Grateful Grads

A place to thank the many people who've had an impact on us during our undergrads.

[gratefulgrads]

chris mackenzie

Dear Professor Chris MacKenzie,

I don’t know if you remember me, but I was one of your Sociology 100 students in 2009-10. Two days ago, as I was writing course tips for a friend who will be taking your SOCI 100 course this summer (I recommended it to her), I had warm, fuzzy feelings inside as I reflected on how much I enjoyed your course.

I’m forever grateful that Nai Louza (a student who took your course a year before me) recommended the course to me. Had I not met Nai during a brief encounter at a Psychology students’ event and re-connected in a class we had together, I don’t know if I’d have ended up in your class. It’s funny how one person or one event can change the course of your decisions.

It was because of your class that I decided to major in Sociology. I found the broad variety of sociological topics fascinating and highly relevant to my life. I also learned to think more critically about our socially constructed world. To this day, I still remember the term “sociological imagination” and a lot of the material you taught has stuck. I thought about majoring in Psychology or English but they didn't seem as intriguing or applicable as Sociology.

I’m sure many people have told you this already but you’re a very charismatic professor: you’ve the amazing ability to make your students hang onto your every word and make seemingly boring material comprehendible and interesting. You’re also very friendly. I was struggling with the textbook reading and short answer portion of the Christmas exam, and you took the time after class to offer me some helpful advice on how to do better. And I did. One of the highlights of the class was during the culture unit, when you showed us music videos from Lady Gaga and Britney Spears (I think) as well as “The Empire State of Mind”. I was amazed at your knowledge of pop culture and amused that we go to watch those videos.

You remain to be one of my favourite (if not, my absolute favourite) professor. I wish you taught other Sociology courses besides Crime and Society so I can be in your class again. Since taking Sociology 100, I’ve gotten involved with the Sociology Students’ Association and in my third year, took on a leadership role on the executive team, one of the highlights of my undergrad. Along the way, I met many great students, friends, professors, staff, and faculty.

Thank you again, Chris, for your brilliance in teaching. You will always be remembered as a charismatic, kind, and sarcastically humourous professor.

Forever Grateful,

Elaine Lin

[gratefulgrads]

ray hsu

One of the unique opportunities I've had at UBC was taking a Directed Studies course; one where you create your own syllabus, take charge of your learning and have a professor help guide you along the way. 

Ray was my professor for my Creative Writing Directed Studies class in my second year and helped guide me through the process. What struck me initially were his thought provoking questions about my writing and art that prompted me to rethink my creative process. Over the last two years, my conversations with Ray always leave me curious about Googling a topic or inspired to take action on a creative project.

Two of the most important things that I have learned from Ray deal with collaboration and creativity. First, he prompted me to rethink of collaboration as a process in which the result could not have been created without the knowledge and contributions of the initial collaborators. With this view in mind, I am more willing to collaborate with those I may not have initially, in hopes of sparking a new idea or project.

The second lesson is one which is still abstract in my mind and one that I know I will continue to attempt to integrate into my life. Ray has helped me fundamentally change my thoughts on creativity; not only what constitutes creativity but also how one can live creatively each day. Ray is a writer but not necessarily in the traditional sense of the word. He has taken the title of "writer" and transformed it into what he sees it as, and this translates both through his work or through the numerous (and amazing) side projects he is always working on. While I try and integrate creativity into my daily life, I know I have a long way to go. Ray is someone who I look to for inspiration on what I hope to achieve one day.

Ray, thank you for continuously pushing my creativity forward and for always providing a fresh perspective. I am forever grateful that you have helped cultivate my insatiable curiousity of the role creativity can play in my life and the lives of those around me.

A most grateful grad, SH

P.S. The quote on the painting is from Ray's TEDxSFU talk and represents how collaboration can help us live creative lives.

[gratefulgrads]

leslie van duzer

Dear professor Van Duzer,

In light of reading letters to a young poet, I was inspired to throw out the rules for this assignment. Instead, I am going to write a letter to a seasoned designer: you. 

In a little over a month and a half, I will be graduating from UBC. At the beginning of this semester, I had two options: I could take an online class and put in minimal effort to finish my remaining 3 credits, or, I could challenge myself and take this class out of pure love for design. I am very grateful that I chose to take this class instead.

For the first time in 5 years, I had the opportunity to flex my creative muscles 2 nights a week, collaborate with my peers and simply have fun. This has been one of the most perfect ways to end my undergrad at UBC. I am incredibly grateful that you are taking the risk to facilitate classes that push the boundaries of what traditional classes looks like at UBC.

What you said in your final lecture resonated with me most. I truly do believe that as graduates of UBC, we have a responsibility to assume leadership roles. I have yet to complete the connections, but you revealed to us your true motive: to create leaders by teaching design.

Like a magician, you used your slight of hand to distract us with the beauty of design, all the while switching to the true value of what we were learning. That is why I’m writing to thank you: for leaving us with timeless lessons, for teaching important design paradigms that will allow us to have impacts on our communities and for sharing your passion for beauty and art. And I think most importantly, trying to have us think critically and evaluate the world from a place of sound moral judgment.

So Professor Van Duzer, although this isn’t exactly about letters to a young poet, I’ve decided that there is more value in taking your advice to action. To thank you for putting your energy into this class and into your TA’s. 

