UNews - Lowell Taylor

Alumni Association celebrates 2017 Alumni Honour Society inductees

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 May 2017 16:18:39 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association is pleased to announce its 2017 Alumni Honour Society inductees.

A distinguished group of seven people will be inducted this year, having made significant contributions to their communities in a variety of fields.

“It’s always exciting to share in the successes of our alumni and to see how they have impacted the world since graduating from the U of L,” says Lyndsay Montina, manager of Alumni Relations. “This year’s group of inductees has distinguished itself in many ways and made their respective communities better places to live.”

Introduced in honour of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 35th Anniversary in 2002, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association established the Alumni Honour Society to recognize the achievements of a select group of alumni each year. The individuals honoured serve as role models through success in their vocation, outstanding community service or superior accomplishment in their avocation.

Like those before them, the 2017 inductees are outstanding examples of U of L alumni. Each of the individuals used the knowledge they gained at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to achieve their personal and professional goals, and through these achievements has left a lasting impact on the people, organizations and communities with which they are involved.

The group will be inducted into the Alumni Honour Society and celebrated at Let There Be Light Night, an alumni celebration, in Fall 2017.

The 2017 Alumni Honour Society Inductees:

Julie Taylor (BA ’05) & Lowell Taylor (BFA ’04)

Julie (Greidanus) Taylor and Lowell Taylor became a national sensation in 2016 when they competed on the Amazing Race Canada. Lowell, who has a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, was the TV program’s first blind contestant. From the bustling cities of Vietnam to the frozen tundra of the Northwest Territories, the couple illustrated how positivity and teamwork can turn obstacles into opportunities.

Kristin Ailsby (BA ’96)

As a successful entrepreneur, engaged volunteer, respected advocate and effective educator, Kristin Ailsby is an inspiration to alumni and future alumni. Ailsby is an accredited mediator, collaborative lawyer and experienced litigator, having advocated for clients at the Provincial Court, the Court of Queen's Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal. She founded her own firm, Clarity Law, in March of 2016.

Pat Tanaka (BA ’81)

Passionate about helping youth, Pat Tanaka served U of L students and alumni for nearly three decades as they explored their career options and planned for their futures. In her 27 years as director and manager of Career & Employment Services, Tanaka implemented a broad array of materials, events and programs, including establishing the uLethbridge’s highly regarded Career Fair.

Rajko Dodic (BA ’78)
Sipioohkitopii (Night Rider)

Committed to community service and family, Rajko Dodic is a shining example of a distinguished alumnus. After being called to the Bar in 1982, he opened his own law firm where he was primarily a litigation lawyer and appeared in every level of court. He served two terms as an alderman on Lethbridge City Council and was elected as the 25th mayor of Lethbridge in 2010.

René Huel (BSc ’98)

René Huel’s work takes him around the world as he and his team help to bring closure to families who lost loved ones under tragic circumstances. He joined the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in 2004 as a DNA scientist. In 2006, he became the Head of the DNA Laboratories Division, Department of Science and Technology, where he continues to oversee the largest and most successful laboratory system in the world dedicated to identifying missing persons.

Scott Crighton (BMgt ’90)

With a flair for business, sharp attention to detail and keen ability to spot an opportunity, Scott Crighton has evolved the service industry landscape in Lethbridge. Crighton is the entrepreneur and CEO behind Pop’s Taphouse North; Mojos Pub and Grill; Pop’s Taphouse South; Pop’s Taphouse West; Pop’s Taphouse and Grill Calgary; Coulee Brew Co and Kingsmen Ale House. His companies are flourishing and employ more than 190 people.

Amazing alumni adventures come to an end

m.williams — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 22:10:37 +0000

Lethbridge’s own Julie (Greidanus) Taylor (BA ’05) and Lowell Taylor (BFA ’04) have stepped foot on the final pit stop mat for the last time. The husband and wife team and parents of two were the fifth team eliminated from CTV’s The Amazing Race Canada last week.

Speaking to the challenges that contributed to their last place finish and ultimate elimination, Julie laughed lightly when she described how helpful hindsight could have been in the moment.

“If we had stayed at the soccer field and kept trying, we probably would have gotten it. We were a little scared by the time limit but in the end, the sailboats ended up being kind of time consuming, too,” said Julie.

