2015
Jolayne Prus
Business Administration
Jolayne was one of two Alberta students to win a full scholarship to attend Summer Schools of Slavonic Studies in the Czech Republic. The scholarship is sponsored by the Governments of Alberta and the Czech Republic as a new initiative to foster greater academic, research and cultural collaboration between Alberta and the Czech Republic. During the summer, universities in the Czech Republic host Summer Schools of Slavonic (Czech) Studies to provide opportunities for international students from partner countries to study Czech language, literature, culture and history as well as visit landmarks and attend cultural events. We will check in with Jolayne after she returns to hear about her experiences during this exciting exchange.
2014
Angie Nelson
Civil Engineering
Angie wrote into her engineering instructors this spring with the following update: “Just thought I'd check in and let everyone know that what each and every one of the instructors taught me during my time at Lethbridge College is being put to good use. In September 2014, I began working for Daytona Homes in Lethbridge as their estimator/architectural technician. I recently found out that Daytona Homes is a partner in the 2015 College Home project. At first I wasn't sure what that meant - I was too busy doing homework in the last couple of years to notice what was going on in the outside world! After researching the project, I can proudly say that I am so very honoured to not only be a recent honours graduate of the Civil Engineering diploma program at Lethbridge College, but to also have the privilege of being the estimator/architectural tech/draftsperson in the building of this College Home in Copperwood. Plus, the fact that this home is raising funds for the new trades and technologies facility at Lethbridge College has me absolutely thrilled!”
2014
Dallas Walker
Massage Therapy
Fort Macleod’s Dallas Walker broke two provincial records and earned two gold medals and nine silver medals at the Edmonton Open Provincial Lifesaving Championships in late March. She earned a medal in every event in which she competed. According to an April article in the Prairie Post, Dallas began taking part in lifesaving competitions in 2013 and has been on a winning streak since she started. Since Walker’s first competition in Montreal in 2013, she has earned many medals and is excelling in the sport. She has competed locally and provincially as well as in Ontario, Nova Scotia, France and Australia.
2013
Corne Mans
Business Administration
Corne was featured in the April issue of Country Guide magazine, Canada’s oldest farm publication. The article highlighted the 22-year-old Mans’ business partnership with the 74-year-old Rudy Knitel. The article describes how the two met when Knitel was making the rounds for his business, called Galimax Trading. “I was buying milk,” recalls Knitel, explaining that Corne is the son of one of his suppliers. The two have been working together for four years at Galimax, which focuses on providing fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and eggs, with some specialty items such as vinegar, to Calgary restaurants.
2011
Ted Andrew
Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism
A May article in the Oyen Echo featured Ted’s work as a reporter at My Prince George Now and his recent decision to spend 10 months in Ireland with NET Ministries. In mid-August, Ted will join 30 young adults from around the world for a five-week course on evangelization. They will then be placed with different local teams to head out to communities across Ireland and perhaps Scotland to speak face-to-face Catholic youth about embracing the life of the church.
2011
Cara Hull
Multimedia Production Diploma
Cara sent this update to an instructor in the Multimedia department: “I am still with the [Saskatchewan Rough] Riders and I absolutely love my job. I honestly don't consider what I get to do a job. I'm in charge of the official website (Riderville.com) and all official social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Periscope). I also help out with a lot of the graphic design, photography and video editing. It's never a dull moment in the office.”
2011
Rylee Osadczuk
Conservation Enforcement
Rylee joined the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 2014 as a natural area manager for the Castle Crown, Crowsnest Pass and Southern Foothills regions in Alberta. After earning her diploma from the college, she went on to earn a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Lethbridge. Ranch-raised in southern Alberta, Rylee first started into the environmental field several years ago. She first worked as a wildlife researcher throughout Alberta, southern Saskatchewan and abroad in South Africa. She also worked throughout Canada as an environmental consultant for pipeline, transmission line, well and coal mine projects.
