Austin Mardon
Austin Mardon receives the Order of Canada.
| Austin Albert Mardon | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 25, 1962 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Fields | Advocate for the Disabled, Historical astronomy |
| Alma mater |
University of Lethbridge South Dakota State University Texas A&M University) |
|
Website www.austinmardon.org | |
Austin Albert Mardon, CM Ph.D. (born June 25, 1962 to Ernest George Mardon and May Mardon) is an academic, author, and community leader who has participated in community based volunteerism and is an advocate for the disabled.[1]
Early life
Born in Edmonton in 1962,[2] Dr. Mardon grew up in Lethbridge and was heavily bullied in junior high and throughout high school, and while it continued only a little into university, by then the damage had already been done.[3] Since he came from a family of academics, Dr. Mardon worked hard to live up to his families legacy of academia, but while at university, he failed every class except for his geography class. Taking this as a sign, decided to pursue geography with earnest, and one of his professors described him as having a sort academic breach birth - having great difficulty at the start but finding his footing later on.[2]
Degrees
- Univ. of Grenoble Dipl. in French 1979
- Univ. of Lethbridge B.A. in Geography 1985
- Graduate work Univ. of Alberta & Univ. of Calgary
- South Dakota State Univ. M.Sc. in Geography 1988
- Texas A&M Univ. M.Ed. 1990
- Univ. of North Dakota graduate work in Space Science 1990
- Greenwich University, Australia Ph.D. in Geography 2000
- Newman Theological College graduate work 2001, 2003, 2005;
- Post graduate studies, Kharkov National University, Ukraine 2002–04
- University of South Africa doctoral work 2007
Career
- Primary Army Reserves (Artillery) 1981, 1984–85
- Research Scientist, NASA/NSF Antarctica 1986–87
- USARP Meteorite Recovery Expedition, Antarctica 1986–87
- Geophysical Consultant, Stargate Research. Lab. (Calif.) 1999–2003, (Idaho) 2003–04, (Calif.) 2004–07
- Assistant Program Manager, Alberta Mental Health Self Help Network 1999–2005
- Honorary Professor, Penza State Pedagogical Univ., Russia 2003– late 2000's
- Member of the National Board of the Champion's Centre, Edmonton Chair
- Trustee, Edmonton Public Library Board 2001–06
- Board Member, Alberta Disabilities Forum 2004–07
- Member of the Alberta Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities 2005–2013
- Public Member of the Alberta College of Social Workers 2009–14
- Advisory committee for governor generals caring Canadian award 2012–present
- Grant Coordinator, Antarctic Institute of Canada- CSJ grants, every summer 2006- onwards, supervising students
- Committee Member, Alberta Health Services: Provincial Data Advisory Group, Spring 2013- onwards
- Committee Member, Grant selection committee for TRAM, Graham Boeckh Foundation/CIHR, Oct 2012- 2014
- Mentor, Chimo Youth Services, Sep 2012- April 2014, Primary in home caregiver of mentally handicapped young man
- Council Member, Provincial Mental Health and Addiction Advisory Council, May 2012- 2015
- Subcommittee Member, Science Advisory Committee, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Feb 2012- 2013
- Special Advisor, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta June 2011- onwards
- Board Member, Lt. Governor's Circle for Mental Health and Addiction April 2011- August 2013 One of 3 founding members
- Public Board Member, Social Work Diploma Program Advisory Committee, Norquest College March 2011- onwards
- Committee Member, Canadian Accreditation Council- Mental Health Subcommittee, February 2011- March 2011
- Committee Member, Working Group for the AHW/AHS Addiction & Mental Health Strategy Feb 2011- April 2011
- Adjunct Faculty Member(Assist), John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, University of Alberta, 2011- onwards
- Committee Member, Alberta Deputy Minister Appointed Addiction & Mental Health Strategy Com. Nov. 2010- May 2011
- Committee Member, Covenant Health Mental Health Committee January 2010- 2013
- Committee Member, Alberta Hospital-Edmonton Implementation Team, November 2009– January 2010
- Board Member, Alberta College of Social Workers June 2009 – 2015; Public Member Social Action & Social Justice Comm Feb 2010- 2015; Finance Comm June 2010- 2015
- Committee Member, Addiction & Mental Health, Service Integration Working Group, AHS 2008- 2009
- Trainer Teacher, BRIDGES Mental Health Peer Support Training Program, Pathways, AHS 2008(Completed training)
- Chair, The Champion’s Centre- Edmonton Advisory Committee January 2006- 2011
- Council Member, Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities 2005- 2013 governance, policy direction and overcoming stereotypes of the disabled in Alberta; on Communications Comm. 2005- 2013
- Freelance Writer, Edmonton Journal, Lethbridge Herald, Calgary Herald, Western Catholic Reporter, Epoch Times & other 2005-on
- Board Member, The Champion’s Centre National Board 2005- 2007, 2010- 2011, Special Advisor 2011
- Chair, Alberta Disabilities Forum Low-Income Working Group 2005-2006 (Member 2003-2007) led coalition of 36 disability groups advocating for reform of AISH(provincial disabled income program).
