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THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE • SPRING 2006

TRU Goes World

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TRU Alumni Association Board Chair
I am pleased to bring greetings on
behalf of the TRU Alumni Board of
Directors. The board is extremely proud
of the work of the association over the
past year. In the fall of 2005 we
developed a new strategic plan which
will see the Alumni Association continue
to evolve along with British Columbia’s
newest university.
In a year of highlights one of the more
significant events of 2005 was the
presentation of the Distinguished
Alumni Awards during the President’s
Reception in October. This event
continues to grow in scope and quality
each year and we look forward to
seeing it evolve as we honour graduates
and faculty who have distinguished
themselves in their careers.

Although October is many months away
we are always looking for suitable
nominees who deserve to be honoured
as Distinguished Alumni. Please visit
www.trualumni.ca for more information
about the nomination process.
The Alumni Association has a number of
events planned for the spring of 2006
and we hope to see you there.
On April 1st we will sponsor the 2nd
annual TRU Campus Classic 5 km and
10 km run. You are encouraged to enter
a team or simply join us for a walk. All
are welcome. The Pineridge Charity Golf
Tournament in support of the Alumni
Association is scheduled for Friday,
May 12, 2006. This is a great
opportunity to get together with fellow
graduates, catch up on old times and

TRU President and Vice-Chancellor
Thompson Rivers University has
developed into an internationalized
university that provides students
with opportunities to broaden their
cultural experiences and knowledge
in many ways.
Students from over 50 countries
representing every continent come to
TRU each year. As they learn about
Canada’s languages, customs and
people, Canadian students gain cultural
knowledge and forge intercultural
friendships through interaction in and
out of the classroom with their
international peers.
International initiatives like TRU’s Study
Abroad Centre also foster international
networks and immersion. A new
reciprocity-based agreement between
our university and the International
Student Exchange Program (ISEP) means
TRU students may now choose from
more than 200 exchange destinations
around the world, and TRU will see many
more students coming here.

Thompson Rivers
University also
reaches out to
the world’s
communities,
delivering
training and
managing
development
projects the world over. These initiatives
have given our university a global
perspective, profile and reputation.

There are many
benefits
available to
TRU Alumni.
You can find
Denise Harper, CMC ’74
out more about
them by visiting our website or by
calling our office at 828-5498.
Finally, if you haven’t already done so,
we urge you to sign up for our On Line
Community. You can do so by visiting
our website at www.trualumni.ca
And above all – Stay Connected!

contents
TRU Goes World
International programs

4&5

Profiles:
International Students

6

International Alumni

7

Study Abroad

8

Lorianna Bennett
Alumni Donor

9

MBA Program

10

I encourage you to read this edition to
see how internationalization has raised
our university’s standing in the world
and enabled our students to develop
lifelong skills and connections as they
prepare for life and work as citizens of
our global village.

Success Stories

12 & 13

Campus News

14

Athletics

15

Upcoming Events

18

Regards,

Continuing Education

18

ROGER BARNSLEY
President and Vice-Chancellor
Thompson Rivers University

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Pathfinders

16–17

Cover photo:
Tyler Meade Photography
Alumni Network Magazine is published
2 times a year in the spring and fall.
Victoria Baker
Nancy Plett
April Hoffman, Victoria Baker, Bronwen Scott
Tyler Meade, April Hoffman
Patricia Hort
Shirley McCaffrey

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

Thompson Rivers University Goes World

Cover Story

by April Hoffman
With over 850 international students representing
more than 50 countries on campus and over 1000
students registered in accredited, offshore programs,
it’s no wonder that when the transition to Thompson
Rivers University occurred, UCC International changed
its name to reflect its
mission, “Where the
university meets the
world”. As the university
continues to grow, so
does its international
presence -- thanks
to the aptly
titled TRU World.

4

and accreditations, development projects, contract
training and study abroad.
TRU World also collaborates with over 12 overseas
partner institutions to deliver TRU programming
abroad. One such partnership is with the Shanghai
Institute of Technology in China where the first two
years of the TRU business program are being offered,
after which students have the option of coming to TRU
to finish their degree.
TRU deans and faculty travel to the partner institutions
to monitor the program for quality assurance. This
type of initiative also provides an opportunity for
faculty to meet their counterparts and to teach at the
partner institution.

“Thompson Rivers
University is considered
a Canadian leader in
international education
and this has significant
benefits for our
community, our faculty
and our students,”
says associate vicepresident, TRU World,
Cyndi McLeod.

Currently, institutional linkages are primarily focused
in the areas of business and computing; however,
there may be future opportunities to include
additional fields, such as respiratory therapy and
trades and technology.

The scope of international
programs at TRU is wide
and contributes a special
quality to the campus
life and culture at TRU.

Making a contribution to developing countries is also
an important goal for TRU World. The university is
engaged in a number of development projects whose
goal is to provide assistance and share expertise. The
university has been involved in projects in Indonesia,
Slovakia and Nepal, and after being inspired by a
presentation from humanitarian Stephen
Lewis, is seeking ways to play a
constructive role in Africa.

