2022-2023 Class Notes





Share your news and photos with fellow Western alumni

We want to hear from you. Have you taken on a new job, got married, had a baby, taken the trip of your dreams? Please let us know using our online Class Notes form so we can share your news with former classmates and with the Western alumni family around the world.

Adam Rice, BA’08, GDip’15,

is re-imagining lending in India through his company Asset Direct of Canada Inc. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Huron University College
Adele O’Connell, BA’55,

passed away in March 2021.

In Memory - 1950
Aleksandra Sasha Maric, BA’12,

passed away on September 22, 2021. Read more.

In Memory - 2010
Social Science
Allan Freedman, LLB'74,

finished 47 years of law practice and continues to act as general counsel to a private educational college.

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Law
Alwynne Beaudoin, MSc’78, PhD’84,

won the 2022 Lieutenant Governor's Award by the Alberta Museums Association, in recognition of her research and excellence in the museum community.

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Social Science
Alyssa Nicholls, BFA'11, BEd'12, MEd'13, BA'17,

became engaged to Grant Dawson at Schloss Kronberg in Frankfurt, Germany.

Western Weddings - 2010
Arts & Humanities
Amanda Philavong, MSc’20,

joined the Ivey Business School as their new Research Officer.

Professional Accomplishments - 2020
Science
Amelia Daurio, BA’01,

was appointed as a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Family Branch in May 2022.

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Arts & Humanities
Andrea Feldman-Kohlver, BA'13,

started a new position as the retail operations manager of Cannabis Xpress in July 2022.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Andrew Nutbrown, BA’14, JD’17,

moved to Pasadena, California with his wife, Nivin Nystrom, PHD'20, and joined KJMLAW Partners PLC. Nivin joined Caltech as a post-doctoral fellow.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Huron University College
Ann Baiden, BA’91,

won a leader award during Women Business Enterprises Canada’s 2022 Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate the accomplishments of distinguished women entrepreneurs.

Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 1990
Social Science
Austin Spademan, HBA'14,

has become a TikTok creator reporting on Chicago architecture and culture with a sprinkle of humour.

Personal Achievements - 2010
Ivey Business School
Barbara Macaulay, BA'75, BEd'76,

published a biography This is War and I Ain't Kiddin': A Collection of World War II Letters From Dad, honouring her father and everyone affected by the war.

Literature - 1970
King's University College
Belle Puri, MA'84,

won the Canadian Screen Awards 'Best Local Reporter 2022'. 

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Information & Media Studies
Ben Cecil, BA'90, MA'95, PhD'99,

has been appointed as the 14th president at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, effective January 2023.

Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 1990
Social Science
Beverly Behan, HBA'81, LLB'84,

was selected by The Women Leaders magazine as one of 20 Most Inspiring Women Leaders of 2022.  

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Law
Bhupinder Dulku, BA'14,

married Harjot Bhandal, BMOS'16, in May 2022 in Hamilton, On. 

Western Weddings - 2010
Social Science
Brian Sinclair, LLB’63,

passed away in May 2021 after a successful 55-year law career.

Read more.

In Memory - 1960
Law
Carla Robinson, MA’96,

was selected as this year’s emerging laureate by the Ontario Arts Council Indigenous Arts Award in 2022.

Literature - 1990
Social Science
Chris Hillis, BSc'06,

is now the Chief of Oncology for Hamilton Health Sciences (Juravinski Cancer Centre).

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Science
Christos Nikitopoulos, BA'92,

leads Canada's Agency team at Google. 

Professional Accomplishments - 1990
Social Science
Claire McCague, PhD'04,

published The Rosetta Mind, the second novel in her science fiction series.

Literature - 2000
Science
Clare Dear, HBA'75,

was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame as a journalist for his decades of covering motorsports in North America and Europe.

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Ivey Business School
Colin McNairn, LLB’63,

published his ninth book, a collection of playful verses titled What If Jack Wasn't So Nimble? Mother Goose Characters Reimagined in 2022.

Read more here.

Literature - 1960
Law
Cornelia (Corry) Janssen-Hendriksen, BA'13,

wrote a young adult fiction novel titled Magic at the Rink, which explores grieving the loss of a loved one.

Read more.

Literature - 2010
Social Science
Damhnait Monaghan, LLB’92,

won the 2022 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer's Award for New Girl in Little Cove, published in 2021. 

Literature - 1990
Law
Daniel Peterson, LLB'71,

celebrated practicing law for 50 years in March 2023 and currently works in Calgary at DD West LLP.

Personal Achievements - 1970
Law
Danny Chang, BSC’20,

and Jason Grier launched a startup called Delphic Research to help support government affairs professionals.

