This week, at Thursday night's Alumni Dinner, the university is celebrating five outstanding alumni with its for 2016.
The awards, presented by the , honour alumni for their impressive achievements and the many and diverse ways they contribute to the university and to society. The awards include four categories: for lifetime achievement, volunteerism to AV俱乐部, volunteerism to the community and for early career accomplishment.
Here's a look at each of this year's recipients.
Lifetime Achievement Award:听Dr. John Akabutu (MD'67)
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes alumni for exceptional accomplishments in career and community service.
(Laughing Dog Photography)
You might think Dr. John Akabutu would be relaxing and enjoying his well-earned retirement. After all, he was at the forefront of pediatric cancer and hematology treatments in Alberta for more than 30 years, and helped save hundreds of lives.
But the 2016 AV俱乐部 Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is continuing to make a difference, inspired in part by advances occurring in his profession.
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鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing new tools that will allow us to design therapies that are specific to each individual,鈥� says Dr. Akabutu. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a complete shift from how we鈥檝e traditionally practiced medicine, and it鈥檚 important to me to be involved in that because it鈥檚 going to affect people鈥檚 lives in a profound way.鈥�
If anyone has had a profound effect on people鈥檚 lives, it鈥檚 Dr. Akabutu. As the founder of the University of Alberta鈥檚 Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Division, he led an effort that increased survival rates from less than 10 per cent to 95 per cent among children with leukemia in Northern Alberta. He created a mouthwash to treat sores caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy that is now used for procedures such as liver and bone marrow transplants, and in emergency rooms across the province.听 And he introduced a revolutionary preventative homecare program for Northern Alberta that led to a reduction in emergency room visits for hemophiliacs and helped prevent crippling joint damage.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very bright and accomplished physician who I believe has made contributions that have changed the lives of many young people with serious medical conditions,鈥� says former classmate Dr. Eldon Smith. 鈥淗is career is an inspiration to many 鈥� his patients, his students and a much wider population, including me.鈥�
Dr. Akabutu will tell you that he didn鈥檛 set out to have an impact. 鈥淚 saw opportunities to help, to innovate and to gain more knowledge,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I acted on them. That鈥檚 just my nature.鈥�
In doing so, he found that his life had been changed as well, giving him an immense sense of self-fulfillment. 鈥淭he greatest joy of all is to see a child go from being deathly ill with leukemia to running around and doing all the things that a child should do. That transformation is a very moving experience, and it always reminded me to strive even harder when things were particularly difficult.鈥�
His determination to heal, and to innovate, led Dr. Akabutu to start the Alberta Cord Blood Bank, the first of its kind in Canada, in 1996. He continues to run it, energized by the opportunities that stem cells offer to enhance our health and quality of life through regenerative medicine.
鈥淲e have the power to use these cells to heal individuals in unprecedented ways. Not just repairing immune system damage, but generating organs, or possibly achieving longevity without chronic diseases. Imagine living to be 90 without any deterioration in your mental or physical abilities. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 working toward and I鈥檓 very grateful to be involved in this line of research.鈥�
Knowing that his fellow alumni have recognized his life鈥檚 work gives Dr. Akabutu further encouragement to explore this exciting realm of medicine. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really a tremendous honour. I don鈥檛 think there is any better recognition than that of your alma mater. That鈥檚 really the cr猫me de la cr猫me for me.鈥�
Having received the award, Dr. Akabutu hopes his achievements, and his life, might serve as an example to other immigrants and African Canadians like him that anything they dream is within reach.
鈥淭he face of Canada is changing, and I think we need more diversity in our role models to reflect that.听 It would be nice to think that someone like me could be an inspiration to kids, who might say, 鈥楬ey, look at him. He looks like me. This is what he鈥檚 done.鈥� And then they do something that encourages others in turn.鈥�
Ultimately, that鈥檚 what Dr. Akabutu鈥檚 work has been about: encouraging others. He gave his patients hope that they could live without illness, he motivated colleagues to be innovative in the delivery of medicine, and he inspired some of the children he treated to follow in his footsteps. Achievements like these made medicine more than a profession; it was, and remains, his life鈥檚 passion.
鈥淭his is a field that is constantly evolving and always exciting. You have the opportunity to learn something new every day, and to change lives. But you also have the opportunity to shape the direction of the profession. It鈥檚 been a rewarding personal experience for me.鈥�
A. Gordon Archibald Award: Kevin Bourgeois (MBA鈥�96)
The A. Gordon Archibald Award recognizes alumni for outstanding volunteer contributions to AV俱乐部.
(Nick Pearce photo)
When Kevin Bourgeois found out he鈥檇 been recognized with the 2016 AV俱乐部 Alumni Association A. Gordon Archibald Award, he felt overwhelmed.
鈥淚 was completely blown away,鈥� says Bourgeois, a horizontal jumps and combined events coach with the university鈥檚 Track and Field program.
鈥淧articularly when I discovered the past honourees were Order of Canada and honourary doctorate recipients. These are people who have made a profound impact on society, and it was incredible to think anyone would put me in the same category as them.鈥�
Bourgeois has made an impact in his own way on society, and on AV俱乐部, through involvement with the varsity Track and Field program. Over the past 12 years, he has committed thousands of volunteer hours to making the program one of the best in Canada, producing many provincial, regional and national champions.
鈥淗e has been responsible for recruiting top athletes on the team year after year,鈥� says Jessica Shannon, team captain, who credits Bourgeois for helping her become a nationally ranked Canadian Inter-University Sport (CIS) Athlete.
鈥淗e鈥檚 inspired athletes and helped develop them in their respective events, producing CIS athletes and national team members. He brings an enthusiasm and a passion to the sport that is unparalleled.鈥�
Former Dal varsity athlete Simon Watts agrees. 鈥淚 can recall him being an ever-present, enthusiastic guiding force,鈥� says Watts, who is now an assistant coach with the Track and Field program.
鈥淗e was always prepared to give advice, find solutions and keep things in perspective. It鈥檚 the passion, sacrifice and enthusiasm of people like Kevin that breed the future leaders within the community and sport.鈥�
For his part, Bourgeois says the opportunity to help AV俱乐部 athletes achieve their dreams, both on and off the field, is what keeps him coming back year after year.
鈥淭he students I coach are more than athletes. They鈥檙e incredibly bright and well-rounded young adults who have amazing futures ahead of them. They want to be good students, ambassadors of the university and role models, and I get to help them do that 鈥� to encourage them to make a difference.鈥�
In turn, working with students like Watts and Shannon has inspired Bourgeois to be a better coach and person. 听
鈥淭hey鈥檝e taught me a lot about patience that I鈥檝e been able to bring back into my work and family, so the relationship I have with them is really a two-way street.鈥�
More than an exceptionally dedicated coach, Bourgeois has also proven himself to be a top financial supporter of the Track and Field program. Through his ongoing contributions, he鈥檚 helped make the team more competitive, covering expenses such as travel and new equipment. 听
鈥淚 believe you have to give back, especially if you have the means to do it. That鈥檚 how you make change happen. I never wanted to make one contribution and be done. I wanted to build something sustainable so that it goes on beyond me.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I contribute regularly: because I want to encourage more people to make a gift to the program, and to athletics in general at AV俱乐部.鈥�
Bourgeois says it has been the support of his family 鈥� his wife, Maggie, and four children, Abby, Becca, Liam and Ben 鈥� that has made it possible for him to dedicate his time and energy to the Track and Field team over the past twelve years. It is his hope he can continue his involvement and contributions for years to come.听 听
鈥淚 want it to remain an awesome program with great coaches, one that is well funded and continues to attract well-rounded athletes who win national championships and make a difference in society.鈥�
He pauses a moment, and then laughs. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not too much to ask, is it?"
Christopher J. Coulter Award: Drs. Asile (BSc鈥�03, DDS鈥�08) and Asraa El-Darahali (DDS鈥�13)
The Christopher J. Coulter Award recognizes recent graduates for innovative accomplishments and notable contributions to society, the community or AV俱乐部.
(Nick Pearce photo)
When AV俱乐部 Dentistry alumni Asile and Asraa El-Darahali saw the news reports about the Syrian refugee crisis last year, it struck a chord with them, just as it did for many Canadians. But for these sisters, the reasons were dramatically different.
In 1992, Asile and Asraa 鈥� then just children 鈥� fled Kuwait with their family in the wake of the Gulf War. They never forgot how Canadians welcomed them to their new home, and looked for opportunities to spread that spirit of generosity to the world. Seeing the current crisis unfold, Asile and Asraa decided to provide volunteer dental services at a refugee camp in Jordan near the Syrian border.
鈥淲e wanted refuges to know that Canada had not forgotten about them, and that Canadians cared,鈥� says Asraa. 鈥淭he people we met were surprised we left our work and our families to come and help them. But the sacrifices they made to get there far outstripped ours. The resilience they had, that鈥檚 a lifelong lesson I will never forget.鈥�
Those who know Asile and Asraa 鈥� recipients of the 2015 AV俱乐部听 Alumni Association Christopher J. Coulter Award 鈥� could say the same of these young women. Not yet forty, their accomplishments, professional successes and community commitments could fill several lifetimes, and have impressed colleagues and former classmates alike.
鈥淎sraa has demonstrated her passion for helping others over the years, but 2015 was particularly profound,鈥� says Ahmad Hussein, who studied at the School of Dentistry with Asraa. 鈥淚n addition to rallying the dental community to provide support for Syrian refugees, she fed hundreds of families that were in need and kept homeless people warm during winter. Simply put, she sees problems, wants to fix them and draws large crowds to support her in those efforts.鈥�
Colette Vallee says the same of Asile. The former Faculty of Dentistry instructor says Asile quickly distinguished herself as someone with considerable energy and enthusiasm for overcoming obstacles both in her life and in the community.
鈥淪he鈥檚 been my colleague in the same Bedford dental practice for five years. She is an extremely hard working, diligent and caring clinician, and is passionate and dedicated to helping others, especially those less fortunate. I believe those qualities are not only worth celebrating, they鈥檙e ones we all could follow.鈥�
Through their generosity, Asile and Asraa have touched the lives of many, both throughout the greater Halifax Regional Municipality and overseas. Asile, for example, is a mentor at her family鈥檚 Mosque, provides volunteer dental services at the North End Community Health Centre, and has raised funds for everyone from Beacon House to Syrian refugees. In 2015, she and Asraa launched the Spirit of Ramadan, a food and funding drive benefitting several charities, and Coats for Humanity, an effort that saw 1,100 new and used coats donated to children and adults in the community.
鈥淥ur mom is our inspiration,鈥� explains Asile. 鈥淪he鈥檚 the one who always says we have a lot to be thankful for, so why not give back? And that鈥檚 why, ever since I was able to, I have volunteered in every way I could.鈥�
Asraa has found considerable motivation in the joy she experiences in mobilizing the community to make a difference.
鈥淚 think most people really want to give back, but they don鈥檛 always know how, or have a way to do that. So when you can give people a chance to get involved, you get to see true community spirit, and how much everyone really cares. That鈥檚 an amazing experience.鈥�
Asile and Asraa are delighted to be recognized by fellow AV俱乐部 alumni, but also hope that, in receiving the DAA award, they might serve as an inspiration to them to follow their dreams and help others in the community.
鈥淥ur philosophy has always been the more you give to others, and the more you can inspire them, the more you make someone happy,鈥� says Asile. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what makes us happy. You don鈥檛 have to change the world for everybody, but if you can change it for one person, that鈥檚 what matters.鈥�
Volunteerism Award: Glenn Dodge (BComm鈥�91, LLB鈥�94)
The Volunteerism Award recognizes alumni for outstanding volunteer contributions to the community.
