v The University of Regina Magazine STILLED LIFE

an early snowfall

we are frozen in a crystal of dislocated time

Russian olive willow have not shed their leaves

the aspen trees glow-- bosc pears against damask

time and air so stilled that above the pewter lake cries of birds shaped like flight hang soundless in downy throats

by Kathleen Wall Faculty member, Department of English A frozen Wascana Lake provides a temporary respite for Canada Geese before flying south for the winter. According to Wascana Centre, an average of 225 pairs of geese nest each spring in Wascana Centre. Both the main University of Regina campus and the historic College Avenue campus are located in Wascana Centre, the largest urban park in Canada and the first to be created by a tri-level government/education partnership. Photo by Don Hall, AV Services.

Degrees fall 2007 1 On July 10, John Griffiths, I enjoyed “The Times They I just received and read the University of Regina alumnus John approached his life and Were a Changin” article in the new edition of Degrees— and long time faculty member his work with dedication, spring 2007 issue of Degrees outstanding in format and in the Department of Music, patience, wisdom, humour and its account of student content! What a wonderful died suddenly at the tender and passion. In so many activism then (the sixties and improvement over the previous age of 59. ways, John Griffiths was one seventies) and now. I was periodical. Congratulations to of a kind. And yet, as I look amused, though, by the my old friend from U of S Death is never easy to through the pages of this article’s full-page photograph radio (CJUS-FM), Jim Tomkins, accept, but death that comes issue of Degrees, I can’t help of a group of “groovy students on his appointment as so soon before its time is but conclude that the (hanging) out” in the Archer president. Wonder how many even harder to comprehend. University of Regina is Library. The photo is actually knew that Jim had a radio For those who knew him, and blessed with a lot of people not of a group of campus background? there were many, it’s difficult who share John’s love of life radicals, but rather of a high to think of the University of and love of teaching. school class touring the Garry Shepp (Sheporaitis) Regina without John Roger University, circa 1972. I know, BEd'70 Griffiths. In the pages that follow you’ll because I was leading the tour Nanoose Bay, B.C. come to know a few more of and am the scruffy looking John was THE tuba guy. If those people. People like tour guide in the photo. there was any doubt, all you Charity Marsh, a dedicated The latest edition of the had to do was check out his researcher who is studying, Degrees publication is looking website (thetubaguy.com) or among other things, good. I not only liked the his personalized licence plate Aboriginal hip hop culture written content but (TUBAGUY). and is committed to building appreciated the photos as connections between the well...striking a nice balance. John had an international University and the community. That photo inside the front reputation as a first rate There’s the late Duncan cover is absolutely musician, as a soloist, and as Blewett who “loved teaching brilliant...certainly award a recording artist. He first-year students and worthy. Keep up the performed around the world making psychology come outstanding work. and had U.S. and Canadian alive” and played an tour dates scheduled for his important role in ground Cheers, sabbatical next year. breaking psychiatric treatment Don Millard being conducted in Those were heady days indeed Those of us on campus had Saskatchewan in the 1950s. at the then Regina Campus the pleasure of receiving And then there’s this year’s and I echo John Conway’s Just got the latest copy of John’s frequent, good- outstanding quartet of Alumni comments that many of us felt Degrees in the mail, and humoured emails. Whether he Crowning Achievement Award we could change the world. wanted to congratulate you on was selling a chainsaw (Big, winners. the great new look and the Honkin’ Fer Sale), offering up his services as a handyman Sincerely, fantastic content. While The (No job too small!), or I trust you will find these Bob Ellis, BA’70, MA’78 Third Degree was a perfectly soliciting the University stories entertaining and good magazine, Degrees is a community to sponsor him in enlightening. I hope they quantum leap for the better in a motorcycle ride to support invigorate you. Above all, I Congratulations on the new all areas. breast cancer screening, hope that they give you a design for Degrees. Count me John’s emails lightened our sense of the extraordinary among the enthusiastic when Congrats, again. days and brought smiles to people associated with the you're assessing people's Chris Petty our faces. University of Regina, people reaction to the changes. Communications Director like John Griffiths, who greet UBC Alumni Affairs For sure, John was the every day with passion and All good wishes, tubameister—but as his purpose. Gail Bowen friend and colleague Dick Raum would tell you—he was Greg Campbell so much more. He also Editor excelled at many other pursuits: as a cook, adjudicator, administrator, motorcycle aficionado, comedian, animal lover, mechanic, carpenter, and of course, as a teacher.

2 Degrees fall 2007 Editor Greg Campbell '85, '95

Communications Director Paul Corns

Alumni Association Board 2007-08 Loni Kaufmann ’95 President The University of Regina Magazine Charlene Banjac ’98, ’06 First V-P Fall 2007 volume 19, no. 2 Sean McEachern ’03 Second V-P

Colin Woloshyn ’99 V-P Finance

Brian Munro ’96 Past-President

Mike Burton Margaret Dagenais ’87, ’91, ’97 Teresa Drew ’01 On the cover: Eekwol is featured in David Sealy’s story about hip hop culture beginning Rebbeca Gibbons ’99 Matt Hanson‚ 94, 97 on page 26. Neil Jacoby ’74 Richard Kies ’93, ’03 Jay Kirkland ’99 Scott Nicholson ’93 ’96 Brenda Oliver

Contributors Gregory Abraszko Bill Armstrong Marie Powell Mendenhall ’80, ’88, ’01 Brian Miller ’89, ‘95 David Sealy Shanan Sorochynski ’02 Brittany Staines 10 16 26 All photos by AV Services unless otherwise noted. Original design and layout by Bradbury Branding and Design. features departments Degrees is published twice a year by External Relations at the University of Regina. The magazine is mailed to alumni Ready—willing and able 8 Feed Back 2 and friends of the University. Ideas and Meet William F. Ready Q.C., the opinions published in Degrees do not President’s Note 4 necessarily reflect those of the editor, the University of Regina’s new Alumni Association, or the University of chancellor. Around Campus 5 Regina. Letters and editorial contributions are welcome. Advertising The remarkable legacy of Spot Light 21, 44 inquiries are invited. Duncan Blewett 10 Focal Point 24 The life and times of the To reach us: founder of the University of Alumni News 36 Regina psychology department Editorial/Advertising/Letters Class Notes 40 Degrees, External Relations and one of the pivotal figures in 210 North Residence, University of Regina the pioneering LSD treatment 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK, S4S 0A2 programs used to treat Ph: (306) 585-4402 Fax: (306) 585-4997 schizophrenics and alcoholics Email: [email protected] in Saskatchewan in the 1950s. Address Change Alumni Relations The art of the sale 16 210 North Residence, University of Regina Two young U of R graduates are 3737 Wascana Parkway finding success in the art gallery Regina, SK, S4S 0A2 Ph: (306) 585-4112 Fax: (306) 585-4997 business. Email: [email protected] Toll-free: 877-779-4723(GRAD) Eekwol opportunity 26 (in Canada and U.S.) Meet First Nations University of University of Regina homepage Canada graduate Lindsay www.uregina.ca Knight a.k.a. Eekwol—a Publication Mail Agreement Number Saskatoon-based hip hop artist. 40065347 Return undeliverable magazines to: A Letter to Emily 32 External Relations 210 North Residence, University of Regina Former University of Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway English faculty member Joan Regina, SK, S4S 0A2 Givner reflects on the ISSN 0843-7092 posthumous publishing of her daughter’s first book.

Degrees fall 2007 3 President’s Note It seem like everyone’s talking Whether from the perspective In the roll-up of all this activity about the good times in of the artist, the historian, the we can catch a glimpse of Saskatchewan these days. philosopher, the engineer, the what we like to refer to as our Could it really be that the policy advocate or any of the “academic mission”, a mission boom times are with us? The academic or research interests that finds its meaning in economic measures are that flourish on our campus, relevance. We have a role to compelling. New housing our province needs to hear play in commenting on change starts are up substantially, from us. and the kind of growth that unemployment is among the can be managed to benefit the people of our province. We lowest in the country, natural We are also a direct also have a role to play in resource and agricultural contributor to social, cultural contributing to that progress commodity prices are at record and economic progress. Our through our graduates and highs, investment and people graduate programs are are finding the atmosphere research and our expanded expanding, supporting more international involvement. This friendly in our province these second degree and days. issue of Degrees gives you a professional programs. We taste of that contribution. know that as students It is a time of growth and progress into graduate study, change. It is precisely at these In the pages that follow you’ll they are more likely to moments when universities read about the intriguing develop research and should play a meaningful role research of Charity Marsh, one professional networks and of our recent Canada Research by interpreting change, become established in our Chairs, and how her providing context, province. Some of our research examination of Canadian understanding our history to is leading to commercial Aboriginal hip hop culture is better define our opportunities adding understanding to our and the potential risks of opportunity which leads to world. There’s the story of two unmanaged change. more fully developing and diversifying our economy and enterprising graduates with a passion for the art gallery The heart of the University’s society. business who are contributing mission statement reads: “By to our province economically interpreting the past and Our students are the next generation of scientists, and culturally. And, you can examining and clarifying also read the four of our engineers, business innovators contemporary thinking we exceptional alumni who and policy makers. They are shape the possibilities of the continue to contribute to our tomorrow’s leaders, on the future. We are open to change communities. and enthusiastic about cusp of entering the labour investigation and creativity. We force and bringing with them Let’s take advantage of this combine a unity of purpose their own talents, ideals, and moment, employing our with a diversity of outlook.” sensibilities to our robust and creativity and enthusiasm to diversifying economy. And, shape the possibilities of a Reflecting those values and these students are arguably great and growing future in interests, it is vitally important better qualified to deal with our province and our world. that Saskatchewan people the challenges of this rapidly hear from their University. Our changing world than any Jim Tomkins voices should be heard. previous generation of students.

4 Degrees fall 2007 Right: Department of Media Production and Studies faculty member Mark Wihak.

Far right: University officials join family members of former University president John Archer for a ceremony marking the unveiling of the Archer commemorative display on June 15.

Bottom: Consumer rights activist Ralph Nader delivers a lecture on the global economy at the Education Auditorium on Sept. 19.