“It’s rare now to have a field that
does not incorporate the
international perspective in terms
of research, initiatives or
advances,” says TRU World
associate director, Vera Wojna.
“Our international students bring
an important resource directly into
our classrooms.”
Located in the new International
Building, TRU World coordinates
international initiatives on campus,
focusing on major areas such as
student affairs for academic
programs, institutional linkages

TRU has experienced a dramatic increase in
international demand for specialized programs. Over
the few past years, groups of senior administrators,
school teachers, tourism specialists, and university
students have studied at TRU from countries such as
Japan, China, Taiwan and Chile.

“ Thompson
Rivers University
is considered a
Canadian leader
in international
education.”
Cyndi McLeod,
AVP, TRU World

One of the important roles of TRU World
is ensuring that international students
who come to Thompson Rivers University
have access to support services. To ensure
this goal, TRU World employs a team of
student advisors who speak a variety of
different languages and help guide
students in areas of regular daily life.
“We have a large, dedicated team who
work with our international students. Our
commitment is to ensure that when we

invite a student to study at TRU, their experience is
successful,” says Wojna.
For the more social side of student life, the International
Student Activity Program (ISAP) organizes between 18
to 24 activities annually, including horseback riding,
skiing trips and an annual Christmas party to help
introduce students to Canadian culture and the
Kamloops area. In addition, ISAP helps international
students integrate into campus life. The TRU Amazing
Race event, which sees two international and two
Canadian students teamed up to race around
Kamloops, provides a natural opportunity for
international students to meet Canadian students
and learn more about campus and the community.
Canadian students also benefit from TRU World
programs. The Study Abroad program offers Canadian
students the opportunity to study abroad for one
or two semesters. As well, students can gain a
global perspective on their studies through their
international classmates.
Outside of establishing connections between TRU and
the rest of the world, the work done by TRU World is
providing an extra boost to the Kamloops economy.

Recent studies estimate that international activity at
TRU contributes $42 million annually to the local
economy and is forecast to grow considerably in the
next five years.

Cover Story

TRU Amazing Race

“In addition to the social and cultural enrichment to
our community, there is an economic benefit to our
institution and region.” says Wojna. “There are
numerous businesses benefiting from having our
international students accessing their services
and products.”

5

International

Students
Canny Wan
In the Chinese zodiac, those who are born in
the year of the dog generally make ideal
business people. While Canny Wan may
not have been born in the year of the dog,
her professional career will be and she is
hoping that some of that luck will
transfer over.
Spring 2006 will mark a new chapter in Wan’s life as
she graduates from TRU with her Bachelor of
Business Administration degree with a major in
marketing and a minor in finance.
Originally from Guangzhou, located in the south of
China near Hong Kong, Wan came to TRU looking
for a different cultural experience. What she found
was not only a cultural experience for herself, but
one to which she was able to contribute personally.
For the last two years Wan has been involved in the
Chinese Student and Scholars Association, a Chinese
cultural association that hosts events such as the Full

Moon Festival and the annual Chinese New Year
celebration. This past year she served as president of
the club, giving her the opportunity to gain
experience in not only the planning of events, but in
the marketing and promotion of them as well.
Before heading back to China, Wan plans to stay in
Canada in order to gain much-needed experience in
the workplace, focusing on marketing, sales,
promotions and planning.
“The China market is very competitive,” said Wan. “I
plan on working in Canada for a few years to gain
the experience that will give me a competitive
advantage back home.”

in B.C., travelling all over the province from
Vancouver Island to the Alaskan boarder.
“I’ve always liked to travel,” said Wang. “I really
wanted to immerse myself in Canadian culture and
to see the country while I was here. I have even
taken trips to the United States.”

Profiles

by April Hoffman

Kevin Wang

6

Kevin Wang loves to travel so it was no surprise
when he made the decision to leave his home town
of Taichung, Taiwan to come to Canada and study.
But with all the different places to choose from, it
was the relatively small size of Kamloops that
appealed to Wang when he made his decision to
attend TRU.
“I didn’t look at schools in big cities like Vancouver
or Toronto,” said Wang. “I don’t like really big cities
so the size of Kamloops was just right for me.”
Since his arrival, Wang has made use of his presence

After graduating this spring with his Bachelor of
Business Administration degree with majors in
finance and marketing, Wang will be looking for a
job that will give him the experience he craves
before pursuing his dream of becoming a missionary
or pastor in Vancouver.
“I believe that experience in marketing will help me
to speak to the public and reach out to them. There
are a lot of different cultures immigrating to
Vancouver,” said Wang. “I would like to help.”
During his last year at TRU, Wang held the position
of president for the International Student Ministry of
Canada (ISMC) club.

