UNews - Jo-Anne Fiske

PUBlic Professor talk a very personal story for Fiske

trevor.kenney — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:37:58 +0000

Scholars rarely stumble onto a research focus without some sort of personal interest or connection and for Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske, her latest research project delves into issues that shaped her childhood and continue to resonate today.

Fiske (Women & Gender Studies) is the daughter of a Canadian war veteran of the Great War of 1914 to 1918, and although her father passed away when she was just 12-years-old, her upbringing was both remarkable and unique. Anything but a shell-shocked, broken man, her father was engaging, enlightened and a cherished member of his community.

On Thursday, October 26, 2017, 7 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge, Fiske will present Remarkable Husbands and Unusual Fathers. Understanding the Great War a Crucible of Tenderness and Nurture. Her talk is the latest PUBlic Professor Series event and second of this semester, and comes on the centenary of the beginning of the Battle of Passchendaele. Considered by many to be the defining moment of Canadian military history, Fiske’s father fought on the front lines and survived the horrific, 16-day campaign.

Her interest in the Great War comes from an anthropological perspective, trying to decode the narratives of the war and its aftermath through the experiences of the soldiers who came home to resume their lives as brothers, husbands and fathers.

“What were the cultural moments?” she asks. “These men, who were so ordinary, they were never in the dispatches, they never won a medal, they survived. That is really what the stories are all about, they survived. What made them so different in a family relationship?”

Fiske remembers her childhood as entirely unique from her friends. She describes her father as a feminist before there were feminists. A stay-at-home dad, he instructed the local bank to open an account for his 19-year-old wife the first banking day after their marriage. She had a job and her wages were to go into her account, something unheard of in the 1930s.

He also talked about his wartime experiences, breaking the stereotype of the stoic soldier unable or unwilling to engage his family. He spun yarns, often with his war buddies, of their time overseas and the life that persisted amongst all the death.

“The stories they would tell about the war were often very funny and mundane but they gave you a sense of what little things would mean and how to be appreciative of those things,” says Fiske.

She recounts a tale where her father and a soldier buddy were marching between trenches en route to Passchendaele, on the eve of one of the bloodiest battles the world had ever seen. The Okanagan-born men spotted an apple orchard and being around Canadian Thanksgiving, they clamored to reach the ripe apples.

“You can imagine this apple meaning so much to them because in the midst of all this violence, there was this humanity. I’m quite sure my dad and his pal were aware this story didn’t mean too much to us when we were kids but as we got older, we understood and it became a story we told our kids.”

Having only recently been able to visit the sites of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele because of their profound emotional affect, Fiske says it is important these tales of humanity and the cultural legacy of our soldiers is preserved.

“What was it about the war that allowed these men to carry a very, very different relationship into family?” she asks. “I’m finding the more I reach out to people who were raised by men and women from the First World War, I’m finding we do have a very different parental family experience.”

This research tangent is a departure from her life’s work, with her primary interest the legal rights of First Nations peoples. Teaching in her final semester at the U of L, Fiske will be leaving Lethbridge to return to northern British Columbia as she embarks on a significant project involving Aboriginal and treaty rights in B.C., as well as an international project examining the implications of human rights on indigenous rights with respect to corporations.

But with serendipity bringing her in front of the podium on a day as significant as Oct. 26, 2017, speaking about her father and the men who helped shape a young nation was a story that had to be told.

“These were ordinary men who survived a horrific experience and they have a narrative that hasn’t been told,” she says. “It’s those very emotional, caring relationships between the soldiers that have been overlooked and essentially their role in domestic labour that has not been studied in great detail.”

Home sweet home?

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:30:57 +0000

That's why an interdisciplinary group of researchers at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has teamed up to study the NIMBY phenomenon, its impact on home renters and homebuyers in Lethbridge, and ultimately, how to combat the problem.