The dynamic duo raced around the globe as they found their way through the bustling cities of Vietnam, the frozen tundra of the Northwest Territories and on the remote islands off the B.C. West Coast. For Lowell, there were a few standout moments that he says he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

“Bungee jumping off the sky tram and repelling off the Calgary Tower were epic, but my absolute favourite challenge was the tug boat! I really rocked that boat!” laughed Lowell.

The couple say that, while they went into the reality show knowing they would have some strong support from their community, they were continually humbled by how many people were reaching out and cheering them along each week.

“We just really want to say thank you to Lethbridge and to the U of L for everything. We’ve been supported so strongly and felt really loved and cared about which helped so much in those harder moments on the show,” says Lowell.

Although their time on The Amazing Race Canada has come to an end, the adventures are far from over for the Taylors. Lowell is turning up the training dial on his journey to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games to compete in cycling. You can keep up to date on Lowell's journey for Paralympic glory and support him by checking out his website.

Overcoming challenges and embracing adventure; Amazing alumni

m.williams — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:22:05 +0000

Lethbridge couple Julie (Greidanus) Taylor (BA ’05) and Lowell Taylor (BFA ’04) say their alma mater gave them more than just a liberal arts education, it also gave them the critical thinking skills for their next great adventure.

Julie and Lowell Taylor prepare to race around Canada with reality TV program, The Amazing Race.

The adrenaline-seeking duo are on the journey of a lifetime as they compete against nine other teams on CTV’s Amazing Race Canada.

While road blocks and challenges on the reality TV program are enough to push some teams to the edge, Julie and Lowell have an additional level of difficulty added to each situation. Lowell is legally blind and suffers from a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Lowell’s vision is non-existent in low light and has lost his peripheral vision completely which means Julie had to take on the driving and navigation duties throughout the series. A small responsibility which Julie says gives Lowell the chance to see more of Canada’s great outdoors before his sight declines further.

“He is so positive and he doesn’t let his vision get in his way and that is a huge part of our story. We are a team and we conquer things despite his disability,” says Julie.

While Julie and Lowell may have crossed the stage over 10 years ago, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ still plays an active role in their daily lives. The Taylors are members of the Lethbridge Masters Swim Club which meets at the Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre and can occasionally be found at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ climbing wall.

Lowell also worked as a counsellor with Counselling Services at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ where he assisted students in overcoming the stresses that study can bring. Mental health and wellness is an issue which Lowell still continues to advocate for, and hopes he can inspire others to do the same by being a part of the Amazing Race Canada.

“Challenges can be overcome. There is support available for people. I couldn’t do this race without Julie, that doesn’t make me weak, but I just need an extra bit of help,” says Lowell. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ can also help people who feel like they’re struggling with course work or struggling in life. Just get support. It’s not a weakness to ask for help, it’ actually a strength,” says Lowell.

As to their adventure-filled, reality TV experience, the Taylors have to remain tight lipped until the show airs, but did have some advice for anyone wanting to follow in their footsteps.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks! We sat at home on the couch, fully rested and eating and saying “oh the clue box is there and that’s really simple, we could totally do that task.” It’s so much harder in person!” laughs Lowell.

Stay up-to-date and cheer on our amazing alumni as their journey airs on Tuesday’s at 8 p.m. on CTV.

Alumni set to thrill on Amazing Race Canada

Julie Taylor (BA ’05) and Lowell Taylor (BFA ’04) are set to become household names this week as the Amazing Race Canada kicks off its fourth season.

A married couple and parents to two boys, Julie and Lowell Taylor may have a few more obstacles than most in their path to victory on the reality tv program. Lowell suffers from a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa which has now rendered him legally blind. While the registered psychologist has been learning to live with decreased vision, it certainly hasn't stopped him from experiencing all that life has to offer.

Lowell is a para-triathlete and para-cyclist who recently earned two bronze medals at the Canadian Track Championships with partner and pilot Mark MacDonald on the tandem bike. Julie works in town as a speech and language therapist.

According to the show's webpage, the Lethbridge couple wanted to compete in the Amazing Race before Lowell's vision decreases even further. Be sure to cheer on our amazing alumni on CTV starting this Tuesday at 8 p.m.

UNews - Lowell Taylor

Alumni Association celebrates 2017 Alumni Honour Society inductees

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