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Alumni GrapevineDocument Tools
Welcome to the Alumni Grapevine, where grads can share the latest events in their lives with their classmates. Examples of grapevine items include a new job, promotion, career change, marriage, birth, awards, achievements, travel, adventure, retirement, etc. Please note submissions may be edited for style, clarity and length, and posting is subject to the editor’s discretion. Photos are welcome in jpg format. Visit our Address Update Form to submit your grapevine news item or message. And visit this page often to see what’s new with the grads of SFU!
GRAPEVINE 2006 Jenny Yu (BA '97) Peter Paul Harnisch (BA '80) SFU Executive MBA graduate Joyce Murray was nominated as the federal Liberal party candidate for the New Westminster-Coquitlam riding on November 20. From 2001 to 2005 she served as MLA for New Westminster and was the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection. Joyce welcomes your comments or questions at joycemurray@ca.intern.net. Nicole Deveaux (BA '82, BBA '85) SFU Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Administration graduate Nicole Deveaux has acquired almost 20 years of professional finance and accounting experience since her time at SFU. She has held management positions with such companies as PriceWaterhouse Coopers, BC Hydro, and BC Rail. In 2002 Nicole assumed the position of Manager of Finance for the District of North Vancouver, a position that she held until June 2005 when the District appointed her as Director of Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer. David Raffa (BSc '81)
Celia Duthie (LLD '99)
Christina Wong (CESL '93, CLA '94, BA '94) Linguistics graduate Christina Wong and Alexander Quock are the proud new parents of an adorable 7-month-old baby boy named Matthew. Christina is currently on maternity leave from her position as Program Assistant at SFU International. She would love to hear from her alumni friends via e-mail. Kevin Bavaro (BSc '87) Kevin Bavaro graduated from SFU with a BSc in Management & Systems Science. Now, after five years in the United States working with green coffee importers, Kevin and Wendy Devlin have started a consultancy business from their home in Chemainus, BC. Kahawa Services Canada, offers services that are targeted primarily to coffee industry members, though Kevin & Wendy will be looking at other small-business opportunities as well. For more information, please e-mail info@kahawaservices.ca. Robert Evans (BSc '98) Kinesiology graduate Robert Evans and his wife Sandra now have two children: Isabel who is 7 years-old and John who is just 2 years-old. Professionally, Robert and two of his partners at the Dundas University Health Clinic, are currently very excited to be building a new ground-level facility that will allow them to expand on their present 15 practioners and services. For more information, please visit: www.torontochiropractor.ca. Vicki Shillington (BA '97) After completing her BA in Psychology at SFU, Vicki went on to obtain a law degree from UBC. Vicki, who was recently a member of the defense team for the high profile Air India case, is currently practicing as a criminal defense lawyer with Peck and Company, Barristers in Vancouver, BC. Kirby Uno (BA '89) SFU Economics graduate Kirby Uno and his wife Kristen had a baby boy on September 29th, 2004. Kirby is currently enjoying being a father. Roy Johnson (MAL '02)
Jasana Crowie (BA '03) SFU English graduate Jasana Crowie works as a commercial artist specializing in traditional methods of illustration. Her work can be viewed at the times and places listed below. For more information about Jasana and/or her artwork, please visit: www.crowie.com.
"Of Trees and Flowers" Art Council of New Westminster
Sanjay Madhav (BGS '98)
Andrew Geider (CPH '86, BA '86) After receiving both his Certificate in Public History and his BA in Canadian History from SFU in 1986, Andrew Geider went on to obtain a Masters of Archival Studies degree. He then formed the Corporate Archives of Canadian Airlines before taking a severance package from Air Canada and moving on to records and archives contract work. Andrew is now the Records & Information Manager/Administrator for the Corporation of Delta.
