Our Alumni
Memorial University
Valerie Piercey
Fry Family Foundation Charlotte Penwell Dolimount Memorial Scholarship, 1997
Fry Family Foundation Charlotte Penwell Dolimount Memorial Scholarship, 1997
This particular scholarship had a special impact and is one that stands out the most in my memory. Not only did this scholarship provide me with financial assistance but it was evident how much this family cared about each of the recipients.
I was fortunate enough to meet the Fry Family on a number of occasions and learn about their family and the loved ones that the scholarships were in memory of. The Fry Family invited me annually to their scholarship dinner and after graduation they invited me back as a guest speaker at the Bowring Park Bungalow. At one of the dinners they gave each of us a PalmPilot which was the latest and greatest technology at the time and definitely not something I could afford as a student. It was very cool to say the least.
Through meeting the family, it was so nice to see how special it was for them to meet the recipients as well. It was so evident how much they cared, which was also a great feeling for me after moving away from my small hometown.
It’s funny how things come full circle as I am now an electrical instructor at the Marine Institute and am a member of the scholarship committee for many years. The Fry Family Foundation also donates to the Marine Institute, so I am very familiar with the extent they are still helping students after all these years.
The impact that the Foundation had on me also prompted me to establish a scholarship in memory of my brother in law who was tragically killed in a hunting accident just two and a half years ago. It is a wonderful way to honour my brother in law.
I am so glad to share the impact the Fry Family Foundation has had on me personally. Their contributions are so significant and it is wonderful that they are being recognized.
Valerie
I was fortunate enough to meet the Fry Family on a number of occasions and learn about their family and the loved ones that the scholarships were in memory of. The Fry Family invited me annually to their scholarship dinner and after graduation they invited me back as a guest speaker at the Bowring Park Bungalow. At one of the dinners they gave each of us a PalmPilot which was the latest and greatest technology at the time and definitely not something I could afford as a student. It was very cool to say the least.
Through meeting the family, it was so nice to see how special it was for them to meet the recipients as well. It was so evident how much they cared, which was also a great feeling for me after moving away from my small hometown.
It’s funny how things come full circle as I am now an electrical instructor at the Marine Institute and am a member of the scholarship committee for many years. The Fry Family Foundation also donates to the Marine Institute, so I am very familiar with the extent they are still helping students after all these years.
The impact that the Foundation had on me also prompted me to establish a scholarship in memory of my brother in law who was tragically killed in a hunting accident just two and a half years ago. It is a wonderful way to honour my brother in law.
I am so glad to share the impact the Fry Family Foundation has had on me personally. Their contributions are so significant and it is wonderful that they are being recognized.
Valerie
Valerie Piercey is an instructor at Marine Institute with the School of Ocean Technology and is responsible for teaching in the areas of Motor Controls, Electrical Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Programmable Controls, and Electrotech courses within the ROV, Ocean Instrumentation, Bachelor of Technology and Marine Engineering Technician/Technology programs.
She holds a B.Ed (Post-secondary), as well as a B.Eng and was awarded Academic Excellence in Electrical Engineering for her graduating class as well as 15 scholarships from Memorial University. Valerie started her career with Rutter Engineering and Automation, completing various control and automation design projects including ones for Voisey’s Bay Nickel, North Atlantic Refining Limited, Newfoundland Power, Abitibi Consolidated and CFLCO. Before starting with the Marine Institute, she worked with Cahill Instrumentation, developing DCS software and graphical interface for various systems on the Terra Nova FPSO, as part of the construction management team with the Nexen Long Lake Project and also on the Hibernia South Expansion project.
Valerie has several training courses in electrical grounding and bonding, arc flash awareness, supervisor safety, hazardous locations, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), ROV Electrical Safety, construction safety, project management and PLC. In 2017, Valerie was honoured with the Marine Institute Teaching Award through nomination from her students and peers.
She holds a B.Ed (Post-secondary), as well as a B.Eng and was awarded Academic Excellence in Electrical Engineering for her graduating class as well as 15 scholarships from Memorial University. Valerie started her career with Rutter Engineering and Automation, completing various control and automation design projects including ones for Voisey’s Bay Nickel, North Atlantic Refining Limited, Newfoundland Power, Abitibi Consolidated and CFLCO. Before starting with the Marine Institute, she worked with Cahill Instrumentation, developing DCS software and graphical interface for various systems on the Terra Nova FPSO, as part of the construction management team with the Nexen Long Lake Project and also on the Hibernia South Expansion project.
Valerie has several training courses in electrical grounding and bonding, arc flash awareness, supervisor safety, hazardous locations, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), ROV Electrical Safety, construction safety, project management and PLC. In 2017, Valerie was honoured with the Marine Institute Teaching Award through nomination from her students and peers.