UNews - California

Horns basketball opens Canada West campaign

trevor.kenney — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 21:41:48 +0000

The Mike Hansen era begins this weekend for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball program.

The ‘Horns will open the 2013-14 conference schedule on the road against the Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western Spartans.

Tip-offs for the weekend are set at 8 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night respectively, with both games streamed online at http://canadawest.tv.

In addition to the leadership change, the roster received a complete overhaul with only five players from last season’s roster returning. A quartet of guards and reserve post remain with the program and will be led by seniors Morgan Duce, Logan Reiter and Alex Fletcher.

Reiter and Duce both averaged double digit points per game last season and will be counted on heavily to increase their scoring totals after the departure of the top two scorers from last season in Derek Waldner and Julian Spear Chief-Morris.

Among the nine newcomers to the program, Australian Brandon Brine, as well as ACAC all-stars Rob Olsen and Jared Baker, are expected to make a significant impact in their first season with the program. Post Brent Watkins could be a wildcard contributor for the Horns after transferring from Citrus College in California. Watkins, who did not play high school basketball, comes to the Horns with raw talent and will be relied on to be a presence in the paint. In his second season with Citrus last year, Watkins averaged 9.2 points and 7 rebounds per game while hitting nearly 75% of his shots from the field.

For a full weekend preview, visit gohorns.ca.

Pronghorn Women

Despite missing the playoffs for the third season in a row, there were a lot of positives to take away from the 2012-13 season.

In her first season at the helm of the Pronghorns women’s basketball program, Erin McAleenan led the Horns to their first double digit win total since the 1994-95 season, but a duplication of the 2012-13 season will be a tough task for the Pronghorns in the always tough Canada West conference.

The Horns will open the 2013-14 conference schedule this weekend on the road traveling to British Columbia to face the Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western Spartans.

Gone from last season are post Erin Skippon, forward Steph Inman and utility guard Kara Henry. While Skippon was only with the program for one season, her leadership and post presence will be dearly missed.

While the voids left will be hard to fill, the Pronghorns return their top two scorers from last season in Ali Cameron and post Kim Veldman. Cameron, a pure scorer, returns for her fourth season and will look to build off her career best 15 points per game average last season.

Veldman, who averaged nearly a double-double last season, will be leaned on heavily at both ends of the floor, while senior guard Katlyn Olsen will also be counted on to help lead the young squad. With six true freshmen cracking the Pronghorns roster, there will be some growing pains along the way.

Southern Alberta product Mariah Miller has had a nice start to her collegiate career, recording a double-double in only her third preseason game.

Guards Erin James, Sara Simovic and Kendra Lee will all see significant time as freshmen and will need to make significant contributions if the Horns are going to duplicate last season’s record.

Tip-off for Friday’s game versus the Cascades is set for 6 p.m. PST, while Saturday’s game versus the Spartans will go at 5 p.m.. Both games will be streamed live on http://canadawest.tv

For more, visit gohorns.ca.

CA Bridging program allows Vu to advance career

trevor.kenney — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:07:24 +0000

Krissie Vu's life has been filled with travel and learning opportunities in different countries all over the world. Throughout her journey, she's crossed more than a few bridges in her life - bridges in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, England, Switzerland, the United States, and, most recently, Edmonton. While all of these bridges could be found on a map, there is one she crossed that was only metaphorical - the bridge that took her from one career path to another…

Her adventure began in her birthplace of Vietnam with her family, who, for 25 years, worked in the hotel and restaurant business. Initially wanting to take her career in the same direction as her parents, it was no wonder Krissie began pursuing a career in hotel management. Krissie earned an advanced diploma in Hotel and Resort Management in Switzerland, where she also received a Certificate of Excellence for the Best Academic Performance and highest academic average.

Krissie Vu thought she had a career path, but when she needed a change, the CA Bridging program was there to help. PHOTO BY LAUGHING DOG PHOTOGRAPHY.

She completed one more term in the United States at Northwood ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to attain her bachelor of business administration degree, and after a couple of years working in the hospitality industry, came to Canada to pursue a career in accounting. She wanted to put her education to good use in the hospitality industry, but could no longer deny her true passion and interest.

"I switched to accounting because I wanted to expose myself to a profession that could offer me limitless opportunities to learn and travel. A career in accounting will not only give me the chance to learn new things and meet new clients on a daily basis, but it will also help me continually grow as a professional throughout my career. It was exactly what I was looking for in a career - being able to learn with professionals while I, myself, grow as a professional."

In order to make that career change, Krissie enrolled in the CA Bridging program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2011. This program is offered at the U of L's campuses in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge. CA Bridging enables its students to complete all the business and accounting courses needed for admission into the CA School of Business (CASB). CA Bridging is designed to enable the typical student to complete this program within 12 to 24 months while continuing to work full-time. Students only take the courses they need. Courses are offered during evenings and weekends in Calgary, Edmonton and during the daytime in Lethbridge, and are taught by experienced accounting professionals.

For students who have a non-business degree, CA Bridging enables you to obtain the necessary business and accounting prerequisite courses for admission into CASB.

"For those who decide to take a turn in their career path, the CA Bridging Program gives you access to the technical foundation you need, fills in the missing pieces of accounting knowledge you've missed, and gradually turns you onto the right track towards a CA designation."

Krissie knew she made the right decision by enrolling in the CA Bridging Program.

"It's all I needed when I wanted to make the switch in my career. Pursuing the CA designation is a big decision, and the CA Bridging Program shows you the right door to step through. If pursuing a CA designation is a journey, then the CA Bridging Program is simply a starter kit that you always find yourself reaching back to along the way."

Krissie is still on the path towards her CA designation, so she understands the amount of work and dedication it takes to become a CA.

"I've always seen confidence, pride, competency and professionalism from all the CAs I've met. I know they've been through a long journey to be where they are, and I respect and admire them for that. I would like to become one of them - one of the well-respected, competent, professionals."

Some journeys require maps to help guide us along the way. For Krissie and her career change, no map was needed to help her decide which direction to go to reach her final destination. The CA Bridging program was the best fit for her, as it was flexible, concise, and accommodating to her life. It was the obvious choice for her, and she didn't need a map to know that.

This article first appeared in the Fall 2012 issue of Capitalize magazine. Check out the CA Bridging program by clicking here.

Myrtle makes her campus debut

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:37:02 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's newest student is just 16 weeks old and yet she's quickly adapting to a full course load and on pace to graduate in only 10 months.

Meet Myrtle, a guide dog in training that has been accompanying third-year psychology student Lauren Hamilton to her classes for the better part of the last month.

Hamilton, originally from Calgary, does not need Myrtle, rather she is part of the Alberta Guide Dog Services training program, working with Myrtle for the next 10 months before she is sent off to Vancouver for a final five-month training period.

Guide-dog-in-training Myrtle, with her handler Lauren Hamilton.

It's a first for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host a guide dog, even one in training, and Hamilton cleared the process through Risk & Safety Services (RSS) before she was brought on campus.

"From our perspective, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ learns from this because we never know when we'll have a student or somebody with a disability who needs to have a guide dog on campus," says Anne Baxter, director of RSS. "It's a wonderful experience for us to have her here and to see one of our students undertake such an amazing community initiative."

It won't be hard to spot Myrtle on campus, after all she is the only dog allowed and she'll be sporting her blue guide dog vest, indicating she's on the job. What that means is she's off limit for interacting with anyone other than Hamilton, she shouldn't be petted, coaxed or fed.

As for Hamilton, she too must follow certain protocols in order to bring Myrtle with her to campus. These include keeping Myrtle on a leash at all times, not taking her into any exams, removing her from class or away from other students if she becomes disruptive and steering clear of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience because it is a live animal facility.

Like any new student, Myrtle needs her own ID card.

