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ɬíɬəl ʔa kʷs ƛ̓kʷəxnəq Skʷukʷəlstəŋəƛ̓ | SIÁMĆEȽ | 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards

The ɬíɬəl ʔa kʷs ƛ̓kʷəxnəq Skʷukʷəlstəŋəƛ̓ | SIÁMĆEȽ | Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of University of Victoria graduates in 1 of 3 categories:

Celebrate with us

Recipients of the ɬíɬəl ʔa kʷs ƛ̓kʷəxnəq Skʷukʷəlstəŋəƛ̓ | SIÁMĆEȽ | 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards will be recognized at a celebration event on Thursday, March 26 at the Victoria Conference Centre. Full details and registration.

Presidents' Alumni Awards

Presented by UVic's President and the President of the UVic Alumni Association (UVAA), this award recognizes the outstanding lifetime accomplishments of alumni who have either:

  • earned national or international regard
  • had a significant local impact as a result of their outstanding professional achievements
Richard Brown
A man in a plaid shirt sitting in an arm chair in front of a book shelf.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 1970
Bruce McKean
A man with white beard smiling and standing in front of vine covered brick wall
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1970
Justice Scott Morishita
A man smiling and wearing thick rimmed glasses and a jacket and tie.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Laws, 2005
Luc Simard
A man in a jacket and dress shirt standing in front of a metal sphere.
  • UVic degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Physics, 1996

Emerging Alumni Awards

These awards recognize the outstanding professional achievements and/or contributions of recent alumni (graduated within the last 10 years) to the community.

Kyle Empringham
A man with facial hair standing in an outdoor corridor of a building's atrium.
  • UVic degree: Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Innovation, 2024
Patrick Makokoro
A man with glasses smiling and wearing a blazer with a pocket square.
  • UVic degrees: Graduate Diploma in International Child and Youth Care Development, 2016, and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies, Curriculum and Instruction, 2021
Harsh Rathod
A man with glasses standing in front of a bridge.
  • UVic degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, 2020
Karolina Valente
A woman with long hair and glasses standing outside with her arms crossed.
  • UVic degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2020

Indigenous Community Alumni Awards

These awards recognize the contributions of alumni to Indigenous communities, which have improved outcomes for Indigenous people and contributed to Truth and Reconciliation.

Patricia Barkaskas
A woman with long hair and beaded earrings standing in front of a pale brick wall.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in History and Women's Studies, 2005
Yataltenat, Kelley McReynolds
A woman wearing a woven Indigenous hat, dangling earrings and shawl.
  • UVic degree: Master of Social Work Indigenous Specialization, 2022
Sqwulutsultun, William Yoachim
A man with short hair and thick rimmed glasses standing in front of a wooden backdrop.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Social Work, 2006

Nominate a UVic alum

Learn more about how to nominate an alum.

Past DAA recipients

UVic has been celebrating distinguished alumni for over 10 years.

Meet our past award recipients.