Briefly is now known as the Johnson chancellor was one of the On Sept. 19 consumer rights Shoyama Graduate School of highlights of the University’s activist Ralph Nader paid a Three cheers for Campion Public Policy, a provincial annual spring convocation visit to the University to College on the occasion of its school with operations at the ceremonies at the Conexus deliver a lecture on global 90th anniversary. The U of R and the U of S. The Arts Centre in Regina on June economy as part of the Social celebrations culminate with a school was named for two of 6. Luther College student Policy Research Unit’s special weekend of activities the leading figures in the Sherry Anne Rapley “Rethinking Productivity Oct. 26-28. Campion College is history of public service in BA(Hons)’07 earned both the Speaker Series”. The lecture the only Jesuit, liberal arts Saskatchewan—Albert Johnson President’s Medal and S.E. series is designed to explore university college in Canada. and Thomas Shoyama. The Stewart Award in Arts. She is a alternative ideas of two helped define the nature founding member of the productivity. The series has Media Production and Studies of public service both in the Creative Avenue Artists also included lectures by faculty member Mark Wihak’s province and throughout Collective where she has Academy Award-winning BFA’90 feature film RIVER Canada beginning in the helped co-ordinate events that director Oliver Stone, journalist create community among debuted at the 31st Montreal 1940s. Wendy Mesley and anti-nuclear artists and other groups in World Film Festival in August. advocate Helen Caldicott. Regina. She has also The film was shot on location The Dr. John Archer Library is volunteered in Zambia using in Regina, St. Louis and Swift celebrating its 40th The University of Regina’s drama and music to Current, Sask. RIVER was anniversary this month. On Board of Governors has communicate messages of approved a balanced operating directed and produced by June 15, friends and family of non-violence and self-esteem Wihak and the story was the late president gathered in at schools and children’s budget and a comprehensive developed by Wihak and the front of the library that bears hospitals. budget plan for 2007-2008. film’s lead actors, Maya his name to unveil a The University will commit Batten-Young BFA’07 and commemorative display that A recent study concluded that $212 million from all sources Adam Budd BFA’03. The film's contains Archer’s Order of 97.5 per cent of the University’s in 2007-2008 to meet the five-person crew included Canada, Saskatchewan Order 2004-2005 graduates are demand for quality, accessible Ryan Good BFA’06, Trixi of Merit, Anglican Order of gainfully employed. The study undergraduate and graduate Moersch BFA’07 and Davin Merit, and his Second World was conducted by the programs and leading areas of Robbins BFA’07. RIVER made War service medals. Archer Government of Saskatchewan’s research. The budget included: its Regina debut October 18 at was the first president of the Department of Advanced the third straight year with no the Regina Public Film Theatre. University. Education and Employment. increase to domestic A copy of the complete study is undergraduate tuition; an The University’s Graduate The installation of Jim Tomkins available at: increase in total available School of Public Policy has as the University of Regina’s www.aee.gov.sk.ca/graduate- funding for student financial undergone a name change—it sixth president and vice- outcomes. assistance; and, more than

Degrees fall 2007 5 Louise Ashcroft-the girl in Ipanema Rachelle Viader Knowles Thomas Hadjistavropoulos John Griffiths

$35 million for capital workshop Aug. 13-14, the first international multi-sport event. where they explored, hands- projects. The investments will time this national event has Ashcroft was assigned to on, ancient and contemporary be directed to achieve the been held at the U of R. The boxing and weightlifting and is elements of the art form. The goals set out in the workshop involved Canadian excited by the prospects of group then returned to Lima University’s five-year strategic physicists from nine volunteering at the Beijing and and visited the sacred site of plan, Building on Progress: the institutions, and focused on Whistler Olympic Games. Pachacamac in the desert Plan for 2004-09. Canada’s participation in outside the city to view other www.uregina.ca/orp ATLAS, the so-called “Big Bang Carmen Roberston, Department forms of architecture and Machine” experiment that will of Visual Arts and Mark history. ARTSask is an online begin operation later this year Anderson of Luther College interactive website where in Switzerland. ATLAS is the conducted a study abroad visitors can learn about visual largest experiment in the program in Peru with 12 Awards and recognitions art and artists in three history of the physical students. Robertson taught a languages: English, French, sciences. The experiment course that explored how Since gaining its degree and a prototype theme in involves 35 countries, 164 indigenous art of the Andes is granting status in 1974, the University of Regina has Cree. The project is a institutions and close to 2,000 displayed and promoted in conferred degrees, diplomas collaboration between the scientists. It is based at the Peru. Anderson taught a and certificates on more than University of Regina, Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a course that complimented the 50,000 students. This year, Saskatchewan Learning, the new particle accelerator art history course and looked four more of our distinguished Mendel Art Gallery and the located near Geneva, closely at colonization and graduates have joined the list MacKenzie Art Gallery. The site Switzerland at CERN, the decolonization in Peru since of Alumni Crowning is designed to engage world’s largest particle physics contact. The program visited Achievement Award (see story students in elementary laboratory. The $9.5 billion the National Archaeological page 38) recipients: Ken schools, as well as secondary LHC is located 100 metres museum in Lima and toured Howland BA’66, BEd’69- and post-secondary students. underground in a 16-mile long the colonial heart of the city. Lifetime Achievement Award; Presenting the content in Cree circular tunnel which runs Students then flew to Cusco Dale Eisler BA’70-Distinguished also supports programs that under the Franco-Swiss border. and spent 10 days visiting Alumni Award for Professional teach Cree as a second local Inca and pre-Inca sites. Achievement; Greg Fieger language in schools in In July, Louise Ashcroft, a Two days were spent at Machu BA’78, BSW’81, MA’90-Dr. Saskatchewan and the Prairies. physiotherapist from the Picchu and two days in the Robert and Norma Ferguson www.artsask.ca University’s Allied Health Sacred Valley. Students Award for Outstanding Service; Centre, was part of the attended a day-long workshop Todd Bryanton BA’03- The University of Regina Canadian delegation at the on backstrap weaving at an Outstanding Young Alumni hosted the 6th Canadian Pan American Games in Rio de indigenous woman's Award. ATLAS particle physics Janeiro, Brazil. It was her first cooperative in Chinchero

6 Degrees fall 2007 Rory MacDonald, a faculty water quality of Regina’s 2007. His term extends until Following music study at the member in the Department of Wascana Lake. The experiments Dec. 31, 2008. Knuttila has university level he went on to Visual Arts, won the 2007 were conducted in conjunction served the University of Regina become an internationally Winifred Shantz Award for with Wascana Centre Authority. since 1977. He was dean of acclaimed tuba artist, excelling Ceramicists. The award was The pair is expecting results Arts from 1995 to 2002 and equally as concert soloist, presented to MacDonald at a early in 2008. assistant dean and department brass quintet member, reception in Waterloo, Ont. on head prior to that. symphony player, soloist with Sept. 20 and is worth $10,000. Charity Marsh, a professor in bands and orchestras, and the Faculty of Fine Arts, has Rod Kelln has been appointed recording artist throughout Rachelle Viader Knowles, a been named as the University’s acting associate vice-president Canada and the U.S. He also professor in the Department of ninth Canada Research Chair. (research) through April 30, performed in Russia, Italy, Visual Arts, was one of five Marsh’s research focuses on 2008 with specific focus on Finland and Hungary. finalists for the $50,000 Sobey the areas of DJ cultures, administrative aspects of His frequent presence as Art Award, Canada’s most Indigenous hip hop culture, management of the Office of featured artist has been a prestigious contemporary art (see story page 26) and the Research Services. Kelln is drawing card at international prize for artists under 40 years relationship between place, also the dean of the Faculty of brass and tuba-euphonium of age. The five Sobey Art space and performance. Graduate Studies and conferences and festivals, and Award finalists have been Research, a role he will be he was the performer of many given the opportunity to Two University of Regina continuing. world premieres of tuba display their work in a special Engineering professors have works. From 1982, he held the exhibition at the Art Gallery of been awarded a total of Harvey King has been position of principal tuba in Nova Scotia, in Halifax. The $166,327 in federal funding to appointed the director of the the Regina Symphony exhibition runs to Dec. 2, work on separate research Centre for Continuing Orchestra. When not travelling 2007. projects related to energy and Education. and giving master classes and sustainability. The funding was brass clinics, or adjudicating at University of Regina announced recently as part of Richard Kleer, associate music festivals, he taught psychology professor Thomas the Canada Foundation for professor of Economics, has tuba, bass trombone and Hadjistavropoulos has been Innovation’s (CFI) Leaders been named as associate dean euphonium, first at Humber elected 2007-08 president of Opportunity Fund, an ongoing (undergraduate) of the Faculty College in Toronto and for the Canadian Psychological program designed to help of Arts until June 30, 2012. many decades for the Association. Canadian universities attract Kleer served as head of the University of Regina, for the and retain outstanding faculty Department of Economics from University of Saskatchewan, as Computer science faculty members and researchers. 2001 to 2004. well as for Regina’s member Philip Fong is one of Shahid Azam, an assistant Conservatory of Performing only 50 researchers in professor of Environmental Gohar Ashoughian is the new Arts, of which he was director Canada—and one of only Systems Engineering has associate university librarian from 1986 to 2001. Professor seven computer scientists—to received $114,000 for for Collection Services and Griffiths was founder of the receive a National Sciences developing a testing system to Assessment in the Dr. John University of Regina tuba and Engineering Research study earthen materials Archer Library. ensemble and the author of Council of Canada (NSERC) affecting in-ground storage, The Low Brass Guide, sold Discovery Accelerator transportation infrastructure world-wide. If you want to Supplement. The Discovery and pipelines. The U of R’s We Remember honour the memory of John Accelerator Supplement is other CFI grant—worth Griffiths, consider a gift to the designed to provide significant $52,327—was awarded to John Griffiths BMusEd’76 John Griffiths Memorial funding to researchers who are Andy Aroonwilas, an associate musician, teacher, author and Scholarship. To find out more, on the verge of important professor of Industrial Systems administrator passed away on call 306.337.2446 or visit: breakthroughs in their research Engineering. He is developing July 10. As music department www.uregina.ca/campaign. fields. Fong’s research team is an energy monitoring system head Lynn Cavanagh said in working to developing secure to be used for greenhouse gas her email to the campus protection mechanisms for reduction research. announcing Griffiths’ passing Internet-era computing. “His brilliance will be difficult, if not impossible, to Kerri Finlay and Alain Patoine, Comings and Goings replace”…and his both post-doctoral research “musicianship and joie de vivre fellows in the Department of Murray Knuttila BA’73, MA’75 will be greatly missed by his Biology, were busy this has agreed to a term colleagues.” summer conducting a series of appointment as acting Griffiths began his professional experiments to test and associate vice-president career in 1967 as tuba soloist potentially help improve the (academic) effective Sept. 1, in the RCMP band in Ottawa.

Degrees fall 2007 7 Photos by AV Services AV by Photos Ready—willing and able By Shanan Sorochynski BA’02 Sorochynski Shanan By Meet Dr. William F. Ready Q.C., the University’s seventh chancellor.

s he searches his memory, a warm smile sweeps across Bill Ready’s face. Soon he’s filling the roomA with memories about applause in dark theaters, piano music and touchdowns. While the University’s newly elected chancellor is best known for his extensive public service and legal work, it is his role as husband, father of five, grandfather of 11, and great grandfather to two that brings him the most pride. “When things come to me, I have to say you know a lot of it rests with my wife and my family because they helped me out in every way they could,” says Ready. “I’ve been married for 55 years and my wife (Frances) kept our home for me just as an island of tranquility. It was really my wife and family that enabled me to do what I have done.” Talking about his family’s many talents his voice coats the walls with affection. His family is an eclectic group of number crunchers, wordsmiths, teachers, young artists, athletes and dancers spread throughout the generations. As chancellor, Ready looks forward to being a part of University convocation, a time when the students are rewarded for exploring new ideas and serving the community.

