Alumni updates
THOMAS MCKENZIE (BPE, BEd’69) of San Diego, CA, received the Hetherington Award, the highest honour of the American National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK), at the academy’s annual meeting in Seattle in September 2019. The title of his talk was My Environment Made Me Do It.
BRUCE MURRAY (BA) of Vancouver, BC, was appointed to the board of Mercy Ships Canada in July 2019 - see www.mercyships.ca - Mercy Ships is an international humanitarian organization committed to providing free quality health care for those who cannot afford it. Mercy Ships operates state-of-the-art hospital ships run by skilled volunteers to deliver free surgery and world-class health care services and capacity building in developing nations. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations that donate their time and skills to bring hope and healing to the poor. Mercy Ships Canada raises funds and volunteers to resource surgery related programs that bring hope and healing to the poor who have limited access to healthcare. Mercy Ships Canada is a registered Canadian charity and is governed by a board of directors. The board chair of each national office is a member of the Mercy Ships’ international board. Mercy Ships Canada has offices in Victoria and Guelph.
MARC BEDARD (BBA) of Dieppe, NB, and group held their annual fishing trip to the Miramichi in July 2020, enjoying two days of fishing on the Miramichi and catching up on things in these difficult times. Along with Marc, the group included Julian Albert (BBA’74), Steve Palmer (BBA’74), Anna Albert (Class of’ 76), Charlotte Stanton and Sheila Palmer.
MARC BEDARD (BBA) of Dieppe, NB, held a family gathering on July 4, 2020, to celebrate the Atlantic bubble. Along with Marc, the gathering included Mike McNeill (BBA'84), Alan Archibald (BBA'75), Jeanne McNeill (née Bedard, Class of '82), Anne Bedard (BSc'76), Charlotte Stanton and Michele Bedard (BA'90).
DEAN CARRIER (BScEng) of Laval, QC, was promoted to vice-president operations of USC Consulting Group as of January 1, 2020.
ALTHEA ARSENAULT (BBA, MPE’86) of Oromocto, NB, was recently elected to the board of directors of Triathlon Canada. Having served on the Triathlon NB board for the past seven years, most recently as president, she began her volunteer role as secretary in October 2019, while still contributing where possible to the provincial triathlon community. She will be travelling across Canada to attend meetings in Victoria or to officiate at national & international triathlons - say hello when you see her at the airport!
DIANE EDMONDSON (BA, BSS’87) of Ottawa, ON, Hello to every one back in New Brunswick and Fredericton, my former hometown. I was diagnosed with “Behcet’s Disease” also referred to as Silk Road disorder in 2014. I would really appreciate contact with anyone with medical information regarding this disorder. There isn’t much info. out there that feels very helpful. Otherwise I am unable to work, but I do participate in many charitable endeavors. I look forward to hearing from friends, family (alumni relatives) and anyone else who wishes to say hello during this time of social distancing. I hope everyone is healthy, well during this time of social distancing and may you continue to be so.
JOHN CLARK (BBA) of Woodstock, NB, was appointed chair of the board of directors of CPA New Brunswick on June 26, 2020, after serving as vice-chair (2019/20) and secretary-treasurer (2018/19). CPA New Brunswick represents more than 2,800 active and retired, as well as 300 future CPAs in New Brunswick.
HEATHER CRIPPS (née Bryenton, BA, BEd’86, MEd’04) of Fredericton, NB, was the 2019 Distinguished Principal of the Year Recipient.
RAY FERRIS (BScEng) of Fredericton, NB, and EDIE FERRIS (née Profitt, BSc’87, MSc’90) moved to Vancouver in the summer 2018. Edie is now officially retired while Ray was named president and CEO of West Fraser in 2019. We look forward to meeting any friends that happen to be in the area.
SAM JOHNSTON (BA, BEd’89, MEd’99) of Miramichi, NB, survived what was at one point, a terminal illness with acute myloid leukemia and went on to win a world taekwondo championship in South Korea in 2017. Sam is a federal public servant, a community leader, and is running for city council in the next municipal election. He also has a martial arts school and is a motivational speaker for those in need of inspiration. His wife Sharon is a senior manager with Health and Community Services New Brunswick. He has two children: Hannah who is social worker in Calgary, and Shane, who graduated from UNB kinesiology in 2017 and is now enrolled in the health sciences program at the Saint John campus.
RAOUF KHODABOCUS (BA, MSc’89, PhD’93) of Halifax, NS, has been working as a school principal/head of secondary in the Gulf. He is pleased to announce the graduation of his two children Ibrahim Khodabocus and Salma Khodabocus, both who graduated in May 2020 from a Canadian university. They were awarded the degree of bachelor of science in biology (with distinction). They are now pursuing their goal further. We are all proud of their accomplishment. With love and affection, from dad and their small Sarah (sister). “Children will follow your example more than your advice.”
ERIC SEMPLE (BBA) of Calgary, AB, after a rewarding career, decide to pursue my passion for culinary. Graduated in April 2020, with honours from Southern Alberta Institute Technology’s Professional Cooking Program. I was privileged to serve as the executive vice-president of the Culinary Arts Association, and was part of a team that created volunteer programs and lead teams for special culinary events. I participated in a study tour program to Copenhagen focused on farm to table and a study abroad program in Singapore where I was embedded at Paul Bocuse Institute. I am now working to gain hours in order to challenge the Red Seal exam. Plan in place to work and travel in culinary.
