UNews - Teacher

Like grandmother, like grandson

darcy.tamayose — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 20:43:17 +0000

In Philippine culture, adults focus on children, rarely on themselves. Only after his grandmother passed away did current Faculty of Education student, Michael Quiambao, learn she had been a nationally recognized teacher in Bangued, Philippines. She lived to see him enter university, knowing he wanted to become an educator.

“My lola (grandmother) was my biggest supporter and motivator,” says Michael Quiambao. “She was proud of me going to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

Michael Quiambao's goal is to be a role model for his students.

Quiambao’s grandmother started him on his teaching journey. Along the way he met more mentors.

“I was a visible minority in a Caucasian area,” he says. “I didn’t see the importance of my own culture. In junior high I had low self-esteem, but a teacher saw something in me and took the time to know and encourage me. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am.”

Quiambao names other educators who inspired their students, fuelling in him a desire to do the same. In 2014, the kinesiology major completed his Professional Semester II (PSII) in Brooks, Alta., with teacher mentor Jared Hofer.

“I learned a lot from him,” says Quiambao.

Hofer put students first, and was there for them beyond school hours.

In Brooks, Quiambao helped with the badminton team, the ‘Iron Chef Cookoff,’ and preparing free lunches for students. He has worked with the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club (on a farm to experience rural life) and at SAIT to learn about the trades.

“I’m trying to sponge everything I can by putting myself in new environments,” says the lifelong learner, who even tried bull riding.

Today, he realizes the importance of all cultures and strives to carry on the community involvement his grandmother instilled in him.

“One of my biggest goals is learning Tagalog, my language.”

Quiambao hopes to be an approachable teacher who affects students the way his grandmother and others affected him.

“I want to be a role model.”

Master's degree positions Moroz for a role in school leadership

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:58:36 +0000

After teaching in Calgary for more than 20 years, Darren Moroz (MEd ’14) decided it was time to reverse roles and become a student again.

Darren Moroz focused his Capstone Thesis on how leadership percolates from school administrators to teachers and from teachers to students.

With his eye on becoming a school administrator, adding a master’s degree to his credentials was one of his first steps. He already knew the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge by its strong reputation, so he didn’t hesitate to sign up for the Master of Education (Educational Leadership) program as soon as he learned it would be offered in Calgary.

“The 12-course program, including the Capstone Thesis, was exactly what I was looking for and I could not have been happier with the program,” says Moroz.

Delivered through a combination of online and in-class courses, the master’s program fit with his responsibilities as an elementary school teacher in the Calgary Catholic School District and as a husband and father.

“I had a phenomenal experience,” he says. “From the beginning, we were exposed to educational leadership models and practices and thrust into developing our leadership skills.”

Because he was a little nervous about being a student again, he took a sabbatical from teaching and honed his studying skills by completing a religious education program at St. Mary’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College, a private Catholic liberal arts institution in Calgary.

“That was a stepping stone to the confidence I needed to pursue further education,” he says.

He was one of 17 others who enrolled in the program and they became a tight-knit group over the two years. In fact, they reserved an entire restaurant for themselves and their friends and family to get together and celebrate their graduation.

Moroz had a particular interest in elementary school leadership and focused his Capstone Thesis on how leadership percolates from school administrators to teachers and from teachers to students. Through his thesis project, teachers facilitated more than 20 student leadership groups that did everything from running hot lunch, intramurals and an in-school bank to recycling and litterless lunch programs.

Positive leadership models weren’t hard to find when Moroz was a child growing up in Porcupine Plain, Sask. He was surrounded by educators, including his mother, an aunt and an uncle, who demonstrated community involvement.

“I always had aspirations of being a teacher. I had great experiences growing up. I had my first male teacher in Grade 4 and he later became my Air Cadet instructor. He taught me a lot about discipline and leadership,” says Moroz.

After graduating from high school, Moroz studied education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan and had a teaching contract in his pocket three months before he graduated.

