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Leigh Joseph outdoors carrying a basket.

2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of University of Victoria graduates in 1 of 3 categories:

Presidents' Alumni Awards

Presented by UVic's President and the President of the UVic Alumni Association (UVAA) to distinguished alumni, 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 and/or service to society
Julie Claveau
Julie Claveau
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics, 2009
Michael Dunn
Michael Dunn smiling in the woods
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in Geography, 1974
Gargee Ghosh
Gargee Ghosh
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 1997               
Maureen Gruben
Maureen Gruben smiling and standing on snow
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, 2012
Lisa Helps
Lisa Helps smiling outdoors
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in History, 2002; Master of Arts in History, 2005
Leena Yousefi
Lawyer Leena Yousefi leaning against a brick wall.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 2006; Law Juris Doctor, 2010

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.

Taiwo Afolabi
Taiwo Afolobi wearing a suit jacket standing next to a book shelf.
  • UVic degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Theatre, 2020
Debra Danco
Debra Danco
  • UVic degree: Law Juris Doctor, 2013       
Sarah Jim
Artist Sarah Jim smiling on a beach.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, 2019
Josh Lovell
Josh Lovell wearing a tuxedo in front of a wall of graffiti.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Music in Performance, 2015       
Moussa Magassa
Moussa Magassa smiling
  • UVic degree: Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching Higher Education, 2017; Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies, 2020
Kear Porttris
Kear Porttris outdoors
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Engineering in Civl Engineering, 2017; Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, 2021      

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.

Denise Augustine
Denise Augustine standing outdoors
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Education in Music, 1990
Leigh Joseph/Styawat
Leigh Joseph outdoors carrying a basket.
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology, 2010; Master of Science in Environmental Studies, 2012
Lawrence Lewis
Lawrence Lewis
  • UVic degree: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 1993; Diploma in Public Sector Management, 1998
Art Napoleon
Art Napoleon smiling
  • UVic degree: Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization, 2013; Master of Arts in Indigenous Language Revitalization, 2015

Nominate a UVic alum

Nominations for the 2024 awards are open now through Oct. 13, 2023.

Past DAA recipients

UVic has been celebrating distinguished alumni for over 10 years.

Meet our past award recipients.

UVic alumni community

About UVic Alumni Relations

UVic Alumni Relations is part of the Alumni & Development department, led by Associate Vice President Jane Potentier. The department is part of UVic's Division of External Relations.

About the UVic Alumni Association

The volunteer-led UVic Alumni Association is a registered society that works with staff of the Alumni Relations office. Together, they provide all kinds of ways for alumni to stay involved with UVic.