A Magazine for UNBC Alumni and Friends – Spring 2015

10 Years of the Northern Medical Program Pages 6 & 7

Canada Winter Games Pages 3-5

UNBC’s 25th Anniversary: A Year to Remember Pages 12 & 13

Class Notes – 10 Years of the MBA Pages 18 & 19

Northern Medical Program student Nathan Teegee was inspired by 2015 Northern Medical Program Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Paul Stent.

2015

1990

unbc.ca | 1 The Inside Scoop A message from UNBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Daniel J. Weeks

y first academic year at UNBC and officials demonstrating an interest in two were, according to the letter, “accosted has been one of extraordinary our innovative 2015 Canda Winter Games by a group of young people screaming, Mopportunities and challenges. The $2,500 tuition credit. As soon as the Games ‘Only five dollars! ONLY FIVE DOLLARS! faculty strike was a significant disruption concluded, UNBC, in partnership with the Please, only five dollars!’” They were of for our students and employees. I have City of Prince George, hosted the Governor course referring to the public campaign that committed to working with our faculty General of Canada, His Excellency the created UNBC. and finding ways to continue advancing Right Honourable David Johnston for a the University. There are issues that need 25th Anniversary conversation on the role Sadly, Earl passed away on December 17, attention, but I know we are equipped to communities and universities play in their the day Miriam received our most recent address them by working in collaboration mutual development. issue of Update. with one another. Resolving these issues takes time. I’m the type of person who likes This was a theme I had visited earlier in What was the third item in the envelope to get moving on initiatives quickly, but we the year, when I presented to the Prince from Miriam? A cheque for $25,000 to have to be measured in our approaches to George Chamber of Commerce. This event create a scholarship in Earl’s name. ensure things are done the right way. stands out for me as one of the highlights for me during my first few months at It’s a moving story about the role community As for opportunities that have arisen UNBC. Not only did I speak about how plays in the advancement of UNBC, and over the past few months, one need communities can help transform universities, demonstrates how our initiatives can take look no further than the 2015 Canada and vice versa, it was there that I first time to develop. Despite the time it can take, Winter Games, with which UNBC played told a remarkable story about the history the fruits of those efforts can be so rewarding. a significant role. We hosted thousands and connection UNBC shares with our of spectators, athletes, coaches, and stakeholders, donors, and champions. volunteers at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, home to five sports – the In the middle of January, UNBC received most of any venue during the Games. a letter in the mail from Tillamook, Oregon. Inside were three items. The first two were In addition, we welcomed the nation to a letter and an old news clipping from the our campus as the Closing Ceremony was Prince George Citizen that showed a couple broadcast live on national TV, the first time being recognized as Prince George’s Visitor an event at UNBC has enjoyed this much of the Week. Miriam Wolfe and Earl Johnson exposure since Queen Elizabeth II opened were on their way to Alaska and had the Prince George campus in 1994! We stopped in Prince George for lunch. While also ended up with more than 80 athletes taking a quick break from the epic drive, the

See the media story at ckpg.com/a-big-day-for-unbc

unbc.ca Hosting the Nation 2015 Canada Winter Games visit UNBC

NBC is proud of the role it played in the 2015 Canada Winter Games. As an Official Community Partner, UNBC hosted Useveral events, and members of the UNBC community spent more than 1,000 hours volunteering with the Games.

The Games were a great chance to showcase UNBC to the nation. Thousands of people from across Canada visited UNBC during the Games, from ministers of sport to elite young athletes.

Canadians nationwide got a taste of UNBC when TSN broadcast the Games Closing Ceremony live (pictured below). Held in the Agora, the first outdoor venue ever for a Winter Games closing ceremony, athletes and spectators were captivated with stunning pyrotechnics and live music.

See the following two pages for more on the UNBC connection to the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

To learn more about UNBC’s role in the Games visit: unbc.ca/cwg Temporary squash courts installed in the Charles Jago Hundreds of Northern BC high school and elementary Northern Sport Centre gave students toured the Prince George campus during the spectators an amazing view. Games through a program presented by Canfor.

From left: Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Judith Guichon waves the BC flag as Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George- Valemount; Coralee Oakes, the Minister of Community, Sport and UNBC student Lavanna Cultural Development; and Stu Ballantyne, CEO of the 2015 Canada Laas, wearing white, won Winter Games, cheer athletes at the Closing Ceremony in UNBC’s a silver medal in judo for Agora courtyard. Team BC. UNBC student Madison Pilling competed for Team Northwest Territories in short-track speed skating.

The 2015 Canada Winter Games mascot Nanguz led the athletes parade at the Closing Ceremony. Athletes, including Team Saskatchewan, were all smiles as they gathered in the Agora Courtyard for the Closing Ceremony.

A student-led initiative raised more than $37,000 to make free public transit possible during the Games, with the goal of reducing traffic and air pollution by encouraging more people to take the bus. Ridership increased 40-50 per cent during the two weeks of the Games.

