Three alumni and a local transportation company will be recognized on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards.
“We are thrilled about the line-up of recipients this year who are being recognized for their work in an array of disciplines including human rights, arts and culture, social services and business,” said Arlene Olynyk, alumni relations supervisor. “It’s always really exciting to share the stories of our alumni and the amazing impacts they are making globally.”
April 7, Grand Hall, cocktails 6 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m.
Buy tickets
Dean Nelson – Human Rights Leadership Award
Dean Nelson, Diploma in Resort Hotel Management 1992, will receive the Human Rights Leadership award in recognition of his significant regional, national and international impact in the human rights field. He has pushed innovation in the LGBTQ community through many years in the hospitality industry and championing LGBTQ tourism. CEO, Executive Producer of Whistler Pride, and Ski Festival, Founder and Executive Producer of Pride House 2010 (the first LGBT Pavillion at an Olympic Games) and Co-founder of Mr.Gay World International. He has held director roles for various volunteer boards including Travel Gay Canada, Vancouver Pride Society, InterPride Vancouver 2010 Conference, and GLISA – Gay Lesbian International Sports Association – North America Outgames 2011. Nelson has been recognized for his advocacy efforts worldwide and has also been widely acknowledged in the sports field, winning the Pride Toronto Award for Excellence in Sports and the Vancouver Pride Sports Legacy Award for his work reducing homophobia and breaking down barriers in the industry.
Linda Jules – Arts & Culture Award
Linda Jules, Bachelor of Fine Arts 2007, will receive the Arts and Culture award for her impact internationally in fine arts and culture. She is a renowned Kamloops visual artist and passionate advocate of arts, culture and education. She is a founding director of the Kamloops Printmakers Society, a co-operative print artists’ studio. Jules has exhibited her work in Canada, the U.S., Spain, France and the U.K. Notably, Jules’ work was selected for exhibition at the Impact8 International Printmaking Conference in Dundee, Scotland and the Northern Print Biennial in Newcastle, England.
Gurbir Sandhu – Grace Chronister Award
Gurbir Sandhu, Bachelor of Social Work 2002, will receive the Grace Chronister Award for her significant contribution to education, policy development, and advocacy. She is a social work professor and agent for social justice who has made powerful impacts on policy in Canada and abroad. She has worked collaboratively with various levels of government, tirelessly advocating for equality within labour legislation and policy to support marginalized populations.
Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. —
Milestone Achievement Award
Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. will receive the Milestone Achievement Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of a group (business, association or service club) whose collective efforts have created an institutional milestone and made a unique contribution to the life and goals of TRU students and alumni. Arrow Transportation has contributed through philanthropy in the form of student financial awards, providing co-operative education experiences for students, and offering employment and training positions within its branches. Arrow staff have also volunteered as career mentors to TRU students.
More information
Arlene Olynyk
Thompson Rivers University
Alumni Relations Manager
aolynyk@tru.ca
250-828-5498
