Excel Alumni Magazine Fall 2022

ALUM’S FAMILY BURNS BRIGHT

WINNING On The WORLD STAGE

Two Lakeland College students made a mark on the national stage, bringing home silver and bronze from the Skills Canada National Competition.

Tyler Bendfeld and Khyler Yockey competed at the Skills Canada event from May 26 and 27 in Vancouver, B.C., after placing first in the Skills Alberta event in April. Bendfeld, a second-year carpenter apprentice, came home from nationals with silver. Yockey competed in aesthetics, earning bronze.

Hobby becomes national medal

yler Bendfeld was inspired by his father to become a carpenter and then by his Lakeland instructors to take those skills to the provincial and national levels. This past spring, he brought home provincial gold at Skills Alberta and national silver at Skills Canada.

“It was an honour to compete for Lakeland at Skills Alberta,” says Bendfeld, a second-year carpentry apprentice from Heisler, Alta. “It was awesome to win gold at provincials and know that the level I was at with my carpentry was enough to beat competitors from all the other schools in Alberta.”

“Skills Canada was an unreal experience,” says Bendfeld. “It was an honour to represent Lakeland and to know that I can compete against people from all over Canada and do well is an amazing feeling.”

After his impressive feat at both 2022 Skills competitions, Bendfeld is already planning to compete again to bring home more than one gold medal for Lakeland and to graduate as a red seal carpenter.

“Lakeland has really pushed me to grow in my profession,” Bendfeld says. “It has made me a proficient and effective carpenter as well as a more social and openminded person inside and out of the workplace.”

Confidence beyond the classroom

hyler Yockey’s Lakeland College experience was transformative. While she came to the college anxious, uncertain and shy, this Class of 2022 graduate left with a provincial gold medal and a national bronze, ready to take on the world.

“As an individual struggling with mental health issues, my anxiety controlled my life before coming to the college,” Yockey says. “My instructors and classmates helped me gain confidence in myself and come out of my shell. I quickly found that Lakeland was a safe place where everyone can feel accepted and welcomed.”

These lessons were learned both in the classroom, in Lakeland’s student-run spa, and on the provincial and national stage where Yockey represented Lakeland at Skills Alberta and Skills Canada.

“These were such life-changing experiences that have helped me develop both my personal and professional skills,” says Yockey, who credits the encouragement from her instructors, including Deb Minish, with convincing her to participate in the competitions.

“It was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the staff and students at Lakeland,” she says.

Yockey first competed in Skills Alberta, winning gold in the aesthetics category, which earned her a spot representing Alberta at Skills Canada, where she competed in the Team Canada track. There were a few skills she was tested on at the national level that are not part of Lakeland’s curriculum, so while Yockey finished up her program, she spent any spare time learning lashes and sugaring. She practiced on classmates and mannequins, preparing for the competition.

“I have learned how to push past my comfort zones and have trust in myself. That is

something I will never forget.”

"It was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the staff and students at Lakeland."

- Khyler Yockey

"Lakeland has really pushed me to grow in my profession. It has made me a proficient and effective carpenter as well as making me a more social and open-minded person inside and out of the workplace."

- Tyler Bendfeld

• Are you interested in being more involved as a Lakeland College alumnus?

• Would you like to reconnect with your classmates?

• Do you want to help bring other Lakeland College alumni together?

If you answered YES, then the Lakeland College Alumni Association is looking for someone like you! Make the connection and become involved with your Lakeland College Alumni Association. Contact alumni.association@lakelandcollege.ca to learn more.

"Monthly donations mean the services that helped me will continue to exist to help other students succeed in their journey through school. I want to see these resources still being used to help other students who may have a difficult time learning so they can do well. That's where I want to see my monthly gift go."

- Tim Sim, Class of 2018 Electrician Just $20 a month makes a difference. To make your monthly gift, go to lakelandcollege.ca/donate and click the ‘Donate Monthly’ box.

Excel is published by Lakeland College’s Department of Donor Relations.

Excel is also available on Lakeland College’s website at lakelandcollege.ca/excel

The department distributes mailings, invitations and class lists. Anyone wishing to be excluded from certain mailings should call 780.871.5526.

Editor: Melissa Barr

Writers: Melissa Barr, Taylor Hermiston and Katie Ryan

Creative Design: Chelsey Schlosser

Cover Photo: Veronica Stalwick

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. If you’re celebrating a personal or professional milestone, or have other news to share, please let us know! We’d be happy to include your news in the Class Notes section. Please address all correspondence to Alumni Office or contact Kayleigh Schmid at 780.871.5526 or kayleigh.schmid@lakelandcollege.ca

Publications mail agreement No. 40009099 Return

to: Lakeland College Donor Relations 2602 59 Ave. Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada T9V 3N7 lakelandcollege.ca/alumni-and-friends

President Rebecca Green

Class of 2012 Vice President Sherry Martin Class of 1989 Secretary Quinn Hlus

Class of 2018 and 2020

Treasurer Melissa Graham Class of 2012 Director Bert Journault Class of 1970 Director Gary Warrington Class of 1965 Director James McLaughlin Class of 1967 Director Werner Wennekamp

Class of 1965

Historian Bill Fox Class of 1958

Historian Tom Kibblewhite Class of 1959

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

We welcomed over 700 Lakeland College graduates to the Alumni Association this spring with enthusiasm and excitement during their convocation ceremonies. This coincided with a successful Alumni Weekend held in June which, for the first time since 2019, welcomed back 125 alumni to the Vermilion campus for a memorable weekend.

The association would like to send out a heartfelt thanks to everyone who planned and attended Alumni Weekend. It was great to finally be able to have an in-person event once again that allowed us to reminisce with old friends while also making new ones. There were representatives spanning from the Class of 1961 all the way to 2022. The Roast of Peter Walsh was well-received and we thank Peter for putting up with all our bad jokes and poor sense of humour.

The 2022 Annual General Meeting was held during the Alumni Weekend, with a slight adjustment in the executive members, welcoming Melissa Graham, Class of 2012, as our interim treasurer for the remainder of the year. We would like to welcome Bert Journault, Class of 1970, to the board as a director for a three-year term. On behalf of the association, we would like to thank the out-going directors for their guidance and participation in getting the association where it is today. Our hats go off to Kole Casey, Craig De Jong and Justin Jimmy for their work with the association. We currently have space on the board for any interested members who are looking to help keep the legacy of Lakeland College alive through our alumni.

On the horizon for the association is some housekeeping and goal setting which will include diving into updating our bylaws and creating a strategic plan. These are both important documents that will help steer us in the right direction and keep our momentum moving forward. If anyone is interested in being a part of these processes, please do not hesitate to reach out as this is a large undertaking that is not limited to just the board.

We hope everyone had a safe and plentiful harvest this fall and we look forward to what the new academic year brings for our new generation of Lakeland College Alumni.

Cheers, Rebecca Green President Lakeland College Alumni Association

Hello Alumni! I hope you had a wonderful summer and an even better fall. I'm excited to be joining the donor relations team as the new alumni engagement and career services specialist.

My Lakeland journey began in 2011 at the Vermilion campus. As a student, I tried my best to get involved. I was on the rodeo team and class representative committee. I was also a student ambassador. Growing up in small town Marwayne, I loved my college experience at Lakeland.

After graduation, I started my career on the Lloydminster campus in student services. Throughout my 11 years at Lakeland, I have worked in student services, Lakeland enterprises and, for the last eight years, in recruitment and enrolment.

Recruitment was very rewarding. I was able to show new students everything that Lakeland has to offer and to see their excitement as they began their Lakeland journey.

In my new role, I’m very excited to support students as they embark on their career path, connecting them with industry and supporting them as they become alumni.

Lakeland’s alumni are such a valuable part of our community. They bring such an authentic and unique perspective. I look forward to engaging our community of alumni and connecting with current students about career services.

Kayleigh Schmid 780.871.5526

kayleigh.schmid@lakelandcollege.ca

Alumni Engagement and Career Services Specialist

ALUMNI BENEFITS

We value Lakeland College Alumni!

Check out alumni benefits at lakelandcollege.ca/alumni-benefits Update your information at lakelandcollege.ca/alumni-update

External Benefits

TD Insurance

As a trusted partner, the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Program is dedicated to helping Lakeland College alumni get access to preferred insurance rates. These preferred rates are available on car, home, condo and tenant coverage.

TD Health & Life Insurance

Thanks to the affinity program agreement between TD Life Insurance Company and Lakeland College, you can now benefit from premium savings on eligible TD Term Life Insurance policies.

AGI Compass

When it comes to record keeping, inventory, ROI/breakeven, forecasting, managing multiple OEM’s, payroll, cashflow, taxes, accounting and profitability scenarios, AGI Compass brings them altogether onto one platform allowing you to make informed business decisions.

MBNA Credit Card

Welcome bonus of 15,000 points or $75 cash back

Lakeland Benefits

Ed2Go

Save 20% on introductory, intermediate, or advanced Microsoft Excel courses lakelandcollege.ca/ed2go

Code: Lakeland20

Diploma Frames

Your diploma is important so frame it! Get 20% off your purchase.

Residence

While visiting either campus you can save 15% on your stay.

Lakeland Gear

Shop and show your Lakeland pride and enjoy 20% off. lakelandcollege.ca/bookstore

Events Booking

Receive 20% off your next event on either campus.

Career and Employment Services

Lakeland helps alumni connect with employers lakelandcollege.ca/SEC-job-postings

Job postings are open to alumni

Visit our job board and see what jobs our connected employers have to offer.

Alumni spotlight session

Links to job boards

Check out what other job boards across Canada have to offer.

Free sessions for alumni and students. Check out our website for more details.

Career Fair & Job Fair

Free events for you to find jobs and meet employers.

Online resources

Find links to several helpful sites related to everything from interview tips to salary negotiations.

DESIGNING HOMES MEANT

Fdesigned to last, using plastic that will otherwise go to w Solutions’ design draftsman, she gets to do both.

“We’re building homes out of panels made from 100 per cent recycled plastic,” says Wilkinson, who joined Ecoplast Solutions, located in Lloydminster, Alta., in 2020. “We cut the panels to whatever size we need, laminate them all together, and make wall sections in our shop before assembling everything onsite to build a house.”

Wilkinson, from Paradise Valley, Alta., chose Lakeland after graduating from a class of nine students. Lakeland’s smaller classes and one-on-one help from instructors provided a positive transition from high school, and she wasn’t disappointed in her Lakeland experience.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience,” she explains. “The instructors were more than willing to put in extra hours to make sure I was where I needed to be and the program was very inclusive. The interior design program is very well-rounded.

programs as well as some carpentry and working with general contractors. There’s a little bit of everything in this program, which really helped me prepare for the role I’m in

At Ecoplast Solutions, Wilkinson is the lead designer, responsible for design for the home and technical drafting in the shop to ensure the houses can be

“We have so much plastic waste. It is a problem,” Wilkinson says. “We may as well be upcycling it. Sustainability has different meanings, though, especially in a rural area like this one. It also impacts the longevity of the project. Because plastic doesn’t break down, these houses are going to last forever. That aspect of sustainability is important.”

Creating homes designed to last forever is especially rewarding to Wilkinson.

“I really hit the jackpot in the job category,” Wilkinson says. “I’m getting to do so much. I’m getting to design projects and also do some of the architectural work and technical drawings. As the main designer here, I go to client meetings, discuss what people want, and then bring their vision to reality.”

Wilkinson's grandparents Doug and Sharon Symes graduated from the college in 1964.

There’s a little bit of everything in this program, which really helped me prepare for the role I’m in now.

TO LAST

ALUM’S FAMILY BURNS BRIGHT

When Scott Kirchgessner stepped foot on the Emergency Training Centre grounds in November, he had more to look forward to than seeing what has changed on the grounds since graduating in 1998. He attended his son Noah's recognition ceremony as he finished his training at Lakeland to begin the same career path Scott has been thriving in for 24 years.

“It brought back a lot of memories,” Scott says. “I hadn't been back to Lakeland since I graduated. Just watching him (Noah) finish his training and knowing that this is his career path and he’s ready to find employment, that makes me very, very proud.”

Scott, Class of 1998 firefighter and EMT, was looking for a career that would keep him close to home in Saskatoon, with a good lifestyle, and a chance to help others and work in his local community. Firefighting fit the bill.

Though no one from the Saskatoon Fire Department had been hired from Lakeland at that point, Scott decided to study in Vermilion. He and a fellow graduate from his class became the first graduates from Lakeland to be hired in Saskatoon in 1998.

Now, Scott says, more than half of the department’s new hires come from Lakeland.

“My experience at Lakeland was excellent,” he explains. “We got the benefit of the college experience and the training was world class. Now, when I’m talking to other professional fire department employees hired from other departments, they tell us that the training in Vermilion is the best around. It’s good to hear that. The facility is topnotch and one of the best training facilities in Western Canada.”

Scott is now a lieutenant with the Saskatoon Fire Department and, despite how much he has enjoyed his career, he was taken by surprise when his son Noah expressed interest in following in his footsteps.

“Noah never actually told me he wanted to be a firefighter up until a few years ago,” Scott says. “He was

always interested in coming by the firehall and seeing me at work as a kid, but never said that’s what he wanted to do. I was very emotional when he told me. He knows the benefits and the drawbacks of being in the firefighting profession. Sometimes there are missed birthday parties, sometimes you have to work weekends. He saw all that and all the benefits of the job and sees it as a rewarding career.”

COMING FULL CIRCLE

Noah is on track to graduate from the medical stream of the emergency services technology program in early 2023. The program teaches core firefighting training as well as prehospital care.

hands-on experience. You can learn in the classroom, but for me, I don’t really understand it until I get out and actually do it with my own hands and feel it.”

Noah is learning more about the importance of teamwork in the profession as well, and he thinks – though unlikely – it would be amazing to suit up with his father on the job one day. Generally, he says, departments keep family members on separate shifts.

“Just the fact that he’d be working with the Saskatoon Fire Department with me, that would be the ultimate goal for us,” Scott says. “It’s a good department and a great place to work. They do try to keep families on different shifts, but if he picked up a shift on my crew, we would have a lot of fun. I’d treat him the same as anybody else and he’d be expected to do the same work, but it would be a really special time.”

"It’s huge to get this hands-on experience. You can learn in the classroom, but for me, I don’t really understand it until I get out and actually do it with my own hands and feel it."

Now that he's finished his training at the Emergency Training Centre, Noah will embark on his practicum before graduating from the program.

He is finding his experience similar to his father’s. He’s impressed with Lakeland’s facilities and instructors, and he’s confident that he’s learning the skills he needs to chase his dream – which coincidentally lies at the Saskatoon Fire Department where his father still works.

“My dad was a huge inspiration for me,” Noah explains. “I remember being smaller, I was always interested in firefighting, asking him questions about it. And now I’m here doing the same thing. It’s huge to get this

AWARD-WINNING ENVIRO GRAD SOARS IN

DREAM CAREER

Consistency was key for 2022 Governor General’s Academic Medal recipient Jana Teefy.

“I knew I did well in school. I didn't realize I had done that well. It's a huge honour to receive it. The award validates my hard work and sacrifices over the last two years,” Teefy says, earning the highest grade-point average in a Lakeland College Vermilion campus program.

Now you’ll find the Class of 2022 wildlife and fisheries conservation (WFC) graduate working as an assistant biologist at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO) in Tofield, Alta.

“This is my dream job mostly because of the job itself, but also because of the people. I get to wake up and be in nature, surrounded by what I am passionate about (birds), all the while working with incredible people who are knowledgeable, encouraging, and accepting,” says Teefy.

As an assistant biologist, Teefy starts her day before sunrise catching birds on mist nets and then for the following six hours, she runs standardized daily censuses of every bird she sees or hears and writes weekly, monthly, and seasonal reports as well mentors interns. She also helps run educational programs, events, guided hikes, and nature walks and maintains positive relationships with regular BBO visitors.

“Additionally, we run breeding bird surveys, nest sweeps, marshland surveys, vegetation surveys, and forest succession analysis.”

“With all that, you can see why my education at Lakeland was vital for the role.”

LIFE-LONG LESSONS LEARNED AT LAKELAND

I’ve always said it’s people that make the difference and Lakeland has phenomenal people.

For three decades, Jason Mills, Class of 1993, has been tying his tie the way instructor Mark Cryderman taught him at Lakeland College.

“I call it the Mark Cryderman,” Mills says, explaining the way some of the smallest lessons have the longest lasting impact. “I literally still use it.”

It’s been 29 years since Mills graduated from the business administration diploma program and he still considers his two years at Lakeland the best two years of his educational life.

“I’ve always said it’s people that make the difference and Lakeland has phenomenal people,” explains Mills, who majored in management. “We’re so lucky to actually have the quality of education we have right here at Lakeland in Lloydminster and Vermilion. People from out of town are sending their kids here and we’re already here.”

Mills, an owning partner and general manager of Westridge Buick GMC in Lloydminster, Alta., followed his father’s steps when he chose to study business. He graduated with a diploma in 1993 and that credential is what gave him the edge to get hired in the automobile industry.

This fall, Mills’ wife, Christy Mills, began a new chapter of the family’s connection to Lakeland –starting her studies in the hairstyling program.

“She’s incredibly excited to be continuing her education in the hairstyling program,” Mills says. “So if you’re wondering if we would say yes to going back, not only would we say yes – my wife started there today.”

He’s already excited to celebrate her graduation in 2023 –30 years after his.

“When I started in the automobile industry, I had zero experience of any kind,” he says. “Having that diploma really elevated me as a young person getting into the job. Back then, not a lot of 20-year-old kids got hired into automotive sales but the fellow I worked for – who I’m now partners with – was willing to give me a shot based on seeing my success at Lakeland.”

Now, Mills relies on lessons learned at Lakeland every day.

“I learned (how) to study at Lakeland,” Mills says, a father of two. “I had never really known how to before, but I was really challenged to get to the next level. When I got to the work I’m doing now, there was a lot more on-going studying than I thought there would be. There are more books to read and courses to take. Lakeland actually taught me how to study and I still use those lessons today.”

He calls his study method the Jason Mills Study System, developed at Lakeland College, and his children hear about it all the time.

“It was the first time I realized putting in the extra work was going to get me something extra.”

Now, 29 years since graduation, Mills keeps in contact with the college. Whether it’s supporting the Rustlers, hosting company Christmas parties on campus, being a guest speaker in business classes, or hiring graduates, his connection with Lakeland is as strong as ever.

EVOLVING WITH INDUSTRY

Ag alumna joins RealAgriculture team in brand new role.

Lakeland College alumni are benefitting from exciting career paths as the agriculture industry grows.

Agricultural sciences alumna, Paige Holmquist, recently became RealAgriculture’s first team member dedicated to social media streams and community engagement.

As the social media and community lead, Holmquist supports RealAgriculture’s focus on the issues impacting agriculture and making agricultural information accessible.

“In this new role, I’m supporting the work already being done. Social media was divided between every team member, so I’ll be able to take a lot off everyone else's plate,” Holmquist says.

The graduate of Lakeland’s Class of 2019 agribusiness and Class of 2018 animal science technology was selected out of 450 applications after submitting a sample Instagram Reel and TikTok prompted by the publication.

Holmquist’s marketing and communications skillset truly developed through opportunities at Lakeland. She was the marketing and public relations manager for the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland Purebred Unit, a Lakeland Student Ambassador for the 2018-19 academic year, and filled a temporary summer position in the college’s marketing and communications department.

“These opportunities took me out of my comfort zone, and my confidence grew. I presented reports on the SMF unit and coordinated our communications for major events like Beef Day. During the summer, I’d lead campus tours for prospective students,” she explains.

Beyond Lakeland, she’s owned Paige Holmquist Photography & Design since 2015, offering lifestyle photography and commercial branding services. With her sister, she co-founded Twisted Creek Apparel in 2020, managing their website and product launch campaigns on social media. She’s also been an active member of 4H for 15 years and is now a current leader with the Weldon 4H Beef Club. She’s held board positions with the National Young Canadian Simmental Association and Saskatchewan Young Canadian Simmental Association.

For her outstanding leadership, Holmquist was awarded membership of Lakeland’s 2018-19 and inaugural President’s Circle.

“I like being in the ag industry in a roundabout way, and I like being creative. While raising cattle with my fiancé Scott, I can still be involved and interact in the community in this new role. Moving my career into social media made sense because it’s the best way to express my creativity. After all, I can share my photography, graphic design projects, and passions.”

"These opportunities took me out of my comfort zone, and my confidence grew."

Shawn MCKerry

Lakeland alumnus and new dean of the Emergency Training Centre

Growing up in a public service family, I think it was inevitable that I became a first responder. After joining a volunteer fire department in my small town, I quickly found out what it was like to burst out of a fire station with lights flashing and sirens screaming… and getting that self-injected dose of adrenaline! Right then, I knew this was what I wanted to do going forward.

Lakeland College gave me what I needed to enter the workforce and provided a solid foundation for my success. I have enjoyed progressive growth with four municipal fire departments and learned a lot from my involvement in numerous large-scale incidents such as the Lesser Slave Lake Wildfire (2011), Gainford Train Derailment (2013), Duffield Wildfire (2017), and Horse River Wildfire (2017). I have also been part of projects in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and all over Alberta. The emergency services technology (EST) diploma also opened up doors for me to further obtain a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree.

Q: How was your experience as a student in the emergency services technology program?

Amazing! I loved every second of it. We had a great class of students, and the instructional team was excellent. We absolutely ate every second up and exploited everything we could from the school. We were pushed hard and we pushed ourselves to be great.

Q: How does it feel to go from Class of 2006 graduate to dean of the Emergency Training Centre?

Slowly yet surely, I think the magnitude is finally setting in. When I got accepted into the EST program, we had a rigorous entry testing phase back then. You really had to earn your spot. I was one of 16 students that made the cut that year. This made you make the most of the experience, drove you to be the best. You had to uphold the reputation of the school and program. You owed it to those that came before you and those yet to come.

I want to bring the same outlook entering the dean’s position - pushing hard to be the best, ensuring we are the premier emergency training centre in Canada, and that we are producing the best next generation first responders. I am placing a lot of pressure on myself to do great work in this role as I believe I owe it to the students, the industry, and the instructional team now and in the past.

I want graduates to leave knowing they had the time of their life, that their student experience exceeded anything they imagined and that they have the skills and knowledge to be safe and effective first responders. With that, it is important to me that they leave humble, hungry, and grateful for the opportunity they have to work and serve as a first responder.

Q: What is the most important thing you hope graduates take away from their time at the Emergency Training Centre?

Q: Why did you want to become a firefighter and where has your education taken you?

The decision made by Beverly Van Unen (née Strome) to attend Lakeland College came naturally – and continued a family legacy that would span for generations.

Growing up on a farm north of Vermilion, Beverly, as well as her family, had close ties to Lakeland College from the beginning. The accessibility of a college education in their hometown encouraged their family’s attendance, with Beverly’s grandmother, Ada Viola Maggs (née Armstrong), graduating in 1914 from the first home economics class.

“The women back in those days, it took a long time for you to even be able to attend. They were fighting that all along. Not even getting the same wage as the men,” says Beverly when asked about her grandmother’s experience. “I think that it’s great that she went to school.”

In the years following her grandmother’s graduation, the college was closed to students during both the 1918 influenza pandemic and World War II, becoming a makeshift hospital and then training centre for the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. Due to these events, there was no 25th anniversary graduating class for the college.

Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Beverly chose to take secretarial arts through Lakeland,

where she graduated from the program in the 50th anniversary class in 1965.

“Lakeland really started my career. After I graduated from the secretarial arts program, I also worked at Lakeland for a while as a secretary. When I got married, they were good references for me to get my job up in Slave Lake (Alta.).”

Beverly enjoyed working in various secretarial positions in the years after her graduation, until a tragic car accident left her blind in one eye. Upon some reflection on her career path, she decided to return to Lakeland to take the interior design program, graduating in 1990.

“I was not supposed to be here. I was in the hospital for five days, so I decided, well, I've always liked designing. So that's when I went back to college in the 75th anniversary year. And, they said I couldn't draw with one eye, right? I couldn't draw three-dimensional. But I did.”

Upon her graduation from yet another anniversary year, Beverly went on to obtain her degree in interior design at the University of Manitoba, where she was granted credits towards completion due to her Lakeland diploma. Although she received her final accreditation from another institution, Beverly recognizes the impact Lakeland had on her from the beginning.

Celebrating a lasting Lakeland legacy

Lakeland really provided me the stepping stone to achieve the goal that I had at the time.

Beverly Van Unen



Top picture: Lakeland's first graduating home economics class in 1914. Beverly's grandmother Ada Viola Maggs (née Armstrong) is pictured in the top row, far right.

 Centre picture: Family members Jessie Wasylik, Barbra Gordey (nee Maggs), Kim McMinnis, and Mary Maggs with Beverly (seated) during centennial celebrations.

“Lakeland really provided me the stepping stone to achieve the goal that I had at the time,” she says. “I (moved) down there [Manitoba], and I actually ended up on the Dean’s Order.”

Beverly’s love for learning didn’t end there, and she enjoyed several other career shifts throughout her life. Now retired, Beverly and her husband are enjoying their time in British Columbia. Although her own educational endeavours have come to an end, Beverly is happy to see her family’s Lakeland legacy carried on by her granddaughter, Jessie Wasylik, who graduated with a business administration certificate in 2014.

Continuing with the coincidence of anniversary graduations in the family, Jessie graduated from the business program in the 100th anniversary year. Their family also has numerous other relatives who attended, worked at, or graduated from Lakeland.

“Lakeland is a place that encourages people to keep coming back. The college has that nice small-town feel. To have a school like that in a place like Vermilion is great.”

Each year, Lakeland College recognizes one distinguished alumni and one distinguished citizen for their significant accomplishments. These include contributions to the community, to Lakeland, and/or to society through humanitarian or philanthropic endeavors.

At convocation, Lakeland also recognizes two students, one from each campus, for their leadership and involvement within the college and community with the President’s Medal. It is Lakeland’s highest honour!

01

01 ARMIN MUELLER

2022 Distinguished Citizen

Originally from Switzerland, Armin Mueller and his wife Rita invested in a bison herd in 2000 as well as Canadian Rangeland Bison & Elk, a marketing company. Today Canadian Rangeland Bison supplies prime bison meat throughout North America and Europe.

Well-known and respected in the bison industry, Armin received the Myrt Lenton Memorial Award from the Canadian Bison Association in 2019. It is awarded to those who have unselfishly given of their time and worked tirelessly to support and promote the Canadian Bison Association.

Armin helped future generations to not only succeed in the bison industry, but to advance it too. In 2020, he and Rita donated $4 million to Lakeland to buy land and establish a bison herd.

It is with great respect that Lakeland College recognized Armin Mueller of Bentley, Alta., as a Distinguished Citizen and awarded him an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Business Degree.

Update: On Oct. 1, 2022, Armin passed away. We send our condolences to his family. We will always be grateful for the legacy he left at Lakeland.

02 ROY KUBICA

2022 Distinguished Alumni Class of 1966

When Roy Kubica retired from a successful farming career, he turned his attention to his alma mater.

A champion of work-integrated learning, Roy is a longstanding donor to Lakeland College who invests in new opportunities for students to excel in agricultural sciences.

In 2019, Roy gifted $500,000 to Lakeland to help purchase land to expand the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland to increase student-led agricultural sciences learning opportunities and research activities. In 2021, he supported the crop technology students by funding their proposal for a new grain cart that would improve farm operations.

Over the years, Roy's connection with Lakeland has only grown stronger. He created the Roy J. Kubica Agriculture Scholarship in 2013 and the Roy J. Kubica Agriculture Bursary in 2020.

It’s with great honour that Lakeland College inducted Roy Kubica, Class of 1966, to the Alumni Wall of Distinction.

03 MAXINE LEBO

04 AMELIA MAGEE

2022

President’s Medal business and administration, Class of 2022

To make up for her first year of studies, which was primarily online, Maxine Lebo of Lloydminster started her second year determined to get as involved as possible in campus life.

She was the team leader for the Finding the U in Business event, moderated the Inspiring Women’s Conference, and was a member of the Students’ Association. She was an academic council member and a representative of Lakeland for the Chamber of Commerce at the Lloydminster craft fair. Lebo also participated in the Alberta Deans' Case Competition and Synergy Speakers’ Corner, where she was awarded a facilitator and leadership award.

Maxine Lebo finished a busy year at Lakeland with convocation at the Lloydminster campus on May 27, where she was awarded the President’s Medal.

2022 President’s Medal environmental sciences, Class of 2022

Amelia Magee made the most of her Lakeland experience beyond the classroom.

“I worked with the Outdoor Recreation Club to implement a signage project in the Vermilion Provincial Park with Alberta Parks,” she says. “I also worked on creating plans for the Pollinator Garden in Vermilion with the Environment Club. I jumped into the Sheep and Stuff Club, which played towards my love of all types of animals.”

Additionally, Amelia was a student member on Lakeland’s Board of Governors and its connectivity committee and board effectiveness committee. She was vice president of The Outdoor Recreation Club, treasurer of the Wildlife Club and a member of the Rustlers rowing team.

Amelia Magee was recognized for her involvement at Lakeland with the President’s Medal at convocation at the Vermilion campus on June 3.

drives student success at Lakeland College

Scotiabank committed $125,000 over a threeyear period to maximize student success supports, including Indigenous services, financial aid and employment enhancement programs, as well as Lakeland’s School of Agricultural Sciences.

“At Lakeland, we challenge every student to go beyond the classroom so when industry knocks, they are ready to thrive.

Scotiabank’s gift will enhance our students’ transformative educational experience by removing barriers to their success,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “Student success supports take many forms. Together, we are preparing our students to grow as confident, collaborative leaders ready to excel in their chosen industries and communities. On behalf of Lakeland and our students, we thank Scotiabank.”

resources.

Scotiabank’s investment will support the Support our Students (SOS) Enhanced Bursary, which assists students in dire financial need with no other means of financial support. The current economic climate and pandemic have only made the SOS Enhanced Bursary demand grow, with application numbers exceeding the support available. Scotiabank’s welcome support will be distributed to students who need this lifeline of support.

Their investment will also enhance Indigenous cultural services at each campus and fund Lakeland’s employment skills enhancement certificate, which bridges the gap for those needing to get their first full-time job or move toward additional postsecondary programming.

“We're proud to invest in success supports and services at Lakeland College that will ultimately help students gain full-time, meaningful employment,” says Tanja Perry, district vice president Alberta North and Northwest Territories. “This partnership is one of the many ways Scotiabank is continuing to help students jumpstart their professional careers."

Scotiabank has been a longstanding partner in supporting student success and the student awards program at Lakeland.

Scotiabank is helping students achieve success now and into the future by supporting frontline

"Scotiabank’s gift will enhance our students’ transformative educational experience by removing barriers to their success."

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College, Courtney Wallace, bachelor of agriculture technology student, Barb Rozka, branch manager of Scotiabank Vermilion, Rob Chubaty, small business development manager at Scotiabank, and Sandra Stone, senior financial advisor at Scotiabank.

INTERIOR DESIGN student wins again

Brea Holt is Lakeland College’s 36th National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Student Design Competition winner.

Her kitchen design placed second in the 2021-2022 competition from nearly 200 designs submitted from across North America.

According to the NKBA, Holt’s design satisfied all the requirements and added a unique touch, making her submission stand out from the rest. The NKBA’s official publication, KBB Magazine, will feature Holt’s design.

The NKBA also awarded Holt a $2,500 USD scholarship, airfare and accommodations to attend the KBIS 2022 Expo in Las Vegas, NV, and admission to the 2023 Design Awards Ceremony.

WHT MEAD BUILDING OPEN FOR INNOVATION

In a unique blend of technological sophistication and agricultural tradition, Lakeland College celebrated the grand opening of the rejuvenated WHT Mead Building at the Vermilion campus on Wednesday, Sept. 28. A milestone in campus renewal, the facility is home to more than 600 agricultural sciences students perfecting the practical skills Lakeland graduates are known for and industry wants.

The 35,214 sq. ft. WHT Mead Building features collaboration spaces, labs, classrooms and faculty offices for the School of Agricultural Sciences and applied research. Technology is infused throughout the building for in-person and virtual learning. It’s also home to the Student-Managed Farm–Powered by New Holland headquarters, which is a planning space for animal science technology and crop technology students who manage Lakeland’s crop, livestock and research units.

the facilities to learn and collaborate, to build foundational skills and grow their expertise to go beyond the classroom and put their education into action. It’s about ensuring our graduates are ready to thrive and drive innovation as leaders throughout commercial agriculture sectors, creating a sustainable future for this vital industry and our region.”

Designed to today’s energy modelling codes and requirements, the WHT Mead Building was built to accommodate future enrolment growth. Over the past 12 years, enrolment in agricultural sciences programs has increased 200 per cent.

The Government of Alberta invested $17.3 million to rejuvenate the WHT Mead Building, which was originally constructed in 1964. Synergy Credit Union also contributed to the new interactive learning space, gifting $150,000 to the project.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this much-needed investment in campus renewal with the opening of the WHT Mead Building. Thank you to the Government of Alberta for continuing to see and support the value of a Lakeland education. We’re also grateful for the support of Synergy Credit Union,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland. “Today’s celebration is about more than classrooms. It’s about ensuring our students have

“At Lakeland, we are committed to developing talent for the agricultural sectors, and we do that through an awardwinning work-integrated learning model. The WHT Mead Building offers the learning spaces we need to sustain program growth and foster classroom innovation,” says Geoff Brown, dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences. “This new building represents the future of agricultural sciences at Lakeland. It’s a blend of modern elements with the sleek new edge of technology that we know is influencing agriculture every day. It is going to have an enormous impact on our students now and in the future.”

The WHT Mead Building is an academic hub for more than agricultural sciences programs. More than 200 environmental sciences and human services students will

This new building represents the future of agricultural sciences at Lakeland.

- Geoff Brown

also access the classrooms. Continuing education courses, community meetings, and industryhosted events will also be held in WHT Mead Building.

Lakeland’s School of Agricultural Sciences programs include agribusiness, agricultural sustainability, agri sales and customer relations certificate, animal health technology, animal science technology (beef, dairy, equine and livestock majors), bachelor of agriculture technology, crop technology, general agriculture, post-bachelor commercial agriculture production and veterinary medical assistant.

Investing in campus renewal

Lakeland prioritizes campus renewal and expansion. In the last six years, Lakeland completed the following projects at the Vermilion campus with the support of donors, government and funding partners:

2016-17: Lakeland opened the modernized G.N. Sweet Livestock Research Facility, which features state-of-the-art technology for livestock research and development.

2017: The college’s 46,600 sq. ft. Dairy Learning Centre opened. It features a robotic and traditional milk parlour, a robotic feeder, among other new technologies.

2018: The Animal Health Clinic opened, reflecting an operational veterinary clinic with state-of-the-art technology and allowing Lakeland to double enrolment in two programs.

2019: The Trades Centre exterior and roofing repair project was completed.

2019: Generous donor support enabled Lakeland to expand the campus farm with 309 acres of quality cropland.

2019-20: Phase 1 of the Vermilion Campus Revitalization plan was completed with renovations done in Alumni Hall’s Student Services, Learning Commons and Information Technology areas, as well as Academic Link student labs.

2020: Historic gift allowed Lakeland to further expand the campus farm and establish a bison herd.

2021: Lakeland officially opened the Agriculture Technology Centre, which is home to Canada’s first degree in agriculture technology.

Lakeland unveiled its legacy wall during the WHT Mead Building grand opening. Lakeland's Penny Manners speaks with donor Ken Wasmuth.

Legacy wall unveiled

Livestock brands, farm names, and images. Tributes to family members, and inspirational quotes and messages. These are all abundant on the legacy wall in the WHT Mead Building.

The legacy wall features dozens of tiles purchased by donors in support of Lakeland students. Thank you to alumni, community members, employees, and college friends for supporting this fundraiser.

For a donation of $1,913 (the year of the college’s founding), you can purchase a tile on the legacy wall. Your support creates more opportunities for students to benefit from hands-on learning.

For information, contact Penny at 780.871.5713.

Andi Raisa Tabusalla, a member of Lakeland’s Students’ Association, cut the ribbon to officially open the WHT Mead Building.

MEMBERS JOIN

LAKELAND BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Dr. Sean Lessard was born on the Montreal Lake Cree Nation and later adopted by a family in North Battleford, Sask. He graduated from Lakeland’s rehabilitation services program in 1994 and later earned a bachelor of education, a master of educational psychology, and a doctorate of elementary education and teaching from the University of Alberta.

Dr. Lessard has worked as a respite worker, social worker, teacher, counsellor and consultant focusing on Indigenous education. He’s also held faculty positions at the University of Regina in education and the University of Alberta in teacher education. His passion for Indigenous youth takes him across the country for research, speaking engagements and program development. He’s also the CEO of his own company – Name to Place Educational and Community Consulting.

Fahselt has been involved in the management and ownership of a number of successful businesses within the agriculture sector throughout his career, spending the last 24 of those years in the Vermilion area. He is presently the CEO of AgLink Canada, an organization focused on supporting Canadian ag businesses.

Fahselt and his wife also operate a 150 cow/calf cattle operation that provides a high level of personal satisfaction and a tight connection to the local ag community. He is a life-long learner and has taken numerous courses to progress his skills and knowledge.

Dean

Dr. Sean Lessard Dean Fahselt

Lakeland College welcomed two new public members to the Board of Governors – Dr. Sean Lessard and Dean Fahselt.

Government supports enrolment expansion

The Government of Alberta’s targeted enrolment expansion program invested $990,000 to expand health care aid and animal health technology programming at Lakeland. The overall plan is to add more than 400 new seats at Lakeland, Keyano College and Portage College.

LAKELAND’S FEAST ON THE FARM

presented by Cenovus Energy exceeds expectations

Feast on the Farm presented by Cenovus Energy returned to Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus on Aug. 18 to raise funds to support student-led initiatives at Lakeland.

The goal was to raise $50,000. Instead, Lakeland’s generous supporters raised $70,000 for students to continue to lead, learn and manage.

Nearly 300 guests attended the sold-out fundraiser at the college’s Research Centre.

New approach to agribusiness

In fall 2022, Lakeland College launched a re-imagined agribusiness program, one which has been updated to reflect the evolving world of business and agriculture. Following a common first year, students choose from one of five specialties: production, marketing, agri-food and tourism, sustainability or finance. Previously, the agribusiness program only offered three focuses: livestock, crops or marketing.

Dr. François Paradis has taken the helm of Lakeland’s applied research department, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the agricultural and livestock sectors.

Dr. Paradis holds a master of science in animal science from Laval University and a PhD from the University of Alberta with formal training in bovine and porcine reproductive physiology. He has also done a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Ottawa and worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supporting research in beef cattle.

Excel magazine

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awarded Lakeland College’s Excel magazine a 2022 Circle of Excellence Award. The college received the bronze medal in the magazine category for alumni/general interest in two-year institutions.

In their judgement, the CASE team said, “Excel magazine presents Lakeland College as a fun, vibrant, and vital community. The publication often presents very institutional content in engaging, digestible ways for readers (such as in the “Alumni Benefits” spread). Good story selection, compelling photography and, as noted, a great sense of warmth and human connection.”

CASE’s Circle of Excellence Awards are the premier recognition program for educational advancement.

wins international award

AFAC AWARD OF DISTINCTION

Dr. Brenda Ralston, a livestock research scientist at Lakeland College, is the recipient of Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) 2022 Award of Distinction.

The annual Award of Distinction recognizes one individual or group who has made exceptional contributions to the field of livestock welfare, through either leadership, innovation or communication.

Over her career, Dr. Ralston has supported and conducted multi-disciplinary livestock research for the poultry, dairy, lamb, horse and pork industries in the areas of pain control and pathogen mitigation.

ALBERTA INNOVATES INVESTS IN AG RESEARCH

Two of Lakeland’s applied research projects have successfully secured funding from Smart Agriculture and Food Digitization and Automation Challenge, part of Alberta Innovates through the Government of Alberta.

New pathway partnership signed with U of A

Lakeland College signed a letter of agreement to facilitate block transfers for graduates of Lakeland’s animal science technology diploma program to the University of Alberta’s (U of A) Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.

The transfer agreement allows Lakeland students to continue their agricultural sciences education with the U of A in the BSc in Agriculture program in Edmonton.

Dr. Susan Markus’ project, investigating the use of a handheld device to monitor sheep pregnancy, was awarded $145,000. Dr. Yuri Montanholi’s project optimizing non-contact sensing technology to enhance bison farming sustainability was awarded $345,081.

Lakeland livestock research scientist wins

FEDERAL FUNDING BOOST FOR NEONATAL CALF RESEARCH

Lakeland College’s research team received a $641,800 grant from the Government of Canada.

The Applied Research and Technology Partnership grant (ARTP) is part of the federal government’s 2021 budget, which provided $46.9 million over two years to the College and Community Innovation program (CCI). The CCI is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

At Lakeland, the funds will support

NEW VICE PRESIDENT brings experience to Lakeland

Dr. Todd Sumner is the new vice president of academic and research at Lakeland College.

Before moving into the role of

impact the lives of students,” says Dr. Sumner. “One of the things that drew me to Lakeland College is that it lives out its vision of transforming lives through innovative learning. Having worked in a polytechnic institute with a focus on applied, hands-on learning, I am so excited to be a part of Lakeland here are so many innovative programs that provide students opportunities for innovative experiential learning.”

As vice president, academic and research, Dr. Sumner oversees the academic division of nine schools, student and academic services, foundational learning and continuing education plus applied research.

"One of the things that drew me to Lakeland College is that it lives out its vision of transforming lives through innovative learning."

Student’s design makes

the cut

hen second-year interior design technology students were tasked with coming up with a new design for their Cutting Room, John Cruz took it as an opportunity to conceptualize a functional workplace with a look that was meant to last.

The Cutting Room functions as both a workspace for building projects, as well as storage space for material and industry samples. The students also

use it as a break room.

Part of the challenge involved working within a set $6,000 budget -- funds that were donated by supporters at Feast on the Farm, an annual event that raises funds to create experiences where students can learn, lead and manage.

When each student completed their design, the top design was voted on by students, staff and community members. After the votes were tallied, Cruz’s design was the top choice.

AG DEGREE OPENS A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

“I had always wanted to go for my degree. It was always on my bucket list,” says Courtney Wallace, a fourth generation beef cattle farmer and member of the inaugural class of Lakeland’s new agriculture technology degree.

As part of her agriculture technology studies, Wallace learned about emerging ag tech, advanced animal handling, leadership, business and more. She connected with and worked with tech developers and researchers, growing more familiar with how to use various pieces of technology as well

as how to incorporate them into an ag operation.

“A huge thing that we’re working on now is One Cup A.I.,” Wallace says. “It’s an image recognition system to help detect animal lameness and identification on the farm. It has actually led me to take a job with One Cup A.I., working on algorithms to be able to process some of the video they’ve taken here on campus and help them integrate technology into the system so they can move from the developmental stage and go commercial.”

Projects like this, which incorporate real-life components like the budget and how much it actually costs to do something are good experiences.

RETURNING TO NATURE

Hands-on skills gained during Field Week

The best place to learn about the environment is beyond the classroom, in the fields, lakes, rivers and wetlands. For students in the environmental sciences program at Lakeland, heading outside to work on practical skills is just an ordinary day – but during Field Week, those adventures go beyond the ordinary. It’s a week-long, intense series of outdoor labs, where students put learning into action, perfecting the skills they need to thrive in the workplace.

WORKING WITH BISON

A HANDS-OFF APPROACH TO HANDS-ON LEARNING

When Walker Balan and Wylee Squair began their practicum working with Lakeland College’s research team, they learned that bison and cattle are entirely different animals.

The two practicum students both graduated with agribusiness diplomas before deciding to enrol in the bachelor of agriculture technology in 2021, the first year the program was offered.

Both from cow-calf backgrounds, they jumped at the opportunity to complete their practicums working with Dr. Yuri Montanholi at Lakeland on a project on remote sensing applied to bison farming, which is funded by Alberta Innovates and endorsed by the Canadian Bison Association.

The projects the two students are working on are funded by Alberta Innovates and are designed to find hands-off ways to monitor and work with bison.

Balan explains, “Every time you physically work with bison, it sets them back in production. They lose efficiency. We are trying to take away the stresses and setbacks that come with physically handling bison in the production system using technologies like infrared cameras, drones, and a remote walk-over weigh scale.”

During Field Week, students split their time between wetland assessments, touring mines and reclamation sites, working with songbirds and hawks, and learning how to read horizons in the soil. They visit sites locally, in the Capital region and near Hinton, Alta., and work with drones, acoustic metres for bats, and heavy equipment like tractors and skid steers.

Learning hands-on skills like those practiced during Field Week is a critical component of what sets Lakeland apart.

They are also working on a project watching videos of bison in captivity in Spain and another where they analyze bison behavior on a day-to-day basis in partnership with a master's student from Brazil.

BREAKING THE ICE

Environmental sciences students participate in wate.rshed project

Wildlife and fisheries conservation (WFC) and conservation and restoration ecology (CARE) students in Lakeland's environmental sciences diploma program put their passion into action on the frozen Vermilion River last winter in a project dedicated to data collection, healthy river ecosystems and environmental stewardship.

The project was a collaboration between the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, Vermilion River Watershed Alliance, and the Student-led Assessment of the Vermilion River (SAVER), a group from Lakeland College dedicated to facilitated work-integrated learning opportunities for students. The project also received funding from Lakeland alumnus Bill Bocock. The water monitoring project involved gathering water

samples from different locations along the river and using data obtained through that process to track the water quality and health of the river system.

“A lot of the Vermilion River is being used for municipal purposes,” explains Serafino Taradei, a second-year WFC student who was involved in the project. “It’s also home to many fish species, waterfowl and invertebrates. We have to do our part to ensure the river is in good shape and being used sustainably.”

Part of that, he says, is doing a full-scale assessment of the river, monitoring parameters like dissolved oxygen, herbicide and pesticide levels and metal quantities in the water. The data collected will be part of an ongoing project to monitor the overall health of the river, as well as impacts of agriculture, industry and climate change on this important ecosystem.

For Taradei, having the opportunity to be involved in the monitoring process was an exciting one which helped him gain important industry-related skills.

“This is the main reason I came to Lakeland,” he says. “I knew we would have a lot of experiences like this, which I wouldn’t necessarily have at other universities and colleges. The more practice and experience you have, the more comfortable you are. What we are doing in the labs is similar to what we can expect in the field. This experience will be helpful to discuss in job interviews.”

CLASSROOM

Brady Pitts came to Lakeland looking for hands-on experience to complement his degree in chemical engineering. He found Lakeland’s process and power engineering program at the advice of a friend.

“A really good friend of mine who I had graduated with was having the same issue with the job market as I was,” says Pitts, who graduated from the University of Saskatchewan. “He made the decision to go to Lakeland. The reputation and overall success of the program is pretty well-known.”

He credited both the hands-on opportunities and the support of his instructors for his positive experience at Lakeland. “There’s definitely a lot that we’ve done in the labs that I had no prior knowledge of and a lot of questions that I had have been answered,” he says.

LAKELAND TAKES UNIVERSITY GRAD BEYOND THE

Alumni Weekend returns

Thanks to everyone who attended Alumni Weekend 2022 from June 10-12 at the Vermilion campus. It was great to see you!

Alumni Weekend 2023 will be held June 9-11 at the Vermilion campus.

 Clockwise from top left: Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart (centre) hosted Tea with the President on Saturday afternoon. She’s pictured with Ivy and George McMillan and, front row, Doug and Vera Brown. Doug is a member of the Class of 1949 and George is Class of 1955; After the Tailgate party Friday night, Class of 1995 alumni Mark Gauthier, Jack Sambirsky, Richard Kirby and Sandra Sambirsky (née Borman) took a tour of the residence they once lived in; The Grand March is one of the best traditions of the weekend; The Agriculture Technology Centre was one of the stops on the Farm Tour. Student Walker Balan shared information about a research project he is involved in that utilizes remote sensing technologies to monitor bison. Read about the project on page 30; Wylee Squair and Jarret Nelson, students in the Bachelor of Agriculture Technology program, are pictured at the Rose Ball with Marvin Donaghy, Class of 1947.

Scott Guenthner, Class of 2011, was crowned the 2022 Canadian Champion Steer Wrestler on the final day of the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in Red Deer Nov. 2-6. He was also named the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Cowboy of the Year. He and his wife Becky and their sons Quade and Ridge are pictured with the championship saddle Scott received. 2022 marked the third time in five years that Scott was named the Canadian Champion Steer Wrestler.

Throughout the CFR, three-year-old Quade’s shirts matched his Dad’s shirts, right down to the sponsor logos.

Scott was one of four Lakeland alumni participating in the CFR. Others included Brittany Schuk (ladies breakaway), Ty Livingstone (steer wrestling), and Danny Vandenameele (bareback).

Kolby Wanchuk didn’t compete in saddle bronc due to an injury, but he will participate in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo later this year.

 SCOTT GUENTHNER  REBECCA GREEN

 GREG SHANNON

Greg Shannon, Class of 1987 livestock major, emceed Lakeland College's Feast on the Farm on Aug. 18, 2022. The fifth annual event raised more than $70,000 for student-leadership opportunities.

 TYSON RINGDAL

Tyson Ringdal is a finalist for the mentorship program initiated by the Canadian Cattle Association. From the Class of 2019 animal science technology, Ringdal is one of 15 finalists from across the country who will each receive a $2,000 budget to put towards beef industry travel and learning opportunities of their choice.

Source: cjwwradio.com

Rebecca Joseph, Class of 2012 animal science technology, married Cody Green on July 23, 2022 in Lamont, Alta. A number of Lakeland alumni, spanning across many classes, joined them to celebrate. The couple resides in Radway, Alta.

 MANDY WOZNIAK

Mandy Wozniak, Class of 2018 interior design technology, was the lead designer of The Hive, a new youth hub for the Bonnyville Child and Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative. Mandy is also one of the outstanding young professionals in NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 Class of 2023.

Lakeland opened the new Animal Science Building.

In the 1960s, students took their first agricultural sciences courses in the newly-built Animal Science Building, soon to be renamed the WHT Mead Building. This fall, we cut the ribbon on the modernized WHT Mead Building, updating this beloved building and preparing it for many more generations of students.

In Memoriam

Andrich, Jack Spouse of Edna Andrich (née Betts) 1956, Home Economics 2 in 1

Balash, Jason 2004, BofA Environmental Management

Benesch, Bonnie 2002, Office Administration & Staff

Bilodeau, Fernand 1956, Agriculture

Bilyk, Steven 1996, Business AdminManagement 1999, Computer Science

Birss, Mary Ann (née Bradshaw) 1963, Commercial

Bokenfohr, Eric 1956, Agriculture

Brown, Joseph "Jim" 1972-1983, Staff Brown, Lenora (née Wilkinson) 1963, Home Economics Brown, Stanley Peter 1957, Agriculture Brumwell, Robert 1967, Agriculture Buker, Joe 1977, Fish & Wildlife Clark, Melvin 1967, Agriculture Cook, Kathleen (née Manery)

1950, Home Economics 2 in 1

Cottrell, George "Glen" 1962, Agriculture

Curtis, Mason 1957, Agriculture

Diesel, Clyde 2000, Apprentice Heavy Duty Mechanic

Elliott, Diana 2021, University Studies

Glaser, Mable (nee Rasmuson) 1948, Home Economics

Glebe, Bill 1961, Agriculture

Helfer, Elaine (née Norman) Spouse of Dennis Helfer 1965, Agriculture Hills, Bruce 1947, Agriculture

Jones, Roberta "Bobbi" 1995, Early Childhood Development

Kaziechko, Carl 1992, Apprentice Carpentry Klann, Walt 1965, Agriculture

Lefferson, Chris 1961, Agriculture

Leslie, Gloria Spouse of Terry Leslie 1963, Agriculture 2 in 1

Leslie, Terry 1963, Agriculture 2 in 1

Levasseur, Laurent 1955, Agriculture

Loiselle, Roger Spouse of Joyce Loiselle (née Fredland) 1952, Home Economics 2 in 1

Lopushanski, Stan 1957, Agriculture Marler, Dave 1962, Agriculture Mason, Dale 1987, Heavy Oil Operations Technician

Masson, Joe 1947, Agriculture McElroy, Frank 1949, Agriculture

Melnychuk, Orest 1953, Agriculture

Milne, Robert "Bob" 1950, Agriculture 2 in 1 Mueller, Armin 2022, Distinguished Citizen Mumm, Peter 1950, Agriculture Nicholson, Glenn 1959, Agriculture 2 in 1 Nikolic, Pearl (nee Gidzinski) 1966, Home Economics

Paul, Larry 1960, Agriculture Penman, Donna Spouse of Roger Penman 1952, Agriculture Penman, Roger 1952, Agriculture

Piche, Betty (née Malic) 1955, Home Economics

Pinder, George 1960, Agriculture

Pollard, Jimmy 1990, Appraisal & Assessment

Schopfer, Glen 1964, Agriculture

Seibert, Frank 1958, Agriculture 2 in 1

Sharman, Derek 2006, C of A - Fire Fighter Sinclair, William 2010, Sign Language Interpretation

Somerville, Danny 1947, Agriculture

Todd, Kathleen (née Koehli) 1970, Business Education

Turner, Beryl (née Stephenson) 1949, Home Economics

Villett, Aubrey 1949, Agriculture 2 in 1 Ward, Jack 1949, Agriculture 2 in 1

Wardner, George 1947, Agriculture Wegner, Myrtle (née Purdy) 1962, Home Economics Wiersma, Orin 1956, Agriculture

Willerton, Bruce 1956, Agriculture Wilson, Judi (née Tattersall) 1968, Business Education

To submit to In Memoriam or Class Notes, please email alumni@lakelandcollege.ca or call 780.871.5526.

LEAVE YOUR MARK ON THE LEGACY WALL

Help create more opportunities for Lakeland students by supporting the legacy wall fundraiser. For a donation of $1913 (our founding year) you can be part of this innovative project. Your tile on the legacy wall will include:  your name(s)  your livestock brand, farm logo, or a symbolic image  and a short message

Your gift will help students go beyond the classroom and participate in the one-of-a kind learning experiences that Lakeland is known for. For more information contact Penny: 780.871.5713 or penny.manners@lakelandcollege.ca

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

Lakeland College Donor Relations 2602 59 Ave. Lloydminster Alberta T9V 3N7 Canada Post Publication Mail PM40009099