New University Chancellor, William F. Ready, Q.C.

8 Degrees fall 2007 “In Tisdale we knew some very fine people— they were my father’s friends—who were lawyers, really fine gentlemen. I decided that is what I would do. It was the very best decision I ever could have made because I really enjoyed it.”

dusty roads and grain later became McDougall University I’m happy to do elevators. At its hub was a Gauley). Ready is a past that. That’s why I really small school teaching bencher of The Law Society wanted to do it—to give Grades 1 to 8. of Saskatchewan, and a past- back something.” D Determined to see their president of both The son get a high school Canadian Bar Association Shanan Sorochynski graduated education, Ready’s parents (Saskatchewan) and Regina from the U of R with an moved the family to Tisdale. Bar Association. English degree in 2002. After Then, when Ready was on In 1968, a phone call in years of chasing down leads in the verge of graduating from the middle of the night from Manitoba for her hometown’s high school, the family a friend coupled with the newspaper, the Dauphin moved again, this time to strong encouragement of his Herald, she returned to her This past June, he and his Saskatoon so he could go to family would compel him to alma mater, to write for the U wife attended three different university, where he would run for a spot on the Regina of R Report, the faculty and family member graduation earn two degrees—a Board of Education. staff newspaper. ceremonies—one at an bachelor of arts in 1948 and Together, Ready and his elementary school, one at a a bachelor of laws in 1950. family came up with the high school and one at the “When I graduated from slogan “Ready, Willing and University. high school I really didn’t Able” a declaration that Ready had the privilege have a clear idea of what I would see him through 11 of hooding (ceremonial wanted to do,” says Ready. years of service as a trustee, conferring of degree) his “I had been thinking about including two as the board’s own grandson who joining the RCAF (Royal vice-chairman and two as its graduated from the Canadian Air Force) as soon chairman. University of Regina as I graduated but the war As a member of the board through Luther College last was over in the spring so he helped bring to life spring. This was a privilege that was pretty well out.” programs such as the Ready earned for having So, he took some direction Community School been awarded an honorary from the people in his program, the French Doctor of Laws degree from community. Language program, as well the University in 1989. All “In Tisdale we knew as programs for pre-school honorary degree recipients some very fine people—they Aboriginal children, are entitled to be a member were my father’s friends— students with visual of the platform party at the who were lawyers, really impairments and students convocation ceremony. fine gentlemen. I decided with learning disabilities. It was good practice for that is what I would do. It Entering this new phase when he will be conferring was the very best decision I in his life, Ready is degrees to thousands in his ever could have made.” enthusiastic about being chancellor’s robe. It was a decision that able to serve the University. Education has always would eventually lead to “It is an honour to be the been a priority for the Ready Ready becoming a senior chancellor of this family. He grew up in partner in one of the oldest University,” says Ready. “If Valparaiso, Sask., a small law firms in Saskatchewan, by being chancellor I can do community cradled between McDougall Ready, (which anything to benefit the

Degrees fall 2007 9 By M E Powell (Mendenhall) BFA’80, BAJC’88, MA’01 Photos courtesy of University Archives and Special Collections and Joe Tompai, Light and Line Productions.

legThe remarkableacy 10 Degrees fall 2007 Duncan Blewett was the founder of the University of Regina Department of Psychology and one of the pivotal figures in the pioneering LSD treatment programs used to treat schizophrenics and alcoholics in Saskatchewan in the 1950s. After a long and influential career Blewett retired to B.C.’s Gabriola Island in 1986. In 2005 he suffered a stroke and remained at home “living fabulously in the moment until the end.” He died in a hospital in Nanaimo B.C. on February 24, 2007. of Duncan Blewett

Degrees fall 2007 11 Blewett as a young man and in later years. Duncan and June Blewett at their west coast retirement home.

“When he lectured, he wore a University of British Columbia. He The handbook influenced later borcellino [wide-brimmed felt hat] and earned his PhD in one and a half years studies by Timothy Leary and others at would hold the butt of a cigar, or a at the University of London with Harvard University in the United small piece of a cigar, either in his renowned psychologist Hans Eysenck. States. hands or clenched between his teeth as He also taught at the University of Blewett is sometimes referred to he paced back and forth on the Illinois, headed by noted psychologist as the Canadian Timothy Leary, says platform,” recalls June Blewett, Duncan Raymond Cattell, before the Pat Barber, who writes of the research Blewett’s widow and long-time government of Saskatchewan recruited in his MA thesis “Chemical academic colleague. “It was an Blewett to be chief psychologist of the Revolutionaries: Saskatchewan’s extraordinary sight to behold.” province in the 1950s. Psychedelic-related experiments and the He became supervising Duncan Blewett’s career spanned work of Abram Hoffer, Humphrey psychologist for the government’s pioneering psychedelic research at the Osmond, and Duncan Blewett.” Psychiatric Services Branch. As such, Saskatchewan Hospital in Weyburn, Blewett’s approach became more founding the psychology department he joined the world-renowned University of Saskatchewan research spiritual, Barber adds, but unlike Leary at the newly independent University of he remained concerned that LSD Regina, and writing books and team at the Saskatchewan Hospital in Weyburn and worked beside such studies should receive scientific publications that continue to influence recognition as a valid therapeutic the field today. notable researchers as biochemist and psychiatrist Abram Hoffer, and project method. The research developed from a “His 100-level classes were filled,” coordinator Humphry Osmond (who model based on brain chemistry, and says June, the first woman to earn a coined the word “psychedelic” in a these researchers wanted to “chart new doctoral degree from the Regina letter to his friend Aldous Huxley). destinations” for it. campus. He bridged the “enormous As well as being the first clinical His clinical work often took him distance” between student and psychologist for the province of into situations that challenged him professor, and enjoyed teaching such Saskatchewan, Blewett was the personally, such as a 30-day study of classes in belief systems even at the founder and first chairman of the 100-level. “He loved teaching first-year volunteers he undertook at the Regina psychology department at the jail. students and making psychology come University of Regina (then the alive,” she adds, “plugging it back into In that atmosphere, the work was University of Saskatchewan, Regina criticized because of reliance on each students’ experience.” Campus). He was also a founder of the When he died on February 24, he personal observations and lack of Saskatchewan Psychological follow-up studies, mainly resulting counted among his friends many of the Association. from lack of funding, Barber says. great psychologists, artists, and Along with Nicholas Chwelos, However, this research helped better philosophers of his time. His early Blewett co-authored Handbook for the work has been the subject of at least Therapeutic Use of Lysergic Acid the state of mental health care in the three documentaries, and a fourth was Diethylamide-25: Individual and Group province, challenged research created around his March 24 memorial Procedures (1959). The handbook methods, and contributed to an on Gabriola Island, B.C. offered a scientific approach to control understanding of the human psyche. His favorite saying was to keep studies into the therapeutic Blewett was an advocate of “both feet firmly planted in the air,” possibilities of using LSD in the controlled experiments in a safe remembers June. She quotes University treatment of mental illness and environment, and the therapeutic of West Georgia psychology professor alcoholism, theorizing that treatment possibilities that arise from such Larry Schorr: “He wasn’t just a improved by increasing the patients’ scientific study. He wanted it to be therapist; he was therapy.” understanding of themselves and “acknowledged within the Duncan Blewett was born in realization of their individual psychological profession and the wider Edmonton, and was a graduate of the potential. scientific community,” Barber says.

12 Degrees fall 2007 June Blewett bids “bon voyage” to Duncan and friends from a dock near their B.C. retirement home.

“He brought a real air of “As the drug became embroiled in Blewett retired from the University in practicality to the research agenda,” some of the counterculture debates, I 1986 and he and June made adds Erika Dyck, who refers to Blewett suspect that the book can be pointed to their home on Gabriola Island, B.C. in her forthcoming book Psychedelic as a very serious look at LSD research,” Dyck, who interviewed Blewett Psychiatry: LSD from Clinic to Campus she adds. “This wasn’t just a bunch of only once but read through his papers (expected in 2008). His work in mad scientists in lab coats doing at length, said he struck her as being exploring therapy for alcoholics in the playful, as well as curious about late 1950s and early 1960s included investigations, but there was real effort, and I think Blewett probably people. “He oozed a deep sense of working with community groups, and kindness, a genuine quality that made working with patients to overcome the helped to deflect some of those him quite a likeable character, and “hyper-masculinity” or machismo to criticisms.” someone that people could trust in a restore their will power. “Duncan was most proud of his very quick way.” “He explained it or articulated it book, Frontiers of Being,” says June. In it, “He was a trickster,” June adds, in such a way that it made the therapy he explores faith, spirituality, the palatable to alcoholics who were “and he trickstered himself into psychedelic model, and its purpose in D having difficulty getting to the point of everybody’s heart.” the development of “transcendental accepting help,” Dyck adds. She believes the handbook remains a man.” Marie Powell Mendenhall is an award- winning writer based in Regina. Her first “pioneering” and lasting catalogue of “Man as a creature with four- book Dragonflies are Amazing! was therapeutic experiences, potentially dimensional awareness …will begin to published last year by Scholastic. influential again as LSD is being develop along the dimensions of being reconsidered in modern psychological to higher and higher levels of medical trials. realization,” he wrote.

Degrees fall 2007 13

The art of the sale

To say owners Jeremy Weimer and Mary Ready Weimer are at home in their new gallery is an understatement—the couple and their two children live upstairs in the recently renovated gallery space in downtown Regina.

16 Degrees fall 2007 ary Ready Weimer though Mary was just 22 at the time, Two young U of R BA’98 may have studied John was receptive. grads purchase an Canadian history and “Finally we just sat down and established art politics in University, started talking about it more seriously,” M but she was destined she says. “What would this mean, me for a much different world—the world buying the gallery?” gallery and of art. Mary’s then fiancé Jeremy Weimer find running a Mary completed her bachelor of BSc’99 liked the idea too. “We’d always arts in political science at the U of R in talked about owning a gallery together successful business the spring of 1998. As convocation some day,” he recalls. really is about the neared, she wasn’t sure what the future With John and Jeremy’s would hold—whether she should get a encouragement, Mary bought the art of the sale. job or go back to school. A couple of business in the summer of 1999 and weeks after she wrote her last exam, officially took over the gallery in early fate intervened: a classified ad for the September. Six weeks later, she and position of manager of Regina’s Jeremy were married. In early 2000, Assiniboia Gallery appeared in the Jeremy quit his day job to work full- local newspaper. It wasn’t the type of time with Mary at the gallery, and job that would interest the typical poli- they’ve never looked back. sci graduate, but to Mary, it seemed like Jeremy says running a commercial destiny calling. art gallery is a lot like any other retail “When I was growing up, my business. “We don’t receive any parents bought art and were customers government funding. If we don’t sell of the Assiniboia,” she explains. “Every the paintings, our doors won’t stay month we’d get these art cards in the open. But it’s great that we’re selling mail, which were invitations to the art.” shows, and I used to put them in my Adds Mary, “We could be selling room and hang them on the wall. So I shoes or sports equipment or whatever. always had this interest in art.” It happens to be art. Everything is for She applied, got the job and started sale. That’s the role of a commercial working for the gallery owners, John gallery—you represent artists.” and Monica Kurtz, who had established Over the years, their business has the business in 1977 at its old location continued to grow. The Assiniboia now on 11th Avenue in Regina. Mary represents some 50 artists—half of quickly fell in love with the gallery and them from Saskatchewan—and usually her new job. “Right away I knew—this carries an inventory of about 600 was something I could see myself doing paintings on consignment, all of which for a long time.” are viewable on the gallery’s website at The Kurtzes were already in their www.assiniboia.com. seventies and thinking about In January of this year, Mary and retirement, and Mary remembers Jeremy opened their new location at joking one day with John Kurtz that 2266 Smith Street in Regina. “We by B.D. Miller BA(Hons)’89, BJ’95 BA(Hons)’89, B.D. Miller by Photos by AV Services AV by Photos maybe she should buy the gallery. Even wanted to own our own building

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Degrees fall 2007 17 University of Regina alumni artists represented

Cara Gay Driscoll BA’91 was born by the Assiniboia and raised in Regina. She creates ceramic objects which are characterized by a female Gallery. sensibility. Her hand-coiled, full- bodied vessels are made using traditional techniques that pay homage to the past.

Ted Godwin LLB (Honorary)’91 was born in Calgary in 1933 and graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Art in 1955. One of the “Regina Five” group of painters, Godwin is known for his “Tartan Series”, “Dying Orchids Series” and large landscapes that explore the interactions of the river’s edge. From 1964-2001 he was a professor in the University of Regina’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

Antoinette Hérivel BFA’86, BEd’92 was born in the U.K. on the channel island of Jersey. She moved to Canada in 1967 and lived in various rural communitites in Saskatchewan and Alberta for about 20 years. Although she is primarily a painter her work has included drawings, performance, and painted decorative objects such as furniture.

Darlene Hay CVA’79 combines her love of nature with her enthusiasm for painting to capture the constantly changing colours of our Saskatchewan landscapes. Her recent impressionistic landscapes portray Saskatchewan scenes of lakes and fields with an abundance of wild flowers in the foreground. Her strong bright colours truly depict the sparkle and splender of the prairie environment.

18 Degrees fall 2007 Russell Mang BFA’82 was born in Melville, Sask. in 1958. His work in recent years has focused on the prairie landscape—exploring close and intimate views as well as sweeping vistas of sky and earth.

Terry Osborne BFA’74, BEd’81, MEd’96 is a prairie landscape artist and has been a high school art teacher at Lumsden High School since 1983. His diverse art exhibitions span a period of nearly 30 years. Many of his paintings and drawings have been purchased by organizations and private individuals across Canada and outside the country.

Michael Bromley BFA’82 was born in 1955 in Darjeeling India, the son of a tea company doctor, and lived with his family in the Himalayas and the jungled grasslands of West Bengal. The Bromleys immigrated to England and then to Canada where Michael’s father practiced family medicine in Moose Jaw and his mother was a high school art teacher.

Erica Grimm-Vance BFA’82 explores Zhong-Yang Huang MFA’88 was the relationship between medium born in 1949 in Guangzhou, China and meaning in order to "make and began his formal training in visible the invisible" and in traditional Chinese painting and particular to explore issues of calligraphy at the age of eight. In mystery, meaning and spirituality. 1984, he had the opportunity to Her recent work uses the ancient travel to Regina as a visiting medium of encaustic (beeswax and student. His work is influenced by oil glazes) juxtaposed with hard- many periods of art history: the edged planes of steel and gold. pre-Raphaelite school, the French Impressionists as well as the work of the great Dutch painter Rembrandt.

Degrees fall 2007 19 “You might go back and forth to the home a few times, or somebody may come in and we’ll let them take a painting home on approval and live with it for a week before they decide.”

(rather than lease),” Jeremy says. “We’d the Assiniboia’s online catalogue with “That’s the whole goal of a gallery— been looking for years and we loved customers is where a lot of the real coming across artists at different points this neighbourhood.” selling and decision making takes in their careers, and representing them The gallery occupies the ground place, she says. for the long term.” floor of the renovated building, Jeremy, who now also works as a Mary and Jeremy have other including a 1500-square-foot addition. car salesman in Regina, says the key to connections to the University as well. Three full-time framers work in the selling—whether it’s a Bimmer or an Four of their siblings are U of R grads, basement, and Mary and Jeremy and Allen Sapp acrylic on canvas—is as is Mary’s father, Ken Ready. And their two young children live upstairs. customer service. “It’s all about Mary’s grandfather, retired Regina Mary says the new location has been building relationships with people, be lawyer, Dr. William F. Ready Q.C., is the great for business. “We have people it customers at a gallery or customers University’s new chancellor (see story coming in continually all day, and we at a car dealership.” page 8). D did not have that at our old building. Mary is especially proud that the Obviously, being busy, that’s what you Assiniboia Gallery represents a B.D. Miller BA (Hons)’89, BJ’95 is a want.” number of artists who are graduates of Regina-based playwright, fiction, and non- Despite their success, Mary says the University of Regina—including fiction writer whose work has appeared in running a commercial art gallery can nationally renowned Erica Grimm- numerous national magazines and be a challenging way to make a living Vance and Zhong-Yang Huang. Most of anthologies and on CBC radio. His award- and requires a lot of hard work. “Some these artists studied at the U of R under winning comedy, The Scarborough Four, people think you just sit there and look long-time professor Ted Godwin, who was recently anthologized by Playwrights at the paintings all day. But that retired to Calgary in the mid 1980s but Canada Press. couldn’t be further from the truth.” still sells his own art through the In fact, Mary often spends a good Assiniboia. part of her day away from the gallery “Ted obviously had a huge impact making house calls—checking out the (on the U of R grads),” Mary says. “They room where a painting might hang all speak reverently about him. Yet before making recommendations to every single one of those painters is the customer. Often, she’ll bring a half- completely different (in style) from dozen paintings to the residence to what Ted does. The fact that they don’t give the potential buyer an idea of how paint like him, but all do their own each would look in the chosen space. thing—that was obviously encouraged. Explains Jeremy, “You might go It was about finding your own path.” back and forth to the home a few Ted and his wife Phyllis Godwin times, or somebody may come in and have been affiliated with the we’ll let them take a painting home on Assiniboia Gallery since the late 1970s approval and live with it for a week when it was owned by the Kurtzes. before they decide.” Mary says the nurturing of long-term “Sometimes we never sell what’s relationships with dedicated on the walls,” says Mary, adding that professional artists such as the what’s on display often just gives the Godwins, Grimm-Vance and Zhong- customers a better sense of the gallery’s Yang Huang is what running a artists and inventory. Scrolling through commercial art gallery is all about.

20 Degrees fall 2007 Catriona Le May Doan won her first Olympic speed skating gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Games in the 500m event. In the process, she set a new world record. Four years later she became the only Canadian to successfully defend an Olympic gold medal. Le May Doan's athletic accomplishments earned her the 2002 Lou Marsh Award as Canada's Athlete of the Year. She has also been inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. She lives in Calgary with her husband Bart and their two children. She received an honorary degree at the University of Regina’s fall convocation on Oct. 20.

D Which of your athletic I have learned so much from sport— accomplishments is most respect for others, respect for satisfying? Why? myself—I have learned what I am made of , what my fears are, what I am probably most proud of the fact my strengths are, and also I have that I was able to battle through come to understand that I don’t what people were calling the flag define myself by what I accomplish. jinx in the Salt Lake City Olympics. I am also proud of how consistent I D If you could be a world-class was throughout the years—rather athlete in another sport, what than just shining at one big sport would it be? competition. I would choose track and field. I was D What would you tell a young involved in track for many years and athlete to convince her to pursue then took it up again from 1993- an Olympic sport rather than a 1995 in hurdles and heptathlon. I professional sport? was so proud to go to the 1993 Canada Games representing Even though in amateur Olympic Saskatchewan. sport there is not much money, there is no greater feeling than D How has becoming a mother putting on the Canadian team jacket changed your perspective on life? and having the pride of knowing that you are representing your Becoming a mom makes you realize country! how selfish you are in your previous life. Especially as an athlete, you D You have been called the have to be a bit selfish, but as a fastest woman on ice and until mom, you are giving so much. It recently you held the 500 metre definitely puts everything into world record. Give us a sense of perspective—in a great way! Gone the sensations you feel while are the nights of making sure I get speeding down the ice? enough sleep so that I can be at my best! It is an incredible feeling skating along at approximately 50km/hr D What do you like to do to relax? with the wind in your face—when you are in a really good race, it is I love to sit and read with a tea, or a almost peaceful and feels so perfect. coffee, or a glass of wine (depending on the time of day). D What are some of the most Even better if it is a nice day and I important life lessons that sport can do all of the above in the has taught you? sunshine. Ok, who is kidding?...... all of the above on a beach!

Degrees fall 2007 21 22 Degrees fall 2007 THANK YOU FOR BUILDING DREAMS AND FUTURES

With the help of alumni and donors, the University of Regina’s Building Dreams and Futures campaign raised over $82 MILLION, creating new programs and expanding research opportunities; supporting academic success and student achievement; and ensuring excellence in instruction.

Out of respect for the environment and for your convenience, we have created our first electronic report to celebrate the Building Dreams and Futures Campaign close and recognize donors of $1,000 or more. We are pleased to invite you to view this report online at www.uregina.ca/campaign and print it at your discretion. It will be available November 22, 2007.

MANY THANKS.

Degrees fall 2007 23 Point cal o F

Home Sweet Home—the September long weekend was moving day as helpful families and friends moved students into new quarters in the north and south residences on the University campus. The two residences opened in 2004 adding another 693 beds nearly tripling on-campus accommodations.

This page: Clockwise from top left: Two strong hands make light work. Top centre: Check in time for new residents. Top right: Caitlin Buyak makes her way to her new room. Bottom right: Not even youngest brother Pavel Lalonde (in blue t-shirt) is too young to help big sister Celeste move. Brother Andre Lalonde leads the way. Bottom left: Celeste Lalonde after a hard day of moving.

24 Degrees fall 2007 Point cal o F

This page, clockwise from top left: Morienne and Earl Bulbuck lend a helping hand to get son Mike into residence. At right: Christina Cassidy and her mom Kathy (behind) load up the elevator. Centre: Chris Knott and Greg Lake wrestle a 50 kg fridge. Bottom left: Mike Bulbuck gets moving help from some friends.

Degrees fall 2007 25 By David Sealy Photos by Don Hall and Rae Holtsbaum, AV Services

Eekwol op

When hip hop first emerged some 20 years ago it signalled a new form of cultural expression for young disenfranchised African-Americans and Latinos in the U.S. Now, Canadian

26 Degrees fall 2007 pportunity

Lindsay Knight and her brother Mils perform at the Regina Folk Festival. Photo by Rae Holtsbaum, AV Services.

Aboriginal youth are embracing hip hop culture and making it their own. Lindsay Knight BA’04 (a.k.a. Eekwol) is a musician from Saskatoon trying to make her mark in the hip hop world.

Degrees fall 2007 27 “What informs her performance is surroundings—her community, her experiences, and her history. What her and her brother Mils are doing is incredibly important. There is something going on in hip hop that isn’t being taken up in other public discourse.” Charity Marsh

t’s a cloudy, grey day in August in Regina’s Victoria (CRC), Tier 2 in Interactive Media and Performance. Marsh has Park, the Regina Folk Festival is in full swing and received more than $600,000 from the CRC and the Canada the beat pulses beyond the clusters of elms, echoing Foundation for Innovation, and over $300,000 from the off office buildings and suffusing the downtown province’s Science and Innovation Fund to conduct research core with life. in three areas: Canadian Aboriginal hip hop culture; DJ I culture including electronic dance music culture, community About 75 music aficionados are seated on the lawn listening to the Breaking the Sound Barrier workshop—a radio, and online DJ cultures; and the production and showcase for multicultural artists around the world to share performance of music in Western and Northern Canada. and compare their experience. Eekwol is an artist who figures prominently in Marsh’s Mihirangi, a Maori singer from New Zealand, is first up: research. Marsh marvels at the dynamism and magnetism of “From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to acknowledge First her presentation. “Eekwol tells stories on stage,” Marsh says. “What informs her performance is surroundings—her Nations people, the custodians of the land that we are on.” She community, her experiences, and her history. What her and launches into “Slave”, a condemnation of colonialism and its her brother Mils are doing is incredibly important. There is brutal treatment of Indigenous women. something going on in hip hop that isn’t being taken up in Then Eekwol, a.k.a Lindsay Knight, a First Nations other public discourse.” University of Canada graduate and hip hop artist, takes the Often referred to as a lifestyle as well as a musical form, microphone. “In my mind, we’re all multicultural. I think it’s hip hop is pervasive in modern pop culture. Although its important to represent that and be proud of that. It’s what we genesis is tied to the South Bronx in New York during the have to be in order to be a progressive society.” Accompanied mid- to late 1970s, hip hop draws from many past music and by her brother Mils and the other workshop participants, expressive cultures. Marsh says, “Despite the controversy Eekwol’s first song is “That’s Just Me.” surrounding its birth, hip hop signalled a new form of “It doesn’t take a genius to see the situation. cultural expression for disenfranchised African-American and Oppression, class systems control of the nation, Latino youth (particularly for young men) during the late We want to be equal, but it just don’t cut it 1970s and early 1980s. The rhymes told complex stories All my good people, it’s time to rise above it…” concerning lived experiences of racism, poverty, and violence Charity Marsh, an ethnomusicologist and professor in as well as highlighting the importance of community, the University of Regina’s Faculty of Fine Arts is in the middle resistance, and reclamation of public space.” of the crowd, swaying to the rhythm. Marsh was recently Although the public may be more familiar with the appointed as the University’s ninth Canada Research Chair current commercial brand of hip hop performed by artists

28 Degrees fall 2007 such as 50 Cent and Kanye West, Marsh is interested in Marsh notes that Eekwol is an important bridge between underground and politically conscious hip hop, which indigenous and hip hop culture: “Traditional indigenous although changed, often retains its activist and communal musics have historically played an essential role in the roots. preservation of identity for Canada’s Indigenous peoples. And “People, especially young people, are drawn to hip hop— yet, today many Canadian Aboriginal youth living in the there’s so many aspects to the culture,” says Marsh. “You don’t Prairie provinces are turning toward contemporary arts have to be a musician. Maybe you’re a graffiti artist, or you’re practices, such as hip hop culture, as a way to express present- a break dancer, or you make rhymes, or you want to be on the day lived experiences.” Eekwol takes pride in her hip hop and Indigenous roots, drawing on a number of “traditional” turntable or make beats on your computer, or even just be in signifiers, for example on her first album she is joined on the audience. Hip hop can be about making a difference, some tracks by round dance singer Marc Longjohn. about engaging with social and cultural issues that aren’t Brett Cyr BA’00 from Pasqua First Nation has a BA in being talked about in the political realm.” Anthropology and Indian Studies and is returning to the U of Eekwol, who graduated from First Nations University of R to finish his MA in Social Studies. When he’s not working, Canada in 2004 with a degree in Indigenous Studies, views her he makes hip hop music and videos. He first saw Eekwol at music and lifestyle as inseparable in her support of the 2004 First Nations Hip Hop Festival. “Eekwol’s music has Indigenous culture and rights. “I’m inspired by people who power to educate and move people because a lot of First stand up and take action for what they believe in for the good Nations and non-Aboriginal people are listening. She’s indie of their people, like Leonard Pelletier, Malcolm X, Vine Deloria and does her own thing. A charismatic rapper has the Sr. and Jr., Alfred Taiake and so many young people who are authority to educate and to move.” starting to speak about correcting and creating an awareness Eekwol is an anomaly on any music scene. She wonders, of history.” She is a proud indie artist. Along with her brother “Is it because I write good lyrics or is it because I’m female and Mils, she owns her own record and production and Indigenous, filling a category no one else is occupying at the moment.” distribution company. However, success at home has proved elusive. Eekwol’s wry, relaxed manner comes from hard-earned “There’s a saying that musicians have: ‘You’ll always get experience. “I’m all about honesty. I grew up in an more love everywhere else first before you get love from environment where people didn’t talk about problems even home.’ It started that way for me, however it’s starting to though there were huge elephants in the room. I grew up shift.” Eekwol is currently more popular overseas than at around addictions. To survive that you have to be honest with home, selling more CDs in Australia and Japan than in yourself.” Canada. A world tour is in the planning stages.

Degrees fall 2007 29 One of the reasons hip hop is so omnipresent is its major label and doing a sort of guilt-purging 'protest song'”. adaptability. It is indeed a global music culture. Elements of But there’s more to hip hop than just lyrics. The beat is crucial hip hop have been fused with many other styles of music— and can take the form of a percussion track sampled from a the samba and the Senegalese mbalax rhythm, for example. In different song. It can be manufactured on a computer or drum her work Marsh draws on Australian sociologist Tony machine, or made by a DJ manipulating a turntable. As part of Mitchell’s observation that hip hop is a “vehicle for global her CRC research, Marsh plans to develop an interactive youth affiliations and a tool for reworking local identity all media and performance lab on campus. “One component will over the world”. be a DJ workshop studio space with decks, mixers, speakers, Marsh explains, “Hip hop was born out of a place of mics, headphones. It will be a place for folks to learn how to struggle. Now there’s new musical elements and new cultural DJ using vinyl, cds, and mp3s. The other component of the lab forms arising because of how people from all over the world will consist of an ethnomusicology and beat-making lab, as are appropriating and adapting the culture to suit local well as a place for grad students and postdoctoral fellows to contexts.” Hip hop is performed in Africa, China, Korea, research.” Australia, the UK and France. “The culture of hip hop and its Marsh hopes that this aspect of her research will help music changes depending on who is creating it, who’s connect the University with the larger urban community. She listening to it and in what context it is being performed,” she cites the success of Common Weal’s Prairie Roots Project, adds. which brought youth from all over Saskatchewan together to Does underground hip hop have the power to effect participate in classes and workshops with established hip hop social change? Australia in particular is a hotbed of political artists. As well the introduction of hip hop and breakdancing action. Hip hop collectives concerned about the environment stage demonstrations at mine sites. There are also protests as extracurricular activities at Robert Usher Collegiate has around native land claims and sovereignty issues. Nick Keys proved successful in helping some high school students writes on the Australian website theage.com.au that hip hop attend and stay focused on school. activists like the Elefant Traks collective have altered the tone Hip hop tracks are relatively easy to produce because the of political discourse in society. “The political organization of production technology is affordable and fairly accessible, at Elefant Traks is fundamentally much more radical politically times, even through community arts organization programs. than a group or person (say like a Bono type) signed to a DIY or “do it yourself” culture is key with hip hop.

Lindsay Knight and her brother Mils entertain a Saturday-night crowd at the Regina Folk Festival.

30 Degrees fall 2007 Grafiti art “Dreams” by Scott Collegiate high school student Josh Steeves.

Eekwol concurs. “We have industry-standard recording found except through this process. Then I go to their site and equipment that can be used anywhere. We’ve recorded in find other new artists. It’s a great way to support independent hotel rooms. Thanks to technology, it’s easier for broke artists musicians. It’s a virtual community of people creating new to collaborate and create high-quality music. We produce musical communities.” albums on a small budget that are comparable to what you Eekwol adds, “MySpace is essential nowadays for hear on the radio.” promotion. I don’t even have a website anymore because it So you’re an independent artist with not much money makes more sense to redirect your URL to MySpace. I get way for promotion. How do you get the word out? Artists may be more hits and sell more CDs that way.” isolated, but it’s easy to connect to a worldwide audience It’s now mid-afternoon at the festival and the sun finally using social networking websites such as MySpace.com, one appears. Eekwol and Mils are in the middle of performing of the top five visited websites on the planet. “Move”—a call to political action, an exhortation to dance. “It’s a new way of being introduced to music,” Marsh The crowd needs no invitation, and who knows how far these explains. “It’s a great tool for musicians to market and beats will travel. D promote themselves. People can download and buy music directly off the site. I can also start at Eekwol’s site and then David Sealy is a freelance writer living in Regina. When he's not look through her ‘friends’ to see other musicians that she’s writing, he wishes he was. His latest play is Runaway Barbies. connected to and respects—people that I never might have

Degrees fall 2007 31 A Letter to Emily

When she died three years ago, Emily Givner left a considerable amount of writing—letters, essays on the writing process and a substantial collection of unpublished stories and novellas. Givner’s writing has been applauded by Alice Munro, no less.

On July 5, 2004, five days after her 38th birthday, Emily Givner BA’93—music-lover, cellist, ESL teacher and writer— walked outside on a sunny Halifax day, bought lunch, and suffered a violent allergic reaction. When effective help was available, it was already too late to save her.

