Haiti situation elicits campus compassion

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:10:06 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

There are times when we all take aspects of our lives for granted, and we don't necessarily appreciate the fortunate circumstance we have of living in a prosperous country such as Canada. When we then see the devastation of a tragedy like the Haitian earthquake, it quickly brings into focus just how lucky we are.

Last week's gathering in the Atrium in support of the Haitian people was a scene we've replicated far too many times here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Whether it is in response to the shootings at Virginia Tech ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ or the terrible tsunami in Thailand, we've come together as a community to support our fellow humans.

The outpouring of support for our Haitian brothers and sisters has been heartwarming but hardly unexpected. We here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ have always shown a great measure of compassion, and I feel it comes from the global nature of our campus community.

We have a number of groups on campus that make such positive contributions to society, and it is especially evident during times of tragedy. From the International Students' Association who manned a donation table for the Red Cross, to the Rotaract Club and its campaign to collect money for shelter boxes, to Steve Ferzacca's health science students and their Partners in Health program that has a permanent presence in Haiti, our faculty, staff and students consistently give to those less fortunate and in need.

I look forward to celebrating that international spirit at the Feb. 10 International Dinner. Always a highlight of the spring, the International Dinner features wonderful cuisine from all corners of the globe. This year's guest speaker, Kim Phuc, promises to be especially poignant. Known as "The girl in the picture" Phuc is an advocate for children affected by war and terror. Her message of compassion and understanding is always relevant and should make for an excellent evening.

As we approach spring, the word 'transition' is being used often in the President's office. It's a process I feel very good about and one I expect will go very smoothly as we introduce
Dr. Mike Mahon to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its partners.

This week both Mike and his wife Maureen are here in Lethbridge to take part in a number of events. Mike attended his first President's Executive meeting, accompanied Vice-President Finance and Administration Nancy Walker, Vice-President Advancement Chris Horbachewski, and me to Rotary Club, participated in the annual Donor Gala celebration and took part in a number of other social gatherings. Richard Westlund, our government relations director, also arranged a host of courtesy calls for Mike as he spoke with key representatives from the local, provincial and federal governments.

We're making sure Mike has the opportunity to meet people in a social, casual and informal basis as he becomes accustomed to the U of L in advance of July 1, when he assumes the Presidency. He'll officially be installed Oct. 15 and preside over his first convocation ceremony on Oct. 16.

Finally, I have heard through numerous channels that Michael Nolan is coming to town this spring. Nolan is someone who I knew many years ago, and I can't wait to see him once again.

Saint Lucia to Lethbridge proving to be a well-worn path

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:23:35 +0000

The Caribbean is a common destination spot for Canadians looking to escape the trials of winter and enjoy life in the tropics. For three cousins to come the other way however, leaving the resort island of Saint Lucia to live in Lethbridge, is hardly an ordinary occurrence.

In May, two of those cousins walked across the stage at the 1st Choice Savings Centre, earning undergraduate degrees from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as family members cheered them on.

"I could have studied in the Caribbean but it would have been very limited," says Kaisie Anius (BSc '09), the invocation reader for Spring Convocation, Ceremony II. "Caribbean culture is similar throughout the islands, so coming to a different country with a different culture, was good for opening my mind and scope. I feel like I've grown a lot."

Anius followed in the footsteps of her cousin Jeanelle James (BSc '09), who first chose the U of L by researching Canadian universities online. She came to Lethbridge in fall, 2003, while Anius made the trip the following spring.

"I was searching for schools online. I wanted to do a degree in biological sciences and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was one of the most affordable in Canada," James says.

"All my other family members went to school in the U.S. and England but I didn't want to go there and Canada was the choice."

Once here, it didn't take long for James to fit into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and determine that this was a place she was willing to recommend to other family members. After Anius came, a third cousin enrolled and is still studying at the U of L.

"The small class size was the main thing," James says. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's not too big, I liked that, and Lethbridge is a good size as well."

The entire island of Saint Lucia boasts a population of just over 160,000, so it was important the family found a place that was welcoming, thereby minimizing culture shock.

"The school is smaller, and it was easy to make friends, so that was really important. I also got to know my professors really well. I had no issues at all as far as my profs being helpful and always available. I was always able to e-mail and they would get right back to me." Anius says. "But it was still tough, the wind and the winter, it was very different for us."

What aided in the transition immensely was the International Centre for Students (ICS).

"Charlene Janes (international liaison officer and winner of the 2009 President's Award for APO/exempt staff) is wonderful, she works so hard at helping us out," Anius says.

Having benefited from the ICS, Anius got involved as a volunteer to help other students. She worked as a coordinator for the open exchange program and also became active in the International Students' Association.

Already employed, Anius is now working in Calgary in a recruitment position. It, however, is just a start.

"I'm not going to stop asking questions. I want to go to graduate school but it's very expensive so I'll have to work for a while," she says. "I need time to decide where I want to go, I want to make sure that whatever degree I take after, it is exactly what I want to do because it's a big investment."

Much like the investment her family first made when they chose the U of L to begin their post-secondary studies – one that obviously paid off.

UNews - International Students' Association

Haiti situation elicits campus compassion

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Saint Lucia to Lethbridge proving to be a well-worn path

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