Respected conservationist William Snow and visionary women's health advocate and AU alum Sharlene Rutherford will receive honorary degrees
Athabasca University (AU) will recognize the outstanding contributions of two notable community members with honorary doctorates at Convocation 2026, on June 11 and 12.
AU will grant an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to conservationist William (Bill) Snow and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree to women’s health advocate Sharlene Rutherford. The honorary degrees recognize exceptional public service and are among the highest honours that AU bestows. They recognize the recipients' commitments to the university’s pillars of access, opportunity, and community, and to their work making their highest contributions to a better and more equitable world.
“As we celebrate our graduates, we are honoured to recognize two incredible community-builders in Bill and Sharlene—their lives and contributions have made a lasting impact on, and changed lives, near and far,” said AU President Dr. Alex Clark.
Fostering collaboration to protect the land
William (Bill) Snow (Goodstoney First Nation/Yuma Quechan) has had a profound impact on conservation efforts across Alberta through his work as Acting Director of Consultation with Stoney Tribal Administration. He and his team foster collaboration among Indigenous nations, Elders, researchers, and scientists, working with government and industry to conduct assessments of resource projects within Stoney Nakoda Traditional Territory.
A graduate of the University of Lethbridge, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal. In 2023, he received the Fulbright Canada/Honouring Nations Cultural Revitalization award in recognition of his work on the Bison Cultural study, which incorporated Traditional Knowledge regarding the bison reintroduction to Banff National Park.
He has traveled across Canada, the U.S., and Austria giving presentations on the Bison Cultural study to researchers, students, conservationists, and government. In 2026, he returned as a Director at Large for Alberta with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and is also Chair of the Indigenous Relations Committee.
I feel 'Opinwaginach' or 'grateful' to my family, friends, and relatives for supporting my work for these many years.
William (Bill) Snow, Honorary Doctor of Science
Leadership and advocacy for women’s health
Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, is being recognized for her vision, advocacy, and philanthropic efforts to improve the health and lives of people across Alberta and Canada, and in particular, for women’s health outcomes and research.
A former broadcast journalist and editor, she left the private sector in 2005 to join the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, where she supported the Lois Hole Hospital for Women capital campaign. At the time, the $22-million campaign was the largest fundraising effort in the foundation’s history, and led to the creation of three research chairs in women’s health.
Rutherford competed her MBA at AU in 2019, and in 2020, was named President and CEO of the foundation. She also established the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, and co-founded the Women’s Health Collective Canada, which is the largest non-government funder of women’s health research in Canada, and is a leading advocate for a national women’s health framework. In 2022, Rutherford received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal.
To be announced as receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Athabasca University is a tremendous honour and I am so truly humbled. For the hundreds of graduands at AU, their convocation is the culmination of hard work, focus, sacrifice, late nights, and early mornings. I am exceedingly grateful to be invited to share in this important day with them and to celebrate their success.
Sharlene Rutherford, Honorary Doctor of Laws