Graduands of York University will cross the stage during 2025 Fall Convocation ceremonies, running from Oct. 15 to 24.
Over the course of eight ceremonies, York will confer honorary doctor of laws degrees to four influential changemakers.
Honorary degree recipients are recognized for their contributions to community building, their advocacy for social justice and their philanthropy, and will offer words of encouragement, motivation and congratulations to graduands.
Lilly Singh: Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m. – Faculty of Health
Singh is a leading force in pop culture who has transitioned from an online content career to film and television. She has appeared as one of the leads in comedy series The Muppets Mayhem and in The Bad Guys movie franchise. Her first feature film, DOIN’ IT – which she co-wrote, produced and starred in – arrived in theatres earlier this month.
Singh was the 2023 recipient of The DVF Leadership Award, which recognizes women leaders, and has been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list, Fast Company’s Most Creative People and as one TIME’s Most Influential People on the Internet. She is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, recognized for her work to expand opportunities for young girls.
Patricia Bovey: Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies I; School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Bovey is an art historian, curator, emerita museum director and former member of the Senate of Canada (2016-24) representing Manitoba. She served as director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and founded St. Boniface Hospital’s Buhler Gallery.
Bovey has served on many arts and university boards, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Canada Council of the Arts, and chaired the boards of the University of Manitoba and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She currently serves on the Confederation Centre for the Arts Board and the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Maurizio Bevilacqua: Oct. 16, 3:30 p.m. – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies II
Bevilacqua is a distinguished public servant whose career has spanned more than three decades in federal and municipal government. He was elected to parliament in 1988 and represented the City of Vaughan for 22 years, holding key cabinet and parliamentary positions – including minister of state for finance.
In 2010, he was elected mayor of Vaughan, leading the city through a period of major growth, civic renewal and infrastructure expansion. He has been praised for his integrity and vision, as well as a dedication to public service by building stronger, inclusive and more compassionate communities.
Eva Lau: Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. – Schulich School of Business
Lau is one of the few women leading a venture fund in Canada and the founding partner of Two Small Fish Ventures, which invests in early-stage, high-growth technology companies. An MBA graduate from York’s Schulich School of Business with a background in engineering, she brings expertise in artificial intelligence and semiconductors to help startups scale.
Previously, Lau was a founding team member at Wattpad, a social storytelling platform, where she helped grow its users into the millions. A respected mentor, Lau’s career has been committed to empowering early-stage founders and shaping Canada’s innovation economy.