French, FASS News
After an 11-year journey, SFU grad dedicates his degree to late grandfather
After 11 years, Alexandre Paré’s graduation from Simon Fraser University’s French and business programs marks the end to a difficult, but rewarding journey. He suffered a life-altering car accident, started a successful business and marched on to complete his degree. More than anything, Paré hopes he will continue his late grandfather’s entrepreneurial legacy and to make him proud.
“I started at SFU when I was 18 and I’m just graduating this year as I turn 30, but I’ve been able to accomplish so much. I believe education is a lifelong pursuit and I’ll never stop,” says Paré.
Born and raised in Québec, Paré grew up an athlete and wanted to become an athletic director one day. He spent many hours training on the track at his high school in Sherbrooke, a sports-focused school with Olympic-calibre alumni.
In 2009, when Paré was deciding on where to go to university, SFU was approved as the first non-U.S. member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the world’s largest college sports organization. In addition to sports, he was interested in business school and saw how well-ranked the Beedie School of Business was in Canada. As well, his grandfather always encouraged him to immerse in a new culture and to learn a new language.
So in 2010, 18-year-old Paré who didn’t speak any English, moved to Vancouver armed with his love for track and field and his family’s support. He began taking a variety of courses and worked towards his goal of becoming a teacher and an athletic director.