Toronto Raptor Kyle Lowry, a 2016 Olympic gold medallist in U.S. men’s basketball, received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Acadia University in Nova Scotia on Sunday at a convocation held virtually

In a statement , Acadia University said it is honouring Lowry for his role in rallying Canadians during the Raptors’ run to the 2019 NBA championship as well for his role in founding the Lowry Love Foundation with his wife, Ayahna Cornish-Lowry.

The Foundation is ” committed to improving the lives of the underprivileged and disadvantaged of Philadelphia and Toronto .”

“I want to leave you with these questions,” Lowry said in a  brief address. “How will you serve? How will you pay it forward? What will be your impact on your community? And how will you be a change agent for the next generation? If we do not, then who will?

“Booker T. Washington said, ‘Those happiest are those who do most for others.’ So remember, Acadia family, leading is not only about achieving your own goals but it’s also (about) uplifting others to achieve theirs.

“Success cannot be accomplished alone. It’s because of my family’s sacrifices and those who generally cared to invest in me and who I am that I beat the odds.”

Dr. Peter Ricketts, Acadia’s president and vice-chancellor, said honorary degrees celebrate leadership in all of its forms.

“Acadia’s honorary degree recipients are excellent role models for our graduates. Each one is a distinguished individual who has made a significant impact in their community,” Ricketts said in a news release.

“By recognizing their outstanding achievements with honorary degrees, we acknowledge them for their many contributions to society. Like them, we know our graduates will take their place in the world and make a difference.”

The other honorary degree recipients at the convocation ceremony on Sunday were former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin; retired senator Murray Sinclair; Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health; Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, the province’s deputy chief medical officer of health; Nancy McCain, patron of the arts and education and chair of Acadia’s Campaign for Acadia; and Rev. Dr. Malcolm Card, a missionary.