Trio of award winners highlight contributions of Brandon University alumni

Three exceptional Brandon University alumni will be celebrated at this year’s Homecoming Dinner and Awards Evening on Saturday, Sept. 13, as part of BU’s annual Homecoming weekend.

Music educator and conductor Erin Dodds (B.Mus./B.Ed. ’14) will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, presented to Brandon University alumni, 35 years of age or younger, in recognition of significant achievements in their profession, sport, or community service.

Meryl Orth (BA, BEd ’84, MEd), a lifelong teacher and tireless volunteer, will be honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service, presented to Brandon University alumni who have made outstanding voluntary contributions to community service.

And Dr. William J. P. Godolphin (BSc ’62), a pioneering educator and medical researcher, will be inducted to the Alumni Wall of Fame, reserved for Brandon University alumni who have made significant achievements in their career on a provincial, national, or international level bringing honour and prestige to our University.

“These awards shine a light on the lifelong relationships that BU fosters, and the remarkable impact our alumni have in their fields and communities,” said Carla Eisler, BU’s Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs. “When we gather at Homecoming, it’s not just to reminisce, it’s also to celebrate how connections forged here continue to inspire.”

Homecoming 2025 runs Sept. 11–14, with two related events on Sept. 9 leading into the week. The four-day celebration, open to the entire community, will include music, sports, campus tours, the PrairieCon GamesDay, a smores evening, stargazing at the Gulliver Observatory, and a look at BU’s cutting-edge research.

Alongside the traditional class reunions, a core highlight each year is the Saturday evening Homecoming Dinner and Awards, where the alumni awards will be presented.

“Homecoming is a vibrant celebration of BU’s community spirit, built on openness and connection,” said Alumni Association President Chris Hunt, who will be tackling the Terry Fox Run from campus on Homecoming Sunday. “Whether we’re celebrating a milestone reunion or just graduated this past spring, all alumni come together at Homecoming with current students, faculty and friends to share memories and make new ones. We share very strong bonds tying us to this special place and to each other.”

In recent years, Homecoming has been shifted to September to take advantage of more enjoyable campus weather. More details, including the full schedule, are available at BrandonU.ca/Homecoming.

About the Winners

Meryl Orth

Outstanding Alumni Award for Community Service

Born and raised in Russell, Manitoba, Meryl Orth dedicated her life to education and community service. A graduate of Brandon University on the Dean’s Honour List and the University of Manitoba, she spent 50 years as an early years teacher, resource teacher, and literacy specialist, while earning multiple post-baccalaureate degrees and a Master’s in Special Education. Known for her innovative and inclusive classroom leadership, she also championed food programs, literacy initiatives, and an early childhood wellness fair that continue to benefit families today.

In retirement, Meryl’s commitment to lifelong learning fueled her passion for healthy aging, most notably through her leadership of Health Checks – There’s a Whole Lot of Living Left To Do!, an initiative recognized by the United Nations as a global case study in healthy aging. She has served on countless local, provincial, and national boards, committees, and a Foundation always advocating for children, families, and seniors. Meryl’s legacy is one of compassion, creativity, and unwavering service.

Erin Dodds

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Originally from Saskatchewan, Erin Dodds came to Brandon to study at Brandon University, where she earned her B.Mus./B.Ed. in 2014 while studying piano with Dr. Joan Miller and flute with Nancy Hennen. Since graduation, she has devoted her career to music education, teaching Grade 7 and 8 concert band and wind ensemble as the East Side Band director at Earl Oxford School for more than a decade.

Beyond the classroom, Erin has contributed widely to Manitoba’s musical community. She has taught sessionally at Brandon University, served as a guest conductor at the Manitoba Band Association’s Garden City Summer Band Camp, and adjudicated at the MBA Level One Festival. She has also shared her expertise through presentations at the Da Capo Music Education Conference and other professional gatherings. Currently, Erin serves as Westman Honour Bands Coordinator and sits on the MBA’s Provincial Honour Band Committee, all while performing with the Brandon Community Band.

Dr. William J. P. Godolphin

Wall of Fame

Born in St. Boniface and raised in Virden, Manitoba, William J. P. Godolphin attended Brandon College from 1959–62, earning a BSc before beginning a distinguished career in education, science, and health care. After early roles as a teacher and principal in Manitoba, Nigeria, and the Northwest Territories, he completed a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Alberta. In 1974, he joined Vancouver General Hospital and the University of British Columbia, where he rose to Professor in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, later Professor Emeritus.

His pioneering research advanced clinical chemistry, toxicology, laboratory robotics, and health communication. A co-founder of UBC’s Division of Health Care Communication, he helped shape innovative programs that bring patient and community voices directly into health professional education. With more than 90 scholarly articles, 20 books and chapters, and 20 patents, Dr. Godolphin’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to discovery, teaching, and patient-centered care.

Contact