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Two leading community builders to receive honorary degrees this fall

A leading advocate for women’s rights and an inspirational hometown hockey hero will receive honorary degrees from the University of Alberta during fall convocation ceremonies this November.

“Jan Reimer and Randy Gregg, both University of Alberta alumni, exemplify the positive impact that education and community engagement can have,” says U of A Chancellor Nizar Somji. “The lasting contributions they have made to uplift our communities are an inspiration for all of our graduates and a source of pride for the U of A. I am proud to recognize their achievements with our university’s highest honour.”

Jan Reimer is a trailblazer in women’s political leadership and public service in Alberta, serving first as an Edmonton city councillor and then as the city’s first and only woman mayor. As mayor she introduced Edmonton’s recycling and waste reduction strategies, and was a strong advocate for preserving and protecting Edmonton’s river valley and watershed. For decades, she has advanced the rights of women and children by making long-term societal change in the critical struggle against gender- and family-based violence. She has served as executive director of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters since 2001 and is a founding member of both the Canadian and global networks of women’s shelters. She was recognized as an Edmontonian of the Century, received the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and is one of the YWCA Edmonton’s Women of Distinction. In 2007 she received an Alumni Award of Excellence for her work to find local solutions to global problems. Jan Reimer received an honorary doctor of laws degree at 3 p.m. Nov. 26, 2024. Click here to read her Convocation Address.

As a physician, philanthropist and role model, Randy Gregg has helped thousands of people of all ages enjoy the benefits of sport and recreation while building a better community for everyone. From captain of the U of A Golden Bears and Canadian Olympic hockey teams to a storied NHL career including five Stanley Cup wins with the Edmonton Oilers, he has parlayed his leadership on the ice into a lasting legacy. He founded FunTeam Alberta, a non-profit organization that fosters equitable access to sports for children, youth and adults, and has volunteered as team doctor for Canadian national teams. More recently, he led the establishment of the Edmonton Riverhawks baseball team, making elite summer collegiate baseball sporting events affordable for families. His dedication is recognized annually by U Sports through the Dr. Randy Gregg Award, presented to a student-athlete who has shown outstanding achievement in ice hockey, academics and community involvement. He was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022. Randy Gregg received an honorary doctor of science degree at 10 a.m. Nov. 27, 2024. Click here to read his Convocation Address.

September 26, 2024 by Sean Townsend