UNews - Management Students' Society

MSS jumps in to support United Way

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 21:59:37 +0000

The Management Students’ Society (MSS), a host of local community leaders and charitable citizens will be dipping into icy waters on Monday, October 22 for the 14th edition of the Chillin’ For Charity fundraising event in support of the United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta.

More than $25,000 has been raised over the past four years that MSS has organized the event and more than $100,000 since its inception. A goal of $10,000 of support has been set for this year’s edition.

“We are really looking to make this a community event,” says Andrew Novello, director of Chillin’ For Charity. “I want to encourage members of the community to come down and support the United Way by watching students, faculty members and local business members jump in.”

The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m. on the patio adjacent to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s bus loop and the Students’ Union Building. Among the local luminaries who have pledged to make the plunge in the name of charity are Lethbridge East MLA Maria Fitzpatrick, United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta Director of Fund Development and Operations Janelle Marietta-Vasquez, U of L Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Andy Hakin, and others.

Cameron Howey (BA ’18), a former ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union President, is now the Community Development Coordinator for the United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta. He says Chillin’ For Charity not only raises much-needed funds for the United Way, it also connects students with their community.

“We’re always impressed by the students’ excitement for it, and their hard work to plan and run the event,” says Howey. “Donations to United Way help thousands of people each year through programs at our partner agencies. The programs we fund have a strong focus on reducing poverty, building healthy communities, and giving children and youth the tools they need to succeed. These programs are local and help build a stronger and more resilient Lethbridge every day. We’re really looking forward to the fun on Monday.”

Those interested in participating can register at lethbridgeunitedway.ca/chill. For more information on the Management Students’ Society, check out ulethmss.ca.

Alumni Profile - Jason Elliott

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:40:30 +0000

Alumni have always played an important role in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and the U of L Alumni Association (ULAA) has been key in that process. Whether at ULAA executive meetings, or board and senate meetings, this diverse group represents U of L alumni around the world.

But just who are they? Get to know your ULAA council members through this series of profiles.

The Human Resources Manager at the City of Lethbridge, alumnus Jason Elliott was one of the first to go through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Co-op program.

Meet Jason

His interests span from community involvement to sailing on the prairies. Learn more about Jason Elliott (BMgt ’95), the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association Secretary.

Major: Human Resources Management and one of the first students to participate in the Co-op program

Student Clubs/Activities: Vice President of the Management Students' Society

Current Job: Human Resources Manager at the City of Lethbridge

Favourite U of L Memory: I remember looking forward to a delicious sandwich made with love by Pearl at the Fresh Express in the main hall. She was like a mother to many students and the length of the sandwich line every day reflected how good she was!

What is the first thing you want people to know about you?: I love our community and am passionate about public service. I am so proud to be living in Lethbridge and thrilled to be raising my family here.

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing you love?: Sailing on the prairies. For some unknown reason I became interested in sailing at a young age. I took courses and learned how to do it and in my university days bought my first boat from former Faculty of Management Dean, Dr. George Lermer. I still have that boat and while I don’t get out on the water as much as I would like, it is still a passion that I hope to pass along to my kids.

What is your favourite fail (A time when an apparent failure was for the best): When I graduated from university in the mid-1990s, job prospects were difficult to come by. I worked hard on a long shot connection to a business owner in the British Virgin Islands. After some time, it was starting to line up and I was planning to go there to work on one of his two wooden sailboat charters. Right near the end of that process an opportunity presented itself here in Lethbridge in my chosen field of human resources. I interviewed and was offered the job on the same day that I was to decide on the BVI opportunity. I opted for the HR job and called the business owner from the interview room to decline the sailing gig. About a month later a hurricane went through the islands and destroyed both of his boats…

What is the best investment you've ever made? (Can be money, time, energy, etc.): My best investment has been buying an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I was actually working at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Development Office at the time I purchased the ring. It has continued to pay dividends for the past 23 years.

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months?: A few weeks ago, I was in Fernie, BC with my 13-year-old daughter. The two of us went for a wonderful breakfast and enjoyed some special time together in conversation.

What belief, behaviour or habit has most improved your life since graduation?: Stay committed to what you want and/or what you believe in. The trip down the road will have all kinds of obstacles but stay focused on your objective and keep moving!

Secrets to scholarship success

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 17:39:10 +0000

Sworn to secrecy, the first thing ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student Jill Tataryn did when she found out she was the recipient of the Futures Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership was to treat her mom to a coffee.

The fourth-year, Faculty of Management finance major explains that, “The news was to be kept confidential, so it was a struggle to keep it from my close friends and family.”

Fourth-year finance major Jill Tataryn to be honoured at Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year Gala.

Accordingly, Tataryn had to celebrate that moment in secret by doing what she does best — giving back.

Tataryn is one of 10 university business students from across Canada chosen to be honoured at Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year Gala being held in Toronto in February. Award winners, who will receive grants of $7,500 each, had to have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills through academic achievement and extra-curricular activities to be chosen.

Tataryn, who hails from Lethbridge, lists the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s state-of-the-art trading room, the opportunity to play rugby for the Pronghorns and the opportunist nature of the management degree as reasons to why she picked her program. And at the heart of all of her work, she says, “There’s no better feeling than giving back to your community.”

In addition to earning a high GPA, Tataryn is active in a number of clubs at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, including the Management Students’ Society (MSS) for which she was chosen to be director academic. Her leadership also extends to the rugby field where Tataryn is part of the women’s rugby team leadership group. She also spends time coaching both her teammates as well as the girls’ rugby team at Chinook High School. Tataryn is also a volunteer with the Good Samaritan Society, the Lethbridge Soccer Association and Project Paintbrush.

In fact, when asked what trait she possesses that she thinks has led her to such success, Tataryn named her desire to be involved.

“It has allowed me to participate in so many opportunities and experiences thus far. Putting yourself out there is the best way to be ‘lucky’ when it comes to getting a job, a volunteer position or a scholarship,” she says.

And on top of giving back and being involved, Dan Kazakoff, assistant dean, Experiential Education Programs, and one of Tataryn’s former professors, recognizes the other ingredient that has propelled the prestigious business-grant winner to success.

“Jill realizes that hard work is necessary to reach your goals and not only has she shown that in the past, I believe she will continue to do so over her career,” says Kazakoff. “Jill is well deserving of this award.”

To all who know Tataryn, all this is no secret.

Welcome back from the holiday break

trevor.kenney — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:17:55 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

The holiday season is now behind us and I want to welcome our staff, faculty and both new and returning students to campus for the Spring Semester.

The more people I speak with, the more it becomes clear what a prominent role the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge plays in the southern Alberta community. We are looked to as a leader, not only in education, but also in the areas of community living, culture, business and sport, and it is extremely important that we continue to serve as a hub of engagement for our community.

The U of L has a history of engaging its students, the community, our international partners and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations. It is my commitment to foster these relationships and assume a more deliberate approach as we further engage our community partners.

President Mike Mahon gladly accepts the responsibility the U of L has to serve as a community leader.

This past fall, I met with a variety of groups about the notion of engagement and how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge promotes the concepts of citizenship, collaborative learning and discovery. It became apparent to me that the U of L is very active when it comes to reaching out to the community, but that it could develop a more strategic approach in its efforts.

There are already many successes on campus in terms of our students, staff and faculty leading the way when it comes to community engagement. The Rotaract Club has reached out both locally and beyond, as have Management Students' Society initiatives, nursing students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, and faculty and staff through the United Way, the adopt a family Christmas program and other charitable measures. Our sports teams build relationships through camps and mentorship programs, and the recent Movember movement connected our athletes with the community on a whole different level.

We have many successes to point to, and now we want to build off of those experiences and bring a new focus to our community-based initiatives. That we have been able to become such a positive influence on so many levels is exemplary, and there can only be growth if we are able to create an overarching framework under which the engagement process can be co-ordinated.

To that end, I want to welcome two new members to our president's office team who will play key roles in the future. Laurel Corbiere, the former director of the International Centre for Students, is assuming the position of senior advisor to the president, and will take on a leadership role in the community engagement process as it relates to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's strategic directions.

