June 2005
June 3, 2005
KAMLOOPS-The first Thompson Rivers University Convocation Ceremonies for the Kamloops campus will be held June 9th and 10th, with this year's approximately 1700 graduates among the first to receive their credentials in the name of Thompson Rivers University. TRU's Williams Lake campus held its ceremonies last week.
Also this year, Thompson Rivers University graduates will receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates at on-campus ceremonies, the first since the ceremonies were moved off-campus in 1994 to accommodate increasing numbers of graduates. The ceremonies had been held in the campus gymnasium until that time.
Convocation this year will be held on the campus commons east of the Campus Activity Centre, in four separate ceremonies. In case of rain, ceremonies will be held in the gymnasium.
"I am extremely pleased that our graduates can celebrate Convocation where they studied, learned and practiced the skills and knowledge they will take into the world," said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor, Roger Barnsley.
In order to preserve its commitment to comprehensiveness and inclusiveness, TRU will grant certificates, diplomas and degrees at each ceremony, which represents a cluster of programs. About 50 TRU staff volunteers coordinate convocation proceedings.
Each ceremony also has its own honorary degree recipient and valedictorian. Recognition will also be given at each ceremony to TRU faculty in that discipline who were awarded Scholarly Merit, Teaching Excellence (not to be confused with Master Teacher), and Distinguished Service awards for the 2004/05 academic year.
Ceremony B will also include the conferral of Master Teacher and Professor Emeritus designations.
Ceremony A, to be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 9th, includes graduates of certificate, diploma, degree and post-baccalaureate diploma programs in the Arts, Fine Arts, Journalism, Aboriginal Studies, Adult Basic Education, and English as a Second Language. An honorary doctorate will be conferred on Dr. Gilles Paquet, Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa and President of the Royal Society of Canada, and theValedictorian address will be delivered by Christine Heidi Nickel, who graduates with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography. University medals, granted to the student in each TRU degree program who achieved the highest grade point average over the assessment period, will be awarded to Kristina E. Fiedrich (Fine Arts), and Lailani Mendoza (Journalism) of Kamloops, and Kendra Lee McKay (Arts) of Williams Lake.
Ceremony B, to be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 9th, includes graduates in the Sciences and Health Sciences. An honorary doctorate will be conferred on Sir John Daniel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Commonwealth of Learning. Valedictorian is Alison Assmus, a Bachelor of Science degree graduate from Logan Lake. Medal winners include Paul Nguyen (Science) of Kamloops, Corrine Out (Nursing) and Jodi Vander Hoek (Natural Resource Science) both of Salmon Arm, and Governor General's Academic Silver Medal winner Sachiko Takahashi of Kamloops, who achieved the highest overall academic standing upon graduation from a bachelor degree program.
Also at this ceremony, the title of Professor Emeritus will be conferred on two distinguished TRU science professors, David Williams and Jim Davies. A Master Teacher award, which recognizes the long-term career achievements in teaching, pedagogy, and the promotion of good teaching, will be conferred on a TRU health sciences professor whose name will be announced at the ceremony.
Ceremony C, to be held at 10:00 am on Friday, June 10th, includes graduates from the Schools of Business and Economics, Advanced Technologies and Mathematics, Trades and Technology, and Career-Technical Centres. An honorary doctorate will be conferred on Mr. Duncan MacRae, a distinguished educator and champion of comprehensive training and education in British Columbia. Valedictorian is Kristen Jordan of Kamloops, who graduates with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing.
Medal winners include Sharron R. Westlund (Accounting Technician diploma) of Kamloops, who will receive the Governor General's Academic Medal (Collegiate Bronze), awarded annually to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level, post-secondary program of a minimum of two years, full-time duration, and Nathan Murray of Logan Lake, who will receive the university medal in Business Administration.
Ceremony D, to be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 10th, includes graduates from the Schools of Education, Social Work, and Tourism Management.
An honorary doctorate will be conferred on Ms. Claire Morris, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Valedictorian is Shawna Bava of Kamloops, who will also be awarded the university medal in social work.
Other university medal winners include University of British Columbia Medal in Education recipient Fred Schaub of White Lake, and Thompson Rivers University Medal in Tourism Management recipient Callandra Lea Ottmann of Canmore, Alberta.
