ALUMNI

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THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE • FALL 2005

Nancy Greene Raine
First Chancellor for
New University

Degrees by distance: closer than you think
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL)
offers flexible, recognized degree programs and courses
by distance in a variety of disciplines:
Arts and Science
Business
Health Science
Information Technology
With TRU-OL's prior learning assessment and recognition
(PLAR), you can apply education credits and work and life
experience toward a degree of your choice. Our advising
team will help you figure out which path is right for you.
You decide when and where you learn.

openlearning.tru.ca

TRU Alumni Association Board Chair
As we enter our first full year as the Thompson Rivers University Alumni Association, we are beginning
to feel comfortable with our new name, our expanded family and our new directions. The Alumni
Association continues to work with the institution and our partners at TRU to promote this “truly”
excellent university.
The board of directors and staff of the TRU Alumni Association look forward with eager anticipation to
another busy year full of activities where we will continue to build connections with graduates future
and past. This year we also welcome graduates from BC Open University to our family.
Homecoming Weekend, October 14 – 15, 2005, is a terrific opportunity for past graduates to visit the
campus and see what is new. See the ad in this magazine for more details of events. We encourage
you to participate in the activities, bring your friends and family along and have some fun.

Denise Harper, CMC ’74

Visit our website at www.trualumni.ca and learn about the many services and benefits available to
you through your association.
And above all – Stay Connected!

contents

TRU President and Vice-Chancellor
On April 1st, 2005 The University College of the Cariboo and
The British Columbia Open University officially became
Thompson Rivers University, BC’s newest university. This is
one of the most significant changes in the 35 year history of
our institution.
Although TRU is “new” we inherit the legacies of
achievement and the reputations for excellence established
by Cariboo College, The University College of the Cariboo
and the British Columbia Open University. As a result, from the start Thompson
Rivers University enjoys a provincial, national and international profile.

TRU’s new Chancellor
Nancy Greene Raine

4

Alex Parker’s Research Reveals
Red Wine’s Benefit

5

Campus News

6

Opening Learning at TRU

7

Convocation Ceremonies 2005 8
TRU 2005 Valedictorians

9

With a commitment to quality, opportunity, choice, flexibility and personal attention,
TRU is making university accessible to all British Columbians. Our comprehensive
range of programs and unique combinations of flexible learning options will establish
TRU as a unique institution and a national benchmark for being student centered.

TRU 2005 Valedictorian
and Medal Winner

10

2005 Medal Winners

11

The TRU Alumni Association is your voice and provides you, our graduates, whether
from Cariboo College, UCC or BCOU, many opportunities to stay connected to your
alma mater. I invite and encourage each of you to attend Homecoming Weekend
and the many events scheduled for October. Join me at the President’s Reception to
celebrate TRU’s Distinguished Alumni, or come out and cheer your home team at the
TRU WolfPack Men’s Basketball Tournament. And for real fun, join your friends and
faculty for an Alumni Homecoming Party at Heroes Pub.

Success Story

12

TRU Beginnings

13

Sandy Wiseman –
Foundation Donor

14

Ken Olynyk
Director of TRU Athletics

15

On behalf of the Board of Governors and the Office of the President, I invite you to
visit your university and see just how much we have grown.
Regards,

ROGER BARNSLEY
President and Vice-Chancellor
Thompson Rivers University

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ALUMNI

Pathfinders

16-17

Alumni Benefits Card

18

TRU Homecoming 2005

20

Cover photo: Kelly Funk
Editor:

Writers:
Photography:
Art Direction:
THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE • FALL 2005 Design:

Nancy Plett,
Executive Director Alumni Association
Sarah Huston, Victoria Baker
Sarah Huston, Kelly Funk, Sandra Verhoeff
Patricia Hort
Shirley McCaffrey

The Thompson Rivers University Alumni Association gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.

3

TRU’s new Chancellor – Nancy Greene Raine
Nancy Greene Raine sits back in her chair and relaxes.
Her eyes appear to be smiling as she recalls her desire
to go for the gold in alpine skiing at the 1968 Winter
Olympics in Grenoble, France.
“I had a lot of drive back then you know,” said Greene
Raine, who noted that she came from a family that
placed a high value on getting an
education regardless of where her ski
racing took her.
“My father was an engineer so
university and education was
important to him and he made it a
priority for us.” Greene Raine says that
in order to continue to ski
competitively, she had to maintain her
school marks. A failing grade would
mean that she would be forbidden to
race in the year that followed.
“My father told me that I couldn’t ski
unless I kept my grades up,” she said.
“I worked very hard while I was away
skiing. I always brought my books and
I took every opportunity I could and
went to museums in the cities I visited
in Europe.”

Cover Story

Greene Raine said that school was very
important to her parents.

4

This April in a
ceremony celebrating the
university’s name change from
The University College of the
Cariboo to Thompson Rivers
University – Greene Raine was
honoured by being named as the
university’s first chancellor.
As Chancellor Greene Raine’s role
is symbolic, “It is an honorary
position which is given to a
person who is an alumnus or
supporter of the university.”

Greene Raine has received world-wide recognition
through her work in sports and tourism.
“The university is so diverse with its emphasis on
sports, trades, academics,” she said and added, “I
think my national recognition will be beneficial to
the university.”
Greene Raine said that she is proud to be connected to
TRU and the city of Kamloops. “Kamloops has a great
location with it being a major crossroad. I think that
students will be willing to come here because it’s far
enough way from home but it’s close enough to go
home for a visit.”
Greene Raine says that having a university with such
diverse offerings is useful for the area. “Kamloops is an
amazing city because it combines a lot of different
strengths such as a broad mix of businesses and
industries which can all benefit from the university,”
she said.
“Every industry can take advantage of what the
university has to offer. It can only be a positive thing.”
Greene Raine says that the amount of planning that
has been put into the campus is phenomenal. “It is
important for students to feel like they have a sense of
place and they [the university] have done a good job
with picking a style and theme that has a lot of green
space.” Greene Raine said that she was so attracted to
Kamloops that she and husband Al Raine, made the
decision to invest in Sun Peaks Ski Resort.

“Every industry can
take advantage of
what the university
has to offer. It can
only be a positive
thing.”
Nancy Greene Raine

Greene Raine has been a long
time supporter of the university
by serving as a member of the Thompson Rivers
University Foundation Society.
She was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Law
from UCC in 1999. Greene Raine’s support of the
university and her national exposure will help to
establish TRU as a recognized university.

Greene Raine listed three characteristics
that people can look forward to when
they choose to pursue their postsecondary education at TRU:
1) Students will find a friendly and
welcoming campus that is openminded and helpful.
2) The amazing geography of the area
coupled with the beauty of the TRU
campus and Sun peaks give Kamloops a
quaint sense of place.
3) The education and programs offered
at TRU are a unique combination of
trades, technology and academics.

