UCC alumni association
honours five distinguished alumni
The UCC Alumni Association has
honoured four graduates and one retired
instructor with the 2003 Distinguished
Alumni Awards.
Recipients Sukh Heer Matonovich, Bill
Frymire, Jo Rothenburger, Lisa Allgaier,
and Dr Roland Cobb were presented their
awards at the President’s Reception
October 17, before a crowd of fellow
alumni, faculty, family and friends.
The Alumni Association began recognizing
distinguished alumni in 1995 as part of
the 25th anniversary of the institution and
since then, 25 alumni have been
presented with the award.
With more than 20,000 graduates from
UCC who live across Canada and around

the world, the Distinguished Alumni
Awards program offers an exciting
opportunity to honour individuals, and
bring attention to the vital role that our
graduates play in the social and economic
lives of their communities.
These individuals are recognized for their
outstanding achievements in a variety of
fields such as academic achievement, arts
and culture, athletic achievements,
professional
achievements,
and
community service. Two new categories
were introduced this year, the outstanding
student award and the teaching
excellence award.
Recipient profiles – page 2.
From left to right: Jo Rothenburger, Bill Frymire, Lisa Allgaier, Sukh Heer Mantonvich, Dr. Roland Cobb

UCC distinguished alumni award categories
Do you know a Distinguished UCC Graduate?
The annual Distinguished Alumni Awards
program honours members of the UCC
community who have made outstanding
achievements in fields such as academic
achievement, arts and culture, athletic
achievements, professional achievements,
public service, service to the community or
service to the university college.
The recognition of accomplished alumni,
students, and faculty promotes the

excellence of the University College of the
Cariboo, its graduates and the UCC Alumni
Association. Their accomplishments serve
as an excellent example for all who follow
and are a testimony to the educational
foundation provided by UCC.
The UCC Alumni Association invites you to
nominate individuals that you feel are
deserving of this prestigious award. All UCC
graduates of a certificate, diploma or

degree program and university transfers
with 30 credits are eligible for nominations.
Current students are eligible for
nomination for the Outstanding Student
Award and the UCC Teaching Excellence
Award recognizes current or retired
UCC faculty.

Our mission:
The University College of the Cariboo Alumni
Association promotes relationships between
alumni and the university for the advancement
of the institution and the mutual benefit of
alumni, students, and the UCC community.

what’s

inside

2 • 2003 distinguished award recipients
2 • upcoming events
2 • volunteer opportunities

1. Academic Achievement – An alumna/us who
has made outstanding contributions in the
field of education, including research,
teaching, program development and/or
educational administration.

6. Service to the Community – This award is
given to an alumna/us who demonstrates
significant services and/or contributions to
the welfare and advancement of local,
national or international communities.

2. Arts and Culture – This award recognizes
achievements in the fine, performing or
applied arts by an alumna/us.

7. Service to the University College – An
alumna/us
who
has
demonstrated
outstanding professional or voluntary
activities on behalf of the University College of
the Cariboo, the Alumni Association or other
organizations affiliated with UCC. These
activities will have enhanced the reputation of
UCC, or an affiliated organization, locally,
provincially, nationally or internationally.

3. Athletic Achievement – An alumna/us who
has achieved outstanding performances in
and/or services to, professional or amateur
sport.
4. Professional Achievement – This award
recognizes an alumna/alumnus who has made
significant achievements in the graduate’s
field of professional or career endeavours.
These achievements include, but are not
limited to, fields of business, social services,
sciences, medicine or law.
5. Public Service – An alumna/us who has made
significant contributions in the field of public
administration and policy development, service
in elected or appointed positions at local,
provincial, national or international levels.

8.Outstanding Student Award – This award
recognizes a UCC student who possesses a
number of the following abilities: leadership,
academic success, Alumni Association support,
community involvement/service, university
involvement/service, athletic achievements,
and faculty support/ recognition and
ambassador qualities on behalf of UCC. The
candidate’s contributions can be made over one
or several years. This recipient must be
nominated by current UCC faculty.

9. UCC Teaching Excellence Award – This
award will recognize instructors who
represent the best qualities of teachers at UCC
who have demonstrated past, present and
ongoing student teacher involvement. The
instructor can either currently be teaching at
the university or have retired from UCC. These
instructors need to have demonstrated the
following qualities, leadership, knowledge,
inspiration, enthusiasm and excellence in
their field of teaching. This recipient must be
nominated by a UCC Alumni.
10. Grace Chronister UCC BSW Distinguished
Alumni Award – This award recognizes
outstanding achievements of UCC BSW alumni
who endeavours in the community have brought
honour to the UCC School of Social Work and
Human Service and the profession of social
work. The recipient is nominated by faculty and
alumni from the Social Work Program.

