Excel Alumni Magazine - Fall 2017

Fall 2017

GOING INTERNATIONAL! UT alumnus pursues

MD in ARUBA

Styrofoam & metal artisan turns passion into...

CARE ER EST ALUMNUS Scotland's new deputy chief officer

FALL 2017

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One of the most advanced

DAIRY LEARNING CENTRES IN CANADA OPENS

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LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE

AT LAKELAND

The Dairy Learning Centre puts Lakeland in the ideal position of reflecting the highest industry standards. It features state-of-the-art technology in robotic and conventional milking and feeding systems. With these systems, Lakeland students have the opportunity to delve into what it takes to lead in the dairy industry. They're working with a herd of 280-head including 120 Holstein milk cows, replacement heifers and young stock.

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June 8 to 10, 2018

HOMECOMING Congratulations!

We want to celebrate with you!!

70th - 1948

40th - 1978

65th - 1953

30th - 1988

60th - 1958

25th - 1993

55th - 1963

20th - 1998

50th - 1968

10th - 2008

Watch for the Spring Excel for the registration sheet and the list of exciting events that will be happening during Homecoming!

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CONTENTS Alumni Spotlight

Fall 2017

Excel is published by Lakeland College’s Department of College Advancement.

Excel is also available on Lakeland College’s website at lakelandcollege.ca/ excel.

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9. Sometimes plans change

16. Opportunistic ideology leads

10. Class of ’97 alumnus appointed

deputy chief officer of Scotland

12. EST alumnus carried fiery

potential to excel

13. Moulding a passionate career 14. UT alumna working towards

UT student to medical school in Aruba

18. A fire was sparked 20. The start of a fulfilling career in

Mexico for UT alumnus

lifelong goal

The department distributes mailings, invitations and class lists. Anyone wishing to be excluded from certain mailings should notify College Advancement.

Editor: Taylor Hermiston Writers: Katie Ryan, Taylor Hermiston, Eric Healey and Colleen Symes Creative Design: Chelsey Schlosser

Continue Reading

Cover Photo: Eric Healey Accepting Advertising: Advertising in Excel is welcome.

For rates call College Advancement at 780.853.8628 or email alumni@ lakelandcollege.ca.

Contributions: Special thanks to all alumni who contributed to this edition of Excel.

Letters, photographs and news are welcome. We reserve the right to edit contributions. Submitted photographs must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Please address all correspondence to the College Advancement.

26 Donor Spotlight

Publications mail agreement No. 40009099

28 Students in the Lead

31 Campus News

7. Upcoming Events

40. Event Recap

8. Class Notes

42. In Memoriam

24. Convocation

43. Remember When

Return undeliverable addresses to: Lakeland College College Advancement 5707 College Drive Vermilion, Alberta, Canada T9X 1K5 1.800.661.6490 lakelandcollege.ca/alumni FALL 2017

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President Barry McCarty ‘69 Vice President Edmund Lefsrud ‘65 Treasurer Don Deaville ‘66 Secretary Sandra Bernes '66 Past President Bill Fox '58 Director Werner Wennekamp '65 Director Ray Yaworski '75 Director Wyman Lockhart ‘66 Director Carolyn McIntosh ‘66 Director Bill Plumley ‘66 Director Kole Casey 2012 Director Craig deJong 2016 Director Sheila Kitz ‘86 Director Barry McDonald ‘66 Director Victoria Page ‘67 Director Jamie Taylor 2016 Director Marie Therriault ‘65 Historian Tom Kibblewhite ‘59 Alumni Liaison Shauna Zack

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5 Questions with the Alumni Association President 1.

How would you describe the past year for the Alumni Association?

I'd like to thank our present Alumni Executive for being fully committed to this association. Our meetings had very constructive discussions always trying to advance our commitment to the college.

2.

What are the Association’s achievements/highlights from the past year?

Our achievements this past year involved preserving and progression.

An effort has been started to preserve artifacts, pictures and memorabilia belonging to the Alumni. The highlights of 2016 were receiving first hand news of the new Dairy Learning Centre and Animal Health Clinic.

What a marvelous accomplishment by the Lakeland College team!

3.

Describe how the Association served Lakeland’s alumni in 2017.

The Alumni Association continues to work at informing our members of all activities. Locating class members from feature years is a big job but very rewarding. Helping support spring and summer socials is a great connection for our members.

4.

What services do you think the Association provides to Lakeland College students and alumni?

I personally believe the Excel magazine is one of our greatest services to our members. Thank you very much to Lakeland staff for such a highquality magazine. Social media is a big part of everyone’s lives today, but a magazine sitting on the table is a constant and handy reference. Our Alumni Association has been putting extra focus on promoting student awards and bursaries. We're the people who have reaped the benefit of a Lakeland College education, and we believe it's time to pay it back.

5.

Why is it important for alumni to be a part of the Association?

With the quality of Alumni members we have, there is a wealth of knowledge and ideas out there. We'd like to hear your ideas and requests; it'll only make this Association better. For more details about our activities, please contact any member of the executive or Shauna Zack who is the Alumni & Donor Relations Officer.

LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE

UPCOMING EVENTS

ALUMNI SOCIAL EVENTS Dates & Locations

Yuma Alumni Snowbird Social Saturday, February 3, 2018 Westwind RV & Golf Resort 9797 East 32 Street, Yuma, Ariz.

Time: 1 to 6:30 p.m. $15 per person, supper incl.

Contact: Jack & Jeanette Price, 928.342.4567 Lyle & Sandra Baker, 928.342.4339

Alumni are welcome to attend each event.

Bring a friend!

Please RSVP 14 days prior to each event.

Edmonton & Area Alumni Social

Grande Prairie Alumni Social

Saturday, April 21, 2018 Country Side Golf Club 51466 Range Road 232, Sherwood Park, Alta.

Time: 2 to 5 p.m.

Contact: Shauna Zack, Alumni & Donor Relations Officer 1.800.661.6490 ext. 8628

Wednesday, July 18, 2018 Dunvegan Campsite, Alta.

Time: 1 to 5 p.m.

Contact: Alice Fortier, 780.5326662 Eric Stamp, 780.766.2464

Lakeland College Alumni Homecoming Friday, June 8 to Sunday, June 10, 2018 Registration form will be in the Spring 2017 Excel Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alta.

Contact: Shauna Zack, Alumni & Donor Relations Officer 1.800.661.6490 ext. 8628

Lakeland College will be on the road this year too!

Be sure to stop by at the following events and say hi!

• Farm Fair – Edmonton, Alta November 10, 2017 Room 301, Expo Centre

Lacer the Racer Alumni Golf Bash Saturday, July 28, 2018 Vermilion Golf and Country Club 4606 - 52 St., Vermilion, Alta.

Contact: Shauna Zack, Alumni & Donor Relations Officer 1.800.661.6490 ext. 8628

Westlock Alumni Social Thursday, August 2, 2018 Westlock Memorial Hall, Elks Room 99 Ave.- 106 St., Westlock, Alta.

Time: 2 to 5 p.m.

Contact: George & Ivy McMillan, 780349.2404 Doug & Vera Brown,780349.2410

• Agribition – Regina, Sask.

November 21, 2017 VIP Room, Brandt Centre • Farm Tech – Edmonton January 30-February 1, 2018

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CLASS NOTES

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5 1.

4 Luke Wrubleski, Class of 2013 and former student member on Lakeland’s Board of Governors, married Class of 2012 alumna Lillian (nee Hager) on June 17, 2017.

