Protected: Message from Jeff Keshen, President, University of Regina

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9706 [post_author] => 20 [post_date] => 2025-11-25 14:49:33 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-11-25 20:49:33 [post_content] =>

The University of Regina has awarded the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield SOM, SVM, CD an Honorary Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD) during the Fall 2025 Convocation.  

The recognition carries deep personal meaning for Solomon Schofield, being the third member of her family to receive an honorary degree from the University of Regina. Her father, George Solomon, was awarded an honorary degree in 1980 and her sister, Adrian Burns was awarded an honorary degree in 2012. 

"Although I have been fortunate to receive many special awards and recognitions in my life, this is something extra special," she says. "Receiving an honorary degree from the University of Regina is both humbling and meaningful. Years ago, when my father received an honorary degree, I was unable to attend the ceremony. Now my fondest wish is that he is looking down at this recognition and is as proud of me as I was of him."  

Born and raised in Regina, Solomon Schofield began her post-secondary journey at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus before completing studies in fashion merchandising at the Rae-Vogue School in Chicago. Those early experiences set the stage for a career that crossed borders and bridged communities, from Saskatchewan to South America, and from business boardrooms to military bases.  

Her path was far from conventional. In the 1980s, she chaired the board of a 200,000-member crime-prevention organization, travelling throughout North and South America to establish Crime Watch groups.   

"Although I have been fortunate to receive many special awards and recognitions in my life, this is something extra special."

Fluent in both English and Spanish, she worked with the government of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and even hosted a crime prevention television talk show in Fort Lauderdale, where she was twice named Florida's Crime Prevention Woman of the Year.  

Back in Canada, she became president and CEO of the Western Group of Companies. Yet it was her commitment to public service that ultimately defined her legacy.  

In 2012, she was appointed Saskatchewan's 21st Lieutenant Governor. During her six-year term, she focused on Canada's military, creating the country's only military service appreciation pin and presenting more than 9,000 of them to members of the Armed Forces around the world. She now serves as Saskatchewan provincial chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council and Honorary Colonel of 15 Wing Moose Jaw and was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, the highest honour the military can bestow on a civilian.  

Her contributions extend far beyond the military. She has served on boards and organizations including SaskWater, SaskPower, Regina Airport Authority, St. John Ambulance, RCMP Heritage Centre, and Health Arts Society. Her accolades include the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal, and most recently, King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024.   

Solomon Schofield received an Honorary Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD) on November 13.  

"Vaughn has all of the qualities of an exceptional leader-she has a passion for giving back to her community and making the world around her a better place." said U of R President and Vice-Chancellor Jeff Keshen. "In recognition of Vaughn's lifelong advocacy for community involvement and civic leadership, the University is pleased to present her with this honorary degree." 

[post_title] => Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield SOM, SVM, CD, LLD [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => fall2025 [post_name] => university-of-regina-bestows-honorary-degree-upon-the-honourable-vaughn-solomon-schofield-som-svm-cd [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-27 15:58:14 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-27 21:58:14 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/?p=9706 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9734 [post_author] => 20 [post_date] => 2025-11-26 11:19:12 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-11-26 17:19:12 [post_content] =>

I hope you're all well! As we move quicky towards the holiday season and a new year in 2026, it's difficult to believe that 2025 is almost behind us. What a fabulous time to reflect on the many opportunities and accolades our beloved institution, the University of Regina, has afforded alumni this past year, as well as in the fifty years since the university was established.

I have had the great privilege of being affiliated with the U of R for nearly thirty years; as an undergrad, then completing a graduate degree and now having the great honour of representing University alumni.

It's a delight to be a member of the University of Regina Alumni Association (URAA), a magnificently talented group with a diverse skillset and wealth of knowledge in their respective realms. We are grateful to partner with the energetic and industrious Alumni and Community Engagement team, and others at the University, in offering endorsements, event and group sponsorships, professional development prospects, and resources for students and alumni worldwide.

With global alumni exceeding 92, 000, University of Regina graduates can be lauded for their first-class achievements in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and beyond. Students, alumni, faculty, employees and affiliates of the university are consistently praised for contributions in academics, research, sport, and their communities across the globe.

Although the U of R is well-known for this exhilarating progress over the past fifty years, it is so much more. It is a deep-seated connection to the identity of those who live, study, work and play here. It has earned a place in the heart and soul of all those it has touched, provided comfort and inclusion, collaboration and inspiration, grounding and wings.

As we hurtle towards 2026, I am ever keen on witnessing how the incredible institution, and all those under its' umbrella, forge a path in the next fifty years and beyond.

Respectfully,
Jennifer Murray, B.A. '03, B.Ed. '05, M.Admin. '22
President, University of Regina Alumni Association

 

[post_title] => Message from Jennifer Murray, BA’03, BEd’05, MAdmin’22, President, URAA [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => fall2025 [post_name] => message-from-jennifer-murray-president-uraa-copy [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-27 15:57:40 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-27 21:57:40 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/?p=9734 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )