UNews - transportation

Achieving success on his own terms

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:48:31 +0000

It was after a long, hard summer day working with his dad on the family dairy farm that a young Paul Campeau (BMgt '04) first pondered the values that he would live his life by.

"I grew up with a good sense that hard work is required to achieve anything in life. I worked with my father and uncle and woke up at 4:30 in the morning to milk cows and then I would go work in the fields when I wasn't in school," says Campeau. "I remember going into the house for dinner late one day when my dad told me that although his job wasn't glamorous, he loved experiencing life every day, making his own decisions about what to do and how to best do it. That definitely affected my life. I tend to do things off the beaten path. I still work hard; I just do it my own way."

Alumnus Paul Campeau and his business partner Will Henderson represent a new breed of accountant.

The co-owner and partner of the successful new accounting firm, Henderson Campeau Chartered Accountants LLP, also drew inspiration from his mother.

"My mom has always been supportive of everything I do," he says. "I watched her strength and love as she raised five kids. She enjoyed a beautiful life every day. I try to have a positive outlook and enjoy each day to its fullest too."

After high school, Campeau earned a business administration diploma from Red Deer College. Several years later, he applied to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Edmonton campus to complete his management degree with a focus on accounting.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ accepted my business diploma courses and offered the broad range of courses I was looking for. The practical, hands-on approach to teaching gave me the flexibility to be myself, express my ideas, participate in in-depth class discussions and have access to great professors, most of them industry professionals," says Campeau. "I believe that you learn so much from experience and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's satellite campus had a great way of teaching that."

Campeau graduated in 2004 and began working on his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation while articling at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Edmonton. Two years later, with a CA designation under his belt, the lure of beautiful warm weather and a smaller firm had him jumping ship to Bermuda where he met his future wife, Carly.

"When I worked for Deloitte, I got a high level of education and experience but I always wanted to work for a smaller firm. The owners of the firm in Bermuda had a laid back attitude. They expected a lot but they also trusted that I would do what needed to be done," says Campeau.

Moving to Amsterdam with Carly in 2008, Campeau began working as a senior accountant for Align Technology. Living in the Netherlands further highlighted Campeau's desire to enjoy every moment of his life.

"In Amsterdam, your bike is your only source of transportation. They don't take things as seriously there as we do in North America. You learn that you can live a beautiful and uncomplicated life," says Campeau.

Spurred on by this same attitude, Campeau and his future business partner Will Henderson began laying the groundwork for an opportunity to control their own destinies; their accounting firm.

"When we were both students we joked a lot about starting our own firm. The timing was just right and everything just fell into place. We opened the doors in February 2010," explains Campeau.

Taking a different approach from more traditional accounting firms, Henderson Campeau is about high quality service in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The TV in the lobby and couch in the boardroom are examples of this unique approach.

Campeau and Henderson are living life and succeeding on their own terms, balancing hard work, reliability, trust and excellent service with a passion for fun and a determination to savour every moment.

"We don't ever want to get too big for our britches that we forget to enjoy life. We want provide a high level of service for all of our clients. We want to make them comfortable and respond to their needs the same day. It is exciting to see our clients succeed, to know that you have added value to them and to the community," says Campeau. "Walking into work with your best friend, being able to trust each other, help each other out and watch TV over coffee is great. This isn't just a job, it is a lifestyle."

GET THE FACTS

· He still rides his bike – the one he had in Amsterdam – to work each day

· Campeau grew up in a French-speaking household and is fluently bilingual

· Henderson Campeau reached its projected three-year goals in the first year and a half of operation

· Campeau's firm is looking at creating co-op programs to mentor students

· Henderson Campeau (www.hendersoncampeau.com) was recently featured in the fall 2011 Spotlight magazine published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta

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.

UPass issue at heart of debates

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:01:32 +0000

Recently, the Students' Union General Assembly voted to send the issue of a new universal bus pass to referendum.

The proposal came after 77 per cent of respondents to the ULSU Year in Review survey told the ULSU to look into the UPass; indicating that students were becoming concerned with the rising costs of transportation.

