Presented by: Michelle Spacil (HSCSA President)

The Health and Safety Conference Society of Alberta congratulates graduates on completing their studies in occupational health and safety and wishes you much success in your careers. We recognize the time and effort you have invested and thank you for choosing a career that helps to make workers, workplaces, and our communities safer places to be. In turn, we hope you will find your role as safety professionals both fulfilling and rewarding, and we look forward to engaging with you as part of Alberta’s safety community of practice.

Message from Award Recipient, Drew Hebblethwaite:

The decision to further my education during the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult one. I hadn’t been a student in over a decade, and I was nervous about my ability to meet the academic expectations of the program while working full time. I am grateful that the University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension, its staff, and my student peers supported and encouraged me to put that anxiety behind me. The available class formats, and the invaluable contributions made to my learning by their efforts and interactions helped me to exceed my own expectations and thrive.

I felt my passion for Occupational Health and Safety reignite while completing the OH&S Certificate program, and I was reminded how important it is to never stop learning. With the receipt of the 2022 Health and Safety Conference Society of Alberta Award, I intend to continue my studies, with an immense gratitude to them for their support of students like myself, and programs like the OH&S Certificate program at the University of Alberta. I am deeply grateful.

Presented by: ADOA (Alberta Development Officers Association)

Congratulations to Sandra for winning the ADOA Achievement Award for 2022.

Message from Award Recipient, Sandra Schrempp:

I want to thank the Alberta Development Officers Association for their recognition and chance to join their professional organization. Opportunities like this are important for recent graduates to network and grow within the industry. I look forward to being part of the ADOA!

Presented by: NACLAA Program Office, University of Alberta (on behalf of the Alberta Capital Finance Authority)

ACFA’s 50th Anniversary Scholarship and Chairman’s Scholarship recognize NACLAA Level I students who graduated from or have completed at least four courses in the program. Both scholarships are awarded to students based on superior academic achievement.

This year’s scholarship recipients, Shannon Bremner and Sasha Eccleston, show us how achieving academic excellence can go hand in hand with pursuing a career and engaging in professional development.

On behalf of the ACFA Corporation, we congratulate Shannon Bremner and Sasha Eccleston on their exceptional achievements.

Presented by: Rutendo Grace Dube, Chair – CIM | Chartered Managers Canada Northern Alberta & NWT Chapter

The CIM | Chartered Managers Canada Award is presented to the graduating student with the highest grade point average in the Faculty of Extension's Management Development Certificate Program. Congratulations to the 2022 recipient, Daniel Bielesch.

Presented by: Linda Davies, Executive Director, Society of Local Government Managers

The Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM) Achievement Award recognizes the graduate of the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (NACLAA), Level II Program, who has attained the highest grade point average.

Congratulations Molly Fyten, on your outstanding success!

Message from Award Recipient, Mara (Molly) Fyten:

Realizing the importance of education and continued professional development for my position in municipal government, I have pursued a lifelong journey of university studies. I have now been a student with the U of A, off campus, for over double the amount of time that I was ON-campus! After receiving several management and leadership certificates, I have recently completed the full NACLAA program (with distinction).

Thank you to SLGM for this award - Words cannot express the amount of commitment, endless hours, and effort it takes to succeed in this journey - so I truly commend my fellow graduates with their recent achievements! I have an utmost appreciation of the University and what it provides to its students and potential leaders in our future society. I am so very proud to be receiving this award, and I thank the University and its NACLAA Instructors for helping me get here. Thank you to my family for being my biggest fans, and to my employer for all of their provided PD over these past ten years.

To end with a bit of personal advice: whatever you do in life, give it your all. Show up, do your best, and most importantly, “…be the change you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi).

Presented by: IAPP Program Office, University of Alberta (on behalf of Calytera Systems)

The Calytera Systems IAPP Award is presented to Information Access and Protection of Privacy (IAPP) Certificate graduating students who have completed the five required courses in the program with superior academic achievement.

