The Legend - December 2010

DECEMBER 2010

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VOLUME 10

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ISSUE FOUR

On top of the world

the

Materials handling worker, Mark Sabo, with Mt. Everest looming in the background.

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Brett Clifton uncovers the lessons of war

Photo

Examining faith-informed education

Fitzpatrick honoured with ASTech award

BY TREVOR KENNEY

Alumnus gives back by taking on ULAA role

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 Jan. 7, 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, Jana de Waal, Jane Edmundson, Nicole Eva, Abby Groenenboom, Lori Lavallee, Suzanne McIntosh, Kali McKay, Stacy Seguin and Katherine Wasiak

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

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ark Sabo (BMgt ‘98) doesn’t have to go far to gain a global perspective – he encounters it every day through the people he meets at the University of Lethbridge as a materials handling worker in the U of L’s shipping/receiving department.

However, hearing about farflung adventures and discussing foreign culture and research activities pales in comparison to actually experiencing them. So it was with that inspiration that Sabo set his sights on the biggest adventure of his life on one of the grandest stages the world has to offer – Everest.

“I was due for a big adventure,” says Sabo, who recently returned from an expedition to Everest Base Camp, a climb to 17,600 ft. above sea level, the closest you can get to Everest without mountaineering equipment. “I don’t know if it was a mid-life crisis or not but in retrospect, I wish I would have done it sooner.”

Sabo is an active hiker, an interest he gained from former U of L employee Norm DeJong.

He’d hiked the Waterton area extensively, participated in a general mountaineering camp through Alpine Club of Canada and done a variety of backcountry trips. A fellow member of his running club – a woman who was taking the excursion as a way to celebrate her 50th birthday – put the idea of Everest to him. Sabo, just turning 41, decided it was the right time to expand his horizons.

“I walk around here and every day I’ve got 400 or 500 friends at

G E T T H E FA C T S • The most popular time for trekking the Everest region is in October, while the majority of ascents to the summit are done in May. The peak of Everest is at 29,029 feet.

• Sabo estimates he had “four or five showers” throughout the entire trip. The food they ate, which was all packed in by the sherpa guides, was westernized to a degree and included a lot of potatoes, rice, coleslaw, eggs and oatmeal. Despite eating regularly large portions, he estimates still losing 15 pounds in weight because of how much energy they exerted climbing.

• Sabo, born and raised in Picture Butte, Alta., earned a management degree from the U of L in 1998. He’s worked at the U of L for 10 years and revels in taking advantage of the campus atmosphere. “This campus is awesome because you have so many people here doing these alternative activities and they’re all at your fingertips if you ever want to talk to them.”

• Since returning, he has given presentations about his trip to various campus groups. He’s happy to share his photos and experiences with any others that are interested.

my disposal with so many varied interests. There’s always something I can learn just by having these amazing resources at hand,” says Sabo.

“I think that’s why this job is perfect for me. I have access to all these amazing people on a regular basis. If I want to learn about glacial travel I can talk to Dr. Hester Jiskoot because she just went to the Indian Himalayas. If I want to learn anything about hiking and kayaking, I can talk to Joanne Golden from biology. If I want to know more about the culture of any country, it’s easy to go find someone.”

The Everest adventure is a 22day trek that basically follows the classic route to Everest used by the 1953 expedition which successfully placed Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

Sabo’s preparation for the gruelling climb included extensive cardiovascular training and backcountry trips to Glacier National Park on the August and September long weekends. By late September, he was off to Kathmandu and the start of his adventure.

A group of 16 eventually took on the challenge, one that was both physically and emotionally draining.

“The group we had was phenomenal, and we all just got closer as we went along. Everybody was very supportive and that was important because after a few days, there were some who wanted to drop out but I think the strength of the group helped them through,” he says.

The long treks through the foothills involved a week of seven and eight-hour days with seemingly no end in sight.

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the Legend

DECEMBER 2010

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

OPENMike

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

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t’s hard to believe the first semester is already coming to a close and the Christmas break is nearly upon us.

Since taking over the president’s position in July, the last six months have been a whirlwind of activity, and never more than in the past few weeks. I was chastised the other morning by one of the regulars in the gym for being conspicuously absent, but thanks to a very heavy travel schedule that took me to a number of meetings in our national and provincial capitals, I have spent more time on airplanes than in gymnasiums.

A four-day trip to Ottawa with Vice-President, Research, Dr. Dan Weeks and Director, Government Relations, Richard Westlund, was extremely productive. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with local MP Rick Casson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper in

his Centre Block office. It was wonderful to be able to discuss with Prime Minister Harper the outstanding research that is being conducted here at the U of L and to outline the strategic goals of the institution as we move forward.

I was also very fortunate to be able to address the Alberta Caucus, of which 17 Alberta MPs were able to attend. Subsequent meetings with members of the Senate, select MPs and deputy ministers, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and the Alberta Rural Caucus, all served to educate our political leaders about the University’s mandate.

Our conversations spoke about the student-first culture we are creating, the focus on our continued emergence as a comprehensive university that embraces both graduate and undergraduate studies, the introduction of our community service learning

CAMPUS Dr. David Renter (music) Trio performed at Southern Alberta Art Gallery on Dec. 3 as part of the second event organized by the brand new Lethbridge Jazz Society.

Dr. Goldie Morgentaler (English) was featured in the Fall 2010 issue of Pakn Treger magazine, the magazine of the Yiddish Book Center. Published in Amherst, Mass., the Pakn Treger story details Morgentaler’s teaching of Yiddish literature in what is referred to as the “Canadian Bible Belt”.

Lisa Doolittle (Theatre & Dramatic Arts) was a plenary speaker with University of Calgary professor Anne Flynn and U of L alumnus Troy Emery Twigg (BFA ’03) at the American Society for Theatre Research and Congress on Research in Dance international joint conference in Seattle in November. They presented the paper, Performing Negotiations: Blackfoot Dance in Colonial and Multicultural Canada.

Doolittle also presented, Dance Research on the Move: Connecting across the academy and engaging with community, to graduate and PhD students at York University.

President Mike Mahon, right, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and MP Rick Casson.

PMO photo by: Jason Ransom

model and the goal to make the U of L a destination university for students from all corners of the globe.

The biggest task in the new year will be to follow up on these conversations and further explore the many initiatives that were discussed.

When I think of the Christmas season, I think of it as a time to take stock of all that we are thankful for, and looking around campus, I see many

reasons to give thanks.

First and foremost, we must thank our students for choosing the University of Lethbridge and putting their faith in us to help them achieve their educational goals. The energy, life and enthusiasm they bring to campus create a vibrancy not found in any other workplace.

I want to thank our staff for their commitment to the U of L, making sure that the doors are always open, the lights

kudos

University of Lethbridge Senate member, Paul Gale Pharo, was appointed to the Alberta Provincial Court Bench. Pharo is also the incoming president of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and has three children attending the U of L. Taras Polataiko (Art) recently exhibited his new work at the 5th International Biennale of Video Art in Israel.

Leanne Elias (New Media) recently had a chapter published in the book, Mobile Learning: Pilot Projects and Initiatives. The chapter is, Using Smartphone Technology to Extend the Educational Experience.

Nick Wade (Art) spoke at the Alberta Public Planners Institute in Lethbridge on the subject of art in the public realm.

The University of Lethbridge home page, www.uleth.ca, was selected as one of the Top-30 Outstanding Websites of Higher Education by Vandelay Design (http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/ galleries/higher-education/). It

was mentioned along websites from Johns Hopkins University, Virginia Tech University and University of Southern California.

Emily Luce’s (New Media) exhibition, Parallel Park (Lab Space), is showing in the Helen Christou Gallery until Jan. 14, 2011.

Catherine Ross’s (Art staff) exhibition, Field Sightings, is currently showing in Lethbridge’s Mueller Art Gallery.

