February 2009

Greetings Alumni,

February has begun with a bang for the Alumni Relations Department! We have had five big events in seven days, culminating with the Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 5. We had 46 employers displaying their exhibits and over 200 students visiting the converted Atrium on Thursday.

I am so pleased that the Alumni Relations Department and the Career Centre are able to come together to help our students and alumni with their job searches. In these challenging times, it is especially important to let our alumni know that we are here to support them however we can.

As spring approaches, keep your eyes open for the next edition of the TWU Magazine, arriving mid-March. If you did not receive the October edition, please email alumni@twu.ca and make sure we have your correct address.

Looking forward to a great spring!

Dave Swan ('95)
Director of Alumni
Trinity Western University

Alumni Initiatives

TWU Alumni Career Club

H.I.R.E.D. - Helping Individuals Reach Employment Destinations
Date: March 2, 2009
Location: Career Development Ctr., TWU Campus
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
For more details and RSVP, please email: kuehl@twu.ca

Alumni Ring

If you are looking for a unique memento of your Trinity Western experience, consider a TWU Alumni Ring. The TWU Alumni Ring is custom cast sterling silver with a dark antique finish with the TWU Crest engraved. Email your inquiries to alumni@twu.ca.

Alumni News

Alumni Focus Group Results
Conversations within Alumni Relations in Spring '08, led to the conclusion that focus groups would assist in further understanding TWU alumni and develop a "value-added" relationship, with alumni and the University serving one another. With David G. Lalka of DVA Navion, leading the team, seven groups of 33 individuals were formed, representing BC, Alberta, Washington, and California. To see the results of these focus groups, please visit the Alumni Relations website.

TWU News

		Letter from the President To secure the financial robustness necessary to achieve our long term vision for educational vitality, I am developing a broad financial strategy in consultation with TWU's Board of Governors and the University Policy Council. Despite the difficulties we face, we will continue to be inspired by our higher purpose, to enter into the role of education, scholarship, and service with the same commitment to excellence. We go forward together. Read More...
		Gender Café at TWU - Perhaps a first in Canada After the successful launch of the Gender Studies Institute at Trinity Western University earlier this year, organizers are now offering learners the opportunity to partake in what may be Canada's first Gender Café. Patterned after popular Philosophy Cafés, the Gender Café invites students, faculty and the public to discuss issues of gender, particular to a gender-related book in a casual and friendly café environment. Read More...
		Truth can be problematic How do you write the equation for trust? Math and other relational quandaries were evaluated in Theatre at TWU's recent production of Proof, by David Auburn, which ran February 11-14. This acclaimed and well loved Pulitzer Prize-winning drama continually navigates the emotionally explosive terrain of trust, love and mathematical certainty. Read More...

Spotlight on Alumni

		Craig Davis ('90) Graduating from TWU in 1990, Craig Davis soon found himself developing software for a new frontier called the Internet. 17 years in the e-commerce business, Craig is currently a solutions architect at www.crucial.com. Now in his second year at Harvard University, he plans on completing his master's degree in I.S. in 2010. Craig also writes a blog advising men in their relationships. His blog can be found at www.manforher.com. Craig feels richly blessed, and is currently a single parent raising two great kids. Living in Boise Idaho, he can be reached at cod@chilibean.com.
Author: Lynn Squire (Burger, '00) grew up in Southern Alberta and graduated with a BA in business administration. Lynn lives in California with her husband and three children. She publishes two monthly e-zines: Home, Hobbies, and Asundry for moms; and Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful for anyone who likes to read short fiction and devotionals. In 1999, Lynn earned a diploma from the Institute of Children's Literature. Lynn authored Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful as a collection of short stories, creative prose, poetry, and devotionals in one book for quick moments of entertainment and inspiration. Author: Sam Beckford ('02) is a five-time business failure who became a millionaire on attempt number six. His story has been told in books, on radio and television, and in seminars across North America, helping other business owners convert their failures into successes. Beckford coaches business owners on how to achieve extraordinary results from ordinary small businesses. Sam authored Nine Lies that are Holding Your Business Back: And the Truth that Will Set it Free, which has served as a wake-up call to the more than 20 million small business owners in the United States and Canada who don't know how to make their businesses successful. Sam teamed up with Steve Chandler to write the book. Author: Judi Vankevich ('85) is a recording artist and entertainer. Her CD, It's Fun to Have Good Manners, won the Covenant Award for Best Children's Album of the Year and was nominated for the West Coast Music Awards. Judi authored Manners Matter and Character Counts for Kids, which is used by parents, schools, and churches as part of a character curriculum program. It's currently being translated into French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.

Upcoming Events

February 20 - MA Counselling Psychology Youth Resiliency Conference

Join fellow alumni and professionals to hear from Dr. Denise Buote
Held at: Alumni Hall, Reimer Student Centre, TWU Campus
When:
9:30 - 11:30 am - "Building Resiliency: Promoting Practices into Community Services Programming"
1:00 - 4:00 pm - "Resiliency and Attachment in Clinical Practice"
Cost: $50
Please RSVP to laurie.donaldson@twu.ca
For more details, please refer to Youth Resiliency (PDF)

February 27 - John Sutherland hosts Reception & Theatre Evening

All TWU Business alumni are invited to connect with John SutherlandLocation:
Reception - Rosedale on Robson Hotel
Production - Pacific Theatre
Time: 4:30 - 10:00 pm
For more details and RSVP, email jrs@pacifictheatre.org

March 4 & 5 - Laurentian Leadership Centre Public Lectures

Dr. John Redekop, author of Politics Under God, will give two lectures on what God expects of government and citizens.
Location: Laurentian Leadership Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 7:00 - 8 :30 pm
For more details and RSVP, please contact 613-569-7511, ext. 5020 or see
John Redekop Public Lectures (PDF)

March 18 - Lower Mainland Luncheon with Guest Speaker

Join fellow alumni to network & be engaged by a dynamic speaker!
Held at: Alumni Hall, Reimer Student Centre, TWU
When: 11:15 am - 1:15 pm
Cost: By donations only - towards "TWU Alumni Association Award"
Guest Speaker: TBA
Topic: TBA
Please RSVP to alumni@twu.ca

Benefit Highlight

TWU promotes a learning lifestyle and is pleased to offer alumni access to the Norma Marion Alloway Library for $15 annually.

Survey Question

Results of last month's survey question:

If there were an Alumni reunion in your area, who would you most like to see speak at it:

29% A TWU professor (current or former)
22% Dr. Jonathan Raymond, President of TWU
49% A local "distinguished" Alumni

This Month's Survey Question

Trinity Western University participated in MacLean Magazine's survey of over 700 Colleges and University's from both Canada and the US. Please see the results online.

This month's survey question is:

Do the results of the current Trinity Western University students reflect your experience?

In your response, please indicate the decade in which you graduated.