UNews - Fiat

Open Mike - Welcome to the Fall 2015 Semester

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 15:12:48 +0000

As an educator, the change of seasons from summer to fall is always invigorating because it marks the beginning of another academic year.

The ever-popular Welcome Back BBQ is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15 at noon on the Students’ Union patio.

Welcome to all new faculty, staff and students and welcome back to everyone returning to campus. I had the pleasure of welcoming a very enthusiastic group of new students and their families to the U of L at the annual Commencement ceremony on Monday. It was exciting to invite them into our community and I trust that as you encounter those who are new to our campus this fall that you will take the time to help them feel comfortable and a part of our family.Thank you to all faculty members, staff and students who helped out with the many activities on Monday and Tuesday, many of who in doing so gave up part of their long weekend. This event gets better and better each year!

To kick off the new semester, we have a couple more great events lined up, beginning with the ever-popular Welcome Back BBQ. Scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15 at noon on the Students’ Union patio, this is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get together to connect and reconnect after the summer break.

Early next month, I’ll be presenting the annual Fiat Lux Address (Wednesday, October 7). This is an opportunity to discuss some of the most pertinent issues facing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge at this time, as well as to look ahead at the future direction of the U of L.I hope to see many of you there, and as always it will be live streamed for those not able to attend in person, including those on our northern campuses. Later this fall, I will also meet with all faculty councils and major administrative departments and look forward to connecting with faculty and staff.

This is an extremely promising time for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We are welcoming one of the largest groups of incoming students in our history, a number of new programs and initiatives are being launched and preparations continue to move ahead for the construction of the Destination Project, the most significant and transformational undertaking since the U of L came into existence in 1967.

There is much to celebrate as the academic year begins, from Freshfest to Club Rush Week to the opening of our Pronghorn teams’ athletic schedules and the onset of the always-provocative fine arts season. I invite you to take part and explore the many opportunities that are available.

Look around, recognize the new people on campus and offer a welcoming hand to assist them as they begin their U of L experience. It promises to be an excellent year.

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.

The future of Liberal Education

trevor.kenney — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:45:11 +0000

Aaron Nakama (BA '98) has encountered a few false impressions when explaining how the Bachelor of Arts in French he completed at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge prepared him for a position as senior technical recruitment manager for Knowledgetech, a boutique IT Services company in Vancouver, B.C.

"Looking back, I can see how my choices evolved over the five years it took me to complete my degree," reflects Nakama. "I started in management, considered education and finally ended up with a BA in French with a heavy concentration of math, statistics and computer science courses. As a result, I am a well-rounded, global citizen, agile enough to take on new opportunities as they present themselves."

Advocating for liberal education, which emphasizes a breadth of knowledge and develops intellectual skills, comes naturally to Nakama who says that his own world view and interests don't fit neatly into any one subject. His university experience reflects these divergent and yet complimentary interests.

"The U of L enabled me to explore my interests and make connections between disciplines and with faculty, staff and other students that I rely on to this day," says Nakama, who has put his degree to use in a variety of fields ranging from broadcasting to technical recruitment since graduating from the U of L 14 years ago.

Alumnus Aaron Nakama has seen great value in his liberal education through the variety of career fields he has explored.

Indeed, a liberal education implies breadth and depth: broad knowledge in a range of disciplines, focused by more concentrated work in one. Liberal education degrees, which aim to prepare the next generation of well-rounded and responsible citizens, are not the new kids on the block – they've been around since 400 BC and represent a classical approach to university education.

While liberal education is common at universities across North America, it has a special context at the U of L. Forty-five years ago, a forward-thinking group of citizens believed that southern Alberta merited its own university. Over the course of four days in the fall of 1967, 20 delegates and a trio of invited resource guests charted the course of the fledgling ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge at the Waterton Conference, producing a statement of philosophy that is reflected in the academic program of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ today.

The principles of liberal education were deemed essential to what the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge would become and would serve as the foundation for inspired teaching, a personalized supportive learning environment, and student engagement in learning, creative activities and research.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is not located in a large metropolitan area as are the other two universities in this province," writes former acting president Dr. Russel J. Leskiw (LLD '93), in a document dating back to early 1967. "There is some reason to believe, therefore, that if the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is to succeed, and in fact survive, it must become an institution that is unique. It must somehow be an institution that differs from the two older ones in this province."

