2011 Alumni Recognition Awards

Celebrating the diverse accomplishments of alumni and the recognition they bring to the University.

University of Alberta alumni bring honour to themselves and to their alma mater in a multitude of ways-through leadership in their professions, business and government; groundbreaking advances in science and medicine; accomplishments in athletics, humanities and the arts; and service to the global and local communities.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Alumni Association's most prestigious award recognizing living graduates whose truly outstanding achievements have earned them national or international prominence.

John Godel, '53 BSc, '55 MD

University of Alberta professor emeritus in pediatrics, John Godel is a physician highly respected for his contributions to pediatric health care in remote Canadian and African communities and for his research on vitamin D as protection from a host of health conditions. A caring and compassionate physician, John Godel has served the medical profession with great distinction, and his impact has been far-reaching. Thousands of children have benefited from his dedication to improving pediatric care, and many practitioners, inspired by his work, are following in his path. Godel's international outreach began in 1969 when he accepted a Canadian International Development Agency post at a teaching hospital in Nigeria. In 1973, he moved with his family to Tunisia to serve as the chief of pediatrics in Menzel Bourguiba. While there, he championed the refurbishment of a military hospital and organized pediatric, maternal and child health services. Under his care, the mortality rate of hospitalized children markedly decreased from 50 to five percent.

In 1978, he returned to Edmonton as a U of A professor and chief of pediatrics at the Charles Camsell Hospital. It was also during this time he began travelling to northern Canada to provide health care to Aboriginal children. His work in these isolated communities led to his pioneering research on the importance of vitamin D and the effects of alcohol on a fetus during pregnancy. A Member of the Order of Canada, he continues his work in Africa with the Healthy Child Uganda project.

Claire Martin, '95 BSc

An award-winning weather forecaster and educator, Claire Martin has had a profound impact on weather reporting in Canada and around the world. Claire Martin has epitomized the profession of meteorology in Canada, providing the highest level of weather forecasting and science presentation. As a senior meteorologist for CBC News, she is renowned for her weather reports and has become the national voice for all things weather related. Martin's dedication to her profession has greatly improved the public's understanding of the science of weather. Working with the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, she was the driving force in the development of national broadcast standards for weather reporting. She also shares her expertise with numerous organizations, including the International Association of Broadcast Meteorologists, where she served as chair and vice-chair. An avid educator, this former forecaster with Environment Canada helped create an award-winning weather unit for Alberta's public school science curriculum, and she also helped run a weather broadcasting course for African nations with the World Meteorological Organization, a UN specialized agency. Martin was named the Best Weather Presenter in the World by the International Weather Festival in 2000, 2001 and 2003. In 2005, she was recognized by the American Meteorological Society as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist-the first such certification awarded in Canada.

Tom Radford, '66 BA

A distinguished documentarian, Tom Radford has played a pivotal role in Canada's film industry, inspiring an entire generation of filmmakers. Tom Radford is a highly acclaimed filmmaker whose career as a writer, director and producer has earned him numerous national and international awards and accolades. For more than 40 years, he has had a profound influence on Canada's television and film industries. In 1980, as an executive producer at the National Film Board (NFB), he founded the NFB Northwest Studio in Edmonton, which launched more than two decades of unparalleled film activity in Alberta and supported the development of many of our country's filmmakers. He also initiated the National Screen Institute and established one of the first independent production companies in Edmonton. A champion of environmental and social causes, Radford uses his creativity to showcase the distinctive character and heritage of Alberta and Canada's North to the rest of the world. A founding partner of Clearwater Media, he explores the human experience and brings important-and sometimes forgotten-aspects of our natural history to the public's attention. His ability to enthrall audiences extends to other art forms as well. He is the co-author of the best-seller Alberta, A Celebration, and his photography has been displayed at the National Gallery of Canada.

Marguerite Trussler, '69 BA, '70 LLB, and Francis Price, '75 LLM

Marguerite Trussler and Francis Price are highly respected for their leadership in the legal profession and in the arts community. While a Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench, Marguerite Trussler made a significant impact on family law. She led many court initiatives such as Parenting After Separation and judicial dispute resolution, and she was president of the Canadian Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges. A respected Queen's Counsel, her husband, Francis Price, is recognized for his expertise in mortgage law and as an arbitrator. He served as a Bencher with the Law Society of Alberta and received its award for Distinguished Service to the Community in 2011.

