2013 Alumni Awards

John Boehme Artist, Instructor, Camosun College, Avery Graham Recent Business graduate and aspiring community leader.

John Boehme Artist, Instructor, Camosun College

An enthusiastic and positive force in the Victoria arts scene and respected instructor, John Boehme is this year's recipient of the Camosun College Distinguished Alumni Award.

John's art is eagerly requested by international arts venues around the world. His exceptional talent as one of Canada's leading performance artists has led to numerous awards including being shortlisted for Canada's prestigious Sobey Art Award.

John graduated from Camosun's Visual Arts program in 1994. "Over the past two decades my training at Camosun has helped in developing an art practice that has enabled me to exhibit my work regionally, nationally and internationally, "says John. It also led to participating in events, screenings, exhibitions, biennials, festivals and residencies in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America and Central America.

John returned to the college as a Visual Arts instructor in 2000. His wholehearted interest for learning new disciplines carries into the classroom and is eagerly shared with his students, colleagues and throughout Camosun. He's motivated by an innate enthusiasm and affable accessibility that carries with it compassion and a need to share. He believes every student has a strength or talent that will flourish under the right conditions. "For me it's very important to challenge students with unexplored possibilities while thoroughly investigating the capabilities of each student."

In both the college community and Victoria's visual arts community, John is extremely active. He uses his performing arts skills to act as emcee and auctioneer at numerous fundraising events. John sits on a variety of committees and visits high schools on behalf of the Visual Arts program. He's always the first person to volunteer his services in any situation of need.

On being named this year's recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award John says, "I am overjoyed at being recognized as a distinguished alumni and equally elated at the possibility of assisting others to achieve their dreams."

Avery Graham

Recent Business graduate and aspiring community leader Avery Graham is the recipient of the Camosun College Promising Alumni Award for 2013.

While attending Camosun, Avery consistently remained on the Dean's Honour Roll and was chosen for the Executive Network Inc- Donald Family Leadership Award for her strong leadership abilities.  She also competed at the Western Canadian International Business Competition against university and college students from across western Canada winning bronze with her team. "This was definitely a highlight along my degree path."

Since graduation Avery has taken on the role as Business Manager for her family's Mobil 1 Lube Express  outlet in Duncan, which opened in September 2012. Under her leadership, in just six months, the business was nominated for a Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce Black Tie Award for exceptional customer service. Companies nominated are usually long-established with deep ties to the community and this recognition is a direct result of the hard work and commitment Avery, plays in the local community," says Nadeem Dhalla, National Account Executive for Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil Canada.

The accolades don't stop there. In A recent billboard advertising campaign design for Mobil 1 so impressed the Jim Pattison Group that they now recommend it as 'best practice' to other clients. "The knowledge gained at Camosun has enabled me to be where I am today. I couldn't run a business without knowing the foundations", says Avery.

A true measure of Avery's character is her devotion to community service. She has been instrumental in cancer fundraising activities on Vancouver Island and would like to organize support to help build a school in the developing world.

On being named this year's recipient of the Promising Alumni Award Avery says, "I feel so honored to be acknowledged and I hope it inspires other upcoming graduates. The sky is really the limit for them. They might not get their dream job out of college but hard work really does pay off."