Dr. Josie Mills (U of L Art Gallery director/curator) presented, Deaccessioning: The Root of All Scandal, as part of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery’s, Articulations: Art Appreciation Lecture Series, in November.

Matthew Blackburn (BMus ’09), winner of the 2009 Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, performed with Musaeus String Quartet as part of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Series.

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are on, the classrooms are clean and the day-to-day operations of the University run as seamlessly as possible.

Our faculty, and their continued willingness to go above and beyond in ensuring our undergraduate students see success in the classroom, and our graduate students seek success in their research initiatives, also deserves to be thanked.

Maureen and I also want to thank the entire University community for accepting us into your family and making our transition to the U of L so comfortable.

As a way to express our thanks, I invite everyone to the annual Christmas Reception, Dec. 22 in the Atrium, where we can all take a breath after a busy semester and enjoy each other’s company as we head into the semester break.

U OF L INSPIRES ADVENTURE CONTINUED FROM PG. 1

“We were ready to see some big peaks and move on,” says Sabo.

The strength and enthusiasm of their sherpa guides was a motivating factor and as the group cleared the tree line and the big peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam beckoned, it reinvigorated their quest. On the morning of the group’s final ascent to the peak of Kala Patthar (day 20), Sabo says it was an overwhelming event.

“I remember having to work really hard to get up there, the last 50 feet probably took me 15 minutes but the energy of our group was unbelievable,” says Sabo.

The actual peak is at 18,200 ft., and only two or three people can occupy the top at one time.

“As I made my way down, it took an hour to do so, I stopped about half way and welled up a little bit, it was so spectacular. You could still see Everest, and after all that work I was quite emotional.”

The descent took the group past memorials of some of those who had perished in trying to conquer Everest, including that of Scott Fischer, one of eight people who died during the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.

Having gone that far and realizing that Hillary and the peak of Everest resided another 10,000-plus feet away gave Sabo perspective on the accomplishment.

“When you think about climbing to the summit, they would have to do another 10 or 11 days and that blew my mind,” he says. “It makes you consider what kind of individual does that and how much work it would be, both physically and emotionally.”

Now back at the U of L, Sabo says he’s definitely been changed by his experience.

“It’s opened the world up to me so much more,” he says. “I think I’m much more content with my life having seen how content the people are there with so much less. I’m also not so much intimidated about travel or adventure. So many people have come up to me and said they could never do it but I tell them, it is attainable.”

DECEMBER 2010

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the Legend

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Uncovering the

lessons of war G E T T H E FA C T S • Clifton plans on continuing his studies beyond the undergraduate level, eyeing master’s and PhD work in Canadian studies.

BY JANA DEWAAL

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he University of Lethbridge puts great emphasis on providing undergraduate students with access to research related opportunities they may not receive at larger institutions.

With a smaller school atmosphere and low student to teacher ratios, undergraduate students like Brett Clifton can take full advantage of what the U of L has to offer.

Clifton, a third-year Canadian Studies and Education student with a keen interest in military history, has done just that while attending the University of Lethbridge.

“History is very important and relevant to today’s society.

It helps us understand where we came from and where we are going,” says Clifton. “Too often Canadians focus on the heroes of war and not on the ordinary day-to-day people who fought for Canada. I want to do research which focuses on ordinary people from our community who had to suffer for our freedom.”

Clifton’s interest in military history is influenced by his own family history, coupled with a high school trip to France in 2007 that marked the 90th anniversary of The Battle of Vimy Ridge.

“My great grandfather served in the First World War and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. My grandfather is also a veteran, and he served in the Second World War,” says Clifton.

“I feel honoured that I was able to complete the cenotaph research.”

BRETT CLIFTON

Clifton’s first militaryrelated research project was in 2008, and it involved working with names on the Lethbridge Cenotaph. It was a project that again hit close to home and was generously received by the historical community.

“I was surprised that no previous work had been done regarding this subject, and I feel honoured that I was able to complete the cenotaph research,” he says.

In the summer of 2009, Clifton completed an independent study on Canada’s participation in the Dieppe Raid. He worked under the tutelage of history professor, Dr. Heidi MacDonald.

Undergraduate student Brett Clifton has selfpublished two local history books related to the Lethbridge Cenotaph.

In the summer of 2010, Clifton received the • Clifton’s study focus will reChinook Research Award main on military history, and he to research under the plans on one day teaching at the supervision of Dr. Amy university level.

Shaw. The award aims at encouraging research • Clifton, 20, is currently workand advanced training of ing on a combined BA/BEd undergraduate students degree and is doing his Profesfrom the U of L by prosional Semester I course with a viding students the practicum at École Agnes Daopportunity to study vidson. His Teacher Associate is under the guidance of a David Nussbaumer, husband of faculty member. Their U of L Librarian Alison Nussstudy efforts focused baumer. on the 113th Lethbridge Highlander Battalion, • Clifton has been employed as and the award only a student digitization assistant served to further inspire at the University Library since his research goals.

2008.

Clifton now plans on completing another independent study project in Following her advice, Clifton May 2011, this time travelling to applied for the Canadian BattleEurope with the help of a bursary fields Foundation (CBF) scholarfrom the U of L. He will have ship program and was subsethe chance to study some of the quently granted a trip to France most famous battle sites in the and Belgium to further his European theatre. research.

Clifton is a third-year stu“Dieppe holds a close place dent but he’s actually been a part in my heart, and was really the of the University since he was highlight of my trip,” he says. in the ninth grade at Winston “My grandfather had been taken Churchill High School, attending prisoner of war there during U of L classes as part of an open the Second World War, so it is studies program. After graduatespecially significant to me.” ing from high school, he says Clifton was one of two there was no question as to where University of Lethbridge he was headed. undergraduate students to “A small school atmoreceive the CBF scholarship. sphere and relatively small Only six were handed out class sizes are important to nationally. me,” he says. “I really didn’t “It just shows that students consider attending another from a smaller university like university. I am so grateful for the U of L can compete with all the research opportunities I those attending larger instituhave been able to pursue here.” tions,” he says.

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PROJECT PUTS STUDENTS FIRST

BY TREVOR KENNEY Sometimes the best way to move forward is by looking back at yourself in the mirror.

The University of Lethbridge is doing just that with the Recruitment and Retention Integrated Planning project. Initiated in the spring, and with the backing of Vice-President (Academic) and Provost Dr. Andy Hakin and Vice-President (Finance and Administration) Nancy Walker, the project’s focus is to foster a graduation culture on campus.

“The integrated planning process brings the elements of operations/services, capital planning, financial strategies and policy development together – with a focus on learner success,” says Walker.

Simply put, it’s a reaffirmation of the University’s studentcentred approach, one of the pillars of President Dr. Mike Mahon’s vision for the U of L. The need for such a project is born out of the fact that there is enhanced competition for post-secondary students in the province, a decline in the student-age demographic, as well as a shift in student expectations.

The U of L is also acutely aware of its historically poor student retention rate.

“This project is designed to look at every contact we have with students, from when they are first recruited to when they arrive on campus and then throughout their university career,” says Hakin.

Done correctly, it will create an environment that not only attracts students to attend the U of L, but also supports them through to graduation.

Karen Clearwater, associate vice-president, Financial Planning, is the project manager.

The Recruitment and Retention Project Team was created under her guidance and it was formed to represent all areas of campus.

“What we want to do for a student when they enter the U of L is give them the tools they need to be successful here,” says Clearwater. “Whether those tools are social or academic, we want to identify whatever they need to be successful through to the day they graduate.”

Throughout the spring and summer months, the project team conducted a number of focus groups. The team spoke with everyone from new high school students to continuing students, faculty and staff.

“The number one question we asked them was, “What can we do to make this a successful culture for students?” says project co-ordinator, Heather Mirau, director, Integrated Planning.

What they found, more than anything, was a campus ripe with ideas, and a staff and faculty eager to assist in bringing about change.

CONTINUED ON PG. 4

the Legend

DECEMBER 2010

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Smith revels in the opportunity to volunteer

Alumnus Adam Smith has been volunteering with Operation Red Nose for 10 years.

