Issue 31 • 2014
FANSHAWE COLLEGE
Change of Command:
A New President for Fanshawe
IN SID E : Ron Koudys Establishes International Travel Bursary (Page 8) Howard Rundle: A Legacy Celebrated (Page 14) Four of Fanshawe’s finest inducted into OCAA Hall of Fame (Page 24)
Table of Contents: Publication Date: January 2014 Fanshawe College Alumni News Managing Editor Executive Editor
Change of Command: A Profile of New President Peter Devlin......................... 4
Joanne Wallace Catherine Finlayson
Graphic Design Fanshawe Photographers
Paying it Forward, Forever: Ron Koudys Creates International Travel Bursary for Landscape Design Students............................................. 8
Si Design John Sing Agata Lesnik
Alumni PERKS
Tim Ambrose
Alumni Associate
Renee Crowe
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Fanshawe College Alumni Association Board of Directors:
Creating Lifelong College Connections, with New Alumni Board President Gail Malcolm......... 13
Gail Malcolm (President), John Yandreski (Past President), Colleen Breen (Vice President), Jon Aristone, Veronica Barahona, Mandy Bennett, Colleen Douglas, Joseph DunlopAddley, Catherine Finlayson, Brenda Fontana, Kacey German, Adam Gourlay, Jordan Hobbs, Vaughan Scriver, Tim Wharton.
Howard Rundle: A Legacy Celebrated ......................... 14 13
Alumni News is published twice a year by the Fanshawe College Alumni Association and the Fanshawe College Office of Advancement & Alumni. It is distributed free to Fanshawe College alumni. Others may subscribe for $10 per year, plus HST. This publication is available in an alternate format. For information, please contact the Alumni Office. Publication of information about individuals, organizations or companies does not imply endorsement by Fanshawe College or the Fanshawe College Alumni Association. We welcome, but cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return.
New Athletics Manager Shares Four Pillars of Success..................................................... 18 Fanshawe Facelift: College undertakes strategic brand project................. 20
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Four of Fanshawe’s Finest Inducted into OCAA Hall of Fame........................................................ 24 Alumni Profile: Steve Whidden, Toronto Blue Jays Special Events Coordinator............. 27 Keep in Touch/In Memoriam......................................... 30
About our Contributors:
No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written consent. Fanshawe College Alumni Association Room K1011, 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P. O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, Canada N5Y 5R6 Tel: 519-452-4285 Out-of-town: 800-661-ALUM Fax: 519-452-1051 E-mail: alumni@fanshawec.ca Website: www.fanshaweforever.ca Mailed under Publications Mail Agreement Number 40063557
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Culinary Instructor Lands Coveted Spot on Canada’s Culinary Olympic Team.................................. 10
ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
Joanne Wallace is an award-winning copywriter, editor and fundraiser whose client list includes the Stratford Festival, the University of Waterloo, the Centre for Forensic Science & Medicine at U of T, Canadian Stage, and the Shaw Festival. Maureen SpencerGolovchenko is an IABCaccredited communications professional, freelance writer and Community Collaboration Program Manager for Pillar Nonprofit Network in London.
Kevin Glew (Corporate Communications and Public Relations ‘97) is a professional writer whose work has been featured on national and international media outlets such as CBC Sports, MLB.com and in The Globe & Mail. Pat Morden is an awardwinning writer and editor who cut her teeth in freelance magazine writing and magazine editing. She has helped run Morden Communications, a family-owned corporate communications company, for 20 years.
FR O M YO U R ALU MNI OFFI CE
The Times They Are A-Changin’ Change is in the air at Fanshawe, and it’s our privilege to keep you – our loyal alumni – informed about what’s happening on campus. This year’s changes include a big one – we said goodbye to long-serving President Howard Rundle, and welcomed newcomer Peter Devlin to the position. Inside these pages you’ll find stories about both these leaders, as we celebrate Howard’s enormous contribution to Fanshawe College and to the growth of Fanshawe’s Alumni Association. Fanshawe’s Landscape Design students now have a new bursary, thanks to a generous gift from retired professor Ron Koudys. Ron wanted to celebrate his retirement by leaving a lasting legacy, and you can read about his wonderful idea on page 8. Your Alumni Association also has a new President, Gail Malcolm, and you can get to know Gail on page 13. We’ve also got stories about the new head of our Athletics Department, a culinary instructor who’s cooking up a storm on Canada’s Culinary Olympics team, and a new rebranding project that may change the public face of Fanshawe. We’re already hard at work on our next issue, in which we’ll bring you an update on the opening of our new downtown campus, as well as in-depth profiles of 2013’s Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients. We’ll also update you on the results of our 2013 Alumni Survey, to which you responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. As always, we’re grateful for the hard work and dedication of our Alumni Board volunteers who give so generously of their time on behalf of all graduates – and for you, for your continued engagement with and support of your Alumni Association. Until next time, Catherine Finlayson
Executive Director Advancement and Alumni
Stay in touch! • Email us at alumni@fanshawec.ca • Call us at 519-452-4285 • Update your address and submit a class note at www.fanshawec.ca/alumni @fanshawealumni facebook.com/fanshawealumni Are you a writer? We’re accepting story pitches!
