Keeping in Touch
Ron Shuker, '67
hrh.ron.shuker@gmail.com
Last December 31, 2006, I fully retired from Nytek Publishing Inc. where I was President and Editor from 1991-2004) of our magazine, now called Plumbing & HVAC Product News. I had a great career as a business/trade magazine Editor travelling all over North America, with side trips to Europe and Rio.
Currently I am Director-Communications and Acting Executive Director for the HVACR Heritage Centre Canada, an online virtual museum and learning centre at www.hhc-canada.net, preserving and promoting the technologies that gave all of us refrigeration, automatic heating and air conditioning, for example.
My wife, also a Ryerson grad., Nursing 1972, flies as an air ambulance nurse with Skyservice. She is also President, York Synchro Swim Club, which won its first Canadian championship with its Tier 6 team in Saint John, N.B. in May. My granddaughter is on that team.
We have three children, the eldest runs her own business (Dynamic Maid Service in York Region), my youngest daughter also runs her own business (wedding makeup and spa services) in Kamloops, B.C., and my son is taking a Masters in Journalism at the U. of Western Ontario (London) after more than a year teaching English in South Korea. He also has his Masters in Philosophy.
Had to miss the Class of '67 Reunion this year. Only one person from my class was registered to attend. Would like to hear from some of them. Do remember Gord McNulty, a year after us. Several of our class are around in broadcasting. Hope are well and enjoying life. (submitted on Nov. 6, 2007)
Gord McNulty, '68
gmcnulty@sympatico.ca
I retired from The Hamilton Spectator on June 29, 2006, after more than 32 years in various roles at the Spec including reporting, editorial writing and copy editing, with occasional book reviews and travel features for good measure. Since graduating from Ryerson in 1968, I've spent more than 38 years full-time in journalism. I've been fortunate enough to have lived and worked in six different Ontario cities during my career.
I first gained experience as a summer intern at the St. Catharines Standard in 1967, then began full-time as a reporter at The Standard in 1968. I joined The Windsor Star as a reporter in 1970, then joined the Spec, my hometown paper, in the fall of 1973. I represented the Spec at Queen's Park from 1977 to 1981, and the national press gallery in Ottawa from 1981 to 1984. The Queen's Park years, here in good old Toronto, were the most rewarding time of all.
I will be busy in retirement, with more time to devote my hobbies including my lifelong interest in aviation history and photography. As an active volunteer with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS), I've provided coverage of the CAHS Toronto chapter meetings and national conventions for many years and contributed numerous articles and photos to the highly respected CAHS Journal. In addition, my wife, Angie, and I enjoy birding and environmental activities, supporting groups such as the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch and Ontario Nature.
Say hello for me to my friends and colleagues at Ryerson ... Don Gibb and the other members of the class of '68 fraternity; Howard Brown, etc.!
Deborah Irvine, '78
deborah.irvine@shaw.ca
Vice-president of University Relations at Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C. Married Tom Workman, also a Ryerson journalism grad from the class of '78. 3 sons: Zak (21, blue hair, multiple piercings, history major and film studies minor), Nick (18, aspiring chef, trying to figure out his life, lovely hair), and Liam (15, affinity for X-box, computer, and higher life forms than his family. (submitted April 15, 2007)
Stephen A. Nelson, '81
stephena.nelson@gmail.ca
I started the Journalism BAA program in 1978 and was supposed to graduate in 1981--but travel (Alberta) and further studies (Augustana University College) meant I didn't officially get my journalism diploma 'til 1984. And then I went and got my Master of Theological Studies degree in Saskatoon before embarking on my journalism voyage.
