Excel Spring 2015 - Lakeland College by Lakeland College Canada

Spring2015 2015 Spring

ALUMNI PROFILE: Geek to Government for Enviro grad BAND IN THE SAND success grows

ALMOST READY...

Energy Centre in final stretch

Homecoming and Rose Ball Registration Form

Table June 12, 13 of and 14, 2015

Lakeland College, Vermilion Campus

Contents

STEP 1 ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP Ƒ I am a member of the Alumni Association Lifetime Ƒ Ƒ I/we am not a member but please sign me/us up Lifetime Ƒ $100 Alumni Association membership mandatory for all Alumni.

Feature Stories

grad has coolest job in the government 0 6 STEPEnviro Mike Fernandez ‘99 shares his passion for what he does. 2 REGISTRATION

Annual Ƒ Annual Ƒ $10 x _____

Spring 2015

$_________

Excel (circ. 17,800) is published by Lakeland College’s Department of Advancement. Excel is also available on Lakeland College’s website Registration packages will be available for pick up at Alumni House on Thursday from 2 to 5 pm, and Alumni Hall on Friday from noon until 8 pm at lakelandcollege.ca/excel From from Green andnoon. Gold to Crimson and Saturday 8 am until Maria Sarcauga ‘11 charts course from Lakeland to Harvard. The Alumni Office distributes mailings,

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Name_________________________________________________________ Your class year(s) ______________________

invitations and class lists. Anyone wishing to be excluded from certain mailings should Lee Laskosky ‘77 wrestled his way into the Canadian Pro Rodeo _____________________________________________________________ Email ______________________________ notify the Alumni Office. Hall of Fame.

Address _______________________________________________________ Phone/Cell __________________________ Rodeo Club alumnus makes Hall of Fame

My guest name __________________________________________________ If guest is Alumnus, class year(s) ___________

EST grad crowned FireFit World Rookie of the Year 12 fee for members and guests $20 x Firefighter ______ Combat Challenge. Registration Leroy Fontaine ‘12 competes at Scott

Address if different _______________________________________________

$_________

Alumni Coordinator: Darla Yonkman Friday 6 pm answer Pulled on a bun,for salads, dessert andCanada. beverage # attending _____ x $14661 6490 ext. 8628 $_________ 1 800 JordanArrival BubaSocial ‘07 helps beefpork questions McDonald’s alumni@lakelandcollege.ca Saturday FREE Breakfast in college cafeteria 7:30 - 9 am.(Sponsored by Lakeland College Board of Governors)

STEP 3 EVENT TICKETS (limited availability)

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT IN A FEW SECONDS

30 people, including a few cowboys from Manitoba, participated in the Johansen Brothers & Scott Schiffner Bull Riding School and the Scott Byrne & Monty Phillips Bullfighting School at Lakeland College in February. The schools are presented by the Lakeland College Rodeo Club.

3rd generation alumnus talks beef

First ImpressionS Breakfast followed by AGM. 1 5 Modish Susan Jones ‘99 is reinventing the humble doorbell. Class Luncheon Noon Lasagna, dessert and beverage

Editor: Katie Ryan # attending _____ x $14

$_________

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Creative Design: # attending _____ x $45 Hughson Kathleen

$_________

Rose Ball Banquet: 5:30 pm Cocktails, 6 pm Reception, roast beef meal BandGrand in March the and Sand Dance: 9 pm (D.J.)

A dirty good time AND a great learning experience.

Note:Dance only tickets $20 at the door (limited availability)

2 4 A look at how the Energy Centre is transforming futures even before Sunday Farewell cash buffet breakfast in college cafeteria Energy Centre

STEPclasses 4 ACCOMMODATIONS (Lakeland College dorms) begin. Ƒ Single room $60 ______ June 11, Thursday

Supporting you... and Lakeland College. On average, alumni who have home and auto insurance with us save $400.*

Home and auto insurance program recommended by

Your needs will change as your life and career evolve. As a Lakeland College member, you have access to the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program, which offers preferred insurance rates, other discounts and great protection, that is easily adapted to your changing needs. Plus, every year our program contributes to supporting your alumni association, so it’s a great way to save and show you care at the same time. Get a quote today! Our extended business hours make it easy. Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. HOME | AUTO | TRAVEL

June 12, Friday

Ƒ Double room $80 ______ Ƒ Single room $60 Ƒ Double room $80 ______ Ƒ Single room $60 Ƒ Double room $80 ______

Continue Reading June 13, Saturday

Total $ _______

Due to provincial legislation, our auto and recreational vehicle insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *Average based on the home and auto premiums for active policies on July 31, 2014 of all of our clients who belong to a professional or alumni group that has an agreement with us when compared to the premiums they would have paid with the same insurer without the preferred insurance rate for groups and the multi-product discount. Savings are not guaranteed and may vary based on the client’s profile. ® The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Total $ ______

20 21

Rustlers Spotlight Ƒ Money order STEP 7 METHOD OF PAYMENT Ƒ Cheque enclosed enclosed Ƒ Visa 28 ___ ___ ___ ___

29 Expiry date ____ ____ Name of Cardholder

Donor Spotlight

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. It is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec, by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in Ontario, and by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. in the rest of Canada. Our address: 50 Place Crémazie, Montreal (Quebec) H2P 1B6.

Accepting Advertising: Advertising in the Excel is welcome. For rates call the Alumni Office at: 780 853 8628 or email: alumni@lakelandcollege.ca

Contributions Special contributed to RV Parking Ƒ Thursday Ƒ Friday Ƒ Saturday #of nights _____ x $15thanks to all alumni who $ _________ this edition of Excel. Letters, photographs and Celebrate students newsatare welcome. the right to edit STEP 5 CLASS PHOTOS I would like to purchase a class picture. These photos will be taken starting 1 pm SaturdayWein reserve the cafeteria. contributions. Submitted photographs must have Ƒ 5 x 7 $10 Ƒ 8 x 10 $15 Note: You will receive your photo at the Rose Ball a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Please address Campus news all correspondence to the Alumni Office. Ƒ Class of 1965 history book $45 STEP 6 CLASS OF 1965 $ _________

Card # ___ ___ ___ ___

Ask for your quote today at 1-888-589-5656 or visit melochemonnex.com/lakelandc

Cover Photo: Cecelia Foster

agreement Ƒ Mastercard Publications mail TOTAL $ _________ No. 40009099 ___ ___ __ _ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

(please print)

________________________________

Signature _________________________________________________________________ Return undeliverable addresses to Lakeland College Make cheques or money orders payable to: Lakeland College Alumni Association Alumni Office Registration deadline is June 4, 2015 - No late registrations will be accepted 5707 College Drive remember when Mail registration form and payment to: Lakeland College Alumni Association c/o Alumni Office, Vermilion, Alberta, Canada T9X 1K5 Lakeland College, 5707 College Drive, Vermilion AB T9X 1K5

30 Class notes 32

1 800 661 6490 homecoming For further information contact Darla Yonkman -registration 780 853 8628 or darla.yonkman@lakelandcollege.ca 33 lakelandcollege.ca/alumni

1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628

President’s Message

Alumni Coordinator Message

Greetings

Message from

Darla

alumni & friends

As interim president of Lakeland College, it is a great privilege to greet you in this edition of our Excel magazine. Many of you may recognize me from other roles I have had with Lakeland over the years including vice president-academic, and dean of the School of Health and Human Services. In 1985 I started my Lakeland College journey and I was quick to fall in love with Lakeland. As the third oldest post-secondary institution in Alberta, our college has evolved with campus expansion, enrolment growth, advanced programming and technology, and ongoing community involvement. At 101, we’ve never looked better. We have a dynamic board of governors who are dedicated to Lakeland’s growth and innovation. Please join me in congratulating Darrel Howell, our new board chair who was appointed to the position in December 2014. Among the priorities he’ll focus on include the selection of a new president to replace Dr. Tracy Edwards who resigned in October, as well as infrastructure maintenance and renewal, and fiscal sustainability. I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue to work alongside Darrel. His leadership, experience and passion are assets to Lakeland. As you know our work at the college is always Ever to Excel and throughout this past year we have had the opportunity to celebrate a number of achievements. Our business students won the Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition, seven of our interior design technology students placed or received honourable mentions in student design competitions and Kyle Smith, a carpentry apprentice, took fourth place in the Skills Canada Competition. That’s just scratching the surface of our student accomplishments. We know you’re doing great things as well. As we share our current students’ successes, we’d also like to celebrate yours. And this publication allows us to do just that. Whether you’re a recent Lakeland graduate or several decades have passed since your convocation, we want to hear from you. Let us know what you’re up to. After all, it doesn’t matter how much time has passed, you’re still very much a part of our Lakeland family. Our alumni have the power to play a leading role in the lives of our students. We want to stay connected. Your support, your dedication and your willingness to engage with students enable Lakeland to thrive. Together, we have achieved much and I am confident we will continue to. With a rich history, innovative team and bright future, I am honoured to serve the college in my current capacity. I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to Ever to Excel. Sincerely yours,

