Class of 2019: Community advocate and business leader honoured during convocation ceremonies

At convocation, the University of Calgary recognizes a number of exemplary individuals with honorary degrees and Orders of the University of Calgary (OTUC). The honorary degree, the Doctor of Laws, is the University of Calgary’s highest academic honour, bestowed upon individuals whose notable achievements and community service merit recognition. The OTUC is a highly prestigious recognition honouring University of Calgary community members who have contributed in an impactful manner to the university over a period of time.

Dr. Vianne Timmons, PhD, will have the honorary degree conferred upon her, and Cynthia Prasow will receive the OTUC at the June convocation ceremony for the Werklund School of Education, the School of Architecture, Landscape and Planning, and Graduate Studies. At the afternoon ceremony for the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Schulich School of Engineering ceremony, Harold (Hal) Kvisle will have the honorary degree conferred upon him.

President and Vice-Chancellor at University of Regina, and community leader

UCalgary alumna Vianne Timmons, PhD’93, is the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina. She is a strong advocate for women’s leadership, Indigenous post-secondary education and persons with disabilities. 

Named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, Timmons is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in inclusive education and literacy research. In 2017, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada — one of Canada’s highest civilian honours.

Early childhood educator and advocate

UCalgary alumna Cynthia Prasow, MEd'92, is passionate about education. She is the director of student experiences at the Werklund School of Education. Her area of specialization is early childhood education and she is recognized as an expert in this area. She has taught a variety of courses within the Werklund School of Education and previously taught grades K-3 in both private and public systems. 

Beyond the university, Prasow has volunteered within the Calgary community in numerous capacities including the Calgary Urban Projects Society (CUPS), where she participated in establishing a school for vulnerable children.

Community and business leader

UCalgary alumnus Hal Kvisle, MBA’82, has held leadership positions in the Canadian and international energy, pipeline and power generation industries over the past three decades. 

He currently serves as board chair of ARC Resources and Finning International and as a board member of Cenovus Energy. Kvisle was CEO of TransCanada Corporation from 2001 to 2010, CEO of Talisman Energy from 2012 to 2015, and was recognized as Canada’s CEO of the Year in 2008. 

Kvisle served for many years as a board member and national board chair of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, where he currently serves as co-chair of a national fundraising campaign.

Nominations for honorary degree and Order of the University of Calgary recipients are open year-round. Nominations forms and other important information are available on the Senate website.