He moved to Calgary and joined the Calgary Catholic School District. He says he learned the most about what it means to be a teacher in that first year, thanks to all the great mentoring he received. He has since taught at two other schools in the district.

“This ismy 25th year of teaching and I could not be happier. I’ve had a fantastic career and I work in an amazing school,” he says.

Moroz, with his master’s degree in hand, says he will apply to become an assistant principal next year. He welcomes the opportunity to be involved in a leadership role within his school district where he can mentor others, just as others mentored him.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ experience proves to be the tie that binds

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:18:21 +0000

It took 19 years and thousands of miles traversed across the globe before alumna Robyn Schilling (BEd '92) and Gloria Irani-Patterson (BA '93) again crossed paths. And while the stories of their post ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge lives took divergent routes, the former roommates shared a sense of discovery and willingness for adventure that eventually led them back together – in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Schilling's story began with a move away from Lethbridge shortly after graduating with a bachelor of education degree in spring 1992. Quickly finding work as a teacher, she spent the next 11 years of her life teaching high school business education, English and computer science in Dawson Creek, Courtenay and Vancouver, B.C. schools.

"In 2003, I was somewhat disillusioned with how things were with George Bush Jr. and the leadership of the United States and truly disillusioned with how little money I could use to travel on a B.C. teacher's salary that I decided to give international education a try," says Schilling.

Gloria Irani-Patterson, left, and Robyn Schilling reconnected in South Africa, 19 years after being roommates while studying at the U of L.

After attending a job fair for international educational opportunities, she accepted a position at the American School of Bombay in Mumbai, India. For the next five years, Schilling taught computer science and implemented a one-to-one program for middle school students. She also worked towards her master's degree in educational leadership, attending The College of New Jersey's global graduate program for three summers in Mallorca, Spain.

Having worked her way up to become associate principal of the middle and high school, Schilling, with her master's degree in hand, was ready for another challenge and turned her gaze to South Africa.

In the meantime, Irani-Patterson had completed her bachelor's degree in English and entered the world of journalism. She finished a Cinema, Television, Stage and Radio Arts diploma at Calgary's Southern Alberta Institute for Technology and took up a position with CBC Newsworld-Calgary.

"After that, I worked for a couple flagship live television shows on ACCESS-The Education Station in Edmonton before I decided to go overseas for a year and tour Asia and the Caribbean," says Irani-Patterson.

In 1998, she returned to Canada and tackled a new challenge, finding work at a diamond mine in Canada's north. It was there she met here future husband and six years later, with a family started, the couple moved to Suriname, South America.

Two moves later (including a stint in Houston, Tex.), Irani-Patterson found herself walking down the tiled hallway of the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ), wondering if South Africa was the right fit for her family.

"I was unsure of so many things," she says. "Are the kids going to be OK here? Am I going to be OK here? And then a thunderbolt of certainty hit me straight between the eyes. From behind me I heard a voice that I will never forget – Robyn Schilling – my roommate from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, now the middle school principal of AISJ."

It wasn't long before Irani-Patterson was ending her 10-year role as a stay-at-home mom and back in the workforce, alongside Schilling as the school's assistant to the activities coordinator.

Their relationship picked up virtually where it left off some 19 years previous, the shared experiences of their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge education having inspired the duo to boldly branch out and find their respective paths, all the while bringing them back together with an unbroken bond.

"Although it is still unclear to me why our paths have crossed again," says Irani-Patterson, "reuniting with Robyn has taught me that even though the world around me changes, and I embrace that change, the relationship I began with Robyn at the U of L is a familiar and comfortable beacon in my changing world."

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.

2013 Honorary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:01:45 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate has confirmed a diverse and distinguished group of five persons as recipients of Honorary Degrees for 2013.

From the sporting field to the boardroom, the concert hall and the halls of parliament and justice, the group represents a cross section of the local, national and international community.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is very pleased that these individuals have agreed to let us recognize them with an Honorary Degree," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor, Dr. Shirley McClellan. "Their collective accomplishments have made our local, provincial, national and international communities stronger and have improved the quality of life for people around the world."

Following are brief biographies (in alphabetical order) of this year's honoured recipients.

Dr. Garald (Gary) W. Bowie

A founding faculty member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Dr. Gary Bowie is a respected community volunteer, builder, leader and educator.

Dr. Bowie taught and developed courses in physical education and kinesiology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over the course of a 30-year career (1968-1998) and played a major role in the construction of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

A former Pronghorns basketball coach and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Dr. Bowie was also active in his community, serving as the Director of Sports for the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Chair of both the Alberta Winter and Summer Games. A co-founder and Chair of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, Dr. Bowie is also a hall inductee.

As an educator, Dr. Bowie served 15 years as a trustee on the Lethbridge School District #51 Board, and his volunteer activities have long served the local and provincial homeless populations.

He was recently appointed Chair of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness and continues to positively influence his community.

Richard (Rick) Casson

The former Manager of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Printing Services, Rick Casson has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, his home community of Picture Butte, the people of southern Alberta and Canada as a whole over the course of his 30-plus year political career.

Casson began his community service as a volunteer firefighter before being convinced to run for local political office, eventually serving as a municipal councilor for nine years and then as Mayor of Picture Butte for an additional nine years.

Casson would spend 14 years as a sitting Member of Parliament and was both a successful and influential MP. He served as Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defense as well as Chair of the Special Committee on Afghanistan, all the while remaining true to his local roots and actively supporting the constituents of southern Alberta.

Named to the Queens Privy Council for Canada in 2010, Casson has also been a strong advocate for the support of Multiple Sclerosis research, raising $122,000 for the MS Society over the last seven years.

Rivka Golani

A world-class musician, performer, teacher and promoter of classical music, Rivka Golani is among the top-five viola soloists in the world and a major contributor to the advancement of classical music in southern Alberta.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Golani moved to Canada in 1974, performing across the country and spreading the love of music to the communities that she visited.
When approached to teach master viola classes to students in southern Alberta, she enthusiastically shared her immense talent and quickly took up the charge to create an international music festival.

The Fort Macleod International Festival was born and is now in its ninth year.

A dedicated and successful teacher, Golani is also a champion of southern Alberta composers, giving young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents and taking their works to national and international audiences.

With more than 250 original works composed especially for her, Golani has brought the world of classical music to southern Alberta's doorstep.

Robert Turner

As Chair of the Board of Governors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for six years (2006-2012), Robert Turner helped guide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through an era of significant change and growth, including the creation of a new Strategic Plan, a successful fundraising campaign and a major expansion of campus services.

Turner, a successful attorney and businessman, was elected to the U of L's Board of Governors in 2002 and served four years as a key contributor to the creation of governance policies and practices, as well as the attached responsibilities of the Board, administration and others.

When appointed Chair of the Board in 2006 and then reappointed for a second term in 2009, Turner recruited an outstanding group of Board members, ensuring gender balance, a Pan-Alberta membership and the skills necessary to run an emerging comprehensive university.

Turner's extensive volunteer contributions reflect the values of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and continue to have impact at the local, provincial and national level.

Neil Wittmann

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute graduate Neil Wittmann has long been respected as one of the top litigators in the province of Alberta, serving as an exceptional teacher and mentor to junior lawyers and erstwhile champion of ethical litigation.

Now, as Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in the Province of Alberta, Wittmann conducts the majority of his work behind the scenes, continually working to better the practice of law in the province.

As Vice-Chair of the Judicial Conduct Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC), Wittmann's work is absolutely essential in ensuring that the independency of the judiciary is maintained in Canada and the conduct of the members of the judiciary adhere to the ethical principles adapted by the CJC.

