UNews - Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge

2012 Honorary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:32:47 +0000

The 2012 Honorary Degree Recipients

JIM COUTTS

Jim Coutts has made significant contributions to Canada, through his public service, conservation efforts and philanthropy, and to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, to which his donations include over 200 pieces for the Art Gallery and a homestead property near Nanton, Alta.

Coutts has had a fruitful career in law, business and public service, and served as Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada, Lester B. Pearson in 1963. He was also the Principal Secretary to Pierre Trudeau during his tenure as Prime Minister, spending six years in this role.

In 2011, Coutts donated to the U of L the land homesteaded by his grandfather, near Nanton. This land brings a major opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to develop its programming and community connections.

PATRICK O'FARRELL

One of the founders of modern molecular biology, Patrick O'Farrell introduced technical innovations that revolutionized the study of proteins and made the use of proteins in medical diagnostics possible.

In 1969, while a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry in Colorado, O'Farrell thought of using separations in two dimensions to resolve complex mixtures of proteins on electrophoretic gels. While his goal was to follow molecular events during the embryogenesis of the particular alga that he was studying, the 2-D gel electrophoresis technique that he developed could be applied to protein mixtures from any source. While still a student he prepared a paper describing this method. This paper is now the sixth most cited paper in biology and chemistry.

RICHARD DAVIDSON

The 11th Chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Richard Davidson represented the institution with pride, emphasizing its connections with the community.

Davidson's first formal appointment with the U of L was with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate in 1983. He served as a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senator for two terms (eight years), becoming the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Chancellor in 2007, a position he held until 2011. During this time he tirelessly and proudly represented the institution, presiding over many Convocation ceremonies.

Davidson has also been a valuable community volunteer, working for several organizations and supporting many charitable causes. As a volunteer he has worked for, among others, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation, the Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge, the Regional Hospital Foundation, and the United Way. In 2010, he was recognized by the local Rotary Club as the Lethbridge Citizen of the Year and was named by Alberta Venture as one of the 50 most influential people in the province.

PETE STANDING ALONE

A respected Blood Tribe Elder, Pete Standing Alone is a teacher, cultural guide and leader who has been an integral part of the U of L's commitment to Aboriginal education.

He is committed to maintaining and promoting the traditions of his people, and has served as a cultural advisor to several organizations and to Red Crow Community College. At the U of L, Standing Alone has led the opening ceremonies of Native Awareness Week for several years. He is consulted by the Blackfoot people on all aspects of traditional and contemporary Blackfoot culture, including ceremonies, sacred societies, protocol, education, history and social and cultural issues.

A traditional Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper and educator for over 50 years, Standing Alone continues to devote his time and energy to his community and to serving as a role model for others.

This story first appeared in the May issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Chancellor Davidson earns city honour

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:17:48 +0000

Over the course of his life, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge chancellor Richard Davidson has served the city of Lethbridge in a number of capacities, many from the volunteer perspective. So it was only fitting that the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Herald recognized Davidson as the Lethbridge Citizen of the Year at a luncheon Monday afternoon.

"Clearly in his law practice, his work with the Chamber of Commerce, his work with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and his work with virtually every other volunteer organization you could imagine, this is one cool dude," says Lethbridge mayor elect Bob Tarleck, who also presented Davidson with a key to the city. "This is the highest honour we can bestow upon anyone and Richard is extremely deserving."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor Richard Davidson and his wife Denise.

Born and raised in Lethbridge, Davidson earned both his bachelor and law degrees from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1986 and is a partner at the law firm of Davidson & Williams, following in the footsteps of two previous generations of Davidson lawyers.

It is his service beyond his professional capacity however that has earned him the city's recognition.

"This tradition has grown in importance in the community because it's our opportunity to recognize people who have been tremendous builders in Lethbridge and southern Alberta," says Tarleck of the Citizen of the Year Award.

Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick says that Davidson's talent of bringing clarity to complicated discussions with divergent views is exceptional.

"He is always able to find that nut that you are looking for, that key element that brings it all together and it really is a unique talent he owns," says Weadick.

"He's one of those people that I can honestly say, when Richard comes to a meeting to speak, people stop and listen because he always has a well thought-out approach that people respect."

In 2000, Davidson was awarded the Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for Service to the Community.

He was an honouree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Scholarship Dinner in March 2002, and has received numerous community service awards, including the Commemoration Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada by the Governor General in 1992, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005.

Actively involved in the Lethbridge Bar Association and a current member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association, the K-40 Club of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Country Club, Davidson's community service is extensive. He has served numerous organizations as either president, chairman or as a member of the board of directors. These organizations include: Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge; The Lethbridge Community Foundation; Lethbridge Society for Meals on Wheels; the United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta; the City of Lethbridge Economic Development Advisory Committee; the Small Business Development Centre Committee; Lethbridge & District Community Futures Board of Directors; the YWCA Advisory Board; the Kidney Foundation of Canada; the Lethbridge Regional Hospital Foundation; the Lethbridge Country Club; the YMCA of Lethbridge; and the Chinook Health Region.

Through it all, he has performed in a selfless and humble manner.

"I'm blown away by all of this. I can honestly say I've truly enjoyed the time I've spent in the various volunteer activities I've pursued," says Davidson. "I'm deeply honoured. I know the people who came before me and I could not be more honoured to have my name put forward with the previous year's recipients. I am greatly honoured and very humbled."

He follows in the footsteps of previous winners Val Matteotti (2006), Dr. Gerald Bowie (2007), Del Allen (2008) and Dr. Keith Robin (2009).

Chancellor Davidson named Citizen of the Year

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:12:55 +0000

It is his service beyond his professional capacity however that has earned him the city's recognition.

Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick says that Davidson's talent of bringing clarity to complicated discussions with divergent views is exceptional.

"He is always able to find that nut that you are looking for, that key element that brings it all together and it really is a unique talent he owns," says Weadick.

"He's one of those people that I can honestly say, when Richard comes to a meeting to speak, people stop and listen because he always has a well thought-out approach that people respect."

In 2000, Davidson was awarded the Law Society of Alberta Distinguished Service Award for Service to the Community.

Through it all, he has performed in a selfless and humble manner.

He follows in the footsteps of previous winners Val Matteotti (2006), Dr. Gerald Bowie (2007), Del Allen (2008) and Dr. Keith Robin (2009).

UNews - Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge

2012 Honorary Degree recipients

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Chancellor Davidson earns city honour

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Chancellor Davidson named Citizen of the Year

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