Kim Smith* (*Kim Smith is a pseudonym) is well acquainted with racism, especially when it comes to the Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. For most of her adult life, the long-time Lethbridge resident has encountered landlords who wouldn't rent to her because she is First Nations. Those who would accept her were often slumlords that didn't maintain their properties or respect their tenants.

Smith's story isn't uncommon. Dr. Yale Belanger, a professor of Native American Studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, says NIMBY is happening in Lethbridge. That's why he's working with his U of L colleagues, Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske (Women's Studies) and Dr. David Gregory (Health Sciences), to study the phenomenon.

(L-R) Drs. Jo-Anne Fiske, Yale Belanger and David Gregory.

The team has interviewed dozens of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Lethbridge to better understand how NIMBY works, its impact on First Nations people and what can be done to eradicate the problem.

"Wherever people feel there might be social changes or impacts on the value of their home, or encounter people with whom they're not familiar, you'll find NIMBY," explains Fiske.

For victims, NIMBY means more than struggling to find a place to live.

"The sense of exclusion, marginalization and discrimination has a major impact on a citizen's well-being," she says.

The effects of the phenomenon are harsh, and as Gregory notes, this kind of discrimination has psychological consequences.

"It undermines one's self-worth and self-value," he says.

NIMBY has a long history in Lethbridge. Belanger, who's trained as a political historian and is the project's principal investigator, points out that until the 1860s and '70s, many Americans came to the Lethbridge area thinking they could set up homesteads, farms and ranches free of any interaction with First Nations people.

"They brought with them the notion that native people were a scourge of the frontier," says Belanger. "Not everyone exercised those ideas outright, but because they were in place, there was a strong disconnect between the first white settlers and the First Nations people."

Over time, the area's First Nations people were forced onto reserves by the government, further dividing people. Even after the government stopped monitoring and controlling their movements, most of them continued to stay on the reserve, only coming into town to do errands.

The first urbanization of Aboriginal people in Lethbridge happened in the 1970s. Now 40 years later, there are about 5,000 Aboriginal people living in the city. After close to a century of segregation, two groups that have traditionally had little interaction are now living next door to each other, explains Belanger. In many cases, frustrations have reached a boiling point, resulting in some residents being openly hostile to their First Nations neighbours.

But Belanger is quick to point out that the First Nations people weren't the only ones to be openly marginalized in Lethbridge. Around 1911, for example, a town council proclamation led to the consolidation of the Chinese business owners working in Lethbridge onto Second Ave. South where Chinatown is located today.

This "history of ghettoization," as Belanger puts it, is alive and well today with NIMBY. The discrimination comes in many variations and degrees. During interviews with the researchers, some people openly admitted that they didn't want Aboriginal people living next to them, but in many cases, prejudice was far subtler.

"Some people actually considered themselves supportive of First Nations groups, even though they didn't want them living nearby," says Belanger. "The stereotypes are entrenched, and people may not realize they're projecting a racist or discriminatory attitude," says Belanger.

Fiske agrees.

"Attitudes run deep," she says, and often these attitudes are rooted in fear. In the case of a native women's transition centre slated to be built in Lethbridge's Stafford area a couple of years ago, protesters expressed concern for neighbourhood safety, operating under the assumption "that native women posed a threat to the city," says Fiske.

She and the other researchers are actively working to bring their research to the community in the hopes of stimulating social change. In the last year or so, they've presented their work at academic conferences, community groups and city council.

While NIMBY is a phenomenon many Aboriginal people experience, there's been precious little research on it. In fact, urban Aboriginal people are often overlooked by researchers.

"In Canada, the majority of research with respect to First Nations people focuses on reserves," says Gregory. "But, with increasing numbers of Aboriginal people moving to the cities, there's a misalignment."

He'd like to see more work on urban Aboriginal people and is working with his two colleagues to establish the Regional Centre for Urban Aboriginal Research.

"We have been networking with the local First Nations and Aboriginal communities in an effort to establish working relationships to enhance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's research capital within the local urban context," Gregory explains.

In addition to doing work with, about and for Aboriginal people, the research centre would bring together researchers from different disciplines, much like the NIMBY project.

"It's more comprehensive, with multiple perspectives coming to bear on a phenomenon," he says.

All of the researchers stress that the research isn't about pointing fingers at Lethbridge's citizens and painting the city as a racist place.

"We've all chosen Lethbridge; it's our home. It's not simply a research project – we're pursuing this research for the betterment of the community," says Belanger.

For more information on the Regional Centre for Urban Aboriginal Research, visit: www.urbanaboriginalresearch.com

For a look at the full issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Wood to take over interim SGS role

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:07:59 +0000

Dr. Robert Wood (Department of Sociology) will serve as the interim head of the School of Graduate Studies while the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ conducts a search for a permanent replacement for Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske.

Wood takes on the interim role, effective July 1, following Fiske, who resigned in May after a five-year term as dean.

"Dr. Fiske is stepping down for health-related reasons and will be commencing an administrative leave prior to returning to a faculty position within the women's studies department," says Dr. Andy Hakin, vice-president and provost.

"I would like to thank Dr. Fiske for her stewardship of the School of Graduate Studies and I wish her much success in her future endeavours."

Wood studies problem gambling in adults and youth and, among other topics, several types of youth subculture.

He is the author or co-author of two books and numerous research articles on gambling issues, and has recently produced a unique educational program on gambling reduction strategies for children with colleague Dr. Robert Williams (Faculty of Health Sciences, addictions counselling).

Wood joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty in 2000 and is currently an associate professor of sociology. Hakin says a national search for the position of dean of Graduate Studies has been initiated, with the goal of making an appointment to commence January 1, 2011 or, at the latest, July 1, 2011.

"I am very pleased that (Dr. Wood) has chosen to take on the role of interim head of the School of Graduate Studies, and look forward to his leadership as we move the school through this time of transition," says Hakin. "Our community has identified the growth of graduate opportunities at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as a key strategic direction within the 2009-13 Strategic Plan and we are not losing sight of that important decision."

Hakin adds that with Wood's interim appointment, and a new administrative structure in place that involves a number of faculty members from all areas of campus to guide the School of Graduate studies in an advisory capacity, the daily and future operations of SGS are assured while a search begins for a new dean.

Fall numbers hit record high

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:39:12 +0000

There are a few hundred more students buying pizza, renting apartments and contributing to the Lethbridge economy thanks to an increase in attendance at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

With all final enrolment numbers confirmed, the student tally rests at 8,243 students, a 3.5 per cent increase (or 284 students) over last year's 7,959 headcount. This sets another record attendance standard which, for U of L officials, is both a milestone to be celebrated and a future challenge.

"There is no question that we find an increase in the number of people who return to school when the economy is tough," says U of L's Vice-President, Academic and Provost,
Dr. Andy Hakin.
"We believe that number for us, is small compared to the number of students who have chosen to transfer to the U of L, who have entered degree programs straight out of high school, or who are joining our School of Graduate Studies as either master's or doctoral candidates to work with our world-class researchers. U of L recruiters and student support personnel have done a tremendous job of attracting new students and making the U of L a comfortable and satisfying experience."

Hakin adds the future holds many student recruitment challenges.

"We don't stop here. We are working on ways to tell the U of L story to people outside Alberta, and outside Canada. We've developed specialized programs in areas such as public health and the fine arts that are attracting people from coast to coast. The word is spreading and, as we continue to evolve into a comprehensive academic and research university, we fully expect our master's and doctoral programming to grow as well."

Indeed, the big recruitment success story this year is enrolment in the School of Graduate Studies, which experienced a dramatic 33 per cent increase over last year (347 in 2008 vs. 519 in 2009, or 172 additional students).

Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske, the Dean of Graduate Studies, says the increased enrolment reflects a new direction prescribed in the U of L's strategic plan of continuing to grow a comprehensive university.

