We acknowledge that the land on which we gather in Treaty Six Territory is the traditional gathering place for many indigenous people. We honour and respect the history, languages, ceremonies and culture of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit who call this territory home.
ALUMNI
Awards
Our alumni do amazing things—and we are excited to celebrate their achievements through the Distinguished Alumni award and the Emerging Leader award.
The alumni awards are presented annually and recognize established and emerging MacEwan University graduates for their exemplary service.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Created in 1986, the Distinguished Alumni Award honours those alumni whose achievements have brought distinction to themselves, credit to the University and real benefit to their communities. They have demonstrated excellence and leadership within their field and/or service to the community.
Criteria
To be nominated for a Distinguished Alumni Award, the nominee must be:
- A living graduate of MacEwan University
- Recognized for leadership and innovation within their field
- An active contributor to the social, cultural and economic well-being of society
- Able to inspire alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community at large
Emerging Leader Award
NEW! The newly established Emerging Leader Award was created to commemorate MacEwan University's 50th anniversary. This award recognizes recent graduates who have demonstrated an early ability and willingness to make significant contributions to their profession and community.
Criteria
To be nominated for an Emerging Leader Award, the nominee must be:
- A recent graduate of MacEwan University
- Have made significant achievements in their field of endeavour
- Be recognized as an emerging leader through professional and/or voluntary accomplishments
- Set an example for our students/future young alumni to follow.
Nomination and award process
If you know of a MacEwan graduate who meets the criteria for a Distinguished Alumni or Emerging Leader award, we want to hear from you. Anyone can nominate MacEwan graduates for these awards. Nominations are accepted any time, but those received by October 31 will be considered for the spring convocation.
MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome and encourage nominations from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups. We believe that the diversity of our alumni, students, staff and faculty serves as a strength of our institution and benefits society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community.
Nomination
A well-prepared nomination is key to assisting the Alumni Awards Selection Committee members in making an informed decision.
- Ensure your nominee fits the definition of alumni: "A person who has received a ministry approved credential OR a continuing education certificate OR a certificate of achievement with support from Inclusive Post-Secondary Education OR has successfully completed 30 credits of a formal transfer program from the university."
- Gather supporting documentation for the nomination.
a) A short bio (approximately 750 words) for your nominee
We recommend having the bio ready for upload prior to completing the nomination form. The bio, which can be written in bullet form, can respond to these questions:- How does the nominee fulfill the award criteria?
- In what ways have they differentiated themselves?
- What are the unique achievements that brought distinction to the candidate?
- What are the recognized contributions that earned them prominence in their profession or their organization?
- What are the recognized contributions that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community or society?
- How has the candidate distinguished themselves through leadership as well as service? (Are they an influencer within our community? Have they established themselves as leaders who can bring people together?)
b) A minimum of two letters of support from someone other than yourself. You could consider asking professional peers, fellow alumni, and/or those impacted by the nominee. You can attach up to four letters of support.
- Complete the nomination form and attach/upload the accompanying documents.
Confirmation
The Alumni Office will let you know they've received your nomination. Successful candidates will be asked if they are able to attend the presentation ceremony and if they are available to meet with students and faculty in a role such as visiting speaker, student mentor or alumni panelist.
Presentation
The awards are presented at spring and fall convocation.
Many truths
“What defines your character is not how you fall, but how you pick yourself up afterwards,” says Jennifer Lavers, marine science researcher and 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. You may be surprised by the source of this, and other pieces of wisdom, she shared at fall convocation.
