VIU Alumni magazine - Journey, Spring 2011

class notes

Melissa Wallinger (BA in Global Studies ’08) graduated from the London School of Economics in 2010, with an MSc in Local Economic Development.

She now works for the Cornwall Development Company attracting EU investors into the region, and promoting Cornwall as an innovative knowledge economy. In her spare time she enjoys exploring Cornwall’s beaches, cooking local seafood and relaxing in yoga classes.

Meldy Wilton (BA in Liberal Studies ’00) is a successful playwright and one of the founders of the Wilton Broad Players, a new theatre group based in Nanaimo. In October 2010 her play At Wilton’s General Store was part of The Port Theatre Studio Series, and played to a full house.

2010 s Nolan Porther (Advanced Dipl. in GIS Applications ’10) is a Geographic Information Sciences Analyst for Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Energy. He creates geological maps, analyses CO2 emissions of the country’s major industries and provides support to other ministry divisions.

In 2010, artist Lara Scarr (BA in Visual Arts and Psychology ’10) exhibited her work in several group and individual shows, won awards and scholarships, and garnered rave reviews from art critics and the public. She’s currently working on a new series called the “Thread & Paint Revolution” which combines textiles, paint and images. www.larascarr.carbonmade.com/about

beacon by Laura Scarr

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS The Festival of Trees Online Alumni Auction

raised more than $13,000 for alumni initiatives and student scholarships, bursaries, and awards.

Thank you to all of our 2010 alumni donors: Megan Bailey (BA in Business ’09) – Vancouver Island University Colin Brost (BTM ’04) – Tourism Sun Peaks Ro Davies (BTM ’00) – Whistler Golf Club Val Davies (Continuing Studies ’01) – Retired Rob DiCastri (Commerce Transfer ’88-’89) – Aviawest Resort Group Warren Erhart (Hotel and Restaurant Management ’76) – White Spot Restaurants Terence Fitzgerald (Fine Arts Dipl. ’92) – Writer/Producer Leeanne Fitzpatrick (BTM ’02) - The Adventure Group Whistler Don Hubbard (Heavy Duty Mechanics ’66) – Hub City Paving Colleen Thiessen (Hospitality Dipl. ’02) – The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Curtis Wilson (BA in First Nations Studies ’03) – Artist

Call for Nominations VIU’s Alumni Association is accepting nominations for board member positions. Alumni must nominate a candidate or self-nominate by 4pm on April 1, 2011.

Please include the following with your nomination: • A short bio of the candidate • A statement of interest (why the candidate would like to be considered for a board position) Send nominations to David Forrester, manager, Alumni Relations at alumni@viu.ca.

The 10-member Alumni Association board represents more than 45,000 alumni through leadership, advocacy and service.