Prince George business owner and philanthropist Selen Alpay will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia during the convocation ceremony at the Prince George campus on May 26.
“To be receiving this honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UNBC is both humbling and gratifying,” Alpay said. “My biggest goal in life is to touch as many lives as I can, having the most impact on them for both success and happiness.”
The owner of the Canadian Tire in Prince George for the past 15 years has been a tireless supporter of many causes.
His business has been a major sponsor for the Canadian Cancer Society, BC Cancer Society, Canada Winter Games, Prince George Community Foundation, and National Indigenous People’s Day.
Alpay has personally raised significant funds for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and contributed to the capital investment for the YMCA’s Foundry Youth Health Centre.
He also donates annually to several youth events aimed at removing barriers to access including School District 57’s Hockey Academy, Jumpstart and free swims with the City of Prince George.
For eight years, Canadian Tire has been the presenting sponsor of the UNBC Timberwolves Legacy fundraiser, with all proceeds raised going directly to scholarships and bursaries for UNBC student-athletes.
His generosity extends far beyond Prince George. He is Chair of the Pinball Clemons Foundation in Toronto, which provides mentorship and financial support to marginalized youth.
He has travelled to Kenya to aid in the construction of two schools, a water treatment plant and a farm. In Haiti, he funded an upgrade to a hospital for solar power to enable patient care at night. He has also spent time in Ecuador supporting a campaign to ensure wells for clean drinking water in several villages.
