Where are they now?

2018

Stephanie Savage

Digital Communications and Media

Stephanie sent the Alumni office this update: “It feels as though I never left... because I didn’t. I did my practicum with the Communications department at Lethbridge College and was then offered employment at the college. I started with the Communications department, but moved a month later to the Marketing department where I worked as a social media coordinator, connecting with student and industry partners. In November, I started a new position as a recruiter at the college (with an international focus). I have never felt more at home somewhere than I do at the college. I love being here.”

 

2017

Cody Meise

Conservation Enforcement

Cody, who was featured in a September article in the Smoky Lake Signal, was recently hired as an Alberta fish and wildlife officer in Smoky Lake County.

 

2016

Nevin Sereda

Digital Communications and Media

Nevin works as the afternoon announcer for Today’s Country 95.5 and sent the Alumni office this update: “It’s been a busy time for me since I finished my schooling at the college! Bouncing around to different stations until I found the right fit is what took up most of the time including stops in Cranbrook, Medicine Hat and now Lethbridge."

 

2016

Ammar Shahid

Business Administration

Ammar is one of the three founders of Jeeran 55, a social enterprise which aims to bring authentic Syrian cuisine to Lethbridge by providing an opportunity for Syrian newcomer women to express their passion for cooking and allowing them to share their food and culture with the region. Jeeran is the Arabic word for “neighbours.” With roughly 55 new families residing in this city, the founders wanted to provide their services to link up new neighbours with established ones. For more information, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/Jeeran55 or visit www.jeeran55.com.

 

2015

Mia Cartwright

Business Administration – Marketing

Mia is working as a social media manager at a digital marketing and advertising agency in Red Deer, where she has a large array of clients from different industries, and where she says she is learning so much every day.

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel Crow Spreading Wings

Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism

Rachel started working as a video journalist at CityNews in Winnipeg in October. Some of the first stories she covered in her new city included a feature on a Silver Cross Mother, a story about new distracted driving laws, a report on a First Nations youth summit in Winnipeg and more. She moved back to Canada after spending more than two years as a reporter for ABC News in Great Falls, Mont.

 

 

2015

 

Jessika Guse

Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism

In July, Jessika joined the RealAgriculture team where she has been covering news, issues and events across Western Canada on RealAgriculture.com and RealAg Radio on Sirius XM Rural Radio channel 147. Before starting the Regina-based position, she had worked as a radio host, reporter, news anchor and sports announcer across the Prairies. “Jessika brings valuable media experience both in front of the camera and on air, something that’s so key for the website and radio show,” says Shaun Haney, founder of RealAgriculture. “We’re excited to have Jessika join the team.” In her time away from the microphone, Jessika is the proud owner of a rescue dog named Ryder, loves baking, is a self-proclaimed pierogi queen and is a dedicated semi-semi-pro-part-time softball player. In September, Jessika won a gold award at the 2018 Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation Awards Banquet. She received the Tom Leach Award in the category of electronic media – audio – for her story created for CJME.com about a calf simulator. Winners were chosen by 28 judges from across Canada, the United States and Australia. These judges included journalists, photographers, professors, farmers and communicators from different media and publications, and a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds.

 

2015

Karen Kultgen

Correctional Studies 2015; Justice Studies Bachelor of Applied Arts 2013

Karen sent this update to the Alumni office: “I am now working as a probation officer for the Government of Saskatchewan. Lethbridge College gave me hands-on experience and knowledge to help me succeed in my career.”

 

2014

Lukas Madsen

Bachelor of Applied Science – Conservation Enforcement 2014; Renewable Resource Management 2012

Lukas has started working as a fish and wildlife officer serving the Peace River region of Alberta. He was profiled in an August issue of the South Peace News, where he said, “This is the best job in the world. Half the time it doesn’t even feel like work. I’m very much an avid outdoorsman and I want to help protect the natural resource.” The Peace River district encompasses an area in excess of 10,000 square miles and extends east of Red Earth Creek.