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014
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By Joanne Wallace
Change of Command: A new President for Fanshawe Retired Canadian Army Commander Peter Devlin took over as Fanshawe’s Wallace fifth President in early September. It’s By: a Joanne change of command he relishes, looking forward to a bright future for the College, the region and the nation.
On a warm sunny day this past September, retired Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin assumed a new post after a distinguished 35-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces. His new command? The almost 200,000 full- and parttime students, faculty, staff and alumni who make up Fanshawe College. It’s a change of command Peter relishes, as he looks forward to continuing the important work of training, educating and mentoring young men and women – this time for civilian careers, rather than military operations. Toronto raised, London roots Peter was raised in Toronto, but has deep roots in London. He holds an Honours BA in Economics from Western University, and was stationed with the Royal Canadian Regiment, First Battalion (1RCR) at the old Wolseley Barracks during the early 1980s.
Peter’s wife Judy is also from London, and, coincidentally, was working in the Registrar’s office at Fanshawe College when they met. Married for 29 years, the couple has four children. “I promised Judy one day we’d come home to London, and it’s a dream come true to be leading this fine organization in what I view as my home town,” says Peter today. Distinguished military career Peter’s distinguished military career includes operational roles in Cyprus and the former Yugoslavia, and senior commands in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also holds one of Canada’s highest commendations for courage and honour, the Meritorious Service Cross, as well as awards from the US, Brazil and Columbia recognizing international leadership and partnership.
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014
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INSPIRE THE FUTURE “Mentorship Is An Investment Professionals Can Make Today To Cultivate The Leaders Of Tomorrow.” — Larry Myny, Mentor Now accepting mentor applications for Fall 2014. Apply at:
www.mentoringfanshawe.com
A college is a special place where we form friendships that can last a lifetime. In 2010 Peter was appointed to the most senior position in Canada’s Army, where he led 50,000 regular, reserve and civilian members, and managed infrastructure worth over $10 billion and an annual budget of $2 billion.
Peter John Devlin
Military and College missions remarkably similar
• Age 54
So, how does a 35-year military veteran make the leap to running a post-secondary institution?
• Born Toronto
Peter credits his smooth transition to the leadership of outgoing President Howard Rundle, and the strong team built during Rundle’s tenure. Aside from that, Devlin notes many similarities between military and college missions.
• MA, Strategic Studies, United States Army War College
“In the military we attract, recruit, educate, train and inspire our members. And when they move on, we encourage them to stay in touch through alumni-type associations. It’s remarkably similar to what we do here at Fanshawe.” Peter prefers to look to the future, and says he’s most excited about exploring how Fanshawe College can expand its work of providing the important skills necessary for economic growth, both in the region and across Canada. Fanshawe alumni vital to College’s future success
• BA Economics, Western University
• Commissioned Royal Canadian Regiment, 1978 • Stationed in London until 1985 • Commanded troops in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the United States • Appointed Commander of the Canadian Army, 2010 • Military retirement, August 2013 • Married 29 years • Wife Judy, a London native • Three sons; one daughter
Peter admits to being what he calls “a big family dude” at heart, and is thrilled to be part of what he sees as his new Fanshawe family. “A college is a special place where we form friendships that can last a lifetime. This extended family of friends and alumni is one of Fanshawe’s great strengths, and I look forward to meeting many of our 153,000 alumni, and exploring ways in which they can participate in Fanshawe’s future.”
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014
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Paying it Forward… Forever Retired Professor Creates International Travel Bursary for Landscape Design Students For many students, studying abroad is an impossible dream. Now, thanks to a generous gift from retired Landscape Design professor Ron Koudys, deserving students will have help making this special dream come true. By Joanne Wallace Professor Ron Koudys retired in 2012 after teaching at Fanshawe for more than 30 years.
Back in the late 1970s, when Ron Koudys was a young landscape design student at the University of Guelph, he had a transformative experience. He went overseas with a group of fellow students and spent a semester studying the great gardens of England. “I learned so much – but most importantly, I came home a new person. My sense of who I was and where I would fit in my industry had jelled into something quite wonderful.” The greatest gift: personal and professional growth Years later, wanting to share this experience with his own students, Ron began taking his landscape design students on an eight-week semester in Italy. To his delight, his own students found this trip just as life-changing as his own. “Academically it’s quite rigorous,” says Ron. “The students are working 24/7 for the entire eight weeks, and they’re learning about retaining walls, pavement, pond design and more in some of the most beautiful gardens in the world.” But Ron sees something even more important happening to students who have this experience. “They begin to understand landscape in a world context – their minds open up and they see possibilities. And they draw on that experience for the rest of their careers.” Not only that, but travelling together gives professors and students something truly precious. “All of a sudden they share with you who they really are, what their fears and concerns are,” says Ron. “You have an opportunity to help, shape and mould them that you never get when you’re in the classroom.”
