Brianne Urzada BEd’12 (Dist.), BA’14 (Dist.)

Humanitarian and Community Service Award

Life threw Brianne Urzada a curveball when at 23 she was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s lym-phoma. While undergoing chemotherapy, the arts educator realized she could not control her cancer, but she could control how she recovered.

Over eight months and six rounds of chemo treatment, Brianne discovered a new community: other cancer survivors. She realized that she wanted to use her art to give back to her family, friends, other survivors, her doctor, and social work team for all the “amazing” care and support she received. Chan-neling her artistic talent, she teamed up with photographer Kiriako Latridis to launch the Five Stages Art Show, exploring the grief she experienced throughout her cancer journey. The incredibly successful show raised a total of $47,000 for cancer care through Hospitals of Regina Foundation and $16,000 for the Allan Blair Cancer Centre.

With the cancer in remission, Brianne launched Arthouse, a small business where she is able to work as a commissioned artist, as well as facilitate arts-based programs and free art classes for cancer patients and survivors.

“I see the same resilience in other survivors that I recognize in myself and a strong sense of community and understanding develop,” observes Brianne who, in May 2019, hosted a solo exhibition, Someone You Know, featuring painted portraits of 12 women from the Arthouse classes.

Growing up on a grain farm, Brianne learned the value of community and how a tightknit group of neighbours can foster a sense of communal compassion, generosity, and accountability. Earning her Arts Education and Arts degrees at the University of Regina provided Brianne with opportunities to grow as an individual, an artist, and as a part of a larger community.

Her time at the U of R provided Brianne with, “a place to explore, make mistakes, and be creative.” A proud U of R alumna, Brianne is honoured to have been nominated for this award and thankful to have her work recognized in this way. Brianne’s connection to the University will continue; she is planning to return to her alma mater to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree.

  Sponsored by The University of Regina, Faculty of Arts.

Art Wakabayashi LLB (Honorary)’19

Art Wakabayashi LLB(Honorary)’19 is no stranger to the Convocation stage. Afterall, from 2001 until 2007, he presided over it as Chancellor of the University of Regina, conferring an estimated 13,500 degrees, diplomas, and certificates on U of R graduates. At this year’s Fall Convocation, it was someone else’s turn to do the heavy lifting. Wakabayashi was awarded an honorary doctor of laws from President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons. We caught up with him just before one of his twice-weekly curling matches and asked him a few questions.

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Paul McLellan BAdmin’81, MBA’09

Paul McLellan not only graduated from the University of Regina, but also champions his alma mater every opportunity he gets. A self-described life-long learner—he received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the U of R in 1981, trained at SIAST (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic) to become a journey person electrician in 1982, and returned to U of R to receive his Executive MBA in 2009—and passionate ambassador for the University of Regina, Paul served on University’s Board of Governors from 2008-2015. He served as Chair from 2011 to 2013.

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WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3510 [post_author] => 7 [post_date] => 2019-12-05 10:28:15 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-12-05 16:28:15 [post_content] => [post_title] => Art Wakabayashi LLB (Honorary)'19 [post_excerpt] => Art Wakabayashi LLB(Honorary)’19 is no stranger to the Convocation stage. Afterall, from 2001 until 2007, he presided over it as Chancellor of the University of Regina, conferring an estimated 13,500 degrees, diplomas, and certificates on U of R graduates. At this year’s Fall Convocation, it was someone else’s turn to do the heavy lifting. Wakabayashi was awarded an honorary doctor of laws from President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons. We caught up with him just before one of his twice-weekly curling matches and asked him a few questions. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => art-wakabayashi-llb-honorary19 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-09-21 09:39:30 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-09-21 15:39:30 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/?p=3510 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3679 [post_author] => 7 [post_date] => 2019-12-05 14:58:02 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-12-05 20:58:02 [post_content] => Paul McLellan not only graduated from the University of Regina, but also champions his alma mater every opportunity he gets. A self-described life-long learner—he received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the U of R in 1981, trained at SIAST (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic) to become a journey person electrician in 1982, and returned to U of R to receive his Executive MBA in 2009—and passionate ambassador for the University of Regina, Paul served on University’s Board of Governors from 2008-2015. He served as Chair from 2011 to 2013. His tenure on the Board included the launch of the College Avenue Campus Renewal Project, saying that “much of what we learn is back on what has gone on before, so renewing the historic campus is the best of both worlds.” During his time on the Board, the University also experienced record-breaking undergraduate student enrolment and pursued the implementation of initiatives to increase opportunities for Indigenous students. As Chair, he led the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission through a period of renewal that significantly increased the number of Indigenous students in Trades. During Paul’s final year as Board Chair, the University began developing a new strategic plan that placed a priority on achieving higher levels of Indigenous student participation and building awareness of Indigenous culture across the University. “Titled peyak aski kikawinaw – in Cree, Together We Are Stronger- the plan demonstrates the importance of Indigenization and the University’s commitment to fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action.” Paul, CEO of Alliance Energy, one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies is a member of the Saskatchewan Construction Hall of Fame, now brings his vast experience and business acumen to his service on the University’s Past President’s Advisory Circle and as a member on the Paul J. Hill School of Business Leader’s Council, continuing to leave his mark on our campus. Paul shares a personal connection to Dr. Robert Ferguson, one half of the duo for whom this award is named: “I knew Bob 25 years ago, and really respected him, so that makes this very special. It’s also humbling to receive an award from a place that gave me so much.”    Sponsored by the University of Regina.   [post_title] => Paul McLellan BAdmin’81, MBA’09 [post_excerpt] => Paul McLellan not only graduated from the University of Regina, but also champions his alma mater every opportunity he gets. A self-described life-long learner—he received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the U of R in 1981, trained at SIAST (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic) to become a journey person electrician in 1982, and returned to U of R to receive his Executive MBA in 2009—and passionate ambassador for the University of Regina, Paul served on University’s Board of Governors from 2008-2015. He served as Chair from 2011 to 2013. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => paul-mclellan-badmin81-mba09 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-11-23 14:06:09 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-11-23 20:06:09 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/?p=3679 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )