UNews - Dr. Andy Hakin

U of L chemists make most-cited lists

caroline.zentner — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:08:52 +0000

The research publications of two ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge chemistry professors have made the Canadian Journal of Chemistry’s (CJC) lists of most-cited papers from the last 20 years and the 100 most-cited papers ever published by the journal.

A 1994 study published in the Canadian Journal of Chemistry and led by Dr. Andy Hakin is one of the most-cited papers of the last 20 years.

Dr. Andrew Hakin, U of L provost and vice-president (academic) and a professor of chemistry, was the lead author of a 1994 study that looked at some fundamental thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of selected amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

“This was a total surprise. It’s always nice to see one of your papers become one of the most-cited in the last 20 years,” says Hakin. “People refer to properties we reported again and again so I’m pleased we made such a meaningful contribution.”

Other authors of the paper include Dr. Michelle (Duke) Hogue, then an academic assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and now a professor in the First Nations Transition Program, Robert McKay, also an academic assistant at the time, now retired, and current U of L senator, and two then undergraduate students, Sheri A. Klassen and Kathryn E. Preuss.

“It was the beginning of a series of papers on the thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of amino acids,” says Hakin. “We started to measure densities, from which you get volumes and heat capacities, to a very high degree of precision. The work is being referenced because they have become the values that people use. People have referred to them again and again.”

A 1969 study by Dr. Loren Hepler is on the list of the 100 most-cited papers ever published by the Canadian Journal of Chemistry.

On the list of the 100 most-cited papers ever published by the CJC is a 1969 paper by Dr. Loren Hepler, a founding chemistry professor at the U of L. After leaving the U of L, Hepler became a faculty member at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and Hakin joined his research group as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987. After the fellowship, Hakin joined the U of L.

“The equipment that Hepler used when he was in Lethbridge is what I used with the amino acid studies,” says Hakin. “I’m delighted that two professors associated with the U of L Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have been recognized in this way.”

U of L establishes School of Liberal Education

caroline.zentner — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 16:24:38 +0000

Solving complex problems facing the world today takes the expertise of professionals who can think critically and broadly. The Ebola outbreak of 2014-2015, for example, came under control with the involvement of not only doctors and nurses, but also scientists, researchers, developers, policy makers and an anthropologist who knew cultural beliefs about the dead were helping spread the virus.

The response to the Ebola outbreak illustrates a liberal education approach and the need for workers to have broad skills and knowledge and an ability to apply them to problems like Ebola and global warming, the Zika virus, feeding the world’s population, poverty and the lack of drinking water.

Liberal education can be defined as an education that provides breadth across disciplines, the ability to connect and integrate knowledge across disciplines, the opportunity to learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and civic engagement. Students with a grounding in liberal education, which incorporates liberal arts and the sciences, are better prepared to solve problems in the 21st century and to succeed in future careers.

Fifty years ago, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge adopted liberal education as its primary philosophy for teaching and learning. Concerned that the focus had narrowed to only requiring students to take courses from several disciplines, Dr. Andy Hakin, vice-president (Academic) and provost, called for a review of liberal education in 2014. The review has resulted in the establishment of a School of Liberal Education, a decision approved by the U of L Board of Governors on April 13.

“The School of Liberal Education will create a solid organizational structure to ensure our students and communities benefit the most from our teaching, learning and research,” says Hakin. “The development of a School celebrates our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s founding philosophy for teaching and learning adopted 50 years ago.”

“It’s wonderful and I think it’s a very natural evolution of the last three or four years’ work on liberal education and of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s development and history,” says Dr. Shelly Wismath, a professor and leader of the Liberal Education Revitalization Team. “It’s time we came back to the more philosophical approach to liberal education. It’s very timely; we need critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning now more than ever to address complex issues in the world.”

Dr. Shelley Wismath, centre, discusses a problem-solving exercise with students as part of a Liberal Education class.

After extensive consultations, the team concluded the best way to move forward was to form a School of Liberal Education. The Liberal Education Program currently has four full-time instructors and is part of the Faculty of Arts & Science. As the number of Liberal Education courses offered has increased over the years, so too has enrolment, thus creating demand for upper level Liberal Education courses. The creation of a school provides opportunities to expand beyond the Faculty of Arts & Science and integrate liberal education programming throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

“A big part of this is educating our students and our communities that, at university, you learn to think carefully and well about all the important issues of our time,” she says.