I also want to welcome Jodie Black, who was most recently the student retention co-ordinator in the Recruitment and Student Life office. She is taking on the position of university secretariat and will play an instrumental role in the development and management of policies and procedures of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

We are fortunate to be in a position to provide leadership for social and individual betterment of our community, whether that is at the local, provincial, national or international level. It is important, as responsible global citizens, we accept that charge.

This column first appeared in the Legend. For a full look at the January issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Open Mike - January 2011

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:44:25 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

The holiday season is now behind us and I want to welcome our staff, faculty and both new and returning students to campus for the Spring Semester.

The more people I speak with, the more it becomes clear what a prominent role the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge plays in the southern Alberta community. We are looked to as a leader, not only in education, but also in the areas of community living, culture, business and sport, and it is extremely important that we continue to serve as a hub of engagement for our community.

The U of L has a history of engaging its students, the community, our international partners and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations. It is my commitment to foster these relationships and assume a more deliberate approach as we further engage our community partners.

There are already many successes on campus in terms of our students, staff and faculty leading the way when it comes to community engagement. The Rotaract Club has reached out both locally and beyond, as have Management Students' Society initiatives, nursing students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, and faculty and staff through the United Way, the adopt a family Christmas program and other charitable measures. Our sports teams build relationships through camps and mentorship programs, and the recent Movember movement connected our athletes with the community on a whole different level.

We have many successes to point to, and now we want to build off of those experiences and bring a new focus to our community-based initiatives. That we have been able to become such a positive influence on so many levels is exemplary, and there can only be growth if we are able to create an overarching framework under which the engagement process can be co-ordinated.

To that end, I want to welcome two new members to our president's office team who will play key roles in the future. Laurel Corbiere, the former director of the International Centre for Students, is assuming the position of senior advisor to the president, and will take on a leadership role in the community engagement process as it relates to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's strategic directions.

I also want to welcome Jodie Black, who was most recently the student retention co-ordinator in the Recruitment and Student Life office. She is taking on the position of university secretariat and will play an instrumental role in the development and management of policies and procedures of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

We are fortunate to be in a position to provide leadership for social and individual betterment of our community, whether that is at the local, provincial, national or international level. It is important, as responsible global citizens, we accept that charge.

For a full look at the January issue of the Legend, follow this link.

Kassam eager for challenge

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:54:58 +0000

While it may have taken two votes to fill out executive council and general assembly, there was no question who students wanted as their next ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union president.

ULSU president-elect Taz Kassam, a BA and BMgt student, is one of only four women to ever hold the position and she is looking forward to the challenge.

"I am deeply appreciative of the support, both during and following the election," says Kassam. "I am very excited about the opportunities ahead and am ready to serve as a representative for the ULSU."

Due to a lack of nominations in the general election, the Students' Union was forced to hold a by-election to fill out remaining vacancies on executive council and general assembly.

Kassam will be working with Allan Hall, vice-president administration, who held this position last year; Keith McLaughlin, vice-president academic. The position of vice-president Internal Affairs, will be decided in a by-election, which was held after the public.

"I'm excited to pass the torch to next year's executive team," says Alex Massé, vice-president academic. "They're all solid people with relevant experience. They've also been very perceptive of some of the areas that they can improve upon over the past year."

Kassam is no stranger to the ULSU as she has been an active volunteer for the organization. The 22-year old, who grew up in Calgary but has called Lethbridge home for the last five years, does not lack the skills necessary to be successful in the demanding position of ULSU President. She acquired invaluable experience while serving on the executive council with the Management Students' Society and Jeux de Commerce West Business Competition, where she served as event co-ordinator of the 5th Annual Chillin' for Charity Polar Bear Dip that raised more than $16,000 for the Lethbridge United Way.

Kassam aspires to decrease student apathy through activism and communication. She describes her platform as one that encompasses a grassroots approach, and she has decided to work on matters that will most benefit students. After all, ULSU is an organization for the students, and run by the students.

"I believe the low levels of student engagement stem from a lack of communication from the ULSU and a lack of knowledge about the Students' Union," says Kassam. "It is my hope, along with the executive council, to reverse this increase in student apathy and decline in student empowerment. The longer we travel on this road the less likely the opinion of the student will matter."

