Spring 2005 Volume 9 No.1 UNITING COMMUNITIES As a project manager for the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Services, Virginia Hassinger (BASc ’79) has fused her love for the outdoors with her background in cartography and is uniting Seattle’s communities, restoring its green spaces and preserving the environment. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40011662 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses To Office of University Advancement University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive W Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS FEATURES 2 Campus Updates 10 3 Through the Aperture 8 The Alumnac 16 Alumni News A Lasting Impression 18 Alma Matters Jeff Carlson (BFA ’92), Arlene Bedster (BFA ’94), Erica Hunt (BFA ’00) and Kelly Roberts (BFA ’91) are among a talented collection of U of L alumni who have made their way to the New West stage and have left a lasting impression. Editor Tanya Jacobson-Gundlock Associate Editor/Project Manager 14 Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak Design Sarah Novak Design Contributors Shelagh McMullan Jaime Morasch Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak Uniting Communities Kara Graham Bob Cooney After studying cartography at the U of L in the Mike Perry 1970s, Virginia Hassinger (BASc ’79) moved to Seattle, WA, where she began working for the City Katherine Wasiak of Seattle. Over the years, she has mapped her way Photography through various positions and expanded her knowl- Bernie Wirzba, unless otherwise credited edge of drafting, engineering and construction. Alumni Office Liaison Jaime Morasch Printing Calgary Colorpress 17 The U of L Journal is published by the Office of University Advancement at the University of Lethbridge. The opinions expressed or implied in the publication do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. Submissions in the form of letters, articles, story ideas or notices of events are welcomed. Correspondence should be addressed to: Alumni Honour Society U of L Journal University of Lethbridge Six individuals have been chosen for 2005. The indi- 4401 University Drive W viduals inducted into this prestigious group serve as Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 role models through success in their vocation or out- Tel: (403) 317-2825 Fax: (403) 329-5130 standing community service. E-mail: [email protected] www.uleth.ca PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to the Spring 2005 edition of the Journal. I am proud to announce the Journal will make its way to more than 16,000 alumni worldwide this May sporting a spring makeover as well as a few new features. One of the new features, Through the From Africa, the Journal takes us to Aperture, tells the U of L’s story Seattle, WA, where we catch up with through its people. This edition of the two alumni, Caralyn Boh (BMgt ’98) Journal profiles Anita Ryder, internal and Virginia Hassinger (BASc ’79), auditor; Dr. Dennis Connolly, mathe- in the new On Location section. We matics professor; Sandy Slavin, man- have also included a section where ager, Sport and Recreation Services; the old is new. From the Archives and Bill Krysak, security supervisor. captures snippets of the U of L’s history and presents a personal side to The Photo Journal also makes its debut the story. in this edition of the Journal with U of L alumnus Matthew McHugh I hope you enjoy this issue of the (BA ’03). Matthew shares his journey Journal, and I look forward to seeing to South Africa and how the experi- you at upcoming alumni events. ence changed his perspective on Africa, the world and his own life. Dr. William H. Cade President and Vice-Chancellor University of Lethbridge PREVIEW See page 8 for full story Excerpt from The Photo Journal by Matthew McHugh (BA ’03) These soldiers and locals slashed the dense equatorial jungle in Rwanda while my Rotary host counsellor, Kevin Dersley, and I trekked up a volcano to find the largest remaining family of mountain gorillas. A classmate from my program was from Rwanda, and he invited us to visit him in Kigali. U OF L JOURNAL 1 Spring 2005 CAMPUS UPDATES Regional Health and Water for Life Supporting Our Edmonton in February, Pronghorn Richard Hortness won a silver medal Wellness Centre The University of Lethbridge is on Students in the 50-metre freestyle event and a With the support of the City of stream to becoming a world leader in (l-r) Campaign Chairs Diane Boyle, gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle Lethbridge and private investors, con- water research. This was reaffirmed Dennis Connolly and Kathy Lee event. At the 2005 CIS Track and struction of the new Regional Health this spring when the UN General Field Championships in Winnipeg in and Wellness Centre is expected to Assembly proclaimed the period from March, both Kate Forbes and Jim start this spring. It will take 14 