Horizons September 2007

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Julie Calderwood inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame

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Hands-on training on the campus farm

12 CLC buildings rise from the ground

Serving our community of students, alumni & friends

Students are back!

Students enjoy a community barbecue as the new academic year gets underway.

(More photos on page 2)

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Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010029

September 2007

International champions A team from the English Horsemanship major celebrated multiple wins at the second annual Intercollegiate World Equestrian Cup in Pennsylvania from May 30-June 1st.

“What a way to end my two years at Olds College!”

Jennifer Smart

The Olds College team of students in the two-year diploma program were competing against students in four-year degree programs from the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Italy and England. The results were as unexpected as they were spectacular: first year student Bree Johnston won first in the jumping competition and third in written theory, first year Tess Novacek won first in dressage and fourth in written, and second year student Jennifer Smart won first in the written exam and received the overall aggregate award for top scoring individual in the competition. Alternate for the team was second year student Kelly McAdam.

“What a way to end my two years at Olds College!” said Jennifer Smart, who delivered the Valedictorian Address at the Olds College graduation ceremony on June 16. “It was quite an honour to be there. We went for the experience, but ended up with such a great team that we placed in every aspect of the competition. Our big benefit is that in our program we ride all sorts of horses, so we can ride consistently on any horse we are given. It has been really amazing at Olds College, because I have been able to focus on something I really enjoy and all of these incredible opportunities have opened up for me.”

The Olds College Equine Science diploma offers three majors: Equine Business Management, Equine Production and Breeding Management, and Equine Horsemanship – which involves both English and Western disciplines. Instructor and Coach, Cathy Chalack, says the course is unique in that it combines comprehensive riding experience with strong science theory.

“That balance is really effective in giving our students a broad base of education,” said Chalack, who has been an instructor at the College for five years. “For our students to accomplish this skill level in two years is really phenomenal. This was an invitational competition and I think we surprised everyone, because we don’t focus on competition and yet our students excelled. We focus on riding and science, which is the base from which everything else grows. This had an incredibly positive outcome and definitely opened doors for our students. I am so proud of them.”

Kelly McAdam, Jennifer Smart, Tess Novacek and Bree Johnston in Pennsylvania.

Volume 1, Number 4

Along with the job offers and invitations from universities, came requests from foreign competitors to spend some time honing their skills at Olds College. Those requests will become easier to accommodate once the new Canadian Equine Centre of InnovationTM is developed on campus in the next two years.

Welcome to a new academic year!

Several hundred friends from the community joined students on campus.

Olds College Horizons is published five times per year by the Office of Advancement, in January, April, June, September and November.

We welcome comments, letters and suggestions for stories. Please email mkeller@oldscollege.ca, fax (403) 556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6.

Editor: Sandy Bexon, Communications Coordinator Publisher: Mark Keller, Manager Marketing Design: Myriah Barr, Graphic Design & Multimedia Coordinator Printer: Calgary Colorpress

The Olds College Students’ Association held a Neighbourhood Meet and Greet barbecue on Labour Day Monday, September 3.

Publication mail agreement: 40010029 Submissions may be edited for content and length.

Students met new buddies and reunited with old friends.

President Tom and spouse Joyce hosted a new employee luncheon to start the new year.

Wild Rose MP Myron Thompson enjoyed the barbecue with President H.J. (Tom) and Joyce Thompson.

2 Sept 2007

Students began the new academic year with a gigantic drum circle in the campus gym.

Dedicated community volunteer inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame Harvey Buckley, 1952 Agriculture grad, Alumni Association Vice President and 2003 Hall of Fame inductee, officially inducts Julie Calderwood.

Laurinda Parkinson (Class of 1969) paid special tribute to 99 year-old Carl Soderberg, who was attending his 80th year reunion.

Dr. Robert Hironaka (Chancellor Emeritus, University of Lethbridge) with fellow 1947 classmates Eleanor Gould from Calgary and Marguerite Webb from Cardston, view his Hall of Fame photo from his induction in 1994. All three were celebrating their 60th anniversary of graduation from Olds College.

The Class of 1957 celebrated the honoured 50th year.

Friends from far and wide attended the July 20th celebration, when Julie Calderwood was inducted into the Olds College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Julie Calderwood’s energy has been pivotal to numerous College successes, but her volunteer commitment reaches far beyond the campus.

While raising her two children and operating the family farm near Granum, Calderwood made time to volunteer with such organizations as the Continuing Education Council, the Canadian Girls in Training program, the Crowsnest Lake Bible camp and Lethbridge Community College. She has been involved in several agricultural-related community initiatives and her family hosted 30 students through the International Agricultural Exchange Association over a 10 year period.

It was when she moved back to Olds that Calderwood became central to Olds College activities. She is Past-President of the Alumni Association, former member of the Board of Governors, and past Director on the Foundation. She was the 2005 Chair of the Growing the Legacy Gala and is instrumental in the Agricultural Advocates program. She also sponsors two student scholarships, which she aptly calls the “Giddy-Up and Go” awards. With her involvement in Olds Rotary Club initiatives, which includes traveling to three countries to deliver wheelchairs, her commitment to community and her ties to the College, there is perhaps no one with more giddy-up and go than Julie Calderwood.

“I had the privilege of getting to know Julie when I became Alumni President directly after her,” said Mark Kaun, Crop Production Technology 1978. “I nominated Julie, arranged the letters of support and had the happy duty of informing her she will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She has so many attributes – she has been such a mentor to other people around her. The genuine goodness just runs off of Julie and onto everything she touches.

“She was one of the first, if not the first, female Valedictorian for her graduating class. That’s an indication of the type of person Julie is – she paves new trails and motivates other people to join her. I’m a Class Agent for my graduating year and I’m involved with the Agricultural Advocates now, and it’s because of Julie’s motivation. She gets people involved and then inspires them to want to make every activity a success.”

Calderwood’s July 20th induction launched the annual alumni reunion. To view the photo gallery of the weekend, please visit www.oldscollege.ca.

Sept 2007 3

Students well placed for WorldSkills 2009 A recent series of accomplishments has placed Olds College in a position of strength heading into the qualifying year for WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary.

All three top spots were won by Olds College student teams at the Skills Canada – Alberta competition in May at the Agricom in Edmonton. All three teams were comprised of students in the Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship program, and the gold medal duo of second-year students Jeff Highstead and Tavis Brown qualified to move on to the National Skills competition.

The team went on to win silver at the June 4-5 event in Saskatoon, resulting in the fourth consecutive year an Olds College team has placed in the top three spots at the prestigious national event. The WorldSkills competition takes place every second year, meaning the students are well positioned as they head into the qualifying year.

On the heels of the second-place win came the news that Dave Moroz, Coordinator of the Turfgrass Management and BSc Golf Course Management programs, and team lead for the Olds College Skills competition team, has been selected as the Workshop Supervisor for the Landscape Gardening competition at WorldSkills Calgary 2009. He is responsible for ensuring procurement of equipment, materials and site set-up for the Landscape Gardening competition.

“Olds College has provided these services at the provincial and national levels, but this will be a much larger scale,” said Moroz.

“I got involved in the Skills competitions because I wanted to ensure our students had a good, well-rounded experience and this really helps them improve. I think this is an important part of building a student career, and it gives students a good idea of the type of detail that needs to be involved in landscaping and what other students within the industry are doing. Most other provinces train specifically for Skills events as part of their program, so we’re hoping to add training components into our program curriculum, as well.”

Jeff de Jong,

celebrated gardening expert from Calgary and instructor in Olds College’s School of Horticulture, lead Hort Week participants in creating an Environmentally Sustainable Yard (ESY) and is looking forward to offering the same information through short courses at the Olds College Calgary Campus. From looking at turf alternatives that don’t require watering or cutting, to modifying the garden to work with the yard’s natural terrain, de Jong is a pioneer in the new culture of gardening.

“This is definitely the way people are moving, because we are simply not going to be able to maintain our yards in the ways we have done in the past,” said de Jong. “People no longer want high maintenance lawns and finicky gardens that require an abundance of water, fertilizers and chemicals. People are not getting as much benefit from their gardens to compensate for all the money and effort they put into them.

Jeff Highstead and Tavis Brown in the winners’ circle.

Moroz recently earned recognition at the national level, when he received the Contributor of the Year award. The award acknowledges the person Skills Canada feels goes beyond expectations to make the event a success.

“It’s a proud moment for me and for the College, because Olds College has been very supportive of this process of events,” said Moroz. “It makes you want to do more – more training to become even more competitive. My big goal is to get students placing first in the qualifying year for WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary. There will be 850 competitors from 48 countries competing there in 40 different skill categories. It will be extremely exciting.”

Skills Canada works to reposition trades as a first-choice career option for young people, and promotes the importance of trade and technology-based careers.

ESY Level I (20 hours) Session A Monday and Wednesday evenings November 5 – 28, 2007, 6:30 – 9:00 pm Session B Saturday and Sunday November 10 – 25, 2007, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm No classes November 17 or 18 Session C Monday and Wednesday* evenings January 21 – February 13, 2008, 6:30 – 9:00 pm *Except Wensday Jan 30; tis class held Thursday Jan 31.

Session A Monday and Wednesday evenings March 12 – April 9, 2008, 6:30 – 9:00 pm Session B Saturday and Sunday March 15 - 30 2007, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm No classes March 22 or 23 ESY Level III Summer 2008

ESY Level II (20 hours)

“An ESY yard is a balanced landscape that works in harmony with nature and gives pleasure year round instead of just for two short months. We have done great things with our yards on the prairies over the last 100 years, but we have to change. I’m excited about it, because it will catch on one yard at a time.”

Homeowners and garden enthusiasts are excited, too, as are city planners. Jeff de Jong and the School of Horticulture are working with the City of Calgary to offer ESY instruction during a series of short courses at the Olds College Calgary Campus this fall.