Alice Wainwright-Stewart Interim President and CEO

Have you ever received 150 hugs in one day? Well I am happy to say I have! Our alumni have true passion for and connection with our college and therefore as the alumni coordinator I have developed a lot of very special relationships. I’m fortunate to meet so many bright, ambitious students who have chosen to pursue their dreams by attending our college; then I continue to connect with them as alumni and celebrate their accomplishments, both personally and professionally. You will see some of our celebration stories in this magazine. We’re fortunate that many alumni stay connected with students by guest lecturing, hosting practicums, attending Rustlers home games, and returning to college events such as Band in the Sand. I also know that alumni help students through mentoring and connecting them with potential employers and by donating towards classroom and lab renovations, new building projects and student scholarships. Every way mentioned here makes a difference to a student and helps the next generation to follow in your footsteps! As you may have noticed our annual giving ask was focused on our current building needs to ensure students get the best education possible within the best facilities, including our Dairy Barn. When our college hit the 100-year milestone so did some of our buildings! If you have a passion for an academic area and recognize there is a need, we can certainly direct your donation to that area. Of course you also want to stay connected with your fellow alumni. One of the best ways to do that is to join your Lakeland College Alumni Association. Our Alumni Association is committed to protecting our college values, traditions and history, while building and strengthening relationships and encouraging engagement. The executive committee works very hard to provide opportunities for you to connect with classmates, friends and staff at Lakeland. Your membership enables the executive to be even more responsive to your needs. Please consider getting involved! On the next page you can read about the events Lakeland College and your Alumni Association are planning. Please attend – you’ll be glad you did! One of the largest events of the year is Alumni Homecoming and Rose Ball at which time we celebrate the anniversary years ending in zero or five. For example, the Class of 1965 celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. But remember that everyone is invited to join us! To sign up for homecoming, please complete the registration form on page 33. I look forward to giving you a hug! In closing, I challenge each of you to join me in “Paying It Forward.” Do one thing to make a difference in the life of a student, our college or for a fellow alumnus. I find it is such a rewarding thing to do! Take care,

Darla Yonkman ’04 Alumni Coordinator 4

lakeland college alumni magazine

Spring 2015

Alumni Association Message

Alumni Association

President’s Message

Greetings everyone and welcome to 2015. We hope your past year has been good to you and may all be great as we go into the new year. In 2013 we celebrated 100 years of Lakeland College history. The first graduation was held in 1915 – happy 100th anniversary to all Alumni. We’re looking for your help to verify the year our Alumni Association was founded. If you know the answer, contact Darla at the Alumni Office. Our Alumni executive has been working very hard for the association. Some of the many things we are looking at include having more social gatherings for Alumni members in various locations – Edmonton, Westlock, Yuma, Dunvegan, Kelowna and Vermilion. Some dates are listed on the next page. The big event will be Homecoming in Vermilion in June. The Homecoming registration form is on page 33. We hope to see you all there again this year. We have had several discussions on what we can do to get more Alumni members involved in activities that would be interesting and fun for all members, and that would renew past friendships and make new ones for alumni members. One suggestion has been to organize alumni group travel trips. These trips could go wherever people wanted to go. Travel agents are willing to arrange this. Trips could be far away, some could be local bus tours. Far away tours would need to be booked five to six months in advance to ensure the best rates. These would be all inclusive tours. We have had suggestions that include England, Scotland, France, Germany, Holland, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Maritimes and for a bus and cruise tour to Alaska. Alumni Association members would be entitled to a better travel rate. Let us know what you may like to do and we will see what we can do to make it happen for you. Do let us know of other things that may be of interest to you. We are looking for ideas and suggestions that you have so we are looking forward to hearing from you. Happy trails for your future! Best wishes,

Bill Fox Alumni Association President

Let’s stay in touch! Go to our website and update your contact information: lakelandcollege.ca/update And why not have some fun! Join our Alumni Facebook fanpage! facebook.com/LakelandCollegeAlumni

lakeland college alumni magazine

Alumni Social Events dates & locations

Lakeland College

Alumni

Please RSVP to the contacts listed below.

Association

Saturday, April 11, 2015 - NEW Event

President

Kelowna Alumni Social Hotel Eldorado, 500 Cook Road, Kelowna BC Time: 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Feel free to stay longer! Contact: Darla Yonkman, 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628

Saturday, April 18, 2015 - New location Edmonton & Area Alumni Social Country Side Golf Club, 51466 Range Road 232, Sherwood Park AB Time: 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Contact: Darla Yonkman, 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628

Thursday, May 7, 2015 - NEW event Vermilion Alumni Social Lakeland College Cafeteria, Vermilion AB Time: 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Contact: Darla Yonkman, 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628

Bill Fox ‘58 Vice President

Ed Lefsrud ‘65 Term Ends 2017 Treasurer

Sandra Bernes ‘66 Term Ends 2016 Secretary

Barry McCarty ‘69 Term Ends 2016 Past President

Laurie Weatherill ‘65 Director

Friday - Sunday, June 12, 13 & 14, 2015

Cliff Schwartz ‘93, 2010

Lakeland College Alumni Homecoming Lakeland College, Vermilion AB Contact: Darla Yonkman, 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628

Director

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Term Ends 2015

Tom Kibblewhite ‘59 Term Ends 2015

Grande Prairie Alumni Social Dunvegan Campsite AB Time: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Contacts: Alice Fortier - 780 532 6662 Eric Stamp - 780 766 2464

Director

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Term Ends 2016

Lacer the Racer Alumni Golf Tournament Vermilion Golf and Country Club, Vermilion AB Contact: Peter Walsh, 780 853 8586 or 780 853 4973

Director

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Director

Westlock Alumni Social Westlock Memorial Hall, Elks Room, 99 Ave. - 106 St. Westlock AB Time: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Contacts: George & Ivy McMillan - 780 349 2404 Doug & Vera Brown - 780 349 2410

Saturday, February 6, 2016 Yuma Alumni Snowbird Social Westwind RV & Golf Resort , 9797 East 32nd Street, Yuma AZ Time: 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. $15 per person, lunch included. Contacts: Jack & Jeanette Price - 928 342 4567 Lyle & Sandra Baker - 928 342 4339

Gwen Kibblewhite Term Ends 2015 Director

Aldon Arts ‘13

Jack Price ‘66 Term Ends 2015

Vern Schaub ‘68 Term Ends 2016 Director

Evelyn Lang ‘63 Term Ends 2016 Director

Charlie Jamieson ‘84 Term Ends 2016

Alumni Coordinator

Darla Yonkman ‘04 Historian

Margaret Snelgrove ‘47 7 Spring 2015

Alumni Association Message

Alumni Spotlight he had envisioned, Fernandez decided to explore what local options there were for school and that’s how he found Lakeland College. “I was so excited to see what at that time was the environmental monitoring and compliance diploma program,” Fernandez says. “I loved the blend of environmental science and the law; it was right up my alley in terms of interests and careerthinking. It was a natural fit for me.” A graduate of the Class of ’99, Fernandez speaks highly of his Lakeland experience. From the friends he made to the relationships he built with instructors and the resources he was able to access at the college, Fernandez says these elements helped him succeed in his studies.

