UNews - community leader

Mason delivers in creating percussion program

trevor.kenney — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:06:53 +0000

Adam Mason was given carte blanche when he first came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, as he endeavoured to put together a percussion program that would be the envy of his colleagues. In just a few short years he has been able to do just that, creating a program of excellence that regularly travels and performs locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

Mason also incorporates the southern Alberta community into his program - another excellent example of how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is a community leader in the fine arts.

Open Mike - February 2012

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:04:40 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

It has often occurred to me how fortunate we are to have a campus so deeply connected to the Blackfoot Nation and the rich Aboriginal culture of southern Alberta.

It is a heritage we both respect and celebrate, and one that has played and will continue to play a key role in shaping the strategic priorities of the institution as we move forward.

Just recently, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ announced an exciting collaboration with the Métis Nation of Alberta, creating a $1 million endowment fund for students of Métis heritage. With close to 100 Métis students currently enrolled at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, this fund will not only support those already on campus, but it will encourage future generations of Métis students to pursue post-secondary education.

Creating an inclusive campus that is open to exploring and celebrating its Aboriginal heritage is a goal we should all share.

This week, another major announcement in support of our First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students is forthcoming.

This has long been a priority of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and as we look forward, it is essential we create a campus wide framework for recruiting and supporting Blackfoot and FNMI students.

The U of L can be proud of the fact it established the first Department of Native American Studies in the country, and that we have initiated the Niitsatapi First Nations program in education, the First Nations Governance Program in management and the First Nations Transitions Program in arts & science. It is now time to harness that energy and develop an overarching strategy that creates support for FNMI students, faculty, staff and community members.

Dr. Leroy Little Bear and Dr. Jane O'Dea, with support from Roy Weaselfat of Red Crow College, have been exploring that model. They have been talking to people across campus about what support systems for our FNMI population need further expansion with the goal of making the U of L a highly inclusive and highly welcoming campus.

We also want to create an environment across the university that understands the importance a supportive atmosphere can play in the lives of faculty, staff and students.

A report about their findings is forthcoming, and I anticipate one of the recommendations to be the establishment of a centre grounded in the ideals and values of the Blackfoot Nation. This centre would come with significant support and guidance from Blackfoot elders, and its vision would be integrated into the next Strategic Plan as it is developed over the coming months.

This is a responsibility that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ takes very seriously. We are a community leader, and it is important we accept our role as such. It is one of the reasons we so willingly co-sponsored the recent Diversity Lethbridge conference, to not only push the ideal of a welcoming on campus environment, but to extend that thinking to the community as a whole.

With Native Awareness Week on the horizon, I encourage you to take some time to explore this rich heritage and understand the role we can all play in creating a campus atmosphere that both encourages FNMI students to come to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and supports their academic pursuits while they are here. Such is an environment that benefits us all.

This column first appeared in the February 2012 edition of The Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

EUS Society celebrates 30 years

trevor.kenney — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:58:32 +0000

What started as a primarily social club, the Education Undergraduate Society (EUS) is now one of the most socially responsible clubs on campus.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the EUS has evolved into a community leader for educational initiatives, reaching out to southern Alberta on a variety of platforms that connect the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to the broader community in multiple ways.

"In the last year or so, that's something we've really been working on, going further with our community involvement," says EUS president Alisha Janiga, a fifth-year education student from Crowsnest Pass.

While the EUS has been active with its Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Awareness Week and Bust the Backpack campaigns for the last four years, it has now involved itself with the first Word on the Street festival and local Boys and Girls Club.

"We had a presence at Word on the Street talking about our tutoring program, and we just started working with the Boys and Girls Club as a resource for them, doing some tutoring and working with the kids there," says Janiga. "We're really proud to have been around as a society for 30 years. We've been looking back at resource binders from previous executives and all the work they've done in the past and it's really inspired us to keep going and to try and expand the scope of the EUS."

Ashley Lepage is the EUS vice-president external, and was thrilled to find one of her most influential high school teachers have a history with the EUS.

"Looking back at some of the photos of past executives, I found one of my favourite teachers was a part of EUS," she says of a high school English teacher from her hometown of Airdrie. "She was one of the main reasons I wanted to become a teacher and I never knew she was in EUS when she attended here."

The current Bust the Backpack campaign is on a mission to fill 50 backpacks with basic school supplies for those children who cannot afford the educational necessities. It was born out of need, something that EUS members recognized when they were in schools for practicum experience.

"We distribute the backpacks in January, and that's a time when a lot of students are running out of supplies and in need of help," says EUS vice-president internal, Chelsey Merkel, a Drumheller native.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from the schools telling us how much their students appreciate it and how it helps them become better learners, so that kind of keeps us going."

Janiga says that the 30th anniversary of EUS has given the executive an excuse to look back and it's exciting to see how much the society has grown.

"It seemed to start as a social support for education students, an outlet to have some fun outside of class and over the years it's grown to become more academic, relating more with faculty and the community," she says.

In fact, it's that faculty support that has been a big part of the EUS moving forward.

"They are our foundation," says Janiga. "If we have any questions they are always there. Both Dr. Rick Mrazek and Dr. Lorraine Beaudin sit on our executive and they help us with so much. If there is anything we need, the faculty has always been beside us with support."

If anyone has information from the early years of the EUS, they are urged to contact alisha.janiga@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the December 2011 issue of the Legend. If you'd like to see the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Education Undergraduate Society celebrates its 30th year

trevor.kenney — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:57:19 +0000

What started as a primarily social club, the Education Undergraduate Society (EUS) is now one of the most socially responsible clubs on campus.

Members of the Education Undergraduate Society, including Chelsey Merkel, Alisha Janiga and Ashley LePage display backpacks from their Bust the Backpack initiative.

Ashley Lepage is the EUS vice-president external, and was thrilled to find one of her most influential high school teachers have a history with the EUS.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from the schools telling us how much their students appreciate it and how it helps them become better learners, so that kind of keeps us going."

Janiga says that the 30th anniversary of EUS has given the executive an excuse to look back and it's exciting to see how much the society has grown.

In fact, it's that faculty support that has been a big part of the EUS moving forward.

If anyone has information from the early years of the EUS, they are urged to contact alisha.janiga@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the December 2011 issue of the Legend. If you'd like to see the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

YWCA Lethbridge and District Announces 2011 Women of Distinction

trevor.kenney — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:07:28 +0000

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

This year six women have been selected through a competitive process, and the honorees are chosen from a group of nominations.

Among the recipients this year are several with connections to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony showcases the talent and leadership of women in Southern Alberta. Women honoured have been trail blazers, entrepreneurs, innovators, social advocates, and volunteers.

The 2011 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, March 18 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge.

The guest speaker is Crystal Flaman, a social entrepreneur, multiple Ironman Triathlete competitor & 100km Ultra-Marathoner and Author.

Please call 403-329-0088 or stop by the YWCA for your tickets ($75 with a $50 tax receipt).

2011 YWCA WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dr. Olga Kovalchuk: Community Leader

Dr. Olga Kovalchuk, M.D./Ph.D. was born and raised in Ukraine. Living close to Chernobyl inspired her research into the effects of radiation on living organisms.

She is a medical doctor, cancer researcher and professor in Biological Sciences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Her work is devoted to uncovering the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer development and using new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnostics and treatment.

Dr Kovalchuk has been invited to give lectures on her work in countries around the world and has received over $8,000,000 in funding from both Canada and the U.S. from granting agencies as diverse as Canadian Foundation of Innovation, Alberta Cancer Research Institute, U.S. Department of Energy Low Dose Radiation program, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Cheryl Dick: Community Commitment

Cheryl is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge and is highly respected for her strong and tireless commitment to providing exceptional leadership.

Her academic background, corporate experience and core values combine with her leadership in creating a vibrant organization that treats people equitably, achieves goals, celebrates success and serves society.

Cheryl completed her MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in 2003 and holds an "Accredited Public Relations" designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Among other community service efforts, she has held volunteer leadership positions with the U of L Senate, Faculty of Management Advisory Committee, and Senate Honorary Degree Committee.

Bonny Greenshields: Social Advocate

Bonny is the owner and operator of Round Street Café, as well as, a wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many people and organizations in the Lethbridge community.

Bonny and her husband Malcolm moved to Lethbridge where she taught Special Education at Winston Churchill high school until 2004.

She found teaching extremely rewarding and values the connections she made during this teaching period. However, Bonny's dream was to own a three story building where she would have a coffee shop on the main floor, residences for international students on the second floor and live on the top floor.

When a property that fit her dream became available, she and Malcolm took a major risk, sold their home to buy the Wallace building on 5 Street South and in December of 2004 opened the doors of the Round Street Café.

Darcie James: YWCA Champion

Darcie was born in Medicine Hat, AB and relocated to Lethbridge with her family in 1969. She was honoured as Winston Churchill High School's top female athlete in 1976, earned her Diploma in Law Enforcement from Lethbridge Community College in 1979 and was one of the first two women constables hired by the Lethbridge City Police in 1980.

In 1996, she became the first woman in the agency to be promoted to Sergeant. In 2002, she completed her baccalaureate degree and in 2003, she earned the distinction of being the first woman in law enforcement in Lethbridge to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In addition to her career achievements, Darcie has left her mark on her community through volunteer service.

Arleen Albiez: Spirit of Women

Arleen was a Returning Officer for the City of Lethbridge (1950 – 1995), the first female Returning Officer (Lethbridge West) for the Province of Alberta (1972 – 1979) and the first female Federal Returning Officer (Lethbridge) in Canada (1979 – present). She is still the Federal Returning Officer for Lethbridge.

In her many years of being a Returning Officer, recruiting and hiring paid employees for elections, she has always ensured that women were given equal opportunities to work the elections, gain valuable experience, training and confidence. Many of these women have gone on to successful careers.

Arleen has also been a leader and volunteer extraordinaire in many other organizations in Lethbridge and District: The United Way (formerly Community Chest), Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Canadian Cancer Society, Head Start Program, Southland Credit Union, the Red Cross, the Order of Royal Purple of Canada, and the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization.

Kelsey Yule: Young Woman of Distinction 2011.

Kelsey is a young woman who has never let a challenge stop her. She grew up in a small agricultural based community, where independence and a 'hard work' ethic were instilled at a young age. Kelsey entered the beauty industry at age 18, and in two years owned and operated her own successful salon.

This business experience developed and sharpened her skills as a stylist and as a leader in the industry. She is the recipient of many awards and recognitions including: 2008 Alberta Salon/Stylist of the Year for Canada, 2008 Redken Cover Competition Alberta Finalist, 2007 Alberta/BC Salon Team finalist for Canada, Youth Initiative Award Winner and the L'Oreal Professional Runway Finalist.

By thinking outside the box, Kelsey offered cosmetology courses to high school students in remote rural areas of Southern Alberta via video conferencing. Her latest business venture is Purely Inspired Academy of Beauty, a high end school and salon in Lethbridge.

Additional information about the 2011 Women if distinction is available on their website:
http://www.ywcalethbridge.org/whats-new

UNews - community leader

Mason delivers in creating percussion program

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