Wider Horizons - Spring 2015

S P R I NG 2 0 1 5 ALBERTA: STRONG & FREE JUDGEMENT TRAINING SIMULATOR CLEAN WATER RESEARCH

{ A PU B L ICAT ION OF LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE }

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Editor’s message

W hen my husband and I moved to

Alberta, my plan was for it to be a two-

I remember returning from our first visit to Writing-on-Stone

year stop. During those first years, we

about eight years ago and hounding our friends with the

went to some of the province’s most

question of why they didn’t insist we visit there sooner. It was

stunning sites – Waterton, Banff, the

so spectacular, so rich in history and so moving, I told them.

The vast diversity of what Alberta has to offer is astounding.

Frank Slide and along the Bow River in Calgary – and we

These wise friends, who had called the province home for a

started to discover the hidden gems in our own southern city

longer period of time, simply replied that there are just so many

and its gorgeous coulees. With each passing month, I fell more

spectacular, rich and moving places in Alberta. I am confident

and more in love with the province and its people, its spirit and,

you’ll be delighted with whatever direction you pick.

I must confess, its sunshine.

– and as always, if you’d like to comment on a story or photo

Twelve years later, we are still here. We have explored

We hope you enjoy this Alberta issue of Wider Horizons

farther afield in the province – to places like Writing-on-Stone,

or suggest a story for a future issue, just drop us a note at

Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Dinosaur Provincial Park and

WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

more – but know we still have so much more to see. The people we have met continue to inspire and stimulate us in our work

Cheers,

and lives. Alberta has worked its magic on us – as it has done for so many over the recent and distant past.

This spring issue of Wider Horizons focuses on Alberta

and what can be said to be the true Alberta advantage: the province’s diversity of landscape, people, industry and culture.

So many of Lethbridge College’s graduates came from or are making their mark in the province, and you can read

Lisa Kozleski Editor

about their exciting work and lives here (whether it involves travelling with the RCMP’s Musical Ride or roasting some of

P.S. We are looking for feedback from our readers and

the best coffee in town). This issue also showcases some of

want to know what you think about Wider Horizons in

the spectacular scenery to be found in the southern end of the

general and our Alberta issue in particular. If you have a

province, including a historic homestead outside of Warner

few minutes, please take the short survey found at

where a remarkable philanthropist was born and the Milk River

learn.lc/whspringsurvey15. Your responses will help us

basin where Environmental Sciences students learn about

better serve you and our readers around the world. And, as

the oldest inhabitants of this land as they study geology and

a small way to thank you for your time and thoughts, we’ll

paleontology. At the heart of all of the stories and photos in

enter your name into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate

this issue is the college’s Alberta-focused vision, which is to

from Tim Hortons or Starbucks if you complete and submit

lead and transform education in the province we call home.

your survey before June 1, 2015. Thanks!

{ VOL. 8 | ISSUE 3 | SPRING 2015 }

Wider Horizons is Lethbridge College’s community magazine, celebrating the successes and stories of its students, employees and alumni by promoting them throughout the community. This publication aims to educate its readers, engage stakeholders and recognize donors through compelling stories and images.

We thank you for picking up this copy and we hope you enjoy the read. If you would like to suggest a story or find out more about our magazine, contact us.

Wider Horizons c/o The Advancement Office 3000 College Drive South Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6 WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca

In addition to free distribution to our regional community, Wider Horizons is also mailed to all Lethbridge College alumni. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected to the college by emailing alumni@lethbridgecollege.ca or by updating their contact information at the Alumni Relations website: lethbridgecollege.ca/alumni

Alberta: Strong & Free

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This September, Alberta will turn 110, and the province is as much of a “wild land of freedom” as it was in 1905. But what distinguishes Alberta today even more than its natural beauty is the resilience, innovation, dedication and true grit of so many of the people who call the province home.

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The Mueller family legacy: Enhancing the strengths of this fruitful land with a historic gift.

A powerful presence: The true tale of a John Weaver bronze, and the former student who was its inspiration.

Lethbridge College grads continue to contribute significantly to the work being done on the new trades and technologies facility.

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26 From our kitchens 28 Q&A 40 Where are they now?

43 44 50

President in action Campus in season Office intrigue

Publisher: Dr. Paula Burns Editor-in-chief: Carmen Toth Editor: Lisa Kozleski Designer: Dana Woodward Lethbridge College staff contributors: Megan Catalano, Leeanne Conrad, Elisabeth Morgan, Diana Prakash, Shawn Salberg, Kasha Thurston Staff photographers: Rod Leland, Jonathan Ruzek, Gregory Thiessen

It’s a family affair News and notes Noted online

Photographer: Rob Olson Cover photo: Gregory Thiessen Contributors: Melissa Belter, Mike Copeman, Belinda Crowson, Bruce Edwards, Karen Renard, Dainya Sapergia, Megan Shapka, Lisa Sutherland Proofreaders: Ginger Arthur Ciesla, Karma Black, Brenda Brandley, Joanne Briggs, Mary Ann Sorge, Linda Sprinkle

To share this issue with others or access even more content, visit us at widerhorizons.ca.

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President in action

Lethbridge College President Paula Burns and Alison Pilsner, the program administrator for the college’s Be Fit for Life Centre, led the way as 196 staff, students and friends of the college headed out for a winter walk around campus and the coulees on Feb. 4, the province’s annual Winter Walk day. More than 124,000 Albertans made their way for a walk this year in an effort to show the rest of Canada that Alberta knows how to embrace winter.

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The Be Fit for Life Centre is an on-campus fitness resource centre that provides fitness services, programs, information and activities designed to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle. In addition to the Winter Walk, the centre also organized a session for teachers at the South Western Alberta Teachers’ Convention.

For more information, call 403-382-6919.

Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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Campus in season

Environmental Assessment and Restoration and Renewable Resource Management students in a first year Physical Geology class listened as instructor Brett Jensen discussed the rapid rate of erosion, the bedrock formations, and the incredible fossil content of the rock formations along the Milk River south of Manyberries, Alta., on Pinhorn Grazing Reserve land last year.

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Following a short talk by Jensen, the students were given permission to explore and hunt for fossils. Many Lethbridge College programs involve trips into the field – so the classroom and campus can be wherever learning can take place. For Environmental Sciences students, that often means some of the most beautiful, unique and extraordinary corners of the province.

Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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OPEN SKIES OPEN HEARTS The Mueller family legacy: Enhancing the strengths of this fruitful land

The skies are as wide open and blue as they were 100 years

ago when the first of the Muellers came to this spot in southern Alberta, and the wind is as powerful and relentless. It doesn’t take much imagination to picture what Mike Mueller and his brother encountered when they arrived from Wisconsin at the Shelby train station in Montana in the early 1900s and made their way 60 miles north to their homestead near Warner – from the endless views of the vast prairie to the capricious moods of the natural elements.

Mike Mueller came looking to make some money. Land in the new province of Alberta was cheap, ranging from $5 to $7 an acre, and there was plenty of it. “The idea of the Mueller brothers who came was to buy it, have it appreciate, sell it and move back to Wisconsin,” says Michael Mueller, who was named after his pioneering grandfather.

But Mike Mueller stayed. He worked the land and helped 6

| SPRING 2015

shape a community. He built a home that was the first in the area to have electric lights and hot and cold water from the start, thanks to wind-generated electricity. He advocated with Kate Andrews, one of the founders of Lethbridge College, for the creation of a consolidated school district. He shared his progressive views on education with his 10 children, including his son Lloyd, the uncle to Michael Mueller.

And nearly a century after he arrived, that son and his wife – Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller – would decide to continue the Mueller family legacy of supporting education by naming Lethbridge College in their wills. Their decision resulted in the largest single gift to the college in its 57-year history in October 2014. The $3.1 million donation from the estate of Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller will transform the college’s agricultural programming and shape the future of the agricultural industry in the region, province and beyond.

“My uncle and aunt wanted to find a way to advance the pursuit of knowledge through their legacy.� { Michael Mueller }

Above: The homestead where Lloyd Mueller was born still stands near Warner.

Right: Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller married in 1954 and travelled the world together.

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“My uncle and aunt wanted to find a way to advance the pursuit of knowledge through their legacy,” says Michael Mueller, who still works the land his grandfather homesteaded. “They wanted to offer a benefit and make this available to as many people as possible and they felt a gift to Lethbridge College was the best way to do that. They hoped that whatever was done with this gift, it would be just and fair and available to everyone.”

The $3.1 million gift was matched with $1.9 million from Lethbridge College to establish the Mueller Program in Irrigation and the Mueller Applied Research Chair in Irrigation Above: A barn at the Mueller family homestead is silhouetted at sunset.

Left: Lloyd Mueller (seated, far right) was one of 10 children born to Mike and Rosa Mueller on the family’s homestead near Warner.

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“That’s the entrepreneurial mindset. A lot of people overlook the fact that a building is built one brick at a time.” { Michael Mueller }

Science at Lethbridge College, supporting the college as it moves to focus on data-driven productivity in agriculture.

The gift will allow for new classes and training to be offered as well as for the creation of the college’s first Applied Research Chair.

“Agriculture is one of the most important industries and largest employers in our region,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “Throughout southern Alberta, agriculture is present in our everyday lives in a variety of ways – through the production of food, fibre and other products, through the expansion of agri-business and technology companies and through the impact of our agricultural manufacturing sector.

“We expect that Lethbridge will continue to be a hub for growth and excellence in the agri-food industry and that Lethbridge College will continue to mobilize and focus

our region’s unique assets, attributes and strengths,” adds Burns. “We will continue to work to bring industry, academia and community together to provide real-world training and apply real-world solutions within an industry that is critical to the social and economic needs of southern Alberta.”

Lloyd Mueller, who was largely self-taught, was always seeking knowledge and real-world solutions during his life, his nephew recalled.

“He would try something and sometimes hit a dead end, but that is nature at work – and he would try something else,” Michael Mueller says. “That’s the entrepreneurial mindset.

A lot of people overlook the fact that a building is built one brick at a time. If you can learn something, add a brick. Sooner or later you’ll be putting the last layer on and you’ll have the whole building.”

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Above: Old farm equipment can still be found on the Mueller property.

Below:The Muellers were married for 55 years and loved golfing, curling and going to the horse races together.

Lloyd Mueller was born on the family farm near Warner and grew up playing in the granaries and outbuildings that can still be seen today. After serving in the Canadian Air Force during World War II, he returned to Lethbridge and became involved in several business ventures, from farming to running a garage to stock trading. He achieved much of his financial success in this last venture.

Dorothy Mueller was born in Bernard, Saskatchewan. She came to Lethbridge to study to be a lab technician, but the course was delayed for several months. She ended up taking a job in hospital administration at St. Michael’s Hospital in 1948 – and worked there through her retirement in 1977. Lloyd and Dorothy married in 1954 and lived the rest of their lives in Lethbridge.

They loved travelling the world together and visited all continents except Antarctica. Many of their trips were agricultural tours, and they valued learning about the work others were doing in the 10

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“I think my uncle and aunt would like to see that young people can do a lot of things, tr y a lot of things and yes, they might not all work, but if you are resilient and don’t give up, you will learn something you can apply in your future.” { Michael Mueller }

agricultural industry in different countries across the globe.

Lloyd Mueller died in 2009 and Dorothy Mueller died in 2013. Having no children of their own, Lloyd and Dorothy always welcomed their more than 25 nieces and nephews into their home. And while their life and work took them away from the Mueller family homestead and the labour of working the land, Michael Mueller says his aunt and uncle always valued the work those in the agricultural industry did for their communities.

“In our conversations, it always seemed that agriculture got pushed aside in favour of other technologies,” says Michael Mueller. “But the other technologies wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have agriculture. This gift will allow generations of students to be a part of that. I think my uncle and aunt would like to see that young people can do a lot of things, try a lot of things and yes, they might not all work, but if you are resilient and don’t

give up, you will learn something you can apply in your future.”

Resiliency and tenacity are twin traits that Mike Mueller brought with him on his daring trip west as he built his home and legacy in southern Alberta. They are the same qualities that Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller valued in their lives, in their work, in their travels and in their beloved nieces and nephews.

As students and researchers at Lethbridge College use their own resilience and tenacity to learn and develop practices in irrigation and agriculture that bring out the best of this unique environment, the gift of Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller will continue the work to which the Muellers have been devoted since Mike Mueller first arrived in Alberta a century ago: enhancing the strengths of this fruitful land.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson; historic photos submitted

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Alberta:

STRONG

&FREE

This September, Alberta will turn 110, and the province is as much of a “wild land of freedom,” a “land of the silver springs” and a “province vast and for its beauty famed” today as it was in 1905. But what distinguishes Alberta today even more than its natural beauty is the resilience, innovation, dedication and true grit of so many of the people who call the province home.

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An Environmental Sciences student looks out over the southern Alberta landscape during a class field trip to the Milk River basin.

A

lbertans quickly find ways to make their mark,

whether they trace their arrival to months

(including those students who just arrived at Lethbridge College), generations (including the pioneering families who helped build the province) or millennia (including members of the First Nations communities who were first to call this land home).

Many of the students and graduates of Lethbridge College are now shaping the future of their province in a variety of new ways. Through their efforts – whether they are running innovative businesses, creating art, teaching and mentoring young people, healing those

who are suffering, or even brewing amazing coffee – they are leading and transforming Alberta. That seems to be fitting work for those connected to a college whose vision is to lead and transform education in Alberta.

These stories are just a small sampling of what so many Lethbridge College students, alumni, staff members, industry partners and friends are doing to make a difference – right here at home.

If you’d like to share your Alberta story with Wider Horizons, drop us a note at WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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Alberta:

STRONG

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Quinn

OHLER { Communication Arts 2009 }

Ohler says she is honoured to tell people’s stories on Global Edmonton’s News Hour Final.

Q “I met some of my news heroes, people who I had watched for years and wanted to be like.” { Quinn Ohler }

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uinn is a classic newshound, who sniffs out and chases stories that engage, inspire and sometimes enrage viewers,” says Kerry Powell, managing editor at Global Edmonton. “She’s utterly dedicated to her craft and to Global News viewers.”

In 2009, Lethbridge College awarded Quinn Ohler the Troy Reeb Distinguished Alumni Internship. This priceless experience allowed the farm girl from Stavely, Alta., to expand her horizons and report on major events in Toronto and Ottawa. She says she also received valuable mentorship. “I met some of my news heroes, people who I had watched for years and wanted to be like,” she says.

Now, as anchor for Global Edmonton’s News Hour Final, she says she’s honoured to tell people’s stories and share information that’s important to her audience. “Being able to move to a large market, and eventually take on a role with a lot of

responsibility is something that I’ve worked towards for a long time,” Ohler adds.

Reflecting on her time at Lethbridge College, Ohler says she chose the program for its reputation, proximity to home, and the potential for employment in the industry while still attending school.

She says the hands-on experiences were the best learning tools. “You learn by doing, and that prepared me to be in a newsroom,” she says. “From using an HD camera, to working in a radio station, writing web articles, or anchoring a newscast, you learn and make your mistakes in school, instead of getting out in the real world and making the mistakes in front of a large audience. It also allowed me to find out who I was as a journalist. The education allowed me to get out, explore, experiment, and yes, make mistakes, to find out what works for me and what doesn’t.”

Story by Megan Shapka | Photo courtesy Global News

Derek & Matthew

QUILLEY { Criminal Justice 2003 and Criminal Justice 2007 }

R

egardless of where in the world they travel as members of the RCMP’s Musical Ride, Matthew and Derek Quilley are Albertans to their core.

Born and raised in Red Deer, the brothers came to Lethbridge College to enrol in the Criminal Justice program.

Derek graduated in 2003 and Matthew in 2007; both started working for the RCMP in 2008. Two years later, Derek was the first to take part in the five-week tryout for the Musical Ride. He had a friend who was a member and thought it looked like a oncein-a-lifetime experience. Matthew says he had always dreamed of being a part of the Musical Ride and joined in 2013. “It also helped my decision to apply that Derek was already there and had very good things to say about the posting,” Matthew adds.

Derek was part of the team that travelled to England and performed for the Queen during the Diamond Jubilee celebration in 2012. And last summer, the brothers spent 10 weeks touring Alberta, which meant many family members and

friends – including friends from the college – were able to see them perform.

“The Musical Ride is very important not only to the RCMP but to Canada as a whole,” says Matthew. “The show is often taken internationally where we are instantly recognized by our red jackets and brown boots.”

There are difficult aspects to the job, of course. The brothers note that horses have a mind of their own and can test them some days. But each says he loves the work he is doing now, even though it has taken them away from their home province. “I do miss Alberta, but I enjoy being able to live all across this great country of ours with the RCMP,” says Derek. “I personally miss Alberta immensely,” adds Matthew. “It is sort of indescribable but I just get a feeling of being where I should be when I am home.

But the Musical Ride is amazing and I am in no rush to cut this experience short.”

“It is sort of indescribable but I just get a feeling of being where I should be when I am home.” { Matthew Quilley }

Story by Lisa Kozleski Photo by Bruce Edwards, The Edmonton Journal

The Quilley brothers are proud to represent RCMP and Canada with the Musical Ride.

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Alberta:

STRONG

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Fueled by a love for exceptional coffee, DeMaere started a roasting house in his Lethbridge backyard.

Paul

DEMAERE { Business Administration 1994 and Environmental Sciences 1998 }

W

hat have we done?” “

That’s what Paul DeMaere and

his wife, Jacqueline, said to each other five years ago after they purchased a commercial-grade coffee roaster. It was a risk they knew they had to take. Fueled by a love for exceptional coffee, the DeMaeres started Red Engine Coffee Roasters in their roasting studio in Lethbridge.

Having grown up on a farm near Granum, Alta., DeMaere says he appreciates the agricultural process and is committed to sourcing traceable, high quality, in-season beans from farmers who are paid fair trade prices and higher. When DeMaere visited El Salvador in 2014, he discovered the passion and pride coffee farmers have for their products.

“It’s great as a roaster to be able to get this coffee, and then at that point, roast it in the profile that highlights the producer’s hard work ,” he says.

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Cory Medd, owner of Two Guys and a Pizza Place and a college alumnus, proudly serves Red Engine Coffee in his restaurant.

“They source unique coffees that are traceable to the producer,” he says. “In fact, Paul has travelled to the coffee farm to shake hands with the growers!”

Both of DeMaere’s college diplomas influence his work. Creating perfect bean profiles is a science, as his detailed log books prove. His company is also environmentally conscious, reusing and composting whenever possible. His business education definitely plays a role in his venture and he’s excited to see his children already mimicking his entrepreneurial spirit. “We probably talk about coffee a lot more than most families,” he says with a smile – just before picking up another cup of perfectly brewed Red Engine coffee.

Story by Megan Shapka | Photo by Rob Olson

“We probably talk about coffee a lot more than most families.” { Paul DeMaere }

Katy

LUCAS { Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism 2013 }

K

aty Lucas, Miss Rodeo Canada 2015,

makes it clear that being a rodeo queen is about more than big hair and flashy outfits (although those are certainly part of the job). “It’s also about being a great ambassador for the sport and a role model for young women in any sport,” she says. “I grew up on the rodeo trail and feel so confident about this sport and sharing real information about it. I knew it would be a position for me to really make a difference.”

The job of her dreams came at the Canadian Rodeo Finals last November after almost a decade of competing in local rodeo queen pageants. During the six-day pageant, Lucas participated in a horsemanship competition, took a written test on horsemanship and rodeo knowledge, gave prepared and impromptu speeches, faced a Q&A with an interview panel and modelled a gown she wore as Miss Ponoka Stampede

2014 before her name was called.

“It was very hard to believe,” she recalls.

“It still surprises me when I open my protective box and my crown is in there, even now that I have settled into the job.”

With the title comes a full-time job of traveling to the United States, Canada and Australia promoting rodeos and horsemanship, interviewing competitors and participating in events whenever possible (last year, she was the team roping champion in Canada in her category). She says her experience in the Communication Arts program at Lethbridge College gave her the experience she needs to do the job well.

After her year is up, she says she would like to represent the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association on the media side of the business, “and would use my schooling from Lethbridge College to do that.”

“It’s also about being a great ambassador for the sport and a role model for young women in any sport.” { Katy Lucas }

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo below by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography; photo right by Mike Copeman

Lucas is a champion team roper as well as Miss Rodeo Canada 2015.

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Alberta:

STRONG

&FREE

Rianne

VANDERBURG S

{ NESA Bachelor of Nursing 2012 }

ome children dream of growing up to become rock stars, rocket scientists or prime ministers. For Rianne Vanderburg, a broken femur as a child laid the ground work for her dream of becoming a nurse.

Vanderburg grew up playing soccer in the Red Deer area, so she was looking for an educational experience a little bit further away from home. Having heard about Lethbridge College’s soccer team and nursing program, she made the move south and graduated from the college and university’s NESA Bachelor of Nursing program in 2012.

“Lethbridge College has a good combination of lecture and clinical that really set me ahead in my field,” says Vanderburg.

“Lethbridge was a lot more hands-on. You’ve already worked in hospitals and you’re not waiting for your fourth year to see a needle for the first time.”

A year after graduation, Vanderburg had an opportunity to travel with A Better World Canada, an Alberta organization that works to ensure that communities in eastern Vanderburg advocates for support of those reaching out for mental health help.

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Africa and beyond have the necessities to sustain health, education, water supply, basic agriculture and economic growth.

Vanderburg shared her skills as a nurse in a variety of communities in Kenya.

“We provided basic care from wound care, to medication advice and education, and we did a lot of maternity health education and care,” she says. This experience led Vanderburg to expand her education into tropical medicine at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom, where she visited Australia to enhance her nursing career.

Today you can find Vanderburg at South Health Campus in Calgary in the psychiatric emergency service and psychiatric outreach unit. “My travels and studies allowed for me to have confidence and independence in my job today.”

To read more about Vanderburg’s experiences as a nurse in Canada and overseas, go to learn.lc/vanderburg.

Story by Melissa Belter Photo below by Lisa Sutherland, Alberta Health Services

“My travels and studies allowed for me to have confidence and independence in my job today.” { Rianne Vanderburg }

The Bohles support the community and college as they build a successful welding business.

Darrell & Jody

BOHLE

“It’s ever y business owner ’s responsibility to give back and to tr y to work in and with the community.” { Darrell Bohle }

{ Welding Apprenticeship 1983 and Business Administration 1997 }

T

he story of Darrell and Jody Bohle, the owners of Bel-Aire Welding Ltd. in Lethbridge, is not just a story of a smart business partnership. It is also a love story – one with all of the fire and sparks you’d expect in the welding world.

