volume 24, no. 2 fall/winter 2012 The University of Regina Magazine

Greening the planet Ten trees at a time

Lightening strikes light up the sky over the University of Regina during a July 2012 summer storm passing through the Queen City. This past summer was unusually active for severe weather in Saskatchewan with the province recording as many tornadoes in July as the entire United States. The photo was taken by Greg Johnson, one of North America’s top storm chasers and severe weather experts. Johnson is also an accomplished photographer, speaker and workshop leader. Visit his website at: http://tornadohunter.ca.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 1 I’ve written in this space many reconstruct war-damaged times before about how much museums, libraries, archives of a thrill it is for me to discover and monuments. great tales about the people When he returned to North associated with the University America in 1951, Heinrich of Regina. served as a curator at the Here is another one. Huntington Library in San In the late 1980s, about Marino, Calif., and then at New 200 boxes containing York’s Metropolitan Museum of postcards, manuscripts, Art. In 1955 he came to Canada photos, research documents where he served as director of and assorted other materials the Royal Ontario Museum in showed up on the doorstep Toronto. of the University’s Archives In 1964, he was invited by and Special Collections. The a fledgling art school in the boxes contained the lifelong middle of the Canadian prairie A postcard of the National Hotel in Cairo, part of the Theodore Allen Heinrich accumulations of one Theodore to serve as a visiting professor collection in the University of Regina’s Archives and Special Collections. Allen Heinrich. of art history. He accepted. And So, who is Theodore Allen so, Theodore Allen Heinrich of his will. You can have a look at some Heinrich? arrived on the Regina Campus of And so it was that Bloore sent of the items from the Heinrich He is a renaissance man. the University of Saskatchewan. those boxes filled with letters, collection online but, better yet, In addition to being an At the same time, The diaries, photos, declassified why not drop by the University art historian, curator, writer, Regina Five were enjoying military files, postcards and see the collection for lecturer and educator, he was popular acclaim. Heinrich got and Nazi interrogation yourself. Anyone can drop in. also Cambridge-educated, a to know the abstract painters transcripts to the University of It’s located on the first floor of world-traveller, bon vivant and Ken Lochhead, Art McKay, Ted Regina Archives and Special the Dr. John Archer Library. spy. (The name is Heinrich – Godwin, Doug Morton and Collections. I hope you enjoy this issue Ted Heinrich.) Ron Bloore, who had earned Archives are great places of Degrees. I trust you will find His days of espionage national artistic acclaim at to fuel the imagination. They the stories informative and came during World War II with a 1961 National Gallery of take us back to a previous era entertaining. I hope they fuel the Supreme Headquarters Canada exhibit Five Painters and they house the collective your imagination. Allied Expeditionary Force from Regina. The quintet were thoughts of a bygone people. Please contact us with story where he was a junior officer all associated with the Regina They put faces on our past ideas or just send us a note and on the Intelligence staff of Campus and two (Lochhead and and connect us to our shared let us know how you are doing. General Dwight Eisenhower, Bloore) would find their way to history. While you’re at it, let us know the supreme commander of York University in Toronto where Some of the materials from how we are doing with Degrees. the Allied forces. There, he Heinrich would go to teach in Heinrich’s collection can be Incidentally, this issue will specialized in the strategic 1966. found on the website Wish You soon find its way into Archives intelligence of the German- Later in his life, in 1977, still Were Here, a collection of 4,500 and Special Collections where controlled railway system – writing and critiquing, Heinrich digitized postcards from 11 the stories of the people the Reischbahn. wrote in a review of Bloore’s archives around Saskatchewan featured within these covers will After his days in 15-year retrospective show at including the University of join those of other interesting reconnaissance, Heinrich the Mac Gallery in Toronto, Regina Archives and Special people associated with the remained in Germany to help “Bloore is the most fastidious Collections. Notably, the University of Regina like repatriate some of the great and possibly the most erudite of website features a large Theodore Allen Heinrich. European art treasures that had all Canadian painters.” collection of cigarette cards been pilfered by the Nazis. Later When Heinrich died in 1981, Heinrich had acquired during Greg Campbell he helped German authorities Bloore was named the executor the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Editor

2 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Editor Greg Campbell BFA’85, BJ’95

Director, Communications and Marketing Anna Willey CPR’96

Alumni Association Board 2011-12:

Gwen Keith BEd’74, MEd’77, PGDEA’83, MEd’84 President

Richard Kies BAdmin’93, CPR’03 Past President

Jeff Maystruck BBA’08 First Vice President

Linda Dewhirst BA’75, MVTEd’04 The University of Regina Magazine Second Vice President fall/winter 2012 Margaret Dagenais CVTEd’87, BVTEd’91, Med’97, PHD’11 volume 24, no. 2 U of R Senate representative

Lisa King Bed’78, MAdmin’11 U of S Senate representative On the cover: Fresh off their successful pitch on CBC’s popular program Dragon’s Den, Sean McEachern BEd’03 Kalen Emsley and David Luba are poised for tree-mendous success with their clothing Past-President Council representative company, Ten Tree. The company offers a unique guarantee – to plant 10 trees for every piece of apparel it sells. Photo by Don Hall, University of Regina Photography Nathan Sgrazzutti URSU Representative Department.

Kaytlyn Barber BBA’12 Don Burns BA’97, MPA’05 Scott Cheston CA’05, DIPBA’06, BBA’08, MCert’10 Bob Friedrich BA’76, CPSTST’07 Brian Hillier DDA’04, BA’04, MBA’09, MHRM’11 Jay Kirkland BA(Hons)’99 Curt Schroeder CA’96, CCS’03 George Smadu BEd’74, BA’80, PGDEA’88, Med’91, PhD’08

Contributors Bill Armstrong Sabrina Cataldo BA’97, BJ’99, Cert. PR’04 12 22 28 Shannon Bachorick Rayanne Brennan Raquel Fletcher BA’12 Features Kramers honoured for Gilles Gonthier their contributions 26 Don Hall Trevor Hopkin The class of 2012 7 For their decades of selfless Greg Johnson philanthropy, Don and Claire Robin Lawless This year’s Alumni Association Erin Limacher BA’06 Crowning Achievement Awards Kramer are the U of R’s most BD Miller BA(Hons)’89, BJ’95 were the biggest and brightest recent honorary degree Diane Mullen recipients. Sean O’Shea BJ’84 yet. Meet the class of 2012. Deborah Sproat David Stobbe The acclaiming Enlightening frightening 28 Sociology graduate student, All photos by The University of Regina of the shrew 12 Photography Department unless Alumnus Jack Stewart BSc’71, roller derby queen and otherwise noted. Original design and punk rock band member layout by Bradbury Branding and Design. MSc’75 has found what could be a revolutionary new cancer Cassie Ozog’s BA’09 master’s Degrees is published twice a year by treatment in the darndest of thesis examines the zombie External Relations at the University apocalypse in popular culture. of Regina. The magazine is mailed to places – the spit of the short- alumni and friends of the University. tailed shrew. Ideas and opinions published in Degrees do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, the Alumni Association or the Form P.A. to L.A. 20 departments University of Regina. Letters and editorial Alumnus Nicholas Treeshin contributions are welcome. Advertising inquiries are invited. BFA’00 is enjoying success as Feed Back 2 a television director in the To reach us: Canadian lifestyle reality genre. President’s Note 4 Editorial/Advertising/Letters Now he’s got his sights firmly Around Campus 5 Degrees, External Relations set on Hollywood. 210 North Residence, University of Regina Focal Point 16 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Ten Tree sees the Spot Light 27 Ph: (306) 585-4402 Fax: (306) 585-4997 forest and the trees 22 E-mail: [email protected] University of Regina student 360 Degrees 32 Address Change/Alumni Relations David Luba and Kalen Emsley Alumni President 210 North Residence, University of Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway DIPBA’09 have partnered to Message 35 Regina, SK S4S 0A2 create a unique and successful Ph: (306) 585-4112 Fax: (306) 585-4997 clothing company that appeals Class Notes 36 E-mail: [email protected] Toll-free: 877-779-4723 (GRAD) to the environmentally (in Canada and the U.S.) responsible mindset of today’s University of Regina homepage consumers. www.uregina.ca

Publication Mail Agreement Number 40065347 Return undeliverable magazines to: External Relations 210 North Residence, University of Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2

ISSN 0843-7092 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 3 President’s Note With an alumni base of more inspirational speaker, educator, year’s psychology graduate in teaching, research and than 60,000, approximately literacy worker, community students. community service, which is a 2,200 graduates per year and volunteer, writer and playwright. I am proud to say that like great source of pride for all of us, record enrolment this year of For his exceptional leadership our students and alumni, our extends to the continued work more than 13,000 students, the and service to the University of faculty members also continue on Building Knowledge – The University of Regina is making a Regina, Victor Thomas received to further the University’s College Avenue Campus Renewal bigger impact than ever before, the Dr. Robert and Norma reputation as an institution that Project. This major initiative will both within Saskatchewan and Ferguson Award for Outstanding makes significant contributions transform our historic College around the world. Service. to the world. Avenue campus – restoring This fact was confirmed earlier In addition, Phoebe De Dr. Greg Marchildon, a the College Building, the in the fall, when The Conference Ciman Haugen received the professor at the Johnson- Conservatory and Darke Hall – Board of Canada released a Outstanding Young Alumnus Shoyama Graduate School of into what will be known as the report entitled Fuelling the award for her extensive Public Policy (JSGS), was recently University of Regina Leadership Surge: The University of Regina’s involvement in the community, elected Fellow in the Canadian and Outreach Centre, integrating Role in Saskatchewan’s Growth. both locally and internationally. Academy of Health Sciences, the academic programming with The Conference Board’s report, You can read about the highest recognition for health outreach and training for both which I encourage you to view accomplishments of these scientists and health system public and private sector at http://www.uregina.ca/orp/ alumniNot in more yetdetail beginning updated scholars in Canada. As a Fellow professionals. papers.shtml, highlights, among on page 7. As you will see, these in the Canadian Academy of To raise money for the College other things, the important award recipients demonstrate Health Sciences, Dr. Marchildon Avenue campus revitalization, role the University plays in that our alumni are making a is part of a national team of Canadian celebrity Ben producing skilled graduates difference in our communities leading health scholars that Mulroney served as the master for the workforce, creating every day. provide informed assessment of ceremonies for the University and discovering knowledge, During our annual fall of urgent issues affecting the of Regina’s second annual promoting culture and Convocation on October 20 – the health of Canadians. He joins President’s Gala, which was held developing leadership capacity. largest in our history with more psychology professor Dr. Thomas in early November. In addition to Many of these strengths than 600 graduates – I was Hadjistavropoulos, who is also a Mulroney – who is perhaps best are exemplified in the proud to see so many talented Fellow in the Canadian Academy known as the anchor for the CTV accomplishments of our alumni, people added to the ranks of of Health Sciences. entertainment news show, eTalk including the five distinguished the institution’s distinguished Dr. Ken Rasmussen, the – the event featured the True Jive graduates whom we honoured in alumni. I would like to mention associate director of the JSGS, Pluckers, with Ed Minevich on September at the 2012 Alumni two in particular: Ashley Major was recognized nationally for violin, Jack Semple on guitar and Crowning Achievement Awards. and Dr. Adam Dubé. his innovative teaching and Stephen McLellan on bass. At the awards ceremony, Ashley Major graduated dedication to improving public It was an incredible evening William (Bill) Knight was with a Bachelor of Human administration education with that demonstrated what we presented with the Lifetime Justice with great distinction the 2012 Pierre De Celle Award are capable of doing together Achievement Award for his many and international designation for excellence in teaching. This for our University and our years of giving back to society in through Campion College. She award was presented by the community. Building on this the areas of education, politics received the President’s Medal Institute of Public Administration success, I look forward to and finance. for demonstrating academic of Canada. working with all University of Dr. Nevan Krogan excellence as well as significant Another notable moment for Regina constituents – students, was recognized with the leadership in, and commitment the University was Dr. Sarah faculty, staff, alumni, donors, Distinguished Professional to, extra-curricular activities Abbott’s acceptance of the government, and the larger Achievement award for the throughout her academic 2012 Lieutenant Governor’s Arts community – in the months and professional excellence and program. Awards for Arts and Learning. years to come. Together, we can leadership he shows as a Dr. Adam Dubé received Abbott is an associate professor help realize the University of systems biologist. the President’s Distinguished in the Department of Media Regina’s vision to be one of the Vera Tourangeau was the 2012 Graduate Student Award for Production and Studies, and an best comprehensive universities recipient of the Alumni Award for his outstanding academic innovative educator, filmmaker in Canada. Distinguished Humanitarian and performance. Throughout his and artist whose work pushes Community Service for making graduate program he maintained the boundaries of expression. Dr. Vianne Timmons a difference to the well-being an average of more than 90 per The University community’s President and Vice-Chancellor of others with her work as an cent – the highest among this dedication to excellence

4 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Left: President Timmons with Ben Mulroney, emcee of the President’s Gala held November 3. Centre: Sheila Petty, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and acting director of the Institut français. Right: Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy faculty member Greg Marchildon.

Briefly Knowledge – The College Ken Rasmussen, associate • Employs, together with Avenue Campus Renewal director at the Johnson the federated colleges, Maureen Johns BEd’84, MEd’03 Project. Shoyama Graduate School of approximately 4,550 has been hired as executive Public Policy (JSGS) University people (comparable to lead of Indigenization at the President and Vice-Chancellor of Regina campus, has been SaskPower or Comeco) University of Regina. She has Vianne Timmons, was formally awarded the 2012 Pierre De and supports 970 worked in various capacities, installed as president of the Celle Award for excellence in additional full-time jobs in including principal of Scott International Association for the teaching public administration Saskatchewan, as well as Collegiate, consultant for Scientific Study of Intellectual by the Institute of Public another 570 outside of the Regina Public School Division, Disabilities (IASSID). Timmons, Administration of Canada province; catalyst for Prairie Valley who was secretary of IASSID (IPAC). • Remits $37.6 million in School Division and executive from 2004–2008 and president- payroll taxes annually, as director for the First Nations and elect from 2008–2012, will Greg Marchildon, a professor well as more than $2.8 Métis Education Branch of the now serve a four-year term as at the Johnson Shoyama million in annual PST and provincial Ministry of Education. president. Graduate School of Public more than $1.3 million in Timmons has also accepted Policy (JSGS), has been annual GST; Canadian celebrity Ben an appointment as a member elected Fellow in the Canadian • Represents 4 per cent Mulroney was the master of of the Canada Foundation for Academy of Health Sciences, of Regina’s GDP, and ceremonies at the University Innovation (CFI). Members are the highest recognition for generates $291 million in of Regina’s second annual the Foundation’s governing health scientists and health total provincial GDP and President’s Gala on November body to which the Board of system scholars in Canada. $319.1 million nationally; 3 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Directors reports. She will serve Marchildon, a Canada • Secures research grants Saskatchewan. for a five-year term. Research Chair in Public Policy totalling $24 million Montreal-born Mulroney, and Economic History, has annually; and son of Prime Minister Brian Dave Button, the University conducted pioneering work on • Helps generate $375 Mulroney, is anchor of the of Regina’s vice-president health-system performance million in economic popular CTV entertainment (Administration), was recently and health policy. His activity for Saskatchewan news show eTalk and regularly honoured with a significant international reputation stems through Innovation Place provides red-carpet coverage of international award. At its in part from such achievements at the main campus. high profile events such as the annual general meeting, the as his position as executive The report went on to say that Oscars, Golden Globes and Juno Association of Higher Education director of The Commission a University of Regina graduate awards. Facilities Officers (APPA) on the Future of Health Care in earns an average of $30,000 The event featured gourmet presented Button with the Canada and his book Health more a year than someone with food and a silent auction of over President’s Award, recognizing Systems in Transition: Canada. educational credentials below 50 items that included a private both his exceptional As a Fellow in the Canadian a bachelor’s degree. Over their tour of the vault at Regina’s achievement in the field of Academy of Health Sciences, working lives, those University MacKenzie Art Gallery, a trip to facilities management and his Marchildon is part of a national of Regina graduates will earn Chicago for shopping and an outstanding contributions to team of leading health scholars $1.1 million more than their less evening of stargazing with an APPA itself. providing informed assessment educated counterparts and pay astronomer at the University of urgent issues affecting the about $320 million in taxes. The of Regina’s observatory. The Sheila Petty, dean of Fine Arts health of Canadians. full report is available at http:// True Jive Pluckers featuring Ed and professor of Media Studies, www.uregina.ca/orp/papers. Minevich on violin, Jack Semple will serve as acting director of The Conference Board of Canada shtml. on guitar and Stephen McLellan the Institut français. She will fill was recently commissioned on bass performed at the event. the role until July 1, 2013. During to produce a report on the The University of Regina has Funds raised from the Gala the 2012–13 academic year a economic impact of the set a new enrolment record, help support the University of national search will be carried University of Regina. Highlights with 13,119 students enrolled Regina’s number one capital out for a full-term director of the of the report include the at the University for the fall fundraising priority, Building Institut. following: 2012 semester. That compares

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 5 to 12,797 at the same time the Faculty of Kinesiology and adapting to catastrophic events Chenelle Mitchell (fourth last year. The University is Health Studies and the Faculty and transboundary water year Business), first baseman also reporting a 10 per cent of Science. management. Brittany Hewlko (second year increase in the number of Kinesiology), second baseman first-year student admissions. The University of Regina, in The JDC West Business Sasha Mitchell (second year As of August 30, the University partnership with the United Competition will be hosted Business), third baseman admitted 3,850 first-year Nations Water for Life Decade in by the University in 2014. The Morgan Kotylak (first year students, up from 3,509 at the Canada and University of Texas event will bring more than 600 Nursing) and pitcher Sarah same time last year. Courses in Austin, hosted the major business students from the top Campbell (first year Education). offered through Flexible international conference Storm 12 business schools in Western Learning at the University are Warning: Water, Energy, and Canada to Regina January Former U of R Cougar basketball also on the rise. There are Climate Security in a Changing 17–19, 2014. player Joanna Zalesiak will play a total of 2,634 off campus World on October 15–19 in professionally for Energa Torun, enrolments this year compared Banff, Alta. Sports a team in Poland’s top league. to 2,022 at the same time last The conference attracted Zalesiak is a former Canada year. approximately 70 experts Mike Smith, in his eighth West MVP and a CIS First team Demand is particularly from Canada, The United season as head coach of the All-Star. strong in the faculties of States, China and Japan University Softball Club, was Nursing, Kinesiology and to address six sources of named the 2012 Western Christine Richardson, a Health Studies, and Science. significant uncertainty that Collegiate Softball Association current Kinesiology and Health The program was launched will affect water, energy and (WCSA) League All-Stars Coach Studies student completing last year in partnership with climate security in a changing of the Year. Seven members her fieldwork placement at the Saskatchewan Institute world. One of the highlights of the University of Regina Courtside Sports Medicine of Applied Science and of the conference was a tour Cougars Women’s Softball and Rehabilitation was named Technology, and leads to a of the Columbia Icefields. Club were also recognized by to Racquetball Canada’s Saskatchewan Collaborative The Athabasca Glacier has the WCSA as League All-Stars. 2012–2013 national team. Eight Bachelor of Science in Nursing receded significantly since They include utility player of the 22 people named to the (SCBScN) degree. the mid-1800s. Conference Taylor Groff (third year Fine national team and national The faculties with the next participants also engaged in Arts), left fielderDestiny Kaus development team are from highest admission rates are discussions on the costs of (first year Arts), right fielder Saskatchewan.

Disclosure and acknowledgement of consent The University of Regina maintains a database of all its students, alumni and friends that is used for University alumni relations purposes, information and activities; news about the University; electronic newsletter; and requests for support. The database is also used by the University and Alumni Association’s third-party business partners-that offer benefits to alumni and students through insurance, credit card, financial and other services.

You acknowledge and consent to the use and disclosure of database information relating to you (such as name, mailing address, phone number, degree(s) and year of graduation) for the aforementioned purposes unless otherwise indicated below.

Complete the following and return by surface mail. I do not wish to receive the following:  Degrees Magazine  Alumni E-newsletter  Affinity partner information  Alumni Association information  Event notices  Any communications from the University of Regina

Name (Last) ______First ______Initial ______

Address ______Postal Code______

Home Phone (____ )______Work Phone (_____)______Fax (_____)______

Date ______Signature ______

Please Return to: University of Regina – External Relations By e-mail: [email protected] 3737 Wascana Pkwy, 210 North Residence By fax: +1 (306) 585-4997 Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 To access and update your preferences online, please go to: www.uregina.ca/alumni/uyi.htm

6 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 The class of The Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards were established2012 in 2005 to celebrate University of Regina alumni who have realized extraordinary achievements and made remarkable contributions to the University and their community. Over 250 alumni and friends attended the eighth annual Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards gala on September 27 at The Terrace at Innovation Place in Regina. Meet this year’s deserving recipients in the pages that follow. by Deborah Sproat Photos by the University of Regina Photography Department.

William (Bill) Knight BA’69, BEd’70 Lifetime Achievement Award

he Regina campus of the University of Saskatchewan, In 1989, Knight left politics to join Credit Union Central of which later became the University of Regina, was a Canada and in 1995 became its President and CEO, a position perfect learning environment for Bill Knight when he he held until he was appointed the first commissioner of was a student there in the 1960s. the newly-created Financial Consumer Agency of Canada in TKnight thrived in an atmosphere where students and faculty 2001. He served a term in that post and oversaw the market regularly engaged in lively discussion about the future of conduct of $3.25 trillion of Canadian assets. He is a designated Regina Campus and current political events. Corporate Director and currently serves on a number of “Being part of those debates and discussions was a great Canadian boards, as well as playing an advisory role both in learning experience,” he says. “And I was also fortunate to be Canada and internationally. taught by very strong professors who demanded excellent Among the accomplishments that have given him work.” satisfaction he includes his involvement in bringing about the Knight is the recipient of the 2012 Alumni Lifetime first Election Expenses Act; the capital gains exemptions for Achievement Award, which recognizes an alumnus for a intergenerational transfer of farmland; and the introduction of lifetime of achievement and for giving back to society on a seatbelt legislation in Saskatchewan. One period that especially regional, national or international basis. stands out in his mind is working alongside Premier Blakeney After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1968 and a during the negotiations that led to repatriation of the Canadian Bachelor of Education (Dist) in 1970, Knight took a teaching Constitution and especially the inclusion of First Nations rights position in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Though active in politics, in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. he had no plan to run for political office until he was persuaded Later, in the financial services sector, Knight led a national to seek the New Democratic Party (NDP) nomination in the initiative to strengthen Credit Unions and help them federal seat of Assiniboia when it became vacant. He won the grow. Other highlights he identifies are his involvement in seat in a byelection in 1971 and was re-elected in 1972, but international development through the co-op and Credit Union defeated in subsequent elections. models, and the challenge of bringing the financial consumers’ In those early days in Ottawa, Knight became chief party agency from concept to reality. whip under NDP leader David Lewis during a period of Though he has not lived in Saskatchewan for many years, minority government, which he recalls as a remarkable Knight still has strong ties to the province and the University experience. He became a member of the House of Commons of Regina. He credits his Saskatchewan roots, his parents and finance committee, an assignment that gave him the the influence of the University of Regina for providing him opportunity to meld his interest in history, political science and with the strong underpinnings on which to build his career. economics with his affinity for math, a combination of talents He takes pride in the way the University has grown and says he would use again later in his career. he is honored to be chosen to receive an Alumni Crowning Lewis was the first of three strong NDP leaders Knight Achievement Award. worked with. In the 1970s he served as principal secretary to “Even though I’ve moved beyond the borders of Saskatchewan Premier Allan Blakeney and later as principal Saskatchewan, that old line about how you can take the boy secretary to federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent. In the 1980s, he out of the Prairie but you can’t take the Prairie out of the boy is, was the NDPs chief electoral strategist. in my case, true.”

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 7 The class of

Nevan Krogan BSc(Hons)’97, MSc’99 Distinguished Professional 2012 Achievement

or research scientist Nevan Krogan, it is still the moment of discovery that gives him the most satisfaction. “Seeing potentially unanticipated connections, making discoveries and getting so excited about them, Fseeing things no one has seen before – for me, those are the things that are most satisfying,” Krogan says. Krogan is the 2012 recipient of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement, which recognizes an alumnus who has achieved professional excellence and demonstrated leadership in his or her pursuit of success. A contagious enthusiasm for research was something his teachers and colleagues remember about him when he was a student at the University of Regina, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry in 1997 and a Master of Science in biology in 1999. He went on to study at the University of Toronto and graduated with a PhD in medical genetics in 2005. Today, he is an internationally recognized systems biologist and a professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California in San Francisco as well as an investigator at the J. David Gladstone Institutes, with many discoveries and a long list of awards, presentations and publications in prestigious journals to his credit. Krogan and his colleagues are now working on other Systems biology, which he defines as the global study of the pathogens, including Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, influenza, West components of a cell and how they interact, was a new way of Nile, herpes and dengue. He says they are also starting to study thinking when Krogan began his PhD studies in Toronto in disease states like cancer and schizophrenia. 1999. In the time since, he says the quantity, quality and type Looking back, Krogan said his studies at the University of of information that can be retrieved through systems biology Regina prepared him well for a future in research. In particular, approaches has increased exponentially. he says, he benefitted from getting a lot of hours in the “We can see and uncover things that were completely laboratory at a young age and from his close association with unanticipated, that could never have been figured out through chemistry professor Andrew Wee, biochemistry professor Rod more traditional, hypothesis-driven research.” Kelln and other faculty members. Krogan and his research team have used this type of “When I started my PhD in Toronto, I was very experienced approach to study many organisms, and recently began in a lab setting, a lot more experienced than most of the to apply it to studying the functional interface between students I started with because most of them had come from pathogenic organisms and the cells they infect. bigger schools and did not have the opportunities afforded to One example of their work that has attracted a lot me coming from a smaller university.” of attention is research into the connections between Krogan says receiving the alumni award means a lot to HIV proteins and the proteins of the human cell. Their him. He regards it not only as recognition of what he has been comprehensive study of the interactions between HIV and the able to accomplish but also as a testament to the quality of human cells it infects may lead to development of new drugs to education the University of Regina provides to students. treat people with HIV/AIDS. “I’m very proud of where I came from, and I think it had a lot to do with where I am right now,” he says. “I know this award is to honour me, but I see it as more honouring the University of Regina and what it is capable of doing. And it shows other students that they can get a solid foundation at the U of R and then pretty much do whatever they want in the future.”

8 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 The class of

Vera Tourangeau BEd (INDEd)’90 2012Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award

She received her Bachelor of Education in 1990 from the University of Regina. This was the first step on a path that has allowed her to make a difference, first as a teacher and administrator at Peepeekisis First Nation, then as a community engagement consultant with the Treaty 4 Student Success Program and more recently as a writer and motivational speaker. She says the University provided a good foundation of knowledge, skills and best practices that she could apply to any classroom or organization. Tourangeau says Miss, It Hurts began in 2003 with a cry in the night, as if someone was calling to her, and a vision of the plight of the First Nations people from historical times to the present. The next morning, she learned that a boy she had taught 10 years earlier had committed suicide. “In my dream, I was in the rooms of these kids and they were hungry and the babies were crying,” she says. “Then I heard ‘Miss, it hurts.’ Then I heard it again ‘Miss, it hurts.’ I ran through our house and I thought I could hear this cry. That’s when I went to the basement and I opened up the journals.” She placed the journals in front of her and then she cried. She says it was like the children were standing in front of n her book Miss, It Hurts, Vera Tourangeau shares the her and she felt their pain. She wrote their stories, and that heartbreaking journal entries of the First Nations students manuscript became the book Miss, It Hurts. she taught. ‘This cry literally woke my heart to feel, and it challenged “Miss, my mom tried to kill herself last night,” one entry me to fulfil what I was called to do for my people, my nation,” Isays. “She took a lot of pills. I didn’t have time to study my Tourangeau says. Though she had little public speaking spelling words.” experience, she began speaking out on behalf of First Nations “Miss, I joined a gang over the summer,” another student children. wrote. “So I can never talk to you again.” At one speaking engagement, the conversation shifted to Tourangeau wrote the poems based on the journal entries young people lost to the gangs and the difficulty of leaving a and her own experiences. She later used the manuscript as gang. A young man told the meeting his Kokum (grandmother) the text for her first-ever public speaking engagement, a short prayed him out of the gang and that became the subject of address at the opening of a national conference on bullying in Tourangeau’s second book, My Kokum Prayed for Me, which has 2005, and moved the audience to tears. recently been produced as a stage play. She is now working on It was a role she had never imagined for herself but it was a third book. the beginning of her emergence as a voice for First Nations Tourangeau says she tells young people to hold on to their people, especially the children. Today, she is widely known as dreams, to believe they can do anything they want to do, to an inspirational speaker, educator, literacy worker, community have the courage to resist when tempted by alcohol, drugs and volunteer, writer and, most recently, a playwright. gangs and to fight the fight of a true warrior. Tourangeau is the 2012 recipient of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service, which recognizes an individual who has contributed service that has made a difference to the well-being of others.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 9 The class of Victor Thomas BBA’07, MAdmin’11 Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service

rom the day he first set foot on the University of Regina campus as an undergraduate, Victor Thomas has given back to the University. He has not let graduation slow 2012 him down. FAs a student, Thomas was active in student government and served as president of the University of Regina Students’ Union in 2005-06. He also contributed in many other ways, including sitting on the Board of Governors, serving as a student of the Alumni Association Board and helping plan the Canada Summer Games held in Regina in 2005. Today, Thomas leads a busy professional life and has taken on many responsibilities in the community, with the University of Regina remaining high on his list of priorities. Thomas is the 2012 recipient of the Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award for Outstanding Service. This award is given to an alumnus who has shown exceptional leadership and service to the University of Regina or its Alumni Association. Thomas graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2007 and a Master of Administration in leadership in 2011. He also holds certificates in French studies from both York University and Université St. Anne in Nova Scotia, and earned a certificate for summer studies at the University of Ulsan in South Korea which furthered his international perspective. He is the president of the South Saskatchewan Red Cross Council, youngest graduate with a Chartered Director designation in Conference Board of Canada 2012 Saskatchewan Forum corporate governance from The Directors College program Advisory, SaskPower’s Demand Side Advisory, City of Regina offered through the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster Heritage Advisory Committee and the Ronald McDonald House University, and also holds the reciprocal designation of Saskatchewan Campaign Leadership Committee. He is past- Administrateur de Sociétés Certifié from Laval University. chair of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a principle and executive director of Aspen In 2011, the Public Policy Forum presented Thomas with Medical Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Aspen Medical, an the prestigious Emerging Leaders Award, which nationally international firm with expertise in delivering healthcare recognizes a leader who is in the early stages of this or solutions in complex and often remote environments. Aspen her career and demonstrates exceptional initiative and Medical Canada recently set up its Canadian headquarters in commitment to the principles of public service. Regina. Thomas says his involvement with the University taught Thomas sits on several corporate boards, including serving him that individuals can contribute and make a difference even as a corporate director of SaskEnergy since 2008 and as current at an early age. He says it also helped him develop leadership chair of its Human Resources and Compensation Committee. skills he has been able to use in other environments. Despite this heavy load and the need to travel frequently for “Through my involvement with the University I was able to business, he also gives many hours to the University and to the get to know the community, work with leaders and learn many community. transferable skills that I use each and every day,” he says. “My Thomas serves on the University Senate, the University of involvement with the University of Regina has been the launch Regina Joint Committee on Ceremonies and the Allied Health pad for my professional life and community involvement.” Centre Council, and is the youngest member of the Paul J. Hill Thomas says he believes that alumni have a responsibility School of Business CEO Advisory Circle. He attends many to help out wherever they can, and that he chooses activities University functions, including alumni gatherings in cities where he can provide value and has the capacity to contribute. across Canada, and speaks with pride about the wonderful The reward, he says, is having made friends that long outlast experience he had at the University of Regina. specific roles. His other community and volunteer work includes serving “I truly feel blessed to have been involved with so many as chair of the Red Cross Executive Cabinet for Saskatchewan, amazing people over the past decade that are committed to the University and to this great community.”

10 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 The class of Phoebe De Ciman Haugen BA’03, BA(Hons)’05 Outstanding Young Alumnus

It was a hectic schedule but De Ciman Haugen says it was good preparation for the adaptability that’s required of her 2012professionally and for balancing her community commitments and a new baby daughter. De Ciman Haugen’s appetite for diverse experiences has served her well in her eight years in the Saskatchewan public service. She has been called on to work in several different ministries and to handle a variety of issues, often involving input from several areas of government. She is currently on maternity leave, enjoying the challenge of caring for her daughter, who was born in January. At the same time, she is looking forward to her role as a policy analyst in the newly created Ministry of Advanced Education when she returns to work. “My time at the U of R helped me with putting on different hats in different situations. It definitely helped me to be adaptable and that’s one thing I’m going to have to be,” she says. De Ciman Haugen continues to be involved in basketball, volunteering as a coach for the U17 provincial girls’ team and in the Basketball Saskatchewan program. She is also involved in the cultural and arts community in the city, as well as in the Regina United Way fundraising campaign. While doing her master’s program, she spent time doing research and volunteer work in Uganda and southern Sudan, and continues to work with some of the people she met at that time. She hopes to continue to be involved in international s a student at the University of Regina, Phoebe development work. De Ciman Haugen demonstrated a remarkable Whether overseas or at home in Saskatchewan, De Ciman ability to be involved and excel on several fronts Haugen says she finds community work most rewarding when simultaneously, successfully combining athletics with it involves young people because they are usually enthusiastic, studentA leadership and academics. open-minded, appreciative and willing to learn. She has carried that enthusiasm for diverse experiences “I find younger people are enthusiastic about everything, into a career in the Saskatchewan public service and whether it’s Ugandan kids coming from years of conflict ongoing involvement in the community, both locally and and wanting to rebuild their communities, or whether it’s a internationally. Saskatchewan girl training on her own because she wants to De Ciman Haugen is the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding play university basketball or represent her province.” Young Alumnus Award, which recognizes an alumnus under She says she sees receiving the Outstanding Young Alumnus age 35 who is identifiable as an emerging leader through award as a tribute to the many people who have worked with professional and/or voluntary accomplishments and who is and supported her along the way. In turn, she hopes the award setting an example for future young alumni to follow. will show other students it’s possible to pursue a variety of De Ciman Haugen, 31, graduated from the University of interests. Regina with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2003 and “Be open, have the confidence to spread your wings a little Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in political science in 2005. She because that’s how you grow.” went on to earn a Master of Arts in human security and peacebuilding from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, in 2010. In addition to her academic work, she played five seasons with the University of Regina Cougars basketball team and served two terms as president of the University of Regina Deborah Sproat is a Regina freelance writer and editor. Students’ Union.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 11 The acclaiming of the shrew While it may have seemed strange n an essay published in The Columbian Orator, in 1797, American editor and poet David Everett wrote: “Large at the time – baiting traps with streams from little fountains flow, tall oaks from little pepperoni sausage in the backyard acorns grow.” IJack Stewart BSc’71, MSc’75 (professor emeritus, Mount of his Sackville, N.B. home – the Allison University) could say the same of the northern relentless pursuit that U of R alumnus short-tailed shrew. The tiny, furry animal has made a huge impact on his life Jack Stewart dedicated himself to may and potentially a life-or-death difference for cancer patients. yet pay off. His prey? The northern Like Dr. Frederick Banting who discovered insulin studying the pancreas of diabetic dogs, Stewart may have short-tailed shrew, whose spit, it struck medical gold in the unlikeliest of places – in the turns out, may hold the promise of a mouth of the mouse-sized mammal. revolutionary new cancer treatment. The University of Regina alumnus is chairman and chief scientific officer of Soricimed BioPharma Inc., a private drug and diagnostic development company that he co-founded By Rayanne Brennan in 2005 following the discovery and development of a novel Photos courtesy of Jack Stewart and Jan Pyle. mammalian proprietary peptide, soricidin, from the venom Short-tailed shrew photo courtesy of Gilles Gonthier of the shrew. Today, Soricimed appears to be on the verge of a major scientific breakthrough. Its cancer-fighting drug, SOR-C13, is currently undergoing Phase I trials to determine if the treatment is safe and tolerable for humans. In preclinical testing, Soricimed’s products were very effective in locating tumours – in mere hours – and reducing their size, with none of the harsh side effects associated with chemotherapy. Moreover, the drug attacked only the cancerous cells, not the healthy ones. The hope is that Soricimed’s innovative research will lead to earlier, faster detection and better treatment of cancer. In the words of Soricimed’s chief executive officer Paul Gunn: “Our diagnostic finds cancer, while our drug kills cancer”. Phase I clinical trials will run at two sites in Canada

12 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 and the United States until February 2013. Based on the The shrew is one of only two venomous mammals, the results, testing will advance to Phases II and III, each phase other being the platypus (which is really a monotreme). The progressively more rigorous and expensive and involving distinction is that the platypus uses its venom during the more people – up to 3,000 for the final stage. “My dream is that mating season to inflict pain on its rival, whereas the shrew if everything goes absolutely swimmingly, this drug could be excretes venom in its saliva to give its prey a paralyzing bite. on the market in three to five years,” Stewart said in one of the Then it “stacks up the immobilized insects like cordwood” countless interviews he has given to media “And,” he added,” all and stores them until the animal is ready for its dinner. “It’s out of little old Sackville.” something you’d see in a movie,” Stewart says. Soricimed’s work takes place in a state-of-the-art laboratory Eventually, curiosity got the better of Stewart and he took up – former home to Bob’s Bar – in the small south-eastern New where earlier researchers had left. He focussed his microscopic Brunswick town of 5,400. It’s lens on the shrew’s paralyzing far from a hotbed for biotech “We’re very confident that the work Soricimed spit to study its mysterious – known better for resource chemical. Like his predecessors, industries like forestry, farming is doing today will end up saving many lives he believed the organic and fishing – but the company’s in the future through the early detection and compound could be a pain virtual business model allows it more efficient treatment of cancer.” suppressant. to conduct world-class research To carry out his research, he in partnership with some of the top institutions across Canada. and his colleagues trapped shrews in the backyard of Stewart’s As Stewart says, Soricimed’s early success shows “you don’t Sackville, N.B., home. The animals proved hard to capture. have to be in a big centre to do leading-edge work.” Attempts to entice them with everything from peanut butter to Stewart moved to Sackville in 1978 to eventually win tenure seeds failed. Finally, the “little beasts went mad over pepperoni at Mount Allison University where he enjoyed an over 30-year sausage, the cheapest no-name brands we could find.” career as full professor in the biochemistry program. Twice he After thorough analysis, Stewart was able to identify the received Mount A’s top award – the Pare Award – for teaching paralytic nature of the venom and synthesize the chemical, and excellence in research, authored 30 research articles and “much to the relief” of the shrews in his backyard. “That contributed to a number of books. The major focus of his lab was kicked off the whole thing,” he said. The biochemist delved metabolic adaptations in animals, and protein biochemistry. deeper into his study of soricidin, setting off a series of even That changed 12 years ago when Stewart was pulled into more remarkable finds. “The more and more we looked into it, a visiting professor’s lab and invited to take a close look at a the more and more interesting it got and the more and more shrew’s tooth. “I was hugely unimpressed,” he admits. Never potential uses it had.” did he imagine this animal, so common in eastern Canada Over the course of his research, he determined that soricidin “everybody has seen their cats drag them home,” could be the had both therapeutic and diagnostic properties – properties carrier of a rare, anticancer agent. that could potentially detect and destroy cancer cells. Further, Stewart soon learned that identifying the paralytic agent in the treatment was found to be effective in most epithelial the animal’s saliva as a possible painkiller for humans was a cancers, which represent about 80 per cent of cancers. (For now, mystery that scientists had been trying to solve since the late the company is focusing on ovarian, breast and prostate cancer, 1800s. as well as a blood test that can detect Stage I cancers.) Gunn