So far, the experiment has gone well.

"People are really supportive of it. It can be a bit of a distraction I know, because she'll sit there chewing on her toy or not always settle right away but people have been very cooperative with her and I'm really happy about that," says Hamilton, who needed permission from all her professors before bringing Myrtle to class.

"Most people do understand that they can't play with her, pet her, feed her, all the things you'd love to do with a puppy because she is working."

Myrtle is originally from California and has been specially bred to be a service dog. Like most international students, she doesn't particularly like the snow but is adapting.

"She settles down well, the only thing is when she first meets people she gets excited," says Hamilton. "When she's working, just her and I, she's been great. She's learning her commands well."

How Hamilton will send her away after 10 months is hard to fathom.

"It'll be really difficult but at the same time you know going into it, that's what's going to happen, so you prepare yourself the whole time," she says. "The best part of the experience is it will be so rewarding."

So, if you see Myrtle, resist the urge to fawn over her and let her do her job, after all, we want every one of our students to graduate.

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

Blake finds balance in burgeoning musical career

trevor.kenney — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:01:38 +0000

Ask Pronghorns men's basketball guard Terrence Blake who he looks to emulate and Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo won't be on the list. No, Blake is more likely to drop names such as Lil Wayne, Drake and Akon, because as much as basketball is his game, music is his passion.

"Music started for me when I was in junior high," says Blake, who just recently hit the urban rap charts with his first single, Ima Get Paid. "I've always written, done poetry, and I started turning it into music in high school. From there it's just been a passion I've had and continued on with – it'll probably never stop."

Terrence Blake and Evrlove are making waves in the rap industry

In fact this could just be the start for Blake, who literally came out of nowhere to stun the rap world. Working with his team, Evrlove Music (Corey F and Artafacts), he'd had a number of singles mixed and produced locally. But if the fourth-year marketing major has learned anything during his studies in the Faculty of Management, it's how to promote himself.

"I've been blessed in a way," he says. "Through networking and just talking to people I got my demos out and really I was just looking for feedback. As an artist, I just wanted to learn about the business but within 24 hours of getting my music into the hands of the right person, I was flown out to Los Angeles and started in the studio."

Working with Larry Dee Entertainment (www.larrydeeentertainment.biz) and Grammy Award winning producer Bob Horn (Brandy, Akon), they put Ima Get Paid into the mainstream and it hit big.

"It's still getting a lot of rotation on record stations down in the States," says Blake, who's single is available on iTunes. "The first few weeks it got a lot of buzz and ended up on the Rickett's chart based out of New Jersey. I actually was the only non-signed artist to a major label who made the chart."

He says he draws his inspiration from everywhere, and by simply observing people.

"You could say I'm inspired by Lil Wayne, I admire his talent and most of all how he built something from nothing. He is not only an artist but a businessman as well," says Blake.

Ima Get Paid can be taken literally as a song about making money and Blake says that's fine if people connect with it that way, but to him, it's so much more.

"My intention on this song was the idea that in life we all chase dreams and have aspirations," he says. "This song was more like an anthem stating that I will get my goal, I will make it, I will live the way I want to, Ima get paid."

Blake in action with the Horns. Known as a lock-down defender, he is a valuable role player and veteran presence. PHOTO by Paula Gorman.

An Edmonton native, Blake was highly recruited out of high school and spent two seasons at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary before suffering a devastating ankle injury. After recuperating, he looked south to the U of L, joining the Horns this past fall when good friend Dominyc Coward moved across the river from the Lethbridge College program.

"The atmosphere around here is great, there's a ton of support, I've noticed it's a pretty tight knit community and I've enjoyed it a lot," he says, admitting there was a phase of culture shock moving to a smaller city.

"It's been a positive adjustment though because I've found more time for myself. There's less things to distract you around here so you kind of focus a little more. I think it's definitely helped me with my schooling."

