Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell BSc’93 MSc’96 is an internationally recognized scientist whose research focuses on the biology of acoustic communication in wild bats and mice — two large, fascinating, and biodiverse groups of mammals that communicate using ultrasound.
Her research has been funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the US National Science Foundation as well as other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry.
Her research has been funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the US National Science Foundation as well as other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry.
She has led two scientific societies including the North American Society for Bat
Research. As an educator and professor, Matina served as Head of the Biology Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was the first female Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta.
She is currently the Dean and Vice Provost of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at the University of Alberta. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Telus World of Science Edmonton, and is a Director on the Board of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute.
Presented by URAA (University of Regina Alumni Association)
Jada Yee BAdmin'15, MAdmin'20 is a leader, volunteer, and educator. Currently the Director of Business Development for FHQ Developments, he has spent more than 20 years in various leadership roles within the casino gaming industry, and teaches at the First Nations University of Canada's Indigenous Business and Public Administration program.
As a committed volunteer, Jada serves on numerous boards, including as Chair of the Regina Police Service Board of Police Commissioners; the Regina Food Bank; SaskPolytechnic: Program Advisory Council for the Business Certificate Program; City of Regina: Community Safety and Well Being;
Regina Crime Stoppers; Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association (RAPA); Canadian Red Cross, and as the Indigenous Representative for the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business Students' Association.
In October 2021, Jada was elected to the National Board of Canadian Association for Police Governance, where Jada represents Saskatchewan. Jada was awarded the Queen Elizabeth's II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his outstanding community service. He is a proud member of the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation, and is also of Chinese-Canadian heritage. Jada lives in Regina with his wife and four amazing children.
Presented by URAA (University of Regina Alumni Association)
Throughout her long and distinguished career, Verda Petry MEd'89 has served as an educator, volunteer, and community advocate. She has been an embodiment of her strongly held values through her active volunteerism, along with service on a variety of boards and committees.
Verda served as an educator for many years with Regina Public Schools and was recognized for her excellence in teaching with several awards including an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and a Master Teacher Award for outstanding service to mathematics education from the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers Society.
Verda served as an educator for many years with Regina Public Schools and was recognized for her excellence in teaching with several awards including an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and a Master Teacher Award for outstanding service to mathematics education from the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers Society.
Verda served as an educator for many years with Regina Public Schools and was recognized for her excellence in teaching with several awards including an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and a Master Teacher Award for outstanding service to mathematics education from the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers Society.
She served two terms as Chancellor of the University of Regina and is a member of Senate; she participated in several U of R committees including the Research Ethics Board and the Seniors University Group.
As a committed volunteer, Verda has dedicated time to many organizations including the Regina Public Schools Teacher Association, the Regina Public School Board, Sherwood Credit Union (now Conexus), the Health Council of Canada, the Eden Care Society, and the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism. Verda is also a recipient of the 125th Confederation of Canada Medal for volunteer service in the community.
Presented by URAA (University of Regina Alumni Association)
