TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine SPRING 2009 ISSUE #2 Page Title > > > www.trualumni.ca Exclusive One on One with Senator Nancy Greene Raine International Expert leads TRU Environment and Sustainability TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 1 Golf to Support TRU Students 16th Annual 4th Annual Alumni Association Tournament Foundation Classic > A fun time to connect with former classmates and faculty Friday, May 8, 2009 1pm • Check-In 2pm • Shotgun Start > Pineridge Golf Course > Golf & Dinner $75 Mike Bartram Memorial Tournament Sports Task Force > Dedicated to supporting TRU Athletes Friday, June 12, 2009 > Financial support for TRU students Friday, August 28, 2009 11:30am • Check-In & Lunch 12:30pm • Shotgun Start > Rivershore Golf Links > Golf, Cart & Dinner $175 To donate, sponsor or for more information • Phone: Diana Major at 250.828.5264 • Email: advancementevents@tru.ca 11:00am • Check-In & Lunch 12:30pm • Shotgun Start > Rivershore Golf Links > Golf & Dinner $150 Meet the Wolfpack 2008 National Golf Champions at the: Pack Attack Pro-Am Sunday, August 9, 2009 The Dunes Golf Course > $150 amateurs > $200 professionals For more information on the Pack Attack Pro-Am: Call The Dunes Golf Course at 250.579.3300 contents T 7 ETSXEMÍNTE STSELXMÉM Cover Stories SPRING 2009 ISSUE #2 TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine 6–7 Page Title > > > www.trualumni.ca One on One with Senator Nancy Greene Raine 14–15 International Expert leads TRU Environment and Sustainability The appointment of ‘Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century’. Exclusive One on One with Senator Nancy Greene Raine Alumni Life International 10 Student-Athlete Success 12–13 TRU Events Calendar 18 Extraordinary gifts mark annual Gala Expert leads TRU Environment and Sustainability TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 1 Publisher: TRU Alumni Association Editor: 4 5 8–9 11 Advertising Sales: Karen Gamracy Diana Skoglund Joanne Baskerville Josh Keller Mary Minogue Alumni Chairs’ Message On-Campus News Open Learning TRU World Student Success Sport Camps Last Word Bridges Graphic Designer: Cindy Drescher www.trualumni.ca Researcher: Melissa Rombough (pages 14–15) Spring 2009 NEW Location The Alumni and Foundation staff have moved to the first floor of the Clocktower to team up with the Marketing & Communications staff. Contact us: Our email and mail addresses will remain the same. Thompson Rivers University Alumni Association Remember to check the website for events and updates. MC82781 Phone: 1.250.828.5264 Email: alumni@tru.ca 16 19 23 TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine Photography: Cover – Allan Fedorak Bob Clark Cindy Drescher Kent Wong 900 McGill Road, Box 3010 Kamloops BC V2C 5N3 20–21 Alumni Successes 22 Alumni Awards Departments Arlene Olynyk Editorial Board: Diana Skoglund Joanne Baskerville Mary Ellen Grant Rob Cupello Writers: Strategic objective of making TRU the University of Choice for Environment and Sustainability firmly in place. Find us on at TRU Alumni and Friends > > > Alumni Chair Message 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award winners Cathy Ferguson speaking at Mentoring reception Support and Advocacy Co Chair Message from: Cathy Ferguson and Mike Koehn Where would any of us be without friends? On behalf of the TRU Alumni Association we would like to recognize the contributions of our Alumni and Friends over the past year for their participation, advocacy, sponsorship, mentorship and general support of our students and institution. Participation from the TRU community, in our programs and events, has grown steadily for the past decade. For that, the Alumni Association wishes to say an emphatic, “Thank you!” To further promote alumni relations we are inviting you, our TRU community to join us in assisting our students and institution to be the best they can be on the world stage. We invite you to take advantage of these benefits we offer: Pick up the NEW – TRU Alumni & Friends Benefit Card. It is the first of its kind in Canada and extends the discounts, at local hotels, restaurants, retail stores, WolfPack and Bronco events among other discounts on goods and services in the community, not only to the TRU Alumni but to our “friends” whose involvement strengthens the foundation and the future of our university. Be a Career Mentor – connect to the students as they start to direct their studies and focus on career options. The next Career Connection Session is October. Join us at the Homecoming and Open House Event, September 25 & 26, 2009. Honour accomplishments at the Distinguished Alumni and Friends Dinner held March 26, 2010. We are accepting nominations until October 30, 2009. Start a Chapter and stay connected with your classmates by planning events and creating reasons to get together. Stay informed. Update your mailing and email address. Receive Bridges: the Alumni and Friends Magazine. Check out our Facebook page –Thompson Rivers University Alumni and Friends. Remember you can make a Difference: Please feel free to join your Alumni Association as we continue the path: To promote excellence in alumni relations, for the benefit of the TRU community. Details on the opportunities listed above available at: www.tru.ca/alumni On-Campus News > > >  Community Spirit by Diana Skoglund Dr. Kathleen Scherf, Larry Phillip, Diana Skoglund and Debbie Blackwell, members of TRU’s United Way committee were presented with the Community Spirit Large Organization award by Melodie Grabner of the Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way. The award is in honour of an organization that encourages staff to learn about and contribute to their community through United Way involvement.   Deer Triplets Mother Deer and three fawns walk freely among the trees and buildings of the TRU Kamloops campus. Accolades for Accolades by Diana Skoglund When it comes to national recognition it’s Accolades, Thompson Rivers University’s Culinary Arts dining room that puts the university in the limelight as to where to eat in Canada. Accolades is one of only 70 restaurants across Canada to have been awarded two “stars of excellence” out of a possible three in the new 2008 edition of the national restaurant guide, Where to Eat in Canada. The program’s reputation is gaining more than great restaurant reviews. TRU Culinary Arts chair Kimberly Johnstone says both the first year and third year classes are full. Third-level Culinary Arts students, under the tutelage of industry trained Chef Instructors committed to excellence, creativity and professionalism are the gastronomic force behind Accolades. Students experience real world conditions, in the Culinary Cafeteria and as well as the Accolades Dining Room. Not all students travel as far as Brody, many stay on campus to work for the private food service provider. For Ancillary Director Gerard Hayes the availability of skilled young chefs for his side of the operations is invaluable, whether they are working for him full-time after graduation, while they’re still in school or even while they are still in the Culinary Arts program. Accolades, the only university eatery to ever be included in the 400-page compendium, first appeared in Oberon Press publication in 2004. The book lists 500 best restaurants, mentioning every Canadian city and town, and tells readers what each is like, what it does best, what it costs, and when it’s open, with maps to guide travelers to each location and, unlike other restaurant guides, Where to Eat in Canada accepts no payment for listings. “So many of our students do well because of the experience they gain at Accolades. Some are very skilled young chefs locally and one, Brody White, is working at a two-star Michelin restaurant in France.” “Besides the tremendous talent the students bring to the university’s food service,” Hayes said. “It is certainly a highlight for us to showcase our students and the programs we offer by having the Culinary Arts program add another facet to the food services we provide on campus.” TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 5 O One on One with Senator Nancy Greene Raine by Joanne Baskerville Prime Minister Stephen Harper sparked the interest of Canadians with the appointment of Thompson Rivers University’s Chancellor to the Senate. The Senate appointments spurred a mix of controversy and optimism in the national media; catapulting Nancy Greene Raine, Kamloops, Sun Peaks and TRU into the center spotlight of Canadian politics. The appointment of ‘Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century’ has Canadians young and old alike talking about the role of the Senate within our Canadian political structure. Senator Nancy Greene Raine took the time to enlighten TRU Alumni and Friends to the challenges and opportunities she faces in her new role as a member of the Canadian Senate. How do you plan to engage British Columbians & Canadians? What are your short & long term goals? As Senators, we represent our province; we also have the opportunity to define a region within the province. I have chosen to represent the Thompson, Okanagan and Kooteney regions of British Columbia. I grew up in the Kootenays and live in the Kamloops area; I feel a strong affinity for the people of this region. With four Senators living in the Lower Mainland, and one from Northern BC, I am happy to concentrate on the Southern Interior. My experience in the development of Sun Peaks Resort has given me a background in mountain tourism, which is an important part of the economy of the whole region. My first priority is to learn all I can about how the Senate works. Not having a background in politics, I have a lot to learn, not just with the actual functioning of the Senate, but with the political side of things too. There will certainly be an opportunity to put forth the issues of this region. I will have an office in Ottawa, and will be commuting on a weekly basis. (As a member of Senate, she is currently tasked with Fisheries and Oceans and Aboriginal Peoples Committees.) The Senate plays an important role in providing ‘sober second thought’ to the Parliament, reviewing bills that have passed through the House of Commons. The second function is to bring issues of importance to Canadians to the attention of government, whether they are national, regional or issues which affect minorities or other groups. With respect to long-term goals; my background in sport, tourism and small business has given me a wide experience, and my experience as Chancellor of Thompson Rivers University has reinforced my strong belief that education is a critical element in developing a strong country. Parliament of Canada Web Site: www.parl.gc.ca Mail may be sent postage-free to Senator Nancy Greene Raine at the following address: The Senate of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0A4 6 Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 When I agreed to serve in the Senate, it was with an understanding my term would be limited to eight years. Like many Canadians, I think the time has come to bring the Senate in line with current democratic experience. When the Senate was formed, it was in the early days of democracies and Canada, followed the lead of England where there was a fear that the ‘common folk’ would not choose representatives with enough education or leadership skills to run the country. The second Chamber was intended to balance the elected members. Today we know that the general population is perfectly capable of choosing good people to serve as elected members, and it is time to elect Senators as well. I know that studies have already been done on the various models of elected Senates, and before commenting further I must do some reading. I know most people in BC and Alberta feel very under-represented in the Senate, which was set up in the beginning to represent regions at a time when there was very little population in the West. Redistributing the seats in a reformed Senate will be very difficult to sell to the rest of Canada. What will you do to heighten and improve the Senate image? Like many Canadians, I heard stories of Senators appointed for life and spending the winters on the beach in Mexico. Times have changed, there are now very strict rules with regard to Senate attendance – if you are going to miss a Senate session, you can only do so if you are on