UNews - Toby Boulet

Bernadine and Toby Boulet to be granted honorary degrees at Fall 2025 Convocation

trevor.kenney — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:00:26 +0000

Turning unbearable tragedy into a national movement, Bernadine (BEd ’88) and Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04) Boulet have been at the forefront of promoting organ donations across Canada by co-creating Green Shirt Day to honour the tragic passing of their son Logan. For their selfless commitment to motivating Canadians to participate in organ donations and saving countless lives, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will present Bernadine and Toby Boulet with honorary degrees at Fall 2025 Convocation.

“To see the way Bernadine and Toby have dealt with the devastating loss of their son, turning tragedy into hope for so many other families, is truly inspiring,” says ULethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA ’94). “Their unwavering positivity and willingness to allow their very personal story be the catalyst for a national campaign is remarkable and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is proud to recognize their efforts through honorary degrees.”

Bernadine and Toby Boulet have been at the forefront of promoting organ donations across Canada.

Bernadine and Toby Boulet will be bestowed with honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Fall 2025 Convocation on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Centre for Sport and Wellness gymnasium.

Bernadine (BEd ’88) and Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04) Boulet

Bernadine and Toby Boulet were unwillingly thrust into the national spotlight when, on April 6, 2018, their son Logan was one of 29 passengers involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. A day later, Logan succumbed to his injuries. Only months prior, he had been inspired to be an organ donor and let his parents know his wishes. While grappling with their grief, Bernadine and Toby offered to donate Logan’s organs, thus saving six lives.

While national attention faded, Bernadine and Toby’s unfathomable loss will never subside, and yet they found the strength to turn tragedy into a positive legacy. They started by telling Logan’s story, how he was inspired by his mentor, late ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge women’s rugby coach Ric Suggitt who passed suddenly in 2017 — and how he saved six lives through organ donation.

Logan’s story not only resonated with Canadians, it inspired almost 150,000 donor registrations across the country within a few weeks of the tragedy. This became known as the Logan Boulet Effect. With selfless devotion, Bernadine and Toby recognized they had a platform to make lasting, positive change for people’s lives and keep the memory of their son alive.

Through tireless work, Green Shirt Day — a national movement to encourage conversations and organ donor registrations — was established. They formed partnerships with the Canadian Transplant Association, Kidney Foundation and Canadian Blood Services, giving them the opportunity to speak across the nation. With the Alberta ORGANization Group, they successfully lobbied legislators to change current laws to create Give Life Alberta. From their advocacy, Bernadine and Toby have changed how organ and tissue donation is viewed.

Through their passion and commitment to bettering society, Bernadine and Toby have been relentless advocates for the values and causes that matter most to them. Their philanthropic efforts endowed the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award at ULethbridge. Likewise, their fundraising efforts have exceeded $750,000, benefitting groups such as KidSport, Special Olympics and youth fine arts, while simultaneously establishing the Logan Boulet Endowment.

In 2019, their consistent efforts with Canadian Blood Services and advocacy for the Lethbridge Plasma Centre earned them the national Schilly Award. Canadian Blood Services now annually presents the Logan Boulet Award for organ donation.

Bernadine and Toby Boulet use hope, compassion, generosity, selflessness and an unwavering commitment to make a lasting difference to transform their darkest day into a national movement that continues to change people’s lives every day.

Remembering Dean Gallimore

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:59:57 +0000

Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84) was the consummate professional. A respected member of the southern Alberta business community, he was a decorated chartered professional accountant leading one of the top accounting firms in the city. What he will be remembered for was how he leveraged his professional accomplishments to effect long-lasting change in his community, advocate for post-secondary education and create pathways to success for the next generation of students.

Dean Gallimore was appointed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 11th Board of Governors Chair in 2022.

Gallimore, Chair Emeritus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors, passed away on Sunday, April 6, at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary at the age of 63. His passing is a profound loss to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, to those who worked alongside him and to the students he ensured had a voice in the governance of the institution.

“The loss of Dean has deeply impacted many people in our community and for me it is especially painful as he was one of the first people I got to know well as the Chair of the search committee when I was hired as president and vice-chancellor,” says Dr. Digvir Jayas. “His generosity, warmth and humility showed me from the beginning that this was a place and an atmosphere I wanted to be involved in, and in my time working with him since, his sincerity for supporting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its people always shone through.”

Gallimore, an alumnus of the Faculty of Management (now Dhillon School of Business) was born in Edmonton and raised in Lethbridge, attending Winston Churchill High School before beginning a family legacy by attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Both he and his wife Bev (BA ’85, BMgt ’87) graduated from ULethbridge and their daughters, Lauren (BMgt ’15) and Amanda (BSc/BEd ’19), followed in their footsteps as alums.

Gallimore with President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Digvir Jayas.

