Selkirk College announces recipients of Board awards

The Selkirk College Board of Governors is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the annual Board awards.

An Honorary Diploma in Peace Studies was awarded to Muriel Walton. The Distinguished Educator Award was presented to David Williams; and the first ever Distinguished Alumnus Award went to Ron Anderson. Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to the college and to society over the years.

The Honorary Diploma in Peace Studies recipient, Muriel Walton, has a long and deep history of involvement with the Mir Centre for Peace. This involvement ranges from visionary, to worker, donor, teacher and also student. As a charter member and first chair of the Mir Centre Community Advisory Committee, and as a significant donor and tireless worker, Muriel is recognized as a force behind what is now a cornerstone of Selkirk College and the community—the Mir Centre for Peace.

Dr. David Williams was presented with the Distinguished Educator Award in recognition of his attributes as an educator, an administrator, an innovator and a visionary. From 1966, as an instructor and coordinator of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program, to the Aviation program during its formative years, and finally as a member of the Business Administration Department, David dedicated his life’s work and energy to Selkirk College and to the learners who passed through Selkirk’s doors.

Ron Anderson had the honour of receiving Selkirk College’s first Distinguished Alumnus Award. Ron is a native of Nelson and a graduate of LV Rogers High School and the Business Administration program at Selkirk College. He earned a degree in Administrative Services through the BC Open University, and while working with PricewaterhouseCoopers at the coast, received his CA designation in 1998.

In 1999, Ron returned to his Kootenay roots and joined an accounting firm in Castlegar. Within a year, he became a partner in what is now Yule Anderson Chartered Accountants.

Ron’s contributions to Selkirk College have been exemplary. He served for six years on the college’s Board of Governors where he was Board Chair for a period of four years. Within this period, he also served on the previous Selkirk College Foundation Board for two years as the Board representative. Following his Board tenure, he was awarded the Board of Governors’ highest honour by being named an Honorary Life Board Member.

The Distinguished Educator Award (provided to retired Selkirk faculty) and Honorary Diplomas are granted by the Board to recognize persons who have distinguished themselves by their significant contributions to the college and/or by professional accomplishments in their fields, and whose excellence reflects positively upon the college.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes previous students of Selkirk College who have had outstanding achievements in their fields of endeavour, and whose achievements reflect well on Selkirk College’s mission, vision and values.

Selkirk College would like to extend thanks and warm “Congratulations!” to this year’s recipients.

First published on May 05, 2010