Greene Raine said “I would like to extend an invitation
to all alumni from UCC, Cariboo College, and TRU to
come back and see all the changes that are happening
with the University. It really is amazing.”

Who would have thought?

Red wine protection from brain disease
When Alex Parker first decided to attend UCC he
had no idea where the direction his life would take
him, and especially not to France. Although not
born and raised in Kamloops, he moved here in
high school and graduated from Norkam Secondary
School. Parker enrolled at UCC and graduated in
1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Parker says that he chose to attend UCC because,
“Living in Kamloops it just made sense to go
to UCC and I really liked it there, it is a
great institution.”
Parker adds, “I think that small institutions are great
because the access to the faculty is much easier in a
smaller university than in larger institutions.”
During his last year at UCC Parker was awarded a
directed studies program with Dr. Mairi MacKay,
UCC Biology professor.
“It is an on-going program in the science
department where you are able to do research with
access to a lot of lab work.”
A directed studies program is recognized as a
regular course in which you are given a grant to
work with a professor and conduct research, “I
worked with Dr. Mackay as part of my directed
studies program and we studied the sexing of
burrowing owls.”
“I don’t think I would have been able to get
into a directed studies program as easy as I did,
so it was a benefit to attend a smaller
university.” Parker adds that he became
interested in lab research during his
experience in the directed studies program.

In his research, Parker found that a
component called Resveratol which is
found in red wine has been linked to
protect against inflammatory diseases.
Parker and his colleagues have found that
it also interacts with certain proteins in
the brain which may suppress the
deteriorating affects of
Huntington’s disease.

Parkers adds, “From this genetic
analysis a certain pathway evolved
and we put two and two together
and saw that there was a
component in red wine that is
protective in cells that are linked to
brain disease.”
Basically Resveratol reacts with
certain proteins in the brain which
decrease the death of certain cells
that are linked to Huntington’s
disease.
With his finding Parker says it has
opened up a whole new pathway
for this type of research.
Due to his breakthrough research
findings, Parker has been published
in numerous medical and scientific
journals but most recently he has
been published “Nature Genetic”
for his research in the
neuro-protective agents in
red wine.
In 2000, Parker was a
Alex Parker, BSc ’94
guest speaker at UCC where
he gave a lecture on his research
findings of the link between the
neuro-protective agents in red wine
and Huntington’s disease.
Parker is currently working at Inserm
which is the French Biomedical
Research Council where he will
finish up his post doctoral research.
After which he would eventually
like to move back to B.C., “I want
to end up in Canada; and I would
eventually like to become a professor
where I could start my own research
group at a university and
continue my medical
research in orphan diseases.”

Research

After finishing his PhD in 2001 he
immediately left for Paris, France, to
conduct his post doctoral research in
Huntington’s disease, “For my post
doctoral research we studied a gene that
interacts with Huntington’s disease and
we use simple animals to study
the interaction.”

Parker explains, “We performed a genetic analysis
by creating worms that have a version of
Huntington’s disease and found agents in red wine
that have a therapeutic value in the worms.”

5

Look way up…

Campus News

Development of new
buildings under way at TRU

6

Even before there was a possibility
of UCC becoming TRU, plans
were in the making for the
upgrade and the addition of
many new facilities to the
Kamloops Campus. According to
Cliff Neufeld, VP of Finance and
Facilities, “Currently on the
Kamloops campus there are
multiple projects under
construction with many more to
be completed over the next 5
years.”According to Neufeld, “The
planning has to start before you
get the occupancy; you can’t just
start to build once you have the
numbers or the need for it or else
it will be too late.” In 2003 there
was a campus plan sketched in
partnership with the city, “It is
called the “McGill corridor plan”
which shows significant changes
that will occur and you will start
to see these facilities emerge.”
“Included in this plan is the sports
plex, the student building, and
eventually you will see sectors
start to emerge with the
possibility of a technology park
and a research and development
park.” “Once we see attendance
move in that direction then the
planning and the construction will
begin,” added Neufeld. When you
drive through the campus you
can see many of the construction
sites in and around the existing
buildings. Over half of the money
that is being spent to build these
facilities is from non-government
money, “Of the 78.5 million
dollars projected in spending46.5 of it is non-government
money.” “We received no extra
funding from the government
when we became TRU, less than
50% of the money is funded by
the government, and the rest is
self-financed for the projects
currently under construction.”

As of right now there is a student
building being constructed
behind the Campus Activity
Centre, “This is a resident building
that will house 576 student beds
and 8, 1-bedroom lofts for the
parents of students to stay as well
as dignitaries or other visitors.”
Neufeld added, “The student
building will be 11 floors high
have 1, 2, and 4 bedroom suites
and includes 24/7 reception for
security access.” According to
Neufeld, “In total the residence
building will cost about forty-four
and half millions dollars which will
come from government grants, as
well as money from the board
and student fees.” Neufeld added,
“Completion is slated for
September 2006.”
In conjunction with the Athletic
department and the City of
Kamloops, a new sportsplex will
be built at the
Hillside Stadium.
According to
Neufeld, “There
are a series of
arrangements being
made with the city to
have access to the
sportsplex.” Neufeld
added, “We will still
utilize our gym but
have access to a
bigger track and
variety of other
amenities, as well as
possibly renting
some space at the
sportsplex from
the city.”

Although TRU will not physically
have the Open Learning Centre
on campus yet, construction has
started for a warehouse to house
all of the supplies attached to the
TRU-OL and the Kamloops
campus. The Open Learning
facilities will move up to the
Kamloops Campus once
construction is completed on a
facility to hold that type of
institution. According to Neufeld,
“The site preparation has started
and construction will commence
in January of 2006 and will be
completed by the end of the
year.” The warehouse will be
located behind the trades and
technologies building and animal
health science building, “We
wanted to put the facility off
campus to stop any big trucks
from coming on campus” “We
want a pedestrian friendly campus

Continued next page

When UCC became
TRU, they also
acquired the BC
Open Learning
University which is
now the TRU-OL.
Cranes at work on the new residence building.

