UNews - Michael Mahon

Chamber, EDL Boards support proposed facilities

trevor.kenney — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:26:11 +0000

The Board of Directors of both the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Lethbridge toured the trade and science facilities of Lethbridge College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge respectively on Wednesday, January 30.

Following the tours, the Boards held a joint meeting and have agreed to collectively support the proposed facilities at both institutions.

Darren Boras, president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, says, "The Trades & Technology Renewal and Innovation Project (TRIP) facility planned for Lethbridge College will make a significant difference to the future of the construction and manufacturing industries in this region. Alberta continues to face labour pressures and our local college has the capacity and ability to ensure qualified trades workers are entering the workforce at a faster pace."

Cheryl Meheden, president of Economic Development Lethbridge, adds, "A new Science Building, known as The Destination Project, is an important addition to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus. Not only are the existing science facilities out of date, the future of our
province and the diversification of our local economy rely on the development of highly-skilled researchers and scientists. They will influence our knowledge sector for years to come."

Learn more about the U of L's Destination Project here:

http://www.uleth.ca/unews/content/details-destination-project-emerge

The organizations are preparing a letter of support to the Honourable Stephen Khan, Minister of Advanced Education and Enterprise, to express the importance of these investments and encourage the Government of Alberta to ensure they are high on the list of post-secondary infrastructure priorities.

Dr. Michael Mahon, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and Dr. Paula Burns, newly-appointed
president of Lethbridge College, were on hand for the tours and reinforced the value of having the local business community aware and supportive of the current post-secondary activity and future potential.

The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce has more than 700 members and is considered the Voice of Business in the city.

http://www.lethbridgechamber.com/

On February 13, Economic Development Lethbridge is
celebrating its 10th Anniversary of promoting Lethbridge as an excellent place to live, learn, invest, visit and do business.

http://www.chooselethbridge.ca

Exchange hits 30-year milestone

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:58:34 +0000

There are many barriers to running a successful exchange program, challenges far beyond the obvious cultural differences and language issues that exist between two nations. It is even more impressive then to recognize the 30-year relationship between Japan's Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, one that has seen participation by both faculty and students.

"It is an important achievement for a university to have such a long-standing partnership that has affected so many students, faculty and staff in a positive manner," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge president Dr. Michael Mahon. "The U of L should be proud of this friendship and the goodwill it has promoted between two cultures and two nations, much less two universities."

The first faculty exchange between the two universities took place in 1981, followed five years later by the start of a student exchange program. Designed to promote cross-cultural understanding between the two nations, the exchange relationship has succeeded on many levels.

Trish Jackson, director of the International Centre for Students, says each exchange offers a unique experience for those taking part.

"We have faculty members coming from all different kinds of backgrounds at Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," she says. "They come here for one semester to teach common content as part of a Japanese Culture class. Likewise, we will send faculty members from all of our departments to teach their students about Canadian culture. You get a different flavour every time you have a different faculty member because they have their own way of looking at their culture through their own discipline and background."

This semester, Dr. Osamu Seto, a physicist, is the Hokkai Gakuen visiting professor. At 36 years old, single, well traveled internationally and at ease with the English language, he's brought an entirely new perspective to the exchange. He's wont to rent a car and take a day trip to Waterton and has no problem being thrust into new situations, such as an interview or being recognized at Convocation for the exchange's 30-year anniversary.

Dr. Osamu Seto is visiting the U of L from Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as part of this year's faculty exchange.

"I did not know that I was going to have to go on stage," laughs Seto. His intrepid spirit led him to Lethbridge when his department supervisor at Hokkai Gakuen said he was looking for exchange candidates.

"I didn't have anything stopping me so I decided to do it," he says. "It has been very enjoyable."

The student aspect of the relationship involves one student per year coming to the U of L and taking a semester of English for Academic Purposes, followed by one semester of undergraduate studies. Every two years, a group of 15 to 20 students comes for a summer program, the focus being to learn English. A group of business students also makes the trip every few years, studying English but with specific business related content. Likewise, the U of L sends a group of 15-20 students to Hokkai Gakuen every two years for a summer cultural program.

Dr. Ed Jurkowski of the Faculty of Fine Arts music department took part in one such exchange.

"There were obviously many experiences and memories that the students will forever carry with them," he says in a commemorative book celebrating the exchange. "However, the most far-reaching were the homestay opportunities the students had. Each student spoke at length about how much these relationships allowed them to understand Japanese culture on a far deeper level than as a simple observer."

It is those observations that keep the relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Hokkai Gakuen alive and thriving, and speak to the value of the program.

"This is the type of interaction that encourages our students to become global citizens," concludes Mahon.

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

Exchange hits 30-year milestone

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:44:59 +0000

Trish Jackson, director of the International Centre for Students, says each exchange offers a unique experience for those taking part.

