UNews - Derek Redman

Honourable Justice Derek Redman to be given ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:35:25 +0000

The Honourable Justice Derek Redman is a distinguished Alberta jurist recognized for his exemplary judicial leadership, his dedication to public legal education and community service. An unwavering advocate for a justice system that is accessible, culturally informed and responsive to communities, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will grant Redman an honorary degree at Spring 2026 Convocation.

Honourable Justice Derek Redman will be honoured during Ceremony IV of Spring 2026 Convocation.

“Justice Redman has had an exemplary legal career and been a pillar of the Alberta justice system, and at the heart of his practice, first as a lawyer and then as a jurist, has been his commitment to fairness, accessibility and innovation,” says ULethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA ’94). “His unique ability to inject humanity into the legal system, as seen in his unwavering support of the incredible ULethbridge Chess for Life program and its emphasis on guiding youth on probation, sets him apart from his peers. His creativity and compassion are to be lauded, and we are proud to present him with an honorary degree.”

Redman will be bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Spring 2026 Convocation, Ceremony IV, Friday, May 29, 2:30 p.m. at the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness.

Honourable Justice Derek Redman

Author, athlete, advocate, educator, mediator, lawyer and judge, the Honourable Justice Derek Redman came to Lethbridge as a youngster and graduated from Winston Churchill High School. His exceptional abilities were evident early; he was both valedictorian and male athlete of the year. After high school, he played junior football and college basketball before attending Queen’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Faculty of Law, where he also played rugby and helped secure the Ontario ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ AA Championship. His passion for sport has continued throughout his life, and he was recently named the BC Age‑Group Sprint Triathlon Champion.

After articling in Calgary, Redman returned to Lethbridge and built a busy legal practice focused on litigation and mediation. Beyond his professional work, he and his wife Ashelyn (MEd ’02) were devoted parents to three sons, with Derek learning violin alongside them and coaching their sports teams. His commitment to community service has been equally significant. He served on numerous boards, including the Lethbridge and District Exhibition, was president of the Victorian Order of Nurses, and chaired the Board of Governors for Lethbridge College, as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate. His contributions have been recognized with the City of Lethbridge Citizen of the Year Award (2000), the Alberta Centennial Medal (2005), and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022).

A trained mediator, Redman taught conflict resolution to criminal justice students at Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, to senior administrators at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Ukraine. He also delivered many community legal education courses and authored two books — one in serial form — aimed at young adults and business managers.

Redman was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2000 and, in 2007, became a Justice of what was then the Provincial Court of Alberta, now the Alberta Court of Justice. He was appointed Assistant Chief Justice for the southern region in 2017 and Chief Justice in 2020, serving in that role until late 2023. He continues to serve as a part‑time justice.

Throughout his judicial career, Redman has been a champion of fairness, accessibility and innovation. He created the Integrated Services Court to support individuals facing addiction, mental illness, poverty or marginalization. He supported the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Chess for Life program for youth on probation and oversaw the expansion of Drug Treatment Courts from two to seven.

His commitment to reconciliation led to the development of the first Indigenous Justice Strategy by a court in Canada, created in consultation with Indigenous leaders and service organizations. Under his leadership, three additional Indigenous Courts were opened, including one in Lethbridge.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree recipients represent service and excellence

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:58:03 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will honour six influential individuals with honorary degrees in 2026, recognizing leaders in diverse fields such as archaeology, education, the arts, business, justice and philanthropy.

“The individuals who have been chosen this year to be honoured reflect the values of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and bring to life what it means to effect change and better society,” says ULethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA ’94). “Whether it’s through their chosen careers, their commitment to community, their stature as thought leaders, they are all invested in contributing positively to humanity and we’re excited to recognize their accomplishments.”

Archaeologist Robert (Bob) Dawe, artist Faye HeavyShield, community advocate Knud Petersen and Justice Derek Redman will be granted honorary degrees as part of Spring 2026 Convocation (May 28-29). The late Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84), former ULethbridge Board of Governors Chair, will be honoured at a private ceremony on May 30, while Cheryl Misak (BASc (BA) ’83) will be recognized at Fall 2026 Convocation (Oct. 17).

“I am really looking forward to the upcoming convocation ceremonies and the addresses of our honorees,” adds Whitehead. “I am always eager to learn from successful leaders of society, to understand their world view and what motivates them in their daily lives. I know our graduating class and those who attend the ceremonies will leave inspired by their words.”

The following are the honorees:

Robert (Bob) Dawe

A leading Alberta archaeologist and assistant curator at the Royal Alberta Museum, Robert (Bob) Dawe has had an enviable career, conducting fieldwork throughout Alberta, notably at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Writing-On-Stone, and also across the Arctic from Alaska to Baffin Island, in Ontario and even China.

Faye HeavyShield

A visual artist, cultural worker, mentor and teacher, Faye HeavyShield has earned national and international acclaim for her artistic works that are deeply connected to her Blackfoot culture, a practice she is eager to share with youth and emerging artists to help preserve Blackfoot ways of knowing.

Cheryl Misak (BA ’83)

Dr. Cheryl Misak, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s first Rhodes Scholar, has achieved global recognition for her contributions to the world of philosophy through the highest standards of scholarship and numerous publications, and as an academic who has served as vice-president and provost at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto.

Knud Petersen

Whether it be fundraising, volunteering or simply offering his infectious smile as support, Knud Petersen consistently shows up for his community as an influential driver of local spirit, philanthropy and well-being, always willing to do the heavy work and make a better society for all.

Justice Derek Redman

The Honourable Justice Derek Redman is a distinguished Alberta jurist recognized for his exemplary judicial leadership, his dedication to public legal education and community service, and his unwavering advocacy for a justice system that is accessible, culturally informed, and responsive to the communities it serves.

Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84)

A respected member of the southern Alberta business community, decorated chartered professional accountant and former Chair of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors, Dean Gallimore effected long-lasting change in his community, advocated for post-secondary education and created pathways to success for the next generation of students. Gallimore unexpectedly passed away during his term as Chair of the Board of Governors, and this is the first posthumous degree awarded by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate.

For more information on Spring 2026 Convocation, visit ulethbridge.ca/convocation/spring-2026-information.

UNews - Derek Redman

Honourable Justice Derek Redman to be given ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree recipients represent service and excellence

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Honourable Justice Derek Redman to be given ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree recipients represent service and excellence