About

Celebrating 49 years on 49^th Avenue.

In 1970, Vancouver Community College opened its Langara campus and invited the community to make us their first choice for accessible, quality education. Almost five decades later, Langara College is recognized as a leading undergraduate institution with a reputation for providing exceptional learning opportunities.

We are marking our 49th anniversary with an integrated celebration, alumni engagement, and fundraising campaign – Beyond 49 – which will celebrate all that we have achieved in our first 49 years, strengthen the College for our next 49 by reconnecting with our alumni, and raise funds for student scholarships and important College initiatives.

With your help, we can build a stronger future for Langara College Beyond 49. Help us raise $2.5 million for student support, teaching and learning, and career readiness initiatives. Funds raised through the campaign will go to the Langara College Foundation, the registered charity that oversees fundraising on behalf of the College.

As we embark on Beyond 49, many local organizations have chosen to support the campaign and join our anniversary celebrations.

Letter of support – Langara is a valued partner for the City of Vancouver
– Gregor Robertson, Mayor, City of Vancouver

Langara College Foundation

The Langara College Foundation is a giving community of donors committed to supporting student success and Langara’s vision to be Canada’s pathway college. 

Working together, we expand educational opportunities for students by supporting scholarships and bursaries, expanding delivery of student services and campus facilities, and funding beyond the classroom experiences. We invite you to become part of our community and make a difference in student lives.

Charity #: 829255132 RR0001

Langara College Foundation

49 Facts — NO. 42

Langara used to have tennis courts at the front of the campus on 49th Avenue, and also a soccer field where the B Building now sits.

Beyond 49 CampaignOur Ambassador Team

We’re excited to introduce our incredible team of ambassadors. These alumni and community leaders are committed to supporting Beyond 49 and helping us raise funds for future generations of Langarans.

Chief Wayne Sparrow

Wayne Sparrow is the elected Chief of the Musqueam Indian Band, a position he has held since 2012. As a self governing nation, the people of Musqueam work together to ensure an enhanced quality of life for all generations developing a sustainable, self-reliant, and vibrant community. Chief Sparrow has been a Councillor and the chairperson of the Bands housing, fisheries committees, and recreation committees. Beyond his part-time role as Chief, Wayne Sparrow is also a commercial fisherman.
Dr. Lane Trotter

Dr. Lane Trotter joined Langara College as its third President and CEO on January 20, 2014. His work with the Musqueam First Nation, on whose traditional unceded territory the College is located, led to Musqueam giving Langara the name snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, which means house of teachings, in January of 2016. Prior to joining Langara, he served as the Senior Vice President, Academic, at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, and played a very instrumental role in the development of education and business. Over his 24-year career, Dr. Trotter also served as a Dean at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. He also spent a number of years serving in different roles in BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and has been active in a variety of national committees and local, provincial, and national boards. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Business Council of BC He earned his Doctorate of Education from Simon Fraser University (2010) and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria (1992).
Ben Cecil

Ben Cecil is Provost and Vice-President, Academic & Students at Langara College, leading a team of educators helping students to fulfill their academic and career aspirations. Prior to joining Langara in 2019, Ben was the Associate Vice-President, Academic at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, leading the institutions Academic Excellence, Research and Innovation initiatives.
Leslie Cliff

Leslie Cliff is an Officer of the Order of Canada. A founding member of Genus Capital Management, she is currently the director of Wealth Management at Genus and its board chair. Leslie is an Honorary Chartered Accountant, the past president of the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver, and a past chair of the ICBC Investment Committee. A former Canadian National Swim Team member, she is an Olympic silver medalist (1972), Commonwealth Games gold medalist (1970 and 1974), and Pan American double-gold medalist (1975). She was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame (1978), Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1997), and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1984), and currently serves on the board of Swimming Canada. Leslie studied Arts & Science at Langara and was honoured as an Outstanding Alumni Award recipient 2016.
Andy Dhillon

Amardeep (Andy) Singh Dhillon CPA CA is a Manager for Johnson Archer LLP. Previously, Andy was a Manager for Ernst & Young LLP and a mortgage specialist for RBC Royal Bank in the areas of the Lower Mainland and Toronto. He is also a current member of the Langara College Board of Governors. He completed his diploma in accounting from the Sauder School of Business at the University of BC and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
Lisa Fisher