3 • 2003–2004 alumni association board
3 • friends of ucc society
3 • affinity programs & your privacy
3 • chapter network socials
4 • benefits card
4 • memorabilia
4 • scholarships and bursaries

where we are:
For information please contact
UCC Alumni Association.
Located in House 9, UCC Campus.
Box 3010, Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3
Phone: 250-828-5498
Fax: 250-828-5265
e-mail: alumni@cariboo.bc.ca

Visit our website at www.uccalumni.ca

Contributors:
Nancy Plett
Victoria Baker

UCC Alumni Association
PO Box 3010, Kamloops BC V2C 5N3
Publications Mail 40040090

alumni: people, programs & perspectives beyond ucc • Volume 2a, No. 1a – Winter 2004

Alumni NETWORK Newsletter

2003 distinguished alumni award recipients

Sukh Heer Matonovich, who graduated
in 1999 with a Bachelor of Social Work
Degree, received the UCC Distinguished
Alumni Award for Athletic Achievement
for her accomplishments as an athlete,
a coach and a sports administrator. She
was nominated by alumna Carolynn
Boomer, a colleague at the Pacific Sport
Regional Centre, where Sukh works to
provided incentives for athletes to
remain in Kamloops for education,
training and coaching.
Sukh was an honour student at Norkam
secondary and attended UCC with a
basketball scholarship. Not only was
she a star player during her years at
UCC, Sukh was also team captain,
assistant coach and later took the head
coaching job. She contributed to the
development of the UCC Sun Demons
sports camps, was a student member of
UCC’s Board of Governors and was
president of UCC Sports Council.
Upon receiving her award from UCC
president’s Dr Roger’s Barnsley, Sukh
was delighted stating: “I am flattered,
honoured and shocked to receive the
award. UCC Athletics provided me with
the most growth in the four years I
played basketball. My years there
helped me grow personally and
professionally. The friends I made while
I was at UCC are life-long friends – UCC
is a place I will always call home.”

Bill Frymire, a graduate of the Digital
Arts and Design Diploma in 1985, was
the recipient of the Distinguished
Alumni Award for Professional
Achievement. Nominated by his proud
mother, Marguerite Frymire, Bill was
honoured
for
his
outstanding
accomplishments in his field of
computer graphic design.

Jo Rothenburger, a graduate of the
Human Service Worker Certificate in
1987, was the recipient of a combined
Distinguished Alumni Award for
Professional Achievement and Service
to the Community. She was nominated
by alumna Denise Harper, for her
accomplishments in her profession and
for her work in the community.

As one of the first graduates from the
Digital Arts and Design program, Bill
was quickly employed as a graphic
designer with one of Vancouver’s
largest design firms. His work was often
used in the computer graphics
publications as examples of then
leading edge technology. His next
endeavour was as art director for
Showmakers Productions Inc., one of
Vancouver’s top corporate graphic
design agencies. While working there
Bill was awarded a “Top Illustrator”
award by the Corel Corporation.

After graduating from the Human
Service Worker program at UCC, Jo was
hired as a counsellor with the
Thompson Valley Family Services
Association.

Today Bill runs his own business in
Kamloops as a freelance graphic
designer/illustrator producing imagery
for corporate use worldwide.
Bill has been a proud supporter the
DAAD program, contributing his time as
a guest lecturer, and providing
equipment and financial support. David
DiFrancesco, a former instructor of Bill’s
presented Bill the Award. Bill’s
comments on receiving the award were,
“UCC gave me a start in business and I
haven’t looked back since. If you have
talent and ambition, there is a place for
you in the advertising and graphics
industry.”

