Alumni & Friends President Tricia Waddell’s inspiring commitment to the Faculty

When Tricia Waddell, ’96 BA, ’00 JD, ’14 MBA, was chosen by her fellow Alumni & Friends members to become the Board’s new president, the opportunity to have an even greater ability to support student-driven initiatives at the University of Alberta was a welcome one.

“I can’t think of a better way to give back to a place that impacted my life so drastically, and to play a small part in the continued success of the Faculty of Law and the profession,” said Waddell, who is currently general counsel at Champion Petfoods LP.

Waddell’s volunteer roles at the university are spread far and wide. Currently a member at large and the Faculty of Law representative on the University Alumni Council (which earned her the opportunity to speak at Convocation on June 8), where she also volunteered on the awards committee, she recently joined the executive of Alumni Council as the chair of the career services committee.

Waddell’s commitment to the U of A is unsurprising when she talks about what it means to her personally to be an alumna.

“I’m fiercely proud to be an alumna from the University of Alberta. The Faculty and our university continue to be admired as a leader, and our degrees continue to be held in high regard. My law degree has certainly served me well through my career, having prepared me for a varied career in private practice, legal education, and in-house. I also highly value the friendships that I formed during my time at law school,” she said.

The Alumni & Friends Board — which Waddell describes as “a small but mighty group of dedicated volunteers” — is focused on raising funds that support causes for both current law students and alumni. Those causes include student financial aid and awards, as well as internships and professional development opportunities.

“We also serve as a connection between the Faculty of Law and the profession,” Waddell said.

In her role as president, one of Waddell’s primary responsibilities is to engage with fellow alumni and to encourage donations and attendance at events. Her other main duty is to serve as the lead of Board meetings and activities. All of the elements of her role are centred on the idea of ensuring the mission of Alumni & Friends is met.

Successfully achieving its mission wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Board’s volunteers. Waddell said the current Board is composed of lawyers who are both early in their careers and more seasoned graduates. The volunteers also hold diverse roles in the legal profession, from working at large firms, to small firms and in-house.

“I’m inspired by their dedication and efforts. I also believe that there is no finer legal education than one from the University of Alberta, and I enjoy the thought that I have a small part to play in ensuring that students continue to benefit from their time at U of A Law, and to make them feel connected to, and welcomed into, the profession.”

If you’re considering the idea of becoming involved with Alumni & Friends, the door for volunteers to join is open.

“We are always looking for new volunteers! It is a richly rewarding experience, and I hope that more alumni will recognize the impact that the law school had on their lives, and contribute to that positive foundation for students,” Waddell said.