Three eminent women, including an award-winning journalist who has written on the struggle for women's rights, a top scientist who works to raise the profile of women in science, engineering and technology, and a Waterloo alumna recognized for outstanding contributions to the profession of statistics, are among those receiving honorary doctorates at the University of Waterloo's upcoming spring convocation ceremonies. This is Tom Jenkins' first convocation as chancellor.

Jenkins holds an honorary doctorate from Waterloo. He is Chairman of the Board of OpenText, which began as a University of Waterloo spin-off company. Prem Watsa, chair of Fairfax Holdings, becomes chancellor emeritus. Jenkins' installation as chancellor will take place Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m.

Barbara Ehrenreich, a writer and political activist, and is respected among scholars for her effective advocacy for social justice. She has received two National Magazine awards, a Guggenheim fellowship and a MacArthur Grant, among others honours. Ehrenreich will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters from the Faculty of Arts on June 10 at 2:30 p.m.

Professor Anne Glover is a microbial biologist who commercialized biosensor technology to diagnose environmental pollution and provide solutions for pollution cleanup. She is a Commander of the British Empire. Glover will receive an honorary Doctor of Science from the Faculty of Science on June 11 at 2:30 p.m.

Professor Nancy Reid, a graduate of Waterloo's Faculty of Mathematics, has made several groundbreaking and influential contributions to statistical theory, and her work has had broad impact in statistical sciences, physics, genomics and health research. She will receive an honorary Doctor of Mathematics on Friday, June 12 at 2:30 p.m.

In May, the University of Waterloo announced its commitment to HeForShe, the United Nations' initiative for gender equity.

The University will award the other honorary doctorates at the following ceremonies:

SCIENCE — Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Professor Wallace S. Broecker, a geochemist, oceanographer, paleoclimatologist and father of the concept of abrupt climate change who coined the term global warming, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science.

MATHEMATICS — Friday, June 12, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Professor Noga Alon, one of the world’s most prominent researchers in combinatorics, who has also made many important and seminal contributions to computer science, will receive an honorary Doctor of Mathematics.

For more information, please visit the website for spring convocation 2015.

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