Education was extremely important to Gallimore, and he was eager to give back to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through volunteer work and as a philanthropist, crediting his time as a student as the starting point of his professional success.

“Having my spouse, and two children also as alums, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has always been a big part of my life and helped launch my career here in southern Alberta,” Gallimore said on being appointed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 11th Board Chair in 2022. “Its connection to community as a partner and driver of commerce and innovation is something that is continually expanding and I’m excited to help steward in the coming years.”

He would make students a central focus during his time as Board Chair, advocating for student priorities and ensuring student representatives on the Board were heard. He welcomed student representation on the ULethbridge Budget Advisory Committee in 2021-22 as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ engaged in critical financial planning discussions.

“The entire student community is deeply saddened by this loss,” says Maleeka Thomas, President of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union. “Dean Gallimore was a tireless champion for student causes at our university.”

Always a champion of student initiatives, here he is in the hot tub after taking a cold dip supporting the annual Chillin' for Charity fundraiser.

His time as Board Chair saw Gallimore involved in several major initiatives, including crucial work on the Budget Advisory Committee that tapped into Gallimore’s vast financial acumen as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ continued to navigate its substantial budget challenges. ULethbridge’s major fundraising campaign for student scholarship support was initiated under his watch and the Board’s significant matching campaign, where the Board pledged $10 million in match funds for the establishment of new endowed student scholarships, was also created. The long sought Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) was also realized, with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s first medical students slated to begin their training on campus in June 2026. Most recently, Gallimore was excited to help launch the ULethbridge Strategic Plan.

In 2023, the family established the Gallimore Family Scholarship, an endowed scholarship in support of outstanding students pursuing undergraduate education in the management field. Upon his passing, a specific scholarship is being established in his memory. Due to his personal passion and involvement in the establishment of SAMP and the outstanding care he received from the medical team at Foothills Hospital, the endowed scholarship will support students pursuing medical training at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Contributions to the Dean Gallimore Memorial Scholarship, which will be matched by the Board’s matching program, can be made here.

Gallimore pictured with Wayne Lippa at Convocation.

“Working on these various initiatives with Dean leading the way, he always had a clear vision of our mandate and how we could better support students so that they would be able to excel in their studies,” says Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), a fellow Board of Governors representative. “His authenticity and willingness to lead by example really set a tone for the work we were doing, and I’m grateful for the time we spent together. That he was also proud of being an organ donor and was always eager to support our family as we raised awareness around organ donations, suits his incredible character.”

As an organ and tissue donor, Gallimore saved three lives and improved the quality of life for countless others upon his passing.

Gallimore’s professional achievements were many and his financial acumen was a major asset to his various roles with the Board of Governors. He spent 28 years with local accounting firm KPMG, the final 12 years as the office managing partner before retiring in 2012. An Alberta bronze medalist who placed on the Canadian Honour Role for the 1986 Uniform Final Examinations (having placed in the top 20 of approximately 3,600 candidates), his portfolio at KPMG consisted largely of primary agriculture, agriculture services and agriculture processing clients, as well as many other industries.

Deeply respected by his peers, Gallimore received the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta Distinguished Service Award (2001) and was honoured as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (2008). In 2009, he was named to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Alumni Honour Society.

Green Shirt Day meant a lot to Gallimore, here supporting Toby Boulet making smile cookies.

“In working with Dean these past few years, we spoke a lot about relationships and specifically building bridges between the Board of Governors and the faculty,” says Dr. Craig Coburn, a Board member and professor in the Department of Geography & Environment. “He worked hard to create a space where we could talk about some very difficult issues in a respectful and constructive manner, and I think we made great strides in terms of understanding each other and moving forward.”

Gallimore was also deeply committed to strengthening his community, giving time to several organizations and chairing such committees as the Chartered Accountants of Alberta Education Foundation, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Planned Giving Advisory Committee and Faculty of Management Advisory Committee. He first joined the ULethbridge Board of Governors in 2019 and, among his other duties, was Chair of the Finance Committee.

The culmination of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Strategic Plan launch marked a major milestone in Gallimore's tenure as Board Chair.

“Dean was someone I admired for embodying all that ULethbridge alumni aspire to be,” says Cyndi Crane (BMus ’95, MEd ’01), president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association. “He made the most of his ULethbridge education, excelling as a student and going on to be a respected, highly successful member of the business community. He also understood how he could contribute to his community beyond his professional role and embraced volunteering, philanthropy and seeking ways to make people’s lives better, all while raising a caring and engaged family with his wife Bev. He will be deeply missed.”

Terry Whitehead (BA ’94) joined his fellow alum in a leadership position in 2023 when he was appointed ULethbridge Chancellor. He says the passion with which Gallimore advocated for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was ever present.

“He truly believed in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, what it had provided for him and his family and how it was creating graduates who were making a real difference in the world,” says Whitehead. “He cared about people, he cared about his community, and I’ll miss our conversations, his warm smile and his generosity of spirit. He was a wonderful man whose impact was significant in every aspect of his life. Dean will be forever admired and deeply missed by all who knew him.”

Those wishing to send condolences to the Gallimore family can submit by following this link. The family also invites all those who knew Dean to share a short video (30 seconds to 2 minutes) reflecting on a special memory, an adventure shared or a meaningful lesson learned from him. Videos can be sent to deangallimoretribute@gmail.com by May 1. A selection of these will be shared at his Celebration of Life on Friday, May 23 (2 p.m.,
Science Commons Atrium) at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ flag has been lowered in his honour and will remain down through Friday, April 18. It will then be lowered again on May 23, the day of his celebration of life event, and remain down through the end of Convocation weekend, June 2.

Canadian comic icon Brent Butt among ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge 2025 honorary degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:03:44 +0000

Corner Gas creator will headline comedy show fundraiser in support of Food For Thought, student food security program

He created a Canadian landmark television program, has traversed the globe performing live stand-up shows and continues to mentor and support the growth and health of the Canadian comedy community. Brent Butt is a true Canadian comic icon and one of six people who will be awarded ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degrees during Spring and Fall 2025 Convocation ceremonies.

Brent Butt's comedic career has spanned more than 35 years.

Butt, who will be recognized at one of the four spring ceremonies, joins acclaimed writer David Robertson, former ULethbridge Chancellor Charlie Weaselhead, conductor Kirk Muspratt and community advocates Bernadine (BEd ’88) and Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04)(fall ceremony), as distinguished honourees.

“We’re thrilled to announce this tremendous group of honorary degree recipients who represent all the best attributes of the ULethbridge experience and its graduating students,” says Terry Whitehead, current ULethbridge Chancellor. “These are people who have achieved great success in their fields and done so in the right way, as engaged citizens in their communities, as educators, as mentors and leaders.”

Butt, who is known primarily for being the creator, writer and star of the iconic Canadian comedy series Corner Gas, has fashioned a comedic career spanning more than 35 years. Successful as a live performer as well as on the big and small screen, he is now an active screenwriter and author, always with deference to his small-town Canadian roots.

“To be able to recognize Brent for all the joy he has brought Canadians over the years is exciting and a recognition he richly deserves,” adds Whitehead. “Laughter is incredibly important in our lives, and I think we are realizing that more every day. Brent’s devotion to his comedic craft, willingness to share with others in the comedy community and unwavering commitment to his rural roots and Canadian culture says a lot about the kind of person he is.

“His willingness to perform for a Lethbridge audience and raise money in support of food security initiatives at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is heartfelt, and I can’t wait to enjoy a great evening of entertainment with him and his guest.”

The comedy show fundraiser to benefit the Food For Thought student program takes place Sunday, May 25, 7 p.m., at the Yates Memorial Theatre and features Brent Butt as the headliner with special guest Charlie Demers. Tickets, priced at $65 each, will be available through the City of Lethbridge Ticket Centre.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will present Butt with an honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Spring 2025 Convocation, Ceremony IV, on Friday, May 30, 2:30 p.m., in the Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Brent Butt

For Brent Butt, there really was no other career path than comedy, something he’d decided before his teenage years. While he briefly attended Ontario’s Sheridan College after graduating high school in his hometown of Tisdale, Saskatchewan, formal schooling quickly took a back seat to his entrepreneurial tendencies. Leaving school, he and a friend developed their own publishing company, and they created two issues of their comic book, Existing Earth, in which Butt drew the illustrations.

He approached comedy not on a whim, but rather as a vocation, studying the intricacies of the craft. By the time he took the stage for his first stand-up performance at the age of 21, he was ready and his meteoric rise in the comedy industry was testament to his work ethic and preparation. A year after his first appearance on an amateur night at a Saskatoon comedy club, Butt was touring Central and Eastern Canada. Before long he was headlining Toronto’s downtown Yuk Yuks Comedy Club and doors began to open for him internationally.

Once established as a live entertainer, Butt began realizing the next phase of his career, and in 2004 created, wrote and starred in the hit television show Corner Gas. Set in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, the show reflected Butt’s smalltown upbringing and shone a new light on rural Canada, one that resonated with small communities across the country and struck a chord with populations in larger urban centres.

Corner Gas ran for six seasons, averaging a remarkable 1.2 million viewers per episode and reaping numerous awards, including four Canadian Comedy Awards and five Gemini Awards. The show has now aired in 60 countries and continues to run on streaming platforms, boasting large fan bases in Germany, the United States, Australia and beyond. A Canadian Armed Forces soldier once wrote the show about his unit watching episodes of Corner Gas to take the edge off during particularly dangerous deployments, reminding them of home and that laughter and simpler times still existed.

