SIGNIFICANT AND MENTIONABLE
STUDENTS’ UNION HELPING PAINT A BRIGHTER FUTURE exterior of their property. There is no cost to the homeowner and the program operation is based solely on volunteers.
EDUCATION STUDENTS TAKE A STAND AGAINST BULLYING The third annual University of Lethbridge Anti-bullying and Cyberbullying Awareness Week was held Oct. 4 to 6. Organized by the Education Undergraduate Society, the event is the only student-organized anti-bullying campaign in Alberta and aims to increase the awareness of cyberbullying and bullying in the community. The ever-increasing use of technology among children is rapidly leading to a transformation in the traditional forms of bullying, with cyberbullying becoming more prevalent. The anti-bullying campaign highlighted the need for schools to develop policies and procedures related to cyberbullying, while providing teachers with techniques and tools to address the issue.
GLOBE & MAIL REPORT CARD The Globe and Mail’s annual report card on Canadian University performance is out and the University of Lethbridge has been given high marks, ranging from B’s to A’s in more than 80 per cent of 17 categories.
University of Lethbridge Students’ Union Executive Council worked on their home-improvement skills this past summer by volunteering with Project Paintbrush. Working with Volunteer Lethbridge and Project Paintbrush, the students laboured to fix up homes for those who are not able. Specifically, the four council members grabbed brushes and aided in painting the exterior of a local home. Project Paintbrush focuses on assisting seniors and individuals with special needs who are physically and/or financially unable to maintain the
CONGRATULATIONS! The U of L extends sincere congratulations to the following members of our community for their awards and recognitions this fall.
Taz Kassam, SU president, believes that “making positive changes through volunteering in the community provides for greater experiences and opportunities for all. Lethbridge supports its students and it is important for students to support Lethbridge, too.” By taking part in this project, the ULSU hopes to not only spark knowledge of Volunteer Lethbridge and Project Paintbrush, but also showcase the impact volunteering has on individuals and the community. “At the end of the day, we can look back and realize that we made a difference, and the families are more than grateful for the help,” says Kassam.
Dr. Trevor Harrison, sociology professor, was awarded a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Canadian Studies at Kennesaw State University.
IGEM TEAM CLEANS UP A group of University of Lethbridge undergraduate chemistry, biochemistry and neuroscience students has been awarded a $20,000 international research grant from the Oil Sands Initiative to find a biological solution to improving the environmental sustainability of Alberta’s oil sands. The students are members of the U of L’s multiple-award-winning International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) team, which competes each year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Mass. Regarded as the premier undergraduate synthetic biology competition in the world, the conference attracts competitors from around the world but the U of L group was the only team to receive a $20,000 award. The money will help support the development of a petrochemical-eating bacteria that the group plans to design. If successful, the bacteria could be used to help clean up water in ponds that have been polluted in the refining process.
Dr. Susan McDaniel, director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, was named Vice-Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies’ Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).
U of L Chancellor Richard Davidson was named one of the 50 most influential people in Alberta by Alberta Venture magazine.
The Honourable Rick Casson, who is a Member of Parliament for Lethbridge and a former U of L employee, was appointed to the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada.
Dr. Joseph Rasmussen, biological sciences researcher, was appointed to the National Oil Sands Review Panel.
The survey was prepared by higher Education Strategy Associates in partnership with the Globe and Mail, and asked more than 35,000 students 100 questions that were distilled down to the final 17 categories. Individual scores (such as the U of L’s) are based on a minimum number of responses from U of L students.
The Faculties of Health Sciences and Management recorded high marks from students for providing a quality education, and “A” level grades were received for the number of small class sizes, the quality of student/professor interaction, and the institution’s athletics and recreation services.
“This survey is a solid reinforcement of our strength as an undergraduate university, but we’re moving along a new path to become a comprehensive research university – without losing sight of the very important factors that put all of our students first,” says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon.
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