UNews - lecturer

Lasting Images - John Clark

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:35:11 +0000

John Clark was born in England in 1943. He studied painting and printmaking at Hull College of Art in England until receiving a Fulbright Scholarship, which he used to study painting at Indiana ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He eventually earned his Master of Fine Arts there in 1968.

Arnaud Maggs, John Clark in his studio, 1988. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of the artist, 1989.

Clark then returned to Hull College of Art, this time as the Senior Lecturer of Painting. In 1978, he moved to Canada to take a position at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, which lasted until 1983. During the 1980s Clark exhibited at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery and later came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as a visiting artist. In 1986, he was hired permanently as associate professor of art and he remained at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge until his untimely death at the age of 46 in 1989.

John Clark, Pam Reading, 1971. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of Pam Clark, 2000.

Clark had an antagonistic view towards "conventional newness", as he called it in a journal entry from 1989, and as a result his paintings often explored ideas of figuration, transformation and the metaphysical.

Rosemary J. Preuss describes Clark's later works best in John Clark: Transformation and the Void Volume One, where she stated that, "throughout all the challenges in his mature oeuvre, art making remained for Clark an existential activity in which the search for meaning was of the essence. He resisted the literal and the illustrative in his painting, and sought a transformational art, an affirmation of being in the face of the void."

John Clark, The News, 1980. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Purchased in 1985.

Therefore, from this loss perhaps there is comfort in the notion that Clark's time spent searching for meaning was achieved by the end of his life, evident through the memories of his colleagues, friends and family, as well as through his many artworks included in the U of L Art Collection.

This story first appeared in the May 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Penner's dedication recognized with honour

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:32:57 +0000

To say Jennifer Penner wears many hats would be an understatement.

She's the team lead and nurse clinician at Lethbridge's Heart Function Clinic/Heart Failure Network, a regular guest lecturer in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge nursing classes and an advocate for more connected and patient-centric health care. Yet, at heart, her professional scope is unified by a very personal philosophy.

"The thing that has inspired me is the connection with patients and families, and the ability to deliver excellent care in such a way that it will empower people to live better lives," says Penner.

Penner relishes the opportunity to work collaboratively with the u of L's Faculty of Health Sciences.

Clearly Penner has passed that inspiration along to others. This year, her longstanding contributions are being recognized with the 2012 Friends of Health Sciences Award, an annual honour from the Faculty of Health Sciences that recognizes an individual or agency that has made a significant contribution to health education and research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Originally from Bow Island, Alta., Penner completed her initial nursing education at Medicine Hat College and her bachelor of science in nursing degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. She has spent most of her 25-year career in southern Alberta. Today, Penner supervises five nurses at the Heart Failure Clinic, as well as leads the relatively new and forward-thinking Heart Failure Network, which she helped to create in 2008.

By encouraging greater collaboration between diverse roles such as case managers, acute care workers and even family doctors, the network integrates health services among these practitioners and increases their awareness of their roles relative to their colleagues, and even more significantly, to the patient.

"When we understand what everyone's role is, the patient in the middle gets better benefits and outcomes," says Penner.

With an estimated 500,000 heart failure patients in Canada and more than 80,000 in Alberta alone, the significance of this work becomes even more apparent. At 10,000 admissions per year, heart failure is one of the most common diagnoses for medical admission to hospital, says Penner.

"It's a huge chronic disease. That's why we need an approach that's far reaching to promote better care, better outcomes and wise utilization of health-care resources."

She adds that greater integration tends to increase patient stability, which cuts costs by reducing the burden on busy emergency rooms and contributes to fewer admissions to acute care facilities.

On top of her leadership in the Heart Failure Network, Penner also shares her expertise with the next generation of nurses, a commitment that began in 2003. Today, she lectures for several faculty members in both nursing and research courses, grounding her talks about heart failure in actual case studies that the young nurses-in-training are likely to encounter early in their careers.

"Lecturing is near and dear to my heart," says Penner. "I love having an influence on promoting clinical excellence and building the future of nursing."

She also helps students gain experience by connecting them with practical work experiences in clinics, and helping with other real-world skills such as cardiac assessment.

While Penner is clearly motivated by factors beyond awards and accolades, she says she is "deeply honoured" to be recognized by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, noting that her work in the academic setting has helped her realize her own personal potential.

"It is so rewarding to be collaborative, to work with the esteemed professionals at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and to experience the infectious vitality of new nurses. It motivates me and inspires me to be better."

The Friends of Health Sciences Award reception is Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Markin Hall Atrium.

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

Penner to receive Health Sciences Award

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:47:44 +0000

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences will host the third annual Friends of Health Sciences Awards reception, giving the Faculty the opportunity to show its appreciation to the many individuals and organizations who have supported its programs in practice settings.

Each year, the Faculty of Health Sciences recognizes an individual or an agency that has made a significant contribution to health education and research in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

This year, the Faculty is pleased to honour Jennifer Penner, RN, BScN, as the 2012 Friends of Health Sciences Award recipient.

Penner is a veteran health-care professional with more than 25 years experience as a registered nurse and nurse clinician in a wide variety of settings across Alberta.

Originally from Bow Island, Alta., Penner entered the health-care profession as a multi-award-winning graduate of the Medicine Hat College School of Nursing and began her career in Bow Island, Alta.

Apart from returning to school to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and Critical Care Nursing Certification from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, Penner has spent her career in southern Alberta in a variety of clinical and managerial roles. Most recently, she has led a variety of initiatives that support health-care professionals working with people experiencing chronic heart failure.

In addition to developing a comprehensive educational resource book to help patients and families, Penner has worked on several evidence guided heart failure optimization projects in conjunction with physicians, interdisciplinary care professionals and nursing professionals who worked to transfer evidence into practice and endorse an integrated approach to heart failure care.

As a guest lecturer at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, Penner has freely shared her knowledge of the nursing profession and, in her capacity as a mentor to numerous nursing students, has provided valuable advice, employment supervision and preceptorship to the next generation of health-care professionals.

"Through her commitment to advancing health-care practices and knowledge, Jennifer Penner exemplifies the values and vision of the Faculty of Health Sciences," says Dr. Chris Hosgood, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. "We are very proud to recognize her contributions by honouring her with the 2012 Friends of Health Sciences Award."

Sproule brings experience to counsel role

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:59:22 +0000

Sharon Sproule (BA '97) has been appointed as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's in-house legal counsel.

Sproule is a long-time Lethbridge resident and U of L graduate who joins the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ from Torry Lewis Abells, where she practised as a litigator and solicitor, joining the firm in 2003.

From 1997 to 2003 she worked with Lethbridge-based law firm Stringam Denecky, where she also articled following her graduation from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary law school in 1996.

Balancing a busy law practice, community service and professional development within the legal community, Sproule has also continued her relationship with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a sessional or guest lecturer in the faculties of Health Sciences, Management and other programs.

She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Lethbridge Bar Association and the Alberta Mediation Society. Sproule is also active in the community as a volunteer with a number of local organizations, including Lethbridge Family Services, Rotary Urban Spirits, the Young Professionals Association and the Lethbridge Association of Collaborative Professionals.

"Having Sharon join us as in-house legal counsel will provide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with expertise that currently does not exist within our institution," says Nancy Walker, the U of L's vice-president (finance and administration). "The environment in which the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ operates is becoming very complex and we find the need to ensure that we are managing our risks appropriately."

Walker says that Sproule will be responsible for providing legal advice and guidance to the Senior Administrative Team and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a whole, pertaining to a wide variety of issues and circumstances, including administrative, research, human rights,aemployment law matters, intellectual property matters, licensing matters and policies and procedures.

Sproule will also serve as the key contact for general operational business and commercial contracts.
She will report to the Vice-President (Finance & Administration) and can be reached at 403-332-4477.

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

A Provost's Philosophy

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:51:38 +0000

Dr. Cheryl Misak (BA '83) never intended to go into academia. When she began her education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Misak's goal was to become a lawyer.

As fate would have it (if fate does in fact exist – a question Misak has certainly pondered and discussed at length with hundreds of students over the course of her long and illustrious career) Philosophy 1000 was the only course that fit a gap in her schedule that first semester. You could say the rest is history, but in Misak's case, it's far more appropriate to ask whether certain things in life are just meant to be.

Taking a look at Misak's resumé, which brims with esteemed accomplishments, culminating in her current position as vice-president and provost at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto, it's easy to buy into the notion that things have a way of working out the way they should. That first course in philosophy that Misak added to her schedule simply out of practicality, set her life on an extraordinarily successful and interesting trajectory that she might not otherwise have pursued.

"I was immediately taken by it," Misak says of philosophy. "I agonized over what to do – it seemed that degrees in philosophy wouldn't lead to much of a career, but eventually I took the plunge."

Dr. Cheryl Misak (BA '83) was the 2009 recipient of the Alumnus of the Year award.

Misak followed her passion, earning a BA in Philosophy with great distinction, and the coveted Faculty of Arts and Science Gold Medal to go along with it. While she had her sights set on a Rhodes Scholarship that year, it was at Columbia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that Misak earned an MA. Even so, Oxford was never off the radar. Misak reapplied for the Rhodes Scholarship while in New York, was accepted and went on to earn her PhD in England.

Since then, it's been one step after the other for Misak. She's been a lecturer at Oxford, graduate co-ordinator and assistant professor at Queen's, and then steadily moved up the ranks at U of T, advancing from professor to chair to dean to VP and principal – all the way to the top of the institution as vice-president and provost. It's an impressive succession that even Misak herself sometimes has trouble recognizing as her own career.

"It's a constant object of amazement to me," Misak says. "I had to be convinced to do each successive job. Each time I moved on, I found I was enjoying it more and more. People kept asking me to do things, and I just kept saying yes."

While the position of vice-president and provost at U of T is more than a full-time job, Misak makes a point of keeping her hand in research and teaching. She is currently working on research for a book titled The American Pragmatists – a subject matter very much in line with work Misak started while still an undergrad at the U of L. It is fittingly full circle – especially for a philosophy buff.

"Philosophy is about working through problems, getting to the bottom of things and trying to come to an understanding about concepts such as truth, knowledge, justice and the good. Ask a question about an old problem, and you're bound to learn something, if not new, then at least important."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award recognizes individuals for exceptional professional achievements, academic excellence or contributions to society.

Stebbins helped shape art culture

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:28:31 +0000

When Joan Stebbins (BFA '79), former curator for the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG), graduated from high school in the small town of Palmer, Alaska, she embarked on a post-secondary journey that, with a little help from Cupid, would alter dramatically the course of her life.

"I started at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alaska with plans to major in English. After one semester I left school to get married and a year later we had our first son," recalls Stebbins. "While my husband completed his education, I stayed home with our two boys, but there was no doubt that I would one day go back to school; it was just a question of when it worked for everybody."

In 1967, Stebbins moved with her family to Lethbridge where her husband, Dr. Lucius Stebbins, would become one of the founding faculty members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was so small then that the faculty was like a family. Everybody knew everybody. We did not have family nearby and we were in an adopted country, so it was very nice," recalls Stebbins.

By 1975, Stebbins felt the time was right for her to return to school. She enrolled in the only available night class at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that interested her, Japanese art history.

"I got hooked on art. It was wonderful. I would have done a degree in art history but there were not enough courses available at that time; I did a degree in studio art in printmaking," says Stebbins.
"Going back to school was very fulfilling for me but having a career come out of it – that was not planned. My professors brought such a rich range of experience and strength to their teaching; it happened I was well equipped for my career as a curator. I am very grateful for that."

After graduating in 1979 with a bachelor of fine arts with great distinction, Stebbins applied for a part-time position at the SAAG.

"The Southern Alberta Art Gallery has always had a symbiotic relationship with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Art students are familiar with the Gallery through their professors. I had always gone to the Gallery and been interested in their programs, so I applied for the job when the position as front desk person came up," says Stebbins.

Gradually, Stebbins' responsibilities at the gallery increased. She helped with exhibitions, worked with artists, and curated several local historical exhibitions on her own. In 1982, she became the assistant curator. She was promoted to director/curator in 1985. For the next 15 years, Stebbins worked in liaison with the board of directors to manage gallery resources and programs. She initiated an education program and an artist in residency program. Under her direction both budget and staff size increased and the gallery gained a reputation as one of Canada's leading contemporary institutions.

"I think our successful national reputation comes from the exhibition program. As
director/curator, I chose a national program and did a lot of grant writing to the Canada Council for the Arts and other sources to bring in artists that stood out across our country," says Stebbins. "By 1999, my job title was split because the Gallery had grown and there was just too much to do. Until my retirement in 2008, I acted as curator because that is what I love to do – working with the artists."

Although her career was unplanned, it has turned out to be an extraordinarily rich and rewarding journey for Stebbins. She has traveled extensively, attended major art events throughout Europe, Canada and the United States, worked with very talented artists and continues today to be an important part of the flourishing art community in Lethbridge.

GET THE FACTS

• Stebbins is Curator Emerita at the SAAG and continues to work on selected special projects.

• She was a guest lecturer in Introductory Art at the U of L from 1985 to 1991.

• Stebbins is a member of numerous professional associations, juries, and committees including the U of L Art Acquisitions Committee and the Hnatyshyn Foundation.

• In 2007 Stebbins was named a member of the Order of Canada, while in 2009 she received an honorary doctor of fine arts from the U of L; earned the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist award; and was given the a Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, RCA Medal for her work on countless artist exhibition publications.

Sasquatch is a lady too

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:19:15 +0000

Strong, sexy and 10-foot tall describes the modern female Sasquatch and the subject of artist Allyson Mitchell's installation, Ladies Sasquatch, at the U of L Main Art Gallery from Sept. 18 through Oct. 30.

Ladies Sasquatch challenges the popular perception of Big Foot's solitary male persona, highlighting the softer side of the female Sasquatch using rich textiles, recycled fabrics, fake bear parts and fun fur.

The display features a commune of lady Sasquatches posed in their unique environments, exposing the lady Sasquatch for what she is and how she relates to her human counterparts. These monumental beauties are part of a national tour, with additional sightings at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

Described as a maximalist artist, Mitchell explores feminist art theory through installation, film and sculpture. Her work has been showcased across Canada and the U.S., throughout Europe and East Asia. She recently completed her PhD in Women's Studies at York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ (Toronto) where she also teaches cultural studies.

