Keith MacPhail recognized as a member of the Order of Canada

  • 16 July 2019

SAIT Distinguished Alumni and honorary degree recipient, Keith MacPhail

Keith MacPhail, a SAIT Distinguished Alumnus and honorary degree recipient, has been appointed to the Order of Canada, one of our nation’s highest honours. The energy industry leader has been recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada for his achievements as a leader in business, philanthropy and sport.

"I’m very honoured and humbled to be receiving the Order of Canada," says MacPhail. "The award is an incredible recognition of a lifetime of business success and philanthropic endeavours. I am appreciative of the support from my family and friends who helped with this achievement."

MacPhail says he is most proud of his $10 million gift to SAIT, saying he’s gratified that his contribution has impacted so many young people and will continue to contribute to student success long into the future.

A true SAIT champion

A graduate of the Petroleum Technology certificate program, MacPhail has been a longtime champion of SAIT. His financial support and volunteer role as chair of the Promising Futures campaign helped build the largest expansion in SAIT’s history, the Trades and Technology Complex. The MacPhail School of Energy was named as a tribute to his many contributions to SAIT. It’s the first academic school to be named for a donor and SAIT alumnus.

He also helped establish the Forzani and MacPhail Colon Cancer Screening Clinic and the Markin MacPhail Centre at Canada Olympic Park. MacPhail has been named to the Alberta Business Hall of Fame and the Petroleum Industry Hall of Fame.

MacPhail was appointed to the Order along with three other Calgarians: Elizabeth Cannon, the former president of the University of Calgary who also received an honorary degree from SAIT; puppeteer Ronnie Burkett; and Eldon Godfrey, who has dedicated himself to the sport of diving as a coach and trainer.

a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

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