Professional Accomplishments - 2020
Science
Dany Horovitz, JD'10, MBA'10 ,

released his latest album of original folk-rock music, Free Times.

Listen here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Law
Darren Hamilton, MMus’16,

won the prestigious MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award in 2022. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Don Wright Faculty of Music
David Langhorne, BA’58,

passed away in March 2022. David had a life-long passion for athletics, from his days on the Mustangs football team and as a dedicated and well-respected teacher, coach and basketball referee. Read more.

In Memory - 1950
Arts & Humanities
David Mewa, BA’02,

began showrunning after more than a decade of directing. David’s recent project, MTV's unscripted TV series 'Hip Hop My House' is available worldwide on MTV International and Paramount+ (streaming).

Professional Accomplishments
King's University College
Delaney Carvalho, BA'15

and Ben Robertson, BA'12, were purple and proud at their wedding on September 10, 2022, along with bridesmaids other King's grads Rachel Sterling and Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries.

Western Weddings - 2010
King's University College
Dennis McKaig, BSc’88,

has recently accepted a faculty teaching position at Fanshawe College where he will teach Law to business and accounting students.

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Science
Diane Kirby, BA'80,

retired from her career as a lawyer to be a writer. Her second book, Grief and the Spirit World: A Search for Comfort, was just released.

Read more.

Literature - 1980
Social Science
Diane Kirby, BA’80,

published her first book, Demystifying Grief: What You Need to Know to Heal, in 2022.

Literature - 1980
Social Science
Dr. Gillian Mandich, BHSc'07, MSc'12, PhD'19,

joined the National Board of Directors for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada. 

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Health Sciences
Elise Weagant, BA’72,

and Laird Weagant, BA'73, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September 2022.

Celebrations - 1970
Social Science
Elkin Sierra Rios, PhD'18,

published his first book of poems, Insomnio de Fogones.

Literature - 2010
Arts & Humanities
Emily Osborne, BA'07,

published her debut book of poetry Safety Razor. These poems are shaped by her education at Western and her subsequent studies at the University of Cambridge in Old Norse language and Literature.

Read more.

Literature - 2000
Arts & Humanities
Emily Passfield, BA’22,

began a new job as the research project director for Young London, that seeks to empower a generation of leaders through community engagement.

Professional Accomplishments - 2020
Social Science
Emily Bruce, BA’12,

and Lauren Waite (Costella), BSc’12, wrote a book called Back In My Day: Evelyn’s 1920s to educate children about the bygone era.

Literature - 2010
Social Science
Erica McKeen, BA’17, BA’19, MA’20,

published her debut novel, Tear, a layered, lyrical tale dealing with contemporary feminist issues set in London, Ontario.

Read more here.

Literature - 2010
Arts & Humanities
George Kalopsis, BA’79,

was appointed as the Finance Committee Chair/Secretary/Treasurer for Head Injury Rehabilitation Ontario. 

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Social Science
Germaine Joseph-Hays, BSc'05, MSc'07,

was promoted to Assistant Principal at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, OR,USA and was selected as scholar in the prestigious Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program. 

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Science
Gloria Dickie, BA'12,

published her first book, Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future, in July 2023 through W.W. Norton. The book is a global exploration of the eight remaining species of bears and the dangers they face, from polar bears in the Arctic to the spectacled bear of the Andes.

Read more.

Literature - 2010
Information & Media Studies
Gregory Katchin, MBA'72,

A group of MBA'72 alumni came together in summer 2022 for a 50th reunion celebration. [L to R] Hugh Willis, David Mitten, Gregory Katchin, Mac Benoy and James Hodgins.

Celebrations - 1970
Ivey Business School
Gregory Leeson, BA’80,

retired from a project management career and is now traveling the continent with the goal of visiting 52 cities, 39 states, and 8 provinces.

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Social Science
Harry Drung, BEd'77,

published his first book Clinking Outside the Box, The World in a Glass. The book is an offbeat, humorous look at the world of wine, beer and spirits from the perspective of an industry veteran.

Read more.

Literature - 1970
Education
Heather Jack, BA'88, BEd'89,

published her first children's book, Music Is All Around Me, about enjoying music through nature and the five senses.

Literature - 1980
Education
Henry Standage, MMJC'22,

became the youngest national showrunner at Sportsnet for the audio series 'Painting the Pitch Red'. The series looks at the rise, fall and eventual triumph of the Canadian men’s soccer team.

Professional Accomplishments - 2020
Information & Media Studies
Hugh Armitage, BESc'82, MESc'85,

retired as supervisor from the Hydro Services group at Southern Company-Georgia Power in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2021. 

