Previous Winners
The Alumni Awards celebrate the achievements, dedication, and contributions of our remarkable alumni and University champions.
Individuals are recognized in one of five award categories:
Dr. James Jamieson Influential Alumni Award
Presented to a graduate whose dedication and leadership has influenced significant change and prosperity within their community. The recipient may be an alumnus of one of the following institutions: North Bay Normal School, Teacher’s College, Nipissing University College or Nipissing University.
The award is named after Dr. James Jamieson, who was made an honorary member of the Nipissing University Alumni Association in the early 1980s. He was one of the founding members of the Alumni Association and served as its first President from 1973 - 1975. He served as a member of the Board of Governors from 1975 –1986. In 1981, he, along with Dr. George Zytaruk, was instrumental in the setting up of the Office of Alumni Affairs.
The award will be presented during a yearly event (the date will be determined each year).
Past Recipients of the Dr. James Jamieson Influential Alumni Award:
- 2023
Dr. Jonathan Pitt - 2022
Gemma Victor - 2021
Emily Gillespie - 2020
Hariett Madigan - 2019
Julio Viskovich - 2018
Jennifer Conley - 2017
David K. Bell - 2016
Dr. Peter Bush - 2014
Erin Dokis - 2012
Marianne Berube - 2011*
Alexandra Archibald, Tina Benevides, Kim Boechler, Gerry Brennan, Jennifer Burgoyne, Naomi Cheechoo, Cameron Culbert, Anthony D'Agostino, Marianne den Haan, Ian Desjardins, Anna Fitzsimmons, Barbara Groves, Alison Herst, Yves Kalala, Matthew McKean, Paula Murphy, Michelann Parr, Julie Pennell, Andrew Perrin, Trina Prince, Doug Rogers, Kevin Salzman, Virginia Schonhoffer, Andrzej Schreyer, Fred Watkin, Ann Marie Welsh, Alan Williams, Rosie Zinn, & JoAnn Zytaruk
*The Dr. James Jamieson Influential Alumni Award was introduced in 2011 and was presented to a multitude of exceptional alumni.
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Presented to an alumnus/ae whose achievement and excellence in their endeavours have distinguished themselves as a valued leader. The recipient will have demonstrated positive influence through their professional pursuits. As a result of their actions, the alumnus will have made a strong contribution to the prestige and reputation of Nipissing University. The recipient may be an alumnus of one of the following institutions: North Bay Normal School, Teacher’s College, Nipissing University College or Nipissing University.
*Please note that this award was previously known as the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Past Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award:
- 2023
Maggie Horsfield - 2022
Stacie Fiddler - 2021
Dillon Richardson - 2020
Dr. Thomsen D'Hont - 2019
Alicia Gal - 2017
Aengus Finnan - 2015
Sylvie Vannier - 2013
Kristopher Stevens and Rob Graham - 2012
Paul Heinrich and Dr. Glynn Sharpe - 2011
Ted Weltz - 2010
Kimberly Burley and Judy Derick - 2007
Philomena Bonis - 2006
Jamie Lim - 2004
Dr. Jeff Kleim - 2003
Dr. Cecile Somme - 2002
Dr. Laverne Smith and Dr. John R. McCarthy - 2000
Professor Jack Jones - 1999
Dr. Elizabeth Thorn
Rising Star Alumni Award
Presented to a recent graduate of Nipissing University who has demonstrated significant achievements on a professional, community and/or volunteer basis or has displayed promise of significant future accomplishments. Restricted to alumni up to and including their fifth year of graduation.
*Please note that the Rising Star Alumni Award was previously known as the Alumni Achievement Award.
Past Recipients of the Rising Star and Alumni Achievement Award:
- 2023
Megan Odd - 2022
Avery Beall - 2021
Alexander Maycock - 2020
Cameron Ghent - 2019
Alysha Young - 2018
Annie Sumi - 2017
Timothy Brazeau - 2016
Robert Shaw - 2014
Matthew Adamson - 2013
Jaymie Lathem and Shannon Palmer - 2012
Leah Symington - 2011
Ashley Brown - 2010
Alex Kappos - 2009
Gordon Kerr - 2008
Ms. Kimberly Blacker - 2007
Mr. William Ferguson - 2006
Ms. Krista Lariviere - 2004
Mrs. Marilyn Orieux-Tignanelli - 2003
Mr. Theo Margaritis - 2002
Ms. Lotje Hives and Ms. Gay Smylie
Honorary Alumni Award
Presented to an individual who is not a graduate of the University, but whose actions and dedication have had a positive impact on the Nipissing University experience. This honour recognizes friends of Nipissing University for outstanding service, commitment and contribution, past or present, to the University.
Past recipients of the Honorary Alumni Award:
- 2023
Maurice Switzer - 2022
Toivo Koivukoski - 2021
Dr. Mike DeGagné - 2020
Dr. Denyse Lafrance Horning - 2019
Gordon H. Durnan - 2018
Dr. Matti Saari - 2017
Vicky Paine-Mantha - 2016
Edward Salai - 2013
Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams - 2012
Colleen Miller
Cheryl Kelley
Sandra Foster
Gerry Foster
Ted Thomson - 2006
Murray Green
Dr. Dave Marshall
Dr. George Zytaruk
Dr. Douglas Pollard
Dr. James Jamieson
Philanthropy Alumni Award
Awarded to an alumnus or champion of Nipissing University who is making significant contributions to improve their community through their generosity, dedication, commitment and service. The ideal candidate is passionate about an important social cause, freely gives their time, exemplifies great leadership qualities and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the social challenge related to his or her cause. This can include attempting to break down biases, change perceptions and alleviate issues impeding progress, working toward conquering a problem and/or responding to a need in a tangible way. An individual that graduated from one of the following institutions is considered an alumnus: North Bay Normal School, Teacher’s College, Nipissing University College or Nipissing University.
Past recipients of the Philanthropy Alumni Award:
- 2023
Paige Trudeau-Shemilt - 2022
Macrina Perron - 2021
Tammy Morison - 2020
Cindy Karugia