UNews - Alberta Children's Hospital

Calgary Chapter continues to gain momentum

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:14:04 +0000

In 2008, two years after completing his management degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Brock Melnyk (BMgt '06), financial advisor for ATB Securities Inc., attended a golf tournament put on by the U of L Alumni Association Calgary Chapter, where he was promptly recruited to be a member of the board of directors.

He served as both a director and vice-president before taking on the role of president (he will complete his term in spring 2013), after which he plans to stay involved with the board and sit as past-president. During his tenure, Melnyk has witnessed a great amount of hard work and dedication from his fellow board members and he is grateful for the gains that the chapter has made in the last five years particularly with the annual golf tournament, which, Melnyk admits, is his baby.

Carolyn Seward, top left, with Liza Worthington and Steve Worthington, had a great time at the Calgary Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament.

"For our Calgary chapter, the annual Calgary Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament is our single fundraiser for the year. When I first joined the association almost five years ago, we were earning enough money to give out one $500 bursary each year. Since then, we have seen a great increase in the success of the tournament in terms of numbers of people participating, increased donations and increased corporate sponsorship," says Melnyk. "This latest tournament was the most successful so far; we raised $8,000 and had approximately 80 people in attendance. We were able to offer four $1,000 bursaries to students and have ensured that this contribution to student success is sustainable in the future."

Money raised at the golf tournament comes from raffle revenues and corporate donations. This year, for example, Calgary-based West Jet agreed to donate a flight for two to anywhere West Jet flies as a raffle prize. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames donated a Top Shelf Experience, which includes four premium tickets to a Flames game, signed jerseys, dinner and a chance to meet one of the players after the game.

"Jeff Wilson, our vice-president, has been instrumental in increasing our corporate sponsors. Thanks in large part to his hard work with the advancement committee, we have doubled our corporate network," says Melnyk. "Our legacy sponsors have written cheques to us every year since I started with the tournament in 2008. Their generosity, and that of our other sponsors, helps us continue our mission of enhancing the exposure and image of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and alumni in Calgary, while providing networking opportunities for new graduates and students."

Although the Calgary chapter is heading in the right direction, Melnyk believes they still have a lot of work to do as they continue to generate ideas and events that will support all alumni.

"This year, we are introducing our first child-friendly event," says Melnyk. "On Dec. 28 we have rented a suite at the Saddledome for the Lethbridge Hurricanes-Calgary Hitmen hockey game. We are hoping alumni bring their families and enjoy the game in a relaxing, friendly atmosphere, and we would love to have to rent additional suites to accommodate everyone!"

Every year, the Calgary chapter holds a reception at the Big Rock Brewery. It is an evening for alumni to relax, catch up on what is happening at the U of L and in Calgary and to get to know each other. This year the board has decided to hold its AGM at the Big Rock evening in late spring.

"This is always a very successful event," says Melnyk of the Big Rock reception. "Other than the golf tournament, this has the largest turnout, and it's a different demographic in attendance. We would really like to take advantage of how supportive our alumni are by coming out to Big Rock, and similarly, how supportive Big Rock is to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. The majority of our board members are from the Faculty of Management and we encourage alumni from all faculties to get involved so that we can meet the needs of all our current and future alumni."

Melnyk's motivation always comes back to his belief in giving back. It is a philosophy that he hopes all alumni will live by.

"My wife and I have just established scholarships at our high schools to help students pursue their dreams. Without that same kind of help, neither of us would be where we are today," explains Melnyk. "I encourage my fellow alumni to really think about what you have achieved and the help you have received along the way. Whether it is with your time or your chequebook, give back so that others can have those same opportunities."

GET THE FACTS

· Calgary Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament Legacy Sponsors include: LARC Resources, ATB Financial, BMO Nesbitt burns, CGA (Certified General Accountants), CMA (Certified Managerial Accountants) and Trafigura

· Tickets for the Hurricanes/Hitmen game are priced at $25 each, include a meal and can be purchased online by e-mailing uoflcalgaryalumni@uleth.ca or calling toll free 1-866-552-2582. You must RSVP by Dec. 20 and prepayment is required

· Melnyk also runs the annual ATB Brock Melnyk Invitational Golf Tournament, which is in its 10th year. It raised $10,000 for the Alberta Children's Hospital and the Edmonton Stollery Children's Hospital this past year

· Melnyk has been on the organizing committee for the United Way Day of Caring for the past 10 years, and this year he organized 120 bankers to paint 30 houses in one day for underprivileged seniors

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

Paul Brandt to earn honorary degree

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:22:21 +0000

Paul Brandt

Award-winning singer/songwriter Paul Brandt works on behalf of several local and global humanitarian efforts.

Born in Calgary, Paul Brandt attended Mount Royal College to study nursing and worked as a pediatric nurse at the Alberta Children's Hospital. During this time, he continued to pursue his passion for music.

