Robert (Bob) Wanner is the recipient of Medicine Hat College's Honorary Applied Degree (CHAT News File Photo)

By Chris Brown

Other award winners also being recognized Friday

Bob Wanner receiving honorary applied degree from MHC at convocation ceremony

Jun 5, 2023 | 11:23 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Robert (Bob) E. Wanner has been chosen to receive the 2023 honorary applied degree from Medicine Hat College this week.

“I have a profound sense of humility,” says Wanner in response to receiving MHC’s honorary degree. “There are so many hard-working fellow citizens who silently work every day serving our community. I accept this award on behalf of all of those dedicated people with the hope that all of us never forget to say thank you to those who quietly work in so many different ways.”

Wanner is a former administrator with the City of Medicine Hat, and during his time there was involved with the opening of the College Child Development Centre, the development of Medicine Hat Seniors Services’ and the building of both the Veiner Centre and the Esplanade.

He spent time as a sociology instructor at Medicine Hat College and also served four years as MLA for the former Medicine Hat riding. During that term he was also speaker of the legislature.

Outside of work Wanner has also given his time to many local charities and groups and helped develop Canadians Reaching Out to the World’s Children Foundation (CARO).

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“Bob Wanner has made a significant impact across our community and province on many levels and we are proud to confer MHC’s highest honour in recognition of his contributions,” says Sarah MacKenzie, chair of the college’s Board of Governors. “From volunteering with his young children many years ago at the Veiner Centre on Christmas Day, to serving the region and province as an MLA and Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, his commitment and connection to people is sincere.”

Wanner will receive the honour at MHC’s convocation ceremony on Friday, where nearly 400 students will cross the stage.

In addition to Wanner, the college will also recognize student of the year Alysha Kuntz, instructor of the year Kristal Lawson and Raelene Mitts, the 2023 recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Medal.

The college released the following biographies on the recipients.

Alysha Kuntz chose MHC after experiencing university, wanting a more personalized learning environment and access to opportunities. As a business administration and advanced accounting student, she embraced those opportunities, excelling in her education and enriching campus culture.

Not only did Kuntz demonstrate outstanding dedication to her own studies, she gave her time to mentor and support her fellow classmates, always with a kind smile and helping hand. That dedication led to her maintaining a 4.0 GPA, all while serving the entire student body as their Students’ Association president. She took the role seriously, advocating for her fellow students, building a sense of community and encouraging participation on campus.

Graduating from MHC is just the first step for Kuntz as she continues to work at EBT Chartered Professional Accountants this summer and complete her commerce degree through Athabasca University in pursuit of her Chartered Professional Accountants designation.

Kristal Lawson teaches in the nursing program and is well-known for her warm smile, positivity and willingness to make time for her students.

Lawson was born and raised in Medicine Hat and is an alumna of MHC. She started her educational journey here in 1999, before completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with distinction at the University of Calgary. She later returned to MHC to continue her education and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Nursing degree with distinction. She then obtained a certificate in emergency nursing from Mount Royal University in 2011 and a Master of Nursing – Teaching Focus from Athabasca University in 2020.

Lawson holds to the belief that when learning is filled with positivity and joy, it is deeply engrained in students. She loves the energy they bring to her work and feels inspired when she witnesses students recognizing their own potential. Seeing their growth and success reaffirms her love for teaching and its profound impact on shaping future nurses.

Raelene Mitts is a graduate of the Early Learning and Child Care program. Born and raised in Camrose, Alta., Mitts is passionate about early learning and intervention. She started her academic journey at Norquest College as a mature student, studying early learning and child care to support her work at a daycare. When the time came to further her education, her research, along with recommendations from industry contacts, put MHC at the top of her list.

In the classroom, Mitts was known to be a very hardworking, curious and conscientious student who always exceeded expectations on her assignments with a desire to go deeper. Her ability to integrate others in group work and activities and her respect for diversity was valued by her instructors.

Next steps for Mitts include completing a degree in community rehabilitation and disability studies at the University of Calgary. Her future career goals include occupational therapy or early intervention for children, in addition to her ongoing involvement with global non-profit work and mentorship.