UNBC staff member Bill Koocher shows off the two silver medals he won at the 1971 Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon. Koocher competed in gymnastics representing Ontario and won silver in the high bar and team events. The 2015 Games brought back a flood of memories for the Governor General of longtime UNBC electrician as Canada David Johnston the Charles Jago Northern congratulates athletes on Sport Centre hosted the their accomplishments as an UNBC faculty, students, and staff got in the Games spirit as they gymnastics events during the inflatable Mr. PG stands in volunteered countless hours at many venues. first week of competition. the background.

The stands were packed during the gymnastics competition finals at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre. It’s estimated that more than 15,000 spectators took in the action from the five sports hosted at the facility. A Decade of Teaching Future Doctors The Northern Medical Program at UNBC reaches a milestone

n 2005, the first medical students arrived in the North, an idea residency and fellowship training, depending on specialty. born from a Prince George community rally a few years earlier About 30 per cent of NMP graduates who have settled into Iadvocating for a stronger state of northern health care. Fast- permanent practice are currently working in Northern BC, while forward to 2015 and the Northern Medical Program (NMP) is more than two-thirds in permanent practice are in rural, remote, celebrating a decade of medical education at UNBC. and northern communities.

The program welcomed its first class of students to UNBC’s Prince George campus in January 2005. The distributed medical program, part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, was one of the first of its kind in North America. We are looking forward to

“Marking the first 10 years of studies in the North is a historic our next decade and beyond. milestone for the Northern Medical Program,” says Dr. Paul This is only the beginning. Winwood, Vice Provost Medicine, UNBC and Regional Associate Dean, Northern BC, UBC Faculty of Medicine. “Our goal of educating future physicians in the North is now a fully formed reality that is helping alleviate chronic physician shortages in northern and rural communities.” This past fall, Dr. Alym Abdulla, Class of 2009, became the first NMP graduate to return to the North as a specialist. Dr. Abdulla, a In addition to local medical faculty who teach, the NMP uses urologist, completed his residency at Ontario’s McMaster University teleconferencing to broadcast and receive lectures from medical last spring and then set up practice in Prince George in October. professionals throughout BC. “Training doctors is a long process; a large number of our graduates Since its launch, the program has expanded its annual intake from are still in residency or other postgraduate training,” Dr. Winwood 24 to 32 students, and has graduated seven classes. After leaving says. “We are looking forward to our next decade and beyond. the NMP, graduates move into two-to-seven years of medical This is only the beginning.”

6 | UPDATE | Spring 2015 Inspiring the Next Generation Student praises Fort St. James physician

r. Paul Stent was one Northern Health’s first Aboriginal a fundraiser for the Northern of the few role models Patient Liaison,” Teegee says. Medical Programs Trust. Also at the 2015 Din my life.” “Between my grandmother telling me I could be a doctor, This year, with retired Ewert Event: Northern Medical Program and Dr. Stent providing my Lieutenant-General, and former UNBC Grad student Nathan Teegee is community with heath care and Senator Roméo Dallaire as the Named Rising Star talking about 2015 Northern serving as an exemplar, I was keynote speaker, the event was Medical Hall of Fame inductee able to believe that my dream again sold-out and attracted Christine Kennedy, a former Dr. Paul Stent of Fort St. James. could come true,” Teegee says. 1,000 people. Academic All-Canadian basketball player at UNBC “My grandmother worked as a Inspiring future generations In addition to honouring his and first-year Northern janitor and Carrier translator for of health-care practitioners mentor, Teegee spoke about Medical Program student, First Nations patients at Stuart is one of the reasons behind the importance of supporting is the 2015 Rising Star of Lake General hospital. I call her establishing the Northern the Trust. “Their financial Health Service Award winner. Medical Society Hall of Fame support has already enabled more than a decade ago. me to integrate rural clinical The story of Kennedy’s Inductees are celebrated at the experiences into my education. journey to the medical annual Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial It’s maybe the best way to field is poignant. Her mother, Lecture and Dinner, which is ensure that we create the Paul Barbara, died in 2010 Stents of tomorrow.” after fighting cancer, leaving Christine to raise her two younger sisters while she was an undergraduate student.

This enormous responsibility did not deter Kennedy; it fuelled her to continue to excel in the classroom and in her extra-curricular activities.

Kennedy is intent on practicing as a surgeon in Prince George when she completes her medical studies.

“My passion to learn and continue to give back to my own, and surrounding Northern communities, is a guiding force throughout my medical education,” she says. “This passion will not end with a medical degree. I am sure, in fact, that it will only be the beginning.”

