Austin Mardon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr. Austin Albert Mardon
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| Born | 25 June 1962 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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| Alma mater | University of Lethbridge South Dakota State University Texas A&M University Greenwich University |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Mardon |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy, Geography, and Medicine |
Dr. Austin Albert Mardon is a Canadian author, researcher, and professor. He teaches at the University of Alberta and the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Mardon is married to Catherine Mardon, a lawyer and activist. They have written several books together.
Dr. Mardon writes a lot about geography and astronomy. He also helps research in other areas, like medicine. He has published over 360 academic papers and 200 non-fiction and fiction books. These writings have been viewed many times, making him a very active scholar in Canada.
Dr. Mardon is also a strong supporter of mental health. He has volunteered and worked with groups like Alberta Health Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
In 1985, Dr. Mardon started the Antarctic Institute of Canada. This group, based in Edmonton, Alberta, helps with academic writing and research.
Contents
About Dr. Austin Mardon
His Family Background
Dr. Mardon's grandfather, also named Austin Mardon, studied at Cambridge University. He became a professor of classics and history. Dr. Mardon’s father, Ernest George Mardon, studied at Trinity College Dublin in Dublin. He later became an English professor at the University of Lethbridge.
In 1937, Dr. Mardon’s grandparents bought Ardross Castle in Scotland. This large castle was built in the 1800s. The Mardon family lived there until 1983. Today, Ardross Castle is used for events and as a place for filming movies.
Growing Up and School
Austin Mardon was born on June 25, 1962, in Edmonton, Alberta. He grew up in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a child, he sometimes got sick and faced bullying. In winters, he would travel to Hawaii with his mother and sister. He went to St. Patrick's Elementary School, St. Mary's Junior High, and Catholic Central High School. Before university, he also studied in Scotland.
In his late teens, Dr. Mardon attended the Grenoble Alpes University in Grenoble, France. He earned a French Diploma in 1979. After that, he came back to Canada. He studied Cultural Geography at the University of Lethbridge. After graduating in 1985, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces as part of the Primary Reserve. He was stationed at the base in Dundurn, Saskatchewan.
His Education Journey
From 1979 to 1985, Dr. Mardon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Geography. This was from the University of Lethbridge. He then went on to get a Master of Science degree in Geography. He studied at South Dakota State University from 1985 to 1988. Later, from 1986 to 1990, he earned a Master of Education degree. This was in Education Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University.
After these degrees, Dr. Mardon continued his studies. He took courses in Space Science at the University of North Dakota in 1990. From 1993 to 2000, he earned his Ph.D. in Geography. This degree was from Greenwich University in Australia.
He also took graduate courses in Theology at Newman Theological College in Edmonton. This was from 2001 to 2005. At the same time, he studied Geography in Ukraine and Comparative Education in South Africa.
His Career and Discoveries
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In 1986, while studying at South Dakota State University, Dr. Mardon joined an expedition. This trip was to the Antarctic to find meteorites for NASA. He and his team found hundreds of meteorites near the South Pole. During this trip, he got sick from the cold weather. He received the Antarctica Service Medal for his hard work.
When he returned to Alberta, Dr. Mardon gave talks about Antarctica. He spoke at the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. He later went on another meteorite search in the Canadian Arctic. This was near Resolute in the Northwest Territories. Even though they didn't find meteorites, he wrote about what the Inuit people thought about them.
One of Dr. Mardon’s important contributions was about the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This is an old book that describes events in England. With help from his father, Dr. Mardon found eleven comet events and two meteor showers mentioned in the Chronicle. These events were not known in astronomy before.
In 1991, Dr. Mardon was invited to join an expedition to the South Pole. This trip was planned by a Russian group. When he arrived in Moscow, he was questioned by the Soviet government. He was later released but had to have a "guide" with him. He eventually returned to Canada and received an apology letter from Moscow.
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In 1992, Dr. Mardon was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After this, he became an activist for people with mental illnesses. He has written many books about mental health. He has also received several awards for his work. In 2006, he was given the Order of Canada for his efforts. In 2011, the Canadian Medical Association gave him the CMA Medal of Honour. They recognized his work to help people understand mental illness.
Dr. Mardon and his wife have also created awards for college and university students. These awards help students at places like Newman Theological College and the University of Alberta.
Today, Dr. Mardon is a professor at the University of Lethbridge. He also teaches at the University of Alberta's John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre.
Awards and Recognitions
Honours and Medals
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Dr. Mardon has received many honours and medals:
- Order of Canada, Member - October 2006
- Specially Elected Fellow, Royal Society of Canada - 2014
- Honorary Social Worker, Alberta College of Social Workers - April 2015
- Order of St. Sylvester - 2017
- Antarctica Service Medal - 1987
- Duke of Edinburgh Award - Bronze Level - 1987
- Governor Generals' Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers Award - 1996
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal - 2002
- Alberta Centennial Medal - 2005
- Medal of Honour, Alberta Medical Association - October 2010
- Honorable Kentucky Colonel - April 2011
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - May 28, 2012
Other Awards
- Texas State Proclamation #51 - 1988
- Nadine Stirling Award, Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta 1999
- Flag of Hope Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada - 2001
- Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Lethbridge - 2002
- Presidents Award, Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta - 2002
- Ron LaJeunnesse Leadership Award, Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton 2005
- Bill Jefferies Family Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada - 2007
- C.M. Hincks Award, Canadian Mental Health Association - National Division - 2007
- Best National Editorial, Canadian Church Press - 2010
- Mental Health Media Award, Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta - October 2010
- Diversity and Inclusion Award, American Association of Geographers - USA - 2022
- Medical Humanitarian Award, Institute of International Peace Leaders - Pakistan - 2022
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Award, NASA - USA - April 2024
Degrees and Diplomas
Dr. Mardon has earned many degrees and honorary degrees from different universities:
| Location | Year | School | Degree |
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 Alberta |
1985 | University of Lethbridge | Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Geography) |
 South Dakota |
1988 | South Dakota State University | Masters of Science (Geography) |
 Texas |
1990 | Texas A&M University | Masters of Education (Curriculum and Instruction) |
 Australia |
2000 | Greenwich University | Doctorate, Ph.D. (Geography) |
| Alberta |
2011 | University of Alberta | Honorary Doctor of Laws, L.L.D. |
| Alberta |
2014 | University of Lethbridge | Honorary Doctor of Laws, L.L.D. |
| Alberta |
2022 | Norquest College | Honorary Diploma |
 Brazil |
2023 | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e Jurídicas | Honorary Doctorate, HCA |
 USA |
2023 | Logos University | Honorary Doctorate, HCA |
| Alberta |
2023 | Athabasca University | Honorary Doctorate, DSc |
 British Columbia |
2024 | University of British Columbia | Honorary Doctor of Laws, L.L.D. |
 Nova Scotia |
2024 | University of Dalhousie | Honorary Doctorate, DSc |
See also
In Spanish: Austin Mardon para niños