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Engineering
Ian Ellingham, MBA'79,

won the 2023 G. Randy Roberts Service Award, awarded by the Ontario Association of Architects and exceptional contributions to the membership and profession.

Read more.

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Ivey Business School
Ishita Aggarwal, MPH’19,

Deryn Rizzi, GDipPA'18, Jody Becker, BA’96, LLB’99, Karen Chan, EMBA’10, Rebecca Kacaba, BA’03, Priscilla Luna, EMBA’19, Erica Nielsen, MBA’02, Karen Peesker, HBA’92, MBA’97, Eva Salem, HBA’93, Oricia Smith, HBA’95, MBA ‘98, Nitsa Staikos, BA’97, and Nurin Thawer, HBA’05, were selected by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) as some of the 2022 Canada’s Most Powerful Women. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Jacob Van Dyk, MSc'71, DSc'14,

published True Tales of Medical Physics: Insights into a Life Saving Specialty featuring short stories from scientists and medical professionals.

Literature - 1970
Science
Jacques Belec, HBA'54,

passed away on October 14, 2022 in St-Lazare, Quebec. He enjoyed a 38-year career with The London Life Insurance Company. He played with the Montreal Alouettes football club in 1954/55/56 and the Western Mustangs football and hockey teams.

In Memory - 1950
Ivey Business School
James McInnes, BSc’02,

and Vasiliki McInnes, MScN’15, opened a vegan food manufacturing facility in London, Ontario. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Science
Jamie Rocco, BEd’11,

and family welcomed baby Hartley Muriella Rocco in June 2022.

Mini Mustangs - 2010
Education
Janice Ishizaka, BA'94

had her business The Canadian Barley Tea Company featured in the February 2023 issue of Women's World Magazine.

Read more.

Professional Accomplishments - 1990
Arts & Humanities
Jennifer Street, BSc'18,

and Kyle Tan, BSc'18, met at Western and were married in June 2022. 

Western Weddings - 2010
Science
Jeremy Smith, MA'07,

published a young adult novel Cultivating Sunshine in March 2023. 

Literature - 2000
Arts & Humanities
Jerry Battista, MSc’73,

produced a virtual music album The Stochastics & Friends with 13 other amateur international physicist-musicians. Learn more here.  

Personal Achievements - 1970
Science
Jessica Wan, BMus’11,

and Thomas Wong had a private wedding in August 2021 and renewed their vows with family and friends in August 2022. 

Western Weddings - 2010
Don Wright Faculty of Music
Jessica Metcalfe, BSc'10,

published her first book Speak Kindly, You're Listening, teaching high achievers to navigate their inner voice.

Literature - 2010
Social Science
Joan Evelyn Ban (nee Valley), BA'55,

passed away peacefully on August 26, 2022 in her 88th year.

In Memory - 1950
Arts & Humanities
Joel Sherlock , MLIS'13, MA'14

Joel, his wife Kim, and their son Samuel welcomed baby Isla Jade to their family in May 2022.

Mini Mustangs - 2010
Information & Media Studies
John Van Rys, BA’84, MA’85,

won the 2022 Prairie Fire McNally Robinson Booksellers Short Fiction Contest for his story Excavations, which will appear in the summer edition of Prairie Fire.

Read more.

Literature - 1980
Arts & Humanities
Josh Barr, MBA’17,

and Amar Gupta, MBA’17, founded the functional coffee company brüst in 2018 and have recently partnered with Denis Shapovalov. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Ivey Business School
Judy Brown, BA'71, MLS'72,

was elected Mayor of the Town of Perth and celebrated 30 years in municipal politics in 2022.

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Judy Bidgood, BA'72,

released her fourth work of fiction, Our Forever Place, under her pen name Maren Hill. A retired chiropractor, she now writes women's fiction, romance, and children's literature.

Literature - 1970
Social Science
Julianne Kaplan, BA'01,

got engaged to Colin Duck in December 2021 during a walk at Western. They are looking forward to their wedding in July 2023.

Western Weddings - 2000
Social Science
Julie Stewart, BA’89,

will retire in 2023 after more than 32 years at London Life/Canada Life.

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Arts & Humanities
Junaid Ahmad, BA'18,

launched his AI business; Jackrabbit Ops.

Learn more.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Arts & Humanities
Kate Reynolds, MA’08, MLIS’09,

headlined the It's You I Like: The Music of Mr. Rogers concert in April 2023.

Read more.

Arts and Culture - 2000
Information & Media Studies
Kevin Jacobs, BA’16,

won Season 10 of Big Brother Canada.

Personal Achievements - 2010
Arts & Humanities
Kevin Wamsley, BA’85, MA’87,

was installed as Nipissing University’s President in June 2022. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Social Science
Kimberly MacLennan, BA’08,

passed away from breast cancer on December 3, 2022. She was a loving, wonderful friend. She leaves behind her husband Scott and two beautiful daughters, Sophie (age 5) and Olivia (age 2). Read more.

In Memory - 2000
Health Sciences
Laura Laperriere, BA'22,

published a debut novel, The Paths We Never Took, in March 2023. The book explores the themes of love, self-sabotage, and commitment while navigating young adulthood.

Read more.

Literature - 2020
Social Science
Lauren Pelley, BA'10, MA'11,

married Adam Miller in June 2022 near Elora, Ontario.

Western Weddings - 2010
Information & Media Studies
Laurence Hutchman, BA’72,

published Writers’ Words Volume II, a collection of interviews with 10 Canadian poets.

Literature - 1970
Arts & Humanities
Lee Manchur, BSc’07,

was promoted to Chief Information Officer at Ontario College Application Service in May 2022.

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Science
Leslie Ruth Damude, MD’80,

retired as a family physician in 2019 and self-published a novella called Hearts Of Wax in 2022. 

Literature - 1980
Lilian Lin, MSc'17,

married Scott Burton, HBA'13 in March 2022.

Western Weddings - 2010
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Linda van Omme, BSc' 77,

published her second book, Glimpses: Sundown Manor, through Austin Macauley Publishing. Her third book is expected in 2024.

Read more.

Literature - 1970
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Lisa McLarty, BA'09,

welcomed a baby girl in May 2021.

Mini Mustangs - 2000
King's University College
Lorin MacDonald, JD’09,

is a 2022 inductee to the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame which celebrates those who have made extraordinary contributions to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities.

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Law
Mary Armstrong, Dip’63,

passed away on July 4, 2022 at the age of 89 after a 37-year nursing career in Ottawa, ON. Read more.

In Memory - 1960
Mary Ann Ruypers, BA'74, BEd'76,

passed away on July 20, 2022, after a long teaching career in Petrolia, Ontario. Read more.

In Memory - 1970
Arts & Humanities
Mary Anne White, BSc'75, DSc'11,

and John Noel, were granted a US patent for "Phase-change Material and Method for Producing Same".

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Science
Meg U’Ren, BA’03, BEd’04, MPED’20,

filmed an episode of House Hunters International for HGTV which documented their house buying process in Ireland.

Personal Achievements - 2000
Education
Melanie Levenberg, BA'04, BEd'05,

was selected by canfitpro as Canada’s Top Fitness Professional for 2022.

Professional Accomplishments - 2000
Health Sciences
Michael Menard, BSc'84,

is the Adjunct Professor at Nazareth College School Of Business Rochester, NY and new Board Member with Volunteers Of America Upstate NY.

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Science
Mickey Kasemphaibulsuk, BESc'09,

and family welcomed baby Kylian in 2022.

Mini Mustangs - 2000
Engineering
Natalia Bradshaw, BA'79,

began as the Chair of the University of New South Wales Galleries Advisory Board. For more than 20 years, Natalia has been a pre-eminent advocate, advisor and benefactor for Australia's visual arts, culture, and design sectors.

Professional Accomplishments - 1970
Arts & Humanities
Neville Edwards, BA'80, BEd'81,

passed away October 4, 2022. Neville was an educator, athlete, coach and actor who inspired many people. Read more.

In Memory - 1980
Social Science
Nicholas Hunt-Bull, BA'89, MA'90,

was appointed as the 13th President of Paul Smith's College, in northern New York State.

Professional Accomplishments - 1980
Arts & Humanities
Nicole Baranowski, BA’19, MScM’21,

Anthony Giugno, BSc’19, Paige Martin, BA’18, MMJC’19, Ian Rake, BMOS’16, and Justin Tiseo, BA’16 were recognized as trailblazers in the 2022 Business London's Twenty in the 20s. Read more here.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Health Sciences
Omar Ha-Redeye, JD'10,

joined the Department of Justice Canada as counsel.

Professional Accomplishments - 2010
Law
Paramvir Vassan, MPH'14,

recently was married.

Western Weddings - 2010
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Paul McEwan, BEd'97,

published Cinema's Original Sin: D.W. Griffith, American Racism, and the Rise of Film Culture. The book details the history of Griffith's racist epic The Birth of a Nation from 1915 to the Trump era.

Read more here.

Literature - 1990
Education