2. Cassie (nee Lingley) Smith, Class of 2013 animal health

technology, married Kris Smith on July 15, 2017.

3. Kelly (nee Beal) Millard, Class of 2003 animal health technology, married Rex Millard on June 3, 2017.

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4.

Chandra (nee McGuire) Reilly, said “I do” to Bill Reilly on July 23, 2016. Chandra ia a graduate of the real estate appraisal and assessment business major in 2006 and now lives in Saskatoon, Sask. She is currently the president of the Saskatchewan Assessment Appraisers Association.

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Class of 2013 alumni Benjamin Hager and Deandra (nee Stachura) Hager welcomed twins, Parker Benjamin Hager and Natalie Kate Hager, on August 22, 2017. The family lives in Provost, Alta.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

In life, plans can change.

A statement Amanda Jolly, Class of 2015, knows very well. At the end of June, Jolly held both a diploma and a degree, marking something quite different than she'd originally planned.

“A friend recommended Lakeland College after completing the environmental conservation and reclamation (ECR) program,” says Jolly, who graduated from the same major. “The more I researched, the more I started to acknowledge Lakeland was the right choice for me.

“I was very drawn to the hands-on, one-on-one learning style,” she adds.

Jolly, originally from a small town in southwestern Manitoba, says she aspired to complete a degree in agriculture. However, she was uncertain as to how attainable her dream was. At Lakeland she surrounded herself with instructors who provided her with the learning tools to go to university, and the encouragement to accomplish her dream.

Sometimes plans...

CHANGE

“Attending Lakeland helped me immensely on the path to achieving my goal. The instructors are very passionate about the material they teach, and deliver it in a manner that can be easily interpreted,” says Jolly. “They also care very much about their students and put in the effort to ensure students understand the material. I remember ample instances when the instructors set aside time after class to provide me with assistance on topics I was unclear of.”

At the end of spring, Jolly graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of science in agriculture majoring in environmental sciences. She was able to achieve her goal by transferring her credits from Lakeland, where she not only made lifelong friends but “had experiences that will last a lifetime.”

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“

I am looking forward to exploring the differences between how things are run in Scotland compared to Alberta and Canada, meeting new people, and broadening my network and horizons.

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Class of ’97 alumnus

appointed deputy chief officer of Scotland After working in Alberta's emergency services sector for 25 years, Iain Bushell has has taken a leap across the pond and is now the deputy chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

The Class of 1997 emergency services technology (EST) alumnus began his role as Director of Service Delivery on June 19. He oversees 356 fire stations with over 8,000 firefighters, and leads the development of the future SFRS operational model.

“I am looking forward to exploring the differences between how things are run in Scotland compared to Alberta and Canada, meeting new people, and broadening my network and horizons,” he says. “It is a huge challenge moving up from where I was in Strathcona to Scotland. Firefighting is the same at the core - things burn and we put them out but the way they run their systems, train and organize their people are a few of the things I am looking forward to learning.”

Emergency Services as a firefighter and paramedic in 2001. In a span of 12 years, he served as deputy fire chief of finance and human resources, deputy fire chief of operations, and then fire chief in 2013.

It was early in 2017 when Bushell was browsing the United Kingdom’s Chief Fire Officers Association website and found the job posting.

With support from his family, Bushell decided the job was worth applying for. Born in England, his dual citizenship made him an eligible candidate and he was familiar with the country having married his wife in Scotland 13 years ago.

After putting in a little over 10 years in military aviation for the Canadian Armed Forces and a few years of volunteer firefighting, Bushell attended Lakeland’s EST program at the Emergency Training Centre in Vermilion.

He says he chose the program because of the opportunity to gain both firefighter and emergency medical skills.

“I knew I wanted to get involved in emergency services, so being able to get both those qualifications at the same time, in the same program is what appealed to me.”

Iain Bushell, Class of 1997, is the deputy chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

He also received valuable information from his instructors, who shared their experiences, and the small classroom sizes made for a successful team environment.

“I think it was a great foundation for me, and if nothing else, I learned to take the opportunities that I get and see what comes of them, and not to be afraid to challenge myself,” he says. “I was inspired to dream big, go out into the world and do the best I could do, and achieve all of the things I wanted to achieve.”

Bushell became a member of Strathcona County

In a three week period, Bushell completed a four-stage process which included submitting an online application, completing aptitude and psychometric tests, flying to Scotland for a command assessment, conducting a presentation, and finally sitting in a panel interview. “It was a very quick process,” he says.

“As the deputy chief officer, the three assistant chief officers and the three civilian directors will report to me and then I’ll report to the chief. I think my job covers pretty much everything. I am looking forward to the next phase in my journey and I hope to bring new ideas and insight that will allow Scotland to deliver the best solutions for the communities.”

SFRS was established in April 2013, after Scotland’s previous eight regional fire and rescue services amalgamated. SFRS is the fourth largest fire service in the world.

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EST Alumnus carried FIERY potential to excel Becoming a municipal fire chief was a dream turned into a reality for Shawn McKerry.

Watching his dad serve as a member of the fire department and RCMP in his hometown of Evansburg, Alta., McKerry knew he wanted a career in the public service sector.

With a burning desire to pursue a career in both firefighting and business, McKerry was confident that Lakeland College’s emergency services technology (EST) diploma program would set him up with the necessary credentials to achieve what he hoped to one day be – a municipal fire chief.

“It was fantastic. I can’t say anything bad about the program at all,” McKerry says about his time at Lakeland. “The staff and faculty at the (Emergency Training Centre) were awesome and instrumental to my success. They told me I would be a fire chief, which made me excited. It solidified that I was feeling the right things and setting the right goals. That was encouraging. They saw the potential in me.”

McKerry completed his three-month practicum with the Spruce Grove Fire Service to complete his diploma requirements. He graduated from the program in 2007.

He went on to serve in the private sector as an emergency response coordinator before becoming the deputy fire chief in Yellowhead County, deputy fire chief in Parkland County, and then, on June 5, the fire chief for the City of Fort Saskatchewan. He has also served as an advisor for Lakeland’s EST program for three years.

“My time at Lakeland was eye-opening for me. When I left high school, I had little interest in academics. Going to Lakeland, being introduced to post-secondary education and being successful in that lit a fire in me,” he says.

When he left Lakeland, McKerry completed a fire and emergency services administration certificate at Colorado State University and received a bachelor of science in fire and emergency services administration in 2013. In 2016, he completed his masters of emergency management from Charles Sturt University in Australia.

“I wouldn’t have done all of that without Lakeland College.

Academically and professionally, they helped me reach the 12

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Shawn McKerry, City of Fort Saskatchewan fire chief, oversees 45 staff members. As the department grows, he wants his station to be an option for Lakeland’s EST students to pursue placements and career opportunities.

goals I have been able to achieve so far.”

Now, McKerry oversees 45 staff and says the number will increase in the next couple of years due to the development of a new fire station. He says he is excited for the changes ahead because of the professional staff development projects he has planned.

“I have been given exciting opportunities that have allowed me to get to this position and I want to make sure my employees have those opportunities as well. If one of them wants to be a fire chief one day, we can set them up to do that.”

McKerry also wants his department to be an option for Lakeland’s EST students to pursue placements and career opportunities.

MOULDING a passionate career

As work dwindled as a sculptor, this Styrofoam and metal artisan laid to rest her carving sets, rasps and other tools required to fulfil her duties and turned a passion into a career.

