Rob Renner to Receive Honorary Degree BY JENNIFER THOMPSON
R
etired MLA Rob Renner has been announced as the 2013 honorary applied baccalaureate degree recipient at MHC.
always been involved with the college and supported us. We are very proud of his accomplishments.” Prior to entering the political arena in 1993, Renner was instrumental in transitioning the Downtown Business Association to a Business Revitalization Zone and the installation of brick-trimmed sidewalks, trees and gas lamps downtown. Other highlights during his tenure as president of the association include the introduction of downtown events such as Midnight Madness and the Spectrum Festival. Renner was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the first time in 1993. He was elected five times, serving until 2012. Highlights of his political career include serving as Caucus Whip, Deputy Government House Leader, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Environment. Among his many priorities, Renner was a vocal proponent of ongoing capital funding that would see Medicine Hat College undergo its most substantial infrastructure enhancement since its initial construction on the current campus. Renner is honoured to have been chosen by the Board of Governors to receive the 2013 honorary applied baccalaureate degree. “Medicine Hat College has always held a special place in my heart,” said Renner. “I am delighted to be honoured with this year’s degree. I look forward to once again joining the platform guests at a convocation ceremony; only this time it will be as a recipient rather than a presenter!”
Renner will formally accept the honour as part of convocation ceremonies on June 7. He will be the ninth recipient of the honour, following in the footsteps of Roy Wilson, Dr. Richard and Deborah Northcott, Bob Porter, John Moldon, Ken Sauer, Jim Horsman, Randy Eresman, and Terry Brekko. Renner was born and raised in Medicine Hat and graduated from Medicine Hat High School in 1972. Enrolling in a university transfer program at Medicine Hat College, he got his first taste of politics when he was elected vice president finance of the Students’ Association. He graduated with a bachelor of commerce from the University of Calgary in 1976 and returned to the family florist business in Medicine Hat. “While my degree is from the University of Calgary, I always felt it should have had an asterisk after it recognizing the outstanding academic foundation I received from Medicine Hat College,” said Renner. MHC president Ralph Weeks said he looks forward to presenting Renner with the honorary degree. “Rob has made a significant impact on Medicine Hat College over the years,” said Weeks. “As a student, alumnus, and MLA, he has
Convocation
June 7, 2013 real20
Morning Ceremony: 10 a.m. (Adult Development/Arts/Business) Afternoon Ceremony: 2 p.m. (Health Studies/Science/Trades) www.mhc.ab.ca