DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT

For Mike McCready, the college’s Multimedia Production program unleashed both his love of learning and an intense curiosity to explore technology. In the years since, he’s broken new ground in virtual and augmented reality for a tech-interested audience around the world.

After graduation, Mike went on to earn a Bachelor of Professional Arts – Communications Studies from Athabasca University. He returned to the college to work in 2008, where he eventually was named the college’s first social media strategist, and in 2015, he started teaching in the Multimedia Production program. Once again, he was able to apply his love of learning and technology to create two more firsts for the college: teaching basic virtual reality (VR) game design; and helping to plan Merging Realities, the world’s first conference held in VR.

Mike was then asked to lead the college’s research activities related to VR and AR. Since his appointment, he has been able to help secure more than $3.5 million in grants and partnerships and help establish the Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) Centre. His thirst for knowledge and exploration of new technologies continues to thrive and led Mike to pursue a research master’s degree in VR from the University of Kent. While the Career Virtuoso Award recognizes Mike’s already significant contributions to the field, it seems likely his passion for this work will continue to drive even more accomplishments.

Cassidy Yaroslawsky

Business Administration 2018, Communication Arts 2014 Cassidy sent the Alumni office this update: “Since graduating from Lethbridge College, I’ve found my niche working in libraries. My specific job title within them has changed a few times, but most recently I landed a position with the Chinook Arch Regional Library System headquartered in Lethbridge. I’m their ‘digital navigator,’ so I travel all throughout 31 libraries in the region teaching digital skills like cloud computing, online privacy and introduction to computers and mobile devices. The goal of the program is to make Albertans feel more empowered to participate in the digital economy and to use the internet safely. I’m glad my time at Lethbridge College allowed me to gain such a wide range of skills to bring to my position.”

2017 Keiran Bodner

General Arts and Science –Psychology and Sociology

Keiran was a named a Shining Student at the University of Lethbridge in March, celebrated for engaging inside and outside of the classroom and for sharing a passion for learning. In an online story, he described how he took advantage of all opportunities to engage in research while at the university, saying “getting involved in research is possibly the best decision I have made in my education.”

2016

Robert Findlay Business Administration –Marketing

Robert is a partner at Osmond Findlay and Associates Private Wealth Management, and also volunteers as a junior high and high school basketball coach.

2014

Stacey Andrews

Communication Arts

Stacey sent the Alumni office this update: “After graduating from Lethbridge College, I went on to pursue a diploma in digital photography in Kelowna. I worked for a year at CedarCreek Estate Winery, but was craving a change, a big change! I spent the next year travelling to over 55 countries and working abroad on cruise ships as a photographer. However, that shut down in the pandemic and I returned to Canada. My fiancé, however, was on the other end of the globe in his home in Mumbai, India. During this crazy time, I eventually was granted a visa to fly there and spent 1.5 years in India! Best time of my life!

“I returned to Lethbridge last year and my husband is now in Canada for the first time as a permanent resident. It’s been a crazy rollercoaster, but an amazing journey that continues to surprise us. I’m working in the marketing field now.”

2013 Mitchell Baker Exercise Science

Mitchell earned a teaching degree and is now teaching Physical Education and Math at Kainai High School.

2012 Royal Adkin

Professional Golf Management Royal was a featured grad in a University of Lethbridge web story in March. Before earning his Bachelor of Management degree in 2018, he served on the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union as vice president – student affairs and vice president – operations and finance. He is currently working at the university as an Indigenous student advisor, where he enjoys connecting Indigenous students with resources and helping to elevate their cultural experiences on campus. He says: “The best part of my job is being able to work directly with undergraduates. Post-secondary should be one of the best times in a person’s life as they work towards self-actualization. I’m just happy to be a part of that journey for current students.”

Kevin Farrell

Communication Arts

Kevin is the Marketing, Communications and Policy Manager at the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. He told the Alumni office: “I have successfully argued for policies that have created change on the local, provincial and federal levels. I am also a small business owner and partner in Pure Power Wrestling, the only independent professional wrestling promotion in Western Canada to run a major arena without the backing of a sports franchise. I have travelled to Mexico to learn the art of Lucha Libre and wrestled in legendary Mexican venues as well as on TV across Latin America.”

