UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus

Alumnus Anderson takes pride in being No. 1

trevor.kenney — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:11:50 +0000

It is one of those things that really shouldn't be a big deal. After all, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ ID number is just a simple sequence of digits and every student has one. Why is it then that years after graduation, when we have occasion to remember that long forgotten string of integers, do so many of us wax nostalgic?

Perhaps the answer lays not so much in the numbers themselves but in the memories they have come to symbolize, memories of friends and professors, great marks, not so great marks and the ultimate realization of an incredible accomplishment.

At the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the first two numbers on a student's ID represent the year that a student begins studying there. If you know a bit about the history of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, you might guess that the first student ID started with the number 67. Wayne Anderson (BASc '73), the first student registered at the U of L, however, tells a little different story of ID number 00057001.

"When I graduated from high school in Picture Butte in 1957, Kate Andrews was the chairman of the board that was starting up a college in Lethbridge. Because our school district contributed funds to the building of the college, the college gave us the opportunity to go in and start as first year university students," remembers Anderson. "I started out in education. There was a big need then for teachers, so for incentive to get us enrolled, our tuition was only 100 dollars for a semester. Although we were within the college, we were actually the first ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students."

Wayne Anderson, here at the Aperture sculpture, will be on campus in May to receive his Fiat Lux Alumni Ring.

The first building built with those funds still stands as part of a local high school.

"They built onto the west end of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. There were rooms there for us to use and as soon as we finished the year we moved out and the Collegiate took over. William Cousins was the dean of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ students there, and that is how we started out in the fall of 1957," explains Anderson.

After his first year, Anderson took a break from school to work at the research station in Vauxhall. He married his sweetheart in 1966 and later moved back to Lethbridge to accept a job at the Lethbridge Research Centre.

"My Mother had gone to grade 11 and in the 1920s that was quite a feat. I did not have a very good showing my first year at the college and my mother was so disappointed that I didn't carry on. I wanted to rectify it and make her proud of me, so I started back at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," recalls Anderson.

Balancing a full-time job with a young family and part-time studies, Anderson once again pursued a degree, this time in physical sciences. He eventually graduated with a BASc in geography in 1973.

"I aimed toward that degree because I was working in that field and I really loved my job. The courses I took, geomorphology, soils, agricultural geography, research techniques, Russian and Canadian geography, were all somehow related to the research station and its work worldwide. The professors would post our marks on the door. In all those years taking courses I never had a hard time finding mine because the students' IDs started in the 60s and 70s and my ID stood out like a sore thumb because it started with 57," chuckles Anderson.

Anderson continued to work at the research station until he retired in 1991. Not one to sit still long, he began working as a driver for the armoured car division of Loomis before retiring again in 2003. Deciding that retirement was not for him, Anderson began yet another career working for the Commissionaires as Security personnel for the Alberta/Montana transmission line.

Now 75 years young, Anderson loves visiting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus on a regular basis as part of the Walk for Wellness group. On May 29, 2013 he will be on campus to participate in a special ceremony to receive the Fiat Lux Alumni Ring.

"One of my proudest accomplishments is graduating after spending all those years in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. The ring is something to always remind me of the years I put in and of being a part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. I feel pretty impressed to see how far the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has come from when I first started until now. When I see all these students I think, gee it has been a long time since I have been a student here," laughs Anderson. "It is great to be an alumnus!"

GET THE FACTS

· Anderson has been married for 47 years and has two daughters and one son, with one daughter a U of L alumna

· He has been a curler for 50 years and still coaches wheelchair curling in Lethbridge

· An old car buff, Anderson has driven his 1966 Chevy hardtop in the annual Street Wheelers weekend

· He calls the '57 Chevy his favourite vehicle, and briefly owned one after his first year of university

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

UPDATE -- Regular Operations on Monday, March 4

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:41:33 +0000

Update -- 8 p.m. Sunday, March 3

CLASSES AND CAMPUS OPERATIONS AS USUAL, MONDAY, MARCH 4

At this point, classes and all activities at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will be operating on their regular schedule for Monday, March 4, 2013.

The 1st Choice Savings Centre at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will remain open until 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3 as a reception centre for those who are unable to leave the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus. For inquires after 8:30 pm, please call Campus Security at (403) 329-2345.

