The University of Alberta has been presenting honorary degrees to influential, inspirational, and visionary figures since its founding in 1908. Librarians in Bruce Peel Special Collections have, for many years, celebrated each honorary degree by specially selecting a rare book that honours the recipient's accomplishments. Thanks to contributions from the Senate Library Endowment Fund, honorary degree books have been presented in recognition of the outstanding achievements of such notable figures as k.d. lang (2008), His Highness the Aga Khan (2009), and Wayne Gretzky (2000).
