RED DEER POLYTECHNIC Community Awards
Land 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 Nakoda peoples, and that the central Alberta region we serve falls under Treaty No. 6, traditional Métis, Cree, and Salteaux territory. We honour the First Peoples who have lived here since time 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
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
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.
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
2024 Marty Vellner
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
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
2024 Michael Dawe
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.