2011
Keaton Wlaz
Criminal Justice
Keaton is the newest member of the Estevan Police Service and was featured in a June article in Estevan Lifestyles. He is currently a member of the general patrols and says he has always wanted to work in law enforcement. He had worked with the Ministry of Highways and as a corrections officer with the Regional Correctional Centre before starting work with the Estevan Police Service.
2010
Kala Beers
Child and Youth Care
Kala earned a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from the University of Calgary-South Region Campus after graduation and currently works in Lethbridge at Lethbridge Family Services.
2010
Allan Hazle
Communication Arts
Alan shared this update about his exciting career in media with the Alumni office: “Upon graduating I spent a year working with Astral Media as a station operator for CJAY 92, 98.5 Virgin Radio and Classic Country AM 1060. During that year I also volunteered for an AJHL hockey team in Calgary where I was the play-by-play announcer for their game webcasts. I decided to expand on my video production skills and enrolled into the Film and Video Production program at SAIT where I completed a two-year diploma. Following graduation, I worked as a production assistant on the motion picture Interstellar and on the TV show The Amazing Race Canada. In the summer of 2014, I began work at a Toyota dealership in Calgary where I plan, shoot and edit videos for the dealership. I also continue to do creative film projects on the side.”
2010
Adrian Orynik
Criminal Justice - Policing
Adrian went to work for a year with the Ministry of Social Services in child protection after graduation and has been working as a correctional officer at the maximum security unit at Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert since then.
2009
Jessica Kremenik
Business Administration – Management
Jessica wrote into Wider Horizons with this update: “I had always enjoyed the Human Resources aspect of my Management classes, and I wanted to work in my field to see if I enjoyed it before I pursued ongoing education. Needless to say, I found my perfect fit and I haven’t looked back. I started my first position for Alberta Health Services (AHS) - Chinook Hospital Human Resources office shortly upon my graduation from the Lethbridge College… Today I am currently working in Lethbridge on a Provincial Team as a provincial coordinator for the Calgary region and southern Alberta, for the team Health Professions Strategy and Practice. This role has given me a chance to really spread my wings. I have had amazing opportunities to work with post-secondary institutes across Alberta and Canada and internationally. …I am happy to have found a good fit in a large organization. I am forever grateful for my wonderful experience attending the Lethbridge College. The instructors were amazing and great to work with, I had such a good time in my courses and the opportunities that were presented to me at Lethbridge College are what have helped to model and mould my passions and provide the tools to propel me into my current and ongoing career. Onward and upward for greater horizons!”
2008
Bill Ball
Environmental Assessment and Restoration
Bill is an Environmental Project Manager at WorleyParsons Canada in Edmonton and manages various assessment and remediation programs for upstream oil and gas clients.
2008
Chris Davis
Business Administration – Accounting
Chris contacted his college instructors with this update, and he said they could share it with readers of Wider Horizons. Chris wrote he always tells people his time at college “was the happiest time of my life. I recommend to anyone who pursues a degree to start with a college first as I believe that the college offers greater resources to students than a lecture environment as found within universities. At the college I was taught how to learn, listen, and apply my skill sets. I was able to always access the staff and felt that the instructors all went out of their way to genuinely ensure the success of each student. I was taught not only the academics but etiquette as well; namely, to not email teachers in all capital letters. One of the greatest things about the program is that you learn not only the accounting aspect but business writing, communication skills, and are exposed to real life simulations such as the mock industry you participate in managing your own company against other teams. Teaching how to listen and communicate with proper etiquette may sound like it is just a filler course but it may have been one of the greatest skills that contribute to my success. I felt going into university confident and know many students in the university that still would lean on their instructors from the college. This speaks so highly of such instructors who took their role as a teacher to a lifetime commitment.”
2007
Matthew Tyler Joseph Derricott
Business Administration
After graduation, Matthew went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Lethbridge and a JD/MBA from the University of Toronto. He was called to the bar of Ontario in 2014 and recently began working as Senior Strategy Analyst for Rogers Communications.
2005
Bobbie Jo Garber
Practical Nursing
Bobbie Jo has been employed with the Milk River Health Centre as an LPN since graduation and is currently teaching on campus at the Lethbridge College within the Health Sciences department, mainly within the Health Care Aide program.
