Semple brothers receive honorary degrees from University of Regina
June 3, 2016
Spring 2016 honorary degree recipients Gavin (left) and Jack Semple photographed on the family homestead about 30 kilometres northwest of Regina, Saskatchewan. The brothers are the first siblings to receive University of Regina honorary degrees.
JUNE 3, 2016
Brandt is very pleased to announce that, in its 2016 list of honorary degree recipients, the University of Regina has chosen to honor two members of the Semple family among its three doctoral degree conferees.
First, Brandt Chairman Gavin Semple has been recognized for his exceptional achievements in business and philanthropy; taking over the reins at a small Regina electrical contractor, Brandt Machine and Manufacturing and guiding its transformation into the first private company in Saskatchewan to surpass a billion-dollars in annual sales. His leading role in establishing Brandt's Thanks A Billion corporate giving program and his major contributions to the Luther College High School campus renewal initiative were highlighted as tangible expressions of his powerful commitment to his community.
Gavin's younger brother Jack Semple has also been granted an honorary doctorate for his significant contribution to the Saskatchewan (and Canadian) music industry. In addition to his work with Toronto-based funk/R&B band The Lincolns, Jack has become a Canadian guitar icon, releasing ten solo albums while also contributing to television and film soundtracks from his basement studio in Regina. He has a Gemini award for his soundtrack work on the television series Incredible Story Studio and a Juno award for Qu'Appelle, an album of roots music.