UBC Alumnus and long-time education leader recognized for distinguished service

Gary Dickinson, BEd (Sec) '63, MA '66, EdD '68, will be honoured by Okanagan College at its Summer Convocation ceremony with the Distinguished Service Award for two decades of leadership and dedication to Okanagan College as well as for outstanding service to his community.

Dickinson has a long and valued history with Okanagan College and its predecessor, Okanagan University College. With a career devoted to education that spanned more than 35 years, Dickinson worked in B.C. Secondary schools and post-secondary institutions until retiring in 2000. The last 20 years of his career were spent at Okanagan College and OUC.

Dickinson's exemplary career and dedicated service will be honoured at Okanagan College's Summer Convocation ceremony on June 29 at 6 p.m. in Kelowna.

Lindsay Diehl, BA'02 and MFA'10, wins 2011 Okanagan Short Story Contest

Winners of the 13th annual Okanagan Short Story Contest -- as selected by judge Annabel Lyon -- have been announced and first place goes to alumna Lindsay Diehl of Kelowna for her work, Basel. Diehl received a $500 prize for her winning entry.

The contest attracted 141 submissions from writers from throughout BC's Southern Interior. Watch for the story to be posted on Lindsay's website.

Don Turri, BCom '79

Congratulations to Don Turri, BCom '79, who was awarded a fellowship (FCA) designation by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (ICABC). Fellowship is bestowed on CA's in recognition of the service they have provided and/or the honour they have brought to their profession.

Don is a partner at MacKay LLP in Kelowna, where he has helped build the practice up from approximately eight employees to more than 50 professionals and staff, including 20 CAs. Under his leadership, the office has achieved a stellar reputation and won numerous awards.

John Simonson BEd '82

One of Canada's most outstanding principals

Education alumnus John Simonson has been recognized as one of Canada's most outstanding principals for his work in improving opportunities for aboriginal students at Constable Neil Bruce Middle School (CNB). Now principal at Mount Boucherie Secondary School, John is one of 32 outstanding individuals nationwide to be recognized with the prestigious award.

Under his supervision, CNB implemented initiatives to help aboriginal students connect, emotionally and culturally, as well as intellectually."By going after that whole child, we were able to get the confidence of the parents in the community," Simonson says. As a result, kids became more at ease at school and grades improved as well.

Rachael L’Orsa, BASc'10

2010 UBC Outstanding Future Alumnus Award

Congratulations to Rachael L’Orsa, who was awarded the Outstanding Future Alumnus Award at the 2010 UBC Alumni Achievement awards on November 29, 2010.

Tom Siddon, Honorary Doctor of Laws, Okanagan campus '07

2010 UBC Alumni Award of Distinction

Congratulations to Tom Siddon, who was awarded the Alumni Award of Distinction at the 2010 UBC Alumni Achievement awards on November 29, 2010.

Russell Cannings, BA '10

When Russell Cannings finished his bachelor's degree in history at UBC's Okanagan Campus last year, he decided he would set out to break B.C.'s one-year birding record in 2010. He achieved his record on October 5th with the sighting of his 366th bird.

Read more at Russell's blog.

B.C.'s Registered Nurses Recognize Carole Robinson (MSN '83) with Award of Distinction

Carole Robinson's remarkable career in nursing has earned her the Award of Distinction from the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC).

Robinson is the acting Director of the School of Nursing, acting Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development, and coordinator of the Master of Science in Nursing program at UBC's Okanagan campus. She has been described by colleagues as a masterful communicator, educator, clinician, researcher and a leader who exemplifies excellence as a professional nurse.

Greg Poitras, BHK '00, BEd '03

CCAA National Coach of the Year Across All Sports

The Okanagan Heat men's volleyball coach Greg Poitras can add the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association's Coaching Excellence Award across all sports to his already impressive resume. The award recognizes a coach's overall contribution to the sport as well as their positive leadership and commitment to educational goals.

Greg joined UBC Okanagan's coaching staff in 2005 and the program has flourished ever since. His league and playoff record is 64 wins and 28 losses. He has won four provincial medals, one national silver and one national bronze in the five years. In 2009-10, the Heat posted the first unbeaten regular season in the program's history with an 18-0 record.

Earlier this spring, Poitras also won the BCCAA and CCAA coach of the year awards in men's volleyball.

Sharon Dougan Bsc'65, MD'69

2010 Award of Excellence in Medical Practice

Dr. Sharon Dougan is among the recipients of the 2010 Award of Excellence in Medical Practice presented by B.C.'s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Dougan practised family medicine, emergency and maternity care, in Vernon, from 1975 to 2006.  She also held a clinical associate professorship in the Department of Family Practice at UBC from 1980 to 2008.  Dr. Dougan is a member of the UBC Department of Family Practice Executive Committee, and is the chair of the Clinical Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee.  Always a strong advocate for continuing medical education, she has served on various professional associations and academic committees for this purpose.

Congratulations to Sharon -- a great example of a UBC alumna making a difference in her community.

Paul Mitchell QC, BCom'78, LLB'79

BC Community Achievement Award

Paul Mitchell has been awarded the prestigious BC Community Achievement Award which celebrates the spirit, imagination, dedication and contribution of British Columbians to their communities.

