UNews - Alberta Venture

U of L researchers among Venture's Top 50

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 22:14:53 +0000

Two ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researchers from vastly different disciplines have been acknowledged by Alberta Venture Magazine as being among the province's 50 most influential people for 2013.

Drs. David Naylor (Physics and Astronomy) and Robert Sutherland (Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience) made the 2013 list for their achievements in the lab -- outer space, in Naylor's case, and for Sutherland, advocating for the academic community as the President of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.

Dr. David Naylor

As an instructor with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's physics department since 1981, David Naylor has taken his lab to the upper echelons of experimental astrophysics. Practically speaking, that means he designs and uses instruments that can measure incredibly small amounts of radiation and light.

His primary project for the last four years has been the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE), a telescope on the Herschel Space Observatory, which was launched in 2009.

The Herschel is winding down its mission as it runs out of liquid helium to cool its instruments, but its 25,000 hours of studying the universe have already led to 250 peer-reviewed articles, a better understanding of the galaxy and spin-off businesses in the Lethbridge area.

Naylor himself was instrumental in establishing Blue Sky Spectroscopy, a private company that has won several contracts from the European and Canadian space agencies and delivered complex instrumentation to leading research teams across the planet. And the SPIRE's legacy is still in its infancy. Astronomers will analyze the prolific telescope's legacy of data for years to come.

Dr. Robert Sutherland

Rob Sutherland's day job is as a professor and chair of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's department of neuroscience, but his public profile this year has come as a result of his role as president of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.

CAFA represents academic associations at the province's four research-intensive institutions (��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ).

They were all hit hard in the provincial budget in March, with cuts to their operating budgets of more than seven per cent. Sutherland was suddenly thrust into the limelight as a defender of tertiary education from both the budget cuts and the mandate letters sent to the institutions from Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk.

You can be sure the battle will continue for years as the provincial government continues its austerity measures and the universities fight to get their funding back up to – and beyond – prior levels.

The complete list of Alberta Venture's 50 most influential people for 2013 is available here.

2012 Honorary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:32:47 +0000

The 2012 Honorary Degree Recipients

JIM COUTTS

Jim Coutts has made significant contributions to Canada, through his public service, conservation efforts and philanthropy, and to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, to which his donations include over 200 pieces for the Art Gallery and a homestead property near Nanton, Alta.

Coutts has had a fruitful career in law, business and public service, and served as Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada, Lester B. Pearson in 1963. He was also the Principal Secretary to Pierre Trudeau during his tenure as Prime Minister, spending six years in this role.

In 2011, Coutts donated to the U of L the land homesteaded by his grandfather, near Nanton. This land brings a major opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to develop its programming and community connections.

PATRICK O'FARRELL

One of the founders of modern molecular biology, Patrick O'Farrell introduced technical innovations that revolutionized the study of proteins and made the use of proteins in medical diagnostics possible.

In 1969, while a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry in Colorado, O'Farrell thought of using separations in two dimensions to resolve complex mixtures of proteins on electrophoretic gels. While his goal was to follow molecular events during the embryogenesis of the particular alga that he was studying, the 2-D gel electrophoresis technique that he developed could be applied to protein mixtures from any source. While still a student he prepared a paper describing this method. This paper is now the sixth most cited paper in biology and chemistry.

RICHARD DAVIDSON

The 11th Chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Richard Davidson represented the institution with pride, emphasizing its connections with the community.

Davidson's first formal appointment with the U of L was with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate in 1983. He served as a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senator for two terms (eight years), becoming the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Chancellor in 2007, a position he held until 2011. During this time he tirelessly and proudly represented the institution, presiding over many Convocation ceremonies.

Davidson has also been a valuable community volunteer, working for several organizations and supporting many charitable causes. As a volunteer he has worked for, among others, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation, the Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge, the Regional Hospital Foundation, and the United Way. In 2010, he was recognized by the local Rotary Club as the Lethbridge Citizen of the Year and was named by Alberta Venture as one of the 50 most influential people in the province.

PETE STANDING ALONE

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.

