Wider Horizons Spring 2020

SPR IN G 2020

AFTER THE HARVEST MIKE MCCREADY: THE VIRTUAL VIRTUOSO

{ A PUBLICATION OF LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE }

SNAPSHOT: THE CLASS OF 2020

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Editor’s message

I had a different editor’s message

written for this spring issue of Wider Horizons – one that talked about the amazing support available to staff and students here at Lethbridge College, and how lucky I felt to work in such a setting. I was moved to write that first message after an unfortunate encounter in February with a fast-flying volleyball left me with a broken nose and a concussion. During my recovery, I experienced wonderful support from across campus – and I know that this kind of support is all just part of the LC experience.

Since then. Well. We still have amazing support for students and staff. I still feel so lucky to work in such a setting. But somehow that cheery message didn’t seem to fit as well following the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, an event that moved college courses out of the classroom, colleagues to work at home and Convocation to be cancelled. In a flash, we suddenly found ourselves living in a different world.

There is so much happening that it is hard to take it all in – and we will likely face even more challenges in the weeks and months to come. But I think it’s still important – even in the midst of adjusting to this new normal – that we raise a virtual glass and toast the Class of 2020. Here’s to our hardworking students who will not get that wonderful moment in the spotlight at Convocation, when an entire community applauds their accomplishments, perseverance and grit. Grads – we will cheer for you from our homes, both on Convocation Day and as you head into your futures.

Congratulations on your graduation. The entire Lethbridge College community is so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished during your time in our programs –

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President in action Campus in season News and notes

{ VOL. 13 | ISSUE 3 | SPRING 2020 }

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.

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and especially for the fortitude and flexibility you showed these last weeks.

It feels a little strange to write this message not knowing how much our college, city, province and world will change by the time I send it to our designer (mid-March), the time we go to press (early April) and the time this magazine lands in your mailbox (late April or early May). I have to admit, I am a bit worried about what will be happening around the globe by the time you pick this up to read it. And my colleagues and I considered a lot of different options about how to move forward with this and so many parts of our working lives.

But at the end of every discussion, we came back to the fact that this issue of Wider Horizons in particular is focused so much on the experiences of our students and their amazing character, good humour and resilience. Those are stories that still need to be shared – perhaps even more so when many of the familiar experiences of final exams and crossing the stage are missing.

We thank you for helping us celebrate the milestones of our students and mark these moments of true achievement with joy. And the graduation of more than 1,500 Lethbridge College students – whether they walk across a stage or walk to the mailbox to pick up their credential – is one of the most joyful milestones of all. Congratulations, Class of 2020. We are so proud of you.

As always, thanks for reading – and more than ever, I hope you and your families and friends are well.

Lisa Kozleski Editor

From our kitchens Office intrigue Where are they now?

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

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Chronicle of a college grad Vintage vault The last word

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 Engagement website: lethbridgecollege.ca/alumni

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

SITE-SEEING The world is literally a classroom for Lethbridge College’s Environmental Sciences students. And they couldn’t wait to share the most memorable moments they encountered in the fields, forests and freshwater lakes this past year with readers of Wider Horizons. Take a look at some of what they saw.

30 Grilled to perfection: A Culinary alumnus offers a simple, delicious and versatile recipe that looks and tastes great year-round.

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44 In a class of their own: Hear the stories of two new hall of fame inductees as they remember their experiences on campus, on the court and in the community.

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Honouring Excellence: College celebrates alumni whose perseverance, determination and grit set them apart.

Lethbridge College is located on the traditional land of the Blackfoot Confederacy and is home to many Indigenous peoples, including members of the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani First Nations, as well as many Métis and Inuit people.

Publisher: Dr. Paula Burns Editor-in-chief: Sandra Dufresne Editor: Lisa Kozleski Art director/designer: Dana Woodward Cover photos: Rob Olson Photographers: Jamin Heller, Jeff Hinman, Rob Olson, Emmerson Reyes, Meaghan Welby, Cameron Yoos

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Illustrators: Eric Dyck, Shawn Salberg Writers: Jeremy Franchuk, Paul Kingsmith, Cameron Yoos College staff contributors: Kristy Clark, Leeanne Conrad, James Harrison, Greg Kruyssen, Lawrence Krysak, Kristina Madarasz, Ron Ostepchuk, Stephanie Savage, Dawn Sugimoto, Kasha Thurston, Sydney Wakaruk

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President in action

Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns took a break during the banquet for some photobooth fun during the Murray Chevrolet Cadillac 2020 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship, which the college hosted in February. This year is the fourth-straight year the college played host to an ACAC championship, a busy but fun experience that helps to increase the recognition of the Kodiaks programs and the college as a whole.

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In the photo below, Dr. Burns celebrates with Kodiaks (from left) Quinn Buchanan, Carter Hansen and Zach Wikenheiser, for a photo taken by Emmerson Reyes (Computer Information Technology 2016). Later that evening, Hansen and Buchanan were named to the division’s all-conference team. Meanwhile, Reyes, who is part of the college’s Information Technology Services team, captured photos throughout the banquet and tournament.

Photo by Rob Olson

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Campus in season

Students always love stopping by for a snuggle with a cuddly canine during a Doggy De-stress event on campus. Doggy De-Stress is a mental health initiative that allows students to spend time with happy pups brought to campus by college employees as a way to ease the anxiety that can build up during the semester.

These students soaked up the puppy love during February’s Long Night against Procrastination.

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The Long Night against Procrastination is a twice-yearly event when the Learning CafĂŠ, Buchanan Library and Digital Learning teams stay up late to offer students research, writing and study skills support, snacks and stress-busting activities. They also enjoy tea, bannock and conversation with Indigenous elders; virtual reality for study and stress relief; mini massages; as well as pizza and plenty of fun.

Photo by Rob Olson

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News and notes

News and notes Lethbridge College Environmental Sciences instructors Gordon Cox (L) and Shane Roersma look forward to using the new Siberian tiger donation for student learning.

A Tiger’s Tale If you’ve ever wanted to bone up on Siberian tiger anatomy,

you’ll soon get your chance thanks to the January donation by Environment Canada of a rare Siberian tiger specimen, including a complete mounted skeleton and pelt, to Lethbridge College.

The tiger was domestically raised at St. Paul Silverspur Wildlife Ranch in Alberta. After it passed away, the ranch and a group of partners had the tiger mounted by the Royal Tyrell Museum for educational use and donated it to Environment Canada. The museum showcased it for years as an educational tool before it eventually fell into disuse. “It had been sitting in the office probably for the last seven or eight years and has never came out of the crate,” says Gordon Cox, an Environmental Sciences instructor. “They asked us if we were interested in it for education, and of course we were.”

Siberian tigers are the largest member of the cat family with adults growing as big as 3 metres in length and weighing up to 227 kg. In the 19th century, Siberian tigers ranged from the 6

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forests of eastern Russia into northern China and throughout the Korean peninsula, but hunting, poaching and deforestation have pushed them to the brink. Today, the Siberian tiger is an endangered species with fewer than 500 individual big cats left, mostly in national parks and nature preserves in the far east of Russia.

The skeleton will eventually join the college’s extensive collection of wildlife, including the Hubbard Collection, the most comprehensive display of the province’s wildlife in Alberta.

“We’re going to put it a permanent display so anyone at the college will be able to look at it” and learn from it, says Cox. “Plus, we’re going to be using it in classes because it provides a great visual of the anatomy. [The tiger] is similar to our local large cat – the cougar – although it’s a lot larger. But you’d still be able to point out a lot of the common features.”

Story by Jeremy Franchuk | Photo by Rob Olson

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.

PHILANTHROPY AND PARTNERSHIPS

Hanlon Ag supports students with industry-driven gift Students in Lethbridge College’s Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician program are getting a high-tech boost thanks to a gift from Hanlon Ag Centre Ltd. Hanlon Ag has agreed to provide and install the hardware and software associated with its CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) network, which uses satellite data to improve the precision of positioning of equipment in a variety of industries. The gift, valued at nearly $100,000, will include the installation of a receiver in an on-campus tractor for use in agriculture equipment purposes, as well as training on the system to Lethbridge College faculty. “Hanlon Ag is dedicated to helping Lethbridge College students achieve success – not for the recognition, but just because that is who they are,” says Sheldon Anderson, Dean of the Centre for Trades. “This organization has always had a ‘we can make this work’ attitude when approached for support and they have always gone above and beyond. This particular donation makes it possible for students in all these programs to become leaders in autonomous control fields.”

“This is an exciting opportunity to really look at the strengths of both the college and Farming Smarter and how we can leverage those strengths into new opportunities,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. Farming Smarter’s operations, which include research buildings and test fields, are located on farm land east of Lethbridge owned

by Lethbridge College. The MOU will encourage and clear pathways for further collaboration between the groups, including sharing projects, equipment, technology and resources. Farming Smarter and Lethbridge College will work together to find mutual funding opportunities, co-host educational and networking events, and create research projects that use the expertise of research scientists, educators and students from both organizations.

Southern Alberta institutions agree on principles to guide future collaboration Lethbridge College, Medicine Hat College and the University of Lethbridge have formally committed to explore innovative ways to work together to improve the efficiency, quality and accessibility of southern Alberta’s post-secondary system. The three institutions have agreed on eight regional collaboration principles aimed at guiding future joint initiatives. The principles consider student needs (including a commitment to further improving learner pathways), regional economic goals, industry needs, Indigenous community priorities, southern Alberta communities’ needs and provincial government goals.

Ag industry to benefit from new partnership between college and Farming Smarter Lethbridge College has formalized its partnership with one of southern Alberta’s leading agriculture research organizations.

The college and Farming Smarter announced a 15-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) in February that allows the two organizations to lead and transform agriculture research in southern Alberta.

The college and Farming Smarter have frequently collaborated on research projects and student opportunities over many years, but the new agreement means the two sides will actively pursue opportunities that support Alberta’s entire agriculture industry. The MOU has three core pillars – applied research and innovation; education, training and knowledge transfer; and communication and branding.

MOO-VING ON UP The Lethbridge College Aggie Club helped the college celebrate Canadian Ag Day in February the best way possible: by bringing the fun of their work right to campus.

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News and notes

Suicide prevention at centre of Friendship Bench initiativE Lethbridge College has joined a growing number of post-secondary institutions that have installed a Lucas Fiorella Friendship Bench as a suicide prevention technique.

Anyone who feels they need support but isn’t ready to reach out in a formal setting can sit on the bench, and others in the area can take it as a sign to initiate a conversation with the person.

The Friendship Bench foundation was started by Sam Fiorella in honour of his son Lucas, an Ontario student who died by suicide in 2014. Yellow benches have now been installed in more than 50 post-secondary

Give the gift of knowledge – AND FUN! Purchase a gift card in any amount to be applied to any one of our hundreds of Corporate and Continuing Education courses, including Lethbridge College’s summer camps. Our CCE courses can help kids and adults can get in shape, learn to cook and acquire new skills. Check it out today!

Learn more at lethbridgecollege.ca/gift-cards.

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institutions and high schools across Canada.

The Lethbridge College Friendship Bench is installed in the Andrews 1700 wing.

