News

Power restored at Lethbridge College

Gwen Wirth — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:05:07 +0000

May 9, 2012

6:10 p.m. Power was restored at Lethbridge College. No further interuptions are anticipated.

4:15 p.m. To all staff and students: we have taken our main database offline to protect the integrity of our systems. This means that myhorizons and datatel are also offline. To access your email, you may click this link https://webmail.lethbridgecollege.ca/owa/

3:36 p.m. Lethbridge College is currently experiencing a power outage. The campus has been closed to for the remainder of the day as crews work to fix the problem.

All credit and non-credit classes have been cancelled for the evening. The physical education facilities will also be closed for the remainder of the day.

2:14 p.m. Lethbridge College is currently experiencing a power outage. The college is working with the city to determine the source and should have an update in approximately half an hour.

2012 Troy Reeb Internship Winner Gabrielle Marchand

Ron Ostepchuk — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:35:28 +0000

Goodnight/ Good morning Toronto!

Well I’m up at 4 am again and heading off to another exciting experience interning at the morning show.

Yesterday made it clear to me just how different morning shows are from a regular news format. When I first arrived at the downtown Global location in the Shaw building on Bloor Street, it struck me how casual everyone was. This might have something to do with the fact that everyone’s waking up, but even the decor was fresh and funky and seemed to fit with the personalities of the enthusiastic individuals putting the morning show together.

Over coffee and cereal, they plotted their morning and tossed out ideas of what to add to that morning’s show. How casual they were was impressive given the show was to start in less than an hour and they weren’t worried about switching guests and chat topics.

The morning show folk are a lot like a family and they quickly welcomed me and invited me to contribute despite my short stay.

A past winner of America’ s Next Top Model Lisa D’amato ( I included a picture of her and her entourage in the swanky waiting area) was on set for a chat about her budding music career, and Suzanne Somers was set to arrive after 7 am. One of the hosts, Liza Fromer, was also to interview a man who lost his wife to a drunk driver and I realized how seamlessly the hosts can go from chatting about topics of a serious nature to something lighter and totally unrelated.

Suzanne Somers was late in arriving and yet the producers and hosts remained calm in rearranging the schedule as the show unfolded. I snapped a picture of Suzanne Somers and also a few of the set just to demonstrate the drastic difference in vibrant colour from the seriousness of evening news.

I’m headed back this morning to some type of “Breakfast Wars” segment and the promise of cheese fondue awaits! More to come very soon as well as pictures of me in action as an intern.

Goodnight/Good morning Toronto!

Gabby

First Canadian Kid Wind challenge ready to launch

Gwen Wirth — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:51:39 +0000

May 1, 2012 – Southern Alberta’s brightest and youngest engineers will connect and compete at Lethbridge College’s D.A. Electric Barn on May 11.

The International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) is hosting Grades 8 to 12 student teams from Coaldale, Vauxhall, Milk River, Bow Island, Vulcan and Picture Butte in Canada’s First Kid Wind Challenge.

A mix of students and teachers at each school selected the teams based on their interest in mathematics and design. Teams met multiple times over the past couple months to assemble a wind turbine using any materials they had access to.

From those meetings, teams have designed two-foot tall small wind turbines and will bring them to Lethbridge College on May 11. During the afternoon competition, students will compete against other schools with their turbine in a fabricated wind tunnel.

Judges from Lethbridge and area who have a background in engineering and wind energy will evaluate the students’ work. The turbines will be evaluated on how much energy they produce, their unique designs, blade design, and other characteristics.

The event, more than anything, is all about learning. Judges will be looking to discover what the students learned about wind energy while they were creating their small wind turbines.

Media will be able to interview students and teachers at the competition throughout the afternoon.

Future opportunities

From this Kid Wind Challenge, students have the ability to continue on to compete through a Global Web Challenge. Every month a new winner is announced with a $100 cash prize for funding renewable energy projects at the winning school.

