UNews - Destination Project

Eye-popping donation epitomizes science on display

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:47:43 +0000

In celebration of National Periodic Table day, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce a donation of a special kind for the Destination Project. A group of former staff and faculty members and current faculty members has generously donated a periodic table to be displayed in the new science and academic building.

Dr. Peter Dibble, Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, says the addition of a periodic table of the calibre that is being donated will really put science on display for southern Alberta.

The new periodic table will be an interactive focal point of the science and academic building.

“I know of other institutions that have these tables and they are magnets to members of the public because they are so interesting and beautiful to look at,” says Dibble. “I think this display will become a regular stop for elementary and high school classes and I intend to develop programs, such as element days, that will feed into such visits and offer members of the public and students to learn about specific elements, how they are used and why they are so important.”

For retired faculty member, Dr. Douglas Dolman, seeing the progress of the new science and academic building has been quite thrilling. Dolman and his wife Theresa met at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and both worked for a number of years in the sciences. Dolman says they’re looking forward to seeing how their donation and the new building will inspire the future scientists in the area.

"The new science and academic building will be such a wonderful investment for the future of science in southern Alberta. I hope that by seeing the many extraordinary elements on display in the periodic table, it sparks something special in the young minds of those who visit the building,” says Douglas Dolman.

The periodic table is quite a unique piece of science within itself. Some elements can be made to be interactive and while it’s sized at three meters (10 feet) across and 1.8 meters (6 feet) in height, they make an impressive feature in any science building.

The periodic table contains museum-grade samples of the elements themselves that are individually illuminated in cubes. The elements in the periodic table are shown with examples of how it is used in everyday life as well as some cubes having the ability to be interactive too.

For Dibble, he believes that there is something special in the moment when you first lay your eyes on exactly what an element looks and feels like. Dibble says the feeling ignited by seeing this piece of science is perhaps best summarized by British neurologist, naturalist and author Oliver Sacks.

“In this first, sensuous glance, I saw the table as a gorgeous banquet, a huge table set with eighty-odd different dishes.” (Uncle Tungsten, Oliver Sachs, Alfred A Knopf, Toronto, 2001)

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The donations to date will go towards the purchase of the periodic table. If you’re interested in supporting this project, please contact ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement at 403-329-2582.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community comes together in record support of ULSU Food Bank

trevor.kenney — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 18:52:33 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community and its extended partners have come together to help make the Christmas season a little brighter for U of L students by stocking the shelves and raising more than $12,000 for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) Food Bank.

The food and fundraising drive has helped to ensure that U of L students will not be turned away in their time of need and can continue to pursue their academic goals.

"Considering the current economic climate, it should come as no surprise our food bank is being utilized by students (both undergraduate and graduate) at record breaking numbers,” says ULSU President Cameron Howey. “Our students need support more than ever and it is amazing how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community has come together in support.”

The various initiatives that contributed to the food bank included virtually every corner of campus. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Board of Governors, Senate and General Faculties Council participated in a pass-the-hat fundraiser; Faculties facilitated piggy bank donations and a chili cook-off event; the IT and Finance departments engaged in their annual challenge; the Registrar’s Office held its annual peanut butter/jam fundraiser and a host of other initiatives all contributed to the cause.

“It is inspiring to witness our community come together and raise money to make sure no student goes hungry,” adds Howey. “Through the support of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, we are happy to say we have not turned a single student away from the food bank this year. We were also thrilled to see the effort of many partners of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.”

The fundraising efforts extended to community business partners such as the U of L Bookstore, Starbucks Coffee, The Coffee Co. and others.

PCL Construction Management Ltd., the lead construction contractor for the U of L’s Destination Project, also got in on the act through a campaign that collected donations for both the ULSU Food Bank and three local families.

“We adopted three local families who needed a little extra help this Christmas along with making a cash and food donation to the ULSU,” says Anna Slater, PCL field office manager. “We were so overwhelmed with the response that not only U of L Destination Project staff and PCL staff made, but our trade contractors, too.”

Brian Sullivan, the U of L’s project director for the Destination Project, says the sense of community on campus is real.

“I feel so fortunate to have a great job and sadly there are many who aren’t in the same position right now,” says Sullivan. “That’s a sentiment that is clearly shared on this project as our trades, contractors and staff gave so generously. It’s a wonderful way to come together as a group and give back to the community and U of L students.”

Howey says students are fully aware of the support they receive on campus and are sincerely thankful for the generosity of the community.

“This is the largest amount we have ever raised during the lead-up to the holiday season,” he says. “In addition to all the efforts of our U of L community, this donation from the people involved with the Destination Project shows they are not only invested in the building, but also invested in bettering the student experience. On behalf of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students, thank you. You’ve made this holiday season much brighter.”

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomes BMO Financial Group as sponsor for Destination Project

trevor.kenney — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 17:37:41 +0000

BMO donates $1 million to fund construction of new state-of-the-art science building

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge (U of L) today announced that BMO Financial Group has joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Destination Project through a $1 million philanthropic donation for construction of a new Science and Academic Building at its Lethbridge campus.

The Destination Project is the boldest and most significant development for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ since the construction of the original ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall. The new facilities will bring together faculty and students from across science disciplines, promote and enable curricular innovation, help students achieve their academic goals and foster a community of science at the U of L and across southern Alberta.

The new Academic and Science Building's showcase theatre will carry a BMO Financial name.

The theatre, which will carry the name of BMO Financial Group, will serve as a key space for housing science outreach activities.

“We are very appreciative of BMO Financial Group for joining us in the creation of this transformational project and helping us shape the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” says U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “Our relationship with BMO encompasses a number of initiatives and this gift extends their history of supporting both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the southern Alberta community.”

“We are very pleased to partner with U of L on the Destination Project, one that will undoubtedly enhance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and experience of students in the community for years to come,” says Susan Brown, Senior Vice-President, Alberta and North West Territories Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We have a longstanding relationship with the school and remain committed to investing in programs that will help the advancement of future leaders in the field of science.”

Knowledge sharing is a key component of the Destination Project, between professors and students as well as to the broader southern Alberta community. The BMO Financial Group sponsored theatre will serve as a key space for housing science outreach activities.

“The Destination Project is designed to engage the community. Science shouldn’t exist behind closed doors,” says Dr. Ute Kothe, supervisor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Let’s Talk science program and a researcher in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “It’s our obligation to enable a hands-on approach to learning that will ignite a greater curiosity for science in adults and children.”

In under 50 years, the U of L has evolved from an idea to one of Canada’s top-ranked universities and leading research institutions. Building on these past accomplishments, the Destination Project is the next step forward – helping shape the future of science and teaching for the next 50 years.

“These facilities will give us the research capacity for the future of this institution,” says Dr. Craig Cooper, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “We are thrilled that BMO Financial Group has recognized the potential of this development and what it will mean to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, our region, province and country for years to come.”

About ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Alberta’s Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the U of L attracts approximately 8,600 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to our campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary each year. We offer more than 150 undergraduate and 60 graduate programs in six faculties and schools: Arts & Science, Education, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Management and Graduate Studies.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $688 billion as of October 31, 2016, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

UNews - Destination Project

Eye-popping donation epitomizes science on display

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