alberta First Nations Health Consortium.
From 2017 to 2024, Dr. Amrhein served as Provost and Vice President (Academic) at Aga Khan University, following his tenure as Deputy Minister of Alberta Health. Previously, he was Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Alberta from 2003 to 2014, moving there after 17 years at the University of Toronto, where his final administrative role was Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Internationally, Dr. Amrhein has taught at Peking University and held visiting professorships at Fudan University and Zhejiang University in China. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Geography from Pennsylvania State University (1978) and his Ph.D. in Geography from the State University of New York at Buffalo (1984). Throughout his 40-year career in higher education, he has served on prominent boards and commissions, including the International Baccalaureate North America Board, the US-Canada Fulbright Commission Board, the Board of the Canada West Foundation, and the Higher Education Evaluation Commission of the Government of China.
Dr. Amrhein was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany in 2011. In recognition of his contributions to advancing Traditional Knowledge of First Nations in university programming, he received the prestigious Eagle Feather in 2014. That same year, he was honored with the Alberta Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, and in 2017, he was inducted into the Bethel Park Secondary School Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Honorary Degree Recipient: November 25, 3 p.m.
As one of Canada’s most respected industry leaders, U of A alumnus Hal Kvisle has profoundly shaped Alberta’s economy and Canada’s energy landscape.
Born in Innisfail, Alberta, Hal earned his bachelor of science in civil engineering from the U of A in 1975, and his MBA from the University of Calgary in 1982. As the former CEO of TransCanada Corporation and Talisman Energy and Board Chair of ARC Resources, Hal played a leadership role in the planning and execution of major energy projects including the Keystone pipeline, the Montney shale play and the Bruce nuclear power facility. During his time at TransCanada, he was recognized as Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year in 2008.
His impact extends to environmental stewardship, notably as national chair of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and co-chair of its Landmark Campaign, helping to protect wildlife corridors across the country.
A passionate champion of education, Hal served as board chair of Mount Royal University from 2002 to 2007. His deep connections to the U of A include supporting major university capital campaigns, creating student scholarships, serving on the Dean of Engineering’s Advisory Board and, most recently, endowing a $3-million professorship in project management. Hal is particularly proud that his father, his sisters and his three children are all graduates of the University of Alberta.
He received the U of A’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005 and the Canadian Business Leader Award in 2009. He was named a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2020 and a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2021.
Selection process
Honorary Degree recipients are chosen by the University Senate.
Past recipients
The complete listing of honorary degrees granted is published in the University Calendar and on the Senate website.