This fall, more than three years after her death, a collection of her short stories, A Heart In Port, has been published by Thistledown Press. Her mother, Joan Givner, a writer and former University of Regina English department faculty member, reflects on the posthumous release of Emily’s book, the loss of a promising writer and the heartache of losing a child.

32 Degrees fall 2007 Dear Emily,

I can’t pretend it’s been easy, this past year, Writer’s only stand in rejection’s shadow. seeing your book move towards publication. To experience true rejection is to walk around You compressed so much of your life into door-to-door, driving a stake through Photos courtesy of Joan Givner courtesy of Joan Photos those stories that reading them is like people’s peace and quiet in order to drum up reading your letters, or listening to the tales enough money for a meal at the end of the you told when you came back from Korea day. and Poland. You made everything so vivid How true! Joan Givner that I thought the characters had crowded Of all the feelings I have as I read your into the room with you—your students at collection—grief at your disappointments, Yeungnam University, the Polish musicians, admiration of the way you “wrestle down the high-level bureaucrats you taught at City the angel of language” (your phrase), Hall in Daegu... delight in your sense of fun—the chief one It’s painful to read your story of the is pride. I tried to put that into words one little girl plagued, as you were, with time in a letter: allergies. That description of her sitting on I can’t tell you how much it means to a bench doing breathing exercises, her me to know that you have turned into such dress settling around her like a funeral an accomplished writer intelligent writer, wreath! Death stalking her from childhood full—it seems to me—of maturity about right to the end of her life—an end so your work and full of wisdom about writing. eerily prophetic of your own! And yet it isn’t And with your own distinctive vision and a gloomy story. It’s funny too. sort of inner center to it. The getting There’s so much comedy in your published part compared with that is writing—the account of the shenanigans in insignificant (to me of course but the drama department at the University of understandably not to you). Regina, and the family dinner party in “Blue I can’t recall just when I wrote that, Lobster:” the cantankerous artists and film- but I’m glad I did. And I’m glad that you makers in the title novella; the two hapless tore it out of the letter and kept it on your door-to-door solicitors in “Freedom Holes.” desk. I found it when I walked into your That last story is—for me—a room after you left it for the last time—a continuation of what you dubbed our clear message that you had got my vote of “bizarre conversation.” Not the one that confidence. took place in the constant flow of letters And your work did get published. A between us, but the ideas we lobbed back Heart In Port is out there in the world, a and forth in our fictions. When I told you wonderful legacy—the best memorial there that nobody sets themselves up for is. It’s a gift that brings a lasting sense of rejection as much as writers, all I was joy and loss to everyone who knew and doing, Em, was trying to warn you of the loved you. And to yourself—what every inevitable. And you tucked your response writer most longs for—to be read and into that story—the rebuke of a daughter remembered. who’s a lot more worldly than her mother: Love always...Mum

Excerpt from an The group of directors she taught appropriate for ecstatic girls of twenty- unpublished story by at City Hall had been virtually appalled something, prone to social blunders. Emily Givner inspired by by the fact that she, a thirty-three year “These men are directors. They are old woman, wasn’t married. Late in the very important,” Dr. Park told her when her experiences as an evening, dressed to the nines, she sat at giving her the job. “Please, dress to the English teacher the end of a long table with a Korean flag nines.” So that’s how Peggy ended up in Korea: behind her and a ghetto blaster on the teaching the Director of the Sanitation desk. The university had contracted her Division, the Director of the Water out to teach these men, mostly in their Purification Plant, the Chief of Road fifties and sixties, many of whom had Division, and many more directors. After fought in the Korean War. It was a long day at work, the English language considered a prestigious job, not was the last thing they cared about.

(continued on page 34)

Degrees fall 2007 33 When they entered the room, they Strains from Celine Dion’s “My Heart signed a padded attendance book with Will Go On” echoed throughout the gold lettering and found their seats. No streets, inside the stores, on the buses. matter what she tried to teach them— You couldn’t go anywhere without directions, phone etiquette—they found being reminded that Celine Dion’s heart a way to coax the conversation back to would go on. her status as a single woman. “Remember in the movie, they “Where did you eat lunch?” showed a collection of Degas paintings “Noodles,” said Jun Won Sik that were on the boat? Well, those “WHERE,” Peggy emphasized. weren’t real Degas paintings. They were “Noodles,” repeated Jun Won Sik. copies. The man I was planning to “WHAT did you eat for lunch? You marry painted them. While he was ate noodles. WHERE did you eat lunch? working on the Titanic he became very WHERE did you eat noodles?” ill and had to stop working. The doctors “There’s a restaurant called Noodles,” said to him, “you will die soon.” So we explained Nam Kwang Rak,”down the decided it didn’t make sense to marry. street.” Everyone in his family is dead, but his “Oh,” said Peggy. “I’m very sorry. I mother. She is taking care of him in wasn’t aware of that. I apologize hospital, and I am teaching English so I Director Jun. Please accept my sincerest can send money back home to support apologies. WHY are you studying him and his mother.” English?” she asked Park Jung Sik. “The directors looked at her with “WHY are you not married?” he terrible pity. They had tears in their asked. She knew they would pop the eyes. “Frankly speaking, it is a very sad question sooner or later, the huge net of story,” said Nam Kwang Rak after a which she would be forced to struggle. marked silence. She cared immensely for some of “Your heart will go on,” said Park these men. After class, they took her to Jung Sik. beautiful restaurants and ordered her “Yes, Director Park,” said Peggy, barbequed pork and drinks with feeling terribly guilty for reducing these exquisite stir sticks. “I want to sit beside men to tears with a line of unadulterated bullshit, “my heart WILL you,” one director always said, “I am the go on.” fresh chicken of the bunch.” There was After that, they didn’t ask her why the fresh chicken and the cigarette lover she wasn’t married anymore. They who coughed incessantly. “I am a treated her like a delicate creature, cigarette lover,” he confessed to Peggy. “I refusing to let her walk anywhere wake up every morning coughing. It is without accompaniment. Whenever not a good condition.” she stood in front of the elevator that “Your wife must be very worried,” would take her to the sixth floor, to the Peggy said. meeting room that was their classroom, “No, she hates me. She is Korean businessmen who had never not worried.” met her, regarded her with fear and They would never understand why compassion. The news had spread. She she wasn’t married. One evening, after had unwittingly cast herself as a tragic they popped the question, she told them figure. D a lie. She told them there was a man whom she had planned to marry. When he was young, he painted cars. It was obvious he had talent, so he went to art school. We wanted a big wedding, but didn’t have the money, so we decided to wait. After that he worked as a painter in the film industry. He worked on the movie the Titanic, she explained. They nodded, acknowledging the reference. They all knew the film. It had struck just the right chord as far as the Korean sentimental imagination went.

34 Degrees fall 2007 Degrees spring 2007 35 Alumni Association President’s Message It is indeed an honour for me Crimestoppers, where he rooted connection to the www.uregina.ca/alumni or give to serve as president of the served as its first president, University of Regina—which all us a call at 1-877-779-GRAD Alumni Association which now and the University of Regina’s acknowledge, played an or, in Regina, call 585-4503. represents more than 50,000 Vision 20/20 fundraising important role in shaping the graduates of the University of campaign. For his people they have become. While you‚re at it, why not Regina. volunteerism, Ken receives the enter our draw for two tickets Lifetime Achievement Award. Although the awards formally to Grey Cup in Toronto on I would like to start by recognize the achievements of November 25. To enter, please thanking former president Dale Eisler has had a select few alumni, in many send us your updated contact Brian Munro for his tireless distinguished careers in both ways, they are symbolic of the information, including email leadership over the past year. journalism and in the public meaningful contributions all address. To be eligible for the As past-president, Brian service. The well known University of Regina alumni are draw, information must be remains a member of the Leader-Post, Star-Phoenix and making to our communities in received by Alumni Relations board of directors so will Maclean’s journalist has just Saskatchewan, throughout no later than November 13. continue to offer his been named as Canada’s Canada and around the world. Electronic updates can be experience and enthusiasm to counsel general to Denver, made at the above webpage. all Association matters. Colo. Dale receives the As you read through this issue Distinguished Alumni Award for of Degrees, I’m sure that you’ll We are eager to hear your I would also like to welcome Professional Achievement. agree—the stories of our thoughts on how we can our three new board alumni and the contributions continue to better serve the members—Rebecca Gibbons, Greg Fieger is a former U of R they are making to our world alumni of the University of Jay Kirkland and Richard Kies. student-athlete and played in is truly inspiring. Regina. We also say farewell to Greg the CFL with the Calgary Swanson who sat on the Stampeders and the Remember, the University of On behalf of the entire board board as our Senate Saskatchewan Roughriders. For Regina Alumni Association is of directors, I wish you a representative for the past six his commitment, support and your association—as a wonderful autumn. years. On behalf of the board, leadership of the Cougars graduate you are a member of I would like to thank Greg for Fundraising Dinner, Greg the Association and entitled to Loni Kaufmann his valuable contribution and receives the Dr. Robert and all the benefits, services, and his dedication over the years. Norma Ferguson Award for programs that we offer. Outstanding Service. As this time of year rolls The Association has a great around we look forward to Finally, Todd Bryanton, a lineup of activities planned one of the highlights of the talented and versatile throughout the fall and into year, the Alumni Association musician, composer, writer, next year. I urge you to look Crowning Achievement Awards. visual artist, video editor and over the list on the facing This year, we honour four live performer, earns the page and take in some of deserving alumni: Ken Outstanding Young Alumni these great events designed to Howland BA’66, BEd’69; Dale Award. bring alumni together, to Eisler BA’70; Greg Fieger network, and have some fun BA’78, BSW’81, MA’90; and While each of these recipients at the same time. Todd Bryanton BA’03. has distinguished themselves Ken Howland is a committed in unique ways, they certainly If you haven’t already done so, volunteer who has devoted share a passion for their work, please check out the much of his free time to such a commitment to volunteer University of Regina Alumni worthy causes as Saskatoon activities, and have a deep- Association website at

36 Degrees fall 2007 The new-look 2007-2008 University of Regina Alumni Association Board of Directors (Left to Right): Rebbeca Gibbons, Richard Kies, Sean McEachern, Loni Kaufmann, Jay Kirkland, Margaret Dagenais, Teresa Drew, Scott Nicholson (seated), Colin Woloshyn. Missing: Charlene Banjac, Mike Burton, Matt Hanson, Neil Jacoby, Brian Munro, Brenda Oliver.

