Faculty Alumni Awards
It is a long standing tradition to present outstanding Alumni with awards in recognition of their career achievements, continued support of the campus community and the valuable time that they have given to the institution. The award recipients exemplify what it means "to Lead and to Serve".
Nominate an alum who you know is doing great things!
Augustana 2024 Alumni Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumni Award: Rita Marler
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/a in recognition of outstanding achievement in one’s vocation.
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Rita Marler, CLC ’79, ’87 BEd
Rita Marler fondly recalls her days at Augustana, particularly her time completing her high school diploma on campus and then working in the library while pursuing her bachelor of education. “Everyone was part of a tight-knit community,” Marler reflects, remembering the care and kindness shown by staff and faculty. The small classes allowed professors to truly get to know students, creating a foundation of support and respect that would resonate throughout her career.
The supportive environment at Augustana helped to lay a foundation for Marler to pursue a career in education, one that spanned over three decades and culminated in her becoming the superintendent of Battle River School Division. During her tenure, she led transformative change, bringing together previously isolated schools and fostering a culture of collaboration. Under her leadership, administrators worked closely with one another, sharing best practices and building a supportive community. While superintendent, Marler also earned a doctor of education degree.
When offering advice to current students considering a career in education, Marler emphasizes the importance of passion for the work and doing what’s best for students.
Marler’s lifelong dedication to education and her unwavering support of both students and fellow educators make her a deserving recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Lois Aspenes Award: Matthew Hebert
Awarded to an alumnus/a in recognition of significant contributions to the Alumni Association or to the life of Augustana.
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Matthew Hebert, ’05 BA
Twenty years after first stepping onto campus, Matthew Hebert fondly recalls his time at Augustana as playing a pivotal role in shaping his career. Now serving as an assistant deputy minister of Health for the Government of Alberta, Matthew has continuously given back to Augustana, starting from his time as a student to serving on the University of Alberta’s Alumni Council. His unwavering dedication and advocacy have earned him this year’s Lois Aspenes Award.
Reflecting on his early years, Hebert emphasizes the impact of his Augustana education. “It was such a formative experience,” he shares. “Because of everything it offered to me and gave to me in my early years, I have always felt it very important to give back to Augustana.”
Hebert has continuously championed Augustana’s unique identity, beginning when he served as president of the Augustana Students' Association in the early 2000s, when Augustana was considering merging with the University of Alberta. He emphasizes that his experience in student leadership gave him invaluable exposure to university governance and the provincial government, laying the foundation for his future career in public service. Years later, he continued to advocate for Augustana by serving on Alumni Council during the COVID-19 pandemic and the university’s restructuring.
“I had a natural level of concern about what it meant for Augustana and spoke quite strongly for the need to ensure that it remained unique within the university,” he remembers.
Hebert exemplifies the spirit of the Lois Aspenes Award through his enduring commitment to the Augustana community, his leadership within the Alumni Council and his unwavering support for the institution that helped shape his path.
Alumni Citation Award: Christina Rebus
Awarded to a non alumnus/a in recognition of significant contributions to the life of Augustana.
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Christina Rebus
Christina Rebus has spent a lifetime bringing people together, and it is her deep-rooted commitment to community and service that has earned her this year’s Alumni Citation Award.
A now retired speech pathologist, Rebus’s connection to Augustana began in the 1980s when she and her husband moved from Ontario to Camrose. She quickly got involved, attending public lectures, volunteering and even serving on a community scholarship committee. One of her children later attended Augustana, further deepening her ties to campus.
Her involvement only grew over the years. As a member of the University Senate from 2017-2023, Rebus became a connecting point between Augustana and the broader Camrose community. As an active volunteer with multiple community groups and initiatives, Rebus was invaluable to the senate in fostering collaboration.
Even after completing her time in the senate, Rebus remains a dedicated presence on campus. Whether she’s serving soup at the Augustana Chaplaincy’s weekly suppers or offering mental health support through Augustana's Alumni Student Support and Engagement Team (ASSET), Rebus is always there for students, providing comfort and conversation during stressful times.
Through her warmth, compassion and tireless service, Rebus has truly become a pillar of the community while consistently embodying the spirit of connection and care that defines the Augustana experience.
A printable (pdf format) Awards Nomination Form is provided below. Nominations will be considered by the Alumni Association Nominations and Awards Committee. The committee's recommendations are then provided to the Augustana Alumni Association Advisory Committee for final decision.
Instructions for returning nomination forms is provided on the form.
Possible awards:
Distinguished Alumni Award
Awarded to an alumnus/a in recognition of outstanding achievement in one's vocation.
Lois Aspenes Award:
Awarded to an alumnus/a in recognition of significant contributions to the Alumni Association or to the life of Augustana.
Citation Award:
Awarded to a non alumnus/a in recognition of significant contributions to the life of Augustana.