Matthew Hebert named 2024 Lois Aspenes Award recipient

Twenty years after first stepping onto campus, Matthew Hebert, ‘05 BA, 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, Hebert 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 time as a student, 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, and then what it meant in terms of how it supported the start of my career, 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. “I'd felt quite strongly as a student that Augustana was a very important academic institution to have, particularly in rural Alberta,” Hebert says. “I threw myself into that work, advocating for the merger to offer advantages that would allow Augustana to continue growing and be a viable institution for students.” 

Hebert 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, and later as chair of the council’s Strategic Planning Committee, during the pandemic and the university’s restructuring. 

At an institution the size of the University of Alberta, Hebert knew the importance of having committed advocates at the table. “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 structure,” he remembers. 

Hebert’s consistent advocacy for Augustana is rooted in his deep appreciation for the way it fosters critical thinking and offers a diverse, interdisciplinary education. He believes that Augustana provided more than just a hands-on foundation for his career; it instilled a mindset that continues to influence him in his role in public service. “Even 20 years removed, you don't think about a specific class or assignment, but it all helps to form a person as to how they approach work and approach life.” 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. 

The Lois Aspenes Award is awarded to an alumnus/a in recognition of significant contributions to the Alumni Association or to the life of Augustana.