Announcing the 2020 Alumni of Influence

An award-winning mystery author, a Silicon Valley tech leader and a celebrated interdisciplinary artist are among eight outstanding alumni who will be honoured by the College of Arts and Science in 2020.

On Nov. 26, the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan announced the recipients of the 2020 Alumni of Influence Awards, which will be presented at a ceremony at TCU Place in Saskatoon on March 27, 2020.

The Alumni of Influence Awards recognize and celebrate alumni of the College of Arts and Science whose remarkable achievements and contributions are having an impact on their fields, their community and the university. The awards are presented every two years.

New to the awards program this year is the Young Alumni of Influence Award, which is reserved for recipients who are 35 years of age or younger and who have graduated within the last 10 years. Writer and disability advocate Dr. Adam Pottle (PhD’16) is the inaugural recipient of the Young Alumni of Influence Award.

Tickets for the 2020 Alumni of Influence Awards Ceremony are now on sale at aoi2020.eventbrite.ca.

The eight new recipients of Alumni of Influence Awards are listed below. Biographies of each individual can be read on the College of Arts and Science alumni website.

Alumni of Influence Award

Anthony Bidulka(BA’83, BEd’91, BComm’91):Award-winning author of mystery, suspense and thriller novels

Dr. Signa Daum Shanks(BA’92): Lawyer, legal scholar and historian who works to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Tracey Jungwirth(BSc’92): Dedicated volunteer and driving force behind many activities of the Ore Gangue

Dr. Russell Muzzolini(BSc’88, MSc’92, PhD’97): Software development leader who has held senior roles at cutting-edge technology companies

Dr. Monique Simair (BSc’04, PhD’09): Industry leader in the environmental consulting sector

Dr. Ronald Steer(BA’63, PhD’68, DSc’95): Internationally renowned researcher of the interactions between light and matter

Adrian Stimson(MFA’06): Interdisciplinary artist, educator and curator who has had a significant impact on the visual arts

Young Alumni of Influence Award

Dr. Adam Pottle(PhD’16): Award-winning novelist, poet and playwright whose work explores Deafness and disability