Opposite page top: University of Regina graduate Jack Stewart, chairman and chief scientific officer of Soricimed BioPharma Inc. Opposite page bottom: Blarina brevicauda – the northern short-tailed shrew, the unlikely source for Soricimed’s cancer-fighting drug. Above left: Soricimed’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Sackville, N.B. Above right: Stewart with Soricimed’s chief executive officer Paul Gunn.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 13 has gone so far as to bill Soricimed’s drug as the “PSA test for ovarian cancer.” Gunn was the first to invest in Stewart’s research and together they formed Soricimed – a success story in translational research – a story of their determined efforts to School move the technology from the academic research bench to private industry To date, Soricimed has raised $11 million from angel investors and government agencies, demonstrating the high level of confidence that exists in the firm’s products. That’s Days noteworthy given that only two to three per cent of drugs make it to human testing. Now that the word is out about Soricimed’s novel cancer therapeutics and chronic pain treatments, the company is Long before he became chairman and attracting plenty of attention and from some of the largest chief scientific officer of Soricimed pharmaceutical companies in the world. Several have approached Soricimed about negotiating a development deal. BioPharma Inc., Jack Stewart was an Their return on investment could be significant, with the eager science student at the University current estimated value of Sorcimed’s diagnostic market alone exceeding $1.1 billion annually. That’s just one of four revenue of Regina. His time at the U of R yielded streams its cancer management platform offers, the others being two degrees and, as importantly in his its oncology and pain therapeutics and drug delivery system. However, for Gunn and Stewart, and thousands of cancer eyes, the independence and confidence patients everywhere, the research represents much more than that has helped him become the dollars. “We’re very confident that the work Soricimed is doing today will end up saving many lives in the future through the biotechnology entrepreneur he is today. early detection and more efficient treatment of cancer,” Gunn says. By Rayanne Brennan For Stewart, who has lost friends and family to cancer, that Photos courtesy Jan Pyle and by Trevor Hopkin, U of R Photography Department. will be more than worth all the hours he has invested and sacrifices he has made to get his discovery to market. “It’s a ack Stewart liked the University of Regina so much he stayed terrible disease, not only in terms in what it does to the body. It J10 years. has such a nasty impact on everything.” The biochemist-turned-biotechnology entrepreneur arrived in Though he is impressed by the interest that potential major 1968 eager to trade in small town life for student life in a big city. “It investors have shown in Soricimed, he is humbled by the was one way out,” he quips. response of cancer sufferers. The Juravanski Cancer Centre in Born and raised in Fleming, Sask. (pop. 75), Stewart was part of the Hamilton, which is the site of its first clinical trials, received “first big wave of rural kids who washed into universities. It was an e-mails from patients from across the country wanting to interesting phenomenon.” participate. Those who take part in this stage of human testing It was also the 1960s, a decade infamous for flower power, free have cancer that either no standard therapy is available or love, and psychedelic music. Even in Regina, the ’60s were swinging. standard therapies did not work. “It was an interesting place to be back then. It was very politically “The unfortunate thing about Phase I is that the cancer active, left leaning it would be fair to say. It was a little on the hippie patients being tested have run out of options,” Stewart side.” Stewart looked the part of the long-haired hipster when he stepped acknowledged in an interview with The Hamilton Spectator. onto the campus in platform shoes for undergraduate studies in “They’re running on two things: hope and altruism; they want science. But, typical of a lot of freshman, he was more attracted to U to help people and I think they’re incredibly brave. How brave of R’s extra-curricular activities than its academics. “The first year, is that first person going to be? It [SOR-C13] has never been in a let’s just say, was a little rocky.” human before. From all the work we’ve done we feel it will be That shaky start aside, Stewart went on to receive two degrees safe, but there is still a lot of respect with a capital R for these from the University – the first in organic chemistry and the second in people.” biochemistry. And those people are what drive Stewart to create a medical The campus was “still very new” and underdeveloped when he was miracle. D a student. “There were only about four buildings, no grass, no trees, just acres and acres of wet gumbo,” he recalls. “You had to walk on Rayanne Brennan has over two decades’ experience in print planks (pathways to the buildings) to keep from slipping in gumbo. journalism, corporate communications and government relations. Every time one sank they threw down another board on top.” Her work as a freelance photojournalist has been widely published One of the many things that Stewart did appreciate about the U of in international, national and regional publications. She makes her R was the interdisciplinary nature of its student body. “In those early home in Moncton, N.B., and operates an independent communications days you could count among your friends physicists, fine artists, consultancy and editorial services firm. you name it. The place was of the size that you couldn’t help but

14 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Ouellette first became aware of Stewart by reputation while he was a student at the University of Moncton. “He was everybody’s favourite professor. He’s got this enthusiasm that’s hard not to be contagious. He was very much appreciated by his students. He is very personable and he has a very good sense of humour.” Janet Pyle Bed’80, CPR’05, who has been pals with Stewart since they were three, agrees. “He’s a very interesting and entertaining guy.” The two attended all the same secondary and post-secondary schools in Saskatchewan. She said Stewart never co‑mingle with these disparate people.” fit the stereotype of the prairie boy who He also had enormous respect for went shooting gophers on Saturday the University’s professors. “I can list mornings. Instead, he preferred playing off any number that were just hugely cards and board games and reading. “He important to me.” They included Don was studious but he liked to have a good Lee, Keith Johnson, Dave Chandler and time. He was a very sociable, balanced Bev McConnel, a biochemist with whom guy.” he did a master’s degree, and carried out Pyle recalled attending a house party research following graduation. Stewart hosted while at the U of R and In addition to scholastic knowledge, seeing pots and pans piled high in the Stewart gained invaluable life skills sink and on the counters, all covered in frustrating process. “He leaves no stone from his mentors. “The biggest thing I mould. Stewart jokingly defended the unturned. He has a strong work ethic came away with was independence and mess, claiming the dishes were dirty in and he’s very resourceful.” confidence. It was hugely important,” the interests of science. They will continue to cheer him on as he said of the impact of U of R. “It wasn’t They remained friends after university he and his company endeavour to move just various sages on stage.” and Stewart was even a member of soricidin to the drug-making factory and Stewart left the learning institution in her wedding party. However, he was all the way to the pharmacy. “He’s put 1978 to join the science faculty at Mount relegated to the role of usher when he a lot of sweat equity into it,” Ouellette Allison University. He had only been turned up in a buckskin outfit that her says. in eastern Canada once before so the mother frowned upon. Stewart admitted that Soricimed will change in landscape alone, from wide- Neither Pyle nor Ouellette is surprised face many more hurdles to reach the open prairies to “hills and trees,” was with the progress Stewart has made next stages, from regulatory to financial. dramatic. “I was lost for the first couple in moving his technology from the “It’s a long process and it’s pretty of years,” he confessed. laboratory to private industry. Ouellette exciting,” he quickly adds. Though he has since “learned how says in addition to patience, persistence Ouellette described the project as a to cope” with his surroundings, he does and a positive attitude, Stewart has favourite of his, mainly due to the person have to go out on the area’s flat marshes other qualities that have served him that’s behind the project. “Everybody occasionally to “let (his) eyes relax.” well in this time-consuming and often likes to see nice guys win.” D To this day there are sights, sounds and smells of Saskatchewan that he still misses: “the light, the feel of the air, the colour of the dirt.” Stewart gets back to the province every year or so to visit with his sister, whose daughter Megan Jahnke is a student at the University of Regina, majoring in international relations. In 2009, Stewart retired from Mount A, knowing that he was onto a medical miracle and determined to make it happen. However, “it wasn’t an easy decision” having spent his entire profession on the ivy-clad campus. That was clear to those who know him well like Dr. Rodney Ouellette, president and scientific director of the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute and one of Soricimed’s early research partners. “He moved out of his comfort zone” and Top left: Stewart had a zeal for science even as a high school senior at McNaughton High School into an “area that was not his centre of in Moosomin, Sask. Top right: Stewart and lifelong friend Jan Pyle on commencement night in gravity.” September 1967. Above: Jan Pyle looks through the 1967 McNaughton High School yearbook.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 15 Robin Lawless As a photographer, I have, for the most part, learned by seeing. With that in mind, I approached the National Parks Service of the United States and the Cultural Preservation Office of the Hopi tribe to get permission to make photographs of the buildings and environment of Chaco Canyon National Historical Park in southern New Mexico and to record interviews with clan elders from the Hopi, whose ancestors built and lived in the area’s dwellings over 1,200 years ago. These photographs represent a small study of a place that is hugely significant to Pueblo people throughout the southwestern United States. The buildings in the 16-km-long canyon were built in perfect alignment with the solar and lunar pathways of the solstices and equinoxes. Every aspect of life within this region of the San Juan Basin was connected to these astronomical occurrences. A ceremony – still practiced today in every pueblo – was perfected there and given by the Hopi to the other Pueblo people at Chaco Canyon, or Yupköyvi, as it is properly known – the “Home Beyond the Horizon.”

These photographs depict one day in Yupköyvi – June 21, 2010 This page: Fajada Butte, “banded butte,” rises 135 metres above the valley floor to an elevation of 2,018 – the summer solstice. The light from the sun at noon on that metres in an almost perfect north-south, east-west axis. The butte stands as a portal in a prominent day lines up directly down the canyon, lights the main buildings 3-km-wide gap between the East Mesa and Chacra Mesa, which form the south wall of Chaco Canyon. The along an east-west axis and casts no shadows within these summit of the butte offers commanding views of Chaco Canyon and of the vast expanses to the south. structures. The geometry is as amazing as the architecture. Ruins of approximately 20–30 dwellings are found along some of the higher cliff bands around the butte.

16 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 At left: Pueblo Bonito, solstice night. These sites at Chaco Canyon are specifically built to align with stellar, lunar and solar pathways. Below, left and centre: The shadows of ceremonial dancers from Laguna Peublo perform the Buffalo Dance on the summer solstice at Casa Rinconada, the largest great Kiva (ceremonial building) in Chaco Canyon. Below, bottom right: Supernova pictograph that has been determined to represent the explosion of the Crab Nebula in 1054 AD. This globally documented event was represented in Chaco Canyon by the Hopi of the day to tell about the symbolic sign given them to begin their migration from Mesa Verde to Chaco Canyon to refine sacred ceremonies that are still performed today.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 17 Top panoramic and above: Pueblo Bonito, “nice town,” the largest dwelling in Chaco Canyon, reaching at least four stories high with over 700 rooms. At right: Solstice spiral marker, noon, June 21. Near the top of Fajada Butte, three large stone slabs collimate sunlight in vertical patterns of light on two spiral petroglyphs carved on the cliff behind them. The light illuminates the spirals each day near noon in a changing pattern throughout the year and marks the solstices and equinoxes with particular images. At summer solstice, a narrow vertical form of light moves downward near noon through the centre of the larger spiral. At equinox and winter solstice, corresponding forms of light mark the spirals. The relationship between the shape and orientation of the slabs and the resultant light patterns on the cliff is a complex one and required a sophisticated appreciation of astronomy and geometry. The site is unique in employing the varying height of the midday sun during the year to provide readings of solar declination. In this respect, it is clearly different in concept from the many archeoastronomical sites throughout the ancient New and Old worlds that tell the passage of the year by marking the rising and setting points of the sun and moon.

18 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Above: Great Kiva at Chetro Ketl. Ancient Pueblo people occupied Chaco Canyon from about AD 400 to 1300. In this arid and unproductive region, these early inhabitants left evidence of a skilled and highly organized society. They constructed multi-storey pueblos and large ceremonial centres (Kivas) and developed extensive systems of roads, irrigation, communication and trade. At right: Solstice sunset and moonrise over Pueblo Del Arroyo. The ancient Pueblo people established an accurate calendar for agricultural and ceremonial purposes. To do this they determined the recurrence of the solstices and equinoxes. This astronomical knowledge was commemorated in the design and alignment of major buildings within Chaco Canyon.

Robin Lawless has over 30 years’ experience shooting news, current affairs, documentaries and feature films. His work has included stints with National Geographic, CBC, CTV and many other top news agencies and production companies in more than 25 countries around the world. He has won various national and international awards for his work including the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry’s Videographer of the Year Award in 2002. Lawless is a lab instructor at the School of Journalism at the University of Regina.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 19 From P.A. to L.A.

U of R alumus and lifestyle TV director Nicholas Treeshin sets his sights on Hollywood.

