List of Athabasca University people explained

This is a list of people associated with Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada. This includes faculty, notable alumni, staff, and former university Presidents. Athabasca University is a distance education university with open enrollment year round, accredited by the province and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It has served more than 260,000 students since 1970.^[1] In 2007 it began offering some classes by cell phone,^[2] and in 2008 it became the first university in North America to offer a Doctorate in distance education.^[3] In 2009, it became the first Canadian university to offer a doctorate in Business Administration (DBA).

The university teaches approximately 32,000 students per year,^[4] and has a variety of students with various learning needs.^[5] Classes are attended at the location of the student's choosing. The university has a set number of standards for students in the delivery of its programs.^[6] It offers over 700 courses, and spends $2 million a year on research.^[7]

A

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda	Olympic athlete	Student	^[8]
Carrie Anton	Paralympic athlete	Employee	^[9]
Frank Appleby		Graduate and honorary degree	^[10]
Mark Arendz	Paralympic athlete	Graduate	^[11]

B

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Pierre Berton	Author and journalist	Honorary degree	^[12]
	NHL veteran, New York Islanders	Student	^[13]

C

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Debby Carlson	Alberta MLA for Edmonton Ellerslie	Graduate	^[14]
Gary Carr	Member of Parliament for Halton; NHL veteran, Boston Bruins	Graduate	^[15]
Larry Clarke	Businessman	Honorary degree

D

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
	Olympic bronze medalist in aerial ski jumping	Student	^[16]
Meagan Duhamel	Olympic athlete	Graduate

F

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Christian Farstad	Former Olympic athlete, bobsleigh	Graduate	^[17]
Jonathan Filewich	Hockey player, Pittsburgh Penguins	Student	^[18]
Northrop Frye	Author	Honorary degree

G

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Vicki Gabereau	Journalist	Honorary degree	^[19] ^[20]
Jayne Gackenbach	Dream researcher	Professor	^[21]
Brent Gauvreau	Hockey player	Graduate
Anna Greenwood-Lee	Anglican bishop	Graduate	^[22]
	NHL veteran, Calgary Flames	Graduate	^[23]

H

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Ted Harrison	Artist	Honorary degree	^[24]
Thomas Hickey	Hockey player	student	^[25]
Lois Hole	Former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta	Former Governing Council Member	^[26]
Carol Huynh	Olympic athlete	Graduate	^[27]

K

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Sandra Keith	Olympic biathlete	Student	^[28]
Russell Kennedy	Olympic athlete	Graduate
Ralph Klein	Former Premier of Alberta	Student	^[29]
	NHL veteran	Graduate	^[30]

L

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Jackson Lafferty	Northwest Territories MLA for North Slave	Student	^[31]
Dorothy Livesay	Poet	Honorary degree	^[32]
Mark Lubosch	Former Winnipeg City Councillor	Graduate	^[33]

M

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Ernest Manning	Former Premier of Alberta	Honorary degree	^[34]
Shirlee Matheson	Author	Graduate	^[35]
	NHL player, San Jose Sharks	Student	^[36]
Maureen McTeer	Wife of Joe Clark	Honorary degree

N

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Graham Nishikawa	Paralympic athlete	Graduate
Rachel Notley	Former Premier of Alberta	Former professor	^[37]

O

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Ryan O'Marra	Hockey player, Edmonton Oilers	Student
Kaetlyn Osmond	Olympic athlete	Student

P

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Marni Panas	LGBT activist	Graduate	^[38]
Joseph Pivato	Literary critic	Professor	^[39]

R

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Eric Radford	Olympic athlete	Graduate
Joy Romero	Businesswoman	Chair, Governing Council	^[40]

S

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
	Olympic gold medallist in cross-country skiing	Student	^[41]
James Shapiro	Islet transplant doctor, University of Alberta	Honorary degree	^[42]
Monte Solberg	Conservative Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat	Student	^[43]

T

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
	Olympic competitor	Student	^[44]
Amber Thomas	Paralympic athlete	Graduate
Walter Patrick Twinn	Senator and Chief of Sawridge First Nation	Honorary degree
Ian Tyson	Musician	Honorary degree	^[45]