Considering the necessary skill set to build props, Ricki McCance, a native of Calgary, already had an understanding of the array of tools found in a fabrication shop. What McCance wanted to improve on was her metal manipulating, and then gear her skills towards the automotive industry.

“I’ve been working with similar processes (found in a fabrication shop) as a sculptor. What I wanted to learn about and experience was the larger equipment used in automotive fabrication,” says McCance.

“Before, I would bang around on a piece of metal until I got what I wanted. Now, I’ve learned there’s so much more to it than that. The learning process has been rewarding and has given me so much confidence,” adds McCance.

She says students are spoiled with the quantity and quality of the tools available in the SRT shop.

“I learned a lot here at And instructors Stuart Ribey and Matt Lakeland; not only the various Newman are real spark plugs. “They techniques but also the come to the classroom and shop every different processes. I now have day more than willing to teach and offer assistance. And they each have a broad a stronger understanding of range of experience and knowledge that how metal works.” complement one another.

And that’s exactly what she did as a student in Lakeland College’s street rod technologies (SRT) program.

“I learned a lot here at Lakeland; not only the various techniques but also the different processes. I now have a stronger understanding of how metal works.”

Learning the intricacies of metal is important, says McCance, who tasked herself with building a front fender and a petrol tank for her 1974 Harley-Davidson Sportster.

The traits of metal are among many things she learned during the program.

“From what I’ve researched, no other program across Canada can compete with Lakeland’s SRT,” she adds. “Plus, being able to work on your own vehicle as a class project is a huge bonus.”

McCance has since returned home to Calgary where she is putting her freshly honed skills to use working on her personal projects and offers a hand to her father when needed.

SRT is a one-year certificate program offered at Lakeland’s new property, west of Lloydminster in County Energy Park.

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UT alumna working towards lifelong

G O A L What Lacey Jurke thought would set her on the path to becoming a veterinarian actually shined a light on a lifelong desire to become a medical doctor.

After graduating from Lakeland College’s university transfer pre-veterinary medicine program in 2013, the Maidstone, Sask., native transferred to the University of Saskatchewan to work on an animal bioscience degree. Jurke planned to eventually enter the university’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

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“I took university transfer because at the time I wanted to apply to veterinary school, and I knew that I was going to transfer to university the next year. I was able to take prevet required classes that I would need without being in a larger centre,” Jurke says of her choice to attend Lakeland.

If I could give any student advice it would be never to undermine yourself and believe that you are not capable of something. With hard work and determination, you can achieve goals that seem out of reach. It is also never too late to change your mind regarding what direction you want to go in life.

During her time at Lakeland, Jurke says she appreciated the smaller class sizes and felt connected to her professors, who challenged her and wanted her to learn and succeed at her highest potential.

“Being able to meet with an academic advisor one-on-one to discuss classes and plan credits was advantageous, especially coming straight out of high school. I was able to take the lead in my own life by having the option to choose to take university classes closer to home. Coming out of Lakeland, I felt prepared for continuing classes at a university.”

At U of S, she joined a pre-vet club and “for the heck of it” joined the pre-med club during her third year.

It was in the pre-med club where she met individuals who were in medicine and shared the same outlook towards becoming a doctor.

“I have always wanted to be a doctor since I was little; however it was an unattainable goal in my mind, reserved for those with the very highest marks. I didn’t even think of it as an option when I started university. When you grow up on a farm, love animals and do well in school you are told to become a vet. Therefore, that is what I went along with during high school and into my four-year degree.”

She discovered that becoming a vet wouldn’t fulfil her in life, so she turned her focus to writing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) between her third and fourth year of university. In her fourth and last year of school she did well on the MCAT and was granted an interview as the next step to get into medicine.

“The interviews to get into medicine are very intimidating and difficult to prepare for. You have 10 interviews in two hours with people who say very little to you, more so only listen to your response to various scenarios involving ethical decision making, critical thinking, knowledge of the health-care system, and communication skills,” she says.

A few days after she obtained a bachelor of animal bioscience with distinction in 2016, she learned she was accepted in to the College of Medicine at the U of S and began classes in August 2016.

“If I could give any student advice it would be never to undermine yourself and believe that you are not capable of something. With hard work and determination, you can achieve goals that seem out of reach. It is also never too late to change your mind regarding what direction you want to go in life.”

She will attend the College of Medicine for four years, and then complete a residency in the type of medicine she wants to specialize in – family medicine, surgery, and oncology are currently her interests. Jurke, a member of Lakeland’s Class of 2013, will be a member of the College of Medicine’s Class of 2020.

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Opportunistic ideology leads UT student to

MEDICAL SCHOOL in ARUBA From Kamsack, Sask. to medical school in Oranjestad, Aruba, former Lakeland College university transfer student Tyson Tetoff says his path to becoming a doctor has been nothing but opportunistic.

“I am doing something no one thought I could, but with the help of others it has made a dream become a reality,” Tetoff says.

The dream began in 2010 when he enrolled in Lakeland College’s university transfer program to work towards a bachelor of science degree.

At Lakeland’s Lloydminster campus, Tetoff was a member of the Rotaract Club and helped raise money to build a school in Mawli, Africa, was a student rep on the Academic Council, and received the Vic Juba Student Volunteer/Leadership Award.

Tyson Tetoff receives his white coat at the Xavier University School of Medicine in Oranjestad, Aruba.

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“I am grateful for the exposure I got at Lakeland. Being in a small academic setting was absolutely beneficial. I was a mature student and Lakeland was able to offer me a smooth transition into academia,” Tetoff says.

Tetoff appreciated the class sizes at Lakeland, which allowed close relationships between students and instructors. He added his Lakeland experience built his leadership qualities. He also learned the importance of volunteerism when he served as a peer tutor.

“Peer tutoring was a benefit, because not only could I review my own notes but I could help someone else.”

Tetoff’s desire to help others has deep roots. After transferring to the University of Regina from Lakeland in 2012 to major in chemistry, he then transferred to the University of Saskatchewan where he majored in microbiology and immunology.

Alongside of school, his summers were spent working at his hometown’s hospital, getting exposure to many aspects of clinical medicine.

For five years, he worked at Kamsack Hospital and Nursing Home. There, he nursed his dream and started to turn it into a reality when he began the application process for medical school.

“I have always been a science nerd.

I love science and inquisitiveness, and there is no greater biological, chemical, psychological, and sociological specimen than the human being.”

Tetoff received his white jacket into the Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM) earlier this year, and will be attending until 2019 before transferring to clinical medicine for two more years and graduating in 2021.

“Medical school is like having to drink a mouthful of water from a fire hose. The amount of information and

the speed it comes at you is unlike anything I have experienced. I can’t describe it in any other way.”

XUSOM is a fully accredited international medical school that follows a United States-based curriculum, which allows their students to practice anywhere in Canada and the United States.

Currently, Tetoff is interested in returning to Canada to pursue family medicine in Kamsack.

“It is my hometown and there will be a doctor shortage there soon.

I know the community, so there is opportunity for me to work in the clinic as well as in the hospital, with members of the community,” he says.

“The path I took was wonderful. I wouldn’t change a thing. It has all been worth it.”

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“

Without Lakeland College, my trajectory wouldn’t be what it was, Lakeland sparked that fire in me to keep on working with people who are on the margins and to advocate.