There are two major additions to the program since it last was sent to referendum in 2006. Firstly, there will be an opt-out option for students living outside of the service area, on practicum outside of Lethbridge,and taking distance-learning courses. Secondly, if successful, this proposal will be subject to a one-year term and would go back to a referendum for permanent approval in February 2013. The one-year term will effectively serve as a trial period whereby students can become familiar with the service and determine whether they're able to make effective use of it.

Town Halls on the UPass issue will take place in the UHall Atrium on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 12:15 p.m., and Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. The referendum vote will be held online from Oct. 24 to 26.

Geography students take city hall

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:54:13 +0000

A team of Geography students recently received a high-profile lesson in public affairs by presenting their research to Lethbridge City Council.

As part of an Applied Studies project, five students from Gary Weikum's Geography 2535 Introduction to Planning and Geography 4500 Sustainability Issues in Planning classes spent the academic year conducting research on the sources and quantity of greenhouse gases produced by the corporate operations of the City of Lethbridge.

Craig Wiebe fields media questions with support from (l to r) Jordan Vine, Leo Chow, Andrew Malcolm and their instructor, Gary Weikum. Missing from the photo is Nicole Gergely. All students are in their third or fourth year of study.

Weikum, a sessional instructor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and former city planner, introduced the project to the student group as a means to complement their classroom knowledge with hands-on experience. He says the students demonstrated their commitment to the project and desire to promote the management of greenhouse gases even after the course was complete by presenting their findings to city council and discussing greenhouse gas issues with the media.

"This was a great opportunity for the group to put their knowledge to action and theory to practice by preparing a professional report for a real client," says Weikum. "The students can now go back to the classroom with an enhanced perspective and better context for classroom instruction."

Weikum adds that the project also benefits the students as they are exposed to potential work situations that may be available after graduation.

"The key elements acquired by the students include; the ability to manage large projects with firm deadlines, work in a team environment, and build successful relationships with a client," says Weikum. "They also participated in several workshops to examine their preferred working styles, and strengths and weaknesses of the project management component. These insights will help them refine their career plans."

Craig Wiebe, a team member who intends to pursue a master's degree following graduation next year, says the project will help him should he continue on as a community planner.

"Gary deliberately structured the project to be similar to one of the many projects he had worked on as a planner for the City of Lethbridge," says Wiebe. "He even included a presentation to council, which is common in projects that planners work on. Working on this project as a team, with the amount of
external data sources and research that we needed to collect and analyze gave us all important work experience. Members of our project team have already found employers to be keenly interested in the experience that we gained."

Weikum said that with the success of this project, he plans to initiate further client-based ventures that relate classroom study to community issues.

The student group conducted an extensive review of all City of Lethbridge operations to assess the level of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. The final report is expected to be used by city council and administration for future planning.

The students found that overall, city operations produce more than 130,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents from such activities as heating and lighting buildings, providing transit service, road maintenance, etc. It was discovered that the city-owned landfills (one operating site and two closed sites) account for more than 80,000 tonnes of the total. It was also noted that half of the electrical and gas demand for the wastewater treatment plant is supplied by the combustion of methane gas produced from municipal sewage.

"The most surprising item we discovered during our research were the enormous amounts of greenhouse gases – in this case, mostly methane – being emitted by the city's three landfills," says Wiebe. "Much of the methane emissions are produced by paper and cardboard, which can conveniently be taken to recycling centres throughout the city."

Wiebe says that landfills were included in the corporate survey, as they are the city's responsibility, but their share of greenhouse gas emissions is disproportionately high in their report, because the entire community contributes to the emissions.

"A community survey would likely find both transportation and landfills to be leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions," he says.

While the quantity of greenhouse gases produced by Lethbridge municipal operations are similar to other prairie cities that were benchmarked, the students were able to make several recommendations for future planning to reduce the amount of equivalent CO2 emissions. The recommendations included more detailed studies, public consultation and input into community greenhouse gas reduction and other similar suggestions.

This story first appeared in the Legend. To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Senate to recognize Rasmussen with annual award

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:01:51 +0000

Elisha Rasmussen, a valued member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate and a revered advocate for the interests of the U of L and the value of post-secondary education, is the 2011 Senate Volunteer Award recipient.

Over the past several years, Rasmussen has led the Senate Honorary Degree Search Committee, and, under her leadership, has increased the profile of the honorary degree program. An experienced and accomplished journalist, Rasmussen drew on that expertise to spread the word about honorary degrees both internally and externally. As a result, while once there were just two or three honorary degree nominations, the committee now receives 10 to 12 each year.

Elisha Rasmussen has been a long-time advocate for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Rasmussen's contributions go far beyond her work with the Senate. Over the years she has served the U of L in a number of volunteer capacities, such as welcoming international students as a part of the Hospitality Committee, serving with her husband Collin in the Family Friendship program and assisting at numerous convocation ceremonies by pouring tea, greeting guests and providing transportation. She and Collin would routinely help welcome students to campus from places such as South Korea, Germany, Mexico, France, Poland and Ghana by hosting family dinners and including them in other community events.

An exemplary ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and a gracious host, Rasmussen is a worthy recipient of the 2011 Senate Volunteer Award.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Locker project to give cyclists alternatives

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:35:51 +0000

If you happen to see more bicycles on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus this spring, it might not be solely related to better weather conditions. Rather, it could be the more favourable conditions created for riders, thanks to a collaborative initiative between Sport and Recreation Services and Parking and Security Services.

A total of 30 new bike lockers, a shared purchase by the two campus units, will arrive on campus at the end of April, giving campus commuters more options should they choose to go green and leave their cars at home.

Would you rather leave your bike in exposed racks or take advantage of enclosed bike lockers? More choices will be available this spring with the addition of 30 new lockers to campus.

"Parking Services was introduced to bike lockers in 2009 and had the opportunity to meet with company representatives in the spring of 2010," says Dick Lutwick, parking manager. "At that time we decided to place five lockers on campus on a trial basis."

Located outside the 1st Choice Savings Centre, the five lockers served as a pilot project that was quickly accepted by the campus community.

"The original plan called for the manufacturer to leave them there for two months just to see what kind of response we'd get and that two months has stretched into a year," says Kevin McFadzen.
"We found five people who were interested in using them and after that I established a list of others who were wondering how they could get into a locker and whether we had plans to get more on campus."

McFadzen is an avid cyclist and had been introduced to the locker concept while attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria. He had an interest in bringing them to the U of L and found like-minded attitudes in Parking Services.

"We view this investment as supporting green initiatives," says Lutwick of the joint $30,000 purchase. "It supports the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's commitment to environmental sustainability. By promoting the use of alternative transportation, we can accommodate a larger campus population without increasing our parking infrastructure."

But why are the lockers needed when there are ample bike racks at various campus locations?

"I've got bikes I don't ride to school because they're too expensive and I don't want them damaged, sitting in the elements all day or simply getting stolen," says McFadzen.

With the success of five lockers on campus, a survey went out to the U of L community about its appetite for more. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

"I was actually surprised from our survey last year," says McFadzen. "I'd always talked to people about them but I realized I was probably talking to a biased group, those who already ride bikes."

The lockers can fit an entire bike and is complete with hooks to hang gear such as helmets and wet clothes. They will be made available on a rental basis, much like gym lockers inside the 1st Choice Savings Centre.

"Some people would like to have a daily rental but that would get into substantial costs, having to have electronics out there to monitor that use," says McFadzen. "Plus, if someone rides in with an expensive bike expecting to have a locker and finds they are all taken, then what option does that leave them?"

Neither Lutwick nor McFadzen expect the entire campus to suddenly adopt bicycles as their preferred mode of transport because of this initiative but they see it as taking away obstacles for those inclined to go green.

