UNews - Lethbridge Family Services

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.

Runte, Amies earn YWCA honour

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:20:23 +0000

A current ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty member, as well as a graduate and former employee are among the people selected by the YWCA as 2012 Women of Distinction.

Dr. Mary Runte (Faculty of Management) and Sarah Amies (BA '88 with Distinction), currently the program director of Lethbridge Family Services – Immigrant Services will receive their YWCA Women of Distinction Awards on Friday, Mar. 23 along with entrepreneur Vicky Vannatta Miller, lawyer and community volunteer Berga Moen and 87-year-old Edith M. Stewart, this year's "Wise Woman of Distinction."

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards recognize outstanding women who live and work in southern Alberta.

Through a competitive process, the honourees are chosen from a group of nominations. The awards are based on the candidate's accomplishments, commitment and leadership. The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony is a wonderful venue to showcase the talent and leadership of women in southern Alberta. Women honoured have been trailblazers, entrepreneurs, innovators, social advocates and volunteers.

Sarah Amies: Woman of Distinction in the Social Advocate category

Sarah Amies emigrated from the UK to Canada in 1974. She attended the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and graduated in 1988 with a B.A. (Distinction) in Anthropology. She was the co-ordinator of the Applied Studies program at the U of L for nine years and a Student Program Advisor for five years.

In January 2001, Amies became the program director of Lethbridge Family Services – Immigrant Services. She is closely involved with the settlement and integration of new immigrants planning a make a life in Lethbridge, focusing especially on the empowerment and advancement of women with disadvantages. Under her leadership, Immigrant Services has expanded programming and services significantly, growing from a staff of three to 22 at present.

Amies has chaired the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies' Communications committee and has well established business and community networks, particularly in the in area of developing and executing innovative community partnerships and collaborations.

She has extensive volunteer service including: Vibrant Lethbridge, Volunteer Lethbridge, Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, National Settlement Modernization Advisory Group, Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, Family Violence and Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Committee and the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association.

Mary Runte: Woman of Distinction in the Spirit of Women category

Mary Runte has a PhD in Management from St. Mary's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and an MBA from York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She is an associate professor of strategy and the director of social responsibility in the Faculty of Management at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Previously, Runte worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations, including Eastside Young Moms and the Society of Special Needs Adoptive Parents. Gender inequity, work-family balance, social responsibility and business ethics are her particular areas of interest and research, having numerous publications and having received major research grants to study these issues.

Runte was honoured as distinguished speaker for the Work-Life Conference at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ochanamizu, Tokyo, Japan in 2007. She is the founding Division Chair for the Social Responsibility Interest Group of the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada.

Her tireless support of her students, especially female students in non-traditional fields, and her one-on-one mentoring throughout their academic careers is done on a volunteer basis. She is an incredible role model for students and colleagues alike as she advocates ceaselessly for ethical and principled business behaviour.

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, March 23 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge. The guest speaker is Leela Gilday, aboriginal singer/songwriter and a winner at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Call 403-329-0088 or stop by the YWCA for tickets ($100 with a $50 tax receipt).

Calendars signal start to United Way campaign

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:39:14 +0000

If I told you there was an opportunity to win money for 30 consecutive days in November, while supporting a worthy community organization in the process – for only $25 – you probably wouldn't believe it.

Cheesy sales pitch aside; the popular United Way Cash Calendars are now on sale.

The Cash Calendar initiative is half of a two-part campaign at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to raise money for the United Way. Many faculty and staff also choose to donate to the United Way through payroll deductions.

The Lethbridge United Way started in 1941 under the name "Community Chest" to support a variety of different charitable organizations within the Lethbridge area. That structure is still in place today with the United Way supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge, the Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Family Services and a host of other worthwhile charities.

This is the seventh consecutive year the U of L has organized an annual United Way campaign. Since 2006 over $40,000 has been raised from payroll deductions with an additional $15,000 raised through the cash calendar initiative.

The Cash Calendar is a fun way to raise money for this worthy cause. Two draws for cash will be made daily of those who buy a calendar. The total prize money for the month of November will be $3,500, with an additional $4,000 going to the United Way.

