In the news …
August 31, 2007
Humber College to Offer Specialized Business Degrees
Humber will offer three unique, specialized four-year business degrees starting fall 2008 in Human Resources Management, Fashion Management and International Business. The first two years of study are built on the platform of a solid business education offering courses in marketing, accounting, economics and law. In these two years, students have an opportunity to gain the knowledge that employers require while taking the time to decide on a specialty in one of the three areas. In years three and four, students work toward a specialization by gaining practical skills through applied projects, such as developing business plans for real companies and working on industry-linked assignments. Each degree also offers one full semester of paid work placement which provides hands-on experience that is highly valued by employers.
Source: Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Ontario
August 30, 2007
“Kwantlen Summer Jazz” Camp Makes Sweet Music
Kwantlen University College’s Music department welcomed 35 high school students from across the Lower Mainland to its inaugural music camp, “Kwantlen Summer Jazz ’07.” “We are extremely happy with the results of our first Kwantlen Summer Jazz Camp,” said David Proznick, camp coordinator. “Having students attend this camp using Kwantlen’s wonderful music facilities in Langley opened their eyes to the availability of undergraduate music studies opportunities. It was also a great chance to test the waters and potentially expand Kwantlen’s present music program to include more jazz courses.” The summer jazz camp had an "instrumental jazz focus", covering all aspects of learning about jazz and how to play this music. Camp instructors, including Campbell Ryga, Kwantlen University College Music faculty member and acclaimed Canadian jazz saxophonist, helped participants develop their individual talents and strengths in a music setting. These skills include: discipline, goal setting, self esteem, confidence, team work, and leadership. Program highlights included big band sessions, combo sessions, a saxophone ensemble and group performances on the last day. Participants also had the opportunity to go out into the community and perform a live jam session in Fort Langley. Bays Blackhall from the Fort Langley Community Association was thrilled with the students’ positive attitude and caliber of their performance. “Because of my association with the Langley Community Music School, I do everything I can to support music students, including those from Kwantlen,” said Blackhall. “I really enjoyed their performance and would love to invite the musicians back to perform and busk anytime.” The students who participated in the camp not only enjoyed the engaging learning environment but were also able to share their love of music with others. Many students had nothing but good things to say about their experiences. “The camp was great,” said Brittany Reinsma, South Surrey resident and Semiahmoo Secondary student. “I was able to meet others with different musical skills, and a similar interest and talent for music.”
Another student, Alex Gambrel, Surrey resident and Elgin Park Secondary student, commented, “Everyone was friendly and encouraging. I learned a lot in the different groups.” This year’s summer jazz camp was one of many pilot initiatives being supported by the arts community of Langley and by the Langley school district in order to test the feasibility of an eventual community school of the arts based at Kwantlen’s Langley Campus. “Along with the formation of the Langley Arts Coalition in January, the greater Langley region has supported initiatives including a fine arts survey, studio art courses and the jazz camp,” said Linda Schwartz, Kwantlen dean of humanities. “We are encouraged by the regional interest in the arts and look forward to building and expanding a network of strong community partnerships.”
Source: Kwantlen University College, British Columbia
August 24, 2007
Lethbridge College: 50 Years of Learning and Excellence
The year was 1957 and 38 young people bound and determined to make something of their future enrolled at Lethbridge Junior College, Canada's first publicly funded community college. Those 38 students chose from university transfer or technical training courses at an institution of about a dozen staff and faculty. Today, Lethbridge College, employing more than 900 faculty and staff, offers in excess of 50 certificate, diploma, post-diploma, applied degree and apprenticeship programs to more than 7,000 students. From a one-building campus to a sprawling site of 11 training and instructional facilities and 27 residence buildings, Lethbridge College has and will continue to make an important impact on Canada's post secondary education sector. Lethbridge College continues to reinforce the vision of its founding patron, Gilbert Paterson, by ensuring accessibility and relevance of education. Innovations in the method of delivery of courses, including on-line and short-term as well as program offerings on satellite campuses in Taber and Fort Macleod ensure accessibility and enable students to receive their education in a cost-effective manner that meets their personal goals. The end result is an institution that prepares graduates for the global work place through focused programming, abundant support services, 24/7 access to resources and other expertise and innovation in all areas.
