UNews - office of Research Services

U of L appoints Dr. Erasmus Okine to second term as vice-president (research)

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:16:27 +0000

Dr. Erasmus Okine will continue in his role as vice-president (research) for a second term following the approval of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors.

“We are extremely pleased Erasmus has been reappointed for another five years as our vice-president of research,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor. “His work to create connections between our researchers and external groups cannot be overemphasized. Erasmus has built strong relationships with funding agencies, industry, community groups and government. This work positions the U of L for future success.”

Under Okine’s guidance, the U of L has placed consistently among the country’s top three undergraduate research institutions in Research Infosource’s annual rankings. Total new research funding has also climbed steadily, reaching $20 million in 2017, up from $8 million in 2015 and $11 million in 2016.

Since Okine’s arrival, the number of faculty members named as Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada has doubled, three more U of L names have been added to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, and the first Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom was celebrated.

In addition, 18 more research Chairs were secured by the U of L’s 50th anniversary in 2017 to not only meet, but exceed the U of L’s goal of achieving 50 research chairs by its 50th birthday. Also, Dr. Borries Demeler was recruited as one of the 24 Canada 150 Research Chairs awarded across the country.

Okine has been successful in increasing the number of partners from industry, non-governmental organizations, government agencies and other universities by about 60 per cent.

“I am grateful to be reappointed as vice-president of research and I remain committed to disciplinary pursuits that lead to knowledge and understanding, including basic research, scholarly inquiry, applied and adaptive research, creative activities and knowledge exchange,” says Okine. “Our many partnerships and collaborations reflect the world-class research being done at the U of L and I look forward to continuing to build our research portfolio.”

Okine, a native of Ghana, completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ghana before coming to Alberta to complete a PhD at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. Okine has been navigating international research opportunities through his research program, focusing on the impact and mitigation of greenhouse gases and increasing the efficiency and productivity of livestock. His leadership skills have helped international scientists improve the fatty acid profile of beef and milk and helped develop an innovative nutrition tool to reduce methane emissions from cattle. He is a member of the Alberta Research and Innovation Advisory Committee, which provides strategic advice and recommendations research and innovation to the Government of Alberta.

For his leadership in agricultural research, Okine has received a number of awards during his career, including the Alberta Premier’s Silver Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research, being named a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Animal Science and a Fellow of the International College of Nutrition.

Raising Spirit project receives Canada 150 grant

caroline.zentner — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 17:08:07 +0000

The Raising Spirit project by the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, and supported by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Institute for Child and Youth Studies (I-CYS), has received a Canada 150 grant worth $10,000 that will allow it to undertake a series of workshops that will culminate in a public exhibit at Casa in September.

“The purpose of the exhibit is to showcase the creative work of southern Alberta Blackfoot children and youth,” says Dr. Erin Spring, a post-doctoral fellow with the I-CYS and Raising Spirit project manager. “They’re not only going to be creating the exhibit in terms of doing the art, they’re also going to be curating the exhibit. It’s going to feature their voices, their stories, their creative capacities.”

From left to right are Kaitlynn Weaver, Tesla Heavy Runner, Dr. Jan Newberry, Amy Mack, Taylor Little Mustache, Dr. Erin Spring and Hudson Eagle Bear.

The Canada 150 Grant, awarded by the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, is designed to encourage participation in Canada 150 activities and to inspire a deeper understanding of the people and places that shape the country. Raising Spirit is a project to help ensure Blackfoot history, language and values endure and help build future generations. The Canada 150 funding will be directed toward a series of art workshops for Blackfoot children and youth.

“It’s kind of a sub-project within Raising Spirit called Elders of the Future,” says Kaitlynn Weaver, a master’s student working with Dr. Kristine Alexander, a history professor and one of the principal investigators on the Raising Spirit project.

For older youth, Weaver organized a zine workshop that focused on art as a form of activism and resistance. Three- to six-year olds participated in a storytelling and art workshop. A collage-making workshop for older youth is scheduled for March and others will be held at Opokaa’sin, the U of L and Casa. As part of the curating exercise, youth will learn how to mat and frame a photo and how to create an exhibit.

“Our exhibit will mark the anniversary of Confederation by celebrating the resilience of Indigenous families and communities. It speaks to colonialism but also is a way of looking forward and talking about reconciliation, resurgence and resilience to show that their community is strong, that their culture is strong and that their people are strong,” says Spring.

During the exhibit, the digital library created from the Raising Spirit project will be launched to the public, along with a mobile application for the library. In addition to the materials generated from the Elders of the Future workshops, the library will contain photos from principal investigator Dr. Jan Newberry’s photo elicitation project and people’s responses to them, and storytelling sessions with elders and youth at Opokaa’sin.

Raising Spirit has been supported by funds from the Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network, PolicyWise for Children and Families and the U of L Office of Research Services. Funding from the Summer Temporary Employment Program enabled the hiring of two Blackfoot high school students, Tesla Heavy Runner and Hudson Eagle Bear, as ethnographers and curators.

Along with Newberry and Alexander, Tanya Pace-Crosschild (BSc ’98), executive director at Opokaa’sin and member of the U of L Board of Governors, has served as a community principal investigator. She is joined by Francis First Charger, project elder, and Dr. Michelle Hogue, research consultant and U of L professor in the First Nations Transition Program. Others who have been involved in the project include Ashley Henrickson, a master’s student; Taylor Little Mustache, an undergraduate student; and Amy Mack, lead researcher.

Research team links hand preference in children to executive function

trevor.kenney — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:36:03 +0000

Children who have a significant hand preference may have better behavioural control, memory and planning skills, according to a new study published by a team of researchers at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Drs. Claudia Gonzalez, left, and Robbin Gibb are working to formalize the working relationship between kinesiology and neuroscience.

The group found that a more lateralized brain supports the development of Executive Function (EF) - a blanket term that is considered to include self-regulation, working memory and planning. In the study, children (ages 5-6 and 9-10) undertook a series of tests of hand preference for grasping items while their parents filled out a questionnaire to determine their EF.

The study was recently published by Frontiers in Psychology.

“In our experiment, all children self-reported as right-handed, yet many of them failed to show a right-hand preference for grasping. Overall, these children showed more problems with EF,” says Dr. Robbin Gibb, a neuroscientist at the U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN).

Using Lego® blocks, researchers observed how often children who were right-handed used their dominant hand to build a model. What they found is that those who used their right hand at a higher rate also had, according to their parents, higher EF. Children who used both hands to complete the task generally had a lower EF rating.

“Our results suggest that EF enjoys privileged support from the left hemisphere, which also controls the right hand. More likely, however, the results indicate that the greater the degree of lateralization (either to the left or right hemisphere) supports better behavioural control,” says Dr. Claudia Gonzalez, a Canada Research Chair in Sensorimotor Control, and an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology.

Establishing a link between degree of hand use for precision grasping and EF may allow parents and caregivers to predict if children are likely to experience issues in learning and maturing. This would allow for the opportunity to introduce early interventions, something the U of L researchers will explore in the coming year.

Gonzalez and Gibb will study whether exclusively exercising a child’s dominant hand (for brief intervals of time each day) helps to develop EF, and if developing a more lateralized hand preference helps to develop a more efficient brain.

The study was a result of a unique collaboration between Gonzalez’s kinesiology lab and Gibb’s lab at the CCBN, located at the U of L. Funded by the Office of Research Services, this research also included Dr. Nicole Rosen (now at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba), Dr. Inge Genee from the Department of Modern Languages, Dr. Fangfang Li from the Department of Psychology and Dr. Noella Piquette from the Faculty of Education.

Considering the potential of this type of collaborative research, Drs. Gonzalez and Gibb are working to formalize the working relationship between kinesiology and neuroscience.

The Frontiers in Psychology paper can be found at the following link: http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00285/abstract.

5 Questions with Dr. Paul Vasey

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 22:22:42 +0000

Dr. Paul Vasey is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He conducts cross-species and cross-cultural research to answer the question: If reproduction is the engine that drives evolution, why engage in non-conceptive sex? For the past decade he has done research on the development and evolution of female homosexual behavior in free-ranging Japanese monkeys at various sites in Japan. He also studies the development and evolution of male same-sex sexual attraction in humans at field sites in Samoa, Japan and Canada. Since 2003, he has worked in Samoa with members of the fa’afafine community – biological males who live “in the manner of a woman.”

Vasey currently holds both a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada grant in addition to various grants from private funding agencies.

Dr. Paul Vasey of the Department of Psychology.

What first piqued your interest in your research discipline?

As a kid, I was always interested in nature documentaries. I remember when I was 13 or 14 watching one documentary on the evolution of iguanas and tortoises on the Galapagos Islands and it fascinated me. So, from a very early age, I was interested in understanding the world from an evolutionary perspective. I’m also gay, and same-sex sexuality doesn’t make a lot of sense, at least at first glance, from an evolutionary perspective. This led me to search for literature on the evolution of homosexuality. What I found was a lot of speculation but virtually no data. It seemed that everyone had an opinion on the topic, but no one wanted to do the work of hypothesis testing.

So, for my doctoral research I studied female homosexual behavior in Japanese monkeys and after graduating from the Université de Montréal, I expanded this line of research by conducting fieldwork in Japan, which continues to this day with my Post-Doctoral Fellows, Drs. Jean-Baptiste Leca and Nöelle Gunst.

How is your research applicable in “the real world?”

There is an enormous amount of public debate about the nature of sexual and gender diversity. Is it “natural”? Is it “normal”? Should it be socially tolerated? Should members of sexual and gender minorities have human rights that are equal to those of the heterosexual majority?

So often these discussions occur in an information vacuum that is driven by personal politics and morals but divorced from any actual evidence. I go out into the real world and collect data about many of the issues that are being debated publically. In doing so, my research generates information about phenomenon related to sexual and gender diversity and furnishes a basis upon which an evidence-based understanding of these topics can be situated.

What is the greatest honour you have received in your career?

The greatest honour I have received in my career is having internationally renowned sex researchers, whose work I hold in the highest esteem, state that they consider my body of work to be of exceptional quality and importance. I’m talking about people like J. Michael Bailey, Anne Lawrence, Alice Dreger, and Alan Dixson, among others. I don’t think there is any greater honour than having the researchers you hold in such high esteem indicate that they consider your work a significant contribution to the field.

How important are students to your research endeavours?

I’d say most students in my lab have been foundational to my research efforts. The lab could never be as productive as it is were it not for the fact that I work with an extraordinary team of undergraduate students, graduate students and Post-Doctoral Fellows. Some of my former students have gone on to become medical doctors, take up post-doctoral fellowships at hospitals, pursue further graduate work in clinical psychology programs or undertake further research at places like Cambridge ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. It’s been a privilege to work with all of them.

If you had unlimited funds, which areas of research would you invest?

I would like to build a Kinsey-style Sexuality Research Institute in Canada – one that does not downplay the importance of biology in human sexuality, yet at the same time does not ignore the importance of culture. Part of my goal in building such a research institute would be to help create jobs for young sex researchers in Canada.

It has been said that Canada packs a punch far above its weight internationally in terms of the number of renowned sex researchers who make this country their home. Moreover, Canada has a political and social climate that is far more amenable to sex research than most other countries. Further, Canada has the funding systems in place to support such research and it has been demonstrated time and time again that sex research attracts large amounts of funding from multiple agencies when it is done properly.

For a look at the entire catalog of 5 Questions With . . . features, check out the Office of Research Services website at www.uleth.ca/research/research_profiles. If you’d like to be featured, contact Penny Pickles at pickpj@uleth.ca.

Campus Kudos - May

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:18:50 +0000

Dr. Brian Black (Music), Dr. Edward Jurkowski (Music) and Dr. Emily Luce (New Media) all received internal Social Sciences Humanities Research Council grants valued at $4,500 each.

U of L alumnus Christian Darbyshire (BMgt '99) was named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40™. As a partner with tinePublic Inc., Darbyshire has been instrumental in securing names such as Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Lance Armstrong and Arnold Schwarzenegger for educational speaking engagements in Canada. It is the second consecutive year that the U of L has had someone recognized by the Globe and Mail's Top 40 Under 40™ program. Dr. Olga Kovalchuk was honoured last year.

Joshua Seerattan, a U of L student from the Faculty of Management, and Courtney Lockhart from the Faculty of Arts and Science, have been awarded a $5,500 USD grant from Alberta Advanced Education and Technology for their participation in The Washington Centre – Alberta Internship Program for summer 2011. Both students will spend six weeks in Washington, D.C. Seerattan will be participating in the Global Trade and Regional Integration program, while Lockhart will take part in the International Affairs program.

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

Laura Lavigne (BA '06), the co-ordinator, International Programs & Exchange, in the International Centre for Students was awarded a full scholarship ($3,000) to participate in the International Educators Training Program this summer at Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Denton Fredrickson (Art) has made the long list for the 2011 Sobey Art Award, Canada's pre-eminent prize for contemporary Canadian art. Following a three-month nomination process, the Curatorial Panel announced the 25 artists vying for this year's award.

Music major Matt Groenheide (percussionist) won the Young Artist Competition presented by the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. In addition to a cash prize, he receives a guest solo spot with the LSO during their 2011-2012 Masters Series.

Marg McKeen (Office of Research and Innovation Services) is retiring this summer after 33 years of service to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She began her career at the U of L as an Academic Secretary in the Department of Sociology and was hired by the Office of Research Services in 1986. Since that time, she has served in a number of roles and worked with numerous faculty members and students. A retirement reception will be held on Wednesday, June 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Markin Hall Atrium. Anyone wishing to send written messages of congratulations to Marg can contact Penny Pickles (picpj@uleth.ca). Those wanting to have their live messages taped can contact Jane Allan (jane.allan@uleth.ca).

Jazlyn Dow (BFA '10) has been accepted into the Master of Arts in Visual Culture: Costume Studies program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at New York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

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.

Grad students honoured

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:00:59 +0000

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

"These creative and highly intelligent people are the researchers of tomorrow. They are already working on world-class projects right here in Lethbridge, and this competitive funding shows that our graduate-level candidates are very successful in obtaining scarce research dollars at a national level," says Dr. Robert Wood, the Interim Head of the School of Graduate Studies.

There were also several new awards, including an Alberta Award for the Study of Human Rights and Multiculturalism won by Health Sciences master's candidate Ruksana Rashid. As well, more than $50,000 was received from three separate funds by chemistry and biochemistry candidate Cassandra Churchill.

A complete listing of all recipients can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website: www.uleth.ca/sgs

Grad students honoured

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:09:52 +0000

A complete listing of all recipients can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website: www.uleth.ca/sgs

Tributes flow for Dr. Bill Cade

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:25:34 +0000

A sample selection of tributes were published in the most recent issue of SAM, the U of L's community and alumni magazine. Many more were received than could be added to that publication, so they are posted below. As well, you can get a sneak preview of the latest SAM magazine, which features many other stories about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ comunity.

http://issuu.com/ulethbridge/docs/sam_issuu_final/1?zoomed=&zoomPercent=&zoomX=&zoomY=&noteText=&noteX=&noteY=&viewMode=magazine

Tributes Flow for Dr. Bill Cade as he Winds Up His Presidency

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The thing I appreciated most about Bill was that not only did he understand what his job was – and did it well, but he understood what his job wasn't – and he did that well too. He and Elsa will be missed....

Richard Davidson Q.C.
U of L Chancellor
_ _

Dr. Cade hadn't officially started his term as President. I had a wall of students in front of me, all filling out forms. As Dr. Cade walked by the Registrar's Office, he looked over in my direction, smiled and waved.

I immediately looked behind me, as I thought Leslie or Debi was standing behind me, and he was waving to them. I thought to myself.....he couldn't possibly be waving to me, but he was. That simple gesture made my day!

In past years the Registrar's Office had instituted a photo line-up at convocation. After students came off the dais and had their picture taken, a lot of them were a bit disoriented and would walk off in the wrong direction.

I was positioned at the front to guide them with Mrs. Cade unofficially assisting me in her front row seat by pointing them in the right direction.

Candace Dueck
_ _

The one thing I will always remember about Dr. Cade is his ability to warm up any room with his intellect, passion, energy and friendly Texas drawl. His charismatic qualities and initiatives have opened many doors of opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will forever benefit from his vision and accomplishments.

The one thing that I will never understand is why Dr Cade would travel half way around the world to study Crickets? I wish Dr. and Elsa Cade the very best of health and happiness in the future.

C. Dean Setoguchi
Vice President & CFO
Keyera Facilities Income Fund

_ _

Bill is a remarkable man who I instantly had a liking for. An engaging individual, I was at ease when we met and always looked forward to speaking with him when I knew we would be at the same events.

A true leader, Bill had the respect of everyone in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and was recognized by his colleagues for his ability. Bill seemed to approach everything as an "adventure".

As the MLA for Cypress – Medicine Hat, I would like to thank Bill (and his wife) for all the contributions they made not only to the U of L, but to Southern Alberta as a whole. You will be greatly missed. All the very best in your future.

Len Mitzel
Government
_ _

I have watched the ULAA grow into a significant contributor to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. I recognize and thank you for your support, encouragement and participation in the ULAA endeavours to grow within its own parameters and to participate to make The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge better and stronger. Thank you for allowing me to be a friend.

Good Health as you proceed into the next stage of your active life.

Bob Hironaka
_ _

As Chancellor, I was a member of the search committee which recommended Bill's appointment as President. His warm and vibrant personality, together with the support of Elsa has proven to be a boon to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

We worked together as a team during my term as Chancellor on the Senate, the Board of Governors and in many relationships with governments and the public.

For the past ten years, as we worked together to advance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's relationships with Canada and Alberta, he has been a visionary and dynamic force to identify and advance the goals of programs, advancement and infrastructure development.

The physical face of the campus has been dramatically changed and improved. He leaves with admiration and respect within academia and the wider communities, locally, in Alberta and Canada.

Bill and Elsa indeed exemplify our motto "FIAT LUX" as they have brought light (and warmth) to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

Jim Horsman
_ _

I found Bill to be:
- Dynamic
- Proudly comfortable with his uniqueness
- Warm and friendly

Art Bonertz
U of L Board of Governors
_ _

I was one of the first people on campus to ever meet Dr. Bill Cade as I was Secretary to the Search Committee who hired him.

When I think of him, one of the first things that impressed me about him is what a champion he is of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

You have seen him with his wife, Elsa, together at countless events on campus and it gives a sense of unity and community involvement, family value and commitment.

He was a leader of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and had to deal with many situations and issues, but I appreciated the fact that he acknowledged and showed appreciation to all staff. I wish him well in all he does in the future."

Doris Kostiuk
U of L staff member
Administrative Assistant to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian
_ _

One of my first meetings with Bill Cade came within weeks of taking office as mayor when he called on me to live up to a campaign promise.

Throughout the 2001 mayoralty campaign I had promoted the concept of a community-driven economic development model.

Bill and several of his friends made it clear that it was not only a good idea, it was one they expected me to implement forthwith. And with Bill's guidance and support, Economic Development Lethbridge moved from vision to reality.

I was deeply moved at the time that a U of L president should be so engaged in his community. As I was to learn, this was just the first of a series of partnerships between the university and the city that Bill had a hand in creating.

The 1st Choice Savings Wellness Centre and the Community Stadium are two others that come to mind, but there are other important examples.

What kind of president has Bill been? Energetic, charismatic, passionate, considerate, and above all, focused on the needs of students.

Bill and Elsa have played important parts in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge story over the last ten years, but they have also earned the respect and love of people they have come in contact throughout the community. Good luck, my friend!

Mayor Robert Tarleck, Ako-taosi
City of Lethbridge
_ _

I will remember Bill as someone who opened up an opportunity for me by asking me asked me to be the Chief Convocation Marshal. I was flattered that he would ask me. The learning curve has been great, but I like learning

Bill at convocation is a dynamo. He rises to the occasion and gives a barn-burner of a speech. We all feel better about ourselves and stand a little taller."

John C. Poulsen
Assistant Dean, Student Program Services
Faculty of Education
_ _

I have many reasons to thank Bill Cade, but the one that has meant the most to me is the interest and support he has shown for my mother and her work over the years.

My mother is the Yiddish-language writer Chava Rosenfarb. Yiddish and the rich literature and culture associated with it are little known in Alberta.

This is not surprising since the language itself is dying, a victim of the Holocaust. Today there are few speakers and fewer readers.

To have someone promote and encourage the work of a Yiddish writer the way Bill has done is thus truly remarkable and truly praiseworthy.

To date, the U of L is the only university in Canada to have given an honorary degree to a Yiddish writer, despite the fact that Canada has been host to a vibrant Yiddish culture for over a hundred years.

I have no words to express how very moving this is to me and how grateful I am.

Goldie Morgentaler
Professor, Dept. of English
_ _

Bill Cade was the right person for our university during the time of his presidency. His excellent people skills were an asset to the university's development. Our campus, students and community were the benefactors.

Hon. Raymond Speaker PC., OC. and Ingrid Speaker, Chancellor Emeritus
_ _

Never did I ever imagine that I would develop such a strong respect and working relationship with someone whose passion is bugs – or, as Bill would say, the phylum Arthropoda – however, that is exactly what happened.

During Bill's presidency, I have come to respect and admire his knowledge, understanding, passion, and commitment to post-secondary education.

Bill has been a tireless advocate for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and our province's overall post-secondary system, and his contributions to improving both are immeasurable.

Best wishes, Bill, in your upcoming professional endeavours, and thank you for your guidance and leadership.

Honourable Rob Renner
MLA, Medicine Hat Constituency
Minister of Environment

_ _

There are so many things that I admire about Bill Cade. Right from the first time I met Bill, when he arrived in Lethbridge to begin his position as President of U of L, he stood out for me because of his enthusiasm for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the city of Lethbridge, people and for life.

Bill has an amazing capacity to see the strengths in people, to nurture those strengths and to challenge individuals to grow.

He is very appreciative of others efforts and is very quick to acknowledge them. He has a most outstanding memory for names and events.

His capable and creative leadership has contributed very significantly to the excellence in the education of students at the U of L and the growth of programs.

Janice Varzari
Member of Senate
Member of Board of Governors

_ _

I think that one of Bill's strength has been his ability to promote the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He is a true advocate and champion for the university and under his leadership the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has been celebrated in the community for its excellent programs, research successes and responsive programming for students.

Wendy Fox
Member of U of L Senate

_ _

First of all thanks for this opportunity to pay tribute to someone I will always consider a friend.

From the first time I shook Bill Cade's hand I felt completely at ease with him.

I do recall thinking "Is that a Texas accent I hear?" Oh yes it was.

Bill's attribute of treating everybody with respect has endeared him to friends and business associates alike. When we met with a number of people in Ottawa promoting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge he impressed everyone with his passion and demeanour.

The first time I was in his office at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ my questions regarding his collection of crickets quickly led to a lesson on the reproductive machinations of the species.

His interest in how each person at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ contributed to it's success endeared him to people on and off campus.

During one election campaign, I received an invitation to take part in a polar swim fund raiser at Park Lake. When I saw that Bill was on the list of participants, I quickly sent him a pledge and wished him well, to his credit he got the job done without any lingering damage.

I'm not sure how many people know that Bill is a hot rodder at heart and spent time at the drag strip in his day, I promised to take him for a blast in my 1967 GTX, haven't done that yet but will.

Dr. Cade! Make sure you take the time to reflect on what you have meant to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and southern Alberta, how much better the institution and all of us are for having you come to town. I hope you and your wonderful bride continue to enjoy peace and happiness.

Rick Casson, MP
Proud U of L employee, 1969 – 1997
_ _

I have to admit to becoming a big fan of Bill and Elsa Cade.

Our first meeting was in my office. He insisted on coming to me. How about that!

To me, it was a generous thing to do and indicated his strong character personified by a professional humbleness that I was not used to in my previous interactions with American scholars. When I discovered that he had taken out Canadian citizenship, well then, I was hooked!

Bill's cooperation with Lethbridge College was essential at the time of his arrival and I thank him eternally for it.

Bill Cade was a great President of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. I thank him and Elsa and won't ever forget them.

Clint Dunford

_ _

Bill Cade has what has to be the best memory for names! He can walk into a room and address each person by their correct name and if he is meeting you for the first time, you can bet he will remember it the next time you meet.

I was on a shoot at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre and Bill walked by and said, "Hi Dory…Hi Ted!" Ted, our cameraperson, was completely floored that Bill would remember his name! That is a real gift!"

Dory Rossiter
CTV Lethbridge

_ _

It has been my pleasure to work with President Bill Cade on a variety of occasions. Always cheerful, always willing to listen, and usually more than willing to help whenever asked and when it was possible to respond at the time.

Over the past 30 years, as Senator, as Chancellor and now as Chancellor Emeritus my experiences working with the current ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ President have been very positive.

Certainly the time working with Bill Cade during the past ten years was a most pleasant experience. I wish him well as he moves on to other assignments. He will be remembered fondly.

Keith Robin
U of L member of Senate

_ _

What I appreciate most about Bill was that he was a great and enthusiastic supporter of the community and local projects.

He considered the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to be a partner with the Lethbridge community at large, and was always prepared to step up and get involved.

Paul G. Pharo, Q.C.
President 2009/2010, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
U of L member of Senate

_ _

What was your first impression of Bill?

I met Bill Cade the first time in an elevator and he was friendly, asking me about my work and role at the university.

The second time I saw him in the hallway he greeted me by name. He did that with everyone he met: learned the faculty, support staff, the cleaners' names... everybody and talked with all of us about our work...

He recognized and called people by name all over the campus.

What do you most admire about Bill?
Savvy leadership, deep academic experience and communication skills with public and with individuals, whatever level they are at.

His forthrightness and efficiency, with an ability to know what is most important and whatever isn't at all. Balance. Respect for his family and Elsa and the positive way he speaks about her. His friendliness and courage to be tough when necessary. High standards. His advocacy for the right to do research, the need for the university to be protected as a liberal arts university, social justice, speaking out for balance of gender and minorities.

What opportunities have you been given during Bill's presidency?
To be on the board of governors, to contribute my views... he has ears to hear, to be part of the university community, to have a women's scholars series, to feel confident in my university's management and leadership skills, to feel I work for a good organization, to feel proud of the importance of teaching.

What was something surprising you discovered about Bill?
He's a good cook and a wine aficionado, he likes dogs, drag racing, and he taught public school.

What made Bill an excellent president?
Knowledge of universities and all his people, the role of a university in the public domain, ability to forge meaningful working relationships, to call bullshit when necessary, practical know-how brought to bear on complex issues, new ideas, openness, dedication to due and fair process.

Recall a time when you saw Bill in action behind-the-scenes.
Arguing for the good of the university behind closed doors with board members, honoring professors' work and students' work. Kindness to people upset by life's difficult circumstances.

Share a funny story.
Being in his office and interrupting university talk with an invitation to watch his six-legged friends moult, or something dining on crickets with a mixture of pride and happiness.

Share a sentimental story.
It matters to me that he said he couldn't get through Goldie Morgantaler mother's speech on accepting her honorary degree about being a graduate of the second world war, of Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen, without tears. It reveals a deep humanity.Share your thanks.

The one word I would use to describe Dr. Bill Cade is: advocate (for quality higher learning).

I have gratitude for Bill's 10 fine years as President.

Bill – may you be well, happy, at ease, enjoying some down time after intensive full engagement for 10 years of 24/7 work.

Leah Fowler
U of L faculty
U of L Board of Governors member

_ _

I found Bill to be a man of high integrity and a person with excellent people skills. We required these abilities, with the many challenges faced by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ during Bill's term.

One day when he came back from a summer in Africa, I couldn't believe he loaded up his suitcases with elephant poop.

I wish Bill & Elsa all the best in their future endeavours. And Bill, don't be a stranger - we'd love to see you back for visits.

Myles Bourke
U of L Board of Governors member

_ _

"The one word I would use to describe Dr. Bill Cade is: Dynamic!!!"

Katharine Winter
HR Analyst
Human Resources Department

_ _

I remember very clearly one day approximately 9 years ago when Dr. Cade invited my four-year-old twin boys and myself to come and view his life's work with his crickets.

We started in his office and I learned firsthand what patience he had. My boys were touching all of his irreplaceable objects in his office without any scared shrieking from Dr. Cade. In fact, he encouraged them.

Once we had viewed his office, we were taken down to the 4th Floor to see his lab. You can imagine the excitement of four year old boys to see a room filled with crickets.

They were fascinated as Dr. Cade showed them the crickets at various stages of growth. At one point, one of the cages with the babies tipped over and my boys were scrambling to save their lives.

As Dr. Cade talked about all the interesting facts regarding the crickets, he had two boys hugging him and continually asking questions.

It was a very unique experience, one that I know we will never forget. Dr. Cade, thank you for your patience and kindness shown to my children.

Patti Leeb
Accounting Assistant
Faculty of Management

_ _

I find Bill Cade very personable. When I said, "hello Dr. Cade", he responded, "just call me Bill!" He's always gone out of his way to say "hi" to me and shake my hand.

I recall a time I was coming back from lunch, Bill was walking down the hall with the Education Minister and other senior officials. He stopped to say hello and introduced me to the others. I was shocked and in awe that he would take time out of his busy schedule for me!

Thanks Bill for being such a great guy! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. You will be missed."

Val Hill
Accounts Payable Clerk
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

_ _

When Bill Cade first came to our campus as the new President, I was the president of the AUPE local here on campus and our executive was one of the groups he met with to discuss concerns, share ideas, etc.

Being personable as he was, he also asked about our families and lives outside work. One of the things that I shared with him was that my husband was an alum and my son was a current student, majoring in philosophy.

Weeks later, I was with my family at a local restaurant when Bill walked in. He immediately came over to our table, shaking my son and husband's hands, calling them by their first names and relating what I had told him about their time at the university.

We were amazed that, considering all the people he was meeting in his introduction to the U of L, he would remember these details about us. But that's Bill – people matter to him.

Jane Allan
Grant Facilitator
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge
Office of Research Services

_ _

I organized a luncheon for a visiting Chinese delegation that Bill attended. Roast beef was served along with a side of horseradish -- and the dish of horseradish was placed with the starting salad at every seat during the meal.

Bill is very charismatic and of course was the focus of our luncheon.

As we started the meal, he picked up his dish of horseradish and poured it all over his salad (thinking it was salad dressing).

Before we knew it, every visitor from China was doing the same!

In the following moments, everyone was digging into their salads and not understanding our instructions of "it's for the beef".

Garden salad is not served in China and with the horseradish it must have been an unusual culinary experience for our guests but a great story for us!"

Laurel Corbiere, MBA
Manager, International Centre for Students
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

_ _

From the very first - when Bill came to the U of L, he was one of us. He didn't walk around with his nose in the air looking for subservience as so many do. He showed that he was in the trenches with us working for the good of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Bill has been very personable throughout his term as President. I have been working for 2 presidents and working with 1 - Bill Cade.

I hope that says it all. I'm sorry to see Bill go; as we will be loosing a great leader who was with us all the way.

Good Luck Bill. Remember, you are One of the Best.

Joan Zimmer
Telecom

_ _

"Five years ago, when I was being recruited for the Presidency of Lethbridge College, I did lots of research on the institution and the community. When I found out that Dr. Bill Cade was a fellow Longhorn (we're both graduates of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Texas at Austin) I gave him a call to find out his perspective on Lethbridge as well as his impression of the relationship between the U of L and Lethbridge College.

I remember I was between flights somewhere in the US and Bill spent thirty or forty minutes with me on the phone, answering my questions and providing his insights. He also directed me to a U of L student who had transferred over from the College who also was very helpful in providing further information.

Bill and I have been breakfasting regularly since my arrival in Lethbridge. Our biggest challenge is always around remembering whose turn it is to pay. (smile)

Aside from the many transfer arrangements that were already in place, during Bill's tenure Lethbridge College now delivers the first two years of the U of L's Nursing Degree. We are also collaborating on a post-degree program to fast-track new nurses into the workplace. There are other opportunities in discussion as the two Lethbridge institutions look at how best to serve our students.

I have very much enjoyed working with Bill. . . he is a colleague and a friend. I hope we'll still have a chance to catch up over a meal as he continues with his teaching and research at the university. Conversely, I would be happy to visit him in San Antonio. . . perhaps we could take in a football game at UT. Hook 'em, Horns!

Best wishes, Bill!

Dr. Tracy Edwards
President and CEO
Lethbridge College

_ _

"The most memorable thing I remember about Bill Cade (and I have told this story many many times) is that he was here in our office prior to his July 1 start date to meet with Leslie. He spoke to me for perhaps 1 to 2 minutes.

Weeks later, I received a telephone call and picked up the phone answering Good Morning, Registrar's Office and this Texas drawl came back, "Is that you Linda?"

I almost fell off my chair. He met and spoke to many on campus that week he stopped by here and he remembered my name after a two minute conversation! That just blew me away. His incredible memory is an excellent quality and I think he has had a profound impact on those he met which has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ well.

I would like to wish Elsa and Bill the very best and please know that you will be missed.

Linda Gray
Administrative Assistant to the Associate Vice-President (Student Services) and Registrar
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

_ _

When I first met Bill Cade, he made me laugh by 'joking' with me about how uncomfortable he was with all things medical in nature and how he avoided medical issues.

But I began to realize that he must have unknowingly started "Bill's Medical Curse" because suddenly all kinds of large-scale health concerns began affecting the entire university.

Starting with SARS scare/concern in 2003, we had large-scale communicable disease outbreaks of meningitis, mumps, H1N1, norovirus, as well as the other more typical viruses such as HPV, mononucleosis and strep.

We had public health scares with avian flu worries and measles concerns. Of course, then Bill changed his mind about us medical personnel when he had a bit of a health scare himself a few years back and maybe that helped to 'lift the curse'. My best wishes to Bill and his lovely wife Elsa for a HEALTHY and happy retirement!

Lori Weber
RN/Manager
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre

_ _

I joined the U of L in 2001 and quickly found that Bill and I have a mutual interest in the natural world and especially in Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection.

We have had many interesting conversations over the years about this, about the importance of curiosity regarding the world around us, about politics, and many more topics. Through discussions like these, and through his positive guidance and support in general, Bill has helped make my time at the U of L an extremely rewarding experience.

He truly embodies the liberal education philosophy of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. All the best for the future, Bill, and thanks for pointing me towards the great TED.com talks!

Paul Sparrow-Clarke
Academic Initiatives Manager
Office of the Vice President (Academic)
The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

_ _

I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting Bill and Elsa while I was a student at the U of L through their personal and professional connection to my late brother-in-law John Gill, and my sister Tanya Gill.

I have since transitioned from a student to a proud staff member, and my relationship to the Cade's has strengthened through our shared commitment to Rotary, and our passion for this institution.

One of the distinguishing factors that I consider to be unique to Bill is his uncanny ability to re-ignite a conversation that may have taken place months ago. That fact coupled with his down-to-earth nature make him an inspiring leader and a genuine pleasure to be around.

I am very grateful for my many interactions with these fantastic people, and find comfort in knowing that the profound impact they have had on this campus will live on forever."

Jason Baranec
Project Coordinator
Major Construction Projects
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

_ _ _

"After the election of 2008, I had the opportunity to meet with Bill Cade at the Legislature in Edmonton. Bill , Bob Turner, and myself sat down for a coffee and a quick chat in the cafeteria, the quick chat turned into a full half hour of visiting like we were old friends.

Bill is a very sincere welcoming man, who converses easily and comfortably with people from all walks of life. Prior to that first meeting I remember thinking to myself that it was going to be an awkward meeting, with not a lot of common issues between us, to discuss outside of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, but thankfully I was wrong.

I have been lucky enough to have had many meetings and discussions over the past 2 years, and always the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Education was Bill's priority.

When I mentioned that my daughter had started her first year at Uof L , Bill encouraged me to have her give him a call and stop by for a visit sometime.

For a few months she procrastinated thinking that he would be too busy and was not really serious. Finally when she did make an appointment to visit Bill, she found that he was not only the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ President, but more over he was a friend, a friend from a different walk of life, a friend from a different generation, but someone who made every effort to be a friend.

The world would be a better place if more people were like Bill Cade.

Happy Trails Bill

Evan Berger

_ _

When Dr. & Mrs. Cade arrived in Lethbridge, it became clear quite quickly that their outgoing and positive approach to community involvement was going to make a difference in the connection between the community and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Through their dedicated efforts to contribute to the success of community-based organizations like the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and Economic Development Lethbridge as well as their willingness to invite people into their home and lives, they have left a legacy of positivity and merit for the organization that will linger for a long time.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has grown through new facilities but also in terms of influence during Dr. Cade's tenure.

By association, the reputation and respect of our city has also grown. I hope they take a measure of pride in their contributions and that they always retain fond memories of their time here.

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Cheryl Dick
Chief Executive Officer
Economic Development Lethbridge

_ _

As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Cardston-Taber-Warner Constituency, I wish to share that I enjoyed working with President Bill Cade.

He was extremely diplomatic and a very positive person. I believe he truly liked people and always made those he associated with feel important and useful. He was a friend to all, and I will miss his smile and warm greeting.

Thank you Bill Cade! Best Wishes with your future endeavours!

Broyce Jacobs
MLA Cardston-Taber-Warner

_ _

Dear Dr. Cade,

As you step down as the President and Vice Chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, I am pleased to join with your many friends and colleagues in recognizing your distinguished career.

For the past four decades, you have been an esteemed researcher and educator. As a zoologist and entomologist, your work has brought you great praise, and as an academic
leader, your dedication has earned you the respect and admiration of your peers.

I know that many colleagues and students have benefited greatly from your counsel and guidance.

In addition to your professional work, you have always been active in the community.

This commitment, coupled with your impressive academic work, has won you accolades from many prestigious provincial, national, cultural and educational institutions. I have
no doubt that you will continue to make significant contributions as you turn your focus
to new ventures.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend you for your enduring and successful career in research and education. I wish you continued success in all your
future endeavours.

Sincerely.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada

_ _

Bill Cade… My heartfelt congratulations on your upcoming retirement from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Students. Staff and the community of Lethbridge have all benefitted greatly from your leadership, ingenuity and success. You can take pride in everything you, and this instituion, have accomplished during your tenure.

Under your leadership, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's offerings have evolved to include the School of Graduate Studies and the first-time admission of PhD students. Program decisions like these will help the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to continue to prosper as part of Campus Alberta.

Please accept my best wishes for a fulfilling and healthy retirement. Wherever the road takes you, may happiness follow.

Ed Stelmach
Premier of Alberta

_ _

Bill Cade is one of that rare breed who truly understand all of the roles they're expected to play in their position. He's equal parts academic, administrator, scientist and statesman.

And he can express his passion in each of those roles in a way that everyone can understand, appreciate and share. He can even make crickets sound exciting!

Bill is also the greatest cheerleader the university has ever seen (must be the Texan in him). Under his watch, the U of L has become a stronger community partner and a source of immense pride for all Southern Albertans.

It would be impossible to list all of Bill's accomplishments here. For me, his most enduring legacy will be the passion and joy that was always contagious whenever I spoke with him. I will miss working with him in our official capacities, but I'll always consider Bill a personal friend.

Greg Weadick

_ _

As Regional Minister for Southern Alberta I would like to take a moment to thank you for your years as President at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

You have shown true leadership and dedication to your students and to the community both at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and across Alberta.

Under your leadership, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has become one of Canada's finest institutions and I have been proud to work with you and your team to ensure the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has the resources it needs to continue to be a success.

Congratulations on the past ten years with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and I wish you all the best on your retirement.

The Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP
Minister of the Environment

_ _

Bill Cade is generous, gracious, kind and clear about his commitment to the university and the people involved.

Susan Burrows-Johnson
CEO/Executive Director
Galt Mueseum and Archives

_ _

Although I do not have a long history of knowing Bill and I do not have any specific story to share I do want to acknowledge that he was one of the main reasons I have reengaged with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge after 18 years.

When I first met Bill Cade in my office in Calgary it was shortly after becoming a donor of the Markin Hall project.

We were discussing the progress and development of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the current projects being undertaken.

As I listened to Bill speak I could feel his passion and excitement for what he was building.

He believed in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, he believed the people working at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and he believed in the difference he was making for the students.

He asked me to become involved with the Advancement Committee and I decided immediately, knowing, that he is a man of action and really does make things happen.

He smiled when I asked him if committee work and my involvement would actually get results - he said - "We want individuals involved with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that will make a difference".

So, what I am really saying is he is the reason an Alum like myself is involved with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Bill's leadership will no doubt be a loss to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, however, his vision will be carried on by the next generation.

I wish Bill and Elsa all the best in the future and I look forward to his life updates in the future.

Patrick C. Forrest
Vice-President & Senior Investment Advisor
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.

_ _

I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your retirement as President of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

For a decade, you have served as an exceptional visionary, ambassador, and innovator for the university. Through your guidance, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has developed a reputation for teaching and research excellence, and it has become a key part of Campus Alberta.

Your participation on numerous committees, boards, and other organizations has been greatly appreciated and I look forward to working together in the near future.

