Excel - Spring 2024 edition

After a nailbiter of a game, the Rustlers took down the Lambton Lions in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) gold medal game 64-55, capping off a historic and undefeated season.

Twenty years ago, the season ended much differently.

“It was a bit of a grassroots start,” says Jackie Bender, dean of university transfer and foundational learning at Lakeland. She coached the women’s basketball team during their exhibition season in 2004 and their first season in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

She says the team started as an outlier in the ACAC, the David in the David and Goliath story.

“We’re a small community with a pretty small enrolment compared to most of the teams we were playing,” says Bender. “The dream was we could put a team in the league and maybe compete one day. Maybe we could hold our own in the ACAC.”

Now, though, Bender says, “We’re blowing the ACAC out of the water.”

Before nationals, Lakeland alumnus Chris King, coach of the women’s basketball team, was named the 2024 CCAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year. Rustler Hineaupounamu Nuku, a first-year guard from New Zealand, was named the CCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.

“For myself, someone who played for Lakeland the first two years and has been part of this team for 18 of 20 years, it’s been a wild ride,” says King, who coached the team to gold. “You don’t want to say it was a dream season, but it’s exactly how you want a season to go. Winning gold at home and celebrating in front of friends and family and everyone that supported us was picture perfect.”

“Rustler pride has grown incredibly,” says Bender.

And not just in basketball. Among many team and individual accomplishments, this year, the women’s volleyball team took home national gold for the second straight year. Women’s hockey took home provincial silver in their second year in the ACAC and mixed curling won provincial ACAC gold for the third consecutive year.

"When you think about our volume, our size, our enrolment and our small community, the fact that we can compete in a very strong league is impressive,” says Bender, “I think other athletic programs want to figure out what kind of magic we’re harnessing.”

Photo by Jason Whiting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Alumni Spotlight

Krupa Shah carries Lakeland with

Excel is published by Lakeland College’s Department of Donor and

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 Kayleigh at 780.871.5526.

Editor: Melissa Barr

Writers: Melissa Barr, Cathy MacKenzie, Colleen Symes

Creative Design: Chelsey Schlosser

Cover Photo: Melissa Barr

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 contact Kayleigh Schmid at 780.871.5526 or kayleigh.schmid@lakelandcollege.ca

Publications mail agreement No. 40009099

Return undeliverable addresses to: Lakeland College

Donor and Alumni Relations 5707 College Drive Vermilion, Alberta, Canada T9X 1K5 lakelandcollege.ca/alumni-update

Vice President

JAMES MCLAUGHLIN

CLASS OF 1967

Secretary

QUINN HLUS

CLASS OF 2018 AND 2020

Director

REBECCA GREEN

CLASS OF 2012

Director

BERT JOURNAULT

CLASS OF 1970

Director

SHERRY MARTIN

CLASS OF 1989

Director ED LEFSRUD

CLASS OF 1965

Message from the Vice President

his year, at Alumni Weekend, we're thrilled to bring back a treasured tradition from our history, which is the essence of the event's name—the Rose Ball.

In a nod to the Rose Balls of yesteryears, we are reintroducing the tradition of presenting roses. By doing so, we infuse our premium event, the Rose Ball, with vibrant colours and heartfelt recognition.

This rose will symbolize the lasting connections and collective memories that unite all alumni. Guests will be invited to take a rose home, a continuation of our shared legacy beyond the night.

Remember, while a rose’s bloom is fleeting, it symbolizes much more. With each rose, we honour the cherished moments we shared at college. Let us celebrate our friends— both present and those who have passed—with gratitude and warmth. In chatting with some of our alumni board, we decided that hosting a virtual meeting on Teams or Zoom would revitalize the alumni and make it easier for you to get involved in our organization. Though this meeting would not replace our Annual General Meeting in June, it will be a great opportunity to connect with those of you who can’t make it. It will give you the opportunity to share your good ideas for the alumni association, which we need if our organization is to survive.

We will hold this virtual meeting on Sunday April 28th at 7:30pm (MST). We will email the instructions for joining the virtual meeting to the contacts on the college’s alumni mailing list. To ensure you are on this mailing list, please contact kayleigh.schmid@ lakelandcollege.ca or 780.871.5526.

We need all of you to help strengthen our alumni association!

James McLaughlin

Class of 1967

Alumni Association Vice President

ALUMNI CALENDAR

Gather

ALUMNI WEEKEND

2024 Registration Form

Join us June 15 to catch up and connect with our Lakeland alumni family! You’ll also find the schedule and this registration form online at lakelandcollege.ca/weekend. We can’t wait to see you!

Photos by Jason Whiting.

Alumnus Name: Class Year:

Maiden Name:

Address: Province:

City/Town: Postal Code:

Home Phone: Cell Phone:

Email:

Name of Guest:

If Guest is Alumnus, Class Year(s):

ACCOMMODATIONS

(Lakeland College Residence or Lakeland College RV Parking)

Friday, June 14  *Residence Room $60  RV Parking $15

Saturday, June 15  *Residence Room $60  RV Parking $15 Total: $

*Due to renovations on campus, there will be limited rooms available in residence, please book early to ensure availability.

COMPLIMENTARY

SATURDAY BONUS

Farm Tour  ________/person

METHOD OF PAYMENT

REGISTRATION TOTAL $

 Cheque Enclosed (payable to Lakeland College)

EVENT TICKET OPTIONS

June 15, Vermilion campus

 OPTION 1- ALL SATURDAY

• Saturday Breakfast & Lunch

• Class Photo

• Afternoon Activities

• Rose Ball, band and midnight lunch

_______ x $65/person: $

 OPTION 2- ROSE BALL

• Rose Ball, band and midnight lunch

_______ x $40/person: $

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS:

Event Ticket Total: $

These prices are for the first 50 registrants. If you miss the special pricing, we will contact you prior to processing your payment for the regular registration rate of $110 for all day Saturday or $65 for the Rose Ball only.

 Visa  Mastercard Card Number: Expiry Date:____________________________

Name on Card:

Signature:

*After payment your credit card information will be securely destroyed

This form and payment can also be completed online at lakelandcollege.ca/weekend

We look forward to hosting you on campus in June!

MAILING INFORMATION

MAIL REGISTRATION FORM AND PAYMENT TO:

Lakeland College 5707 College Drive

Vermilion, AB T9X 1K5

Attention: Alumni Weekend 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Kayleigh Schmid

Alumni Engagement & Career Services Specialist

Call: 780.871.5526 or 1.800.661.6490 ext: 5526

Email: kayleigh.schmid@lakelandcollege.ca

Lakeland College complies with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Alberta. Information collected on this form is collected under the authority of Section 33(c) of the Act for administration of the Alumni program. This information is used in the normal course of College operations in accordance with this legislation. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact the FOIP Coordinator (5707 College Drive, Vermilion AB, 780.853.8524; FOIP@lakelandcollege.ca).

