Honouring individuals for their distinguished achievements is a longstanding convocation tradition at Sask Polytech

June 2025

Saskatchewan Polytechnic proudly continues its long-standing tradition of honouring individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, industries and the province.

Honorary degrees are awarded to distinguished leaders whose achievements embody the institution’s vision and values. These recipients help shape a learning environment rooted in applied education and innovation, inspiring success in every learning journey and empowering a stronger Saskatchewan.

“We proudly acknowledge our honorary degree recipients for their unwavering dedication to their communities and extend our heartfelt congratulations on these well-deserved honours,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Sask Polytech. “Their outstanding leadership, and commitment to making our province a better place to live and work is truly inspiring.”

Rob Clark

Sask Polytech recognized Rob Clark with an honorary degree in Applied Studies at its Moose Jaw campus convocation.

A lifelong resident of Moose Jaw, Clark is a highly respected business leader whose career has been deeply rooted in media sales and management. He started at the Moose Jaw Times Herald in 2001 and spent 13 years there, including roles as publisher and provincial director of operations.

Beyond his media career, Clark has been a driving force in the local business community. He served on the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce board for over a decade, including time as president, and has been leading the organization as CEO since 2015.

Clark’s passion for community involvement extends beyond the workplace. For more than 35 years, he was actively engaged in the local sports scene as both a player and coach. These experiences have allowed him to build meaningful connections, foster teamwork, and mentor others—creating lasting friendships along the way.

Clark has also held board roles with Tourism Moose Jaw, South Central Community Futures, the Downtown Moose Jaw Association and the City of Moose Jaw’s Economic Recovery Task Team. In 2021, Rob was awarded the Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

Kelly Lendsay

Sask Polytech recognized Kelly Lendsay with an honorary degree in Applied Studies at its Saskatoon campus convocation.

Lendsay is a highly respected Indigenous leader and social entrepreneur. He is a Canadian innovator and organizational development expert in Indigenous employment, workplace and economic innovation strategies.

In 2020, Lendsay launched Luminary, a project to advance Indigenous innovation for economic transformation, employment and wellbeing. Luminary was one of 24 initiatives awarded funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Science Fund. The program brings together academia, research agencies and Indigenous businesses to strengthen the Indigenous innovation ecosystem, drive economic growth and support job creation through research and innovation.

More recently, Lendsay was one of eight Indigenous leaders who contributed to the development of the National Indigenous Economic Development Strategy. In 2023, he joined the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management’s Institute for Corporate Directors as an adjunct instructor, where he led the inaugural session on Indigenous Governance and Reconciliation.

Victor Thomas

Sask Polytech recognized Victor Thomas with an honorary degree in Applied Studies at its Regina campus convocation.

Born and raised in Regina, Thomas is a distinguished leader in international business and public service. He is president and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council and also serves as chair of the Investment Advisory Counsel at Marval Capital Ltd., an investment firm focused on Indian public equities.

In the past 20 years, Thomas has held numerous leadership roles, including as chair of Precision AI and Innovation Place, and vice-chair of SaskEnergy. He was the inaugural chair of the Canadian Red Cross executive cabinet for Saskatchewan and co-chaired the Regina campaign for the Saskatchewan Ronald McDonald House expansion.

His global contributions include serving as chair of CARE Canada and CARE International in Kenya. He also chaired the Banff Forum, one of Canada’s preeminent public policy forums. In 2011, he became the youngest chair in the 135-year history of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce.

Thomas continues to influence national policy as a member of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region – North American Advisory Council and Canada’s Energy for a Secure Future advisory council. He is also director emeritus of the Rideau Hall Foundation.

He has been recognized with the Public Policy Forum’s Emerging Leaders Award for Canada, Order of the Red Cross and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Jim Pattison

Sask Polytech recognized Jim Pattison with an honorary degree in Applied Studies at its Prince Albert campus convocation.

Pattison is a highly respected business leader and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of The Jim Pattison Group.

In 1961, Pattison launched his business with a General Motors dealership selling Pontiacs and Buicks in the Greater Vancouver Area. Over the decades, he expanded beyond the automotive sector, first into outdoor advertising, then into magazine and book distribution, airlines, department stories, media, hockey franchises and more.

The list of honours and accolades received by Pattison is extensive. He has donated millions to causes in both Vancouver, where he was raised, and Saskatchewan, his province of birth. In 2017, he made the largest private donation by a Canadian citizen, contributing $75 million to establish the Jim Pattison Medical Centre in Vancouver. That same year, he gave $50 million to the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital Foundation—the largest private donation in the province’s history. Two years later, the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital opened its doors in Saskatoon.