Blake is considered a valuable role player with the club, and played an integral role in the team achieving its best regular season in 12 years. He's earned the respect of his teammates and his coach.

"He's a guy that's mature and had a lot of things that have happened in his life to bring him to this point," says Horns head coach Dave Adams. "The thing I love about Terrence is that he always has a perspective and always brings something into the program that's good for everybody."

As far as his off-court activities, Adams pleads ignorance.

"As a 54-year-old white guy who lives in Lethbridge, Alberta, (the non-demographic for his music) I really have no comment on his music," he laughs. "I have no idea whether it's good or bad but they tell me it's very good."

How good remains to be seen – and heard. Blake will likely see some touring opportunities this summer, opening for bigger acts in California, Ohio and the southern U.S.

"I want to just keep creating buzz and following my passion, and maybe it'll lead to a co-sign or a sign with a label, just a chance to keep doing what I'm doing."

After that, he intends to get back on the court and help the Horns return to the Canada West playoffs. Whether his future is in music or business, he's confident he's setting himself up well either way.

"If I'm not signed by the time I graduate, I'm looking to do some public relations work or some direct marketing, maybe point of sales," says Blake. "I love marketing, really all aspects of business. I love to talk in front of people, so hopefully if I'm not in front of the microphone, I'm in front of a crowd doing something with that."

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

Senate approves honorary degrees

trevor.kenney — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:46:02 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate has approved the granting of five Honorary Degrees at the 2012 Spring and Fall Convocation ceremonies.

Spring Convocation, May 31 – June 1, 2012

Ceremony 1 – Pete Standing Alone – Doctor of Laws
Ceremony 2 – Dr. Patrick O'Farrell – Doctor of Science
Ceremony 3 – Jim Coutts – Doctor of Laws
Ceremony 4 – Richard Davidson – Doctor of Laws

Fall Convocation, October 13, 2012

Dr. Bill Cade – Doctor of Laws

Pete Standing Alone, Doctor of Laws
Ceremony I, Thursday, May 31

A respected Blood Tribe Elder, Pete Standing Alone is a teacher, cultural guide, and leader who has been an integral part of the U of L's commitment to Aboriginal education. Standing Alone is strong proponent of preserving the Blackfoot culture. His life has been chronicled in a National Film Board Documentary trilogy, spanning 1960 to 2010.

Patrick O'Farrell, Doctor of Science
Ceremony II, Thursday, May 31

One of the founders of modern molecular biology, Patrick O'Farrell's discoveries have had dramatic impacts on biological science and have made the use of proteins in medical diagnostics possible. He is a Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of California, San Francisco. Among other projects, he developed 2-D gel electrophoresis, which has become a routine technique for protein separation and analysis.

Jim Coutts, Doctor of Laws
Ceremony III, Friday, June 1

Jim Coutts is a lawyer, businessman, and former advisor to two Prime Ministers who has made significant contributions to Canada through his public service, conservation efforts and philanthropy, including the development and funding of Lester B. Pearson United World College. At the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Coutts has supported the Art collection and, most recently gifted his family homestead property near Nanton, Alberta.

Richard Davidson QC, Doctor of Laws
Ceremony IV, Friday, June 1

The 11th Chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Richard Davidson represented the institution with pride, emphasizing its connections with the community, and has served as president or chairman on many local organizations and charities. Davidson has received many awards and accolades, including Lethbridge Citizen of the Year and a place on the Alberta Venture 50 most Influential People list.

William H. Cade, Doctor of Laws
Fall Convocation, Saturday, October 13

President and chief ambassador of the U of L for ten years, Bill Cade oversaw the development of many initiatives including a rapid increase in students, growth in research, growth of graduate-level education, and the largest fundraising campaign to date. As well, Cade strengthened community relations at local, provincial, national, and international levels.

California recruits join Horns

trevor.kenney — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:47:46 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team has solidified its back court with the signing of two American guards out of the California junior college circuit. Head coach Dave Adams recently introduced Daryl Cooper and Alex Fletcher as the newest Horns for this coming season.