Paul has been an integral part of countless community initiatives, including the push to bring UBC to Kelowna. He was the recipient of last year's Okanagan Alumni Community Builder Award.

Angela Bailey, BCom'85; Dan Basso, BCom'86; Don Turri, BCom'79 -- MacKay LLP Chartered Accountants

Corporate Community Award

MacKay LLP, home to many UBC alumni including partners Angela Bailey, Dan Basso and Don Turri, received the Corporate Community Award at Kelowna's 2010 Civic and Community Awards. No surprise that the award is given in recognition of generous support to organizations and/or community initiatives that directly benefit the people of Kelowna.

Greg Salloum, MSc'87

Sustainability Leader

Greg Salloum, CEO of the Kelowna Best Western hotel, was named 2010's Sustainability Leader of the Year at Kelowna's Green Business Awards.  The award, from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), recognizes innovative practices to reduce negative environmental impacts in the community.  Greg, a pioneer for sustainability long before it was a popular choice, says: "I see environmental stewardship as being about doing the right thing. While the bottom line is of course important, it is more important to leave the planet in better shape than we found it."

Alumni Making a Difference at the UBC Okanagan-Interior Savings Mentoring Luncheon Series

UBC alumni were busy making a difference at Interior Savings Mentoring Luncheon Series events held over the last term and featuring careers in public service, engineering and Careers that Change the World.

Many thanks to our mentoring volunteers for the time they make in already crowded schedules to foster the futures of Okanagan youth; and to build the UBC community in our region. To all our supporters, alumni and friends, your commitment to making our world a better place is truly appreciated.

Careers in Public Service

• Cornelia Bujara, DFTN'95
• Sean Donley, BA'96
• Chris Guenard, BA'04
• Nelson Jatel, BSc'98
• Karla Kincade, BSC'94
• Jane Lister, BA '87, MBA '90
• Norm Parkes, BASC'86
• Stuart Smithson, BA'71

Careers in Engineering

• Shawn Grant, P.Eng., BASc '95
• Parm Kler, BASC'88
• Jack Van der Star, P.Eng., BASc '77, MASc '82, EVP
• Geoff Watson, BASC'07
• Don Williams, P.Eng., BASc '84

Changemakers: Careers that Change the World

• Leanne Bilodeau, BHK'00
• Cindy Bourne, BA'95
• Paul Emerson, BEd'09
• Ana Frias, BSW'09
• Heather Henderson, MED'86
• Karine Liegmann, MED'09
• Mayor Sharon Shepherd, BSCP'73
• Heather Toles, BEDE'08
• Vida Yakong, BSN'04, MSN'08 

Catherine Comben BA'67

Catherine Comben was among the select individuals chosen to carry the Olympic torch in the Kelowna leg of the cross-country Olympic relay. She describes the experience as "...incredible... one that I know I will never have the chance to repeat..."

A highlight was meeting fellow torch carriers, not all of whom were from B.C. In fact, one hailed from Nova Scotia and another from Brazil. Catherine was one of only 12,000 individuals chosen from among two million entries to run with the torch.

Tom Siddon, Honorary Doctor of Laws, Okanagan campus '07

Penticton's 2009 Newsmaker of the Year
Congratulations to Tom Siddon, who was named Newsmaker of the Year by the Penticton Herald. The former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament and UBC professor is no stranger to public service and standing up for what he believes in. Tom is actively involved in many community organizations and speaks out on important community issues.

Theresa Arsenault, BA'78, LLB'81

Theresa Arsenault has two new and important letters to follow her name -- QC. Appointed to the prestigious Queen's Counsel in December, Theresa is a partner at law firm Pushor Mitchell LLP and a member of UBC's Board of Governors. She is also actively engaged in countless community and professional organizations and initiatives.

The QC designation recognizes those in the Law profession who achieve exceptional merit and make a substantial contribution.

Congratulations Theresa! Another example of UBC graduates making a difference at home and around the world.

Dr. Bill Nelems, MEd '98

2008 UBC Okanagan Alumni Community Builder Award Recipient:  Dr. Bill Nelems
On October 28, Dr. Bill Nelems was presented with the inaugural Okanagan Alumni Community Builder Award, honouring his outstanding efforts in building bridges between UBC Okanagan and the greater community while making a difference locally, regionally and globally. Dr. Nelems is a Kelowna-based thoracic surgeon who has improved healthcare not only in the Okanagan and B.C. but also in some of the most remote areas of Zambia, Africa.

Theresa Arsenault, BA'78, LLB'81

Theresa Arsenault honoured by the Canadian Bar Association of B.C, (CBABC)
The Community Service Award is the highest award the CBABC can bestow on practising lawyers, and it recognizes their efforts toward community involvement and contribution beyond the practice of law.  Theresa was chosen to receive this award on the recommendation of former Kelowna mayor Walter Gray for her work promoting Kelowna’s post-secondary institutions.

Arsenault named to UBC Board of Governors
It was announced on April 14, 2008, that UBC Alumna Theresa Arsenault has been appointed to the UBC Board of Governors. Theresa has been practicing business and estate planning law since 1982 and is a member of the UBC Okanagan President's Community Advisory Council. She has also served on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.