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U of L and Red Crow College to launch Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program next fall

caroline.zentner — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:32:32 +0000

The Faculty of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, in partnership with Red Crow Community College, is pleased to offer the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program, beginning in the fall of 2018.

“We look forward to working with the U of L on the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program,” says Roy Weasel Fat, president of Red Crow Community College. “The program will prepare students to teach from a Blackfoot perspective and ultimately, to pass along language and culture to future generations.”

“We are happy to once again offer the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program in collaboration with our partners at Red Crow Community College,” says Dr. Nancy Grigg, acting associate dean of the Faculty of Education. “We first offered the program in 2004 to a full cohort of students and we look forward to building on that success.”

The program is for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students or interested non-Indigenous students, who want to become qualified teachers and work with Blackfoot children and youth. The program is offered as a five-year combined degree or a two-year, after-degree program. Students will first complete courses—Kipatapisanooni I and II—which address Blackfoot language, values and ways of knowing. These classes form the foundation of the program, which is designed to meet all the expectations and competencies of the Alberta Teaching Quality Standard and to further prepare teachers to work within the Blackfoot culture.

“We learned a lot of lessons from the first Niitsitapi program so we have a better understanding of what our students need,” says Dr. Chris Mattatall, an education professor and a member of the Niitsitapi steering committee. “We have been planning with our partners at Red Crow College from the start so we have a shared vision.”

The upcoming academic year will focus on recruitment and anyone interested in the program can contact Student Program Services at edu.sps@uleth.ca.

Computer scientist who has increased the number of women in computing and mathematics to receive honorary degree

caroline.zentner — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:43:59 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce that Dr. Maria Klawe, president of California’s Harvey Mudd College, will receive an honorary degree at the 2017 Spring Convocation ceremonies.

Dr. Maria Klawe

Klawe is a theoretical computer scientist from Edmonton whose career has been marked by research into the gender issues in mathematics and computer science and significant contributions as a senior administrator.

“We are exceptionally pleased to award Dr. Maria Klawe an honorary doctor of science,” says U of L Chancellor Janice Varzari. “Her research into gender issues in mathematics and computing science, as well as her commitment and hard work to increase the number of women in these fields, is truly outstanding. Since she became president at Harvey Mudd, the percentage of women in computer science has increased to 40 per cent from 10.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will present Klawe with a doctor of science, honoris causa, at the 2017 Spring Convocation I Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on June 1.

Dr. Maria Klawe

A world-class researcher, Dr. Maria Klawe’s work has made a difference in the lives of many girls and women by improving their representation in male-dominated areas such as computer science and mathematics.

She has published 84 papers in peer-reviewed venues on topics such as theoretical computer science and mathematics, the use of games in education and promoting more women to enter computer science.

Klawe has also made significant contributions as a senior administrator. Before she became president of Harvey Mudd College, a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California, she had been dean of engineering at Princeton and dean of science at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia. At UBC, Klawe was the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for BC and Yukon. She created the Supporting Women in Information Technology (SWIFT) program, which is still in operation today.

Klawe also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and was a member of the Microsoft board of directors from 2009 to 2015. She has developed and designed educational content for a math CD-ROM game; produced and designed an entertaining software activity and tutorial to introduce non-programmers to Java; and created a mathematical computer adventure game for children aged 10 to 14. Klawe has been involved in the development of aids for people who suffer from aphasia, a language impairment, and has most recently turned her attention to improving education in mathematics and science from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Founder of Uphill Both Ways to receive this year’s Young Alumnus Achievement Award

caroline.zentner — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 17:30:15 +0000

Janelle Pritchard (BN ’12), recipient of this year’s Young Alumnus Achievement Award, wants to reassure new alumni not to worry if they don’t have everything in their lives planned out.

“For me, the biggest thing I’ve come to appreciate is that you don’t need to have it all figured out. Just trust in the journey,” says Pritchard.

That approach led her to establish Uphill Both Ways, a non-profit organization that has helped people in Nepal by funding the building of new schools and a hydroelectric plant and providing school supplies for hundreds of children. Plans are underway to build another school and, during her last visit in October 2015, Uphill Both Ways also set up health camps in conjunction with a hospital in Bhaktapur. Pritchard hopes to continue this work by bringing Canadian doctors and nurses to Nepal one day.

Janelle Pritchard (BN '12) is this year's recipient of the Young Alumnus Achievement Award.

“Uphill Both Ways has taken on a life of its own. It all happened very naturally. A lot of the time I just feel like I’m along for the ride,” she says. “All this work in Nepal has happened just because I’ve been open to opportunity.”

Her dedication and leadership in founding and sustaining Uphill Both Ways has inspired others and has made a difference in the world. Her passion for helping the people of Nepal is infectious. For these reasons and more, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) is pleased to honour Pritchard with the Young Alumnus Achievement Award for 2017.

“We are very proud to recognize Janelle with the Young Alumnus Achievement Award,” says Randy Kobbert (BMgt ’86), president of the ULAA. “Not only does she demonstrate excellence in her career as a nurse, she has shown true leadership in her humanitarian work in Nepal.”

“I was definitely shocked,” says Pritchard. “When I found out, I was honoured. But it seems kind of crazy because there are a lot of really incredible people out there.”

Pritchard, who works as an operating room nurse at Rocky View Hospital in Calgary, was born and raised in Lethbridge. After graduating from high school, she wanted to spend a year backpacking in Australia. When she was preparing for the trip, her father told her about a hiking trip to Nepal being organized by a friend.

“He suggested doing some father-daughter bonding in the Himalayas and starting my trip off with a little bit of hiking in Nepal before I went to Australia,” she says. “The Nepal trip was kind of a fluke chance.”

The trip proved to be life-changing and Nepal and its people captured a place in her heart. A teacher in their hiking group expressed interest in seeing the school in a village and their trekking guide, who knew someone involved with the school, arranged a visit.

“They took us to this little shack. There were a couple of benches that the older kids could sit on, but the younger kids were sitting on the floor,” says Pritchard. “They had an old chalkboard but they couldn’t afford chalk. They had nothing. Seeing that was eye-opening. At the end of our trip, we all just pitched in a bit of money and we were able to buy tons of school supplies and then pay for a couple of men to carry it all on their backs up to this village. I saw how easy it was to make change and make a difference in somebody else’s life. We were told the headmaster cried when the stuff arrived. Seeing that impact just kind of sparked things.”

Pritchard has made four more trips to Nepal, one of them a few months after the earthquake in April 2015. Uphill Both Ways remains a small organization of five people, consisting of family members, friend Drew Andreachuk, and a contact in Nepal.

“Our contact on the ground, he was my original trekking guide, and it’s because of him that all this is possible,” says Pritchard. “Getting to be a part of their world for a little bit is pretty magical. I think my relationship with Nepal is going to be a lifelong one. It’s become my home away from home.”

To determine where the greatest need exists, the guide holds community meetings to figure out what’s most needed and if the community is willing to help by providing labour. Little by little, Uphill Both Ways has built trust within the Nepalese communities.

The skills and knowledge she gained during her time at the U of L have given her a foundation and proven their value halfway around the world.

“This isn’t a place where you come to get all the answers; it’s where you come to learn how to ask the big questions and to understand why they matter,” says Pritchard.

Enrolment up significantly at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

caroline.zentner — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 17:45:00 +0000

This fall, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomed one of the largest groups of students in its history. The number of students registered at the U of L totals 8,453, which represents an increase of 2.8 per cent from last fall. Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L president, announced the figure during his annual Fiat Lux address on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The number of new high school registrants increased by more than 18 per cent from last year. To help ensure students make a successful transition from high school to university, Mahon stressed the need for the U of L community to continue offering their support.

The U of L welcomed more First Nations, Métis and Inuit students this year, with enrolment up 8.1 per cent from last year.

The U of L also saw significant growth in the number of new students starting their classes at the Calgary campus. Enrolment increased by 2.6 per cent to a total of 795 students. Primarily for adult learners who are working full-time, classes are offered in the evenings and on weekends. Through Campus Alberta, students can take advantage of laddering opportunities with Bow Valley College, Olds College and Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. In addition to the Bachelor of Management currently offered, the Faculty of Fine Arts has hired a full-time instructor and now offers a minor in New Media in Calgary.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge remains an institution of choice for students across Alberta and beyond because of our high-quality academic programs and a focus on supporting our students,” says Mahon.

