UNews - Deirdre McKenna

Business leader Cyndi Bester named new president of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association

trevor.kenney — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 16:22:17 +0000

Award-winning business leader, concert pianist and double alumnus Cyndi Bester (BMus ’95, MEd ’01) is the new president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA).

Cyndi Bester has been CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce since 2019 and a continuing supporter of ULethbridge since her days as a student.

The ULAA now boasts more than 55,000 alums, who are making a difference in communities throughout our province, country and around the world. The role of ULAA President is key in maintaining connections with those alumni, engaging them with each other, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and current students.

“Taking on the role of ULAA President is both an honour and a responsibility I hold dear,” says Bester. “It appeals to me because it offers a unique opportunity to give back to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that has given me so much, while also helping to foster a strong and engaged alumni network.”

Bester has helmed successful companies specializing in registry services, health care and workplace safety. Her professional career began under the direction of her entrepreneurial parents, focusing on health care with We Care Health Services for 20 years, where she served as CEO for a decade. After selling the company at 39, she became the managing partner of Lethbridge Vehicle Licensing & Registry, the final enterprise under the family umbrella.

Since early 2019, Bester has been CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, leading a wide range of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the local business community. Beyond the business world, she has traveled globally as a solo concert pianist, performing in Canada, England, Poland, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the United States. She is also an accomplished author, co-writing four bestselling books: The Fine Art of Parenting After Separation: The Power of a Positive Mental Attitude, The Girl in the Red Bikini, Johnny B, and Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bartok: Lessons from the Big Four. Additionally, she is active in the fitness community, competing nationally in bodybuilding.

“My experience at ULethbridge was transformative,” Bester reflects. “The liberal education focus encouraged me to explore a variety of disciplines, which has deeply influenced my approach to both my professional and personal life. The skills and perspectives I gained there have been invaluable in navigating the diverse range of pursuits I’ve been involved in over the years.”

A tireless volunteer who has received national recognition for her philanthropic efforts, Bester currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee, a member of the Community Wellbeing and Safety Advisory Committee, the YWCA Board of Directors, and the board of directors of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. She recently completed terms on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate and Economic Development Lethbridge. In October 2022, she was inducted into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Honour Society.

In addition to Bester’s appointment, Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94) now moves into the role of ULAA past-president, Lisa Neufeld (BA ’97) is vice-president and Wheaton King (BMgt ’17) has been appointed secretary for the association. As well, three new directors are on board, including Armin Escher (BSc '13), Brendan Cummins (BA '16, MA '18) and Emmanuel Makoni (BMgt '17). For more, check out information on the full ULAA Council.

International education leader, artist and mentor, Dr. Rita L. Irwin, earns Distinguished Alumni Award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:44:07 +0000

A respected national and international educational leader, Dr. Rita L. Irwin (BEd ’77, Diploma in Education '84) is both a well-known artist and renowned researcher who has long strived to improve education for all learners through artistic and creative avenues. A teacher of teachers, collaborative mentor and educational leader for inquiry through the arts, she has been named the recipient of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s (ULAA) 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Throughout her career, Dr. Rita L. Irwin, has maintained a deep commitment to the arts, curriculum studies and education.

“Dr. Rita Irwin is an exceptional representation of how influential ULethbridge alumni are both in our community and beyond. She is a well-known artist and highly respected arts education researcher who has positively shaped the philosophies and practices of countless teachers and made a meaningful impact in the lives of students across Canada and around the world,” says Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94), ULAA president. “As a widely exhibited artist herself, Dr. Irwin exemplifies the value of a well-rounded liberal arts education."

Irwin will be recognized at 2023 Fall Convocation on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium. As well, she will be celebrated as part of the Let There Be Light Night Alumni Achievement Awards celebration on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at 7 p.m. in Science Commons Atrium. Tickets are currently available online.

Alumnus of the Year — Dr. Rita L. Irwin

Throughout her career, Dr. Rita L. Irwin, has maintained a deep commitment to the arts, curriculum studies and education. A teacher of teachers, Irwin is known for her community-oriented, participatory teaching style.

With roots in rural southern Alberta, Irwin’s interest in the arts stems from a shared love of creative exploration with her mother. From that interest came a desire to improve education for all learners through artistic and creative avenues, leading her to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Education in 1973. Following her time at ULethbridge, Irwin began her teaching career with the Lethbridge School Division, where she started as an art and drama specialist for elementary students. She soon became a district-wide visual arts consultant and arts and music specialist. Irwin continued her own education while teaching, first completing a Master of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria and then pursuing a doctoral program in art education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia (UBC).

After a few years as an assistant professor at Lakehead ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Ontario, Irwin returned to UBC in 1992 where she has remained firmly rooted as an integral part of the Faculty of Education. While impacting the education of countless students as a respected professor, Irwin has also served in administrative roles that include heading UBC’s Department of Curriculum Studies (1999-2005) and serving as the Associate Dean of Teacher Education (2005-2015) before being named a Distinguished ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholar in 2017.

At the heart of her work, Irwin explores a range of questions and topics through photography, painting, poetry and prose. Her work has been published prolifically, and she has secured millions of dollars in research funding, including numerous Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada grants. Irwin’s research interests have spanned in-service art education, teacher education, socio-cultural issues and curriculum practices. She is perhaps best known for her work in the development of a/r/tography, or inquiring through the process of art making, as a research methodology.

Even with such a wide-ranging impact, Irwin has remained connected to southern Alberta, establishing an endowment to ULethbridge early in her career for the long-standing Rita L. Irwin Scholarship for Arts Education, generously giving back to the program that began her career path.

Young Alumni Award recipient, Dr. Amy Mack, a key voice in advancing global human rights

trevor.kenney — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:49:35 +0000

Committed to equity, the work of reconciliation and the promotion of democracy, as well as the mentorship of young people, Dr. Amy Mack has made an indelible impression on communities both near and far. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) has named Mack the recipient of the 2023 Young Alumni Award.

Dr. Amy Mack excelled as a ULethbridge undergraduate anthropology student.

“In a short time, Dr. Amy Mack has proven herself as an outstanding academic researcher and engaged global citizen,” says Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94), ULAA president. “Dr. Mack has helped us understand the troubling rise of extremism and how social media has fueled the phenomenon. Her passion for research and facilitating dialogue helps communities understand these challenging topics and the questions they raise about our world.”

Mack will be presented with her award at the Let There Be Light Night Alumni Association Awards celebration on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, beginning at 7 p.m. in Science Commons. Tickets for the event are available online.

Dr. Amy C. Mack (BA ’13, MA ’16)

Mack excelled as an undergraduate anthropology student at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, showcasing her skills as an excellent citizen-scholar, skilled researcher, analyst and collaborator, and stellar student. She established an early record of funding and academic publication and undauntedly explored polarizing topics. As a board member for Amnesty International Lethbridge, she organized events and fundraisers to bring attention to local and global human rights issues.

Mack’s master’s studies focused on studying male-dominated online video game communities. This research occurred at the time of Gamergate, an online harassment campaign targeting women in the video game industry. She remained resolute in addressing gender issues in the face of trolling and aggression and developed a broader interest in how social media and other digital technologies impact social and political landscapes.

After completing her master’s, Mack was the lead researcher and project manager on the Raising Spirit project, a collaboration with the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, a non-profit dedicated to Indigenous children and families in southern Alberta. She helped build a digital storytelling library with a team of Indigenous and settler high school and undergraduate students and built strong relationships with local communities in the process. Her long-lasting ties to Blackfoot Elders and community members exemplify what it means to work toward reconciliation.

Mack’s doctoral research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta focused on the rise of online hate and extremism. She’s committed to public engagement around these contentious issues and was recently involved with CIVIX, a non-partisan national charity building the capacity and commitment of young Canadians to participate in democracy. She also works with schools on developing curricular materials that can interrupt the radicalization of young people.

Following the 2022 protests in Ottawa and at the Alberta-Montana border, she saw a need for rural communities to have more resources to address radicalization. In response, Mack, along with an international group of early-career scholars, founded the Canadian Institute of Far-Right Studies (CIFR), a think tank dedicated to the critical study of the far right in Canada.

Mack has been funded for two years as a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Research on Extremism in Oslo, Norway following the completion of her post-doctoral work at UAlberta. Originally from Claresholm, her academic and professional work has taken her across Canada and Europe where she speaks to government, industry professionals and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Alumni Honour Society welcomes four new inductees

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:53:41 +0000

From researchers to surgeons, and city planners to developers revitalizing economies in Indigenous communities, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s (ULAA) 2023 selections as Alumni Honour Society inductees are changing lives and bettering society.

Dr. Jennifer Geddes-McAlister (BSc ’05, MSc ’07), Andrew Malcolm (BA ’11), Dr. Derek Waldner (BSc ’13) and Raymond Wanuch (BMgt ’89) have all been named to the ULAA’s Alumni Honour Society for 2023.

“Alumni Honour Society inductees are leaders and change-makers in their professions and their communities — at home and across the globe. I hope their achievements inspire students at ULethbridge to dream big,” says Deirdre McKenna, ULAA president.

Alumni Honour Society members will be celebrated for their contributions to community at the Let There Be Light Night Alumni Achievement Awards celebration on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at 7 p.m. in Science Commons Atrium. Tickets are currently available online.

Dr. Jennifer Geddes-McAlister (BSc ’05, MSc ’07)

Dr. Jennifer Geddes-McAlister (BSc ’05, MSc ’07)

Dr. Jennifer Geddes-McAlister’s passion for science shines through in her leading-edge research of fungal diseases and her commitment to mentorship. After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s in biological sciences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, she earned a PhD in microbiology and immunology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia. She then joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph as professor of molecular and cellular biology and Canada Research Chair. In a short period, her research group has published more than 65 papers and supported successful funding applications totalling more than $8.7 million. In her role as a leader and mentor, Geddes-McAlister has promoted equity, diversity and inclusion as president of the Canadian National Proteomics Network, as well as founder of Moms in Proteomics, an initiative in support of mothers and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Andrew Malcolm (BA ’11)

Andrew Malcolm (BASc ’11)

Andrew Malcolm is helping shape the cityscape as well as future generations of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students. Urban and regional studies served as a springboard for work in Taber and Lethbridge, where he’s put an indelible stamp on those communities through planning, design and community development where his work in revitalization and redevelopment resulted in major projects like Festival Square and the reconstruction of 3 Avenue South. Now the General Manager, Community and Social Development with the City of Lethbridge, he is dedicated to working collaboratively in the advancement of solutions to ensure all individuals, families and communities have opportunities for healthy development leading to social well-being and safety. Along with mentoring many young planners, Malcolm seeks out opportunities for applied studies for ULethbridge students with the City of Lethbridge. A former player and assistant coach with the Pronghorn men’s soccer team, he serves as director of its alumni association.

Dr. Derek Waldner (BSc ’13)

Dr. Derek Waldner (BSc ’13)

Dr. Derek Waldner, who first starred on the basketball court for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, has gone on to earn numerous accolades in the field of medicine. He completed an undergraduate honours degree in biochemistry while earning team, conference and All-Canadian awards with the Pronghorns men’s basketball team. Waldner went on to graduate with a combined PhD/MD degree through the Leaders in Medicine program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary and was accepted for subspecialist surgical training in opthalmology, a discipline that sees less than 50 surgeons trained in Alberta each decade. He has presented his research internationally, has more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and ongoing clinical research interests focusing on glaucoma and training tools for opthalmologists. Waldner has also mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students within the scientific community.

Raymond Wanuch (BMgt ’89)

Raymond Wanuch (BMgt ’89)

Raymond Wanuch, of the Ermineskin Cree Nation south of Edmonton, is at the forefront of Indigenous economic development in Alberta. Raised on the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement near High Level, Wanuch graduated from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Management in 1989. Today, he is the executive director of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) where he works to build bridges between Indigenous and mainstream economies. His notable work includes establishing a scholarship fund for Indigenous students and helping develop the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI). CEDI pairs an Indigenous community with a neighbouring municipality to build a mutually beneficial economic development plan or project. The program, in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, has had incredible results in Alberta and across Canada.

Alumni Honour Society welcomes four new members

trevor.kenney — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:55:59 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s (ULAA) Alumni Honour Society is adding four new members for 2022, recognizing significant contributions the inductees are making to their respective communities.

The new honour society members reflect the breadth and depth of the ULethbridge alumni family and showcase the valuable work alumni are doing throughout the province, the country and worldwide.

“While our new inductees have all taken their own path since graduating from ULethbridge and established themselves in different careers, a common theme is that they all have made it a priority to give back to their communities,” says Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94) ULAA president. “Whether it is through philanthropy, as volunteers or through their respective careers, these outstanding individuals are making a positive impact and bettering the world around them.”

2022 Alumni Honour Society Inductees

Drew Beauchamp (BMgt ’06)

Andrew (Drew) Beauchamp excels at leadership. An army reservist with the Calgary Highlanders before attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, he continued his part-time military service locally throughout his undergraduate studies. He later accepted a full-time position with the Army Reserves, and in 2008, deployed to Afghanistan. There, he led a platoon of 45 army reservists, who protected resupply convoys and provided security at the main entrance to Kandahar Airfield. Back in Canada as a reservist, Beauchamp played a key role in planning the Calgary-based army reserve soldiers during the 2013 Alberta floods. Today, in addition to being a program lead in human resources at Alberta Health Services, he is pursuing a Master of Public Administration through the Royal Military College. Beauchamp is also now commanding officer of the Calgary Highlanders.