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Hort Week students took time to photograph the beautiful Olds College Botanic Gardens in full bloom. ‘Tending the Fun in our Garden’ was the theme of this year’s Gardener’s Forum, which kicked off the 43rd annual Hort Week. Having fun with plants, dreaming in your garden, adding fragrance to trigger fond memories were included in several classes.

College delegation meets with President of Haiti

Olds College President H.J. (Tom) Thompson with Haitian President Preval.

Olds College’s growing relationship with a partner university in the Dominican Republic landed President H.J. (Tom) Thompson in the Haitian Presidential Palace recently.

Thompson was invited to the Universidad Agroforestal Fernando Arturo de Merino (UAFAM) university in the central region of the Dominican Republic as a college official to share his expertise in governance and leadership.

Olds College staff members have been collaborating with UAFAM on agricultural, land and water management projects for the past year. Several instructors have traveled to the university to share their expertise in golf course management, technology training, mine reclamation, agriculture and horticulture.The university and government officials are looking to Olds College to provide guidance on strategic projects that will build a better quality of life for the people of the Dominican Republic and its neighbouring nation of Haiti. With 62 percent of residents in the Dominican Republic living below the poverty line, and 94 percent of neighbouring Haitians living in poverty, leaders are looking with urgency on solutions that will impact the population’s health and well-being.

“Our goal is to support UAFAM in developing research, training and development opportunities at their university, and that work has been underway for over a year now,” said Pat Bidart, Olds College Associate Vice-President Academic. “UAFAM is researching the possibilities of working with the governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti in regards to reforestation and poverty reduction. Olds College is researching the potential of partnering with UAFAM on specific development projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.”

Plans are underway for a student study trip to the Dominican Republic during spring break in February, which will enable Olds College students to work on two development projects with UAFAM while earning credit toward their college programs. Future study trips may expand to involve development work in neighbouring Haiti.

Agrologists support students The multitude of career paths in agriculture has been made more accessible by a $15,000 bursary donation from the Red Deer Branch of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists. Matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor, the new funding has created a $30,000 “Central Alberta Professional Agrologists Legacy” that will award an Olds College student $1,500 annually as they continue agricultural studies on the path to professional designation as an Agrologist.

Darren Petriew, President of the Red Deer Branch of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA), believes agriculture is a thriving and rewarding career field that provides an opportunity to quite literally “feed the world.”

“Agrology spans microbiology, genetics, crop production, animal care, and many aspects of business development,” said Petriew, who works in agricultural lending with RBC Financial Group. “Agriculture is a changing industry and we can expect diverse opportunities in the future.”

Joel Gingrich, Chair, Olds College School of Land Sciences, is pleased with the financial investment which will support the varied career fields available in agriculture and the sector referred to as bio-resources.

“We work with renewable resources that will be required as long as people need food. The emerging focus on plants, animals and microorganisms as a source of renewable energy also promises new career opportunities.”

President Thompson was invited by Dominican Republic government officials to meet with officials from the Government of Haiti and UAFAM, to discuss possibilities to improve the economic condition of people living in Haiti.

“Haiti President Preval stated that projects are only sustainable if we spend time with individuals and teach them the skills to have a better life,” said President Thompson. “Olds College’s expertise and international stewardship could really assist in affecting change for individuals in that nation. We are looking forward to exploring this further.”

While in the Dominican Republic, Thompson also made a presentation on institutional governance models to government officials and the UAFAM university board.

To view the full photo gallery of President Thompson’s activities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, please visit www.oldscollege.ca.

The Blue Grass Ltd. team took first place at the 15th annual Olds College Fall Golf Classic on September 12. Team members include: Bruce McEwen, Bill McEwen, Roger Leader and Jim Fowler.

Over 140 hearty golfers braved cool weather at the sold-out event, the proceeds of which are being directed to Bronocs Athletics scholarships, bursaries and programming.

Visit www.oldscollege.ca to view the entire golf photo gallery.

Darren Petriew (right) and Richard Bradford of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists, Red Deer Branch, presented Olds College with a $15,000 donation. Matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor, the new funding has created the $30,000 “Central Alberta Professional Agrologists Legacy” that will award an Olds College student $1,500 annually as they continue agricultural studies on the path to professional designation as an agrologist. To learn more about how you can change the life of a student by sponsoring an award, please contact the Office of Advancement at (403) 507-7720.

Sept 2007 5

Angelo enjoys a spirited night of karaoke with his friends in Japan.

Did you know?

Coffee is the world’s second most valuable traded commodity, behind only petroleum. Approximately 25 million farmers and coffee workers in more than 50 countries produce coffee worldwide…When you spend $3.60 for a latte or cappuccino at your favourite café, less than one cent of that goes to the coffee farmer.

- Summer 2007 World Vision Canada magazine

Olds College student works to improve quality of life for farmers in his Mexican village Angelo Fercano has earned certain notoriety at Olds College. He arrived from a remote district in southern Mexico to take the applied Agribusiness degree program and went on to become the first student to take advantage of Olds College’s international agreement with Rakuno Gakuen University in Japan.