“Coolest job” in

Government Enviro Grad has

“ I have come further than I probably would have ever aspired to. It certainly comes back to being well-grounded in my days in Vermilion. I came out of Lakeland really well prepared for a career in the public sector.” Uber-geek is how he describes himself. After speaking with Mike Fernandez ‘99 and discovering his passion and excitement for what he does, you realize just how apt of a description that is. “I have the coolest career in government, I have been so fortunate,” says Fernandez over the phone following a planning session with his division. “And I lead an interesting file here on behalf of the government.” As the executive director of market diversification for Alberta Energy, Fernandez and his team’s work focuses on future pipeline infrastructure that will enable the province’s oil to reach new markets in other continents, including Europe and Asia. 8

“I am fortunate to work on a file that is of great importance to my premier and to Albertans. While we can all see the challenges that the energy sector is facing today, I continue to be super excited about hopefully being part of that solution when you think about energy and the environment and how they interface,” says Fernandez. “My team and I are in a position where we actually get to advise and shape the decisions that the premier is making. If you’re a civil servant you want to know that your advice is being genuinely considered and often acted upon by government, so it’s pretty exciting to work with Premier Prentice.” British Columbia’s forestry sector was where Fernandez started his professional life. When the mill he was working at closed

lakeland college alumni magazine

“I was very academically-focused. I was close with my whole class but I was the guy who was often in the library studying, reading and thinking about course work,” he says. “The class I was a part of was fantastic; great people, great instructors and a great experience overall in my books. I loved every minute of it.” With a grade point average of 3.99, Fernandez graduated with distinction from the environmental monitoring and compliance program. For his scholastic achievements, Fernandez received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. “I was an uber-geek,” he says laughing. “I love school. If I won the lottery tomorrow I would go back to school in the fall. I know everyone laughs at me but if I won $20 million I would own some nice houses and then I would become a

Mike Fernandez ‘99

in the mid-90s, Fernandez headed east. “I had an interest in resources and the environment, and I actually wanted to go and learn more about the energy sector in oil in Alberta,” says Fernandez who found work in the oil industry in the Vermilion-Lloydminster region. After realizing it was not the long-term career

professional student. It would be great.” Fernandez’s 15-year career with the Government of Alberta began with a summer job he took after completing his studies at Lakeland College. Rather than return to school to complete an applied degree, which was his intention, Fernandez accepted a full-time position as an inspector with Alberta Environment in Fort McMurray. The transition from the classroom to the workforce was an easy one according to Fernandez. “Coming out of that program, I was well prepared to move into a role with the Alberta government on their environmental enforcement team,” he says. “I had a great grounding in the science and the chemistry of the environment, and an equally strong understanding of Alberta’s regulatory environment and who the main players were in that environment. The program was a shoe-in for some of the roles that the Government of Alberta has for protecting the environment.” Since accepting a position with the provincial government in 1999, Fernandez has stayed in the public sector. His work has taken him from the environment sector to energy, where Fernandez has had the opportunity to lead innovative projects including carbon capture and storage, sustainable energy and now market diversification. In that time Fernandez also returned to school for his bachelor of science in environmental management and his master of arts in leadership, both with Royal Roads University. The father of two plans to

work towards his PhD in the future when his children are taking on their own postsecondary studies. “I have come further than I probably would have ever aspired to,” he says. “It certainly comes back to being wellgrounded in my days in Vermilion. I came out of Lakeland really well prepared for a career in the public sector, I just don’t think I realized how prepared I was.” The formula for Fernandez’s “ubergeek” success is a combination of enthusiasm and passion. And the right people, he adds. “It’s always all about the people. You need to surround yourself with great people, you need to make sure that you find a great leader and learn as much as you can. Your passion and your love for your work are probably going to be driven in large part by the people you surround yourself with.” Today Lakeland College offers an environmental sciences diploma with four majors: conservation and restoration ecology, environmental conservation and reclamation, environmental monitoring and protection, and wildlife and fisheries conservation. Students can also take the next step in career development with Lakeland’s applied degree in environmental management. The online renewable energy and conservation certificate and diploma are the most recent additions to Lakeland’s environmental sciences programs.

RUSTLERS ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Support our athletes! All proceeds go towards the athletics program for scholarships and travel expenses as they pursue provincial and national championships.

Lloydminster Golf & Curling Centre - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 Texas scramble format - Shotgun start at 9:00 am Registration: Team of 4 - $1,000 Individual - $250 Includes 18 holes of golf with cart, breakfast, supper, hole in one prizes, food and beverage tents, door prizes, tax receipt for the taxable portion of the registration and a lot of fun!

For sponsorship opportunities contact Sheray Thomas at sheray.thomas@lakelandcollege.ca or 780 871 5472. Spring 2015

Alumni SpotLight

Alumni Spotlight

From green & gold to

crimson An alumnus of Lakeland College’s university transfer program is attending Harvard University. Maria Sarcauga ‘11 moved to Cambridge, Mass., in January to begin the master of liberal arts in psychology program which consists of nine courses and a thesis. Lakeland College may not be a typical path to Harvard, but it’s a path that Sarcauga is glad she travelled. “Lakeland College was the right place for me to start my university studies. I had incredible mentors at the college including Kelly Mutter and Dr. Leonard Wilhelm. They along with my family and friends are important members of my amazing support system. I know that no matter where I go and no matter what I do, I will always have people who believe in me.” After graduating in 2009 from Holy Rosary High School in Lloydminster, Sarcauga enrolled in pre-medicine courses at Lakeland’s Lloydminster campus. “It was a tough first year. I was unsure of myself and didn’t know what I wanted to do. But I found a huge sense of community at Lakeland. People were very supportive,” she says. One of her electives was a psychology course taught by Mutter. “I really enjoyed that course and decided to work towards a bachelor of arts in psychology,” she says. “I took numerous psychology courses during my second year at Lakeland and that’s when I really thrived.” Sarcauga excelled in classes during her second year and also signed up for more extracurricular activities including 10

lakeland college alumni magazine

“Lakeland College was the right place for me to start my university studies.” an educational trip to Mexico. The students worked with local teachers in private, public and indigenous schools and migrant worker camps schools and met people from diverse socioeconomic conditions who were facing challenges such as poverty, homelessness and sexual violence. It was at that time Sarcauga realized she wanted to work with individuals who are dealing with difficult circumstances in their lives. After two years (2009-2011) in Lakeland’s university transfer program, Sarcauga moved to Saskatoon in the fall of 2011 to continue her BA studies at the University of Saskatchewan. While a U of S student she participated in a study abroad program in Washington, DC. She spent the 2013 fall semester at The Washington Center taking leadership courses and completing an internship at N Street Village, a non-profit organization that helps homeless and low income women. One of her leadership assignments was to create a project proposal. She developed Pearls for Girls, a proposal for a program to help exploited children in Canada. In the spring of 2014 Sarcauga graduated with distinction from the U of S. The long-time volunteer at the Lloydminster Sexual Assault and Information Centre started working for the organization in June as a crisis interventionist. As for her studies at Harvard, she started two courses in January. Before Sarcauga started, she was told she needed to do three hours of prep work for every hour of lecture. “The program will be demanding but I look forward to the challenge,” she says. Spring 2015

Alumni SpotLight

Alumni Spotlight

From Lakeland Rodeo Club

to professional cowboy Lee Laskosky wrestled his way into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. A graduate of the Class of ’77 Lee Laskosky was inducted into the hall of fame in Calgary in October 2014. Though he knew in advance that he was a candidate, Laskosky says he was equally surprised and proud to be recognized by the organization. “You don’t think about the hall of fame very much when you are rodeoing. They warned me a couple of years ago that it might be in the process and it was cool. It’s like the first time they tell you that you are going to be a grandpa,” says Laskosky, laughing over the phone from Arizona. The celebration was a family affair for Laskosky, who was recognized in the contestant category along with Darrell Cholach, Dave Garstad and Viola Thomas. Neil McKinnon was inducted into the builder category and Chester Skoal Bandit, a 1,300-pound chestnut gelding and Canadian champion bareback horse, was feted in the animal category.