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ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
Professors Ron Koudys (back row, centre) and Sylvia Behr (3rd row, centre) share a life-changing experience with landscape design students in Italy, 2012.
$10,000 gift blossoms through government matching program Ron celebrated his 2012 Fanshawe retirement by making a $10,000 gift that will fund a travel bursary for this trip. This gift was matched by $10,000 from a now discontinued provincial grantmatching program, and Ron made a subsequent gift in early 2013. This generous and thoughtful bequest will fund in perpetuity an annual bursary for a deserving student who demonstrates financial need. “I know some students really struggle with the extra expense of a term abroad,” says Ron. “I just didn’t want anybody to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Thank you, Ron! With your help the Ron Koudys Bursary Fund can grow to help more students. If you’d like to make a gift to this Fund, please contact Catherine Finlayson at the Fanshawe Foundation, at 519-452-4464, or cfinlayson@fanshawec.ca. Thank you!
One year we took a student who’d never been out of southwestern Ontario. She’d never been on a plane. She came home utterly transformed. I just think that’s worth supporting. FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014
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Culinary Instructor Chef Scott Baechler will represent Canada (and Fanshawe) in the 2016 Culinary Olympics.
Fanshawe’s own Chef Scott Baechler will represent Canada in the 2016 Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany, and in three prestigious lead-up competitions in Switzerland, Luxembourg and New York City.
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ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
Connections are everything in this business, and I have always used mine to help my students find placements, jobs and apprenticeships.
Culinary Instructor Lands Coveted Spot on Canada’s Culinary Olympic Team By Joanne Wallace
On the international culinary stage, there is nothing more prestigious than a gold-medal win at the IKA or Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung, otherwise known as the Culinary Olympics. The biggest culinary exhibition in the world, the IKA takes place every four years and has been running since 1900. Originally dreamed up by German chefs interested in sharing their cuisine with the rest of the world, the event now attracts more than 50 nations and 1,600 chefs. Canada has been sending a team to the IKA for 25 years, bringing home gold in many of the sub-category competitions almost every year, and crowned world champions in both 1984 and 1992. The goal for 2016 is to bring that world championship home, and this time Canada’s team will include Fanshawe culinary instructor Chef Scott Baechler. Dynamic instructor leads Fanshawe students to regional gold-medal wins The dynamic instructor already has a wildly impressive bio, including stints at high-end restaurants around the world and a slew of culinary awards and medals from regional, national and international competitions. He also holds the second highest certification available from the Canadian Culinary Institute, the CCI or Certified Chef de Cuisine, as well as the international WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies) designation authorizing him to judge competitions around the world.
Shortly after he arrived at Fanshawe, Chef Scott coached a student team to its first gold medal win in 13 years, for Culinary Cold Salon at the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Associations’ (CRFA) culinary competition in Toronto. This past year his team took a record haul of 15 awards at the same event. Investment will ultimately benefit students Scott and his Team Canada teammates are already hard at work training for the three major competitions leading up to the IKA: the Salon Culinaire Mondial in Basel, Switzerland this November, the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg in 2014, and the American Culinary Classic in New York in 2015. Scott admits balancing teaching with training for these competitions can be demanding, but feels it’s an investment that will ultimately benefit his students. “Taking part in high-level culinary competitions means constantly bringing back new and innovative ideas and techniques to my students,” he says. He adds that high-profile events like the IKA reinforce his own reputation as a working chef, which in turn allows him to build and maintain his all-important network of contacts. “Connections are everything in this business, and I have always used mine to help my students find placements, jobs and apprenticeships.” Update: Team Canada came home from Basel in late November with a gold medal for cold food and a silver for hot food. Congrats!
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 11
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Creating Lifelong College Connections An ongoing mission for incoming Alumni Board President Gail Malcolm By Maureen Spencer-Golovchenko
Equipped with a belief in lifelong learning and a vision supporting an inclusive community, new Alumni Association President Gail Malcolm is poised to welcome back fellow graduates, as often as possible. Building on the good work of her Alumni predecessors, and giving a nod to former College President Howard Rundle, Gail is delighted to lead the Alumni Association at a time of renewal, when opportunity abounds. She joins new President Peter Devlin and new Student Union President Adam Gourlay at an exciting time for Fanshawe, as it prepares to move downtown. “Creating a college campus in the heart of London will bring a new and different vibe to downtown,” says Gail. “And, we hope to create new energy for other satellite campuses too.” A big motivator for Gail is witnessing the growth of Fanshawe’s Alumni Association, as a key component of College structure, through collaboration with the Board of Governors and Student Union on major undertakings. More than anything, Gail loves the diversity of Fanshawe, which provides vast learning opportunities. Looking back, Gail thanks the College for her strong start with the Social Service Worker Program and amazing mentorship from a favourite professor in Kate Wiggins. As a result, Gail has positively influenced many lives, as an Executive Director, a volunteer ‘Big Sister’, a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, a mother of three children – who are all
Gail Malcolm (right) here pictured with daughter Allison and Dr. Howard Rundle.