Glenn Clavier graduated from SFU with a certificate in French Language Studies in 1986. He moved to Montreal to complete a bachelors degree in Creative Writing and Journalism at Concordia University. In 1989 he moved to Japan where he worked as an editor, copywriter and French-to-English translator as well as teaching English and French. After leaving Japan in 1994, Glenn travelled in Southeast Asia and southern Europe, concluding with Spanish studies at the Universidad de Salamanca. On return to Montreal, he enrolled in a graduate studies in French-to-English Translation at Concordia University. A decade of work as a translator and editor followed, combined with Spanish language studies. The vast array of projects he has translated or adapted include corporate web sites; materials for the launch of the Fido cell phone network; documents for the National Film Board of Canada; and Life From Death, a book on the evolving clientele of community-based homes for people living with HIV. In 2004, this experience culminated in a volunteer and study tour in Latin America. Glenn is an avid cyclist, touring some 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers each summer. He continues to operate his own translation and editing business, Les Services Clavier. Timothy Fong (BSc '00) Mathematics graduate Tim Fong is a Senior Capital Markets Analyst for the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI). He would like to offer his advice and share his experience in the job market to all new graduates and interested alumni in the Toronto area. Tim gained his experience by helping friends and SFU alumni as well as volunteering as a job facilitator and speaker at a community center that specializes in helping new immigrants to find employment through workshops and one-on-one counselling. If you are interested in finding a job but do not know where to start or you need an insider to give you some value-added tips in improving your resume, or you need a mentor to help you build a career plan, please contact Tim at tfong@alumni.sfu.ca and he will be happy to walk you through the steps of a successful job hunting process. Kevin Spenst (BA '96)
Margiret Ruurs, a graduate SFU's Master of Education program, has recently had her book A Pacific Alphabet selected by the B.C. Ministry of Education to be given out to each Kindergarten student in the province. Additionally, Margriet's 20th book for children will be published this year. For more information about Margriet and/or her books, please visit: www.margrietruurs.com. Euclid Seeram (MSc '90)
Euclid is also a Medical Radiation Technology Educator and has published 15 textbooks and 30 papers in radiologic sciences, as well as being the editor-in-chief of The Canadian Journal of Medical Radiation Technology and serving on the editorial board for Radiography, an international journal of medical imaging. Mentioned in a book entitled "A New Kind of Ray" that deals with the History of Radiology in Canada, Euclid is a pioneer of Medical Imaging distance education and developed the first medical imaging degree and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) distance education programs in Canada. Other honours awarded to Euclid include the Lamp of Knowledge Award by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT), the Fellowship of the CAMRT, and the WQ Stirling Award by the British Columbia Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. Euclid's research interests are in the areas of radiation doses from Computed Tomography Scanners and Digital Radiography Systems. He is now working on his PhD on the latter topic. Gordon Cummings (BBA '96)
Lisa Sahli-Graham (B.Ed, PDP '94), Lynda Sahli-Glavas (B.Ed, PDP '94), Members of a whole family of SFU graduates, twin sisters Lisa and Lynda not only both chose to obtain their B.Ed degrees at SFU, they also underwent their PDP studies at the same time (though in different modules) graduated at the same convocation ceremony, and were hired by their respective school districts on the very same day ten years ago. More recently, and in keeping with family tradition, their younger brothers Ryan and Jeffrey, also twins, also underwent their studies at the same time. While Ryan undertook a BA with a major in English, his brother Jeffrey undertook his BA with a major in History and a minor in English. Both Ryan and Jeffrey also graduated together in the June 2004 convocation ceremonies, though they note that their ceremonies, unlike those of their sisters Lisa and Lynda, were one day apart. Raimey Olthuis (BSc '00) A graduate of SFU's Kinesiology program, Raimey Olthuis spent 3 years traveling and residing in Europe and Asia before rediscovering her passion for photography. In keeping with that passion, Raimey returned to Vancouver to complete a 2-year professional photo-imaging program at Langara College, and now runs her own photography business, Blush Images. For more information about Blush Images , please visit www.blushimages.com. Tania Campbell (BBA '89) After completing her BBA degree, SFU graduate Tania Campbell went on to pursue a MSc. in Development Studies at the London School of Economics. Having just recently accepted an exciting new position with PriceWaterhouse Coopers in London, England, Tania would very much like to connect with other SFU graduates currently living and/or working in London. Please contact Tania via e-mail. Richard Chambers (MA '77)