If you are at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and unable to leave due to the suspension of services from Lethbridge Transit or for any other reason, please see the Campus Security Officer located the Information Booth at the 1st Choice Savings Centre by 8:30 pm and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will make arrangements to transport you home.

The U of L Grounds team is monitoring the weather and is acting as quickly as possible to keep pathways and roads on campus clear.

Here are a number of resources to further inform you about the weather conditions:

Current City of Lethbridge Transit and road information

http://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/default.aspx

Whoop-up Drive Traffic Camera

http://westlethbridgeweather.com/Cameras.html

Road reports -- and highway camera locations -- can be found on the Alberta 511 website

http://511.alberta.ca/ab/en.html

Current weather conditions for Lethbridge

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-30_metric_e.html

Current western Canadian satellite imagery from Environment Canada

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/satellite/index_e.html

How does the U of L Grounds team handle bad weather?

The Grounds department snow removal procedure lists clearing main pathways as the first priority to allow pedestrians to access the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Once the walkways are done, workers then attend to the parking lots.

While the department will work diligently to ensure campus is safe to walk around, everyone should be extra cautious when walking outside during inclement weather.

Please obey all signage at path closures. They are blocked off for safety reasons and will reopen once workers have time to clear the area.

To report snow or ice concerns call the Facilities Service Desk at 403-329-2602.

Past shaping the future

trevor.kenney — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:14:47 +0000

The coulees offered extraordinary opportunities: dramatic heights and depths unusual in the Prairies, and the possibility of outlook, proximity to the river and a microclimate milder than the windswept flatlands.

Standing there on the far edge of the coulee I saw etched against the sky the light tracery of an old iron railway bridge, 300 feet in the air, spanning a mile across the river.

I came to the conclusion that though any building upon the exposed flatland should be interred in earth berms so that they would become part of the land, the academic building could span the coulees and, like the old bridge in its rigid flatness, reveal the rich contours of even the most level prairie.

It seemed to me that the top storey of the university should lie below the tableland in an uncompromising straight line spanning the haunches of
the prairie.
...
Dr. Arthur Erickson (LLD '81)

The Architecture of Arthur Erickson
With text by the architect

When renowned Canadian architect, the late Dr. Arthur Erickson (LLD '81), first came to Lethbridge to design ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and formulate the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Development Plan, he was in awe of the coulee landscape, inspired by the High Level Bridge and concluded the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ should be part of the land.

"Architecture, as I see it, is the art of composing spaces in response to existing environmental and urbanistic conditions to answer a client's needs," Erickson once said. "In this way the building becomes the resolution between its inner being and the outer conditions imposed upon it. It is never solitary but is part of its setting and thus must blend in a timeless way with its surroundings, yet show its own fresh presence."

The construction of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall began with a simple sod turning ceremony.

The vision as outlined in the 1969 Erickson-Massey Development Plan saw academic space integrated with residences "so that learning becomes part of living." The 1969 planning objectives also included attractive pedestrian walkways that linked to green spaces; closely knit, clear organization of campus buildings that took advantage of unique views of the river valley; and building sites chosen to ensure reverence, preservation and protection of the coulee landscape.

Construction of the original ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall was a monumental task.

Over the years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus has expanded and evolved with recommendations initially set out in the Campus Development Plan Review (1993), the Master Plan Report (2000) and the Core Campus Expansion Plan (2001) – the latter of which is the springboard for the new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Campus Master Plan (UCMP), which was ratified by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors in December 2012.

Spencer Court, architect and associate director of Campus Planning and Architecture at the U of L, has been leading the current UCMP renewal. He says the new plan takes previous planning history into consideration and maintains key planning initiatives while advancing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's current strategic goals.

"Key elements from past plans have been retained, but the earliest plan had the most fundamentally correct principles or truths that continue to provide value and timeless importance today," he says.

Those principles of strengthening the existing site and building features, creating a compact campus, integrating campus with nature, and using an appropriate brand of architecture to produce a unique campus identity and experience are instilled in the 2012 plan.

Prepared in a collaborative effort with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ by Moriyama & Teshima Architects and Planners, Gibbs Gage Architects and Educational Consulting Services, the UCMP sets out a series of recommendations aimed at guiding larger-scale planning decisions for the main campus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over the next 25 years.

According to the UCMP, these guidelines "accentuate the existing campus design – organizing systems to allow the unique beauty, original order, coherence and distinctive setting of the campus to re-emerge." The UCMP suggests "a highly interconnected system of buildings and pedestrian networks to create an intimate and harmonized learning environment, integrating both academic and residential programs."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall as we see it today, nestled in the coulees and taking advantage of the natural landscape.