Spent 18 months at the Thompson Citizen in northern Manitoba; 8-1/2 years a the Brandon Sun when it was Thomson paper; 8 years in Taiwan as a newspaper editor (Taipei Times, magazine writer with leading ESL magazines) and broadcaster with Radio Taiwan International. After 25 years away, I'm back in Toronto and using this time to reconnect and get over the "reverse culture shock." I'm seriously looking for chances to pursue my vocation here, while turning down insufficient offers to return to Taiwan. (submitted July 23, 2007)
Angela Bianchi, '83
angela.bianchi@sympatico.ca
I'm currently producing a documentary called, The Red Jacket. It's the story of a 19-year old male who was assaulted in Victoria, BC by a group of drunken teenagers because he was wearing a red jacket in a part of town known as Crips territory. Check my website at: www.angelabianchi.ca. (submitted Jan. 16, 2008)
John Van Dyk, '83
jvandyk@aol.com
I'm into my 23rd year as editor of a magazine called Christian Renewal, a publication which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. I have six children with my wife Helen. We've been married 22 years this August. Our oldest daughter is getting married in July 2008. Favourite memories of Ryerson include broadcast class and Loren Lind's media course. Daughter studied journalism at Niagara College and graduated in May. (submitted April 16, 2007)
Anne Levy-Ward, '83
wardoff1@rogers.com
When we graduated in 1983, the deal between my then-boyfriend (now husband of 22 years) Philip Ward and me was that we would live in whatever city either of us found a J-job first. That ended up being me, in business publishing at what was then Southam Communications Ltd. in Don Mills. After five years there, I went over to the dark side (into corporate communications), and have been doing that in various settings ever since. So far I have worked for a multi-national pharmaceutical/speciality chemical company, the Ontario government, a life insurance company, a youth charity and a church. Next stop? Don't know -- I'm always open to surprises and new adventures. Philip and I live in northwest Mississauga with our son, who is studying music industry arts at Fanshawe College and wants to be a rock star, and our daughter, who is hoping to attend Ryerson for photography in 2008. (submitted April '07)
Edana Brown, '86
edana@bmhcommunications.com
I run a small creative agency and do additional freelance writing for television.
Class of 1989Charmane Edwards (Bernat), '89
charmane.edwards@bchydro.com
Currently Community Relations Manager with BC Hydro in Vernon, BC. Trying to keep my New Year's resolution and re-connect with my old classmates (seeking old roommate Aldona). (submitted January 16, 2007)
Mary Haurilak, '91
mary.haurilak@cogeco.ca
Still living in Grimsby. Working as Marketing Specialist for BDO Dunwoody - an accounting firm. (submitted Jan. 20, 2008)
Naomi Gumprich-Munn, '91
tieganluv@yahoo.com
Currently working as a copywriter for Princing & Ewand in Saginaw, Michigan. She has two beautiful daughters, Hannah 7 and Liza 3. Would love to hear from classmates via e-mail.
Leanne Elnicki, '91
lelnicki@yahoo.com
I am into my 10th year working at Rogers Radio in North Bay where I co-host the morning show on 102 FM The FOX and also work in the news department. Last year, I completed a 5-part series called "Mind Over Myth" that dealt with the challenges people suffering from mental illness have in breaking down the stereotypes that accompany their diseases. "Mind Over Myth" recently won the Dave Rogers award for best long feature from the RTNDA both at the regional and national levels.
Dina Davidson, '91
bobalina@shaw.ca
I am currently working as a technical writer for a large high technology company in BC. Have been there in several capacities since 2000. I am also raising five kids! Feel free to drop me a line any old time. (submitted April 13, 2007)
Ian Cluroe, '93
ian_cluroe@yahoo.com
Director of Global Alliance Marketing for Deloitte Consulting, LLP. Ian is based in Phoenix.
Douglas Graves, '95
doug.graves@xtra.co.nz
Currently working with Far North Rural Educational Activities Programme in New Zealand, delivering IT and Media opportunities to remote Maori communities.
Mark de Wolfe, '97
Living the expat life in London, working in PR. Recently took on a new role as head of European Technology Practice for Pleon. (submitted Jan. 17, 2008)
Lincoln Trudeau, '98
lincoln_trudeau@yahoo.com
Working as Publicity and Promotion Manager at The Children's Group (small record label specializing in music for children). Also writing/acting in Go Moonbase, a web-based series, acting in local theatre, writing scripts and doing the odd stand-up comedy gig. (submitted Jan. 16, 2008)
Michael Jabri-Pickett, '99
mjpgoalie@yahoo.ca
After spending five years at the National Post, I moved to the UAE four years ago to work at Gulf News as Head of Copy Desk. After 18 months, I was hired by Emirates Today, which I helped launch in September 2005. Then in August 2007, Martin hired me to be the Foreign Editor at the newspaper he is launching in Abu Dhabi. (submitted Jan. 18, 2008)
Stephanie Jane Twiss, '99
stephanietwiss@hotmail.com
Teaches grade 2 with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
Graeme Smith, '01
smithg@gmail.com
I still haven't graduated (missing an English credit) but I finished at Ryerson in 2001 and joined The Globe and Mail in the same year. Former reporter covering Afghanistan. Now on book leave. (submitted Jan. 17, 2008; updated April 28, 09))
Chieu Luu, '01
chieul@gmail.com
I'm a producer for Al Jazeera English's Asia-Pacific bureau in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (submitted Jan. 16, 2008)
Shawn Aubrey Silverberg, '02
aubrey_silverberg@cbc.ca
Since the end of school I've been working in the TV News dept. at CBC doing nearly everything from answering the phones to reporting to producing shows.
Adrian Hiel, '03
a_hiel@hotmail.com
I recently became a PR hack for an agency here in Brussels, Belgium. Except for the work it's everything I've ever wanted in a position! (submitted Jan. 21, 2008)
Akilah Dressekie, '03
a_dressekie@hotmail.com
Working in Public Relations at Rouge Valley Health System. Recently completed my Certificate in Public Relations at Ryerson (2007). (submitted Jan. 18, 2008)
Irene Darra, '05
idarra@cybf.ca
Marketing and Communications Coordinator with The Canadian Youth Business Foundation in its national office. Also is a freelance editor for Medical Reports, a freelance online and newspaper journalist, and media relations volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society.
Suzanne Ma, '06
suzannema@gmail.com
II thought I'd send an update since last I wrote I was living in China. I have since returned to North America.
I'm a 2006 Bachelor of Journalism grad. I'm currently living in New York City and will be graduating with a Master's from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. This summer, I start work as a reporter for the Associated Press here in New York.-
Suzanne Ma, Reporter, The Brooklyn Ink www.thebrooklynink.com (submitted on April 28, '09)
Sneha Kulkarni, '06
skulkarni06@gmail.com
Just a month after graduating, I started a contract reporting position with CTV Calgary. I have since been hired as a full-time reporter in Calgary for CTV. (submitted Jan. 20, 2008)
Matt Carter, '06
mattbcarter@gmail.com
I'm an online editor at canada.com in Toronto. (submitted Jan. 18, 2008)
Suzanne Ma, '06
suzannema@gmail.com
I am currently studying Mandarin Chinese at Tsinghua University in Beijing. It's really exciting to be in the city as we prepare for the Olympics. I am working hard to improve my conversational Chinese, as well as my reading and writing skills. I hope use my improved Mandarin when I return to Canada in the fall. Before this, I was a reporter with the Ottawa Citizen for a year. I also completed a summer internship at the Globe and Mail just after my graduation from Rye-high. (submitted Jan. 17, 2008)
Danny Glenwright, '06
dglenwright@gmail.com
I am currently working for Journalists for Human Rights as a media trainer in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I have been with JHR since I graduated and took a job in Windhoek, Namibia. (Submitted Jan. 17, 2008)
Anjela Wilson, `06
anjela.wilson@gmail.com
After an internship with the Ryerson Marketing and Communications Department for Ryerson athletics, Anjela has joined the University Advancement office as an alumni affairs coordinator. She is also a member of the Ryerson Journalism Alumni Association executive.
Aaron Y. Heisler, `06
aaronheisler@gmail.com
I am currently doing a PhD in English at the University of
Toronto, having completed my Master's there (also in English) in the
summer of 2008. (Submitted Oct. 29, 2008)
Meghan Hurley, `07
meghan.hurley@freepress.mb.ca
Since I graduated in June, I moved to Edmonton for a summer internship at the Journal. Now, I've landed a permanent job as a city reporter at the Winnipeg Free Press. (submitted Jan. 17, 2008)
Kimberley Gale, `07
kimmygale@gmail.com
Working as an anchor for Arabian Radio Network English news station in Dubai, UAE. (submitted Jan. 17, 2008)
Lauren Jelicic, `07
heylaurenj@hotmail.com
I recently started a new position as an Editor for a corporate communications company in midtown Toronto. We script, shoot, and edit videos for clients internationally as well as locally. (submitted Jan. 16, 2008)
Christina Paylan, `07
cpaylan@gmail.com
I graduated from Ryerson's Journalism program for university graduates. I am now working as a producer for the Rutherford Show, a live radio news talk show in Alberta on Corus Radio. (submitted Jan. 18, 2008)