UNews - Maleeka Thomas

Remembering Dean Gallimore

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:59:57 +0000

Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84) was the consummate professional. A respected member of the southern Alberta business community, he was a decorated chartered professional accountant leading one of the top accounting firms in the city. What he will be remembered for was how he leveraged his professional accomplishments to effect long-lasting change in his community, advocate for post-secondary education and create pathways to success for the next generation of students.

Dean Gallimore was appointed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 11th Board of Governors Chair in 2022.

Gallimore, Chair Emeritus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors, passed away on Sunday, April 6, at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary at the age of 63. His passing is a profound loss to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, to those who worked alongside him and to the students he ensured had a voice in the governance of the institution.

“The loss of Dean has deeply impacted many people in our community and for me it is especially painful as he was one of the first people I got to know well as the Chair of the search committee when I was hired as president and vice-chancellor,” says Dr. Digvir Jayas. “His generosity, warmth and humility showed me from the beginning that this was a place and an atmosphere I wanted to be involved in, and in my time working with him since, his sincerity for supporting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its people always shone through.”

Gallimore, an alumnus of the Faculty of Management (now Dhillon School of Business) was born in Edmonton and raised in Lethbridge, attending Winston Churchill High School before beginning a family legacy by attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Both he and his wife Bev (BA ’85, BMgt ’87) graduated from ULethbridge and their daughters, Lauren (BMgt ’15) and Amanda (BSc/BEd ’19), followed in their footsteps as alums.

Gallimore with President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Digvir Jayas.

Education was extremely important to Gallimore, and he was eager to give back to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through volunteer work and as a philanthropist, crediting his time as a student as the starting point of his professional success.

“Having my spouse, and two children also as alums, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has always been a big part of my life and helped launch my career here in southern Alberta,” Gallimore said on being appointed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 11th Board Chair in 2022. “Its connection to community as a partner and driver of commerce and innovation is something that is continually expanding and I’m excited to help steward in the coming years.”

He would make students a central focus during his time as Board Chair, advocating for student priorities and ensuring student representatives on the Board were heard. He welcomed student representation on the ULethbridge Budget Advisory Committee in 2021-22 as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ engaged in critical financial planning discussions.

“The entire student community is deeply saddened by this loss,” says Maleeka Thomas, President of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union. “Dean Gallimore was a tireless champion for student causes at our university.”

Always a champion of student initiatives, here he is in the hot tub after taking a cold dip supporting the annual Chillin' for Charity fundraiser.

His time as Board Chair saw Gallimore involved in several major initiatives, including crucial work on the Budget Advisory Committee that tapped into Gallimore’s vast financial acumen as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ continued to navigate its substantial budget challenges. ULethbridge’s major fundraising campaign for student scholarship support was initiated under his watch and the Board’s significant matching campaign, where the Board pledged $10 million in match funds for the establishment of new endowed student scholarships, was also created. The long sought Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) was also realized, with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s first medical students slated to begin their training on campus in June 2026. Most recently, Gallimore was excited to help launch the ULethbridge Strategic Plan.

In 2023, the family established the Gallimore Family Scholarship, an endowed scholarship in support of outstanding students pursuing undergraduate education in the management field. Upon his passing, a specific scholarship is being established in his memory. Due to his personal passion and involvement in the establishment of SAMP and the outstanding care he received from the medical team at Foothills Hospital, the endowed scholarship will support students pursuing medical training at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Contributions to the Dean Gallimore Memorial Scholarship, which will be matched by the Board’s matching program, can be made here.

Gallimore pictured with Wayne Lippa at Convocation.

“Working on these various initiatives with Dean leading the way, he always had a clear vision of our mandate and how we could better support students so that they would be able to excel in their studies,” says Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), a fellow Board of Governors representative. “His authenticity and willingness to lead by example really set a tone for the work we were doing, and I’m grateful for the time we spent together. That he was also proud of being an organ donor and was always eager to support our family as we raised awareness around organ donations, suits his incredible character.”

As an organ and tissue donor, Gallimore saved three lives and improved the quality of life for countless others upon his passing.

Gallimore’s professional achievements were many and his financial acumen was a major asset to his various roles with the Board of Governors. He spent 28 years with local accounting firm KPMG, the final 12 years as the office managing partner before retiring in 2012. An Alberta bronze medalist who placed on the Canadian Honour Role for the 1986 Uniform Final Examinations (having placed in the top 20 of approximately 3,600 candidates), his portfolio at KPMG consisted largely of primary agriculture, agriculture services and agriculture processing clients, as well as many other industries.