What makes the UCMP unique is the way it frames and defines the academic core with a celebrated gateway accessing the heart of campus, while promoting pedestrian-friendliness and retaining the physical geography that informs future buildings and outdoor spaces.

"Campuses are like people in that they mature and become complete over time," says Court. "As key participants at a critical point in the development of our campus, we are privileged to produce a planning vision at a time when many are likely to witness the campus evolve into a more complete place."

The UCMP points to three key directives that align with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 2009-2013 Strategic Plan and 2011-2015 Capital Plan. The first is to physically support the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's mandate to be a comprehensive and academic research institution and to provide opportunities for a community of learners – students, faculty, researchers and staff – to interact in purposeful spaces. Second is to reinforce the quality of built and natural environments at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with an emphasis on improving campus life and the everyday student experience. Third, the plan will provide guidance in planning and management of assets while being stewards of the land.

These directives will aid in creating the physical "Destination U" that is currently being defined at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon agrees.

He says this UCMP is vital for establishing this legacy.

"As individuals who have various roles on campus, we are at one point in time, but universities live for a long, long time. It's critical that we look to the future from a planning perspective, and plan for years ahead that we can't even imagine. It is vitally important that our buildings and grounds deliver on the notion of the Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says Mahon. "The U of L is very fortunate to have had the kind of vision that Erickson had around building into the coulees and really connecting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with the topography and with nature."

The UCMP aims to create a unique identity to differentiate the U of L from other universities and to offer a distinctive and memorable experience for its students. To do that, the plan outlines specific design work including a refocused ceremonial entrance along Aperture Drive, and framing a new "Coulee Quadrangle" north of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library, bordered by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and future buildings to form a campus heart. The UCMP also establishes a network of interconnected buildings that engage the coulees using a unique brand of landform architecture that fully integrates with the landscape. In addition, the construction of the "Prairie Quadrangle" adjacent to Markin Hall will serve to improve connectivity from the academic core to Exploration Place.

The updated Campus Master Plan will further the vision first established in 1969.

One of the biggest values of the new UCMP is creating a compact campus that fosters a better sense of community. Although the UCMP organizes the physical campus, it is the arrangement of those spaces and places that not only leads to a sense of community but also supports academic programming and student life.

Establishing Aperture Drive as the ceremonial entrance to the U of L is just the beginning. The gateway will be framed with a building element linking the Library to the Students' Union Building, as well as a signature building travelling southward that responds to the coulee setting and the Oldman River vista. This building will act as a bridge directly linking the residence precinct to the rest of campus.

Retaining the land in its natural state is also part of the UCMP proposal, and so, the natural coulee space south of the library will be left in its pristine state to preserve the natural view. It's the shared experience of the beautiful scenery of the unique prairie and coulee landscape that brings the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community together and that's an important consistency of the UCMP, says Court.

"We are located in a world-class, unique setting that our forebears committed to being, literally, in this place. That is the driving force in how we go forward," he says. "It is the threshold experience between plateau and river valley we want to be, and since we are here, we should capitalize on that because in the physical sense it's one of our most significant differentiators."

While the prairie land surrounding the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is vast, a key UCMP goal is to create a campus with synergy, ease of access and more importantly, logical pedestrian circulation.

"There's a point where everyone who arrives here by transit, bicycle or automobile becomes a pedestrian, and in the master plan the campus nucleus is predominantly pedestrian-based," says Court. "The master plan has tried to focus on creating a compact, pedestrian-oriented, connected campus that responds to external factors such as weather or the opportunity for memorable views and seriously considers how people move through it."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Campus Master Plan is just that – a plan. At this point, campus planners have not initiated detailed design studies, but most of the features will likely be developed over time. The recommendations in the UCMP, however, are critical for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to reach its strategic goals, says Chris Eagan, director of Facilities.

"The UCMP follows the institution's strategic planning. It allows the creation of a common vision of what space, building and landscape places look like to fulfill our strategic goals," he says. "The UCMP is a broad vision that will be accomplished incrementally through individual capital projects. These projects have urgent and important needs that must be subservient to the institutional requirements outlined in the master plan. It will give the structure and guidance of university planners to all those who design and implement the plan for years to come."