months 2005 to 2015 as the international Steacy won CIS gold medals in shot decade for action on “Water for Life” put and weight throw and set new CIS and the University of Lethbridge as weight throw records. the Canadian location for this initia- tive. The proclamation presents a sig- Women of Distinction nificant opportunity to build on the partnerships and successful program- U of L Chancellor Shirley DeBow and ming developed during the United alumna Jill Kotkas (BEd ’77) have Nations International Year of Fresh received the YWCA Lethbridge and District 2005 Women of Distinction Water and Wonder of Water initiative In February, the U of L launched awards in the YWCA turning point and in Canada. a one-month campaign entitled community commitment categories, Supporting Our Students to raise This new initiative builds on the respectively. University of Lethbridge’s expanding funds for scholarships and bursaries. role in water research. The University Participation was the goal of the cam- Celebration of Book to complete. Renovations on the exist- is presently a key player in several paign, and the results were impres- Awards ing PE Building will start early in water research programs, including sive. Forty per cent of the U of L fac- 2006 and will be completed in the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for ulty and staff have turned in pledge U of L faculty members have contin- December of that year. For more Water Research and the WISE (Water forms, which is an increase of 35 per ued to be recognized for their scholar- information about the Regional Health Institute for Semi-arid Ecosystems) cent over previous participation. ly and creative work. This spring, the and Wellness Centre, visit the web site partnership, and holds collaborative Along with the pledges from alumni, at http://www.uleth.ca/hwc. arrangements with researchers at other retirees and past/current U of L Board universities and industrial partners. of Governors and Senate members, 2005 Alberta Budget the commitment has generated results Former Pronghorn that will speak volumes as the Provides Base Funding University continues to seek alternate Increase for U of L Makes the Cut funding from government and the pri- The University of Lethbridge will A former Pronghorn hockey player, vate sector. Your support is greatly receive an estimated $8.8 million James DeMone, was one of the more appreciated. increase in its base operating grant over than 4,000 players who took part in the next three years and an opportunity the new CBC reality show entitled Athletic Awards to gain more funding through specific Making the Cut this past winter. U of L students, coaches and profes- programming and performance meas- Participants competed for a chance to sors are succeeding in the athletics University Bookstore honoured 21 ures as part of the Alberta government’s be one of the six players who would arena. Ilsa Wong (Kinesiology & faculty members who authored, co- 2005 budget. “make the cut” and have the opportu- Physical Education) was named the nity to attend an NHL team’s training authored or edited books published in A compounded six per cent increase in Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA) pro- camp. DeMone made the cut and 2003 at its Celebration of Excellence base funding over the next three years fessor of the year for her work with was invited to attend a Vancouver Book Awards. Congratulations to the means an additional $2.7 million this the U of L students enrolled in the Canucks camp when the NHL labour faculty for their literary efforts and to year, $3 million in 2006 and $3.1 mil- academy. Pronghorn Track & Field dispute is resolved. DeMone finished the Bookstore staff members who lion in 2007. Additional funds for Team Head Coach Larry Steinke was the season playing for the Texas organize this annual event. adding new classroom spaces, meet- the recipient of the Athletics Alberta Wildcatters in the East Coast Hockey ing performance measures and an Cheemo High Performance Coach of League (ECHL). increase in operating funding for the Year award for the second year in buildings will also be provided. a row. At the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Swimming Nationals in You can read more about what's happening at the U of L by reading the campus newspaper, The Legend, online at www.uleth.ca/legend. U OF L JOURNAL 2 Spring 2005 THROUGH THE APERTURE THROUGH the APERTURE aperture: a space through which light passes in an optical or photographic instrument A look through the aperture will provide you with a glimpse of how educational excellence is defined and accomplished at the U of L. You’ll learn more about the extraordinary work that goes on here each and every day, and the contributions that faculty and staff make to the University and the community. Through the Aperture tells the University’s story as it’s best told – through the people.