Alumni, students, staff, faculty and community supporters were on hand April 23 to celebrate success at the annual awards and community recognition night for Capilano University (Cap U) at the Sechelt Golf Club.
Tuesday was a celebration of many wonderful achievements by students. A total of 12 awards were handed out, and the night was also a chance to recognize the efforts of many volunteer groups and community partners who played significant roles in the university's success.
Dean Jean Bennett, who served as MC, said she was so proud to be part of Cap U and the amazing achievements and success of the past year.
"We are looking back and looking forward - looking back at the accomplishments of our students and looking forward to the future of our students," Bennett said. "There have been a lot of success stories this year, but I want to mention one in particular. We run a health care assistant program, and 18 of the 21 graduating students already have found work in the community. It's part of the way that Cap U is really connecting with the community, both in terms of offering people the opportunity to learn here on the Coast and find a good job, and also ensuring that people here on the Coast are getting the kind of quality care that they deserve."
Shelley McDade, a member of the board of governors for Cap U, spoke of the acclaimed status the university has established for itself over the years.
"There are lots of wins for this university. On a global level, Capilano University is the second university in Canada to be accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities," said McDade. "This is quite a remarkable achievement, and it was a significant process that took four years of hard work."
McDade said community partners such as the Sechelt Indian Band, District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, Sunshine Coast Regional District and other business leaders have worked together to achieve myriad accomplishments this year. From early literacy programs to the new pump track created by the mountain bike operations program to the scuba dive program offering a public event at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre allowing residents a chance to try scuba diving, Cap U is giving back to the Sunshine Coast in many positive ways, she said.
"It is quite amazing to see so many connections from the university to the community," McDade said. "As someone who watches the financial world every day, I'm thrilled to see so many young people employed in our community through the health care assistant program. There is a commitment at Capilano to prepare students for the journey of their choice. Hats off to the students and the campus staff for their significant contribution not only to education, but to the quality of life on the Sunshine Coast. By all accounts, it's been a banner year."
Recognizing outstanding alumni was also a focus of the evening.
Lenora Joe, director of education at the Sechelt Indian Band, is one of several recipients this year of the One to Watch Award. She will receive the award at a formal ceremony in June in North Vancouver.
Joe spoke of the importance of education, how it has impacted her life and how she has become a champion for education not only within the SIB community, but the community at large.
"Education is a passion for me. If there are any kinds of hurdles, I will find a way. I will climb the highest mountain to do that," Joe said. "My grandparents really instilled in me that to make a difference in the community, to your family, to yourself, you have to get educated. So I'm very fortunate to have had so many people in my life giving me those lessons and values. If it wasn't for the partnerships that we have at the college and the dedicated staff, we would not be successful, so our success is because of our partners that we work with. My hands go up for you."
The award winners included:
Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Sunshine Coast Award
Katherine Larwa - health care assistant certificate
Douglas K. Jardine Scholarship
Lyudmyla Vins - rehabilitation assistant diploma?
Elizabeth Lees Memorial Award
Roxanne Haddrell - bachelor of business administration degree
The Elsa Award
Jacqueline Lee-Coyle - special education assistant certificate
Mary Ann Baguilod - health care assistant certificate?
Hopkins Celebration Memorial Award
Theresa De Boer - health care assistant certificate
Leah Meszaros - health care assistant certificate
Janet Collins Textile Arts Award
Patricia Graham - textile arts diploma
Jim Cooke Award
Jeyna Plowman - adult basic education (general upgrading)
John Percy Williamson Memorial Award
Sarah Stenzel - bachelor of early childhood care and education degree
Minerva Foundation Award
Roxanne Haddrell - bachelor of business administration degree
Rosalind Brossard Memorial Award
Katherine Larwa - health care assistant certificate
Sunshine Coast Campus Award of Excellence
Scott Barkemeyer - mountain bike operations certificate
Sunshine Coast Quilters Guild Award
Meghan Rosner - textile arts diploma
Sunshine Coast Resident Award
Sarah Stenzel - bachelor of early childhood care and education degree
Thelma Jones Endowment Award Fund
Emily Pierron - acting for stage and screen diploma
Travis Cripps Memorial Award
Daniel Fleischhacker - adult basic education (general upgrading)
Christine Howe - associate of science/ABE
