Turf Management - Seneca College

MAGAZINE OF THE SENECA COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 

W I N T E R 2 0 0 2 

The Man of the Minute: 

Vincent Timpano . . . . . .p22 

The Glory of Golf 

Turf Management

ATTENTION 

SENECA 

ALUMNI 

HERE’S YOUR EXCLUSIVE WEBSITE FOR 

THOUSANDS OF CDs, DVDs, VIDEOS AND MORE! 

REGISTER BEFORE April 5, 2002 AND HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN 

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GREAT PRIZES: 

• ONE OF FIVE SONY DISCMANS! 

• One of 100 FREE CDs! 

• Discount between 10% to 25% off your 1st purchase* 

*ONE REGISTRATION PER PERSON. DISCOUNT APPLIES TO YOUR FIRST ORDER PLACED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF REGISTRATION. 

Visit: mainlymusic.com/seneca 

Use the group password “SENECA” 

Questions? call 1-888-sony music (766-9687) or email mainlymusic@sonymusic.com 

• CDS • DVDS • MOVIES • VIDEOS • CDS • DVDs • MOVIES • VIDEOS • CDS

16 18 

10 24 

W I N T E R 2 0 0 2 

13 

issuethirteencontents 

PUBLISHED BY: 

Seneca College Alumni Association 

(416) 491-5050, ext. 2960 

Toll-free: 1-888-ALUMNUS 

E-mail: alumni@senecac.on.ca 

www.alumni.senecacollege.ca 

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRS: 

Laurel Goodings, AVPY ‘99 

Tina Zalac, CCMC ‘01 

IN ASSOCIATION WITH: 

Becker Associates 

Publishing & Association Project Services 

www.interlog.com/~jbecker 

EDITOR: 

Liz Fleming 

DESIGN & PRODUCTION: 

Norm Lourenco R.G.D. 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: 

Robin Payne 

Tina Zalac 

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: 

Stephanie Lake 

Cover photo provided by ClubLink Corp. 

Alumni magazine is published semi-annually by the 

Seneca College Alumni Association in co-operation 

with Becker Associates and Seneca College. All material 

is (c) 2002 and may be reprinted with 

permission. 

The ideas and opinions expressed in Alumni do not 

necessarily reflect those of the Association or the 

College. 

The magazine is distributed free of charge to members 

of the Alumni Association. Additional copies 

may be obtained by alumni or other interested parties 

by calling the Alumni Office. 

Features & Profiles 

Alumni Association President’s Message 2 

College President’s Message 2 

Meet the Alumni Board 3 

Distinguished Alumni Award 6 

All About President Rick Miner 7 

ProFile: The Glory of Golf 10 

ProFile: Cutting a Swath in Human Resources – Deecla Ziv 13 

Life’s A Picnic 18 

Seneca Sting Swarms China 21 

ProFile: Towards Dignified Endings 22 

ProFile: Vince Timpano – The Man of The Minute 24 

Alumni Benefits 26 

Grapevine 30 

www.senecac.on.ca/alumni 1

Alumni Association President’s Message 

Desmond Duke, MET ’92, President 

This is a time of 

change within 

the Seneca College 

Alumni Association 

and 

within Seneca College. In October 

2001, a new board of directors for the 

Alumni Association was elected for 

the 2001/2003 term. Seneca’s superbuild 

projects are going to realize a 

new building at Seneca@York and a 

complete refurbishing and expansion 

at the Newnham Campus. Seneca 

College also has a new president. 

I am very happy to be back for a 

second term as your President. 

Mary-Jo Guidi is our immediate Past 

President, John Colthart and 

Lorraine Telesford are back as the 

Senior Vice-President and Vice- 

President Business respectively. I 

would like to welcome to our team 

Serge Carbone, Vice-President Chapters, 

Zareena Husain, Vice-President 

Events and Laurel Goodings, Vice- 

President Communications. We have 

also expanded our board to accommodate 

associate Vice-presidents 

positions, and I would like to welcome 

Vincent Diep, as Associate VP 

Events and Tina Zalac, as Associate 

VP Communications. 

I would like to thank retiring Vicepresidents 

Luke Goulette, Stella Bell 

and Iscenty Benjamin for their help 

and all the personal experience they 

brought to the board during their 

tenure. 

In the summer of 2001, Dr. Rick 

Miner was appointed as Seneca 

College’s fourth president. Rick has 

taken the reins from former President 

Steve Quinlan who has made Seneca 

College the leading Community College 

for the last decade. Steve has 

always been a strong supporter of the 

Alumni Association and we would like 

to thank him for all his support over 

the years, and wish him well in all his 

future endeavours. I would like to 

take this opportunity to welcome Dr. 

Miner to the Seneca family. 

I encourage our members to check 

out our website, another of our major 

communication tools. It is our aim to 

provide current and relevant information 

to our membership. We’ll update 

past events and highlight what’s coming 

up, provide links to our corporate partners, 

and provide a means by which you 

can update your relevant information 

online. The Alumni association website 

is www.senecac.on. ca/alumni. 

Your feedback is very important to 

us. I urge you to get involved in your 

association, because you are the ones 

who help justify our existence, and although 

you may have graduated from 

Seneca, you will always be a part of 

the Seneca family. 

Please feel free to contact the 

association staff David Brown or 

Marlene Butler at (416) 491-5050 

ext. 2960, or 1-888-ALUMNUS or e- 

mail at alumni@senecac.on.ca. 

Address to the Alumni Rick Miner, President 

With Seneca graduate Spider Jones 

receiving a Premiers’ Award, we are 

beginning the new year on a winning 

note, and I want to offer my congratulations 

to Spider for all that he has 

accomplished. We at Seneca are proud 

of you! 

For the College, this year represents 

a time of growth. 

Construction is continuing on the 

$36 million project that is reshaping 

Newnham Campus, and we will begin 

to see real change in the months 

ahead. A new building will be constructed, 

and the oldest sections of 

the campus will begin to be redeveloped 

and refurbished. In short, we 

may not recognize Newnham Campus 

by this time next year, but it will be an 

environment that will be even better 

suited to serve our students. 

At our Seneca@York Campus, the 

$46 million Technology Enhance 

Learning Building will also become 

more of a reality. This co-venture with 

York University represents the future 

of education and will foster greater 

2 1-888-ALUMNUS 

partnership and help advance the use 

of technology in education. It will be 

an exciting centre, devoted to exploring 

the possibilities of education in the 

21st century. 

This year will also see the beginning 

of a pilot project that will allow 

colleges to grant degrees. Legislation 

announced last year provides for a 

maximum of 24 applied degree programs 

to be part of this pilot. Four 

applied degree proposals will be submitted 

by Seneca to the provincial 

Post Secondary Education Quality 

Assessment Board (created to evaluate 

program quality and make recommendations 

to the Minister on which 

programs should be approved). The 

Board established two deadlines for 

submissions: December 3, 2001 and 

May 2, 2002. Colleges can submit a 

maximum of two program proposals 

on each date. As many as 12 programs 

will selected from each deadline 

period. 

Seneca has submitted the following 

proposals: 

Bachelor of Applied 

Business - Financial 

Services Management: 

This proposal addresses 

the need for education 

in the area of 

applied management 

for the banking and insurance sectors. 

It was created with input from the 

financial industry including the Life 

Office Management Association and 

the Institute of Canadian Bankers. 

Bachelor of Applied Technology - 

Integrated Environmental Site Remediation: 

This proposal addresses the 

need for people trained in scientific 

assessment, property evaluation and 

remediation strategies for returning 

contaminated sites to a useable 

state. 

The year ahead holds many exciting 

developments and possibilities for 

Seneca. I look forward to my first full 

year of service as your President, and 

it will be my pleasure to continue to 

inform you about our progress through 

this publication.

The 2001-2003 Alumni Board of Directors 

President 

Desmond S. Duke (MET ’92) 

Desmond graduated 

in 1992 from 

the Mechanical 

Engineering 

Technology program. 

A member 

of the Men’s 

Varsity Soccer Team and the 

Newnham Student Federation (SFC), 

he served as SFC president and student 

representative on the Seneca 

College Board of Governors, and was 

the 1992 recipient of the Seneca Cup. 

In “real life,” Desmond is building 

operations supervisor for Angus 

Consulting Management Limited, with 

responsibility for IBM Canada headquarters 

at 3600 Steeles Avenue East 

in Markham, but still finds time to 

work a weekly shift in the Continuing 

Education office at the Newnham 

Campus. 

Senior Vice-President 

John M. Colthart (BAD ’00) 

John graduated in 

June 2000 with a 

Business 

Administration 

diploma from 

Seneca’s King 

Campus. During 

his final year at Seneca, John was 

president of the King Student 

Administrative Council and served as 

inaugural president of the Seneca 

Student Federation Inc. He received 

the W.T. Newnham Leadership Award 

in 2000, in recognition of his efforts 

to establish the Federation. A business 

intelligence consultant for 

Clarity Systems Ltd., in Toronto, John 

joined the Alumni Board in September 

2000 and has been primarily involved 

in strategic planning and internal liaison 

initiatives for the Association. 

Vice-President, Business 

Lorraine T.Telesford 

(AMC ’96 & CBC ’99) 

Lorraine graduated 

from Seneca’s 

Accounting Clerk 

— Microcomputer 

diploma program 

in 1996 and 

received a 

Computerized Bookkeeping certificate 

in 1999. She is currently taking FCET 

courses to complete the Accounting & 

Finance (3-year) diploma. 

After graduating in 1999, Lorraine 

became a Certified Bookkeeper and 

started her own successful business - 

On Track Bookkeeping Services. She 

joined the Alumni Board in September 

2000 as Vice-President, Business. 

Lorraine – a former Varsity athlete 

herself – manages the Seneca 

Women’s OCAA Basketball team. 

Vice-President, Chapters 

Sergio Carbone (CVL ’87) 

Sergio graduated 

from the Civil 

Engineering 

Technology program 

in 1987 and 

subsequently completed 

an honours 

Bachelor of Science degree in Earth 

Sciences at Brock University. A member 

of the Geological Association of 

Canada, the Association of 

Geoscientists of Ontario, who also 

has his CET designation, Sergio has 

been employed by Dufferin 

Aggregates and is currently their 

resources supervisor, with responsibility 

for legal and environmental 

issues affecting the company’s quarries 

and gravel pits. 

Seneca runs in the Carbone family, 

as Sergio’s sister Silvana is a 1992 

Fashion Arts graduate. 

Vice-President, Communications 

Laurel Goodings (AVPY ’99) 

Laurel graduated 

with her BA from 

York University in 

psychology and her 

diploma in Audio- 

Visual & Multi- 

Media Production 

from Seneca in our joint program with 

York University in 1999. A graduate of 

the Ontario College of Art in 1992, 

Laurel has worked as a videographer, 

television producer, photographer, 

graphic designer, events coordinator/ 

producer, educator and researcher to 

name just a few of her career paths 

and has won numerous awards for her 

creative as well as academic work. 

Most recently, Laurel coordinated 

the successful RECONNECT REUNION 

of the School of Communication Arts 

held at the Seneca@York campus in 

June 2001. 

Vice-President, Events 

Zareena Husain (DNS ’86) 

Zareena graduated from the Nursing 

diploma program in 1986 at Seneca’s 

Leslie Campus; her sisters, Bibi 

Saleema Watts and Kalisha Husain 

are graduates of the same program. 

She has worked for a number of hospitals 

in psychiatric nursing including 

positions in Florida, where she graduated 

in 2000 from Florida Atlantic 

University with a business degree. 

Zareena is currently a financial 

advisor with Dundee Wealth 

Management in Scarborough, and has 

had experience in charitable and 

social event planning for seniors 

groups. 

Immediate Past-President 

Mary Jo Guidi (ACF ’85) 

Mary Jo Guidi, 

President and 

owner of Travel 

Trust, graduated 

from Seneca’s 

Accounting and 

Finance program 

in 1985. During her three years at 

Seneca, she served as VP for the 

Freshman Committee (1983), 

Business representative (1984) and 

VP of Service for the Student 

Federation Council. 

Mary Jo continues to be an active 

member of the Seneca community, 

serving on the Business Advisory 

committee, being appointed to the 

Friends of Seneca Association, and 

holding the positions of Vice 

President Services, Executive Vice 

President, and President of the 

Alumni Association. 

Mary Jo and her husband, Michael, 

live in Ithaca, New York with their 

son, James, now three and are 

expecting their second child in 

August. 

College Representative 

Wayne F. Norrison 

Wayne Norrison is Vice-President, 

Student Services & International 

Development for Seneca College and 

President of Seneca International 

continued on page 32 


alumniupdate 

FORM 

Keep up with Seneca by staying in touch with 

your Alumni Association. Please help us keep 

your contact information current: 

Name: ________________________________________ 

Name while at Seneca (if different from above): 

______________________________________________ 

Program(s)/Year(s) Graduated: ___________________ 

______________________________________________ 

Address: ______________________________________ 

City/Province: __________________________________ 

Country/Postal Code: ___________________________ 

Home Telephone: _______________________________ 

E-mail Address: ________________________________ 

Additional Post Secondary Education 

College/University: ______________________________ 

Program/Degree/Year Graduated: _________________ 

______________________________________________ 

Employment Information 

Employer: _____________________________________ 

Position: ______________________________________ 

I can be contacted at work: Y / N 

Phone number if “yes”: __________________________ 

Family Information 

Spouse's Name: ________________________________ 

Is your spouse also a Seneca graduate: Y / N 


______________________________________________ 

Are there other family members who are also Seneca 

graduates?: Y / N 

Name: ________________________________________ 

Relation: ______________________________________ 


Can we contact him/her/them? Y / N 

Phone number(s) if “yes”: ________________________ 

[ ] Please let others know where I'm working and 

living in the Grapevine section. 

