Algonquin Celebrates its 2021 Alumni of Distinction Award Winners
Posted on Friday, October 1st, 2021
The wide array of successes and dedication to community of Algonquin College’s 2021 Alumni of Distinction Award winners were highlighted during a virtual ceremony to honour them on Thursday night (September 30).
The annual awards’ evening commenced with an address from Andre O’Bonsawin, Algonquin College’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, who congratulated the winners and acknowledged the significance of Thursday’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“Today we mark the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, and we strive to learn, reflect, commemorate and pay tribute to the victims of Canadian residential schools, including survivors and the families of those who we lost,” said O’Bonsawin, noting how the College takes pride in its “commitment to making Indigenous knowledge and Truth and Reconciliation an integral part of its culture every day.”
Emcee Sam Laprade welcomed honourees and guests, noting some of the Alumni of Distinction recipients attended a reception at the College’s Restaurant International last week, where they enjoyed a sumptuous meal prepared by students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism’s Culinary programs. Laprade also introduced Claude Brulé, Algonquin’s President and CEO, who addressed the award recipients.
“All of this year’s cohort of award recipients are shining examples of paying it forward, building communities, and demonstrating authentic and empathetic leadership. Equally important, they have contributed to our collective strength and resilience at a time when we needed it like never before,” said Brulé.
Chair of the Algonquin College Board of Governors, Jay McLaren, spoke to those gathered, saying “We are so proud to commemorate our Alumni of Distinction Award recipients. They are a group of people who exemplify what it means to transform hopes and dreams into life long success. They inspire us to be more, to learn more and to make a difference.”
Along with the award winners, the evening was a chance to celebrate all things Algonquin. This year’s award was conceptualized, designed and crafted in the Algonquin College MakerSpace by the Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship team in partnership with Quest Awards. The ceremony also included a musical interlude from Liam Clarke, a 2021 graduate of the Music Industry Arts program.
There were numerous highlights during the acceptance speeches by award winners. The Alumni of Distinction Community Services award winner – Crystal Martin-Lapenskie – struck a poignant note discussing her Indigenous roots and her work to support her community and its youth.
“We are plagued with so many socio-economic, socio-cultural challenges. Many Indigenous people have been and continue to be questioned… aspirations belittled, and failures noticed far more often than successes,” she said.
“When I graduated from Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, I aspired to work towards reconciliation in our communities. Never did I imagine that what I do would be seen as something out of the ordinary. I can’t express enough my deepest appreciation for this award. However, this award isn’t for me. It’s for my People and all Indigenous children and youth.”
Alumna of the Year Award winner Patricia Boal, co-anchor of CTV News at Six, took a moment during her acceptance speech to recognize the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
“I so appreciate and I need to acknowledge on this day of Truth and Reconciliation the privilege and the fact that I had so many opportunities that a lot of people don’t, and I do appreciate that every single day,” said Boal, who also reminisced about her time at Algonquin and the support she received from her professors. She also thanked her family.
“My teenagers, Jessica and Jake, who are here at home with me who are smart and funny and capable and wonderful and who support me and are proud of me. Love them to bits… and my husband, who cooks and does everything else and knows what this business is like, and supports me every day, and what I do. I appreciate all of them.”
Alumni of Distinction Business Award Winner, Michael Wood, gave an emotional acceptance speech, thanking his dad for inspiration when helping link business owners to decision-makers in Zoom meetings during the pandemic. “I want to say this means so much to me, knowing that I was able to give a voice to so many business owners during a global pandemic. First and foremost, I have to thank my father for support, for his guidance in helping me set up these meetings. I know he’s tuned in tonight and without his love and support it would not have been possible,” said Wood.
The evening concluded with Algonquin’s Vice President Advancement, Mark Savenkoff, congratulating the award recipients on behalf of the College and its Alumni and Friends Network. He also thanked the College team who had worked to make the evening a great success.
