UNews - Bernadine Boulet

Bernadine and Toby Boulet to be granted honorary degrees at Fall 2025 Convocation

trevor.kenney — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:00:26 +0000

Turning unbearable tragedy into a national movement, Bernadine (BEd ’88) and Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04) Boulet have been at the forefront of promoting organ donations across Canada by co-creating Green Shirt Day to honour the tragic passing of their son Logan. For their selfless commitment to motivating Canadians to participate in organ donations and saving countless lives, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will present Bernadine and Toby Boulet with honorary degrees at Fall 2025 Convocation.

“To see the way Bernadine and Toby have dealt with the devastating loss of their son, turning tragedy into hope for so many other families, is truly inspiring,” says ULethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA ’94). “Their unwavering positivity and willingness to allow their very personal story be the catalyst for a national campaign is remarkable and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is proud to recognize their efforts through honorary degrees.”

Bernadine and Toby Boulet have been at the forefront of promoting organ donations across Canada.

Bernadine and Toby Boulet will be bestowed with honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Fall 2025 Convocation on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Centre for Sport and Wellness gymnasium.

Bernadine (BEd ’88) and Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04) Boulet

Bernadine and Toby Boulet were unwillingly thrust into the national spotlight when, on April 6, 2018, their son Logan was one of 29 passengers involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. A day later, Logan succumbed to his injuries. Only months prior, he had been inspired to be an organ donor and let his parents know his wishes. While grappling with their grief, Bernadine and Toby offered to donate Logan’s organs, thus saving six lives.

While national attention faded, Bernadine and Toby’s unfathomable loss will never subside, and yet they found the strength to turn tragedy into a positive legacy. They started by telling Logan’s story, how he was inspired by his mentor, late ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge women’s rugby coach Ric Suggitt who passed suddenly in 2017 — and how he saved six lives through organ donation.

Logan’s story not only resonated with Canadians, it inspired almost 150,000 donor registrations across the country within a few weeks of the tragedy. This became known as the Logan Boulet Effect. With selfless devotion, Bernadine and Toby recognized they had a platform to make lasting, positive change for people’s lives and keep the memory of their son alive.

Through tireless work, Green Shirt Day — a national movement to encourage conversations and organ donor registrations — was established. They formed partnerships with the Canadian Transplant Association, Kidney Foundation and Canadian Blood Services, giving them the opportunity to speak across the nation. With the Alberta ORGANization Group, they successfully lobbied legislators to change current laws to create Give Life Alberta. From their advocacy, Bernadine and Toby have changed how organ and tissue donation is viewed.

Through their passion and commitment to bettering society, Bernadine and Toby have been relentless advocates for the values and causes that matter most to them. Their philanthropic efforts endowed the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award at ULethbridge. Likewise, their fundraising efforts have exceeded $750,000, benefitting groups such as KidSport, Special Olympics and youth fine arts, while simultaneously establishing the Logan Boulet Endowment.

In 2019, their consistent efforts with Canadian Blood Services and advocacy for the Lethbridge Plasma Centre earned them the national Schilly Award. Canadian Blood Services now annually presents the Logan Boulet Award for organ donation.

Bernadine and Toby Boulet use hope, compassion, generosity, selflessness and an unwavering commitment to make a lasting difference to transform their darkest day into a national movement that continues to change people’s lives every day.

Canadian comic icon Brent Butt among ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge 2025 honorary degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:03:44 +0000

Corner Gas creator will headline comedy show fundraiser in support of Food For Thought, student food security program

He created a Canadian landmark television program, has traversed the globe performing live stand-up shows and continues to mentor and support the growth and health of the Canadian comedy community. Brent Butt is a true Canadian comic icon and one of six people who will be awarded ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degrees during Spring and Fall 2025 Convocation ceremonies.

Brent Butt's comedic career has spanned more than 35 years.

