Algonquin College to Honour Accomplished Alumni at Fifth-Annual Alumni of Distinction Awards

Posted on Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

For Immediate Release

OTTAWA (July 28, 2021) – Algonquin College is pleased to announce the recipients of its fifth-annual Alumni of Distinction Awards, to be held virtually this year on September 30.

The event will officially celebrate 10 Algonquin College alumni for their outstanding professional and community contributions, plus an employer from our campus communities who has empowered our graduates to make a difference.

This year’s honourees have demonstrated remarkable dedication to the well-being of others. They include a best-selling author, prominent federal civil servant, distinguished First Nations poet, influential journalist, and constable with a decades-long history of volunteerism and leadership, as well as dedicated health professionals and one of this city’s tops chefs.

Examples of exceptional accomplishments include supporting people and businesses during the pandemic; safe-guarding mental health for individuals in crisis; promoting economic vibrancy among Canadian Arctic communities; protecting Indigenous heritage; piloting a healthcare program for under-served patients; and improving access to education for Black students.

This year’s Alumni Employer of the Year is an award-winning Canadian animation studio based in Ottawa, that has hired and mentored a significant number of our graduates and supported education at the College.

“Our 2021 Alumni of Distinction recipients are community leaders and builders who exemplify Algonquin College’s mission to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success,” said Mark Savenkoff, Algonquin College’s Vice President, Advancement.

The 2021 Algonquin College Alumni of Distinction are:

  • Apprenticeship Award: Adam Vettorel – Co-owner and Chef, North & Navy and Cantina Gia
  • Business Award: Michael Wood – CMO & Partner, Ottawa Special Events
  • Changing Lives Award: Tom Sidney – Councillor, Town of Renfrew; Clinical Manager, Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre
  • Community Services Award: Crystal Martin-Lapenskie – President and CEO, Okpik Consulting; President, National Inuit Youth Council
  • Creative Arts & Design Award: Joseph A. Dandurand – Poet; Director, Kwantlen Cultural Centre
  • Health Sciences Award: Kim Franchina – Registered Nurse at St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation; Professor, Algonquin College
  • Recent Graduate Award: Carl Clergé – Risk Analyst at Export Development Canada
  • Rena Bowen Volunteer of the Year Award: Jeffrey Lalonde – Constable, Cornwall Police Services
  • Technology Award: Marc Brouillard – Chief Technology Officer, Government of Canada; Acting Chief Information Officer, Government of Canada; Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
  • Employer of the Year: Mercury Filmworks
  • Alumna of the Year: Patricia Boal – Co-anchor, CTV Ottawa News

More information on the awards, recipients, and virtual celebration is available here.


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