While visiting the U of L, Mitchell is a featured guest lecturer for the Women Scholars Speakers Series, Sept. 17 at 12:15 p.m. (location TBA) and Art Now, Sept. 18 at noon in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

Lasting Images - Carl Granzow

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:57:28 +0000

Carl Granzow came from Arizona State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1975 as a lecturer in sculpture and design, and in 1979 he accepted a tenure track position in the Department of Art where he maintained a balanced interest in teaching, research/creative activity and administrative service.

Over the past three decades, Granzow was instrumental in the development of Papokan, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Sculpture Park, the Gushul Studios Artist Residency Program in the Crowsnest Pass and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's art studio program.

Administratively, he served as Chair for the Art Department, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty Association, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts for eight years and Director of Papokan Sculpture Park for 13 years.

Granzow's research focused on experimental forms of sculpture and his work has been exhibited in Canada, the United States, France and Germany. In 1985, American sculptor Larry Bell selected Granzow's work for exhibition at the North American Sculpture Exhibition in Golden, Col. where he won the Foothills Art Centre Award for Sculpture.

He also presented at international sculpture conferences in Yorkshire, England and in Oakland, Cal. Among other projects, he developed a small acreage northeast of Lethbridge as a "grounds for sculpture".

Carl Granzow passed away Saturday, April 11, 2009, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his spouse Friederike, children John, Michael, Andrea and Kara, and three grandchildren. Granzow is fondly remembered as a respected artist, long-serving faculty member, lecturer, creative influence and friend to many on campus and off.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ loses Granzow

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:05:38 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community wishes to extend its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Carl Granzow, age 65, a founding member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts (Art Department). Carl was an internationally known sculptor, long-serving faculty member, lecturer, creative influence and friend to many on campus and off.

He passed away Saturday, April 11 surrounded by his family. His spouse Friederike, children John, Michael, Andrea and Kara, and three grandchildren survive Granzow.

A memorial service has not yet been finalized.

Condolences can be directed to Karen Mahar in the Faculty of Fine Arts Dean's office (karen.mahar@uleth.ca) for forwarding to the family.

Carl Granzow's research focused on experimental forms of sculpture and his work has been exhibited in Canada, the United States and Germany. In 1985, the American sculptor Larry Bell selected Granzow's work for exhibition at the North American Sculpture Exhibition in Golden, Colorado where he won the Foothills Art Centre Award for Sculpture.

He also presented at international sculpture conferences in Yorkshire, England and in Oakland, California.

Before discovering art, Granzow attended California Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ on a track scholarship and studied physics. However, his love of art changed the direction of his career.

Granzow came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1975 as a lecturer in sculpture and design and in 1979 he accepted a tenure track position in the Department of Art, where he maintained a balanced interest in teaching, research/creative activity, and administrative service.

Over the past almost 30 years, he was instrumental in the development of Papokan, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Sculpture Park; the Gushul Studios Artist Residency Program in the Crowsnest Pass; and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's art studio program.

Administratively, he served as Chair for the Art Department, President of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty Association, and was most recently the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Director of the Papokan Sculpture Park.

Granzow also initiated and coordinated the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Phase Two Sculpture Competition that resulted in the acquisition of a major work entitled Western Channel by John McEwen.

Recently, Granzow worked with the U of L Grounds staff to create a large tree-planting project near the U of L's Aperture Lake. Calling it the 100-Tree Grove, the work consists of a large planting of trees and a rock spiral sculpture on a hill overlooking the lake.

He also designed a large sculpture, Sphere of Influence, which now sits in downtown Lethbridge.

Some of his work is part of the exhibit "First Faculty: works by early members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Department" currently on display in the Helen Christou Gallery.

Reimer lecture in SU Building

trevor.kenney — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:18:27 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will host Dr. Raylene Reimer as a guest lecturer for the Women Scholars Speaker Series, today in the Students' Union Building.

Reimer, an Associate Professor in the Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, will deliver a lecture entitled, 'Weighing in on Effective Nutritional Strategies for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes'. The lecture is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Ballroom A of the Students' Union Building.

Reimer's research explores the role that diet plays in the incidence of a variety of diseases but mainly those involving diabetes and obesity. The overall objective of her research is to couple the identification of genes involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity with nutrition-based strategies to prevent and/or treat these conditions.

Lunch will be served with the lecture, which will be followed by a discussion period. The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Reimer's lecture is the second of six lectures in the spring session of the Women Scholars Speaker Series. The next lecture is set for Wednesday, Feb. 25 when Monique Dube presents 'The Special Role of Women in Aquatic Cumulative Effects Assessment'.

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