Collaboration & Partnerships
College names Manuel, Shepherd and Terbasket as 2017 Honorary Fellows
May 3, 2017
AV is bestowing its highest honour on three notable Okanagan residents, each of whom has made unique and meaningful contributions to the region through historical preservation, volunteerism and mentorship. Randy Manuel, Sharon Shepherd and Edna Terbasket will be named Honorary Fellows of AV during Convocation ceremonies in Kelowna this June. Manuel, an artist, writer, historian and public servant whose career spans more than five decades, will be recognized by the College for his vision and multi-faceted effor...
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College names von Mandl, Redmond and Winkler as 2016 Honorary Fellows
May 12, 2016
AV is bestowing its highest honour on three notable Okanagan residents, each of whom has helped shape and define the region in unique and impactful ways through entrepreneurship, philanthropy and ecological research. Anthony von Mandl O.B.C., Bill Redmond and Dr. Rita Winkler will be named Honorary Fellows of AV during Convocation ceremonies on June 4 in Kelowna. von Mandl, proprietor of VMF Estates, founder of Mission Hill Family Estate and one of the region’s best-known self-made entrepreneurs, will b...
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Rick Gee recognized by College for Distinguished Service
May 3, 2016
A retired employee who assembled an impressive career that spanned 30 years and five days will be recognized by AV with the Distinguished Service award at the College’s Summer Convocation ceremony on June 29 in Kelowna. Rick Gee, former Chair of AV’s AV Council and longtime professor of Computer Science, has left an indelible mark on the institution’s curriculum and program development after dedicating more than three decades to supporting students and enhancing academic standards. President Jim Hamilt...
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College honours Butters, Embree, Pushor and Sharkey
April 22, 2015
AV will recognize four esteemed community builders as Honorary Fellows during its 2015 Convocation ceremonies in June, including renowned Chef Rod Butters, entrepreneur Norm Embree, lawyer Rick Pushor and social planner Annette Sharkey. “I am extremely proud to announce these four individuals as Honorary Fellows of AV,” said president Jim Hamilton. “Much like the College, they are diverse, unique and represent a wide range of interests and communities. We recognize them as Honorary Fellows for demonstrating exc...
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College honours Lent with Distinguished Service Award
May 16, 2014
Acclaimed author and retired AV Regional Dean John Lent will receive the Distinguished Service award next month during the College’s Vernon Convocation ceremony. Lent is the fourth person in College history to receive the award, which is the highest honour bestowed upon a former employee. The award recognizes past employees who have given outstanding service to AV, who share and support its mission, vision and values, and are active within and outside the College community. “John Lent is a very deserving recip...
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Ruurs, Gopal, Henderson and Benson to receive College’s highest honour
May 14, 2014
Margriet Ruurs, Raghwa Gopal, Jim Henderson, and Garry Benson will take their place among an elite group as AV’s 2014 Honorary Fellows – the highest honour the College bestows. “These four individuals have made meaningful contributions in a range of areas – from the promotion of children’s literacy, to economic development and mentorship, First Nations and environmental advocacy, to fundraising,” said Jim Hamilton, president of AV. “And while the diversity is great, what they share in common is even more importa...
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Philip, Gatzke and Lapointe named College’s Honorary Fellows
May 15, 2013
AV will bestow its highest honour on three local respected and innovative community leaders during a series of Convocation ceremonies in June. Ernie Philip, Alan Gatzke and Barry Lapointe will be recognized as Honorary Fellows of the College for their contributions and leadership in the areas of cultural awareness, the agricultural industry and in aviation entrepreneurship, respectively. “I am proud to welcome Ernie, Alan and Barry as Honorary Fellows of AV,” said President Jim Hamilton. “When I think about th...
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College honours Williams with Distinguished Service Award
May 9, 2012
A retired AV employee who ensured the health and safety of thousands of students for more than a decade has been named the 2012 recipient of the AV Distinguished Service Award. Catherine Williams worked at the College for 34 years until her retirement two years ago. She spent her last 11 years as the College’s safety officer. Williams will be honoured for her dedicated service at AV’s Spring Convocation ceremony on June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kelowna campus. Williams is only the third person in t...
