Humanitarian Stephen Lewis was among the honourees at the University of Waterloo’s 107th convocation, where more than 2,300 students received degrees.
Applied Health Sciences' (AHS) ceremony took place Friday, October 25 at 10 a.m., with pre-convocation breakfast for AHS graduating students and their families at 8:30 in the B.C. Matthews Hall Foyer.
At the ceremony, Lewis, co-director of AIDS-Free World, received an honorary Doctor of Laws and addressed convocation about the contributions university graduates can make to the world. AIDS-Free World is an international advocacy organization working to halt the spread of HIV and helping those already affected.
He is founder of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Among his other accomplishments, Lewis was UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, deputy executive director of UNICEF, and Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations. He is also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest honour for lifetime achievement.
Other highlights of the AHS convocation ceremony included:
- Patrick Harrison - recipient of the Applied Health Sciences Alumni Achievement Award.
- Jenna van Draanen - recipient of the Applied Health Sciences Young Alumni Award.