A Heart for Little Ones

Jim, a builder/carpenter, and Janice, a teacher at the nearby Mamawi Atosketan Native School (an Adventist school for First Nation children in Central Alberta), soon decided that one of them needed to stay home. Their growing family required a full-time caregiver, housekeeper, counsellor, cook, chauffeur, etc. Jim was the one to quit his job.

One day, one of Janice’s junior high students told her, “My sister is having a baby. She wants you to have it.” But as the months passed, nothing further was said. So the Clarks assumed that there were no serious plans for them to take the baby. Then, months later, the mom-to-be sent word through her little sister that the delivery had been scheduled. Would the Clarks please be at the hospital. Janice says, “Despite being skeptical, I made arrangements for a substitute teacher.”

She adds mischievously, “I told Jim I was taking the day off to shop for antiques in Edmonton. Eventually, I had to confess, of course."

Janice and Jim arrived early at the hospital on the designated day. When they introduced themselves, they were told, “Oh, you are the adoptive parents. We have a room all set up for you. As soon as the baby is born, we will bring him so you can care for him and bond.”

“At that moment,” Janice says, “we realized we were adopting a baby.” They named him Huxley.

The Clarks write, “One of our hardest times is when the little ones go back to their biological families.

1970s

Karen (Strutz) Baumbach HS ’75, a farmer in Bentley, Alberta, believes that serving others is part of God’s plan for her. Her parents demonstrated what that looks like, and she has passed it on to her daughter, Heidi. (Heidi’s story of her time in Ukraine is reported in the Fall 2022 issue.)

Gerald (Gerry) Chipeur HS ’79 was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for public service to Alberta. The Medal was presented by the Lieutenant Governor and Premier of Alberta at the Queen Elizabeth II Building in Edmonton.

When Huxley came home with us, our children were jubilant because he would not ever leave our family.”

Janice (Ganson) Clark, a Burman University graduate, goes to work with three of their children: Marissa, their oldest daughter, teaches Grade 9, Huxley is in Grade 1, and “Lollypop” is in Kindergarten.

Currently, the Clarks are fostering five children between the ages of three and seven, all of them First Nations Nehiyaw awasisak (Cree children). Janice, who learned the Cree language and is teaching it and cultural studies at Mamawi, says, “We work hard to keep the children connected to their heritage. Coming home recently from a Powwow, our 3-year-old wanted to become a powwow dancer. A few minutes later, he wanted to be a firefighter. Huxley’s response, ‘And you’ll go around and stamp out the fire when you dance? Right!’ had everyone giggling.” The special joys of fostering, the Clarks reflect, are just all the little moments in the day when a laugh and smile is shared.

Karen has led her church in serving the Bentley community in numerous ways, from organized projects such as the Little Chefs program for firstand second-graders, the soup supper for seniors, the food drive for the Bentley school breakfast program, and more. She is also attuned to needs outside of programs (providing jeans for a homeless man, diapers for a new baby, and mittens for cold little hands).

In addition to her “regular” volunteer work, Karen helps care for Ukrainian refugee families in the area. God works daily miracles through people’s generosity: a fundraising buffet meal fully-sponsored from food to centre pieces to hall rent, furniture donations and volunteers to assist with the move, money for rent and utilities, skates for the children, shopping trips for Christmas gifts or something warm to wear, desperately needed eye glasses . . . the list goes on.

Karen says, “It has all been orchestrated by a loving heavenly Father!”

Gerry’s public service includes chairing hearings of the Alberta Review Board under the Criminal Code, and teaching the Negotiation of Indigenous Rights at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. He is also the Honorary Consul for Korea in Alberta, the Chair of the Advisory Council for the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, and a Centre Associate of the University of British Columbia Centre for Constitutional Law and Legal Studies.

Gerry has LL.B. and LL.M. degrees from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. Since his admission to the Law Society of Alberta in 1985, Gerry has advocated for clients in over 120 reported cases, including two dozen matters before the Supreme Court of Canada.