The couple’s business has been providing welding services to southern Alberta for 23 years and is home to the region’s only PythonX, a robotic plasma cutting system that, simply put, “eats steel like butter.”

From the very beginning, when they started with only their credit card and a welder they towed with their car, they knew it would take their hardest work and most committed

community engagement to build their business.

The love story is evident within moments of meeting the two. “We met at a hockey rink in Fort MacLeod when I was 12 and he was 15,” says Jody Bohle with a smile. “I knew right away,” continues Darrell Bohle. “As soon as I saw her, I thought that is who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I fall in love with her more every day.”

They work together with their team – some of whom have been working at Bel-Aire for more than 15 years – on everything from small repairs to residential projects to full-scale building renovations and new builds. An essential part of their business is supporting

the community, including Lethbridge College. “It’s every business owner’s responsibility to give back, to try to work in and with the community,” says Darrell Bohle. “And we wouldn’t be where we are today if we hadn’t attended the college,” adds Jody.

Their support translated into a $50,000 gift to the college to create the Bel-Aire Virtual Welding Room in the college’s new trades and technologies facility (see story on page 45). The new facility will be “transformational,” Darrell Bohle says, “and we want to contribute to that transformation by enhancing the training of welders.”

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rod Leland

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Alberta:

STRONG

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“Time is your friend, not your enemy. The beauty of learning is it is life-long,” Fox-BruisedHead says.

Annette

{ Renewable Resource Management 1998 }

FOX-BRUISEDHEAD “We are all here for a purpose and it is that collective purpose that makes our lives fulfilling.” { Annette Fox-BruisedHead }

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O

ne of the fond memories Annette Fox-BruisedHead has of her time in Lethbridge College’s Renewable Resource Management program was her excitement at being able to connect her courses to the Blackfoot cultural understanding of environmental issues. One instructor in particular stands out – Stan Clemens – as “his passion for the area was infectious and provided a strong sense of my responsibility to the environment,” she says.

Today, Fox-BruisedHead has the same opportunity to influence youth in meaningful ways in her role as principal at Kainai High School. It is a job with many challenges, including “trying to overcome the many issues with the negative views towards formal western education models brought about by residential schools,” she says. But there are great rewards as well, especially “when we have breakthroughs in getting students to graduate and continue on their post-secondary path, or establish dual credit opportunities with partners like the college” (see related story on p. 48).

Fox-BruisedHead knows well the benefits that come from a post-secondary education.

After receiving her diploma from the

college, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science, a Bachelor of Education degree in secondary science and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge. She taught for five years in the Holy Spirit school division before moving on to work as assistant principal and, since 2009, principal of Kainai High School – the same school she attended as a teen.

“I have been so fortunate to have met so many instructors, teachers, professionals, colleagues and students,” says Fox-BruisedHead. “It is through those relationships that I have learned the most valuable lessons in my life. We are all here for a purpose and it is that collective purpose that makes our lives fulfilling.”

Fox-BruisedHead says she still draws on some skills she learned as a student at Lethbridge College, especially the value of collaboration. “Many of my classroom, laboratory or field experiences consisted of working closely with other students and peers,” she says. “This is a valuable asset in any workplace and especially in the educational field.”

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rob Olson

Eduardo

SONSIN

“It’s an amazing experience, being in a new place, a new culture, with a new language.” { Eduardo Sonsin }

{ First year student, Business }

E

duardo Sonsin chose the 21st century forum of Instagram to count down the days until he left his home of São Paulo, Brazil, to study at Lethbridge College. In the 53 days before his departure last summer, he flooded his account with pictures of Lethbridge’s post office, the High Level Bridge, the Rocky Mountains and even the Lethbridge College flags.

Since his arrival, he has been juggling full-time school and work and now posts pictures of pancakes drenched with maple syrup, scenic snowy shots and comments like: “How can you not love this place?”

Sonsin decided to study in Canada more than two years ago after meeting a friend

named Jonathan Guignard, who was originally from Lethbridge. When Sonsin, who had earned his Bachelor’s degree in information technology in Brazil, mentioned wanting to study abroad, Jonathan told him about the college. He spent the next two years saving money and preparing for the trip more than 10,000 kilometers from home.

Aside from the coffee (he prefers Brazilian espresso) and the cold weather (“When it was -25, -30 earlier in the winter, I thought ‘What am I doing here?”), he has been thrilled with the choice. “I love all the teachers,” says Sonsin, who taught himself English watching movies

with subtitles. “They are amazing. The teachers here actually care about the students. They want to help you learn.”

He would passionately recommend studying in a new country if the opportunity arises. “It’s an amazing experience, being in a new place, a new culture, with a new language,” he says.

“You’ll learn a lot leaving your comfort zone. If it’s your dream, just do it. You won’t regret that.”

To see photos of Sonsin’s countdown to coming to Canada and his life in Lethbridge, check out instagram.com/sonsin/.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rod Leland

Sonsin counted down the days until his arrival at college on Instagram.

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Alberta:

STRONG

&FREE

Steve

MESZAROS

{ Business Administration 1976, Distinguished Alumnus 2012, Honorary Bachelor of Applied Science 2015 }

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good friend once told Steve Meszaros that he could make a lot of money working just half a day as long as he worked hard. “And then the friend told me I could even choose which 12 hours of the day I wanted to work,” Meszaros explains, his eyes lighting up with his smile.

Meszaros took that advice to heart and relied on hard work and long hours to build a successful career in real estate before establishing the award-winning Avonlea Homes. To this solid foundation, he added a passionate dedication to the community and strong love of the country he has called home since he was five, when he and his parents and brother arrived after fleeing their hometown of Budapest during the Hungarian Revolution. Meszaros, who sold Avonlea Homes Master Builder last fall, is recognized as one of the city’s leading business people and philanthropists and has been named Lethbridge College’s Honorary Degree recipient this year.

Steve Meszaros’ advice is simple: “Buy land.

They don’t make it any more.”

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“Lethbridge College opened all the doors to me in my further education and in my life,” says Meszaros. “It really laid a great foundation for my career. A lot of the business principles I use today were the ones I learned as a student at the college.”

Meszaros’ connections to the college go back to shortly after his family’s arrival in the city in 1958. One of the first jobs his father had in this country was working in constructing the first buildings on the campus of what was then Lethbridge Junior College. In the 1980s, Meszaros taught real estate courses on campus, and he has been a long-time supporter of the college’s fundraising events, including the Clayton Allan Wine Auction.

“We have to give back,” Meszaros explains. “We have to volunteer, to help the less fortunate.” And, he concludes, it never hurts to work hard – even if you are only working half a day.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Gregory Thiessen

“A lot of the business principles I use today were the ones I learned as a student at the college.” { Steve Meszaros }

Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with MP and Lethbridge College alumnus Blaine Calkins after the weekly caucus meeting on Feb. 4, 2015.

Blaine

CALKINS

“My decision to get involved in politics stemmed out of working for Parks Canada.” { Blaine Calkins }

{ Conservation Enforcement 1995 }

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laine Calkins’ route to national politics started in the forests and mountains of Alberta, where he has worked as a fisheries technician for Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Park Ranger for Alberta Parks Service and as a National Park Warden for Parks Canada.

“My decision to get involved in politics stemmed from working for Parks Canada,” says Calkins, who has represented the large rural riding of Wetaskiwin as a Member of Parliament since 2006. “It was a positive experience in many ways but also a wake-up call in terms of where our federal tax dollars go. I realized that the agendas and decisions of politicians really affected people’s lives.”

Calkins says he has been able to put some of the lessons he learned

in Lethbridge College’s Conservation Enforcement program to work in Ottawa, especially as a member of the Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources, and Environment and Sustainable Development committees and more recently the Justice and Human Rights committee. “My education and work background have absolutely been helpful to me,” he says. “I understand courtroom procedure and how the law works, and I can ask the right questions and know when I am getting an honest answer.”

There are plenty of difficult days mixed in with the good days as an MP – including last Oct. 22, when a gunman opened fire at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill. But Calkins says the best days outweigh the hard ones,

especially when someone comes to him asking for help. “When you are the last person someone can go to and you can right a wrong, or when someone is able to get a fair resolution from the government because of your help – those are the best days for me,” he says.

Above all, Calkins is proud to represent the province of Alberta. “We are so lucky and blessed to live in this province,” he says. “I have travelled the world in the last nine years representing the province and country, and I have to say the best part of any trip overseas is coming home – not only to Canada, but to Alberta.”

To read more about Calkins’ experience in Ottawa on the day of the Parliament Hill shootings, go to learn.lc/calkins.

Story by Lisa Kozleski Photo from the Office of the Prime Minister

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Office intrigue

Pintail duck, which nests on the Milk River Ridge, agricultural fields and short grass prairies

The elusive wolverine, which has one of the largest home ranges of any carnivore and can travel hundreds of kilometers from home

Horn from the provincial animal, the big horn sheep

Mule deer, the same species as those seen on campus in the mornings

Cougar, the second largest of the cat family in North America after the jaguar

{ Office Intrigue } The Alfred Hubbard and Family Wildlife Collection No place on campus shouts “Alberta” as loudly as the Hubbard Wildlife Collection, and wildlife biologist and instructor Shane Roersma is one of the best people on campus to show you around. The room, located on the first floor of the Cousins Building, contains one of Canada’s largest collections of full-body 24

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taxidermy mammals, most of which are native to Alberta.

The collection of more than 100 specimens – grizzly, cougar, bison, bobcat, pronghorn, mountain goat, deer, wolf, black bear, badger, silver fox, lynx, several birds of prey and more – was a gift from the family of Alf Hubbard to the college in 2007.

Snowy owl, which can bee seen in southern Alberta when there is a lack of food in the north

Lynx, which favours forested regions in the foothills and boreal forest

A “study skin” of a beaver to allow students to see the unique features of the animal

The unique collection is available for public viewing and also can be experienced online through the college’s Virtual Wildlife Project and digital Hubbard Collection at lcvirtualwildlife.ca.

It’s a great way to get up close and personal with some of the most diverse residents of the province.

Elk antler found on a college field trip, the points of which were likely chewed on by rodents for calcium

To view the collection, call the School of Environmental Sciences at 403.382.6991 or email envisci@lethbridgecollege.ca. To learn more about the Hubbard Collection, email wildlife biologist and Lethbridge College instructor Shane Roersma at shane.roersma@lethbridgecollege.ca.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rob Olson

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From our kitchens

{ Recipe By Chef Stephen Klassen }

Carne asada Spring and summer are perfect for cooking and eating outdoors.

Why not kick off the season with this delicious Mexican feast of carne asada with pico de gallo and guacamole? In fact, grilling from Cinco de Mayo (May 5) to Mexico’s Independence Day (Sept. 16) might be a whole new way to frame the outdoor cooking season.

To make this meal, start with the meat – ideally Alberta beef, of course.

“Carne asada” simply means grilled meat and any kind of meat can be used, although typically the meal features flank or skirt steak. Prepare a marinade of garlic, cilantro, oil, lime juice, salt and pepper and marinate the meat for eight hours or overnight. Grill the steak with a good amount of char to give both flavour and colour. Once the meat has been cooked, serve it with rice, beans, tortillas and the guacamole and pico de gallo recipes on the following pages. ¡Provecho!

