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Distinguished Achievement Awards

Recognizing excellence. Celebrating community. Inspiring achievement.

About the awards

The Distinguished Achievement Awards at Okanagan College honour individuals whose actions, leadership and service reflect the very best of our College and the communities we serve. These awards include the Honorary Fellow Award and the Distinguished Achievement Award.

Approved by the Board of Governors in December 2024, the Distinguished Achievement Awards establish a lasting tradition of recognition that celebrates the College’s core values: 

  • students first
  • community respect
  • courage
  • relationships
  • distinction 

These awards represent the spirit of Okanagan College — a spirit rooted in connection, courage and community. We are proud to recognize those whose example inspires learning, leadership and positive change.

On this page

Award principles

The awards are guided by principles of fairness, integrity, and excellence. They are established by the Board of Governors to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves by their significant contributions. 

The awards will be awarded based on the following principles:

  • Identification of deserving candidates for the consideration of an Award is a collaborative and community-based activity. Employees, students, alumni, and members outside the College’s internal community can submit a nomination. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
  • Awards will not be given as a matter of routine and will be extended only to those who are most deserving.
  • Individuals holding public office are not eligible for nomination while serving in office and are not generally eligible until one (1) year after the end of their public position.
  • Former College employees are generally ineligible for nomination for a Distinguished Service Award for a period of one (1) year following retirement or conclusion of service.
  • Personal financial contributions to the College will not be considered when evaluating nominations for these Awards.
  • An Awards Committee will be established by the President, with terms of reference, to review nominations and make recommendations to the Board. Committee membership shall include:
    • President (Chair)
    • Academic Dean
    • Board Member
    • Dean, Community Relations & Careers
    • Director, Okanagan College Foundation
    • Member of the Administrators’ Association or Excluded Support Staff
    • Member of BCGEU (Support)
    • Member of BCGEU (Instructional)
    • Member of the Okanagan College Faculty Association
    • Student
    • Vice President, Enrolment & College Relations
  • Recommendations from the Awards Committee will be presented to the Board of Governors for final approval.
  • Nominations will be strictly confidential; consequently, nominators must not inform or share details of the nomination process with nominees, including the fact that they have been nominated. In turn, successful nominees will be notified of their nomination prior to their public announcement.
  • The Board may revoke any Award designation it has conferred if the conduct of the recipient is such that to continue recognizing the recipient for the Award could reasonably cause harm to the reputation and public image of the College.

Honorary Fellow Award

Recognizes individuals whose exemplary work, study or volunteerism has made significant contributions to social, economic, environmental or cultural resiliency — either locally, provincially, nationally or internationally. Recipients embody leadership, excellence and a commitment to making a meaningful difference.

Criteria

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations for the Honorary Fellow Award. While recipients may not necessarily meet all the criteria, their actions and contributions must be consistent with and reflect Okanagan College values of students first, community, respect, courage, relationships and distinction.

  • Accomplishment – attained notable achievements or successes that contributed positively to their field or community.
  • Community Service – contributions have strengthened the social, economic, environmental or cultural resiliency of the community
  • Diversity – actions and contributions have embodied or inspired the diversity that is our community.
  • Eminence – achieved recognition and respect within their field or community, reflecting significant influence or leadership
  • Excellence – demonstrated distinguished and noteworthy achievement in their field of study, profession, or business
  • Humanitarian – demonstrated contributions to the community through activities to support reconciliation, equity, inclusion, social justice and sustainability
  • Mentorship – demonstrated a commitment to guiding, advising, and supporting others in their personal or professional growth
Submit a nomination

Distinguished Service Award

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations for the Distinguished Service Award. While recipients may not necessarily meet all the criteria, their actions and contributions must be consistent with and reflect Okanagan College values of students first, community, respect, courage, relationships, and distinction.

  • College Service – demonstrated outstanding and sustained service and/or volunteerism within the Okanagan College
  • Community Service – contributions have strengthened the social, economic, environmental or cultural resiliency of the community
  • Diversity – actions and contributions have embodied or inspired the diversity that is our college community
  • Humanitarian – demonstrated contributions to the community through activities to support reconciliation, equity, inclusion, social justice and sustainability
Submit a nomination

Nomination process

The Distinguished Achievement Awards are community driven.

Students, employees, alumni and community members are invited to nominate deserving individuals whose accomplishments and character reflect the College’s values. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

A diverse Awards Committee, chaired by the President, will review nominations and make recommendations to the Board of Governors, who will approve final recipients.

Nominations are confidential, and nominators should not inform nominees during the selection process. Successful nominees will be contacted before public announcements are made.

Nominations are currently being accepted year-round.

Submit a nomination

Awards Committee

Interested in joining the Awards Committee?

We invite members of our OC community to join the Distinguished Achievement Awards Committee. The Committee will review nominations and be required to attend a two-hour meeting two to three times per year.

The Committee membership will include:

  • President (Chair)
  • Academic Dean
  • Board Member
  • Dean, Community Relations and Careers
  • Director, Okanagan College Foundation
  • Member of the Administrators’ Association or Excluded Support Staff
  • Member of BCGEU (Support)
  • Member of BCGEU (Instructional)
  • Member of the Okanagan College Faculty Association
  • Student
  • Vice President, Enrolment and College Relations

Recommendations from the Awards Committee will be presented to the Board of Governors for final approval.

How to join the Awards Committee

A call out will be made through our regular OC channels when a vacancy exists on the Awards Committee. Information on how to submit a request to join will be posted to this page at that time.

Distinguished Achievement Awards Policy

The Distinguished Achievement Awards are guided by the Distinguished Achievement Awards Policy. The policy establishes the award principles, criteria and committee membership.

View Awards Policy