International

Alumni
Carlos Martinez
Journalism grad Carlos Martinez summed up his
experience at TRU as coming to study Canadian
culture, but instead meeting the world.
“Studying abroad has helped me a lot,” said Martinez.
“I got to learn a lot of different cultures … and
understand different points of view—not just
personal, but cultural as well.”
Now working as a researcher for the Los Angeles
Times foreign desk in Mexico City, Martinez credits
the multiculturalism found on the TRU campus with
part of his success.
“I was able to learn a lot about different cultures,
helping me to understand [different] mind sets,”
said Martinez. “This has helped me with my
job in enabling me to analyze news stories in
different ways.”
“At first I didn’t understand why an environmental
story would be on the cover of a newspaper, now I

Wayne Wei
When Wayne Wei
decided to attend
TRU, he came with
the goal of improving
his English skills in
order to ensure a
successful career
in international
business.

Next on his list Martinez
plans on heading to
England to obtain his
Master’s degree in
International Business.
Afterward he would like to
start his own publication
in Mexico.
“I’ve always wanted to
start my own newspaper
or magazine,” said
Martinez. “I’ve always felt that Mexico needs good
information to empower [the] people. If I ever
start my own magazine, it would definitely be
a political magazine.”

Originally from China, Wei worked for the Chinese
government and then for a private company before
coming to TRU where he earned his Bachelor of
Business Administration degree, majoring in both
finance and economics.
“My studies at TRU allowed me to gain the confidence
needed to perform my job,” said Wei. “I think the key
for me in gaining that confidence was being able to
learn the language and improve myself.”
Wei graduated in April of 2005, and now works as a
registrar and advisor for Sprott Shaw International
Language College in Victoria, where he acts as a
liaison for students and agencies, both locally
and internationally.
While Wei enjoys working at his job for now, he does
plan to continue on his path of self-improvement by
continuing with his education.
“I am planning on taking my master’s in finance…or
getting my MBA,” said Wei. “I would like to continue
my career in international business and will be watching
the markets for potential opportunities in case I decide
to start my own business.”

Profiles

“Before enrolling at
TRU I had realized
my horrible English
skills and became
concerned about my
career in the area of
international
business,” said Wei.
“Everything I was
doing at my job
was basically
written in English.”

do,” added Martinez.
“This has helped me to
understand what
Americans read and do …
and look for stories that
will interest them.”

7

TRU Study Abroad Program
by April Hoffman
Exploring a foreign land, learning about a new culture
and all the other adventures that come in between are
what you can expect to read on Justin Daoust's web
blog about his experiences while studying abroad.
Along with fellow TRU student Ryan Steele, Daoust is a
second-year TRU business student on exchange at the
Tianjin University of Technology in China.
With exchanges available to China, Japan, Austria,
Germany, England, France, Australia and many more
countries, the TRU Study Abroad program provides a
number of options available to students who want the
experience of studying internationally.
“The options are almost unlimited,” says Study Abroad
manager Geoff Wilmshurst. “We now have 300 or
more options across every single academic field.

“It's so important for a student's development to have
an international experience,” adds Wilmshurst. “That
experience is life changing—it’s worth gold.”
Bachelor of Journalism student Ina-Cristine Helljesen
agrees with Wilmshurst. Helljesen recently returned
from studying abroad in Australia where she was able
to advance her education by taking journalism classes
that aren't offered at TRU.
“It's just a great experience,” says Helljesen. “To be
introduced to a different culture and to meet people
from all over the world. I was introduced to the
Australian news world and was able to take different
classes other than ones offered here…like broadcast.”
“In my studies of journalism you need to know the
world around you,” says Helljesen. “What better way
than to go to a different country. The
experience doesn't just relate to journalism
though. It will benefit other [academic] areas
as well because of globalization.”
Wilmshurst advises parents of students who
are interested in studying abroad to start
looking into the program early. “Secondyear students are preferable because they
have lots of study options left and don’t
need specific courses to graduate,”
says Wilmshurst.

Study Abroad

For TRU alumni, Wilmshurst’s message is “Get
your kids excited and thinking about it early.”

8

“If a student is interested then the first step
is to take a look at our website and see
where you would like to go and understand
the requirements.”
Finally Wilmshurst has a message for parents.
“An international education is really one of
the greatest gifts you can give your child, so
please encourage their interest and give
them a push if they need it.” Wilmshurst is
happy to meet with parents to discuss their
child’s study abroad options even before
they get to TRU.

TRU BBA Student Justin Daoust in the historic Bell Tower in Xian, China.
(photo contributed)

To check out the Study Abroad web site go
to www.truworld.ca/studyabroad.htm To
read more about Justin Daoust's adventures
in China go to www.bluealpha.com.

