Award for Community Service
Presented jointly with the Michaëlle Jean Centre for Global and Community Engagement, the Alumni Association Award for Community Service recognizes alumni who have made outstanding volunteer contributions in their community. They have enriched the lives of others through their generous gifts of time and talent and through their involvement with civic, charitable and social causes.
2023: Myrtha Lapierre
As a pioneer, nurse and woman dedicated to supporting immigrants seeking to work in health care, Myrtha Lapierre (BScN'61, MEd'75) is an inspiration who has garnered a well-deserved reputation. For over 50 years, she has helped over a thousand Francophone immigrants succeed in the province’s educational and health care systems, thereby helping them to become compassionate, productive members of society. In 2018, in recognition of her volunteer work, she was awarded the province’s most prestigious honour: the Order of Ontario.
2022 - Eric Agyemang
Eric Agyemang (BCom ’15) has always put people at the forefront of his personal and professional efforts. His goal: to give both vulnerable groups and up and coming entrepreneurs the means to find their own way to economic and social success.
2021 - Amy Porteous
Amy Porteous (BCom ’03, MHA ’06) is an experienced hospital administrator who is dedicated to many causes benefitting the Ottawa community. The two-time graduate has overseen many complex projects to improve long-term care and provide seniors with affordable housing and a range of community programming.
2020 - Jo-Anne C. Poirier
Jo-Anne C. Poirier (BA ’78, Cert ’85) has demonstrated commitment to community in her role as chair or director for the boards of a number of organizations. Jo-Anne also mentors a roster of young people building careers in community service, a personal investment in the future strength of Ottawa.
2019 - Trèva Cousineau
Trèva Cousineau (BSc ’59) is a passionate advocate for French education and culture in Ontario. The former teacher and dietitian has devoted herself to advancing and protecting la francophonie, locally, province-wide, nationally and internationally for more than 50 years.
2018 - Sylvie Bigras
Sylvie Bigras (BPhysEd ’79; MPhysEd ’80) is a multilingual communications professional who has hosted many prestigious events and applied her skills to no fewer than 15 Olympic Games and international sporting events. Sylvie is also involved with the Gee-Gees volleyball program as a volunteer and donor.
2017 - Dr. Lisa Glithero
Dr. Lisa Glithero (PhD ’15) has built a career that focuses on education, youth, and the environment. A professor in the Faculty of Education, Lisa views herself as a bridge builder who can bring partners, sectors and voices together to create a healthier, sustainable society.
2016 - Dr. Horace Alexis (BA ’62, MD ’66)
Dr. Horace Alexis (BA ’62, MD ’66) practised family medicine for more than 40 years and has supported other Black students to do the same with the creation of the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund, which has been awarded to approximately 40 students.
2015 - Gaye Moffett
Gaye Moffett (BScN ’72, MEd ’91) is the nurse-entrepreneur behind the "caring empire" that includes GEM Health Care Services, GEM Software Scheduling Solutions, GEM Franchising Inc. and GEM Franchising (Canada) Limited. She has committed her life to doing what she loves most: taking care of people.
2014 - Dr. Noni MacDonald
Dr. Noni MacDonald (MSc ’71, MD ’75) is the first Canadian pediatrician to be certified in pediatric infectious diseases, the first woman to become dean of a Canadian faculty of medicine and an all-around pioneer in the Canadian medical field.
2013 - Renee Black (MA ’09)
Renee is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur with experience in the private sector and international policy issues. She worked for over eight years as a Business Analyst, focusing mainly on software development and database marketing. In 2007, she pursued a MA and subsequently worked on international peace and security issues, including with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, as a contractor with UN Women and with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders. Her experience with these organizations played a pivotal role in the inspiration for Peace Geeks.
2012 - Rajinder Narula (BSc ’80)
Raj Narula graduated from the University with a degree in mechanical engineering, then working in variety of positions with multi-national companies. He subsequently co-founded TaraSpan, which helps fledgling technology firms succeed in the global marketplace. He and his brother also founded the Ottawa-based Haveli restaurants, playing a key role in bringing Indian cuisine to the national capital, as well as leading the way in many local philanthropic causes.