Michael J. Fox granted honorary law degree
Last Updated: Thursday, May 22, 2008 | 8:24 PM ET
CBC News
Actor Michael J. Fox says it is "cool" to receive an honorary doctor of laws degree from UBC. (CBC)Actor Michael J. Fox received an honorary doctor of laws degree on Thursday from the University of British Columbia.
"[This degree] is to recognize his outstanding contributions both as an entertainer and as an advocate. I ask you to confer the degree of doctor of laws on our hometown hero Michael J. Fox," said the university's vice-president academic, David Farrar.
He said the biggest role of Fox's life has been that of an advocate.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has raised $120 million.
The Burnaby native was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991. He soon became an advocate for research on the disease that impairs motor skills and speech.
"In every aspect I have been blessed with the opportunity to work toward leaving an impact on the world and on the lives around me and to be a partner in the critical research for answers," Fox said in his acceptance speech.
Although the actor did not speak for long, he had some words of inspiration for the newly minted batch of graduates.
"I wish you no greater satisfaction in life than to feel the same way today as you graduate and for many years to come."
