Capilano University tourism students accept first place award from B.C.’s Minister of Environment

Left to right: MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour Jane Thornthwaite, B.C.’s Minister of Environment Terry Lake, Capilano University tourism degree students Louise Wirtz, Nada Mher Al Saadi, Frankie Aeng and Nic Alder, and Minister of Advanced Education and MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale Naomi Yamamoto are all at Cap on Nov. 25 to see the four students accept awards for their first place finish at the Tourism & Hospitality Case competition held in October. More information can be found on Capilano University’s newsroom blog. Photo by Ken Barbour.

Capilano University honours outstanding alumni and individuals

Eight outstanding individuals will be recognized May 5 at Capilano University’s 2011 Alumni Awards of Excellence to be held at the Terminal City Club at 837 West Hastings Street in Vancouver.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are: 

Mark Watson

Mark Watson, an alumnus of Cap’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences, is the assistant coach for the San Jose Earthquakes. Watson was a member of the Capilano Blues soccer team between 1989 and 1991. He has played for the Canadian National team and a record 23 games for the Canadian Olympic team.

Cory Weeds

Cory Weeds, owner of Vancouver’s Cellar Jazz Club, is a graduate of Cap’s Jazz Studies diploma program in the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. Weeds bought the Cellar Jazz Club in 2000 and compilations of some of the Cellar’s live performances saw the birth of his successful record label, Cellar Live.

The One to Watch Awards recipients are:

Deanne Lazaruk

Deanne Lazaruk (Faculty of Tourism & Outdoor Recreation) is known as the face of the International Mountain Biking Association in Canada. Lazaruk earned a Mountain Bike Operations Certificate at Capilano University after completing a BA in Kinesiology and Applied Health. Additionally, she holds a Level 4 National Coaching Certification program designation, which is extremely challenging to obtain. Few women in Canada hold this certification.

Krissi Bucholtz

Krissi Bucholtz (Faculty of Arts & Sciences) is a graduate of Capilano University’s Global Stewardship program. After spending time in Sierra Leone, Bucholtz started an organization called the Planning for the Elimination of Poverty through Love and Education (or PEOPLE), to provide mentoring and counselling programs to youth, particularly young girls. She was recently awarded the Mahatma Ghandi scholarship for voluntary community service in areas related to peace, justice and human rights.

Sean Aiken

Sean Aiken (Faculty of Business) turned the biggest graduating student challenge into a playground of opportunity.  A graduate of Cap’s School of Business, Aiken didn’t have a clear idea of what to do with his BBA, so he took his uncertainty on the road. He worked 52 jobs in 52 weeks, which culminated in a book called The One Week Job Project. He then launched a documentary called the One Week Job Project Summer Program, which provides students from across North America with the opportunity to experience a mini journey similar to his own. 

President’s Service Award:

Pat Dejong

Pat Dejong, acting vice-president of Retail Banking for BMO, is the former chair of the Capilano University Board of Governors

Award for Excellence in Empowering Learning:

Doug Abercrombie

Doug Abercrombie (Faculty of Student Services & Development) was a longtime employee of Cap’s Department of Athletics and is the retiring coach of the award-winning Capilano Blues Women’s Soccer Team.

Janet MacDonald

Janet MacDonald (Faculty of Health and Education) is the retiring manager of Capilano University’s Children’s Centre. She has been at Cap for 35 years.

Capilano University’s Bosa Centre design wins architectural award of excellence

Bosa Centre conceptual art of the building scheduled to be completed in July 2011.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, January 14, 2011
Contact:  Shelley Kean at 604.983.7596

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)—Capilano University’s new Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation has been acknowledged with an Award of Excellence by Canadian Architect Magazine.

Designed by Vancouver architectural firm, Cannon Design, the building was described by the magazine as a “machine for film . . . a device in support of the teaching of film . . . based on an understanding of where architecture and cinema merge.”

“We are absolutely thrilled with both the functionality and aesthetics of the building that Cannon has created for us,” said Bill Thumm, director of the Bosa Centre. “Their design team, led by James Wu and Larry Podhora, was terrific to work with and went to great lengths to both understand and execute the very specific requirements for this unique, purpose-built facility.”