Winning first prize in the Youth Talent Showdown at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, he went on to capture the attention of Warner Brothers Records in Toronto and was later signed by the Nashville office. After the release of his debut album, Calm Before the Storm, the #5 song, "My Heart Has A History," became the first song to chart in the U.S. by a Canadian Male Country Artist. The follow-up single "I Do" went to #1.

Over a stellar musical career, Brandt has received numerous Canadian Country Music Awards, JUNO Awards, and also the Country Music Award for Global Artist of the Year in 2005.

Using his fame as a platform to help people around the world, Brandt's
humanitarian efforts include working with World Vision and Samaritan's Purse and, in doing so, helps to raise awareness of the various needs in developing and war-torn countries.

For his outstanding achievements in music and humanitarianism, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will honour Paul Brandt by conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa.

Brandt among Honorary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:58:02 +0000

Country music artist Paul Brandt is coming to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – but he'll have to share the stage.

Brandt is one of eight persons selected by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate as an Honorary Degree recipient for 2009. He is among a diverse group of individuals from Alberta, Canada and around the world who have distinguished themselves through their charitable activity, community service or advocacy for change.

"Our candidates this year reflect a mix of local, national and international achievements," says Cheryl Dick, the Chair of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee. "The Senate chose individuals who not only represent the best in their communities, but also people who reflect the spirit and focus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

Brandt, a native Calgarian, is joined by Cochrane-based blind mountaineer Ross Watson; Lethbridge residents and community leaders Ralph Himsl, educator, and Joan Stebbens, respected art curator; Toronto-based humanitarian Dr. Samantha Nutt; national university administrator and U of L alumnus Robert Best; refugee and immigration advocate and Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer; and Son Soubert, a Cambodian archaeologist and politician who supports orphanages in Cambodia.

Selected members from the group will be honoured at either the spring or fall convocation ceremonies. Spring 2009 Convocation is to be held May 28-29 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Following are biographies of the 2009 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Honorary Degree Recipient.

Robert Best – Ottawa, Ont. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus Bob Best recently retired from his position as Vice President of National Affairs for the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. In this role, he has been influential in shaping much of the advocacy on behalf of Canadian universities. His leadership and commitment to higher education have made him a highly respected and sought-after presenter and consultant on policy issues and government relations.

Paul Brandt – Calgary, Alta. (Fall 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Calgarian Paul Brandt is the most-awarded Canadian country music artist in history. In addition to his musical talent, Paul is a registered nurse who practiced as a pediatric nurse at the Alberta Children's hospital. He is a highly committed volunteer and philanthropist, working with groups such as the Alberta Children's Hospital, Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child, World Vision, and Centre Street Church in Calgary.

Ralph Himsl – Lethbridge, Alta. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

A retired Superintendent of the Catholic School District, Ralph Himsl has been described as a "Renaissance man". His career in education was dedicated to serving others and challenging them to reach their full potential, whether they were students or other professional educators. Ralph initiated the 'Blueprints' process to reflect on the nature and spiritual needs of Catholic education.

Mobina Jaffer – Vancouver, B.C. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Mobina Jaffer began practicing law in British Columbia in 1978 and was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2001 by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Mobina has extensive experience in refugee and immigration law, and has done much work in the areas of women's rights, peace, and security. Mobina also has the distinction of being the first Indo-Canadian female lawyer in BC, the first African-born member of the Senate, and the first Muslim member of the Senate.

Samantha Nutt – Toronto, Ont. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Samantha Nutt is a Canadian physician with over a decade of experience working in war zones. In 1999, 29-year-old Samantha became the founder and executive director of War Child Canada. Her dedication to humanitarian work in war-ravaged nations has made positive change a reality in some of the most devastated and dangerous areas of the world. Samantha has an incredible ability to mobilize youth and has worked with students and teachers across Canada to foster awareness and activism.

Son Soubert – Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Fall 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Son Soubert is currently a Member of the Constitutional Council of Cambodia and a Professor at the Faculty of Archaeology of the Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Phnom Penh. He has worked to establish responsible politics in Cambodia and has done extensive work to help children, including the establishment of two orphanages. In his political, academic, and humanitarian roles, Son has publicly taken a stand against corruption and is an outstanding example of integrity and humility.

Joan Stebbins – Lethbridge, Alta. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

One of Canada's foremost curators of contemporary art, Joan Stebbins has an outstanding record of scholarly achievement. More than 184 exhibition-related publications have come to fruition under her direction or mentorship as curator and director of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Lethbridge from the 1980's forward. Her dedication and expertise have established the SAAG as one of Canada's leading contemporary art institutions.

Ross Watson – Cochrane, Alta. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

An outdoor enthusiast for over 20 years, Ross Watson was the first blind climber to summit Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan, in the Yukon. Ross is a community leader and dynamic speaker who has made numerous radio and television appearances, drawing on his unique mountain climbing experiences and an uncompromising belief in the power of personal goals, dreams, and ambition.

UNews - Alberta Children's Hospital

Calgary Chapter continues to gain momentum

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Paul Brandt to earn honorary degree

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Brandt among Honorary Degree recipients

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