Your 2010 Alumni Award Winners

By Karmen Dowling
Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award recognizes significant contributions by an outstanding individual in their field of endeavour, whether through professional achievement or community service. The recipients are aged 40 or under and set an inspirational example for future young alumni.

Lisa M. Given, BA’93, BEd’94, MLIS’96, PhD’01

Lisa Given says Western will always be a core part of her identity. After 12 years and four degrees from Western, the University of Alberta was so eager to have Lisa join their faculty, they hired her before she even defended her thesis. She then attained tenure in record time and achieved full professorship within nine years, while she was still under 40 years old.

“Western played a major role in my career development, serving as a cornerstone of my education and preparation for being a professor,” notes Lisa.

The Owen Sound native is currently a Professor at the School of Library and Information Studies and Adjunct Professor of Humanities Computing at the University of Alberta. A former Director of the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology, Lisa has received numerous research grants and awards and has published widely on topics related to individuals’ information behaviours and qualitative inquiry. She has served as an expert witness in several immigrant and refugee court hearings, on the credibility of internet resources. She also edited the 2-volume set, The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (2008).

Community Service Award

The Community Service Award pays tribute to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the community and through this generous gift of time and talent, have enriched the lives of others. Recipients have championed civic, charitable, philanthropic and social welfare causes.

Wayne Dunn, BA’80

Wayne Dunn has taken his life-changing experience at Western and used it to change lives in the London community.

“Western provided me with a solid foundation that I have used throughout my business career and life,” notes Wayne.

Wayne is the co-owner of County Heritage Forest Products Ltd., a company that manufactures and distributes wood doors and mouldings, as well as distributes closet shelving systems, hardwood flooring and door hardware. County Heritage has been in business since 1976 and employs approximately 65 people at its London location.

Volunteering in the community for more than 20 years, Wayne’s involvements are wide and varied. Presently he is a member of Senate at Western, Co-chair of the annual Business Cares Christmas Food Drive, board member of the London Hunt and Country Club, and committee member of St. Joseph’s Tribute dinner. Additionally, Wayne has been involved in several other charities involving children, the elderly, needy families and task forces over the years. He says one of his proudest accomplishments was as Co-chair of the Sunshine Golf Classic for 13 years that ended in 2005 with an endowment fund established of $1.4 million for terminally ill and physically disabled children.

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award recognizes superior achievement in a professional field. The recipient is a role model for newcomers and setsmstandards to which others can aspire.

Keith Barron, PhD’97

Keith Barron says Western opened up a world of possibilities for him.

“While at Western, I met so many graduate students and faculty with stories of work in odd corners of the world that I was anxious myself to take a break from my studies and go to Australia in 1988,” says Keith, who later came back to Western to finish his PhD. “Since then I have resided in more than a dozen countries and visited close to80.”

Working in minerals exploration for more than 25 years, Keith has consulted for numerous companies and investment houses, with an expertise in epithermal gold deposits. Keith has also co-founded two companies, Aurelian Resources Inc. and U3O8 Corp, both based in Toronto. He is currently working on a number of projects in Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Switzerland.

With his globetrotting work, Keith notes he tries to minimize his time in airports but finds it very difficult. However, when he can get some downtime, he confines himself to his chalet in the Swiss Alps; hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Keith says he is very proud and feels privileged to be in a position to give back to Western. He has pledged $1.2 million to the Faculty of Science to create the Robert W. Hodder Chair in Economic Geology and establish the Richard W. Hutchinson Visiting Industrial Professor in Economic Geology.

John B. Lee, BA’74, BEd’75, MA’85

John B. Lee says his time in London and at Western gave him his first taste of “city life” and expanded his horizons.

“I went out into the world with the lifeline of learning and experience garnered at Western,” John notes.

John was born and raised on a farm near the village of Highgate in southwestern Ontario. After completing his Bachelor of Education degree from Western, John taught high school English and Drama at Waterford District High School from 1975-89. He left teaching for a full-time career as an author and traveled the world reading his poetry and leading writing workshops, teaching university and serving as a writer-in-residence at libraries and schools throughout Canada.

He has more than 50 books published and is editor of seven anthologies including two best-selling works. His work has appeared internationally in more than 500 publications and has been translated into French, Spanish, Korean, Hungarian and Chinese. John is a recipient of more than 70 prestigious international awards for his writing and the only two-time recipient of the People’s Poetry Award.

Dr. Ivan Smith Award

The Dr. Ivan Smith Award is Alumni Western’s highest tribute. It is awarded annually to an outstanding individual in recognition of their sustained and significant contributions to the Alumni Association, The University of Western Ontario and society.

Kelly Meighen, BA’71

Kelly Meighen says she is sure she was the last student Western let in through the gates in 1968.

“I really struggled through high school and getting into Western was really big for me,” says Kelly, who attended affiliate, Huron University College. “I completed my degree in Psychology, and I learned who I was as an independent individual. But I still didn’t have a robust view of what I could accomplish – and here we are today– something right must of happened along the way.”

Kelly grew up in London, Ontario and after attaining her degree from Western, went on to work for the Ontario Government, General Foods Inc. where she ultimately worked as Director of University Recruitment, Beech, Shepell & Associates, and finally in 1994 she took on the role of President at the T.R. Meighen Family Foundation.

Since 1977, Kelly has been very involved in volunteering in her community. Today she lives in Toronto and is a member of Western’s Board of Governors, T.R. Meighen Family Foundation, Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Evergreen at the Brickworks, and Upper Canada College. Additionally, she is a past member of the board with Sancta Maria House, Mabin School, The Wellesley Hospital, Mount Allison University and Writer’s Development Trust of Canada.

Through her involvement with the Board of Governors, Kelly was involved in the deliberations for hiring Western’s new President, Amit Chakma.

“Being a part of the process to find Western’s new leader was such a privilege,” notes Kelly. “I feel I have had a hand in shaping the future of this university.”

Kelly says it is a luxury to be able to devote her time to volunteer commitments and organizations she is passionate about. Additionally, she says she is thrilled with what the T.R. Meighen Foundation has been able to accomplish in supporting organizations throughout Ontario (including Western), Quebec and in New Brunswick.

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2010 Women’s Athletic Alumnae Elfrida BerzinsAward Recipients

The Elfrida Berzins Award is presented to a woman who has participated in Western Athletics as an athlete, coach or administrator; made further contributions in athletics, academics or public service; contributed to the development of women in sports-related areas; and acted as a role model.

This award is named for Elfrida Berzins, coach and Director of Women’s Athletics from 1956 through 1970.