In 1997 Jo, chose to branch out on her
own and began consulting work with a
variety of clients including Ministry of
Children and Family Development,
Kamloops
Community
Advocacy
Council, Kamloops Food Bank and
Outreach Society, and the City of
Kamloops. In 2003 Jo was hired as the
Executive Director for the AIDS Society
of Kamloops.
As a volunteer Jo has served on a
number of community committees and
boards. She is a well recognized
individual in Kamloops for her
professional and volunteer activities
that have resulted in the delivery of high
quality social services to marginalized
and disadvantaged people in our
community.
Jo was delighted to be presented her
award by former instructor, Ena Fraser.
Jo commented on her award saying, “It’s
a great honour to receive this award,
but the real credit should go to the
instructors in the Human Service
Worker program.
They took a greenhorn like me, let me
loose in the community with the right
tools and skills and I was able to make a
difference with what I learned.”

alumni edition • page 2

The Grace Chronister UCC BSW
Distinguished Alumni Award was
developed by faculty and alumni of the
Department of Social Work to recognize
outstanding achievements of UCC BSW
alumni whose endeavours in the
community have brought honour to the
UCC School of Social Work & Human
Service and to the profession of social
work.
Lisa Allgaier a 1993 graduate of the
Bachelor of Social Work Degree is the
recipient of this year’s award. Lisa was
nominated by faculty members Michael
Crawford and Grant Larson and was
honoured for her professional
accomplishments in the field of social
work.
Lisa is the Director General of Aboriginal
Services for Corrections Canada. In her
role she is responsible for correctional
and parole programs for male and
female Aboriginal offenders. The goal of
the program is to reduce recidivism and
promote successful reintegration of
Aboriginal offenders in the community.
Prior to her work at Corrections Canada,
Lisa had several roles with the
Provincial Government, including
Director of Aboriginal Health and
Assistant Treaty Negotiator. She has
held many volunteer positions on local,
provincial and national boards, from the
John Howard Society of Kamloops, to
the BC Association of Social Workers.
Helen Allen, Dean of the School of
Social Work and Human Services,
presented Lisa Allgaier with the first
Grace
Chronister
UCC
BSW
Distinguished Alumni Award. Lisa flew
from Ottawa to receive her award and
was thrilled about being the first
recipient of this prestigious award. Lisa
says, “I am honoured to be the first
person to receive this award. The
education I received at UCC got me to
where I am today. Taking the Bachelor of
Social work degree, allowed me a to
have a diversity of career choices.”

Another new category this year, the
Distinguished Alumni Award for
Teaching Excellence, recognizes current
and retired instructors who represent
the best qualities of teachers at UCC:
leadership, knowledge, inspiration,
enthusiasm and excellence in their
field.
This year’s award recipient was Dr.
Roland Cobb a retired Physics and
Astronomy instructor, nominated by
alumna Marilyn Poncelet.
A graduate of UBC in 1959 with a
Bachelor of Science, Roland went on to
receive his Masters degree in 1961 and
his PhD in 1967 from the University of
Rochester in New York. His work at
Rochester involved research on cosmic
rays from space using satellites and
high altitude balloons. It was because
of this research that he was invited to
work with a Cosmic Ray group in the
development of a telescope to search
for primary gamma rays deep in space.
These experiences lead to Roland’s
interest in the study of Astronomy.
After teaching at UBC, the University of
Rochester, and the University of
Victoria, Roland took a position at UCC
in 1970 and taught Physics and
Astronomy until 1999. Roland built the
observatory at the university with the
help of students and faculty. The
observatory was used for teaching and
astronomy lovers. As part of his
community service work, Roland hosted
many lectures on astronomy and
conducted tours of the observatory
hosting groups like the Girl Guides and
Boy Scouts.
Over the years, Roland has been an
active volunteer in the community, from
volunteer fireman with the Kamloops
Fire Department in the 70’s to his recent
involvement with the Habitat for
Humanity society.
Upon being presented the award by
President Dr. Roger Barnsley, Roland
commented, “Education should be fun.
UCC gave me the opportunity to practice
what I like doing – that’s teaching.”

upcoming UCC alumni events
Saturday, April 24:

March 18, 19 & 20 – UCC Hosts the 2004 CCAA Basketball National Championships

UCC Community Garage
Sale – UCC Kamloops
Campus. Rent a table and
sell your own wares or you
can donate the goods to the
Alumni Association to sell.
To book a table, donate goods or to volunteer, please call the
Alumni Association office at 371-5711.

UCC is excited about playing host to our nation. From March 18th to March
20th, our community will host the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association
Men’s Basketball Nationals. This event will mark the culmination of UCC’s
participation in the CCAA and will be a precursor to entry to Canadian
Intrauniversity Sport competition.
It is anticipated that it will be a very competitive tournament, with attendance
expected to top 6,000 people over 4 days. Early indications are the UCC
Men’s Basketball Team is very much up to the challenge of both the
tournament and their entry to CIS competition.

