Continuing from our previous post Legends of BC – Part One, we are back with 10 more inspiring and accomplished individuals affiliated with UBC.
This list was compiled using Open Collections to research alumni, staff, faculty and honorary degree recipients to bring forward amazing people from across different disciplines.
In alphabetical order according to first name, here are ten more (#11-20) from our list of 20 legends.
- Jane Coop – World Famous concert pianist and music pedagogue. Former UBC faculty, School of Music; Washington International Piano Competition Winner (1977); Order of Canada (2012); Order of British Columbia (2019).
12. Joy Kogawa – Influential author, poet and Second World War internment camp survivor. Her work Obasan (1981) is considered one of Canada’s most important books. Order of Canada (1986); Order of British Columbia (2006); UBC Honorary Doctor of Letters (2001).
13. Michael J. Fox – Hollywood actor known for his work in film and TV, notably the Back to the Future series. Living with Parkinson’s disease since 1991, his successful foundation is dedicated to fundraising and public awareness campaigns. UBC Honorary Doctor of Laws (2008); Order of Canada (2011); Honorary Doctor of Laws, Justice Institute of BC (2012).
14. Oscar Peterson – Legendary jazz pianist and composer whose career took him around the world, playing alongside other jazz greats of the 20th century. Order of Canada (1972); UBC Honorary Doctor of Laws (1994); Grammy Awards (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1990).
15. Robert H. Lee — Legendary businessman and philanthropist known for community-building efforts and donations that helped shape the face of Vancouver. The Robert H. Lee YMCA and the Robert & Lilly Lee Family Community Health Centre are just two of many sites he helped build. UBC alumni; Order of BC (1990); UBC Governor and Chancellor (1993-96); UBC Honorary Doctor of Laws (1996).
16. Raffi Cavoukian – Iconic entertainer, educator and songwriter with a reputation for making a world a happier place for children. United Nations Environmental Achievement Award (1992); Order of Canada (1993); Order of BC (2001); UBC honorary Doctor of Letters (2005).
- Rick Hansen – Inspirational athlete and activist known for his Man in Motion World Tour (1985) which saw him travelling the globe in a wheelchair to raise awareness for people living with spinal cord injuries. Freedom of the City Award, Vancouver (1987); UBC Honorary Doctor of Laws (1987); Order of Canada (1987); Order of BC (1992).
18. Robertson Davies – Iconic novelist, playwright, essayist and professor whose most famous works include the Deptford Trilogy and the Salterton Trilogy. Governor-General’s Literary Award (1971); Order of Canada (1972); UBC Honorary Doctor of Letters (1983).
19. Susan Point — Groundbreaking Musqueam artist who uses traditional Coast Salish design for her carvings, prints and sculptures. Point’s public art can be seen at the Vancouver International Airport and UBC’s Museum of Anthropology. Order of Canada (2006); UBC Honorary Doctor of Letters (2009); Lifetime Achievement Award, Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2016).
- Wallace B. Chung – Medical doctor who pioneered vascular surgery in Canada, and also dedicated himself to preserving and promoting Chinese Canadian culture and history. In 1999, his extensive collection of artifacts, The Chung Collection, was donated to the UBC Library. UBC Honorary Doctor of Science (1994); Order of Canada (2005); UBC Honorary Alumnus Award (2002).
It has been great to learn about these remarkable people… thank you for celebrating them with us! Who would be on your list of UBC legends? Let us know in the comments.
- Wallace B. Chung – Medical doctor who pioneered vascular surgery in Canada, and also dedicated himself to preserving and promoting Chinese Canadian culture and history. In 1999, his extensive collection of artifacts, The Chung Collection, was donated to the UBC Library. UBC Honorary Doctor of Science (1994); Order of Canada (2005); UBC Honorary Alumnus Award (2002).
- Rick Hansen – Inspirational athlete and activist known for his Man in Motion World Tour (1985) which saw him travelling the globe in a wheelchair to raise awareness for people living with spinal cord injuries. Freedom of the City Award, Vancouver (1987); UBC Honorary Doctor of Laws (1987); Order of Canada (1987); Order of BC (1992).
