Booth UC Alumni Network

"My name is Lieutenant Kaitlin Russell, and I am currently the Corps Officer and Community Ministries Officer in Sudbury, Ontario at The Salvation Army Sudbury Community Church and Community Services.

I graduated in February 2020 with a Bachelor of Social Work.

Booth was my saving grace – after a rocky first year of university in Ontario, pursuing a degree in Science, I was looking for something more. I often found myself skimming through Social Work books in the university bookstore, dreaming of what it would look like to be in a profession that helped people.

When I spoke with my pastor at the time about my dreams, they suggested I attend Booth University College in Winnipeg. I took the leap of faith to not only change degrees but also move to another province, and it changed my life." - Kaitlin Russell, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), 2020

Captain Derek Kerr serves as a Corps Officer at Saskatoon Temple in the Prairies and Northern Territories Division. He is also the Chair of the Booth University College Alumni (Alums) Council.

As a Booth University College alumnus, Kerr’s path to leadership began when his family received support from The Salvation Army during a period of illness and financial hardship.

Motivated by a commitment to service, he responded to a vocational calling, completed officer training, and pursued academic studies at Booth University College. Recognized for his collaborative leadership style and dedication to faith, integrity, compassion, and service, Captain Derek Kerr would like to leave a legacy as Alumni Council Chair of strong leadership and community building.

Read the Full Conversation with Captain Derek Kerr, Chair of the Booth UC Alumni (Alums) Council, in the Summer 2026 issue of BUC Connect Magazine. https://boothuc.ca/news-and-events/news/connect-magazine/

The Booth University College MBA serves as a natural expression of our mission — forming graduates who are equipped to serve their workplaces and communities in transformative, ethically grounded ways.

Start Your MBA journey with Booth University College today or share this with your network. Someone connected to you may need this information.

Visit boothUC.ca/mba to learn more.

“I was taught very early on the importance of serving others with humility, joy, grace and persistence... Learning is not only lived ‘within’ but lived ‘without.’ With others and outside of oneself. This is the Booth way.” - Corinne Saulnier

Corinne Saulnier, Clinical Executive Director of Community Health, Horizon Health Network/Réseau de santé Horizon and proud Booth University College Alumna is featured on the cover of the BUC Connect Magazine (Summer 2026).

Read Here:https://boothuc.ca/assets/pages/Booth_UC_Connect_Magazine_-_Summer_2026-3.pdf

| When Pamela San Diego first arrived at Booth University College, she called it a "leap of faith." By the time she took the podium as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, that leap had transformed into a masterclass in structural resilience.

While completing her Bachelor of Social Work, Pamela San Diego balanced the responsibilities of serving as Student Council President, working as a Student Engagement Coordinator with Student Services at Booth UC, and leading several student volunteer initiatives—including partnering with the West Broadway Bear Clan Patrol to organize regular Bear Clan walks—while supporting her mother through a terminal cancer diagnosis until her passing.

Rather than allowing loss to diminish her, she transformed her grief into meaningful service, strengthening the Booth University College community through compassionate leadership, advocacy, and a deep commitment to belonging. Her dedication was recognized with the Chancellor's Medal, presented by Commissioner Lee Graves in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement, spiritual development, and campus leadership.

Read our conversation with Pamela on 'The quiet power of showing up.': https://www.boothuc.ca/news-and-events/news/view-news-post/239/pamela-san-diego-valedictorian-class-of-2026-on-the-quiet-power-of-showing-up/

When Majors Al Hoeft and Karen McFarlane Hoeft graduated in 2003, they carried their degrees into a life defined by discipline, duty, and service. Over the two decades that followed, they have built outstanding careers while remaining a steady presence in their community.

For Majors Al and Karen Hoeft, Booth University College equipped them with more than knowledge. It equipped them with strong values, character, and a well-rounded education that prepared them not just for ministry but also for lives lived in service to others.

In April, Majors Hoeft watched their son, Nathanael, walk across the stage during his graduation, like they once did – and like Nathanael’s twin brother Zachary did in 2017.

That moment opened a new chapter for the Hoeft family as a now four-alumni household. For us at Booth University College, The Hoefts remind us that lasting impact means not just one achievement, but a legacy that grows over generations.

www.boothuc.ca/alums

Quote of the Week | Today we're uplifted by Alumni Laura, whose words from years ago still inspire us.

"If you want your education to count for a better world, you have to live in a way that is wise.” - Laura Hepditch (Booth University College '18)

Introducing the
Welcome to the Alumni Network, Booth UC graduands.