2003
Calley Sean Erickson
Business Administration
Calley is the president of a small construction and land development company in Calgary.
2003
Michael Reichert
Professional Golf Management
Michael works as a corporate sales manager at NetSet Communications.
2002
Dale Tomlinson
Engineering Design and Drafting Technology
Dale, a Professional Golf Association of Canada club professional, is the new general manager at River Bend Golf and Recreation Area in Red Deer. After rising through the ranks to General Manager of the Carstairs Community Golf Club, and holding that post for the last 10 years, Dave has stepped up to oversee as many as 125 staff and 27 holes across two courses, as well as the trails, retail facilities, lakes and parks that comprise the recreation area.
2001-02 (enrolled in courses)
Kip Kangogo
General Studies
Kenya-born Kip came to Lethbridge College on an athletics scholarship in 2001 and became a Canadian citizen in 2014. Recently he won the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon in record time and placed third in the BMO Vancouver Marathon. He was also selected as one of the 2015 Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund bursary recipients receiving $5,000 to help with training and expenses related to competition. Kangogo is hoping to/will represent Canada in the Pan Am Games in Toronto in July.
2001
Gavin Palmer
Computer Information Technology
Gavin is working on a Masters of Intercultural and International Communications degree.
2000
Mark Yawney
Business Administration
Lethbridge College instructor David Orr ran into Mark last year at a conference in Banff. Mark is a partner at Banff Airporter, which offers scheduled and private transportation between Calgary Airport and Banff and has integrated a maintenance shop into its operations and provides fleet maintenance for several businesses. Wider Horizons checked in with Mark, who said “My main passions in Banff are mountain biking, road biking, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. My hands-on instruction at Lethbridge College has played an integral role in my career and also in the success of Banff Airporter. I have been very impressed with how well Lethbridge College prepared me for real-world business scenarios like determining pricing strategies, succeeding in a competitive environment and capital purchase planning.” Mark’s former instructor David Orr was impressed with his former student and added: “He is definitely a man in motion.”
1998, 2000
Michael Jokinen
Renewable Resource Management and Fish and Wildlife Technology
Michael is an Intermediate Wildlife Biologist with the Alberta Conservation Association and was featured in the Calgary is Awesome website for his “wild” job. He has worked for the ACA for 13 years, first in Blairmore and more recently in Lethbridge. He was a speaker at the Friend of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society where he discussed Alberta’s carnivores and how remote trail cameras are used as a non-invasive way of studying wildlife.
1998
Nettie Anne M. Robertson
Child and Youth Care
Nettie has been the residential team leader at Southern Alberta Community Living Association since 2006.
1998
Terry Villeneuve
Manufacturing Process Technology
Terry works at Triple M Housing.
1997
Cynthia June Bryant
Early Childhood Education
Cynthia works with children who have severe or multiple needs in a school setting.
1997
Carla Orosz
Fashion Design and Merchandising
Carla, a theatre designer and assistant professor in the Department of Drama at the University of Saskatchewan, received a Saskatoon and Area Theatre Award for best costume design for her work on Macbeth. Her work has adorned the actors and provided the backdrop for numerous Persephone Theatre and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan productions. Carla’s work is also an integral part of the university’s Greystone Theatre, both as a hands-on teaching environment and foundation of theatre productions for the public to enjoy. It is also the basis for her very popular classes; she received a Teaching Excellence Award from the USSU last year, something she viewed as an honour. Carla grew up on a farm near Prud’homme, northeast of Saskatoon. After earning her diploma from the college, she returned to Saskatoon with the hope of opening a store selling her creations. When this proved unfeasible, she found herself staging fashion shows for other designers, essentially doing theatre design. It was a career track she formalized with studies first at the University of Saskatchewan and then at the University of Victoria, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree. Photo by Debra Marshall, courtesy of Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan
1995
Jennifer Chiola
Criminal Justice - Policing
Jennifer has spent the 20 years since her graduation working with the City of Calgary and Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security. She has worked as a Community Peace Officer (Animal Control/bylaw), Correctional Peace Officer and is currently the Calgary Region Correctional Drug Dog Handler.