Deeply respected by his peers, Gallimore received the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta Distinguished Service Award (2001) and was honoured as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (2008). In 2009, he was named to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Alumni Honour Society.

Green Shirt Day meant a lot to Gallimore, here supporting Toby Boulet making smile cookies.

“In working with Dean these past few years, we spoke a lot about relationships and specifically building bridges between the Board of Governors and the faculty,” says Dr. Craig Coburn, a Board member and professor in the Department of Geography & Environment. “He worked hard to create a space where we could talk about some very difficult issues in a respectful and constructive manner, and I think we made great strides in terms of understanding each other and moving forward.”

Gallimore was also deeply committed to strengthening his community, giving time to several organizations and chairing such committees as the Chartered Accountants of Alberta Education Foundation, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Planned Giving Advisory Committee and Faculty of Management Advisory Committee. He first joined the ULethbridge Board of Governors in 2019 and, among his other duties, was Chair of the Finance Committee.

The culmination of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Strategic Plan launch marked a major milestone in Gallimore's tenure as Board Chair.

“Dean was someone I admired for embodying all that ULethbridge alumni aspire to be,” says Cyndi Crane (BMus ’95, MEd ’01), president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association. “He made the most of his ULethbridge education, excelling as a student and going on to be a respected, highly successful member of the business community. He also understood how he could contribute to his community beyond his professional role and embraced volunteering, philanthropy and seeking ways to make people’s lives better, all while raising a caring and engaged family with his wife Bev. He will be deeply missed.”

Terry Whitehead (BA ’94) joined his fellow alum in a leadership position in 2023 when he was appointed ULethbridge Chancellor. He says the passion with which Gallimore advocated for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was ever present.

“He truly believed in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, what it had provided for him and his family and how it was creating graduates who were making a real difference in the world,” says Whitehead. “He cared about people, he cared about his community, and I’ll miss our conversations, his warm smile and his generosity of spirit. He was a wonderful man whose impact was significant in every aspect of his life. Dean will be forever admired and deeply missed by all who knew him.”

Those wishing to send condolences to the Gallimore family can submit by following this link. The family also invites all those who knew Dean to share a short video (30 seconds to 2 minutes) reflecting on a special memory, an adventure shared or a meaningful lesson learned from him. Videos can be sent to deangallimoretribute@gmail.com by May 1. A selection of these will be shared at his Celebration of Life on Friday, May 23 (2 p.m.,
Science Commons Atrium) at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ flag has been lowered in his honour and will remain down through Friday, April 18. It will then be lowered again on May 23, the day of his celebration of life event, and remain down through the end of Convocation weekend, June 2.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge launches development process for Comprehensive Strategic Plan

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:58:04 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is looking to the community for input into the creation of its new Comprehensive Strategic Plan, the roadmap that will guide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and help shape the look of post-secondary education in southern Alberta and beyond for the next five years.

The strategic plan will set the course for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and the input received through the strategic planning process will also inform the renewal of other guiding documents, including ULethbridge’s Academic Plan, Research Plan and People Plan. At the heart of any successful strategic plan is the process by which the plan was created, and the contributions made by its constituents.

“If I can emphasize one thing related to this process, it is to urge our campus community and our external community partners to be involved,” says Dr. Digvir Jayas, ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor. “This is not my plan — this is our plan, and we will only be successful if this plan is truly collaborative and aligns with the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. There will be many opportunities to participate in the creation of this plan and to have your voice incorporated. Our goal is to achieve a shared vision and your participation is essential."

The community engagement process over the next several months will elicit the viewpoints of students, employees, alumni and retirees, as well as community members, research and industry partners, municipal and provincial government representatives and other key constituents.

“Faculty input will be vital in ensuring a successful strategic plan and our experience, insights, and perspectives will be invaluable in shaping the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Input from our academic community will contribute to a plan that promotes on-campus academic excellence and student success, and through our outreach, teaching and research activities, engages the many communities we impact locally and around the globe.”
Tracy Oosterbroek PhD, RN (BN ’95, MSc ’09)
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences

“Students are a guiding light for our institution, and our experiences, aspirations and needs should be at the forefront of our strategic plan. We are not just recipients of education; we are active contributors to our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. Our perspectives and collective vision should shape the activities we undertake in the future to build a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ experience that is academically enriching, supportive, inclusive and aligned with the needs of the diverse student body.”
Maleeka Thomas
President, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union

