College celebrates annual FNMI Days
Lethbridge College, in partnership with RBC Foundation, celebrated the pride, history and knowledge at the heart of Canada’s First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) communities at the annual FNMI Days in October. The three-day event included a traditional fashion show, First Nations drumming and dance, a hand drum contest, traditional games hosted by Piikani Traditional Knowledge Services, Calgary Métis Cultural Dancers, and traditional meals during noon hour each day. The college has a long and vibrant history of encouraging and supporting FNMI learners on campus and has seen FNMI student enrolment increase steadily over the last five years. The college currently has 381 FNMI students enrolled in its programs.
Massage clinic open for appointments
The Lethbridge College massage clinic is up and running and taking your appointments. The clinic operates from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 and from 1 to 3:30 on Saturdays. The cost is $15 for 30 minutes and $25 for an hour. Call 403.320.3202 ext. 3211 or send an email to [email protected] to book your appointment– and get ready for some great relaxation.
Criminal Justice instructor receives Bank of Canada Law Enforcement Award
The Bank of Canada named Lethbridge College instructor Bruce Macdonald as the recipient of its 2014 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence for Counterfeit Deterrence in August. This award was established in 2004 to recognize the work of Canadians in the field of law enforcement in deterring and preventing the counterfeiting of Canada’s bank notes. “Bruce’s passion for the counterfeit deterrence program and his devotion to his students make him stand out,” said Richard Wall, Chief of the Currency Department. “The Bank of Canada wishes to highlight the important contribution he has made toward ensuring the safety of Canada’s currency.”
Macdonald was honoured for his remarkable personal initiative in developing and delivering an effective anti-counterfeiting prevention program for criminal justice students. In partnership with the RCMP and the Bank of Canada, Lethbridge College has delivered the Counterfeit Education Module to its justice students since 2007. As an instructor in the college’s School of Justice Studies program, Macdonald provides a strong foundation in counterfeiting prevention and deterrence to students from across the country seeking a career in law enforcement. To date, more than 1,100 students have taken part in his program. This is the first time that the award has been given to someone who is not an employee of an accredited police service, underscoring the value the Bank of Canada places on education and the importance of a multi-faceted approach to counterfeit deterrence. Macdonald was honoured during the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in Victoria, B.C. on Aug. 26, 2014.
Nursing program to donate old equipment to Rotary club for Los Amigos Project
The Lethbridge College nursing program will donate their old stretchers, back braces and other equipment to the Rotary club. The equipment will be taken to Mexico in April 2015 by the Rotary Los Amigos Project. They are taking school buses, an ambulance and a fire truck that are to be given to small communities in Mexico. In partnership with Lethbridge Fire Department, the volunteers will provide training and education to the volunteer fire fighters and volunteer first aid providers who will be receiving the donations in Mexico. More information can be found on the club’s Facebook page: facebook.com/LosAmigos2012.
CRLC – The Kodiak on air with great music
To get a fix of great music, check out CRLC (Campus Radio at Lethbridge College) The Kodiak online or in The Cave, the Food Court and the third floor of the Technolgoies wing. Just go to www.thekodiak.ca to listen and find their entire music schedule. Please note that “Fusion” blocks include a variety of genres from seven decades of music – from the 1950s to today. Enjoy the music and great radio provided by the students of the Digital Communications and Media program at Lethbridge College.
Justice Studies students, college staff step up to raise money to support YWCA Lethbridge
Lethbridge College Leo Club members and their Justice Studies’ instructor Bill Anderson, as well as college staff member Ron Farrell, stepped up in September to raise money for the YWCA Lethbridge in the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event. The fundraiser supports the work of the YWCA to break the cycle of family violence and keep women and their children safe. The Lethbridge College walkers donned high heels and walked around Galt Gardens, winning two awards for their efforts – largest team entry and most funds raised by a team.
College graduates police recruits
The 2014 graduation ceremonies of the Police Recruit Training program took place on Aug. 21 in the council chambers at Lethbridge City Hall. This program is tailored to address the specific education and training needs of new recruits at a variety of law enforcement agencies in the region. This year eight Lethbridge Regional Police Service recruits graduated. The Police Recruit Training program was designed in collaboration with the police services of southern Alberta and Lethbridge College. The Centre for Advancement in Community Justice is comprised of Lethbridge College, Lethbridge Regional Police Service and Taber Police Service.
Civil Engineering Technology program receives re-accreditation
The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) recently accredited Lethbridge College’s Civil Engineering Technology program for another three years. CCTT commended the Civil Engineering Technology program’s accreditation report as an outstanding model for submissions. The Engineering Technologies programs – Civil Engineering Technology, Geomatics Engineering Technology and Engineering Design and Drafting Technology – are in especially high demand. The Engineering Design and Drafting Technology program is the oldest program of the three with a 50th anniversary coming up in 2016.
