The more than 5,000 UBC students graduating at Congregation this year aren't the only ones receiving degrees.
UBC President Martha Piper is getting one of her own -- an honorary degree from McGill University.
The president receives her degree and delivers the convocation address on May 27 during McGill's health sciences convocation.
Piper is a graduate of McGill, where she received her PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in 1979.
"I am deeply honoured," she says. "It means a great deal to me, especially as it comes from my alma mater."
McGill awards its degrees to those whose accomplishments are of such excellence they provide inspiration and leadership to its graduates.
Piper's teaching and research interests focus on early identification of develop mentally delayed infants and assessment of specific approaches to treating physically and mentally handicapped children.
She was director of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill until 1985, when she became dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. She was later appointed vice-president, Research and External Affairs.
In 1997, she took office as UBC's 11th president and vice-chancellor. She was also appointed a member of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.