Integrity, authenticity, and commitment: These are words that Barbra Bell uses to describe the leadership attributes embodied by Mo Bundon over his six years of service with the University of Regina's Board of Governors.

Bundon will be recognized at the Spring 2010 convocation ceremony when he receives the University of Regina Board of Governors Distinguished Service Award for 2010 - the first ever external candidate to receive the prestigious award.

The award recognizes individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the University; served the community for many years; significantly enhanced the development and/or operations of one or more of the University's areas of endeavour; and, is a nomination that is strongly supported within the University community.

Bell , who nominated Bundon for the award, served on the Board from July 2002 until 2008 including the role of Vice-Chair for the last two years.

"Mo's integrity was witnessed time after time during his tenure on the Board, whether discussing governance, policy, personnel or financial matters," Bell says.

"Board members could always count on him to ask the right questions and to keep the discussion and decisions focused on the right principles, allowing us all to exercise the freedom to do what was right for the University."

That experience is reinforced by current Board of Governors Chair Sue Barber.

"Mo Bundon not only meets but exceeds all of the requirements of this award. His main concern throughout his tenure as a Board member has been in ensuring that the University succeeds and prospers. His commitment to this institution has been unwavering," Barber says.

"He has dedicated countless hours to the University through his involvement on the Board and support of the University community. His contributions have helped create the University we have today and set the foundation for greater achievements to come."

Appointed by the Saskatchewan Government in January 2003 through an Order-in-Council , Bundon was on the Board for two terms and served in leadership roles as Vice-Chair, Chair and Past-Chair, ending his second term in Spring 2010.

During that time, he was involved in the Building Dreams and Futures Campaign which raised $82 million, exceeding the goal of $75 million of increased student and research support, the new Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport, and support for the 2005 Canada Summer Games. He was the Executive Vice-President of the Games, partnered with the University of Regina to host 4,500 athletes from across Canada in August 2005. He played a part in the continued physical growth of the campus including facilities that have greatly enhanced student life such as the North and South Residences, the development of the Dr. Lloyd Barber Academic Green, and the Research and Innovation Centre.

The decisions taken by the Board under Bundon's leadership have provided the University with a unique opportunity to succeed in today's world, says University of Regina communications director Paul Corns.

"The ground-setting work established through the development of the University's new strategic plan, the requirement to be more focused and research reliant in the practice of student recruitment, the recognition that improved communication of our values and the contribution we make through effective brand management and marketing - these initiatives can deliver fully on the great promise of the U of R academic mission. The success of such an ambitious program fundamentally rests with strong, clear and responsive leadership."

Bundon is Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for Harvard Developments Inc., A Hill Company of Regina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa and is a graduate of Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, where he is currently the Chairman of the Board of Regents. The College recognized his commitment and community involvement by awarding him the Frank Germann Alumnus of the Year Award and the prestigious Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Medal of Honour. He serves on numerous boards including Harvard Western Insurance and Urban Forest Recyclers Inc. In addition, he is the co-founder and director of One Life Makes A Difference, a charitable foundation created to assist Regina inner-city students with educational opportunities. In 2007, Bundon was honoured with the United Way of Regina President's Award and in 2009 he received the Red Cross Humanitarian Award.

The Board of Governors Distinguished Service Award will be presented during the 2010 Spring Convocation ceremony on Thursday, June 10 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Conexus Arts Centre.

For more information about the Board of Governors Distinguished Service Award go to http://www.uregina.ca/presoff/board/dsaward.htm