MacKinnon and Stiller named Officers of the Order of Canada

University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon (LLM'76) has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada by the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, for his contributions to education and for his commitment to innovation and research excellence.

MacKinnon joined the College of Law at the U of S in 1975, becoming a full professor in 1983. He went on to serve as assistant dean and dean before his appointment as the university's eighth president in 1999. MacKinnon is also a member of the Science, Technology and Innovation Council, an advisory body to the federal government that measures Canada's science and technology performance against international standards, and served as chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada from 2003-2005.

MacKinnon will step down as U of S president June 30, 2012.

Dr. Calvin Stiller (MD'65, DSc (honorary)'07), who was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994, was promoted to officer within the order for his leadership as a medical entrepreneur and for his advancement of scientific research and innovation.
Dr. Stiller, a member of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, is a pioneer in the establishment of multi-organ transplant services in Canada and was the principal investigator in a study that established the importance of cyclosporine as a first-line therapy for transplant rejection.

As a businessman and entrepreneur, Dr. Stiller founded or co-founded many ventures, including Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund Inc., The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, the Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund, and the Canadian Science and Technology Growth Fund.

Both men were named to the University of Saskatchewan's 100 Alumni of Influence in 2007. Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date. The Order of Canada, one of our country's highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada's centennial year, to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.