Lisa Fisher is the Director of Communications and Marketing Services at Langara College. Lisa is an experienced, higher education marketing communications leader with expertise in strategy, brand management, international marketing, and digital marketing. She has led Langara’s award-winning marketing and communications efforts for the past five years, including the department’s work on the Beyond 49 anniversary campaign. Previously, she served as the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Brand Manager, and as the marketing leader in UBC’s International Student Initiative. She holds a Master of Science in Global Marketing from the University of Liverpool, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UBC. Lisa is a member of the BC Chapter of the American Marketing Association and a founding member of the W. North Vancouver Chapter.
Dr. Martin Gerson

Dr. Martin Gerson worked at Langara for 38 years, first as an instructor in Mathematics and Statistics, where he also served as Assistant Department Chair. He also served as President of the Langara Faculty Association from 1983–1985. In 1987, Martin became Chair of the Mathematics and Science Division, and in 1993, he took on the position of Dean of Instruction. Later on, he became Langara’s first Vice-President, Academic and Provost, the role from which he retired in 2012. For his many contributions, he received the Emeritus designation in 2016. Since retirement, he has stayed connected with Langara, serving as Chair of the Retiree Committee.
Moira Gookstetter

Moira Gookstetter the Executive Director of the Langara College Foundation and Director of College Advancement at Langara College. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, Moira has worked as a management and fundraising consultant, and has held positions as the Vice-President of ViaSport British Columbia, CEO of Gymnastics BC, and as the Director of Development of Sport BC, promoting sport as a philanthropic cause. Moira is also an active volunteer serving on boards including the BC Games Society and Southpointe Academy. Moira holds a Masters of Leadership from Royal Roads University and the designation as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Moira was a nominee for the 2010 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards for her work with philanthropic work with sport organizations.
JP Harrison

JP Harrison is the President of Westmount Solutions. JP joined the investment industry in 1995 as an Investment Advisor becoming Partner & President of investment management firm, Genus Capital Management in 2012. JP holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from Concordia University, and a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
Marg Heldman

Margaret Heldman is a long-time Langaran. She began as a Chemistry Instructor and has held a number of academic leadership positions. She was Langara’s first Dean of Science and is currently the Associate Vice-President, Academic. Margaret understands the importance of Langara as a post-secondary institution that offers learning opportunities which permits students to achieve their educational goals. In addition, Margaret knows the importance of community and of service: she is on the faculty for CICan’s Leadership Institute for Managers mentoring future academic leaders, she is a member of BCCAT’s Transfer and Articulation Committee and she is past chair of BC’s Applied Research and Innovation Network.
Jane Heyman

Jane Heyman is a Jessie-award winning director who worked as a full-time member of the Theatre Arts faculty between 1985 and 2005. She served as the department’s first Associate Director from 1991 until her retirement, and was instrumental in building Studio 58 into a nationally renowned program. Jane remains deeply connected to the department, as a member of the Theatre Arts Advisory Committee, and periodic director of student productions, including February 2016’s The Train Carr. After retirement, she created the Jane Heyman Fund for Creative Collaboration, and most recently co-chaired the Studio 58 Legacy Fund. Jane continues to work professionally as a director, dramaturg and educator. She also co-founded Vancouver’s Performing Arts Lodge (PAL), a unique social housing and theatre complex in Coal Harbour that provides an affordable home – and much-needed creative opportunities – for senior performing arts professionals. She is honoured to have received the YWCA Woman of Distinction for Arts and Culture; Alliance for Arts & Culture, Arts Board Member of the Year; GVPTA Career Achievement Jessie Richardson Award; UBCP Sam Payne Award for humanity, integrity, and encouragement of young talent and the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association Larry McCance Award.
Bruce Hurst

Bruce Hurst is a proud Langaran completing a finance and investment diploma at Langara in 1975. In 2011, Bruce was recognized by the College as an Outstanding Alumni Award recipient, and he continues to give back to the College serving as Chair of the Langara College Foundation Board of Directors.

