Order of Athabasca University

2013 Recipients

On Friday, June 7, 2013, Albert and Pirkko Karvonen will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of their contributions to environmental conservation and natural history education in Alberta and their support of Science Outreach - Athabasca. Their company, Karvonen Films Ltd., founded in 1976, specializes in natural history films and is one of Canada's premiere providers of wildlife images and sounds, providing footage to commercial, documentary, in-house, feature and corporate film markets in North America and abroad.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013, Brian Curial will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of his outstanding support of AU during his six-year term as a member of the Board of Governors (2006-12), during which time he chaired the Governance Committee and served as Board vice-chair (2010). He continues to contribute to AU through his work on the Law School Advisory Panel and through his advice on governance issues facing the post-secondary sector. A corporate commercial lawyer, Curial is a partner in the Edmonton office of Miller Thomson.

2012 Recipients

On Friday, June 8, 2012 the RAIC Centre for Architecture Development
Group will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in
recognition of the members’ efforts towards the development, advocacy
and promotion of the AU architecture program.

2011 Recipients

Ms. Lisa Priebe

On Friday, June 10, 2011, Ms. Lisa Priebe will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of her dedication to ensuring a high-quality student experience at Athabasca University. Ms. Priebe was first elected to the Athabasca University Students’ Union as a councillor in 2004 and was voted the organization’s president in February 2005. She served as the undergraduate student representative to the Athabasca University Governing Council from December 2004 to March 2008. While a student at AU, Ms. Priebe also founded the AU Science Students’ Society and served as its president and contributed to the AUSU mentor committee.

Dr. Tim Nerenz

On Saturday, June 11, 2011, Dr. Tim Nerenz will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of his efforts to broaden public awareness of Athabasca University and its mission. Dr. Nerenz earned an AU Master of Business Administration degree in 1999. From 1997 to 2003, he served as an member of the Centre for Innovative Management Advisory Board, a body established by Governing Council to oversee the activities of the MBA program. In 2004, he was appointed as the alumni representative to the Athabasca University Governing Council and served in that capacity until November 2010. Dr. Nerenz has been a tireless advocate for AU, always ready to represent the university at alumni and government events, and he has played a significant role in broadening public awareness of AU and its mission, particularly in the United States. As an American citizen, he personifies AU’s international outreach through distance education.

2010 Recipients

Dr. Dominique Abrioux

On Friday, June 11, 2010, Dr. Dominique Abrioux will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of his leadership and exemplary service to the university. Dr. Abrioux served Athabasca University from 1978 to 2005, occupying the Office of the President from February 1995 to May 2005. During his time as president, student enrolment tripled, the Centre for Research and the Centre for Innovative Management were established, several new programs including the Athabasca University MBA were opened and three Canada Research Chairs were awarded to the university. Dr. Abrioux also presided over the transition from mail to Internet course delivery models. His passion for academic excellence and his commitment to students contributed greatly to making Athabasca University what it is today.

Ms. Joy Romero

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, Ms. Joy Romero will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of her leadership, support and commitment during her time on Athabasca University Governing Council and in recognition of her work in cultivating the launch of the Learning Communities Project, a major research and development initiative, designed to enhance learning opportunities for adults in northern, rural, remote and Aboriginal communities in Alberta. During her term as chair of the AUGC, Athabasca University emerged as a leader in governance principles and practices and was nominated for a national governance award. In addition, Ms. Romero played an integral role in broadening public awareness of AU and its mission throughout Alberta and across Canada.

2009 Recipient

Mr. Bernard Wiese

On Thursday, June 11, 2009 Mr. Bernard Wiese will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of his significant contributions of two major collections to Athabasca University. Collections of this scope, size, quality and authenticity have added immeasurably to Canada’s creative treasure. The collections are available in Athabasca for the world to use.

 

2008 Recipients

Athabasca Advocacy Group

On Friday, June 13, 2008 Members of the Athabasca Advocacy Group will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca in recognition of their efforts on behalf of Athabasca University resulting in the mobilization of the entire Athabasca community in a concerted effort to obtain funding from the Provincial Government for our capital expansion.  The funding received shows a renewed commitment by the Provincial Government in our institution, as well as rural Alberta in general, and is largely due to the efforts of this group.

Mr. David J. Burnett

On Saturday, June 14, 2008 Mr. David J. Burnett will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University in recognition of his hard work, focus, and dedication to Athabasca University during his service as both a Member, and subsequently as Chair, of Athabasca University Governing Council.  Mr. Burnett was first appointed to Governing Council on November 1, 2000 as a Public Member, and was appointed as Chair on May 10, 2004.  Under his leadership; the University underwent a transition from unicameral to bicameral governance, developed and approved a new Strategic University Plan, and experienced unprecedented growth in student population.  The benefits of Mr. Burnett’s hard work and dedication to Athabasca University will be felt by our institution for many years to come.

Updated April 09, 2013