UNews - Christmas

Canadians see Christmas as a national treasure

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:01:58 +0000

There are few times in the year that seem to excite Canadians more than the Christmas Holiday Season. It produces no end of pilgrimages. People do everything they can to “be home for Christmas Day,” taking as much time off work as possible, often travelling long distances at considerable expense, battling tough weather, frequently sacrificing sleep.

Dr. Reginald Bibby says that Canadians experience their greatest levels of happiness during the Christmas season.

Those who cannot make it to the place where family and friends are gathered used to settle for phone calls and, if all else failed, dreams. These days, growing numbers will simulate being there via an array of video possibilities, while making sure they spend some the day with valued friends – or even temporary friends. Few songs are written about people spending Christmas alone.

So why all the effort? What’s so special about being with family and friends at Christmas? The Angus Reid Institute recently put the question to some 1,500 Canadians. A few findings are predictable; others are not.

People across the country are virtually unanimous in saying that what makes Christmas so special is the opportunity to be with family and friends. That translates into happy and enjoyable atmospheres, and a unique time when people – almost magically – are particularly upbeat with one another, where “the norm is nice.” Such is the nature of “the Christmas spirit.”

A large majority also see such times as special because they provide the opportunity to share in valued family traditions, underlined by the common presence of people who span generations. We go all out to make sure the celebrations include grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins who surface only twice or once a year. That alone makes the occasion special.

When we looked at specifics about what is particularly meaningful, Christmas dinner (56 per cent) was cited by more people than gifts (26 per cent). There’s something special about gathering around the table. A few people might miss some of the gift-openings. But dinner will not start without them.

The survey further documented the ongoing importance for some 50 per cent of Canadians of the religious and spiritual components of Christmas. That includes the annual surfacing of the “Christmas Onlys" - primarily Roman Catholics and Protestant Mainliners, doubling service across the nation to about 40 per cent from the normal 20 per cent.

But beyond “family and friends” and “fun and faith,” the survey found two other things that are particularly noteworthy. First, while Christmas is typically associated with a lot of commotion, no less than 3 in 4 people say the time provides “a breather from everyday life. Close to the same proportion further report that it offers an opportunity “to emerge refreshed.” Such sentiments are highest among younger adults.

Second, Canadians tell us that Christmas and the Holiday Season also is a time of considerable reflection. Precisely because the past meets the present in safe relational settings, people are giving a lot of thought to where life has been, where it is, and where it is headed.

More than 50% say they will be thinking about Christmases past and people no longer here. Similar numbers expect to be reflecting on where their lives are, the things that bring them joy as well as strain, and some things they might want to change.

In short, the cultural and personal significance of "the season" goes well beyond its readily visible social, commercial and religious characteristics. Christmas is also an important time of national reflection.
As a closing question, we asked Canadians how happy they generally consider themselves to be. Some two in ten said they are “very happy” and about six in ten “pretty happy,” with less than two in ten describing themselves as “not very happy” or “not happy at all.”

Yet, this month, as we get together with family and friends, our happiness levels will rise to levels which, for most of us, will be year-long highs – if only for a week or so. No less than 88 per cent of the survey participants told us that what makes the holiday so special is that “Christmas spent with loved ones simply adds much to my life.”

That seems to be the primary reason that people will be “home for Christmas.” Its impact on our lives is simply too important to miss. As such, Christmas is a national treasure.

Angus Reid is a sociologist and one of Canada’s best known pollsters; in October 2014 he founded the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) www.angusreid.org. Reginald W. Bibby holds the Board of Governors Chair in Sociology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge; his decades-long trend-tracking is now focusing on the future of life in Canada - www.reginaldbibby.com.

Canadians prefer ‘Christmas’ to ‘Holiday Season’ just one finding in Angus Reid/U of L survey

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 17:18:47 +0000

An online survey of more than 1,500 Canadian adults by the Angus Reid Institute and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge sociologist Dr. Reginald Bibby shows that eight out of 10 respondents preferred to use the term ‘Christmas.’

