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Humanitarian, diplomat and activist Stephen Lewis has been appointed a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University for three years. The appointment, which begins this month, is made jointly by Ryerson's Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Community Services.

"Stephen Lewis is a great Canadian, held in the highest esteem both in this country and internationally, and he will be a remarkable role model for our students," said Alan Shepard, provost and vice president academic. "Ryerson shares with Stephen a long history of dedication to human rights, equality, access, inclusion, and service to community. We are privileged that Stephen is joining us, and we warmly welcome him to the Ryerson family."

"I'm thrilled to be teaching at Ryerson," Lewis said. "It will be an opportunity to address, over time, the twin international themes of social justice and gender equality - themes to which Ryerson, as a celebrated university, is passionately committed. What more could one ask?"

As a distinguished visiting professor, Lewis will teach, advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of programs, including social work, politics and public administration, and immigration and settlement studies. Lewis will also deliver two public lectures each year.

"We are honoured to count Stephen Lewis as a member of the Ryerson community for the next three years," said Carla Cassidy, interim vice-president, research and innovation and former dean of arts. "He will have a tremendous impact on our undergraduate and graduate students, and will greatly advance Ryerson's reputation for commitment to social justice issues."
 
Lewis has tirelessly dedicated himself to improving the lives of people living with HIV-AIDS in Africa, most notably as the former UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for HIV-AIDS in Africa from 2001 to 2006. Since 2003, his foundation has distributed more than $39.7 million to fund over 300 community-led projects in sub-Saharan Africa. The projects range from counselling and HIV-prevention education to supporting grandmothers who are raising their orphaned grandchildren.

In addition to chairing the board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, he is the co-director of AIDS-Free World in the U.S. and a member of the board of directors of the Clinton Health Access Initiative and of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Lewis also serves as a commissioner on the newly formed Global Commission on HIV and the Law created by the United Nations Development Programme.

In 2003, Lewis was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest honour. Maclean's honoured him as its inaugural "Canadian of the Year" that same year and Time touted him as one of the "100 most influential people in the world" in 2005.

In 2007, Ryerson awarded Lewis and his partner, the award-winning journalist Michele Landsberg, honorary Doctor of Laws degrees for their outstanding achievements as passionate human rights activists.