Fercano is currently completing the Directed Field Study portion in his fourth and final year of the Bachelor of Applied Science – Agribusiness degree. During his second year he met a group of Japanese students studying at Olds College and they encouraged him to spend some time in their home country. His instructors and mentors worked with him to develop a schedule for his year in Japan, which built on his agricultural marketing career goals.

“I have always been interested in Japanese culture, particularly the manner in which they deal with business practices,” said Fercano.

“When I sent my learning plan to the university they really wanted to help me reach my goal in learning the Japanese perspective on the ag industry. I felt the university really cared about me, which made me feel as comfortable as I feel at Olds College. In Japanese culture they ensure their guests have everything they need to be peaceful. It was an awesome experience.”

By the time his year as a research student was complete, Fercano was able to speak and read Japanese. This added to his ancient aboriginal mother-tongue and his fluency in Spanish, French and English to make him a truly international student.

“The most important thing was my exposure to agriculture. I was partnered with a dairy farm for four months, doing everything from simple chores to cattle vaccinations. I learned so much, and once I earned their trust I showed them ways to do some things more efficiently and still reach the same outcome. They work very hard, and I really appreciated their strong team-working style and culture of helping one another,” said Fercano.

“I wanted to learn how they dealt with cultivating such small amounts of land in a heavily populated country. Everything I learned and every opportunity I gained was because Olds College has this relationship with Japan. I am very appreciative.”

Angelo Fercano is determined to learn all he can about best practices in agriculture, so that he can return to his home village in Mexico and improve the quality of life for farmers and their families.

He plans to build a system where local farmers are paid appropriately for the major product they grow – coffee.

“Everyone farms at my village, but they can’t make a living because they aren’t paid what the product is actually worth,” said Fercano. “When I got my hands on the Internet several years ago and started seeing the bigger business picture, I was ready to take the next step. I started by studying at the university in northern Mexico and they, too, have a relationship with Olds College. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Rural Small Business major really caught my eye and I applied to Olds straightaway. Having since been in Japan, I feel I have a really good sense of the big picture.

“Once I have finished my studies at Olds College, I will return to my village and organize small producers to create both nutritional and business plans. This will help them properly grow and market their products overseas and make a better life for themselves. By helping me, Olds College is helping many, many people.”

6 Sept 2007

Lester Tribe

The Community Learning Campus, and the Bell e-Learning Centre in particular, has benefited from the interest and generosity of an individual whose family roots run deep at Olds College.

The estate of Lester W. Tribe (October 17, 1921 – November 22, 2003) has donated nearly $165,000 to Olds College to promote learning through the establishment of student bursaries and the support of the Bell e-Learning Centre. Olds College has been advised that in 1902, Lester’s grandfather owned the land on which Olds College is now situated.

Lester was the only son of Sam Tribe and Elizabeth Hansen. He farmed in the Lone Pine District from 1940 to 1973, where he raised purebred black angus cattle with his half-brother. He later moved to BC, where he lived until his passing in 2003. Lester enjoyed art and gardening, particularly roses, and also provided funds to install a bench in the Olds College Botanic Gardens.

“Lester was very interested in education and always thought Olds College was a wonderful place,” said longtime friend, Elaine Fagan of Olds. “He truly thought the College helped to establish Olds and I often heard him go on and on about his respect for what Olds College did for students and for this community.

“I am personally so appreciative that the College has respected this donation so much. I know much larger investments come into Olds College, but you would never know it by the way we have been treated.”

Several other organizations in Olds and across the country have been enriched through the Lester Tribe estate, and Olds College is grateful for his support of our students and programs.

Housing Officer wins provincial award for contribution to students

Valued employee and alumnist, Alison Guthrie is a graduate from the Office Administration program. She began her distinguished career directly after graduation, spending the next 17 years in the Registrar’s Office of the Student Services Department. She has made significant contributions to students while in both the Student Services and Residence departments.

“Alison became the Housing Officer with the Campus Life Team three years ago and she has made a huge difference in the lives of students since then,” said Bernice Lynn, Campus Nurse and 2005 recipient of the Contribution to Student Services Award.

“Early in her new position, while some of the Campus Life Team was discussing behavioural issues in residence, Alison quietly said, ‘There must be something we can do.’ She went on to launch the CARE program for students living in residence. She was convinced that if students and staff incorporated ‘Consideration, Attitude, Respect and Engaged’ into their interaction with one another they could nurture a stronger sense of community and enhance a caring environment in residence.”

Guthrie knew that in order to enhance the residence environment she needed buy-in from everyone in the residence community - including staff, caretakers, and Residence Assistants.