 

2012

Ryan Uytdewilligen

Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism

Ryan recently published a book titled The Cattle Driver, the story of how a Model T introduced a whole new world to a crusty cowboy still trailing through dirt on his horse. He was also expecting to release a non-fiction book this past fall titled The History of Lethbridge. Ryan is a writer and film buff whose adolescence on the family farm inspired his writing. In 2016, he published his first non-fiction work, a film history examination called 101 Most Influential Coming of Age Movies. That same year he released his first fiction book, Tractor, a young adult novel. His next fiction work, Akela, will be widely released this spring by BHC Press. Ryan currently lives in Langley, B.C., and maintains hints of the country lifestyle through his writing and volunteering with 4-H.

 

2012

Veronica Weir

Business Administration – Accounting 2012; Interior Design and Marketing 2007

Veronica is a senior accountant with KPMG LLP. She sent the alumni office this update: “After graduating from the Lethbridge College, I attended the University of Lethbridge through the 2 + 2 program. After graduating from the U of L in 2014, I worked for an accounting firm in Saskatchewan and started the CPA program. I wrote the CFE in September 2017 and moved back to Lethbridge for a senior accountant position with KPMG LLP. I work with various clients and types of engagements. I am loving my career and I spend my free time with my husband and our two dogs. In October 2018, I formally received my designation, making all those years of work, worth so much.”

 

2011

Brent Fikowski

Business Administration – Accounting

Brent, who was a key player on the Kodiaks men’s volleyball team, finished in fourth place, just missing a spot on the podium, at the Reebok CrossFit Games in August.

 

2011

Neil McGonagle

Business and Professional Golf Management

Neil recently started working at Golf Trends, a Canadian distributor of golf bags, travel covers, carts, accessories and more, and will be serving the southern Alberta golf community. Neil is originally from London, Ont., and has lived in Alberta since 1994. After graduating from the college, he attained his Class A status with the PGA of Canada in 2010. He spent the last 14 years at Carnmoney Golf Club in Calgary as an associate golf professional, where he also implemented a successful junior program.

 

2010

Oren Kobsar

Engineering Design and Drafting Technology

Oren was recruited by a western Canadian oil and gas company after graduation thanks to his GPA and his pre-college work experience background, and he has been working at a Husky-owned heavy oil upgrading facility for more than eight years. He worked for more than seven years as a senior piping designer, was a project construction supervisor for a year, and recently took on the role of maintenance planner for all of the company’s pipefitting and welding trades on site. He told the Alumni office: “Completing the EDDT program at Lethbridge College rewarded me with a lifelong career working for an industry leader.”

2008

Jennifer Hines

Child and Youth Care

Jennifer writes: “I’ve been working for Catholic Social Services since I graduated and I have worked my way up through the agency from a front line level to where I currently am, which is as a program supervisor. In this role, I supervise all of our child and youth residential homes in central Alberta for the largest multifunctional social services agency in Canada. I just want current students to realize the value of their education and now, as an employer, I seek out child and youth workers specifically.”

 

2008

Caitlin Power

Fashion Design and Merchandising

In October, Caitlin was a guest judge on fashion’s new competition series titled Stitched. The show is hosted by Canadian fashion model Kim Cloutier, and Caitlin joined a panel of resident style experts including celebrity stylist Joe Zee and ELLE Canada’s Editor-in-Chief, Vanessa Craft.

 

 

 

2005

Joe McFarland

Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism

Global News Radio 770 CHQR announced that Joe would start as the new host of afternoon news-talk program, Calgary Today, on Sept. 4. Joe has spent 13 years in the radio news industry, eight of which have been with 770 CHQR as a reporter, a news anchor and most recently as news manager. “Joe brings a great mixture of skills ideally suited for this day part,” said John Vos, Director of Talk and Talent at Corus Radio Calgary. “He’s a Calgary personality, has great community connections and the solid news chops needed for our afternoon show.” Joe succeeded the host chair at Calgary Today following the departure of veteran host Angela Kokott.