Haul-All president to be honoured at the Faculty of Management's annual scholarship dinner

caroline.zentner — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:32:51 +0000

Designing a bear-proof garbage receptacle was Dennis Neufeldt’s first major project when he joined the family business in 1976.

A recent graduate of the industrial engineering program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto, he was looking for his first career position.

“None of the options out east excited me too much. I figured there were good opportunities here, and with my connection to the community, returning to Lethbridge felt right,” says Neufeldt.

Known for his innovative ideas and commitment to community, Dennis Neufeldt provides an excellent role model for students.

He, with his cousins Kevin and Dave, became the third generation to work at what was then Neufeldt Industries, a company started by Neufeldt’s grandfather John in 1931 in an old cowshed in Coaldale. The business has thrived and grown into two divisions, Haul-All Equipment Systems servicing the waste management industry, and Sure Flame Products offering gas and diesel-fired heaters for the construction industry. Products are now shipped across Canada, into the United States, the Caribbean and beyond.

From its humble beginnings as John J. Neufeldt and Sons Blacksmithing, the family-owned company has always supported the community, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Due to his success in business and for his long-standing commitment to the U of L and the community, the Faculty of Management has chosen Neufeldt as the honouree of this year’s Management Scholarship Dinner. Proceeds from the dinner will go toward a scholarship in the honouree’s name and will be given annually to a deserving Faculty of Management student.

“We are proud to honour Dennis at our annual scholarship dinner,” says Faculty of Management Dean, Dr. Robert Ellis. “The Neufeldt family has built a successful business that is committed to innovation, ethics and professionalism and provides an excellent role model for our students.”

Neufeldt, who has attended many of the annual scholarship dinners, never expected to be the centre of attention himself.

“I must say I was very surprised when I was told. Being at those dinners for many years, I never thought that I would be in a position to be the honouree,” he says.

The bear-proof container that Neufeldt designed back in the 1970s is still being built today, although the famous receptacle is now one of many innovative products that make up the company’s integrated approach to waste management, including collection vehicles and transfer stations. The road to becoming a provider of integrated waste management products was full of twists and turns but innovation was always the driving force.

Throughout its history, the company has been adept at developing specialized products. Neufeldt’s grandfather repaired farm implements like ditchers used in irrigation. The company flattened steel wheels from unused equipment and made them into plowshares.

“One of their big products was a land leveler to taper the land so that the water wouldn’t pool when you were irrigating. It was all flood irrigating at that time so they built these big levelers, some of them were 65 feet long,” says Neufeldt.

They also built truck boxes and eventually garbage trucks. In the early 1980s, waste management products, including collection vehicles, waste and recycling containers, and regional transfer stations, replaced the farm equipment side of the business. The iconic Hid-A-Bag waste receptacle is a familiar sight in parks across North America. A special container was developed for the 2010 Winter Olympics. A penchant for niche applications is not limited to the Haul-All division. Sure Flame Products recently designed a heater that is being used in California at a pistachio nut business that supplies about 80 per cent of the North American market.

“If you ate a pistachio this year, chances are it was dried by one of our 1.5 million BTU heaters,” says Neufeldt.

Loyal employees have been key to the success of Haul-All. The company has provided Faculty of Management students with co-op work placements, with three former co-op students taking permanent positions. Haul-All plans to continue providing opportunities for co-op students in the future. The company is very proud of the fact that many of its employees have been with them for a long time and five were recently recognized for 25 years of service. Treating employees well has been one of the foundational values for Haul-All.

Along with absorbing lessons about business from his father and uncle, Neufeldt made sure he stayed on top of trends in the industry by reading journals, attending trade shows and keeping tabs on the competition. Now semi-retired, Neufeldt enjoys ping-pong, hockey, hiking, cycling and riding his motorcycle.

Neufeldt’s advice to young entrepreneurs is to get a broad base of knowledge and experience, focus their talents where they can be most effective, and surround themselves with others whose skills are complementary to their own.

This year’s scholarship dinner is being held on April 16. The event typically sells out quickly so tickets should be reserved as soon as possible. Tickets, at $125 each or $1,000 for a table of eight, can be purchased online at uleth.ca/management/scholarship-dinner-2015.

