Seven university community leaders appointed to Order of Canada

On July 1, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, announced 100 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including leading members of the University of Calgary community.

The Order of Canada is our country’s greatest honour, acknowledging individuals who represent the best of what we are as Canadians and members of society.

The honorees were recognized for their contributions as academics, philanthropists, business leaders, artists, policy experts and for their public service.

Former university chancellor and MLA Jim Dinning received his award in recognition of his public service, notably as Alberta’s minister of finance and provincial treasurer, and for his corporate and civic engagement. Dinning served as the university’s 12th chancellor for a four-year term ending July 1, 2014. He has made a significant difference in the lives of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Mary Rozsa de Coquet is the chair and president of the Rozsa Foundation, a philanthropic family foundation founded in 1990 which is known for its innovative arts management programs and contribution to public arts policies. Rozsa de Coquet has a BEd and an honourary doctorate of laws from the University of Calgary. The Rozsa Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the arts at the university, and Rozsa de Coquet is a member of the Dean's Advisory Group for the Faculty of Arts.

Former School of Public Policy director Jack Mintz’s role as an adviser on fiscal and tax policy at the national and international levels was also recognized with the order. Mintz was appointed as the first-ever President’s Fellow at The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary on Nov. 14, 2014. He will begin his new role at the university on July 1, 2016 after a year of earned administrative leave. The appointment recognizes Mintz as one of Canada’s most distinguished and influential academics in public policy.

Blake Brooker received his appointment for his creative contributions to theatre in Alberta, most notably as a co-founder of One Yellow Rabbit theatre company. Brooker is an award-winning writer and director whose work has been presented throughout Canada and Europe. He is an alumnus of the university and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1978.

Wayne Chiu was appointed for his contributions as a corporate leader and as a champion of innovation and social entrepreneurship in western Canada. Chiu is the founder of Trico Developments Corporation and Trico Homes Inc. and a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors Education Program (January 2009), offered through the Haskayne School of Business.

Retired professor Kathryn Hannah, from the faculties of nursing and medicine, was cited for her efforts “to use the information technology to enhance nursing care in Canada and abroad.” Hannah was a faculty member from 1976 to 1993 and was an early advocate for computers in nursing. In the early 1990s, she obtained a special leave to work with Alberta Health on a strategy to implement information systems for all provincial hospitals. Currently, she is health informatics adviser to the Canadian Nurses Association and executive project leader of Canadian health outcomes for Better Information and Care project.

Dr. Stewart Harris is an alumnus of the university who graduated from the Cumming School of Medicine (then the Faculty of Medicine) in 1982. A specialist in epidemiology and diabetes in particular, Harris has been recognized for his contributions to the development of strategies to manage and reduce diabetes in aboriginal communities and other vulnerable populations.

Established in 1967, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

For a comprehensive list of Order of Canada appointees, visit the Governor General’s website.