Bruce is one of the founding shareholders of Reid Hurst Nagy Inc., Certified General Accountants. His extensive experience in managing and directing many of RHN’s not-for-profit audit engagements as well as small enterprise advisory services. He served on a number of committees for CGA-BC and has just completed his term on the CGA Canada Board of Directors. He also served as CGA Canada’s auditor for 5 years. Outside the office, Bruce has been an active volunteer for the First Aid Ski Patrol for over 30 years and was presented the Harold Clarke Award in 2005 from CGA-BC for his continued volunteer efforts and contributions to the community.
Kevin James

Kevin James is an entrepreneur, senior business consultant and business school instructor with a proven track record of business success in Canada and the United States. Kevin has taught Marketing and Strategic Management at Langara School of Management (LSM) since 2008. He also teaches Strategic Management at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia (Diploma in Accounting Program). When not in the classroom, Kevin can most likely be found at a local hockey rink – he has volunteered with the Vancouver Thunderbirds Minor Hockey Association as an Assistant Coach since 2008.
Gerda Krause

Gerda has a proud history at Langara College. Gerda is currently Interim Dean of the Faculty of Science, Chair of Education Council, and Chair of Langara’s Academic Plan Priority Action Group for Environmental, Social and Financial Sustainability. Gerda holds a Bachelor of Science (Hon) and Master of Science in Biology (Botany) from the University of British Columbia, and has been a Biology faculty member at Langara for many decades. She has held a number of academic leadership positions during that time including Chair of Biology, Co-Chair of the Langara Research Committee, and Chair of the Langara Faculty Association’s Professional Development Committee. She has served on and chaired numerous policy committees, professional development groups and curriculum development teams. Recently, Gerda has been active in promoting the goals of the Academic Plan, including championing Langara’s annual Academic Plan Mini-Conferences and establishing the new Langara Retiree Group. Gerda has also served on a number of non-profit boards, including other post-secondary institutions. She has been a member of the Langara College Board since 2011.
Stephen Lee

Stephen Lee has a strong connection to Langara. After starting his post-secondary education at Langara, Stephen went on to earn his CPA, CMA and subsequently was honoured with the FCPA, FCMA designation in 2009. Stephen is the CEO of Musqueam Capital Corporation. Musqueam Capital Corporation is a wholly owned entity of Musqueam Indian Band and was formed to manage and develop the Band’s business assets and key land holdings. Stephen’s past experience spans 25 years in senior leadership roles in a variety of private and public companies. In addition to serving on other boards and committees, he is a past Chair of the CMABC Board. Stephen is also an adjunct professor for UBC’s Masters of Health Administration program. He was also a facilitator for the CMA Executive Strategic Leadership Program. While at Langara, Stephen met his wife Carol, and they now have three daughters together.
Alec Maclean

Alec Maclean is the Vice President & Investment Counsellor of RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel Inc. and has worked in the financial services and investment industry since 1997. Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management – PH&N Investment Counsel, Alec worked with RBC in Commercial Banking. He has worked in the accounting and finance department of a major shipping company in the United Kingdom and has also worked in Japan. Alec holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute and an Economics degree from the University of Victoria. Alec is also a member of the Langara College Foundation Board of Directors.
Gary Mason

Gary Mason is a national affairs columnist for the Globe and Mail, based in Vancouver. He started his career with the Victoria Times Colonist before moving to the Vancouver Sun, where he worked in various capacities, including a seven-year stint as a popular sports columnist. He has received the prestigious Jack Webster Award for journalism five times and has won two National Newspaper Awards. He is the co-author of John Furlong’s memoir, Patriot Hearts: Inside the Games that Changed a Country.

Gary completed a journalism diploma at Langara in 1982 and was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni Award recipient in 2011. Gary was a founding board member of the Langara College Foundation, now serving as Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors.
Lucy Morrow

Lucy is a third-year Bachelor of Business Administration Marketing student who recently completed a four-month co–operative education work experience in India as part of the new India Connect Scholarship Program. This program is a new partnership between Langara College, Optimus Information Inc. and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Selected as one of the first two students to take part in this program, Lucy was able to launch her global career at one of Canada’s fastest growing IT firms, Optimus Information. Lucy knew at a very young age that she wanted to pursue a career in business. Since then, she’s been seeking opportunities that teach her about international business and help her master the art of marketing. The India Connect Scholarship Program was the perfect opportunity for Lucy to gain valuable work experience while developing intercultural skills in one of the world’s most dynamic emerging economies. After graduation, Lucy plans to work at a marketing firm with similar core values to the ones at Optimus Information. Lucy has always had a burning desire to start her own company and succeed in the business world. She hopes to run her very own successful company someday.  
Peter Norwood