Wittmann's stellar career as a lawyer in private practice, coupled with his excellence as a judge and now Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench demonstrates the respect and admiration the legal community has for his contributions to the practice of law in Alberta and beyond.

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.

2013 Alumni Honour Society inductees

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:54:29 +0000

Introduced in celebration of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 35th anniversary in 2002, the Alumni Honour Society recognizes the achievement of successful alumni within the global community. The alumni inducted into this prestigious group have served as role models to our students and the broader ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community through success in their vocation, outstanding community service or superior accomplishment in their avocation.

Sarah Amies (BASc '88)

A vigorous and compassionate human rights advocate, Sarah Amies has more than 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit and education sectors. Since becoming the program director of Lethbridge Family Services – Immigrant Services in 2001, Amies has had a positive impact on new immigrants in the Lethbridge community. Under her leadership, Lethbridge Family Services has grown in programming and services, and expanded its resources. She has worked closely with many volunteer boards, such as the Alberta Association of Immigrant Services Agencies, the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, Family Violence and Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Committee and Social Housing in Action. The YWCA recognized her in 2012.

Sylvia Campbell (BEd '79)

Through her many years as an educator and mentor, Sylvia Campbell has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to environmental issues and human rights. She has served on numerous committees and boards, including the Lethbridge branch of the Canadian Federation of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Women, the Southern Alberta Group for Environment and the Lethbridge Network for Peace. Campbell was a longtime member of the Raging Grannies, a group through which she worked to raise awareness of social justice issues related to peace, the environment, gender, human rights, world equality, Canadian unity and social programs. In 2003, she was recognized by the YWCA.

Frank Gnandt (BASc '74, BEd '79)

Frank Gnandt has been an exceptional educator in Lethbridge School District No. 51 for more than 30 years and has instilled a passion for the arts in many students. Gnandt, currently the choir director for Chinook High School in Lethbridge, is recognized by his peers as an accomplished adjudicator, instructor and conductor. His influence and passion for music have spread to students and audiences locally, provincially, nationally and abroad. Gnandt has been a guest conductor and performed at numerous prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and at the Vatican. Gnandt is a recipient of both the Governor General's Award for Community Service and the ATA Teacher of Excellence Award.

Michelle Hogue (MEd '04)

An assistant professor and co-ordinator of the First Nations Transition Program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Dr. Michelle Hogue has helped ensure the success of many students at university, particularly in science-related programs. Hogue's research blends required curricular and institutional demands with narrative and arts practices that, with holistic knowledge, have the potential to change science education for Aboriginal learners. In addition to her research, Hogue develops new and innovative teaching practices with high school students, educators and administrators on the Blackfoot (Kainai) Reserve in southern Alberta. Hogue has been the recipient of many awards and scholarships, including most recently the Canadian Education Association Pat Clifford Award.

Douglas McArthur (Certificate in Mgt '90)

Douglas McArthur is well known for his enthusiastic support of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and particularly the U of L Alumni Association (ULAA). An investment advisor by profession, McArthur served as ULAA president from 2003 to 2005. His leadership played a key role in advancing the ULAA, strengthening its affinity with alumni and establishing a foundation that the association has continued to build upon. McArthur remains an active member of the ULAA and is currently serving on the U of L Board of Governors. McArthur has invested in his community by volunteering his time with organizations such as Rotary, Crime Stoppers and the Lethbridge Symphony Association.

Diane Randell (BN '91)

Throughout her career, Diane Randell has worked diligently to make a difference in her community. Since beginning her career in nursing in the 1970s, Randell's care and compassion for others has expanded from individual patients to entire communities. Currently the manager of the community and social development group at the City of Lethbridge, Randell's work addresses large-scale issues such as social policy, homelessness, poverty and racism. Randell is a founding member of the Abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team, a founding board member and past Chair of the Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival and a member of the U of L Senate. She has been recognized by Rotary International, the YWCA and is a recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal.