JENNIFER’S STORY
Distinguished Alumni award winners
2019
Emmett Hartfield
Bachelor of Commerce, 2010
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
Dr. D. Scharie Tavcer
Law Enforcement and Security, 1992
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
Mark Power
Child and Youth Care, 1996
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
Dr. Jennifer Lavers
Bachelor of Science Transfer, 2001
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
Nate Lueck
Music Diploma, 2006
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
Dr. James Makokis
Bachelor of Science Transfer, 2001
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
2018
Justin Yaassoub
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 2012
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2018
Cheryl Whiskeyjack
Child and Youth Care, 1995
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2018
Brenda Lieberman
Arts and Cultural Management, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2018
2017
Lyn Krutzfeldt
Business Administration, 1983
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017
Peter Dent
Law Enforcement, 1984
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017
Jason Carter
Digital Arts and Media Diploma, 2003
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017
2016
David Cormican
Theatre Arts, 2001
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2016
2015
Kim Wheeler
Journalism, 1995
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015
Sandra Woitas
Advertising and Public Relations, 1975
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015
Sorin Mihailovici
Design Studies, 2008
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015
Founding Members McMan
Founding Members, McMan Youth and Community Services Association
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015
2014
Patricia Garrett
Social Work, 1976
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
Stephen McHolm
Arts Administration, 1995
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
Megan Dart
Bachelor of Applied Communications in Professional Writing, 2006
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
Solon and Jeremiah McDade
Music, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
2013
Betty Lorraine Cornelius
Business Administration, 1976
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
Ben Weinlick
Disability Studies: Leadership and Community, 2007
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
Don Caron
Accounting, 1991
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
Mark Holowaychuk
International Business and Supply Chain Management, 2005
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
2012
CEIBA Association
Various alumni, 2007-2010
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
Richard Neidig
Audio Visual Technician, 1976
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
Nargis Jamal
Voluntary Sector Management, 2004
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
Beth Allard-Clough
Advertising and Public Relations, 1991
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
2011
Mark Sirett
Arts Administration, 1980
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2011
Barbara Reid
Rehabilitation Practitioner, 1984
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2011
Alexandra Hatcher
Arts and Cultural Management, 1999
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2011
Amanda Woodward
Design Studies, 1999
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2011
2010
Andrea Engel
Journalism, 1991
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2010
Ryan Silverman
Theatre Arts, 1997
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2010
Cheryl Feldstein
Social Work, 2002
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2010
Jean Crozier
Library and Information Technology, 1974
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2010
2006-2009
Chloe Albert
Music, 2004
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009
Scott Kashuba
General Arts and Science, University Transfer 1983
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009
Alex Mahe
General Arts and Science, 1987
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009
Kathleen Quinn
Volunteer Sector Management, 2000
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009
Lewis Cardinal
Native Communications, 1986
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2008
Sarah Edwards
Public Relations, 1997
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2008
Danielle Peers
BA University Transfer, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2008
Deb Cautley
Advertising and Public Relations, 1980
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007
Lawrence (Lorne) Gladue
Management Studies/University Transfer, 1996
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007
Andrew Ross
University Transfer, 1999
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007
Bridget Ryan
Theatre Arts, 1993
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007
Sean Caulfield
Fine Art, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2006
Kim Clegg
Arts and Media, 1989
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2006
Eric McMurray
Insurance and Risk Management, 1992
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2006
Bradley Walker
Arts and Cultural Management, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2006
2000-2005
Dave Bell
Law Enforcement and Corrections, 1976
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2005
Eric Bergman
Advertising and Public Relations, 1982
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2005
Joan Goodman
Social Work, 2000
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2005
Diane Bergeron
Management Studies, 2001; Rehabilitation Practitioner, 1992
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2004
Damien Atkins
Theatre Arts, 1994
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2003
Marjorie Bencz
Voluntary Sector Management, 1990
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2003
Merle Harris
Info Management and Library Technology, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2003
Laurel Deedrick-Mayne
Arts Administration, 1981
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2002
Florence Loyie
Journalism, 1984
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2002
Rhonda Palmer
Legal Assistant, 1991
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2002
Denise Carpenter
General Administration, 1985; Advertising and Public Relations, 1981
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2001
Susan Donnelly
Early Childhood Development, 1973
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2001
June MacGregor
Social Work, 1973
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2001
Shauna Seneca
Child and Youth Care, 1997
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2000
Isabel Bernete
Interior Design Sales Retailing Program, 1980
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2000
Karen Ashby
Nursing, 1981
Distinguished Alumni Award, 2000
1990s
Dennis Lenarduzzi
Visual Communication Design, 1985
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1999
Karen Spiess
Voluntary Sector Management, 1990
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1999
Darcy Verhun
Accounting, 1980
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1999
Mandy Corea
Teacher Aide, 1998
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1998
Zedingle Ghebremeusse
Social Work, 1991
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1998
Darka Tarnawsky
Arts Administration, 1989
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1998
Iren Bartok
Music, 1995
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1997
Bob McPhee
Arts Administration, 1983
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1997
Colin Vann
Law Enforcement, 1978
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1997
Dale Auger
Native Communications, 1982
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1996
Stephen Williams
Volunteer Sector Management, 1990
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1995
Lynn Loos Moroz
Interpreter Training, 1987
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1994
Margo Kane
Dance, 1975
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1993
Stephanie Wilson
Occupational Health Nursing, 1979
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1992
William Exelby
Accounting, 1981
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1991
Sunita Kumar
Arts Administration, 1988
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1990
1980s
Linda Tyre
Volunteer Management, 1984
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1989
John Meston
Youth Development, 1976
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1988
Sherri Makarewicz
Volunteer Management, 1983
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1987
Carol Lynn Chilkowich
Travel Consultant, 1979
Distinguished Alumni Award, 1986
10700 104 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2
info@macewan.ca
MacEwan.ca/ContactUs