Northern Medical Program student Nathan Teegee (at podium) and Dr. Donald MacRitchie announce the 2015 Northern Medical Hall of Fame inductee. Splicing Made Simple Researchers discover new method to study RNA splicing

enetic splicing in to splice RNA than occurs in splice genes, we can determine a specific type of small nuclear pre-messenger humans. Using the principle which parts are essential to the RNA called U1. They published Gribonucleic acid (RNA) of studying human biology in process and which parts are their research earlier this year in is a process that is fundamental a model system, researchers accessories,” Dr. Rader says. the prestigious journal to human life, but the scientific hope to gain a better Proceedings of the National community still does not have understanding of human “About 60 per cent of diseases Academy of Sciences. a full understanding of how it RNA splicing by closely that are caused by genetic all works. examining how it functions mutations are due to problems Traditionally, researchers have in red alga. of splicing,” Dr. Rader says. “It used human cells in culture or That could soon change is important to understand how yeast cells when studying the thanks to a breakthrough by Once researchers know how it splicing works so we can find process cells use to splice RNA. UNBC researchers. works in people, they can begin ways to treat these diseases.” to develop new treatments for In humans, defective splicing UNBC Professor of Chemistry some genetic diseases. Dr. Rader and his research leads to diseases ranging from Dr. Stephen Rader and his team discovered a red alga that cancer to cystic fibrosis to team discovered that one red “By finding a very simple version is the first known organism to spinal muscular atrophy. alga uses a simpler mechanism of the cellular machinery used to splice genes without the help of

It is important to understand how splicing works so we can find ways to treat these diseases.

From left, graduate student Elizabeth Dunn, Chemistry Professor Stephen Rader, and Research Associate Martha Stark are part of the team that helped discover a new way to study gene splicing.

8 | UPDATE | Spring 2015 Eating Ethically UNBC designated a Fair Trade Campus

hen students, faculty, to the concept,” says UNBC opportunities on campus, such staff, or visitors to student Matthew Ewen, one of as salt, pepper, and clothing. WUNBC’s Prince George the student leaders behind the UNBC Group campus stop for a hot drink campaign that led to UNBC to “This is an exciting moment for Fights Food Waste or a sweet treat, there is a officially becoming a designated UNBC, but also the fairtrade good chance they will now be campus. “This quickly evolved movement as a whole, as An initiative by UNBC sampling a fairtrade product. into expanding fairtrade at increased numbers of students has reduced UNBC through their coffee, Canadians, Canadian institutions, waste and provided healthy In January, UNBC became tea, chocolate and then and businesses shift their food to the less fortunate in the ninth Canadian university attending an international purchasing to more fair and Prince George. to be designated a Fair Trade conference in Montreal.” ethical sourcing,” says Canadian Campus. This means UNBC Fair Trade Network Executive The UNBC Food Recovery food services outlets now Food services partners, Director Sean McHugh. Project has collected more offer certified coffee, tea, and including Chartwells, Degrees than 1,000 pounds of chocolate options. Coffee, the Thirsty Moose Fittingly, UNBC President surplus food from UNBC’s Pub, and UNBC Ancillary Dr. Daniel Weeks made the Dining Hall, preserved “Seeing the impact fairtrade Services, all independently announcement of the fairtrade it, and donated it to the has on the producers and incorporated certified products status to a packed Canfor Society of St. Vincent de farmers in developing countries into their menu options. Ewen Winter Garden during the Paul in Prince George. through companies like Ethical said the student group will annual UNBC Green Day Bean was my first introduction continue pursuing other product celebrations on Jan. 27. Bernie Goold, President of the Local Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, says food from the UNBC Dining Hall provides a hearty complement to their meals.

The centre served lunch to168 people on one day just with food sourced from the recovery program.

Students Torrye Mackenzie and Matthew Ewen joined the campaign to make UNBC a Fair Trade Campus.

unbc.ca | 9 Enhancing Patient Transfers In BC UNBC collaborative research will help improve local health care

hat used to take hours will soon only take minutes for “We incorporated key facility performance indicators to create hospitals across BC. Some of the decisions related to a system that provides quick, interactive navigation for Wtransferring patients to the most appropriate health-care health-care staff.” facility have become more streamlined thanks, in part, to a research project led by UNBC professor Dr. Waqar Haque. “This has been a great partnership with UNBC that will profoundly impact care for out-of-town patients,” explains Beth Ann Derksen, In collaboration with Northern Health, Dr. Haque and UNBC Northern Health’s Executive Lead of Critical Care. “Transfers Computer Science and Business students have created software between facilities have usually meant a lot of time spent on phone that turns health services data previously collected on spreadsheets calls and looking up information. What can sometimes take up to into a user-friendly system that eases inter-facility transfers. With four hours to do, involving various staff, will now be reduced to the ability to quickly understand clinical services available across about 10 minutes.” multiple facilities, staff can identify potential facilities that best meet a patient’s needs in just a few mouse clicks. “As a student, you don’t usually get the experience of working on something that has never been done before,” says Devin Calado, a “In class, we discuss experiential learning all the time. For this fourth-year computer science student. “This has definitely helped project, our students had an opportunity to directly apply business me better understand the business end of computer applications intelligence techniques to the issue of patient transfer,” says and how to approach system development for specific client needs.” Dr. Haque, a professor of Computer Science and Business. “This has been a very exciting project for our students,” adds

This has been a great partnership with UNBC that will profoundly impact care for out-of- town patients.

Dr. Haque. “We appreciate the collaboration we have had with both Northern Health and fellow UNBC staff, especially the support from the UNBC Office of Research.”

The software has been implemented at Northern Health and is being developed for use by other BC health authorities.

10 | UPDATE | Spring 2015 Reaching New Heights Men’s basketball team makes first playoff appearance in Canada West

he UNBC men’s basketball as he drew double teams team made history this and attention that helped his Tseason, qualifying for the teammates excel,” said men’s playoffs for the first time since basketball coach Todd Jordan. joining Canadian Interuniversity “He found the right mix of Sport’s Canada West conference. dominating the paint inside and being a facilitator for The Timberwolves finished the our offence when defences 2014-15 campaign in second collapsed on him.” place in the Explorer Division with a 12-8 record. Victories McMurtry was named a 3rd in eight of the final 10 regular Star of the Week and received season games vaulted the men the Canada West Student- into the post-season and a first- Athlete Community Service round matchup against the UBC Award after collecting the most Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds defensive rebounds in Canada took the best-of-three quarter- West, with 140, and averaging final series 2-0, winning a pair of 10.2 points per game. He was close games. a nominee for the national Ken Shields Award. Beyond the stellar team effort, two Timberwolves, fifth-year In addition, McMurtry had forwards Franco Kouagnia his trademark long hair and Devin McMurtry, were cut for charity, raising $700 recognized by Canada for the BC/Yukon Breast West and their team for their Cancer Foundation. accomplishments. Kouagnia, McMurtry, and Kouagnia was named a Canada fifth-year guard Jeff Chu will West 2nd Star of the Week graduate from UNBC this year. and a Canada West 2nd Team All Star. He had 16.4 points The Timberwolves applied to per game, and was fourth in join Canada West in 2008 and offensive rebounds with 65. became a probationary member Kouagnia was also named in 2010. On May 6, 2014, the UNBC’s Male Athlete of the Year. Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) “Franco’s presence made made UNBC a full member of everyone on our team better Canada West.

Timberwolves forward Devin McMurtry received the Canada West Student- Athlete Community Service Award.

unbc.ca | 11 A Year to Remember 25th Anniversary marked by special events

s an anniversary for looking is today. From the first UNBC the installation will consist of back? Looking forward? For student in 1992 to the opening two paintings linked by pieces Itwo UNBC students, their of the bioenergy plant, photos of fused glass. The glass will understanding of the future and stories from the past bring form a pathway between the is being shaped by their major milestones back to life. paintings, creating a metaphor connection with the past. for the journey of discovery as The past is important; so is well as recognizing the journey 1 Raychill Snider and Brittany the future. In February, UNBC undertaken to become a McHardy are the two students students held an open house university for the North. Faculty, who have been contacting that demonstrated the fun staff, students, and even founders to thank them for of science to children. The children at the UNBC Daycare creating the university they are UNBC Discovery Centre was a have contributed to the project. now attending. “I’m getting a free activity with displays and much deeper insight into the science experiments designed “We have so much to celebrate whole university,” says Raychill. for youth. They could be the this year,” says Dr. Tracy “I get to know a lot more scientists of the future, and Summerville, Chair of UNBC’s about the university than most choose UNBC as their place 25th Anniversary Steering students will ever know, on a of study. Committee. “It’s a chance personal level.” for UNBC to showcase its A public art installation strengths and build toward a Staff and students have also commemorating the anniversary future that Northerners can been working on an online will be unveiled later in 2015, proudly call their own.” history timeline, where anyone tying together UNBC’s past and can browse the major events future with its present. Led by that have made UNBC what it UNBC faculty and local artists,

Clockwise from top left: 1. Daycare kids paint on pieces of glass that will be included in a 25th Anniversary art project. 2. The Athletics Legacy Breakfast featured Canadian hockey star, Hayley Wickenheiser. 3. The UNBC and Prince George Cougars mascots 1990 hang out during UNBC Night at the CN Centre. 4. Students pose for a photo after the Student Leadership Gala. 5. A UNBC Christmas ornament at the Festival of Trees, one of the many places that featured the UNBC25 logo. 6. Students joke around with motivational speaker Blake Fly. 7. The two students reaching out to UNBC founders: Brittany McHardy (left) and Raychill Snider.

7 6 You’re 2 Invited 25th Anniversary Community Celebration: 2015 The Founding & the Future Saturday June 20th, 2015 Prince George Campus | 2:30pm – 5:00pm

The Next 25 Years President Dr. Daniel Weeks shares a vision for UNBC’s future.

