In This Issue
2005 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
BSc Grad Recognized for Environmental Education
Achievements of TRU Graduates Bring Honour to the Institution
From left: (back) Denise Harper, Board Chair; Larry Read, Dr. Timothy Kieffer, The Honourable Mr. Justice Joel Groves, TRU President & Vice-Chancellor, Roger Barnsley. (front) Indigo Sweetwater, Dr. Hasnat Dewan, Helen Kormendy. Photo by Murray Mitchell
2005 Recipients:
Teaching Excellence Award: Dr. Hasnat Dewan
Public Service Award: The Honourable Mr. Justice Joel Groves
Academic & Professional Achievement Award: Dr. Timothy Kieffer
Grace Chronister BSW Award:
Helen Kormendy
Service to the Community Award: Larry Read
Service to the Community Award: Indigo Sweetwater
2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards
Five graduates and one faculty member were honoured on October 14th with the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The recipients include a Supreme Court Judge, a Fulbright scholar, and an innovative Diabetes researcher.
The award recipients were honoured at The President's Reception during Homecoming Weekend. This year's event was held in the Panorama Room of the new International Building, so-named for the breathtaking view of the valleys from the room and balcony. Guests were treated to gastronomic delights from the students of the Culinary Arts program as well as a video profiling each award recipient.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards program recognizes graduates and faculty of TRU who have made outstanding achievements in a variety of fields such as academic achievement, arts and culture, professional achievement, community and public service, as well as the vital role that TRU graduates play in the social and economic lives of our communities. Over the past 10 years, 40 graduates have been selected to receive the award.
"The outstanding community contributions and professional
achievements of our graduates, combined with teaching excellence, continue to
help our university build a distinguished reputation throughout our region and
around the world," said Dr. Roger Barnsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of TRU.
Award Recipient Biographies
Teaching Excellence Award:
Sponsored by The TRU Faculty Association
Dr. Hasnat Dewan: Before joining the TRU faculty in the fall of
2000, Dr. Hasnat Dewan taught Economics at the University of Texas,
Jahangirnagar University and Malaspina University College.
Dr. Dewan got his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998 and
earned his MA in International & Development Economics from Yale. An
exceptional student, Dr. Dewan was a Fulbright scholar, was awarded The
University Gold Medal for his outstanding results in the BSc (Honors)
exam, and he ranked first among 32,000 students in the Secondary School
Certificate exam.
Dr. Dewan specializes in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics,
Urban and Regional Economics, International Economics, and Sustainable
Development. This year, he also received the TRU School of Business and
Economics Teaching Excellence Award after being nominated by 51 of his
students. His students consistently characterize him as caring,
encouraging, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and one of the best
instructors they have had.
Public Service Award
The Honorable Mr. Justice Joel Groves: After completing one year of
University Transfer courses at Cariboo College, Justice Groves completed
a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at the University of Victoria and a
Bachelor of Law at UBC.
Since being called to the bar, Justice Groves has contributed to the
community through his involvement with a number of organizations,
including the United Way and the Phoenix Centre, as well as serving as
president for both the Kamloops Bar Association and the Kamloops Family
Bar Association. He was the pro bono Legal Counsel for the Kamloops
Sexual Assault Counselling Centre for 15 years, taking an important case
on their behalf through to the Court of Appeal and setting a valuable
legal precedent for all Sexual Assault Centres. Justice Groves was
involved with politics and was able to add his support to projects
benefiting the local area. He also frequently appeared on local cable,
providing educational information on the law to the public.
Justice Groves was appointed Master of the Supreme Court of BC in 2000
and was recently appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of British
Columbia. Prior to that he was a partner with Gillespie Rekema Barnett
Broadway, where he practised in the areas of family law and general
litigation.
Academic and Professional Achievement Award:
Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Kamloops– Aurora
Dr. Timothy Kieffer: Dr. Kieffer completed an Associate of Science
Diploma at Cariboo College in 1987 before transferring to UBC to
complete a BSc and PhD. In 1994, he started a Post-Doctoral Fellowship
at the Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kieffer is currently a tenured
Associate Professor of Medicine in UBC’s Departments of Physiology and
Surgery.
Dr. Kieffer is an exceptional young scientist who is making outstanding
contributions in the field of diabetes research. His research is
currently supported by multiple agencies and he has also maintained full
external salary support for his entire independent career. His
innovative research is highly regarded and formed the basis for several
patent applications and a University spin-off company, enGene Inc., of
which Dr. Kieffer is a co-founder. He has been invited to give
presentations on his work at institutions and scientific conferences
around the world, has published numerous works in scientific journals
and is also highly sought after to participate on grant review panels.