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medium, I understand that now – it’s a pathway to have different types of conversations about becoming.”

A fire was

SPARKED That’s how Dr. Sean Lessard, Class of 1994, describes his Lakeland College experience.

After completing the rehabilitation services program at the Lloydminster campus, Lessard says he never really left school. His love of learning led him to complete his undergraduate and graduate work in education at the University of Alberta. He also taught at Edmonton’s Jasper Place High School before accepting a faculty position at the University of Regina. Now a professor with the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education’s Department of Secondary Education, Lessard shares his love of learning with future teachers and youth on the margins.

“I have a different story because of Lakeland College,” says Lessard, of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Sask. “It was an absolute game changer for me. It gave me the confidence to go to school – I mean, I’ve kept every single essay I wrote from 1992 as reminders. I talk to kids a lot about that, that we are always becoming, that we are who we are for now.”

Describing his time at Lakeland as formative, Lessard played for the Rustlers men’s volleyball team and received an athletic scholarship during his first year. Though he had to leave the team in his final year to help at his family’s farm, Lessard credits Alan “Coach” Rogan for inspiring him to finish what he started.

“Al saw something in me and gave me a chance,” he says. “The most important thing he talked about was to keep my grades up.

You can have responsibilities where you might not be able to play sports, but don’t lose your education. That’s the kind of guy Al Rogan is. He’s more than a coach; he’s a friend to many of us. He saw something different in a lot of us beyond just sports. That was just a

Lessard’s work with youth started while he was at Lakeland College. To help fund his education, Lessard worked in respite with a young man with spina bifida. “Every evening I put him to bed and every morning I had to wake him up to go to school. At 17, that shifted my whole perspective,” he says. “It changed me, not only academically but most importantly as a person.”

Following graduation, Lessard took a youth worker position in Saskatoon. After several years, he was encouraged by his supervisor to further his education. As he studied, Lessard continued working with youth.

“The skills I got from Lakeland College have been with me all along. That diploma gave me an opportunity to be a youth worker, so I set up my own business and worked with social services, group homes and the prison system, and that paid for my education,” he says.

During his time at the University of Regina, Lessard took his youth work a step further by helping to establish an intergenerational wellness program for Indigenous youth, the Growing Young Movers After-School Program.

“It’s about creating the space for kids to imagine themselves differently, and it’s everything that I believe in,” says Lessard. “There is possibility in people and as teachers we have a responsibility to create safe spaces and to think differently.”

While Lessard’s “day job” is teaching at the University of Alberta, his passion for working with youth on the margins takes him across the country for research and speaking engagements. He’s also busy collaboratively writing a second book.

“Without Lakeland College, my trajectory wouldn’t be what it was,” he says. “Lakeland sparked that fire in me to keep on working with people who are on the margins and to advocate.”

When asked how he’s been able to achieve the success he has, Lessard says his answer is simple: just start. “I have a great foundation and it started at Lakeland,” he says. “Starting at a place that sustains you is important. From there, you just never know where the world is going take you. But, you need to start.”

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The start of a fulfilling career in

MEXICO for UT alumnus Becoming a teacher is the most fulfilling career choice Jared Borzel, Class of 2015, says he could have made.

His passion for learning and sharing newfound knowledge with others is what pushed the Lloydminster native to pursue a bachelor of education through Lakeland College’s university transfer program.

“I enjoyed the smaller class sizes at Lakeland, and having those personal connections with professors was a really nice start to my university career.”

During his time at Lakeland, Borzel majored in math and minored in science before transferring to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he earned his degree earlier this year. He was also a part of the cross-country running team, served as a student ambassador, participated in the Business Club, co-emceed Fashion on a Budget and the 2015 President’s Gala, helped other students as a peer tutor, and was the 2015 President’s Medal recipient.

But the experience that changed the game for Borzel was a global hands-on learning opportunity in Ensenada, Mexico. In 2015, he and 11 other students visited a SpanishEnglish immersion school, migrant camp schools, indigenous schools and other locations during their eight-day stay.

“The purpose was to be exposed to educational systems in other parts of the world. That was the biggest thing Lakeland contributed to where I’m now. Lakeland let me see the world.

I learned that there was more than Lakeland, Alberta, and Canada, and it’s possible to find work anywhere in

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the world.”

After the trip, Borzel became fascinated by the Spanish culture in Mexico and aspired to teach outside of Canada. For the past two years, he attended educational symposiums on international teaching, and it was at one where he met a principal from the Canadian School in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“When I talked to the principal he said they need secondary teachers in math and science, and because of my Lakeland education, I was able to take that major and minor. I handed in my resumé and the rest is history.”

Borzel began teaching at the Canadian School in August and will serve a minimum of two years. He’s teaching math and science to Grade 6 students, as well as art and health under Alberta’s curriculum.

“I’m really enjoying the challenge.

There are going to be so many new experiences in my first year teaching, so I’m excited to grow.”

As he embarks on his first year of teaching in Mexico, Borzel added he has a book in the works on how education has evolved over the past 30 years. He hopes to one day become a popular writer, pursue a master’s degree, and then a doctoral degree in educational research.

“

I’m really enjoying the challenge.

There are going to be so many new experiences in my first year teaching, so I’m excited to grow.

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SNAPSHOTS

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOU! Our thanks to the hundreds of Lakeland alumni who joined us at Homecoming or attended one of our many alumni socials this past year. We enjoyed reconnecting with you and hope you’ll join us at one or more of the many events we have planned for 2018.

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CONVOCATION

John Stewart named distinguished citizen

Distinguished citizen shares willingness to learn

Lifelong Vermilion resident John A. Stewart walked on stage to a standing ovation during the Lakeland College Vermilion campus convocation ceremony on June 2.

The willingness to learn from other people is what Lakeland College’s 2017 Distinguished Citizen credits for his successful career.

He received an honorary bachelor of applied business degree from Lakeland and was recognized as a Distinguished Citizen.

Ken Kay of Lloydminster, Alta./Sask., who received an honorary bachelor of applied business degree from Lakeland during the Lloydminster campus convocation ceremony on May 26, proudly admits to relying on educational opportunities from others throughout his career.

“Dad has always been a strong believer in contributing to and supporting the community,” says John’s son Doug Stewart, reminding the graduates that many of the facilities and activities they enjoy today are the result of the volunteer work done by previous generations. “Dad would say that contributing to your community in whatever form you choose offers many personal rewards: it builds character, integrity, pride, and friendship.”

Craig’s of Vermilion, the retail business which has been in their family since 1905, has supported the college’s awards program since 1927. The business, which John joined in 1959 a few years after earning a business degree at the University of Montana, has also contributed to numerous other Lakeland initiatives and student groups throughout the years. John and his late wife Sally funded an oncampus gallery to showcase the work of interior design technology students.

Many local organizations have benefited from John’s involvement and he helped with numerous major projects such as hosting professional rodeos and building a grandstand on the Vermilion Agricultural Society fairgrounds. John and Craig’s have also been strong supporters of many youth teams and organizations.

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“It is a great honour, especially for me who didn’t get a great education, to be recognized by such distinguished educators who do so much for our community and for our business as well,” Kay says. “I didn’t start out with an extensive education but I had a lot of help from others and this great community.”

What started as a 13-year-old’s summer job at a John Deere dealership in St. Walburg, Sask. turned into a lifelong career in agriculture for Kay. He worked for John Tingley on Tingley’s farm and then, in 1957 when Tingley bought the John Deere dealership in Lloydminster, Kay began work there. A few years later, Kay was named partner. Kay credits Agland’s staff for helping him build a successful career at the dealership.