UNBC’s Roots & Values Learn how the establishment of UNBC instilled a culture that is still alive today and shapes the University’s priorities for the future.

The 16,000 The names of 16,000 northerners who joined the public campaign for a northern university in the late 1980s will be unveiled on the Prince George campus.

Reception & Reunion Join us for refreshments, reminisce with friends and colleagues, and view photos and video highlights from throughout UNBC’s history. Various 25th Anniversary initiatives will also be highlighted.

4 3 Related Events UNBC’s Donor Appreciation Evening will be held immediately following the 25th Anniversary Community Celebration.

Employee Recognition More than 200 people were the founding employees who turned the dreams of northerners into reality. Their names will be unveiled in the Geoffrey R. Weller Library on June 22. 5 UNBC In The News UNBC people and stories making headlines

Professor Named to Royal Society’s College

UNBC Associate Professor of History Dr. Dana Wessell Lightfoot is a founding member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. The newly created College recognizes academics who have demonstrated a high level of achievement in the early stages of their career.

Dr. Wessell Lightfoot is one of 91 researchers selected as inaugural members of the multi-disciplinary association. “The College is tasked with addressing issues of concern to new scholars,” Wessell Lightfoot says. “I’m looking forward to fostering a discussion around gender equality in academia.” Dr. Wessell Lightfoot’s research interests include gender in medieval European history, with a focus on Spain.

Researcher Co-edits Influential eBook Arctic Report Confronts Critical Founding Faculty Issues Member Passes Away The latest Arctic Human Student Competes Development Report, co-edited at World University Northern communities The UNBC community is by Geography Professor Dr. Gail Games experiencing economic and mourning the loss of founding Fondahl, provides information social transformation will faculty member Dr. Jim for both academics and policy First-year Outdoor Recreation benefit from a new eBook co- McDonald. A Professor of makers on emerging issues in and Conservation student Sam edited by UNBC Geography Anthropology, McDonald held Arctic communities, from the West represented UNBC on the Professor and Community positions including department trend towards urbanization, to world stage as a member of Development Institute Co- chair of both Anthropology the impact of climate change. the Canadian biathlon team at Director Dr. Greg Halseth. and First Nations Studies and UNBC Political Science the 2015 Winter Universiade in Sustainable Development in Director of the First Nations Associate Professor Dr. Gary Slovakia in January. West trains the Circumpolar North touches Centre. His research interests Wilson is a lead author in the at the Charles Jago Northern on the themes of governance, allowed him to work closely with report and Political Science Sport Centre, as well as the community, and economic and the Tsimshian of Kitsumkalum Associate Professor Dr. Natalia Otway Nordic Ski Centre, and social development. It confronts - the People of the Robin. Loukacheva is a contributing is a member of the UNBC critical issues and ways to Donations to a memorial fund in author. Outdoors Club. facilitate positive change. You McDonald’s name can be made can download the eBook for at unbc.ca/giving. Include free at: http://ow.ly/IvWlW ‘Dr. James (Jim) McDonald Memorial Fund’ in giving designation comments.

14 | UPDATE | Spring 2015 Researchers Benefit from National Funding Jago, William to Receive Honorary Degrees UNBC names new UNBC researchers are better equipped to continue world- UNBC’s Class of 2015 will hear from Xeni Gwet’in Chief Roger Vice President leading studies thanks to William and former UNBC President Dr. Charles Jago as they Academic and funding from the Canada receive honorary degrees during the Prince George campus Provost Foundation for Innovation and convocation celebrations on May 29. B.C. Knowledge Development Dr. William (Bill) Krane is Fund. Associate Professor of Chief William was at the centre of the historic Aboriginal land title UNBC’s new Vice President Health Sciences Dr. Luke Harris case decided by the Supreme Court in 2014 and has been a Academic and Provost. (pictured with graduate student longtime advocate for the preservation of the traditional Tsilhqot’in He earned an undergraduate Brian Duffels) will use his way of life. William filed what became known as the Chief Roger degree in psychology and funding to study the interactions William Aboriginal Rights and Title Case with the Supreme Court mathematics from the University between the brain and muscles. of British Columbia in 1990, the same year as the establishment of Windsor, with a master’s Other recent funding will be of UNBC. On June 26, 2014, a unanimous Supreme Court of degree and PhD in psychology used for equipment such as Canada decision recognized for the first time that an Aboriginal from York University. The VP LIDAR and aquariums for fish group in Canada had proven title over a tract of land. Academic and Provost leads and aquatic insects. the comprehensive strategic Dr. Jago served as UNBC President from 1995 to 2006 and planning, development, and again from 2008 to 2009, overseeing a period of tremendous implementation of academic growth at the University. He is a passionate advocate for northern matters at UNBC. issues and was instrumental in the establishment of the Northern Medical Program. He played a large role in the development of the Northern Sport Centre, a facility that was named in his honour when it opened in 2007.

