ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

DR. DENNIS SUMARA (BA/BED ’80, MED ’90)

Dennis Sumara is a preeminent teacher, scholar and leader in the field of education. But in 1976, he had a different career ambition. Keeping a promise to his mother, he enrolled at the University of Lethbridge, with plans to leave after a year to become a hair stylist in Toronto.

Sumara, however, soon changed his mind. During the first week of classes, he met professors and was introduced to books and ideas that changed not only what he knew, but also who he believed he could be.

Eventually, Sumara earned three degrees at the University and was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic achievement during his graduate studies. He then completed a PhD in education at the University of Alberta and won the Dissertation of the Year award from the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies.

Sumara taught and conducted research at several Canadian universities before he was appointed dean of the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education in 2009. Over the next 10 years, he guided the school through an intense period of renewal, making significant changes to its curriculum, policies and planning.

Sumara’s work to bring equity, diversity, inclusion and interdisciplinarity into teacher education has put him at the forefront of his field. Today, in addition to being a professor of language and literary education in the Werklund School of Education, he is a highly sought-after expert, a prolific keynote speaker and the founding editor of the peerreviewed Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies. With more than 150 publications to his credit, he has also written six books and a number of them are considered required reading at many Canadian universities.

As a researcher, Sumara has focused on imaginative engagement, an innovative approach to education that incorporates students’ emotions, intuition and creativity into the teaching and learning process. Specifically, he has studied the role of imaginative engagement and how to employ the practice purposefully and sustainably in schools and post-secondary institutions.

During his career, Sumara has made an enormous impact on teacher education and his accomplishments have brought tremendous distinction to the University of Lethbridge. In 2019, most notably, he received the prestigious Award for Research on Teacher Education from the Canadian Association for Teacher Education. The honour recognized Dennis Sumara’s research leadership and exceptional contributions to teacher education and celebrated the widespread adoption of his ideas across North America and around the world.

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

FELIPE CIVITA FERREIRA (BMGT ’14)

Felipe Civita Ferreira has spent his life cultivating a keen understanding of the wider world. Originally from Brazil, he speaks three languages fluently and has lived in multiple countries. Along the way, he has dedicated himself to making the world more peaceful, equitable and inclusive.

Civita Ferreira moved to Canada at 17, and while studying at the University of Lethbridge, he immersed himself in extracurricular activities. In addition to participating in national case competitions, he volunteered on various committees, held several on-campus jobs and even hosted his own CKXU radio show. In the years since graduation, Civita Ferreira has continued to volunteer in the community and has flourished professionally. He completed a master of global business at the University of Victoria and is also now a Certified Project Management Professional and a Certified Scrum Product Owner.

Working in Canada’s technical and vocational education and training sector, Civita Ferreira has partnered with several Canadian post-secondary institutions to lead and support the implementation of international development projects around the world. As part of that work, he has designed and implemented initiatives that have received support from various funders, including Global Affairs Canada and the Mastercard Foundation. These projects have, for example, supported eyecare services for women and girls in northern India and developed curriculum for food technology, agriculture and culinary arts programs in Kenya.

Locally, Civita Ferreira has also made a significant impact. A former member of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Youth Council, he has also served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the board of governors of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC). The council consists of organizations and individuals who are advancing sustainable development initiatives worldwide. In recognition of his work to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Civita Ferreira was named to the ACGC’s 2018 list of the Top 30 Under 30.

Civita Ferreira is particularly passionate about helping people to lead a healthy lifestyle. In collaboration with the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, he co-designed a wilderness program that helps refugees and newcomers to Canada access safe and inclusive outdoor experiences, such as hiking trips.

Additionally, as a member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Alpine Club of Canada (Edmonton section), Felipe Civita Ferreira has supported various backcountry excursions that have focused on inclusivity and outdoor education. He has also helped the club secure and maintain external partners and sponsors.

2022 ALUMNI HONOUR SOCIETY INDUCTEES

The 2022 University of Lethbridge Honour Society inductees are shining examples of what it means to be ULethbridge graduates. Each of the individuals being honoured used the knowledge they gained at the University to achieve their personal and professional goals, and through these achievements has left a lasting impact on the people, organizations and communities with which they are involved.

CYNDI BESTER (BMUS ’95, MED ’01)

Cynthia (Cyndi) Bester has an expansive record of achievement. An award-winning business leader, she has travelled the world as a concert pianist, co-written four bestselling books and taken the stage as a competitive bodybuilder. During her business career, Bester has helmed successful companies specializing in registry services, health care and workplace safety. Today, as chief executive officer of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, she has spearheaded a wide range of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the local business community. A tireless volunteer who has received national recognition for her philanthropic efforts, she currently serves on the University of Lethbridge Senate, Co-Chairs the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee and is a member of the Community Wellbeing and Safety Advisory Committee. Cyndi Bester also sits on the board of directors of Economic Development Lethbridge.

BRAD DERSCH (BA/BED ’01)

Brad Dersch has long been passionate about sports. While attending the University of Lethbridge, he played varsity hockey and was twice named an Academic All-Canadian by the national governing body of university sport. He went on to work as a physical education teacher and administrator for the Lethbridge School Division, becoming principal of G.S. Lakie Middle School this fall. Over the years, in addition to completing graduate studies at Gonzaga University, Dersch has coached dozens of school and communitybased teams. Many of his former players, in fact, have gone on to compete at the post-secondary and professional levels. Last spring, in honour of his commitment to developing local youth as athletes and citizens through coaching, Brad Dersch received the Shaun Ward Sport Champion Award from the Lethbridge Sport Council.

DREW BEAUCHAMP (BMGT ’06)

Andrew (Drew) Beauchamp excels at leadership. An army reservist with the Calgary Highlanders before attending the University of Lethbridge, he continued his part-time military service locally throughout his undergraduate studies. He later accepted a full-time position with the Army Reserves, and in 2008, deployed to Afghanistan. There, he led a platoon of 45 army reservists, who protected resupply convoys and provided security at the main entrance to Kandahar Airfield. Back in Canada as a reservist, Beauchamp played a key role in planning the Calgary-based army reserve soldiers during the 2013 Alberta floods. Today, in addition to being a program lead in human resources at Alberta Health Services, he is pursuing a master of public administration through the Royal Military College. Drew Beauchamp is also now commanding officer of the Calgary Highlanders.

MICHAEL MANKOWSKI (BMGT ’10)

Michael Mankowski owned a video production company in Fort McMurray when the 2016 wildfire devastated his hometown. Following the disaster, the Red Cross asked him to interview local residents. Their touching stories inspired Mankowski to write an animated film about the fire, and later, to study animation at Vancouver Film School. His 2021 film, “Back Home Again,” features an all-star cast, including Michael J. Fox, Catherine O’Hara and Lorne Cardinal. To date, “Back Home Again” has won the Jury Award for Best Short Film and the Audience Choice Award for Best Dramatic Film at the Edmonton International Film Festival and Leo awards for Best Animated Program and Best Screenwriting from the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia. Most recently, Michael Mankowski’s film enjoyed an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE UNIVERITY OF LETHBRIDGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATON!

Convocation is one of life’s most significant occasions. It’s a time to celebrate all you have accomplished and look forward to the exciting journey ahead. It’s also a moment of reflection and an opportunity to say thank you to the family and friends who supported you on this amazing journey.

I was honored to take on the role of ULAA president this fall and am proud to be here representing more than 50,000 alumni worldwide. As the newest members of our alumni network, you are joining a community of engaged thinkers, critical problem solvers, and greatly impassioned leaders making contributions around the world. Whatever path you choose, know you are a valued member of this extraordinary community and we want to celebrate your accomplishments. Stay in touch, share your stories and watch our social media channels for information on what other ULethbridge alumni are doing.

Again, congratulations, and enjoy today!

Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94)

President, University of Lethbridge Alumni Association

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REFLECTION

Let us begin this celebration of our academic achievements, The culmination of years of hard work, By considering how we have achieved success, And how we shall build on it in the future.

Let us acknowledge those who built This community of scholarship, Which has broadened our understanding and our horizons.

Let us thank our faculty, staff, families, friends, fellow students, And all who made this community of learning possible –They have taught us so much.

Let us remember that our educational journeys Which led to our degrees, diplomas and certificates, Are valuable in themselves, not just means to other ends.

Let us use all we have learned

To challenge the world through the eyes of educated citizens, And make it a better place for others who follow.

Let our motto, Fiat Lux, let there be light, Remind us of the responsibility we accept to ensure that we will Make a difference and build a better society.

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