College dragon boat teams race well in Montana festival
Lethbridge College’s two dragon boat teams – the Kodiak Klippers and the Growlers – competed in September in the Montana Dragon Boat Festival in Big Fork. Both teams raced well, and the Kodiak Klippers finished with a bronze medal in the open division. Congratulations go out to all of the staff, alumni and friends who paddled for the college this weekend.
Provincial research funding announced
Alberta’s Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education announced last fall that Lethbridge College would receive more than $84,000 in research capacity program funding. The money will be used to acquire infrastructure to build applied research capacity; attract, develop and retain talented employees; and support regional economic needs. In a letter from the Premier’s office, the college funding proposal was recognized as aligning with Alberta’s research and innovation priorities in the draft Alberta Research and Innovation Plan 2014.
College to celebrate world cultures March 25
Experience culture and cuisine from around the world at Lethbridge College’s Bridging Cultures event on March 25. The international festival takes place in Centre Core and includes cultural entertainment, exhibits and a food fair. In past years, entertainment has included Taiko drummers, Ukrainian dancers, a Chinese lion dance and more. A food fair will also be held to allow visitors the opportunity to experience different cuisines from around the world. Entertainment and visits to the exhibits are free, and tickets for the food fair can be purchased by emailing Student Engagement and Retention ([email protected]) or calling 403.320.3202 ext. 5256.
College represented at educational symposium in Japan
Dr. Seppy Masoodi, the college’s English Language Centre’s coordinator, travelled to Japan last fall to represent the college at an educational symposium in Towada City. The Towada Association for International Relations Committee provided support for Dr. Masoodi and representatives from the Lethbridge Twinning Society to meet with other Towada city and educational leaders to discuss English as a Second Language programs in the two twinned cities. Students from Towada regularly enrol in the college. Dr. Masoodi returned with great ideas and new partnerships thanks to this productive trip.
Campus community to be showcased during Open House Feb. 6 and 7
Prospective students, their families and the community are invited to experience all that Lethbridge College has to offer during the college’s Open House scheduled for Feb. 6 and 7. The event will include info sessions on financial aid, housing, residence life and much more; campus tours; opportunities to meet instructors and see college labs spaces and classrooms; on-the-spot admissions; and plenty of information about academic programs, student services and student activities. In addition, those who attend will have a chance to win a $1,500 tuition credit. Online registration will open on Jan. 2. The event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 6 (and include free entrance to the Kodiaks volleyball games) and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 7. Stop by for a day of exploration and discovery.
Lethbridge College Golf Tournament raises funds for athletics and student awards
The annual Lethbridge College Golf Tournament took place on Sept. 3 at the Lethbridge Country Club. More than 125 players and 55 volunteers (including 37 student athletes, 15 college staff and three community members) participated in a beautiful, fun-filled day on the course. The event raised approximately $35,000 in support for Kodiak Athletics and student awards.
Gym available to rent for birthday parties
Did you know that you can rent part of the Val Matteotti Gymnasium for birthday parties or other special events? You and your guests (or your child and his or her guests) can spend an hour playing sports or fun games in the gym and then have an hour in The Cave for cake, presents or even a dance party. For birthday party booking or for more information, contact Ada Larson at 403.320.3202 ext. 5753.
Free writing help for students
A province-wide collaboration effort means students at nine post-secondary writing centres across the province – including Lethbridge College’s Learning Café – can get feedback on their writing from trained writing tutors for free. eTutorAlberta is an online tutoring service developed in conjunction with eCampusAlberta to help students develop and refine the writing skills they require to be successful in their courses, programs and careers. Two pilot programs were completed in 2014. Participating eTutorAlberta institutions shared writing tutors and expertise through a common interactive platform. Lethbridge College students submitted drafts of their written work 24/7 through the college’s eLearning Café or through the eTutorAlberta website. Trained tutors from participating institutions provided students across the province with free written feedback, typically within 24 to 48 hours. This was not a proofreading or editing service; instead, the feedback helped students develop individually as writers and the tutors guided students using established protocols to address a variety of higher and lower order writing concerns. Students were also able to submit asynchronous eQuestions related to grammar or writing-specific questions. The service will continue to be offered in 2015.
Students take learning on the road during international study tour to Greece and Rome
It’s one thing for students to read in a book about how business is done in another country. It’s another thing all together – a much more memorable and meaningful thing – to see those lessons in action. That’s what business students experienced last April when they undertook a 16-day tour of Italy and Greece. The students had the opportunity to enhance research and presentation skills, obtain or improve upon their awareness of these cultures and gain a greater knowledge of international business in the global marketplace. The faculty and students toured through European businesses and became familiar with their management styles, operations and the unique economic climate that they find themselves in currently. This spring, the students will travel to France, Spain and Italy from April 25 to May 10.