“These people each play a key role in the residence environment because of their day-to-day contact with students, and they were very supportive,” said Guthrie. “The “CARE” program is now core in our day-to-day activities in residence. It is amazing how making a few changes in the way we interact with students on a daily basis, the seeds planted through “CARE,” have already had positive effects in Residence. It’s all about building relationships and community. We wanted to make a difference and ensure residence is a pleasant, home-like place to live, and it is really rewarding to see the strides we have made so far.

“It was thrilling to receive the award for my contribution to Students Services over the 20 years at Olds College. It was exciting just to be nominated! There are many qualified people across the province, and across this campus, who make great contributions to students. Their efforts make a real difference to these young people’s lives. I was honoured to be recognized in this way.”

Alison Guthrie, an Olds College employee for the past 20 years, received the Contribution to Student Services Award at the Alberta Student Services Conference.

Three Olds College employees recently graduated from the Academy for Leadership and Development, a division of the Maricopa Community College district in Mesa, Arizona.

BUTT OUT!!

Dr. Abimbola Abiola (Director of College Research and Scientific Leader), Carmel Maloney (Coordinator Office Administration and Veterinary Medical Receptionist programs), and Lorne Code (Coordinator Agricultural Mechanics, and Agricultural and Heavy Equipment certificate/ diploma programs) participated in the year long program. It involved an initial week of onsite training, a practicum experience to implement an individualized professional development plan, a mentorship and coaching program, and a final week of onsite training. Some of the topics covered included: The Complex Role of the Organizational Leader, Leading and Managing Effective Teams, Managing Individual/Team Conflict, Behavioral Work Styles and Appreciating Diversity.

The Olds College team includes (left to right): Doug Wagstaff (Supervisor of Residence and Campus Life), Cindy Easton (General Manager, Olds College Students’ Association) and Bernice Lynn (Health & Wellness Coordinator), with Greg Lendvay (Director, Health & Wellness). Missing from the photo: Dr. Russ Guthrie (Counsellor) and Jill Ransom (Project Leader, Tobacco Reduction Program).

Tobacco Reduction Program Chrysta Duff, AADAC Liaison to Olds College (centre), was on campus to present the fourth grant for the College’s Young Adult Tobacco Reduction Program. The $50,086 for 2007-08 will continue the improvements that have been made on campus since the program began three years ago. Among other initiatives, Olds College has reduced or eliminated the sale and use of tobacco products, hosted speakers, sponsored student club activities where awareness about tobacco issues is raised, organized two Health & Wellness fairs, and administered two surveys to understand our own students’ tobacco habits. As well, popular Quit Kits have been made available to employees and students at no cost.

Sept 2007 7

reasons to attend OC

Alumni, tell us your top reasons

for attending Olds College!

Horizons thought it would be interesting to chat with 10 students, chosen at random, to see how closely their reasons came to those listed.

Top 10 reasons to attend Olds College, as identified by 10 students chosen at random over the last five months:

Flexible learning options

Unique programs

Adam Weiss from Olds is happy for the opportunity to begin his studies in the Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship Program this fall. “Just getting into Olds College and being able to take this program is great. It took me a few months to make my application and then to hear back, and I’m just so glad to be here. This is exactly what I want to be doing.”

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Gaining new perspectives

Rural environment

Elizabeth Scheidegger, Land Reclamation student who was raised on a berry farm near Drayton Valley, feels at home in Olds College’s rural setting. “I spend a lot of time on the campus farm, because it’s so peaceful. I really like my program and am enjoying my time at Olds College.”

Warm, friendly atmosphere

It was just after an early spring snowfall when Bart Kleinlugtenbeld mentioned his favourite part of Olds College - its warmth! “I’m having a lot of fun. It was easy to make friends here and I met a lot of people when I arrived a week before my program began to take the College Success Skills course. Everyone here is great,” said the Agricultural Business student from Lacombe

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Unexpected opportunities

Cody LaRocque, who followed his Agricultural Production diploma by graduating from Agricultural Mechanics in June, met his wife Nel at Olds College.

She is also a double diploma graduate: Land Administration 2005 and Land Agent 2006. Cody mentioned the personal and supportive relationship between students and faculty that “really makes things happen” for Olds College students.

8 Sept 2007

When instructional designer Bev Biggeman moved from Olds College staff to Olds College student during Fibre Week, she was reminded of how challenging it can be to learn new skills. “I learned what it was like to be a student - not just as it pertains to the course content, but to the actual act of learning. We have a system here where instructors can continually refresh their skills, so they are teaching the learner and not simply presenting the content they know so well. It creates a more impactful learning experience.”

International reputation

Nicole Klaassen originally applied to a high-end fashion school at her hometown in Amsterdam, but didn’t have the retail experience they required at the time. She decided to attend a post-secondary in Canada, her mother’s home country, and honed in on Calgary where her aunt lives. “This has been a real adventure for me. I am learning better English, meeting some great friends, seeing some wildlife and planning to ski – we don’t have that in Amsterdam. I love it here. It’s my second home.”

Accessible education in an ideal location

Solid education

Jim Huizing just graduated from Agricultural Mechanics and is now beginning his second Olds College diploma in Agricultural Production.

