UNews - Dragons' Den

Events Calendar - April

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:51:20 +0000

Pronghorn Athletics

Apr. 1 | Blue & Gold Athletic Awards
Lethbridge Lodge

Lectures

Mar. 31 | Faculty of Management/CMA Speaker Series
Dragons' Den star Brett Wilson
9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Students' Union Ballroom B

Mar. 31 | Art Now: Marcus Miller
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 1 | Biology Seminar – Dr. Keith Hobson | Using Stable Isotopes to Track Animal Movements
12:25 p.m., B650

Apr. 7 | Art Now: Annie Martin
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 9 | Art Now: Brenda Draney
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 12 | Architecture & Design Now: David Battersby | 6 p.m., C610

Apr. 21 | Women Scholars Speaker Series
Helen Kelly presents The Clinical Impact of eHealth on the Self-Management of diabetes
3 to 5 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Performances

Apr. 6 | Music at Noon: Mace Hibbard (saxophone)
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 7 | U of L Jazz Ensemble Concert | 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 9-10 | Global Drums!
Steel drums, African drums, Taiko Ensemble, Brazilian Samba Ensemble
8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 12 | Canadian Humourist Lorne Elliott | 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 13 | Music at Noon: Studio Showcase (music students)
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 17 | Faculty Artists & Friends: An American in Paris
Explore the 'French Connection', a cross-Atlantic musical exchange between American composers studying in Paris and French composers influenced by jazz and blues
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 20-21 | Art Student
Open House
Student artwork exhibited throughout the art department

May 1 | 1940s Big Band Jazz
David Renter's Contemporary Jazz Works Orchestra
8 p.m., Southminster Church

Miscellaneous

Mar. 12 to Apr. 9 | Works on Paper from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection
Curators: Museum Studies Interns

Mar. 12 to Apr. 9 | Annual Curated Student Exhibition
U of L Main Gallery

Mar. 31 | Regional Centre for Urban Aboriginal Research: A Symposium
Presenters Dr. Caroline Tait and
Dr. David Newhouse
9:30 a.m. to noon, Andy's Place (AH100)

Apr. 8 | CAETL Graduate Student Workshop | 2 to 4 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Apr. 10 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Forecast Dinner
Speakers Robert Cooper, Jason Hornett and Stephen J. Mantrop
4:30 p.m., Students' Union Ballroom

Apr. 13 | LPIRG Annual
General Meeting
7 p.m., Galileo's Gallery

Apr. 16 to June 4 | The 1940s
Exhibition featuring works from the U of L Art Collection and Galt Museum/Archives
Helen Christou Gallery

Apr. 24 | Culture Vulture Saturday
Button making with Trap/door Artist Run Centre | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery

May 1 | Steps for Life Walk
Southern AB North American Occupational Safety and Health presents 5km walk at Henderson Lake picnic area. Register by Apr. 15 by contacting Suzanne McIntosh, wellness co-ordinator at suzanne.mcintosh@uleth.ca

Management draws Dragon for talk

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:29:54 +0000

"He has an outstanding track record for both entrepreneurship and philanthropy," says Steve Craig, director, external relations/co-operative education for the Faculty of Management, on why Wilson was chosen for the annual address. "Social responsibility is such a big part of what we do in the Faculty of Management, so couple that with his incredible success in the business field and it was a perfect match."

Wilson made millions but success was not without consequence, and in the process he lost his marriage and nearly lost his life. As a result, he radically shifted his priorities to focus on his three children and sharing the wealth he has accrued.

"People often ask me about the key to my success and what I hope they hear is that success requires a balance – a balance of priorities combined with passion," says Wilson on his website www.wbrettwilson.ca. "Fallout from divorce and a battle with advanced prostate cancer forced me to reprioritize my life – for the better."

Wilson is now incredibly active in the charitable community, having given, and engaged others to give, tens of millions of dollars to non-profit initiatives. He often takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, including shaving his head to support Kids Cancer Care and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer's research. He has also made annual trips with Youth With a Mission to Mexico to build homes with his family.

"There is a way for people to be extremely successful financially but also be able to give back to their community, both in dollars and in time," says Craig. "That's one of the great things about Brett, he obviously gives of his time as well as his money."

Craig, who regularly watches Dragons' Den, says the show can serve as a valuable resource for business students.

"With our students, we're always trying to teach them how to be creative, how to be critical thinkers, how to analyze situations and that's one of the things that's great about that program," says Craig. "With any potential entrepreneur that you turn out of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, when approaching a financier you want them to have the ability to ask themselves, 'Is this worth the money I'm asking for and have I done my due diligence?' The show takes you through that process and it's a great learning tool."

Wilson will appear in the Students' Union Ballroom B from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Wednesday Mar. 31. Tickets for the event are free but seating is limited. To register, e-mail susan.price@uleth.ca or call 403-394-3935. A luncheon for the business community is also being held later that day.

The CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series is an annual event that the Faculty of Management organizes for the benefit of its students and the local business community. The speakers are selected for their connection with important messages that go beyond typical business issues in ways that reflect the Faculty's new vision.

Wilson combines profit with philanthropy

trevor.kenney — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:23:05 +0000

He's been dubbed the 'Dragon with a heart' and is one of Canada's most successful, and philanthropic, business entrepreneurs. On Wednesday, Mar. 31, Brett Wilson will be on campus as this year's guest speaker for the annual CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series that is organized and hosted by the Faculty of Management.

"He has an outstanding track record for both entrepreneurship and philanthropy," says Steve Craig, director, external relations/co-operative education for the Faculty of Management, on why Wilson was chosen for the annual address. "Social responsibility is such a big part of what we do in the Faculty of Management, so couple that with his incredible success in the business field and it was a perfect match."

Today, Wilson is best known for his role on the hit CBC television series Dragons' Den, where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business moguls. In the early 1990s, he made his mark as a business maverick, co-founding the investment banking advisory firm, Wilson Mackie & Co., in 1991, and with Rick Grafton, Jim Davidson and Murray Edwards, co-founding FirstEnergy Capital Corp., in 1993, a leading Canadian stock brokerage firm that provides investment-banking services to global participants in the energy sector.

Wilson made millions but success was not without consequence, and in the process he lost his marriage and nearly lost his life. As a result, he radically shifted his priorities to focus on his three children and sharing the wealth he has accrued.

"People often ask me about the key to my success and what I hope they hear is that success requires a balance – a balance of priorities combined with passion," says Wilson on his website www.wbrettwilson.ca. "Fallout from divorce and a battle with advanced prostate cancer forced me to reprioritize my life – for the better."

Wilson is now incredibly active in the charitable community, having given, and engaged others to give, tens of millions of dollars to non-profit initiatives. He often takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, including shaving his head to support Kids Cancer Care and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer's research. He has also made annual trips with Youth With a Mission to Mexico to build homes with his family.

"There is a way for people to be extremely successful financially but also be able to give back to their community, both in dollars and in time," says Craig. "That's one of the great things about Brett, he obviously gives of his time as well as his money."

Craig, who regularly watches Dragons' Den, says the show can serve as a valuable resource for business students.

"With our students, we're always trying to teach them how to be creative, how to be critical thinkers, how to analyze situations and that's one of the things that's great about that program," says Craig. "With any potential entrepreneur that you turn out of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, when approaching a financier you want them to have the ability to ask themselves, 'Is this worth the money I'm asking for and have I done my due diligence?' The show takes you through that process and it's a great learning tool."

Wilson will appear in the Students' Union Ballroom B from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Wednesday Mar. 31. Tickets for the event are free but seating is limited. To register, e-mail susan.price@uleth.ca or call 403-394-3935. A luncheon for the business community is also being held later that day.

The CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series is an annual event that the Faculty of Management organizes for the benefit of its students and the local business community. The speakers are selected for their connection with important messages that go beyond typical business issues in ways that reflect the Faculty's new vision.

Dragons' Den Wilson coming to campus

trevor.kenney — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:23:05 +0000

Tickets are scarce for Brett Wilson's Mar. 31 appearance in the Students' Union Building.

Today, Wilson is best known for his role on the hit CBC television series Dragons' Den, where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business moguls. In the early 1990s, he made his mark as a business maverick, co-founding the investment banking advisory firm, Wilson Mackie & Co., in 1991, and with Rick Grafton, Jim Davidson and Murray Edwards, co-founding FirstEnergy Capital Corp., in 1993, a leading Canadian stock brokerage firm that provides investment-banking services to global participants in the energy sector.

Wilson made millions but success was not without consequence, and in the process he lost his marriage and nearly lost his life. As a result, he radically shifted his priorities to focus on his three children and sharing the wealth he has accrued.

"People often ask me about the key to my success and what I hope they hear is that success requires a balance – a balance of priorities combined with passion," says Wilson on his website www.wbrettwilson.ca. "Fallout from divorce and a battle with advanced prostate cancer forced me to reprioritize my life – for the better."

Wilson is now incredibly active in the charitable community, having given, and engaged others to give, tens of millions of dollars to non-profit initiatives. He often takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, including shaving his head to support Kids Cancer Care and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer's research. He has also made annual trips with Youth With a Mission to Mexico to build homes with his family.

"There is a way for people to be extremely successful financially but also be able to give back to their community, both in dollars and in time," says Craig. "That's one of the great things about Brett, he obviously gives of his time as well as his money."

Craig, who regularly watches Dragons' Den, says the show can serve as a valuable resource for business students.

"With our students, we're always trying to teach them how to be creative, how to be critical thinkers, how to analyze situations and that's one of the things that's great about that program," says Craig. "With any potential entrepreneur that you turn out of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, when approaching a financier you want them to have the ability to ask themselves, 'Is this worth the money I'm asking for and have I done my due diligence?' The show takes you through that process and it's a great learning tool."

Wilson will appear in the Students' Union Ballroom B from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Wednesday Mar. 31. Tickets for the event are free but seating is limited. To register, e-mail susan.price@uleth.ca or call 403-394-3935. A luncheon for the business community is also being held later that day.

The CMA Alberta Leadership & Innovation Speaker Series is an annual event that the Faculty of Management organizes for the benefit of its students and the local business community. The speakers are selected for their connection with important messages that go beyond typical business issues in ways that reflect the Faculty's new vision.

Gaudet serving the greater good

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:59:15 +0000

Whether it means taking on the powers that be or courageously facing a room full of "Dragons," Kevin Gaudet (BA '91), federal director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), stands strong in his convictions, a legacy of valour that runs in his family.

"My grandfather, Walthen Gaudet, was the mayor of Charlottetown. He saw public service as a noble profession and lived up to the values of truth, duty and honour. I was brought up that way by my parents," says Gaudet. "They taught me to stand up for what I believe in, and they incubated a curious mind, encouraged it and put up with it."

Gaudet spent much of his childhood moving across Canada with his family, ending up in Lethbridge for his Grade 12 year. After graduating from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in 1986, Gaudet spent a year studying engineering at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, B.C., before deciding that was not the path for him.

"I went back to Lethbridge because my family was there. I was aware of the benefits of a liberal arts undergraduate degree so it was a rather easy decision for me to attend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. I could stay at home and get a really good quality education," explains Gaudet.

After taking an introductory philosophy course, Gaudet fell in love with the discipline and chose it as a major.

"When I told my parents, they asked me what the hell I was going to do with that, and of course I told them ,'I can do anything I want'," says Gaudet.

He was right. Studying philosophy began opening doors for him from the outset of his education. In his second year at U of L, Gaudet worked as a teacher's assistant for his philosophy professor, U of L President Emeritus Dr. John Woods. He also cut his political teeth that year by winning a seat on school council. Gaudet regards his time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in a very positive light.

"The professors were open and friendly and with the smaller size of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ you could actually get in the doors to talk to your professors so that they could prove to you just how wrong you were when you proposed ideas," laughs Gaudet. "Lethbridge has an interesting culture with its agricultural community, influx of foreign students and religious community. It provides the campus a rich diversity of experience, opportunity and thought, all in one place."

Following his graduation in 1991, Gaudet's education and career continued to grow. He spent five years as the director of opposition research for Preston Manning, graduated with an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Western Ontario in 2000, and worked for various telecommunications, banking, computer and medical technology companies, performing marketing strategy and government relations.

In 2007, Gaudet began working as the Ontario director of the CTF and became the federal director in January 2008. As director, he is responsible for looking at all policy matters relating to the federal government. The CTF advocates for lower taxes, less waste and a more accountable government. Gaudet does whatever is necessary to get that message out, whether it is planning a rally, or presenting his flat tax message on the television show Dragons' Den.

Gaudet hopes to affect positive change on the national stage and his former professor is proud of the path he's taken since his time at the U of L.

"Kevin's skills are abundantly evident in his work. His policy analyses show an impressive analytical intelligence at work; his television appearances show a cool, elegant and engaging advocate," says Woods. "Kevin Gaudet reflects great credit upon the university that trained him."

GET THE FACTS

• Born in Halifax, N.S., Gaudet has lived in eight Canadian provinces

• He studied logic at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Amsterdam (summer 1990) and is fluent in both English and French

• Gaudet took over for John Williamson as federal director of the CTF

• Volunteering as a scout leader in Toronto, he says his greatest personal accomplishment is, "A very successful marriage and three wonderful children."

UNews - Dragons' Den

Events Calendar - April

Related Topics

Management draws Dragon for talk

Related Topics

Wilson combines profit with philanthropy

Related Topics

Dragons' Den Wilson coming to campus

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Gaudet serving the greater good

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