What Does It Mean To Shine?

What does it mean to

SHINE?

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SHINE It’s a glowing passion, for work and for play. It’s the spark

United by a shared experience and connected by our motto —

of creativity and discovery, and the burning desire to do. It’s

Fiat Lux, Let there be light — U of L alumni like you are

consistently raising the bar. It’s what more than 40,000 University

illuminating the world and we want to hear about it.

of Lethbridge alumni are doing every day.

So we’re asking you...

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Photo credit: Arden Shibley | Front cover: Leslie Ohene-Adjei

What does it mean to

Shine?

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“To shine, to me, means to be committed to a cause, be engaged with like-minded individuals and to see that my time and abilities are making a positive difference.”

A two-time U of L alumna, a U of L mom, Alumni Honour Society inductee and an active Board and Senate member, Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02) is no stranger to convocation. That being said, the Spring 2015 Convocation held special meaning to Janice — and to the University of Lethbridge.

On May 28, 2015, Janice was officially installed as the U of L’s 13th chancellor.

She is the first U of L graduate to hold the position in the institution’s near 50-year history. “To be installed as chancellor, and then sit there and look at this sea of students in their gowns, was a surreal and emotional experience,” she says.

“I was, and still feel, so absolutely honoured.”

As the University’s primary ambassador to the community, Janice will lead the Senate and its more than 60 delegates as the University prepares for its next 50 years.

Janice Varzari [ BN ’90, MEd ’02 ]

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Photo credit: Arden Shibley

Read the full story: ulethbridge.ca/shine/janice

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“My parents were lifelong proponents of combining skills plus opportunities with hard work for the benefit of other people.

I think people who do that shine.”

For the more than 110,000 Canadians living with

explains Jon. “Most interestingly, when these

Parkinson’s disease, there is no known cause

patients did some walking locomotion after an

or cure. Being able to manage their symptoms,

episode of skating, they also walked significantly

however, can make all the difference.

faster than they did before the skating session.”

Alumnus and U of L researcher Dr. Jon Doan

In addition to helping people with Parkinson’s

(PhD ’06) is leading a multidisciplinary research

biologically and psychologically, the research has

group that has teamed up to advance symptom

social and emotional benefits. “If we can get

management strategies for people living with

Parkinson’s patients, particularly those who are in

Parkinson’s disease. They are taking their research

rural areas, to the rink for therapy, it puts them

to ice rinks across Canada, using skating and

in the hub of their community where they are

stickhandling skills as forms of therapy.

surrounded by active family and friends.”

“When we tested people living with Parkinson’s, we found they skated safely and skillfully at significantly greater velocity than their walking and with significantly bigger arm swing,”

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Dr. Jon Doan [ PhD ’06 ]

Photo credit: Leslie Ohene-Adjei

Watch the video: ulethbridge.ca/shine/jon 6

Wendy Sloboda [ BA ’01 ]

7 find a fossil, you’re the first person to ever see it and touch it. It is pretty special and exciting.”

that may not even exist, Wendy continues to be excited by the possibility. “When you go out and

she will return to Greenland. While others might be daunted by the task of searching for fossils

link,” she explains. Wendy has travelled the world on palaeontological expeditions, and in 2016,

“It is important because it ties old and new horned dinosaurs together, kind of like a missing

with increasing scientists’ understanding of skull ornamentation evolution in the horned dinosaur.

introduced to the world. Estimated to have lived 79 million years ago, wendiceratops is credited

headlines when the journal article on the wendiceratops was released and the new dinosaur was

Warner, Alta., Wendy is a legendary dinosaur hunter. This past summer, she made international

Sloboda (BA ’01) can, and the wendiceratops pinhornensis is named in her honour. From

How many people can claim they’ve discovered a new dinosaur species? U of L alumna Wendy

“To shine is to make yourself stand out and be different. To make yourself needed. To work hard to achieve. To walk miles and miles to find dinosaurs. To go over and above. To be better. To be the best you can be.”

Photo Submitted

Read the full story: ulethbridge.ca/shine/wendy

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“When you’re confident and doing what you love, you shine. I’m shining when I’m teaching aboriginal studies to my students.

They inspire me to be my best.”

The road to a university degree is never easy, but

“In life, we all go through struggles,” he says.

for Eddie Wolf Child, it was well worth the effort.

“But to overcome your struggles, you have to

“I knew the way to a better quality of life for me

put in the work.”

and my family was education,” says Eddie, who began his studies at the U of L in 2008 in the First Nations’ Transition Program.

It’s a lesson he’s now passing on to his students at Old Sun Community College. “I’m so happy to be home in my community teaching my

From the Siksika Nation reserve, Eddie credits

people,” he says. And in just a few short

his success to the support of his community,

months, he’s already making a difference.

his role models and his sheer, steadfast determination. In 2014, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies and in 2015 with a Bachelor of Education.

“At Sun College’s graduation, the valedictorian said, ‘I would not be standing here today if it wasn’t for Eddie Wolf Child.’ In that moment, I knew, I’m really doing something.”

Eddie Wolf Child [ BA ’14, BEd ’15 ] 9

Photo credit: Rob Olson

Read the full story: ulethbridge.ca/shine/eddie

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Watch the video: ulethbridge.ca/shine/paije

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“When someone shines, they have a certain confidence to them — they are happy in what they are doing and with their life — and it’s contagious.”

It was an a-ha moment that set Paije Ottoson’s life on a whole new trajectory.

“I remember sitting in my office one day and saying, ‘I just want to paint.’” Soon after, Paije left her career in banking and set out on a new path, combining her education and business background with her passion for art.

After months of planning and hard work (from conceiving the business plan right down to laying the studio flow), Smudge Art Studio Inc. opened its doors in downtown Lethbridge. “As children, we all create. Then, somewhere along the way, some of that gets lost,” Paije says. “When artists

In only 18 months, Smudge has attracted accolades including: the 2014 Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce & BDC Business of the Year Award in New Venture/New Business; 2015 Best of the Best in Best Place to Take the Kids; and 2015 Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge in the General Stream category; and most importantly, is inspiring artists of all ages — including Paije.

Paije Ottoson [ BMgt / BEd ’04 ]

Photo credit: Leslie Ohene-Adjei

come into Smudge, they can feel that inspiration again.”

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“For me, to shine means to shed light as a leader on the boundless opportunities that exist in business and in life. To give 100% in everything you do and pay back your good fortune whenever possible — and to inspire others to do the same. To leave this world better than you entered it.”

As a highly respected Silicon Valley entrepreneur, executive and advisor, Anil Pereira (BMgt ’87) has a unique vantage point on tomorrow’s technology and business landscape. The founder and CEO of multiple startups, and former executive at VeriSign and American Express, Anil now spends his time advising a select group of high-profile, early-stage ventures on multiple continents. As such, he has a glimpse into the future like few others — and it’s a vision he’s sharing with today’s students at the University of Lethbridge. In addition to serving as the senior advisor for the U of L’s new AGILITY innovation and entrepreneurship program, Anil makes his way back to campus each semester to connect with students as an executive in residence in the Faculty of Management. He brings with him decades of industry experience and connections, boundless energy and enthusiasm, and the latest innovations (like the virtual reality device he’s been demonstrating in student-oriented workshops).

“I’m thrilled to be part of the U of L’s journey to build a true destination university for the 21st century,” says Anil. “A lot has changed since I graduated 25-plus years ago. The Faculty of Management is thriving with engaged and enthusiastic students and AGILITY is destined to become part of the new fabric of the University. It builds upon the U of L’s liberal-education foundation by integrating innovation into programming across disciplines, helping students scale to new heights by preparing them for careers of the future.”

Anil Pereira [ BMgt ’87 ] 13

Photo credit: Leslie Ohene-Adjei

Watch the video: ulethbridge.ca/shine/anil

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“To shine — to me — means having a positive attitude, staying true to your values and beliefs as a person, and finding what fulfills you and gives you purpose.”

Watch the video: ulethbridge.ca/shine/kim

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As an undergraduate nursing student at the U of L, Kim Veldman (BN ‘14) excelled in the classroom, on the court and in her community.

A first-team Canada West all-star and two-time winner of the Pronghorn Female Athlete of the Year Award, Kim was also just the second women’s basketball player in Horns history to win a CIS major award when she earned the Sylvia Sweeney Award for excellence in basketball, academics and community service.

“Being a Pronghorn had a huge effect on my life,” she says.

“The busier I was, the better grades I got.” Off the court, Kim received hands-on experience working in rural hospitals during her practicum and gave back to her young basketball fans as a volunteer reading buddy.

Today, she’s a graduate student at the U of L and is working toward a new goal: inspiring the next generation of nurses. “The ability to help other students become great nurses is a dream of mine, and

Kim Veldman [ BN ’14 ]

Photo credit: Leslie Ohene-Adjei

I would like to become a clinical instructor of nursing students.”

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“For me, to shine means to be fully present — not just in music, but in life.”

The process of composing music is different for every composer. For U of L alumnus Dr. Andrew Staniland (BMus ’00), it’s a deeply solitary process. “I like to keep my composition in my imagination as long as possible,” he says. “Composing is really about creating a work of art.”

Considered one of the most influential musical voices of our time, Andrew has amassed more than 100 national and international performances of his work; garnered a long list of awards and accolades; and represented Canada at prestigious festivals in Poland, France and Hong Kong.

A rising star in both the worlds of music and academia, Andrew is a professor of music and an innovative researcher at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he is inspiring a new generation of composers and musicians.

“In my experience, love and passion for creativity is totally contagious, as is the pursuit of musical mastery,” he says.

“I was moved and inspired by my teachers who had these

Dr. Andrew Staniland [ BMus ’00 ]

traits, and in turn, I have the privilege of perhaps inspiring others the same way through music and through teaching.”

2015 Alumnus of the Year Do you know a shining U of L alumnus who should be recognized? Each year, the U of L Alumni Association proudly recognizes the Alumnus of the Year and inducts members to the Alumni Honour Society. Visit ulethbridge.ca/alumni for nomination details.