The architecture responds to the West Coast landscape of the University’s North Vancouver campus, and will house the latest in S3D technology, as well as a 200-seat high definition/3D theatre, industry-standard sound mixing and recording studios, an 8,000 square foot sound stage, picture editing labs, sound editing labs, digital and commercial animation labs, a teaching studio for cinematography, costuming studios, and two visual effects labs.

“Being recognized with this award is both a firm and personal first and is a tremendous honour,” said Cannon’s senior associate architect, James Wu. “It would not have been possible without the enormous efforts of the entire project team and especially the members of the Capilano University steering committee comprised of former University president, Dr. Greg Lee; vice-president of finance and administration, Cindy Turner; Bill Thumm; and director of contract services, Mark Clifford.  Capilano University has to be credited with having the vision and conviction to pursue a building such as this, despite the enormous pressures imposed by schedule and budget.” 

When completed in July, the 97,000 sq. ft. Bosa Centre will be one of the top film and animation teaching facilities in all of North America and a cornerstone for young talented filmmakers to learn and maintain B.C.’s position as a leader in this industry. It will serve approximately 400 students and industry workers annually and is targeted for LEED Gold standards.

The Canadian Architecture awards honour architectural design excellence for in-design projects. Jurors consider the scheme’s response to the client’s program, site and geographic and social context, while evaluating the project’s physical organization, form, structure, materials and environmental features. 

Comments from the jury panel included:
“This project dissects the traditional hermetic black-box solution for film studios and turns its program into a strong formal parti of “open bars” anchored by the closed sound stage. These long horizontal bars ground the entire project in response to the landscape and out of the campus in the best of the West Coast traditions.”

“This is a juicy building type that every architect wants to tackle! The Bosa Centre is a self-conscious building in the best possible way, as the site, construction technique, conjoining of program and meaning are all equally rendered. The architects have resisted the temptation to become too literal by simply employing cinematic techniques—splicing, framing, editing, cropping—to assign architectural meaning. Rather, they have done the difficult work of expressing these attributes as architectural vision.”

Cannon Design was also a recent recipient of the distinguished Facilities of Merit Award at the Athletic Business Showcase in San Diego for designing the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Capilano University is a teaching-focused university that serves the communities of the Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, and the Sunshine Coast through campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. Enrolment totals 7,500 students in credit programs each term with an additional 7,000 people taking non-credit courses annually. Capilano offers a complete range of preparatory courses, university-level arts and science courses, business and management studies, creative and applied arts programs, health and human services programs, plus a range of services in support of student learning and success. Credentials awarded include bachelor degrees, associate degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas, advanced diplomas, diplomas, certificates and statements of completion. More information can be found at www.capilanou.ca

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Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal recipient is “authentic and ethical”

 

Capilano Universeity Early Childhood Care and Education instructor, Violet Jessen (right), gives this year’s Lt. Governor’s Silver Medal recipient, Hannah Kinch, a big hug.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Contact:  Shelley Kean at 604.983.7596

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)—Capilano University’s 2010 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal is North Vancouver resident and Early Childhood Care and Education student, Hannah Naomi Kinch. The medal was awarded at the university’s fall convocation ceremony on November 29.

Established in 1979 by the Ministry of Advanced Education, the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal is awarded to a student in a vocational or career program of less than two years duration who has excelled in his or her studies and who has contributed in a positive way to the life of their post-secondary institution or their community.

When presenting the medal, ECCE instructor Violet Jessen told the audience that Hannah’s intellectual curiosity led her to take risks by challenging her own ideas and beliefs as she refined her teaching practices and philosophy with thoughtfulness and clarity.

“In her work with young children, Hannah treated each child as an individual and it was evident to see that Hannah was quickly becoming a distinguished and effective early childhood educator. Those same qualities also shone in the classroom with her fellow students. Hannah exhibited exceptional leadership, modeled strong work ethics and was always considerate of her peers.”

Hannah has volunteered with Amnesty International, Diversity Track Meet and other community projects in her hometown of Okotoks, Alberta. Today, she dedicates the same unflagging commitment in her work with children and families at Windridge Preschool in North Vancouver.

“Hannah has shown herself to be a true asset to that program, in particular, working with a child with special needs and providing additional support to the same family outside of the hours of the preschool,” Violet explained. “She strives to be authentic and ethical in her relationships with children, families and colleagues. And so we are that much richer and fortunate that Hannah has chosen a career in the field of early childhood care and education.”

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Nominations open for Capilano University awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Contact: Janis Connolly at 604.990.7968

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)–Nominations are currently being accepted for Capilano University’s 2011 Alumni Awards of Excellence, President’s Service Awards and the Award for Excellence in Empowering Learning.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards honour Capilano alumni who have had more than 10 years of experience in their field prior to the award year and have distinguished themselves and Capilano through success in their professional endeavors or contributions in their field of work or humanity. Previous recipients have included Dr. Thomas Kerr, world renowned HIV/AIDs research pioneer, and best-selling author and playwright, Anosh Irani.

The One to Watch Awards honour Capilano alumni who have distinguished themselves early on in their professions and who have attended Capilano within the last 10 years of the award year. Previous recipients include Toronto’s Sound of Music and Rock of Ages star, Elicia MacKenzie, and award-winning documentary film maker, Dianne Whelan. 

Capilano University’s 2011 Alumni Awards of Excellence celebration will also recognize individuals or organizations whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mission of Capilano University through the President’s Service Awards.  Former recipients have included acclaimed jazz vocalist Dee Daniels, founding performer of the popular Capilano Jazz Series, and RBC, a significant supporter and mentor of Capilano University’s emerging artists programs.

“Our past recipients have inspired and supported countless others in their endeavours,” said Capilano University president, Dr. Kris Bulcroft. “I strongly encourage people to nominate a deserving alumnus, individual or organization for recognition.”

Alumni of Capilano University are also invited to nominate exceptional faculty, staff and administrators who have made significant contributions to learning through the Award for Excellence in Empowering Learning. This award builds on the Outstanding Teaching Award, initiated in 2010 to recognize exemplary teaching at Capilano. 

Nomination forms and guidelines can be found at capilanou.ca/alumni/awards or by contacting Janis Connolly, alumni relations officer in the University’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations, at 604.990.7968, or jconnoll@capilanou.ca.

Nominations for all awards close February 15, 2011 and recipients will be recognized at the Alumni Awards of Excellence celebration in May 5, 2011 at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver.

Capilano University is a teaching-focused university that serves the communities of the Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, and the Sunshine Coast through campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. Enrolment totals 7,500 students in credit programs each term with an additional 7,000 people taking non-credit courses annually. Capilano offers a complete range of preparatory courses, university-level arts and science courses, business and management studies, creative and applied arts programs, health and human services programs, plus a range of services in support of student learning and success. Credentials awarded include bachelor degrees, associate degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas, advanced diplomas, diplomas, certificates and statements of completion. More information can be found at www.capilanou.ca

Capilano University Bachelor of Music Therapy student wins national recognition

Mara Sawchyn

Mara Sawchyn, a student in Capilano University’s Bachelor of Music Therapy program, is this year’s winner of the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund National Scholarship. The scholarship is given to the top fourth year Music Therapy student in Canada, based on leadership, academic excellence, creativity and innovation.

Mara’s inspiration for applying for the scholarship was her final practicum in an inpatient psychiatric care hospital. She was challenged to find creative and innovative ways to facilitate the Music Therapy groups. Staff noticed how effectively the clients were responding to the music experiences, and to Mara’s leadership style.

She is so pleased to receive this recognition, which came after a making a career change and balancing family and school responsibilities. Mara has started her internship working with seniors in longterm care and with adults in psychiatric care. 

Last year’s Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund National Scholarship winner was also a Capilano University Music Therapy student – Sheila Harry.

Capilano University honours outstanding alumni, individuals and organizations

 

 

 

Dianne Whelan

Elicia MacKenzie (with Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Rob Butler

Seanna McPherson

James Haga and friends

Monday, April 26, 2010
Contact:  Janis Connolly at 604.990.7968

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)—Several outstanding individuals and organizations were recognized April 22 for their contribution to Capilano University’s mission of enabling student success at the 2010 Alumni Awards of Excellence.

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were: Rob Butler, one of Canada’s top ornithologists and wildlife biologists who has inspired generations of biologists; and bestselling author, Anosh Irani, whose books The Cripple and His Talismans, The Song of Kahsunsha, and his latest novel, Dahanu Road,  have received literary acclaim worldwide.

The One to Watch recipients included filmmaker Marshall Axani, whose short film The Light of Family Burnam, garnered seven awards at the Vancouver Short Film Festival, including Best Director and Best Picture; James Haga, a graduate from Capilano University’s Global Stewardship program who completed an internship with the African Canadian Continuing Education Society in Kenya and earned accolades for quickly building efficiencies into their programs in the Kakemega region. Upon graduating from Cap, James went on to Simon Fraser University where he became a Rhodes Scholarship nominee; Capilano University Musical Theatre graduate, Elicia MacKenzie, who captured the hearts of the Canadian public in 2008 when she auditioned for and won the coveted role of Maria in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Sound of Music. Elicia won a Dora for her performance in the production that ran for 15 months at Toronto’s Prince of Wales Theatre. She is currently rehearsing for the starring role of Sherry in the Mirvisch production musical, Rock of Ages; Dianne Whelan, an accomplished photographer and documentary filmmaker who is currently at 17,000 feet on Mt. Everest filming her next production, 40 Days at Base Camp. Her film, This Land, was awarded Best Short Canadian Documentary at the 2009 Planet in Focus Film Festival in Toronto. Her experience in the Canadian High Arctic was the subject of her first book, This Vanishing Land. 

The Outstanding Teaching Award recipient is Seanna McPherson. Seanna brings years of experience working in the film industry and has been teaching in Capilano’s Motion Picture Production Program since 2003. In addition to her commitment in the classroom to teaching, Seanna led the process for developing the Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts Degree that has just received final approval from the Ministry of Advanced Education.

President’s Service Award Recipients include: The Advisory Council  for the McRae Institute for International Management. The Advisory Council was instrumental in the development of Capilano’s award-winning McRae Institute for International Management. Members of the Advisory Council included: Atonio Arreaga-Valdes – Honorary Consul General of Costa Rica in Vancouver; Dr. David Fung – founder of ACDEG International; Bill Johnson, former Canadian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City; Johnathan Manthorpe, The Vancouver Sun’s International Affairs columnist and foreign correspondent; Andre Nudelman, chairman of Addexo and leader of its international expansion; and the late Jonathan Powles, who was one of the most significant figures in Canada-Japan relations, including Japan chair for BC’s Asia Pacific Trade Council, among other official posts; Sewell’s Marina, a family run operation that has over the years offered professional, positive work experiences for many Capilano students; Pacific Arbour Retirement Communities, which, as the lead sponsor of Capilano’s Eldercollege program, has enabled Capilano to offer programming accessible to seniors at locations around the North Shore. PAG has also provided funds to support Continuing Education’s summer camps for children and last year funded the Pacific Arbour Speaker Series at Capilano’s Performing Arts Theatre, which featured discussions by renowned author Margaret Atwood and Canadian physician Ray Wiss, who wrote a memoir of his experiences working on the front lines in Afghanistan; and, RBC, which has become a partner in working with arts programs at Capilano to help ensure our students have the opportunity to engage in the kind of relevant hands-on experience that is essential for them to move their art careers forward.

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Nominations open for two new awards at Capilano University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Contact: Janis Connolly, Alumni Relations Officer, at 604.990.7968

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)—Capilano University is calling for nominations for two new awards that will become important components of its successful Alumni Awards of Excellence program.

The President’s Service Award will honour an individual or organization whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mission of Capilano University, which is to enable student success. Anyone can submit a nomination for this award by March 1, 2010.  

