UNews - Robert Ellis

Scotiabank helps launch FNMI mentorship

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:30:40 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomed Scotiabank officials to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to announce a major gift in support of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students.

The $150,000 investment will help launch a mentorship program aimed at post-secondary students, as well as students in junior high and high schools in Lethbridge and reserve communities throughout southern Alberta.

"This gift demonstrates Scotiabank's incredible commitment to education and the FNMI community, and sets a strong example for others to follow," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon.

"This gift also represents a partnership. The U of L is committed to working with Scotiabank to ensure FNMI students will have the resources they need to be successful and realize their post-secondary education aspirations. The mentorship program is a great addition to our support programs for FNMI students. We are proud of what it's accomplished already and look forward to growing this program in coming years."

There are two key elements to the program that make it unique, says U of L Faculty of Management Dean Dr. Robert Ellis.

"U of L First Nations, Métis and Inuit alumni will serve as mentors to Aboriginal students in the management and pre-management programs. The alumni will support, give advice, and help to instill confidence in the students."

In turn, the U of L Aboriginal management students being mentored will provide guidance to junior and senior high students in the local city and reserve schools. "This program will allow U of L students to act as role models for the Aboriginal students who are at the high school level.

"Education is one of five pillars of Scotiabank's global philanthropic program known As 'Bright Future'," says Shannon Burch, the VP of southern Alberta/Kootenays for Scotiabank. "We have always believed in contributing to communities in which we live, work and do business. Scotiabank takes tremendous pleasure in supporting important institutions like the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

Real-world experience

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:15:16 +0000

The Faculty of Management is preparing to launch an exciting initiative connected to the Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching (CFMRT).

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, representatives from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the community and various stakeholder groups will gather for the official launch of the Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) – $100,000 of real-money to be traded by finance students.

"The fund has been established so that participating students can gain invaluable practice managing a real-life investment portfolio," says Dr. Robert Ellis, dean of the Faculty of Management. "This will give them the opportunity to interact and network with industry experts and other business students interested in finance."

The Student-Managed Investment Fund allows students to trade stocks with a real-money account.

The Faculty has provided the initial $100,000 seed capital for the SMIF, which will be invested under the direction of CFMRT academic director, Dr. Pei Shao. Students will conduct the actual trading of funds as part of a new course designed specifically for the program.

"Students participating in the course are selected based on their academic performance and an interview," says Shao. "Eight students have formed our inaugural group and will play the role of either portfolio manager or financial analyst and work within various research teams focusing on different industry sectors."

One of the portfolio managers is finance and marketing major Taylor Nanton.

"Being part of the SMIF fund will allow us to gain hands-on industry experience in our chosen career path," says Nanton, who will graduate in spring 2012. "Having this opportunity provides us with experience we'll use every day in our future positions. It might also help us invest our own money more wisely."

In addition to supervision by Shao, guidance on trading activities will come from an advisory board comprised of external investment professionals, internal faculty members and legal experts. This will ensure compliance with laws, regulations and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ policies/guidelines.

Kevin Sassa (BMgt '93), an investment advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy, is one member of the advisory board. He believes the opportunities the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ affords through the fund is invaluable.

"From an industry perspective, the fund provides experience that may not be available at other institutions. When I was in university, students didn't have a fund and courses like this, so we had to acquire our expertise once we were out in the professional environment," says Sassa.

"Anytime you can get experience hands on, it bridges that gap between theory and real-world practice."

The SMIF has generated a very positive buzz in the financial community. Potential employers see it as an excellent training exercise, possibly reducing their own training expenses, as new recruits would be better prepared for the full responsibilities of their position coming out of school.

The SMIF advisory board is also a huge advantage for students, allowing them to begin establishing a business network before even entering the workforce.

Beyond the initial capital invested by the Faculty, it is expected that the SMIF will continue to grow through prudent investment by the students and continued fundraising efforts.

"Our goal is to increase the SMIF to $400,000 in the next three years," says Shao. "To achieve this goal, we've launched a fundraising campaign and expect that future funds will come from individual and corporate donors, professional organizations and a portion of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ endowment assets. Our long-term vision is that the SMIF will become self-sustaining."

Ellis is enthusiastic about what the SMIF can do for the Faculty's students.

"These students will be exceptionally well prepared for careers in finance," says Ellis.

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

Campus Kudos - June

trevor.kenney — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:54:51 +0000

Dr. Heidi MacDonald (History) received an award for the best English-language academic article deemed to make an original and scholarly contribution to the field of women's and gender history by the Canadian Committee on Women's History. Her article, Who Counts? Nuns, Work and the Census of Canada, was published in a recent issue of Histoire Sociale/Social History. Reviewers indicated that MacDonald produced "…an impressive and insightful piece of work on the various ways in which women religious (nuns) have been excluded or significantly undercounted in the Canadian census."

