Austin Mardon, Order of Canada recipient, is about to receive an honourary degree for his mental health awareness work
In 1986, 24-year-old Austin Mardon was a junior field member with an international meteorite recovery expedition 170 miles from the South Pole. While his findings contributed to the advancement of science, the extreme hardships of the expedition left him mentally and physically disabled. Austin was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Since then, Austin has bravely survived many setbacks by evoking an indomitable will to make a contribution. He is recognized as a leader in advancing understanding and support for people with mental illness.
Dr. Mardon has a graduate degree in Geography, two Master’s Degrees in Geography and an Ph.D. in Political Geography. On June 10th, in Edmonton, he will receive an honourary degree from the University of Alberta.
We speak with Austin Mardon.