Dr. Osamu Seto is visiting the U of L from Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as part of this year's faculty exchange.

"I didn't have anything stopping me so I decided to do it," he says. "It has been very enjoyable."

Dr. Ed Jurkowski of the Faculty of Fine Arts music department took part in one such exchange.

It is those observations that keep the relationship between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Hokkai Gakuen alive and thriving, and speak to the value of the program.

"This is the type of interaction that encourages our students to become global citizens," concludes Mahon.

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

Lasting Images - October

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:45:04 +0000

art + people = x

Dr. Mike Mahon

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection continues to grow each year through the generosity of artists and art collectors. Most recently, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ acquired a gift of over 200 artworks from Jim Coutts, a southern Alberta art collector, politician and philanthropist. Coutts is well known as a supporter of prairie artists, and many of the works comprising this gift depict plains landscapes.

New ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President, Dr. Michael Mahon, was interested in selecting some works from Coutts' gift for the art + people = x project because of his ties to Canada's prairies.

Mahon grew up in Manitoba and is a long-time Alberta resident, moving to Lethbridge after spending the last decade in Edmonton at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta.

As a lifelong physical activity enthusiast and proponent, Mahon has formed strong bonds to the Canadian prairies, and is anticipating excursions into the coulees that surround our campus.

Selected works from Jim Coutts' gift will be displayed as part of 'A Little History on the Prairies', an exhibition at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Main Gallery, Jan. 14 to Feb. 25, 2011.

Ensembles come together

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:39:33 +0000

For the first time on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage, each individual student music ensemble comes together in one performance – to celebrate the installation of President Michael Mahon.

Ensemble Extravaganza, on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre, includes performances by the U of L Singers, Vox Musica Choir, Women's Chorus, Wind Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Global Drums, Trumpet Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and a staged operatic excerpt by the Opera Workshop.

"Last year, we had some concerts where various ensembles shared the stage, and it was evident these concerts were great experiences for both the audiences and the ensembles," says Dr. Janet Youngdahl, co-ordinator of the Ensemble Extravaganza.

The ensemble directors share her sentiments, and the presidential installation provides the perfect opportunity to bring all the ensembles together on a grand scale.

With the concert only a month into the semester, getting repertoire together in such a short time span is a challenge.

"Without question, the timing of this event pushes our ensembles to reach their best potential in a limited timeframe," Youngdahl says. "However, the concert also showcases the wealth of musical talent that shines in our ensembles. It is an evening not to be missed."

Tickets for Ensemble Extravaganza are available at the U of L Box Office (403-329-2616) and are priced at $15 for regular admission and $10 for student/senior. Box Office hours are 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Lasting Images - Gallery restoration

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:18:05 +0000

For the last two years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery has been working on a conservation project to inventory and assess the 9,000-plus works on paper in the collection. In addition, over 100 works from the collection have received specialized conservation treatment. Recent funding from a Museums Assistance Program grant will allow the gallery to continue this project.

To provide further information about the conservation project and give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the process, a Gallery Open House will be held Oct. 13-16, in conjunction with the installation of new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Michael Mahon.

Ensembles come together

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:08:27 +0000

For the first time on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage, each individual student music
ensemble comes together in one performance – to celebrate the installation of President Michael Mahon.

The ensemble directors share her sentiments, and the presidential installation provides the perfect opportunity to bring all the ensembles together on a grand scale.

With the concert only a month into the semester, getting repertoire together in such a short time span is a challenge.

The Cade Decade

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:58:29 +0000

UPDATE: Dr. Bill Cade will receive an honorary degree at the Fall 2012 Convocation ceremony, Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. at the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium

When President Dr. Bill Cade first laid eyes on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2000, he saw an institution on the verge of a growth spurt, ready to come of age. Still not completely sure of its identity, the U of L was a young, emerging ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ poised to break out of its adolescence.

A decade later, as Cade prepares to wrap up his 10-year presidency, he sees an entirely different picture – the U of L's growth as a comprehensive university reflected by its stunning physical profile atop the Oldman River valley.

"I think it was a well-kept secret," says Cade of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ when he arrived on campus. "I think we were known well in some quarters, but I thought we needed to become more well-known in others.
"Today, I love to stand on the other side of the river with my dogs and look at the campus. I especially like it when the lights are on in the new stadium."

The Community Sports Stadium is the most recent addition to campus (it opened in September of 2009), and when Markin Hall opens this fall (Cade will return for the ceremony), it will bookend the Cade Decade, a 10-year period of unprecedented expansion and self-awareness at the U of L.

"For the past 10 years, as Bill and I worked together to advance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's relationships with Canada and Alberta, he has been a visionary and dynamic force to identify and further the goals of programs, advancement and infrastructure development," says Dr. Jim Horsman (LLD '04 ), U of L chancellor emeritus (1999-2003) and a former member of the Board of Governors.