BY KALI MCKAY Adam Smith (BSc ’05, MSc ’09) can see his breath in the air as he makes his way out to the parking lot. He unlocks the door and slides into the seat of yet another strange car, catching his reflection in the rearview mirror as he adjusts it. If you watch closely, you might notice a stifled yawn – it’s 3 a.m.

As a student, Smith pulled his share of all-nighters. In fact, he laughs at the memory of

sleepless nights spent monitoring lab experiments as he worked towards his master’s degree in biochemistry. If you ask him what’s keeping him up now, it’s not all-night parties or lab work.

Instead, the 28-year old’s lack of sleep comes from long nights as an Operation Red Nose (ORN) volunteer.

“I started volunteering when I was on the track team,” explains Smith, who threw weight and shotput for three years before suffering a career-ending

injury. “Red Nose started as something I had to do – but now it’s something I want to do.”

Having returned for the 10th successive year, Smith obviously enjoys volunteering but he takes his responsibilities very seriously. Originally participating out of obligation to his team, Smith admits he’s had a change in perspective and now volunteers as a way of giving back to the community.

“I’ve developed a greater appreciation for what it’s all about,” says Smith. “It’s more than hanging out with friends and raising money for Pronghorns athletes. It’s also about playing an active role in the community, and taking part of the shared responsibility for making that community a better place.”

Although, Smith admits, the money does support a cause near and dear to his heart.

“As a student athlete, it’s not easy to balance school with a tough training schedule,” acknowledges Smith, who trained up to 30 hours a week and didn’t have a lot of time left over for a part-time job. “I travelled to meets and competi-

tions across Canada, and all of my expenses were covered by Pronghorns Athletics.”

With those thoughts in mind, Smith returns each year to volunteer for ORN. He gives generously of his time, spending up to five nights each winter making sure that holiday partygoers and their vehicles get home safely. In addition, he’s worked with groups like the Graduate Students’ Association to encourage others to get involved.

“ORN is a great program and offers the best of both worlds: you and your vehicle home safely at the end of the night,” says Smith. “It has

become a staple of our community and demand continues to grow each year.”

As he buckles his seat belt and shifts into gear, Smith knows he’s going to be tired the next day, but his yawn turns into a smile when he thinks about the difference he’s making.

Operation Red Nose, now in its 16th year, provides rides home to individuals in their own vehicles. There is no fee for the service, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information or to volunteer, call 403-329-2681. If you’re out on the town and need a ride, call 403-320-4155.

It’s not too late to make your donation to Supporting Our Students 2010.

Gifts received or post-marked on or before December 31st are eligible for a 2010 tax receipt and all 2010 donors will be invited to the donor recognition gala in the new year.

To donate, visit www.ulethbridge.ca/giving/SupportingOurStudents

DINNER HELPS BRIDGE GAP

The new Recruitment-Retention website offers a window into the RRIP initiative.

BY JANA DEWAAL

dent community where all our help services, across the institution, are aligned and optimized.”

The data collected from the summer focus groups is in the process of being analyzed, with a priority list of major projects in the works. Establishing project teams is ongoing and the University community is invited to participate. A website has been created (www.uleth.ca/recruitment-retention) as a window into the project process. It details the intent of the initiative, how it began, how the team establishes priorities and makes recommendations, and offers a summary of all the focus groups and surveys conducted.

“This is a way to give every employee in the institution the opportunity to act with the same information in their hands,” says Mirau. “We also hope the website will serve as a good feedback loop, so that people can continue to contribute to the process.”

Clearwater says this is a key institutional initiative in that it has the ability to positively affect the U of L for years to come.

“If this is done right, it could be something that really puts us on the map, not only in terms of retention but also with recruitment,” she says. “Students will want to come here because they’ll see an institution invested in providing them with the tools for their success.”

Christmas, like many other holidays, can be a difficult time for international students to be away from family and friends. With events like the annual International Christmas Dinner, the International Centre for Students (ICS) helps ease that feeling of isolation, all the while introducing international students to Canadian customs and traditions.

Charlene Janes, the international liaison officer at the University of Lethbridge, plays a major role in assisting international students as they adapt to campus life socially, academically and culturally.

“I represent international student interests at the University, act as an advocate on behalf of international students on both academic and welfare issues, and provide advice, support and referral to students,” says Janes.

Janes and the ICS encourage students to participate in the social and recreational activities the office provides.

These include the monthly International Café gatherings, where birthdays are celebrated, stories are shared, games are played and students are presented an opportunity to build friendships. Potluck dinners and the annual Christmas gathering are also popular events.

Children’s smiles translate in any language.

Eddie Sottie, an international student from Ghana and PhD candidate in biomolecular science, has been studying at the U of L for the last 15 months. He says he makes an effort to attend all the events planned by the International Centre.

“The events they organize for us have really helped me to learn so many things about the way Canadians relate to people and treat foreigners,” says Sottie. “International students are treated with so much respect, and I am so impressed with the way Charlene pays attention to our needs.”

The traditional Christmas dinner was held on Dec. 3 in the Students’ Union Ballroom.

Students were invited to bring a Canadian guest as well as any family members to the event.

In addition, four international alumni also attended.

“My kids were showered with Christmas presents,” laughs Sottie. “The event and the dinner mean a lot to us as

a family because it helps us feel at home.”

The tradition of the International Christmas Dinner started three years ago, and serves as the last major international student event for the fall semester. Its rise in popularity, over the past three years, has been remarkable. The first dinner had just 35 attendees, while the second ballooned to 72.

This year, the number doubled once again, with 150 people taking part.

“Many of our students go home or travel at Christmas so this has provided a wonderful opportunity for us all to connect prior to the Christmas break,” explains Janes.

“We had two very special guests this year as Dr. Mike Mahon and his wife Maureen attended. They talked with each student and barely had time to eat. It seemed every student wanted their picture taken with the new president and his wife.”

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WEBSITE CALLS FOR FEEDBACK CONTINUED FROM PG. 3

“Our faculty, students and staff know what needs to be addressed, and they have been openly sharing with us some excellent ideas,” says Mirau. “I’ve been very encouraged by the excitement that’s out there.”

Hakin says the whole thrust of the project is a new way of doing business for the U of L. Recruitment and retention cannot be treated as separate and distinct issues, nor can the approaches to dealing with them be handled individually – the entire institution needs to buy into the same delivery.

“If you look at all the effort we traditionally put into getting students into the institution, we then have to ask ourselves what are the factors that keep them here,” he says. “If we lose them after one year, two years, that’s a lot of wasted effort and money.

We need to build a strong stu-

DECEMBER 2010

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athletics AT T H E U

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

the Legend

Semester break offers European adventure The Pronghorns women’s hockey team is headed to Germany and Austria for the 2010 European Women’s Gold Cup.

G E T T H E FA C T S

BY TREVOR KENNEY

C

handy Kaip has experience organizing European trips for women’s hockey programs.

She’s looking forward to actually taking the trip this Christmas.

Kaip and the Pronghorns women’s hockey program will head to Europe Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2011 to participate in the inaugural European Women’s Gold Cup tournament. Some 18 months of planning has gone into the excursion that is now, just days away.

“This had been in the back of my mind since I first took the job here,” says Kaip, now in her third season as the Horns’ head coach. “It’s something I really wanted to do for our girls.”

Kaip had helped organize a similar trip to Finland for Adrian College, her previous employer. After having done all the legwork and putting the trip in place, she departed Adrian for the job with the Pronghorns, never realizing the fruits of her labour. Even without actually experiencing the Finnish excursion, she knew how valuable a trip like this could be for a program, and built much of her recruiting class at the U of L off its merits.

“I think the fact we had this trip planned brought in quite a few of our top recruits,” says Kaip. “We decided to do it this year because we have the opportunity to keep the core of our team together for the next two years. For them to have this experience and then stay

• Fundraising initiatives for the trip included the sale of STARS calendars, providing support for the Lethbridge Oldtimers Hockey Tournament, and allowing the Alberta Cup tournament to use the Horns’ new team room at Nicholas Sheran Arena in the spring, for which they received a generous donation.

• Former Pronghorns captain Kendal Tremblay is currently playing for the Austrian team that the Horns will face in tournament play. Tremblay and her father will then join the Horns for their cultural excursions.

• Both the German and Swiss teams consist of players from their Olympic programs.

• The Horns will celebrate New Year’s Eve at a party in a Salzburg, Austria castle.

experience the magic of Salzburg.

“We are also going to visit the concentration camp in Dachau, Germany,” says Kaip. “We really wanted to make the most out of this opportunity culturally, and the girls are really looking forward to learning as much as they can about these areas.”

“I never actually thought I would be given an opportunity to play overseas.”

KATHRYN MANSON

together as a group for another year or two, I thought would be very beneficial.”

Horns’ captain Kathryn Manson is in her fourth year with the program. The environmental sciences student is thrilled at the opportunity.

“I grew up in Dinsmore, Sask., a small town of 375 people. I never actually thought I would be given an opportunity to play overseas,” she says.

The tour takes the group through Germany and Austria, and will see the team play games against professional clubs from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The excursion will also offer the chance to tour the castles of Innsbruck, visit the Bavarian Alps and

A total of 57 people will be making the trek, as the Horns opened participation to family members.

“My mom is coming with me on the trip and I am very excited to be able to share this life experience with her,” says Manson. “Both of my parents have always been so supportive of my hockey, and to be able to share this with my mom will be wonderful.”

The team has been busy fundraising for the past 18 months to support the excursion, needing to raise about $2,700 per player. While it has taken a lot of work to raise the necessary funds to go to Europe, Kaip says that, given the effort, there’s an added ap-

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preciation for the opportunity.

“It’s always nice to have things handed to you but at the same time, when I took over this program, this was one of the main things I preached, if you work hard, you will get the reward,” she says. “It’s a part of life in general and it translates to the ice as well. It helps the girls realize that the rewards do come, but only after a lot of effort, time commitment and hard work.”

Manson agrees, and says the team has grown closer as they work together toward a common goal.

“We’ve received unbelievable support from family members, faculty members and businesses throughout the community,” says Manson. “It is much more rewarding that we have worked towards making this trip possible. Our team is a very hardworking group of girls and I think this shows off-ice in our schoolwork and in workouts, as well as on-ice in our practices and games.”

The greatest reward might yet come down the road. Playing against European professional teams, the Horns have the chance to impress scouts for when they leave university.

“I would love to continue playing,” says Manson. “For most girls, once you finish playing CIS, it seems like there are very few opportunities to continue your career. A trip like this continues to open the door for Canadian girls wanting to play in Europe. We’re very fortunate to have this opportunity.”

MOVEMBER A SUCCESS The results are in from the Pronghorns men’s hockey team’s first Movember promotion and they are impressive. The November initiative raised a total of $10,892 for the fight against prostate cancer, with the money donated to Prostate Cancer Canada.

Led by fifth-year forward Andrew Courtney, the initiative saw the Horns all grow mustaches and illicit pledges from community members.

Raffle tickets for a prize package were also sold and the Horns wore special edition Movember jerseys during a Nov. 20 game. The jerseys were then auctioned off and the proceeds added to the donation total. President Mike Mahon threw his support behind the program by participating in a puckshooting exhibition during one of the intermissions, raising money for each puck he fired into the net.

HORNS RECRUIT REITER The Horns men’s basketball team got an early start on the 2011-2012 Canada West season by announcing their first new recruit. Iron Springs, Alta. native and Picture Butte High School product Logan Reiter will join the Horns in the fall, transferring from Lethbridge College where he has enjoyed two stellar seasons with the Kodiaks.

Head coach Dave Adams is excited about adding another local product to the program.

“When you look at the Horns and what we want to do in creating continued success here, we believe it’s got to be organically grown from our own community,” says Adams.

“People in southern Alberta want to support the Kodiaks and the Horns, and we need to give them some reasons to do that.”

the Legend

DECEMBER 2010

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Examining faith-based education

Dr. Joe Rasmussen is at home on a riverbank, conducting field research with his students.

RASMUSSEN HAS CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR STATUS RENEWED The University of Lethbridge’s Dr. Joe Rasmussen, a professor of biological sciences and a national leader in aquatic ecosystem research, has had his Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) funding as a Tier I Canada Research Chair renewed.

The need to provide dependable water supplies for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses without degrading natural processes is a major sustainability challenge. Ras-

mussen’s research projects address this problem and many more.

“Joe and his team have made a vital contribution towards furthering the University’s commitment in the area of water research, which is not only a key part of our strategic plan but is furthering our progress as we become a comprehensive research university,” says Dr. Dan Weeks, the University of Lethbridge’s vice-president research.

Rasmussen’s research has made

a significant contribution to the development of tracer approaches that are used to model energy flow in aquatic food webs. His research has provided fresh insights and technical inroads into important ecological problems such as the biomagnification of persistent contaminants and the impacts of heavy metals on environmental quality.

Rasmussen will receive $1.4 million over the next seven years – funds that will allow him to focus on several diverse research projects and add doctoral and master’s level researchers to his already-busy lab group.

HUNTER RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS FCMA DESIGNATION University of Lethbridge munity,” says Ellis. “I speak for Faculty of Management proall our faculty members when fessor Dr. M. Gordon (Gord) I say that we are very proud Hunter was recently desigof Gord for being honoured nated a Fellow of the Society of by his peers in the Society of Management Accountants of Management Accountants.”

Canada (FCMA).

In his current role as The FCMA, presented to a professor of information Hunter and five other Albersystems at the U of L, Hunter tans, is a prestigious national teaches several courses and, honorary designation that in 2009, developed a new acis awarded to CMAs who, counting information systems through their own outstanding course. He has been an advoachievements, bring distinccate for the CMA designation tion to the management in several capacities, including accounting profession and acting as a coach in the CMA serve as role models for others.

Alberta Board Governance and Hunter is the fourth JDC West Case competitions.

U of L faculty member to He has also been a CMA achieve this designation. Past ambassador in the post-secrecipients of the FCMA in ondary community at CMA the Faculty of Management Alberta events.

Dr. M. Gordon Hunter joins Dr. Murray Lindsay, include Dr. Murray Lindsay, Hunter has continuBruce Thurston and Tim Spielman as members of as well as instructors Bruce ally shown a commitment to Thurston (Lethbridge campus) the Faculty of Management who have received an enhancing the profession and FCMA designation. and Tim Spielman (Calgary designation through writcampus). ten publications; developing, ue providing relevant and studentFaculty of Management delivering and overseeing a centred learning opportunities.

Dean, Dr. Robert Ellis, says that variety of post-secondary courses; “Gord has made exemplary Hunter’s dedication to research, and sitting on international confercontributions to scholarship, teachteaching, and his association with ence committees. ing and to the professional comCMA Alberta, allow him to contin-

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Dr. Amy von Heyking is using her University Scholar research grant to take a closer look at Alberta’s educational model.

BY LORI LAVALLEE What contribution does faith-informed education make to a liberal democracy? Are there multiple, educational models that need to be considered? Most definitely, and Alberta is a fertile province for academics interested in researching citizenship education.

The University of Lethbridge’s Dr. Amy von Heyking, an educational historian and associate professor in the Faculty of Education, is one of those interested in documenting the institutional histories of faith-informed schools that have made the shift from independent to public systems. She looks to record stakeholders’ perceptions of what they have gained or lost in the process.

In addition to being one of the few provinces that has retained its publicly-funded separate Roman Catholic school system, Alberta is the only province to fund its charter schools with public monies.

Numerous faith-informed programs and schools have also been integrated into the public system, as fullyfunded alternative programs.

