SFU Alumni Update - October 2006

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1. Student Learning Commons - Assistance for SFU Students
2. Fall 2006 Convocation - October 5 & 6
3. Alumni Calling Campaign Kicks Off with Smiles
4. Call for Nominations - Excellence in Teaching Award Nominations
5. Call for Nominations - SFU Honorary Degrees
6. President's Award - Service to the University through Media & Public Relations
7. SFU Video Game Strives to Help Homeless
8. Connect2Canada.com - A Resource for Alumni in the U.S.
9. Upcoming Events - Toronto Alumni, Business Wine & Cheese, UK Pub Night and more
10. SFU News

1. Student Learning Commons - Assistance for SFU Students

September 19 marked the opening of SFU's Student Learning Commons (SLC) in the Bennett Library, a new all-in-one academic support centre offering workshops, tutorials, peer counselling, one-on-one consultations, and online resources. Students receive help in developing the skills they need to succeed at university like note taking, study strategies, writing, research, and exam preparation. The SLC supports the new undergrad curriculum, emphasizing breadth of knowledge, quantitative reasoning & logic, and writing ability.
Thank you to alumni library donors who help make exciting new developments like this possible. http://learningcommons.sfu.ca

2. Fall 2006 Convocation - October 5 & 6

The Alumni Association grows to over 91,800 members as 2,600 graduates convocate October 5 and 6. Honorary Degree recipients include SFU alumnus and B.C. Lions star Lui Passaglia, BA '76. View archived webcasts of the ceremonies at http://www.lidc.sfu.ca Read about the graduating class in the October 5 issue of SFU News: http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/sfu_news

3. Alumni Calling Campaign Kicks Off with Smiles

SFU students smiled and dialed on October 1, making over 1000 calls to alumni to kick off this year's Alumni Annual Appeal. They'll be letting grads know about new alumni benefits - like booking the Diamond Alumni Centre at discounted rates - and answering questions about what's new at SFU.
New for the appeal this year is the option to help students year round with Monthly Giving. Alumni who sign up to become a monthly donor will have their gift matched by the SFU Alumni Association with an equivalent donation to the Alumni Scholarship & Bursary Fund. www.sfu.ca/advancement

4. Call for Nominations - Excellence in Teaching Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2006 Awards for Excellence in Teaching. All continuing full and part-time faculty members (including lecturers & laboratory instructors) of SFU are eligible for the award. Nominations may be made by SFU students, alumni and/or faculty. Click here to find out more and to make a nomination. Deadline: October 15, 2006.

5. Call for Nominations - SFU Honorary Degrees
The Senate Committee on University Honours invites alumni and members of the community to submit nominations for SFU's 2007 Honorary Degrees. Deadline: October 16, 2006. Find complete details and a list of past recipients at http://students.sfu.ca/honorarydegree/index.html

6. President's Award - Service to the University through Media & Public Relations
Nominations are now being accepted for this annual award which recognizes an SFU faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding service to SFU by sharing his or her expertise with the larger community through the media. Deadline: noon on Friday, October 27, 2006. Download nomination form at http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/pres_award/nominations.html

7. SFU Video Game Strives to Help Homeless
October 16 - 22 is Homelessness Awareness Week in Vancouver, and a new SFU computer game is helping the cause. Terry Lavender, a graduate student and soon-to-be-alumnus in SFU's school of interactive arts & technology, designed "Homeless: It's NO Game", where players must survive as a homeless person for 24 hours. This game with a social conscience combats stereotypes and encourages empathy for the plight of the homeless. Play the game at http://www.homelessgame.net

8. Connect2Canada.com - A Resource for Alumni in the U.S.
Living in the United States and looking for a way to connect with alumni from Canadian universities? Check out Connect2Canada.com, a network for Canadians who live in the U.S. Currently, 28,000 people belong to the network and hundreds more sign up each week. Find out more about events happening in your area at http://www.connect2canada.com/alumni

