2002 Alumni Tribute Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Eric Jerrett, Dip. ’61
In the early 1900s the Western Cable Station in Bay Roberts was the transatlantic communications hub between Europe and the . With the advent of wireless and then satellite communication it became obsolete. By the end of the century it had fallen into disrepair and was in danger of being torn down. That is, until Eric Jerrett stepped in.
A charter director of the Bay Roberts Heritage Society, Eric played a major role in the award-winning design and restoration of the cable building. The completely refurbished building, now owned and operated by the heritage society, includes the only climate- and humidity-controlled museum and art gallery in the province and, on the ground floor, houses the Bay Roberts town hall. The town, in return for its rent-free status, pays the costs of operating the building, an added benefit for the society.
In many ways the Western Cable Station is a metaphor for Eric Jerrett’s lifetime of contribution, focusing volunteer and professional energies to create something that is practical yet beautiful, and at the same time preserving his community’s heritage in ways that build for the future. And it is this outstanding record of achievement that led Memorial University ’s alumni executive to select Eric as the 2002 recipient of the Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement.
An engineer, architect and licensed land surveyor, Eric built a
successful reputation in all three professions. His commitment to
professional excellence has been honoured by local and national
organizations. The Technical University of Nova Scotia presented him
with the Alumni Achievement Award in 1992. In service to the
community, Eric volunteers his time and resources for the benefit of
education, recreation, health, heritage, culture and youth. He was
named to the Order of in 1998; and declared Citizen of the Year in
his home community of Bay Roberts in 2001. Although retired from
professional work, Eric remains an active and passionate member of
his community.
Horizon Award
Heather (Shapter) Billou
B.A. ’89
The first recipient of the Alumni Horizon Award for alumni under the age of 35 years, Heather (Shapter) Billou,has an extraordinary record of professional and community service. Her commitment to service was evident even in high school where, in 1985, she accepted the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award for citizenship and humanitarian service. Since graduating from Memorial, Heather has specialized in international development. With her business skills and her passion for humanitarianism she has worked hard to help women start and build commercial and not-for-profit partnerships in East Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean . She has accomplished this by serving as a trainer, advisor, evaluator and project manager.
Currently based in Toronto , Heather is a senior manager with the
Social and Enterprise Development Innovations organization, leading a
team of professionals dedicated to overcoming the physical, cultural
and regulatory barriers that prevent disadvantaged people from
achieving their economic goals. And somehow, in the midst of all
that, she manages to run a small business of her own.
J.D. Eaton Award
Dr. Wayne Ludlow,
B.Sc.’62, B.Ed.’63, M.Ed.’69
Dr. Wayne Ludlow was chosen as the J. D. Eaton Award recipient for
his outstanding volunteer service to Memorial University . Wayne has
made time throughout his distinguished professional career to serve
as an active volunteer and leader on many committees and boards for
Memorial University. In everything he does, Wayne is an ambassador
for students, ensuring that he remains sensitive to and an advocate
for their needs. Since he first left Joe Batt’s Arm to begin
his post-secondary education, Wayne continued to take on new
positions and with increasing levels of responsibility in what became
a long and remarkable career in education, first in secondary school
and later with the university. His volunteer service to Memorial
University and its alumni continues even after his retirement. Today
he works actively on several university committees and
boards.
Outstanding Professional Achievement Award
Dr. R. Bruce Aylward,
B.Sc./MD ’85
Dr. R. Bruce Aylwardof St. John’s is the first winner of the
Outstanding Professional Achievement Award. He was selected in
recognition of his professional excellence and distinction in
community health and preventative medicine. Bruce’s work as the
co-ordinator of the International Polio Eradication Program of the
World Health Organization has helped to all but eliminate polio from
the planet. He is a tireless campaigner for the cause and has in his
career made a substantial and lasting impact on world health. The
model of polio vaccination that he helped to develop is now being
adapted by health agencies to deliver other forms of preventative
medicine to remote and disadvantaged areas around the globe. In 2002
Bruce was named one of Canada’s top 50 nation builders
alongside such household names as sports icon Wayne Gretzky,
Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson and jazz musician Diana
Krall.
Outstanding Community Service
Sara Sexton, Memorial College ‘44
Sara Sexton, a graduate of the teachers’ training program of Memorial College, is the first recipient of the Alumni Award for Outstanding Community Service. Sara exemplifies the caring and concern—backed by action—that makes her a truly outstanding community volunteer. While following a career as a teacher and raising a large family she always found time to give back to her community. Since the death of her son Tommy from complications caused by AIDS, Sara has become an ardent crusader, spokesperson, and advocate for AIDS education and support for its victims and their families. At 79 she remains an active member of her church and is involved in raising money for community projects. She has worked and lobbied for a number of causes including Elizabeth House for Single Mothers, the Kiwanis Music Festival, Cancer Patients Transportation program, Agnes Cowan Hostel visitations program, Meals on Wheels, the Gathering Place lunch program, and the CNIB reading program.