The Carleton University community mourns the passing of Alberta businessman and philanthropist, Clayton Riddell, whose generous support enabled the creation of the Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management. His $15-million gift was one of the largest in the university’s history.
Riddell, an entrepreneur, energy industry leader and co-owner of the Calgary Flames, passed away last weekend at the age of 81.
“On behalf of the Carleton community, I would like to offer our condolences to the Riddell family,” said Carleton President Benoit-Antoine Bacon. “Mr. Riddell had tremendous vision. He was new to the Carleton community, but he recognized us as the best means to make a difference towards a cause he cared about deeply.
“One of his many legacies is the outstanding Carleton graduates who, thanks to his generosity, have gone on or will go on to occupy positions of responsibility in Canadian politics, and in so doing will improve the political process for all Canadians.”
The political management program — Canada’s first — was launched in 2011 in collaboration with Riddell and other community leaders who wanted to improve the quality and effectiveness of democratic governance in Canada.
From the outset, it was a perfect fit for Carleton’s Faculty of Public Affairs, considering the university’s many connections to Parliament Hill and to Ottawa’s political, diplomatic and public service communities.
Clayton Riddell receives a Doctor of Laws honoris causa from Carleton in 2014 in recognition of his brilliant career in business and his thoughtful contributions to higher education, as well as to good governance in Canada.
“I admire the passion and enthusiasm of those people who work for our elected officials,” Riddell said in 2010. “I am delighted to invest in an innovative academic program that will focus this enthusiasm and provide a deeper understanding of how our country works and how good public policy is developed.”
The program’s more than 150 alumni work in federal, provincial and municipal governments across the country and beyond, and for a range of public, private and non-profit organizations — a testament to its ability to send people along the path to rewarding careers focused on the common good.
At its core, the program aims to enhance Canadian democracy by teaching people how to rise above partisan bickering that has come to define politics, and how to work with both colleagues and opponents to better serve the country.
“We are saddened to learn of the loss of Clayton H. Riddell, whose generous support allowed Carleton University to create the first program in applied political skills and analysis in Canada,” said André Plourde, Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs. “One of the guiding principles of this program is to get students from different partisan backgrounds to work together with a view of elevating political discourse and the practice of politics in Canada. We are proud of how the graduates of this program have gone on to influence Canadian political life.”
“Mr. Riddell was an extraordinarily generous man,” said Prof. Stephen Azzi, director of the graduate program. “Almost 200 Carleton students have been able to pursue a master’s degree because of scholarships he provided. Mr. Riddell had a vision of a more ethical and professional political system in Canada, and he was willing to use his own money in pursuit of this vision. Without him, the political management program at Carleton would not exist.”
Born near Treherne, Manitoba, Riddell grew up in Winnipeg, graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology.
His career began with Chevron, but by 1969 his entrepreneurial spirit took over. Through exploration and development in northeastern Alberta, Riddell accumulated the assets necessary to incorporate Paramount Resources Ltd. in 1978. He remained president and CEO until his son Jim took over the business in 2015.
Riddell served on several scientific, industry and other volunteer boards, including as president of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists and chairman of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
In 2006, Riddell was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame and, in 2008, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2014, Carleton awarded Riddell the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, “in recognition of his brilliant career in business and his thoughtful contributions to higher education, as well as to good governance in Canada.”
Several members of the Riddell family, including a grandson, joined Clayton when he visited the Carleton campus to receive the honorary degree. He met with students and, while in Ottawa, toured Parliament, where his gift to the university has now made a significant and lasting impact.
Monday, September 17, 2018 in Campus News
Share: Twitter, Facebook