Regardless of their religion or culture, people who responded to the survey showed much in common when it comes to celebrating Christmas. Almost all of the respondents, 94 per cent, say being with friends and family is what makes Christmas special. Slightly more than half, 54 per cent, pointed to celebrating the birth of Christ as the reason Christmas is special. Three out of four Canadians say the best thing about Christmas is that it provides a break from everyday life.

As for key features of Christmas, more than half of those surveyed indicated sharing a Christmas meal together makes the day special. About a quarter of people singled out gift giving and receiving as the aspect that made Christmas special.

If the survey is any indication, Christmas church services across the country can expect to see double the usual attendance. Two in five people said they would attend a Christmas service, twice as many who said they normally attend a service once a month or more.

The survey also points to Christmas as being a time to reflect — to remember those who are no longer there, to ponder the direction life has taken, and the role of faith in life.

Bibby, a Board of Governors Research Chair in the Department of Sociology and researcher in the Prentice Institute has monitored social trends in Canada for the past 40 years. The full news release can be found on the Angus Reid Institute website.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ hours for the 2013-14 holiday season

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 23:02:26 +0000

If you feel the need to work off that holiday meal, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness is open during the holidays!

While the majority of offices in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ are closed from Christmas Day through New Year's Day, many of the buildings on campus remain open and can be accessed.

Check below for a listing of building hours during the Christmas break and visit the Sport and Recreation Website for a posting of their holiday hours.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Security is available 24 hours a day over the holiday break (403-329-2345).

BUILDING OPERATING HOURS

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall

Dec. 24 to Jan.1, 2014 (inclusive)

North Entrance-Level 6 - Open 24 hours

Level 4 B - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m. (24 hours)

**
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts

Dec. 24 to Jan.1, 2014 (inclusive)

Level 4 Entrance - Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m. (24 hours)

Library Building

Dec. 24 to Jan.1, 2014 (inclusive)

West Entrance - Open 24 hours

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m. (24 hours)

1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness

Dec. 26 to Dec. 31

North & South Entrances - Open 24 hours

Dec. 25, 2013 and Jan.1, 2014

CLOSED

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m. (24 hours)

Students' Union Building

Dec. 25 to Jan.1, 2014 (incl.)

All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m.

Anderson Hall

Dec. 25 to Jan.1, 2014 (incl.)

All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m.

Turcotte Hall

Dec. 25 to Jan.1, 2014 (incl.)

Old Turcotte Hall Closed

West Sliding Door - Open 24 Hours

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances - Open 5 a.m. (24 hours)

CCBN/AWESB

Dec. 25 to Jan.1, 2014 (incl.)

All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances Open

Markin Hall

Dec. 25 to Jan.1, 2014 (incl.)

All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2014

All Entrances Open

Regular building and regular department hours begin January 2, 2014.

Horns hockey schedules finalized

trevor.kenney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:09:12 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's and women's hockey teams open their 2013-14 Canada West hockey schedules in early October, and with both teams coming off non-playoff seasons, will need a quick start to get off on the right foot.

The Horns women's team hosts the first home game of the season when they welcome the defending Canada West champion ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia T-Birds to Nicholas Sheran Arena on Oct. 4-5. That weekend will mark the start of a stretch that sees the Horns host seven of their first eight games at Nicholas Sheran.

The following weekend (Oct. 11-12), the Regina Cougars come to town, before a home-and-home set with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos follows. The streak of home games concludes Oct. 25-26 when the Horns entertain the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan Huskies. Of course, with so many home games ot start the season, the U of L will be forced to play the majority of its road schedule in the season's second half, and will host just four home games after Christmas.

On the men's side, the Horns will play the opposite schedule of their women counterparts, opening the season with seven of eight games on the road, including an Oct. 11-12 series at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regina that marks the beginning of their conference schedule.

The U of L will open on home ice Oct. 18 with the front end of a home-and-home series against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos.