Calendars are available for $25 each and can be purchased from the volunteers listed below.

Annette Bright, Bookstore; Diane Boyle, Information Technology; Naomi Cramer, CCBN; Shauna Haag, Facilities; Cathy Kanashiro, Faculty of Arts & Science; Doris Kostiuk, Library; Patrick Mack, Human Resources; Karen Mahar, Faculty of Fine Arts; Greg Martin, Printing; Carol Van Dyk, Faculty of Management; Kristine Wall, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement.

Along with my co-chair, Barb Erler, I hope that you will support the U of L's 2010 United Way Campaign.

Adams assumes leadership role

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:08:54 +0000

It's not as though Dave Adams (BEd '82) was looking for a job – it just so happened that the job came calling for him.

The new head coach of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball program has been a teacher, a principal and a business manager but those roles only masked what Adams felt was always his destiny.

"My life was blessed with parents who instilled in me a work ethic and more importantly, a courage to follow my passions and my dreams," says Adams. "Most people are going to shake their heads at this, taking a risk, making a career change. To me, you have to follow your heart, your dreams and your passion. This was the right time and place."

He was in the right place once before but the timing was off. A one-year stint as the Horns interim head coach in 2001-02 didn't last when he was passed over for the full-time position for Mike Connolly. When Connolly resigned that position this spring, Adams again threw his hat into the ring.

"It comes down to being a proud alumni, a proud former player and a proud former coach," says Adams. "Experience helps me understand the essence, the spirit, the heart and courage of being a Horn. It's a calling, and even though it's a piece I didn't see coming back in my life, here I am, once again."

A Pronghorns player from 1976-81, Adams made the most of his BEd degree, delving directly into teaching at Catholic Central High School. He also started a second basketball career, this time as a coach. He would continue to teach by day and coach by night, eventually taking the helm at Lethbridge College and leading the Kodiaks for four successful seasons (including an ACAC silver medal and two bronze medals).

Eventually, Adams would find his way back to the U of L, assisting Dave Crook from 1999 through 2001. Along the way he would work with the provincial basketball program (1993-97) and get a shot at the national level, working with the Basketball Canada Centre for Performance from 2004 to 2006. All the while he was a school principal (St. Francis Junior High School) and most recently, executive director of Lethbridge Family Services.

It might look like a circuitous route but the touchstone over time has always been the U of L. It's a legacy Adams wants to share with his fellow alumni to help reengage what he terms "Horns Nation".

"We're sitting on 39 years of teams here. One of the big things we need to do is go back to 39 years of Pronghorns and say come on guys, come on back to the table and sit with us, and let's do this together," Adams says. "Dave Adams, in isolation, the Horns, in isolation, will never reach that dream of winning a national championship, it must be us collectively as a Horns Nation that does that."

There's an effusive energy about Adams that invites grand ideas, and the new coach does not shy away from his goal of bringing a national title to southern Alberta, despite taking over a program that has missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

"I would not be sitting here today if my goal for Horns Nation was not to win a national championship," he says.

"To me, it's a challenge that the U of L has reached in several sports, those are proud moments in our history and there's no reason for me, at this point in my life or career, to come here for any other reason."

GET THE FACTS

• Adams averaged 11.9 points per game playing for the Horns in the 1980-81 season. He totalled 76 games in a Pronghorns uniform over his career

• An avid distance runner, Adams trains for both marathons and triathlons. He is currently the national champion for his age group in sprint distance and is a six-time Canadian National Triathlon Team member. He is currently training for the World Triathlon Championships in Gold Coast, Australia.

• Adams' U of L ties run deep. He is married to Assistant Dean, Field Experience, Faculty of Education, Dr. Pamela Adams. Their daughter, Brittney, is a second-year political science student at the U of L

• Adams has the endorsement of his players. "I'm excited, his style of coaching is something I really feel good about," says guard Quinn Van Gaalen.

UNews - Lethbridge Family Services

2013 Alumni Honour Society inductees

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