The Outstanding Teaching Award will recognize the scholarly and creative activities of faculty who contribute to Capilano University’s commitment to leadership and innovation in teaching and learning. Alumni of Capilano University are invited to nominate exceptional candidates for this award by March 1, 2010.

Both awards will be presented at the Alumni Awards of Excellence celebration on April 22, 2010 at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver.

“Making a nomination is a unique opportunity to give leaders outside and inside the classroom the recognition they deserve,” said Capilano University’s president and vice chancellor, Dr. Greg Lee. “We know that these are inspirational people who help change lives for the better. Help us celebrate their achievements and reward their dedication by nominating these unsung heroes in our communities.” 

Nomination forms with eligibility and criteria for these awards can be obtained by visiting www.capilanou.ca/alumni, by calling the University’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 604.990.7968, or by e-mailing Janis Connolly at jconnoll@capilanou.ca.

Both the Distinguished Alumni Award, which honours alumni who distinguish themselves and Capilano University through success in their professional endeavors or through significant contributions, and the One to Watch Award, which recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves early on in their careers, will continue to be important hallmarks of the awards program.

For more information, contact Janis Connolly at 604.990.7968 or by e-mail at jconnoll@capilanou.ca.

Capilano University is a teaching-focused university that serves the communities of the Lower Mainland, Howe Sound, and the Sunshine Coast through campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. Enrolment totals 7,000 students in credit programs each term with an additional 7,000 people taking non-credit courses annually. Capilano offers a complete range of preparatory courses, university-level arts and science courses, business and management studies, creative and applied arts programs, health and human services programs, plus a range of services in support of student learning and success. Credentials awarded include bachelor degrees, associate degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas, advanced diplomas, diplomas, certificates and statements of completion.

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Capilano University Continuing Education director receives community award

John Braithwaite, left, a former long-time North Vancouver City councillor and director of the North Shore Neighbourhood House, presents Lynn Jest with the Heart of the Community Award.

Director of Continuing Education, Lynn Jest, is a recent recipient of the Heart of the Community Award.

This annual award is presented by North Shore Neighbourhood House to people who have provided exemplary service to the community. For the past four years Lynn has offered volunteer service to the Braithwaite Community Centre, including three years as chair of the JBCC’s governance committee. This City-appointed committee is a committed group of citizens who oversee operations at the centre, developing and implementing strategic plans to ensure that community needs are being met.

“John Braithwaite Community Centre is a complex community partnership and Lynn has provided exceptional leadership in developing membership and skill levels on the committee,” said JBCC manager, Richard Gauntlett. “She has successfully negotiated and nurtured understanding and protocols within the partnership, and steered the work of the committee through sometimes difficult issues to a point where it is an effective group.”

Two Capilano University Aboriginal students receive awards

Capilano University students Sarah Hager (North Vancouver) and Jaysen Villeneuve (Vancouver) are two of 94 B.C. Aboriginal students who will receive awards of $1,000 – $3,500 each for study in their home province this year. Awards totaling $256,000 were announced today by Jim Reed, chair of the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society.

“These awards are an investment in the skills and talents of BC’s Aboriginal students,” said Reed. “They will help to open new doors to B.C.’s educational system for Aboriginal people in all regions of the province.”

The B.C. Aboriginal Student Award is funded from the returns on a $10 million endowment fund established by the provincial government in 2007 as part of its strategy to improve Aboriginal access and achievement. To ensure that there are more opportunities for people to benefit from this award, the government provided an additional one-time grant of $500,000 that will be used to fund awards this year and in 2010.

“Government is committed to providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to help them start, stay in and succeed in post-secondary education and training,” said Moira Stilwell, minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “I congratulate the 94 student recipients of these awards and wish them much success in their educational endeavours.”

Awards of $1,000 – $3,500 are given annually to Aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education in B.C. The number of awards granted depends on the type of programs students are enrolled in and the revenue generated by the endowment fund. Preference was given to students enrolled in the trades and certificate programs.

Working in partnership with the Victoria Foundation, the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society provides scholarships to students attending public post-secondary institutions both throughout the province and internationally. To date, the Society has awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships.