Ideas are essential to the life and legacy of Lethbridge College. Ideas illuminate. Ideas lead to innovation. They come from everything. And our capacity to create and understand them is part of what makes us human.
Ideas are central to the purpose and people who are tied to Lethbridge College, an institution rooted in an inspiring history of embracing big ideas and committed to a future of fostering new and innovative ones.
This issue of Wider Horizons is dedicated to the ideas – both large and small – that have been launched from, discovered at or embraced by Lethbridge College, in its past, present and future. Earlier in this anniversary year, Wider Horizons 2017 featured 60 meaningful Lethbridge College places and 60 memorable Lethbridge College people. The following pages contain a discussion of 60 Lethbridge College ideas – in-depth discussion of six “big ideas,” followed by 54 lesser-known aspects of the college’s story. These insights and bits of inspiration are a diverse mix of thoughts, facts, concepts, plans, purposes and philosophies that have distinguished the college in the past and set it on its course for the future.
- "Ex Disciplina Docti" or learning can only be achieved by discipline and hard work.
- "New Buffalo"
- Learning Experience Design
- Teamwork
- Diversity
- Love what you do
There are lots of big idea tied to the college and even more that are smaller but still meaningful. Some of these ideas have changed lives. Some of them make us smile. Some of them just might change the world.
Lethbridge College...
- is situated on traditional Blackfoot territory.
- was founded as an extension of the University of Alberta.
- was the first publicly-funded community college in Canada.
- is the birthplace of the University of Lethbridge (and happy 50th to our friends across the river!).
- has hosted a vibrant New Student Orientation for 20 years.
- celebrated the 40th anniversary of its LEO club this year, a volunteer organization comprised of Criminal Justice students who work to give back to the community.
- offers 56 different certificate, diploma, apprenticeship and applied degree programs.
- was the first educational institution in Canada to use a computer to facilitate administrative decisions in April 1972.
- has sporting teams that have won 57 ACAC championship titles...
- … and 12 CCAA national championship titles...
- …and 49 students have been named CCAA Academic All Canadians.
- has the only BMO machine in Canada that gives out $10 bills (this may be a campus myth – but have YOU seen any other BMO machines that only give out tens?).
- is focused on leading and transforming education in Alberta.
- hosts the annual Tiffin Conference which brings together some of the greatest minds in agriculture.
- welcomes international students from more than 50 countries.
- has formal exchanges with post-secondary institutions in France, Finland and Korea.
- is home to a realistic-looking courtroom complete with wood panelled walls, a leather-lined judge’s bench and a witness stand, which is used by Criminal Justice students for scenario-based training.
- used to have a roller rink in the building now known as The Barn.
- relies on industry members on advisory committees to help shape curriculum.
- sends students out to real-world workplaces for practicums, internships and applied research projects.
- raises fish and vegetables on campus in the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence.
- has a functional aquaponics operation in the basement of the Cousins building.
- hosts a “mock disaster” each spring for students in the Criminal Justice, Health, and Digital Communications and Media programs to learn in a real-life crisis.
- starts its Convocation ceremony with bagpipes and drums and ends it with music selected by graduating students.
- introduced its first Honour Song, written and performed by Julius and Troy Delaney, during the 2017 Convocation.
- relies on its staff members to bring in friendly dogs for students to visit during finals in the “Doggy De-Stress Room”.
- is home to one of Canada’s largest collections of full-body taxidermy mammals, most of which are native to Alberta, in the Hubbard Collection.
- gives out cheques for more than $1,400 each month (and sets the same amount aside for Student Awards) as part of its Pay It Forward 50-50 draw.
- received a historical $2.5 million donation from Cor Van Raay in 2015 that, with a matched gift to the University of Lethbridge, established the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program.
- used funds from a record-setting $3.1 million legacy gift from Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller to establish the Mueller Irrigation Science program…
- …as well as to establish the college’s Mueller Applied Research Chair in Irrigation Science (Dr. Willemijn Appels was named to that post in 2016).
- has students work with applied research chair Dr. Faron Ellis in the Citizen Society Research Lab to provide polling and research services to various partners.
- is home to the International Wind Energy Academy and has a full-size wind turbine on campus.
- receives decommissioned wind turbines so students can simulate and learn from turbine conditions similar to what they’ll find in the field.
- sees employees flock to the Val Matteotti Gym during the academic year for lunchtime floor hockey and basketball.
- celebrates employees who regularly bring home medals in the annual Lethbridge Dragonboat Festival.
- has its own dragonboat for training, named the Horizon.
- celebrates the community involvement of its students, staff and alumni.
- has its own tipi, which is raised for different important events throughout the year.
- showcases in Centre Core a sculpture called The Miner, which was created by Cornelius Martens in recognition of the City of Lethbridge’s 1985 centennial.
- invites students, staff and fans to vote on the Kodis athletic awards each spring.
- has been welcoming students from the Nippon Institute of Technology in Japan for more than 20 years.
- unveiled a stunning painting titled Blackfoot Spaces, created by Delia Cross Child, in 2012 and proudly displays it in Centre Core.
- offers more than 350 courses in its Corporate and Continuing Education program designed to train, entertain and enlighten.
- celebrates some of its many outstanding instructors with teaching awards at Convocation.
- celebrates some of its talented staff members and those with service anniversaries at its Employee Excellence Awards evening each February.
- celebrates some of its inspiring alumni and the honorary degree recipient each year at the Honouring Excellence event held the night before Convocation.
- designed its new, state-of-the-art trades and technologies facility with sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality in mind.
- received 47 pieces of art, including 12 Group of Seven paintings and the works of other key Canadian artists, after Donald and Hugh Buchanan donated the collection on behalf of their parents, Senator and Mrs. W.A. Buchanan.
- opened its newest residence, Kodiak House, in 2010, a building that uses solar and wind power to sustain the building and 40 per cent less water than an average building its size.
- is focused on providing relevant, high-quality education in a changing world.
- is working to promote a healthy learning and work environment that nurtures the health and well-being of all students and employees.
- is dedicated to improving the lives of learners and communities through the recognition and respect for the distinct cultures, languages, histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous people and Indigenous-centred education.
- is committed to inspiring and facilitating learning and innovation to meet economic and social needs.
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