FACULTY RESEARCH AWARD
Dr. Shawn Morton Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Shawn Morton believes that archaeology is a team sport. Through his Anthropology Instructor role at NWP, Adjunct Assistant Professor position at the University of Calgary, and Research Associate focus at Michigan State University, he collaborates with colleagues, students, and the public on exciting research initiatives.
His achievements over the last two decades have helped unearth history. His work on an ancestral Maya townsite in Belize is also continuing to garner attention. In fact, Dr. Morton and his team are now working with the National Geographic Society, and Belize Ministry of Education to develop curriculum materials based on the project. Closer to home, Dr. Morton’s exploration of a
settler-historic townsite in Alberta has also yielded impressive results.
Comfortable in a rainforest in Suriname, along the South American coast, or behind a lectern in a busy postsecondary, Dr. Morton’s meticulous, innovative, and community-engaging approach is truly impressive.
Libero Ficocelli
Dr. René Gadacz-Gould
Tom Kaip
Tina Martel
Accomplishments
Dr. Deena Honan Doctor of Philosophy majoring in Nursing
Dr. Anna Lapointe Published 5th book " swim intothenorth’sblueeye"
Peter Sellers Journeyman Red Seal, Motorcycle Mechanic
Chelsea Antonio Master of Business Administration
Dawn Laviolette HR Essentials Certificate
Susan Moodie Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Micro-Credential
2022-2023
Instructor Emeritus
Honoured Retirees
Paula Backer
Favourite Memory or Story of your time with NWP. My favourite memory would have to be the 2011 Employee Recognition Ceremony, where my entire family was in attendance to hear the President of the college say... "Welcome to this year's Employee Recognition Event as we honour staff milestones and retirees... but we all know you're here to see Paula's Video Tribute... so hit the lights and start the show!"
What year and position did you start with and end with at NWP?
I started in 1996 in the Library as Distance Education support …and I retire as the Technology Classroom Coordinator in IT. I’ve also filled various positions in other departments, served on several EA committees, and the EA Exec as Member-AtLarge. It has been an honour to provide video and technical support for Convocation, Orientation, and President’s Ball.
What are your plans for retirement?
My first priority is not to work so hard anymore! My transition into retirement includes; travelling to Eastern Canada by train, enjoying my first grandchild born May 2023, leading dance fitness, acreage life, gardening, and amateur photography. I will continue to seize any opportunity to perform a tune on the piano -perhaps even in these beautiful halls again someday, as I will miss this place!
Edward Bader
What year and position did you start with and end with at NWP?
I started work as a Sabbatical Replacement in August 1998 and ended my career as a Tenured Instructor teaching Art History and Drawing.
Favourite Memory or Story of your time with NWP.
My favourite memory of NWP is that of facilitating student's growth and development to realize their creative potential.
What are your plans for retirement?
My plans for retirement are to continue my career as an artist. For artists, there is no such thing as retirement. In addition, I plan to travel and enter a few bodybuilding competitions.
What year and position did you start with and then end with at NWP?
I completed a Master of Music, piano performance degree at the University of Victoria with acclaimed pedagogue and concert pianist Dr. Robin Wood. Following graduate work, I taught in the GPRC Conservatory for 4 years, and in 1997 assumed the role of Conservatory Coordinator and was a
sessional instructor of applied piano and theory. I received tenure in 2011, was the first female Chair of the Fine Arts Department in GPRC/ NWP’s 50+ year history from 2017-21, and have held every position that the Fine Arts Department had to offer during my career that spanned more than 25 years.
Favourite Memory or Story of your time with NWP.
I have many wonderful memories as an instructor, however, the most meaningful are the times spent working with our NWP music students, many of whom won provincial and national awards prior to beginning their careers as professional musicians in North America. I was passionate about researching/performing music by women composers and developed
Carmen Gorgichuk
Women in Music (MU2620) in 1997, as well as Music Business (MU2120) following sabbatical studies at Berklee College, Boston. In 2018, I was published in The Composer on Screen Essays on Classical Music Biopics, McFarland Publishers. Career highlights included bringing the Steinway concert grand piano to the Collins Recital Hall, and while as Chair, overseeing the GPRC Concert Choir’s trip to perform Handel’s Messiah with 500 singers from around the world at Carnegie Hall, New York City.
What are your plans for retirement?
As I transition towards semi-retirement, I will be a guest artist at the University of Alberta, Augustana campus, critiquing a piano master
class, as well as presenting a lecture on music businessand a recital in 2024. I planto stay active as a musician performing in concert and adjudicating music festivals. I love going for walks by the ocean, bicycling and paddle boarding, and look forward to spending more time on the west coast in Victoria, BC, with my family and numerous friends.
Susan completed her pre-veterinary requirements at GPRC and UofA. She was accepted into the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. She graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1990 and then worked in several different mixed animal practices in the Peace Country for seven years. At that time, Dr. Klassen felt a change was needed, and she applied to teach at the
AHT Program in what was then Fairview College in 1997. To her surprise, she was awarded the position. She taught in that Program for 26 years, during which time she also helped her parents with their cowcalf production and lived on their farm in the Wanham area (where she still lives with her two beloved dogs and three indoor cats). She is known for a number of different things, including providing the AHT program and anyone else who would take them with felines from her completely unintentional and frequently large collection of stray and feral cats (after they were caught and tamed). What the future holds for her is still unknown, but change is a certainty and Dr. Klassen looks forward to new challenges.
Dr. Susan Klassen
Dallas Sawtell
What year and position did you start with and end with at NWP?
I started in 1997 in the science department as a math instructor. I was in that job for 26 years.
Favourite Memory or Story of your time with NWP.
Teaching students from many different disciplines was one of the great things about teaching math. I was also lucky to be in a department where the instructors respected and liked one another. We had a lot of fun together
What are your plans for retirement?
I currently have no plans for retirement! I will take it as it comes.
Sandra Wetzel
Favourite Memory or Story of your time with NWP.
Technology is a rapidly evolving industry that continues to keep humans immersed in constant change and challenges.
What are your plans for retirement?
What year and position did you start with and then end with at NWP?
I have held two positions within the Information Technology department. In 1997 I started as the Computer Lab Coordinator and moved into the Voice Systems Administrator role in 2007.
During my retirement, I will be focusing on home, health, hobbies, and happiness.
