M AY 2010
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VOLUME 9
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ISSUE NINE
A Legacy of collaboration
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Dr. Jane O’Dea steps away after 10 years as dean of the Faculty of Education.
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
New SOS Chairs have big plans for campaign
Helping your kids enjoy their sport experience
By TREVOR KENNEY
Dr. Leah Fowler earns annual Distinguished Teacher award
Alumni Honour Society adds six members
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 June 6, 2010. A DV E R T I S I N G For ad rates or other information, contact: legend@uleth.ca
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inding a way to coax Dr. Jane O’Dea to talk about herself as she reflects on 10 years as dean of the Faculty of Education is a lesson in futility. Only within the context of describing the faculty’s achievements will she discuss her stewardship, and even then, she’ll deflect credit away from the
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President’s Awards honour service The President’s Award for Service Excellence recognizes exceptional service to the University of Lethbridge and members of the University community. The award is given to two individuals: one AUPE staff member and one APO/Exempt Support Staff Member. In addition, a Team Award has been added this year.
the Curriculum Re-Development Centre (CRDC) in May 2003 and has been a valuable asset ever since.
More than that, despite the hectic days, he always has a smile on his face, and takes true pride in helping to make the U of L shine.
Toth is best known around the University for his constant dedication to ensuring the numerous on-campus events have the high quality sound and event support needed to be successful. Whether he’s recording a voice over, representing the U of L at a conference, supporting events or assisting in the implementation of educational technology, his commitment to always go above and beyond the call of duty is ever present.
CREDITS Editor: Trevor Kenney Designer: Stephenie Karsten Contri b utors: Abby Allen, Amanda Berg, Diane Britton, Bob Cooney, Jane Edmundson, Nicole Eva, Brenda Mathenia, Jana McFarland, Suzanne McIntosh, Kali McKay, Maureen Schwartz, Stacy Seguin, Katherine Wasiak and Richard Westlund
University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 www.ulethbridge.ca
individual to that of the collective. “It’s not so much what I’ve achieved over the last 10 years, rather it’s what we’ve all achieved together,” says O’Dea, who will step away from the role of dean at the end of June and return to the faculty ranks, where she started at the U of L 20 years ago. “I’m tremendously proud of the things we’ve accomplished because
they were achievements that involved every single faculty member and all of our support staff.” Recognizing she was inheriting a faculty with a long and proud tradition, and balancing that with a need to create new and innovative programming that would reflect emerging educational challenges was a juggling act that O’Dea mastered. “I was tremendously fortunate to become dean of a faculty that has a fabulous tradition of collaboration and partnership with the professional community,” she says of the faculty relationship with Alberta Education’s Zone 6 schools and teachers. “That isn’t something I brought about, that’s something the founding members of the faculty created. It was my privilege to come in both as a faculty member and later as dean, become familiar with those structures, realize how important they were and then use that as a foundation to work with our faculty in moving forward.” One of the great legacies of O’Dea’s leadership is the establishment of First Nations programming, specifically through the creation of the Niitsitapi Teacher Education and the First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) graduate programs.
Toth is known for always saying, “Yes, we can do that,” and is consistently willing to put in the extra effort required to make it happen.
Calvin Toth (APO/Exempt support staff) Renowned as a knowledgeable, hard working and positive member of the University community, Cal Toth joined
A true testament to his commitment to the University of Lethbridge is evident to all those involved in the events that occur during convocation week. He is one of the first to show up in the morning and often the last person to leave, regularly juggling multiple engagements and working long hours.
Kim Fowler (AUPE staff) A 20-year employee of the University, Kim Fowler exemplifies customer service through her positive working relationships with students, co-workers, and members of the University community as a whole. CONTINUED ON PG. 6
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M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
the billboard
University of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what’s happening in the University community
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s I approach the final weeks of my tenure as President of the University of Lethbridge, it’s hard not to reflect on my 10 years here in southern Alberta and more specifically, on the many remarkable people I have met over that time. Dr. Jane O’Dea is one of those people and it is both ironic and fitting that we would begin our positions on the same day, 10 years ago, and will now be leaving these positions on the same day at the end of June. As the new Dean of the Faculty of Education, Jane had already been at the University for 10 years when she began her role. I was coming in from the outside and was fortunate to have Jane, among others, as a valuable resource to help learn about the U of L community. Jane was very generous in her time to me early on, and I remember fondly accompanying her on my first visit to the Blood
Reserve and Red Crow Community College. That was just the beginning of the Niitsitapi Teacher Education program, one that she supported, built and encouraged her colleagues to work on diligently. Congratulations Madam Dean on all that you were able to accomplish during your term, and I know we will continue to see great things from you in the future. The spring is a time for congratulations as we honour the many people who make the U of L such an exceptional place to work and study. Dr. Leah Fowler, this year’s Distinguished Teacher, is to be commended for her wonderful work in the Faculty of Education, as is Dr. Dave Morris, the Ingrid Speaker Medal recipient. Dr. Fowler will be honoured at Spring Convocation while Dr. Morris will be recognized at the fall event. I also want to make particu-
CAMPUS Shelley Scott (Theatre & Dramatic Arts) is presenting a paper called Asian Canadian Women Playwrights: The Ties that Bind at the GENesis AsianCanadian Theatre Conference, May 3-9 in Toronto. The conference is the first of its kind in Canada. Three U of L alumni have made the long list (Prairies and North region) for the 2010 Sobey Art Award. Daniel Wong (BFA ’03) and Mary-Anne McTrowe (BFA ’98), as The Cedar Tavern Singers AKA Les Phonorealistes, and Robyn Moody (BFA ’00) are all in the running for this prestigious award. Deric Olsen (New Media) has been invited to be an artist/ filmmaker-in-residence at the New Media Studio Laboratory (NMSL) at the University of Regina, July 5-9. While there he will work on high definition post-production and delivery methods, and present New Format, New Challenges: Exploring Techniques in High Definition Disc Authoring and Design.
lar mention of the President’s Award winners, Cal Toth from the Curriculum Re-Development Centre, Kim Fowler from Housing Services and the Major Building Construction Team from Facilities. This team is led by Brian Sullivan and includes Bill Hudgins, Jason Baranec, John Federkeil, Will Tietz, Dan Sullivan, Jim Vanderzee, Rick Baceda and Al Mueller. I am satisfied especially that these awards have recognized such a distinguished group over the years. Now that the Michael Nolan campaign has concluded, I want to say a special thank you to Vice-President Advancement Chris Horbachewski for initiating what was the most satisfying fundraising experience with which I have ever been associated. It was a wonderful success, both in terms of money raised for student scholarships and the great amount of fun we had with the project.
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Alumnus Zoran Rajcic (BMgt ‘94) won the Western Hockey League’s 2009-10 Marketing/Public Relations Award. Rajcic is the director of business operations for the Everett Silvertips. The Faculty of Fine Arts video site (www.lethbridgefinearts.ca) is a finalist in the Best Non-Commercial Website category of Digital Alberta’s Media Fresh awards. The web designer was New Media major Jesse Johnston and the advisory committee included: Dr. Desmond Rochfort, Emily Luce, Chris Morris, Venkat Mahadevan and Katherine Wasiak. Dr. Ed Jurkowski (Music) presented a paper entitled, How Formal Function Theory can inform Nineteenth-Century Deformed Sonata Designs: A Case Study using Bruckner’s Symphonies, at the University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.) during the annual joint meeting of the Rocky Mountain Societies for Music Theory and Musicology.
Dr. Arlan Schultz (Music) had his composition Ikos-kun tu ‘bar ba premiered by The Rubbing Stone Ensemble at a concert at the Rozsa Centre in Calgary. Karen Mahar (dean’s office) received a $3,000 scholarship from Alberta Advanced Education in recognition of her exceptional work in her first year as a graduate student. Mahar is now in her second year of an MA in English. Deanna Oye (Music) and Peter Visentin (Music) presented recitals of solo and duo music at the University of Manitoba and Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg last month. They also conducted master’s classes and lessons in the areas of collaborative piano and violin. Visentin gave a lecture on his research into musicians’ injuries to the Medical Rehabilitation Faculty of the University of Manitoba, and Oye also played a solo recital in Brandon, Man. following a week as senior piano adjudicator at the Brandon Festival of the Arts.
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I was very happy that a student, Joshua Og, won Michael Nolan, and I’ve heard that he has been putting the car to good use since he took ownership. My only advice to him, other than to enjoy the car and treat it well, was to never change its name. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Farewell Fiesta in May, where I can express my gratitude personally
to all of you for how wonderful you have made my time here at the University. Lastly, I will be presiding over my final convocation ceremonies next month, and I urge everyone to take some time to attend one of the four ceremonies. It’s an excellent way to reaffirm why we work so hard to make the University all that it is for our students.
COME join US FROM 3 - 5 P.M. ON
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 in markin hall This is an event for all faculty and staff of the University of Lethbridge. Please join us in a celebration – fiesta style – in honour of Dr. Bill and Elsa Cade and their contributions to the U of L during the last 10 years. Food, music, and fun as well some amusing tributes. free event | toonie bar
M AY 2010
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the Legend
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Loewen ready for challenge
Dr. Craig Loewen will serve as acting dean of the Faculty of Education when Dr. Jane O’Dea leaves the position. His term is for two years.
By TREVOR KENNEY
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hen Dr. Craig Loewen (BEd ’84) discusses stepping into the role of acting dean, Faculty of Education, he harbours no illusions. “The worst job in the world is following somebody who’s been incredibly successful, but there you go,” chuckles Loewen,
calgary a key u of l market BY richard westlund The University of Lethbridge plays a unique and significant role in providing thousands of Calgarians access to a personal, high-quality, comprehensive educational experience. Additionally, faculty at the U of L conduct research that is both relevant to the Calgary economy and to the quality of life for Calgarians. With that in mind, Calgary MLAs listened with great interest to a recent presentation made by U of L vice presidents Dr. Andrew Hakin and Nancy Walker. Hakin highlighted the U of L’s evolution as a comprehensive University, while also detailing the institution’s emphasis on providing access to postsecondary education. The Calgary numbers are compelling.
who has been appointed for a two-year period. It’s a sense of humour that has served Loewen well over the years and one of the reasons the immensely respected and accomplished mathematics education expert is being tabbed as the one to follow in the footsteps of departing dean, Dr. Jane O’Dea. “Jane has done an out-
In Fall 2009, the U of L was the choice of 2,680 Calgarians, which accounts for one-third of our total student body. The number of students at the Calgary campus hit an all-time high with 524 students enrolled. Last year, 278 students from SAIT, Mount Royal, the University of Calgary and Bow Valley College transferred to the U of L. Hakin detailed the U of L’s strategic plan and how its key elements focus on a continuing commitment to all students. Questions from members of the Calgary caucus suggested that many of them were already engaged in the issues of the post-secondary sector, while some comments showed a direct understanding of the U of L’s strengths and advantages. Justice Minister Alison Redford commended the U of L on the work it is doing in neuroscience, highlighting discoveries that are being made at the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience and the influence
standing job leading the faculty for 10 years,” says Loewen of O’Dea, who is returning to the faculty ranks. “The place is in great shape, our programs are solid, and we’ve got an excellent reputation and an outstanding faculty delivering our programming. From that perspective, it should be both interesting and fun working with the people we have in place.” The Loewen name is synonymous with the Faculty of Education. His father Arthur was an education faculty member and part of the University from its inception in 1967 through his retirement in 1987. “We actually overlapped by one meeting,” says Loewen. “The year he retired was the year I started, so the Faculty of Education has never been without a Loewen in 40-some years of history.” He takes over a faculty that is definitely in a position of strength, all the while acknowledging that the financial demands facing post-secondary institutions complicate matters. Loewen isn’t completely new to the position, however, having served previously as interim dean. That experience gave him the opportunity to work at the administrative level and he enjoyed the collaborative atmosphere. What he’ll miss are his teaching duties. “I won’t pretend otherwise, yes, it’ll be tough to give up teaching because I absolutely do love it,” he says. “On the other hand, people who love teaching need to be doing this kind of work to protect that opportunity for others.”
they have on government policy. MLA Manmeet Bhullar, a former Parliamentary Assistant for Advanced Education and Technology asked how changing demographics might affect enrolment at the U of L. While the number of 18 to 24 year-olds living in southern Alberta will decrease over the next decade, Hakin sees the city of Calgary as a real opportunity of growth for the U of L. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Len Webber was interested in the state of student housing on campus, learning that the U of L is working towards increasing the number of beds on campus and that success in creating more spaces will enhance the student experience. The U of L recognizes Calgary as a key demographic and that building and maintaining links to the city are vital as the University moves forward. Richard Westlund is the University’s director of government relations
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o’dea continually brought education to the forefront get T H E FA C T S • O’Dea’s undergraduate degree is in music and she is an accomplished recital piano player. “There’s one recital that I haven’t done that I’d really like to do and when I get time to practice I think I might like to go back and do that. I won’t share that yet, I’m just playing with it right now.” CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
“She made First Nations education one of the priorities of her deanship,” says Education faculty member Dr. Cathy Campbell. “She succeeded in developing relationships with the Blackfoot speaking nations, initiating collaborative work and programming with Red Crow College, and bringing issues in First Nations education to the forefront of discussions at the University and in the province.”
“What impressed me when I first came here was I felt this was a place where they really care about students.” dr. jane o’dea
Dr. Leah Fowler echoes that assessment, saying O’Dea personifies the University’s ideals of accessible education. “With the Niitsitapi teacher education cohort, and the current masters’ cohort, she opened wide the door at the Faculty of Education to restorative education for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students,” says Fowler. “That has meant that we all have positively revisited education practice and teacher preparation.” Her personable approach is highly respected by her peers, but O’Dea gives credit to the University for fostering an atmosphere that embraces oneon-one learning. “One of the things that really impressed me when I first came here was I felt this was a place where they really care about students,” says O’Dea. “Here you’re not just a number, you actually matter, and people care about the instruction you get. I think that is absolutely tremendous. I have always loved this place.”
• O’Dea is excited about the opportunity to teach again, saying, “I have a lot of ideas for interesting courses both at the graduate and undergraduate level that I think would be of real interest to students today.” • Over O’Dea’s tenure, the faculty boasted a 97 per cent rate of employment within one year of graduating • Despite stepping away from the dean’s position, O’Dea has no plans to leave the University. “Absolutely not, I think this is a tremendous University. I love its size, I love its entrepreneurial innovative spirit, and its emphasis on community and student engagement.”
She speaks glowingly of the collaborative nature of her faculty, crediting their willingness to work collectively in developing niche graduate offerings such as literacy, information technology leadership and inclusive education and neuroscience topics. “These special niche structures are really quite extraordinary but they take an incredible amount of work, time and administrative finesse,” says O’Dea. “I am extremely fortunate to have amazing people working in the offices here and faculty members willing to try out these new programs all the time.” She also trumpets the research portfolio the faculty has developed over her tenure. “It’s a challenge to maintain a proper balance between graduate and undergraduate teaching, all the while factoring in quality time for research,” says O’Dea. “That is by no means easy to achieve but it is essential. “We know what draws students to us is the quality of our programs, and we can’t afford to just go down the research route and ignore teaching. On the other hand, to simply concentrate on teaching is to become more like a college and we’re not that, we’re part of the comprehensive University and proud to be so.”
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connections Global
M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
SOS campaign full of optimism
Summer program invites students to take part in Spanish immersion
Dr. Raquel Trillia and Luz Ospina
By STACY SEGUIN This May, Luz Ospina, academic assistant, Department of Modern Languages, will accompany 11 University of Lethbridge students as they immerse themselves in the language and culture of Mexico City as part of the University’s pilot Spanish summer immersion program. “Currently we offer a minor in Spanish, but we are in the process of developing a Spanish major. The six-credit immersion course came about because of that. We were also trying to create a relatively easy and efficient way for students to acquire oral fluency in the language,” says Dr. Raquel Trillia, who teaches Spanish in the Modern Languages Department. “Immersion makes it much simpler. It is more natural.” The International Centre for Students (ICS) has played a major role in getting the program off the ground. “The professors of modern languages came to us with the idea of doing an immersion program and asked for assistance finding a Spanish speaking university,” explains Laura Ferguson, co-ordinator, International Programs and Exchange for ICS. “We have a long-standing exchange agreement with the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City so we were able to use our contacts there and partner with them on the program.” Students, who must complete Spanish 1100 prior to leaving for Mexico City, will spend six weeks living with Mexican families. Monday to Thursday mornings, they will attend Spanish language classes at the university, studying all aspects of learning a language, including pronunciation, conversation, reading and writing. In the afternoons, they will be involved in various activities that will expose them to Mexican culture, art and history. They will also participate in guided field trips to enrich the cultural experience. The great bonus is that students will be continually immersed in the language: shopping, cooking, interacting with their hosts and learning about the culture through everyday experience. “I would expect that the workload will be intense; they will be required to write papers and do presentations, and from that the students should achieve greater oral proficiency,” says Trillia. “Students who come back to our classrooms having lived this experience are going to enrich our Spanish program. We are hopeful that this program will be successful and that we will be able to continue to run it in the future.” Evelyn Peters is one of the 11 students going to Mexico City. “This is an awesome opportunity to learn the Spanish language hands-on. I expect to pick up the language much more quickly and have a better understanding of, not only the language, but also the culture,” she says. “I plan to graduate with a BEd in Modern Languages. I will feel much better equipped to do this after spending time immersed in the language. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Vamos a Mexico!” For more information, contact the Department of Modern Languages or the ICS, or send an e-mail to raquel.trillia@uleth.ca or laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca.
Supporting Our Students co-chairs Rob Wood (Sociology) and Debi Sandul (associate registrar).
By KALI MCKAY
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upporting Our Students (SOS) co-chairs Debi Sandul and Rob Wood are remaining positive despite the tough economic times. Drawing on the strong tradition of faculty and staff support at the U of L, these co-chairs are refusing to back down. “We’re all facing some level of economic uncertainty,” acknowledges Wood, “but none more so than our students. This is not the time to hold back. This is the time to give more.” In their time on campus, both Sandul and Wood have seen the difficulties students face when pursuing a university education. They can also attest to the difference scholarships and bursaries make. “Students should be focused on their studies instead of worrying about tuition, rent or groceries,” says Sandul. “Students are the reason the rest of us are here, and we need to be a part of keeping
them here. Your support allows students to focus on being students by alleviating some of the financial burden.” This year’s campaign focuses on addressing the growing student need by educating faculty and staff on how they can make a difference in the lives of our students. “I hope to lead by example,” says Sandul who has been a part of SOS since it’s inception five years ago. “I want to raise awareness and educate people on what we’re doing and how they can help in a positive way.” “We’ve got a great team of volunteers this year as well,” recognizes Wood. “This group includes representation from across the University, including our campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. Each volunteer will be fostering momentum in his or her own department or unit and helping to build that team spirit that is so important to SOS.” Both Sandul and Wood emphasize that the success of this year’s campaign will be measured by the
number of donors who give, as well as by the dollars raised. “The goal for this year’s campaign is 300 contributions, but I would like to see many more than that,” says Wood. “I want people to understand that every little bit helps,” explains Sandul. “The amount you choose to give is not nearly as important as your participation. If everyone on campus made just a small donation, we’d be able to do some amazing things.” Sandul, Wood and a team of SOS volunteers are out in full force and are asking for your support. “I am perfectly happy to pester my colleagues for money,” jokes Wood. Consider yourselves warned.
For more information on how you can contribute to SOS 2010, please visit www.ulethbridge.ca/giving/SupportingOurStudents or call University Advancement at 403-329-2582.
Did you know that you can contribute to Supporting Our Students using monthly payroll deduction? This is an easy way for faculty and staff to make a significant contribution that adds up quickly over time. For more information on this or other ways you can make a difference in the lives of our students, visit www.ulethbridge/giving/SupportingOurStudents
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M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
athletics AT T H E U
Creating a positive start H
bowles, patzer top awards Scott Bowles did his work on the defensive end while Ashley Patzer was at her best leading offensive forays, but the one thing they had in common was their ability to lead. The duo took home honours as Pronghorn Male and Female Athletes of the Year respectively, celebrating with more than 330 athletes, administrators and special guests at the recently held Pronghorn Athletics Blue and Gold Banquet.
By TREVOR KENNEY ow we speak to our children and how we help shape their young athletic lives may not only influence their current participation in sports, but it may also affect their lifelong attitudes toward physical fitness. Dr. Sharleen Hoar, kinesiology professor and sports psychologist, studies issues related to emotional control in developmental athletes. She contends that positive early experiences in sport are crucial in keeping kids involved in physical fitness beyond minor hockey and little league. “Generally speaking, when we can facilitate a sport environment that accentuates personal improvement, personal competency, we enhance motivation and we keep them in the system longer,” she says. She intends to show that with these positive attitudes, not only will kids engage in sport well into their teenage years but that when organized sport is not readily accessible later in life, they will still seek out physical fitness opportunities. “The whole purpose around understanding emotional control is that if kids have a more positive and satisfying experience and recognize growth in that experience, they are therefore motivated to continue in their sport,” she says. So how do we go about shaping these positive attitudes early on in an athletes’ development? One way is to help kids see success in all areas of sport, not just the win and loss column. “Where do we find success? We can find it in how much better we’re getting in our sport, or what we call competencies, but
the Legend
“Everybody can only aspire to be their personal best.”
Bowles, in his third year as the Horns men’s hockey team goaltender, was at his best in the second half of the season as the Horns made an impressive playoff charge, eventually falling just two points shy of reaching the post-season.
Dr. Sharleen Hoar
we can also judge how successful we are by how we are doing compared to our peers,” she says. At this point, there exists a delicate balance between encouraging competitiveness but not getting lost in results. “There’s a time and a place for competition and there’s definitely a real motivation from wanting to be the best compared to other people but that doesn’t happen to everyone,” says Hoar. “Everybody can only aspire to be their personal best, you can only actualize your own potential and everybody has different potentials.” She says kids begin to understand this at around age 14, when they are able to better assess their peers and see where they fit in the pecking order. This is a very important time because if kids have been groomed to only see being the best as a positive result of participation, they’re more likely to walk away from their sport. After that, chances they gravitate back to sport, or any physical fitness as adults, decreases. Hoar is passionate about her work and sees real results from her research findings. She sees physical fitness not only as an outlet and a means by which
Dr. Sharleen Hoar delves into issues related to emotional control in developmental athletes.
people can live healthier lives but as a way to enhance all aspects of life. “I see sport principles in the business and academic worlds all the time, they are achievement domains,” she says. “Anytime you are trying to develop competencies, the principles remain the same, it’s just a different domain. There are many sport psychologists who work in the business field because there are so many things in common. Aspects such as teamwork, motivation, emotional control, personality — there are so many things that go hand in hand.” Very few children will go on to have careers in sport but that doesn’t mean all the early morning practises and weekend road trips are a waste if they don’t result in a professional career. By establishing a positive attitude towards athletics for children, they are likely to be physically active, and much healthier, adults. “From what we know from other areas of research, if we enhance motivation in sport, we can probably enhance physical activity as a lifestyle.”
u of l truly a sporting hub Memory of Places Passed:
Using Our Brains to Map Space Thursday, May 13, 2010 FREE LECTURE
Hear Dr. John O’Keefe, University College London, discuss his surprising findings on the importance of memory to spatial navigation. 3 - 4 p.m. | TH201 | Turcotte Hall | University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive | Lethbridge, AB For more information, please call 403-394-3900 or visit ccbn.uleth.ca/bmls
As the University of Lethbridge began to remake its recreational identity in recent years, the promise of attracting high calibre athletic events to southern Alberta was touted as a key benefit to adding new facilities. That promise is beginning to be realized, and the recent announcement that the city of Lethbridge will serve as host to the 2012 Alberta Summer Games is testament to the fact that Lethbridge can now tout the U of L as a hub of sporting activity. “The Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee actively goes out and seeks these types of events and with our facilities, we’re a natural host for these kinds of things,” says Deb
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Bowles was named a second team Canada West all-star after leading the conference in saves and most shots faced and placing second in victories. Patzer, competing in her final season of eligibility, went out with a bang, leading the Pronghorns to their third straight Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national title while earning CIS player of the year, all-Canadian and CIS tournament all-star honours. The Horns went undefeated throughout the year and Patzer led the charge, scoring 75 points in the 10 U of L victories. It is Patzer’s second straight female athlete of the year award. Other major award winners included: President’s Award (highest academic standing) Kathy Curtis, women’s soccer (4.00 GPA) Team Academic Award Pronghorns men’s track team (3.32 combined GPA) Team MVPs Men’s soccer – Mike O’Brien, Matt Medoruma Women’s soccer – Ashley Cowan Men’s hockey – Scott Bowles, Dustin Moore Women’s hockey – Kailey McMaster, Kendal Tremblay Men’s basketball – Jeff Price Women’s basketball – Lauren Taal, Stephanie Price Men’s track – Kyle Murray Women’s track – Ashlee Deschamps Women’s rugby – Ashley Patzer
Marek, manager, facilities for Sport and Recreation Services. Lethbridge would likely have been overlooked for an event the magnitude of the Summer Games had the Community Sports Stadium not been constructed. It will host all the track and field competitions as well as football for the 2012 event. Meanwhile, the 1st Choice Savings Centre will host basketball and the Max Bell Aquatic Centre will welcome both swimming and water polo, giving the University five high profile events with thousands of athletes, parents and spectators getting a look at the facilities. “It’s always great to bring kids from all over Alberta to our campus and this will bring a lot of people here. It’s an opportunity to show them our facilities, and show them our University as a whole,” says Marek.
While the 1st Choice Savings Centre has already established its reputation as an elite facility, having hosted numerous large-scale events, the Community Sports Stadium is in its first full season of activity. Community groups are quickly coming on board as the stadium will host a total of eight track meets in April and May alone, as well as high school rugby, soccer, and summer football and rugby camps. “When you look at our recreational facilities as a whole, we operate the entire 12 months,” says Marek. “We have our own summer camps that utilize the facilities, and we also have an abundance of community rentals as well. We are truly a community access facility group.”
the Legend
M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Fowler earns Distinguished Teaching Award
Dr. Leah Fowler excels at connecting with her students, earning the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award.
By TREVOR KENNEY
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or someone who resisted being a teacher for so long and admits trying to get away from the profession on occasion, Dr. Leah Fowler is remarkably gifted at what she does. Then again, maybe it’s her honesty and humility that allows her to see teaching for all that it is, and therefore drives her to excel. “I didn’t ever want to be a teacher, I’m still puzzled that I’m here, this is not where I imagined I would be,” says Fowler, who first planned a career in medicine.
president’s awards CONTINUED FROM PG. 1
Kim Fowler’s positive nature and smiling disposition are infectious and she is well respected by everyone with whom she has contact. Responsible for the roommate assignment and placement of 586 students in residence each fall, she continuously seeks ways to improve the services offered to the resident student population. One example of her dedication to improving the student experience is her work with students in the Nursing Program. These students take their first two years of study at Lethbridge College, and they are not always aware of the distance between the University and College
But she is here and she’s one of the best professors the University of Lethbridge has to offer, earning the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award, which will be presented at the spring convocation ceremonies. “For me, this award means that good teaching matters, and it’s an honour to stand in for good teaching,” says Fowler. “I’m just here as a representative for good teaching.” Her 12 years in the Faculty of Education have been marked by her thoughtful, knowledgeable and creative approach. With a unique teaching style, she strives to create a
campuses. Fowler spent considerable time contacting the 19 first-year applicants to the program, then co-ordinated with the College to determine when they would be making room offers for first-year students. This allowed the incoming class an opportunity to cancel their housing application and learn about how to apply for College housing. This example is just one of many instances where Fowler goes over and above, seeking out solutions to potential problems and making students’ needs her number one priority.
classroom that is informal but intellectually stimulating and challenging. Employing a personal approach, Fowler extends herself to her students as she looks to develop a safe learning environment. “I think if you can help people feel comfortable and have what they need then they’ll press boundaries more, they’ll take more risks because they have more courage,” she says. “I learn my students’ names, I learn their narratives and I learn their needs. I find out what they’re good at and then try and develop the things they’re not so comfortable with
so that they have a wide range of breadth and depth in their subject areas.” Fowler is the first to admit she doesn’t have all the answers, and pushes the message that teaching is not about the teacher, rather it is about the student. “I want it to be about possibility, and it’s not about me at all, it’s always about the student. Why are they here, what do they need and how are they going to get further?” she asks. “I’m not the centre of the universe and neither is the student but somewhere in the middle we meet. What gets
learned happens in that third space between the professor and the teacher. The interesting space is that middle ground in between. I stop halfway and hopefully make invitation for students to come the other half to meet me – it’s not about me telling.” Fowler came late to teaching, having dabbled in trades as diverse as driver training instructor to recreational therapist to the owner of a house painting business. She’s brutally honest when discussing teaching, accepting it for all its challenges and gaining a real-world perspective that resonates with her students. “I’ve hated teaching, I’ve quit teaching three times,” admits Fowler. “It takes all your heart and all your breath, and if you’re in it, you’re in it.” She currently teaches graduate students and pre-service teachers, spending much time supervising education students in practica. Her research interests delve into the difficulties of teaching and she has three books in the works as a result. A winner of a 1992 Province of Alberta Teaching Excellence Award while she was still a high school teacher, Fowler continues to revel in the moments when she can see her lessons hit home. “I always watch students’ eyes for insight and I love that,” she says. “They just get that quiet little grin and raise their eyebrows and you know they’ve hit on something. It happens enough, and often in an unexpected place, but that’s the thing I’m always asking: Am I connecting? Are they engaged? I’m always looking for that.”
are experts in their field and put an incredible amount of effort into ensuring the University gets the best value for its money and that construction details meet design requirements, all the while maintaining normal day-to-day operations. These thankless, tedious and often behindthe-scenes tasks are completed with little fanfare, but are necessary to bring a project to completion.
The Major Building Construction Team. Back row (left to right): Bill Hudgins, Al Mueller, Will Tietz, Jason Baranec and Jim Vanderzee. Front row (left to right): Rick Baceda, Dan Sullivan, Brian Sullivan and John Federkeil.
Team Recipient Over the past 10 years the landscape of the University Campus has been changing. Countless hours and a significant amount of dedication, skill and effort has been invested by a group to make the transformations we see a not only a reality but to
ensure they are a success. The process to take a new project or renovation from conceptualization to a living and breathing space is complex. Requests for tender, adhering to building codes, balancing multiple
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stakeholder needs, co-ordinating services and materials and transitioning offices and classrooms to new spaces is not an easy task. The Major Building Construction Team consistently navigates these challenges. The individual members of the team
The members of the Major Building Construction Team are: Brian Sullivan, associate director, Facilities; Bill Hudgins, project manager; Jason Baranec, project co-ordinator; John Federkeil, utility operations; Will Tietz, electrical; Dan Sullivan, locks and doors; Jim Vanderzee, building maintenance; Rick Baceda, building envelopes and interiors; Al Mueller, painting & signage.
M AY 2010
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the Legend
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Cade, Hironaka honoured with Senate recognition
Elsa Cade worked with the Rotarians to provide shelterboxes for Haiti.
Elsa Cade One of the University of Lethbridge’s most effective ambassadors, Elsa Cade supports and engages in countless University activities and events, and advances the institution’s relationship with local and global communities. Over the past 10 years, Cade
has been present at every convocation ceremony, many senate committee meetings, all public dinners and receptions, and has attended student events, public lectures, celebrations or announcements, and much more. She has graciously hosted a vast number of dinner parties for community people, faculty,
staff, students, and volunteers. Cade has also travelled frequently to maintain and enhance the U of L’s relationship beyond southern Alberta. In particular she has helped foster the University’s important relationship with Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporo, Japan. Beyond the U of L, Cade has provided dedicated volunteer service for several community organizations. She is an active member of the Rotary Club and a board member of 5th on 5th Youth Services of Lethbridge. She has served on the board of the Alberta Science Foundation and the board of the Friends of the Galt Museum. Following the earthquake in Haiti, Cade harnessed the power of blogging and online social networking to raise funds to purchase 118 shelterboxes, large containers that hold a 10-person tent, blankets, a stove, a tool kit, and other equipment needed by the survivors of that natural disaster.
Dr. Robert hironaka Former U of L Chancellor Dr. Robert Hironaka has volunteered throughout the University for many years. Hironaka was a member of the U of L Senate from 1983 to 1987 and Chancellor from 1995 to 1999. He continues to be one of the University’s most devoted supporters, making himself available to the U of L whenever he is available to help. He regularly attends special occasions and sporting events at the University of Lethbridge,
and participates in committees, fundraisers, celebrations, campaigns, and special presentations. Hironaka has been an active member of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association for several years, in many roles, from executive officer to member at large. He freely shares his expertise and knowledge, and volunteers for many Alumni Association events. A key member of the Alumni Association’s Recognition Committee, he is diligent in maintaining this committee’s high standards. In 2002, Hironaka received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of L, in recognition of his service to the institution. In addition to his ongoing support of the U of L, Hironaka is an active volunteer for community organizations like Rotary and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens (which he helped found). Whatever volunteer work he is doing, he is an exemplary ambassador for the University of Lethbridge.
2009 Honorary Degree Recipients dr. vincent di lollo Dr. Vincent Di Lollo is recognized in the international scientific community as a leader among researchers of cognitive systems. Early in his career, Dr. Di Lollo researched the fields of animal learning, human psychophysics and human visual perception. He focused his program on vision studies and iconic memory, or the continued visibility of an image for a brief period after the physical stimulus has been turned off. His research findings in this area were listed by the American Psychological Association among contributions that significantly changed the direction of psychological research in the twentieth century. Dr DiLollo has also been a continuous supporter of the development of research intensive universities like the University of Lethbridge for his entire career, actively pursuing research relationships with U of L researchers, inviting them to participate on editorial boards, hiring boards and funding review panels.
ike lanier Ike Lanier is a leading member of the agricultural community in Alberta and Canada, and has operated NeverIdle Farms near Lethbridge, Alberta since 1955. For the past 25 years, Lanier has been practicing a minimum tillage system. This is seen as a major advance in agriculture which saves fuel, reduces soil erosion and preserves the ecology of the soil. As well, Lanier, who holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queens University (1953) has pioneered new crop development in southern Alberta, is an active proponent of different ways to market and transport grain and actively worked to change agricultural policies. His record of service to the agricultural community is long standing. He has served on many provincial and national committees such as the Western Barley Growers, the Winter wheat commission, the Canola commission, the Canadian Wheat Growers Association and Alberta Terminals Ltd. among many others. In 1996, Lanier was a member of an advocacy group called Farmers for Justice, and one of 14 farmers fined and briefly jailed for attempting to sell grain in the United States on the open market.
Dr. hank a. margolis Dr. Hank A. Margolis, a professor in the Faculty of Geography and Geomatics at Laval University in Quebec, is known as a driving force for Canadian research into the carbon cycle of forests and wetlands, and has been instrumental in the development of several national and international efforts to better understand climate change. Dr. Margolis has made significant and long-term contributions to public service in Canada. The major form of this public service has been in the role of principal investigator and program leader of three national research networks in Canada. Research conducted during these national programs has addressed important issues related to ecosystem carbon cycling and climate change. New knowledge created by these scientific activities has contributed in several important ways, including improvement in forecast models used in global weather prediction (BOREAS) and in developing policy related to controlling greenhouse gas emissions in Canada (FCRN & CCP).
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shirley mclellan
Dr. Tom melling
Shirley McClellan is a veteran Alberta politician and former deputy premier of the province of Alberta who has matched her interests in farming and education with a long tradition of community service, most recently as a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the University of Alberta’s Rural Economy / ALES Faculty Office and The School of Business.
Dr. Michael (Tom) Melling is one of Lethbridge’s longest-serving physicians, the inventor of a device to assist people with their mobility, and the founder and operator of a muchneeded Lethbridge cancer clinic in addition to an enviable career as a community volunteer, school board member, and medical advisor to the government of Alberta on substance abuse and addictions issues.
McClellan served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Drumheller-Stettler constituency from 1987 to 2007. During her six terms in office she served as minister of health, community development, agriculture, food and rural development, international and intergovernmental relations and, most recently, as deputy premier and finance minister. She retired as an MLA in 2007 and now farms in New Brigden, Alta., with her family. McClellan has been involved in bringing further education to rural areas, serving on the board of directors for the Alberta Association of Continuing Education and the Canadian Association for Continuing Education.
He came to Lethbridge in 1966 from Scotland, and founded a medical practice in north Lethbridge, a medically-under-served area of the city. Dr. Melling also founded, staffed and ran a cancer clinic for a decade in Lethbridge. He invented the first walker with a seat for handicapped people, an aid to daily living that has improved the quality of life for scores of people of all ages. He served two terms on a city school board, sat on the parks and recreation commission and served six years on the board for AADAC. In addition, he was medical advisor to AADAC for two years under the Getty administration and travelled North America as a volunteer speaker on substance abuse recovery for more than 30 years.
the Legend
OUR
alumni
M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
The Alumni Honour Society 2010 Inductees In celebration of the University’s 35th Anniversary in 2002, the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association established the Alumni Honour Society to recognize the achievements of successful alumni within the global community. The individuals inducted into this prestigious group serve as role models through success in their vocation, outstanding community service or superior accomplishment in their avocation.
Betty Jean Bastien (BASc (BA) ’76)
Belinda Crowson (BEd ’92, BSc ’99)
Doug Hudson (BASc ’71)
As the first Pikuni member to receive a university degree, Betty Jean Bastien’s life has been committed to the revitalization of First Nations culture in an attempt to regain their cultural identities and connect and re-establish the Indigenous pedagogical and healing practices of First Nation communities. She is celebrated for her research on Blackfoot Child Development theories, Indigenous research methodologies, child welfare and intergenerational trauma. She is an amazing example of leadership in women, a scholar in her field, and a source of support and inspiration for many.
Belinda Crowson is a woman who actively pursues excellence as the Museum Educator at the Galt Museum and Archives in Lethbridge, Alberta. She is an enthusiastic history professional – her interest, knowledge, organizational skills, research publications and teaching expertise at the grassroots level carry her into areas where she comfortably wears many hats. Belinda is the “go to” person for all things historical – past and present. She has and does make a difference in the lives of many people in southern Alberta. Belinda engages students by making history come alive.
As the City of Lethbridge’s solicitor, Doug Hudson provides legal advice, opinions and services to the Mayor, Alderman and Department Heads. He was admitted into the bar in 1976 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2002. He has been an active member of the Alumni Association for many years, holding such positions as Senate representative, Chair of the Recognition Committee and member of the 35th Anniversary Planning Committee. As Chair of the Lethbridge Legal guidance Society, he provides pro bono legal advice to those unable to afford to engage legal counsel.
Jill Kotkas (BEd ’77) Jill Kotkas has been a teacher and mentor to people of all ages and in a variety of ways. She continues to lead by example and is respected for her integrity and belief in the ability of others to accomplish their dreams. As a single mother, Jill attended university as a mature student to obtain her education degree and then assisted her own children to realize their own dreams with careers in medicine, law and teaching.
Jessie Snow (BASc (BA) ’71, BEd ’72, DipEd ’81) It has been said of Jessie Snow that she is always providing an open house, meal or humanitarian care for those who crossed her path. As an active advocate for mental health rights, Jessie served as the Special Education Consultant for Lethbridge Catholic School District and continued in this capacity until her retirement in 2007. She was actively involved with the University of Lethbridge by being the first woman president of the Students’ Union, a founding member of the University of Lethbridge Senate in 1967 and served on the board of governors.
Clarence Taal (BMgt ’82) Clarence Taal is a very dedicated supporter of Lethbridge community projects and, in particular, the University of Lethbridge. He actively promotes the athletic teams and encourages students to attend the University, as he believes that it is a quality institution that provides an excellent education to students. Clarence Taal has given back to his alma mater in time, treasury and talent.
John Gill
Memorial Golf Tournam ent
Join the Alumni Association as they celebrate the success of the Honor Society inductees 2010 Alumni Celebration
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 7 p.m. U of L Students’ Union Ballroom Wine and Cheese Reception Kindly RSVP by May 28, 2010 by calling 403-317-2825 or e-mail: alumni@uleth.ca
June 11, 2010 | Picture Butte Golf Course
Raising Funds for Student Bursaries Support University of Lethbridge students with an afternoon of golf and fun! The John Gill Memorial Golf Tournament raises funds for bursaries to assist students in financial need. By participating, you are helping U of L students achieve their academic goals. Join us as a tournament participant, corporate sponsor or hole sponsor. Tournament format will be net best ball foursome with a shotgun start at 1 p.m at Picture Butte Golf Club.
Cost: $150 | For more information contact the Alumni Relations Office at 403-317-2825 or e-mail at alumni@uleth.ca
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M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
H E A LT H
& wellness
the Legend
Health and wellness a U of L mission By SUZANNE MCINTOSH A year and a half ago I began my position at the U of L as the wellness co-ordinator. One of the major tasks identified for me was to build upon and lead the University’s wellness initiatives. A large part of this was to formulate a Mission and Vision for Wellness at the U of L. After many months and numerous consultations with outside organizations and post-secondary institutions (who have best practice wellness programs), internal departments, the U of L Wellness Committee, the human resource team, and many others within the University of Lethbridge, we now have a mission and vision of wellness for the institution. Thanks to the Wellness and the Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committees, for all their input and feedback, and to those employees who provided me
with their definition of what wellness means to them. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the University of Lethbridge Wellness Mission and Vision. An important thing to remember is that this program belongs to the University community and is a program that will change and grow as the University and its people change and grow. Mission The University of Lethbridge recognizes our people are our greatest asset and that health and well-being is critical to overall University success. The University of Lethbridge is committed to empowering employees to fulfill their personal and collective health and wellness goals. Vision Statement That each person have the ability to seek knowledge, create health and wellness goals
there might be an easier way
By SONYA VON HEYKING Sunny summer air is sweeping over Lethbridge but many people are struggling to release their worries and bask in the warm optimism of the new season. There have been a lot of changes to our University landscape over the last year and shaking off the frost is going to take time. The natural world is budding more enthusiastically than the economic world – budgets are leaner and departments are smaller. Experience tells us that these conditions are temporary, but the pressures of doing more with less remain. So how can we make the most of what we have? Maybe we need to look at how we’re using our resources. Sometimes finding a more efficient way to do things is easier than you think. An example I experienced recently serves as illustration. To prevent my curious toddler from playing in the garbage can by her change table I would place heavy objects on the lid after each use, or run interference
whenever she approached. She isn’t strong enough to pop the can open with the foot pedal when there is something on the lid, and I can outmaneuver her with ease, so I felt this method was an excellent solution. That is, until my 13-year old walked into the room and turned the can around so that my stubbylegged munchkin simply couldn’t reach the foot pedal. Voila, baby quickly lost interest, and I could still use the can with ease. How much time and energy had I spent removing and replacing the obstacle, or clipping my little girl at the knees before she reached the can? It was a simple reminder that a second perspective can pay dividends, even when things seem to be working fine. Most people can identify at least one process affecting their job that they feel is cumbersome, over-controlled or inefficient. The challenge is finding the best resolution without going too far in the other direction. Engaging Internal Audit to assist might be your fastest route to the resources you need. Internal Audit can provide advice, checklists or process ideas for almost any area, leaving you with more time to enjoy the sunshine. If you would like more information about Internal Audit’s services, or would like to request assistance or ask for tips, please visit www.uleth.ca/ audit Sonya von Heyking is the University’s internal auditor
and attain their highest level of well-being. The University recognizes that individual pursuit of a balanced and fulfilled lifestyle enhances overall organizational health. Principles Wellness is an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of choices and making decisions toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Wellness involves identifying the priorities and personal needs in one’s life and making changes in lifestyle behaviours that help one attain the highest level of health and well-being possible for that individual. Wellness will be viable and prominent at the University, which will encourage employees to utilize wellness resources. This will result in increased employee satisfaction, which has been shown to increase productivity and
decrease absenteeism. The focus of the wellness program is on education, prevention and empowerment of each U of L employee. The University of Lethbridge believes that the health and well-being of its employees is critical to overall productivity. Wellness is an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of choices and making decisions toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. I am pleased to offer a glimpse (for the entire mission statement, check out this story online at www.uleth.ca/ unews/legend) of this mission and vision to you, and of course, would love to hear any feedback, thoughts and suggestions on how you think the U of L Wellness program can benefit you. Suzanne McIntosh is the University’s wellness co-ordinator
Bjornlund study looks at water scarcity By BOB COONEY Alberta faces water scarcity challenges that make it a bellwether region for better water management policies, according to a study recently released by the C.D. Howe Institute and created by University of Lethbridge economics researcher Dr. Henning Bjornlund. In The Competition for Water: Striking a Balance among Social, Environmental, and Economic Needs, University of Lethbridge economics professor Henning Bjornlund writes that without a modern system for reallocating access to water, particularly from prior license holders to new users, Alberta’s economic development and its ecosystems could be threatened. “The commentary is my vision of how water management and allocation policies in Alberta can be reformed,” Bjornlund said. “The information is informed by all my work both in Alberta and in Australia, and not least my involvement in the ministers Advisory group last year — which provided advice to the Minister of the Environment on a new water management and allocation policy for Alberta.” His findings and policy recommendations have potential application to other regions of Canada where water scarcity is a growing issue, including
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some watersheds in Ontario, the southern parts of the Prairie provinces, and in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The challenge of dealing with water scarcity is nowhere better illustrated than in Alberta, he said. The province is home to 60 per cent of all irrigation in Canada and has a fast-growing population and economy. Professor Bjornlund discusses how water markets could be used in the Alberta context and what supporting institutions would be necessary to enable them to operate effectively and fairly. “For example, irrigation controls about 80 per cent of all water allocated in southern Alberta. Hence, there is little doubt that the consensus in the wider community is that some water needs to be reallocated out of irrigation to meet new needs, including those of the environment,” Bjornlund said. “This will naturally impact irrigators and the communities depending on irrigation as their economic engine. How severe this impact will be depends on how such reallocation is carried out.” “The most pressing task for the Alberta government,” he writes, “is to define waters within each watershed that need to be protected to secure environmental and other public benefits.”
AN
apple
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max your snacks Healthy eating can be simple if you plan and pack healthy snacks to take with you all day long. It’s often a lack of planning that has you in front of a vending machine with the snack monster raging inside. Good snacks should include one to two food groups to boost your nutrient intake. Here are some tips to max your snacks. Not so sweet Eat no more than 40g of sugar per day (not including natural sugars such as fructose found in fruit or lactose found in dairy products). Make it a habit to read labels to see where sugar is hidden or added to foods. Pour it out Portion snacks into a bowl or napkin in front of you. It can be easy to overeat when you eat right from the bag or box. Make a list Write down a list of your favorite healthy snack ideas and post them on your fridge. When you make your grocery store list, choose a snack of the week. This allows variety from week to week, and makes sure you don’t have too many snacks in the house that may go bad before you can eat them, or tempt you into eating too much. For example: • Week 1: apples and cheese strings • Week 2: yogurt and carrot sticks • Week 3: oranges and celery sticks • Week 4: chocolate milk and bananas Read labels Compare nutrition information labels to choose the best snacks for you. Look for brands lower in fat and salt, and higher in fibre. Go natural Vegetables and fruits make a quick power snack. Aim to include a fruit or vegetable at every snack break. For individual nutrition appointments call the Health Centre (SU 020) at 403-3292484. All sessions are $20 for U of L students and employees. Diane Britton is the University of Lethbridge’s on-campus registered dietitian
the Legend
Convocation (June 3-4) Degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded at Spring 2010 Convocation as follows: Ceremony I Thursday, June 3, 9:30 a.m. Conferral of Honorary Degree – Vincent Di Lollo, Doctor of Science, honoris causa Conferral of Degrees and Certificates – School of Graduate Studies, BA, & BASc
M AY 2010
Following is a list of honoured employees. Retirees Hart Cantelon, Adrian Cooke, Hank DeRidder, Linda Gray, Rose Helmer, Bill Hennessy, Randy Joseph, Dave Kunimoto, Toni Nelson, Rita Nieuwenhuis, Fran Olivier, Joanne Overn, Frank Perrotta, Ralph Pollock, Kent Rolfson, Gloria Samuels, Jonathan Seldin, Dennis Thompson, Frank VandenHeuvel and Hafizah Yahya Long Service Recipients 35 Years | Reg Bibby, Merle Christie, Richard Epp, Christina Lastuka, Leroy Little Bear and Ian Wells 30 Years | Lynn Arnold, Leslie Lavers, and Timothy Pope 25 Years | Donna Court, Marion Eastman, Rita Law, Jennifer Mather, Ralph Pollock, Leslie Robison-Greene, Pamela Loewen, and Charlene Sawatsky 20 Years | Scott Allen, Pat Anderson, Steve Calvert, Garth Copeland, Leslie Dawn, Karen Dow-Cazal, Barbara Dudley, Linda Embury, Kim Fowler, Rumi Graham, Ruth Grant Kalischuk,
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
events C A L E N D A R Ceremony II Thursday, June 3, 2:30 p.m. Conferral of Honorary Degree – Michael Tom Melling, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa Conferral of Degrees – BSc, Faculty of Health Sciences Ceremony III Friday, June 4, 9:30 a.m. Conferral of Honorary Degree – Shirley McClellan, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa Conferral of Diplomas and Degrees – Faculty of Education including all combined degrees & Faculty of Fine Arts
u of l long service awards The University is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 5, at 1 p.m. in the Students’ Union ballrooms. A total of 116 employees who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service will be honoured, along with 20 retiring employees.
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Linda Gray, Anthony Hall, Wendy Herbers, Pat Hodd, Shelly Hutchinson, Leona Jacobs, Tom Johnston, Cindy Kabelka, Stella Kedoin, Hadi Kharaghani, Al Kizuk, Vern Leckie, Patti Leeb, James McDowell, Ken McInnes, Mike McKenna, Glen Montgomery, Jane O’Dea, Fran Olivier, Joanne Overn, Debbie Payne, Margaret Rodermond, Catherine Ross, David Siminovitch, Jackie Slezina, Dan Sudo, Darlene Sutherland, Julie Tran, Nancy Walker, Wendy Westergreen, and Pamela Winsor 15 Years | Nola Aitken, Heather Anderson, Katherine Chiste, Fred Del Cid, Susanne Garner, Linda Gilbert, Al Hill, Rebecca Johnson, Lyn Jose, Catherine Kanashiro, Terry Kirkvold, Marc Roussel, and Lorne Williams 10 Years | Amir Akbary-Majdabadno, Debra Basil, Michael Basil, Jasminn Berteotti, Brian Black, Jodie Black, Bill Cade, Jane Cahoon, Steve Craig, Brian Dobing, Anne Dymond, Richard Feenstra, James Graham, Arlene Grimes, Thelma Gunn, Erika Hasebe-Ludt, David Hay, Lynn Hopkins, Gordon Hunter, Tanya Jacobson-Gundlock, Mary Kavanagh, Dan Kazakoff, Abdie Kazemipur, Stefan Kienzle, Danny Le Roy, Becky Lore, Heidi MacDonald, Kevin Matis, Muriel Mellow, Richard Mueller, Brenda Nixon, Sam Ogita, Gail Postman, Drew Rendall, Kelly Roberts, Gongbing Shan, Kim Skura, Heather Stevens, Trent Takeyasu, Gwen Umeris, Paul Vasey, Cindy Venhuis, Mike Whipple, Ilsa Wong, and Wei Xu
Ceremony IV Friday, June 4, 2:30 p.m. Conferral of Honorary Degree – Ike Lanier, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa Conferral of Certificates and Degrees – Faculty of Management, BA/BMgt, BSc/BMgt
Lectures May 13 | Brenda Milner Lecture Series | Memory of Places Passed: Using our Brains to Map Space, presented by Dr. John O’Keefe, University College London | 3 p.m., PE261
library reno invaluable By BRENDA MATHENIA & NICOLE EVA Recent visitors to the University Library may have witnessed the progression of an exciting renovation. The project (to be completed by June), will provide nine new group workrooms (five on Level 11 and four on Level 10) that will support the learning experience of University students. In addition to traditional group workroom amenities such as white boards and tables, the five rooms on Level 11 will include wall mounted LCD monitors in place of a standard data projector. “We are very excited about the space redesign and how
busy past year for ulsu By ABBY ALLEN The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) has experienced another very successful year, with events from Fresh Fest right through to the Last Lecture serving to engage and enlighten students. The 2009-2010 year kicked off with the biggest ULSU event of them all, Fresh Fest. This year’s edition solidified the tradition of the event at the University and students can look forward to it becoming an annual celebration.” This year we saw returning students take over as volunteers, following in the footsteps of volunteers from the previous year who had ran for co-ordinator and general assembly positions,” says Jeremy Girard, ULSU president. “Fresh Fest is more than
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Performances May 16 | National Youth Choir Featuring three U of L music students | 7 p.m., Southminster United Church May 18-19 | Feel the Beat University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music presents a menu of animal-themed selections 10 a.m. and noon daily, Southminster United Church
Miscellaneous May 7 | CAETL Teaching Day Celebrate teaching excellence and
engage in lively discussion and debate of current educational topics 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100) May 8 | Culture Vulture Saturday Portrait Pillows | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., U of L Art Gallery May 11-13 | Creating Rural Connections Conference Alberta Rural Development Network presents a combination of keynote and concurrent presentations May 19 | Bill Cade Farewell Fiesta Wish outgoing President Bill Cade good luck as he leaves the University after 10 years | 3 to 5 p.m., Markin Hall
it will further enhance the library’s role in being a learning hub in the University community,” says Brenda Mathenia, associate University librarian, Client Services & Facilities. “Group workrooms are in constant demand so we know that adding nine more will be welcomed by students. We also want to provide more clearly defined spaces for different types of library use and to facilitate access to critical information and technology resources.” Mathenia adds that the renovation both enhances the student experience while sustaining the strategic priority to, “build a healthy, supportive and collaborative environment and culture that promotes student, faculty, staff and alumni success and satisfaction”. In addition to the group workrooms, additional renova-
tions are underway that will provide important changes to library staff work areas, allowing for greater collaborative work that directly supports the ongoing development of innovative information discovery tools, technologies and resources. Beyond the new construction, unused printer/copier stations on levels 9, 10 and 11 were removed – regaining valuable floor space that will be put to use primarily for student study space (carrels and/or tables). The renovation required the relocation of a number of student computers and several collections including the Media Collection (now on Level 10 South), the microform collection (condensed to the space adjacent to the Prentice Institute on Level 11) and the map collection (shifted to accommodate the new workrooms on Level 10).
a student retention program, it is critical for establishing friend networks among new students and in creating a welcoming environment.” As the year progressed, Global Justice Week, Peak Week and the SACPA Student Speaker Challenge all helped to accomplish executive council’s goal of establishing academic events for the student body. “Creating an environment that enhances the educational experience is part of our mission,” says Girard. The Students’ Union strives to offer services that aid in the success of each and every student that enters one of the U of Ls campuses, whether it is in Lethbridge, Calgary or Edmonton. Among the initiatives, executive council was able to contribute to was the growth in use of and contribution to the Test Bank, the transformation of the Food Bank delivery system, the establishment of a free income tax service and a
revamping of the Used Book Sale. “All of these are ongoing projects, and it is important to get new executives to bring in fresh motivation and ideas to continue this progress,” says Girard. The ULSU also engaged in a constitutional referendum, created a Quality Initiatives Proposal Fund Agreement and updated the building agreement between the ULSU and the University. On the political stage, it was a very progressive year for lobbying. The ULSU, through the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS), lobbied the provincial government in the wake of the announcement that it would entertain proposals for an increase in tuition. “I have been so humbled by the work it takes to manage the ULSU, as well as the University, and without everyone’s help this experience would not have been as amazing as it was for me,” says Girard.
M AY 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
FINE ARTS
in focus
Students earn Roloff Beny awards By AMANDA BERG
T
he Roloff Beny Foundation Photographic Awards in Fine Arts provides outstanding students in photo-arts with an opportunity for travel in relation to their photographic activity. Any new or continuing students enrolled full-time in any BFA degree program who have a focused interest in photo-arts are eligible to apply for this competitive award. The Roloff Beny Awards Committee met in January, and after considering a very high quality and competitive group of applications, made the decision to give out three scholarships of equal value in the amount of $3,333 to Jason Jessen Roloff Beny Award winners (left to right) Yan Luo (Art), Evan Van Reekum (New Media) and Jason Jessen (Art). (Art), Evan Van Reekum (New Media) and Yan Luo (Art). year of study in a BFA in New a new vision altered through in art instruction and research, Jessen is in his fourth year Media program. His goal is to his experiences living in North the University of Lethbridge was of study in a BFA in Art Studio travel to Ireland with the aim of America. one of five institutions across program and has proposed to producing photographic essays In 2005, the Roloff Beny Canada selected for such an entravel to northern Alberta to concentrating on ideas of history Foundation endowed $860,000 dowment. Since then $50,000 in investigate the Cree aspect of and abandonment. to the Department of Art, scholarships have been awarded his Yugoslavian/Cree hybrid Luo is finishing his final Faculty of Fine Arts, to generto students studying fine arts identity. He will visit his home year in a BFA in Art Studio ate ongoing funding for student at the University of Lethbridge, band, the Big Stone Band at program. He will endeavour scholarships and infrastructure providing them with a researchWabasca near Slave Lake, and do to return to his home city of costs in traditional and digital based travel opportunity in a photographic investigation of Shanghai to document issues of photo-arts. conjunction with their studies in his indigenous identity. surveillance and authority with In recognition of excellence photo-arts. Van Reekum is in his third
feel the beat features musaeus string quartet A musical stampede thunders its way through Southminster United Church, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, May 18-19, with the final concert of the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music’s Feel The Beat series. A show for all ages, the program offers a menu of animal-themed musical selections, including Carnival of the Animals, composed by CharlesCamille Saint-Saëns, and How the Loon Got Its Necklace, by Keith Bissel. “Feel the Beat is a four-part series for children that introduces classical music,” explains Breeanne Fuller, conservatory co-ordinator. “Our programs are age appropriate, relatively short and as always, free.” Supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Feel the Beat has enjoyed its second successful season this year. “Carnival of the Animals aligns with the school music curriculum,” Fuller adds. “It’s a piece that appeals to young audiences while at the same time providing a valuable educational experience.” Composed for full orchestra and featuring two pianos, Carnival of the Animals
Musaeus String Quartet is the core group for Carnival of the Animals. Pictured are (left to right) Norbert Boehm, Mark Rodgers, Graham Tagg and Maria Geppert. Photo by Randy Neufeld
includes 14 movements with delightful titles including Tortoises, Aquarium, The Elephant and Hens and Roosters. Musaeus String Quartet, along with percussionist Adam Mason, will perform How The Loon Got Its Necklace, a Canadian composition based on an aboriginal folk legend. “Everyone’s invited to attend and the admission is free. However, you must reserve your seats before the show,” Fuller says.
With shows at 10 a.m. and noon on both May 18 and 19, seats can be reserved over the phone by calling 403-329-2304. “Although the 10 a.m. shows are sold out, there are still plenty of seats available for the noon shows,” she adds. Fun for the whole family, this Feel the Beat concert is both educational and entertaining. Be sure to book your reservation early.
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CULTURE VULTURE Culture Vulture Saturdays continue into May this spring with one of the most popular activities of the year-long enterprise on the schedule. “We had so much fun, and this activity was so popular last year, we decided to bring back Portrait Pillows for another year,” says Rosalind Jeffrey, program coordinator for Culture Vulture at the University Art Gallery. On Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors to the gallery have a perfect opportunity to view the latest gallery installation and finish a project of their own to take home. “The exhibition, In The Stillness, is on display in the U of L Art Gallery from May 7 through Sept. 10,” says Jeffrey. The exhibit explores rarely displayed sculptural work from the U of L Art Collection and features works by Robert Rauschenberg, Alex Wyse, Alan Reynolds and Gordon Ferguson. After checking out the exhibition, everyone is invited to create their own piece of art. “Culture Vulture participants can draw portraits of themselves on broadcloth fabric using an assortment of colours and media. We sew the pieces together and stuff it to create a pillow with the artist’s design,” says Jeffrey. Culture Vulture Saturdays are winding down with the final activity of the season to be held June 12.
the Legend National Youth Choir boasts U of L singers It’s a rare and prestigious occasion when the National Youth Choir performs in Lethbridge. What makes the event even better is when three University of Lethbridge singers are being featured. This year three of the four Alberta singers in the National Youth Choir are from the U of L. They will be performing Sunday, May 16, 7 p.m. at Southminster United Church, the only Alberta stop for the choir during their national tour. The National Youth Choir is one of this nation’s national treasures, featuring 40 of the best voices in the country. “National Youth Choir represents the cream of the crop of choral singers,” says Kade Hogg, U of L alumnus and music director for Southminster United Church and a former National Youth Choir performer. “Four singers are selected from each province; a soprano, alto, tenor and bass; auditioned through their provincial choir association.” U of L Bachelor of Music majors Jason Ragan, Aaron Bartholomew and Kristina Alexander spent an intensive week rehearsing with the choir in Saskatoon, Sask. before starting out on a week-long national tour. Sponsored by the Association of Canadian Choral Communities, the National Youth Choir has delighted audiences and provided invaluable opportunities to vocalists biannually since 1984. “As an alumnus of the National Youth Choir, I’m very excited to have them performing in Lethbridge,” says Hogg. “Southminster is honoured that we are the only venue hosting the choir in Alberta. Members of our congregation are billeting the singers during their stay and providing meals in their honour.” Tickets for the event are available by calling the Southminster United Church office at 403-3273404. Prices are $15 for regular admission and $10 for students. “This concert is a perfect opportunity for our community to hear this great choir and support our own U of L students,” says Hogg. “Who knows, this opportunity may never happen again in Lethbridge.”
Eldon Garnet, Selections from the ‘No’ series, 1997, From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of an anonymous donor, 1999.
Eldon Garnet is an internationally acclaimed Canadian artist known for a multidisciplinary approach to his work. Garnet’s photographs in the University of Lethbridge Art Collection explore the ideas of life and death in a sincere and surprising manner. While some artists prefer to address mortality indirectly, Garnet embraces the idea and makes it a focal point of his work. He creates series of photographs that are aesthetically pleasing for their composition and form but that contain images that read to be disturbing. The viewer becomes so drawn into the design aspects of Garnet’s images that the content then becomes an unanticipated aftershock. Garnet is fully aware of this effect and sees his images as an opportunity to, “give everyone what they want while quietly pushing them over an unexpected edge of aesthetic and social expectation.” Once the viewer addresses the content of the work, it is hard not to relate its meaning to the self or the immediate environment. These works from Garnet’s No series use elements – air, water, fire – while others in the same series use animals and the human body to portray meaning. The elements that are seen here can have many meanings attributed to them, some negative and some positive. What they all have in common is that they exist on a fine line between necessity and destruction, bringing the viewer to an interesting, and yet personal, dichotomy. Garnet is also an accomplished writer, sculptor and filmmaker. He was the publisher and editor of Impulse magazine from the mid 1970s to the 1990s. Garnet is currently teaching photography, public art and sculpture at the Ontario College of Art & Design.
Roz Jeffery, Museum Studies Intern University of Lethbridge, Department of Art
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