From a high school dropout to a star on the silver screen, Michael J. Fox was bestowed with Simon Fraser University鈥檚 highest honour this week.

He was given an honorary degree from the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology. Fox responded with humour upon receiving it during a virtual convocation ceremony.

鈥淚 really don鈥檛 deserve it,鈥� said the Burnaby-raised actor. 鈥淭he closest I got to Simon Fraser University was parking at the Burnaby lookout with my girlfriend on Saturday night.鈥�

Fox also joked that the students chose 鈥渁 really bad time to graduate鈥� but later said, 鈥渨e need people to travel that road and take us in new directions.鈥�

The actor was recognized for his advocacy work in finding a cure for Parkinson鈥檚, the debilitating disease Fox was diagnosed with at age 29.

His foundation raises funds for new research 鈥� including trials at SFU 鈥� to help improve the lives of those living with the disease.

More than six million people are currently living with Parkinson鈥檚 in countries across the globe, according to the foundation. It affects their nervous systems, gradually weakening their movement over time.

Fox, of 13 recognized with a degree this year, encouraged students to be grateful.

鈥淲ith gratitude, optimism is sustainable,鈥� he said.

sarah.grochowski@bpdigital.ca
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