openlearning.tru.ca
When Thompson Rivers University acquired the BC
Open learning University plans were made with many
changes happening over the next 5 years as the campus
expands to fit the new facilities. Colin James, who is the
Chief Operating Officer, will oversee the transition of the
BCOU to Thompson Rivers University Open Learning
TRU-OL. James said that physically we will see buildings
being erected, and when the facilities are built the
Burnaby operations will eventually move to the
Kamloops campus. James said that, “Currently being
constructed on the Kamloops campus are several new
buildings including a warehouse that will house supplies
for the Open Learning Division and TRU as well a four
story building to house the BC Center for Open
Learning to be completed by December 2006.”
Acquiring BCOU opens up huge opportunities for TRU,
“BCOU had a provincial mandate in which it was
responsible for delivering open learning to the whole
province, UCC had a regional mandate. Now as TRU the
mandate is provincial and regional as well as national
and international.” Students can access courses from
anywhere in the world through TRU-OL. James says that
open learning courses gives students a lot of freedom,
“Students can take courses but do not have to be
enrolled in a program. They can be a ‘visiting student’
from another university and take courses which can be
transferred to their program at their university.”
Working towards a degree is easy through TRU-OL, “You
only have to have two courses from TRU-OL and the rest
can come from somewhere else.” James added, “That is
one of the best features of distance learning, the fact
that it is so accessible.” James also notes that it offers
continuous registration and entry.
There are a large number of programs offered through
TRU-OL, “At this point we have a wide range of
Bachelor and Masters Degrees and almost certainly will
expand as attendance and demand grow.” James says
that once the Open Learning Division is officially on the
Kamloops campus, “We want to run both institutions
side by side and be able to have interaction between the
two operations.” James pointed out that in the future
some of the courses offered on campus will be offered
on-line. He goes on to say that some of the programs
being developed for TRU-OL are, “A water-treatment
training program, some trades and technology theory
courses, as well some animal health science courses will
be offered for upgrading.”
Advertising for the programs offered through TRU-OL is
being aimed at graduates and professionals, “We are
looking at people who are already working in their field
but want to upgrade without having to quit their job.”
James added, “A much larger range of courses are

Colin James, Chief Operating Officer TRU-OL
available in a number of different programs, as part of a
life long learning process.”
James adds that having the TRU-OL is a great advantage
to the Alumni Association, “This greatly expands the
alumni database because anyone who has graduated
through the open learning becomes an alumni, which
entitles you too some of the features the Alumni
Association has to offer.”

TRU Development
Continued from page 6
which is consistent with the McGill Corridor Plan.
The plan includes pedestrian walkways, a research
and development park and a new library at a new
location.” The McGill Corridor plan was drawn up
in 2003, by UCC and the City of Kamloops. It
illustrates what some of the changes and
expansions that would happen to the university
and the city. According to Neufeld, “Planning has
to start before you have the occupancy.” “There
will be a lot of changes in the southwest part of the
city, streetscapes will emerge on McGill with trees
lining the streets and sectors will start to come into
view.” “It is an interesting perspective of what is
happening with the expansion of the university and
we will see some of these changes emerging over
the next 3-5 years,” added Neufeld. The plan can
be found on the City of Kamloops website at
www.city.kamloops.bc.ca/
planning/pdfs/mcgillconcept

7

Convocation 2005

TRU Convocation Ceremonies outside the Campus Activity Centre.
This past spring, Thompson Rivers University held its
first convocation ceremonies as B.C.’s newest
university. The first ceremony on May 27 recognized
the graduates of certificates, diplomas and associate
degrees at the Williams Lake campus of TRU. The
room was filled with family, friends and dignitaries,
all gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of
the graduates.

8

The Kamloops campus held four separate
ceremonies held over two days in June and, for the
first time in over 20 years, the ceremonies were held
on campus. The days were sunny and the
atmosphere was inspirational as graduates,
esteemed guests and colleagues shared their
thoughts on how far the university has come and

the anticipation for what the future will bring for
TRU. In each ceremony valedictorians, medal
winners, honorary degree recipients, and faculty
were all recognized for their success.
The Open Learning Division held its Celebration of
Learning on June 16 in Burnaby. The event formally
recognized over 400 students who had completed
programs through the BC Open University/Open
College or through TRU Open Learning.
This year, a different valedictorian was selected for
each of TRU's six Convocation ceremonies. Each
valedictorian presented a speech which included
praise to their professors for their endless support;
the satisfaction of completing their educational
goals; and the lifelong friendships they made.

Celebration of Learning Convocation Ceremonies at BCOU/TRU-OL in Burnaby.

Andrea Elzinga TRU
Williams Lake

Christine Nickel TRU
Kamloops
Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree
in Geography, Christine Nickel was
awarded Valedictorian in the Arts and
Humanities, in a ceremony marking
the first graduating class of 2005 at
Thompson Rivers University in
Kamloops. As well she was awarded
the Hugh Neave Memorial 4th year Geography scholarship
in her last year of study at TRU. Nickel grew up in Fernie,
B.C. where she graduated high school in 1997. She attended
UCC and pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree. Nickel says that
although she didn’t pick TRU because of its programs, she
was drawn to this region because she had lived in Kamloops
briefly when she was younger. Some of her best memories of
attending UCC/ TRU include being treasurer of the TRU
Geography club and a member of the Campus for Life team
as well as hosting her own radio show, “The Nickel Bag” at
the campus radio station. She says that being involved in
school clubs and activities are what make your university
experience memorable. Nickel says that she was never really
involved in campus life until her last year, and she says that,
“I have been the most involved I have ever been and I have
met so many people…being proactive made me have an
amazing year.” She feels that being involved in university life
is a rewarding experience, “It is really important to network
and have people available to you for support.” Nickel has set
her sights on Vancouver and will be attending BCIT’s
Broadcast Journalism program in the fall. Her future goal
would be to host a travel or nature show, which would
combine her love of nature and geography with T.V. “Being
paid to travel would be just an incredible job!” Nickel will
spend her summer working at the campus radio station
hosting her own show and interning for the summer. Nickel
said she would eventually like to settle down in Kamloops
because she loves the city and the region, “It just seems like
the natural thing to do”

After working for 17 years and in
many managerial positions, Andrea
felt that she needed the credentials to
be able to expand her horizons, “I
always found myself in management
positions but I never had the criteria
to put on my resume. I wanted a
better position and higher pay.” Elzinga chose to attend TRU
in Williams Lake because of the location, “For me it was the
convenience of the school and I had also taken courses there
before.” “It was easy to enrol and I liked what the program
had to offer.” Elzinga enrolled in the Business Management
Certificate program, which teaches you overall management
in all areas. “It was very relevant to what I had learned in the
workforce and it was very applicable to the area I was
already working in,” adds Elzinga. Elzinga said that one of
the best parts about attending TRU in Williams Lake was the
relationships she built with her fellow students, “You see the
same people everyday and we built strong relationships, so
we really supported each other.” Although Elzinga was a
mature student she said that she wasn’t looked at differently
and it wasn’t a barrier in meeting other students.“The
relationships we built with each other and the professors
really made the experience at school memorable.” Elzinga
said that it was the support from her professors, fellow
students and the administration that made her experience at
TRU unique. Elzinga felt that Barbara Barman, a TRU business
professor in Williams Lake, really inspired her the most, “You
could really see how much she loved teaching, she was very
challenging but also very fair and always pushed us to do
better.” Elzinga is currently applying for positions that she
had always wanted but never had the credentials on her
resume; with a completed Business Managerial certificate
she is confident she is headed in the right direction. Elzinga
says that in the future she may return to school and finish
her Bachelor of Business, and would definitely consider
returning TRU.

