Who is UBC’s most famous alum?

2 MIN | April 28, 2026

Who is UBC’s most famous alum? It’s a question that sparks debate, pride, and spirited opinions across our global community. With more than 435,000 graduates worldwide, UBC alumni have become leaders, innovators, artists, athletes, and changemakers whose impact reaches every corner of society. But fame goes beyond recognition—it can reflect influence, achievement, legacy, and the power to inspire. Now we’re inviting you to weigh in to help answer the enduring question.

We’re accepting suggestions, from UBC alumni only, for notable graduates in four categories—Business, Politics, and Community Leadership; Arts, Entertainment, and Culture; Sports, Athletics, and Media; and Health, Science, and Technology.

For the purposes of this showcase, suggested alumni, living or deceased, must hold a conferred degree from UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan (honorary degree recipients and diploma holders are ineligible). The top 64 alumni will be featured in a friendly bracket competition in which readers will vote to determine UBC’s most famous alum. The winner will be announced in mid-August.

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About the initiative

This audience-driven showcase celebrates the achievements and impact of UBC alumni around the world. Following a submission period, 64 notable graduates will be announced and featured in a friendly bracket competition, where alumni are paired in head-to-head matchups across a series of rounds. Readers will be invited to vote to decide who advances, until one alum stands out in the public imagination and is ultimately declared UBC’s Most Famous Alum.

How to participate

Starting Monday, June 8, 2026, vote each week in head-to-head matchups between prominent UBC alumni, running from Monday to Thursday. Matchups are announced on Mondays at 9:00am PT on The University of British Columbia Magazine website, with voting open until Thursday at 9:00pm PT. You can also vote on alumni UBC’s Instagram Stories (follow @alumniUBC for updates), where each matchup is available for 24 hours every Monday starting at 9:00am PT. Weekly results, combining website and Instagram votes, are announced every Friday by 4:00pm PT.

Support your favourites by using the hashtag #UBCMostFamous to share the challenge on social media.

UBC’s Most Famous Alum will be announced mid-August.