UPEI to confer four honorary degrees during Convocation 2026
Four outstanding leaders will be conferred with honorary Doctor of Laws degrees, and four graduates will deliver valedictory addresses during four Convocation ceremonies at the University of Prince Edward Island, May 12–15. Each ceremony will begin at 10:00 am in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on the UPEI campus. Over 1,300 students comprise the Class of 2026.
This year’s honorary degree recipients are Mark Arendz, celebrated Paralympian and inspirational role model; Ron Keefe, successful lawyer, and business leader and mentor; Hazel Matchett Robinson, community leader, volunteer, and philanthropist; and the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, PC, farmer, dedicated Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister, and community changemaker.
“We are excited to recognize each of these honorary graduands for their achievements and accomplishments, and to celebrate the significant impact they have made in their respective fields and to their communities,” said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “UPEI congratulates these remarkable leaders, who will be receiving the University’s highest honour—not only because they bring distinction to our University, but also because they represent our values and provide inspiration to our graduates.”
On May 12, Mark Arendz, will be presented with an honorary degree, and Andrew Clow, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will give the valedictory address to the graduates of the faculties of Nursing and Veterinary Medicine.
On May 13, Ron Keefe will receive an honorary degree, and Luciana Quiroa Paredes, Bachelor of Business Administration, will speak to the graduates of the McDougall Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering.
On May 14, Hazel Matchett Robinson will be awarded an honorary degree, and Grace McQuaid, Bachelor of Arts, will address the graduates of the faculties of Arts, Education, and Graduate Studies.
On May 15, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, PC, will be conferred an honorary degree, and Songobele Mulenga, Bachelor of Science, will give the valedictory address to graduates of the Faculty of Science.
Due to safety regulations, seating at the Convocation ceremonies is limited to guests with invitations, which must be presented at the door. Guests are asked to arrive early to ensure everyone is seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony start time as there will be no admittance once the academic procession enters the Sports Centre.
Parking is available within a five- to ten-minute walk of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Please refer to the campus map for the location of general parking areas on campus. There are several accessible parking spots, designated by the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair), located in front of the Sports Centre and the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.
Convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed at upei.ca/live.
About the Honorary Graduands
Mark Arendz
Mark Arendz lost his left arm in a farming accident at seven years old. Rather than allowing this life-altering event to limit his aspirations, he transformed adversity into purpose, rising to become one of the most successful Paralympic winter athletes in Canadian history. Over the course of four Paralympic Games, he earned 12 medals in biathlon. His record-setting performance at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where he won six medals, stands as a testament to sustained excellence at the highest level of international competition. In the recent IBU World Cup season, he claimed gold medals in all three of his events as he prepared for his fifth Paralympic Games, where he won a silver and bronze medal. This remarkable achievement reflects not only elite performance, but also longevity, adaptability, and an enduring pursuit of personal and professional growth. While his athletic contributions have been widely recognized, his greatest legacy may be the inspiration he provides to young people and individuals with disabilities.
Ron Keefe
As a partner with Stewart McKelvey, Ron Keefe was a key architect of the merger which formed Atlantic Canada’s largest law firm. In 2004, he left the law firm to become CEO of Diagnostic Chemicals Limited, leading global operations and negotiating the successful transition to Genzyme/Sekisui. Also in 2004, he became CEO of BioVectra Inc, and, over the next decade, oversaw ten-fold revenue growth and an expansion from <100 to 300+ employees. He also guided the successful sale and post-acquisition growth of the company, positioning BioVectra as a leading contract development and manufacturing organization in North America. After leaving BioVectra in 2016, he became president of Regis Duffy BioScience Fund Inc., which leads investment initiatives in bioscience ventures. He is a founding partner of Island Capital Partners GP Inc., a venture capital fund investing in innovative Atlantic Canadian start-ups. He has also found time to mentor entrepreneurs and serve on many boards, both corporate and volunteer.
Hazel Matchett Robinson, CM
Hazel Matchett Robinson has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to building stronger communities, supporting numerous endeavours in education, health care, and the arts. Her ongoing volunteerism, mentoring, service efforts, and philanthropy are hallmarked by her ability to see the larger picture—she works to anchor change that makes a lasting difference, benefiting generations of community members, including PEI’s newest residents and refugees. As a graduate of UPEI, she is a proud alumna. In addition to being a donor, she has been an active volunteer of UPEI-led seniors’ fitness, music, and cancer-related research projects. She has generously donated her L.M. Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables book collection to the UPEI Robertson Library. Recognized as a pillar of her community, along with her late husband, John Robinson, they pioneered innovative practices on their fifth-generation family farm, promoting environmental, financial and social sustainability in Island agriculture and forestry.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, PC
Lawrence MacAulay has had an unparalleled journey serving his community, province, and country over his remarkable lifetime: from achieving success as a farmer in eastern Prince Edward Island to getting elected to Canada’s House of Commons in 1988 and winning eleven straight federal elections, becoming Prince Edward Island’s longest serving Member of Parliament in 2014, and then surpassing that milestone by another eleven impressive years. He has served in the federal Cabinets of two Prime Ministers over four different decades, while always maintaining incredibly strong ties to his constituents and his broader community. He was instrumental in bringing economic development to the Island over his career, including playing a pivotal role in championing UPEI’s Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation. He will go down in history as one of Prince Edward Island’s most iconic, hard-working, dedicated, and transformational politicians, always focused on making his province and his community a better place to live.