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

Inspired by tragedy, alumnus launches province-wide anti-bullying campaign

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:09:03 +0000

On what was otherwise a regular December afternoon this past year, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus Manwar Khan (BSc '07) witnessed a brutal event that changed his life forever.

But rather than try and put that day behind him and move on, he's using his experience as the impetus for change.

Khan, a 37-year-old father of two-year-old twins, was on the Edmonton LRT when one passenger attacked another just a few metres away and began a ruthless beating. Shocked by the savagery of the assault and the daunting task of stopping it, Khan appealed to other passengers for assistance, but no one came forward.

Although Khan desperately tried to stop the attack, one man died and the other now sits in a jail cell, awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges. Khan, with the images of that day still fresh in his mind, has launched a provincial-wide anti-bullying initiative in an effort to raise awareness of bullying and empower bystanders.

Alumnus Manwar Khan is bringing his anti-bullying campaign to the U of L campus for a Sept. 14 rally.

"Since that day, I have been haunted by that incident," he says from his Edmonton office where he works as an IT professional for Alberta Human Services. "Even when I go to bed, I think about this. When I'm in the LRT I think about it. What if I could go back to that day, what could I try differently? I can either sit here and hope that this will pass, or I can stand up and help other people by raising awareness among them to speak up against bullying. I want bullying to be stopped – period."

Khan's first anti-bullying rally was held in Edmonton on Apr. 27, with a second event staged in Calgary on May 11. He will be at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for a Sept. 14 rally at 1:30 p.m. outside the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport & Wellness.

"I want to encourage people to stand up against bullying, not just stand by," says Khan. "I thought of my own kids that day, what if something like this was happening to them, who is going to help them? People actually have the power together, they just don't know."

Khan came to study at the U of L in 2001 as an international student from Bangladesh. He met his wife, Nashid Sultana (BSc '06), on campus and looks back on his U of L experience as a springboard to the life he leads today. It also helped shape his character, something that was tested that December afternoon.

"My education at the U of L sharpened my self-awareness and moral values," he says. "These values have guided me throughout my career and now stimulate me to organize this campaign and to stand up against bullying."

His ties to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ still run deep, and Khan was pleased to welcome Dr. Bruce MacKay (liberal education) to the Edmonton rally as a guest speaker.

"He was not only a teacher to me, but he also provided some valuable advice whenever I was stressed out with academic life," says Khan.

He also credited Lesley Rode (academic advising) and Dr. Shahadat Hossain as key influences on his
U of L experience.

"Lesley was the one who guided me throughout my academic life at the U of L and was my academic mentor," says Khan. "Dr. Hossain was the one who encouraged me to enroll in the co-op program to get an understanding of the professional environment. That changed my life and led to my job in government."

Khan now has the opportunity to give back to the community he still considers as his Canadian home. It is one of awareness, understanding, empathy and strength, all attributes influenced by his time at the U of L.

"Bullying is not acceptable and there is no place for bullying in our society," he says. "Violence should never be tolerated. I want to encourage people to stand up against bullying, not only for yourself but for others."

U of L alums making big City contributions

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:32:09 +0000

One of the greatest compliments alumni can pay to their alma mater is in how they impact their local communities. At the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, such compliments keep pouring in as alumni employed by The City of Calgary display a depth of knowledge, a commitment to innovation and a dedication to improving their communities and neighbourhoods.

Lorna Wallace, (BMgt great distinction '01) project manager for The City of Calgary, earned a business diploma from SAIT in the 1980s but she always wanted to complete a bachelor degree. When the U of L launched its Calgary satellite campus in 1996, Wallace jumped at the chance to attend the post-diploma bachelor of management program.

