Wider Horizons

Celebrating the successes of our alumni in their careers and throughout their lives

2010s

2017

Collin Johnson
Exercise Science
Collin is currently working as a trainer at 9Round.

Lucie Mayer-Wegelin
Therapeutic Recreation - Gerontology
Lucie writes: “I am currently back home in Germany to spend time with my family but I will be working on my new study permit to continue my studies at the University of Lethbridge.”


2016

Brad Hamblin
Criminal Justice - Policing
Brad has returned to Lethbridge College to enrol in the Justice Studies degree program.


2015

Melissa Bass
Massage therapywhere-are-they-now-melissa-bass.jpg
Melissa, a registered massage therapist, has recently started working at Lifemark Physiotherapy Sunpark Plaza in Calgary. After graduating from the college, she went on to earn a double major in Kinesiology and Business at the University of Lethbridge, where she also played on the women’s rugby team. Melissa eventually played rugby at the elite level for Team Canada.

Merecedes Fawns
Communication Arts – Advertising and Public Relations
Mercedes is the new editor of Lethbridge Living magazine. She had previously worked as an editorial assistant for the magazine as well as for the Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta, the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts, and the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association.

Peter Mah Poy
Wind Turbine Technician
Peter sent the alumni office this update: “I was hired by Sky Climber as a traveling technician right after graduation from the program. They sent me to southern Ontario and then to Cape Scott on Vancouver Island. I was headhunted by Vestas and placed at the Tumbler Ridge. B.C., site. I have been to the Portland, Ore., Vestas training site and Manitoba where I competed in the Wind Warriors Challenge. I hope to continue to train and upgrade my skill sets with Vestas. I love what I do and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that each day presents.”

Jennifer Rowley
Practical Nursing
Jennifer is working fulltime with Alberta Health Services as an LPN.


2014

Mohammed Raqeeb
Business Administration - General Business
Mohammed writes: “I have joined EMC as a resident architect and have successfully completed many projects and was promoted to senior solutions architect. Most of the time I will be travelling in and around North America and globally to deliver and complete critical challenges.”


2012

Nathalie Porter
Correctional Studies
Nathalie sent the alumni office this update: “After graduating with my Correctional Studies degree in 2012, I worked in various fields before getting hired on with the BC government in Community Corrections. It took three years of auxiliary work before I managed to score a permanent position, but it was well worth the wait! For anyone who may be looking at work in BC in a related position for the government, the hiring process can be highly competitive, but if you keep at it, it will all work out! I felt highly prepared for my career because of the Correctional Studies program at Lethbridge College and the amazing instructors and mentors I had during my time there. If you are looking at a career in the corrections field, this four-year degree program will give you the best chance of success, and put you ahead of the game. Thank you Lethbridge College!”


2011

Sarah Ethier
Agricultural Technology – Animal Science where-are-they-now-sarah-ethier.jpg
Sarah was appointed to the position of genetics technician at Genesus Genetics, a Manitoba-based business which develops and provides quality swine genetics. After completing her studies at Lethbridge College, she attended the University of Saskatchewan and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Agriculture and Bio-Resources degree. She has worked at the Prairie Swine Centre as a summer student and a research technician. In her new role, she will provide ultrasound and technical services to Genesus nucleus and R&D herds, assisting with the coordination and management of research and development projects and tissue sample collection and database in support of the Genesus genomic evaluation program.


2010

Alyssa Kramarich Storrusten
Culinary Arts
Alyssa opened up a new bakery in Great Falls, Mont., in May. Called Cory Block Bakery, the shop features five regular bread types each week with additional type changing each week and the breads are made from local Montana flours and grains. She was born and raised in Montana and came to Lethbridge for the Culinary program. After graduation, she spent six years working at the Chateay Lake Louise hotel as a line cook before realizing she preferred working as a pastry chef. She returned to Montana about four years ago and worked at Great Harvest Bread. “I am passionate about what I do, and I love to bake,” she said in an April article in the Great Falls Tribune.