By BD Miller BA(Hons)’89, BJ’95

Photos by David Stobbe.

niversity of Regina film school after high school as a pre-law student During Treeshin’s third and fourth graduate Nicholas Treeshin at the University of Saskatchewan in years in the film program, Saul took BFA’00 has been making a name Saskatoon. But going to law school had over as his source of mentoring and for himself the past few years in never been Treeshin’s dream, and he inspiration. Ulifestyle television. ended up having a miserable time during “It’s very competitive in film school,” Based in Vancouver since 2001, his first year of university. Treeshin recalls. “Everyone’s very cocky Treeshin has been the primary director “That summer, I made a decision and thinks they’re going to be the next for the first two seasons of the popular that I wasn’t going to ever do anything Scorsese or Tarantino, and I just put HGTV real estate program Urban that I don’t feel passionate about,” he my head down and did my work and Suburban. Shot in various cities across says. Around that time, one of his best Gerald was really supportive of me. To Canada, including Saskatoon, the show friends told him about the film and video have a professor believe in you and help features a brother-sister real estate production program at the U of R. you was a really big deal. When you’re duo that competes to sell a new home “From a really young age, I had this young, confidence can be hard to come to couples with a limited budget. The passion for film and TV,” Treeshin says. by, but he instilled it in me.” brother, Philip DuMoulin, shows the “So that was it, I made the switch and Saul was only in his first year as a film couples houses in the city, while the went to the film school in Regina. And instructor at the U of R when he first sister, Sarah Daniels, tries to sell them a I just loved it so much, and that was met Treeshin, but he still remembers house in the suburbs. the beginning of my confidence as a him distinctly. “Nick had this really “The show has been quite a hit for the filmmaker.” inquisitive mind that was always network,” Treeshin says. “By the end of He says two instructors at the U of R searching,” Saul says. “He was always the each episode the couples have to decide were especially influential – Gerald Saul one with his hand up with a question or which way they’re going to go. In the city BFA’93 and the late Bernard Lavigne, who suggestion, or with examples of things you get convenience, but in the suburbs passed away while Treeshin was still in he’d been reading and watching. Maybe you get so much more space and usually university. once every five years you get a student larger homes. And that’s the battle that “When you’re a student, all of your with that sort of promise, that sort of a lot of couples find themselves in when short films look pretty bad when you’re shine. It was a delight to have him in the they’re buying that new home.” first starting,” Treeshin says. “But during room.” Born in Yellowknife, Treeshin grew up my first couple of years, Bernard believed After graduation, Treeshin didn’t in Prince Albert and spent his first year in me and really took me under his wing.” have his professors to encourage and

20 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 motivate him anymore. He says making He admits his career path after U.S. cable network VH1. While he was in that transition was one of the keys to graduating from the U of R has taken L.A., Treeshin also shot a music video for establishing a career in film and TV. even himself by surprise. “The last thing Jasiri X, a Pittsburgh-based rapper. Best of “The world of film can be very difficult. I ever expected in film school was that all, a short scripted drama that Treeshin You have to make it yourself. It’s fine to I’d be directing lifestyle TV,” he says. “But wrote and directed in Vancouver called be creative and motivated when you’re I’ve really learned to appreciate it. Really Leave Us Alone attracted considerable in school, but when you graduate that good lifestyle TV episodes are basically attention among Los Angeles producers. motivation has to continue. You really mini documentaries, and sometimes “The people we showed it to are very have to push yourself.” a documentary can be unbelievably interested in exploring the idea of a Part of Treeshin’s postgraduation moving in terms of the emotions you can feature length version or possibly a TV career strategy was a willingness to work feel and the way you can connect with series,” Treeshin says. “Leave Us Alone is in the industry in whatever capacity people especially when they have dreams the passion project I’ve been working on presented itself – including as an actor. and passion and are dealing with difficult to springboard myself into the feature In film school, the students often served situations. These shows can really bring film world. And some of the contacts as actors in each other’s productions, and people that we’ve worked with in which led to Treeshin’s discovery by a “That summer, I made Los Angeles have been really helpful and local talent agent while he was still at a decision that I wasn’t encouraging.” the U of R. He ended up paying for part of Treeshin may relocate to Los Angeles film school by acting professionally and going to ever do with his wife and daughter in the near continued to support himself in the film anything that I don’t feel future so he can better pursue the next and TV industry for about five years after passionate about.” chapter of his film career. He offers this graduation by doing voiceover work and advice for recent grads of the U of R’s commercials, and by acting in projects out such a great human side, and it’s film school, and for anyone else just across the country – including a part in taught me so many skills as a director.” starting out in the film and TV industry: CBC’s miniseries Revenge of the Land Although Treeshin will always be “Try everything. Don’t close any doors. and guest roles in the science fiction TV grateful for his work in lifestyle TV, Keep all the doors open because you series Battlestar Galactica and Honey I directing and creating feature-length never know which one is going to be the Shrunk the Kids. scripted drama has always been his one that gives you your break.” D “Being on the other side of the camera ultimate career goal. And the doors taught me about set etiquette and I may finally be opening in Hollywood Writer and playwright BD Miller is a two- really got a good feel for what it was that could see Treeshin fulfil his life’s time graduate of the U of R. His full-length like to be an actor,” he says. “And it gave ambition. musical drama Swept Off Our Feet: Boris me the tools to communicate well with He recently shot a pilot in Los Angeles Karloff and the Regina Cyclone premièred in performers and hosts.” for a music reality show that’s currently July at the Regina Performing Arts Centre as But Treeshin never lost sight of his being considered by executives with the a Regina Summer Stage production. longer-term goal of becoming a working director in film and TV. “Acting was fun and it came naturally to me, but I never stopped making short films.” To help pay the bills but also keep himself working in the film and TV industry, Treeshin branched into post- production, working as an assistant film editor. At about the same time, he started directing music videos for Vancouver- based artists such as Moka Only, a former member of the Canadian hip-hop group Swollen Members. Treeshin’s music videos eventually caught the eye of Heather Hawthorn- Doyle, a well-known producer of lifestyle and reality TV in Canada. Hawthorn- Doyle liked the look of Treeshin’s videos so much that she called him in for an interview and subsequently hired him to direct for a succession of lifestyle programs, including the cooking show Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag and the fashion show Anna and Kristina’s Beauty Call, which both ran on the W Network. “That season of Grocery Bag, I directed 22 of 26 episodes – which is a ton of work, especially for a new director just cutting his teeth,” Treeshin recalls. “But I sure Opposite page: Alumnus Nicholas Treeshin on the set of HGTV’s Urban Suburban this past summer in Saskatoon. Above: After several years of building his reputation, Treeshin has his sights firmly set on learned a lot.” Hollywood.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 21 Ten Tree sees the forest and the trees

22 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 avid Luba is a social butterfly. Even on crutches, he flutters from one table to the next, personally thanking people for Two University of Regina students coming out to The Owl, the University of Regina campus pub. Despite a knee operation only five days ago, Luba, who have embraced the people, Da fourth year U of R business student, shows no signs of slowing planet, profit business model are down – good thing, because neither does the company he recently launched: Ten Tree Apparel. enjoying tree-mendous growth less “I feel like it’s gotten so big, it almost doesn’t seem possible,” than a year after establishing their he says. In the past 10 months, Luba and his business partner Kalen clothing enterprise. Now, with the Emsley DIPBA’09, have jet-setted the continent, promoting one additional support of two dragons of Regina’s hottest new businesses – a new clothing line with an environmentalist penchant sold in 60 stores across Canada. from the popular CBC television If tonight’s crowd is any indication, Ten Tree has become as big as program Dragon’s Den, the pair Luba suggests – and in a very short time. This evening, hundreds of people sporting Ten Tree clothing have flooded The Owl to watch the is poised for even loftier growth. Ten Tree partners make their pitch to the Dragon’s Den to see what Along with their success they’re kind of investment they might attract for this unique and proud Saskatchewan company. Sworn to secrecy, only the partners know doing their part to protect the the outcome of the pitch. Soon, the rest of the room will know. The idea is simple – the company plants 10 trees for every t-shirt, environment – 10 trees at a time. hoodie or tank top they sell – and the impact could be enormous. “Everyone’s been so great supporting this cause, and now we’re By Raquel Fletcher BA’12 building a forest,” Luba says. A cross between the business models of TOMS Shoes and Photos by Don Hall, University of Regina Photography Department and courtesy of David Luba and Kalen Emsley. lululemon, Ten Tree has quickly become popular among socially and environmentally conscious consumers, as well as the brand conscious. “It’s just so cool because we don’t have many companies here like this that start up and are successful,” says Haley Bolen, a U of R English student attending the Dragon’s Den broadcast event. She says the company being centred around protecting the planet makes her a fan. For the past several months, Luba and Emsley have also been working on a video series called Inspire, being shown for the first time this evening at the Owl. The series, produced in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, is intended to do just that – inspire entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship of the planet. The videos are particularly aimed at young people to take an interest in nature. “We’re not trying to tell people to turn off their computers, we’re using the computer, media and YouTube as tools,” says Emsley. “We don’t want to tell you that you can’t be on your computer – be on your computer, but there’s this whole world out there you can discover and that’s what these videos are meant to do,” says Luba. For Kaylyn Kyle, Olympic soccer player from Saskatoon, Ten Tree is a business she was eager to throw her support behind. “Yeah, they’re a company and they’re trying to make money, but they’re also changing the environment and Canada – and I love that,” she shouts excitedly over the blaring pub music. She travelled to Regina specifically for the event and shares Bolen’s feeling that it’s exciting to see two local entrepreneurs get so far. “Saskatchewan is so small and you really want to see everyone do well,” she says. Many of the guests in the bar are also friends of the two young business owners. A hush falls over the room as Luba, Emsley and his brother and business associate Derrick Emsley finally enter the Dragon’s Den to make their pitch on national television. “I think (…) it’s a shame if business schools aren’t teaching ‘people,

U of R student David Luba watches a sunset in Hawaii, where the Ten Tree idea was born. The image now appears on every piece of Ten Tree apparel sold.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 23 planet, profit’ and are just teaching ‘profit’ because that’s not planet, they also want to inspire other young business-minded the future of business,” says Dragon Arlene Dickinson on the students to do the same. “I feel like we are [role models], just telecast. “The future of business is to be socially responsible, showing young entrepreneurs what they’re capable of doing,” environmentally friendly and make money. It’s all of those says Luba. things.” Although it’s about doing something for the world, Ten Tree There’s a round of applause, hoots, hollers and whistles is a business – not a charity, but they hope more companies will when Dickinson and fellow dragon Bruce Croxon jointly follow their lead in helping to protect the planet. offer Ten Tree a $100,000 investment, proof that Ten Tree has “As our company motto goes,” says Emsley, “protect the inspired more than just environmentalists. world you play in. That’s what we’re about.” Emsley and Luba’s downtown office is about the furthest * * * thing imaginable to the type of workspace one would think It’s a strange sight to see a tree farm on the Saskatchewan their company would spur. Admittedly, they don’t spend a lot of prairie – but a square mile lot near the R.M. of Edenwold, about time in it. “We’re on the road 30 minutes outside of Regina, lots,” says Luba. is where Ten Tree began. It’s another example “More and more people now are using social While walking through the of how the two business hundreds of rows of hybrid partners work to create media, so we’ve really tried to use that to our poplars, Emsley and Luba are balance – between work and advantage as young entrepreneurs.” glued to their smartphones. play, indoor and outdoor, new “More and more people technology and nature, and now are using social media, business and philanthropy. so we’ve really tried to use that to our advantage as young “You want to feel good about what you’re doing,” Emsley entrepreneurs,” Luba explains. explains, before launching into sincere concerns about the Their success hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm to get polar ice caps melting. It’s the type of discouraging global their hands dirty. On National Tree Day, they hosted 50 Grade situation that keeps him motivated to do what he does. He 6 students from McClurg Elementary School in Regina and doesn’t draw the line between a profit-oriented business and together planted 10 trees by hand. “They were super excited,” one that gives back to the world. He says, “If there were other says Emsley. “I didn’t think they would be, but they wanted to businesses doing this, we would be nothing special, but we plant even more.” really believe in it, so it makes it easy.” Part of Ten Tree’s corporate consciousness is a desire to As well as inspiring consumers to think twice about the reach out to the global community and connect it to the

(left to right): Kalen Emsley, David Luba and Derrick Emsley on the set of CBC TV’s Dragon’s Den the day of their successful pitch.

24 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Above left: (right to left) Emsley, Luba and a friend hiking Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii. Above right: Emsley and Luba in their Ten Tree Regina stock room. environment. The company has partnered with We Forest, an outdoor activities, including biking and surfing, he adds. international NGO committed to reforestation in developing With the help of social media and the support of countries. The NGO plants 50 per cent of the company’s trees. Saskatchewan people, Ten Tree has become a success story; In the future, Ten Trees intends to be able to offer customers in June, they won the Saskatchewan Young Professionals the opportunity to select the countries where they want their and Entrepreneurs Volta award and were showcased as one trees planted. The other 50 per cent of trees are planted at the of the next hot up and coming designers at Saskatchewan forestation project in Edenwold and across Canada with the Fashion Week. Now with the help of Dragon’s Den, they are help of the Canadian Wildlife on their way to becoming a Federation. nationally recognized brand. As is evident on their “We started out with the idea that we wanted As Luba laughingly puts website, the Ten Tree to help the environment. That’s first and it, Ten Tree is “branching founders are committed foremost. We’d rather have a good reputation out” – with so many sales, to working with they have planted more than environmentally reputable and go under than try to cut costs.” 105,000 trees to date. organizations. Their clothing They credit their success supplier, Oregon Stream Impressions in Portland, Ore., runs to their roots and, in part, to their education at the University their factory partly on solar energy and lends bikes to its of Regina. “I learned tons at the U of R,” says Luba. “I took some employees to cut down on pollution of commuting with cars. really cool classes on marketing, accounting and finance. But Although self-professed idealists, both Emsley and Luba the opportunity to go on a student exchange to Hawaii really have past experience as entrepreneurs and tree planters. While made this business happen. That’s what got me to Hawaii, in high school, Kalen and Derrick owned a carbon offsetting that’s what got Kalen out to Hawaii, and that’s where the idea company, the site of which is now the Edenwold tree farm. got started.” That doesn’t mean, of course, they’re old pros. Emsley, who received a Hill Ivy scholarship to Western “Yeah, every time we make an error, we send out Ten Tree University after spending his first two years at the U of R, cookies to say, ‘oh, sorry,’” Luba laughs, explaining it’s also echoes the thought but adds there’s a reason they both came a good way to support one of the local downtown shops, home to Saskatchewan. “There would have been no way to apparently now proficient in customized Ten Tree baking. start this company in any other province. The support here is Despite the need to apologize from time to time with tasty unreal. You go to Toronto and want to start a clothing company, treats, Luba and Emsley might just be the face of “the new no one is going to help you,” says Emsley. world of business” like Dickinson suggests. “And the support from the U of R has been phe-nom-e-nal,” “A lot of people ask, is this for real? Is this just a trend?” Kalen Luba stresses. says. “We started out with the idea that we wanted to help the “Saskatchewan is just a great place to live,” says Emsley. environment. That’s first and foremost. We’d rather have a “It’s done a lot for us; we’re going to do a lot for it. We just good reputation and go under than try to cut costs.” hope a lot of cool new businesses open and stay operating in That attitude may stem from the fact the idea came, first and Saskatchewan.” foremost, from a love of nature. It was on the beautiful island of They may be a growing business, but they plan to stay local. Hawaii, where Ten Tree began to grow. “We love it here. Plus we have the Roughriders, so why would “We’re looking around thinking, ‘this place is gorgeous,’” we leave?” says Luba with a smirk. D says Luba as he recounts the trip Emsley made to visit him while he was studying accounting and economics for one year Raquel Fletcher is a freelance journalist based in Regina, at the University of Manoa in Honolulu. The pair did a lot of Saskatchewan. Her forte is environmental and business issues.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 25 Kramers honoured for their contributions Don and Claire Kramer have been giving back to their community since they moved to Regina in 1957. For their decades of selfless philanthropy, each received an honorary doctor of laws from the University of Regina at the most recent convocation ceremony.

By Bill Armstrong Photo by Don Hall, University of Regina Photography Department. Don and Claire Kramer.

laire and Don Kramer consider Two broad themes do stand out in the the community through the diversity themselves to be blessed to be areas they choose to support, however: of their programs, the quality of the in a position to share their good education and the fine arts. education they provide and the broad fortune. Now, because of their The couple manages their spectrum of research they conduct. Cphilanthropy and their commitment philanthropic activities primarily They both applaud as well the inspired to the community, the Kramers are the through a permanent endowment – the vision shown by the University of Regina most recent honorary degree recipients. Donald and Claire Kramer Foundation. and Dr. Lloyd Barber in creating the Don and Claire married in 1950, and It operates under the auspices of the predecessor of First Nations University began raising their family of five children Southern Saskatchewan Community of Canada. in Tisdale, where Don managed the local Foundation, which Don helped establish. While they strongly support post- branch of the family firm, then known as Some of the advantages of operating a secondary education, Don and Claire Kramer Tractor. “charity of charities”, he explains, are view it as a part of a personal journey. Claire was raised on the family ranch that it is large enough to provide donors Encouraging their five children – Donald, near Shaunavon, where she attended with expert and trustworthy financial Allen, Timothy, Mary Alice and Roberta a country school. She completed high management, and it can operate with its – to attend universities away from home. school by correspondence, and she own administration. “All I have to do is We thought of it “as another way of speaks admiringly of the teachers in prepare a letter once a year (stating the growing,” Claire states. those early rural schools. In 1948 she Foundation’s giving intentions) and put Over the years both have received graduated as an RN from the Grey Nuns a stamp on it. It’s a simple and reliable recognition for their involvement with School of Nursing in Regina. process,” he says. a list of community organizations Don received his early education in While the couple’s foundation too long to enumerate. Claire is an Calgary before studying engineering at supports a range of community honorary patron of the Saskatchewan the University of Saskatchewan, where organizations, it is clear that education Science Centre and the Saskatchewan he graduated in 1948. His father had is one area close to their hearts. Their Arts Council, and recipient of the started Kramer Tractor after seizing giving supports scholarships and awards Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. Don the opportunity to buy the Caterpillar to students attending both universities was the primary donor to the Kramer dealership in Saskatchewan. Don joined in the province, and SIAST. Some of IMAX Theatre, and in 2010 received the business after his graduation. Don the scholarships support students the province’s highest honour, the became president of the company in registered with St. Thomas More College Saskatchewan Order of Merit. They 1965, and remains chairman of the board, at the University of Saskatchewan and both were recipients of Outstanding having turned over day-to-day operation Campion College at the University of Philanthropist awards from the of the business (now called Kramer Regina, reflecting the couple’s special Association of Fundraising Professionals Limited) to their son Timothy in 1994. focus on supporting Catholic education. in 2009. In spite of that, both say they Through their participation with a The endowment is set up so that the didn’t see it coming when the University wide range of community and non-profit support for students “will go on forever,” of Regina proposed that they receive organizations, the couple has sunk deep Don states. honorary doctor of laws degrees at the roots in Saskatchewan. This is reflected Don and Claire recognize the fall 2012 convocation. in the long list of organizations that have contributions that the post-secondary “We are very humbled by this honour,” benefited from their charitable giving. institutions in the province make to says Claire. D

26 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Curtis Hamilton is a member of the University’s Campus Security team. He’s also a world-class skydiver. He made his first jump in 1990 and has amassed about 3,000 since. In 2011, Hamilton and two other University staff members were the recipients of the President’s Award for Service Excellence for saving the life of a faculty member who suffered a massive heart attack while on campus. These days, Hamilton has his sights on being part of a world record 500-person formation that would exceed the current record, a 400-person formation set in 2006.

D What drew you to skydiving? D In his recent world record jump, Felix Baumgartner free fell for over four As a child I was always looking to minutes from an altitude of 128,000 the sky and watching the clouds, feet. What is the highest altitude from wondering, wishing I could be up there which you’ve jumped and what’s your to play with the clouds. My brother is longest free fall? Given the opportunity a pilot and I went flying with him many would you jump from the altitude times and loved being in the sky. I Baumgartner did? thought skydiving would be fun and so I saved up the money to give it a try. The highest jumps that I have done have been from 17,500 feet. We D What is it about the sport that breathe oxygen while in the plane appeals to you? but disconnect from the oxygen when exiting. The freefall time from that In the beginning it had a lot to do with height is about 90–95 seconds. Would the sense of freedom and escaping I jump from 128,000 feet? Yes, in a the bonds of the earth. Later, I got into heartbeat. competition. The team I joined trained hard and we beat the existing Canadian D What would it mean to you to be part champions. From that we were selected of a world record formation dive? for the world competitions where we won a bronze medal. Since then I have It’s one of many goals in my life. I would been interested in team skydiving. I am get to meet 500–600 new friends all training with jumpers from all over the over the world. I am always training for world, meeting in one place, practising the next big thing. I also coach others for the biggest formation in the world. to improve their flying skills. This also it makes me a better flyer. D Does skydiving give you more a sense of falling or flying? D What are the insights into life you have gained considering you helped It is like flying, you move across the save a life and that you flirt with death sky while in freefall and then under every time you jump? parachute you are a glider and can travel a long distances, which aids in The day that my partner and I assisted the ability to land where you want to. in saving a life was life-changing. It I am one of the jumpers who land in comes back to training. Yes your mind Mosaic Stadium for halftime shows. races but you need to slow down, take a breath and stick to your training. And, D Have you ever had to open your I don’t consider it flirting with death; I reserve parachute? consider it flirting with life! Once. I was attending a canopy formation Canadian record attempt in Edmonton. On one of the jumps I had a line break upon opening at 12,500 For more information on feet. The broken line made the main Hamilton’s skydiving club, visit parachute very unstable, I knew I www.skydivesouthsask.ca. would not be able to land. I went to my reserve. When you look up and see your reserve it makes you feel real good.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 27 Enlightening frightening

When she’s not competing in roller derby, performing with her punk rock band or hosting a renegade arts and crafts sale, University of Regina graduate student Cassie Ozog can most often be found working on her master’s thesis. Her topic? The zombie apocalypse in popular culture. Turns out our current zombie fascination By Sabrina Cataldo, is in large part about escaping from our real BA’97, BJ’99, Cert. PR’04 Photos by Don Hall, University of Regina Photography Department. fears of total societal collapse. Additional photos by Rob Vida Photography.

Cassie Ozog.

28 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 n May 2012, the British Columbia government made and pandemic situations in 28 Days Later (2002), mistrust of national headlines for declaring “Zombie Preparedness authority and loss of public safety in Land of the Dead (2005), Week” on its Emergency Info BC website. The tongue-in- and overall breakdown of traditional values, social structure cheek campaign echoes one launched a year earlier by the and order in Zombieland (2009). IUnited States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Ozog says that film and television are a reflection of our (CDC). culture and therefore a safe place to examine the world in The CDC “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse” blog entry which we live and address our deepest fears. “When you go to explains the rationale for choosing zombies as a metaphor to a movie, you walk into a dark room and get completely lost promote emergency preparedness: “The rise of zombies in pop in that moment. It’s very visceral. You let yourself get scared, culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse but it’s a safe place to get scared. You have your popcorn, could happen. The proliferation of this idea has led many you’re with a large group of people, and you know that when people to wonder ‘How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?’ the lights come back on, you can walk out and say ‘it’s just a Well, we’re here to answer that question for you, and hopefully movie,’” she says. share a few tips about preparing for real emergencies too!” That Unlike other movie monsters, modern zombies bring with post generated so much traffic that it crashed the CDC website. them the total collapse of human society, which is what makes Clearly, the government agency had struck a chord. And them such an apt metaphor through which to explore what now, with the third season of the widely popular television we would do if our society ceased to exist due to a natural or show The Walking Dead underway, and numerous zombie human-created disaster. “Zombies are a catalyst. They tear video games and movies to be released in the coming months, down the backdrop of social rules and order,” Ozog says. “What the public’s preoccupation with the zombie apocalypse has is really scary is the idea of what humans will become when we grown stronger than ever. Vampires and aliens have come and lose those structures. When you tear away civilization, do we gone, but zombies continue to capture our interest, in some stay civilized because we’re naturally civilized, or does it fall cases, to the point of obsession. But why? away? Who are we? What aspects of humanity may be brought University of Regina sociology out in the process?” She points master’s candidate Cassandra out that the villains in zombie Ozog BA’09 has some theories. “Since the turn of the new millennium, movies are not the zombies, but “Some of the most popular and humanity and our culture has been other people. The Walking Dead ground-breaking zombie movies obsessed with death, destruction, and echoes this sentiment with its reflect many of North American season three promotional poster: society’s preoccupations and a fear of the end of the world.” “Fight the Dead. Fear the Living.” social anxieties. They almost Because it is such an unlikely always come at a time when we, as a society, are most terrified occurrence (hopefully), Ozog says that the zombie apocalypse on a large, often global, scale,” she says. “Since the turn of the serves as an escape from our real fears of societal collapse. new millennium, humanity and our culture has been obsessed “Governments know that health pandemics are a huge with death, destruction, and a fear of the end of the world. And possibility. The CDC uses zombies as a joke because it’s too what do zombies do better than showcase our greatest fear – scary to talk about events that leave you stuck in your house death.” with no food,” she says. “Real life is daunting. We don’t like Ozog’s sociology thesis, Fear Rises with the Dead: A Sociological thinking about the state of the world because we get bogged Analysis of Contemporary Zombie Films as Mirrors of Social Fears, down and overwhelmed, and we feel like we can’t do anything delves into the apocalyptic world of zombies through the about it. That hopelessness actually inspires us to seek out analysis of three popular films released between 2002 and horror films. What could be scarier than Hurricane Katrina? 2009. She examines the messages contained within the films The answer is zombies, but only marginally.” alongside the social, political, and historical context of the time While Ozog has always been interested in spooky comics in which they were released. and movies, she did not realize she could explore the topic She refers to the last 10 years as “a decade of fear” bookended academically until she took a horror fiction class during by Y2K and the prophesized end of the world in 2012. In her undergraduate degree in English and sociology. She between are a number of events that shook people’s sense of gave a presentation in that class on zombie films and social security and stability and, in many cases, changed their entire movements, and the topic stuck with her throughout the rest worldview. These include the events of September 11, 2001, of her studies. and the newfound widespread fear and paranoia of terrorism; Initially, her master’s thesis was the racialization of space Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, which led to a mistrust of and how racial ideas become attached to physical spaces such the authority figures and their ability to manage disaster and as Regina’s North Central neighbourhood, but zombies kept protect the public; the 2008 financial crisis and the resulting haunting her. “I found that I spent more time talking about collapse of the middle class and distrust of capitalism; flu my zombie idea than I did my actual thesis,” she says. Ozog epidemics like SARS and H1N1 and the threat of biological spoke to one of her committee members, who asked her how warfare; and the breakdown of traditional values, illustrated, she would feel if she did not write the zombie thesis and for example, by the ongoing battle to legalize gay marriage. someone else did. “I realized I would be heartbroken,” she says. When Ozog mapped the popularity of zombie films released by “I’ve always been very passionate about books, comics and major studios next to the upheavals in North American society movies, and the connection we have to them. I am obsessed over the last decade, she noticed a distinct pattern: “Zombies with analyzing texts and films. I find pop culture incredibly always seem to show up when we are going through a period of important because it speaks to who we are as a society at any extreme social turmoil and change.” particular moment in time. I just couldn’t turn the idea down.” In her research, Ozog tracks the shifts in how fears are Fortunately, Ozog’s advisor John Conway was just as excited represented through the analysis of three films that span the about her zombie thesis as she was. He says, “I share in the decade. “Each film became its own case study of a different popular fascination in the zombie phenomenon. I’ve been fear in our society,” she says. These include fear of disease watching The Walking Dead and I’ve seen all the movies she’s

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 29 At left: Ozog at work at the Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre on the U of R campus. Centre: Ozog performing with her band She Kills Me. At right: Ozog, (in black) co-captain of the Bone City Beaver Dames, roughs it up with a competitor. (Centre and right photos by Rob Vida Photography.)

