the Legend
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
OPENMike University of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon chats about what’s happening in the University community
These are heady times for the University of Lethbridge as we celebrate a number of very positive results from national ranking agencies. The good news began with Research Infosource naming the U of L its Research University of the Year 2012 (undergraduate category), was followed by our strong showing in the annual Globe and Mail Report Card and concluded with the University’s highest ever ranking by Maclean’s Magazine, a third overall standing in the primarily undergraduate classification. We are always pleased to do well from a rankings perspective and we should celebrate these results enthusiastically because they affirm many of the positive aspects of our institution, the comprehensive manner in which
we are evolving and the commitment we continue to have to enhancing the student experience. While it is important to receive such external validation, we must remember that these ranking instruments do not define us and cannot play a role in setting the priorities of the University of Lethbridge. It is essential that we accept these rankings for what they are, a snapshot of the activities we are engaged in, and that we continue to focus on the priorities and aspirations set out in our Strategic Plan. As part of the Strategic Planning exercise that we are just now engaged in, November is a very important month in terms of the consultation aspect of that process.
CAMPUS The Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies (CACS) has created the Cynthia Chambers Thesis Award, given to an outstanding master’s thesis in curriculum studies in Canada. The honour was bestowed upon Dr. Chambers (Education) in recognition of her life writing as a form of inquiry and Indigenous Studies research around Aboriginal literacy of place that has inspired curriculum scholars and educators across Canada. Rolf Boon’s (Music) Wind Shadows for flute and electronic sound field was selected to be part of the Canadian Mix for the 60x60 Vox Novus project, which is comprised of 60 composers, musicians and sound artists from Canada. The work was presented on radio in Chicago on Oct. 6 and will be broadcast in Montreal, Halifax and Los Angeles sometime between Nov. 2012 and Feb. 2013. Dr. John Usher and Dr. Rossitsa Yalamova (Management) attended a summer school of the CEEL Program in Adaptive Economics, hosted by the
Our current Strategic Plan is very strong in that it describes our principles as a university very well and sets a number of solid directives. As we move through the new Strategic Planning cycle, our current plan will serve as a solid foundation from which we will build. Just as Dr. Andy Hakin challenged the University community in his Fiat Lux address to reexamine liberal education, what it means to us now and what it could be in the future, we must do the same in terms of the Strategic Plan and its directives. We will not stray from the principles set out in our current plan, rather we will think about core issues such as internationalization, liberal education and our First Nations, Métis and Inuit programming and how we can
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University of Trento and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation. The school’s course included curriculum that closely followed principles put forth by Nobel Prize on Economics winners Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley. Dr. Josh Davies (Music) has been busy during his first couple of months on campus. He performed with the Kamloops Symphony in Kamloops, B.C., then auditioned and won the position as Principal Trumpet for their 2012-2013 season. He recently performed Mahler’s 6th Symphony as guest Principal Trumpet in the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra in Monterrey, Mexico. He also performed and presented a master class at the Nuevo Leon International Brass Symposium at the Monterrey Conservatory of Music. Heather Steacy (Pronghorns track and field) and her brother Jim Steacy (BASc ’09) were among a group of 182 people who received Diamond Jubilee Medals from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The medals are given to those who have made significant contribu-
evolve these directives for the next 45 years of the institution. I encourage you to take advantage of the upcoming consultation sessions (Nov. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Nov. 27, 1 to 3 p.m.; Dec. 5, 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Students’ Union Ballrooms) so that you can provide your thoughts and help set the future direction of your university. On a personal note, I want to highlight the annual Movember campaign and its goal to raise awareness and support for male mental health and the fight against prostate cancer. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer this past summer and have just recently undergone surgery to treat the cancer. My hope is for a speedy recovery, and I plan to be back on campus in a few weeks, as I am eager to
continue the momentum our University has gained over the recent months. I want to be open about this challenge I face because I know that there are many more people in our lives who are facing similar health challenges. It’s important that we can feel free to talk about the difficulties we face and draw on the strength of our University community. I thank those who have already wished me well in this journey and I urge everyone to think of your co-workers, your friends and family, and to continue to foster that atmosphere of openness, support and acceptance that makes our community so unique and such a pleasure to be a part of.
JUDGES NEEDED Canada-Wide Science Fair May 11-18, 2013
tions to their communities and country, or whose achievements abroad have brought credit to Canada. Gail Hanrahan (Drama) is directing Second Change, First Love at Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary, which features the work of four U of L Grads. Adam Beauchesne (BFA ’09) plays Jason, Julia Wasilewski (BA ’05, BFA ’07) designed the set and costumes, and Joshua Hellawell (BFA ’12) designed the sound. The Lethbridge Festival Society and the Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society awarded Ramona Big Head with (Education) one of four Blackfoot Artist 2012 awards for her many years of artist practice and service in southern Alberta. Daniel Wong (BFA ’03) and Mary-Anne McTrowe (BFA ’98; U of L Art Technician), as The Cedar Tavern Singers AKA Les Phonoréalistes, just created a music video of the song they wrote and performed to commemorate the Carleton University Art Gallery’s 20th Anniversary.
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More than 400 qualified judges are needed to volunteer their expertise, experience and time to interview finalists and evaluate their projects at the Canada-Wide Science Fair May 11-18, 2013. If you have a background in science or engineering and would like to be a judge, please contact Chief Judge Dr. Roy Golsteyn (BSc ’84) at roy.golsteyn@youthscience.ca. If you’re not a scientist, but would like to be involved, consider volunteering at the event. For more information on how you can help, email admin@satclethbridge.ca or visit http://cwsf.youthscience.ca/form/volunteer-registration.
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