W

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Eleanor Wachtel	Journalist	Honorary degree	^[46]
Pamela Wallin	Journalist	Honorary degree	^[47]
Anne Wheeler	Filmmaker	Honorary degree
Tom Worthington	Australian computer programmer	Graduate	^[48]

Z

Name	Known for	Relationship to Athabasca University	Citation
Derek Zaplotinsky	Paralympic athlete	Graduate
Moses Znaimer	Media baron	Honorary degree

Presidential list

	Name	Term	Citation
1	Tim Byrne	1971–1976	^[49]
2	Sam Smith	1976–1980	^[50]
3	Stephen Griew	1980–1985	^[51]
4	Terry Morrison	1985–1995
5	Dominique Abrioux	1995–2005	^[52]
6	Frits Pannekoek	2005–2014
7	Peter MacKinnon (interim)	2014–2016	^[53]
8	Neil Fassina	2016–2021	^[54]
9	Peter Scott	2021-2023	^[55] ^[56]
10	Alex Clark	2023-Present	^[57]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Athabasca University at a glance . 2007-08-22 . Athabasca University . 8 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070808101154/http://www.athabascau.ca/aboutAU/Auatglance.php . live .
2. Web site: Lessons by cellphone a hit . Gerein . Keith . . 2007-08-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026060526/http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/local/story.html?id=8e790572-819c-4074-b4d6-4a94a44b4fc2&k=89020 . 2012-10-26 .
3. Web site: First Doctorate in Distance Education in North America . Athabasca University . 2007-08-22 . 27 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043255/http://www.athabascau.ca/media/releases.php?id=306 . live .
4. Web site: About Athabasca University . Athabasca University . 2007-09-01 . 25 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070825163238/http://www.athabascau.ca/aboutAU/ . live .
5. Web site: Distance education . Athabasca University . 2007-09-01 . 29 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092830/http://www.athabascau.ca/aboutAU/mission.php . live .
6. Web site: Expect the Best . 2007-09-01 . Athabasca University . 20 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070820152227/http://www.athabascau.ca/aboutAU/expectthebest.php . live .
7. Web site: Business Plan . 2007-09-01 . Athabasca University . 29 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929103231/http://www.athabascau.ca/main/bizplans/07_2011_Plan.pdf . live .
8. Web site: PyeongChang 2018: The AU connection. Athabasca University. 9 June 2019. Athabasca, AB. 13 February 2018. 9 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190609033934/https://news.athabascau.ca/learners/pyeongchang-2018-the-au-connection/. live.
9. Web site: Carrie Anton. Canadian Paralympic Committee. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173458/http://paralympic.ca/athletes/37915. 3 April 2018. Ottawa, ON. English. dead. dmy-all.
10. Web site: Honorary Doctorate Past Recipients . Athabasca University . 19 November 2009 . 15 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110815042111/http://www2.athabascau.ca/convocation/about/HRpast.php . live .
11. Web site: Welcome home to Canada's record-breaking Paralympians. Athabasca University. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405180304/http://news.athabascau.ca/news/canadas-paralympians/. 5 April 2018. Athabasca, AB. 20 March 2018. dead. dmy-all.
12. Web site: Pierre Berton: Obituary . The Cryptozoologist . 5 October 2007 . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070822012647/http://lorencoleman.com/pierre_berton_obituary.html . live .
13. Web site: Record Number of Athabasca University Executive MBA Grads . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070902132151/http://www.mba.athabascau.ca/titan/aucimwebsite.nsf/AllDoc/81643314C4BDD5AC87256BDD0064AEAC?OpenDocument . 2 September 2007 . dead .
14. Web site: Centre for Innovative Management Update . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . 29 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929103124/http://www.mba.athabascau.ca/titan/aucimwebsite.nsf/AllDoc/79C9DA1CAB6FA4D187256DB200738E71/$File/2003FallNewsletter.pdf!OpenElement . live .
15. Web site: Hockey Draft Central . 22 August 2007 . hockeydraftcentral.com . 27 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001644/http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1975/75122.html . live .
16. Web site: Deidra Dionne . Deidra Dionne . 22 August 2007 . 20 May 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060520141133/http://www.deidradionne.com/biography.htm . dead .
17. Web site: Olympian joins the Canadian Olympic Committee in new role . Canadian Olymptic Committee . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070906022106/http://www.olympic.ca/EN/organization/news/2003/0626.shtml . 6 September 2007 . dead .