In addition to his research, Dr. Kieffer also excels in teaching,
consistently ranked by his students amongst the top of the department’s
faculty. He also serves as a mentor to those working in his laboratory,
currently consisting of 16 undergrads, graduate students, technicians
and postdoctoral fellows. In fact, most of his trainees have been
successful in obtaining their own funding.
Dr. Kieffer is married to Stephanie and has 3 children.
Grace Chronister BSW Award:
Sponsored by the School of Social Work and Human Services
Helen Kormendy: Helen Kormendy completed a Bachelors of Social Work at
UCC in 1999 and also holds a BA in Political Science from SFU, a Masters
of Social Work from UBC, a Public Relations and Communications Diploma
from Kwantlen College and certificates from the Justice Institute of BC.
Helen is a Registered Social Worker and currently works as a Child and
Youth Mental Health Clinician in the rural communities of Ashcroft and
Lillooet. She has previously worked as a Youth and Family Mediator, an
Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Surrey, a Youth Program Supervisor,
and, in her early twenties, in many non-traditional roles for CN Rail.
Helen is a strong advocate for her profession and community. She is
currently Vice-President of the BC Association of Social Workers, she is
active with the BC Government Employees Union and is also the
Communications Director for the NDP Cariboo-South Riding.
Helen lives in Ashcroft with her partner, Andy, and is an avid world
traveller.
Service to the Community Award:
Sponsored by CFJC TV 7, B100 and 98.3 CIFM
Larry Read: Larry studied Business at the University of Calgary and the
University of Saskatchewan, as well as Broadcast Journalism at BCIT,
before completing the Marketing Management Diploma at UCC in 1993.
He is a well-know local broadcaster with CFJC-TV, hosting the Midday
program as well as Week in Review and Sports on the Evening News. He has
been voted the “Favourite TV Broadcaster” in the Kamloops Daily News
poll for the last four years.
Larry is also a committed volunteer in the local community, with varied
volunteer interests. He has been involved with the Kamloops Minor Hockey
Association and is currently a coach with the Kamloops Youth Soccer
Association, honorary chair of Habitat for Humanity, and a board member
of the Kamloops Hospice Association. Larry often contributes his talents
as an emcee of community events, such as the Miss Kamloops Pageant and
TRU Alumni Association Homecoming events and sings in the Beattie School
of the Arts Parents Choir.
He is married to Bonnie (a UCC alumna) and has three children, Max, 12,
Kayla, 9, and April, 6.
Service to the Community Award:
Sponsored by the School of Nursing
Indigo Sweetwater: Indigo completed a Nursing Diploma at Cariboo College
in 1988 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1991 at the University
College of the Cariboo. She is currently enrolled in graduate studies in
Advanced Nursing Practice at Athabasca University and has also completed
graduate courses in Transcultural Nursing at Wayne State. A life-long
learner, she has also completed many professional courses and
certifications and she plans to continue her studies to earn a
Doctorate.
Indigo’s professional focus has been in the area of Indigenous Health
Care and she has spent the majority of her career working in the North.
She has worked as a Community Health Nurse, Nurse Educator and a Nurse
Manager in remote locations such as Grise Fiord, Iqaluit, Cape Dorset,
Rankin Inlet and Fort Resolution. Indigo also does consulting work
through her business Winterbeach Indigenous Health Care and has
conducted projects on Hepatitis C, Home Care Needs, and Respiratory
Illness in Inuit Children. She is a Registered Nurse in both BC and the
Northwest Territories & Nunavut and is a member of several
organizations, including Aboriginal Nurses of Canada. Indigo is a
regular contributor to The Aboriginal Nurse and has made many conference
presentations on issues related to Inuit and Aboriginal health.
When Mary Ellen Grant decided to go back to school it wasn’t for money issues it just
seemed like the right time to. She says, “It became more of an issue of
quality of life and not money.”
Grant had a good paying job and a firm foundation but she felt that she needed to do something else so she enrolled at UCC. During her first years she tried to convince herself that she couldn’t do it, “I had to prove to myself that could do it”
“I told myself that if I passed Math 050 with a good mark then I would continue.”
After she received her mark she resigned her job as manager and enrolled in full time studies.
During her first three years of her Bachelor of Science degree, Grant worked, went to school and raised two children. She says that, “This really showcases the University because I was able to work full time and attend school because of the flexibility of the professors.”
