![Gideon Christian received the Alberta Newcomer Award](/news/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_image_desktop/public/2023-10/IMG-20231012-WA0015.jpg?h=81bfa6ee&itok=nqbBST58)
Oct. 12, 2023
Professor receives Alberta Newcomer Recognition Award
![Gideon Christian receives the Alberta Newcomer Award](/news/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_news_side_by_side_hero/public/2023-10/IMG-20231012-WA0013.jpg?h=50f2a584&itok=rDnbz0AD)
The Alberta Newcomer Recognition Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of Albertans born abroad. They honour individuals — youth, women, seniors, entrepreneurs, community builders and others — who have enriched the province through volunteer activities, leadership, innovation, business, or academic and professional achievements.
Dr. Gideon Christian, PhD, is a 2023 winner in the Career and Academics Contribution category, which celebrates professional or academic excellence. Gideon was nominated for his work creating a new eLitigation course at UCalgary Law, an idea that was driven by courthouse closures during the pandemic and was the first of its kind in any law school in Canada.
![Gideon Christian received the Alberta Newcomer Award](/news/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_image_desktop/public/2023-10/IMG-20231012-WA0015.jpg?h=81bfa6ee&itok=nqbBST58)
"I am deeply honored to receive this award from the government and good people of Alberta. It fills me with overwhelming gratitude to learn that I was nominated for this recognition by my former students (now lawyers).
Years ago, when I came to Canada as an international student, I had one dream – to become a fulltime law professor. That immigrant journey took me through a difficult and challenging path – from a near state of homelessness to becoming a law professor now recognised by the province I have come to love and call home."
One university and one province made my immigrant dream a reality. I remain grateful to the University of Calgary, the government, and good people of Alberta for this place I now call home – a place where I can work, play and raise my young family.
Nominations were evaluated on criteria such as the nominee’s overall contributions, how their actions fulfilled a need and affected others, and how they demonstrated leadership. To qualify, nominees must have been born outside Canada but now be permanent residents or Canadian citizens.