The Legend March 2011

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

VOLUME 10

|

ISSUE SEVEN

A Canadian first

the UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Bach able to excel both on and off the ice

University’s personal touch wins Hansen over

Alumna Strikes With A Gun stays true to her ideals

Fine Arts stages Richard III

The U of L Legend is published monthly during the academic year by the communications unit within University Advancement. Submissions, comments and story ideas are always welcome. The Legend reserves the right to refuse any submitted advertisement. The Legend can be found online at www.uleth.ca/unews/ legend. Next content deadline is Apr. 1, 2011.

A DV E R T I S I N G For ad rates or other information, contact: legend@uleth.ca CREDITS Editor: Trevor Kenney Designer: Stephenie Karsten CO N T R I B U TO R S: Amanda Berg, Diane Britton, Bob Cooney, Jane Edmundson, Nicole Eva, Abby Groenenboom, Suzanne McIntosh, Kali McKay, Heather Nicholson, Stacy Seguin, Katherine Wasiak and Richard Westlund

University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 www.ulethbridge.ca

Members of the Mapping the Landscapes of Childhood Conference are excited about the opportunities this unique gathering of childhood researchers may create.

BY TREVOR KENNEY

I

t’s funny what can be revealed when you begin to scratch the surface.

Anthropology professor, Dr. Jan Newberry’s latest research focus is on childhood issues in the wake of a global revitalization of the study of the child and childhood. Her fieldwork in Indonesia looks at the implementation of childhood programming, focused on ages 0 to 8, that has been driven by the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and subsequent funding from the World Bank to drive childhood issues.

Back at the University of Lethbridge she took a look around campus, out of curiosity, to see who else was working on issues related to childhood. Before she knew it, she’d uncovered a broad culture of childhood research that spanned disciplines and ignited an idea.

Two years later, The Childhoods Conference: Mapping the Landscapes of Childhood, was born.

“In many ways this conference has come about because I was interested in knowing who else is working on childhood in Canada, what are they looking at and what are the multiple perspectives,” says Newberry. “I started talking to others around campus and found, ultimately, all these people who are dealing with childhood in some way in their own work. We put a committee together and thought, why don’t we bring everybody to the University of Lethbridge?”

While the genesis of the idea was simple, the end result is anything but, and the Childhoods Conference (May 5-7) promises to be a Canadian first.

“I don’t think anybody’s done a conference like this before in Canada,” says Newberry. “There have

G E T T H E FA C T S • Among the keynote speakers at the conference is Dr. Allison James, director of the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth, University of Sheffield.

• Shortly after announcing their conference, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, also introduced a conference on childhood studies. “At first that was frustrating but then we looked at it as an affirmation that this is an important topic,” says Newberry. Rutgers houses the Centre for Children and Childhood Studies.

• Alumnus Dez Kamara (BA ’10) will present his film, The Kids of St. Michael’s, at the conference. The film depicts the plight of child soldiers in Kamara’s native Sierra Leone.

• The conference has had support from every faculty on campus as well as the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, the Women Scholars Speaker Series, the Discovery Lecture Series and the Alberta Centre for Child, Family & Community Research.

• For complete conference information, visit www.uleth. ca/conreg/childhoods

certainly been conferences about childhood for people who do literature or for people who are interested from an education perspective and so on, but not one that takes this multidisciplinary approach.”

In that respect, the U of L is the ideal venue for hosting this initiative, and it may not stop there.

CONTINUED ON PG. 3

MAPPING THE LANDSCAPES OF CHILDHOOD Conference Committee • Dr. Louise Barrett, Psychology

• Tanya Pace Crosschild, Executive Director, Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society

• Dr. Elizabeth Galway, English • Nicholas Hanson, Theatre and Drama

• Michelle Hogue, First Nations Transition Program and Chemistry & Biochemistry

• Jennifer Jenson, Grad Student, Anthropology

• Pinar Kocak, Grad Student, Sociology

• Elyane Lacaseé, Undergrad Student, Anthropology

• Dr. Heidi MacDonald, History • Dr. Josephine Mills, Art Gallery and Art Department

• Dr. Susan McDaniel, The Prentice Institute and Sociology

• Dr. Jan Newberry, Anthropology

• Dr. Janay Nugent, History • Laura Richardson, Undergrad Student, Anthropology

• Dr. Amy von Heyking, Education

the Legend

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

OPENMike

University of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what’s happening in the University community

University campuses are places for discovery and discourse, where ideas are created and issues are debated. As I look around the University of Lethbridge I see a vibrant culture of engaged students and faculty and I am encouraged by the diversity of opinions that are shared.

This is one of the reasons why I was so enthused with the program initiated by the Gender and Diversity Caucus of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association. Last week’s Show Respect, Get Respect at Your U event was extremely important for our campus in terms of pushing the notion of inclusivity and the importance of respect for diversity and difference.

The essence of a University

campus is to promote a place open to different voices, different perspectives and different ways to look at the world. We are a campus in transition, one that is continuing to grow as we establish ourselves as a destination university.

Already we are home to students from more than 85 countries. We welcome students from small communities and large cities, we strongly support the growth of our First Nations, Métis and Inuit student populations and we actively recruit faculty and staff from all over Canada, North America and the world. Our campuses in Calgary and Edmonton reflect a population of adult learners that continues to expand.

It is foundationally

important that we maintain an atmosphere in which diversity of race, gender and opinion are respected. To that end, the conversation initiated by ULFA and the CAETL Talking About Teaching seminar that explored the topic of respectful teaching and respectful learning is fundamental to furthering an attitude of mutual understanding.

The U of L already has an appetite to celebrate its diversity.

I look to successful ventures such as International Week, Native Awareness Week, OUTspoken, and I see a campus with diverse interests and ideals. It is imperative that conversation is encouraged to grow.

This past fall I had the opportunity to meet with organizers of a conference held here

CAMPUS Dr. David Renter (Music) was one of the jazz band adjudicators at the Alberta International Band Festival in Calgary, Feb. 22-27. In addition to adjudicating, Renter performed at the festival with fellow jazz adjudicators, pianist Reggie Thomas and trumpeter Jim Sisko.

Emily Luce (New Media) has her national debt data visualization project, Small Change, screened several times in March and April in New York City as part of the, Band of Outsiders, curatorial project. Venkat Mahadevan (former New Media tech specialist) wrote the script for the project, and Matthew Fulton (New Media tech specialist) also worked on the script.

Pronghorns’ rugby player, Kelsey Willoughby, will join former Horns standout Ashley Patzer in Hong Kong at the end of the month as part of the Canadian Senior Sevens squad.

Both Willoughby and Patzer were named to the roster that will play in the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, beginning Mar. 22.

Dr. Arlan Schultz (Music) and Dr. Jeremy Brown have been

in Lethbridge that was organized by the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination. Our own Catherine Kingfisher (anthropology) played a part in this conference and I pledged that the University would be more fully engaged with next fall’s event. Not only do we have a role to play in terms of messaging to our students, faculty and staff, with respect to diversity and inclusivity, but we also have an opportunity to engage the Lethbridge community as a whole in this conversation.

Our students, faculty and staff are all part of the community, and if we can act as a leader in creating a more accepting Lethbridge community, the better the quality of life for

kudos

jointly awarded $15,000 by the Alberta Creative Development Initiative (ACDI) of the Canada Council for the Arts to produce a recording of new works by seven prairie region composers.

Among those works is a new one

by Schultz entitled IKOS - kun tu ‘bar ba. The recordings will be made in the U of L’s world-class Studio 1 facility and will incorporate state-of-the art mixing techniques for surround/immersive audio.

Billy J. McCarroll (Art professor emeritus) has an exhibition of his work at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery showing until May 1, and in the Helen Christou Gallery on campus through Apr. 8.

JP Christopher Jackson’s (Music professor emeritus) composition, Drifting into Grey, was performed in March at Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra’s Master Series concert, Cold Comfort. Performing Jackson’s piece were music faculty Dr. Blaine Hendsbee (tenor), Norbert Boehm (violin), Mark Rodgers (cello), and Elinor Lawson (piano) as well as U of L alumnus Paul Walker (BMus ’82, percussion).

everyone.

My own work in disability research has been very much connected to the appreciation of diversity, of difference and of differing skills and ability. I often refer to this quote from Henry David Thoreau in my talks on disability and inclusivity.

“If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music in which he hears, however measured, or far away.”

We have an opportunity to open the discussion, and I applaud ULFA for bringing this conversation forward and encourage everyone to engage in this debate.

clinic at Brigham Young University, Hawaii, and conducted a joint concert with the BYUH and Global Drums Steel Bands.

Management students and sisters Brittany Miller and Amanda Miller have qualified for the final round of Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec 2011 competition. They represent one of 10 teams, out of 200 original submissions, who will now go to Toronto, Mar. 29 to pitch their final advertising plan to a panel of judges.

Instead of Bruins or Red Sox souvenirs, the 28-person U of L Model United Nations team brought home two awards from a recent conference in Boston, Mass. Marcie Wallace (left) and Dan Kapusta (centre) won an Honourable Mention award for on their teamwork on the General Assembly’s Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee.

Vanessa Lodermeier (right) won an Honourable Mention award for her work in the Specialized Agency: Taipei Convention of 2025. The delegation represented the countries of Micronesia and the Philippines.

Nicholas Hanson (Theatre & Dramatic Arts) directed and deigned, Confessions of a Paperboy, for New West Theatre in March.

The U of L Global Drums Steel Band, directed by Adam

2

Mason (Music), represented Canada at the 17th Annual Honolulu Festival, Hawaii’s largest cultural festival, Mar 12-13. They are the first Canadian group to be invited to this Pacific-rim festival. While there, Mason presented an African Drumming

Ron Chambers’ (Theatre & Dramatic Arts, BASC ’85) play, Marg Szkaluba (Pissy’s Wife), is presented by \’Verb Theatre at the Ironwood Stage & Grill in Calgary, Mar. 3-5 and March 10-13. U of L alumni involved include actor Brent Podesky (BA ’07) and director Jamie Dunsdon (BFA ’06).

Deanna Oye (Music) performed a solo piano recital in February at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, B.C. She also conducted a master class for talented high-school piano students from Cranbrook and Creston. The concert celebrated and showcased the recent rebuilding of the college’s grand piano.

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

the Legend

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Campus security under the microscope N

ormally, they are the group watching over the University, 24 hours a day, in person and through more than 250 on-campus security cameras. However, beginning in mid-March, the campus security group is asking the University community to check in on them.

“My team and I are looking forward to receiving the input and results from an independent group.”

JOHN O’KEEFFE

The University of Lethbridge has commissioned external security consultants David Hyde and Associates to perform a campus security audit. The objective of the audit is to assess the current campus personal safety and security program and provide input to the future direction to be adopted by the Security Services department.

CHILDHOOD STUDIES A WORLDWIDE PRIORITY CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 “Our deep dark secret was asking each other whether we really wanted to have it here but the more we thought about it, it was obvious,” says Newberry. “First of all, we want to put our school on the map and look at all the people who are working on childhood issues here.

People should come here and see what our campus and research is about. Combine that with the liberal arts idea of multidimensional approaches to the same problem in which we excel and it just made sense to bring people to Lethbridge.”

The committee knew it had a winning idea when it put the call out for a keynote speaker and all six people approached said they would come. While a scheduling conflict has pared that list by one, the conference is offering an unprecedented

“Our program is in place to ensure a safe and secure campus environment is maintained for all University stakeholders,” says John O’Keeffe, the U of L’s security director. “It is absolutely essential that the experiences and views of the people who learn, live, teach and work at the campus are taken into consideration.”

O’Keefe says that since the last major audit was completed, the campus has changed significantly.

“While progress has been made in implementing a number of security measures, my team and I are looking forward to receiving the input and results from the independent group commissioned to conduct the audit to help with future planning.”

The audit takes the form of online surveys, several town hall-style meetings and feedback opportunities through a secure website.

“We really want this audit to give us a solid direction, and to include as much information as possible from the campus community,” adds O’Keefe.

There are two ways that University stakeholders can participate in the upcoming Campus Security Audit. The first is by completing a short survey

five keynotes, along with two poster sessions over three days of concurrent panels. A trio of practitioner sessions is also on the schedule, featuring Drs. Robin Bright, Mary Dyck and Robbin Gibb, all U of L faculty members, as well as Tanya Pace Crosschild. Additionally, both graduate and undergraduate students have been involved in the planning process.

It’s obvious that Newberry and company have struck a chord with the advent of this conference and it may lead to further initiatives down the line.

“We have had discussions about perhaps starting a childhood studies centre here,” says Newberry. “Once we got the SSHRC grant we knew we were on to something. Having gone through this process, we will now have this network of national and international scholars that are connected to each other, possibly allowing us to serve as the hub for an interdisciplinary childhood studies institute.”

And all it took was someone to look across campus and ask the question, “I wonder . . . ”

Security manager Bill Krysak, left and director John O’Keeffe, right, encourage everyone to take part in the campus security audit, Mar. 14-18.

located on the Security Services section of the University website (www.uleth.ca/security/).

The second way to participate is to attend an upcoming Town Hall Meeting hosted by the team of security specialists performing the audit.

“By participating in a Town Hall Meeting or in completing

the survey, people can contribute to a more representative security audit and, most importantly, contribute to helping us provide a safe and secure campus,” says O’Keefe.

The dates for the Town Hall Meeting representing each major stakeholder group are as follows: AUPE: Monday, Mar. 14,

noon to 1 p.m. (L1060, University Library) Students: Tuesday, Mar. 15, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. (Students’ Union Ballroom) APO: Wednesday, Mar. 16, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060, University Library) ULFA: Friday, Mar. 18, noon to 1 p.m. (L1060)

NAYLOR EARNS PRESTIGIOUS APPOINTMENT

Dr. David Naylor at the launch of the Herschel Space Telescope.

Dr. David Naylor (physics and astronomy, Institute for Space Imaging Science) has been appointed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to the Joint Committee on Space Astronomy.

This six-panel committee advises the CSA on which space astron-

3

omy missions the CSA should become involved with. The committee recently approved continued participation in the JAXA/ ESA SPICA mission, for which Naylor is the Canadian lead until the end of 2011.

The U of L is unique in that

it is the lead Canadian institution on two international space missions, including a significant contribution to the imaging equipment aboard the Herschel Space Telescope, which Naylor was privileged to see launched last year.

the Legend

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Hastings found a home at U of L

SENATE SELECTS HONORARY DEGREE GROUP

This Oct. 2001 photo show the directors of the library’s curriculum laboratory, including the late Cora Hastings, left, Bill Glaister and Barbara Huston.

The University of Lethbridge Senate has confirmed six deserving individuals to receive an Honorary Degree at Convocation ceremonies taking place in the spring and fall. Following are short biographical sketches of this year’s honorees.

Maude Barlow Barlow is a widely published author, leader in the International Water Justice Movement, senior advisor on water to the 63rd president of the United Nations General Assembly and the founding member and national chairperson of the Council of Canadians.

Clint Dunford Dunford is a business consultant and four-term member of the Alberta Legislature (Lethbridge West) who was instrumental in the creation and launch of Campus Alberta and WorkSafe Alberta, among other initiatives. A cancer survivor, Dunford served as the honorary chairman of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Walk for Life.

George Gemer A well-known Lethbridge track and field and fencing coach, Gemer is also an author and survivor of Second World War prisoner of war camps who fled Hungary for Canada in 1956. Gemer has coached and officiated at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and other world-class sporting events while retaining close ties to the Hungarian community in Lethbridge and beyond.

John Kloppenborg A University of Lethbridge graduate (1974), he is a professor and Chair at the University of Toronto’s Department and Centre for the Study of Religion.

Kloppenborg is well-known as a researcher of the origins and sources of early Christian texts such as the Q document, a lost book of the New Testament.

Kim Phuc Phuc is a noted humanitarian and subject of the famous photograph of a young Vietnamese girl fleeing her village after a horrific napalm attack. Phuc founded the Kim Phuc Foundation and is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for a Culture of Peace.

Gordon Semenoff A Pincher Creek-born theoretical physicist, Semenoff is a professor of physics at the University of British Columbia. He was the 2010 Bertram Brockhouse medal winner and is a renowned expert on quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, statistical mechanics and string theory.

BY KALI MCKAY

I

n the 1960s, Cora Hastings was considering a job at the newly established University of Lethbridge and wrote to her parents about the position. In the midst of the political turmoil in the United States at the time, her father offered some straightforward advice: “Go to Canada and make your home there.”

Originally from Mercer, Penn., Hastings made the move north to accept a position in the U of L library, then located on the Lethbridge Junior College campus. Although hired as a librarian, Hastings’ devotion

to being ,and prior experience as, a teacher were soon called upon, and she began delivering the school librarian courses then being offered throughout southern Alberta.