Leading by example, this couple generously gives of their time and resources to educational and arts organizations. As a founder and president of the Victoria School Foundation for the Arts, Trussler has helped raise endowment funds to provide annual scholarships and master classes for many students. A past chair of the board of Edmonton Opera, Price spearheaded the company's endowment program, sings in its chorus, and is the recipient of its Zoie Gardner Volunteer Award. Together, they have raised three daughters, published a leading legal text, and worked in partnering Edmonton's legal and theatre communities. Their contributions will have a lasting impact on the community.

Alumni Honour Award

Recognizing the significant contributions made over a number of years by University of Alberta alumni in their local communities and beyond.

Tim Berrett, '97 PhD, is an accomplished athlete, consultant and academic. A Canadian record holder in his sport of race walking, he has competed in nine International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships and five Olympic Games.

Larry Booi, '68 BA, '89 BEd, is a promoter of education and an advocate for supporting the public good. The president of Public Interest Alberta, he is past-president of the Alberta Teachers' Association and past vice-president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation.

Hugh Bradley, '54 BSc(Ag), is an award-winning and highly respected farming pioneer in Canada's north. He has tremendously contributed to the development of agriculture in the Yukon since he, along with three partners, bought Pelly River Ranch in 1954.

Chetwyn C. H. Chan, '92 BSc(OT), '95 PhD, is internationally recognized for his research in rehabilitation science and for his contributions to advancing the discipline and building a stronger rehabilitation educational system in Asia, particularly in Mainland China.

Linda R. Gadwa, '99 BEd, '06 Dip(Ed), '09 MEd, is an educator highly respected for her innovative leadership at Kehewin Community Education Centre, where she served as principal for four years and spearheaded many initiatives to promote Cree culture.

Michel R. Gagné, '87 BSc, a chemistry professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is regarded as an international leader in catalysis chemistry. A groundbreaking researcher, he has authored more than 100 publications and holds five patents.

John Grigsby Geiger, '81 BA, is a best-selling author and an award-winning journalist. An editorial board editor at The Globe and Mail, he is also a senior fellow at the University of Toronto's Massey College and president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. New Trail's Spring 2011 Question Period with John Geiger.

M. Elizabeth (Betty) Gourlay, '66 Dip(Nu), '67 BSc(Nu), has made significant contributions to the nursing profession through her leadership in the development of nursing practices and education in her career that spanned more than 40 years.

Jason Kapalka, '92 BA, '94 MA, is a trend-setter in the gaming industry. He is the co-founder of PopCap Games and designer of Bejeweled, the most popular puzzle game of the century according to Guinness World Records 2010 Video Games Edition.

Larry Y. Louie, '82 BSc, a successful Edmonton optometrist, is an award-winning photographer who uses his art to support SEVA Canada, an international charitable organization that aims to eliminate preventable and avoidable blindness.

John (Jack) H. Nodwell, '64 BSc(Eng), founder and past-president of Foremost Industries, has made significant contributions to the engineering profession and is lauded for being a pioneer in developing Canada's trade relationship with the former Soviet Union.

Felix Otterson, '44 BA, '49 Dip(Ed), '53 BEd, throughout his eminent career as a priest, administrator and teacher, has had a positive and lasting impact on the community at large. In 2010, Edmonton Catholic Schools named a school in his honour.

Lorne Sawula, '67 BPE, '69 MA, '77 PhD, an internationally recognized authority in coaching volleyball, has contributed to all levels of play, including serving as the head coach of the Australian, British, Canadian and Swiss National Volleyball teams.

Alfred Sorensen, '83 BCom, is a successful leader in the global energy sector, who generously supports his alma mater. A member of the University's Business Advisory Council, he established the Alfred Sorensen Chair in Energy, Environmental and Reputational Risk Management.

Cora Weber-Pillwax, '77 BEd, '92 MEd, '03 PhD, whose teaching career began in 1968, has devoted her life's work to supporting community-based and community-driven initiatives to advance the aspirations and goals of Aboriginal communities.

Jeffrey G. Whissell, '98 BSc(Pharm), a recognized leader in the pharmacy profession, is making significant contributions to create a more patient-focused health care system. Through his professional involvement, he has championed the pharmacists' role in delivering care to Albertans.

Alumni Centenary Award for Volunteer Service

Recognizes alumni who have demonstrated commitment, dedication and service to the University of Alberta.