During his time with Tingley, he enrolled in boarding school in Kitscoty, Alta. While there, he also took construction, mechanics and welding at the Vermilion School of Agriculture, now Lakeland College.

Distinguished alumni faced experiences and opportunities head-on As a graduate of the business administration diploma program, Class of ’87 alumnus Scott Musgrave was the first Lakeland College business student to open a new opportunity and further his education transferring his diploma credits to a university program.

He earned bachelor of education and bachelor of management degrees at the University of Lethbridge, and a master of business administration at the University of Saskatchewan.

In 1995, Musgrave returned to Lloydminster to manage Musgrave Agencies Ltd. His leadership style and belief in finding and creating opportunities helped the familyoriented business expand and diversify.

Today, he is an executive and shareholder within the Musgrave group of companies, primarily a real estate and development company. In addition to this core business, the Musgrave group has ownership and provides managerial involvement for a diversified group of businesses throughout Western Canada.

Pulling from his Lakeland College experience and watching the graduates from the Lloydminster campus convocation on May 26, Musgrave says they should be proud of where they came from.

“Lakeland College is very unique and there are tons of positives the students can share; having coffee with their instructors, the size of the classes, and having the opportunity to learn in an environment where they are treated like a person and not a number.”

Musgrave was recognized as the 2017 Distinguished Alumni for the Lloydminster campus.

Dream BIG, Dream far and Dream often Since Lakeland College gave him the opportunity to excel, Mike Kotelko likes to return the favour to his alma mater.

Since graduating from the ag systems technician program in 1982, the agribusiness mastermind has served two terms on Lakeland’s Board of Governors and hires Lakeland College alumni to his business, Highland Feeders Ltd., which is the sixth largest feedlot in Canada and one of Alberta’s leading agribusinesses.

“The college has been a huge part of my life and continues to be with employees we hire at the feedlot, and it has certainly been an honour to serve as a board member and contribute back to the college,” says Kotelko, who was inducted to the Lakeland College Alumni Wall of Distinction on Friday, June 2 during the afternoon convocation ceremony at the Vermilion campus.

He recalls his time at Lakeland as a memorable one, saying he made the greatest friends and was exposed to many opportunities.

A few short years after graduating, Kotelko along with his father Jack, Class of ’38, and brother Bern diversified their Vegreville, Alta. grain operation to include a purebred cattle farm. He then helped expand the family farm - which was settled by their Ukrainian ancestors in 1918 - into a 6,000-acre feedlot with 36,000 head of cattle.

Kotelko is the co-inventor of Integrated Manure Utilization System biogas digester technology that is used at Highland, and co-founder of Himark Biogas, a waste-toenergy technology and engineering services company.

Kotelko is the chair of the Leading. Learning. The Lakeland Campaign.

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

PRIVATE DONOR gives historic gift to...

Lakeland College received a $2.7 million donation from a private donor, marking the largest philanthropic gift in the college’s 104-year history.

The private donation of three acres of industrial land, complete with two large buildings, enables Lakeland to grow its capacity and create increased student-managed learning opportunities for students.

“We are incredibly thankful to receive this extraordinary and historic gift. It will help us increase access to our programs so more students can pursue their goals and succeed in their chosen fields,” says Alice WainwrightStewart, president of Lakeland College. “The investment of these donors will pay dividends for many including our students, our college and our region.”

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Located in County Energy Park west of Lloydminster, Lakeland’s new industrial site houses the street rod technologies and driver training programs.

location, SRT enrolment was capped at 14 students.

The program's new home features an office suite, enclosed classroom space, mezzanine viewing deck, three bays, and a 10-tonne overhead crane that spans the length of the shop, as well as frame straightening hooks. The new building also has an automotive paint room and paint mixing booth.

The driver training program is based in the second building, which measures 9,600 sq. ft. It features four heated bays to store the college’s two semi-trucks and trailers, which helps to maintain the value of the equipment.

Located west of Lloydminster in County Energy Park, the private donation allows Lakeland to increase its presence in the community with this valuable property near Highway 16.

SRT students learn to customize and restore vehicles in

In a written statement, the private donor says he is confident Lakeland will transform the property into exceptional educational facilities. “We’re honoured to have the opportunity to help current students and future generations achieve their educational and professional goals through our combined efforts with Lakeland.”

more. Using specialized tools, students develop valuable

The street rod technologies (SRT) program has moved from the Vermilion campus to the new site. Housed in a 12,000 sq. ft. building, the larger space makes it possible for the SRT program to accommodate 20 students. In its previous

this one-year certificate program, which is offered by the School of Trades and Technology. They learn about vehicle design, electrical systems, frames, suspension and restoration skills in metal shaping, custom painting and welding, among others.

SRT grads can challenge the autobody prepper apprenticeship exam to continue as an apprentice.

The driver training program covers the Class 1 or 3 licenses for Alberta or Saskatchewan with qualified instructors who provide one-on-one training.

The property will be unveiled to the public in April 2018.

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STUDENTS IN THE LEAD The full-time program is based at the Lloydminster campus where a classroom was renovated into a lab/public clinic with 24 stations. Previously Lakeland offered a 700-hour part-time pre-employment hairstylist program based primarily at the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School salon.

Kelsey Saulteaux is one of 20 students in Lakeland’s new hairstyling program.

Industry input leads to full-time hairstyling program To better reflect the needs of industry, Lakeland College has changed the way it delivers its hairstyling programming.

Lakeland now offers a full-time hairstyling program at the Lloydminster campus. Students complete 1,400 hours of training over a 10-month period, graduate with a certificate and are eligible to become hairstylist apprentices. After completing 1,400 hours of on-the-job training and passing industry exams, they’ll become a certified journeyperson.

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“Our advisory committee members and salon owners in the region encouraged us to transition to a full-time program because our pre-employment students weren’t continuing their training and becoming certified hairstylists,” says Judy Sarsons, dean of Lakeland’s School of Health, Wellness and University Transfer. Pre-employment graduates may return to Lakeland for an additional semester to complete the technical training hours required for the trade.

The program’s curriculum is based on Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s courses but Lakeland is also incorporating many student-managed opportunities, which is an advantage for students. They will manage the on-campus salon which includes booking and greeting clients, providing hairstyling services, and managing product inventory.

“I’m really enjoying the program so far. It’s a lot of information but the hands-on labs are amazing. I’m excited to apply the skills I’m learning on real clients. The new salon space is great too – there’s a lot of space to grow and be independent,” says Holly Baptiste.

Offering the program at the Lloydminster campus provides students with a richer campus life experience and access to services such as residence, peer tutoring, recreation, clubs, athletics, and student employment.

Blended fire training makes it possible for family man to PURSUE LIFELONG DREAM Evan Buchan’s childhood dream was to be a firefighter.

After 12 years working in the construction field, an industry slowdown prompted Buchan to chase his dream−with help from Lakeland College.

The Saskatoon resident graduated May 26 from Lakeland’s blended firefighter training program. He was able to stay at home for the first 12 weeks of the program and complete online course work. The final five weeks of the program were spent at the college’s Emergency Training Centre in Vermilion where he and his classmates completed the practical portion.

“I probably wouldn’t have been able to do this program without the online option. I might have made it happen, but it would have been a struggle,” says Buchan, who is married and has four children.