ALUM GIVES $1 MILLION GIFT TO LAKELAND

Bill Robinson’s family roots run deep at Lakeland College.

Long before he attended as a student himself, his father Lyle was a student at the college, graduating in 1927. His mother Annabel was the Dean of Women for three years. In 1958, Bill joined their college legacy, graduating from the 2-in-1 agriculture program. Thirty years later, he returned to Lakeland for electrical training.

The college has been a big part of our family for years. I hope that this gift will help the college continue to grow, while also providing financial support to the students who need it most so they can attend the college and get a great education.”

Bill’s a long-time monthly donor to the college and supported past campaigns such as the Centennial Tree project. Bill regularly attends alumni events and serves as a Class Champion for the Class of 1958. And in January, the college announced that he gifted $1 million to the college to support student bursaries and beef cattle initiatives on the Student-Managed Farm –Powered by New Holland (SMF).

“The college has been a big part of our family for years,” Bill explains. “I hope that this gift will help the college continue to grow, while also providing financial support to the students who need it most so they can attend the college and get a great education.”

Bill considers his time attending the college to be among some of the best times of his life.

“It helped teach me to do whatever I was doing to the best of my ability, to enjoy what I was doing, to not be afraid to reach out and try other things,” he says.

While at the college, Bill participated in many activities such as the yearbook committee and playing hockey on the men’s team. Living in residence was a highlight for Bill, and he values the many friendships he made while at the Vermilion campus. After graduation in 1958, Bill worked west of Vermilion on a farm established by his grandparents. For 24 years, he and his family focused on grain production and raising purebred Shorthorns. In addition

to farming, Bill’s career path saw him work as an electrician, own and operate a Loomis courier truck, and deliver mail for Canada Post.

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College, thanked Bill for his donation.

“Bill’s generosity will help us continue to modernize our campus farm, which is used by more than 650 agricultural sciences students as well as applied research staff,” she says. “In addition, the Bill Robinson Bursary will help remove financial barriers for many students, creating greater access to a Lakeland College education.

“Bill’s got a big heart and he cares deeply about our college, our current and future students, and our community. We are so appreciative of his amazing support,” says

Wainwright-Stewart.

In recognition of Bill’s generous gift, a 150-seat classroom in the WHT Mead Building at the Vermilion campus has been named the Lyle and Annabel Robinson Lecture Theatre, a tribute to his parents.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Bill requested this lecture theatre be named after his parents. It’s just another layer of the amazing legacy that the Robinson family has here at Lakeland,” says Wainwright-Stewart.

Bill’s 1958 yearbook picture.

"YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE."

On Jan. 10, 2024, Lakeland hosted a celebration in recognition of Bill’s contributions to Lakeland. More than 100 students, faculty and staff gathered to thank Bill for his generosity.

During the event, Bill said the money he donated to the college was made through a combination of farming and success in the stock market. “I have a word of advice for anybody who wants to get into the stock market. You do exactly what you are doing here - you get as much education as you can before you start doing it,” he says.

way we work with other producers and industries for the years to come.

“Bill’s generosity will help us continue to modernize our campus farm, which is used by more than 650 agricultural sciences students as well as applied research staff.”

“These real-life learning experiences wouldn't be possible without the resources and facilities here at Lakeland, which continue to improve and evolve thanks to donors such as Bill and others like him.”

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart PRESIDENT AND CEO, LAKELAND COLLEGE

“This is sure to be a defining moment in Lakeland’s history,”

Adam Waterman, chair of Lakeland College’s Board of Governors, said at the celebration. “Today we thank Bill for his gift that will support two important initiatives. His generosity will have a positive ripple effect for generations to come.”

Alycia Coultes, the general manager for the SMF crop unit, explained the impact of Bill’s support of the SMF.

“My experiences here have been lifechanging and cannot have happened without the support of people like Bill, who generously invest in Lakeland,” Coultes explained. “It's an invaluable hands-on crash course in cooperation and compromise that will inform the

Rachael Sorochan, second-year environmental sciences

student, also thanked Bill for creating the Bill Robinson Bursary. She assured him that his gift would have a life-changing impact on students,

highlighting the way her life has been changed by the bursaries and scholarships she has received.

Because of the financial support, “I have been given the gift of freedom, the freedom to continue to care for myself through spending time with my family, pursuing my hobbies, and to be able to rest in between,” she said. “It has also given me the freedom to give back. I can work as a student ambassador and most importantly to me, I am able to work as a peer tutor or note taker, helping students overcome other types of barriers.

“I came here today to say thank you and to let those like Bill, who contribute to scholarships and bursaries at Lakeland, know that you are making a difference, a profound difference. You are giving students the opportunity to one day do the same.”

WJ Elliott Arboretum: EVOLVING ALONGSIDE

LAKELAND COLLEGE

Growth and change have always been a huge part of Lakeland College. From its founding in 1913, the college itself has gone through many evolutions in response to changing times and circumstances. The latest evolutionary stage involves the rejuvenation of Vermilion campus’ Newcombe N. Bentley Building –and along with it, a reimagining of Lakeland’s WJ Elliott Arboretum.

WJ Elliott himself left an impact on Lakeland and Alberta that extends far beyond the naming of the arboretum. He is best remembered for starting Alberta’s first 4-H club, building the original dorm at the then-named Vermilion School of Agriculture and

being college principal from 19241937. An ardent horticulturalist, he took on the task of improving the school grounds while serving as principal.

He spent his time getting his hands dirty, planting seeds and cuttings, pruning shrubs, pulling weeds, and introducing many of the unusual plants that still grow on the Vermilion campus today. Until the 1960s, most vegetables for the dormitory cafeteria were grown on

campus, and the college gardens also supplied students and alumni with shrubbery cuttings, seed potatoes, grass and vegetable seeds, and flower bulbs, even through the Great Depression.

“Growth and change are an essential part of Lakeland. Look at how we have grown from our beginnings in 1913.”

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart PRESIDENT AND CEO, LAKELAND COLLEGE

The arboretum as it stands now did not exist, however, until 1963, and since then, it has been a study in evolution. It began as a gift from the Class of 1963, consisting of a fishpond and rock work to mark the college’s 50th anniversary. A stylized maple leaf Canadian Centennial emblem was added, courtesy of

the Class of 1967. From there, it continued to grow, leading to a greenhouse being constructed on campus in 1969 to supply bedding plants.

It’s evolved with the passing years. In 1985, it was officially named the WJ Elliott Arboretum in honour of the man who first dedicated his time to landscaping the Vermilion campus grounds.

The arboretum received a facelift in 2013 in honour of the college’s centennial. An updated new design officially opened in July 2019, which included new plants, trees and shrubs, as well as a fruit orchard.

“As construction work begins on the Bentley Building, the building’s

WJ Elliott

expansion does mean that the arboretum will be impacted,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “But growth and change are an essential part of Lakeland. Look at how we have grown from our beginnings in 1913 − and the arboretum has grown right alongside us. Each new tree planted, and new memory made becomes part of the legacy of the arboretum, and these changes are just the next part of its story. It’s a good time to look back on the past of the arboretum, but also a chance to look to the future.”

Upon the completion of the Bentley Building modernization, signage will be installed in the WJ Elliott Arboretum to celebrate its rich history and ongoing evolution.

ASHLEY WATT:

RODEO STAR and RUSTLERS COACH

Rodeo star and current Rustlers rodeo coach Ashley Watt came to Lakeland College for the rodeo team, and that’s what keeps bringing her back.

The Class of 2011 alumna from Coronach, Sask., came to Lakeland on a rodeo scholarship, following in the footsteps of two uncles who rodeoed for the Rustlers in the 90s. She spent four years competing for the Rustlers – meeting some of her best friends and her husband along the way – and graduated with her bachelor of applied science: environmental management degree.

“Rodeo was the reason I came,” Watt explains. She competed mostly in roping events. “I rodeoed for all four years at Lakeland and I didn’t know what else I wanted to do. I just wanted to rodeo.”

She chose to study environmental sciences because of the high-paying employment opportunities after graduation.

“I wouldn’t change anything that I experienced at Lakeland,” Watt says. “When I first came to the college, I came with my best friend and each day, our circle just grew bigger and bigger. I met some of my very best friends who I’m still very close to now. It’s like a big family.”

That circle included Keifer Watt, an electrician apprentice at the time and fellow member of the rodeo team, who she went on to marry. His family is from the Irma area, and together, they bought a home just south of Vermilion. For a few years, Watt worked in reclamation in the area, before she was called in to help with the rodeo team practices at Lakeland in the fall of 2019. When the coaching job became available, it was an easy choice to take it.

FINDING a bALANCE

Watt relies on her own experience as a student-athlete to guide her coaching, because she knows how difficult it can be to balance the demands of rodeo and keeping horses on campus while staying on top of her studies.

“It makes it easier,” she says. “I know what they’re going through. I know how to juggle exams and projects with having horses on campus. I had three horses here with me as a student. You need to take care of them, to ride them all the time, to practice with them. So I can understand when students get stressed trying to figure it out, balancing practice and work and horses. But I also know it’s doable and I know where I can push them a bit more. You can still get good grades, have a social life, and be competitive.”

Those lessons in balance have continued to impact her own life as well. This fall, she struggled with sending the Rustlers team

We’re working on keeping the team dynamic right, keeping the team involved, building our community involvement. It’s only going to grow bigger and better.”

RODEOING for the RUSTLERS

Rustlers have been rodeoing for Lakeland for more than 40 years. They compete in the Canadian College Rodeo Association, attending competitions throughout the year. Two of those events are hosted at Lakeland – the Fall Classic and the Little Royal Rodeo.

off to compete in the rodeo at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology while competing herself at the Canadian Cowboys Association finals.

“I was so torn,” Watt says. “It was only their third rodeo of the year. My phone did not stop ringing and I still wanted to help them.”

Assistant coach Baylee Graham was with the team, and Watt was able to focus on her own competition - coming away a champion. She placed first in breakaway roping. Meanwhile, her team overall had a great weekend in Olds.

This year’s rodeo team is the largest one Watt has coached since she began her coaching career, with 63 members of the rodeo team and 72 in the rodeo club. About 95 per cent of the team members are female.

“It’s by far the largest team we’ve had since I’ve been here, and the most competitive,” Watt explains. “They’ve been in the top five at each rodeo they’ve competed in so far, which is pretty exciting.”

Though coming out on top is certainly a large part of the thrill of rodeo, Watt says that there are more lessons to be learned in the rodeo arena.

“Coming right out of high school, rodeo is about developing yourself into your own person,” she says.

“You don’t have mom and dad there

hauling you around, looking after the horses, paying your entry fees. You’re learning that next step here before going onto amateur rodeos, etc., the Lakeland team fills the gap before jumping right into the next step. It gives you a bit of extra time to help you grow and compete at a more competitive level while getting a great education.”

Watt says rodeo is a growing sport on the collegiate level, gaining popularity as other post-secondaries grow their teams.

Lakeland’s team is a longstanding part of the Rustlers legacy, with advantages that set it apart.

“Having our own facility built right on campus is huge,” Watt explains. “That’s the biggest draw. Students are able to board their horses right on campus. They’re able to practice right near their horses. We are able to practice inside four nights a week, and in the outdoor arena when it’s nice out.”

The facilities, she says, combined with the coaching (she hopes) and the academic programs offered at Lakeland are what keep students coming.

The growth of collegiate rodeo is an opportunity to expand the team, which Watt is always keen on doing.

“We’re always looking to bring in competitive members to join the team. We want to keep the top competitive men and women up here instead of having them go south to rodeo,” she says. “We’re working on keeping the team dynamic right, keeping the team involved, building our community involvement. It’s only going to grow bigger and better.”

I’m happy that I didn’t let my fears scare me away from a job that brings me so much joy and fills my creative cup both in an artistic and technical way.”

Sydney Melnyk

Sydney Melnyk

INTERIOR DESIGN

Brittany McQueen

INTERIOR DESIGN

CLASS OF 2016

Technically Artistic: Two Lakeland alumni named to NKBA’S 2024 Top 30 Under 30

together in Saskatoon, where they still live and are in contact with each other every day.

Interior design technologists confidently navigate the delicate balance of expressing their creative ingenuity, maintaining meticulous attention to detail, and embracing the process. For Sydney Melnyk and Brittany McQueen, placing trust in the design process proved to be transformative.

Both Melnyk and McQueen harbored a childhood fascination with interior design. Despite this passion, they initially dismissed the idea of pursuing it as a viable career. Initially accepted into business school, Melynk made a last-minute decision to enrol in Lakeland's interior design program, setting a fortuitous chain of events into motion.

McQueen's journey mirrored Melnyk's. Although she explored design during high school, she initially opted for a different career path, driven by concerns about leaving her hometown in Saskatoon. Her first year at the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on arts and sciences, left her yearning for a change. Encounters with a Lakeland program graduate during high school inspired McQueen to redirect her career. She applied to Lakeland's interior design program, where her passion for the field flourished. Not only did they meet in the program and become fast friends, they also won first and second place in the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)’s 2015-16 student design competition and travelled to Orlando together to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). They graduated together as members of Lakeland’s interior design technology Class of 2016. They began their design careers

And just recently, they both shared the honour of being named to the NKBA 2024 Top 30 Under 30, again invited to travel together to KBIS to collect their award. Accepting this award at KBIS is going to be an entirely new experience, McQueen says. When she travelled to accept the student design award, she was working as a receptionist for a design firm, fresh out of college. Now, she has eight years of experience in the industry.

“Before, I was just starting out in my career and now I’m in the design world,” says McQueen. “I’m really excited to meet all these people again so I can work with the suppliers and dealers and incorporate their products into my future design.”

Melnyk, from Wadena, Sask., agrees. “I’m so happy with my decision to make a career out of interior design. I grew up in a small town where typically the people I looked up to worked in either healthcare or education."

Melnyk credits Lakeland’s affiliation with the NKBA and hands-on learning model with helping her advance in her career, and shares her successes with others back home who may be considering a future in interior design as well.

“I’m happy that I didn’t let my fears scare me away from a job that brings me so much joy and fills my creative cup both in an artistic and technical way.”

PROVIDING ENERGY FOR GENERATIONS

Emma March was born into the life of a power engineer. Literally.

Emma will complete her program in May and when she does, she hopes to start building her career in the industry wherever she is able to find new opportunities and feel satisfied knowing that, as a power engineer, she is part of Canada’s dynamic and leading energy sector.

“That would be the ultimate dream,” says Emma. “If I can have a job where I can contribute to providing people with energy options, and to be able to balance home life and work life, that would be great, even with the 3 a.m. wake up times.”

n a snowy October morning in 2004, as Emma’s mom Ruthy settled in to write the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) exam, she went into labour. Soon after, daughter Emma was born prematurely by six weeks.

Ruthy laughs at the memory.

“Back then, you had to take your course, then work for six months for your steam time before you could write your ABSA Part B exam,” says Ruthy. “In February 2004, I found a placement with BP Canada in Fort Saskatchewan, and then registered to write my 4B exam the following October. As I sat in the examination room, I was so uncomfortable that I was in actual pain. I thought it was the chairs! I soon came to find out that I was in full blown labour.”

Fast forward 19 years and the mom and daughter duo are now both actively involved in the industry. Ruthy, a Lakeland alumna, works as operations lead with Wolf Carbon Solutions, and Emma, a second-year Lakeland student, is enrolled in process and power engineering, a two-year diploma program finishing with a 3rd class ticket at the Lloydminster campus.

Both women say they are pleased to be in a career where they can earn a comfortable salary and break some traditional gender barriers.

“Women have been outnumbered in this industry, for sure, but I have yet to encounter a situation where my male colleagues thought I wasn’t capable,” says Emma. “It is important to remember that the job is not based on physical strength. It calls for brain power and thinking skills; to problem solve daily because everyday is different.”

Women have been outnumbered in this industry, for sure, but I have yet to encounter a situation where my male colleagues thought I wasn’t capable.”

Photo: Ruthy and Emma March in the Cenovus Power Engineering lab at the Lloydminster campus.

through

COMMUNITY and culture

Tinisha Young has been in business since high school, and an advocate for the importance of Indigenous mentorship even longer.

Today, Young holds many titles. She is status through Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Treaty 5, Man., and an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. She is a member of Lakeland College’s Class of 2018 in business administration and a current student at the University of Athabasca. She has been married for three years and is mother to an eight-yearold daughter and a four-year-old son. She is also Lakeland’s newest Indigenous Support Services manager – and she was instrumental in first creating the position, while still a student at Lakeland.

An entrepreneurial spirit

It was her love of business that first brought Young to Lakeland.

“The business program spoke to me because I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Young explains. “In my free time, I will literally think of different business ideas and make business plans for fun. When I was little, I would draw pictures of businesses and write down the things I would sell.

I’ve always had that entrepreneurial spirit.”

Young, who has lived in Lloydminster most of her life, got involved in an entrepreneur program at Holy Rosary High School. Students worked together to develop a business and run it, complete with a cityadministered business license and business bank account. Their project ended up winning a Junior Achievement award and Young was officially bitten by the business bug.

“It was the first time I thought, ‘oh my goodness, this is what I need,’” she says. “And I knew if I took the business program at Lakeland, I would have the tools I need in my toolbox to actually be an entrepreneur.”

It was the first time I thought, ‘oh my goodness, this is what I need,’ and I knew if I took the business program at Lakeland, I would have the tools I need in my toolbox to actually be an entrepreneur.”

for

CATALYST CHANGE

Young found the experience of moving from high school to post-secondary jarring, however. She had grown up involved in various Indigenous clubs, implemented by her mother, the Aboriginal Program Coordinator for the Lloydminster Catholic School Division. In Cree Club, students from Grades 3 to 7 gathered to learn Cree. The club also brought in speakers and mentors to teach the children about hygiene, makeup, cooking and other life skills. In high school, Young was involved in the Dreamcatcher Mentorship group.

“It wasn’t just about learning about the culture. It was about creating those lasting friendships,” Young says. “We were able to encourage each other. The older ones mentored the little ones. When I came to Lakeland College, I was used to that, but there was nothing like it here. I kept to myself and didn’t talk to anybody. I missed being able to rely on others and have others rely on me.”

The catalyst for change came in a business class, where Young teamed up with two fellow Indigenous learners on a public relations (PR) project. They were tasked with developing a report with PR suggestions for an existing organization. They chose Lakeland and decided to focus on things the college could do to help Indigenous learners feel more at home and supported.

Their three suggestions included designating a specific space on campus for Indigenous learners, appointing a mentor to guide Indigenous learners through the different resources available to them, and incorporating more Indigenous culture into campus life.

Their project was shared with Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College, who invited them to implement their ideas.

Young and her classmates gathered 75 Indigenous learners in a room on the Lloydminster campus to brainstorm ideas of what changes people wanted to see.

Giving students goals to work towards gives them something fulfilling as well. When they say they want a ribbon skirt workshop and then that workshop comes to fruition, it gives them a voice and lets them know that we’re actually listening.”

“And so came the Indigenous Student Council,” Young says. “It was really starting to take off and be something. It was phenomenal to be a part of it.”

It snowballed from there – with the creation of the Indigenous Student Lounge on the Lloydminster campus, the hiring of an Indigenous Support Services manager (a position which Young now holds), and the integration of many Indigenous cultural practices into Lakeland campus life, including teepee raisings, Powwows, Blanket exercises, medicine walks and more. Plans are underway to construct an Indigenous Student Lounge on the Vermilion campus as well.

A shift in culture

The creation of the Indigenous Student Council has caused a culture shift for Indigenous learners at Lakeland. In addition to that sense of camaraderie and mentorship, the council builds accountability too, as students lean on each other, study together, and keep each other on track.

“Giving students goals to work towards gives them something fulfilling as well,” Young says. “When they say they want a ribbon skirt workshop and then that workshop comes to fruition, it gives them a voice and lets them know that we’re actually listening. I was a student who didn’t think my PR project was going to matter. But Lakeland listens to its students.”

Now that she is the Indigenous Support Services manager, Young is in an even stronger position to support Indigenous learners at Lakeland. Her role involves providing comprehensive support to Indigenous students through cultural, wellness, academic, and financial avenues. This includes facilitating cultural reclamation, of fering academic resources, fostering connections with Indigenous communities, and promoting overall wellness within the college.

“As a student, I wanted to leave something for future students. I want to give them the chance for mentorship and to create friendships and to step outside their comfort zones and maybe learn something they didn’t know before. I feel like I’m driving the bus now where I used to sit in the back. I can help others now. I’ve come full circle. It’s just fulfilling.”

SPARKING an interest in emergency services

Young’s business endeavours have also been impacted by her mission to increase Indigenous learner success in post-secondary – particularly when it comes to firefighting and emergency services.

When she learned that only two per cent of firefighters in Canada are Indigenous, she was inspired to start Iskotêw Training, which became an official business in 2022. Through it, Young runs a series of emergency training exposure camps designed to encourage Indigenous people to take part in the emergency services industry. The camps operate both on Lakeland’s campus at the Emergency Training Centre (ETC) and remotely in various Indigenous communities.

“We thought, how fun would it be to have Indigenous youth from different First Nations come out, put on the bunker gear, play with the hoses, and experience what firefighter training is really like,” she says. “That’s why we built this business. And Lakeland’s ETC was kind enough to let us use their facilities and equipment for

The camps incorporate Indigenous cultural elements as well, including starting with a Smudge ceremony. Young also ensures students are well fed at the camps, ordering more food than needed so those who need it can take leftovers home. They’ve gathered a supply of things like toothpaste, laundry detergent and other necessities that have been donated, so if there is a particular student in need, they can give them a

So far, 70 students have participated in the camps, and four have gone on to enrol in the program. Young says many more students are on the path towards getting the requirements they need to enrol, including academics, drivers’ licences and a

“These can be barriers that can stop so many from applying,” Young says. “But we help students get on the pathway towards it. They’ve decided this is something they want to pursue and we give them the goals they need to

Rewarding careers in PROPERTY VALUATION ASSESSMENT

Lakeland College's real estate appraisal and assessment (REAA) major within the business administration diploma program has been capturing the attention of individuals like Troy Birtles for years. Birtles first encountered the REAA program while attending Lakeland on an agriculture scholarship in 199192, and it immediately sparked his interest.

Birtles recalls how graduates of the appraisal and assessment program were readily offered employment. Despite his initial unfamiliarity with the industry, he decided to extend his time at Lakeland to pursue a business administration diploma with a major in REAA, a decision that has shaped his career ever since.

Today, as an alumnus of the Class of 1993, Birtles maintains both professional and personal ties to Lakeland, while most recently witnessing his son following in his footsteps by enrolling in the same program.

Professionals in the appraisal and assessment industry play a crucial role in determining property values for various purposes, including market valuation, financing and municipal taxation. With ample opportunities for growth, Birtles expresses no regrets about his career choice, highlighting the diversity of tasks and settings that the profession offers.

Birtles currently serves as the assessment

manager at Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. (AAG), a company based in Sherwood Park with regional offices in Warburg and Whitecourt, Alta. He emphasizes the ongoing relationship that AAG’s staff maintains with Lakeland's REAA program including assessment specialist Ray Fortin.

“The college does a really good job preparing students for careers in property assessment and emphasizes our long-standing relationship with Lakeland.”

Troy Birtles CLASS OF 1993

Fortin's journey into the field similarly began with Lakeland's REAA program, where he gained foundational knowledge that he continues to build upon through mentorship and practical experience. Both Fortin and Birtles exemplify the value of handson learning and professional development within the industry.

While Birtles focuses on residential and non-residential properties, Fortin specializes in industrial properties that contain machinery and equipment, including designated industrial properties. They each find fulfillment and opportunity for growth within their respective roles at AAG.

Fortin underscores the satisfaction and rewards of a career in property assessment, citing the diverse opportunities for specialization and the employee-owned structure of AAG as contributing factors to their team's longevity and success.

It’s a good career and a good lifestyle, and basically recession-proof. I’m getting to experience the industry and see what I can look

He acknowledges Lakeland's role in supplying skilled graduates to the industry, recognizing the college as a primary resource for developing talent. Fortin also emphasizes that there are more employment opportunities throughout Canada than can be filled with current enrolment levels.

“Much of the ownership group all graduated from Lakeland College,” he says. “The founder of Accurate Assessment Group Greg Berger is a Lakeland graduate as well. The college does a really good job preparing students for careers in property assessment and emphasizes our longstanding relationship with Lakeland."

In 2023, Accurate welcomed two recent graduates from the REAA program. “We are pleased with the impressive work of these new junior assessors and they have exceeded expectations in their roles. This suggests that the graduates from the REAA program are well-prepared for the demands of the assessment field,” says Fortin.

In the 2023-24 academic year, Birtles’ relationship with Lakeland became personal again. “Over time, I joked with all my kids about becoming assessors. I never really thought any of them would take it seriously. Then one day, my son Tyler just came to me and said, ‘You know what? I think I’m going to do it.’”

Tyler has now enrolled in the business program, majoring in real estate appraisal and assessment.

Birtles is proud of Tyler’s choice, recognizing the potential for a fulfilling career in property valuation and assessment, and the opportunity to carry on a legacy within the industry.

“It was surprising and encouraging,” says Birtles. “I was very happy to hear that, knowing what the industry can provide and that he recognizes how he was brought up and wants to be able to do the same for his future family. It’s pretty nice.”

Troy Birtles

REAA PROGRAM

CLASS OF 1993

Tyler Birtles

REAA PROGRAM

CLASS OF 2025

Tyler is nearing the end of his first year and is enjoying the program.

“My dad has a lot of positive things to say about a career in this industry,” he says. “It’s a good career and a good lifestyle, and basically recession-proof. I’m getting to experience the industry and see what I can look forward to later on.”

Birtles and Fortin’s experiences exemplify the rewarding careers available in property valuation and assessment, particularly through Lakeland College's esteemed REAA program. From their initial encounters with the program to their current roles at Accurate Assessment Group Ltd., both Birtles and Fortin highlight the value of hands-on learning, continuous professional development, and the diverse opportunities within the industry.

With Birtles' son, Tyler, now following in his father's footsteps, the legacy continues, underscoring the industry's potential for fulfilling careers and the enduring impact of programs like Lakeland's REAA.

Lleyton Bates’ goal is to complete his entire bachelor of education (BEd) without straying too far from his home in Vermilion. Soon he’ll have accomplished it – other than a few weeks spent on campus at the University of Calgary (UCalgary) and a memorable two months on practicum in Australia.

Bates is one of the first students to take advantage of a community-based transfer agreement between Lakeland College and UCalgary’s Werklund School of Education. The agreement gives university transfer (UT) students the opportunity to complete their BEd in a blended format which is mostly done online. Students spend two weeks each summer on campus.

“I was one of the first Lakeland (students) to try the transfer program with the University of Calgary,”

Bates says. “I wanted to get my BEd no matter what, but this allowed me to stay in the community while also making connections with other students around Alberta and B.C. I was able to stay local and do my practicums locally as well, which is a huge asset. It helps students form professional relationships with the schools in the areas they want to work.”

Though Bates started off pretty firm in his goal to complete his education close to home, a particular program offered through UCalgary caught his attention. Teaching Across Borders allows students to spend two months

on practicum across the globe –including Australia.

Bates credits his experiences in Lakeland’s UT program with helping expand his horizons enough to make the idea of traveling halfway around the world for practicum something he was brave enough to do. He went on a teaching trip to Mexico in 2023 with other UT students and recent graduates.

“The experience was incredible. Being able to go to another country and experience their education system is a great opportunity to see how different and similar things could be,” Bates says.

When he saw that Teaching Across Borders had an option to complete a practicum in Australia, he knew he had to do it.

“Starting at Lakeland, being around different people and experiencing people differently definitely broadened my horizons,” he says. “There are different people out there other than the ones here in Vermilion – a whole wide world to explore. I’ve never experienced anything like that, except going on small family trips. It was beneficial to start with university transfer because then I was able to say, “Okay. I did this. What else can I do?” Lakeland was that first step.

“Australia was always one of the countries on my wish list where I wanted to go and it was the perfect opportunity,” he adds. “It’s cliché to say, but the experience in Australia was a once in a lifetime one. I got to go over there and experience everything Australia has to offer in the perfect amount of time. I got to experience so much but it also leaves me wanting to go back and experience even more.”

While he was in Australia, Bates spent time in classrooms learning about different teaching styles and cultures. He learned about Indigenous culture in Australia and different classroom management techniques.

He also spent time snorkeling in shipwrecks, skydiving on the Sunshine Coast and visiting as many animal sanctuaries as he could – including the Steve Irwin Zoo. He flew across the country to Melbourne to watch the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings in the first two National Hockey League games ever played in Australia.

“I tried to make the most of it because you never know if you’ll ever be back,” he says.

Bates will graduate with his degree this spring and intends to teach in the region afterwards.

“I highly recommend the university transfer program and then finishing your education degree through University of Calgary,” he says. “With local practicums, it’s made for students in rural places.”

I highly recommend the university transfer program and then finishing your education degree through University of Calgary. With local practicums, it’s made for students in rural places.” CURRUMBIN

Catch Jordyn Pollard live at Feast on the Farm on Aug. 15. See lakelandcollege.ca/feast for more info.

Jordyn Pollard’s first experience singing to a live audience may have been to a herd of curious cattle or on a field, but for this farm girl from Hillmond, Sask., her career as an up-and-coming recording musician seems to be on the right track.

Pollard is an alumna from Lakeland College’s university transfer program. While focusing on her studies in psychology, she could also be found writing and pitching songs that she hopes will advance her music career as a singer/songwriter.

Pollard has been writing and performing since the young age of 11. Now at 22, she has opened for popular Canadian musicians including Brett Kissel, Corb Lund, Jojo Mason

and Gord Bamford. She’s also played at country music festivals such as Big Valley Jamboree and Country Thunder at Craven.

“My parents have always been right behind me and have never discouraged me. They would always encourage all of us kids to just go for it, whatever we wanted to do. I am so lucky that way.”

As for musical and personal inspiration, for Pollard, much of that comes from artists including Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Dolly Parton, Tenille Townes, and most notably, Taylor Swift.

“I have so much respect for these artists, Taylor Swift especially,” says Pollard. “Not only is she an excellent songwriter and performer, she is a good person. There is a quote from her where she says, ‘No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.’ I try to follow

Adopting this philosophy may also lead Pollard to eventually pursue another passion within the music industry –providing mental health support for artists.

The need for mental health supports took centre stage during the pandemic, explains Pollard, who experienced feelings of loss and isolation when she was no longer able to

“It was quite an awful, lonely feeling,” explains Pollard. “As musicians, we thrive on the energy and the appreciation of the crowd when we perform, and when we were not able to do that, or collaborate and work with other performers, it was really hard.”

Armed with her own experience and with a genuine interest to help others, Pollard’s long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, and become a practicing psychologist, specializing to support clients in the

“It’s such a specific industry and performers’ needs are unique,” says Pollard. “It is difficult for someone to understand the challenges and feelings that musicians have unless you’ve been there. That’s where I feel I have something to offer and be helpful.”

KRUPA SHAH carries LAKELAND WITH HER

It’s been four years since Krupa Shah graduated from Lakeland and in those years, a lot has changed.

She has left Alberta for Ontario, began working towards a bachelor of commerce degree at Ontario Tech University, and became a permanent resident of Canada. One thing remains the same, however – she still considers herself part of the Lakeland College family, and she’s happy to tell anyone who wants to listen about her experiences at the college.

Shah came to Canada from India as an international student, graduating from the business administration program in 2019 with a major in accounting. While studying, she also worked as a client advisor at RBC and is still with the bank, now as an operations enablement officer.

“My experience at Lakeland was amazing,” she says. “I was away from home for the first time at a very young age and Lakeland embraced me. I felt right at home, had amazing experiences volunteering and being a peer tutor. I took part in basically everything Lakeland had to offer and it was a fantastic experience.”

In 2019, Lakeland launched the President’s Circle, a group with an exclusive membership made up of new members of the alumni family

I’m so grateful to Lakeland because even after I graduated, I felt comfortable reaching out for advice when I needed it. I was feeling so lost but Lakeland still had my back.”

empowered to act as ambassadors for the college. Shah was part of the inaugural class of inductees.

After leaving Lakeland, Shah moved to Ontario, where she received her permanent residency. She wasn’t sure what to do next but thought continuing her education would be a good next step. She called Lakeland and spoke to the academic advisor for the School of Business.

“I’m so grateful to Lakeland because even after I graduated, I felt comfortable reaching out for advice when I needed it,” Shah says. “I was feeling so lost but Lakeland still had my back.”

The advisor was an alumna of Ontario Tech and recommended it to Shah, claiming it had a similar culture to Lakeland.

“She said I’d feel right at home, just like I did at Lakeland,” Shah explains. “I’ve always been technologically inclined and Ontario Tech had a program that was a perfect blend of commerce and tech so it all worked out perfectly.”

Some of the credits she earned at Lakeland transferred to her degree and Lakeland helped her navigate that as well.

Though it has been four years since she was last at Lakeland, Shah still carries her experience with her.

“I like to talk about Lakeland a lot,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of new students coming to Canada from India reach out to me on the internet and I’m able to share my experiences at Lakeland with them. It’s definitely been a very important experience in my life.”

methods of applying products to reduce smoke and effective ways of extinguishing the fire. Drago-Isi proposed the use of its "fire cannon" as an application method, which uses 70 per cent less water and 50 per cent less agent than industry-standard fire appliances. The spraying of thousands of water droplets in suspension over great distances makes it much easier to capture toxic smoke.

“With a major catastrophic fire, whether it’s rail, car, truck and trailer or a big tanker, we need to know how to suppress all the smoke,” says Wayne Rose, section chief at Lakeland College. “We know smoke is combustible and it’s not great for the environment. We’re coming up with ways to combat that smoke so it’s a cleaner burn.”

One goal of the research, according to Mitchell, is to make cleaning up oil spills more efficient and effective. He explains there are three accepted ways to clean up an oil spill in a waterway – skimming, dispersing or burning. Skimming – or attempting to scoop the oil out of the water – is about 10 per cent effective, he says. And dispersing can take years to remove all the oil from the water.

“They use dispersants, which are basically like dishwashing liquid. They break the oil up into little droplets for bacteria to eat but it’s very slow,” he explains. “Or you can burn it and get rid of the oil really quickly.”

The problem is the smoke, which can be toxic as well as harmful for the environment.

“If we can mitigate the toxins in the smoke, imagine what we could do,” he says.

Mitchell and Florescu-Mitchell came to Lakeland from France to expand the scale of their tests. In France, they were only able to burn on a smaller scale, and indoors. Open burning is prohibited there.

“The lab facilities have been wonderful at Lakeland,” Mitchell says. “The staff is so helpful. It’s dangerous when you’re doing fires like these, but they can get close to the fire safely with their equipment. They know what they’re doing. We can do all sorts of different fire scenarios here. It’s really so helpful.”

“The research has been going well,” says Rose. “We’re only a few months in but so far, we’re getting some really good results. We’re looking for new firefighting tactics and strategies to help responders and the environment going forward. It’s an exciting point for us.”

A white paper is being developed by Mitchell in preparation of presenting preliminary findings at the International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) in New Orleans in May. The project timeline is scheduled for four years which includes product testing, data analysis, delivery methods and application techniques.

CONGRATS to our RUSTLERS!

The 2023-24 athletic season was one for the history books.

CONGRATS TO:

Women’s volleyball team for ACAC and CCAA gold

Women’s basketball for ACAC and CCAA gold

Mixed curling for ACAC gold

Women’s hockey for ACAC silver

Men’s basketball for ACAC bronze

And all of our student-athletes!

NEW TRANSFER AGREEMENTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES GRADUATES

Two new transfer credit agreements are making it easier for Lakeland College human services graduates to earn their full Bachelor of Education degree in elementary teacher education through the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education.

Lakeland graduates who have earned their early childhood education certificate or diploma, as well as those who earned their educational assistant certificate, are now eligible for block transfers to the University of Regina’s Bachelor of Education program. Students with a certificate will receive 15 credit hours towards their degree at the university, while those with a diploma will receive 30 credit hours.

Graduates who have completed Lakeland’s programs on or after April 30, 2023, are eligible for the block transfer.

USASK DELIVERs NURSING PROGRAM at

Lloydminster’s Lakeland College

he University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing is now offering its bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program in Lloydminster in partnership with Lakeland

Prior to the partnership, students located in the Lloydminsterarea relocated to a USask campus after completing their first pre-professional year in the university transfer program at Lakeland. Now, following their first year of university transfer at Lakeland, students can complete the remaining three years of the nursing program through USask while staying in Lloydminster.

Photo (L to R): Tina Shaw, Colleen Young (MLA, Lloydminster), Maddex Neufeld, Jackie Bender (Lakeland College, Dean of University Transfer and Foundational Learning), Mark Tomtene, Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart (Lakeland College, President and CEO), Dr. Solina Richter (USask Dean of College of Nursing), Louisa Burry, Dr. Lynn Jansen, and Dr. Mary Ellen Labrecque.

“We are excited to enter this partnership with Lakeland College, as it enables us to deliver high quality nursing education in another community,” says USask College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur, RN). “Students in Lloydminster who may not have considered nursing education in the past will now have access to learn where they live, as a result of this collaboration.”

Students working towards their BSN degree in Lloydminster will participate in classroom learning at Lakeland College, while connected virtually with nursing professors and other USask nursing students across Saskatchewan. Local nurse educators from Lloydminster and the surrounding area will teach in-person labs in the modern Musgrave Agencies Nursing Labs at the Lloydminster campus. The majority of clinical placements will occur at a variety of local agencies.

GRANT FUNDING EXPANDS LAKELAND’S RESEARCH CAPACITY

Lakeland College’s applied research department is the recipient of a five year, $2,250,000 Mobilize grant from the tri-agency College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.

“This funding will allow us to expand our research capacity to continue to advance productivity, efficiency and sustainability in key crop and livestock species in the province,” says Dr. Todd Sumner, vice president of academic and research at Lakeland College. “We will be able to increase the talent, innovative facilities and expertise our research team needs to continue to lead projects of all sizes. It will also encourage more long-range planning for student engagement in applied research at Lakeland, and longerterm collaborations.”

Made up of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the CCI is dedicated to strengthening the connection between Canadian colleges and other organizations whose research goals centre around creating economic, social, health and environmental benefits for Canada.

“With this increased ability to act on emerging opportunities, Lakeland will be better positioned to address the challenge of balancing the needs of increasing crop and livestock productivity and quality to feed an ever growing world’s population while responsibly managing its impact on our environment,” says Sumner.

HARVEST

REAPING THE BENEFITS OF THE STUDENT-MANAGED FARM

The Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) is about more than the crops that are grown, the fields that are tilled, and revenue generated from its harvest. It’s about the lessons learned along the way.

For crop SMF Assistant General Manager Emily Creusot the opportunity to leave her family farm and get some handson experience was what drew her to Lakeland and the crop technology program.

“I came to Lakeland because of the SMF,” Creusot, from Oxbow, Sask., explains. “I wanted that hands-on learning, to build my confidence. In SMF, you grow that confidence because you’re not just reading from a textbook. You actually get to go out and apply what you’re learning. You’re making connections.”

Together, the crop SMF navigated a few hurdles, like dealing with crop that had been damaged by hail. They debated the merits of straight cutting vs. swathing, what to spray on it when some of the crop was green material, some was ready for harvest, and other parts were flowering.

At the end of the day, they harvested corn, barley, wheat, peas, canola and hemp.

“I’ve gained a lot more from SMF than I was expecting coming into it,” Creusot says. “Coming here puts you a step ahead of everyone else, especially for your future career.

A lot of employers I’ve talked to, they say ‘oh, you went to Lakeland. That’s awesome, we would really like to have you.’

It’s pretty awesome to be involved in an industry that cares so much. It all goes back to farmers feeding the world.”

AG TECH GOES INTERNATIONAL

Students in Lakeland College’s crop technology, agribusiness and bachelor of agricultural technology programs spent a week in Germany this past November, part of which included a visit to Agritechnica, the world’s leading ag tech trade fair. They spent two days at the event, learning about the latest agricultural technologies and innovations.

While learning more about agriculture around the world, the students also connected with some familiar faces, including Scott Webb (pictured centre) of Webb’s Machinery, and New Holland Agriculture staff.

Lakeland thanks New Holland Agriculture for its ongoing support.

FOUND FAMILY: TEAMWORK AND CAMARADERIE IN FIREFIGHTING

Anyone trapped in a burning building would want Larisa Staub to be one of the firefighters on the call.

Maybe it comes from her experience of being part of high-performing sports teams, or it could be her ability to focus on the task at hand in high-stress situations, but it’s her determination to work hard and help others that has enabled this Lakeland grad to achieve some pretty remarkable goals.

Staub completed the firefighter training program at the Vermilion campus. Prior to embarking on her career as a firefighter, Staub played soccer professionally, both nationally and internationally.

“I learned so much from my soccer experience,” says Staub. “Travelling all over the world, you become really close with all your teammates. You have to look after one

Being a part of this program has helped me fulfill the need to be part of a team, which is something I was craving after leaving professional sports.”

another. That correlates with firefighting, as well. A big part of it is camaraderie.”

That’s what drew Staub to firefighting –the closeknit, team atmosphere aspect of it, which she found at Lakeland in her five-person unit, Alpha company. Each class is a Battalion made up of a number of companies and Brayden DeBruyn, Zaric Tourangeau, Wyatt Baldwin and Scott Freeman were part of Staub’s. They spent 12 weeks together at the Emergency Training Centre.

“We definitely have gotten really close and learned all about each other,” Staub says. “We’ve learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, learned what we can and cannot do, and it makes such a great atmosphere. When you’re in a burning tower and it’s dark, and you have 80 lbs of equipment on, and you’re trying to pull out a victim, you have to be able to rely on your teammates.”

Staub’s hopes for Lakeland’s firefighting program were definitely met.

“Being a part of this program helped me fulfill the need to be part of a team, which is something I was craving after leaving professional sports,” she explains. “I'm so excited that I've had the opportunity to be part of such a special class.”

Top row: Brayden DeBruyn; Bottom row, left to right: Zaric Tourangeau, Wyatt Baldwin, Scott Freeman and Larisa Staub, members of Alpha Company.

Class Notes

Catch up with your fellow Lakeland College alumni! Want to be included in our Class Notes? Submit your memories, celebrations and achievements to Kayleigh at kayleigh.schmid@lakelandcollege.ca

Scott Guenthner, Class of 2011, and wife Becky welcomed Tyce Guenthner on January 25, 2024. They are pictured with brothers Quade (4) and Ridge (2). Congratulations!

Raisa Vallis (née Rybinski – Class of 2011), Brittany Budd (née Partington – Class of 2009), Julie Nerdahl (née Ragush – Class of 2007) and Megan Slifka (née Ragush – Class of 2005) discussed their experiences as Rustlers at the university transfer alumni social in a panel moderated by Jackie Bender (far left), dean of university transfer and foundational learning.

Quinn Hlus, Class of 2020, successfully defended her thesis on her journey towards earning her master's degree in soil sciences through the University of Saskatchewan.

Raisa Tabusalla, Class of 2023, was awarded the President’s Medal at convocation and her former high school, PAREF Woodrose School in Philippines, honoured her accomplishment with a plaque.

Kolby Wanchuk, Class of 2017 and Karlie Jackson, Class of 2019, married in October 2023. They currently live in Nanton, Alta., where Karlie runs her business the Parlour Esthetics and Kolby continues his successful rodeo career.

Rae Sigurdson, Class of 2019, is heading to the hall of fame! The women's volleyball standout will be inducted this spring into the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. She is the second Rustler to earn the honour. Michelle Genereaux, a member of the women's volleyball team from 1985-87, was inducted in 2014. The official induction will take place May 10.

Danielle Schneider, Class of 2010, moved into a new role as finance administrator at the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.

Jose Arellano, Class of 2019, started flight training in 2019 at the Lloydminster Airport, while playing for the Rustlers volleyball team and being enrolled in Lakeland's real estate appraisal and assessment major. He is now a First Officer on the Boeing 737 at WestJet Airlines.

IN MEMORIAM

CHURCH, LORRAINE

Class of 1949

Home Economics

ELLIOTT, AUDREY Class of 1959 Home Economics

FLATH, RANDY Class of 1974 General Renewable Resources

GALOWAY, ELWOOD Class of 1949 Agriculture 2 in 1

GRAHAM, JAMES Class of 1962 Agriculture 2 in 1

HALWA, EDWIN Class of 1949 Agriculture

LEFEBVRE, COLETTE Staff

Spouse of Marcel Lefebvre

MACCALLUM, STERLING Staff

MILLER, DWIGHT Board of Governors 2001-2007

MORRIS, RON Class of 1951 Agriculture 2 in 1

OHLMANN, RONDA R. Class of 1997 Animal Health Technology

ROSTAING, EDDIE Class of 1949 Agriculture

SCHAFFTER, WILLIAM Class of 1997 Agriculture

WALDORF, CAROL Class of 1956 Home Economics

WALKER, DANIEL Class of 2019 Steamfitter/pipefitter Second Year

WENNEKAMP, CHRISTINE

Spouse of Werner Wennekamp

REMEMBER WHEN...

Remember way back in 2003-05 when Chris King hit the courts as a player?

Now, he’s the head coach of the women’s basketball team and has been for more than 15 years. In 2022 and 2024, he was named ACAC Coach of the Year and CCAA Coach of the Year as well as the recipient of the ACAC Coaching Excellence award. In addition to recent honours, he was also named ACAC Coach of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020.