A message from Christine Gross, your new alumni representative

Since starting in this role a couple of months ago, I quickly started to look forward in anticipation of the opportunities that lay ahead in Alumni Relations. No two days have been the same and this past homecoming celebration was just the beginning of a plan to reach out to our alumni across Canada and around the world.

Christine Gross Alumni Relations Manager

One of the things I’ll remember most about Homecoming 2007 was flying backwards into an unsuspecting sailor, while attempting to wrangle an unwieldy fire hose on a ship that was bobbing around in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and later that day sipping wine with former Royal Roads Military College cadets and RRU alumni in Hatley Castle overlooking that same body of water.

I found the latter more my speed than the former. After all, there’s only so much damage I can do with a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres – my apologies to that sailor.

Besides some good food and the opportunity to release my inner-klutz, homecoming also gave me the chance to connect with alumni. That’s actually the best part of my job.

I’ve worked in alumni relations and student recruitment for universities in B.C. and Alberta, and Royal Roads graduates are by far the most passionate and driven group I’ve ever encountered. You are all so proud of your association with this place and your energy and desire to promote our unique approach is infectious.

That’s why I’m here to work for you. My goal is to work with you and develop relationships that are constant, productive and befitting of the hard work you put into becoming Royal Roads alumni.

My priorities in this job will be guided by your priorities. I’ve heard the need for a stronger voice for and from alumni. We’ve also heard about your interest in promoting and marketing of Royal Roads degrees.

A stronger connection is my first priority. So I’m establishing Alumni Branches that will give you a clearer voice within the RRU community and provide a strong voice for RRU to the rest of Canada, indeed the world.

Even though we’re off to a great start in this new era of RRU Alumni Relations, your voices still need to be heard. So please contact me by phone or by e-mail. Tell me your concerns. Ask me questions. Most importantly, stay in touch.

We are looking for RRU champions in communities across Canada. Here’s a chance for you to get involved in promoting our degrees and the value of an RRU education in your neighbourhood, to your peers and in your cities and towns.

We need your input and involvement to keep up the momentum created through homecoming. I’m looking forward to working together – just don’t ask me to work a fire hose.

Alumni News – Who’s doing what, where and how?

Ann-Marie Cederholm (B-Comm 1996) was named Chief Financial Officer for Alberta Star Development Corporation, a Canadian mineral exploration company that identifies, acquires and finances advanced stage mineral exploration projects in Canada.

Colonel Fred Bigelow (Royal Roads Military College) was named the new Commander of 19 Wing Comox in July. Bigelow graduated from Royal Roads Military College with a bachelor’s degree in physics and physical oceanography.

Kristy Emery (B-Comm 2004) was named Director, Corporate Relations with Equity Engineering Ltd. which manages in excess of $6 million in mineral exploration expenditures annually on behalf of a select group of mineral explorers. Emery will develop a business unit that focuses on First Nations and community relations.

Moussa Magassa (MAHSP 2003) has been named the University of Victoria’s Human Rights Educator. Magassa will work to raise awareness of human rights issues to increase diversity and create fairer and more inclusive work and study environments at the University of Victoria. He will also provide information, advice and training to the university community.

Wendy Rockafellow (MBA 2004) was manager of Export Prince George. Rockafellow, who also runs her own consultancy, has worked as a community and Aboriginal relations coordinator and was an economic development officer for the community of Vanderhoof before moving to Prince George.

Warren Woytuck (MBA 2003) was appointed to The Critical Thinking Consortium as a consultant in July. Woytuck will work out of their Alberta region facilitating professional development; writing, editing and managing projects; serving and developing partners; and pursuing critical thinking innovations for clients.