Community Awards Digital Program

2025

RED DEER POLY TECHNIC

Community Awards

Land Acknowledgment Treaty Acknowledgment

Red Deer Polytechnic acknowledges that our campuses are situated on Treaty No. 7 land, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina and Stoney peoples, and thatthat thewe central RedNakoda Deer Polytechnic acknowledges learn Alberta and we workserve on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and MetisNo. ancestral lands, region falls under Treaty 6, traditional the gathering many Indigenous peoples.

Métis, Cree, place and of Salteaux territory.

We honour the First Peoples lived here sinceour time This is where we willwho strivehave to honour and transform relationships with one another. immemorial, and we give thanks for the land where RDP sits. This is where we will strive to hour and transform our relationships with one another.

Schedule of Events and Menu

W E LC O M E & I NTR O D U C TI O N S Master of Ceremonies Patrick Machacek, Vice President, Development and Partnerships Message from Chair, Red Deer Polytechnic Board of Governors Guy Pelletier

AWA R DS G.H. Dawe Memorial Award of Excellence Presenter: Robbin Dawe Distinguished Alumni Award Presenter: Martin Cruz, Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association Community Partner Award Presenters: Guy Pelletier, Chair, Red Deer Polytechnic Board of Governors Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic Award Winner Panel Discussion Moderated by: 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, the recipient exemplifies the values of Mr. G. Harold Dawe, including: • Commitment to education and student success • Leadership, vision, and integrity • Dedication to the community

KEN JOHNSTON Ken Johnston is the recent Mayor of Red Deer (2021–2025), following several terms as a City Councillor.

A former banking professional with 40 years’ experience at Scotiabank, he has leveraged that background toward fiscal stewardship, strategic economic development and strengthening city services.

Mayor Johnston has shown strong commitment to education, equity and inclusion — working to ensure youth, newcomers, Indigenous Peoples and marginalized groups are part of community-building efforts and have access to learning opportunities. He has also been active in supporting partnerships across sectors, including advocacy for hospital expansion, backing of social housing, homelessness initiatives and volunteerism, seeing them as core to a strong, resilient community.

Awards Past Recipients: 1999 Lynn & Marlies Booth

2012 Dr. Lynne Paradis

2000 Jack & Joan Donald

2013 Al Poole

2001 Herb Der

2014 Dr. Don Hepburn

2002 Rhonda & Bill Olafson

2015 Martha Cortes

2003 Gary Seher

2016 Tanya Schur

2004 Harlan Hulleman

2017 Alfio Truant

2005 Gail Surkan

2018 Guy Pelletier

2006 Peter Lacey

2019 Ron MacLean

2007 Jim Quinn

2020 Morris Flewwelling

2008 Don Moore

2021 Ron Woodward

2009 Bob Mills

2023 Lyn Radford

2010 Dr. Cliff Soper

2024 Marty Vellner

2011 Dr. Paulette Hanna

ALUMNI LEGACY AWARD (not awarded this year) 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.

Past Recipients: 2004 Phil Rauch

2019 Dawnine (DJ) Jackson

2014 Timothy (Tim) Bruce Guilbault

2021 Gary W. Harris

2015 Marlin Styner

2023 Gord Inglis

2016 Joe Bower

2024 Michael Dawe

2018 Linda Slaymaker

Awards DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS 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.

SIGMUND BROUWER Sigmund is a Canadian author from Red Deer known for his wide-ranging work in historical fiction, thrillers and youth literature. A non-graduating RDP alum, he attended from 1976–78 and was later recognized among RDP’s “45 Amazing Alumni.” Brouwer has published over 150 books, winning the American Christy Book of the Year and Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for Best Young-Adult Mystery. Through his popular Orca Sports series and school visits, he has inspired countless young and reluctant readers across North America.

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 2024 Zainab Mohamoud

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.

RBC FOUNDATION For decades RBC has been supporting Red Deer Polytechnic, through philanthropy, as well as through offering mentorship and work opportunities to students, contributing to financial literacy via RBC on Campus and advising faculty and staff. Supporting fundraising events, campaigns and scholarships, RBC’s commitment to education and the community has always been clear. RBC has financially supported RDP in the amount of $1.5M, including the naming of the RBC Foundation Computer Lab, sponsorship of numerous events, funding the establishment of the Student Ambassador Program, being an essential contributor in the creation of the Student Emergency Bursary fund, supporting student-athletes, career development and mental health and wellness services, to name a few.

Past Recipients: 2005 Bethany College Side 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 2020 Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre 2023 Hockey Alberta 2024 Bruin's Plumbing and Heating Ltd.

For more information about Red Deer Polytechnic’s Community Awards, or to nominate an individual or organization for these awards in the future, please contact: Red Deer Polytechnic Development & Alumni Relations Phone: 403.342.3175 Email: communityawards@rdpolytech.ca