Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield SOM, SVM, CD, LLD

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.” 

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For more than 50 years, the Pit has been a cherished gathering place for our campus community. Now, it returns brighter, more accessible, and more versatile than ever before.

Guided by consultations on design, accessibility, and student-focused spaces, the revitalization reflects the needs of today's campus community and enhances the student experience. With flexible seating, improved lighting, additional power outlets, and expanded event capacity, the reimagined Pit supports everything from quiet study sessions and small classes to performances and community gatherings.

The revitalization was made possible through the generosity of donors, alumni, retirees, faculty, and friends. Among its major supporters is alumnus Greg Bamford BAdmin'00, whose contribution honours the legacy of his father, Dave Bamford-the former U of R Director of Budgets and Resource Planning who helped shape many key projects across campus.

"I'm so excited to help ensure this communal space remains for future generations to enjoy-a space that will witness many unforgettable memories being made and woven into its walls," Bamford says.

Smiling individuals. Greg Bamford BAdmin'00 and family.

As part of the University's ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation, the revitalization also introduces a visible and lasting Indigenous presence through the artwork of Larissa Kitchemonia, an artist from The Key First Nation and a graduate of both the First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina.

"It's important that Indigenous students see themselves reflected in the spaces where they learn and gather. When Indigenous art and stories are visible on our campuses, it sends a clear message that Indigenous people are present," says Lori Campbell, Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Engagement.

In addition to Kitchemonia's artwork, artists Sean Whalley and Grace Boyd from the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance created Echoes Between Centre, a steel sculpture in celebration of the University's 50th anniversary.

Grace Boyd and Sean Whalley MFA'01 from the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance. Grace Boyd and Sean Whalley MFA'01 from the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance. Smiling individuals Cadmus Delorme BAdmin'13, MPA'16, University Chancellor; Larissa Kitchemonia BFA'19, artist; and Lori Campbell BA'95, BA'05, MAEd'16, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagement

"By investing thoughtfully in the spaces that bring us together, we enhance the student experience and create vibrant places for connection and learning," says Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor. "The revitalization of this iconic space shows both current and future students that the University of Regina is a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible place, ready to support them today and for generations to come."

With its revitalization complete, the AdHum Pit will continue to serve as a central hub for student life, learning, and community for decades to come.

25-058-036 web [post_title] => Back and better than ever [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => back-and-better-than-ever [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-28 09:45:00 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-28 15:45:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/?p=9686 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9731 [post_author] => 20 [post_date] => 2025-11-26 11:13:09 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-11-26 17:13:09 [post_content] =>

Welcome to the Fall/Winter 2025 edition of Degrees magazine.

In this issue of Degrees, you'll read about some of our amazing alumni - advocates for Indigenous health, esteemed authors, and award-winning scholars among them. As I often say, our alumni are our University's greatest ambassadors - and it's our privilege to share stories about their incredible accomplishments.

The University's fall semester drawing to a close - with classes winding up, exams just around the corner, and 2026 on the horizon. This point of the year always reminds me of that time in a student's life when they're making plans for the future, and as an institution, we're no different: having marked our 50th anniversary this past year, the University of Regina is now taking the opportunity to look ahead as we embark on a strategic planning process to guide us for the next ten years and beyond.

As we consider where we want to be a decade from now, we're crafting a vision of the University as an institution that will lead the way through research and innovation to address some of the greatest challenges we face, both regionally and globally. Our alumni family - now more than 95,000 strong and making a positive difference to their communities here and around the world - is a big part of that future.

It's my honour to serve as President at this very exciting time for the University and the communities we so proudly serve.

Please enjoy this issue - and I wish you all a very happy winter!

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Jeff Keshen
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