On November 13, during MacEwan's Fall 2024 Convocation ceremonies,  David Mowat and Angus Watt will receive Doctors of the University honorary degrees. 

“I am thrilled to welcome two new honorary doctorate recipients into the MacEwan family,” says Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. “Their significant contributions to their community and drive to advance the prosperity of our province deserve our respect and admiration. MacEwan’s strategic vision, Teaching Greatness, includes a focus on perpetual motion – something to which these new honorary doctorate recipients have dedicated their lives.”

Meet the recipients

David Mowat 

In 2018, David Mowat retired from his role as president and CEO of ATB Financial, wrapping up a distinguished career in the financial industry. During his 11 years with ATB, he led a transformation that resulted in unprecedented growth and positioned ATB as both a community leader for financial services and a top employer in Canada. Mowat also helped to establish Four Directions, an ATB branch that supports people experiencing homelessness, along with the Branch for Arts and Culture at ATB. 

His impact on the province extends far beyond banking. In 2014, he was appointed MacEwan’s Allard Chair in Business, and served as a role model to business students.

Mowat was named Canada’s #1 CEO by Glassdoor and Business Person of the Year by Alberta Venture. He was also the chair of the provincial review of Alberta’s Royalty program and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Alberta in 2017. 

An extraordinary community builder, Mowat continues to contribute his expertise to organizations, including the Citadel Theatre, the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and the Alberta Arts Awards Foundation. He has personally raised a service dog for Dogs With Wings and leads an innovative fundraising campaign for Edmonton’s Light the Bridge project. 

David Mowat will receive an honorary doctor of the university degree on November 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Angus Watt

A dedicated business leader and community builder, Angus Watt has spent 40 years contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the community. In addition to his role as a senior wealth advisor for National Bank Financial Wealth Management, he is a founding partner of the Angus Watt Advisory Group and is well-known for his dedication to improving the financial literacy of everyday Albertans by reporting on financial markets on radio and TV. 

Watt is a passionate community builder, volunteering his expertise to a number of deserving organizations, including the We Cross Cancer campaign, the Minerva Foundation and the United Way. He was recently appointed as a member of the Health Quality Council of Alberta. He has also served on a number of boards that focus on mental well-being, including the Lieutenant Governor’s Circle of Mental Health, the University of Alberta Senate Student Mental Health Endowment, the Support Network and the Support Network Foundation. 

Watt holds a number of special titles and awards, including Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Honorary Colonel (Ret’d) for the South Alberta Light Horse Regiment, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. He is also a member of the Alberta Order of Excellence and a Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame laureate. 

Angus Watt will receive an honorary doctor of the university degree on November 13 at 9:30 a.m.