Both Sides of the Brain
The new campaign for Brock University in the year 2010 was focused on celebrating "both sides of the brain". The marketing was geared to showing that Brock is "A university designed to develop well-rounded human beings". The next decade of Surgite shares stories of alumni who have nurtured both sides of the brain at Brock and now are sharing their knowledge and experience.
A wonderful example of this marketing campaign is the story of an alumnus who created a non-profit organization called Friends of Kurdistan. A feature article in the May 2010 issue of Surgite discusses a delegation organized by Amy Ball (BA '95) of St. Catharines. Ball had noticed a lack of support to Kurdistan and saw a gap that needed to be filled. The Friends of Kurdistan worked to fill gaps in health care, organization, skills training, mental health programs, and forming "a relationship between Canadian professionals and institutions in Kurdistan". Ball's intention was to help all aspects of the individuals in Kurdistan, both physical and emotional.
Another Brock graduate to form a supportive organization is Lauren Chapple (BA/BEd ’91), an educator inside and outside of the classroom. The Brock alum is a kindergarten teacher, but also spends much of her time working with the organization Proud Rainbow Voices which she established in May 2010. Proud Rainbow Voices is an Ontario wide support network for educators of all kinds to come together and share ideas and resources to combat workplace and classroom discrimination. Chapple comments in the article about her experiences as a young student and the "...scary culture of non-acceptance" and remarks that "We all have a right to be free from fear".
Fred Losani (BAdmin '87) joined the family business, Losani Homes, not long after attending Brock University. The business was successful but he felt there was a gap that needed to be filled in helping the community. He decided to plan treks to the North Pole and another along the entire Bruce Trail in order to raise money for local children's charities. In his efforts, Losani was able to raise over $3 million for charities around Hamilton. Losani was awarded the Goodman School of Business Distinguished graduate award in 2011 for his work in and out of the office. Don Cyr, Dean of the School of Business commented on Losani's achievements saying "...he is passionate about philanthropy and adventure, and his philosophy - that helping the children of today builds a better future - is one that Fred has built into his personal and corporate values..."
The Surgite issues of 2014 share several stories of Brock's last 50 years as a university. John Suk (BSc '73) shares some of his experiences as a student walking through the hallways of Brock and then discusses the many changes he encountered when he returned years later. Suk started at Brock in 1969, stating, "Back then it was like a large high school with just a few thousand people. When I returned, it had matured into a midsized university with a very strong reputation in several areas including business, applied health sciences, and education." He had started out as a History major but quickly learned that his talents were in the sciences. Suk returned to Brock as a member of the Board of Trustees, later becoming Chair. While on the Board of Trustees, Suk remembers reviewing the Both Sides of the Brain campaign and agreeing with the sentiment completely. He had a successful career in pharmaceuticals and he discusses how his mind for science worked well with his abilities in sales and leadership to reach such levels. “With my left-brain passion for science and right-brain passion for history, of course I embraced it,” Suk says.
An article in the December 2016 issue of Surgite tells the story of Marcus Bernard (BA '15) witnessing poverty in the Dominican Republic while on an experiential learning trip with Brock University. He was there to teach English when he noticed that the children were finding joy in playing soccer made out of plastic bags. Bernard had left this trip thinking he wanted to help somehow but soon found himself in Trinidad and Tobago playing soccer for the under-20 team. It was when his time with the soccer team came to an end that he realized that he "...could use sport as a tool to make change for children in need." The program Soccer for Change was created which organizes volunteers to work with children on the field to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Equipment like soccer balls and jerseys have been donated and the program is working with Brock to create an experiential trip for students like Bernard to hopefully find inspiration just as he did years earlier.
Diana Panton (BEd '04) has two careers that are thriving. Her daytime role is that of a French immersion drama and visual arts teacher and in her spare time, she cultivates her musical creativity. Panton is a two time Juno award-winning artist and has been nominated a total of five times. She has won for Children's Album of the year in 2017 and Vocal Jazz Album 2015. Panton looks back fondly on her time at Brock and even received a congratulatory message from one of her past professors. She works hard at achieving a balance between her career and passion for music saying, "If you are passionate about something, you will carve out the time and your passion will fuel you to do what you love. Remember that you do not need to follow in someone else’s footsteps — this is your life and you can forge your own path, however unconventional it might be.”
Over fifty years later, the Brock Alumni Relations publication continues to share stories of graduates and their memories of a pivotal time and experience at Brock University. Check out the photo wall to see if you recognize any familiar faces!