Following in her big brother’s footsteps, Valerie McAlpine already knew a lot about St. Jerome’s when she arrived. Val lived in residence at SJU for three years, and was a don in her third year. She took advantage of classes at SJU, where she loved the small-class feel and the opportunity to take courses with her fellow residence students. Val enjoyed spending as much time as she could at the SJU campus, really valuing the sense of community she felt there. Meeting students with different backgrounds and interests helped her grow and learn through the friendships she developed.

Val met her husband, Paul McAlpine (BA ’81), a fellow SJU student, through her younger sister Maureen, who arranged for them to meet at the campus pub in Val’s second year. They instantly connected and began dating. They were married in 1982, with Fr. Norm Choate presiding at the ceremony.

For Val, the word that best described SJU was welcoming. As a don, she saw students coming together under one roof with different backgrounds, histories and interests. SJU welcomed all students and made a place for them.

Val’s connection to SJU has continued – three of her four children have also been part of the St. Jerome’s community. Kyle McAlpine (BASc ’10), like his parents, met his fiancée – Chantal McKendrick (BA ’10) – at SJU. Val’s daughter, Kristen McAlpine (BSc ’11), graduated in June 2011 and is pursuing medical school at Queen’s University. Jeff McAlpine is working towards his degree in Recreation and Leisure, hoping to follow his father, Paul, into Physical Education. Val and Paul’s eldest son, Patrick, attended King’s College at the University of Western Ontario, where he also had a great experience, and has a connection to our campus as his wife, Dallas (née Orr) (BA ’07), is a uWaterloo graduate.

After finishing her studies at SJU, Val went to teacher’s college at Queen’s. She has worked in special education in the Toronto Catholic District School Board for 28 years, and has enjoyed developing and designing flexible curriculum to meet the needs of her students. She had always had an interest in children with autism. When the opportunity arose 11 years ago to be part of the autism team, Val took it. Her role involved assessing elementary and secondary students and teaching staff how to work with them. For the past two years, she has supported children as they make the transition from the autism program to a regular classroom. Over the years, she has also coached basketball, cross country and track and field. Meanwhile, Paul also works for the TDCSB, serving as principal at Blessed Pope John Paul Secondary School.

Val and Paul live in Markham, and still keep in touch with many SJU friends.