Horizons August 2011

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Focus on the Faculty, what’s happening in the academic schools

18 22 2011 Grad ceremonies a success

Young Alumni, doing great things

Serving our community of students, alumni & friends

Calling all alumni, friends, partners and family of alumni. We are looking to YOU to tell us about Olds College over the last 98 years. Our Centennial is happening in 2013!

Send us your stories and photos, we want to hear about the life of our college.

Centennial update pg. 8

WELCOME! Highly accomplished Vice President, Academic and Research, Dr. Jason Dewling joins Olds College.

See pg. 3 for the story.

Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Olds College 4500 - 50th Street Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010029

Aug 2011

School

UPDATES

School of Business Chair; Morgan Ross, MBA, M.A. (Ed), Bachelor of Commerce

School of Environment Chair; Doug Peters, M.Sc., B.Sc., Jnm. Land. Cert.

School of Trades and Career Studies Chair; Dan Daley, HET Jnm. Ag Mech. Cert.

School of Innovation (OCSI) Chair; Dr. Abimbola Abiola, M.Sc., B.Sc., Ph.D.

Past Chair: School of Agriculture Chair; Dalin Bullock, M.Sc., B.Sc.

Olds College is a busy place indeed, with new academic research and projects created to enhance the opportunities of learners beginning almost daily. Here is just a brief glimpse of the work happening at Olds College.

School of Business

School of Environment

• Following a visit from the Accreditation Committee from the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians (CACPT), based out of Hamilton, Ontario, the College’s new Rural Land-Use Planning Program has officially received accreditation. Olds College will be one of only two colleges in Western Canada to have this designation and the only institution in Canada, with a rural focus, to have the accreditation. This will allow Olds College graduates to use the title “Certified Planning Technician” and add the abbreviation “CPT” behind their name.

• Two of Olds College’s Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship students walked away with Gold medals from the prestigious Skills Canada competition in Quebec City in early June, less than a month after also claiming Gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton. (See story on pg. 20)

• Instructor Robert Laflamme is now Coordinator for the Apparel Technology Program in the School of Business.

This summer LaFlamme was off campus, lending his skills to the Royal Winnipeg ballet.

(See faculty profile on pg. 4)

• Peter Johnston-Berresford, the School of Environment’s Greenhouse Manager and Co-ordinator of Production Horticulture Programs spoke at Ermineskin Cree First Nation Elementary School in April. He was joined by two Olds College students.

Also in April, JohnstonBerresford gave a seminar entitled Building a Backyard Greenhouse to approximately 50 avid gardeners at the Red Deer & District Garden Club.

School of Trades and Career Studies • The School of Trades and Career studies will begin offering a Motorcycle Mechanic Pre Employment course in the winter of 2012.

Exact dates are yet to be determined. It will be a twelve week program covering first year Apprenticeship curriculum and participants will be eligible to write their first year Apprenticeship exam and enter the trade with that completed.

• Keith Smyth was named the new Coordinator/Instructor for the School of Trades and Career Studies’ Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Certificate and Diploma programs. (See faculty profile on pg. 5)

School of Innovation

School of Agriculture

• In June, the Olds College School of Innovation received the third of three Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grants to support research and development with industry clients new to Olds College. Proposals were approved for Growth and Optimization of Autotrophic to Heterotrophic Microalgae for Lipid Production using Low Cost Carbon Sources and Evaluation of Manure Treatment System for Livestock Operations, both of which began in May. A third project, Assessment of Compost Tea Potential to Enhance Growth of Cucumber, began in June. All are 6 month projects.

• All students in the College’s Coaching Major have received Equine Canada Certification as “Instructor of Beginners” (IOB). Olds College has four certified IOBs in the English riding discipline, three certified IOBs in the Western discipline, and one IOB certified in both English and Western.

Continuing Education • Olds College’s annual Fibre Week 2011 wrapped up after eight days on July 1, leaving over 200 tired, but satisfied participants returning home to 11 US states and five provinces. 25 instructors and a large volunteer contingent contributed to the success of this year’s events. (Left) Master spinner students in action at the 2011 Fibre Week. The Master Spinner program is a six-year, college certificate credit program.

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• Olds College Hort Week 2011 was a success with over 400 registrations and participants from as far away as the Yukon and BC. (See story on pg. 14)

Dr. Jason Dewling, Vice President, Academic and Research joins Olds College.

After an extensive North America-wide executive search process, accomplished academic and administrator Dr. Jason Dewling has been named to the position of Vice President, Academic and Research at Olds College.

Dewling has a Ph. D. in Education from the University of Alberta, a Masters degree from Acadia University in Nova Scotia and a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in Ontario.

“Dr. Jason Dewling is a highly regarded educator, but moreover, a highly energetic and visionary leader of people”, said Dr. Tom Thompson, Olds College President. “Dr. Dewling has a very entrepreneurial and creative approach that will continue to enhance Olds

College’s agile approach in this regard.”

In an interview with the Olds Albertan, Dewling said he was eager to join the college, which he said is recognized as a leader both provincially and nationally in research.

“We’re looking forward to building on that reputation and really separating us from the pack. It’s (got) highly creative and innovative people with a can-do attitude and so it was very attractive for people and I think that’s why they had such a rigorous competition for this position,” he said.

Dewling also told the local newspaper that several factors played into his decision to apply for the position. The number one consideration was institutional

reputation, followed by the solid group on the Board of Governors and the leadership team. Dewling said he also checked out the community and found that it suited him and his family well.

“Our family came and spent two or three days in the community before I even went to my first interview and … the community had so many of the things that we would want in a community when it came to small-town safety, community atmosphere and lots of activity for kids,” he said. “The location of the community was like a homerun for us.”

Prior to joining Olds College, Dewling’s most recent position was as Associate Dean of Arts, Science, Business and Academic Services – reporting to the Vice President, Academic,

Innovation and Research at Lakeland College. In that role, he honed a consultative and supportive style of building relationships with both students and faculty. His responsibilities also included faculty negotiation, community outreach, Alberta Rural Development Network and Lakeland’s Academic Technology Committee. Most recently, he was invited to join the International Advisory Board for “The Chair Academy” based in Mesa, Arizona.

Dewling will replace Dr. Robert Wilson who retired in June after a distinguished 14 year career at Olds College.

Photo & cover image by Noel West.

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Focus on

Think, Learn and Know

Each edition of Horizons will introduce you to some of Olds College’s many talented faculty working to make Olds College a great place to learn. This issue features Robert Laflamme, Keith Smyth and Olds College Board of Governors member Gloria Beck.

Faculty

Apparel Technology Program Coordinator Robert Laflamme In the two years since he joined Olds College, Apparel Technology Program Coordinator Robert Laflamme has been very busy. This summer heated up more than usual, with Laflamme spending most of his brief vacation time onsite in Manitoba at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, following the RWB’s personal request for his costume cutting skills.

Laflamme will be concentrating on 11 specific men’s’ costumes for the lead dancers in Svengali, which premieres in October.

Designed by Paul Daigle and based on fashions from the 1920s and 30s, the work calls Laflamme’s full range of skills into play. “You can’t buy patterns from that period, so it definitely requires some skill and the background work

of an excellent designer,” he says.

Born and raised in Montreal, Laflamme’s impressive 25year history includes work for the famed Stratford Festival, Alberta Theatre Projects, Theatre Calgary, and his own shop in Montreal. His visit to Winnipeg marks a return to the RWB where he worked on past ballets such as Dracula and Moulin Rouge.

Today, the vast majority of his time is spent focusing on the program he teaches.

But he always tries to seize opportunities like the one presented by the RWB as it brings direct benefits to his students.

“I keep doing these whenever I can to keep my relationships up with the industry,” says Laflamme. Besides

maintaining contact with many of the companies that ultimately hire apparel technology graduates, it also keeps Laflamme’s own skills sharp and puts him top-ofmind with industry employers.

for his trade, much of his curriculum is based on his personal experience and outside work is vital for him to maintain the up-to-date, reallife hands-on education, Olds College is known for.

It’s all about what is best for his students. “There have been a number of occasions where I’ve gotten a call asking if I could do some work for a particular company, says Laflamme.

“I’ve said ‘I’m busy but I have a student who graduated last year who would be perfect’ – and I’ve helped a few students land jobs that way. If I could place every one of my students, I would.”

“I will never quit working for industry,” he says. “I need to stay on top of what’s happening out there and this is a great way for me to do it.”

Laflamme adds that, on top of that, with few reference texts available

Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) Vanessa Lawson & Tristan Dobrow ney in Svengali Photo: David Cooper

Keith Smyth, Ag Equip Jnm, Heavy Equip Jnm

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Focus on Faculty Think, Learn and Know

Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Coordinator/Instructor Keith Smyth Bringing over two decades of industry experience and a genuine desire to deliver quality instruction, Keith Smyth has taken on the position of Coordinator/ Instructor for the School of Trades and Career Studies’ Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Certificate and Diploma programs.