This year’s recipients of this award, Leah Hughey and Andrea Vail, could not have done better, as they achieved the highest possible grade point average of 4.00. On behalf of Calytera Systems, we congratulate this year’s winners on this extraordinary accomplishment.

Message from Award Recipient, Andrea Vail:

Thank you to Calytera Systems for this generous award. I have greatly enjoyed the IAPP Program which has proven beneficial in my role as Privacy Officer with the New Brunswick Department of Social Development. I would like to thank my Director, Leanne Murray, for the opportunity to participate in this program and for recognizing its value. A special thank you to my husband Gary and our daughters Emma and Elizabeth for their support while I completed this course work at home.

It is an honour to graduate from the IAPP program and receive this award. Congratulations to all 2022 IAPP graduates!

Presented by: Brad Apking, Plant Manager, Methanex Corporation Medicine Hat

Congratulations Lee VonGrad on receiving the Methanex Corporation Award in Occupational Health and Safety. We are pleased to recognize and celebrate your academic success and demonstrated community involvement with this award.

As a Responsible Care® company, Methanex is committed to the highest principles of health and safety. Our number one priority is making sure every team member goes home safe, every day. We believe all injuries are preventable and make a concerted effort to design and manage our health and safety programs with the goal of achieving a zero-injury workplace. Safety professionals like yourself are a key part of this commitment.

We commend you for your commitment to occupational health and safety. Methanex wishes you all the best in your studies and your future career.

Message from Award Recipient, Lee Ann Vongrad:

I am honored to have been selected as the 2022 recipient of the Methanex Award. The generous contribution has been a grateful assistance towards my OHS Diploma.

As I complete my educational training at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension, I am not only thankful for receiving this gift but for the recognition of my efforts in giving back to the community and for excelling in the program.

I am deeply appreciative of your support and generosity. Thank you.

Message from Award Recipient, Carey Gordon:

As a recipient of the Constance McFarland Memorial Art Award nominated by Izabella Orzelski, I am honoured and looking forward to continuing my learning in painting. I have taken several Art classes through the Faculty of Extension and this award has motivated me to continue. Classes taken thus far, especially Art History and Fundamentals in Painting has sparked a new desire to learn more about both topics. I would love to see the Art, sculpture and architecture of the Masters. I am excited to learn the techniques of the masters as well. Izabella’s skills, knowledge, encouragement and teaching has increased my confidence to continue painting, use quality material and try new techniques. I look forward to trying oil painting, mixed media and watercolour. Kimberly Johnson’s passion has inspired me to learn more Art history on my own.

Presented by: Thomas Barker, Professor, Faculty Advisor, OHS Program, Faculty of Extension

I would like to thank all of the authors who submitted essays in the Healthy Workplaces Wellness Award competition this year. These essays make clear statements about the importance of wellness in the workplace. They show the personal and professional involvement of these students.

My special congratulations goes out to the two Award winners. These essays showed exemplary research, workplace understanding, and clear writing skills.

I urge all students in the Occupational Health and Safety Program to read these essays. They show the kind of quality that this program is encouraging.

Message from Award Recipient, Mei Mei Chong:

I am thrilled to be the recipient of the 2022 OHS Healthy Workplaces Award in recognition of my writing contribution addressing burnout in the workplace. Thank you to the Faculty of Extensions for this award. I am exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to share my perspectives on psycho-social and mental-health concerns that affect so many on a daily basis. This award serves as great motivation towards my goal of impacting cultural change in the workplace and to create safe, informed, compassion-centered work environments that enhance wellbeing and prevent issues such as burnout.

Message from Award Recipient, Sean Russell:

Dear U of A, Faculty of Extension,
I am extremely honored and wish to express my gratitude in having been selected as a recipient of the 2022 Healthy Workplaces Award. Thank you for your generosity which will assist me in continuing my OH&S journey. I am deeply appreciative of your support.

Message from Award Recipient, Farhadicheshmehmorvari Aghigh:

Without this award, I was not sure if I would have pursued my Art interest. I now feel motivated and inspired to create and learn.