Fall 2020
FIREFIGHTER ALUM EXCELS IN
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Alumna initiates campaign for
YOUTH IN CRISIS
FRONTLINE
SUPPORT
ALUMNI SHARE THEIR
EXPERIENCE
LIVING IN A COVID-19 WORLD
FALL 2020
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LAKELAND LEADS
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
INVESTS IN
AGRICULTURE AT LAKELAND
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he Government of Alberta announced in August that Lakeland College will receive $17.3 million in capital maintenance and renewal funds to invest in the WHT Mead Animal Science Centre. The funds will enable Lakeland to expand the facility at the Vermilion, Alta., campus to ensure students continue to have modern spaces for learning and innovation, as well as accommodate new programs and increasing enrolment. Accessed by 550-plus agricultural sciences students annually, the WHT Mead Animal Science Centre features labs, classrooms and faculty offices. It’s also an academic hub for hundreds of students in our environmental sciences and human services programs. With energy efficiency plans, collaborative student spaces and the addition of new classrooms, the renovated WHT Mead Animal Science Centre will provide a state-of-the-art hub for work-integrated learning.
Premier Jason Kenney and Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart share a rendering of the renovated WHT Mead Animal Science Centre. They’re joined by agricultural sciences students TJ Gonsalves (front row left) and Rianne Harrish (front row right) as well as Lakeland’s board chair Scott Webb, Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright, and Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education (back row from left).
“Over the last four years, Lakeland has celebrated the expansion of the Vermilion campus farm and the upcoming addition of a bison operation, as well as the official opening of both a new Animal Health Clinic and Dairy Learning Centre, plus the modernization of our G.N. Sweet Livestock Research Facility and Academic Link,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “We’re excited to see our growth continue with the government’s investment in this teaching facility. This, combined with future farm upgrades and our new Centre for Ag Technology, will ensure Lakeland remains a global leader in agricultural education.” Premier Jason Kenney visited Lakeland’s Vermilion campus to celebrate how the project will create new jobs in the region and enhance student-led learning in commercial agriculture. FALL 2020
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SHOP FOR GREEN & GOLD
ONLINE! With the click of a mouse, you can shop for new Lakeland and Rustlers gear.
Visit lakelandcollege.ca/bookstore
Coffee.
It’s the easiest thing to share with a friend.
For as little as one double-double per week, you can sign up to Lakeland College’s Monthly Giving program. Giving $10 per month will support students struggling with learning. It will help put tools in the classroom that help students excel. Can you help students with a monthly gift? lakelandcollege.ca/monthlygiving
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS Fall 2020
Excel is published by Lakeland College’s Department of Community Development. Excel is also available on Lakeland College’s website at lakelandcollege.ca/excel
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Alumni Spotlight 9. Primed for success 10. Sharing a love of dairy with future farmers 12. Firefighter alumnus excels in emergency management 14. Sending love to
17. Local alumna excels in trades close to home
18. Creativity brings alumna top honours
19. Best of both worlds 20. Winning combo for alumna
Indigenous youth
Editor: Katie Ryan Writers: Melissa Barr, Taylor Hermiston, Katie Ryan and Colleen Symes Creative Design: Chelsey Schlosser Cover Photo: Veronica Stalwick
16. Resiliency and passion help alumnus realize dream
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The department distributes mailings, invitations and class lists. Anyone wishing to be excluded from certain mailings should call 780.871.5526.
Accepting advertising: Advertising in Excel is welcome. For rates, call 780.871.5526 or email alumni@lakelandcollege.ca.
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Continue Reading 7. Alumni Social Calendar
34. Distinguished Recognition
8. Snapshots
36. Students in the Lead
21. President’s Circle
41. Campus News
23. Class Champions Booklet
44. Class Notes
27. Donor Spotlight
45. In Memoriam
28. Lakeland Supports: COVID-19 Report
46. Remember When
Contributions: Special thanks to all alumni who contributed to this edition of Excel. Letters, photographs and news are welcome. We reserve the right to edit contributions. Submitted photographs must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Please address all correspondence to Community Development or contact Raelean Hickson at 780.871.5526 or raelean.hickson@lakelandcollege.ca. Publications mail agreement No. 40009099 Return undeliverable addresses to: Lakeland College Community Development 2602 57 Ave. Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada T9V 3N7 lakelandcollege.ca/alumni-and-friends
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Adapting & Achieving
President Barry McCarty ‘69
TOGETHER
Vice President Edmund Lefsrud ‘65
The recent pandemic has caused a lot of turbulence in our wonderful country as well as the world.
Treasurer Sandra Bernes '66
Everyone has had to learn new ways to carry on with life. Working from home has shown us that we can still be productive, and this might become part of the new normal. Learning from home has also shown us that is possible to achieve an education in a new way.
Secretary Phyllis Elmer ‘68
Congratulations to the grad class of 2020. Your commitment through these challenging times has proved that good things happen to strong people. We want to welcome you into our alumni family.
Past President Bill Fox '58
Will this type of learning from home become the norm? Hopefully not, as the friendships and the working relationships with fellow students is so integral to Lakeland College. We want to welcome all new students to Lakeland.
Director Werner Wennekamp '65 Director Wyman Lockhart ‘66 Director Kole Casey ‘12 Director Craig deJong ‘16 Director Barry McDonald ‘66 Director Victoria Page ‘67
Our college and alumni have gone through numerous changes over the course of the last 100 years. And change has always led to something better. I believe that with all the improvements and innovations over the years at Lakeland College we have become one of the top models of learning. The board and the staff at Lakeland are striving to put forward the best learning situation that is possible.
Historian Tom Kibblewhite ‘59
We, as alumni, are learning to consider all people’s situations and our country’s limitations at this time and we will try to adapt to make this coming year a more positive experience for everyone. Stay happy and healthy,
Volunteer Archivist Marilyn Campbell ‘78 Alumni Liaison Raelean Hickson
Barry McCarty President, Alumni Association
ALUMNI SOCIAL CALENDAR
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Alumni Association Annual General Meeting To Be Determined Venue: TBD Contact: Raelean Hickson at 780.871.5526 or raelean.hickson@lakelandcollege.ca
ALUMNI & INDUSTRY MIXERS Ag in Motion
Agribition
July 2021 Watch our website for more details
November 2021 Watch our website for more details
ALUMNI SOCIAL EVENTS Yuma Alumni Snowbird Social February 2021 Location: Westwind RV & Golf Resort 9797 East 32 Street, Yuma, AZ Watch our website for details. Contact: Jack & Janet Price 928.342.4567 Lyle & Sandra Baker 780.872.9009 or 780.871.4111
UT Alumni Social 2021 Watch our website for more details Location: Servus Credit Union Hospitality Centre, Lakeland College, Lloydminster campus
Edmonton & Area Alumni Social 2021 Date to be determined Watch our website for more details Contact: Raelean Hickson at 780.871.5526
Lakeland College Alumni Weekend June 11-13, 2021 It is a family affair! Watch our website for more details Contact: Raelean Hickson at 780.871.5526
Westlock Alumni Social August 2021 Watch our website for more details Contact: Raelean Hickson at 780.871.5526
Grande Prairie Alumni Social Postponed to 2021 Watch our website for more details Contact: Raelean Hickson at 780.871.5526
Watch for updates on our social media for all alumni and industry mixers and socials! Facebook.ca/LakelandCollegeAlumni
POWER HOUR This three-part webinar series is a professional development opportunity available to all alumni. Each session features a different industry professional who will share information to help you in your career and personal development. Plus, it’s free!
HIRED! Featuring Sheila Musgrove November 18, 2020 12:30 p.m. MST
Show your Ink
Featuring Dr. Todd Dewett January 27, 2021 12:30 p.m. MST
LinkedIn Masterclass: Land the Perfect Job with LinkedIn Featuring Jeremy Schifeling and Omar Garriot March 3, 2021 12:30 p.m. MST
Want to register? Visit lakelandcollege.ca/powerhour to sign up for this free webinar series!
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SNAPSHOTS
Thank you to everyone who attended our University Transfer Alumni Social in February! It was the last event we held before COVID-19 directives were put in place. We enjoyed re-connecting with you. Special thanks to our panelists, including Tyson Lancaster (Class of 2011), Kim Crockett (Class of 1985), Jeremey Wakefield (Class of 1993) and Lori Harvie (Class of 2003), and our moderator, Penny Manners (Class of 1993) for sharing their Lakeland memories. Connect with your fellow Lakeland College alumni at future events!
Feel confident with preferred rates from TD Insurance. Alumni could save on car, home, condo and tenant’s insurance.
Get a quote and see how much you could save! Go to tdinsurance.com/melochemonnex The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by Security National Insurance Company and distributed in Quebec by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc., Damage Insurance Agency, and in the rest of Canada by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. Our address: 50 Place Crémazie, 12th Floor, Montréal, Québec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial legislation, this car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. ® The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Primed for
SUCCESS H
armohit Sarpal joined a pool of in-demand alumni when he graduated from Lakeland College’s business administration program’s real estate appraisal and assessment (REAA) major in 2019.
Sarpal successfully secured a job with the City of Red Deer as a property assessor before graduating, after city representatives came to the Lloydminster campus for a presentation. “I was encouraged to apply by my instructor Ken (Rutherford). If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have applied,” says Sarpal, who moved from India to attend Lakeland. “The process went fast – I applied and had the job within a few days. Now, I determine the value of city properties for tax purposes.” Sarpal has been in his position for a year and says he feels lucky working in a niche industry with plenty of opportunities for positional and financial growth. The many job prospects and the possibility of two credentials through Lakeland’s program is what first captured Sarpal’s attention. Apart from a diploma, REAA graduates also earn a certificate in real property assessment from the University of British Columbia (UBC). “It was a no brainer to pursue a career in appraisal and assessment. When I attended a job fair at Lakeland, I noticed that majority of the jobs were in real estate, and I felt the connection to UBC would increase my chances of securing a job,” he explains. Sarpal adds the variety of educational experiences Lakeland offers beyond the classroom gives students a competitive advantage. His experiences included a trip to Mérida, Mexico, to learn about their real estate system, and being the first international student member of Lakeland’s business case team. The team took third place at the Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition in 2018. “It was an honour to be a part of the business case team. It was the first time I felt like a specialist in my field.”
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It was an honour to be a part of the business case team. It was the first time I felt like a specialist in my field.
Sarpal credits some of his success to his instructors’ passion and willingness to see their students excel. “My growth was tremendous semester by semester. The biggest reason for that is how the instructors encourage students to think critically, focus on strength rather than weakness, and to work with like-minded classmates. I think the bonds we have with our instructors is something that pushes students to do better.”
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SHARING A LOVE OF
DAIRY WITH FUTURE FARMERS
Lovholm Holsteins near Balgonie, Sask., is a labour of love for Lakeland College alumni Michael and Jessica Lovich. With both born into dairy farming families, Michael in Cherhill and Jessica in Ponoka, Alta., a love for the industry is in their blood and something they are hoping to pass on to their three young daughters and future generations. Michael and Jessica attended Lakeland together, though a year apart, with Michael graduating from livestock production in 2002 and Jessica from animal health technology in 2003. “Lakeland was an easy choice for us. For Michael, he was the third generation of his family to attend Lakeland. I was the first in mine, but I was really interested in the program and didn’t want to be too far from home,” Jessica explains. “It was such a good mixture of everything,” Michael says. “I chose Lakeland because they had the livestock production program and dairy as well, and I really enjoyed it.” After graduating, Michael returned to farm with his family while Jessica travelled, and they married in 2007. They eventually purchased the dairy farm they currently run in Balgonie where they are busy raising their daughters while caring for a herd of 72 purebred Holsteins. They’ve found success on their farm. In 2018, they were one of three finalists nominated for Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers, and they’re nominated this year as well. 10
LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Above: Michael and Jessica show a tour group around their dairy farm. Top right: Lovholm Holsteins as seen from above. Top bottom: There are 72 holsteins in the Loviches’ herd.
Next generation of hands-on learning Their children, Renelle, nine, Raelyn, six, and Reata, 11, are involved in the day-to-day operation of the farm, which Jessica explains is essential to ensuring there is enough time outside of chores for family time. It’s akin to her own upbringing. “They have to be really involved,” she says. “We’re a dairy and it’s a busy place. If we don’t all pitch in as a family, then we don’t get family time outside of the farm. They’ve grown up with that kind of mentality, so they know that the more they help, the more fun they can have later.” It also helps their children gain a greater understanding of the economics of farming, which is an on-going project that the children are excited to be involved in. “They need to learn from a young age that you need to spend money to make money,” Jessica says. “The children are mini-entrepreneurs, they’ve each got their own heifers and they’ve just invested in some pigs as well. They’re expanding their business.” “They’re learning that if you don’t take
care of what you have, you won’t get a return on your investment,” Michael adds. Lessons in economics are one of the parts of his Lakeland education that Michael finds the most helpful and he’s working on passing those lessons on to his children. Jessica developed a business background at Lakeland by working in the animal health clinic and also uses what she learned to ensure the herd is healthy.
Ambassadors for agriculture Because their farm is located only 30 minutes from Regina, Sask., Michael and Jessica also welcome visits from groups of school children, tour buses and industry groups. They are particularly committed to helping younger generations gain a greater understanding of where their food comes from and the important work happening in the agriculture sector. “It’s really important because our kids are going to school with mostly town kids who have no idea where their food comes from,” Jessica says. “It’s important to us not just to represent the dairy industry, but to also represent agricultural industries overall and let people know that in our province and our country, farmers are providing
nutritious food and they’re doing it sustainably and for the consumer. It helps give the children a little bit of understanding. Mostly they’re just excited to see the baby calves though.” “If you want to see a whole first grade class be quiet and still, you’ll never see it more than during calving,” Michael adds with a laugh. The Loviches usually host between two to four school tours every spring, though this past spring, the tours were done digitally instead of in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking back It’s been a long road, coming from their family farms to putting down roots and now raising a family at Lovholm Holsteins in Balgonie, and Michael says Lakeland was an important step along the way. “We’ve had a crazy journey to get where we are today and we look forward to what the future holds,” he says. “We’ll keep meeting challenges and looking for opportunities. We’re thankful for our Lakeland education and instructors who helped give us the knowledge to make it this far. I just wish we were younger and could go back and do it again.” FALL 2020
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FIREFIGHTER ALUMNUS EXCELS IN
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Jordan Newton is excited to continue protecting and serving his home city in a new capacity.
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he Lakeland College alumnus, Class of 2010, assumed the role of Emergency Management Operations (EMO) manager for the city of Lloydminster earlier this year, after serving for the Lloydminster Fire Service (LFS) for 10 years – five of those as chief.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, public safety was always the city’s highest priority. While there were
“Serving the community as fire chief for five years was the best job I’ve had; I found it extremely rewarding,” says Newton. “I chose to pursue an emergency management position because I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities to learn. This position will afford me those opportunities while protecting and making the city a more viable community.”
Newton was responsible for leading the city’s Incident Management Team, which activated on March 11, and was still regularly completing tasks at publication. Acting as the Incident Commander, Newton operated a team of 10. They corresponded with Alberta and Saskatchewan officials, completed multiple daily tasks and communicated to the public regarding what safeguards were being put in place to mitigate COVID-19 transmission among the community.
As the city’s manager of EMO, Newton oversees the city’s emergency operations. He builds resiliency and business continuity plans within the organization and co-ordinates numerous teams to minimize the impact disasters have on the community. At the helm of the city’s emergency response planning for four months, Newton’s first call to action came in the form of navigating Lloydminster through the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 12
some challenges throughout the early stages, on behalf of the city, I am proud of the community’s openness to mitigation efforts and being able to adapt to change quickly.”
Throughout his COVID-19 experience, Newton says the biggest takeaway is the misconception that disasters only include fire, flood and wind events. “Rather, communities and those involved with emergency management need to look at other risks within their organization because a pandemic may expose weaknesses such as supply chain, physical infrastructure and staff resourcing.”
LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
At Lakeland, I gained a wealth of experience from very knowledgeable instructors about the firefighting industry.
As fire chief, Newton says his most significant achievement was transforming the fire department from a traditional operating model into, what he considers, a professional and sophisticated model. The LFS operates with full-time and parttime staff. “We have staff who work 24 hours a day and others working eight hours a day. They provide many services, and the training has grown a lot within the department.” Newton began his firefighting career with the LFS after graduating from Lakeland’s firefighter training program. Previously, Newton attended Lakeland’s electrical apprenticeship program. He shelved his career as an electrician when he became a deputy fire chief in 2013, and then fire chief in 2015. “At Lakeland, I gained a wealth of experience from very knowledgeable instructors about the firefighting industry. Right after graduation, I was successful in joining the fire department in Lloydminster,” Newton says. Newton maintains a close relationship with Lakeland’s Emergency Training Centre. He adds that he frequents many events, graduation ceremonies and continuing education opportunities. Newton also helped organize an aerial truck donation to the college in 2017. Building on his accomplishments within the LFS, Newton is looking forward to enhancing connections to the industry with annual conferences. He also plans to take more education in emergency management and disaster recovery to continue providing the best services to Lloydminster. FALL 2020
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Sending
love to
Indigenous youth
Lakeland College alumna Linda Johnson left a legacy of making a difference in the lives of Indigenous students when she was a student at Lakeland and she continues to do so since graduating. While completing her business administration diploma, Johnson advocated for more supports for Indigenous students at Lakeland. She was involved in starting the Indigenous Student Committee as well as taking the first steps to creating the Indigenous Student Lounge at the Lloydminster campus, which opened in 2018. Along with other students on the committee, Johnson worked with Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland president and CEO, to bring awareness to Indigenous culture through many initiatives. She then went on to complete a business management degree at Lakeland in partnership with Athabasca University. “I love Lakeland,” she says. “It was amazing. We worked together to bring in more supports for Indigenous students. Dr. Wainwright-Stewart was so good to work with. She loved all of our ideas and was 100 per cent committed to helping us bring them to life.”
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
After living and raising her children in Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Linda Johnson was determined to do her best to ensure all children in the community knew how loved and valued they were by the world.
Since graduating in 2013, Johnson’s passion for supporting Indigenous students has only grown.
outpouring of love, I wanted to make sure everyone in the community could feel it.”
When she learned about a rising number of youth dying by suicide on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation (MSFN) last year, it was an issue that touched her personally. Though Johnson now lives in Saskatoon, she had lived in the MSFN community, worked as an administrative assistant at the school and raised her children there.
Inspired by how families express their love through Christmas cards, Send Some Love to MSFN Youth was born. Using Facebook, Johnson encouraged everyone to send Christmas cards to the community to ensure they knew they were loved.
Johnson has also seen firsthand the damage this kind of tragedy can leave on those left behind. Her sister-in-law’s son died by suicide at 16, the same age as Johnson’s daughter. “I’ve seen a mother go through issues like these, I’ve seen the effect this has on family members. It hurts so much and my family is still dealing with it to this day,” she explains. “I felt so helpless. I know so many of the families in MSFN, so many of the students, and I felt like I couldn’t do anything to help because I wasn’t there.” Johnson began to see a wave of support from people around the world who shared how loved and valuable the youth of the community are through social media, as well as sent their love, thoughts and prayers. “I thought about the younger children who might not have social media or those who may not have access to the internet, and I started to wonder if there was a way to send those messages to them physically. It was such an
The results far exceeded her expectations. The community received countless cards from all over the world and Johnson’s friends sent her pictures of the newest deliveries, of boxes and boxes of cards, every day. “I had to drive up and see it for myself,” she says. “The students couldn’t believe that there were people from England, from Hawaii, from all over the world that had sent them cards. Reading them was amazing. They were so personal, so heartwarming and heartfelt. They created a sense of being loved.” The entire project has taught Johnson some important lessons on the value of community and, most importantly, the impact a single person can have. “All I did was write a Facebook post,” Johnson says. “If you really believe in something and it’s hanging on your heart, I encourage you to go out there and take that step or that risk because you never know. You could be changing someone’s life or helping them along the way. People really can make a difference by taking the smallest step.” FALL 2020
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“Legacy DIY is part business incubator, part educational facility. We can offer anything from welding to woodworking to 3D printing and more at our facility. We’ve invested in about a quarter-million dollars between equipment and renovations. The goal is to bring affordability to people who want to start or continue their hobby, or kickstart a small business. It will also be a familyfriendly environment. We want this space to be available to anyone, at any age,” he says. Born and raised in Lloydminster with deep family roots in the community, Lorne explains he’s “always wanted to build something in the city. I just wasn’t sure what I could offer and how it could make a positive impact.”
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Running on a dream didn’t come without its hurdles. usiness alumnus Lorne Davidson, Class of 2011, opened a makerspace in Lloydminster called Legacy DIY. The community workspace is for people with mutual interests to meet, socialize and collaborate on projects.
Lorne is looking forward to putting the Border City on the makerspace map and adds that the opening has been a long time coming. After a workplace injury resulted in complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic pain condition, Lorne spent years revaluating his life. “With my injury keeping me from work, I started heavily investing in woodworking. I’m a maker and tinkerer. I enjoy building and creating and using my hands. After four years, I couldn’t stay at home anymore. I wanted to be back in a productive environment,” says Lorne. He and his wife Nicole, who is also a co-owner of Legacy DIY and a marketing and business management professional, travelled across Canada to tour and learn about makerspaces and their viability. They also partnered with Justin Humby, a local contractor, and Lakeland Class of 2007 university transfer alumnus Devin Davidson, Lorne’s brother and a marketing professional.
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
With an entrepreneurial heart, he stayed close to home to attend Lakeland. He says he enjoyed the small class sizes, which made it easier for him to build relationships with his instructors. Some of those relationships still stand today. Legacy DIY officially opened in September 2020. Lorne says they are already developing a scholarship and exploring options to expand the space by another 6,000 square feet. “The amount of hurdles that you come across when you’re starting a business is unbelievable. If you let all the naysayers get into your mind, you’re never going to get anywhere. Believe in your goals and don’t take no for an answer,” Lorne says. Learn more about Legacy DIY at legacydiy.com.
LOCAL ALUMNA
EXCELS IN TRADES CLOSE TO HOME Pam Brodbin was looking for a job with career prospects when she came across the parts technician field.
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explains. “In agriculture, a lot of the here were opportunities in time people fix their own equipment, the parts technician trade in so they’ll come into the shop and Vermilion, near the farm she grew describe up on. After whatever they are researching The instructors were so trying to maintain the trade, she supportive. I really got a or improve. It’s decided it lot out of it, especially that my job to find might just be first year, because it gave me what they need the career she’d and get them the been looking for that foundational level of right quantity for and enrolled at knowledge that is so crucial the right price.” Lakeland College.
to this trade.
“It appealed to me because it’s very much a customer service-based trade,” Brodbin
Brodbin credits the support of Lakeland’s instructors for helping her excel in her training.
“Even though I grew up on a farm, there was so much I didn’t know when I started my training at Lakeland,” she says. “The instructors were so supportive. I really got a lot out of it, especially that first year, because it gave me that foundational level of knowledge that is so crucial to this trade. I refer back to it, even today.” Brodbin began working at a summer position as a second-year apprentice at Webb’s Machinery in 2013. “Working for Webbs was always something I wanted because of the positive family relationships we have had for so many years,” Brodbin says, noting her grandmother had been friends with George and Phylis Webb and her family have always had a good customer relationship with store. “After that summer job, I just kept coming back here. They’ve been so good to work with as I’ve had my family or gone to do my training. They’re so supportive here.” She completed her apprenticeship training at Lakeland in November 2019 and continues to work as a parts technician for Webbs. As a woman in trades, Brodbin is grateful for her training at Lakeland, as it gave her the knowledge and confidence to succeed in the trade. “For women in trades, we need to work hard and pay attention to the details. We may feel like we need to prove ourselves, so we have to bring our best effort. My experience at Lakeland really helped with that. The instructors were so helpful and invested in their students. They’re so committed to our success.” Brodbin was one of five female parts technician apprentices to graduate in November 2019 from the program. FALL 2020
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Creativity brings alumna
TOP HONOURS
C
reativity has been a driving force in Courtnee Coolidge’s career trajectory, and this past April, it’s what earned her top honours in the Best of the Prairies fantasy makeup competition.
“It was a little bit shocking to win,” says Coolidge, Class of 2016 and 2018. “The picture I ended up submitting was actually just my practice run. I just thought I would try it out and see how it went and it ended up taking so much longer than I thought it would, but it turned out pretty well.” The competition is usually done in person and includes aspects of both fantasy hair and makeup, but this year, organizers were forced to look for digital alternatives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They turned to an online format, limiting entries to just makeup, inviting both professional and amateur makeup artists to participate, using themselves as models. Photos were posted on Facebook and the public was invited to vote for the top five. The winner was selected from the five finalists. Coolidge hadn’t heard of the competition before and her mother encouraged her to participate after seeing it on Facebook. “I’m a little bit upset,” Coolidge confesses. “I wish I would have known about the competition before because I definitely would have liked to have participated in it in person. Hopefully I get the chance.” Her look this year was inspired both by online research and by the limited resources she had at her disposal. Coolidge had just returned home to
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Lashburn, Sask., after graduating from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of education, and most of her makeup was still in Edmonton waiting for transport. “I didn’t have a lot to work with,” she explains. “I had to go with the colour palette I had with me here, which was different shades of blue. It was my biggest hurdle but also my biggest inspiration.” Coolidge discovered her passion for makeup artistry while taking the esthetician program at Lakeland College. “I didn’t realize how passionate I was about makeup until I took the esthetician program,” she says. “I’m a pretty creative person and I’ve always liked to paint and draw. I just saw makeup as another part of that and I really started loving it. Our instructor brought in so many different makeup artist guests in class who really inspired me. We had a fantasy makeup competition in class and I won, that was the first time I thought it could be something I was good at. It really helped my creativity take off.” After she completed the esthetician program, Coolidge returned to Lakeland to take the university transfer program before transferring to the University of Alberta to finish an elementary education degree. She is looking for a teaching position in the region, where she hopes to combine her creativity with her love of working with children. She intends to continue her work at Vivid Spa in Lloydminster while teaching, as well as working as a freelance makeup artist where she does grad and wedding sessions and, her personal favourite, special effects Halloween makeup. “I really love art,” Coolidge says. “And I’m still really passionate about esthetics and not ready to fully give it up yet.”
of a career in human resources in the entertainment industry. They gave me some recommendations on what I should do to and took my card. A couple of months after that, they emailed me about an internship they created that aligned with my career goal,” says Marmulak, who interned for the Canadian media production company, who own Teletubbies, Degrassi, Caillou, Inspector Gadget and more, during the summer of 2019.
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ears of musical theatre experience have this Lakeland College performing arts alumnus seeking a behind-the-scenes career.
Justin Marmulak’s artist-centric values began at Lakeland. He received voice lessons from instructor Kathryn Edwards, participated in summer theatre camps, and performed in Seussical: The Musical then as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. “I remember from Seussical: The Musical, I was surprised at how well I remembered the lyrics. I usually had a terrible memory, but theatre clicked. I also loved Beauty and the Beast because I got to sing in a baritone voice, which is not natural for me. Being an older member, I also helped mentor a lot of the younger members. I have many good memories at Lakeland,” says Marmulak. While Marmulak enjoyed musical theatre, he says a career in business felt more secure. Marmulak enrolled in the University of British Columbia (UBC) to earn a bachelor of commerce degree with a specialization in human resources (he’s also minoring in psychology out of interest). At UBC, however, Marmulak discovered that he could mix business with pleasure – his extracurricular activities saturated with the world of entertainment.
musical theatre troupe for three years, after which he joined a film society – he and a close friend also worked together to create a short film. To top it off, Marmulak volunteered for Spark CG Society, an entertainment company based in Vancouver. “I decided to volunteer with Spark CG to boost my involvement with the entertainment industry. This company creates networking opportunities by organizing and hosting industry events. Since I started with them in 2018, I’ve met the director of Disney’s Tarzan and the animator of the Little Mermaid and Tangled.” During one of Spark’s industry events, Marmulak got his foot through the door. He introduced himself to company representatives as an applicant interested in being on the other side of the desk in entertainment. “I talked to a company called WildBrain Studios about my intention
“They said I was the only person that they were looking at for the internship because not only did I want to work in the industry, but I cared about the art. I believe the business side only works when production is at its best, and that comes from artists who care about where they work and what they’re doing,” he explains. Marmulak accepted a fulltime coordinator position with WildBrain. When asked about how Lakeland made an impact on his career goals, Marmulak recalls understanding the importance of supporting artists behind-the-scenes early on. “I learned about Ikigai, which is a Japanese term that roughly translates to ‘reason for being.’ This concept made me evaluate my life and the things I love: animation, art and performance. I never thought about what I was passionate about, but I assumed a career in business would be secure. It was this concept that made me realize I could do both.”
His Lakeland performing arts experience earned him a place in a
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WinNiNg
ComBo Alumna credits hands-on learning and industry connections with success
N
icole Pysh came to Lakeland College looking for an education that would help her find future employment in the environmental sciences industry, and what she found exceeded all her expectations.
“I chose Lakeland because it was right in our backyard,” explained Pysh, who is from Edmonton. “It offered a unique experience with so many field exercises and that really drew me to it. There were multiple opportunities for field trips to rural and urban areas, as well as interactions with industry. That really helped us better understand the work of environmental professionals and understand the career paths available to us.”
Roads University in 2011. “I had no issues being accepted into the program because of the transfer agreement in place,” Pysh explains. “That, combined with the fact that I could complete my masters degree while continuing to work full time, made it an option for me.”
Since then, Pysh has continued her employment with the Government of Alberta, working as an environmental The Lakeland alumna graduated with an protection officer, directly in the field environmental sciences diploma with dealing with environmental incidents The hands-on field trips, a major in environmental protection and emergencies. For the last two years, technology, which is now the applied the quality of education she has been a division coordination environmental management major. I received, the professors advisor for the operations division of She completed the bachelor of applied Alberta Environment and Parks. It’s an who were invested in my science: environmental management success and all the friends advisory role, advising management on degree at Lakeland, which included regulatory affairs, supporting operational I made. It exceeded my a practicum with the Government planning, as well as being involved of Alberta. academic expectations. in communications and training. Her “It’s the practicum placement that gives experience at Lakeland was such a you a foot in the door,” she says. “A lot positive one, Pysh has stayed involved of other graduates don’t have the work experience that with the college as a member of the environmental employers are looking for. That, along with the field work sciences diploma program’s advisory committee. component, is essential to the success of the program. It’s “I just had such a good experience at Lakeland,” she critical to being employable.” says. “The hands-on field trips, the quality of education I After completing her practicum with the Government of received, the professors who were invested in my success Alberta, Pysh was hired by the ministry. She worked there and all the friends I made. It exceeded my academic for four years before deciding to pursue a masters of expectations. When I had the opportunity to join the science degree in environmental management at Royal advisory committee, I didn’t hesitate.” 20
LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION WITH
COMPASSION
Presidents’ Circle recipients carry Lakeland spirit forward.
F
or Emma Jackson, one of the newest members of Lakeland College’s President’s Circle, student leadership can be about more than joining student council or leading a club. For her, it was about being there for her classmates, helping them with their coursework and reassuring them that together, they would succeed at each project, essay and exam. The 2020 child and youth care alumna from Mannville, Alta., drew on her unconventional Lakeland journey to help her support her classmates. Inspired by a week spent experiencing Lakeland’s electrical program while still in high school, Jackson enrolled in the pre-employment electrical program and graduated in 2015. She loved the experience and working in the industry. When economic conditions made it difficult to find employment, Jackson returned to Lakeland to pursue her other passion – working with children. “I really enjoyed Lakeland and I knew I was eventually going to come back for the child and youth care program,” she explains. “I loved the environment at Lakeland. I loved the instructors and how they treated me. I met so many new people. Everything about Lakeland is just so wonderful.” Jackson found the human services program completely different from her experience in trades but one thing remained the same – the relationships she built with her instructors. “Trades and human services are so different, but the
instructors at either end were all amazing and supportive. I still have relationships with them today.” When Jackson learned she had been chosen to join the President’s Circle, her first reaction was confusion. “I wasn’t involved in leadership at Lakeland in a formal way,” she says, but once she read more about the criteria for the President’s Circle, she understood why. “I was surprised to be chosen on one hand, but on the other, it made perfect sense,” she laughs. “I was a mother hen to the other students. It’s just something in me – I always help people if I can. “I’d already been to Lakeland, knew some of the instructors and how to succeed there and it gave me perspective that I was able to share with my classmates. I was able to take a step back and reassure them that it’s not that big of a project, not that difficult of an exam. We’ve got this and we’re going to be fine.” It’s that innate need to help others around her that drew Jackson to the child and youth care program, and her experience at Lakeland only reaffirmed that. “I didn’t know that I could be as helpful as I ended up being to those around me,” she says. “Honestly, Lakeland gave me my confidence. Whether it was the instructors or the courses or the environment, everything there just made me more sure of myself.” Since graduating from Lakeland, Jackson began working with Catholic Social Services in Wainwright and plans to work with children in the future, though the process is currently on hold due to COVID-19. FALL 2020
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PAY-IT-FORWARD MINDSET PAYS OFF
When you’re passionate about something, it pays off, according to Shyanne Blomquist, Class of 2020. The early learning and child care grad was recognized as a 2020 President’s Circle recipient for her outstanding leadership while at Lakeland College. “Being selected blew me away and my heart feels so full because there are so many other people at the college who could’ve been selected. I’m thankful for the person who nominated me and to everyone who supported me at Lakeland,” she says. Blomquist was also recognized with the 2020 Vermilion campus Residence Leader of the Year award, as well as graduated from her program on the dean’s list with honours. When Blomquist arrived at Lakeland two years ago, she says she suffered from social anxiety. Because of this, she was looking forward to taking her education at a rural, community-based college with small-scale class sizes. Blomquist stressed that she was homesick for the first month. However, Lakeland provided numerous opportunities for her to gain the confidence she needed to excel in and beyond the classroom. “Things started to change for me once I started to
President’s Circle Honouring Outstanding Leadership Every year, Lakeland College students are nominated as torchbearers and inducted into the President’s Circle. As young alumni leaders they’ll keep and carry the vibrant Lakeland spirit into the future. Congratulations to the 89 students who were inducted into the 2020 President’s Circle! 22
LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
be part of the college community. I realized that many people cared about my success. I could go to my teachers about anything. They know you by your name, story, personality, interests, hobbies, and friend groups. I didn’t have to feel shy, embarrassed or awkward to go into their offices and ask for help,” she says. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience here at Lakeland.” In her two years at Lakeland, Blomquist put her education into practice with the award-winning Play Program and a class project that inspired a donation-based drive to support Youth Empowerment & Support Services in Edmonton, Alta. She also became a peer tutor, a student ambassador and a residence assistant for the Vermilion campus dorms. “I loved all of the hands-on learning throughout my program. I could tell Lakeland aims for an inclusive and well-rounded learning environment. Because of Lakeland, I’ve become a stronger person and I want to pay it forward by being the best person I can be.” Blomquist is returning to Lakeland through online studies in the child and youth care program. Blomquist says her studies bring her closer to making a difference in the lives of youth from all walks of life. She also hopes to pursue American Sign Language and Deaf culture studies.
CLASS CHAMPIONS HELP US CONNECT WITH ALUMNI
Lakeland College CHAMPION PROGRAM Some of your fondest memories and closest friendships were formed at Lakeland College. It's a time of growth, discovery and development that shapes the direction we take in life and the people we eventually become. Every once in a while, it's good to look back to reflect on where we've come from and the people and places that have meant so much. With that in mind, we’re excited to tell you about the Lakeland College Champions Program, an initiative designed to support alumni volunteers to act as class representatives who promote their class reunion or social events, encouraging their former classmates to come to reunite, relive old memories and even reconnect. The Lakeland College Champions Program enriches class reunions and deepens connections with alumni by supporting volunteers to act as class representatives who reach out to former classmates to encourage them to attend their milestone reunion of five to 70 years! Volunteers can also plan an alumni social in their area for their class and even champion a fundraising campaign to support future students by investing in Student Success at the college. Your support will help enhance these key areas: • Academic services such as tutoring, study skills and assistive technology labs • Services and resources to help students with anxiety, stress and depression • Wellness services to help with matters such as budgeting, healthy eating, staying active, bullying and loneliness Many hands make light work, so job sharing is encouraged! Consider recruiting some of your classmates to help by leading a Class Giving Challenge. 24
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WHAT’S INVOLVED We’re in this together! Core alumni events, socials and activities will be planned, organized and promoted. We’ll send the official invitations, host the website and may also subsidize some of the costs. As a Champion, you’ll be responsible for helping to plan and promote your reunion, and if you elect to, champion your Class Giving Challenge. To do this, you’ll be asked to: 1. Use the contact list provided to email and/or call your classmates and personally encourage them to attend an alumni event, social and/or reunion weekend. Leverage social media to help promote the event and spread the word. 2. W ork with Lakeland’s Raelean Hickson to determine who else should be invited to your reunion (i.e. favourite instructors and classmates who may have graduated a year earlier or later). 3. Decide if you would like to plan a class-specific event (e.g. pub night or golf day). 4. A ct as a central contact for your classmates by letting us know your preferred contact information to add to the website and including it on the flyer. 5. Participate in conference calls or in-person meetings with Raelean throughout the planning cycle. 6. After the event, submit feedback and contact information corrections to Raelean. Through your collective efforts, your graduating class can leave a lasting legacy for future generations of Lakeland students by contributing to the overall wellness of Lakeland students by investing in Student Success at the college.
ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT The time commitment for completing Champion responsibilities will depend on what you choose to do, your class size and number of Champions enlisted. You could simply volunteer to reach out to former classmates or you could plan an activity and launch a fundraising campaign. The following is an estimate for possible activities: • Contacting classmates: 2 - 16 hours • Planning a class-specific event: 2 - 4 hours • Participating in meetings or conference calls: 2 - 4 hours • Preparing/submitting feedback and updates: 1 - 2 hours • Complete a survey after reunion to give constructive feedback: 1 - 2 hours Each Champion will be provided with a class list once they sign a confidentiality form.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE • Phone calls make the difference on reunion attendance. Several alumni who come back do so because of the phone call they received from a classmate. • Review their contact information with them. We may have one number wrong and some postal clerks will put it through, and the next may reject it. • Ask if they have an email address, many do and this is a very cost effective way of contacting them. It is also a way to find them if they move, most often they keep the same email address. *We would ask you to look through the class list and see if there is anyone missing. Our database is most valuable when we receive updated information! We want your feedback.*
SIMPLE AND CREATIVE WAYS TO FIND LOST ALUMNI Inevitably, once graduated, former students either move cities domestically, change their contact details or take up the opportunity to live overseas. If not prepared, schools and alumni associations run the risk of losing contact with their greatest intangible assets...their alumni. Here are a few of the simpler (and mostly free) ways to find them: • LinkedIn and Facebook: Just about everybody has at least one of these networking tools (or both) and visit it frequently. So much so that social media has become omnipresent in society. Schools and alumni associations can use these interfaces in order to find their Alumni. • Through online tools: There are plenty of online tools available to help you out. Google is a logical place to start, but there are many others that are more targeted and specialized in finding people. Here are some of the better ones that we have come across: o AlumniFinder: alumnifinder.com o Email hunter: emailhunter.co o Pipl: pipl.com
BENEFITS & OPPORTUNITIES Champions from other faculties have listed the following among the benefits of their job: • Reconnecting with former classmates, including those who are not able to attend in person • Being reminded of special stories and fond memories from their time at Lakeland College • Recognition at the reunion dinner
ALUMNI EVENT, SOCIAL &/OR REUNION WEEKEND • Alumni Event: an event that may include an organized program with an alumnus or Lakeland guest speaker. • Alumni Social: a gathering to visit with your classmates. • Reunion Weekend: The biggest alumni event of the year! Reunion Weekend is a fantastic time to catch up with one another, to reminisce, relive campus experiences and to renew old friendships.
Become a Class Champion today! For more information please call or email Raelean Hickson 780.871.5526 • raelean.hickson@lakelandcollege.ca
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Inspired to
GIVE
A great place to learn a little bit about life. That’s what Hank Holowaychuk still thinks of Lakeland College more than 50 years later.
H
olowaychuk attended Lakeland, then called the Vermilion Agricultural and Vocational College (VAVC), in the late 1960s, taking animal sciences and plant sciences courses. He was also instrumental in founding the VAVC Rodeo Club. “When I attended college, my focus was rodeoing. I grew up in a small community and worked as a bullfighter for Stan Boychuk, a rodeo contractor. He provided stocks for the club for many years, while we worked for local farmers to raise money to get the club roster off the ground. In our first year, we filled out the Vermilion town arena two days in a row,” he says.
This is a token of appreciation to the college and an opportunity to give somebody else a chance to go and, hopefully, have the same experiences. Between many laughs, Holowaychuk also recalls using a pencil to lock his dorm room for the weekend and leaving through the window because there were no locks on the doors, as well as planting barley seeds in the flower gardens. He adds that he values the relationships he maintains with classmates, instructors, college staff, and community members. Holowaychuk’s Lakeland experience inspired his first donation to the college during the Great Canadian Giving Challenge in June. “Even though my college attendance was on and off, it was always a good place for me. This is a token of appreciation to the college and an opportunity to give somebody else a chance to go and, hopefully, have the same experiences. It’s great to see how much the college has grown for the good of the community and region, and it feels good to help be a part of that,” says the mayor of Smoky Lake, Alta.
Holowaychuk’s donation contributed to the $2,550 raised for the student relief fund, which gives students access to funding and support services needed to learn at Lakeland. With so many students’ finances hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakeland raised funds through the Great Canadian Giving Challenge. The student relief fund continues to help build the Support our Students Enhanced Bursary Fund. According to a Statistics Canada Survey, 67 per cent of students are concerned about having no job prospects in the immediate future and 51 per cent believe they’ll have difficulty paying for tuition in the fall and keeping up with other bills and payments. To help increase opportunities for Lakeland College students and make a difference, visit lakelandcollege.ca/donate to make a gift today. FALL 2020
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LAKELAND SUPPORTS: COVID-19 REPORT
A Message from
Lakeland College’s
President T
Following the college’s COVID-19 protocols, university transfer students collected vegetation samples and interior design technology students honed their design skills in class earlier this fall.
he 2020-21 academic year is underway, and Lakeland College is doing business differently. We welcomed students to our campuses – in-person and online – to start or resume their studies and ultimately, work towards achieving their educational goals.
We’re committed to providing our students the highest quality educational experience possible with a blend of in-person, hands-on learning opportunities and online lectures. While this delivery method is new for many of our programs, it’s essential as we’re committed to minimizing the risk of exposure and transmission of the COVID-19 virus on campus. With guidance from our provincial health authorities and the Ministry of Advanced Education, we‘ve spent the months leading up to this academic year preparing. Specific measures and protocols are in place to protect our campus community. Face coverings are
LAKELAND’S COVID-19 RESPONSE: MARCH 12
MARCH 16-19
MARCH 26
APRIL 14
MAY 5
President’s message about preparing for COVID-19
In-person classes transition to online delivery
2020 convocation ceremonies postponed to 2021
President’s stakeholder update
Online Stay Connected session for students
MARCH 15 In-person/on-campus classes suspended 28
To learn more about the health and safety protocols we have in place and for future updates, visit lakelandcollege.ca/covid19
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Apprenticeship intakes cancelled from March to June LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
APRIL 9
APRIL 20
JUNE 9
President’s message about support resources
New convocation dates selected
Online Stay Connected session for students
required in classrooms and common indoor areas on campus, and where physical distancing is not possible. Each day before arriving on campus, our students and staff must complete a daily assessment. Public access to our campuses is restricted and we’ve created a number of guidelines to assist members of our campus community who do need to be on campus.
field trips for their labs and energy students have been building their skills in the Cenovus Lab. As the semester progresses, our students will continue to gain real-world experiences through a variety of immersive activities. We all know how important this learning-in-action education model is and how it prepares our students to graduate job ready.
We invested in many platforms and delivery resources to support our students and faculty with online learning.
We expect to continue our blended program delivery into the Winter 2021 semester to ensure a healthy and safe environment for our campus community. Throughout the course of this year, we’ll continue to evaluate how best to support our students, faculty and staff. A Rapid Response Plan is in place that outlines the steps we’ll take if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Lakeland.
One of the hallmarks of a Lakeland education is how we bring real-world opportunities to our students and help them develop industry-relevant skills. We’ll continue to offer these opportunities this year with physical distancing protocols in effect, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. We’re adjusting how we deliver these essential work-integrated experiences for our students. Hands-on learning has always been the cornerstone of our students’ Lakeland journey, and these immersive opportunities will continue to be offered this academic year. In September, our blended firefighter training students completed their practical training at the Emergency Training Centre and our final platoon is on track to finish their training in October. We’re very proud of the work they’ve done and how our faculty and staff supported them. This fall, our environmental sciences students went beyond the classroom to forests, fields, rivers and more during Field Week. Agricultural sciences students have been busy managing our Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland. University transfer students have been active on
The athletic season also looks different for Rustler studentathletes. While they are training this fall, there will not be any sanctioned competition against other post-secondary institutions until at least January.
I know this has been a challenging time for all, including our alumni. Many of you continued to work and support both your families and community during the early days of the pandemic, while others were without employment. We know times have been tough, but know that together we are strong. As the third oldest post-secondary education in Alberta, Lakeland has weathered two world wars as well as the Spanish influenza, and other notable events in history. Our resilient and pioneering spirit has propelled us forward with great success in our 107 years as an institution. I am confident it will continue to.
Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart President and CEO Lakeland College
JUNE 18
JULY 22
AUGUST
AUG. 31
SEPT. 29
Fall program delivery announcement
Online Stay Connected session for staff
Employee and Student COVID-19 Orientations announced
Orientation Day (online and in-person, pending program)
Online Stay Connected session for students and staff
JUNE-JULY
JULY 27
AUG. 10
SEPT. 16
Program webinars held for new and returning students
Vermilion Campus Recreation Centre opened to public
Vermilion campus Aquatic Centre opened to public
Public Access Guidelines shared online FALL 2020
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Lakeland College alumni share their experiences during COVID-19
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Kayley Swan Program: Class of 2012, practical nurse Job: Licensed practical nurse at Vermilion Home Care
Q: How did COVID-19 change the way you do your job? Q: Covid-19 has changed many aspects of my job and the way it needs to be done. The biggest change and challenge for me has been having to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace all day, every day and not knowing if we would have enough supplies to continue working safely from one day to the next. It has taken away the normalcy of seeing all the smiling faces in the workplace; both from coworkers and from our clients.
Q: What’s been challenging for you during the pandemic? Q: A challenge has been the ever-changing policies and procedures that we must follow to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, while doing our best to teach and educate our clients and the public to follow the recommendations sent out by health officials.
Q: Have there been rewarding moments? Q: The most rewarding part of working through this pandemic is that it has allowed me to spend more quality time with my clients and it’s made me realize just how important bedside nursing really is. Many of my clients live in a lodge setting and were not able to see their loved ones for an extended period of time due to the risk of introducing the virus into their home. Knowing that I might be the only person they get to see or talk to that day encouraged me to make extra time and give them my undivided attention to talk, vent or reminisce about their lives before Covid-19. Simply being there for my clients and seeing how much they appreciate it just confirms that being a nurse is what I was put on this earth to do.
Q: How does it feel to play such an essential part in our community’s Q:
response to the pandemic? Overall, working in health care during these unprecedented times has been eye opening for me, both personally and professionally. Seeing and being a part of everyone pulling together and offering support from all over the world in such an ever-changing time has been heartwarming. We are and have always been there for one another, but this has introduced a greater level of team work in nursing and I am proud to be a part of that team. I believe we will keep learning from this experience to make us better, stronger, more connected and further prepared for the future. Although we may continue to face challenges daily as we work together to beat Covid-19, I know we will come to work with our brave faces on behind the masks and continue to be open, receptive and ready for whatever may come next.
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Val Hoveland Program: Class of 2019, health care aide Job: Health care aide for Bea Fischer Centre in Lloydminster
Q: How did COVID-19 change the way you do your job? Gloves are industry standard when providing personal care, but wearing a mask is now a part of my uniform. I wear one from the moment I walk into my client’s home to when I leave. I also wear a mask if I must drive them anywhere. I have a list of cleaning that needs to be done every day, and I must check my temperature before I meet with clients and halfway through my shift. All the programming has stopped, so clients stay in their homes. Things like grocery shopping have changed - groceries are phoned in and then delivered. Before that, the clients used to accompany their aide grocery shopping. This situation can be very isolating, so I keep them company and help with entertainment. This pandemic has shown us how easily it can be to become isolated.
Q: How does it feel to play such an essential part in our
community’s response to the pandemic?
I’ve never thought about it. I do my job. I love my job and take it day by day. My clients need me, and I am happy to help them.
Q: What would you like to say to those who work on
the front line?
You are a wonderful, fantastic person. I am so grateful for all your hard work and your bravery because it does take bravery. I have friends who are nurses and work at hospitals. No matter what precautions you take, especially in a hospital setting where people are sick with it, they could catch it. That’s an immense amount of bravery and dedication to your calling.
Makayla Moen Program: Class of 2018, agribusiness Job: Account manager for agriculture and commercial lending at Vermilion Credit Union Q: How did COVID-19 change the way you do your job? A large part of my job now is helping members through the financial stress of COVID-19, whether that’s assisting them with accessing government programs to accessing deferrals on loan and mortgage payments.
Q: How does it feel to play such an important part in our
community’s response to the pandemic?
Agriculture and commercial industries are essential in these times. I am very thankful that I get to be a part of keeping feet on the ground and helping them contribute back to the economy. I’d like to give a huge shout out to all the frontline workers during COVID-19. All the nurses, doctors and police, everyone who’s doing so much for our health and safety.
Jake Vermeer Program: Class of 2015, animal science technology Job: Owner and operator of Vermeer’s Dairy Ltd
Q: How did COVID-19 change the way you do your job? We’ve been trying to manage the risk of exposure and risk of being quarantined. I’m not overly worried about getting sick. I’m more concerned about getting quarantined. That’s more of a danger to our operation from an animal welfare point of view. We’ve seen a significant decrease in production demand, so we’ve had to cut back on milk production. As a farm, that’s kind of always geared to producing more and more every single year, you see a year now where we have to slow down our production. The consumer for that demand is not there.
Q: How have you overcome challenges to continue to
help others during this time?
One of my main focuses is my team. They’ve been feeling the side effects of this situation, from cancelling travelling plans to supplementing the missing manpower from international summer students. One of my guys was in the Philippines at the time of the outbreak. He had a hard time getting back, and when he did, he had to quarantine, which took him out of the work cycle longer. Then I had another guy that was supposed to go back to the Philippines for four weeks, and he ended up not going. We still paid out his vacation time because he cancelled before airlines were offering reimbursement. Then I had a herdsman leave for Germany in July and he had to extend his trip because he couldn’t return. There have been side effects in all forms, but we’ve done our best to make sure our team feels supported through this stressful time.
Q: What would you like to say to those who work on
the front line?
We thank all the frontline workers for standing in danger’s way and putting their communities first. We hope that the province continues to follow the guidelines from Alberta Health Services, because I think it’s more important now than ever. It is harder to follow some of the rules for sure, but it does benefit the entire province to gets the numbers down.
Michaela Mueters-Murphy Program: Class of 2018, child and youth care Job: Live-in support worker for Bonadventure Support Services in Nanaimo, B.C Q: How did COVID-19 change the way you do your job? During COVID-19, I was required to provide 24-hour care to keep the individuals healthy, safe and entertained as they were unable to leave their homes.
Q: How does it feel to play such an important part in our
community’s response to the pandemic?
It feels empowering to be able to touch lives during a time like this. It may seem small from the outside view, but I know that I am making a difference in people’s life’s and it is worth everything.
DISTINGUISHED RECOGNITION
Q PRESIDENTIAL FOR ACCOLADES TWO
uinn Hlus, a bachelor of applied science: environmental management (BASEM) student, couldn’t think of a better way to conclude her Lakeland College experience when she found out she is to receive the Vermilion campus 2020 President’s Medal.
OUSTANDING
GRADUATES
“This award symbolizes my four-year post-secondary career coming to an end in the best way possible. I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Lakeland and all the leadership opportunities I’ve been able to pursue. This award means the absolute world to me, and I want to thank all of the staff and instructors at Lakeland who helped me along the way to achieve my goals,” Hlus says. At the start of her Lakeland experience, Hlus planted seeds that blossomed into a vibrant curriculum vitae. Hlus showed great leadership and involvement in her studies and beyond from 2016-2020. She earned a diploma in environmental conservation and reclamation, then completed the BASEM degree at Lakeland. She graduated with a cumulative
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Congratulations Class of 2020 On behalf of Lakeland College, I want to tell 3.42-grade point average. you how proud we all are of your dedication and resiliency. Hlus sat as a student representative on numerous academic councils and program advisory committees, including Lakeland’s Board of Governors. Your perseverance and determination She promoted her studiestoas a Student Ambassador, an Enviro Club complete member your studies during the early and project lead stages for the Enviromentors. Hlus also supported her of the COVID-19 pandemic is something to Students’ Association and the Student fellow students on the Vermilion be proud Executive of. Council, and organized a Mental Health in Agriculture workshop and participated in numerous fundraising initiatives for the college’s We’ll be holding our convocation ceremonies student awards program. for you – the Class of 2020 – in 2021 on May She competed for the Lakeland Rustlers rowing team and won the 2019 27 (Lloydminster campus) and June 3 (VerWestern Canadian Rowing Championships Gold Medalist in the Novice milion campus). Women’s 8+ category. She qualified for the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Finals pole bending category on the Rodeo Team. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with Hlusall is about looking forward to using her Lakeland experience to excel in her you and learn where this coming new you. job as a junior surveyor with Ram River Environmental Consultants Ltd. year has taken When President’s Medal recipient Tylor Oliver came to Lakeland College, he was looking for a more focused course of study. He’d already completed some general studies at other post-secondary institutions and wanted something more specific, which he found in the real estate appraisal and assessment program at the Lloydminster campus, close to his hometown Marwayne. “I loved every minute of it,” Oliver says. “All my instructors were really supportive and genuinely cared about our success. They gave us the tools to succeed by teaching us everything we needed to learn.” It was what happened outside of the classroom, however, that gave Oliver the confidence in his ability to lead with empathy. At first, Oliver intended to keep his head down, do the hard work, graduate and find a job. Instead, almost accidentally, he got involved with the Lloydminster campus’ Students’ Association (SA) when there was no one else running for the finance position, after his friends and instructors encouraged him to step up. Serving as the financial officer for the 2019-20 Lloydminster SA, Oliver helped reorganize accounting practices, improve record keeping practices and develop a payroll system. He became active in every aspect of the SA, helping organize events and promote student life. He was a member of the 2019-20 academic council as well. Oliver also got involved in public speaking and Synergy Speakers’ Corner, meeting all requirements to become a competitive public speaker. He also competed as a member of the business case study team. Oliver says these experiences have helped strengthen his skills in his new position as a real estate assessor with the city of Medicine Hat.
Congratulations CLASS OF 2020 On behalf of Lakeland College, we want to tell you how proud we all are of your dedication and resiliency. Your perseverance and determination to complete your studies during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic is something to be proud of. We’ll be holding our convocation ceremonies for you – the Class of 2020 – in 2021 on May 27 (Lloydminster campus) and June 3 (Vermilion campus). We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you and learn all about where this coming year has taken you.
“When I’m doing property assessment, I want to make sure everyone is treated fairly,” he says. “My time on the SA and in all those different clubs where I needed to ensure I represented the school well, they all helped me develop more empathy and taught me to worry about more people than just myself.” FALL 2020
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STUDENTS IN THE LEAD
GIVING the gift of COMPANIONSHIP Animal health technology (AHT) students spent part of the 2019-20 academic year fundraising for interactive companion animals for local seniors. Second-year AHT students comprise three Student-Led Clinic (SLC) teams: Public Relations, Retail and Marketing, and Clinic Organization. They all shared the responsibility of organizing fundraising events, including bake sales and more, to purchase two cats and one dog from the ‘Joy for All’ companion pet company, at a cost of approximately $200 each. The robot-like animals were created to provide an interactive pet for seniors living alone or with dementia. The pets can help calm anxious patients or stimulate conversation between residents. The interactive companions feel and act like live animals. They include built-in sensors that respond to motion and touch, a lifelike coat, authentic sounds and more. The companion animals will be offered to the senior facilities in Vermilion as the SLC students established relationships with the Vermilion Valley lodge and the Alice Keith nursing home through senior enrichment visits. The students hope they can be presented to them once the facilities are open to the public.
Angela receives her Synergy Speakers Corner certificate from Ben Acquaye, chair and instructor of Lakeland’s School of Business.
ADAPTINGANDOVERCOMINGFOR
BEEF
DAY
Beef Day 2020 was a success, despite students facing unprecedented challenges during the final weeks leading up to the annual event.
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
THE POWER starting over of
While grieving the loss of a 15-year career, Angela Smith reinvented herself at Lakeland College.
her to put her education into action, such as the Inspiring
The Canadian Armed Forces veteran, who spent 11 years as a primary care paramedic, was at a standstill when workrelated injuries prevented her from furthering in her career. Before following in her parents’ and grandparents’ military footsteps, Smith was a licensed practical nurse.
explains it was a significant collaboration that allowed her to take charge of the trade booths, as well as greeting guests in the morning and introducing a speaker for one of the breakout sessions.
When the corporal was discharged from service, Smith sought another avenue to serve people. It was during her transition that Smith came across Lakeland’s Program Preview, a document that highlights the college’s fulltime programming. She says it was an aligning moment and decided to attend Lakeland’s Open House event in 2018. Impressed with what she saw, Smith discovered how to begin again through Lakeland’s administrative professional program.
in the classroom to real life. I had community projects in
Smith says Lakeland provided numerous opportunities for
Womens’ Conference by KT&CO in Lloydminster. She
“The program has been good at integrating what we learn the social media marketing course, and others in the office procedures course. Learning the material is one thing, but applying it, then problem-solving and seeing the results is wonderful.” With her Lakeland experience, Smith says she has plans to work in the museum and travel industry in Barkerviller, B.C., near Bowron Lake Provincial Park, where she and her husband live. “I still have a passion for working with people. I just found a different outlet for it.”
events with more than 50 people in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, putting the sale in jeopardy. After the live event was cancelled, the students involved had to work through their options to see whether having Beef Day was going to work at all. Moving online itself wasn’t a daunting prospect, because online bids always ran in conjunction with the live auction and the infrastructure for it was already set up.
B
eef Day gives students with the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) purebred beef, commercial beef and livestock research units the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge when it comes to weaning, preparing, marketing and selling cattle. In the past, this event brought farmers, ranchers, industry representatives and students together for a dinner and live auction.
This year’s sale wasn’t like previous years. One week before the event, which took place on March 20, the Government of Alberta cautioned against holding
In total, the students put 14 Black Angus bulls, six Black Angus replacement heifers, four commercial Angus breds and three Pens Simmental x Angus replacement heifers up for auction. At the end of the day, the bulls went for an average of $4,400, the purebred heifers went for an average of $4,280, the commercial replacement heifers averaged $1,500 and the researchbred heifers averaged $2,050. That’s higher than average for the college. FALL 2020
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Health and wellness programs spark entrepreneurial spirit The best thing about these programs is the public clinics and getting to work with real people, gaining experience.
C
ourtney Kinch’s Lakeland College education was more than haircuts and manicures. The hairstyling student and esthetician alumna, Class of 2019, is already on track to start a business thanks to the programs’ business courses.
“I didn’t expect to learn the business side of esthetics and hairstyling but in both programs I completed a business plan for a spa and salon. I demonstrated how to start my business, from pitching for loans and making a budget,” Kinch explains. She says she was thrilled about the projects because they reinforced her vision of opening her own business – a 10-year goal of hers. Kinch, who is from Heinsburg, Alta., hopes to establish her own business in the Lloydminster area. Lakeland’s student-run spa and salon also teach students like Kinch about the business side of health and wellness, including working with real clients and advancing their communication skills. “The best thing about these programs is the public clinics and getting to work with real people, gaining experience.” Another highlight of her Lakeland experience, Kinch shares, was receiving the Centennial Health and Wellness Achievement award in both of her years of study.
Students adapt to
virtual interpreting Two Lakeland College sign language interpretation (SLI) students used the power of technology to fulfill their practicum hours. Normally, SLI students would complete practicums in the community, however, due to COVID-19, social distancing was necessary. Lindsay Cline and Trisha Wuerch virtually interpreted Lakeland’s American Sign Language and Deaf Culture studies (SLDS) classes via Zoom video conferencing. According to Jody Morrison, ASL and SLI program facilitator, the digital interpreting method is unorthodox, but an exciting alternative for the students to put their skills to the test. During class, Cline and Wuerch rotated every 15-20 minutes: interpreting the instruction provided in ASL into spoken English. While not interpreting, they supported
each other and monitored the interpretation being provided. Not only did the two build their interpreting skills, but they also improved their teaming skills to maintain the flow of information. “I’m thankful that we have this as an option to build our skills and practice. This has been a positive experience, and for me, a new and exciting way to interpret,” says Cline who plans to find a career in a K-12 education setting. Depending on the length of classes, Cline and Wuerch interpreted up to 17 hours per week throughout the four weeks. “I’m sure there’s a lot of professional interpreters who are working online like this because of social distancing. It’s invaluable for us to have this experience that’s relevant to what our industry is doing now,” says Wuerch, who also has an interest in interpreting in a K-12 setting, as well as theatrical interpreting.
SEEING HUMAN SERVICES FIRST-HAND A human services leadership project gave students the chance to see the important work being done in the field first-hand. The project had the human service students divide into groups and choose a cause to support. Groups then developed a plan to support the project through fundraising, gathering donations and other methods to provide important supplies and funds for their selected non-profit. Groups pitched their project to a panel of Dragon’s Den-inspired judges, who helped the students refine their presentation and communications skills, and then they worked with the non-profit to deliver the donations or services they’d planned.
“I am really grateful we had the opportunity to do this project. It taught us about giving back to society without expecting anything in return,” says Vicki Johnson, a child and youth care student. “It’s a really good lesson for a lot of child care workers.”
Together, the students worked to support the Be Brave Ranch, Vermilion Long Term Care, Dr. James Hemstock & Hearthstone Place Assisted Living Residence, Vermilion Valley Lodge, the Lloydminster Sexual Assault Centre, local children and youth, among others. FALL 2020
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Corner and emceeing the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Connect, while representing their Indigenous culture. “I think I can say for the both of us that we feel we’re making a big difference here. We want to be good role models for our kids and our communities, and show First Nations people that amazing things can happen when you step out of your comfort zone,” says Nighttraveler, who’s from Little Pine First Nation. Both agree the idea of practicing the art of public speaking wasn’t attractive, but their appreciation for the extracurricular activities like Synergy Speakers’ Corner grew as their interpersonal skills did.
Lakeland motivates students to their
FULLEST
With growing confidence, their personalities and natural wit shone brightly at the annual Chamber Connect in February, a social networking opportunity for Lakeland business students to meet local professionals in Lloydminster.
POTENTIAL
Inspired by her Synergy Speakers’ Corner experience, Nighttraveler hopes to incorporate public speaking into a financial career after completing a bachelor of commerce or bachelor of management degree through Lakeland’s partnership with Athabasca University (AU).
Opportunity after opportunity, these Lakeland College business students seized them.
For Atcheynum, who’s from Sweetgrass First Nation, her goal is also to complete a degree with AU to become a liaison for Indigenous communities and oil and gas companies. Her co-op placement with Husky Energy last summer and the work she completed organizing Indigenous outreach events with it inspired this direction.
Beyond their second-year general business diploma studies, Mena Nighttraveler and Jayme Atcheynum are thrilled with their Lakeland experience, which has also included participating in Synergy Speakers’
INDIGENOUS SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE Did you know Lakeland College offers Indigenous support services? They include a range of personal and academic resources to help students during their Lakeland journey and beyond. Have questions? Call: 780.871.5444 Email: indigenous@lakelandcollege.ca Lakeland College recognizes the importance of being situated in the heart of Treaty 6 Territory and acknowledges Indigenous peoples’ values and beliefs. 40
LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
CAMPUS NEWS
L
akeland College received more than $1.8 million in funding to support commercial agricultural research over the next three years.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is providing $300,000 per year for the next three years through the Innovation Enhancement Extend program. These funds will be matched by more than $300,000 in additional funding each year from industry partners. An extension of a previous grant, the NSERC funding began April 1 and will run until March 31, 2023.
Research at Lakeland receives a
$1.8
Million
BOOST
Lakeland will build on a strong foundation of crop and livestock research and industry partnerships. With NSERC funding, a crop research scientist with broadleaf expertise, a livestock research associate with bioinformatics and machine learning expertise and two new research technologists will be recruited to support the research projects. Applied research will focus on supporting commercial agriculture for major crops (wheat, canola, field pea, barley and oat) as well as commercial and purebred beef and dairy activities. The project will also take advantage of the opportunity for innovation in the development and implementation of agricultural technologies that will enhance regional productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Industry partners for this project include: Alberta Barley Commission, Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Alberta Pulse Growers Commission, Alberta Wheat Commission, Animal Inframetrics Inc, Anuvia Plant Nutrients, BASF Canada Inc, Canadian Angus Association, Canadian Charolais Association, Canola Council of Canada, Highland Feeders Ltd, Mosaic Company, Prairie Micro-Tech Inc, Pugh Farms, and SeCan Association. FALL 2020
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CLINICAL CERTIFICATE AMPLIFIES LAKELAND’S ESTHETICIAN PROGRAM Lakeland College’s School of Health and Wellness grew with a new clinical esthetician certificate program. The clinical esthetician program shares the same curriculum as Lakeland’s esthetician program, with a third semester of advanced courses focused on clinical procedures: clinical facials, laser technology, advanced chemical peels and microdermabrasion, micro-needling and dermaplaning. Students will also study anatomy and physiology of the skin, immune functions, skin diseases and disorders, and advanced skin analysis to recognize a multitude of medical conditions. Lakeland’s aim to provide hands-on learning opportunities with the latest technologies continues in the new certificate program with the NuDermfix UNEX IPLaser 100, a multi-functional beauty machine, throughout the program and in the student-led spa.
partnership brings students virtual practicum opportunity 42
W
hen the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person classes and derailed many practicums, Lakeland College was pleased to share its virtual practicum simulations with 37 Portage College students.
By partnering together, Portage College’s early learning and child care (ELCC) students had the opportunity to complete practicum hours virtually and continue their education. Lakeland’s digital simulations are part of its ELCC diploma’s virtual play program practicum. Developed in 2014, they provide online students with a similar experience to what inclass students receive in the on-site play program practicum, where students take the lead by planning, preparing and implementing a child care program on campus. The virtual practicum includes simulations of child-care spaces, allowing online students the opportunity to virtually engage in a child-care space and make decisions as if they were the director of their own child-care centre.
LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
NEW PARTNERSHIP TURNS WORKSITE INTO CLASSROOM
L
akeland College and Ridgeline Canada Inc. announced a partnership that brings work-integrated environmental training programs and college credits to Indigenous students. The partnership came into effect on April 15. Through the partnership, Indigenous students will receive competency-based training and work experience at a third-party job site, following a curriculum Ridgeline created. During this introductory training, students will earn a Lakeland College certificate as well as college credits, if applicable, towards a degree or diploma program at Lakeland. The college will also act in an advisory capacity, assisting Ridgeline with reviewing the curriculum. Ridgeline Canada Inc. has been providing environmental and waste management services in Western Canada since 1999, offering a wide variety of environmental site assessments and remediation strategies for site reclamation on impacted lands. Their clients include the oil and gas industry, as well as power and utilities, renewable energy and commercial land development.
SCHOOL OF
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES DEAN
WINS DAIRY AWARD Josie Van Lent, former dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, was honoured with the John J Kennelly Western Canadian Dairy Seminar Award of Merit. The award was presented to Van Lent at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar in Red Deer, Alta., on March 11. Van Lent has been a key figure in Lakeland’s involvement in the dairy industry since she joined the college in 2007. Van Lent’s leadership was vital to the construction of the Dairy Learning Centre that opened at the Vermilion campus in 2017 and expanded the student-managed learning concept at the college. The facility reflects the highest industry standards and features state-of-the-art technology in robotic and conventional milking and feeding systems. Van Lent was also an important figure in establishing a partnership with Alberta Milk, who have presented Lakeland with eight Milk Quality awards to date. Van Lent is now the dean of Agriculture Technology and Applied Research at Lakeland College. FALL 2020
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CLASS NOTES
1
6
4
7
1. Jolene Bekolay, Class of 2020 business administration accounting major, was pleased to share the generational alumni pin she received in the mail with her mother Lynda, Class of 1987 bannerman. Generational alumni pins were mailed out in the summer this year as convocation 2020 was postponed. 2. Andrew Steppler, Class of 2004 herd health, and
is a graduate of Lakeland’s bachelor of applied business: emergency services degree program and a long-standing sessional, part-time faculty member facilitating the program. (Source: globalnews.ca) Not pictured 6. 2020 has been an exciting year for alumna Dana Gard — Class of 2011 veterinary medical assistant, Class of
his family run the cattle division of Steppler Farms,
2013 animal science technology and Class of 2014
home to Canada’s second-largest active registered
agribusiness — and Shayne Sweeney as they welcomed
Charolais herd. Together, they were named Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers. (Source: farms.com) Not pictured
their second child, Easton Sweeney on March 17. Shayne is currently working for Morris Industries as the Canadian Sales Manager and Dana will return to her position as an enrolment specialist with Lakeland in the spring.
3. Kaitlin McLachlan, Class of 2014 agribusiness, was named a Cattlemen’s Young Leader in the May 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen. After graduation, McLachlan became the full-time environmental and communications coordinator for Peace Country Beef and Forage Association. She also ranches part-time with her family on their farm, M4 Ranch Ltd. (Source: canadiancattlemen.ca) Not pictured 4. Cody Renz — Class of 2007 environmental protection technology, Class of 2009 bachelor of applied science: environmental management and 2008-2009 Board of
7. Class of 2015’s Della Stefanuk is the founder and owner of Tumbleweed Apparel, a women’s shirt and apparel company established in 2019 that showcases the Western lifestyle with original and unique designs. Stefanuk graduated from Lakeland’s western ranch and cow horse program, now the college’s animal science technology equine major. 8. No doubt she’s bound for Lakeland College in a few years, Emily Brochu is brushing up on the latest
Governors member — and Libby Stoop, Class of 2007
Lakeland news in the Canadian Cattlemen magazine.
teachers assistant program, are excited to introduce
Daughter of Amy and Thomas – two Class of 2012
Delilah Jayne Renz. Born May 12, 2020, at Brandon
animal science technology grads – Emily’s sure to carry
Regional Hospital, Man., she joins big sister Briar Annda who was born Sept. 24, 2017.
on the Lakeland family legacy.
5. Joe Zatylny was announced as the new chief of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services in May. Zatylny 44
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
9. Todd Binkley is Brantford’s new fire chief. He officially took on his role permanently in August after serving as acting chief since May 2020. Binkley
IN MEMORIAM Lakeland College announces the passing of the following alumni, past staff and alumni spouses. Our condolences are extended to their family and friends.
James Astleford
John “Jack” Lewis
Class of ’51
Class of ’51
Marion Atkinson (Née: Inglis)
Albert Miller
Class of ’50
Joyce Bell (Née: Shaban) Class of ’64
10
Laurence Boyd
earned his bachelor of applied business: emergency services degree from Lakeland College. (Source: brantfordexpositor.ca) Not pictured 10. While Reunion Weekend 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19 directives, one alumnus made the journey to his alma mater: I posted a note on the Alumni Group Facebook Class of 1975-76 page to mention that I was going to attend this year’s reunion. I was interested to know if any of my college classmates would be in attendance to share a beverage or two and to toast the members who would not be able to make it. Two of my dear friends, Cheryl Steward Hume and Darla Yonkman, answered my call. On June 12, the three of us met at Alumni House and shared many stories and laughs, and very special memories. We also made a toast to all who were not able to join us. We missed you all dearly. Why have I made an appearance every year for the last 32 years, you ask? To rejuvenate my soul! To see my college family, the people who mean so very much to me. There is magic that takes place at Lakeland College Reunions. It’s hard to explain, but when you look in the mirror, you see and feel like the same person you were back in college days – full of life, inspiration and big dreams, a life and experience that was second to none. Until next time, I bid you all well and hope to see back in 2021. I will be here with open arms to greet each and every one on you. Ed Kallal Class of 1976 AKA ‘Bones”
Class of ’49
Don Milne Class of ’55
William Newman Class of ’60
Class of ’50
Margaret Osbaldeston (Née: Alton)
Reid Cameron
Class of ’50
Class of ’48
Bruce Caywood
Pamela Parsons (Née: McBlane)
Class of ’66
Class of ’66
Anthony Clendening
Victor Pedersen
Student
Class of ’62
Dave Cowan
Evan Roberts
Class of ’57
Class of ’53
Mary Dembicki
Anne Rogan (Née: Garnett)
Spouce
Richard Friedrich Class of ’55
Kevin Gannon
Class of ’47
Rowland Rupertus Class of ’55
Class of ’70
Hazel Scott (Née: Roth)
Edward Henneberg
Class of ’48
Class of ’59
Stanley Hughes Class of ’40
Mike Hynek
Ross Thompson Staff
Dorothy Westman Staff
Class of ’49
Bruce Kimura Class of ’50
To submit to Class Notes or In Memoriam, please contact Raelean Hickson: raelean.hickson@lakelandcollege.ca or 780.871.5526.
Remember When...
Did you know Lakeland College had a
RUSTLERS HOCKEY TEAM? This photo is from the Class of 1970’s yearbook. Who were their rivals? Did you play on the team? Reach out to let us know what you know and what you’ve been up to. It’s easy! Visit: lakelandcollege.ca/update-info Today, our Rustlers teams include: • Basketball (M & W)
• Cross-country Running (Co-ed)
• Futsal (M & W)
• Curling (Co-ed)
• Soccer (M & W)
• Rodeo (Co-ed)
• Volleyball (M & W)
• Rowing (Co-ed)
Learn more about the Rustlers at gorustlers.ca
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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Participate in Lakeland College’s
POWER HOUR!
Build your career skills and opportunities with three free webinars. Open to alumni, students and Lakeland staff, these webinars will provide you with information on how to increase your career opportunities. Visit lakelandcollege.ca/powerhour to register!
CALLING ALL
ALUMNI!
• Are you interested in being more involved as a Lakeland College alumnus? • Do you want to be involved in bringing other Lakeland College Alumni together? • Would you like to reconnect with your classmates? If you answered YES, then our Lakeland College Alumni Association is looking for someone like you! Make the connection and become involved with your Lakeland College Alumni Association. Contact Phyllis Elmer at pelmer@telus.net to learn more.
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Each year, Lakeland College inducts two outstanding alumni – one from each campus – as a Distinguished Alumni, and recognizes two community members with an honorary credential. Do you have someone in mind? Nominate them today! Nominees should exhibit one or more of Lakeland’s values, as well as meet other criteria. To submit your nominations, visit: • lakelandcollege.ca/nominate-alumni • lakelandcollege.ca/nominate-citizen For more information, call 780.871.5732
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Lakeland College Community Development 2602 57 Ave. Lloydminster Alberta T9V 3N7 Canada Post Publication Mail PM40009099