 

 

2004

Rob Anderson

Hotel and Restaurant Management Rob works as the director of outlet sales at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. He sent this update to the Alumni office: “It has been quite a journey! After graduation I was able to run a local restaurant in Lethbridge before heading out to Royal Roads University in Victoria to complete my bachelor’s degree in International Hotel Management. I then moved to Thailand to complete an internship and loved it there. I was there just over one year before returning to Canada to begin my career with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. [I spent] two years at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, three years at the Fairmont Newport Beach in California, and almost five years at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona.”

 

 

2004

Kale Haupt

Environmental Science

Kale works as an operations manager for Proactive Environmental Rentals Inc. He told the Alumni office: “I spent my first six years in industry as a consultant in spill response, drilling waste and remediation. After that I moved into my current roll of more than eight years as operations manager and shareholder. I specialize in environmental response and remediation equipment, training and services for the oil and gas, energy, government and mining sectors. I have worked from the Northwest Territories to the Gulf of Mexico and been involved in the response on some of the biggest oil spills in North America.”

 

 

2002

David Fehr

Business Administration – Marketing

Dave works as the senior manager of shared services at Sun Life Financial, where he has been working since 2005 in a variety of positions. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Management degree from Athabasca University in 2010, and married fellow LC alum Alison Hawkins in 2012. They are the parents of two daughters, Hannah, 4, and Payton, 2.

 

2002

Michel Wiggers

Computer Information Technology

Michael is working as the head of quality assurance at Tabella s.r.o., an online gaming business located in Prague, Czech Republic. He sent the alumni office this update: “I moved to Montréal in 2009 where I got my start in the iGaming industry. When that office was consolidated with the umbrella company's offices in Malta, I moved there in 2011. I have lived in the U.K., the Netherlands and Cyprus (with another stint in Malta in between) since then, and I have lived in Prague for the last two years. I'm loving Europe, and although I miss my family back in Lethbridge and Calgary, I have no plans in place to move back to Canada anytime soon. There is so much history here!"

 

2001

Bryan Adcock

Fish and Wildlife Technology; Renewable Resource Management

Bryan sent the Alumni office this update: “It took a while to start doing anything after graduation because the industry shifted from wanting technicians to wanting people with university degrees. In 2009, I got a break and entered the field of water treatment for the City of Dauphin. Since then, I have moved to the private sector doing water and wastewater treatment for a camp in Northern Manitoba. Most recently I was sent into a First Nations community in northwestern Ontario. Their utility was in a state of emergency and we were approached to help repair their failing wastewater system. Long story short, we managed to get them into full compliance and train a few members in operations and maintenance.”

1996

Bruce Hagel

Fish and Wildlife Technology and Renewable Resource Management

Sergeant Bruce Hagel, along with Staff Sergeant Pete Christos and Staff Sergeant Rusty Lawrence, received commendations in October for their work with Lethbridge Police Service.

1981

Boyd Leader

Communication Arts – Print Journalism

Boyd was profiled in an in-depth story on the Puget Sound Radio website in August. In the article, Boyd “gives a shout out to the late Ian Mandin, who was the head instructor for the Radio Arts program in Lethbridge and was a tremendous influence on him: ‘I miss him. The radio lights went a little dimmer in Canada when he passed away. College was a special time. I’m glad I went against [mentor Jerry] Agar’s advice that one time [and came to college before starting full-time work in radio].

There I met Clay St. Thomas, Carol Thomson and Larry Barris who are all life-long friends and colleagues.” Boyd has had a successful 38-year career in radio, the last five of which he has spent as the program director of the CFWE Radio Network out of Edmonton, covering Alberta from Ponoka north and servicing 85 communities, including 89.3 in Pincher Creek and Lethbridge. His stations play a variety of country music and also feature specialty Indigenous music programming.

In the article, Boyd concludes: “I have never considered myself very talented, which will come as no surprise to a lot of people who would agree with me. I have, however, always tried hard and worked hard at what I do. Next Valentine’s Day will mark my 39th anniversary being full time in radio – I haven’t spent a day working in radio because it’s never been a job to me. I continue to learn and challenge myself. I’m also reminded everyday by Andrea and my boys as to what is important.”