Breanna

Seeman

Early Childhood Education

Breanna was featured in a January article in the Claresholm Local Press, celebrating her work at Learn-A-Lot Playschool, which she described as “exciting, hard, challenging, fun and so much more.” The article describes how Breanna grew up in Claresholm and came to the college after attending the University of Lethbridge and working at a day care.

2010

Mike McKinnon

Communication Arts

Mike started working as a senior consultant for Western Canada for Enterprise Canada in December. Before that, he had worked in communications for the governments of British Columbia and Alberta as well as for Global News and other media outlets.

2009

Dan Grummett

Communication Arts – Broadcasting

After 14 years in broadcasting, Dan moved to a new position as a communications specialist with the Government of Alberta in February. He now works as a primary internal news reporter for Alberta Public Service. After graduation, Dan had worked for Rawlco Radio before moving on to work in a variety of positions for both Global News and CTV News. In a post announcing his move on Twitter, he wrote: “I once read that your job shouldn’t be your identity, yet I can’t help but feel I’m giving up part of mine. This industry connected me with incredibly interesting people, made me a witness to many chapters in Canadian history, and took me places I’d otherwise never have gone.” Dan was the 2008 winner of the Troy Reeb Internship.

2006

Matthew Jubelius

Bachelor of Nursing (NESA) 2006, Rising Star Alumni Award 2013

Matthew launched a new business in January called Virtunurse, a virtual health-care program.

2005

Catherine Champagne Justice Studies

Cat told the Alumni office that after graduation, “I worked for Alberta Justice for 13 years in many roles in both Provincial Court and Court of Queen’s Bench as well as instructing for Alberta Justice. After 13 years there, I moved to non-profit and was the executive director of Safe Haven Women’s Shelter Society in Taber for five years. Taking more time for myself and a little less hectic schedule, I am now the external relations director for the YWCA Lethbridge and District.”

2001

Diane Morin

Therapeutic Recreation –Gerontology

Diane told the Alumni office: “I was hired while still in college and I am still at Edith Cavell to this day.”

1998

Karen MacDonald

Joe McFarland

Communication Arts –Broadcast Journalism

Joe was featured in an article in Airdrie Today about his work as the game-day host for the Calgary Hitmen, as well as his occasional work in the same role for the Calgary Roughnecks and Stampeders, and filling in as in-game presenter for the Calgary Flames. In the article, Joe describes his role as being the Scotiabank Saddledome’s “chief noisemaker,” and says his job is to entertain the crowd between stoppages in play and during intermissions, and encourage the home fans to pump up the volume to cheer their team onto victory. After graduating from the college, Joe set out on a 15-year radio journey that took him to Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Calgary, back to Medicine Hat and then to Calgary again from 2005 to 2020. Since then, he has worked as a media relations and communications specialist at the University of Calgary; he is also a co-founder and contributor to Alberta Dugout Stories and host of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

2003

Shawn Hammond

Automotive Service Technician

Shawn has been running his own successful, award-winning automotive repair shop for over 10 years in Lethbridge.

2002

Jeremy Anderson

Criminal Justice – Policing

Jeremy has worked for the RCMP in Saskatchewan for the last 19 years.

Civil Engineering Technology

Karen told the Alumni office: “I’ve been working locally at Pratt and Whitney since I graduated. I started as a production technician and worked my way up to a supervisor position. Along the way, I completed a Bachelor of Technology in Trades and Technology Leadership degree from Thompson Rivers University, and a graduate diploma in Management from Athabasca University. I am working on my MBA from Athabasca University right now.”

Carl Mix

Professional Cooking

Carl works as a firefighter with the City of Lethbridge.

1994

Sandra Davidson

Nursing, Career Virtuoso 2019

Dr. Sandra Davidson was reappointed Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary last year.

Bruce Niznik

Agriculture Technology

Bruce was a featured speaker in a Beef Cattle Research Council webinar in March titled “Keeping Production Data to Improve the Supply Chain.” Bruce farms and ranches 19 kilometres west of Brooks, Alta, in Antelope Creek with his wife Jodi and three daughters. He is the fourth generation on the farm, working alongside his brother, dad and uncle raising Black Angus cattle and crops on irrigated ground. They are also a producer partner with Brandt Lake Wagyu, crossing their Angus genetics with Wagyu. Niznik Farms has proudly won the Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award and, most recently, the Certified Angus Beef Canadian Commitment to Excellence Award.

1987

Terry Whitehead Business Administration –Accounting and Marketing

In March, the University of Lethbridge Senate elected Terry as its 15th chancellor. It is just the second time in the 56-year history of the school that a grad will occupy the role. Currently a managing partner of a Vancouver-based executive search and management consulting firm, Terry has served on the university’s board of governors and been a champion of multiple initiatives over the years through his philanthropic support of the arts, athletics and student food security issues. The chancellor’s primary responsibilities are to chair the University Senate and preside over convocation ceremonies. Terry will be officially installed as chancellor at the University’s Spring Convocation ceremonies in June.

If there’s a genetic sequence that generates a volunteer spirit, you’ll find it in Wayne Elsbett’s DNA. It’s a value he learned early on from his parents and his rural southern Alberta upbringing. He’s volunteered in a wide range of roles including more than two decades in volunteer fire services. You could find him supporting community event planning, Rural Crime Watch, Safe Communities committee, coaching youth soccer, mentoring in 4-H clubs, working with elderly people dealing with mental health and mobility issues, and offering personal care support. He also owns and operates Palliser Triangle Service in Duchess, Alta.

Wayne graduated with honours from Lethbridge College’s Criminal Justice – Policing program in 2021. He found courses dealing with mental health, crisis intervention and conflict resolution especially intriguing and he committed to keep learning about mental health and the effects in our communities. He completed additional courses, including Before Operational Stress (BOS) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certificates. He makes himself available to anyone who needs someone to actively listen non-judgmentally to concerns and he offers guidance to more resources as needed. He works to create a mentally sound community in which everyone can feel welcome and heard.

For his professionalism, perseverance and devotion to an inclusive community, Wayne has been recognized with a Community Leader Award.

Rising Star: Jared Garrick (Business Administration – Marketing 2013)

1982

Merle Fuller

Law Enforcement

Merle sent the Alumni office this update: “I served with the Lethbridge Police for more than 25 years, chaired the Human Resources – Provincial Recruit Selection Standards Committee for 13 years and was the Executive Director for the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police for 12 years. I have been instructing at Lethbridge College since 2005 to the present.” He has earned a Bachelor of Science (University of Great Falls), a Master of Education (University of Lethbridge), a Master of Science (Grand Canyon University), and a PhD (ABD) in organizational psychology from Grand Canyon University.

1979

As Lethbridge College’s Rising Star Award winner, Jared Garrick serves as an example of the value of pursuing your passions. Jared parlayed entrepreneurial knowledge and skills into a business that merges his creativity and his construction skills to create one-of-a-kind public and private spaces. He owns and operates Rovü, a Lethbridge company that offers commercial and residential renovations, general contracting, interior and architectural design, and public art.

The business is unique and award-winning, making its mark in the most visual ways. Public art installations include Lethbridge’s “Together” sculpture on Fifth Street South, a series of interlocking colourful chairs that symbolize community and resulted from Rovü’s collaboration with Toronto-based Punch Clock Metals and a pair of Canadian artists. For CBC, he created largerthan-life, functional headphones that will be featured around Calgary, and were displayed along the red carpet of the 2023 Juno Awards in Edmonton. Working with artist Brendan Browne, Rovü has produced thousands of square feet of murals across southern Alberta in addition to creating Casa’s first spray-paint class.

Jared’s work builds community, not only through structures, but through connections with people. His successful fusion of art and construction will soon see him expand into a retail décor store and a documentary series, among other creative pursuits in southern Alberta and beyond. With so much on the horizon, it’s clear to see why Jared is this year’s Rising Star award recipient.

Rising Star AWARD RECIPIENT

Brenda Pyne

Nursing

Brenda sent the Alumni office this update: “I married an Aggie, worked in nursing in Lethbridge, Taber and Stettler for 15 years while raising our family. I then worked as a library assistant for 18 years, and am now manager at Taber Irrigation Impact Museum, and co-owner in Property Guys Lethbridge franchise with husband D’Arcy.”

Rodney Schmidt

Recreation Management

Rodney told the Alumni office: “After three great years in Lethbridge and southern Alberta, I returned to Regina and was hired by the City of Regina Parks and Recreation Dept. I have now been retired for two years after 41 amazing years with the city. I also had the opportunity to take on leadership roles in many events in Regina, including the 2005 Canada Summer Games, several major concerts at old Mosaic Stadium, the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships, the 2013 JUNO Awards, construction of the new Mosaic Stadium and the 2022 Grey Cup Festival.”