After the UCMP is formally ratified in December 2012, a public open house celebrating the new plan and its document release will be held early in the new year.

According to Court, the new UCMP offers many advantages as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks to the future.

"Overall, it's addressing original concepts that the institution has already put substantial resources and value into," he says. "Those early ideas are treasured fidelities – concepts we shouldn't turn our backs on. If we've learned anything, we've learned that they are important and they still apply going forward."

...

For more information on the UCMP, please visit: www.ulethbridge.ca/masterplan

This story first appeared in the Fall 2012 issue of SAM. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Jaeger sees need first-hand

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:57:21 +0000

Judy Jaeger has the type of job that when it's done well, it can easily be taken for granted.

As manager of caretaking at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, her day-to-day duties revolve around coordinating the 51 staff members who keep the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's campus sparkling clean. It's a role that is integral to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's operations, but it's also the kind of position that flies under the radar, simply because it's executed so exceptionally.

Judy Jaeger works with many students who are just trying to make ends meet while pursuing their academic goals.

In a similar way, Jaeger has been a long-time, behind-the-scenes supporter of bursaries, faithfully giving to U of L students in need, year after year. Early on in her role as manager, she recognized that many of her employees were struggling to make ends meet while going to school. She felt compelled to help them.

"Approximately 25 per cent of the staff in caretaking are students. Because of my first-hand interaction, I see how hard students have to work on a daily basis. Scholarships and bursaries make a big difference; some students couldn't afford to be here without them," she says. "If students get help with their tuition, then they can work less and spend more time focusing on their studies.

It's a message Jaeger is taking to the broader ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus in her role as co-Chair of this year's Supporting Our Students campaign. Since its inception in 2005, the annual fundraiser has seen more than 650 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ faculty, staff and retirees contribute more than $1.5 million towards student scholarships and bursaries. And while it's an impressive dollar figure, Jaeger is determined to see it grow larger.

"I want to blow the other records out of the water," says Jaeger enthusiastically.

As Jaeger explains, donations need not be large to make an impact.

"All I want is five dollars a month from everyone on campus. That will be a lot of money in the end."

And while Jaeger encourages colleagues to give for the benefit of students, she also recognizes that the support ultimately has an added benefit for faculty and staff.

"If it wasn't for the students, none of us would be here," she says. "Supporting Our Students gives employees a way to support them. Here at the U of L, we really are part of a strong community where people take care of each other. We work as a great team and are doing a lot of great things by working together."

For more information about Supporting Our Students or to make a contribution, visit: www.uleth.ca/giving.

Judging its own reward

trevor.kenney — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 22:46:13 +0000

Having seen the spark ignited in a young scientist's eyes, Dr. Roy Golsteyn is eager to stoke the fires of ingenuity once again. As the chief judge for the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF), to be held at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge May 11-18, 2013, he'll get that opportunity, and it's one he'd like to share.

"I'm a huge believer in science fairs," says Golsteyn (BSc '84), an associate professor of biology and the director of the Cancer Cell Laboratory at the U of L.

He participated in science fairs as a kid, but never competed beyond the local level. Now, as a judge whose own children have competed nationally, he sees the true value of encouraging scientific discovery in our youth.

"You see it, there's a real sense of excitement in these kids," says Golsteyn. "Some are just starting to dabble in science, some have already acquired a lot of knowledge; they like it, they like the freedom of it and they revel in the challenge.

"Having judged science fairs for the last four years, I always walk away happily impressed, because there are some smart kids out there and we get an opportunity to not only meet them but to also encourage them to continue to pursue science."

Dr. Roy Golsteyn is the chief judge for the Canada-Wide Science Fair, which the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of lethbridge will be hosting May 11-18, 2013. A total of 400 judges are required for the massive event.

The CWSF is a massive undertaking, featuring 400 of the top science projects in the country and involving more than 1,100 students (Grades 7 to 12), chaperones, judges, sponsors and delegates. There are more than 400 judges alone who are needed to officiate the proceedings and as Chief Judge, one of Golsteyn's main duties is to recruit the best group of judges he can find.

"We are attracting the best science students from across the country, so we want to match those students with the best judges we have in southern Alberta," says Golsteyn. "Fortunately for us, southern Alberta is pretty scientist dense."

Golsteyn cites the valuable resources available at the U of L, Lethbridge College, the Canada Research Centre, the Regional Hospital and major industry such as Pratt & Whitney, which has a very strong engineering component to its operation.

