Professor receives Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award

The Alberta Newcomer Recognition Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of Albertans born abroad. They honour individuals — youth, women, seniors, entrepreneurs, community builders and others — who have enriched the province through volunteer activities, leadership, innovation, business, or academic and professional achievements. 

Dr. Gideon Christian, PhD, is a 2023 winner in the Career and Academics Contribution category, which celebrates professional or academic excellence. Gideon was nominated for his work creating a new eLitigation course at UCalgary Law, an idea that was driven by courthouse closures during the pandemic and was the first of its kind in any law school in Canada.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award from the government and good people of Alberta. It fills me with overwhelming gratitude to learn that I was nominated for this recognition by my former students (now lawyers).  

Years ago, when I came to Canada as an international student, I had one dream – to become a fulltime law professor. That immigrant journey took me through a difficult and challenging path – from a near state of homelessness to becoming a law professor now recognised by the province I have come to love and call home." 

One university and one province made my immigrant dream a reality. I remain grateful to the University of Calgary, the government, and good people of Alberta for this place I now call home – a place where I can work, play and raise my young family. 

Nominations were evaluated on criteria such as the nominee’s overall contributions, how their actions fulfilled a need and affected others, and how they demonstrated leadership. To qualify, nominees must have been born outside Canada but now be permanent residents or Canadian citizens.