Taras Polataiko's (Art) painting was on view at the National Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv. The work was part of an international exhibition curated by Kateryna Botanova.

Annie Martin's (Art) installation Untitled (horizon) was exhibited in the PAVED Arts main gallery in Saskatoon. A critical text was also commissioned to accompany this exhibition.

Dana Cooley (New Media) has a video work in the group show, A Century of Artists' Films, at the Theatr Mwldan in Wales. Curated by Mike Cousin in partnership with Oriel Mwldan, the show runs until July 2.

Three ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge teams recently walked to raise money to End MS, totalling an impressive $6,762.05 that was donated to the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. The team from the Faculty of Education, captained by
Dr. Cathy Campbell, and consisting of Dr. Robin Bright, Dr. Noella Piquette-Tomei and Dr. Cynthia Chambers raised $2,935. The team from Administration, captained by Dr. Mike Mahon, and consisting of Maureen Mahon, Laurel Corbiere, Trish Jackson, Virginia Wishart and Robin Hopkins raised $2,725. The team from the Faculty of Management, captained by Dr. Lori Kopp, and consisting of Dr. Robert Ellis, Dr. Sameer Deshpande, Dr. Brian Dobing, Dr. Pam Loewen, Joan Kendall, Diane Boyle and Steve Craig raised $1,102.05.

Pictured left to right are iGEM team members Harland Brandon, (fourth-year Biochemistry), Justin Vigar, ( fifth-year Biochemistry) and MSc candidate Lisza Bruder, BSc ’11.

Clark Ferguson, the U of L's chief information officer, presented the keynote address at the Futures in it – Collaboration Western Canada Academy Conference in Calgary recently. Ferguson's address was titled Business Experience – Applied to Post Secondary at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Dr. Austin Mardon (BA'85) received an honorary doctor of laws from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta at its Spring Convocation ceremonies. Mardon, an inspiring advocate for the mentally ill, is a member of the Order of Canada and a past recipient of the CM Hincks Award, the highest award given by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Three members of the U of L iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines) team are travelling to Stanford ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in California to attend the 5th International Meeting on Synthetic biology. The sold-out conference attracts researchers from around the world who are working in the growing field of synthetic biology.

Dr. David Clearwater's (New Media) essay, What Defines Video Game Genre? Thinking about Genre Study after the Great Divide, was published in the Spring 2011 issue of Loading... (a Canadian journal covering videogames and interactive entertainment).

Dr. Josephine Mills (director/curator U of L Art Gallery) has recently been named president of the Canadian Art Museum Directors' Organization.

Dagmar Dahle's (Art) work was included in the exhibition ANIMAL, appearing at Museum London in Ontario.

Loralee Sand Edwards' (BFA '05) exhibition iGallery: curated auto-paparazzi (Self-Portraiture in a Digital Age) is in the Main Gallery of the Bowman Arts Centre until July 10.

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

Miller sisters reach top 10

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:06:17 +0000

Sisters, and Faculty of Management classmates, Amanda and Brittany Miller, are marketing themselves for success in the competition for Canada's Next Top Ad Exec.

The pair of Marketing majors were initially selected in the top 25 of the annual national marketing contest, from a field of 167 teams from universities across Canada. They have now made an impressive rise to the ranks of the top 10.

"We're all very proud of Amanda and Brittany and their achievement thus far in the competition," says Faculty of Management dean, Dr. Robert Ellis. "Their success speaks to their hard work and dedication and the quality of programs here in the Faculty of Management. We wish them the best of luck in the finals."

The contest, sponsored by McMaster ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's DeGroote School of Business, asks students to create an advertising campaign for an actual product from a real business – in this case, Chevrolet Canada's new "Sonic" compact car.

The first phase of competition requires each team to develop an "elevator pitch" – a summary of their marketing idea short enough to be presented in the duration of an elevator ride. Phase two, with the successful top 25 teams, allows competitors to develop and submit a more comprehensive report outlining key objectives and strategies.

From this group, 10 teams are selected to move onto the final phase, which involves travelling to Toronto Mar. 29 to present their ideas to a panel of high-powered judges.

The Millers were both ecstatic about reaching this last phase of competition.

"This is such a great opportunity for us, no matter how it ends up," says Amanda.

Members of the successful team will each be awarded a new Chevy Sonic and the privilege of networking with some of the most influential people in the business. Additional prizes for runners-up include scholarships, Fuji camera packages and internship opportunities.