RICHARD A. WILLIAMS (LLB) of Fredericton, NB, was recently elected as president of the Law Society of New Brunswick.
RODNEY CARRIER (BBA) of Dalhousie, NB, retired as vice-president, NB, and PEI Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) in Moncton.
PHILIP CHADDOCK (BEd, MEd’10) of Toronto, ON, returned to Toronto at the end of September 2019 from teaching English in Thailand for most of the past five years (except for a fall semester stint for four months at Humber College in 2016). My last position in Thailand was with the Royal Thai Navy Language Center in Bangkok. My present for my 60th birthday was a photo with the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Oct. 8. Even though my birthday was on Oct. 1, this was the ideal present. All the players from St. Louis Blues hockey team were there to donate one of their Stanley Cup rings to the hall. I got to meet and shake all their hands. It was a thrill to see Lanny McDonald, but getting to meet Larry Robinson and shake his hand was a great moment. Even though I am 60, getting to meet all those players and have my photo taken with the Stanley Cup brings out the kid who dreamed of winning it on the frozen ice of Jones Lake all those decades ago in Moncton.
TRINA INNES (MScF) of Edmonton, AB, has been recognized with a Clean50 and Clean16 award for her work at Alberta’s Municipal Climate Change Action Centre. Canada’s Clean50 awards are announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization to recognize 50 individuals or small teams, from 16 different categories, who have done the most to advance the causes of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past two years.
VICTORIA LABILLOIS (BA, MBA’94) of Listuguj, QC, was named to the Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women as a 2019 Top 100 Award Winner in the RBC Champions category.
COSTA PAPISTA (BA) of Detroit, MI, held a spontaneous reunion with a group from UNB in Detroit, Michigan.
SUSAN BORSIC (BA, MA’95, LLB’98) of Calgary, AB, is now case resolution counsel at the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary. This is a new position, created by the court to recognize Susan’s resolution-focused approach while serving as case management counsel. As case resolution counsel, Susan advises the judiciary, and assists counsel and litigants to resolve high-conflict and complex litigation.
DEBRA HAAK (LLB) of Etobicoke, ON, received her PhD in law from Queen’s University. Her thesis was titled The Wicked Problem of Prostitution and Sex Work Policy in Canada. She has been teaching at Queen’s Law and Osgoode Hall Law School for the past five years.
DANA LLOYD (née Kenny, BEd) of Rothesay, NB, co-created a weekly podcast that I share with my friend Elaine Shannon, named Soul Sister Conversations, where we discuss topics of personal development, leadership and spirituality. The podcast is available on most podcast platforms. danalloydleadership.com
AYNSLIE CRONEY (née Morrison, BBA) of Moncton, NB, joined the NBCC board of governors as the instructor representative in July 2019. I continue to teach at NBCC and just celebrated my 14th anniversary with the college. I am involved with Scouts Canada as one of two voting members for New Brunswick. I am the lead scouter for the Evergreen Park Group Beaver Colony and my group’s recognition officer. I teach at the Running Room, and in my spare time, I am a mental health advocate and an LBGTQ+ ally.
ROE MCFARLANE (MBA) of Chicago, IL, succeeded Clay Wahl as president of Follett Higher Education and serves as the president and GM of The Follett Higher Education Group in Chicago, the nation’s largest online and on campus retail solution provider, and digital marketer to over 1,200 campuses and 1,800 online properties within the USA and Canada.
BEN DAVIS (BKIN) of Hubbards, NS, Since March 2019, I am now the senior vice-president, Mission for the MS Society of Canada. Currently, I reside in Hubbards, NS, with my wife and two sons.
DMITRY KORKIN (PhD) of Worcester, MA, has been promoted to professor of computer science at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts.
MAJOR KRISTEN RUDDERHAM VON FINCKENSTEIN (LLB) of Ottawa, ON, and Major Konrad von Finckenstein welcomed their fourth child on February 21, 2019, a daughter, Augusta Ursula Geraldine Graefin Finck von Finckenstein. She joins delighted older siblings Benedikte, Rupert, and Theodosia. The family is currently posted in Ottawa, where Kristen is a legal officer with the Office of the Judge Advocate General.
CHRIS MORAN (LLB) of Mississauga, ON, has recently accepted the position of general counsel at Maple Reinders Group.
SAMANTHA STEWART (née Dunlop, BRSS, BA’14, MEd’19) is a potential Olympic athlete looking to compete at Tokyo 2021 in wrestling. She was an alternate for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Samantha has become a nine-time national medallist, two-time World University games medallist, two-time Francophone Games medallist and 2016 Pan-Am champion.
RICHARD KELLY KEMICK (MA) of Calgary, AB, has published his first non-fiction book, I Am Herod, with Goose Lane Editions. On a whim, Kemick -- an armchair-atheist -- joins the 100-plus cast of The Canadian Badlands Passion Play, North America’s largest production of its kind and one of the main tourist attractions in Alberta. By the time closing night is over, Kemick has a story to tell. From the controversial choice of casting to the bizarre life in rehearsal, this glorious behind-the-scenes look at one of Canada’s strangest theatrical spectacles also confronts the role of religion in contemporary life and the void left by its absence for non-believers. richardkemick.com
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