UNews - Parliament for Lethbridge

CASA opens its doors

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:08:05 +0000

The City of Lethbridge, Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are excited to announce the Grand Opening of CASA, a truly functional 42,000 square foot arts centre with a striking building design.

CASA is the realization of a 20-year dream, shared by many in the Lethbridge arts community, to expand or replace the Bowman Arts Centre and provide a home for the arts in one central location.

"I am very pleased to participate in today's celebration, which will usher in new opportunities for Lethbridge and southern Alberta's artistic community," says Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Worthwhile projects such as this create jobs and encourage economic growth, while also providing Canadians with valuable cultural spaces."

Funding for the $20.69 million project includes $6 million from the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (with $3 million provided by both the Federal Government and Alberta Transportation under BCF-CC), $14.4 million from the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (administered by Alberta Municipal Affairs) and $200,000 from the City of Lethbridge.

"We're pleased to support local priorities and build communities through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative," says Greg Weadick, Associate Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs and MLA for Lethbridge-West.

"Facilities like CASA bring together families and neighbours while they enrich lives, entertain and create more vibrant economies."

CASA will allow for students of all ages to learn and explore many different mediums of art, drama, music, dance, yoga and more. It will become home to many local groups and events.

After the 11 a.m. Grand Opening, and for the remainder of the week, special events will be taking place in the evenings, with a Party On the Plaza from noon until 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. This community festival is free and will include many local musicians and entertainers, from the Lethbridge Community Taiko Association to the U of L Conservatory of Music.

Other events during the week include dance, theatre, film, the inaugural CASA art exhibit opening and the music of Oscar Lopez.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music has numerous events planned that showcase both the new facility and their diverse programs.

U of L Conservatory information, including program registration and upcoming events listings, can be found at this website.

"Our local arts community has been waiting for this day for a long time. For decades to come, this new arts facility will be a significant cultural and economic asset for downtown Lethbridge and for the entire community," says Mayor Rajko Dodic.

Along with the Allied Arts Council, who will be overseeing the facility, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is also a major partner with its Music Conservatory moving to this facility.

"We are extremely proud of U of L Music Conservatory Director Peggy Mezei and her team, and their achievements as they move in to CASA's bright and beautiful space," says Dr. Mike Mahon, the U of L's President and Vice-Chancellor. "Our commitment to the community takes on many forms, and being such an integral part of the CASA group is something we are very pleased to be a part of. This new facility will be of great benefit to our present and future Conservatory students, and also to the many members of the arts and culture community who use the facility to express their own creativity."

The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge have also provided support to the project which has led to the naming of the Rotary Plaza, the location of the festivities on Saturday, May 18.

CASA will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 pm. on Sundays. Classes and workshops, including the opportunity to try "sampler" classes for a nominal fee, will begin the week of May 20.

Information on Grand Opening Week events as well as information on classes, workshops, facility rentals and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Music Conservatory can be found at the CASA website.

Campaign surpasses goal

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:05:33 +0000

Music in the Making fundraising campaign surpasses $650,000

Elected representatives, funding partners and a handful of local arts community members got a close-up look at the new Community Arts Centre today.

With construction on time, on budget and now halfway to completion, the City of Lethbridge held a briefing and tour of the $20.7-million facility for federal, provincial and municipal officials.

Also present were local artists and representatives of the Allied Arts Council as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, which will be a major tenant when the Community Arts Centre opens in May, 2013.

Support for the U of L Music Conservatory's move to the downtown location has been overwhelmingly positive, and is natural extension of an already-productive City/��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ partnership, according to U of L President Mike Mahon.

"The City of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have a long history of partnering together to improve the personal well-being of individuals and families, and to enhance the quality of life in local and regional communities," says Mahon. "We are excited to be a key tenant in the new Community Arts Centre as we work with other members of the southern Alberta community to improve access to the arts in our community."

Mahon says that community support was critical to the extremely successful conclusion of the Music in the Making fundraising campaign, launched last year to support the Conservatory's move downtown.

"We set a goal of $500,000, and I am pleased to say that we exceeded it by more than $150,000. Our volunteers and Lottie Austin and George Evelyn, who co-chaired this campaign, have good reason to be proud of the future opportunities their work will provide to current and future Conservatory students."

Funded by the Building Canada Fund – Community Components (BCF-CC) program, Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), and the City of Lethbridge, the Community Arts Centre will serve as a local arts education hub and become the new off-campus home of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's music conservatory. In addition, an enhancement to the south-east entrance plaza area is being undertaken by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge.

"Today's tour highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Once completed, this project will further strengthen our city's creative community, while providing new opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Lethbridge's cultural attractions."

Significant And Mentionable

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:54:14 +0000

HISTORIANS SCORE 100%

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge History Department celebrated 100 per cent participation in Supporting Our Students for the second year in a row.

"This is an incredible accomplishment," says Debi Sandul, who is co-chairing this year's SOS campaign. "Students have always been at the centre of what we do and this demonstrates the continued commitment of the History Department to enhance the student experience and create opportunities."

Supporting Our Students is an annual internal fundraising campaign to raise money for student awards. Faculty and staff donations are matched by the Government of Alberta's Access to the Future Fund, doubling the impact of all contributions.

The goal for this year's campaign is 300 contributions and thanks to the dedication of faculty and staff like those from the History Department, the campaign already has 255 participants.

"This year's campaign is about participation and this group has come together to demonstrate the strength of the U of L community," explains Dr. Rob Wood, the campaign co-chair.

"We are very proud of what we've been able to do as a group and I hope this is just the beginning," says History Department Chair Dr. Chris Epplett, who went on to issue a friendly challenge to other U of L departments.

GRAD STUDENTS HONOURED

When the School of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research Services handed out their Research Excellence awards recently, there were no trophies, only cold hard cash to the tune of more than $700,000, which was shared by 36 student recipients of graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral studies awards.

The investment in research funding directed toward candidates in master's and doctoral programs is critical to help grow the
U of L's research programs and its place as a comprehensive research university.

The research funding was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Alberta-based agencies Alberta Ingenuity Fund, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, and the Alberta government-funded Ralph Steinhauer Awards of Distinction.

NATIONAL RANKING SHOWS DRAMATIC GROWTH FOR U OF L RESEARCH FUNDING

The U of L is ranked second nationally by Re$earch Infosource in terms of research income growth over the decade 1999-2009 for undergraduate universities – with an overall growth rate from $3.295 million to $15.956 million.

"This is the highest gain of any Alberta school and any Western Canadian school – and we are still growing," says U of L Vice-President (Research) Dr. Dan Weeks.

"These figures do not reflect the additional people we have attracted, the income from this past year or the many new programs that we have launched."

As assessed by RE$EARCH Infosource, the list ranks universities by their research income and research intensity (research funding per faculty member).

ACCESSIBILITY AND INNOVATION LEAD TO RECORD ENROLMENT

This September brought with it the largest student enrolment in the U of L's history. The official enrolment number is 8,472, with the growth being credited to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's dedication to being an accessible and innovative institution.

EDUCATION STUDENTS TAKE A STAND AGAINST BULLYING

The third annual ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Anti-bullying and Cyberbullying Awareness Week was held Oct. 4 to 6. Organized by the Education Undergraduate Society, the event is the only student-organized anti-bullying campaign in Alberta and aims to increase the awareness of cyberbullying and bullying in the community.

The ever-increasing use of technology among children is rapidly leading to a transformation in the traditional forms of bullying, with cyberbullying becoming more prevalent.

The anti-bullying campaign highlighted the need for schools to develop policies and procedures related to cyberbullying, while providing teachers with techniques and tools to address the issue.

STUDENTS' UNION HELPING PAINT A BRIGHTER FUTURE

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union Executive Council worked on their home-improvement skills this past summer by volunteering with Project Paintbrush.

Working with Volunteer Lethbridge and Project Paintbrush, the students laboured to fix up homes for those who are not able. Specifically, the four council members grabbed brushes and aided in painting the exterior of a local home.

Project Paintbrush focuses on assisting seniors and individuals with special needs who are physically and/or financially unable to maintain the exterior of their property. There is no cost to the homeowner and the program operation is based solely on volunteers.

Taz Kassam, SU president, believes that "making positive changes through volunteering in the community provides for greater experiences and opportunities for all. Lethbridge supports its students and it is important for students to support Lethbridge, too."

By taking part in this project, the ULSU hopes to not only spark knowledge of Volunteer Lethbridge and Project Paintbrush, but also showcase the impact volunteering has on individuals and the community.

"At the end of the day, we can look back and realize that we made a difference, and the families are more than grateful for the help," says Kassam.

IGEM TEAM CLEANS UP

A group of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge undergraduate chemistry, biochemistry and neuroscience students has been awarded a $20,000 international research grant from the Oil Sands Initiative to find a biological solution to improving the environmental sustainability of Alberta's oil sands.

The students are members of the
U of L's multiple-award-winning International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) team, which competes each year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Mass. Regarded as the premier undergraduate synthetic biology competition in the world, the conference attracts competitors from around the world but the U of L group was the only team to receive a $20,000 award.

The money will help support the development of a petrochemical-eating bacteria that the group plans to design. If successful, the bacteria could be used to help clean up water in ponds that have been polluted in the refining process.

CONGRATULATIONS

The U of L extends sincere congratulations to the following members of our community for their awards and recognitions this fall.

U of L Chancellor Richard Davidson was named one of the 50 most influential people in Alberta by Alberta Venture magazine.

Dr. Trevor Harrison, sociology professor, was awarded a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Canadian Studies at Kennesaw State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

The Honourable Rick Casson, who is a Member of Parliament for Lethbridge and a former U of L employee, was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council of Canada.

Dr. Susan McDaniel, director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, was named Vice-Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies' Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

Dr. Joseph Rasmussen, biological sciences researcher, was appointed to the National Oil Sands Review Panel.

GLOBE & MAIL REPORT CARD

The Globe and Mail's annual report card on Canadian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ performance is out and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has been given high marks, ranging from B's to A's in more than 80 per cent of 17 categories.

The survey was prepared by higher Education Strategy Associates in partnership with the Globe and Mail, and asked more than 35,000 students 100 questions that were distilled down to the final 17 categories. Individual scores (such as the U of L's) are based on a minimum number of responses from U of L students.

The Faculties of Health Sciences and Management recorded high marks from students for providing a quality education, and "A" level grades were received for the number of small class sizes, the quality of student/professor interaction, and the institution's athletics and recreation services.

"This survey is a solid reinforcement of our strength as an undergraduate university, but we're moving along a new path to become a comprehensive research university – without losing sight of the very important factors that put all of our students first," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon.

U OF L'S CANDO PARTNERSHIP NETS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

Faculty of Management student Shermayn Menicoche (photo, right) is one of three people to receive a $3,000 National Indigenous Economic Education Foundation (NIEEF) scholarship from the charitable arm of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).

CANDO is an Aboriginal-controlled, community-based group that builds partnerships with educational institutions, Aboriginal leaders and senior corporate and government representatives.

The U of L is now one of nine post-secondary institutions accredited by CANDO to deliver courses that help economic development officers working in First Nations communities obtain an Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificate in addition to their U of L degree.

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

U of L gets chance to CREATE

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:36:09 +0000

Thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, young researchers will have an opportunity to creatively expand their professional and personal skills to prepare for the workplace.

"Our government is committed to developing, attracting and retaining the world's best researchers here in Canada," says Rick Casson, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, who made the investment announcement on behalf of the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology).
"Through the investment of the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program, the students involved will be making a successful transition into the knowledge workforce and strengthen Canada's economy."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive the only Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) CREATE program award in Alberta this year – more than $1.6 million in funding over 6 years – which will provide funding for approximately 50 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates.

