Lt.-Gen. Rick Hillier

Just 10 days after being named commander of the NATO-led troops in Kabul, Afghanistan, Memorial University alumnus Lt.-Gen. Rick Hillier (B.Sc. '76) will visit the St. John's campus to pick up an Alumni Tribute Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement.

Lt.-Gen. Hillier's appointment was announced on Oct. 6; Memorial will recognize him for his achievements (along with four other outstanding alumni) at a gala dinner at R. Gushue Hall on Oct.16.

In Kabul, Lt.-Gen. Hillier will head a multinational force that includes almost 2,000 Canadian troops. John McCallum, minister of national defence, said Lt.-Gen. Hillier's extensive command experience (which includes command of one of Bosnia's three multinational divisions) makes him an ideal choice for the mission.

Lt.-Gen. Hillier is currently serving as chief of the land staff at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He will assume command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in February 2004.

The Alumni Tribute Awards gala is part of Celebrate Memorial 2003, an annual festival of events celebrating Memorial's significant community presence and contribution. Other recipients of this year's Alumni Tribute Awards include: Lifetime Achievement Award: Former Chief Justice T. Alec Hickman, OC, QC, LLD (Memorial University College '44); Horizon Award: Stephen Kent, BBA'01; Outstanding Community Service Award: Maj. Dr. G. Dawn Howse, B.Med.Sci.'76, MD'78; J. D. Eaton Award: Wayne Thistle, QC, B.Ed.'68, B.Sc.(Hons)'68, MA'71.

Tickets to the event cost $50; proceeds support the Memorial University Scholarship fund. For more information or to book your tickets call Alumni Affairs and Development at 737-4354 or 1-877-700-4081or email rsvpalumni@mun.ca.