His scholarship includes more than 100 articles on topics such as administrative law, charitable organizations, the Constitution, education, the environment, ethics and government integrity, Indigenous rights, corporate governance, hospitals and healthcare, human rights, lobbying, and public safety.

Barbara (Fowler) Chipeur HS ’78, U att. ’79 is the third of four generations in her family to attend Burman University or one of its divisions. She earned a degree in education at the University of Alberta and taught junior high students at Coralwood Adventist Academy in Edmonton for three years before deciding on a career in dentistry.

After graduating from the University of Alberta with a doctoral degree in dental surgery, Dr. Chipeur owned and operated a successful dental practice in Calgary for 25 years.

In November of last year, Dr. Chipeur was appointed for a second three-year term to the Council of the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta. This public agency has a “critical role in growing Alberta’s economy, creating jobs, and balancing the province’s finances, while ensuring quality services are provided.” As a member of this regulatory agency, Dr. Chipeur’s role is to ensure that Albertans receive safe, appropriate, ethical, and quality dental care.

Barbara and Gerald Chipeur have two adult daughters. Stephanie has a doctorate in civil law from McGill University Faculty of Law and is currently working at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy; Lauren has a master’s degree in fine arts, and her practice in Calgary features ceramic processes.

1990s

Melane Mullings U ’98 entrepreneur and author, shares lessons learned from a journey through her management and consulting practice, Aere Management Consulting, and her book, Lemonade!.

Melane’s professional background includes working as a registered nurse in both the U.S. and Canada. She is also a registered professional trainer, a board member of Canada’s Immigrant Women in Business organization, and a mentor with Futurpreneur Canada, a nonprofit organization that provides financing, mentoring, and support to aspiring business owners.

Melane writes, “At 17, I was hospitalized with leukemia in Calgary, Alberta. Through my cancer journey and miraculous recovery, I gained an understanding of my purpose, faith, and the power of a positive mindset. After a crushing bout of burnout in my late 20s, took my understanding of my purpose and joined it with my faith. This became a sustainably successful, impactful, purposedriven business.

“Beating all the odds, I successfully sold it 13 years later. Now through my consulting practice and in my book, share my journey to help others experience success in life and business as well.”

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2010s

Caitlyn Brousson U ’18 has always been attracted to two quite divergent areas of study: health and art. After she graduated with a degree in business, she began her career with managing a health food store in Red Deer, Alberta—a perfect fit since she already had worked for five years in the natural health industry.

While managing the store, she studied to become a holistic nutritionist (CHN) to assist her customers more effectively. At the same time, Caitlyn decided to develop her creative side. So over the past few years, she worked concurrently on also becoming a part-time artist.

Caitlyn writes, “This year I started Caitlyn Brousson Art. I create and sell original watercolour paintings. My business degree has given me the financial and strategic knowledge and passion for small business that need for making fine art a part of my career path. I was able to financially plan, evaluate the market, and create a strategy to get started.

“The most important thing my degree taught me is how much communities need to support small businesses. With Caitlyn Brousson Art, I source materials exclusively from my local community. Supporting local business builds a community that continually gets healthier in every area: financially, spiritually, relationally, physically, and creatively.”

Invitational Honour Band Festival Convenes April 2, 2023

Victoria de los Angeles Soto Linan U ’19 graduated from Burman’s Scholars program with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She says, “My experience with the university’s co-op research and honours program helped me discover a type of newfound academic curiosity. Donning a researcher’s lab coat, I pursued a master’s degree in neuroscience.

“Scientists in this field generally gravitate toward creating new treatments or unravelling the molecular biology behind diseases. However, I believe that optimizing the time and methods for diagnosis should be simultaneously addressed.”

So Victoria chose to research the use of noninvasive measurements of both electroretinographic abnormalities and oral microbiota alterations as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Her goal is for this multidisciplinary approach to provide a wider window for therapeutic intervention in the future.