[ ] Please DO NOT print this information in the 

Grapevine section. 

Is there anything else you want to tell us about 

your current activities? Send us a letter, fax or e-mail. 

Include photos if you wish - we'll return them! 

Please indicate if there is any ADDITIONAL information 

you have provided for our records that you 

DO NOT wish to appear in Alumni magazine: 

In accordance with Section 39(2) of the Freedom of 

Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the personal 

information on this form is collected under the authority 

of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Act, RSO 

1990, Regulations 770. The information is used for 

administrative, fund-raising, notification of benefits and 

services for Alumni and statistical purposes of the Alumni 

Association, Seneca College and/or the ministries and 

agencies of the Governments of Ontario and Canada. 

I have read the above and I hereby authorize the release of 

information contained herein or collected from a third 

party (such as a family member), to the aforementioned. 

Signature: _______________________________________ 

Date: ___________________________________________ 

Any questions concerning collection of this information 

may be directed to the Seneca College Alumni Association 

in writing, by telephone or by e-mail at the locations 

shown at the bottom of this page. 

HOW CAN I STAY INVOLVED WITH SENECA? 

Working with Seneca can help enrich your personal 

and professional life through the many contacts you'll 

make, the current information you'll be exposed to, and 

the volunteer skills you'll develop. And it doesn't take a 

lot of your time! Here are just ten ways to stay involved 

with and help your College: 

I would like to: 

[ ] Suggest a good Profile subject. 

[ ] Receive information on School/Program Chapters. 

[ ] Contribute to Alumni magazine. 

[ ] Assist with an Alumni event, reunion or project. 

[ ] Contribute time or expertise to my School/Program. 

[ ] Speak or assist at Convocation. 

[ ] Suggest new benefits or services for Alumni. 

[ ] Help the College with recruitment or high school 

guidance activities. 

[ ] Discuss co-op placements at my place of employment. 

[ ] Introduce Seneca to my volunteer or professional organization. 

We'd love to include you on our volunteer list, or put you 

in touch with the right person at the College who can help 

get you involved. Just copy this form and return it to: 

Seneca College Alumni Association 

1750 Finch Avenue East 

Toronto, Ontario M2J 2X5 

E-mail: alumni@senecac.on.ca 

Telephone: (416) 491-5050, ext. 2960 

Toll-free: 1-888-ALUMNUS 

Fax: (416) 491-3723 

4 1-888-ALUMNUS

Today & Tomorrow 

Car and Home Insurance 

that’s tailored for you! 

As a member of the Seneca Alumni Association you can enjoy the 

opportunity of geat savings and service. 

PEOPLEPLUS offers you: 

☛Group Buying Discounts 

☛Savings Options 

☛Flexible Payment Plans 

☛Longer Service Hours 

☛Licensed Representatives 

With each policy, you also get the extra comfort and 

reassurance of our PEOPLEassist program.This 24/7 

peace-of-mind assistance line is there when you need 

it. Whether you need a tow or want to fix your 

dishwasher PEOPLEassist is there for you. 

Call us today at: 

1-877-896-2020 

GROUP CAR & HOME INSURANCE

alumniupdate 

ca 

College diploma or certificate program 

at least five (5) years prior to 

their nomination, and ii) Met one or 

more of the following criteria: 

(a) Achieved significant career success, 

including peer recognition 

in their field; 

(b) Re-established their connection 

with Seneca College through 

some volunteer activity, or, have 

promoted the benefits of a Seneca 

College education unofficially; 

(c) Demonstrated a commitment to 

community or public service, 

which brings credit to Seneca 


iii) Be an exemplary role model for 

current students. 

Sportscaster Barb DeGiulio (CAB ’87) receives her Distinguished Alumni plaque from (then) Seneca President, Steve Quinlan. 

Seneca College Distinguished Alumni Award 

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the College’s most prestigious graduate honour. 

Created in 2000 by the Seneca College Alumni Association, this award is 

given to outstanding men and women who have combined a Seneca College education 

with their own energy, passion and commitment to achieve career, personal 

and public success, and whose lives exemplify excellence and achievement 

in both their profession/occupation and in contributing to the well being of their 

communities. 

The criteria approved by the Alumni Board of Directors are outlined below. If 

you know a Seneca College graduate who might fit this description, you can nominate 

him or her by completing the nomination form (available on the Alumni 

website or by calling the Alumni Office) and sending it to the Director, Alumni 

Affairs. 

Please note that the number of awards each year is limited and not everyone 

nominated is selected. 

For more information, see the website www.senecac.on.ca/alumni or contact 

the Director of Alumni Affairs, David Brown at 416-491-5050, ext. 2898 or tollfree 

at 1-888 ALUMNUS or e-mail at david.brown@senecac.on.ca. 

Distinguished Alumni Award 

Any member of the Seneca College 

Alumni Association may be selected by 

the Board of Directors to receive a 

Distinguished Alumni Award, subject 

to the following conditions and criteria. 

Number 

There is no limit on the number of persons 

who may receive the Award; however, 

normally no more than ten (10) 

will be given per year. 


Premier’s Award Nominees 

Alumni who have been nominated by 

Seneca College for a Premier’s Award 

shall automatically receive the Award 

during the year following the Premier’s 

Award Banquet (unless they 

have previously received the Distinguished 

Alumni Award). 

Criteria 

In order to be selected for the Distinguished 

Alumni Award, a candidate 

must: i) Have graduated from a Sene- 

Nomination and Selection 

Any member of the Seneca College 

community (Alumni, faculty or employees) 

may nominate a qualified 

person for the Distinguished Alumni 

Award. The nomination must be made 

in writing and submitted to the Alumni 

Association Board of Directors for 

consideration. The Award may be 

granted by a seventy-five percent 

(75%) vote of the Board of Directors, 

together with the concurrence of the 

College President. 

The Award 

The Award shall be a plaque, in a form 

determined by the Alumni Board. The 

plaque shall normally be presented at 

a Convocation ceremony, at which the 

recipient will deliver the Tribute to the 

Graduates remarks. Premier’s Award 

nominees will, in addition, receive a 

$1,000 bursary for the recipient to 

donate to the Seneca College faculty, 

school or program of his/her choice. 

Publication 

A photograph and brief profile of each 

recipient of the Distinguished Alumni 

will be displayed prominently in the 

College, as well as on the Alumni website. 

Notice of recipients will also be 

published regularly in the Senecan 

and Alumni magazine. 

RATIFIED by the Board of Directors: 

24 January 2002.

The Seneca College 

Distinguished Alumni Award 

Nomination Form 

CANDIDATE 

All About 

Dr. Rick Miner, 

Seneca’s New 

President 

TITLE: GIVEN NAMES: LAST NAME: 

HOME ADDRESS: 

CITY/TOWN: PROVINCE: POSTAL CODE: 

TELEPHONE (9 AM – 5 PM): FAX: E-MAIL: 

OCCUPATION/PROFESSION: 

EMPLOYER: 

NAME OF NOMINATOR 

POSITION: 


HOME ADDRESS: 



SIGNATURE OF NOMINATOR: 

SUPPORTER OF NOMINATION 

The following person is a member of the Seneca community who supports this 

nomination: 


HOME ADDRESS: 

DATE: 



DOCUMENTATION 

Please provide the reason(s) for the nomination on a separate page or in a covering 

letter. 

Include an up-to-date resumé or biographical outline of the nominee including: 

professional activities/occupations with responsibilities and timeframes; 

date(s) of active participation in organizations; all honour/awards; and any 

other related information that may be useful. 

Dr. Rick Miner began his term as 

President of Seneca College in 

August 2001 after serving as Vice- 

President, University of New 

Brunswick, St. John (UNBSJ) for 

seven years. Prior to his term at 

UNBSJ, he was at Saint Mary’s 

University in Nova Scotia where he 

served as Director of the Canada/ 

China Language and Cultural 

Program from 1989 to 1993, Dean 

of Commerce from 1982 to 1987, 

and MBA Director from 1978 to 

1981. 

Dr. Miner has also held faculty 

positions with the University of 

New Brunswick, University of 

Toronto, and Saint Mary’s University. 

In addition to a Bachelor of Arts 

in History from Gettysburg College, 

and a Masters of Business 

Administration from the University 

of Utah, Dr. Miner holds a Doctorate 

in Management from the 

University of Minnesota. He has 

written a number of books and 

papers on the subjects of management 

and organizational behaviour, 

and has spoken extensively 

in Canada and abroad on these 

and related topics. 

Dr. Miner has been appointed 

to the Board of Seneca International 

Corporation and has 

served on the Board of Directors 

of the Saint John Airport Inc., 

Greater Saint John Economic 

Development Commission, Educational 

Partnership Centre of 

Greater Saint John and Saint John 

Board of Trade. 

His community involvement 

includes membership on the 


alumniupdate 

Academic Advisory Committee - 

Maritime Provinces Higher Education 

Commission, the Greater Saint John 

Medical Task Force, the Public 

Awareness Committee of Saint John 

Business Community Anti-Poverty 

Initiative and Honorary Chairperson, 

AIDS Saint John Walk for Life. 

Among the awards he has received 

are the President’s Award, Saint John 

Board of Trade and MBA Professor of 

the Year, Saint Mary’s University. 

Attention: SBM and BAD Grads! 

How many of you are now self 

employed or employed by a small 

business? If not, is this career path 

still of interest to you? My name is 

Michael Cagney and I am an SBM grad 

who, since graduating, has accumulated 

twelve years of management 

experience in a large corporation. My 

ultimate goal, however, is still to 

either create or participate in the 

management of a small business. 

Unfortunately, I have been unable to 

find or create an opportunity that I am 

passionate enough about to pursue on 

a full-time basis. 

I am confident there are other grads 

out there who have similar aspirations 

and I want to test the water to see if 

there is merit in starting a forum or 

chapter where information and opportunities 

could be shared. 

If you are a grad of these programs 

who is involved in a small business or 

someone who simply shares the 

entrepreneurial spirit please email me 

to let me know what you are doing and 

what your thoughts are about this 

idea. 

My email address: michael.cagney@ 

gecapital.com 

years but has died recently of cancer. 

Provincial gold & national silver 

players included: Captain Ralph 

Dominelli, Steve Guyatt (second alltime 

leading scorer with 76 goals, 124 

assists), goalies Rodney Chyphya, 

Chris Casmer & John Sanderson. 

Other players included: Jerry 

Bartman, Bill Coville, Marc Doucette, 

Al Kent, Darryl MacLennan, Jim 

MacDonald, Mike Pilote, Bob Quaile, 

Rick Uttley, Dave Valcourt, John 

Yaremko, Norm Metcalf, Mike Ruby, 

Paul Papadopolous and Phil D’iorio. 

Contact Dave Roulston at 905-985- 

4219 or Ian “Mel” Blundy at 416-491- 

5050 Ext. 2298. 

Alumni Supports Reunions 

Rather than hold one all-encompassing 

Homecoming, this year Seneca’s 

Alumni Association will sponsor a 

number of reunions. The Association’s 

board voted on this approach 

after reviewing the past few Homecomings. 

Attendance was declining, 

and the board felt that was due to the 

size of the College. 

“Seneca grads feel a stronger tie 

with their program or school,” says 

David Brown, Director of Alumni 

Affairs. “When they come, they want 

to see their former professors, and 

one of the disappointments about a 

big homecoming is that retired professors 

may not be there.” 

Grads want to visit their campus, 

and that’s not possible at a centralized 

Homecoming. 

Alumni Affairs is eager to help faculties, 

schools or programs plan 

reunions, using current students and 

teachers to draw graduates and 

retired instructors. 

“We can support three a year and 

this fall we’ll be talking to deans, 

chairs and program co-ordinators 

about the value of having a reunion,” 

says Brown, who has already had 

about a dozen calls from people interested 

in organizing an event. Previously, 

most program- and schoolbased 

reunions have been informal, 

sponsored by Alumni Association 

chapters. 

The Alumni Affairs department has 

addresses for 55,000 Seneca graduates 

and about 85 per cent still live 

in the Greater Toronto area, so new 

efforts at reunions will reach more 

grads and more retired professors. 

The School of Communication Arts 

held its first reunion in June 2001. 

The School of Aviation and Flight 

Technology had their reunion in 

October 2001 and the Corporate 

Communications program had an 

event at the Seneca@York campus in 

November. The Outdoor Recreation 

program will be hosting a reunion in 

October of 2002 at King Campus, and 

the Law Enforcement program is 

planning an event for 2002. 