The School will officially come into being on July 1 and its primary responsibility will be to deliver liberal education programming and teaching. As a formal school, other opportunities can also be explored, such as promoting liberal education to faculty, students and community members, offering dual credit courses to high school students, offering critical thinking workshops and facilitating teaching and research connections across campus.

Fiat Lux address challenges U of L community to envision the future

caroline.zentner — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 22:31:09 +0000

A 50th anniversary calls for some reflection and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, set on traditional Blackfoot territory, has much to be proud of.

“It’s amazing to see what has been accomplished in the last 50 years,” said U of L President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon, at the annual Fiat Lux address.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has gone from consisting of one person—acting president Dr. Russell Leskiw (LLD ’93)—on Jan. 1, 1967 to a bustling comprehensive and research-focused post-secondary institution with more than 8,500 students and more than 40,000 alumni who are making their mark in the world.

However, 50 years in the life of an institution represents adolescence and Mahon urged the university community to cast its gaze to the future.

“We need to discuss who and what we want to be in our adulthood,” he said.

Just as Dr. Sam Smith (LLD ’90), the first U of L president, didn’t impose his views on what the fledgling U of L should hold as its philosophy and values, Mahon invited everyone to engage in discussion about what the U of L’s next 50 years might look like.

Leading the way, Drs. Erasmus Okine, vice-president research, and Andy Hakin, vice-president academic and provost, proposed five broad topic areas to help focus those discussions: student environment, academic programming, research culture, connection to community and facilities development.

“Notwithstanding the economics of current times, it’s time to think about what the future holds,” said Hakin. “We feel that there is a sense of growing momentum within the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ—we are hitting our stride.”

Dr. Andy Hakin

“I have been most impressed by the collective effort to begin the conversations about how to achieve the vision where the U of L will be renowned for excellence in teaching, research and service,” said Okine. “We should all be willing to engage in this conversation. How do we produce accomplishments that transcend individual faculties and orient us as a Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ?”

Regarding student environment, conversations could centre on what it means to be a university focused on the student experience. How can the U of L produce the best possible environment for student growth?

Building the student experience is paramount, said Hakin, and it can start at a science camp or any one of the many activities that bring people to campus. Each and every interaction can help build a positive student environment. The U of L is also a global institution, with students from more than 80 countries and U of L students furthering their studies at institutions in all corners of the world.

Hakin went on to say the best way to retain students is to give them learning experiences that involve and engage them in their academic programs. With liberal education as a foundational value of academic programming, the U of L community also needs to ponder possible future directions for professional programming.

With respect to research culture, Okine affirmed an unwavering commitment to liberal education and preserving the breadth of scholarship that distinguishes the U of L academic community and confirms the U of L identity in the Albertan and Canadian landscapes.

Dr. Erasmus Okine

“The new research plan is transformative, further emphasizing and connecting academic directions with research objectives to grow in quality, impact and capacity of research and creative enquiry,” said Okine.

Preparing the next generation will mean providing students at all levels with high quality research experiences through enhancing community outreach, industry engagement and knowledge mobilization.

The U of L was built by community and the future will further build on the strong connections established over the last 50 years. The ties to community include the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage in Nanton, the Centre for Oral History and Tradition, the Pronghorns, sport and recreation services, relationships with Indigenous communities, health and wellness initiatives and the many connections created through our Faculty of Fine Arts. In line with the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the U of L will continue to strengthen its relationships with Indigenous communities. U of L research expertise positions it to offer innovative services and programs in physical and mental health, education, music, drama, art and science.

The area of facilities development brings many exciting possibilities beyond the completion of the first phase of the Destination Project. Waiting in the wings is Phase II, the redevelopment of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall. Okine envisions establishing a dedicated place to support social science and humanities research as well as supporting creativity and research in the Fine Arts to create a community brought together through new collaborations. More residence spaces will further help to build the campus community. Hakin mused about additional tools like AGILITY or having a one-stop shop for all student services.

“Our people, our creative explorers, are our strongest resource,” said Hakin. “Where do we go from here? We need your vision for our future.”

Hakin and Okine welcome all ideas, comments and suggestions and they encourage members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community to send an email to provost@uleth.ca.

Board of Governors reappoints Hakin and Nicol to administrative roles

trevor.kenney — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:14:07 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Board of Governors approved the reappointment of senior administrators Dr. Andrew Hakin and Dr. Christopher J. Nicol on Thursday.