The success of Corner Gas garnered remarkable attention and in 2008, Butt was awarded the Peter Ustinov Award for outstanding body of comedic work at the Banff World Media Festival. He joined the likes of past recipients John Cleese, Bob Newhart, John Candy and Eugene Levy.

With a platform as a leader in the industry, Butt has used his profile to call attention to the work of other comedians and to mentor and promote the growth and health of the comedy community.

Eager to continue to expand his creative knowledge, Butt is an active screenwriter and now author, having released his first novel, Huge, a #1 national best seller and one of Indigo’s 2023 Best Books of the Year.

Toby and Bernadine Boulet champion initiative to support student teachers pursuing rural placements

trevor.kenney — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:43:36 +0000

Retired teachers and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04) and Bernadine (Bernie) (BEd ’88) Boulet are paying it forward by championing the Faculty of Education’s new initiative, Paving Roads to Success – a transformative fundraising campaign that addresses the support needs of third-year student teachers pursuing rural placements.

The Paving Roads to Success campaign aims to reduce financial barriers for student teachers as they travel to and from rural placements.

Bernie and Toby, with over 60 years of combined teaching experience, understand the positive impact student teachers have in rural settings and the financial challenges they face due to additional travel and living expenses with rural placements. They are financially supporting the initiative to help reduce these barriers and empower student teachers to bring quality education to underserved communities across Alberta.

“I taught in Lethbridge, working with student teachers and giving back to the community of education," says Toby. "We need student teachers. They are a massive part of our community, and we recognize that students in rural placements need help financially because they’re paying additional expenses. Supporting our future teachers benefits everyone and we feel as though we have a responsibility to help. It’s what communities do, support each other.”

Doug Checkley, instructor and assistant dean of field experiences, says the support is sorely needed by students, who are facing ever-increasing economic stress, as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s rural partners.

“Our partners now have the opportunity to host third-year student teachers. When students spend a full 16-week practicum in a smaller community, the chances of them looking for employment there greatly increases,” says Checkley. “It’s a win for the students and a win for our rural partners who we are hoping to support in finding new teachers for their communities.”

Bernie knows well how impactful a rural placement can be on a young teacher. Her 36-year career began in a rural setting and imparted experiences she’d never imagined.

“The opportunity I had to be part of a rural community and what I learned about Indigenous culture, I carried with me through my entire career," she says. "In a rural placement, you gain an appreciation of what it’s like to be part of a rural school and understand the impact a school can have when it is the hub of a community.”

Toby and Bernie’s son Logan had his sights set on becoming a teacher before his life was tragically cut short as one of the victims of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. His short time in Humboldt made an impression upon him and speaks to the power of living in a smaller community.

“He had been registered at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to go into education and was going to be a teacher,” says Toby. “He told me and Bernie, “Humboldt is a nice town; I could teach here. I could live in Humboldt and teach here”.”

Those interested in supporting the Paving Roads to Success campaign can give here.

Boulet gift establishes permanent endowment for Ric Suggitt Women's Rugby Memorial Award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 May 2023 17:32:16 +0000

The Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award has received a gift of $20,000 from Bernadine (Bernie) (BEd ’88) and Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), establishing a permanent endowment and ensuring future generations of student-athletes will receive this meaningful support in perpetuity. Much more than a monetary scholarship given annually to a women’s rugby player at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the original award is a tribute to former Horns rugby coach Ric Suggitt and his legacy of selflessness and contributing to a better society.

Toby and Bernadine Boulet

Ric Suggitt coached just two years with the Horns (2015-2016) before his tragic passing in June 2017, and while his time as head of the program was short, the impact he made on campus, throughout Pronghorn Athletics and in the community was massive. His sphere of influence was wide and extended far beyond the rugby world — something that would become evident following his untimely death and the chain of tragic events that ensued.

“Ric was very special to our son Logan, and he offered to train Logan and his three buddies,” says Toby of his hockey-playing son. “He did a great job with them just out of the kindness of his heart and Logan really took to that — Ric was a larger-than-life personality.”

Suggitt was an organ donor and upon his passing, a tragedy turned into a miracle for those transplant recipients who benefitted from his ultimate gift. That last act of selflessness and giving resonated with Logan and he told his family he was signing up as an organ donor as well. What seemed like a symbolic gesture at the time eventually proved prescient, as Logan was one of the 16 people who died in the April 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

As the story emerged that Logan was able to save six lives through the donation of his organs, The Logan Boulet Effect was born, with hundreds of thousands of people signing up to be organ donors. The genesis of it all was Suggitt and his relationship with Logan, thereby making it easy for Bernie and Toby to choose to support the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award and continue to tell their story.