"We know there are many qualified judges in southern Alberta, it's more an issue of people being able to find time to take part," he says.

To that end, judging is limited to just one day, and even half-day participation can be considered. A pre-competition orientation evening is also involved and judges are encouraged to stay through the evening of competition to ensure all major prizes are awarded accordingly.

The value of having a captive audience of Canada's brightest young scientific minds on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus for a full week cannot be understated.

"The finalists truly do come from all over Canada, and there's this ripple affect associated with that," says Golsteyn. "It's not just that there are two or three students from every region, what you'll see is that individual schools all across the country will follow their students for the week. So for that week, an entire school will be talking about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, whether that's in Nunavut or Victoria."

There are three qualification levels for judges, including those with master's degrees or greater in sciences, those with professional diplomas such as engineering or veterinary medicine, and those with professional diplomas and experience in a science and technology-related field. Scientists with French language skills are also especially welcomed.

The U of L is uniquely suited to host a Canada-Wide Science Fair because of its already inherent science outreach programs.

"That's one of the reasons for my commitment to doing this," says Golsteyn. "It is so aligned with what we already do at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and what so many scientists are trying to do across the country. Here's an opportunity to share our expertise and to influence the next generation of young scientists."

He's seen, first-hand, how beneficial it is to students. His children (Quentin, 15, and Charlène, 12) have participated in science fairs and attended CWSF in Charlottetown, PEI last year. His daughter Audrey, 10, also has a distinct interest in microbiology and is likely on the same path.

"Sometimes science isolates students at that age. There are things that are cool and things that are less cool and sometimes science falls into that less cool category," says Golsteyn. "One of the goals of the science fair is to give these kids a week dedicated to science, and the opportunity to share it with people their own age who are just like them, just as thrilled about science as they are."

Those interested in joining Golsteyn on the judging committee can contact him at roy.golsteyn@youthscience.ca. He promises it will be a rewarding experience.

"I'm really excited about the possibilities this week provides for the U of L," he says. "It's a lot of work to do this right but in the end, it's so valuable to everyone involved, it's definitely worth it."

GET THE FACTS

· Student finalists for the Canada-Wide Science Fair are winners of their regional or provincial science fairs

· Approximately 400 projects from 500 youth finalists from across 100 national regions will be attending the Canada-Wide Science Fair

· Up to $1,000,000 in scholarships and prizes are available to participants

· U of L Arts & Science faculty have confirmation from Dean Dr. Chris Nicol that serving as judges for CWSF qualifies as part of their community service component

· Golsteyn, as chief judge, has relief for one of the two courses he was scheduled to teach this semester. His research activities continue however, "It just gets pushed a little later into the night," he says

Fun Run supports KidSport Alberta

trevor.kenney — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:04:04 +0000

President Mike Mahon and his wife Maureen will be leading the way for the second annual Getting to Know U Fun Run/Walk.

"We wanted it to be a local charity and something that fits with the theme of physical fitness and promoting an active community," says Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Chair of the run organizing committee. "We also want to continue to foster that community relationship the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has established with Lethbridge and southern Alberta."

The inaugural event drew participants from both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as well as the community as a whole. Copeland says the course is designed to give runners a look at the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus, possibly showing people areas they've never seen before.

"People often come to campus for a very specific reason, and they rarely ever wander around. We designed the course to take in parts of campus that they might not usually get to, like the Breezeway and around Aperture Lake and so on," she says. "We also wanted to feature our new buildings such as the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building, Markin Hall and the new addition to the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, so it gives people the opportunity to see what's new on campus."

Registration for the event is $15 per person and can be done by contacting Sport and Recreation Services (403-329-2706, www.uleth.ca/sportrec).

Copeland says to keep in mind that the event is a fun run/walk and is open to everyone.

"Lots of people walked the course last year and had a great time with it," she says, adding there were a number of strollers being pushed around the course. "It's not a super-competitive event. We will have a clock this year so that people can chart their times but we're not issuing any official times. It's whatever you want to make of it."

Live music will be featured at the finish line, along with refreshments and, if last year was any indication, a number of excellent draw prizes. As well, the first 75 registrants will receive a special Fun Run hat.

"It's a lot of fun, a great way to really see the campus and a reason to get out and be active for a good cause."