Increasing the importance of post-secondary education in the eyes of the government is important to Kassam and she intends to battle this by generating student involvement through lobbying efforts for affordable and quality education.

The ULSU 2010/2011 General Assembly currently includes Andrew Williams, Lisa Rodych, Zack Moline, Tyrell Dasilva, Shane Groarke and Cole Schneider, who are all arts and science representatives; Kyle Hammond as the organization of residence students representative. The remaining General Assembly positions will also be decided in a by-election. Visit www.ulsu.ca for full election results.

The ULSU exists to represent students' interests at the provincial and federal levels of government and to provide value-added services, spaces and programs to enhance the campus community.

Students experience homelessness

trevor.kenney — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:48:41 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students are taking to the streets this week, all in a bid to raise awareness for the city's homelessness situation and possibly $15,000 in charitable donations.

The 5 Days for the Homeless campaign began late Sunday afternoon and runs through to Friday, Mar. 19 at 5 p.m. A cross-Canada program, 5 Days for the Homeless was founded at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta's School of Business in 2005. The U of A students identified homelessness as a growing issue and wanted to give back to the community while at the same time changing the negative perception that business students are greedy and do not care about the community. The trio would give up creature comforts and basic necessities for five days to raise money and awareness for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS), a local charity.

Since that time, 5 Days has grown considerably with 17 schools participating in 2009, raising a record $174,492 and unparalleled awareness.

U of L students have targeted $15,000 as a goal for this year's campaign. A total of five students from the Management Students' Society are taking part and have set up cardboard box accommodations just outside the Students' Union building.

It is the third year that students from the U of L have taken part in the campaign and each year, donations have risen. In the first year, just under $8,000 was raised while last year's total surpassed $12,000, all of which was donated to Wood's Homes Foundation, a multi-service charity designed to serve the most troubled young people in the community.

5 Days campaign looks to raise awareness

trevor.kenney — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:39:26 +0000

Allan Hall and Tim Coker are two of five U of L students living homeless this week in support of the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign.

care about the community. The trio would give up creature comforts and basic necessities for five days to raise money and awareness for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS), a local charity.

Since that time, 5 Days has grown considerably with 17 schools participating in 2009, raising a record $174,492 and unparalleled awareness.

Williamson always had business in her blood

trevor.kenney — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:29:57 +0000

Looking back, Jessica Williamson (BMgt '02), owner and operator of the successful yoga/active-wear retail business, Hoopla Clothing, can't remember a time when she wasn't hooked on business.

"When I was about 13 years old, my brother and I started selling leeches for live bait," laughs Williamson. "I think I edged toward business because my dad had his own seed cleaning operation. I grew up with the entrepreneurial spirit in my home and I always knew I would have a business one day."

Williamson grew up in Pambrun, Saskatchewan, a very small town of approximately 50 people. After her high school graduation in 1998, she was offered, but later declined, a scholarship to attend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regina.

"I had done some research on several universities that were not in Saskatchewan. Coming from such a small community I felt it was time to spread my wings and go where I didn't know everyone and where I would have new opportunities and meet new people," says Williamson.

Jessica Williamson has established a thriving business since graduating from the U of L.

Attracted to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge because of its location, relatively smaller size and the opportunity it provided for management students to specialize in different areas, Williamson enrolled in a bachelor of management degree with a specialization in marketing. Finding a healthy balance between work and play, Williamson volunteered for events run by the Management Students' Society and participated in the Western Business Games. Working with several other students, she also won a business case competition for KPMG.

"People say that high school is supposed to be the best time of your life, but I seriously felt like university was one of the best times of my life. I always felt like the faculty and staff cared about the quality of education they were providing and about me as an individual," remembers Williamson. "Taking so many different classes opened my eyes to things I had never heard or thought about before and allowed me to learn and grow. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is where I took my first yoga class. In retrospect, I realize that was a pivotal point in my life."
After graduating with great distinction in 2002, Williamson moved to Calgary. She began working for Canadian Pacific Railway and continued to dabble in yoga in her spare time.

"During my time at CP Rail, I had the opportunity to do some traveling across Canada doing process improvement work. It was a great experience and on the weekends we would travel to the area attractions and it gave me a bit of a travel bug."

