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ISSUE EIGHT
Gambling on education
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Greg Christie, left, has returned to the U of L to pursue his masters in neuroscience
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Ron and Joyce Sakamoto throw support behind DAA
Mike Babcock brings energy to Alumni & Friends Dinner
Bob Ellis primed to take over Faculty of Management
Alumnus a major player for 1st Choice Savings
The U of L Legend is published monthly during the academic year by the communications unit within University Advancement. Submissions, comments and story ideas are always welcome. The Legend reserves the right to refuse any submitted advertisement. The Legend can be found online at www.uleth.ca/unews/ legend. Next content deadline is Apr. 23, 2010. A DV E R T I S I N G For ad rates or other information, contact: legend@uleth.ca CREDITS Editor: Trevor Kenney Designer: Stephenie Karsten CO N T R I B U TO R S: Abby Allen, Amanda Berg, Diane Britton, Bob Cooney, Jane Edmundson, Nicole Eva, Jana McFarland, Suzanne McIntosh, Kali McKay, Stacy Seguin, Katherine Wasiak and Richard Westlund
University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 www.ulethbridge.ca
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reg Christie (BFA ’05) knows his way around graphic design programs. It just so happens he also knows his away around neuroscience research labs. While on paper his polar interests seem like an unlikely pair, in practice Christie’s love of art and science melds perfectly in his research that uses neuroimaging to study addictive behaviours. After attending high school in Cochrane, Christie enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Calgary. It didn’t take him long to realize he didn’t want to be an engineer, so Christie transferred to the U of L to explore the artistic side of his science-inclined personality. “I really liked computers and computer graphics, so I thought I would combine the technical with the artistic and study computer arts,” Christie recalls. Christie graduated with a BFA in 2005, and worked as a professional graphic artist for two years before
the lure of the science lab drew him back. “I discovered that art is something I love to do as hobby, not a livelihood,” Christie says. “I’m a scientist at heart. I knew the neuroscience program at U of L was exceptional, and I loved my education here, so it was an easy decision to go back.” As a masters student in the neuroscience program at the U of L, Christie has been studying brain dynamics related to feedback processing for the last couple of years. He conducts tests on subjects to see how their brains react during gaming activity, watching the electrical responses to both positive and negative feedback – what happens when people win, and when they lose. So far, Christie’s research has focused on people that don’t have any issues with gaming. Now, with a good understanding of the brain dynamics of that group under his belt, Christie feels the time is right to turn his focus to a group of
people that epitomize the study – compulsive gamblers. Interestingly, compulsive gambling hasn’t been unanimously accepted as a form of addiction in the scientific community. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (published by the American Psychiatric Association) lists pathological gambling under the category of impulse control. While the manual alludes to the fact that compulsive gamblers have other addictive tendencies, it does not label gambling itself as an outright addiction. Christie isn’t comfortable with the sidestepping. He’s out to show, one way or the other, whether compulsive gamblers are afflicted with a problem beyond their control, and hopefully change public opinion about addiction in the process. CONTINUED ON PG. 3
Patio project a major undertaking BY BOB COONEY It’s a patio renovation unlike anything seen in Lethbridge for more than 40 years, and on a scale much larger than an average homeowner might attempt – but the end result will be worth it, according to University of Lethbridge Facilities spokesperson Brian Sullivan. Beginning in April, demolition and a complete reconstruction will begin on the east patio area of University Hall, as well as the stairs and planters that are located on the east side of University Hall at either end of the building. The project is expected to be complete in September. “This is a specially funded project through Alberta Infrastructure to address long-term safety issues,” says project manager Brian Sullivan.
“The patio, planters and stairs are not connected to the building and have settled over the years, leaving the impression that the University is somehow shifting. It is not. What we’re going to do is replace the 40year old material and create a very nice space that is in keeping with the original intent of Arthur Erickson’s design, but will be a lot safer to walk on, wheelchair accessible and have better outdoor seating, lighting and other features.” This is the first phase of rehabilitation for the popular area on campus, and is budgeted to cost approximately $3.6 million. “Subsequent phases will include the removal and replacement of sidewalks on the west side of the building and replacement of the patio area in the breezeway,” says Sullivan.
“These phases will be completed as funding is received from Alberta Infrastructure.” As with any renovation, it is not without some level of inconvenience. “The project will be noisy and dusty. There will be vibration as the construction and demolition teams jackhammer the concrete off the patio areas and other locations,” says Sullivan. “This will also require a lot of heavy equipment to complete, so there will be vehicle restrictions on the north entrance to University Hall, as well as a number of construction barricades on the north and south sides of the building. Pedestrian access will continue at the north end of University Hall for people who park in lot K.” CONTINUED ON PG. 4
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THE BILLboard
University of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what’s happening in the University community
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consider myself very fortunate to be in a position that affords me the opportunity to meet truly exceptional people from all walks of life. In recent weeks I have shared the company of two such people, Mike Babcock and Ron Sakamoto, who are not only accomplished in their respective fields, but who are personable, genuine and generous friends of the University of Lethbridge. Babcock headlined the inaugural Calgary Alumni & Friends Dinner, a wonderful affair that packed the grand ballroom at The Westin. Recently crowned as an Olympic champion, Babcock turned the event into a very special evening by taking his audience into the dressing room and behind the bench of the Canadian Men’s Olympic Hockey Team. At the same time, his message of humility and being true to your roots, as he is
with the strong connection he maintains to the U of L, resonated with the crowd. If you had told me 10 years ago, when I first came on as President, that we would be able to fill a ballroom of that size, in Calgary, with our alumni, I never would have thought it was possible. We have come a long way in that time and our University is evolving to where we now have alumni who are well into their own careers and are in a position to give back to their alma mater. This is a very important bond that’s been established and events like the one in Calgary will only nurture that relationship going further. Just recently, the University and the Faculty of Fine Arts had a sneak peek at the new digital audio arts studio, and with that came a very valuable contribution from Ron and Joyce Sakamoto. Ron had always said he’d
CAMPUS Congratulations to Drs. Paul Vasey and Martin Lalumiere (Psychology) on their successful Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Aid to Research Workshops and Conferences in Canada application. The workshop will be held May 31 to June 2. Dafne Carrasco (New Media student) and friends organized the Help Rebuild Haiti T-shirt Fundraiser that featured original T-shirt designs by fellow students, faculty and alumni. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) recently posted the successful Community-University Research Alliances (CURA) program applications. U of L professor Dr. Claudia Malacrida (Sociology) is a co-applicant on the University of Alberta’s, six-year, $1 million grant, titled Living Archives on Eugenics in Western Canada. Dr. Janet Youngdahl (Music) was a soprano soloist in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in Cal-
do something significant for the University while I was still President, so this announcement was very special to me and will benefit students for years to come. Ron is someone I’ve really enjoyed over the years. He’s been a lot of fun to be around and is a keen supporter of the U of L. In 2003, the University granted him an honorary degree and Ron regaled the convocation crowd by yodeling his acceptance speech. It remains one of the three most memorable honorary degree speeches of my time as President. It ranks with Tom Droog’s electric presentation and Chava Rosenfarb’s heartfelt address, which both took place in 2006. I still cannot listen to Chava’s speech without crying. When I look at the lives of these three unique individuals, they are very similar in that none of them had a formal education and they all have
been extremely successful while also using their talents to benefit other people. On another note, the University continues to hum along with exciting news from every corner of campus. Congratulations to Dr. Robert James Ellis, the new Dean of the Faculty of Management. With a new Dean in place and Markin Hall readying to open, the future is very
bright for this Faculty. As well, congratulations to the people in the Alberta Water and Environmental Sciences Building. The recent announcement of federal funding to support the establishment of a Water and Environmental Sciences Hub and the University’s significant role in this project further illustrates the research excellence that exists on campus.
