UNews - Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

Weeks reappointed with five-year term

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:03:51 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors today reappointed Dr. Daniel J. Weeks to a second five-year term as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's research vice president. The Board of Governors, as well as the review committee struck to make a recommendation to the Board, unanimously supported Weeks's reappointment.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge continues to evolve as one of Canada's leading comprehensive research and teaching universities of its size," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon. "Dr. Weeks has played a significant role in promoting and supporting the many research strengths in all of our faculties and has helped position the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for much future success."

In the past five years, the U of L introduced its first comprehensive research plan, has undertaken a renewed effort to focus its international activities and was recently named Canada's Research ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of the Year (Undergraduate Category) by Research Infosource.

Weeks was also instrumental in the creation of the Association of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities (ACCRU) - a new strategic partnership amongst small and medium-sized universities from across Canada that aims to improve collaboration amongst researchers and programs, allow universities to share best practices and enable institutions to respond to system-wide developments in a co-ordinated and timely fashion.

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Weeks is a cognitive psychologist and an internationally recognized expert on human motor control. He also has a research program focused on skill acquisition in persons with Down Syndrome.

Weeks has pioneered new brain imaging techniques to determine the impact of cerebral specialization and information processing on health and behaviour, among other projects. He previously served as a professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, where he also operated the PsychoMotor Behaviour Laboratory.

U of L joins PIMS as full member

trevor.kenney — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:45:33 +0000

The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) is pleased to announce that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Alberta has joined the PIMS consortium as a full member.

The site has been a PIMS affiliate for many years and has had significant participation in PIMS activities.

Dr. Chris Nichol, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, will represent the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ on the PIMS Board of Directors. Dr. Amir Akbary has been appointed as interim PIMS site director and will begin on July 1, 2012.

With the incorporation of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the PIMS consortium now has nine full members, including all the major research universities in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Washington State.

In particular, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge joins the Universities of Alberta and Calgary, in further strengthening PIMS' partnerships in Alberta, where a significant number of PIMS activities take place.

"We are delighted that Lethbridge has become a full member of the PIMS consortium, as they have valuable strengths in a number of areas in the mathematical sciences - number theory is a good example. Through our collaborative research groups, summer schools, postdoctoral opportunities, broadcast seminars and educational activities, Lethbridge faculty and students will be important contributors to PIMS activities," said PIMS Director, Alejandro Adem.

Background

The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) was founded in 1996 by a consortium of five universities in Alberta and British Columbia (the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia, Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria). Later they were joined by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Washington in the United States and more recently by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regina and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan and finally the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The mandate of PIMS is to:

- promote research in and applications of the mathematical sciences of the highest international caliber

- facilitate the training of highly-qualified personnel at the graduate and postdoctoral level

- enrich public awareness of mathematics through outreach

- enhance the mathematical training of teachers and students in K-12

- create mathematical partnerships with similar organizations in other countries, with a particular focus on Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ mourns passing of academic assistant

trevor.kenney — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:02:24 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community offers its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Michael (Mike) Robinson, an academic assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 29 at age 50 and after battling cancer.

Robinson is survived by his wife Karen Zanewich (who had also worked at the U of L as an academic assistant) and children Zachary and Isabelle.

He earned an MSc from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Ecology and joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1998.

He was very involved in the undergraduate teaching program where he taught a variety of classes and labs, including Seminars in Biological Sciences, the Capstone course for biology majors.

Robinson was the first to volunteer for new student orientation and served as the departmental undergraduate advisor. He worked to the highest standards and expected the same from his students.

Robinson was key in creating the Science Toolkit (http://www.uleth.ca/artsci/biological-sciences/science-toolkit) – an innovative online resource to aid student with developing an understanding of the scientific method, statistical analysis and effective communication.

He will be greatly missed by his ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ friends, and especially his biology 'family.'

There will be no memorial service at the family's request. People can send messages of condolence to Brent Selinger and they will be forwarded: selibl@uleth.ca

Lapadat named first VP Students

trevor.kenney — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:28:21 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Dr. Judith C. Lapadat as the institution's first associate vice-president (students).

Lapadat is currently a professor in the School of Education, College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the Chair of the UNBC Northwest Regional Campus, based in Terrace, B.C.

The associate vice-president (students) is a new position within the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ administrative system, and reflects the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's commitment to student success and enhancing the student experience.

Lapadat will oversee the Registrar's Office and Student Services and will work closely with the Office of the Vice-President (Academic).

"We are very pleased to have Dr. Lapadat join our team," says Dr. Andy Hakin, the U of L's vice-president (academic) and provost. "She has a broad range of skills and experiences in teaching, research, course and program development as well as a keen understanding of the student services environment and student experience, which we expect will greatly assist the U of L as we reinforce our own student-centred processes."

Lapadat holds a PhD from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ (Education; Instructional Psychology, 1992) a master's degree from The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia (Audiology and Speech Sciences, 1983) and a bachelor of arts degree from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia (Linguistics, 1979).

