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V O L U M E 12
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ISSUE FIVE
Rowing for research
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BY BOB COONEY
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Copeland identifies with struggles students face
Veldman playing key role for resurgent Horns
Shepard delves into the lives of rural women
Alumni couple making the most of opportunities
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 issuu.com/ulethbridge. 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: Amanda Berg, Suzanne Bowness, Bob Cooney, Jane Edmundson, Abby Groenenboom, Jana McFarland, Suzanne McIntosh, Kali McKay, Stacy Seguin, Katherine Wasiak, Lori Weber and Jamie Woodford
University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 www.ulethbridge.ca
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hey’re rowing across the Atlantic Ocean? Are they out of their minds? Actually, no – but Adam Kreek and his teammates are mindful of the stresses, both physical and mental, that taking on a more than 3,700 nautical mile (6,700 km) trip entails. The group will set off from Dakar, Senegal, in mid January, rowing a sophisticated, open 29-foot rowboat, the James Robert Hanssen, on a world-record-attempting journey that will take them to Miami, Florida. Along the way, researchers from the University of Lethbridge will be tracking their every movement and collecting valuable data for use in a number of studies. The mission is expected to take 60 to 100 days to complete. Their original target date of arrival in Miami was Mar. 22 (World Water Day), but had to be pushed back by shipping delays caused by Hurricane Sandy. When Kreek, an Olympic gold medal winning rower, visited the U of L this past fall, he turned his passion for water and adventure loose on land-locked faculty, students and community members Dr. Rick Mrazek will keep in close contact with Kreek and his crew throughout their in a way that got them thinking in journey across the Atlantic. innovative ways about water – a subject Kreek knows well. “Let’s face it: Lethbridge isn’t surrounded by a lot of water,” says Dr. Rick Mrazek, Faculty of Education Associate Dean and science educator. “The Oldman River, while picturesque, isn’t massive, Adam Kreek, left, along with teammates Markus Pukonen, there are no great Pat Fleming, Jordan Hanssen and Mrazek, middle. lakes nearby, and what water we do have in this area Mrazek says the rowers will be is highly managed to make sure it collecting data which could be availsupports our regional water needs, able to researchers and students here agri-business and the farming at the U of L. Students in communieconomy. Working with the Canaty classrooms will also be following dian Wildlife Federation to support the trip online, and Kreek and his Adam’s trip and the opportunities team will be checking in regularly. we have to be involved as interacThe Canadian Wildlife Federative observers on this adventure is tion, OAR Northwest and a host extremely exciting.” of sponsors who have provided Mrazek says it’s one thing to everything from satellite phones to teach students about the Atlantic the massive amounts of high calorie Ocean, but it’s quite another to folfood the team members will require low someone, in real time, who is for their journey, are supporting the rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. trip. “Through our relationship with Adam and his team, our education students, teachers in the area and our researchers can take advantage of his trip to bring students authentic data and information about ocean and weather dynamics, marine life, the biomechanics of rowing and movement, and other real-life research opportunities.”
G E T T H E FA C T S • Kreek will be joined by teammates Markus Pukonen, Pat Fleming and Jordan Hanssen for their journey • Mrazek is a bold proponent of environmental sustainability and the latest application of his research can be found at the Water in a World of 7 Billion legacy website (www.ww7b.org) • Kreek’s team will gather data from the ocean environment, marine life and themselves (relating responses in human physiology under stress) throughout the trip • The team will row 24 hours per day and in twohour shifts, allowing for sleep and rest • Kreek competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, winning gold with the Canadian men’s eights team at Beijing in 2008
“The opportunities we have to be involved as interactive observers on this adventure is extremely exciting.” DR. RICK MRAZEK
the Legend
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
OPENMike
University of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what’s happening in the University community
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elcome back everyone for the start of the Spring Semester. I trust that the holiday season was rejuvenating as we jump into what promises to be a very busy schedule to begin the year. As we turn the calendar to 2013, and look ahead, it is important we not lose sight of the fundamental principles that are important to the University of Lethbridge. Coaches in sport often tell their players to pay heed to the factors they can control, certainly attending to the opponent and other external factors but ultimately remembering what each player can bring to
the contest. It may seem obvious, but by playing to a team’s strengths and not losing sight of this strategy, a team is in the best position to be successful. I believe that this analogy can be useful to us here at the University of Lethbridge, because it is easy to become distracted by the many unsettling circumstances occurring throughout the world. Whether it is the fiscal cliff situation in the United States, a predicted shrinking of the post-secondary demographic in coming years or budget concerns at the federal and provincial level, we as a University community will be at
CAMPUS Michael Campbell (Art) and Janice Rahn (Art-Education) exhibited their artwork Field Recordings of Icebergs Melting at the 2nd Kathmandu International Art Festival from Nov. 25 to Dec. 21, 2012. They also did a short residency where they created a new work. Reviews of the exhibition were published by: Kathmandu Post: www.ekantipur.com/thekathmandu-post/2012/11/02/ on-saturday/between-artand-life/241328.html; Frieze Magazine: blog.frieze.com/ kathmandu-international-artfestival/ Jaimie Van Ham (BA/ BEd ’11) was the recipient of an Edwin Parr Award for her work as a first-year teacher at Chamberlain School in Grassy Lake, Alta. The Alberta School Boards Association hands out the annual award to first-year teachers who have shown exceeding excellence. Dr. Ken Allan (Art) has received a $5,000 grant from the Malevich Society, based in New York, to facilitate a trip to Russia to research the paintings of Kazimir Malevich and Russian Orthodox icons.
our best if we continue to focus on our strategic priorities and put our energies into what we do well. If we maintain our emphasis on being committed to the student experience for our undergraduate and graduate students, if we continue to focus on growing as a comprehensive university, if we are committed to the further development of our First Nations Métis and Inuit student programming, if we push forward as a destination university while still creating an experience that makes the U of L the first choice for southern Albertans, then we will find
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The Optimization Group in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (Dr. Robert Benkoczi, Dr. Daya Gaur and Dr. Shahadat Hossain) has been awarded funding to host the PIMS-Lethbridge Seminar in Optimization at the University of Lethbridge from Apr. 13, 2013 to Mar. 31, 2014. The group conducts research in the general area of mathematical optimization (discrete and continuous) and has been very active in recruiting and training students at the masters and PhD level. Dr. Blaine Hendsbee (Music) sang the title role in the St. Nicolas cantata by Benjamin Britten with the LSO and Vox Musica on Dec. 10. The work is a dramatic cantata in Nine Scenes depicting the life of Saint Nicolas, his faith, his miracles and his enduring legacy. A primary area of Hendsbee’s research is the vocal music composed by Benjamin Britten for Sir Peter Pears.
of the Olympic Development Program for Athletics Canada. Millman, a Truro, N.S. native, is a thrower under the tutelage of Horns track coach Larry Steinke. He recently set a Nova Scotia junior provincial shot put record with a throw of 16.60 metres. Mary-Anne McTrowe (BFA Art ’98; U of L Art Technician) and Cindy Baker (MFA candidate) are participating in Welcome Back Ye Annunaki at Open Space in Victoria. Audrina Steciw, (soprano, BMus ’09), Cesar Aguilar (countertenor), Jason Ragan (tenor) and Ian Fundytus (bass) were the soloists in Handel’s Messiah (Part 1) with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. All three have studied with Dr. Blaine Hendsbee. Dan Wong (BFA Art ’03) had work in a group exhibition at ARTSPEAK in Vancouver entitled As Far As I Can See.