She says that her professors supported the students and were available for help at any time. As well, she says that, “Having field courses [in the program], where you are able to get hands on applications in the field with the professors was a great learning tool.”
After Grant graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and the Environment, she immediately stepped into a job at the Kamloops Wildlife Park as Manager of Education and Volunteers.
Grant says that she had such a positive experience at UCC that she often gives current students the opportunity to work at the Wildlife Park as interns.
Recently, Grant was nominated for a prestigious award, The Canadian Environment Award in Environmental Learning. She was awarded the Silver medal for her work as an environmental educator. To be considered for this award, they look at the urgency of your work and its uniqueness.
Grant says that her work as an educator is based on the principles of sustainable living, “We provide knowledge but do it from the perspective of the person; we provide a 5 step method which includes knowledge, perspective, value, skills and action.”
She adds, “We get people to embrace the idea and get those people to get others to embrace the idea as well.”
“We link people to their actions to show what they do effects the environment.”
Grant has established many programs to educate and teach people about the effect they have on the environment, “I started a program called the ‘GGGRRR-Cycle’ which is freezing leftovers before throwing them out which in turn prevents bears coming into your yard.”
Grant says that she will continue to educate and be a resource for people willing to learn about sustainable living, “I think people are confused about what science is and I want to be able to showcase science and I encourage [other science] alumni to talk about being scientists.”
For more information about Sustainable Living, contact Mary Ellen Grant at the Kamloops Wildlife Park at 573-3242
New Business &
Economics Dean
There were no first-day jitters for Dr. Murray Young when he started his five-year term this July; he comes to TRU with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Dr. Young has already begun to meet with business and community leaders, and plans to involve faculty, staff, students, alumni and the business community in a collaborative process to clarify and expand the vision and potential of TRU's School of Business and Economics this fall.
"I expect to build on the strong foundation of campus and community interaction already in place at TRU through such agencies as the student group Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship, the business incubator operating out of the Advanced Technology Centre, faculty consulting, and student projects," said Dr. Young.
"Changing demands due to a new global business environment require new thinking and new initiatives, and this School of Business in well placed to help Kamloops enterprises to meet these new demands," he said, noting that TRU's uniquely internationalized campus can help lever up transnational knowledge and sensitivity, and strengthen the MBA program.
Born and raised in Alberta, Dr. Young received his Ph.D. in business administration from Ohio State University with concentrations in marketing and international business. He worked in the audio electronic industry for 10 years before entering the academic arena.
Most recently Dr. Young served as Dean and Professor of Business at Colorado Christian University. He has been a member of the marketing faculty at the University of Denver, Notre Dame University, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He regularly serves as a foreign expert for universities in the Peoples Republic of China and as a consultant to domestic colleges and businesses.
His research has appeared in numerous national and international publications, and he has been invited to present his work on five continents. Dr. Young was instrumental in the design and launch of both traditional and online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programs (Bethel College, IN and Colorado Christian University, respectively). He also serves as the management section editor of the Journal of Applied Business Research.
Dr. Young will assume the position held on an interim basis for the past two years by School of Business and Economics faculty member Brock Dykeman, who successfully led TRU's MBA proposal through the approval process.
In making the appointment, Dr. Mark Evered, TRU Provost and Vice President, Academic, said, "Dr. Young brings a background in business strategy, economic development, and academic leadership. These capabilities make him uniquely suited for the future of Thompson Rivers University and organizations in British Columbia."
Dr. Ulrich Scheck is Thompson
Rivers University's new Dean of
the
Faculty of Arts.
"Dr. Scheck comes with outstanding academic credentials and administrative experience", said TRU Vice-President, Academic and Provost, Dr. Mark Evered. "We are extremely pleased that we were able to convince him to leave his position as Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Queen's University in Kingston Ontario to lead TRU's largest academic division."
Dr. Scheck had also held the positions of Professor and Queen's National Scholar and had previously served as the Director of International Programs for the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen's University.
"What attracted me to TRU most is the unique opportunity to build a distinct and open institution on the foundation of TRU's long-standing tradition of welcoming a very diverse group of students," said Dr. Scheck. "It is a truly exciting prospect to be part of the emergence of a new university," he said. "TRU has the potential to take on a leadership role in combining academic excellence with educational choice."
Scheck, who aims to focus on cross-disciplinary teaching, research and learning, as well as on opportunities to build innovative undergraduate and graduate programs, has plans to further the internationalization of TRU's arts programs, including enhancing study abroad opportunities and developing joint degree programs with universities outside Canada.