About International Wind Energy Academy

Lethbridge College’s International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) mandate is community capacity building of wind energy development in southern Alberta. In 2010, IWEA received $1.2 million from Rural Alberta Development Funding. Students, landowners, municipal leaders and industry stakeholders have benefitted from working with a dedicated IWEA team to develop renewable energy initiatives. The team has hosted a variety of events in the region including 22 community assessments, energy efficiency, small wind and solar photovoltaic presentations and discussions on myths and facts on wind energy. Members of the team have also been invited to international conferences. www.iwea.ca

About Kid Wind

Kid Wind is an organization that teaches children about wind energy. Since 2002, Kid Wind has educated close to 700,000 young children across the United States. In 2011, Lethbridge College and International Wind Energy Academy team member Kendra Gawletz became Canada’s First Kid Wind Senator. Since that time, the IWEA team has hosted a youth camp, a science camp at the University of Lethbridge as well as educated over 400 students across southern Alberta. www.kidwind.org

Totally U G!RL at Lethbridge College

Gwen Wirth — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:48:45 +0000

April 30, 2012 – Lethbridge College Be Fit for Life is hosting Totally U G!RL (formerly Go Girl) from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 5, in the Physical Education Building.

Totally U G!RL is a free event for girls eight to12, designed to encourage and support participants in choosing an active and healthy lifestyle. Girls are invited to participate in a variety of physical activities such as yoga, volleyball, soccer and dance. There will also be sessions on nutrition, art and body image.

“Recent research tells us that girls this age are less active than their male counterparts,” says Stephanie Wierl, Be Fit for Life project coordinator. “This day has proven to be a positive way to engage and empower girls to live a healthy active lifestyle”

Thanks to local community organizations there will be an interactive Health & Wellness Fair that girls can tour to interactively learn about additional health and wellness information as well as activity opportunities within the community.

For more information, please contact Stephanie Wierl at 403-320-3202 ext. 5379. Advance registration is required.

The roaring twenties come alive at Collide-O-Scope

Gwen Wirth — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:47:23 +0000

April 25, 2012 – Lethbridge College’s School of Media and Design presents its annual showcase of talent, Collide-O-Scope, at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

This year-end event combines the best student work from Communication Arts, Fashion Design and Marketing, Interior Design and Multimedia Production and displays what students have learned during their time at Lethbridge College.

“Collide-O-Scope is the culmination of efforts from our media and design students over the course of their programs here at the college,” said Vicki Charge, chair, School of Media and Design. “The exhibit accentuates the talent of our students and makes a wonderful addition to their portfolios.”

Collide-O-Scope 2012 has a theme of “The Roaring Twenties” and will feature designs made specifically for our local media: Dory Rossiter, CTV Lethbridge; Darrell Romuld, CTV Lethbridge; Marty Baceda, Global TV Lethbridge; Pat Siedlecki, CJOC Radio; Mike LeBlanc, CKVN Radio; Dylan Purcell, Lethbridge Herald; Tony Deys, Country 95.5 FM; and Joey Sugai, Communication Arts student.

The evening includes design displays, a fashion show, visuals and decorations. This year will also highlight some high school students’ work in two competitions: fashion and film.

Tickets cost $20 and are available at lethbridgecollege.ca/collideoscope, Nicholai Home Fashions, the Lethbridge College Student Association or at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. Appetizers will be provided by The Guesthouse. All proceeds go towards student scholarships. The event will also be streamed live at lethbridgecollege.ca/collideoscope.

The word kaleidoscope originates from the Greek words kalos and eidos, meaning beautiful form. This is the third year the college has hosted this event.

College to honour students at 55th Annual Spring Convocation

Gwen Wirth — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:36:22 +0000

April 24, 2012 – Almost 700 students will cross the stage Friday at the 55th Annual Spring Convocation at Lethbridge College. Ceremonies are planned for 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

Kelsey Prenevost, Lethbridge College’s Honorary Degree recipient for 2012, will address convocates at both ceremonies. Prenevost, president and CEO of Kyoto Fuels Corporation, graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc. in biology and a minor in biochemistry and microbiology. He is a former Lethbridge College instructor who taught environmental issues and microbiology from 2001 to 2005.

Convocation will feature singing from the Kate Andrews High School Choir led by Kade Hogg. The choir will sing the national anthem as well as a tribute to the convocates.