Wanted: 1981-82 Braves 

Wanted: varsity hockey players from 

the national silver medal team of 

1981-82, for the 20 year anniversary 

reunion, set for March 2, 2002. 

This outstanding team’s record was 

32 wins and only five losses. The team 

was coached by former N.H.L.er Nick 

Harbaruk, professor Frank Ridley 

(still with team) and professor Jim 

Rennie who coached the team for 33 


We’re Looking For Varsity Athletes! 

The Athletics and Recreation Department is looking for alumni varsity athletes 

who are interested in assisting with our Varsity Alumni Chapter. 

Players from all sports and graduating years are welcome! 

Please contact Jill Robertson at (416) 491-5050 ext. 5156 or email jill. 

robertson@senecac.on.ca if you are interested. 

Please forward your email address to us at the above email! We are developing 

a varsity alumni email list so that upcoming events and news can be 

communicated to you!

Tired of Your Parents Reading 

Your Magazines? 

alumniupdate 

This magazine is but one of the 

results of the Alumni Association 

at Seneca College – an obvious statement, 

but I say it to make a point. 

There is a real group of people 

behind this publication and that 

group is made up of people like you, 

alumni. This group also manages the 

alumni website and produces the picnic 

and the homecoming and many 

other wonderful things you can find 

out about in this magazine and on the 

website (it will be up really soon, 

really!) 

I graduated from the Seneca/York 

joint program in Audio-Visual Multi- 

Media Production housed in the 

School of Communication Arts and 

recently produced the first School of 

Communication Arts Reunion. This 

project was supported by the Alumni 

Department and as a result of this 

activity I was asked to join the 

Alumni Board of Directors as Vice- 

President of Communications. 

We have just returned from my first 

board meeting, a group made up of 

alumni from various programs at 

Seneca including Mechanical Engineering 

Technology, Business Computer 

Systems, Legal Assistant and 

Nursing to name a few. While all 

board members are graduates of different 

programs, we each represent 

the entire alumni community in our 

various portfolios. We will continue 

to produce events and publications 

and the website and to develop partnerships 

within and outside of the 

college for your benefit. 

I am particularly interested in 

developing online communication for 

the alumni. Communication with us, 

the board, will have many benefits for 

us all. The number one challenge we 

face is building our email address 

data base. As soon as the website is 

up, you will be able to send us your 

email address and update your home 

address online (aren’t you tired of 

getting your mail from your parents’ 

place?). In the meantime, just call 

the office (416) 491-5050 ext: 2960 

and give Marlene your data. We’re 

always looking for people who want 

to get involved. You can call Marlene 

about that too! 

Keep in touch. 

Laurel Goodings, AVPY Graduate, 

Vice-President Communications 


The Glory of Golf 


Fred Couples (professional golfer) and Mary Beth Kelly (ACT ’84), Director, Turf Operations, Clublink Corporation. 

You drive your golf cart over a 

lush carpet of green grass, 

feeling the warm breeze on 

your face. Birds twitter, the 

sun shines. You emerge from your 

cart, stand up straight, take a deep 

breath and survey the breathtaking 

scenery of rolling green hills spread 

before you. You grab your three-wood 

from your bag and sidle up to the tee. 

You visualize your shot and then 

THWACK! The dimpled Titelus is sent 

flying, veering too far right in the trajectory 

of a classic shank, along with 

a chunk of grass and dirt, leaving a 

gaping hole in its place on the perfectly 

manicured green. Ahhh, the 

glory of golf. 

There are reasons besides Tiger 

Woods why golf is one of Canada’s 

most popular sports. (Admittedly, the 

propensity to shank is not one of 

them.) The challenge, the sociability, 

the fresh air, the magnificent scenery 

are all important reasons, but if we 

ever think past these things, we think 

of getting to the clubhouse to refresh, 

refuel, and relax. Who thinks about 

that gaping hole of disturbed earth? 

Or how those magnificent greens got 

to look that way? Joe Golfer may not, 

but someone has to. 

That someone is a turf technician 

and he/she needs a lot of training. As 

Ted Tom, Course Coordinator of Seneca’s 

Golf Course Technician Co-op 

Program states, “Most people don’t 

realize what a complicated and scientific 

industry turf management is. Nor 

do they realize how much formal education 

it requires. Turf is one of 

Ontario’s most valuable crops. Caring 

for it requires a lot more than mowing 

a lawn.” Accordingly, since 1981, 

Seneca has been in the forefront of 

training the people who are responsible 

for the perfection we escape to on 

a sunny Sunday morning. Teaching 

(through classroom studies and co-op 

work) soil sciences, irrigation techniques, 

pest management, shop practices, 

small engine theory, chainsaw 

and equipment operations, business 

and finance, Seneca has equipped a 

generation of Canada’s golf club 

employees. 

B y R o b i n P a y n e

“It is a wonderful program. It’s 

unique,” says John Struthers, Academic 

Chair at Seneca. Unlike other 

golf programs around the province, 

Seneca concentrates on turf management 

and turf management only. This 

has allowed Seneca to develop strong 

symbiotic relationships with surrounding 

golf clubs. The golf clubs 

have added valuable input concerning 

the needs of a golf course and 

this is reflected in the curriculum. 

This focused approach creates eminently 

employable graduates; indeed, 

one hundred percent of Seneca graduates 

find employment upon graduation 

with, among others, those same golf 

courses that advise the coursework. 

You’ll find many a Seneca graduate 

employed by ClubLink, Canada’s 

largest owner, operator and developer 

of high quality golf courses and 

resort properties. (ClubLink currently 

counts at least fifteen Seneca 

graduates amongst its staff.) Based 

in King City, Ontario, ClubLink owns 

30 eighteen-hole golf courses and 

seven nine-hole courses in twenty-six 

locations in Ontario and Quebec. 

In just seven years of operation, 

ClubLink has earned its reputation 

for superior courses. Mary Beth 

Kelly, Director of Turf Operations for 

ClubLink (and proud Seneca graduate, 

Class of ’84) explains why. “The 

minute you’re on the property, the 

golf course should be perfect. I expect 

Disneyland. Crisp sharp housekeeping 

means things like getting 

down on your hands and knees to 

edge around a sprinkler. This is what 

taking it to the next level means”. 

At ClubLink, a Seneca graduate 

may be hired as an assistant superintendent 

with the potential of being 

promoted to superintendent. (The 

superintendent is responsible for all 

the grounds on the property. In effect, 

he/she is the club’s property 

manager.) The job description 

includes all aspects of turf maintenance: 

pesticide application, irrigation, 

repairs, staff management, gardening, 

pruning, and yes, mowing; 

however, the job is not as predictable 

as one might think. As Mary Beth 

informed us, “You never know what’s 

going to hit you when you show up for 

work. It may be snowplowing a parking 

lot after an unexpected snowfall 

when the wedding party is showing 

up in an hour. It may be accessing 

reserved water for irrigation during a 

drought. It could be anything. Every 

day is a new adventure. But that’s 

what makes it fun.” 

Fun, maybe, but the hours are 

brutal: during the golf season, a 

superintendent of a golf course 

works from 4:00 a.m. (ouch!) until 

well into the evenings, seven days a 

week. Other employees are on the 

greens from 5:00 a.m. until noon. 

And at the management level, the 

work is not just seasonal. 

During the winter, clubhouses are 

operational. There is snowplowing to 

be done, machinery to be repaired, 

and specialty projects to be undertaken. 

(Indeed, as turf management 

becomes more specialized, there is a 

growing trend to hire more year 

round staff.) 

There’s also room for a little glamour 

in the industry. Mary Beth, as 

Director of Turf Operations, has had 

the opportunity to work with such 

renowned professional golfers as 

Fred Couples and Mark O’Meara. 

Both consulted on the design of 

ClubLink courses. (For any golf aficionados, 

the answer to your question 

is yes, Mr. Couples is just as 

relaxed and laid-back as his swing.) 

Another design partner Mary Beth 

has worked with is Ducks’ Unlimited. 

Contrary to myth, golf courses are 

not nature’s enemy. Not only is there 

a growing trend for golf courses to be 

Audubon certified, but today’s golf 

courses are often designed with environmental 

policies in mind. So in 

A stunning view of the well-kept greens of the King Valley golf course. 

addition to building eye-pleasing 

greens and challenging holes, Club- 

Link developed wildlife habitats and 

wetlands from the design stage on 

through the building of their newest 

properties. 

Count Perry Brazeau (ACT ’00) is 

another Seneca success story. When 

ClubLink acquired Rolling Hills Golf 

Club, employee Perry Brazeau did 

not meet their minimum standard of 

two years of turf management schooling. 

ClubLink held his job for him and 

Perry attended Seneca’s program. 

To this day, Perry credits the program’s 

training with his meteoric rise 

at ClubLink. Today he is the Superintendent 

of Emerald Hills Golf Club. 

Alumnae of Seneca’s program have 

proven to be great hands-on, allaround 

employees of a golf course. 

They can’t do everything, though. Improving 

your golf game is still up to 

you. 


alumnihappenings 

The European MILE 

(Mobile Intensive Learning 

Experience) is Back! 

ALL THREE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS JOINED MORE THAN 300 COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS 

and family to salute retiring Seneca president Steve Quinlan at a celebration 

held September 20, 2001 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel. 

Pictured, left to right, are Alumni president Desmond Duke, past president 

Mary-Jo Guidi, Steve Quinlan, and Alumni founding president Les Fox. 

Alumni presentations to Steve included: honorary membership in the Alumni 

Association; the inauguration of the Stephen E. Quinlan “Next Generation” 

Bursary (an annual bursary of $1,500 available to a child or grandchild of a 

Seneca graduate); and a week-long VIP tour of the Finger Lakes district in New 

York State – including a “spin” on the Watkins Glen race track and flight in a 

WW2 B-17 bomber. 

The School of Communication Arts 

Pumps Up The Volume! 

ON JUNE 29, 2001 THE SCHOOL OF 

Communication Arts had its first 

reunion and if you weren’t there, 

you missed a good time! 

Don’t worry – you’ll get another 

chance because Seneca is pumping 

up the volume in supporting our 

alumni and associated community. 

The School of Communication 

Arts is starting its own chapter of 

the Alumni Association and developing 

our http://reconnect.senecac 

.on.ca website to suit your needs. 


We believe that increasing communication 

between the alumni 

members and associated faculty 

and staff, etc. will have a huge benefit 

to the community. 

Jed DeCory, chair of the School of 

Communication Arts, calls it ‘Networking 

and Nostalgia’ – we call it 

jobs and friends! We want to know 

what you would like to see. 

We will be sending out our first e- 

newsletter soon. This will link you 

back to the site for more detailed 

IF YOU REGRETTED MISSING IT AS A STUDENT 

(or can’t remember it clearly and want 

to relive it!), you now have another 

chance. 

Al Eppich and Bill Habkirk will be 

leading a three-week tour to sample 

European culture, cuisine and engineering. 

They will travel with about 25 

students/alumni, departing on April 

29, 2002. The approximate cost of 

$3,700 will include airfare, travel by 

private coach, all accommodations, 

breakfasts, most dinners and sightseeing. 

The proposed itinerary includes landing 

in Amsterdam, visits to Belgium, 

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Monaco, 

Italy and France (where you can 

take part in the beach erosion study in 

Nice) and a return from Paris. 

Civil/Resources Technology alumni 

can obtain further information by calling 

Al Eppich (416) 491-5050, ext. 

2764 or Bill Habkirk (ext. 2416), or 

leaving a message at (800) 572-0712. 

information and an opportunity to 

communicate with us and with the 

School of Communication Arts 

community at large. Our biggest 

challenge is to expand our email 

data base. Publishing information 

in the Seneca magazine is great, 

but we can keep you up to date 

more rapidly and more interactively 

if you go to the site and register 

your email address. 

Check out the website for pictures 

of the reunion and leave us 

messages about what you want to 

see and do as School of Communication 

Arts community members. 

Visit soon and be sure to leave us 

your email address.

Spider 

Jones 

Honoured 

JUST AS THIS ISSUE WAS BEING PUT 

TO bed, the College was notified 

that Chuck (Spider) Jones RTV 

’83 had been named by the 

Ontario Council of Regents as a 

Premier’s Award recipient in the 

Applied Arts – Creative & 

Design category for 2001. 

Our nomination submission 

summarized a few of his 

accomplishments: Spider is one 

of Toronto’s best-loved radio 

personalities. Growing up in the 

Windsor and Detroit housing 

projects, he dropped out of 

school in the fifth grade and 

joined a gang. Years later, at 

the age of thirty, Spider 

returned to school at Seneca 

College to attend the 

Broadcasting Program. He won 

three scholarships and a Board 

of Governor’s Award before 

graduating in 1983. Spider then 

went on to host his own primetime 

radio shows at the FAN 

590 and TALK 640, including 

Toronto’s number one rated 

show, “Prince of the City”. He 

now spends most of his time 

delivering his seminar “Out of 

the Darkness” to children at 

risk across North America, 

encouraging them to believe in 

themselves. Spider has won 

many awards, including induction 

into the Canadian Boxing 

Hall of Fame. A well-known fixture 

in the sports world, and a 

dedicated supporter of charities, 

this former gang member 

is a true role model. 