The U of L program focuses on students who participate in satellite and other imaging programs, and is called the Advanced Methods, Education and Training in Hyperspectral Science and Technology (AMETHYST) program.

More than 80 per cent of the funding each year will go directly to students in the form of training allowances.

The program also includes a significant work placement component, with local, national and international organizations, including local companies such as Iunctus Geomatics and the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Corporation, the Lethbridge Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, NASA and several European research institutes committed to providing meaningful experiences for the students.

Principal Investigator Dr. Phil Teillet (physics and astronomy) says he and his more than 15 U of L collaborators are very appreciative for the CREATE funding.

"NSERC has got it right with the CREATE program because it's about students and their research training," says Teillet.
"The U of L has added a strong dose of professional skills development and workforce preparation to the mix. I'm also very appreciative of the hard work put in by the U of L investigators and collaborators on the grant submission, as well as the enthusiastic support we received from all areas of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ faculty and administration."

Telliet added that for most of the past decade, the U of L has invested strategically in imaging research and teaching, putting a number of important building blocks in place.

"The high-tech field of imaging is used daily throughout society and in many major job sectors in Canada concerned with areas such as natural resource management, biomedical imaging, national security, climate monitoring, water and the environment. Our program also validates the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's leading-edge expertise in research education."

Dr. Dan Weeks, the U of L's vice-president (research) says the outcomes from the program will be significant, and will benefit students and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community for years to come.

"The exciting aspect for me is the employment rate for graduates – it isn't unreasonable to expect 100 per cent employment, because we are looking at this as a model that will provide for sustainable training for research workforce preparation," says Weeks. "As well, the more big-picture aspects include a new undergraduate curriculum on imaging science and technology, a proposed master of science program in imaging science and new lab laboratory tools for studying atmospheric greenhouse gases, among many other benefits."

Investment to aid in renovation plans

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:40:45 +0000

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's new Markin Hall structure continues to take shape, plans are being made to renovate two other areas of the U of L campus. An announced investment of $1.8 million from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program will help further that project.

On behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada's Minister of State for Science and Technology, Rick Casson, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge along with Province of Alberta representative Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West, announced a joint Knowledge Infrastructure Program investment of $1.8 million in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Monday.

"This investment in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will provide a significant short-term economic stimulus to our region, and will create jobs," said Casson, MP for Lethbridge.

The funds will be used to renovate space in Anderson Hall and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, which will be vacated once the Faculties of Health Sciences and Management move into Markin Hall, the $65 million facility currently under construction and scheduled to open in fall, 2010.

The renovated spaces, which include seminar rooms and social sciences research facilities, are expected to be occupied in 2011.

"Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians. The long term benefit to our community will also be realized when the students and researchers in these new spaces at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge start taking advantage of a significantly improved work and study environment."

"Partnerships bring success, and success is what our joint investment in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is all about," added Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West.

"The Government of Alberta is already a significant infrastructure investor in the U of L's success, as evidenced by our commitment to fund the Markin Hall construction project and other projects on campus. The changes being made with this funding will allow even more students and researchers to study and work in quality space."

"We are very pleased to have this additional funding to ensure we can meet the demands of our growing campus," U of L President Bill Cade said.

"The creation of space for our students and social sciences researchers is particularly important to ensure a quality work and learning environment. Further, as a generator of business for the construction industry in general, we are happy to play a role, with our federal and provincial partners, in helping the local economy."

This investment is part of the federal government's two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities.

The program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada's colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

UNews - Parliament for Lethbridge

CASA opens its doors

Related Topics

Campaign surpasses goal

Related Topics

Significant And Mentionable

Related Topics

U of L gets chance to CREATE

Related Topics

Investment to aid in renovation plans

Related Topics