2000s

2006

Scott Hugill
Criminal Justice - Policing
After graduation, Scott was hired by the Calgary Police Service. During the nine years with CPS, he was worked on patrol, including three years on the mountain bike unit. He has recently been transferred to the Skills and Procedures Unit, where he currently works as an officer safety training and tactics officer.


2005

Tammy Thomsen
Business Administration
Tammy writes: “Since graduating from Lethbridge College, I have had many rewarding positions in the Lethbridge area. My human resources career has included working as a professional recruiter at Select Recruiting and a manager for Teamworks Training Institute, and I have now settled with Alberta Health Services as a human resources advisor serving the southwest zone for many clinical support services. Additionally, I had owned and operated a successful wedding and portrait photography business for seven years. In order to have balance with my busy family, I have just recently retired the business. I had also sat on the board of directors for the Canadian Home Builders Association for a couple years during my time with Teamworks Training Institute. The skills and education that I had received from Lethbridge College served as a spring board into my career.”


2003

Gordon Cox
Conservation Enforcement
Gordon sent this update to the alumni office: “After graduating I went straight into a career with Environment Canada as a federal wildlife officer. After 12 years of service, I came to teach at the college in my old program on a one-year term contract, which turned into becoming a full time instructor July of 2016.”


2002

Kip Kangogo
General Studies student where-are-they-now-kip-kangogo.jpg
Kip won the Calgary Half Marathon in May, finishing seven seconds ahead of the closest competitor with a time of 1:06:27. The event doubled as the Canadian Half Marathon Championships, which means this former Kodiaks standout is also now the Canadian champion in this event.

Colleen Riswold
Renewable Resource Management, Fish and Wildlife Technology
Colleen writes: “I worked for a forestry survey company in northern Alberta, followed by a moved to northern B.C. where I worked for a safety education firm until a position with an archaeological firm became available where I was able to fully apply my knowledge and skills acquired through my education at LCC. Upon the arrival of my second child, it was decided that due to the cost of daycare services that I would take an extended leave of absence to raise my children.”


2000

Jamie Ahksistowaki Medicine Crane
Travel and Tourism where-are-they-now-jamie-ahksistowaki-medicine-crane.jpg
Jamie was named the alumna of the year by the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association for her work as an activist, advocate, educator and artist who has made an indelible impression on the way education is delivered to Indigenous communities, all the while promoting Indigenous rights, women’s rights, human rights and justice.

A Blackfoot woman from the Kainai and Piikani Nations, Jamie was raised with traditional ways of knowing and spirituality, which have given her strength and understanding. Her traditional name, Ahksistowaki, means “brave woman,” and nominators for the award said bravery is evident in all she does. After completing her diploma at the college, Jamie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Education from University of Lethbridge and a Master of Education from Gonzaga University.

A specialist in Indigenous education, she builds the capacity of educators, develops curriculum and works to improve the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Currently, she is a curriculum consultant for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Division for Alberta Education. She spreads her message of healing and harmony as part of the performing arts duo Young Medicine, which has performed throughout the world promoting First Nations traditional and contemporary music, dance, teachings and arts. In 2017, she released a solo flute album entitled “Honouring Life.”

Jamie was the first Indigenous woman to compete in Miss Universe Canada in 2003 and was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality. She received the title Miss Blackfoot Canada, and founded Niitsitapi Dreams (Blackfoot, meaning, “the real people”), a holistic modeling school designed to build girls’ self-esteem and leadership skills. She is also the creative force behind the clothing line Brave Woman Eco-Designs. She has been recognized with numerous additional awards, including the YWCA Canada’s Ann Mowatt Outstanding Young Woman Award; YWCA Lethbridge, Young Woman of Distinction; and the Alberta Colleges-Provincial Award for Creating Excellence, among others.


1990s

1999

Marco Pagliericci
Criminal Justice – Policing
Marco was one of three officers to receive the Cpl. Cumming’s Watch award earlier this year. This award is a collaborative effort between Alberta RCMP, MADD Canada and Alberta Transportation to recognize officers who demonstrate their dedication to charging impaired drivers. The program is named in honour of Cpl. Graeme Cumming, who was a member of the Lethbridge RCMP. He was killed by an impaired driver while responding to a traffic incident on Highway 3 near Lethbridge on August 12, 1998.


1996

Brian Levitt
Renewable Resource Management
Brian told the alumni office that he has been working in his chosen field for 20 years and still enjoys his career choice.


1995

Shane Peterson
Business Administration
Shane writes: “I transferred to the University of Victoria and then to the University of Calgary to complete my Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in psychology and have been living in Calgary since 1996. I recently completed the Occupational Health andSafety Certificate program through the University of Alberta. I have worked as a child and youth care counselor, a Workers’ Compensation Board case manager, a return to work specialist with CP Rail and now am currently with Suncor Energy.”


1991

Jesse Kurtz
Occasional Credit
Jesse sent the alumni office this update: “I worked for Lethbridge Fire Emergency services for 39 years, retiring June 2016 as deputy chief. Then I worked as fire chief in Clearwater County for 3.5 months until they hired a new chief. I served in Lethbridge as water rescue coordinator, fire training officer, coordinator of emergency management during the 2013 floods and I spent time in the emergency operations centre in High River. I was incident commander during the big Lethbridge wildfires a few years ago and worked in the provincial operations centre during the Fort MacMurray wildfire last year as the liaison for the nine largest cities in the province. I have volunteered for firefighters’ charities and in my local church.”


1980s

1988

Marc Fourrier
Renewable Resource Management where-are-they-now-marc-fourrier.jpg
Mark wrote in to Wider Horizons with the following update: “I met my wife Lauren Klaiber, who graduated from LCC in 1985 with a diploma in Rehabilitation Services, in my first year of college. We have been married since 1988 and have two daughters. Natalie is an RN in Medicine Hat, and Jocelyn is a teacher in Foremost. I have worked as a laboratory technician at three different plants since graduating from LCC. I currently work at CF Industries in Medicine Hat, where a large part of my job is government/environmental compliance. My wife, Lauren, has worked at various jobs within the rehabilitation field since graduation. She is currently (and has been for 25 years) the Executive Director of Bridges Family Programs Association, here in Medicine Hat, providing families in need with the help/services they require. We both still keep in touch with a lot of our college friends, and currently have a nephew and niece at Lethbridge College taking Agriculture Technology. We look back fondly on our days at LCC, and the life-changing effect it had on our entire lives!”


1987

Dorothy Dack
Nursing
Dorothy worked in hospitals, home care and long-term care until she retired at the age of 70.

Edward Travaglia
Law Enforcement
Edward works for ConocoPhillips Canada at the Surmont operations 65 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, working a 14-day-on, 14-day-off rotational schedule. He says he has been happily married to Roxy for 26 years and they have three grown children, Ally, Ciana and Nick. They now live in Magrath.


1986

Patricia Lund
Law Enforcement
Patricia has spent the last 29 years working at the University of Saskatchewan.


1983

Jerry Gurr
Law Enforcement where-are-they-now-jerry-gurr.jpg
LethbridgeNewsNow.com reports: Community Peace Officer (CPO) Jerry Gurr comes in as the school resource officer, as part of a new program launched by the Coaldale RCMP. “CPO Gurr is a welcome addition being a former Lethbridge Police Services member, a former trained school resource officer and a well-known long-time resident of Coaldale,” stated Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry in a media release.

Cheryl Kallenberger
Law Enforcement
After graduation, Cheryl spent two summers working as a park ranger. In 1985, she went into corrections in Grande Cache for one year then transferred to Medicine Hat. After two years at Medicine Hat Remand, she transferred into what is now called the Alberta Sheriffs branch and spent the next 27 years working out of the courthouse in Medicine Hat. “I had a terrific career with the sheriffs but due to a workplace injury was transferred to probation. I can retire this year but am undecided at this time when I will go. I have fond memories of my time at Lethbridge College and have crossed paths professionally with many of my classmates over the past 33 years,” she told the Alumni office.


1982

Kelly Damphousse
Law Enforcement, Distinguished Alumnus 1992 where-are-they-now-kelly-damphouse.jpg
Dr. Kelly Damphousse was appointed as the next chancellor of Arkansas State University in May. Kelly, who had served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma (OU) since 2013, began his duties on July 1 and succeeds interim chancellor Dr. Doug Whitlock.

“We conducted an extensive national search, had three outstanding finalists and I believe hired an extraordinary individual to lead the Jonesboro campus,” said ASU System President Dr. Charles L. Welch. “Kelly’s personal story is compelling, and his blend of academic and leadership experience and history of significant student interaction are all traits that made him an ideal choice. His servant leadership approach and commitment to shared governance really resonated with many of us. His experience at a major research institution such as Oklahoma will benefit A-State, and I can’t wait for him to get started.”

Kelly, who once worked as a prison guard prior to his career in higher education, is a sociologist who has done extensive research on terrorism and substance abuse. After earning his diploma at Lethbridge College, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University and a master’s and doctoral degrees in sociology from Texas A&M University. In addition to his work as dean at the University of Oklahoma, he has served as OU’s faculty athletics representative to the Big 12 Conference and NCAA since 2012. He and his wife, Beth, serve as faculty-in-residence in an OU residence hall, living with 384 freshmen every year. Students voted him “Best OU Professor” in 2015.


1970s

1979

Rick Lewchuk
Broadcast Journalism where-are-they-rick-lewchuk.jpg
Rick was the keynote speaker at the adult education and institute credit graduation of North West College in June. After graduating from North Battleford Comprehensive High School, Rick came to Lethbridge College and then went on to a 20-year career with CTV before moving to CNN, where he is now senior vice-president of creative/marketing. According to the Battlefords News-Optimist, his final words of encouragement to the graduates were: “I invite you to take the path of ‘just do it.’ It will not guarantee you fame or wealth, it will not take you to the destination you expect, but it will take you to a place where you can be proud of the fact that you worked hard, where you can look back without regret, where you can always look ahead to a future where anything is possible, if you ‘just do it.’” Photo by John Cairns/Battlefords News-Optimist


1975

Wesley Grant Wiens
Radio Arts
A full time, professional voice over artist and narrator, Grant is a versatile talent with an award-winning reputation. Grant’s years of experience encompass every style of commercial imaginable and all forms of multimedia. He has worked as a morning radio host at CHQB Powell River, CHNL Kamloops, B.C., and 630 CHED Edmonton. He has also worked as a voiceover artist at 96 K-Lite Edmonton and at Teletoon, Super Channel and Family Channel. Currently he owns and operates a recording studio, Voicemaker Incorporated, which provides voiceovers for radio and television commercials, television promos and movie trailers, business and corporate video, character voices, and all styles of narration including eLearning and audio books.



College grads recognized as some of chamber’s Top 40 under 40

Lethbridge College graduates continue to populate the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce’s list of the Top 40 under 40. Receiving recognition the last four months were:

 
Nicole Barnett (Business Administration 2006)

where-are-they-now-nicole-barnett.jpg

Nicole is a Chartered Accountant at Burton and Co. Chartered Accountants, a Lethbridge accounting firm that offers a wide range of services, personally tailored to individuals and business clients. She was recognized for her outstanding work in the accounting field.

Mandy DeCecco-Kolebaba (Communication Arts - Broadcast Journalism 2001)

where-are-they-now-mandy-dececco-kolebaba.jpg

Mandy is the Director of Operations at Hire Standard Inc., permanent, temporary and background screening specialists in Lethbridge.She was recognized for her entrepreneurial successes and being an outstanding role model for women in business.

Candace Ebrey (Communications Arts - Advertising and Public Relations 2006)

where-are-they-now-candace-ebrey.jpg

Candace is the director of marketing at Chinook Country Tourist Association, the destination marketing organization for southwest Alberta. She was recognized for excellence in the field of marketing, and hard work in promoting Lethbridge as a destination.

Wider Horizons
Wider Horizons
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