For information on the ceremonies, please contact Linda Mueller, Convocation Coordinator, at 828-5479 or 372-2170. For photos or contact information, please contact Bronwen Scott, Media Coordinator, at 371-5739.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Arts This medal is awarded in each TRU degree program to the eligible graduating student who achieves the highest grade point average over the assessment period.
Kendra Lee McKay Kendra McKay graduated in 2001 from Williams Lake Secondary School, located near her hometown of Hanceville, earning an entrance scholarship to pursue arts studies at TRU. A math major and geography minor, Kendra maintained high academic standing and continued to win scholarships while volunteering as a math tutor for TRU students. She also found time to prepare and present a scholarly paper at the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. An avid outdoorsperson and long-time 4-H'er, Kendra bikes, camps and kayaks, and volunteers at 4-H youth camps. She was married this past May and will be pursuing certification as a secondary school teacher this fall.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Journalism This medal is awarded in each TRU degree program to the eligible graduating student who achieves the highest grade point average over the assessment period.
Lailani Mendoza Lailani Mendoza was born in the Philippines, and graduated from Mangatarem National High School in 1999. She then studied at the University of the Philippines for a year, where she was named to the Dean's List. She moved to Canada with her mother and sister at the age of 18, and enrolled at TRU, where she again achieved Dean's List standing. Lailani has volunteered for both World Vision and the Campus Crusade for Christ in the Philippines. Already a regular contributor to a youth-oriented on-line magazine, she plans to work at a magazine or newspaper in Canada.
Valedictorians: Ceremony A: Christine Heidi Nickel, Bachelor of Arts degree (Geography) Christine Nickel came to TRU after graduating from Fernie Secondary School. While maintaining high grades in her courses, winning the Hugh Neave Memorial 4th-year Geography bursary this year, she also found time to volunteer with the CSS Campus Life Team, the CFBX Campus-Community Radio station, and the Geography Club, where she served two years as treasurer. She will be studying broadcast journalism at BCIT this fall, and her long-term goals include world travel and completing a master's degree. Her ultimate career goal is to combine her passion for geography with her interest in broadcasting, to become a television show host for a nature or science program.
June 3, 2005
KAMLOOPS-At its Convocation Ceremonies to be held June 9th and 10th at its Kamloops campus, Thompson Rivers University will award the following medals for outstanding academic achievement:
Governor General's Academic Medal (Silver): This medal is awarded annually to the undergraduate who achieves the highest academic standing upon graduation from a bachelor degree program.
Sachiko Takahashi-Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) Sachiko Takahashi exemplifies the attributes of an outstanding all-around student. Born in Yokohama, she came to Canada at the age of 10, graduating from Westsyde Secondary School in 2001. While maintaining a high grade point average and winning many scholarly and research awards, including a prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council scholarship, both the Canadian Society for Chemistry Silver Medal and Creo Awards, and a Canada Millennium Scholarship, Sachiko found time to volunteer for People in Motion, the SPCA, Habitat for Humanity, North Kamloops Physiotherapy and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She isn't firm about her future plans, but has applied to several medical schools.
Governor General's Academic Medal (Collegiate Bronze): This medal is awarded annually to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level, post-secondary program of a minimum of two years, full-time duration.
Sharron R. Westlund-Accounting Technician diploma Sharron Westlund graduated from McBride Secondary School in 1991 and earned a legal secretary certificate at the College of New Caledonia in 1993 before moving to Kamloops. In 2003, when her young daughter was four years old, she returned to university to pursue an Accounting Technician diploma. Sharron managed to balance family life and classes, taking time out from maintaining a 4.28 grade point average to run, camp and hike with her husband and daughter. She now plans to work in an intermediate accounting position in a small business or public practice, and is considering laddering into TRU's Bachelor of Business Administration degree program or pursuing an accounting designation.
University Medals: These medals are awarded in each TRU degree program to the eligible graduating student who achieves the highest grade point average over the assessment period.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Social Work: Shawna N. Bava Shawna Bava, also Valedictorian of this Convocation Ceremony, is an excellent academic student, highly involved in campus and community activities, and a leader of social work students. After graduating from St. Ann's Academy, Shawna attended Cariboo College for two years before completing a science degree with "Great Distinction" from the University of Saskatchewan. She then volunteered for a year with high-risk youth in Vancouver; the experience caused her to change her career. She returned to her hometown to pursue a degree in social work, where she served on several committees, and was the first student in her program to complete a practicum in an international setting.
University of British Columbia Medal in Education: Fred Schaub An outstanding lifelong student, Switzerland-born Fred Schaub is also trained in cabinet making and carpentry, and as a chemistry lab technician. Married with two sons, he works with youth in amateur hockey, where he won the 2000/01 BC Amateur Hockey Association Canadian Hockey Week Award, and as Salmon Arm's program and volunteer coordinator for the BC Special Olympics. He also helped out at Grindrod Elementary, near his hometown of White Lake, and has been hired as a teacher-on-call for his local school district while he pursues a master's degree in special education.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Science: Paul Nguyen The third son in his family to earn a degree at this university, Norkam Secondary grad Paul Nguyen is an all-around scholar with experience in teaching and research on top of academic excellence. He volunteered as a tutor in the university math lab for two years while maintaining a 4.23 grade point average, and holds a grant from Canada's most prestigious science granting agency, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), for research he is currently working on with a Thompson Rivers University faculty member. Paul has also received an NSERC post-graduate scholarship to pursue a master's degree in statistics at the University of Western Ontario this fall.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Tourism Management: Callandra Lea Ottmann Callandra Ottmann was born and raised in Canmore, Alberta, graduating from Canmore Collegiate High in 1998. After completing an Events and Conventions Management diploma at TRU in 2003, Callandra spent three months backpacking through Europe, then laddered into TRU's Tourism Management degree program. A tourist as well as a tourism professional, Callandra has visited 13 countries, including a year in Australia in 2000. While maintaining Dean's List standing in her courses, she found time to volunteer for a number of campus and community organizations. Callandra is getting married in September, and then plans to live in Europe for a year, working in the tourism industry. Future plans include a master's degree in tourism studies.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Natural Resource Science: Jodi L. Vander Hoek Jodi Vander Hoek is the second student in her family to win a medal upon graduation; her sister Heather was awarded the Governor General's Collegiate Bronze medal in 2003. Jodi was born and raised in Salmon Arm, and was a 4-H member until she graduated from Salmon Arm Senior Secondary in 2000. She completed a year of arts studies before enrolling in TRU's natural resource program, where she excelled in her studies, winning many scholarships and awards. While maintaining high grades, she also volunteered as president of the TRU Range Club, and as Secretary of the Natural Resource Science Club. Future plans include her wedding in September and continued work with the Fraser Basin Council in Kamloops.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Business Administration: Nathan L. Murray After graduating from Logan Lake Secondary School in 1997, Nathan Murray completed the Professional Golf Management program at Camosun College in 2001 before transferring to TRU to pursue a degree in business. His older sister and brother, and his mother, who won the social work medal in 1996, are all TRU graduates. While maintaining high grades, Nathan, who plays hockey as well as golf, volunteered as general manager with the TRU hockey club and organized junior golf clinics and events. He has recently returned from a three-month backpacking tour of Europe, and will be attending law school this fall.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Arts: Kendra Lee McKay Kendra McKay graduated in 2001 from Williams Lake Secondary School, located near her hometown of Hanceville, earning an entrance scholarship to pursue arts studies at TRU. A math major and geography minor, Kendra maintained high academic standing and continued to win scholarships while volunteering as a math tutor for TRU students. She also found time to prepare and present a scholarly paper at the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. An avid outdoorsperson and long-time 4-H'er, Kendra bikes, camps and kayaks, and volunteers at 4-H youth camps. She was married this past May and will be pursuing certification as a secondary school teacher this fall.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Fine Arts: Kristina E. Fiedrich Kristina Fiedrich graduated from Kamloops Secondary School in 1999, and then earned a professional photo-imaging diploma at Langara College in 2002. She then enrolled in TRU's fine arts program, and this year graduates with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art, as well as a fine arts diploma and a photography and printmaking certificate. A highlight in her graduating year was a group art exhibition she mounted in the TRU Art Gallery with two fellow students. She now plans to pursue a master's degree in fine arts.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Journalism: Lailani Mendoza Lailani Mendoza was born in the Philippines, and graduated from Mangatarem National High School in 1999. She then studied at the University of the Philippines for a year, where she was named to the Dean's List. She moved to Canada with her mother and sister at the age of 18, and enrolled at TRU, where she again achieved Dean's List standing. Lailani has volunteered for both World Vision and the Campus Crusade for Christ in the Philippines. Already a regular contributor to a youth-oriented on-line magazine, she plans to work at a magazine or newspaper in Canada.
Thompson Rivers University Medal in Nursing: Corrine Out Corrine graduated from Salmon Arm Senior Secondary in 1999, then took two years of general science at Okanagan University College before coming to TRU to pursue studies in nursing, where she was awarded a number of scholarships and achieved Dean's List standing in recognition of her superior academic performance. A true nurse-advocate, Corrine worked on campus to raise student awareness about healthy nutrition, and advocated for healthy snack options in campus vending machines and food outlets. She has already secured an on-call position in Royal Inland Hospital's surgical unit, and plans for work as a nurse for a while and then pursue a career in acting or medicine.
For more information, please contact Bronwen Scott by phone at 250-828-5739 or email
June 5, 2005
KAMLOOPS-Four valedictorians will present the hopes and fond memories of the 2005 Thompson Rivers University graduating class this year, each to speak at the ceremony representing her program cluster. Nominated by a Valedictorian Selection Committee made up of the Dean and one student representative from each faculty or school participating in that ceremony, valedictorians are selected on the basis of being academically strong and well-spoken students who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to service within the university or the community.
Ceremony A: Christine Heidi Nickel-Bachelor of Arts degree (Geography) Christine Nickel well represents her program cluster, comprising the Faculty of Arts and the Division of Student Development. She came to Kamloops with her family after graduating from Fernie Secondary School, and enrolled at TRU. After upgrading some academic prerequisites in College Prep, a department in Student Development, she enrolled in the Geography program under the Faculty of Arts. While maintaining high grades in her courses, winning the Hugh Neave Memorial 4th-year Geography bursary this year, she also found time to volunteer with the CSS Campus Life Team, the CFBX Campus-Community Radio station, and the Geography Club, where she served two years as treasurer. She will be studying broadcast journalism at BCIT this fall, and her long-term goals include world travel and completing a master's degree. Her ultimate career goal is to combine her passion for geography with her interest in broadcasting, to become a television show host for a nature or science program.
Ceremony B: Alison Assmus-Bachelor of Science degree (Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology) Alison Assmus, who will represent the Sciences and Health Sciences, grew up in Logan Lake and completed high school with honours there, winning a number of academic and citizenship awards, and a UCC Entrance Award. When she came to TRU to study biology, she also excelled, making the Dean's List throughout her four years of study, and winning the 2004 Biological Science Book Prize. An active athlete, she is also a lifeguard and swimming instructor, possesses a Sports First Aid certificate and a Level 1 National Coaching Certification, works out in the gym, and plays volleyball and golf. She will be attending the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in September, with the goal of becoming a naturopathic doctor.
Ceremony C: Kristen Jordan-Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Marketing) Kristen Jordan, representing the Schools of Business and Economics, Advanced Technologies and Mathematics, and Trades and Technology, grew up in Kamloops, graduating from Brocklehurst Secondary School. An active marketing major, she has continued to work in the advertising business while maintaining Dean's List standing throughout her years of study. On top of work and classes, she was vice-president, corporate development for the student business association ACE*TRU, and was a tele-fundraiser for the TRU Foundation. She has competed in national business student contests, and represented TRU at its sister universities in Tianjin and Shanghai, China. After graduation, she hopes to continue to work in advertising, and to travel to Africa.
