On a sunny day in late summer at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus, Werner Disselkamp’s (BBA’92) energy and nostalgia were palpable as he walked down memory lane. The proud alum and his family had excitedly made their way to Fredericton from their home in Ottawa. Like their dad before them, Alex and Emma Disselkamp are now making their own memories on the hill.
Werner is thrilled that his son and daughter are now both studying at his alma mater.
“I’m super excited, honestly, and very proud, very happy that both of my kids are at UNB, for one year together,” he said.
Werner, who leads Disselkamp International Inc—a furniture sales agency including brands like Furninova and Conform of Sweden, which he represents exclusively in Canada—seemed equally happy as he toured the campus, reminiscing about his time at UNB in the late 1980s and early '90s.
“When you walk in here, you already feel more intelligent,” he mused as he walked across the tomato-hued carpet of the Harriet Irving Library’s Red Room.
Even before he enrolled at UNB, Werner spent a lot of time on the picturesque Fredericton campus.
“During our Grade 11 and 12 years at [Fredericton High School], my friends and I used to come here and pretend to be university students. We were like, ‘Hey, one of these days, we’re going to study at UNB, and then we’ll be as smart as some of these authors here and make a difference in this world,” he said, as he tipped his chin towards the room’s well-stocked bookshelves.
Werner moved from Germany to Fredericton with his parents and sister when he was in high school.
“We looked at different universities and felt the business degree at UNB here in Fredericton would be my best choice, and so I became a townie studying at UNB.
“I took some interesting courses—accounting, marketing, organizational behaviour and international business. You know, these courses and this degree were the foundation for the career that I have now.
“It was very personable and interactive, and you got to know people,” said Werner, who was class valedictorian.
As a parent to two young adults, he believes that the tight-knit experience offered at UNB is more valuable than ever.
“I think it’s super important nowadays that the young generation feels part of a community where the student-to-professor ratio is such that you know you will always be supported, wherever you may need some support. That is something I really find to be a major plus here at UNB.”
Werner’s daughter, Emma, started at UNB’s School of Leadership Studies (formerly Renaissance College) two years ago.
“She became part of this wonderful community and spent some time travelling to Europe. Most recently, she was in Bhutan, then Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, a stopover in Fiji and Honolulu—basically they flew around the world,” he said.
After completing a degree in kinesiology in Ottawa, Werner’s son, Alex, has also made his way east and is enrolled in UNB’s bachelor of education program. Alex is already involved in campus life and athletics, and is working on re-establishing UNB’s rowing program.
Werner spoke of the university’s down-to-earth “Maritime flavour ... of being human, and about being able to have fun.”
“UNB ... isn’t just a large academic institution that pumps out graduates,” he said. “It creates people who have heart, who have vision, who care about the community, who do good for the community.
“I really want to thank the University of New Brunswick for basically laying the foundation for the career that I’ve created for myself. You know, a lot of [alum] have succeeded all over the world by becoming experts in what we do. I feel proud, appreciative and thankful to pass on my academic legacy to my kids.
“There’s no better place in Canada than the University of New Brunswick.”