Stephen Hui (BA '03) A graduate of SFU's Geography program, Stephen Hui was recently elected Bureau Chief of the Canadian University Press, a cooperative of 60 student newspapers from post-secondary institutions across the country. Stephen is also part of a group of SFU graduates who recently launched a weekly online political and cultural magazine called Seven Oaks that is quickly gaining notariety at SFU, in Vancouver, and beyond. Donald A. Morin (BA '89) SFU Fine Arts graduate Donald Morin's revisionist paper entitled "Indians in the Age of Terror", along with a 45-minute version of his feature film, "7 Firest 4U...Kitchi Manitou". were presented at The Society of Cinema and Media Studies on March 3rd-7th, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. His film “7 Fires 4U…Kitchi Manitou” also gained national attention when it was showcased in Terre En Vue/Land Insights Film and Video Section in the June 2003 First Peoples’ Festival held in Montreal, Quebec. Donald, a proud Metis, is currently working on a new project called "Metis Winter Morning", a 35 mm feature film. that will share the story of Irene and Gene Whitehorse, a young Metis couple, who fall in love during the 1940's. Based on a true story, the bitter-sweet love story involves the challenges faced by the couple, the apprehension of Metis children by the governments of that time, bad medicine, ancient spirits, and the teachings of First Nations Elders. Donald is currently teaching Digital Filmmaking at Vancouver's Native Education Centre and is looking for both sponsorship and support in his endeavours. Click here to view Donald's C.V. Click here to e-mail Donald directly. Trent Carlson (BA '93)
Daniel Hare (BA '91) Since graduating from SFU with a BA in English, Dan has both undertaken a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Philosophy, which is now nearly complete, and become actively involved in the music business. His band, March Hare, has provided entertainment for numerous special events and has performed at the Four Seasons Hotel on several different occasions. For more information about March Hare or to book the band for an event, please visit the March Hare website. Jody Delichte (BBA '97) SFU Bachelor of Business Administration graduate Jody Delichte is co-founder of a new project called "DREAM!". The purpose of "DREAM" is to develop creative resources that inspire and motivate individuals to examine their passions, discover their dreams, and journey toward the realization of those dreams. The creative resources that they are currently developing include a coffee table book, a children's book, a school program, a Web community and a global exhibit. These creative resources are based on a collection of inspirational stories and beautiful photographs, from around the world, of people in various stages of discovering and achieving their dreams. Since completing his Bachelor of Science in Management & Systems Science, SFU graduate Karim Hirji has gone on to obtain both an MBA degree and a MASc degree. After speding some time as a Consultant with IBM Canada Ltd., Karim now works as a member of the management team at AGF Management Ltd. Karim is happily married; he and his wife have two children and live in Toronto. Karim can be contacted directly via e-mail. Craig Cox (BBA '93) Effective January 1, 2004 Craig has joined D&H Group, Chartered Accountants as a corporate partner. Craig has been with D&H Group since 1993 and provides tax planning, business advisory and accounting services to clients in a number of service areas. He is particularly interested in advising on tax issues for private businesses, corporate reorganizations, trusts and estates, voluntary disclosures and tax appeals. In terms of industry focus, Craig has significant experience in dealing with technology growth oriented companies, legal, construction and real estate businesses and commercial and sport fishing businesses. Steve Brooke (BSc '03) After completing his last SFU semester Steve Brooke spent 11 months working on a network programming project and maintaining a custom software installation system as a Software Contractor for iZ Technology. Steve is now consulting for iZ Technology and working on obtaining new software development contracts. His current endeavors are: His most recent accomplishment was: Baba Brinkman (BA '00) SFU graduate Baba Brinkman left SFU with a BA in English. Now the proud recipient of MA in English as well, Baba has been busy working and performing. A participant in the well-known Vancouver Fringe Festival, Baba was given the opportunity to perform a show of his own creation called "The Rap Canterbury Tales". The show was rated in CBC's top five picks for the Festival and Baba makes good use of its success by using it as a Chaucer teaching aid in local high schools and colleges. Nina Reiniger (BSc '98) and Yashar Aghababaie (BSc '98) Nina, who is currently completing a PhD in Medical Sciences at Harvard University, and Yashar, who is