Watch the video: ulethbridge.ca/shine/andrew

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Photo credit: Bo Huan

INSPIRING LIGHTS

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We are a community of inspiring lights, proving that together people really do

Photo credit: Jaime Vedres (BFA ’09) Photography

shine brighter.

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A U T H O R v i s i o

Musician. Production artist. Entrepreneur. 6. Wendy C. Fox (BASc (BA) ’71) 2014 U of L Alumni Honoree Society Inductee.

Career advisor. World traveller. Culture seeker. Read the full story: ulethbridge.ca/shine/wendy

n a r y

Connect with us: alumni@uleth.ca facebook.com/ULethbridgeAlum Twitter: @uLethbridge

tackles global issues. Twitter: @worldbeatdez

umfm.com, where he plays music from around the world and

D I R E C T O R

DEFENDER

r

Deztination Worldwide, Saturday mornings at noon (CST) on

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rights activist. Anthropologist. Catch Dez on his radio show,

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9. Dez Kamara (BA ’10) Film director / producer. Human

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canadianportraitist Twitter:@markreierson

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Me, May I? (Reflections of a Street Portraitist) Instagram:

ENTREPRENEUR

Student of humanity. Check out Mark’s new book, Excuse

COACH

a

8. Mark Reierson (BMgt ’11) Canadian portraitist. Author.

u

i

industry, to health and relationships. Twitter: @mserikajahn

l

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Development Manager, Canadian Diabetes Association.

o

a

7. Erika Jahn (BA ’08) Corporate and Community

v

n ACTIVIST

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Erika writes on everything from working in the not-for-profit

PROFESSIONAL

Northey (BMus ’13) Owner, Jesse Northey Productions.

c

Volunteer. Devoted not-for-profit professional. Change agent.

FRIEND OF NEPAL

H U M A N I TA R I A N

S T U D E N T

MENTOR MUSICIAN

A few alumni we’re following:

change-agent

-

Fairview. Community leader. Mentor. Mother. 5. Jesse

PORTRAITIST

4. Hon. Jennifer Campeau (BMgt ’08) MLA for Saskatoon

anthropologist

culture-seeker

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Proud Canadian. Watch the video: ulethbridge.ca/shine/dale

h e r o

Merchandising, Hockey Canada. Sports enthusiast. Coach.

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of Nepal. 3. Dale Ptycia (BASc ’85) Sr. Manager, Licensing &

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emergency supplies to Nepal. Visionary. Humanitarian. Friend

W O R L D - T R AV E L L E R

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Educations and Relief Fund, bringing education supplies and

2. Janelle Pritchard (BN ’12) Founder, Uphill Both Ways

General’s Caring Canadian Award. Defender. Advocate. Hero.

m o t h e r p

Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2014 and The Governor

anti-violence work earned him recognition as one of the RBC

1. Manwar Khan (BSc ’07) Public-service employee whose

Here are a few more U of L alumni who are bringing inspiration to communities around the world. p r o d u c t i o n - a r t i s t

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CAREER ADVISOR s t u d e n t

n

2.

ADVOCATE

7.

Twitter: @mserikajahn

ulethbridge.ca/shine/wendy

6.

8.

Twitter: @markreierson Instagram: canadianportraitist

ulethbridge.ca/shine/dale

3.

5.

9.

Twitter: @worldbeatdez

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Share your story and stay connected with your alma mater and each other.

We will be sharing U of L alumni stories and updates regularly on the U of L Alumni Facebook page.

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Post-graduation rally at Galt Garden in downtown Lethbridge. May 1968.

Photo credit: University Archives

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In the 1960s, the community united to establish a university in southern Alberta.

In 2017, the U of L will turn 50, and it will be a time to once again come together and celebrate all we have accomplished. Whether you were part of the first graduating class or the class of 2015, you’re an important part of the University’s history and an even more important part of our future.

Celebrating 50 years Stay up to date on the latest 50th anniversary news and help us plan a year of celebrations. Send us your event, story or initiative ideas.

Celebrate: ulethbridge.ca/50-years

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Over the years, many individuals have been proud to call this university their own. As president of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association, I am honoured to represent the more than 40,000 U of L alumni worldwide.

I hope you share my pride in our alma mater

Remember: big movements begin with small

and all we have accomplished so far. And on

acts. Connect with us on the U of L Alumni

the eve of our 50th anniversary, I hope you

Facebook page. Share your story and learn

know this is just the beginning.

more about the alumni who were featured in

As alumni, we play an important role in the U of L’s story — we represent its past and will help shape its future. Whether you live in Lethbridge, or across the world, there are many opportunities to connect with your fellow alumni and deepen your connection to our university. I encourage you to connect with each other to celebrate the

this booklet by reading their full stories and watching their videos. And most importantly, let others know that you’re a U of L graduate, and help spread the world about the difference our university and fellow alumni are making in communities around the world.

Sincerely,

achievements of your fellow alumni and the

Randy Kobbert [ BMgt ’86 ]

success of our community.

President, U of L Alumni Association

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Together we

SHINE brighter

.

ulethbridge.ca/shine

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