Holroyd receives Governor General’s medal

Holroyd receives Governor General’s medal

The Governor General of Canada has awarded Carin Holroyd, an associate professor in the Department of Political Studies, a Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for her charitable and community work related to the Vietnam Education Society.

Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services, to research and humanitarian efforts. Past recipients have tackled poverty in their community, improved education opportunities for children in Canada and abroad, or raised awareness of important causes and issues.

Holroyd has helped to raise over $700,000, build nine different educational facilities in rural Vietnam and provide funding for annual summer camps and school support for young girls at risk of human trafficking. The Government of Vietnam honoured her in 2015 for her dedication and commitment to raising funds and establishing schools, lunch programs and scholarships to help children in remote areas of the country.

After she and her husband, Ken Coates (also a U of S professor and the Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation) adopted a baby girl from Vietnam over ten years ago, Holroyd met with local officials in Vietnam to find out what she could do to help.

"I wanted to say thank you for my daughter and try to do something in some small way to make something better for people," she said in an interview with CBC Radio.

An official installation ceremony will be held later this year.

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