UNews - ambassadors

U of L has two up for ASTech Awards

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:02:43 +0000

Youth science program manager Kristy Burke, along with chemistry & biochemistry professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden and his iGEM team are among an impressive list of 25 honourees announced in advance of the Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech) Awards Gala that will take place at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton on Nov. 2, 2012.

The list includes some of the best and brightest in Alberta's science and technology community. The honourees are now officially in contention for the 13 ASTech Awards that will be presented at the gala.

The honourees have been nominated for their leadership, achievements and contributions in the following categories: Research; Applied Research and/or Commercialization of Innovation; Leadership; Impact on Albertans; and Public Awareness.

Kristy Burke (Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness)

Burke, the manager of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Destination Exploration youth science programs, has been instrumental in expanding existing programming and establishing new initiatives for southern Alberta youth interested in science.

Since taking over as manager, Destination Exploration, in the form of interactive classroom workshops, exciting summer camps, after school Science Clubs, birthday parties and numerous other outreach programs, reaches more than 1,300 youth each year. Through the programs offered by Destination Exploration, Burke exposes students to science in a fun and engaging way, providing valuable opportunities for aspiring scientists throughout southern Alberta to receive quality instruction and encouraging excellence not only in science but also in professional and career endeavours.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge iGEM team (Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness)

Over the last five years, Dr. Wieden has been instrumental in creating and mentoring one of Canada's best teams of undergraduate students in the prestigious iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team competition, the purpose of which is to promote the advancement of science and education by developing an open community of students and practitioners in schools, laboratories, research institutes and industry.

iGEM provides Dr. Wieden a different way of teaching science while giving back to the community that helped him establish his career. The U of L iGEM team is comprised of students from around Alberta and across Canada. The students are passionate about their iGEM experience and are ambassadors for the program and science education in general, both on campus and abroad.

With iGEM, Dr. Wieden aims to bring the essence of scientific research to the undergraduate level, helping create the next generation of science entrepreneurs.

The ASTECH Awards are the premiere acknowledgement of scientific and technological achievement in Alberta. The awards have grown to encompass more than a dozen distinct categories. Collectively, the honourees demonstrate the abundance of outstanding work occurring in Alberta's science and technology community.

For more information about specific awards, visit www.astech.ca

Internship program benefits all

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:27:10 +0000

Have you noticed that bridges are being built all over Lethbridge right now, linking the U of L to the broader community?

Exciting new opportunities are being offered each semester through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Museum Studies Internship program. Each year, this program enables students to build connections with the community for their future careers. Those connections provide a plethora of benefits for students, the institutions they work with and the community as a whole.

David Smith and Allison Spencer curating the 1950s exhibition, which is currently showing in the Helen Christou Gallery.

Students enrolled in the internship option, which is part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program, use their interests as a starting point to develop relationships with organizations in the community. These interests lead to internships where students gain valuable work experience and the hosting institutions benefit from having new and fresh perspectives. Interns become ambassadors for their institutions, sharing information with the broader community.

"Internships are a great way for students to gain insight into the career choices they are considering, and to acquire behind the scenes perspectives about how institutions operate," says Kevin MacLean, collections technician, Galt Museum and Archives.

Students who gain these insights have an advantage when envisioning their future because they have a clearer sense of the roles they want to occupy. By participating in the internship program, students further their careers by gaining practical hands-on experience, which employers are quick to recognize, and by networking within their career fields.

"My appreciation for public programming has definitely grown with my understanding of what goes into creating events," says Allison Spencer, curatorial intern with the U of L Art Gallery. During her internship, Spencer assisted in hosting public programming activities including Culture Vulture Saturdays as well as assisting exhibition planning.

Hosting an intern is also advantageous for the institution. Students bring enthusiasm, a desire to learn and a willingness to work diligently.

"It's an excellent way for an institution to achieve its vision, because the interns take on responsibility and help permanent staff to become more effective," says Ryan Doherty, SAAG Curator.