"I appreciated the ability to get to know the faculty and advisors; their flexibility allowed me to do this while I was working full-time and raising a family," says Wallace. "Having my degree reinforced the importance of teamwork and preparation; it opened up many opportunities for me. As the first executive assistant to the city manager, I led a number of projects including a royal visit, and while in the mayor's office I am proud to have recently led the team that launched one of the most successful food truck pilot programs in North America."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni are making a big difference in the big city, with a number of alumni, such as these pictured, working for The City of Calgary.

Wallace is currently working on a council innovation project involving the Community Services and Protective Services Department and 12 pilot communities in Calgary.

"This project builds upon The City's Strong Neighbourhoods Initiative and community attachment work done by Dr. Katherine Loflin and the Knight Foundation. Our goal is to make sure that communities are aware of the services available and to determine which services they need to make their community a great place to live," explains Wallace. "It is ground-breaking; we will be the first municipality in North America to commission this work."

Also working for the city is Glen Radway (BA '85), development strategist - Office of Land Servicing & Housing.

"The research skills I gained at the U of L helped me at graduate school and in my career. With the lower teacher/student ratio, I gained the confidence to dig into the meat of an issue," says Radway, who completed studies at the U of L's Lethbridge campus before obtaining his master's degree from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Waterloo in 1987. "In the work I do now, it is important to spend time really looking at a situation rather than jumping to conclusions, to understand the impacts of your decisions through the eyes of the residents, or understand what you see happening through change in a neighbourhood."

In 2009, city council approved the Calgary Municipal Development Plan review, a project for which Radway was the land-use lead.

"We tried to figure out what we could do to sustain the city financially, environmentally and socially and present policy directions through the MDP. It now forms the basis for a lot of projects that are developed across the city," says Radway. "One of the projects I am working on now is the Industrial Land Strategy to decide how the city will develop industrial parks. We want to support economic development in the city and incorporate more sustainable elements, like green infrastructure, with our own land development."

Blake Kanewischer (BMgt '06) and Matt Rockley (BA '02) are also among the many ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni affecting positive change within The City of Calgary.

Kanewischer works as both a sessional instructor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Calgary satellite campus and as a team leader, Project, Processes, Staff Development and Training for the Assessment Business Unit at the city.

"As a mature and working student, I was constantly feeding material back into my working life from my classes," says Kanewischer.

Applying the knowledge and skills he gained at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has served Kanewischer well in his career. One of his proudest accomplishments thus far is being a member of the team that developed the webwave program. Webwave has won numerous international and national awards for replacing the city's intranet and internet sites with what Kanewischer describes as, "one of the first search and citizen-centric websites for a municipal government anywhere."

When Rockley, Okotoks town councillor and planner for The City of Calgary, entered the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, he had no idea what he wanted to pursue as a career.

"One of my professors mentioned that I should consider city planning as a career. At the time I had no idea what city planning was but her advice compelled me to look into it. That turned out to be the best career advice I have ever received," says Rockley.

That advice has had a positive impact on both Rockley and The City of Calgary. Rockley served as co-project lead on rewriting the Rockyview/Calgary Intermunicipal Development Plan, which was approved by both councils in 2012. He recently amended the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan, allowing boutique hotels and limiting new surface parking in the city.

The contributions of these and many other alumni working at The City of Calgary stand as a tremendous tribute to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for inspiring a standard of excellence that continues to impact our communities.

GET THE FACTS

· To look at Wallace's Food Truck Pilot project, visit this site (www.transforminggov.ca/2012/02/yyc-food-trucks.html)

· To view Radway's work on the Municipal development Plan, visit this site (www.calgary.ca/mdp)

· Kanewischer's Webwave awards included a GTEC award for Excellence in Public Service Delivery and a Digital Alberta Award for Business to Consumer Innovation

· Rockley has served since 2008 as a member of the Okotoks Planning Commission

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

U of L Senate Confirms 2013 Honorary Degree Recipients

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:00:29 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate has confirmed a diverse and distinguished group of five persons as recipients of Honorary Degrees for 2013.