Upcoming Alumni Events November 24 - Toronto - February 28 - Atlanta, Ga. Your Brain on Music: The Riderville at Grey Cup. Alumni Fourth annual Pan-Canadian Science of a Human Obsession The University of Regina Association board member Neil Alumni Gala in Atlanta and a professor in the Alumni Association invites all Jacoby and his committee are This year’s guest speaker is Department of Psychology at graduates to keep in touch pleased to welcome you to Daniel J. Levitin, PhD., the McGill University. Tickets on with the University and other Riderville at the Metro Toronto best-selling author of This Is sale December 1. classmates. We look forward Convention Centre. Watch for to seeing many of you at the updates in the November issue events we hold throughout the of Alumni E-News or call year. All events will be posted Alumni Relations at (306) 585- to the alumni website at 4112 or toll-free 877-779-GRAD www.uregina.ca/alumni. (4723) Currently, we have planned: January - Saskatoon – Watch October 26 - Regina - Our for updates in the November Alumni Crowning Achievement E-News or visit the Alumni Award recipients will meet website at: with students to provide www.uregina.ca/alumni for mentorship and professional more details in the weeks to activities through events come. planned by the faculties. February 21 - Saskatoon - October 27 - Regina - Hilton Garden Inn - 5 p.m. Distinguished graduates from Faculty of Education graduates the University of Regina will are invited to attend a be honoured for their reception held in conjunction outstanding accomplishments with the Saskatchewan at the third annual Alumni Teachers’ Federation Showcase Crowning Achievement Awards event. ceremony. February 25 - Regina - Regina November 3 - Regina - Inn - 5 p.m. Faculty of University of Regina - 5 p.m. Education graduates are Alumni Reception and Cougars invited to attend a reception Basketball. Join us for a slam- held in conjunction with the dunk of an evening. Bring the Saskatchewan Teachers’ family to the pre-game Federation Showcase event. reception. Meet the Alumni Board, coaches, and some of February 28 - Regina - Regina the players before the Cougars Inn - 5 p.m. Education grads take on Simon Fraser are invited to attend a University. Reggie the Cougar reception held in conjunction just might pop in for a visit. with the STF Showcase event. Game tickets: $3 when purchased through Alumni Relations.

Degrees fall 2007 37 2007 Alumni Crowning Achievement Award

by Bill Armstrong Bill by Abraszko and Gregory Services AV by Photos recipients

Ken Howland BA’66, BEd’69 Dale Eisler BA’70 Lifetime Achievement Distinguished Alumni Award for Award Professional Achievement

Ken Howland believes that, for most alumni, their personal Dale Eisler sees his life as falling into two major and professional lives are greatly influenced by their components; his first career in journalism and his years in the experiences on campus. Therefore, he adds, alumni have an federal public service. He recently was named as Canada's obligation to give back and support their alma mater Consul General in Denver, Colo. Previously, he served as consistent with their time, talents and resources. assistant secretary to cabinet for communications in the Privy Ken has been recognized for his community involvement Council Office, the top communications position in the before. The City of Saskatoon presented him with the federal government. Certificate of Distinguished Community Service in 1989, and Dale's extensive career in journalism included his years as a in 1996 he received the B'nai B’rith “We're Proud of You” political commentator for the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon award. He was selected in 2006 as one of the “100 People, 100 Star-Phoenix, and as a senior writer for Maclean's magazine. Reasons” to celebrate Saskatoon's Centennial. “The two things that I took away from the University were “It is humbling that others have found my involvement as an intense interest in the broader public debate about issues, a volunteer worthy of an Alumni Crowning Achievement and the role journalism plays in stimulating that democratic Award. Other volunteers who have worked with me in dialogue. Both careers have been incredibly rewarding in a common causes should share this award, because nothing is personal sense, and each can be traced to my academic achieved independently. Rather, it's through collaboration and experience at the U of R.” working together that results are achieved,” he concludes. “The award is a tremendous honour,” Dale says.

38 Degrees fall 2007 Greg Fieger BA’78, BSW’81, MA’90 Todd Bryanton BA’03 Dr. Robert and Norma Ferguson Award Outstanding Young for Outstanding Service Alumni Award

Greg Fieger is being recognized for his leadership and Musician, composer, writer, visual artist, video editor and volunteer time as chair of the U of R Cougars Fundraising live performer—clearly, Todd Bryanton is an accomplished Dinner. Greg has always been a strong supporter of athletics at and creative young man. the U of R, which stems from his own participation as a student- “I remember being introduced to new classmates, new athlete. theories and new art,” Todd says. “And finally I remember “One of the important things I learned at the University feeling inspired by the possibilities of the English language. I was critical thinking; hearing the critical thinking of the wrote my two published short stories on the third floor of the professors and learning how, by bringing theory and practice Ad-Hum Building, tapping away on my laptop, feeling like I together, you can extract more learning from each of them.” was in the centre of a creative matrix.” While acknowledging that it's important to celebrate Todd is currently on hiatus from his MA studies in English achievements, Greg says he's humbled by the award, noting that because of the astonishing range of projects he is involved in. organizing a dinner involves many other volunteers, coaches At any give time he might be working on music for a movie, a and student-athletes. commercial and multiple television episodes. His most high “As an alumnus” Greg adds, “I've gained from my relationship profile composition credits include “The Englishman's Boy” with the University, and I believe I have to give back to that mini-series and the comedy series “Corner Gas”. relationship. If that relationship is important—as mine is—then “Receiving this award is a huge honour, and not just I must do something about it, whether it be to donate money, because it recognizes my work,” Todd says. volunteer time or participate in some way.”

Degrees fall 2007 39 "Remembrance" received an received a Gemini Award, Award from St. Thomas More 1960-1969 honourable mention in the Canada’s top television award College at the University of CBC Afternoon Edition poetry for the historical documentary Saskatchewan. Shein is Jocelyn Reekie BA’69 has two contest. Her poetry also took Breaking Point. This is executive editor of the Capital novels published with second place in Pandora's Corkery’s second Gemini; she Press Agricultural Weekly, the Raincoast Books and is Collective 2005 Summer Dream received the French language largest agricultural weekly in currently completing work on contest, and honourable equivalent for her work on the western United States. She her third. She has recently mentions in the 2006 Summer Découverte in 2000. Corkery is the first woman and started her own company, Dream and Hibernating With has worked for Radio-Canada Canadian to hold such a JReekie Books, and her first Words contests. In 2005, she since 1984. She was network position since its founding in publication under that imprint won first place in the producer for SRC Regina until 1928. She previously held will be Whale Hunt, a picture children's category of the SWG 1990 when she moved to SRC positions at The Western book for readers in Grades 2 ShortLiterary Awards, and third Montreal. She won an Anik Producer in Saskatoon She to 7. It is due out in the place in the "We Dare You" Award for a one-hour also served as a reporter for spring of 2008. novel excerpt contest. documentary on the Gemini News Service in environmental impact of the London, England and The Sean Goudie BAdmin’83 and James Bay project, and a Leader-Post. 1970-1979 Sylvie Pauze BA’84 have Canadian Scientific Writers moved to Kingston, Jamaica Award for the documentary Dale Eisler BA’70 has been where Goudie works as a The Ozone Hole. She also 1990-1999 appointed Canadian Consul teacher. Their two children directed La violence en rose, a General in Denver, Colo. He accompanied them to Jamaica film about feminine forms of Angie Abdou BA’91 has began his duties in Oct. and are enrolled in high violence and produced and published a new novel, The Previously he served as school. directed Ordeal by Fire, an Bone Cage, in July. The Bone assistant secretary to the episode in CBC television’s Cage follows the lives of two Cabinet at the Privy Council Ross King BA’83, MA’84 landmark historical elite athletes as they strive for Office in Ottawa. Dale is also received a Governor General’s documentary, Canada-A the Olympics despite the toll the 2007 recipient of the Literary Award in the non- People’s History. taken on their bodies by Distinguished Alumni Award for fiction category for The training as they near the ends Professional Achievement. Judgment of Paris: The Monica Zurowski BAJC’86 was of their careers. Revolutionary Decade That named the managing editor of Jim Hadfield BAdmin’74 is Gave the World Impressionism. the Calgary Herald. After Shaun Frenette BAJC'92 was president and CEO of FirstBus The GGs are Canada’s oldest graduating from the U of R producing the supper-hour Canada Limited, a provider of and most prestigious awards Zurowski was hired as a news at Global TV in Calgary student transportation, transit for English- and French- reporter for the Herald and for six years until his recent and para-transit services to language Canadian literature. covered a variety of beats move across town to become school divisions, cities and King attended Luther College until 1993 when she became a senior news producer at CTV municipalities from Queen at the University of Regina and an assistant city editor. Three Calgary. This is his eighth TV Charlotte Islands to Nova earned a PhD in English years later she became the station since graduation (CFJB- Scotia. Mavis Hadfield BEd’90 literature from York University. assistant features editor, then TV Swift Current, CKBI/CIPA-TV is a special education educator In 1992 he moved to London, features editor in 1998. Among Prince Albert, CKND-TV with the Prairie Valley School England, to take a position at her accomplishments is a Winnipeg, CBC-TV Saskatoon, Division in Milestone. Curtis the University of London. King Canadian Newspaper CBC-TV Regina, Global Hadfield BAdmin’02 is a is the author of the bestselling Association Award for editorial Edmonton, Global Calgary, CTV business analyst with Michelangelo and the Pope’s best practices. Calgary). Aside from work, SaskEnergy in Regina. Kevin Ceiling, shortlisted for the GG Frenette keeps busy playing Hadfield BAdmin’05 is a sales and a National Book Critics Barb Pacholik BAJC’87 has competitive men’s indoor and representative with Molson’s Circle Award. His Brunelleschi's published Sour Milk and Other outdoor soccer. He also like to Canada in Regina. Dome was a New York Times Saskatchewan Crime Stories, travel and his most recent trip bestseller. He is also the her first book with Jana was to Australia where he saw author of two novels, Domino Pruden. The collection of crime everything from Uluru (Ayres 1980-1989 (1995) and Ex-Libris (1998). stories in Saskatchewan spans Rock) in the outback to an King lives in Woodstock, near more than a century. Pacholik Australia versus South Africa Marie Powell Mendenhall’s Oxford, England. and Pruden both work as cricket match at the Melbourne BFA’80, BAJC’88, MA’01 first journalists for Regina’s Leader- Cricket Grounds along with book Dragonflies Are Amazing! Jackie Corkery BAJC’84, a Post. 85,000 other fans. is part of Scholastic's Literacy writer/producer/director with Place series (Grade 2 Guided the CBC’s Documentary Elaine Shein BAJC’88 received Rob Gorski BASc’92 and Kim Reading). Her poem Production Unit in Toronto, the Distinguished Alumna Gorski BacEd’92 have moved

