Boulets to be given historic double honourary degrees
By Lethbridge Herald on October 7, 2025.
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
Bernadine and Toby Boulet are being honoured by the University of Lethbridge during the Fall 2025 Convocation for their selfless commitment to motivating Canadians to participate in organ donations and saving countless lives.
For the first time ever, the university is bestowing two honourary degrees in the same ceremony and this year the Boulets will be bestowed with honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on Oct. 18, 2025.
University of Lethbridge’s Chancellor Terry Whitehead explains that honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa is awarded by the university senate for outstanding contributions to society, particularly in areas like public service, human rights, or significant community and philanthropic work.
“Bernadine and Toby have done so much, not only for our institution with all their dedicated time and philanthropic work, but also in the outside by turning a very horrific tragic personal circumstance into something as positive and serving of society is just remarkable,” says Whitehead.
He says from the university’s perspective, to be able to grant them honorary degrees it is an honour to do so, but even more so on a personal level as he has known the Boulets for many years.
“I’ve known Bernadine since Grade 9, and Toby and I have been on the board of the university for a number of years, so I consider them both dear friends,” says Whitehead. “I admire them as individuals, athletes, and for being extraordinary people, so I was very excited and thrilled to learn that we were going through the process that resulted in them getting honorary degrees.”
Bernadine shares that her and Toby found out they were receiving their honorary degrees a while ago but were sworn to secrecy.
“It’s been an interesting journey, because when we originally found out it was a bit of a shock,” says Bernadine.
She says that when thinking about all the people that have done significant things and deserving an honorary degree, that she doesn’t see herself in their same level and therefore was shocked to find out she was receiving an honorary degree along with Toby.
“We spend lots of time at the university and we fill such a connection to the institution, and to be recognized with so many amazing people that have been recognized before us, I think that’s what hit me the most,” says Bernadine.
She says she is humble to be recognized by the university for doing things that they do, because they do them under the belief that it is the right thing to do and a way to give back.
“We were doing things not for recognition, but because we had a story that we could share that could impact others and hopefully make a difference in people’s lives that we may never meet,” says Bernadine.
Toby says his surprise was even bigger because as part of the Senate himself, knowing the process and the reasons why they have bestowed honorary degrees in the past, he didn’t think they were in the same category.
“Then it sinks in why you’re being recognized and it’s hard. It’s hard to be recognize for something that is so tragic in our minds still,” says Toby.
He adds that even though is tragic, it helps to be able to talk about it and to have people wanting to hear their story, because not everyone has that opportunity.
Bernadine and Toby Boulet will be leading the graduands during the convocation parade, and they will be speaking during the ceremony on Oct. 18, 2025.
“I find it interesting because in 1988 I graduated during the first Fall Convocation the university of Lethbridge ever held, and it is an honour to be able to be recognized during a Fall Convocation again,” says Bernadine.
She shares that during her convocation in 1988, Peter Lougheed received the same Honorary degree she will be receiving this year.
Through their passion and commitment to bettering society, Bernadine and Toby have been relentless advocates for the values and causes that matter most to them. Their philanthropic efforts endowed the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award at the University of Lethbridge.
Likewise, their fundraising efforts have exceeded $750,000, benefitting groups such as KidSport, Special Olympics and youth fine arts, while simultaneously establishing the Logan Boulet Endowment.
In 2019, their consistent efforts with Canadian Blood Services and advocacy for the Lethbridge Plasma Centre earned them the national Schilly Award. Canadian Blood Services now annually presents the Logan Boulet Award for organ donation.
In March this year The Boulets each received a King Charles III Coronation medal awarded to them from nominations made by The Kidney Foundation of Canada for their exemplary dedication to building organ and tissue donation awareness across Canada.
24-23
Well deserved.
Sad that historic Lethbridge was erased due to a tragic accident with the renaming of Adam’s Ice Center. What about his legacy? That’s why the rink was named after him, then city council took that away? Just said. Then, on top of that, we had a Lethbridge Judo participant in the summer Olympics in Spain, I believe, and brought home gold, and nothing was mentioned. Where’s her mention and congratulations in bringing home the gold? Where’s her name on the judo club, located by the Sportsplex. That’s right! That’s what I have and will be calling it still. Not even a tickety-boo!