Part of the reason for Scheck's international perspective may be his own background. German by birth, Dr. Scheck completed an honours bachelor's degree in German and philosophy from the University of Mannheim, Germany, before coming to Canada to complete MA and PhD degrees in German at the University of Waterloo.
He is also looking forward to increasing educational choices to off-campus learners through TRU's Open Learning division.
"During the '90s I developed the curricula for several German language and culture courses for Continuing and Distance Studies at Queen's University," he said. "I strongly believe in offering educational opportunities to as many people as possible, and distance education plays an important part in providing access to learning."
Dr. Evered, who led the international search for the new dean, said the search committee was very impressed by Dr. Scheck's broad knowledge, by his scholarship, by his leadership experience and by his enthusiasm for exploring new opportunities.
"He brings the academic credibility, the experience and the spirit that will be invaluable in helping us build our unique institution", said Evered.
"He has authored and edited over a dozen books, and has published numerous refereed articles, reference works and reviews. He has organized many conferences, symposia, and workshops, held offices in various professional societies and been invited as consultant and examiner to a number of national and international universities and institutes. His academic work has been supported by national and international agencies, and he has been very active in graduate as well as undergraduate education," explained Evered.
Scheck, who assumed his new position at TRU October 3, also plans to become an active member of the community and its culture. "My main passion outside of academe is music," he said. "I play keyboards and look forward to hooking up with a classic rock or blues band in Kamloops," he added.
Almost 26 years after he had first attended Cariboo College, Brent Humphrey is back on campus, teaching Public Relations in the Journalism department at TRU.
Brent attended Cariboo College, in 1979, finishing two full years of Arts before transferring to the University of Victoria. While at Cariboo College, he said that one teacher really inspired him as a writer, “Alastair Watt was my English teacher and he introduced me to Literature,” said Humphrey “He sparked an interest in writing and developing my skill,”
While he was a student he saw the unique social scene Cariboo College had to offer, “It was an excellent experience attending the college, it was my first exposure to student life,” said Humphrey. Humphrey decided to attend Cariboo College because of the location and the opportunity, “I was able to explore my interests and become serious about school before I went away.”
Humphrey says that the education he received at Cariboo College was excellent preparation for the University of Victoria, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
He then went to Langara College, graduating with a Journalism diploma. Humphrey worked for a few years at community newspapers where he covered a number of different beats.
He realized he had a passion for politics so he left journalism and took a dream job in Public Relations, representing the former premier Mike Harcourt. He worked with Mike Harcourt until he left office.
Humphrey then returned to Kamloops where he set up his own PR consulting firm and began teaching at TRU, “I moved back for my family and the lifestyle.”
Humphrey says that TRU is unique because of the campus social scene, “There is a positive bond here, so many students attending one university and not all are from Kamloops.” He says that the bond it is still evident, even as a teacher, “The small classroom size is huge advantage for students and teachers to develop that bond.”
Humphrey says that he loves teaching in the Journalism department and feels that it is a very useful and practical program, “There is a huge demand for skilled PR professionals and no one else offers this type of major.” “The facts learned are so closely connected to the profession,” adds Humphrey.
Humphrey says that he is excited about the changes happening at TRU, “I feel pride in the fact that the small campus I once attended grew into such an impressive institution.”
The fall enrolment numbers are in, and
there are more students than ever studying at
Thompson Rivers
University, BC's newest provincial university based in Kamloops, BC.
Headcount enrolments have increased 4 per cent over last fall, meaning there are almost 7,500 students registered in degree, diploma and certificate programs at the university this fall. The largest single group of students are those in undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs, where almost 5,200 students are registered in over 50 degree program options. These students are also taking more courses, as overall course registrations showed an even greater increase.
The totals also include 429 students studying at TRU's Williams Lake campus, an increase of 7 per cent over last fall.
TRU's Kamloops campus is also host to
a record number of international students. A total of 812 students
from 53 countries are on campus at present, an increase of 6 per
cent over last fall.
Of note in the fall numbers is that fact that many lower-level university students have not yet returned to campus, electing instead to take advantage of employment options being provided by the strong provincial economy. As a result, an even greater increase in enrolments is anticipated in the winter semester, as many of these students have already started the process of registering for courses they will take when they return in January.
Applications for admission to TRU programs that begin in September 2006 are now beginning to arrive from students across Canada. Prospective students can apply to TRU online, where they can also pay the $25 application fee, one of the lowest in the province.
|
||||