College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence recipients recognized for outstanding achievements
Gordon Beach, Tenille Campbell, Aaron Genest and Pat Atkinson have been selected as recipients of this year’s awards
Four remarkable individuals have been chosen as recipients of the 2024 College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence (AOI) Awards.
This year’s AOI recipients include philanthropist and geologist Gordon Beach (BSc’74), author and photographer Tenille Campbell (BA’07), technology sector leader and mentor Aaron Genest (BSc’07, PhD’13) and Saskatchewan politician and educator Pat Atkinson (BA’73, BEd’77).
The AOI Awards celebrate and recognize outstanding alumni from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Arts and Science. The recipients’ remarkable achievements and contributions have an impact on their respective fields, communities, and the university.
“The College of Arts and Science is thrilled to recognize and celebrate the four recipients of this year’s Alumni of Influence Awards: Gordon Beach, Aaron Genest, Tenille Campbell, and Pat Atkinson,” said Dr. Brooke Milne (PhD), dean of the College of Arts and Science.
“Upon graduating from the college, each of these individuals have built pathways to success through their achievements, leadership, and mentorship of others in their respective workplaces, communities, and beyond. They are exemplars of what the world needs. On behalf of the college, I want to express how proud I am to recognize these esteemed Arts and Science alumni, and I look forward to celebrating this recognition with them.”
The four 2024 AOI recipients join the ranks of more than 150 members who have been inducted since 2009. This is a special tradition and the highest honour for alumni at the college level. This is the first time the awards have been presented since the program was paused in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Award recipients will connect with current students, graduates and faculty in the coming weeks as they continue to be ambassadors for their departments, the college and the university.
If there is a College of Arts and Science graduate who is making an impact in their community, submit a recommendation. Recommendations can be submitted at any time during the year.
About Aaron Genest (BSc’07, PhD’13)
Dr. Aaron Genest holds a BSc and PhD in Computer Science from USask. He is a member of the technology community, who helps leaders of start-ups navigate technical, governance, talent acquisition and sales challenges.
He is a manager of a team of engineers at Siemens, and is the president of SaskTech, an industry advisory organization to government and education stakeholders.
Genest is involved in various aspects of USask, including being part of the Senate and the Dean’s Advisory Committee in Engineering. He is a mentor through USask’s SIGMA entrepreneurship program, the USask Connects graduate mentorship program, and is an advisor, advocate, and speaker for the OPUS deep tech incubator at USask.
Read about the other alumni of influence here.