The building boom was just beginning in 2000 with the addition of Anderson Hall, a multi-purpose classroom and office facility. A year later, the $34 million Library Information Network Centre (LINC) and Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) would follow, and while their planning had begun before Cade's arrival, it was he who introduced the new U of L look to the broader community. It was a role he was ideally suited to perform.

"Bill is the greatest cheerleader the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has ever seen – it must be the Texan in him," says Greg Weadick (BSc '77), MLA for Lethbridge West. "Under his watch, the U of L has become a stronger community partner and a source of immense pride for all southern Albertans."

Cade recognized early that the U of L had a great story to tell, and a southern Alberta community eager to not only listen to that story but become a part of it, too.

"Initially, I don't think I had an appreciation for the prominence of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the office of the president in this community, and that turned out to be one of the very enjoyable aspects of the job," says Cade.

His previous position, at Brock ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in St. Catharines, Ont., did not afford that luxury. Whereas Brock was one of many players in the eight-million person Golden Horseshoe region of southern Ontario, the U of L is a benchmark southern Alberta industry.

"When Dr. and Mrs. Cade arrived in Lethbridge, it became clear quite quickly that their outgoing and positive approach to community involvement was going to make a difference in the connection between the community and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says Cheryl Dick, chief executive officer, Economic Development Lethbridge.
"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has grown during his tenure through new facilities, but its footprint has also grown in terms of influence. By association, the reputation and respect of our city has also increased."

Cade and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ couldn't accomplish this simply by putting up buildings. Growth for the sake of growth, in Cade's own words, "is stupid," and what the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was able to do over the last 10 years was identify areas of need and create programming that connected with emerging trends.

"We grew because we're in the business of admitting students to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, we're not in the business of excluding them. I've always been proud of that fact," says Cade.

Already blessed with a solid base of undergraduate programs, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ sought to increase its presence in the graduate world. The spring following Cade's installment saw the CCBN taking shape and the first doctoral students for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's PhD in Neuroscience program being accepted.

While expanding graduate programming along with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's research portfolio stood out as key priorities, to do so required money – a lot of money. The answer came in the form of an advancement office.

"I'd learned the advancement structure at Brock, and I enjoyed asking for money," says Cade. "It's easy to ask if you've got people who know what they're doing and will point you in the right direction. I thought building our reputation, letting people know who we are and what we were doing was a real priority.
"Asking for money is the easiest part of it; the hardest part is building up to it. If you've done the proper work leading up to it, I think you're OK to ask."

As funding for graduate programming grew, so did the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's research portfolio. In the past 10 years, the U of L's research funding has soared a phenomenal 610 per cent, taking what was a primarily undergraduate university to a research-intensive, comprehensive university with a focus on both undergraduate and graduate studies.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Community of Research Excellence Development Opportunities (CREDO) initiative, a new grant program for researchers in the social sciences, humanities, fine arts, education and management, was established. The U of L's allocation of Canada Research Chairs, nine, was met, and unique, issue-driven programs such as the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research were established. In 2008, the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building (AWESB) opened, and in 2009, the U of L attracted foremost neuroscientist Dr. Bruce McNaughton and $20 million in funding to the CCBN, earning the inaugural Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Polaris Award.

"The research side of our mandate has certainly grown tremendously and is as high a quality as you could find around the country and around the world," says Cade, noting that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has worked hard to maintain its foundation of providing a personal, supportive small-school approach.
"We've done that while keeping our undergraduate and graduate programming very strong as well. If you don't grow in terms of new programs and evolve your interests in other degrees, you stagnate, and if you're starting to stagnate by resting on your laurels, you're in trouble."

Modestly, Cade is the first to admit that some of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's growth was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. While the U of L worked hard to create the community alliances necessary to open the new 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness in 2007, the Community Sports Stadium, a crown jewel for southern Alberta sport, was basically dropped on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's doorstep.

"Clearly there were things that we went after and we got them, but there were things that came out of the blue. Serendipity is a wonderful thing," says Cade.
"We didn't see the stadium coming, we didn't know that was something the city would propose, but seizing the opportunity is a really important part of it; that's something the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has done since its inception, seize opportunities."

With more than 8,000 students, a new home for the Faculties of Health Sciences and Management ready to open and a continually emerging research presence established, is Cade comfortable with how he is leaving the U of L?

"At the risk of sounding egotistical, yes, I think so," he says. "I think in terms of our academic development and in terms of having a functioning advancement office and having an outstanding faculty and good facilities, yes, I think so. There's always more you can do, but I feel pretty satisfied."

He pays no heed to trying to write his own legacy.