completing his own PhD in Theoretical Physics at McGill University, were together in BC for their wedding at the Diamond University Club on August 9, 2003. Ninji Fukuhara (BA '80) SFU BA Commerce graduate Ninji Fukuhara is the current President of Metrin International Products Corporation. He is looking to get in touch with former colleagues as well as with individuals that were part of the International Student Society between1977 and 1980. To learn more about Metrin International Products Corp., please visit www.metrin.com. To contact Ninji, please e-mail him directly. Shirley Lau Fan (BGS '94) Shirley is currently Headmaster at the Ying Yin Catholic Primary School in Yuen Long, N.T., Hong Kong. A graduate of a General Studies program at SFU, Shirley is now recruiting TESOL students interested in either participating in a practicum or completing their dissertations at her primary school in Hong Kong. Interested candidates should contact Shirley via e-mail. C. Todd Wong (BA '96) SFU graduate Todd Wong's annual Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner - also known as Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner, is being turned into a CBC regional television performance special. Todd first became enchanted with the Scottish poet when he was asked to help out with SFU's annual Robbie Burns Day celebrations. He carried the claymore (Scottish Broadsword) donated to SFU by Lord Lovatt, head of the Fraser Clan, and led a procession consisting of himself, a haggis carrier, and a bagpiper. Todd first came up with the idea of combining a Robbie Burns Dinner and Chinese New Year Dinner in 1998 when the two ethnic holidays appeared two days apart. The dinner has grown almost exponentially since its inception in 1998. For 2004, Todd is holding the dinner over 2 consecutive nights at Flamingo Chinese Restaurant on Fraser St. in Vancouver. The celtic-folk band 'The Paper Boys' were filmed at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens with a Chinese flute player, while the Silk Road Music Ensemble were filmed down in Chinatown. The festivities are described as an exciting mix of music videos with cultural juxtapositions and integrations. Mr. Wong promises participants "lots of surprises". Click on the following link for more information about Wong's Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner). Rosemary Patterson (Ph.D. '90) Now retired from the field of School Psychology, SFU Education graduate Rosemary Patterson is currently busy writing novels and screenplays. Her recent screenplay, "Journey Great Barrier Reef", was a winner in the 2003 Telluride Indiefest Screenplay Contest. For more information about the works of Rosemary Patterson, please visit www.rosemarypatterson.com. Robert Delaney (MBA '87) A resident of Mississauga since leaving BC in 1985, SFU graduate Bob Delaney was just elected to the Ontario Legislature in the October 2nd, 2003 Ontario provincial election. He now represents the riding of Mississauga West for the Ontario Liberal Party. Also, in March of 2003, Bob's first book, "High-Value IT Consulting - 12 Keys to a Thriving Practice" was published worldwide by Osborne McGraw Hill. For more information about Bob, please visit www.mississaugawest.com Jason B. Ohler (Ph.D. '94) A graduate of a Ph.D. in Communications at SFU, Jason Ohler has been very busy working as a full professor at the University of Alaska, and speaking both nationally and internationally about living and learning in the 'digital age'. Jason is also the feature columnist of a column called TechWit for the Juneau Empire (Morrison Communications) and recent books he has published include: Miriam Maxcy (BA '03)
Vanessa LeBourdais (BFA '02)
Wanda Joy Hoe (BA ’71) Since Wanda Hoe was a charter student at SFU, she has been extremely busy doing international development work for UNESCO and assisting with the Canadian Federal Government’s employment equity programs. She has also been a very committed volunteer social activist/advocate for immigrants, women’s shelters, social policy & program development, and was even involved in federal politics. Wanda feels her time at SFU “reinforced her values and aspirations to contribute to socio-economic improvement and the elimination of social injustice.” Now she is helping with research efforts to find more effective methods of chronic pain relief. Charter students who would like reconnect with Wanda can reach her via the Grad to Grad Contact Form. Stephen B. Noakes (BA '82)
Allan M. Safarik (BA ’76)
GRAPEVINE 2003
Dominic Patten (BA '92)
Donna Marie Love (BA ’69)
Melody Ermachild (BA ’69) Edith Speers, (BSc Hon ’71)
Magriet Ruurs (MEd ’98) Celia Duthie (LLD ’99) |
SFU Biological Sciences graduate David Raffa is currently a partner at 