Lorianna Bennett

TRU Grad Gives Back
a deserving student enrolled in the
electronics program.

by April Hoffman
When Lorianna Bennett entered her first year at (then
named) The University College of the Cariboo, she did
so on an entrance scholarship. Years later, when
Bennett was contacted and asked to donate to the
TRU Foundation, she jumped at the chance to
give back.
“When I graduated from high school I had won the
UCC Entrance Scholarship,” said Bennett. “That was a
significant financial assistance to me … it paid for most
of my undergraduate tuition. Years later when I was
asked to contribute, I didn’t
hesitate for a moment because
it [gave] me the chance to give
back to those students who
were in the same position I
had once been in.”
Born and raised in Kamloops,
Bennett graduated from UCC
with her Bachelor of Science
(Animal Biology) degree in
1994. She then went straight
to the University of Alberta
where she obtained her law
degree in 1997. Bennett came
back to Kamloops to article
and now works with her
brother, David Paul, at Paul
& Company, where she
focuses on family law and
personal injury.

“I was already involved with the
Foundation so I was aware of
memorial awards,” said Bennett. “I
was looking for something to do in
[my father’s] memory so I talked to my
family and we thought it was a good
idea … my dad had a career in
electronics for most
of his life."

“I was looking for
something to do in
[my father’s]
memory so I talked
to my family and
we thought it was a
good idea … my
dad had a career in
electronics for most
of his life."
Lorianna Bennett

Bennett started donating to the Foundation in 2000,
when she was asked to sit on the Foundation Board
of Directors. In 2002, Bennett lost her father, Ronald
Paul, to cancer. It wasn’t long afterward that the
Ronald Paul Memorial Award was established, going to

“Birthdays, Christmas
and Father’s Day … the
money that we would
normally have spent on
Dad gets put into the
fund,” added Bennett.
“It has the personalized
benefit of keeping Dad’s
Lorianna Bennett
memory alive. Last year
was the first year we
handed [an award] out
and it was very
rewarding. It was also
very emotional to see a deserving
electronics student with my father’s
name on his tag.”
Both Bennett’s brother, David, and her
husband, Sean, are also alumni, and she
hopes that one day her son will be
going to TRU as well.

“Another reason we like to donate to the university
is that, sooner or later, our children will be going
[to TRU] and applying for scholarships,” said Bennett.
“The money they may be awarded has to come
from somewhere.”

I am pleased to support TRU and students through my gift to the TRU Foundation.
Please find my donation enclosed:
$50
$100
$250
$500
Other________ OR I would like to make a monthly donation of $10
$25
$50
Other_________
Payment Enclosed:
Cheque (payable to the TRU Foundation)
Mastercard
Visa Credit Card Number______________________________ Expiry Date_____/_____
Name
______________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________ City ______________________________ Postal Code ______________
Email
______________________________________________________
I would like to designate my donation to:
Alumni Endowment Fund
Financial Need Award – Unrestricted Fund
Specific Program_______________________________________
“Leave a Legacy” – please send me information about including TRU in my will or designating TRU as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
Send donations to: TRU Foundation, Box 3010, Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3
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

9

Master of Business Administration
by April Hoffman
When the University College of the
Cariboo sought full university
status, academic deans knew there
would be a natural expectation
that the university would offer
master’s programs. Flash-forward
to the 2005-06 academic year and
Thompson Rivers University offers
students a unique Master of
Business Administration program.
“The [development] process took
two-and-a-half years,” said Dean of
Business and Economics Murray
Young. “[Our first cohort] started
September 1, 2005, and we have
27 full-time students who stay with
us for 16 intensive months.
“I say intensive because instead of
the usual four classes a semester,
our students take five and continue
straight through for the entire 16
months—there is no summer
break,” added Young.
Aside from the shorter time frame,

other unique attributes of the
program include cohort learning, a
business research and consulting
requirement, and no prescribed
amount of work experience. The
new master’s program also
provides an internship option
that helps to bridge the gap
between the program itself and
the workforce.
“It introduces students who
graduate from the MBA program
to the workforce, and not at the
bottom but with access to the
boardroom,” said MBA
administrative assistant
Margaret Hohner.
For MBA student Jess
Rothenburger, the attraction was
more along the lines of location
and cost, as he did not want to
relocate to the coast.
“The program offers excellent
value. You get a lot for what you
pay for. I most enjoy working with

my counterparts; we are a pretty
diverse group of people from all
over the world,” said
Rothenburger.
Of the 27 students currently
enrolled in the program, eight of
them are international students.
“I think we are very fortunate to be
able to work hand-in-hand with
TRU World,” said Hohner. “The
international presence has added
perspective and dimension to the
students’ experience. Business is
global now.”
While some students may be wary
of entering a program in its first
couple of years, Young believes it
may be the best time to enter.
“Being part of the early years of a
program is always an important
decision,” said Young. “The people
who step out early probably get
the benefit of a lot of new ideas
and enthusiasm, and the interest of
the administration.”

Program News

International student Raghu
Kadambi agrees.

10

“Being a part of the first years of a
program has its advantages.
Because you are the first
graduating class they want to
[promote] you more,” said
Kadambi.
While the MBA program may be
the first of its kind at TRU, the
deans of other academic areas are
getting set to follow suit in the
coming years as TRU continues to
develop its mandate as Canada’s
most comprehensive university.