official government business or have a doctor’s note. Attendance is taken every day, and the records are public. With regard to Senate committee reports, I hope to assist with communication through the media when reports are tabled so that they get wide coverage to the public. With public support these reports often lead to legislation on issues that might not otherwise come to the government. Cover Story Can you see the appointed Senate changing in the near future to an elected model? It is too soon for me to say what challenges face the Senate as a functioning institution. I hope that ‘sober second thought’ does not get sidetracked by partisan political posturing, which would be a real shame. Some of my fellow Senators feel there should be House of Commons reform as well; there is currently a Minister of State for Democratic Reform working on this. “… my experience as Chancellor of Thompson Rivers University has reinforced my strong belief that education is a critical element in developing a strong country.” The Honourable Senator Nancy Greene Raine, O.C., O.B.C. Senate appointment ceremony Media interviewing TRU Chancellor near the site of the future House of Learning TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 7 > > > Open Learning New Beginings Open Learning leads one TRU Alumni to a new career. Dreams never die. Thompson Rivers University alumnus Carla Granberg offered proof to this point by devoting 27 years of her life to the pursuit of higher education and ultimately, fulfilling her dream to gain a degree and switch careers. “Earning my degree has been my ambition since I went back to school (at TRU) full-time in 2002,” Granberg said. “Up until 2002, I worked in the health care industry. Returning to school … and moving into the information technology (IT) industry was the beginning of a complete career switch for me.” In the fall of 2008, Granberg graduated from Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Technology Management concentration) and realized her dream of switching careers. Granberg’s route to her current career as a Software Analyst for Thompson Rivers University (TRU) was not a direct one, but it was a journey of great discovery and experience. Granberg began her post-secondary career in the 80s at the University College of the Cariboo, now operating as TRU, where she completed a Certificate in Office Administration. She continued to advance her post-secondary education, achieving two more Certificates (Qualified Administrative Assistant and Health Care Management Level 2) and a Diploma in Management Studies, which she completed at the former Open College, which is now operating as TRU, Open Learning (TRU-OL). 8 Climbing the Educational Ladder It wasn’t until Granberg returned to university in 2002 to take TRU’s Computer Systems: Operations and Management (CSOM) Diploma program, that her dream to move out of health care and into the IT industry became a reality. In 2005, Granberg received her CSOM Diploma. This achievement in addition to all of her prior learning experiences and designations, led to Granberg’s ability to successfully achieve her TRU degree through Open Learning. In 2006, Granberg enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce Degree program through Open Learning - the next step towards her career switch and professional advancement. She methodically worked towards the degree by transferring credits from her CSOM Diploma and all three Certificates as well as laddering her Management Studies Diploma into the degree. “The Bachelor of Commerce (Technology Management) built upon my two previous diplomas,” Granberg explained. “I utilized TRU-OL’s transfer credit extensively which was the main reason Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 I decided to complete my credential through an Open Learning degree program as opposed to the traditional campus-based delivery model. This in turn meant that I only had to complete 27 credits to cover off the breadth and depth of the education requirements and to ensure that I had enough upperlevel credits to meet the graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce degree program.” Since July 2006, Granberg completed 27 credits while working full-time and caring for her teenage children. She completed her final course requirement in the summer of 2006 while working full-time at TRU. Granberg efficiently fulfilled her program requirements through the credential recognition practice often called laddering. Laddering, as the name suggests, allows individuals who have completed a lower-level credential to apply the credit gained in that credential into the next higher credential within the same discipline. So, for example, someone who has gained a certificate in marketing can ‘climb’ into a diploma in business and continue the ‘climb’ by taking those credits into a degree program like the Bachelor of Commerce. Open Learning offers graduates of diploma and certificate programs many opportunities to ladder their credentials into a range of degree programs without having to repeat credits. By 2010, Granberg will have received her Information Systems Professional designation, a professional credential that is recognized by law in Canada, through the Canadian Information Processing Society. “I believe my achievement has made a lasting impression on all of us,” Granberg said referring to her family, friends and co-workers who helped her celebrate at the fall 2008 convocation. Grow your education Don’t let your educational goals get buried under the daily pressures of work, family and life. If you already have a certificate or diploma with TRU and are now looking to open up your career options, the flexibility of Open Learning makes it easy to get you to the next level. Not only can you apply your current TRU credential toward a new degree, you may also receive additional credit for your work-related learning. By combining your current education and prior workplace learning with the flexibility of Open Learning, you can spend less time and money earning a new degree. The Open Learning Division of TRU is one of Canada’s largest online and distance education providers, offering over 400 courses and 57 programs including