Photo credit: Akemi Matsubuchi
The University of Alberta Alumni Awards recognize the professional achievements, community service and innovation of graduates around the globe - people who uphold the promise to use their education "for the public good." This year, 27 people were honoured at an evening ceremony at the Jubilee Auditorium on September 22, 2016. Four of these award recipients - including Bud Steen - are Faculty of Law alumni. Mr. Steen was recognized with the Alumni Honour Award, which celebrates the significant contributions made over a number of years by University of Alberta alumni to their profession, their community, to society at large, or to the University of Alberta.
Bud Steen has a unique CV that includes a BA in Religious Studies, a law degree, and a 30-year career in professional football. Not many lawyers can say that! After obtaining his BA at the University of Alberta in 1978, Mr. Steen earned an LLB at the Faculty of Law in 1982 and was admitted to the bar in 1983. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Steen focused on creditor's remedies and insolvency and represented many financial institutions, assisting them in secured debt realization as well as enforcement of unsecured credit agreements. He was also active in the Canadian Bar Association's subsections related to his expertise, including as Legislative Review Member for the Creditors Rights section, and shared his expertise through many Legal Education Society of Alberta and Continuing Education seminars.
Mr. Steen combined his busy legal career with a passion for football that included officiating more than 500 games in the Canadian Football League (CFL), including seven Grey Cups. His final game before retirement was the 2010 Grey Cup in Edmonton. Mr. Steen is also the founding president of the Canadian Professional Football Officials Association, where he negotiated several important contracts between the CFL and its primary employment group. In 2005, he received a Commissioner's Award for his efforts in improving relations between the CFL and the officiating staff.
Outside the office and off the football field, Mr. Steen also contributed to CKUA Radio; radio being another of his passions. After becoming chair of the board of directors of CKUA in 1997, Mr. Steen led a fundraising campaign that helped keep the station - considered by many a Canadian cultural icon; one that helped launch the careers of k.d. lang, Jann Arden, and Bruce Cockburn - on the air.
Mr. Steen is now retired from the law and active officiating, but continues to volunteer in the community and in the CFL.
"Bud Steen sets a tremendous example for all Canadians on how to translate personal passions into career success, while also serving the community," said Dean Paul Paton. "Whether it was through his legal practice in the fields of banking and bankruptcy and insolvency law, on the football field with the CFL, or in his tireless efforts to save CKUA radio, Mr. Steen has demonstrated a commitment both to his legal career and to two Canadian institutions."
At a lunchtime reception at the Law Centre on September 22 for the four Faculty of Law recipients of 2016 University of Alberta Alumni Awards, Mr. Steen reminisced about his early days prior to law school, describing his passion for radio. His pride for all things green and gold was made clear when he talked about encouraging his own daughter to follow in her father's footsteps to the U of A. "I told her this is the place to be, because of the people," he said.
Not only did Andrea Steen take her father's advice and attend the U of A, she also earned a law degree at the Faculty. Ms. Steen completed her JD with Distinction in 2015 and is now an associate at Witten LLP, the same law firm in which Mr. Steen spent his 30-year legal career. During her time at the Faculty, Ms. Steen also displayed a passion for the arts, acting and directing in the Law Show. She was also on the editorial board of the Alberta Law Review and worked for two years as a member of the Articling Committee.
"Throughout my time to date as Dean, I've heard so many wonderful stories from families with multiple generations who have attended the Faculty of Law," said Dean Paton. "Bud and Andrea Steen are one example; a testament to the welcoming community that has been built and nurtured here at the Faculty over the generations. I have no doubt that Andrea will make as sizeable an impact on the legal profession and in the community as her father."