The University of Lethbridge Senate is pleased to announce its fourth 2015 Honorary Degree recipient – Canadian music icon Ian D. Tyson.

Ian Tyson has produced many popular and critically acclaimed folk songs reflecting rural culture in Alberta.

“It’s very exciting to have one of our country’s foremost musicians and entertainers accept our offer of an honorary degree,” says University of Lethbridge Chancellor Janice Varzari. “His music has long reflected the values and lifestyles of southern Albertans and his contribution to Canadian culture is indelible.”

The U of L will present Ian D. Tyson with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honouris causa, at the Spring 2015 Convocation Ceremony IV on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Fellow southern Alberta country entertainer Corb Lund will read Tyson’s citation at the official ceremony.

Ian D. Tyson

Western music singer and songwriter Ian D. Tyson is a Canadian music icon who has produced many popular and critically acclaimed folk songs reflecting rural culture in Alberta.

In the early 1960s, Ian Tyson was half of the singing sensation Ian & Sylvia. Together, they produced some of Canada’s best-loved songs, including Four Strong Winds. Later, as the band Great Speckled Bird, they produced pioneering country rock music and toured worldwide.

The music of Ian Tyson has been covered by several renowned artists, and been honoured with awards from the Canadian Country Music Association, the Country Music Association of Calgary and the Alberta Recording Industry Association.

Ian Tyson’s contributions to Canada’s music scene have included hosting for five years his own national television music program, The Ian Tyson Show. He has also published two books, among them the bestselling autobiography The Long Trail: My Life in the West. He has been inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Western Music Association Hall of Fame.

Ian Tyson is a member of the Order of Canada, was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence, and has received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.