backgrounder
NAIT’s Honorary Diploma In 1999, NAIT unveiled the Honorary Diploma distinction aimed at honoring outstanding individual achievement on a local, national or international level. By recognizing exceptional contributions in fields as diverse as science and technology, arts, humanities and Canadian culture, NAIT demonstrates its commitment to the community and the future of education. The recipients of NAIT’s 2007 Honorary Diplomas are no strangers to hard work, outstanding individual achievement, or dedication to their craft.
JR Shaw Honourary Diploma – Business Administration
JR Shaw founded Shaw Communications Inc. (under the original name of Capital Cable Television Co.) in 1966 and continues as the company’s Executive Chair. He is President and Director of the Shaw Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by his father, Francis E. Shaw. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Suncor Energy Inc. Throughout his career, JR Shaw has been recognized for his achievements as an entrepreneur and community leader. He has received the Ted Rogers, Sr. Velma Graham Award for his contribution to the Canadian broadcasting system, as well as the Friend of the Industry Award presented by the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association. Mr. Shaw also received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by Alberta Opportunities Company. He was also inducted into the Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta's Business Hall of Fame and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. More recently Mr. Shaw was the recipient of the Canadian Association of Broadcaster’s highest honour, Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence. The Canadian government has presented him with the Confederation of Canada Award, and Mr. Shaw was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Mr. Shaw was born in Brigden, Ontario, moving to Edmonton in 1961 with his wife Carol. They have four children – Jim, Heather, Julie and Brad – all of whom are involved in the family businesses. They also have twelve grandchildren. Mr. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Michigan State University, as well as Honourary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Mr. Shaw chaired the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Board of Governors for seven years and is also a Distinguished Friend of the Institute.
Kevin Nabholz Honourary Diploma – Petroleum Engineering Technology
Kevin Nabholz joined Suncor in 1986 and was appointed to his current position as Executive Vice President, Major Projects in March 2005. Previously, Mr. Nabholz was Senior Vice President, Major Projects, from January 2002 to February 2005.
In his role, Mr. Nabholz is responsible for providing leadership to Suncor's major engineering, procurement and construction projects across the corporation, including the Firebag In-Situ Oil Sands Project, Millennium Vacuum Unit, Millennium Coker Unit, Voyageur, and expansion projects at both the Sarnia and Commerce City refineries. Mr. Nabholz also oversees wind power project construction.
His past roles at Suncor include positions with Suncor's oil sands operation in Fort McMurray as the Vice President of Upgrading and later as the Vice President of Extraction. Mr. Nabholz’s experience at the oil sands operation provided him with a broad knowledge of major project development while he participated in the $3.4-billion Project Millennium construction.
Mr. Nabholz completed the Queen's Executive Program in 1995 and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in 2000 to complement his experience within Suncor. Mr. Nabholz also earned his Project Management Professional certification in 1996.
He is Past President of the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) and remains a member of the COAA board. Mr. Nabholz is currently a member of the Miller Thomson Foundation Board of Governors, is a past Director of the Keyano College Foundation and previously served as Chairman of the Keyano College Capital Fundraising Campaign.
Mr. Nabholz is the Campaign Co-Chair for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Building on Demand Campaign.
He and his wife have two sons.