For more information, please contact Kristen Jordan at 250-377-1084
Ceremony D: Shawna Bava-Bachelor of Social Work degree Shawna Bava, also this year's winner of the University Medal in Social Work, will represent graduates in the Schools of Education, Social Work, and Tourism Management. She is an excellent academic student, highly involved in campus and community activities, and a leader of social work students. After graduating from St. Ann's Academy, Shawna attended Cariboo College for two years before completing a science degree with "Great Distinction" from the University of Saskatchewan. She then volunteered for a year with high-risk youth in Vancouver; the experience caused her to change her career. She returned to her hometown to pursue a degree in social work, where she served on several committees, and was the first student in her program to complete a practicum in an international setting.
For more information, please contact Bronwen Scott by phone at 250-828-5739 or email.
June 6, 2005
KAMLOOPS-Thompson Rivers University conferred its first two Professor Emeritus designations on June 9th at TRU's Kamloops campus.
The title is bestowed upon professors who have completed at least 10 years of full-time employment at retirement from TRU and whose service has been meritorious, and who wish to maintain a professional or service relationship with the university. Professors Emeritus are listed in the university calendar, entitled to library and some other campus privileges, and to march in academic processions at Convocation.
The Professor Emeritus designation creates an opportunity for long-term teaching staff to continue to support the university in various ways. This year, the two professors who will be named Professors Emeritus are two faculty who have contributed much to TRU's campus and community over the years and who wish to continue their supportive relationships with Thompson Rivers University, its faculty, and its students.
This year, the designation of Professor Emeritus will be bestowed upon Assistant Professor David Williams (Biological Sciences) and Assistant Professor James V. Davies (Chemistry). The titles will be conferred at the Convocation Ceremony to be held Thursday, June 9th at 2:00 pm.
Assistant Professor David Williams has received many awards since he came to Cariboo College in 1970 to teach Biology. He won Master Teacher and Innovation in Teaching awards in 1989, a TRU Foundation Volunteer of the Year award in 1998, a Distinguished Service Award in 2004. He was founder of the Horticulture programs, and co-founder of the Wells Gray Centre, the Student Success program, and TRU Friends of the Gardens. He was coordinator of Cariboo's 20-year celebration, and he led the process to collate and publish the campus Arboretum Guide. In recognition of the many initiatives that David has developed over the years, a tree was planted in his honour in 1999, and he was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the TRU Friends of the Gardens in 2003. He was presented with a Grassroots Award from the Beautify Kamloops Committee in 2004. He plans to continue work on the TRU campus in the Horticulture Department, which he founded many years ago.
Assistant Professor James Davies began teaching Chemistry at TRU in 1989, retiring in 2003. Although he taught at all levels of the undergraduate degree program, his particular interest was the encouragement of beginning students. Throughout his years with the Chemistry Department, he was very active with the Wonder of Chemistry Show, presented at the annual Science Day, and, later, annual campus-wide Open House. He also supported and participated in student presentations during National Chemistry Week, and was actively involved with the annual TRU High School Chemistry Contest since its inception. In addition to his teaching and his mentorship of students, Dr. Davies has published 17 scholarly papers, presented papers at three major conferences, and showcased poster projects at four other international conferences. Dr. Davies hopes to continue experimental laboratory work in his role as Professor Emeritus.
For more information, please contact Bronwen Scott by phone at 250-828-5739 or email.
June 8, 2005
KAMLOOPS-The TRU Master Teacher Award was re-created this year, and was conferred at TRU's Convocation Ceremony June 9th, on the campus commons.
The award, last conferred when the university was Cariboo College, recognizes long-term career achievements in teaching, pedagogy and the promotion of teaching and learning. A Master Teacher is expected to be a teacher/scholar who is not only a gifted teacher, but also someone who has contributed significantly to their chosen discipline and the ways it is taught and to have shown leadership in service to the educational activities of the university.
One Master Teacher Award will be conferred each academic year. This year's award-winner will be announced at tomorrow's ceremony.
"The instructor who will receive this prestigious award this year has contributed in so many ways to her students, her colleagues, her discipline and her community, locally and internationally," said TRU's Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Mark Evered.
"She has been a dedicated mentor and role model not only for students but also for faculty at Thompson Rivers University, and has throughout her teaching career been committed to making a difference in the quality of student and faculty experiences," he added.
For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Evered at 250-377-6126 or Bronwen Scott by phone at 250-828-5739 or
email .