Awards and recognition

AU alumni are realizing their highest contributions in industries and communities near and far. Check out the latest accomplishments and accolades of an alumni family like no other!

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2025 Alumni Awards nominations are now open!

Nominations are open for Athabasca University’s 2025 Alumni Awards! Help celebrate an alumni community like no other and nominate someone today.

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Doctoral student’s research focuses on improving mental health at work

Mental health advocate David Newman, 2024 Future Alumni Award winner, is fighting for change in the accounting profession.

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Rising to the challenge, AU’s Rising Star aims for big impact

AU grad Aleksandar Golijanin’s experiences as an immigrant propels the Rising Star Alumni Award winner to greater heights.

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Volunteerism with roots in Nigeria, impact in Alberta

Athabasca University online MBA grad and prolific volunteer Lilian Amaka Okocha is dedicated to improving her life so she can help others.

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Announcing Athabasca University's 2023 Alumni Award winners

Athabasca University alumni are transforming lives and transforming communities all around the world. We think that's worth celebrating!

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AU Rising Star’s research focuses on improving human health

Dr. Michael Country's research focuses on questions with major implications for human health and longevity.

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Future Alumni award winner working to end weight stigma

Karli Jahn’s weight stigma research helps to shed light on society’s biases against larger bodies, drawing from her own experience.

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Distinguished grad honoured for lifetime of giving

Athabasca University distinguished alum and philanthropist Esmail Bharwani honoured with AFP's Lifetime Achievement Award.

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AU’s Rising Star aims to digitally transform the construction industry

It wasn’t long ago that construction projects were still managed with pen and paper. Learn why AU alum Tannis Liviniuk wants to change that.

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Future Alumni Award winner plans to transform health-care system

Julia Cornester wants to help more patients than a nurse can help in a conventional role, so she got to work on a Master of Nursing degree.

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AU recognizes 3 outstanding alumni

Athabasca University (AU) is proud to recognize three outstanding AU ambassadors with the 2021 Alumni Awards.

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Distinguished Alumni Award winner paves the way for STEM women

Athabasca University (AU) 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Stefanie Ruel, shares her story and discusses being a woman in STEM.

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Volunteer Service Award winner inspired to help

Athabasca University (AU) 2020 Volunteer Service Award winner, Deanna Sykes shares her story and what inspired her to voluneer.

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Future is bright for Rising Star award winner

Athabasca University (AU) 2020 Rising Star Alumni Award winner, Lianne McLean, shares her journey in the nursing profession.

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AU awards honorary doctorate to nursing pioneer

Dr. Kathryn J. Hannah will be granted with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Athabasca University at the Oct. 2, 2020 virtual convocation

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Oldest grad inducted into the Order of Athabasca University

Louise Daley continuted her studies until she was 96 years old and is being inducted into the Order of Athabasca University.

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Long-time volunteer recognized with Order of Athabasca University

Douglas Schindel has been a lifelong volunteer and contributing board member invovled in the current trajectory of Athabasca Unversity.

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AU’s 2019 Distinguished Alumnus embodies lifelong learning

Volunteerism, self-sacrifice, and lifelong learning have been central to Esmail Bharwani’s life since he was a young man in Tanzania, where he struggled to get access to education.

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Future Alumni already working to transform lives, transform communities

Barb Tiedemann, Athabasca University's 2019 Future Alumni Award winner, is already working to transform lives and transform communities.

Awards and recognition

AU Accolades! Celebrating awards and achievements of a community like no other

Love of learning keeps four-time grad studying into retirement

2025 Alumni Awards nominations are now open!

AU Accolades! Celebrating awards and achievements of our community

Meet Athabasca University’s 2024 Alumni Award winners

Doctoral student’s research focuses on improving mental health at work

Distance education opens doors for mental health advocate

Rising to the challenge, AU’s Rising Star aims for big impact

Volunteerism with roots in Nigeria, impact in Alberta

AU Rising Star sets sights on not-for-profit leadership

Announcing Athabasca University's 2023 Alumni Award winners

Alumni award winner distinguishes herself working with immigrants, championing media literacy

AU Rising Star’s research focuses on improving human health

Volunteer Service Award winner makes huge impact on Caribbean Canadian community

Future Alumni award winner working to end weight stigma

Beloved AU alum honoured posthumously with inaugural Lifelong Learner Award

Distinguished grad honoured for lifetime of giving

Celebrating the 2022 AU Alumni Award winners

AU’s Rising Star aims to digitally transform the construction industry

Future Alumni Award winner plans to transform health-care system

Volunteer service a personal passion for Marilyn Kingdon

AU’s Distinguished Alum makes her mark on Canada’s military infrastructure

AU alum distinguished in service to the Inuit community

AU recognizes 3 outstanding alumni

Distinguished Alumni Award winner paves the way for STEM women

Volunteer Service Award winner inspired to help

Future is bright for Rising Star award winner

Education empowers Future Alumni Award winner

AU awards honorary doctorate to nursing pioneer

Oldest grad inducted into the Order of Athabasca University

Long-time volunteer recognized with Order of Athabasca University

AU’s 2019 Distinguished Alumnus embodies lifelong learning

Future Alumni already working to transform lives, transform communities

Volunteer Service Award winner gives back at home and abroad

A celebration like no other: Highlights from Convocation 2025