Six remarkable leaders to be honoured by UFV this year

This year’s honorary degree recipients are John Anderson, Gwendolyn Point, Clarence “Kat” Pennier, Gary Teichrob, Jane Buxton, and Susannah Pierce.

Six leaders from a variety of backgrounds who have excelled as leaders in their field will be recognized by the University of the Fraser Valley with honorary degrees at its Convocation ceremonies this June.

Indigenous leader Hi:olemtel Clarence (Kat) Pennier, Indigenous educator and former UFV Chancellor Shoyshqwelwhet Gwen Point, business leaders John Anderson, Susannah Pierce, and Gary Teichrob, and public health administrator Jane Buxton will receive honorary doctorates at six ceremonies spread over three days from June 10 to 12 at UFV’s Abbotsford campus.

Clarence Pennier, known to most people as Kat, has devoted his life to fighting for equity for Indigenous people in general, and the Stó:lō people in particular. Land rights, Aboriginal rights, education, and reconciliation are among the causes he has advocated for through a long list of formal roles, positions, and projects. As he works to build bridges between the Stó:lō and the settler community, Kat considers education to be the way to enhance understanding and cooperation.

Gwen Point left high school before graduation but never gave up on her dream of pursuing an education. She returned as an upgrading student at what was then Fraser Valley College (now UFV), and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctorate. Eventually, she became UFV’s second Chancellor. Gwen has also had a lengthy career supporting Indigenous education in multiple roles and served as Chatelaine of British Columbia’s Government House when her husband Steven was Lieutenant Governor.

John Anderson joined The Oppenheimer Group, a 167-year-old Vancouver-based worldwide agriculture distribution services company, at the age of 18. He learned about the many aspects of the agrifood business sector and moved up the ranks quickly. John was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 1988, became CEO and President in 1993 and by 2001 was Oppenheimer owner, chair and CEO, before selling majority ownership to Dole in 2011. He continues to serve as CEO, chair, and managing partner and recently celebrated 50 years with the company.

Susannah Pierce, one of a small number of women who have risen to the highest levels in the energy industry, served as Director of Corporate Affairs LNG Canada (a conglomerate of international energy companies), and then as Shell Canada Limited’s president and the country chair (until March 2025) as well as vice-president of Emerging Energy Solutions for Canada. While she was building her own career, she took time along the way to be a mentor for young women and men and to support organizations connected to women, youth, and Indigenous causes.

Gary Teichrob founded the manufacturing company TYCROP with his wife Elaine in 1978. They started with agricultural innovations before branching into transportation, the golf and turf industry, oilfield equipment, and more recently electrification, power generation, and hydrogen technologies. Gary’s inventive mind has fueled the creation of thousands of pieces of industrial equipment, earning him 48 patents, and employing 1,000 people in Chilliwack and at other locations through TYCROP and its affiliated companies.

Dr. Jane Buxton had a lengthy career as a leader in public health in British Columbia. Through her roles as a physician epidemiologist and harm-reduction lead with the BC Centre for Disease Control and a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, she helped to develop policies for Insite, the first legal supervised consumption site in North America, and worked with others to implement the local introduction of naloxone, the effective antidote to a fentanyl overdose.

The honorary doctorates will be presented at the following UFV Convocation ceremonies at the UFV Athletic Centre, located at 33844 King Road in Abbotsford, BC:

Tuesday, June 10

9:30 am: John Anderson

2:30 pm: Gwen Point

Wednesday, June 11

9:30 am: Clarence (Kat) Pennier

2:30 pm: Gary Teichrob

Thursday, June 12

9:30 am: Dr. Jane Buxton

2:30 pm: Susannah Pierce