June 2026 Newsletter

Contest alert!

In celebration of convocation week, TRU Alumni is launching a contest to win Oakley Meta AI Glasses, courtesy of Manulife.

Contest opens during Spring Convocation week and runs from June 9-19. Follow TRU Alumni on social media for the launch!

Alumni Feature

Thompson Rivers University alum Abdallah (Dallah) El Chami (BBA ‘11) has a head for business but leads with his heart — and his stomach. After starting off in the tech industry, he now owns several award-winning food establishments in Vancouver and Victoria, sharing his passion for Middle Eastern cuisine with the masses.

Mishmish, the bakery he co-owns with his partner, Leah Christ, was named 2026 Best Bakery by Vancouver Magazine.

Alumni in the Lead

In this segment we feature alumni who were recently promoted to senior leadership positions or are celebrating other major accomplishments. Let us know if you or a classmate are celebrating by emailing alumni@tru.ca.

Mitchell Forgie

Tourism Mgmt Dip. '11

Congratulations to Mitch, who started a new position as destination development manager at Tourism Kamloops.

Hafsa Barsha

BBA '25

Congratulations to Hafsa, who started a new position as sales and marketing specialist at A&T.

Visit LinkedIn

Chris Boyetchko

Police and Justice Studies Dip. '12

Congratulations to Chris, who was recently named Canadian Security Magazine’s Top 10 Under 40.

Visit LinkedIn

Career Corner

Job Board

Looking for your next career move? Check out these TRU Alumni Job Board highlights:

Senior Accountant - Invermere
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician - Vancouver
Food & Beverage Operations Manager - Sun Peaks
Investment and Retirement Planner - Toronto
Engagement and Communications Officer - Smithers

Sign up for your free TRU Alumni Network account to view the job board

Monthly Poll

When you were a TRU student, what did you spend your summers doing?

💼 Building work experience

📖 Hitting the books

✈️ Travelling the world

Last Month's Poll

Respondents were split over their favourite memory of convocation: celebrating with loved ones or the feeling of "I made it!"

News

Extraordinary leaders celebrated with honorary degrees

Five individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to health, business, education, social justice, law and reconciliation are being honoured at this year’s Spring Convocation at TRU.

TRU strengthens partnership with Kamloops businesses

Speaking to members of the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Airini outlined a vision for closer collaboration between the university and the business community.

Canada Research Chair to study climate change and inequality

A new Canada Research Chair at Thompson Rivers University will examine how climate change, wildfires and environmental inequality affect the health and economic well-being of communities in Canada and around the world.

SFU and TRU enhance inter-province collaboration

Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) are forging a new partnership to advance innovation, research, graduate studies and workforce development across British Columbia.

Discounts

New discount! Enjoy 10% off all drink orders at Sip Soda Co. in Kamloops. Try the new TRU WolfPack Crush drink.

Thompson Rivers University | 805 TRU Way Kamloops, BC | Canada V2C 0C8

Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the ancestral lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwépemc'ulucw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.