He is committed to maintaining and promoting the traditions of his people, and has served as a cultural advisor to several organizations and to Red Crow Community College. At the U of L, Standing Alone has led the opening ceremonies of Native Awareness Week for several years. He is consulted by the Blackfoot people on all aspects of traditional and contemporary Blackfoot culture, including ceremonies, sacred societies, protocol, education, history and social and cultural issues.

A traditional Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper and educator for over 50 years, Standing Alone continues to devote his time and energy to his community and to serving as a role model for others.

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

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 Thrall Jr.

trevor.kenney — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:05:13 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community offers its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Ralph A. Thrall Jr, a well-known southern Alberta rancher, businessman and community volunteer.

Thrall, who received an Honorary Degree from the U of L in 1999 and was a long-serving ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ volunteer, passed away in Calgary AB on Friday, Oct. 28. He was 78.

A memorial service has not been confirmed at this time.

Additional details will be posted once they become available.

Ralph A. Thrall, Jr. was the President of McIntyre Ranching Company, one of the largest ranches in Western Canada and a place of great natural beauty.

The Thrall family's long term land management strategies have preserved the more than 55,000 acre space as both a working ranch and a nature preserve, as well as a unique centre for art, culture and ideas. (http://www.mcintyreranch.com/)

He was also a very active and dedicated community member – serving many organizations and businesses, including the YMCA, Lethbridge College Foundation, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors and numerous other community organizations.

In addition to being named one of Alberta Venture's 50 most influential people in 2008, Thrall received a ceremonial key to the city from the City of Lethbridge in 2009.

Sutherland makes top 50 list

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:17:34 +0000

Dr. Robert Sutherland, a neuroscience researcher at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), is among 50 people named by Alberta Venture Magazine as their 50 Most Influential Albertans for 2011.

Sutherland made the list for a breakthrough discovery last year in which he and his team confirmed the re-generation of cerebral cortex cells in adult mammals.

The research focused on a part of the brain called the hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped region of the brain responsible for short- and long-term memory storage and retrieval. This is an area that is especially sensitive to illnesses or injuries that can create memory loss, explains Sutherland. It's also a part of the brain that throughout adult life spontaneously creates new cells that are able to easily find their correct position in the brain's circuitry.

The team began by killing off about half of these cells by depriving them of corticosterone, an important hormone the cells need to function, causing the rats to develop memory issues very similar to humans suffering with dementia. Through a combination of a specific protein therapy, an enriched living environment and exercise, the researchers were able to re-grow the lost brain cells and prove that the rats had regained their memory function.

Regenerating brain cells is a problem neuroscientists have been struggling with for many years, with limited success. The challenge stems from the nature of the brain itself. "If you open up a laptop and take a look at the circuit board, every portion you look at has a sophisticated set of connections with other pieces," says Sutherland. "The brain is even more complicated."

For more on this discovery, follow this link.

Other persons honoured by Venture include U of L Honorary Degree recipients Gwyn Morgan and David Schindler. While previous U of L connections to the Alberta Venture list include Sutherland's colleague Dr. Bruce MacNaughton, sociology researcher and trend tracker Dr. Reg Bibby, and U of L Chancellor Emeritus Richard Davidson.

Read the Alberta Venture profile and additional biographies of the other 49 individuals by following this link.

Significant And Mentionable

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:54:14 +0000

HISTORIANS SCORE 100%

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge History Department celebrated 100 per cent participation in Supporting Our Students for the second year in a row.

"This is an incredible accomplishment," says Debi Sandul, who is co-chairing this year's SOS campaign. "Students have always been at the centre of what we do and this demonstrates the continued commitment of the History Department to enhance the student experience and create opportunities."

Supporting Our Students is an annual internal fundraising campaign to raise money for student awards. Faculty and staff donations are matched by the Government of Alberta's Access to the Future Fund, doubling the impact of all contributions.

The goal for this year's campaign is 300 contributions and thanks to the dedication of faculty and staff like those from the History Department, the campaign already has 255 participants.

