To: Tracy Edwards, President
Lethbridge College
Dear Tracy:
I would like to share with you some concerns I have about the 50th Anniversary celebrations at Lethbridge College and the manner in which they are being planned. While I agree providing 50 years of education to thousands of students, allowing them to fulfill their dreams and become valuable members of our community is something worthy of attention, surely we can observe this milestone in a more wasteful fashion.
Frankly, Tracy, for an institution turning 50, you’d think we’d act our age. Instead, the entire campus community appears to be 18 again and gearing up for a senior prom or Woodstock (the original one with the hippies and Hendrix.) Maybe it’s our version of a midlife crisis, but surely some decorum is called for at this point.
After all, we have a lovely new science centre in the Cousins Building, another first-class facility added to our expanding physical facility, which we’re continuing to develop for tomorrow’s students.Surely a tasteful ribbon-cutting would have sufficed to introduce it to the community in August rather than the Concert at the College, with all of those people on the campus grounds.
Certainly, anniversaries are about people, but we’ve got 50 years’ worth of students, faculty and staff to salute from now to May 2008.May I quote you here:
“In 50 years, our graduates have been achieving, be it here at home or around the globe, and improving the communities in which they live and pushing frontiers in their chosen fields,” says Tracy Edwards, President of Lethbridge College. “We’re proud of them and we want to celebrate their successes even as we celebrate ours.”
Well that’s a nice sentiment, but how are we going to accomplish that? What began as the dream of one man, Gilbert Currie Paterson, back in 1951 has grown into a successful post-secondary institution with about 7,000 half a century later. It would take an entire Homecoming event next May to accommodate that many people.
And it gets worse. Consider this from Sandra Dufresne, Lethbridge College alumni coordinator: “The Lethbridge College Alumni association has been lucky enough to track down several graduates from the first class. The anniversary holds special meaning for them; they truly are the grassroots of the institution and all speak of happy memories and a wonderful experience.”
They’re actually encouraging grads to come back to Lethbridge College. To do what, tramp all over the lawn? I despair. I found the following material prepared for a story in Wider Horizons (a new magazine I consider far too “modern” for a proper postsecondary institution such as ours). I can only hope you weren’t considering printing it:
The Alumni Association recently named the 50th recipient of its Distinguished Alumni Award, Lethbridge architect Art Ferrari (see sidebar), but there are many more than 50 alumni who have distinguished themselves after graduating from Lethbridge College. “This is a very exciting time to have a connection to Lethbridge College,” says Sandra.
“This anniversary is a chance to celebrate our many successes, most notably the stories of our alumni.”
Lethbridge College has had a significant impact on the community in its 50 years here, serving as the launch pad for the University of Lethbridge 40 years ago, offering a chance for adults to learn during the evenings, and producing top professionals, many who remain and work in southern Alberta.
“Having a quality institution in our city that does hands-on training gives us a competitive edge,” says Cheryl Dick, Lethbridge College alumna and CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge. “When we promote Lethbridge to businesses and people coming to the area we can show there is an institution to train their employees, not just with regular postsecondary education, but with specialized job training.”
President Tracy Edwards says there is much to celebrate. In the past year, a new vision and mandate, new leadership and new facilities and equipment have come on stream to help Lethbridge College stay abreast of a changing postsecondary landscape.
“Challenges we face locally are a reflection of the global reality,” says Tracy. “It’s time for us to step out from behind the limiting image some perceived in our name and focus on becoming the kind of leading institution we know is needed right now.”
The college’s new logo will stand out in the competitive landscape of post-secondary institutions in Canada and portrays strength, excellence, approachability, upward aspiration and, of course, an excitement in learning. The college’s new strategic plan addresses local and global issues by addressing the immediate need for skilled trades’ people and embracing new concepts in environmental sustainability, says Tracy. Campus goals include a “green” building that will incorporate a functional education structure with Alberta’s first live learning site on alternative energy and construction technology.
“Our location provides natural advantages in researching and adopting alternative energy practices; from solar to wind to geothermal, Lethbridge offers abundant opportunity to incorporate new technologies into all that we do,” says Tracy. “What we learn in the process will benefit our community, our province and individual businesses and industries.”
During the year there will be many ways to celebrate, advocate, participate and show pride in Lethbridge College and our community. The anniversary year will end with a bang on Homecoming Weekend next May. Planning has already begun on what will be the largest gathering of Lethbridge college alumni, stakeholders and supporters.
Well, there you have it, Tracy. A multitude of accomplishments with extensive plans for celebration. I imagine everyone will have a grand time. Openings. Reunions. Festivities. New vision. New brand. Hmmm. It does sound like it’s going to be fun. Something the community might really enjoy. OK. I’ve changed my mind.
Tracy, please ignore my previous concerns . . . and let the good times roll!
Sidebar:
The fine art of growing and giving
Art Ferarri might just be the quintessential Lethbridge College alumnus.
When the Lethbridge College Alumni Association honoured Art as its 2007 Distinguished Alumnus, it chose a triple threat: a guy who has achieved in his chosen profession, an employer who seeks out and hires the College’s graduates and a generous benefactor who believes in giving where he has received.
And that’s before one considers the fullness of his contributions and dedication to the community. Ferrari Westwood Architects has taken its vision to the streets, designing the Lethbridge City Hall and the Lethbridge Regional Police headquarters, among other notable creations.
It was at Lethbridge College, then less than a decade old, that Art had his first exposure to post-secondary education. He earned a Merchandising Administration Diploma in1968 before ultimately obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of British Columbia.
“The two-year program, the opportunity to work with a team of students on projects and my exposure to student politics (he was Students’ Association president, 1967-68) gave me a basis for similar activities I experiences in business,” he says. “I gained confidence, life experience and a desire to change the way of the world.”
Ferrari has maintained close professional ties with Lethbridge College; seven of Ferrari Westwood’s 12 employees are college grads. He is also a strong supporter of the college’s fundraising efforts.
“The award came as a surprise and a great honour,” says Art. “As I develop within my profession, receiving such awards gives added meaning to the work I love. Giving back does as much for me as I hope my contributions have done for others.”
Every building Ferrari Westwood Architects designs comes complete with an environmental consciousness built in from the ground floor up.
Art says most Alberta architects are aware the projects they create can help reduce the province’s dependency on fossil fuels without sacrificing aesthetics, and have assumed the responsibility.
“It’s about more than saving a dollar; it’s about doing it because it’s right,” he says. “The awareness has been there for a long time.”