Lloyd Malin, '65 BA, '70 LLB, '03 LLD (Honorary), a judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta, has served his alma mater with great distinction, volunteering with exceptional vision, dedication and leadership. A past-president of Alumni Council, he was a member of the University Senate as well as the Board of Governors, acting as chair from 1997 to 1998 and vice-chair from 1998 to 2002.

The Honourable Dr. Lois E. Hole Student Spirit Award

Celebrates student spirit and the many contributions students make to the betterment of the University community and beyond.

Leona Semenoff, '11 BEd, is a dedicated supporter of her community who volunteered as a district commissioner for the Girl Guides of Canada in Fort McMurray, AB, while completing her studies with the U of A as she fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher.

Alim Nagji, a third-year medical student, has contributed his time and talents to the U of A, his local community, and the world at large, including his work as a non-communicable disease study designer at AK Hospital in Tanzania.

Alumni Award of Excellence

Celebrating outstanding, recent accomplishments of University of Alberta graduates.

Trevor Anderson, '95 BA, an Edmonton-based artist, is gaining international attention for his independently produced short film The High Level Bridge, which premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and was an official selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Read more about Trevor's work.

Shannon S. D. Bredin, '96 BPE, '96 BEd, '98 MSc, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, is the recipient of numerous honours, including the 2010 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Health & Fitness Program Recognition Award.

Todd Cherniawsky, '93 BFA, is an accomplished production designer who has worked on numerous Hollywood blockbusters. He has been a member of two Academy Award-winning teams for art direction, including Alice in Wonderland in 2011 and Avatar in 2010. Read more about Todd's work here.

Christopher Opio, '94 PhD, a University of Northern British Columbia professor, was named one of Canada's Top 10 Champions of Change in 2010 for his humanitarian work as co-founder and chair of the Northern Uganda Development Foundation.

Nathan Whitling, '93 BCom, '97 LLB, an Edmonton lawyer known for taking on controversial cases, recently received the Harradence Prize from the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association in recognition of his dedication to the principles of fundamental justice.

Alumni Horizon Award

Recognizing the outstanding achievements of University of Alberta alumni early in their careers.

Cristelle Audet, '04 PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa, is a dedicated humanitarian. She is the co-founder of One Child's Village and is the chair of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association's Social Justice Chapter and Ethics Committee.

Amanda Babichuk, '01 BCom, is a successful Edmonton businesswoman who has shown remarkable innovation in growing d'Lish Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar. Community-minded, she generously supports local charities, including the Terra Centre for Pregnant & Parenting Teens. Read more about Amanda's achievements here.

Ken Bautista, '99 BEd, is an award-winning entrepreneur who uses innovative digital media to bring educational programs to young audiences. He is the co-founder of Rocketfuel Games and Edmonton's Next Gen initiatives, including artsScene, Startup Edmonton and TEDxEdmonton. Read more about Ken's work here.

Claire Clark, '02 BEd, is making huge contributions to support Aboriginal women in the professional community. She is co-founder and executive director of the Aboriginal Women's Professional Association and founding member of the Edmonton Aboriginal Business Association.

Farrah Salima Ebrahim, '00 BA, a senior consultant with Deloitte in Toronto, is taking a leading role in social justice issues. Recognized for her work in human rights, she has undertaken extensive research on the intersection of women, youth, Islam and civic engagement.

Duncan Miano Wambugu, '99 BA(Augustana), '03 MMus, is a highly accomplished musician. A vocal coach, mentor for aspiring singers, and one of the youngest appointed music professors at Kenyatta University, he is now pursuing his PhD at the University of Florida.

Sports Wall of Fame

Recognizing the contributions of alumni as athletes and builders of university sport.

Dru Marshall, '82 MSc, '89 PhD, the head coach of the U of A Pandas Field Hockey team for 21 years, is a highly respected leader in university sport, coaching education and administration.

Darrell Menard, '76 BPE, '81 MA, an internationally renowned sports medicine doctor and a nationally ranked elite runner, has made tremendous contributions to the sporting world as a physician, participant and promoter.

Ted Poplawski, '77 BA, '78 Cert(Arts), '80 BEd, one of the greatest goaltenders in Golden Bears hockey history, has brought great distinction to the sport as both a player and coach, winning 17 Canada West and eight CIAU/CIS championships.