"This year's campaign is about participation and this group has come together to demonstrate the strength of the U of L community," explains Dr. Rob Wood, the campaign co-chair.

"We are very proud of what we've been able to do as a group and I hope this is just the beginning," says History Department Chair Dr. Chris Epplett, who went on to issue a friendly challenge to other U of L departments.

GRAD STUDENTS HONOURED

When the School of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research Services handed out their Research Excellence awards recently, there were no trophies, only cold hard cash to the tune of more than $700,000, which was shared by 36 student recipients of graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral studies awards.

The investment in research funding directed toward candidates in master's and doctoral programs is critical to help grow the
U of L's research programs and its place as a comprehensive research university.

The research funding was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Alberta-based agencies Alberta Ingenuity Fund, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, and the Alberta government-funded Ralph Steinhauer Awards of Distinction.

NATIONAL RANKING SHOWS DRAMATIC GROWTH FOR U OF L RESEARCH FUNDING

The U of L is ranked second nationally by Re$earch Infosource in terms of research income growth over the decade 1999-2009 for undergraduate universities – with an overall growth rate from $3.295 million to $15.956 million.

"This is the highest gain of any Alberta school and any Western Canadian school – and we are still growing," says U of L Vice-President (Research) Dr. Dan Weeks.

"These figures do not reflect the additional people we have attracted, the income from this past year or the many new programs that we have launched."

As assessed by RE$EARCH Infosource, the list ranks universities by their research income and research intensity (research funding per faculty member).

ACCESSIBILITY AND INNOVATION LEAD TO RECORD ENROLMENT

This September brought with it the largest student enrolment in the U of L's history. The official enrolment number is 8,472, with the growth being credited to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's dedication to being an accessible and innovative institution.

EDUCATION STUDENTS TAKE A STAND AGAINST BULLYING

The third annual ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Anti-bullying and Cyberbullying Awareness Week was held Oct. 4 to 6. Organized by the Education Undergraduate Society, the event is the only student-organized anti-bullying campaign in Alberta and aims to increase the awareness of cyberbullying and bullying in the community.

The ever-increasing use of technology among children is rapidly leading to a transformation in the traditional forms of bullying, with cyberbullying becoming more prevalent.

The anti-bullying campaign highlighted the need for schools to develop policies and procedures related to cyberbullying, while providing teachers with techniques and tools to address the issue.

STUDENTS' UNION HELPING PAINT A BRIGHTER FUTURE

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union Executive Council worked on their home-improvement skills this past summer by volunteering with Project Paintbrush.

Working with Volunteer Lethbridge and Project Paintbrush, the students laboured to fix up homes for those who are not able. Specifically, the four council members grabbed brushes and aided in painting the exterior of a local home.

Project Paintbrush focuses on assisting seniors and individuals with special needs who are physically and/or financially unable to maintain the exterior of their property. There is no cost to the homeowner and the program operation is based solely on volunteers.

Taz Kassam, SU president, believes that "making positive changes through volunteering in the community provides for greater experiences and opportunities for all. Lethbridge supports its students and it is important for students to support Lethbridge, too."

By taking part in this project, the ULSU hopes to not only spark knowledge of Volunteer Lethbridge and Project Paintbrush, but also showcase the impact volunteering has on individuals and the community.

"At the end of the day, we can look back and realize that we made a difference, and the families are more than grateful for the help," says Kassam.

IGEM TEAM CLEANS UP

A group of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge undergraduate chemistry, biochemistry and neuroscience students has been awarded a $20,000 international research grant from the Oil Sands Initiative to find a biological solution to improving the environmental sustainability of Alberta's oil sands.

The students are members of the
U of L's multiple-award-winning International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) team, which competes each year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Mass. Regarded as the premier undergraduate synthetic biology competition in the world, the conference attracts competitors from around the world but the U of L group was the only team to receive a $20,000 award.

The money will help support the development of a petrochemical-eating bacteria that the group plans to design. If successful, the bacteria could be used to help clean up water in ponds that have been polluted in the refining process.

CONGRATULATIONS

The U of L extends sincere congratulations to the following members of our community for their awards and recognitions this fall.