“You can never talk enough about a child who has passed away, and then it gives us a chance to talk about Ric and Ric’s influence on Logan and how he inspired him to become an organ donor,” says Toby.

Bernie echoes that sentiment and, as a co-chair of the Campaign for Students, encourages others to find an award that resonates with them if they are considering donating.

“I was never that person who would go out and ask for donations and then I thought back to when I was a student here and how fortunate I was to get scholarships and not have to worry about having to work while I was playing soccer and taking a full course load,” she says. “Those scholarships made a huge difference for me and when I took on this role, I thought about how hard it has been for students the last few years. It hasn’t been an easy road for them, and I see this campaign as an opportunity to build some positive connections again for our students to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and our community.”

Any donations to the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award, or any other new endowed student scholarship, will be matched by the ULethbridge Board of Governors as part of their $10-million pledge to student awards.

Keegan Brantner (BA ’21), a previous recipient of the award, which was established in 2017, says the scholarship was invaluable in helping her maintain focus on her schooling and her sport, rather than worrying about financial issues.

“Receiving the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award was a tremendous honor,” says Brantner. “The financial assistance is greatly appreciated but the meaning and legacy behind the award is what matters most to me. This award continues to honor Ric and his legacy as well as the values of selflessness, kindness, community and giving, which is what makes receiving this award so special.”

That the award bears Ric Suggitt’s name and will forever be connected to Ric, Logan and the Boulet family is heartening to Neil Langevin (BA/BEd ’91, MEd ’10), executive director of Pronghorn Athletics.

“This award isn’t just about the money, which of course is important and can be life changing for a student-athlete, it also speaks to everything we value in Pronghorn Athletics,” says Langevin. “The story behind this award and why it came to be is about making the world around you better, about impacting people’s lives and creating a legacy of giving and community. Each scholarship recipient will know that story and the responsibility that comes with this award and that’s a powerful lesson to learn. We couldn’t be more appreciative of the Boulet family and all the donors to this award who have made this happen.”

Those interested in donating, can give by visiting the Ric Suggitt Women’s Rugby Memorial Award webpage. To give to any other student scholarship, visit Campaign for Students.

Alumnus Joshua Wong utilizes Logan Boulet Effect as inspiration for Green Shirt Day 2022 logo

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:34:17 +0000

Green Shirt Day 2022 will have a fresh look thanks to the work of a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus who has designed a new logo for the annual event. What will never change is the need for this important day to continue.

Joshua Wong (BFA/BMgt ’20) answered the call when Green Shirt Day organizers decided to redesign the logo for the April 7, 2022, event. Alumnus Toby Boulet (BEd '89, MEd '04), whose son Logan passed away because of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018, suggested a contest be orchestrated through ULethbridge to find a new look.

Joshua Wong, right, with the design for the new Green Shirt Day logo.

For Wong, the Logan Boulet Effect served as the inspiration for his design. It features two ribbons, one green and one yellow, intertwined with the words “Logan Boulet Effect” and “Humboldt Strong” on them. The ribbons in the logo feature several geometric shapes within them, something Wong made after watching an interview with the Humboldt Broncos pastor, who inspired him to create a design incorporating stained glass.

“The design has abstract elements,” says Wong, who works in Calgary as a graphic designer. “The different shades of green represent freshness, renewal and affirmation of life and the idea that communities are stronger together. The yellow represents the people who were affected by the Humboldt bus crash itself. For every shape that's in the yellow, it represents each individual who was affected.”

“My hope is that the different shades of colour represent different communities. The angled white lines in the green ribbon are inspired by pictures of the hockey stick that Logan had, with a more direct reference to him with the number 27 on the ribbon.”

Toby says the logo has been well-received for its thoughtful design.

“It replicates Logan's ribbons, which I like, and I like that the Humboldt Broncos are still recognized prominently in the logo,” he says. “I think it speaks to people. Register, be inspired and tell your family. If you want to think about Logan, think about the Logan Boulet Effect, and the Humboldt Broncos.”

The Logan Boulet Effect is the movement that emerged following the catastrophic bus crash and was inspired by Logan’s decision to register as an organ donor prior to his passing. At its core, the movement encourages Canadians and individuals around the world to register as organ donors.

Nearly 150,000 Canadians registered to become organ donors in the days and weeks following the crash, spurring the creation of Green Shirt Day to maintain momentum and honour the victims and families of the crash.

For Toby, it was important to involve ULethbridge in the process of creating a new look for Green Shirt Day — something they plan to do on a regular basis.

“Bernie (BEd ’88) and I both have degrees from there. Mariko (BSc ’17) has a degree from there and Logan was accepted there. I'm a senator there right now, and I managed the Pronghorns women’s rugby team for 20 years,” says Toby. “We're very connected to ULethbridge and if we're going to try a contest, we're going to go to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We set it up with the Department of New Media in the Faculty of Fine Arts, and we included a $750 award for the winning design.”

