Bissett Alumni Award given out at School of Public Policy and Administration’s 15th Annual Banquet

12 March 2012 (Ottawa) – The School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) at Carleton University honoured Ms. Judith LaRocque, Canada’s Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the Bissett Alumni Award.

The award, presented Friday at the School’s 15^th Annual MAPA Banquet, honours graduates from the school who have made distinguished contributions to public service, broadly defined. Ms. LaRocque’s 30-year career has taken her from government departments, to the halls of the Governor General’s office, to the coordinating of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Throughout her career, Judith LaRocque has taken on a wide range of challenging new assignments and roles, and has consistently delivered on each,” said Dr. Susan Phillips, Director of SPPA. “She is a respected and powerful woman both at home and internationally, and is a fantastic role model for all Carleton University graduates.”

Ms. LaRocque is presently serving as Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the OECD, based in Paris, and was not able to accept the award in person. Dr. Alan Maslove, Professor of Health Policy and former Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs, accepted the award on her behalf.

“The Bissett Alumni Award shows current students the importance and value of public service,” said Alex Paterson, Co-Chair of the event. “We are proud to honour Ms. LaRocque as she provides an amazing example of the kind of hard work and dedication needed to solve tough policy challenges.”

The banquet was held Friday evening at the Ottawa Marriott hotel, and featured a keynote address from Mr. Don Newman, former Senior Political Correspondent at the CBC, and current Chairman of Canada 2020.

More information about the School of Public Policy and Administration

Canada’s oldest and largest multi-disciplinary graduate school, the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) at Carleton is dedicated to producing leaders in public service. With almost 60 years as a leader in education for public administration, Carleton’s School of Public Policy and Administration has several thousand alumni, many of whom occupy top positions in governments across Canada and around the world, as well as in the private and nonprofit sectors. The School offers a PhD in Public Policy, Masters and Graduate Diplomas that provide expertise in fields ranging from public management, evaluation international development, environmental policy, sustainable energy and (under development), philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.

Press inquiries, please contact:

Alex Paterson
VP Community Relations
MAPA Society