U of L Chancellor Richard Davidson was named one of the 50 most influential people in Alberta by Alberta Venture magazine.

Dr. Trevor Harrison, sociology professor, was awarded a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Canadian Studies at Kennesaw State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

The Honourable Rick Casson, who is a Member of Parliament for Lethbridge and a former U of L employee, was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council of Canada.

Dr. Susan McDaniel, director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, was named Vice-Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies' Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

Dr. Joseph Rasmussen, biological sciences researcher, was appointed to the National Oil Sands Review Panel.

GLOBE & MAIL REPORT CARD

The Globe and Mail's annual report card on Canadian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ performance is out and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has been given high marks, ranging from B's to A's in more than 80 per cent of 17 categories.

The survey was prepared by higher Education Strategy Associates in partnership with the Globe and Mail, and asked more than 35,000 students 100 questions that were distilled down to the final 17 categories. Individual scores (such as the U of L's) are based on a minimum number of responses from U of L students.

The Faculties of Health Sciences and Management recorded high marks from students for providing a quality education, and "A" level grades were received for the number of small class sizes, the quality of student/professor interaction, and the institution's athletics and recreation services.

"This survey is a solid reinforcement of our strength as an undergraduate university, but we're moving along a new path to become a comprehensive research university – without losing sight of the very important factors that put all of our students first," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon.

U OF L'S CANDO PARTNERSHIP NETS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

Faculty of Management student Shermayn Menicoche (photo, right) is one of three people to receive a $3,000 National Indigenous Economic Education Foundation (NIEEF) scholarship from the charitable arm of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).

CANDO is an Aboriginal-controlled, community-based group that builds partnerships with educational institutions, Aboriginal leaders and senior corporate and government representatives.

The U of L is now one of nine post-secondary institutions accredited by CANDO to deliver courses that help economic development officers working in First Nations communities obtain an Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificate in addition to their U of L degree.

For a look at the full issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Davidson one of province's most influential people

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:34:58 +0000

Richard Davidson, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's current Chancellor, veteran Lethbridge lawyer and "volunteer extraordinaire" as described by Alberta Venture magazine – has made that publication's list of the 50 most influential people in the Province of Alberta.

Davidson is no stranger to accolades but humble about his accomplishments within and outside the legal profession – many of which involve serving a seemingly endless list of community organizations, including the U of L, where he has held the Chancellor's role since 2007.

Among many other duties, Davidson presides over the institution's Convocation ceremonies, where he has met and shaken hands with thousands of new U of L graduates.

He was also recently named the Rotary/Lethbridge Herald 2010 Citizen of the Year in May 2010, and as part of that ceremony, received the Key to the City and was also named a Paul Harris Fellow, a significant honour within the Rotary Organization.

"When you earn your livelihood in a community and when you raise your family in the community," Richardson says, "You have a duty to give something back to the community. I feel like I've been able to do that, and I've been happy to do that. I've enjoyed it."

The Alberta Venture list also includes a number of people with connections to the U of L, including honorary degree recipients Harley Hotchkiss (LLD '07), Eric Newell (LLD '05) and Bruce Carson, the first executive director of the Canada School for Energy and the Environment, a collaboration between the universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge.

Significant And Mentionable

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:45:27 +0000

Allied Arts Council honours the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge took centre stage at the 2009 Mayor's Luncheon for Business and the Arts on Sept. 10 when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was honoured as the winner of a 2009 Allied Arts Council (AAC) Award for Excellence as the local service organization that has significantly enhanced the arts in the community of Lethbridge.

In total, three awards were handed out, including one to an individual, one to a service organization and one to a local business.

(Once again) Steacy duo wins

In August, U of L track and field star Heather Steacy won gold at the Canada Summer Games in Charlottetown, P.E.I. With the furthest throw of 59.92 metres, Heather dominated the hammer throw competition, winning by more than six metres.

Also this summer, Heather's brother Jim Steacy added to his international track resumé, winning the silver medal in the hammer throw at the 2009 Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia.

