UNews - MS Society

2013 Honorary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:01:45 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate has confirmed a diverse and distinguished group of five persons as recipients of Honorary Degrees for 2013.

From the sporting field to the boardroom, the concert hall and the halls of parliament and justice, the group represents a cross section of the local, national and international community.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is very pleased that these individuals have agreed to let us recognize them with an Honorary Degree," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor, Dr. Shirley McClellan. "Their collective accomplishments have made our local, provincial, national and international communities stronger and have improved the quality of life for people around the world."

Following are brief biographies (in alphabetical order) of this year's honoured recipients.

Dr. Garald (Gary) W. Bowie

A founding faculty member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Dr. Gary Bowie is a respected community volunteer, builder, leader and educator.

Dr. Bowie taught and developed courses in physical education and kinesiology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over the course of a 30-year career (1968-1998) and played a major role in the construction of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

A former Pronghorns basketball coach and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Dr. Bowie was also active in his community, serving as the Director of Sports for the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Chair of both the Alberta Winter and Summer Games. A co-founder and Chair of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, Dr. Bowie is also a hall inductee.

As an educator, Dr. Bowie served 15 years as a trustee on the Lethbridge School District #51 Board, and his volunteer activities have long served the local and provincial homeless populations.

He was recently appointed Chair of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness and continues to positively influence his community.

Richard (Rick) Casson

The former Manager of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Printing Services, Rick Casson has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, his home community of Picture Butte, the people of southern Alberta and Canada as a whole over the course of his 30-plus year political career.

Casson began his community service as a volunteer firefighter before being convinced to run for local political office, eventually serving as a municipal councilor for nine years and then as Mayor of Picture Butte for an additional nine years.

Casson would spend 14 years as a sitting Member of Parliament and was both a successful and influential MP. He served as Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defense as well as Chair of the Special Committee on Afghanistan, all the while remaining true to his local roots and actively supporting the constituents of southern Alberta.

Named to the Queens Privy Council for Canada in 2010, Casson has also been a strong advocate for the support of Multiple Sclerosis research, raising $122,000 for the MS Society over the last seven years.

Rivka Golani

A world-class musician, performer, teacher and promoter of classical music, Rivka Golani is among the top-five viola soloists in the world and a major contributor to the advancement of classical music in southern Alberta.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Golani moved to Canada in 1974, performing across the country and spreading the love of music to the communities that she visited.
When approached to teach master viola classes to students in southern Alberta, she enthusiastically shared her immense talent and quickly took up the charge to create an international music festival.

The Fort Macleod International Festival was born and is now in its ninth year.

A dedicated and successful teacher, Golani is also a champion of southern Alberta composers, giving young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents and taking their works to national and international audiences.

With more than 250 original works composed especially for her, Golani has brought the world of classical music to southern Alberta's doorstep.

Robert Turner

As Chair of the Board of Governors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for six years (2006-2012), Robert Turner helped guide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through an era of significant change and growth, including the creation of a new Strategic Plan, a successful fundraising campaign and a major expansion of campus services.

Turner, a successful attorney and businessman, was elected to the U of L's Board of Governors in 2002 and served four years as a key contributor to the creation of governance policies and practices, as well as the attached responsibilities of the Board, administration and others.

When appointed Chair of the Board in 2006 and then reappointed for a second term in 2009, Turner recruited an outstanding group of Board members, ensuring gender balance, a Pan-Alberta membership and the skills necessary to run an emerging comprehensive university.

Turner's extensive volunteer contributions reflect the values of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and continue to have impact at the local, provincial and national level.

Neil Wittmann

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute graduate Neil Wittmann has long been respected as one of the top litigators in the province of Alberta, serving as an exceptional teacher and mentor to junior lawyers and erstwhile champion of ethical litigation.

Now, as Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in the Province of Alberta, Wittmann conducts the majority of his work behind the scenes, continually working to better the practice of law in the province.

As Vice-Chair of the Judicial Conduct Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC), Wittmann's work is absolutely essential in ensuring that the independency of the judiciary is maintained in Canada and the conduct of the members of the judiciary adhere to the ethical principles adapted by the CJC.

Wittmann's stellar career as a lawyer in private practice, coupled with his excellence as a judge and now Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench demonstrates the respect and admiration the legal community has for his contributions to the practice of law in Alberta and beyond.

This story first appeared in the June 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Dining out for the MS Society

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:11:49 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community and general public are invited to visit select Lethbridge restaurants on Thursday, Mar. 7 to take part in Cuisine 4 a Cause – a project initiated by the 2013 Integrated Management Experience (IME) class. The project supports the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lethbridge Chapter.

During this event, patrons may choose to dine at Spring Rolls Vietnamese restaurant, Streatside Eatery or Two Guys and a Pizza Place, with 100 per cent of food profits at each restaurant going directly towards funding for MS research.

The students are all members of the Integrated Management Experience class, a Faculty of Management course that focuses on integrating community and theory into practical applications. Since the launch of the program in 2000, IME students have raised over $150,000 toward Lethbridge community development.

On Mar. 7, enjoy an evening at a great, local restaurant and help take a bite out of MS!

For more information about the event, check out Facebook or Twitter at Cuisine 4 a Cause, or visit the MS Society website: mssociety.ca/alberta/Chapter_Leth.html

MS Society Development co-ordinator Jackie Stambene, students Brynne Thurston and Jordan Thomas and Streatside Eatery owner Steve Oseen are getting ready to take a bite out of MS.

U of L Senate Confirms 2013 Honorary Degree Recipients

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:00:29 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate has confirmed a diverse and distinguished group of five persons as recipients of Honorary Degrees for 2013.

From the sporting field to the boardroom, the concert hall and the halls of parliament and justice, the group represents a cross section of the local, national and international community.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is very pleased that these individuals have agreed to let us recognize them with an Honorary Degree," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor, Dr. Shirley McClellan.

"Their collective accomplishments have made our local, provincial, national and international communities stronger and have improved the quality of life for people around the world."

The recipients will receive their degrees at the Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 Convocation Ceremonies.

Following are brief biographies (in alphabetical order) of this year's honoured recipients.

Dr. Garald (Gary) W. Bowie

A founding faculty member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Dr. Gary Bowie is a noted community volunteer, builder, leader and educator.

Dr. Bowie taught and developed courses in physical education and kinesiology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over the course of a 30-year career (1968-1998) and played a major role in the construction of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

A former Pronghorns basketball coach and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Dr. Bowie was also active in his community, serving as the Director of Sports for the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Chair of both the Alberta Winter and Summer Games. A co-founder and Chair of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, Dr. Bowie is also a hall inductee.

As an educator, Dr. Bowie served 15 years as a trustee on the Lethbridge School District #51 Board, and his volunteer activities have long served the local and provincial homeless populations.

He was recently appointed Chair of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness and continues to influence his community in positive ways.

Richard (Rick) Casson

The former Manager of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Printing Services, Rick Casson has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, his home community of Picture Butte, the people of southern Alberta and Canada as a whole over the course of his 30-plus year political career.

Casson began his community service as a volunteer firefighter before being convinced to run for local political office, eventually serving as a municipal councilor for nine years and then as Mayor of Picture Butte for an additional nine years.

Casson would spend 14 years as a sitting Member of Parliament and was both a successful and influential MP. He served as Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defense as well as Chair of the Special Committee on Afghanistan, all the while remaining true to his local roots and actively supporting the constituents of southern Alberta.

Named to the Queens Privy Council for Canada in 2010, Casson has also been a strong advocate for the support of Multiple Sclerosis research, raising $122,000 through the MS Society over the last seven years.

Rivka Golani

A world-class musician, performer, teacher and promoter of classical music, Rivka Golani is among the top-five viola soloists in the world and a major contributor to the advancement of classical music in southern Alberta.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Golani moved to Canada in 1974, performing across the country and spreading the love of music to the communities that she visited.

When approached to teach master viola classes to students in southern Alberta, she enthusiastically shared her immense talent and quickly took up the charge to create an international music festival.

The Fort Macleod International Festival was born and is now in its ninth year.

A dedicated and successful teacher, Golani is also a champion of southern Alberta composers, giving young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents and taking their works to national and international audiences.

With more than 250 original works composed especially for her, Golani has brought the world of classical music to southern Alberta's doorstep.

Robert Turner

As Chair of the Board of Governors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for six years (2006-2012), Robert Turner helped guide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through an era of significant change and growth, including the creation of a new Strategic Plan, a successful fundraising campaign and a major expansion of campus services.

Turner, a successful attorney and businessman, was elected to the U of L's Board of Governors in 2002 and served four years as a key contributor to the creation of governance policies and practices, as well as the attached responsibilities of the Board, Administration and others.

When appointed Chair of the Board in 2006 and then reappointed for a second term in 2009, Turner recruited an outstanding group of Board members, ensuring gender balance, a Pan-Alberta membership and the skills necessary to run an emerging comprehensive university.

Turner's extensive volunteer contributions reflect the values of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and continue to impact at the local, provincial and national level.

Neil Wittmann

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute graduate Neil Wittmann has long been respected as one of the top litigators in the province of Alberta, serving as an exceptional teacher and mentor to junior lawyers and erstwhile champion of ethical litigation.

Now, as Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in the Province of Alberta, Wittmann conducts the majority of his work behind the scenes, continually working to better the practice of law in the province.

As Vice-Chair of the Judicial Conduct Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC), Wittmann's work is absolutely essential in ensuring that the independency of the judiciary is maintained in Canada and the conduct of the members of the judiciary adhere to the ethical principles adapted by the CJC.

Wittmann's stellar career as a lawyer in private practice, coupled with his excellence as a judge and now Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench demonstrates the respect and admiration the legal community has for his contributions to the practice of law in Alberta and beyond.

Brick by Brick benefit dinner for MS Society

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:40:35 +0000

Exchanging lab coats for formal attire, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's iGEM team is stepping out of its comfort zone to connect with the southern Alberta community that has supported them from the outset.

The inaugural Brick by Brick Charity Dinner is Friday, Nov. 18 in the Students' Union Ballroom. Benefitting the MS Society, Lethbridge & District Chapter, the event will not only raise funds for the fight against multiple sclerosis, it will help to enhance awareness and understanding of the disease through guest speakers Susan Schneider and Dr. Gerlinde Metz.

"This is something we've wanted to do for a few years now and have finally been able to put together because of the size of our team," says iGEM member Lisza Bruder.

The Pincher Creek native is in her third year with iGEM and in the first year of her master's of biochemistry studies with Dr. Steve Mosimann. The multidisciplinary iGEM team, with support from the Synthetic Biology Club and led by Dr. HJ Wieden, has swelled to 22 members, making the establishment of a charity dinner a less daunting task.

"We felt this was a way to give back to the community that has supported us from when we started in 2007."

The iGEM group (an acronym for International Genetically Engineered Machines) already makes a significant contribution to society, albeit in a more indirect manner. Their work involves the design of a petrochemical-eating bacteria, which they proved could be used to help clean up water in oil sands tailings ponds.

The dinner project is a little more public and more direct.

"It's very difficult at times to go and talk with someone about your research and explain to them what it means," says Bruder. "We even sometimes don't see the connect between what we are doing in the lab and how it applies down the line."

To that end, U of L neuroscience professor Metz will speak to her studies as a part of the endMS project.

"Having an MS researcher from our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ speak to the community has a huge impact," says Ann Stewart, the MS Society chapter executive director. "It demonstrates the use of donor funds as well as raises the awareness of the types of research being done to find a cause and cure for MS."

Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada and currently affects over 11,000 Albertans.

In addition to Metz's address, Susan Schneider, a local resident who is living with MS, will speak to her personal experience with the disease, while Dory Rossiter will serve as the evening's emcee.

Stewart says it is important that our community's youth take up the charge for these initiatives.

"We are delighted to partner with the iGEM team," she says. "��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ students are an integral part of our community and it is always refreshing to be involved in their activities."

Tickets for the Brick by Brick Charity Dinner are priced at $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. They are available by calling 403-328-7002 or via e-mail at brickbybrick.igem@gmail.com

This story first appeared in the Legend. For a look at the November issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Sutherland presentation opens Brain Awareness Week

trevor.kenney — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:42:51 +0000

Brain Awareness Week begins Monday, Mar. 15 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and at schools throughout southern Alberta. It opens with a free public presentation on Monday, giving the public a chance to tune up their brains with one of North America's leading brain researchers.

Dr. Robert Sutherland, one of the principal investigators at the CCBN and a leading expert in the way the brain processes memory, will deliver a free public talk entitled The User Manual for your Brain on Monday evening beginning at 7 p.m. in room PE250 of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

"One of the most basic facts in neuroscience is that you are your brain," says Sutherland. "Numerous events over a lifetime, including disease and rough handling, gradually diminish our brain/mind capabilities, frequently leading to dementia. Recent research shows that the brain has remarkable capacities for resilience."

Researchers, students and staff from the CCBN will also host an open house and Brain Awareness Fair on Saturday, Mar. 20, with research demonstrations, self-guided tours, plus the chance to win a $500 Posit Science memory enhancing system, among other door prizes.

The following local brain health related organizations will have information booths at the Brain Awareness Fair: Parkinson's Society; Heart and Stroke Foundation; Alzheimer's Society; The Brain Injury Network; Barons Eureka Warner Family and Community social services; MS Society; Southern Alberta Autism Consortium; Schizophrenia Society of Alberta.

For more on the study of neuroscience at the U of L, follow this link: http://www.uleth.ca/fas/neur/

Brain Awareness Week launches Thursday

trevor.kenney — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:09:33 +0000

The annual Brain Awareness Week is on deck at the U of L's Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), and to launch the event, a group of grade six students at Father Leonard Van Tighem School got up close and personal with brains Thursday, Mar. 11.

The students enjoyed the opportunity to touch a sheep brain, see a human brain, as well as learn about how the brain affects the senses and plays a critical role in keeping people alive. The program was delivered by doctoral and graduate studies candidates from the CCBN.

Educational sessions similar to the Father Leonard Van Tighem presentation are scheduled during the week at several schools in southern Alberta.

Horns hosting MS Awareness Game Night

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:31:04 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's and men's basketball teams will be hosting a MS Awareness Game Night, Saturday, Nov. 21 in support of the Lethbridge & District Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MS Society volunteers will be at the 1st Choice Savings Centre providing information about the society, volunteering, fundraising events, and the services they offer to those living with MS in the Lethbridge & District area as well as ways anyone can get involved with the MS Society.

"We are so happy that the Pronghorns approached us about doing this third party fundraiser for us," says Leanne Kindrat, development co-ordinator of the Lethbridge & District Chapter of the MS Society. "Having local sports teams get involved with the MS Society is incredible. Not only will the game help spread awareness, but hopefully it will open the door to people with MS that didn't know there were so many resources available for them to use."

For every ticket sold that night, $1 will be donated back to the MS Society, helping get 'one step' closer to finding a cause and cure for MS. The Horns host ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba Bisons with the women's game beginning at 6 p.m. and the men's game tipping off at 8 p.m.

"Our vision is to be recognized as a superior provider of sport, recreation, and wellness opportunities that positively contribute to the quality of life for our students and the community," says Business and Development Manager, Sports and Recreation Services, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Robb Engen. "I can't think of a better organization to partner with than the MS Society here in Lethbridge. With this partnership, we hope to bring more awareness to our students on campus about Multiple Sclerosis, and what they can do to help end MS."

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause, prevention, treatment and cure for this disease. For more information about the Society or any of our fundraising events or to make a donation please visit www.mssociety.ca, www.endMS.ca or call 403-328-7002.

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