City to Recognize Outstanding Citizens

News Release

City to Recognize Outstanding Citizens

In recognition of their outstanding contributions and achievements to the City of Edmonton, nine individuals will be inducted into Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence Hall of Fame. The University Ringette Team will also be recognized with an Award of Distinction.

The Salute to Excellence Hall of Fame Awards, as well as the Award of Distinction, will be presented at a ceremony at the Winspear Centre on June 16, 2014.

Community Service
Stephen & Lynn Mandel, Community Leaders

Stephen and Lynn Mandel are well-known in the community for their dedication to the not-for-profit sector, the business community and arts and culture within the City. Lynn Mandel has been prominent in the advancement of women’s health, The Support Network and many arts and culture organizations. The former mayor has worked to prevent family violence and helped to establish the Youth Restorative Action Project, iHuman Youth Society and The African Centre.

Larry R. Pempeit, Community Leader

After becoming a quadriplegic, Pempeit has worked tirelessly to bring independence to those with disabilities. He is an advocate for the development of accessible apartment-style accommodation for people with disabilities, and works to improve accessibility and services in many areas including housing, homecare, transportation, employment and recreation.

John W. Chomiak, Community Leader

Philanthropist John Chomiak is an engineer with extensive professional experience and success. He has chaired the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, and also recently led the $4.5M Courage Campaign which benefits people with disabilities and their families. He has also supported the Alberta Charolais Association and the Ukrainian Foundation for College Education.

Arts & Culture
Eva Bostrand, Artist/Builder

For over three decades, Eva Bostrand has been a leader in the Edmonton music scene. Originally from Sweden, Bostrand arrived in 1983 and went on to perform, conduct and teach with Pro Coro and its solo ensemble ConSept, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Alberta Baroque Ensemble.

William (Bill) Dimmer, Artist/Builder

Artist, mentor, organizer, promoter and teacher: Bill Dimmer has done it all. Aside from his 43-year tenure with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, he has appeared with many Edmonton ensembles, created and maintained the ESO’s educational concert series, and has contributed to the Edmonton Musicians’ Association, MusiCamrose and MusicAlberta.

Duo Majoya: Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht and Dr. Joachim Segger, Artists/Builders

The keyboard duo of Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht and Dr. Joachim Segger are well-known musicians and professors of music at the University of Alberta and King’s University College. Together, they have commissioned and performed new music to international acclaim and released six compact discs. As influential promoters of keyboard music within Edmonton, they have worked hard to construct and maintain local organs, and are members of the Davis Concert Organ and Trust Committee.

Chester Kuc, Artist/Builder

The late Chester Kuc was a great contributor to Edmonton’s Canadian-Ukrainian artistic culture. He founded two internationally-acclaimed dance companies: the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers in 1959, and the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company in 1969. Later in his career, he became a master writer of pysanky and played a major role in the development and operation of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada within Alberta.

Award of Distinction
The University Ringette Team (2011-2014)

With three national university championships, The University Ringette Team also works hard off the ice. The team, which consists of players from multiple local post-secondary schools, has developed and implemented a grassroots ringette program for young Edmontonians. They also mentor and develop athletes, through a number of programs in Edmonton and Northern Alberta, to achieve their highest potential. Over the past four years, the Team raised close to $500,000 for the Cross Cancer Institute through the Ringette Scores on Cancer charity, which its members created.