Hastings, who recently passed away, worked at the University for nearly 20 years and, heeding her father’s advice, made the U of L her home. Deeply connected to the institution and always looking to the future, Hastings made a planned gift to the U of L in her will, demonstrating her passion for the University.

“Her commitment to and engagement with the University of Lethbridge never waned,”

says colleague and longtime friend Barbara Huston, who worked with Hastings in the Faculty of Education’s Curriculum Laboratory.

Hastings was the first co-ordinator of the curriculum lab, a special collection of materials and resources to support teacher education courses, and was instrumental in securing administration through the Faculty of Education.

“Suffice it to say, her insight and conviction that Faculty administration would best serve everyone’s interests won the day,” says Huston, who took over as co-ordinator when Hastings retired. “The lab

exists as a demonstration of her tenacity, persistence and sheer doggedness in getting it just right.”

Benefitting from Hastings’ foresight and passion, the curriculum lab continues to serve students, faculty and community users and has achieved a reputation as the best curriculum laboratory in Western Canada.

Hastings’ commitment has inspired a lasting legacy – one that remembers a librarian who made herself at home at the U of L, and one that will benefit the University well into the future.

As a result of her bequest, Cora Hastings joins the Fiat Lux Legacy Society, a group of donors who have left a legacy gift or are planning a legacy gift that will benefit the University of Lethbridge in the future. For more information, visit www.ulethbridge/giving or call 403-329-2582.

“Faculty and staff gifts set an important example by showing we believe in our University, the importance of education and the student experience. The scholarships I received while attending university made a real difference to me, and I feel it’s important to pay it forward.”

Karen Clearwater, Associate Vice-President, Financial Planning

THIS IS MY U.ca LIBRARY LOOKS TO ENGAGE WITH STUDENTS PechaKucha was introduced to the University of Lethbridge campus recently as the U of L Library’s Student Engagement Team (SET) hosted a PechaKucha event as part of the University’s International Week.

Seven presenters, including faculty, staff and one international student, spoke on internationally-themed topics ranging from a winter road trip to Alaska to anthropological field work in Indonesia.

The Student Engagement Team was formed in the fall

of 2010 to provide leadership within the University Library on all services and activities that support the strategic direction of enhancing the student experience. The group is interested in finding new ways to engage students both academically and socially.

“When the International Centre for Students asked us to be a part of International Week we were eager to participate,” says event organizer Heather Nicholson.

She adds that SET was particularly interested in finding an activity that would engage international students.

Nicholson and SET co-chair Nicole Eva had read about PechaKucha and were looking for an opportunity to put it

into practice.

PechaKucha, a term derived from the Japanese word for chit-chat, is a simple presentation format where 20 images are shown for 20 seconds each. The images forward automatically while a presenter speaks to them. The presentation style was developed by two architects in Tokyo in 2003 who wanted to provide a space and an opportunity for designers to share new ideas, but in a fast-paced and entertaining format. Since 2004, PechaKucha events have been spreading to other cities around the world. Currently there are regular PechaKucha nights running in more than 260 cities worldwide on an unlimited number of topics.

4

While PechaKucha is not well known around Lethbridge, all participants and attendees expressed enthusiasm about the event. One particularly moving presentation was given

by University Librarian Glenna Westwood, who spoke about her emotional voyage to Ghana in May 2010. Westwood and her father (retired U of L professor Bill Cook) made their first return journey to the West African country after spending five years there in the 1970s.

PechaKucha Night is trademarked and run by a global foundation. For more information about PechaKucha visit www.pecha-kucha.org

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

athletics AT T H E U

the Legend

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Bach excels with scientific approach

BY TREVOR KENNEY

M

egan Bach understands she has an opportunity to make a difference, whether it is on the ice as a member of the Pronghorns women’s hockey team, or in the classroom as a 4.0 student aspiring to medical school and a future in neurology. It’s probably why she’s so mindful of the people who made a difference in her life, and is so willing to give back to the community in their honour.

Bach was named the Canada West women’s hockey top student-athlete following the conclusion of the 2010-2011 season. It’s an award that comes as no surprise to her coach and is testament to Bach’s attitude.

“Megan brings excitement and hard work to whatever she puts her mind to,” says Pronghorns head coach Chandy Kaip.

“She goes above and beyond her coaches’ and professors’ expectations as a student-athlete. She fits the mold of the ideal studentathlete.”

The Champion, Alta. product is in her fourth year of studies at the U of L, majoring in biochemistry. A fan of the sciences all through high school, Horns women’s hockey forward Megan Bach is as comfortable on the ice as Bach was keen on a future as an she is in the chem lab. optometrist. That was until an Bach came to the U of L forward, I’m not much of a goal introductory neuroscience class intent on being a student first. scorer but I enjoy the penalty got her hooked on the brain.

She only decided to try and furkill, it’s simple to me,” she says.

“I really enjoy learning ther her hockey career after she “The penalty kill makes sense about the brain, it fascinates left high school and realized she and I just work hard to get the me,” she says. “Learning about still longed to play the game.

In job done.” the different diseases and how typical fashion, she won a spot It sounds familiar to the damage to different parts of the with the Horns by displaying her approach she takes to her schoolbrain results in different behavwork ethic. work, an attitude learned from iours really intrigues me.”

“I’ve always been a defensive her parents.

“Starting at a young age, they taught me how important school was and to have a good work ethic,” says Bach. “It just became habit for me, and it turned into a case where I really enjoyed pushing myself to do the best I possibly could.”

“I like to give back to the community because it has always been there for me growing up.”

MEGAN BACH

It’s not always easy to excel in the classroom with the demands of playing a varsity sport chewing up your time but Bach actually finds it easier to get her schoolwork done during the busy Canada West season.

“Time management is the key, and any time I’m away from the rink, I’m doing homework and studying for exams. It’s tough but I know that’s what I want to do so I’m able to buckle down and focus

on it,” she says.

“It’s funny once hockey is done, I have so much more time, I need to try and change gears and manage my time differently.

It can be difficult getting into a routine.”

Despite the demands on her time, Bach still finds a way to lend her hand in a volunteer capacity. She’s especially thankful to a power-skating coach who helped her improve her skills.

Ironically, it is U of L Health Sciences professor, Dr. Claudia Steinke, who Bach now assists in running skating sessions for aspiring young players.

“She makes everyone of her students feel special and it’s the little things that make a world of difference in a person’s life. I can only hope to become half the person she is,” says Bach. “I really looked up to her, so when she asked me to help her out with camps, I was happy to do it. It’s really exciting to see the growth in girls’ hockey and it’s fun to get to know some of the girls through the camps that we’ve done. Seeing them progress and improve is really exciting and rewarding too. What’s neat is they come to our games and make signs for us and cheer us on and that’s always a lot of fun.”

Another Horns’ supporter, mathematics professor, Dr. Dennis Connolly, has also impressed upon Bach the opportunities she has before her.

“He’s talked to me about doing volunteer work overseas and it’s planted a seed in my head,” she says. “I’d love to go over and help in whatever way I can. I like to give back to the community because it has always been there for me growing up.”

SENATOR MITCHELL PRAISES POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION FROM U OF L PROGRAM Senator Grant Mitchell recently addressed the Senate to discuss the unique Support Program for Aboriginal Nursing Students (SPANS) at the University of Lethbridge. Following is text from his address.

Honourable Senators, it is my pleasure to speak about an exciting program offered at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. It is the Support Program for Aboriginal Nursing Students (SPANS).

This program was created in response to the shortage of Registered Nurses in rural and First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada. There is an urgent need for members of these communities to become nurses to address the health issues experienced among Aboriginal

people and to provide appropriate health services within their communities.

The main objective of SPANS is recruiting and retaining Aboriginal students who are academically capable and interested in pursuing a nursing career. Assistance and support is then offered toward providing the necessary academic background needed to complete a BN within the existing Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Lethbridge. It is hoped that when the students have completed their program, they will consider returning to their home communities to work.

SPANS is a partnership amongst the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences, Red Crow Community College, Blood Tribe Department of Health, Aakom-Kiyii Health Services (Piikani Nation),

Siksika Health Services and the Blackfoot Confederacy.

There are several elements to this unique program. One element is the pre-nursing year, a transitional year that provides students with an opportunity to enroll in required courses for admission to the nursing program. And they are supported in the often-challenging transition from home and family life to university.

Another element is the integral role that Elders have in the program. Their discussions with students help them to examine concepts related to nursing and health care from a Blackfoot perspective.

