A Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, an internationally respected astronomer, and a national advocate for the homeless are among eight individuals who will be awarded honorary degrees at the University of Victoria's 2001 spring convocation, June 6 - 8.

The eight honorary degree designates are:

Dr. Alan Morton, Australian academic and world expert on exercise-induced asthma and other aspects of sport medicine. He's also a former world-class rugby player and helped establish the sport at UVic while teaching here from 1967–69 (Doctor of Education, June 6).

Cathy Crowe, street nurse, educator and social activist who co-founded Nurses for Social Responsibility, the Toronto Coalition Against Homelessness and the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, which is seeking to have homelessness declared a national disaster (Doctor of Science in Nursing, June 6).

Dr. Sidney van den Bergh, considered Canada's best-known astronomer and a world authority on galaxy morphology, among other topics. From 1978 to 1986 he headed the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, where he remained as principal researcher until retirement in 1998 (Doctor of Science, June 6).

Dr. Fraser Mustard, a top medical researcher of cardiovascular disease and, as founding president of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, a leading proponent of an interdisciplinary approach to health research that links the natural and social sciences (Doctor of Science, June 7).

Carol Shields, one of Canada's finest fiction and drama writers and formerly professor of creative writing at the University of Manitoba. Among her many awards is a Pulitzer Prize for the 1993 novel, The Stone Diaries (Doctor of Letters, June 7).

Che-Woo Lui, Hong Kong business leader and philanthropist who is well known for his support of community organizations, particularly private charitable hospitals, and educational institutions and projects. (Doctor of Laws, June 8)

Antonine Maillet, internationally renowned French-language author, considered the "doyenne of Acadian writers" for putting Acadian culture on the world map of literature. During her long, award-studded career she has produced nearly 50 books in several genres (Doctor of Letters, June 8).

Louise Rose, Victoria jazz musician, best known for mentoring high school students, giving volunteer performances for community causes, hosting the Vision TV program Let's Sing Again, and leading the Victoria Good News Choir (Doctor of Fine Arts, June 8).