Watch for a feature profile on 

Spider Jones in the next issue 

of Alumni magazine. 

Cutting a Swath in Human Resourses 

Deecla Ziv 

Only one year out of school, 

Seneca College graduate 

Deecla Ziv is already setting 

significant goals for herself in the 

Human Resources field. And much of 

the credit she gives to Seneca College. 

Deecla attributes the outstanding 

Human Resources Management Post 

Diploma program for providing her 

with the necessary knowledge and 

skills, and Seneca Career Services for 

helping her find her first dream job as 

a Human Resources practitioner with 

Pollara, a full-service public opinion 

and market research firm located in 

Toronto’s Yorkville area. 

Deecla’s path to Pollara has been a 

circuitous one. Moving to Israel with 

her family after her graduation from 

York Mills Collegiate in Toronto, 

Deecla attended university in Jerusalem 

and graduated four years later 

with a specialty in Education. After 

serving her requisite time in the army, 

Deecla worked in the Human Resources 

Department of the police 

force. After returning to Canada for a 

friend’s wedding, she decided Toronto 

was where she wanted to stay. 

Based on advice from a friend in the 

Human Resources field and her own 

meticulous research, Deecla enrolled 

in the HRM program in January 2000. 

“The balance between the theoretical 

and practical, project-based assignments 

and the emphasis on teamwork 

makes this program second to none,” 

explains Deecla. After completing her 

course with an A average on the 

President’s Honour List, she continued 

to access further resources at the 

College. Contacting her Career Services 

Coordinator helped her hone her 

resume writing skills and target the 

employment market. A referral to 

Pollara closed the cycle with Seneca 


“She was a model student to work 

with,” explains Marlene Slawson, 

Career Coordinator. “Her commitment, 

tenacity and focus made her 

very marketable and, therefore, an 

excellent fit with Pollara”. 

As an Human Resources Co-ordinator, 

Deecla’s job has grown over the 

past year. Developing and providing 

training and orientation sessions for 

new hires, recruiting and selecting 

150 part-time staff, determining and 

implementing recruitment strategies, 

participating in Job Fairs and co-ordinating 

benefits for part-time employees 

keeps Deecla learning and growing. 

Her future plans to complete her 

CHRP and become a manager in the 

next two or three years are clearly the 

goals of a person on the move. She 

feels that Pollara is providing the right 

opportunities for her. 

“As a young, social, energetic company, 

Pollara offers the kind of future I 

envisioned for myself,” she enthuses. 

So how does Seneca College continue 

to fit into her plans? As part of 

her recruitment strategy, Deecla will 

attend the annual Job Fair seeking 

part-time employees and plans to tap 

Seneca College graduates in the future 

as the company expands its need for 

new employees. 

LAST MINUTE UPDATE: Deecla 

was recently promoted to National 

Human Resources Co-ordinator for 

Pollara. In this expanded role she will 

be responsible for benefits administration 

and will become more actively 

involved in full-time employee 

recruiting, training and development, 

and will expand her 

HR presence nationally 

among parttime 

staff. 

Says Megan 

McGillicuddy, 

Vice President, 

Administration: 

“This is a welldeserved 

promotion!” 



The Tributes Continue 

Seneca Alumni continued their tradition 

of delivering a Tribute to the 

Graduates at two Convocation ceremonies 

in February 2001, nine ceremonies 

in June 2001, and two in 

October 2001 – the first at the Toronto 

Centre for the Arts, in place of Minkler 

Auditorium. 

In February, the College’s first 

Premier’s Award recipient, Lori-Ann 

(Pennells) Barre DNS ’81 and IHC 

’90, attended the afternoon Convocation 

to receive a Seneca Distinguished 

Alumni Award. Earlier that day, 

Alumnus Paul Gordon, PCT ’80, had 

delivered the Tribute at the morning 

ceremony. Paul – who has earned a 

BSc in toxicology and an MSc in biochemistry 

since studying at Seneca – is 

currently general manager of the 

biomedical division of Apotex Research 

Inc. 

The June Convocations were certainly 

a memorable series! Two days 

before the three ceremonies at King 

Campus, the main transformer exploded 

– shutting down the entire campus. 

Although power was restored by 

portable generators in the nick of time, 

there was no air conditioning to 

counter the bright June sunshine on 

either afternoon! 

At Minkler Auditorium, meanwhile, 

architects, movers, and demolition 

crews were almost literally waiting in 

the wings, as the facility closed two 

days later, to begin its metamorphosis 

into classrooms as part of the Super 

Build program. Our speakers coped, 

however, as they dispensed the customary 

blend of wit, wisdom and nostalgia 

to our newest Alumni. 

Three June Tribute Speakers: James 

Arnold, MKA ’75, Barb DiGiulio, CAB 

’87 and Angella Hughes, ELN ’84, 

were on hand to receive Distinguished 

Alumni Awards. We thank them and the 

other six speakers for their preparation 

and participation! 

Kevin Kennedy, SSW ’91 

Vice-President, Ontario College of 

Social Workers & Social Service 

Workers 

Kolin Whitley, LCD ’92 

Manager, Fraud Control, VISA Canada 

Association 

Perry Brazeau, GCT ’00 

Superintendent, Emerald Hills Golf 

Course 

Robert Delaney, BAD ’84 

Knowledge Manager, HR.com 

Beverly Hartford, BSC ’91 

Faculty of Continuing Education & 

Training, Seneca College 

Don Boyer, CPAC ’97 

Senior Programmer/Analyst, Toronto- 

Dominion Bank 

Sister Act Two June 2001 graduates of the Library Information Technology program 

celebrated with their sisters - all graduates of the same program! 

L-R: Yvonne MacMillan (1986), Mary-Jane Oussoren (1975), Denise Roeleveld 

(2001), Steve Quinlan, Michelle Jackson (2001), Marcia Jackson-Frignette (1991). 

With the Minkler Auditorium undergoing 

extensive renovation into classrooms 

and student facilities, the venue 

for Convocation shifted to the Toronto 

Centre for the Arts on Yonge Street. 

CFRB news reporter Lisa Naccarato 

(RTVY ’99) and Minute Maid Canada 

CEO Vincent Timpano (MKA ’84) 

rose to the challenge of being our first 

Tribute speakers at the new and 

untested site. 

Special thanks also go to the Alumni 

who joined the platform party to assist 

the Board of Governors in distributing 

diplomas: 

Christa Dickinson, BADE ’99 

Amy McKee, RFM ’83 

Michelle Irvine, TISH ’97 

Danny Di Pasquale, LCD ’88* 

Shauna Viccary, TISH ’98 

Bessie Arathymos, WPS ’86 

Ourania Korentos, LIT ’78 

Denise Cavalier, FAS ’98 

Lawson Coo, CTGA ’98 

Carol Evans, PFT ’01 

Robert Lerit, BCS ’99 

If you, or another graduate you 

know, would like to come back to 

Convocation – either to deliver a 

Tribute to the Graduates or assist with 

the presentation of diplomas – give the 

Director, David Brown a call or e-mail. 

*Danny Di Pasquale was originally a 

member of the Law Enforcement class 

of 1973, but had to leave one credit 

short of his diploma, when the Ontario 

Provincial Police insisted he report 

early! After 12 years of service with the 

OPP, Danny joined the City of Vaughan 

and returned to Seneca for his last 

credit – finally graduating in 1988. He 

was recently made Manager of By-law 

Enforcement for the City. 

Coincidentally, his son Michael was 

among the LCD class of 2001 at the 

King Campus ceremony – graduating 

with High Honours. (Michael, who 

received his private pilot’s license in 

the Air Cadets program, is now studying 

psychology at York University.) 

14 1-888-ALUMNUS

The Latest On SuperBuild 

In our Spring 2001 issue, we 

announced to Alumni readers 

plans for the SuperBuild Project 

at Seneca’s Newnham Campus as 

well as at the Seneca@York Campus. 

The SuperBuild Growth Fund is a 

$742 million provincial fund to help 

post-secondary institutions create 

needed space and modernize existing 

facilities. Seneca College was the 

recipient of two SuperBuild grants 

and construction began at Newnham 

and Seneca@York in June and 

November 2001, respectively. 

The provincial government granted 

Seneca $10.4 million for expansion/renovation 

plans for the Newnham 

campus. In conjunction with 

financing arranged by Seneca, the 

completed project will consist of a 

new building, a new Learning 

Commons (based on the successful 

model at Seneca@York), specialized 

business education centres, and the 

revitalization of existing teaching 

and learning space. At an estimated 

cost of $36 million, the project 

ensures that as much renovation 

work as possible is being done as the 

College prepares to accept at least 

2,000 additional students at Newnham 

by 2003. 

When not in the classroom or 

studying, students will have additional 

lounges located throughout the 

campus. With the anticipated increase 

in the student population, a 

larger cafeteria space will also be 

created. With the new space, Seneca 

will also see the return of its Human 

Resources and Financial Services 

departments to the Newnham Campus 

from leased office space – an 

immediate savings to the College. 

In addition to the expansion and 

renovations to the Newnham Campus, 

Seneca and York University have 

received $46.99 million, the largest 

single allocation provided to education 

institutions by the provincial 

SuperBuild Fund. The grant is being 

used for the construction of a new 

Technology Enhanced Learning 

(TEL) Building – a great example of 

the synergies taking place between 

post-secondary institutions, creating 

space for 4,000 additional students, 

half from Seneca College and half 

from York University. 

The five-story building – designed 

by Seneca@York architects – 

Moriyama and Teshima, will be 

345,000 square feet in size. Seneca 

will use about 47 percent of the 

available space, with the top floor 

being reserved as a rental space, 

possibly for potential industry/education 

partners. It will be built west 

of the existing Seneca@York Campus 

and joined by an enclosed 

bridge on the second floor. 

The TEL Building will have all 

the networking ability people have 

come to expect of modern educational 

institutions, due largely to 

the work at the existing Seneca 

@York Campus. With an Internetbased 

phone system and the latest 

in local wireless transmission, 

allowing for wireless network connections, 

the TEL Building is taking 

education technology to the next 

level. 

Both projects are on schedule to 

be completed by the 2003 deadline. 

Construction has been able to continue 

at a speedy rate, partly due to 

the mild weather experienced during 

these winter months. 

For more on the SuperBuild project, 

visit www.senecac.on.ca/ 

superbuild/ for regular updates 

and progress. 



(From left to right) Susanne Lyons (Minaker), Dave McCutcheon with Megan, Jeff Mitchell with Paige and Madison, Richard 

Dasrath, Melanie Howe with Taylor Gatt, Cindy Gatt (Lodge) with Jamie, Ron Lowe, Bev Thomson with Robbie, Craig Bateman, 

Patty Bradley with the Dasrath girls and Erin, Peter Dworschak, Michael Monty, Paul Gatt. 

By Professor Michael Monty 

It Was a Very Good Year 

It’s a wonder there were any radio 

or television stations on the air 

that day. They came from CFRB, 

Global TV, CHUM/CITY, MuchMusic, 

Space, CHEX TV, The Imagination 

Station, CTV, and private production 

houses. They drove in from as far 

away as Picton, and even phoned in 

from across the world. 

On Saturday, September 22, 2001, 

the RTV Class of ’87 held a reunion 

BBQ in my backyard. The idea started 

with Melanie Howe and Cindy and 

Paul Gatt who attended the School of 

Communication Arts Homecoming in 

June. They discovered that they were 

the only representatives of their year 

in attendance and decided it was time 

to really get the old gang together. 

At a summer planning session, it 

was decided that it was to be a very 

informal yet very inclusive affair. No 

funny name tags, no intrusive DJs, no 

crepe bunting, but spouses and children 

were very much invited, and 

apart from the hamburgers, it was 

bring your own food. The organizers 

knew that with this group, fringe benefits 

weren’t the attraction. All they 

had to do was find them, and they 


would come. (Cindy did such a terrific 

job of tracking down long lost classmates 

that I dubbed her Cindy 

Holmes.) 

And arrive they did: Richard 

Dasrath was there with his two daughters 

as well as Dave McCutcheon, his 

wife, Sally and their two children, 

Megan and baby Dalton. Paul and 

Cindy brought their two, Jamie and 

Taylor, and Jeff Mitchell, came with 

his wife and their children, Madison 

and Paige. Bev Thomson, her husband 

Rob and young Robbie were on hand 

as were Patty Bradley (Ryan) and her 

daughter Erin. Craig Bateman, Craig 

Smith, Susanne Lyons (Minaker) and 

her husband Steve. Peter Dworschak, 

hot off the track at Mosport, was 

Craig Bateman 

Craig Smith 

Bev Thomson 

quickly followed by Tim Hoey, Khaleel 

Mohammed and his wife. Of course, 

this motley crew needed some sort of 

supervision, so Ron Lowe and I were 

there as well. 

Even those who couldn’t make it 

were enthusiastic supporters: Ted 

Ambrose, Dave Cohen and Bill Petch 

sent their best wishes to everyone. 