degrees and post-baccalaureates. All of our courses and programs are available for enrolment throughout the year and the flexibility in scheduling we offer means you can study where you want, at a pace that suits your lifestyle. For a complete list of courses and programs please visit our website. www.truopen.ca 1.888.434.6736 TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 9 > > > Student-Athlete Success Success for the TRU WolfPack Athletic Program On the links, resurrected after nearly 10 years, the TRU Golf Program wrote itself a story book season. Head coach Bill Bilton Jr. and his father spearheaded an initiative late in the summer to bring back the program. Bilton was able to recruit a number of top local junior golfers and promptly went out and captured a silver medal in the BC College Athletic Association (BCCAA) regular tour. Adam Gruber of the WolfPack, was the top individual golfer on the tour. They followed that up with a gold medal at the Men’s Canadian College Championships, held in Prince Edward Island. On the pitch, the WolfPack Women’s Soccer Team finished on top of the BCCAA standings with only one loss in the regular season. TRU hosted the National Championships, where the WolfPack lost the Gold Medal in injury time. They had four players named to the All-Star Team. The WolfPack Men’s Soccer Team placed 2nd in provincials and went on to compete in the Nationals also hosted at TRU, the coach Sean Wallace received the honour of BCCAA Men’s Coach of the Year. On the court, the WolfPack Men’s Volleyball Team qualified for the Canada West Final Four by downing Winnipeg in their final game an securing the bronze medal. From there, it was on to Nationals in Edmonton. TRU came away with a 6th place finish. Schweizer to Step Down Pride of the Pack as WolfPack Women’s Soccer Head Coach Badminton Basketball It’s the end of an era at Thompson Rivers University. Marlee Mertens > CCAA Academic All Canadian Diane Schuetze > CIS All Rookie Team Eric Schweizer has announced that he is stepping aside as head coach of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Women’s Soccer Team. Schweizer’s final year at the helm of the WolfPack was one of success. He directed them to the BCCAA regular season crown with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 3 ties. It was the third silver medal that the WolfPack had won under Schweizer’s direction: they had captured national medals in 2003 and 2006. Schweizer was also named the BCCAA Women’s Coach of the Year in 2008 and leaves TRU with a head coaching record of 48 wins, 17 losses and 14 draws. Brennan Arduin > BCCAA Academic Excellence Award Venita Colton > BCCAA Academic Excellence Award Soccer Marleah Oginski > BCCAA Academic Excellence Award Volleyball Danielle Fauteux > CCAA Academic Excellence Award Josh Boruck > CIS All Rookie Team Cari Sutcliffe > BCCAA Academic Excellence Award Gord Perrin > Canada West Second All-Star Team, Premiers Achievement Award Shantelle Cooper > BCCAA Player of the Year, All Canadian Shannon Kelly > CCAA Academic All Canadian 10 Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 By far and in most aspects, studying in British Columbia was the best time of my student life.” – Katharina Leipzig, Germany If you are an international alumnus of TRU / UCC, please email global@tru.ca with an update on what you have been doing since graduation. We would love to hear from you! 2009 notes TRU Events Calendar June 4 & 5 Spring Convocation (Two Ceremonies each day) .....................................10am & 2pm www.tru.ca/convocation Campus Commons, Horticulture Gardens (TRU Gymnasium if inclement weather) 12 Sport Task Force Golf Tournament...................................... (Shotgun Start) 12:30pm www.tru.ca/athletics/events/golf Rivershore Estates & Golf Links 16 Foundation Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon (By Invitation) .......... 12pm www.advancementevents.ca Horticulture Gardens (TRU Terrace, CAC if inclement weather) July 4 IndoCan Links Golf Tournament ...............................................(Shotgun Start) 12pm Rivershore Estates & Golf Links www.indocanlinks.ca (Proceeds to the House of Learning) August 9 28 Pack Attack Pro-Am – TRU Golf Tourney ......The Dunes Foundation Golf Tournament ............................................. (Shotgun Start) 12:30pm Rivershore Estates & Golf Links www.tru.ca/foundation September 5 Soccer vs Langara College .........................Hillside Stadium ... 12pm (w) & 2pm (m) 6 Soccer vs Capilano College ........................Hillside Stadium .. 12pm (w) & 2pm (m) 8 Student Orientation ..................................Old Main, TRU Campus ...............all day 11 Welcome Back BBQ ...................................Campus Commons .............. 11am–3pm 14 Alumni AGM..............................................Grand Hall, TRU CAC ................. 5:30pm 17 Foundation AGM .......................................Grand Hall, TRU CAC ...................... 4pm 19 Soccer vs Douglas College.........................Hillside Stadium 12pm (w) and 2pm (m) continued > * Sports Events =  * TRU CAC = Thompson Rivers University, Campus Activity Centre www.tru.ca/alumni • www.tru.ca/foundation September > continued 20 Soccer vs Kwantlen Polytechnic ...........Hillside Stadium ....12pm (w) and 2pm (m) 25 & 26 Alumni Homecoming – Roast the Birds & Fire in the Sky 25 > Men’s Volleyball vs UBC ...................... TCC........................................ 7pm 26 > Chapter Meetings and Campus Tours ... TRU CAC 26 > Mainstage Entertainment .................... Campus Commons 26 > Family BBQ Chicken & Corn Roast ........ Campus Commons 26 > Fireworks ............................................ Campus Commons Stay tuned for more info at www.tru.ca/alumni 27 Soccer vs University of Northern BC ....Hillside Stadium .......12pm (w) & 2pm (m) October 1 Fall Convocation...................................TRU Gymnasium ............................... 2pm 2–4 Women’s Basketball – BDO Dunwoody Tournament ..............TCC 4 Soccer vs UBC Okanagan .....................Hillside Stadium ....12pm (w) and 2pm (m) 7 Career Connection – Mentor Program ....................................................... 4:30pm TRU CAC www.tru.ca/alumni/mentoring 13 15 Men’s Basketball vs Laval (exhib) .........TCC ................................................... 3pm Foundation Annual Fundraising Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast .........................7am Grand Hall, TRU CAC (RSVP required) 30 30 31 Deadline for Distinguished Alumni Nominations Forms www.tru.ca/alumni Basketball vs University of the Fraser Valley............................6pm (w) & 8pm (m) TCC (season open) Basketball vs UFV ................................TCC .............................5pm (w) & 7pm (m) * TCC = Tournament Capital Centre Great Horned Owl I by Josh Keller International Expert leads TRU Environment and Sustainability With the strategic objective of making TRU the University of Choice for Environment and Sustainability firmly in place, the first step in the implementation process was to find someone to lead this initiative. Few would have dreamed of finding an internationally regarded expert in the field eager to move to Kamloops. Dr. Tom Owen, the new Director, Environment and Sustainability at TRU, is that expert and his recent arrival marks a giant step forward in achieving one of seven major strategic goals set by the university. Owen has over 30 years of environment and sustainability experience as a senior government official in Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. As the Deputy Minister for Environment and Workplace Safety and Health for the Government of Manitoba, he chaired the committee that developed the National Round Table on Environment and Economy, the first national institutional support for sustainable development in Canada. More recently, Owen worked for Harvard University as the senior environment policy and health advisor to the government of Slovakia, where he was based, and over the years he has lectured at a number of universities in the United States, Canada and Europe including Harvard, Queen’s, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Heating the Box... Information Technology is playing a significant role reducing TRU’s carbon footprint with a large computer bank in the Open Learning Building being used as an alternative heat source. TRU Campus Activity Centre “End Use” and “Life Cycle” factors have been incorporated into TRU Purchasing’s decisions including how long a product will last and the amount of energy it will use such as “duplex” printers. His expertise includes determining environmental policy and practice in air, water and waste, capacity building for environmental program implementation and project management. He also understands the critical importance of communicating the need for change to a wide and varied audience. At TRU, Owen already sees his role as being one that brings the institution’s various environmental initiatives and advocated together through communication and collaboration. “While I had researched TRU before interviewing for the position, I was genuinely surprised by the many good things I saw when I arrived” said Owen. “ “What makes TRU different from any other place that I have been is that everyone here is involved in this important issue. There is tremendous balance with students, faculty and administration committed to this and working in tandem. I think this balance is one that any other university would envy.” 14 Cover Story “Best practices Social Science … TRU Campus input is important!” “The limiting factor to sustainability is NOT science, NOT engineering or technology, it is the human willingness to do what they have to do (behaviour). It is NOT about science it is about values”. – Owen As he reviews current initiatives on campus, Owen notes the environment ethic is already very strong, pointing to recent projects such as the Science Building retrofit of light fixtures to save energy equivalent to 25 homes and the Bookstore’s decision to no longer use plastic bags. He also likes the fact that newest building on campus was designed to use the heat generated by the large bank of computers as an alternative heat source, and knows that the best is also yet to come in the new Library and House of Learning, which is being designed to LEED Gold Standards. Other examples Owen likes to cite include the fact that Food Services has a zero tolerance policy on styrofoam, choosing instead biodegradable utensils, and the “Meet the Farmer” initiative that features locally grown food. He is also focused on, and impressed by the active role of students on campus. “If we don’t have student involvement it doesn’t make sense. Students are a very vocal part of the population and it only works if students are interested” said Owen. LEED Gold – House of Learning – Fall 2010 “Student Bonnie Klohn and the ECO group on campus are doing great work with respect to water on campus. Making TRU water bottle free is not as simple as it seems until alternatives are available, and Klohn’s initiative in putting signs at water taps recommending people use Kamloops water is an example of a simple idea that helps make a great difference.” Owen will work closely with the Environmental Advisory Committee and all groups within the university community to advocate, support and coordinate ideas that can help change behaviours that benefit the environment and allow the university to reach the target of making the campus carbon neutral. www.trualumni.ca 15 > > > TRU Students Student Success Bonnie Klohn Danielle Fauteux Melissa Vasey by Mary Minogue by Larry Read submitted by Ginny Ratsoy From Soccer Star to Design Diva Singlehandedly spearheading the Urban Hen Movement to raise awareness about the benefits of growing or raising your own food, 2nd year Arts & Science student Bonnie Klohn is currently working on educating citizens on how much just three hens can offer one neighborhood. Kamloops City bylaw states that for one acre of land a person can have 30 hens. Anything less than an acre however, no hens are allowed. Klohn is taking action to see that bylaw changed. Klohn is also the representative for TRU on the www.campusclimatenetwork.org and an active member of TRU ECO. Living in France for two years, where her idea for the Urban Hens first hatched, Klohn was “very impressed with their emphasis on local, fresh, in-season food.” Some of her inspiration is perhaps drawn from Green party leader Elizabeth May in her book, “How to Save the World in Your Spare Time,” which she highly recommends. Silver medalist with the 2008 WolfPack Women’s Soccer Team, the 25 year old Kamloopsian, Danielle Fauteaux is a Science student and a small business owner. She has operated “Interior Designs by Danielle’ full time as of 2008. “It’s something I’ve done as a hobby for years,“ she explains. Every job is different and exciting and that’s what I love about what I do.” Asked if potential clients are scared off because of her youth, she says: “Design is like fashion for your home, a fresh opinion can be a great advantage and many enjoy someone young and innovative helping them realize their vision.” Fauteux will graduate this Spring with her Bachelor of Science Degree, but in the immediate future, her focus will totally be on her small business. Melissa Vassey is in her fourth and final year of TRU’s journalism program. She spent last summer on an internship working as a reporter for a newspaper in Kumasi, Ghana and living with a host family. She wrote several stories on local issues, including female genital mutilation and conflict between political parties. Melissa travelled the country during her spare time, spending several nights at an AIDS orphanage and investigating a refugee camp. Melissa was Co-Editor of The Omega and has won several awards, including both the Jack Webster and BCYCNA student journalism awards. She will continue to pursue journalism as a career and hopes to have a publication of her own in the future. interiordesignsbyDanielle.vpweb.ca TRU Alumni with a BA in Psychology “Where are they Now?” Catherine Power Former TRU Psych Club President Working on Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the Adler school of professional psychology. 16 Karen Newman and Crystal Sugden Working as a Child Care Counselor at the Maples Adolescent Treatment Center in Burnaby, BC. Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 Patrick Welch Jenny Carstens Was awarded the very prestigious $17,000 CIHR Scholarship and $22,000 top up funding from University of Regina to complete his Graduate studies in Regina, SK. Graduate studies at Windsor University in Behavioural Neuroscience. Page Title > > > If you are an international alumnus of TRU / UCC, please email global@tru.ca with an update on what you have been doing since graduation. We would love to hear from you! TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 17 > > > Alumni News Extraordinary gifts mark annual Gala by Diana Skoglund Amidst the splendor of the 17th annual TRU Foundation Gala, area residents stepped forward to support students achieve educational success – success that they realize is dependant on supporting students with scholarships and building the libraries and study spaces that enhance student’s learning experiences. Alvin Grunert, a retired Oakalla Farm Prison guard, donated $1.5 million to create endowed scholarships for top students in each of TRU’s Schools and Faculties, the largest gift by an individual to the university, at the Foundation’s premier fund raising event at the Grand Hall on Saturday, February 7. “You probably haven’t heard of me. I don’t own any local businesses, I do not run a major company and I have never been in the newspaper,” Grunert told the 300 guests. “I am pledging $1.5 million dollars to create scholarships here at Thompson Rivers University, money that will help our best and brightest students reach for their dreams while improving our world. Thousands of kids will be helped by what I do tonight and I am privileged and honoured to do it.” “We are moved, excited and grateful that during these difficult economic times, an individual donor has realized that post-secondary education is transformative both for young lives and for British Columbia. Alvin Gruenert has stepped up to the plate and created a legacy of learning and leadership at TRU,” said Dr. Kathleen Scherf, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor. Grunert, 83, was predeceased by his wife of 60 years. He was motivated to make the large gift to TRU because he was unable to attend university himself after he left the family farm in Yorkton Saskatchewan in 1943. He and Lydia had always wanted to create a legacy for students. The first two major contributions to the Thompson Rivers University House of Learning were also revealed during the New York New York themed event. Kamloops businessman Ron Fawcett and his wife Rae announced a donation of $250,000 to build Fawcett Hall, a study hall in the new facility. This is the second major gift in the last six months the couple has made to the university. In October they donated $50,000 to create an endowment for student assistance. The IndoCan Links, the group that has hosted 12 annual charity golf tournaments, have pledged $150,000 to sponsor a classroom to be named The IndoCan Room. “I am pledging $1.5 million dollars to create scholarships here at Thompson Rivers University, money that will help our best and brightest students reach for their dreams while improving our world. Thousands of kids will be helped by what I do tonight and I am privileged and honoured to do it.” 18 Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 Besides these significant gifts the Gala was supported by many guests who not only paid for their five-course gourmet dinners but bid on silent auction items that were generously donated by local businesses. All of these supporters, in the midst of the current economic cycle, set a positive tone and underline the value society has for postsecondary education and what an important pillar the university is to the region’s economy. TRU Platinum Realty 2009 Sports Camps June 29 to September 4 For boys and girls ages 5–17 Baseball Basketball Flag Football Football Golf Street Hockey Soccer Tennis Volleyball Registration forms and information available online at www.tru.ca/sportcamp To Register: > Phone: 250.377.6116 > In person: TRU Gymnasium, TRU Campus > Mail: TRU Sports Camps, Box 3010, Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3 MC82868 > > > Alumni Successes Conscientious Catering by Mary Minogue Organic farmer, business entrepreneur, Green party candidate; only five years after leaving TRU, Donovan Caver’s resume is building at impressive speed. The Kamloops native enrolled in TRU’s Culinary Arts program after finishing high school with dreams of one day becoming a chef. After graduating in 2004 he travelled to France the following winter to learn from the best. There, he worked in two different restaurants to hone his culinary skills. organ i c “They take food a lot more seriously there,” Caver’s said. “And there was a lot of stuff I’d never cooked before. But I learned a lot, and it was interesting to see how kitchens worked in France.” 20 But learning the inner workings of a French restaurant wasn’t the only barrier he was faced with. Though Cavers was in French immersion in high school, he said he was, “a bit rusty, but it came back to me.” After returning home, he got busy planning his own career and in September 2007, he started his own business, Conscientious Catering, a high-scale catering company serving the Kamloops area. “I just thought it would be a cool job to have a catering business,” Caver’s said. But Conscientious Catering is no ordinary spread. All of the products Caver’s uses must meet specific criteria before hitting the plate. Any food he serves must be certified organic, fair trade and produced within a one hundred mile radius of the Kamloops region, supporting local farmers. Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 Caver’s is especially supportive of local grower’s as he himself grew up on Golden Ears Organic Farm in Chase. He recalls travelling to Kamloops with his parents to sell their homegrown vegetables. But the early morning trips to the Farmer’s Market did more than just deprive him of sleep; he got to know all of the farmer’s who sold their products at the market. These people who he built connections with early on are the same people that he now relies on for the fresh products he serves at Conscientious Catering. Caver’s way of living a low impact life started for him at an early age. His parents made sure he grew up with sustainability being apart of his daily life. “It was just a regular thing for me,” Caver’s said, “and my whole family was always really invested in organic foods.” Caver’s looks up to his parents, crediting them with starting him out to be an active part of the community. “I just always thought they were really amazing people,” Caver’s said. “They have always been very engaged in community events.” Perhaps it was Caver’s early introduction into a sustainable lifestyle that led him to run as a candidate for the Green party last fall. Though he is not planning to run again in the next election he does want to be a campaign manager. For now Caver’s efforts are focused on his catering, as he has become increasingly busy in recent months. But he still has time for some recreational reading. Mark Roseland’s, “Toward Sustainable Communities,” is a book that he “wishes all of our city counselors were reading” too. The book focuses on the idea that urban development’s need to be sustainable, something that Caver’s would like to see Kamloops working on. Conscientious Catering is no ordinary spread. All the products Caver uses must meet a certain criteria before hitting the plate. www.caterkamloops.webs.com Alumni Successes What do Skiing and Africa have in common? Volunteering at a Kenyan medical clinic and South African wildlife reserve, this Canadian Ski Patrol medic has also been a coordinator for both the Canadian Cancer Society and, in Northern BC, Rotary International’s youth leadership program. While being a Queen’s University BSC Honours graduate, Morgan Evans commenced his TRU Open Learning to boost his competitiveness for entrance to medical school. “TRU has helped me improve my academic competitiveness and the open learning format has taught me independence in study techniques, time management and dedication.” His goal when starting Open Learning “was the completion of my Bachelor of Arts in psychology and admission into medical school.” Evans recalls, “I’m happy to say that I will have accomplished both of those goals by the end of August 2008 when I enter the medical program at UBC (the University of British Columbia).” Potential Antibiotic Recent Graduate Quin Mason, competed against Ph.D. students from across Canada, “impressively, Quinn… tied for a prestigious first place” at a premiere conference “for anyone researching plant biology in North America; many preeminent botanists were there,” said TRU Biology professor Cynthia Ross Friedman. Quinn Mason won the “Lionel Cinq-Mars Award” for the best oral presentation by a student as a contributed paper at “Botany without Borders,” Joint Annual Meeting of Canadian Botanical Association (CBA)/L’Association Botanique du Canada (ABC), American Fern Society, American Society of Plant Taxonomists and Botanical Society of America. Mason’s award-winning presentation described his research project, “Extraction, Partial Purification and Susceptibility Testing of a Potentially Novel Antibiotic from Lodgepole Pine Dwarf Mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum).” TRU’s Associate VicePresident, Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner, is certain of Mason’s future success. This past June, Mason received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) http://nserc. ca student research award, allowing him to pursue the project as a graduate student. Spanish Chemistry Pursuing materials chemistry and spectroscopy in Spain at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, TRU Science undergrad Samantha Keller is returning to TRU in Fall 2009 to complete her BSC Chemistry. One of only five BC students to be awarded the BC Government Premier’s One World $20,000 scholarship in 2008, Keller has been able to complete a co-op research term in computational chemistry with TRU chemistry faculty Nelaine Mora-Diez, while in Spain. “My 3 years in Chem at TRU have definitely been important in preparing me for the courses here.” stated Keller. Active in the community, Keller extends herself as a volunteer for regional science fairs, science summer camps and coaching figure skating. She also has been a member of the Chemistry Biochemistry Club and sings in the TRU Choir. Master-Corporal Alexei Gavriel … recently returned from a seven month deployment with the Canadian Forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Gavriel participated in the Canadian contribution to the UN-sanctioned and NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) which supported Operation ATHENA. Previously he had graduated from Thompson Rivers University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology and Global Studies. Iceland’s first… and only internationally certified mountain guide, Jökull Bergmenn is a past graduate of TRU’s Adventure Studies and Mountain Guide Training Program. He credits TRU in helping him achieve his life long dream in assisting him to lay the foundations for his very successful company: Bergmenn Mountain Guides. www.bergmenn.com TRU Alumni & Friends Magazine www.trualumni.ca 21 TRU Distinguished Alumni Awards March 26, 2010 Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of becoming Thompson Rivers University Nominations are now being accepted for the: > Distinguished Alumni > Lifetime of Distinguished Achievement > Distinguished Young Alumni > Honourary Alumni (up to two awards may be presented annually) (up to one award presented annually) (up to one award presented annually) (up to one award presented annually) Deadline for completed Distinguished Alumni Award submission is October 30, 2009 Please contact the Alumni Office for assistance with nomination packages OR if you have any questions and require more information, please visit www.trualumni.ca 2008 Distinguished Alumni Sharon Simpson, RN Jo Berry Dr. Nikita Vizniak Craig Jones > TRU Nursing Faculty 1983–2008 > Bachelor of Social Work, 2000 > BSC Animal Biology 1998 > Open Learning 1995 Dr. Katherine Sutherland > Honourary Distinguished Alumni > Grace Chronister TRU BSW Distinguished Alumni Award > Distinguished Young Alumni > Distinguished Open Learning Alumni > Bachelor of Arts – UT 1980 > Professional Leadership: Supervising Counsel of the Constitutional and Administrative Law Group of the Ministry of the Attorney General > Distinguished Alumni > Professional Leadership: Program and Policy Development 22 > Service to the Community: Innovative Community Wellness initiative Thompson Rivers University • Spring 2009 > Professional Leadership: and Author: Chiropractic Medicine > Applied Research and Teaching Excellence: Faculty of Arts – TRU Last Word > > > President and Vice-Chancellor’s Message “From every level of the university synergies are created between campus and community furthering our growth as a university and building resilient and dynamic communities to live and work in.” Connecting Community to Campus As I take a moment to reflect on my first few months as President and Vice-Chancellor of Thompson Rivers University, I am struck by the connections between so much of what Thompson Rivers University has achieved and the communities it serves. From every level of the university synergies are created between campus and community furthering our growth as a university and building resilient and dynamic communities to live and work in. Those relationships range from providing education options to help break the cycle of addiction and poverty for clients of the New Life Mission to establishing Dr. John Church as B.C. Regional Innovation Chair in Cattle Industry Sustainability at TRU. Dr. Church’s expertise bolsters our existing strength in grassland and ecology research and ties new knowledge directly with the province’s cattle producers. It only makes sense that TRU would step forward to establish this centre of research here, in the historic heart of BC’s cattle industry, at a university with the only retail meat processing program in the province. The foresight of a group of prominent Kamloops lawyers, working closely with the university’s General Counsel John Sparks, and the provincial government, have created the opportunity for a School of Law at TRU – doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? Daily it seems we read of deepening economic challenges, yet despite that we were moved, excited and grateful when Alvin Grunert stepped up to the plate and created a legacy of learning and leadership at TRU during this year’s Foundation Gala. Mr. Grunert made an individual donation of $1.5 million to create endowed scholarships for each of the schools at the university because he strongly believes you help society in many ways by educating people. You couple this gift with the $150,000 pledged by the Indo-Can Links, and the $250,000 gift from the Fawcett family towards our House of Learning, and you find yourself with a community which putting their money where their heart is: TRU. Soon we will be broadening our global community with the recent agreement signed with Developing World Connections, a local group that has been coordinating international volunteer experiences for nearly a decade. Through DWC, our students will experience adventure and education while helping people in the developing world. Never during my career as a student, professor or administrator at several Canadian universities have I seen such close connections between community and campus as there is here at TRU; our whole truly is greater than the sum of our parts. Kathleen Scherf, Ph.D. President and Vice-Chancellor Card of Choice … for Alumni & Friends Benefits YOUR PICTURE goes here Here are a few services you can enjoy as a TRU Grad > Alumni & Friends Card… for discounts, benefits and services > Bridges Magazine… for TRU announcements, information and events > Mentoring Program… for volunteer or learning opportunities > Chapters Membership… for social, educational and program connections > Events… for personal and family fun Alumni and Friends To update your address or for more details on these and other opportunities contact www.tru.ca/alumni • alumni@tru.ca • 1. 250.828.5264 1.250.828.5264 10% Publication Agreement #40040090 Return Undeliverable adresses to: Cert no. SW-COC-002226 Thompson Rivers University 900 McGill Road, Box 3090 Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3