Track and field athlete Peter Millman was recently named a carded athlete as part
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success going forward. Let’s not forget about the successes we have achieved in the past year and in recent years. These gains that we have made as an institution reflect a commitment from every corner of campus to the fundamental priorities of the University, and regardless of the challenges we may face in the future, by staying true to our strategic directives, we will continue to make great strides locally, provincially, nationally and globally. In the coming weeks I will be sitting down with the campus representatives who are working on the People Plan as it moves
into its next stage of development. This is a very important plan because it speaks to the most basic of our principles here at the U of L, that our successes are achieved by supporting one another in our various roles within the institution. By creating an atmosphere where our people have the tools they need to perform at their best, we create a winning formula for the U of L. There is great opportunity ahead in 2013, and by focusing on the factors that have led to our successes, we will continue to prosper moving forward.
PYLE INTRODUCED AS FIRST OF FOUR CAIP CHAIRS The University of Lethbridge has added to its internationally recognized expertise in water research with the addition of a new Chair in Aquatic Health, Dr. Greg Pyle. Pyle is the first of four new research Chairs being added to the University this year as part of the Government of Alberta’s Campus Alberta Innovation Program (CAIP) Chairs plan. “It’s exciting to be able to bring in an outstanding research talent such as Dr. Pyle,” says Dr. Dan Weeks, the University’s vice-president (research). “His established expertise in the effects of environmental contaminants on the chemical communication systems in aquatic animals will greatly add to the already comprehensive research portfolio that has been established by our researchers in the Water Institute for Sustainable Environments (WISE).” Pyle comes to the University after spending the previous five years as head of the Aquatic Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont. His research program is considered unique because he is able to study several aquatic species, including both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, representing different positions within a typical freshwater food web and thereby better understanding the subtle effects of environmental contamination. “The University of Lethbridge has been building a strong reputation in research
over the past several years, especially in the aquatic sciences,” says Pyle. “I am thrilled to be part of that growing research culture, and excited by the prospects afforded by the university and surrounding region.” Prior to taking up a Canada Research Chair in Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology at Lakehead, Pyle helped establish and build the Department of Biology at Nipissing University. He earned both his bachelor and master’s degrees from Laurentian University and received his PhD from the University of Saskatchewan. The CAIP Chairs plan is part of the Government of Alberta’s Campus Alberta collaborative initiative and will provide a total of 16 research Chairs to Alberta’s four Comprehensive Academic and Research Intensive (CARI) institutions: the University of Lethbridge, Athabasca University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. The U of L will also welcome CAIP Chairs in the areas of brain health and dementia, synthetic biology, and terrestrial ecosystems and remote sensing later this year. Pyle’s appointment at the U of L is funded for seven years. “The program is designed to recruit new research leaders to Alberta in specific areas of study,” says Weeks. “Not only do these areas align with the Government of Alberta’s strategic priorities, but they also reflect the core strengths of our institution.”
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the Legend
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Award winner Kopp eager to make difference BY JANA MCFARLAND
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or Alexandria (Ally) Kopp, travel has been a consistent theme throughout her entire life. At just three-months old, her parents took her on her first international excursion to Hawaii. In Grade 4, the family spent a month in Mexico and shortly thereafter, toured across Canada with a Boler trailer in tow. When she was 12, they backpacked around Costa Rica, and just last year, Kopp spent two months globetrotting in Europe. Although the sites she’s visited are vast, the lessons she’s gained have a common thread. “Since I was little, my parents helped me realize how fortunate I am in my life,” says Kopp. “Since then, I have sought the opportunity to travel and help others.” In her third year as a nursing student in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Kopp was one of 18 students selected to go on a month-long field study to Malawi with the goal of conducting culturally relevant health promotion activities related to blood pressure, malaria and HIV/AIDS. While there, she met
FRIESEN EYES PAGEANT AS OPPORTUNITY BY BOB COONEY Becky Friesen isn’t afraid to try new things – or look for interesting opportunities to stretch her personal and work experiences. Whether she works with rats, shovels wild animal manure or starts modelling just for the sake of fun, she usually winds up doing something interesting – such as entering the Miss World Canada (MWC) pageant. The 20-year-old biological sciences student and enthusiastic Lethbridge booster freely acknowledges that parading around in an evening gown, on a runway, is about as far as you could possibly get from her work experiences at the University of Lethbridge’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience or her recent Co-operative Education placement at a wildlife conservation facility in Langley B.C., but anyone who knows her shouldn’t be surprised. “I have always believed in the value of being multifaceted, instead of only focusing in one or two fields. I find it’s a lot more fulfilling for me to always be sur-
19-year-old Seleman at the Chowe School near Mangochi, Malawi. “At first I noticed how shy and soft-spoken he was. He also had a disability impeding his ability to walk,” she recalls. “When I had the chance to talk one-on-one with him, I realized he was very smart and determined. He was fluent in English and dedicated to learning.”
“In Malawi, I learned that one individual can have a great impact.”
ALLY KOPP
Through conversation, Kopp discovered that Seleman had cut his foot and after a resulting infection, could no longer walk. The story resonated with her, and she offered to do whatever she could to help Seleman regain mobility. Word quickly spread about her commitment, and Kopp was able to arrange a visit for Seleman to see a specialist in a hospital more than an hour away.
prising and challenging myself,” says Friesen. She was made aware of the pageant opportunity through the family members she stayed with in Langley who knew the reigning Miss World Canada, and who also had worked with the MWC organization in the past. In addition to being a stable business and having a good track record, Friesen says there is a significant charity component to the group, which really appeals to her. “As contestants and through other MWC activities either in BC or in our home communities, we support Variety, the Children’s Charity and its efforts to support the families of children with disabilities, and my goal is to raise its profile here in southern Alberta,” she says. “As well, I have to also gain some corporate and personal sponsorship to help me out with some expenses as a competitor, so I have plans to approach local organizations and businesses for assistance.” Friesen jumped at the chance to do some modelling for charity fashion shows while in Langley and was subsequently asked by the MWC director to apply for the more intense pageant process, which entails public speaking, community service work and
Nursing student Ally Kopp, pictured with Malawi student Seleman, was a recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal.
Unfortunately, nothing medically could be done to help Seleman, but Kopp remained committed to her promise. After returning to Canada, she and her parents wired money to a trusted contact in Malawi for the purchase of a hand-powered wheelchair for Seleman.
In November 2012, Kopp received the Lethbridge YMCA Peace Medal for her work in Malawi, an award that recognizes contributions to peace, understanding and making the world a better place. “In Malawi, I learned that one individual can have a great
impact,” says Kopp. “If I could help Seleman have just a little bit better quality of life, then I felt that was something I should do. This trip reaffirmed feelings and beliefs I had before, making me more dedicated and interested in actively seeking further humanitarian-aid opportunities.”
Biological sciences student Becky Friesen is excited about the community service aspect of the MWC pageant.
demonstrating a talent. She says competing in Miss World Canada has given her a great opportunity to meet some of the people who make Lethbridge so wonderful and in turn, tell others about the community. “For me, this is a great chance to really stand up and say ‘Hey … I’m from Lethbridge! Pay attention to us! We’re awesome!’ Getting involved in the community, as well as competing in the actual pageant, will give me a lot of practice in my communication skills which will be a valuable
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asset for the rest of my life.” A Winston Churchill High School graduate and former competitive hip-hop dancer, Friesen says that post-secondary research hadn’t entered her mind until she jot a job through the Heritage Youth Research Student (HYRS) program while in grade 11, and wound up working for Dr. Gerlinde Metz at the CCBN for two co-op placements. She never dreamed that taking a job at an endangered wildlife facility would lead her to the equally wild world of fashion and pageants.
If she is successful as a winner or runner-up at MWC she has to fulfill a year-long commitment to the organization which could include a trip to compete at the Miss World competition in Indonesia, as well as a number of public engagements which would work around her school schedule. Anyone interested in learning more about Becky’s pageant process – or supporting her as a sponsor – can connect with her at becky.friesen@missworldcanada.com.
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Copeland relates to struggles
Dr. Jennifer Copeland is a longtime donor to the Supporting Our Students fund.
