School of Accounting and Finance Reunion!

On Feb 7, 2008 the School of Accounting and Finance celebrated it’s 35th year with it’s first ever reunion! The event, by all counts, was a success – attended by co-op partners, potential employers, current students, Alumni and Faculty (both current and retired). The event was planned and run by current students from SLAF, our student accounting club (Student Leaders in Accounting and Finance), with support from the School of Accounting and Finance and sponsored by the Seneca Alumni Association.

The Acrobat Lounge at Yonge and Eglinton was the ideal venue – co-owned by accounting graduate – Khalid Afzal. Wonderful decor and a delicious meal was rounded out with background music provided by another Alumnus – Brad McGoey (IMP) -  who played a selection of rock through the decades on an acoustic guitar.

130 guests enjoyed the opportunity to network, mix, mingle, laugh and dance their way through the evening. The highlight was an excellent presentation by Marjorie Kyle – Director of Finance for eBay Canada.  Leaving an organization with 50 direct reports, taking a pay cut to becoming the lone ranger in finance at eBay, Marjorie shed light on the eBay way.  Her key message – accounting departments and accounting staff are there to facilitate the business not impend its process – her proof it works – all three of her staff have individually been awarded an internal award for innovation, excellence and integrity.

What our Faculty say about the Alumni event!:

All I spoke to, alumni, students & faculty, agreed it was such a great success that they wanted to know when we would have the next one.  Hopefully sooner than 35 years!
Sheilagh Stephenson, Student Advisor

The SAF 35th anniversary alumni dinner was certainly a well organized, first class and festive occasion that we, the faculty, will never forget. There was an exceptionally positive ambience at Acrobat, thanks to all the organizers and a very capable and gracious SAF grad owner. But the evening afforded far more than just great food and drink. The warmth of appreciation and the power of the pride both students, current and past, and faculty felt for their achievements was very apparent. Nothing motivates a teacher like being thanked by a graduate for all their efforts to prepare them for the real world. Similarly, nothing is likely to build esteem in a successful graduate as much as the congratulations from their former teachers for a solid career that is being well built through hard work and dedication. Our hats are off to all those who worked so diligently in our Alumni Affairs office to see so thoroughly to every detail in making this memorable evening happen. Many thanks from we faculty, who not only enjoyed reconnecting and celebrating with many of our students, but also with each other. We definitely need to give ourselves and our students a good old high five more often for the fine work being done in the SAF.
Michael Longworth, Faculty

What a great success!  Students told me that it empowered them both for the contacts made and for those still in the school, it gave them renewed energy and they could see what hard work and being focused could achieve.  They also mentioned how they really enjoyed sharing  dinner and conversation, outside the classroom, with the faculty.  It was a pleasure to attend and congratulations to all  whose hard work paid off!
Doug Stephenson, Faculty and SLAF Coordinator

One word describes the reunion – terrific! The venue gave graduates an opportunity to share their career and life experiences post graduation in a very relaxed social atmosphere. It gave them an opportunity to feel good publicly about their accomplishments. It was very rewarding for faculty to hear about their prior student  life, career experiences and successes especially knowing that the graduates appreciated our efforts as educators on their pathway to success. 
Richard Ponesse, faculty

Students told me it was a good opportunity to network.  They also enjoyed seeing their 'old' peers and Profs.
Sharon Halpern, Faculty

The alumni event held on Feb. 7 was one of my highlights at Seneca. I was so impressed by our students' MC skills and the heartwarming video developed and presented by our student leaders (SLAF), modeled along the lines of CNN! The video demonstrated the high esteem our students' have for the School of Accounting and Finance, and our tremendous faculty and staff. Additionally, our students told me that the event gave them the opportunity to have a wonderful evening while developing lasting contacts-they now know that accountants can sing! I thank our alumni office, our faculty who came and encouraged students to do the same, and our accounting club (SLAF) for their hard, hard work and endless enthusiasm in our efforts to make this event the best. They are truly leaders."
Robin Hemmingsen, Chair

SLAF alumni event leaders – Fauad Nasir, Nabeel Khilji, Michael Mascrenhas, Mohit Verma, Ben Weibin Zhou, Min Yi Su, Mei Tian

Photo taken - John Morelli and Richard Seto, CMP '07