"We are seeing master's and doctoral degree candidates come to Lethbridge from literally around the world," Fiske says. "They are attracted by our researchers, who are working in every type of research area imaginable, from anthropology to zoology. Our research environment offers them a lot of personal attention, freedom and the chance to teach and build their skills in many different ways."

Additionally, Fiske says that a big benefit to U of L undergraduates looking to continue their education is they can see their futures as graduate studies candidates quickly, and close to home.

"With the quality and diversity of researchers and professors here who supervise master's and doctoral candidates, we have an increasing number of U of L undergrads who choose to follow through with their graduate education here, rather than having to leave the community. We are committed to building the knowledge-based economy that the province of Alberta aspires to and deserves."

Enrolment numbers a positive sign

trevor.kenney — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:03:58 +0000

There are a few hundred more students buying pizza, renting apartments and contributing to the Lethbridge economy thanks to an increase in attendance at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

With all final enrolment numbers confirmed, the student tally rests at 8,243 students, a 3.5 per cent increase (or 284 students) over last year's 7,959 headcount. This sets another record attendance standard which, for U of L officials, is both a milestone to be celebrated and a future challenge.

"There is no question that we find an increase in the number of people who return to school when the economy is tough," says U of L's Vice-President, Academic and Provost, Dr. Andy Hakin.
"We believe that number for us, is small compared to the number of students who have chosen to transfer to the U of L, who have entered degree programs straight out of high school, or who are joining our School of Graduate Studies as either master's or doctoral candidates to work with our world-class researchers. U of L recruiters and student support personnel have done a tremendous job of attracting new students and making the U of L a comfortable and satisfying experience."

Hakin adds the future holds many student recruitment challenges.

"We don't stop here. We are working on ways to tell the U of L story to people outside Alberta, and outside Canada. We've developed specialized programs in areas such as public health and the fine arts that are attracting people from coast to coast. The word is spreading and, as we continue to evolve into a comprehensive academic and research university, we fully expect our master's and doctoral programming to grow as well."

Indeed, the big recruitment success story this year is enrolment in the School of Graduate Studies, which experienced a dramatic 33 per cent increase over last year (347 in 2008 vs. 519 in 2009, or 172 additional students).

Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske, the Dean of Graduate Studies, says the increased enrolment reflects a new direction prescribed in the U of L's strategic plan of continuing to grow a comprehensive university.

"We are seeing master's and doctoral degree candidates come to Lethbridge from literally around the world," Fiske says. "They are attracted by our researchers, who are working in every type of research area imaginable, from anthropology to zoology. Our research environment offers them a lot of personal attention, freedom and the chance to teach and build their skills in many different ways."

Additionally, Fiske says that a big benefit to U of L undergraduates looking to continue their education is they can see their futures as graduate studies candidates quickly, and close to home.

"With the quality and diversity of researchers and professors here who supervise master's and doctoral candidates, we have an increasing number of U of L undergrads who choose to follow through with their graduate education here, rather than having to leave the community. We are committed to building the knowledge-based economy that the province of Alberta aspires to and deserves."

Grad Studies celebrating 25 years

trevor.kenney — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:21:32 +0000

It's been 25 years since the debut of graduate studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and while the programming has expanded to touch all areas of campus, the basic tenets of graduate education have remained the same.

As the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) celebrates its silver anniversary with the slogan, A Sterling Past, A Golden Future, it offers the opportunity to delve into the school's beginnings and see how they are reflected in an unfolding future.

A total of 12 students were admitted into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's first-ever grad studies program, offered in 1984 through the Faculty of Education.

Paul Hawryluk and Irwin Warkenten were the first two graduates from the SGS. They were promised a program focused on professional development, the foundations of education and research. With elective courses designed to allow students to customize their programs to suit individual goals and interests, flexibility was a major draw.