Completing the online courses was the most challenging aspect of the program for Buchan. “Once we got to the hands-on part of the program, that’s where it really came together for me and I really learned a lot,” he says, noting that the program instructors were excellent.

In addition to earning a certificate of achievement in firefighting, Buchan also was selected by his peers to receive the Lakeland College Centennial Firefighter Achievement Award. Award criteria include commitment to the profession, demonstrated character and leadership skills, satisfactory academic standing, and willingness to contribute to the success of the entire class.

Buchan is completing more emergency services training. He began a nine-month paramedic program in Saskatoon in July.

Signing abroad Two of Lakeland College’s sign language interpretation students traveled abroad this past summer to learn a new language and experience a new culture.

opportunity of a lifetime. Plus, having Brooke by my side comforts me. I have someone to explore with in an unfamiliar country.”

With a love for travelling and thirst for knowledge, Edmonton-based students Brandie Radcliffe and Brooke Wigmore were selected to attend the Siena School for Liberal Arts to study Italian Sign Language in Siena, Italy.

The exciting three-week program offered signers an opportunity to engage in a Deaf-World that expands beyond their hometown communities. The immersion program also provides American Sign Language (ASL) signers with a foundation for transnational engagement that invites a fresh perspective. Additionally, they learned basic Italian, providing them with a tool to better navigate life in the city of Siena.

“I applied because I wanted to participate in something new and I always want to learn more,” says Radcliffe, expressing excitement when she was made aware of her acceptance. “It was then I started planning for an

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Lakeland students excel at Alberta Skills Competition Three Lakeland College students were award winners at the 2017 Alberta Skills Competition at the Edmonton Expo Centre in May. • Zenon Ostashewski, a 2nd period steamfitter-pipefitter apprentice, received a silver medal in the steamfitter/ pipefitter competition.

Zenon Ostashewski

• Kaleb Bosch, a 4th year carpenter apprentice, won a bronze in carpentry.

• Derek Haggart, a 1st year apprentice in the automotive service technician trade, received the Safety Award after competing in the Auto Service competition.

Kaleb Bosch

In total, six Lakeland College students participated in five categories of the provincial competition, including auto service, carpentry, heavy equipment service, steamfitter/ pipefitter, and welding.

Students, alumni give back at tax clinics Organized in partnership with the Lloydminster Senior Citizen Society, 27 Lakeland business students, volunteered their services at a series of income tax clinics in Lloydminster.

“It’s great to be able to use my skills to help other people,” says Amanda Barr, a secondyear accounting major in the business administration diploma program. “I’ve been able to interact with real clients and they’ve been so happy to have this help knowing that they’re not going to have a financial strain to get their taxes done.”

Students were trained alongside community volunteers before completing three-hour shifts at the clinics. Seven of the volunteers – including Susan Davidson, CPA, CGA, manager of corporate accounting for Synergy Credit Union – are professional accountants who work in industry or for public accounting firms.

Lakeland apprentices crowned BEST of the BEST Three Lakeland College apprentices have been named among the top apprentices in Alberta.

Carpenter Devon Froland, parts technician Samantha Niedzielski and heavy duty technician – transport trailer mechanic Dean Coulson were each honoured with a 2016 Top Apprentice Award during the 20th annual Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board Awards on April 21. They were among 62 recipients to be recognized for their level of skill and dedication to their trade.

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From right, Susan Davidson, Class of 1994, helps Amanda Barr, a Lakeland student, as she prepares a tax return for a member of the community at the Legacy Centre. The free walk-in tax clinics are for seniors, students, low-income families and newcomers to Canada.

CAMPUS NEWS

Students and industry to benefit from new

DAIRY LEARNING CENTRE Lakeland College students will take the lead in the college’s new Dairy Learning Centre that officially opened on August 22.

People from across Alberta and beyond celebrated the official opening of the state-of-the-art agriculture learning centre at Lakeland’s Vermilion campus.

“The opening of this Dairy Learning Centre is a momentous milestone for Lakeland College. This new facility will help Lakeland agriculture students excel in industry now and for decades to come,” says Alice WainwrightStewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College.

The ribbon cutting included (left to right): Craig Haan, Eagle Builders; Tom Kootstra, chairman of Alberta Milk Board; Darrel Howell, chair of Lakeland Board of Governors; Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education, Josie Van Lent, dean of Lakeland College School of Agricultural Sciences; Kristyn Child, Lakeland Class of 2015 alumnus; Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College; Daryl Watt, reeve of County of Vermilion River, and Bruce MacDuff, mayor of Vermilion.

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The Dairy Learning Centre replaces Lakeland’s previous dairy facility which was built in the 1980s, and puts Lakeland in the ideal position of reflecting the highest industry standards. It features state-of-the-art technology in robotic and conventional milking and feeding systems. With these systems, Lakeland students have the opportunity to delve into what it takes to lead in the dairy industry. They work with a herd of 280-head including 120 Holstein milk cows, replacement heifers and young stock.

Lakeland students also lead in other career-relevant, advanced learning opportunities related to: • calf management

• dairy specific software

• feed and nutrition

• manure management and more

• cow comfort

During the centre’s design process, Kristyn Child, then an animal science technology (AST) student in the dairy major, suggested the ideal facility for student learning would incorporate both conventional and robotic systems.

“I think it will be beneficial for students to learn both systems. I come from a double parlour, so for me it would have been nice to learn the robotics side of dairy production. And it is the same for someone who is from a robotic operation. My hope is … when students return home or to the dairy operation they work at they’ll bring an advanced skill set,” says Child, who participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony. She works on her family’s dairy operation located near Killam, Alta.

The 46,600 sq. ft. facility is used mostly by Lakeland’s animal science technology students in the dairy major. But hundreds of other Lakeland students from agribusiness, crop technology, animal health technology (AHT), veterinary medical assistant, and other AST majors also benefit from this educational facility, using it to study animal handling systems, practice blood collection procedures, get experience working with large animals, and more.

In the future, dairy industry professionals will also benefit from continuing education opportunities offered by Lakeland at the facility.

Alberta Milk has been one of Lakeland’s key contributors throughout the project. They’ve provided the use of additional milk quota, and funds from the Government of Alberta Growing Forward 2 grant to incorporate energy efficient systems and design in the facility. They’ll continue to provide input on courses and training opportunities.

The total cost of the Dairy Learning Centre is $9.5 million.

This includes $3,467,500 in federal funding through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund.

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Jake Vermeer, Russell Reitsema and Kristyn Child, members of the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland dairy unit that initiated the planning process for the new centre a few years ago returned to the Vermilion campus for the opening.

Hailey Kaspick’s second place bathroom design in the National Kitchen & Bath Association 2016/2017 Student Design Competition sponsored by Waypoint Living Spaces.

Lakeland College named

2017 NKBA COLLEGE OF THE YEAR The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recognized Lakeland College as the 2017 NKBA College of the Year for its interior design technology program.

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“

The instructors and the students put in so much work and effort and it’s clearly showing with these results.

The students who come here want to work and learn and the instructors are so dedicated and helpful. It’s just an excellent program.

Interior design technology students and faculty were all smiles after learning Lakeland was named the 2017 NKBA College of the Year.

“We’re thrilled to receive this honour from the National Kitchen & Bath Association. This accolade validates the quality program and education we deliver to our students.

We give them the necessary tools to excel in industry.