“Graduate students play an important role in many crucial facets of our university. This includes driving novel research, securing research funding for our institution, and supporting a variety of undergraduate programs and offices on campus through teaching and academic employment. To develop a prosperous and inclusive strategic plan to guide our institution into the future, consultation with our graduate student body will be essential. We look forward to being involved in this process.”
Jaxon Reiter (BSc '22)
President, Graduate Students’ Association

“��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge non-academic employees, whether in administrative, support or operational roles, work behind the scenes to ensure that everything functions seamlessly, from finance to facilities management, student services and beyond. We understand the intricacies of our roles, the needs of our colleagues, and the expectations of our students. Input from employees, regardless of our responsibilities, will be paramount for a successful strategic plan.”
Nicole Bach (BSc ’19)
Planning Assistant, Campus Development

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s many external partners will also play a major role in the creation of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan.

“The success and vibrancy of our city is directly tied to the growth and development our post-secondary institutions. Our community’s collective voice was instrumental in establishing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge 56 years ago and it is important now. Having our community share critical insights into this process will pave the way for a strategic plan that reflects the aspirations of our city, region and university.”
Blaine Hyggen
Mayor of Lethbridge

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is not just a place of higher learning; it is an integral part of our city's economic ecosystem. The decisions made by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ impact not only the education of our future workforce but also the economic development, innovation and prosperity of our community. On behalf of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, I commend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for taking such a thoughtful approach to their strategic planning process and for seeking the valuable input of local businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders."
Cyndi Bester (BMus ’95, MEd ’01)
CEO, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce

Information about how to provide input can be found on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s strategic planning website, which was launched today.

Another vital element of this process is that it will not create a specific and separate Indigenous plan. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge (Iniskim) is located on Blackfoot Confederacy Territory, and Indigenous perspectives will inform the entire activity.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a deep commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous Peoples. One recent example of this commitment is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ becoming the first post-secondary signatory of the Buffalo Treaty with a focus on education, research and cooperation. The priority to have Indigenous world views that are interwoven into the Strategic Plan, as well as other institutional plans, is paramount in ensuring that the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives is done so in a holistic manner.”
Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04)
Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations

“Our commitment to the relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Indigenous Peoples connects everything we do and must be woven throughout each plan,” adds Jayas.

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ begins consultations for the Comprehensive Strategic Plan engagement process and wanting to do it in a good way that is grounded in Blackfoot ways of knowing, culture and protocol, Jayas and Little Bear participated in a pipe ceremony led by Elder, Francis First Charger. The pipe ceremony was held Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will share further details about the strategic plan engagement process in the coming weeks.

Dr. Digvir Jayas begins term with well attended Welcome Walk

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 21:38:55 +0000

Billed as a 30-minute tour of campus, Dr. Digvir Jayas’s Welcome Walk stretched past 45 minutes as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s new president and vice-chancellor engaged with multiple members of the ULethbridge community as he made his way around the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s sprawling property.

(From left) Dr. Jennifer Copeland, associate dean, Faculty of Arts & Science, Maleeka Thomas, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union, Dr. Digvir Jayas, president and vice-chancellor, and Jaxon Reiter, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Graduate Students' Association, lead the way during Tuesday's Welcome Walk.

More of a walk-and-talk, Jayas was quick to stop and chat with the various people who continued to join in on the event as it progressed through the scenic route — even earning a cheer from an exuberant Destination Exploration summer camp group. Staff, faculty, student representatives, local politicians and southern Alberta community members all participated to celebrate the first official workday for Jayas.

“I certainly am excited to be here,” says Jayas. “I think this went very well.”

Maleeka Thomas, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union, says the walk served as an excellent opportunity to hear from Jayas about his institutional priorities, of which students are top of mind.

“It was pretty amazing to get to experience this and to see the new president come in and prioritize student leadership and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as always being at the forefront of his thoughts,” says Thomas. “It was great to talk about how we can work together to ensure we are seeing the betterment of our student population.”

Jaxon Reiter, president of the Graduate Students' Association, also took part in the walk.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet Dr. Jayas and hear about his excitement for this new role and his commitment to bettering the student experience," says Reiter. "I look forward to working with him to advance graduate student supports."

Jayas says that continuing to build relationships both within the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and externally with the broader community is key in maintaining the upward trajectory of ULethbridge. He says his priority now is to continue to make connections and utilize an engaged community to establish the path forward for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Tuesday’s Welcome Walk, enthusiastically attended by all corners of campus and the broader southern Alberta community, was an outstanding first step.

UNews - Maleeka Thomas

Remembering Dean Gallimore

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