Distinguished Alumni Awards

Bev Sellars

Political leader, writer and activist Bev Sellars won the Humanities' Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. Sellars, who served as chief of the Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation in Williams Lake for more than 20 years, graduated with a BA in history.

Distinguished Alumnus Barry Gough

History alumnus Barry Gough, a Canadian maritime and naval historian, award-winning author, and emeritus professor of history at Wilfrid Laurier University, was honoured at the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards Night.

Distinguished Alumna Tamara Napoleon

Tamara Napoleon, Distinguished Alumna for the Humanities in 2018, has had a successful career in law, which she says is grounded in her undergraduate degree in Gender Studies.

Call for Distinguished Alumni Award nominations

The Faculty of Humanities recognizes one of its alumni each February during UVic’s Alumni Week with the Faculty of Humanities Distinguished Alumni Award.

If you know of a UVic Humanities graduate (undergrad or graduate degree) who, in your opinion, should be considered for the Faculty of Humanities Distinguished Alumni Award, contact the Dean's Office to let us know.

Criteria for Distinguished Alumni Award

Qualified candidates for the Faculty of Humanities Distinguished Alumni Award will be accomplished in one or more of the following areas:

  • The individual is recognized as outstanding, or has attained prominence, within his or her career, field or industry. Their work has a demonstrated impact.

  • The individual has attained prominence through personal efforts in any human endeavor that forms a record of accomplishment impressive to the faculty and the public.

  • The individual has provided humanitarian service that has proven greatly beneficial to society and/or outstanding voluntary service to his or her community, industry or profession at local, national and/or international levels.