In 2009, Sandra and her husband, Arthur, were awarded honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degrees in recognition of their tremendous service to UNB and the community. In this photo, Sandra and Arthur are with former Vice-President Saint John Robert Mackinnon, and former UNB President Eddy Campbell.
Sandra Irving, CM (BA’95, DLITT ’09) has been a true friend to UNB. Sandra earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction on UNB’s Saint John campus and a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Toronto. Her area of study was educational policy and the politics of identity.
A generous and engaged philanthropist, Sandra has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of individual and institutional needs in health care, children’s health services and postsecondary education. She served as a valued member of UNB’s Board of Governors for many years, and her philanthropic legacy to UNB has been generous and transformational. It includes the prestigious Sandra Irving Scholarships, the Arthur and Sandra Irving Primrose Scholarships, the Good Energy Scholarships, the recent restoration of the entrance of the Harriet Irving Library, the beautiful Harriet Irving Rose Garden, and the centrepiece of UNB’s contemporary research infrastructure, the Harriet Irving Library Research Commons.
Sandra Irving is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Member of the Order of Canada. She received Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals in recognition of her good citizenship. In 2014, the Rotary Club of Saint John awarded her the Paul Harris Fellowship for exemplifying the Rotary motto of “service above self.” The Canadian Red Cross awarded her its prestigious Power of Humanity Award.
In 2009, UNB awarded Sandra and her husband, Arthur, honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degrees in recognition of their tremendous service to our university and the community.
