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Journey 2009 Spring VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1 • SPRING/SUMMER 2009 Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo VIU’s first chancellor is at the forefront of cultural shifts CANADA’S TOP BADMINTON UMPIRE CHEF TAKES ON THE WORLD’S BEST PHYSICS PROFESSOR WINS SPORTS EMMY Pub. Agreement No. 40063601 Agreement Pub. Rediscover Your School Spirit Keep in touch with your fellow VIU graduates and rediscover the spirit of living and learning on the West Coast. Update your contact information at www.viu.ca/alumni and stay informed about relevant news, reunions, and events. Have you purchased your Alumni Privilege Card? VIU alumni can purchase an Alumni Privilege Card for an annual fee of 10 and receive discounts from: VIU Library VIU Residences VIU Gymnasium VIU Bookstore (Nanaimo Campus) VIU Theatre Milner Gardens Discovery Room Purchase your Alumni Privilege Card from the Development and Alumni Office, 114-59 Wharf Street, Nanaimo, or the VIU Welcome Centre, Nanaimo campus. VIU Alumni Relations Phone: 250 · 740 · 6215 Fax: 250 · 740 · 6491 E-mail: [email protected] www.viu.ca/alumni/ The success of any school is determined by the strength of its graduates. CONTENTS Spring/Summer 2009 • Volume 2, Issue 1 FEATURES SPRING/SUMMER 2009 Publisher Office of Development and Alumni, Vancouver Island University Executive Editor Director, Development and Alumni Teresa Moore Managing Editor 12 Seeing the Day Alumni Relations Manager David Forrester (Phys Ed, Rec & Sport ’02) VIU installs its first chancellor: Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo Editor and Alumni Officer Matt Carter (BA ’06) Student Writer/Editor Bahiyyih Egeli (’09) Contributors Marilyn Assaf (Arts ’09) 16 Raising a Racket Brent Dunlop (Phys Ed ’86) Mariner badminton alumnus Mike Walker John Gardiner (BA ’97) Ann Holroyd makes it to the Olympics Sara Homer (Arts ’09) Graphic Design Rayola Graphic Design Journey is published in the spring and fall by VIU’s Office of Development and Alumni and is 18 88 Keys to Happiness distributed free of charge to alumni and friends. All Award-winning pianist returns to VIU material is copyright © 2009, Vancouver Island University Development and Alumni, and may be reprinted with written permission. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of Vancouver Island University. The Vancouver Island University community acknowledges and thanks the Tla’Amin, Qualicum, 20 Family Fueled Snaw Naw As, Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Halalt, High marks for a family of mature learners Penelakut, Lyackson, Chemainus, and Lake Cowichan First Nations on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live, and share knowledge. We welcome letters to the editor. Please address all correspondence to: DEPARTMENTS Editor, Journey 114 – 59 Wharf Street 02 Explorations w Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada V9R 2X3 04 Steps w [email protected] 16 Alumni In View w Advertising Inquiries David Forrester, Alumni Relations Manager 27 Class Notes w 114 – 59 Wharf Street Nanaimo, British Columbia 28 The Home Stretch w Canada V9R 2X3 250 · 740 · 6214 29 Giving Back w [email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40063601 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Development and Alumni 114 – 59 Wharf Street Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada V9R 2X3 On the cover: Chancellor Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, hereditary chief of the Ahousat First Nation, wears a cape made by his cousin, Lisa Sabbas, of the Hesquiaht First Nation. The blue grass Cert no. SW-COC-002226 lines match VIU’s colours. Photo: Dirk Heydemann (Jazz ’93) Journey Spring/Summer 2009 1 EXPLORATIONS Manager’s Message The spring of 2009 marks my first year as We are also proud to announce the creation VIU’s alumni relations manager, and one of of an official Alumni Association, which will the best things about that year has been lis- unite the alumni community and enhance tening to alumni talk about their alma mater networking opportunities for our graduates. with pride. Their experiences at school have As well as representing our graduates in the translated into success in the “real world.” community and supporting the growth of VIU, Our alumni distinguish themselves in their the Association will provide some exciting careers and communities; their stories are opportunities for alumni including mentoring remarkable and inspirational. Unfortunately, current students, networking with soon-to- many of them are unknown to others in the be graduates, sponsoring an internship or co- alumni community. We are determined to change this, and op, or speaking in a classroom seminar, to name a few. the publication of Journey is a great first step in sharing our As we head towards the 75th anniversary of our institution alumni success stories. in 2011, there is no better time for alumni to get involved. We are reaching out to alumni