BY SUZANNE BOWNESS
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ike many professors, kinesiologist Dr. Jennifer Copeland fulfills many roles at the University of Lethbridge. Educator, supervisor, mentor and colleague represent a portion of her contribution to the University community. But for the past nine years, she’s also taken on another title, that of donor. Every year, Copeland contributes money to the Supporting Our Students (SOS) campaign, which allows faculty and staff to give money
directly to support student scholarships and bursaries. Since 2005, the initiative has raised more than $1.5 million. Having contributed to the U of L community in such a tangible way through teaching and interacting with students, Copeland certainly doesn’t need to prove her support and yet she still feels a responsibility to give to SOS. “I feel strongly that now that I’m in a position to be of help to students who need financial assistance, I want to make the most of that opportunity,” says Copeland. Copeland understands how
long and difficult a road it can be to realize your educational goals. In earning her bachelor’s, master’s and PhD designations, she put in more than her share of hours as a student. “I was in school for a long time, so I’m familiar with the financial challenges of being a student,” she says. One element of the SOS campaign that is even more meaningful to Copeland is the fact that she typically hears directly from the students she’s supported through her contributions. “I usually get a card from the student who got the bursary, thanking me – that’s always really fun. You always know the money is going to do good, but to put a name to where your money went is quite nice,” she says. Copeland contributes to the SOS campaign through a direct payroll deduction that accumulates over the year. The campaign also allows her to direct her contributions to particular funds and scholarships. While she has sent her donation in different directions over the years, at the moment Copeland’s money goes to a women scholars’ bursary fund. “Helping women who are potentially struggling financially to finish their education is something close to my heart,” she says simply. It can be easy to forget about what it actually costs to pursue a post-secondary education, but Copeland is aware of the barriers that many students confront and looks to ease that financial burden. “I’m aware of the financial challenges they face, the cost of textbooks and other struggles,” she says. “We support the students in a lot of ways through our jobs, but to assist students financially is yet another way to show how much we care in a really concrete way.”
Celebrate the new year with a gift to SOS Help students have a good start to 2013 by contributing to the Supporting Our Students campaign. Please visit uleth.ca/giving to donate today.
Did you know? U of L students work an average of 21.5 hours per week. You can help them work less and study more by supporting student awards through SOS.
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CAMPUS ENHANCEMENTS CONTINUE BY JAMIE WOODFORD It’s a new year, which means a new list of campus enhancing activities is being planned by the Department of Facilities. The Project Management Office (PMO) is gearing up for the summer construction season with several projects aimed to improve campus life for the University community.
murals should be preserved unless unforeseen circumstances arise. Work on the south plaza will see about 1,500 sq. m. of concrete removed and re-poured along the exterior of the Max Bell Aquatic Centre and Students’ Union Building up to the north side of the library and rotunda (see image).
The summer tunnel rehabilitation project encompasses a large area.
The new residence in Aperture Park will open in July 2013. The final sections of concrete were poured for the 259-bed facility in early December, with the residence roof being capped on Dec. 12 – a significant milestone for the construction crew – which hosted the University Board of Governors for a tour of the site the following day. Some interior walls on the lower levels of the building have already been raised, but with the roof now complete, more interior work will get underway. Housing is already taking applications for returning students. Read more about what the residence will look like at, www. uleth.ca/unews/content/sneakpreview-and-feedback-newcampus-residence. Another big project taking place this summer is the Physical Education Building underground tunnel rehabilitation and south plaza replacement. Construction is set to begin in May and run through to the end of the year. The project addresses necessary infrastructure upgrades, including tunnel leak repairs as well as work to improve the air quality and lighting. The tunnel
Because the area above the tunnel cannot withstand more than 10,000 lbs. of weight, the underground tunnel will be closed throughout the duration of the project to allow the co-ordination of heavy duty excavation equipment. The Aperture Drive bus loop and Lot D will be also closed during construction. A new, temporary bus route will be planned in conjunction with the City of Lethbridge. The new route will be announced when it is finalized. The tunnel will remain closed during both June and October convocations. More details regarding this project will be released as they become available. The final phase of the Parking Lot Redevelopment Project will also take place this summer. The project includes paving Lots E and G, installing landscaping and trees, and the construction of storm water management and drainage systems. Visit www.uleth.ca/facilities for more information about these or any other projects within the Department of Facilities. Jamie Woodford is the project assistant, communications, for the Department of Facilities
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athletics AT T H E U
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
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Getting back in the win column G E T T H E FA C T S • Veldman takes to nursing naturally. Her mother Heidi is an intensive care unit nurse and her younger sister Jenae is training to become a Licensed Practical Nurse
VOLUNTEERS BACK EFFORT
• She has three older brothers, Ryan, Daniel and Douglas, who all played basketball and still work out with her to improve her post moves • Veldman had a seasonhigh 20-point effort in one of the Horns’ key victories this season, a 72-66 win at the University of Victoria • Veldman enjoys working in rural hospitals, giving her the chance to work in surgery and medicine BY TREVOR KENNEY
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im Veldman only knew winning as a southern Alberta high school basketball player. Now, in her third year as a member of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball team, she is getting reacquainted with that feeling. Veldman and the Pronghorns have fashioned a 5-5 start to the 2012-13 Canada West season and are in the thick of the race for a playoff position. After seasons in which the Horns won just four and six games respectively, it’s a welcome light at the end of a two-year tunnel. “It feels good to put in the effort and to see some results, it’s almost a weird feeling to be winning again,” says Veldman, a product of Lethbridge’s Immanuel Christian High School and a three-time provincial 2A champion. “It was different being on the losing end, but it teaches you some lessons you might otherwise not learn. When I played at Immanuel Christian, I went into a team that was consistently good and expected to win. When I came to this level, I had to learn to really push myself to try and be better than the rest and it was a big change.” Veldman has played a key role in the Horns’ resurgence this season. As a returning starter, she is averaging more than 31 minutes per game and is the team’s leading rebounder. Moved from a strictly post position to that of a swing forward, she has flourished with the added responsibility of playing both an inside and outside
Third-year forward Kim Veldman takes a shot against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Photo by Paula Gorman
game. “Being a starter now and having that responsibility of playing more minutes has meant a lot to me and changed the way I approach the game,” says Veldman. “I have to be focused all the time because the team needs me now, especially given that I need to play a lot of minutes because we don’t have the depth in numbers that other teams might have.” First-year head coach Erin McAleenan has leaned on Veldman as one of her key performers and has been impressed by her progression. “Being able to use her as both an inside and outside threat has helped us,” says McAleenan. “We don’t have a lot of depth, so we’ve really tried to run some sets that highlight our best players and give them opportunities to succeed. I think Kim’s improved a lot over the course of the season and responded well to that challenge.” A third-year nursing student, Veldman has always succeeded in the classroom, even when the Horns had trouble finding success on the court. She has been an Academic All-Canadian in her first two seasons and continues to strike the balance between student and athlete. “I’ve always been blessed with the talent of time management,” she says. “I’ll admit I am a procrastinator but I think basketball really helps me with that because it forces me to get down and do my work.” As a nursing student, Veldman is taxed with completing practicum rotations amidst a busy practice schedule.
“It’s tough some days to come to practice after working a shift from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., then you need to find the time to eat and get to practice by 4 p.m. and be focused and ready to go,” she says. “But I love it. I just did my rural acute rotation out in Taber and it was great. I think I’ll really love it as a career once I finish school.” While she admits she has room to grow as a team leader, her coach says the work she puts in leads by example and hints at things to come. “I think she’s done a really good job in terms of managing her time as both a strong student and good athlete, and she not only balances them well but excels in both, and that sets a great example for her teammates,” says McAleenan. “She’s a quiet personality and not a real vocal leader or take-charge player with her teammates but I don’t know if she’s been asked to do that before. I think developing more confidence in her own role will help with that, because you have to be able to lead yourself before you lead others.” As the second half of the season and Veldman’s career tip off simultaneously, it is intriguing to think of the opportunities ahead. “I’m excited to see what happens. There are some tough teams we’re going to face but I think we’re ready for the challenge,” says Veldman. “I feel like we still need to get more comfortable with having success and learn more about how to finish off games but we’ve really come a long way.”
