Top notch dean for BCIT

Top notch dean for BCIT
Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 7, 2003


There's some new, high-powered help at the head of the school of health sciences at BCIT. Elizabeth Riley, former president and CEO of the Children's and Women's Health Centre of B.C. is taking over as dean at the busy BCIT department.

Riley will be responsible for the school that issues the certificates, diplomas and degrees in health-related fields at BCIT. The school is also the largest provider in the country of the distance education programs in its related fields.

BCIT health programs include nursing and nursing specialties, health-care management, health technologies, health protection, laboratory science and therapeutic technologies.

HILTON EARNS HONOUR

The good folks at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown hotel, who already have a prestigious four-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association, have yet another reason to celebrate this week.

The hotel, located at Kingsway and McKay, received a Guest Assistance Award from its parent Hilton Hotels and Resorts. This is the third time the local hotel has received recognition from the head office. Last year they won a Best Customer Service Award, and previously they were named the Best Commercial property in the chain.

Recipients of all the awards were chosen from among the brand's 230 full-service hotels in North America, and were rated on their customer loyalty, brand consistency, quality assurance and customer satisfaction ratings. The Guest Assistance Award recognizes outstanding handling of guest concerns and requests. Congrats.

INSPIRATION PAYS OFF

The business people best known for their inspirational message board on Kingsway have received some high honours from their head office.

Anne and Ron Baker, owners of Allegra Print and Imaging at Kingsway and Willingdon, were honoured with a Master's Club and Pursuit of Excellence award at the Allegra Network International Convention, held recently in Vancouver.

The Master's Club recognizes the top 10 per cent of franchises that meet operational excellence and sales volume standards. The Pursuit of Excellence Award is presented to those franchisers who exhibit exceptional leadership and service to the franchise system and their community. Only three Excellence awards were presented among the 500 Allegra locations in Canada, U.S., Poland and Japan.

the Bakers also operate the Allegra location on 96th Avenue in the Port Kells district of Surrey.

PEOPLE WHO COUNT

Kudos to the 16 Burnaby students who received their chartered accountant (CA) designations last month from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.

The new CAs are Gurdeep Bains, Sueng Cha, Richard Chong, Gregory Diemer, Jenny Hong, Chantal Iorio, Tamiko Iwata, Naveen Lewis, Kevin Kwan, Charlena Palser, Christopher Richards, Catherine Salhus, Brett Sandler, Richard Sumner, Vi Truong and Sarbjitpal (Paul) Sangha.

"These students should be proud of themselves," said Richard Rees, CEO of the institute. "They've shown the determination and education required to earn the CA designation."

To qualify, each of the students needed a university degree or equivalent, 30 months of practical work experience in a chartered accountancy firm, plus completion of courses in the CA business school. There are 8,600 CAs in B.C.

MAKING MUSIC FOR GAMES

The Centre for Digital Imaging and Sound, best known by its Web domain name www.artschool.com, has added a high-powered international composer to its faculty.

Michael Richard Plowman, who worked on the Lord of the Rings television special, the Storm Warning series on the Discovery Network, and other big name movies and video games, will teach the course Music for Film and Television at the Burnaby-based school.

Born in England, Plowman lived on the east coast for many years earning his first commercial television job at the age of 14, and producing his first album at the age of 16.

"Working in film, television and games has given me the opportunity to explore many new musical styles and techniques," says Plowman. "Every production is unique and providing an original score is essential."

PICTURE THIS!

Two brothers who operate the Custodio Photographers Ltd. on East Hastings Street earned several awards from the 2003 National and Provincial Professional Photographers Print Competition.

David Custodio won first place in the Wedding Album Class, and earned other awards in the Best Wedding Album, Best Unclassified Image and a Kodak Image Gallery Award categories. He was also nominated for Photographer of the Year.

Younger brother Danny Custodio won award in the Best Illustration Image and an honourable mention in the Portrait category. He was also nominated for Photographer of the Year.

The brothers come from a family that has a photographic heritage dating back to 1921.