Friday May 14: 11th Annual Pineridge Charity Golf
Tournament – Pineridge Golf Course. Plan to put your team
together and come out to enjoy this fun evening of golf and
friendship in support of the UCC Alumni Association. Alumna
Cindy Piva and her staff at Pineridge Golf Course put on a
scrumptious BBQ afterward and prizes for the best and worst
teams are awarded. Call 371-5711 now to reserve your spot.

Friday, May 28: Williams Lake Campus Convocation and
Chapter Meeting

Friday, June 11: Kamloops Convocation
October 15 & 16: UCC Homecoming 2004

Tickets for the tournament can be purchased by calling the UCC Athletics
department at 828-5270. A tournament pass is $25.00 and a day pass is
$10.00, seniors and students are $5.00. Check the web at
www.cariboo.bc.ca/athletic/ccaambb.html

volunteer
opportunities:

The Alumni Association is looking for former athletic grads who would be interested
in volunteering for a number of the events during the basketball tournament.
There are many volunteer opportunities available. Visit our website,
www.uccalumni.ca for details or call our office at 371-5711.

UCC alumni association board of directors
2003
2004

the UCC alumni
association is…
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE

Thirty-three years after being founded as a
community college, including the past 13 years as a
degree-granting institution, UCC today is faced with
the challenge of taking the next step forward. This is
vital not just to the institution, but also to the local,
regional and provincial economies which all benefit
from expanded post-secondary education
opportunities.

Photo from left to right:
Back Row – Directors: Nick Rinaldi (BA ’94), Walter Locke (BNRS ’02), Glen Poelzer (BSc ’91), Larry Iles (BEd ’94)

We encourage all UCC graduates to become an
advocate for university status. Support Friends of
UCC and become a society member today at
www.uccuniversity.ca.

Middle Row – Directors: Joanne Coombes (BA ’00), Shannon Joly (BBA ’00), Darlene McBain (UT),
KJ Klontz (Rec. Manag. ’84)
Front Row – Executive: Tom McInulty (Bus. Admin. ’ 77) – Secretary/Treasurer, Cathy Ferguson (BSN ’91) –
Vice Chair, Denise Harper (Comm. Media ’74) – Chair, Dr. Roger Barnsley – UCC President
Missing from photo: Catherine McNeely (AA ’90) – UCC Foundation Appointee, Margaret Cleavely –
UCC Board of Governors Appointee, Kim McGhee – Cariboo Student Society Appointee

alumni edition • page 3

affinity programs and your privacy
Most Canadian colleges and universities participate in affinity programs with companies offering
health and life insurance, travel programs or credit cards. The establishment of affinity programs is
important to Alumni Associations as a means to generate revenue that will help support
their programs.
This past fall, the UCC Alumni Association got on the bandwagon and launched a MasterCard credit
card program with MBNA Canada. This program was chosen by our Board of Directors because of
its single-minded focus on customer satisfaction and the level of commitment that MBNA brings to
the partnership.
With the launch of affinity programs, comes the issue of protecting the privacy of alumni records.
The staff of the UCC Alumni Association treats your personal information with the utmost care.
Confidentiality agreements are signed with each of our affinity partners to protect your privacy.
Your information is never sold or released to other parties.
The UCC Alumni Association hopes that many of our alumni select the MBNA MasterCard program
as a way to show support and pride for your Alumni Association. If you support the mission, visions
and values of the UCC Alumni Association, then you have several reasons to carry the UCC Alumni
Association preferred MasterCard.
To apply for your MBNA MasterCard, please call the Alumni Association at (250) 371-5711, e-mail
us at alumni@cariboo.bc.ca or apply on-line at www.uccalumni.ca
UCC Alumni Association affinity partners occasionally mail information on products and services to our members. If you do not
want to receive mailings, from our affinity partners, please call or e-mail us.

chapter network socials
coming soon to a community near you!
There are over 20,000 UCC graduates,
across the province, the country and the
world. We keep in touch with those grads –
and they keep in touch with each other –
through our Chapter Network program.
A UCC Alumni Chapter is a group of alumni
living in the same part of the world who get
together on a regular basis. Regional
events help establish contacts, build

relationships, or just keep people in touch.
Find out about the Chapter activities in
your part of the world by visiting
our website.
We are currently developing active Chapter
committees in Vancouver, Calgary,
Kamloops and Williams Lake and we are
looking for enthusiastic graduates who
want to help guide and plan the activities

of their local Chapter. If there isn’t a
Chapter near you yet, you can volunteer to
establish a chapter in your area! For
information on upcoming events or how
you can help, get in touch with your local
Chapter contact or our Alumni Relations
Officer, Victoria Baker at (250) 828-5498 or
email: vbaker@cariboo.bc.ca.

have YOU got it?

memorabilia
Show your UCC pride with UCC Alumni crested merchandise!
A great gift idea for your favourite UCC graduate.

