Oct. 5, 2018
Order of the University of Calgary recipients announced for fall convocation
Shawna Cunningham will be recognized for her work on the university's Indigenous Strategy.
Riley Brandt, University of Calgary
Note: In an earlier edition of UToday, it was announced that internationally acclaimed artist Joe Fafard would receive an honorary doctorate at the fall 2018 convocation. Due to recent health concerns, he is unable to travel, and will not be able to attend the convocation ceremony and therefore will not be receiving the honorary doctorate at this time.
On behalf of Chancellor Deborah Yedlin and President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon, we are pleased to announce the Order of the University of Calgary inductees for the fall 2018 convocation ceremonies.
Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, 9:30 a.m.
Community leader and Calgary journalist Deborah Yedlin will be sworn in as the 14th chancellor of the University of Calgary during the morning convocation ceremony. Chancellor Yedlin will then deliver the convocation address.
There will be no honorary degree or Order of the University of Calgary recipients at the morning ceremony.
Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, 2 p.m.
Order of the University of Calgary conferred to Shawna Cunningham (Mai'stoo Pi'kssakii – Crow Spirit Woman)
Shawna Cunningham is Métis/Cree from southern Alberta. She currently serves as the director of ii' taa'poh'to'p, UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy, the co-chair of the Indigenous Strategy Working Group, and an advocate for Indigenous relations. Cunningham, along with Jackie Sieppert, co-chaired the Working Group for ii’ taa’ poh’ to’p. Together they worked tirelessly to connect with the university community and external community-based stakeholders to develop an authentic foundation for UCalgary’s path toward reconciliation.
Jackie Sieppert will also be recognized with for his work on the university's Indigenous strategy.
University of Calgary
Order of the University of Calgary conferred to Jackie D. Sieppert (Oot’soo Piik’sii – Shore Bird)
UCalgary alumnus Dr. Jackie Sieppert, PhD, has been a faculty member at the University of Calgary for more than 25 years. After excelling in roles as associate dean (academic), associate dean (research and partnerships), and director of e-learning, he became dean of the Faculty of Social Work in July 2010. Sieppert, along with Shawna Cunningham, co-chaired the working group for ii’ taa’ poh’to’p. Together they worked tirelessly to connect with the university campus and external community stakeholders to develop an authentic foundation for UCalgary’s path toward reconciliation.
The University of Calgary’s fall convocation ceremonies will take place on Friday, Nov. 16 in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium in the Kinesiology Complex. Both the morning and afternoon ceremonies are open to the public.
More information about these honourees and fall convocation ceremonies will be posted in the coming weeks.
Nominations for honorary degree and Order of the University of Calgary recipients are open year-round. Nomination forms and other important information is available on the Senate website.