UNews - www.ulethbridge.ca/giving

Student support essential

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:33:36 +0000

Jan Newberry started teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge with one simple goal – to change the world through education. Staying true to this goal, Newberry supports students in every way she can.

With a background that includes a small private college and large state-funded universities in the United States, Newberry describes the U of L as both fun and different. An anthropology professor at the U of L for the past 10 years, her research focuses primarily on Indonesia but covers a wide variety of areas ranging from theories of exchange and economy to the politics of childrearing, allowing her to share with students a multi-faceted anthropological experience.

Newberry is not interested in the "ivory tower" of academia. For her, it's much more fun to have students involved in her research.

"We often talk about how our research supports our teaching, but I find that my teaching also supports my research," she says. "Student responses to my ideas help me go back to my research in a different way."

Anthropology professor Dr. Jan Newberry sees supporting the SOS campaign as a natural choice.

Because of this interchange of ideas, supporting students is a priority for Newberry. More fundamentally, Newberry sees student support as essential because of their roles after graduation.

"I want to support students because they're going to go out and build the next world," she says. "The Supporting Our Students campaign helps me do that."

Supporting Our Students (SOS) is an annual fundraising campaign aimed towards faculty and staff on campus. Its purpose is to raise money for student awards. Since it launched in 2005, faculty and staff have generously donated more than $1 million to the campaign, sending a strong message to students that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community stands behind them.

Newberry emphasizes not only the importance of the campaign, but also how easy it is to show support.

"What most people don't realize is that you can do this in such a painless way," she says. "By having a small amount of money taken off my paycheque each month, I'm improving the lives of students. It couldn't be a more clear contribution to the institution, and one that is so very easy to do."

Supporting this campaign was a natural choice for Newberry.

"Money makes a difference," she says. "Sometimes the best thing we can do is give money to support something we think is important."

For more information on the Supporting Our Students campaign, please visit www.ulethbridge.ca/giving or call ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement at 403-329-2582.

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

Putting students first

trevor.kenney — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:45:25 +0000

Robin Bright (BEd '82, MEd '88) and Tom Doyle (BSc '93) are proud to be Co-Chairs of Supporting Our Students (SOS) 2011/12. Although they admit they don't have much in the way of fundraising experience, they have come together to set an example and lead the charge for faculty and staff giving at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I'll ask anyone for money," laughs Bright, adding that it has to be for a good cause. Doyle is not quite so bold, but he is similarly committed to the campaign.

"SOS is something I can get behind because I feel strongly about it," says Doyle, who benefitted from scholarships when he was a U of L student. "There are lots of students here who are very driven but are financially strapped. I know what that's like and I'm passionate about supporting those individuals."

Tom Doyle, left, and Robin Bright are the SOS Co-Chairs for 2011/12.

While support is often measured in dollars, Bright and Doyle want to emphasize that the success of this year's campaign will be measured by the number of donors, rather than the size of the gifts.

"The SOS campaign is about people," explains Bright, who truly values the personal connections she's made during her time at the U of L. "It's about faculty and staff from across campus coming together to help create a positive learning environment and make students feel welcome."

Both Bright and Doyle feel this is something faculty and staff do already through their work on campus. The SOS campaign is just another way to show students they are part of a campus community that cares.

"The SOS campaign demonstrates that U of L faculty and staff are not just doing a job – they are truly engaged and supportive of the students here," says Doyle.

Since its launch in 2005, faculty and staff have shown their support by donating more than one million dollars to SOS. Bright and Doyle hope this is just the beginning and are looking for faculty and staff support again this year.

"I want to keep reminding myself that I'm here because of the students who choose to study at the U of L," says Bright, reflecting on her own reasons for giving. "I'm grateful to be in a position to give back to my university and support the students who make that choice."

"When you stop and think about how your contribution can impact the life of even one student, it can be very humbling," adds Doyle. "I want to encourage other faculty and staff members to think about the difference their contribution could make on someone's education and potentially their life."

Watch your mailbox for more information on Supporting Our Students 2011/12. In the meantime, visit www.ulethbridge.ca/giving or call 403-329-2582 for more information or to make a donation.

A tribute to Dr. Senda

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:23:26 +0000

On Sept. 9, 2009, the U of L community was saddened by the loss of a valued member of its family, Dr. Yosh Senda (LLB '89). His life stands as a testament to the difference one person can make.

Dr. Senda is especially remembered as a passionate supporter of judo. With a ninth degree black belt, he was the highest-ranking judo black belt in Canada and is credited for the strong tradition of judo in Lethbridge and at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He represented the sport at every level and gained international recognition for his successful teaching methods.

His many students will recall the quiet, humble approach to the sport taken by this soft-spoken giant of Canadian judo. Dr. Senda's attitude to the sport, and to life generally, is best described by his own 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 accomplishments, Dr. Senda was awarded the Order of Canada in 2007 in recognition of his contributions to the development and expansion of judo in Canada for more than five decades.
His many years of instruction and his long list of personal achievements have touched people across Canada and have established many friendships. Dr. Senda's memory lives on in those who were influenced by his teachings and continue his philosophy in their own ways.

None of this would have been possible without the support of Florence, his wife of 62 years, a fourth degree black belt, who manages the Senda household, coaches and encourages athletes, paying special attention to the younger participants.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is proud to maintain the Dr. Yoshio and Florence Senda Scholarship Fund, which recognizes the Sendas' commitment to community involvement. This scholarship will be awarded for the first time this fall to Faculty of Management student Brian George.

"Dr. Yosh and Florence Senda have achieved great things and it is a tremendous honour to receive this award," says George, who is only the first student to be touched by gifts given in Dr. Senda's name.

For more information on this award, or other ways you can make a difference in the lives of students, visit www.ulethbridge.ca/giving.

UNews - www.ulethbridge.ca/giving

Student support essential

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Putting students first

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A tribute to Dr. Senda

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