TRU 2005 Valedictorians
Monica McAlduff
TRU Open Learning
When Monica McAlduff first enrolled at
BCOU in 1998 she needed the flexibility
that an on-line and distance learning
program would offer, “I needed to be
able to set my own pace, I was
pregnant, had
kids, and I
worked…I had a
busy life.”
McAlduff
completed her
Health Sciences
degree in
Psychiatric

Nursing this past June marking the first
valedictorian of TRU-OL.
McAlduff says that time-management
was an issue and she had to be able to
work independently, “I have no
problems being self-motivated and
organized, you need to be in this type of
program.”
McAlduff said that she had such a
positive experience that she would
recommend this type of education,
“Being able to set your own hours and
have the accessibility of the tutors made
it very flexible program, which is
valuable with distance learning.”

McAlduff said that there are pros and
cons to both the on-line and distance
courses but says that she liked that she
was able to do both, “The best part
about my program was the expansion of
knowledge and the different perspectives
each teacher gave you.” McAlduff adds
that the tutors were always available and
gave great advice and support, “They
were always prompt and professional
when answering any questions and
marking my assignments.”
McAlduff is currently working at the
Lions Gate Hospital in the Psychiatric
emergency department and eventually
wants to return to school in a few years
and complete her Masters.

9

TRU 2005 Valedictorian & Medal Winners
“I didn’t like the job prospects with a science degree, and
social work had always been on my mind,” says Bava.

Shawna Bava
TRU Kamloops
On her way back from doing an
overseas practicum in India, Shawna
Bava learned that she was nominated
as Valedictorian, “I had no idea I was
being nominated but I was honoured
to find out,” said Bava. She was the
Valedictorian for Humanities and Arts
at the Thompson Rivers University Convocation Ceremony
in June.
In an inspirational speech that was interrupted by rain, Bava
told of her experience as the first oversees practicum
volunteer from the social work program. She was situated in
a small village where she lived amongst the people whose
houses and possessions were destroyed by the Tsunami this
past December.
She noted in her speech how lucky she felt to have grown
up and educated in Canada,
“The foundation of knowledge I received allowed me to
analyze and understand the situation.” She quoted Rex
Murphy who said, “If you were born in the West, you've won
the only lottery that really counts from the very first moment
you took air.”
Bava was raised in Kamloops where she graduated from St.
Ann’s Academy. She completed two years of Science at UCC
and then transferred to UBC where she obtained a Bachelor of
Science degree. She worked for one year in the science field
and decided that it was not for her. When deciding what she
was going to do she thought about social work,

She decided to volunteer with at-risk youth for a year before
she went back to school and pursued a degree in social work,
“This allowed me to see if this was something I really wanted
to do and I was able to make an informed decision.”
After finalizing her decision she looked at a number of schools
to complete her Bachelor of Social work degree and she
decided to return to TRU, “I really appreciated the sense of
community at UCC compared to a university like UBC, which
is huge and anonymous.”
Bava said that she really liked the teachers at TRU, “The
professors in the Social Work program are experienced and
committed and are deeply linked to the community.” Bava
said that having the opportunity to do her practicum overseas
was very valuable,
“The experience really helped me gain a different perspective
with the similarities and differences between the two
cultures.” Bava is currently working in Chilliwack as a program
co-ordinator for youth at risk. She will use her experience as
an overseas volunteer and take a group of youth to a village
in Sri Lanka, “I will incorporate life skills and work experience
to teach the youth and help re-build the village after
the Tsunami.”
Although Bava has completed two degrees, she still has future
plans to return to school and obtain a Masters and PhD, and
she would eventually like to teach at the university level.

Lailani Mendoza
Bachelor of Journalism Degree – Awarded Medal in Journalism
Lailani Mendoza
was born in the
Philippines and
graduated from
Mangatarem
National High
school in 1999.
She studied at the
University of the
Philippines for a
year where she was
named to the Dean’s list. In 2001, she
moved to Canada with her mother and
sister at the age of 18. As far back as
she can remember Lailani had always
wanted to be a journalist, “I felt writing
was something I could do, I could really
express myself.” Lailani enrolled at TRU
and was excited that it offered a degree
in journalism and enrolled in the
program after her first year at TRU.

10

She says that the lectures and training
she received in her program were very
beneficial, “It allowed us to get real
experience as a journalist in the
community through the training and
assignments.” Mendoza credits her
success as a student to her teachers
because they were approachable and
taught her to be passionate about her
work. Lailani’s favourite part about TRU
is the small classroom size and the
availability of teachers,
“It is one of the greatest assets of the
program because the teachers are so
passionate about the work, so they
inspired you to do well.”
Mendoza felt that her experience at
TRU was unique because of the large
amount of international students
attending the university. Coming to a

new country at the age of 18, she found
it difficult to make friends, but she says
that “meeting the international students
made the transition of moving to
Canada easier.”
Currently Lailani is a regular contributor
to a youth-oriented on-line magazine
and in the future hopes to be working
for a magazine writing investigative
stories. In the future, Mendoza hopes to
go back to the Philippines and work as a
journalist to, “I want to work to be a
voice for the people.” She wants to use
her education to try and make a
difference, “I will finally be in a position
that I can do something.”

Two graduates are the second in their families to
graduate with distinction at Thompson Rivers University
Nathan Lucas Murray,
Medal in Business Administration
At the 2005 Convocation Ceremony,
Nathan Murray
was awarded the
Thompson Rivers
University Medal in
Business
Administration.
Murray graduated
from Logan Lake
Secondary School
in 1997 and after
graduation
completed a Professional Golf
Management Program at Camosun
College in 2001.
Nathan transferred to TRU to pursue a
Bachelor of Business Administration
degree, “It was a drain being in Victoria
for two years with all of my family and
friends back in Kamloops so I decided to
enrol at UCC.”
Murray’s older sister, brother and mother
are all TRU graduates. His mother won
TRU medal in Social work in 1996.
Murray says that,
“It is the convenience of living at home
and the openness of learning that
attracted us to enrol at TRU.”
Murray said that education was an
important part of his family, “My parents
really encouraged all of us to go to
school and supported us in any way
they could.”
Murray said the teachers and friendships
he made at TRU were memorable, “The
small classroom size was a big advantage
and the fact that the teachers took a
genuine interest in the students, made it
a good place to learn.”
Murray said that, “Often the teachers
would give you their home phone
numbers so that they would be available
to help you at any time.”
Murray said that Peter Tsigaris, his
economics instructor was a big influence
in his studies, “I think that getting to see

him and how smart he was and how he
continues to learn really instilled in me
the curiosity to keep learning.”
During his three years at TRU, Murray
maintained an exceptionally high grade
point average while still playing hockey
and golf. “It’s like second nature to me to
study hard and maintain good grades,”
said Murray.
He was the general manager for the UCC
hockey club and organized junior golf
clinics as well as events on campus and
in the community.

“It a great experience to be involved
with campus activities, it really allowed
me to become an involved student,”
said Murray.
In the fall Murray will be attending the
University of Victoria to study Law, “I
have always been interested in law and
feel like it is the next step, after
completing my business degree.”
Murray said that TRU gave him a good
base for learning and is excited to begin
this new chapter in his life, “I am excited
to go away to Law School but I would
like to possibly return to this area again.”

Jodi Vander Hoek, Medal in Natural Resource Science
Jodi Vander Hoek
was born and
raised in Salmon
Arm and graduated
from Salmon Arm
Senior Secondary in
2000. Jodi was
awarded the
Thompson Rivers
University Medal in
Natural Resource Science at the TRU
Convocation Ceremony in June.

“The NRS program is very unique across
not only in B.C but in Canada and it
was a program that involved hands
on learning.”

Jodi grew up on a farm and was a 4-H
member until she graduated high school
so the Bachelor of Natural Resource
Science program seemed like the logical
way to go, “I had always been interested
in the environment and agriculture. I had
heard about the program from my cousin
and I knew I had wanted to do
something that gave me a career with a
number of different directions.”

She was also secretary for the Natural
Resource Science club in which she
helped fundraise for money for her
graduating class.

Before enrolling at TRU, she completed 1
year of Arts at the Okanagan University
College. Jodi says having the NRS
program close to home was big part of
her decision, “I really liked that it was
close to home and I didn’t want to go to
school on the coast.”
Jodi credits her success as a student
to excellent faculty and the small
classroom sizes that made a great
learning environment.

While attending TRU, Jodi was a member
of the TRU Range Club which she says
added to her learning experience,
“It went above and beyond what I would
have learned in school and enhanced
what I could take away from this
experience.”

She is the second in her family to be
awarded a medal from the University. Her
sister Heather was awarded the Governor
General’s Collegiate Bronze medal in a
diploma program. Jodi credits her family
for instilling great values in her,
“My family taught me time management,
organization and most importantly the
drive to be successful…they really
wanted us to succeed in something for
our future.”
Jodi currently works for the Fraser
Basin council which deals with issues
of environmental, social and
economic sustainability.

TRU 2005 Medal Winners
11

Grad awarded for his contribution to the success of airport
Ross Brown
Bachelor of Tourism Management
In a room filled tourism flair and
flags, Ross Brown was given the
School of Tourism Alumni Award.
Brown was nominated and chosen
for this award because of his
outstanding achievements in the
airline industry. Brown singlehandedly turned the Abbotsford
Airport passenger volume from
70,000 to 420,000 as Marketing
and Sales Manager.
After graduating from high
school, Brown enrolled in the
Bachelor of Tourism program at
UCC, “I didn’t want to stay at
home or go to a big University so
I decided to go to UCC.”
“The small classroom sizes and the interaction with
faculty was one the key reason why I wanted to go to
Kamloops,” added Brown.

Success Story

Even before Brown graduated with
his Bachelor of Tourism degree he
was hired on as the marketing
manager for the Abbotsford
International Airport,

12

“I helped develop a marketing plan
for the airport through customer
research which increased passenger
volume and expanded airline routes
outside of B.C.”
He opened up flights to Toronto, Las
Vegas, Kelowna, and Prince George,
“When we acquired WestJet it
opened up a lot of flights and
attracted more people to fly
out of the Fraser Valley instead
of Vancouver.”

Brown says that he combined a unique marketing
plan with partnership programs and offered incentives
to travellers,
“I made Abbotsford airport competitive by
establishing partnership programs with hotels and
ground transportation operations. This attracted
people to book their vacation through us and fly out
of Abbotsford.”
Brown was the key piece in making the Abbotsford
Airport into the fourth busiest passenger airport after
Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna. Brown said that
even after September 11th when all airports were
seeing a huge decline, the Abbotsford airport stayed
the same.
After his contract was up with the Abbotsford Airport,
Brown decided to spread his wings and signed a
one-year contract with Air North-The Yukon’s Airline,
“I will be establishing air route analysis as well as
marketing programs and packages
to Yukon.”

“I helped develop
a marketing plan
for the airport
through customer
research which
increased
passenger volume
and expanded
airline routes
outside of B.C.”
Ross Brown

Brown says that they had a
competitive edge because they offered the same
flights but the parking was free at the Abbotsford
airport whereas at Vancouver International Airport you
had to pay to park,
“This attracted a lot of people to fly out of Abbotsford
because of the price of parking.”

Brown hopes to heighten airline
demand as well as expand charter
and current scheduled routes,
“I want to encourage people to
start travelling to the Yukon by
offering hotel and flight packages.”
Currently, Brown also sits as
Director of the Abbotsford
Chamber of Commerce,
Chairperson for the Abbotsford
Chamber of Commerce Tourism
Committee and Director,
Tourism Abbotsford.

Once his current contract is up in
January 2006, Brown plans to
continue to work in airport
consulting. Brown says that the
education he received at UCC gave him a good
foundation for the work he is doing today and would
consider returning to TRU,
“I am considering the MBA and have wanted to do it
for a while, and I would defiantly consider the
program at TRU.”

TRU Run for Fun on April 2, 2005

Dignitaries, Staff, Faculty & Alumni celebrate our TRU Beginnings
Hundreds of graduates from Cariboo
College, UCC, and BCOU came
out to celebrate the inauguration
of TRU at several events between
March 31 – April 2.

350 guests then enjoyed entertainment
by TRU students, faculty and graduates
and closed the evening with keynote
speaker, Dr. David Foot, author of the
Boom, Bust & Echo books.

The official ceremonies on March 31
saw the installation of our first
Chancellor, Olympic medalist Dr. Nancy
Greene Raine and Dr. Roger Barnsley as
the President and Vice-Chancellor, as
well as the granting of TRU's official
Coat of Arms by the Chief Herald of
Canada, Robert D. Watt. Dignitaries
brought greetings from all levels of
government and from academic
institutions across the country and
around the world. Earlier that day, the
Convocation Wall was unveiled outside
Old Main honouring the graduates of
both UCC and BCOU.

On Saturday, April 2, The TRU

On April 1st, Prime Minister Paul
Martin visited the Thompson Rivers
University campus as TRU's first official
visitor, where he unveiled a plaque in
his honour and met with various
campus and community members.
That evening, alumni, faculty, donors
and community members attended the
TRU Beginnings Celebration Dinner at
the Campus Activity Centre. The
festivities began with a cocktail hour
featuring displays from many university
programs and departments. The

Beginnings Run for Fun saw over
240 runners and walkers gather in front
of the new International Building on
April 2. The 5 and 10 km course wound
around campus roads and grass lands
for an interesting challenge.

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or call 1-800-884-3199
A portion of these sales support the TRU Alumni Association.

13

Sandy Wiseman

TRU Foundation Planned Giving Donor
Planned Giving is an option for
giving with the TRU Foundation in
which a donor may set up a life
insurance policy and would name
the TRU Foundation as the
beneficiary. The process is quite easy
and it is a simple way of
making a meaningful
gift to the university.
Long time supporter of
the Foundation, Sandy
Wiseman, has been
contributing to a policy
since 1991.
When Sandy Wiseman
first became a donor to
the UCC Foundation,
she decided to take
some extra money she
had received and invest
it in the university,

education and opportunity, to support
the university.”
Both of Wiseman’s children attended TRU, her
daughter graduated from the Respiratory Health
Therapy program and her son graduated with a
Bachelor of Business
Administration degree.

“The young people
are the future and
they hold the
future of the
community
in their hands.”
Sandy Wiseman

“I bought a life insurance policy and
named TRU as the beneficiary,”
“I had always been a donor to the
university but this [Planned Giving] made me realize
that there is another way for people to give.”
Wiseman has always been an advocate of education
and felt that this was a good way to give back to
the community,
“I would encourage anyone who believes in

Wiseman said, “I have worked
in the school system and I am
still going to school and I
believe in the importance of a
university in a community
like Kamloops.”
“(As a donor) you are giving
such a small amount every
month, for only a few dollars
a day a person can make a
huge difference.”

Wiseman adds that there are
benefits with being a donor, “Along with the tax
deduction you are not only helping the university
but the community as well.”
“The young people are the future and they hold the
future of the community in their hands,” she said.
Wiseman noted that when you set up an
endowment, “You can specify or direct the money
to certain people or programs that you have a
vested interest in; so you know where your money
is going.”

Wiseman and her family have been in Kamloops
since the 1950s, “The people and the
I am pleased to support TRU and students through my gift to the TRU Foundation. community have been good to me and this is
an excellent way for people to give back to a
Please find my donation enclosed:
community that has been good to them.”
$50
$100
$250
$500
Other_________
OR I would like to make a monthly donation of
$10
$25
$50
Other_________
Payment Enclosed:
The TRU Foundation is non profit society
Cheque (Payable to The TRU Foundation)
Mastercard
Visa Expiry Date:____/____
that accepts, administers and coordinates
Credit Card Number:__________________________________________________________
Name: ____________________________________________________________________
donations benefiting TRU and its
Address: __________________________________________________________________
constituents. TRU alumni can give back to
City: ____________________________________Postal Code: ________________________
their alma mater and make a difference either
Email:______________________________________________________________________
in the life of a student or in the success of
I would like to designate my donation to:
Canada’s newest University by making a
Alumni Endowment Fund
Financial Need Award - Unrestricted Fund
contribution to one of our funds. These
Specific Program:___________________________________________________
include Alumni Association Endowment Fund,
“Leave a Legacy” – please send me information about including TRU in my will
Annual Fund Awards, Endowment Funds,
or designating TRU as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
Specific Purpose Fund and Planned Gifts.
Send donations to: TRU Foundation, Box 3010, Kamloops, BC V2B 5N3

Making a Gift to TRU

All donations are fully tax deductible. A receipt will be issued for all donations over $10.
(250) 828-5264
Thank You!
www.tru.ca/foundation

14

Ken Olynyk

Director of TRU Athletic Department
A push for top recruitments and a
new team name has forced some
great improvements to the
Athletic Department at Thompson
Rivers University. Along with the
university expanding, the
Athletics Department will see
changes to its program. Ken
Olynyk, Director of the Athletics
department said, “TRU will have
the basketball and volleyball
teams move up the university
chain and play at the Canadian
Interuniversity Sports level.”
Players will be bumped into a
higher class and will be playing at
the western conference level and
not colleges. According to
Olynyk, “This will expand the
playing season dramatically and
we will now be able to compete
in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan,
and Manitoba.” The recruitment
of new players has been top
priority for the athletics
department. Representatives from
the athletic departments and
professional scouts have taken on
the task of recruiting top players.

With the upgrade of playing level,
Olynyk said that they will attract
new athletes, “This will allow us
the opportunity to recruit student
athletes at a higher level, which
will be students who have won
provincial and national
championships, these students
will have ties with national
programs.” Olynyk says that the
current players on the teams are
able to benefit from this as well,
“The good thing about this is the
people we have here with us have
had the opportunity to grow and
get better.” “They have had a
better opportunity here than they
would have had at another
university.” Olynyk said he is
confident in the current players
and feels that they are capable to
play at the next level Olynyk said
that, “Playing at this level will
allow for us to host teams and to
attend some of the better
tournaments.” Along with the
upgrade of the playing level the
UCC Sun Demons will now
become the TRU Wolf Pack,

“There was a
name change
when we
became UCC so
we felt that it
was only
appropriate to
change the
name when we
became TRU”
said Olynyk.
“I felt the name
“Wolf Pack” was
a good choice it
has a nice
design and logo
and I like the
way it looks,”
added Olynyk.
A new mascot
will also be
revealed and
ready for the fall, “We
are in the process of doing
that right now and it
should be ready by the
beginning by the
school year.”

TRU Athletics & Recreation
GET READY FOR AN EXCITING YEAR OF ACTION
Game Day Prices:

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• Baseball • Badminton

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TRU now competes in the Canada West Conference
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• Reserved Seating Area • Post Game Access
• Newsletter • Soccer & Badminton Provincials
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Event Highlights:

TRU WolfPack Camps
TRU also provides week-long summer Camps to
help improve your child’s sport skills. Watch for
specialty camps during the year.
For additional information and schedules,
check out our website: www.tru.ca/athletic

• Rec Fest, September 19-24
• McDonalds Desert Classic, October 13-15
• BDO Dunwoody Classic, October 21-23
• BC Lions Road Trip, October 22
• Weekend of Champions, October 28-30
• Iceskating Afternoon, November 27

CO M E R U N W I T H T H E PA C K
TRU Athletics & Recreation 900 McGill Road, PO Box 3010 Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3 Phone: 250.828.5009 www.tru.ca/athletic

