Wider Horizons

Lethbridge College’s history comes alive in its new Founders’ Square, a space in the heart of campus dedicated to telling the story of the land where the college now sits and honouring the work of the visionaries who brought post-secondary education to southern Alberta.

Cherie Reitzel, an Interior Design Technology instructor, led the design plan on this collaborative college effort to help envision and create the space as a capstone project that showcased the institution’s lasting legacy as part of the college’s 60th anniversary events in 2017.

The space opened officially just before the start of Coulee Fest in September, and has quickly become a favourite campus destination for students and staff. “Founders’ Square is the spatial embodiment of everything the college represents,” says Reitzel. “From the land to the people, the past to the future, it is a marriage of time and culture – a place of significance and honour. It has been my greatest honour to be a part of such a momentous project.”

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  1. Funding for the project came from the college, with the support of the Government of Alberta’s Community Initiatives Program.
  2. Drum seats with Pendelton wool blanket-style coverings in college colours.
  3. Funding for Indigenous displays came from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta’s Canada 150 Fund.
  4. Indigenous art and artifacts on loan from the Galt Museum displayed in custom millwork to celebrate the college’s history and alignment with Indigenous culture.
  1. Suspended LED pendant lighting fixtures.
  2. Timeline of the college’s history on 20 circular plaques.
  3. Visual design metaphors throughout to represent the coulees (see how many you can find).
  4. Comfortable lounge seating. Charging stations throughout for laptops and devices.
Wider Horizons
Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photo by Rob Olson
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