Already long-involved in instructing full time, apprenticeship, continuing education and industry students at the College, Smyth hopes to continue a long tradition of quality learning and help bring new innovations to the college as well. He says much of his work will take place amidst ongoing technological changes, within an industry

that has constantly evolving needs.

“Today’s employers in the agricultural and heavy equipment industry want students who communicate better, as well as students who are more accountable and credible and Olds College is positioned perfectly to deliver,” says Smyth. “One of my goals is to instill our day-to-day programming with that. Content is one thing, accountability is another.”

A former shop foreman for Brandt Tractor, Smyth has been with Olds College for five years now. He is especially pleased his new position will see him playing a mixed role of organization, supervision and customer

service provision. “I’ll be doing all the things I love to do in an environment I love to do it in,” he says. “I love being a lot of different guys all at once.”

Smyth adds that one of his other long term goals is to promote greater collaboration and an enhance synergy between the coordinators of all programs at Olds College.

Focus on Board of Governors Think, Learn and Know

Member – Gloria Beck A Women of Excellence (WE) award from the Red Deer & District Community Foundation was bestowed upon Olds College Board member Gloria Beck in June. The award, handed out to winners in 10 different categories, was created by the foundation as a celebration

of innovation, leadership, achievement and talent as demonstrated by women throughout Central Alberta.

Beck was the winner in the entrepreneurship category.

“Basically, it caught me off guard. I was honored and humbled.” says Beck. When

she accepted the award, Beck cited her father and Henry Heuver, a major Olds College supporter and instrumental figure in the College’s current wetlands and botanic gardens project, as two major influences.

“Henry always pushed me to stretch my abilities, as did my father,” says Beck.

Being involved in numerous initiatives is just a regular aspect of Beck’s life. Besides sitting on the College’s Board of Governors, she is the owner and operator of Parkland Garden Centre, a full-scale garden centre with more than 80 staff during peak season. She has also served as the president for the International Garden Centre Association and has been a member of Rotary Club, Project Keep Straight, and the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce – to name just a few of her accomplishments.

The nomination for the award was put forward by Shelly

Ralston, a former “Women of Excellence Recipient” and a fellow Rotarian of the Red Deer Rotary Club. In her nomination, Ralston wrote “Gloria’s name is at the top of any list when needing to get something done, or requiring a thoughtful and actionable outcome. She always gives her time, her treasure, and her talents.”

Beck feels that her deep respect for Olds College, dating back several years to when she first used to offer input on its horticultural programs, is a major element in her winning the WE award and why she is delighted to serve on the Board of Governors today.

“I’ve always hired a lot of Olds College alumni,” she says.

“I bring my passion for my industry with me and I feel Olds College has been a key part of why I received this award.

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Water for the future Olds College’s Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands address water access and sustainable development issues have found easy to get behind.

“The number of potential benefits, not to mention the wide range of people and communities that will see a positive impact, is almost staggering,” he says.

The impetus behind this research stems largely from the provincial government’s Water for Life strategy which sets forth the goal of ensuring that Alberta maintains “safe, secure drinking water, healthy aquatic Just about everyone he speaks ecosystems and reliable, quality to, Risi adds, has their own “Aha” water supplies for a sustainable or “I didn’t know that’” moment. economy.” Within that framework “For example, a lot of people is the Wetlands Policy which know there is a requirement outlines a number of strategic to replace any rural wetlands directions with outcomes ranging that are removed when a new from an increase in voluntary subdivision is built at the edge of stewardship to the creation of a city. What they don’t know is specific information, tools, and that the retention ponds that are programs for effective protection, often put in their place, despite conservation and restoration. having plenty of greenery and wildlife around them, have no The restoration aspect of that ecological benefit as functioning policy is one of many concerns wetlands.” that will be addressed through research within the Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Easily visible from Highway 27 Water for Life Wetlands. “We have a dozen as visitors enter the town of clearly-documented goals that Olds from the east, the project That’s an important distinction range from providing a living includes naturalized landscapes, to make. Wetlands are a key specialty gardens, walking component of the environment’s laboratory for our environmental, agriculture and horticulture trails, demonstration plots, an ability to store and purify water students to drought-proofing our arboretum and 20 constructed and 70 per cent of Alberta’s own campus,” says Risi. “Many treatment wetlands and display historic wetlands are already of them focus on public and ponds. A public gazebo, lost due to agricultural, oil and industry education. Others are a amphitheatre, interpretive centre gas, industrial and residential and specialty event areas development. One of the myriad lot more tangible and hands-on.” will help broaden the area’s outcomes to be determined In an increasingly green-minded wide spectrum of uses for the through research with the society, it’s those practical community. college’s wetlands and botanic applications Risi alludes to which gardens project is how to best will likely draw public interest.

Ken Risi, Olds College’s mitigate that loss and how to Director of Development, has a accurately recreate the wetlands’ Not only will the wetlands and display ponds store water and considerable amount of sweat traditional functionality with a allow for uses such as irrigation, invested in the background of man-made replacement. When they will also remove sediment, the project, now six years in the the research is complete, urban contaminants and undesirable planning. So far, he says, it’s and rural developers alike will something investors, the public have a ready-made blueprint for nutrients. A prime example is the treatment of high-saline waste and government stakeholders environmental restoration.

During the past summer, a casual glance over the northern fence of Olds College’s campus would have revealed what appeared to be a vast BMX or mountain bike terrain park. But, while there is no doubt that the carefully constructed berms and 20 ideally-shaped basins would make for an extreme cyclist’s paradise, bigger things are afoot. When construction of the 21 acre project is completed in December 2011, it will officially be known as the Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands, a $6.8 Million worldclass research and education complex offering numerous benefits to students, the community and the Canadian watershed as a whole.

water from swimming pools and coal bed methane facilities.

After the waste water, often too high in saline content for human consumption or introduction back into the environment, moves from a holding tank through a desalination unit, it enters the series of treatment wetlands.

Once the particulates within the water have settled out within the initial wetlands, it continues moving through the series where there are aquatic plants selected for their ability to remove nutrients such as nitrates, phosphorous and other contaminants. The “polished” water can now be stored in a final holding wetland, where it can be used for irrigation.

These methods also promise plenty of future solutions for oil and gas industry waste, agricultural industry runoff and storm water management. Within the processes, there will be more research to optimize results. Extra hydrogen produced from the desalination system, for example, will be evaluated as alternative fuel. According to Dr. Abimbola Abiola, Chair of the Olds College School of Innovation (OCSI), that’s just one of the many aspects of wetlands usage being looked into.

“We know for a fact there are plants that will remove components such as nutrients from waste water,” says Abiola.

“But we are still determining exactly which plants are best for certain applications. As well, while there is some existing research into this field, there is very little that is specific to the Canadian climate and that is another factor we will be investigating.”

Abiola is considered a scientific leader in environmental microbiology.

Besides acting as chair of the OCSI, Olds College’s stateof-the-art applied research facility, he’s also involved in integrated waste management projects, environment and agriculture in over a half dozen countries including China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and the Dominican Republic. Here in Canada, given the magnitude of the botanic gardens and wetlands project, a complex feat of engineering and water management involving several thousand feet of underground pipe, pumps and more, Abiola is not alone in his efforts.

Collaboration is key Two other key players in the project’s development are Henry Heuver, President of Foothills Landscaping, and Dennis Westhoff, President of Westhoff Engineering. Heuver, was one the first visionaries to help bring the concept of a constructed wetlands into the planning stages, donating countless hours of his time and landscaping expertise as well as significant funding.

Westhoff, a senior water resources engineer, is a leader in storm water management in Alberta and introduced the first storm water management wetland in the City of Calgary.

He has since incorporated eight wetland systems into residential and commercial developments.

“We have indeed been fortunate to have the right combination of expertise.

From microbiology to soil compaction and construction

techniques to water flow engineering and more, a combination of disciplines has been a prerequisite,” says Abiola. “I expect that when the results of our work are replicated elsewhere in the future, people like Henry and Dennis will be very important.”

Behind those three key figures there are numerous other partners in the background, many with large contributions in their own right. Organizations with a vested interest in the project include Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Red Deer Watershed Alliance, the City of Calgary, the Town of Strathmore (where a smaller subsidiary pilot project is underway), the Government of Canada, the provincial government, and more.

Numerous organizations and donors, some anonymous, have stepped behind the gardens and wetlands with funding support.

“I think the number of people so willingly involved in something this large really speaks to its importance and the many, many benefits it will present for the environment and society,” says Risi. Just as important, he feels, is that ultimately the Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands will be right within a populated centre and serve as an attraction and gathering area.

“It’s important the people see this as not only vital to our survival and wellbeing, but that it can be incorporated into our world and actually enhance our day-to-day lifestyles.”

For more information about the plans for this project or sponsorship/donation opportunities, please contact Ken Risi at 403-556-4641 or by email at krisi@oldscollege.ca

Celebration Hill – Gazebo and Perennial Display Gardens

The Meadows Amplitheatre – Outdoor Performance Space

Heritage Barn – Interpretive Centre for Horticulture

Current construction of the 20 acre Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands at Olds College scheduled for completition in December 2011.

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Centennial Update On June 30, PennWest Exploration announced that it would be a President Level Sponsor for the 100th Anniversary of Olds College in 2013.

“PennWest believes that people are empowered through education and we provide funding to educational programs that enhance communities within PennWest’s area of operations. Olds College has developed educational programming that provides a positive environment for learning and industry partnership and PennWest is really thrilled to support educational institutions that do provide programming to our areas,” said Jason Fleury, Senior Manager of Investor Relations for PennWest.

Fleury said the land management program at Olds College is one area in particular where the company’s and the college’s interests dovetail well. PennWest has supported many different endeavors at the college in the past, including supporting employees furthering their education or sponsoring various scholarships.

On July 19, Bayer CropScience Canada was announced as the newest Centennial Sponsor at the Dean’s Level.

“Bayer CropScience and Olds College both share the same passion for agriculture and the people who practice it,” said Paul Thiel, Vice President of Innovation and Public Affairs for Bayer CropScience Canada. “Supporting this great institution, who has been such a vital part of our industry for a century now, makes perfect sense. We are proud to be part of Olds College’s Centennial celebrations and look forward to being part of their next 100 years.”

For more information about centennial sponsorship opportunities or the plans for the 100th Anniversary of Olds College, please contact Kerry Moynihan at 403-556-4762 or by email at kmoynihan@oldscollege.ca

100th Anniversary Celebration Book

Researcher and Author Barry Potyondi from the firm CONTEXT continues his research, photo selection and writing on our 100th Anniversary Book.

Potyondi has completed Chapter One. “Foundations” deals with the period from 1911 to 1913. He has also completed Chapter Two, “A Practical Education,” covering the time period 1913-1930. In addition to his research, he has conducted almost 20 personal interviews with past students, staff, and faculty as well as present staff and donors.

60th World Plowing Championship

Work progresses on the 2013 World Plowing Championship. The actual dates of the Competition are July 19 and 20, 2013.

A major planning session was held at Chairman Mark Kaun’s farm on June 29, 2011. The bulk of the day was spent discussing key milestone events and planning activities between now and July 2013. Mark and Dianne Kaun hosted at BBQ dinner for the Organizing Committee and Centennial Governance Team following the planning session.

Feeding Canada & The World

The dates have been set for the International 4-H Conference called “Feeding Canada & The World” to be held at the soon to be built Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship, located on Olds College campus. The Conference will be organized by Olds College, the Canadian 4-H Council and Alberta 4-H and held November 4-10, 2013.

Centennial Homecoming

Olds College alumnus Leona Dargis from St. Vincent, Alberta has been named Chair of the Centennial Homecoming Event planned for October 2013.

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Leona Dargis accepting one of her many accolades in 2010

The Story of Olds College, 1913 – 2013 Chapter One: Foundations Breaking Ground Standing ankle-deep in a field of golden stubble, Christena Marshall placed her elegantly gloved hands firmly upon the rough wooden handles of the breaking plough and turned her face to the camera. It was nine o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 21st day of September, 1912. The day was clear and slowly warming — it would reach 60° F by early afternoon — and Christena had chosen to wear a light coat as she attended to her important duties in the crisp autumn air. Her head was crowned by an enormous haystack of a hat set off by a single stylish feather. The few other women in attendance were equally well turned out.

They also believed that knowledge of the best farming practices would provide settlers with a better living and an effective way of keeping their children on the farm. Those exemplary practices came to be referred to under the catch-all phrase, “scientific agriculture,” or what is now called agronomy. Many things fell under this umbrella, but at the turn of the last century it usually meant a deep knowledge of soils, moisture, animal and plant breeding, and appropriate cultivation techniques. Those present at the sod breaking were zealous converts to the gospel of scientific agriculture.

In their view the Olds School of Agriculture and Home Economics, as the college would be known when it opened late in 1913, would be responsible for teaching their sons and daughters how to draw lives of comfort, dignity and purpose from the soil by understanding and heeding the tenets of scientific agriculture.

The Olds Demonstration Farm Christena’s husband, Duncan McLean Marshall, was largely responsible for establishing agricultural schools in Alberta.

He was also a key influence in the decision to erect one of the schools immediately east of the Town of Olds.

The men presented a more motley appearance. The politicians, including Christena’s husband Duncan, wore their customary stiff-collared shirts, sack cloth suits and narrow, four-in-hand ties. These clothes could not have been more different from the cotton bib overalls of the farmhands who attended to the draught horses. One of the hands, the one entrusted with the reins of Mrs. Marshall’s team, had had the presence of mind to add a tie to his usual work clothes. The Marshall son in attendance — Christena and Duncan had three children, all boys — stood stiffly in short pants by his mother’s side, looking for all the world that he would rather be off playing than trying to keep still while the photographer went about his business.

The photographer took his time, for this was not just any photograph. Rather it captured, as the reporter for The Olds Gazette was pleased to note, the momentous first step in the construction of what he called the Government Agricultural College. The College was to be erected on the Demonstration Farm near the foot of Second Street — today’s 49 Street.

The rich black loam that Christena Marshall’s ploughshare turned over on that lovely September morning was nothing like the sandy red soil she had grown up with on Prince Edward Island. This topsoil was, in fact, some of the finest arable land in the Province of Alberta, perhaps in all of western Canada. To those who attended the sod turning, that dark, sweetly rotting earth was a powerful symbol of economic prosperity and a glorious future in which the farmer’s way of life would receive the attention it deserved.

These were people who believed firmly in the rural way of life. They saw it as a source of economic strength, political liberty, moral rectitude and healthy living, in contrast to the despised dissipation of urban life. As immigrants came to Canada in record numbers and settled in thin ribbons along the railway lines that had begun to cross the vast western prairies, it seemed to agricultural promoters that the day of the farmer was finally upon them. Greater numbers gave them courage and a sense of political solidarity and strength.

Born into a farming family in Elderslie Township, Bruce County, Ontario in 1872, Marshall seemed destined for a life in politics and a career as a passionate advocate of farm life. His parents, like many in Bruce County, supported the Patrons of Industry, a radical farm organization that cooperated with the urban labour movement against what they saw as the growing power of big business.

When still in his teens, Marshall became a County organizer for the Patrons. On one occasion this gave him the chance to debate a well-known Liberal politician about the issues of the day. Marshall proved so articulate and charismatic that everyone in the audience was convinced he would make his mark in politics. As a reporter later said of the debate, “a head-on collision with Mr. Marshall invariably results in wreckage, and in this particular instance the astonished intruder went back to Ottawa and never showed his face in Bruce County again.”

After teaching school briefly in Gillies Hill and then editing small town newspapers across Ontario, Marshall headed west in 1905 to become editor of the Edmonton Bulletin. The Bulletin was owned by Frank Oliver, Alberta’s first Member of Parliament and the powerful Minister of the Interior in Wilfrid Laurier’s 1896 cabinet.

Ambition, ability and personal connections served Marshall well. He contested the provincial election of 1909, winning the new Olds electoral district for Alexander Cameron Rutherford’s Liberal Party over Conservative candidate George McDonald. His bid for local office coincided with his purchase of a farm northeast of town, which he called Elderslie in honour of his Ontario birthplace. At about the same time, he acquired The Olds Gazette, which was a relief to some residents who thought the weekly paper had acquired a socialist tone under former owner Tom Buckton.

Premier Rutherford was so impressed by the newly elected 37-year old Marshall that he appointed him Minister of Agriculture in the Cabinet.

...exerpt from the first chapter of the 100th Anniversary Celebration Book by Barry Potyondi from CONTEXT

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Almost Sold Out! Register Now 19th Annual Olds College Fall Golf Classic Olds Central Highlands Golf Course September 14th, 2011 Registration available through mail, email, or online at www.oldscollege.ca/golf

The 2011 Olds College

Proud to support the operations of the Olds College Bronco’s Athletics

Fall

Tournament Participation The Olds College Fall Golf Classic is open to just 144 golfers. Register early as the tournament sells out quickly. For $250 per player or $1,000 per foursome, each participant will receive: • Green fees and covered power cart • Golfer’s Gift package

“The Fall Golf Classic is a great way to support the students and faculty of Olds College. Your contribution will benefit students, helping them to pursue their career and life goals.”

• Complimentary driving range • Complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner • Opportunity to win team/contest prizes • Silent Auction shopping opportunities • Interactive Swing Analysis • Opportunity for great networking with golfers, sponsors, volunteers and colleagues

Schedule of Events Olds Central Highlands Golf Course 9:00 – 10:00 am 9:00 – 10:00 am 10:15 am 10:30 am 3:30 pm

Breakfast Golfer Registration Foursomes head out to their starting Tee Box Shotgun Start Tournament Play wraps up

Olds College Student Alumni Centre 3:45 pm 4:30 pm 5:15 pm 5:30 pm 5:45 pm 6:00 pm

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Cocktails & Silent Auction Dinner Sponsor Recognition Award Presentations Silent Auction Closes Closing Remarks

Silent Auction Donation

The silent auction is a key component of our post tournament program and offers golfers an extraordinary shopping opportunity.

All silent auction donors will be recognized in our silent auction program. Available at our reception and dinner event at the Olds College Student Alumni Centre.

Don’t Delay!

To register for golf, sponsorship or to make a silent auction donation, please complete the enclosed registration form and mail it in or fax to (403) 556-4754.

For more information

Doreen Thibeault, Database Coordinator Advancement 4500 – 50th Street Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6 Tel: 403-556-8232 Fax: 403-556-4704 The Olds College Fall Golf Classic sells out quickly – Don’t be disappointed call today to reserve your spot(s).

Olds College Heritage Wine For every bottle sold, a portion goes to the Olds College Opportunities Fund, a flexible fund for response to new and sometimes unexpected opportunities for students and faculty, awards and research, and campus enhancement.

Olds College Heritage Wines are available at the following locations in Olds: • • • •

Olds Liquor Mart Bob’s Cold Beer and Spirits Olds Liquor and Beer The Olds Liquor Store

Or, they may be ordered from your local merchant using the following numbers: • Olds Heritage Merlot – 743454 • Olds Heritage Pinot Blanc – 743453 Heritage is bottled and distributed by Bounty Cellars of Kelowna BC. Interested merchants can contact Matt Reid, Bounty Cellars Winery, at (403)-667-0406 or email to matt@thebountygroup.com

ited v tion a n i m r o f e n I r y t You a or CIRE Communi See pg. 12

f

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Community Information

Why is the CIRE important to Olds College & Alberta?

Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship

New Learning Opportunities in Rural Alberta

Think, Learn and Know

Future site of the Pomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College What is the Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship (CIRE)?

Olds College is developing new curriculum in “Country Side Management”: local food production, alternative land-use management, rural hospitality management, farmfresh food sales, and tourism. The new hotel and conference centre facilities being built on campus will enable some of this new training.

CIRE Training will embody new curricula and programming, in addition to permeating many existing programs within our Academic Schools. A considerable amount of CIRE training will complement existing Olds College programs, and will focus on rural entrepreneurship and specialized training needs.

The CIRE will augment a strong foundation between Olds High School and Chinook’s Edge School Division within the Community Learning Campus (CLC) framework.

The Career and Technology Studies Program in the high school curriculum has course strands in both Food and Tourism studies and such activity capitalizes on the CLC’s commitment to providing learner pathways into excellent careers.

The CIRE is aligned with the Government of Alberta’s Regional Stewardship objectives and will position Olds College globally by enhancing rural entrepreneurship and rural development.

Is Olds College getting into the hotel business?

No. The Pomeroy Group will be managing 100% of the construction, as well as the operation of the hotel and convention centre once complete.

Card Lock Gas Station

Olds College is a minority investor in a Limited Partnership. The Pomeroy Group will pay Olds College an annual lease payment (revenue generation for the College) and, most importantly, will allow access to students on a mutually prescribed schedule. The business will be called “Pomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College.”

The 12–14 million dollar facility will include a four star hotel, restaurant and convention centre with a commercial kitchen suitable for student training. It will be built in close proximity to existing College research and production facilities.

Where will the hotel be located?

The hotel and conference centre will be constructed on five acres of land, north of Olds College’s Land Sciences Building, and south of Highway 27 and across from the Best Western and Town of Olds administration offices.

When will construction begin on this project?

Construction of the new hotel will commence in August 2011, with an official ceremony to mark the event and provide further information to the community in early September 2011.

Facilities are expected to be open and functional in Fall 2012.

What about the orchard located on the College property?

A plan has been developed to address the orchards located on the college property. The college has set aside funds to facilitate the relocation of all healthy and specialty trees to the plot areas to the east of the adjacent tree line in a way that integrates them with the Botanic Garden III and Treatment Wetlands.

Our own experts at Olds College have assessed the health of the orchard and determined which trees will be moved and which ones will be grafted into new trees. Of the 40 trees impacted, it is anticipated that 26 will be moved in November 2011 (highest likelihood of success).

Priority for the move was given to the unique trees (not duplicated on campus), as well as, the health of the trees (greatest likelihood of transplant success).

The new location has many benefits.

It is located between the highway and the new 7 million dollar wetlands project. This location will increase the profile and visibility of the orchard.

This new location also has more land which will provide the College the opportunity to expand the orchard in the future if necessary. In our efforts towards sustainability and environmental consciousness, we are also able to use water from the wetlands to satiate the trees.

The plan also includes the provision to make sure the College has the appropriate management capabilities for the trees, once they have been moved to help ensure successful re-establishment. The College will also be taking cuttings to ensure that there will be scion wood for future production.

What about other college components that might be displaced by this project, like the turf plots?

The turf plots also will be located next to Highway 27, south of the new orchard site. The new orchard location and the wetlands will certainly increase visibility, profile of this part of the campus.

Highway 2A - 50th Street

Highway 27

Olds College has clearly demonstrated its commitment to rural economic development by the partnerships with: • Regional stakeholders in the Community Learning Campus; • Its principal membership in the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development; • Regional Stewardship in education and training via Campus Alberta Central; and, • Alberta Rural Development Network.

Financial Creativity and Sustainability In an era of diminishing public funding, the investment returns and lease payments generated by the development will provide a strong alternative revenue stream to College operations for many years to come. The provincial government funds less than 60% of Olds College’s operations. Proceeds from this project will directly supplement the College’s budget.

Aligned with our Strategic Ends The development of CIRE is strongly aligned with our Board and Ministry approved 2011-2014 Comprehensive Institutional Plan which has the following six outcomes:

5 Acres

Row of Trees

Olds College Ring Road

Who do I contact for further information or questions?

Parking Lot I Parking Lot A

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Rural Economic Development

• Accessibility • Centre of Specialization • Responsiveness • Affordability • Accountability • Sustainability

Town of Olds Office

Boston Pizza

CIRE will provide significant training options for rural entrepreneurs, small and medium sized enterprises and learners interested in rural development. The new hotel and conference facilities will provide a unique platform for CIRE programming. In addition, this approach has global implications and Olds College is already getting inquiries regarding this project and its innovative “entrepreneurial first approach.”

Land Science Centre

Bank of Montreal Landscape Construction Pavillion *Rendering not to scale

Dr. Jason Dewling Vice President Academic and Research Direct: (403) 556-8337 Email: jdewling@oldscollege.ca

Global education leaders on campus for PIN Conference World renowned Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand received a standing ovation after his performance at the PIN Conference in June 2011

Over 40 college presidents, senior administrators and accompanying guests from around the world were on Olds College campus in June as part of the Postsecondary International Network (PIN) Conference.

The entire 2011 conference spanned five days and was hosted by NAIT, Olds College and SAIT. Olds College President, Dr. Tom Thompson, is the current PIN Executive Committee President.

“We were extremely pleased to have the opportunity to not only showcase the real life, hands-on learning that a rural post-secondary institution in Canada is capable of, but to contribute the insights, best practices and innovation we have nurtured to the global learning process as well,” said Thompson. “At the same time, being able to share the expertise developed by our partners from the Middle East to Australia and beyond was something we will undoubtedly benefit from in the future.”

PIN is dedicated to improving and expanding the means by which technical/community and further-education colleges serve their own communities, and to recognizing the community’s place in an international setting. The many goals of PIN include providing an international forum for studying critical issues that affect postsecondary education, improving curricula to prepare students to live in a global society, working in partnership with other PIN members in the delivery of programs and involving the private sector.

The theme of PIN 2011 was “Innovative Ways to Enhance the Student Experience.” Delegates discussed ways of contributing to the future citizens of the world, investigated the responsibilities of educators, and ways to prepare students for a world that will be vastly different from today. Kay Giles, Chief Executive of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (New Zealand) delivered the keynote address “Improving the Student Experience at CPIT – The Maori Exemplar Tool.”

First stop for the delegates arriving in Olds was the TransCanada Theatre in the Community Learning Campus on Olds College Campus. Prior to Giles’ keynote address, the audience was “wowed” by the performance of the Alexander (Kipohtakaw) Cree Nation’s famed Hoop Dancer, Dallas Arcand. A 2006 and 2007 World Champion, Arcand has a history of dazzling spectators at events such as the 2008 Junos in Calgary and the 2009 Olympic Torch lighting on Parliament Hill.

PIN delegates were given the royal treatment as the 2011 Calgary Stampede Royalty made an appearance to give a proper ‘western’ welcome

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47th annual Hort Week a success With over 400 registrations, Olds College’s 47th annual Hort Week in July was a tremendous success Participants from as far away as the Yukon and Northern BC were on the college’s campus, taking part in over 30 courses and workshops. Some courses, such as Encaustic Beeswax Painting and Residential Landscape Design Studio, filled so quickly that second intakes were created to answer the demand.

Among the highlights was a special Japanese-themed evening event. Complete with a photo presentation on Japanese garden and Ikebana floral design, a sushi rolling and assembly demonstration, green tea and a fresh sushi dinner, it raised over $200 from a silent auction of donated plant and floral arrangements. Auction proceeds went to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief fund.

Hort Week originally began as a gathering for Horticulture and Floristry industry professionals to brush up on training and hone their skills, and has grown over the years to include numerous short courses for homeowners and gardening enthusiasts as well.

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(Top) Instructor Annelise Dooleage during a half-day workshop in the Header House with class participants (Bottom) Full-day Garden Sculptures – Birds workshop creators and their creations in the natural LSC Atrium habitat

Olds College Opportunities Fund

oldscollege.ca/campusnews

What you need to know!

Launching September 2011

The Olds College Opportunities Fund is supported by the generosity of donors who make it possible for Olds College to have the flexibility to respond to new and sometimes unexpected opportunities for students and faculty, awards and research, and campus enhancement.

For information on how you can support the Olds College Opportunities Fund call 403-556-8232.

Needed Items purchased so far: Handtman Sausage stuffer, $61,000– Olds College Meat Processing program 1998 John Deere 4WD 9200, $86,000 – Olds College Farm

Jeans & Jackets 2011

Over 230 alumni, community members and friends of Olds College gathered at the Olds College Alumni Centre in May for the annual Jeans & Jackets gathering. Not only was the event a fun night of dancing with rock and roll and country music by the Al Barrett Band, it was also a highly successful fundraiser benefitting the college’s students.

Attendees participated in raffles and a silent auction, helping the College net $16,000 to be split evenly between the Olds College Opportunities Fund and the Olds College School of Business. Lucky winners walked away with a variety of prizes including a vacation package in Mexico and dinner for eight at the Diamond Buffalo Guest Ranch. At next year’s Jeans & Jackets, 50 per cent of the proceeds will go towards the School of Innovation.

Proud Sponsors

l

ccessfu hl enjoyed the su ing Mayor Judy Da lud inc t, . en 11 ev 20 r e fo Attendees of th hool of Business students of the Sc event benefitting

Mazatlan Wingshooting Club Almita Piling Inc. Canalta Hotels TD Insurance - Meloche Monnex Just Freehold Energy Ltd. Triangle Supply Khof Welding As well as all of our additional silent auction & raffle sponsors.

We thank you for all your contributions.

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News from the The Community Learning Campus (CLC) is a joint, innovative approach to high school, post-secondary, and community education between Olds College and Chinook’s Edge School Division in collaboration with the Town of Olds, Mountain View County, and the University of Alberta. Consisting of five multiuse facilities complete with integrated programming, the CLC addresses specific rural needs by sharing resources.

Community Learning Campus Fitness Centre celebrates first anniversary June 25th marked the first anniversary of the Community Learning Campus’ (CLC) Fitness Centre. Amidst a wide variety of activities, RBC was on hand to award the Community Learning Campus the final $50,000 installment of a $250,000 gift to the CLC’s Health and Wellness initiative.

This generous donation, and the project it funds, benefits the local community through increased access and affordability for specific groups. Programs such as the RBC Foundation’s Toonie days, which includes the Silver Steps Senior Walk, Mom’s & Tots day and more, are now possible through the financial support of RBC.

(l to r): Ken Risi, Olds College Director of Development, Bob Murray, CLC Fitness Centre Supervisor, Stewart MacNabb, Vice President Student and Support Services, Wendy Chapman, RBC Sr. Account Manager, Commercial Financial Services, Curtis Setso Curtis, Branch Manager, Olds RBC and Billy Bronco.

Rural Places – High Tech Spaces!

Discover the Community Learning Campus in Olds Your source for successful meetings

• Venues for meetings, conferences, weddings, tradeshows, banquets and more • Large and small meeting rooms with videoconferencing capabilities and SMARTboards • Computer and multi-media labs, 390 seat auditorium theatre • Overnight accommodation, catering services, licensed venues and recreational facilities

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Call NOW for best availability General Inquiries: Telephone: (403) 556-8330 email: conferenceserv@oldscollege.ca Corporate, Package & Group Sales: Connie Conley Telephone: (403) 556-8359 email: cconley@oldscollege.ca Community Learning Campus Located off Highway 2A at Olds College Campus 4500 - 50th Street, Olds, Alberta, T4H 1R6

www.communitylearningcampus.ca www.oldscollege.ca

UPDATE

Moving to a higher level of competition, increasing coaching staff and gearing up for major high school tournament were just some of the projects Broncos Athletics has been recently focused on.

The Olds College Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams are now part of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and will begin competing in it for the 2012-2013 season. The Broncos Cross Country team, new to Broncos athletics this coming season, will be ACAC members as well. The decision to accept Olds College’s application to join the ACAC, made May 4, comes less than two months after the Broncos’ February showcase game before ACAC officials in the Ralph Klein Centre.

“This is a big step forward in putting Olds College athletics on the map.” said Olds College Health and Wellness Director Greg Lendvay. “As we celebrate the

College’s 2013 Centennial Anniversary, we will now be able to compete toward a national championship. Olds College will also be able to bid to host future national championships. Our athletes are quite excited about that.“ One of the biggest benefits to students will come through the ACAC’s Jimmie Condon Scholarship. Each of the 12 students on the basketball teams and the 14 on the cross country team will receive an $1800 award per year.

Financial aid received by ACAC athletes through the Jimmie Condon Scholarship is administered by the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, with a total potential financial benefit to Olds College students of $68,400.

In time for the ACAC debut, the Broncos basketball program will also benefit from two new hires, Sergey and Alla Shchepotkin.

Sergey has been the Head Coach of Moscow Dynamo, one of the most respected basketball clubs in Europe, since 2009. A former USSR National Team member, he also spent several years playing professionally including time with CSKA (Central Sports Club of the Army) in Moscow, USSR. Alla is an accomplished Coach and professional player as well. Most

recently she coached in Lebanon and prior to that was the Head Coach of the Olympic Youth Basketball School in Volgograd, Russia. As a professional player Alla had two stints with Nadezhda in the Russian Super League and also spent time on the USSR National junior team.

Women’s basketball at Olds College now boasts coaches with experience at the NCAA, NAIA, CIS, CCAA and European 1st Division Professional level. With some of the best facilities in Alberta, the Broncos are quickly establishing themselves in intercollegiate sports. “We used to talk about quietly building a basketball empire that would sneak up on the rest of the ACAC but now I’m not sure we are sneaking up on anyone,” Reg Carrick, Athletics Programmer and Co-Head Coach women’s basketball.

Amidst all of the preparations for the upcoming Broncos season, Broncos staff were also gearing up to host the Olds College Jr. High Volleyball Tournament September 23-24.

“This is the second year that we have run this tournament and it is turning out to be a great event with lots of teams,” says John Riemersma, Athletics/Recreation Programmer. “It’s starting to become one of the biggest tournaments in rural Alberta. Last year we had 56 teams in four divisions.

With the new Ralph Klein Centre gym on Olds College campus, it has given us the ability to host bigger and better tournaments.”

This year the tournament already has 55 teams registered for the event in late September.

“We have tried to offer a tournament where schools can send up to 4 teams to one tournament at a reasonable cost,” says Riemersma. “It just creates an environment where kids want to be involved and will talk about it for years to come. With so many people at one event, it is just fun to be a part of.”

Billy Bronco, the Broncos mascot, made an appearance in front of 29,910 people at McMahon stadium in Calgary during the Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Eskimos on Sunday July 24, 2011. Every year, team mascots join for a halftime soccer game. Here, Billy and Stampeders mascot Ralph the Dog show a little pre-game rivalry.

The Broncos expect that this event will put a spotlight on Olds College as well as Olds High School. With stateof-the-art, large-capacity facilities that are difficult to find elsewhere, this is a great chance for Central Alberta kids to play in a big tournament. It is also a rare opportunity to play against teams they may have not seen before. Teams from as far away as Brooks are expected, as well as teams from Red Deer and Calgary.

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Photos by Noel West

2011 Valedict

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Olds College Al umni Associatio congratulates Br n President Laur ianna Maryon, a inda Parkinson recipient of the Alumni Proficien cy Award

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Outstanding Young Alumni

Cavalia Rider Stephanie Evans Cavalia, an amazing spectacle of horses and riders in a blend of dance, acrobatics, visual effects and live music, dazzled thousands during its month-long string of Calgary performances, generating sheer amazement and plenty of wide smiles in the audience.

The biggest grin, however, could arguably be seen on Olds College alumnus Stephanie Evans, either in the performance area or behind the scenes.

For Evans, freshly graduated from last year’s (Equine Science) English Horsemanship Diploma program, just getting to do her practicum with Cavalia, let alone being hired afterwards as a fulltime groom and rider-in-training, was a dream come true. Then, while in the midst of her duties in Calgary, she learned that she would be riding in the main program itself.

In an interview with the Calgary Herald, Evans explained that she

eventually worked up the nerve to ask to be a rider. From there she was invited to participate in a daily morning lesson with the equestrian director. “I was there pretty much all day,” she told the Herald, “And eventually I got to prove to them how much I wanted this.

I was really dedicated, going in every day.”

Evans arrived at Olds College in 2008, already armed with equine experience and all-consuming passion for horses.

She credits her time in the Equine Science program for truly honing her skills and bringing her knowledge of equine anatomy and horsemanship up to its current level.

“It definitely improved my riding skills and my ability to train horses,” says Evans. “I had a really tough horse my second year and it made me a very solid rider – I feel like I can ride anything now.”

Prior to the beginning of the Calgary stint, Evans got to revisit Olds College

Photo by Lauren Basford

in mid-May while the 51 horses on tour were temporarily housed and cared for in both the original Olds College Riding Arena and the new Shirley McClellan Riding Arena.

Ag Business graduate goes far – close to home Is it possible for an Olds College graduate to go far and not go very far at the same time? It is in the case of Tracy Lundago, who graduated from the College with an Agriculture Business diploma in 2003.

Today, Lundago is the Special Event Coordinator at the Olds Agricultural Society, mere minutes from Olds College Campus. But that’s a fact that belies how much he has seen and done both in her stillyoung career and as a student prior to that. Already showing her potential before earning her high school diploma in 1995, Tracy was a Western Canadian Show Team Judging Champion, a National Young Cattleman of the Year and an Alberta 4-H Premier’s Award Recipient. When it came time

for a postsecondary education, enrolling in Olds College simply made sense to her.

“The Ag Business diploma was probably the best springboard for all the paths I’ve chosen,” she says. “It gave me grassroots knowledge in accounting, marketing and animal health just to name a few things.”

Since completing her time at the college, Lundago has also earned a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge and she also credits Olds College for that aspect of her education as well. “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the College’s partnership with the U of L, making it easy to go right into that program,”

Lundago says. “It probably wouldn’t have happened if that partnership wasn’t there.”

Following her time at U of L, Lundago worked for Cargill Animal Nutrition and then as a Technical Field Specialist for the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.

Lundago and her husband Rob live southwest of Olds and operate Lundago Livestock, specializing in purebred black & red Simmental cattle, not to far from the farm her family has owned for three generations now. Besides carrying out fulltime duties at the Olds Agricultural Society, most recently wrapping up the highly-successful Summer Synergy event, and devoting considerable time to her livestock company at home,

Tracy Lundago (left) and Cayley Peltzer during the 2011 Summer Synergy event

she also shows cattle in Canada and the U.S. Cattle shows, along with photography and travel, often both ag-related, make up Lundago’s primary off-duty passions. Which of course, makes it a little difficult observe her and determine exactly what is work and what is play. “I guess when it’s in your blood, you just live it every day,” she laughs.

Olds College Rodeo Club has strong presence at finals

Olds College once again maintained a strong presence in the college rodeo circuit, with several students taking top spots at the Canadian National College Rodeo Finals in Edmonton on March 1 through April 2. The College’s Reed Sparks came a hair’s breadth from being among the College’s first place champions, only losing the Saddle Bronc event after a ride-off with NAIT’s Clint Cox. Perhaps even more impressive than the high number of first place spots clinched by Olds College students, is that 21 Olds College students competed in the finals. Congratulations to all Olds College rodeo contestants for their 2011 efforts!

Bareback Champion: Ky Marshall (above) Tie-Down Roping Champion: Ky Marshall Steer Wrestling Champion: Matt Richardson Goat Tying Champion: Shanisse Medd (right) Bull Riding Champion: Armando Davilla Rodriguez Photos by Mike Copeman Photography

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Olds College students take Provincial and National Gold at Skills Canada competitions

Two Olds College students walked away with Gold medals from the prestigious Skills Canada competition in Quebec City in early June, less than a month after also claiming Gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Edmonton.

Jack Vanden-Broek and Justin Schipper, both secondyear Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship students, competed alongside approximately 500 young people from all regions of Canada in over 40 trade and technology areas. Skills Canada provides an opportunity for young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation.

Over the course of two days, Vanden-Broek and Schipper were pitted against student teams from other provinces, building and fully landscaping an area to the exact specifications of a plan designed by experts in their field.

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“I was nervous at first but a lot of times I would ask myself ‘What would Dave [Moroz, Landscape Management Instructor] tell me to do?’ and I’d do that,” said Vanden-Broek. “By the end of the second day, people who were watching us were telling us we had a good shot at the Gold or the Silver.”

The Olds College Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship Program (LGAP) offers handson learning in the hard landscape skills of pavers, water gardens, wood construction, irrigation and surveying – along with the soft landscape skills of plant identification, tree planting, soil analysis, plant production and landscape design. LGAP students go through a four-year apprenticeship period.

“It is very difficult to find two students that are both so strong and coachable,” said Moroz. “The boys took every bit of advice and direction we could give and demonstrated it all at the national level of competition.”

The two students were awarded a $500 World Skills Calgary 2009 Legacy Scholarship for winning at the provincial level and an additional $500 for earning gold at the national competition.

From here, Vanden-Broek and Schipper are poised to compete again in Skills Canada 2012 in Edmonton, the qualifying event for the World Skills competition in 2013. The Gold Medal winners at

Nationals will go to World Skills in Leipzig, Germany in 2013.

Schipper is currently employed with Bos Scapes in Coaldale, AB. Vanden-Broek works for Solterra Landscape in the Lethbridge area.

His employer, Gerrit VanGiessen, is himself an Olds College LGAP alumnus and former Silver medalwinning Skills Canada competitor.

Summer Synergy students gather for event Well over 300 participants were on campus on July 14, 2011 for the “Evening of Excellence� portion of Summer Synergy, a joint agricultural youth program between the Calgary Stampede and the Olds Agricultural Society.

The event boasted numerous facets, with participants showing beef, sheep and dairy animals as well as practicing public speaking skills and marketing. Among the many prizes and accolades young contestants walked away with, numerous scholarships were awarded with values ranging from $500 to $2000.

Photos courtesy of Craig Scott

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ALUMNI REVIEW Olds College Alumni Association Board of Directors 2010-2011 President Laurinda Parkinson ‘69 Vice President Jason Finnigan ‘01 Honorary President Edith Edge ‘51 Treasurer Marjorie Brewin’59 Secretary Gerry Coen ‘58 Directors James Burns ‘67 Glen Aldred ‘58 Curtis Miller ‘03 John Perry ‘63 Joan (Sandra) Hanson ‘59 (One Position Vacant) OCSA Rep Brent Gillingwater Faculty Rep Lyle Statham

The Graduation Ceremonies in June, were well attended in the Ralph Klein center again this year and we have welcomed the Class of 2011 into the Alumni Family. The weather was a bit nasty, but it did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance. The recipients of the Alumni Proficiency Graduation Prizes were Mr. Jesse Meyer and Miss Brianna Maryon. The Good Samaritan Award was won by Mr. Brian Kuhn.

Another year has come and gone for the Alumni Association, and we have celebrated with another successful Summer Reunion. Canada Post tried without success to prevent the news about Reunion from reaching our Alumni – but our reputation is widespread.

Attendance was down slightly from past years, but registrations kept trickling in right up to the last day. There were also several drop-ins. Class agents are so important to us when we are trying to contact alumni for various reasons, and we do appreciate the efforts of those Class Agents who willingly pitch in and help us. Because of the dedicated efforts of the Class Agents for 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961 and 1971 those classes had exceptional attendance.

Olds College President Dr. H. J. (Tom) Thompson

The Friday evening Hall of Fame was well attended, and we were so delighted that we could have both Bert & Marion Powlesland in attendance. Bert has been receiving medical care, but he surprised us all when he announced he was being allowed to come to Olds for the evening. There were tributes paid to the Powleslands by their friends and Classmates, and a plaque was presented to them by the OCAA Vice President, Jason Finnigan. I presented Hall of Fame pins to them as well. It was wonderful to see 9 of the past Hall of Fame recipients also in attendance.

The weekend weather was the best we could have requested, and the tours around the campus were well attended. Many thanks to the OC staff members who gave of their time to act as tour guides. Their knowledge and enthusiasm is a testament to their pride in Olds College.

I am extremely pleased that Garry McCullough has undertaken the task of Curator for our Museum. In the brief time I have spent in there since he started working, I have seen some interesting changes. It is looking very neat and organized, and the changes in displays have highlighted new items on display. He has been working quite closely with Barry Potyondi who has been commissioned to author the Centennial book. Garry was on hand on Saturday afternoon to greet visitors in the museum and accept any donations that were brought in.

At the end of June, I was invited to go to a performance of Cavalia with Jordan Cleland, Vice President, Advancement. There was a specific reason behind this invitation – one of our Alumna from 2010, Stephanie Evans, was a rider in the performance.

This year the horses vacationed at Olds College between shows in Vancouver and Edmonton – all because of Stephanie and her suggestion that the college facilities would be appropriate. We met Stephanie after the performance and she took us to the stables to meet her beautiful horse, and to marvel at the set up of stables.

See pg. 22 for complete story.

The Alumni Association has undertaken a special project for the Centennial in 2013, with the assistance of OC staff and Alumni. We would like to put names to the streets on Campus. Do you recall names from the past for any of the streets? Any and all suggestions are welcome, but we are not using people names. We will be happy to receive your suggestions at the Alumni Office so send them to us before the end of August. To view a complete campus map, please go online to www.oldscollege.ca/campus Our next General meeting is on September 19, when we will be holding our elections. We are still looking for some new Directors and would welcome any nominations or volunteers for this position.

In closing, I want to convey our appreciation for your interest in the Summer Reunions. They are organized exclusively by the Alumni Association as our major fund raiser, with assistance where necessary from the Office of Advancement team, and the profits realized from this event are used to cover all expenses for the weekend. The Association has done a lot of planning in an effort to make this weekend as enjoyable and memorable for you as possible.

Laurinda Parkinson OCAA President

Keeping in touch a Message from the Alumni office In this issue of Horizons are highlights of the 2011 Alumni Reunion, which took place over the July 15 – 17 weekend and included the induction of Bert & Marion Powlesland into the Alumni Hall of Fame and activities to welcome alumni. It was great to see all the alumni who came to celebrate their bond to each other and to Olds College.

The alumni turnout was outstanding despite the recent mail disruption that delayed delivery of the reunion

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information, and thanks needs to be given to the many class agents, alumni and staff, and others who made phone calls, sent emails, and hand delivered reunion registration packages.

All these efforts highlight the importance of the social connections and relationships that bring us together. In many cases, Olds College’s electronic and social media presence assisted our alumni in getting information to share with classmates, and also underline how important your email addresses are to us - alumni who

are on our email list were among the earliest to receive this year’s alumni reunion package.

Please take time this week to visit the alumni website at www.oldscollege.ca/ alumni to see our new Alumni News Blog, Facebook and Twitter presences, and remember to update your alumni information with your email addresses so that we can ensure our ability to share information with you throughout the year. And remember; please continue to share your stories with us!

Contact our Alumni Officer Brett Humphries, Alumni Relations, Toll-free: 1-800-661-6537 ext. 4748 Direct: 403-556-4748 Email: alumni@oldscollege.ca www.oldscollege.ca/alumni

Lost Alumni

Where Are They Now? We’ve lost touch with the people on this list.

Can you help? If you know how we can contact anyone on this list, please let know by contacting our Alumni Office.

Alumni Office

Toll free1-800-661-6537 Direct 403-556-8283 Email at alumni@oldscollege.ca www.oldscollege.ca/alumni

Nicole Cermak 1996 Jonathon Chalmers 1996 Rod Chapman 1996 Sarah Chapman 1996 Samuel Christie 1996 Brandi Clozza 1996 Jennifer Colby 1996 Carrie-Ann Cole 1996 Steven Cooley 1996 Vicki Crowther 1996 Aaron Davidson 1996 Cathy Davis 1996 Eugene Desjardins 1996 Janet Dionne 1996 Ryan Dodds 1996 Laurie Donovan 1996 June Douglas 1996 Gerry Doyle 1996 Shane Drake 1996 Lori-Ann Dueck 1996 Stacey Duffy 1996 Randall Dunkerley 1996 Noreen Easterbrook 1996 Gordon Ellis 1996 Doreen Erb 1996 Eva-Marie Estey 1996 Suzanne Fawcett 1996 Geoffrey Fox 1996 Cheryl Fritz 1996 Mary Frost 1996 Vicky Fyten 1996 Laura Galpin 1996 Aba Garbrah 1996 Richard Gardipee 1996 Linda Gartner 1996 Curtis Gessell 1996 Jacqueline Gessell 1996 Jason Gouw 1996 Lana Gress 1996 Terra Gustafson 1996 Mark Gyman 1996 Pamela Hall 1996 Armel Hall 1996 Kimberley Hamilton 1996 Trevor Hanson 1996 Claire Hargreaves 1996 Sheila Hayhurst 1996 Shauna Helm 1996 Stacy Helmer 1996 Richard “Kirk” Herrick 1996 Jesse Hill 1996 A. Hingsburger 1996 Ramona Hlady 1996 Kirstin Hogg 1996 Adery Hope 1996

Jason Horhut 1996 Lynne Horne 1996 Neil Hudye 1996 Krista Jack-Carson 1996 Murry Jameson 1996 Terry Jobs 1996 Wendy Johnson 1996 Sandra Jones 1996 Warren Kelly 1996 Jeffrey Kerfoot 1996 Tara Kilty 1996 Gail Kirk 1996 Harold Knight 1996 Angie Krause 1996 Willie Krupnik 1996 Alice Kushnerick 1996 Colleen Lahey 1996 Dave Lenfesty 1996 Jeff LePage 1996 Douglas Lindstrom 1996 Norman Livingstone 1996 Jennifer Loewen 1996 Scott Lounds 1996 Brad Luft 1996 Patricia Lyle 1996 Michael MacDonald 1996 Tracey MacIntyre 1996 Tom Magnuson 1996 James Main 1996 Danielle Majeau 1996 Jennifer Mantay 1996 William Marsh 1996 Patricia “Trish” Marthaller 1996 David McLaughlin 1996 Michael McMorran 1996 Risa McNab 1996 Naomi Merkley 1996 Dallas “Lane” Milligan 1996 Murray Moran 1996 Joanne Moulton 1996 Robert Munt 1996 Ryan Neish 1996 Darryl Nelson 1996 Tracy O’Connor 1996 Eric Oling 1996 Bruce Olson 1996 Darrel Olson 1996 Robert Oostenbrink 1996 Janan Oslanski 1996 Tara Palmer 1996 Melanie Parker 1996 Kenneth Penner 1996 Waylon Peters 1996 Cory Petry 1996 Wendy Pewar 1996 Grant Phillips 1996 Thelma Plett 1996 Joanne Poffenroth 1996 Barry Pollard 1996 Tamara Poole 1996 Kimberly Pratt 1996 Diane Prediger 1996 Cynthia Prins 1996 Calvin Rakach 1996 Keith Randall 1996 Dennis Reader 1996 Alana Regier 1996 Darcy Regier 1996 David Reimer 1996 Luella Reimer 1996 Clinton Renschler 1996 Tara Repp 1996 Tracy Richardson 1996 Salli Russell 1996 Trevor Sanderman 1996 Roland Sawatzky 1996 Joyce Schochenmaier 1996 Thomas Schroeder 1996 Teniel Scobie 1996 Tracy Semeschuk 1996 Amber Sept 1996 David Sheets 1996 Brent Sheppard 1996 Linda Sherman 1996 Kendra Smith 1996

Karen Smith 1996 Dayna Solmie 1996 Cathy Spicer 1996 Faith Splane 1996 Wendy Staal 1996 Jasen Steele 1996 Sara Stevens 1996 Denise Strange 1996 Joanne Strawson 1996 Karen Strydhurst 1996 Sheila-Rae Taggart 1996 Richard Taillieu 1996 Lisa-Anne Tardif 1996 Laurel Thompsom 1996 Sarah Tripp 1996 Dee Valstar 1996 Jennifer Van de Laak 1996 Vicki van Loon 1996 Laura “Laurie” Van Roon 1996 Jeffrey Vanderleek 1996 Carol Vogstad 1996 Renee Waldie 1996 Kent Wallis 1996 Christy Ware 1996 Pamela Ware 1996 Trevor Watt 1996 Leona Watts 1996 Andrew Webber 1996 Rick Weber 1996 Nicole Weiss 1996 Danny Wilde 1996 Steve Winsor 1996 Pauline Wright 1996 Renee Yost 1996 Maureen Zazula 1996 Frank Adams 1997 Carol Aiken 1997 Darlene Andrusiak 1997 Sara Arthurs 1997 Kimberly Austin 1997 Gary Bachman 1997 Nicholas Bapty 1997 Lois Batke 1997 Ryan Beer 1997 Frances Berggren 1997 Kelly Bevan 1997 Crystal Blauvelt 1997 Cory Bohaychuk 1997 Harlan Borggard 1997 Michelle Bosh 1997 John Bosse 1997 Connie Braim 1997 Georgia Bridges 1997 Susan Brindza 1997 Jason Broadhead 1997 Claude Brousseau 1997 Gale Brown 1997 Charlene Brown 1997 Cindy Bryant 1997 Suzanne Bryson 1997 Tracey Buschert 1997 Vonda Byer 1997 Jill Caine 1997 Jonathan Carlson 1997 Brenda Carnegie 1997 Christine Casavant 1997 Sharri Chapman 1997 Daniel Chapotelle 1997 Calvin Christensen 1997 Delores Combs 1997 Geraldine Comis 1997 Janice Common 1997 Allan Crawford 1997 Patti Cronk 1997 Michelle Davis 1997 Anthony Deleeuw 1997 Colleen Delooze 1997 Brian Denomme 1997 Leona Devries 1997 Jeremy Dick 1997 Margaret Draper 1997 Eileen Dumont 1997 Carleen Dwyer 1997 Myra Epp 1997 Bradley Essar 1997

Jamie Finch 1997 Charlene Fox 1997 D’Arcy Fraser 1997 Elaine French 1997 Song Fu 1997 Shannon Garraway 1997 Elizabeth Gilbert 1997 Gaston Girard 1997 Erinn Glass 1997 Susan Gole 1997 Charles Goodwin 1997 Nicole Gosselin 1997 Shawn Graham 1997 Sherry Graham 1997 Karen Grahn 1997 Jennifer Gray 1997 Barb Gray 1997 Richard Green 1997 Wendy Green 1997 William Gregoire 1997 Candace Gunsch 1997 Bud Gustafson 1997 Julie Gustafson 1997 Donna Hafichuk 1997 Duane Halma 1997 Lois Hammond 1997 Allan Hansen 1997 Susan Harvey 1997 Brent Hellekson 1997 Heather Henning 1997 Wanda Hodder 1997 Roderick Holliday 1997 Lisa Holmes 1997 Tedd Hopkins 1997 Shelly Hopkins 1997 Sheri Houweling 1997 Clancy Huber 1997 Robert Jacobson 1997 Stewart Jangula 1997 Toni Jarvis 1997 Andrew Jennens 1997 Candace Jesson 1997 Timothy Jochems 1997 Erica Johnson 1997 Katherine Johnson 1997 Jennifer Johnson 1997 Patrick Johnson 1997 Aaron Johnson 1997 Cory Justinen 1997 Michael Kamphuis 1997 Barbara Kananen 1997 Amanda Kase 1997 Teesha Klochko 1997 Amanda Kolk 1997 Jeffrey Koller 1997 Patrick Labrecque 1997 Adam Langenhoff 1997 Krista Lanz 1997 James Lavoie 1997 Amber Lebel 1997 Greg Leeper 1997 Constance Lemko 1997 Robert Limpert 1997 Joanne Lindsay 1997 Lyndsey Linnen 1997 Jessica Loader 1997 Thierry Locati 1997 Gregory Luba 1997 Kevin MacDonald 1997 Shawn Mackenzie 1997 Sue Massey 1997 Vanessa Mattson 1997 Laurel McDonald 1997 Jordan McDougall 1997 Christy McLean 1997 Susan Meeking 1997 Connie Melvin 1997 Richard Ment 1997 Paula Mikula 1997 Greg Miller 1997 Niomi Milligan 1997 Leona Mirosnikov 1997 James Mitchell 1997 Kara Mitchell 1997 Tara Moore 1997

Memorials The Alumni Board respectfully notes the passing of the following Olds College Alumni and Staff, and extends its condolences to their families and friends.

If you would like to honour a loved one or to recognize an individual’s life, please contact: The Olds College In-Memory and In-Honour Program, or Planned Giving, Charllotte Adkens-Weiler (403) 507-7716 or cadkens-weiler@oldscollege.ca

James Barry Whiteside Class of 1962, Agriculture Robert “Bob” Kenneth Healy Class of 1951, Agriculture Irene Joan (Bullick) Rutledge Class of 1963, Fashion Nellie Dunkley Class of 1940, Home Economics Ada Kohsel Class of 1936, Home Economics 2-1 Grant Litchfield Class of 1947, Agriculture Nora Masear Class of 1977, Commercial Floristry Deanna Louise (Simmons) Summy Class of 1956, Home Economics 2-1

Please send us your updated addresses, photos, letters and stories for future issues of Horizons by contacting our Alumni Officer.

Please include your full name, program and graduation year, along with a work, home and cell phone, mailing address and e-mail addresses.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of being an Olds College Alumnus.

Currently Olds College Alumni receive a 10% discount at all Marks’ Work Warehouse stores and 15% off at all Canalta Hotel locations and we have new and exciting affinity programs in the works. So send us your contact information and we will send you your affinity card so that you too can receive these benefits.

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Friends gather for the 2011 Alumni Reunion

Class of 1946

Class of 1951

Class of 1961

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Class of 1971

Class of 1956

2011 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees The Olds College Alumni Association President Laurinda Parkinson and Vice President Jason Finnigan presented Bert and Marion (Clayton) Powlesland with their award

During another successful summer reunion, Bert & Marion (Clayton) Powlesland, 1945 Agriculture & 1945 Home Economics, were presented with this year’s Alumni Hall of Fame Award.

Another surprise for the inductees included the first engraved paving stone (right) which will be placed inside the Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands, scheduled for completion December 2011.

Bert and Marion have worked for over 65 years for the betterment of Olds College and their community. As O.S.A. students both exhibited leadership qualities that were beneficial to the student body. Bert was a member of the Yearbook Staff and President of the Literary Society. They have been

Class Agents for a number of years, donated many artifacts to the college and have faithfully attended Open House and Summer Reunions. The contribution they have made to the agricultural sector and their community is immeasurable. Bert was instrumental in helping electricity, telephone and gas arrive in their district. He showed, sold and judged Hereford cattle throughout Canada; Marion helped with organizing the Westbrook School Fair. For fifty years she has judged baking. As well she helped found the Alberta Junior Hereford Association. Both received numerous awards for volunteering in their community, and were inducted into the Hereford Hall of Fame and the Canadian Hereford Honour Roll.

Alumni Reunion photos by Harvey Walsh

Engraved path stone honouring the 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees.

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Volume 6, Number 1 Publication mail agreement: 40010029

In Loving Memory Olds College has been the gracious recipient of donations made In-Memory of the following friends and family: (November – December 2010)

Submissions may be edited for content and length Olds College Horizons is published four times per year by the Office of Advancement. We welcome comments, letters and suggestions for stories. Please us at communications@oldscollege.ca, or fax 403-556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street, Olds, Alberta, T4H 1R6 Editor: Donna Woldanski, Corporate Communications Manager Contributing Editor & Writer: Rick Overwater, Communications Coordinator Design: Deidra Page, Graphic Design and Multimedia Coordinator Contributing Photographers: Noel West Mike Copeman Photography Craig Scott Harvey Walsh Print: Calgary Colorpress

Jesse Ketcheson Nicholas Baier In Honour of Dennis Westhoff on his Honorary Degree The Olds College In-Memory and In-Honour Program provides, a thoughtful way to remember a loved one or to recognize a meaningful accomplishment, date or event such as a birthday, graduation, anniversary in an individuals life.

For more information on the Olds College In-Memory and In-Honour Program, or Planned Giving, Please contact: Charllotte Adkens-Weiler (403) 507-7716 or cadkens-weiler@oldscollege.ca

Coming Events September 2 CIRE Groundbreaking September 14 19th Annual Fall Golf Classic September 29 George Canyon Live December 1 Surf ‘n’ Turf

For more information on events please visit the Olds College website. www.oldscollege.com

We value our relationship with you, so please let us know if you: · received duplicate publications · have a change of address · do not currently receive Horizons and would like to · if you wish to unscribe Did you know that Canada Post is in the process of converting your rural address into a civic address? Please send us your updated address so you can continue to receive alumni and news from Olds College by e-mail: Doreen Thibeault, Database Coordinator, dthibeault@oldscollege.ca, by fax at (403) 556-4704, by phone (403) 556-8232 or by mail to Olds College, 4500-50 Street, Olds, Alberta, Canada T4H 1R6.

Be kind to the environment!

When you have finished reading this issue of Olds College Horizons, please pass it along to a friend or recycle it. Thank you.

Presented by

Olds College Students Association & 96.5 CKFM

George Canyon Live

September 29, 2011 – Olds College Alumni Center Doors @ 6:30 28

Tickets: $15 for OC Students (with Student ID) $25 for public in advance or $30 at the door For tickets please call the OCSA office: (403) 556-4629