“The goal of the initiative is to reduce the escalating number of youth suicides,” says Fiorella, who was on-site for Lethbridge College’s bench unveiling in January. Young people, he says, “want to talk to their peers and know they are not alone, and we see that then leads to them approaching their parents or professionals for help. We need to make it completely OK to not be OK and to talk about how we’re feeling.”

STUDENT SUCCESS

CAMPUS NEWS

CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS

Congratulations to these outstanding Lethbridge College students, who have been making a mark in their academics, work and communities in recent months: Jesi Lauzon, a student in the Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science program, was one of just 10 recipients of a Colleges and Institutes Canada Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary of $5,000.

Interior Design Technology students Jessica Banman and Teunieke Anker designed a house (as part of their program) that was named top single family home in its price range at the BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association) Lethbridge Region awards.

Civil Engineering Technology Program receives national accreditation Lethbridge College’s Civil Engineering Technology program has been granted a national program accreditation by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). The accreditation means graduating students will now have more advantages to begin their careers, earn higher wages and have flexibility to work anywhere in Canada.

The accreditation of the Civil Engineering Technology program means that all three programs in the college’s School of Engineering Technologies have now received TAC accreditation.

College joins international antibiotics campaign

Lethbridge College hosted events in November as part of the international effort to raise awareness of antibiotics and the human cost of antibiotic-resistant bacteria during the World Health Organization’s Antibiotic Awareness Week. Lethbridge College microbiology senior research scientist Dr. Sophie Kernéis, lab technician Leanne DuMontier and instructor Dr. Roshanee De Silva held a laboratory open house where visitors were able to view the microbes living inside their own mouths and learn about bacteria and the life-anddeath challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Students also staged an information display in Centre Core about antibiotics where they shared information from the World Health Organization.

Engineering Design and Drafting Technology students Aidan McLean and Nathanael Heyburn submitted the winning design (and Matt Hagedorn and Kai Matsalla the runner-up team) in a contest held by the City of Lethbridge to allow for the permanent display of the Blackfoot Confederacy flag, the Reconciliation Lethbridge flag and other flags at City Hall.

Monica Bartha, a student in the Ecosystem Management – Bachelor of Applied Science degree program, was one of just 10 students from across Canada to receive a prestigious scholarship by Canada’s Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus (an LC student won last year, too!).

Jason Cotton, a third-year Ecosystem Management student, was selected as one of the student/alumni representatives to join CiCan’s ImpAct Student and Alumni Advisory Committee.

SHARING THEIR STORIES IN OTTAWA Six Lethbridge College students shared their research and initiatives with a national audience when they attended CICan on the Hill and Student Showcase in February. This is the largest contingent from LC selected by the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) to attend the event in. The students and their projects are: Tianna Gerber, first-year Environmental Assessment and Restoration student, presented her project, An Antibiotic for the Livestock Industry, focused on discovering antibiotics from a botanical source to serve the livestock industry.

Selena Medicine Shield, first-year General Studies Indigenous – Career Pathways student, was nominated for her work promoting awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

Blaire Harley, fourth-year Ecosystem management student, shared his project, Evaluating the Success of Variable Rate Irrigation Scheduling in Maintaining Uniform Plant Available Water, exploring the use of precision agriculture technologies.

Matthew Eagles, Maxwell Veer and Brendin Pede, all second-year Civil Engineering Technologies students, shared their project, An Investigation of the Use of Slab Wood and Fibreglass for Hollow Structural Beams, which investigates the viability of building with hollow beams.

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News and notes

KODIAKS NEWS

TO THE

HEIGHTS

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THE KODIAKS MEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM WRAPPED UP ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH A FOURTH-PLACE FINISH AT THE TEAM’S FIRST TRIP TO NATIONALS AND

Shining stars: CARTER HANSEN: The fifth-year outside hitter and ACAC all-time kills leader brought home many prestigious awards this season. A General Studies student and Magrath High School grad, Hansen is considered one of the greatest players in Kodiaks history. He was named to the ACAC allconference team, chosen as an ACAC tournament all-star, and was named a first-team tournament all-star at the CCAA national championship.

A SILVER MEDAL-REPEAT IN THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS YEAR. Some of the season’s highlights include: • being listed on the CCAA national rankings for the entire season

• playing for the ACAC banner in front of a

sold-out (and incredibly loud) crowd in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium

• witnessing thousands of people experience heartbreak at the same moment when the

mighty Kodiaks fell to the Red Deer Kings in

QUINN BUCHANAN: The second-year middle from Lethbridge and graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute was named to the ACAC all-conference team and an ACAC tournament all-star.

NASH SHIPTON: The first-year setter from Coaldale and Catholic Central High School grad was named to the second tournament all-star team at the CCAA National Championship.

TONY ALBIZZATI: The third-year Business Administration outside hitter/libero from Lethbridge and graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute was named an ACAC tournament all-star.

MICHAEL HUMMEL: The fifth year, General Studies outside hitter from Picture Butte and graduate of Immanuel Christian School was named an ACAC tournament all-star.

the gold medal match

• knowing fans around the country took extra

joy as they watched on their computers as the Kodiaks won an emotional, five-set thriller in the rematch against Red Deer at the CCAA

National Championship in New Brunswick (playing in an empty gym following the

emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic) • hauling in a host of athletic honours (see story on right)

Congratulations to the team and its coaches,

Women’s volleyball team serves up a strong second half of their season The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team had a brilliant end to their season, winning seven of their final 10 games and earning a split with nationally ranked Briercrest in their final matchup. The strong second half of the season moved the Kodiaks into fourth place in the ACAC south division, but they missed playing in the postseason on a technicality, as fifth-place Medicine Hat hosted the championship and earned an automatic berth.

family members and dedicated fans. We can’t wait to see you play again in the fall.

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News and notes

hoops NEWS

KODIAKS NEWS

THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S KODIAKS BASKETBALL TEAMS GAVE THEIR FANS A SENSATIONAL SEASON, WRAPPING UP THE YEAR WITH CONFERENCE Brock Dewsbery delivered a memorable rookie season, being named the ACAC player of the year after averaging an impressive 21.3 points per game.

BERTHS AND AWARDS. CONGRATULATIONS, ATHLETES AND COACHES!

Men’s hoops claim conference consolation It wasn’t the result the Kodiaks men’s basketball team was hoping for; however, the team rebounded strongly to finish fifth at the ACAC championship tournament in Camrose. An opening round 104-92 loss to NAIT ended the title hopes for the nationally second-ranked Kodiaks.

But the team bounced back with a dominant 109-88 win over host Augustana and then a 105-96 win over Red Deer College to finish the season with a stellar 22-2 record.

Women’s basketball surges in the late season to earn ACAC berth

Natalie Hoyt, a first-year student-athlete from Barnwell, Alta, was named the ACAC south division rookie of the year after leading her team to a playoff spot.

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After a strong late season run that earned the team a postseason spot, the Kodiaks women’s basketball team left it all out on the floor at the ACAC championship tournament in Medicine Hat. The Kodiaks nearly pulled off a quarterfinal upset, falling 72-64 to eventual champion Lakeland College. The Kodiaks season then ended with a 57-42 loss to Augustana. The team finished the year with a 12-11 record.

Kodiaks dominate ACAC basketball awards Two great basketball seasons were recognized in a big way in March, as Lethbridge College’s teams combined to earn eight ACAC seasonending awards.

Highlighting the list is men’s basketball ACAC player of the year Brock Dewsbery.

The Kodiaks also earned both south division rookie of the year awards, as Dewsbery earned the men’s honour and Natalie Hoyt won the women’s award. The Kodiaks also swept south division coach of the year awards, as Deanna Simpson and Ryan Heggie were honoured on the women’s and men’s sides, respectively.

The Kodiaks also placed three players on the ACAC all-conference first-teams. Dewsbery and Orin Porter Jr. were honoured on the men’s side, while Kirsten Barwegen was named to the women’s team. Dewsbery and Porter were named ACAC tournament all stars, and Dewsbery was named a CCAA All-Canadian.

Congratulations to all of these athletes and coaches.

ACAC futsal and indoor track seasons cut short

Unfortunately for our student-athletes, but with the health and safety of everyone in mind, the ACAC cancelled the rest of its athletics seasons in mid-March. This means the Kodiaks didn’t have the chance to participate in either the conference futsal or indoor track championships. The college community proudly acknowledges the hard work of the Kodiaks coaches and student-athletes in preparing for these championships, and we look forward to cheering for them next season.

Kodiaks women’s basketball coach steps down on high note After three seasons at the helm of the Kodiaks women’s basketball program, Deanna Dotts Simpson (General Studies 2015), announced she is stepping down as head coach in March. Simpson and her husband, Brady, are expecting their first child in the coming months, and she says with her family about to grow by one, the time is right to step away.

Todd Caughlin, the manager of Kodiaks Athletics, had nothing but praise for how Simpson navigated many challenges during her tenure.

“Deanna came in as a rookie coach with the added challenge of coming off an undefeated and national championship season and had to rebuild essentially the entire program,” says Caughlin. “Coming in as a new head coach is a tough enough challenge but Deanna faced those challenges head-on.

The changes she implemented have proven themselves with the recent positive results experienced by the women’s basketball program. I wish her the best of luck with her new family and she will be missed!”

Simpson completed her postsecondary playing career with

the Kodiaks from 2013-15, which included helping the team to an ACAC championship and national silver medal in 2014-15. She then spent two seasons as an assistant coach, a span in which the Kodiaks went 50-1 and captured a CCAA national championship in 2017.

She was named head coach after that championship season and immediately was tasked with rebuilding a program that lost many graduating players. After enduring a rebuilding season in her first year, Simpson proceeded to guide the Kodiaks to a pair of ACAC playoff appearances.

She ended her tenure on a personal high note, being named the 2020 ACAC south division coach of the year. The award capped a magical run that saw her team clinch a conference championships spot during the final weekend of the season, before giving eventual ACAC champion Lakeland a real scare in the quarterfinals.

#WeAreAllKodiaks

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News and notes

CAMPUS KUDOS

Wider Horizons gives a tip of the hat to the following faculty and staff members who have gone above and beyond in their work and community. Congratulations to: Cindy Warner, an access services specialist in the Buchanan Library, who kicked off her 30th Food for Fines campaign in December.

She picked up the idea at a library conference in spring 2003, and what started as an annual event in fall semester blossomed into a twice-a-year tradition on campus.

Mike McCready, the college’s President’s Applied Research Chair in Virtual and Augmented Reality, who was one of just 350 people chosen from around the world to take part in the annual Reality Hack: MIT XR Hackathon, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His team earned first-place honours in two categories and placed in the top 10 overall. (Read more about his adventures on page 19).

Ten members of the college community presented at the 2019 Symposium on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Banff in November. They include: Murray Bartley and Kirsten Fantazir, instructors in the Criminal Justice program: Healer, Mage, or Warrior? Engage your Students with Game-Based Learning Technologies.

Tanya Weder, instructor in Multimedia Production: An Easy Entrance into Educational VR. Juliet Onabadejo, Nursing instructor: Concept Mapping in a Flipped Clinical: A Basic Qualitative Study.

Karla Wolsky, Nursing instructor; Janet Yorke, associate dean, Centre for Health and Wellness; and Brad Keim, Practical Nurse instructor: Objective Structured Clinical Examinations: Leveling the Playing Field.

Melanie Hamilton, educational development specialist, and Erin Howard, associate dean, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation: Using Teaching Competencies to Engage faculty in Scholarly Teaching and SoTL at a Community College.

Melanie Hamilton, educational development specialist, and Nicola Simmons, assistant professor in the Faculty of Education, Brock University: Beyond the Classroom: Re-Engaging Mid-Career Faculty using SoTL.

Last of its kind “We’re removing the last pay phone from campus,” the Telus representative said.

Repeatedly. Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020: A day when a little piece of yesteryear culture went away from Centre Core. But hold the phone!

What’s that catching the sunlight outside 30th Avenue Residence Hall? Could it be? Yes. It is.

It’s a pay phone bearing an unmistakable Telus logo — a little piece of yesteryear culture still – we’re assuming – in working order.

So, be sure to take a stroll to see this archival piece of telecommunications history before it’s gone when some day Telus removes the “last pay phone” from campus again. Bring the kids so they can experience the pure satisfaction of really hanging up a phone. (And a shout out to Rob Fath in Residence building maintenance for alerting the Communications team to this campus relic.) If you have memories of using pay phones on campus, feel free to drop us a line (WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca), or, even better, give us a call to share your story (403-320-3202 ext. 5778).

employee Excellence celebrated

Best wishes to the 2020 retirees Lethbridge College and Wider Horizons extend our best wishes to these long-serving, talented and dedicated college employees whose retirements were announced in February: Nancy Biggers, Abe Fast, Kelly Genert, Rita Halma, Tom Holz, Dave Kennedy, Anneliese Klassen, Blaine Molde, Heng Ng, Corby Pankhurst, Warren Salberg and Wendy Weninger. We wish you the best of luck as you start writing the next chapter of your life’s story!

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The college honoured an accomplished and inspiring group of employees with employee excellence awards in February. In the Excellence in Lifelong Learning category, the college recognized Linda Becker and Ashley Cesar. In the Excellence in Leadership and Creating Community category, the college celebrated Marcia Black Water, Chris DeLisle, Mark Dieser and Steve Johnson. And in the Excellence in Service and Innovation category, the college honoured Holly Owens and Justin Wynder.

CAMPUS KUDOS included submissions of marketing and communications materials from colleges and universities of all sizes from all the Western Canadian provinces and the territories, as well as the northwest states and Alaska. Lethbridge College’s awards included:

Best CASE Scenario The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognized Lethbridge College’s Communications and Marketing teams in January for their outstanding work in 2019, winning four Best of CASE VIII awards, including a gold award for Wider Horizons magazine. The Best of CASE VIII Awards

• Gold award for the winter and spring 2019 issues of Wider Horizons in the “Print General Interest Magazines, Circulation under 30,000” category.

• Silver award for the covers of the winter 2019 issue of Wider Horizons in the “Cover Design” category.

• Silver award for Lethbridge College's Leadership and Transformation Plan in the “Special Purpose Publications” category.

• Silver award for the Lethbridge College Report to our Community in the “Impact Reports” category.

College once again among Top 50 research colleges For the sixth time in seven years, Lethbridge College has been recognized as one of Canada’s

top 50 research colleges. The college rose three spots to 47th in the annual rankings released

by Research Infosource. The college also placed very high in a number of individual categories among medium-sized colleges, including:

• Number of research partners: eighth • Industry research intensity: 10th • Number of completed research projects: 11th • Number of paid student researchers: 11th • Industry research income: 12th

College recognized nationally as a healthy workplace Lethbridge College has received national recognition for its promotion of physical and mental health. Excellence Canada and Canada Life named the college one of the 2019 Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month Great Employers. The award recognizes the college’s efforts to foster a physically and psychologically safe and healthy workplace through heathy lifestyles, mental health and workplace culture, physical environment, and corporate responsibility.

Rest easy at Lethbridge College

Our residences our available for long- or short-term accommodation every summer.

May 4 – Aug. 14 They are perfect if you are planning: seasonal work, conferences, sports tournaments, weddings, reunions, home renovations or waiting for possession of a new home.

Book your stay at lethbridgecollege.ca/summer-housing.

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AFTER THE HARVEST NEW APPLIED RESEARCH CHAIR DEDICATED TO FINDING NEW WAYS TO MINIMIZE POSTHARVEST LOSSES

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When the summer fades to fall, farmers across southern Alberta turn to the hard work of harvest, enduring early mornings, late nights and all kinds of weather to bring their crops in from the field and get ready for the market.

But the story doesn’t end there: the time between a crop’s harvest and the finished product hitting the dinner table is rife with challenges. Even in a good year, crop losses after harvest can have a significant impact on the bottom line for producers.

Finding ways to cut those losses will be the focus of Dr. Chandra Singh’s research at Lethbridge College. Singh joined the college’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) as its first applied research chair in Agricultural Engineering and Technology in the summer of 2019. Dr. Singh’s work will include the creation of an Advanced Postharvest Innovation program. The program will be dedicated to building partnerships with the agriculture industry and researching new ways to handle and store crops after harvest in order to minimize postharvest losses.

Southern Alberta farmers had an especially tough year in 2019, with dry conditions over the summer turning to cold and early snow in the fall resulting in many crops never leaving the field. Provincewide, 11 per cent of all crops went unharvested, but southern Alberta farmers were particularly hard hit with 15 per cent of the potato crop and 45 per cent of the sugar beet crop left in the field. During years like this, it’s vital for farmers to make the most of the crops they do get, which is where Dr. Singh’s work on postharvest techniques like drying, cooling and storage comes into play.

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Dr. Singh grew up on a small family farm in northern India and went on to complete an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering, a master’s degree in Postharvest Engineering and a PhD in Biosystems Engineering. He was most recently an associate professor of Engineering at the University of Southern Australia, but it was during his five-year stint with OPIsystems, a grain management technology company based in Calgary, when he identified the potential for expanding postharvest research in Alberta.

“Agriculture is so strong in this region, but no one is really taking on this particular issue,” says Dr. Singh.

His short-term focus is on building research infrastructure, accessing funding and developing partnerships with growers and industry groups, including the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers (ASBG) and Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA). Both crops are important parts of southern Alberta’s agricultural sector. Alberta produces around 20 per cent of Canada’s spuds and southern Alberta is home to Canada’s only sugar beet processing plant, the Lantic Sugar operation in Taber.

Each crop faces its own unique challenges when it comes to postharvest crop management. For example, sugar beets are one of the only crops to be stored outdoors, says Melody GarnerSkiba, ASBG’s executive director. “There are seven receiving stations that growers send their sugar beets to where they are stored in large piles before processing,” she says. “It doesn't make sense for our farmers to build storage bins because the return on the beets just isn't there to be able to afford to do that and still have a profitable business.”

Garner-Skiba says this type of storage makes sugar beet crops vulnerable to temperature changes and moisture. Currently

crops are monitored weekly, but Garner-Skiba says the ASBG is hoping partnering with Dr. Singh and CARIE will lead to new solutions. “We're really going to be looking for [Dr. Singh’s] expertise to think outside the box and to give us suggestions for how can we try to mitigate nature as much as possible.”

For potato farmers, the issue is maintaining quality over a long period between harvests. “It’s a once a year crop but the demand is year round,” says Thomas McDade, PGA’s agricultural director.

“A potato harvest is a rest home, not a hospital, so storage is a critical concern.”

McDade says potatoes are stored in bins that can hold as much as 3,000 tons. A bad batch can end up potentially spoiling hundreds of tons of product. “How we store potatoes has a significant impact on the profitability of our growers,” says McDade. “Supporting work like Dr. Singh’s is a way to get our membership to develop relationships and ultimately gain an understanding of the value of research.”

Once underway, Dr. Singh’s research will rely heavily on technology, including remote sensing, automation, artificial intelligence, and mathematical modelling. “We can’t control Mother Nature, but if you have good infrastructure and are proactive, you can plan ahead and reduce the risks,” says Dr. Singh. “We can look at everything from the soil condition, weather condition, all of the inputs to the crop, when we harvest and at what conditions, where we store and process and we can use technology to come up with the best solutions or recommendation for the industry as well as for growers.”

Story by Jeremy Franchuk | Photos by Rob Olson

“WE CAN’T CONTROL MOTHER NATURE, BUT IF YOU HAVE GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND ARE PROACTIVE, YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD AND REDUCE THE RISKS.” { Dr. Chandra Singh }

Dr. Chandra Singh sees great potential in expanding postharvest research in Alberta. He is already working with local businesses and industry on new projects.

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LC COMICS GROUP

KOZLESKI SALBERG

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T O H S P A N S S W IT H N IO T S E U Q K 5 Q U IC IR IN G P S IN Y N A M 10 OF THE F ‘2 0 O S S A L C E H T MEMBERS OF

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AND N D M O N TA N A A . .C B M O R F T H E Y CO M E ESHOLM AND R A L C D N A N C A R D S TO .

B R A Z IL , F R O M S A N D TO W N S IE IT C A T R E B L ERN A OT H E R S O U T H OOK GRAMS AND L O R P T N E R E F D IF ALL THEY CHOSE ES. BUT THEY R U T U F T N E R D IF F E F O R WA R D TO B R ID G E E N E D AT L E T H P P A H ’S T A H FUL AG R E E T H AT W IN G , M E A N IN G G N A H -C E IF L BEEN CO L L E G E H AS FUN. OT ) A L OT O F N N A H T N E T F A N D (M O R E O ffe re nce fo r th at m ad e a di es ac pl d an le e pe op ey have e of so m e of th so m e ad vi ce th He re ’s a gl im ps ad s, as wel l as gr ge pl ete lle Co ei ge al l of th r co m be Le th br id s. Yo u ca n re ad ep th es e so on -tost ot fo to r ei ed th ed d we ne w ho fo llow in d a lo t to say an ha ts fo r th e st ud en ts en ud st ur (o id er ho rizon s.c a re sp on se s at w he re). ed it fo r sp ace ad y! en ts ! Yo u’ re re grad ua tin g st ud r ou of l al to Co ng ra tu la tio ns

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d been ord, B.C., who ha nt from Abbotsf rizons would -learning stude Ho ce r de tan Wi dis . a on is nvocati *NOTE: Fletcher ing first time for Co all distance-learn to campus for the tions to her and ula planning to come rat ng co of nd rou al . ion ity dit un ad ge comm like to offer an tions to the colle ir many contribu students for the

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FAVOURITE PLACE ON CAMPUS? JB: The coulee behind the school has some really good running trails for when the weather is nice.

HB: My favourite place is wherever there is a lot of traffic with students coming and going.

RDC: The quiet room in Health Services offers me a place for contemplation or rest.

AS: I think my favourite place to be was at the dorms on 30th Ave.

ADVICE FOR A STUDENT ABOUT TO START IN FALL 2020?

JB: Don’t panic! Don’t be afraid to try, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

HB: Attend orientation and ask a lot of questions. Get to know your instructors. When you do, you feel more comfortable asking them for help and, because they know you, they are better able to help you.

RDC: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t worry if you’re not sure what you want to do for your vocation. Try the classes that interest you, apply for jobs that you would enjoy, and leave yourself open to every opportunity the college offers.

