Honorary Fellows and Distinguished Service
Since 2006, ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_landscape/public/2020-02/honoreefellowmedal_0.png?h=6ccbd5d1&itok=AP1FXcnz)
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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 Okanagan 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s Education Council and confidential recommendations for recognition are made to the Education Council and the Board of Governors.
2024 Honorary Fellow recipient
¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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.
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
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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ employees, who have given outstanding service to ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, who share and support the mission, vision and values of ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, and who are active within and outside the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ in 2004, as the institution transitioned from being a university college. While he was at the helm, ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s Kelowna campus.
![Photo of Jim Hamilton standing on stairs](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_portrait/public/2024-04/Jim%20Hamilton.jpg?h=0bfa1650&itok=5bkRVvVA)
Previous Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Okanagan University College Honorary Doctorates
2005 Katy Bindon William Bowering Roy Brown Rowland Grant Mike Harcourt Ronald Jeffels Tom Kerr |
2005 |
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 |
Okanagan University College Distinguished Service Award Recipients
2004 Graham Bruce |
2003 Gary Mellor |
2002 Alex Recsky |