9. Upcoming Events

Safe Streets/Safe Communities Free Public Lecture - October 12
Join SFU Outstanding Alumni Award recipient and forensic entomologist Dr. Gail Anderson and Dr. Lynne Bell for "Murder & Maggots" and "Bugs & Bones". Thursday, October 12, 2006, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, SFU Surrey. Lecture is free , but seating is limited and early arrival is recommended. Details at www.sfu.ca/cstudies/surrey.htm

Toronto Alumni & Friends Event - October 26
Dr. Michael Stevenson, SFU President and Vice-Chancellor, invites you and your guest to a special reception for SFU alumni and friends in the Greater Toronto area. Thursday, October 26, 2006, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm with a brief program at 6:15 pm. A selection of hors d'oeuvres and BC wines will be served while you enjoy contemporary artwork from around the world at the Blue Dot Gallery. The Distillery District, 55 Mill Street, Building 47, Suite 101, Toronto, Ontario. RSVP by October 12 at www.sfu.ca/alumni/events

Young Alumni Group Networking Reception - November 9
The SFU Young Alumni Group (formerly the Downtown Alumni Group) will be holding a Pub Night social gathering at the Yaletown Brew Pub, Thursday, November 9 in Vancouver. For information and to RSVP, contact Alumni Association board member Diane Chung at dchung@van.fasken.com.

MBA Tune Up/Alumni Wine & Cheese Reception - November 23
The MBA Tune Up features three MBA professors who will 'tune up' your business education. Following the afternoon workshops, join us at a reception to mix and mingle with other SFU Business alumni. Hold the date. More details to follow next month or visit http://www.sfubusiness.ca/alumni/events.php

BC Universities Pub Night in London, England - November 29
SFU alumni in the UK are invited to join graduates from SFU, UBC and UVIC for a joint social gathering at the Maple Leaf Pub, 41 Maiden Lane, London, England. Wednesday, November 29, 2006 starting at 7:00 pm. RSVP to Catherine_Price@

School for the Contemporary Arts Performances - Fall 2006
Dance, drama, music, film: there's something for everyone on offer at the SFU Theatre this fall. Check out the free noon series on Thursdays at 12:30 pm or attend an evening performance at the $7 discounted alumni ticket price. http://www.sfu.ca/sca/performance_1.html

SFU Art Gallery
Home Theatre: Karin Bubas, Lynda Gammon, Arni Haraldsson, Oliver Michaels, Carol Sawyer - a group exhibition presenting five very different but related views of contemporary domestic space. Opening Saturday, October 21 at 3 pm at the SFU Burnaby Gallery, AQ 3004. Details at www.sfu.ca/gallery

SFU Philosophers' Cafe
Visit http://www.sfu.ca/philosopherscafe for the Fall 2006 Philosophers' Cafe calendar.

SFU Burnaby is holding a special Philosophers' Cafe to coincide with national breast cancer awareness month: "Pushing the envelope in breast cancer research". Join breast cancer survivor and SFU public affairs and media relations officer Carol Thorbes to discuss these thought provoking questions: Are we pushing in the right directions? Should promising new research get funding when the medical system has trouble delivering proven procedures that can save lives now? Wednesday October 25, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Renaissance Coffee, Cornerstone Building, SFU Burnaby.

SFU Vancouver Events
Visit www.harbour.sfu.ca/psa for a calendar of public events at SFU Vancouver. Reserve seats at 604.291.5100.

SFU Events - All Campuses
Event listings for all SFU campuses at http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/events.html

SFU Athletics
Check out the 2006-2007 game schedule, and come out to cheer on SFU's talented student athletes: http://www.sfu.ca/athletics

10. SFU News - The latest SFU News is just a click away: http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr

Remember Your Alumni Benefits:

* Full-service personalized financial and investment planning: Clearsight Wealth Management
* Rewards for you and SFU every time you charge it: SFU Alumni Association Mosaik Mastercard
* Home, tenant, auto, home business and travel insurance at preferred rates: TD Meloche Monnex
* Term life, extended health, critical illness, dental, and disability insurance: Manulife Financial
* SFU crested frames for degrees, certificates and photos: Significant Impact Leader Frames

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