January 2009

Greetings Alumni,

Happy New Year! We have had quite a winter so far. The campus had over 2 feet of snow in the last few weeks, transforming it into a winter wonderland. Of course, our world famous lower mainland rain took care of that in no time!

I found it ironic to come back from the Alumni Habitat for Humanity project in Hawaii to see so much snow - one extreme to another. The Habitat project was fantastic. We had a diverse group of 26 people. Alumni brought their spouses, families, and friends - and together we formed a very efficient team, far surpassing the expectations of the staff at Habitat. Thank you to all who participated and we look forward to next year's trip.

This is a reminder that there are only 2 weeks left to submit nominations for the 2009 Young & Distinguished Alumni Awards. You can read more about that on our website.

I find the mini survey section of our e-letters extremely helpful, so I encourage you to please participate in them. It only takes a moment, but helps me tremendously. The results of the last mini survey are as follows:

Q: As an alumni of Trinity Western, what is most valuable to you?

46% Reunion type events in your area
27% Affinity partnerships (benefits & services)
27% Information about what is happening at TWU today

Congratulations to Dwight Van Middlesworth from Calgary, the winner of last months trivia question: - there were over 10,000 people at last year's Spirit of Christmas event on campus.

May 2009 bring you abundant blessings, and allow you opportunity to bless others!

Dave Swan ('95)
Director of Alumni

Alumni Reminder

Alumni Ring

If you are looking for a unique memento of your Trinity Western experience, consider a TWU Alumni Ring. Email your inquiries to alumni@twu.ca.

Alumni Award Nominations

Just a reminder that the TWU Alumni Relations Department is accepting nominations for both the Young Alumni and Distinguished Alumni awards. The deadline for these submissions is February 1, 2009. Please send them to alumni@twu.ca.

Correction

The November e-letter featured Dave Buck '87 in the "Spotlight on Alumni" section. Unfortunately there was an error in the web address for New Hope in Haiti, an organization Dave is involved with. The correct web address is newhopeinhaiti.org. Dave's email is dave@onwingsofeagles.org. Our apologies, Dave, and all the best with your work in Haiti!

Alumni News

Take part in an opportunity to converse and engage with motivated, goal-oriented university students who have the potential to join your team.

The Career Development Office & Alumni Relations are pleased to host Career Fair 2009

• Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009
• Time: 11:30 am - 3:00 pm
• Location: Larson Atrium, Reimer Student Centre, TWU Campus
• Discounted Alumni Exhibitor Rate: $100 (after $100 discount)
• Website:twu.ca/life/career/fair

TWU News

		Dr. Dennis Venema, who teaches cell biology and genetics at TWU, hit upon an idea to make teaching with flies easier. His innovation greatly reduces the time required to set up experiments. His research has been widely adopted in Canada, the US, and Europe. The National Association of Biology Teachers, a US-based international association of biology instructors, awarded Venema for excellence in university biology instruction. Read More...
		TWU's MBA program was spotlighted in the Globe and Mail. Read about how unique the Trinity Western University MBA program is. Read more...
		Trinity Western University's Faculty of Nursing invites the public to join in dialogue about what it means to bring together faith and nursing practice, education, policy, and research at the first annual Faith and Nursing Symposium, Friday January 16th to Saturday January 17th, 2009. The event will feature keynote lecturer, Dr. Bart Cusveller, an Associate Professor of Ethics and Nursing at the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (the Netherlands) and renowned scholar in the area of Christian ethics, philosophy and spirituality in nursing practice. Read more...