The additions of Fletcher and Cooper continues the Horns overhaul this off-season, where the squad has added seven players, all with ties to winning programs. Earlier this off-season Adams secured four players from the national silver medalists Lethbridge College Kodiaks, as well as Tyson McIntyre from the Alberta 4A champion Raymond Comets.

Basketball Operations Manager Brad Karren was the first to identify Cooper and Fletcher during the California JUCO Final Four and did the majority of the leg work leading up to their visits.

"Brad did a great job identifying Daryl and Alex as two guys that would fit in to what we are trying to build here," says Adams. "We were able to work both of them out and really liked what we saw."

Cooper, a 6'1" point guard, spent the last two seasons at City College of San Francisco, where the team finished the season with a 32-1 record and won the California JUCO Championship. Cooper averaged just over 7 points per game and accumulated an impressive 2.95 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

"Daryl is a pass first, score second point guard with incredible basketball IQ, work ethic, skill and leadership qualities," says Adams. "He will immediately address our deficiencies at the point guard position."

A 6'2" shooting guard, Fletcher is no stranger to his fellow California recruit, as Fresno City College was the lone team to beat Cooper's team last season. In both seasons in Fresno, Fletcher was a member of the Central Valley Conference champions and had trips to the California JuCo Final Four, where Fresno lost in the semifinals.

As a sophomore starter, Fletcher was a Central Valley first team all-star, averaging 11.06 points per game while hitting a remarkable 47.5 per cent of his shots from behind the arc. He also set a school record last season, hitting 12 three-pointers in a single game. An exceptional student, Fletcher had a 3.68 GPA in his two years at Fresno City College.

"Alex is an unselfish hard working blue collar basketball player," says Adams. "He shot a high percentage from three-point land and will immediately address our weakness there from last season. He will also immediately infuse an uncompromising work ethic into our locker room."

The Horns open training camp Aug. 29 and will kick off the 2011-12 Canada West Schedule Nov. 4-5, traveling to Winnipeg to face the Wesmen. The Horns home opener is Nov. 11 versus UBC – Okanagan Heat.

Researchers Advocate for Positive Approach to Rural, Community Health

trevor.kenney — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:08:20 +0000

A noted expert in rural nursing and community health issues will deliver a province wide teleconference and in-person seminar about rural and community health issues on Monday, July 25.

Alberta Health Services, Community & Rural Department and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences are jointly presenting a talk by Dr. Jeri L. Bigbee, who is currently serving as the Faculty of Health Sciences first visiting Fulbright Scholar at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Bigbee is a leader in rural nursing whose research focuses on public health nursing in rural and frontier communities in the United States. Bigbee's talk takes place on Monday, July 25, beginning at 10 a.m. in County Hall at Chinook Regional Hospital. It will also be broadcast to healthcare workers province-wide via the Telehealth network.

"We are extremely lucky to have Dr. Bigbee here in Alberta. Her expertise in rural health is a wonderful resource for Alberta Health Services and our partner organizations," said Rosalie Case, AHS Executive Director, Rural & Suburban Hospital Services & Supports.

"Her knowledge and research will help us better understand the unique needs in rural health and how to plan services according to those needs."

Case added that Dr. Bigbee's in depth understanding and emphasis on population health needs is in-line with the current direction of rural health planning in Alberta.

A Nurse Practitioner and Jody DeMeyer Endowed Chair at Boise State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Boise, Idaho, Bigbee earned her doctorate from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Texas in Austin and has been a nurse educator since 1980 in Wyoming, Nevada and California.

"One of the goals for Dr. Bigbee's visit is to forge collaborative research relationships with individuals here who are involved in rural nursing," said Dr. Judith Kulig, a U of L Health Sciences rural nursing expert.

"Jointly-conducted research would provide an opportunity to determine the differences and similarities between our countries in terms of the number of rural nurses providing care and the impacts they have on population health."

Kulig said that while Bigbee is in the community, she will meet with faculty and graduate students to share her expertise in rural nursing and in nursing education in general. "We are really hopeful that Jeri's visit will lead to future collaborations including visits by our faculty to Boise State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

Event details:

Date: Monday, July 25, 2011
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Chinook Regional Hospital County Hall (Telehealth available)
RSVP: Romina Senneker (403-388-6013 or romina.senneker@albertahealthservices.ca)

Campus Kudos - June

trevor.kenney — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:54:51 +0000

Dr. Heidi MacDonald (History) received an award for the best English-language academic article deemed to make an original and scholarly contribution to the field of women's and gender history by the Canadian Committee on Women's History. Her article, Who Counts? Nuns, Work and the Census of Canada, was published in a recent issue of Histoire Sociale/Social History. Reviewers indicated that MacDonald produced "…an impressive and insightful piece of work on the various ways in which women religious (nuns) have been excluded or significantly undercounted in the Canadian census."

Taras Polataiko's (Art) painting was on view at the National Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv. The work was part of an international exhibition curated by Kateryna Botanova.

Annie Martin's (Art) installation Untitled (horizon) was exhibited in the PAVED Arts main gallery in Saskatoon. A critical text was also commissioned to accompany this exhibition.

Dana Cooley (New Media) has a video work in the group show, A Century of Artists' Films, at the Theatr Mwldan in Wales. Curated by Mike Cousin in partnership with Oriel Mwldan, the show runs until July 2.

Three ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge teams recently walked to raise money to End MS, totalling an impressive $6,762.05 that was donated to the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. The team from the Faculty of Education, captained by
Dr. Cathy Campbell, and consisting of Dr. Robin Bright, Dr. Noella Piquette-Tomei and Dr. Cynthia Chambers raised $2,935. The team from Administration, captained by Dr. Mike Mahon, and consisting of Maureen Mahon, Laurel Corbiere, Trish Jackson, Virginia Wishart and Robin Hopkins raised $2,725. The team from the Faculty of Management, captained by Dr. Lori Kopp, and consisting of Dr. Robert Ellis, Dr. Sameer Deshpande, Dr. Brian Dobing, Dr. Pam Loewen, Joan Kendall, Diane Boyle and Steve Craig raised $1,102.05.

Pictured left to right are iGEM team members Harland Brandon, (fourth-year Biochemistry), Justin Vigar, ( fifth-year Biochemistry) and MSc candidate Lisza Bruder, BSc ’11.

Clark Ferguson, the U of L's chief information officer, presented the keynote address at the Futures in it – Collaboration Western Canada Academy Conference in Calgary recently. Ferguson's address was titled Business Experience – Applied to Post Secondary at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Dr. Austin Mardon (BA'85) received an honorary doctor of laws from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta at its Spring Convocation ceremonies. Mardon, an inspiring advocate for the mentally ill, is a member of the Order of Canada and a past recipient of the CM Hincks Award, the highest award given by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Three members of the U of L iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines) team are travelling to Stanford ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in California to attend the 5th International Meeting on Synthetic biology. The sold-out conference attracts researchers from around the world who are working in the growing field of synthetic biology.

Dr. David Clearwater's (New Media) essay, What Defines Video Game Genre? Thinking about Genre Study after the Great Divide, was published in the Spring 2011 issue of Loading... (a Canadian journal covering videogames and interactive entertainment).

Dr. Josephine Mills (director/curator U of L Art Gallery) has recently been named president of the Canadian Art Museum Directors' Organization.

Dagmar Dahle's (Art) work was included in the exhibition ANIMAL, appearing at Museum London in Ontario.

Loralee Sand Edwards' (BFA '05) exhibition iGallery: curated auto-paparazzi (Self-Portraiture in a Digital Age) is in the Main Gallery of the Bowman Arts Centre until July 10.

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

Langager sparks a Choral celebration

trevor.kenney — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:18:39 +0000

It's not often Lethbridge experiences a collaboration of our community's strongest choirs in one concert, but on Mar. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Southminster United Church, Vox Musica, LCI Chamber Choir and the U of L Singers join together for Awake My Soul and Sing: A Choral Celebration.

The concert caps off an intensive week of workshops and rehearsals with guest conductor, Dr. Graeme Langager, director of choral activities at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia School of Music. The weeklong workshops, co-ordinated by the Vox Musica Choral Society, provide an opportunity for the choirs to share expertise.

"Our mandate is to promote choral music in southern Alberta and we believe providing opportunity for these activities outside our fixed rehearsal schedule benefits our choir, as well as the other choirs participating in the workshops," says Carolyn Speakman, Vox Musica Choral Society president.

Langager's visit includes spending 4-5 hours with each choir during their regular rehearsals.

"Dr. Langager was a student at LCI and sang with Frank Gnandt's choir in high school," says Speakman. "After spending several years in the United States, he's returned to Canada and is now part of the Canadian choral scene."

Langager received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from California State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Long Beach. He has taught throughout the United States, including stops in California, Ohio, North Carolina and Arkansas, and at the high school, college and university levels. A sought after clinician and guest conductor, he is also an active composer and arranger.

Langager's choirs have performed throughout Europe and the United States including such prestigious venues as St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Stefansdom in Vienna, Notre Dame in Paris, St. Nicholas in Prague and St. Stephen's in Budapest.

"The concert promises a varied program that showcases the strengths and talents of each choir," says Speakman.

Tickets to this rare evening of choral masterpieces are available at Long and McQuade (323 – 8th St. S.) for $15 regular and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are also available at the door on the night of the concert.

For look at the February issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Finding the right equation

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:21:04 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Paul Hayes recruits students to work in his lab the way a mentor researcher first found him: by looking, listening and asking.

The chemistry equivalent of a hockey scout, Hayes says he looks for students with promise in different areas, and invites them to meet with him to talk about their research or academic progress and future plans.

This idea is not new to Hayes, who was on the road to dentistry when a researcher spoke with him.

"At Mount Allison ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, I was approached by one of my professors, Dr. Steve Westcott, who told me he'd been following my progress, and wanted me to work in his lab," recalls Hayes.

The flattering offer led to a steady job and a dramatic change in direction for Hayes, who turned his attention toward inorganic chemistry. After graduation he moved to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary for his doctoral degree and then to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of California, Berkeley for a postdoctoral appointment – environments completely different from his tiny hometown of Shubenacadie, N.S.

Hayes, who has been at the U of L for four years, continues to develop his thriving independent research program which aims, among other things, to make catalysts that convert a chemical found in corn and beets into a biodegradable, environmentally friendly 'plastic-like' material called polylactide.

Thus far he has been extremely successful, having attracted more than $1.4M in funding from provincial and national agencies and published numerous articles in top tier journals. In addition, the young researcher has earned province-wide accolades, including the prestigious Alberta Ingenuity New Faculty Award.

Most recently, Hayes accepted a Distinguished Academic Early Career Award from the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations for his ongoing accomplishments and future research potential.

"I was thrilled to receive the award, since it comes from my peers and colleagues, and it will affect my group and research in a positive way," says Hayes.
"People like to be part of a winning team, and I am always looking for the right people. Maybe there's another wannabe dentist out there who doesn't yet know how exciting it can be to make new molecules.

For more on Dr. Paul Hayes' research, check out the next issue of SAM magazine.

UNews - California

Horns basketball opens Canada West campaign

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CA Bridging program allows Vu to advance career

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Myrtle makes her campus debut

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Blake finds balance in burgeoning musical career

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Senate approves honorary degrees

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California recruits join Horns

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Researchers Advocate for Positive Approach to Rural, Community Health

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Campus Kudos - June

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Langager sparks a Choral celebration

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Finding the right equation

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