Significant And Mentionable

Allied Arts Council honours the University

The University of Lethbridge took centre stage at the 2009 Mayor’s Luncheon for Business and the Arts on Sept. 10 when the University was honoured as the winner of a 2009 Allied Arts Council [1] (AAC) Award for Excellence as the local service organization that has significantly enhanced the arts in the community of Lethbridge.

In total, three awards were handed out, including one to an individual, one to a service organization and one to a local business.

(Once again) Steacy duo wins

In August, U of L track and field star Heather Steacy won gold at the Canada Summer Games [2] in Charlottetown, P.E.I. With the furthest throw of 59.92 metres, Heather dominated the hammer throw competition, winning by more than six metres.

Also this summer, Heather’s brother Jim Steacy added to his international track resumé, winning the silver medal in the hammer throw at the 2009 Universiade [3] in Belgrade, Serbia.

Jim completed his Pronghorn [4] career as one of the most decorated track athletes in Horns history, compiling nine Canada West and nine Canadian Interuniversity Sport [5] (CIS) medals, including 16 gold, and was undefeated in the weight throw versus CIS competition over his career.

New Ingenuity centre boosts information technology

The first of its kind in the world, Alberta’s newest Ingenuity Centre is working with entrepreneurs and researchers to use real-time geographical information to address global challenges in resource management.

The new centre, Tecterra, is one of five Alberta Ingenuity Centres for Research and Commercialization that focuses on technology and research to build more sustainable industry practices.

Built on a partnership between the provincial and federal governments, the University of Calgary, the University of Lethbridge and the University of Alberta, Tecterra will tap into the research excellence across the province, allowing resource companies to work with innovative technology companies and the research community to develop world-class solutions to industry challenges.

The more than $50 million investment includes: $21.6 million from the Alberta government, $11.6 million from the federal government, as well as a further $20 million anticipated from industry and other partners.

Among Alberta’s 50 most influential people

Dr. Bruce McNaughton was named one of Alberta’s 50 most influential people by Alberta Venture [6] magazine in July.

McNaughton, one of the world’s experts in neurophysiology, joined the U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) last fall as the inaugural recipient of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research [7] Polaris Award – a 10-year, $20 million research grant.

A sterling past, a golden future

This year the School of Graduate Studies [8] celebrates 25 years. When the School first emerged, it offered a single master’s degree in education. Since then, it has developed into a centre for graduate studies in the arts, health sciences, humanities, sciences and social sciences. This fall, the School implemented two new graduate degree programs in the creative arts through a Master of Fine Arts and a Master of Music.

On Oct. 16, the School will celebrate this milestone with a special dinner with guest speaker Son Soubert, who is currently a member of the Constitutional Council of Cambodia and a professor at the Faculty of Archaeology of the Royal University of Phnom Penh [9]. Soubert has worked to establish responsible politics in Cambodia and has worked extensively to help children, including the establishment of two orphanages.

Charting a new course

Dr. Daniel J. Weeks assumed the position of vice-president (research) in July, a position Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick held for the last 10 years. Weeks joins the University of Lethbridge after more than a decade at Simon Fraser University, where he was a professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, and operator of the Psychomotor Behaviour Laboratory located on the Burnaby campus.

Weeks brings a well-constructed plan for research development to the U of L, with a particular interest in raising the profile of the institution through strategic partnerships and projects.

“There’s a tendency for many institutions in Canada to chase available research funding. The University of Lethbridge has taken a much more thoughtful approach,” says Weeks. “The initiatives the U of L has pursued are significant and will have staying power. There’s true leadership here and careful consideration about the direction the University should go – which tells me that Lethbridge is a place where big ideas can come to fruition.”

To stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the University, visit the U of L’s official online news centre at: www.ulethbridge.ca/unews [10]

Lasting Legacy: Yosh Senda

On Sept. 9, 2009, the University community mourned the loss of Dr. Yosh Senda (LLD ’89), a respected leader, long-time member of the University community and legendary supporter of judo in Canada.

Senda is credited with establishing judo in Lethbridge. He was instrumental in developing the Lethbridge Judo Club [11] and the U of L Judo exchange program with Japan. He remained an active coach at the Lethbridge Judo Club and served as coach and manager of the U of L Judo Club.

With a ninth degree black belt, Senda was the highest-ranking judo black belt in Canada. He instilled in his students that judo is more than just a physical exercise for the body – judo is a way of life.

His philosophy: “You can better yourself by always showing respect for others, and to always give it your best in whatever you do.”

In addition to a long list of awards and achievements, Senda was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 2007 in recognition of his contributions to the development and expansion of judo in Canada as a coach, mentor and role model for more than five decades.

New Community Sports Stadium kicks off

The spirit of the Pronghorn is legendary. It’s a spirit that lives inside everyone who has ever worn our blue and gold, and it now lives within the new Community Sports Stadium – a place that fosters a healthy community and team pride. 
 
Built on a partnership between the City of Lethbridge, the Government of Alberta and the U of L, the estimated $12 million multi-purpose, public-access facility, officially opened on Sept. 25 and 26. Equipped with an artificial field for football and soccer, a natural practice field, a synthetic 400-metre track and bleachers for 2,000 fans, the stadium will meet the sporting needs of the University’s athletic programs and those of southern Alberta for many years to come.