The Lethbridge College Faculty Association and Student Association Teaching Excellence Awards will acknowledge their 2012 recipients: Rodney MacGregor, Business Administration and Marda Schindeler, History/Political Science. This joint award, established in 1993, is based on three criteria: teaching excellence, professional responsibilities and demonstration of interpersonal skills in a teaching role.

The convocates and their families are invited to celebrate their achievement with college officials and friends at a tea following the ceremony.

The order of presentations is as follows:

9:30 a.m.

Centre for Health, Justice & Human Services

School of Health Sciences

• Massage Therapy Diploma

• Practical Nursing Diploma

• Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology Diploma

School of Human Services

• Child and Youth Care Diploma

• Disability and Community Rehabilitation Certificate

• Disability and Community Rehabilitation Diploma

• Early Childhood Education Certificate

• Early Childhood Education Diploma

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Education Certificate

• Special Needs Teacher Assistant Certificate

• Special Needs Educational Assistant Certificate

• Special Needs Educational Assistant Diploma

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

• Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Recognition of Achievement

School of Justice Studies

• Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Certificate

• Correctional Studies Diploma

• Correctional Studies Bachelor of Applied Arts

• Justice Studies Bachelor of Applied Arts

• Criminal Justice Studies for Aboriginal Learners Credential of Academic Achievement

• Criminal Justice - Policing Diploma

School of Public Health and Safety

• Central Sterile Processing Credential of Academic Achievement

• Perioperative Nursing Credential of Academic Achievement

• Police Recruit Training Credential of Academic Achievement

• Unit Clerk Training Credential of Academic Achievement

Centre for Teaching, Learning and Innovation

• Instructor Certification Credential of Achievement

Athabasca University

• Bachelor of Management

• Bachelor of Professional Arts Communication Studies

• Bachelor of Professional Arts Criminal Justice

• Bachelor of Professional Arts Human Services

2 p.m.

Centre for Applied Arts and Science

School of Agriculture and Life Sciences

• Agricultural Technology - Animal Science Diploma

• Agricultural Technology - Plant and Soil Science Diploma

• Exercise Science Diploma

School of Developmental Education

• College and University Preparation Credential of Achievement

School of Engineering Technologies

• Civil Engineering Technology Diploma

• Engineering Design and Drafting Technology Diploma

• Geomatics Engineering Technology Diploma

School of Environmental Sciences

• Environmental Assessment & Restoration Diploma

• Natural Resource Compliance Diploma

• Renewable Resource Management Diploma

• Fish and Wildlife Technology Certificate of Specialization

• Conservation Enforcement Bachelor of Applied Science

School of Liberal Arts

• General Studies Diploma

• General Studies - Canadian Studies Diploma

• General Studies - Cultural Studies Diploma

• General Studies - English Diploma

• General Studies - Psychology and Sociology Diploma

School Foundation of Nippon Institute of Technology (NIT)

Centre for Applied Management

Culinary

• Cook - Apprentice

• Culinary Careers Diploma

School of Business

• Business Administration - Accounting Diploma

• Business Administration - General Business Diploma

• Business Administration - Management Diploma

• Business Administration - Marketing Diploma

• Business Administration - Professional Golf Management Diploma

• Professional Golf Management Certificate of Specialization

• Computer Information Technology Diploma

• Office Administration Certificate

• Office Administration Diploma

School of Construction Trades

• Carpenter - Apprentice

• Electrician - Apprentice

• Welder - Apprentice

Crooks School of Transportation

• Heavy Equipment Technician - Apprentice

• Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician Certificate

• Automotive Service Technician - Apprentice

• Automotive Systems Certificate

• Parts Technician - Apprentice

School of Renewable Energy

• Wind Turbine Technician Certificate

School of Media & Design

• Communication Arts - Advertising and Public Relations Diploma

• Communication Arts - Broadcast Journalism Diploma

• Communication Arts - Print Journalism Diploma

• Fashion Design Certificate

• Fashion Design and Marketing Diploma

• Interior Design Diploma

• Multimedia Production Diploma

College names Honorary Degree recipient

Gwen Wirth — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:15:21 +0000

April 20, 2012 – Lethbridge College is pleased to announce Kelsey Prenevost, president and CEO of Kyoto Fuels Corporation, as the Honorary Degree recipient for its spring convocation ceremonies. Prenevost will be presented with his degree April 27.