"I taught for 15 years before going back to school, and the program really validated my experiences and my own expertise," Hawryluk says. "I never intended to go on to do a PhD, but I did, directly as a result of the great experience I had at the U of L."

Warkenten looked to the SGS as an opportunity to invigorate his career.

"The grad program gave me the tools to take my career to another level," he says. "The courses energized me. They re-instilled my belief in teaching. If I hadn't taken the program, I'm not sure I would have stayed in the profession."

It is 25 years later and the SGS has stuck to its roots, striving to maintain a very interactive educational experience.

"We are a school on a personal scale: whatever program you choose, we offer close interaction between faculty and graduate students," says Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske. "We recruit faculty and students from around the world, enhancing learning experiences through cultural diversity and intellectual breadth."

That is what drew Mandy Espezel to the U of L. A graduate of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, Espezel is among the first class of students pursuing the new Master of Fine Arts degree.

"The Faculty of Fine Arts is staffed with excellent professors, there are fantastic facilities and technical support, and there is an extremely active and well supported contemporary art community here," she says. "Having these resources for my professional development is wonderful."

Acacia Doktorchik is studying in the new Master of Music program and sees the addition of grad studies in the Faculty of Fine Arts as a benefit to both students and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a whole.

"This is just another opportunity where people can come and study with some of the best musicians in Canada," she says. "There are many opportunities for performance here, and at the same time the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ are still very important. This is an aspect that I really like because it will give me the performance experience I need as well as the academic knowledge behind it."

The School of Graduate Studies continues to evolve but always with a keen eye to its beginnings.

The new face of grad studies

trevor.kenney — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:41:21 +0000

When the School of Graduate Studies emerged 25 years ago, it offered a single master's degree in education. Since then, it has emerged as a centre for graduate studies in the arts, health sciences, humanities, sciences and social sciences.

"All of our programs are growing steadily as the U of L evolves as a research institution with world-renowned faculty members," says Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske, dean of the school.

She explains that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ master's degree offerings are constantly expanding as a result. This fall, for instance, the U of L will welcome its first students into the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Music

Gabrielle Weasel Head, Cathy Aspen and Doug Checkley

(MMUS) degree programs.

In its early years, the master's program offered local students the opportunity to earn graduate degrees. Today, the program is made up of 13 per cent international students and attracts applicants from all over the world. It also draws bright, engaged students committed to succeeding.

"Students are earning their own recognition in national competitions for scholarships and fellowships," Fiske says.

Gabrielle Weasel Head is one such student. One year into a master's program in Native American Studies, she recently earned the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for her thesis proposal.

Her research will examine how Aboriginal people in southern Alberta experience and perceive homelessness.

"Lethbridge is traditional Blackfoot territory. There are a lot of homeless Blackfoot individuals living in this relatively small city of 85,000. The numbers are quite staggering," Weasel Head explains.

Her sense is that cultural ties to the land can help explain why some homeless Blackfoot people remain in the area, despite a dearth of housing options. Weasel Head will conduct her fieldwork at a homeless shelter in Lethbridge, where she will interview patrons, not service providers.

"A lot of research, I find, is done from an outside lens. I'm trying to look at homelessness through the eyes of those experiencing it."

Melanie Meier Brayton

She says the $17,500 SSHRC grant will go a long way towards her tuition and living expenses. It will also help her with research costs, which will include gifts like warm socks and meals for research participants.

Eventually, Weasel Head says she'd like to do a PhD, but she's also considering working for a social services agency that focuses on Aboriginal services.

A PhD is also the goal of new grad Cathy Aspen, who completed a Master of Science in management (specializing in marketing) this May. For now, she's putting her social marketing prowess to work at Alberta Environment as an outreach and planning assistant.

While academia is her end goal, Aspen says it's important to work for a while in order to gain hands-on experience.

"To conduct research and teach is the ultimate objective, but there will be a couple of detours along the way," Aspen says. "Once you get into the classroom, it helps you be more credible with students if you have that experience."

Aspen chose to do her graduate studies after earning a Bachelor of Management degree from the U of L.

"I got to know the faculty really well when I was doing my undergraduate degree and found them to be really supportive," she says.

The program was also a great alternative to an MBA route, which wasn't for her, and it offered a cohort program, which also appealed to her.

"You make some really great friendships; it's nice to have people around who understand exactly what you're going through," she adds.

For Doug Checkley, a full-time high school physics teacher, the part-time master's of education program, with a thesis option, was an ideal route. "Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I wanted to have the experience of writing my thesis because I'm thinking of doing my PhD down the road," he says.

While Checkley's colleagues enjoy two months of summer relaxation, he's working hard on thesis drafts. But, he says the work is fun and wholly related to his day job.

"I'm looking at physics education. I'm analyzing why students are choosing to take physics in smaller numbers than the other sciences," he says.

So far, his fieldwork supports his suspicion that students wrongly view physics as too difficult. This tendency is ultimately a bad thing for society at large, as many of the professions in the sciences utilize physics.

"You can't have engineers without physics."

While students like Checkley are compelled by a passion for their discipline, graduate school is a personal and academic challenge. In fact, the demands on graduate students can be overwhelming at times.

That's where Melanie Meier Brayton comes in. As the new graduate studies awards supervisor, she's charged with the tremendous task of helping students find and apply for awards, scholarships and grants they're often not aware of.

"Especially with the first year master's students, they don't know where to look. A lot of times, I think many of them don't think there are funds available," she says.

A U of L alumna who formerly worked at a private college, Meier Brayton is glad to be back at her alma mater.

"I've always wanted to be back in the university environment," she says. "I believe in education, and I've always wanted to help people better themselves with education."

During the year, Meier Brayton will be holding workshops on applying for external and internal awards, and will be providing information for students on the School of Graduate Studies website.

Visit www.uleth.ca/graduatestudies for more information.

Celebrating an anniversary

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:21:49 +0000

A total of 12 students were admitted into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's first-ever grad studies program, offered in 1984 through the Faculty of Education.

Warkenten looked to the SGS as an opportunity to invigorate his career.

It is 25 years later and the SGS has stuck to its roots, striving to maintain a very interactive educational experience.

That is what drew Mandy Espezel to the U of L. A graduate of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, Espezel is among the first class of students pursuing the new Master of Fine Arts degree.

The School of Graduate Studies continues to evolve but always with a keen eye to its beginnings.

RSVP deadline for Fitzpatrick dinner

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:30:51 +0000

The RSVP deadline for Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick's Appreciation & Recognition Dinner is fast approaching as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge celebrates 10 years of unprecedented growth in research.

Fitzpatrick is leaving the position of Vice-President, Research, after a decade of leadership that saw the U of L move from a position of afterthought as a research institution to one of foremost authority. To honour Fitzpatrick, a Friday, June 5 Appreciation & Recognition Dinner has been organized. The RSVP deadline to attend this dinner is Friday, May 29.

Tickets for the dinner are priced at $40 each. To attend, RSVP to Bette-Jo Kulak at 403-329-2200 or e-mail to b.kulak@uleth.ca

The following is a personal letter from Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick on the occasion of his leaving the position of Vice-President (Research) after 10 years

When I was hired 10 years ago, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was not on Alberta's research map. At provincial research and advanced education meetings, the talk was of Alberta's two research universities. When the U of L applied to join the Alberta Science and Technology Foundation we had to seek approval of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary because of a non-compete clause in the membership agreement. Times have changed. The notion that there are two research-intensive universities has been put to rest.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's commitment to scholarship provided the foundation for change. Research is at the heart of a university, not just an activity for the faculty but also an integral aspect of the student learning experience. Curiosity driven and problem-based learning is important and should be incorporated in the curriculum as soon as possible. Undergraduate level research is an important teaching tool. This prepares students for employment and feeds our graduate programs. As measured by the awarding of some of Canada's most prestigious scholarships, the Julie Payette NSERC Research Scholarship and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, our student research programs are very successful. The hallmarks of research program success – grants, research chairs, fellowships and other honours – are too numerous to list. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has become a comprehensive university.

Timing is everything. The creation of the Canada Research Chairs program and the Canada Foundation for Innovation presented unprecedented opportunities. We accessed funds from other federal agencies, including Western Economic Diversification, to build the most important element of any research program – the human capital and supporting research infrastructure.

The Government of Alberta – through programs managed by Advanced Education and Technology – complemented this federal support and much more. The Government of Alberta funded our first two research buildings; the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neurosciences and the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building. These investments changed the very nature of the institution.

People are important. Success within the research portfolio stemmed senior leadership and commitment to scholarship. The support of Presidents Bill Cade and Howard Tennant; Vice-Presidents Andrew Hakin, Nancy Walker and Chris Horbachewski; and Deans Christopher Nicol and Jo-Anne Fiske are gratefully acknowledged. The contributions of two good friends, Vice-President Seamus O'Shea and Board of Governors Research Chair Bryan Kolb, were significant. No one works alone.

The Office of Research Services family made the events of the last decade possible. Heartfelt thanks to Marg McKeen, Jane Allan, Penny D'Agnone, Penny Pickles, Eric Kokko, Morgan Guo, Pejman Ghanipour and Robin Schafthuizen. The contributions of my friend Christine Picken were significant.

A decade has flown by and it is time to take my leave. It has been my honour and my privilege to serve as Vice-President Research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick

Events Calendar

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:31:15 +0000

Convocation
(May 28-29)

Degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be awarded at Spring 2009 Convocation as follows:

Ceremony I
Thursday, May 28, 9:30 a.m.

Conferral of Honorary Degrees
Robert Samuel Best, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
Ralph Eugene Himsl, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Doctor of Philosophy
Post-Master's Certificate in Counselling
Master of Arts
Master of Science
Master of Education
Master of Science (Management)
Master of Counselling
Post-Graduate Certificate in Counselling

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts and Science

Ceremony II
Thursday, May 28, 2:30 p.m.

Conferral of Honorary Degree
Samantha Joan Nutt, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Nursing

Ceremony III
Friday, May 29, 9:30 a.m.

Conferral of Honorary Degrees
Mobina Sherali Bandali Jaffer, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
Joan Marie Stebbins, Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa

Professional Diploma in Education
Bachelor of Education

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Art) and Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dramatic Arts) and Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Art)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dramatic Arts)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Multidisciplinary)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (New Media)
Bachelor of Music

Ceremony IV
Friday, May 29, 2:30 p.m.

Conferral of Honorary Degree
Ross Wade Watson, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting
Bachelor of Management
Certificate in Management
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Management
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Management

Lectures

May 14
Brenda Milner Lecture Series
What's Eating Your Brain, presented by Dr. Timothy Schallert, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Texas at Austin | 1 p.m., AH100

May 15
Prentice Dialogue Session
Inevitable Surprises: Demographics and Economics in a Global Context
Dr. David K. Foot, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto | 3 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Performances

May 28
Windy Mountain Music Festival
Pre-concert talk, 7:15 p.m.
Concert, 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, W570

Miscellaneous

May 12
Office of Research Services Workshop
Panel Discussion on SSHRC Standard Research Grant Applications
Dr. Bryson Brown, Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske and Dr. David Gregory
9 a.m., Room B543

May 12
Alberta Introductory Biology Association Conference
Dealing With Change in Introductory Biology

June 12
John Gill Memorial Golf Tournament
Shotgun start, 1 p.m. Picture Butte Golf Club
Register by calling 403-317-2825 or e-mail Jaime.morasch@uleth.ca

UNews - Jo-Anne Fiske

PUBlic Professor talk a very personal story for Fiske

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