15

Pathfinders – where are they now?
1970’s
Deborah Bostock,
Business Administration ‘77
Debbie is a Bookkeeper for MTM
Plumbing and Heating and writes,
“After graduating, I worked in Calgary
and Regina before returning to
Kamloops. I am very involved in
the Kamloops Paddlewheelers Lions
Club and volunteer many hours in
the community.”
Kate Hemenway,
Fine Arts ‘77
Kate is a Visual Artist and also
completed a BFA at the Emily Carr
Institute and a Diploma in Psychiatric
Nursing at BCIT. She writes, “Thanks to
the instruction in fine arts, I have had a
sound foundation on which to build
my career. The teachers taught me the
rules before I broke them, not after.”
Gayle Kroetsch (Bauman),
Nursing ‘77
Gayle is a practicing RN at Prince
George Regional Hospital in
Renal Services.
Jaymie Logan,
Nursing ‘77
Jaymie continued her studies at the
University of Victoria and earned a
BSc in Nursing. She is now working
on a Masters in Health Science
through Athabasca University and
works as a Community Nurse for
Sliammon Health.
Karen Ritchie (Bailey),
Nursing ‘77
Karen is a Clinical Practice Consultant
with Interior Health and writes that she
has “Worked in the East Kootenay since
graduation. Experience in geriatric,
surgical, obstetrical, public health and
home care nursing. Married with 3
kids. Enjoying life in the greatest place
on earth!”
Beverley June Threatful,
Nursing ‘77
June is retired and writes that she is
“enjoying life in the Alpine City of
Revelstoke.” Friends and classmates can
contact her at dbjt@rctvonline.net.

16

Norma Myers,
Human Service Worker ‘78
Norma is now retired and writes “My
main pastime now is playing Duplicate
Bridge, meaning continuous learning
and involvement with people from
all walks of life.” Norma also
enjoys travelling.
Mary Zacharias,
Nursing ‘78
Mary is a Registered Nurse for the
Anchorage School District and
earned a BSN at the University of
Alaska, Anchorage.
Iris Unger (Orr),
Recreation Management ‘79
Iris is currently self-employed as a
Janitorial Contractor. She writes that,
“Our group at Cariboo College has a
reputation of being a little different. I
must admit we were a busy, noisy,
rambunctious lot; after all, ‘Play is the
essence of youth.’”

1980’s
Harold Crandall,
Telecommunications ‘80
Harold is a Technical Writer for SaskTel.
He also attended UBC and the
University of Regina and has earned a
BA and a Certificate in Public Relations,
and is a Cert. Tech. (SASTT).

Robert Drummond,
Telecommunications ‘80
Rob works as a Digital Systems
Representative for Xerox Canada.
Thomas Blair, Corrections Worker ‘81
After 23 years with the BC Government
in Corrections, Tom is now retired.
Roberta Mercier (Graham),
Nursing ‘81
Roberta is married with 4 children and
living in Langley. She recently finished
a MEd from the University of Calgary
and is currently working as a general
nursing instructor at Douglas College.
Carol Suchorab,
Long Term Care Aide ‘82
After working in home care in BC and
Saskatchewan, Carol attended the
University of Regina and earned a
certificate in Social Work. She then
worked with Family Services and was
also a Teacher’s Aide before starting her
current work at the Prince Albert Safe
Shelter, counselling abused women.
Carol writes that “my Long Term Care
Aide Certificate helped me in my
professional life and home life.”
Annemarie Calder,
Medical Lab Technologist ‘83
Annemarie works as a Lab Technologist
with Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

Sign up on the
TRU Online Community Today!
• Get a permanent trualumni.ca email address
• Access Travel and Relocation advice
• Online Career Mentoring
• Post your Business Card
• Find old friends and classmates

It’s FREE and only available to graduates
and current students!
www.trualumni.ca

Robert Nordin,
Business Administration ‘83
Rob is the owner of Chapter’s
Viewpoint Restaurant in Kamloops.
Diane Dickins,
Assoc. of Arts ‘84
Diane also attended SFU and the Justice
Institute of BC and holds an advanced
certificate in Criminology. She is now
retired after 19 years in Federal
Corrections and continues to work as
an advocate.
Martin Howie,
Drafting ‘84
Martin is a Civil Technologist at BSEI
Engineering Inc. He also attended BCIT
and SAIT and earned his Civil
Technologist designation.
Troi Eisler,
Computer Systems
Operations Management ‘85
Troi has his own business, Chameleon
Consulting Inc., in the Lower Mainland.
Stephen Kayer, Drafting ‘85
Stephen works as an Electrical
Draftsperson for Falcon Engineering
Ltd. He also attended BCIT and
Gonzaga University and earned a
credential in CAD System Technology.
Shirley Ryning (Morris),
Nursing ‘85
Shirley is a homemaker living in
Calgary, Alberta.
Kevin Vikse,
Drafting ‘85
Kevin is an Electrical Designer with
Bantrel and also attended the Northern
Alberta Institute of Technology.
Gary Weninger,
Recreation Management ‘85
Gary works as a Recreation Coordinator
for the City of Kelowna and also
attended Red Deer College.

Paul Bittner,
Partsperson ‘86
Paul is a Partsman at Dearborn Motors
in Kamloops and earned his
Journeyman Partsperson Certification.
He writes that he “highly recommends
the Partsperson Course. I learned a lot
and had a lot of fun.”
Bernarda Ruffeli,
Business Administration ‘86
Berna also attended SFU and UBC and
achieved both a BGS and a Bed. She
currently works as an Elementary
Teacher in the Surrey School District.
Susanne Rupprecht-Smith,
Animal Health ‘86
Suzanne works as an Animal Health
Technologist in Vancouver and
achieved the Veterinary Technician
Specialist in Emergency and Critical
Care certification. She writes, “I have
been working since graduation with
the same employer. My employer
encouraged and supported me to seek
specialist credentials despite my
impeding maternity leave in 2000-01.”
Alan King-Jones,
Cook Training ‘87
Alan is currently an Executive Chef
for the University of Victoria. As
well, he holds a teaching position
with the Vancouver Island Health
Authority, teaching people in the
mental health system basic cooking
and food safety. Alan also attended
Malaspina College and Camosun
College and has achieved his
Chef de Cuisine certification.
Tony Vassallo,
Meat Processing ‘87
Tony is an Office Assistant with Visa
Truck Rentals and has a part-time,
home-based Meatcutting business. He
has been married for 12 years and has
two children. Tony also attended the
College of New Caledonia.

Cindylee Cordonier,
Digital Art & Design ‘88
Cindy works as the Manager of
Budget Rent-A-Car.
Bradley Huston, Business
Administration ‘89
Brad is self-employed and lives in
Williams Lake.
Rosemary Saint Michaels,
Applied Business Technology ‘89
Rosemary works as a Secretary/Office
Assistant for Canadian Hearing Care.
Richard Swan,
Heavy Duty Mechanics ‘89
Richard works as a Commercial
Transport Mechanic for E.A.M. Road
Maintenance in Boston Bar, BC.