Going to college is not a one-time event anymore. We’re living in a society of continuous learning and engaging people throughout their careers. Fanshawe grads – and most recently, a purveyor of hope working with Employment Services Elgin. Looking ahead, Gail aspires to foster communication that enables fellow Fanshawe alumni to feel engaged in their alma mater. “This is such a wonderful time of change, and technology is helping us do things we never imagined. At our board meetings, technology helps us bring together alumni voices from across the country. So, whether you live in Sudbury, Kingston or beyond, the door is always open for your return.” FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 13
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Howard Rundle: A Legacy Celebrated
By Pat Morden
Howard Rundle admits that happenstance brought him to Fanshawe in the first place. He had just completed a PhD in chemistry and was teaching on contract at York University. Aware of his responsibilities as a new father, he saw a permanent job come up at Fanshawe and applied. He didn’t get it. A couple of days later he got a call from Fanshawe’s President, who wanted to discuss another opportunity – a brand new position called Director of Planning and Development. “He talked me into it,” says Howard. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to do administration, but when I learned that this new institution really cared about teaching, I was hooked. I took a risk and I never, ever regretted it.” In August, 2013, Howard retired after 41 years at Fanshawe, 18 of them as President. To honour his many achievements, the College named its new Centre for Digital and Performing Arts in downtown London the Howard W. Rundle Building. Howard was also inducted into the London Business Hall of Fame in 2013. Recently, we caught up with the newly retired Howard and asked him about his time at Fanshawe.
Q: What kept you at Fanshawe all those years? A: The people. There has always been an incredible group of faculty and staff at Fanshawe who care deeply about doing what’s best for students, and positioning them for a better life. And the students – they really want to be at the College, and they appreciate what the experience is doing to improve their lives. Q: What was the College like when you arrived and what changes have you seen? A: I remember walking into the first interview and thinking, “This looks like a high school!” It was the size of a large high school at that time, and three of the buildings were inherited from an old vocational school. Today we’ve filled the original 100-acre site and are expanding beyond it. When I started at Fanshawe, the local community didn’t really know what to make of a college. We didn’t have the breadth of programming we have today, and the student body was homogeneous, mostly straight from high school. There was no link with Western – in fact a lot of people saw going to college as having negative connotations. All of that has been reversed!
1987: A colourful surprise marks Howard’s appointment as Vice President Academic.
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 15
Q: What are your proudest achievements as President? A: Now that we’ve outgrown our initial site, I’m delighted we’re creating a campus in the heart of London. I think it will be good for students and programs, and may also help rejuvenate the downtown core. 1996: Howard’s family celebrates his installation as President. With Howard, from left: wife Lynda, parents Dr. Howard and Evangeline, and daughter Robin.
Q: You’ve said that being President of Fanshawe is the best job in the world. Why? A: I thought I had the best job in the world when I was Vice President Academic. That was an internally focused job, working with faculty and staff and developing programs. The job of President is much more outwardly focused. It involves a lot of interaction with the community – a community that has come to recognize the value of the College and is very generous with time, resources and support. I felt that I was doing some good – and it was a lot of fun.
I’m also proud of our progress in attracting international students. When I started as President we had about 25 international students. Today the number is more than 1,300. This development has brought a whole new dimension to college life. Another key achievement is our progress in supporting student success. Our graduates have always been highly rated by employers, but 15 years ago our graduation rates were in the bottom quartile provincially. We took a close look at what we could do to help more students graduate while maintaining the high standards of our graduates. In the past ten years the percentage of graduating students has gone up every year and we’re now in the top quartile. I’m also delighted we’ve introduced student residences to the Fanshawe campus. I lived in residence through my student days, and I feel it can add a lot to the post-secondary experience. Of course these are not my achievements alone – I was privileged to be a part of it all.
2000: Marking the official opening of Saffron’s.
Sharing a smile with Bev Gloin and Tom Picard at a Christmas party in the late ‘80s.
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Q: What are your hopes for Fanshawe’s future? A: One thing I hope is that in Ontario we learn to recognize the importance of applied learning.
2008: Reading to local youngsters at a community literary event.
Q: How has College athletics grown during your time? A: I don’t have a big athletic background myself, but I’m a very competitive person. In one of my earlier jobs at Fanshawe, athletics reported to me. I started to appreciate what athletics can contribute to the spirit of an institution and how student athletes can become valuable ambassadors.
It’s not, as some people still think, a lesser form of learning than the “pure” academic learning that happens at universities. It’s a different set of skills, and ones that are much needed. People must understand that practical learning has the same depth, takes the same amount of time and hard work, and should be given the same status. Q: Any advice for your successor? A: Have fun! You really can have fun in this job, because you will be surrounded by wonderful people.