William will receive his degree during the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences ceremony during the morning convocation celebration. Jago will be presented with his degree during the College of Science and Management ceremony in the afternoon.

unbc.ca | 15 Class Notes Be part of class notes: visit unbc.ca/alumni and tell us your story

1997 2003 2005

Patricia Trick, BComm General Christopher McNelly, BComm Tyler Bowman, BComm Marketing, is a Products and Services Sales Business, is the Associate General Business, is the CEO of Manager for Finning Canada in Grande Prairie. Superintendent of Human the Human Resources Institute of Resources for School District Alberta in Calgary. Johanna Laitinen, BSc Psychology, is a School Psychologist for School No. 68 (Nanaimo Ladysmith). District No. 57 in Prince George.

Kathy Lachman, BSc 2004 Environmental Planning, is 2006 the Acting Economic Development Manager for the Cowichan Valley Karrilyn Vince, BSc, Regional District. Environmental Planning, is Thomas Duerr, BA Economics, is the Managing Director at FMA the Director of Authorizations with Mechantronic Solutions in Schaanwald, Liechtenstein. the Ministry of Forests, Lands and 2000 Natural Resource Operations in Fort St. John. 2007 Christine Werk, BSc Psychology, is a Research Pamela Tobin, MA Jeffrey Lovell, BComm Jennifer Adomeit, BA Scientist at the Alberta Centre Interdisciplinary Studies Accounting, is the Manager Geography, is a Teacher for Child, Family and Community & BA Anthropology of Financial Systems for the City in School District No. 54 Research in Edmonton. She (2005), was recently elected of Port Coquitlam. in Smithers. Jen recently received her PhD in Neuroscience an alumni senator with created a follow up to her from Concordia in 2006. the UNBC Senate. She Chad Befus, BSc Computer UNBC First Nations art has moved to Toronto to Science, is an Installer / Service class project called Our work with the Canadian Technician at Pacific Fireplaces Home and Native Land. 2001 Partnership Against Cancer. in Victoria. Her new print is entitled, Pam is the Director of First The Spirit of BC. Nations, Inuit and Métis Georgina Martin, BA Shannon Whissell, BA English Strategy Implementation, Political Science (1998) (1998) and MA Interdisciplinary where she oversees the and MA Interdisciplinary Studies, recently returned from national strategy on Studies, teaches Interpersonal serving as a CUSO International cancer control. Communication to Aboriginal Volunteer in Jamaica for six months. students in the Aboriginal Youth She worked with the United Way Certificate program at the Native of Jamaica and their associated Education College in Vancouver. organizations to improve their capacity for communications. Kyle Matthee, BComm General Business, is the Jenny Morgan, Certificate Director of Shopping Centres in General First Nations for A&W Food Services of Canada. Studies, is the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Mother Society Matthew Bock, BA in Vancouver. Jenny recently International Studies, is a graduated with her Master of Social Policy Analyst at Natural Work from the University of Victoria. Resources Canada in Ottawa.

2002 2008

Glen Eddie, BSW Social Work, William (Bo) Stembridge, Lara Pow, BSc Mathematics David Jenkins, BA History, is a Resource Social Worker BComm Marketing, is a (1999) and MSc Physics, is completed his law degree at the at Vancouver Aboriginal Child Project Manager for Zynik Capital the Chief Operating Officer at the University of Alberta and now and Family Services. He lives in Corporation in Vancouver. Service Quality Management Group. practices with Heather Sadler Coquitlam. Jenkins LLP in Prince George.

