May 8, 2017

Medicine Hat College (MHC) is pleased to announce that Bill Yuill is this year’s honorary degree recipient. The award will be presented at MHC’s 2017 convocation ceremonies on June 9.

Willard “Bill” H. Yuill is a local business person and philanthropist who embodies the qualities revered by the college: scholarship, the advancement of learning, welfare and social responsibility, creativity and innovation, enterprise, and public service.

“Everyone in the Medicine Hat area knows Bill and the Yuill family because of their service and commitment to our area. Instilling a sense of social responsibility for the communities we live in is important to student learning,” says Dr. Denise Henning, president and CEO of Medicine Hat College. “We are thrilled to honour Bill in this way.”

A third generation Hatter, Yuill followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather with an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong desire to improve the region and the lives of the people living here. As Chairman, President and CEO of The Monarch Corporation he has led several projects in South East Alberta, although his business ventures expand far beyond our corner of the world, he maintains Medicine Hat as his home base.

In addition to supporting worthy causes across the country, the Yuill Family Foundation has made several large donations to local projects in the name of Yuill’s parents. The Marjory E. Yuill Cancer Centre allows patients to remain close to home in the comfort of their own community, and the new J.H. “Hop” Yuill Fitness Centre at Medicine Hat High School will give future generations the chance to experience one of Yuill’s passions: sports.

Yuill has held leadership roles with several leagues and teams in hockey, baseball, basketball, and even golf. Through his sports interests, he has worked to connect young athletes to scholarship and training opportunities that will serve them for years to come.

Henning hopes graduates will gain inspiration from this year’s honorary degree recipient. “He is an incredible role model for us to put in front of our students. If this graduating class can take a cue from Bill’s work ethic, initiative and dedication to others, they will serve our community well.”