2013: With wife Lynda at his last official graduation ceremony, June 2013.
Over the years our athletics program has done very well – we’ve had many outstanding teams and won more than our share of championships. I’ve always attended as many games as I could. Now that I’m retired, I’m hoping to get to more! Q: What do Fanshawe’s graduates mean to you? A: They’re at the heart of what we do and a source of great pride. I love interacting with them. I see them everywhere! There isn’t a major corporation in any of our communities that doesn’t have Fanshawe graduates working in it.
Wherever I go I’m always on the lookout for alumni. I like to talk to them about their experiences at the College, and I always get positive feedback. As President I tried to attend as many alumni events as possible – I even dropped in on a graduate in Dubai when I was there at a conference. I take a lot of satisfaction in seeing that our alumni are successful and they feel their Fanshawe education contributed to that.
2009: Welcoming Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Fanshawe.
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 17
New Athletics Manager Shares Four Pillars of Success By Kevin Glew
He’s been a Red, a Flame and a Marlie, but a quick visit to Nathan McFadden’s office reveals he’s now a fully committed Falcon. After 15+ years in the gritty world of professional hockey, the 40-year old New Brunswick native now brings his unique brand of professional sportsmanship to Fanshawe’s Department of Athletics. Nathan McFadden speaks softly, and possesses a dry wit. But beneath this burns a deep competitive fire, and it’s clear Fanshawe’s new Manager of Athletics wants the College’s teams to be recognized as the best. “There are four pillars I believe in strongly: passion, commitment, determination and accountability,” he says. “In any walk of life, a person with those pillars as part of their character will be extremely successful. But you have to be true to them. They’re not just words. You have to live them.” From UNB’s Varsity Reds to Leafs’ affiliate Marlies These four pillars have served McFadden well in his own career. Growing up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, he played several sports and realized during high school he wanted a sports career. 18 ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
While working towards a Bachelor of Physical Education in sports administration at the University of New Brunswick, McFadden managed the university’s Varsity Reds hockey team, and later served as Director of Sports Information when the team won its first Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) title in 1998. After university, McFadden worked with the Calgary Flames’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Saint John Flames, and later with the AHL itself. During this time McFadden met John Ferguson Jr., who would later become General Manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ferguson would eventually hire McFadden to manage the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. During his second season (2007-08), McFadden led the Marlies to set the Leafs’ all-time affiliate record for wins and points in a season.
McFadden’s innovations include health assessment for varsity athletes, community outreach, athlete recognition and more
wall showcases Fanshawe athletes who’ve been inducted into the larger Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s (OCAA) Hall of Fame.
By the time McFadden stepped into his new position at Fanshawe in December, 2012, his resume included work with facilities, programming, athlete development, staff recruitment and staff training.
McFadden has also worked diligently to connect the Athletics Department with other programs in the College, and to get Fanshawe’s athletes more involved in the community. In recent months students from the Fitness and Health Promotion program have conducted fitness testing with five of the varsity teams, and athletes have taken part in outreach projects with the Boys and Girls Club of London and the Western Fair District.
Heather Cummings, Fanshawe’s Executive Director of Student Success, was part of the team that hired McFadden. “After we interviewed him, we came away thinking, ‘can you imagine what he could do if he had our operation in his hands?’” says Cummings today.
Passion, commitment, determination and accountability. They’re not just words. You have to live them. Living up to these expectations, McFadden has made big changes in the short time he’s been on the job, introducing several major initiatives since last December. First among these projects is a new health assessment program for varsity athletes. Participating students must fill out a health history form called an Electronic Pre-Participation Evaluation (ePPE). The program also includes a concussion management system. “We’re the first college in Canada to have this program,” says McFadden. “We’re certainly very proud to be a leader in this regard.” McFadden is also committed to better recognizing Fanshawe’s past athletes. He has already created a weekly newsletter for fans and alumni, and recently unveiled a Fanshawe Wall of Fame. The
Finally, McFadden is also devoted to Fanshawe’s Campus Recreation Program, which will benefit from a new outdoor basketball court built this past summer. Student success McFadden’s number-one goal In all of this, McFadden’s principal goal is to ensure the success of student athletes. He’ll do this, in part, by emphasizing and “living” the four pillars he so strongly believes in. “That’s what we want to teach student athletes who come through our doors – this is what we live here, and this is what they need to live when they’re on the playing surface, in the community or in their academics,” says McFadden.
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Fanshawe Facelift College undertakes strategic brand project Brands are a valuable asset – the estimated worth of Coca Cola’s brand makes up 70 per cent of its $78 billion market value. From a college perspective, brands are valuable too, creating competitive advantages by growing demand, reducing new program cost, and attracting and retaining students, faculty, and staff. When all is said and done, brands are largely about reputation. A recent study by research firm Ipsos found that 90% of Canadians said reputation was the single most important factor (of eleven tested) for determining which college or university they attended. Why colleges and universities need branding “There are lots of great colleges,” says Tony Frost, Fanshawe’s Executive Director of Reputation and Brand Management. “But if you don’t know what they stand for, or they don’t reach you on an emotional level, then they’re not great brands.”
