Honorary degree and Order of the University of Calgary recipients announced for fall 2025 convocation

Leaders in law, ranching and medicine; a respected Elder whose teachings guide reconciliation and understanding.

This diverse group of changemakers will receive either an Honorary Degree or the Order of the University of Calgary at the fall 2025 convocation ceremonies, Chancellor Jon Cornish and President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ed McCauley have announced.

Hon. LLD recipients

The Honorary Degree is UCalgary’s highest academic honour, acknowledging individuals whose outstanding achievements and contributions to the community deserve special recognition. The recipients will address to the graduating class, sharing insights from their distinguished careers and leadership experiences.

Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, Hon. LLD’25

Conferral and address – Wednesday, Nov. 12 morning ceremony

Cherie Copithorne-Barnes is a fourth-generation rancher and CEO of CL Ranches Ltd., a 138-year-old operation specializing in cattle and mixed-grain farming. The family business has also pursued diversification through ventures such as development of North America’s largest western town backlot for the film industry, a gravel operation and a fully integrated beef operation in Uruguay.

Combining traditional ranching practices with innovative, sustainable strategies, Copithorne-Barnes has become a leader in Canada’s beef industry and a respected voice internationally. Through her leadership as the founding council chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, she brought together ranchers, environmentalists and business leaders to advance sustainability and transform industry practices.

Her commitment to collaboration also extends to community engagement. She has worked closely with government and academia, and serves as first vice-chair of the Calgary Stampede. In every role, she focuses on elevating the role of agriculture in everyday life and strengthening connections between producers and the wider community.

Elder John Crier, Hon. LLD’25

Conferral and address – Wednesday, Nov. 12 afternoon ceremony

Elder John Crier is a respected member of Samson Cree Nation, known for his cultural leadership, commitment to education and lifelong service to community. A fluent Cree language speaker, Knowledge Keeper and Ceremonialist, he has frequently led the sundance ceremony for decades, guiding cultural resurgence and the preservation of Néhiyaw philosophy and traditions.

Elder Crier is a valued member of the University of Calgary’s Circle of Advisors, where his mentorship has deepened understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and decolonized approaches to teaching and learning. He is the founding member of Ohma Kakisimo Aski: Indigenous Shadow Healing, a program that supports personal healing, cultural reclamation and intercultural relationships.

With experience across post-secondary and community settings, including Maskwacis Cultural College and Wood’s Homes, Elder Crier continues to dedicate himself in service to others. His guidance has helped bridge Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through respect, understanding and cultural renewal.

Honourable Justice Bryan E. Mahoney, KC, BA’69, Hon. LLD’25

Conferral and address – Thursday, Nov. 13, morning ceremony

Bryan E. Mahoney, KC, served as a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta for 20 years. Born in Montreal to a military family, he grew up in Canada and abroad, including time in Belgium, Whitehorse, Edmonton and Calgary. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary in 1969, a law degree from the University of Alberta in 1974 and completed postgraduate studies at Cambridge University in 1978. He was called to the bar in British Columbia in 1975 and Alberta in 1979.

For 25 years, Mahoney practiced broadly in litigation, including family, personal injury and civil matters. He taught at UCalgary’s Faculty of Law from 1980 to 1995, and was appointed UCalgary’s lawyer-in-residence in 1984 and judge-in-residence in 2013.

Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1995 (now King’s Counsel), he was elected three times as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta. He also served with the Legal Aid Society, Legal Education Society and chaired the Tsuut’ina Court Advisory Committee. He later sat as deputy justice in Nunavut and Yukon.

Order of the University of Calgary Recipient

The Order of the University of Calgary is awarded to individuals with a significant history of service to the university. Recipients may include current or former members of the UCalgary community.

Dr. Chaten Jessel, BSc’22, MD’25

Presentation – Wednesday, Nov. 12, morning ceremony

Dr. Chaten Jessel is a physician, leader, researcher and advocate whose work spans student governance, national health policy and innovation in equitable care. He completed a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

As a three-year Students’ Union representative, Jessel helped secure more than $2.3 million in Quality Money grants supporting open educational resources, Indigenous pathways to education and campus equity projects. Nationally, as director of government affairs and advocacy for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students, he led federal campaigns that advanced universal contraception in Canada’s pharmacare plan. His advocacy earned him the 2024 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for Medical Students.

A co-founder of BraVRy, he helped develop virtual-reality therapy prototypes for mental health treatment through UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem. Jessel serves as vice-chair of communications for Canadian Doctors for Medicare and contributes to the Pan American Health Organization’s Climate and Health Handbook. 

His leadership and advocacy at UCalgary have left a lasting impact, strengthening student representation, advancing equity initiatives and inspiring a culture of innovation and collaboration across campus.

Submit a nomination for UCalgary’s highest honours

Do you know someone whose leadership, creativity or service has made a profound and lasting impact? UCalgary’s Honorary Degree and Order of the University of Calgary honours celebrate individuals who reflect the university’s values through meaningful contributions to society. Learn how to nominate someone for an Honorary Degree or the Order of the University of Calgary. 

To learn more about current and past recipients, as well as other UCalgary convocation traditions, visit the convocation website.