Jim completed his Pronghorn career as one of the most decorated track athletes in Horns history, compiling nine Canada West and nine Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) medals, including 16 gold, and was undefeated in the weight throw versus CIS competition over his career.

New Ingenuity centre boosts information technology

The first of its kind in the world, Alberta's newest Ingenuity Centre is working with entrepreneurs and researchers to use real-time geographical information to address global challenges in resource management.

The new centre, Tecterra, is one of five Alberta Ingenuity Centres for Research and Commercialization that focuses on technology and research to build more sustainable industry practices.

Built on a partnership between the provincial and federal governments, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, Tecterra will tap into the research excellence across the province, allowing resource companies to work with innovative technology companies and the research community to develop world-class solutions to industry challenges.

The more than $50 million investment includes: $21.6 million from the Alberta government, $11.6 million from the federal government, as well as a further $20 million anticipated from industry and other partners.

Among Alberta's 50 most influential people

Dr. Bruce McNaughton was named one of Alberta's 50 most influential people by Alberta Venture magazine in July.

McNaughton, one of the world's experts in neurophysiology, joined the U of L's Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) last fall as the inaugural recipient of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Polaris Award – a 10-year, $20 million research grant.

A sterling past, a golden future

This year the School of Graduate Studies celebrates 25 years. When the School first emerged, it offered a single master's degree in education. Since then, it has developed into a centre for graduate studies in the arts, health sciences, humanities, sciences and social sciences. This fall, the School implemented two new graduate degree programs in the creative arts through a Master of Fine Arts and a Master of Music.

On Oct. 16, the School will celebrate this milestone with a special dinner with guest speaker Son Soubert, who 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. Soubert has worked to establish responsible politics in Cambodia and has worked extensively to help children, including the establishment of two orphanages.

Charting a new course

Dr. Daniel J. Weeks assumed the position of vice-president (research) in July, a position Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick held for the last 10 years. Weeks joins the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge after more than a decade at Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, where he was a professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, and operator of the Psychomotor Behaviour Laboratory located on the Burnaby campus.

Weeks brings a well-constructed plan for research development to the U of L, with a particular interest in raising the profile of the institution through strategic partnerships and projects.

"There's a tendency for many institutions in Canada to chase available research funding. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has taken a much more thoughtful approach," says Weeks. "The initiatives the U of L has pursued are significant and will have staying power. There's true leadership here and careful consideration about the direction the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ should go – which tells me that Lethbridge is a place where big ideas can come to fruition."

To stay up-to-date on what's happening at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, visit the U of L's official online news centre at: www.ulethbridge.ca/unews

Lasting Legacy: Yosh Senda

On Sept. 9, 2009, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community mourned the loss of Dr. Yosh Senda (LLD '89), a respected leader, long-time member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and legendary supporter of judo in Canada.

Senda is credited with establishing judo in Lethbridge. He was instrumental in developing the Lethbridge Judo Club and the U of L Judo exchange program with Japan. He remained an active coach at the Lethbridge Judo Club and served as coach and manager of the U of L Judo Club.

With a ninth degree black belt, Senda was the highest-ranking judo black belt in Canada. He instilled in his students that judo is more than just a physical exercise for the body – judo is a way of life.

His philosophy: "You can better yourself by always showing respect for others, and to always give it your best in whatever you do."

In addition to a long list of awards and achievements, Senda was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 2007 in recognition of his contributions to the development and expansion of judo in Canada as a coach, mentor and role model for more than five decades.

New Community Sports Stadium kicks off

The spirit of the Pronghorn is legendary. It's a spirit that lives inside everyone who has ever worn our blue and gold, and it now lives within the new Community Sports Stadium – a place that fosters a healthy community and team pride.

Built on a partnership between the City of Lethbridge, the Government of Alberta and the U of L, the estimated $12 million multi-purpose, public-access facility, officially opened on Sept. 25 and 26. Equipped with an artificial field for football and soccer, a natural practice field, a synthetic 400-metre track and bleachers for 2,000 fans, the stadium will meet the sporting needs of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's athletic programs and those of southern Alberta for many years to come.

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