Dr. Tracy L. Edwards, Lethbridge College president and CEO, praised the work Prenevost and Kyoto Fuels are doing.

“Sustainability is valued at Lethbridge College and the potential environmental benefits of Kelsey’s business are to be celebrated,” she says. “The vision, creativity, and forward-thinking solutions Kelsey has proposed are an inspiration to all of our graduates. We’re incredibly pleased to bestow this designation upon him.”

Prenevost graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc. in biology and a minor in biochemistry and microbiology. He is a former Lethbridge College instructor who taught environmental issues and microbiology from 2001 to 2005.

Prenevost says he is looking forward to returning to the college to address the class of 2012 about the things he’s passionate about. He says he hopes that they, too, will become enthusiastic about the changes they can make for a better environment.

“This community has so many environmental stewards and to be recognized and honoured as one of them is a true privilege,” says Prenevost.

Prenevost has over twelve years of experience in the biotechnology sector and has worked with organizations such as the University of Victoria, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the University of Alberta on projects varying from the development of genetically modified crops, cattle genotyping, plant and animal pathology and the investigation into the nature of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (“BSE”).

These experiences led him to the field of bioproducts, where he now devotes his energies to producing economically viable and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Kyoto Fuels is a Lethbridge-based company poised to provide alternative fuels to western Canada and the northwestern United States.

Meszaros pledges major donation to support trades, international students at Lethbridge College

Lisa Kozleski — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:09:48 +0000

April 16, 2012 – Lethbridge builder Steve Meszaros, while being feted as one of three Lethbridge College distinguished alumni Friday night, announced he would make a significant investment in the college to support international students and the college’s Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovation Project (TTRIP).

"Lethbridge College gave me my start in life and I feel an obligation to give back," Meszaros said Monday morning. “I come from humble beginnings – my family and I came from Hungary after escaping the 1956 revolution. I came to love Canada, and love it more every time I travel. Its beauty and opportunities are endless. I want to help young people become Canadians and add their strong work ethic and values to our country.”

In addition to providing opportunities for international students, Meszaros said it is also important to support the trades.

"Alberta is on the brink of yet another surge in oil sands expansion, pipe line construction and wind and natural gas electrical energy production," Meszaros said. "We will need tens of thousands of new people to fill jobs in these sectors in the next 10 to 20 years. Putting our heads in the sand and saying it won't be my problem because we will be retired is not the answer. The sooner the college has all the money needed to complete this project, the sooner the building will be completed and the college can begin filling the halls and increasing enrolments in the various programs.”

Meszaros’s gift will be split equally between the Steve Meszaros International Bursary to assist international students, especially those from eastern European countries,and the college’s new trades and technology project.

"Steve’s donation will make a real difference in the lives of real students,” said Dr. Tracy L. Edwards, Lethbridge College president and CEO, on Friday night. "This new international bursary will make a world-class education at Lethbridge College a reality for students from other countries. And all students benefit from having a diverse campus – whether that diversity is found in students who come from small towns, big cities, different provinces or different countries.”

The gift in support of the trades and technology project will provide practical support – funding for design and development and later for bricks and mortar – as well as inspirational encouragement.

"Steve’s gift galvanizes the college’s effort to continue fundraising for this most important project,” Edwards added. "We are delighted with the momentum the project has had these last weeks – between the government’s pledge of $55 million and Steve’s commitment, I’d say we are well on our way to making this dream a reality.The new Trades Centre will cement Lethbridge College’s place as the institution for trades training in southern Alberta, and it will ensure that a steady stream of graduates continue to live and work in and around the Lethbridge area.”

The Distinguished Alumni dinner is an annual event that celebrates accomplished alumni who credit their time at Lethbridge College as one of the secrets of their success. Meszaros was joined by Lethbridge College alumni Rod McLeod and Diane Irvine Shanks in receiving this year’s honours. His announcement came in the midst of his speech at the college’s Garden Court Restaurant and was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd.

