A proud UWindsor alum and Windsor citizen will be honoured for his paid and volunteer work representing his community and his alma mater at a reception Thursday, November 15.

Gordon Orr (BA 1989), chief executive officer of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, will receive the inaugural Alumni Ambassador Award at the association’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Presentation. The award recognizes a graduate in mid-career demonstrating significant achievement in their professional and community activity.

In his role with the tourism board, Orr provides leadership and insight to those interested in the advancement of the City of Windsor and the County of Essex. He serves as a member of the University of Windsor Alumni Association’s board of directors and volunteers with such community organizations as Maryvale Adolescent and Family Service, Rotary Club of Windsor Roseland, Arts Council Windsor and Region, Special Olympic Summer Games, and International Children’s Games.

He is one of eight individuals to be honoured at the event.

Receiving the Alumni Award of Merit in recognition of career and personal accomplishments which have brought honour to the University of Windsor, and of outstanding service to the University, are Sandra Gage (BHK 1990) and Jennifer Mathers McHenry (JD 2003).

Gage has been involved in senior marketing and communications roles within amateur sport and major events for over 20 years, most recently completing a three-year secondment from Canada Soccer to serve as chief marketing and communications officer for the National Organizing Committee of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada.

Mathers McHenry is a founder of #AfterMeToo, which partnered with Canadian Women’s Foundation to create an organization focused on improving access to justice for women who experience workplace sexual harassment and abuse. In 2017, Lexpert magazine recognized her as a leading employment lawyer to watch.

The Odyssey Award recognizes alumni who are in the early years of their careers and have distinguished themselves through successes in their professional endeavours or achievements in community service. This year’s honorees are Saadia Ali Bokhari (MA 2006), Alex Kais (BFA 2011, B.Ed 2012), and Fabrice Mowbray (BScN 2014, MScN 2017).

Bokhari is a social justice advocate, an activist, and a lawyer. Currently pursuing a doctorate in law, she has received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council for a book she is writing on the topic of victimization of Aboriginal women. She received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Mowbray works as an emergency and trauma nurse at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where he received an Inspiration and Excellence in Nursing award and was nominated for Research Nurse of the Year. He was recently accepted to start his PhD studies in health research methodology.

Currently a primary school teacher in Essex, England, Kais is a specialist art teacher and enrichment leader. He has developed arts programs for students in one of the poorest boroughs of London, creating opportunities for underprivileged children to develop their communication and artistic skills.

Chemistry professor Tranum Kaur and psychology professor Antonio Pascual-Leone will receive the Excellence in Mentoring Award in recognition of leadership in their fields and guidance of students beyond the classroom.

Thursday’s event begins at 5 p.m. in the Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre, and promises complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Find more details on the alumni website. If you plan to attend, RSVP online or e-mail alumni@uwindsor.ca by November 10.