After five years, Williamson knew it was time for a career change, so she turned in her resignation and took a month off.

"I wanted to go on a vacation that had a purpose. I went to a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, earned my yoga alliance certificate and became a registered yoga teacher. The retreat taught me to look inside, do what is in my heart and be happy about what I was doing," says Williamson.

Following her heart, Williamson moved to her future husband's hometown of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to open Hoopla Clothing in 2007.

"I applied to the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) for funding. It was a good process to go through.

It is not just about giving you a loan; it is about making sure you have done the proper planning. Once I opened Hoopla, CYBF set me up with a mentor, local business owner, Al Norman. He helped me set some long and short-term goals and stay on track with those goals," says Williamson.

Stay on track she did. Since opening, Hoopla Clothing has surpassed the $1 million mark in sales. In 2008, Hoopla launched an online catalog, and has expanded to include seven employees.

Williamson plans to expand her business to another Saskatchewan city in 2010 and is excited to begin her next adventure in early December when she and her husband have their first child.

Major donation from CGA of Alberta

trevor.kenney — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:13:00 +0000

As the official opening of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's new Markin Hall building nears, the Certified General Accountants' Association of Alberta (CGA Alberta) announced a major donation to fund the CGA Faculty Fellowship in Accounting and support the operating costs of the Markin Hall Finance Trading Floor.

The gift, a $375,000 donation, is coupled by matching funds through the Government of Alberta's Access to the Future Fund, bringing the total of the contributions to an impressive $750,000.

"The features within Markin Hall – like the video-conference rooms, specialized case rooms and especially the Finance Trading Floor – will be tools used to create a state-of-the-art learning environment," says Dr. Bill Cade, the U of L's president and vice-chancellor.

"As a result of CGA Alberta's support of the Finance Trading Floor and the CGA Faculty Fellowship, we are going to see even more students graduate with the skills, knowledge and confidence to effectively navigate any economic landscape – these are the very people who will be leaders in our province and nation in years to come."

A classroom in Markin Hall will be named the CGA Alberta Case Room to recognize the Certified General Accountants' Association of Alberta gift. The 50-seat room will be available to the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and will provide valuable community lecture space in Markin Hall, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2010.

Markin Hall will truly stand as a symbol of successful partnerships – partnerships between the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Management; and partnerships between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the Alberta Government and loyal supporters like CGA Alberta.

"We are pleased to be able to support the development of the new Markin Hall and the Faculty of Management. Our relationship with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is important in helping us offer our students and members the best education opportunities available," said John Carpenter, CEO of CGA Alberta.

"It is also a key part of our commitment and the role our profession plays in society to help further the knowledge, skills and leadership of accounting and accountants."

Dr. Murray Lindsay, Dean of the U of L's Faculty of Management said that over the past number of years, CGA Alberta has shown great support through their generous donations to management programs.

"CGA Alberta has been a valuable partner of the Faculty of Management. In the past, it has been a key sponsor of the Management Students' Society, providing our students the financial means to organize numerous professional seminars and participate in student case competitions," Lindsay said.

"Through its recent sponsorship of the CGA Alberta Faculty Fellow and the CGA Alberta Case Room, the Association has made a very meaningful commitment which will benefit our undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as teaching and research."

Deborah Jarvie, a Management faculty member who is the recipient of the CGA Alberta Faculty Fellowship, said it has allowed her to work toward the completion of her doctoral program, among other benefits.

"I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the CGAs for the generosity and support they have shown toward the growth and development at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. On a personal level, I am honored to be named as the CGA Faculty Fellow, and am grateful for the Association's contribution to my research funding."

UNews - Management Students' Society

MSS jumps in to support United Way

Related Topics

Alumni Profile - Jason Elliott

Related Topics

Secrets to scholarship success

Related Topics

Welcome back from the holiday break

Related Topics

Open Mike - January 2011

Related Topics

Kassam eager for challenge

Related Topics

Students experience homelessness

Related Topics

5 Days campaign looks to raise awareness

Related Topics

Williamson always had business in her blood

Related Topics

Major donation from CGA of Alberta

Related Topics