dealing with.” When Ozog expressed an interest in zombies, he in bouts as a blocker, trains new members (fondly referred to as encouraged her to look at them from a sociological perspective. “Fresh Meat), and is co-captain of the Bone City Beaver Dames “We try to find ways for students to study what really interests home team. She compares writing her master’s thesis with the them. Sociology is a wonderful discipline because it’s wide roller derby term “opening your chest.” open – it studies everything,” he says. “In derby, you need to keep your chest protected because it’s Conway, who is the head of the Department of Sociology, says legal to hit someone in the chest,” Ozog says. “Writing a thesis, the sociological analysis of literature and art has a long history or anytime someone puts her writing on a piece of paper to in the discipline, and he often uses examples from pop culture give to the world, is the equivalent of showing your chest and in his own lectures. He describes Ozog’s graduate research as the most vulnerable point of you. Not everyone is going to take “quite a bright piece of work: very sophisticated, very analytical you seriously, but that’s okay. Sometimes, in life, you have to and very interesting.” Others in the sociology department have take a chance and open up your chest a little bit.” been equally supportive. Ozog still gets the odd strange look Ozog also credits her empowering experiences with derby when she tells members of the public her thesis topic, but she for giving her the courage to start her own business. She runs says that most people are genuinely curious in learning what the True Knit Art Show in Regina along with another derby she has to say about zombies. “They laugh and think it’s funny, member. Ozog says that they wrote their business plan in 45 but they want to know more,” she says. minutes on a Post-It note then applied for a business licence. Ozog has done a number of community presentations on her “I wouldn’t have started True Knit if I hadn’t done derby first. thesis, including sitting on a Regina Public Library panel where Derby teaches confidence in succeeding and confidence despite she spoke on the topic “What to Expect When You’re Expecting making mistakes. Making a mistake doesn’t mean failure. It a Zombie Apocalypse.” Conway says that the large turnouts just means that you have to work harder because you’re not at Ozog’s talks are due not only to public interest in zombies, there yet,” Ozog says. “Sometimes you can work really hard for but also to her ability to articulate deeper sociological issues in something and you still won’t get it. That’s a nice thing about an accessible and interesting way. “One of my pet peeves over derby, too. It teaches you to try, and lose with some humility.” the years is the use of jargon in every specialization. You can Fortunately, the gamble Ozog took on the art show was not a write intelligent sociological work without using unnecessary mistake. The True Knit Art Show has been very successful, with obscure language. Cassie writes very clearly and she explains its sixth event scheduled for December 15 in the University’s complex ideas in a way that people can grasp them,” he says. Multipurpose Room in the Riddell Centre. Ozog refers to Another reason why audiences relate so well to Ozog is the event as “a renegade arts and crafts sale” where you can because she is not afraid to admit that she is afraid, just like purchase everything from toques with Mohawks knitted into everyone else. “I’ve learned to look at my own fears. I’m not them, to bizarre art, to cool jewellery. The promotional poster immune to being scared of the end of the world and what that features a skull made out of a ball of yarn with a bow and Santa will look like,” she says. “I’m still scared when I watch the hat on top. The show is accessible and fun, with no-fee tables wrong horror movies. If I watch too many zombie films in a row, for crafters selling their wares, a DJ spinning tunes, and free I have nightmares.” She admits to being a “hoax” as an expert admission for shoppers. on the zombie apocalypse, because her idea of emergency In the midst of coaching derby, organizing craft shows, and preparedness is tossing a box of granola bars, a bag of pet food, a planning her own wedding, Ozog is also defending her master’s couple of cat harnesses and some beer into the basement. thesis this fall. After that, she is keeping her options open. “I She says that the process of writing a thesis on the zombie would like to teach. I can’t picture myself doing anything other apocalypse has been one of personal growth, because it has than teaching and writing at the university level,” she says. “I caused her to become honest about her own fears, weaknesses would like to do my PhD at some point. But I want to spend and anxieties. “That’s something people aren’t good at. It’s some time figuring out the next idea that is going to bug me the made me be more open and vulnerable, and I think that’s a same way that the zombie idea did, and I will follow that.” D good thing,” Ozog says. She knew that by choosing a non- traditional thesis topic, she was opening herself up to scrutiny Sabrina Cataldo is an award-winning communications consultant and that some people would question how serious she is who shares her Regina home with a blind dog and four cats, as well academically, “or, if you’re my dad, ask, ‘How are you going to as two foster cats from People for Animals. When she’s not singing get a job writing about zombie films?’” she laughs. in a Broadway/jazz choir (complete with jazz hands), she is sipping A member of the Pile o’ Bones Derby Club, Ozog participates green tea and preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

30 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Realize. You can make a difference. Call for Nominations:

Call for Nominations: ELECTION OF THE CHANCELLOR Election of University of Regina Senators On June 30, 2013, Dr. William F. Ready, Q.C. is ending his term Are you a University of Regina graduate? Consider nominating as Chancellor at the University of Regina. If you are a University a fellow alumnus for the 2013 Election of Senate District Representatives on Monday, May 27, 2013. of Regina graduate, please consider nominating a fellow alumnus for the next University of Regina Chancellor. Send in a Send us a nomination form signed by three graduates and endorsed by the nominee. Nominees must live in the district nomination form signed by seven graduates and endorsed by the for which they are nominated and must provide biographical nominee. information and a photograph.

The University Secretariat will accept nominations until Nominees must live in the province of Saskatchewan and have 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2013. been members of Convocation for 10 years or more. Nominations are called for the following: Nominations must include biographical information and a District 2 (Weyburn-Indian Head) Incumbent is not eligible for re-election. photograph of the nominee. District 5 (Maple Creek-Rosetown-Lloydminster) Appointment is eligible for the election: M. Friedrick. District 7 (Melfort-Wynyard-Davidson) The University Secretariat will accept nominations for Chancellor Incumbent is not eligible for re-election. until April 15, 2013. The election will take place at the Senate District 8 (Dundurn-Delisle) Eligible for re-election: A. Neilson. meeting on June 5, 2013. District 9 (North Battleford-Prince Albert) Eligible for re-election: R. Krismer. For more information, or to access nomination forms, visit www.uregina.ca/president/governance/senate For more information, or to access nomination forms, visit www.uregina.ca/president/governance/senate or call the University Secretariat at 306-585-4436. or call the University Secretariat at 306-585-4436.

U of R Alumni Contest Enter the University of Regina alumni “Stay Connected” contest for a chance to win great prizes:

Enter to win: A MacBook Air, iPad2 Volunteer mentorship opportunity or a travel gift card for U of R alumni! valued at $2500! You can make a difference in the lives of students in the UR Guarantee program by sharing your career knowledge and experience. Enter now and we’ll send you information about up-coming events, and the benefits of For more information please go to being U of R Alumni. www.uregina.ca/urguarantee/alumni.html or contact the UR Guarantee Program office www.uregina.ca/alumni/contest.htm toll-free: 1-877-666-0822 or phone: 306-337-3316 or Draw dates: e-mail: [email protected] November 2012, February and June 2013

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 31 Adventure Africa learing the customs and declined it. A few minutes later, Nana Global for almost 20 years. I figured immigration line as I arrived in Ama Agyemang greeted me and we were I could pass along some nuggets of Ghana from Dubai was a breeze off. But my initial impressions of this knowledge to those who report the – consisting of a perfunctory west African country had me smiling: news in this developing country with a Cinspection of my bags and a quick over the next five weeks, the warmth and population of 24 million. On my first day glance at my passport and visa. When I generous acts of Ghanaians would be at work, I accompanied a photojournalist reached the curb lugging two suitcases, repeated many times. and the station driver on a story about a knapsack and an oversized tripod Almost 30 years after entering the new a mother who had abandoned her baby carrier on wheels, it turned out my journalism program at the University of at a nearby hospital in Tema. Someone arranged ride – the country director for Regina, here I was in west Africa as an had shared a shocking cell phone video Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) – was expert trainer with JHR, an organization from the maternity ward, showing delayed. Two airport employees with ID committed to improving human rights nurses and visitors crowded around the badges approached me and expressed journalism in Africa. My employer, Shaw baby, which was born with harlequin concern that I had to wait. One offered Media – which owns Global Television – ichthyosis, a severe and rare skin disease to arrange a taxi; a few minutes later, the had given my time and paid my expenses characterized by plate-like skin and lips other offered to pay the taxi fare to my to come here. The assignment? Help and eyelids that are turned inside out. At hotel because I had no local currency young journalists working at Viasat 1, the hospital, the journalist, driver and yet. He told me I could reimburse him a new television station based in Accra, I knocked at the office of the hospital later – really? That’s a gesture no visitor the capital of Ghana. administrator, who welcomed us in could expect arriving in Toronto, where I’m used to training aspiring warmly and invited us to speak with I now live. I appreciated the offer but journalists: I’ve instructed interns at a dozen department heads about the

Global television reporter and U of R alumnus Sean O’Shea left his family and the comforts of his Toronto life for a five-week visit to the West African country of Ghana. O’Shea was on loan from his employer, Shaw Media, to work with Journalists for Human Rights, an organization committed to improving human rights journalism in Africa. And although O’Shea was in Africa to mentor young journalists, it was as much a learning experience for the veteran newsman. By Sean O’Shea BJ’84 Photos courtesy of Sean O’Shea 32 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 birth and the video, which we played prayer and ended with another, capped a gathering of 500, but the handshakes for the assembled group on my tablet off with a performance by traditional and greetings made me feel at home. computer. Yes, the director admitted, the drummers. Squeezed in the middle were While better off compared to most baby was born at his hospital; but the speeches of thanks and expressions of African nations, Ghana is a poor country. head of nursing said it had happened optimism. It was the most polite news But most of the people I met last summer months ago, and the baby had died. After conference I’ve ever attended. didn’t act poor, or think they were poor. a call to the producer in charge at Viasat Family values are reinforced daily. 1 and a discussion of whether this was Children help with chores. They walk newsworthy it was decided that there “A month in Ghana an hour or more each way to school was no story to report so we left. reminded me that there is and don’t complain. I always felt safe Back in Toronto, a journalist would so much more to learn. And navigating the streets alone on foot or never get such immediate access to riding a TroTro, the traditional, small hospital officials. A phalanx of PR people that people in other parts bus, where a dozen passengers jam in would screen questions and limit access of the world don’t measure together. I was stopped twice on the to the hospital until staff could figure happiness based on the size street and asked to zip up my knapsack out what to say and who, if anyone, because my laptop was peeking out. would say it. In Ghana, reporters can of their bank accounts or Don’t want to tempt the armed robbers, I still find officials who will come out and the car in their driveway.” was told. Another time, someone pointed talk. In some ways, the journalist’s job is out the $100 in Ghanaian currency that less frustrating. But it also requires a lot As a foreigner, I was frequently had fallen out of my pocket and told me I of patience. Take, for example, the news the object of attention – especially at should pick it up. conference scheduled by the Ghana Sunday church services. I accepted Ghana has no shortage of stories journalists association, outlining the several invitations from Ghanaians to tell. Air pollution is severe; drivers rules of conduct for private broadcasters since it seems almost everyone goes to disable emission controls on cars to get during this year’s national elections. It church on Sunday. The first time, after better mileage. It’s hard to breathe riding should have started at 10 a.m., but didn’t a three hour Anglican celebration, the in the back of a taxi. Men urinate freely get going until almost 11. I learned this pastor asked if anyone was visiting. My into open sewers that run through the was a normal delay. In Toronto, my hosts insisted I walk up to the pulpit, city. Thousands of renters have no indoor colleagues and I would have demanded where I found myself the only guest. toilets or bathing facilities. Since my the proceedings begin soon or we would The pastor hugged and welcomed me, a posting to Ghana also involved filing threaten to leave; in Ghana, no one was photographer snapped my picture and stories for Global News in Toronto, I fazed by being forced to wait. Reporters I was asked to talk about where I was produced a report about a controversial put their heads down on tables and from and who had brought me. I felt inner city slum where young people rested until the event began with one conspicuous as the only white person in burn electronic waste in order to

Opposite page: Alumnus Sean O’Shea pauses with some young Ghanaian friends while shooting one of his stories on a street in Accra, Ghana. Above left: O’Shea with one of the Viasat 1 anchors. Above right: O’Shea interviewing the director of Elmina Castle, the oldest European building below the Sahara desert.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 33 Left: O’Shea with a group of Ghanaian nursing students. In one of the stories he filed from Ghana, O’Shea profiled the partnership between the University of Ghana and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Right: O’Shea outside Elmina Castle with some Ghanaian youngsters. The castle is a popular historical site and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

