Hummel family pulls together to create impactful memorial scholarship

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 17:33:09 +0000

Pulling together is a hallmark of the Hummel family, and through the creation of the George and Alice Hummel Neuroscience Award, they are supporting research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge that will benefit families for years to come.

George and Alice Hummel, Dec. 1948.

Siblings Ruth Hummel Thomson (MA ’10), Eleanor (Hummel) Smith (BEd ’91) and Bernie Hummel recently established the endowed scholarship in memory of their parents. George and Alice would have celebrated their 70th anniversary this month, however George passed away in 2010 at the age of 83 and Alice six years later when she was 93.

A family who understood the value of hard work, George farmed in the Champion, Alta. district for nearly 60 years, while Alice, an accomplished musician from the Anderson Sisters Orchestra, taught piano lessons to more than 200 students throughout the area. They raised six children, worked with their neighbours to help build a strong community and eventually moved to Lethbridge to enjoy their golden years.

Not long after, George was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which today affects more than 100,000 Canadians, with more than 25 people in Canada being diagnosed each day. Although George’s great sense of humour never waned, the complex neurodegenerative disease took its toll.

By creating the George and Alice Hummel Neuroscience Award, the siblings are coming together to honour their parents’ memory and creating a lasting legacy that will impact future generations.

“Our parents always taught us that ‘if we pull together, we can do great things’,” says Eleanor. “We pulled together as a family supporting dad in our fight against Parkinson’s.”

From left are three of George and Alice's children, Eleanor, Bernie and Ruth.

The award is an endowed scholarship, with a minimum $1,000 award given to at least one graduate student each year who is majoring in neuroscience and studying Parkinson’s or stroke.

“The three of us benefited from Alberta post-secondary educations,” says Bernie. “I didn’t go to U of L, but when we decided to establish an endowment in honour of our parents, we knew the U of L was the right choice because, as southern Albertans, mom and dad had a personal interest in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.”

Ruth, who completed her Master of Arts at the U of L while working full-time in the Advancement Office, was especially connected. During her time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, she learned about the extraordinary brain research that takes place on campus at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience.

“Our goal is to play a small part in discovering a cure,” says Ruth. “And for every student who receives a scholarship, we want them to know: this is our vote of confidence in you and your work toward finding a cure for so many neurological diseases that touch so many families. Because of the work you do, there is hope something better is ahead.”

Bee Heart Smart Challenge continues success

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:24:40 +0000

The Bee Heart Smart Challenge – Walk, Run, Swim or Cycle 2009, from May 1 to June 13, was an initiative for staff and faculty sponsored by the U of L Wellness Committee and Sport and Recreation Services. The program started in 2005 as a walking challenge and has evolved to become the "Bee Heart Smart" contest that includes running, swimming and cycling.

The goal is to promote active living, which means making physical activity a part of everyday life through walking, taking the stairs, gardening, playing with your kids or dogs at the park, swimming or cycling, just to name a few activities.

There is a strong connection between the health and well-being of people and their work environments and the more active employees are, the healthier the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. And of course we want people to have fun while being active!

Wellness Week kicked off the contest this year and as of June 1, 176 participants and 17 teams were registered. This is the highest number of participants since the Wellness Committee began keeping records.

Activity is recorded (either daily or weekly) by:

• Counting steps while walking or running (using a pedometer is the best way to do this)

• Counting laps while swimming (each 50m lap is counted as one)

• Tracking minutes spent cycling

Weekly winners are drawn from registrants who have logged progress during the week. Weekly draw winners to date include: Nicole Spence, Carl Budny, Ruth Hummel, Sheri Lacey, John Poulsen, Joan Zimmer, Nicole Wilson, Linda Gray, Susan Hill, Edward Malinsky, Rumi Graham and Kevin McFadzen.

During the third week of the contest, individuals who entered the most steps, laps or cycle time were awarded prizes as well. Cindy Venhuis, Dwayne Armstrong and JulieAnne Kent were winners.

The Fast Trackers won the draw for Early Bird Team Registration.

The contest wrap-up and prize announcements occur the week of June 15. Get out there and get active and next year look for "purposeful activity" time instead of just cycle time.

Thanks to the following areas for prize donations or discounts: AUPE, U of L Bookstore, Sport and Recreation Services, U of L Athletics and Southern AB Centre for Successful Aging.

UNews - Ruth Hummel

Hummel family pulls together to create impactful memorial scholarship

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Bee Heart Smart Challenge continues success

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