That the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's founders were so prescient in their thinking is testament to the visionaries that were at the table. They understood the importance of setting the U of L apart and saw liberal education as central to that mission.

The U of L's statement of philosophy, originating from the Waterton Conference and printed in every ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Calendar since 1967, says it best: "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge endeavours to cultivate humane values; it seeks to foster intellectual growth, social development, aesthetic sensitivity, personal ethics and physical well-being; it seeks to cultivate the transcendental dimension of the scholar's personality. Its primary aims are to foster the spirit of free inquiry and the critical interpretation of ideas."

For 45 years, this statement has provided the foundation for how the U of L delivers its programming. However, since the original statement of philosophy was written there has been little discussion on the subject of liberal education or what it means for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its students.

"Liberal education has historically been very important to us," says Dr. Andrew Hakin, U of L provost and vice-president (academic), who is leading the charge around a re-evaluation of liberal education at the U of L. "The question we need to ask today is, does it still have that importance to us as an institution?"

Today, the U of L is reimagining liberal education for tomorrow.

In the last 45 years, there have been enormous advances in technology, demographics, funding models, not to mention student habits and attitudes, to which the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has adjusted to better meet the needs of our students. Our approach to liberal education, however, has remained basically the same.

"The evolution of liberal education has been slow in the 23 years I've been here," says Hakin, who started in the chemistry department before moving into administration. "For many at the U of L, liberal education has been synonymous with the general liberal education requirement (GLER) that asks students to take courses from three different lists. Is that how we define a liberal education at the U of L?"

Hakin is arguing for a more purposeful approach and invited the U of L community to take part in the dialogue around liberal education at the second annual Fiat Lux Address, hosted earlier this fall. From the outset, Hakin made it abundantly clear he does not presume to have all the answers but he believes the time to forge a new conception of the time-honoured idea is at hand.

Hakin maintains that we need to consider the ideal of the educated person as a starting point for justifying curriculum content in liberal education.

"When we think about career paths for our graduates, the vast majority of them will likely go through multiple job transitions and changes in career direction. What I would hope, is that a liberal education will help our students to develop resilient skills that will serve them long after their formal schooling ends," says Hakin.

For him, this means reinvesting in curriculum to ensure the academic experience offered at the U of L addresses the needs of today's students. As the generators of curriculum, the challenge now lies with faculty to take a real look at the ideals of liberal education and how that translates to the teaching and learning philosophy at the U of L. The role of staff in supporting a liberal education experience will also be critical to success.

"We have some extraordinary courses and programs here," says Hakin, mentioning the U of L's liberal education classes as just one example. "Courses like these are challenging students to engage with our world, developing their analytical skills and prodding them to think through the ethical, civic and societal implications in the world around them.

These experiences need to be the norm for our students, not the exception, both within individual classes and across degree programs."

By educating students broadly so that they can move from one opportunity to another with confidence, the U of L is considering what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century and what contribution liberal education can make in addressing this question.

"As a student, I was able to direct the course of my own education," says Nakama, who credits the U of L for cultivating an openness that allowed him to chart a broad intellectual course, not just as a student but throughout his life. "My success underscores the value of liberal education for all students, regardless of their background, field of study or career aspirations."

With the next strategic planning exercise currently underway, Hakin wants liberal education to emerge as a key priority for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ resulting in a thorough examination of the subject by faculty and departments across campus.

"If we're serious about the quality of the whole of the degree we offer, then we have to try and build an experience not just around the major but around the whole degree experience. Our job is to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful, to eventually serve and to improve our society," says Hakin, harkening back to the ideals of liberal education. "These core values, held dear for the last 45 years, are still vital. However, we cannot be satisfied with simply being what we have been. I am suggesting that our greatest opportunity is to reimagine what liberal education means for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge today and how that can impact our society and our world."

To continue the conversation, contact hakin@uleth.ca

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

Fiat Lux Address stimulates liberal education dialogue

trevor.kenney — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:40:07 +0000

Dr. Andy Hakin has posed the question, and now we look forward to the discussions that will ensue.

The second annual Fiat Lux Address (Sept. 27, 2012) was the purview of Hakin this time around, after President Mike Mahon gave the inaugural address in 2011. And from the outset of Hakin's presentation, the provost and vice-president (academic) made one thing abundantly clear – he was going to initiate a dialogue about liberal education and not conclude one.

"My intention today is to ask questions," said Hakin. "There's no solution here – if you're looking for a solution you're at the wrong talk."

Weaving a narrative that first spoke to the need to differentiate the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ within the province's post-secondary landscape, Hakin paid homage to some of the institution's founders such as Drs. Owen Holmes and Luke Stebbins. He referred to conversations he'd had with former Provost Dr. Seamus O'Shea and Dr. Chris Nicol as he shaped is opinions on liberal education at the U of L.

"The need for differentiation within Alberta's post-secondary system has never been greater, for our students and for us," he said. "There are many things we could do but what are the right ones? It's a time for focus and a time to review the options that are in front of us."

One of those options is to take a real look at the liberal education ideal through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's curriculum and to not be afraid to ask the hard questions.

"Is the GLER (general liberal education requirements) list a liberal education?" he asked. "I've been here 23 years and it doesn't seem to have evolved much from those lists. For some of our students, it becomes ticking off boxes to complete a degree – but is that a liberal education? I don't think so, and I think we have to be a little more purposeful."

Time and again, Hakin would go back to a common refrain, saying, "It's time to get into it."

He acknowledged there was a fear to open up the liberal education discussion, mainly because the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community is not entirely sure just what liberal education is today.

"It's not going to come, in a comprehensive academic and research institution, at the expense of the strength of our majors. This is not about downgrading the quality of our majors, but if we're serious about the quality of the whole of the degree that we offer, then we have to try and build an experience not just around the major but the whole beast."

Hakin challenged faculty, as the generators of curriculum, to examine their own thoughts on liberal education.

"I'm asking for us to reinvest in curriculum," he said. "We have strong programs and majors but I think we can do better. It's not that it's bad, I'm just asking the question, is it purposeful and does it address the needs of today's students and differentiate us in a manner that it could?"

He concluded by putting the conversation into historical context, harkening back to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's founding principles, hashed out at the 1967 Waterton Conference.

"Liberal education has historically been very important to us," he said. "We need to ask, does it still have that importance to us as an institution? I know where I stand, I want to know where you stand."

Let the dialogue begin.

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

An opportunity to contribute to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ vision

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:34:04 +0000

Fall is always such an invigorating time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and I'm excited to welcome everybody to campus to begin another academic year. Whether you are a new student, staff or faculty member, or are returning from a summer break, it's great to have the campus bustling with energy again.

As you make your way around the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, you'll no doubt notice many of the physical changes that have taken place over the summer as well as some of the ongoing projects that continue to reshape and redefine our culture.

Now in our 45th year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has grown and matured dramatically since its inception, and with a rapidly changing post-secondary landscape, must continue to evolve to meet the needs of our students and society as a whole.

President Mahon encourages everyone to take some time think about how they can contribute to the vision of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

In the spring, I released an Open Letter to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community that began the discussion about the future direction of the U of L. It was a means to introduce some initial thoughts on our strategic goals and priorities and to bring forth questions related to our future direction. Now, it is time to hear from you.

What do you think about the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge? What does it mean to you that we are Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and how does that shape the work you do for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ today and in the future? What is your vision in terms of continuing to grow as a comprehensive university and how do you see the future structure of our university reflecting our academic and research aspirations?

I encourage you to take another look at the Open Letter (www.uleth.ca/president/presentations-communication) and to think of the themes introduced. There will be various opportunities for your feedback and your ideas will help shape the future direction of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The first such opportunity is the Sept. 27 Fiat Lux Address (3 to 4 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre), which will be given by Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Andrew Hakin. The theme of his presentation is liberal education, how we now define it at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and what it means to us going forward.

This is an excellent opportunity to not only hear Dr. Hakin's interpretation, but it is a forum at which you can bring your ideas to the fore in an open discussion.

On Oct. 1 (8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Students' Union Ballrooms), a Strategic Priorities Forum will present another opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community to engage in the decision-making process. Born out of the President's Task Force on Budget Process, this forum is designed to create greater transparency around priority setting from senior leaders across the institution.

Look for further communication in the UWeekly newsletter, on campus web pages and on digital signage for times and locations of upcoming forums as these are a valuable opportunity to give a voice to your ideas – the people who make the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge such a wonderful and unique community.

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

An Open Letter to our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Communities

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:47:42 +0000

As I approach the end of my second year as President, I am reflecting on what I have learned about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and I am energized by our potential. I have had many opportunities to listen and talk to members of the
U of L community about the future of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We have discussed the importance of being intentional, the significance of being bold. As we approach the beginning of our next strategic planning process, I am writing this letter to outline some of my thoughts on a way forward for our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and how we might put this shared vision into action.

President Mike Mahon is looking for your feedback as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ crafts its 2014-2019 Strategic Plan.

Forty-five years of creativity, discipline, and commitment have given us many reasons to be proud of who we are in 2012. We have reached the largest student enrolment in our history across our campuses in Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton; we have substantially increased our research income; and we have over 33,000 alumni who live and work throughout Alberta, across our country, and in 66 countries around the world.

While we should certainly celebrate our accomplishments, we also need to recognize we remain at an early stage in our development as a university. Several key factors will shape our path and decisions as we chart a course for our future. We face an increasingly competitive post-secondary environment, with a projected decline in the 18-24 year old population. Post-secondary institutions across the province and country are redefining themselves to capture a larger share of the population, in the face of limited funding. While we continue to receive modest government funding increases today, the future is uncertain. Yet, this is not the first time we have endured challenging times. I am confident we will once again navigate our way successfully.

In my Fall 2011 Fiat Lux Address, I indicated that we are poised strategically to make the tough, complex decisions that will be required of us in the foreseeable future. Significant consultation led to our 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. This foundational plan captures the aspirations of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and details the values we continue to build upon. Under this plan we can boast many accomplishments, far too many to list in this letter.

What is evident is that we are making thoughtful and deliberate choices that align with our Strategic Plan. Recent examples of this include our decisions to partner with Concordia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and our move to downtown Calgary with our partners Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Olds College, and Bow Valley College. This type of collaborative, purposeful action will improve access to post-secondary education in this province. Our decision to construct a new student residence complex and increase our on-campus housing capacity to 1,000 beds directly ties to our commitment to enhance the student experience. These are two significant outcomes that were achieved cooperatively through intention.

We have become a strategically-focused, research-rich university that enhances undergraduate and graduate student experiences. We do this within the framework of liberal education and discipline-based and interdisciplinary inquiry and creative activities. Together our accomplishments provide a solid foundation as we enter the next strategic planning process, our 2014 – 2019 Strategic Plan.

Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

We are Alberta's destination university – an institution sought out by students and faculty across the province and beyond. My comfort in making this assertion comes from our high quality academic programming, faculty strength, supportive staff, and unique location. We are a destination university because over 70% of our students enroll in our multi-campus structure from outside of Lethbridge and we have succeeded in attracting scholars from across Canada and all over the world. The founders of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge boldly envisaged a liberal education-based university in southern Alberta on the banks of the Old Man River, which would provide a unique student experience. Their foresight included the importance of being different than the other universities in the province. This vision, arrived at more than 45 years ago, provides the foundation for our destination university, and I am committed to honoring this.

The U of L has many enduring and exceptional attributes. Our commitment to liberal education is prominent. Our rigorous standards in academic programming will not be compromised, and our commitment to research and creative excellence will never waiver. Our campus locations are unique and attractive — each providing a smaller, welcoming, and sustainable environment. The members of our faculty are renowned within their respective fields; our employees are committed to the student experience; and our students enroll from areas throughout Alberta, Canada, and the world. In selecting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, our students are choosing to attend a university that has the attributes and experiences we offer. This is who we are today.

It is time to reinforce our position as Alberta's destination university. We need to ensure that everyone understands who we are and how we provide a unique academic experience. Let me outline how we might add some of the attributes that will enable the defining characteristics of a destination university to better emerge.

Enrolment: Undergraduate, Graduate, International, and First Nations

Our current enrolment sits at about 8,500 students. This represents significant growth over the course of our history and more than 50% growth over the last 15 years. However, destination universities do not grow for the sake of more growth. They grow strategically, with programs that enhance their integrity. And they may not grow at all.

I firmly believe our future is rooted in the medium size of approximately 10,000 students and our future growth will be carefully planned and strategic.

Undergraduate and graduate growth comes from a significant investment, and so we will expand only when we have the resources to do so. Given the changing demographics and post-secondary landscape, it is possible we may see limited growth opportunities in the foreseeable future. This will allow us to further invest in the quality of the student experience that is characteristic of a destination university. Growth will not come at the expense of excellence.

So how does this affect recruitment and retention?

Recruitment and retention will remain top priorities, but we must rethink how we recruit, including targeting high achievers with enhanced scholarships and developing innovative programs for those who require additional support. Boosting student retention is also critical, and efforts in this area will include ongoing projects such as a student portal and increased residence space. We have the ability to define a new way to provide access to an outstanding education, and this definition should embrace high-quality academic programs and exceptional student experiences.

We will place greater focus on recruiting and retaining Blackfoot and other First Nations, Metis and Inuit students, the fastest growing young adult population in Canada. However, enrolment is not the only reason to focus on this population. Creating opportunity and an inclusive campus environment for all students is simply the right thing to do.

We must ensure that gender, race, ethnicity, ability/disability, sexual orientation, and other historic factors of discrimination are not impediments to students, faculty, or staff on our campus. Such effort requires the involvement of our entire community. Increased acceptance and support for all is another hallmark of a destination university.

Internationalization presents important opportunities for our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Integrating an international or intercultural aspect into the delivery of education and research is a multi-faceted exercise. We will develop an international strategy that builds on our present activities in research, student and faculty recruitment and exchange, and study-abroad opportunities while advancing new directions.

Academic and Research Structure

To a large degree, students enroll in a destination university because of the academic and research opportunities. A critical part of our success in research has been in building strength-focused areas. Going forward, facilitating the development of Research Centres and Institutes will be an important part of attracting students and faculty. The task will be to find ways to support those areas that are on this path, and to identify and encourage emerging areas of research and graduate education potential. We will also continue to think about new programs, keeping in mind the current funding climate.

I have given much thought to the present constitution and structure of our academic units and whether our current profile positions us to meet the vision of a destination university. Planning is now underway for a new academic building. This project will create modern science teaching and research laboratories, environments that facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary activities, and revitalize ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall. This will be a catalyst for considering how best to align academic programs, support disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching, and empower the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

There has been much discussion about the need to separate the Faculty of Arts and Science into two Faculties: one of Arts and another of Science. This discussion must be formalized within the academic community and conducted in a timely manner. But it should not be limited to considering the two traditional entities of Arts and Science, nor should it solely reflect structures within academic units. It is also critical that the discussion allow the entire university community to be involved. We will create a forum for this dialogue, ensuring thorough consultation, and a willingness to be decisive.

Our newest Faculty on campus, the Faculty of Health Sciences has made tremendous progress. Health care, and in particular the streams of public health, preventative health, and health services for older adults, will continue to challenge our society. The Faculty of Health Sciences can respond to these challenges by introducing new and innovative academic initiatives and expanding existing programs. The move of the Department of Kinesiology into the Faculty of Health Sciences is something we will consider. Collectively, elements of Health Sciences, Nursing, and Addictions Counseling could provide the scientific and evidence-based foundation for a strong academic program focused on prevention and primary health care. New programs could then be considered to add to the breadth and depth of such an endeavor. This discussion will be initiated.

Our Strategic Plan 2009 – 2013 commits to maintaining our focus on liberal education. Today, more than ever, there is a great need for liberal education to assist society to grapple with a world that has become increasingly complex. Creative thinkers and leaders are required to address complex problems and arrive at innovative solutions. There are numerous competencies that will be required by our future graduating classes.

We must carefully consider how best to re-define liberal education within our rapidly evolving society. I believe the best approach is to house liberal education in an inter-faculty School of Liberal Education. The current general liberal education requirements of our programs are overly complicated. The value of this complexity does not appear to be understood by our students and many of our faculty. The repositioning of liberal education within a stand-alone School dedicated to liberal education in an interdisciplinary context could be a hallmark of our destination university. There is an opportunity for this School to give rise to innovative programming. As an example, our approach to internationalization and community engagement could fit within a School of Liberal Education. Faculty and staff who are engaged in study abroad, experiential learning, integrated experience programs, cooperative and applied studies, or service learning are already ahead in this regard. Implementing a new framework for liberal education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will be at the core of how we define our future.

Integrating and Collaborating

Given the current and predicted fiscal conditions, it will be important for us to look at ways to integrate and collaborate. We have grown so significantly that, in our rush to keep pace, we have potentially lost important connections in some of the areas key to moving forward with our vision. We will need to become more integrated and unified in our finance, marketing and communications efforts. Working together across the academy will be important as we move to reach our potential. Indeed, our budget review initiated this past year is a significant step towards achieving collaboration across units and Faculties. Discussions regarding the elements of structure that I have identified will require cooperation across both academic and non-academic units. Information Technology is critical to our future and thus, in an ever-changing context, we must develop a service-focused integrated model of IT management.

We must ensure the student experience is not hampered by a lack of collaboration across units and campuses. Only by working together will we achieve our preferred future. Collaboration must be a defining characteristic of U of L business.

Not only is it important that we build our internal community, we must also maintain and grow the strong connections that we have developed with the external communities that we serve. We have been committed to building a university culture that promotes social responsibility and community engagement. Just as liberal education is at the core of Alberta's destination university, community engagement will be developed as a way to enhance the quality of our academic experience. Faculty and staff who are engaged in integrated experience programs, cooperative and applied studies, or service learning are helping build this vision. This is important work that must be continued and expanded throughout the curriculum to inspire all students to understand their role as citizens.

Though we are already actively engaged with our communities, a more intentional strategy and investment will make this a critical component of our reputation as a destination university. Students will graduate from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge having had a uniquely personal community experience. Community engagement will be another defining attribute of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

What Happens Next

I firmly believe that the time has come for us to differentiate ourselves within the post-secondary landscape. The attributes I have outlined are the beginnings of a path forward to embody our vision as Alberta's destination university.

This open letter marks the beginning of what I hope will be a valued dialogue. Beginning in Fall 2012, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Strategic Planning Committee will consult the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and broader community on achieving our vision, summarize its findings, and craft the 2014-2019 Strategic Plan for recommendation to our governing bodies.

I am looking forward to both formal and informal opportunities for discussion and encourage all members of our community to participate. We will continue to address and implement the priorities that move our institution forward.

Our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has made tremendous gains over the past 45 years. We have earned the right to be proud of who we are and what we have achieved. We are Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Michael J. Mahon

Fiat Lux ring an iconic symbol of maturing university

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:05:59 +0000

Whether intricately crafted from precious metals and gems, delicately carved out of stone or meticulously woven of grass, the ring has become a familiar symbol worn throughout history, signifying everything from love and commitment to fellowship and achievement.

On Jan. 26, at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's 45th anniversary celebration, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) was delighted to announce the creation of a brand new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ symbol, the Fiat Lux Alumni Ring.

"I think this is a wonderful initiative," says Maureen Schwartz, director, Alumni Relations. "The Fiat Lux ring is a great tradition to begin, and my hope is that it will tie all alumni together in a common bond for their alma mater.

The Fiat Lux Ring is now available for purchase through the Alumni Association website.

The ring is a culmination of several years of hard work. It began in 2008 when the Students' Union approached the ULAA with the idea of an alumni ring.

"It just seemed to be the right idea at the right time. There was a nice mix of older alums and fairly recent graduates on the council and we all agreed that it was something that everyone wanted," says ULAA President, Kathy Lewis. "We sent out a call for designs and in the end we agreed on a beautiful design created by one of our students, Eric Klempnauer."

Klempnauer, a second year new media student at the time, was sitting in an introductory 3D modelling class when he first learned about the competition in the fall of 2010.

"I designed the ring on a 3D modelling program on the computer. It was my first experience with this. I just thought it would be good practice for me. I wasn't really that serious at first because I didn't think I would ever get chosen, but my friends kept telling me that it looked really good, that they would love to wear it. That was when it became quite a serious competition for me," explains Klempnauer who, ironically, received word that his design had been chosen the following spring while he was sitting in an advanced 3D modelling class.

"The design is something that isn't too bulky so it works well for men and women. It is a simple band with slightly raised edges. On the front is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's crest – the sun – surrounded by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's motto, Fiat on one side and Lux on the other (let there be light). I felt it was important to get the motto and crest in the design because they represent the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ so well. The idea for the raised edges came from the design of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and how it seems to rise out of the coulees. I am really proud of the ring and I believe others will be proud to wear it," says Klempnauer. "I am very excited to become an alumnus, especially now with the ring, because when you become alumni you become part of a family. The ring is a reminder of your time here and the friends you made; it is a way of connecting, and staying connected, with other people."

Lewis agrees, saying she believes that the ring is also a symbol of growth and maturity.

"We are 45 years old and 33,000 alumni strong. The ring is an iconic symbol of a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that is coming of age. We have reached a critical mass and we are everywhere in the world. We want alumni to be able to identify each other by the rings on their fingers. We would like people to be curious and ask about the ring to create a worldwide awareness of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says Lewis. "The beauty of the ring is that it says everything we wanted to say. I think it will be very nice to have something on my finger that reminds me, let there be light."

Cast in brushed silver, the ring is available in both wide and narrow bands. Each will be numbered sequentially and alumni can request a specific number. The rings will be made in partnership with Tompkins Jewellers and pictures of the ring as well as information on how to order one can be found on the alumni website (www.uleth.ca/alumni).

"We are going to begin a new tradition and have a special Fiat Lux ring ceremony in May at the annual Alumni Honour Society event just prior to convocation, to present the rings to all those who have ordered them," explains Schwartz. "We will then have another ceremony again in the fall. We have had so many people inquire about the ring and have had so many positive comments. I am absolutely thrilled."

Distinctive Fiat Lux Ring introduced

trevor.kenney — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:30:20 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association has launched the Fiat Lux Ring, helping alumni to show their pride in the U of L in a distinctive fashion.

The ring was officially unveiled on Thursday, Jan. 26 at a noon-hour BBQ and launch of the U of L's 45th anniversary activities.

The design, chosen after a competition, is by current Faculty of Fine Arts (new media) student Eric Klempnauer and is both simple and distinctive – cast in sterling silver, the band features the U of L's traditional fiery sun emblem between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's motto, Fiat Lux (Let there be light). All the rings are numbered and alumni can request specific numbering for their own ring. Klempnauer will receive the first ring upon graduation.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association's new Fiat Lux Ring.

Kathy Lewis, the current president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association, says that the ring concept is one that all graduates can embrace, and that its distinctive design will be a conversation starter.

"Our graduates are everywhere, and making a real difference around the world," says Lewis. "We were looking for a way for them to identify each other no matter where they were, and we also wanted a design that would show off our differences. I believe Eric accomplished that, and it is also especially meaningful that a current student – and future member of our alumni community – designed the ring for us."

The design is suitable for men and women, with additional engraving available on the inside of the band.

The Fiat Lux Ring is priced at $249 + tax. If required, a $10 shipping fee will apply.

Orders can be placed online by clicking here, or by contacting the U of L Alumni Office at 403-317-2825.

Lewis a perfect fit for Alumni post

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:02:36 +0000

Joking that some might call her career path "checkered" – she prefers eclectic – retired nurse, Kathy Lewis (BN '83, MEd '99) is both nervous and excited to take on the role of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) president this year.

Lewis began her nursing career in the early 1970s after receiving her RN certificate from the Holy Cross School of Nursing, but a phone call from a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ recruiting officer would lead Lewis to explore a whole new world of possibilities.

"I was married, had two young children and was working as a nursing sessional instructor at the Lethbridge Community College. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was just starting the nursing program and I was asked to enrol. I remember thinking, 'Gee, why are you contacting me?' I really didn't feel that I had what it took academically, but you know the old saying: success breeds success. I found myself completing courses and did very well. I surprised myself," says Lewis, who completed her BN (with distinction) in 1983.

With an undergraduate degree in hand, Lewis says doors opened to her that had formerly been closed. She landed a job as a discharge planning co-ordinator for St. Mike's Hospital and eventually began working as a home care co-ordinator for the Lethbridge Health Unit. Working as a sexuality educator and counsellor in the 1990s, Lewis decided to pursue her master's degree.

Kathy Lewis sees the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a positive force in the community.

"I had always liked the teaching part of my job so I opted for a master's in education at the U of L. My supervising professor was Dr. Cynthia Chambers. She was such an inspiration; she had a lot of life experience as a wife, mother, educator and writer and she brought that experience to the classroom," says Lewis. "By coincidence, Ron Chambers taught me my last class, which was a drama elective. It was one of the most rewarding classes I had in all my ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ time. Here I was, almost 50, and I found myself in class pretending to be a cow.

"That is what the university does; it gives you that opportunity to open up to a broad range of ideas, people, experiences and possibilities."

Despite her busy schedule with family, work and schooling, Lewis has always made community service a priority in her life. She has served on various boards, including the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, the Lethbridge Community Band Society and the Allied Arts Council, and has been a canvasser for a variety of different organizations such as the Canadian Diabetes Association. In 2002 she was nominated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate to which she dedicated six years of service. In 2008, while attending a Senate meeting, Lewis volunteered to join the ULAA.

"It was not in my life plan to be on the Alumni Council, but the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is such a positive force, certainly in my life and in the community. It is a major employer in the region, we have excellent research going on, wonderful fine arts and contribute to educating our population. I often say that Lethbridge is a different place because people in the 1960s had a vision. We can be proud of that and proud of the people who made all this happen," says Lewis. "Being a part of the ULAA is a valuable opportunity. I am very much a believer in working together; where we may have shortcomings in experience or knowledge, others fill in. Together we all contribute to the betterment of our society."

During the past two years the ULAA has revised its constitution and by-laws to ensure that the association continues moving in the right direction, maintaining its focus on building relationships with the community, students and alumni.

"In Spring 2012, thanks to the hard work of Cheryl Meheden and her committee, we will be launching a Fiat Lux ring as part of our 45th Anniversary celebration at the U of L. We hope every alumnus will want to have one and wear it with pride," says Lewis. "Our alumni chapters are essential. Together we are over 32,000 strong. We are represented on the Board of Governors, the Senate and many ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ committees. Our voice is at the table of decision-making and our participation is vital to the success of this institution. I would encourage each alum that when the timing is right and the opportunity to get involved knocks – open the door."

GET THE FACTS

· Lewis is a proud mother and grandmother.

· A member of ULAA since 2008, she served as ULAA vice-president from 2009 to 2011.

· Lewis plays clarinet with the Lethbridge Community Band Society, and is also a former concert planner.

· Lewis is a former ESL tutor with the Lethbridge Public Library.

· In 2009 she completed her RN re-certification through Grant MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

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

Fiat Lux an opportunity to speak to the community

trevor.kenney — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:13:30 +0000

It is hard to believe that summer has come to an end and we're back for the Fall 2011 Semester.

Welcome to all new and returning students, as well as staff and faculty. As much as the summer break seemed especially short this year, probably due to the fact we're just now enjoying summer-type weather, I am very excited to be starting a new semester.

There is a special kind of energy that's associated with the start of a new academic year, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

One of the goals I had when I started my Open Mike column last year was to keep the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community informed about what was happening within the Office of the President. I have always seen transparency as an absolute necessity in a university setting, and have strived to be open and clear about the major issues that affect our university.

The inaugural Fiat Lux Address is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre.

As we begin a new series of columns, I want to take that transparency to another level and further involve our university community in shaping the
U of L's future.

On Sept. 28, at 3 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre, I will be giving the inaugural Fiat Lux presidential address to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. I see this as a forum to talk to you about where we've been as an institution, where we are today and where I see us going and needing to go in the future.

It is important that you know about decisions that are made at the executive level and what challenges the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ faces as it moves forward. The Fiat Lux talk will speak to where the U of L is in terms of student numbers, our budget and the challenges we see before us. There are external pressures that will affect our future, including issues such as government funding, the competitive educational landscape, the economy and even short and long-term demographic forecasts.

We have established strategic priorities and directives over the past few years and this address is a chance to examine what we've done to move these initiatives along. More importantly, I will speak to where I feel we need to be focused going forward and what we, as an emerging comprehensive institution, should aspire to achieve.

I intend to discuss such specific initiatives as an FNMI and community engagement strategy as well as philosophical questions such as current institutional structure and our aspirations as a Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

I expect the Fiat Lux address to serve as an important communication tool for the internal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, and I see it as the start of a larger scale effort to further connect with our community on a more regular basis.

There are exciting things unfolding at the U of L this year and I urge everyone to come out on Sept. 28 so that we can discuss what I see as a time of unprecedented opportunity for our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

UNews - Fiat

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