Concordia President Michael Di Grappa presents the Humberto Santos Award of Merit to Katie Sheahan
Jean Sébastien Bélanger (far left) and his classmates
Arpi Hamalian and Katarina Stembera, BA 03, MA 07.
Murray Sang and Carol Brodkin with their daughter Laura
David, Gail and Stephen Webster
Marilynn and Frank Borowicz
Frank Borowicz, L BA 69, said his years at Loyola College gave him "the luxury of time to reflect and experiment and to dream that all things are possible." Borowicz, who is a highly accomplished and respected lawyer in Vancouver, made the comment as part of his acceptance speech at the Alumni Recognition Awards Banquet on May 28, when he was honoured with the Alumnus of the Year Award.
And he's still dreaming big. While Borowicz graduated from one of Concordia's founding institutions, he has been an active fundraiser for Concordia and has graciously hosted several alumni events at his west coast office. "No matter where we are in our lives, remember: our best work is yet to be done," he counselled.
Like Borowicz, the eight other recipients had uplifting messages for the 220 people who attended the banquet at Montreal's Sofitel Hotel.
Jean-Sébastien Bélanger, who recently completed his BA at the John Molson School of Business and was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Award, poked fun at his own mother. "She didn't get it when I told her why I participated in so many extra curricular activities, Bélanger said. "She kept asking why I never get paid for my time. She'd say, 'You look tired' or 'You're losing weight' when I was up half the night studying or had just returned from a case competition. And then she'd ask me again why I wasn't being paid." He said his mom finally "got it" at the awards ceremony, where she was beaming with pride at his accomplishment.
Director of the Department of Recreation and Athletics Katie Sheahan, BA 78, received the Humberto Santos Award of Merit for developing sports facilities at the Loyola campus and Le Gym fitness centre on the Sir George Williams campus. Sheahan delivered an impassioned speech about the value of volunteering. "People often say it's about networking and business and career development," she said. "But I disagree. Volunteering is about personal growth, trying new things and adding meaning."
Mackie I. Vadacchino (centre) and Michel Robert de Massy with their daughter, Virginie Robert de Massy
In her acceptance speech, Mackie I. Vadacchino, BComm 82, MBA 84, MBA Alumna of the Year, humbly thanked Concordia for all it has offered her over the years, including "the opportunity and privilege to work with others."
The Honorary Life Membership Award is given to individuals who are not graduates of Concordia University, Sir George Williams University or Loyola Collage. This year's recipients are Jonathan and Maria Birks.
Mr. Birks said he had an "epiphany almost 12 years ago," when he met University officials and was so impressed by the "energy, lack of pretension, warmth and caring that is unique to Concordia" that he and Mrs. Birks couldn't help but become involved.
Jonathan and Maria Birks with their family
Also honoured at the banquet was Stephen Webster, S BSc 69, a retired executive with Imperial Tobacco, who received the Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service Award, and Arpi Hamalian, recipient of the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Arpi joined the Department of Education in 1974 and has been active in inter-university PhD programs at the JMSB and Department of Communication Studies, as well as serving as principal of the Simone de Beauvoir Institute. When she received her award, a large contingent of her fellow professors and students applauded and gave her a standing ovation.
Director of the Centre for Continuing Education Murray Sang earned the Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award for initiating professional career and web-based certificate programs and second language courses and expanding community-based initiatives, such as the Summer Program in Management and Community Development.
