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As Concordia's graduating class of 2016 crosses the stage on May 14th, they will be joined by Honorary Doctorate recipient, Lyle Best. 

Lyle Best is a tireless community leader who inspires passion to make Edmonton’s biggest dreams true. The Order of Canada and Queens Diamond Jubilee recipient has set a gold standard for community spirit, social responsibility, and volunteerism. In 2012, Lyle was inducted into the Edmonton Community Service Hall of fame, highlighting the commitment he has to Edmonton.

As chairman of Quikcard, a national healthcare benefits consortium, Lyle is an award-winning business leader and role model for business involvement in shaping a vibrant community. As one civic leader noted, “He is about far more than simply building business. It is just as important to Lyle to ensure he is helping build the community.”

His tireless organizing efforts have touched every social need – from education and health, to arts, sports, and even humanitarian efforts overseas through Building Markets (formerly Peace Dividend Trust).

Lyle has moved Edmonton’s long-time slogan, “City of Champions,” to a lofty new level. He was instrumental in the success of the National Hockey League’s Heritage Classic, which became the template for today’s Winter Classic. He co-chaired the Alberta organizing committee for the successful 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships. Lyle played a key role in the founding of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.

Beyond hockey, he has been an organizer for the World and Pan Am Triathlon Championships, a leader for the non-profit Edmonton Grads Basketball Centre, chairman of the board for the Edmonton Sport Museum and Halls of Fame Society, and a committed contributor to the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Lyle serves on a number of boards including, but not limited to, About Face, Continovation Services Ltd., Edmonton Police Foundation and Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta & the Territories. 

In addition to the numerous honors and awards Lyle has received, in 2013 he was awarded the Special Friends of Canadian Dentistry Award by the Canadian Dental Association, and in 2016, the Distinguished Service Award from the Manitoba Dental Association. Both of these awards are in appreciation of significant and valued service and support to the dental profession. In 2014, Lyle was the first person to receive the title of HLCol for 1 Dental Unit for the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Lyle served Concordia on the Faculty of Management Advisory Board for seven years, and on the Board of Governors for four year, where he chaired the Concordia Tomorrow Initiatives Committee. Lyle’s expertise and commitment to moving Concordia forward played a key role in where Concordia is today.Always the visionary, Lyle is available and ready to ensure his community proudly retains its championship image.