UNews - advisor

Art that moves you

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:03:18 +0000

What was an ordinary walk to the washroom on Level 6 of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts is now anything but mundane.

The wall flanking the entrance to the U of L Main Gallery used to house a bank of pay phones, but with the removal of this obsolete technology, a great opportunity was afforded.

"I think people can easily agree, the advent of the smart phone has been terrific for the promotion of events and cultural organizations," says Dr. Josephine Mills, director/curator of the U of L Art Gallery. "For the gallery, changes in technology have meant another less obvious boon to our visibility."

The gallery quickly called dibs on the now vacant space.

"We requested a renovation that included the gallery-standard drywall over three-quarter inch plywood backing so that the wall could support hanging objects in frames, and we had the foresight to build in electrical and Internet connections," explains Mills. "Spurred by successful student design projects I had seen around campus, I initiated a call for proposals from new media students and faculty to create something for the new wall to raise the profile of the main art gallery."

The interactive wall located just outside the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery allows people to immerse themselves in the art.

She assumed she would get ideas that involved applying vinyl or other traditional options to the wall.

"Instead, new media faculty members Leanne Elias, Dana Cooley and Carl Spencer, delighted and surprised me with a fabulously innovative idea to install an interactive projection, which was then developed by BFA New Media major Brendan Matkin," says Mills.

The playful interactive installation grabs attention as anyone walking by accidently sets the letters projected onto the wall dancing.

"With this collaborative project we wanted to try something new and different," says Matkin. "We wanted to promote the gallery, motivate others to realize this is a creative opportunity and have some fun."

Several people were involved with the project.

"We started planning in December and the hard work started in January," says Matkin. "In addition to Leanne, Dana and Carl, fellow student Alyssa Buck was an advisor on the project."

Matkin did the actual project development and worked with the open source Processing environment.

"We used a short-throw projector and Xbox Kinect and were able to overcome a few technical glitches," he says with a smile. "It's been a terrific learning experience."

Explaining how it works to a layperson, Matkin says, "Each letter interacts with the others as well as the digital shadow of people coming into the field. Gravity is used to
attract the letters back to their home position; however, to make the letters behave in a convincing manner, I used about 500 times normal gravity. The physics engine is the same as for Angry Birds."

Leanne Elias is pleased with the results of the project and its future potential.

"We are wildly excited about this project because it points towards new directions in interactive media," she says. "And the fact that this was a student-driven project makes it just that much more exciting."

She adds that several students, including Matkin, are going with her to the SXSW International Conference.

"Going to this interactive conference exposes our students to things we can't even imagine – truly cutting-edge technology."

Mills is excited about the future of the wall.

"Brendan created a superb inaugural project and, with the system in place, we are looking forward to further proposals for ideas to promote the gallery and our exhibitions and programs," she says.

The Art Gallery would like to thank the experts in the U of L Department of Facilities (Jim Vanderzee, Bill Hudains, Mick Nutley, Al Mueller, Paul Peterson) for their work in renovating the wall and installing the technology.

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

Ask an advisor

trevor.kenney — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:20:30 +0000

If getting a will seems like a daunting, confusing process, you're not alone. However, preparing your estate can be as simple as spending a short time planning and meeting with your lawyer. Kristin Ailsby-Wood (BA '96), a lawyer with Davidson & Williams Barristers and Solicitors in Lethbridge and a member of the U of L Planned Giving Advisory Committee, demystifies the process with the answers to a few common questions:

Q: What information do I need to provide?
A: Too often, people think they need lists of assets, bank account numbers and financial statements before they move forward with making a will. Ailsby-Wood notes that misconception actually prevents people from beginning what is a very simple process.
"People think they need to do so much work before they go see their lawyer. That perception prevents them from going to see a lawyer in the first place. In actuality, will planning starts with three simple details: what you own, how you own it and what you hope to achieve with your will.

"Many clients often think they need to bring lists of accounts, addresses, details about their investments and tax-related information. While this information is helpful, it's not required. I'd rather my clients prepare for the first meeting by talking with their spouse and their families about what is important to them and why. In your initial lawyer consultation, you lawyer will discuss what you want to achieve and how that aligns with what you own. A perfect plan is not necessary before making an appointment to see a lawyer. Let us help organize your thoughts and create that plan."

Q: Do I even need a lawyer to prepare a will?
A: The short answer? No. But, Ailsby-Wood issues a caution about self-prepared wills or on-line legal will kits.
"We have found that when people prepare their own will, things hardly ever go smoothly after they pass away. The clients' intentions are sometimes very unclear and the estate is typically difficult to administer. Working with a lawyer will ensure you understand what a will does and how it affects what you own or don't own. A lawyer will also ensure that all of the formal requirements are satisfied."

Q: What can I expect at the first meeting with my lawyer?
A: "Expect your lawyer to review what you own, how you own it and how your death will or will not affect it. First meetings are typically about information sharing – your lawyer learns their clients' goals and the clients learn about their legal obligations and the effect a will has on their different kinds of assets. Lawyers will typically walk their clients through decisions like choosing an executor, choosing a guardian and they'll identify important factors that might not be on the top of their client's minds, but that could affect their will (ie: former spouses, blended families, assets outside of the jurisdiction).
By the end of the meeting, you'll have a clear picture of the shape your will will take and you'll be in a position to make any decisions you hadn't prior to the meeting."

Q: What if I want to leave a gift to charity in addition to ensuring my family is cared for in my will?
A: Philanthropy is a powerful way to ensure you leave a legacy after your death. Legacy gifting is one way to ensure your will not only reflects your desire to leave your family in good care, but also reinforces your passions and goals. Ailsby-Wood notes a will should be a balance of priorities. And, most importantly, don't shelve the idea of legacy gifting because your estate is not significant.

"A lot of people think they don't have enough to give. No matter how large or modest a person's estate is, the will doesn't have to be all family and no philanthropy. There are ways that lawyers and other professional advisors can help their clients achieve both. A well-structure estate plan can give people more philanthropic power than they knew they had. It can be very satisfying."

Q: How do I choose the right person for executor and guardian?
A: "An executor will carry out the terms of your will. People often think they need to choose an executor with a great deal of financial savvy, but that's not so. Look for three key characteristics in an executor: honesty, availability and common sense. Choose someone you trust to understand your directions and carry them out. A guardian will serve as decision-maker for your underage children. If you have underage children, you should look for a person who will focus on the best interests of your children and meet each child's emotional and financial needs."

Q: How do I decide who gets what in my will?
A: "There are legal obligations that affect how you can delegate the proceeds of your estate. A lawyer will help clarify what those obligations are and how they impact distribution of the estate."

Q: When should I update my will?

A: "If you've experienced a big life change, it's probably time to update your will. Things like marriage, having children or grandchildren, retirement and significant changes in your assets are all occasions to check with your lawyer whether any will changes are necessary."

Q: Is drafting a will expensive?
A: Don't let the cost of a will be a deterrent to getting one. Ailsby-Wood notes many lawyers not only charge reasonable fees, but are willing to offer payment plans or other arrangements to ease any financial burden.
"A will is an invaluable document which not only affords you peace of mind that your family will be cared for after your death, it ensures a simple and straight-forward process for those dealing with your estate."

Q: What are the benefits of a will?
A: "First and foremost, a will provides peace of mind – the assurance that the family you love will be provided for once you're gone. People work hard to generate wealth, as well as family and community connections, and a will enables people to share that wealth – and their priorities – with those they love. A will makes good sense by helping avoid various negative tax consequences, gives structure and certainty to your plans, and ensures the decisions you've made will be honoured at your life's end."

5 Questions with Dr. Blythe Shepard

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:07:10 +0000

Blythe Shepard joined the Faculty of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in July 2008. She received her doctorate in educational psychology with a specialty in counselling psychology from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria in 2002 where she was a faculty member (2002-2008) and graduate advisor (2005-2008) in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies. Shepard is completing the first Canadian textbook for Career Practitioners and recently co-authored a national handbook for the supervision of counsellors/psychotherapists. She is the 2011 recipient of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association's (CCPA) Professional Contribution Award in recognition of outstanding promotion of the counselling profession in Canada and is President-Elect of CCPA.

What first piqued your interest in your research discipline?

In many rural areas in Canada, jobs in traditional employment sectors are disappearing while few new jobs in expanding, knowledge-based manufacturing and service industries are being developed. Rural Canadians have expressed concern about the loss of young people through urban migration. When rural communities lose their youth, they lose the creative and innovative ability of young people to find possible solutions to community problems. As a long-time rural resident, I was curious about how rural young women perceived themselves within the context of a rural community, now and in the future. I also wondered how active these young women were in the construction of future plans. A doctoral SSHRC fellowship allowed me to pursue this study. Four years later, I followed up the study with a Standard SSHRC grant that focused on rural youth in three communities in BC.

Dr. Blythe Shepard researches the factors that influence rural youth.

How is your research applicable in "the real world"?

Based on the themes that were identified in interviews with rural youth, a community workshop was designed in collaboration with rural youth. Future Bound: A Lifeworks Expedition Workshop for Rural Youth is an activity-based workshop designed to help youth examine their past, current and projected future life paths. The workshop activities are readily adapted for use by counsellors and teachers. The Possible Selves Mapping Interview is used by practitioners in Wellington, New Zealand (Geoff Plimmer, PhD of FutureSelves Ltd.) while Campus d'Alfred de l'Université de Guelph translated sections of the Future Bound Workshop for use with their rural students.

What is the greatest honour you have received in your career?

From 2000 to 2005, I was involved in a unique experiment in genuinely interdisciplinary research funded by SSHRC and NSERC. A set of carefully constructed complementary case studies on the east and west coasts of Canada were developed to achieve an integrated analysis of the long- and short-term impacts of socio-environmental restructuring on the health of people, their small communities and the environment. A total of 70 natural and social scientists and 167 trainees worked together with local communities to produce leading-edge research. Upon completion of the project, the Coasts Under Stress Research Team was awarded the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria Craigdarroch Team Award for Societal Contribution.

How important are students to your research endeavours?

I believe in maintaining an active role in supporting and collaborating with graduate students. A mentoring relationship that acknowledges our different worldviews, epistemological understandings, learning styles, etc. is a powerful form of social learning. I encourage and support students to take an active role in all parts of my research program in order for students to develop as researchers and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. My vision for our work together is that of a facilitator who guides students over their shoulders.

If you had unlimited funds, which areas of research would you invest?

My research interests would continue to focus on rural women across the lifespan but would expand to include various types of rural communities in several provinces (e.g., remote, near urban centres, resource based, etc). The following questions would guide my research: (1) How do rural women weave work into the tapestry of their lives in communities experiencing social and economic change? (2) What are the work-life issues, supports and challenges for rural women? (3) What are the differences in socio-economic structures in each rural community and how do they affect women?

Each month, the Legend will present 5 Questions With . . . one of our researchers. For a look at the entire catalog of 5 Questions With . . . features, check out the Office of Innovation and Research Services website at www.uleth.ca/research/research_profiles. If you'd like to be profiled, contact Penny Pickles at pickpj@uleth.ca

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

Recent Alumnus Eric Hawthorne Continues to Give Back

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:21:09 +0000

Eric Hawthorne (BA '11) felt like he belonged at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge from the moment he stepped on campus.

"As a first-year student living in residence, I was immersed in campus life," says Eric, who comes originally from Calgary. "I was instantly part of a community that not only supported me but offered opportunities for me to make a difference."

Inspired by the sense of community he felt as a student, Hawthorne decided to get involved. He spent four years as a resident advisor before taking on a position in the U of L Students' Union.

"I took on the role of vice-president internal and helped organize the first ever FreshFest, a frosh event that brought more than 1,000 students together to have fun and build pride in the U of L."

The event was a success and is now something the SU does annually to welcome students to campus.

"My time at the U of L showed me the value of community. I give back to my university to help ensure future students have that same opportunity."

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.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ mourns passing of academic assistant

trevor.kenney — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:02:24 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community offers its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Michael (Mike) Robinson, an academic assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 29 at age 50 and after battling cancer.

Robinson is survived by his wife Karen Zanewich (who had also worked at the U of L as an academic assistant) and children Zachary and Isabelle.

He earned an MSc from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Ecology and joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1998.

He was very involved in the undergraduate teaching program where he taught a variety of classes and labs, including Seminars in Biological Sciences, the Capstone course for biology majors.

Robinson was the first to volunteer for new student orientation and served as the departmental undergraduate advisor. He worked to the highest standards and expected the same from his students.

Robinson was key in creating the Science Toolkit (http://www.uleth.ca/artsci/biological-sciences/science-toolkit) – an innovative online resource to aid student with developing an understanding of the scientific method, statistical analysis and effective communication.

He will be greatly missed by his ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ friends, and especially his biology 'family.'

There will be no memorial service at the family's request. People can send messages of condolence to Brent Selinger and they will be forwarded: selibl@uleth.ca

Helping students find their way

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:29:27 +0000

Shawnee Brave Rock never intended to go to university, but after excelling at her high school upgrading courses, she followed the example of her mother – a PhD student – and enrolled at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Born and raised in Lethbridge, Brave Rock knew the city well, but the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus was new territory.

"It was really exciting but at the same time, I was really intimidated. It was just really scary," she says.

For the pre-management student, the Native Student Advisor, Elizabeth Ferguson, has been a critical resource.

Judith Wabegijig, left, and Shawnee Brave Rock are appreciative of the assistance they get from Native Student Advisor Elizabeth Ferguson.

"I'm a single mom, and I think my biggest struggle isn't school – it's life outside of school," says Brave Rock. In the last two years, she's approached Ferguson for help with everything from scheduling classes to accessing the food bank, and says this guidance has eased a lot of the pressure.
"One of the most important factors for success for aboriginal students is the support they receive on campus. This support must be culturally relevant and reflect the needs of the aboriginal community," says Ferguson (BA '03, MA '05).

Campus can feel like a large, imposing place for any student, but it can be especially tough for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students. Many of these students are from out-of-town and may feel shy about asking for help finding the services they need or connecting with the FNMI community. Having an FNMI advisor can mean all the difference.

Judith Wabegijig, a mature student taking Native American Studies, would agree: she meets with Ferguson two or three times each semester for guidance.

"It's stress relieving being able to talk to the advisor about unexpected problems I've had and being directed to the right person to talk to," she says. It's also helped her maintain focus and motivation when the demands of student life pile up.

But success at university requires community support, too. In addition to offering academic counselling for students, the Native Student Advisor organizes several events during the year to connect FNMI students with each other and with the
U of L campus as a whole, like Native Awareness Week. For Brave Rock, these social links are as important as academic services to her success.

"When I'm in class and walking around university, I don't see many aboriginal students. But, because of the services the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ offers, I've met a lot of other native students. It's not that it's exclusive, but we stick together and do things together."

With a tradition of strong aboriginal connections, the U of L implemented the Native Student Advising Program in 2002 in response to the growing number of FNMI students, and to ensure they received the support they needed to succeed academically.

This year, the program received a significant boost thanks to a gift from the Ralph Klein Foundation and matching funds from the Alberta Government through the Access to the Future Fund. As a result, the Native Student Advising Program will be able to hire a second advisor, expand its services and help more students like Brave Rock and Wabegijig in the coming years.