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Tony goes on to say that having a great brand is an absolute necessity in today’s competitive climate. “A well-established brand overcomes borders and cultures, speaks to a variety of audiences, and drives an organization’s success.” As more colleges realize everything they do creates an impression, branding activity has grown into a planned, institution-wide commitment; creating a lens through which students, employers, and partners encounter, understand, and support their brand. “Branding is not just about the logo, colour, or tagline,” says Tony. “Every program, facility, service, tweet, ad, website, brochure, partnership, and customer interaction plays a role in differentiating and strengthening the brand – but they all come from a core idea.” Phase I
What do you want people to know about you? All of this was in preparation of phase two: the strategy phase. When you think of Apple, you might first think it’s a brand about technology. But Apple is much more than this. Their brand is a celebration of individualism, and it drives everything they do – from product to packaging. Like Apple, Fanshawe is developing a brand strategy based on insights derived from field research. At the time of writing, workshops on campus are developing what is called a “brand platform” – a set of ideas, words and images that identify where Fanshawe sits in the marketplace, what its brand promise is, how it describes itself, what are its key attributes, and how it differs from other post-secondary institutions. Phase III
What do people already know about you?
A new identity creating a lasting impression
To help discover that core idea, earlier this year Fanshawe began a process known as a branding exercise.
All of this work is preparation for phase three: the identity phase.
The first step in building a great brand is knowing who you are. So the intent of the first of three phases in Fanshawe’s branding process was just that: discovering how key audiences felt about the College and what they associated with it. This phase involved reviewing existing research and strategic documents; auditing competitors’ materials; performing one-on-one interviews with several groups, including alumni; running focus groups; and performing online surveys – also with alumni. These activities helped gauge awareness levels, understand how people made key decisions, locate Fanshawe relative to its competitors, and identify surface brand perceptions and characteristics unique and relevant to Fanshawe.
Phase II
This final phase will include a review of all existing identity elements (including logo) and consider whether they should be refreshed or replaced with something new. “A strong brand is one that connects with people instantly,” says Tony. “We will develop a distinctive and compelling identity that has the power to create an immediate and lasting impression. Our hope is that as many people as possible will take part in this phase of the project, so that what we end up with is something we all love.” The visual expression of the brand will be made available so various Fanshawe communities can provide feedback over the winter. Interested alumni are encouraged to stay engaged and provide feedback. The project is expected to be completed in early 2014.
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 21
Being a Fanshawe College Alumni member certainly has its PERKS!
ey e on siv m clu ve ex ts! Sa ith un w isco d
Our Alumni PERKS program gives you access to exclusive pricing on products, memberships, services and attractions. Our PERKS partners, who include Budweiser Gardens, the Delta London Armouries, Detroit Red Wings, The Stratford Festival and many more, have generously designed a variety of discounts specifically for Fanshawe graduates. With more than 50 exclusive offers, we have PERKS for everyone!
Give Back to Fanshawe Simply by Using Your PERKS Card! Using your PERKS card also helps current Fanshawe students!
Tim Ambrose Alumni Outreach Coordinator Corporate Communication and Public Relations ‘05
We’ve established agreements with several of our PERKS partners, including Advantage InTravel, Johnson Insurance, and Manulife Financial. This means that every time you access a PERKS offer, not only are you taking advantage of an exclusive deal, but a portion of your purchase is also contributed to Fanshawe College by our partner. Funds generated through PERKS go directly into Fanshawe College Foundation to support student and alumni events, awards and scholarships and other Fanshawe-related activities. So please, enjoy the PERKS of being an Alumni of Fanshawe College and sign up for your card today!
Get your PERKS card today at www.fanshaweforever.ca
For a complete listing of Alumni PERKS, please visit: http://www.fanshawec.ca/alumni/benefits-services/perks
Fanshawe College Alumni receive 10% off Continuing Education Courses!
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FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 23
4
Fanshawe’s Finest Inducted into OCAA Hall of Fame Dedicated to recognizing extraordinary contributions and accomplishments within collegiate sports in Ontario, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) annually inducts student-athletes, coaches and builders into its Hall of Fame. This year the Hall grew by four special names, all from Fanshawe.
Mike Lindsay - Builder Recently retired Athletics Department Manager (and Fanshawe alumnus) Mike Lindsay was inducted into the prestigious Builder category, recognizing exceptional contribution to the development and advancement of the organization. • Joined Fanshawe Athletics Department as a technician, September 1971 • Became Athletics Officer and head of the department, 1985 • Appointed Manager of Athletics, 2000 • Retired, August, 2012 • Led Fanshawe athletes to 131 gold, 81 silver and 88 bronze medals at both provincial and national levels • Served as OCAA Vice-President (1995-1997) and President (2003-2005) • Member of City of London’s 2011 Mayor’s Honour List for contribution to sports in the London community • Volunteer soccer leader, Canada Summer Games, 2001
24 ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
Emily Costello and John Mason - Athletes Soccer star Emily Costello and cross-country powerhouse John Mason were both inducted into the Athlete category, recognizing their athletic skills and abilities, fair play, leadership, individual statistics and team accomplishments.
John Mason Emily Costello
• Member of Men’s Cross Country Team for five seasons
• Two-time Fanshawe Female Athlete of the Year
• Two-time Fanshawe Male Athlete of the Year
• Team MVP every year she was part of the program
• Four-time cross country team MVP
• Led her teams to two OCAA gold medals
• Two-time OCAA individual silver medalist
• Recognized as OCAA League All-Star four times and CCAA All-Canadian twice
• Five-time OCAA All-Ontario team member • Four-time CCAA All-Canadian team member • Led Falcons to capture three OCAA men’s team championships and five CCAA team medals
• Excelled academically in Fanshawe’s Child and Youth Worker program, receiving OCAA All-Academic, SIRC CCAA All-Academic and National Scholar honours
Bill Carriere - Coach Legendary basketball coach Bill Carriere was inducted into the Coach category, recognizing his ability to develop athletes and build successful teams while exhibiting integrity, leadership and commitment to both Fanshawe and the OCAA. • Coached Falcons women’s basketball 1987-1994, compiling a 64-26 record and capturing four OCAA titles • Played for Falcons Men’s Basketball team, 1992-94 • Three-time OCAA Coach of the Year • CCAA Coach of the Year, 1993-94 • Returned to coach Falcon’s women’s basketball in September, 2013
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 25
FANSHAWE COLLEGE CONTINUING EDUCATION SKILLS | KNOWLEDGE | CONFIDENCE
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER... By earning a Graduate Certificate through Fanshawe College Continuing Education Programming areas include Teaching and Training, Autism & Behavioural Science, Early Development & Learning, and much more
Expand your knowledge today!
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26 ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
TELEPHONE: 519-452-4444 EMAIL: ce@fanshawec.ca
ALU MNI PROFI LE
Steve Whidden
Steve Whidden didn’t know where his Fanshawe training would take him, but figured it would have something to do with sports. Today he’s parlayed his scriptwriting and camera skills into the job of his dreams – Special Events Coordinator for the Toronto Blue Jays. By Tim Ambrose
Steve Whidden Age 32 Television Broadcasting, ‘03 Special Events Coordinator, Toronto Blue Jays Portfolio includes: Junior Jays Saturdays program, Summer Friday Fan Festivals, On Field Clinics, Fantasy Camps, State of the Franchise, Canada Day and more
Q: What is your current role? A: Special Events Coordinator, Toronto Blue Jays Q: What exactly do you do for the Blue Jays? A: My portfolio includes our Junior Jays Saturdays program, Summer Friday Fan Festivals, On Field Clinics, Fantasy Camps, the State of the Franchise event, Canada Day and more. Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? A: For me it’s just coming to work every day and running an event. Being part of an event from planning to execution to evaluation is something I find truly satisfying. I’m proud of the in-game team here. I think we have some of the best talent in professional sports and the proof is in the programs and initiatives our fans experience each game. Q: Are you a fan of the team? A: For sure. That’s why I’m here. Sports has always been my number-one passion, and I’ve been a Jays fan for as long as I can remember. I can recall watching Jays games on my parents’ couch during the days of Steib and Morris. Being a fan, I’m just as excited as anyone else for the team to do well. In my day-to-day role with the team, however, it’s important to separate my passion for what the players do on the field from my duties. I can’t let what happens in the game, for better or worse, affect me or the things I’m working on. Being a fan of the team you work for can be tough, for sure, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is my dream job.
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 27
Q: What’s it like working for a professional sports team?
Q: How has your career been impacted by your time at Fanshawe College?
A: There are a lot of ups and downs, and if you get caught up in them it becomes harder to do your job. My first role in professional sports was with the Argos in 2005. They had just come off their Grey Cup win in 2004 and were projected to repeat. But injuries, player movement and other factors made that year, and the years directly after, some of the most difficult for the Argos in quite some time.
A: The skills and training I received at Fanshawe helped me tremendously when I was with the Argonauts. In 2007, I joined the game entertainment side of the business. Understanding how to write a script, working with graphic designers on projects and developing video content for the gameday presentation was invaluable. The Television Broadcasting course gave me the necessary tools to work with some of the best creative minds and still hold my own. Following detailed scripts, executing in-game live hits and coordinating commercial breaks with broadcast partners were just a few of the responsibilities I had to complete. I felt confident I had the proper training and foundation to complete the job at a high level.
When the team isn’t doing well our department really has to step up. Fans are paying to be entertained and our job is to provide that entertainment, regardless of what’s happening on the field. Whether the team is doing well or not, we need to be at our best each and every game to support the fan experience.
28 ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
I once played catch with Geddy Lee before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He tossed me a slider after three or four pitches.
Q: What is one of the coolest things you’ve done in your role?
Q: W hat has your role with the Blue Jays taught you?
A: I played catch with Rush’s Geddy Lee before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day this past season. That was a great surprise in itself, but what was even more surprising was when he tossed me a slider after three or four pitches. Pretty cool to be honest.
A: You can plan any event to a tee, but, without fail, something will always go wrong. However, when it does go wrong, you really find out who can get it done and who can’t. Everything is based on experience. Over the last eight years I’ve really learned how to take a step back and evaluate problems properly so I can move forward with an appropriate solution.
FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS ISSUE-31 2014 29
KE EP IN TOUCH
What’s new with you? We’d love to hear from you with anything you’d like to share with your former classmates.
rri
s age
ma
moves
Steve Whidden (Television Broadcasting 2003) My wife Ashley and I announce the birth of our first child, Mason James, on August 4, 2013. Kelly Chmilar (Television Broadcasting 2012) Since my internship at The Ellen DeGeneres Show I’ve been working hard in the film industry raising my experience level and landing plenty of contacts. I’ve worked on several short and feature films, and one will be in theatres this February! Before Christmas I plan to join The Directors Guild of Canada (a union for production personnel), and within the next two to four years I plan to head back out to LA to pursue bigger projects. Alischa (Rice) Nutt (Graphic Design 2007) This summer I married Shawn Nutt, whom I had been dating since my second year in Fanshawe’s Graphic Design program. It was handy to be able to use the skills I learned at Fanshawe to create all the wedding print materials, such as invitations, programs and posters. The ceremony was beautiful, and we had a lot of fun at our reception, held at the Delta London Armouries downtown. Tony Tedesco (Radio Broadcasting 2000) I still work in radio... part-time. Love every minute of it (except when I see my pay cheque). If Fanshawe taught me anything it was to never give up on my dreams. It’s radio... I recently ran into a Fanshawe classmate who introduced me to his friends as “the most famous person [he] knows.” On the side, I work a regular desk job to pay the bills. Living it up in the big smoke (Toronto). Amber Cunningham (Police Foundations 2007) Moved to Edmonton, Alberta four years ago looking for work in the law enforcement field. I am currently a Peace Officer Sergeant with the Province of Alberta at a post-secondary institution (no doubt my time bouncing at the Outback Shack and being a Team Leader for the Foot Patrol helped me with that). I encourage any Police Foundations graduates to come out here and try their hands in a unique area of the field.
30 ISSUE-31 2014 FANSHAWE COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS
career changes
new jo
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children
travels
Keep in touch with us and please send in any address updates! Web: www.fanshaweforever.ca E-mail: alumni@fanshawec.ca Phone: 519-452-4285 Toll Free: 1-800-661-ALUM Mail: Fanshawe College Alumni Office K-1011, 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London Ontario Canada, N5Y 5R6 Follow us: facebook.com/fanshawealumni twitter.com/fanshawealumni
John Bowden, February 2013 – Electronics Engineering Technician – Industrial Controls ‘10 Mary Bradburn, March 2013 – Secretarial Arts ‘82 Cindra (Mitchell) Buist, July 2013 – Advertising Art ‘78
George Coates, May 2013 – Electrical Apprentice ‘81 Donna Lainchbury, August 2013 – Library Technician ‘84
Joe Luis, October 2013 – Construction Engineering Technology Management ‘85
Ryan Pierce, April 2012 – Hotel and Restaurant Management ‘97
Magda Riets, September 2013 – Intensive Care Nursing ‘73
Rachel (Onvlee) Schiller, January 2013 – Child Care Worker ‘73
Marlene Sickles, June 2013 – Office Administration ‘01
Darren Walsh, April 2013 – Paramedic ‘97 A complete In Memoriam list can be found at www.fanshawec.ca/alumni/memoriam
Brought to you by… Your Alumni Board!
Your Alumni Board: 1st row: Gail Malcolm (President), John Yandreski (Past President), Colleen Breen (Vice President), Jon Aristone, Veronica Barahona. 2nd row: Mandy Bennett, Colleen Douglas, Joseph Dunlop-Addley, Catherine Finlayson, Brenda Fontana. 3rd row: Kacey German, Adam Gourlay (FSU President), Jordan Hobbs, Vaughan Scriver, Tim Wharton.
Join the conversation and stay in touch • Follow us on Twitter @ twitter.com/fanshawealumni • Become a fan on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ fanshawealumni
• Share the latest issue of AlumniNews online @ http://issuu.com/fanshawealumni • Update your address at www.fanshaweforever.ca
For more information on the board and on volunteering, contact Timothy Ambrose at t_ambrose@fanshawec.ca or 519-452-4430 x 4711.
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Alumni! Please send in your address changes: www.fanshawec.ca/alumni If undeliverable, please return to: Fanshawe College Alumni Office 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., Room K1011, P. O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, Canada N5Y 5R6