During the first half of the season, the Horns will only skate on home ice six times, hosting the defending Canada West champion ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Golden Bears (Nov. 8-9), Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ (Nov. 22) and UBC Thunderbirds (Nov. 29-30) in addition to the Dinos.

After the holiday break, the Horns will play eight of their remaining 12 games at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drop for all homes games at Nicholas Sheran Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.

For season tickets, call Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681. Check out the full schedules at gohorns.ca.

Fine Arts tickets a holiday draw

trevor.kenney — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:10:52 +0000

Gift-wrap the performing arts and put them under the tree for someone you love this holiday season! Tickets to Fine Arts events make a fantastic holiday gift for the theatre or concertgoer on your list.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office closes for Christmas on Dec. 14 and reopens on Jan. 7. Tickets are also available online at uleth.ca/tickets.

Here's a look at some of the upcoming performances.

TheatreXtra (Tickets: $11 regular, $7 student/senior)
The Love List by Norm Foster
January 24-26, 2013 (8 p.m. nightly, 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 26, David Spinks Theatre)

What would happen if you got the chance to order your dream date?

In this hilarious comedy we are introduced to the characters of Bill and Leon who compile the love list – the top 10 qualities they want in a woman. However chaos ensues as this "perfect woman" comes knocking on the door and the gentlemen learn to be careful what you wish for.

Drama Mainstage (Tickets: $15 adults, $10 student/senior)
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (Adapted by David S. Craig)
Feb. 12-16, 2013 (7 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre)

A boy must save the world of Fantastica using the power of his imagination. This play is for anyone who has ever read a book that was so good they did not want it to end.

Estuary by Ron Chambers
Mar. 19-23, 2013 (8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre)

As a young man's dreams begin to infiltrate his waking life, he's forced to determine what's real and what isn't. This comedy asks whether, in snubbing our dream life, we are ignoring a significant and real aspect of our humanity.

Faculty Artist and Friends Series (Tickets: $20 adults, $15 student/senior)
Celebrate Poulenc
Jan. 25, 2013 (8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall)

In honour of the 50th anniversary of the death of Francis Poulenc, a leading figure in the Parisian musical life of the early 20th century.

Quasar Saxophone Quartet
March 9, 2013 (8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall)

The confluence of acoustic and electronic music, Montreal's Quasar explores aspects of artistic creation from instrumental to live electronics, from improvisation to instrumental theatre.

For a complete listing of events, pick up a copy of the Faculty of Fine Arts' Season at a Glance, or go to www.uleth.ca/finearts for more information on all these fantastic shows, gallery exhibits and concerts.

Red Nose back on the roads

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:39:10 +0000

A year after setting program records for total rides and money raised, Operation Red Nose (ORN) is on the road again for Pronghorn Athletics.

Operating under the slogan, Let Rudy Take the Wheel, the Horns will be participating in their 18th Operation Red Nose, a countrywide initiative aimed at curbing drinking and driving by chauffeuring partygoers and their vehicles home safely.

The program is an annual win-win for the Horns and the southern Alberta community. Run by volunteers and supported generously by community sponsors (such as insurance providers Alpine and Intact Insurance), rides are free of charge to users, with donations accepted. In the end, the program works as a major fundraiser for Horns Athletics and takes numerous potentially unsafe drivers off the roads.

This season, with new Alberta blood-alcohol content regulations in effect, it's expected Operation Red Nose will be utilized more than ever.

"You're really going to need a big volunteer base to cover the demand," says the Lethbridge Regional Police Service. "It's a fantastic program. We have people out on a designated check stop all throughout December and we'd rather have them not find an impaired driver than to have someone who could have used Red Nose come through our stop and get charged."

Sandy Slavin, the director of Sport and Recreation Services, says the push for volunteers is ongoing.

"I would think we need upwards of 800 volunteer slots that need to be filled," says Slavin. "That can include one person filling two or three slots but by the end of the day, there are 800 slots to fill, which is pretty substantial, especially closer to Christmas when the majority of our athletes have headed home."

The first weekend of ORN proved projections right as 170 rides were provided by 90 volunteers on the first two nights of operation. That translates to a 13 per cent increase from last season's opening weekend. By the end of the third week of operation, ORN had given out 875 rides and remained on pace to smash last year's record totals.

Slavin has been pleased to see a number of alumni returning to campus in recent years to help with ORN. She notes that it often just takes one experience with the program for people to get hooked.

"You really do feel good at the end of the night, that you've given something back to not only the Horns program but to the community," she says. "We are finding that more and more of our alumni are coming back and that's how they support their team and their university."

Operation Red Nose operates every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from Nov. 30 through New Year's Eve. To volunteer, contact Horns Athletics at 403-329-2681. To access a ride, call 403-320-4155 from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.

This story first appeared in the December 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Family dysfunction hits a whole new level

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:00:22 +0000

A chill is in the air!

King Henry II and his family congregate for an even chillier Christmas celebration in James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, playing Nov. 20-24, 8 p.m. nightly on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage.

Set in the stark hollows of Castle Chinon in 1183, the dramatic tensions between members of King Henry II's family take centre stage in this historic play. The company includes Henry's quarreling and conniving sons, intent to claim the throne; his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, allowed a reprieve from her 10-year imprisonment to join the festivities; and Henry's young mistress, Alias, who is also betrothed to his son Richard.

As the party commences, the scandals of this dysfunctional dynasty explode, revealing shocking truths of betrayal, deceit and treachery.

And you thought your family had interesting Christmas get-togethers.

"This is a very complex script that explores the dynamics and dysfunction of families throughout history," says guest director Philip Adams. "It's about power and land and the successors to that land. We, the audience, can marvel at the dexterity of the noble family."

"Despite the lies and treachery of this dysfunctional family, there is still humour," Adams adds. "Families are funny and this script exposes that humour in very clever ways."

With a grand set, designed by Jim Wills, and period costumes designed by Leslie Robison-Greene, the production transports audiences to a medieval era of stone, wood, leather and furs.

"The production is very well crafted, and it's been a pleasure to be a part of this collaborative project," says Adams, who won Saskatoon's Best Director Award in 2012.

A bit of a nomad, he has served as the artistic director of Nakai Theatre in the Yukon and Mulgrave Road Theatre in Nova Scotia, and also directed productions across the country.

Tickets for The Lion in Winter are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616), Monday through Friday 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $15 regular, $10 seniors/students. Regular tickets are also available online, www.uleth.ca/tickets.

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue online, follow this link.

People Plan taking shape at U of L

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:32:55 +0000

In the last two years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has developed both an Academic Plan and a Research Plan that, together with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Business Plan, serve to shape and support the actions of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Strategic Plan.

But the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ can only succeed through its people. Several members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community recently gathered to talk through the feasibility of creating a People Plan and how best to go about it.

"As we begin work on the next five-year iteration of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Strategic Plan, it appears that a bridging document speaking to the needs of faculty, support staff, APOs, senior administration and other groups is missing from our framework of support," says Elaine Carlson, associate vice-president, Human Resources. "A People Plan must align with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's fundamental principles of a commitment to society; creativity, inquiry and discovery; students; inspiration; and responsible action, among other attributes."

Carlson says the People Plan is intended to link all employees to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's chosen direction, regardless of the focus of their work.

"As a growing comprehensive academic and research institution with an increasing campus footprint and several campus locations, we are concerned about losing the sense of connection and community that has been a feature, if not a hallmark, of our development since the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's inception in 1967," says Carlson. "By bringing this initial group together, we were able to do a lot of brainstorming and direction-setting that will move us forward, so that we can encourage all members of the U of L Community to participate in future planning sessions."

Carlson says that with the assistance of Vic Shewchuk from VisionWorks Consulting (who is also the senior advisor, Organizational Planning and Development at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta), the group was able to take dozens of ideas and focus them into a narrative from which a report to the president will be prepared.

As of now, the group has not confirmed how it will be engaging with different groups, but expect to hear from them before Christmas.

"This preliminary planning group is open to hearing ideas from everyone on campus," says Carlson. "This group is highly motivated to provide the groundwork for the creation of a People Plan – a living document that will hopefully enhance the way we at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ feel about our workplace and our roles within it."

To learn more about this Strategic Planning process, please visit this website: www.uleth.ca/strategic-plan/people-plan

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue online, follow this link.

Costa realizing academic, athletic dream

trevor.kenney — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:04:25 +0000

Sometimes all the recruiting efforts in the world pale in comparison to a word-of-mouth endorsement and a Google search.

Such was the case for Brazilian international student Guilherme Costa, who showed up on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge doorstep this past January looking first for an opportunity to study kinesiology and physical education, and secondly to play soccer.

"A few years ago my brother did an international exchange through the Rotary International program and we hosted a girl from Edmonton at our house for five months," says Costa, a 24-year-old from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"She introduced me to Canada, and I was amazed to learn about the people, the nature and everything that was here. I decided then to come to Canada; it was my dream."
He first landed in Vancouver, B.C. and spent eight months there before finding a university that suited his interests.

"I heard about the kinesiology program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and about the chance to do research. Now that I've been here for almost a year, I just love it," says Costa. "I did an independent study when I earned my degree in Brazil and that's what I want to keep doing here, and I thought that Lethbridge would be the perfect spot."

International Brazilian student Gui Costa played a key role in the success of the Horns men's soccer team this past fall.

A third-year student in kinesiology, he comes from a family that values education and is extremely supportive of his goals. His father is an engineer, his mother a lawyer and his brother a doctor.

"My interest of study is in sport and rehabilitation," he says. "I want to work with metabolic disease in sports. We all know about the impact of physical activity in sport and metabolic disease, and I want to see how indoor sports like indoor soccer, volleyball and basketball have an impact on the body."

Coming from the world's seventh largest city in population, it is obviously a huge culture shift to arrive in a city of less than 100,000, but Costa seems at ease with the transition.

"It's a pretty calm city and I'm really enjoying that. Sao Paulo is so busy so we don't really have time for anything, and living here is pretty relaxing," he says. "I'm really looking forward to my parents coming here for Christmas. They're going to spend a month with me and we plan to travel all over Canada."

Costa grew up playing soccer and even looked at trying to play professionally in Brazil, but he prioritized education over sport, something that suits him well now as a Canada West student-athlete.

"It's been a little bit hard, because this was my first year and I've had to manage my soccer, my school and work, because I have to support myself here," he says of his job with Sodexo. He also plans to work on the Horns' game day staff team through the winter.

"I chose my classes well so that I could manage things and now that soccer season is over I plan to study and work more."

It was a banner year for the Horns men's team, which set a new team record for total points and equaled its best ever win total. That the team still fell one win shy of qualifying for the playoffs has Costa and his teammates eager for next season.

"I think we were all happy with what we did but at the same time we were frustrated because looking back, there were probably five games we should have won and didn't, and that was the difference at the end," says the first-year centre-midfielder. "So, we know we can do more next year and it makes us confident.

I think everyone wishes next season started tomorrow."

As with soccer and Costa's educational aspirations, this year is only a beginning.

"I want to finish my undergrad degree and then start a master's degree," he smiles. "I want to stay in Canada, that's my plan. Hopefully Canada will accept me."

In many ways, the country already has.

