Dr. Alba DiCenso
Alba graduated from Eastdale in 1970. She received a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) in 1974 and a Master of Science (Design, Measurement and Evaluation) in 1981, both from McMaster. Alba earned her PhD from the University of Waterloo. In 1978 she joined the McMaster faculty for the School of Nursing, retiring as a professor emerita in 2013.
Alba has been an international leader in evidence-based nursing and was co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Nursing. Much of her career has focused on evidence-based nursing and the full integration of Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists into the healthcare system.
Alba has several awards including the Order of Canada, awarded in 2014. She now lives with her husband in a rural area where they work to promote the resurgence of at-risk species.
Shawn Finlay
Shawn graduated from Eastdale in 1985. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts, with honours, in Labour Studies from Brock University and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources and Labour Studies from Athabasca University.
Shawn’s career as an Environmental Health and Safety professional spans more than 30 years with Atlas Steels, Dynatec Corporation, and John Deere. In 2014 he was recruited by the Cascade Asset Management Company (a.k.a., Bill and Melinda Gates Investments) and oversees safety for the the Gates Family and over 30 BMGI properties worldwide.
While he lived in Welland, Shawn was a volunteer firefighter for several years, a volunteer driver for FACS, and night manager for Out of the Cold homeless shelter. He also served three years on the Industrial Accident Prevention Association board of directors.
Shawn and his family now live in Snoqalmie in Washington State.
Cindy Forster
Cindy graduated from Eastdale in 1971 then graduated from Mack School of Nursing as an RN in 1973.
Born and raised in Welland by parents who came from Nova Scotia after WWII and raised seven children. Cindy grew up in the wartime houses and Dain City.
Cindy has been active in politics and served the Niagara region for many years:
- 1993 – 2000 as City of Welland Councillor
- 2000 – 2003 as Mayor of the City of Welland
- 2007 – 2011 as a Niagara Regional councillor
- 2011 – 2018 as MPP for the Welland riding, succeeding Peter Kormos.
Cindy volunteered for many years with Help a Child Smile, Women’s Place, Welland Food Drive. Cindy was also instrumental in the creation of the Hope Centre Shelter.
Peter Kormos
One of six children in the Kormos family, Peter first attained notoriety at Eastdale in 1968 when, as Student Council President, he led a week-long student strike that led to his temporary expulsion.
After further education at Niagara College, York University, and Osgoode Hall, Peter was called to the bar in 1980.
In 1985, Peter was elected as a city councillor in Welland. In 1988 he won a by-election to replace the retiring Mel Swart as NDP MPP for the Welland riding. He failed in his bid for leadership of the Ontario NDP in 1996. However, from 2001 until his retirement in 2011 he was the Ontario NDP House Leader. (Wikipedia)
In 2012 Peter was elected to the Niagara Regional council, replacing Cindy Forster who had been elected MPP.
Peter died on March 30, 2013, at his home in Welland.
Mike Smrek
Mike graduated from Eastdale in 1979 and then attended Canisius College in Buffalo. In 1985 he was taken as the first pick in the second round of the NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Mike helped the Los Angeles Lakers to back-to-back titles in 1987and 1988. He is the only Canadian to receive two NBA championship rings! (Wikipedia)
After his NBA playing days were over, Mike worked building custom cabinetry and furniture. He also taught construction technology at Saint Paul High School in Niagara Falls for 11 years.
Now retired, Mike still lives in the home were he grew up.