"I'm hoping that it gets less cars coming to campus," says McFadzen. "We have 30 lockers, so in reality, probably 20 people who are already riding their bikes to campus will take advantage of these lockers. But if it adds another 10 bikes to campus and encourages 10 people to leave their cars at home, that's something. It's a start and hopefully it will catch on."

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Hansen benefits from personal touch

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:25:57 +0000

A Wikipedia search led Danish student Stine Hansen to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's web door, but it was the personal attention she received thereafter that brought her to campus.

Hansen is in her fourth year, thriving as an international student with her eyes set on completing a degree in urban and regional studies. Now an ambassador for the U of L experience, she's a far greater resource than any Wikipedia link.

"Everything I learned about Lethbridge before I moved here, I learned on Wikipedia," she laughs, admitting now that to pack up and leave Denmark to study in Lethbridge, Alberta was a major leap of faith.

International student Stine Hansen found the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge through Wikipedia.

"It was a bit of a risk but my parents were, surprisingly enough, very supportive," says the 27-year-old. "The registrar's office was really good helping me with my courses and transcript, and I just got a really good feeling about the place.

"I also got such good support from the International Centre for Students (ICS). They told me what to expect when I arrived, how to get settled, when to arrive, and how they would help me. At the time, because of all that support, it didn't seem that big a deal to sell everything I owned, pack three suitcases and move here. Looking back it was a little bit crazy."

You might think her assimilation into Canadian culture was an easy one. Hansen's a European who speaks English, and she had been motivated to come study in Canada after a high school exchange program took her to Nova Scotia when she was 16. But the culture, food and lifestyle are markedly different and it began to hit her on the drive from the Calgary airport to Lethbridge.

"The first town I went through was Nanton, then Claresholm, then Fort
Macleod and I really started to wonder what I had gotten myself into," she says, having grown up 20 minutes from Copenhagen and recently lived there. "I came into Lethbridge on a rainy Sunday afternoon – it looked deserted and I felt very alone."

She once again used the International Centre for support. Hansen attended the various meet and greet sessions with other international students, took advantage of the Global Connections partner program and signed up to play intramural soccer.

"If you're shy you're never going to get anywhere, you really have to open up. I used to be a shy person but now, I figure you have to step out there," says Hansen.

Her studies followed suit, and she quickly found that the personal attention she received from ICS and the registrar's office was reflected in her classes.

"That's what I like so much about the U of L, it's a small campus and pretty much every class I've ever had I can go to the professors and say, "I don't get this", and they'll sit down and help you out," says Hansen. "They really try, they know your name and I really like that."

Originally interested in pursuing a career in urban planning, she changed her focus to the study of human geography and found a special kinship with anthropology professor, Dr. Jan Newberry. She's excited to work on an Independent Study program with Newberry this summer.

"When I go back home I always say how much I love doing what I'm doing," says Hansen. "Even here, I've convinced a few people to come into my major. I love the multidisciplinary aspect of it, because you can study anthropology, sociology, geography, it's been great."

In fact, Hansen credits women's studies professor, Dr. Tiffany Muller Myrdahl, with setting her on a career path.

"She suggested I attend the Association of American Geographers' Annual Meeting last year. I went with another international student to Washington, D.C., and I came away knowing this is what I wanted to do. I really appreciate her showing that to me," says Hansen, who intends to pursue a master's degree in geography of disability and transportation.

Her success as a student has not been easy, and it hasn't been a straight line but because of support from all over campus, Hansen is eager to talk about her U of L experience. It's why she jumped at the opportunity to participate in the recent International Student Fair in the Atrium, where students from around the globe constructed tri-fold displays to help educate campus about their home nations.

"We got out there and the people who wanted to ask questions got that opportunity," she says. "It's definitely worth doing again. I believe if I only reach a few, it's still a success. I think there's a misconception that international students are only from the Far East but we are a really diverse group and maybe I'm the only one from Denmark but that's OK."

GET THE FACTS

• Post-secondary education in Denmark is free, prompting Hansen to quip, "My parents really love me."

• Hansen's older sister completed a master's degree in economics from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Copenhagen.