Marc Pearson sent a videotape of first 

year TV productions, Marilyn Lindblad 

sent candied almonds, and Jim Morley 

got up in the middle of his night to 

phone in from Taiwan. 

The most commonly heard lament 

after it was over from those who were 

there and those who wished they 

could have been there: “Let’s do it 

again soon!” 

By the way, after the terrific success 

of this one, Melanie, Cindy, Paul 

and I are renting ourselves out at 

absolutely atrocious rates to anyone 

who needs help in organizing a backyard 

reunion of their own!

For Savings That Really Make The Grade 

Choose Primus ... 

and collect 

AIR MILES® 

reward miles 

while saving money 

on your long distance, 

Internet and paging services! 

Now, switch to one of five money-saving long distance plans from Primus and you’ll earn 

1 AIR MILES ® reward mile for every $5 in total monthly spending.* And Primus offers 

great plans for both domestic and international calls, with competitive rates, including: 

✓ 5¢ a minute, evenings and weekends to the U.S.A. and Canada; 

✓ Overseas rates like Hong Kong for only 7¢ a minute; 

✓ Unlimited Internet access for only $19.95 a month; † 

✓ Paging services starting at $9.95/month including a FREE pager! 

Remember, as a Primus customer, a portion of every dollar 

you spend helps support your school. 

For Details call 1 888 274-7920 

Or visit our Website at www.primustel.ca 

* Terms and Conditions subject to change. Call for full details. Reward miles issued on a minimum $15 monthly spend. Excludes taxes and discounts. Offer available to Primus residential customers only and excludes overseas calls to cellular phones. 

† Unlimited Internet for non-Primus long distance customers is $22.95 per month. ® Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under licence by Loyalty Management Group Canada Inc. and Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. TWU01


Alumni Picnic “On” – 

Rain or Shine! 

Despite the wet and cloudy conditions 

at Recreation Island, 

more than 250 alumni, family 

and friends attended the Ninth Annual 

Alumni Picnic on June 3, 2001. The 

Sunday event featured an afternoon of 

family games, music, dancing, volleyball 

and “air bounce”, as well as 

amusements that included miniature 

golf, “rock-wall” climbing, face 

painters, clowns, Markus the children’s 

Entertainer, a watermelon eating 

contest, barbequed hot dogs and 

hamburgers, and even a fire truck, 

complete with firemen from the King 

City Volunteer Fire Department. 

There were many fantastic prizes 

awarded to both children and alumni, 

including the grand prize – a weeklong 

trip for two to Europe, sponsored 

by Contiki Holidays/Trafalgar Tours, 

and won by Melinda “Mindy” Dodds 

(LAD ’84). The secondary grand prize 

was a multi-media Amsdall computer 

won by Darlene Brown (ECEF ’00). 

Thanks to all of our sponsors and 

suppliers, Barb Weeden and her Rec 

Island staff, Seneca Foundation 

Director Bruce Berman, King City Fire 

Chief Shane Baker, our entertainers, 

chefs and Alumni Association volunteers, 

for organizing such a great day! 

18 1-888-ALUMNUS

Please join us at the 

Tenth Annual Alumni 

Picnic scheduled for 

June 2, 2002. Further 

information will be 

available in the spring. 

Same place: 

Recreation Island, 

King Campus. 

Same time: 

noon to 5:00 p.m. 



High Flying AFT Reunion 

Dozens of pilots – civil, military 

and private - from across the 

country came home to roost at 

Seneca College on Saturday, October 

27, 2001. 

The first-ever reunion of the 

Aviation & Flight Technology program 

– co-sponsored by the Alumni Association 

– featured both an Open 

House at the Buttonville Hangar in 

the afternoon, and a dinner-dance at 

the Shangri-La Conference Centre in 

Markham. 

About 150 alumni, family and 

friends came out to the hangar in the 

afternoon to see the new Cessna fleet 

take to the air (with varying degrees 

of success) via the simulators, check 

out the 30 class photos on the wall, 

and meet former classmates, professors 

and flying instructors. 

At the Shangri-La that evening, 

once again about 150 alumni and 

guests attended the dinner, danced 

and reminisced. On hand were three 

of Seneca College’s presidents: W.T. 

(Bill) Newnham – who spoke about 

the beginnings of the program – Roy 

McCutcheon and Rick Miner. Guests 

included members of almost each 

graduating class since 1971, and the 

program’s first female pilot, ’77 grad 

Lenora Shaw, who flew in from 

Calgary. 

Special thanks go to faculty members 

Joe Thompson and Dominic 

Totino, retired AFT Chair Bob Froebel, 

and ’80 alumnus Scott Smith – now 

with the GTAA – who were instrumen- 

tal in organizing the reunion, and also 

to ’78 grad Joe Zigrossi, who’s Global 

Aerospace Underwriters (Canada) 

Limited supplied the wine at dinner. 

Plans are underway to make the 

“Hangar Open House” an annual 

event in late October. 

20 1-888-ALUMNUS

Seneca Sting 


Swarms China! by 

Linda Stapleton 

“ 

So, what do you think about taking 

the Men’s Soccer team to 

China?” came the question from 

Nick Huang, Seneca’s Director of 

International Marketing. 

A casual conversation between 

Seneca soccer veteran Bing Gao, a 

native Beijinger 

and Nick 

Huang 

snowballed into reality last May when 

Alumni President and former varsity 

soccer player Desmond Duke with his 

wife Susan accompanied the Seneca 

Sting Soccer team on a six-city tour 

and five-game challenge series. 

The whirlwind tour began with an 

Air Canada flight that ran out of beer 

somewhere over the Pacific. After four 

feature films, a few snoozes and 17 

hours, we landed in Beijing. Our anxiety 

levels heightened with the realization 

we were halfway around the 

world, entering the People’s Republic 

of China. 

Friendly receptions and generous 

hospitality quickly allayed our fears 

as we were wined and dined and 

toured across Beijing. The incredible 

history of China and Beijing’s importance 

as a cultural centre was immediately 

apparent as we experienced 

Tiannamen Square, the Forbidden 

City, the Emperor’s Summer Palace 

and the Great Wall of China. The Sting 

team climbed 60 minutes, up brutally 

steep and irregular stairs that transported 

us to the top of the world. 

With wobbly legs, we proceeded the 

next day to Renman University to challenge 

our first soccer opponents who 

just happened to be the Chinese 

University National Champions. After 

getting over the initial shock of a dirt 

pitch, Seneca’s Bing Gao led his 

Seneca Teammates against his previous 

teammates from Beijing. The 

match ended in a well-played 3-3 tie. 

The remainder of our trip played out 

at a hectic pace, flying to a new city 

every other day and competing in five 

matches in ten days! Our next stop 

was Shanghai, a city of contrasts 

between old and new. With a 6-0 victory 

over Shanghai and tours that 

included a gondola ride through the 

canals of “Eastern Venice” and a stunning 

evening river cruise through 

Shanghai’s business section, we were 

also treated to a banquet and karaoke 

at a local college that offers Seneca 

academic programs. 

Another 5 a.m. wake up call, another 

airport and our next destination of 

Qindao proved to be equally stunning. 

A coastal city, critical throughout 

China’s history as a defensive port, 

Qindao’s red roofs, green mountains 

and blue skies were a welcome sight. 

We were met by a Seneca alumnus 

who generously treated the team to a 

glorious cruise and banquet. The 

continued on page 32 


Towards 

Dignified Endings 

Providing Care, Comfort and Compassion 

By Tina Zalac (CCMC ‘01) 

“ 

Helen Milroy 

Anne-Marie Dean 

Helping people live until they 

die” is a phrase we don’t hear 

every day. Even less likely is it 

that we’ll find this statement in an 

average job description, but providing 

compassionate care and facilitating 

dying with dignity, is a perfect job 

description for two very special 

Seneca nursing graduates. These 

alumni make dealing with a difficult 

time more bearable for not only their 

clients but also their families and 

friends. 

Co-Directors of Hill House Hospice 

in Richmond Hill, Anne-Marie Dean 

(DNS ’95) and Helen Milroy (DNS ’93) 


are making a significant contribution 

to the field of palliative care through 

their efforts at the small bungalowstyle 

hospice. The letters and cards 

from a variety of guests fill Anne- 

Marie’s and Helen’s portfolios with 

words of gratitude and appreciation. 

Truly, the letters are an indication of 

their professionalism, compassion, 

and emotional strength over the past 

two and a half years at the hospice. 

Anne-Marie and Helen came to 

Seneca College as mature students in 

the three-year nursing program at 

the Leslie campus and juggled fulltime 

studies along with raising children. 

Both are Registered Nurses and 

they knew that palliative care was 

the area they wanted to specialize in 

upon completion of their program. 

After getting to know each other 

through the Victorian Order of 

Nurses and various agency nursing 

assignments, the two presented 

themselves to the Hill House Board of 

Directors. They proposed a Job- 

Share position and created the Co- 

Director role at the hospice. Anne- 

Marie takes Monday, Tuesday, and a 

half-day Wednesday, while Helen 

takes the other half of Wednesday, 

Thursday and Friday. Although they 

technically are assigned to 20 hours 

each per week, in reality they are oncall 

24 hours a day, seven days a 

week. 

The Hill House Hospice is a nonprofit 

organization and does not 

charge its clients for their services. 

It’s a place of comprehensive 24-hour 

care for terminally ill people in the 

final stages of life and is a home-like 

alternative to hospital care and inhome 

care for people in York Region 

who are in their final days or weeks 

of illness. The hospice endeavors to 

relieve pain and suffering, while 

including family and friends in the 

care-giving process. The majority of 

the hospice’s funding is received 

through private “in memoriam” donations. 

They rely on referrals and 

word-of-mouth for advertising. 

Anne-Marie and Helen believe in 

keeping things simple at the house 

and they maintain a warm and comfortable 

atmosphere for all of their 

clients and guests. The house is decorated 

in a warm and cozy style that 

offers simple pleasures. The environment 

is filled with hugs and support 

from the many staff members and 

volunteers, an inviting gazebo surrounded 

by flowers in the backyard, 

music from the organ in the living 

room, games in the rec room downstairs, 

a kitchen that families can 

use, televisions and VCRs in different 

rooms, many comfy couches with 

warm blankets to curl up in, and a 

generally peaceful atmosphere for 

everyone. 

The job is both physically and emotionally 

demanding. The biggest challenge 

for them is dealing with the 

children who go through the process 

of losing a mother or father to terminal 

illness. Trying to explain what’s 

going on to a young child is heart 

breaking, but these two dedicated 

and compassionate women take on 

that responsibility with the utmost

professionalism and care. 

Anne-Marie and Helen have 

achieved success by virtue of their 

ongoing health education and 

commitment to the field of caring 

for the dying. They believe that the 

desire to work in palliative care 

must be innate. When the intuition 

and drive is there, working with 

the terminally ill is very rewarding 

work and in their case, a natural 

calling. They advise nursing students 

and practitioners who want 

to get into palliative care to be 

adaptable, flexible, and 

dedicated to the physically 

and emotionally 

demanding work. Believing 

in yourself and being prepared 

to be your own advocate is also 

crucial. 

According to a powerful testimonial 

written by someone whose 

family member spent their last 

days at Hill House, “The process of 

dying is like the labour of childbirth. 

We have to work to bring life 

into the world and we have to work 

to leave this world. I cannot think 

of any other place I’d rather be 

when I am escorted from this world 

by such remarkable and qualified 

angels”. 

E-Commerce Education at Seneca: My Journey to Success 

by Seetharam Mukkavilli, IEC graduate 2001 

I’m a big fan of the Post-Diploma 

Certificate Program on Internet 

and Electronic Commerce at 

Seneca College. An enriching experience, 

the program enabled me to 

learn about e-commerce software and 

hardware tools and refreshed my 

knowledge of information technology 

project management. 

One day a week was free from 

scheduled classes, leaving me time to 

develop internship opportunities. With 

a lead from an Internet Exposition 

held in Toronto, I succeeded in doing 

an internship with J.D. Edwards. 

Later, through the College, I gained 

practical experience at Storage ASP, 

and later undertook a project on 

Usability Testing. The internships 

were intermittent and unpaid; however, 

they provided me with good references 

for the future. 

Weekly presentations from industry 

personnel who included top professionals 

from companies like IBM, i2 

Technologies, TELUS, Ranscombe and 

Microforum gave me practical ideas 

about what was happening in the e- 

business field and provided valuable 

contacts. After graduation, one of the 

speakers, Mr. Craig Thomson, Principal 

at Ranscombe gave a contract to 

my federally incorporated company 

DevTech Solutions Inc. to work on one 

of their websites. Not only did this 

lead to a repeat contract and an excellent 

reference letter, but also a profile 

on their website, including my picture! 

One of the most exciting experiences 

that Seneca College provided 

was a sponsorship for five students 

from the Faculty of Business for a 

profile 

Barb Weeden ORT '85 and Manager of the Seneca Outdoor Centre 

and King Day Camp guided for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's 

Paddle to a Cure: Journey of Hope at Georgian Bay this past summer. Seven sea 

kayak journeys take place each summer to help the Foundation meet its current 

goal of $300,000 for breast cancer research. 

global student conference on ‘E-ducation 

Without Borders’ held in Abu 

Dhabi last April. This tremendous 

experience included watching professors 

and students from over 50 countries 

present papers and thematic 

addresses – our group presented a 

paper on ‘e-learning’. That conference 

provided a wealth of valuable contacts, 

once of which helped me secure 

a contract with the University of New 

Brunswick to teach Business Administration 

and Computer Science students 

at their Beijing campus. 

When I return to Canada, I will be 

teaching IT management and e-commerce 

related subjects at a private 

vocational college in downtown 

Toronto – another Seneca connection! 

My Seneca education has placed 

me in good stead, even in a lean 

period of “tech meltdown”. No wonder 

I have such positive feelings 

about my alma mater and my wonderful 

fellow alumni! 


The Man 

of the Minute 

Vincent Timpano 

President / CEO, Minute Maid Canada 

Photos: Stephanie Lake 

“Man is only truly great 

when he acts from 

passion” 

Benjamin Disraeli 


Being passionate about 

career goals and working 

hard to achieve them is the 

secret of Vince Timpano’s 

professional success. It has been 17 

years since he graduated from 

Seneca’s Marketing Administration 

program. Now, married with three 

young children who represent his true 

passion in life, Vince is President and 

CEO of The Minute Maid Company, 

Canada Inc. Charged with the responsibility 

of overseeing a staff of more 

than 300 and the manufacturing and 

sales of over 75 million cases of product 

in Canada, Vince’s executive role 

is a demanding one, but his energy, 

passion, and commitment to the job 

make what may seem an overwhelming 

responsibility to some people, 

very achievable for Vince. 

A glimpse into Vince’s daily routine 

as President and CEO reveals an 

early morning visit to the gym before 

heading to the office. Working out 

approximately five times per week to 

maintain his physical fitness, is very 

important to Vince. With regular travel 

to Minute Maid’s Houston, Texas 

site once every three or four weeks, 

as well as balancing his four major 

areas of responsibility – strategic 

planning, implementation of strategy 

and monitoring performance against 

their growth platform of people, consumers, 

and customers, and coaching 

of team leaders at the Canadian office 

By Tina Zalac (CCMC ’01)

– Vince has to stay focused and organized. 

Delegating control of his day 

planner/schedule to his Executive 

Assistant Christobel is a key component 

to keeping focused. 

The things that challenge Vince in 

his job as President and CEO are 

attracting, developing, and retaining 

the best people in a tight job market. 

His most important responsibility is 

to align the “best and brightest” of 

those hired, with corporate strategies 

so all departments work in concert 

with one another towards the overall 

corporate goals. 

Outside of the office atmosphere, 

during the tribute address at Seneca’s 

October 2001 convocation ceremony, 

Vince encouraged all graduates to 

“define success for yourself” in order 

to gain a clear concept of what your 

personal goals are. Stressing the 

importance of maintaining a sense of 

commitment, confidence, and concentration 

in the pursuit of goals, 

Vince also encouraged both formal 

and informal learning “on a continuous 

basis as well as being selective 

about where you work.” 

“Ensure that the 

opportunities and 

values of the 

organization of your 

employer are in line 

with your individual 

objectives and 

principles.” 

As a result of his determination, 

commitment, integrity, and passion, 

Vince has enjoyed a fulfilling and successful 

business career. After graduating 

from Seneca in 1984, he began 

a career in sales at the Nabob Coffee 

Company in Hamilton, where he 

quickly moved up the corporate ladder 

from Sales Rep., to Regional Field 

Assistant for Central Canada, to Key 

Account Manager, to District Manager 

for Ontario, to Regional Sales 

Manager, and finally to National Sales 

Manager responsible for a new confection 

initiative – a remarkable 

achievement in just seven years. 

In 1991, Vince became the Director 

of Sales for a leading health and 

beauty manufacturer; three years 

later, he became the Vice-President, 

Sales for the leading branded marketers 

of juices and juice drinks in 

Canada – The Minute Maid Company 

Canada Inc. (an operating group of 

The Coca-Cola Company). This career 

move was a personal milestone for 

Vince because at the age of 31, he 

had achieved his goal of becoming a 

Vice President. To sweeten this 

achievement, he’d reached his goal 

two years ahead of his personal 

schedule! 

In August of 2000, Vince was promoted 

yet again, this time to the role 

of President and CEO of The Minute 

Maid Company’s Canadian division. 

As a member of the North American 

senior management team, Vince 

shares responsibilities for setting the 

strategic direction for the company 

and is a member of the Board of 

Directors for the FCPMC industry 

council. 

Although his career success has 

been accomplished through enthusiasm, 

commitment, and passion, Vince 

attributes his experience at Seneca 

as a solid academic foundation from 

which to begin his career. He joins a 

growing number of CEO’s and senior 

corporate leaders who have achieved 

their positions and career success 

with a strong College diploma, a 

world of ambition, and a commitment 

to continuous learning. 


alumnibenefits 

an 

It’s Good To Be a Seneca Grad! 

ON-CAMPUS BENEFITS 

Bookstores 

In appreciation of our Alumni, the Seneca 

bookstores are offering a 10% discount on all 

clothing and insignia items. To receive your 

benefit, simply present your Alumni card to 

the cashier. 

Career Services 

Career Services offers assistance to Alumni 

with job search techniques, including résumé 

preparation, covering letters, and interview 

skills and enables them to access job opportunities 

through Campus WorkLink, Canada’s 

premiere online employment site for College 

graduates. 

Information and advice regarding university 

transfer opportunities is also available 

through Career Services. A valid Alumni card 

is required for all services. For more information 

please contact Career Services at (416) 

491-5050, ext. 2925. 

Changing Faces Boutique 

Changing Faces Boutique, operated by 

Fashion Merchandising students at Newnham 

Campus, gives Seneca students working 

under the direction of faculty, the opportunity 

to do the buying, sales promotion, accounting, 

inventory control and point-of-sale service 

necessary for a small store. The boutique 

is open Monday to Friday, mid-September to 

mid-May and offers an assortment of men’s 

wear, ladies wear and accessories. Upon presentation 

of your Alumni card, you are entitled 

to a 10% discount off the regular price. 

Please phone (416) 491-5050, ext. 2191 to 

verifiy hours of operation. The boutique staff 

looks forward to serving you. 

Convocation Videos 

Those of you who have not yet ordered a 

video of your Convocation, may still do so 

by calling “Memories Forever” Video 

Productions. The cost, including taxes, is $25. 

Don’t pass up your chance to obtain this precious 

video which contains scrolling titles and 

graphics, candid shots, coverage of the entire 

ceremony, including clear close-ups of the 

graduates as they receive their diplomas and 

awards, and a special message from College 

staff. 

For those who graduated on or after June 


1995, Convocation Videos can still be 

ordered for $25 by calling Memories Forever 

Video Productions at (905) 427-3855 to place 

your order. 

Counselling 

The Counselling Office provides counselling 

and all related services to Alumni on request. 

Also available is our “Aptitude and Career 

Assessment Service” offered free-of-charge 

to unemployed Alumni, and half-price for 

employed Alumni. 

For more information please contact the 

Counselling Office at (416) 491-5050, ext. 

2900. 

Daycare 

Children of Alumni can now benefit from 

both our King Campus and Newnham 

Campus Daycare and Lab Schools which provide 

excellent, bright, clean, and wellequipped 

daycare facilities, professional, dedicated 

staff and the resourceful Early 

Childhood Education faculty. Interested in 

learning more about the programs, or 

enrolling your children in one of our daycare 

centres? Please call June at Newnham 

Campus Daycare (416) 491-5050, ext. 4710 

or Pam at the King Campus Daycare, ext. 

5063. 

Eaton Hall Inn 

& Conference Centre 

Located on the grounds of Seneca’s King 

Campus, Eaton Hall Inn & Conference Centre 

is an ideal location for your next meeting, 

training program, or special event. We provide 

high quality service while offering warm 

and comfortable surroundings for you and 

your guests. The perfect setting for weddings, 

birthdays and anniversaries, Eaton Hall 

can handle banquet groups of up to 150 

people. Visit our Web site at http://www. 

senecac.on.ca/eatonhall to view our facilities 

and obtain information on our capacities and 

pricing. Ask about our incentives to Seneca 

College alumni members who book functions. 

Call us at (905) 833-4500 to book your 

special event. 

Esthetic Clinic 

Come and visit us at the Seneca Esthetic 

Clinic for full esthetic services, including skin 

treatments, manicures, pedicures, hair 

removal and much more or enjoy a complimentary 

skin analysis and consultation with 

one of our highly trained students. To book 

appointment, call (416) 491-5050, ext. 

2680 or come to room 3340 at Newnham 

Campus any Thursday or Friday. Look for 

exciting new specials and events every 

semester. Gift certificates are available. 

Faculty of Continuing Education 

Many alumni have continued their contact 

with the College through the Faculty of 

Continuing Education and are already taking 

advantage of “Saturday Success Seminars”, a 

variety of seminars available free-of-charge to 

members of the Alumni Association. Topics 

include “Conflict Resolution” and “Projecting 

a Positive Image”. For more information, call 

the Faculty of Continuing Education Office at 

(416) 491-5050, ext. 2714. 

Floral Services 

Under the experienced, creative direction of 

Norman Disch, AIFD, the students of Seneca 

College Retail Florist Program are ready to 

meet your most important floral or party 

decoration requirements. Substantial savings 

can be yours, with excellent quality and 

artistry. We’d be pleased to discuss your next 

celebration or event with you. Contact 

Norman Disch, Coordinator, Retail Florist 

Program, at (416) 491-5050, ext. 4537. 

Learning Commons 

(Library Resource Centre) 

Seneca Alumni with valid Alumni 

Association membership cards have access 

to library collections at each campus 

Learning Commons (formerly known as 

Library Resource Centres). Our collections 

include books, periodicals, CD-ROM and 

other electronic resources, films and videotapes. 

Alumni must show their Alumni Card 

and one other piece of identification with 

name and current address to use these services 

and activate book-borrowing privileges. 

For more information please call the 

Alumni Office at (416) 491-5050, ext. 2960. 

Read all about library services, collections, 

and hours on the web at: http://www 

.senecac.on.ca/library. 

Outdoor Centre at King Campus 

The Outdoor Centre, located on Recreation 

Island at King Campus, offers group development 

programs for schools, corporate groups, 

academic programs and teachers. The King 

Day Camp operates during the summer 

months and provides outdoor adventures for 

youth ages 4 to 16 years. For more information 

please call (905) 833-3333, ext. 5028 or 

visit our website at http://www.senecac.on. 

ca/recreationservices 

Planetarium 

Explore the universe at Seneca! Visit the 

Roberta Bondar Earth and Space Centre planetarium, 

now open for a wide variety of programs. 

Host a birthday party or a private 

show for up to 25 guests for $120. Call to

make your reservation at (416) 491-5050, 

ext. 2227. 

Seneca College Residence 

and Conference Centre 

Take advantage of special Seneca College 

Alumni rates when your trip brings you to the 

Greater Toronto Area. Book your stay at the 

Seneca Residence and Conference Centre, a 

15-storey complex at Newnham Campus, or 

the King City Residence and Conference 

Centre, located at the scenic King City 

Campus just north of Toronto. All air-conditioned 

suites feature two private bedrooms 

with oversized double beds, washroom, and 

kitchenette complete with fridge and 

microwave. Enjoy full house-keeping service 

and a complimentary continental breakfast. 

Visit us on the web at http://www3.sympati 

co.ca/clcseneca/alumni.htm For more information 

and reservations call (877) 2-ALUMNI 

(877-225-8664). Special Alumni rates are also 

available at similar facilities in London, 

Kitchener, Welland (Niagara), Oakville and 

Oshawa. 

The Fitness Centre 

Since 1989, Seneca’s 6,000 square foot 

Fitness Centre has offered programs to 

answer your fitness needs and the professionals 

to help you achieve your personal 

best. The Fitness Centre is fully equipped with 

Stairmaster stairclimbers, Trotter treadmills, 

Spinnaker recumbent and upright bikes, 

Lifecycle and Monarch bikes, Concept II rowers, 

a full array of Polaris weight machines, 

Smith machines, pulleys, squat rack and free 

weights. Located at Newnham Campus on 

the lower level of the Sports Centre (room 

1619), the Fitness Centre is open seven days 

a week, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday 

and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

A special rate has been negotiated for Alumni 

members. For additional information contact 

the Fitness Centre at (416) 491-5050, 

ext. 2976 or stop in and see us. 

Varsity Athletics 

Varsity Sports Seneca has 14 teams participating 

in the Ontario Colleges Athletic 

Association and an open invitation is extended 

to all alumni to come out to the Sports 

Centre and catch the great action! 

Basketball, volleyball, hockey, softball, and 

soccer are just some of the sports in which 

our teams compete. Curling, skiing, golf and 

badminton are also active at Seneca. 

Admission is free to all home games, and 

alumni receive special discounts for tournaments 

and championships 

hosted by 

the College. 

Call the Athletic 

Department at 

(416) 491-5050, 

ext. 2308 for an 

updated schedule. 

OFF-CAMPUS BENEFITS 

Alamo Rent A Car 

Your Seneca College Alumni Association is 

pleased to announce the Member Benefits 

Program with Alamo Rent A Car Inc. 

The program entitles members to: 

• Save up to 5% off Canadian daily and 

weekly rates* 

• Save 10% off retail rates at Alamo’s 

International and United Kingdom locations* 

• Save up to 10% off Alamo Rent A Car on 

Retail Daily and Weekly Rates and 10% off 

weekend specials for travel in the U.S.* 

To take advantage of this special offer, call 

your travel agent or Alamo at (800) 354-2322 

at least 24 hours in advance of your date of 

travel. Be sure to request code “BY” and use 

Membership I.D. #265722 for your reservation. 

Please contact the Alumni Office for 

your complimentary I.D. card and free additional 

discount coupons. 

*Percentage discount applies to base rates 

only. Rates are higher for renters under age 

25. U.S. residents cannot drive an Alamo car 

from the U.S. to Canada. Canadian residents 

cannot drive an Alamo car from Canada to 

the U.S. A 24-hour advance reservation is 

required. Availability is limited. 

CAA Central Ontario 

CAA Central Ontario (Club 282) covers the 

City of Toronto, north to Barrie and Orillia, 

parts of Sault Ste. Marie, east to Oshawa 

(as well as clubs in Peterborough, Kingston 

and Belleville), west to Mississauga and 

Brampton, and Windsor. 

As an alumnus of Seneca living in the 

Central Ontario Club 282 area, you are entitled 

to enjoy the special Group Membership 

Rate that the Seneca Alumni Association has 

established. 

Please refer to the ad in this magazine for 

details on CAA Emergency Road Services, 

Member Services and a comparison of regular 

and group rate charges. 

Find out more about CAA services on the 

Central Ontario Chapter Web site at www. 

central.on.caa.ca and call the Seneca Alumni 

office for your CAA group application form. 

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts 

We have negotiated a special rate package 

for Alumni, their families and businesses (if 

applicable) with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts 

Canada-wide. These special rates and services 

are available at all Fairmont Hotels and 

Resorts City Centre properties across Canada. 

The benefits include: 

• Special guaranteed room rates 

• Preferential reservation handling 

• Pre-registration 

• Late check-out (on request) 

To find out more about special rates or to 

make a reservation, please call (800) 866- 

5577 and advise the reservation agent that 

you are a member of the Seneca College 

Alumni Association. Visit the Fairmont Hotels 

and Resorts Web Site at www.fairmont.com 

to find out more. 

HomeScan Home Inspections 

Minimum 30% discount for Alumni about to 

purchase a home! 

Whether you’re buying or selling, a 

HomeScan Home Inspection allows you to 

“Close with Confidence.” Most homes are 

surprisingly complex structures in which you 

are making an investment of $150,000 or 

more. Make sure your investment is sound 

with an inspection that examines the structure, 

systems, and health and safety aspects 

present in all homes while uncovering any 

defects in the process. 

Over and above the Alumni savings you 

will receive: 

• 15+ page report on site at the time of the 

inspection. 

• A full discussion with the inspector on the 

significant aspects and findings. 

• Helpful instruction on how the systems 

and structure work in your new home. 

• Useful maintenance tips. 

• Cost estimates on any work that needs to 

be done so that you can budget sensibly. 

• An inspection by a trained and qualified 

member of Ontario Association of Home 

Inspectors. 

Book your appointment, allow three to four 



hours for the inspection, then relax and let us 

take it from there. HomeScan is owned and 

operated by Stuart Leigh, a long-time Seneca 

faculty member. To book your inspection in 

the GTA just call (416) 998-5330 or e-mail 

Stuart at HomeScan@Internet.Look.ca. 

Canada Life Assurance Company 

– Term Life Insurance 

Chances are, you’re one of the many Seneca 

alumni who have taken advantage of our 

term life insurance offer. The attractive rates 

have led to participation far exceeding our 

expectations! 

Enrolment is open to all Alumni of Seneca 

College and their spouses, between 18 and 

64 years of age. The insurance is available in 

three amounts: $50,000, $100,000 and 

$150,000 (additional amounts are available 

on request, subject to complete underwriting 

requirements). In the majority of cases 

no medical exam will be required. 

To take advantage of this offer, contact 

Trudy Baker at (905) 738-6418, fax (905) 738- 

6298, or e-mail: baker@ebenefitscanada.com 

or call Canada Life at (800) 387-0649. 

Discount Car and Truck Rentals 

We are pleased to announce that as a 

Seneca College Alumni Association Member, 

you can take advantage of special discounted 

rental rates from any Discount Car & 

Truck Rentals location across Canada. 

Over and above the significant savings, 

Discount Car & Truck Rentals will offer: 

• Free customer pick-up and return 

• One, Two, Free Weekend Program. Rent 

a car or mini-van for any two weekends 

and get a third weekend FREE! 

Please call the Discount location nearest to 

you (refer to your local Yellow Pages). To 

guarantee your special discounted rates, present 

the coupon below or your Alumni 

Association Membership card at time of 

rental. Certain terms and conditions apply. 

This card identifies 

_________________________ 

as a Seneca College Alumni Association Member 

and entitled to Corporate Rates from 

Discount Car & Truck Rentals 


Embassy Suites Hotel 

Toronto/Markham 

Enjoy beautifully appointed executive suites 

with separate living room and bedroom 

areas, each containing a television and telephone, 

full amenities in the bathroom area, a 

mini-bar, microwave oven (upon request) and 

coffee maker with full coffee/tea service, an 

iron and ironing board. A complimentary 

cooked-to-order breakfast, served in the 

hotel cafe, is offered to each overnight guest 

and each evening, guests are invited to mingle 

at the manager’s reception. Guests may 

take advantage of the Club Markham on-site 

fitness and pool facilities for a small fee. 

Please present your Alumni Association 

Membership card at time of registration to 

receive a low rate of $140 single and $150 

double plus applicable taxes – based on availability 

and subject to change without notice. 

To make reservations please call (905) 470- 

8500 or (800) 668-8800. Embassy Suites 

Toronto/Markham is located at the corner of 

Warden Avenue and Highway 7. 

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites 

Toronto-Markham 

The Holiday Inn is located just minutes away 

from Newnham Campus at Highway 404 and 

Steeles Avenue and is ready to offer you special 

Seneca College Alumni Rates. Your 

accommodation includes complimentary 

one-way transportation to the Newnham 

Campus, Monday to Friday between the 

hours of 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. For more 

information please call our Reservations 

Department at (905) 474-0444 or if calling 

from outside the GTA, (800) 387-3303. 

Please note that room rates are subject to 

applicable taxes. 

To receive this benefit, please present your 

Alumni Association Membership card at time 

of registration. 

Meditrust Prescription 

Drug Benefits 

Prescription drug costs have gone up 11.5% 

per year for the past ten years, but there is a 

service that reduces the high cost of prescription 

drugs and makes them affordable - 

whether or not you have a drug benefit plan. 

MEDITRUST Pharmacy Inc. offers a reduced 

dispensing fee of $6.47, provides an effective 

patient history management system, a pricing 

policy that passes on the savings of bulk buying, 

and can offer a 90 day supply of medication 

without multiple dispensing fees. 

Call (888) RX2-DOOR (792-3667) for assistance 

with your free registration or for a free 

price quote. There are no administration fees 

and delivery is free anywhere in Canada and 

you can re-order prescriptions by e-mailing 

orders@meditrust.com. This benefit is available 

to all Alumni and their families. 

Paramount Canada’s Wonderland 

Canada’s premier theme park features more 

than 180 attractions including 50 thrilling 

rides, North America’s largest variety of 

roller coasters, Splash Works! – a 20-acre 

water park – live shows, and two theme 

areas for younger children, The Edge 

(Climbing Wall), Speed City Raceway (gocarts) 

and much, much more! Paramount 

Canada’s Wonderland opens to the public in 

early May and is open daily at 10 a.m. Closing 

times vary throughout the operating season. 

Special discount ticket prices have been 

arranged for Seneca Alumni and will be available 

in mid-May from the Newnham Campus 

Cash Office. 

PEOPLEPLUS Car and 

Home Insurance 

Coverage you need at prices you’ll love! 

PEOPLEPLUS is pleased to be working with 

the Seneca College Alumni Association to 

provide great rates with fast, friendly service 

for all your car and home insurance needs. 

One simple call to PEOPLEPLUS at (877) 

896-2020 gets you a complete, detailed, noobligation 

quote, quickly and easily. When 

you join your fellow Alumni as a PEOPLEPLUS 

policyholder, you’ll also receive FREE access to 

PEOPLEassist - the 24 hour, 7-day a week 

peace-of-mind assistance service with no 

financing fees. 

PRIMUS Canada 

Long distance paging & Internet service 

Seneca Alumni have access to long distance, 

paging and Internet services through the 

world’s fastest growing Communications 

Company, Primus Canada, which offers 

Seneca Alumni unlimited Internet for $19.95 

a month and paging packages starting at 

$9.95 a month including a free pager. 

Pay 5¢ a minute, evenings and weekends 

to the U.S.A. and Canada, and overseas rates 

like Hong Kong for only 7¢ a minute. 

Earn 1 AIR MILES ® reward mile for every 

$5 in total monthly spending. See ad on 

page 17 for more details. 

Primus Canada takes pride in offering special 

programs and exceptional customer service 

to partners like Seneca College. The best 

part is, while you save money on your communication 

needs, a portion of your monthly 

billing is contributed to support the Seneca 

College Alumni Endowed Awards Fund. 

For more information about how Primus 

Canada can help you stay in touch with family 

and friends, call (888) 274-7920 and start 

saving today. 

TM 

Sony Music Canada 

Here’s a new exclusive group benefit that 

really rocks! As Seneca alumni, you have 

access to a new group benefit that is sure to 

be music to your ears. Experience the world 

of Sony Music using the mainlymusic.com 

group benefit that saves you time and 

money. By using this private password-protected 

site, you can take advantage of your

own personal music store offering a world 

class catalogue of thousands of CD, video, 

and DVD titles. 

Enjoy approximately 40% off retail pricing 

on Sony CD, VHS tapes, and DVD products; 

free shipping throughout Canada; contest 

and door crasher specials; reward points on 

every purchase, and access to goods and services 

not openly available to the public. 

For great low prices, free delivery, and 

thousands of products just log on to 

www.mostlymusic.com/seneca and use the 

group password SENECA. 

Membership department directly at (416) 

862-4528. 

For more detailed information, please refer 

to the ad in this magazine or check out the 

Board of Trade Web site at www.bot.com. 

Wild Water Kingdom 

Wild Water Kingdom, Canada’s largest 

water park, located at Highway 427 and 

Finch Avenue, offers something for everybody! 


Fill your day with thrilling water attractions 

including: mini-golf complex offering 

two 18-hole fantasy courses; The Enchanted 

Fortress; Shipwreck Falls, and batting cages 

that challenge even those Blue Jays hopefuls! 

Recharge and relax on the Lazy River or 

visit Caribbean Cove, a tropical paradise, 

with a 6,000 square foot swimming pool 

complete with waterfalls and surrounding 

lush landscaping. Book Caribbean Cove for 

a delightful evening of fun, where your 

group will be treated to sumptuous food, 

Caribbean entertainment and pulsating 

music! 

Your Alumni Association has negotiated a 

special discount coupon program with Wild 

Water Kingdom as well as special group 

rates. Simply show your Alumni Card at the 

Guest Services booth and you and up to five 

guests will receive a discount of $3 each 

(Monday to Friday only) off the regular price. 

For group bookings or more information, 

please call (905) 794-0565. 

TD Senecard - VISA 

Did you know that you can help your 

College support students just by using 

your TD Senecard ** Visa * card? A percentage 

of every purchase you charge 

to your TD Senecard Visa card will go 

towards bursaries and scholarships for 

Seneca College students – twenty-two 

awards were presented in the spring of 

2001. 

You can also take advantage of some 

great benefits for yourself. Once your 

application has been approved, you’ll 

enjoy a lower interest rate than that 

charged on the TD GREEN ** Visa card! 

You can apply for a TD Senecard regardless 

of your current banking affiliation. 

Apply now and reward yourself and 

your College! Call our Alumni Office at 

416-491-5050, ext. 2960 or toll-free at 

888-ALUMNUS for an application form. 

*VISA International Service Association, The 

Toronto-Dominion Bank and Seneca College are 

licensed users of the Mark. 

** Trademark of the Toronto-Dominion Bank. 

Toronto Board of Trade 

Board of Trade members enjoy a variety of 

services and privileges that include global 

connections through the World Trade Centre; 

access to key business information resources; 

professional development opportunities; 

exclusive use of meeting and dining facilities; 

business insurance and research assistance. 

Membership in the Toronto Board means that 

you are part of the largest local chamber of 

commerce/board of trade in Canada – and 

Seneca Alumni can benefit by saving $100 

off the annual individual BOT membership 

price. Call the Seneca Alumni office for an 

application or contact the Board of Trade 


All about our Alumni 

Alumni Grapevine is your opportunity to let former classmates know what you’ve 

been up to! Just send us a letter or fill out the Alumni Update Form indicating 

you wish to share this information with other grads. To protect alumni privacy, 

we will not publish addresses or phone numbers unless you make that request. 