Prior to her career as an academic researcher, teacher and administrator, Lapadat worked as a speech pathologist in public and private practice in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. She is the author or co-author of three books and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and, as an artist, has had her award-winning work exhibited throughout northern British Columbia.

As she transitions from her UNBC position, it is expected she will be on campus during the spring 2012 semester.

Campus culture helps Stein find himself

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:23:00 +0000

For many of us, attending university is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. For alumnus Perry Stein (BA'09 Great Distinction), attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was more like writing an entire book.

"I grew up in the suburbs of Calgary and felt like an introverted student in high school. I didn't want to be that anymore. Going to school somewhere else gives you an opportunity to somewhat re-define who you are," says Stein. "At the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, I didn't want to be just a student who showed up for classes and then went home. I wanted to be involved in things, get the most out of my degree and have a really meaningful experience."

Intrigued by the diversity he remembered seeing when he went to school in downtown Calgary, Stein initially enrolled in international management at the
U of L. However, his excellent marks in another discipline garnered attention and soon led him elsewhere.

Alumnus Perry Stein threw himself into an active student lifestyle and redefined his future.

"After taking a couple of geography classes, I actually got a letter from someone in the geography department telling me I should consider geography," says Stein. "I took a bunch of courses in urban geography and loved it, so I added a second major: urban and regional studies."

He excelled in his new line of study, culminating with him winning the 2009 Urban and Regional Studies Prize, one of two awards generously donated by the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (formerly the Alberta Association, Canadian Institute of Planners). It is awarded annually to the graduating urban and regional studies student with the highest cumulative grade point average.

Stein's personal redefinition was not limited to his academic performance at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Walking down the hall one day, Stein saw a poster advertising a one-month new media course in Romania. Another world was about to open.

"I never really thought about travel before, but I was interested in expanding my horizons. Going to Romania was an incredible experience. It led me to everything I have done since," says Stein. "I think it is really good for students to go outside their comfort zone and be thrown into a different culture, and to challenge some of the stereotypes that they carry around with them. It forces them to realize that the way of life in North America is not the only way of life and that what they think is best, isn't always best for everyone."

While in Romania, Stein learned he was accepted to a six-month cultural exchange program in Chile, through the Faculty of Management. His Chilean courses, offered in Spanish, focused on urban social geography and international management. One of the highlights of the exchange was a social work class that allowed him to take groups of marginalized children on field trips through their own city.

"Chile was awesome. It was probably one of the greatest opportunities I have ever had," says Stein. "I still have contact with a lot of the friends I made there. Working and playing with the kids was an incredible experience."

When he returned from Chile, Stein switched to a single major in urban and regional studies. He did several independent studies with Dr. Patrick Wilson that led to another exchange, this time to the Ecuadorian Amazon and to Quito Ecuador. Wilson introduced Stein to LPIRG (Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group), who later funded further exchange trips for Stein, including one to Cuba. He eventually became a board member of LPIRG, organizing events and presenting documentaries on campus.

Stein, who will complete a master's degree in Latin American Studies in December, along with a certificate in development and sustainability studies at Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, believes that the opportunities he had at the U of L changed his life dramatically.

"My time at the U of L really prepared me for graduate school. I learned how to create research proposals and apply for funding; I learned how a non-profit research organization works," says Stein. "I would encourage all students to get involved in issues that you are passionate about. Get involved in activities on campus, find interesting projects and get involved in research. There are so many opportunities out there and if they aren't in your area of interest, create them."

GET THE FACTS

· Stein played a role in establishing the Student Speaker Challenge in conjunction with the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs.

· Stein obtained more than $70,000 in scholarships and research grants while at the U of L, including the SSHRC Bombardier Graduate scholarship, which was worth $17,500.

· He has travelled to more than 20 countries to participate in fieldwork, including Chile, Ecuadorian Amazon, Quito Ecuador, Cuba and Mexico.

· Stein's passion for urban social issues has him looking at a career in government. "I would like to work in the area of sustainable community development and make a difference in municipal government," he says. "I also plan on completing my PhD in the near future."

· Stein won the 2009 Urban and Regional Studies Award as presented by the Alberta Professional Planners Institute.

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

Student captures NEADS award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:48:25 +0000

The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) and BMO Capital Markets are pleased to announce the 12 outstanding winners of the 2010 NEADS Equity Through Education Student Awards Program.

Among the recipients is Katherine Taylor, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge psychology student who was selected from among 375 applicants to join 11 other undergraduate or graduate students as award winners.

All recipients receive $3,000 toward their tuition.

A complete listing of recipients can be found below.

"NEADS congratulates the 2010 winners of the NEADS Equity Through Education Student Awards, says Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai, NEADS Past-President and Chair of the selection committee.

"There were many excellent candidates and 375 applications for this year's competition. The dedication, perseverance and achievements of this year's winners embody the spirit of the Awards program. We wish them all the very best in their studies, and look forward to watching their successes in the future. We are grateful to BMO Capital Markets for its generous funding of the Equity Through Education Student Awards."

