ALUMni news
Planning for the future and marking a grand opening
WLUAA 2010-11 executive President Tom Berczi ’88, ’93 Vice-President Megan Harris ’00 Vice-President Marc Henein ’04 treasurer Chris Pehlke ’00 Honorary President Dr. Max Blouw Past President Steve Wilkie ’82, ’89
Board of directors Bruce Armstrong ’72 Peter Batson ‘69 Scott Bebenek ’85 Thomas Cadman ‘87 Paul Dickson ‘03 Peter Gobran ‘99 Caitlin Howlett ‘05, ‘10 Andrea Murik ‘96 Kiran Nagra ‘02 David Oates ‘70 Priya Persaud ’98 Patricia Polischuk ‘90 Marc Richardson ’95 Chris Rushforth ‘80 Shirley Schmidt ‘86, ‘09 Kelly Schoonderwoerd ‘03 Cynthia Sundberg ‘90
Honouring excellence has always been an important part of the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association (WLUAA) mandate. You might be surprised, however, to learn that not only do we recognize alumni achievement, we also proudly award and encourage current students. Each year the WLUAA dedicates funds to awards that provide recognition of the academic achievements, commitment to community, and campus involvement of Laurier students. The Alumni Award of Merit recognizes that sometimes the decision to attend Laurier is “genetic.” Children or siblings of Waterloo College, Waterloo Lutheran University, or Laurier graduates are eligible to apply. The three recipients of this $1,000 award are selected based on academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership qualities. The 2010 recipients of the Award of Merit are: Kylee Daley (Father, Jay Daley ‘84), Tyrone Maguire (Father, John Maguire ‘87), Katelyn VanMiddelkoop (Sister, Alicia VanMiddelkoop ‘08). The Partners in Excellence Program emphasizes the importance of extra- and co-curricular student initiatives. Individuals and student groups apply in the Fall term for financial assistance in support of activities that are of value to the Laurier community. Applications that fit Laurier’s mission of inspiring lives of leadership and purpose are of particular interest to the selection committee. For the 2010-2011 academic year, WLUAA has elected to support a national
Board of Governors representatives Frank Erschen ’81 Tim Martin ‘92 Steve Wilkie ‘82, ‘89
business competition, an alumni-founded and student supported charitable organization that provides assistance locally and internationally, a conference promoting diversity in higher education, and a group of students participating in teacher-training programs in the developing world. The John Gellner Award, valued at $500, is presented annually to a student who has made significant contributions through their work with the Laurier Student Alumni. The award was created in honour of the 50th wedding anniversary of John and Shirley Gellner. John is a distinguished alumnus of Waterloo College and is credited with a great deal of personal investment in the success of the Alumni Association. The 2010-2011 recipient, Katie Rose, exemplifies the spirit of the award. A long-term member of the Laurier Student Alumni, Katie has been involved with a number of campus clubs and has maintained notable academic standing. To learn more about WLUAA-supported awards, please visit www.laurieralumni.ca and click “About Us.” In this issue you will also find our annual call for applications for the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors (see page 34). The Alumni Association is committed to board diversity – ensuring that our directors represent all of Laurier’s faculties and campuses as well as both established and younger alumni. With this in mind, for the upcoming year we are encouraging an increased number of applications from Music and Social Work alumni and from graduates of Laurier Brantford. Serving as a WLUAA director is a great way for you to get involved by being part of the team that serves as the representative voice for over 75,000 of your fellow alumni and is actively involved in the Laurier community.
senate representatives Susan Lockett ‘99 David Oates ’70 John Trus ’90
Back row (from left): Deanne Larsen, Tom Berczi, John Rose, Katie Rose, Cathy Rose, David Gellner; Front row (from left): John Gellner and Shirley Gellner.
Tom Berczi ’88, ‘93 President, WLUAA tberczi@wlu.ca
LAURIER CAMPUS Spring 2011
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