18. Web site: au.world . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070702231114/http://au.world.athabascau.ca/200707/htdocs/lead.php . 2 July 2007 . dead .
19. Web site: Wedge. Pip. Vicki Gabereau (1946–). Canadian Communications Foundation. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403112455/http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/personalities/gabereau-vicki. 3 April 2018. Burlington ON. October 2016. dead. dmy-all.
20. Web site: Jabbour. Debbie. From My Perspective – Graduation Special – The Class of 2003. Voice Magazine. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180402181712/https://www.voicemagazine.org/2003/06/18/from-my-perspective-graduation-special-the-class-of-2003-1/. 2 April 2018. Edmonton, AB. English. 18 June 2003.
21. Web site: Biographical Statement for Jayne Gackenbach, Ph.D. . Spirit Watch . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070805035157/http://www.spiritwatch.ca/bio.htm . 5 August 2007 . dead . dmy-all .
22. Web site: BISHOP . Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets . 12 February 2024 . 4 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204210043/https://bc.anglican.ca/our-bishop . live .
23. Web site: Stickhandling courses during NHL lockout . 22 August 2007 . Athabasca University . 27 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043710/http://www.athabascau.ca/media/index.php?id=31 . live .
24. Web site: Ted Harrison Gallery . 22 August 2007 . Tricia Timmermans . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929112016/http://www.tedharrison.com/bio.htm . 29 September 2007 . dead .
25. Web site: A gold medal student. 4 July 2010. Athabasca University. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100424000055/http://www.open-au.com/inside.php?attr=6. 24 April 2010.
26. Web site: The Honourable Lois E. Hole, C. M., 2000–2005 . Legislative Assembly of Alberta . 22 August 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213438/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/library/lt-gov/hole.htm . 27 September 2007 .
27. Web site: AU represent at PyeongChang 2018!. Athabasca University. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173524/http://news.athabascau.ca/news/pyeongchang-2018-au-connection/. 3 April 2018. Athabasca, AB. English. 13 February 2018. dead. dmy-all.
28. Web site: AU student competes at the Olympics . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . 6 February 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060206144321/http://www.athabascau.ca/media/index.php?id=111 . live .
29. News: Ralph Klein: Alberta's populist premier . CBC . 22 August 2007 . 12 September 2006 . 8 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070808103044/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/klein-ralph/ . live .
30. Web site: NHL Linesman Earned Degree at a Distance from Athabasca University . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070310155213/http://www.athabascau.ca/media/swede.htm . 10 March 2007 . dead .
31. Web site: Jackson Lafferty MLA Profile . https://web.archive.org/web/20070812014333/http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/members/jacksonlafferty.html. 12 August 2007 . Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly . 6 September 2007.
32. Web site: Dorothy Livesay . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070819104941/http://www.athabascau.ca/writers/livesay.html . 19 August 2007 .
33. News: Council Races . CBC . 22 August 2007 . 25 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064438/http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/winnipegvotes2006/council/6.html . live .
34. Web site: The Honourable Ernest C. Manning . Legislative Assembly of Alberta . 2007-10-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930024221/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/library/premiers/manning.htm . 30 September 2007.
35. Web site: AUSU Features AU Alumni . Athabasca University Students' Union . 22 August 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070810112151/http://www.ausu.org/graduation/alumni.php . 10 August 2007.
36. Web site: Koshan . Terry . No end in sight . https://archive.today/20120716002735/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2004/10/10/664140.html . usurped . 16 July 2012 . CANOE . 22 August 2007.
37. Web site: Local 33 . Local 33 . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070717192611/http://local33.una.ab.ca/newsletters/April%202006%20Newsletter.cwk%20%28WP%29.pdf . 17 July 2007. dead.