Hunter receives prestigious FCMA designation

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:13:21 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Management professor Dr. M. Gordon (Gord) Hunter was recently designated a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada (FCMA).

The FCMA, presented to Hunter and five other Albertans, is a prestigious national honorary designation that is awarded to CMAs who, through their own outstanding achievements, bring distinction to the management accounting profession and serve as role models for others.

Hunter is the fourth
U of L faculty member to achieve this designation. Past recipients of the FCMA in the Faculty of Management include
Dr. Murray Lindsay, as well as instructors Bruce Thurston (Lethbridge campus) and Tim Spielman (Calgary campus).

Faculty of Management Dean, Dr. Robert Ellis, says that Hunter's dedication to research, teaching, and his association with CMA Alberta, allow him to continue providing relevant and student-centred learning opportunities.

"Gord has made exemplary contributions to scholarship, teaching and to the professional community," says Ellis. "I speak for all our faculty members when I say that we are very proud of Gord for being honoured by his peers in the Society of Management Accountants."

In his current role as a professor of information systems at the U of L, Hunter teaches several courses and, in 2009, developed a new accounting information systems course. He has been an advocate for the CMA designation in several capacities, including acting as a coach in the CMA Alberta Board Governance and JDC West Case competitions. He has also been a CMA
ambassador in the post-secondary community at CMA Alberta events.

Hunter has continually shown a commitment to enhancing the profession and designation through written publications; developing, delivering and overseeing a variety of post-secondary courses; and sitting on international conference committees.

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

Markin Hall makes its mark

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:19:31 +0000

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community is thrilled to be celebrating the opening of Markin Hall," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon. "Markin Hall is a wonderful addition to campus and will provide outstanding opportunities for students, faculty and staff for years to come."

Markin Hall was a main priority in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Legacy of Leadership campaign, which concluded in December of 2007. The campaign was the most ambitious in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 40-year history and raised more than $35 million for students and infrastructure. When combined with government funding, the campaign resulted in a $113 million investment in the U of L.

In 2005, Dr. Allan Markin (LLD '06) made a generous contribution to the Legacy of Leadership campaign. His visionary gift was combined with early private funding and support from the Government of Alberta, national corporations, U of L friends and alumni. Construction of Markin Hall began in 2008.

Now complete, the building is home to the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Management.

"By improving facilities on campus, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is investing in its students," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union President Taz Kassam. "Markin Hall provides a hands-on and interactive learning environment for U of L students and ensures we have the best resources and infrastructure to support our education."

In addition to providing some much needed space for both undergraduate and graduate students, Markin Hall includes dedicated research areas for faculty members and their research teams, a purpose-built Addictions Counselling Lab, a Simulation Health Centre with wireless high-fidelity patient simulators and Western Canada's first finance trading room.

"This is the most modern and forward-looking facility in Western Canada for studying business and management," says Faculty of Management Dean Dr. Robert Ellis. "As well as classrooms with state-of-the-art capabilities, Markin Hall has 18 rooms where groups and individuals can study and work on projects together."

In Markin Hall's collaborative environment, the U of L will address Alberta's most crucial issues and continue to invest in energetic, effective and strategic leaders in the fields of health care and management.

"Markin Hall provides an opportunity for continued collaboration between the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Management, including the development of a new combined degree in Public Health and Management. We look forward to many opportunities to develop innovative program and research collaborations in the coming years," says Dr. Chris Hosgood, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

By improving teaching, learning and research facilities, Markin Hall helps the U of L meet the needs of a shifting economy and a changing province.

Inside Markin Hall

Markin Hall, home to the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Management, provides space for an additional 450 students. The state-of-the-art facility improves teaching, learning and research facilities at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, helping meet the changing needs of the next generation of health-care and management professionals.

Nursing students are excited to have the opportunity to work in the new Simulation Health Centre.

• Markin Hall is a $65-million project.

• Markin Hall covers 10,400 square metres on four floors and houses approximately 230 faculty, staff and graduate students.

• The building provides space for more than 420 health sciences students and 1,600 management students.

• Markin Hall includes $1.6 million of audio-visual equipment.

• Markin Hall is certified silver by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

• The building includes two video-conference rooms used to offer courses via video in Calgary and Edmonton. These classrooms double as case rooms for the Faculty of Management, offering closely tiered seating for 50 students, with adjacent breakout rooms for smaller group work.

• In addition to the Simulation Health Centre, the Addictions Counselling Lab and the Markin Hall Finance Trading Room, which all provide hands-on experience, there are four experimental research labs used by the Faculty of Management to conduct behavioural research such as focus groups.