• Hansen became ill during her second semester and credits ICS liaison officer Charlene Janes for helping her through. "She is the best person ever. The ICS staff really knows its students and Charlene knew what was best for me at that time. Every time my parents come to visit, they make sure they go visit Charlene because they appreciate how much she looks after us."

• Hansen's tri-fold display highlighted the differences between Canadian and Danish Christmas traditions. She was also eager to tell people just where Denmark is in the world. "I love to talk about my country and I don't expect everyone to know. The Fair was great because I got a chance to show them what my Denmark is like."

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Perspective changes with new faces

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:51:06 +0000

Every year, there's an influx of new talent to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) – this year is no exception.

The ULSU Executive Council has brought a great many new ideas to the organization and is ready to make some positive changes to the student experience at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"It is my hope to provide students with a unique experience that reflects the essence of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge," says Taz Kassam, ULSU president. "We want to compliment the academic programs, thereby enhancing the educational experience as well as the quality of campus life for students."

Kassam looks to do this by showcasing the services and opportunities offered through the ULSU. She also intends to see the ULSU recognized locally, provincially and nationally as a dynamic and innovative leader.

"It is very important that the ULSU has a strong representation on campus, as well as municipally, provincially and federally," says Allan Hall, vice-president operations and finance. "All four of these government bodies play a significant role in the lives of undergraduate students, and it is paramount that we ensure student voices are heard at these levels."

With a municipal election on the horizon, this is an exceptionally important year for the ULSU in terms of its advocacy on issues involving housing and transportation in Lethbridge.

The ULSU encourages student involvement both on campus and in the community, and this year the Executive Council is committed to increasing student engagement.

"The lifeblood of the ULSU is students," says Keith McLaughlin, vice-president academic. "We need to be engaged with and responsive to our students in order to be effective. Through our positions, we hope to invigorate the student body."

Open lines of communication are not always easy to achieve, but the ULSU is working hard to break down any barriers that may exist between students and the ULSU. Simple acts, such as having lunch with students and talking to students face-to-face help to create an awareness of the ULSU around campus and keep them in touch with who they elected.

"We really hope for a high level of transparency with the student population," says Nate McCowan, vice-president internal. "We want to engage our students and provide an atmosphere that fosters both learning and having fun."

The U of L inside government

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:43:31 +0000

A look at several ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ alumni who now contribute to the inner workings of our government

Melvin Wong

Inspired by the experiences, travels and success stories of several ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni working in Ottawa, as well as the guidance of several ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ faculty and staff, Melvin Wong (BA '78), assistant deputy minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, embarked on a lifelong career in civil service.

"Originally, I thought of becoming a chartered accountant, then I had an 'a-ha' moment when I spoke with a counselor. She helped me find out what career opportunities I would have with an economics degree. That's when I decided to go into public service," explains Wong.

Wong's first experience with government began in his third year with the economics club.

"I went to a club meeting and someone nominated me for president. It drew me into the administration of the economics department. I learned about the administration and culture of academia, and how universities run. That helps me in my current job because I deal with the universities and colleges throughout Alberta."

Wong has been working in government since his graduation in 1978. He worked in Ottawa initially, as well as at the departments of tourism and small business, economic development, innovation and science and advanced education and technology in Alberta. He travels extensively and has years of senior management and business development experience. He taught economics, international business and marketing, and multinational finance at several post-secondary institutions.

"I chose a life in government because you can work in so many areas and be exposed to so many things," says Wong. "It keeps life really interesting. I am pretty happy right now."

Greg Weadick

Graduating from high school, Greg Weadick (BASc '76), Lethbridge West MLA and parliamentary assistant to the minister of advanced education and technology (PA), spent a year working construction before realizing that he wanted to get an education.

"I started at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in pre-med and later decided to complete my degree in biology. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was quite small and everybody knew each other. We often played bridge in the hallway, had coffee with professors and fellow students in the cafeteria or attended cabarets in the evenings. It was quite collegial," remembers Weadick. "I think one of the important things I got from attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was that I learned to question everything and come up with answers for myself, not just accept other people's opinions. Perhaps the most important things I gained from attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, however, were the relationships I built, relationships with staff, professors and students because those were the people in my community."

