On Monday, October 6 the BVCAA hosted the 2nd Annual International Thanksgiving at Fort Calgary. This annual event was created in 2007 as the first official Bow Valley College Alumni event. The mission of the event was to create an alumni tradition around a beloved Canadian tradition, that specifically involved BVC's international alumni. Judging from the attendance at the October 6 dinner it seems that a new tradition has been established. At the inaugural dinner in 2007 just over 30 alumni and staff guests attended, this year the guest list grew to 60+. Over 15 countries were represented by the alumni guests from the Corporate Readiness Training Program (formerly WEIP) and International Education.
Colleen Bangs, Alumni Coordinator, emceed the event and the guests were officially welcomed by Andy Cichos, Vice President of External Relations at Bow Valley College. Appearances at the podium were also made by Laurel Madro(Corporate Readiness Training) and Amy Schalin (International Education), with words from their respective departments.
At the end of the formal program, alumni were invited to introduce themselves and share what they were thankful for. Responses such as, "BVC changed my life", "I am working in my dream job" and "I am proud to have recently become Canadian" brought tears to the eyes of many of the staff in attendance who were witnessing the impact that their work has had beyond the classroom. A great event indeed.
Keep your eyes on alumni event calendar for the 3rd Annual International Thanksgiving on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Canmore event a smashing success
On October 2, the Canmore campus of Bow Valley College hosted an Open House which was followed by an event at Murrieta's in Canmore for Bow Valley Corridor Alumni of the College. The Open House was well attended and provided valuable information to prospective students, alumni and members of the business community.
The dinner that followed brought over 30 staff and alumni together for the first-ever BVC alumni event for area residents. Elza Bruk, Dean of Business and Industry at Bow Valley College, was on hand to give an official welcome to the guests and the Alumni Association was successful in establishing a presence in the Bow Valley Corridor BVC Alumni community.
Several guests commented on how getting together in this type of environment provided a catalyst for continued engagement with the College. Colleen Bangs, Alumni Relations Coordinator, ended the evening by encouraging alumni to take advantage of the programs and benefits available to them through the alumni program, and to keep in touch with each other and continue to nurture the friendships that their BVC experience allowed them.
One alumna, a recent graduate of the full-time occupational skills program at the Canmore Learning Centre (Bow Valley College), commented: The best part of my Bow Valley College experience was that I realized how smart I am, I can do these things.
During the 2008/09 year the Bow Valley College Alumni Association (BVCAA) will be focusing on getting out to the community campuses outside of Calgary in an effort to raise the profile of the alumni program outside of Calgary. As part of this initiative, alumni from community campuses are encouraged to make suggestions to help the BVCAA offer equitable programming and benefits where possible in their local communities.
The dinner that followed brought over 30 staff and alumni together for the first-ever BVC alumni event for area residents. Elza Bruk, Dean of Business and Industry at Bow Valley College, was on hand to give an official welcome to the guests and the Alumni Association was successful in establishing a presence in the Bow Valley Corridor BVC Alumni community.
Several guests commented on how getting together in this type of environment provided a catalyst for continued engagement with the College. Colleen Bangs, Alumni Relations Coordinator, ended the evening by encouraging alumni to take advantage of the programs and benefits available to them through the alumni program, and to keep in touch with each other and continue to nurture the friendships that their BVC experience allowed them.
One alumna, a recent graduate of the full-time occupational skills program at the Canmore Learning Centre (Bow Valley College), commented: The best part of my Bow Valley College experience was that I realized how smart I am, I can do these things.
During the 2008/09 year the Bow Valley College Alumni Association (BVCAA) will be focusing on getting out to the community campuses outside of Calgary in an effort to raise the profile of the alumni program outside of Calgary. As part of this initiative, alumni from community campuses are encouraged to make suggestions to help the BVCAA offer equitable programming and benefits where possible in their local communities.
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