campus corner MESSAGE FROM THE WLUAA PRESIDENT
A farewell and new beginning for the WLUAA In early April, the Wilfrid Laurier Alumni Association (WLUAA) hosted a new event for graduating students called The Toast to the Class of 2012. Events were held simultaneously at both The Turret and at Laurier’s Brantford campus, with more than 500 students in attendance. This was a great way to recognize our incoming alumni for their academic achievements, and for them to learn about staying connected and engaged with Laurier after graduation. I am extremely proud to report the Alumni Association received the Laurier Society Philanthropy Award at the annual Laurier Society Gala Reception in June. The association was recognized for its exceptional record of financial generosity in support of Laurier’s advancement. Our cumulative philanthropy has exceeded $1.5 million in support of numerous capital projects and student scholarships, and we look forward to continuing this trend and witnessing the tremendous benefits it bestows on the university. I would also like to thank two long-serving board members who have stepped down after many years of commitment and dedication to the WLUAA and Laurier: • Megan Harris (’00) who served seven years as a WLUAA director, including the past four as vice-president. • John Trus (’90) who served as a WLUAA director for four years, including three years as the communications committee chair. He also spent the past three years as one of our representatives on the Senate.
This will also be my final Campus column as president of the WLUAA. After six years in this position, I will transition to the role of past president and I will continue to support alumni as a representative on the Board of Governors. Marc Henein (’04), former vice-president, will assume the role of president. It has been an honour and pleasure serving as WLUAA president, and working with such a dedicated group of volunteers and Alumni Relations staff. I am extremely proud of what the WLUAA has accomplished over the past number of years. We have witnessed great growth in our student scholarship and recognition programs, event programming for both alumni and students has expanded steadily, and we have made significant financial contributions in support of numerous campus development projects at both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Of particular note, the WLUAA has become recognized as a key stakeholder and partner in the Laurier community — the representative voice of over 80,000 Laurier alumni. WLUAA continues to be known across Canada as a leader among alumni associations, and I am confident this trend will continue under the guidance of our new leadership team. Sincerely,
Tom Berczi ’88, ’93 President, WLUAA tberczi@wlu.ca
WLUAA 2011–12 Executive
Board of Directors
President Tom Berczi ’88, ’93 Vice-President Megan Harris ’00 Vice-President Marc Henein ’04 Treasurer Mark Richardson ’95 Honorary President Dr. Max Blouw Past President Steve Wilkie ’82, ’89
Bruce Armstrong ’72 Scott Bebenek ’85 Thomas Cadman ’87 Marie-Helene Colaiezzi ’07,’08 Sourov De ’05 Paul Dickson ’03 Peter Gobran ’99 Paul Maxwell ’07 Michelle Missere ’06 Kiran Nagra ’02 Priya Persaud ’98 Patricia Polischuk ’90 Karen Rice ’87 Chris Rushforth ’80
Shirley Schmidt ’86, ’09 Kelly Schoonderwoerd ’03 Maeve Strathy ’10 Cynthia Sundberg ’94
Board of Governors Representatives Tom Berczi ’88, ’93 Tim Martin ’92 Steve Wilkie ’82, ’89
Senate Representatives Susan Lockett ’99 David Oates ’70 John Trus ’90
LAURIER CAMPUS Summer 2012
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