Wider Horizons - Winter 2018

WINTER 2018

COLLEGE CELEBRATES 60 TH AT COULEE FEST IT ALL STARTED WITH ONE FOCUS ON A FOUNDER: JAMES TWA

{ A P U B LI CATION OF LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE }

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Editor’s message

This fall, I got to be a part of what was

one of the most wonderful writing experiences I’ve had during my time at the college – helping put the story of the college’s Blackfoot name down on paper.

I really was more of a scribe than the storyteller. Our Kainai Kaahsinnoonik (Grandparent) Peter Weasel Moccasin gave the name of Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, or Stone Pipe, to the college in a ceremony on Oct. 19 (see page 2). In the Blackfoot tradition, this gift is usually given using just spoken words – but we at the college knew we wanted to preserve the words and the meaning of the name for future generations to know and understand.

So Peter told the story to Marcia Black Water, coordinator of Indigenous Services, a 2004 grad of the college’s General Studies program, and one of his daughters. She passed her notes on to me, and I had the privilege of turning it into the story at right.

We had the cards with this story printed in advance and ready to hand out at the end of the naming ceremony that launched the college’s Indigenous Celebration Day. But the quiet, confident and joyful voice of Peter telling this story in his own words – a story that evokes the image of strength and straight paths, and celebrates promises made with honesty and integrity – still rings in my ears. I am so proud to work at a place that, as our president, Dr. Paula Burns, said, “recognizes the importance of Indigenous education and the vitally important perspectives that the local Indigenous community brings to the work that we do here every day.”

So much of this issue of Wider Horizons seems to be about celebration – the opening of our new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility, the fun and festivities of our 60th anniversary at Coulee Fest, the raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy flag and the receiving of our Blackfoot name. It has been a joyful edition to create, and we hope you find joy and celebration as you read it.

The story of Lethbridge College’s Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan – or stone pipes – are used in sacred ceremonies of the Blackfoot people to make an offering to Iihtsipaatapi’op, the Source of Life. The pipe kept and keeps the Blackfoot people at peace. The offering of a stone pipe can occur between a person and Iihtsipaatapi’op, between two people, or among two groups of people. It is a promise or a peace bond made with the honesty and integrity needed to fulfill the commitment. During the offering of the pipe, everyone involved must uphold and carry out the promises made.

It is not certain where or how the first pipe of the Blackfoot people came to be. Oral stories refer to a dream in which direction was given of which materials to use and where to find them. One of the places the stone used in the pipe is found is near the land where Lethbridge College sits, within the coulees and along the river bottoms that flow into the Old Man and Bow rivers.

In this coulee, a chunk of the ground would be dug up and then broken up on a nearby hard rock to get to the raw stone material within. Once the raw stone was revealed, it would be shaped to a likened form without any cracks.

Next, the stone would be baked and painted with crushed red willow. The pipe stem would be made from ashwood, which is found in Crow territory and is similar to a chokecherry branch.

In a process that requires patience, these two raw materials were then shaped into one. The stone starts out rough and becomes refined. The pipe stem must be made straight and unbreakable, for when formed correctly, it represents a straight path – a good path. Once dry, it is unbreakable. These two pieces together form the stone pipe, which is a connection to Iihtsipaatapi’op and a promise that keeps us together.

Lisa Kozleski Editor

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President in action Campus in season News and notes

{ VO L . 1 1 | I S S U E 2 | W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 }

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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Lethbridge College legacies From our kitchens Office intrigue

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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Where are they now?

It’s a family affair Last look

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

HISTORY MADE: Amid a flurry of sparks as an acetylene torch burned through a specially-fashioned metal ribbon, Lethbridge College’s new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility officially opened with an on-campus celebration on Sept. 27.

20 Waste not, want not: From Moscow to Alberta, Nick Savidov is building sustainability one plant and one fish at a time.

Publisher: Dr. Paula Burns Editor: Lisa Kozleski Design: Dana Woodward Cover photo: Gregory Thiessen Photographers: Rob Olson, Gregory Thiessen Contributors: Belinda Crowson, Jeremy Franchuk, Liz Morgan, Megan Shapka

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Bite into some baklava: Indulge in a pastry fit for a sultan, empress or prince, by creating a tray full of crispy, sweet, nutty baklava.

Last look: Kainai artist Api’soomaahka (Running Coyote) William Singer III’s painting tells the story of how Indigenous people have adapted to a new way of life.

College staff contributors: Brent Bates, Kristy Clark, Leeanne Conrad, Jamin Heller, Paul Kingsmith, Ron Ostepchuk, Jonathan Ruzek, Shawn Salberg, Kasha Thurston Proofreaders: Brenda Brandley, Joanne Briggs, Cathie Carlson, Mary Ann Sorge, Linda Sprinkle

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

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President in action Near the end of the Blackfoot naming ceremony on campus on Oct. 19, Dr. Paula Burns presents Lethbridge College Blackfoot Grandparent Peter Weasel Moccasin with a Pendleton blanket that reflects the college colours. To his right, Shanda Webber, manager of Recruitment and Indigenous Services, prepares to give Weasel Moccasin the buffalo print created by college graphic designer Brent Bates. The gifts were small tokens of thanks for the name Weasel Moccasin gave the college, Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which means Stone Pipe (see the Editor’s message for more details).

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“We are so incredibly grateful to receive this name from our local Blackfoot community,” says Dr. Burns. “We will respect our name with a promise to continue on the straight path to improving the lives of our students and the communities that they call home.” Webber adds: “The naming ceremony recognizes and celebrates the meaningful relationship between the college, which is situated on traditional Blackfoot territory, and the local Blackfoot community. It also solidifies our commitment and responsibility in making Indigenous education a priority.”

Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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Campus in season

Visitors to the third floor of the Cousins Building get a great view of the snow-covered soccer fields, where students take advantage of a wide path shoveled from the Enmax Centre to campus. There were just 24 days of snow last winter, when this photo was taken, making it the 10th driest winter in Lethbridge’s history since recording started in 1907.

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The snowiest winter in Lethbridge’s history occurred in 2005-06, when the city had measurable snow 76 days.

Other especially snowy winters occurred in 1946-47, 1964-65, 1970-71 and 1971-72. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that precipitation and snowfall will be below normal this winter, with the snowiest periods in mid- to late November and mid-March.

Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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News and notes

News and notes

Blackfoot Confederacy flag now permanently flying at college Acknowledging and celebrating its location on the traditional land of

the Blackfoot people, Lethbridge College is proud to permanently fly the Blackfoot Confederacy flag in front of its campus. The flag was unveiled during a traditional ceremony in September.

“It is important to have symbols of what we believe in here at Lethbridge College, and prominently flying the Blackfoot Confederacy flag is a strong visual representation of our values,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “One of our overarching institutional goals is to focus on Indigenous perspectives and education and this is another step towards that commitment.”

The flag serves as a symbolic representation of the college’s commitment to ensuring that its students’ learning journey includes knowledge of the Blackfoot people and the resiliency that continues in generations today. Guided by its Blackfoot Kaahsinnooniiksi (Grandparents) and community members, it is the college’s goal to collaborate respectfully toward a greater knowledge and understanding of the Blackfoot ways.

“We would like to do our part with reconciliation efforts,” says Shanda Webber, Lethbridge College manager of Recruitment and Indigenous Services. “This can be done first by learning from our host Indigenous communities, and further by having a goal to improve the education experience here at Lethbridge College for all of our Indigenous students. The raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy flag permanently on 6

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our campus grounds is one piece to moving forward together.”

Lethbridge College is believed to be the first post-secondary institution to permanently fly the Blackfoot Confederacy flag. Through the symbol of the tipi ring, the flag honours all three Alberta Blackfoot Nations: Blood Tribe/Kainai; Siksika; and Piikani; as well as Montana’s Blackfeet Nation. Found throughout Blackfoot territory, tipi rings are one way to recognize that the Blackfoot people lived on these lands for many years before contact.

“As a member of the Blood Tribe community and Lethbridge College family, the raising of the flag will hold pride, honour and be a reminder that while our Blackfoot grandparents and parents endured a past we cannot even imagine through residential schooling, today’s generations are able to choose any education path they want,” says Marcia Black Water (General Studies 2004), Lethbridge College Indigenous Services coordinator. “It is my hope that in choosing Lethbridge College to get an education or to educate, that all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come to learn what it means when they hear, ‘we are on traditional Blackfoot territory,’ and that they will embrace the gift of knowledge that includes a piece of Blackfoot ways of knowing.”

The Blackfoot Confederacy flag is now visible outside of Lethbridge College’s main entrance, accessible off College Drive S. Story by Paul Kingsmith | Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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.

KODIAKS NEWS

Twelve inducted into new Kodiaks Hall of Fame As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Lethbridge College honored its decorated athletic history with the creation of the Kodiaks Hall of Fame. The inaugural class of 12 inductees was recognized during ceremonies at the Kodiaks basketball and volleyball games in November.

The class of 2017 honoured four outstanding athletes, three foundational coaches and five championship teams from throughout the college’s history. This year’s inductees included:

Athletes • Sharon (Davies) Fogtmann - women’s badminton • Laurie Ann Hockridge – women’s basketball • Kip Kangogo – men’s cross country running • Sai Wong – men’s volleyball Coaches • John Jasiukiewicz – women’s basketball • Alvin Tietz – women’s soccer • Tim Tollestrup – men’s basketball Teams • 1988-89 and 1989-90 women’s basketball • 1988-89 men’s basketball • 1993-94 women’s soccer • 2002-03 women’s cross country running • 2004-05 and 2005-06 cross country running The Kodiaks Hall of Fame is an initiative of the Kodiak Athletics Association, a group of boosters committed to preserving and celebrating the college’s athletic history, while finding opportunities to support current and future Kodiaks student-athletes. Plaques honouring the inductees will be permanently placed on display in the mezzanine area of the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

Thirty-three Kodiaks named CCAA National Scholars Truly putting the “student” in student-athlete, a total of 33 Kodiaks were named CCAA National Scholars in July in recognition of their efforts during the 2016-17 seasons. To qualify for the honour, students need to achieve a GPA of at least 3.3 while performing as an athlete in an official college sport. Every Kodiaks team had at least three athletes achieve National Scholar honours. Proving that athletic excellence and academic success can go hand-in-hand, the undefeated CCAA national champion women’s basketball team led all Kodiaks teams with eight players named National Scholars.