He was enjoying his summer job in the Olds College Botanic Gardens on a hot morning when we caught up with him.

“Olds College has strong programs and that’s why I’m here – it’s usually not for the climate, although this summer has been good and hot!”

Claire Wilton is part of the first class of students obtaining their AHT diploma through the online option.

The Vancouver student wants to learn but needs to work, so the online option allows her to proceed through the diploma program on her own schedule. “The entire Olds College package is really impressive – the teachers are amazing, the staff is involved, the program is professional and flexible at the same time.”

Chris Silk was looking for a cost-effective post-secondary when he decided to work towards his second career. After many years in the media industry, Chris switched gears completely and is finishing his final class in the Bachelor of Applied Science degree – Production Horticulture major. “I worked in an office without a window for 12 years. It was time to change all that and get back to working outdoors. Olds College is helping make that happen.”

Reaching career goals

Andy Kerslake is building a career in the golf industry.

The Georgetown, ON student is in his second year of the Turfgrass diploma program, working to expand his career opportunities in the field he loves. “I love golf and want a better job in the golf industry. This program is going to help me get there.”

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Spring into summer work with animals

New course modules launched during Fibre Week 2007 In response to the growing level of skill and knowledge necessary for career success in the fibre arts, a group of dedicated volunteers worked for over a year to develop and write a series of modules to enhance Olds College’s Master Spinner certificate program.

The Master Spinner program has been offered as part of Fibre Week for nearly 20 years, but the course modules hadn’t been keeping pace with the soaring demand for professional certification in the industry. For the past year and a half, a group of professional artisans representing each of the six levels in the Master Spinner certification program worked together to write the comprehensive new modules. They were used for the first time during this summer’s Fibre Week in early July.

“The course modules had become a compilation of different hand-outs and other information,” said Bev Biggeman, Instructional Designer with Olds College’s Learning Enhancement Services. “Now we have clear competency standards and consistent outcomes for each level of the program. The course materials now reflect the high caliber of instruction and the professional level of the craft.”

Volunteers who were developing the modules came together every few months from their homes in BC and Alberta. They would discuss and edit the text they had written, profiling the detailed steps involved in each level of the Master Spinner program.

“After the amount of time these artisans spent documenting and editing the steps involved in learning the craft, I felt I should take the first level of the Master Spinner program myself,” said Biggeman. “I quickly found I didn’t have the skills for it. I was treadling too fast and had no experience in any part of it. But taking the course gave me a whole new respect for the skill and science behind this ancient craft, and for the passion in these artisans who are working to sustain it. This is an extremely well supported and thriving industry.”

Along with the more serious courses offered to further professional skills, Fibre Week 2007 also provided classes for pure pleasure such as knitting with beads and rug hooking. In the end, 17 instructors from Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Ontario provided learning opportunities for over 150 students who came from ten States, six provinces and one Territory. Next year’s Fibre Week is scheduled for June 27-July 4, 2008.

Sept 2007 9

ALUMNI REVIEW President’s Message Proudly I represented the Alumni Association at the Olds College Graduation ceremony by presenting the Proficiency Awards to JoEllen Dalke and Graeme Hill.

Olds College Alumni Association Board of Directors 2007-2008 President Sandra MacKinnon-Jahn ‘86 Vice President Harvey Buckley ‘52 Past President Doreen Morton ’61 Honourary President Charles Watson ‘61 Treasurer Melody Cavin, College Staff Secretary Vacant Directors Jim Burns ‘68 Bryan Dowell ’61 Edith Edge ‘51 Christy Hambly ‘98 John Perry ‘63 Ed Shaw ’71

Formally recognizing the significant contributions to and involvement with the Olds College, the Alumni Association, the Olds community and organizations and her chosen vocation Julie Calderwood was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at the start of the Summer Reunion.

Congratulations were offered to an overwhelmed Julie by a great number of friends, family and alumni that filled the Alumni Center.

It was truly an amazing sight and sound of the gathering of people. The spirit of “alumni” is alive and well and a good time was had by all! Hearty thanks go to those board members and volunteers that worked long and hard to make the 2007 summer reunion a success Thank you to the nomination committee for recruiting three new board members. Welcome - Edith Edge ’51, John Perry ’63 and Jim Burns ’68. A huge thank you goes to the outgoing board members Laurinda Parkinson, Doreen Morton, Irene Miller, and Norman McIntrye for their commitment and hard work.

The executive will be chosen at the Alumni Associations September 24th board meeting. A complete list of members will be published in the next Horizons publication.

Thank you goes out to the Class of 1957 for conducting the well-attended Sunday Worship service and graciously donating the offering collected to go to the Olds College Alumni Association’s Museum.

On that note, for the Alumni Association Museum to continue and thrive, we need volunteer(s) to staff the museum each Tuesday from September – June.

As my role as President of the OCAA comes to an end, I wish to say my life has been enriched by being involved with the Alumni Association. I wish to thank the Alumni Executive and board members; when you work with people you respect and admire, the job is truly a pleasure.