(Steven Errico photo)
From Canada to Cameroon, Glenn Dodge has devoted himself to making a difference in the lives of others whenever and wherever he can.
鈥淲hen you give back, there鈥檚 a sense that you鈥檙e helping people in difficult situations feel like human beings again,鈥� says the 2016 AV俱乐部 Alumni Association Volunteerism Award honouree.
鈥淛ust showing you care does so much in terms of restoring a level of self-esteem in their lives. That鈥檚 the most rewarding aspect of volunteering for me.鈥�
As Dodge鈥檚 Class of 鈥�94 colleagues will tell you, giving back has been his passion since the days when he was organizing AV俱乐部 Law School toy drives for Bryony House. 鈥淰olunteering for Glenn was his work,鈥� says John Le Blanc, Scotiabank senior legal counsel. 鈥淭hose of us who knew him never made the distinction. He was always doing things for others.鈥�
But Dodge will tell you it was the example set by his classmates, and the AV俱乐部 Law School environment, that really inspired him to make the world a better place.
鈥淔or the first time in my life, I was surrounded by passionate, intelligent individuals very engaged in debating the issues of the day. It really opened my eyes to what was going on in the world. The work that classmates were doing through AV俱乐部 Legal Aid Service also got me thinking about what I could do to help others as well.鈥�
Dodge found the answer, in part, by travelling the world, which opened his eyes to challenges that people were facing in other countries. Realizing his legal and subsequent project management training could be of benefit in addressing these challenges, he left the corporate world in 2007 for full-time overseas volunteer assignments.
Over the next eight years, he worked mainly with the Voluntary Service Overseas organization and the outcomes are impressive. He helped develop an advocacy centre for children鈥檚 rights in Nigeria with the Fantsuam Foundation. In Bangladesh, he created a Monitoring and Evaluation system for Young Power in Social Action. He assisted with coordinating the development and relief response efforts for malnutrition and seasonal flooding in Laos with the United Nations. And Dodge served as project manager with the Muslim Students Association of Bamenda (MUSAB) for an initiative to eradicate the abuse of widows in northwest Cameroon.
These experiences proved as transformative for Dodge as they were for the people and organizations he served, in particular the Cameroon initiative.
鈥淭his was the first opportunity I had to work directly with beneficiaries,鈥� says Dodge. 鈥淔or generations, widows there have been shunned in their communities and subjected to the most horrible treatment you can imagine. To go out into the field, raise awareness about the impacts of this abuse and see how these efforts changed attitudes and improved prospects for these widows was particularly gratifying for me.鈥� 听
Since returning to Canada in 2015, Dodge has continued his career of advocacy and community involvement as BC Program Director for the Justice Education Society of BC, an organization dedicated to enhancing access to the province鈥檚 justice system.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the ideal position for me because it combines my backgrounds in law and community involvement,鈥� says Dodge.
鈥淲e work with youth, immigrants and Indigenous Peoples to make the legal system more approachable. I know from my experience that, for many, particularly immigrants, the justice system is something to be feared, and not trusted. Being able to make the experience less frightening or intimidating for someone, that鈥檚 what makes me happy.鈥�
It means so much to Dodge that his classmates and fellow alumni have honoured him with the Volunteerism Award, but he says his efforts pale in comparison to the individuals he鈥檚 worked with over the years.
鈥淭here are people with these organizations, both overseas and here, who have dedicated their lives to do what they鈥檙e doing. While it鈥檚 humbling to be recognized for what I鈥檝e done, they鈥檝e made far greater sacrifices than I ever have.鈥�
For Dodge, the award is a welcome opportunity to encourage others to follow his example and consider volunteering, here or internationally. That, he says, is what he would like his legacy to be.
鈥淭here is a world of wonders out there that you really have to experience first-hand in order to appreciate it, and volunteering is a great way to do that. Whether you make a big difference, or just change one life, what you give cannot begin to compare with the feeling of fulfillment you get from it.鈥