The University of Lethbridge is proud to recognize the significant contributions of Dr. Arthur B. McDonald, a professor emeritus of physics at Queen’s University, by presenting him with an honorary degree at the 2019 Spring Convocation ceremonies.

McDonald’s work in physics, highlighted by his discovery that neutrinos do in fact have mass, led to his recognition as a co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physics.

“Dr. McDonald will forever be known for his contribution to this very important discovery, and perhaps even more significantly for his humility, generosity and willingness to serve as a mentor for a generation of young scientists,” says U of L Chancellor Charles Weaselhead. “We’re excited to celebrate his work and pleased he has accepted our offer of an honorary degree.”

The U of L will present McDonald with a doctor of science, honoris causa, at the Spring 2019 Convocation I Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019 in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

Arthur Bruce McDonald

Inspired by a high school math teacher and a first-year instructor at Dalhousie University to pursue the field of physics, Dr. Arthur B. McDonald has produced a litany of fundamentally substantial contributions to science throughout his distinguished career. And while his legacy may well be tied to his discovery that neutrinos do in fact have mass, it is fair to suggest his greatest impact on the field of physics is a work in progress, through the hundreds of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows McDonald has mentored.

The discovery fundamentally altered the world’s understanding of the innermost workings of matter and McDonald was named a co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physics. While this important revelation rewrote textbooks and cemented his legacy worldwide, McDonald’s contributions to the study of physics and the successes of his students and collaborators may turn out to be of even greater significance.

Humble, generous of his time and inspiring to the next generation of researchers, McDonald embodies the ideal of accessible scholars, fostering connections within the scientific community and bringing the general public into the scientific world. His commitment to furthering the development of his colleagues and collaborators is unparalleled and promises to advance the science of physics for years to come.