Mens Golf Shirt
Available in Navy or Beige
$35.00
Sizes Small – XX-Large

Unisex Vest
Taupe & Black
$80.00
Sizes Small – X-Large

Ladies Golf Shirt

The 2003–04 Alumni Benefits Card is free and only available to UCC graduates.
Get it now at www.uccalumni.ca or call 250-828-5498.

Available in Natural or Navy
$46.00
Sizes Small – Large

Details of discounts available on the web.

2003–04 Benefits Card Sponsors
Alumni Merchandise can be purchased online at
www.uccalumni.ca using our secure shopping cart or
by calling 250-371-5711

• A&W, Columbia Square, Kamloops
• Accolades, the UCC Dining Room
• Best Western, Kamloops
• bookies, the UCC bookstore,
in Kamloops and Williams Lake
• Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Kamloops
• Curves, Kamloops North Shore and 100 Mile House
• Denny’s Restaurants in Western Canada
• Giorgio’s Restaurant, Williams Lake
• Health Quest Chiropractic, Kamloops
• ICI Paints, Dalhousie Dr, Kamloops
• Lordco Auto Parts, 78 locations in BC
• PC Doctor Digital Café, Kamloops
• Ramada Inn, Kamloops
• Sandman Hotels in Western Canada
• UCC Athletics, Kamloops Campus

Showcase Your Degree, Diploma
or Certificate with Distinction
Order the solid Ramon Wood with two coats of finish and a 12-step lacquer polish, or
the Gold Satin metal frame with classic gold leafing surrounding the medallion.
These distinctive frames include:
• A specially minted 24K gold-plated medallion insert
in the matting bearing the UCC crest
• Custom bevel-edged double matting with acid free core
and backing paper
• A unique frame back that allows you to insert your degree
in 30 second without the use of tools.

Do you have a business that would like to participate in our Benefits Card program?
Contact Nancy at 250-828-5267.

Order via the web at

www.degreeframes.com
or call

alumni edition • page 4

1-800-884-3199

A portion of these sales supports UCC student scholarships and bursaries.

building our future

UCC Alumni Association gives $8000
in Student Scholarships & Bursaries
At UCC’s annual Awards Ceremony on November 20th, 581 students received
$755,000 in support of their post-secondary education. Eleven students shared
$8000 in awards from the UCC Alumni Association Endowment Fund. Interest
earned on the Endowment Fund is used to provide scholarships and bursaries for
UCC students, with preference given to UCC alumni and their children.
Established in 1990, the UCC Alumni Association Endowment Fund is the second
largest fund at the UCC Foundation, currently sitting at over $160,000. However,
declining interest rates and rising tuitions costs have made the need to grow our
endowment more urgent. Your gift to the UCC Alumni Association Endowment
Fund will help a current student achieve their educational goals. Give back to
your alma mater and assist us in “Building Our Future.”

Back row left to right: Denise Harper, Board Chair, Vicki Pich, Cameron Garrett, Milissa Ewing, Tyrel
Martel, Judith Martin, Megan Chambers, Joanne Coombes, Director of Board
Front row left to right: George Cooluris, Gila Wilson, Maninder Dulai, Marcus Trayer

I am pleased to support UCC and students through my gift to the UCC Foundation.
I would like to designate my donation to:

Please find my donation enclosed:

 $25 
 $50 
 $100 
 $250

 Other_____________
OR I would like to donate $______________ monthly.
(Please enclose a void cheque or authorization to charge monthly to your credit card).


 The area of greatest need

 Alumni Endowment Fund

 Specific Program: ____________________

Payment Enclosed:

 Cheque (Payable to The UCC Foundation)


 Mastercard


 Visa

Expiry Date: _______ / _______

“Leave a Legacy” — please send me information

Credit Card Number: ___________________________________________________________________________

about including UCC in my will or designating UCC
as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Send donations to: UCC Foundation, Box 3010,
Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3

City: ________________________________Postal Code: _____________________________________________

All donations are fully tax deductible.
A receipt will be issued for all donations over $10.

Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you!