Source: Lethbridge College, Alberta
August 24, 2007
Lethbridge College: Grand Reopening for Cousins Building
Donning safety glasses and a lab coat, the Honourable Doug Horner, Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, unfurled more than the newly refurbished sciences building at Lethbridge College today. In a scientific demonstration, the Minister unveiled banners with the College's new logo in the atrium of the extensively renovated, 40-year-old Cousins Building, which will house all of Lethbridge College's applied sciences programs. The modified ribbon cutting was part of a grand reopening ceremony held at the College on Thursday, says Dr. Tracy Edwards, president of the institution. "Our new logo is a metaphor for a fresh and redesigned approach to post secondary education at Lethbridge College," noted Edwards, who has been instrumental in leading the institution through the change process. "The redevelopment of the Cousins Building is a perfect example of what we're doing here on campus. Our goal is to honour the past and embrace the future. This wonderful 40-year-old building, named after a Lethbridge College pioneer, pays homage to our unique and vibrant history, but its redevelopment into a sciences centre that will capture the synergy that comes from having like-programs in one place says that we are redefining our future to meet and even anticipate the needs of our learners and our community." The Cousins Building renovations began in May 2006. The interior of the building was gutted and rebuilt to exacting environmental standards designed to save the College more than $25,000 in annual operating costs. The unique layout also captures the specific needs of the applied science programs that will call the building home when students return to campus in just over two weeks. Funded by a series of provincial grants from both the Alberta Government's Capital plan for 2005 to 2008 and the Access to the Future - Renaissance Fund, the unique learning environment of the Cousins Building is a testament to Lethbridge College's vision for the future. It nurtures a cross-pollination of teaching and learning by grouping students and instructors from several study areas to share ideas and expertise in an atmosphere that cannot help but engender academic excellence.
Source: Lethbridge College, Alberta
August 16, 2007
Mount Allison University: Prominent Geographer to Teach About Human Impact on the environment
Are you interested in how humans affect the environment? This fall, prominent geographer Dr. Stuart Semple will teach the introductory course, The Human Environment, as part of Mount Allison University's department of continuous learning program in Moncton. This course is one of many offered by the new department of geography and environment at Mount Allison. Head of the Department Dr. Michael Fox says, "The new department of geography and environment at Mount Allison is delighted that Dr. Semple will be joining us to offer the introductory human environment course. Stuart Semple is an internationally recognized authority on geographic education, with a passion and natural talent for introducing the subject to new students, adults, and non-geographers alike. Anyone with an interest in the how and whys of human behaviour and our human impact on the environment will certainly enjoy this course." From the slopes of Kilimanjaro to Sackville, NB, Dr. Semple has spent 50 years inspiring students and training geography teachers. Many former students recognize him as the reason they entered the field of geography. In fact, he was the first recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award given by the Canadian Association of Geographers. Dr. Semple was also the chief examiner in geography for the International Baccalaureate Organization where he oversaw the development of a curriculum offered in more than 100 countries. Mount Allison's Geography and Environment Department offers degrees in geography, environmental studies, and environmental science.
Source: Mount Allison University, New Brunswick
August 9, 2007
Kwantlen Nursing Instructor Establishes $20,000 Psychiatric Nursing Endowment
Melodie Hull, registered psychiatric nurse (RPN) and former Kwantlen University College Bachelor of Science in Nursing instructor, has provided a $10,000 endowment fund to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in Kwantlen’s Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing program. “I have a lifelong commitment to improving the credibility and visibility of RPNs,” said Hull. “No matter where I work or in which capacity—as a nurse in a psychiatric emergency or acute psychiatric unit or as a nursing instructor—I am passionate about the profession of psychiatric nursing and wish to support any student who feels the same way about the very special nurses that we are!” Hull’s $10,000 donation will be matched by the Kwantlen University College Foundation for a total investment of $20,000. This will generate an annual award of $1,000 for a student studying psychiatric nursing at Kwantlen. Hull taught at Kwantlen for five years and in that time was an instrumental contributor in the establishment of the Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing program, which launched in 2006. Recently, Hull has accepted a new teaching position at the College of the Rockies. “I will greatly miss the camaraderie between the faculty of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Kwantlen University College. They made this RPN feel so incredibly welcomed and part of the fabric of nursing education,” remarks Hull. “Teaching at Kwantlen has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my career as a nurse-educator. The culture of scholarship, particularly in nursing education is vibrant, dynamic, and more than exciting. It has awakened in me a lifelong desire to know and share. I will carry this gift from Kwantlen with me for the rest of my life! Thank you!”
The Kwantlen Foundation was established in 2000 and raises funds to create quality, life-long learning opportunities for Kwantlen students to achieve personal, social and career success. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.kwantlen.ca/foundation or call 604.599.2010.
Source: Kwantlen University College, British Columbia
August 07, 2007
University of Saskatchewan Represented on Space Shuttle Endeavour
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) will be well represented on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, scheduled for take-off August 8, 2007 from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Aboard the Shuttle Endeavour will be a University of Saskatchewan Centennial mission badge and Dr. Dave Williams. Saskatoon-born Williams, a physician and veteran astronaut, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of S in 2004, and is scheduled for at least two space walks during the mission. The U of S Centennial mission badge, 13 cm X 6 cm, features a green, gold and white University crest on a black background above the special tagline developed to mark the institution's 100th anniversary in 2007 - "100 Years, Engage, Enlighten, Explore.” The badge, hermetically sealed and stored onboard the Shuttle Endeavour, will accompany Space Shuttle Mission STS-118 and its crew on the 11-day journey in space. Upon return to earth, the badge will make its way back to Saskatoon where it will be displayed on campus.
Source: University of Saskatchewan
August 3, 2007
University of Calgary - The Tour for Kids
The Schulich School of Engineering cycling team raised almost $15,000 for kids cancer care in a two-day cycling race across the Alberta prairie at the end of July. The four-member team -- Neil Duncan, Christopher Hunter, and Steve Boyd, along with University Technologies International's Paul Cataford -- confirmed after the race that the Alberta prairies are not at all flat, and that four strong winds are indeed a part of the Alberta landscape! The Schulich cycling team plans to enter again next year in the growing event. The 2007 Tour for Kids raised $150,000 overall for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation.
Source: University of Calgary - The Schulich School of Engineering, Alberta
August 1, 2007
Niagara College Professor Receives Provincial Award
Niagara College President, Dan Patterson and Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor presented Robert Greene with the Leadership in Faculty Teaching (LIFT) Award this morning. The awards were developed by the Ontario government to recognize and encourage teaching excellence at the province's colleges and universities. Winners receive a total of $20,000 over two years. Criteria for the award include the ability to stimulate students to think creatively and critically, demonstrated caring for learning, enthusiasm for, and innovation in, teaching, fostering development and intellectual growth, and motivating and mentoring students. "This LIFT Award recognizes Mr. Greene's commitment to teaching and using activities that develop the students' appreciation and understanding of the value of life-long learning," said Craitor. "This is a lesson that goes beyond books or the Internet. It is knowledge that will last a lifetime, and is a real investment in our future." Greene joined Niagara College in 2002 and currently teaches courses in entrepreneurship, principles of management and operations management. He is also the faculty advisory for ACE Niagara, the College's Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship chapter. Greene is popular with his students and is viewed as a mentor who brings an innovative approach to the classroom. "Mr. Greene has always contributed to a positive college and learning environment, by always looking for meaningful ways to improve the classroom by teaching news skills and providing the students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through valuable interactive assignments," said Kari Spry, a student in the College's Bachelor of Applied Business - International Commerce and Global Development program. Greene earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Ryerson University and a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Calgary. He also spent a year teaching international business in China.
Source: Niagara College, Ontario
August 2007
Thompson Rivers University: Conferences Key to Student Research Success
Stacey Lamont and Chester Lipka are studying a mathematical question that has eluded a complete solution for 66 years. Their project involves something called the "Graph Reconstruction Conjecture", an informal description of the problem is as follows: if shown pieces of a network (subnets if you like), can you reconstruct the entire network from having seen the pieces? The project grew out of a trip to Victoria last winter. Five students accompanied Dr. Rick Brewster, Associate Professor of Mathematics TRU, to the 8th Coast Combinatorics Conference. Dr. Wendy Myrvold from UVic gave a talk on graph reconstructions. Dr. Brett Stevens from Carleton University asked a question at the end of her talk, which she said was as yet unanswered. “So far we have settled the question of Dr. Stevens and in the process identified some generalizations of recent work in the field,” Brewster said. “It has been a very successful summer so far.” That undergrads can tackle such complex problems—and have success is a credit to Brewster and his mentorship. At the Victoria conference faculty from UVic and SFU commented on Brewster’s initiative for taking undergrads to a function geared for doctoral students and professors. Lamont, from Revelstoke and Lipka from Williams Lake both agree that it was the opportunity to attend the conference that set their academic career paths. Both undergrads are from small towns and had no concept of researching and learning at such advanced levels. For few days in July they took a break from researching in the Old Main Math labto attend the Canadian Math Society’s Undergraduate Conference on Mathematics at Simon Fraser University. “I’m pretty sure that if I hadn’t attended these conferences that I wouldn’t be planning to go to grad school,” Lamont said. “Grad school before (the conference) was just a dream. Now I need to go.” Chester Lipka’s summer research is funded by TRU’s Comprehensive University Enhancement Fund and from Rick Brewster’s NSERC grant. Stacey Lamont’s by NSERC’s Undergrad Student Research Assistance program. “I know that if I had gone to a large university I wouldn’t have had to opportunity to attend conferences and conduct summer research,” Lipka said. “Here I talk to my prof, I know him not a teaching assistant.” “I’ve had a good introduction to different areas of discrete math and the conferences make me want to learn more about it. I’m learning how much further I can go with the discipline.” Brewster has co-authoured four papers in various academic journals with undergrads, and hopes to submit the work with Lamont and Lipka this fall. “The reason we are getting papers published is because our undergrads are exposed to research problemsat conferences and in the summer research term,” he said. “At the upper levels we have small classes and take on those students who wish a taste of research.” “In our small classes, I notice which students have the work ethic, organization skills or pure talent. If I was teaching a class of 300 or 400 hundred, with TAs, I wouldn’t.” As they head back for the final year of their BSc Mathematics degree, both Lamont and Lipka will be adding applications to graduate schools and for scholarships to their course work.
Source: Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia
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