16 | UPDATE | Spring 2015 2009 2010 2011

Carolyn Crough, BSc Melinda Boxeur, BSW Chelan Zirul, BA Geography (2006) and MA Natural Resources Psychology, is the Executive Social Work, is an and Environmental Studies – Geography, is the Regional Manager, Assistant to the CEO of IDL Aboriginal Rural & Remote Health Promotion and Community Engagement at Northern Health in Projects Inc. Mental Health & Substance Prince George. Use Clinician with Interior Andrea Ducharme, BA Health. She is based in Alex Deevy, BPl Northern & Rural Community Planning, is an Geography, is a GIS Analyst at Williams Lake, but spends Instrumentation Mechanic Apprentice at Canfor Pulp in Prince George. Golder Associates in Nanaimo. much time in the Tsilqhot’in communites to the west. Morgan Melnyk, Bcomm International Business & Marketing, recently became the Senior Insolvency Marketing Coordinator with Meyer Miriam Matejova, BA “My mother was one of Norris Penny LLP in Calgary. (Honours) International the original people who Studies, is pursuing her advocated for this University Brenda Christensen, BSc Psychology, works at UNBC as the Access PhD in Political Science at and it is an important part Coordinator. She ensures that students with disabilities have equal access UBC. Miriam has received of why I chose to attend and participation within the post-secondary environment by providing numerous academic UNBC. She was able to see academic and physical accommodations. accolades, most recently the me graduate and has seen Donald N. Byers Memorial my niece graduate from Prize as the highest-ranking UNBC as well. She is so very 2012 2013 Killam Doctoral Scholar thankful the University of 2014. was created.” Emily Wale, BHSc Cierra Hoecherl, BSc Biology The recognition Miriam (Honours) Community is an Environmental Scientist for received with her Professional and Population Health Matrix Solutions Inc. From Fort St. Excellence Award from the - Aboriginal and Rural John. She is part an assessment, Alumni Association of UNBC Health, is a Health Systems remediation, and reclamation team, in 2012 motivated her to Analyst in the Deputy mainly working on groundwater and give back. Reflecting on her Minister’s Office of Health soil investigations. own experience at UNBC & Social Services with as a financially struggling the Yukon Government. Michael Jurkovic, BComm immigrant student, she Emily has co-authored General Business, is a Business created the Miriam Matejova Drew Adamick, BA Political a paper with Dr. Josée Analyst for Community Futures of Award. Her scholarship is Science and Certificate in Lavoie. Defined by 0.11%: Fraser-Fort George. currently valued at about Public Administration, is a Policies delimiting access to $1,700 per academic year, Banking Advisor at the Royal Bank prescription drugs for First and is designed to help a full- of Canada in Calgary. Nations peoples in British 2014 time UNBC undergraduate Columbia will be published student who is a permanent Martha Parra, BSc Chemistry, in the International Journal of resident of Canada. is an Employee Health and Safety Indigenous Health. Christopher Rose, MNRES Specialist at the hydrogen peroxide Natural Resources and plant in Prince George. She Environmental Studies, is a ensures PeroxyChem Canada’s Policy Advisor for the Mackenzie environmental compliance. Valley Environmental Review Board in Yellowknife. Barbara Durau, BSc NREM Wildlife & Fisheries Guangcheng Ma, BA Political Management, is on international Science, is a Constituency assignment in Germany as the Assistant for John Yap, MLA for Manager of Dealer Service for Richmond-Steveston. Stacey LeBlanc, BSW Social Arc’teryx Equipment Inc. She seeks Work, is a Child and Adolescent to improve dealer services within Barbara Patrick, Education Mental Health Professional for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Carolynn Lane, BA Diploma in First Nations the Western Australia Country Environmental Studies, is a Language & Culture, is a Carrier Health Service. She’s exploring the Kristina Lockhart, BScN Sustainability Assistant at the Language teacher in Burns Lake for southern hemisphere and based in Nursing, is a Registered Nurse for Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako the Lake Babine Nation. She Kalgoorlie, Australia. Northern Health in Prince George. in Burns Lake. teaches and develops curriculum for Grades K to 5.

unbc.ca | 17 Class Notes Be part of class notes: visit unbc.ca/alumni and tell us your story

2006

MBA 10th Cohort Broek Bosma, MBA, is the In a year full of celebrations, the UNBC Master of Business Associate Vice President of Administration (MBA) program is also celebrating. Advancement, Communications and Alumni Affairs at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in In May of 2015, this program will celebrate the graduation Vancouver. He says the MBA at of its 10th cohort from the Prince George Campus as UNBC enhanced and honed the well as the graduation of its first cohort from the Langara leadership skills that he had as a College Campus location, where it has partnered to provide conductor and allowed him much our MBA to students in the Lower Mainland. These pages more flexibility. The MBA let him move share the accomplishments of some of our MBA graduates. easily between the worlds of art, business, charity, and the public sector. For more information about obtaining an MBA from UNBC, Bruce Bennett, MBA teaches in the business and dental programs at the please visit unbc.ca/mba College of New Caledonia. He also facilitates Instructional Skills Workshops for both CNC and UNBC faculty. The MBA program added to his ability to work across disciplines, and help students understand the reasons for the range and depth of business education.

2008 Brenda Schlesinger, BA History (2003) and MBA Clara Ng, MBA, is the Tyrone (Tony) McWhannel, Sonya Hunt, MBA, is (2012) is the Continuing Finance Director in the UBC P.Eng, MBA is the General the General Manager of the Studies Online Coordinator at Faculty of Education. Since Manager at Slave Lake Pine Centre Mall in Prince UNBC. Her father Gary was earning her MBA, she also Pulp. Since leaving the MBA George. The MBA was a one of the 16,000 petition completed her Certified program, Tony has received “game changer” for her. signers that spawned the Management Accountant three promotions from West She embarked on the MBA creation of UNBC back in Designation. Fraser, which he credits to his program with the goal of the 1980s. The impact the new skills and understanding. landing the GM position at university has made in the Pine Centre Mall. After years community and to his family of experience in shopping is beyond his expectations. centre management, the MBA program transformed her into a more confident, knowledgeable and well- rounded manager. She has also realized a life-long aspiration: she has taught at UNBC and continues to teach business-related courses at the College of New Caledonia. Sonya is also a board member for Initiatives Prince George.