TRU MBA Students Raghu Kadambi and Jess Rothenburger

“Proposals for master's degrees in
Environmental Studies and in
Education are currently being
reviewed by the Degree Quality
Assessment Board of the province
and master's degrees in Tourism,
Social Work and Interdisciplinary
Studies are also being developed.”
says Mark Evered, Provost and
VP Academic.

Ready for a Career move?
If you are poised for the next step
in your career or if you want to
continue your education through
to a Master’s Degree, then the TRU
Master of Business Administration is
the program for you!

The TRU Master of Business
Administration has
its’ advantages…
• fast-track (16 months)
• optional post-graduate
Internship program
• designed for entrants who
have limited business
or work experience
• part-time options available
• Pre-MBA program available
• GMAT preparation program
• New facilities

Our applied curriculum, international
focus and highly qualified faculty
provide unique and relevant
skills that will help propel your
career forward.
So take the next step in your career
and education goals, visit our
website at: www.tru.ca/mba/ugrad/
and find out why you need to
make your next career move with
a TRU MBA!
MBA Office:
250.852.6267
e-mail: mbaugradr@tru.ca

“ The students are so full of
energy & eager to learn! It is
amazing to see the integration
of the students’ creativity and
energy with the tools that they
learn in their courses – it is
a very powerful combination!”
MBA Professor, Brock Dykeman

11

Three Alumni – Three Sciences
Stuart Chambers

Success Stories

by April Hoffman

Born and raised in Kamloops, B.C.,
Stuart Chambers attended
Kamloops Senior Secondary School.
After graduating in 1999,
Chambers entered TRU with a full
entrance scholarship where he
obtained his Bachelor of Science,
majoring in chemistry and
minoring in physics. Today,
Chambers is at the University of
Alberta working toward his PhD
in Chemistry and was recently
awarded a prestigious Alberta
Ingenuity Fund Studentship.

12

After making it into the top four
per cent of the Alberta Ingenuity
Fund’s criteria and marking scale
for 2005, Chambers was required
to put forward project ideas that
could stem off his research, as well
as give a detailed explanation of his
research and how he was going to go about
accomplishing his goals. The reward: an allowance of
$22,000 a year plus $1,500 a year for travel and
equipment guaranteed until 2009—the year Chambers
hopes to graduate.

Jeff Guthrie
From over 100 applicants, TRU alumnus Jeff
Guthrie was one of the 19 lucky recipients of an
award from the 2005 Alberta Ingenuity Fund.
Guthrie graduated from TRU in 1999 with his
Bachelor of Science degree, after which he
continued on and graduated with his PhD from
Carleton University in 2004. Now a postdoctoral
researcher, Guthrie is at the University of Alberta
working under the supervision of Dr. X. Chris Le
from the Department of Public Health Sciences on
the development of ultra-sensitive bioanalytical
techniques for the study of DNA
damage by environmental agents.
The fellowship awarded to Guthrie provides him
with $48,000 a year, with an additional $7,000 per
year research allowance, over two years.
Guthrie is currently working on two separate
projects under Dr. Chris Le. The first looks at
determining how arsenic exposure (found in
contaminated drinking water) affects DNA damage
caused by products of incomplete combustion,
such as those from cigarette smoke and automobile

So what type of research is Chambers working on?
Described as a project that is both novel and potentially
very useful, Chambers’s work involves a system to
separate different chemical species in liquid samples
into their individual components. In lay terms, it can be
thought of as a filter purification system that would
never require the filter to be changed.
“So far, the first results we have obtained are very
promising,” said Chambers. “Ultimately, if everything
works, a version of the system could be used
to desalinate salt water, making it usable for
human consumption.”
After graduation, Chambers would like to become
a professor of chemistry at a smaller university or
university college. While attending TRU, he worked
for the Eureka! Science program for a summer allowing
him to gain experience creating a science program
for children.
“I had to come up with chemistry projects for children
as well as chemical demonstrations that could be
demonstrated by a professional to a live audience,”
said Chambers.
“I originally thought I was going to be a high school
teacher, but I liked learning and research too much,”
added Chambers. “So being a professor at a smaller
university or college seems like a great option.”

exhaust. The second project is studying a synthetic
cyclodextrin-oligonucleotide complex (a cyclic
sugar compound
bound to a small
synthetic DNA
fragment) as a
potential therapeutic
agent.
“Both areas are
completely different
from the research I
did as a PhD student
in Ottawa,” said
Guthrie. “I knew I
wanted to do
something different,
something more
biochemistry- related
to broaden my
education. So far it’s
working out quite
well for me.”
Guthrie credits
Continued page 13

Kevin French
Kevin French loves nature. In fact, he is so passionate about it
that he decided to pursue it as a career. French graduated from
TRU in 2003 with his degree in Natural Resource Sciences. More
recently, he defended his thesis and received his Master’s degree
in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Oregon State
University.
“I have always enjoyed the outdoors and I have always wanted
to work in the Natural Resource field and try to ensure that
resource development is sustainable for years to come,” said
French.
In September of 2005, French received a Savery Outstanding
Master’s Student Award. Based on academic achievement and
the benefits of his work on sustainable agriculture in Oregon,
French received the award for his research on the effects of
cattle grazing on sage-grouse nesting habitats within
sagebrush ecosystems.
“Sage-grouse were petitioned to be a listed endangered species
down in the U.S.,” said French. “So there was an urgency to
determine if grazing can coexist with sage-grouse populations in
a manner that doesn’t have a detrimental effect.”
Now living in Calgary and working with Sustainable Resource
Development as a rangeland agrologist, French is contemplating
continuing his education and getting his PhD.