"I hope I have a legacy," he laughs. "I feel extremely good about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. It is without question the most satisfying experience of my professional life. But as to a legacy? Somebody else has to figure that one out."

Perhaps it's the western skyline that will tell his story, now pierced by the glass and steel that represent a transformed campus and a new, confident identity.

"I scan the horizon and I can see the new stadium, the residences we put in, I can see Markin Hall rising, and from a certain vantage point you can see the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre satellite dish, the AWESB and, of course, the new gymnasium. If you had told me 10 years ago that all of these things would be happening on campus, I would have thought it was wishful thinking."

A timeline of major ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge events occuring over the previous 10 years

2000
• Dr. Bill Cade officially jumps into his new role as president and vice-chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.
• The U of L actively takes steps toward moving from a small, undergraduate institution to a comprehensive university – the first graduate students are admitted into the Master of Science in Management program, as well as the first doctorate students to the PhD Neuroscience program.

2001

• The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ recognizes its third Rhodes scholar, Russell Goodman.
• On the first day of fall classes, the $34 million Library Information Network Centre (LINC) opens. The 201,922 square foot facility stands as one the largest construction projects to take place on campus since the completion of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall in 1971.
• Two months later, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ celebrates the opening of the $7.3 million Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience. As the only research building of its kind in Canada, it helps lay the foundation for the U of L to emerge as an expert in the mysteries of the mind.

2002

• The traditional Blackfoot name, Medicine Rock, is given to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to recognize its 35th Anniversary.

2003

• Six new townhouse units open to house 96 students in 24 four-bedroom suites. The $6.15 million expansion project also includes the construction of a 5,000 square foot amenities building.

2004

• Continuing to meet students' needs, doctoral degrees offered at the U of L grow to include Bio-molecular Science; Biosystems and Biodiversity; Earth, Space and Physical Sciences; Evolution and Behaviour; and Theoretical and Computational Science.
• At spring convocation, the first graduates of the neuroscience PhD program cross the stage.

2005

• The U of L continues to grow beyond anyone's greatest expectations, and in September, combined enrolment for the U of L's Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton campuses exceeds 8,000 students.
• As plans form to build a new regional health and wellness centre, students agree to contribute $2.5 million and the City of Lethbridge approves a $5.3 million contribution.
• Then-Premier Ralph Klein visits the Lethbridge campus at the end of October to announce $1.2 million in provincial funding to help purchase scientific equipment for the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre.
• A $3 million donation from Dr. Allan Markin kicks off the Legacy of Leadership campaign – the most ambitious campaign in the U of L's history.

2006

• A year of milestones: the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ proudly holds its 100th convocation ceremony, while the Faculty of Management celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• President Dr. Bill Cade is inducted into Kainai chieftainship, a group limited to 40 living individuals recognized by members of the Blood Tribe for their service to the community.
• The Prentice family announces an $8.25 million gift to establish the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy.

2007

• The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge launches its 40th anniversary celebrations at the grand opening of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness, with more than 2,000 people attending the celebration.
• The Government of Alberta invests more than $78 million toward developing the U of L campus, including Markin Hall, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building (AWESB).

2008

• With more than $35 million raised, the Legacy of Leadership Campaign concludes. When combined with government funding, the result is a $113 million investment in the U of L.
• The U of L is the recipient of the inaugural Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Polaris Award, which brings Dr. Bruce McNaughton, one of the world's foremost brain scientists, and $20 million in research funding to the U of L's CCBN.
• The U of L campus continues to transform with the opening of both Turcotte Hall and the AWESB. The AWESB brings experts together and allows for up to 100 new graduate students.

2009

• The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ charts its course for the next five years with the release of the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. The plan affirms what has taken place and promises to stay true to what the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has done well, while making a call to move into a more comprehensive framework and to expand graduate programs.
• In March, President Dr. Bill Cade announces he will step down at the completion of his second term.
• In late September, the new Community Sports Stadium officially opens. Built on partnerships, the estimated $12 million multi-purpose, public-access facility is equipped with an artificial field, a natural practice field, a 400-metre synthetic track and bleachers for 2,000 fans.
• The School of Graduate Studies celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• Pronghorns women's rugby team successfully claims its third straight CIS national title.
• Just before the new year, Dr. Michael Mahon is appointed as the U of L's next president.

2010

• The U of L celebrates with its littlest members and opens a daycare facility.
• The U of L community bids farewell to President Dr. Bill Cade and wife Elsa while looking forward to another decade of success and growth.

To view the entire issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Michael Mahon

Chamber, EDL Boards support proposed facilities

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Exchange hits 30-year milestone

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Exchange hits 30-year milestone

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Lasting Images - October

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Ensembles come together

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Lasting Images - Gallery restoration

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Ensembles come together

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The Cade Decade

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