In addition to learning from Elders, the Aboriginal nursing students have also benefitted from a Mentorship Program, which has involved current Registered Nurses who work in the

5

Blackfoot Confederacy.

Opportunities for social networking and tutoring are also provided to support the students.

Designated staff and infrastructure provide additional academic and personal support.

Thanks to the leadership of the learning facilitator and administrative assistant, the students can feel supported in all that they do.

The success of this program can be measured in a few important ways.

The program has recently expanded to assist students working towards degrees in Addictions Counselling and Public Health. The program has grown from seven students to approximately 60 in four years.

The retention rate of the program is also an indicator of success: of all the Aboriginal nursing students who started in SPANS, only one is no longer

enrolled in a post-secondary program. The majority of Aboriginal students remain in a health-related program at the University.

Another impressive measure of success is that the students in this program have the opportunity to complete their clinical practicum in their home communities on local reserves and to become role models for other community members.

Honourable Senators, please join me in commending the students and staff of the Support Program for Aboriginal Nursing Students at the University of Lethbridge. They are truly a part of an innovative and visionary endeavour that will benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada for years to come.

the Legend

M A R C H 2 0 11

GLOBAL connections

Hansen benefits from personal touch G E T T H E FA C T S • Post-secondary education in Denmark is free, prompting Hansen to quip, “My parents really love me.”

• Hansen’s older sister completed a master’s degree in economics from the University of Copenhagen.

• Hansen became ill during her second semester and credits ICS liaison officer Charlene Janes for helping her through. “She is the best person ever. The ICS staff really knows its students and Charlene knew what was best for me at that time. Every time my parents come to visit, they make sure they go visit Charlene because they appreciate how much she looks after us.”

International student Stine Hansen found the University of Lethbridge through Wikipedia.

BY TREVOR KENNEY

A

Wikipedia search led Danish student Stine Hansen to the University of Lethbridge’s web door, but it was the personal attention she received thereafter that brought her to campus.

Hansen is in her fourth year, thriving as an international student with her eyes set on completing a degree in urban and regional studies.

Now an ambassador for the U of L experience, she’s a far greater resource than any Wikipedia link.

“Everything I learned about Lethbridge before I moved here, I learned on Wikipedia,” she laughs, admitting now that to pack up and leave Denmark to study in Lethbridge, Alberta was a major leap of faith.

“It was a bit of a risk but my parents were, surprisingly enough, very supportive,” says the 27-year-old. “The registrar’s office was really good helping me with my courses and transcript, and I just got a really good feeling about the place.

“I also got such good support from the International Centre for Students (ICS).

They told me what to expect when I arrived, how to get settled, when to arrive, and how they would help me. At the time, because of all that support, it didn’t seem that

big a deal to sell everything I owned, pack three suitcases and move here. Looking back it was a little bit crazy.”

You might think her assimilation into Canadian culture was an easy one.

Hansen’s a European who speaks English, and she had been motivated to come study in Canada after a high school exchange program took her to Nova Scotia when she was 16. But the culture, food and lifestyle are markedly different and it began to hit her on the drive from the Calgary airport to Lethbridge.

“The first town I went through was Nanton, then Claresholm, then Fort Macleod and I really started to wonder what I had gotten myself into,” she says, having grown up 20 minutes from Copenhagen and recently lived there. “I came into Lethbridge on a rainy Sunday afternoon – it looked deserted and I felt very alone.”

She once again used the International Centre for support. Hansen attended the various meet and greet sessions with other international students, took advantage of the Global Connections partner program and signed up to play intramural soccer.

“If you’re shy you’re never going to get anywhere, you really have to open up. I used to be a shy person but now, I figure you have to step out there,” says Hansen.

Her studies followed suit, and she quickly found that the personal attention she received from ICS and the registrar’s office was reflected in her classes.

“That’s what I like so much about the U of L, it’s a small campus and pretty much every class I’ve ever had I can go to the professors and say, “I don’t get this”, and they’ll sit down and help you out,” says Hansen. “They really try, they know your name and I really like that.”

Originally interested in pursuing a career in urban planning, she changed her focus to the study of human geography and found a special kinship with anthropology professor, Dr. Jan Newberry. She’s excited to work on an Independent Study program with Newberry this summer.

“When I go back home I always say how much I love doing what I’m doing,” says Hansen. “Even here, I’ve convinced a few people to come into my major. I love the multidisciplinary aspect of it, because you can study anthropology, sociology, geography, it’s been great.”

In fact, Hansen credits women’s studies professor, Dr. Tiffany Muller Myrdahl, with setting her on a career path.

“She suggested I attend the Association of American Geographers’ Annual Meeting last year. I went with an-

6

• Hansen’s tri-fold display highlighted the differences between Canadian and Danish Christmas traditions. She was also eager to tell people just where Denmark is in the world.

“I love to talk about my country and I don’t expect everyone to know. The Fair was great because I got a chance to show them what my Denmark is like.” other international student to Washington, D.C., and I came away knowing this is what I wanted to do. I really appreciate her showing that to me,” says Hansen, who intends to pursue a master’s degree in geography of disability and transportation.

Her success as a student has not been easy, and it hasn’t been a straight line but because of support from all over campus, Hansen is eager to talk about her U of L experience.

It’s why she jumped at the opportunity to participate in the recent International Student Fair in the Atrium, where students from around the globe constructed tri-fold displays to help educate campus about their home nations.

“We got out there and the people who wanted to ask questions got that opportunity,” she says. “It’s definitely worth doing again. I believe if I only reach a few, it’s still a success. I think there’s a misconception that international students are only from the Far East but we are a really diverse group and maybe I’m the only one from Denmark but that’s OK.”

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

GROOMING STUDENT LEADERS There are leaders in every corner of the University of Lethbridge campus.

From administration to staff and faculty, examples of leadership are prevalent through community involvement initiatives, volunteer experiences and more.

And it does not stop there. University of Lethbridge students have shown time and again their capacity to engage with the community and to lead the way in fundraising and volunteer projects.

With that in mind, the Recruitment and Student Life office, along with the Students’ Union, is offering an opportunity for students to learn more about how to affect change through leadership.

The inaugural University of Lethbridge Leadership Conference is set for Saturday, Apr. 2, giving students the opportunity to attend a series of thought provoking and inspiring sessions, speakers, panels and discussions. The goal of the conference is to provide students with skills, ideas and motivation they can use in all aspects of their lives.

“Several institutions across the country offer an annual leadership conference for their students,” says Lukas Neamtu, the co-ordinator of student life programming. “With support and a commitment from the Students’ Union and Housing Services, we began to make this a reality. The support from around campus has been overwhelming. Several individuals and offices have jumped on board with session ideas and a willingness to be presenters.”

Neamtu says there is an appetite for a conference of this nature, and he sees students wanting to take on leadership roles.

“All around campus we have students getting involved in leadership opportunities in a variety of ways,” he says. “Whether it is as a resident assistant, member of the Students’ Union, the SU General Assembly, a volunteer organization and so on. This conference, first, provides an opportunity for these students to come together, be inspired and continue developing their leadership skills. Secondly, the conference is a celebration of all of the leaders on this campus and the work they have done.”

Two keynote speakers highlight the day, including a talk by Olympic medalist Adam Kreek and the final address from U of L president Mike Mahon.

For a complete list of sessions and how to get involved, check the Notice Board.

IT PAYS TO FIND A CARPOOL FRIEND

Crystal Blott, a fourth-year neuroscience/psychology student, recently collected a $100 Petro Canada gas card by entering a draw on the www.carpool.ca website. The program encourages people to sign up and share rides whenever possible. Parking Services manager Dick Lutwick presents the card on behalf of the carpool.ca organization.

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

the Legend

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Library projects have students helping students

BY NICOLE EVA

T

he University of Lethbridge Library is involved in a pair of recent initiatives that highlight its commitment to student service.

A pilot project launched in early March is aimed to provide improved IT support in the library, especially on evenings and weekends. Computer-related questions are often asked at the Information & Research Assistance Desk or the General Services Desk, which are staffed by librarians and technical services staff whose expertise may not be in this area. While the library has an internal IT staff that takes calls during the day, this resource is unavailable after hours. Enter the Peer-Assisted Technology Support Students (PATTS).

A group of seven, newlyhired student assistants, several of

whom have new media or previous computer experience, have been trained in both hardware and software issues that library staff often encounter. Software questions include those regarding Microsoft Office, Blackboard/ WebCT and Moodle; while hardware issues they will be able

to handle include printing problems, microfiche scanning and printing, projector and laptop use in group work rooms, problems with library computer stations, as well as the circulating equipment such as laptops, digital cameras, projectors and video cameras.

“The library has 176 dis-

tributed (sit-down) computer stations and 33 (stand-up) public access stations, which are very highly used,” says Jeremy Pierson, the Technical Specialist in the library responsible for hiring and training the students. “The PATSS program will hopefully alleviate the number of technical questions received at the other service desks and provide not only improved service afterhours, but quicker response times during the day when IT staff aren’t always available to immediately respond.”

Pierson notes that students are often the best people to help their peers with technical issues, as they are more familiar with course software and can often be more tech-savvy.

The PATSS station will be in a highly visible location when entering the library, immediately beside the Information & Research Assistance Desk. It will

be staffed from 1 p.m. to close on weekdays and during all library opening hours on weekends, including extended hours which begin closer to exam time.

The library also recently received nine new circulating Macintosh laptops, purchased by the ULSU through their Quality Initiatives Proposal fund. These replace the five laptops which were purchased with this fund in 2007-2008. Circulating laptops are a high-demand item, and requests for Macs especially, has been growing.

Through both the introduction of PATSS and the increased availability of student-use laptops, the library has partnered with students to continue to improve the library’s technical services to the University community.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOUR FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT The University of Lethbridge is celebrating the achievements of faculty members who authored books in the past two years with the 2011 Book Awards.

A public reception will be held in the Markin Hall Atrium on Wednesday, Mar. 16, beginning at 3 p.m.

Following is a list of those receiving awards, and the books they authored.

2011 Book Award Recipients • Pamela Adams, The Essential Equation • Yale D. Belanger, ed. Aboriginal Self-Government in Canada • Yale D. Belanger, Ways of Knowing • Reginald W. Bibby, The Emerging Millennials • Glenda Tibe Bonifacio, ed.

Gender, Religion, and Migration • Bryson Brown, ed. On Preserving • Michael Campbell, Field Recordings of Icebergs Melting • Cynthia M. Chambers, Life Writing and Literary Métissage as an Ethos for Our Times • Andrea M. Cuéllar, The Quijos Chiefdoms • Dayna B. Daniels, Polygendered and Ponytailed • Alexander Darku, Empirical Essays in Open Economy Macroeconomics • Richard G. Delisle, Les Philosophies du NéoDarwinisme • Elizabeth A. Galway, From Nursery Rhymes to Nationhood • Trudy Govier, A Practical Study of Argument • Geoffrey Hale, ed. Borders and Bridges • John S. Harding, Introduction to the Study of Religion • John S. Harding, Mahāyāna Phoenix

• • • • •

• • • •

• • • • • • • • • • •

John S. Harding, ed. Wild Geese Trevor W. Harrison, 21st Century Japan Erika Hasebe-Ludt, Life Writing and Literary Métissage as an Ethos for Our Times David J. Hay, The Military Leadership of Matilda of Canossa, 1046-1115 M. Gordon Hunter, ed.

Handbook of Research on Information Management and the Global Landscape M. Gordon Hunter, Little Empires M. Gordon Hunter, ed.

Selected Readings on Strategic Information Systems M. Gordon Hunter, ed. Strategic Information Systems M. Gordon Hunter, ed.

Technological Advancement in Developed and Developing Countries Dan Johnson, Grasshopper Identification & Control Methods Edward Jurkowski, ed. Eduard Tubin Dan Kazakoff, Little Empires Abdie Kazemipur, Social Capital and Diversity Abdie Kazemipur, The Generation X Lynn Kennedy, Born Southern Bryan Kolb, Introduction to Brain & Behavior Igor Kovalchuk, ed.

Genome Instability and Transgenerational Effects Igor Kovalchuk, ed. Plant Epigenetics Olga Kovalchuk, ed.

Genome Instability and Transgenerational Effects Christopher J. Kukucha, The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • •

7

James R. Linville, Amos and the Cosmic Imagination Claudia Malacrida, ed. Sociology of the Body Jennifer Mather, Octopus Ian McAdam, Magic and Masculinity in Early Modern English Drama Susan A. McDaniel, ed. Ageing: Key Issues for the Twenty-First Century Susan A. McDaniel, Close Relations Kevin M. McGeough, ed.

American Schools of Oriental Research Archaeological Reports Kevin M. McGeough, The Romans: An Introduction Sheila McManus, ed. One Step Over the Line Craig Monk, Writing the Lost Generation Dave Witte Morris, Ergodic Theory, Groups, and Geometry Richard E. Mueller, ed. Pursuing Higher Education in Canada Richard E. Mueller, ed. Who Goes? Who Stays? What Matters?

Maria N. Ng, Pilgrimages Janay Nugent, ed. Finding the Family in Medieval and Early Modern Scotland Kent A. Peacock, The Quantum Revolution Sergio Pellis, The Playful Brain Sergio Pellis, Sex Differences Adriana Predoi-Cross, ed.

Infrared Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Accelerator Based Sources Janice Rahn, ed. Viewfinding Thomas A. Robinson, Ignatius of Antioch and the Parting of the Ways Hillary Rodrigues, Introduction to the Study of Religion Deborah Saucier, Psychology

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • •

Shelley Scott, Nightwood Theatre Jonathan P. Seldin, LambdaCalculus and Combinators Gongbing Shan, Arts Biomechanics Amy J. Shaw, Crisis of Conscience Alan Siaroff, Comparing Political Regimes Michael Stingl, ed. The Price of Compassion James Thomas, Production of High Quality Fenugreek Brian Titley, The Indian Commissioners David Townsend, The Essential Equation Peter Visentin, Arts Biomechanics Amy von Heyking, Teaching with Dear Canada John von Heyking, ed. Civil Religion in Political Thought John von Heyking, ed.

Friendship & Politics Judith Whitehead, Development and Dispossession in the Narmada Valley Ian Q. Whishaw, Introduction to Brain & Behavior Patrick C. Wilson, ed. Editing Eden Pamela J.T. Winsor, The Language Experience Approach to Literacy for Children Learning English Margret A. Winzer, Children with Exceptionalities in Canadian Classrooms Margret A. Winzer, From Integration to Inclusion Walter Wymer, ed. The Routledge Companion to Nonprofit Marketing

the Legend

OUR

alumni

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Strikes With a Gun stays true to her vision

BY STACY SEGUIN

R

G E T T H E FA C T S

aised on the Piikani Nation in southern Alberta, newly elected Chief, Gayle Strikes With A Gun (BEd ’88), spent her early childhood surrounded by a loving family whose values, teachings and examples had a significant impact on her life.

“I would encourage our youth to attend the U of L; it is a very good place for First Nations students.”

GAYLE STRIKES WITH A GUN

“I come from a large family of 12 siblings. In my early years we lived with my grandpa, Miikapi, where we were raised under the watchful guidance of aunts and uncles. I can remember my grandpa going out early in the morning to greet the day with a prayer and song,” says Strikes With A Gun. “My mother taught us the values of honesty and trustworthiness. She worked hard to provide a warm and loving home for her family. My father, a carpenter and driver for medical transportation, always encouraged us to stay in school and do our best.”

Strikes With A Gun’s formal

• Strikes With A Gun has a son, Darcy, who is a culinary arts graduate of Lethbridge College.

Alumna Gayle Strikes With A Gun is the Chief of the Piikani Nation.

education began in residential school and finished in the public system. Several years after her graduation, she attended the Henderson Business College in Calgary. After five years working in the city she returned home to the reserve, later applying to the University of Lethbridge.

“In 1984 I met Phil Lane, an associate professor at the University. He informed me about a six-week University Preparation Program aimed at increasing the number of Aboriginal teacher graduates from the University, and encouraged me to apply,” says Strikes With A Gun. “Components of the holistic program included physical, mental, spiritual and emotional development.”

During the program, she participated in a goal-setting exercise that became very profound for her.

“I had been given some tobacco and instructed to find a

RASMUSSEN TO BE HONOURED

place in the coulee where I could make an offering and ask Creator for guidance. I said – I am going to walk through the entrance doors as a student. Creator, give me strength to be able to finish this program so that I can walk out in four years and finish my degree – and I did,” she says.

During her first year at the University, professor Calvin Dupree asked her to develop four books on the Piikani Nation covering their food, clothes and culture.

Strikes With A Gun, aided by her sister Pam, researched, took photographs and wrote the books. They also included audio tapes, recorded in Blackfoot, so that students could hear the language as they read along in English and Blackfoot.

“It was a big project and it is something I am very proud of.