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

Fun Run to benefit local KidSport

trevor.kenney — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:18:00 +0000

The Get to Know You Fun Run gains status as an annual event this fall when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community gathers Saturday, Sept. 24 to challenge the scenic 5K campus course.

The run debuted as an installation event for President Mike Mahon and his wife Maureen last year and proved to be very popular, with more than 80 people taking part. It prompted organizers to look at the run as an annual opportunity to gather the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community for an activity that promotes health and wellness, all the while lending support to a local charitable organization. This year, all proceeds raised will go to support the local chapter of KidSport, an organization that provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sports.

"We wanted it to be a local charity and something that fits with the theme of physical fitness and promoting an active community," says Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Chair of the run organizing committee. "We also want to continue to foster that community relationship the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has established with Lethbridge and southern Alberta."

The inaugural event drew participants from both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as well as the community as a whole. Copeland says the course is designed to give runners a look at the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus, possibly showing people areas they've never seen before.

"People often come to campus for a very specific reason, and they rarely ever wander around. We designed the course to take in parts of campus that they might not usually get to, like the Breezeway and around Aperture Lake and so on," she says. "We also wanted to feature our new buildings such as the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building, Markin Hall and the new addition to the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, so it gives people the opportunity to see what's new on campus."

Registration for the event is $15 per person and can be done by contacting Sport and Recreation Services (403-329-2706, www.uleth.ca/sportrec).

Copeland says to keep in mind that the event is a fun run/walk and is open to everyone.

Helping students find their way

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:29:27 +0000

Shawnee Brave Rock never intended to go to university, but after excelling at her high school upgrading courses, she followed the example of her mother – a PhD student – and enrolled at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Born and raised in Lethbridge, Brave Rock knew the city well, but the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus was new territory.

"It was really exciting but at the same time, I was really intimidated. It was just really scary," she says.

For the pre-management student, the Native Student Advisor, Elizabeth Ferguson, has been a critical resource.

Judith Wabegijig, left, and Shawnee Brave Rock are appreciative of the assistance they get from Native Student Advisor Elizabeth Ferguson.

"I'm a single mom, and I think my biggest struggle isn't school – it's life outside of school," says Brave Rock. In the last two years, she's approached Ferguson for help with everything from scheduling classes to accessing the food bank, and says this guidance has eased a lot of the pressure.
"One of the most important factors for success for aboriginal students is the support they receive on campus. This support must be culturally relevant and reflect the needs of the aboriginal community," says Ferguson (BA '03, MA '05).

Campus can feel like a large, imposing place for any student, but it can be especially tough for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students. Many of these students are from out-of-town and may feel shy about asking for help finding the services they need or connecting with the FNMI community. Having an FNMI advisor can mean all the difference.

Judith Wabegijig, a mature student taking Native American Studies, would agree: she meets with Ferguson two or three times each semester for guidance.

"It's stress relieving being able to talk to the advisor about unexpected problems I've had and being directed to the right person to talk to," she says. It's also helped her maintain focus and motivation when the demands of student life pile up.

But success at university requires community support, too. In addition to offering academic counselling for students, the Native Student Advisor organizes several events during the year to connect FNMI students with each other and with the
U of L campus as a whole, like Native Awareness Week. For Brave Rock, these social links are as important as academic services to her success.

"When I'm in class and walking around university, I don't see many aboriginal students. But, because of the services the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ offers, I've met a lot of other native students. It's not that it's exclusive, but we stick together and do things together."

With a tradition of strong aboriginal connections, the U of L implemented the Native Student Advising Program in 2002 in response to the growing number of FNMI students, and to ensure they received the support they needed to succeed academically.

This year, the program received a significant boost thanks to a gift from the Ralph Klein Foundation and matching funds from the Alberta Government through the Access to the Future Fund. As a result, the Native Student Advising Program will be able to hire a second advisor, expand its services and help more students like Brave Rock and Wabegijig in the coming years.

"The Ralph Klein Foundation was proud to support the U of L because of the work the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ does for aboriginal students," says Colleen Klein, who served as Chair of the Foundation. "Words cannot express how much this will impact the lives of the aboriginal students: it will provide them with a sense of welcoming and belonging, and will allow them to follow their dreams and become role models for other students."

Toth, Fowler, construction team honoured

trevor.kenney — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:34:38 +0000

The President's Award for Service Excellence recognizes exceptional service to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. The award is given to two individuals: one AUPE staff member and one APO/Exempt Support Staff Member. In addition, a Team Award has been added this year.