Steven Conroy, MBA is the Merchant for Building Materials at Home Depot Canada, based in Toronto.

18 | UPDATE | Spring 2015 2009 2010 2013

Dave Faber, MBA, is the Cheryl Wallace, MBA, is Dori Alger, MBA, works for the Craig Sears, MBA, is Manager at Parsons the Director of Association City of Prince George in Public the General Manager of Creek Aggregates, a Joint Services at the YMCA of Works. She sits on numerous Operations for Pacific Venture between Lehigh Northern BC in Prince boards (including as Treasurer of Northern Gas in Terrace. Hanson Materials Limited George. Her portfolio the Alumni Association of UNBC). He believes the recipe and Graymont Western includes human resources, Dori has become the local for success includes the Canada Inc. marketing, community events, administrator for Homes of Hope, opportunity to attend a volunteer recruitment, fund a charity that supports three small quality university like UNBC. development, and several orphanages in Thailand through the community programs such generous support of the citizens of as Learn to Skate, Youth Prince George. Around Prince George and recreation at Simon Fraser Lodge. Cheryl is also the co- Tera-Lee Dodsworth, president of the MBA Alumni MBA, is the Director Chapter, which supports of Global Raw Material continued networking by MBA Sourcing for Kemira, a global graduates after they have chemicals company serving completed the program. customers in water-intensive industries. In 2013, her family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, as she is based out of Kemira’s Americas 2014 Andrew Oliver, MBA, is the Area Headquarters. She is married Manager at GE Water & Process to fellow alumnus, Peter Technologies in Edmonton. Andrew Dodsworth (BComm Marija Soklic, MBA & states that unlike chemistry or Finance and International Certificate in Public math, there is no single solution in Business 2008). Administration 2009, business. The MBA taught him to is in her sixth year as the make good assumptions, go with Manager of Sustainable his gut, and work hard to drive Development with the results from a sound strategy. Regional District of Fraser- Fort George. The MBA experience encouraged her to think more strategically and better understand the forces that shape economic Kelli Moorhead, MBA, is development in the region. the General Sales Manager for the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Prince George Division (CKPG TV, 101.3 The River, and 99.3 The Drive). She’s also a Director on the Board for Spruce Credit Union.

The UNBC cohort based out of Langara College in Vancouver will have 31 MBA graduates this year.

unbc.ca | 19 As Goes the University, So Goes the City

(and Vice Versa) By Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall

hen I first moved to UNBC grads are doctors, valuable perspective to share, advocacy and the University has Prince George in the nurses, school teachers, as a former president of the since produced nearly 12,000 Wmid-1980s, a student planners, entrepreneurs - and University of Waterloo. alumni. But it will take effort in this city had to travel more even a few politicians! At the and leadership from all of us, than 700 kilometres to attend same time, we know that the If not a perfect comparison, the which is why Council recently university. Some did. Most demographics of the North Waterloo experience at least created the Select Committee didn’t. At the time, Northern are changing. When I was a provides food for thought about on Education and the Select BC had one of the lowest school trustee in Prince George, how a university and a city (if Committee on Student Needs. post-secondary participation we encountered declining not a whole region) can work rates in Canada. student numbers in the K-12 together for mutual benefit and As UNBC celebrates its first 25 system. This affects all of our achieve things together that years and Prince George marks Since then, we’ve made educational institutions in the they would never have been its first 100, now is the time incredible progress and I look region and UNBC is no different. able to achieve on their own. to demonstrate the capacity to my own family for proof. that exists in the North, and to My two daughters both So what does the future hold? For me, that discussion can leverage our partnerships to attend UNBC and play for the be summed up by one phrase realize that capacity. Timberwolves soccer team. President Weeks and I that the Governor General They are able to live at home explored that very question provided: “the university Quite simply, UNBC is one of and save money, while my wife with the Governor General of belongs to the community and Prince George’s most important and I can attend their soccer Canada during an interesting the community belongs to the stakeholders and vice versa. matches. This is important to discussion the day after the university.” This shouldn’t be us, but I know the benefits are Closing Ceremony for the difficult for us to achieve. After Our destinies are intertwined greater and extend to our 2015 Canada Winter Games. all, 16,000 northerners helped for the better. whole region. The Governor General has a create UNBC through their

About the Author

Lyn Hall was elected Mayor of Prince George in November 2014 after serving one term on city council. He spent 10 years as a School District #57 Board of Education

UPDATE is produced by UNBC’s Office of External Relations in the Spring and Fall trustee, including time as chair. Hall’s twin daughters both attend UNBC and play on and printed on 100% recycled paper. unbc.ca/update the Timberwolves soccer team. 20 | UPDATE | Spring 2015