Cyndi Bester (BMus ’95, MEd ’01)

Cynthia (Cyndi) Bester has an expansive record of achievement. An award-winning business leader, she has travelled the world as a concert pianist, co-written four bestselling books and taken the stage as a competitive bodybuilder. During her business career, Bester has helmed successful companies specializing in registry services, health care and workplace safety. Today, as chief executive officer of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, she has spearheaded a wide range of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the local business community. A tireless volunteer who has received national recognition for her philanthropic efforts, she currently serves on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate, Co-Chairs the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee and is a member of the Community Wellbeing and Safety Advisory Committee. Cyndi Bester also sits on the board of directors of Economic Development Lethbridge.

Brad Dersch (BA/BEd ’01)

Brad Dersch has long been passionate about sports. While attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, he played varsity hockey and was twice named an Academic All-Canadian by the national governing body of university sport. He went on to work as a physical education teacher and administrator for the Lethbridge School Division, becoming principal of G.S. Lakie Middle School this fall. Over the years, in addition to completing graduate studies at Gonzaga ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Dersch has coached dozens of school- and community-based teams. Many of his former players, in fact, have gone on to compete at the post-secondary and professional levels. Last spring, in honour of his commitment to developing local youth as athletes and citizens through coaching, Dersch received the Shaun Ward Sport Champion Award from Lethbridge Sport Council.

Michael Mankowski (BMgt ’10)

Michael Mankowski owned a video production company in Fort McMurray when the 2016 wildfire devastated his hometown. Following the disaster, the Red Cross asked him to interview local residents. Their touching stories inspired Mankowski to write an animated film about the fire, and later, to study animation at Vancouver Film School. His 2021 film, Back Home Again, features an all-star cast, including Michael J. Fox, Catherine O’Hara and Lorne Cardinal. To date, Back Home Again has won the Jury Award for Best Short Film and the Audience Choice Award for Best Dramatic Film at the Edmonton International Film Festival and Leo awards for Best Animated Program and Best Screenwriting from the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia. Most recently, Mankowski’s film enjoyed an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run.

Felipe Civita Ferreira named winner of the ULAA 2022 Young Alumni Award

trevor.kenney — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 16:45:55 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) is pleased to recognize Felipe Civita Ferreira (BMgt '14) as the winner of the 2022 Young Alumni Award.

He will be honoured at the ULAA's Let There Be Light Night on Friday, October 14, 2022, 7 to 10 p.m., in the Science Commons Atrium. Tickets are currently available.

Felipe Civita Ferreira (BMgt ’14)

Felipe Civita Ferreira has spent his life cultivating a keen understanding of the wider world.

Felipe Civita Ferreira has spent his life cultivating a keen understanding of the wider world. Originally from Brazil, he speaks three languages fluently and has lived in multiple countries. Along the way, he has dedicated himself to making the world more peaceful, equitable and inclusive.

Civita Ferreira moved to Canada at 17, and while studying at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, he immersed himself in extracurricular activities. In addition to participating in national case competitions, he volunteered on various committees, held several on-campus jobs and even hosted his own CKXU radio show.

In the years since graduation, Civita Ferreira has continued to volunteer in the community and has flourished professionally. He completed a master of global business at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria and is also now a Certified Project Management Professional and a Certified Scrum Product Owner.

Working in Canada’s technical and vocational education and training sector, Civita Ferreira has partnered with several Canadian post-secondary institutions to lead and support the implementation of international development projects around the world. As part of that work, he has designed and implemented initiatives that have received support from various funders, including Global Affairs Canada and the Mastercard Foundation. These projects have, for example, supported eyecare services for women and girls in northern India and developed curriculum for food technology, agriculture and culinary arts programs in Kenya.

Locally, Civita Ferreira has also made a significant impact. A former member of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Youth Council, he has also served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the board of governors of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC). The council consists of organizations and individuals who are advancing sustainable development initiatives worldwide. In recognition of his work to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Civita Ferreira was named to the ACGC’s 2018 list of the Top 30 Under 30.

Civita Ferreira is particularly passionate about helping people to lead a healthy lifestyle. In collaboration with the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, he co-designed a wilderness program that helps refugees and newcomers to Canada access safe and inclusive outdoor experiences, such as hiking trips.

Additionally, as a member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Alpine Club of Canada (Edmonton section), Felipe Civita Ferreira has supported various backcountry excursions that have focused on inclusivity and outdoor education. He has also helped the club secure and maintain external partners and sponsors.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association names Dr. Dennis Sumara as winner of 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award

trevor.kenney — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 16:40:46 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) is pleased to recognize Dr. Dennis Sumara (BA & BEd ’80, MEd ’90) as the winner of the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award.

He will be honoured at the ULAA's Let There Be Light Night on Friday, October 14, 2022, 7 to 10 p.m., in the Science Commons Atrium. Tickets are currently available.

Dr. Dennis Sumara (BA & BEd ’80, MEd ’90)

Dennis Sumara is a preeminent teacher, scholar and leader in the field of education.

Dennis Sumara is a preeminent teacher, scholar and leader in the field of education. But in 1976, he had a different career ambition. Keeping a promise to his mother, he enrolled at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, with plans to leave after a year to become a hair stylist in Toronto.

Sumara, however, soon changed his mind. During the first week of classes, he met professors and was introduced to books and ideas that changed not only what he knew, but also who he believed he could be.

Eventually, Sumara earned three degrees at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic achievement during his graduate studies. He then completed a PhD in education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and won the Dissertation of the Year award from the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies.

Sumara taught and conducted research at several Canadian universities before he was appointed dean of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education in 2009. Over the next 10 years, he guided the school through an intense period of renewal, making significant changes to its curriculum, policies and planning.

Sumara’s work to bring equity, diversity, inclusion and interdisciplinarity into teacher education has put him at the forefront of his field. Today, in addition to being a professor of language and literary education in the Werklund School of Education, he is a highly sought-after expert, a prolific keynote speaker and the founding editor of the peer-reviewed Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies. With more than 150 publications to his credit, he has also written six books and a number of them are considered required reading at many Canadian universities.

As a researcher, Sumara has focused on imaginative engagement, an innovative approach to education that incorporates students’ emotions, intuition and creativity into the teaching and learning process. Specifically, he has studied the role of imaginative engagement and how to employ the practice purposefully and sustainably in schools and post-secondary institutions.

During his career, Sumara has made an enormous impact on teacher education and his accomplishments have brought tremendous distinction to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. In 2019, most notably, he received the prestigious Award for Research on Teacher Education from the Canadian Association for Teacher Education. The honour recognized Dennis Sumara’s research leadership and exceptional contributions to teacher education and celebrated the widespread adoption of his ideas across North America and around the world.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association names new president

caroline.zentner — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:47:31 +0000

Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94), a partner at Davidson & Williams LLP, has assumed the role of president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA).

“We are so pleased to welcome Deirdre as the new ULAA president,” says Lyndsay Montina, director of Alumni Relations and Operations. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge now has more than 50,000 alums all over the world and the president plays an important role in keeping them connected both to their alma mater and to current students. As a resident of Lethbridge, Deirdre is the perfect person to maintain and nourish those connections.”

McKenna is the daughter of former Dhillon School of Business professor Dr. Ian McKenna, who passed away in 2017. Her family moved to Lethbridge from the United Kingdom when McKenna was 13 years old. She completed high school at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in 1988 and began her post-secondary education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge without a firm idea of a future career in mind.

“I definitely had a worthwhile experience at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” she says. “I took full advantage of the liberal education the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ had to offer. I took a diverse set of classes and changed my major three or four times. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ really nurtured my curiosity for many kinds of topics.”

She went from majoring in history to religious studies and even toyed with the idea of political science before choosing philosophy.

“The structure of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the teachers — they really encouraged and supported that exploration. That certainly helped me to excel in law school and be able to adapt to something totally new in pursuing a legal education,” she says.

McKenna has served as a director with ULAA for the past year, so she’s familiar with the association and its activities.

“One of my children is at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ right now and it’s been a really challenging time for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ,” she says. “I wanted to be a part of the group of people that would work hard at continuing to keep the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a positive place of learning. That’s probably what encouraged me to take a more public role with the alumni association. I want to encourage alumni to re-engage with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, in particular the students, to help make sure they have the same great experience many of us had when we were students here. I think alumni can be an important resource for students.”

UNews - Deirdre McKenna

Business leader Cyndi Bester named new president of ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association names new president