reclaim metal. One eight-year-old boy then, true to Ghana’s constitution, the and improve their craft. I interviewed had blood on his hands vice-president was sworn into office on As I got ready to leave Ghana, in the from smashing an old television set live television and peace prevailed. midst of preparing for the state funeral to strip off the metal, which he would I took my camera and began for its late president, I felt like I was the later sell for pennies. Another story was interviewing young people on the street. one who had been the trainee – shades about why Ghanaians carry multiple cell Many were in tears; most described of my journalism school internship at phones and have as many as eight phone the loss of their beloved president as a the Edmonton Journal. Even though numbers, and why rates are so cheap tragedy. I was struck by the sincerity I’ve covered so many stories – from (the answer is lots of competition). But of the answers and how the Ghanaians elections, to space shuttle missions, to one story that won’t make the lineup in spoke so proudly about their country. For natural disasters, to consumer scams Ghana’s newsrooms has to do with gay the next week, television anchors wore all these years since leaving the prairies and lesbian rights. In a country where black on air as the country observed a – a month in Ghana reminded me that homosexuality is still illegal, editors period of official mourning. there is so much more to learn. And that say most people agree that the current In five weeks, I learned to better people in other parts of the world don’t system is just fine and doesn’t need appreciate the resources we all take for measure happiness based on the size of changing. Or reporting on. granted. Water and electricity didn’t their bank accounts or the car in their Politically, except for the issue of gay always flow; I tried to use less of both, driveway. Most don’t own a car. rights, Ghana is a hotbed for debate and realizing their scarcity. I loved how Saying good-byes to the friends I’d discussion – a lot like Saskatchewan. people greet one another on the street made, something else struck me. No When I first moved to Regina from with “hello” and “good morning.” one asked if I planned to come back to Calgary for university, I was struck Strangers who ask for your mobile Ghana. Instead, everyone with whom I by how politically aware people are. I phone number to stay in touch will call had the discussion asked WHEN I’d be particularly remember farmers on their to check in. One fellow I met telephoned returning. Presumptuous? Perhaps. It’s tractors calling into CBC radio to share me at five in the morning to see if I was not the landscape of the country that their views. In Ghana, where there are all right. Hard to get upset at him for the would make someone book another trip. dozens of daily and weekly newspapers call since the rooster outside my window It’s the kind-heartedness of the people, and no fewer than 10 television stations, had already made sure that I was up like the guy who’d pay for your airport political reporting and commentary anyway. cab. D is a bread and butter business. Where Journalists in Ghana are often paid morning TV shows in North America poorly and sometimes give up the career Sean O’Shea is an award-winning focus on celebrity news and lifestyle if they can find a job that pays more. In investigative and consumer reporter for issues, Ghanaian audiences can’t get my writing and production workshops, Global television in Toronto, where he has enough political coverage, especially we worked on how to raise the bar in worked more than 25 years. He has won during this election year. Campaigning a competitive media environment. prestigious national investigative prizes for for the December vote began in early Broadcasters in Ghana don’t have the excellence from the Radio Television News spring, but an event in July changed tools and toys of television networks Directors Association and is a contributing everything. Ghana’s sitting president, in Canada like satellite trucks, laptop correspondent to 16:9, Global News’ John Evans Atta Mills, died suddenly of editing systems and large staffs. At Viasat magazine program. He has reported on a heart attack. A colleague and I were 1, there is just one landline telephone in events including space shuttle launches and having coffee at a restaurant when the the newsroom to make outgoing calls. countless federal, provincial and municipal news broke. People crowded around the But by Ghana’s standards, its newsroom elections – as well as election campaigns TV, an important source of news. For a is one of the best equipped – with large in Haiti and El Salvador. He spent part of couple of hours, the public and press Apple computer screens and a virtual the summer of 2012 in Ghana on the Shaw feared the military might seize power news studio set. Most important, the Africa project with Journalists for Human given there had been a coup in 1981. But young editorial staff is keen to learn Rights.

34 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 Alumni Association President’s Message

I treasure family gatherings. transformed into a stunning Achievement Awards, we are various disciplines all around Going home to familiar dining hall flooded with golden actively involved in providing the world and ultimately help surroundings, savouring light and music. A full house scholarships, sponsorships, students from kindergarten to carefully prepared home of individuals associated with branch support, mentoring and post-secondary in our province cooking, listening to the old the University and members of communication. We engage in achieve success. stories, basking in family the community came together University and alumni events I am honoured to give back in hospitality and honouring the to honour five distinguished every chance we get. my capacity as URAA president. roots of my life are just some alumni award recipients. Our In October, more than 600 I have deep respect for those of my family traditions. Some 2012 award recipients came students graduated from our who set the URAA on such a of the University of Regina’s home to our University with University and joined the other firm foundation and, with the family traditions were on full their proud families and friends 60,000 alumni who call the support of our strong board display in September, when to celebrate with us. Their University of Regina their alma of Directors, I will build upon we hosted the 2012 Alumni incredible accomplishments mater. I had the pleasure to that. On behalf of our entire Crowning Achievement and acceptance speeches were be at the fall convocation and Board, stay engaged with Awards. Dedicated staff from an inspiration for us all. They shook hands with each one of your Association and with our the University of Regina and represent the very essence of those graduates who crossed University. relentless volunteers from the excellence for the University of the stage and wished them I hope to meet you at one University of Regina Alumni Regina. Our Alumni Association much success and asked them of our future events like Slam Association (URAA) Board rolled is the leading proponent of to stay in touch with us. Dunk on February 9, 2013. For up their sleeves in partnership our University and our alumni I am most grateful for my more information on upcoming and created an elegant dinner who are making a difference education from the University events, please visit our website in autumn splendour featuring throughout the world. Our key of Regina. It has made all the at www.uregina.ca/alumni. Saskatchewan pickerel and objective is to connect alumni difference in my life. It opened fiddleheads. The evening with each other and with the doors that allowed me to Gwen Keith BEd’74, MEd’77, even included hand-painted University of Regina. work in senior educational PGDEA’83, MEd’84 cookies. The Terrace, Innovation In addition to our signature administration for over 20 years. President Place’s flagship building, was event, the Alumni Crowning It enabled me to network with

The Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards dinner was a huge success thanks to our generous 2012 sponsors!

Thank you for your support of our celebration of outstanding alumni.

Degrees | fall/winter 2012 35 the University of Regina has been an 1960–1989 important part of Leonard’s life. Ruth Warick BA’69, MA’83, MEd’90 UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS After earning a PhD in genetics and received the 2012 President’s Staff Slam Dunk of an Evening Award for Advancing Diversity and completing six years of postdoctoral Inclusion at the University of British work in the same field,Max Slam Dunk of an Evening will be even bigger and better this year. Columbia. Warick has been active in Mariasegarem BScHon’97 has been Mark this date on your calendar. accepted into the graduate medical promoting accessibility for diverse Saturday, February 9 – Gym 1, CKHS Building populations, mainly in disability program at the University of Sydney in Australia. He credits his sense Family fun 4:30 - 6 p.m. services and has helped implement Women’s basketball 6:15 p.m. programs such as the Mentorship of service to his years of study at Men’s basketball 8 p.m. Program for Students with an Autism Campion College. Spectrum Disorder. We’re adding more inflatable jumpers and special treats for the kids, Laura Pettigrew BMus’97, MMus’01 as well as interactive games for families and friends. Take the whole Author Winona Kent BA’74, BAHC’75 received a commission from Karen gang to watch the U of R Cougars in back-to-back women’s and men’s Gustafson of the University of has released her third novel, Cold basketball games against the Lethbridge Pronghorns. More details Alaska, Fairbanks to write a musical Play, which takes place in Alaska coming soon! on an old cruise ship. You can read piece for the institution’s Borealis more about Kent and her other Brass Ensemble. Pettigrew’s work Tranquilittas Animi “peace” will University of Regina Alumni Branches works on her website at http://www. Get connected to the U of R alumni community in your region. winonakent.com. be premiered and performed at numerous sacred venues in Rome, Participate in social and professional networking opportunities, share your knowledge with current and prospective students, or get involved Marie Powell BFA’80, BAJ&C’88, Italy, this winter. in planning alumni activities. MA’01 won first place in the To find out more about what is happening in your area, please Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Short 2000–2012 Manuscript Awards for fiction, contact your branch representative: non-fiction and poetry for her works Terri Fidelak BA’03, Laura Hale • National Capital Region (NCR) Ottawa – Joanne Pomalis BSc’86, Urban Glances, Angelwing and One BPAS’91, Sandra Ledingham BA’70 [email protected] Week in Wales. and Anita Smith BFA’03 were some • Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – Leah Morrigan BFA’96, of the artists chosen for the Artist [email protected] Ross King BA’83, MA’86 received in Residence program for the 100th • Saskatoon – Stormy Holmes BASc’98, CA’01, the 2012 Governor General’s Literary anniversary of the Saskatchewan [email protected] Award for his non-fiction work legislative building in Regina. • Calgary – Stuart Quinn BAdmin’81, [email protected] Leonardo and the Last Supper. Each artist will be asked to create • Edmonton – Brad Rollins BAdmin’78, [email protected] two pieces, one to be displayed • Vancouver – Danny Greene BAdmin’01, [email protected] permanently in the legislative If you would like to become involved and there isn’t an active group, 1990–1999 building, and will also be given or would like more information about volunteering, please contact Lana Krogan-Stevely BA’90 was the opportunity for a two-week Alumni Relations by calling (306) 585-4838 or toll free 1-877-779-4723, appointed a judge of the Court of residency. or e-mail [email protected]. Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan. Krogan-Stevely was part of the Cheryl Andrist BFA’04 recently University of Regina Senate from completed a metal sculpture 2006 to 2010. She has been with installation and unveiling for the Attention Beijing Alumni the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice City of Estevan. Since 2008 she since 2003. has taught art classes in a variety Please ensure the Department of External Relations has your up-to-date of subjects. Andrist and fellow contact information so the University can keep you abreast of University Ken Howell BSc’91, DAA’92 relocated University of Regina student Diana news, announcements and highlights including information of particular to Winnipeg in 2003 and has been Hume have teamed up to create an interest to alumni in Beijing. See page 3 for contact information. recently named executive partner in exhibit called Phenomenal Reality, the Winnipeg location of Paradigm which opened in Regina in February Consulting Group, also known as 2012. the character of Yorick, the skull in Symphony Orchestra, Regina Globe PCGI Consulting Services. Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Theatre and Regina Lyric Musical Victor Cicansky DFA (Honorary)’07 Theatre, has appeared on CBC’s Karen Smith CA’92 is a founding received the 2012 Lieutenant Craig Oliver LLD(Honorary)’09, InSecurity, and much more. member of the Saskatchewan Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime veteran journalist and chief political Administrative Tribunals Association Achievement. Cicansky is an correspondent for CTV News, After graduating with an MA in and the first elected president in internationally recognized ceramicist received the Order of Canada for his 2011, Janet Nicolson has pursued 2012. with works in the permanent lifetime of outstanding achievement a communications career at the collections of the National Gallery of and service to the nation. MS Society of Canada. In the year Graduating with a BAAdv in 1994 Canada and the Saskatchewan Arts and a half that she has worked from Campion College, Patti Leonard Board. Tahirih Vejdani BMus’09 made her there, she has seen the difference (nee Barber) continued her studies debut appearance at the Stratford her workplace makes in the lives in Newfoundland where she met her Kyle Markewich BFA’09 performed Shakespeare Festival’s 60th of people affected by multiple husband in St. Johns. They now live in and wrote one-man play The Rest is season in the productions of The sclerosis. The hands-on skills she Texas with their four children. As the Silence for the Regina Fringe Festival. Pirates of Penzance and Elektra. learned while studying at the U of R youngest child of Dr. Lloyd Barber, In this play, Markewich brings to life She has performed with the Regina has had great benefit in her work.

36 Degrees | fall/winter 2012 The Thank you to all President’s our donors! Gala 2011-2012 Annual Report to Donors Realize. Opportunity through generosity.

Thank you to the sponsors and participants for making the President’s Gala an outstanding success. Premier Sponsors McDougall Gauley LLP Pattison MGM Architectural Services

RBC Royal Bank SaskTel Viterra Supporters Alliance Energy Ledcor Group of Companies Stantec

Gifts in Kind Avram Events CTV Leader-Post Merit Travel The 2011-2012 Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan Rawlco Radio Annual Report to Donors Building is now available online at Knowledge www.uregina.ca/campaign The College Avenue Campus Renewal Project

See how good your quote can be. At TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, we know how important it is to save wherever you can. As a member of University of Regina Alumni Association, you can enjoy preferred group rates on your home and auto “My group rates insurance and other exclusive privileges, thanks to our partnership with your association. You’ll also benefit from great coverage and outstanding saved me a lot of money.” service. We believe in making insurance easy to understand so you can choose your coverage with confidence. – Miika Klemetti Satisfied client since 2008

Insurance program endorsed by Get an online quote at www.melochemonnex.com/uregina or call 1-866-352-6187 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. The program is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in the rest of Canada. Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *No purchase required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible persons belonging to employer, professional and alumni groups which have an agreement with and are entitled to group rates from the organizers. Contest ends on January 31, 2013. 1 prize to be won. The winner may choose the prize between a Lexus RX 450h with all basic standard features including freight and pre-delivery inspection for a total value of $60,000 or $60,000 in Canadian funds. The winner will be responsible to pay for the sale taxes applicable to the vehicle. Skill-testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Complete contest rules available at www.melochemonnex.com/contest. ®/ The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

17-MM8834-12_MMI.EN•uregina (6.5x4).indd 1 12-04-20 2:19 PM Degrees | fall/winter 2012 37

Projet : Annonce MMI 2012 Province : Nova Scotia Épreuve # : 1 Client : Meloche Monnex Publication : Tidings Date de tombée : 24/04/2012 No de dossier : Format : 7x7.625 16-MM8834-12_MMI.EN•ukings (7x7.625) Couleur : Quad Graphiste : Yannick Decosse

Hamelin Martineau • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O. Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842 4416 F : 514 844 9343 ATTENTION : Merci de vérifier attentivement cette épreuve afin d’éviter toute erreur. Realize. Climate changes everything.

ater and energy. We take them for granted every time we turn on a tap or a light switch.

WYet climate fluctuation is creating an uncertain future for these precious resources. photo: Kazmi Scientists like Gordon Huang and David Sauchyn are working hard to understand the affects of climate change and why the Prairies seem to be warming faster than the global average.

Huang, a professor of engineering and a Canada Research Chair in Energy and Environment, is developing ground-breaking watershed management models under the influence of changing climatic conditions. He's also working on a risk management system for natural and human-induced disasters.

Sauchyn is one of Canada's foremost experts in climate change research and adaptation. A University of Regina geography professor and senior research scientist at the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative, Sauchyn studies how the Western Canadian climate of the past millennium can inform us about what to expect in the future.

Huang and Sauchyn were among 70 scientists from around the world who participated in the recent conference Storm Warning: Water, Energy and Climate Security in a Changing World. Dr. David Sauchyn Co-sponsored by the University of Regina, the conference brought together international Dr. Gordon Huang experts to address the significant uncertainties facing the world in these times of climatic change.

www.uregina.ca