38. Web site: Degree of Confidence: How one AU grad found her authentic self. Athabasca University News. 2015-06-11. New and Events from Athabasca University. en-US. 22 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160616110531/http://news.athabascau.ca/news/marni-panas/. 16 June 2016. dead. dmy-all.
39. Web site: Joseph J. Pivato . Athabasca University . 8 August 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110830040813/http://www2.athabascau.ca/cll/english/faculty/jpivato/jpivato.php . 30 August 2011.
40. Web site: Athabasca University Governing Council Members – Biographies . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . 10 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070810111850/http://www.athabascau.ca/presoff/augc_new/indexrevised.htm . live .
41. Web site: Beckie Scott . Canadian Olympic Committee . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070806234622/http://www.olympic.ca/EN/hopefuls/b_scott.html . 6 August 2007 . dead.
42. Web site: au.world . Athabasca University . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102448/http://www.athabascau.ca/media/auworld/feb02.pdf . 29 September 2007. dead .
43. News: Canada Votes 2006 . . 18 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070808104618/http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/262/ . 8 August 2007 . dead .
44. Web site: Milaine Thériault . Cross Country Canada . 22 August 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070807153006/http://cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=doc&ID=3079&lan=0 . 7 August 2007.
45. Web site: Alberta Order of Excellence . . 5 October 2007 . 25 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171025132308/https://www.lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/aoe/2006_tyson.cfm/ . live .
46. News: Writers & Company . CBC Radio . 5 October 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070810232335/http://www.cbc.ca/writersandcompany/host.html . 10 August 2007 . dead .
47. Web site: Acceptance Speech . https://web.archive.org/web/20060226114611/http://www.athabascau.ca/convocation/general/2004/wallinspeech04.htm . 26 February 2006 . Athabasca University . 5 October 2007.
48. Web site: Master of Education in Distance Education by Distance Education . Tomw Communications Pty Ltd . 19 February 2017 . 19 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170219170606/http://blog.highereducationwhisperer.com/2016/12/pioneering-global-open-education-at.html . live .
49. Web site: The Voice Magazine . The Voice Magazine . 22 August 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928122645/http://www.voicemagazine.org/pdf/pdf2005/1325-Jun29-05_VOICE.pdf . 28 September 2007.
50. Web site: List of Honorary Degree Recipients . https://web.archive.org/web/20060620200706/http://www.athabascau.ca/convocation/documents/auhondoc.doc . 20 June 2006 . 22 August 2007 . Athabasca University . Microsoft Word.
51. Web site: Athabasca University Tutors: A History . 22 August 2007 . CUPE 3911 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927162652/http://cupe3911.net/history/tutorhistory.pdf . 27 September 2007.
52. Web site: Interview with AU President Dominique Abrioux . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070811093158/http://www.athabascau.ca/frontpage/articles/DominiqueInterview.htm . 11 August 2007 . dead .
53. Web site: Interim President's Biography. 3 July 2014. Athabasca University. 2 November 2015. Athabasca, AB . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151120080325/http://president.athabascau.ca/ . 20 November 2015.
54. Web site: Introducing AU's president designate: Dr. Neil Fassina. 18 August 2016. Athabasca University. English. 15 February 2017. 16 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216131532/http://news.athabascau.ca/education/introducing-dr-neil-fassina/. live.
55. News: Rusnell . Charles . Athabasca U President Firing: Board Members Raise Questions . 18 December 2023 . 2 February 2023 . 18 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231218220230/https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/02/Athabasca-U-President-Firing/ . live .
56. News: Tran . Paula . Athabasca University board of directors fires president, hires new one Globalnews.ca . 18 December 2023 . Global News . 3 February 2023 . https://archive.today/20231218220613/https://globalnews.ca/news/9455781/athabasca-university-fires-president/ . 18 December 2023 . Calgary, Alberta.
57. News: 18 December 2023 . Athabasca University president launches bold new vision for Canada’s open university . 18 December 2023 . Athabasca University . 12 October 2023 . https://archive.today/20231218215719/https://www.athabascau.ca/about-au/releases/bold-new-vision.html . 18 December 2023 . en.