Three of the six Waterloo-Wellington Brock Alumni Network committee members gather at the Huether Hotel for a social with fellow grads. From L-R: Ted Soepboer, Melissa Campion and Amaris Gerson.

With Brock alumni living all over the world, regional alumni networks are a way for graduates to stay connected to the University, regardless of distance. Networks are divided by geographical location or ‘affinity group’ (based on like-minded experiences or academic programs) and provide alumni with an opportunity to maintain connection with Brock from afar and socialize with local alumni.

In Ontario alone, there are five networks, including the up and coming Waterloo-Wellington Network. With close to 2,500 Brock grads living and working in the Waterloo-Wellington area, six alumni have come together to form a committee to organize and execute alumni events in their area.

Marty Fraser (BBA ’94), Don Critelli (BAdmin ’78), Melissa Campion (BA ’06), Sara Glover (BA ’09), Ted Soepboer (BBA ’08; MBA ‘10) and Amaris Gerson (BRLS ’08) form the Waterloo-Wellington alumni network committee, and are actively working to deliver three events per year.

“Our committee represents the broad range of disciplines and perspectives that Waterloo-Wellington is comprised of. Everyone brings their own skill-set to the table and is genuinely excited to be a committee member” said Ted, a financial analyst with Miovision Technologies in Kitchener.

Many members of the current committee found themselves joining after attending an event. For both Ted and Marty, the structured tasting of Niagara wines at the Walper Hotel in downtown Kitchener was what bolstered their interest in a network. This sold out event was hosted by Allie Hughes (BA ’09) and brought many graduates out to their first alumni event!

Others decided to join a Network committee as a way to continue volunteering and giving back to Brock – which Melissa says is her ‘other side of the brain.’ Melissa, an event coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Cambridge has truly taken her commitment to Brock to another level, volunteering on both the Waterloo-Wellington and Niagara alumni network committees as she splits her time between both regions.

To date, the committee has planned two events: a social mixer and pool night at the Huether Hotel in Uptown Waterloo, and an upcoming professional development workshop at Bingemans in Kitchener. On Wednesday, October 30, Waterloo-Wellington alumni will be treated to a career development presentation, a networking reception, and a variety of appetizers at this newly renovated venue. To purchase your $15 ticket for this event, register online.

If you are interested in getting involved in any Brock alumni network committee across Canada, or would like to start a new one that currently does not exist, please contact Emily Hutton at ehutton@brocku.ca