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October 1991

Have we got a deal for you!
The bad news is that when it comes to
United Way support, VCC was near the
bottom of Lower Mainland colleges and
institutes last year,

The great news is that for only $2 off
each month's pay, VCC employees will
rocket to the top. This is not a typo: just
$2 off each monthly cheque, or a
minuscule $1 off each bi-monthly
cheque, will easily boost us from near-

last in dollar contributions (Douglas was
last) to first place honours, now held by
Kwantlen.

Participation rate is the key.
Last year, VCC was tied for last place
with Douglas at only seven per cent
participation. This compared with the
highest rate, again at Kwantlen, of 31
per cent. Because those at VCC who did
donate last year tended to be more
generous than employees at the other
colleges, a substantial—but readily
obtainable—hike in our participation
rate would solve the problem.
There is no minimum requirement for
the payroll deduction at VCC. A dollar
every two weeks is greatly appreciated.
And even at that, the amount is really
less than a dollar because the donation is
tax deductible.

KEC's Sandra North tests her technique for a United Way car wash

The United Way supports 89 agencies
which provide service to 500,000 people
in the Lower Mainland. But if you feel
charity begins at home, your pledge may

continued page 2

Don Hume - City Centre

VANCOUVER
COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

Leni Gelten - Langara

A breakthrough in journalism!
Principal David Cane pounds
out the final story on this
typewriter, one of the depart¬

ment relics that has given
way to a computer. Program

Co-ordinator Rob Oykstra
said many of the typewriters
were goners, while the rest
were judged "not worth

maintaining" even by the
company that was contracted

to do the work. Students will
now have access to the
campus computer lab.

College / Institute
United Way participation

from page 1
be directed specifically to the VCC (
Educational Foundation, or any other
agency of your choice. Remember that

only two per cent of your donation goes
into administrative costs.
There will be plenty of opportunities to
give in ways other than by payroll
donation. Check your local bulletin board
or campus paper for events planned on
your campus.

And a special thanks to all of the VCC
United Way volunteers, particularly the
three campus chairs: Sandra North

(KEC), Don Hume (CC) and Leni Gelten
(Langara).

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UPDATE PROFILE: George Clark
By Dave Wiebe
Last month Building Services Manager
George Clark made one last round at

thanks from the little kids who partici¬
pated in that. I have kept a number of

City Centre, then turned over the mass

those cards as mementos."

of magical keys that only he seems to

VCC recently acknowledged his efforts
when the Educational Foundation set up
the George Clark Care and Share Trust
Fund of $15,000.

know the secrets to.
For many campus employees, Clark,

who retired after 15 years service, is
City Centre. His hard work, caring and
pride have permeated the building.
Beyond his job description, Clark put
his time, sweat and heart into the place
and its people.

George Clark has been part of City
Centre. And now through the fund he
always will be.

Ask Clark, and he'll understate his role.
Ask long-time co-workers from all areas
of the campus, and you get a truer
picture.

"He is one of the finest people I've had
the pleasure to work with, one of the
truly good people who have made this

George Clark

campus what it is," says Technical

Division Chair Jerome Schatten.
"As a boss, I will never have anyone as

good as him," said Laundry Keeper
Dobril (Debbie) Jadranin. "He was
always behind me 100 per cent...I just

PROFILE: Jerry Domer

don't have the words."

Hans Rerup, the college's Director of
Strategic Planning who was a member
of the committee which first hired Clark,
says his value was particularly evident
during the major reconstmction work
done in 1982-83 and in 1989-90. "He
has been instrumental and extremely
valuable," offeis Rerup, "and he's

ByDoreen Chui-Chai
Imagine yourself accepting a teaching
appointment in another country, You

leave your job, sell most of your
belongings, pack whatever's left and
truck 1,500 kilometres to your new
home. You rent an apartment, settle

probably worked far beyond what he

your family and report for work.

should."

Then the surprises start. You are greeted
by a principal who was not expecting
you, a department head who had not
informed the principal of your assign¬

Rerup continues: "We never used to
have a Christmas tree here. It was

George who started that. And the "Care
and Share" fund. Last year was the first
time we actually had staff, administra¬
tors, faculty and students get together
for half a day. George has probably the
biggest heart of any person I know."

ment and an announcement that no

funding had been established for the
position.

01
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students and their families at Christmas
time which Clark built through his own

These were just a few of the many tnals
Jerry Domer faced and overcame in his
15 years with KEC's Music Department.
Domer, who came to KEC from the
University of Monash in Montana, has
stepped down as head of the department

efforts and finances, provides his

to return to teaching.

without me, other people are ready in
their careers to take over the position;

fondest memories.
memories for me," says Qark. "It's been

"I've succeeded in finishing what I
started and can now return to my love of
teaching and working with students,"

He adds: "It feels wonderful because I
am not leaving a sinking ship!"

very, very satisfying to get notes of

said Domer. "Systems are in place, the

Care and Share, a fund for needy

"That will be one of the many special

scholarship fund will continue to grow

Jerry Domer

the department has never been better."

continued page 4

PAGE 3

Langara grad shoots...she scores!
Once Langara Photography Program
graduate Lee Ann Burgess put her future

life," says the 31-year-old who had

previously worked in various jobs in the
hospitality industry. "I found the physics
and chemistry really daunting. I didn't
get more than four or five hours sleep a
night because I wanted to prove to
myself that I could get the assignments
done to a high standard."

into focus, she moved faster than a
shutter on a bright, sunny day.

Last spring, Burgess entered a portrait
photograph in the first Canadian stu¬
dents' photography competition, which
is held in conjunction with the annual
awards sponsored by the Professional
Photographers Association of Canada.
Her entry not only took first prize among

Burgess worked briefly for a portrait
photographer in White Rock before
recently opening her own business in
conjunction with Ad-Vision Graphics

students, but astounded association

members when it was also graded in the
top five per cent of the professional

Inc. of Richmond.

entries.

As a fifth generation photographer,

me some space for portrait photography
and the use of all his professional

Burgess has had... well, a lot of exposure
to the profession.

equipment," said Burgess. "Most people
would have to work years or have been

"My great, great grandfather took up
photography in the 1850s in Germany
when it was just becoming an art form,"
says Burgess. "When my great grandfa¬

ther came to Canada in 1907 he set up a
studio in Nanaimo which is still in the
family. As a little girl I used to spend a
lot of time in the darkroom making prints
from old black and white negatives."

Dower from page 3
The department has long been beset by
funding problems. How did Domer and
the program finally achieve relative
financial security? "The people I hired
were largely responsible for our suc¬
cess," said Domer. "They taught in
church basements or someone's living

"The owner, Stephen Manzi, is giving

bom into a lot of money to get into that
Lee Ann Burgess

Although she has the business in her
blood, Burgess had to really put her
mind to her studies.
"The program at Langara was the

position. It's a dream come true."

Thanks, in part, should go to the
Langara Photography Program.
Says Burgess: "I wouldn't have been

offered the position in White Rock or
this new opportunity without it."

hardest thing I've ever had to do in my

Kreiser plugs
students into
conservation

Recycling
ready to go
The VCC Recycling Committee is back
in business again following a postpone¬
ment of its activities over the summer.

Instructor Vince Kreiser has received

room. Both the faculty and students
were intensely loyal and hard working."

Watch Update for reports on the

B.C. Hydro's Powersmart Award for

committee's plans as they develop.

Domer feels that the time has come for
him to move on. "The first 15 years of
my professional life were devoted to
oboe playing and the middle 15 to the
growth of this place. I would like to
spend the last 15 writing, conducting
and learning musically."

Langara's Recreation Facilities Manage¬
ment Program.

He plans to teach at VCC, woik with
youth groups, and help build the Pacific
Youth Wind Ensemble. He'll also focus
more energy on the Vancouver Philhar¬
monic Orchestra and complete the
writing of instructional books on the
oboe and other woodwind instruments.

teaching energy conservation in

Kreiser has included energy conserva¬
tion instruction in recreation manage¬

ment programs since 1984 when he
taught in Abbotsford. A year earlier he
had implemented an energy manage¬
ment system at an Abbotsford ice rink
that saved $12,000 annually.
The Recreation Facilities Management
Program at Langara is the only one in
B.C. There were only eight students in
the program when it was transferred

from BCIT in 1979, compared with 45
students this year.

PAGE 4

Irvine sold on VCC Rocky knows
No one knows his textbook better than
By Constance Brissenden

"It sounds hokey. but T really do want to
put something back," he says. "I am also

Langara Economics Instructor Rocky
Mirza. He co-authored it.

Barry Irvine admits that convincing him
to serve as VCC's new Educational

impressed at how VCC runs the busi¬
ness. It is always aware of what the
educational needs are in the community
and adjusts its curriculum to keep up

Mirza became involved with the second
and third editions of Explorations in

Foundation Board Chairman "wasn't a
hard sell."

For one thing, his three daughters are all
Langara grads, For another, his role in

college management goes back to 1983
when he was first appointed as a
member of the VCC Board. That same
year he also took on a four-year term as

Director of the Educational Foundation,
serving as President from 1984 to 1985.
A professional engineer, his career then
took him to Alberta, returning to
Vancouver in 1990. Within months he
was back at VCC, working hard to
achieve the college's fundraising goals.

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with the times."

A man who finds he works best "when
slightly overcommitted," Irvine will
assist Educational Foundation President
Sheilah Grant in raising more than $1
million this year.
"VCC's profile is much higher now than
it was ten years ago. We expect to

exceed our goal and that gives me a
feeling of satisfaction." On the other
hand, Irvine adds, "We don't want to be
too happy. We want to do better next

Microeconomics, originally co-authored

by two economists from San Jose State
University and published by CAT
Publishing of California. When it came
time for the third edition, he was asked
to include more of his own perspectives.

"The third edition is written more to my
style and I've included examples that
students at Langara can more easily
relate to," said Mirza.

The text also is being used by fellow
Economics Instructor Ray Kroecher.

year."

Malaysian

Peace talks

partnership
explored

There are three lectures remaining in

A recent visit by a delegation from
Malaysia has resulted in a possible
partnership with the Women's Institute
for Management, Malaysia (WIMM).
The delegation, which included Datuk
Napsiah Omar, Malaysia's Minister for
National Unity and Social Development,
is considering a proposal by VCC's
International Education Division to
provide training and programs for their

this fall's Peace and Conflict Series at
Langara, all of which are free and open
to the public. They are:
October 17-Canadian Defence Policy,
Mary Collins, Associate Minister of
National Defence. Room A322,15:3017:00.
October 29-Religion and Violence, Jim
Roberts, Religious Studies, Langara.
Room A322,15:30-20:00.
November 12-Arms Control in the '90s,

Professor Michael Wallace, UBC. Room
A307,19:00-20:30.

new institute.

For former KECICity Centre VicePrincipal Patricia Groves, spearheading
the renovation of the KEC Learning
Centre was one of her last duties at
KEC. Groves, who has taken the

position of Academic Vice President at
George Brown College in Toronto,
receives a corsage from English Tutor
Karen Jane Hills during the recent
opening of the centre.
The Learning Centre has been remod¬
elled into one large room with direct,
inside access to both the library and the
student computer lab.

"Our meeting went extremely well,"

says Fred Wuhrer, VCC's Director of
Corporate and Professional Training.

"They were very impressed with our
presentation, and have now returned

home to take a further look at our
proposal. We haven't sealed a deal, but
we seem to be very close to it."

WIMM's mandate is to develop pro¬
grams for Malaysian women that will
help them to become successful entre¬
preneurs.

Spectrum is published for the faculty and
staff of Vancouver Community College by
the Public Relations and Development
Department.
If you have comments or ideas for
stories, please contact:

Chuck Poulsen (Editor-Langara): 324-

5475; Gayle Thody (Cont. Ed.) 875-8200
(767); Doreen Chui-Chai (KEC) 875-6111
(369); Constance Brissenden (Langara)
324-5433; Dave Wiebe (City Centre)
433-8459.
Production by Instructional Media
Services

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