It was a first for Wong to enter a design contest and in addition to winning this year’s design, he’s been offered a contract with Green Shirt Day for more design work.

“Going through this process with Green Shirt Day is a real learning experience for me and I feel lucky. Through the collaboration, I have gotten more experience than I thought I would have when I entered this contest.”

More than 2,100 shirts have been ordered for the Lethbridge area alone, as schools, the fire department, and Lethbridge Transit staff all prepare to don green on April 7. Those interested can get their official green shirt at greenshirt.ca.

Anyone can be a potential organ donor regardless of age, medical condition, or sexual orientation. In Alberta, the registration process for organ donation is done completely online through the Organ and Tissue Donation Registry.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge supporting Green Shirt Day, president Mahon named as ambassador for plasma donor centre

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:28:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is following the lead of the courageous Boulet family and working to turn tragedy into life-saving support for generations to come.

U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon is joining the effort as an ambassador for Canadian Blood Services’ new Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre.

Marking the three-year anniversary of Logan Boulet’s death in the Humboldt Broncos bus accident, April 7, Green Shirt Day, has become synonymous with raising awareness for organ and tissue donation across Canada. Only five weeks prior to the crash, Logan had signed up to be an organ donor, inspired by the passing of his family friend and trainer Ric Suggit, who was also the Pronghorns Women’s Rugby coach. Logan was able to save six lives, and affect so many more across Canada. Within a month of his passing, Canadian Blood Services reported that just shy of 100,000 people had signed up to be organ donors. The Logan Boulet Effect was born.

Boulet’s parents, Bernadine (BEd ’98) and Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), and sister, Mariko (BSc ’17), continue to triumph the message of organ and tissue donation, as well as blood and plasma. Today, U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon is joining the effort as an ambassador for Canadian Blood Services’ new Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre.

“We have all been touched by this tragedy and the selflessness of Logan and how many people he was able to positively impact,” says Mahon. “For us at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, this was particularly jarring as it hit so close to home. As a community, we came together to support the Boulet family and through this initiative, we look to continue that legacy of support and provide hope to other families in need.”

Canadian Blood Services opened the doors of the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre in December 2020. Plasma is the protein-rich liquid in our blood that can be used to make specialized medicines and therapies. Collecting more plasma will help the thousands of Canadian patients who depend on these therapies to survive, including those right here in Lethbridge.

“We are grateful for the generosity that local residents, businesses and organizations, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, have shown at our plasma donor centre,” says U of L alumna Brenna Scott (BA ’16), business development manager, Canadian Blood Services’ Lethbridge plasma donor centre. “We have welcomed members of the Boulet family to donate plasma several times. It’s truly a testament to the spirit and memory of Logan and we are thankful to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for their support of Green Shirt Day.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is also running an internal campaign to spur plasma donations. Throughout the next few months, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ groups are challenging their members and other units across campus to book appointments at the local plasma clinic — and, of course, wear their green shirts.

“The need for blood, tissue, organs and plasma never subsides, and for very little effort, our actions can positively affect so many people,” says Mahon. “I encourage everyone to find a way to support the efforts of the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre and those in our community who are in need of their lifesaving services.”

To book an appointment, please visit blood.ca/Lethbridge.

Members identified for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Hockey Advisory Committee

trevor.kenney — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:19:27 +0000

The members of the committee that will look into the possible reinstatement of men’s and women’s hockey at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have been chosen.

The Hockey Advisory Committee, which was established shortly after the U of L discontinued its men’s and women’s hockey programs in April, will be led by Chair Dan Laplante (BMgt ’88) and consist of 13 sitting members as well as three resource personnel. Its membership represents various viewpoints related to the hockey programs, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the community at large.

“I think it was important for us to establish a committee that has broad representation and takes into account the many stakeholders connected to the hockey programs,” says U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “Given Dan’s reputation as a long-time supporter of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Pronghorn Athletics, his appointment as Chair was very well received and elicited a lot of interest in the committee.”

Other committee members include U of L Board of Governors Finance representative Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84); Board of Governors Advancement representative Terry Whitehead (BA ’94) and Pronghorn Athletic Director Neil Langevin (BA/BEd ’91, MEd ’10). Community members include Perry Neufeld (BSc ’01), Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), Jerry LeGrandeur, Dino Caputo (BFA ’99, BEd ’01) and Kathy Hopkins. Sam Schneyder (BSc ’07) and Lesley Burton (BSc ’02) are members representing the women’s hockey alumni group and PJ Lynch (BMgt ’05) and Reese St. Goddard (BMgt ’11) will represent the men’s hockey alumni.

“From the committee list you can see we have alumni, former players, community representatives and original founders of the programs,” says Mahon. “It is an excellent group and I look forward to hearing their recommendations as they work through their process.”

The committee’s purpose is to explore the re-establishment of both men's and women's hockey programs at the U of L supported by a solid and sustainable community-based funding model. The committee will consider other successful post-secondary community-based funding models. Its role is strictly advisory and will not revisit the decision to withdraw the hockey programs or conduct a review of the varsity athletic programs at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

The Hockey Advisory Committee will sit over the next 18 months before making its findings known. By withdrawing its teams from Canada West play, the U of L cannot be reinstated in the conference for two years, meaning the earliest possible date for the Pronghorns to return to play would be the 2022-23 season. Canada West requires applications for a new sport to be submitted in the summer prior to the new sport participation year, with the application process completed by the following March.

The committee will make recommendations to the President's Executive Council, and the President and Vice-Chancellor will decide and approve if any or which recommendations will be presented to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Board of Governors. The Board of Governors is the final decision body.

The Hockey Advisory Committee full terms of reference are available here.

Celebrating Green Shirt Day

trevor.kenney — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 22:03:50 +0000

It has been two years since the tragic Humboldt Broncos' bus crash claimed the lives of 16 young Canadians, including local hockey player, Logan Boulet. Logan’s parents, Toby (BEd '89, MEd '04) and Bernadine Boulet (BEd '98), and his sister Mariko (BSc '17), are all alumni of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, so this tragedy is even more near and dear to our hearts.

Paula Gorman, Sales & Promotions Manager for Pronghorn Athletics & Recreation, is ready to show her support for Green Shirt Day.

Only five weeks prior to the crash, Logan had signed up to be an organ donor, inspired by the passing of his family friend and trainer Ric Suggit, who was also the Pronghorns Women’s Rugby coach. Logan was able to save six lives, a gift that changed the lives of so many Canadians. Within a month of Logan’s passing, Canadian Blood Services reported that just shy of 100,000 people had signed up to be organ donors. The Logan Boulet Effect was born as news spread of the impact this young man had.

In 2019, the first national Green Shirt Day took place, with the goal of honouring, remembering and recognizing all the victims and families of that fatal crash and to continue Logan’s legacy by inspiring Canadians to talk to their families and register as organ donors. April 7th, the anniversary of Logan’s death, will be celebrated to help promote these life saving measures that allow all Canadians to give life to someone. There are several local and national organizations who benefit from organ, blood and tissue donations. Below are some of the organizations involved in the promotion of Green Shirt Day.

1. Canadian Blood Services. As Canada’s largest blood authority non-profit organization, they promote blood, plasma, stem cell and organ donation. To check eligibility and to book a donation appointment, visit their website. Make sure to check out both the organ donation after death program as well as the Living Kidney Donation program to see how you can get involved.

2. Hockey Gives Blood. IT TAKES A TEAM TO SAVE A LIFE. Hockey Gives Blood was founded by Stu Middleton and Tanner Murray, as a way to get the world of Canadian hockey involved in blood and stem cell donation awareness. The premise of this organization is to encourage teams to work together to build awareness and to give back.

3. Kidney Foundation of Canada. With organizations in municipalities all over the country (including one that operates right here in southern Alberta), the Kidney Foundation organizes and advocates for living kidney donations. Whether donating to a friend or family member or being willing to give to a perfect stranger, this organization facilitates the entire process.

Culture of Achievement

trevor.kenney — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 21:25:27 +0000

Nearly 20 years after the program was founded, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns Rugby knows what it is, having confidently carved out a recognizable identity.

Reflected in the championship banners that hang in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness, on the Pronghorns Hall of Fame wall that celebrates its three successive national titles, in the eight Academic All-Canadians on the current roster, with the five players elected to the 50 Greatest Pronghorns list and throughout southern Alberta as coaches, managers and stewards of the game in virtually every high school program — the identity is rooted in fundamental values that breed success.

“We did not foresee this, no, truly not,” says Neil Langevin (BA/BEd ’91, MEd ’10), who along with Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), are credited as the principal architects of the program. “We thought we were creating an opportunity for local girls to play rugby and, to be honest, we didn’t see too much beyond that.”

Their philosophy was simple enough. With a mantra that preached process before results, they implored everyone in the program, from players to coaches to athletic therapists, to simply try and make Pronghorns rugby better today than it was yesterday — and then do it again tomorrow.

“At the end of the day, we are judged by results but you can’t get those results unless you are focused on the day-to-day process,” says Langevin, who recently returned to the program in the wake of the tragic death of head coach Ric (Sluggo) Suggitt in June 2017. “That mantra has persisted since the beginning and I’m proud to say I now work with girls who have come through the program and continue to use that approach in everything they do today.”

