UNews - Gordon Jong

Former Board Chair and alumnus Jong to receive honorary degree

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 May 2016 19:38:53 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce the third of its 2016 Honorary Degree recipients – local businessman and ninth Chair of the U of L Board of Governors, Gordon E. Jong (BSc ’80, BMgt ’82).

“Gordon Jong’s relationship with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge stretches back to his time as a student here in the 1980s, and over the years he has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in a variety of ways,” says U of L Chancellor Janice Varzari. “In addition to being a successful local businessman and strong supporter of our community, he has been an outspoken advocate for the U of L and played an important role in its growth. We’re very pleased he’s accepted our offer of an honorary degree.”

With a passion, dedication and commitment to furthering post-secondary education in southern Alberta, Gordon Jong has consistently championed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and embraced the concept of lifelong learning.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will present Jong with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2016 Spring Convocation III Ceremony on June 3, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Gordon E. Jong

An alumnus of the U of L, Jong graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1980, followed by a Bachelor of Management in 1982. He formed his own local accounting firm, Jong & Company Chartered Accountants, and quickly established his name both in the field and within the southern Alberta business community.

As Jong’s business flourished, he was recognized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, who bestowed upon him the prestigious designation of Fellow of the Chartered Accountants (FCA).

Community-minded, Jong has volunteered for a number of local organizations, including the Southern Alberta Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Lethbridge Jaycee’s Club, Lethbridge Regional Hospital Foundation, was president of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, and treasurer of the Rotary International Peace Park Assembly.

All the while, he has championed post-secondary education in southern Alberta, serving as Chair of the Board of Governors for both Lethbridge College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He also was a contributor to the Power of 25 initiative that raised $2.2 million from 25 U of L alumni towards the construction of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Markin Hall, home to the Faculties of Health Sciences and Management. In 2004, he was inducted into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Alumni Honour Society.

Open Mike - 2015 was a year of change

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 16:58:55 +0000

The holiday season offers us the opportunity to take pause and reflect on the past year, one that can be classified as a year of great change, both in our province and in our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

At the forefront are the sweeping changes to government and the election of a new governing party and a host of new ministers with which we are now engaging. The transition is still in its early stages and we remain very optimistic for the future of post-secondary education under this new leadership structure.

Thank you for your service in 2015 and I wish you all the best throughout the holiday season and into an exciting new year.

On campus, we have also seen a great deal of change. Dr. Claudia Malacrida, recently appointed as Associate Vice-President (Research), has joined the Office of Research and Innovation Services (ORIS), working closely with Vice-President (Research) Dr. Erasmus Okine. I’d like to thank personally the efforts of Dr. Matthew Letts in his role as Acting Associate Vice-President (Research) under both Dr. Leslie Brown and Dr. Okine as substantial change and transition took place in ORIS. The work he put in was invaluable and points to a great future as a senior administrator.

I’d also like to acknowledge the significant contributions of our outgoing Board of Governors Chair Gordon E. Jong and his wife Elizabeth Martin Jong (BFA ’81). Gordon has been a part of the U of L family since graduating with Bachelor of Science (1980) and Bachelor of Management (1982) degrees and has served as a member of our board since 2006. His commitment to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is remarkable and I know he will continue to champion the U of L going forward.

I would like to thank Richard Masson, who will be stepping into the role of Acting Board Chair during this time of transition, as well as Patrick Forrest, who will serve as Acting Vice-Chair.

We’ve realized some important milestones over the past year, from achieving the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s greatest increase in enrollment numbers, to realizing a new benchmark in student retention rates. The U of L once again was ranked third nationally in the annual Maclean’s rankings and garnered a top-five ranking from Research Infosource.

Pronghorn Athletics also underwent significant change over the past year and I’m excited for the future of our athletic programs under our new Director of Sport & Recreation Services, Ken McInnes.

It has been a very positive start to the 2015-16 season with the women’s soccer program qualifying for playoffs, the women’s rugby team earning a berth in the national championship tournament and both our men’s and women’s hockey teams getting off to hot starts in Canada West play. Meanwhile, the men’s basketball program is on top of the Pioneer Division at the holiday break and looks poised for a big season.

In speaking both with coaches and athletes, it’s quite evident that they are feeling much better about their place at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and I believe that stability and enthusiasm has translated into great results.

I have always believed that having a vibrant athletics program is an essential aspect of an engaged campus, much in the same way our Faculty of Fine Arts adds to the campus experience. Both athletics and the arts contribute so much to the campus experience, and likewise to the southern Alberta community.

I thank everyone for the roles they played in helping the U of L achieve these accolades. From great teaching to important research and terrific service to our students and the southern Alberta community, everyone on campus has played a part in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s successes.

As I look ahead to 2016, I’m optimistic even more good news is on the horizon. We are looking forward to further development of the Destination Project and with our 50th Anniversary just a year away, plans continue to take shape for that significant milestone in our university’s history. Please engage with the anniversary committee should you have any ideas on how the U of L should mark the occasion.

Thank you for your service in 2015 and I wish you all the best throughout the holiday season and into an exciting new year.

Mt. Blakiston House welcomes students

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:44:01 +0000

Mt. Blakiston House, the latest addition to the U of L’s campus residence park, is officially open to receive students.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Chair Gordon Jong, U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon, Students' Union President Shuna Talbot, MLA Lethbridge West Greg Weadick and Lethbridge Mayor Rajko Dodic.

The $32-million, 11,589 sq.m. (124,743 sq.ft.) building adds 259 beds to the U of L’s residence inventory and increases the available on-campus living space by more than 60 per cent. Students, primarily in their second and third year, will fully occupy the building beginning Sept. 2.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is a destination of choice for students across the province, the country and beyond. Mt. Blakiston House will allow more students to have an immersive and exciting experience at the U of L,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon.

“With so many of our students coming to Lethbridge from rural Alberta, Calgary and beyond, being able to offer them accommodations on campus will help them succeed in their studies. Students who live in residence quickly find support networks on our campus and subsequently excel in their studies.”

Nearly 70 per cent of the U of L’s students are from outside of Lethbridge.

Gordon Jong, the U of L’s Board Chair, says the project was done with students in mind.

A look at one of the rooms inside Mt. Blakiston House residence.

“This is more than an investment in infrastructure – it is an investment in our students. This building will increase the vibrancy of our campus and make it even more desirable for prospective students,” says Jong. “Our Facilities, Housing Services and Conference Services teams have put a lot of thought into how we can make the campus environment better for our students, and the end result of their hard work clearly shows in Mt. Blakiston House.”

In addition to a contemporary design living space, amenities include large study lounges, a games room and multi-purpose study/activity space. Outdoor social activities will centre around a quad-style green space and patio area.

The 24-hour secured building is also near a large park and lake and directly across a lane from the indoor and outdoor amenities of the Gordon W. Paterson Centre, which includes access to beach volleyball, basketball and other recreational activities.

Lethbridge-West MLA Greg Weadick says Mt. Blakiston House will benefit both the U of L as well as Lethbridge residents looking for affordable housing options.

"The Government of Alberta has recognized the importance of increasing the Province's supply of affordable housing. This new residence building will not only allow the U of L to attract bright young minds to its campus, but will also open up increased rental opportunities in the City of Lethbridge," says Weadick.

An additional feature of the Mt. Blakiston House project is that it was designed to operate as a combination hotel/conference centre during the summer months, providing space for conferences up to 250 delegates, and a unique option for visitors to Lethbridge as the only hotel accommodation in West Lethbridge. The building will bring the overall campus accommodation capacity for hosting large summer events to approximately 900 beds.

"The City of Lethbridge is proud to support an investment of $3.5 million (provincial funds allocated by the city) to this very worthy project," says Mayor Rajko Dodic. "It is gratifying to see that so many students are choosing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to further their education. Affording them the opportunity to live on campus in comfortable accommodations will, no doubt, help them feel more at home in our community."

Markin Hall receives $2 million boost

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:44:39 +0000

As Markin Hall continues to rise out of a former athletic field at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, so too grows the list of organizations partnering in its construction.

On Monday, officials from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and representatives of the Chartered Accountants Education Foundation of Alberta (CAEF) were pleased to announce $2 million worth of contributions to Markin Hall, the new home for the Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Health Sciences.

"Markin Hall will stand as a great symbol of partnerships between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the Government of Alberta and organizations such as the Chartered Accountants Education Foundation of Alberta," says Dr. Andy Hakin, the U of L's Vice-President, Academic and Provost.
"We would like to thank them for their significant investment in students, which is a phenomenal demonstration of the commitment that accountants have to education and supporting the next generation of professionals."

Through innovative matching programs, a $625,000 contribution from the CAEF has leveraged $625,000 from CA's and their firms and has enabled the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, through the Government of Alberta's Access to the Future Fund, to raise another $750,000 for the facility.

In recognition of this significant gift, a major public lecture space on the main floor of the building will be named for the Chartered Accountants of Alberta.

"In just over a year, we anticipate that Markin Hall will be complete and will provide space for an additional 450 students – the very people who will be leaders in our province and nation in years to come," says Hakin.

An 80-seat classroom, the Chartered Accountants Room, will be available to the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and will provide valuable community lecture space in Markin Hall, a $65-million facility that opens in 2010.

Jane Halford CA, Executive Secretary of the Foundation, says, "Through the Foundation, Alberta's Chartered Accountants are delighted to contribute to this project. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a distinguished record in the field of accounting education, and Markin Hall will help further enhance that record."

"For quite some time we have been planning, looking at blueprints and imagining what Markin Hall will be like, but now we are really beginning to see the building come to life, and it is very exciting," adds Dr. Murray Lindsay, the Dean of the Faculty of Management.

"The building will provide much-needed student space and will improve our teaching, learning and research facilities among other services for students. Without a doubt, our accounting program is also going to be enhanced. We fully expect to have even more students graduate with the skills, knowledge and confidence to move into positions in the accounting and finance professions. The support from the Chartered Accountants Education Foundation of Alberta reinforces those efforts."

Gordon Jong, a Chartered Accountant and the Vice-Chair of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors, said support from groups like CAEF play a crucial role in preparing students to serve their communities.

"Speaking on behalf of the Board, and personally, I am very proud to be a part of both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and the CAEF – a group of professionals who are actively giving back to the next generation of leaders."

UNews - Gordon Jong

Former Board Chair and alumnus Jong to receive honorary degree

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Mt. Blakiston House welcomes students

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