If you want us to publish a picture, it must be at least 3” x 5” and in focus. 

Glen Easson 

LCD 1976 

Congratulations to Glen on his reelection 

to the Trent University Board 

of Governors. 

R. Bruce Orrell 

CPO 1981 

Bruce has been married to June for 

the past 15 years and they have two 

children Christopher, 12, and Caitlin, 

5. They moved to Aurora in 1995 

where Bruce works on IBM midrange 

systems at Protech Consulting. 

Donald McCullough 

FLF 1986 

Donald, who is Captain of the City of 

Guelph Fire Department, lives in 

Guelph with his wife Daphne. 

Umberto Martini 

MKAC 1987 

Umberto is currently living in 

Woodbridge and is the General Manager 

of a company that manufactures 

plastics. 

Michael Kundu 

CCMC 1991 

Michael is married with two young 

sons and is the senior community programs 

specialist at Naval Station 

Everett, homeport to the U.S. aircraft 

carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln. 

Michael also juggles a freelance filmmaking 

career on the side – his last 

two documentaries (filmed and coproduced) 

on the decline of killer 

whales of the Pacific northwest were 

recently broadcast by ABC and NBC 

television stations across the country. 

Michael’s filming experience includes 

grapevine 

of 

cutting edge underwater camera work 

with northwest orcas and his ABC 

documentary “Cry of the Orca” is currently 

being submitted for a regional 

Emmy Award. 

Natalia Seepersaud 

BADC 1991 

Natalia moved back to her birth 

country with her parents in 1993 and 

immediately applied for the University 

of Guyana’s Law Degree program. 

Following one year of Public Management 

studies, she was admitted to the 

law program. In October of 2001 

Natalie graduated, was admitted to 

the Guyanese bar, entered the Legal 

Chambers of De Santos and Associates 

as a junior attorney, and is now 

able to practice law anywhere within 

the Commonwealth Caribbean. 

Congratulations Natalia! 

Michelle Torraville (Russell) 

ECE 1991 

Michelle married Barry in June 1996. 

They now have two children – Dylan, 

three, and Cara, one. 

Karen Sliwa 

CTFA 1996 

Since graduation Karen has been 

working to reach a competitive level of 

coaching in figure skating and has 

enjoyed the pursuit very much! Since 

June 2000, Karen has been working 

with her fiancé in his hockey and 

shooting school and is pleased to 

announce that this change has given 

her the opportunity to use skills that 

Seneca College taught her, as she is in 

charge of all daily operations, marketing, 

advertising and planning of future 

projects. Karen is now working 

towards using Seneca College for one 

the camps, hoping that this could be 

a way to give back to the school that 

has given her so much. 

Michael Butcher 

CGT 1998 

Congratulations to Michael and Janis 

on their marriage in October 2000 in 

Cambridge, Ontario. 

Brad Ezekiel 

RPOC 1998 

Brad went to Australia planning to 

launch a landscaping company in a 

year-round market. He began by 

working for the City of Manly as a 

beachfront horticulturist, checking 

the plants and trees, but soon found 

a more prosperous position. Although 

it was tough to leave the beach, Brad 

got a great job as the Product/ Marketing 

Manager for a company that 

manufactures SeaHornet Scuba and 

Spearfishing Equipment, supplies dive 

shops and sports stores across 

Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa and the 

U.S., and serve as the main supplier to 

the Royal Australian Navy, and the 

manufacturer of all life support valves 

for the Australian Fire Brigades. Brad 

knew that the RPOC course and all the 

effort Stu, Jack, Denise and Brian put 

in would benefit him some day. 

Jennifer-Rae Brown 

RFM 2000 

Brad Menchenton 

RFM 2000 

Congratulations to Jennifer-Ray and 

Brad on their marriage which took 

place October 5, 2001 in Cambridge, 

Ontario. 

Michael Sorrenti 

CGT 2000 

Michael Sorrenti is a web artist who 

began his career with Telus Integrated 

Communications (the second largest 

telecommunications company in 

Canada) as Webmaster. While at 

Telus, Michael’s entrepreneurial and 

creative spirit led him to commission 

an animated flash card greeting for 

Flashcards.com based in California. 

He eventually started his own business 

under the name of Digital 

Creations, felt the need to market the 

company in other ways and developed 

a two-tier system in which animators 

30 1-888-ALUMNUS

post their work for all to see at 

www.toonchannel.tv. The business 

branch of his company provides 

design and new media services 

through M2 Studios and Michael now 

has ten contract employees. 

Shernett Williams (Goodall) 

Shernett is a police officer with the 

Ontario Provincial Police. She is married 

and lives in North York. 

Lisa Harrison (Judd) 

MES 1993 

Immediately following graduation, 

Lisa began her career with State 

Farm Insurance. In 1999, she married 

Robert Harrison and they purchased 

a home in Courtice, where 

they now live happily with their 

orange tabby cat, Alicia. They love to 

watch movies and play baseball in the 

summer and Lisa plays in a bowling 

league during the winter. There are no 

plans for children in the near future. 

Rhonda Elsden 

COTG 1990 

Rhonda, who lives in Paris, Ontario, is 

working at Stevens-Dufar, as an A/P 

Manager. 

Carolyn Croft (Squires) 

TISA 1992 

Tim Croft 

LCD 1988 

Carolyn and Tim have two children – 

Ben (4) and Zachary (18 mos.) and 

are living the good life in Alberta 

where they have been for the last eight 

years. Tim, who graduated from the 

Law Enforcement Program in 1989, is 

working for the R.C.M.P. in Wabasca. 

Thomas Christiansen 

INBC 1992 

Thomas, who owns Search Associates, 

lives in Toronto with his wife Leanne. 

Rebecca Parker (Skinner) 

AHT 1996 

Rebecca is a self-employed Real Time 

Ultrasound Technician (accredited 

with OVC and the Ontario Sheep 

Marketing Agency) scanning sheep 

and goats for pregnancy, and lambs 

for loin and fat depth. Trained in New 

Zealand, Rebecca lives on a farm with 

her three sons, Robert (12), Douglas 

(10) and David (9), and has 50 sheep, 

llamas (to serve as guards) and Shire 

horses. If things go well, she plans to 

increase the sheep to 150-200 in the 

next two years. 

Jennifer Hartford (Kelly) 

DNS 1997 

Jennifer married Shawn Hartford in 

1998, and they are now the proud parents 

of two-year old Logan. 

Tom Sguigna 

RFM 1984 

Debra Camille Ann Forbes 

BCS 1991 

Debra passed away February 2, 2001 

at the age of 31, from a lengthy battle 

with Scleroderma. She graduated 

from Seneca in 1991, with a Business 

Computer Systems Diploma, and is 

survived by her parents, two younger 

sisters and a brother. 

Natacha Hall 

BCT 1999 

Passed away Friday, June 15, 2001. 

William McCaw 

Seneca Retirees Chapter 

Jim Rennie 

Seneca Retirees Chapter 

Judith MacGowan 

ECE 1984 

Judith, who lives in Toronto, is currently 

the Senior Business Development 

Officer for Ronald MacDonald 

House. 

Wendy Curtis (Ross) 

RFM 1982 

Wendy, who is married to Gary, is the 

mother of Madeline (16 mos.) and 

MacKenzie (9). For the last 15 years, 

Wendy has worked at Fanshawe 

College in an exciting portfolio of 

careers that has included Alumni, 

Development, Scholarships and 

Awards, International and Government 

and Community Partnerships. 

She has always been proud to be an 

alumnae of Seneca College. 

Anne Wright 

MES 1997 

In Memoriam 

It is with sadness that we inform you 

that Anne Wright (former admin. support 

to Dr. Adeli, Verjee, Callahan and 

the Core Lab at the Hospital for Sick 

Children) passed away on Thursday, 

July 5th from a year-long illness. 

Anne won a membership to the OMSA 

as top student in the graduating class 

of 1997 at Yorkdale Campus. The 

funeral/memorial service was held 

on Tuesday, July 10, at St. James 

Crematory & Cemetery at 635 

Parliament St. (between Bloor and 

Wellesley). 

A trust fund has been set up for her 

son Andrew. Donations will be gratefully 

accepted at any Royal Bank 

Transit #6542, Account #5033840. 

Cheques to be made out to Lorraine 

Phillips in trust to Andrew Wright. 


continued from page 21 

Quingdao game was definitely a 

thriller, beginning with the 6,000 

spectators and formal opening ceremonies 

that gave everyone goose 

bumps. The Sting lost 2-1 on a penalty 

kick awarded late in the game. 

Whoa! 5 a.m. again and another 

flight to the interior Sichuan territory 

(hot spicy food”…thank goodness for 

Imodium!). After hitting three crossbars, 

Seneca settled for a 2-1 loss to 

Sichuan University. Back on the plane 

and on to Guangzhou in 34 degree C 

heat with 92% humidity. The game 

began with a kick off by the Consul 

General, a Queen’s University graduate 

and former captain of the Queen’s 

Soccer team! The Sting netted four 

goals to win 4-1 and close our challenge 

match series off with two wins, 

two losses and a tie. 

Our tour ended in Hong Kong with 

24 hours of intense shopping and 

sightseeing. 

The images remain crystal clear but 

the timelines are jumbled: 30 adults 

totally captivated by Panda Bears; a 

Giant Buddha carved into the entire 

side of a mountain where the toe was 

bigger that the tallest member of our 

team; the keen interest and genuine 

warmth of the Chinese university students 

practicing their English conversation 

skills with us; the paradox of an 

immense country building skyscrapers 

with bamboo scaffolding and mixing 

cement in wheel barrows; the 

serenity of a Daoist monastery; the 

relentless and aggressive bartering in 

the markets. 

We shake our heads and smile, still 

in disbelief that we were so fortunate 

to have experienced the beauty, the 

history, the people and the sheer 

immensity of China! 


continued from page 3 

Corporation where he provides leadership, 

strategic planning and senior 

management direction to the administrators 

and staff responsible for student 

services, international development 

and the English Language 

Institute. Wayne participates in the 

overall management of the College as 

a member of the Executive 

Committee, has worked at the College 

since 1967 and has held numerous 

faculty and administrative positions in 

Applied Arts, Professional 

Development, Liberal Studies and 

Human Resources. 

Associate Vice-President, 

Communications 

Tina Zalac (CCMC ’01) 

Starting out as a 

Corporate 

Communications 

Co-Op student in 

the Alumni Office 

in 2001, Tina has 

continued her affiliation 

with the Alumni Association, taking 

a leadership role in the June 2001 

Alumni Picnic and freelancing on communications 

projects during the fall. 

She has been closely involved with the 

production of the two most recent editions 

of the Alumni magazine. 

A Day That Will Live In Our 

Memories Forever 

Tina graduated from Wilfrid Laurier 

University in 1997 with a BA in 

Communication Studies and 

Psychology. In pursuit of new career 

goals, she went back to school in 

September 2000, and graduated from 

Seneca’s Corporate Communications 

(Co-Op) Diploma program in 2001. 

Between Laurier and Seneca, Tina 

worked in administrative, research, 

and marketing communications roles 

for three years. 

Currently, Tina is working in her new 

role as a Communications Officer for 

the Marketing and Communications 

department at Seneca College. 

Associate VP, Events 

Vincent Q. Diep (BCS ’00) 

Vincent joined the 

Alumni Board in 

September 2001. A 

2000 graduate 

from the Business 

Computer Systems 

program, Vincent is 

currently working part-time at 

Seneca’s Newnham Campus Learning 

Commons as a Senior Tutor for business 

subjects. He is also attending 

York University part-time in pursuit of 

a Bachelors degree in Administration 

Studies. While at Seneca, Vincent won 

the “Friends of Seneca” scholarship 

for academic achievement. 

As this is the first issue published since the terrorist attacks on the United 

States of America, we at the Alumni Association take this opportunity to 

extend our condolences to all who have been affected by the events of 

September 11, 2001. 

Thankfully, at the time of publication, there were no reports of anyone from the 

Seneca community or their immediate family members whose lives had been 

taken as a direct result of these tragedies. 

Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all who died that day, to all who 

fought to save others, and to the families of victims and rescuers.

Consider your FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

since the day you graduated. 

Does your FINANCIAL 

PROTECTION measure up? 

With the cost of living today... and what it will be in years to come… you must ask yourself: 

Without your income, would your family be able to maintain the comfortable lifestyle 

you’ve worked hard to establish? 

Regardless of your class year, the Seneca College Alumni Group Term Life Insurance Plan 

has some of the most affordable rates available in the market today. 

If you are considering primary protection or need to supplement existing insurance, 

Alumni from the ages of 18 to 60 are eligible for up to $750,000 of coverage. 

Call Canada Life today. Find out how affordable peace of mind really is. 

1-800-387-0649

1750 Finch Ave. E., Toronto, Ontario M2J 2X5 

40049833 

Return Postage Guaranteed. 

Postmaster, 

Please Return Cover Only

Turf Management - Seneca College

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?