After graduating from SFU with a BA in English Literature, Kevin Spenst spent some time living in both Montreal and Taiwan. After returning to Vancouver, he became involved in the Vancouver theater scene, acting in a number of semi-professional and professional productions around town. Since then, he has also written, acted and helped produce over twenty short films. The film "Love Flush" (2003), which Kevin co-wrote and in which he also acted, was broadcast on CBC television twice, and was recently screened at the International Festival of Short Films in London, England. Over the last year Kevin has been writing a new short-short story every day on his website and he is currently working on a series of daily short-short stories which are going to be illustrated by Vancouver artists and illustrators. The proceeds from the sale of "Fast Fictions for the City" will be donated to an arts center in the downtown Eastside. If you are interested in reading, illustrating, helping out in any way or just saying "hi" please visit: 
A graduate of both the PDP program and the Eductional Administration MA program at SFU, Richard (Dick) Chambers has put his studies to good use as a superintendent within the B.C. school system for the last 21 years. Currently Superintendent for the Prince George School District, he was recently honoured by the B.C. School Superintendents' Association (BCSSA), of which Richard has been a member for the last 23 years, when he became the most recent recipient of their Distinguished Service Award . For more information about the BCSSA, please visit: 
Port Coquitlam resident and recent SFU BA graduate Miriam Maxcy is about to depart for a one-year assignment as an English teacher in Laos, in South East Asia. Miriam undertakes this adventure as part of her involvement in the Mennonite Central Commitee's (MCC) "Serving and Learning Together" (SALT) program. Each year the MCC sends approximately 250 participants to more than 50 different countries on assignments that range from Communications & Technology Assistant in Zambia and Administrative Assistant in Jamaica, to Pastoral Intern in Indonesia. For more information about the Mennonite Central Committee please visit the 
A professional composer, librettist, musician, conductor, singer and actor, Vanessa LeBourdais has three musicals opening this theatre season. "Gremlin" is a children's musical being produced by Carousel Theatre, and is touring elementary schools in BC and Alberta for two months this fall. "Gremlin" won the 2001 Betty Lambert Memorial Prize for Best New Script. "Larger Than Life" was a smash hit last season at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops and at the Firehall Arts Centre. It is being remounted this season at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond in February, to be followed by a tour of BC and the Yukon. With her husband and co-writer, Ian Gschwind, Vanessa is also Co-Artistic Producer of DreamRider Theatre, which tours environmental theatre to elementary schools. Their hit musical, "Clean Up Your Act", is touring Vancouver this April for the sixth consecutive year. Her holiday musical "Journey of the Magi" is in development with Western Canada Theatre and is slated for production within the next year or so. For more information, contact Vanessa via 
An avid geographer during his time at SFU, Stephen Noakes has since added Geology to his arsonal of expertise. While living in Chile with his wife and two daughters, Stephen's projects as a Remote-Terrain Specialist took him on explorations everywhere from Canada's Western provinces and territories to international locations such as Turkey, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. Currently living in Kelowna, BC, Stephen is now owner/operator of "GeoQwest Excursions Ltd, British Columbia's Overland Safari Company", which showcases BC's spectacular backcountry for local and international clients alike. Stephen would love to hear from some of his former classmates. To contact Stephen, simply fill out our 
A graduate of SFU’s English program, Allan Safarik has made good use of his degree. Having published his tenth collection of poetry “A Bird Writer’s Handbook” in May of 2003, Allan, the recent recipient of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild’s John V. Hicks Manuscript Award in recognitition of excellence in unpublished book-length manuscripts by Saskatchewan writers, will soon be able to boast an eleventh publication as his latest collection, “Blood of Angels” is released by Thistledown Press in the spring of 2004. For a list of some of Allan’s published works, visit: 
SFU graduate Dominic Patten is on an upward curve of success. A former CBC producer and correspondent, as well as a current CTV National News correspondent, Dominic is now a host of 21© (aka: Twenty First Century), CTV's critically acclaimed new documentary series for Canadian teens and young adults. The award winning show has just recently been nominated for 3 Gemini Awards: Best Children's or Youth Non-Fiction Program, Best Picture Editing, and Best Magazine Segment. The show is due to begin it's third season with an ‘SFU Connection’ component and will air on CTV beginning October 4th, 2003. For more information about Dominic, please visit: 
Donna Love was a Charter student of SFU and has the amazing distinction of having been the first woman ever elected President of the then ‘Alumni Society’. An active entrepreneur, Donna successfully owns and operates “Love’s Lakeview Bed and Breakfast” in beautiful Kelowna, BC. Donna would love to see more SFU graduates visiting her B&B. For more information about Donna's B&B please visit: 