The University of Winnipeg would like to congratulate the four members of its community – Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Retired Justice Richard Scott, Ms. Odette Heyn and Ms. Faye Thompson – who were among the 69 to be appointed to or promoted within the Order of Canada, as announced on December 30, 2015. Admission into Order of Canada is one of the highest honours a Canadian Citizen can receive.
“We congratulate these four honourees. The individual connections they have with UWinnipeg differ, but each of them exemplifies the qualities that make this learning community so special,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg. “They are passionate, they are leaders with influence, and they have made a major impact on their world.”
The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, P.C., C.C., O.M., who served as UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor from 2004 – 2014, was promoted within the Order of Canada to its highest grade, Companion of the Order of Canada, for “his principled contributions to international human rights and for his leadership in post-secondary education, particularly in support of Aboriginal students.”
The Honourable Richard Scott, O.C., O.M., an alumnus of The University of Winnipeg Collegiate, Class of 1955, was appointed to the level of Officer of the Order of Canada, for “his contributions to the administration of justice and for his service to the community.” Scott, who was appointed to the Court of Queen’s Bench in 1985, served as Chief Justice of Manitoba from 1990 until he retired in 2013.
Odette Heyn, C.M., and Faye Thompson, C.M., are founders and co-directors of The School of Contemporary Dancers, which partners with UWinnipeg’s Department of Theatre and Film to offer the Dance Program Stream of the Theatre and Film Major to students working toward a professional career in dance. They were appointed to the level of Member of the Order of Canada, for “their contributions to contemporary dance in Canada and to the development of the next generation of dancers.”
As described by the Governor General of Canada’s office, the Order of Canada “recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. Since its creation, more than 6 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.”