Congratulations to everyone who is involved in the success of this program,” says Dave King, dean of Lakeland’s School of Trades and Technology.

This is the first time Lakeland has received the award.

Lakeland earned a combined score of 98 out of 100 on the two student designs the program submitted.

Lakeland’s NKBA accredited program was also one of 13 programs from across North America recognized with a 2017 Excellence in Education award.

“It’s exciting for us to be at the top. We’ve won Excellence in Education awards before – this is our fifth - but we’ve never been the top school, so it’s gratifying for our program, faculty and students,” says instructor Fiona McLeod, Lakeland’s NKBA program coordinator.

The accolades don’t stop there. Five Lakeland students won awards in the 2016/2017 Student Design Competition sponsored by Waypoint Living Spaces, marking 14 consecutive years of student award winners.

Hailey Kaspick placed second for her bathroom design and received a $1,500 scholarship. Brooklyn Gogowich placed third for her bathroom design and received a 34

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-Mandy Davediuk, second year interior design technology student.

$1,000 scholarship. Erica Eftodie and Natasha Chaykowski received honourable mentions for their bathroom designs, as did Megan Gerling for her kitchen design.

The students were asked to design a kitchen and bathroom for a senior couple that had the all-inclusive approach to aging-in-place. The competition attracted over 200 entries from 26 colleges and universities from across North America.

Mandy Davediuk, a second year student, says everyone involved in Lakeland’s program is committed to doing excellent work.

“The instructors and the students put in so much work and effort and it’s clearly showing with these results. The students who come here want to work and learn and the instructors are so dedicated and helpful. It’s just an excellent program,” says Davediuk.

“It’s so exciting that Lakeland is the top (NKBA) school. This small program in Vermilion is producing amazing results,” she says.

The winners will attend the NKBA Design Competition awards event in January 2018 in Orlando, Florida during the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. This prominent industry event will also recognize the NKBA professional designers who created the best kitchens and baths of the past year.

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY Lakeland College and the surrounding indigenous communities raised the Treaty 6 and Métis flags at the Lloydminster campus and Vermilion campus on Thursday, Sept. 14. Permanently flying the Treaty 6 and Métis flags is one of many steps being taken at Lakeland to create a welcoming and supportive environment for Indigenous students, increase awareness of Indigenous culture and history among all Lakeland students and staff, and support reconciliation efforts.

“Permanently flying the Treaty and Métis flags is one of many steps being taken at Lakeland to create a welcoming and supportive environment for Indigenous students, increase awareness of Indigenous culture and history among all Lakeland students and staff, and support reconciliation efforts,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president of Lakeland College.

Tanishia Young, marketing student and Indigenous Student Advisory Committee member, raised the Treaty 6 flag at the

Lakeland raises Treaty 6 and Métis flags.

Lloydminster campus with the help of Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young and Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Harry Lafond. On the Vermilion campus, Kerri Wolfe, second year child and youth care student, along with Marlin Schmidt, minister of Advanced Education with the Government of Alberta, raised the flag.

The Métis Flag was raised by Jacey Funk, second year business student and member of the Students' Association, on both campuses with assistance from VermilionLloydminster MLA Richard Starke and Métis Education Foundation/RupertIsland Institute’s Lisa Savill.

“I want to commend Lakeland College for its ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, for ensuring Indigenous students are supported and have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, and for creating a campus culture and working environment that celebrates and educates others of First Nations’ culture,” says Schmidt.

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A SMART INVESMENT 2017 Economic Impact Report of Lakeland College by Emsi

During the 2015-16 academic year, Lakeland College, its students and alumni added $119.9 million to the local economy, which is equivalent to supporting 2,524 jobs in the Lakeland Service Area, according to an economic impact study completed by Emsi in June 2017.

Lakeland College's contribution is more than influencing the lives of students. Lakeland also has a positive impact

on the regional economy by generating value in return for the investments made by its major stakeholder groups— students, society and taxpayers.

Lakeland’s payroll plus day-to-day operational spending added $51.6 million in income to the local economy. In addition, the impact of student spending during the year generated $5.1 million in new income.

For every $1spent • $4.70 is returned in lifetime income for students

$120M

• $6.10 is returned in added provincial income and savings for society • $2.40 is returned in added taxes and public sector savings for taxpayers

$63.3M Alumni impact

$5.1M Student spending

$51.6M Lakeland operations

LAKELAND COLLEGE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF ALBERTA’S TOP EMPLOYERS Lakeland College is one of Alberta’s Top 70 Employers for 2017, marking the first time Lakeland has received this accolade.

“We are honoured to receive this award. I know how hard our team works to ensure our students are able to excel with Lakeland’s student leadership advantage which is why we are dedicated to giving our employees opportunities to grow and develop,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president of Lakeland College.

Lakeland is one of only five post-secondary institutions to receive this accolade for 2017.

Alberta's Top Employers is a competition that recognizes employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Employers are evaluated using eight criteria: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

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IN 2016-17 OUR STUDENTS CAME FROM:

10 provinces 2 territories 22 other countries

OUR GRADUATES ARE SUCCEEDING Class of 2014 Graduate Follow-up Survey, 2016

89%

92%

94%

95%

$45,083

are employed

are satisfied with their job

would recommend Lakeland

are satisfied with the quality of their Lakeland experience

average annual salary

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School of Agricultural Sciences expands with NEW ASSOCIATE DEAN Lakeland College’s School of Agricultural Sciences is growing with a new associate dean position.

Geoff Brown, animal science technology program head, has accepted a threeyear term position to meet the demand of day-to-day operations. Enrolment in the school increased to 478 students, an increase of 12 per cent from the 20152016 academic year. Because of strong application numbers, it’s expected that enrolment will increase again in the fall.

Brown will be responsible day to day management of the school and the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland, under Josie Van Lent, who remains as the school’s dean.

“It is a really good opportunity for me to mentor under Josie. It gives me a chance to take on some of her roles and responsibilities, with some guidance,” says Brown. “We have high student

Geoff Brown (L-R), animal science technology program head, and Josie Van Lent, dean of Lakeland's School of Agricultural Sciences, pictured in the Quad at the Vermilion campus.

Brown accepted the three-year term position of associate dean, effective July 1, to meet the demand of day-to-day operations.

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numbers, which is a good thing, but can be a challenge at times in terms of maintaining the quality of educational experiences. That has to be a major focus on how we adjust our systems and structures, so we can maintain quality and be successful.”

Brown joined Lakeland College as an instructor in the animal science technology program in 2010 and has served as acting program head for the last five years. Prior to joining Lakeland College, Brown worked in the feed industry for over 10 years as a cattle and horse nutritionist for major feed companies - Cargill Animal Nutrition, Unifeed (now Viterra Feed Products) and Roche Vitamins Inc. He earned a bachelor of science in agriculture from the University of Alberta. He is also the owner and operator of a small ranch near Edmonton and is very active with Lakeland’s Rodeo Club.

Early learning & child care program WINS CICAN AWARD Lakeland College President Alice Wainwright-Stewart accepted the Award of Excellence on behalf of the ELCC program during the awards presentation at the CICan conference. Pictured are Robert Szokup, VP, Affinity Market Group with TD Insurance, the awards of excellence sponsor; Denise Amyot, CICan president and CEO; Wainwright-Stewart; and Liane Roy, president and CEO of Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) and current chair of CICan’s board of directors.