Recipe by Chef Stephen Klassen | Photo by Jonathan Ruzek

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WITH GUACAMOLE AND PICO DE GALLO

Ingredients FOR GUACAMOLE 4...................................................................................ripe avocados 60 g or 4 tablespoons ..........................................small diced onion 375 grams or 1 ½ cups ............................diced tomatoes (optional) 1.....................................................................................jalapeno chili 2 tablespoons ....................................................................lime juice 2 tablespoons .......................................................................olive oil salt ........................................................................................ to taste FOR PICO DE GALLO 2 ..........................................................................................tomatoes 2 .................................................................................................limes 1 ........................................................................................ red pepper ½ ......................................................................................... red onion 2 tablespoons ....................................................................... cilantro 1 tablespoon ..........................................................................parsley 1 tablespoon ...........................................................canned jalapeno

Method TO MAKE THE GUACAMOLE

TO MAKE THE PICO DE GALLO

1. Pit and peel the avocados. Mash the pulp coarsely.

The purĂŠe should be slightly lumpy rather than smooth.

1. Remove seeds from the tomato and dice into small pieces

2. Mix in the onion, minced chili, lime juice, olive oil and salt to taste.

3. Dice the pepper and onion into small pieces.

3. If desired, peel, seed and dice the tomato and add it into the avocado mixture.

5. Add all together and let marinate for 10 minutes. Makes one cup.

4. Cover tightly with plastic wrap placed on the surface of the guacamole. This is to protect it from air, which will darken it.

For the same reason, guacamole should not be made too long before serving time. Chill until ready to serve.

Makes one cup.

5. Guacamole is a perfect addition to tacos, enchiladas, nachos, and is delicious with chips.

2. Juice the limes.

4. Chop the cilantro and parsley.

6. Pico de gallo is an excellent accompaniment to shrimp, scallops, fish, meat or nachos.

To sample some of the delicious creations from student chefs at Lethbridge College, book a table in the Garden Court Dining Room, by calling 403-382-6999. To see a video of this recipe being prepared

by Chef Stephen Klassen, go to widerhorizons.ca.

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Q&A Q&A

{ with Gabriela Rodriguez } Gabriela Rodriguez has been drawing her whole life. After spending her childhood and teen years taking art classes and workshops in her hometown of Mexico City, Mexico, she went on to fine art school. In her career, she specialized in making murals, teaching art, and creating illustrations for about 10 children’s books, all while raising two sons as a single parent. Three years ago, after her sons had grown and moved away, Rodriguez met a new partner and she moved to Canada. Rodriguez attended English as a Second Language and General Studies classes at Lethbridge College for four semesters before transferring to the University of Lethbridge last fall. Her goal is to earn a Master’s degree in art therapy. This winter, she took some time away from her work in the 2-D drawing studio at CASA to talk to Wider Horizons about her art, her writing and her life in Lethbridge.

Wider Horizons: Tell us a little bit about your decision to move to Canada.

Gabriela Rodriguez: I was a single mom and all of my life was focused on my children. My boys were my life. But they grew up and moved on. I was in an empty nest and ready for adventure. This is a critical moment for many mothers. All my life I felt like I didn’t have time to study what I wanted. Now I do.

WH: What drew you to art therapy as a career?

GR: I love art. And there are many studies that show that art can heal people.

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Without art, our world would not be the same. There are many things to learn about behavior and how to help people through art. I would be able to work with adults and children, but I think I will especially enjoy working with children.

students. There were so many ways you could get help. I was very happy to become a student again and for having the chance to be a part of the College’s General Studies program.

WH: You took ESL courses and then three semesters of psychology and General Studies courses at Lethbridge College.

What was that experience like?

WH: You were born in Mexico City, a city of 20 million, and lived much of your life in Guadalajara, a city of five million. How have you adjusted to living in Lethbridge?

GR: I loved the time in the ESL program because I met people from Asia, Africa, Latin American and all around the world.

And in all of my classes, the teachers were very friendly and took care of the

GR: I’ve lived in big cities and small towns and I love both, but prefer the quiet places. Lethbridge is a city, but not a big city, and it’s been a very good experience.

And the coulees are so nice.

WH: You’ve illustrated about 10 children’s books and written a few of your own.

What do you write about?

GR: Many of the books for younger children are about families and how children come from different families.

Some have parents who are divorced, some have been orphaned and some are raised by their grandparents. For older children, I write about a fantasy dream world, but in the background, the books are dealing with social issues. In one story, a cloud follows a girl everywhere and she doesn’t know what to do. It is about depression. In the end, the girl realizes how she can take care of the

cloud, how she can take advantage of it – that her cloud can water the trees and flowers, and be used to fill up a fish bowl. There are social implications in the story.

WH: Where do you work on your art these days?

GR: When I first moved to Lethbridge, I worked at home. About five months later, I discovered the Bowman and then CASA once it opened. I felt a very warm welcome from the community. You know that CASA means “home” in Spanish – and I feel that CASA is home for me and everyone is welcome here. I have been

very happy working in the middle of the Lethbridge art community.

WH: Where can our readers go if they’d like to see more of your work?

GR: You can see some of my work at gabrielarodriguezquirartecv.blogspot.ca.

I have also created a blog in English at yelowbaloon.blogspot.mx.

For more information about Lethbridge College’s ESL program, call 403-329-7223 or email esl@lethbridgecollege.ca. For information about the General Studies program, call 403-394-7338 or email generalstudies@lethbridgecollege.ca.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson

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CARVING A PIECE OF HISTORY The true tale of a John Weaver bronze and the impressive woman who was its inspiration

On March 28, 2010, the 90th birthday of artist John Weaver,

the entire Montana House of Representatives and Senate stopped their proceedings to give the sculptor a standing ovation and to sing “Happy Birthday” to him.

John Weaver was an artist worth stopping for. He was born in Montana, called Canada home since 1972, and created more than 200 non-commissioned sculptures before his death in 2012. In Alberta, he is best known for the Speed Skater outside the Olympic Oval in Calgary and the statue of Wayne Gretzky outside of Rexall Place in Edmonton. But he also created sculptures of presidents, first ladies, politicians, composers, army generals and, in 1973, a young woman from the Blood Reserve named Thelma King Murphy.

That bronze portrait bust was given by Peter Lougheed, then Premier of Alberta, to then-Governor-General Jules Leger and was displayed at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The plaque on the bust says “Thelma King, wife of Laurence Murphy, a Blood Indian. The first of her tribe to graduate from Lethbridge Community College.”

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Murphy was not, in fact, “the first of her tribe to graduate from Lethbridge Community College.”

Like so many students in the college’s nearly six-decade history, Murphy came for upgrading courses and for opportunity.

After completing Math 30 and Chemistry 30 at the college in 1966, she won a scholarship as the first First Nations student to be admitted to the newly-formed University of Lethbridge, which shared space at the Lethbridge College campus at that time.

It was a difficult time to be a First Nations student in Canada, Murphy recalls.

“I felt a sense of alienation being the only Native student in the university,” Murphy says. “I saw other students from the Blood Reserve, but they were all attending the college. I even withdrew after the first semester but my parents and I met with the Dean and I re-entered. I encountered racism. I just cringed and wanted to disappear into the floor when a history professor made disparaging remarks about Indians.”

First Nations students who were enrolled at the college also remember it being a challenging time. Beverly Hungry Wolf, Murphy’s cousin who was at the college while Murphy was at the university, says “attending college was a really big deal, but also a very painful ordeal. Some of the teachers and students were very racist. I got called Pocahontas. I almost failed out of school and had to rewrite an exam to pass. But a well-known girl from Lethbridge took me under her wing… her family took me in and treated me like a family member.

They had good hearts.”

“Thelma King, wife of Laurence Murphy, a Blood Indian. The first of her tribe to graduate from Lethbridge Community College.” { plaque from bronze portrait }

In 1973, Thelma Murphy and her husband were invited to the home of sculptor John Weaver (pictured opposite). Murphy says “he was fascinated with my Native American features, especially my eyelids” and asked if she would sit for him to create a bust.

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Murphy met her husband, Laurence, while she was working in Waterton one summer. He studied Radio and Television Arts at the college.

Hungry Wolf, who received an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Arts degree from the college in 2011 and has served as a college Elder to students in recent years, adds that “coming back to work at the college has been wonderful. It feels like Native students are such a part of the community. It’s a story that went from discrimination to pride.”

Murphy says that the alienation, coupled with the desire to help her parents financially, resulted in her taking breaks between semesters to work. During the summer break from school in 1970, she was managing the Indian Craft Store in Waterton National Park. It was there that she met her husband, Laurence Murphy, who was originally from Ireland.

“He said when he saw me behind the counter, he knew he had met his future wife,” Murphy recalls. “It took me longer to be convinced,” she adds with a laugh.

That fall, Laurence Murphy enrolled in the Radio and Television Arts program at Lethbridge College. “He was very gregarious and made friends easily,” Murphy says. “I went back to the university side of campus. I didn’t feel so alone anymore.”

Murphy says both she and her husband, who passed away in 2011, had many positive memories of their time on the Lethbridge College campus. Laurence Murphy was a well-liked announcer for the campus radio station – except for the time he repeatedly played a Yoko Ono record, Murphy recalls and smiles at the memory.

“The college created an environment that facilitated our learning,” she says. “It gave us the opportunity to explore new ideas and to actively construct our own learning experience instead of passively accepting what was prescribed by others.

It challenged us to expand our perspectives.”

“It gave us the opportunity to explore new ideas and to actively construct our own learning experience instead of passively accepting what was prescribed by others.” { Thelma King Murphy }

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In the spring of 1971, Murphy was offered a job with the Edmonton Indian Affairs office and so the couple moved north and got married. They stayed in Edmonton for 15 years, where Murphy worked as a teacher and her husband worked in publishing and public relations.

While their marriage was a happy one that lasted 40 years, those 15 years in Edmonton were also marked with struggle as Murphy lost her Indian status under the law when she married a non-Indian.

According to the Indian Act, which was the law in Canada from 1951 to 1985, any First Nations woman who married a non-status Indian, a Métis man or a non-Aboriginal man lost her legal status immediately after her marriage, regardless of her ancestry. According to Leslie Latta-Guthrie, in a speech celebrating the publication of the book Disinherited Generations, which discusses this time in Canada’s history, the law meant that a woman who did not marry a status Indian could not live on the reserve where she was born, could not inherit her parents’ house or any property in her home community, could not speak up about a local issue at a band meeting, could not vote for a new chief and council, could not claim her fair share of the band’s money and natural resources for herself or her children, could not access education or health benefits recognized under Canada’s treaties with the First Nations, and could not be buried on her home reserve when she died.

And yet, Latta-Guthrie goes on to explain, under the same section of the Indian Act, any registered Indian man could marry a woman with no Aboriginal ancestry at all and his wife would gain all of his treaty rights for herself, her children and future generations of her family.

Distressed with this discrimination, the Murphys started attending Indian Rights for Indian Women Committee meetings in Edmonton to work to change this law in 1971 and “fought this unjust piece of legislation.” Along with their friends Mary Two Axe Earley, Nellie Carlson, Philomena Ross and Jenny Margetts, the group took on a long and tenacious equal rights campaign on behalf of Aboriginal women which was not overturned until 1985.

It was during this same period in Edmonton that the Murphys met the Weavers – the sculptor John and his wife Jane. Jane Weaver was the publisher of Alethia, a publication of the United Nations Association of Canada that addressed civil rights and social problems. “In 1973, Jane Weaver hired Laurence to be editor of Alethia,” Murphy says.

“We were invited to the Weavers and it was there that Jack Weaver noticed me and said he was fascinated with my Native American features, especially my eyelids.”

He asked her if she would sit for him to create a bust. “I was intrigued so I agreed. He had a studio at his house so I sat on a stool and he took pictures from every angle,” Murphy says. “Then I had to sit very still and he started sculpting. He was a very kind, respectful and gentle person. He had total concentration and worked very fast, like a true professional. I admired his talent and felt very privileged to sit for him.”

After the bust had been presented to Leger by Lougheed, Weaver contacted Murphy to share some of the feedback he had received from the premier. “The Governor General phoned him and asked who this Indian woman was because he had searched in every history book looking up my Indian name,” Murphy says. “Jack told him I was very much alive and living in Edmonton!”

The Murphys stayed in Edmonton until 1986, when they decided to move to Hawaii. They had been visiting twice a year and “finally Laurence said ‘Why don’t we just move here?!’ So when I regained my status, we made the decision to move here.”

Murphy worked as a teacher in Hawaii until 2012, and she and her husband worked as professional wedding and portrait photographers as well. Murphy most recently came back to Alberta last summer to photograph her niece’s wedding and visit her family. While she loves living in the lush landscape of her island, “nothing compares to the Rockies. The mountains here have their own unique beauty with green foliage and waterfalls after heavy rain.”

She still has a small replica of the bust John Weaver created; the original was sold at auction last summer (details of the sale have not been released). While there is no denying the passing of time, Murphy’s powerful presence and intense gaze is as evident today as it was more than 40 years ago, when John Weaver met a young, intelligent and ambitious woman from the Blood Reserve and created a lasting work of art.

“He was a ver y kind, respectful and gentle person. He had total concentration and worked ver y fast, like a true professional. I admired his talent and felt ver y privileged to sit for him.” { Thelma King Murphy }

While Murphy says nothing compares to the Rockies, she loves living in the lush landscape of Hawaii.

The plaque on the bust of Thelma King Murphy led the staff of Wider Horizons to wonder just who the first person from the Blood Reserve was to graduate from Lethbridge College. The college’s records from this time do not indicate a person’s First Nations, Métis or Inuit status, so we are asking the public for your help.

If you attended Lethbridge College any time between 1957 and 1970 and are First Nations, Métis or Inuit, please email Lisa Kozleski at lisa.kozleski@lethbridgecollege.ca or call 403-320-3202 ext. 5778 to share your story in a future issue of the magazine.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo (right) by Karen Renard; historic photos submitted by Thelma King Murphy

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PRACTICE MAKES

PERFECT Students to benefit from new interactive technology

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The two new Judgment Training Simulators at Lethbridge

College will give students an exciting opportunity to improve their skills using real-world, real-time scenarios. The college is the only post-secondary institution in western Canada with this type of simulator technology.

The new simulators were recently installed at the college and were incorporated into courses in March with full implementation into programs by fall 2015. Students within the Schools of Justice Studies, Human Services, and Environmental Sciences, including the Justice Studies, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Child and Youth Care, and Conservation Enforcement programs, will use the new simulators to develop judgment, decision-making, communication, and observation skills in their prospective career fields.

The real-life training scenarios will emphasize the importance for students to improve their current knowledge and skills to prepare them for their chosen fields of employment. The simulators use video game-like technology to give students experience in nearly 700 different scenarios that range from verbal compliance situations to lethal action outcomes. Students will get to practice scenarios including traffic stops and one-on-one interaction scenarios where verbal tactics are required to de-escalate and control a situation.

The technology is dynamic and allows instructors to build their own scenarios in the system to meet their individual needs. For example, Justice Studies students could face a situation where they are sent to deal with a subject they identify as being an emotionally disturbed person. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement students could face an unruly driver of a tractor trailer unit who is complaining about being stopped. Child and Youth Care students may encounter a youth in a residential treatment centre who is highly agitated and threatening self-harm and harm to a peer who upset him or her. And Conservation Enforcement students may encounter a poacher as a result of a vehicle stop where the officer observed a deceased animal in the back of a pickup truck.

“The new Judgment Training Systems will develop and enhance students’ cognitive thinking skills and decisionmaking abilities in a realistic environment,” says School of Justice Studies instructor Craig Deimuth. “The students receive immediate feedback that will give them the opportunity to acknowledge which of their skills need to be further developed or enhanced.”

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rod Leland

Under instructor Craig Deimuth’s guidance, second-year Criminal Justice - Policing students Lindsay Michayluik and Michael Chisan put into practice the lessons learned in their classes.

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General Studies student Jessica Knoop enjoys the work because “it’s real science and it’s amazing.”

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FINDING THEIR FLOW

Students take part in real-world research project to improve access to clean water

Truth be told, it doesn’t look like much – a couple of buckets

filled with water and rocks, with a maze of spigots and spouts jutting out in all directions. Yet the research that is taking place in the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence at Lethbridge College involving the water in those buckets could mean the difference between health and illness, and even life or death, for people without access to clean drinking water around the world.

College students Heidi Genesis and Jessica Knoop are two of the main researchers on this project. They are working under the direction of microbiology instructor Tom Graham and Dr. David H. Manz, a Calgary-based water and environmental engineering consultant, on developing a back-flush slow biosand filter that will remove pathogenic microorganisms like Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and E. coli from water, ensuring that it is safe for everyone to drink.

Genesis, Knoop, Graham and Manz were eager to talk about the work they are doing with the biosand filter to help ensure the safety and quality of this most vital of all substances – water.

What is the problem you and the students are working to solve?

Graham: We were asked by Dr. Manz of Manz Engineering Ltd. (MEL) to determine the effectiveness of his new back-flush slow sand filter design in removing pathogenic microorganisms from source water. The MEL back-flush system is loaded with five different sizes of rocks and sand. The rocks and sand are added into the filter largest size to smallest size. This helps set up a filtering system that traps particles and microorganisms from source water as it passes through the filter.

How is working on this project different than working on a typical class assignment?

Knoop: It’s a completely different world. It’s incredibly independent, it demands problem-solving skills, personal initiative, trialand-error learning, severe brainstorming at times, as well as teamwork and communication between all those involved.

Why did you pick Lethbridge College for this research?

Manz: I needed water that had a consistent quality, water that is biologically similar from beginning to end. The water in all rivers changes daily. I knew that Lethbridge College had this aquatic research centre and fish tanks – lots and lots of fish tanks that are keeping water at a consistent quality.

And Lethbridge College has Tom Graham. So we developed a possible solution to one of the problems, and now we are here to prove it works. This research has all sorts of humanitarian applications.

Does this research project apply to any of the work or studies you might want to do in the future?

Genesis: Absolutely. ​My particular interests in nursing are focused on community public health on a local and global scale.

Access to clean water has a huge impact on people’s health, both here in Canada and abroad, and I have been glad to learn more about that. Water is essential for life, it is such an important factor in our lives, and we often take it for granted.

Has anything surprised you about this work or project?

Knoop: Yes! I didn’t know I could ever be so excited about water!

Not only that, but also the amount that we “play it by ear” is something I didn’t expect. You get used to the classroom version of science where there’s a set procedure you follow and the results just happen, but in the field, the science becomes real.

You have to be flexible, expect the unexpected, and, above all, keep moving forward.

To read an in-depth interview with Genesis and Knoop about their work on this public health research project, go to learn.lc/biosand. For more information about Applied Research opportunities at Lethbridge College, call 403-320-3202 ext. 5787 or email appliedresearch@lethbridgecollege.ca.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson

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2015

Ever y spring, as Lethbridge College grads prepare to move from the campus to their new careers, they have inspiring examples to emulate.

The four people chosen by Lethbridge College and celebrated on these pages are among the many accomplished alumni who credit their time at Lethbridge College as one of the secrets of their success. By their dedication and excellence, they distinguish themselves and the entire Lethbridge College community. We are proud to call them ours. They, along with this year’s honorary degree recipient Steve Meszaros (see page 22), are the 2015 Honouring Excellence award recipients.

Story by Megan Catalano

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

Cam Mandel { Heavy Equipment Technician 1984 } Cam Mandel is the owner and President of Taber Diesel Service Ltd. and has been hailed as one of Canada’s leading diesel injection and light/medium duty diesel vehicle power train specialists. Mandel has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to his industry and was recently awarded the Canadian Merit Award from Associated Diesel Specialists.

In addition to his career success, Mandel is dedicated to his community and has acted as a co-chair for the Taber Charity Auction on behalf of STARS Air Ambulance and has been involved with STARS for more than 14 years.

Mandel has also been active with Lethbridge 38

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College for more than 23 years. He was appointed and has held the position of Chair of the Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Advisory Committee for more than 22 years.

He helped shape the college’s Agricultural and Heavy Equipment program and to date this program continues to have one of the highest waitlists every year. Mandel has distinguished himself in all award criteria areas and has made a significant contribution to his community. Lethbridge College is thrilled to honour him as the college’s first apprenticeship program graduate to receive the highest alumni award.

C A R E E R V I RT U O S O AWA R D

Superintendent Jeff Sim

{ Law Enforcement 1982 }

Jeff Sim is the Superintendent of the Operations Division with the Vancouver Police Department and is in charge of the South Command and its approximately 400 police officers. Sim began his policing career with the Lethbridge Regional Police Service and, after four years, joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1986. He started as a Patrol Constable and was then selected to join one of the Vancouver Police Department’s Emergency Response Teams. In 2006, CO M M U N I T Y L E A D E R AWA R D

Sim moved into an inspector role and was responsible for all four emergency response teams and served as the critical incident commander. He has pursued additional education throughout his career, earning a variety of certificates and degrees over the years. Sim was also recently inducted into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. His career has been a steady rise toward success and he is recognized by his peers for his hard work and dedication.

Vernon Oickle { Communication Arts – Print Journalism 1982 } Vernon Oickle lives in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and is the sales manager for Queens County Community Radio, the owner and operator of Privateer Promotions and Communications, and a columnist for The South Shore Breaker published by The Chronicle-Herald. Oickle is a successful writer and journalist and is the author of more than 20 novels, some of which have been on Canada’s bestseller’s list. He is recognized for his ongoing dedication to the betterment of his community and continues R I S I N G S TA R AWA R D

to be a voice for the east coast. He is the Chairman of the Liverpool Regional School Advisory Council and is also a member of the South Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Queens County Historical Society, and the Friends of Hank Snow Society. He is an advocate and activist for many other community organizations. Oickle shows his devotion to his community through his career successes and through his personal interests on a day-to-day basis.

Jordan Jensen { Business Administration 2009 } In the six years since he graduated from Lethbridge College, Jordan Jensen has moved from being a sales associate for SilverBirch Hotels and Resorts to founding his own company and working on a unique provincial program. One of his successes at SilverBirch was to secure an account for the Warner Bros. film crew who came to southern Alberta to film the movie Interstellar. In March 2013, while he was still at SilverBirch, Jensen started his own marketing business which is now known as

ProDynamic. As he navigated those two jobs, he was also recruited to pilot a unique government-funded program known as the Sustainable Farm Families program. This program originated in Australia and focuses on providing farmers, their workers and their families with knowledge, skills and resources they need to better manage their health, wellbeing and safety. Jensen has already shown great success in his profession and has demonstrated his drive to work hard and to innovate.

Lethbridge College’s Distinguished Alumni award was established in 1992 to commemorate the college’s 35th anniversary and recognize college graduates who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and their communities. The other three categories – Career Virtuoso, Community Leader and Rising Star – were established in 2009 to recognize alumni at different stages of their lives. Since 1992, more than 70 graduates have received alumni awards from Lethbridge College. Further information on award categories and nomination forms for the 2016 awards are available online at lethbridgecollege.ca/alumni/nominate.

39

Where are they now?

Where are they now?

2013

Craig Marshall

Andrew Baron Conservation Enforcement Bachelor of Applied Science Andrew was featured in a January article in the Peace River Record Gazette, which described his work as a new fish and wildlife officer. Andrew told the reporter: “I like the fact that not every day’s the same. There’s always something different that’s happening.

The job is very dynamic; you could be doing paperwork one minute and (then) you could be out on a call chasing hunters, dealing with problem wildlife. It’s the best job in the world.”

2011

Chelsea Cardinal General Studies Chelsea updates the college with this news: “I went on to receive my undergraduate degree in social work, and I am getting ready to apply for my graduate program.”

Karlo Frank Malik

Engineering Design and Drafting Technology Karlo worked four years in Lethbridge as an architectural technician/estimator for a local home builder. He then went on to do his training at Depot in Regina, Sask., and is now a member of the RCMP. He is currently working as a constable in Patuanak, Sask.

2007

Shawn Auger Correctional Studies Shawn currently works as a team lead for the Youth Assessment Centre in High Prairie. He wrote to a former instructor the following update: “Work is awesome. I am a part of an awesome team who are doing our best to help troubled youth in our region. Most days are fun and rewarding, but that 10 per cent of rough times comes up as well – like all jobs it can’t all be smiles” but it has been a great experience to work there. Shawn and his wife Jen have three children.

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| SPRING 2015

Dylan Holton General Studies Dylan released his first single “Weight of the World” in January and followed it up with another single, “Daisy a Day” in February. The former PBA star who came to the college from Nova Scotia moved to the United States to play baseball after his time at Lethbridge College. However, injury sparked a career change and, as his website says, “while baseball may have lost a star, music gained one.” Dylan signed a record deal in the summer of 2014 with producer Bill Bell in Los Angeles and released his first professional album, Jar of Sunshine, this year.

He has been performing throughout North America and on cruise ships in the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and Alaska.

Check out his website for more information: dylanholton.com.

“Work is awesome.

I am a part of an awesome team who are doing our best to help troubled youth in our region. ” { Shawn Auger }

Environmental Assessment and Restoration Craig is the new Executive Director of SEAWA, the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance.

In the January newsletter announcing his appointment, Craig wrote: “I am thoroughly looking forward to joining SEAWA and coming back to working with my true passion in environmental science, which has always been the field of biology. As well, I relish the opportunity to continue to develop as an environmental professional and program facilitator. I am very enthusiastic about the objectives of SEAWA and I truly look forward to furthering the mission and vision of the organization.”

2006

Lani (Ledingham) Lupul Communication Arts Lani sent this update to the Alumni office: “I’ve worked for Red Deer College since my graduation in 2006, in Marketing, and most recently in the Development and Alumni offices. I’ve taken time for travel, and lived abroad in England for nine months. I’ve enjoyed the creative doors my education ignited for me such as freelancing for magazines and local newspapers, lifestyle photography, and self-publishing my own book. I just got married last summer and now live in the Edmonton area, with my time at RDC drawing to a close. My education at Lethbridge College really opened up a lot of doors for me, and essentially charted my path for the past near 10 years. I have such fond memories of my time in Lethbridge.”

Celebrating the successes of our alumni in their careers and throughout their lives.

Cody Belter Multimedia Production Cody writes: “I worked, managed, and then owned a photography studio from 2007 to 2012. I then founded a media development company in 2011 and am still running it part time. I was a marketing coordinator for a bike shop from 2012 to 2014 and I am now at my dream job as a marketing coordinator for Stranville Group.”

Oscar for “Best Visual Effects.” Shaun was the Effects Technical Director for the film and was primarily focused on creating the black hole.

Congratulations to Shaun for helping to bring this award-winning story to life.

2003

Doane Crow Shoe Business Administration – Accounting Doane was one of the eight members of the Piikani Nation Council elected in January.

2002

Julie N. Bakko

2004 Shaun Roth Multimedia Design Shaun, who works as the Effects Supervisor for Double Negative Studios, has recently moved from the company’s London office to its new Vancouver office. Shaun was part of the team who worked on the Academy Awardwinning movie, Interstellar, which won the

Aja Mason

Nursing Primary care nurse Julie Bakko, RN, BN, was inducted into the International Nurses Association, a prestigious organization for healthcare professionals. Julie is a primary care nurse with Taber Clinic in Taber. She has over ten years of experience as a primary care nurse, which means she is principally responsible for the nursing care of a given patient, developing and implementing a care plan, collaborating with the patient, the rehabilitation team, and the family, as well as evaluating the outcome of care.

College and University Preparation

1999 Kelly Macsymic Communication Arts – Print Journalism Kelly writes a featured column called “The Saskatchewan Edge” for the Real Estate News Exchange website. She writes: “I started my journey in the small town of Unity, Sask. My grandmother encouraged me to create mock newspapers which I, like any good keener, produced in abundance.

My early publication days came to a quick end when I broke the news in one of these homemade papers with word of a surprise birthday party for my grandfather, and proudly presented it to him. Undaunted, I pursued the news bug all the way to Lethbridge College and was gainfully employed for several years in weekly papers in rural Saskatchewan. After a few adventures at the University of Regina and abroad in England, opportunity knocked and I accepted the chance to move to Saskatoon.”

She has been working in real estate since then and is involved with Business and Professional Women Saskatoon and volunteers as president of the Holliston Community Association.

2003

Aja Mason writes from Edmonton with an inspiring update: “Way back in 2000, I was 17

and I’d just hitchhiked from Whitehorse, Yukon, to find myself working in a cat litter factory in Lethbridge of all places! After a couple of years of drudgery and hard labour, the need to go back to school was all too apparent. I’d only finished grade eight back in the Yukon and had myself convinced that I’d not much in the way of academic potential. I applied for some basic upgrading courses and found myself deeply drawn to biology and science. In particular, one bio instructor, Kelly Oikawa, encouraged me to “speak to my strengths.” After two years of upgrading, I soon found myself enrolled in a B.Sc. in Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. I ended up working in a lab studying cognition throughout my entire undergrad.

I later went on to study philosophy at the University of Victoria. Now, I have a pretty amazing career researching the immunological and neurochemical dynamics of malaria here at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. I attribute much of my success to the support and dedication of the upgrading team, the learning centre and the phenomenal teachers at Lethbridge College.”

41

Where are they now?

New baby? New job? New hometown? Tell your classmates all about it by emailing WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca. Be sure to include your name, your area of study, the year you completed your program and a little bit about what you have been doing since you left Lethbridge College.

Glen Friesen

Manufacturing Process Technology

1998

Glen wrote into Wider Horizons with this update: “Currently I am employed

at Lethbridge Iron Works as a robot programmer. Yes, I bet most people don’t realize that there are robots living and working right here in Lethbridge...and I get to tell them what to do. I started at Lethiron in July 2004. They were looking for someone who could do CNC programming, and with a recommendation from my former instructors, Braum Barber and Calvin Koskowich, they hired me. I started working with just one robot, and within six or seven months, we went to two robots and to this date we now have six robots that I am in charge of. As you may, know Lethbridge Iron Works is an iron foundry. We manufacture ductile iron castings, mostly for the agriculture, automotive and oil industries. When a casting is made there is always a part line left where the two halves of the mould meet. Up until 2004, these part lines were always ground off by hand grinding, which is a very labour-intensive and somewhat hazardous process. Now with the help of these six robots, up to 60 per cent of the castings made at Lethiron will be ground by a robot. I am very lucky to work for a company that rewards individuals who further their education and every day I remind myself what a good decision I made 18 years ago to go back to college. And better than that, I chose Lethbridge College to further my career in manufacturing. Every day, in some way, shape or form, I use my education.”

ALUMNI IN THIS ISSUE 19

Darrell Bohle (Welding Apprenticeship 1983)

19

Jody Bohle (Business Administration 1997)

23 Blaine Calkins (Conservation Enforcement 1995) 52 Mark Crabb (Electrical Apprenticeship 2009) 16

Paul DeMaere (Business Administration 1994, Environmental Science 1998)

20 Annette Fox-BruisedHead (Renewable Resource Management 1998) 39 Jordan Jensen (Business Administration 2009) 30 Thelma King Murphy (upgrading student, 1966) 17

Katy Lucas (Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism 2013)

38 Cam Mandel (Heavy Equipment Technician 1984) 22 Steve Meszaros (Business Administration 1976) 32 Laurence Murphy (Radio and Communication Arts student, 1970) 14

Quinn Ohler (Communication Arts 2009)

39 Vernon Oickle (Communication Arts – Print Journalism 1982) 15

Derek Quilley (Criminal Justice 2003)

15

Matthew Quilley (Criminal Justice 2007)

39 Jeff Sim (Law Enforcement 1982) 18 Rianne Vanderburg (NESA Bachelor of Nursing 2012)

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1996 Janet Jackson Criminal Justice – Policing After graduating from the Criminal Justice bachelor degree program run by the University of Great Falls through the Lethbridge College Distance Learning Centre, Janet has been working for the past 17 years as a detachment clerk for the RCMP, Piikani Nation, in Brocket, Alta.

Kim Herperger

Communication Arts Kim writes: “After graduating, I worked in corporate communications for about 15 years before starting my own business: Strategic Spark Communications. I provide a full range of communication and PR services to credit unions, co-operative organizations and non-profits.”

1981

Ross Ford Agriculture Ross was recently appointed to serve on the Milk River Watershed Council Canada Board of Directors. He is a licensed heavy duty and automotive mechanic and a grain and hay producer on the Canada/U.S. border.

Ross has been involved in many boards and organizations throughout the years and and is currently the Reeve with the County of Warner. Ross supports Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy and the development of watershed management plan for the Milk River with a common-sense approach.

Dianne Harder

Communication Arts - Broadcast Journalism Dianne sent this update to the Alumni office: “After a 30-year career in traditional broadcasting, I am now freelancing. As a communications specialist, my contacts in agriculture and rodeo see that most of my work is in related fields. I do a variety of projects, including reporting, interviewing, writing, TV hosting and emcee work.”

Are you a multi-generational Lethbridge College family? If at least three members across one or more generations attended Lethbridge College, let us know by emailing WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

We’d love to profile you in It’s a family affair.

It’s a family affair:

THE SIEGLE AND WOLSKY FAMILIES

The Siegles and Wolskys

It’s special when the place you work is the place you went to school. Nursing instructor Karla

Wolsky was once a nursing student at the college herself. She chose the program because she wanted to be in a small institution with a solid reputation and practical opportunities. “The nursing program was and still is a well-respected program in Alberta,” she says. ”Thanks to its close partnerships with the practice sector, it was very easy for me to obtain employment on one of the floors at the hospital in which I had my nursing practicum.”

Karla’s dad, Don Siegle is also an alumnus. He completed a Business Administration diploma and then worked in municipal administration. He enjoyed his time in the program very much, and even though it’s been many years, he recalls a proud moment when the college asked his permission to present a paper of his to a class of students at the University of Lethbridge.

This family’s connection to the college doesn’t end there. Karla’s husband, Vance Wolsky, graduated from the Conservation Enforcement degree and his sister, Colleen Murphy, completed the Secretarial Sciences program. Vance enjoyed meeting like-minded people at school and made community connections that still exist today. His favourite memory from his time at the college was socializing with friends from his program. Colleen’s college experience was also positive and she says the knowledge and skills she gained have helped her throughout her career.

Karla says her family is involved with the college beyond her employment, such as volunteering for events and attending classes. “We continue to access the non-credit courses for all members of our family,” she says, “and, most likely, our children will attend the college once they graduate high school.”

“We continue to access the non-credit courses for all members of our family and, most likely, our children will attend the college once they graduate high school.”

Karla Wolsky Nursing 1998 Nursing Instructor and Chair of the NESA Bachelor of Nursing program at Lethbridge College

Don Siegle

Business Administration 1973 Retired, previously worked in municipal administration

Vance Wolsky

Conservation Enforcement degree 2001 Inspector for Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission

Colleen Murphy

Secretarial Sciences program 1986 Working in the service industry

Story by Megan Shapka | Photos submitted

{ Karla Wolsky }

43

News and notes

News & notes

Gift from the McCain Foundation establishes Simulation Collaboratory

A collaborative space used by students and faculty to incubate ideas

will be included in Lethbridge College’s new trades and technologies facility thanks to a $100,000 gift from The McCain Foundation, the college announced in February.

“The McCain Foundation recognizes the vital role that education plays in contributing to the quality of life of families and individuals who live and work in communities across the country,” says The McCain Foundation Chair Linda McCain. “We are pleased to support the new facility and are confident that it will enhance the reputation of Lethbridge College as a leader in trades and technologies education in this province.”

The McCain Foundation Simulation Collaboratory will be located in the college’s new facility. It will be a space shared across the college community and support programs through a variety of resources and activities. Students and staff will undertake initiatives that will respond to the college’s mission, the learning needs of students, staff, faculty, and to community and industry-specific issues. As the college works toward leading and transforming education in Alberta, the simulation collaboratory will help Lethbridge College inspire and facilitate learning to meet economic and social needs.

“The college community

is so appreciative of the generous gift from The McCain Foundation and the opportunities it will provide us.” { Dr. Paula Burns } 44

| SPRING 2015

“The college community is so appreciative of the generous gift from The McCain Foundation and the opportunities it will provide us,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns.

“While oriented to trades and technologies activities, this simulation collaboratory will support all of Lethbridge College’s programs in innovative ways.”

Among other activities, the simulation collaboratory will be used for shared applied research projects with community and industry partners; for set-up, showcasing, and trials of new equipment; for providing support for pilot programs and course offerings; for building systems as tools for teaching; and much more.

“The new trades and technologies facility is the single most important capital investment in human resources for trades and technologies training in southern Alberta in 50 years,” says Centre of Applied Management Dean Dennis Sheppard. “With the support of partners like The McCain Foundation, all of the college’s programs will thrive and continue to produce outstanding grads who will benefit from hands-on experience. The skills they learn as students at Lethbridge College will allow them to excel in their careers.”

The McCain Foundation was established in 1993 and supports a wide variety of projects across Canada with five areas of traditional giving including education, arts and culture, community/civic projects, health and wellness, and environment.

The college broke ground on the new trades and technologies facility in April 2014. The first phase, which includes programs in the Crooks School of Transportation, will open in September 2015 for Automotive Service Technician, Parts Technician, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician classes. The second and final phase of the facility will open in September 2017, welcoming 880 new students and a total of 2,300 students in trades and technologies.

Want to keep up on all of your Lethbridge College news between issues of Wider Horizons? Check out our news and events webpage (lethbridgecollege.ca/news) for the latest stories and all of the college news you need. And don’t forget, you can read past issues of Wider Horizons at widerhorizons.ca.

Outstanding employees recognized with Employee Excellence Awards Every year, Lethbridge College recognizes employees who have

made exceptional contributions to the college through the Employee Excellence Awards. These three employees were nominated by

their fellow colleagues and were honoured at the annual Employee

Recognition Event on Feb. 11. Jane Anderson, instructor in Business

Wider Horizons, college photography, win industry awards for Lethbridge College Lethbridge College’s Marketing and Communications team received three awards in February in Seattle at the CASE District VIII 2015

Communication Awards ceremony. The winning submissions include:

Gregory Thiessen’s photo of a geomatics student, which won a bronze

Administration, received the “Innovation” award, Leeanne Conrad,

Production Coordinator in Marketing and Communications, received the “Creating Community” award and Ken Sauter, instructor in

Criminal Justice, received the “Lifelong Learning” award. Recent

retirees and staff members celebrating anniversaries of their time

working at the college were also recognized at the February event, which was sponsored this year by the Office of the President.

award in the photography category; Wider Horizons, which won a

bronze award in the Print General Interest Magazines category, for

magazines with a circulation of 30,000-74,999 (the magazine won a bronze award in this same category last year); and the Winter 2014

“This Land is our Land” issue of Wider Horizons, which won a bronze award in the Special Issue category for magazines.

All three entries also received “Opportunity and Inclusion

Endorsements” for showcasing the college’s commitment to fostering

and promoting diversity and to including people and stories from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups in the college’s marketing.

Recognized at the ceremony were executive editor Carmen Toth,

editor Lisa Kozleski, photographer Gregory Thiessen, all of Lethbridge College’s Marketing and Communications office, and designer Dana Woodward, of Three Legged Dog Graphic Design of Lethbridge.

Kodiaks Warm Paws a success

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks collected over 1,500 articles of new

and gently used winter apparel including new socks, toques, scarfs and

underwear in this year’s Warm Paws campaign. In addition, the athletes received cash donations of $500 from the community that was put

towards purchasing additional new items for the community groups.

All items were donated to Woods Homes, Streets Alive, the YWCA Lethbridge and district, as well as the college daycare.

LEO Club students “great ambassadors” Knud Petersen, the chair in charge of volunteers for the Alberta

55 Plus Senior Games, had great things to say about the LEO Club,

whose members volunteered to help out at the games which were

held in Lethbridge this year. Petersen thanked the club for its efforts

and has recommended the club to other activity managers organizing events in Lethbridge.

Future virtual welding room to benefit from local welding business’ generous gift The virtual welding room located in the new trades and technologies facility at Lethbridge College will include the latest technology to

enhance student learning experiences thanks to a generous gift of

$50,000 from Darrell and Jody Bohle, owners of Bel-Aire Welding Ltd. in Lethbridge, the college announced in February. The new Bel-Aire

Virtual Welding Room will be located across the hall from the welding booths and apprenticeship classrooms in the new facility. The room

will include virtual welders, smart screen TVs and other audio visual

components to allow for simulated training. Virtual welders represent the most advanced simulation technologies to train skilled workers.

The simulation and sound tied to the welder’s movement will provide a realistic training experience for students at the college. The virtual welder simulates the real welding experience and requires real

welding procedures – the sounds, the lights and the sparks. It allows a student to repeat a particular kind of weld, building the memory

that both the muscles and mind need while practicing a technique in a safe environment. In addition, students get instant feedback on their

welding and accuracy as they work toward their goal of learning to react the same way each time. Virtual welding training is not a substitute for hands-on training in an actual welding booth, but a complement to a

comprehensive blended training program. Read more about Darrell and Jody Bohle on page 19.

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News and notes

Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association donation The Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA) presented a $35,000 cheque to Lethbridge College in

December to assist students in the Civil Engineering Technology program. The gift, which supports the college’s Possibilities are Endless campaign, will establish the Alberta Roadbuilders and

Heavy Construction Association Civil Engineering Technologist

Clayton Allen Wine Auction raises $244,000 Lethbridge College’s 2014 Clayton Allen Wine Auction raised a

record-setting $244,000, all of which was put toward the new trades and technologies facility now under construction at the college.

The 24th annual event brought together hundreds of community

partners and college supporters, all of whom enjoyed an evening of

fine dining and great wine while supporting the fundraising efforts of

Lethbridge College. The evening included a five-course meal for more than 200 prepared by the students and chefs in the culinary program as well as a silent auction and a live auction. One of the highlights of the live auction came when Darren and Anthea Boras of Ward

Bros. Construction won the bidding for a private four-course dinner prepared by the Culinary Careers Chair Chef Doug Overes with a

$12,000 donation. The 2015 wine auction will be held on Nov. 27.

Awards. Each year for the next seven years, five awards of

$1,000 will be presented to students in financial need who are

entering the Civil Engineering Technology program. The ARHCA is

the largest heavy construction association in Canada. It represents contractors who construct and rehabilitate highways, municipal roads, bridges, sewer systems and water projects, as well as the

suppliers such as equipment dealers, finance companies, aggregate suppliers, and law firms and the consulting engineers who

work with them. ARHCA is already involved with the college’s engineering technologies programming. The association has

member companies with representatives on the college’s Civil Engineering Technology Advisory Board.

Generous gift from local family will allow growth at Lethbridge College The trades and technologies facility at Lethbridge College

and the Bachelor of Nursing After Degree (BNAD) program

at the University of Lethbridge received a boost from Al and Vera Kenwood, local business owners, the two Lethbridge

post-secondary institutions announced in November. This

generous gift will see $25,000 go toward the Lethbridge College trades and technologies facility in the area of Engineering

Technologies and $25,000 toward the BNAD program at the

University of Lethbridge. The BNAD program is a joint program

College surpasses blood drive goal in 2014 Lethbridge College exceeded its goal of collecting 430 donations of blood during the 2014 calendar year – and in fact surpassed it by

100 donations. Thanks to all 530 people who donated as part of the “You’re Somebody’s Type” Lethbridge College Blood Drive and for

all of those who supported the college in this important community program. It’s always a good time to give. Call 1-888-2-DONATE to

book an appointment and be sure to give the college’s Partners for

Life ID number (LETH010182) so that your donation counts towards the college’s goals.

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of Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge, with the first year of the program offered at the college and the second

and third years offered at the university. Al was a civil engineer

and Vera was a nurse, and both strongly believe in education and the value of investing in these industries and trades at a local level. Al Kenwood was raised in Lethbridge after his parents emigrated from Lithuania. He trained in civil engineering at McGill University. Vera was raised in Taber and trained in nursing at the Sacred Heart in Spokane, Washington.

They married in 1952 and raised their family in Lethbridge.

Al was a Foundation Board Member at Lethbridge College in 1987-88.

Staff successes a source of pride for college Several current and retired Lethbridge College staff members have won various awards and recognition in the last several months.

Deb Hadley, Digital Communications and

Media instructor and a 1997 grad of the college’s Multimedia program , received her PhD from the

University of Calgary in November. She earned her degree in the Graduate Division of Educational Research and specialized in Adult, Community

and Higher Education. Her thesis is titled “A Case

Study of Learners in a Collaborative Post-Secondary Program: Experiences of Lifelong Learning and

New partnership between Lethbridge College and Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association

Vicki Hegedus, Chair of the School of Media and

Agricultural students at Lethbridge College will benefit from a new partnership with the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA) that will jointly develop a business-risk management curriculum, the two organizations announced in January. The college and ACFA are developing programming that will be offered in a variety of delivery modes – face-to-face, online or blended. The highly accessible learning experiences, for both current students and industry participants, will be delivered beginning in fall 2015 as part of the Southern Alberta Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Program. The partnership will create learning experiences that focus on areas such as financial literacy, communications, currency, market tools, cycles, risk and opportunity policies, self-management and awareness, government policy and marketing, equity in the market, and will include opportunities for individual case studies.

Social Constructivism.”

Design, earned her Master of Arts in Leadership at Royal Roads University last fall. Her thesis is titled

“The Positive Influence of Successful Collegiality at

Lethbridge College.” Vicki would be happy to share

her thesis with anyone who would like to read it. She sends out her thanks to all of the faculty members

who participated in the survey she conducted while collecting data to address her inquiry, and the contribution that made to her research.

D’Arcy Kavanagh, a former Lethbridge College

Communication Arts instructor, published his first

work of fiction – a murder mystery set on the French Riviera and against the backdrop of the world’s

greatest bicycle race, the Tour de France. Entitled

The Bastard is Dead, the novel focuses on Paul Burke, an ex-pro cyclist from Montréal who has a quiet but unfulfilling life in a village along the famed French

Riviera. D’Arcy retired from Lethbridge College in 2012.

Mark Klassen, a biology and General Studies instructor was named the Prairie Baseball

Academy’s Instructor of the Year. Each year the

Prairie Baseball Academy recognizes an instructor

from Lethbridge College and one from the University of Lethbridge. They are nominated by the students in the academy and chosen by a committee at the

PBA. The award is for outstanding teaching of first-

year student athletes. The instructors are recognized at the annual awards banquet in January.

Lethbridge College students receive more than $775,000 in awards

Lethbridge College celebrated the distribution of more than $775,000 in nearly 400 individual scholarships and bursaries to students at the annual Student Awards celebration held in the fall. The college’s student awards are essential to enhanced accessibility to postsecondary studies, with many of the awards based on criteria other than academic performance including volunteerism and financial need. During the event, donors and student award recipients were able to meet and celebrate student achievement and donor generosity. Seven new awards were created this year, including the Lealta Building Supplies 50th Anniversary Apprenticeship Award; the Gallivan and Associates Award; the Hanlon Ag Centre Award; the KPS Environmental Sciences Award; the Sharon Hendrickson Memorial Award; the Meszaros International Award; and the Ken and Lorna Bateman Family First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Award.

47

News and notes

out close but finished with a blaze of great shooting and a final score of 106-92. The bronze medal the team won is the first medal for the Kodiaks since winning silver in 2011 and 1989.

The college celebrated the efforts of the basketball and long distance running teams in a campus party on March 24.

Indoor running team brings home provincial honours

Kodiaks win medals for basketball The Lethbridge College community celebrated March Madness in style after the women’s and men’s basketball teams won silver and bronze medals respectively during the 2015 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Basketball National Championships.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our athletes who are winners in our hearts as well as on the court,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “Both teams represented our college and the ACAC very well, and we value the contribution of varsity sports in the growth and development of individuals.”

The Kodiaks women’s basketball team was seeded third entering into nationals that took place at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, B.C. The tournament kicked off with Kodiak Ali Cameron being named CCAA Player of the Year – an award which she showed she more than deserved in the opening match when she put in 38 points in the team’s 85-52 victory over the previously undefeated Quest Kermodes. The team went on to beat the second-seeded Holland College on Friday with a score of 65-58, which put them in the gold medal game. In their final match, the Kodiaks faced defending two-time national champs Montmorency Nomades. It was a tight game but in the end, the Kodiaks couldn’t catch the Nomades and lost 63-54. The Kodiaks returned with a silver medal for their efforts – the first medal for the women’s team since winning bronzes in 2009 and 2007.

The Kodiaks men’s basketball team was seeded seventh entering into nationals that took place at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ont. In their first match, the Kodiaks faced the second-seeded VIU Mariners and played a well-matched, thrilling game. Unfortunately, the Kodiaks were down by four, 66-62, when the final buzzer sounded. After this loss, the men’s team went on to beat the Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers 89-83 and the top-seeded Holland Hurricanes 84-81. These wins put the Kodiaks in the bronze medal match where they faced the host team, the third-seeded Mohawk Mountaineers. The game started

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The men’s indoor track team defended its ACAC indoor title in February in Edmonton, earning 139 points as a team and capturing all seven of the indoor track men’s events at provincials, while the women took home a bronze team medal. Both teams also captured individual awards. Alex Harding earned the ACAC Runner of the Year award with Overall Grand Prix honours after winning the 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 metre distances. Alex Andres took the 300 and 600 metre races and also received Grand Prix honours. Harding and Andres joined Evan Brown and Boaz Korir to win the 4 by 400 relay event. The Kodiaks men also won three silver and two bronze medals in addition to their first place wins. The Kodiaks women’s team won one gold medal during the women’s competition with Caylee Vogel placing first in the 300 metre race and the women’s team finished third overall. The Kodiaks indoor track coach Bertil Johansson has coached the Kodiaks men to seven ACAC cross-country banners since 2000.

College partners with Kainai High School to offer dual credit opportunities

Grade 11 and 12 students at Kainai High School will benefit from a new dual credit opportunity offered through Lethbridge College that means they can earn both high school and college credit for their work. In this case, two Early Childhood Education courses are open to the students.

The flexible courses are delivered through a combination of video conference and face-to-face instruction accompanied by work experience at three Head Start centres on the Blood Reserve.

Kainai High School Principal and Lethbridge College alumna Annette Fox-BruisedHead has been actively involved in developing these dual credit opportunities. “We are very excited to infuse our rich Blackfoot culture into this dual credit opportunity and to be an active participant in rectifying the damage caused by residential schooling on our parenting skills as First Nations peoples,” she says. “Kainai students will always be involved in early childhood experiences either as a parent, an aunt or uncle, or as an older sibling and we recognize that they will be our future leaders and caregivers of Kainai.” In addition to the ECE dual credit opportunity, Lethbridge College is also developing a Law Enforcement dual credit opportunity in partnership with Kainai High School that will start in the upcoming academic year.

Lethbridge College Legacies: The Whitneys provide fertile ground for Lethbridge College

On April 29, 1962, at the sod turning for the present Lethbridge

College site, a special bronze shovel decorated with ribbons of green and sky blue was used for the occasion. When presenting the shovel to Mayor E.C. Lonsdale, Kate Andrews took the opportunity to speak about the location of the college and referred to the new junior college ground as the “Whitney Campus.” To what was she referring?

Six Whitney brothers came west in the 19th century. David James Whitney, one of the brothers, arrived in the west from Ontario in 1882 and worked and farmed at various locations before moving to a location south of Lethbridge and starting one of the first ranches in the area. In 1903, he built a large two-story farm house that still stands today.

David Whitney worked the land and built his farm with William Fairfield (later first Superintendent of the Research Centre), whose Model Farm adjoined the Whitney property. The two men brought irrigation ditches onto their properties and experimented with crops to see what would grow well in the area. Whitney became known for his farming methods and innovations, and other farmers came to learn from him. The Whitney farm, which became known as the Ideal Farm, was featured in promotional materials to encourage homesteaders to come west. The house he built on his farm, the

Whitney House, is still a private residence located just east of the college and is a designated historic resource.

After David Whitney’s death, his son David James Jr. sold some land to William G. Nate, who then sold it to James N. (Bus) Murdoch.

Murdoch built, among other things, a dance hall, community centre and roller skating rink on the farmland. Murdoch had plans to turn the property into a resort/dude ranch, but it never happened. The roller skating rink would become the D.A. Electric Barn and is the last remaining building of Murdoch’s still standing and the oldest building on campus.

In 1959, two years after the college opened its doors to the first students, Frank Whitney, another son of David Whitney and a supporter of the college, agreed to sell land to the city at a discounted price. The city then turned the land over to the college for $1. This land makes up a significant portion of the original college site.

And it was this historic connection – recognition of the original owners of the land – that Kate Andrews was referencing when she called the site the Whitney Campus.

Story by Belinda Crowson, Galt Museum and Archives Photo courtesy Galt Museum and Archives

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Noted online

Noted online 1

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Ryan Heggie

{ @kodiakhoops }

Kodiaks 2015 #Nats #hamiltonmohawk #bronze #fairplayaward March 22

Justus Janzen-White

{ @jr_janzenwhite }

Got to meet Mike Holmes at the college today! Such an awesome guy! And he loved that I was going into policing and my name is Justus! #bestdayatcollege #celebrity #mikeholmes #lethbridge #college March 7

3

Lindsay Fischer

4

Had a great day in the OR today with these ladies! Can’t wait for more excitement tomorrow! #operatingroom #mynewfavouriteplace #NESA #lethbridgecollege March 3

5

So, it was my last race as a Kodiak. End of an amazing season with these extraordinary people and coaches who are my family here!

Thanks to all of you to support me, be great friend, for all of our funny moments, for all of these victories... This year permitted me to discover a different way of training, new kind of races, and all of these experiences makes me a more mature athlete. March 1

Manon Remy

Galt Museum

{ @lindsayfischer }

1

2

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{ @rmymanon }

{ @GaltMuseum }

@LethCollege’s Jonathan Legg at Café Galt Thursday to talk #yql building history & innovation http://bit.ly/GMAcafe226 February 25

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Gabriel de Freitas

{ @gabriel_def }

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#lethbridgecollege I accept you! =D February 24

Don Scott

7

{ @DonaldKScott }

@LethCollege marketing and communications team wins three industry awards in Seattle. Well done! #abpse #yql February 6

Canada Bridges

{ @CanadaBridges }

Our youth participants from #Siksika for their pre-employment program in @LethCollege. January 28 50

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The value of having a university and a college in a city of our size is frequently not appreciated. Tks @ULethbridge and @LethCollege #yql February 14 Chris Spearman { @Spearmac }

Here are a few highlights from Twitter and Instagram that we’ve seen online these last few months.

Stay connected to Lethbridge College all year long by following us online: /LethbridgeCollege @lethcollege @lethcollege

If you have a guess of which Lethbridge College alum, featured in this issue of Wider Horizons, is checking out our social media in this photo, send a tweet to @LethCollege. One lucky winner will be selected on June 15, 2015, and will receive a slick college mug courtesy of the Lethbridge College Bookstore.

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Grads on our grounds

{ with Mark Crabb } Mark Crabb, a 2009 graduate of the college’s four-year Electrical Apprenticeship program, has returned to the college in a new capacity. He is now D.A. Electric’s site foreman for the new trades and technologies building.

Crabb, who has worked for D.A. Electric for five years, says the training he received at the college applies to some of the work he is doing now – whether it’s reading blueprints or installing conduit and conductors of the correct sizes while following the Canadian Electrical Code. But there are also new challenges as well which are, he says, great learning experiences. “The curved roof, tons of glazing above exterior walls and having the mechanical equipment indoors are all things you don’t see every day and make our job a challenge,” Crabb adds.

Six years after completing the program, Crabb is still grateful for the hard work of his instructors at the college. “We all come into the programs with little or

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no experience and they do a fabulous job creating great tradespeople,” he says. “It’s a neat experience to have the opportunity to work at the college in this building where many more apprentices will come out of programs with great life skills that will help many people in our future.”

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rod Leland

“We all come into the programs with little or no experience and they do a fabulous job creating great tradespeople.” { Mark Crabb }

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Summer

CAMPS { at Lethbridge College }

Lethbridge College offers some of the best summer camps in the city for kids, teens and adults.

With inspiring instructors providing creative and challenging activities, Lethbridge College’s summer camps are sure to offer some of the most memorable moments of the season.

For kids: Kodiaks sports, culinary, dance, movement, and other camps.

For adults: Indoor and outdoor TRX, indoor and outdoor metabolic training, nutrition and other classes.

For dates, times, registration details and more information, visit: lethbridgecollege.ca/summercamps.