Meszaros, co-owner of Avonlea Homes, graduated from the Business Administration program at the college in 1976. After establishing one of the region’s most successful and sustainable businesses, he has given back in many public and behind-the-scenes ways, including supporting the training and development of young trades people.

For more information about the Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovation Project, contact the Advancement Office at 403-320-3457.

Media inquiries may be directed to Lisa Kozleski, 403-320-3202 X 5778.

$55 million pledged to college trades and technology project

Lisa Kozleski — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:42:21 +0000

April 10, 2012 – The Hon. Greg Weadick, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, announced Tuesday that the government has pledged $55.6 million toward Lethbridge College’s Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovation Project. The pledge was part of a $650 million post-secondary capital funding project commitment the government made to five Alberta institutions on Tuesday.

“It’s just such an exciting day,” said Dr. Tracy L. Edwards, president and CEO of Lethbridge College. “Premier Redford and the government have always been committed to post-secondary education and the youth of Alberta. This pledge will allow us to train a 21^st century workforce who will become the best-trained workforce in the world. That is a shared vision of Lethbridge College leaders, instructors, staff and board members who have demonstrated leadership in trades training for over 50 years.”

The project, which could begin as early as 2013, calls for renovating and renewing the existing trades space and adding new shops, classrooms, labs, and applied research space as well. The proposed 152,000-square-foot facility would support about 800 new students across eight trade areas and four technology programs. The additional space would allow the college to double its current trades and technology capacity.

The focus in this new facility will be both on traditional trades as well as new technologies, such as alternative energy programs including solar, geothermal and wind energy.

“This will allow for one of the finest facilities in the province,” Weadick said following the announcement he made surrounded by Edwards, other college officials, community members and industry partners. “It’s imperative that we keep up with the demand for skilled tradespeople in Alberta and beyond.”

The existing trades structure at Lethbridge College is made of a series of buildings constructed between 1962 and 1977. The newest buildings are by far older than most of the students attending classes there. While outstanding instructors and state-of-the-art equipment allowed the college to meet the changing demands of industry over the years, the buildings had simply become too out-of-date.

The new facility has already received significant support from industry and the community, including a $1 million donation from the Lethbridge and District Auto Dealers Association (LADA) and its 14 member dealers, as well as a $2 million donation from community leaders Art and Mary Jane Crooks to establish the Crooks School of Transportation. The college will continue its fundraising efforts to support the $70 million facility.

The investments in this project are expected to benefit students now and in the future. “The commitment made today to a new trades facility at Lethbridge College will ensure the long-term focus of trades careers and jobs in the Alberta economy for years to come,” Edwards said. “Lethbridge College appreciates the long-term commitment the government has to ensuring the right jobs are at the right place at the right time.”

Edwards announces resignation from Lethbridge College

Gwen Wirth — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:32:50 +0000

April 4, 2012 - Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Tracy Edwards announced her resignation today. Her final day with the college will be June 30, 2012.

Dr. Edwards has been at the helm of Lethbridge College for the last seven years and her accomplishments have positively positioned the college on regional, provincial and national fronts. Under Edwards’ direction, the college rebranded, adding to the national recognition with a new name, logo and increased visibility.

During her tenure, the college has achieved award-winning and provincial/national accredited programming and an increased applied research agenda with certifications in the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). In recent years, Lethbridge College also received two of the largest gifts in the college’s history.

“Tracy will continue in her role as President and CEO of Lethbridge College with the full confidence of the board until her departure,” says Board of Governor’s Chair Randy Jespersen. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work alongside Tracy and witness firsthand the accomplishments achieved under her leadership.”

Jespersen went on to say that the Board of Governors has the utmost confidence in the senior leadership team and its ability to continue the momentum of change that is required to position the college in the ever-changing landscape of government, industry and post-secondary education. More information will be released as appropriate surrounding the search and transition process.

In her announcement to employees, Edwards said when she first arrived at Lethbridge College she was struck by the college’s strong community roots, the sense of pride in its history and a desire to build on this foundation. She continued on to say that the planning currently underway taking us to 2014 will well position Lethbridge College to undertake the next leg of the journey focused on innovation and excellence.”