1995
Shannon O'Sullivan
Child and Youth Care
Shannon moved to Medicine Hat right after graduation and has been working in Human Services ever since. She works as a Services Coordinator at the Alberta Supports Centre for the Government of Alberta.
1988
Troy Reeb
Communication Arts
Troy received the RTDNA’s President’s Award in May, the highest honour presented by The Association of Electronic Journalists. Troy, who is Senior Vice President of News for all Shaw Media properties, including Global TV, was recognized for bringing distinction and excellence to the association and for making a positive and significant impact on Canadian broadcast and digital journalism and the industry as a whole.
1984
Lisa Ford
Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism
Lisa received an RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award in April, one of the highest honours bestowed by RTDNA Canada to honour individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and continued excellence during the course of their career in broadcast journalism. The award is for lifetime achievement rather than for a single contribution. Nominees must have a minimum of 30 years of distinguished service to broadcast journalism. Lisa began her career in journalism in 1984, in Swift Current at a local radio station after graduating from Lethbridge College. While there, she covered everything from crime and courts to human interest stories before heading to Red Deer. She went on to work in Saskatoon in a variety of positions before becoming news director in 1991, where she was often the only woman sitting at the board room table for editorial meetings. Lisa considers herself privileged to have mentored many journalists throughout her career, many of whom are now seen on national news broadcasts. She has been married to her husband Bill for 30 years and together they have two sons, Logan, 26, and Hayden, 22.
1983
Rene Frank
Disability and Community Rehabilitation Services
Rene has worked for several years as an Educational Assistant at Great Plains College in Saskatchewan assisting students in every program.
1982
Vernon Oickle
Communications Arts - Journalism
Vernon was chosen is the recipient of the Lethbridge College Alumni Association’s 2015 Distinguished Alumni Community Leader Award. His storied 30-year career has seen him win numerous national awards, write for a many well-known newspapers, and publish more than 20 books. Vernon is currently the Editor at Lighthouse Media Group and he continues to write for newspapers like the South Shore Breaker in Nova Scotia. He wrote a moving column in the newspaper about his experiences returning to his old stomping grounds, which can be read at learn.lc/oickleupdate.
1981
Rick Dewsbery
Criminal Justice - Policing
Ric has worked in policing since graduation, including work in several different locations with the RCMP. He is now based in Lethbridge.
1979
Fred Crittenden
Criminal Justice - Policing
After nearly 35 years at the Medicine Hat Police Service, including the last 20 years as supervisor of bylaw enforcement, Fred took a job in 2014 as manager of bylaw services at the City of Prince George, B.C.
1977
Karin Olsen
Recreation Administration
Karin works as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Carroll College.
-- from Spring 2015 --
2013
Tracy Duval
Criminal Justice – Policing
Tracy has lived in Red Deer for the last seven year, working with the RCMP as a Telecommunications Operator since graduating.
2013
Brock Leavins
Agricultural Technology
In an update to the Alumni Office, Brock writes: “I am in the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education at Mount Royal University in Calgary.”
2013
Agnes Regina Zdrill
Justice Studies - Bachelor of Applied Arts
Agnes is working for Correctional Service of Canada.
2009
Keith Grier
Business Administration – Accounting
Keith was one of the eight members of the Piikani Nation Council elected in January.
2009
Morgan Kooiker
Office Administration
Morgan is currently working for Shell Canada Ltd. in Mine Operations, where she have been for the last three years.
2008
Janae Suzanne Hale
Interior Design
Janae writes: “I'm a full-time mom to one daughter, and a part-time hairstylist with a salon in my home.”