"The Ralph Klein Foundation was proud to support the U of L because of the work the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ does for aboriginal students," says Colleen Klein, who served as Chair of the Foundation. "Words cannot express how much this will impact the lives of the aboriginal students: it will provide them with a sense of welcoming and belonging, and will allow them to follow their dreams and become role models for other students."

Understanding reasons behind risk taking

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:18:35 +0000

Sandeep Mishra is an idealist with a realist's background.

The PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology has a keen understanding of what has led to his educational success, and a desire to better society as a result. He'll use his science to do so.

"So much of my education is funded by taxpayers, so I felt a really strong obligation to choose a topic of study that benefits taxpayers and makes society a better place," says Mishra, who is set to defend his PhD thesis in December. "I'm particularly interested in gambling, risk taking and crime, but more specifically, the social and environmental factors that increase or decrease these behaviours."

Studying under the guidance of Dr. Martin Lalumière, Mishra has been working on the well-established concept of inequality and its link to criminal activity. While there is a large body of evidence that has linked inequality with any number of society's ills, there has never been a causal analysis of the relationship – until now.

Sandeep Mishra is excited about the possibility that his research could play a vital role in developing policy.

"The empirical research has been done and it has been shown repeatedly that inequality is linked to crime, but this is research at an aggregate level and does not address causal mechanisms," says Mishra. "I decided that a productive line of research would be inducing inequality in a lab setting. Laboratory experiments, involving random assignment to experimental conditions, offer the only conclusive way to determine whether a variable has a causal effect or not. After introducing conditions of inequality in this setting, I then asked what happens to their responses to risky behaviour?"

His findings could shape public policy for years to come.

"All of the evidence suggests that systemic inequality and competitive disadvantage facilitate risk taking, of which criminal activity is an extreme form," says Mishra. "I've found that reducing risk taking is possible by reducing inequality. All of this has enormous policy implications."

Mishra's study invited students to participate in a series of experiments. One such experiment saw pairs of students tasked to answer a series of questions that tested their risk-taking attitudes. Prior to the test, one student was given $10 for his effort, the other none, under the guise that funding only allowed for one party to be compensated.

In almost every instance, the student who had suffered a perceived inequality chose risky options at a substantially higher level. Further, when students were tasked again to perform the tests, except on this occasion another $10 in funding was found midway through the exercise, thus evening out the imbalance, risk taking behaviour significantly declined.

"If something as simple as $10 can influence risky behaviour in healthy, well-educated, socially higher class undergrads, then you can imagine how this mechanism is just compounded in the real world," says Mishra. "What is remarkable is that as soon as the students realize that their environment isn't actually inequitous, that overall things are pretty fair, presumably, they see no reason to engage in elevated risk taking."

Mishra says his findings are directly relatable to public policy, and points to the current political climate where government policy in general is built around punitive action to deter criminal behaviour.

"They are not really investing in root social issues that facilitate conditions that produce risk taking and crime," says Mishra. "Even though it is costlier and you don't see direct implications, investing in infrastructure and better education for those who are underserved is a more prudent approach. Helping people help themselves out of inequitous situations is the best thing we can do to lower crime rates."

Mishra, who is off to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship, is a Delhi, Ont. native who began his post-secondary career at Hamilton's McMaster ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Excitable and passionate, he credits the U of L and Lalumière for allowing him to grow his research portfolio.

"Martin's one of the most generous human beings you will ever meet," says Mishra. "He consistently puts his graduate students' well-being above his own and he's allowed me to take control and lead my own research program. The facilities I've had to work with go well beyond what most grad students could dream of, and the feedback he gives me is always excellent and very supportive."

GET THE FACTS

· Mishra sees himself as a future policy analyst or university professor.

· He graduated from high school when he was just 15 and studied biochemistry at McMaster for three years before switching to psychology.

· His undergraduate advisor at McMaster recommended Lalumière and the
U of L's Department of Psychology for graduate studies.