Success came relatively early for the program. After debuting in 1999, the Horns captured Canada West bronze in 2001 and two years later had a first appearance at nationals. A run of five successive Canada West titles would follow and from 2007 through 2009, the Horns reeled off three straight national titles. In a short 10 years, Horns Rugby became the national measuring stick.

Coaches Ashley Steacy, left, and Neil Langevin epitomize the Pronghorns Rugby ideology.

Even more significant than what was taking place on the field was the ripple effect of Pronghorns Rugby throughout southern Alberta. Initially a fringe sport, it took time to move into the mainstream and begin attracting the region’s best athletes. Even southern Alberta’s greatest rugby product, Olympian Ashley (Patzer) Steacy (BSc ’15), had to be coaxed into taking up the game in her high school years.

“When I was in high school you weren’t getting any of the best athletes playing rugby,” says Steacy, who has returned to the program as a coach. “You were getting those who’d heard about it from a friend, or were maybe curious and wanted something new to play, but the best athletes played the more traditional sports.”

Steacy was dragged to the pitch by a close friend and implored by coaches to be more than just a practice player on her first exposure to the sport. Once she hit the field in a competitive setting, the game hooked her. She enjoyed the contact, its empowering nature and the sport’s welcoming culture.

“The camaraderie between your teammates, between you and the opposition, between you and your staff, I feel like there’s so much respect within the sport,” she says. “It’s an aggressive, fast-paced, crazy game but you’re still friends with your opposition and at the end of the day, you shake their hands and you respect them.”

Langevin says a major factor in the growth of the game, aside from the success of the Pronghorns, was the simple fact that its varsity sport status at the U of L gave it legitimacy in the southern Alberta sporting community.

“Just the initial move of having the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ recognize rugby as a varsity sport and giving scholarships was huge,” he says. “There’s a competitive nature with southern Alberta athletes and this gave them another legitimate avenue for athletes to play at a high level. What’s also happening now is we’re not just seeing our athletes recognized at the university or provincial level, they’re being recognized nationally, so it’s much easier for girls today to see themselves in the sport and say, yes, that’s the sport I choose.”

In 2008, the Pronghorns hosted the national championship tournament and parlayed it into a showcase of the women’s game. Perfect weather, coupled with a championship performance by the home side pushed the game to the forefront and local area high schools jumped on board.

The Pronghorns hosted the U SPORTS National Championship during a snowy November weekend.

“If you look at the number of high school programs that now have both a junior and senior varsity team, even the small schools, it’s impressive. Look at the complete dominance of our high schools at the provincial level, I think that’s evidence of what was achieved through that 2008 tournament,” Langevin says of the exposure it gave the game.

When the Horns played host to the 2017 USPORTS National Championship tournament, the focus was less on educating the public about women’s rugby and more on celebrating its strengths. Both Langevin and Steacy see a completely different rugby landscape now than 10 years ago.

“It used to be where we would have maybe one or two players from the provincial team come to the program and now, the vast majority of our players have been playing for five or six years, and they’ve played at the provincial level or national junior level,” says Langevin.

The challenge now is mining the depth of talent found throughout western Canada and the centralization of national programs on the west coast. With the National Sevens program based in B.C. and talk of the 15s also centralizing on the coast, much of the country’s elite-level players are gravitating to B.C. schools.

For the Pronghorns, it translates into an even sharper focus on growing the game in southern Alberta and strengthening the home base.

“Even in the last two years, the way that Sluggo recruited, that was our philosophy,” says Langevin. “We don’t ever sell our soul looking for the high-profile recruit, we don’t promise extra stuff. We really believe that once we get players here, something magical happens in the community and at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We try to pick people with good character and those people find each other and we grow from there.”

Steacy says this philosophy created the platform for the national powerhouse teams of which she was a part. As much as she is wont to admit, she was the lone star of her recruiting class, but rugby success in particular isn’t predicated on individual talent.

“I think back to 2005 when our group of eight came in, there weren’t a lot of big names in that group, and through developing together and having that bond throughout the years, we found you don’t necessarily need all those big names to be successful,” she says. “It’s about establishing a culture, a trust, and a belief that you can do something special.

“There’d been about five years building the culture and defining what Pronghorns Rugby was all about before we came in. Those women really built the program and helped transfer the values of what the program stood for and set the tone for what Horns Rugby was all about from the very beginning.”

It’s a culture that is alive and well today and an identity that Steacy and Langevin are proud to nurture, not just internally but throughout southern Alberta.

“If you look at every high school program in the community, maybe with the exception of one, there is a Pronghorns rugby alumnus associated with them, and to see that legacy is very satisfying,” says Langevin. “To see the profile of our program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, throughout the city and southern Alberta, to be able to come into the gym and look up at those banners and what they represent, it absolutely feels awesome and is a testament to everyone who has been a part of Pronghorns Rugby over the years.”

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