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An estimated 4,000 southern Albertans were given a safe ride home over the holiday season thanks to the annual Operation Red Nose program. For the first time in the 18-year history of the program, more than 700 volunteers, who were critical in the success of the operation, assisted Pronghorn Athletics. Over the span of 12 nights, Operation Red Nose provided 1,349 total rides, just shy of last year’s record-setting number. That included 150 rides on New Year’s Eve, the final evening of the program, where 19 volunteer teams worked hard to bring revelers home safely. Sandy Slavin, the director of Sport and Recreation Services, says the program continues to be generously supported by the southern Alberta community. She expects that Pronghorn
Athletics teams and clubs will receive their highest donation total in the program’s history. “Donations were up this year, we are estimating that we will be able to give over $40,000 to the Horns programs that assisted us this holiday season,” says Slavin. “As always, the support we received from local businesses in the form of food, gas, phones, coffee and so on was excellent. And of course we have to thank the Lethbridge Regional Police Service and the local media for helping us get the word out that we continue to provide a safe alternative for partygoers.” Lethbridge is one of just three Alberta communities that provide Operation Red Nose, in addition to Cold Lake and Fort Saskatchewan. Across the country, 58,319 volunteers helped ORN provide 87,761 rides. In 2013, Operation Red Nose will celebrate its 30th campaign nationally with a number of special anniversary activities.
ENHANCING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THE FOCUS OF LEARNING CIRCLES How better to engage students in the University of Lethbridge community than to involve them in building the supportive culture they want and need? This creative method of developing a supportive campus community is the basis of the Learning Circles project, and involves the creation of high performance teams (HPTs). Learning Circles is another Recruitment and Retention Project (RRP) with a goal of enhancing the student-centred service commitment of the U of L. Craig Milner, an instructor in the Faculty of Management, and Heather Mirau, director of integrated planning, have been co-leading a group of employees and two sets of students who represent various disciplines and years of study in this pilot project. Its goal is to establish a process for developing a culture of HPTs based on self-management principles. “Each team develops its own team culture within a guided process for achieving a level of high performance,” explains Milner, who is well acquainted with the use of HPTs, and has a rich background in guiding
and training high performance teams. He brings this knowledge into the classroom as well, teaching management students on how to construct effective HPTs. To date, the teams have been meeting on a weekly basis, sometimes independently and sometimes in a group setting. The employee team is known as the Dots and is meant to serve only as a source of connectivity for the students to find the expertise they need on campus to help them succeed. In cases where the employees may not know the department or person a student needs, it is their role to find that contact. In so doing, both the employee and the student learn what services are available and how they can be accessed. “We really have great resources and expertise on campus, and sometimes it’s a matter of simply finding those connections,” says Mirau. “This is a great opportunity for both our students and employees to learn about all the services that are available to our students.” CONTINUED ON PG. 6
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Information outlet the right answer
PILOT PROJECT SUCCESSFUL CONTINUED FROM PG. 5 The project will look to add more individuals to each team in the spring semester, giving them an opportunity to ease into the team culture, at which time the teams will organically split and repeat the process to continue to take in more students and employees. The Learning Circles have been well received by those participating in the pilot project. “The experience has helped me analyze my own education and in turn create a strategy to improve my campus experience,” says Nicole Meurs, a second-year management student majoring in human resources. “With the support of my fellow teammates and the knowledge sharing and resources of our Dots, it has really opened my eyes to everything that is available to us.” Jennifer McArthur, a learning strategist in the Counselling Services office, says her involvement with the HPTs has been very rewarding. “It’s been great to work with the students and help create those connections for them, and it’s also been a real learning experience for our group too,” she says. Anyone wishing to participate in a Learning Circle is urged to contact any of the following: Kristy Burke (kristy.burke@uleth.ca), Lynette LaCroix (lynette.lacroix@uleth. ca), Nicole Leusink (nicole. leusink@uleth.ca), Jennifer McArthur (j.mcarthur@uleth.ca), Craig Milner (craig.milner@uleth. ca), and Heather Mirau (mirau@ uleth.ca).
Operational manager Ryan Hall chats with a student at the Campus Information Services outlet.
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ou no doubt have noticed the friendly faces greeting you at the Campus Information Services outlet located directly across from Tim Hortons in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. This operation, which just recently opened, is yet another initiative from the Recruitment and Retention Project. To develop the initial operation, Ryan Hall has been seconded as the operational manager in a strategic partnership with Sport & Recreation Services. Campus Information Services (CIS) team members are also members of the U-Crew, a group of students trained by Recruitment and Student Life in way-finding, general service information and conducting campus tours. “This pool of trained students is an enormous benefit in
pulling together a knowledgeable team,” says Hall. Although the majority of inquiries CIS receives have been related to way finding, team members are also equipped to provide Faculty information, general assistance and ID Card information, as well as distribution and pick-up services for departments. Way finding includes the physical location of spaces on campus, as well as the location of service information on the web; e.g., the University Calendar. Slightly more than half of the inquiries to date are from students, with the other inquiries coming from faculty, staff and the local community. Other duties for CIS team members include assisting several student service units across campus in developing programs and databases and monitoring
NOW SEEKING NOMINATIONS
the Services for Students web page to ensure all web links are active. “This is a win-win situation, because it allows our students the opportunity to gain more information about our student services from across campus, then turn around and share that information more broadly,” says Hall. “It also gives these units increased and more sustainable service levels and provides much more information to our clients.” When major campus events such as convocation, Horns Athletics, New Student Orientation and the campus open house take place, the CIS outlet space is shared. Campus Information Services will also co-ordinate the services within the Collaborative Learning Centre located in the University Hall Atrium, along with a support team of
service professionals such as Library Peer-Assisted Technology Support Students (PATTS), and the I.T. Solutions Centre staff. While the operation has only been open a few months, Hall and his team have already accumulated a great deal of information for distribution, and made connections across campus. They are now entering the next phase of implementation by co-ordinating their services for the downtown Penny Building and the University’s Calgary and Edmonton campuses. As well, the creation of a web site is in the planning stages, bringing the information to an online format. The end goal is to provide one central location for the collection and distribution of general University information, as well as a meeting place for campus tours. Campus Information Services operates from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday with reduced hours heading into the holiday period. All inquiries are logged, in order to monitor traffic to adjust the hours of operation to meet client demand. The Campus Information Services team invites everyone to let it know how to better assist in the collection and distribution of information to make the U of L a more welcoming and servicefriendly university.
NOW SEEKING NOMINATIONS
Ingrid Speaker Medal
Distinguished Teaching AW AR D
FOR DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, OR PERFORMANCE
The Ingrid Speaker Medal for Distinguished Research,
The Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes the
Scholarship, or Performance recognizes the central
central importance of teaching to the philosophy and
importance of research, scholarship and performance to
goals of the University of Lethbridge and provides
the philosophy and goals of the University of Lethbridge
recognition to those members of the academic staff
and provides recognition to those members of the
who excel in teaching.
academic staff who excel in these areas. Deadline for nominations and supporting documents:
February 1, 2013
Deadline for nominations and supporting documents:
February 28, 2013
The award is open to all full- and part-time members of the academic staff who have taught during some part of the
The award is open to all full- and part-time members of the academic
2011/2012 academic year. Nominations are welcome from any
staff currently employed at the University of Lethbridge. Nominations
member of the University community, including students, faculty,
are welcome from any member of the University community, including
staff, and alumni.
faculty, alumni, staff, students, Senate and Board of Governors.
For nomination forms, contact: For nomination forms, contact:
Office of the President, 403-329-2286
Office of the President, 403-329-2286
www.uleth.ca/president/awards/
www.uleth.ca/president/awards/
distinguished-teaching
ingrid-speaker-medal
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Dr. Blythe Shepard ada, jobs in traditional employment sectors are disappearing while few new jobs in expanding, knowledge-based manufacturing and service industries are being developed. Rural Canadians have expressed concern about the loss of young people through urban migration. When rural communities lose their youth, they lose the creative and innovative ability of young people to find possible solutions to community problems. As a long-time rural resident, I was curious about how rural young women perceived themselves within the context of a rural community, now and in the future. I also wondered how active these young women were in the construction of future plans. A doctoral SSHRC fellowship allowed me to pursue this study. Four years later, I followed up the study with a Standard SSHRC grant that focused on rural youth in three communities in BC. Blythe Shepard joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge in July 2008. She received her doctorate in educational psychology with a specialty in counselling psychology from the University of Victoria in 2002 where she was a faculty member (2002-2008) and graduate advisor (2005-2008) in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies. Shepard is completing the first Canadian textbook for Career Practitioners and recently
co-authored a national handbook for the supervision of counsellors/ psychotherapists. She is the 2011 recipient of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s (CCPA) Professional Contribution Award in recognition of outstanding promotion of the counselling profession in Canada and is PresidentElect of CCPA.
SCHOLARS TALK
of scholarship, and as a result, presents a variety of recipients from all areas of campus. Previous recipients of the University Scholars awards have included researchers in sociology, theatre & dramatic arts, the humanities and health sciences. The 2010-2012 recipients represent education (von Heyking) and the social sciences (Kingfisher). A research grant totalling $5,000 over the two years of the designation is awarded to recipients, in addition to $1,500 for conference travel, registration or other associated fees. As well, one course relief in teaching duty is granted for each year of the appointment. As a requirement of receiving the grant, each University
The University Scholars Program presents a pair of talks to the University of Lethbridge community this month, as Dr. Catherine Kingfisher and Dr. Amy von Heyking offer presentations based on their studies over the past two years. The University Scholars Program was established by the U of L’s Board of Governors in 2007 to recognize the excellence of faculty members in the areas of research, scholarship and creative performance. Designed as a recognition for faculty members who carry a full teaching load and who are still able to be successful in their pursuit of scholarship, it also rewards all different aspects
What first piqued your interest in your research discipline? In many rural areas in Can-
How is your research applicable in “the real world”?
Based on the themes that were identified in interviews with rural youth, a community workshop was designed in collaboration with rural youth. Future Bound: A Lifeworks Expedition Workshop for Rural Youth is an activity-based workshop designed to help youth examine their past, current and projected future life paths. The workshop activities are readily adapted for use by counsellors and teachers. The Possible Selves
Scholar must give a public lecture or performance during the two-year term of their designation. The following talks are open to everyone. Dr. Catherine Kingfisher (Anthropology) | Happiness: notes on culture and governance | Wednesday, Jan. 16, 3 to 5 p.m., AH100 In this paper, she explores the emergence of happiness and wellbeing being as keystones of contemporary EuroAmerican culture. Drawing on the relationship between disciplinary enterprises and forms of governance, as well as on crosscultural comparison, she works to situate the current obsession with happiness and wellbeing as
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Mapping Interview is used by practitioners in Wellington, New Zealand (Geoff Plimmer, PhD of FutureSelves Ltd.) while Campus d’Alfred de l’Université de Guelph translated sections of the Future Bound Workshop for use with their rural students.
What is the greatest honour you have received in your career?
From 2000 to 2005, I was involved in a unique experiment in genuinely interdisciplinary research funded by SSHRC and NSERC. A set of carefully constructed complementary case studies on the east and west coasts of Canada were developed to achieve an integrated analysis of the long- and short-term impacts of socio-environmental restructuring on the health of people, their small communities and the environment. A total of 70 natural and social scientists and 167 trainees worked together with local communities to produce leading-edge research. Upon completion of the project, the Coasts Under Stress Research Team was awarded the University of Victoria Craigdarroch Team Award for Societal Contribution.
How important are students to your research endeavours?
I believe in maintaining an active role in supporting and collaborating with graduate students. A mentoring relationship that acknowledges our different worldviews, epistemological un-
a cultural formation – that is, as an artifact of a historically and culturally unique set of patterns and forces – thus problematizing its taken-for-granted status, in academic and policy-making circles, as a self-evident and universal goal with universal characteristics. Dr. Amy von Heyking (Education) | We are not a holy huddle: Faith-based public schools in Alberta | Friday, Jan. 25, 3 to 5 p.m., AH100 In response to political pressure and legal challenges, most Canadian provinces have restricted or eliminated religious education in public schools. Alberta, however, has expanded opportunities for faith-based education within the public
derstandings, learning styles, etc. is a powerful form of social learning. I encourage and support students to take an active role in all parts of my research program in order for students to develop as researchers and academics. My vision for our work together is that of a facilitator who guides students over their shoulders.
If you had unlimited funds, which areas of research would you invest?
My research interests would continue to focus on rural women across the lifespan but would expand to include various types of rural communities in several provinces (e.g., remote, near urban centres, resource based, etc). The following questions would guide my research: (1) How do rural women weave work into the tapestry of their lives in communities experiencing social and economic change? (2) What are the work-life issues, supports and challenges for rural women? (3) What are the differences in socio-economic structures in each rural community and how do they affect women? Each month, the Legend will present 5 Questions With . . . one of our researchers. For a look at the entire catalog of 5 Questions With . . . features, check out the Office of Innovation and Research Services website at www.uleth.ca/research/ research_profiles. If you’d like to be profiled, contact Penny Pickles at pickpj@uleth.ca
school system. Currently, there are about 45 faith-based schools or programs within schools, educating approximately 8,000 Alberta students. Most are nondenominational Christian programs, but there are also Jewish programs, Muslim schools and schools grounded in aboriginal spirituality. This talk will address how these programs came to be integrated into the public school system of Alberta. It will outline the results of a detailed case study of one school and provide a critical analysis of the ways in which its faith commitment is lived out within the context of the school culture, curriculum and classroom practice.
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UNIVERSITY PLAYS KEY ROLE IN ALUMNI COUPLE’S STORY BY STACY SEGUIN
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ome would call it luck, others fortune, but when her father, Dr. Keith Roscoe, accepted a position with the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge in 1996, an entirely new world of possibilities opened up for Catherine Roscoe Barr (BSc ’02) and her future husband, Aaron Barr (BFA ’02). Aaron, now a technical artist for Pixar Canada, and Catherine, a freelance writer, first met in Grade 7 in Grande Prairie but their friendship was cut short when Aaron’s family moved to Lethbridge. With her father’s new position at the University, Catherine was able to rekindle a friendship with Aaron in her final year of high school. After graduation, she enrolled at the University in the pre-vet program then quickly switched to pre-med studies. “I realized I really didn’t like physics so I switched to neuroscience. It was awesome,” explains Catherine. “I had three favourite professors: Drs. Gail Michener, Peter Dibble and Glen Prusky. They communicated the material, which was often very complicated, in such a way that was fascinating and easy to understand.” While Catherine concentrated on the sciences, Aaron enrolled in fine arts. He loved to draw and had a great interest in computer graphics and animation, but he was unsure about the reality of an artist making a living in the world of computer graphics, so he entered the U of L with plans to pursue a career in architecture. When the University created the multimedia program in Aaron’s second year, however, he quickly applied. “There were college programs offering similar type programs but I really wanted the more universal experience I got at the University,” says Aaron, who was among the first to
G E T T H E FA C T S
Aaron and Catherine Roscoe Barr have parlayed their U of L educations into exciting, satisfying careers.
• Catherine writes for publications such as the Vancouver Sun, The Province, BC Home and Garden, Homes and Living, Western Living, Real Weddings, TV Week and BCLiving.ca • Catherine’s writings and adventures can be found at: thelifedeliciousblog.com • Catherine recently returned from Jamaica where she ran the Reggae Marathon 10K • Aaron’s career path has seen him work for C.O.R.E. Feature Animation, Rainmaker Animation, Animal Logic, Image Engine Design Inc. and Pixar • Aaron’s major projects include: Partysaurus Rex, Legend of the Guardians, The Thing, The Wild, The Ant Bully and Escape from Planet Earth graduate from the program. During one of his classes, Aaron had the opportunity to interview John Kahrs, a senior animator for Pixar, regarding Kahrs’ work on the animated film Monsters Inc. “I loved what he was doing and how passionate he was. I decided then that I wanted to abandon architecture and pursue my interest in film. I thought it was just a shot in the dark but he said go for it, you’ll get there,” remembers Aaron, who recently ran into John at Pixar. “I told him how I had met him at the University and how he had inspired me. At Pixar, I build characters, sets, props, paint texture onto them, and add surface qualities and hair, anything involving the look of
the character or object.” Catherine too had a lifechanging moment while she was a student at the U of L. As a teenager she was always quite active but with her studies taking up so much time, her activity level dropped and she found herself eating a lot of unhealthy cafeteria food. One of her roommates in residence encouraged her to get a personal trainer. “It changed the course of my life,” she says. “I had wanted to become a doctor but I found that fitness was a proactive way to help people. I started taking fitness classes and got my fitness instructor certificate. The year after I graduated I got my personal trainer certification.” In July 2000, the couple was engaged, and in August 2002,
just a few months after graduating, they married. A move to Toronto followed, where Catherine started her own business working as a personal trainer and teaching fitness classes at Sheridan College. Aaron earned a diploma in digital character animation at the college, and then began working for C.O.R.E. Feature Animation. Several career moves later, Aaron was given the opportunity to work on the movie, Legends of the Guardians, in Australia in 2009. It was a move that would affect Catherine’s career as well. “About three days after we moved to Australia, I was walking in downtown Sydney. I walked by this beautiful building, with all these beautiful people. I didn’t know what it
was but I knew I had to be a part of it. I went home and Googled the address. It was ACP Magazines, an enormous magazine publisher,” says Catherine, who subsequently spent the next five months there as an intern. She has since developed a successful career writing about her passions: fitness, health, food and travel. In May 2011, Aaron landed his dream job with Pixar Canada. “Working for Pixar has been a long-time goal; they always put quality first and are determined to create original, compelling stories,” says Aaron. “I said to Aaron the other day that if I won the lotto I would keep doing exactly what I am doing,” says Catherine. “I feel so blessed.”
INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS OFFERS SURVEY HELP The number-crunching experts in Institutional Analysis are reminding the University community that if you wish to conduct a survey or distribute survey information to students or employees, they can help define how best to do that, and also ensure that the survey process follows the policy and guidelines approved by the Board of Governors on Oct. 11, 2012. The policy was developed to avoid over-surveying people, and also to ensure that
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no FOIP or improper data collection issues occur. If you are planning a survey for any segment of the U of L community – or are looking to participate in an externally-designed survey which would be made available to or distributed to employees or students – please visit the policy website (www.uleth. ca/analysis/surveys/surveypolicy) or contact Institutional Analysis to learn more about the survey policy.
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L I V I N G W E L L AT T H E
New year presents chance for change BY SUZANNE MCINTOSH Happy New Year 2013! Because you are reading this, we have survived the end of the world. So, for those of you who were using that as your excuse not to make those small health changes, we are still here and it can’t be used any longer! So what to do about this?
Do any of these statements sound familiar to you? • I would like to find out
about my overall health status
• I feel stressed • I am having trouble sleeping at night
• I would like information on my blood pressure or cholesterol levels
Do you know that employees who are aware of their health risks are more likely to make healthier lifestyle changes? We can help. Health Check for U is a convenient way to assess your general health status, and begin to set some manageable health or fitness goals. Screening for 2013 starts Feb. 7 and continues to April 4. If you’ve been through the program before, feel free to come back and have a second or third screening. This is also a great way to find out if past goals are being met. Health Check for U is a 15-minute confidential, free screening that includes cholesterol and blood sugar levels, blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and a follow-up consultation. E-mail wellness@uleth.ca to register. Building Healthy Lifestyles writer Shannon Duff speaks to the importance of taking control of your health by looking at the big picture. “When we look at reducing our risk for chronic disease, we have to look at our health from head to toe and from the inside out. When we talk about reducing our risk, we often look at our blood vessels, which feed every part of our body and all our organs. The health of our blood vessels is affected by our lifestyle choices and whether or not we have chronic conditions. Often chronic disease develops and we do not even realize that it is happening. Manageable conditions or
• I have diabetes or another chronic health issue
• I smoke • I have a family history of heart disease, stroke or diabetes
• I am ready to make some
small changes to improve my overall health
chronic diseases include: metabolic syndrome, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and heart failure. These are all conditions that affect our blood vessels. The cornerstone of treatment and intervention for all of these conditions is lifestyle change. Healthy eating (not dieting), physical activity, weight reduction and maintenance, quitting smoking, reducing stress, reducing alcohol consumption and sleep habits all contribute to building a healthy lifestyle. These are all things we can control.” Building Healthy Lifestyles (403-388-6675) has classes available to help you to learn about these lifestyle changes, as well as specific chronic disease classes that can assist you to make changes that will have health benefits now and into the future. Building Healthy Lifestyles helps you to look at preventing chronic disease or conditions, identifying disease in its early stages, slowing down the progression of disease and advocating for you to self manage your health to improve your quality of life. Contact Suzanne McIntosh, wellness co-ordinator at suzanne.mcintosh@uleth.ca, wellness@uleth.ca or by calling 403-332-5217 to schedule a Health Check for U session or if you would like more information. As always, I look forward to any comments, suggestions or questions. Suzanne McIntosh is the wellness co-ordinator for the University of Lethbridge
U of L
the Legend
HEALTH CENTRE WELCOMES DIGITAL AGE BY LORI WEBER
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hanges are coming to the University of Lethbridge Health Centre in 2013. The long-awaited electronic medical record (EMR) system should be arriving in the new year and this brings about changes from the old paper medical chart system. The Alberta Government has worked with clinics across Alberta over the past years to assist with the conversion of cumbersome and timeconsuming paper records to EMRs. The Health Centre has chosen to implement the Med Access system, which promises faster access to records, a reduction of time searching for information, a template system for physicians and health practitioners to improve patient care and practice management, as well as a tracking, delegating and monitoring system for patient follow-up and better appointment management. What do you really need to know? Firstly, patients need to know that the basics of confidentiality remain the same. When a chart is created for a new client, the same patient
information is collected and it is merely the storage of that information that changes. The system continues the same regulations concerning length of time that a chart is kept (typically 10 years) and how to manage the confidentiality of that chart. Remember, medical charts have never been associated with academic records (unless some information has been personally requested for academic purposes, such as a withdrawal or a sick note). The system of ensuring confidentiality is vigorous and regulated by various acts. The Health Information Act ensures privacy, confidentiality, security and access to records. Therefore, what information is kept personal, how people handle the information, the protection against violation and who accesses the information is highly regulated. Whether paper charts or an EMR system is used to keep/store information, clients can expect the same level of protection for their personal information. What can you expect in the new year? The same level of excellent medical service, albeit with some potential hiccups along the way as the Health
Centre staff asks its customers for patience as the conversion process from paper to electronic charting takes place. Yes, the doctor may be using a computer as they speak with you. The result is that some things will be much faster with this system, including creating receipts and notes, and we are hoping that the wait for laboratory results will also be shorter. In reality, the Health Centre will operate much as it always has, and any changes should be positive for clients. Also in 2013, a new physician arrives! The best part about the new year is that we will be adding a new physician to the roster. As you may know, there is a physician shortage in Lethbridge. However, we will be welcoming Dr. Kami Makar on Wednesdays and Thursdays to help students with their medical issues, allowing them to return as fast as possible to their academic pursuits with a healthy body and mind. Dr. Makar is a welcome addition to the human face of medical care, whether with an EMR or paper chart! Lori Weber is the manager of the University of Lethbridge Health Centre
CAPPING OFF
The construction crew at the University’s Aperture Park Student Residence Building worksite takes a short break to celebrate the final pour of concrete on the roof of the new structure. The 259-bed facility is scheduled to be completed in July, with new students moving into residence in the fall. The photo was taken from one of the cranes used in the construction.
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events C A L E N D A R
Pronghorn Athletics Jan. 4-5 | Canada West Women’s Hockey Horns host University of Regina 7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena Jan. 11-12 | Canada West Men’s Hockey Horns host University of British Columbia 7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena Jan. 18-19 | Canada West Women’s Hockey | Horns host University of Alberta 7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena Jan. 18 | Canada West Basketball Horns host Trinity Western University Women’s game 6 p.m.; Men’s game 8 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre Jan. 19 | Canada West Basketball Horns host University of Fraser Valley Women’s game 6 p.m.; Men’s game 8 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre Jan. 25-26 | Canada West Men’s Hockey Horns host University of Manitoba 7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena Feb. 1 | Canada West Women’s Hockey Horns host Mt. Royal University 7 p.m., Nicholas Sheran Arena Feb. 1-2 | Canada West Basketball Horns host Brandon University Women’s game 6 p.m.; Men’s game 8 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre
Jan. 29 | Music at Noon: Nick Sullivan (bass trombone) | 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570) Feb. 1-2 | Fledermaus – The Opera Ball U of L Opera Workshop and the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra present Johan Strauss’s music | 8 p.m. nightly, Southminster United Church
Feb. 2 | Canada West Men’s Hockey Horns host Mt. Royal University 7 p.m., Nicholas Sheran Arena
Performances
Lectures
Jan. 16 | Music to Warm the Long Winter Nights | Enjoy a wide range of heart-warming music presented by U of L music faculty and students | 7:30 p.m., Lethbridge Public Library
Jan. 6 | Health Sciences presentation: Nancy Hansen | Mountaineer Nancy Hansen discusses her adventures as the first woman to climb all 54 Canadian peaks over 11,000 feet | 7 p.m., PE250
Jan. 18 | LSO Chamber Series III Featuring the U of L Faculty Brass and Chamber Winds | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church
Jan. 11 | Prentice Institute Brown Bag Lecture Series | Dr. Kurt Klein presents The Biofuels Frenzy: Implications for Agriculture, Food Security and the Environment | 12 p.m., L1102
Jan. 19 | Big Band Cabaret Enjoy a silent auction, door prizes and dancing to the Lethbridge Big Band | 8 p.m., Students’ Union Ballroom
Jan. 16 | University Scholars Lecture: Dr. Catherine Kingfisher | Happiness: notes on culture & governance | 3 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100)
Jan. 22 | Music at Noon: Ronelle Schaufele (viola) & Luciane Cardassi (piano) | 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)
Jan. 17 | Prentice Institute Lecture: Miles Corak | Labour economist formerly of Statistics Canada, Corak presents Sliding Down the Gatsby Curve: Social Mobility in Comparison 7 p.m., PE250
Jan. 24-26 | TheatreXtra: The Love List What would happen if you got the chance to order your dream date? Be careful what you wish for | 8 p.m. nightly, David Spinks Theatre; 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 26
Jan. 25 | University Scholars Lecture: Dr. Amy von Heyking | We are not a holy huddle: Faith-based public schools in Alberta 3 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100)
Jan. 25 | Faculty Artists & Friends: Celebrate Poulenc | Music faculty performs in honour of the 50th anniversary of the death of Francis Poulenc | 8 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)
CHANGES TO VOTING LEGISLATION BENEFIT STUDENTS
BY ABBY GROENENBOOM Voting in provincial elections has become a little easier for students who attend a postsecondary institution located outside their permanent place of residence. Bill 7, or the Election Accountability Amendment Act, saw its third and final reading in the Alberta Legislature in early December 2012. The bill includes several changes in how Alberta’s elections are carried out and allows for post-secondary students to cast their ballots in either the riding they attend
school or their home riding. “This is going to make voting much easier for students in the next election,” says Armin Escher, president of the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU). “The Elections Act is going to be amended as per our recommendation to the government, and I hope we see even more students turn out to vote in the next election as a result.” This is a huge accomplishment for the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS), a provincial lobby group compromised of the University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary and University of Alberta Students’ Unions. CAUS has been lobbying the government since 2008 to make it a little easier for students to vote in this province. The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union hopes to see an increase in voter turnout in the next provincial election, particularly among students.
“This past May we saw a lot of students being turned away at the polls who were not able to vote due to the fact that their home riding was not Lethbridge,” says Julia Adolf, VP academic for the ULSU. “The changes to the Elections Act will give our students the ability to vote in Lethbridge.” This is not the only issue the bill addressed; it also decreases the disclosure limit for campaign contributions and requires quarterly reports from political parties, as well as introduces four-year terms for municipal councillors among other municipal election changes. The bill was originally based on recommendations put forth by the Chief Electoral Officer, however, the recommendations that CAUS made were also accepted. Many parts of this bill have been met with controversy but the portion pertaining to student voting has met with agreement by all parties in the legislature.
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Miscellaneous Jan. 10 | Gallery Reception: The Uncanny Valley | Featuring works that employ hyperrealist painting techniques to engage and unsettle the viewer | 4 p.m., Main Gallery Jan. 10 | Gallery Reception: Tracing the Elusive Past of the Chinarians | 4 p.m., Main Gallery Jan. 11 | Masquerade Fundraiser A formal ball where masks are mandatory. All funds in support of the 2013 Nursing Grad Celebration | 8 p.m., City Hall Foyer Jan. 12 | Culture Vulture Saturday Into a New Photo Realm | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., University Hall Atrium Jan. 14 | New Media Film Series: Moon 7 p.m., Lethbridge Public Library Jan. 15 & 17 | Wellness Workshop: Mental Illness in the Workplace | Strategies for being a supportive co-worker/manager will be explored, along with the application of mental health strategies directly to the workplace | Jan. 15, 9 to 11 a.m., AH100; Jan. 17, 1:30 to 3 p.m., AH100 Jan. 26 | Abbondanza | A memorable evening of gourmet food, fine art and fun | 6 p.m., Coco Pazzo Italian Café Jan. 28-Feb. 7 | The Big Idea: Student Speaker Challenge | Presented by the Lethbridge Public Research Interest Group, the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union and the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs Preliminary debates Jan. 28-31; Final debates Feb. 4-7
FACULTY ARTISTS AND FRIENDS SERIES CELEBRATES CAREER OF POULENC Renowned as a great French composer and member of Les Six, Francis Poulenc’s compositions shaped the music of the 20th century. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his death, the Faculty Artists and Friends Series honours his career with Celebrate Poulenc, a concert featuring some of his most inspired works. Taking place Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. in the University Recital Hall, music faculty perform an enjoyable program of Poulenc’s popular and poetic pieces. “Dr. Blaine Hendsbee (tenor) and Glen Montgomery (piano) perform a sampling of Poulenc’s vocal works including Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon: C and Fêtes galantes, and Dr. Sandra Stringer (mezzo soprano) and Dr. Carolyn Harrington (piano) delight audiences with La Dame de Monte Carlo,” says Dr. Paul Sanden, Faculty Artists and Friends committee member. On the program is a selec-
tion of Poulenc’s instrumental music, which includes Sonata for Two Clarinets, featuring Margaret Mezei (clarinet) and Thilo Schaller (clarinet), and Sonata for French Horn, Trumpet and Trombone performed by Dr. Thomas Staples (horn), Dr. Josh Davies (trumpet) and Nick Sullivan (trombone). “We are excited to introduce the new Faculty Wind Quintet for their debut on-campus performance,” says Sanden. “They will perform Poulenc’s Sextet and are joined by Dr. Deanna Oye (piano).” Members of the quintet include Sanden (flute), Mezei (clarinet), Staples (French horn) and fourth-year music majors Joelle Strang (oboe) and Kelsey Plouffe (bassoon). Tickets for Celebrate Poulenc are available at the U of L Box Office or by calling 403-3292616. Individual tickets are $20 regular, $15 seniors/students. Regular tickets are also available online at www.uleth.ca/tickets.
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FINE ARTS
A night like no other
in focus TOUGH LOVE What would happen if your perfect dream date showed up at your door? In Norm Foster’s The Love List, TheatreXtra’s next production, the answer may come as a surprise: be careful what you wish for! Experience the misadventures of a couple of unsuspecting bachelors and their perfect girlfriend, Jan. 24-26 at 8 p.m. nightly (2 p.m. matinee Jan. 26) in the David Spinks Theatre. Director and thirdyear theatre studies major,
WARMING UP WITH MUSIC Take a break from the wild winter winds with a lyrical concert of heartwarming music performed by the students and faculty of the Department of Music. Music to Warm the Long
the Legend Raynah Bourne is excited to bring this script to life. “This is comedy in its truest form,” says Bourne. “It is a very funny script and it has heart. I knew this play would be fun to work with. Audiences may have to suspend their belief at times, but the final message is something we can all appreciate.” The play begins with Bill feeling pretty down on love. His friend, Leon, decides to set him up with a matchmaking service and the two make a list of 10 qualities they desire in their
perfect woman. To Bill’s surprise, Justine arrives and has every desirable quality from the love list. However, perfection is in the eye of the beholder and the two bachelors find themselves tangled in a bizarre love triangle! To discover how Bill, Leon and Justine unravel the true meaning of love, get your tickets for The Love List at the U of L Box Office. Tickets are $11 regular, $7 seniors/students. Regular tickets can also be purchased online, www. uleth.ca/tickets.
Winter Nights appears on Wednesday, Jan. 16 in the Theatre Gallery of the Lethbridge Public Library. “We’ll serve up a musical banquet of choice tidbits from the plaintive medieval love songs of Guillaume de Machaut to the piano wizardry of Frederick Chopin and the delightful operatic
frivolity of Johann Strauss Junior,” says Dr. Brian Black. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. with a cosy fireside chat presented by Black about the music and composers. The concert follows at 8 p.m. Admission is free. A freewill offering is appreciated.
The annual Abbondànza evening is one of the most anticipated events of the year.
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ine arts professors, students and a local restaurant have once again joined forces for a good cause – fine arts student scholarships. The 12th annual Abbondànza, an evening of gourmet food, fine arts and fun fills CoCo Pazzo Italian Café on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. “We are pleased to participate in this exciting event,” says Tony Rose, CoCo Pazzo co-owner. “It is unlike anything else that goes on in this city!” The festivities include a unique menu highlighting the cuisine of Italy prepared by CoCo’s expert chefs, accompanied by tasty music, works of art, drama and humour provided by the Faculty of Fine Arts. Guests vote in a most unusual way for their favourite course and the evening ends with the presentation of the Abbondànza Culinary Trophy, which hangs prominently in the restaurant for the rest of the year. “We have some good news we want to share with everyone,” says Doug MacArthur, Abbondànza Organizing Committee Chair. “Abbondànza is
Italian for abundance and thanks to the abundant support from the community, we are approaching our $1-million goal for the Abbondànza Endowment Fund.” Creating an endowment fund ensures that donations in support of student scholarship continue to work far into the future. “If anyone in the University community wants to support our students and help us reach our goal a little faster, they are welcome to make a donation to the Abbondànza Endowment Fund,” says MacArthur. “No gift is too small or too large.” Cash and cheque donations can be dropped off in W627 or faculty and staff can use the handy payroll deduction option available through the Bridge (www.uleth.ca/bridge/sos) by clicking Abbondànza Endowment Fund in the gift designation section. Tickets for Abbondànza 2013 are $150 (include $75 income tax receipt). Call Katherine Wasiak at 403-329-2227 as soon as possible for tickets, as very few remain.
FLEDERMAUS TO BE PRESENTED IN ALL ITS GLORY
Fledermaus is considered one of the world’s most famous operettas.
Everyone is invited to Prince Orlofsky’s masquerade ball! It’s a night of fun, frivolity and free-flowing champagne, mixed in with a little romance and mistaken identity. The U of L Opera Workshop and Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra invite audiences to enjoy their full stage production of Strauss’ Fledermaus – The Opera Ball on Feb. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. nightly at Southminster United Church. “Fledermaus is one of the world’s most famous operettas, by the Waltz King himself, Johann Strauss,” says Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, Opera Workshop director. “We are putting a bit of a twist on the story by transporting our version to the roaring 1920s. Vienna was at
From musical entertainment to dramatic sketches and humour, Abbondànza offers attendees a little bit of everything the Faculty of Fine Arts has to offer.
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the height of fashion and popular culture in the 20s. It was a wild era, where social confines were breaking down. There were lots of parties and celebrations, which makes this setting perfect for the operetta – especially for the big party in Act II.” A feast for the eyes, Fledermaus features sumptuous costumes complete with top hats, gowns and flapper dresses designed by Leslie Robison-Greene. A sparkling set designed by Jim Wills adds to the spectacle. “This is a very funny operetta, audiences should be prepared to laugh a lot,” Hendsbee notes. “We are singing the text in English so everyone can understand every single joke.” As the fourth performance in the LSO’s Masters
Series, Fledermaus includes very familiar music performed by the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Glen Klassen. “The tunes are recognizable. Right from the very famous Overture to Adele’s Laughing Song, audiences will be surprised at how well they already know this operetta,” says Hendsbee. Tickets for Fledermaus – The Opera Ball are available from the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra office, Suite 101, 410 Stafford Drive South (open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or by calling 403-328-6808 ext. 101. Tickets are also available online www.lethbridgesymphony.org. Tickets are not available at the U of L Box Office.
Christopher Pratt was born in St. John’s, Nfld., in 1935. While attending Mount Allison University as a pre-med student, Pratt was encouraged to explore painting by instructors Lawren P. Harris and Alex Colville.
From 1957 to 1959 he studied at the Glasgow School of Art, and returned to Mount Allison to complete a BFA in 1961. Pratt has spent the majority of his career focusing on painting and printmaking, while also working as a curator and serving on national arts juries and committees. His artwork often depicts landscape and the human form, rendered in precise detail. Pratt strips his subjects down to their most essential elements, creating flattened compositions that are at once documentary and abstract. The resulting works have a dreamlike, atmospheric feeling. In 1973, Pratt was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 1980
[TOP] Christopher Pratt, Labrador Sea, 1980. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of the artist, 1998.
he designed the provincial flag of Newfoundland and Labrador. His work is held in numerous public and private collections across Canada, including the National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Musee d’art contemporain de Montreal, and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Pratt currently lives and works in St. Mary’s Bay, Nfld. A selection of works by Christopher Pratt is included in the exhibition The Uncanny Valley, which runs in the University of Lethbridge Main Gallery, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28, 2013.
[MIDDLE] Christopher Pratt, Summer of the Karmann Ghia, 1998. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of the artist, 1998.
[BOTTOM] Christopher Pratt, Big Following Sea, 1996. From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of the artist, 1998.
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