From left to right: Heather Boychuk, Meghan Fletcher, Luiz Madeira, River Daniel Del Corro

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PD: Attend every class. It is the most important step on your road to academic success and although it seems easy, there will be days where you're at your limit. Dig deep, and go to that class.

MF: Know what you can handle course-wise.

Don’t do more than you can handle because there is no rush when it comes to education.

Get involved in clubs or school activities because it is a great way to meet new people that share the same interests.

MH: Always, always back up your work! Hard drives fail, so always make a backup. Don't be afraid to reach out to Wellness Services if you need help; they are there to help.

LM: Use the services available for students at the college. They can help you to achieve a more balanced college life. Also, make connections with your instructors. They are the best resources for connecting you with job opportunities.

BP: Apply yourself to extra activities like case studies, internships and other programs on campus to maximize your learning and networking opportunities.

DS: Take advantage of the many opportunities such as workshops, events and meet-andgreets – it's a great way to network. Treat people with respect (especially staff and faculty). This next one is a difficult one since I have been guilty of this too, but try not to procrastinate. The longer you put things off, the bigger the pile will get and that can be overwhelming.

AS: Some advice I’d give to new students is to not skip your 8 a.m. class!

From left to right: Donna Sato, Parker Dunn, Miranda Hubbard

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AFTER GRADUATION? PD: I’m looking forward to the satisfaction of having completed the first phase of my studies, and taking a nice break before they start again at the university.

MF: I had a full-time job while attending Lethbridge College, but I am very excited to share what I have learned with others who I am working with.

MH: I am looking forward to sleep! Also possibly going to Japan for a trip with some friends. I am also really looking forward to starting to work on building VR applications with a mental health focus.

LM: I’m looking forward to work as a biologist and eventually pursue my graduate studies.

BP: After graduation, I will take my family to Vancouver and the Pacific coast for a week to relax and see the ocean.

“I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORK AS A BIOLOGIST AND EVENTUALLY PURSUE MY GRADUATE STUDIES.” { LUIZ MADIERA }

DS: I’m looking forward to starting my career and continuing to learn in the workplace – and also staying in touch with my friends and classmates and hearing about their lives after school.

ANY SHOUT OUTS OR THANK YOUS TO SHARE? JB: Thank you to Karma Black, who had been with Learning Services, for connecting me to the resources I needed to get through a trying time in my first semester. I’d also like to thank Karl Rejman for taking extra time outside of class to accommodate my needs and to Merle Fuller for being a reference for me on my university application.

HB: I would like to give a big shout out to the Inclusive Post-Secondary Education program for all the phenomenal work they have done to help me. I am also thankful for the amazing people I have been able to meet and make connections with, including faculty, staff and all the students and classmates I have made friends with.

RDC: I would like to give a special thanks to my instructors: Karl Rejman, Brent Cottle, Kelly Oikawa, Lizanne Fernhout, Jonathan Legg, Lance Semak, Kelly Kraus, Brad Wolcott, Jennifer Davis and Reilly Fenton. They have taught me valuable skills in the liberal arts that will make me successful in my continuing post-secondary education, my work and my life.

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From left to right: Austin Simek, Jon Bateman, Brandon Palmer

“THE INSTRUCTORS AT THE BUSINESS PROGRAM HAVE BEEN VERY PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE. THE AgENT PROGRAM WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE NEW CAREER PATHS AND LEARN GREAT SKILLS.” { BRANDON PALMER }

PD: I want to give a shoutout to literally every instructor in the School of Business. They are fantastic and I would not be the student I am today without them. And a "thank you" to Amber in the office for all your help with the Business Club.

MF: To my mom who pushed me into becoming an Educational Assistant and encouraging me to continue on to get my diploma. To my husband and my daughter for putting up with my late nights and constant moments on my laptop. To the staff at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, for always being my constant support systems and for allowing me to complete my practicums at the school. And to Lorraine Leishman, one of the best teachers and supporters a girl could ask for.

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MH: Big shout outs and thank yous to our amazing instructors and TAs: Tanya Weder, Allyson Cikor, Mike McCready, Tyler Heaton, George Gallant, Kiri Stolz, Chelsey Voeller and Michael Bandstra. Also to my parents Dean and Tracy Hubbard, and my brothers Justin and Andrew, for being so supportive and showing nothing but love. And to all my friends near and far, new and old who have stuck with me through everything!

LM: Yes! The Recruitment Team. They helped me achieve my college education in so many ways and I’m grateful I got the opportunity to work with them. And also all of my instructors, especially: Steven MacRae, Shane Roersma, Terry Kowalchuk and John Derksen.

BP: The instructors at the Business program have been very professional and supportive.

The AgENT program was a great opportunity to explore new career paths and learn great skills.

DS: My instructors: Tanya Weder, Allyson Cikor, Tyler Heaton, Chelsey Voeller, Kiri Stolz, Mike McCready, George Gallant, Michael Bandstra, Kris Fleckenstein and Ray Burgess. They were all amazing instructors and I am extremely lucky to have been their student. Also, I had the pleasure of both working and doing my practicum with the CTLI department. They are all very kind, patient and extremely inclusive and welcoming.

AS: I’d like to give a shoutout to my teachers Ashley Cesar and Gillian Comchi for being super helpful and also my classmates for being so inviting.

HOW HAS THE COLLEGE HELPED YOU BE READY FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? JB: Lethbridge College has definitely helped me become more confident in my abilities as a student. I feel more equipped to deal with further education and I have also developed skills that I think will help me in the professional realm when I finish my education.

HB: I am more confident – including speaking in public – than I was when I started. I have made a lot of connections here that will help me when I leave and enter the “real world.”

And I have learned a lot from my therapeutic recreation and business classes. I intend to apply these skills to start my own business assisting seniors in lodges or nursing homes.

PD: The coursework and educational demands of my program have helped me cultivate a mindset that emphasizes discipline and working to succeed in everything I do. The projects and the extra-curricular activities throughout my diploma have also increased my self-confidence. In the end, the skills and qualities I have gained from my time at Lethbridge College will allow me to become a productive member of society.

MF: Lethbridge College has helped me Be Ready for whatever happens next by helping me realize what skills I have to offer to the education system and how to utilize them to the best that I can. I could not be more appreciative for the Educational Assistant program because I now have a career that I love to do every day of the week.

MH: They have taught me such important skills, and I have met so many people who have changed my life. Through Lethbridge College, I got to volunteer and attend so many events that introduced me to so many people that will help me achieve my goals. The knowledge that I attained will help me, help others, and that is exactly what I am going to do! Through hard work and teamwork, anything is possible.

LM: The college offered me opportunities to do things, not only hear or talk about it. The field trips for my program were extremely valuable most of the time.

BP: When I form a new business in the next few years, I will be using many of the skills and methods I have learned here at Lethbridge College. I feel ready to succeed.

“I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN HONOUR STUDENT AND NOW I AM! LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE HAS READIED ME FOR SUCCESS.” { RIVER DANIEL DEL CORRO }

DS: Lethbridge College has helped me to relax and enjoy the moment. It's OK to go to the cat café and doggy de-stress once in a while. This experience has also taught me how to manage my time more efficiently. Learning to ask for help has always been difficult for me, but now I realize it's OK to ask for help.

AS: Lethbridge College offers lots of help and support for students in order for them to be successful in whatever program they choose.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson

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From our kitchens

{ Chef Katheryn Matheson }

CHARRED TANDOORI CHICKEN WITH NAAN In a culinary world of strict hierarchies, Chef Katheryn Matheson started from the bottom. “I started off here nine years ago as a dishwasher,” says the chef at Moxie’s Restaurant Lethbridge.

Over the years, the Lethbridge College grad has worked her way up the chain and, after graduating from the Culinary Apprentice program in 2016, now runs the line during the daily lunch rush and oversees the preparation hall, the backbone of a professional kitchen.

Despite those additional responsibilities, Matheson still gets a thrill from delivering a perfectly plated dish. “I take pride in the food that I make,” she explains. “I am often times the last person to oversee the plate before it leaves the kitchen, and I make sure everything is perfect every time. Some of the most satisfying aspects of my work are knowing that I get to deliver people with a meal that is going to make their day!”

For this issue of Wider Horizons, Matheson chose a recipe that is simple, delicious and versatile for any time of year (something to keep in mind with grilling season just around the corner).

“It’s so simple that anyone can make it, yet so delicious that everyone will think you're a professional,” she says. “The mild chutney pairs so well with the tandoori marinated chicken, making the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.”

Story by Jeremy Franchuk | Photos by Rob Olson

Ingredients

Method

1 pound.....................................boneless, skinless, chicken thighs

cut into one-inch pieces

1/3 cup ....................................................................... mango chutney 4 pieces ............................................................................. naan bread

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. 2. In a medium bowl, mix the paprika, curry paste, oil and half of the yogurt. Add the chicken thighs and mix well to coat evenly.

3/4 cup .............................................................................plain yogurt 5 tbsp. ..........................................................................tandoori paste 1 tsp .............................................................................................paprika 1 tbsp. .................................................................................... canola oil 4 sprigs ........................................................... cilantro (leaves only) 1/4 cup ..................................................................... sliced red onion

When restaurants reopen, hungry customers will be more welcome than ever. To book a table at Moxie’s, call 403-320-1102. And to book a table at Lethbridge College’s Garden Court Restaurant, call 403-320-3230.

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3. Shake off excess marinade and place the chicken thighs . on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through and starting to char.

4. When the chicken is almost finished, warm the naan bread on the bottom rack of the oven for three to five minutes, or until soft.

5. Spread the remaining yogurt over the toasted naan and top with a dollop of chutney. Add the chicken and garnish with cilantro and red onions.

6. Serve this along side your favourite salad or side dish or enjoy on its own! This dish pairs well with a nice riesling or chardonnay.

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Office intrigue

There are plenty of shared and quiet spaces that offer places for students to study and relax.

Breakout rooms for students to meet, collaborate, study. These popular spots were signed out for more than 2,964 hours in just the first term!

Students can sign out learning objects like model skeletons and VR headsets.

Games are available for students to play if they want to take a break and socialize.

Library staff curate featured book selections based on trending topics.

{ Office Intrigue }

THE CENTRE FOR TEACHING, LEARN The generations of Lethbridge College students who passed

through the Buchanan Library might not recognize the place today after a recent $3 million overhaul. Student and staff resources in the new space now include the library, the Learning Café, Accessibility Services and teams from Educational Development, Learning Experience Design, Digital Learning, Production, Regional Campuses and Audio-Visual.

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More than a library, the new home for the college’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CTLI) is a one-stop shop for supporting students, faculty, staff and the community.

Designed around the different ways students learn, interact and contribute to their learning environments, the centre has spaces for both collaborative and independent study – and so far, students have been loving it.

Indigenous inspiration is woven through the whole space. Imagery includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit symbols.

The Maker Cart features a 3D printer and a variety of building materials so anyone can prototype the next big idea.

Erin Howard, CTLI’s associate dean, has worked at the college for more than seven years.

She and the CTLI team offer support to faculty and students from all academic centres and programs.

NING AND INNOVATION There’s also increased access to technology, including laptops, charging stations, virtual reality equipment and a 3D printer.

In addition, the space includes a dedicated gallery to display works from the prestigious Buchanan Art Collection, including paintings from the Group of Seven and other Canadian artists – the first time that the collection has been given a permanent public home on campus.

The new space was given the Blackfoot name Niitsitapi’ksimpstaan by the college’s Kainai Kaahsinnoonik (Grandparent), Peter Weasel Moccasin. The name means “Real Thinking” and celebrates the learning journey of the students who use the space. Stop by CE1340 to take a look next time you’re on campus. And if you need more information, email library.infodesk@lethbridgecollege.ca or call 403-320-3352.

Story by Jeremy Franchuk | Photo by Rob Olson

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SITE SEEING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES STUDENTS SHARE SOME OF THE FLORA, FAUNA AND FABULOUSNESS THEY ENCOUNTERED ON THEIR FIELD TRIPS THIS PAST YEAR Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Lethbridge College students

Anna Leblanc and Joel Dyck (second year, Natural Resource Compliance diploma)

Dyck snapped this photo during a field trip the first-year Zoology class made to Beauvais Lake, Alta. Leblanc submitted it to Wider Horizons, explaining the students were “on the lookout for wildlife. It was a great day in the woods with lots of exploring. We made memories for a lifetime.”

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Connor Frizzley (fourth year, Ecosystem Management degree)

Frizzley shot this photo at the McIntyre Ranch on the Rangeland Management field trip in September 2017 during the Kenow wildfire. “It captures the underappreciated beauty of a native grassland and shows the power of mother nature – and also one of the many amazing places environmental science students at Lethbridge College get to call our classroom.”

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Cayden Olstad (fourth year, Ecosystem Management degree – Fish and Wildlife)

Olstad says: “This photo is one of many taken in Glacier National Park, Montana, on a Mammalogy field trip, one of the most memorable trips of my college career. This trip gave our class a chance to bond while camping in Montana and doing what we love in the outdoors.”

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Tim Kliparchuk (third year, Conservation Enforcement degree)

Kliparchuk took this photo in April 2019 when he was finishing the Natural Resource Compliance program, during a field trip to the Cypress Hills as part of his Wildlife Biology class. The students were focused on field survey and data collection on sage brush growth as part of their pronghorn habitat study, when “a student lost a very sentimental bracelet. Our entire class put on hold our assignments to come together as one unit. Methodically we created a plan, grid-searched two fields and found it.�

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Justin Leavitt (second year, Natural Resource Compliance diploma)

Leavitt took this photo in the fall of 2019 during a Grassland and Forest Resources field trip at Mount Fernie Provincial Park, B.C. He recalls: “our group walked past an old cedar stump with fungi growing on it. I took a minute to take a quick photo of it before continuing down the trail with the rest of the class.”

Landen LaTosky (first year, Natural Resource Compliance diploma)

LaTosky took this photo at the Spray Lakes, Alta., timberharvesting site as part of his Grasslands and Forest Resource Management course. He explains “seeing the piece of machinery was quite fascinating and took me back to my childhood when I would see some equipment and get excited over it. It was angled so perfectly that I couldn’t resist taking the photo.”

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Kevin Brooks (first year, Natural Resource Compliance diploma)

Brooks says this photo of him holding a steelhead he caught in Cobourg Creek in Cobourg, Ont., is one of his favourites. He explains: “Steelhead present a challenge to hook and a bigger challenge to land. My happiest days are the ones holding a fishing rod.”

Ryan Ponich (Conservation Enforcement 2019)

Ponich says: “Raptors, especially owls, have always piqued my curiosity. Snowy owls migrate from the Arctic tundra south into southern reaches of Canada every winter. Central Alberta is somewhat of a hot bed for these creatures to overwinter. This provides pretty incredible opportunities to photograph them.”

Stephanie Mueller (second year, Natural Resource Compliance diploma)

Mueller took this photo of salmon near Kikomun Creek Provincial Park in British Columbia while she was on a field trip for her Grassland and Forest Resources class. “This week-long field trip was a great experience and definitely worth it, but we were all very exhausted when the week was through. This photo was taken underwater!”

Jason Jesperson (fourth year, Conservation Enforcement degree)

“This photo was taken at the family farm – the Jesperdale Dairy Farm – near Barrhead, Alta., over the 2019 Christmas break. It’s a favourite because it captures quality time spent pond skating with the family, teaching the next generation how to skate the same way that we did while growing up.”

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Steve Grainger (fourth year, Ecosystem Management degree)

Grainger says this photo captures him and his dog, Neiko, ice fishing for rainbow trout at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park in Alberta. “My faithful companion accompanies me on all my fishing excursions,” he says. “He will stand on guard for hours hoping to lick any fish that are caught.”

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Jason Duncalfe (fourth year, Conservation Enforcement degree)

Duncalfe says he shot this photo of Old Faithful during his third year in the Conservation Enforcement program, during the Parks and Protected Areas field trip to Yellowstone National Park. “There are some mighty good people in that picture that I am proud to call friends,” he says.

Jesi Lauzon (third year, Conservation Enforcement degree)

This is one of Lauzon’s favourite photos from the Yellowstone field trip, a five-day adventure she calls one of the highlights of the program for her. “I love to experience new places, and it’s even better to do it with great people,” she says.

HAVE A GREAT FIELD TRIP PHOTO TO SHARE? We would love to hear from you! Email us at WHmagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

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#WEAREALLKODIAKS TWO ATHLETES, TWO BUILDERS AND TWO TEAMS ARE THE NEWEST INDUCTEES INTO THE LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE KODIAKS HALL OF FAME.

The 2019 class, the second group to enter the hall, was

honoured during a Kodiaks’ basketball and volleyball weekend home stand in November. This year’s inductees include: former instructor and coach Mary Wall and longtime supporters Flora and the late Val Matteotti in the builder category; Lori Hart, who starred for the Kodiaks women’s volleyball team from 1981 to 1984, and Carlos Maffia, a men’s basketball star and Kodiaks coach, in the athletes category; and the 1962-63 women’s basketball team, the first ever fielded by the college, and the 196667 men’s basketball team that went 18-1 on its way to a Western Inter-College Conference Championship, in the team category.

Wider Horizons spoke with two of the inductees about their experiences on campus, on the court and around the world. Here’s what they had to say.

Story by Cameron Yoos | Photos by Emmerson Reyes

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#WEAREALLKODIAKS

While Mary Wall built many athletics programs at Lethbridge

College over the years, her legacy will be the opportunities she created. In addition to building the Kodiaks' women's basketball and volleyball teams, Wall also brought to life a cross-country running team that has since earned national recognition, helped establish fencing and lacrosse programs, and created a marching drill team that remains dear to her heart.

“I loved doing it,” says Wall, hired as the school's first female physical education instructor in 1971. “I liked the challenge.

Mom and Dad always told me, if you want to do something, do it well. I follow that thought all the time. I really like starting things, and I really like seeing them progress ... Once it was growing and running, I'd move on to another sport.”

First up was the women's basketball team, which Wall launched and coached for a year before handing the reins to Buster Burke and moving on to lead the women's volleyball team. She coached that squad for several years, while also creating the school's first cross-country running team. She worked with George Gemer, Carole Gemer (Business Education, 1963) and Shaun Ward, a former Lethbridge College instructor, to create the Kodiaks' 10/4 Road Race, Lethbridge’s oldest ongoing running event. Wall teamed up with runner and college instructor Ramona Stewart to begin the annual Pumpkin Run for younger runners. “(Mary) is one of those true, silent builders of Kodiaks' athletics,” says Todd Caughlin, manager of Kodiaks Athletics.

“She did so much work behind the scenes… to actually push to make sure women's athletics were being represented, and then obviously, take that next step to help coach them, help guide them, help build them. She played an integral role in where Kodiaks' women's athletics are now.”

After growing up in Lethbridge, Wall attended Idaho State University in Pocatello on a working scholarship – full athletic scholarships for women weren't offered at that time – where she played basketball and volleyball and helped coach intramural activities. She returned to southern Alberta in 1971.

“I wanted to come back,” says Wall. “I was away for five years.

Mom and Dad were getting older. My sister saw an ad that the college needed a female physical education teacher, and I was lucky enough to be hired.”

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Throughout her time in Idaho, Wall had returned home to work in the summers alongside Ben Brooks on a variety of projects. As fate would have it, Brooks was also athletic director at the college. “Ben Brooks was phenomenal,” says Wall. “He was the athletic coordinator, a man of vision. But he had to have somebody do it, and I loved sports... I just wanted to give athletes an opportunity to do activities they wanted to do.”

Wins and losses weren't a concern in the early years.

Wall's work was more about building a Kodiaks foundation for the eventual creation of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). “She wasn't afraid to take those initial steps at a time when, to be realistic, not a lot of steps were being taken,” says Caughlin. “For her to be brave enough, and have that will and determination to see that happen, you can't say ‘thank you’ enough.”

All the while, Wall managed the college marching drill team. “(The girls) loved it,” says Wall. “We'd have 30 girls trying out, and the girls we had on the team I still have as friends, and they still come and see me. We were the only drill team in Canada.”

Wall's experience continued to pay dividends even after she left the sidelines in 1987. When Alvin Tietz and Knud Petersen prepared to launch the first Kodiaks' women's soccer team seven years later, Wall knew what they faced. “She was a big cheerleader for us,” Petersen says. “She was on our side. She very much encouraged us to keep the pressure on to get it going.”

A first-year team often plays a season of exhibition games to get established. Wall was adamant that if the soccer squad was good enough, it should make the immediate jump to the ACAC. At the end of its first campaign, the Kodiaks team hoisted the CCAA championship banner.

Wall’s time at Lethbridge College was also about family.

Her husband, Darrell Wall, eventually coached the women's basketball team she created. Her daughter, Shaylene Wall (General Studies 2000), played on the volleyball team her mother helped build and today is an instructor in the General Studies program. Wall’s son, Brad Wall (General Studies 199798), played on the men's basketball team she probably would have created if someone hadn't beat her to it.

“I always say the college hired me, but they got a family with it,” Wall says. “We are a college family.”

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THE COACH #WEAREALLKODIAKS

Carlos Maffia didn’t need eight years to make a name for

himself at Lethbridge College. The weighty surname he carried from his home in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was an immediate talking point with his Kodiaks basketball teammates in the early 1990s.

“There were jokes from the day I was born,” laughs Maffia. “‘Oh, you’re from the Mafia, how many people you killed?’ I always tell them, listen, if I was from the Mafia, trust me, I would have a lot more money than I do now.”

Maffia wasn’t seeking his fortune when he arrived in southern Alberta — just opportunity. He wanted to leave Brazil, where his young teaching career had stalled, and he wanted to learn English. Eight memorable years later, four as a player and four as head coach, Maffia had earned his induction into the Lethbridge College Kodiaks’ Sports Hall of Fame.

“It’s a very happy time, but very emotional as well,” says Maffia, who travelled from Sao Paulo to attend the alumni weekend celebrations in November. “When I walked into the gym, I thought ‘wow.’ I made so many good friends. We won, and we lost, and we had the support of so many people. You guys are very lucky. I don’t know if you realize, you have the greatest people.”

Maffia arrived in Lethbridge in 1990. He played four seasons for the Kodiaks, leading the team to a pair of ACAC championships while being named all-conference each year. From there, he took the reins as Kodiaks’ coach. “I can’t deny, as a player in terms of titles and wins, I was more successful,” says Maffia. “We won ACAC titles, we went to two national championships. But as a coach, there are more memories. When I graduated, tons of players left. So we started from nothing. We had a tough season, we went only 4-16, so my memories are more about building up something.”

In that first season, Maffia often turned to Lethbridge College athletic director Tim Tollestrup. “Everybody knows I am very hot-tempered,” says Maffia. “I was always very excited, I hate to lose, so the first year was tough. Having Tim as a role model, someone I looked up to, he helped a lot. If I didn’t have him as an athletic director, I think I would have failed.”

“As a player, Carlos was pretty intense,” says Tollestrup. “As a coach he was the same way, but I think as time went on, he was

able to show a little discipline, not getting too excited.’”

From a first-year player to a fourth-year coach, eight years was a lifetime. “I was a very different person,” says Maffia, who was named ACAC South Division coach of the year in 1997-98, his final season with the Kodiaks.

Today, as principal of a high school in Sao Paulo, he has coached the senior varsity girls volleyball team to six consecutive undefeated seasons. He also has a more reflective approach when coaching young athletes today.

“Now we talk a lot about one’s journey,” Maffia says. “Enjoy it to the fullest, do the best that you can, because the worst thing you can do is look back and say ‘what if?’ And it’s funny how teenagers can really get familiar with that. They fully jump on the boat ... they work their hardest. I think I could have done a better job at the college that way. I could have contextualized things more.”

Visits to Lethbridge are rare, but Maffia’s Canadian ties stretch beyond southern Alberta. He met his wife, Wendy, when she played Kodiaks women’s basketball. After 16 years together in Brazil, Wendy and their two sons moved to Victoria in 2015. Their son Diego, a heavily recruited basketball star, set the B.C. high school scoring record with a 96-point game last season. This year he played his rookie season with the University of Victoria Vikes.

Younger brother Lucas followed in Diego’s footsteps, playing high school ball at Oak Bay. The family connects regularly through FaceTime, and Maffia makes one or two visits a year. It gets harder to leave each time. “It is very difficult,” says Maffia, who streams as many of his sons’ games online as possible. “But, I always keep in mind that what I’m doing now is best for them.

They’re up here and they fit in perfectly and they love the system. We always wanted the kids to go through high school in Canada. They would have more opportunities, and we wanted sports to be a big thing in their lives.”

Maffia wants for his sons what he found at Lethbridge College. “I was so lucky to come up here. I can truly, without a shade of doubt say, that the eight years I spent here changed my life.”

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Where are they now?

Where are they now?

CHRONICLE OF A COLLEGE GRAD: Jacquie Daumont (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 1986)

Jacquie Daumont is this year’s Lethbridge College

2020

Distinguished Alumna. Since beginning her career in commercial vehicle enforcement in 1986, Jacquie has risen through the ranks to hold one of the province’s top positions.

Born and raised in central Alberta, Jacquie began her career with Alberta Parks and Alberta Fish and Wildlife before joining Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Branch (CVE) in 1989. She began as an officer before moving to management, and she has been in her current position as deputy chief working in Red Deer since 2014. She also served as acting chief for the branch from March 2018 to October 2019.

Jacquie’s career accomplishments include overseeing CVE’s meritorious law enforcement accreditation with excellence with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). She is President of the Canadian Police Accreditation Coalition; recipient of the Governor General of Canada Exemplary Service medal; and recipient of the Alberta Peace Officer Long Service medal and the Alberta Emergency Services medal. She is also a member of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2003, Jacquie was recognized with a Premier’s Award of Excellence and has been awarded numerous Government of Alberta teamwork and innovation awards.

Jacquie has worked closely with Lethbridge College to deliver training to all new recruits of CVE, and she supports a scholarship to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement program graduates. She recently collaborated with the college to update the training program to a competency-based curriculum and also serves as a member of the School of Justice Studies Program Advisory Committee. An avid volunteer, Jacquie has served on the board of directors for the Legacy Place Society and the Strive Dance Academy Society and is currently commissioner on the board of commission for CALEA.

Distinguished Alumni AWARD RECIPIENT

Story by Paul Kingsmith

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CELEBRATING THE SUCCESSES OF OUR ALUMNI IN THEIR CAREERS AND THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. We love hearing from Lethbridge College alumni! You can find additional updates online at widerhorizons.ca. To submit your news to share with your classmates and the college community, drop us a note at WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

Stories by Jeremy Franchuk

2019

Samantha DeJong Fashion Design and Sustainable Production After graduating last spring, Samantha has been living in Lethbridge and working as a caregiver in Coaldale while she builds her fashion portfolio part-time with an eye on moving to a big city to pursue work in her field.

Ivan Djomegni Kouamou

Computer Information Technology Recent grad Ivan sent us this update: “A week after receiving my diploma in May 2019, I was fortunate to be offered a fulltime position as systems consultant at Long View Systems head office in Calgary. Since then, I have been working with this amazing company and learning a lot every day. What I have learned at Lethbridge College is giving me all the knowledge required to successfully fulfill my duties. After five months at this position, I was found by a recruiter at Google, who saw my resume on LinkedIn and invited me to apply for an opening at Google Waterloo. After making it through all four phases of the interview process, I was unfortunately not offered the position, but it was definitely a great experience to be invited to apply and make it to the last phase of the interview. I was SO CLOSE to being a Googler from Lethbridge College. I'm looking forward to applying again, but for now, I'm happy to continue to work with Long View Systems and develop my skills.”

Obed Maurice (Business Administration – Management 2000)

Obed Maurice is this year’s Lethbridge College

Career Virtuoso award recipient. A lifelong entrepreneur, Obed has always sought opportunities to improve the traditional ways of doing things.

Asking “why not?” is his typical response when considering an out-of-the-box idea. Following his graduation from the Business Administration – Management program at Lethbridge College in 2000, Obed received his Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge, and then went on to earn his Chartered Accountant designation. Entering industry, Obed looked for opportunities to automate, enhance and refine processes, while improving the customer experience for his clients. In 2011, he founded Maxim Management, one of Canada’s first virtual accounting firms. In 2018, Obed merged his practice to join forces with Avail CPA. As a partner at Avail LLP, Obed has set a goal of leading the accounting industry into the future and changing the way the profession is viewed. Much of his work today is centred on using technology and innovation to improve people’s financial wellbeing. In 2018, he co-founded CliQue Advisor – a financial advisory technology. This technology has received recognition and funding from Alberta Innovates and the National Research Council.

2020

Career Virtuoso AWARD RECIPIENT

Skylar Peters Digital Communications and Media Fresh off his stint as the 2019 Troy Reeb Intern, which took him from newsrooms in Toronto to Parliament Hill, Skylar was hired at Winnipeg news talk radio station 680 CJOB as a news anchor directly following graduation.

He says he is thrilled to be so involved in the local news and really loves the city of Winnipeg.

51

Where are they now?

Ryan Parker-Fineday Criminal Justice – Policing Two months after graduation, Ryan was hired to work for Corrections Service Canada in Edmonton. He started his second stage of training in January and attended training at the CSC National Training Academy in Kingston, Ont. in February.

2017

Daniel Dubinski Criminal Justice – Policing Daniel tells Wider Horizons, “I am currently working for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as a constable and living in Porcupine Plain, Sask. I’m currently studying for my Bachelor of Justice online, as well as working full time.”

justice. Returning to school as a mature student was intimidating, but he says the college community, his instructors and his classmates – even those who were younger than he was – helped him feel supported. After graduation, with two young children settled in their schools, Curtis and his wife didn’t want to leave Lethbridge. He chose to bide his time and wait for something that allowed him to stay in the city. That’s when he saw a posting for a Judicial Clerk position at the Lethbridge Courthouse. Curtis, who was one of five alumni featured in Lethbridge Herald articles celebrating 50 years of policing education at the college, says his Lethbridge College training provided him the tools he needed to succeed in a career he had never anticipated. “It would allow me to remain in the justice system, work one-on-one with a variety of police agencies and law firms, and best of all, have weekends off,” he says with a laugh.

2016

Patrick Lynch

Jessica Giles Business Administration – Marketing Jessica Giles is the new youth leadership coordinator at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Jessica manages the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program and is also an alumnus of that program. She previously worked as an ag reporter with Golden West Radio.

Photo courtesy High River Online

Curtis Sheck Criminal Justice – Policing Compassion, care and support for the people he met in his day-to-day duties are the attributes Curtis Sheck focused on every time he went to work – first as a health care aide, and then, after going back to school at the age of 29 and with a young family at home, in a career in 52

| SPRING 2020

Environmental Assessment and Restoration In 2019, Patrick participated in a staff exchange through his employer, Calgary consulting and engineering firm Tetra Tech, that saw him trade places with a colleague from Australia for seven months. Patrick worked with Brisbanebased Tetra Tech-subsidiary Eco Logical Australia on various projects including walking through Toohey Forest to assess significant trees and spending three weeks on the Saraji mine in Bowen Basin.

Patrick found the plant and animal species in Australia unlike anything he had ever seen before, proving challenging to identify and requiring him to continually seek assistance from his co-workers.

Patrick also was astonished by his colleagues who thrive working in the heat.

Patrick explains that he was the “sweatiest I have been in all my life." Beyond the secondment, Patrick is looking to further his career by continuing his employment with Tetra Tech and obtaining a bachelor’s

degree and a professional agrologist certification. He intends to maintain the strong relationships he has built with the Brisbane ecology team and hopes to return to Australia one day.

Broek Murray

Agriculture Sciences – Animal Science Broek now works alongside his dad and brother managing JF Murray Farms Ltd., and he hopes to one day run the family farm full-time. He also works as a supervisor at Picture Butte Feeder Co-op.

2015

Emily Ritchie Lowe Agricultural Technology – Animal Science Emily is now the regional beef agrologist for Ducks Unlimited Canada. In September 2019, she married Virgil Lowe.

2014

Jessica Knoop-Lentz General Studies Jessica was named the recipient of the University of Lethbridge’s 2018 Michael Chan Prize in Asian Studies worth $1,000 for her writing on Buddhist ecology.

Jessica started her studies at Lethbridge College, which helped inspire her to major in religious studies and minor in Asian studies and anthropology. “When I was at Lethbridge College, I took Introduction to World Religions and Buddhism,” she says.

“When I was writing my papers and going to class, it came so naturally. Originally, I wanted to be a vet and now I want to teach religious studies.”

Photo courtesy the University of Lethbridge

Marci Neher-Schwengler (Nursing 1988)

Marci Neher-Schwengler is the recipient of this

year’s Community Leader award. Marci, a 1988 grad of the college’s Nursing program, has committed to a personal nursing philosophy that nursing is more than just a career – it is a privilege taken upon by people who are passionate about using their knowledge and skills to help and advocate for those who are unable to help themselves. Kindness, empathy and a passion for life-long learning are the cornerstones. Following her time at Lethbridge College, Marci earned both her Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing from the University of Lethbridge. She has worked as a Registered Nurse for 30 years in a variety of roles, including bedside acute care nurse, advanced practice nurse and clinical educator. For the last three years, she has been manager of the Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit at Lethbridge’s Chinook Regional Hospital. Known for going above and beyond for her patients, Marci has built a sense of community in the hospital. She continues to make her community a better place, as she has begun a new career educating the next generation of nurses as a clinical educator and lecturer at the University of Lethbridge.

Melissa Villeneuve Communication Arts – Print Journalism Melissa was one of six Canadian journalists selected to take part in the Independent News Challenge, a nineweek program launched by digital media organization The Discourse to help the next generation of entrepreneur journalists grow independent projects. The former Lethbridge Herald reporter and Lethbridge Living managing editor says she wants to diversify the news coverage available in southern Alberta and offer a different perspective on the news. As part of the Independent News Challenge, Melissa will be able to access training, technology and other resources through The Discourse, including micro-grants to build an editorial strategy, identify and grow an audience, and attract more funding.

Photo courtesy StandOut Photography

Kasey Yuzik Criminal Justice – Policing Kasey reached out to share this update with Wider Horizons: “I have been a Correctional Officer in the province of Saskatchewan since 2014. I actually had to miss convocation because I was training for my new career. I currently work with seven other Lethbridge College alumni. It is a bond that we share and can reminisce about. We all have great memories from the course, the classes, the friends and the fun. I want to thank the CJ program and the professors that I had the pleasure of learning under for my career in Corrections.”

2020

COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD RECIPIENT

2012

Angela Suntjens Welding Apprenticeship, General Studies – Psychology and Sociology Angela was named one of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce’s Top 40 under Forty, which recognizes individuals in business, entrepreneurship, arts, athletics or community building. A trained fabricator, welder and accomplished metal artist, Angela is the owner and sole operator of Dryland Custom Fabrication.

Raised on a farm in central Alberta, Angela has been welding for almost as long as she can recall. She attended Lethbridge College to become a trained welder, and she later returned to earn a diploma in General Studies with a major

in Sociology. She went on to earn a dual Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. After earning her BASc, Angela began working on her masters. Angela turned down the opportunity to work toward a PhD so she could stay in Lethbridge and open Dryland Custom Fabrication. Angela volunteers her time and resources to help those who are temporarily left without the means to provide for themselves.

She has donated several pieces to local auctions, and she supports the woman’s shelter as well as the food bank. She also offers repair services free of charge to at-risk individuals.

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Where are they now?

2008

Steve Christensen

2011

Erek Bishop Agricultural Technology – Plant and Soil Science Erek and his family (father Dave, mother Mary and brother Clinton) received a 2019 Calgary Stampede BMO Farm Family Award for their farming operation in Barons. Erek, a marketing representative for Richardson Agriculture in Vulcan, helps operate the farm where the family grows barley, wheat, canola, rye, pulses and forages.

Photo courtesy BMO and the Calgary Stampede

Business Administration – Management Steve’s custom, handmade watch company, NOVO watches (as seen in the Spring 2018 issue of Wider Horizons), continues to grow. “If you would have told me last year that we'd be customizing watches for MLB players, NFL players, PGA golfers and amazing families all over the world, I would never have believed you,” Steve says.

Kurtis Peters

Engineering Design and Drafting Technology After graduation, Kurtis worked as a drafter for seven years with QinetiQ Target Systems Canada, a worldleading provider of unmanned air, land and surface vehicles based in Medicine Hat. He went on to receive his professional licensee designation from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta and has

Grads step up to work as city’s first Community Peace Officers

since been working as a production engineer. His main role is to maintain and improve the existing unmanned vehicles.

He has also taken on various project engineering roles including working in Linköping, Sweden. When he’s at home, Kurtis volunteers with the 670 collective mountain bike club in Medicine Hat, an organization that is committed to building and maintaining sustainable mountain bike trails in the region.

2006

Cody Belter Multimedia Production Cody shared this update with Alumni Office: “I am the owner of a photography media development company. Since getting back to being a photographer full time, I have become a soughtafter real estate photographer in the southern Alberta area, creating high-end photos for homes being sold, 3D virtual tours, and floor plans. I also help some businesses reach wider audiences and expand business with media creation and marketing.”

2004

Maria Munson

Last fall, nine Lethbridge College grads hit the streets as Lethbridge Police

Service’s first Community Peace Officers (CPOs).

The officers, all graduates of the college’s Police Cadet Training certificate program in 2019, include Raelene Austin (Criminal Justice – Policing 2018), James Belisle, Gerrilee Boon (Criminal Justice – Policing 2018), Justin Brizinello (Criminal Justice – Policing 2014), Brendan Davis (Criminal Justice – Policing 2013), Jeff Hilliard, Brad Kopan, Dayton Pagliericci and Austin Weersink. The newly minted peace officers started solo patrols in November after completing 22 weeks of in-house training and 16 weeks of field training on the street, paired with an experienced police officer.

CPOs are sworn peace officers with specific, but limited, authority to enforce City of Lethbridge bylaws, provincial statutes and some provisions of the Criminal Code. CPOs are trained to respond to less serious calls such as shoplifting, panhandling, loitering, trespassing, public intoxication, noise complaints, traffic offences and collisions. Their work frees up time for regular officers to dedicate to more serious or complex cases.

The LPS will be recruiting for additional CPOs this year, with the goal of fielding 15 officers in 2020.

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Criminal Justice Maria Munson, who was one of five alumni featured in Lethbridge Herald articles celebrating 50 years of policing education at the college, says discussions with her high school’s resource officer led her to pursue a career in policing.

She came to the college straight out of high school and thrived in the program, backed by a supportive faculty who left a lasting impression on her. She joined Lethbridge Police Service as a full-time police officer at 21 years old, when she was the only female in her recruitment class and was by far the youngest person.

She says working for LPS gave her a strong foundation in a busy environment and allowed her to respond to a variety of calls. After two years with LPS, Maria decided to apply to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) to be closer to her family.

It meant learning a whole new skill set, as EPS had more members and more specialized departments. But that also meant more opportunities. She says a highlight of her career is working in the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, doing forensics investigations. She took to the investigative side of policing naturally and began to specialize in forensics work. She became an expert in fingerprint identification and was promoted to the rank of detective/ sergeant in 2019. Now an experienced officer, Munson has a chance to be a role model to a new generation, just as her high school resource officer was to her as a young student.

Joshua Day Chief (Environmental Assessment and Restoration 2013)

Joshua Day Chief is this year’s Rising Star award

recipient. Just seven years after graduating from the Environmental Assessment and Restoration program at Lethbridge College, Joshua is CEO of AdvancedAg Inc., a family-owned company focused on producing beneficial blends of bacteria for crop and soil health. Joshua’s first steps into the industry in 2013 were working a research projects for Advanced Water Technologies (AWT), a company owned by his mother, Phyllis Day Chief, while also juggling a job in the environmental consulting world. AWT’s projects focused on using bacteria to naturally clean up lakes and stormwater ponds. Joshua helped to double AWT’s client list in the first year, while also researching and marketing a bacteria-based product for agriculture, which helped to diversify and grow the company. Joshua enjoys the challenge of new opportunities and engages a team approach to drive projects. He’s a natural leader and his ability to share his vision with others allows them to buy-in to his projects. In 2020, AdvancedAg Inc. has 25 brew facilities across Canada and will treat close to 400,000 acres of crops, while maintaining a strong, growing client base for water restoration.

2020

RISING STAR AWARD RECIPIENT

2003

Jamie Kincheloe Puchinger Renewable Resource Management After finishing her diploma, Jamie transferred to the University of Lethbridge to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science.

After graduation, she got straight to work, creating a company and consulting for Newpark Environmental Services before accepting a position with St. Mary's Irrigation District and the Partners in Habitat Development Program. In 2010, she founded Farming Smarter, a non-profit registered Canadian charity that focuses on projects to improve the resilience of crop production in southern Alberta. Currently, Jamie is the assistant manager and has a number of roles and responsibilities including executing the education/outreach and stewardship programs.

2002

Janine Paly Agriculture Technology Janine was profiled in an article in farming quarterly GrainsWest on people who grew up on farms coming back to agriculture after working in other industries. After growing up on a farm, Janine studied plant and soil health at Lethbridge College and later received her Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture with a major in biology from the University of Lethbridge. After graduation, she spent time in Australia working on canola seed production for Bayer CropScience before coming back to Canada and spending 10 years with Ducks Unlimited Canada. Now Janine and her husband, Ian, farm with her

husband’s parents on a mixed operation in the County of Thorhild. Janine and Ian manage the grains side of the operation while his parents, Darlene and Don, oversee the livestock. Janine also serves as an Alberta Wheat Commission director-at-large and is a parent to two young daughters.

Photo courtesy Two Stone Photography for the Alberta Wheat Commission.

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Where are they now?

Kip Kangogo Wildlife officer saves lives of tangled deer with unbelievable shot

For most people, getting a

moment of viral video fame is a either a blessing or a curse. For Scott Kallweit (Conservation Enforcement 2008), it was just another day in an interesting career protecting Alberta’s great outdoors and the creatures that call it home.

The Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer’s moment came in early February when he was dispatched to the M.D. of Foothills, south of Calgary, after property owner Russ Wright spotted two deer entangled by their antlers in his field.

In a video filmed by Wright, Scott waits patiently with his shotgun trained on the unfortunate ungulates as they struggle to free themselves. When the exhausted deer finally pause for a moment, Scott fires a single shot to break the deadlock and send the unharmed animals bounding to freedom across the snowy field. Scott’s marksmanship gathered attention from media and made the rounds on Twitter and Facebook.

“The shot was definitely dynamic but it is simply a matter of waiting for a good opportunity when both deer are still, and a safe shot can be made. This is not the first time this has been done, and officers have successfully freed deer using this method before.”

"The shot was definitely dynamic but it is simply a matter of waiting for a good opportunity when both deer are still, and a safe shot can be made," he says.

"This is not the first time this has been done, and officers have successfully freed deer using this method before. Every situation is different. In some cases, it may be safer to free the animals by cutting the antlers with a saw, but officers would have to get very close to the agitated animal. In this case, this was not an option.

If the deer were unable to separate from one another, there was a risk one or both animals die from exhaustion or other injuries."

To see the video and impressive shot that freed the deer unharmed, go to learn.lc/antlers.

Photo from Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement

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General Studies student Former Kodiaks runner Kip Kangogo placed first in the master category and third overall in the Victoria Marathon in October 2019. He also set a new master course record with his time of 2:21:49.

1995

Jason Walper Criminal Justice It’s not the type of call a Lethbridge police officer is used to taking – but it goes to show the unpredictability of policing. A Guatemalan man suspected of war crimes was believed to be in southern Alberta, and international police services needed local help to find him and bring him in. Lethbridge College grad Jason Walper, a member of Lethbridge Police Services’ Integrated Intelligence Unit, rose to the challenge.

Working alongside the RCMP, Jason and his unit spent three months on the investigation and used covert surveillance to locate the man. The suspect was deported and Jason had a career case that had allowed him to both use his training and expand his skillset.

Becoming an officer was a lifelong dream for Jason, who grew up in Dawson Creek, B.C. The policing world he entered after graduation is much different than the one he occupies now. At that time, reports were mostly handwritten and tasks as simple as making a phone call or checking a database required returning to the station. Now, patrol vehicles are equipped with high-tech computers and everyone has a cell phone. While the technology has changed, the heart of the job has not. “We’re often called

upon to assist people who are in crisis and need someone to talk with, to provide insight into a problem or to simply answer questions,” says Jason, who was one of five alumni featured in Lethbridge Herald articles celebrating 50 years of policing education at the college.

Harvey White

Retail/Industrial Security Harvey has enjoyed a 25-year career in law enforcement. Currently, he is director of enforcement for the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan, securities division, where he investigates financial crime occurring in Saskatchewan's capital markets.

1993

From the vintage vault Convocation ceremonies at what was then called Lethbridge Junior College were held on Thursday, April 28, 1960, and were led by Dean Jim Cousins (centre, in hood with white trim). This year, restrictions put in place in response to the the COVID-19 global pandemic led to the cancellation of Convocation. Plans are underway to celebrate the Class of 2020 in other ways.

Alumni, watch your in-boxes and social media for ways you can congratulate the new Lethbridge College grads. And hats off – virtually – to our new alumni!

If you have photos of your convocation, share them on social media by tagging @lethcollege or email WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca to feature in a future edition of Wider Horizons.

Lori Healy Nursing Lori sent us her recollections from her time at Lethbridge College. “I was quite intimidated when I began my education journey as a First Nations student at what was then the Lethbridge Community College. I was fortunate to meet Joyce Deandra from the Nursing faculty, and she was very supportive and provided encouragement. Years later, I became part of the NESA program advisory committee as a Blood Tribe Department of Health nursing representative, which allowed me to participate in the program curriculum, practicum placement and student nursing mentorship.”

1991

Doug Barker Municipal Recreation Management and Recreation Facility Management Doug let us know what he has been up to since his Lethbridge College days. “After graduating, I took a job as economic development officer in Saskatchewan for a rural development company. In 1998, as part of my position, we created an agricultural business to grow seed potatoes under irrigation in the Lake Diefenbaker area of Saskatchewan and marketed them into the U.S. and Mexico.

In 2003, I returned to a company I worked with in 1979, Park Derochie Inc. based out of Edmonton, working predominantly in the oil and gas sector. The role I had was business development and project management. In 2010, Park Derochie expanded into Saskatoon and I became a part owner and general manager. In 2015, I took the position of president, and we have now expanded into Regina and Manitoba. Our company has locations in Surrey, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Sarnia, and in the U.S. in Houston, Tex., and Cushing, Okla.”

1987

Lorne Blumhagen Law Enforcement student Lorne Blumhagen’s title is Chief of Police – a lofty recognition one achieves by always looking for the next challenge or opportunity. That’s been a constant theme throughout more than 30 years in policing. Lorne, who was one of five alumni featured in Lethbridge Herald articles celebrating 50 years of policing education at the college, began his career as an RCMP auxiliary constable 57

Where are they now?

Former Kodiak to represent Canada at Tokyo Paralympics

Former General Studies

student Payden Olsen was part of the gold-medal winning women’s sitting volleyball team that earned a berth to the Tokyo Paralympic Games at a qualifying tournament in Halifax in February. The team beat Slovenia, Germany, Ukraine and Finland to secure one of the eight spots vying for gold in Japan at the Paralympics, which have been rescheduled to 2021.

Olsen, who is from Cardston, was the “newcomer of the year” in her first season on the Kodiaks women’s soccer team in 2018 and was expected to be a key defender in her second season. However, she lost her right foot in a lawn mower accident in the summer of 2019. After the accident, an athlete on Canada’s sitting volleyball team reached out to Olsen to encourage her to shift her focus from the field to the court, and she’s been playing sitting volleyball ever since. Sitting volleyball uses the same pass, set and hit format as the Olympic game but with a smaller court and lower net.

This will be the second appearance at the Paralympic games for Team Canada, which placed seventh in Rio four years ago.

ALUMNI IN THIS ISSUE 60 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 30 19 25 25 25 13 60 46 46 60

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Connor Ahluwalia (Primary Care Paramedic 2020) Jon Bateman (General Studies – Sociology and Psychology 2020) Heather Boychuk (Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology 2020) River Daniel Del Corro (General Studies 2020) Parker Dunn (Business Administration – Accounting 2020) Meghan Fletcher (Educational Assistant 2020) Miranda Hubbard (Multimedia Production 2020) Luiz Madeira (Bachelor of Ecosystem Management 2020) Kat Matheson (Culinary Apprentice 2016) Mike McCready (Multimedia Production 1999) Brandon Palmer (Business Administration 2020) Donna Sato (Multimedia Production 2020) Austin Simek (Health Care Aide 2020) Deanna Dotts Simpson (General Studies 2015) Martina Van Pelt (NESA student, third year) Shaylene Wall (General Studies 2000) Brad Wall (General Studies 1997-98) Zachary Wigand (General Studies student 2019)

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before he switched course and completed recruit training with the Edmonton Police Service. He joined his hometown Camrose Police Service in 1992, eventually being promoted to sergeant in 2005. Following more than 20 years in Camrose, Lorne embraced a new challenge in 2014, joining the Lacombe Police Service. In 2016, he was named acting chief, before assuming the full-time position as Chief of Police in 2017. He remains actively involved in a variety of provincial initiatives, and he takes a special pride in his role as part of the Mental Health Police Advisory Committee. After more than 30 years in policing, Lorne says it’s the people he’s met along the way who leave the strongest impression. He remains close with colleagues from the RCMP, Camrose Police and Edmonton Police Services, and fondly remembers his beginnings in Lethbridge.

1975

Ron Valin Law Enforcement Ron Valin, who had a decorated 25-year career with the Lethbridge Police Service, was one of five alumni featured in Lethbridge Herald articles celebrating 50 years of policing education at the college.

In the article, Ron said instructors such as Ken Riley and Bob Harrison made a lasting impression on him, and that he admired how they both had entered the education field following successful careers in law enforcement and had high expectations for their students. One of his career highlights was working a case that led to the first successful rape conviction using DNA evidence in Western Canada. Ron served with LPS until his retirement in 2000. After 25 years of dedicated service, he retired with the rank of sergeant and head of the Criminal Intelligence Division. “Law enforcement and the overall work of stopping the progress of the criminal element, was a considerable responsibility,” Ron said. “However, the reward was knowing that I played a role, for a very long time, in ensuring the safety of our community and its residents.”

FAMILIES IN FOCUS

The STEF Family The story of the Stef family at Lethbridge College is a love story.

It started at Grant MacEwan University (then Grant MacEwan Community College) in Edmonton in the early 1990s when Ryan Stef met Ty Carlson in a political science class they were both enrolled in. The rest, as they say, is history.

“She had already started her nursing diploma and wanted to finish it in Lethbridge,” Ryan says. “I basically followed her down here and we both ended up at Lethbridge College.”

While Ryan studied Criminal Justice and Ty Nursing, the young couple also made their mark as members of Kodiaks Athletics. Ryan was part of the men’s basketball squad that captured the provincial ACAC title in 1993-94, while Ty ran for the cross country team. The Stef legacy continues today: Ryan and Ty’s sons, Jett and Steele, have both made a mark on the Kodiaks hardwood, with both of them suiting up for the men’s basketball team this past season. “It’s nice that they’re both close to home and it’s always super nostalgic whenever we go to watch a game at the gym,” says Ryan.

Ryan has been with the Lethbridge Police Service for 23 years, serving as a patrol officer, K9 handler and detective in the Violent Crimes Unit. The CBC true crime series, The Detectives, recently featured him in an episode focusing on the LPS’s investigation into the 2016 murder of 78-year-old Irene Carter.

Currently he’s the sergeant in charge of the training unit.

Ty came back to Lethbridge College to work as an instructor from 2011 to 2016. She continues to work as a registered nurse with Alberta Health Services in the psychiatric and medicalsurgical units at Chinook Regional hospital.

“We’re really proud to have the boys follow in our footsteps,” says Ryan. “For me, the lessons I learned and the connections I made [at Lethbridge College] have always stayed with me.”

He adds that he still appreciates the work of his instructors in the CJ program. “They took a personal interest in me, would come to basketball games to show support and when I was going through the hiring competitions of several police departments, one of them had me over to his home to talk with his daughter who was at the time working in recruiting with Calgary Police,” he says. “Those connections and one-on-one care from many college instructors meant the world to me and assisted me in gaining career opportunities.”

Story by Jeremy Franchuk | Photo submitted

Ryan Stef Criminal Justice 1995 Ty Carlson Stef Nursing 1994 Jett Stef General Studies – Psychology and Sociology 2019 Steele Stef General Studies student

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.

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The last word

THE LAST WORD

Illustrated

by Eric Dyck

For Nursing and Primary Care Paramedic students, the Simulated Patient Health Environment for Research and Education (SPHERE) lab is a place to put theory into practice. This essential life-like learning is made more memorable with support from some of the 151 volunteers, who help bring simulations to life. Here’s what a few if them had to say about the experience:

Before my first experience volunteering with SPHERE in their mass casualty scenario was over, I felt personally known and welcomed. A SPHERE team member who I had never met before called me by name, asked how I felt about the experience, and then told me SPHERE would contact me in time for the next mass casualty scenario since I enjoyed it so much. And they did. I had never before known a group of individuals as deeply committed to their community as the SPHERE team was. Their investment in my personal and professional growth has been invaluable to me, the benefits of which I am still utilizing and discovering today.

Martina Van Pelt

Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta Bachelor of Nursing program, third year

The SPHERE team has given me and many other students opportunities for growth and education at every turn, and they are always trying to bring in new best practices and empower students through simulated environments to help them understand and apply such best practices. The team worked with me on bringing 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity into the classroom, correctly realizing that sometimes it only takes small actions to make large scale rippling changes and giving me the confidence, encouragement, and platform to help make those small changes around campus.

Zachary Wigand

General Studies student 2019

SPHERE turned into a passion of mine and helped mould me into the practitioner that I am becoming. One of my favourite memories from SPHERE is when they would put on our Primary Care Paramedic scenarios. I remember the first time doing one of them, thinking to myself how cool this is, how great of practice it is and how much effort that went into them. I also enjoyed participating in the Health Care Aide blitz, where the Health Care Aide students do scenarios all day. SPHERE taught me so much – especially about respect for other health care practitioners and the challenges they face.

Connor Ahluwalia

Primary Care Paramedic 2020

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The last word is yours...

Start your engines!

Are you an Automotives grad who feels at home under the hood of a car? Do you have good stories to share about how you went from novice to expert when it comes to solving automotive problems? Send us the story (150 words max) of your most memorable experiences in the automotives lab at Lethbridge College, and we’ll share your story of your memories with readers in our Fall issue. Just email WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

You can also share your stories socially by tagging @LethCollege and #LastWordLC. We can’t wait to read your submissions!

READY FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT To the Class of 2020: You are the next generation of leaders, thinkers and doers who have the determination, grit, good humour and skills needed to make the world and your community a better place.

Your dedicated instructors, the staff members who always smiled as they passed you in the hall, the alumni who paved the way for you, the industry partners who offered you practicum experiences, and the many, many friends of the college join together in one voice to share this message with you:

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU DO NEXT. WE KNOW YOU ARE READY.