Top, Lask osky Bott ’s s om, teer the on wre 1977 the stli Lake far ng land righ skill t w Coll s ha eari ege ve ng gar Rode a b nere o Cl all d hi ub p cap. m m oses any for awa a ph rds oto. and Lask acco osky lade s is s tand . ing

lakeland college alumni magazine

“There are so many great athletes there and rodeo stock. It’s something that in years to come people will be able to look back at. My hat is off to them for doing this and for preserving our Western heritage,” says Laskosky of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. “To be included in that group is quite an honour.” Laskosky’s achievements in the rodeo ring are extensive. He competed for 15 years, during which he won the Canadian Steer

Wrestling Championship twice (1984 and 1986), won the $50,000 prize at the Calgary Stampede (1986) and qualified four times for steer wrestling at the National Finals Rodeo. Before competing in the professional ranks the 56-year-old saw success in the amateur circuit and with Lakeland’s Rodeo Team. “When I went to the college I started rodeoing and practicing with a gentleman by the name of Bill Cikiluk. He used to come up and tutor me. He’s actually the guy that got me started,” says Laskosky. “It was a very small rodeo club at Lakeland back in the day but we all had fun there and hung out together. We all had the same interests so it was a great time.” While at Lakeland, Laskosky took welding courses that he says enabled him to grow his career as a consultant in the oilfield industry and take care of his family. Professional rodeoing and working hard are family activities. “Luke, my son, has rodeoed for years and he made the Canadian finals twice. He followed in my footsteps and he works in the oil patch now,” says Laskosky. And for those Lakeland students who are on the Rodeo Team and looking to follow Laskosky’s footsteps too, Laskosky’s advice is as straightforward as it is succinct: “Just pursue your dreams and carry on with it. If there is a will, there is a way.” Spring 2015

Alumni SpotLight

Alumni Spotlight succeed. It just highlights the fire service so well.” As a first-time competitor who made the top 10 at various regional combat firefighting events, Fontaine won the 2014 Rookie of the Year Award and was also inducted into the Lion’s Den during the world challenge. The criteria for receiving the prestigious Lion’s Den varsity-styled jacket, helmet sticker, lapel pin and framed certificate of achievement is time-based. Fontaine qualified for the den in the Sub 100 Male Category, which means he achieved a time of less than or equal to 100 seconds. “It never gets easier. The faster and harder you go – you are always pushing your own limits,” says Fontaine. “I have always been competitive and been searching for something new to compete in since I was done playing university football. The fact that this relates to my field of service is just perfect.” Prior to winning at the world championship, Fontaine competed in a series of competitions in 2014 and with each competition, Fontaine saw his times improve. From clocking in at 1.47 minutes in Medicine Hat, Alta. to finishing with a time of 1.28 minutes in Montreal at the national FireFit competition, Fontaine says falling under the two-minute mark is a feat in itself.

“I have the mentality and the training background to train to perform on the field for football and now on the FireFit course,” says Fontaine. “It’s always been a part of my life to just excel at whatever I focus in on.” Working and training as a team has helped Fontaine as well. He spearheaded his fire department’s FireFit team of five with Shell Albian Sands Emergency Services in Fort McMurray. Fontaine credits the support of his department as instrumental to his success. “Without them I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did this year,” he says. Curtis Gorkoff, Lakeland College’s Be Fit for Life Coordinator, also had a hand in igniting Fontaine’s interest in FireFit competitions. “He actually put us through all of the FireFit training throughout the course of our class. That’s what sparked it all,” says Fontaine, whose goal is to continue to improve at the FireFit championship level. “I’ll treat this off-season as I would a football off-season, just train and get better for the next year. I have my sights on ranking in the top 10 and winning a couple of events next year. The important thing is that it does relate to our field of work, so the more I put into this FireFit and combat challenge it’ll keep me fit for duty and make me an overall better firefighter.”

EST grad crowned FireFit World

Rookie of the Year To describe the competition as intense would be an understatement. It’s a race against the clock, against other competitors and more importantly, the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge is a race against yourself. And improving personal bests is something that Leroy Fontaine ‘12 excels at.

As a firefighter and Lakeland College alumnus, Fontaine competed with his team member Phill Howell – both from Shell Albian Sands Emergency Services – at the world championship in Phoenix, Ariz. in November 2014. Fontaine won in several categories and his team Shell Canada, a combination of members from Shell Albian and Shell Scotford, took seventh place overall. The firefighter challenge attracts competitors from around the world, who demonstrate the rigors of their profession in a timed competition. Wearing full-bunker gear and a breathing apparatus, competitors perform a series of tasks such as climbing a six-storey structure with a 45 lb. hose, weaving through hydrants, hoisting and dragging hoses, 14

lakeland college alumni magazine

and rescuing a 175 lb. dummy travelling backwards for 100 feet to reach the finish line. “There are so many different departments that are competing against each other yet everybody is so friendly and helpful,” says Fontaine, who played with the Edmonton Huskies and the St. Mary’s University Huskies Football Program in Halifax prior to completing Lakeland College’s emergency services technology program to become a firefighter. “It’s probably one of the stronger brotherhoods that I have been in besides some of the national championship teams that I have played for. It’s that same type of feeling – that everyone is looking out for each other and everyone wants everybody to Spring 2015

Alumni SpotLight

Alumni Spotlight

Modish first impressions

3rd generation alumnus answers beef

questions for McDonald’s The premise is simple. If you have a question about their food, McDonald’s Canada will provide you with a timely answer, even with assistance from industry professionals, as part of their “Our Food, Your Questions” campaign. “One of the big questions that is reoccurring is ‘Are your hamburger patties 100 per cent real beef?’” says Jordan Buba ‘07. “We worked with McDonald’s to answer the question.” That’s how Buba made her debut in film, starring in both the question-and-answer video and the restaurant’s Mighty Angus Burger commercial. Buba is of Lewis Farms – a third- and fourth-generation family-run operation that includes 450 acres (182 hectares) of seed potato production, 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) of grain production and 900 head of cattle. The farm was founded by Buba’s great-grandfather and it was her grandfather Jack Lewis – a graduate of Lakeland’s agriculture program in 1951 – who expanded the original 320-acre farm. Following her own graduation from Lakeland College, Buba joined the family business working in the cattle operation near Spruce Grove. 16

In October 2014 McDonald’s approached Lewis Farms about two film projects and within a few weeks the company was on site at the farm filming Buba, her uncle and cousin for both projects, which aired at the start of November. “It was all fairly quick,” says Buba, who participated in McDonald’s All-Access Moms project three years before. “Two full days of fun and filming. We know what they filmed and what they used so it’s neat to see how it all came together.” The video follows Buba from her family’s farm to the Cargill plant located three kilometers down the road and finally to a local McDonald’s restaurant where she learns how the world-famous hamburger patties are cooked. “They are promoting real, true beef,” says Buba, a third-generation Lakeland alumnus. “Many people don’t know that all of the McDonald’s hamburger patties

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for Canada are made in Spruce Grove, which is a pretty incredible thing. This plant is producing close to three million hamburgers a day.” At the heart of the farm-to-your-table video is the importance of a quality product, adds Buba, noting that Lewis Farms shares the same value. “We take great pride in being involved in agriculture. We try to do everything according to our highest standards because it’s our reputation on the line,” she says. “Agriculture is a hard industry to be in with so many factors involved in it but I think it’s really worthwhile. And of course, the world needs to eat, so it’s a really good thing to be involved in.” To view the video that features Buba and Lewis Farms, visit yourquestions.mcdonalds.ca.

First impressions are important even when it comes to your home. Susan (Gutting) Jones ‘99 is reinventing the humble doorbell with creative designs, aluminum and coloured resin to boost her clients’ curb appeal. “I think the doorbell is a forgotten element in the design industry,” says Jones, who graduated from Lakeland’s interior design technology program in 1999. “People will paint their front doors because they want the entrance to their home to look good, but they forget about the little plastic thing on the side that’s been yellowing over time in the sunlight. Doorbells can be functional pieces of art.” As owner, operator and creator of Modish Metal Art, Jones says her new artistic business venture has been a longtime in the making. Originally from Wilkie, Sask., Jones moved to Vermilion to complete Lakeland’s two-year interior design program. Through her classes Jones says she built a strong foundation in design fundamentals that she draws on today to create her handcrafted doorbells. “Instructors cared about our work and it was a very direct teaching style. You weren’t a barcode or a number; I had oneon-one time with the teachers. Everything from colour choices to positioning and the other design elements I learned in the program are all part of my work,” says Jones, citing her “Frank” doorbell design as an example. “It’s named after the Frank Lloyd Wright style of architecture, which is one of the different eras of designs I learned in the program. And that (doorbell) is recognized by a lot of people, including architects who’ve ordered it from me.”

After graduation Jones worked in the interior design field for six years until she found herself ready for a change. Staying close to her design roots, Jones was drawn to working with metal. As a resident of Leduc, Alta., Jones lives close to the Nisku industrial park, which is where she connected with a machinist 10 years ago and learned the trade. “I always liked metal and art, and I wanted to learn how to do something with it. Machining in the oil field is definitely something that has taught me the trade very well,” says Jones, who completed her machinist apprenticeship ticket with NAIT. “I really wanted to make something artistic for the house – that was my interior design background coming out. I just remember not being able to find a really cool doorbell for my house when I was renovating. I thought, ‘why don’t I just try something?’ “I started out with really simple designs that were very abstract with geometric shapes because I wasn’t sure what extent of detailing I could do at first. As I progressed and people started to see my work, I received a lot of positive feedback and requests for commission work.” Using a bench-top computer numerically controlled milling machine in her garage, the mother-of-two uses metal to create decorative doorbells for wired applications. The designs range from animals to flora and fauna, oil derricks and a wide range of other images. Using scrap metal filings and shavings, Jones also creates wall art and holiday ornaments. Her work is garnering attention with sales online and at craft shows. “I see the beauty in the metal – that’s the artist in me coming out,” says Jones. Visit modishmetalart.ca to learn more about Jones’ custom made doorbells and metal art. Spring 2015

Alumni Association Message

Taylor Cardinal

A lot can change in a few years. When Robert Dixon graduated from Lakeland College in 2006, he was one of seven students in the agribusiness program. Today, there are 36 first-year and 42 second-year students in the program. As a Lakeland agribusiness instructor, those are numbers Dixon is excited to report. “Enrolment throughout the ag school is up exponentially so it’s a very different atmosphere,” he says. “When I went to school things like marketing and communications in agriculture weren’t hot topics.”

A dirty good time AND a great learning experience

They are hot topics now with students, especially when it comes to Band in the Sand – an annual event organized by agribusiness students. The event originated in 2013 as an offshoot of Lakeland College’s collaboration with New Holland Agriculture. In 2011, Lakeland and New Holland signed a 10-year agreement related to agricultural sciences programming and the college’s Student Managed Farm. New Holland consigns agricultural equipment to Lakeland on an annual rotating basis and established an endowment fund for student awards. The company also wanted to be involved in student activities and offered to provide funding for an event to support agriculture student clubs. With a marketing and communications stream recently added to the agribusiness program, Dixon realized planning an event would be a great project for students in the new major. And that’s when Band in the Sand was born.

lakeland college alumni magazine

Student support The inaugural Band in the Sand was held in 2013 during the Fall Classic Rodeo. High Valley headlined the concert which was well-attended and a learning experience, says Dixon. For the 2014 event, a few changes were made, including a “Lakeland-Idol” audition for three opening act spots. Boomtown, Artificial Lift and Lakeland student Jessica Reitmeier were selected to open for Dallas Smith. “We sold out quickly in 2014. There were a lot of people who bought tickets that had no idea what it was,” Dixon says, citing community members and alumni as ticket purchasers too. “We wanted it to be an event that brings alumni back and it has done that. We have had people fly back to Lakeland and others drove from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.” All 1,800 tickets for last year’s Band in the Sand were purchased well before the Oct. 25 concert – a feat students were extremely pleased with. “Ticket sales the first two days far exceeded our expectations. To put it in perspective, our goal the first day was to sell Spring 2015

Alumni SpotLight

Alumni Spotlight on, to fix problems,” he continues. “They come out with stronger exposure to event planning. They are given responsibility, which they like, and instead of forcing them to learn accountability, it becomes natural. There is a lot of pride and ownership that comes from the event.” Citing Band in the Sand on a resumé bodes well for agribusiness graduates. Not only are they entering a healthy job market, says Dixon, their Band in the Sand experience will make them stand out to prospective employers. “It’s a really good time to be a student in ag,” he says. “They are going into one of the most phenomenal ag job markets we have ever seen, which is great.”

Student success Team work has proven essential to orchestrating Band in the Sand. On the day of the event, staff, faculty and approximately 100 students from different agriculture clubs pitch in and help make Band in the Sand the success it is. And the success of the event has grown quickly in two short years. Dallas Smith

400 tickets in Vermilion and 100 in Lloydminster. We sold almost 800 that first day. It was a huge success,” says Robyn Gerrard, an agribusiness student and logistics manager for Band in the Sand 2014. Buzz for the event was high on campus and was also evident on the Lakeland College app as people were looking for last minute tickets. “The conversation that happened in residence and in the classroom was ‘you have to go to this, it’s the event of the year.’ And that’s what we want to focus on going forward,” says Dixon. “People are coming for the experience of the event.”

Student driven Band in the Sand is all about the “full aggy feel,” says Dixon. It’s held in the Equine Centre – an intentional and convenient location for creating a specific atmosphere and feel. “Students wanted it in the dirt. That’s home to them, that’s comfortable and that has helped shape what the event is too, having it on the farm and in the arena,” he says. The setup is not without its share of challenges. Once the rodeo wraps up, students have about five hours to transform the space from rodeo area to concert venue. The turn-around includes tearing down the rodeo, setting up the stage, sound checks and organizing the bar, among other tasks. When the concert is over, students have to set up the space for the rodeo too. Before students even reach this point though, they 20

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have spent months preparing in other ways. From budgeting to selecting the entertainment, hiring security companies and creating a marketing campaign, to selling tickets and merchandise, obtaining liquor licenses and a long list of other tasks, students are in charge of the event.

In 2013, Lakeland’s student agriculture clubs received more than $20,000 from the proceeds of Band in the Sand. That number doubled in 2014 as clubs were given upwards of $40,000. That injection of funds goes a long way for the clubs such as dairy, ranch horse, ag tour, Stockman’s and more.

“Thanks to New Holland’s support, we are able to raise money for our student clubs. For some clubs, their portion of funding is close to their yearly budget so it’s a huge asset to them,” says Dixon. “It’s cool too that we support that because we know the value that clubs bring in terms of recruiting students and sometimes more so for retention. The classroom might not be their thing yet but they have a club that is like their home.” Plans are starting to take form for Band in the Sand 2015. While students will keep some new additions from last year such as the larger bar, addition of ATMs and a live social media feed, preliminary discussions about the date and number of musical acts are underway. “Every year they want to tweak it a bit but the focus remains on putting on a really good show, and I really enjoy that,” Dixon says. “For me, blending what actually happens in the industry and watching students participate in that is the best part. I just love that I get to teach here and work with these students.”

band in the sand video Can’t imagine how students turned the Equine Centre into a concert venue? See the Band in the Sand timelapse video on Lakeland College AB’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/lakelandcollegeab

“The biggest thing is that it’s student driven; it’s for the students and it’s built by the students. The students arrive here in September and by the end of October they run the concert from start to finish,” says Dixon, who is the Band in the Sand faculty advisor. The work it takes to pull off Band in the Sand might sound daunting to most, but it doesn’t seem to intimidate the students. “Our students don’t see the obstacles that sometimes people who have been out working do,” he says. “They just think ‘let’s get it done’ and we try to focus on having them solutionoriented. Honestly, there is nothing they can’t accomplish.”

Student lessons When the dust has settled and the last of the concert goers have left the building, it is tough to pinpoint one lesson that will stand out most for student organizers. With so many moving parts and months of leg work to complete, the entire experience offers valuable hands-on learning that cannot be taught or mimicked in the classroom, Dixon says. “What I always love is after the event when I hear the stories about things that happened that I wasn’t aware of. My students were able to learn and get to the space where they felt comfortable enough in their positions and with what was going Spring 2015

Feature Event

Campus News

Lakeland 20th in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges list

presented by

A significant increase in research funding has helped Lakeland College move from 46th to 20th place on Research Infosource’s list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges.

Transforming the future:

3rd President’s Gala on March 27 Celebrate

education and support the future success of our students at the 2015 President’s Gala, presented by Synergy Credit Union, on March 27. One of Canada’s most influential cultural couples, Raine Maida, of Our Lady Peace, and singersongwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, will headline the event and perform for the first time together in Lloydminster. Kreviazuk is a two-time JUNO Award winner and Maida is a four-time winner with Our Lady Peace. Kreviazuk made her critically acclaimed full-length debut, Under These Rocks and Stones, in 1997. Since then, the Winnipeg born musician has released five more studio albums, and garnered five JUNO Award nominations. Maida has forged a dynamic career as a solo artist and the front man for the band Our Lady Peace, 25-time JUNO Award nominees, including winners for Rock Album of the Year in 2003 (Gravity) and 1998 (Clumsy). The pair has also co-written countless hits for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, David Cook and Carrie Underwood. “It is an incredible honour to have Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida perform at the President’s Gala in support of our students,” says Nadine Walker-Perry, manager of alumni and college development. “They are both talented musicians whose philanthropic work is inspiring and a fitting match for the President’s Gala. This event is about ensuring we can continue to make the cost of a post-secondary education more manageable for our students through our awards program.” Tickets for the third annual President’s Gala are selling fast. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase online at vicjubatheatre. ca and at the Vic Juba Community Theatre Box Office. All proceeds raised will enable the creation of scholarships, awards and bursaries needed to make educational goals a reality. Gala guests will dine on a four-course meal complete with table service, ice wine and truffle table, and a complimentary bar at the Lloydminster campus. The event will also include a live and silent auction, luxury package raffle and live entertainment from Kreviazuk and Maida. For additional information, please visit lakelandcollege.ca/gala.

International nod for collaboration Lakeland College’s commitment to involving industry in the Student Managed Farm (SMF) – Powered by New Holland has earned the college an international award. Lakeland received a silver Award of Excellence in the college-industry partnership category from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP). The college was among 11 post-secondary institutions recognized for initiatives that strengthen applied learning and research outcomes.

The SMF provides Lakeland’s agricultural sciences students with the real-world experience of operating and managing a multi-million dollar agriculture business. Today the SMF features crop, beef (commercial and purebred cattle), sheep and dairy units. Thanks to a partnership with New Holland’s North American office, students have access to the latest line of New Holland farm machinery to use on the SMF.

Lakeland College trending for Twitter use We may not be one of the largest colleges in Canada, but our social media reach has put us in the top 10. Lakeland College is one of the more social colleges according to a study completed by MediaMiser. Lakeland College ranked among the top 10 Canadian colleges of 2014 for Twitter use and took third place in the “influencers by total retweets” category. The results were shared online in a top 10 social media infographic on the MediaMiser website. MediaMiser – a media monitoring and analysis company – examined social media use and tracked metrics, including Twitter and Facebook mentions, page activity, likes, followers, retweets and retweet reach to evaluate approximately 40 Canadian colleges that are using social media as a strong means of communication. “All of the colleges listed have done a great job and are deserving of recognition,” says Jim Donnelly, MediaMiser media relations spokesperson. He notes MediaMiser will continue its evaluation of social media use by post-secondary institutions in 2015. “Social media is a fantastic way for

lakeland college alumni magazine

Purchase your President’s Gala tickets!

Lakeland’s income for applied research rose from $640,000 in 2012 to $2.6 million in 2013 thanks to investments from numerous partners including Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Western Economic Diversification Canada, Alberta Innovates -Technology Futures, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education’s Research Capacity Program. Much of the funding was used to support renewable energy and agriculture research projects at the Vermilion campus.

educational institutions to get their brand out, to increase brand awareness and engagement, and to drive interest from prospective students or current students.” For Lakeland College’s marketing team, the recognition is reinforcement that their social media efforts are on the right track. “Thank you to the many students, staff, community members and individuals who interact with and follow Lakeland College’s social media accounts,” says Taylor Dyer, Lakeland College e-marketing recruiter. Lakeland’s social media accounts have gained traction with other users over the last 12 months. Twitter followers of @LakelandCollege increased from 1,640 in December 2013 to 2,389 today. Likes for Lakeland’s Facebook page have jumped from 3,680 last year to 5,354. Follow @LakelandCollege on Twitter and like the Lakeland College Alumni Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LakelandCollegeAlumni. Spring 2015

Campus News

Campus News Palestinians. A winning entry in an essay contest earned Hansen a two-week trip to Kenya in 2012 where she helped build a school in a tribal community. Through her experiences working with people who face poverty, social injustice, or other challenging situations, Hansen has found that many believe that tomorrow will be better. She wants to help make that belief a reality.

Hansen pursuing a world of opportunities through new program While her diploma in Christian Leadership from Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute was a great start, Adrianna Hansen knew she needed more education to pursue her goal of being a humanitarian aid worker. So last spring when she heard about the new international development program at Lakeland College, Hansen quickly applied. She moved from Bow Island in southern Alberta to Vermilion last fall to start the eight-month program. Hansen is glad she did. “I’m very impressed with this program. The instructors have a lot of field experience that they share. And I like the program’s content. We’re developing practical skills that agencies and organizations need,” says Hansen, listing project management, and proposal writing and fundraising

as very applicable courses. Students are also learning about international development work, exploring different political and justice systems, and studying the impact of globalization. International development students have created development portfolios and planned workshops that they can deliver during what’s sure to be their best Live the Learning experience – an internship in a developing country. Students are required to complete a minimum four-week internship. Hansen has arranged a 10-week placement in Peru with Paz Y Esperanza. Her practicum in Peru will be the third time Hansen has been involved in international aid work. In 2014 she spent a month in Israel involved in reconciliatory work with Israelis and

“I want to advocate for justice for people and groups who have little influence,” says Hansen. Because of this interest she sought out Paz Y Esperanza for her practicum. The human rights organization defends and promotes justice on behalf of people and communities living in poverty or affected by different forms of injustice. Hansen will be in Peru from March 31 to June 10 working in a safe house with women and children who have been abused. While she’s not sure what’s in store for her after graduation, Hansen knows her Lakeland College education has better prepared her for a career in humanitarian work. “I’ve learned a lot and have so many good things to say about this program. For people wanting a real practical, hands-on international development education, this program definitely offers that.” International development is an eightmonth post-credential certificate program available online or at the Vermilion campus.

Lakeland student places 4th at Skills Canada competition Kyle Smith proved that he more than measures up with the top postsecondary carpentry students in Canada. The apprentice carpenter placed fourth in the Skills Canada National Competition in 2014. He qualified for nationals after winning the carpentry event at the Alberta Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton. “I was nervous before the competition started but once you get going, you settle 24

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down and focus on the project,” says Smith. He and nine other competitors had 12 hours over two days to construct a building with a gable roof and an attached bay. They were judged on quality, accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to safely work to meet a deadline. While his goal was to reach the podium, the Ashmont, Alta., resident is very satisfied with his placing in the national competition.

“Lacer the Racer” Alumni Golf Tournament

Winning streak continues for interior design

Saturday July 25, 2015

Lakeland College’s interior design technology program has again been recognized for demonstrating the highest standards of kitchen and bath instruction. For the fourth time in five years, the program earned an Excellence in Education award from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Instructors Greg Plant, Fiona McLeod and Rochelle Horne received the certificate in 2014. As part of an annual requirement for NKBA accreditation, postsecondary institutions submit two student designed kitchen projects. The samples are judged using NKBA’s Planning Guidelines and Graphics and Presentation Standards. Programs with an average score of 90 or better receive an Excellence in Education award. Lakeland’s average score was 95. Lakeland College is the only Canadian institution among the 17 NKBA accredited post-secondary institutions that received a 2013 Excellence in Education certificate. Students also represented the program exceptionally well in student design competitions. Two 3rd place finishes and four honorable mentions during the 2013-2014 academic year extended the program’s winning streak in competitions to 11 years.

In memory of Lacey Langworth

Fundraiser for a Rowing Scholarship at Lakeland College Join us for Golf & Steak Dinner or for the Steak Dinner only Vermilion Fair Beer Gardens get-together to follow Pre-register by July 21 Phone: 780 853 8586 or 780 853 4973 Email: peter.walsh@lakelandcollege.ca Please submit all payments for golf/steak supper to the Vermilion Golf Club on July 25.

“Lacer the Racer” Alumni Golf Tournament REGISTRATION FORM PLEASE PRINT

Golf and Steak

NAME (FIRST)

ADDRESS

PHONE

(LAST)

CITY

Home

Steak only

Cell

PROVINCE

POSTAL CODE

FAX NUMBER

All payments for golf/steak supper are payable at the Vermilion Golf and Country Club on July 25, 2015 TO REGISTER FILL IN THIS FORM AND MAIL TO: LAKELAND COLLEGE, c/o Peter Walsh

Fax to 780 853 8704

5707 College Drive, Vermilion Alberta, T9X 1K5

Email: peter.walsh@lakelandcollege.ca

Registration deadline: July 21, 2015 Up to 10 per cent of donations received will be used to cover costs associated with fundraising and donor recognition activities. Lakeland College will recognize contributions by publishing donor names in its publications and website. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact us at 1 800 661 6490 ext 8703. Lakeland College complies with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Alberta. Information collected through the donation process is used in the normal course of College operations in accordance with this legislation. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact the FOIP coordinator. Please do not send money with this registration form. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

If you have any questions regarding this event or would like to donate to the Rowing Scholarship, contact Peter Walsh at 780 853 8586 or 780 853 4973. Donations accepted at Alumni Golf Tournament Spring 2015

Campus News

Ener

Campus News

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the future

Lakeland is

g n i s i r

w the ne ign of s e e d h t n ing oder includ as The m – e r – t ws w Cen o d y g n i r e w En ll of nrise. ing wa irie su a r p sparkl e ugh d by th es thro n i h inspire s n ours the su he col t , e r t When en and ergy C ge, red oor and n the En a r o sun – s the fl nt, of the t acros a o ipme fl – rt equ a ly e yellow h t w high -ofe e t n a a t s o over gy int ce of g ener ed pla infusin and integrat usp of ex the c compl at the ’re on e W . on and g i t n i e l n r p a le om pter in ction c ve cha i u t r a t v s o n ment. co nn evelop new, i d a y f g o r rise d ene tion an educa 26

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Spring 2015

Campus News

Inside the lab

Campus News

Greg Shalay instructs students on power engineering. Lakeland College’s new Energy Centre isn’t officially open yet but it’s already creating tremendous interest in energy programming.

“ When students are producing energy in the lab ... they are actually heating our campus.”

The opportunity to train in this new leading-edge facility at the Lloydminster campus has prompted hundreds of prospective students from Saskatchewan and Alberta to submit their application to Lakeland College for a seat in the heavy oil power engineering (HOPE) program. The HOPE program is already at capacity for the fall of 2015. An additional 99 prospective students have been waitlisted. As excited as prospective students are about training in the Energy Centre, so too are current students. Though the heavy oil and power engineering lab has yet to be commissioned, students have had the opportunity to train in the $19 million facility. As to not interfere with construction, second-year students have completed evening shifts in the lab so they understand the facility’s construction. “They are pretty excited to be able to be in that space already – we have a fantastic lab,” says Kara Johnston, dean of energy, entrepreneurship and Aboriginal programming, adding the Energy Centre’s classrooms opened in time for the start

Inside the lounge 28

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of the second semester on Jan. 5. The centre includes a two-storey distillation tower, four types of boilers – once through, D-type water-tube, O-type water-tube and fire-tube – as well as a turbine generator and observation deck. The lab features six breakout training rooms: control room, water treatment technology, refrigeration equipment, pump repair and two working labs. “Our energy and petroleum faculty members are all experts in their field. For them to have this facility and state-ofthe-art tools to share their knowledge will only contribute to our students’ success,” says Johnston.

functioning power plant, they are actually heating our campus,” says Johnston, adding the open ceiling allows students to see the lab’s mechanical system. “This learning experience gives our students tremendous opportunities for when they graduate. They are more industry ready and have immediate employable skills.” It’s anticipated that the Energy Centre will be fully operational in the spring. Other features of the 2,400 sq. metre facility include two 50-seat simulation theatres, locker rooms, a common area and office space. Admissions in all oil and power

With specialized computer software programs, students will be able to simulate complete heavy oil upgrading and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) processes from beginning to end in the Energy Centre. Multiple heating systems will be used so students can study different types of technology.

engineering programs at Lakeland

“When students are producing energy in the lab, which serves as a fully-

Saskatchewan for 4th, 3rd and 2nd class

– including the heavy oil operations technician (HOOT) certificate program and the HOPE diploma program – increased in fall 2014. Lakeland also offers online blended courses accredited by Alberta Boilers Safety Association and the Technical Safety Authority of power engineering training. Spring 2015

Rustlers spotlight

Student Donor spotlight awards

Rustlers ready for playoffs

Visionary Support: 50 years of awi’s cornelia r. wood award and took root in Alberta in 1909 when the first AWI branch was established in Lea Park, Alta. by Martha Graham. The organization was first formed to offer emotional and intellectual support for women who had immigrated to Alberta in the early 20th century. The organization’s presence grew across the province with the establishment of other AWI branches, including the Stony Plain WI that Wood helped found in 1913.

The Lakeland Rustlers women’s basketball team is heading into playoffs with momentum on their side. The Rustlers finished the regular season with a 22-2 record and the top spot in the North Division of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. The Rustlers are one of the favourites to contend for an ACAC title as they head into championship weekend, March 5-7, at NAIT in Edmonton. To learn more about the Rustlers, visit gorustlers.ca

Above, the Lakeland Rustlers women’s basketball team swept the Keyano Huskies on Feb. 6.

Spotlight shines on soccer coach Kevin Wagner has secured his spot in Rustlers’ history. Wagner was named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s (CCAA) Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year – the first Rustlers coach to win a national coach of the year award. Wagner, who guided the Rustlers to top spot in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference’s competitive South Division, received the award at the 2014 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship at Sheridan College. “Kevin did a great job leading Lakeland to a South Division regular season title,” said David Kent, the CCAA’s men’s soccer convenor. 30

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“Under Kevin’s direction, the Rustlers were in the CCAA Top 15 national rankings all season, ranked as high as 4th for three weeks in October.” Wagner has focused on creating a team environment with the student-athletes on and off the pitch at Lakeland. He also coaches the women’s soccer team at Lakeland as well as its men’s and women’s futsal teams.

The Rustlers host the Futsal Championship March 6-8.

“Our fields of interests are very varied,” says Mayberry with a laugh, noting at the heart of their work is the aim to effect positive change and promote community. AWI’s work ranges from supporting students with awards to teaching children about agriculture and lobbying the government.

Pioneer, politician, writer, teacher and trailblazer are just a few of the hats Cornelia R. Wood wore during her lifetime. She was also a member of the Alberta Women’s Institute (AWI) – one of the oldest voluntary groups for women in Alberta that strives to improve society by improving the individual – and the namesake for a Lakeland College student award. A total of 50 first-year female students enrolled in full-time studies at Lakeland have received the Cornelia R. Wood Award since 1964. The criteria recipients must meet to receive the award includes achieving a satisfactory academic record and making a positive contribution to the community or college. Strong women, such as Wood, make strong communities and at the heart of that equation is education, according to Faye Mayberry. As president of the AWI, Mayberry is an advocate for learning opportunities. “Essentially, the Alberta Women’s Institute is an educational organization for women,” she says. “We believe in educating women so that there will be strong families and community action.” The Women’s Institutes (WI) began in 1897 in Ontario

“The reason your bread comes in wrappers now is because we lobbied for that. We lobbied for the lines on the highway and we lobbied for the reflective markers on the trains,” says Mayberry listing a few of the initiatives that have come to fruition with support from the AWI. As a member of the AWI since 1967 and former national president, Mayberry has seen the organization’s membership fluctuate. Its future looks promising though. Awards including the Cornelia R. Wood help to raise their profile and generate interest in the organization. “We hope that younger people will come on board and support the organization so we will continue to make more positive change within our communities and within our province,” says Mayberry. “If we have strong, educated women we’re going to have strong communities.” 2015 marks the 51st year of the Cornelia R. Wood Award. For their continued support, the AWI is honoured as a Visionary Supporter of Lakeland College. Born in 1892, Wood qualified as a teacher at age 16. She wrote for Home and Country and served on the area school board before becoming a Social Credit member of the legislative assembly (MLA) in 1940. She served as an MLA for 23 years. Wood was the first woman to be both a sitting MLA and town mayor. She passed away in 1985. Spring 2015

Class notes

ClassNotes

Class notes

Congratulations on your...

inmemorium

Celebrate and share your news with your alumni classmates and friends of Lakeland College in the next Excel. Please share your news with Darla Yonkman, Alumni Coordinator at darla.yonkman@lakelandcollege.ca. You can also contact Darla by phone 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628 or 1 780 853 8628

Lakeland College announces the passing of the following alumni, past staff and alumni spouses. Our condolences are extended to their family and friends. Ian Roy Bastin

Bonnie McKay

Class of ‘68

Class of ‘92, Staff

Wayne Brazeau

Carl Naslund

Staff

Class of ‘49

Riley Campbell

Ron Pasnak

Class of 2012

Class of ‘52

Maurice Chauvet

Mildred Powell

Class of ‘65, ‘69

Class of ‘76

Mary (Molly) Fox

Raymond Rippel

Class of ‘38

Class of ‘54

John Hoegl

Harold Roebuck

Class of ‘59

Class of ‘56

Gene Hoffman

Ken Smith

Class of ‘47

Staff

Donald Hoveland

Eleanor Wallace

Class of ‘65

Spouse

Eddie Klapstein

Alberta Watt

Spouse

welcoming family growth

Richard Lohouse

Hans Wiethold

Alma Noël 2008 is happy to report her family welcomed their youngest child – Greyson Leif – to the world on Dec. 14, 2014 at 1:55 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs 6 ozs and was 21.5’’ long. Along with her husband Régent and two other children, Alma resides on a farm near St. Brides, Alta. Régent works at the hospital in town and Alma runs a day-home. Alma graduated from the early learning and child care diploma program. Both Alma and Régent previously worked at Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus. From left to right, Alma, Hayley (5), Maëlle (2), Greyson (1 day) and Régent Noël.

Class of ‘47

Class of ‘60

Hans Mayer

Mary Wilson

Class of ‘47

Staff

generations of family value Herb Dietz ‘51 is a proud great-grandpa. At 84, Herb is also proud of his family – a third-generation Alberta grain farming family with a Morgan horse breeding program/business. The married father of two sons helps with the family business raising Morgan horses. Pictured from left to right in the photo are Lyle Dietz, Herb Dietz, four-year-old Brock Dubitz and Robin (Dietz) Dubitz. Herb graduated from Lakeland in 1951 after studying agriculture.

providing Student encouragement

going Wild: Galapagos Islands Brian Keating’s ‘76 most recent adventure took him to the Galapagos Islands. Leading a group of 14, including his wife Dee, on an amazing journey into an area Darwin made so famous, Keating saw everything from penguins to sea lions, blue-footed boobies, tortoises and more. During his excursion, Keating hiked, sailed, snorkeled, visited the Galapagos tortoise breeding facility and saw other exotic sites. Keating, a wildlife and fisheries graduate, worked at the Calgary Zoo for 29 years. He is also a recognized author, conservationist and speaker. Learn about Keating at goingwild.org.

Sarah Vinge-Mazer 2005 gave a special presentation to wildlife and fisheries conservation students in January. She traced her career path since graduating from Lakeland’s natural resources technology program in 2005, sharing with students what they could do and achieve with their diplomas. As a botanist with the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre, Vinge-Mazer told students they could do almost anything they wanted as their Lakeland diploma provides them with the foundation to build their skillset.

taking the plunge SarahJayne (Stoop) 2005, 2006 and Anthony Biglieni 2006 have cause for celebration. Both hail from Manitoba and both had planned to return home after they finished their education at Lakeland. Their story together began on campus. First they were classmates and then they began working together for Lakeland in recruitment. And on Oct. 11, 2014, SarahJayne said “I do” to Anthony in front of 200-plus wedding guests, including more than 40 Lakeland alumni and friends at the Fidelity Hall located northwest of Vermilion. Enjoying married life together, SarahJayne now works in enrolment at Lakeland and Anthony is the Western Canada regional business manager for JCB. SarahJayne graduated from livestock production in 2005 and agribusiness in 2006. Anthony graduated from agribusiness and crop technology in 2006. 32

lakeland college alumni magazine

Reason to celebrate Congratulations to Logan Martinson 2012 and Brianna Bagshaw 2012 on their recent nuptials. The married couple both graduated from the animal science technology program. We wish them all the best.

Spring 2015

Remember When

Homecoming and Rose Ball Registration Form

RememberWhen

June 12, 13 and 14, 2015

Lakeland College opened its vault to look back at Little Royal which started in 1927 as Little Livestock International:

Lakeland College, Vermilion Campus

Annual Ƒ Annual Ƒ $10 x _____

$_________

STEP 2 REGISTRATION Registration packages will be available for pick up at Alumni House on Thursday from 2 to 5 pm, and Alumni Hall on Friday from noon until 8 pm and Saturday from 8 am until noon. Name_________________________________________________________ Your class year(s) ______________________ Address _______________________________________________________ Phone/Cell __________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Email ______________________________ My guest name __________________________________________________ If guest is Alumnus, class year(s) ___________ Address if different _______________________________________________ Registration fee for members and guests $20 x ______

$_________

STEP 3 EVENT TICKETS (limited availability) Friday

Arrival Social 6 pm

Pulled pork on a bun, salads, dessert and beverage # attending _____ x $14

$_________

Saturday FREE Breakfast in college cafeteria 7:30 - 9 am.(Sponsored by Lakeland College Board of Governors)

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT IN A FEW SECONDS

Breakfast followed by AGM. Class Luncheon Noon

30 people, including a few cowboys from Manitoba, participated in the Johansen Brothers & Scott Schiffner Bull Riding School and the Scott Byrne & Monty Phillips BullfightingIfSchool College in February. you’d at likeLakeland to see your cattle brand on the legacy The schools are presented by the Lakeland College Rodeo Club.

wall, contact Darla Yonkman, Alumni Coordinator, darla.yonkman@lakelandcollege.ca, or call 780 581 4372; 780 853 8628, Supporting you... and Lakeland College. toll free 1 800 661 6490 ext 8628. Your needs will change as your life and career evolve.

On average, alumni who have home and auto insurance with us save $400.*

Home and auto insurance program recommended by

As a Lakeland College member, you have access to the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program, which offers preferred insurance rates, other discounts and great protection, that is easily adapted to your changing needs. Plus, every year our program contributes to supporting your alumni association, so it’s a great way to save and show you care at the same time. Get a quote today!

What will your Legacy be?

Our extended business hours make it easy. Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lasagna, dessert and beverage

Rose Ball Banquet: 5:30 pm Cocktails, 6 pm Reception, roast beef meal Grand March and Dance: 9 pm (D.J.)

Ask for your quote today at 1-888-589-5656 or visit melochemonnex.com/lakelandc

Remember Lakeland College in yourWill. Commit to the future while enjoying your life now.

SHARE TheYOUR TD Insurance PHOTOS! Meloche Monnex program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. It is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc.

by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in Ontario, and by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. in the rest of Canada. Our address: 50 Place Crémazie, Montreal (Quebec) H2P 1B6. Do you havein Quebec, photos from your Lakeland College experience? For more information, contact: Due to provincial legislation, our auto and recreational vehicle insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Dust them *Average off andbased send to auto thepremiums Alumni Office! Stewart on thethem home and for active policies on July 31, 2014 of all of our clientsJoyce who belong to a professional or alumni group that has an agreement with us when premiumsand they showcase would have paidour with the samehistory. insurer without the preferred insuranceManager rate for groupsPlanned and the multi-product Givingdiscount. Savings are not guaranteed and may Our goal is compared to bothto the archive rich

lakeland college alumni magazine

# attending _____ x $45

$_________

Note:Dance only tickets $20 at the door (limited availability) Sunday

Farewell cash buffet breakfast in college cafeteria

STEP 4 ACCOMMODATIONS (Lakeland College dorms) Ƒ Single room $60 ______ June 11, Thursday June 12, Friday June 13, Saturday

Ƒ Double room $80 ______ Ƒ Single room $60 Ƒ Double room $80 ______ Ƒ Single room $60 Ƒ Double room $80 ______ Total $ _______ Total $ ______

Ƒ Thursday

RV Parking STEP 5 CLASS PHOTOS

Ƒ Friday

Ƒ 5 x 7 $10 STEP 6 CLASS OF 1965

Ƒ Saturday

#of nights _____ x $15

1 780 974 2807 joyce.stewart@lakelandcollege.ca

$ _________

I would like to purchase a class picture. These photos will be taken starting at 1 pm Saturday in the cafeteria. Ƒ 8 x 10 $15

Note: You will receive your photo at the Rose Ball

Ƒ Class of 1965 history book $45

Card # ___ ___ ___ ___

vary based on the client’s profile. The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

$_________

$ _________

STEP 7 METHOD OF PAYMENT Ƒ Cheque enclosed Ƒ Money order enclosed Ƒ Visa Ƒ Mastercard

HOME | AUTO | TRAVEL

# attending _____ x $14

___ ___ ___ ___

___ ___ __ _ ___

TOTAL

$ _________

___ ___ ___ ___

Expiry date ____ ____ Name of Cardholder (please print) ________________________________ Signature _________________________________________________________________ Make cheques or money orders payable to: Lakeland College Alumni Association Registration deadline is June 4, 2015 - No late registrations will be accepted Mail registration form and payment to: Lakeland College Alumni Association c/o Alumni Office, Lakeland College, 5707 College Drive, Vermilion AB T9X 1K5

For further information contact Darla Yonkman - 780 853 8628 or darla.yonkman@lakelandcollege.ca 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628

Alumni House

The elegance of yesterday with the charm of today.

For a place to stay or getaway, enjoy the charming atmoshpere & quiet elegance of Alumni House. For room and rate information visit www.lakelandcollege.ca/alumni or call 1 800 661 6490, ext. 8737

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Lakeland College Alumni Office 5707 College drive Vermilion Alberta T9X 1K5 Canada Post Publication Mail PM40009099