Augustana presents citation award to Gaede

Augustana presented its 2012 Citation Award to Judge Harry Gaede April 24.

The award recognizes a non alumnus for significant contributions to the life of Augustana.

"Harry Gaede has been a difference maker, not only at Augustana but also in the larger community," explained Dean Allen Berger.

In addition to helping students with awards, Gaede has donated to the Chester Ronning Centre, the Augustana chaplaincy program and the piano, choral and drama programs.

"My first wife was a music teacher, so I got involved in the music scene," he said in Augustana's 2012 report to the community. "I supported the piano purchase and the choral program, and attend many of the performances. We set up a scholarship for music students as well."

Gaede considers himself a "sort of alumni."

"I took Greek and Roman history courses and went on several of the trips as an auditing student," he said.

"I never stopped learning."

Gaede arrived in Camrose in 1971 and practiced law for 22 years with Gaede & Fielding (now Fielding & Co.) before being appointed Provincial Court Judge.

Berger said Gaede is a one of the best examples of how a liberal arts education fosters a life long love of learning and contributes to the unfolding of a meaningful life.

"He is an avid reader, a passionate discussant of all matters religious and philosophical, a life long student, an organizer of meaningful and important conversations, and an active traveller  with a deep seated interest in other cultures.

"In other words, he is a role model for our students here at Augustana – indeed, a role model for all of us."

Gaede said that he and others who have been recognized with awards are only the points of the sphere.

"The only way we can get awards like this is because we have the support of our family, our community, our friends."

Past recipients of the Augustana Alumni Citation Award are Clarence Mastel (2011), Elder Theresa Wildcat (2010) and Norm Mayer.