Women’s volleyball was close behind with seven, followed by cross country with six.

Women’s basketball national champions celebrated

The Kodiaks women’s basketball team celebrated its undefeated national championship season on Nov. 4 by unveiling the 2016-17 CCAA championship banner and presenting the coaching staff and players with their championship rings. Former head coach Brad Karren and most of the players from the team were on hand.

tie-breaker to Red Deer College to officially finish fourth. Still, the effort was enough to also qualify for nationals. Evans Korir was the topplacing Kodiaks runner, finishing 11th, while Spencer Jackson and Durell Rots finished 15th and 16th respectively.

Kodiaks men’s soccer returns to conference playoffs After qualifying for the ACAC championship tournament, the Kodiaks men’s soccer team was shocked in the ACAC quarterfinal, surrendering a late 3-1 lead, before losing 4-3 to Concordia in a game decided by penalty kicks.

Kodiaks honour Cherweniuk

Before the start of their ACAC season, the Kodiaks women’s volleyball team paused to honour the life of Emmalee Cherweniuk last fall. Cherweniuk passed away suddenly last spring, following her rookie season with the Kodiaks. With her family on hand, the Kodiaks unveiled a banner in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium that retired her number 15 from use, and also announced the creation of a memorial scholarship in her name.

Nowicki wins Kodiaks medal at ACAC cross bronze at nationals Saving her best effort for the last country championships Rookie runner Sophia Nowicki continued her impressive season, running to a bronze medal and rookie-of-the-year honours at the ACAC cross country championships this fall in Red Deer. Emily Spencer was close behind, finishing in sixth place to help the Kodiaks women’s team to a bronze medal, to qualify for the CCAA national championships on Nov. 10 in Lionel-Groulx Blainville, Que. The Kodiaks men’s team finished tied for third but lost a

race of the season, Lethbridge College Kodiaks rookie sensation Sophia Nowicki earned a CCAA cross country bronze medal in November and was named a CCAA all-Canadian. Racing through the frigid air of the Blainville Equestrian Park in Quebec, she posted a season-best time of 22:01. The women’s team finished sixth overall at nationals, while the men’s team finished 16th.

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News and notes

Stay connected to Lethbridge College all year long by following us online.

Follow us at:

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@lethcollege

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STUDENTS SHINE AT COR VAN RAAY CASE COMPETITION

Lethbridge College students Evan Weir and Gabrielle Kolk were part of the teams that finished in second and third place at the third annual Cor Van Raay Agri-Business Case Competition in November. The event – a unique, first-of-its-kind competition in western Canada – was co-hosted by Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge on both campuses.

The competition is tailored for college and university undergraduate students in a range of disciplines, including Agricultural Studies and Business/Management. This year’s event included 10 local teams made up of four to five students from the college and university, from both ag and business backgrounds.

Most of the competitors met for the first time on the opening night of the event. Other teams participated from the University of Saskatchewan and Lakeland College.

The teams worked together to apply their theoretical knowledge to develop a solution for the chosen case, which this year involved chia seeds and an Australian producer. After analyzing a written case and developing their solutions, they delivered a 15-minute presentation to a panel of judges to demonstrate their acumen in the areas of agribusiness and agriculture. The top three teams were awarded a cash prize. This year, a team from the University of Saskatchewan took first place.

Donations needed for charity art exhibition by Engineering Technologies students Students in the college’s Engineering Technologies programs are eager to begin building and benefitting the community at Canstruction, an annual event where teams make structures entirely out of full cans of food. At the end of the exhibition, all food is donated to the Lethbridge Interfaith Food Bank, which distributes the food across the city, including to the LCSA Food Bank.

The idea of Canstruction was inspired by a group of New York architects who, Sept. 14 : @KimWickwire

Touring with AGGA today. Nick at Lethbridge College showing biochar to polish recycled water { Kim Wickwire }

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in 1922, decided to unite the design, engineering and construction industries by providing art and inspiration to the city as well as canned food to local hunger relief organizations. The events have helped raise over 50 million pounds of food for local foodbanks during the past 25 years.

Lethbridge College Engineering Technologies students have participated in the local Canstruction exhibition for three of the past four years, and they are looking forward to returning to Centre Village Mall to build their can-creation this spring. Donations of cash and cans to support their efforts are welcome and can be dropped off at the LCSA office in Centre Core. The event is open to any team interested in participating; teams can register to participate before Jan. 15 by emailing douglas@bergenassociates.com. The build starts on March 1 and will be displayed through March 29.

BY THE NUMBERS

5,416

Oct. 4 : Lethbridge College

Our institution was born in 1957 and so was Abe Peters, a second year ESL student originally from Durango, Mexico. He stopped by campus this week to celebrate his 60th birthday with us - we hope you had a great one, Abe!

STU DENT ENROLMENT FOR FA L L 2 0 17.

1,300

+

NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AND HEARD THE KEYNOTE SPEECH BY ALUM JOHN VIDALIN (COMMUNICATION ARTS 1991), THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER OF THE NBA’S MIAMI HEAT.

427

NUMBER OF WESTERN CANADIANS WHO ATTENDED THE FALL OPEN HOUSE IN NOVEMBER.

EIGHTY

FIVE

PER CENT OF STUDENTS WHO SAID THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES SUCH AS THE LEARNING CAFÉ, BUCHANAN LIBRARY, STUDY AREAS AND MORE IN A RECENT SURVEY.

HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS

During the past few months, campus was a hub of special events and openings, community gatherings and celebrations. Among the highlights were:

Orange Shirt Day recognized The college once again joined in the nationwide recognition of Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 29, a day that recognizes the legacy of residential schools in Canada, in the spirit of reconciliation, and that every child matters.

New Niitsitapi Gathering Place opens

The area formerly known as the FNMI Services Student Lounge has a new name and a new look. All are welcome to stop by the newly-renovated Niitsitapi Gathering Place in AN1501.

Classic Cruiser campaign wraps up

All summer long, the CJOC Classic Cruiser, co-sponsored by Lethbridge College, toured southern Alberta, giving folks the chance to enter to win the beautiful 1957 Pontiac Super Chief. Jeff Ducharme was drawn as the winner in September.

Pride 2017 celebrated

For the second year, a rainbow-coloured Pride flag flew high over Lethbridge College in June, as the institution celebrated Lethbridge’s 2017 Pride Fest, indicating the college’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Ground broken on final College Home The Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Lethbridge Region (CHBA) and the college celebrated the start of the fifth and final year of The College Home partnership in a groundbreaking ceremony in July. Along with local builder Stranville Living Master Builder, the partners broke ground on the final home to be built by CHBA builder members, suppliers and tradespeople to benefit the new trades and technologies facility at Lethbridge College.

College named to top-50 list in research Lethbridge College has placed among Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges 2017 in November by RE$EARCH Infosource. The college came in at number 41.

Karen Mikado Memorial Award created

The Karen Mikado Practical Nursing Memorial Award has been created to honour the memory of Karen Mikado (Nursing 1993), a talented instructor dedicated to her students’ success, who passed away last spring. For more information, or to donate, contact the Lethbridge College Advancement Office at 403-320-3202 ext. 3457.

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News and notes OUR PEOPLE IN ACTION

Guillermo Aceytuno, a Business Administration student, was named the grand prize winner in the technology stream of the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge held in late spring. Aceytuno, a passionate learner, participated this year for a second time. He represents the type of entrepreneur that the CEC hopes to help.

Dr. Joyce D’Andrea, an instructor in the nursing program at the college and the University of Lethbridge, received the Friend of Health Sciences award from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the university this fall. “Joyce has dedicated her career to nursing education,” says Dr. Chris Hosgood, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. At both institutions, “she has supported and mentored generations of students over a nursing career of five decades.”

Stephen Graham, an instructor in the Computer Information Technology program, earned his Master of Science (with merit) degree in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh this fall.

Stephen spent 2016-17 in Scotland and brings back enthusiasm for his subject area, contacts with experts in the field and a very strong sense of appreciation for being able to take this on with college support.

Dr. Christopher Grignard, General Studies instructor, traveled to Fort Benton, Mont., this summer with two Elders from Red Crow Community College to gain firsthand knowledge of a place of historical significance to the local Indigenous population. Grignard and members of Red Crow’s Eminent Scholar Program are building on their partnership in an effort to create a timeline of events for Blackfoot history that will be used to inform curriculum both here at Lethbridge College and at Red Crow Community College.

Paul Kingsmith, Lethbridge College’s communications specialist, was named one of four SimpsonScarborough Scholars by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in the summer.

As one of this year’s scholars, Kingsmith received free attendance at the Summer Institute for Communications and Marketing, CASE’s flagship training program for newcomers to the communications and marketing field, which was held in July at Boston University.

Chef Doug Overes, chair of the Culinary Careers program, has added another accolade to his list – one that came from closer to home. Chef Doug was named to the Palliser School District Wall of Fame in a ceremony held in late August. Overes attended Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale, before moving on to graduate from Lethbridge College.

Sept. 14 : ashleycesar

@lethcollege NESA/PN students volunteering to help with @GBProbeSchool Back to School BBQ.

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DOLLARS AND SENSE

$176,000

Raised at the 27th annual Clayton Allan Wine Auction in November. Funds raised went to support future changes in the Andrews Building (including Culinary).

$107,000

Empire Homes, a high-end, low-volume, custom home builder based in Lethbridge, along with its suppliers, tradespeople and building team, announced this donation to the college as part of The College Home partnership in October.

$720,868

Total amount The College Home project has raised in its first four years in this unique partnership between the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Lethbridge Region and the college.

$65,000

Participants in the college’s 34th annual golf tournament far surpassed the organizing committee’s ambitious goal of raising $60,000 for the college’s 60th anniversary.

The proceeds support new student awards.

$365,000

Thanks to new provincial funding announced on campus in September, these funds will provide increased access to mental health support for students through March 2019.

$50,000

The Centre for Applied Research and Innovation secured this grant to work toward developing a zero-waste food production platform based on microfiltration and nutrient recycling designed to provide the highest yield output for a vertical farming aquaponics system in a greenhouse space.

LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE LEGACIES

Go, Kodiaks!

Choosing the best name for a school sports mascot or team name is not easy. From the earliest days, sports were an essential part of the Lethbridge College experience, so leaders wanted something that would be respected and that could build school spirit. It also didn’t hurt if they could use the name to lightly poke fun at their competition.

When the Lethbridge College men’s basketball team of 1960-61 was looking for a name, they noted that the University of Alberta team was the Golden Bears. Lethbridge chose the name Kodiaks as they “wanted a bear larger than the U of A’s mascot.” The Kodiak is one of the two largest bears today (the other being the polar bear).

It is a strong name and one that has been used by the men’s teams at the college for the past 57 years.

It took much longer for the name to be adopted by the women’s teams. The first women’s basketball team at the college was formed in 1959. The women’s teams at the college have gone by a few names including the Cubs, Bobkittens, Kittens, Koalas, and, from 1977 to 1985, the Kodiettes. In October 1985, the women adopted the name Kodiaks as well.

Whatever the name, both the men’s and women’s teams (in various sports) have had incredible success winning 57 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championships, as well as 12 national championships.

Some of the types of sports and teams have changed over the years and new ones have been added to the roster.

Basketball and volleyball have remained strong. Soccer, cross country and indoor track (to name a few) have been created in the last few decades.

Other sports have come and gone. The college had a hockey team in the late 1960s, while in the early 1970s there were both equestrian and drill teams at the college. There was also a snowmobile demonstration team in the early 1970s.

Story by Belinda Crowson, Galt Museum and Archives, with many thanks to Dave McMurray for all the great information on the Kodiaks.

Photos from Lethbridge College archives

If you have memories of your time with one of the college’s teams, we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca, or post it on our social media networks. We can’t wait to hear the Kodiaks memories you have to share.

/LethbridgeCollege

/LCKodiaks

@lethcollege

@LC_Kodiaks

@lethcollege

lc_kodiaks

lethcollege

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HISTORY

MADE Largest construction project in Lethbridge College histor y comes to

completion as new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility opens Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson

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Amid a flurry of sparks as an acetylene torch burned

through a specially-fashioned metal ribbon, Lethbridge College’s new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility officially opened with an on-campus celebration on Sept. 27.

The new facility completes the largest construction project in the college’s history, a three-and-a-half-year endeavour that has created the largest trades training facility south of Calgary. The completed building, which includes the first phase that opened in September 2015, measures 168,812 square feet, cost $70.7 million and provides state-of-the-art training opportunities for students in a variety of skilled trades and technologies programming.

“The grand opening was the culmination of a lot of planning, foresight and effort by many groups to fill a need in southern Alberta that will positively affect our college and the local economy for generations to

come,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “The building itself is beautiful and has already become a showcase piece on campus, but the practical applications and technological benefits that it will provide to students are the most exciting parts of this project.”

Inset above: MLA Maria Fitzpatrick, LCSA President Arthur Torres, Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns, and Lethbridge College Board Chair Kristin Ailsby all spoke of the excitement and opportunity the new building would provide during the official opening ceremony.

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The college broke ground in October 2015 on the second phase of the facility, which houses students in the Wind Turbine Technician, Electrician Apprenticeship Training, Welder Apprenticeship Training, Plumber Apprenticeship Training, Engineering Technologies, and Interior Design Technology programs. The first students moved into the facility in late August after a concerted effort by Lethbridge College’s Facilities Management department, college faculty and staff, and construction management company Stuart Olson to complete the project on time and on budget.

Financing for the project came from the Province of Alberta, internal college funding and contributions from the Possibilities are Endless campaign, which raised

Inset above: A sculpture titled Creators, Educators, Innovators was unveiled during the opening celebration. Jeremy Lauzon, Jonathan Legg and Leon Wensmann were lead artists on the project and were assisted by Lorne Hammond, Cal and Daniel Koskowich, Ron Papp, Jordan Shapka, Kiri Stolz and Tyler Wall.

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$27.8 million for college projects, including the new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility.

“We are so thankful for the many partners who contributed to this facility through our very successful capital campaign,” says Burns. “You’ll notice that many of the classrooms, labs and workshops carry the names of our partners. This is not only a thank you to them for their donations, but also a commitment to continue to build on those partnerships to create opportunities for our students that will positively benefit all of us.”

The building is on pace to receive a high LEED certification for its environmentally-friendly construction. Diamond Schmitt Architects, in association with Sahuri + Partners, designed the facility and Stuart Olson oversaw the construction. Scores of Lethbridge College alumni worked for these companies as well as the dozens of local contractors and trades involved with the project since its ground-breaking in April 2014. The event concluded with the unveiling of a collaborative piece of art that captures the proud history and inspiring future of trades and technologies training at Lethbridge College. Titled Creators, Educators, Innovators, the sculpture was created by a talented group of college employees and partners who designed, shaped, fabricated and installed this piece as a way of celebrating the official opening.

“With its focus on cutting-edge technology and applied research, the new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility not only fits the needs of the students of today but also the evolving needs of the future.� { Maria Fitzpatrick, Lethbridge East MLA, Government of Alberta }

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Construction on the entire project ran from April 2014 to August 2017 • Phase one groundbreaking was in April 2014 and completed in September 2015 • Phase two groundbreaking was in October 2015 and completed in September 2017

The total construction cost was $70.7 million

Construction used 30.56 per cent of material from regional sources • Construction used 21.64 per cent of recycled materials • Over 80 per cent of construction waste was diverted from the landfill

Three members of the Slomp family (see p. 43) used an acetylene torch to perform the metal ribbon cutting at the official opening of the new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility.

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The facility prioritizes space for student learning • 72 per cent of the square footage is dedicated to shops, labs and related support • 14 per cent of the square footage is dedicated to lecture, classroom and seminar space

The facility houses students from 10 programs • Phase one includes programs within the Crooks School

of Transportation, including the Automotive Service Technician, Parts Technician, and Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician apprenticeship training programs.

• Phase two houses the Wind Turbine Technician, Electrician Apprenticeship Training, Welder Apprenticeship Training, Engineering Technologies, and Interior Design Technology programs, along with classroom space for the Plumber Apprenticeship Training program.

“I am sure that this building and the learning happening here will help the college achieve a higher recognition within the world of post-secondary education, not only in Alberta, but also throughout Canada. This facility is the future, and it supports the foundational growth not only of the college but also the city of Lethbridge. � { Arthur Torres, president, Lethbridge College Students’ Association }

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for the community Lethbridge College’s 60 th birthday party brought more than 2,000 revelers to campus for a day of free fun and celebration.

Coulee Fest, which was held on Sept. 23, brought students, alumni, current and retired employees, government officials, donors, prospective students, neighbours and the greater Lethbridge community to campus to celebrate the college’s history and get a glimpse of what the next 60 years has in store.

The day started with the opening of the college’s new Founders’ Square (see story on page 28) and then shifted into full-party mode with live music, beer gardens, a kids’ zone including a petting zoo, food vendors, program exhibits, a street market, tours of campus and more.

Volunteers handed out 200 “swag bags” in the first seven minutes and 500 Lethbridge College

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lanyards in the first two hours, and then took 85 people on campus tours. In the beer gardens, visitors consumed 600 cans of beer – including some with specially-designed Kodiaks Cream Ale labels – and 200 cans of other alcoholic beverages. Three of the food trucks – which had come prepared to feed 750 – ran out of some or all of their products.

“After months of planning, we were thrilled to finally get to celebrate with our community,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “We are proud of our standing as Canada’s first publicly-funded community college, and we wanted to throw a party to mark the moment and say thank you to everyone in southern Alberta who has supported us over the last 60 years.”

Talks are underway about making the celebration an annual event. Stay tuned to future issues of Wider Horizons for details, and thanks to all who came to make the event what many called the best 60th birthday party ever.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson

A memorable way to mark 60 years

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, WANT NOT F

rom Moscow to Alberta, from basic scientist to applied researcher, from aquaponics skeptic to champion of the cause, Nick Savidov has proven adept at navigating changing circumstances to end up right where he wants to be.

“I think about myself as an extremely lucky person,” says the garrulous senior aquaponics research scientist with Lethbridge College’s Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (ACE). “I’m doing what I like most in my life and if I can help people solve their problems, that is one of the most satisfying activities I can imagine.”

Savidov’s path to Lethbridge began in Russia, where he was born and raised. He attended the Russian State Agrarian University (RSAU-MTTA) in Moscow, one of the oldest universities in the country and one of the few in Europe focusing on agricultural science.

After graduating with M.Sc. and PhD degrees in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, he was invited to continue his studies at Ben Gurion University in Israel. After finishing his degrees there, Savidov was asked to stay on as an instructor, a decision made easier by the changing political tides in his homeland.

“Basically, at that time the Soviet Union was disintegrating and for me it would have been a waste of my life to stay there, so I decided it would be a good idea to emigrate.”

In Israel, Savidov studied plant adaptation to stressors, including drought, salinity or high temperatures, conditions common in the environment 20

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Nick Savidov builds sustainability one plant and one fish at a time.

Senior aquaponics research scientist Nick Savidov works in the campus greenhouse with Penny Takahashi, the centre’s aquaponics technician, near the end of the growing season last fall.

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of the Negev Desert. Savidov describes this period in his life as a fruitful one for him professionally.

After moving to Canada in 1997, he spent five years at the University of Alberta before applying for the role of head greenhouse crops research scientist with Alberta Agriculture’s Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks.

“I applied for the position without much hope because I had only been in Canada for five years and there were many candidates from across Canada, so it was a great surprise [to be selected].”

It was a role that required Savidov to shift his approach to science from a purely academic one to one centred around finding real-world solutions.

“For me, it was a pretty drastic change because, up to then, I had been engaged in fundamental, basic research, he explains. “In Brooks, the main focus of the program was the development of technologies and transferring those to industry.”

In more than a decade with Alberta Agriculture, first in Brooks and later as a senior research scientist at Edmonton’s Crop Diversification Centre North, Savidov pioneered new tools and techniques for commercial use, including introducing a charcoal variant called biochar as a soilless medium for greenhouses and experimenting with liquid chicken manure as a nutrient source for crops.

He also began exploring the growing field of aquaponics, an agricultural method in which fish and plants are cultivated together in an integrated system that can efficiently and safely produce plants year-round.

“I’d be lying if I said I accepted aquaponics right away,” Savidov says. “I was interested in hydroponics.

In hydroponics, you control every input very tightly. In aquaponics, it’s the fish that control everything and I didn’t understand how you could really manage plant growth if you don’t know what you put in the water.”

However, after his experiences with the college’s Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, Savidov overcame his initial skepticism and embraced aquaponics. “With aquaponics, what essentially happens is you are utilizing the same mechanisms that have governed ecosystems for millions of years, so you know that it works,” says Savidov.

“And while that all sounds nice the question is: can it be economically viable to build a business?”

In 2003, Savidov began working closely with ACE researchers at Lethbridge College to answer that question.

As a plant physiologist, Savidov relied on the expertise in fish biology provided by college researcher John Derksen and Alberta Agriculture researcher Dan Watson.

“With aquaponic s, what essentially happens is you are utiliz ing the same mec hanisms that have governed ec osystems for millions of years, so you know that it wor ks.” { Nick Savidov }

In conjunction with ACE, Savidov designed and tested four different generations of systems prototypes for commercial aquaponics. He ultimately developed a fully automated zero-waste aquaponics system that utilized both liquid and solid waste – the first in the world.

The first Canadian commercial aquaponics prototype was tested between 2011 and 2013 by Red Hat Co-operative, one of the largest greenhouse companies in Canada.

Championed by Lorne MacGregor, the college’s director of Applied Research at that time, aquaponics research at ACE grew significantly between 2009 and 2014. In 2012, ACE received its first Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant for aquaponics, followed by a five-year, $2.1 million grant in 2015 to make Integrated Fish and Plant Systems (IFPS) a commercially-viable food production solution. In 2015, Savidov officially joined ACE as the Senior Research Scientist – Aquaponics Program. “[Nick] is an amazing researcher with an unbelievable level of passion and energy,” says Jagvir Singh, director of the college’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation. “He is not only spearheading the NSERC project, but his close national and international connections with the aquaponics industry have been instrumental in establishing some great collaborations with the college.”

Savidov’s path to Lethbridge College began in Russia, where he was born, raised and earned bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees in plant physiology and biochemistry. He came to Canada in 1997 and started at the college in 2015.

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Under Savidov, ACE has expanded its connections with industry, including greenhouse growers and aquaculture operations like Current Prairie Fisherman, a massive fish-farm in Nobleford that has constructed one of the largest aquaponics facilities in the country.

Recently, the college was awarded a new $50,000 grant through a joint Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement/NSERC funding program to work with Aqua Terra Farms in Okotoks to develop a biochar filtration system to remove impurities in the water called total suspended solids (TSS).

Aqua Terra Farms owner Dan Ronald says biochar, unlike other filtration methods like activated charcoal, can capture the solid particles even at the microscopic level.

“We have a very simple filtration system in our operation and it’s not removing enough of the solids,” says Ronald. “We’re trying to remove those particles so they don’t accumulate in the system and cause us problems. We want crystal clear water with just the nutrients flowing through.”

Ronald says working with Savidov and ACE enables Aqua Terra to develop a biochar filtration system, have the results empirically tested and make connections with other industry partners so the system can be commercially scaled and sold.

Savidov adds that the success of such a system would have far-reaching implications for industry.

“If we are successful, the industry gets a good tool to control total suspended solids in the fish effluent they recycle. It means that any fish species could be introduced successfully into aquaponics or aquaculture, making large-scale commercial fish farming of species possible when it would have previously been unsustainable to do so.”

Another area where Savidov and ACE are breaking new ground is in aerobic biodigestion technology, a process in which organic waste is broken down by bacteria into carbon dioxide and minerals available for plants. When integrated with an aquaponics growing operation, it would mean the entire system – fish, plants and bacteria – would generate no waste.

Savidov says such technology could have applications for places where conventional agricultural techniques are impractical or impossible, from remote Indigenous communities to the surface of Mars.

“We’re setting the stage not just for more sustainable agriculture here, but also for space colonization,” says Savidov. “It may sound crazy 24

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“We’re setting the stage not just for more sustainable agriculture here, but also for space colonization.It may sound crazy now, but if you recycle waste, water nutrients, even carbon dioxide, you can use plants and produce food anywhere.” { Nick Savidov }

now, but if you recycle waste, water nutrients, even carbon dioxide, you can use plants and produce food anywhere.”

Savidov’s obvious enthusiasm and vision for the potential of the method has earned him a reputation as a sort of aquaponics guru with a vision of making Lethbridge College a national hub for aquaponics training and education.

“It has been a great experience for me to work with [Savidov],” says Penny Takahashi (Renewable Resource Management 2003), the centre’s aquaponics technician. “I have gleaned a tremendous amount of knowledge and insight from him and he is a rich resource for all of us. It’s been so rewarding to work with him and to be a part of the tremendous progression forward. His work stretches all of us in our areas of expertise.”

Dan Ronald credits Savidov for helping him get Aqua Terra Farms up and running in the first place back in 2009.

“I look up to what he’s done in the industry and sought him out to work with because of his influence,” says Ronald. “A few years ago, there weren’t many people involved in [aquaponics] so finding someone who was scientifically testing these theories and who could provide us with their research was the springboard I needed. It’s great to have someone with his energy and enthusiasm for the whole field willing to work with us and share his knowledge. It’s really been an honour.”

Stories by Jeremy Franchuk | Photos by Rob Olson

NEW CARI DIRECTOR EAGER TO

AND

APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS

G

ood things are growing at Lethbridge College, and Jagvir Singh is looking to make it bloom as a hub for applied research.

Singh joined Lethbridge College as the director of the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation last March. He brings with him extensive experience building partnerships with industry and researchers, first as a scientist with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in India and, most recently, at the University of Alberta’s Research Services Partnerships Team. He’s also a scientist in his own right with a background in nanotechnology.

Central to Singh’s vision for the centre’s future is building on the college’s current strengths in agriculture and sustainable food production, as well as its robust partnerships with industry.

To that end, he says the centre is developing a proposal for the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s College-Industry Innovation Fund. If successful, the proposal could bring in between $2.5 and $3 million in funding and support efforts to build new partnerships with industry and government.

“We are presently brainstorming different ideas among the researchers and deans before finalizing the proposal to put forward a solid application in the spring,” Singh says.

Currently, much of the college’s applied research muscle focuses on the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence and the Mueller Research Chair in Irrigation, the college’s first endowed applied research chair. Long term, Singh also wants to see the college advance research projects in other areas, such as microbiology, early childhood education, and health and wellness.

Singh also wants to find ways to better engage the college’s faculty and staff to create opportunities for these employees – who at a community college don’t have the same research demands or dedicated time for research that their counterparts at a four-year university would have – to create their own research projects. In the end, this collaboration would result in building more capacity for applied research across campus, while providing students and employees with opportunities to work with industry partners to solve the questions applied research projects ask.

“Here, I get to be involved with ever y step, from the inception of an idea to the deliver y of the project.”

“Lethbridge is very rich academically,” Singh says.

Researchers and projects are at a variety of stages of development. “We have those who are just starting to explore research projects, then we have those who are already working in their area who need support to be taken to the next level.

That support comes in various forms and stages, from the writing of the research proposal to identifying potential industry partners or funding opportunities.”

As he settles into his new role, Singh says he looks forward to immersing himself in the college’s applied research efforts.

“In my previous role [with the University of Alberta], I was not always working on the full continuum of a research project,” says Singh. “Here, I get to be involved with every step, from the inception of an idea to the delivery of the project.”

Moving to a smaller community has also meant some adjustments for Singh on a personal level: his wife Geeta has remained in Edmonton for the time being, while his son Harsh has joined him in Lethbridge to attend high school.

He looks forward to having the whole family in Lethbridge as soon as possible.

“I knew almost nothing about Lethbridge before I first came here, but I’ve found the people here are more friendly and approachable and you feel more supported,” Singh says. “It’s a dramatic change, but it’s a positive one and I feel more involved and engaged in the work and community.”

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From our kitchens

If you’d like to indulge in a pastry fit for a sultan, empress or prince, consider creating a tray full of crispy, sweet, nutty baklava.

{ Chef Heng Ng }

BAKLAVA While its exact origins are unclear – Assyrians claim that

they started eating a few layers of thin bread dough with chopped nuts and honey as far back as the 8th century B.C., and Armenians say they’ve been making a similar pastry for 10 centuries – the earliest written references to this sweet treat date back about 600 years. It’s likely that bakers from a variety of different cultures in the Middle East, Central Asia, the Mediterranean and the Balkans all made variations of the sweet dessert for special occasions – and thankfully introduced the perfect concoction of layered buttered phyllo dough, chopped nuts and honey to North America.

While baklava may have a reputation for difficulty, it is surprisingly easy to prepare. Just make sure you have all of your ingredients ready before starting and that the phyllo dough is defrosted before you start (you can defrost it in the refrigerator the night before). It should make for an irresistible treat!

Recipe by Chef Heng Ng | Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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Ingredients For the pastry 1 lb/500 g.........................................................phyllo leaves, defrosted 1 lb/500 g.... ground nuts – walnuts, pistachios, almonds or a mixture 2 oz/60 g...................................................................................... sugar 1 tsp/2 g................................................................................. cinnamon ½ tsp/.5 g........................................................................ground cloves 8 oz/250 g...................... melted butter (or a mixture of butter and oil) For the syrup 12 oz/375 g.................................................................................... sugar 9 oz/280 g.................................................................................... water 4.5 oz/140 g..................................................................................honey 2 strips................................................................................ lemon peel 1 oz/30 g..............................................................................lemon juice 1 .................................................................................... cinnamon stick

Method 1. Mix together the nuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.

2. Unfold the phyllo leaves and keep them covered with a dampened tea towel.

3. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10X15-inch baking pan.

4. Lay one of the phyllo leaves in the bottom of the pan, letting the ends of the dough fold upward at the sides of the pan.

Brush the dough with the melted butter.

5. Repeat until there are 10 buttered sheets in the pan.

6. Place one-third of the nut mixture in the pan and spread it in an even layer.

7. Put in two more phyllo leaves, buttering each as it is placed in the pan.

8. Put in another third of the nuts, another two buttered phyllo leaves, and then the rest of the nuts.

9. Finally, lay each of the remaining leaves in the pan, buttering each, including the top one.

10. There will be excess dough sticking up around the edges of the pan.

With a knife or kitchen scissors, trim it level with the top of the pastry.

11. Chill the pastry to congeal the butter. This will make cutting easier.

12. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Cut the pastry into four rows of six squares, about 2.5 inches on a side. Then cut the squares diagonally to make triangles.

13. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until golden brown.

14. While the baklava is baking, combine the syrup ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, then cool to lukewarm. Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel. Skim off foam, if any formed.

15. When the pastry is baked, pour the warm syrup over the hot baklava.

16. Let the baklava stand overnight so the syrup can be absorbed.

To sample some of the delicious creations from student chefs at Lethbridge College, book a table in the Garden Court Dining Room by calling 403-382-3230. To see a video of this recipe being prepared

by Chef Heng Ng, go to widerhorizons.ca.

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Office intrigue

Indigenous art and artifacts on loan from the Galt Museum displayed in custom millwork to celebrate the college’s history and alignment with Indigenous culture.

Funding for the project came from the college, with the support of the Government of Alberta’s Community Initiatives Program.

Funding for Indigenous displays came from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta’s Canada 150 Fund.

Drum seats with Pendleton wool blanket-style coverings in college colours.

{ Office Intrigue } Founders’ Square with Cherie Reitzel Lethbridge College’s history comes alive in its new Founders’ Square, a space in the heart of campus dedicated to telling the story of the land where the college now sits and honouring the work of the visionaries who brought post-secondary education to southern Alberta.

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Cherie Reitzel, an Interior Design Technology instructor, led the design plan on this collaborative college effort to help envision and create the space as a capstone project that showcased the institution’s lasting legacy as part of the college’s 60th anniversary events in 2017.

Suspended LED pendant lighting fixtures.

Timeline of the college’s history on 20 circular plaques.

Visual design metaphors throughout to represent the coulees (see how many you can find).

The space opened officially just before the start of Coulee Fest in September, and has quickly become a favourite campus destination for students and staff. “Founders’ Square is the spatial embodiment of everything the college represents,” says Reitzel. “From the land to the people, the

Comfortable lounge seating. Charging stations throughout for laptops and devices.

past to the future, it is a marriage of time and culture – a place of significance and honour. It has been my greatest honour to be a part of such a momentous project.”

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rob Olson

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FOCUS ON A FOUNDER

IT ALL STARTED

WITH ONE It all started with one – one dream, one prairie landscape and one building.

And Lethbridge Junior College’s trades and technologies

programming started in 1957 with one student taking one trade.

But like any start, there’s a risk of a stop. The apprenticeship board in Alberta was reluctant to certify new programs at the time, and that one student with his uncertified new skills walked away unrewarded.

So college trailblazers tried again and efforts turned tangible when, in the fall of 1964, the first director of vocational education, James Twa, was given the go-ahead to run first-year apprenticeships for Motor Mechanics, Welding and Appliance Service.

Momentum built. They opened a school of technology and added second-year apprenticeships. They innovated, invented and gambled. It was, as some described it, “courage with a bit of recklessness.” And it worked. Industry started partnering with the college and students began working alongside industry, interacting with innovative design first-hand and in real time.

With expanding programs and the encouragement of an oil boom, Lethbridge College opened the trades and technology building in 1983 and started equipping students from 20 programs with expertise. Programming growth paralleled the growth in technology. Hand tools became automated, and time-intense labour gave way

to new efficiencies. Students started working with computers, software and smart technology. Today, technology like 3D visualization and virtual reality immerse students in experiential training like never before.

Now, visitors and students can come to a building that will change the city, region and province’s economic landscape. When they do, they will be surrounded by the most technologically-advanced, environmentally-friendly trades and technologies training space in southern Alberta.

That building is 168,812 square feet with 24.1 miles of in-floor heating pipe, 6,800 square feet of glazing, 62,100 exterior bricks, 168 light tubes, 20.4 miles of IT cable and 11 Big Ass fans (yeah, that’s what they’re called). The new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility was designed to use 30 per cent of materials from regional sources and 21 per cent recycled materials. Over 80 per cent of the waste from the construction project has been diverted from the landfills.

The facility houses eight trades programs and four technology program areas. A total of 880 additional students will walk these college halls each year because of this building and its people.

And they mean nothing unless we go back to one –a visionary here, an advocate there, a faculty member who dismisses the number on a clock to give hands-on help to a student, an industry partner who sees unbridled potential in the young people in her community, or a student who entrusts us with his future. A donor who gives and passes on a legacy. Because buildings mean nothing unless they’re filled. And one by one, the people of Lethbridge College, their partners, their community members, have been filling this region of Alberta with a spirit of ingenuity and inventiveness.

Story by Elisabeth Morgan | Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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As the enthusiastic crowd obser ved walking through the new facility for the first time, buildings mean nothing unless they’re filled.

See the video that inspired this story at learn.lc/startedwithone

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FOCUS ON A FOUNDER

The opening of Lethbridge College’s new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility to students this past fall represented more than just the largest expansion in the institution’s histor y. It’s the ultimate fulfillment of one man’s vision of Lethbridge College as a leading centre for vocational Story by Dave McMurray

and technical education, a vision more than 50 years in the making.

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BUILDING A

LEGACY Dr. James Twa established college’s foundation in vocational and technical education

In December 1961, Dr. James (Jim) Twa was appointed the

first-ever director of Vocational Education for what was then called Lethbridge Junior College. But long before that, Twa, who passed away in 2013, was a young man looking for a way out of the hardscrabble life on a small prairie farm.

“He was definitely someone who was a product of the Great Depression,” recalls his daughter Denise Wall (Agriculture Technology 1983). “He grew up near Talbot (just under 200 km east of Red Deer) where my grandpa had a small farm. He was one of the lucky ones who didn’t lose his tractor and that’s where [Jim] learned to fix things.”

Even in those early days, education asserted a strong hold on Twa, as it would throughout his life and career.

“He came from a poor family and he and his older sister were the only ones who finished their Grade 12,” says Wall.

“They would ride a horse bareback for four miles spring, fall, winter just to get to school.”

After finishing high school in 1946, Twa moved to the tiny hamlet of Craigmyle where he started his career. He was just 17 years old. “He used to talk about meeting the superintendent of the school, who wanted to know where the teacher was and my dad had to try very hard to convince the superintendent he WAS the teacher,” laughs Wall.

Over the next few years, Twa continued his teaching career as well as his own education, receiving a bachelor of education from the University of Alberta in 1957.

In 1961, while working as a shop teacher for Lethbridge public schools, he applied, and was hired, for the position of director of Vocational Services with the fledgling Lethbridge

Junior College. His role would be to develop and administer the programs to fill the new vocational area of the four-year-old college. Twa toured other junior colleges in Canada and the United States for ideas and inspiration and put together advisory committees to build partnerships between the school and the industries who would depend on college grads to fill their ranks.

According to the history of the college written in 1992, when Twa was hired, “he was expected to do everything that was going to be done in technical and vocational education in the college, but no one really knew what that was going to be. …Twa was later to say that if he had known what the task was, he would have said it was impossible. …There was no Canadian model to follow, no legislation to cover what they were doing, but the board and Twa were willing to gamble, inventing and innovating as they went along.”

“He was expected to do ever ything that was going to be done in technical and vocational education in the college, but no one really knew what that was going to be.”

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FOCUS ON A FOUNDER

In September 1963, classes for the new vocationaltechnical school began with 10 faculty and 145 students enrolled in areas including automotive repair, radio/ television technician, welding, sheet metal, commercial cooking, electrical and secretarial. Within five years, he worked to more than double the number of faculty and students in the vocational section, which, as stated in the faculty tribute when he was nominated to the Lethbridge College Hall of Fame, “placed the Technical-Vocational Section in a strong position when the University of Lethbridge was established in 1967. Without this position, the absorption and eventual demise of Lethbridge Junior College would have been a very real possibility. We are indebted more than we realize to Jim Twa for the present, vibrant college we all know today.”