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

Markin Hall on display

trevor.kenney — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:54:43 +0000

For a look at photos from the Markin Hall opening ceremony, check out the
U of L's Flickr gallery on the event.

After years of planning, looking at blueprints and imagining the opportunities offered by Markin Hall, the building is complete and U of L students, faculty and staff are reaping the benefits.

In 2005, Dr. Allan Markin (LLD '06), made a generous contribution to the Legacy of Leadership campaign. His

Students in the Faculty of Health Sciences get hands-on experience in the new Nursing Skills Lab.

visionary gift was combined with early private funding and support from national corporations, U of L friends and alumni, and the Government of Alberta and construction of Markin Hall began in 2008.

Now complete, the building is home to the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Management.

In addition to providing some much needed physical space, Markin Hall includes dedicated research areas for faculty members and their research teams, a purpose-built Addictions Counselling Lab, a Simulation Health Centre with wireless high-fidelity patient simulators and Western Canada's first finance trading room.

"This is the most modern and forward-looking facility in Western Canada for studying business and management," says Faculty of Management dean, Dr. Robert Ellis. "As well as classrooms with state-of-the-art capabilities, Markin Hall has 18 rooms where groups and individuals can study and work on projects together."

In Markin Hall's collaborative environment, the U of L will address our province's most crucial issues and

The real-time capability of the Finance Trading Room is a great benefit to Management students.

continue to invest in energetic, effective and strategic leaders in the fields of health-care and management.

By improving teaching, learning and research facilities, Markin Hall helps the U of L meet the needs of a shifting economy and a changing province.

Building Details

Markin Hall is home to the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Management at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and provides space for an additional 450 students. The state-of-the-art facility improves teaching, learning and research facilities at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, helping meet the changing needs of the next generation of health-care and management professionals.

· Markin Hall is a $65 million project
· Markin Hall covers 10,400 square metres on four floors and houses approximately 230 faculty, staff and graduate students
· The building provides space for more than 420 health sciences students and 1,600 management students
· Markin Hall includes $1.6 million worth of audio-visual equipment
· Markin Hall is certified silver by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards
· The building includes two video-conference rooms used to offer courses via video in Calgary and Edmonton
· These classrooms double as case rooms for the Faculty of Management, offering closely-tiered, seating for 50 students, with adjacent breakout rooms for smaller group work
· In addition to the Simulation Health Centre, the Additions Counselling Lab and the Trading Room, which all provide hands-on experience, there are four experimental research labs used by the Faculty of Management to conduct behavioural research such as focus groups

New Edmonton campus director appointed

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:09:48 +0000

Dr. David Keast has been appointed the new director of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Edmonton campus.

He follows Naomi Beke, who accepted a position as associate registrar at Grant MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Keast began his duties Aug. 1.

Keast holds an MEd and a PhD in Educational Administration from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. Prior to joining the U of L, he was Dean of Career Programs at Portage College, in Lac la Biche, Alta., a position he held for 9 years. In that position, he was responsible for the management of all business, health, human services, and university studies programs.

"David is a terrific addition to the U of L's management team," says new Dean of Management, Dr. Robert Ellis. "His experience, educational achievements, and knowledge of Alberta's post-secondary education market make him very well qualified to lead the Edmonton campus in today's increasingly competitive market."

Final Dean of Management public presentation

trevor.kenney — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:48:14 +0000

The final public candidate presentation for the Dean of Management position is set for Monday, Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m. in W646.

Dr. Cynthia Simmons, Associate Dean, Haskayne School of Business, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, will present to a public audience this afternoon. Her one-hour talk is the last of three such presentations.

On Feb. 8, Dr. Robert Ellis, Professor, School of Business, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern British Columbia was the first to present. Dr. Bernadette (Bernie) Schell, Professor, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ontario Institute of Technology and President's Advisor on Cybercrime then presented on Feb. 10.

The new Dean of Management will take over for the departing Murray Lindsay in July.

Dean of Management presentation

trevor.kenney — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:40:33 +0000

The second of three public candidate presentations for the Dean of Management position is set for Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m. in W646.

Dr. Bernadette (Bernie) Schell, Professor, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ontario Institute of Technology and President's
Advisor on Cybercrime will present to a public audience from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. She is one of three final candidates for the Dean of Management position.

On Monday, Feb. 8, Dr. Robert Ellis, Professor, School of Business, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern British Columbia was the first to present. The final presentation is Monday, Feb. 22 when Dr. Cynthia Simmons, Associate Dean, Haskayne School of Business, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary will appear. That session is also from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in W646.

The new Dean of Management will take over for the departing Murray Lindsay in July.

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