in other ways, such as events. It’s time to rekindle your school spirit! MBA alumni are hosting their second annual get-together in As always, I welcome your feedback and encourage you to Vancouver in June. Alumni branch events are scheduled for keep in touch. I can be reached at [email protected]. the summer in Whistler and Victoria. In October, President Sincerely, Ralph Nilson and Dr. Graham Pike, dean of International David Forrester Education, will be hosting a reception for all of our alumni in Manager, Alumni Relations Japan at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. Vancouver Island University Letters to the Editor I am a recent graduate of the Fisheries more about the school that I am so of Dr. Carl Opgaard. & Aquaculture program, now living proud to have attended. I remember August 1, 1969—the open- back in my home province of Manitoba. – Jeff Eastman (BSc ’06) ing date of Malaspina College and the LettersI would like to stress that the inaugural first day of full time university classes. It Journey publication not only brings me At the beginning of 2009, VIU offered over was also a day of responsible student a sense of pride by the sheer fact it has 150 programs—a tough struggle to catch demonstration at Nanaimo City Hall in been published, but it looks great and everyone in 32 pages! However, we value informed protest of proposed atomic contains well-written articles. all programs, and strive to cover as many bomb testing in the Alaska panhandle. I was disappointed to see little men- departments as possible. The best way to In the context of the original voca- tion of the Fisheries and Aquaculture ensure that your program is mentioned is tional school, renowned on the Island program in the inaugural issue. The to let us know what you are up to. Drop us long before 1969 for its excellence in program’s quality and uniqueness defi- a line at [email protected]. career training, maybe there is an older nitely warrant it! However, I’m certain anniversary we could all celebrate. But that in future publications this world Congratulations, Malaspina, on your don’t leave it too long! class program will be featured. graduation to full university status as I wish you well in stirring up the VIU’s strength to attract students from VIU! I am proud to have played a part waters to develop an active network of abroad rests with its specialized pro- in the development of the institution contacts with former members of grams. School ambassadors need to do a and was thrilled to hear the news. I was Malaspina in its various guises. more aggressive job of spreading the one of the original faculty members of – David Harrison, retired VIU faculty word about how great these programs Malaspina College in August 1969, the member are. I sure do whenever I’m talking to first president of Malaspina College students that are thinking about pursu- Faculty Association, and with Roy Future issues of Journey will feature news of ing an education in aquaculture. Wright and a dozen students, founded VIU’s 75th anniversary celebrations in 2011. Congratulations again on the first the Navigator newspaper. Those were issue, and I look forward to reading historic days under the fine leadership 2 Journey Spring/Summer 2009 PHOTO: MATT CARTER EXPLORATIONS President’s Viewpoint The 2008-2009 year will go down as a year of important asset operating in the communities celebration at VIU. A new name, university des- of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and ignation, our first chancellor, a bold campus beyond. VIU is adding value to these commu- master plan, and the opportunity to connect nities and is providing leadership in the areas with old friends through several new alumni of Aboriginal engagement, cultural enrich- and friends events are only a few of the high- ment, international education, economic lights that will build the legacy of this past year development, environmental sustainability, as one of the most significant in our history. research excellence, and social development. VIU’s success has been shaped over the This issue of Journey features a few of the ways course of 73 years by people committed to we are demonstrating this leadership. ensuring the success of students through quality learning. In all of our endeavours, VIU will continue to stay focused These people, our faculty and staff, continue to create an on the success of students and the quality of the educational environment where students thrive and love to learn. The experience. It is our alumni that represent the greatest meas- stories of these successes and the milestones mentioned ure of our success. The more than 30,000 graduates of the above are the highlights of this edition of Journey. institution’s degree, diploma, and certificate programs are In our feature story, we are honoured to profile VIU’s first shaping our world in extraordinary ways. Our graduates are chancellor, Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.
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