Sandi MacKinnon-Jahn OCAA President

Olds College President and CEO H.J. (Tom) Thompson

Special benefits and savings for Alumni.

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Memorials

The Alumni Board respectfully notes the passing of the following Olds College Alumni, and extends its condolences to their families and friends.

Pierre Goudreau Agricultural Production 1983 Murray Jackson Agriculture 1946 Vernon Wesley Petersen Agriculture 2-1 1953 Lois Ross Home Economics 2-1 1935 Robert Lee (Bud) Trimmer Agriculture 1937 To review the complete obituaries which have been forwarded to our office, please visit the Olds College Alumni section on our website at www.oldscollege.ca/alumni

Alumni Updates

We love hearing from you… here’s what your classmates have been up to!

Thirty-one year old Steve Marshman, Agricultural Business 1996 graduate, is the new CEO of Eneroil/Pantano Energy Services Inc. in Calgary. Marshman is wellknown in the energy industry, having created a new technology that allows drilling rigs to operate year round on the muskeg. The entire rig is built on huge pontoons with tracks that leave a very small environmental imprint. Marshman presented the new technology at an open house event in Calgary on June 28th.

10 Sept 2007

Team Lupino rides into world competition It was a family affair for Shirley Lupino (Composting Technology 1998 grad) and her four children when they competed in the World BMX Championship in Victoria over the summer. Shirley and her two youngest children, Desirae (second from left) and Jason (both 14 years old), qualified for the World Championship after successfully placing at national competition last summer. Daughters Jennifer (left) and Jackie (right) assisted at fundraising events throughout the year, and the whole family traveled to Victoria together in July. All three competitors successfully completed several playoff rounds, and Shirley went on to place sixth in her age category.

Team Lupino

Readers Dear Editor: Tess called us last week with the stunning news of the multiple victories (as read in the June Horizons article “Equine students in international winner’s circle,” with follow-up on page 2 of this issue).

We were astounded and delighted. I guess so much of the pleasure was because none of us expected anything but good sportsmanship from the team.

I am so proud of what small town Canada has accomplished. I was especially impressed with the first, third and fourth placements in the written test. That three Olds College students placed can only mean that you have a thorough and effective curriculum. I am so glad you are receiving recognition for the competence and hard work that has produced this result. You have put Olds College on the world map of Equestrian Colleges. I imagine there will be many equestrians goggling Olds College this week!

As Tess stated in her bio, she grew up riding many “challenging horses.” With her new status as a world competitor, I’m glad that she will also have opportunities to ride some fabulous horses. Of all Tess’s friends from high school, she has had the most fun. She has made so many good friends and has been very happy at Olds College.

Many thanks to each of you and CONGRATULATIONS! Laurel Novacek (Tess’s Mom) Vancouver, B.C.

Dear Editor: My name is Karen Johnson and I am an Olds College Horticulture grad from 1999. I am currently the Therapeutic Gardening Instructor at Mt. Hope Centre for Long Term Care. The Horticultural Therapy program at Mt. Hope is a growing and successful program – it is only about two years old and is still relatively in its infancy.

Horticultural Therapy is a process which uses plants, horticultural activities and the natural world to promote awareness and well-being

by improving the body, mind and spirit. Our courtyard gardens have been restructured to allow more independent raised vegetable gardening plots and large, accessible planters have been set for those who love to plant flowers. While the changes in appearance and function have been dramatic, the feedback has been fantastic!

This past summer I was able to install a beautiful perennial butterfly garden in a smaller interior courtyard that had previously been neglected and unkempt. I anticipate the butterfly garden will have an even larger effect on all residents, family members, guests, volunteers and staff.

Horticulture is a passion I hold dear, and it is remarkable the effects of gardening on some of our residents. I thought people back at Olds College would find it interesting to know the impact horticulture is having on people’s health. Thank you for your time!

Karen M. Johnson London, Ontario

Dear Editor: Congratulations on the tremendous effort you put into “Horizons.” This is a treasure to read and keep up to what is happening at good old OSA. So many of you that are involved in being part of this great province weren’t even born when I graduated in 1950. You are doing a good job -- keep up the good work!

Elly and I are doing fine in our retirement here in Bassano. We both turned 77 on September 13th. There are plenty of events for the seniors here and the seniors are well taken care of. It is so interesting to know what the remaining old gang are doing and what you the younger generation are doing with what we were a part of in the early years. See you at the next reunion.

Proud to be Albertan Roy Husband

We’d like to hear from you!

Please send us your comments, stories or suggestions for future articles. Let us know how we’re doing! Olds College Horizons is published five times per year by the Office of Advancement, in January, April, June, September and November. Please email mkeller@oldscollege.ca, fax (403) 556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6.

“Dear Editor” moves on. Past letters to Horizons were received by Sandy Bexon, the College’s Communications Coordinator for six years. Sandy’s career path has taken her elsewhere, and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank her for launching Horizons. Watch for a new editor, soon!