For Twa, an education in the trades was an effective alternative to an academic university education for some students. “Education was a pathway for him,” says Wall.

“For him, I think he saw education as a way off the farm and out of poverty and he really believed in it for his students and [his own children]. He’s the guy who would come home every day to give us a word of the day to increase our vocabulary.”

Twa built the new program during those early years at the college, eventually served as acting president of the college in 1967 and vice-president in 1967-68. He left the institution in 1968 to pursue his PhD at the University of Oregon, and returned with his family to Lethbridge in 1970 where he continued his career as a professor in the Faculty of Education at the newly-created University of Lethbridge. “He was the kind of guy who was the salt of the earth,” says Wall. “If you met him, you wouldn’t have known he was a professor, he never had that air. He didn’t like people calling him Dr. Twa. He preferred to be referred to as Jim as it didn’t separate him from his students.”

“If you met him, you wouldn’t have known he was a professor, he never had that air. He didn’t like people calling him Dr. Twa, he thought that was way above him.” { Denise Wall }

In 1986, after more than 40 years away from a farm, Twa returned to his roots, retiring to a small hobby farm near Raymond. “He would always be tinkering with things on the farm,” recalls Wall. “A tractor would die but instead of buying a part he’d improvise his own. He had such a mechanical mind, he should have been an engineer.”

Twa was inducted into the Lethbridge College Hall of Fame in 1989. While he lived out his retirement, his family followed in his footsteps in higher education. Wall graduated in 1983 from what was then called Lethbridge Community College in the Agricultural Technology program and later went on to get her education degree at the U of L. In turn, all three of Wall’s own children have gone on to post-secondary education, with daughter Jesse graduating from Lethbridge College with a diploma in Business Administration – Accounting in 2011.

“Education was extremely valued in our household by my family, and that definitely stemmed from my grandfather as he ingrained that into his children as well,” says Jesse Wall. “I was always under the impression that I needed to go to either college or university after high school and that’s what I did. Having both my Grandpa Jim and my mom going through Lethbridge College – they might have biased me a little bit to go to there.”

Wall’s son Murray went into the trades as a sheet metal worker. In a final twist, Murray worked on the construction of the new Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility, the new home for the same programs his grandfather helped build.

Wall says the family remains proud of their connection to Lethbridge College and Jim Twa’s contribution to making the institution what it is today.

“I wish he could have seen [the new building] in his lifetime,” says Wall. “He would have been incredibly proud to see something that he was passionate about become reality in this way.”

Story by Jeremy Franchuk | Photos submitted

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Dr. James Twa In his daughter’s words…

I started at Lethbridge College in October 1981. The Ag Tech program in those days at LCC was only six months long to allow students to help on the farm with seeding and harvesting. Many of the instructors stick in my mind as great mentors. Dr. Gene Keller bought some old cull cows in the fall and we got to do hands-on things like pregnancy testing and AI with them. Darrel Brown impressed upon me that only through financial management of the farm could a person be successful, as a great farmer in the field would fail if he didn’t manage his farm well. This is so true in today’s agriculture. Being hands-on in the classroom was so important for me.

I graduated from the University of Lethbridge, where I obtained my bachelor of education in Physical Sciences in 1989, and I worked as a substitute teacher for the next 23 years. After graduation, I married a farmer whom I farmed with for 15 years until his death in a farm accident.

I became the sole proprietor of the farm and have been successfully farming southeast of Lethbridge for the last 13 years on my own. I raised three children during this time, two of whom attended the college. In 2012, I retired from teaching and am farming full time. I keep in touch with several of my classmates from the college, and I have one in particular who has become a lifelong best friend whom I hike, ride horses and generally hang out with.

Both of my girls have bachelor’s degrees. Jesse, 25, earned hers in management in accounting, and Emily, 27, has a degree in biology from the University of Calgary.

Murray, 23, is taking a time out from his apprenticeship in HVAC, traveling in southeast Asia for the next year.

My father, my late husband and I were great travellers, having visited most of the continents. Education is the process of gaining information about the surrounding world. I am a big proponent of education in that it is the way to a better life.

In his granddaughter’s words…

I attended Lethbridge College from 2009 to 2011, directly after high school. I played collegiate soccer there as well.

An active lifestyle was something that was passed down from my grandfather. He valued team work along with working towards a common goal. I feel I enjoyed my college experience more by having an opportunity to play sports too.

I loved how hands-on the instructors were at the college. The classes were smaller and I had all the resources and was able to talk to the instructors for clarification whenever needed. I really enjoyed James Reimer (Business Administration 1990) – he taught most of my accounting classes and he genuinely made me love accounting (it is nearly impossible to make someone enjoy accounting).

My grandpa could take anything you gave him and make it into something great. Even though I never got the bug to fix things or work with my hands, my grandpa taught me that hard work pays off and he was a living example of it. He knew how to work with his hands and he knew how to “create.”

I think this style of learning is also something that Lethbridge College embraces as they give you the opportunity to start from the bottom and they provide a great foundation to whatever you pursue in life. My grandpa actually offered the basement of his house in Lethbridge for me to live in while I went to the college, so I think that was his gesture to send me in that direction. He was definitely excited that I chose to go to Lethbridge College.

The 2+2 program the college offered was also huge in my decision. I decided to do my first two years at the college, which was the best decision I made. My classes at the college gave me the knowledge that is more relevant to the work I am doing now. I am happy to have had my first two years there as it gave me an amazing start to my education and I hope that maybe one of my children will go there one day and carry on the tradition.

- Jesse Fowlis, Business Administration 2011

- Denise Wall, Agriculture Technology 1983

(From left): Emily Reid, Murray Wall, Denise Wall and Jesse Fowlis love sharing stories of their father and grandfather, Jim Twa, and the impact he had on trades and technologies training at Lethbridge College.

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Where are they now?

Where are they CHRONICLE OF A COLLEGE GRAD: Chelsea Petterson

If you find yourself in Regina, Sask., a

visit to Coda Clothing and Shoes and Cade Style Lounge is definitely in order.

The retailer is a gem in the small city and is operated by a Lethbridge College alumna. Coda sells men’s lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, and Cade caters to women.

Chelsea Petterson started working as a buyer at Coda while attending the fashion program at the college. After graduating in 2009, she moved to Regina and bought into the company. She helped expand the business by opening Cade four years later. The brands merged into one location in 2014. There’s an online shop as well.

Chelsea values the role her business plays in the local area. “Our customers, our staff and people in our community are more important than the brands we sell,” she says. “We sponsor local artists, musicians and DJs and give back to the community as much as we possibly can.”

“Our customers, our staff and people in our community are more important than the brands we sell.”

Before attending Lethbridge College, Chelsea wasn’t sure which direction she wanted to head, but knew she wanted technical sewing training and some general fashion industry knowledge.

She got both at the college. She says the generality of the first year helped her see the “big picture.” As she watched alumni thrive, she was inspired to start building a fashion community in Regina. This passion led her to start Saskatchewan Fashion Week.

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now?

CELEBRATING THE SUCCESSES OF OUR ALUMNI IN THEIR CAREERS AND THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.

2017

“The event grew faster than I could have ever imagined and has seen over 100 different designers from across Canada...”

Laura McKeag

Chelsea joined a local design collective to network with designers, modeling agencies and other industry professionals. She teamed up with a duo from the salon industry and together they merged hair, makeup and fashion into one exciting event, which premiered in 2012.

“Their focus on artistic collaboration aligned perfectly with my vision for Saskatchewan Fashion Week, so we joined forces and within months we launched the first of many fashion weeks,” she says. “The event grew faster than I could have ever imagined and has seen over 100 different designers from across Canada showcase on its runway.”

The next Saskatchewan Fashion Week is set for May 10 to 12, 2018 in Regina.

Chelsea is proud of how the event gives local designers and industry professionals a platform. She says, “It’s important to me to see Saskatchewan Fashion Week grow to empower the creative industries to work together and make a name for themselves at home, and most importantly create a paying career for themselves.”

Medical Device Reprocessing Laura told the Alumni office that she is working as a merchandiser for various companies.

Lee Mosemann Computer Information Technology In June, Lee started working as a system administrator with Whipcord, a high performance IT services company that specializes in colocation, cloud and disaster recovery. Lee completed his field work at Whipcord and was the team lead for his college capstone project, where his team created a system, now known as Bandwidth Accounting System Enterprise Edition (BASEE).

The successful system processes millions of records in real time and generates PDF and Excel reports from the data on demand. Once handed over to Whipcord, it was transitioned to an ongoing agile development project and has accumulated an additional 128 source code commits - adding new features such as email notifications of errors, single sign-on and faster data processing.

Janet Reesor Correctional Studies Janet is working as a peace officer, where she says she will get to use her Lethbridge College education.

Devon Scott Agricultural Technology – Plant and Soil Devon and his steer, Rotor, took the grand champion title at the Calgary Stampede, an accomplishment that comes with $12,000 in scholarships and $5,000 in prize money. According to the Wrangler Network, Devon said: “We raised him ourselves, we didn’t buy him, and did it all ourselves, so it feels pretty good. We saw awesome potential in him at the start and he came along really well.”

Katie Stutheit Fashion Design and Sustainable Production Katie saw her design come to life on the runway at the national Cashmere17 fashion design contest.

Drawing inspiration from Canada’s iconic trillium flower, Katie’s design was chosen from over 150 entries as a top 16 finalist.

Oct. 27 : @MarkBoogieman

And So It Begins….

Mark Campbell (Communication Arts 1975) and Ryan Parker (General Studies 2003) were among the successful candidates in the fall City Council election.

Story by Megan Shapka | Photos submitted

37

Where are they now?

Criminal Justice grads recognized for going above and beyond

2012

Danielle Lohmann Criminal Justice – Policing Fresh out of the RCMP’s police academy in Regina, Danielle Lohmann started working in February in Jasper as a constable with the RCMP.

Heidi Shaw

Three Lethbridge College Criminal Justice alumni – Ryan Darroch (2003),

Michael Darby (2000) and Spencer Hodgson (2011) – were recognized for their efforts during the Lethbridge Police Commission’s September meeting and featured in an article in the Lethbridge Herald. In two instances last summer, Darroch came across people who had overdosed and, after calling EMS, he began chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. “These two incidents are the second and third time this year that Const. Darroch helped revive people following overdoses,” said Chief Rob Davis. “I can’t stress enough that without his intervention and actions, these people would not have survived.” After learning that three bicycles had been stolen from a family near where Darroch and Darby were patrolling in June, the two officers bought three new bikes with their own money, and the store they purchased the bikes from kicked in free locks. “This particular situation was brought to my attention from numerous members who had heard what happened,” Davis said, noting he felt the actions of the officers was an example of the types of kind acts police take part in that go unnoticed by the general public. As a result of the policing efforts of the officers, a bicycle “chop shop” operation shut down and the drug dealers in the area where they had been patrolling moved out. Hodgson also received a Chief’s Commendation for his actions stemming from a June 10 event at Chinook Regional Hospital where he was attending to another matter. Hodgson was alerted that a suicidal man had left the building and stepped out onto an overhang above a loading area 30 feet below.

According to the Herald, Hodgson engaged the man and, when an opportunity presented itself, he pulled the man over the railing and restrained him. The event took place in front of hospital staff and the man’s family. “The outcome would not have been positive if the man had fell,” said Davis. “If the intent was to harm himself, without (Hodgson’s) intervention, I believe the man would have suffered serious, if not fatal, injuries.”

Photo courtesy Lara Forminoff, Lethbridge News Now

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Exercise Science Heidi told the Alumni office: “My handson experience at Lethbridge College gave me a step up to be able to get into the training field as quickly as I did.

It provided me with the tools to be successful right after graduation. I went on to complete my KNES Degree from U of L and now proudly manage both our fitness centre and High Performance Centre.”

2011

Daniel Alfano General Studies Daniel told the Alumni office that he has completed medical school and started pathology residency training at University of Arkansas for Medical Services in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Kara Small

Early Childhood Education The Alumni office received this update from Kara: “After graduation, I quickly gained employment in my hometown of Strathmore. Going on six years with the centre, I am working with a group of school-aged children who keep me busy.

While they’re in school, I get to play a bit of assistant director. A husband and two furry children later, I am eager to have children of my own and branch out into a day home. Lethbridge College has given me the opportunity to have a meaningful career and I can’t wait for what’s next.”

2008

Nicole Meyer-Featherstone

Aug. 8 : @CrossFitGames

Correctional Studies Nicole told the Alumni office: “After finishing my degree, I worked for the Correctional Service of Canada for five years at Edmonton Institution for Women. I realized I wanted to do more prevention than reaction to society’s mental health issues and that working inside an institution was not allowing me that opportunity. …So I left the service and went on a new adventure. I just graduated in May of this year with my post-baccalaureate diploma in Art Therapy, and have opened a private practice in my home town. I am grateful for my time at Lethbridge College and the eventual work in the service, as it laid the foundation for the work I am fortunate to do now. I think of my time at the college fondly, and the people I met there are forever etched on my spirit.”

2007, 2011 Erin Fulcher

Renewable Resource Management, Fish and Wildlife Technology Erin was featured in an article in the Rossland Telegraph celebrating a scholarship she won from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of British Columbia to support the completion of her studies in Fisheries and Aquaculture at Vancouver Island University. “My

Canada’s Brent Fikowski (@bfikowski) improved from fourth in 2016 to take silver.

Brent Fikowksi (Business Administration – Accounting 2011) is one of the top CrossFit athletes competing on the circuit today.

combined experience and education will allow me to contribute to freshwater fisheries in B.C.,” she said in the article.

“Perhaps I will be restoring declining fish populations, conducting research to learn about challenges such as climate change and pollution, or maybe raising fish in a hatchery to allow parents to teach their children to fish the way that my father taught me.” The article states that Erin has worked as a Fisheries and Oceans summer student in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., in its Sea Lamprey Control program and that after completing her certificate in Fish and Wildlife Technology, she spent five years as an Aquatic Specialist in Calgary conducting fish habitat assessments and environmental monitoring.

Photo courtesy Rossland Telegraph

2005

Tara Griffith General Studies student Tara was featured in a story on CBC in August about her work as an assistant coach for the File Hills Qu’Appelle midget boys’ baseball team, which participated in the 2017 Saskatchewan First Nations Summer Games in Regina. Tara played basketball while at Lethbridge College and was part of the team that won a national championship in 2004. In the CBC story, she said that sport can improve

“Just to see them grow into themselves, to be empowered young people with goals, I think that’s how coaching really inspires me.” { Tara Griffith } the lives of young people in multiple ways. “It can bring a lot of confidence. I think that’s what I’ve taken throughout my life that sport has given me. It’s really cool to see the same thing now happen with these athletes,” she said. For much of her success, she credits the coaches who helped push her. “Because of those coaches, they really cared about me and went the extra mile, I think that that’s definitely what helped me,” she said. Now it’s come full circle, with Griffith helping to give the athletes she coaches the same opportunities. In her time with the team, she said she’s seen the development in players as athletes and people. “Just to see them grow into themselves, to be empowered young people with goals, I think that’s how coaching really inspires me,” she said. “To see the positive change, setting goals for themselves and trying to achieve those.”

New baby? New job? New hometown? Tell your classmates all about it at lethbridgecollege.ca/alumni/update.

Be sure to include your name, your area of study, the year you completed your program and a little bit about what you have been doing since you left Lethbridge College.

39

Where are they now?

Sept. 29 : @LisaFordGlobal

It all started with you @LethCollege my eternal thanks from the bottom of my !

Lisa Ford (Communication Arts 1984, Career Virtuoso 2016) retired in December after a distinguished career with Global News.

1991

Randolph Gehl

doing it for 22 years now. The schooling I received from the college and the work experience has benefited me with skills operating and managing my home salon business.”

Engineering Design and Drafting Technology Randolph told the Alumni office that since completing his second Engineering “The schooling I program diploma at the college, “I have been working in Calgary and area for the received from the last 24 years in the civil engineering field.

I am currently a project manager and college and the work primarily work in land development and experience has benefited infrastructure. For eight years, I sat on the Lethbridge College Alumni Advisory me with skills operating Committee for the Civil Engineering Technology program and have attended and managing my home two job fairs at the college representing the company that I currently work for.” salon business.”

{ Tiffany Holtman }

Tiffany Holtman

Business Administration – Marketing Tiffany writes: “I live in Calgary now.

When I completed two semesters, I worked for Alberta Fish and Wildlife for the summer in Lethbridge and returned to college for an extra semester.

After I finished my third semester and graduated in 1991, I moved to Medicine Hat to take a maternity leave position as a receptionist for a year, then moved to Edmonton to look for another secretarial or receptionist position. I continued to work for another four years as a secretary. [After being laid off,] I decided to change careers to hairstylist. It has been a great move for me and I have been

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1990

Trevor Council

Renewable Resource Management Trevor is a regional manager with Alberta Conservation Association.

1987

Terry Whitehead Business Administration – Accounting and Marketing Terry, a managing partner of Alexander Whitehead Executive Search in Vancouver, was recently appointed to the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. After graduating from

Lethbridge College, Terry attended the U of L and started his career as an arts administrator, including working as New West Theatre’s first company administrator. In 1998, he joined Theatre Calgary and concluded his tenure there in 2004 as the company’s director of Advancement. He served as a member of the Calgary International Film Festival’s Board of Directors before moving to Vancouver to become the director of Development for the Arts Club Theatre Company, Canada’s largest urban professional theatre company.

In 2008, he entered the professional search industry, eventually establishing Alexander Whitehead Executive Search, a boutique search and consulting firm operating in Vancouver and Calgary. He is currently a member of the Vancouver International Film Festival’s Board of Directors and continues to be an active donor and supporter of student initiatives in the arts.

1981

Darwin Drader Criminal Justice – Policing Darwin was featured in an article in the Rivers Banner that described his work as a casual constable with the Rivers Police Service, where he has worked the last three years. Darwin was hired

by Delta Police after graduating from the college and completed the three years of training at Justice Institute of B.C., becoming a certified police officer.

He then received additional on-thejob training with Delta Police for the next 18.5 years. He came to the Rivers Police Service from Brandon, with a long history of law enforcement, which includes 35 years of official policing and some 40 years in the criminal justice system, including 14 years in corrections work. Of his 35 years, the remaining 17 years have been with Rural Municipality of Cornwallis Police, where he is still employed full-time. Darwin is trained in collision analysis and commercial vehicle safety alliance inspections and is also a laser, radar and pepper spray instructor.

Darwin says when he has spare time, he loves to camp and spend time with his five children and 13 grandchildren.

Chris Clegg Communication Arts – Print Journalism Chris sent this update to his former instructors last May: “I am the editor of the High Prairie South Peace News.

I graduated from the print program at LCC in 1987 and have been employed since Aug. 1, 1988 in High Prairie. This year, we celebrated our 75th award since my arrival. That includes 41 Canadian Community Newspapers Association Awards and 34 Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association Awards. Many thanks to the excellent program at LCC [now just LC] and instructors Georgia Fooks, Richard Burke, D’Arcy Kavanagh and Veryl Todd! I am so grateful for what they taught me and the experience LCC provided. Thank you!”

“I am so grateful to what they taught me and the experience LCC provided.

Thank you!”

Richard Labossiere

Conservation Enforcement 1981, 2007

Richard wrote to Wider Horizons with this

update: “I am a 1981 Renewable Resources grad and then went on to obtain my Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from the college through distance learning. I retired from Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Division as an operations manager in 2015 after 25 years with EC and eight years prior to that as a conservation officer with Manitoba Conservation. I’ve included a recent photo that was taken at the Game Warden’s Museum we have at the International Peace Garden. The photo was taken this spring and it shows the polar bear exhibit that I have had the pleasure of working on (post retirement) with my Manitoba Conservation friends. The exhibit highlights the Polar Bear Alert Program in Churchill as well as a project I had the pleasure of working on during my last two years with Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Division. The project was geared to improving methods of tracking polar bear hides in commercial trade. I installed microchips into numerous polar bear hides to test their ability to withstand fleshing, stretching, tanning, freezing and taxidermy processes – all to hopefully better track the movement of polar bear hides from harvest to processing to sale to export. The project was a success, so Environment Canada, working closely with provincial governments, established a three-pronged approach to tracking polar bear hides in trade – that being the use of microchips, DNA sampling and stable isotope analysis. The exhibit at the Game Warden’s Museum includes information on the project, as well as a microchip scanner that visitors can use to scan the mounted polar bear and hopefully locate microchips previously injected into the bear hide. The mounted polar bear you see in the photo was one of the bears I used in the project.”

Oct. 6 : @cnnseb

Emmy Award, number 3 in an excellent year!

Rick Lewchuk (Broadcast Journalism 1979), the senior vice-president of creative marketing with CNN in Atlanta, accepted an Emmy for CNN’s promotional work.

{ Chris Clegg }

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Where are they now?

Fred Tyrrell Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Education 1972

Fred sent this great update to Wider Horizons in late August:

“I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much I still enjoy reading about the college. The fall 2017 edition is top-notch! As a 1972 grad from the now-defunct Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Education program, I often think back to my time at college, and how it changed my focus on ‘career.’ I went to college to join my mother and my sister in taking the fun courses that the program offered for a couple of years, fully intending to then get into medicine. Funny, that never happened!

Instead, I retired in November of 2016 after a full career in public service. …

[At one point in my career], I switched gears and moved from the municipal sector to the Government of Alberta, working as a Provincial Park Ranger. I also obtained a degree in Recreation Administration from the University of Alberta, and met my wife there as well. I [then] moved over to the recreation side of the ministry and handled the operations program in the municipal parks program for several years, before evolving into the position of community development officer. With an 18-month secondment to set up the Stakeholder Relations Unit in the new-at-the-time Alberta Emergency Management Agency, and later a second 12-month secondment to serve as the lead recovery coordinator on the Southern Alberta Flood Disaster Recovery Task Force, my government career wound down last winter. The closest I came to medicine was to continue my involvement with St. John Ambulance; I held my instructor’s ticket for 46 years!

Now I am enjoying a part-time work-from-home position as the executive director of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. All in all, not a bad story for a young kid who just wanted to grow up a bit by attending the LCC!” You can read more about Fred’s life and career at widerhorizons.ca.

ALUMNI IN THIS ISSUE 10 Guillermo Aceytuno (Automotives Technology 1996) 6 Marcia Black Water (General Studies 2004) 35 Jesse Fowlis (Business Administration 2011) 10 Stephen Graham (Computer Information Systems 2005) 26 Chef Heng Ng (Professional Cooking 1994) 10 Chef Doug Overes (Professional Cooking 1987, Distinguished Alumnus 1992) 35 James Reimer (Business Administration 1990) 16 Alex Slomp (Carpentry 2009) 16 Clarence Slomp (Carpentry 1989) 16 Jordan Slomp (Heavy Equipment Technician) 24 Penny Takahashi (Renewable Resource Management 2003) 9 John Vidalin (Communications Arts 1991) 33 Denise Wall (Agriculture Technology 1983)

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1979

Mike O’Connor

Conservation Enforcement Mike told the Alumni office that he has worked for Alberta Parks and then joined the Calgary Police Service in September 1980. In 2009, he retired after 29 years with the service and went on to consult with the Alberta Office of Traffic Safety until 2016.

1975

Guy Pomahac Guy, a Canadian Little League Baseball champion, a high school football star, a Western Canadian decathlon champion, and a player on the 1975 Kodiaks men’s basketball team that won a national championship, passed away on Aug. 18 at the age of 61. He was best known for his accomplishments in judo, where he was an Olympic alternate in 1976, a four-time Canadian university champion, a 10-time provincial title winner, a Canadian senior champion several times and a Canadian national team representative 10 times.

He was also a lifelong educator who gave 32 years to educating young people in the Lethbridge School District. Guy was featured in a column by Dylan Purcell in the Lethbridge Herald that showcased his contributions to the community, and his loss was felt in many different parts of the community.

Additional alumni updates are published online at widerhorizons.ca.

To submit your update, go to lethbridgecollege.ca/alumni/update or email Wider Horizons at WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca.

Are you a multi-generational Lethbridge College family? If at least three members across one or more generations attended Lethbridge College, let us know by emailing WHMagazine@lethbridgecollege.ca. We’d love to profile you in It’s a family affair.

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR:

The Scheurkogel-Slomp Family Left to right: Chris, Lacey, Judy, Clarence with Chase in front of them, Alex, Jenna and Jordan with Parker and then Mason standing in front of them

Casey Scheurkogel (Welding Apprenticeship 1968)

Former chairman of the Welding and Machine Shop department at Lethbridge College

Judy (Scheurkogel) Slomp (Business Computer Applications course 1998)

Retired; former office assistant at Lethbridge College for 10 years in the Interdisciplinary Studies and Applied Management Centres

Clarence Slomp

(Carpentry Apprenticeship 1989)

Building maintenance supervisor at Lethbridge College

Jordan Slomp

(Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship 2006)

Service manager at New West Truck Centres in Lethbridge

Alex Slomp

(Carpentry Apprenticeship 2009)

Structural engineer at MPE Engineering in Lethbridge

Chris Slomp

(currently enrolled in Emergency Medical Technician program)

Grounds maintenance at Infinity Property Care in Lethbridge

Lacey (Oxley) Slomp

(Early Childhood Education 2012)

Educational assistant at Lethbridge Christian School Story by Megan Shapka | Photo submitted

Judy Slomp, like many doting grandparents, wonders what the future will hold for her

grandsons. One question she takes a lot of pleasure in considering is this: “Who knows what direction our grandsons Parker, Mason and Chase will go in when they are postsecondary age?”

Maybe, she thinks, they’ll follow in the footsteps of so many of their family members and attend Lethbridge College. Judy and her husband, Clarence; two of their three sons, Jordan and Alex; daughter-in-law Lacey; and Judy’s father, Casey Scheurkogel; are all alumni of the college, while Judy and Clarence’s son, Chris, is a current student.

Judy loved going to the college as a child with her dad when he was chairman of the Welding and Machine Shop department. She continued to visit the campus when her husband Clarence started working with the Maintenance department in 1982.

Clarence has been working at the college for more than 35 years. “I’ve grown in knowledge and ability in many areas over the many years!” he says. “Each day brings different challenges and activities to accomplish.”

Jordan stays connected to the college by volunteering with the Agriculture and Heavy Equipment Advisory Council. He appreciated the knowledge and dedication of his instructors when he was a student.

Alex acknowledges the role studying at the college plays in his current career.

“Completing the Carpentry Apprenticeship gave me a good foundational knowledge of construction practices that have helped me to become a better engineer,” he says.

Branching out further, Judy and Clarence each have siblings who attended the college, as well as numerous nephews. Judy says, “I think auto and heavy duty mechanics, environmental science, culinary arts, agriculture, criminal justice, electrician, and wind turbine programs should cover them all.”

43

Last look

LAST LOOK We are all made of stars

When colleagues came together to create the new

Founders’ Square as a way of commemorating Lethbridge College’s 60th anniversary, they knew they wanted to find ways to tell the story of the land where the college now sits while showcasing the institution’s lasting legacy. One essential way to tell that story is to connect it to the land’s Indigenous history.

So the college commissioned Kainai artist Api’soomaahka (Running Coyote) William Singer III to create a special painting to mark the occasion. Using a traditional buffalo hide design, Singer’s art, titled Ikaitapiitsinikssini, or the telling of old stories of our forefathers, tells the story of how Indigenous people have adapted to a new way of life and uses traditional symbols to show the pursuit of education.

“The piece actually starts on the outside of the hide, the universe, home of the seven brothers and the moon and sun,” Singer explained in his artist notes. “…You can see the dipper, the seven brothers, who are out of reach from their mother and the Pleiades cluster showing the lost children.

Within the hide, the creation of the Oldman River is told…, reflecting knowledge and our connection to nature as it was our first ‘school.’

“The eagle symbolizes strength, power and is a helper of the Great Spirit who we are connected with. …Young people are depicted within the system to seek higher knowledge. Lifelong learning is shown at the bottom of the hide and shows a trail coming from the left and meeting a Blackfoot couple, the first family. At the bottom you see a morning star referring to the story of the woman who married the morning star, and the celestial connection of the Blackfoot worldview that we are all made of stars.”

The painting can be viewed in Founders’ Square, just outside the Food Court.

Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Gregory Thiessen

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“At the bottom you see a morning star as represented by the cross and referring to the stor y of the woman who married the morning star, and the celestial connection of the Blackfoot worldview that we are all made of stars.” { William Singer III }

45

ACAC

March Madness

is coming to Lethbridge Eight teams. Three days. One champion.

For the first time in history, the ACAC Men’s Basketball Championship tournament is coming to Lethbridge.

Cheer on your Kodiaks as they host the 2018 ACAC Men’s Basketball Championship from March 1 to 3 at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium. Watch some of the best collegiate players in western Canada lay it all on the line for ACAC glory and a spot at the CCAA national championships.

Visit gokodiaks.ca and follow lc_kodiaks on Instagram for up-to-date tournament information.

#WeAreAllKodiaks