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gary at the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Mar. 27. The concert celebrated the 20th anniversary of Mount Royal’s Kantori and also premiers a new work by Imant Raminsh, with the composer in attendance. Adam Chorneyko of the Pronghorns men’s hockey team was named Canada West rookie of the year after a season in which he led all freshmen with 16 goals and 35 points. Defenceman Ryan Pottruff and centre Dustin Moore were named to the Canada West First All-Star Team while goaltender Scott Bowles was named to the second team. Dr. David Renter (Music) has been invited to be the composer-in-residence at this year’s prestigious Stella Royce Music Camp, July 26-30 in Grand Rapids, Mich. He will be debuting a series of original solo piano compositions of varying difficulty for students aged 8-15. Fourth-year point guard Jeff Price was named to the Canada West men’s basketball Second All-Star Team after a
stellar first season with the Pronghorns men’s basketball program. Nursing student Alexandra Tritten-Champoux recently received one of seven United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) scholarships awarded to students in their first year of nursing study. The winners needed to be related to a UNA member in good standing and complete an essay on How does the UNA impact nursing worklife? Music faculty Dr. Janet Youngdahl, Dr. Sandra Stringer, Dr. Blaine Hendsbee and retired music professor Dr. George Evelyn were soloists with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Haydn’s The Creation on Mar. 29. Dr. Ed Jurkowski (Music) presented, Random Sounds or Organized Structure? What the Compositional Sketches tell us about Morton Feldman’s Late Music, last month at the annual meeting of the Pacific-Northwest Chapter of the American Musicological Society.
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Tickets are on sale until the end of the semester, at different functions, and from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays at the Students’ Union office (SU180), the Advancement Office in University Hall (A735) and the SU Service Center in the SU Building.
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Management draws Dragon for talk BY TREVOR KENNEY
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e’s been dubbed the ‘Dragon with a heart’ and is one of Canada’s most successful, and philanthropic, business entrepreneurs. On Wednesday, Mar. 31, Brett Wilson will be on campus as this year’s guest speaker for the annual CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series that is organized and hosted by the Faculty of Management. “He has an outstanding track record for both entrepreneurship and philanthropy,” says Steve Craig, director, external relations/co-operative education for the Faculty of Management, on why Wilson was chosen for the annual address. “Social responsibility is such a big part of what we do in the Faculty of Management, so couple that with his incredible success in the business field and it was a perfect match.”
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“Fallout from divorce and a battle with advanced prostate cancer forced me to reprioritize my life.” BRETT WILSON
Today, Wilson is best known for his role on the hit CBC television series Dragons’ Den, where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business moguls. In the early 1990s, he made his mark as a business maverick, co-founding the investment banking advisory firm, Wilson Mackie & Co., in 1991, and with Rick Grafton, Jim Davidson and Murray Edwards, co-founding FirstEnergy Capital Corp., in 1993, a leading Canadian stock brokerage firm that provides investment-banking services to global participants in the energy sector. Wilson made millions but success was not without consequence, and in the process he lost his marriage and nearly lost his life. As a result, he radically shifted his priorities to focus on his three children and sharing the wealth he has accrued. “People often ask me about the key to my success and what I hope they hear is that success requires a balance – a balance of priorities combined with passion,” says Wilson on his website www.wbrettwilson. ca. “Fallout from divorce and a
DELVING INTO THE REALITY OF ADDICTION
Brett Wilson is the featured speaker for the Faculty of Management’s CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series event this spring.
battle with advanced prostate cancer forced me to reprioritize my life – for the better.” Wilson is now incredibly active in the charitable community, having given, and engaged others to give, tens of millions of dollars to non-profit initiatives. He often takes a handson approach to philanthropy, including shaving his head to support Kids Cancer Care and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer’s research. He has also made annual trips with Youth With a Mission to Mexico to build homes with his family. “There is a way for people to be extremely successful financially but also be able to give back to their community, both in dollars and in time,” says Craig. “That’s one of the great
things about Brett, he obviously gives of his time as well as his money.” Craig, who regularly watches Dragons’ Den, says the show can serve as a valuable resource for business students. “With our students, we’re always trying to teach them how to be creative, how to be critical thinkers, how to analyze situations and that’s one of the things that’s great about that program,” says Craig. “With any potential entrepreneur that you turn out of the University, when approaching a financier you want them to have the ability to ask themselves, ‘Is this worth the money I’m asking for and have I done my due diligence?’ The show takes you through that process and it’s a great learning tool.”
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Wilson will appear in the Students’ Union Ballroom B from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Wednesday Mar. 31. Tickets for the event are free but seating is limited. To register, e-mail susan.price@uleth.ca or call 403-394-3935. A luncheon for the business community is also being held later that day. The CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series is an annual event that the Faculty of Management organizes for the benefit of its students and the local business community. The speakers are selected for their connection with important messages that go beyond typical business issues in ways that reflect the Faculty’s new vision.
“There is a notion that willpower can overcome anything, that addiction is something people should be able to handle,” Christie says. “We glorify stories of people who quit something ‘cold turkey.’ The reality of addiction is much more complicated than that. We don’t really understand or legitimize addiction, particularly with compulsive gambling because it hasn’t been studied much. If we don’t understand it, we can’t really treat it.” Since returning to his scientific roots and to the U of L, Christie has dedicated his time and investigative talents to finding out why some people know when enough is enough, while others don’t. Christie knows what should be going on in the brain during gaming; what he wants to find out is why it doesn’t happen in certain individuals. Ask him why the research is important, and Christie doesn’t hesitate in his response. “I remember one day when a participant came into the lab,” Christie recalls. “When I asked her if she would be willing to participate in a gambling experiment, she was contemplative for a minute and then agreed, saying that someone in her family was an addictive gambler. She obviously had great contempt for gambling, but agreed to participate in the study in the hope that it might help to find a solution to a problem that had greatly affected her. Compulsive gambling isn’t just a problem for the gambler, it’s a problem for their family and friends too.” While Christie’s research is geared specifically toward gaming, he sees the applications of his findings having much greater reach. “We all receive dozens of positive and negative feedback messages every day,” Christie says. “If you look at how you discipline your children for example – some methods work and others don’t. If you continue to use a method that doesn’t show good results, you have to wonder why you go back to it.” The next phase of Christie’s research took place throughout the course of the spring 2010 semester. Findings are expected to be published in NeuroImage – a journal available on the U of L campus.
the Legend PATIO WORK TO BEGIN IN APRIL
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Sakamoto support invests in students
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Then there’s the crane. To move the new pre-cast concrete in place for the patio – which doubles as the roof of the boiler room – a large crane will be moved into place near the east patio location. This will require a temporary laneway to be constructed down to the construction site from the north end of University Hall.
Ron and Joyce Sakamoto have thrown their support behind the impressive new digital audio arts studio.
The cracking foundation and sinking steps of the east patio will soon be gone in favour of a new and improved outdoor area.
“Apart from the fact that we want the internal and external community to know that we have a large project happening here, we also want to reassure people that any changes we have to make to the landscape, it will be returned to its original state once the project is completed,” says Sullivan. “The area we are affecting is part of the original construction zone for the building.” Sullivan adds that signs will be posted near the site, and updates will be made available to the University community through the U of L website, the Legend and UWeekly on a regular basis. He also plans to meet with groups in the building who might be more directly affected by the project and provide more information. If people have questions or concerns, they can contact Sullivan directly at 403-329-2592 or via e-mail at sullivan@uleth.ca. In addition, project manager Dick Lutwick is available by calling 403-329-2640.
BY KALI MCKAY
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on Sakamoto (LLB ’03), or “Sak,” as he is affectionately known, has presented shows from KISS to Shania Twain and has been a constant champion of Canada’s entertainment scene, helping build it into the thriving industry it is today. His time in the business has been marked by change: he’s watched the careers of countless rock and country artists blossom and grow; he’s seen the size of the arenas and the magnitude of the shows increase exponentially; and he’s witnessed the monumental growth and rapid evolvement of audio and visual media. “The role of audio across
all media has changed significantly from the traditional broadcast media of the past,” says Sakamoto. “It is now more important than ever for young people entering the field to have the skills, knowledge and confidence to effectively navigate the changing landscape of the industry.” Responding to the globally expanding communication environment, the U of L launched the bachelor of music in digital audio arts (DAA) in the fall of 2009. Building on the U of L’s highly successful bachelor of fine arts in new media, this innovative program produces graduates who are experts in music technology and whose skills integrate with visual media, audio and
advanced research, matching the needs of industry – today and into the future. “I am very excited to have a program of this quality and stature in my hometown,” says Sakamoto. “When my son was looking for training, he ended up in Nashville. We were fortunate enough to be able to afford the costs associated with sending him to study down south, but not every student is that lucky.” Ron and his wife Joyce are happy to help fill that gap. The couple recently donated $200,000 in support of students in the DAA program. The gift will be matched by the Government of Alberta’s Access to the Future Fund, bringing the total of the contribution to an
impressive $400,000. While Ron and Joyce hope the award will help students along in their educational journeys, Ron explains that establishing the scholarship is also a way of giving back to an industry that has been so good to him. “Programs like this one play a crucial role in creating the next generation of sound engineers,” explains Sakamoto. “Joyce and I are happy to support students in the Digital Audio Arts program, as they work to meet their educational and professional goals. These are the people that will be superstars in the years to come and I look forward to the contributions this group will make to the music industry.”
In addition to the stress of classes, papers and exams, students also worry about rent, food and other expenses, and many students are working part- or full-time to make ends meet. Your donation to Supporting Our Students provides funding for awards and bursaries that allow students to focus on being students by alleviating some of their financial burden. For more information on how you can make a difference in the lives of students, please visit www.ulethbridge.ca/giving/SupportingOurStudents.
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athletics AT T H E U
the Legend
Babcock brings Olympic moment home BA B C O C K Q U OT E S • On campaigning for the Olympic head coaching position with Red Wings vicepresident Steve Yzerman, the Olympic team general manager. “I wanted to be the coach of this team and I made it very clear to Steve Yzerman. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing because when you work with a guy, sometimes, it’s kind of like your wife, she knows you pretty well and she doesn’t like you sometimes.” • On why Canada’s Olympic team members are successful. “Everyone thinks they’re the best because of their skill level but the real super, super, superstars in the game are great because of soul. They’ve got something more than everybody else, they’ve got a way to reach out and make the people around them better, they’ve got something they dig down and get when it matters, they get on their toes and go after people and they do it night after night.”
Canadian Men’s Olympic Team coach Mike Babcock, a former Pronghorns head coach, delivers an impassioned address to a U of L audience.
BY TREVOR KENNEY
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o hear Mike Babcock tell the story, he’s been extremely fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Another way to look at it is because of Babcock’s presence, it became the right time. Babcock, a self-professed dreamer and one of hockey’s most accomplished coaches, shared his philosophy on coaching and on life at the 1st Annual Calgary Alumni & Friends Dinner in early March. He says it’s no accident that good things come from people who think big. “I’m a big believer that if you don’t dream, you cap your potential. I’m 46 now but I haven’t stopped dreaming,” says Babcock. “To me, the greatest part about living is that you are in charge of that dream, you’re not in bed at night with your eyes closed, you’re actually living that dream, you can make a difference in that dream and you can decide where it’s going to go.” Babcock, who coached the 1993-94 University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team to the institution’s first national championship, has gone on to experience success at every level. He recently led the Canadian Men’s Olympic Hockey Team to a gold medal at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
“Unless you have someone to share these things with, it doesn’t much matter.”
Along the way he’s won a World Junior title, a Men’s World Championship gold medal and a Stanley Cup, and yet he consistently refers to the U of L triumph as one of his most satisfying accomplishments. “I still look at that ring fondly,” he says. Then, while showing the packed ballroom at The Westin Calgary a picture of himself enjoying a Stanley Cup celebration with the Detroit Red Wings, he adds, “When I look at that picture, if you think that was any more exciting at the time than winning that national championship at the U of L, you’re mistaken, it’s just all what you’re prepared for at that time in your life.” If Babcock is anything, he is true to his roots. When speaking about building relationships he is honest and genuine, and is
MIKE BABCOCK
eager to share his successes. “What he preaches he believes,” says Trevor Ellerman (BMgt ’94), a forward from the 1993-94 championship team. “I’ve talked to him every couple of years since then and what he’s saying he absolutely believes, and when you call him up and you need something, he goes out of his way to make it happen.” Babcock is the first to admit he’s not a polished public speaker, saying he’s much more comfortable talking to 20 players in a dressing room setting. That seemed to endear him even more to the 450-plus people at the event. His stories of interacting with Canada’s Olympic heroes, both on and off the ice, took everyone inside the experience, but he was quick to bring the star gazing into perspective. “Every once in a while, in life you don’t know why you are
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blessed, you don’t know why you have an opportunity to go to the University of Lethbridge and set yourself up for the future or why your kids are healthy or why someone just reached out and touched you,” says Babcock. “Sometimes I don’t even know what I do, I’ve just been really fortunate.” Understanding he has the ability to influence change, he looks to use his celebrity in a positive way. “I tell our players every day, we have a chance, with the notoriety we’ve been given, with the game, to make a difference in the world,” says Babcock. “It’s an amazing thing if you’re willing to step up and make a difference and to me that’s what dreaming is all about.” Concluding his presentation with a photo of himself hoisting the Stanley Cup, flanked by his family on a dock at his lakeside summer residence in Saskatchewan, Babcock summarized his philosophy. “The thing I think is really important is that unless you have someone to share these things with, it doesn’t much matter,” he says. “In the end, that’s what it is about,” he continues. “The things that are special for Mike Babcock about being from western Canada are these things,
• On the strength of family to the Olympic players. “They’ve got something special about them and then when you meet their parents and their families at these tournaments, it’s not hard to figure out why they are so successful, because they surround themselves with great people and their parents have built a fantastic foundation for them.” • On the Olympic village. “To sit in the village and to watch the athletes come in, some absolutely elated and some absolutely crushed, it was an experience I’ll never forget. Just being around passionate people fired up about their country, I thought was truly inspiring to our players.” • On Sidney Crosby, who scored the Olympic winning goal for Canada. “I can’t even imagine, at 22 years of age, the amount of pressure this kid is under, but he was fantastic and he delivered for us.” • On being a proud Canadian. “Winning was unbelievable but the bringing together of Canadians and Canadians showing their pride was something that will always stand out for me.” grassroots things, being around real people, trying to make a difference, standing up for what you believe in, sharing yourself and building relationships, so you have someone to talk to as you get older.”
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McGeough is taking archaeology to the masses ration of world history while avoiding the Eurocentric biases and progress narratives that have been typical of previous world history approaches.” Connecting with the general public is something that McGeough sees as a priority, and this manifests in another project on which he is working; editing The Intimate Lives of Ancient People series. Here, experts of various regions and time periods explore what they know of the close relationships between people in a variety of world cultures.
“This type of public outreach is an important component of archaeological work.” DR. KEVIN MCGEOUGH
Dr. Kevin McGeough sees connecting with the general public as a priority for scholars.
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opular cinema loves to delve into the world of archaeology for fantastical storylines that tease our fascination with history and titillate our sense of discovery. But is archaeology similarly enamored with film and its portrayal of historical science? And if not, how can archaeology, and the rich historical information it gleans, be accurately presented to the general public? University of Lethbridge professor Dr. Kevin McGeough (geography) has studied these questions in the past, research-
U OF L PEGGED AS WATER HUB BY RICHARD WESTLUND World Water Day (Mar. 22) served as the perfect occasion for Assistant Vice-President (Research) Dr. Lesley Brown to make a major announcement. Sharing a stage with federal environment minister Jim Prentice, they announced the creation of the Water and Environmental Science’s Water Hub at the University of Lethbridge. The Hub, which will be developed over the next two years, will serve as a data repository and will be an authoritative public source of information, providing tools to analyze water and environmental data. This data will be used by governments, industry, academia and the public to make more-
ing the relationship between popular cinema and archaeology and, along with his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Galway (English), how it is manifest in children’s literature. Now, McGeough is involved in a far-reaching project that attempts to present academic archaeological/ historical information to the general public. The ABC-CLIO Encyclopedia of World History is due to be published this year and McGeough has played a significant role in its production, editing four of its volumes. “This encyclopedia repre-
informed decisions regarding water, and will create a better understanding of this resource by these stakeholders. Prentice, who announced $1.5 million in funding to support the project, explains that the government needs reliable water data to make better decisions concerning water. “To make good decisions, governments in Canada need good information – and it’s not as though you can just turn on a tap to get it. We need knowledge generated by scientists and researchers who can provide the evidence for informed decisions about freshwater use,” says Prentice. In addition to announcing the investment at the U of L, Prentice also announced $750,000 for the University of Saskatchewan to develop software that can be used as a tool to help energy developers make environmentally responsible
sents the combined efforts of literally hundreds of historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, art-historians, and other scholars (including about 20 faculty and graduates of the University of Lethbridge) to present world history to a non-specialist audience,” says McGeough. “Our goal has been to create a trustworthy source for high school and undergraduate history instructors and students, which provides up to date information that can be readily understood.” McGeough adds that the project intends to, “present a coherent and inclusive explo-
“To my mind, this type of public outreach is an important component of archaeological work and one that is often left to documentary filmmakers and journalists rather than the specialists themselves,” says McGeough. His current work on how archaeological information has been disseminated and used by non-archaeologists stems out of a University of Lethbridge Research Fund (ULRF) research grant, titled Navigating Identity on the Nile. “I am researching what 19th century non-specialists would have known about the ancient Near East and how they made sense of that knowledge in relationship to their own
identities,” says McGeough. He describes how the re-discovery through archaeology and philology of the cultures of the ancient Near East was destabilizing to European conceptions of the world. “The recognition that once mighty empires, like those of the Egyptians and Assyrians, had long ago collapsed, led to the realization that the British and French empires might one day share the same fate,” says McGeough. By examining intellectual and popular culture of the 19th century, McGeough gains a whole new perspective on the role archaeology played in reconstructing the past. “Archaeology became a key component of the colonial enterprise and the ‘rescue’ of artifacts of ancient civilizations from the control of the Ottoman and Muslim inhabitants of the Near East became an important justification of imperialism,” says McGeough. Through the exploration of a variety of media, such as stage performances, panoramas, fairs, museums, periodicals and popular novels, for example, he gains a greater understanding of how non-specialists may have interacted with ideas about the ancient Near East. Many of the extraordinary storylines involving archaeologists in today’s popular culture grow out of these 19th century traditions and carry with them various Victorian presuppositions about ancient societies. “By examining the cultural roles that Near Eastern archaeology played in its formative years, I hope to gain a better understanding of the cultural roles of Near Eastern archaeology in its present practice.”
Dr. Lesley Brown, far right, joins environment minister Jim Prentice, middle, and Dr. Todd Pugsley of the University of Saskatchewan for the World Water Day announcement.
decisions on power plant locations by determining impact on water quantity and quality in the area. The funding announced for the Universities of Lethbridge and Saskatchewan was made in tandem with the Government
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of Canada’s $2.5 million investment in the Global GEMS/Water – the Global Environment Monitoring System Water Program run through the United Nations Environment Programme. The University of
Lethbridge Water Hub will increase the impact of Canada’s contribution to the UN’s Global Environmental Monitoring System by hosting large data sets supporting the international exchange of information. Further, the web-based tools developed in the Hub will allow for more informed decisions to be made internationally. Brown points out that this announcement affirms the international impact of the University of Lethbridge’s renowned water program. “While the unique issues in southern Alberta influenced the genesis of the University of Lethbridge’s water research focus, we are poised to make a difference internationally. This announcement is an example of this fact,” she says. Richard Westlund is the University’s director of government relations
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Faculty of Management introduces Ellis as dean G E T T H E FA C T S • Ellis earned his BA in psychology from Carleton University (1974), and his masters (1978) and PhD (1981) in psychology from University of Waterloo. • Ellis is a Vancouver, B.C. native, while his parents are originally from Saskatchewan. • An outdoors enthusiast, Ellis enjoys hiking, fishing, snowshoeing and skiing and is looking forward to the southern Alberta area. “I have a great interest in the natural environment and really enjoy hiking. I love our national parks, and Waterton Lakes has outstanding beauty.”
Dr. Robert James Ellis, the new dean, Faculty of Management.
BY TREVOR KENNEY
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elieving that the foundation of a successful business begins by developing strong interpersonal relationships, Dr. Robert James Ellis is looking forward to taking on his new role as dean of the Faculty of Management at the University of Lethbridge, an institution rooted in its personal
INTERNSHIP A BENEFIT TO ALL BY NICOLE EVA If you’ve been in the library lately, you may have noticed a friendly new face: Heather Nicholson. Nicholson is a co-op student from the University of Western Ontario (UWO), where she is studying for a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. She is here at the University of Lethbridge for one term to gain some practical, hands-on experience in a library setting. “This is a great learning experience, and a great way to supplement what I’ve learned so far in school,” says Nicholson. “Working at a smaller institution like the U of L has given me the opportunity to gain experience with a wide variety of library work.” The library gains from this relationship as well, by getting an enthusiastic short-term
• Ellis admits that psychology wasn’t his first choice for an academic career. “I actually was interested in the sciences and only took psychology to fill out my schedule. I immediately found it fascinating.”
approach. “I have always found people to be the most interesting aspect of business,” says Ellis. “So much of business and so much of administrative work involves building relationships with other people, with students and with faculty members. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with both students and faculty at the U of L and I was tremendously
impressed by how forward looking and enthusiastic they were. The innovative things the faculty are doing, both in their research and in their programs, has me very excited about the future.” Ellis, who is taking over for Dr. Murray Lindsay as he returns to the academic community, comes to the U of L from the University of Northern British
employee with new ideas able to help out with special projects. It’s not unlike the opportunity U of L students readily take advantage of when they participate in similar co-op placements. The UWO co-op program is, like the U of L’s program, an optional add-on to the degree. Students can choose up to two co-op terms of four months each. And, like the U of L program, many students may eventually find permanent employment with their co-op sponsors – something Nicholson would love to see happen. Nicholson was previously a junior high school teacher for five years in her hometown of Edmonton. She then taught junior high language arts and social studies for three years at a newly opened Canadian school in Qatar, returning last June to begin her studies at UWO. Helping to develop the collection for the school library in Qatar piqued her interest in library science. Throughout her teaching career she realized the impor-
tance of teaching students solid research and critical thinking skills. Becoming a librarian dovetails nicely with her interest in teaching, while providing her with an opportunity to assist students in developing information literacy skills. Working in the U of L Library, with its emphasis on personal service, leads her to believe she’s made the right choice. “I love the teaching aspect of being a librarian,” says Nicholson. “I also enjoy the other parts of the job – working on the reference desk, developing collections, and constantly learning new things as you support faculty and students in their research. It’s the wide variety of the job that really appeals to me.” At the U of L, Nicholson has been involved with a variety of projects, including teaching classes, co-ordinating the movement of the collection during renovations, weeding parts of the collection and analyzing the library’s print and electronic serials holdings. “Thanks to my work here
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Columbia where he has served as Chair for the School of Business since 2005. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles over the span of 24 years at Wilfrid Laurier University, including associate dean of business: faculty development and research. Ellis takes up his new position at the University of Lethbridge on July 1, 2010. “Dr. Ellis is known as someone who is a strong recruiter of talented faculty, and is adept at creating an environment that both supports excellence in teaching and innovative research,” says Dr. Bill Cade, the U of L’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “He has displayed a unique skill of being able to develop relationships with the business community and subsequently integrate those affiliations into the creation of original programming.” With a background in psychology, Ellis gained the notion that he could marry his field of study with the business world by following the lead of his masters’ advisor, who held a joint PhD in business and psychology. It led him to focus his research interests on issues related to management and organizational behaviour, leadership skills, group dynamics and motivation. “I focused on the human side of business rather than on the numbers side,” says Ellis. “Topics such as teamwork, motivation, leadership – those were always my areas of interest, and I think that’s why I went
into administration. I’ve always been able to work well with people and so much of administrative work is about building relationships with other people.” A father of two, his sons have followed in his footsteps, each gravitating to one aspect of his research personality. One son is set to graduate from UNBC in May with a degree in finance and marketing while the other is completing a psychology degree. Ellis looks to the U of L as a place of incredible opportunity. He enters the Faculty of Management as it is poised to take up residence in the brand new Markin Hall building. “Markin Hall will be a wonderful place to study management education, and for management educators, faculty and staff to work together and exchange ideas about how to create new programs and courses for our students,” says Ellis. His current research interests are also uniquely suited to the southern Alberta area. Keen on creating increased opportunities for students, Ellis is particularly interested in opening the business world to the aboriginal population. “One of the things I’ve been thinking about very much is how we can increase access for aboriginal peoples within our business programs,” he says. “The number of students pursuing business who are aboriginal is very low all across Canada, and I think it’s important to increase their opportunity to study.”
Heather Nicholson has made the most of her co-op experience in the University Library.
at the U of L, I have been able to see the practical application of concepts we’ve discussed in class, and there’s no substitute for actually experiencing how
real-world libraries work,” she says. “The library staff has been very generous in sharing their knowledge and experience with me.”
alumni Kinahan is community oriented
the Legend
APRIL 2010
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BY STACY SEGUIN
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raduating from high school, Brian Kinahan (BMA ’79), president and CEO of 1st Choice Savings, planned on a year of work and play before settling down to attend university. Due to an unfortunate work accident, Kinahan’s year of adventure quickly lost its appeal. “I found myself sitting around, not able to do a lot. Worker’s compensation offered to pay for me to go to university. All my friends were going to the University of Lethbridge so I thought I might as well too,” remembers Kinahan. “I don’t think I took it very seriously; I was too interested in having a good time and had no focus. It took two years to realize that this wasn’t leading me anywhere, so at the end of 1975 I took some time off.” Kinahan spent the next year and a half working odd jobs, including driving truck, working at a feedlot, a car rental agency and a home renovation centre. “At the end of the year and a half, I travelled for two months. When I was in Europe, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to get an education. I did not want to work at lower paying jobs that I knew would not provide for the things I wanted in life, so I returned to the U of L in the fall of 1977,” recalls Kinahan. Unlike his previous two years, Kinahan came back to school with a determination to work hard and a focus on management, mathematics and economics. “I realized that if I wanted to succeed it was up to me, no one else was going to do it for me. I started searching out my professors, picking their brains and building relationships with them. One of my professors, Stash Sikora, gave me insight into things I could possibly do and directions I could take with my degree. Another professor, Roger Rickwood really helped me buckle down and think about things. He helped me work on my reasoning and cognitive thinking. I finished my last few years with a much better GPA simply because I took an interest in my education,” says Kinahan. “At the University I gained the ability to think through problems and come up with solutions, to expand my mind and think beyond more than just one focus. I was well prepared for the work world when I graduated.” Kinahan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management arts in 1979 and began working for the Bank of Montreal (BMO). For the next eight
1st Choice Savings president and CEO Brian Kinahan is proud of his alma mater and the fabulous gym that bears his company’s name.
years, he and his family moved throughout central Alberta before coming back to Lethbridge where he and his wife decided to raise their four children. Facing another transfer, Kinahan left BMO in 1989 and accepted a job as the manager of lending for St. Patrick’s Credit Union. In 2001, St. Patrick’s merged with another credit union to become 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union and Kinahan became vice-president credit and risk management. He was promoted to president and CEO in 2009. Kinahan has played an integral part in the growth of the credit union, which now boasts a balance sheet in excess of $400 million. While helping to build a successful financial institution is something he is very proud of, he is also grateful for the opportunities he has had to serve in the community.
“I was very involved in the LA Swim Club and the Lethbridge Cosmos Soccer Club when my children were young. Through the credit union, I also spent several years working with Habitat for Humanity, which later led to my involvement with the Social Housing in Action Committee in Lethbridge,” says Kinahan. “It was very rewarding to see people get their own housing. I view my current position as probably the last position I will have before I retire. My goal is to continue building on the success of 1st Choice Savings, guiding it to be a viable and important part of the financial world that focuses on being a community-minded institution that cares about individuals.”
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G E T T H E FA C T S • He married his wife Linda in 2006 and they raised four children. • A Member of the Knights of Columbus since 1982, Kinahan is also the current director of People of Praise Live in Society. • From 2002 to 2005, he was Chair of the affordable housing subcommittee of the Lethbridge Social Housing in Action Committee. • From 1995 to 1998 he was chairman of the Alberta Credit Union Lenders Association and was instrumental in the implementation of the computerized loan origination system for Alberta credit unions.
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
SECURITY WELCOMES CRIME STOPPERS TO CAMPUS The University of Lethbridge is considered an extremely safe campus – and a recent survey of it’s students, staff and faculty back that claim. Keeping it that way and improving upon those perceptions are constant goals of the U of L’s Security and Parking Services unit. To that end, the U of L has entered into a partnership with Southern Alberta Crime Stoppers. “From the outset I have emphasized the importance of our office partnering with groups such as Crime Stoppers to maintain a safe and informed campus community,” says John O’Keefe, the U of L’s director of Security and Parking. “A recent survey showed that 96 per cent of respondents felt they were very safe on campus, but we don’t want to rest on our laurels. Our aim is to achieve 97 per cent next year and 98 per cent the year after that.” By bringing Crime Stoppers to campus and utilizing the resources they can supply, O’Keefe sees security moving forward. “In my opinion, only by being dynamic and aware of the ever-changing world we live in will we be able to maintain the campus community’s expectations of this department,” he says. Crime Stoppers is a civilian, non-profit, charitable organization that brings together, in a tripartite relationship, the police services of a community, the media and the community in the fight against crime. Crime Stoppers provides citizens with the opportunity to anonymously supply the police with information about a crime or potential crime of which they have knowledge. Cash rewards are offered to people who call the program and their information leads to an arrest. The on campus relationship allows students, staff and faculty the opportunity to anonymously report crimes or the potential for crimes by contacting either campus security or accessing Crime Stoppers through a variety of means. People can dial 1-800-222-8477, text TIP232 to CRIMES or submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com. Campus security can be contacted by calling 403-329-2345. Crime Stoppers is also international and can be accessed throughout North America and much of Europe.
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
H E A LT H
& wellness
Bee Heart Smart initiates a challenge BY SUZANNE MCINTOSH
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t is that time of year again. The semester is wrapping up, spring is on the way, crocuses are blooming and your team should be gearing up for the 6th Annual Bee Heart Smart six-week physical activity challenge. Running May 1 to June 14, this competition is open to staff and faculty with the goal of promoting active living by participating in walking, running, swimming, cycling or other physical activities. Last year was my first year involved in this challenge and I enjoyed the enthusiasm and friendly competition exhibited. Our goal this year is to increase participation – in both total individuals (176 in 2009) and number of teams (17 in 2009) registered. Rule changes for this year include a new time category for physical activity other than walking, running, cycling or swimming. Participants will now be able to record their time spent at the gym, engaging in activities such
as yoga, pilates, or indoor soccer, to name a few.
are many.
Improved health There will also be two additional categories for running and cycling; allowing cyclists to either record the distance travelled (km) or time spent performing the activity. Registration for the Bee Heart Smart challenge will be available through the Wellness website (www.uleth.ca/hum/wellness) or the Notice Board as of Apr. 16. Early Bird draw prizes will be available to those who register prior to May 1.
Record the following (daily or weekly): • Number of steps (using a pedometer) or time for walking/ running • Number of km or time for cycling • Number of laps for swimming • Time spent performing other physical activity Prizes will be drawn weekly for the top performers as well as random prizes for participation. The benefits of getting involved in the Bee Heart Smart challenge
5 DAYS NETS OVER $9,000
Walking just 30 minutes on most days can lead to significant health benefits. Aim for 10,000 steps per day – this can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Weight control Just 2km of walking burns 100 calories. By adding 2km several times a week, you can burn an additional 500 calories a week.
Prizes There will be prizes such as free monthly memberships to the fitness centre (from Sports and Recreation Services), pedometers, U of L Bookstore gift certificates, movie passes, and a variety of other prizes. Weekly draws will be made for every level of participation.
frustration, anger and irritability, promoting a more positive mood and outlook. Your body releases greater amounts of endorphins which are the powerful pain-relieving, mood-elevating chemicals in the brain.
FUN! Joining a team for Bee Heart Smart, not only makes physical activity more fun, but makes you more accountable to your team, which helps ensure ongoing participation. Remember it takes about three weeks to start a new habit, so six weeks of Bee Heart Smart will have you well on your way to continuing this physical activity throughout the summer. Sport and Recreation Services will offer first time monthly memberships (for the month of May) to anyone participating in the Bee Heart Smart Challenge for $10 (a savings of $21.75).
Stress Relief One of the most effective methods of stress relief is exercise. Physical activity provides an outlet for negative emotions such as
Suzanne McIntosh is the wellness co-ordinator at the University of Lethbridge
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apple
A D AY
EAT A RAINBOW BY DIANE BRITTON Colourful vegetables and fruit pack a powerful nutrition punch. The closer your plate resembles a rainbow, the more nutrients you eat.
Why? Vegetables and fruit are loaded in polyphenols; antioxidants that help reduce cardiovascular disease. Although there is no recommended amount for daily intake of polyphenols, there is a lot of research behind the 7-10 a day vegetable and fruit recommendation for adults on Canada’s Food Guide, some of the main sources of polyphenols in our diet.
Peanuts Watch your portions of this healthy fat choice containing the polyphenol resveratrol. The maximum daily recommended serving size for nuts and seeds is: 60 ml (or ¼ cup); 10 ml (2 teaspoons) oil; or 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of non-hydrogenated nut butter like peanut butter. Although healthy, a moderate intake is important because these are energy dense foods.
Green Tea
WELLNESS WEEK AT THE U OF L | APRIL 26 - 30 April 26 • Mini Health Fair – Exhibits will include non-fasting cholesterol and glucose testing (Health Centre); how to set up your workspace (Ergonomic Connections); smoking cessation (Alberta Health Services). 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Andy’s Place. • 10-minute Chair Massages (By appointment only) – Offered by certified Massage Therapist Lena Winter. 9 a.m. to noon in the Health Centre. Contact Suzanne McIntosh at 5217 to register.
Allan Hall and Tim Coker, students who participated in the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign to benefit Wood’s Homes Foundation.
April 27
WELCOMING NOVA SCOTIA
• Free Yoga Session – Yoga with Sophie Verzosa, 11 a.m. to noon, Andy’s Place. Dr. Robbin Gibb presents, Healthy Brains, noon, Andy’s Place.
April 29 • 10-minute Chair Massages (By appointment only) – Offered by certified Massage Therapist Jarvis Larson. 9 a.m. to noon in the Health Centre. Contact Suzanne McIntosh at 5217 to register.
Loaded in polyphenols, you’d be wise to sip green tea more often.
Red Wine While red wine contains polyphenols that help promote healthy arteries it is important to remember moderation. Health Canada recommends that if you drink alcohol, men should limit intake to not more than two drinks daily and women should limit intake to one drink per day.
Dark Chocolate Flavonoids found in dark chocolate and cocoa powder may reduce the risk of heart disease. Chocolate is also loaded in fat and calories, so savour dark chocolate in small quantities. If you’re eating seven to 10 servings per day of vegetables and fruit, especially those with a wide variety of colours, you’re on the right track to including polyphenols in your diet. Your heart will love you for it!
• Identity Theft – Presentation by Sonya Von Heyking and Darren Schell. 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Andy’s Place.
For individual nutrition appointments call the Health Centre (SU 020) at 403-329-2484. All sessions are $20 for U of L students and employees.
• Straighten Up Alberta – A stretching program demonstrated by McLeod Family Chiropractic. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Andy’s Place.
Diane Britton is the University of Lethbridge’s on-campus registered dietitian
April 30
Pronghorns men’s basketball head coach Dave Adams, far right, welcomed players and coaches from Winston Churchill High School and the North Preston Bulls Basketball program in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia recently. The two schools are engaging in a spring exchange.
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the Legend
APRIL 2010
Apr. 1 | Blue & Gold Athletic Awards Lethbridge Lodge
Lectures
Apr. 7 | Art Now: Annie Martin Noon, University Recital Hall (W570)
Apr. 12 | Canadian Humourist Lorne Elliott | 8 p.m., University Theatre
Apr. 9 | Art Now: Brenda Draney Noon, University Recital Hall (W570)
Apr. 13 | Music at Noon: Studio Showcase (music students) 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)
Apr. 21 | Women Scholars Speaker Series Helen Kelly presents The Clinical Impact of eHealth on the SelfManagement of diabetes 3 to 5 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100)
Performances
Mar. 31 | Faculty of Management/ CMA Speaker Series Dragon’s Den star Brett Wilson 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Students’ Union Ballroom B
Apr. 6 | Music at Noon: Mace Hibbard (saxophone) 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)
Mar. 31 | Art Now: Marcus Miller Noon, University Recital Hall (W570)
Apr. 7 | U of L Jazz Ensemble Concert | 8 p.m., University Theatre
Apr. 1 | Biology Seminar – Dr. Keith Hobson | Using Stable Isotopes to Track Animal Movements 12:25 p.m., B650
Apr. 9-10 | Global Drums! Steel drums, African drums, Taiko Ensemble, Brazilian Samba Ensemble 8 p.m. nightly, University Theatre
KASSAM EAGER FOR CHALLENGE
decided in a by-election, which was held after the public. “I’m excited to pass the torch to next year’s executive team,” says Alex Massé, vicepresident academic. “They’re all solid people with relevant experience. They’ve also been very perceptive of some of the areas that they can improve upon over the past year.” Kassam is no stranger to the ULSU as she has been an active volunteer for the organization. The 22-year old, who grew up in Calgary but has called Lethbridge home for the last five years, does not lack the skills necessary to be successful in the demanding position of ULSU President. She acquired invaluable experience while serving on the executive council with the Management Students’ Society and Jeux de Commerce West Business Competition, where she served as event co-ordinator of the 5th Annual Chillin’ for Charity Polar Bear Dip that raised more than $16,000 for the Lethbridge United Way. Kassam aspires to decrease student apathy through activism and communication. She describes her platform as one that encompasses a grassroots approach, and she has decided to work on matters that will most benefit students. After all, ULSU
BY ABBY ALLEN While it may have taken two votes to fill out executive council and general assembly, there was no question who students wanted as their next University of Lethbridge Students’ Union president. ULSU president-elect Taz Kassam, a BA and BMgt student, is one of only four women to ever hold the position and she is looking forward to the challenge. “I am deeply appreciative of the support, both during and following the election,” says Kassam. “I am very excited about the opportunities ahead and am ready to serve as a representative for the ULSU.” Due to a lack of nominations in the general election, the Students’ Union was forced to hold a by-election to fill out remaining vacancies on executive council and general assembly. Kassam will be working with Allan Hall, vice-president administration, who held this position last year; Keith McLaughlin, vice-president academic. The position of vice-president Internal Affairs, will be
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
events C A L E N D A R Apr. 12 | Architecture & Design Now: David Battersby | 6 p.m., C610
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Apr. 17 | Faculty Artists & Friends: An American in Paris Explore the ‘French Connection’, a cross-Atlantic musical exchange between American composers studying in Paris and French composers influenced by jazz and blues 8 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570) Apr. 20-21 | Art Student Open House Student artwork exhibited throughout the art department May 1 | 1940s Big Band Jazz David Renter’s Contemporary Jazz Works Orchestra 8 p.m., Southminster Church
Miscellaneous Mar. 12 to Apr. 9 | Works on Paper from the University of Lethbridge Art Collection Curators: Museum Studies Interns Mar. 12 to Apr. 9 | Annual Curated Student Exhibition U of L Main Gallery Mar. 31 | Regional Centre for Urban Aboriginal Research: A Symposium Presenters Dr. Caroline Tait and Dr. David Newhouse 9:30 a.m. to noon, Andy’s Place (AH100) Apr. 8 | CAETL Graduate Student Workshop | 2 to 4 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100)
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Apr. 24 | Culture Vulture Saturday Button making with Trap/door Artist Run Centre | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., University Art Gallery May 1 | Steps for Life Walk Southern AB North American Occupational Safety and Health presents 5km walk at Henderson Lake picnic area. Register by Apr. 15 by contacting Suzanne McIntosh, wellness co-ordinator at suzanne. mcintosh@uleth.ca
Apr. 10 | University of Lethbridge Forecast Dinner Speakers Robert Cooper, Jason Hornett and Stephen J. Mantrop 4:30 p.m., Students’ Union Ballroom Apr. 13 | LPIRG Annual General Meeting 7 p.m., Galileo’s Gallery
Taz Kassam is the fourth woman to hold the position of president for the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union.
is an organization for the students, and run by the students. “I believe the low levels of
Apr. 16 to June 4 | The 1940s Exhibition featuring works from the U of L Art Collection and Galt Museum/Archives Helen Christou Gallery
student engagement stem from a lack of communication from the ULSU and a lack of knowledge
about the Students’ Union,” says Kassam. “It is my hope, along with the executive council, to reverse this increase in student apathy and decline in student empowerment. The longer we travel on this road the less likely the opinion of the student will matter.” Increasing the importance of post-secondary education in the eyes of the government is important to Kassam and she intends to battle this by generating student involvement through lobbying efforts for affordable and quality education. The ULSU 2010/2011 General Assembly currently includes Andrew Williams, Lisa Rodych, Zack Moline, Tyrell Dasilva, Shane Groarke and Cole Schneider, who are all arts and science representatives; Kyle Hammond as the organization of residence students representative. The remaining General Assembly positions will also be decided in a by-election. Visit www.ulsu.ca for full election results. The ULSU exists to represent students’ interests at the provincial and federal levels of government and to provide value-added services, spaces and programs to enhance the campus community.
APRIL 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
FINE ARTS
in focus
Museum studies interns bring back the 40s
T
he 1940s are here again, thanks to a new exhibition set to debut in the Helen Christou Gallery. “Through my museum studies courses, I have come to realize that the artwork on the walls of a gallery doesn’t get magically selected and placed there by elves,” says Jarrett Duncan, who along with fellow museum studies intern Kasia Sosnowski, have just curated the exhibition going into the Helen Christou Gallery on Apr. 16, thereby obtaining first-hand experience about what goes into selecting and hanging an exhibition. “Curating this exhibition was the best opportunity to put the knowledge I’ve gained in class into practice before graduating and finding myself in the real world,” he says. According to Dr. Josephine Mills, “the internships give students an in-depth sense of the range of work and career possibilities in the museum field, while also helping them develop a résumé of hands-on experience beyond the classroom.” The 1940s exhibition builds connections between the cultural collections in Lethbridge and gives the student interns the experience of curating an exhibition. Both senior students working on their bachelor of fine arts in art history/museum studies degrees, Duncan and Sosnowski
The process of putting together a major exhibition is left to museum studies interns as they present The 1940s in the Helen Christou Gallery, debuting Apr. 16.
drew from artworks in the U of L Collection, as well as objects and archival material from the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives to explore themes from the 1940s. “Although the Second World War was a key part of the period, we felt that this subject would be familiar to audiences, and other than referring to Bart Pragnell’s military service, we
focused on the major developments in artistic practice and on the local connections,” explains Sosnowski. They focus partly on imagery of agriculture, complimented with ordinary objects from everyday life throughout that decade, as well as on the transformation in artistic styles and imagery that occurred during those years.
The curators include work by major international artists including Jean Arp (Switzerland), Andre Derain (France), and Henry Moore (Britain), as well as Alberta artists Bart Pragnell, Roloff Beny and Clifford Robinson. The exhibition complements Historic Lethbridge Week, May 1-9.
the Legend CATCH THE BEAT DURING DAY OF PERCUSSION Here’s your chance to release your inner drummer. Everyone is invited to attend the Third Annual Day of Percussion on Saturday, Apr. 10 in the University Recital Hall hosted by the U of L Conservatory of Music. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with $10 registration at the door. “The day features clinics and performances from world drum educators and performers,” says Adam Mason, Percussion Ensemble director. “Everybody in the community is welcome to attend.” Door prizes, giveaways and a showroom of percussion equipment greet attendees. The day is filled with workshops and some hands-on opportunities as well. “Mike Michalkow, one of our special guests, is conducting a drum set clinic,” says Mason. “Michalkow comes to us from Vancouver courtesy of Yamaha. It’s a great opportunity for students to meet and work with an exceptional musician.” Another highlight is the Marching Percussion Clinic, led by Lael Johnston. “Participants are going to experience one of the best drum lines of our region,” says Mason. Tickets for the Global Drums concert are separate from Day of Percussion registration and are available for $15 regular admission and $10 for students and seniors.
OPEN HOUSE
BRASS QUINTET TAKES TO STAGE An evening of lighthearted entertainment with the U of L Brass Quintet is in store for audiences attending the American in Paris concert, Saturday, Apr. 17 at 8 p.m. in the University Recital Hall. This is the final concert of the season for the Faculty Artists and Friends series. “The music featured is either French composed-Amer-
ican inspired, or American composed-French inspired,” says Nick Sullivan, trombonist and music faculty. “The Brass Quintet is playing a transcription of Gershwin’s American in Paris, with other offerings including selections from Porgy and Bess and Debussy’s Gollywog’s Cakewalk.” The U of L Brass Quintet is a relatively new ensemble to the Department of Music. “We started the ensemble two years ago,” says Sullivan. “We all love brass music, and with the support and talent of
players at the University and in the community, it seemed a perfect opportunity to come together and play some great brass chamber music.” Comprised of members Nick Sullivan, Dr. Thomas Staples, Trudi Mason, Gerald Rogers and Keith Griffioen, the U of L Brass Quintet was featured with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and with the Music at Noon concert series on campus. In addition to the Brass Quintet, other friends are taking to the stage to continue the evening’s French/American
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inspired program. “Dr. Sandra Stringer and Elinor Lawson perform excerpts from the Aaron Copland’s Emily Dickinson Songs and Peter Visentin is performing the Ravel Violin Sonata, the middle movement of which is inspired by Blues,” says Dr. Brian Black, concert co-ordinator. Tickets for this event are available from the University Box Office (403-329-2616), open Monday to Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 regular and $10 for students and seniors.
Once again this spring, the U of L Art Department opens its studios and workshops to welcome the public, Apr. 20-21, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We want people to experience the diversity and excellence of work by students in art courses,” says Annie Martin, art faculty advisor to the project. “Featuring work in a wide array of media including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, print, installation, multimedia and video by undergraduate and MFA students, this is a great opportunity to see new work by the next generation of artists.” The Art Student Open House also provides an opportunity for the public to talk with students about their art practices and see the excellent art facilities.
LEFT
Victor Cicansky, A Windy Dad, 1987. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of Douglas Udell, 1995.
Victor Cicansky, Joe Fafard and David Gilhooly first came to prominence on the Canadian art scene in the 1960s as part of the Regina Clay movement. These artists and their contemporaries were interested in utilizing clay as a medium to explore the boundaries between art and craft, or “high” and “low” art. Taking their inspiration from the California funk art movement, the Regina Clay artists created hand-molded figures, animals and everyday objects that expressed humour and personal narratives. These artists secured both popular and critical acclaim for the playful approach they brought to exploring themes of everyday life on the prairies.
ABOVE
David Gilhooly, Chocolate Covered Frog Cup Cake, 1978. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of J. Spalding, 1985.
LEFT
Joe Fafard, Arthur, 1988. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of Leon Liffman, 1994.
Cicansky, Fafard and Gilhooly were featured along with other Regina Clay artists in the 2007 retrospective Regina Clay: Worlds in the Making at the MacKenzie Art Gallery. The exhibition is available for viewing online at: virtualmuseum.ca
images L ASTING