2006
Matthew Jubelius
NESA
Lethbridge College Rising Star Award, 2013
After graduating from the college, Matthew accepted a job in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at the University of Alberta and finished his BScN in 2008. He returned to Lethbridge and worked in the general systems ICU at Chinook Regional Hospital, then relocated to Medicine Hat and taught as a clinical instructor in the Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse programs. In 2010, he began as manager of health simulation in the division of science and health. Matthew writes with this update: “I've been very fortunate to complete graduate courses through the Center for Medical Simulation in partnership with Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received my certificate in simulation from Drexel University in Philadelphia. In 2013, I married my outstanding wife and partner, Siobhan, who is an incredible Mechanical Engineer. We've travelled the world together and volunteer for the Kiwanis Regional Science Fair. I am very thankful and will always remember my mentors at Lethbridge College who believed in my abilities, who encouraged me and helped me along my life journey. To them I am grateful. It's been an amazing ride and I look forward to what life will bring."
2001
Sacha Johnson
Tourism
Sacha is the general manager of the Holiday Inn Express Lethbridge.
1996
Cory Wolfe
Communication Arts
Cory sent the Alumni office this update: “After 15 years in media, which included the privilege of covering two Olympics, I'm now a senior communications specialist for Saskatoon-based mining company Cameco Corporation. In addition to working with employees, I provide communications support for a number of community projects.”
1987
Marc Fourrier
Renewable Resource Management
Marc is a laboratory technician with Canadian Fertilizers in Medicine Hat.
1987
Drew Donovan
Business Administration
Drew currently works as the Head, Protocol and Security Division at the International Telecommunication Union - UN Specialized Agency in Geneva, Switzerland. He writes “I love my job!”
1984
Dave Norgardt
Apprenticeship Training
Dave is received his Journeyman Red Seal Autobody Technician designation from NAIT and currently lives in Edmonton.
1984 and 1987
Dennis Spackman
General Natural Resource Management, Parks Management and Watershed Management
Dennis was recently appointed to serve on the Milk River Watershed Council Canada Board of Directors. He grew up in a farming and ranching family east of Sterling. After college, he attended the University of Lethbridge and obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Physical Geography and Biology. Dennis has many years of experience around drinking water systems operated in parks and he is certified by Alberta Environment for the operation of water treatment plants and water distribution systems. He has been employed by Alberta Parks as a Conservation Officer since 1982. Most of his career was spent working in the Boreal Forest ecoregion in the Fort McMurray area. He also worked in the Pincher Creek area for about two years before transferring to Writing on Stone Provincial Park in February 2013. A couple of notable achievements include involvement with the designation of the Clearwater River as a Canadian Heritage River and many years up north as a volunteer firefighter. His hobbies include travel, hiking, camping, reading and photography.
1982
Kevin Brandics
Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician
Kevin lives in Taber and works for Rocky Mountain Equipment as a service manager.
1974-75
Frank Willis
Enrolled in courses
Frank was featured in a January article in the Lethbridge Herald, describing “The Shot” he made on Feb. 28, 1975, a 35-foot jump shot down the middle of the court at the old gym which has been described as the biggest single shot in the college’s men’s basketball history. That shot allowed the Kodiaks to beat the Mount Royal College Cougars and sent the team on the way to win the 4-West title and then to the national championship tournament in Ontario. Frank told the Herald: “I always remember that we won that game, the crowd went crazy and it was such a big night for Coach Brooks. It was a team effort. I mean, Glen ties the game for us, Jimmy gets us the ball back and then all I did was pass the ball after the timeout, then they got the ball back to me. I just shot it. We all won the game.” Frank and several of his teammates returned to the college on Jan. 9 to watch the Kodiaks play Red Deer College. The team lost a tough match 85-77 that Friday night, but got their revenge on Saturday, winning 83-69.
1974
Fred Tyrrell
Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Education
Fred writes that he is still with the Government of Alberta, but back after a one-year secondment to the Southern Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force to the Community Development Unit of Alberta Culture and Tourism, and is again based out of Stony Plain, Alta.
1971
Michael Chocho
Business Administration
Michael writes: “Since college I have worked for a variety of companies and industries but I found my niche almost 33 years ago and am still enjoying every minute of it.”
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