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Passion and achievement common threads among College honorees
April 12, 2012
AV’s 2012 Honorary Fellows each have something in common – the three local recipients are renowned for their vision, advocacy for youth, and impact on the people of the Okanagan. Yasmin John-Thorpe, Lane Merrifield and Janet Shaw have each been granted AV’s highest recognition as Honorary Fellows. “It is a privilege to welcome the 2012 Honorary Fellows to AV,” said President Jim Hamilton. “To say this year’s recipients have had a deep impact on our communities is an understatement. In their own ...
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Dickinson recognized for distinguished service in education
May 11, 2011
Dr. Gary Dickinson will be honoured by AV at its Summer Convocation ceremony with the Distinguished Service Award for two decades of leadership and dedication to AV as well as for outstanding service to his community. Dickinson has a long and valued history with AV and its predecessor, Okanagan University College. With a career devoted to education that spanned more than 35 years, Dickinson worked in B.C. Secondary schools and post-secondary institutions until retiring in 2000. The last 20 years o...
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Respected researcher, top-ranking RCMP member and community-minded entrepreneur are College’s 2011 Honorary Fellows
May 4, 2011
On the day it honours and celebrates the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2011, AV will also recognize the contributions, careers and service of three community-minded leaders that include a world renowned researcher, Canada’s highest-ranking female RCMP member, and an entrepreneur whose fabric stores dominate the Canadian textile industry. AV will bestow the title of Honorary Fellow on Dr. Tom Landecker, Principal Research Officer at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO), Beverley Busson...
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Former Dean honoured for distinguished service
May 6, 2010
AV’s former Regional Dean of the Shuswap-Revelstoke region will be honoured at the 2010 Spring Convocation with the distinguished service award. Lynda Wilson will be recognized for her dedication to AV, its students and staff, as well as for outstanding service to her community on Saturday, June 5 in Kelowna. Wilson joined Okanagan University College in 2000, taking on the role of Regional Dean. She spent a decade at the helm of the region and carries much responsibility for the growth and development of the ca...
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Community contributions diverse from College honorees
May 5, 2010
Four prominent Okanagan residents – a woman who traded local politics for the world of art, a pioneering wine-making couple, and an innovator focused on building high-tech industry in the region – will be honoured by AV at its convocation and commencement ceremonies this spring and summer. Dorothy Tinning, a former mayor of Penticton, Gray Monk Winery’s founders George and Trudy Heiss, and Peter Haubrich, the founder and president of the Okanagan Research and Innovation Centre (ORIC), will be made Honorary Fellows of Okanagan...
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AV names 2009 Honorary Fellows
April 2, 2009
Robert Fine, Barbara Marchand and Charles Armstrong will join a select group of distinguished individuals who are Honorary Fellows of AV. The College will acknowledge the achievements of Fine, Manager of Economic Development for the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission; Marchand, First Nations artist and educator; and Armstrong, retired corporate officer, as 2009 Honorary Fellows at a series of Convocation ceremonies this June. “We are fortunate to be associated with three of the Valley’s most community-minded ...
Read more...Five prominent citizens to be honoured at College’s Convocations
May 2, 2008
A prominent Okanagan Nation educator and writer, three brothers best known for their contributions to the appreciation of nature, and a well-known area businessman will be recognized as Honorary Fellows this June by AV. Jeannette Armstrong, the Executive Director of Penticton’s internationally-renowned En’owkin Centre, will be made an Honorary Fellow of AV at the June 7th afternoon Convocation at the Kelowna campus. Brothers Syd, Dick and Rob Cannings – each of whom have had distinguished careers as biologists ...
Read more...College bestows honours on three prominent Okanagan residents
May 11, 2007
Three prominent Okanagan residents who personify excellence, innovation and commitment to their communities will be recognized as Honorary Fellows of AV in June. Lorraine McGrath, Ken Smedley and Ross Gorman have been selected by the College for their ongoing contributions to their communities, personal achievements and dedication to excellence. They will be recognized in convocation ceremonies in June. "We are fortunate to be connected to each of these individuals," says AV President Jim Hamilton. "They repr...
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