Concordia University Alumni Association recognizes excellence in alumni and friends
Even though more than 275 people packed the elegant Hyatt Regency Montreal ballroom May 17, 2010, the room had a family feel. The occasion was the 19
Local TV and radio personality Sonia Benezra, BFA 82, handled the MC duties with warmth and humour. Benezra said her time in Concordia's Theatre department helped prepare her for her successful career. "So much has changed since I was a student at Concordia in the early '80s. Yet, many characteristics have remained the same: this university is all about accessibility, diversity and creativity," Benezra told the audience.
Lina Uberti, Alumni Officer, Geographic Chapters, for Concordia's Advancement and Alumni Relations Office, won the Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award, the evening's first honour. Uberti said there's no magic formula for building strong networks across the alumni associations' geographic chapters. "I've come to learn that it takes devoted alumni, competent colleagues and commitment at every level in the university, mixed in with lots of hard work for good measure," Uberti said.
Amine Dabchy, former president of the Concordia Student Union (CSU), won the Outstanding Student Award for his work with the CSU and other student and volunteer organizations. "I want to thank my co-executives at the CSU, who have become more than my friends but my family. Together, we were privileged to serve the students," Dabchy said.
Long-time Concordian Donald Boisvert, BA 75, MA 79, a senior lecturer for the Department of Religion, received the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching. Boisvert said the honour had special meaning for him. "This university has been my home so the award comes from my family," said Boisvert, who also commended his students. "They inspire me as much as I hope I do them. Teaching still humbles and motivates me."
The Alumnus/a of the Year went to Denis Kefallinos, BEng 91, president of the CUAA's Boston/New England Chapter. Kefallinos expressed his surprise at being chosen to receive the award. "But that doesn't compare to the surprise of when we re-launched the Boston Chapter in 2006 and about 45 people showed up at the Canadian consulate for the event," Kefallinos said. "Now, nearly four years later, our relationships with each other have become stronger, as has our affinity to Concordia."
The late Rodolphe "Rod" Rousseau, L BA 53, posthumously received the Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service Award. Rousseau's widow, Monique, accepted the award and his daughter, Joanne Rousseau, BA 82, spoke on her family's behalf. Joanne Rousseau said that during his days at Loyola College, Rod Rousseau honed his interest in politics and forged lifelong friendships. "My father would have been so proud to receive this award because he was happy to be part of Concordia University," she said.
The MBA Alumnus/a of the Year Award was handed to Christena Keon Sirsly, S MBA 73. Keon Sirsly thanked the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) Alumni Chapter members, who selected her for the award. She was one of just four women to graduate from Sir George Williams University's fledgling MBA program in 1973. "There are still many glass ceilings to be breached," said Keon Sirsly, who enjoyed a successful career before recently retiring from VIA Rail Canada as Chief Strategy Officer.
Aaron Fish earned the CUAA's Honorary Life Membership Award. Fish is the founder and former chairman and CEO of Unican Security Systems Ltd., one of the world's leading security products companies. He praised Concordia's progress over the past 40 years. "We have to congratulate and honour the various administrators through the years who helped build the university up to what it is today. It's now a major educational institution in Canada, recognized throughout the world, and it is worthy of our support" Fish said.
Brian O'Neill Gallery, L BA 57, accepted the evening's final award, the Humberto Santos Award of Merit. Gallery, who has served as Chair of the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation for the past 15 years, was the driving force behind the creation of the School of Canadian Irish Studies. Yet, he credited the School's success to its academic head. "The School of Canadian Irish Studies was the idea of Dr. Michael Kenneally. It's his courses, his professors. Everything that's been done has been done by Michael."
Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth delivered a special tribute to Leonard and Bina Ellen, for whom Concordia's Leonard and Bina Ellen Gallery is named. Woodsworth praised Bina Ellen's 45 years as a volunteer at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and Leonard Ellen's long-time dedication to Concordia. He is a Concordia governor emeritus and received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2003. "His polite, dignified and attentive ways are less common in the business world but they have earned him the respect and the affection of all who know him," Woodsworth said.
Leonard Ellen acknowledged several of the university leaders he had worked with over the years, including Woodsworth, President Emeritus Frederick Lowy and former chancellor Eric Molson. Ellen explained that he became involved in university education thanks to his friend, Donald McNaughton, L attendee 49, also a Concordia governor emeritus. "Concordia is a dynamic and creative university," Ellen said. "It has grown tremendously through the years and it has been a privilege to have been part of that growth."
Kathy Assayag, VP, Advancement and Alumni Relations, pointed out several of the university's staunchest supporters in attendance, including Jane and Eric Molson and Carolyn and Richard Renaud, L BComm 69, LLD 09. "Concordia is about people and human capital and about a belief that solutions can be found when we come together with a common goal," Assayag said. She publicly praised the vision and dedication of two members of the Board of Governors: Lillian Vineberg who chaired the Task Force for the Revitalization of the Loyola Campus and Jonathan Wener who, as Chair of the Real Estate Committee of the Board of Governors, was the driving force behind Concordia's real estate expansion.
Award recipients and Benezra congratulated Nicole Saltiel, and the Advancement and Alumni Relations team for a flawlessly executed awards night, lauding their professionalism and attention to every detail for the evening's success.
CUAA President Mary Chronopoulos, BComm 99, EMBA 06, wrapped up the evening by congratulating the recipients and all those who helped make the banquet a success.
All photos: Ryan Blau, PBL Photography