Case New Holland program arrives in Canada through Olds College A Case New Holland sponsorship program is underway at Olds College, and the first group of students arrived in early September to take advantage of the opportunity. Olds College is joining forces with Case New Holland to offer the first training program in Canada designed to actively engage young employees into an industry that is facing a staff shortage for the foreseeable future.

The program, which has been running in the United States since 2005, involves 43 dealers throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. The individual dealerships take a leading role in the program, by recruiting students and then sponsoring them to complete the two-year Agricultural and Heavy Equipment (formerly Agricultural Mechanics) program at Olds College. They provide students with partial tuition, supply them with a tool box and proper apparel, provide summer employment between school years and then employ the students full time following graduation.

Case New Holland is supplying training aids for classrooms and labs at Olds College, including new equipment and computer software.

They will also provide funding for curriculum development and faculty training. Case New Holland has sent many of its own technicians to Olds College for training over the past 15 years.

Logan Bird (Medicine Hat), Justin Kessler (Pangman, SK), Brandon Slatter (Ft St John, BC), Pam Charles (Barrhead, AB), Marco Vanderburg (Wetaskiwin), Trent Price (Crossfield) have arrived to Olds College through the support of their local Case New Holland dealerships.

Sept 2007 11

Land and Water Resources student opens her home to rescued animals

CLC rising from the ground - Work is progressing rapidly on the Community Learning Campus structures.

The steel is up on the Fine Arts and Multi-Media Centre, and crews have begun working on the exterior metal. The Bell e-Learning Centre is nearly complete, as crews are finishing inside details and moving onto landscaping. The Core High School/Health and Wellness Facility, which represents the largest building permit ever issued by the Town of Olds, is quickly taking shape. The cement support beams are in the ground, the grade beams which outline the entire building are in, and work on the exterior metal will begin next. The entire complex is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.

Kathy Nerenberg with some of her grateful friends

When she’s not studying for her Land Reclamation major or working in OCSI research plots as a summer student, Kathy Nerenberg is on a quiet mission to turn around the lives of neglected and abused animals.

There have been about 30 dogs through Nerenberg’s animal foster home on their way to forever families. Sometimes she drives to different communities where the overpopulation of dogs has left many to starve and scavenge at nearby dumpsites, while other times people phone her directly with information about animals needing help. They arrive to her property in dire need of vet care, grooming, feeding, training and love.

“It can be overwhelming and I have to be realistic about the number of dogs I can handle, which is sad because I hate to leave the others behind,” said Nerenberg. “The dogs that come to me are in really rough shape and there is just too much suffering. These dogs shouldn’t be left to die because they are an inconvenience to people. Many of the problems they have – shyness, lack of socialization, unsuccessfully house trained – is our own doing. And many of them settle right down and become wonderful pets once they receive the right attention.”

“There are a lot of sad stories, but you just do what you can.”

Municipal leaders from across Canada gathered at the Olds College School of Innovation’s BioFuel Technology Centre on August 1st as part of a week-long tour to “green municipal installations” in Alberta. The group, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, has often visited European countries to learn how they have incorporated community energy planning into their economic development strategies. This year the focus is on Canadian achievement in recognition of the advances Canadian communities have made in recent years in sustainability practices and greenhouse gas emissions-reduction initiatives.

Nerenberg worked as a dog groomer in Calgary for 18 years before deciding to return to college.

During that time she began fostering animals through the Animal Rescue Foundation, and then continued the work on her own once she arrived to the Olds area. She was spurred into action when she was traveling in the southern part of the province and found a dog that had been abused by humans and attacked by other animals.

“I brought her home and it took months to earn her trust. She came around after a year, although she is still untrusting of other humans. But she trusts me and runs to me when she’s afraid. I’ve had her for six years now and she will be staying with me,” said Nerenberg.

“I kept returning to the place I found her, because there were so many other animals needing help and I can’t turn my back on them. There are a lot of sad stories, but you just do what you can.”

Nerenberg is convinced the cost of spaying and neutering is prohibitive for many owners. Coupled with a lackadaisical attitude toward the responsibility of dog ownership in certain communities, the overpopulation and neglect problem is skyrocketing. While her dog food and some services are donated, Nerenberg fields all the other costs of caring for the animals she takes in.

The first students taking the Animal Health Technology diploma through the online delivery option arrived at Olds College for a compressed practical training session to begin their program. Tanya Scott from Calgary and Amanda Driscoll of Dunmore are guided by instructor Karen Lesnick.

“It’s not a hardship. These dogs are wonderful, and many of their issues are fairly minor and can be overcome. They are so grateful for the love and attention, and they really do want to please. They try so hard and they are worth every minute and every cent I spend on them. What I’m doing is really just a drop in the bucket, but it’s each individual dog that counts.”

Be kind to the environment!

Check out www.oldscollege.ca for more details on these and other Olds College stories.

When you have finished reading this issue of Olds College Horizons, please pass it along to a friend or recycle it. Thank you.

12 Sept 2007