Weadick certainly understands community. He is a local businessperson and has spent several years doing environmental work for two local engineering firms. He also served on Lethbridge City Council from 1991-2001, and was the founding president of both Fifth on Fifth Youth Services and the Dragon Boat Festival.

In 2008, Weadick was elected MLA and served as the Chair of the cabinet policy committee on the economy before being appointed to his current position as PA in January this year.

"My goal is to represent the citizens of Lethbridge in Edmonton and make sure that our people are well represented," says Weadick.

Brendan Wade

As executive assistant to the Leader of the Alberta Liberal Caucus, Brendan Wade (BA '10) is on a voyage of self-discovery – a journey he began while working towards his bachelor of arts in political science and history at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Growing up in Vulcan, Wade spent many hours helping at school and community events and developing an important sense of community. With its smaller campus and close proximity to home, the U of L felt like a perfect fit for Wade.

"I can't say enough good things about my campus experience. I got involved with several clubs. I was the founding president of the food and beverage club, which is still going strong and helping make the university experience great for other students," says Wade. "I found that my professors at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ demanded a fair amount of work and that was a good thing. I still connect with some of my profs because I welcome and value their advice and input. Working in partisan politics like I do, I really appreciate the skills I learned at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, one of those being the ability to look at issues from all sides."

Such critical thinking skills are a vital asset to him in his job as he does everything from preparing briefs and face books to chauffeuring and scheduling appointments for the opposition leader.

"This job is a great learning opportunity. It has helped me cement some of my beliefs and call others into question," says Wade. "As I continue to learn and grow I know I am developing valuable skills that will help me in the future."

Mike Simpson

Following his father's footsteps, Mike Simpson (BA '00), executive assistant for the solicitor general and minister of public security, intended to become a lawyer when he started a political science degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Taking a drama class in his second year changed his mind.

"I knew after that class that I did not want to go into law. I played in a band with my cousin. I acted in plays. I changed to a double major and figured I would go into fine arts after I graduated," recalls Simpson. "In my third year I got involved in student politics. I was the fine arts representative on the students' union. In 1999, I ran for students' union vice-president internal affairs and won. It was pretty interesting. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was great for preparing me to do work. Learning to write monologues helped me write speeches. Learning the theories and processes in political science and learning how to research have all benefited me."

In 2001, Simpson's music career was literally leaving him hungry. Simpson began volunteering for the PC Constituency Association; after all, they had food. With a full stomach, Simpson caught the political bug and soon worked his way up the political ladder from research officer to his current position as executive assistant.

"My job is to help the solicitor general do his part to keep the government moving in the right direction," says Simpson. "I am happy doing quiet change. It might be behind the scenes, where nobody else recognizes, but I know that I have made a difference."

Warren Chandler

For Warren Chandler (BA '01), executive assistant to the minister of transportation, attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was more than the next step on his life's journey; it was an investment in a future he could not wait to begin.

"I always assumed I would go to university, and the U of L was always my number one choice of schools. My dad and uncle went there and I looked forward to going there," says Chandler. "I enjoyed the small classes, the academic challenges. My professors were always pushing us to think outside the box and think critically. In class one day, Dr. Paul Viminitz declared he was a feminist and I think he offended most of the women in class, but on further analysis, he was able to back up his claim. He taught me to back up what I say and to think critically."

Critical thinking and the ability to deal with stress and pressure and to write and communicate clearly are skills that Chandler honed at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ – skills that are vital to his success in the political world. He began working in an introductory research role at the legislature in the fall of 2001. Since then, Chandler has steadily moved up the ranks to his current position.

"I do anything and everything that the minister needs in order to conduct his daily duties," explains Chandler. "It can be extremely stressful, but it is very exciting and I am very happy where I am."

