Have you ever wondered who has received honorary degrees from UBC and why? The answer is only as far away as your nearest Internet connection.
A joint project undertaken by the Ceremonies Office and the University Archives has produced a new historical resource available as part of the Archives' homepage. The "Honorary Degrees" section found at www.library.ubc.ca/spcoll/ubc_arch/hondegre.html provides both a complete listing of recipients dating back to the inception of the practice in 1925 as well as the citation explaining the reasons for the honour.
"Because the university takes very seriously the awarding of honorary degrees we felt it important to find a way to disseminate this important source of information," says university archivist Chris Hives.
This project is part of a larger initiative that has seen the archives turn increasingly to the Internet to promote UBC's institutional history and memory by providing users with historical reference information, digitized photographs, detailed inventories to archival holdings and virtual displays.
"The Internet has become an invaluable tool in helping us to promote a greater understanding and awareness of the historical evolution of the university," says Hives.
See also: