Notebook - 2013

2013

RDC'S ALUMNI COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

PASSION

FOR PERFORMANCE

Drawing out the best in himself and those around him, Sheldon Dyck rises to every challenge

THE RAMSDEN ALUMNI FAMILY NEVER EVER EVER

GIVE UP

The inspiring story of Nicole Sather

THE FUTURE OF RDC

Certificate Programs

Professional Development

continuing education

Make workplace training part of your plan for success.

Get ahead in your career with high quality training from Red Deer College. RDC Continuing Education offers a variety of certificate programs with flexible delivery options that suit your needs and will take your career to the next level.

FEATURED CERTIFICATEs

immediate innovative impactful

·

Applied Management

·

Professional Bookkeeping

·

Leadership

·

Management Skills for Supervisors

·

Management for Foremen

·

Project Management

·

Supply Management

·

Human Resource Management

·

Payroll Compliance Practitioner

Are your training needs specific?

Red Deer College also provides customized Corporate Training that will fit your organization’s unique needs and will deliver results! If you need it, we can make it happen! Contact Rodney Holt for a free assessment and consultation 403.342.3550 To Register 403.357.3663 | For More Information www.rdc.ab.ca/continuing_education

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INSIDE

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notebook 2013

4 6 10 15 20 24 26

MESSAGE FROM JOEL WARD & CHRIS STELMACK 5 Upcoming Events for RDC’S 50th Anniversary

WHAT STARTS AT RDC, STAYS AT RDC – THE RAMSDEN ALUMNI FAMILY 9 Our Legacy Is Your Stories

PASSION FOR PERFORMANCE 14 New Alumni Ventures

A MOTHER’S STORY – IN MEMORY OF JONATHON WALSH 18 Pedalling Healthy Produce

NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP – THE INSPIRING STORY OF NICOLE SATHER 23 The Future of RDC

KING’S HOCKEY IS BACK! INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH, TREVOR KEEPER 25 Spotted! Events at RDC

CLASSNOTES

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Publisher – RDC Marketing, Communications & Student Recruitment Executive Editor – Lani Ledingham Associate Editor – Rob Gilgan (Certificate in Management, 1993), Brent LaBrosse Research & Writing – Lani Ledingham, Rob Gilgan (Certificate in Management, 1993), Brent LaBrosse, Andrew Kooman (Bachelor of Arts, 2003), Yvonne Walsh Graphic Design – Heidi Langridge Printing – Warwick Printing Photography – Photek (Dwight Arthur), Lani Ledingham, Rob Gilgan (Certificate in Management, 1993), Brent LaBrosse Alumni Executive: Chairperson – Chris Stelmack (Business Management, 2003) Past Chairperson – Dave Savage (Business Education, 1965) 1st Vice-Chairperson – Lynn Carignan-Wilson (Bachelor of Arts,1992) 2nd Vice-Chairperson – Barbara Adams (Bachelor of Education,1981) Director – Patti Husted (Rehabilitation Services, 1983) Director – Scott Hucal (Business Administration, 1981) Director – Sharlene Garden (Legal Assistant,1987) Director (Faculty Association Representative) – Rob Weddell (Bachelor of Kinesiology, 1988) Director (Students’ Association Representative) – Eric Peppinck (Bachelor of Arts, 2013) Director – Michael Donlevy, VP Community Relations Ex-officio – Joel Ward, President, RDC Executive Director – Rob Gilgan (Certificate in Management, 1993) Publication Mail Agreement 40010033 Notebook, RDC Alumni Community Magazine © Red Deer College 2013 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RDC, 100 College Boulevard, Box 5005 Red Deer, AB, T4N 5H5 Editorial comments or ideas? Seeking permission to reprint? Contact the Executive Editor at 403.357.3681 or email alumni@rdc.ab.ca Cover photo: Sheldon Dyck (Business Administration, 1986) We have identified all RDC alumni within this publication by including either their last year of attendance and program here at RDC or their year of graduation in brackets behind their names.

More information is available at RDC’s alumni site: www.rdc.ab.ca/alumni

I was a little hesitant at first to use a homebuilding metaphor to describe the experience of chairing the Alumni Association, but the more I thought about it, the more appropriate it seemed. A great house is built on a strong, level, properly-sited foundation and I’ve had the good fortune to inherit the results of 25 years of work by some incredible alumni volunteers that came before me.

President & CEO

JOEL WARD

WE HAVE A LEGACY OF CHAMPIONING OUR LEARNERS AND THEIR SUCCESS AT RED DEER COLLEGE. As you read through this issue of Notebook you’ll quickly understand why we’re so proud of our alumni. RDC alumni are hardworking people who come from many different walks of life, embracing learning to pursue and achieve life goals.

In the following pages you will get a sense of the diversity, talent and values of our institution through the stories of a handful of our past learners. These are just a few snapshots from our proud history that tell a consistent story of Red Deer College: we are a genuine and thriving institution that gives back to our community and to the world.

As we move forward into the future we have so much to celebrate.

Convocation is always a significant time during which we remember our past and anticipate the future. As our graduates receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates, they stand ready to write a new and exciting chapter in the book that is lifelong learning. So many opportunities await them.

Our 49th Convocation is also a significant turning point in our history as we step into our 50th year as RDC. As each graduate stands on the stage to enjoy their success, RDC continues to prepare for a dynamic future – one in which new generations of learners will discover the early chapters of their life’s book.

The vision of RDC has always been bold. Our roots are in the heart of the province, but our future knows no boundaries. In the last 50 years we have established a reputation for being a connecting point between learners and our faculty and staff. We are known for our scholarly work, applied research that supports business innovation and for offering practical solutions to social issues and technological challenges in the region.

And most significantly, we are known most by the reputation of our graduates who are incredible employees, successful entrepreneurs, talented creators, innovative thinkers and committed lifelong learners. Our alumni make true our claims to being a friendly, connected and genuine institution.

The community of central Alberta, our alumni, faculty and our staff have so much to be proud of as we prepare to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

People have always made RDC the exceptional place it is to work and learn.

And people like you, our alumni, will ensure it remains the exceptional and trusted institution it is known for in Alberta and beyond.

Thank you for being part of our story at RDC. We look forward with you to an incredible future.

As we enter the 50th Anniversary of Red Deer College, we’re drafting the blueprint for the second half of its first century, and the work we do now will shape not just the Alumni Association and the alumni family we serve, but the College, as well. We are learning, every day, why we matter and how the contribution we make will allow others that follow us to continue building a successful future.

We’re already beyond the foundation and framing – we’re now striving to add the amenities that an association needs to remain completely engaged with all of our members, no matter when they attended or where they live today. When we hear your stories we know that RDC was a meaningful experience that helped shape the life you’re living today. We want to help keep those memories alive and share them with those who remember you and the times you spent here. It is the cumulative experience of all who studied, taught and worked here that defines the RDC community, each of us adding to and growing the whole.

Our commitment, in the end, is to ensure that we build a home that welcomes all alumni that has room to fit everyone comfortably. And our fervent hope is that you’ll all make time to come and visit and think of it as your place, a place you’ve helped build, that just wouldn’t be the same without you.

Chair RDC Alumni Association

CHRIS STELMACK

UPCOMING EVENTS 2013–2014 RDC’s 50th Anniversary Year!

JUNE 7 RDC Convocation | Westerner Park JUNE 24 RDC Golf Classic | Red Deer Golf & Country Club JULY 2–AUGUST 23 Sports Camps | Ages 5-18 JULY 7–20 Teen Video Intensive | Ages 13-18 JULY 8–AUGUST 2 Series Summer Arts School JULY 8–AUGUST 23 Science Camps | Ages 6-17 JULY 28–AUGUST 17 MusiCamp | Ages 10+ AUGUST 11–17 SummerScapes | Ages 15-17 AUGUST 19–23 Adventures in Summer Music | Ages 9-14 (All summer camps held at RDC’s main campus.)

SEPTEMBER 4 First day of classes for fall semester OCTOBER 19 International Wine Auction | Black Knight Inn DECEMBER 25, 2013 – JANUARY 1, 2014 RDC closed for Christmas break MARCH 1, 2014 Affairs of the Arts | RDC Arts Centre APRIL 25, 2014 Alumni Wine Tasting Festival | RDC Four Centres Red Deer College will celebrate its 50th Anniversary during the 2013/2014 academic year. This is an important milestone that provides the College with an opportunity to salute our past and look to the future. Whether it be our students, faculty, staff, alumni, internal and external partners, or the broader community of central Alberta – now is the time to celebrate!

To recognize the 50th Anniversary, we are planning a year-long series of activities/communication pieces/recognition for our students, faculty, staff, and the community beginning in June 2013.

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WHAT

STARTS STAYS AT RDC

A love story that began nearly 40 years ago at RDC

AT RDC

By Lani Ledingham Development Communications Consultant

And to think the Ramsden's RDC story all started with some classroom cheekiness and an inspiring purple suit.

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IT WASN’T LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT – IT TOOK A BIT MORE COAXING AND TIME. Nearly 40 years of marriage later, they are still a team with six children who have all attended RDC. But let’s rewind back to 1972 for a minute. It was an era when hipsters were fading and political defiance and environmentalism was on the rise. The College was hovering at 1,200 full-time students and the city of Red Deer with more than 27,000 residents.

Moving all the way from Whitehorse, Yukon, Jack Ramsden (Social Work, 1975) rolled up to the front entrance of the College in his 1961 Pontiac station wagon. He didn’t know anyone in the city yet, but he was ready to pursue post-secondary and all that it entailed – including life in the new Towers residence.

“It was a great experience for a kid from the sticks. While we did have the cafeteria just a few steps from the Towers, we ate most of our meals in our apartment.

One of our mainstays was fried eggs and baloney! It was a great life.”

After one year of arts and sciences, Jack entered the Social Work program in 1973. Across the classroom was Elsie (nee Larson, Social Work, 1975), four years his senior, who had pegged Jack as a smartalec. While she held her own thoughts of criticism towards him quietly within herself, Jack had in mind something of a different nature.

It took the inspiration of a man in a purple suit, their instructor, Don Snow, to change her opinion.

Dressed in a typical student wardrobe of t-shirt, sweater and jeans, Jack leaned over to Elsie following a presentation by Mr. Snow, “I wish I had a suit like that!”

Elsie quickly retorted, “What would you do with a suit like that?”

“I’d take you out for dinner!”

“Oh!” responded Elsie in a surprised tone.

“So, do you want to go for dinner?” asked Jack.

Ready to embrace the newness of dating a younger man and college life in general, Elsie said yes.

At that time, dates were painted with curling bonspiels, the Sadie Hopkins

dance, and milk and coffee at the old Red Deer Inn. Throughout their first year, Jack and Elsie did everything from homework to school trips together.

“I probably had more fun than I should have that first year! My marks started to pick up when we started going together.

I didn’t graduate with honours like Elsie did though!” shares Jack.

Jack and Elsie married in their second year of the Social Work program (November, 1974) and graduated in the spring of 1975.

“While I never worked as a social worker, this education was definitely an asset and prepared me for my local government career. Much of my job is solving problems and helping people.”

The timing of their graduation from RDC coincided with the University of Calgary social work graduates. Jack struggled to find a position in his newly trained field, and ended up back working as a Highway Surveyor. He made his way up to Public Works Coordinator, then Supervisor, Mayor of Lougheed, and after four years of late night studies, he received his Certificate in Local Government Administration, With Distinction.

Jack served as Town Manager of Three Hills since 1990 and this past February took on a new position with the Town of Eckville as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). In this position, Jack is ultimately responsible for the operation and oversight of the town and the various staff and contractors. He takes his instruction and direction from the Mayor and Council and then operates the town through supervisors and administrative assistants. In 2012, Jack was awarded with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for his community service.

While Jack has enjoyed a career in public office for the past 35 years, Elsie worked in social work or a ‘helps’ industry throughout her career until 2009 when she retired. She fondly remembers strong advice from her RDC instructors that guided her throughout her career: Be aware of your prejudices; and janitors and secretaries rule the world.

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“It was so exciting to think I could go to the same school where my parents fell in love” L to R: Kevin, Ryan, Jeremy, Kati, Tiffany, Whitney

“It took me a long time to understand what that meant,” shares Elsie. “Somewhere down the line of your career you realize, ‘Yeah, okay, I realize what he was talking about.’

Even though you have a lot of empathy there are things you struggle with, but you learn to check your emotions at the door. I think social workers, like teachers, are born, not made – it’s part of who you are.”

SINCE THE RAMSDEN FAMILY REMAINED IN CENTRAL ALBERTA AFTER RDC, AND EVERY ONE OF THEIR SIX KIDS HAVE STUDIED AT RDC, YOU COULD SAY THEY HAVE BECOME AN RDC FAMILY. “I was very proud when the eighth and last member of our family started his post-secondary education – yes, you guessed it – at Red Deer College nearly 40 years to the day after I first rolled in. Our son Kevin completed the circle of our family’s connection with RDC.” The eldest, Ryan, spent one year at Augustana University before coming to RDC in 2001 to finish his BA in Psychology. Joined by his sister Kati – you could say they paved the way for their other siblings – Jeremy, Tiffany, Whitney, and Kevin. Having parents educated in social work created a home of compassion and understanding for the Ramsden six, leading to a home that was a safe haven for many people who had none of their own.

“No matter where we lived, people who were troubled seemed to gravitate towards my mother and father,” says Ryan. “There were often people – some familiar faces, and many not – who would come to our home seeking comfort, caring words, and understanding. Many times I can remember coming home from school or work and

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seeing someone with moist eyes, holding a Kleenex, and speaking to one or both of my parents. I knew wellenough to mind my own business, but I knew why these people were there and that my parents were special people.”

As an adult, Ryan reflects further on the benefit of his upbringing. “I think my parents made better-informed decisions in regards to our general upbringing than others. They seemed to have an intuition in spotting potential problems. Their suggestions were not always followed, but they were usually (painfully) accurate. I always knew that, even as a child, but I can really see and appreciate it now!”

The youngest sister, Whitney, will graduate from the RDC Nursing program this spring. Though she may not feel like a ‘number’ at RDC, the name she gets at home is “Number Five”.

“When I was little I used to go with all my older siblings to class, and I’d feel so cool. I immediately knew I wanted to go there. It was so exciting to think I could go to the same school where my parents fell in love and walked the halls together. I feel there’s a certain aspect of home at RDC. It has those qualities – you’re always bound to see people you know, you’re a valued person and not just a number.

For someone like me who’s very ‘out there’, I like that I don’t just get lost in a crowd.”

With a mother who is known as the ‘hugging social worker’ and a Dad who ‘cares too much' and will get on the phone when he needs to, it’s no surprise they have raised a compassionate family to whom people naturally gravitate.

And to think the Ramsden's RDC story all started with some classroom cheekiness and an inspiring purple suit.

OUR LEGACY IS

YOUR STORIES

By Rob Gilgan | Alumni Development Coordinator

THERE WAS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE IN THE RED DEER ADVOCATE THIS SPRING, about whether Canadians are less loyal to their universities than Americans.

On the surface, we probably are. I’ve always believed that Americans are more eager to proclaim their loyalties, whether it’s to their sports teams, alma mater, their branch of the armed services, or their flag. While Canadians may be proud of their nation or nationality, it’s generally a part of our identity to be more reserved about it.

While we may not wear our alma mater as visibly on our sleeve, we do share a fondness and pride for our institutions and the people that make them worth celebrating. I meet and speak with a lot of RDC alumni in the course of my work – likely the most rewarding part of this job. I enjoy learning where people moved on to, how their lives changed, and how our college influenced who they are today.

People often mention the personal relationships they had with instructors, who are often remembered by their first names. They share anecdotes about how they chose a particular career or academic path, based on a conversation, not a lecture. They’ll sometimes talk about how they liked RDC because the classes were small, they knew who they went to school with, and about how much fun they had here.

And then they start to ask about their friends – those relationships that began with a smile or a chuckle and seemed to end when they walked out the door with a fresh diploma in their hand or went in pursuit of their degree. But the friendships didn’t end there; they still think about those people, wonder how and where they are now. Facebook has answered a lot of those questions, but RDC also has a role to play in reconnecting alumni.

Whether through vehicles like this magazine, our monthly eZine, social media, or the events we coordinate throughout the year, we’re working hard to engage people who’ve shared the RDC experience. We find many who are eager to volunteer, keen to get involved and happy to contribute in whatever way they can. It’s not like they want to recapture something, but wish to ensure something valuable that they experienced is made available to future generations.

Loyalty to RDC is almost always expressed in a story, whether it’s reminiscing about a time in residence, an enlightening moment in class, or a pivotal happening in the Farside. And as much as we love hearing the stories, what really rewards us is the response we get when we share them.

So, tell us your story. Let us ensure that what happened at RDC... doesn’t stay at RDC. Email us at alumni@rdc.ab.ca 9

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PA SS I O N for

PERFORMANCE

by Rob Gilgan | Alumni Development Coordinator

Drawing out the best in himself and those around him,

S H E LD O N DYC K rises to every challenge.

AS A TEENAGER, Sheldon Dyck (Business Administration, 1986) never lacked opportunities or choices. He speaks fondly of growing up in Delburne, and planning to attend either Harvard or Baylor with his cousin – eager to take on the challenge that comes with reaching for the top in whatever you do. Then fate intervened, when his father suffered a heart attack. Sheldon opted for a school closer to home in order to help with the family businesses while his father recuperated.

While he had considered a career in either law or medicine, business was, as he put it, “always in my blood”. He enrolled in the business program at RDC and started ferreting out opportunities and challenges. It wasn’t long before he and five classmates were on their way to Calgary challenging for bragging rights in a business case competition.

It was an intense process, requiring skill, prowess, and a different level of discipline in reading and analyzing business cases. The teams from RDC excelled and the excitement travelled quickly when they came home from Calgary as victors; putting RDC and its business program prominently on the business education map.

“The real benefit for me that I leveraged tremendously in my career was the public speaking, presentation and confidence in speaking with senior executives and leaders. All the people that got selected were chosen based on attributes; they had some pretty good raw materials. You got significantly more exposure to cycles of learning because you were doing stuff, getting observed and coached - that accelerates your performance.”

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While the world struggled towards recovery, Sheldon and his colleagues hunkered down in a hotel room and reinvented ATB. The case competition success attracted attention from other schools and he found himself being courted by the University of Calgary to study and help lead their business competition teams. Part of deciding his path forward was completing his LSAT, where he excelled. Sheldon was mentored by a group of law school alumni and while they did influence him, he looked beyond law for success.

“What I really drew out of that experience was that a billablehours world wasn’t one I wanted to be in, where the only way to create more value was to put in more hours. The lifestyle that leads to, I wasn’t very excited about,” explains Sheldon.

Indeed, the entrepreneur mindset that he came by honestly – from helping in the family businesses, to talking about enterprise and investment around the dinner table – had a firm grip and guided him toward another significant challenge.

Although he considered completing an MBA, he was especially attracted to a more specialized discipline – the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation. It was a three year Masters level program, offered by the CFA Institute, that would deliver the skills Sheldon thought would put him out in front of the pack, in whatever business pursuits he chose. Admittedly, the CFA Institute likely had him at ‘hardest Masters-level program in the world’.

“You do all your study by yourself, usually while you’re working, and then you write one exam per year to see if you go on to the next level or not. Only about 10 per cent of the people that begin make it through all three levels.”

It also allowed him to pursue another passion that had sparked a bit at Red Deer College: fashion. Sheldon had dabbled in design and participated in some fashion shows on campus, so he teamed up with some friends and launched a clothing store in Calgary. While the business succeeded, it wasn’t long before he was off looking for success on a larger scale.

“I thought I had bigger ideas than that platform was going to allow me to exercise,” he explained, adding, “I always loved fashion, style and design and that kind of thing. If you can apply yourself to something you love, it makes work a lot easier.” The business continues to thrive today, 25 years later, and Sheldon drives past it on his way to work each day.

As he continued to pursue new challenges, a new opportunity arose at ATB, Alberta’s Crown Corporation bank. Sheldon had a vision of where ATB could be in the investment world, but first, he needed to shepherd it through some changes in how it did business, starting with its business bank, then the retail side.

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That was a three year endeavour and when it was completed, he shared his vision of an investment business with the thenCEO. “They recognized, as well, that it was a huge opportunity for the corporation that was lying dormant. They’d tried twice before and failed quite miserably, so there was a lot of reticence around doing it. We put together a small team of about 10 to study why it hadn’t worked before – the opportunities, the strategic environment, and the competitive landscape – putting together a package we believed would lead to a very different place,” he explained.

Moving forward required more than a simple leap of faith. In addition to all the challenges from competitors in the banking and investment industry, the world was experiencing a new degree of turmoil. Eight weeks prior, terrorists had attacked the World Trade Centre, and the economic aftermath included the Dow Jones suffering its largest one-week point drop in history. U.S. stocks lost $1.4 trillion in valuation in just a week.

For Sheldon, that just meant a more significant challenge – just the right bait to attract him to the pursuit.

“In the 10 years of running these companies, we’ve been through 9-11, the de-regulation of the trust businesses, and two recessions. It’s one of the classic cases of life: you can either look at it as the worst of conditions or the best."

"Typically, what most businesses do when times get tough and tight is they stop hiring. If you’re playing catch-up, it gives you the perfect opportunity to gain ground and market share quicker than if everybody’s booming and everybody’s business is going ahead.”

While the world struggled toward recovery, Sheldon and his colleagues hunkered down in a hotel room and reinvented ATB. “We had the entire company go through an application process for the new jobs. We turned over about 30 per cent of the organization, we put about another 40 per cent into different roles and we literally had people going from being vice-presidents to being client-facing reps – that was

the degree of shift that happened. It had been a department of government – you got into roles by being around the longest, not by being competent or skillful. We had to turn everything on its head; it was an incredible amount of work, but it was an amazing learning experience too.”

Over the next 20 months, the company went from being on a precipitous slide to being number one in market share – something Sheldon credits to getting the right people into the right positions.

“The number one thing that’s made me successful is just a willingness to have the courage to put people into situations where what they’re good at matches what that role requires. When you do that, you see performance accelerate.”

Today, Sheldon is the President and CEO of ATB Investment Management, ATB Securities, ATB Insurance Advisors - the three companies that operate under the trade name of ATB Investor Services. Only time will tell where his future leads, but it will involve learning, probably involve teaching and definitely will reach beyond where he is today.

“I don’t think I’ve ever gone more than two years without some sort of learning environment. In 2010, I went back to Harvard and did something I’d wanted to do a long time ago. There’s an intense management program that’s kind of a pinnacle for all the programs at Harvard Business School. It’s for people that have run businesses for a long period of time, or senior leaders in larger organizations.

140 people from around the world came together in this intense program that was designed to be delivered over a year, condensed into a few months. We went from 6 a.m. until at least midnight every day of the week for months, but we had a blast. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of that experience we had with the case competition back at Red Deer College,” he recalled. “There are so many different things a human being is capable of doing in their life. I thought about being a surgeon or a research doctor of some sort. Throughout my career, I’ve always gone for opportunities that I thought were going to develop my abilities and value, and kind of worried about the money later.”

Sheldon believes in serving the community and assisting organizations that help bring people forward.

“You know, we’re all part of an ecosystem. Everything we do, in every facet of our life, through our communities and our actions, ultimately impacts all the people we care about. If we can influence better education, better development of the people coming out of our educational institutions, then it’s going to impact the performance of our organizations, make our economy more successful, and make us more innovative as a nation and as a region. Only good things can come of that. You look at any nation that succeeds, it always starts with those institutions.”

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NEW ALUMNI

VENTURES Remember the stress of your first college exam or how it felt to have your first birthday away from home? These life moments were the inspiration behind the RDC Alumni Association creating two student and alumni programs this past fall.

We introduced the EXAM STRESS KIT and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU programs in residence and downtown at the Donald School of Business (DSB). Parents were given the opportunity to purchase an Exam Stress Kit or a personalized birthday cake for their son or daughter to ease the stress of being away from home and the challenges that come with college life. Both trial programs proved to be a success with numerous cakes and kits ordered in the first year.

In March, the RDC Alumni Association teamed up with the Career and Counselling office and the Students’ Association to bring together the largest-ever student Professional Development day known as BACKPACKS TO BRIEFCASES (B2B).

This two-day event attracted over 300 DSB students and more than 80 students from our main campus as they participated in sessions such as Dress for Success, Networking in the Business World, Getting LinkedIn and Generations At Work.

Many of the speakers were also RDC alumni. The author of Blindsided, Jim Harris, one of Canada’s foremost business speakers, was our keynote speaker.

If you would like to speak at next year’s B2B event, please feel free to give the alumni office a call at 403.342.3308 so that we can add you to our potential speaker list.

STAY

CONNECTED

TO RDC!

Keep your memories of RDC alive! Find other Alumni on a variety of networks and get the latest on events, promotions, discounts, and hear inspiring alumni stories!

search rdc alumni

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Want to share your story with other RDC alumni?

Hoping to plan a reunion?

Email us at alumni@rdc.ab.ca

W E N

ALUMN

I

A Mother’s

MY SON PACKED MORE INTO HIS 32 YEARS THAN MOST OF US WILL IN OUR ENTIRE LIFETIME. JONATHON LIVED LIFE IN FAST FORWARD.

by Yvonne Walsh He walked, I mean he ran, at nine months old and he never stopped. He lived most of his life in Fort McMurray, but also spent some time in Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories. As an adult, he lived in Red Deer, Calgary and then all over Europe – the Azores, Germany, Belgium and finally in Amsterdam.

What brought him to this well-travelled life was his incredible ability as a volleyball player. I remember his first year as a professional in 2001 in Freiburg, Germany.

He called me and said he was so amazed that he could get paid for doing what he loved.

Jonathon spent a few years as a professional player and then became a player/agent for young men who also wanted to be ’paid for what they loved’. He worked incredibly long hours and most people forgot about changes in time zones, so it was nothing for him to be on his phone at all hours of the day and night. Jonathon ate, slept, breathed and lived the world of volleyball.

IN MEMORY OF JONATHON MICHAEL WALSH Born – Fort McMurray, July 12, 1977 Died – Lausanne Switzerland, April 27, 2010

One of the most wonderful things about this man was his love of life, people, his sport, family, and especially the love of his life – Chaine Staelens. Jonathon and Chaine met in the Netherlands where she, of course, played volleyball for the national woman’s team. I have never seen Johnnie have to look eye-to-eye with any female, but he certainly did with Chaine as she was almost as tall as his 6’4. One of the saddest aspects of his death was that he was just 10 days away from proposing to Chaine and had already asked for her 15

parents’ permission. He died before she could return to the Netherlands as she was playing volleyball in Japan.

I will never forget the phone call I received at 5:30 on a Tuesday morning. It was Chaine informing me that Jonathon had died of a heart attack while visiting his colleague Nick, also a volleyball player/agent, in Lausanne.

JONATHON SPENT THE LAST WEEKEND OF HIS LIFE IN AN INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE WORLD – SNOWBOARDING IN THE ALPS, SWIMMING IN LAKE GENEVA AND PLAYING A FULL DAY OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL.

He went home that night and died alone in Nick’s apartment. Jonathon had a congenital heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. With all the medicals he was required to have throughout his playing career it was never detected, which was probably a good thing as he never would’ve lived the incredible life he did.

When I called my siblings to let them know about Jonathon’s death, my next youngest brother and sisterin-law suggested a scholarship for people who wanted to

donate something in Jonathon’s name. At first I felt it was a little eerie for someone to benefit from his death, but they organized it and the Jonathon Walsh Memorial Volleyball Scholarship was born. There were several meetings required to get the scholarship operational so that people could donate. At the time I was a little foggy, but it gave a focus to our grief.

One of the most impacting aspects of having a scholarship in Jonathon’s name is that it brings me back to a sport that I’ve always loved to watch. I stopped going to the RDC Kings’ games when Jonathon left to go and play at the UofC and overseas. It was too difficult to watch these young men play when my boy was so far away. After we created the scholarship, I felt that it behoved me to attend some of the games to see who would receive the scholarship. It has kept Jonathon very close to me. I love cheering on the Kings, and it makes me feel like he’s not so far away.

This scholarship has helped family and so many of his friends and colleagues around the world to deal with the death of one of the most incredible human beings we ever knew. Having a scholarship in his name has helped us overcome some of our grief and make us feel like we are ‘doing something’.

Another incredible gift that has come out of this scholarship is to have met the most special people that are at the College – Erin and Aaron Schulha, and Chris Morrison – with whom our relationship of support has continued over the past three years.

Jonathon’s former coach and mentor has also been very supportive during this journey. The day that Kory, Jonathon’s oldest brother, and I were on the plane returning from Lausanne with Jonathon’s ashes, who should be at the front of the plane but Keith Hansen and his family. Jonathon played under Keith at RDC for three years. It was meant to be that Keith helped us bring the former RDC volleyball player home.

I’M NOT SURE HOW THE JOURNEY OF MOURNING MY BABY’S DEATH WOULD HAVE GONE WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE GIFT OF CREATING THE JONATHON WALSH MEMORIAL VOLLEYBALL SCHOLARSHIP. IT’S HELPED IN SO MANY WAYS, AND I AM MOST GRATEFUL.

16

In

Memory

RDC Alumni Relations wishes to honour the lives of our alumni who passed away in 2012.

We extend our condolences to the families and friends of these cherished loved ones.

DECEASED RDC ALUMNI – 2012 Glenn E Berg September 29, 2012, Age 54, Adult Basic Education (1997) Farrah Nicole Bernhart November 9, 2012, Age 34, Rehabilitation Services (1998) Brent Elton Boychuk August 18, 2012, Age 49, Career and Academic Prep (1987) Shirley Campbell April 12, 2012, Age 71, Business Administration, General (1979) Brenda Laverne Good June 21, 2012, Age 63, Rehabilitation Services (1979) Timothy B Guilbault May 11, 2012, Age 58, Bachelor of Commerce (1979) Amanda K. Harlos June 23, 2012, Age 19, Hospitality & Tourism Management (2012) Bernice Aileen Hotts September 10, 2012, Age 79, Teacher’s Aide (1986) Lottie Bernice Johnston July 5, 2012, Age 85, Rehabilitation Services (1979) Mary Jean Kelley August 28, 2012, Age 57, Visual Art (2005) Wyatt Benjamin Lewis September 1, 2012, Age 37, Steamfitter-Pipefitter (2003) Derek Arthur Mitchell May 28, 2012, Age 64, General Studies (1993) Kyle Gregory Morris July 17, 2012, Age 36, Welding (2007) Charles Frederick Scott August 8, 2012, Age 79, Bachelor of Arts (1976) Shawna Lea Shanks (nee Kosolofski) April 25, 2012, Age 44, Health Care Aid (2004) Helen C. Sitter January 20, 2012, Age 61, Certificate in Management (1994) Darrell Wayne Reynolds September 15, 2012, Age 54, Steamfitter-Pipefitter (2008) Patricia Jean Wallator (nee McIntosh) October 18, 2012, Age 69, Business Administration, General (1981) Lynn Allen Yalowski May 15, 2012, Age 49, Career and Academic Prep (2003)

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! Have you been contacted by Harris Connect recently? They are an American company helping us clean up our database. With respect for budget, we decided with Notebook 2013 to mail out one issue per person, or one issue per household. We know that people move frequently, and we chose to cut our printing and mailing costs.

If you are receiving Notebook and are not an alumni of RDC, or Notebook is being delivered to your home because a former RDC alumni lived at your address, it would be greatly appreciated if you could let us know so we can update our records.

If you have been missed, and would like a copy of Notebook 2013, or need additional copies, please contact us at 403.342.3308 or email alumni@rdc.ab.ca. We’d love to hear from you!

DECEASED RDC STAFF & FACULTY – 2010-12 Sandra Adams - 2010, Clerical Relief Barry Andersen - 2010, Sprinkler Fitter Instructor Gaetanina Dary - 2012, Program Coordinator Barbara Gogowich - 2012, Administrative Assistant Geoffrey Green - 2012, Program Coordinator Melvin Hines - 2012, Automotive Service Technician Instructor Clair Lawry-Batty - 2012, Business Administration/ Commerce Instructor Paul Nonnekes - 2011, Sociology Instructor Donald Snow - 2012, Social Work Sessional Instructor John Tobias - 2010, History Instructor

17

PEDALLING

HEALTHY PRODUCE If you mention around these parts that you’re going into farming, no one bats an eye. Mention around these parts that you’re planning to go farming on a two-acre plot, and most people will be rolling their eyes.

Fortunately, Mike Kozlowski (Bachelor of Arts, English, Honors, 2007) isn’t bothered by eye-rolling.

by Rob Gilgan | Alumni Development Coordinator

Mike, along with his fiancée, Kristen, is the owner of Steel Pony Farm – an enterprise that’s all about food awareness, food safety and biological , natural farming methods, community supported agriculture, with an entrepreneurial spirit. Steel Pony Farm is very much focused on Red Deer.

weeks training cyclists to do the bike tours.

“My first eye-opening moment was in Kenya, when a family asked me to describe my farm. They were utterly confused when I told them I didn’t have one,” he said.

After spending time working on an organic farm in Quebec, Mike returned to Red Deer, knowing he truly wanted to start a farm. “In the spring of 2010, I went on a bike trip all throughout central Alberta and stopped at about fifteen farms.”

If he didn’t have a farm, how then, did he get food, they asked.

When he explained that his food came from a grocery store, they wanted to know what the grocery store’s farm was like.

That night, as he lay in his little shack in Kenya, he realized that he had absolutely no knowledge of where any food that he’d ever eaten had come from.

“That was my moment. I thought, ‘I’ve got to go home and learn about agriculture’.”

That led to a stint with The Otesha Project – a group that combines cycling, theatre and social justice for young people all over Canada. In the course of cycling, performing, and doing work shares on organic farms, Mike really connected with the land. “I got that farming vibe and got into the work and the flow of it.”

That experience led to working as a co-director for The Otesha Project – an office job in Ottawa where he spent most of the year in an office, planning the cycling tours, with a couple 18

“I thought, ‘The main part of my job I like are these two weeks I spend on the farm each year and the part I don’t like is sitting at a desk all the time’.”

When he returned to Red Deer he found a couple willing to let him start a vegetable operation on a couple acres of their much larger farm. “The bike was one of the central themes for me. It just made sense to do this all by bicycle.”

He’s not alone in that belief. Other farmers and cyclists in Kelowna and Vancouver feel the same way.

“There’s a lot of young people my age, 20 to 30, city kids, who see what I’m doing or what other farmers are doing and they really want to start. It’s funny, because growing up in Red Deer, a farmer was the last thing that anyone wanted you to be.”

And that’s where social entrepreneurship comes in. People want good, clean, fair food. “By and large, farmers in the area are providing food for export to international commodity markets.”

Mike believes there’s a wave of young people that want to farm in a different fashion who see central Alberta as an ideal starting spot. Land and equipment costs preclude young people from getting into farming on the scale that’s typical in the region, and those farms are specifically developed for massive growth.

After completing two full seasons, he’s learning how to produce really good food and, perhaps more importantly, how to build healthy soil. “I’m producing food in a way that’s different than people here today, with sort of a soil-first approach.”

He feels he still has a lot of work to do to perfect his methods to get his soil to a level where it produces plants that are strong and healthy enough, where pests and diseases won’t bother them.

“A healthy plant is going to resist all pests.”

Mike also knows he can produce a lot more food, for more families, than he’s doing now. Healthy soil and a top-notch vegetable farmer will produce $40,000 per acre in fresh produce, contrasted with the $300-400 an acre a typical grain farm produces, with large input costs. Getting that output requires careful planning through the winter and refining the way his soil is developed and plants are grown.

The demand for fresh safe food supports a business model where families can buy shares into the crops he grows. Mike then delivers throughout the growing season and offers his wares at the local public market. He envisions a partnership on a portion of a quarter section of land where the bulk of the land is used for responsibly pasturing livestock for grass fed and grass finished product. Another portion, perhaps 20 acres, is then devoted to growing fresh produce. The partner’s livestock would be sold in the same manner where families buy shares of the livestock production, with a season’s production committed before it’s produced.

He has set out to raise the money to enable him to get on a farm full time and move the enterprise to the next level.

This year, Mike’s business plan impressed local economic developers so much that he won the RED Challenge – a $20,000 investment in his concept of locally grown and consumed organic food.

Once his farm is established, Mike believes the future will include employing young people and creating the opportunity for them to learn the science and techniques of producing food for local markets.

“I’ve heard that the average farm is over a thousand acres, so even a quarter section (160 acres) is really quite a small farm. As long as you can grow sustainably, I think you can have a farm that is part of a healthy ecosystem and part of a sustainable and social-economic scenario.”

If Mike Kozlowski’s dream pans out, Red Deer families will be the better for it, embracing a food system that truly nourishes the eaters, restores degraded land, and provides new opportunities for responsible and sustainable economic revitalization.

WHAT ARE RDC STAFF & FACULTY

Reading?

“I can’t stop gushing about the book that I just finished reading, for the second time in the last decade or so. It is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. It’s very long - over 600 pages - and is just an amazing read on so many different levels. I even learned a little bit of Hebrew reading it!”

Clare Westcott, Spanish Instructor “A great book that I just finished is called The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman. I would rate it as one of the best books I have ever read. Well-written and a very interesting story about a couple who live on an island near Australia - he tends the lighthouse - there is quite a moral dilemma in the story which I found fascinating.”

Phyllis Maser, Administrative Assistant | Program and Service Prioritization Project “There are the two books I am reading right now: The Race by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott I am reading at home. The book American Spy written by Olen Steinhauer I am listening to in my truck everyday as I drive back and forth from home to RDC.” Lee Hallett, Instructor | Plumbing Department “I am currently reading philosopher Mark Kingwell’s Nothing for Granted: Tales of War, Philosophy, and Why the Right Was Mostly Wrong: Selected Writings 2000-2003. Kingwell was a speaker at Red Deer College in March 2013 at the Perspectives: Canada in the World event. This collection of essays, published in The National Post between 2000 and 2003, registers and tracks ideas, events, and phenomena that have shaped the world we live in today.”

Nancy E. Batty, PhD, Academic Program Development Manager | Strategic Planning and Research “I am reading The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by don Miguel Ruiz. This is a must read, especially for any woman. I am reading it on my Nook, but I know that it is available also in paperback.”

Diana Gillespie, Instructor | Donald School of Business

NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP 20

R R P

To label her as someone who embraced the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” would be an understatement for Nicole Sather (Welding, 2012).

She’s been handed what could be considered a whole orchard of blooming lemon trees, but Nicole still smiles and finds things to be thankful for.

by Lani Ledingham | Development Communications Consultant

Her son Jayson, now 11, was diagnosed with asthma at just three months old. He’s also been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), and a Cognitive Disability that has delayed his development by approximately six years.

Add to that list Sleep Apnea and several allergies, and Nicole has her hands full caring for her son. Yet even still, she wouldn’t trade any of it.

With tears in her eyes Nicole remarks how Jayson has taught her all about patience and forgiveness.

“I can find the good in anybody. My son sees it, so how can I not? He’s just so amazing. After all that he’s been through he has such a positive outlook and takes everything in stride.”

Nicole grew up ‘dirt poor’ on a hobby farm in southern Alberta and learned the essence of discipline and hard work. Often times she and her siblings would wake at 4 a.m. to ride and do circuit training with the horses, before heading to school. From feeding the animals to helping with laundry, Nicole learned at a young age how to juggle several things at once.

“A lot of my mothering instinct comes from that part of my life. I still mother everyone around me!”

Nicole’s family moved to Williams Lake, BC, and her mom suggested she run for Stampede Queen as a way to meet new people. Nicole stepped up to the challenge and during the four months of intense training and studying, she met a guy. Stampede rules were very strict at the time regarding dating while running for Queen. Nicole was crowned Princess and soon after found out that she was pregnant.

The option of abortion was made readily available, but Nicole, now age 23, didn’t consider it. She gave up her title as Stampede Princess and had her baby girl. A year later, she was married.

Nicole put her husband through college twice, and he dropped out both times. With marriage issues burning to the surface, they felt that having another baby might help.

Their baby boy, Jayson, was born and while recovering from a c-section, Nicole found out that her husband was cheating. Shortly thereafter, she packed her two little ones and all her belongings and moved to Red Deer.

It was then 2004 and with her three-year-old son and sixyear-old daughter in tow, she started as Assistant Manager at the KFC on Gasoline Alley – a company she had worked for in BC. The now family-of-three moved into her sister’s basement and for two years that was her norm – working in the fastfood industry and juggling family life. One day her brotherin-law heard a radio ad about job openings at a welding shop. Nicole quickly did up a resume, went in, and she started the next day as a general laborer.

“I just told him I’m a farm girl who’s not afraid of getting dirty and a little hard work!”

Thus began a higher-income career for Nicole and her journey at RDC, as her new employer registered her into the RDC welding apprenticeship program.

Nicole’s education took longer to finish due to personal health issues – a three-year program became six years.

She had a forced hysterectomy due to anemia, which was followed by several months of increased anemia. The doctors did some tests and found cancerous growths on 21

her ovaries. This required more time off from work and school and a nine-month wait on the surgery list.

As Nicole evaluated how she was managing work and family life, she realized her family life was suffering. She braved the fear of the unknown and resigned at the welding shop.

“I thought, ‘What did I just do?’ To go from making really good money welding to EI, as a single mom paying $1500 for rent, I just felt like ‘I cannot do this!’”

A month later she was out looking for new employment and landed a position at Tank Safe – a welding company that is family owned and understood her situation. She was the only female welder in the shop.

“The guys’ first reaction when they see a girl is to help,” though she ended up exceeding many expectations and was even told by her boss to slow down. “Did I just get told I was too good and too fast?”

Nicole’s most recent ‘lemon’ is a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis in her spine. Due to the heavy lifting and bending over that is required as a welder, she won’t be able to continue in this career. Has she given up? Not in the least.

She has applied for upgrading classes at RDC and plans to enter into the medical field as soon as she can. Since doctors and nurses have been telling her for years that she’d make a great nurse, and she retains medical information like a sponge, it seemed the natural choice when welding fell through.

Though Nicole has experienced more health problems and set-backs than many do in an entire life time, she still walks with a resounding gratefulness for the people who have helped her through it all.

“I have a very amazing, courageous, and beautiful 14-year-

22

old daughter who’s unfortunately had to grow up very fast.

She is so good with her brother and so understanding of his special needs that at times I could just cry. I can’t say that balancing everything has been easy. It hasn’t been, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I love every minute of every day I have with my kids. Jayson’s special needs make me see the world and the people in it differently than most. He always has a smile and a hug for anyone who needs it, so he has taught me to love with all my heart and always see the best in people, no matter what.”

Jayson is seeing success in his Foundations class at school – the little victories along the way that Nicole celebrates with all her heart.

“They taught him a new way to do math, and I sat there and watched him do it on his own. I bawled! I ended up writing a note in his agenda and sending it to his teacher and made them cry, too. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see the day where he could do math.”

No doctor’s diagnosis or set-back will slow her down from putting one foot in front of the other. And some day, Nicole will be the nurse helping someone else through their ‘story’ so that they, too, know never to quit.

“Never give up. No matter what life throws at you, just don’t give up. You will never get more than you can handle thrown at you. It may feel like it, but you can power through it. Keep an open mind and open heart; good things will come."

LOOKING AHEAD:

ou r le a rne r - ce n t red

RED DEER COLLEGE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FUTURE GROWTH OF CENTRAL ALBERTA – AN IRREPLACEABLE HUB WHERE THE COMMUNITY CONNECTS. We attract learners who are going places in their lives. And we’ll let you in on the secret to our success. We put learners first.

Our commitment is to provide relevant, real-world programs to all our learners whether on our incredible campus or through on-line delivery. Applied learning prepares our students for successful careers and successful lives.

Our graduates make a difference in the world through their professional work and personal contributions to society because they care about what they do and about the world around them.

The learners who study at RDC come from all walks of life. They are dynamic and unique. We’re proud of the comprehensive nature of our institution. We recognize that our communities need a vast range of applied learning opportunities to prosper and to contribute to a thriving Alberta. We are known for offering excellence in skilled trades and certificate programs and for exceptional diplomas and degrees.

But we don’t have a single type of student in mind. The nature of our institution allows us to meet the learning needs of our richly diverse communities. No matter where our learners are in their lives or careers, we become a part of their pathway to success.

Our newest programs highlight our ability to meet the learning needs of our region and respond to industry needs through courses that provide learners with in-demand skills

and employers with highly trained employees. Through new diploma and degree programs we offer unique applied learning that teach a blend of skill sets. These new programs prepare our students for careers in the Automation, Manufacturing, Electrical Engineering, Finance and Health Care.

We are committed to the learners and communities of central Alberta. We continue to plan for growth by investing in new programs and facilities to ensure we are prepared for a growing population in a dynamic, and vibrant province.

The establishment of our Donald School of Business and our recent acquisition of the City Centre Stage are recent examples of our commitment to Red Deer. But it is our work with Campus Alberta Central, our partners in learning in over 20 communities in the region, which demonstrates our commitment to the communities of central Alberta. Over 4000 learners were impacted by this unique partnership with Olds College and the over 20 community partners with whom we operate.

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2013/14, we look to the next 50 years. We imagine RDC as an institution known for attracting talent, not sending it away. And most importantly we will be known for the impressive access to degrees, advanced technology programs, innovation in manufacturing, business and executive training and other relevant programming in applied health and education enabling our children to complete their education here in central Alberta.

What will always remain the same at RDC is our legacy of putting learners at the centre of everything we do. That is our commitment at RDC, and that is what will ensure our success in the future.

23

RDC KING'S HOCKEY

IS BACK!

In 2013-2014 RDC will celebrate its 50th anniversary and proudly welcome back Kings Hockey under the leadership of Trevor Keeper, the new Head Coach of the Kings Hockey team. Our Manager of Alumni and Advancement Services, Brent LaBrosse, sat down to ask Trevor a few questions as the season quickly approaches.

With RDC not having a team in ACAC Men’s Hockey in quite some time, how much time have you spent recruiting players for the 2013-2014 season? What are the challenges in trying to recruit players to play for RDC when other colleges and universities have existing programs?

Well, I started recruiting basically as soon as I found out I had the job last September. I have watched over 40 junior games in the WHL, AJHL, and SJHL and will go to BC for the Western Canada Junior A Cup in April. I have been talking to coaches from Manitoba to BC and all over. I have probably talked to over 60 players, with 11 committed so far.

One of the challenges in our first year, rather than recruiting six or seven guys to come in and replace players, is that we have to have 23 right off the bat. So it’s been a long process and it’s going to continue right until the end of the Junior Hockey season.

With a few years of experience under your belt in the ACAC coaching women’s hockey, how much of a transition will it be for you to move over to the men’s side of ACAC hockey?

Actually, taking over the women’s program was a good challenge and was a little bit different. The athletes want to be treated like elite hockey players. As far as moving over to the men’s side, I have coached for 17 years in male hockey. Everything from CIS, Western Hockey League, Junior in Japan, Boys Midget AAA, Team Pacific, Team Alberta, as well as previously coaching in the ACAC with the Red Deer College Kings. The adjustment won’t be long, except for getting reacquainted with the speed of the men and those types of players. We’re excited about it!

RDC has a tradition of icing strong contenders in ACAC Men’s Hockey. What are your expectations for the men’s team next year, given that it will be a new team of players with little to no experience at the ACAC level?

24

With recruiting, we are trying to get as many quality character student athletes as we can. So far we have several captains from their respective junior teams. Once you get a good core of players then they start to recruit their friends and teammates. Our goal is to be in the playoffs the first year (top 6). The RDC program was one of the top programs for a long time and we expect to get right back up there very quickly. We have a great coaching staff with a lot of experience from goaltender, video, defence and forward coaches. We have a solid staff.

"The RDC program was one of the top programs for a long time and we expect to get right back up there."

Trevor Keeper, new Head Coach of the Kings Hockey team

Do you have any personal goals for the 2013-2014 season?

First goal is to recruit 23 players that I believe are quality players, quality people, and open training camp in September with a good core. Then to make the playoffs, which will be the top six teams in the first year. That is our goal coming out of the gate.

Season tickets for the 2013-2013 Kings Hockey season are available from RDC Athletics with the Kings home games being played at the Penhold Multiplex Fitness Centre.

For more information or to order your season tickets, please call the RDC Athletics Ticket Hotline at 403.342.3497.

SPOTTED!

Alumni Wine Tasting Festival 2012

Every year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised for RDC student scholarships. Thank you to everyone that came out to support our students!

Our major fundraising events at RDC welcomed community members, volunteers, staff and faculty to come and engage at our Affairs of the Arts, Golf Classic, International Wine Auction, Alumni Wine Tasting Festival, and most recently, our Athletics Scholarship Breakfast.

Golf Classic 2012 Image 1 (LtoR): Dave Kalinowski, Craig Soderquist Image 2 (LtoR): Don O’Dell, Hillary Boisjolie, Ingrid Anderson, Bill Olafson Image 3 (LtoR): Don Warden, Matthew Keller (1998), Mike Stewart, Kent Wing

Affairs of the Arts 2013

with Chilliwack

International Wine Auction 2012 Image 2 (LtoR): Martin Cruz (VP, Student Life), Coraley Ortman, Julie Knapp (VP, College Affairs), Laura Wynnyk Image 3 (LtoR): Andrew Kelnchuk, Jeremy Jablonski (2003), Darcy Mykytyshyn Image 4 (LtoR): Carrie Doll, CTV

Athletics Scholarship Breakfast 2013 with Wayne Gretzky & Kelly Chase

25

class

NOTES We are proud of our alumni!

(Left) KATRINA O’REILLY (Rec Admin, 1993) was Awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. It's a source of pride that the medal acknowledges the community work Katrina does, especially her work with the Special Olympics.

LAURIE SCHWARTZ (Theatre Studies, 1992), brainchild behind Parks Canada's Mountain WIT, was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award this past February. This commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The award recognizes significant contributions to one’s peers, community and the country.

is a successful writer. Through his non-profit organization Raise Their Voice, he has worked to address issues such as human trafficking, the AIDS pandemic, and the plight of refugees. His play, "She Has A Name" had a successful 13-city Canadian tour in 2012 playing before audiences from Halifax to Victoria.

(Right) With 400 public appearances in her future over the next year, GILLIAN SHIELDS (Bachelor of Education, 2nd year) is ready to embrace the responsibilities of her new title as Miss Rodeo Canada 2013.

After receiving his journeyman ticket and red seal in the welding program, CORY KAUN (Welding, 2002) continued to work within the welding industry. While working fulltime in Red Deer, he found his true passion shortly after in the construction industry. Since then, he and his business partner have been successfully 'building value for life' homes for families (Larkaun Homes Ltd.) within central Alberta while supporting their community in many ways, including a scholarship at RDC. BLAKE MCWILLIAM (Motion Picture Arts, 2005) won the Rosie Award for Best Music Video for the Colleen Brown video "Fight!

Fight! Fight!" BRETT MANYLUK (Theatre Studies, 1991) won the Rosie Award for Best Cinematographer - Drama over 30 Minutes for “The Burlesque Assassins.”

LAURA FROGGATT (nee Kinsella, Bachelor of Science, 1983) is both an alumni and Biology instructor at RDC. She received a 2012 Award of Excellence “in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the RDC Learning Community by promoting advanced education and future success of students”. She recently received a Long Term Service award at RDC for her dedication of 25 years to the College.

(Above) SHEILA HEIDT (Hospitality & Tourism, 1997) has been working in the hospitality industry for 15 years. She just celebrated 10 years with AMA Travel and has been a repeat winner of their prestigious Sales and Service Award of Excellence.

Every year she travels somewhere for work and pleasure, but the locations that stand out as favourites were: when she went to Australia to experience some of the best beaches in the world, and a recent trip to Churchill, Manitoba for a once in a lifetime chance to see polar bears. Next up is a trip through the English countryside this summer.

(Above, Left) ANDREW KOOMAN (BA, 2003) was recognized by the Association of Alberta Colleges and Technical Institutes (AACTI) and the Government of Alberta for his outstanding contributions to his community and for work he has done abroad. Andrew received an Outstanding Alumnus Provincial Award Celebrating Excellence (PACE Award). In addition to his career at RDC, Andrew

26

MICHAEL LOMENDA (Theatre Studies, 1997) in his Jersey Boys performance played the off-kilter bassist, Nick Massi, in Chicago for another extended run to showcase the lives and music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. He’s no apprentice to this Tony Award Winning show, however - Lomenda played Massi in the Toronto production prior to joining the national tour last year.

THE CREDENTIALS OF GOOD TASTE PATH TO THE SCHOLARLY PALATE

Alumni Wine Ad

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