The Torch • Spring 2018 • the University of Victoria Alumni
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Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:02 PM Page 1 spring 2018 ToRUvic ch Game Changers innovative Uvic profs and alUmni who are leading their fields Plus: Author Eden Robinson | Martlet at 70 | Indigenous Entrepreneurs Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:02 PM Page 2 on campUs Monday Movement PhotogRAPhy by gREg MIllER Movement, music and collaboration were the focus of an advanced ballet class held Monday nights at the studio in the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). e recreation class, led by UVic PhD student Marla MacKinnon, rehearsed for a showcase, with piqué turns and pirouettes to original choreography she created to the song “River” by Leon Bridges. Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:03 PM Page 1 Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:03 PM Page 2 Table of Contents Uvic torch alumni magazine • spring 2018 Features 18 champions of innovation 12 trickster Business We profile seven outstanding members of the UVic Multiple award-winning Haisla novelist Eden community who are leading in their fields, pushing Robinson mixes Indigenous mythology with boundaries and making a difference — including contemporary issues in a hot new trilogy. baseball boss JC Fraser, professors Elizabeth Borycki, by John thRElfAll, bA ’96 Sandrina de Finney, Fraser Hof, Chris Kennedy, Helga orson, and alum Patrick McFadden. 17 Building entrepreneurs Developed in partnership with the Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP) and the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, the what’s new with You? Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs Program provides culturally appropriate business education in Be in the next class notes. send news and Indigenous communities across BC. photos to: [email protected] 2 UVIc toRch SPRIng 2018 EdEn RobInSon © REd WoRkS PhotogRAPhy 2016 Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:03 PM Page 3 14 Departments 24 4 editor’s note 5 president’s perspective by PRESIdEnt JAMIE cASSElS, Qc 7 ringside news Soundskrit • Helping new immigrants • Chasing coral 11 here to help Beth Doman shares how to take better smartphone videos 16 print matters 14 mY daY UVic Vikes women’s basketball coach Dani Sinclair tells us 9 how she does it 8 26 the change-Up How Daniel Edler went from desk jockey to ice cream man 27 giving Back 28 alUmni life/class notes 36 vox alUmni How Roller Derby Changed My Life by QUInn MAcdonAld, bA ’14 coVER Photo of Jc fRASER by gEoff hoWE UVIc toRch SPRIng 2018 3 Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:03 PM Page 4 editor’s note Mother and Son Alumni Inspire edyta sahlen, and her son, arne, share a passion for the arts and for public service BY JennY manzer any family traits and gifts are passed down, for the first time and faced her terror of snakes by mfrom physical attributes to tea sets and pock- wrapping a boa constrictor around her neck. et watches. In the case of the Sahlen family, moth- “Well, that’s something I have never done before!” er Edyta and son Arne share a commitment to the she quipped. artistic life and improving the lives of others. ey e second of three sons, Arne earned a degree are also both proud University of Victoria alumni. in Piano Performance from UVic in 1978. e Edyta, who turned 100 this year, started study- piano teacher also helps Cambodian refugees, ing at UVic in 1978 following the death of her hus- learning the Khmer language and hosting dozens band, Göte, known as Ray. She dug her way out of of refugees in his Kimberley, BC home. He regular- her grief to earn a Bachelor’s degree in History in ly plays benefit concerts, and his Cambodia Sup- Art in 1984. She was 66 years old. Edyta, born to port Group has raised more than $3 million over edYta sahlen enjoyed parents who immigrated from Poland, was not the years. In 2000, Arne received the Governor her birthday celebrations one to shy away from bold moves. General’s Caring Canadian Award for his years of that took place in Victoria “Mom and her sister did extraordinary things humanitarian and artistic service. Giving back is over four days at the end together for their time,” says Arne. “In 1948, they simply part of his family’s legacy, says Arne: “It’s of March and early April. decided to cycle across Canada, got to Calgary, what we do.” found there were no hostels on the prairies, so sold eir family tradition sparks reflection: How their bikes and worked as secretaries in New York.” can we also help lift up others with our time, our Edyta (pronounced e-DETta) is a painter and a energy and our resources? Happy 100th to Edyta musician with a love for opera and symphony as Josefina Sahlen! well as the great musicals. She was always a friend • • • to all: a lifelong volunteer in arts, community and public service, says Arne. She devoted her time to Spring is a time of renewal, and you may notice promoting the arts while living in Prince Rupert, some fresh departments planted in your issue of then Prince George in the 1960s and early ’70s. the Torch, including My Day, which highlights the She also loved nature. In 1969, Arne watched her schedule of a fascinating person from the UVic stand against a tree to block a bulldozer. Later, community; e Change-Up, a profile of someone while living in Victoria, Edyta began helping Cam- connected to UVic who has made a bold life bodian refugees by sponsoring a family as well as change; and Here to Help, a page offering tips on spending time in her home community with how to do anything better from an on-campus Edyta Sahlen poses at her seniors who were isolated. expert. We’ve also started up a page dedicated to 1984 UVic graduation Edyta travelled to Cambodia at age 84 and books written by our alumni. Please let us know with sons hans, arne, befriended many she met. She rode motorbikes your thoughts: [email protected]. T and allan. address Updates editor president, Uvic alUmni and corrections Jenny Manzer, BA ’97 association [email protected] Peter Jong, Cert ’02, BSc ’03, Dipl ’03 art direction TORCH Rayola Creative letters Publication Mail Agreement No. volume 39, number 1 • Spring 2018 e Torch welcomes mail from readers Clint Hutzulak, BA ’89 40010219 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses e UVic Torch Alumni Magazine is published in the spring and au- who wish to comment on anything they’ve read in the magazine. chancellor to: tumn by the University of Victoria, Division of External Relations and Correspondence may be edited for Shelagh Rogers Advancement Services the UVic Alumni Association. We acknowledge and respect the Lk- clarity and length prior to publication. University of Victoria wungen-speaking peoples on whose traditional territory the univer- president and vice-chancellor PO Box 1700 STN CSC sity stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEC peoples UVic Torch Alumni Magazine Jamie Cassels, QC Victoria BC V8W 2Y2 whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 vice-president external Printed in Canada ISSN 1191-7032 phone: 250-721-6000 relations toll-free: 1-800-808-6828 Carmen Charette e-mail: [email protected] uvic.ca/torch 4 UVIc toRch SPRIng 2018 Torch 2018 Spring.qxp_Torch 2018-06-08 9:03 PM Page 5 president’s perspective A Future Framework the University of victoria’s strategic framework was drafted with widespread engagement, including ideas and input from alumni by JAMIE cASSElS, Qc • PRESIdEnt And VIcE-chAncElloR t’s an exciting time of year on campus as anoth- ing in all forms–time, mentorship, opportunity er graduating class prepares to embark on and financial support. e pride and affection that itheir path of new beginnings. Over the coming alumni feel toward UVic reflects the strong sense year, the University of Victoria will also start down of community we have built on campus. a new path, thanks to a bold Strategic Framework I know that many students were transformed that was approved by the Board of Governors on through their experiences at UVic and grew to May 29, 2018. embody the attributes we aspire to instill in our First, I wanted to tell you how encouraged I was graduates. ey are leaders, innovators and influ- by the widespread engagement, creative ideas and encers in areas such as sport, creative arts, tech- support we received over the consultation period, nology, entrepreneurship and science. ey make from September 2017 to March of this year. We are a vital impact with the work they do. Cultivating “We have all connected to UVic in different ways and see the life-long connections with these alumni helps us university through varied lenses; hearing those to implement our priorities in learning, research created an diverse perspectives was invaluable. and teaching as well as to reach beyond campus to We have created an ambitious framework of the world around us. ambitious priorities and strategies that will provide an inspi- ank you to all the alumni who engaged with rational shared narrative for the next five years. us through the strategic planning process. Your framework of During the consultation, we reaffirmed our deep ideas and comments provided real-world context commitment to contribute to a positive future for to the directions of this Strategic Framework that priorities and people, places and the planet. It is with that in will serve students, faculty, staff and our university mind that our new Strategic Framework articu- community.