Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards
Every year, the University of Regina celebrates the best and brightest among its more than 90,000 alumni with the Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards (ACAAs). Established in 1992, the ACAAs were created to honour our extraordinary alumni for their outstanding commitment to excellence, community engagement and leadership, and impact on the social, cultural, and economic well-being of our communities.
This year's Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards were held on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 — exactly 50 years-to-the-day since the University of Regina's first convocation! This year's recipients include inspiring educators, intrepid scientists, passionate advocates for social justice, and dedicated community volunteers.
2024 Recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Bryan Hillis, BA'78
Dr. Bryan Hillis has enjoyed a distinguished career as a student, educator, and researcher, beginning his careers as a lecturer at Luther College, and eventually serving as Dean of Luther College from 1995 to 2005. He was appointed President of Luther College in 2010 serving in this position until his retirement in 2020, and was appointed Professor Emeritus at the University of Regina and Luther College in 2021. Dr. Hillis has enjoyed a long and storied career teaching in the areas of world religions, the history of Christian thought, religion in Canada, and science and religion, among others. Distinguishing himself as an academic and a leader, he has been instrumental in rebuilding Luther College High School in Regina, and refurbishing Luther College at the University of Regina.
Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
Pamela Cook Ellemers BA'91, BSc'94
Pamela Cook Ellemers' career in the mining industry has spanned more than 30 years. She has held a variety of leadership roles in exploration and operations within the De Beers Group across Canada and South Africa including work in Australia, Botswana, and India. She is currently the Principal Mineral Resource Manager for De Beers Group, based in Calgary, Alberta. In addition to her technical leadership role in Mineral Resource Management, Pamela led the De Beers Canada Inclusion and Diversity working group, focused on enabling an inclusive workplace and increasing women’s representation in STEM. Pamela was recognized as a WIM100 – ‘100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining’ by Women in Mining UK, has been named a ‘Top 10 Influential Women in the Mining Sector’ by Mining Digital, and a ‘Leading Women in Mining’ by EY and Women in Mining Canada. Pamela is passionate about mentoring and about raising the awareness of geology and science among young people, in particular among young women. She loves spending time in children’s classrooms sharing her passion for rocks, minerals and the positive role that mining plays in our communities.
Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
Mutangilayi "Christian" Mbanza BEd'17
Mutangilayi "Christian" Mbanza is an educator in Regina, Saskatchewan. He has been working in the Regina Catholic School Division, and is currently completing his Master's Degree in French Education at the University of Regina. Christian prioritizes cultivating diverse relationships with staff, community members, students, and parents, alongside his unwavering commitment to championing black culture, addressing social issues, and promoting the welfare of the Afro-Canadian community. Currently, he is the Community Outreach Director for the Black in Sask, an organization which contributes to holistic growth of the black community in Saskatchewan by addressing systemic issues, connecting members to various networks and educating on the black experience.
Dr. Robert & Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
Maria Reardon BA'69, MA ' 73
An active community volunteer, Maria Reardon has dedicated her working life to improving healthcare and health outcomes in Saskatchewan having served for 13 years as Director of Education with the Saskatchewan Health-Care Association (later Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations), where her focus of activity was on board and staff development. In later years, Maria became involved in the Lifelong Learning Centre, taking classes, making friends, and before long, serving as chairperson of the Seniors’ University Group, now in her sixth year of renewed service on the Seniors' University Group board. Maria has also represented the Lifelong Learning Centre on the Provincial Advisory Committee on Older Persons, and in September 2014 was the recipient of the Saskatchewan Senior Volunteer Award in Education, and in 2019 she received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Academic Professional Award
Dr. Bing Chen PhD'06
Dr. Bing Chen is a globally renowned leader in environmental engineering. His distinction is defined by his remarkable research, teaching, and leadership achievements. He is the founding director of the Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory and the global Network on Persistent, Emerging and Organic Pollution in the Environment (PEOPLE), hosting pioneering research and education on quantitative understanding of persistent and emerging pollution in cold regions and marine and freshwater environments, and development of integrated mitigation solutions under climate change. Dr. Chen has delivered more than 550 technical publications including over 180 refereed journal articles, making him one of the most productive and impactful environmental engineering researchers in Canada and worldwide. Dr. Chen has trained more than 100 thesis-based graduate students and postdocs. He has held various leadership roles including as president of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and vice-president of the Canadian Association on Water Quality. He has received many prestigious awards and honours, such as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Engineering Institute of Canada, and the CSCE, and a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Dr. Chen’s efforts significantly benefit the wellbeing of the environment and our society, and casts broad impacts of Canadian environmental research.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Ashley Major BHJ'12
Ashley Major is a lawyer and consultant specialising in human rights, gender equality, and sexual and gender-based violence. Ashley’s passion for women’s rights has driven her career. Prior to law school, Ashley volunteered as a sexual violence counselor and worked as a domestic violence counselor at the Regina Transition House. She worked at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law's International Human Rights Program, and was a consultant at the Thinking Forward Network, an organization focused on migration and human rights. Over her career, Ashley’s legal practice has focused on files relating to sexual and gender-based violence. She has completed work for several leading human rights organizations including UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others. Ashley currently works at Calibrate Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to transformation in justice and gender equity systems around the world.
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2024 Sponsors
Award Categories
The University of Regina invites nominations for alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities, and have inspired through outstanding personal or professional achievements.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who, over the course of a lifetime, has distinguished oneself on a regional, national, or international basis in any field of endeavour.
Distinguished Professional Award
This award recognizes alumni who, over the course of their careers, have made significant contributions to their fields or areas of expertise. The recipient is a role model, setting standards of excellence to which others can aspire. Recipients may have distinguished themselves in business, academics, athletics, government service, not-for-profit leadership, the arts, or any other career path.
Humanitarian & Community Service Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award for Humanitarian & Community Service recognizes distinguished community or voluntary service which has made a difference to the well-being of others.
Dr. Robert & Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
This award recognizes outstanding volunteer leadership and service to the University of Regina and/or the University of Regina Alumni Association. Nominees have dedicated themselves to service that has enhanced the stature, reputation, and overall strength of the U of R through their generosity and commitment to the University’s values. *Note that this award is also open to non-alumni.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
This award recognizes graduates of the University of Regina under 35 years of age who have distinguished themselves through accomplishments in their professional careers or community service. Nominees must be age 35 or under as of December 31, 2023.
Academic Professional Award
This award recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to a post-secondary academic career through research, teaching, program development and/or educational administration. At least 50 per cent of their current or past employment (if retired/emeritus) must be in academia.
Innovation Award
This award recognizes an alum or group of alumni who has/have created, implemented, or discovered an innovative program, process, or product within the last two years. The innovation must have significant meaning to the nominee’s profession, community, or the University of Regina. In order for a group or team nomination to be considered eligible, half of the group must be graduates of the University of Regina.
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Past Recipients
2023 Perry Bellgarde S.O.M. BAdmin'84 - Lifetime Achievement Award
2023 Leah Lawrence BASc'94 - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2023 Jada Yee BAdmin'08, BAdmin'20 - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2023 Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell BScHons'93, MSc'96 - Academic Professional Award
2023 Verda Petry MEd'89 - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2023 Brittany Hudak BSW'19 - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2022 Valerie Creighton C.M., S.O.M. — Lifetime Achievement Award
2022 Dr. Kathie Cameron — Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2022 Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen — Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2022 Ann Bishop — Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2022 Molly Thomas — Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2021 The Honourable Reverend Dr. Lorne Calvert - Lifetime Achievement Award
2021 Honourable Graeme Mitchell - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2021 Latoya Reid - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2021 Doug McKillop - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2021 Dr. Sarah Plosker - Outstanding Young Alumni
2020 Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2020 Jacq Brasseur - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2020 Robert Jamont - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2020 Christine Selinger - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2019 Gary Drummond - Lifetime Achievement Award
2019 Trudy Stewart & Janine Windolph - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2019 Brianne Urzada - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2019 Paul McLellan - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2019 Tyler Willox - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2018 Ken Ottenbreit - Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 Dr. Allan Bonner - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2018 Jacqueline Tisher - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2018 Amy Moroz and Andrea Ward - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2018 Dr. Joana Cook - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2017 Guy Vanderhaeghe - Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 Dr. Greg Krätzig - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2017 Dr. Joan Halmo - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2017 Dr. Margaret Dagenais - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2017 Thomas Benjoe - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2016 Dr. Geoffrey Taylor - Lifetime Achievement Award
2016 Derek Stoffel - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2016 Dr. David Millar - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2016 Lisa King - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2016 Dr. Regan Schmidt - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2015 Dr. Kristian Baker - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2015 Rob Deglau - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2015 Barry Clarke - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2015 Cherish Jean-Baptiste - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2014 Leonard Schein - Lifetime Achievement Award
2014 Dr. Barry Pittendrigh - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2014 Sel Murrary - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2014 Sean McEachern - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2014 Courtney Keith - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2013 Ken Sunquist - Lifetime Achievement Award
2013 Marty Klyne - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2013 Mark Stefan - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2013 Sue Barber - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2013 Amber Fletcher - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2012 Bill Knight - Lifetime Achievement Award
2012 Dr. Nevan Krogan - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2012 Vera Tourangeau - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2012 Victor Thomas - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2012 Phoebe DeCiman Haugen - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2011 Dr. Eric Grimson - Lifetime Achievement Award
2011 Dr. Ross Mitchell - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2011 Bernie Kollman - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2011 Twyla Meredith - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award
2011 Rachel Mielke - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2010 Elaine Bourassa - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2010 Doug Folk - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2010 Garth Fredrickson -Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service
2010 Nick Carleton - Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
2009 Dr. John Hewson - Lifetime Achievement Award
2009 Georgina R. Jackson - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2009 Laura Pettigrew - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2009 Don Millard - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service
2008 Dr. Norman Amundson - Lifetime Achievement Award
2008 Norman Bolen - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2008 Dr. Pammla Petrucka, Kevan McBeth, Sheenah Ko - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2008 Greg Swanson - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service
2008 Dr. Dwight Newman - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2007 Ken Howland - Lifetime Achievement Award
2007 Dale Eisler - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2007 Greg Fieger - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service
2007 Todd Bryanton - Outstanding Young Alumni Award
2006 Elaine McNeil - Lifetime Achievement Award
2006 Daphne Bramham - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2006 Richard Turchenek (Deceased) - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2006 Stuart Quinn and David Quinn - Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service
2006 Erin Weir - Outstanding Young alumni Award
2005 Ben Grebinski - Distinguished Professional Achievement Award
2005 Roxane Schury - Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
2005 Hiedi Pearson - Alumni Service Award
2005 Pamela Lynn Ait-Allaoua - Young Alumni Award
2004 Linda Rankin - Professional/Business Award
2004 Gregory Marchildon - Professional/Business Award
2004 Charlie Baldock - Humanitarian/Community Service Award
2003 Sunil Ram - Humanitarian/Community Service Award
2002 Dawn Redmond-Bradley - Distinguished Alumni Award
2002 Erica Grimm-Vance - Distinguished Alumni Award
2001 Robin Schlaht - Distinguished Alumni Award
2001 Solomon Wong - Distinguished Alumni Award
1999 Gary Bosgoed -Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award
1998 Gwen Keith - Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award in Business and Professional
1997 Tom Robinson - Distinguished Alumnus Award for Humanitarian/Community Service
1997 Dr. M. Husain - Distinguished Alumnus Award for Professional Achievement
1996 Myrtle Surjik - Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award
1995 Mark Kinzel - Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award
1994 Bernadette McIntyre - Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award
1993 Brian Hansen - Alumnus of the Year Award
1992 Dr. Derril McLeod - Alumnus of the Year Award (Deceased)
Highlights from the 2023 ACAAs
