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Acadia Alumni Association honours Dean Frank with 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award

By Paula Sabti

April 6, 2021

Congratulations to Dr. Blye Frank, Dean and Professor, on his 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Acadia Alumni Association

“I can think of no one who has contributed more to educational and social research, civic duty, an agent of change for equity and social justice, transformational leadership in the administration and business of university faculties, and systemic change at the community level. Quite simply, there are few leaders like Dr. Frank who have the strength of will to serve as an ongoing champion for those most at risk and the talent to influence others to join the quest for deep systemic change.”
 
Nancy Pynch Worthylake, Executive Director, Canadian School Boards Association

Dr. Frank has enjoyed an outstanding career as a teacher, mentor, researcher, educator, trailblazer and administrator. He completed degrees at Acadia University—BA (’77), BEd (’77), MEd (’81)—and a PhD from Dalhousie University (’90). He also holds a Diploma in Education, a Teaching Certificate in the Province of Nova Scotia, and is a Certified Canadian Counselor.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Frank has been a Lecturer, Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Professor, Head of the Division of Medical Education and also the Department of Bioethics in Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine. Currently, Dr. Frank leads the UBC Faculty of Education in his second term as Dean.

“[I] always encouraged and facilitated an environment of mutual respect and critical reflection for diverse learners through the application of new pedagogical theories and practices based on research excellence.”
 
Dr. Blye Frank, Dean and Professor, UBC Faculty of Education

His pedagogical and leadership work in equity, diversity and inclusion in teacher and health care education is grounded in extensive and ongoing scholarship, and his tireless efforts have earned considerable accolades and attention. In addition to being named this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Dr. Frank has received the Mount Saint Vincent University Award for Research, the Mount Saint Vincent University Alumnae Award for Teaching, the Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teacher Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the prestigious May Cohen Gender Equity Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada in recognition of outstanding effort for achievement in improving the gender equity environment in academic medicine in Canada.

“…his personal and professional commitment to helping others is a testament to all… He is someone to whom we can all aspire, and we are proud to celebrate him…”
 
– Donalda MacBeath, President of the Acadia Alumni Association

For more information on Dr. Frank’s career and contributions, please visit Acadia University’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient page.

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