Calvin Toth
(APO/Exempt support staff)

Renowned as a knowledgeable, hard working and positive member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, Cal Toth joined the Curriculum Re-Development Centre (CRDC) in May 2003 and has been a valuable asset ever since.

Toth is best known around the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for his constant dedication to ensuring the numerous on-campus events have the high quality sound and event support needed to be successful.

Whether he's recording a voice over, representing the U of L at a conference, supporting events or assisting in the implementation of educational technology, his commitment to always go above and beyond the call of duty is ever present.

Toth is known for always saying, "Yes, we can do that," and is consistently willing to put in the extra effort required to make it happen.

A true testament to his commitment to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is evident to all those involved in the events that occur during convocation week. He is one of the first to show up in the morning and often the last person to leave, regularly juggling multiple engagements and working long hours.

More than that, despite the hectic days, he always has a smile on his face, and takes true pride in helping to make the U of L shine.

Kim Fowler
(AUPE staff)

A 20-year employee of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Kim Fowler exemplifies customer service through her positive working relationships with students, co-workers, and members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community as a whole.

Kim Fowler

Kim Fowler's positive nature and smiling disposition are infectious and she is well respected by everyone with whom she has contact. Responsible for the roommate assignment and placement of 586 students in residence each fall, she continuously seeks ways to improve the services offered to the resident student population.

One example of her dedication to improving the student experience is her work with students in the Nursing Program. These students take their first two years of study at Lethbridge College, and they are not always aware of the distance between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and College campuses. Fowler spent considerable time contacting the 19 first-year applicants to the program, then co-ordinated with the College to determine when they would be making room offers for first-year students. This allowed the incoming class an opportunity to cancel their housing application and learn about how to apply for College housing.

This example is just one of many instances where Fowler goes over and above, seeking out solutions to potential problems and making students' needs her number one priority.

Team Recipient

Over the past 10 years the landscape of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Campus has been changing. Countless hours and a significant amount of dedication, skill and effort has been invested by a group to make the transformations we see a not only a reality but to ensure they are a success.

The Major Building Reconstruction Team. Back row (left to right) Bill Hudgins, Al Mueller, Will Tietz, Jason Baranec and Jim Vanderzee. Front row (left to right) Rick Baceda, Dan Sullivan, Brian Sullivan and John Federkeil.

The process to take a new project or renovation from conceptualization to a living and breathing space is complex. Requests for tender, adhering to building codes, balancing multiple stakeholder needs, co-ordinating services and materials and transitioning offices and classrooms to new spaces is not an easy task. The Major Building Construction Team consistently navigates these challenges.

The individual members of the team are experts in their field and put an incredible amount of effort into ensuring the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ gets the best value for its money and that construction details meet design requirements, all the while maintaining normal day-to-day operations. These thankless, tedious and often behind-the-scenes tasks are completed with little fanfare, but are necessary to bring a project to completion.

The members of the Major Building Construction Team are: Brian Sullivan, associate director, Facilities; Bill Hudgins, project manager; Jason Baranec, project co-ordinator; John Federkeil, utility operations; Will Tietz, electrical; Dan Sullivan, locks and doors; Jim Vanderzee, building maintenance; Rick Baceda, building envelopes and interiors; Al Mueller, painting & signage.

President's Awards honour service

trevor.kenney — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:37:35 +0000

Calvin Toth
(APO/Exempt support staff)

Toth is known for always saying, "Yes, we can do that," and is consistently willing to put in the extra effort required to make it happen.

More than that, despite the hectic days, he always has a smile on his face, and takes true pride in helping to make the U of L shine.

Kim Fowler
(AUPE staff)

This example is just one of many instances where Fowler goes over and above, seeking out solutions to potential problems and making students' needs her number one priority.

Team Recipient

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ campus

Alumnus Anderson takes pride in being No. 1

Related Topics

UPDATE -- Regular Operations on Monday, March 4

Related Topics

Past shaping the future

Related Topics

Jaeger sees need first-hand

Related Topics

Judging its own reward

Related Topics

Fun Run supports KidSport Alberta

Related Topics

Fun Run to benefit local KidSport

Related Topics

Helping students find their way

Related Topics

Toth, Fowler, construction team honoured

Related Topics

President's Awards honour service

Related Topics

UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus