Thompson Rivers University will recognize the leadership, and public and community service of four exceptional people by conferring honorary degrees on them during convocation on Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10.

From Left: Steve Podborski, Sheila Fraser, Nelofer Pazira, Kenneth Ogilvie

The honorary graduands are: Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada; Steve Podborski, the youngest and most successful member of the Crazy Canucks; Nelofer Pazira, film-maker and human-rights activist; and Kenneth Ogilvie, independent consultant and Executive Director Emeritus with one of Canada’s most distinguished environmental groups.

The convocation ceremonies will take place on the grounds of Thompson Rivers University at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Ms. Fraser will address the morning convocation on June 9 when graduates will receive their School of Business and Economics credentials; Mr. Podborski will speak at the afternoon ceremony where School of Tourism, Faculty of Human, Social and Educational Development graduates will cross the stage. On Friday morning, Ms. Pazira will address the graduates from the School of Trades and Technology and the Faculty of Arts; Mr. Ogilvie will speak at the final ceremony, addressing graduates from the School of Nursing and the Faculty of Science.

“The University is truly pleased to honour these four people who have contributed so much to the communities in which they live, work, and serve, and to our country and even the world,” said Alan Shaver, President and Vice-Chancellor. “TRU convocations are very special celebrations of community and achievement, and we are proud that Sheila Fraser, Steve Podborski, Nelofer Pazira and Kenneth Ogilvie will be joining us, and honouring us, as TRU honorary graduates. June 9 and 10 will be great days for all of us.”

Sheila Fraser is Canada’s Auditor General. She has focused the Office’s efforts on serving the needs of parliamentarians and ensuring they have objective and reliable information with which to scrutinize government activities and hold the government to account for its stewardship of public funds. She has promoted the use of plain language in the Office’s performance audit reports tabled in the House of Commons. At her initiative, Canada was the first legislative audit office to request a review of its performance audit practice in an effort to provide assurance about the quality of its work. With its honorary degree, TRU is recognizing Ms. Fraser’s contribution to the fields of accounting, legislative auditing and public administration.

Steve Podborski last raced for Canada in 1984, leaving the sport as the only non-European male ever to win a World Cup downhill title, a record, which holds today. However, it is his work since his athletic endeavors that set him apart. He has demonstrated a constant commitment to his sport and sport in general, to community, and to his province and country. He has become a successful businessman and broadcaster. He has given to numerous volunteer causes. Finally he has broad Olympic expertise, having attended as an athlete and broadcaster, having been part of a successful bid committee, part of the organizing committee and was co-Chef de Mission for 2010.

Nelofer Pazira is an award winning film-maker and a human rights activist. A journalist for CBC’s The National, Ms. Pazira founded the charity Dyana Afghan Women’s Fund to support education and skills training programs for women in Afghanistan. She is a UNESCO Goodwill ambassador and former president of PEN Canada, an organization that campaigns on the behalf of writers around the world who are persecuted, imprisoned and exiled for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

Kenneth Ogilvie is an independent environmental policy consultant and also serves as a senior advisor to Deloitte & Touche. He carries the honorary title of Executive Director Emeritus, Pollution Probe. He chairs the Institute for Environmental Innovation (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and is the Vice-Chair of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, as well as the Vice President, Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow. Ken also sits on the Board of the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development and on advisory committees for several industry associations.