Alumni Feature: Richard Dopson

Thu. Oct. 20, 2022

Thirty-five years ago, Richard Dopson helped create a West Coast reunion for UWinnipeg graduates living in British Columbia. Now for 2023, Richard is looking to bring together the next generation of alumni who’ve traded in the prairie backdrop for the mountains and valleys that surround Vancouver.

Part of the University’s first class of graduates in 1967, Richard looks back on his three years fondly. As a young man studying English, psychology and French, he notes that his affection for the campus and its community led to his involvement in a myriad of events and groups—including 1st year student council, Glee club, student government, numerous winter carnivals, and as a social representative for the Wesmen during his freshman year. In addition to the numerous initiatives he was a part of supporting, Richard also found time to assist in organizing the grad dance and dinner during his final year, a responsibility which helped him earn the Wesley Award for his continued dedication to the student community. Richard says that his university experience helped a great deal in developing his professional skills and building his confidence as a young person prior to beginning his career.

Richard is quick to point out the important role that alumni play in maintaining the health of post-secondary institutions, saying that, “alumni from earlier years form the basis of our university’s connection with its past. Maintaining that level of continuity from generation to generation between graduates and the university—wherever they travel in the world—is of great importance.” Richard goes on to say, “people value that connection, and I hope the graduates of today cherish the connections they’ve made during their academic careers and keep in touch with each other, just as I’ve cherished the lifelong friendships I made during my time as a student.”

Richard’s career as a psychologist saw him work for 30 years across three careers with the Vancouver School Board, a time that ended with him retiring as President of the British Columbia Psychological Association in 2005. As a lifelong athlete, Richard also played a prominent role as Co-Chair in helping host the Gay Games III in Vancouver in 1990. A sports and culture event that featured 8,500 athletes from 23 countries taking part in 29 sports, with 5,500 cultural participants joining together to celebrate and champion LGBTQ+ issues, art, and culture—the Gay Games were the largest multi-sport event held in the world that year.

Richard continues to help those in his community, and currently sits as Chair of the Seniors Council for Kerrisdale Senior Centre in Westside, Vancouver. After visiting the university in the summer of 2022 and reuniting with a much-changed campus, Richard says that he is keen to help organize another alumni reunion in Vancouver in the spring of 2023. He plans to work with the University and Foundation to bring alumni in his area together in celebration of both their alma mater and students.