Education opens doors for students and alumni

Portrait of Sylvia Chalmers

Sylvia Chalmers, ’76 BSc(HEc), enjoyed a fulfilling career after graduating from the University of Alberta 50 years ago.

Her first job was with the Edmonton YWCA as a residence counsellor, looking after the needs of the women who were staying there. She eventually became the director of the cafeteria, starting her role in food service.

Years later, she was employed by School Food Services, a division of the then Alberta Education, as a program consultant for a provincially funded lunch program. She managed 12 kitchens in Indigenous communities. “I loved the job. No two days were the same. I even flew into northern Alberta, landing on skis in the winter and pontoons in the summer. Just me, the bush pilot and 1,000 pounds of food,” she remembers fondly.

After taking a leave to care for her mother, Sylvia decided to change careers and become a travel consultant. She’s enjoyed this role for the past 23 years.

Sylvia remains deeply grateful for the doors that her education helped open for her. And after discussing the tax benefits of including charity in her Will with her lawyer, she decided to name the U of A in her estate plans. Her bequest is in support of nutrition and food science students in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.

Today, Sylvia continues to love to travel. And we are thrilled that she stays in touch with us at U of A events including the Alumni Awards, brunches, and our annual Quaecumque Vera Honour Society (QVHS) luncheon in Edmonton.

“I enjoy going back to the university. I’m always amazed at what the students are doing with research and where the technology is taking us. And I enjoy chatting with other donors about what they’ve done in life,” she shares. Sylvia goes on to say, “I believe that staying active and engaged with the university promotes longevity.”