- Honorary Professor, Penza State Pedagogical University, Penza, Russia 2005- 2009
- Vice-Chair, Alberta Disabilities Forum Steering Committee 2004-2007 (member 2004- 2008) to present provincial level advocacy for disabled and policy development
- Adjunct Faculty Member, Akamai University 2004 -onwards, supervision of students
- Member, Planning Committee CMHA National Conference 2003-2005
- Trustee, Edmonton Public Library Board 2000-2006 governance and policy direction of EPL system
- Committee Member, Alberta Regional Mental Health Advisory Committee Chairs Committee 2000-2001
- Board Member, Schizophrenia Society of Alberta- Provincial Chapter 2000-2004
- Adjunct Faculty Member, Greenwich University 2000- 2004, supervision of students
- Coordinator, Alberta Mental Health Self Help Network/Canadian Mental Health Association 1999-2005, duties writing text for newsletter, editor newsletter, writing text for web site, coordinating board meetings, administrative duties in office
- Board Member, Regional Mental Health Advisory Committee 1999-2004, chair from 2000–2001, RMAC Chairs Committee 2000-2001
- Board Member, National Network for Mental Health 1999-2000
- Board Member, Schizophrenia Society of Alberta- Edmonton Chapter 1999-2005
- Editor, Golden Meteorite Press 1996- onwards
- Personal Audience with Pope, with Pope John Paul II in Rome, January 1996, presented small signed papal flag that flew in Antarctica
- Member, Clubhouse Demonstration Project Committee, 1995-1996
- Chair, Clubhouse Society of Edmonton, Board member 1993-1999 chair & co-chair 1995-1999 took budget from $500 to over $160,000
- Speaker, Schizophrenia Society of Alberta- Edmonton, Mental Health public speaking (over450) to schools, and colleges. 1993-onwards
- Freelance Writer, 1991–present part-time. Authored, coauthored, translated, and edited over 52 books and over 240 articles/ abstracts
- Editor, Shoestring Press and RTAJ Fry Press 1990- 1996
- Research Assistant, Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism 1989- Jan 1990, research on Alberta Politicians
- Expedition Field Member, Canadian Polar Continental Shelf Project, meteorite reconnaissance, Resolute, NWT Summer 1988
- Expedition Field Member, NASA/NSF/USARP Antarctic meteorite field expedition field member, Antarctica 1986-1987, conducted field research on Antarctic polar plateau recovering over 700 meteorites 90 miles from South Pole- Beardmore Glacier
- Teaching Assistant, Department of Geography, Texas A & M University 1986, helped instruct introductory geography class
- Teaching Assistant, Department of Geography, South Dakota State University 1986, proctored introductory geography class
- Chair, Antarctic Institute of Canada 1985- onwards (founding member)
- Private, Primary Reserves, Artillery Lethbridge 1981 & 1984- 1985
Awards and honours
- Antarctic Service Medal- US Congress(Navy)- 1987
- Duke of Edinburgh Award- Bronze Level- 1987
- Texas State Proclamation #51, Texas Legislature- 1988
- Governor Generals Caring Canadian Award- 1996, presented 1999
- Nadine Stirling Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- Alberta 1999
- Flag of Hope Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada- 2001
- Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Lethbridge- 2002
- Presidents Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- Alberta- 2002
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal- 2002
- Alberta Centennial Medal- 2005
- Ron LaJeunnesse Leadership Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- Edmonton 2005
- Order of Canada, Member- October 2006, Invested- October 2007
- Bill Jefferies Family Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada- 2007
- CM Hincks Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- National Division- 2007
- Best National Editorial, Canadian Church Press- 2010 for Western Catholic Reporter article.