Mahon says in Fiat Lux Address that budget landscape will not compromise ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's future

trevor.kenney — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 16:12:15 +0000

In the third annual Fiat Lux address, President Mike Mahon reiterated the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s response to its Campus Alberta operating grant cut, shared details about the institution’s draft Strategic Plan and spoke to the initiatives that will continue to move the U of L forward.

Mahon said in his address to faculty, staff and students in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Theatre that more work is necessary to overcome the 7.3 per cent cut to its provincial operating grant. However, he was optimistic that the U of L would emerge from this challenge in a strong position.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon delivers the 2013 Fiat Lux Address.

“I know there are sentiments of uncertainty and concern as to how we will realize our way through this without negatively affecting our university or compromising our future,” said Mahon. “I am here today to tell you that we will be successful in this task.”

To date, the U of L has realized reductions of $8.5 million of the $11.8 million cut to the Campus Alberta grant. Mahon said that nine budget advisory committees have been working to find further savings and that those reports would be posted in the coming week.

Mahon said that despite the budget challenges, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will continue to move forward with purpose to meet its goals, and that the Strategic Plan will be critical in guiding the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

“Our Strategic Plan and mandate tells us quite clearly who we are and what our priorities are. I’m paraphrasing our Roles and Mandate statement, but at the heart of it, we are a comprehensive academic and research institution that offers undergraduate and graduate programs and we conduct pure and applied research. Everything we do at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ should support this. All of our activities and our staff, from administrative units to academic units, should support this.”

The draft Strategic Plan outlines five familiar priorities, shared Mahon. They are to excel as a comprehensive university, continue enhancing the student experience, promote access to quality post-secondary education, build our internal community while enhancing those valuable, productive relationships with external communities and enhance the sustainability of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Despite the budget challenge, Mahon reminded the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community that there were many strengths the U of L could rely on as it moves forward. These include strong enrolment numbers, an excellent national reputation, new student focused facilities, strong links with the Lethbridge community and exceptional faculty and staff.

In addressing important initiatives that would help guide and build the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in the future, Mahon pointed to the continued activity of the General Faculties Council (GFC) Aboriginal Education Committee and its work on the establishment of an FNMI Centre on campus, the Academic Quality Assurance review and the establishment of a significant and comprehensive fundraising campaign. He spent a significant portion of his address speaking to the planning and purpose of the Destination Project.

While the most significant element of this new facility will be to house research areas, teaching spaces and laboratories for a significant number of our science programs, Mahon said the activities that will take place in the facility will be far-reaching.

“Imagine it as a hub for innovation; a place where science research and teaching are conducted and made accessible not only to post-secondary students but also to school-aged children and their families and anyone in our community who wishes to learn,” said Mahon. “A place where high school students can refine their understanding of, and ignite their passion for, science, launching the next phase of their educational journeys. A place where Albertans can gather to learn more about the world in which they live.”

Mahon stated the Destination Project will also include a revitalization of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, which will strengthen the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s commitment to liberal education – a foundation of the U of L.

“The construction of a new science facility and the revitalization of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall provide a great opportunity to help us define liberal education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for the 21st century,” said Mahon. “This can be accomplished not only through the creation of a hub for the humanities and social sciences but also through the creation of cross-disciplinary research opportunities for students.”

Mahon concluded his speech by reiterating that the U of L will continue to flourish because it will maintain its focus on its fundamental values, including its people, programs and goals.

“If we not only use our Strategic Plan, but also our Academic and Research plans as guides in setting priorities, our budget challenges will not prevent us from achieving these goals.”

The video of Dr. Mahon's Fiat Lux Address is available here. The full text of his address is available here.

New ULAA president looks to further engage alumni

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:50:08 +0000

The new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association president understands the value of a community.

“I love growth, development and opportunity. Anything I can do to make things better for my community, for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ or my neighbourhood, I try to get involved in,” explains Grant Adamson (BSc ’03), who was elected as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s 26th president in July.

“Community involvement has been an unwritten part of my family philosophy forever; that goes back to growing up on a farm. Being on a farm is not a place where you can grow or develop on your own. You need community,” says Adamson. “About 10 years back we received a farm century award. It was pretty important to our family and community, but when I graduated from high school I wanted to see who I was away from the farm. Someone suggested I would be a good teacher, so I researched and found that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge had an excellent program for teachers and chose to come to Lethbridge.”

Grant Adamson, with his wife Rebecca, at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Donor Gala

Adamson, however, discovered he had no desire to teach, so in his second year he switched his studies to biology. That same year, he developed a severe case of mononucleosis and was subsequently unable to take a full course load for the next several years. It was then that he truly experienced the fellowship and support found within the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

“I was a very strong student academically going into university, but when I found myself suffering academically due to my health, I relied on services provided by the U of L. I sought out help when I needed it and I found it all over the place,” he says. “I became involved with the Organization of Residence Students, the Students’ Union and the curling club. My residence experience was particularly impactful because I got to be a part of governance and make a difference, which I loved. I also met my wife Rebecca (BA/BEd ’99, MEd ’09) and her friend Janet, who would later become my sister-in-law. Being involved in extra-curricular activities was very fulfilling and kept me going until I was well enough to take on full course loads.”

As he began to take more advanced theoretical courses, Adamson could not imagine himself being confined to working in labs for the rest of his life. He began to wonder if it was time to take a small turn in his academic direction once again.

“After exiting from the C-stairwell on 7th, I’d always turned left toward the bio-tech labs. One day, I felt drawn to the geography labs so I turned right instead! I sat there for about an hour reading the presentation boards about the projects and research going on in the department. I saw displays about things I cared about and it played to my roots. That fall, I switched my program to geography. Finally, I could look to the future and visualize what my life would look like.”

Adamson graduated in 2003 and began his career in the oil industry, working in environmental sciences. After the project he was working on shut down, he spent several years pursuing an interest in real estate investment, but his agricultural heritage always beckoned. In 2007, everything came together when Adamson began working with hybrid canola seed production at Monsanto Canada Inc. It was the perfect combination of biotechnology and agriculture all in one. Three years later, Adamson accepted a position at Dow AgroSciences where he continues to work as their lead agronomist for canola seed production in southern Alberta, the Pacific Northwest and Chile. One of his secondary duties is liaising with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, recruiting students to work with Dow AgroSciences as summer interns and potentially as long-term employees.

“The hybrid canola seed industry relies heavily on student interns in the summer, as it is extremely busy during this season,” says Adamson, who is happy to support students through his work and as a member of the ULAA. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is a great supplier of excellent students who have a background in, or knowledge of, agriculture, or who are willing to learn about it.”
Adamson became involved with the ULAA in 2005. He has served as a director, treasurer and vice-president and was elected as president in July.

“I got involved with the association because I missed the connection with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Participation with the ULAA is a great way for alumni to foster and maintain that link. As part of the executive, I have seen the association become increasingly involved in the community and take on a more formal role. My goal is to lead the maturation and formality process. With 36,480 alumni coming of age in the workforce, we are at a tipping point. I encourage alumni to reconnect and get involved. We want to hear about your stories, your successes and your adventures.”

GET THE FACTS

• Adamson is very proud of his family connection to the U of L – his wife Rebecca (BA/BEd ’99, MEd ’09), sister-in-laws Janet Adamson (BA/BEd ’00), Lauren Adamson (BSc ‘ 04) and brother Lowell Adamson (BSc ’04) are all a part of the alumni family

• Adamson has been a member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate since 2011

• A former member of the board of directors for the Youth Federation of Canada, Adamson also serves as a construction volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, of which his wife is the organization’s local vice-chair

• The 2013 ULAA Executive consists of Adamson as president, vice-president Randy Kobbert (BMgt ’86), past president Kathy Lewis (BN ’83, MEd ’99), treasurer Jason Baker (BMgt ’02) and secretary Sharon Malec (BEd ’73)

U of L researchers among Venture's Top 50

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 22:14:53 +0000

Two ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researchers from vastly different disciplines have been acknowledged by Alberta Venture Magazine as being among the province's 50 most influential people for 2013.

Drs. David Naylor (Physics and Astronomy) and Robert Sutherland (Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience) made the 2013 list for their achievements in the lab -- outer space, in Naylor's case, and for Sutherland, advocating for the academic community as the President of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.

Dr. David Naylor

As an instructor with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's physics department since 1981, David Naylor has taken his lab to the upper echelons of experimental astrophysics. Practically speaking, that means he designs and uses instruments that can measure incredibly small amounts of radiation and light.

His primary project for the last four years has been the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE), a telescope on the Herschel Space Observatory, which was launched in 2009.