"Congratulations to all of this year's winners," says Mike Miller, Head of Equity Products, BMO Capital Markets and a champion of the Equity Through Education Program. "Your achievements serve as an inspiration for others and help reinforce the important work of NEADS. We admire the vital role of NEADS, which helps young Canadians with disabilities finish their studies and make a successful transition to the employment market."

The winners in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Undergraduate Studies category are:

-- Naomi Harrington (Computer Science and Psychology combined major,��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria)

-- Devin Ryan (Computer Science, Business option, Lakehead ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

-- Katie Raso (Communication, Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ)

-- Alexandra Papaiconomou (Law, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Western Ontario)

-- Katherine Taylor (Psychology, French Minor, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge)

-- Tawnie Wilson (Communications and Women's Studies combined, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Windsor)

Recipients in Graduate Studies category are:

-- James Bell (MA Criminology, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto)

-- Jessica Dunkley (Faculty of Medicine, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa)

-- Kelly Fritsch (Ph.D Social and Political Thought, York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ)

-- Chelsea Mohler (Masters of Health and Rehabilitation Science, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Western Ontario)

-- Barbara Schober (Doctor of Philosophy/History, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia).

The winner of the Equity Through Education Student Awards in the College/Cegep Studies category is Larissa Haluszka-Smith (Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant, Centennial College).

James presents Sinixt struggle

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:00:15 +0000

The plight of the Sinixt Nation, or Arrow Lakes People, will be examined by spokesperson Marilyn James at a presentation this afternoon in TH241.

Forced Extinction: The Story of the Sinixt Nation delves into their struggle against Canada, colonialism and extinction. Presented by James, who works part time for Selkirk College as an aboriginal advisor, the talk begins at 12:15 p.m. and is open to everyone.

The Sinixt are a tribe of the Interior Salish peoples. They share a common linguistic connection to the Interior Salish but are dialectically distinct. The Sinixt were declared extinct by the federal government of Canada in 1956 through a Federal Order in Council. The Sinixt have occupied a site at Vallican, BC since 1988 and have remained committed to cultural and environmental work since that time as community members within their traditional territory. Cultural work has consisted of the repatriation of ancestral remains, conducting annual ceremonies, gathering local landscape foods and upholding cultural responsibilities for the traditional territory and all resources and members held therein.

James has developed indigenized curriculum sets for local school districts and is featured online in a partnership with school district #79.

She sits on many boards and committees dedicated to community services and education, and holds a bachelor of arts degree from Evergreen State College and a master of education from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. James is also the appointed spokesperson of Sinixt Nation and a board member for Sinixt Nation Society.

This event is presented by the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group.

Chem Guys open for Mythbusters

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:39:42 +0000

Eng, Lippa to open Mythbusters event

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:50:42 +0000

John Eng and Wayne Lippa won't be blowing up too much stuff at the Feb. 6 Mythbusters event, but they will be setting a few things on fire, all the while teaching the sold-out crowd about chemistry in a fun and inventive way.

Together, Eng and Lippa have been promoting chemistry in the community as The Chem Guys for a decade. Their goal is to displace the general public dislike of chemistry with a message that chemistry is fun.

Eng has a BSc in Biochemistry from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and has been teaching chemistry at the
U of L since January 1987. Lippa has a BSc/BEd degree from the U of L and has been teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ since August 1997.

They'll serve as the opening act for Saturday night's Mythbusters event at the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. The Science Alberta Foundation and Suncor Energy Foundation are partnering with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host MythBusters Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci as part of the Science Happens Here program.

Imahara is a former animatronics engineer and model maker for George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic. Belleci worked for ILM for eight years as a model builder, sculptor and painter.

Both Eng and Lippa are available to drop in to schools with their traveling road show, and can be contacted at

Making things explode is a staple of their shows.

engj@uleth.ca.

For more information on chemistry studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, follow this Chemistry link. Or follow these links to check out John Eng and Wayne Lippa.

Dr. Arthur Erickson (1924-2009)

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:05:55 +0000

Renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson (LLD '81) died on May 20, 2009, at age 84. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's main building, is one piece in a legacy of architectural masterpieces that he leaves behind.

Erickson was also responsible for a number of key Canadian buildings such as Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in British Columbia and the Vancouver Law Courts complex as well as many other significant structures worldwide, including the Canadian Embassy in Washington, One California Plaza in Los Angeles and the Kuwait Oil Sector Complex in Kuwait City.

Erickson was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1973 and then was promoted to Companion of the Order in 1981. In 1986, he was the first Canadian to win the prestigious American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.

Erickson and his business partner, Geoffrey Massey, designed ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's campus plan in the late 1960s. Their design, which was considered quite radical at the time, set the U of L apart in architecture and academic circles alike and brought the southern Alberta landmark international recognition.

"Arthur's whole way of thinking was that there were no limits as to what could be done," recalls his long-time friend Dr. Van Christou (LLD '84), who was a founding member of the U of L Board of Governors and the person responsible for connecting Erickson with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in the '60s.

"Arthur was a brilliant man and an amazing architect."

Erickson's work has left a lasting imprint on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and southern Alberta that will live on well into the future.

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