A very grateful grad,

JC

[gratefulgrads]

shannon sterling & teri grant

Shannon, thank you for inviting us to attend and present at the CCSL last month. We really appreciate all the crazy-headache-inducing-last minute logistic planning it took to make sure our delegation made it there and back in one piece. Throughout our time with you, you have always been incredibly supportive, and inspire and instill positivity in those around you. Thank you for being an amazing example of what leaders are made of. 

Teri, thank you for being the best staff chaperone ever! As we all know, #YOCO, and you definitely made the experience a memorable one. You were incredibly supportive throughout - doing everything from making sure we were all fed to constantly pushing us to make the most of the experience (pepper on eggs). Your seemingly innate ability to bring out the best in us and encourage us to push our boundaries is an impact that will last long beyond the weekend in Kelowna. 

Grateful Grads would not have been formed had we not met on the amazing trip to Kelowna and put two half ideas together.  Two very grateful grads, JC & SH

[gratefulgrads]

rachel scott

Savasana

After my second yoga class with Rachel, I knew that this was going to be a life changer. 

The quote from above was her message for the night. It resonated with me at a time when there was alot of discomfort in my life and I knew that rebooting my yoga practice would be beneficial for me. This was the moment I knew that yoga was something so much more powerful than stretching our bodies and sweating buckets. 

Yoga is transformative. It is all around us, and in every part of our lives. 

Six months later, I am so incredibly grateful to be able to learning from Rachel every week when I hit the mat. She brings a presence and ability to tell stories through word and movement, uniting philosophy and asana. Her personality shines through bright with her goofy German accents, requirement to have exactly 17 power or flow classes before attendance (not actually) and burning passion for alignment and physiology. I have been able to grow in so many ways through yoga with her help.

Rachel, you've not only become an important teacher, but also a great friend.Thank you for sharing your stories with all of us. Thank you for sharing your compassion and courage to keep us going, one step at a time. And most importantly, thank you for being a leader and for reminding us to be kind to ourselves. 

An incredibly grateful grad, 

JC

ps: if you want to catch one of her classes, she teaches at the Kits + South Granville Yyogas! 

Photo: Taken by the mighty talented Pure Souls Photography

[gratefulgrads]

thomas kemple

When I first met Tom three years ago in Guatemala City, I could not have imagined the profound impact he would have on my life over the next three years.

During those six weeks in Guatemala, he opened my eyes to sociology - he helped me realize my love for the subject and I ultimately chose it as my major.

Upon returning back to campus, he continued to be pivotal in my learning. He has encouraged me to write theoretical papers on topics I am passionate about such as branding, technology and female entrepreneurs, and he sponsored the Student Directed Seminar I lead. In doing so, Tom has pushed my learning, helped me find new ways to apply sociology to my everyday life and inspired me to create the same learning environment for others as he has for me.

It is rare that you find a professor who lectures in such a way that you are hooked on every word and who is able to push your learning, both educationally and personally, beyond anything you can imagine.

Tom – this painting is for you. It is the sovereign plumed serpent from Pop Wuj, and the line is from the end of the Mayan poem on how the world came to be. It takes me back to Guatemala, and I hope it does the same for you. Thank you for everything. I am forever grateful. Excited for the friendship to start after I graduate!

A most grateful grad, SH

[gratefulgrads]

patrick condon

Where can I start …  I met Patrick Condon at the start of my third year at the University of British Columbia. Needless to say, that meeting and a semester later of his Environmental Design class would change my life.

In reference to that UBC advertising and your ‘aha moment’ I didn’t quite have that; I had been hit in the face with a brick… A brick that flung me into a paradigm shift in my own life, values, and pursuits.

After having the chance to get to know Patrick a little more personally, and even do a little research work with him, I cannot imagine ending my undergraduate pathway any other way.  Patrick has really imprinted a few things in my mind. 

The first is to not back down, even when it is David v. Goliath.

The second is to live the life you teach to others.

The third was something I will hold onto for a long time.

Patrick told me that in order to figure out the big picture, we have to engage a few small things. Be it a few minds, a few citizens, or a few designs. If you can be mindful you are helping to make those small changes; you may not see the big picture in your life, but you can help others to bring about those much larger changes some day.

Patrick – Thank you so much for always being able to chat, bringing back some of my faith in the world, and for being around to shape a few more young minds.  A very grateful grad,  AK

[gratefulgrads]

erin biddlecombe

I first met Erin when she asked me to make a video for MURC at UBC and later had the opportunity to get to know her better when I was working for the Faculty of Arts last summer. 

Little to say, I am incredibly grateful to have had met Erin before I graduated. Like many other UBC students, I have been impacted by Erin's uncanny ability to bring out the best in those around her. Simply put, she is able to create the space where others can put their best self forward.

Erin's inspired 2 things for me: the first, is to strive to live as authentically as possible. And the second, is to show gratitude each and every single day. 

So Erin, this is for you. Thank you for simply being yourself. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for lending the hand and the ear. 

A grateful grad,

JC 

[gratefulgrads]

The Grateful Grads

So you're graduating? Crazy.

You've spent the last 4, 5, maybe 6 (we're not judging, promise) years on a campus and made it your home. Along the way you've probably met some people who have had a huge impact on you. How many of them know it?

We're challenging you to send out some gratitude to the people who have made a difference in your undergraduate degree. 

Be creative and send it to us so we can share it along!