40 Degrees fall 2007 to London, England with their residency at Queen’s son Ivan and dog Tala. Upon University. Having been graduating from the U of R, published in the Canadian they moved to Calgary where Journal of Opthalmology, his Kim taught French Immersion research has allowed him to and Rob worked in the oil and present nationally and study gas industry. In 2002, Rob internationally. Schweitzer will followed a job opportunity to take part in an upcoming Houston. He has since medical exchange in the completed an Executive MBA. Democratic Republic of the Congo. Leah Morrigan BFA’96 lives in Toronto and is the only female member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI). She is involved in several volunteer activities including working with Eva's Phoenix, a local youth-at-risk initiative; Dress Your Best, which puts wardrobes together from donated clothing to help people enter the workforce; and, the AIDS Committee of Kelly Schweitzer BSc’03 imaginations of her 38 Toronto. students. Osask began her Kara Stonechild BAdmin’04 teaching career last year Kay C. Wiese PhD’99 has been has been selected to teaching Grade 1 at St. Mary granted tenure and promoted participate in the International School in Moose Jaw. to associate professor at the Visitor Leadership Program by School of Computing Science the U.S. Consul General’s Chris Eirich BA’06 is engaged at Simon Fraser University. office. Over a three-week to Ashley Schiissler. Eirich is period, she, and 25 other working in Calgary as a risk delegates will travel to various analyst with Tuff Risk and 2000-Present U.S. cities to learn and study. Investment Management. He is She currently works for the also completing the degree Chris Eirich BA’06 and fiance Sean McEachern BEd’03 and Public Service Commission requirements for a BBA at the Ashley Schiissler Meghan Partington were where she implemented the University of Calgary. Schiissler engaged in August. They Aboriginal Career Connections is in Regina completing her began dating while serving on Program. BASc in Electronic Systems Development Agency. The the University of Regina Engineering. couple will work with local Students’ Union executive in Nichole Huck BAJ’05 left in partners and help communities 1999-00. McEachern is September for Tamale, Ghana Chris Getzlaf BBA’07 has by teaching water filter currently a policy advisor for where she has accepted a joined the Saskatchewan construction, installation, and the Saskatchewan Urban position as a media trainer Roughriders as a slotback. He health and hygiene education. Municipalities Association and with Journalists for Human was acquired in a trade with Partington provides Rights. Huck is leaving a the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in information technology position at CBC Radio for her August. support for Greystone second overseas opportunity Managed Investments while as a journalist. Previously, she Newlyweds Steve Thomson working toward her bachelor worked on documentaries in BASc’07 and Amanda Lwanga of science degree. The couple Thailand covering the plight of will depart this fall for Brazil, plans to wed in September Burmese refugees. Cambodia, Kenya, Niger and 2008. Malawi to build and install Shannon Osask BEd’05 is in water filters in impoverished Kelly Schweitzer BSc’03 her first year as a kindergarten communities as part of an completed his medical degree teacher at St. Michael School internship program with this spring and has been in Moose Jaw and is looking Samaritan’s Purse Canada and accepted for an ophthalmology forward to cultivating the and the Canadian International

Degrees fall 2007 41 TO: ALL MEMBERS OF CONVOCATION

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS University of Regina Senate 2008 Election

The University of Regina Act provides that 14 members of All Nominations, accompanied by a short biography of the Convocation may be elected to the University of Regina candidate, must be in the hands of the University Senate. The Chancellor of the University and elected Secretary by February 29, 2008. members of Senate serve three-year terms and are eligible for re-election to a second consecutive term. An Nomination forms may be obtained by contacting the election has been scheduled for April 14, 2008 to elect University of Regina at (306) 585-4956 or at the following district Senate members for terms from July 1, 2008 to website: www.uregina.ca/presoff/senate/elections.htm June 30, 2011. Nominations are called for the following: WHO IS A MEMBER OF CONVOCATION? District 1 (Moosomin – Estevan) (Excerpted from Section 10 of The University of Regina Act) Incumbent Glenn Wilton BA'68, BEd'69 Not eligible for re-election 1. All convocations shall be composed of the chancellor, the senate, all graduates of the University of District 3 (Assiniboia – Bengough) Saskatchewan at Regina, and all graduates of the Incumbent Linda Bumbac BEd‘72 university and such other classes of persons as the Eligible for re-election senate may from time to time determine.

District 5 (Maple Creek – Rosetown – Lloydminster) 2. Any graduate of the University of Saskatchewan at Incumbent N. Jeanne Caswell BA(Hons)’72, BEd‘74 Saskatoon, as defined by the University Act, 1968, or any Eligible for re-election previous University Act, may become a member of convocation at The University of Regina, by notifying the District 6 (Melville – Yorkton – Hudson Bay) secretary in writing of the desire to do so and such Incumbent Jim Jeske BEd'70, PGD'71 person shall also continue to be a member of Not eligible for re-election convocation of The University of Saskatchewan.

District 8 (Dundurn-Delisle) Note: With respect to Section 10(1) of the Act, Senate has Currently Vacant provided that, commencing with the first Convocation of the University of Saskatchewan Regina Campus, Spring District 11 (Regina) 1965, persons who have received a certificate or diploma Incumbent Charles Baldock BAdmin‘74 from the University of Regina or the University of Eligible for re-election Saskatchewan Regina Campus, if that certificate or Incumbent Paulette Brooks BEd’74, PGD’83, diploma required a previous degree for admission or MEd’86, PhD‘89 included a minimum of 60 credit hours of degree credit Eligible for re-election work, are eligible for membership in Convocation.

District 12 (Saskatoon) Currently Vacant

All members of Convocation are eligible to nominate candidates and to vote in the election. Nominees must be members of Convocation and must reside in the district for which they are nominated.

Nominations for elected members must be signed by three qualified voters and endorsed by the nominee.

42 Degrees fall 2007 SENATE DISTRICTS: Battleford is deemed to lie on the same side of the North Saskatchewan River as does the city of North Battleford District 1 (Moosomin-Estevan) - One Member and is therefore excluded from this district.

Commencing at the intersection of the eastern boundary District 6 (Melville-Yorkton-Hudson Bay) - One Member of the Province of Saskatchewan with the United States boundary, then northward along the eastern boundary of Commencing at the intersection of the Qu'Appelle River the Province of Saskatchewan to the Qu'Appelle River, and the eastern boundary of the Province of then westward along the Qu'Appelle River to the eastern Saskatchewan, then westward along the Qu'Appelle River limit of range 11, west of the second meridian, then to the eastern limit of range 11, west of the second southward along the eastern limit of range 11 to the meridian, then northward along the eastern limit of range United States boundary, then eastward along the United 11 to its intersection with the Saskatchewan River, then States boundary to the point of commencement. northeastward along the Saskatchewan River to its intersection with the eastern boundary of the Province of District 3 (Assiniboia-Bengough) - One Member Saskatchewan to the point of commencement.

Commencing at the intersection of the eastern limit of District 8 (Dundurn-Delisle) - One Member range 22, west of the second meridian and the United States boundary, then northward along the eastern limit Commencing at the intersection of the Qu'Appelle River of range 22, west of the second meridian to the and the eastern limit of range 2, west of the third Qu'Appelle River, then westward along the Qu'Appelle meridian, then westward along the Qu'Appelle River to its River to its intersection with the third meridian, then intersection with the South Saskatchewan River, then southward along the third meridian to the United States westward along the South Saskatchewan River to its boundary, then eastward along the United States intersection with the eastern limit of range 13, west of the boundary to the point of commencement. third meridian, then northward along the eastern limit of range 13 to the North Saskatchewan River, then eastward Excepting: The area within Moose Jaw City limits. along the North Saskatchewan River to its intersection with the northern limit of township 42, then eastward District 5 (Maple Creek-Rosetown-Lloydminster) - One along the northern limit of township 42 to the Member intersection of the South Saskatchewan River, then southward along the South Saskatchewan River to its Commencing at the intersection of the eastern limit of intersection with the eastern limit of range 2, west of the range 15, west of the third meridian, and the United third meridian, then southward along the eastern limit of States boundary, then westward along the United States range 2 to the point of commencement. boundary to the intersection of the western boundary of the Province of Saskatchewan, then northward along the Excepting: The area within Saskatoon City limits. western boundary of the Province of Saskatchewan to its intersection with the North Saskatchewan River, then District 11 (Regina) - Two Members southeastward along the North Saskatchewan River to its intersection with the eastern limit of range 13, west of the Area within the Regina City limits. third meridian, then southward along the eastern limit of range 13, to its intersection with the South Saskatchewan District 12 (Saskatoon) - Two Members * River then westward along the South Saskatchewan River (*Only One Currently Eligible for Election) to its intersection with the eastern limit of range 15, west of the third meridian, and then southward along the Area within the Saskatoon City limits. eastern limit of range 15 to the point of commencement. For the purposes of this legal description, the town of

Degrees fall 2007 43 Luther College graduate Ross King BA’83, MA’86 grew up in North Portal, Sask. He earned an MA in English at the U of R before doing his doctoral work at York University. In 2006, he received a Governor General’s Literary Award for The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade That Gave the World Impressionism. The GGs are Canada’s oldest and most prestigious literary awards. He lives in Woodstock, near Oxford, England.

D You've lived in England for book is a matter of isolating one of close to 15 years now. What do those moments—preferably one in you miss most about which there's a lot of rivalry and Saskatchewan? rancour. Thankfully for my purposes, anyone who tries anything new is I miss my family most of all—my always mercilessly attacked, so brothers, sisters, nephew and there's no shortage of drama. mother. But I also miss lots of other things: Wascana Park, the D What do you do during a MacKenzie Art Gallery and its typical week when you are working cafeteria, the views of the prairie on a book? from the windows of the U of R library, the lack of traffic. I work in a little 8' x 10' studio in my back garden. I'm fairly self- D During your career as a writer, motivated—you have to be if you're you have travelled to many places. self-employed—and I read or write What is the favourite place you've for a full eight-hour day. I always been, and why? break in the afternoon to take an hour-long walk in Blenheim Park. If My favourite city is Rome. No other the crunch is on, I work on place has the same depth of history, Saturdays too, but I usually try to range of architecture, or selection of keep my Sundays free to distract art. The food isn't bad either. myself with a hike in the countryside. D Did you want to be a writer when you were growing up? D You were featured on the Martha Stewart show a couple of If you'd asked me when I was 15 years ago. What was that like? what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would have said, in my naïvety, I was interviewed by Martha when that I wanted to be a writer. I read a she was in the midst of her legal lot as an adolescent, and so the problems. She was perfectly idea of writing came naturally to me pleasant and professional towards once I realized that the Toronto me, but I could sense that, like most Maple Leafs were no longer an successful people, she doesn't option. suffer fools gladly. The major disappointment was that I'd been D How do you decide what you told the food in her studio canteen are going to write about? was delicious, but since it was "Bring Your Child to Work Day" I I'm interested in those points in was fed peanut butter sandwiches. history when ways of doing things begin to change. I try to look at watershed moments when creative energies begin to flow in new directions. So finding a topic for a

44 Degrees fall 2007