Six Honorary Degrees to Be Awarded at Summer Convocation

For more than three decades, Margaret Biggs has exhibited people-centred, values-based and outcome-focused leadership. As one of Canada’s most influential and dedicated policy practitioners, she has been committed to public service, global development and higher education. Margaret served in the federal service as a deputy secretary and fronted the launch of Canada’s G-8 Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

Margaret chaired the boards of the International Development Research Centre and the World University Service of Canada. She co-chaired a commission on global education to grow opportunities for young Canadians to study abroad.

A strategic thinker and deeply proud Canadian, Margaret contributed important publications on our country’s approaches to trade, development cooperation and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. She is a Matthews Fellow at Queen’s University and a Senior Nonresident Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Dr. Gervan Fearon’s leadership and passion for post-secondary institutions has been a driving force in advancing innovation and excellence. Since 2021, Fearon has served as the president of George Brown Polytechnic, following his tenure as president and vice-chancellor of both Brock University and Brandon University.  

He has used his platform in post-secondary education to drive meaningful change through diversity and inclusion and improving access to transformative education opportunities for diverse communities. His influence extends well beyond Canada, and he continuously empowers communities around the world.  

Fearon’s actions serve as inspiration to empower students, colleagues, and the world towards a better future. Fearon remains passionate about the power of education in unlocking social and economic opportunities and creating positive change. 

A visionary entrepreneur, a dedicated community leader, and a passionate advocate for innovation in agriculture and food safety, Paul Moyer’s contributions have had a profound impact on the University of Guelph, the Canadian economy and global public health. 

Paul was raised on a ninth-generation fruit farm in the Niagara Peninsula. Paul started Moyer’s Apple Products, which now exports across North America and has become the global leader in caramel apples. 

His commercialization of novel technologies has innovated food safety, evidenced by his support of U of G research that helped catalyze the development of the Clean Flow process, addressing foodborne pathogens. The decontamination technology originally developed for food at Clean Works, the company he co-founded, was adapted during the pandemic to decontaminate N95 masks and other personal protective equipment. 

As president and co-leader of The Pickseed Companies Group, Martin Pick transformed a small Ontario-based family business into one of the world’s leading forage and turf seed enterprises. A visionary agricultural leader, he introduced innovations that have significantly improved feed quality for Canadian producers.  

Martin’s leadership extends beyond business. He played an active role in national seed policy and regulatory advancement, championing certified seed and plant breeders’ rights. His service as president and lifetime honorary member of the Canadian Seed Trade Association reflects his influence and long-standing commitment to industry integrity and sustainability.  

Martin and his wife, Denise, also exemplify philanthropic leadership. Martin and Denise are the founders of the Remembering Otto & Marie Pick Charitable Foundation and major supporters of health care, housing and food security initiatives across Canada

A distinguished U of G alum whose career has been informed by civic responsibility, inclusive leadership and evidence-informed public service, Karen Sorenson’s path reflects a deep commitment to democratic governance and public good.  

As a three-term mayor of Banff, Alberta, and current Canadian Senator, Karen’s commitment to issues such as affordable housing, regional transit, sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship and Indigenous relations transcend local governance, offering national and global models for place-based policy grounded in sustainability and reconciliation. 

In the Senate, her pragmatic and visionary leadership continue to champion priorities focused on Indigenous Peoples, agriculture, forestry, energy and the environment. Her work resonates deeply with the ideals U of G strives to cultivate – thoughtful, principled and engaged citizenship.

Dr. Stephanie Valberg’s unwavering commitment to excellence has made her a pre-eminent scholar whose profound influence on the field of veterinary medicine will have an impact for generations.  

Valberg received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with Distinction from the Ontario Veterinary College. Her illustrious career spans decades of groundbreaking research in the diagnosis and treatment of equine muscular disorders, innovative clinical practice and dedicated mentorship.  

Valberg was a member of the team that sequenced the equine genome, and she is the first woman to be inducted into the Equine Research Hall of Fame. Today, she is professor emeritus and director of the McPhail Equine Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.