- Medal of Honour, Alberta Medical Association- October 2010
- Mental Health Media Award, Canadian Mental Health Association-Alberta October 2010 for AHE Edmonton Journal articles
- Honorable Kentucky Colonel- Commonwealth of Kentucky April 2011
- Honorary Doctorate, L.L.D., University of Alberta- June 10, 2011
- Medal of Honour, Canadian Medical Association- August 25, 2011
- Catherine & Austin Mardon CM Schizophrenia Award permanently endowed at U of Alberta for $500 per annum 2012
- Dr's Catherine & Austin Mardon CM Student Award Bursary established at Newman Theological College 2012
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal- Presented May 28, 2012
- Catherine & Austin Mardon CM Schizophrenia Award endowed at Norquest College for $1,000 per annum August 2013- 2014
- Honorary Doctorate, University of Lethbridge- May 29, 2014
- Antarctic Service Medal- US Congress(Navy)- 1987
- Duke of Edinburgh Award- Bronze Level- 1987
- Texas State Proclamation #51, Texas Legislature- 1988
- Governor Generals Caring Canadian Award- 1996, presented 1999
- Nadine Stirling Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- Alberta 1999
- Flag of Hope Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada- 2001
- Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Lethbridge- 2002
- Presidents Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- Alberta- 2002
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal- 2002
- Alberta Centennial Medal- 2005
- Ron LaJeunnesse Leadership Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- Edmonton 2005
- Order of Canada, Member- October 2006, Invested- October 2007
- Bill Jefferies Family Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada- 2007
- CM Hincks Award, Canadian Mental Health Association- National Division- 2007
- Best National Editorial, Canadian Church Press- 2010 for Western Catholic Reporter article.
- Medal of Honour, Alberta Medical Association- October 2010
- Mental Health Media Award, Canadian Mental Health Association-Alberta October 2010 for AHE Edmonton Journal articles
- Honorable Kentucky Colonel- Commonwealth of Kentucky April 2011
- Honorary Doctorate, L.L.D., University of Alberta- June 10, 2011
- Medal of Honour, Canadian Medical Association- August 25, 2011
- Catherine & Austin Mardon CM Schizophrenia Award permanently endowed at U of Alberta for $500 per annum 2012
- Dr's Catherine & Austin Mardon CM Student Award Bursary established at Newman Theological College 2012
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal- Presented May 28, 2012
- Catherine & Austin Mardon CM Schizophrenia Award endowed at Norquest College for $1,000 per annum August 2013- 2014
- Honorary Doctorate, University of Lethbridge- May 29, 2014
- Elected into the Royal Society of Canada as a Specially Elected Fellow - November 22, 2014 [4]
- Award the Honorary Social Worker Award by the Alberta College of Social Workers - March 27, 2015
Publications
Books
- International law and space rescue systems (1991) ISBN 1-895385-21-0
- Men of the Dawn: Politicians from the North West Territories of the District of Alberta and Candidates for the First Alberta General Election, 1882-1905 (1991)
- Down and out and on the run in Moscow (1992) ISBN 1-895385-74-1
- English Medieval Cometary References Over a Thousand Years ISBN 978-1897472002
- Wake of Evil (1995) ISBN 1-895385-75-X
- Alone Against The Revolution (1996) ISBN 1-895385-53-9
- Songs of My Heart - A Chinese Woman's Story (1999) ISBN 1-895385-71-7
- A Description of: The Western Isles of Scotland (1549) (2009) ISBN 978-1897472088
- The Mormon Contribution to Alberta Politics (2011) ISBN 978-1-897472-23-1
- French Canadians in the Political Life of the Province of Alberta, also translated into French (2012) ISBN 9781897472927
- Who's Who in Federal Politics in Alberta (2012) ISBN 9781897472194
- Space Rescue Systems In the Context of International Law (2012) ISBN 9781897472217
- The Conflict Between the Individual & Society in the Plays of James Bridie ISBN 978-1897472071
Children's books
- The Girl Who Could Walk Through Walls (2012) ISBN 9781895385434
- When Kitty Met the Ghost (2012) ISBN 9781897472378
- Gandy and Parker Escape the Zoo (2013) ISBN 978-1897472828
References
- ↑ "Edmonton Man Who Triumphed over Schizophrenia to Receive Order of Canada". The Epoch USA, Inc. Oct 25, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://thegriff.ca/2014/09/dr-mardon-biography-feature/
- ↑ Personal Interview with Jonathan Harline, August 8, 2014
- ↑ https://rsc-src.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/New%20Fellows%20Citations2014_EN.pdf
External links
- Austin Mardon website
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn0OIukERiA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RysM9Zxrnc&list=UUiZ3QeWc4NazVvBy6hsepkg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qadA6q7CezA&list=UUiZ3QeWc4NazVvBy6hsepkg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHPWxqudZCM&feature=youtu.be
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMwGneCBvtU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaXkw8VIhk0
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