From the sporting field to the boardroom, the concert hall and the halls of parliament and justice, the group represents a cross section of the local, national and international community.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is very pleased that these individuals have agreed to let us recognize them with an Honorary Degree," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor, Dr. Shirley McClellan.

"Their collective accomplishments have made our local, provincial, national and international communities stronger and have improved the quality of life for people around the world."

The recipients will receive their degrees at the Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 Convocation Ceremonies.

Following are brief biographies (in alphabetical order) of this year's honoured recipients.

Dr. Garald (Gary) W. Bowie

A founding faculty member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Dr. Gary Bowie is a noted community volunteer, builder, leader and educator.

Dr. Bowie taught and developed courses in physical education and kinesiology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over the course of a 30-year career (1968-1998) and played a major role in the construction of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

A former Pronghorns basketball coach and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Dr. Bowie was also active in his community, serving as the Director of Sports for the 1975 Canada Winter Games and Chair of both the Alberta Winter and Summer Games. A co-founder and Chair of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, Dr. Bowie is also a hall inductee.

As an educator, Dr. Bowie served 15 years as a trustee on the Lethbridge School District #51 Board, and his volunteer activities have long served the local and provincial homeless populations.

He was recently appointed Chair of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness and continues to influence his community in positive ways.

Richard (Rick) Casson

The former Manager of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Printing Services, Rick Casson has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, his home community of Picture Butte, the people of southern Alberta and Canada as a whole over the course of his 30-plus year political career.

Casson began his community service as a volunteer firefighter before being convinced to run for local political office, eventually serving as a municipal councilor for nine years and then as Mayor of Picture Butte for an additional nine years.

Casson would spend 14 years as a sitting Member of Parliament and was both a successful and influential MP. He served as Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defense as well as Chair of the Special Committee on Afghanistan, all the while remaining true to his local roots and actively supporting the constituents of southern Alberta.

Named to the Queens Privy Council for Canada in 2010, Casson has also been a strong advocate for the support of Multiple Sclerosis research, raising $122,000 through the MS Society over the last seven years.

Rivka Golani

A world-class musician, performer, teacher and promoter of classical music, Rivka Golani is among the top-five viola soloists in the world and a major contributor to the advancement of classical music in southern Alberta.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Golani moved to Canada in 1974, performing across the country and spreading the love of music to the communities that she visited.

When approached to teach master viola classes to students in southern Alberta, she enthusiastically shared her immense talent and quickly took up the charge to create an international music festival.

The Fort Macleod International Festival was born and is now in its ninth year.

A dedicated and successful teacher, Golani is also a champion of southern Alberta composers, giving young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents and taking their works to national and international audiences.

With more than 250 original works composed especially for her, Golani has brought the world of classical music to southern Alberta's doorstep.

Robert Turner

As Chair of the Board of Governors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for six years (2006-2012), Robert Turner helped guide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through an era of significant change and growth, including the creation of a new Strategic Plan, a successful fundraising campaign and a major expansion of campus services.

Turner, a successful attorney and businessman, was elected to the U of L's Board of Governors in 2002 and served four years as a key contributor to the creation of governance policies and practices, as well as the attached responsibilities of the Board, Administration and others.

When appointed Chair of the Board in 2006 and then reappointed for a second term in 2009, Turner recruited an outstanding group of Board members, ensuring gender balance, a Pan-Alberta membership and the skills necessary to run an emerging comprehensive university.

Turner's extensive volunteer contributions reflect the values of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and continue to impact at the local, provincial and national level.

Neil Wittmann

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute graduate Neil Wittmann has long been respected as one of the top litigators in the province of Alberta, serving as an exceptional teacher and mentor to junior lawyers and erstwhile champion of ethical litigation.

Now, as Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in the Province of Alberta, Wittmann conducts the majority of his work behind the scenes, continually working to better the practice of law in the province.