GET THE FACTS

· Horns men's soccer posted a 4-5-6 record on the year and finished three points behind the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan for the final Canada West playoff spot

· Costa played last summer with the Lethbridge Football Club in the Alberta Major Soccer League

· Many of the Horns will play together throughout the indoor soccer season, an opportunity to further develop their skill set for next fall

· Costa says he has no issue with the snow and cold he encounters in Canada but he could do without Lethbridge's winds. "It shocks me a little," he says

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Alumna of the Year Preuss realizes destiny

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:24:20 +0000

Do scientists believe in fate? If you talk to Dr. Kathryn Preuss (BSc '95) about her academic life and professional career, you'll notice a string of coincidences and happenings that seem to have set her on a path that's led Preuss to her current position as an associate professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph and a Tier II Canada Research Chair in the Chemistry of Molecular Materials.

It started when Preuss was a school kid, and her father, Dr. Peter Preuss, taught philosophy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I remember going to the Christmas parties, running around and having fun on campus as a child," recalls Preuss. "The U of L has always been a positive environment for me."

Preuss values the research opportunities she enjoyed as an undergraduate student at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Attending the U of L was therefore pretty much in the cards for Preuss from the beginning. She knew the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ well and was aware of its great undergrad reputation across the country. Preuss enrolled at the U of L with the intention of taking her talent for science into the field of medicine. But as it happened, fate once again played its hand.

"When you're a girl and you're good at science, everybody tells you that you should become a doctor, so that's what I assumed I'd be," says Preuss. "But then I met professor René Boeré."

In 1992, Preuss had earned the highest marks among all first-year chemistry students. At the end of the year, Boeré approached Preuss about accepting a summer job in his lab and she jumped at the opportunity. In need of a job, the idea of getting paid to do something she was genuinely interested in was too enticing to pass up.

Preuss spent that summer conducting experiments on inorganic synthesis and doing all sorts of exciting things that very few first-year undergrad students ever have the chance to do.

"It was eye opening," recalls Preuss. "I couldn't believe I was getting paid to do all that cool stuff and was building my academic credentials at the same time. Suddenly I realized that it was possible to be a professional chemist, to do research and actually make a living at it."

From there, Preuss's path took a turn. She focused on obtaining a degree in chemistry and continued to work in various professors' labs between semesters. Preuss furthered her experiments in inorganic synthesis and later expanded her research to the areas of organic synthesis, thermodynamics and photochemistry.

By the time Preuss had finished her undergraduate studies, she had no fewer than seven published papers to her name – more than most PhD students tend to have on their CVs. Preuss graduated with distinction from the U of L, was awarded the Faculty of Arts & Science Gold Medal (Science) for her achievements and went on to complete a PhD in inorganic chemistry at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Waterloo.

Today, Preuss is a leading expert in the field of materials science. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Royal Society of Canada's Alice Wilson Award, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada's UFA ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Faculty Award, and the Ontario Government's Early Research Award.

Her research is innovative and influential – the magnitude of which only a chemist can truly appreciate.

"We are attempting to make bifunctional or multifunctional materials, but our design is unique," she explains. "We are the first to actually develop thiazyl radicals as ligands in a rational way, and we have added a new class of radicals. We've taken the entire metal-radical concept a step further than it has every been taken before."

Ask her how she feels the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge prepared her for academic achievement and professional success, and Preuss's response is crystal clear.

"My education at the U of L is directly responsible for where I am today," says Preuss. "If I hadn't gone to the U of L, met professor Boeré and worked in his lab, I wouldn't have become a chemist. None of what I've done would have been accomplished. The U of L gave me the opportunity to do a lot of really significant research and be recognized for it early on. Attending the U of L definitely gave me a head start and got me going in the right direction, academically and professionally."

It might be hard to prove, but scientists may just believe in fate after all.

GET THE FACTS

· After completing her PhD in 2000, Preuss held post-doctoral positions at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Colorado and North Carolina State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She returned to Canada in 2002

· Her current research has implications in the areas of low-power data storage, sensors and other adaptive technologies

· In addition to her teaching and research commitments, Preuss is an avid sailor and tries to spend some time each summer on Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) with her young family. She is married to Joel and has two children, Genevive (3) and Marco (1)

This story first appeared in the October 2012 issue of the Legend. To read the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Christmas

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