Alumni Stories

See what these Kin alumni are up to and what they’re doing with their Kinesiology degrees.

Pai, Ling

Graduating year: 2007
Degree: BHK
Today she is a champion surfer on the Canadian National Adaptive Surfing team, and recently won silver at the Adaptive Surfing Championships in Hawaii in June. Ling is also a trail runner and accomplished backcountry skier.


Parelkar, Soham

Graduating year: 2018
Degree: BKin
During his undergraduate studies, rather than sticking to physical health-focused electives, Soham chose diverse topics such as biomedical ethics, history, and global nutrition. Soham believes that the option to pick wide-ranging courses in the kinesiology program enhanced his experience in two primary ways.


Paterson, Ron

Graduating year: 1979
Degree: BPE
Bachelor of Physical Education, 1979 UBC Phys. Ed (Kinesiology) graduate Ron Paterson is one of the better known sports “personalities” in Vancouver and one who has given back to the game of hockey. During the 1970s Ron was one of the best amateur hockey goalies in BC, if not Canada.


Penn, Gordie

Graduating year: 1978
Degree: BPE
Gordie Penn was part of UBC’s return to football credibility, greatness in fact, during the late 1970s. Under the coaching of Frank Smith the Thunderbirds evolved to the point where they reached the national championship Vanier Cup in 1978.


Pomfret, Marilyn (1932-2019)

Graduating year: 1954
Degree: BPE
While teaching and coaching at UBC Marilyn assumed the role of UBC’s women’s athletic director where she became acknowledged as a true “Builder.” Her dedication to the principals of equality and co-operation led to more athletic opportunities for female athletes, more women participating and more equal funding.


Raj, Sushant

Graduating year: 1995
Degree: BHK
Sushant is a valued mentor in the UBC KIN Mentorship Program. “Mentoring has been a very rewarding experience because I have learned about the hopes and fears of the current students looking to transition from academia to a professional career. I am approaching 10 years in the program and enjoying each year.”


Ramsden, Rachel

Graduating year: 2013
Degree: BKIN
Rachel Ramsden graduated from the School of Kinesiology in 2013. While originally attracted to the program with an interest in sport and physical activity, Rachel’s interests evolved to focus on community-level policy and programming that support healthy communities.


Reindl, Jason

Graduating year: ’19
Degree: MHPCTL
When asked if he would recommend the MHPCTL, he says “Absolutely. I believe that the MHPCTL program at UBC is the best in the nation and is best in class in its approach to development of world leading coaches.


Reyes, Alyssa

Graduating year: 2014
Degree: BKIN
During Alyssa's time as an undergraduate, she captained the UBC KIN Games team, was an active member of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and served as President in her final active year.


Richter, Sarah

Graduating year: 2017
Degree: BKIN
I am a proud alumna of UBC’s School of Kinesiology, having recently graduated in May 2017. I’m originally from sunny Kelowna, and enjoyed the Okanagan’s snowy ski seasons growing up. I chose to attend UBC’s Point Grey campus because it’s where my parents received their degrees.