A lifetime of art: Ruth Smillie receives University of Regina's highest honour - CBC

Ruth Smillie says she feels 'very touched and honoured' to receive the honorary degree. (Richard Agecoutay/CBC)Social SharingRuth Smillie has dedicated her life to the arts, primarily the Saskatchewan theatre scene. On Thursday, the University of Regina awarded her its highest honour.

She was given an honorary doctor of fine arts degree at the fall convocation to commemorate her contributions to the province's artistic scene.

"I cried," Smillie said. "I'm just very touched and honoured to receive this, especially from the place I call home."

Smillie was born in Vanderhoof, a municipality in British Colombia. She lived in multiple cities across Canada and the United States before settling in Regina in 1996.

She joined the Globe Theatre as its artistic director and CEO in 1998 and remained there for 21 years. She also worked with the Darke Hall arts venue and founded the Darke Hall Society, a non-profit group that operates the organization.

University of Regina president and vice-chancellor Jeff Keshen said Smillie is incredibly committed to arts and to the importance of culture in the community, and praised her contributions to the Globe and Darke Hall.

"Without Ruth's contributions over so many years, the Globe would not be where it is today," Keshen said.

Smillie, with University of Regina president and vice-chancellor Jeff Keshen, right, was awarded the honorary doctor of fine arts degree at the fall convocation Thursday. (Richard Agecoutay/CBC)

"[She] has been an essential part to energize the human quality to Dark Hall and bring incredible performers there."

Smillie created the Lanterns on the Lake festival, which ran until 2003, while working at the Globe.

She also started an informal program in partnership with the university's theatre department to place young acting students in productions at the Globe.

The initiative was later formalized, turning into a professional placement program that allows actors, technicians, stage managers, directors and playwrights to complete residencies at the Globe and receive credit for it.

Keshen says he hopes recognizing Smillie encourages graduates to make meaningful contributions to the community. (Richard Agecoutay/CBC)

Smillie said she worked hard to get to where she is. The idea of becoming a theatre artist seemed improbable at first, so being honoured for her work felt like a full-circle moment, she said.

Smillie said being an artist is not an easy choice, and encouraged all graduates and young artists to trust their calling and persevere.

"For those of us who are artists, it's often our only choice. Without it, we don't have enough air to breathe," she said.

Pam Klein — described by the university as a business leader and philanthropist — received an honorary doctor of laws degree Thursday.

She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Regina in 1981. Klein got a master's degree in education at the University of Manitoba before serving on the University of Regina's board of governors. She was the institution's ninth chancellor and was in that role from 2019 until last year.

Pam Klein is the university's former chancellor, and past president of the Phoenix Group. (Submitted by Pam Klein)

Klein is the past president of the Phoenix Group, an advertising and communications firm. Her volunteer work includes founding Power of Pink, which has raised more than $1 million for local breast cancer charities, the university said in a news release.

"Her career reflects a deep commitment to opening doors for others and making her community stronger," the news release said.

Keshen said more than 1,100 students graduated at this convocation. He said he hopes this type of recognition can encourage them to pursue the things they love and to make meaningful contributions to the community.

"[Recipients] can act as inspirations to others about the things they've accomplished, the things they value, and the satisfaction that they've had in their life from doing that," he said.

Andrea Vera is a Regina-based journalist. You can reach her at andrea.vera@cbc.ca.