The Alumna/Alumnus of the Year Award honours a Bishop’s graduate who has made a longstanding commitment and contribution to the University.
The Alumni Association Executive Committee has bestowed this award annually since 1967, with the exception of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year we were happy to give this award to Chad Schella ’94.
Alumnus of the Year
Chad Schella ’94 graduated from Bishop’s with an honours degree in Political Science. During his time at the University, he was an exceptionally engaged and respected student leader. He was named valedictorian of his graduating class and served two-terms as President of the Students’ Representative Council, demonstrating a strong commitment to student life and advocacy. In recognition of his character, leadership, and contributions to the B.U. community, Chad was awarded the Golden Mitre, the University’s highest non-academic honour bestowed by a popular vote of the graduating class.
Following his time at Bishop’s, Chad built a distinguished career spanning public affairs, government relations, and the private sector. He is currently Associate Vice-President, Government Relations at CIBC. Prior to this, he spent more than a decade with Canada Post, serving as both General Manager, Government and Community Affairs and Director, Government Affairs. Earlier in his career, Chad worked in federal politics, supporting two national political party leaders, before joining the Canadian Construction Association in Ottawa. He later expanded his experience in Toronto with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) and the pharmaceutical company Pro-Pharma, developing a strong foundation in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and public policy.
Chad’s professional path has consistently been shaped by a deep commitment to community impact. In 2003, he returned to Ottawa to work with the Ottawa Senators Foundation, where he played a key role in the creation, development, and opening of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice—a pioneering pediatric palliative care facility. Following this achievement, he spent eight years with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and continued his involvement with the Hospice as a founding Board Member for seven years. Today, he serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Queensway Carleton Hospital and Vice-Chair of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, further reflecting his dedication to strengthening health care and community services. His contributions have been widely recognized, including being named to Bishop’s Top 10 After 10 and receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Chad’s commitment to service is equally evident in his enduring connection to Bishop’s. As Co-Lead of the Ottawa Alumni Chapter, he plays an active role in building alumni engagement, frequently co-organizing events such as Ottawa Redblacks outings and Welcome Home celebrations. He has also contributed to the University through his involvement in the Leading the Way campaign and as a volunteer mentor in the JUMP Mentorship Program, supporting students as they transition into their careers. No matter where life and work have taken him, Chad has remained deeply committed to giving back—consistently investing his time, leadership, and energy to make his community stronger.
List of Past Winners
Inaugurated in 1967
1967 Cecil T. Teakle ’26*
1968 George W. Hall ’30*
1969 Fred G.S. Kelley ’48*
1970 C. Terrill Manning ’46*
1971 Robert A. Gordon ’60, DCL ’04
1972 A. Ray Almond ’27*
1973 Alex K. Paterson ’52, DCL ’74*
1974 J. Clem Brodeur ’44*
1975 Gavin G. Ross ’56*
1976 Bud McMorran ’60, DCL ’04*
1977 Douglas R. Cooper ’29*
1978 Glenn Higginbotham ’64
1979 Fred Kaufman ’46, DCL ’76*
1980 Dorothy Dutton ’20*
1981 Ab M. Echenberg ’73*
1982 David K. Bogert ’63
1983 A. Bruce Stavert ’61*
1984 Douglas A. Lloyd ’62*
1985 Tom ’69 and Rob ’73* Allen
1986 Ronald G. Perowne ’72
1987 Danny R. Lavallee ’79
1988 Conrad H. Harrington ’67, DCL ’98*
1989 William D. Anderson ’77*
1990 Philip E. Johnston ’59
1991 Joan E. Stadelman ’66
1992 Don S. Wells ’55*
1993 David A. Williams ’63, DCL ’96
1994 Christopher I.H. Nicholl DCL ’86*
1995 William I.M. Turner Jr. DCL ’87*
1996 Tom Godber ’85
1997 Jim ’57* and Di (Young) Ferrabee ’57*
1998 Richard Tomlinson ’43, DCL ’89*
1999 Eric Mills ’72
2000 Norman Webster ’62, DCL ’85*
2001 Bill MacDonald ’73
2002 Peter Dunn ’66
2003 Graham Moodie ’69
2004 Ron Kaulbach ’66
2005 Gary Chown ’74*
2006 Peter Davidson ’77*
2007 Elaine Roper ’78
2008 Rob Allatt ’93
2009 Peter Welsh ’64
2010 Nils Bodtker ’65
2011 Bob Goldberger ’79
2012 Kelly Murumets ’85
2013 George Hendy ’68
2014 Blair Shier ’79
2016 Cathy McLean ’82
2017 Nadia Martel ’90
2018 Tim Griffin ’71
2019 Jo-Anne Ryan ’83
2020 Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Bob Egan ’80
2022 Mark Saykaly ’72
2023 Jane Brydges ’95
2024 Stephen Lloyd ’89
2025 Bob Hall ’79
2025 Chad Schella ’94
*deceased