Spotlight on Alumni

		Jessica (Gray) ('98) and Ron Gerbrandt ('99) Jessica (Gray) and Ron Gerbrandt are happy to announce the birth of their son, Emerson William, who was born in their home on October 9, 2008 weighing 8lb 2oz. Elianna loves her new baby brother! Jessica is enjoying a maternity leave from her position teaching French in Surrey. Ron is also a teacher in the Surrey School District and has recently started a business investing in real estate.
		Marten Youssef (2001) After doing his post grad studies in journalism, Marten delved into the heart of Africa to do human rights reporting in Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and Tanzania. When he returned to Canada he decided to propose to his fiancé and settle down--or so he thought. Marten Youssef and Michelle Robertson had a fairytale wedding on December 31, 2007. Days later, the two travelled to Dubai to set up their new home, where Marten is currently working as a journalist.
		Remi van Wermeskerken Remi and Tjandra have been with Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada for 20 years. Tjandra was a Muslim before coming to Christ through Australian missionaries when she was twelve. After their first 16 years and 8 moves in Indonesia, where Remi mostly flew floatplanes and started a new MAF base and Tjandra was a pastor and taught at a Bible school, the family moved to Papua New Guinea in 2005. In PNG, Remi and his family are on loan to Wycliffe Bible Translators. During their last term in PNG, nine New Testament translations were completed and dedicated. 196 Languages have a New Testament translation in progress, 164 have a New Testament, and another 500 languages still need a Bible translation program to start. Remi and Tjandra are returning to PNG in January for another 3 1/2 year term and hope to have their full support raised by then. The PNG Wycliffe program has large needs of personnel to translate the Bible in each and every language in PNG. Remi and Tjandra would love to hear from you via facebook: Remi van Wermeskerken or via email: RemiTjandra@gmail.com. You can check out MAF at mafc.org and Wycliffe at wycliffe.ca Remi and Tjandra value your prayers as they return to PNG where God has called them to serve through mission aviation and Bible translation.
		Mark and Jerri Jurgeneit "Today is January 2, 2009. We travelled into Nukualofa, Tonga and visited the hospital. We arrived and soon a man in a wheel chair came through the main entrance beside me. I was asked to pray for him. As I prayed for the lethargic man in the wheel chair, he was in a dazed state showing no emotion and no motion in any part of his body. As I prayed, he moved his leg; later his hands and arms made motions. At this time, I learned that the man came into this state after his second brain surgery - also he was blind. The man began to show emotion. He began to move his hands and move his eyes. Then my Togoan companion introduced him to Jesus, the healer of body, soul and spirit - he became a follower of Christ. I continued to pray with my hand on his head. God did what only he can do. He gave the man his sight! As emotion filled the man he told his sister to make Jesus lord of her heart just as he had done.So what do we do...we try to know God and make Him known."

Upcoming Events

January 21 - Networking Luncheon

Guest Speaker: Richard Taylor
Time: 11:15 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Alumni Hall, Reimer Student Centre, TWU Campus
Cost: $5 per person

Please RSVP to attend!

January 31 - School of Business & Accounting Canucks Rally

Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Fraser Lounge, TWU Campus
Game: Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild

Please RSVP alumni@twu.ca to attend!

February 4 - Alumni Dessert & Theatre Evening

Presenting: "Holy Mo"
Time: 7:00 p.m. - Reception, 8:00 - Theatre Production
Location: Pacific Theatre, Vancouver

Please contact PT Box Office online at pacifictheatre.org/boxoffice/tickets.htm for tickets

February 5 - TWU Career Fair 2009

Register as an exhibitor or as a potential employee - all alumni invited to attend!

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Larson Atrium, Reimer Student Centre, TWU Campus
Discounted Alumni Exhibitor Rate: $100 ($100 discount)
Website:twu.ca/life/career/fair

Benefit Highlight

Sandman Hotel, Inn & Suites, (Langley - Walnut Grove)

Homecoming? Reunion? Family Vacation? TWU Alumni has partnered with Sandman Hotels Langley to give alumni & friends the very best service and preferred rates. These 'Silver Volume' rates are available for all 31 Sandman properties across Canada.

For individual reservations, call Tanya Onisimchuck (604-888-7208) or email tonisimchuk@sandman.ca.

For group reservations, call Mary Carey-Marshall (604-888-7209) or email mmarshall@sandman.ca.

Long distance - 1-877-888-7260

Includes VIP Dennys card (20% off at all locations across Canada)

**Be sure to mention 'TWU Alumni' when making any inquires and/or reservations.

Location address:
8855 202nd Street, Langley BC (8 minutes away from TWU campus)

Website:sandmanhotels.com

Survey Question

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

1. A TWU professor (current or former)
2. Dr. Jonathan Raymond, President of TWU
3. A local "distinguished" Alumni

Please send in your responses to alumni@twu.ca (subject line: Survey).

Trivia question:
How many Alumni Award recipients are on the wall in Alumni Hall?

Be the 11th alumni to email the correct answer to alumni@twu.ca.

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