Rethinking health

trevor.kenney — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:36:24 +0000

Although Canada's health-care system ranks among the world's best, we face an aging population, increasing rates of chronic disease and a dire shortage of health professionals. It's a host of problems that aren't going away – by 2011, a mere three years away, the demand for nurses and public health practitioners in Alberta and across Canada is expected to peak.

One thing is certain: the need for highly educated, well-trained health professionals has never been greater.

This fall, the U of L's School of Health Sciences launched a new Public Health degree program. As the only baccalaureate degree of its kind in Alberta, it gives students a new perspective on health.

"There is an evolution in our thinking about health. We're now looking at broader social determinants of health like income, working conditions, employment, transportation, education and housing," says U of L public health degree coordinator Sharon Yanicki.

The program will prepare graduates to be life-long learners capable of integrating new approaches with proven methods and will provide them with skills to work in a variety of roles in health promotion, policy and information analysis, as well as community development and project management.

In addition, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is increasing resources for those pursuing greater levels of education in health sciences. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ed McNally, every nursing student in the graduate program received a scholarship of $4,000 this September.

For U of L student Eva McLennan (BN '07), a busy mother of two as well as part-time employee at both Chinook Health and Lethbridge College, the scholarship confirms her goals.

"Of course receiving monetary assistance is beneficial and greatly appreciated – there are very real costs associated with education. But it's more than that. Receiving a scholarship also recognizes that you have something to contribute that makes you worthy of investment," says McLennan.

McLennan believes that having her master's degree will open doors on many levels.

"Today health consumers are better educated and expect more of the health system," she explains. "My graduate degree will give me greater understanding of the ways in which research influences current nursing practices."

Fellow student Karen Leskosek (BN '02) agrees. "The health-care system is constantly changing. Having my master's will enable me to approach client care, nursing education and research with innovation and determination," says Leskosek.

Looking ahead, the U of L takes confidence in knowing that a health plan centred on educating innovative leaders is firmly in place – it's one of the ways the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is helping ensure that the future of our health will remain in good hands.

New Ingenuity centre takes Alberta’s information technology sector to new levels

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:53:20 +0000

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 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.

It will act as a hub that will allow resource companies to work with innovative technology companies and the research community to develop world-class solutions to industry challenges.

With added investments from the Alberta government, including the Alberta Ingenuity Fund, this research centre plays a major role in the product commercialization commitment made last year through Alberta's Action Plan - Bringing Technology to Market.

"Alberta is taking our large body of resource-based knowledge, along with our environmental sensibility, and combining it with world-class information technology infrastructure," says Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology.

"With this unique recipe, businesses and governments from around the world are coming to see Alberta as the place where solutions can be found for resource management challenges. We're a leader in applying this expertise in areas such as cumulative effects, land-use management, recreational use, fire management, transportation and countless other areas."

Tecterra brings wide-ranging expertise together to bolster what is widely considered one of the top three geomatics groups in the world.

An important aspect of the new centre is its commercialization capability. It is designed to accommodate the flow of ideas and technology from both Alberta companies and industry-relevant research into the marketplace.

"This centre joins the four other Ingenuity Centres that have been hard at work for the past six years, creating strong collaborations between Alberta's world-class researchers, and with major industry partners, to solve industry challenges that not only benefit Alberta but the rest of the world," says Dr. Peter Hackett, President and CEO of Alberta Ingenuity.

"The centre's program is a vital tool for maintaining the prosperity of Alberta's research innovation system and ensuring we remain competitive on the global stage."

"Commercialization of new technology is a key priority for geomatics research and this new pan-Alberta centre of excellence," says Harvey Weingarten, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary.

"With the support of industry and government, this centre will be the catalyst to develop and commercialize new products and technologies that will drive the economy forward and make a difference to the lives of Albertans and Canadians."

Tecterra represents a model of how partners working together can strengthen Alberta's growing high tech sector. The more than $50 million investment includes: $21.6 million from the Alberta government ($11.6 million from Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and $10 million from Alberta Ingenuity), $11.6 million from the federal government's Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program, as well as a further $20 million anticipated from industry and other end users.

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