Butt, who will be recognized at one of the four spring ceremonies, joins acclaimed writer David Robertson, former ULethbridge Chancellor Charlie Weaselhead, conductor Kirk Muspratt and community advocates Bernadine (BEd ’88) and Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04)(fall ceremony), as distinguished honourees.

“We’re thrilled to announce this tremendous group of honorary degree recipients who represent all the best attributes of the ULethbridge experience and its graduating students,” says Terry Whitehead, current ULethbridge Chancellor. “These are people who have achieved great success in their fields and done so in the right way, as engaged citizens in their communities, as educators, as mentors and leaders.”

Butt, who is known primarily for being the creator, writer and star of the iconic Canadian comedy series Corner Gas, has fashioned a comedic career spanning more than 35 years. Successful as a live performer as well as on the big and small screen, he is now an active screenwriter and author, always with deference to his small-town Canadian roots.

“To be able to recognize Brent for all the joy he has brought Canadians over the years is exciting and a recognition he richly deserves,” adds Whitehead. “Laughter is incredibly important in our lives, and I think we are realizing that more every day. Brent’s devotion to his comedic craft, willingness to share with others in the comedy community and unwavering commitment to his rural roots and Canadian culture says a lot about the kind of person he is.

“His willingness to perform for a Lethbridge audience and raise money in support of food security initiatives at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is heartfelt, and I can’t wait to enjoy a great evening of entertainment with him and his guest.”

The comedy show fundraiser to benefit the Food For Thought student program takes place Sunday, May 25, 7 p.m., at the Yates Memorial Theatre and features Brent Butt as the headliner with special guest Charlie Demers. Tickets, priced at $65 each, will be available through the City of Lethbridge Ticket Centre.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will present Butt with an honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Spring 2025 Convocation, Ceremony IV, on Friday, May 30, 2:30 p.m., in the Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Brent Butt

For Brent Butt, there really was no other career path than comedy, something he’d decided before his teenage years. While he briefly attended Ontario’s Sheridan College after graduating high school in his hometown of Tisdale, Saskatchewan, formal schooling quickly took a back seat to his entrepreneurial tendencies. Leaving school, he and a friend developed their own publishing company, and they created two issues of their comic book, Existing Earth, in which Butt drew the illustrations.

He approached comedy not on a whim, but rather as a vocation, studying the intricacies of the craft. By the time he took the stage for his first stand-up performance at the age of 21, he was ready and his meteoric rise in the comedy industry was testament to his work ethic and preparation. A year after his first appearance on an amateur night at a Saskatoon comedy club, Butt was touring Central and Eastern Canada. Before long he was headlining Toronto’s downtown Yuk Yuks Comedy Club and doors began to open for him internationally.

Once established as a live entertainer, Butt began realizing the next phase of his career, and in 2004 created, wrote and starred in the hit television show Corner Gas. Set in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, the show reflected Butt’s smalltown upbringing and shone a new light on rural Canada, one that resonated with small communities across the country and struck a chord with populations in larger urban centres.

Corner Gas ran for six seasons, averaging a remarkable 1.2 million viewers per episode and reaping numerous awards, including four Canadian Comedy Awards and five Gemini Awards. The show has now aired in 60 countries and continues to run on streaming platforms, boasting large fan bases in Germany, the United States, Australia and beyond. A Canadian Armed Forces soldier once wrote the show about his unit watching episodes of Corner Gas to take the edge off during particularly dangerous deployments, reminding them of home and that laughter and simpler times still existed.

The success of Corner Gas garnered remarkable attention and in 2008, Butt was awarded the Peter Ustinov Award for outstanding body of comedic work at the Banff World Media Festival. He joined the likes of past recipients John Cleese, Bob Newhart, John Candy and Eugene Levy.

With a platform as a leader in the industry, Butt has used his profile to call attention to the work of other comedians and to mentor and promote the growth and health of the comedy community.

Eager to continue to expand his creative knowledge, Butt is an active screenwriter and now author, having released his first novel, Huge, a #1 national best seller and one of Indigo’s 2023 Best Books of the Year.

Boulet gift establishes permanent endowment for Ric Suggitt Women's Rugby Memorial Award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 May 2023 17:32:16 +0000

The Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award has received a gift of $20,000 from Bernadine (Bernie) (BEd ’88) and Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), establishing a permanent endowment and ensuring future generations of student-athletes will receive this meaningful support in perpetuity. Much more than a monetary scholarship given annually to a women’s rugby player at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the original award is a tribute to former Horns rugby coach Ric Suggitt and his legacy of selflessness and contributing to a better society.

Toby and Bernadine Boulet

Ric Suggitt coached just two years with the Horns (2015-2016) before his tragic passing in June 2017, and while his time as head of the program was short, the impact he made on campus, throughout Pronghorn Athletics and in the community was massive. His sphere of influence was wide and extended far beyond the rugby world — something that would become evident following his untimely death and the chain of tragic events that ensued.

“Ric was very special to our son Logan, and he offered to train Logan and his three buddies,” says Toby of his hockey-playing son. “He did a great job with them just out of the kindness of his heart and Logan really took to that — Ric was a larger-than-life personality.”

Suggitt was an organ donor and upon his passing, a tragedy turned into a miracle for those transplant recipients who benefitted from his ultimate gift. That last act of selflessness and giving resonated with Logan and he told his family he was signing up as an organ donor as well. What seemed like a symbolic gesture at the time eventually proved prescient, as Logan was one of the 16 people who died in the April 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

As the story emerged that Logan was able to save six lives through the donation of his organs, The Logan Boulet Effect was born, with hundreds of thousands of people signing up to be organ donors. The genesis of it all was Suggitt and his relationship with Logan, thereby making it easy for Bernie and Toby to choose to support the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award and continue to tell their story.

“You can never talk enough about a child who has passed away, and then it gives us a chance to talk about Ric and Ric’s influence on Logan and how he inspired him to become an organ donor,” says Toby.

Bernie echoes that sentiment and, as a co-chair of the Campaign for Students, encourages others to find an award that resonates with them if they are considering donating.

“I was never that person who would go out and ask for donations and then I thought back to when I was a student here and how fortunate I was to get scholarships and not have to worry about having to work while I was playing soccer and taking a full course load,” she says. “Those scholarships made a huge difference for me and when I took on this role, I thought about how hard it has been for students the last few years. It hasn’t been an easy road for them, and I see this campaign as an opportunity to build some positive connections again for our students to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and our community.”

Any donations to the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award, or any other new endowed student scholarship, will be matched by the ULethbridge Board of Governors as part of their $10-million pledge to student awards.

Keegan Brantner (BA ’21), a previous recipient of the award, which was established in 2017, says the scholarship was invaluable in helping her maintain focus on her schooling and her sport, rather than worrying about financial issues.

“Receiving the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award was a tremendous honor,” says Brantner. “The financial assistance is greatly appreciated but the meaning and legacy behind the award is what matters most to me. This award continues to honor Ric and his legacy as well as the values of selflessness, kindness, community and giving, which is what makes receiving this award so special.”

That the award bears Ric Suggitt’s name and will forever be connected to Ric, Logan and the Boulet family is heartening to Neil Langevin (BA/BEd ’91, MEd ’10), executive director of Pronghorn Athletics.

“This award isn’t just about the money, which of course is important and can be life changing for a student-athlete, it also speaks to everything we value in Pronghorn Athletics,” says Langevin. “The story behind this award and why it came to be is about making the world around you better, about impacting people’s lives and creating a legacy of giving and community. Each scholarship recipient will know that story and the responsibility that comes with this award and that’s a powerful lesson to learn. We couldn’t be more appreciative of the Boulet family and all the donors to this award who have made this happen.”

Those interested in donating, can give by visiting the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award webpage. To give to any other student scholarship, visit Campaign for Students.

Student scholarship drive championed by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni and community leaders

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:49:23 +0000

When the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors pledged $10 million in match funds for the establishment of new endowed student scholarships, it laid the groundwork for the most ambitious student scholarship drive in the 50-plus year history of ULethbridge.

ULethbridge alumni and community leaders Janice Varzari, Roland Labuhn, Terry Whitehead and Bernadine Boulet are lead ambassadors for the student scholarship drive initiative.

Now, alumni and community leaders Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02, LLD ’21), Terry Whitehead (BA ’94), Bernadine Boulet (BEd ’88) and Roland Labuhn (BMgt ’90) are leading the way through the next phase of the initiative, with ULethbridge students, current and future generations, destined to benefit.

“We are so excited to have the support of these outstanding alumni and community leaders to help us champion this new initiative and build a plan to move it forward. They are fantastic ambassadors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and we are so grateful for their advocacy and support,” says Kathy Greenwood, ULethbridge vice-president (external relations). “As graduates, these alumni know the difference a ULethbridge education can make, and they are committed to ensuring more students have the same opportunities they had. This will significantly increase the sustainability of our current awards program and lay a strong foundation to build upon moving forward.”

At the heart of the drive is the $10 million in match funds, providing an opportunity to double the impact donations of all sizes make to endowed scholarships — significantly enhancing the endowment base and its sustainability for generations to come.

“What excites me about being a part of this initiative is recognizing that the need for student financial support is greater than ever. It’s so challenging right now for post-secondary students to go to school, and I think students today have a lot more barriers than when I was a student,” says Whitehead. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to have donations matched, and the impact of your gift being doubled will really go a long way. If an alumnus or a member of our community has never donated before, this is a wonderful time to make that first donation as it will be leveraged significantly.”

One of the hallmarks of the scholarship drive is its focus on removing social and financial barriers and creating pathways for Indigenous and racialized communities, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ students to access post-secondary education.

“I want to see this improve accessibility so that more students can get assistance with their education,” says former chancellor Varzari. “By making a donation, by writing that cheque, you’re going to assist lots of students moving into the future who may not be able to attend university otherwise. People who make a donation, even a small donation, they can see that gift grow and make a difference with the match funds.”

Boulet graduated from the education program in 1988 and is still deeply connected to ULethbridge, personally and professionally. As an educator, she is quick to mentor student teachers in her classrooms and sees how support from the Lethbridge community creates lasting connections with students.

“I really hope that through this we can build those connections, and that students see we value them,” says Boulet. “You can make a difference in a student’s life by them receiving a scholarship, even if it’s not a big scholarship, and that student will go on to have a positive impact in our community and our province in the future. By giving, you can inspire others to give too.”

Labuhn has long championed the benefits of post-secondary education and how it enhances career outcomes for students, thereby collectively bettering southern Alberta and the communities ULethbridge graduates call home. He sees donations to establish student scholarships reaping immediate dividends.

“What I really like about this is how the money goes directly to students, and it’s going to be something where you can really see the results,” he says. “A scholarship and an advanced education can have a huge influence in life. These scholarships will help people who may be in a difficult situation get access to post-secondary education, or maybe they will be used to accelerate the path current students are on — it’s all about helping students get to where they want to be.”

To contribute to or create a new student scholarship, contact Director of Development, Erika Scott (BA ’08), erika.scott@uleth.ca or by calling 403-332-4030. Visit the campaign web page.

Board of Governors pledges $10 million in match funds to support student scholarships

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:21:00 +0000

Acknowledging that increased financial support is critical in ensuring a university education remains an option for more students, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors is pledging $10 million in match funds for the establishment of new endowed student scholarships.

The endowed funds will significantly increase the sustainability of the ULethbridge awards program.

The funds, which will be used to attract and inspire philanthropic support from the community in support of student awards and scholarships, will significantly increase the sustainability of the ULethbridge awards program and lay the foundation for future generations of students.

“Our students are at the centre of everything we do here, and student support and the student experience has long been a hallmark of ULethbridge,” says Board of Governors Chair Dean Gallimore. “What is available to our students is an enriching experience across a breadth of programs and majors, and one that prepares them as critical thinkers and global citizens. We see this endowment of funds as a means to remove barriers and allow more students the opportunity to pursue their passions and realize success.”

By offering $10 million in match contributions, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is aiming to build a significant base of support that will unlock opportunities for future generations of students. It will allow ULethbridge to further attract, retain and reward diverse and promising students now and for generations to come.

“I applaud the board for this substantial commitment, which will have both an immediate and everlasting impact on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s mission to educate students as adaptive learners and strong-minded community leaders,” says Dr. Mike Mahon ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor. “This pledge is a vote of confidence in what we do, who we are as a university and the future that is before us.”

Scholarships and awards play a key role in student success. For some, scholarships are the incentive and reward for hard work and dedication, community service or athletic excellence. For others, scholarships relieve the financial burden post-secondary education can place on themselves and their families, and in some cases, scholarship funds create access and make the dream of attending university possible.

“I have had the opportunity to speak to many of our students who have received scholarships over the years and the difference it makes in their lives is substantial,” says Mahon. “So many speak of how scholarship support allows them to focus on their studies, pursue their passions and really embrace the full university experience.”

ULethbridge is also pleased to announce a distinguished group of alumni and community leaders who have been chosen to champion this new initiative and help build a plan for it moving forward. Former chancellor Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02), Terry Whitehead (BA ’94), Bernadine Boulet (BEd ’88) and Roland Labuhn (BMgt ’90) have all been selected as outstanding ambassadors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge supporting Green Shirt Day, president Mahon named as ambassador for plasma donor centre

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:28:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is following the lead of the courageous Boulet family and working to turn tragedy into life-saving support for generations to come.

U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon is joining the effort as an ambassador for Canadian Blood Services’ new Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre.

Marking the three-year anniversary of Logan Boulet’s death in the Humboldt Broncos bus accident, April 7, Green Shirt Day, has become synonymous with raising awareness for organ and tissue donation across Canada. Only five weeks prior to the crash, Logan had signed up to be an organ donor, inspired by the passing of his family friend and trainer Ric Suggit, who was also the Pronghorns Women’s Rugby coach. Logan was able to save six lives, and affect so many more across Canada. Within a month of his passing, Canadian Blood Services reported that just shy of 100,000 people had signed up to be organ donors. The Logan Boulet Effect was born.

Boulet’s parents, Bernadine (BEd ’98) and Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), and sister, Mariko (BSc ’17), continue to triumph the message of organ and tissue donation, as well as blood and plasma. Today, U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon is joining the effort as an ambassador for Canadian Blood Services’ new Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre.

“We have all been touched by this tragedy and the selflessness of Logan and how many people he was able to positively impact,” says Mahon. “For us at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, this was particularly jarring as it hit so close to home. As a community, we came together to support the Boulet family and through this initiative, we look to continue that legacy of support and provide hope to other families in need.”

Canadian Blood Services opened the doors of the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre in December 2020. Plasma is the protein-rich liquid in our blood that can be used to make specialized medicines and therapies. Collecting more plasma will help the thousands of Canadian patients who depend on these therapies to survive, including those right here in Lethbridge.

“We are grateful for the generosity that local residents, businesses and organizations, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, have shown at our plasma donor centre,” says U of L alumna Brenna Scott (BA ’16), business development manager, Canadian Blood Services’ Lethbridge plasma donor centre. “We have welcomed members of the Boulet family to donate plasma several times. It’s truly a testament to the spirit and memory of Logan and we are thankful to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for their support of Green Shirt Day.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is also running an internal campaign to spur plasma donations. Throughout the next few months, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ groups are challenging their members and other units across campus to book appointments at the local plasma clinic — and, of course, wear their green shirts.

“The need for blood, tissue, organs and plasma never subsides, and for very little effort, our actions can positively affect so many people,” says Mahon. “I encourage everyone to find a way to support the efforts of the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre and those in our community who are in need of their lifesaving services.”

To book an appointment, please visit blood.ca/Lethbridge.

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