SFU announces 2026 honorary degree recipients

Janet Austin

The Honourable Janet Austin has dedicated her career to advancing inclusion, civic engagement, and social justice in British Columbia. As the province’s 30th Lieutenant Governor, she championed Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, promoted equity and diversity, and encouraged civic participation in democratic institutions. Previously, as CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, she expanded the organization’s impact, strengthening programs for women and families. Throughout her life, her leadership has bridged communities and institutions with compassion, dialogue, collaboration and respect.

Gordon Ball

A pioneering experimental physicist, Gordon Ball’s work has advanced our understanding of the fundamental forces of the universe. Since 1997 he has made landmark contributions to high-precision superallowed Fermi beta decay measurements at TRIUMF, Canada’s particle accelerator centre, providing critical tests of the Standard Model and guiding international research. As a leader, mentor, and innovator, Ball has strengthened Canada’s scientific community, inspired generations of physicists, and demonstrated the power of curiosity, rigor, and collaboration in advancing global scientific knowledge.

Ryan Beedie

A builder in the broadest sense, Ryan Beedie is a business leader and philanthropist who exemplifies how business can be a force for social good. As President of Beedie, one of Canada’s largest real estate development companies, he continues to expand the business while maintaining a strong commitment to community investment. Through sustained support for students, universities, hospitals, community organizations, and more, he has helped open doors for those facing systemic barriers, creating lasting community impact.

Charmaine Crooks

Charmaine Crooks is a five-time Olympian and influential sport and community leader whose impact extends far beyond the track. After representing Team Canada for nearly two decades, Crooks has dedicated herself to sport governance and athlete advocacy. She has held senior leadership roles within national and international sport organizations, using her platform to champion athlete’s rights and greater inclusion worldwide. Crooks’ career reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence, integrity and empowering the next generation through sport.

Gloria Gutman

A pioneering scholar and advocate, Gloria Gutman has transformed how aging is understood, studied, and supported in Canada and around the world. Through decades of research, leadership, and fearless advocacy, she helped establish gerontology as a vital interdisciplinary field, addressing critical issues such as elder abuse and gender identity inequality. A professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University, her work has shaped public policy, academic practice, and community care while redefining how societies respond to aging.

David Turpin

A distinguished academic, university administrator, and biological scientist, David Turpin has shaped Canadian higher education through scholarship, service, and institutional stewardship. One of Canada’s most experienced university presidents, having led both the University of Alberta and the University of Victoria, Turpin’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to collaboration, mentorship, research excellence and advancing knowledge across disciplines and institutions. He continues to serve the public good through voluntary leadership and advisory roles in science, education, and research.