Fall Convocation honours students and outstanding citizens

Posted: October 16, 2015 2:00 p.m.

One of the two Fall Convocation honorary degree recipients, Lyn Goldman.
One of the two Fall Convocation honorary degree recipients, Lyn Goldman. Photo by Don Hall.

This fall, students originating from every corner of the globe have earned 734 degrees, diplomas and certificates.  In addition, two outstanding individuals, Lyn Goldman and Jack MacKenzie, will receive the University’s highest tribute – an honorary degree. Goldman and MacKenzie become the 199th and 200th recipients of a University of Regina honorary degree.

Lyn Goldman will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws for her lifelong involvement with local, provincial and national professional and cultural organizations. Goldman has received many awards including the Golden Jubilee Award, YWCA Woman of the Year Award, and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.  Goldman’s mother Dorothy was also the recipient of an honorary degree in 1991.

Jack MacKenzie has had a distinguished career in physical and outdoor education as a teacher, administrator, innovator and volunteer. He adds Honorary Doctorate of Laws to several other distinctions including the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. In the fall of 2000, the Jack MacKenzie Elementary School opened its doors in east Regina.
 
Sara Illerbrun, a graduate of the Faculty of Kinesiology, is the recipient of the President’s Medal, awarded to the undergraduate student receiving a first degree who best exemplifies academic achievement and leadership. Illerbrun graduates with a major in Human Kinetics and finishes her degree with a cumulative average of 94.02 per cent.  

During her undergraduate studies, Illerbrun was the recipient of the Academic Gold Prize (twice), Dr Robert McCulloch Scholarship, John Spencer Middleton and Jack Spencer Gordon Middleton Scholarship and, on two occasions, Saskatchewan Physical Education Association Book Prize. She is also the recipient of the Fall Convocation University Prize in Kinesiology and Health Studies and the Faculty of Kinesiology Dean's Medal.

Despite her hectic academic schedule, Illerbrun found time to volunteer in the community and on campus as a UR Ambassador and with the UR Guarantee program.

The other academic award recipients of the Fall Convocation are:

Dr. Sheila Dresen Prize in Nursing -  Kelly R. Zimmerman
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dean's Medal -  Hamad Salim Almarri
Faculty of Fine Arts Dean's Medal -  Marika Margaret Yeo
Faculty of Nursing Dean's Medal -  Bevera Dulci Allan
Faculty of Science Dean's Medal -  Steven Brock West
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association Gold Medal for Excellence in Clinical Practice - Jennifer Ann Foote
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Prize - Dillon Ryan Lewchuk
University Prize in Arts - Erin Jane Donnelly
University Prize in Business Administration - Stacey James Edward Upson
University Prize in Engineering - Hamad Salim Almarri
University Prize in Fine Arts - Marika Margaret Yeo
University Prize in Science - Courtney Helene Mish
University Prize in Social Work - Cara Lee Custead  

The Fall Convocation ceremony starts at 2 p.m. in the main theatre of the Conexus Arts Centre on Lakeshore Drive in Regina.

For information on Convocation, please visit here. If you can't make it to Convocation, the ceremonies are being live-streamed here.