UNews - co-Chair

Join the SOS community

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 21:05:08 +0000

Lorne Williams and Linda Embury give to SOS each month – and they hope you’ll join them.

As Co-Chairs of the 2013/14 Supporting Our Students (SOS) campaign, Williams (BMgt ’98, MEd ’07) and Embury are excited to bring the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community together in support of scholarships and bursaries for students.

“I feel honoured to be Co-Chair,” says Embury, assistant to the associate vice-president (HR and Administration) Human Resources. “I want to be a role model to my colleagues. If we all give, it adds up.”

Linda Embury, left, and Lorne Williams are the Co-Chairs for this year’s Supporting Our Students campaign.

The annual SOS campaign allows U of L faculty, staff and retirees the opportunity to contribute to student awards. SOS participants have enabled an incredible 2,000 scholarships and bursaries to be awarded to deserving students in the past year alone.

According to the Co-Chairs, the campaign has far-reaching impact.

“Students are the reason we are all here. By giving to SOS, we can help students go forward and be positive forces in the external community,” says Williams, the assistant dean of northern campuses.

The Co-Chairs ask that you join them in contributing at a level suitable to your circumstances and to an area on campus that holds meaning for you.

“Every little bit helps. All it takes is a few dollars a month to make a difference,” explains Embury.

Williams and Embury understand the challenges faced by many members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community at this time, but maintain a sense of pride in the U of L and optimism for the future.

“I know that times are tough as we recover from the southern Alberta flood and face budget cuts,” says Williams, “but the way that we’re getting through these challenges shows our resilience and our collaborative spirit. I believe those same qualities are at the heart of the SOS campaign. Now, more than ever, we need to put students first.”

For more information on Supporting Our Students, or to make your contribution today, visit
www.uleth.ca/giving/supporting-our-students.

SOS making a difference

trevor.kenney — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 21:09:38 +0000

On May 30 and 31, the excitement of Spring Convocation was palpable at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Caps and gowns, flowers and photographs lit up the campus as the U of L community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of over 1,400 graduates.

As Chief Marshall of Convocation, Dr. Jon Doan (PhD '06) was able to join in the excitement.

"Convocation is a great experience to share with the students," says Doan, Co-Chair of the current Supporting Our Students (SOS) campaign. "The ceremonies are a wonderful combination of tradition and excitement, and you can really see the students reflecting on their accomplishments at the U of L and envisioning their futures."

Many people play a supportive role in the life of a student. From friends and family to faculty and staff, a support system is crucial to student success. That's why the Supporting Our Students campaign is so important.

Dr. Jon Doan, seen here on the left administering his Chief Marshall duties at convocation, is the Co-Chair of the 2012-2013 Supporting Our Students campaign.

Judy Jaeger, long-time supporter of SOS, is the other Co-Chair of the current campaign.

"I know my donations are always needed," she says. "I see firsthand the struggles students face daily; 25 per cent of my employees in the caretaking department are students taking full course loads. My SOS contributions help them succeed."

In 2012, a total of 330 faculty, staff and retirees contributed to SOS, totalling over $174,000 in gifts and pledges. In 2013, 238 participants have already contributed over $55,000 in gifts and pledges.

Through the generosity of these donors, approximately 2,000 scholarships and bursaries have been awarded to students over the past year. This amazing show of support resonates far beyond the classroom.

"As donors, we might be providing the funds for a student to take that formative course that 'flips the switch' on their education, or to join that eye-opening class trip or student event, or to buy that innovative course textbook that exposes a whole new interest," says Doan, who contributes to SOS on an ongoing basis.

As the 2012-2013 campaign comes to a close, Jaeger and Doan are proud of how it has progressed and look forward to staying involved as volunteers. Watch for an announcement on the SOS Co-Chairs for the 2013-2014 campaign, launching in September.

If you haven't yet made your 2013 gift, the Co-Chairs encourage you to do so.

"We are all here for the students. Without them, this campus would be empty," emphasizes Jaeger. "Please join Jon and myself in giving back to students on a monthly basis. Thank you for putting students first."

For more information on Supporting Our Students, or to make a donation today, visit www.uleth.ca/giving or call 403-329-2582.

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

SOS making a difference

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:10:08 +0000

As Chief Marshall of Convocation, Dr. Jon Doan (PhD '06) was able to join in the excitement.

Dr. Jon Doan, seen here on the left administering his Chief Marshall duties at convocation, is the Co-Chair of the 2012-2013 Supporting Our Students campaign.

Judy Jaeger, long-time supporter of SOS, is the other Co-Chair of the current campaign.

If you haven't yet made your 2013 gift, the Co-Chairs encourage you to do so.

For more information on Supporting Our Students, or to make a donation today, visit www.uleth.ca/giving or call 403-329-2582.

This story first appeared in the June 2013 edition of the Legend. 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.

Committee addresses campus safety concerns

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:30:34 +0000

They work under the auspices of the Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee (JWSHSC), but to put it simply, they are your co-workers and they want more people to know about the purpose their committee serves.

The JWSHSC has existed for more than a decade, but the work they do is largely behind the scenes, something the group would like to see change. Their mandate describes a group of employer and employee representatives working together to identify and recommend solutions to health and safety problems at the work site. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is that work site, and because of its vast scope, it presents a variety of health and safety challenges.

"The committee serves as a very important communication link between workers and management," says Dan Berte, committee co-Chair and a Health and Safety Officer with Risk and Safety Services. "It's important that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community has a representative body that is available to them to report issues of health and safety."

Its broad representation of all campus groups is a key benefit of the JWSHSC because it allows anyone an outlet to relay a health or safety concern.

"If any member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community feels as though they need to bring up a safety issue, they can go directly to their representative on the JWSHSC," says committee co-Chair Mike Pinder, the operations co-ordinator with Sport and Recreation Services.

Committee representatives can be found on the JWSHSC website at www.uleth.ca/hum/riskandsafetyservices/jwhsc. As well, the committee's terms of reference, handbook and minutes from meetings over the past 10 years can also be accessed.

Both Berte and Pinder stress that as a community, we can help each other keep the campus a safe place to work by reporting accidents, incidents or near misses. Only then can action be taken to address hazardous or risky situations.

"We don't resolve the situation, rather we'll take concerns from the community, have a look at it and then make a recommendation for action," says Pinder.

"We really try to instill the message that there will be no repercussions when reporting a health and safety problem," adds Berte. "As we all are responsible for safety on Campus, it's important that these incidents be reported so that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ can act on them and make this a safer environment."

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

Unlocking student potential

trevor.kenney — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:37:36 +0000

Dr. Robin Bright (BASc '79, BEd '82, MEd '88) is not only a dedicated faculty member, she's a proud ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus who fondly remembers her time as a U of L student and sees so many possibilities in the students she teaches today.

"The best part of being here is the students – their enthusiasm, fresh ideas and willingness to learn," says Bright, a professor in the Faculty of Education who specializes in language and literacy. "This job wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for the amazing calibre of students we have."

Although Bright has been a professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for almost 20 years, her time as a student is still fresh in her mind.

"It's important to never forget what it felt like to be a student," says Bright, who earned three degrees here and was one of the U of L's first graduate students. "Sometimes you feel vulnerable, scared or worried, and other times you feel empowered and confident."

Dr. Robin Bright is co-Chair of the Supporting Our Students campaign and a long-time contributor to the program.

Bright understands the mixed emotions that students experience, and strives to support students in every way she can.

"Faculty and staff can make or break a student's day," says Bright, who believes students are dependent on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community not only for their educational needs but also for their well-being. "As a student I was supported by faculty and staff in a number of ways, and it really made my experience a positive one."

Bright is co-Chair of this year's Supporting Our Students campaign and has been a long-time contributor to the program.

"Supporting Our Students is a way of showing my students that I remember what it's like to be in their place, and that I care about their success as learners," she says.

She remembers benefitting from scholarships as a student and how it enhanced her opportunity to succeed.

"I can say without a doubt that scholarships make a difference," she says. "'We believe in you' is the message it sent to me, and that's the message we send to current students when we support this campaign."

As the campaign co-Chair, Bright is passionate about the cause, seeing each student as an individual in need of the community's support.

"Every student has a story, and many students have had to sacrifice to get here," she says.

"When you give to this campaign, you can look into a student's eyes and know that you've helped them to be successful."

Supporting Our Students is an annual faculty and staff campaign that raises money for student awards. Since its launch in 2005, U of L faculty and staff have generously donated more than $1 million to the campaign, sending a strong message to students that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community stands behind them.

For more information on the Supporting Our Students campaign, please visit www.uleth.ca/giving/SupportingOurStudents or call 403-329-2582.

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

Health Sciences producing ready grads

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:17:15 +0000

The best testimony as to whether a program works or not is to see the end result. Christine Knaus, soon to be a graduate of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Faculty of Health Sciences Public Health program, is that end result – and yes, the program does work.

Knaus, who is set to convocate this spring, is already employed as an infection control practitioner with Alberta Health Services (AHS), having turned her practicum placement into a full-time job. The only downside is that she now has to finish her Registered Nurse designation online.

"I would have loved to finish my nursing training at the U of L too but because they did such a good job training me, I got a job right out of school and couldn't come back," laughs Knaus, the AHS infection control site lead for the southwestern portion of the province.

Infection control practitioner Christine Knaus assists Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Chris Hosgood in demonstrating proper gowning techniques.

Knaus started her post-secondary career at Lethbridge College, taking two years of nursing. Her interests however were in the public health portion of the program. When the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ debuted its public health degree, she jumped at the opportunity to pursue her passion.

"When this program opened, it was the right time to move into it," says Knaus, a native of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. "I enjoyed nursing but public health allowed me to help those people who are not yet in hospital to be healthy and prevent them from future visits to the hospital."

She and her classmates reveled in the opportunities afforded them with a brand new program, including the chance to shape how it would be delivered.

"Because there were so few of us we really got to give a lot of input into curriculum, what was working and what wasn't working," she says. "We were often referred to as the guinea pigs of the program. It was a trial but we got an amazing education because they did a great job of finding classes for us and even making classes that would help us as practitioners in the public health field."

Knaus credits the faculty for engaging its students in discussions about classes, the hiring of professors and the program's delivery. In fact, as the first group neared completion of the program, they lobbied for change to one of its most difficult, and what they deemed impractical, courses. It was subsequently changed to better serve future students.

"That's one of the aspects I give the Faculty of Health Sciences so much credit for," says Knaus. "When you give them feedback, they take it seriously and you always feel as though you're a part of the decision-making."

Knaus excels in such an environment. She grew up admiring her grandmother's efforts in changing the world through volunteerism in a family that championed the ideal of being an active part of your community and given the chance, grasped the opportunity to take control of her education. In 2010, she was the only undergraduate student who had an abstract accepted to the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Student Conference, and she developed a stroke resource guide for patients and caregivers that is now being implemented in facilities in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Her practicum placement allowed her the chance to work under Dr. Vivien Suttorp, the medical officer of health at Alberta Health Services.

"I learned so much in that role," says Knaus. "I was thrown right into the position, and got to go with environmental public health to see things such as hoarding houses, water leaks at various facilities, review environmental services cleaning at Chinook Regional Hospital, it really took me everywhere. And it was essentially my practicum that got me my current job with AHS."

As an infection control practitioner, Knaus says she is a resource for hospitals.

"Any time there is an outbreak in a hospital or an Alberta Health Services facility, we assist with that. Infection control is dedicated to the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Practitioners use surveillance to improve patient outcomes. We focus on reducing the transmission of microbes through patient care practices, sterilization, disinfection cleaning, outbreak management and environmental design, and the most important being hand hygiene."

Knaus accepts her role as a pioneer of the program, and wants to continue to shape its future. She comes back to campus to speak to current students and eyes returning as a master's student and possible lecturer.

"I would like to end up teaching here at some point, maybe an evening class or two," she says. "My professors played such a big role impacting my life and inspiring me, I'd really like to give that back to the next generation of students."

GET THE FACTS

· In 2011, Knaus was nominated for the City of Lethbridge Leaders of Tomorrow Award

· She has two younger brothers (one who attends ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan and another in high school) as well as a younger sister

· Knaus does not want to single out any specific professors because, "They were all so good to me, and although they taught us a lot to do with school, they also taught us so much in terms of life lessons."

· Knaus was co-president of the Public Health Students Association and was co-Chair for the Health Sciences Haiti Benefit earthquake fundraiser that raised over $5,000

· She coaches pee wee and bantam level female hockey, and is currently working on developing a summer hockey school program designed to give access to those who could not otherwise afford to participate

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

Unlocking student potential

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:52:25 +0000