“Clearly, what we have is a willingness to identify and promote alternative educational models within our province,” says von Heyking.

In other parts of Canada, movements to extend public funding to faith-informed schools have typically been met with resistance.

“In public or politicized debates about the issue, religious instruction is often associated with a lack of tolerance and narrow-mindedness,” says von Heyking. “We need judicious scholarship that explores the impact of religious faith on the nature of schooling and, more specifically, the ability of schools to meet the civic education outcomes as defined by the province of Alberta.”

Her two-year University Scholar research grant, recently awarded by the Office of the Vice-President (Academic), will allow her to make a substantial contribution to this body of knowledge.

In conjunction with her research partner, Dr. Lance Grigg, von Heyking has already conducted an exploratory study examining the impact that faithbased curricula has on citizenship outcomes in one school in southern Alberta. As a University Scholar she is able to devote additional time to research and will continue exploring the relationship between citizenship and religious education in a range of publicly funded faith-informed schools around the province.

DECEMBER 2010

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the Legend

UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Fitzpatrick earns ASTech honour ASTech award presenter Dr. Robert Haché of the University of Calgary, left, presents to the U of L’s Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick

BY BOB COONEY

D

r. Dennis Fitzpatrick the U of L’s former vice-president (Research), and now a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, recently received the Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech) award for Outstanding Contribution to the Science and Technology community.

When Fitzpatrick arrived at the University of Lethbridge in 1999 as the new VP Research, he had a mandate to create nationally recognized programs. He recognized the small university had a modest research profile and a pool of good researchers. He also knew that the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta had a long history of research that overshadowed the U of L’s limited resources.

IUNCTUS A FIELD LEADER Building strong academic and public institutions is fundamental to fostering innovation that will lead to a successful and sustainable technology sector.

As well, strong business communities and research hubs are required to create a viable technology economy to provide jobs for graduates and skilled professionals.

In that regard, Lethbridgebased Iunctus Geomatics Corp. is leading the way.

The company, which was founded by U of L alumnus Ryan Johnson (BSc ‘98, MSc ‘00) and employs a significant number of U of L graduates, was recently an ASTech

“It was like opening up a corner store beside a major retail chain,” says Fitzpatrick.

Because the U of L was low on resources, Fitzpatrick says he had to find ways to build them.

“This was challenging in Alberta because of the province’s history of funding primarily meritorious institutions,” he says. “We had to find leading-edge programs to get the funding. It was like the chicken and the egg. Which comes first?”

Under Fitzpatrick’s research leadership, the University of Lethbridge evolved into a comprehensive research and instructional university with strong ties to the provincial technology community.

During the last 10 years, the university’s research budget has grown from $2 million to almost $24 million in 2010.

“The money increases the

kinds of opportunities that impact the lives of people in Alberta, and especially southern Alberta,” says Fitzpatrick.

His ‘think big and shoot high’ philosophy is fundamental to the University’s success, as is his vision to deliberately focus on developing specific areas with programs of instruction and research in tandem.

Fitzpatrick’s strategic, thematic approach was instrumental to the University’s ability to develop expertise and become a centre of excellence in the following areas: neurosciences, water resources in semi-arid ecosystem, biotechnology, genomics biochemistry, earth imaging applications for integrated resource management and imaging technology and the study of demographics and population.

“When we built the research infrastructure, we

looked beyond the individual researcher’s needs to see if we could create a toolbox to serve many people,” says Fitzpatrick. “When developing resources in the emerging field of neuroscience, the university department included biochemistry, biology and behavioural sciences because the field has such a broad-based focus.”

“We didn’t build only one lab, we built 10, opening up a whole new area of expertise,” adds Fitzpatrick. “These are the kinds of things that pay off. People get involved in creative research partnerships that allow them to do research in better, more sophisticated ways. We’re providing bright people with a whole new set of tools so they can now do remarkable research. And we’re training a new generation of scientists in ways we never anticipated.”

Paramount in Fitzpatrick’s mind was, and is, providing opportunities for students.

“The primary product of research and the value of a university education is highly trained students and the opportunities it creates for them,” he says. “Because of our system, the University of Lethbridge has become a launching pad for students to go to graduate school and on to the rest of their careers.”

winner in the Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation category.

Since the company was founded in 2000, Iunctus (a Latin mathematical term meaning “to bring together”) has developed leading remote sensing products. Among them is the TerraEngine, which facilitates the storage and transmission of large files of digital imagery over the Internet.

Additionally, their remote sensing data is used to create geographical maps and other data for industries including agriculture, disaster management, forestry, telecommunications planning and oil exploration.

Iunctus has two sister companies, BlackBridge, a

data centre company, and PrioraNet Canada, a joint venture with the Swedish Space Corporation which operates ground stations.

The company currently employs more than 50 people who support the satellite operations of the German Space Agency (DLR), French Space Agency (CNES), as well as manage all the data over North America for SPOT Image. Iunctus supports the operational requirements of clients across Canada in all segments of land management from commercial to government.

Iunctus is also a partner with the University of Lethbridge in a separate business called the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Corp. (ATIC) that focuses on developing more commercial applications for

remote sensing technologies.

True to its name, Iunctus is literally bringing together the geomatics industry in Lethbridge. Iunctus recently invested $1 million into a partnership with the City of Lethbridge to sponsor tecconnect – an Alberta centre for new commerce in a new facility designed to attract, incubate and develop technology companies through commercialization of their products and services.

“We hope to make a big difference in the community by attracting other technology businesses to our city,” says Johnson, the Iunctus president. “We are helping young entrepreneurs by building a hub for technology companies to grow and stay in Lethbridge.”

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SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT MINOR HITS MARK The Faculty of Management recently announced the establishment of a new minor in Supply Chain Management (SCM) to serve a fast-growing group of people whose enhanced skills will be critical to purchasing and moving materials and merchandise in a global economy.

The new program was established in response to the increasing need for supply chain professionals in a wide variety of industries.

“There are more than 85,000 people employed in supply chain management in Alberta and the average salary is $80,000 to $90,000 per year,” says Faculty of Management dean, Dr. Bob Ellis. “There is very strong job growth for well-trained professionals in this field, so there are great opportunities for the students who choose this minor.”

Darren Caines, executive director of the Alberta Institute of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC), says that supply chain management is a vital piece in business strategy.

“This is a fast-growing field with lots of opportunities – in the next three years, more than 80,000 graduates will be needed annually in Canada to meet employment demand.”

Caines adds that students can also become accredited as Certified Professional Purchasers – a designation offered through PMAC. “Those with the designation earn about 20 per cent more, on average, than those without,” he says.

In the local and regional business community, people with skill sets that include managing materials and their movement can bring value to their employers.

“The courses being offered by the U of L give all management students the basic insights into supply management. It also exposes them to additional career possibilities through the Purchasing Management Association of Canada,” says Alvin Kolibar, the logistics manager at Lethbridge-based Haul-All Equipment Ltd., which manufactures and ships its innovative waste management and recycling equipment systems across North America.

“The PMAC-supported courses will be a welcome addition to the University of Lethbridge in the coming years. Haul-All currently has one person involved with PMAC courses, and at this time, these courses are only available by correspondence for the Lethbridge area.”

Students are already enrolled in the new minor, now offered on the Lethbridge campus. The program will also be offered to students on the Calgary and Edmonton campuses in the near future.

the Legend

OUR

alumni

DECEMBER 2010

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Dotimas proud to spread the U of L message

BY STACY SEGUIN

O

nce upon a time, a young man left the warmth of the Philippines in search of a better life. He travelled to Canada, where he met a beautiful young girl, who had also emigrated from the Philippines. Eventually, the young man and young woman fell in love, married and lived happily ever after.

But, don’t you wonder what happens after “happily ever after”? In this case, a new story emerges; a story filled with hard work, success and continued happiness. A story of their daughter, Jeanette Dotimas (BMgt ’01), president of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s Edmonton chapter (ULAA), and communications advisor for Public Works and Government Services Canada.

“As the oldest in my family, I was always taught to strive to be the best and to be a good role model for my sister and brother,” explains Dotimas. “I am a first generation Canadian. My parents did what they could, they worked very hard, but they did not have a lot to give me and my siblings; motivating me to do well in school and supporting me in obtaining my degree was their gift.”

Dotimas earned a business administration diploma, specializing in marketing, from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), before enrolling in the post-diploma bachelor of management program offered at the University of Lethbridge’s Edmonton campus. For the next two years, she worked full days at General Electric and attended full-time classes

in the evenings and on weekends to complete her degree.

“It was such an intense, focused program,” says Dotimas.

“For the most part, we were all in the same boat, working during the day then coming to school at night and on the weekends. It was like an 80-hour work week, but it was great preparation for the professional world.”

The personal nature of her educational experience helped establish long-lasting bonds with the U of L. “The University felt like a family. I met some of my best friends there; our experiences studying and graduating together were life changing,” she says. “Now that I am serving the University in an alumni capacity, I hope that the U of L remains a big part of my life.”

Since her graduation, Dotimas has been an active alumna and was thrilled to participate in the organization of a brand new ULAA Edmonton chapter.

She served for one year on the board, becoming president of the chapter this fall.

“I had such a positive experience with the Edmonton campus, and I went to alumni events because I wanted to somehow stay connected,” she says. “I strongly believe that being a part of the ULAA is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, to expand your horizons and your networks and to give back.”

With close to 2000 alumni residing in the Edmonton area, the chapter looks to offer support, whether it’s in the form of providing work opportunities through networking or connecting alumni with other professional organizations.

“Personally, I am a huge

G E T T H E FA C T S • Married and a mother of two, Dotimas strives to be a positive role model for her children.

“When they see me volunteering my time and being involved with things like the ULAA, what I really hope to teach them is the importance of giving back to the community and how to be good global citizens.”

• Among the boards and committees she is a part of are: Edmonton Centre for Race and Culture; Alberta Federal Council Visible Minority Employees Network; Alberta Federal Communicators Community; Edmonton Public Library Multicultural Advisory Group.

• Dotimas is a writer/contributor to the Philippine Hiyas Community Newspaper.

Alumnus Jeanette Dotimas is the new president of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s Edmonton chapter.

advocate for the University,” says Dotimas. “Whenever I have the chance, I promote the U of L to whoever will listen. Through word-of-mouth advertising from former students, my hope is that the University gets the recognition it deserves both in the community and in industry. The U of L is such a unique and wonderful institution and we want to ensure that we are on people’s minds.”

Dotimas brings a host of professional expertise to the ULAA. As a communica-

tions advisor for the federal government, she has experience in everything from event planning to product development and media relations. In addition, she organizes workplace diversity events and facilitates workshops on anti-discrimination.

“When we come to work, we each bring our personal experiences and our beliefs through the door. When I facilitate a session on anti-discrimination, the focus is on understanding one another and learning about what makes us unique – respecting the dif-

• Dotimas is an accredited language interpreter for the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. ferences between us,” Dotimas explains. “There is a great commonality between the federal public service and the University of Lethbridge. The University prides itself on reaching out to different cultures (e.g. through its international studies programs) and providing a positive and inclusive environment for students, staff and their families. I see my employer in a similar vein; both institutions strive to provide a challenging workplace that is diverse, multicultural and multi-disciplinary.”

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Do you know of any U of L alumni who should be recognized for their contributions to their professions or their community? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and Alumni Honour Society awards. To obtain a nomination form, contact Alumni Relations at 403-317-2825 or e-mail alumni@uleth.ca. The nomination deadline is Feb. 1, 2011.

LIBRARY’S QR CODES DEBUT

BY NICOLE EVA As smart phones become more and more popular, so do the applications that make them so useful. The University of Lethbridge Library is catching on to this trend in a practical and useful way.

The library initially delved into this area by introducing its mobile website (http://www. uleth.ca/lib/about_Us/display.

asp?PageID=272), which was the first of its kind on campus.

Now, the IT folks have done it again: they’ve created scannable bar codes, known as QR codes, for students to book group workrooms on the spot with their mobile phones. Many future applications are also possible with this technology.

What exactly are QR (quick response) codes? These scannable codes contain all sorts of information, such as URLs or web links, videos, textual information, or any combination thereof. You may have already

used them yourself if you’ve taken advantage of paperless boarding cards to board a flight, a service being offered by several airlines.

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These codes can be read by ‘scanning’ them – basically taking a picture – with a smart phone such as an iPhone, Android, etc. The appropriate software application (downloaded from your phone’s app store – available for free or a nominal fee) is also required.

The library has several useful applications for QR codes.

The first is for group workrooms.

Students now have the ability to check a room, while standing outside, to see if it’s been booked, and if it hasn’t, reserve it right on the spot. The second applica-

tion is in the library catalogue, where each catalogue record has a unique QR code included in its display. When you scan the code into your phone, the location, call number, etc. of the item will be displayed on your smart phone, with no need to write down the information.

The Library is proud to once again lead the pack with this new technology.

And with the popularity of smart phones on the rise, we can only assume there are more great things to come.

DECEMBER 2010

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

H E A LT H

Striking a

& wellness

balance

the Legend AN

apple

A D AY

BUTTER OR MARGARINE?

BY DIANE BRITTON

BY SUZANNE MCINTOSH

W

ow, the end of the year is once again upon us. I know everyone is looking forward to the break at Christmas, and an opportunity to rejuvenate by reconnecting with family and friends.

Last year at this time, we talked about taking small steps to make changes towards your own health and wellness. Hopefully you have had the chance to do that throughout the year.

When you take care of yourself, it shows, and you then have more energy to take care of those around you. You only have one body, so it’s important to put into place some checks to make sure you are taking care of you. Now is a good time to check your health and wellness action

plan and get a jump-start on any 2011 resolutions.

Increase Physical Activity Recent research shows that people who sit for long periods of time are prone to higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mortality. Why not try the ‘Get Fit at Work’ program – a series of stretching and strengthening exercises designed specifically for you, to try throughout your day?

Incorporating small bouts of physical activity into your daily routine is another way of increasing physical activity.

Simple things, like parking at the furthest end of the parking lot, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and turning a coffee break into a walking break by walking around campus instead of sitting for that coffee.

Healthy Choices Treat your body well by limiting your intake of sugar, tobacco and alcohol. Eat lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains.

Mental Fitness Keep challenging yourself to keep your mind sharp. Try different puzzles and games, or sign up for a course – something new to challenge your mind.

Positive Thinking Try to remember the bright side. If you focus on your personal strengths, such as experience, sense of humour and unique abilities, your outlook will be much brighter.

Connect with Others A network of supportive people helps to keep your heart happy. Are your fam-

ily and friends far away? Try volunteering or giving some of your time – this keeps the focus off of you and gets you thinking of others. Practising random acts of kindness is another activity that can really enhance the way you feel.

Give yourself the gift of health and wellness this holiday season, one small step at a time.

Check back in February for our Vascular Risk screening event, as well as Winter Walk Day. We also have a variety of interesting subjects lined up for our Spring Semester Lunch and Learn sessions, including: Laughter Fitness, Stress Busters and Beyond, Terrasol Body Talk (postponed from this fall) and Spice up your diet (with dietitian Diane Britton).

Suzanne McIntosh is the University’s co-ordinator of Wellness Programs

Whether you choose margarine or butter, use them in moderation. Both products are 100 per cent fat content and both contain 4g of fat per teaspoon or 35 calories in each teaspoon (5 ml).

When choosing a spread, it depends on a person’s medical condition, family history, taste preferences and their overall dietary needs as to which is the best option to use.

Margarine Margarine is made from vegetable oils and therefore is loaded in good fats, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which help lower bad cholesterol (LDL). It also naturally contains no cholesterol.