Want to connect
with your old
classmate?
Want to meet
other alumni in
your area?
Contact the Alumni
Association for information
about how we can assist you
in planning an alumni social
in your area or a class
reunion. Assistance is
available with contact lists,
event planning and
invitations and your event
may be eligible to receive
partial funding. For more
information, contact us at
250-828-5498 or email
alumni@tru.ca

Keep In Touch with your Alma Mater!
Don’t forget to update your address to receive all the latest news, reunion information, benefits card
updates and more! You can submit an update online at www.trualumni.ca or call us at 250-828-5498.
Change of address cards can be sent to TRU Alumni Association, Box 3010, Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3
17

Alumni Benefits
Have you got the 2005-06 Alumni Benefits Card?
Get great discounts on goods and services from 26 participating businesses:

Alumni and faculty enjoying the
annual Pineridge Charity Golf
Tournament

• Accolades Dining Room

• Kitchen Encounters

• A&W Columbia Square

• Knights Inn

• BMO Financial Group

• Lordco Auto Parts, all BC locations

• Best Western, Kamloops

• My Travel Seven Seas

• bookies, the TRU Bookstore

• PC Doctor Digital Cafe

• Budget Car & Truck Rental

• Pro Systems Beauty Centre, Aberdeen Mall

• City of Kamloops Aquatic Facilities

• Ramada Inn

• Chapter’s Viewpoint Restaurant

• Robbie’s Downtown Restaurant

• Empire Landmark Hotel, Vancouver

• Rota’s Sports Bar & Grill

• Fogg N’ Suds Restaurant

• Runner’s Sole

• GeekPro Business Solutions
• Health Quest Chiropractic

• Sandman Hotels & Inns,
Kamloops & Okanagan

• Home Hardware

• TRU Athletics & Recreation

• ICI Paints, Kamloops
Request your free card online at www.trualumni.ca or call 250-828-5498

Our Alumni
shop at
www.bookies.tru.ca
and save 15%

TRU Bookstore, TRU Campus Activity Centre • 828-5141
OPEN YEAR ROUND • PUBLIC ALWAYS WELCOME • M–Th 8-5pm • F 10-4pm

18

2004 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners: from left, Hamish
Plommer, Karla Mundle-Guido and Kris Stewart.

Provincial
health plans
cover less
than you think
Alison Naimool
Product Manager –
Manulife Financial
The days when an employee
remained with one company for a
career span of 25-30 years are long
gone. Self-employment is on the
rise†. As a result, the loss of health
benefits that corporations provide
for employees and their families
is leaving many Canadians without
enough health and dental protection.

Have you thought about
your insurance coverage recently?
Did you know that, as a Thompson River University graduate, you and your
family are entitled to affordable insurance plans, thanks to your alumni status?
Because this Alumni insurance plan is created to offer you exclusive
coverage as a benefit of your alumni status, it costs very little.
Plus, you have a comprehensive variety of
insurance plans to choose from:
■ Term Life
■ Major Accident Protection
■ Disability
■ Extended Health
& Dental Care
■ Critical Illness
Contact us today for your FREE no-obligation information package and join the
growing number of alumni who use this plan to secure their families’ financial security.

1 888 913-6333 or
www.manulife.com/TRUE5
or e-mail am_service@manulife.com
Recommended by:

Underwritten by:

Most people assume they are
covered sufficiently under their
provincial health plan. What they
don’t realize is that provincial
health plans cover less than they
may think. To ensure your health
and dental needs are covered,
consider the Alumni Extended
Health and Dental Plan.
Dental care, prescription drugs*,
alternative therapies (massage
therapy, chiropractors, naturopaths,
etc.) and vision benefits – these health
care items and services are essential
for the well-being of your family.
Unfortunately, they are not covered
under provincial health plans.
The Alumni Extended Health and
Dental Plan features a variety of
options to fit all needs and budgets.
The value-added ManuAssist™, a
24-hour emergency travel assistance
program, is included at no additional
cost to you. ■
† As of January 2005, there were 2.47 million
self-employed Canadians out of a total of
16.057 million in the labour force.
There was also a 1.6% increase in selfemployment from January 2004 to January
2005. Source: Statistics Canada’s Labour Force
Survey, February 2005.
* Not available to Québec residents.

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

October 13, 14 & 15th
We got the game, the spirit and lots of events… all we need is you!
This Homecoming come back to campus and see how your college has
grown up to be a university!
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 13
TRU Foundation Annual Campaign Kick Off Breakfast
7:30-8:30 am – Grand Hall, Campus Activity Centre

Saturday, October 15
TRU WolfPack Outdoor Basketball Party
Saturday afternoon – Outside the Gym

The TRU Foundation kick’s off this year’s annual fundraising
campaign with a breakfast event . Come out and enjoy a buffet
breakfast, entertainment, and speakers. The featured speaker is
TRU alumna and former Foundation award recipient, Melanie
Conrad. Contact Karen Gamracy at 371-5715.
Free Public event

Attend this party Saturday afternoon during the McDonald’s
Desert Classic Basketball Tournament. Beer garden, food,
entertainment and family play area.

President’s Lecture Series
Lloyd Axworthy Foreign Affairs Globalization Expert
7:00pm – TRU Campus
Tickets are required but are complimentary. A limited number of
reserved tickets are available free of charge for Homecoming
attendees. Check the alumni website for details www.trualumni.ca

Friday, October 14
TRU President’s Reception & Distinguished Alumni Awards
7:00pm – International Building, Panorama Room
This evening will honour and celebrate TRU’s most accomplished
graduates with the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards. TRU
President & Vice-Chancellor Roger Barnsley hosts this evening of
alumni pride as the Alumni Association honours the selected
award recipients. Tickets $25.00

ORDER EARLY! Advance tickets are available online
at www.trualumni.ca or by calling (250) 371-5711.
Platinum Sponsor

3 on 3 Recreational Basketball Challenge
Saturday afternoon – Outdoor Basketball Court
Sign up your team of 3; test your skills against other teams.
Divisions for teens, TRU students and alumni. Games will be
played on the outdoor court during the pre-game outdoor
basketball party. Lots of prizes to be won. Check the alumni
website for details on how to register your team.

McDonald’s Desert Classic Men’s Basketball Tournament
October 13, 14, 15th – TRU Gymnasium
The first basketball tournament of the season with the new
WolfPack team. Check our website for game times.
Final Games 6 & 8 pm Saturday
Game Tickets: Adults $7.00 , Students/Seniors $3.00 and
Children 6 and under Free

Alumni Homecoming Party at Heroes
Saturday, October 15 – TRU Heroes Pub
8:00 pm doors open, 9:30pm Live Band
Come out and have a rocking good time with The Blues Jumpers.
Enjoy this local band’s upbeat blend of blues tunes that will
make you tap your feet and get up and boogie. They are as
entertaining as they are fun to dance to. Tickets only $10.00

Media Sponsors
Gold Sponsors

Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: TRU Alumni Association, Box 3010, Kamloops BC V2C 5N3 Publications Mail 40040090