In non-profit institutions, volunteering is always encouraged and appreciated. Interns, although often unpaid, bridge the gap between permanent staff and casual volunteers by working regular hours and remaining a valuable resource of volunteer energy. Students who complete the internship program promote their institutions in a positive manner by communicating their learning experiences with others.

Granting opportunities to interns is highly beneficial to the community as well. When cultural institutions thrive, the community thrives as a result.

"Having interns is a great way for us to revitalize ourselves. Having new ideas and a fresh perspective allows us to reflect on how and why we do things the way we do. It adds a sense of vitality to our organization," says Marilyn Smith, SAAG Director.

This year SAAG, Galt Museum, and the U of L Art Gallery had interns in several capacities and expect to have more in the future.

"We welcome interns with an incredibly diverse range of opportunities and will work with students to create the experience that is right for them," says Lori Harasem, volunteer and special events co-ordinator with the Galt Museum.

Jennifer Vanderfluit, who interned at the Galt and worked with the archivist to complete a digital conservation project, readily recommends the experience to fellow students.

"I think the internship program is an incredible opportunity that students should take advantage of," she says. "Every major should have a similar program."

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

Management students named CGA Ambassadors

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:57:39 +0000

Faculty of Management students Aliya Lalani and Mikail Beckford are representing for the U of L and their fellow accounting majors.

The pair, both in fourth year, was recently selected to be student ambassadors for the Certified General Accountants' Association of Alberta (CGA). The ambassadors represent the CGA brand on campuses across Alberta, talking to students, promoting the CGA designation and helping to organize events on and off campus.

Lalani recently earned second-place honours in Alberta's Next Top Accountant competition.

The annual event, a joint initiative of CGA and Talisman Energy Inc., took the form of a social media contest where students submitted videos outlining why they were the right person for the job.

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

CGA Ambassadors

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:05:21 +0000

Faculty of Management students Aliya Lalani and Mikail Beckford are representing for the
U of L and their fellow accounting majors.

Lalani recently earned second-place honours in Alberta's Next Top Accountant competition.

The annual event, a joint initiative of CGA and Talisman Energy Inc., took the form of a social media contest where students submitted videos outlining why they were the right person for the job.

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

Student blog offers tour impressions

trevor.kenney — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:41:37 +0000

Ulsan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in South Korea has long been a valuable partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and for the first time, U of L students are enjoying the opportunity to participate in a one-month study tour to learn Korean culture, history, society, business and language.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program," says Laura Ferguson of the U of L's International Centre for Students. "This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

The tour began June 27 and runs through July 26. IDST 2850: Study Tour of South Korea is for course credit and is available to just 20 qualified students. A list of participating students can be found below, as well as a link to a student blog about the experience.

A South Korean monastery stay is one of the highlights of the study tour.

"This course really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category, given the broad base of what they are learning," says Ferguson.

Ulsan is South Korea's seventh largest metropolis with a population of over 1.1 million, and is the industrial powerhouse of South Korea, forming the heart of the Ulsan Industrial District. Home to the world's largest automobile assembly plant, operated by Hyundai Motor Company, the world's largest shipyard, operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries, and the world's second largest oil refinery, owned by SK Energy, it also neighbours the historic city of Kyung-ju, the capital of the Silla Dynasty from 57 BC to 935 AD.

Dr. Ian MacLachlan of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's geography department is accompanying the tour participants this summer. While in South Korea, they get the chance to experience every facet of the South Korean lifestyle. The tour includes trips to Hyundai Heavy Industries, a one-night home stay with a Korean family, a night in a Buddhist temple, a week of study in Seoul and many more opportunities.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Students advanced through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour.

"They needed to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they wanted to participate in the program, and what value they thought they'd get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We looked for ambassadors of the U of L, people who would go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

It's also an opportunity to take advantage of a partnership agreement between the two institutions that sees Ulsan send many more students to Canada.

"This summer program gives students the opportunity to go and study in Korea completely using the English language, which is much less intimidating and allows a lot more people to participate."

Study Tour Participants and Blog Contributors:

Ian MacLachlan (Instructor); Ashley Boras; Mike Burland; Kenny Davey; Jeremy Heidebrecht; Basil Jefferies; Crystal Kensley; Aaron Kurmey; Sang Ha Park; Tyler Ramsay; Jayne Simpson; Derrick Smithson; Brett Stephenson; Evan Strangward.

To follow their study tour blog or send a message to someone on the tour, click on this link.

Supporting the family unit

trevor.kenney — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:12:50 +0000

The true measure of any gift is the passion behind it. As a recent graduate who now works on campus, Steve Brodrick's generosity is a natural extension of his student experience and stems from his desire to make a difference.

"I can see myself in a lot of students," says Brodrick with a smile. "I came to the U of L from Calgary with no intention of staying in Lethbridge after I finished my degree. Obviously, I'm still here and that's because of the positive experience I had as a student."

Through involvement with groups like the Students' Union and the Organization of Resident Students (ORS), Brodrick engaged with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and established lasting connections. These opportunities provided valuable leadership experience, something Brodrick feels could benefit other students.

"I wanted to see them get involved and to take some initiative towards improving campus," explains Brodrick, who set out to establish a scholarship recognizing student leadership. "The ORS Council Excellence Award was established in 2008 and has been given out annually ever since."

Brodrick took this experience with him as he made the transition from student to staff. In his current role as assistant manager of housing services, Brodrick became aware of the unique challenges faced by students living in family housing and established an award that recognizes the achievements of those individuals pursuing an education while raising a family.

"We have 32 families living on campus," says Brodrick, who notes that most people aren't even aware that the U of L offers family accommodations. "These individuals seem almost superhuman in their ability to balance school and other responsibilities, but they weren't being recognized for this incredible work. I wanted to change that."

The establishment of these awards represents a huge accomplishment for the 23-year old, but he's not done yet. Brodrick continues to look for ways to enhance the student experience, believing that the success of our students will ultimately benefit the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a whole.

"Our students are our best ambassadors," says Brodrick, who graduated in 2008 and admits he talks often of his alma mater. "I think faculty and staff should feel some responsibility for ensuring that all students have a positive experience because students are the reason the rest of us are here. Supporting student awards is a very tangible way of demonstrating a commitment to our students."

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For more information on how you can make a difference in the lives of students, visit www.uleth.ca/giving/SupportingOurStudents

Senate Volunteer Award winners to be honoured

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:24:03 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will celebrate its 2010 Spring Convocation this week, Thursday and Friday, and among the honouredattendees will be Senate Volunteer Award winners Elsa Cade and Dr. Robert Hironaka.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate's Volunteer Award recognizes people who have volunteered to serve the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

"The award is open to people who volunteer for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in many ways," says Chancellor Richard Davidson. "A lot of people don't realize that in addition to our talented faculty and staff, we rely on hundreds of people who perform thousands of hours of volunteer work for the institution each year."

Any member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community is eligible for the award, including past and present ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ volunteers and individuals who represent the U of L in the community.

A committee representing volunteers, faculty, staff, alumni and students will screen nominations and develop a pool of approved candidates. Both Cade and Hironaka will be honoured at Thursday evening's Chancellor's Dinner in the U of L Atrium.

Elsa Cade

One of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's most effective ambassadors, Elsa Cade supports and engages in countless ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ activities and events, and advances the institution's relationship with local and global communities.

Over the past 10 years, Cade has been present at every convocation ceremony, many senate committee meetings, all public dinners and receptions, and has attended student events, public lectures, celebrations or announcements, and much more.

She has graciously hosted a vast number of dinner parties for community people, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers. Cade has also travelled frequently to maintain and enhance the U of L's relationship beyond southern Alberta. In particular she has helped foster the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's important relationship with Hokkai-Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Sapporo, Japan.

Beyond the U of L, Cade has provided dedicated volunteer service for several community organizations. She is an active member of the Rotary Club and a board member of 5th on 5th Youth Services of Lethbridge. She has served on the board of the Alberta Science Foundation and the board of the Friends of the Galt Museum.