Many margarines are a source of omega 3 fats, which is great for heart health, and serve as a source of vitamin D. If margarine is your choice, still remember to use it sparingly, and tub margarine is a better alternative than block margarine.

Butter It takes 10.2 litres of fresh cow’s milk to make a pound (454g) of butter. An old fashioned, natural process, butter does not undergo any hydrogenation.

It contains about 50 per cent saturated fats; known collectively as ‘bad fats’ for our heart health, and does contain cholesterol.

However, new research reveals some hidden benefits naturally found in butter fat.

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is gaining solid support as a potent cancer inhibitor.

Just one teaspoon (5 ml) of butter contains 19mg of CLA. CLA fat may also aid in fat loss and increased muscle mass.

Other micronutrients in butter include sphingolipids and butyric acid (a good saturated fat, because not all saturated fats are bad for us), which also shows cancer inhibiting potential. But that doesn’t mean you can layer the butter on thick. If butter is your choice, again, use it sparingly.

Pictured from left to right are: Twilah van Haarst, Megan Smith, Raelene Youst, Alyson Shetterly, Vrushangi Soni and Lori Simonson.

Wellness co-ordinator Suzanne McIntosh is featured in the foreground.

STUDENTS DELIVER PROGRAM A free Alberta Health Service pro-

gram, Building Healthy Lifestyles (BHL), recently got some help from a team of University of Lethbridge Health Sciences Nursing students.

Their term project involved raising

awareness for the BHL program both on campus and in the greater community, as well as assisting with assorted wellness activities at the U of L that led to the enhanced awareness of the BHL program.

Among other efforts, the group secured more than $1,600 worth of advertising from HUTV, a service that produces advertising in hospital and healthcare facilities in southern Alberta.

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They also provided information at immunization clinics and independent living facilities, and assisted U of L wellness co-ordinator, Suzanne McIntosh, on several Wellness Lunch and Learn activities.

With butter or margarine, always remember that moderation wins the nutrition race.

For an individual nutrition appointment, call the Health Centre (SU 020) at 403-329-2484. All sessions are $40 for community members, U of L students and employees.

Diane Britton is the University’s on-campus registered dietitian

the Legend

DECEMBER 2010

events C A L E N D A R Pronghorns Athletics

Jan. 14 | Art Now: Osvaldo Ramirez Noon, University Recital Hall (W570)

Jan. 7 | Canada West Women’s Hockey | University of Calgary vs.

Horns | 7 p.m., Nicholas Sheran Arena Jan. 7-8 | Canada West Basketball University of Alberta vs. Horns Women’s games, 6 p.m.; Men’s games 8 p.m. nightly | 1st Choice Savings Centre gym Jan. 8 | Canada West Men’s Hockey University of Calgary vs. Horns 7 p.m., Nicholas Sheran Arena

Jan. 17 | Art Now: Rodney Sayers Noon, University Recital Hall (W570) Jan. 17 | Architecture & Design Now: Emily Luce | 6 p.m., C610

Performances Jan. 18 | Music at Noon: U of L Brass Quintet | 12:15 p.m., University Recital Hall (W570)

Miscellaneous

Jan. 14-15 | Canada West Basketball Brandon University vs. Horns Women’s games, 6 p.m.; Men’s games 8 p.m. nightly | 1st Choice Savings Centre gym

December | Sport and Recreation Sock and Mitten Drive for the Homeless Shelter | Please drop off donations at the Sport and Recreation Customer Service Centre (PE 160)

Jan. 14-15 | Canada West Men’s Hockey | University of Alberta vs.

Horns | 7 p.m. nightly, Nicholas Sheran Arena

Dec. 13-17, Dec. 20-21 | U of L Bookstore Textbook Buy Back 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, U of L Bookstore

Lectures

Jan. 15 | Culture Vulture Saturday Prairie Ink Drawings. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., U of L Atrium

Jan. 10 | Architecture & Design Now: Anthony Shelton | 6 p.m., C610 Jan. 12 | Art Now: Kelly Richardson Noon, University Recital Hall (W570)

Jan. 14 to Feb. 25 | A Little History on the Prairies | U of L Art Gallery

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

Lobby effort focusses on finance

BY ABBY GROENENBOOM Maintaining affordable education was the overriding theme of the 2010 Lobby Conference as student associations from across the country gathered in Ottawa recently to voice their concerns to the country’s key decision-makers.

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), representing and promoting the interests of post-secondary students to federal and interprovincial levels of government, introduced a number of ideas to governmental policy makers. Student financial aid and the Canada Student Loan Program are on the list of key issues CASA is lobbying for this year. With debt becoming an ever larger issue for students, CASA is especially focused on the cost of obtaining a quality education.

Taz Kassam, ULSU president, and Allan Hall, vice-president, Operations and Finance, represented the ULSU at the conference.

“The inability for students to secure enough cash or credit to afford tuition payments, books and the basic essentials of living is one of the financial barriers that students face,” says Kassam.

CASA has recommended the federal government increase the amount of allow-

able in-study income in the next fiscal year. This means that if students choose to work during the school year, they will not be penalized for earning income and therefore qualify for less money from the Canada Student Loan Program. This change could also discourage students from seeking private loans.

CASA is also addressing the issue of funding for aboriginal students. Aboriginal Peoples face persistent inequalities in regard to labour market outcomes, the most influential factor being that of post-secondary educational attainment rate.

“The Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) is the funding mechanism for First Nations and Inuit Students,” says Kassam. “This program has been capped at a 2 per cent increase since 1996, spreading the available cash very thin and likely reducing the number of aboriginal students attending post-secondary institutions.

“We have proposed the 2 per cent cap be removed, and an increase in funding be provided to better reflect the real cost of attending a postsecondary institution.”

Another issue is the ongoing debate over Bill-C32: The Copyright Act. Publishing companies, such as Access

Copyright, are petitioning to propose a student levy that would make post-secondary institutions pay for the possibility that someone may print a copy of work already owned digitally. This issue could lead to hefty increases in the cost of textbooks.

“The Book Importation Tax states that parallel importation is illegal for commercial booksellers, meaning that if a book title has a Canadian copyright holder that is selling the book for no more than 10 per cent above the American retail price, it is illegal for a physical store to maintain a competitive edge and buy the book from the United States,” says Kassam.

The recommendation put forth by CASA is to amend the bill as it stands, prohibiting the parallel importation of books from foreign distributors.

Kassam says the ULSU, as an extension of CASA, is working hard to serve U of L students.

“We are doing all we can to ensure post-secondary education is affordable, of the highest quality and easily accessible,” says Kassam.

“These are very important issues that will not only affect today’s students but also those who will be entering postsecondary institutions in the future.”

THEATREXTRA OPENS WITH DRAMATIC TALE

The U of L thanked SAIT Polytechnic for their 15-year partnership at a recent appreciation event in Calgary. Pictured are, (l-r), U of L Associate Vice-president (Academic) Dr. Bob Boudreau, President Dr. Mike Mahon, SAIT President Irene Lewis, U of L Vicepresident (Finance) Nancy Walker, along with Wayne King, SAIT’s CFO and vice-president, Capital and Corporate Services.

CAMPUS LEAVES SAIT Members of the University of Lethbridge Calgary Campus recently capped off a very positive 15-year relationship with SAIT Polytechnic by establishing a new transfer scholarship.

The scholarship program is for graduates from

SAIT who choose the U of L, and will be made available to transfer students registering at the U of L in the Fall 2011 semester.

The U of L is relocating its offices to a downtown Calgary location in partnership with Bow Valley College beginning in January 2011.

Program growth spurred the move, both at SAIT and the U of L. “To best serve our grow-

ing number of students – from SAIT and elsewhere in Calgary – the U of L decided that moving was a viable option,” says Lorne Williams, director of the U of L’s Calgary campus.

“In turn, this allows SAIT to expand its on-campus space to serve its students. We’ve had an excellent relationship over the past 15 years, and it will continue, but in a different location.”

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The University of Lethbridge Calgary Campus was established in 1996 to meet the changing needs of a working student population who wanted classes during evenings and weekends.

What started as a small satellite campus for the Faculty of Management, now offers courses across several disciplines. Close to 700 students were registered in classes this semester.

With a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder, the stormy tale of The Song of the Say-Sayer,

by Daniel Danis, rolls into the David Spinks Theatre in the new year.

Appearing Jan. 20-22 at 8 p.m. nightly (with a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 22), TheatreXtra’s third production of the season explores the trauma and tribulations of four extraordinary orphaned siblings.

“I’d describe this play as a psychological thriller combined with a magical bedtime story,” says Genevieve Pare, drama major and director.

“It’s a dramatic play, but magical and fantastical things are woven into the story.”

As audiences have come to expect with TheatreXtra, creativity takes centre stage with a minimized use of sets and props.

“This play engages the imagination; the kind of imagination we had as children. At certain points, it is up to the audience to use their own imagination to create their own interpretation,” Pare adds. “I was introduced to the script by one of my professors. I thought it would make a great show for TheatreXtra because it was about the characters and story rather than about props and set. It’s written in a style I’ve never experienced.”

Featuring a live percussion ensemble, the whimsy of The Song of the Say-Sayer leaves an indelible impression on audiences.

Tickets are available at the University Box Office (403-329-2616) beginning Jan. 10. Regular hours for the box office are Monday through Friday 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $11 regular, $7 for students and seniors.

DECEMBER 2010

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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE

FINE ARTS

in focus

the Legend

New media students look to space

Jeff Heaney and Jena Murray have earned internships with the Canadian Space Agency.

F

aculty of Fine Arts New Media majors, Jeff Heaney and Jena Murray, have accepted offers to do their internships with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Montreal starting in January 2011.

The pair is the latest group of University of Lethbridge students to receive a prestigious internship appointment with the Canadian Space Agency. They are the fifth and sixth students from the new media program to be offered internships with the CSA since summer 2007.

The students were understandably thrilled with the news

RESIDENCY A PART OF RECENT AGREEMENT

BY AMANDA BERG The doors to international exchanges have been opened wide with the recent signing of agreements between the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts, the Centro Nacional de Las Artes (CENART) in Mexico and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s (RMIT) School of Art. “These accords set in place an agreement and a process for faculty artists from across the Faculty of Fine Arts’ disciplines – visual art, drama, new media and music – to participate in residency exchange programs with artists from Australia and Mexico,” says Dr. Desmond Rochfort, Univer-

they would be working in such a unique and challenging setting.

“I’m so excited,” says Murray, who is from Lomond, Alta.

“This is a great opportunity to experience something new. I’m eager to learn as much as possible and advance my skill set as far as I can. I’m very grateful for the chance to work at the Canadian Space Agency and know it’s going to be life changing.”

The Canadian Space Agency internship is a program that is interested in 3D modelling and simulation for the purpose of tracking and developing things like satellite simulations and

sity of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts dean. “Likewise, the accords provide opportunities for artists from Mexico and Australia to work and study in Lethbridge on a residency.”

The agreement with Mexico’s CENART, signed in November by Roberto Vázquez Díaz, Director General of CENART and Rochfort at a ceremony in Mexico City, provides opportunities for creative residencies in the National Centre’s headquarters in Mexico City, as well as in its 15 satellite locations throughout the country. Three additional satellites are also in the process of being developed.

A major strategic investment in culture and the arts by the Mexican government has made these centres into major arts training and cultural facilities. They are designed to focus on creative arts education and research, as well as bring together artists from a variety of creative disciplines and

creating works in 3D to be used by the engineers and scientists working there.

“I originally heard about the program through our New Media Internship professor, Anna Pickering,” says Heaney, who is from Water Valley, Alta.

“Over the course of October, I worked with her on developing my portfolio and resumé to apply to the position. Apparently they found my skills and Jena’s to be very complementary, so we both were accepted, me for my experience in simulation and physics, and her for her skill in modelling in a 3D environment.”

Faculty of Fine Arts dean Dr. Desmond Rochfort with Roberto Vázquez Díaz, the director general of Centro Nacional de Las Artes.

different countries in an environment that combines tradition and the latest technologies.

The Australian residency exchange agreement has a more narrow focus.

“The agreement with the Artists International Residency pro-

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Heaney says he never envisioned such an opportunity was available when he began his undergraduate studies.

“When I first came to the University to work on my new media degree, I never could have guessed that it would end with me getting a position with the Canadian Space Agency.”

It is a big move from Lethbridge to Montreal, and having two students go at the same time will help them both adjust to life in the ‘big’ city.

“Leaving behind much of my life to move to Montreal is a bit daunting, but incredibly exciting at the same time,” says Heaney.

Murray agrees, adding that it’s not just a matter of being comfortable in a new city, but having a familiar face with a similar background will likely help with their studies as well.

“I’m so glad that Jeff will be experiencing this with me,” she says. “It’ll be nice that we’ll have one another to lean on during our time in Montreal.”

BFA New Media students have the option to choose an internship or participate in an Advanced Studio class in their final year of study.

“The internship enables students to make connections in the industries where they want to pursue a career,” explains Anna Pickering, the internship co-ordinator. “It also provides the opportunity to experience challenging and relevant work related to their school studies, and quite often leads to future employment opportunities.”

gram at RMIT provides residency opportunities for visual artists and new media artists from the U of L Faculty of Fine Arts,” says Rochfort. “The accord also provides opportunities for artists from Australia to come to Lethbridge for a creative residency here.”

“Both agreements are important strategic initiatives by the U of L Faculty of Fine Arts to broaden opportunities for international exchange in the field of the creative arts,” he says. “Artist exchanges provide opportunities for both creative collaboration and interdisciplinary work as well as the opportunity to work in the context of a different culture.”

According to Rochfort, another important component of both agreements is the development of exchanges among Aboriginal, Indigenous and First Nations artists in Australia, Canada and Mexico.

CULTURE VULTURE SATURDAYS BRING THE COMMUNITY TO CAMPUS Wipe away those winter blues and spend the day in the Atrium for Culture Vulture Saturday.

Art meets chemistry in the Jan. 15 edition of the popular, community-friendly program, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Using ink from berries, participants will have the opportunity to make a very unique art project.

“The month of January not only marks a new year, but also welcomes a new exhibit in the main gallery,” says Rosalind Jeffrey, Culture Vulture program co-ordinator. “A Little History on the Prairies features the Nanton series of photographs by Geoffrey James and works by Margaret Shelton, which showcase the prairie landscape, a part of who we are as Canadians. The exhibit also includes sketches

by Group of Seven artist, A.Y. Jackson, done during his time in Pincher Creek.”

After studying these landscapes, participants take a step back in time and will make their own ink from the juice of berries.

“Art meets chemistry in this activity, which is perfect for art enthusiasts of all ages,” says Jeffrey. “You’ll be able to use your handmade ink to sketch your own prairie landscape.

Perhaps you’ll want to include a raspberry bush to remind you that spring is on its way!”

Supplies are provided and the admission to Culture Vulture Saturday is always free.

(Left) George Pepper, Horse’s Head

From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Bequest of Kathleen Daly Pepper, 1995.

(Lower left) George Pepper, Untitled (Eskimo Girl)

From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Bequest of Kathleen Daly Pepper, 1995.

(Below) Kathleen Daly, Eskimos Gather for the Dance

From the University of Lethbridge Art Collection; Bequest of Kathleen Daly Pepper, 1995.

Kathleen Daly (1898-1994) and George Pepper (19031962) met while studying art at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, and married in 1929.

Based in Toronto for most of their creative careers, Daly and Pepper travelled and painted together extensively. Both are well known for their depictions of the people and lifestyle of Canada’s northernmost territories, where they lived among their subjects throughout the 1960s.

At the time of her death, Daly donated over 40 artworks by herself and Pepper to the University of Lethbridge Art Collection.

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