French attributes both his
success and that of his
sister’s to the excellent
teaching staff at TRU.
“They have presented us
with an excellent
opportunity to learn,” said
French. “I strongly believe
this program is one of a
kind for both professors
and the opportunities they
create.
“I believe it can [also] be
attributed to our parents.
They brought us up being
outside all the time,
whether it was camping in
the Rockies, fishing or
hiking. We have always
spent time in the
outdoors,” added French.
“Both Terri and I enjoy all
aspects of nature and value the resource and appreciate the
need to manage it properly so that it can be enjoyed for
generations to come.”

French isn’t the only one in his family pursuing a love of the
outdoors as a career; his younger sister Terri is currently finishing
her fourth year of the Natural Resource Sciences program at
TRU, and won a prestigious scholarship from the World
Petroleum Council this past winter.
“I am proud of my sister for her accomplishments,” said French.
“It’s great to see that she has the same aspirations and
dedication to education.”

Jeff Guthrie From page 12
TRU assistant professor of chemistry Dr. Sharon Brewer in
helping to prepare him for his present success.

Order your
TRU products
online at
www.bookies.tru.ca

“I found that my undergraduate research project with Dr.
Sharon Brewer was helpful in that she gave me a taste of
what research was like,” said Guthrie.
While Guthrie’s future plans are still up in the air, he does
figure that his focus will remain related to the environment.
“For the last couple of years I have been leaning heavily
toward an academic career as a university professor, but
employment in industry or government is still a possibility,”
said Guthrie. “If I [do] end up as a professor with my own
research group, the research will likely have an
environmental flavour to it.”

TRU Bookstore, TRU Campus Activity Centre • 250.828.5141

OPEN YEAR ROUND • PUBLIC ALWAYS WELCOME • M–Th 8-5pm • F 10-4pm

13

Building a University

Campus News

The Kamloops campus is bustling with
activity and it is not just the students
racing between classes. BC’s newest
university is growing with multiple
construction projects, including a multimillion dollar campus project underway
in Williams Lake.
The most visible project on the main
Kamloops campus is the construction of
a new 587-bed student residence. At
11-storeys, it will not only be the tallest
building on campus, but also in the city.
The university has partnered with
Artist rendering of new residence
Daycon, and its subsidiary, Campus
Living Centres, to build the $44.5
A new warehouse facility is being built behind the
million facility with completion slated for
Trades and Technology buildings to provide the
September 2006.
necessary storage space required for OL course
materials and to upgrade the Purchasing and Stores
Just below the site of the City of Kamloops’ multifacilities; as well, the significant expansion to
million dollar upgrade to Hillside Stadium, construction
accommodate the high printing demands of distance
crews are also hard at work building the BC Centre for
learning programs is almost complete at Print Shop.
Open Learning. The building will facilitate the
physical relocation of TRU’s open learning division
from Burnaby to Kamloops and is expected to be
completed in early 2007.

Artist rendering of BC Centre for Open Learning

In Williams Lake, the former Anne Stevenson
Secondary School is being transformed into a brand
new campus for that community.
Expected to be ready in the late fall of
2006, the new campus will bring the
programs and administration of TRU
Williams Lake back together under
one roof and will include automotive
and welding shops, an office complex
and a Student Street. TRU Williams
Lake will also boast of a few options
rare in smaller post- secondary
facilities--a gymnasium and sports
playing field.

From Diplomas to Degrees
You can build on your diploma and your working experience
to complete a TRU degree without having to take time away
from your career.
As BC’s Centre for Open Learning, TRU now offers over
400 distance courses and a variety of degree programs
through Distance and Online Learning that are designed
for the working adult.

Find out more today. Start any time you choose.

tru.ca/distance
1.866.282.2268

14

TRU Athletics

WolfPack Season Finale
The lead story of the WolfPack’s inaugural
season in Canadian Interuniversity Sport
has to be the fact that our women’s
basketball team is the only team to have
defeated SFU in conference play, when it
downed the Clan in the WolfPack’s first
home game of the CIS season last October.
The win was heralded in newspapers across
Canada and trumpeted in The Province as
“Thompson Rivers Slays the Giant.”
The women finished their regular season
with a 2-18 standing. The women fought
hard throughout the winter semester,
holding onto a chance at the playoffs
almost to the end of the conference season
when the ‘Pack lost to the University of
Victoria Vikes by only six points.
The men’s basketball team also finished its
first CIS season 2-18. The team steadily
improved throughout the season, despite
numerous mid-season injuries, losing its
final game of the conference season against
SFU by only a ten-point spread. Already
committed to play with the ‘Pack next
season are 6’3” 185 pound Lucian Sauciuc
of Centennial Secondary in Coquitlam and
AA shooting sensation Siggy Skagfeld of
Cedar Senior Secondary in Nanaimo.

