A human rights leader, an artist, an advocate, and a unique transportation company have all been chosen as distinguished alumni award winners by TRU.
The three alumni and the company will all be recognized on Thursday, April 7th at the annual awards event and honoured for their work in the community.
“We are really excited about the line-up of recipients this year who are being recognized for their work in an array of disciplines including human rights, arts and culture, social services and business,” said Arlene Olynyk, alumni relations supervisor. “It’s always really exciting to share the stories of our alumni and the amazing impacts they are making globally.”
The winners are: Dean Nelson – Human Rights Leadership Award; Linda Jules – Arts & Culture Award; Gurbir Sandhu – Grace Chronister Award; and Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. — 2016 TRU Distinguished Alumni, Milestone Achievement Award.
Nelson, who has a Bachelor of Tourism Management, graduated from TRU in 1999 and has had a significant impact regionally, nationally and internationally in the human rights field. Nelson has pushed innovation in the LGBTQ community and was the founder of Mr. Gay World International and is the CEO of Whistler Pride. He has also been widely acknowledged in the sports field, winning the Pride Toronto Award for Excellence in Sports and the Vancouver Pride Sports Legacy Award for his work within the ski industry.
Jules received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007 and is a renowned Kamloops visual artists and advocate of arts and culture, education and First Nations. She is a founding director of the Kamloops Printmakers Society, a co-operative print artists’ studio.
Sandhu received her Bachelor of Social Work in 2002 and has made a significant contribution to education, policy development, and advocacy. She is a social work professor and agent for social justice who has made powerful impacts on policy in Canada and abroad. She has worked collaboratively with various levels of government, tirelessly advocating for equality within labour legislation and policy to support marginalized populations.
Arrow Transportation Systems has made a unique contribution to the life and goals of students at TRU. Arrow Transportation has contributed through philanthropy in the form of student financial awards, providing co-operative education experiences for students, and offering employment and training positions within its branches. Arrow staff have also volunteered as career mentors to TRU students.
Tickets to the awards dinner are available online at a cost of $50 per person. Since 1995, over 55 graduates have been selected to receive these prestigious awards.