· Mishra's other inequality experiment tested examples of competitive disadvantage and used bogus IQ tests as a means to create situations of inequity amongst his experimental participants.

· All the participants in Mishra's study were thoroughly and carefully debriefed about the aims and hypotheses of the study.

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

Faculty of Management introduces Ellis as dean

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:16:30 +0000

Believing that the foundation of a successful business begins by developing strong interpersonal relationships, Dr. Robert James Ellis is looking forward to taking on his new role as dean of the Faculty of Management at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, an institution rooted in its personal approach.

"I have always found people to be the most interesting aspect of business," says Ellis. "So much of business and so much of administrative work involves building relationships with other people, with students and with faculty members. I've had the opportunity to meet with both students and faculty at the U of L and I was tremendously impressed by how forward looking and enthusiastic they were. The innovative things the faculty are doing, both in their research and in their programs, has me very excited about the future."

Ellis, who is taking over for Dr. Murray Lindsay as he returns to the academic community, comes to the
U of L from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern British Columbia where he has served as Chair for the School of Business since 2005. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles over the span of 24 years at Wilfrid Laurier ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, including associate dean of business: faculty development and research. Ellis takes up his new position at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on July 1, 2010.

"Dr. Ellis is known as someone who is a strong recruiter of talented faculty, and is adept at creating an environment that both supports excellence in teaching and innovative research," says Dr. Bill Cade, the U of L's President and Vice-Chancellor. "He has displayed a unique skill of being able to develop relationships with the business community and subsequently integrate those affiliations into the creation of original programming."

With a background in psychology, Ellis gained the notion that he could marry his field of study with the business world by following the lead of his masters' advisor, who held a joint PhD in business and psychology. It led him to focus his research interests on issues related to management and organizational behaviour, leadership skills, group dynamics and motivation.

"I focused on the human side of business rather than on the numbers side," says Ellis. "Topics such as teamwork, motivation, leadership – those were always my areas of interest, and I think that's why I went into administration. I've always been able to work well with people and so much of administrative work is about building relationships with other people."

A father of two, his sons have followed in his footsteps, each gravitating to one aspect of his research personality. One son is set to graduate from UNBC in May with a degree in finance and marketing while the other is completing a psychology degree.

Ellis looks to the U of L as a place of incredible opportunity. He enters the Faculty of Management as it is poised to take up residence in the brand new Markin Hall building.

"Markin Hall will be a wonderful place to study management education, and for management educators, faculty and staff to work together and exchange ideas about how to create new programs and courses for our students," says Ellis.
His current research interests are also uniquely suited to the southern Alberta area.

Keen on creating increased opportunities for students, Ellis is particularly interested in opening the business world to the aboriginal population.

"One of the things I've been thinking about very much is how we can increase access for aboriginal peoples within our business programs," he says. "The number of students pursuing business who are aboriginal is very low all across Canada, and I think it's important to increase their opportunity to study."

Final Dean of Management public presentation

trevor.kenney — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:48:14 +0000

The final public candidate presentation for the Dean of Management position is set for Monday, Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m. in W646.

Dr. Cynthia Simmons, Associate Dean, Haskayne School of Business, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, will present to a public audience this afternoon. Her one-hour talk is the last of three such presentations.

On Feb. 8, Dr. Robert Ellis, Professor, School of Business, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern British Columbia was the first to present. Dr. Bernadette (Bernie) Schell, Professor, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ontario Institute of Technology and President's Advisor on Cybercrime then presented on Feb. 10.

The new Dean of Management will take over for the departing Murray Lindsay in July.

UNews - advisor

Art that moves you

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Ask an advisor

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5 Questions with Dr. Blythe Shepard

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Recent Alumnus Eric Hawthorne Continues to Give Back

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Senate approves honorary degrees

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ mourns passing of academic assistant

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Helping students find their way

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Faculty of Management introduces Ellis as dean

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Final Dean of Management public presentation

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