Dr. Andrew Hakin will continue in his role for a third term as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic). His appointment is for a five-year term effective July 1, 2017. Hakin has served in the capacity of Provost and Vice-President (Academic) since July 1, 2007 and was reappointed for a second term July 1, 2012.

“Dr. Hakin is one of the most trusted members of our senior administrative team, and in his role as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) has been a major contributor to the successes and growth the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has experienced throughout his term,” says U of L President and Vie-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “Andy is a big-picture thinker who has been integral in helping define the strategic priorities of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and through his work on the Destination Project, will continue to play an essential role in shaping the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

Hakin first came to the U of L as an Assistant Professor in 1989 after completing a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta under former U of L professor Loren Hepler. He was named an Associate Professor in 1994 and Chair of the department in 1999. Since 2003, he has been a Professor in the department. Hakin’s first appointment to the senior administrative team was as the Associate Vice-President (Academic) in 2005.

An accomplished researcher, Hakin trained as a physical chemist and developed an expertise in the area of experimental thermodynamics. He earned the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award in 2000 and the Stig Sunner Memorial Award, awarded by the Calorimetry Conference in recognition of research and other contributions to the field of thermochemistry by an individual aged 40 or less, in 2003.

Dr. Christopher Nicol will continue in his role as ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian for a five-year term effective July 1, 2016.

Nicol, the former Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, took on the role of Acting ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian in Sept. 1, 2012 and was appointed to a three-year term as ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian July 1, 2013.

“Dr. Nicol’s longstanding service to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as Dean of Arts & Science was outstanding, and similarly, he has had a very positive effect on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library in his time as ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian,” says Mahon. “Chris is an experienced administrator whose attention to detail, vision and forward-thinking attitude will continue to be of great benefit to the library, our students and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a whole.”

Nicol arrived on the U of L campus in 2001 and assumed his duties as a professor in economics while also serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. He will continue on as a professor of economics in the Department of Economics while serving as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian.

An esteemed researcher, Nicol's interests are in econometrics, applied econometrics and the theory of consumer behaviour. He has been awarded numerous grants from national funding agencies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and was recently honoured with a Lethbridge Family Services Immigrant Achievement Award as a distinguished professional.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge joins the Little Lethbridge Library movement

caroline.zentner — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 21:44:51 +0000

Reading material for all ages is now available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, as several Little Lethbridge Libraries have made their appearance on campus.

Thanks to Dr. Andy Hakin, provost and vice-president (academic), six little libraries, three indoors and three outdoors, will soon be installed and their shelves ready for books. The City of Lethbridge teamed up with the Ability Resource Centre to build and maintain the little libraries. The little library movement has grown across the country and when Hakin first heard about it, he knew he wanted to get involved.

At right, Jerry Firth, neighbourhood support co-ordinator with the City of Lethbridge, and Kimber Norbury-Sulin, services co-ordinator with the Ability Resource Centre, joined Nicole Eva (centre), U of L librarian, Heather Mirau, U of L integrated planning director, and Dr. Andy Hakin, U of L provost and vice-president (academic), at the installation of the first Little Lethbridge Library in the Atrium.

“The little free library movement based on the theme of “Take a book, leave a book” is perfect for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus,” says Hakin. “It’s a way to further engage with community members coming to campus for sporting events, speaker series and conferences. It’s wonderful that we can share and promote reading on campus with our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and local communities through the Little Lethbridge Library program. This program is also a way of promoting general reading within our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library. I would like to personally invite everyone to enjoy this supplemental reading.”

The three interior little libraries have already been installed — one in the 1st Choice Savings Centre, another near Starbucks in the LINC building, and the final indoor library in the Atrium.

An outdoor little library will soon be installed by the bus loop by the Students’ Union Building and others will be installed near the Campus Roots Community Garden and Anderson Hall next spring.

The Lethbridge Public Library and the U of L Library have supplied the first books for the little libraries on campus. Books are already being scooped up and everyone is encouraged to donate general reading material for children, teens or adults. Books can be delivered to the U of L Library, Room L1142. Representatives from the Lethbridge Ability Resource Centre will check on the little libraries weekly.

UNews - Dr. Andy Hakin

U of L chemists make most-cited lists

Related Topics

U of L establishes School of Liberal Education

Related Topics

Fiat Lux address challenges U of L community to envision the future

Related Topics

Board of Governors reappoints Hakin and Nicol to administrative roles

Related Topics

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge joins the Little Lethbridge Library movement

Related Topics

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge joins the Little Lethbridge Library movement