The program that launched the student-managed concept, dual credit courses and French programming at Lakeland College has earned national recognition.

new practices as they focus on the best way to meet the needs of students,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president of Lakeland College.

The early learning and child care (ELCC) program received a 2017 Silver Award of Excellence in the Program Excellence category from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in May. The award is presented to programs that are innovative, portable, sustainable and effective.

In the 1980s ELCC introduced the Play Program, a practicum for students in the diploma stream of the program. The Play Program, which continues today, put students in the lead and made them responsible for planning, budgeting, marketing and running the program.

The student-managed learning format that originated in the ELCC program is now found in many programs at Lakeland.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in our early learning and child care program on this deserving recognition. The people involved in the program are continuously adopting

Second-year students re-design campus bookstore Interior design technology students turned their creativelyskilled eyes to the Vermilion campus bookstore.

Second-year students were tasked with re-designing the retail space to make better use of its current footprint.

And their objectives were clearly outlined: improve branding and presence; improve circulation; improve privacy for the order desk; and propose new display organization and design for updated aesthetics and function.

Howes was one of the students selected to present their bookstore design plans to Melody Moore, Lakeland’s bookstore supervisor. She shared a concept image, floor and fixture plans, material board, reflected ceiling plan, estimate of costs and millwork, among many other details.

Taelin Howes (right) shares her design plans for the

Creating an entry with “presence” and relocating it were also key components of her plan. Designing for a real client also proved to be helpful for the students. “Having Melody to speak with while we did this project was great because with design there are a lot of questions that need to be asked and answered to make decisions,” says Howes.

“There were a lot of Vermilion campus bookstore with Melody Moore (left). elements that we had to consider,” says Taelin Howes, listing storage and walking If implemented, Howes’ re-design of the bookstore will space as examples. “Plus you have to balance the needs of cost an estimated $22,000. the customers and your client.”

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EVENT RECAP

President’s

GALA More than $50,000 was raised during the 2017 President’s Gala – presented by Eagle Builders – on March 24, thanks to the support of generous community members, industry leaders and friends of the college. Lakeland students will benefit greatly from this incredible support. Proceeds raised from the gala directly support Lakeland’s student awards program.

President’s

“Our students are able to lead and achieve in so many ways because of the outstanding support our community continues to share,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president of Lakeland College. “The success of this event will help to expand student success and enable our students to realize their dreams. Thank you to our donors, supporters and partners for ensuring our students have the opportunity to lead today.”

Alyssa Wells, a university transfer student and Auslin McDaniel-Perrin, an agribusiness student, emceed the program. The 2018 President’s Gala will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018.

Emcees Auslin McDaniel-Perrin and Alyssa Wells.

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Student leadership opportunities will continue to grow at Lakeland College thanks to the generosity from friends of the college at the second annual Feast on the Farm which raised over $27,000.

The event was emceed by 2017 agricultural sciences grads Jess Verstappen and Cayley Peltzer, who shared their Lakeland experience with guests. This included the leadership opportunities they experienced at Lakeland.

“We have a bold vision for a dynamic future and student leadership is at the heart of our plans. Producing leaders is something we already excel at - Jess and Cayley are proof of that. The support we received from this event will create more opportunities to help our students excel as leaders today. Thank you to everyone for supporting Feast on the Farm and our students,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO, Lakeland College.

Over 180 Feast on the Farm guests were treated to an evening under the stars at Lakeland’s Research Centre to celebrate the harvest season. The evening featured a live auction, keepsake photo in the field, delicious meal and a musical performance by The Dirt Rich Band.

Emcees Cayley Peltzer and Jess Verstappen.

Lacer the Racer Golf Tournament This year’s Lacer the Racer Alumni Golf Tournament raised $1,920. All of the proceeds went towards the Lacey Longworth Memorial Award, an award for the varsity rowing team at Lakeland College. Twenty-eight golfers took to the greens of the Vermilion Golf & Country Club and 33 enjoyed the steak dinner.

The Lacer the Racer Alumni Golf Tournament is in memory of Lacey Longworth who attended Lakeland College from 2006 to 2010. Lacey received both an environmental conservation and reclamation diploma and a bachelor of applied science: environmental management degree and rowed with Lakeland College’s Rustlers. She was our first four-year rowing veteran. Lacey was a two-time winner of the coveted Crew Award for leadership and team spirit.

The Lacey Longworth Memorial Award began in 2011 with the support of the rowing club and the Longworth family.

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IN MEMORIAM Lakeland College announces the passing of the following alumni, past staff and alumni spouses. Our condolences are extended to their family and friends.

Phyllis Bocock

Grace Hesby

Neil McKinney

(spouse)

Class of ‘35

Class of ‘63

Hazel Boothman

Paul Hesby

Jean Mortensen

(spouse)

(spouse)

Albert Holubowich

Louisa Mueller

Class of ‘66

Don Briggs

Class of ‘55

Class of ‘53

David Hughes

Don Bryant (staff)

Class of ‘41

David Chaskavich

John Iftody

Class of ‘77

John Clennett

Class of ‘52

David Jones

Class of ‘62

Class of ‘52

George Convey Sr.

Max Jones

(staff)

Class of ‘52

Beverley Cormack

Kathleen Jorgensen

(spouse)

Michael Corpe Class of ‘77

George Davison

Class of ‘62

Eleanor Purvis Class of ‘51

Michael Romano (staff)

Ken Rye (spouse)

Bambi Scotton Class of ‘04

Orley Killoran

Harold Sittler

(spouse) Class of ‘52

Class of ‘38

Joseph Perault

Class of ‘52

Robert Kornsee

Doris Craig

Class of ‘37

Darleen Kwirant

Class of ‘62

(spouse)

Alex Dometraschuk

Ewald Kwirant

Class of ‘62

Class of ‘70

Darlene Edwards

Lorne MacGregor

Class of ‘79

(staff)

Ed Famulak

Shamus Martin

Class of ‘64

Edward Skitsko Class of ‘55

Margaret Snelgrove Class of ‘47

Dennis Stady Class of ‘62

David Steele Class of ‘51

Mathias (Mat) Tellier

Class of ‘52

Class of ‘88

Class of ‘52

Germaine Fortier

Noel McDougall

Bernard Wiese

Class of ‘49

Class of ‘62

Eunice Gowanlock

Marilyn McKinney

(spouse)

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(spouse)

LAKELAND COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Class of ‘50

Eunice Yasheyko (Staff)

REMEMBER WHEN

Lakeland looks back to 1967 when the college celebrated Canada’s 100th anniversary. According to the 1967 yearbook, a centennial committee was formed to plan celebrations. On the northwest side of the college – at the time known as the Vermilion Agricultural and Vocational College – a platform was created in style of the Centennial emblem.

Some of you might have been a part of the VAVC’s Centennial Committee, which planned celebrations for Canada’s 100th anniversary.

Around the table.

Left to right: Maria Wemhof, Milton Havig, Merlin Hagenson, Helene Goin and Douglas Victoor.

SHARE YOUR

PHOTOS! Would you like your “vintage” Lakeland photos featured here?

Send them to the Alumni Office!

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Alumni House

The elegance of yesterday with the charm of today.

For a place to stay or getaway, enjoy the charming atmosphere & quiet elegance of Alumni House.

For room and rate information visit lakelandcollege.ca/alumni or call 1.800.661.6490, ext. 8737

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Lakeland College College Advancement 5707 College Drive Vermilion Alberta T9X 1K5 Canada Post Publication Mail PM40009099