Here are the 2021 Algonquin College Alumni of Distinction Award Winners:
The Alumni of Distinction Apprenticeship Award – Adam Vettorel
Adam is one of Ottawa’s most admired restaurateurs as co-owner and chef at North & Navy and Cantina Gia. He enrolled in the College’s “Cook Apprentice” program and gained his accreditation as a Red Seal Chef. He credits one chef-instructor in particular with fostering his passion for cooking. You can find Adam’s full bio here
Alumni of Distinction Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award – Carl Clergé
Carl received the first, and newly renamed, Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award in honour of Brian Fraser, a 2016 graduate from the Broadcasting – Radio program.
During the summer of 2020’s Black Lives Matter movement protesting racial injustice and police brutality against Black people, Carl, at the time a risk analyst at Export Development Canada, wanted to help. Carl decided to reach out to his alma mater and donate funds to a bursary for Black students. By August of 2020, the Empowering Black Students Bursary was launched. You can find Carl’s full bio here.
Alumni of Distinction Creative Arts and Design Award – Joseph Dandurand
An accomplished poet, playwright, researcher and archaeologist, Joseph has written 12 books of poetry and stage plays. His work has been shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Prize and has also been a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize. Before his successful writing career, he aspired to become an actor and attended Algonquin College in the General Arts and Science (Theatre/Performing Arts) program. You can find Joseph’s full bio here.
Alumni of Distinction for Business Award – Michael Wood
Michael’s professional experiences started in the music industry as a touring musician. Retiring from playing professionally in 2007, he moved on to operate a music management and marketing company, co-founded an A-I communication company, wrote a best-selling music business book and co-founded Ottawa Special Events. Michael also teaches at the College and has launched numerous community-support initiatives. You can find Michael’s full bio here.
Alumni of Distinction Changing Lives Award – Tom Sidney
Tom is a Clinical Manager for the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre, Councillor for the Town of Renfrew and a former Senior Manager for the National office of Operation Go Home (now Operation Come Home). Tom has made notable inroads as a councillor, politician, motivational speaker and volunteer. You can find Tom’s full bio here.
Distinction Award for Health Sciences – Kim Franchina
It was a family medical crisis that gave Kim a sense of what was really important in life and helped her find her true calling to help others, embarking on a completely new career path as a nurse. She has since served on the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology, Champlain Chapter Executive, helping to organize a conference that focused on Indigenous issues, an experience that changed her life forever. You can find Kim’s full bio here.
Alumni of Distinction Award for Technology – Marc Brouillard
Marc has always been enthralled with technology and he knew at an early age that it would be at the heart of his future endeavors. Marc is currently bringing his passion for computing to his work with the Government of Canada, where he is the Chief Technology Officer under the Treasury Board. You can find Marc’s full bio here.
The Alumni of Distinction Rena Bowen Volunteer of the Year Award – Jeffrey Lalonde
Volunteering has always been a family affair with Jeffrey. The long-time Constable with the Cornwall Police Service organized a youth soccer fundraiser for four years. The event matched youth teams against the local police and raised over $40,000. You can find Jeffrey’s full bio here.
The Alumni of Distinction Award for Community Services – Crystal Martin-Lapenskie
Crystal has always been devoted to her community, however it was the promise of improving life for her community that compelled her into Algonquin College’s social worker program. Today, she is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Okpik (Oh-pick) Consulting, which works to help Inuit people get jobs, access training and develop entrepreneurial skills. You can find Crystal’s full bio here.
Alumni of Distinction Award Employer of the Year – Mercury Filmworks
Mercury Filmworks was founded in Vancouver in 1997 by Clint Eland. The studio has animated award-winning premium features and TV shows for organizations including Disney, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Universal, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. Mercury has a long history of hiring and mentoring Algonquin College students. You can find Mercury’s full bio here.
Alumna of the Year Award – Patricia Boal
Patricia is the co-anchor of CTV News at Six. Some of the major events that Patricia has covered over her career include the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, in London in 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Patricia believes that attending Algonquin College was exactly the right step she needed to take for a successful career. You can find Patricia’s full bio here.
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