The Herschel is winding down its mission as it runs out of liquid helium to cool its instruments, but its 25,000 hours of studying the universe have already led to 250 peer-reviewed articles, a better understanding of the galaxy and spin-off businesses in the Lethbridge area.

Naylor himself was instrumental in establishing Blue Sky Spectroscopy, a private company that has won several contracts from the European and Canadian space agencies and delivered complex instrumentation to leading research teams across the planet. And the SPIRE's legacy is still in its infancy. Astronomers will analyze the prolific telescope's legacy of data for years to come.

Dr. Robert Sutherland

Rob Sutherland's day job is as a professor and chair of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's department of neuroscience, but his public profile this year has come as a result of his role as president of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.

CAFA represents academic associations at the province's four research-intensive institutions (��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ).

They were all hit hard in the provincial budget in March, with cuts to their operating budgets of more than seven per cent. Sutherland was suddenly thrust into the limelight as a defender of tertiary education from both the budget cuts and the mandate letters sent to the institutions from Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk.

You can be sure the battle will continue for years as the provincial government continues its austerity measures and the universities fight to get their funding back up to – and beyond – prior levels.

The complete list of Alberta Venture's 50 most influential people for 2013 is available here.

Play Day initiative wins awards

trevor.kenney — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 17:27:12 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Play Day initiative recently received a silver award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) - a national organization that acknowledges excellence in alumni relations, communications, community outreach and development programming at universities and colleges across Canada.

The event also won a bronze award in a similar category from the international Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII, which is made up of post-secondary educational institutions from western Canada and the northwestern United States.

Play Day is designed to promote opportunities for play for southern Alberta children and families.

The free event, sponsored by 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union, drew nearly 5,000 people to campus on Family Day, which took place February 18, 2013.

"Play Day is a tremendous example of the importance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge places on community engagement," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon. "Encouraging our children to play is important from a developmental point of view and events like this are important from a community point of view."

The event was successful due to the help of more than 100 volunteers from on campus and the broader community. The event brought together representatives from areas all over campus including the Art Gallery, Sport and Recreation Services and science outreach programs.

A variety of activities in the 1st Choice Savings Centre and at the Max Bell Aquatic Centre were all designed to encourage free play and exploration. Photos are attached.

"It didn't matter if you attended as a guest or volunteered, you had a lot of fun," says Mahon of the circus-themed event. "We were very pleased with our first Play Day in 2012. Its overwhelming success led to the 2013 activity and the decision to make it an annual event. We look forward to having the community join us next year."

The next Play Day will take place on February 17, 2014.

Please visit the CCAE website to view the complete list of winners and their entries.

Please visit the CASE VIII website to view the complete list of winners and their entries.

U of L signs collaboration agreement with Mexican university

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 20:26:56 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has signed a collaboration agreement with the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo in Mexico that will develop academic areas of mutual interest.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon and Dr. Francisco Javier Rosado May, Rector and President of the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo, signed the agreement at the Canada-Mexico Round Table on Aboriginal/Indigenous Higher Education held June 21 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The round table, which included participation from nine Canadian universities and eight indigenous universities in Mexico, focused on improving Aboriginal educational experiences and research collaboration.

The agreement focuses on the development of study abroad programs, student and faculty exchanges, cooperation of academic activities, and is open to other emerging opportunities.

"There is tremendous value in cooperating with other institutions and we saw that value at the recent round table that was held at our university," says Mahon. "This agreement will provide many opportunities for our faculty members and students in the near future."

Mahon added that some ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty members have already identified potential collaborations to explore with Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo researchers, including one in the area of alternative and complementary medicine.

Expanding the internationalization of the U of L is a key strategic direction that can be found in the 2009-13 strategic plan. Also, in an open letter released last year to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community entitled the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Mahon reconfirmed internationalization as a key priority for the U of L.

Additional information is available at this website: http://www.uleth.ca/president/canada-mexico

UNews - President

U of L and Red Crow College to launch Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program next fall

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Haul-All president to be honoured at the Faculty of Management's annual scholarship dinner

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New ULAA president looks to further engage alumni

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U of L researchers among Venture's Top 50

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Play Day initiative wins awards

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Enrolment up significantly at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Mahon says in Fiat Lux Address that budget landscape will not compromise ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's future