Our women’s volleyball team also went 218 this season. The women had some
definite highlights in the winter semester,
taking a set away from the Trinity Western
Spartans, ranked #1 in the Canada West
conference, in a nailbiter set that saw the
teams battle it out to a 30-28 score for the
WolfPack. The team also showed its mettle
against SFU with a narrow loss in hardfought five-set match followed by a win in
four sets the next day.

great ending to the CIS season in front of
a big home crowd. Committed to WolfPack
men’s volleyball for next season is AAA
Provincial High School Championships
Most Outstanding Player Kyle Donen.

Three outstanding BC athletes have
committed to playing with the WolfPack
next season. Left side Ashley Koehn of
Langley, a 6'0” honour-roll scholar from
Pacific Academy, all-around student athlete
Katrina Beitel, a 5'10" setter from
Revelstoke who was MVP at the junior club
provincials, and Richelle Walton, a 5’7”
outside hitter currently playing for
Malaspina University College who is in 2nd
place on the BCCAA stats leader board.

The season saw a major increase in fan
support across the board. It was great to
look out at
the stands
and see lots
of orange
in support
of the
home team.
The winter
semester also
marked
the first
appearance
of our new
WolfPack
mascot.

Men’s volleyball ended its season 1-19.
Season highlights include a win at its first
home match of the season last fall, and
taking a set from the University of
Manitoba Bisons, ranked fourth in Canada
West in its final match of the season, a

WolfPack fans should mark their calendars
for the Sports Task Force golf tournament
fundraiser, to be held June 2nd. The ‘Pack
will also hold its annual Sports Camps again
this summer, with registrations beginning
in mid-April.

Learn to Run with the Pack!

TRU Sport Camps
Main Camps
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Swimming
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Lacrosse
• Track and Field
• Tennis

• Wrestling
• Alternate Camps
Mornings & Afternoons
• Specialty Camps
• Special Needs
Sport Camp
• Resident Camps
• Team Camps
• Traveling Camps
• Biking
• Casual Resident Camp

• Mountaineering
• Fit Camps
• Aerobic Camps
• BMX
• Fishing
• Paintball
• Rugby
• Yoga
• Ball Hockey
• Camping
• ECE Camps

Camp Formats
Mornings, Afternoons, Full Day & Resident
For more information about these camps please contact:

All camps allow for children
to participate based on age,
ability and camp intensity.

Sport Camp Coordinator
Phone: 250.377.6117 • Fax: 250.371.5672
email: trucamps@tru.ca

www.tru.ca/sportcamps
15

Pathfinders – where are they now?
Tom MacDougall
BA, 1995
After graduation, Tom was the editor of
the Burns Lake News, then transferred
to Vancouver Island where he took up
editorship of the Parksville-Qualicum
Review. In 2003, he moved to East
Central Alberta with his wife Vivian (BA
’96) and three children to take a
position of editor of a trio of
community weeklies, the Stettler
Independent, the Bashaw Star and the
Castor Advance. He has won several
awards as editor of those papers,
including the Charles Hawkins
Memorial Trophy from the Canadian
Community Newspaper Association.
Sharron Ladd
BSc Animal Biology, 1997
After graduating, I enjoyed doing some
field work in the forests of beautiful
British Columbia. In 1997, I moved to
Toronto, where I worked as Managing
Editor for a brand-new publication
called Geriatrics & Aging. After getting
married in 2000, my husband and I
moved to sunny Tampa, Florida. I've
been working at the University of South
Florida for five years in the Anatomy
and Dermatopathology departments,
as a Biological Scientist and
Histotechnologist. I am currently
working on a Master of Science degree
in Health Systems through an online
program at the University of Medicine
and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
We became home owners six months
ago and I am thrilled to have my very
own tangerine tree. I'd love to hear
from my classmates at
sharinflorida@yahoo.com.
James Mirtle
BA, 2002
James completed grad studies at
Ryerson’s journalism school and is now
the CIS reporter for the Globe and
Mail’s sports section.

