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Honorary Fellows and Distinguished Service

Since 2006, мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College has been presenting Honorary Fellow and Distinguished Service awards to deserving individuals as part of its annual Convocation ceremonies. The awards recognize distinguished achievement or service and the recipients represent a broad spectrum of regional, provincial, national and international contributions. The awards acknowledge a diverse array of people, from those who have advanced literacy among youth to individuals whose work has helped create awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. A list of recipients can be found below.

honoree medal

Nominations for 2025 Honorary Fellows are now being accepted

Deadline for Nominations: Nov. 18, 2024

Honorary Fellow award description and criteria

The award of an Honorary Fellow is recognition by мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College of distinguished achievement or outstanding service.

The criteria for the award are mentorship, excellence, eminence and accomplishment.

The College welcomes nominations that reflect the values of the College and the diversity of Canadian society. Nominees will be persons who have made significant contributions to the College, the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ Valley, the Province, the Nation or on an international level.

The award will not normally be given to a serving politician or current employee of the College.

Nominations are reviewed by a standing committee of мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College’s Education Council and confidential recommendations for recognition are made to the Education Council and the Board of Governors.

2024 Honorary Fellow recipient

мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College is bestowing its highest honour on a notable resident who has made unique and meaningful contributions through education, public service, mentorship and philanthropy.

Shelagh Turner has been selected by the College as its 2024 Honorary Fellow.

Read full news release

Shelagh Turner

Shelagh Turner was the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Kelowna branch for nearly 20 years, from 2005 - 2022. She transformed the organization through strong leadership and dedication to making significant changes in the community.

Known for her ability to inspire collaboration and compassion in others, under her tenure CMHA expanded its services to include over 300 supportive housing units in neighbourhoods throughout the Kelowna region.

Turner’s impact is also evident through the continued growth of The Foundry Kelowna, which opened in 2017 and offers mental health and related support services to young people.

An advocate for workplace mental health, Turner supported local employers to learn about how to foster psychological safety and well-being, through annual awards and learning resources. She received the 2016 BC Achievement Community Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions and service to the province. 

Honorary Fellows

2023
Terry Flannigan
Dr. Silvina Mema
Michael Tindall
Grant Stevens
 

2022
Dennis Gabelhouse
Cliff Serwa
Howard Soon

2020



2019
Tom Christensen
Robert Louie
George Galbraith

2018
Mollie QuilQuil Sneena Bono
Rick Thorpe
Patrick Waunch

2017
Randy Manuel
Sharon Shepherd
Edna Terbasket

2016
William Redmond
Anthony von Mandl
Dr. Rita Winkler

2015
Rod Butters
Norm Embree
Rick Pushor
Annette Sharkey

2014
Garry Benson
Raghwa Gopal
Jim Henderson
Margriet Ruurs

2013
Alan Gatzke
Barry Lapointe
Ernie Phillip

2012
Yasmin John-Thorpe
Lane Merrifield
Janet Shaw

2011
Bev Busson
Mel Kotler
Tom Landecker

2010
Peter Haubrich
George and Trudy Heiss
Dorothy Tinning

2009
Charles Armstrong
Robert Fine
Barbara Marchand

2008
Jeanette Armstrong
Richard Cannings
Robert Cannings
Syd Cannings
Ken Harding

2007
Ross Gorman
Lorraine McGrath
Ken Smedley

2006
Albert Baldeo
Mike Roberts
Lois Serwa

 

Distinguished Service Award recipients

This award is to honour and recognize former мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College employees, who have given outstanding service to мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College, who share and support the mission, vision and values of мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College, and who are active within and outside the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College community. This award will not be given as a matter of routine and is extended to only those who are most deserving.

Nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Service Award are now being accepted

Deadline for Nominations: Nov. 18, 2024

2023 Distinguished Service Award Recipient

Jim Hamilton

Jim Hamilton became president of мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College in 2004, as the institution transitioned from being a university college. While he was at the helm, OC was the only college in the province to meet or exceed student enrolment targets each year, all while the number of programs available were also rising.

He helped bring approximately $170 million in capital projects to the College’s sites across the region, including trades buildings in Penticton, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vernon, and new student housing for Kelowna, Vernon and Salmon Arm.

While at OC, Hamilton served as chair of both the B.C. Trades Training Consortium and the British Columbia Council for International Education, and was an engaged Board member for several organizations, including the Kelowna Innovation Society and the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society.

In 2016, Hamilton received a Distinguished Service Award from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), where he served as a Board member for a term, recognizing his leadership in the sector nationally.

Although now enjoying retirement, he continues to be actively engaged locally, with the post-secondary sector provincially, and OC in particular. Hamilton is the current co-chair of the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer, a member of the Thompson Rivers University Board of Governors, and a member of the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College Foundation’s Sunflower Fundraising Committee, in support of the childcare centre being built at the Vernon campus.

Hamilton will be honoured and presented with his Distinguished Service Award on June 10, during the afternoon convocation and commencement ceremony at OC’s Kelowna campus.

Photo of Jim Hamilton standing on stairs

Previous Distinguished Service Award Recipients

мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ University College Honorary Doctorates

2005
Katy Bindon
William Bowering
Roy Brown
Rowland Grant
Mike Harcourt
Ronald Jeffels
Tom Kerr

2005
Graham Smith
Miho Steinberg
Guy Tousignant
Steven Tuck
Norman Walker
Peter Williams

2004
Arthur Carty
Andrea Deakin
Lambert Schmalz
Alison Smith
Gerry Zimmermann
2003
James English
D. Ross Fitzpatrick
Thomas Foord
Jack Whyte
2002
Daphne Odjig
Patricia Proudfoot
2001
Mary Louie
Harry McWatters
2000
Tony Onley
John Woodowrth
1999
Roger Ames
Stephen Cannings
Vicki Gabereau
John Thomson
1998
Charles Fipke

мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ University College Distinguished Service Award Recipients

2004
Graham Bruce
2003
Gary Mellor
2002
Alex Recsky