She writes, “It took a few years and a mix of pure and applied science, but I’ve watched this project grow and am now close to graduating with a doctorate in neuroscience from Laval University. All researchers are well aware that ‘one gets out what one puts in.’ Unfortunately, this can’t always be done with a smile on one’s face. Today, I find it easier to resonate with the drive common to many patients I’ve worked with: ‘For the advancement of Parkinson’s research, not for us, but so that future generations may benefit from our contribution today….’”

2020s

Nevandria (Henry) Page U ’20 writes, “While completing a master’s degree in feminist and gender studies at the University of Ottawa, my research has been focused on how the future of outer space exploration and industry could export social and economic inequalities into space or exacerbate those still existing on this earth.

“During my religious studies degree at Burman, I developed a passion for working with people and advocating for marginalized communities, but it was really elective courses like Social Problems with Dr. Obisike and Feminist Film and Fiction with Dr. Ringer that fostered these interests by challenging me to think critically and pushed me into exciting new directions.

“I later started a club at Burman, the Intersectional Feminist Society, that collected donations for local community organizations and volunteered at community events. These elective and extracurricular experiences showed me that I could pursue my combined interests in critical theory and advocacy as a career.

“After graduating this summer, I aim to launch a career as a diversity advisor in a national space agency or private firm where can apply my knowledge and passion to help realize futures on our world and beyond that are peaceful, sustainable, and just.”

Spencer Page U ’20 writes, “I have now been working at National Defence as a policy officer for 18 months. Initially I worked in our Directorate of Strategic Coordination and Outreach where my primary role was engaging experts to find new insights on a broad spectrum of policy challenges.

“Last spring, I moved to the Directorate of NATO Policy where was assigned to manage the Ukraine file. I am currently receiving several months of full-time second language training and will return to my usual duties this summer. My assignment to the Ukraine file was undoubtedly the most challenging and rewarding experience of my year. It was an enormous adjustment to inherit this tremendous set of responsibilities.

“At Burman, many of my studies in the Scholars program emphasized how we think about and navigate violence and conflict. I never imagined confronting a geopolitical crisis unlike any in my lifetime, nor that I would occupy a position where conclusions drawn from those same previously abstract discussions could yield tangible consequences for real people. Consequently, I am thankful for the wise colleagues and mentors who empowered me to play this small part in Canada’s support for Ukraine.”

This year, Dr. Karen Gustafson and Dr. James Bicigo have brought band back to campus. They are working to revive Burman University’s tradition of excellent bands and are recruiting woodwind, brass, and percussion players to the ensemble. Newly christened the Burman University Concert Winds, the band has had several performances at Burman and in the community this year.

April 2 marks the first Burman University Invitational Honour Band Festival. High school students representing schools from Central Alberta and across Canada will converge for a day of rehearsals and performance with the Concert Winds.

Taking place April 2 at 6 p.m. at the College Heights Church, the concert will feature each group individually and conclude with the combined ensemble. The program will also include Bicigo’s composition about the Great Lakes entitled Sweetwater Seas. All are invited.

Correction Notice The editor regrets errors in the fall 2022 issue of Burman University Magazine (vol. 5, no.1) and offers the following corrections:

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Corrected caption (pages 8 and 9): (from left to right)

President Emeritus Victor Fitch; former librarians Keith Clouten, Carol (Horne Anderson) Nicks, and Joyce (Tinkler) Van Scheik; student representative Shania Solá; Pastor Jeff Potts; President Loren Agrey

In Memoriam notices (inside back cover)

Alma Blabey Reimche HS ’41 May 9, 2021 September 5, 2021

Carl Ritchey (att) March 12, 2021 December 3, 2021 provincial legislation, our car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Wide Horizons Solution® travel insurance is administered by RSA Travel Insurance Inc. and is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada. Medical and claims assistance, claims payment and administrative services are provided by the administrator described in the insurance policies. All trade-marks are the property of their respective owners.® The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.