Five UCalgary community members awarded country's highest civilian honour

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, announced 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including a number of people in the UCalgary community.  

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is one of this country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.

President emerita and alumna Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, BSc'84, MSc'87, PhD'91, is recognized with an Order of Canada appointment for her remarkable contributions to science, technology and academia in Canada, notably as an engineer and university administrator. 

Cannon served as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary from 2010 to 2018. During her tenure, she has advanced the institution’s bold and ambitious Eyes High strategic plan to become a global intellectual hub grounded in innovative teaching and learning.

Alumnus Eldon Godfrey, MA'75, is recognized with an Order of Canada appointment for his contributions to the sport of diving, as a judge, official and volunteer in Canada and abroad, and for his commitment to promoting Canadian sporting values on the international stage. Godfrey is a leader in aquatic sports and was instrumental in organizing the University of Calgary Diving Club in 1973.

Keith MacPhail is recognized with an Order of Canada appointment for his achievements as a business leader and for his philanthropic contributions to health, education and sport initiatives. In 2008, his gift to the University of Calgary’s Reach! campaign helped establish the Forzani and MacPhail Colon Cancer Screening Centre.

James O'Reilly received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary law in 2007 for his life’s work in the area of Aboriginal law, particularly with respect to Aboriginal and treaty rights, land claims and Aboriginal self determination. He has been named a companion in the Order of Canada for his contributions as a jurist, for his advancement and protection of Indigenous rights and self-governance, and for his profound effect on the practice of Aboriginal law in Canada.

Donald Schmitt is recognized with an Order of Canada appointment for his rehabilitation of iconic heritage buildings and for his sustainable architectural designs. Schmitt has also contributed support to the Canadian Architectural Archives within the university’s Libraries and Cultural Resources.

Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date. The complete list of Order of Canada recipients announced on June 27 can be found on the Governor General of Canada website.