Again, congratulations on such a successful career and best wishes in all your future endeavours.

Doug Horner
Deputy Premier
Minister of Advanced Education and Technology

_ _

Bill Cade was the right person at the right time to continue the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's progression to an elite comprehensive institution.

During his term, the Alumni Association has almost doubled in size; and, with his encouragement and support, has become an increasingly important component of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. Indeed, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, City, Province and Country will miss Bill and Elsa's involvement, enthusiasm and commitment.

All the best to each of you in the future.

Don Chandler
President, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association

_ _

As a member of the Board of Governors, I would like to thank Bill for his exemplary leadership and I wish him well in his future endeavors. Given all that Bill was responsible for, I admired him for always putting the students first and for his infectious passion for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ if Lethbridge.

Karen Bartsch
Board of Governors Public Member

_ _

I am not sure if I am too late with this but I would like to mention the first tour I went on after a senate meeting of the theater. I made a casual comment to Bill about recruitment for the university while on the tour. By Monday he had John Kincaid in contact with me to follow up on the comment! He doesn't miss a thing!

Also I am not sure you were there when he told the story of the streaker in the new stadium....after an enthusiastic monologue of the young man's escapade, without cracking a smile with his deep Texas accent, he said, "of course my official stance is I am shocked and appalled"". Most of us were nearly in tears laughing by this point.

I am sure you ave lots of things submitted but these are two things I remember that endear him to many.

Mari Dauny
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate Member

_ _

I recall a story told by Bill in his earlier years at the U of L. He arrived at the Coutts border with a collection of insects The Immigration person asked Bill to explain why he was bringing insects into Canada from the USA.

Bill got pissed off and asked if it would be better if he just let all the insects escape. This irked the border patrol person who insisted that Bill would have to wait until an expert academic was called to the border from Calgary to vouch that the insects would not harm Canadians.

This caused Bill to have to wait more than three hours for another academic to vouch for the insects and for Bill, who was and is a first class entymologist.

Insult was added to injury when the entylologist from Calgary signed the form presented to her without even examining the insects.

Not the best WELCOME TO CANADA that Bill ever received. I found it as amusing as Bill latterly did.

Ian McKenna
Retired Faculty member

_ _

Our first meeting was on the diocese for convocation where we shared a rare first impression when he sincerely turned to me and chuckled at a joke.

Southern Albertans pride themselves on their ability to cope with our climate… Imagine my glee when President Cade went above the call of duty to pace his heavy breathing in preparation for a True North Polar Bear sip! This man can do it all.

The one word to describe Dr. Bill Cade is: REAL

Bridget A. Pastoor
MLA

_ _

The first time I met Dr. Cade I was impressed with his friendliness and engaging personality. He is personable and makes everyone feel listened to. I have so enjoyed meeting Bill at the Senate meetings and will definitely miss his leadership. I am also impressed with Elsa and her outgoing personality.

They make a wonderful team. P.S. I love Elsa's unique hats...

Ingrid Berg

RSVP deadline for Fitzpatrick dinner

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:30:51 +0000

The RSVP deadline for Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick's Appreciation & Recognition Dinner is fast approaching as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge celebrates 10 years of unprecedented growth in research.

Fitzpatrick is leaving the position of Vice-President, Research, after a decade of leadership that saw the U of L move from a position of afterthought as a research institution to one of foremost authority. To honour Fitzpatrick, a Friday, June 5 Appreciation & Recognition Dinner has been organized. The RSVP deadline to attend this dinner is Friday, May 29.

Tickets for the dinner are priced at $40 each. To attend, RSVP to Bette-Jo Kulak at 403-329-2200 or e-mail to b.kulak@uleth.ca

The following is a personal letter from Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick on the occasion of his leaving the position of Vice-President (Research) after 10 years

When I was hired 10 years ago, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was not on Alberta's research map. At provincial research and advanced education meetings, the talk was of Alberta's two research universities. When the U of L applied to join the Alberta Science and Technology Foundation we had to seek approval of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary because of a non-compete clause in the membership agreement. Times have changed. The notion that there are two research-intensive universities has been put to rest.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's commitment to scholarship provided the foundation for change. Research is at the heart of a university, not just an activity for the faculty but also an integral aspect of the student learning experience. Curiosity driven and problem-based learning is important and should be incorporated in the curriculum as soon as possible. Undergraduate level research is an important teaching tool. This prepares students for employment and feeds our graduate programs. As measured by the awarding of some of Canada's most prestigious scholarships, the Julie Payette NSERC Research Scholarship and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, our student research programs are very successful. The hallmarks of research program success – grants, research chairs, fellowships and other honours – are too numerous to list. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has become a comprehensive university.

Timing is everything. The creation of the Canada Research Chairs program and the Canada Foundation for Innovation presented unprecedented opportunities. We accessed funds from other federal agencies, including Western Economic Diversification, to build the most important element of any research program – the human capital and supporting research infrastructure.

The Government of Alberta – through programs managed by Advanced Education and Technology – complemented this federal support and much more. The Government of Alberta funded our first two research buildings; the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neurosciences and the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building. These investments changed the very nature of the institution.

People are important. Success within the research portfolio stemmed senior leadership and commitment to scholarship. The support of Presidents Bill Cade and Howard Tennant; Vice-Presidents Andrew Hakin, Nancy Walker and Chris Horbachewski; and Deans Christopher Nicol and Jo-Anne Fiske are gratefully acknowledged. The contributions of two good friends, Vice-President Seamus O'Shea and Board of Governors Research Chair Bryan Kolb, were significant. No one works alone.

The Office of Research Services family made the events of the last decade possible. Heartfelt thanks to Marg McKeen, Jane Allan, Penny D'Agnone, Penny Pickles, Eric Kokko, Morgan Guo, Pejman Ghanipour and Robin Schafthuizen. The contributions of my friend Christine Picken were significant.

A decade has flown by and it is time to take my leave. It has been my honour and my privilege to serve as Vice-President Research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick

UNews - office of Research Services

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