Honours and Awards

AIC's highest honour, the title of Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, recognizes an individual AIC member who has made a distinguished contribution to Canadian agriculture through contributions to building scientific capacity for societal good, integration and collaboration between disciplines and sectors, and communications. Dr. John Kennelly received the 2011 award at special presentation on October 21st at the University of Alberta, where he is Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.

The award was presented by AIC Past President David Chanasyk, who noted Dr. Kennelly's wide-ranging impact on agriculture in our country:

Dr. Kennelly has played a key role in building scientific capacity in Canada through his leadership role in building partnerships within the University of Alberta, and with external partners, that included many of the key industry players in the agriculture sector, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and other Canadian universities.

Dr. Kennelly's dairy research program has emphasized the importance of integrating nutritional research across the spectrum, spanning the evaluation of forages, grains and oilseeds, factors influencing the digestion and utilization of feedstuffs in the rumen and intestine, and the effects of absorbed nutrients on milk yield and milk composition.

Dr. Kennelly has played a key role in undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Alberta, both as a teacher and as Chair of the Task Force that, in the mid-nineties, was responsible for the development of new and highly successful undergraduate programs in the faculty. As Dean, John has overseen the establishment of new degree programs which will help students meet society's demands for safer food and a healthier environment.

One of the most significant technology transfer achievements of Dr. Kennelly has been the establishment of the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar (WCDS). This conference is now in its 29th year and it attracts over 600 people each year to Alberta for what is recognized as the premier dairy seminar in North America. He served as Program Director for this seminar for 23 years and was awarded the Western Dairy Seminar Award of Merit in recognition of his service to the WCDS.

In his capacity as Professor, Chair of AFNS and Dean of ALES, Dr. Kennelly has been a champion and a voice for agriculture, life and environmental science at the University of Alberta, nationally and internationally. Dr. Kennelly spends a great deal of time working with professionals in the agriculture industry, as well as with government leaders, to create mutually beneficial partnerships for the University of Alberta.

Dr. Kennelly has served on a number of national committees, including the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Nutrition, the College of Reviewers for the Canada Research Chairs Program, and as a member of the Natural Science and Engineering Council (NSERC) Scholarship and Fellowship Committee. He also served as a member of the Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel on the Future of Food Biotechnology and was a member of the Alberta Science and Research Authority Biotechnology Task Force.

Dr Kennelly has served as Dean of the Faculty of ALES 2004-present and oversaw the name change to the faculty; Chair AFNS 1997-2004; Associate Dean Academic Programs 1993-96. Between 2003 and 2006 he served as a Special Advisor to the Vice President (Research) as the University of Alberta representative on IFASA Working Group. Currently, Dr. Kennelly is President of the Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. This group is dedicated to ensuring effective collaboration and communication across Canada's 13 faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Kennelly is a most deserving recipient of this prestigious award. Congratulations.

Photo: Dr. David Chanasyk, AIC Past President (left) and Dr. John Kennelly. Photo courtesy University of Alberta