Hsin-Kang Hsieh (Sidney)
ESL/ Biology, 1998
I was an international student from
Taiwan and spent my first Canadian
experience in Kamloops. I really
appreciate the great environment and
teachers that helped to settle my life in
Canada. After two years in UCC, I
relocated to Montreal and gained
Honours in Immunology from McGill
University. Currently, I am finishing my
MSc of Neuroscience from McGill and
moving to San Francisco for a research
position in UCSF. Hope I can get in
contact with my former classmates and
friends and hope everyone has a great
year in 2006!
(h_sidney18@hotmail.com)
Shimpei Oishi
Bachelor of Tourism
Management, 2000
After graduated I joined an organizing
committee for the World Games, which
is a mega sport event featuring 179
sport disciplines and over 4000 athletes
and officials from 92 countries. My job
was to communicate with the Olympic
committee and international sport
federations and to produce guide
books and media books. Living and
studying in Canada fully prepared me
to pursue my dream, to be a bridge
between countries. Over the past three
years by working closely with the
second-level government of Japan,
Quebec Zoo and Warner Brother's
theme park in Australia, I became a
coordinator and established a
friendship concord to conserve the
environment and to have cultural
exchanges. As a symbol of our
friendship, an orphaned polar bear cub
came to a new aquarium which we
constructed by following Canadian
regulations. Many professionals and
officials worked together and will work
together for years to come. It is also a
great opportunity for local children; not

only they can grow up with the cub,
but they will be more sensitive to the
environmental issues and will be
more responsible for their decisions
and actions.
Tanja Hasler Mizher
BSc Mathematics, 1999
Right after graduation I moved back to
my second country of nationality,
Switzerland. Here I met and married
Adnan and we have started a successful
business together that took four years
of research and development prior to
being operative. We offer spine
rehabilitation for all types of back pain
that brings excellent results for our
patients: www.dynasom.com.
Megumi Noguchi
Resort & Hotel
Management Diploma, 2002
After completion of Diploma Program
of Resort and Hotel Management at
UCC, I have worked at a 5-star hotel in
Tokyo called Sofitel Tokyo. I started off
in F&B and now I am working as a
Japanese Guest Relations Officer at
Sofitel Bangkok. The experiences and
knowledge that I gained at UCC
brought me to where I stand today. I
seek for more opportunities in the
future in the hospitality industry.

Appointments
The TRU Alumni Association is proud to
announce the following appointments:
TRU Board of Governors:
Brian Christianson, University Transfer ‘83
Karl deBruijn, University Transfer ‘74
University Council:
Cathy Ferguson, BSN ‘91
Planning Council for Open
Learning:
Darlene McBain, University Transfer ‘86

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
16

Thais celebrate
ties with TRU
TRU President and
Vice-Chancellor
Roger Barnsley receives
an honorary Doctor of
Education degree from
Saint John's University
in Bangkok, Thailand,
for his outstanding
knowledge, leadership
and expertise
throughout his long
and distinguished
career in public education.
photo submitted

Showcase your Degree, Diploma or Certificate with Distinction

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

Choose from the genuine Hardwood or Gold satin metal frames
These distinctive frames include:
• 24K gold plated minted medallion or gold foil embossing
• Custom bevel edged double matting
with acid free core and backing paper
• A unique frame back that allows you to insert your credential
without tools in less than one minute

Order Online at www.degreeframes.com
or call 1-800-884-3199
A portion of these sales support the TRU Alumni Association.

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

It’s FREE and only available to graduates and current students!
www.trualumni.ca
17

Continuing
Education at TRU

Upcoming Events

With the addition of many new
distance and online options through
the TRU Open Learning Division,
students and alumni now have
hundreds of options to add courses
or credentials needed to advance
their career. Whether choosing the
flexibility offered by Distance
Learning, enabling students to study
when and where it fits their busy
lifestyle, or courses offered through
Continuing Studies, TRU offers a
variety of courses, certificates,
diplomas and degrees for
continuing learners.

Open Learning Division
Distance and Online courses and
programs in:
• Adult Basic Education
• Arts and Sciences
• Business and Management Studies
• General Studies
• Health and Human Services
• Information Technology
For more information on distance
options through Open Learning
check out
http://www.tru.ca/distance

TRU Run

Dave Eagles photo

TRU Campus Classic 5/10km Run
Saturday, April 1 – Mass start at 10am
TRU Campus
$15 for high school and TRU students • $25 for TRU alumni and general public
Entertainment, great food and participant prizes.
A prize will be awarded for the best “April Fool” costume.
TRU student are eligible to win 1 of 2 – $250 cash awards.
Registration:
online at www.finishlinepromo.com
or in person at
Runner’s Sole, 74-1395 Hillside Dr, Phone: 250-377-4055

Continuing Studies
• Professional Development
• Carpentry
• Driver Training
• Mechanical
• Business and Management
• Computer
• First Aid
• Health and Safety
• Teaching English as a
Second Language

13th Annual Pineridge
Charity Golf Tournament
in support of the
TRU Alumni Association
Friday, May 12

• Bartending

4:00pm Shotgun Start
Teams of 3, Texas scramble

For more information on courses
offered through Continuing Studies
check out their website at
http://www.tru.ca/conted/

$65 per person
includes 18 holes of golf,
great BBQ dinner
and a chance at great prizes
To register, call
Pineridge Golf Course at 573-4333

18

of dr
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DL#7097

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

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