We worked on it over the summer and then had a big celebration in the fall to introduce these books,

• She is the first in her family to receive an undergraduate degree, and later earned a master’s degree in education administration from the University of British Columbia.

• Strikes With A Gun started the first taxi service on the reserve, and also negotiated a contract for providing medical transportation from the Medical Services Branch.

• She planned and implemented the Beaufort-Delta Strategic Plan, which includes the Mission, Vision and Beliefs, Strategic Goals and Action Plan. which are still in the curriculum lab at the University,” says Strikes With A Gun. The following summer, she participated in the University Preparation Program, this time as a leader. It was an opportunity to give back to the program that had prepared her so well for her academic journey. The experience as a leader was one she calls, “a

nice introduction into education leadership.”

Strikes With A Gun graduated in 1988 with a bachelor of education, social studies major, Native American Studies minor.

She continued her relationship with the University, working for a year as the project co-ordinator for the Four Worlds Development Project, an initiative aimed at helping Blood/Peigan women develop the skills and training necessary to prepare them for post-secondary education at the University.

Strikes With A Gun has continued to value education, honesty and hard work. In her newest undertaking as the first female Chief of the Piikani Nation, one of Strikes With A Gun’s concerns is for her people’s youth.

“We must provide every opportunity for them to learn the Blackfoot language and participate in our culture and traditions,” she says. “We need to provide them with opportunities for success.

I would encourage our youth to attend the U of L; it is a very good place for First Nations students. I had a positive experience at the U of L. It is important for the youth to have positive self esteem and pride in themselves as they come from a long lineage of Piikani leaders.”

She is very excited with her own leadership role.

“I will endeavour to do my best to be a good leader like my grandfathers and grandmothers of the past. I am so fortunate to come from the proud Piikani Nation in southern Alberta.”

TAKING A LITTLE OFF THE TOP

Elisha Rasmussen is the 2011 Senate Volunteer Award winner. She will be honoured during the Spring 2011 Convocation ceremonies.

The Senate Volunteer Award winner for 2011 is Elisha Rasmussen, a well-known community volunteer, legendary southern Alberta television reporter and advocate for the University of Lethbridge, its people and programs.

Over the past several years, Rasmussen has led the Senate Honorary Degree Search Committee, welcomed many international students to the U of L as a member of the Hospitality Committee and has been a key member of the Family Friend-

ship program, among a host of other volunteer commitments.

Through the Family Friendship Program, she and her husband Collin helped welcome students from South Korea, Germany, Mexico, France, Poland and Ghana into the community.

As well, Rasmussen has recently been involved in the Alberta 55+ Games and continues to be an on-air presence at Global TV Lethbridge, where she produces and hosts a weekly program geared to seniors’ issues.

The annual Headshave for Cancer event takes place Wednesday, Mar. 30 in the UHall Atrium. Kelly Roberts, sound technician for the University Theatre, is shaving his head in support of the Canadian Cancer Society in conjunction with HeadShave Canada and the U of L’s Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Omicron-Xi Chapter. Here, Roberts is getting a

8

little help from David Green, a cancer survivor and the Faculty of Fine Arts shop head carpenter. While Roberts might have the most to lose, he’s just one of a number of University staff, students and faculty lopping it all off for the cause. Pick up a pledge form from any of the participants to donate. Kevin McFadzen and Jeff Hilliard (Sport and Recreation Services)

will join Roberts on Mar. 30, while Wayne Lippa (chemistry and biochemistry), Ardis Anderson (philosophy), Greg Patenaude (chemistry and biochemistry) and Peter Dibble (chemistry and biochemistry) all supported the Flying Doctors of Canada by having their locks lopped off on Mar. 11.

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

H E A LT H

& wellness

Maintaining a pain-free environment

BY SUZANNE MCINTOSH

O

ne aspect of wellness is the ability to perform your duties in an ergonomic environment, free of pain. Unfortunately, there are occasions when we suffer injuries, some of which come as a result of repetitive activities related to our jobs.

Last month, RSI (Repetitive Strain Injuries) Awareness Day took place, bringing to light the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that sometimes accompany work-related activity. It is a very serious matter that can severely limit productivity in the workplace.

According to Statistics Canada, 2.3 million Canadian adults annually experience an MSD serious enough to limit their normal activities: and the majority of these injuries are caused by work-related activity. Issues such as tendonitis, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are some

common examples of MSDs. Common symptoms of MSDs include aches, pain, burning, numbness, swelling and loss of joint movement and strength in the affected area(s). These symptoms can progress into chronic disorders, after which no amount of physiotherapy or surgery can completely correct.

The good news is that the majority of MSDs are preventable. Contact the Wellness office (403-332-5217) for an ergonomic assessment, or to establish a Get Fit at Work Stretch and Strengthen session for your team or department.

March is Nutrition Month, and in keeping with this theme, a number of nutrition Lunch and Learns have been scheduled for March and April. We are lucky to have Diane Britton, the U of L’s registered dietitian, on hand to share her experience.

On Tuesday, Mar. 22, Eat Smart, is the title of the Lunch

and Learn event. Bring your lunch and learn how a few small changes in food choices can improve your nutrition.

Then, on Wednesday, Apr. 13, Digesting the Nutrition Label will be presented. Both events run over the lunch hour, noon to 1 p.m., in Andy’s Place (AH100).

Erin Pinder, a registered dietitian with Building Healthy Lifestyles, contributes to a monthly newsletter and her latest submission offers sound advice.

“We all know that we could make some changes to eat healthier,” says Pinder.

“There are a few fundamental steps you can take to achieve this. Many people in North America rely heavily on premade, pre-packaged foods.

We are often unaware of where our food actually comes from. Many children are very surprised to find out that our baby-cut carrots grow in the ground! This month, make a

special effort to get in touch with nature and local food sources. Often, the closer the food is grown to your home, the fresher and more nutritious it is. If you have children, get them involved by taking them shopping for foods at your local farmer’s market, at grocery stores that supply local produce and meats, or by planting a garden this spring.”

Wellness Workshop Stress Busters – Tuesday, Mar. 15 (Noon to 1:30 p.m., Andy’s Place AH100) Join Lynne HunterJohnson in learning useful strategies for resilience while experiencing stress.

Suzanne McIntosh is the Wellness co-ordinator at the University of Lethbridge.

Contact her at suzanne.mcintosh@uleth.ca, wellness@uleth.ca or 403-332-5217 for more information.

PREPARING TO BE HOMELESS

AN

apple

A D AY

EAT LOCAL PRACTICALLY

BY DIANE BRITTON

Choosing foods that are grown close to home is a great commitment to our environment and our economy, but it does have its challenges during Canadian winters.

The Bull’s-eye Diet is a practical way to eat as much local food as you can, while supplementing with other foods as needed.

The Bull’s-eye model thinks of food sources as a dartboard. Each ‘ring’ of the dartboard represents a geographical region. The centre of the dartboard (or bull’s-eye) represents foods grown close to home and as you move farther away from the centre of the bull’s-eye, the foods are grown farther away from you.

The goal is to choose as many foods as you can that are grown as geographically as close to you as possible, then getting other items such as coffee, olive oil or spices from farther away.

What’s grown in Canada that you can choose?

Blueberries, apples: are grown all over Canada with BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec growing the largest quantities.

Pictured (left to right) are Gezim Hoxha, Tyrel Schick and Trevor McMillan, regional winners of the SouthVenture Business Plan Competition.

Wheat: Saskatchewan and Alberta grow the largest quantity of wheat in the country.

GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS A video game development group, a web-based used book marketer and a biology researcher who hopes to make algae more useful were the regional winners of the SouthVenture Business Plan Competition.

The three teams shared $10,000 in prize money and now move into a province-wide competition where they will represent the innovative spirit of U of L students to the entire province.

As well, the teams receive more training opportunities with the other six regional finalists from Calgary and Edmonton – and an opportunity to compete for another $10,000 in cash awards.

The grand prize of $6,000 went to Tyrel Schick, a New Media major and founder of Nougat Software, a game developing company made up of more than 30 U of L students from many different disciplines.

The runner-up prizes of $2,000 each went to Gezim Hoxha, a management/computer science double major and founder of GizmoBooks.com, a unique used book exchange portal; and Trevor McMillan, a PhD candidate in biology and co-founder of ALGENs, a biotech startup which improves strains of algae for biofuel production, agricultural food production and therapeutic drug manufacturing.

The award program was organized and administered by the Research Services office at the University of Lethbridge, with financial support from TechEdmonton.

the Legend

Pictured (left to right): Austin Jenkins (fourth-year psychology); Radek Bachorz (fifth-year management); Cheryl Meheden (Faculty of Management); Samantha Gilbert (fourth-year neuroscience); Jennifer Corrigan (fourth-year psychology); Jesse Smith, (third-year management). They will all participate in 5 Days For the Homeless.

A number of students are going to be homeless for a good cause this week.

The annual 5 Days for the Homeless event launched on Monday, Mar. 14. A dedicated group of students will be living off donated food and shelter in front of the Students’ Union Building to help raise funds for Woods Homes, a local organization that provides emergency shelter for youth at risk.

This year, in addition to the students, the organizers have asked faculty and staff to join them, even for a few hours, to show their interest and commitment. The first faculty member to sign on for an all-night visit is Cheryl Meheden (management) who will be spending the night on Wednesday, Mar. 16.

Contact reanna.foster@uleth.ca to participate in this event, or to make a donation.

9

Milk and alternatives: milk, yogurt and cheese are made right here in Canada, with Ontario and Quebec having the most dairy farms.

Meat and alternatives: beef, lamb, bison, venison, chickens, eggs and pluses – including lentils, chickpeas and dried peas and beans are all produced in Canada.

Freezing or canning vegetables and fruit while they are available in the summer is one way that helps you eat locally in the winter months.

For help making simple and effective changes in your nutrition plan, call the Health Centre at 403-329-2484 to book an individual nutrition consultation with Diane Britton. Initial sessions are $40 for university students and employees.

Diane Britton is the registered dietitian at the University of Lethbridge

the Legend

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

events C A L E N D A R Lectures Mar. 15 | Brain Awareness Week Dr. Bruce McNaughton presents, How Memory Works and Why it Sometimes Doesn’t 7 p.m., Yates Memorial Centre Mar. 16 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation How to deal with annoying people (& make sure you’re not one) Noon, TH143 Mar. 16 | Art Now: DodoLab Noon, University Recital Hall (W570) Mar. 16 | Department of Philosophy Speakers’ Series | Kent Peacock presents, Energy Entanglement and Causality in Quantum Mechanics 4 p.m., B650 Mar. 16 | Climate Change National Speaker Series | Thomas F. Pedersen presents, Climate Change and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions: Blending Science, Social Science, Politics and Opportunity 7 p.m., PE261 Mar. 18 | Art Now: Chris Cran Noon, University Recital Hall (W570) Mar. 21 | University Scholars Talk Judith Kulig presents, Rural Health: Expanding our Horizons through a Community-Based Research Program 1 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100) Mar. 21 | Architecture & Design Now: Peter Fleming | 6 p.m., C610

Mar. 23 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation Mindfulness, strategies to help with stress, anxiety, trauma and focus Noon, TH143

Apr. 7 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation Study Skills | 1:15 p.m., L1170A

Mar. 23 | WestGrid Seminar Series Raymond Spiteri discusses stiffness analysis of cardiac cell models 1 p.m., CRDC, L1126

Mar. 11 to Apr. 15 | University Art Gallery Exhibition | Annual Curated Student Exhibit | Main Gallery

Mar. 24 | University Scholars Talk Dr. Heidi MacDonald presents, Coming of Age During the Great Depression in Canada 1 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100) Mar. 25 | Art Now: Jessica Bradley Noon, University Recital Hall (W570) Mar. 28 | Art Now: Jim Ellis Noon, University Recital Hall (W570) Mar. 28 | Architecture & Design Now: Jim Ellis | 6 p.m., C610 Mar. 30 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation Stressed?! Strategies to handle stress | Noon, TH241 Mar. 31 | University Scholars Talk Marc Roussel presents, Randomness in Biochemical Reactions 1 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100) Apr. 4 | Art Now: Ken Allan Noon, University Recital Hall (W570) Apr. 6 | WestGrid Seminar Series Masao Fujinaga discusses using MATLAB on WestGrid equipment 1 p.m., CRDC, L1126

Miscellaneous

Mar. 16 | Farewell Reception: Bill Hudgins | Retirement reception for longtime staffer Bill Hudgins 2:30 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100)

Through Apr. 2 | Art Faculty and Staff Exhibition | Weekly, Thursday through Saturday | Noon to 5 p.m., Penny Building

Mar. 29 | Music at Noon: Sandra Stringer (mezzo-soprano) & Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)

Performances

Mar. 31 | Plays and Prose Competition Winners – Evening Celebration U of L students read their winning entries from the Striking Prose and PlayRight Prize competitions 7 p.m., David Spinks Theatre

Mar. 17 | Faculty Artists & Friends Series | La Virtuosissima Cantatrice: Sings by Italian Baroque Women 8 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 16 | Documentary Film screening The Union: The Business Behind Getting High | 7 p.m., the Zoo

Mar. 22 | Music at Noon: Dr. Thomas Staples (horn), Glen Montgomery 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 18 | Public Health Ethics Videoconference | Moral Residue, Moral Distress, and the Hope of Moral Dialogue: Navigating Competing Demands in Public Health Practice Noon, B716

Mar. 22-26 | Richard III by William Shakespeare | The eternal classic fraught with treachery, seduction and murder as Richard III attempts to claim the throne of England 8 p.m. nightly, University Theatre

Mar. 19 | CCBN Open House Tour the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mar. 26 | Rhythm-a-ning: Adventures in Rhythm | U of L Jazz Ensemble performs selections from jazz performers/composers including Thelonius Monk, Stan Kenton and Count Basie 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Mar. 22 | Sun Life Financial Leadership Program | Employer information session 5:30 p.m., Andy’s Place (AH100) Mar. 25, Apr. 4, Apr. 11 | Volunteer Tax Program | Students get their taxes filed for free 9 a.m., Markin Hall, M2044 Mar. 26 | Lethbridge Has Talent Kids Help Phone Fundraiser | Talent showcase final performance 6 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre

Mar. 28 | Shadowcatcher Lethbridge Symphony with the U of L Faculty Brass Quintet: Trudi Mason (trumpet); Keith Griffioen (trumpet); Dr. Thomas Staples (horn); Gerald Rogers (trombone); Nick Sullivan (bass trombone) | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Apr. 1-2 | Global Drums Enjoy Steel Drums, African Drums, Taiko Ensemble, Brazilian and Samba Ensemble 8 p.m. nightly, University Theatre Apr. 5 | Joining Forces: Vox Musica and LCI Singers | The groups perform individually, then join forces for John Rutter’s Mass for the Children | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church Apr. 8 | U of L Wind Orchestra Wind Up 8 p.m. Southminster United Church Apr. 9 | Western Wind U of L Singers and Women’s Chorus capture the spirit of Renaissance choral masters Jon Taverner and Christopher Tye in a program of wind-inspired music | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church Apr. 12 | Music at Noon: Studio Showcase | 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)

STUDENTS’ UNION LOOKING TO GO GREEN ON UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE CAMPUS

BY ABBY GROENENBOOM The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is taking steps to make the campus a little more green.

Since fall 2010, ULSU Food Court vendors and the Zoo have been participating in a composting initiative brought together by some dedicated students, the ULSU Executive and General Assembly members. The composting initiative has now branched out to include Coulee Junction (CJ’s), Fresh Express, Mr. Sub and Tim Hortons.

Composting is a natural process of recycling uncooked fruit and vegetable waste, coffee grinds and tea bags into a rich soil or fertilizer known as compost.

“Composting can be done in a number of different ways and serves as a great way to reduce your contribution to the waste stream by recycling yard and kitchen waste,” says Taz Kassam, ULSU president. “It also provides a value added benefit to our land and can act as an aid in gardens, landscaping, horticulture and agriculture.

Vendors currently dispose their compostable waste in personal compost bins in the Students’ Union building and University caretaking staff transport the compost to the boneyard – an open compost pile on the south end of campus. The grounds department then uses the finished product for various projects around campus.

“The University needs a composting program because it is a fairly simple, yet extremely effective way at reducing the amount of waste we produce,” says Zack Moline, ULSU General

10

Assembly member and compost co-ordinator. “It feels good to think that most of the food waste produced at the University of Lethbridge, which used to rot in the landfill, is now being recycled and used for constructive purposes around campus.”

This program is about to start a trial phase that will also include on-campus residences.

The Piikani residence building in Aperture Park will have 48 personal compost bins placed in its suites.

“Getting students engaged in the composting program will

be difficult, but will nonetheless be of vital importance,” says Moline. “On the campus-wide scale, it will happen through an active marketing campaign with the ULSU, promoting the ease and benefits of composting.”

The ULSU believes that with proper promotion, education and efficient management of the program, this trial phase can be expanded into the remaining buildings in Aperture Park.

M A R C H 2 0 11

|

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

FINE ARTS

in focus

Richard III provides a worthy challenge

BY AMANDA BERG

O

ne of literature’s most notorious villains, Richard III, charges onto the University Theatre stage in an epic tale of treachery, deceit, seduction and murder.

Playing Mar. 22-26 at 8 p.m. nightly, Shakespeare’s classic takes a new form under the direction of Douglas MacArthur.

The play follows a disfigured Richard III as he plots to ascend the English throne and claim the crown from his brother, King Edward IV. Through betrayal and murder, Richard III’s short-lived victory results in his tragic downfall.

“Richard III is the telling of a story that suited the Tudors and royalty of Shakespeare’s time,” says MacArthur. “This man was born with a physical deformity that symbolizes the evil streak in his nature.”

“Richard III is an expert performer, who draws in the audience as he does his adversaries,” adds MacArthur. “He is on his way to becoming a deceitful dictator, and the other characters are undeniably intertwined with his actions. He’s able to be what he needs to be to get what he wants, and sets the stage for his treachery.”

Considered one of Shakespeare’s most important works, MacArthur endeavors to make the script accessible and enter-

MFA candidate David Barrus designed the set and lighting as part of his final project.

taining for audiences.

“Richard III is one of Shakespeare’s earlier plays and except for Hamlet, is the longest of his works. In addition to adapting the script to suit our purposes, we’ve also created a completely unique world for Richard III, through an amalgamation of gothic and contemporary elements,” says MacArthur.

MFA candidate, David Barrus, designed the set and

lighting for the production. Barrus created the world for Richard III’s tumultuous rise to victory and tragic fall as part of his final MFA project.

“The set represents the main character as architecture,” he explains. “It symbolizes Richard’s grip on his environment and the starkness of his character.”

The contemporary costumes, designed by Leslie

Robison-Greene, and electronic sound effects, designed by fourth-year drama tech/design major Josh Hellawell, complete the surreal atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind production.

Tickets to this timeless tragedy are available at the University Box Office, open weekdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are $15 regular and $10 senior/ student.

COMMUNITY TEAMWORK

GLOBAL DRUMS PREPARING FOR EXOTIC EVENT Join Global Drums for another thrilling world tour and sample the exotic rhythms of Africa, Brazil, Japan and Latin America.

Global Drums and their special guests take to the University Theatre stage Apr. 1-2 at 8 p.m. nightly for a program of hardhitting rhythms and unique Glen Montgomery, seated, joins (l to r) Joe Porter (drum behind the cultural collaborations. piano), Jodi Bartell (steel drum) and Matt Groenheide (at the marimba).

“Our concert has something for everyone,” says Adam program is an inspired twist “Our steel drum band Mason, director. “Audiences on Rhapsody in Blue, featuring proudly represented Canada at can expect a fantastic night of pianist Glen Montgomery. Com- the 17th Annual Cultural Festientertainment featuring works posed for piano and orchestra, val in Honolulu this March,” says from our Steel Drum Ensemble, the U of L Percussion Ensemble Mason.

African Drums, Taiko Ensemble, collaborates with Montgomery With support from provinBrazilian and Samba Ensemble.” on this unique rendition of Gercial funding and the Lethbridge Joining Global Drums this shwin’s classic.

Twinning Society, U of L year is a notable roster of guests.

“We are also performing a students took to the stage along The Brazilian Samba Band welfast and furious arrangement of with ensembles from Korea, comes world-renowned Brazilian Hopak, featuring the Troyanda Japan and Tahiti.

Samba drumming artist, Jimmy Ukrainian Dance Club and To experience the electricBiala. saxophonist Ian Burleigh,” adds ity of Global Drums, tickets are “Biala is from San Francisco Mason. available from the University and teaches Samba percussion Consisting of more than Box Office, weekdays from worldwide. We’re very excited to 40 performers, Global Drums 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling have him lead our Samba Band boasts the largest post-secondary 403-329-2616. Tickets are $15 during the concert,” says Mason. percussion ensemble in the regular and $10 senior/student.

Another highlight of the country.

11

An unforgettable night of choral music fills Southminster United Church when two great choirs share the stage. Featuring the talents of Vox Musica and the LCI Singers, Joining Forces, epitomizes choral magnificence, Apr. 5 at 8 p.m.

“Karen Hudson, LCI Singers director, proposed the collaboration between our groups for a performance of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children,” says Glenn Klassen, Vox Musica director.

“The piece is so beautiful; it’s breathtaking to hear and truly captivates audiences every time. We’re thrilled to join the LCI Singers to bring this piece to Lethbridge audiences.”

In addition to their collaborative work, each choir performs an eclectic array of pieces to showcase the diversity of their skills.

Tickets are available from the University Box, weekdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling 403-3292616. Tickets are also available at the door.

the Legend ADVENTURES IN RHYTHM Rhythm-a-ning: Adventures in Rhythm, Mar 26 at 8 p.m. at Southminster Church, promises a night of rhythm and lively jazz as the U of L Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. David Renter, pays tribute to jazz’s great big band leaders.

“The title, Rhythm-aning comes from the Theloneous Monk tune of the same name,” says Renter. “The program features a diverse range of music from Michael Bublé and Stevie Wonder to Stan Kenton and Count Basie. We’ll explore different rhythms in jazz, funk and swing. This is also the first time we’ll perform at Southminster Church, and we’re excited about the new venue.”

Also featured on the program is vocalist Jenni Walker, a first-year music major, who is singing with the Jazz Ensemble for the first time, and the percussive styling of Terence Mazon, a digital audio arts major.

“From unforgettable jazz standards to the AfroCuban inspired, Night in Tunisia, it’ll be a great night of music,” says Renter.

WIND UP FOR ORCHESTRA The magnificence of wind orchestra music by modern masters fills Southminster Church as the U of L Wind Orchestra presents its semester wind-up concert, Apr. 8 at 8 p.m. The program highlights the brilliant compositions of 20th century wind orchestra composers and features guest vocalist, Dr. Sandra Stringer.

“All the composers showcased on the program are considered modern masters in our field, starting in the early and middle 20th century with Percy Grainger, and then Jack Stamp and Frank Ticheli, who write primarily for band, to David Maslanka and Donald Grantham, who have a widely varied portfolio including many great band works,” says Dr. Thomas Staples, U of L Wind Orchestra director.

Guest soloist, Dr. Sandra Stringer, performs, Four Maryland Songs, for soprano and band, written by American composer Jack Stamp.

“She is also our featured soloist on a new work for band by Frank Ticheli entitled, Angels in the Architecture,” says Staples.

Tickets are available at the University Box Office, or by calling 403-329-2616 and at the door on the night of the concert.

(Left and below) Iain Baxter&, Selections from Reflected Paris Beauty Spots, 1980 | From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Purchased from the artist, 1985.

Iain Baxter& is known as one of Canada’s foremost conceptual artists. Born in England in 1936, Baxter&’s family moved to Canada a year later, and he spent most of his early career in Vancouver. From 1966-78, Baxter& and artist Ingrid Baxter formed the art collective N.E. Thing Co., which explored the boundaries between corporate advertising, mechanized production and fine art.

Baxter& went on to produce work in a wide variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and film.

He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Windsor, Ontario while continuing his artistic practice, and in 2003 was designated an Officer of the Order of Canada.

(Above) Iain Baxter&, Paris Beauty Spots: Arc du Carrousel, 1980

(Above) Iain Baxter&, Paris Beauty Spots: Canadian Embassy, 1980

From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Purchased from the artist, 1985.

From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Purchased from the artist, 1985.

In 1980, Baxter& travelled to France to create work for an exhibition held at the Canadian Cultural Centre Paris, entitled Reflets sur polaroid de grains de beauté parisiens (Reflected Paris Beauty Spots).

Baxter& carried a small mirror through Paris and took Polaroid photographs of it, angled

to reflect key landmarks and architecture around the city. Baxter& then photographed the original Polaroids against the body of a model, highlighting the contrast between the historical buildings and human flesh.

For the 30th anniversary of Baxter&’s premier Parisian exhibition, the Canadian Culture Centre Paris mounted a

retrospective of Baxter&’s work entitled Canadian Perspective, displaying the original Reflected Paris Beauty Spots series (now held in the University of Lethbridge Art Collection) and other works spanning five decades of Baxter&’s prolific career.

images L ASTING