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U of A to award honorary degrees to leaders in science, philanthropy and community
Five distinguished recipients will inspire grads during spring convocation ceremonies. A researcher who revolutionized cancer treatment, a scientific innovator in the silicone industry, a former University of Alberta chancellor and a community-building philanthropic couple will receive honorary degrees from the university this June during spring convocation.
“It is a time-honoured tradition for the university to bestow its highest honour, an honorary degree, to individuals of upstanding character who have had a transformative impact in their professions and communities,” says U of A Chancellor Nizar Jaffer Somji.
“At this year’s June convocation, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate five people with diverse backgrounds, talents and outstanding achievements whose acknowledgment with this honour will inspire our university community. Congratulations to this year’s honorary degree recipients.”
Kenrick Lewis is one of the leading chemists of his generation, whose innovations in the science of silanes and silicones are so far-reaching, chances are you’ve used something in the last 24 hours that was derived from his work.
Lewis made the journey to Edmonton from his hometown of Gouyave, Grenada, to study chemistry at the U of A. After earning his BSc, he continued his academic pursuits at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he obtained his PhD before beginning a career in the silicones industry.
Currently a distinguished corporate research fellow at Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Lewis holds numerous patents and frequently bridges the gap between academia and industry through publications and collaborations. His work has made silanes and silicones production a more efficient, economical and ecologically friendly process.
Lewis has always championed the opportunities that education provides, and for 21 years he funded a scholarship at his former primary school in Grenada. He has also mentored high school students in Tarrytown, helping encourage the future generation of scientific leaders.
Kenrick Lewis will receive an honorary doctor of science degree June 11, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Peggy Garritty has made significant contributions to education, culture and community development in Alberta and beyond. A two-time U of A graduate, she served as chancellor from 2020 to 2024, distinguishing herself as a champion of student engagement and enhanced Indigenous representation during convocation, and strengthening the university’s reputation amid the challenges of a global pandemic. Notably, she established the award-winning podcast, Bridging Connections, which brought people together to discuss important issues such as human rights, the war in Ukraine, online hate, the housing crisis and the power of music.
As a vice-president at ATB Financial, she was instrumental in transforming its brand, creating a corporate giving program and supporting vulnerable communities. Her extensive community involvement includes board positions with numerous prominent arts and health organizations. Her mentorship, advocacy and purposeful leadership have been recognized with the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals.
Peggy Garritty will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree June 12 at 10 a.m.
Michel Sadelain has significantly advanced a revolutionary treatment that engages a patient’s immune cells against cancer. From his early vision, this once-unproven concept is now standard care. Sadelain earned his PhD at the U of A under famed immunologist Thomas Wegmann. After postdoctoral work at MIT and joining Memorial Sloan Kettering, Sadelain developed CAR-T cell therapy. This process genetically engineers a patient’s T cells to target tumours, offering a powerful, single-treatment option.
Sadelain’s 1992 T-cell engineering paper marked the start of groundbreaking research. He led pivotal clinical trials, as did American researcher Carl June, culminating in the 2017 approval of CAR-T therapy for blood cancers in young patients. His impact as an innovator has been recognized with 79 patents and prestigious awards like the Breakthrough Prize and the Canada Gairdner International Award.
Sadelain returns to Edmonton often, advising U of A researcher Michael Chu on local CAR-T cell production. He relentlessly pursues strategies to combat tumour resistance and expand CAR-T's application across diverse cancers, continuing to revolutionize immunotherapy for cancer and other diseases.
Michel Sadelain will receive an honorary doctor of science degree June 13 at 10 a.m.
From India, Radhe and Krishna Gupta have become leaders in Canadian real estate and are among Alberta’s most dedicated philanthropists.
Radhe began his career as an engineer before founding Rohit Group with his wife, Krishna, in 1986. Launched from their home office, the business has grown from a small homebuilder to a national real estate company that now encompasses retail, office, land development, residential rentals, homebuilding and health infrastructure development.
Giving back to the community has always been a cornerstone of Radhe and Krishna’s values. They established an annual fundraiser called Baskets of Hope for WIN House, and have been major donors to organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the City of St. Albert, City of Edmonton, Newcomer Centre, Mental Health Foundation, Little Warriors, Stollery Children’s Hospital and NorQuest College. Their commitment to community leadership also extends into their business, as Rohit Group partnered with the City of Edmonton on the First Place Program to deliver affordable housing for first-time homebuyers. Beyond the local community, they have also built a hospital, a cemetery and a school in Radhe’s hometown of Joura, India.
Radhe and Krishna Gupta will receive honorary doctor of laws degrees June 19 at 10 a.m.
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