Brag - Spring2023

Celebrating the
Achievements of a
Lifelong Learner
St. Edmund Campion
Medal Recipient
Huntley O'Connor
BY HOLLY GUSTAFSON BA '96
“I was just so
glad that I was
able to help
people – it was
so rewarding
because I was
able to speak
in a language
that they knew,
and explain
the technology
in words that
they could
understand.”
Nearly 40 years ago, in 1985,
Elizabeth “Betty” Capnerhurst
began her studies at Campion
College with a keen desire to learn.
Despite facing immense challenges—including
the difficulties of transitioning to online
learning during covid, and most recently, a
diagnosis of dementia—Betty will be proudly
graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science with a minor in Catholic Studies at
this year’s Spring Convocation. At the age of
83, Betty is the epitome of what it means to be
a lifelong learner.
Betty worked as a computer analyst for the
provincial government and was one of the first
computer coders in the province, but despite
her notable work with information technology
across the various Crown corporations, she is
most proud of the relationships she built along
the way. One of the last jobs she held before
her retirement was as a programmer analyst
for ISM, where she worked closely with
user interface, guiding employees through
the challenges of incorporating brand-new
technology into the workplace.
“I was just so glad that I was able to help
people—it was so rewarding because I
was able to speak in a language that they
knew, and explain the technology in
words that they could understand.”
For Betty, her education was a great gift—she
loved learning and enjoyed the classes she
took, but most importantly, she is incredibly
grateful for all the people she met throughout
her studies at Campion College. And as a
lifelong learner, Betty even attended classes
at the same time as her grandson, Ryan Salter,
who now teaches grade six at St. Gabriel
school, and to whom Betty has been a constant
source of inspiration:
“I came into the picture of her educational
journey around 2015 when I was finishing
my own degree. She was always excited
to tell me about her classes and the
discussions they were having. She is an
amazing woman, and to think that she
has been working towards this degree
essentially my entire life is astounding.”
Betty is proud of her First Nations Status,
having close ties to the Key Reserve near
Norquay, Saskatchewan, and is a passionate
advocate for Indigenous rights, particularly
concerning Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Women. In 2016, as part of her Religious
Studies 100 course, Betty participated in
Luther College’s Project of Heart, an initiative
facilitated through Campion’s Engaged
Learning program which focused on bringing
awareness to the Regina Indian Industrial
School and commemorating and remembering
the students who attended the school. She
was the first female councillor for the RM of
Edenwold from 2001-2005, and also served on
parish council at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic
Parish in Regina. She is looking forward to
spending time with the many family and
friends who will be joining her to celebrate
this latest achievement.
“It was a great experience, and I’m really
glad I had the opportunity to work with
so many kind people along the way.”
A bit of Fortitude from
Huntley O’Connor, St. Edmund
Campion Medal Recipient
First of all, I would like to congratulate you
all on the present milestones in your quest
to be successful citizens of the world. You
are all marvellous!
For the next phases of your development,
I would like to pass on to you a bit of
fortitude, which I have learned and
implemented over the years.
If you don't like something—change it.
Never settle for less than you know to be
your ideal.
As you become older and become more
entrenched in life you may start to get the
idea that it's easier to follow the path of
least resistance. Unfortunately, that path
also gives you the least satisfaction in life.
Instead, I would suggest that you set your
highest goals and stick to them. Do not
settle for mediocrity! Any slight slip and
you find yourself at the bottom of the pile.
Listen and learn—you have two ears and
one mouth. Therefore, listen twice and
speak once if possible.
Be respectful—do not be belligerent but
on the other hand, do not give up your
ideals. Do not just settle because it is
easy. Fight for what you believe in but
know when to capitulate. If you are in a
situation that you do not like, change it.
You do have that ability.
Acceptance must mean agreement in
the long run. Therefore, accept only that
which in your conscience is the best
option and proceed along that line.
You don’t have to work harder—just
smarter!
Huntley O'Connor, B.SC in Engineering,
Dip Arch, Dip Bldg Con, Dip Civ Eng, and
Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil
Engineers, and the 2023 recipient of the
St. Edmund Campion Medal, was born
in Kingston, Jamaica. After pursuing his
education in London, he moved to Canada
to complete his degree and married his
wife, Grace, with whom he had two sons,
Aaron and Tyler, and one grandson, Nathan.
Huntley began working in Regina with
Arnott, Kelly, O'Connor in 1973, then began
his career with Cochrane Engineering and
held the position of Branch Manager from
1996 until his retirement in 2014.
Huntley has been on the Board of Regents at
Campion College for the past nine years.
THE ST. EDMUND
CAMPION MEDAL
The St. Edmund Campion
Medal is presented to
those whose life and
activities have exemplified
in an outstanding way the
service of faith and the
justice and ideals Edmund
Campion embedded in
the Jesuit philosophy of
education championed by
Campion College.
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Campion College Campion College
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