Peter Norwood is both a Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant Fellow. Prior to becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant, Peter’s career path began in public practice and grew into a lifelong commitment to accounting education. Peter has been instructor at Langara for more than 25 years, and was the first Chair of the Langara School of Management. Peter has also been an instructor at UBC for 23 years. Among his many contributions to the profession, he served as member of the Board of the CA School of Business for six years and member of the Certification Steering Committee responsible for all education issues pertaining to the amalgamation of the profession. He was also Chair of the Board of Examiners for CPA Canada and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC and a recipient of several awards which honour his contributions to his profession. Peter was named CPA Canada Volunteer of the Year Award – Education in 2016 and was recognized by Langara in 2010 as an Outstanding Alumni Award recipient.
Kevin Price

Kevin Price is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Methanex Corporation. Since joining the company, he has held various positions within the company, including a two-year assignment as the regional general counsel (South America) as well as the primary internal legal resource for the Egyptian methanol project. Previously, he was a partner at the law firm Fasken Martineau practicing corporate law. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, Master of Arts (specializing in Economics) from the University of Toronto, and Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia. Kevin is also a member of the Langara College Foundation Board of Directors.
Guy M. Robertson

Since 1993, Guy Robertson has taught courses in rare books and bibliography, archives, records management, reference and readers’ advisory, Aboriginal reference, and information security at Langara College. An internationally respected emergency management consultant and planner, he has published several books and dozens of articles on different aspects of disaster response, business continuity, corporate security, risk management, fraud and forgery detection, and post-disaster recovery. He has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader at conferences across North America. Since 1982 he has managed the library at the Vancouver office of Thurber Engineering Ltd. In 2016 he joined TMC IT & Telecom Consulting Ltd. to provide disaster planning services to a broad range of clients. Outside work, Guy is a director of the Alcuin Society, which is dedicated to book collecting and design. He enjoys writing articles on travel and adventures abroad, particularly in the UK.
Jas Sandhu

Jas Sandhu is President and Founder of Brixton Properties Inc. Previously, Jas worked with Colliers International as Vice President and National Leaders, Canada India Client Services. Prior to this, he was a Real Estate Development Consultant, International Trade Consultant and a member of the Prime Minister’s Team Canada Mission to India. As a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Achievement, Jas has strong community ties and is a well-respected contributor to a number of community organizations. He is a member of Simon Fraser University – India Advisory Council; member of the City of Surrey’s Development Advisory Committee; and Advisor to the Canada India Business Council (CIBC). He serves as Vice President of the Association of South Asian Professionals – BC (ASAP); and served as President and is currently a Board member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE). Jas was also Chair on the Langara College Board of Governors.
Simi Sara

Simi is the host of CKNW’s The Simi Sara Show. For more than twenty years, she has worked in broadcasting as a reporter, writer, producer and anchor. She started her career in print, moving to broadcast in 1993 and made the move to talk radio in 2009. Along the way, she’s been the co-anchor of CityNews at Six, Breakfast Television and CityCooks. In 2013 Simi was recognized with a National RTDNA Award for Editorial Commentary and a Jack Webster Foundation Award for BC’s Commentator of the Year. She is also a two-time BC Association of Broadcasters award winner. Most important of all, she would say, is being mom to her two teenagers, Gina and Jake.

Simi completed her Journalism Diploma at Langara in 1993, was recognized with the Outstanding Alumni Award recipient in 2013, and is a current board member of the Langara College Foundation.
Gail Sparrow

Gail Sparrow is a former Chief of the Musqueam First Nation. A former Langara student, Gail returned to the College as Langara’s Elder-in-Residence, helping to provide a supportive environment for indigenous students at the College. Gail also plays a key role in strengthening the connection between the Musqueam people and the College, educating the Langara community on the history, culture, and teachings of the Musqueam and the land in which the College is located.