Following the earthquake in Haiti, Cade harnessed the power of blogging and online social networking to raise funds to purchase 118 shelterboxes, large containers that hold a 10-person tent, blankets, a stove, a tool kit, and other equipment needed by the survivors of that natural disaster.

Dr. Robert Hironaka supporter of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge." src="/unews/sites/default/files/main/articles/senate-hironaka.jpg" alt="" />

Former U of L Chancellor Dr. Robert Hironaka has volunteered throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for many years.

Hironaka was a member of the U of L Senate from 1983 to 1987 and Chancellor from 1995 to 1999. He continues to be one of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's most devoted supporters, making himself available to the U of L whenever he is available to help. He regularly attends special occasions and sporting events at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and participates in committees, fundraisers, celebrations, campaigns, and special presentations.

Hironaka has been an active member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association for several years, in many roles, from executive officer to member at large. He freely shares his expertise and knowledge, and volunteers for many Alumni Association events. A key member of the Alumni Association's Recognition Committee, he is diligent in maintaining this committee's high standards. In 2002, Hironaka received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of L, in recognition of his service to the institution.

In addition to his ongoing support of the U of L, Hironaka is an active volunteer for community organizations like Rotary and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens (which he helped found).

Whatever volunteer work he is doing, he is an exemplary ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Cade, Hironaka honoured with Senate recognition

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:17:47 +0000

Elsa Cade

Dr. Robert Hironaka

Former U of L Chancellor Dr. Robert Hironaka has volunteered throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for many years.

In addition to his ongoing support of the U of L, Hironaka is an active volunteer for community organizations like Rotary and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens (which he helped found).

Whatever volunteer work he is doing, he is an exemplary ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

South Korea beckons with summer study tour

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:02:04 +0000

Application deadline extended to Jan. 22

Ulsan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in South Korea has long been a valuable partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and for the first time this coming summer, U of L students will get the opportunity to participate in a one-month study tour to learn Korean culture, history, society, business and language.

"I expect this program will be very popular," says Laura Ferguson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's International Centre for Students.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

Scheduled to run June 27 to July 26, 2010, IDST 2850: Study Tour of South Korea is for course credit and is available to just 20 qualified students. Depending on scholarship funding, the study tour will be priced at $2,500 per student and include the cost of tuition, flights, accommodations, meals and a host of activities.

"It really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category given the broad base of what they will be learning," says Ferguson.

Participants in the summer tour will be accompanied by a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ faculty member and experience every facet of the South Korean lifestyle. The tour includes trips to Hyundai Heavy Industries, a one-night home stay with a Korean family, a night in a Buddhist temple, a week of study in Seoul and many more opportunities.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Interested students must advance through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour. Applications are due to the International Centre by the extended deadline of Jan. 22.

"They'll need to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they want to participate in the program and what value they think they'll get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We're looking for ambassadors of the U of L, people who will go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

It's also an opportunity to take advantage of a partnership agreement between the two institutions that sees Ulsan send many more students to Canada.

"This summer program gives students the opportunity to go and study in Korea completely using the English language, which is much less intimidating and allows a lot more people to participate."

For more information, contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca or visit the International Centre for Students.

South Korea beckons with summer study tour

trevor.kenney — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:00:54 +0000

Ulsan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in South Korea has long been a valuable partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and for the first time this coming summer, U of L students will get the opportunity to participate in a one-month study tour to learn Korean culture, history, society, business and language.

"I expect this program will be very popular," says Laura Ferguson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's International Centre for Students.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

"It really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category given the broad base of what they will be learning," says Ferguson.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Interested students must advance through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour. Applications are due to the International Centre by Dec. 15.

"They'll need to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they want to participate in the program and what value they think they'll get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We're looking for ambassadors of the U of L, people who will go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

For more information, contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca or visit the International Centre for Students.

UNews - ambassadors

U of L has two up for ASTech Awards

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