As Vice-Chair of the Judicial Conduct Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC), Wittmann's work is absolutely essential in ensuring that the independency of the judiciary is maintained in Canada and the conduct of the members of the judiciary adhere to the ethical principles adapted by the CJC.

Wittmann's stellar career as a lawyer in private practice, coupled with his excellence as a judge and now Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench demonstrates the respect and admiration the legal community has for his contributions to the practice of law in Alberta and beyond.

IT Office Suite training available

trevor.kenney — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:03:20 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge continually offers opportunities for personal and professional growth and the Department of Information Technology is getting on board with a series of Microsoft Office Suite sessions in the coming months.

Beginning in February, faculty and staff at the U of L will be eligible to participate in the first of these sessions, Entry Level Excel.

This introductory course will be offered over the course of four weeks, with two-hour sessions each Thursday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in E640. The first session is Thursday, Feb. 21, followed by sessions on Feb. 28, Mar. 7 and Mar. 14.

"This was something that was consistently identified by our service management tool as a need on campus," says Chris Robinson, manager IT Client Services. "The first session is Entry Level Excel but that should not discourage those who have been using Excel for years because this course is very detailed and can help anyone learn more about the product."

The Excel course is the first of a series of Office Suite courses designed to help faculty and staff get the most out of their office resources. An Outlook Tips and Tricks session is available Mar. 21, followed by three weeks of Entry Level Microsoft Word.

A certified Microsoft Office Suite instructor will teach all sessions.

"We thought it was best to bring somebody in who was well-versed in teaching these products, as opposed to having one of our technicians do the instruction," says Robinson. "We may know the technical aspects of these products very well but we felt it was best to have a teacher conduct the sessions from a less technical point of view."

A new round of courses will begin again in May, including Excel Level 2 and so on.

Only 30 spaces are available per session and it's expected the spots will fill quickly.

For more information, or to take part, contact the Solutions Centre at 403-329-2490, help@uleth.ca or Chris Robinson (chris.robinson@uleth.ca).

Former educator invests in the future

trevor.kenney — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:37:55 +0000

Ida Wiens had a love of learning that motivated her to complete her education, drove a successful 36-year career as a teacher and inspired a gift that will help future teachers, like Chelsa Cumming.

Grateful for her own education and successful career in teaching, Wiens made a bequest in her will for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to ensure more students had the opportunity to go to university.

Although Chelsa Cumming and the late Ida Wiens never met, they share a passion for education that has united them in a unique way.

Cumming is one of the first recipients of the Elmer and Ida Wiens Faculty of Education Bursary, which will help provide the financial means necessary to train the next generation of teachers. Thanks to this legacy gift, up to eight U of L education students will receive an award each year.

Now in her fifth year of university, 22-year-old Cumming has paid for her education by working part time and through student loans. From a financial standpoint, the bursary is of great help.

"It's easier knowing I'm not going to have to pay this back," she says. "It's really nice to have bursaries and scholarships available to help with the burden of paying for an education."

However, the bursary's real significance comes from its origin – the estate gift Elmer and Ida Wiens left to the U of L.

"Because Ida was a teacher, I love knowing that my education will help continue Ida's legacy," Cumming says. "For her to be able to give back to future teachers is awesome."

Like Cumming, Wiens also worked her way through school, completing high school by correspondence before being accepted to normal school in Regina.

Once she received her teaching certificate, Wiens taught in small schools throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta before settling in Coaldale in 1948. While she taught full time, she also completed a bachelor of education degree through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta by taking classes over several summers.

For Cumming, her journey – teaching and learning – is really just beginning. This year she will complete her education and management degrees and final teaching practicum as well as a co-op for her business management degree. Once finished, she's hoping to further round out her experience by teaching abroad for six months to a year.

"I really want to make a difference in a child's life – that's the reason I went into education," says Cumming. "It's a very rewarding and important job. The students I will be teaching are our future."

UNews - Teacher

Like grandmother, like grandson

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