Acknowledgment
Red Deer Polytechnic acknowledges that we learn and work on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands, the gathering place of many Indigenous Peoples. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.
Schedule of Events and Menu
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
Master of Ceremonies
Patrick Machacek, Vice President, Development and Partnerships
Message from Chair, Red Deer Polytechnic Board of Governors
Guy Pelletier
AWARDS
G.H. Dawe Memorial Award of Excellence
Presenter: Robbin Dawe
Alumni Legacy Award
Presenter:
Courtney Avram, Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association
Distinguished Alumni Award
Presenter:
Courtney Avram, Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association
Community Partner Award
Presenters:
Guy Pelletier, Chair, Red Deer Polytechnic Board of Governors
Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic
MENU
We are pleased to offer a variety of carefully crafted hors d'oeuvres, available for you to enjoy throughout the event.
Awards
G.H. DAWE MEMORIAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The G.H. Dawe Memorial Award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution to Red Deer Polytechnic and the central Alberta community. Through their contributions, this individual exemplifies the values of Mr. G. Harold Dawe, including:
• Commitment to education and student success
• Leadership, vision, and integrity
• Dedication to the community
MARTY VELLNER
Marty Vellner is one of central Alberta’s most respected business leaders and community builders. Since 1983, Marty has owned and operated Vellner Leisure Products, a family-centered business founded by his grandfather and father in 1951. Under Marty’s leadership, the company has grown and thrived and has become a well-known fixture of Red Deer’s recreational and commercial landscape.
Now semi-retired, Marty is in the process of transitioning Vellner Leisure Products to his youngest son, Mitchell, who will be the fourth generation to run the family business.
Marty is also an active volunteer, contributing his time to a variety of causes ranging across sports and recreation, education and the arts. He served on the board of the Canada Winter Games Host Society from 2015 until 2020 and was integral in bringing the Games to Red Deer in 2019. He also serves on the boards of Westerner Park and the Red Deer Polytechnic Foundation.
Awards
A firm believer in the philosophy to “give more than you take”, Marty has also cultivated a lasting philanthropic legacy, characterized by his deep commitment to his home community. Red Deer Polytechnic has benefited greatly from Marty’s support, including his latest gift: a $200,000 contribution in partnership with his sister, Susan Vellner Snell, towards advancing student success. To honour this generous donation and celebrate his family legacy, Studio A in RDP’s Arts Centre - a central community cultural hub - will bear their mother’s name, Loree Martin Vellner, in recognition.
Born and raised in Red Deer, Marty Vellner holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. He and his wife of 38 years, Laura-Lee (known as Tikki) have three grown sons. While still involved in his business and volunteer activities, Marty also enjoys travel, camping, fishing, sailing, skiing, sports and music.
Past Recipients
1999 Lynn & Marlies Booth
2000 Jack & Joan Donald
2001 Herb Der
2002 Rhonda & Bill Olafson
2003 Gary Seher
2004 Harlan Hulleman
2005 Gail Surkan
2006 Peter Lacey
2007 Jim Quinn
2008 Don Moore
2009 Bob Mills
2010 Dr. Cliff Soper
2011 Dr. Paulette Hanna
2012 Dr. Lynne Paradis
2013 Al Poole
2014 Dr. Don Hepburn
2015 Martha Cortes
2016 Tanya Schur
2017 Alfio Truant
2018 Guy Pelletier
2019 Ron MacLean
2020 Morris Flewwelling
2021 Ron Woodward
2023 Lyn Radford
Awards
ALUMNI LEGACY AWARD
The Alumni Legacy Award was established by the Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association to posthumously recognize the contributions of a distinguished RDP alum. The award commemorates an individual who has made a lasting impact academically, professionally and/or through community service.
MICHAEL DAWE (1956–2023)
Michael Dawe was a fifth-generation Red Deerian, and a member of a wellknown local family with a long-standing connection to our institution. Michael studied in the Bachelor of Arts program at Red Deer College from 1974 to 1975 before attending the University of Alberta to earn a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, majoring in history and economics.
Following his post-secondary education, Michael returned to his home city to become Red Deer’s first full-time archivist. Serving in this role for nearly four decades, he earned a reputation as a skilled author, historian and chronicler of Red Deer’s heritage.
Michael was an active volunteer and leader in the community. He was a member of the Red Deer East Rotary Club for 35 years, the Director of the Kerry Wood Nature Centre Association for 10 years, a trustee for the regional health foundation and a member of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Board. He served as a City Councillor from 2017 until his passing in December 2023.
Awards
Michael’s strong support of the region’s educational system earned him recognition as Alberta Citizen of the Year in 1994 by the Council on School Administration of the Alberta Teachers' Association. He was honoured with the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Commendation for his books about Alberta’s military history and speeches honouring Remembrance Day. Michael was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals. In 2014, he was named Red Deer Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Red Deer. He was also voted as “Red Deer’s Most Beloved Citizen” on two occasions by readers of the Red Deer Express.
Michael’s many contributions and connections to Red Deer Polytechnic are remembered fondly. He was the inaugural recipient of RDP’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997, and he spent countless hours conducting research at the RDP Library and taking part in campus events. Michael was a valued member of the Red Deer Polytechnic family who is greatly missed.
Past Recipients
2004 Phil Rauch
2014 Timothy (Tim) Bruce Guilbault
2015 Marlin Styner
2016 Joe Bower
2018 Linda Slaymaker
2019 Dawnine (DJ) Jackson
2021 Gary W. Harris
2023 Gord Inglis
Awards
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Each year, this award is presented to a Red Deer Polytechnic alum who has distinguished himself or herself in one or more of the following areas: personal achievement, academic achievement or public service achievement.
ZAINAB MOHAMOUD
Zainab Mohamoud is the Founder and Executive Director of the African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta. Her leadership and passion for sharing her culture resulted in the first Afro-Caribbean festival held in Red Deer in 2023. In just two years, this colourful festival has become a signature community event, celebrating the food, music and history of African and Caribbean Canadians.
Her new enterprise, Zainab’s Coffee House, located in downtown Red Deer, supports newcomers to the Canadian labour force, offering work experience and community integration through the African Caribbean Centre.
After graduating from RDP's Social Work Diploma in 2017, Zainab completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology through the University of Calgary in 2019. Zainab believes deeply in supporting minority communities and bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to foster understanding, resiliency and inclusion. Believing that all children should have access to schooling, she founded the Education for Somali Girls and Boys Foundation in 2014. Through an extensive volunteer and fundraising effort, one year later Zainab led the establishment of a school in Somalia that today educates more than 100 students.
Awards
Zainab’s advocacy and charitable work has taken her around the world, while locally she has devoted countless hours to fundraising for charities and causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for a Cure and Battle Against Breast Cancer 2024. A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) and the Mayor’s Recognition Award (2023), Zainab’s enthusiasm for creating diverse and dynamic communities is infectious and inspiring.
In a feature honouring Black History Month at RDP this year, Zainab said “I am proud of my achievements and Black background, and it is my pleasure to actively represent myself and the community in an empowered, positive light. My passions and gifts drive me to focus on people, humanity, the environment, justice, equal rights, advocacy and doing the right things when no one is watching.”
Past Recipients
1997 Michael Dawe
1998 Diana Anderson
1999 Janice Causgrove-Dunn
2000 Dr. Rebecca Luce-Kapler
2001 Dr. Sandy Murray
2002 Keith Hansen
2003 Guy Pelletier
2004 Doug Sandall
2005 Anthony Kulbisky
2006 Melody Davidson
2007 Tim Gitzel
2008 Bryan Wilson
2009 Lt. Col Jay Janzen
2010 Dr. Duane D. Smethurst
2011 Peter Weddell
2012 Dr. Janet Welch
2013 Dr. Lynne Paradis
2014 Randy Harper
2015 Sheila Musgrove
2016 Andrew Kooman and Kathryn Mckenzie
2017 Rod Kennedy
2018 Sharilee Fossum
2019 Scott Robinson
2020 Chris Rolida
2021 Cory Kaun
2023 Rieley Kay
Awards
COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD
This award is presented to a community-oriented organization that has worked collaboratively with Red Deer Polytechnic to the benefit of our students. Our industry and community partners help RDP provide access to high-quality training, applied research and innovation opportunities. These creative community partnerships contribute to a strong region and inspire excellence across all fields of study.
BRUIN’S PLUMBING AND HEATING LTD.
Incorporated in 1965 by Cor and Ariea Bruin, Bruin’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd. was founded on the principles of hard work, family values as well as care for customers and employees alike. Cor and Ariea’s son, Herman, joined the company in 1966. At that time, the young company kept busy doing service work and completing small residential jobs in Red Deer and surrounding areas. Having hired their first employee in 1968, today they are proud that the company has grown to employ more than 100 people.
Over the years, Bruin’s has continued to expand and diversify. Today, Herman’s son, Marty Bruin, is co-owner of this company that boasts a proud reputation amongst Red Deer’s business leaders. The company continues to be an innovator in plumbing, gas fitting and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) trades. They offer repair, maintenance, renovation and construction services from the smallest
Awards
of residential jobs to multimillion-dollar projects. Despite the size of the business, it is still run on family values, with multiple generations of family members and long-term employees serving vital roles within the company. In 2023, the company started the ‘Because We Care’ campaign, providing a free furnace replacement for a family in need.
A long-time supporter of Red Deer Polytechnic, the Bruin family demonstrated their commitment to student success as the very first locally-owned business to invest in the Building Communities Through Learning campaign in 2006. At the time, $100,000 of the $250,000 overall gift was used to establish the Bruin’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd. Apprenticeship Trades Endowment. This remains as the largest endowment for RDP apprentices in the plumbing, heating and mechanical trades. Over the years, the company has contributed just over $330,000 through this campaign, in addition to their support of RDP Athletics, student scholarships and the naming of the Bruin’s Student Study Lounge on RDP’s main campus.
Past Recipients
2005 Bethany Care Society
2007 NOVA Chemicals
2015 The City of Red Deer
2016 Alberta Health Services
2017 Chinook’s Edge School Division
2018 Canada Winter Games Host Society
2019 Olds College of Agriculture & Technology
2020 Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
2023 Hockey Alberta