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design AttrActs internAtionAl Attention

s p r i n g 2 0 1 0 C O M M U N I T Y R E P O R T

When Teresa Simon learned that she had placed third in a North American student design competition she was not only proud of herself, but also of Lakeland College’s interior design technology program.

“My accomplishment is also our program’s accomplishment,” says Simon of her third place finish in the bathroom segment of the 2009-2010 National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) student design competition. Originally from Regina, Simon chose to attend Lakeland College because of all the award-winning students its two-year diploma program has produced. Now she’s one of those students. This marks the eighth consecutive year an interior design student has received recognition in a competition.

Participants in this year’s NKBA competition were challenged to create a bathroom design that maintained the historic ambiance of a 1910 home while adding modern conveniences.

“I was happy with the design I created but I didn’t expect to do well in the competition,” says Simon. Fortunately she was wrong. Simon’s entry placed third out of 119 entries submitted from colleges and universities throughout North America. She received a $1,000 prize from the NKBA and two tickets to the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show 2010.

The 34-year-old Simon says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lakeland’s interior design program to others. “Our instructors are great and the students are really supportive of each other. It’s challenging and there are a lot of nights when we’re all working in the lab until midnight, but that’s what makes it such a strong program,” says Simon.

LAKELAND COLLEGE

LAKELAND COLLEGECampuses in Vermilion & Lloydminster

WoW fActor of science lAbsentices pre-med student to sWitch to lAkelAnd

Pre-med student Taylor Wolters was big city bound but all that changed after he toured the new science labs and attended a university transfer pre-registration session at Lakeland College’s Lloydminster campus.

The decision to start his post-secondary education at Lakeland is one Wolters says he and his family are very happy about.

“The labs are pretty cool,” says Wolters, a Grade 12 student at Vermilion’s J.R. Robson High School. “I’ve always loved science so all the new equipment is pretty awesome.”

Lakeland’s new science labs were equipped last year with almost $1 million of technology that includes a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, a DNA analysis digital imaging system, fluorescence microscope, high performance liquid chromatography and an ultracentrifuge which can spin samples to almost 150,000 rpm.

Wolters adds that potentially receiving an academic excellence scholarship based on his Grade 11 marks also helped sway his decision.

In terms of his pre-medicine studies, Wolters knows he’ll have to work hard to earn high marks during his two years at the Lloydminster campus so he can transfer to university, but he is confident he will succeed.

Teresa Simon

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top Apprentice AWArd Won by Vermilion’s spicer For the third year in a row, a person who took their apprenticeship technical training at Lakeland College has received a major award from the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.

Earlier this year, Matt Spicer of Vermilion received the agricultural equipment technician’s Top Apprentice award for the 2008-2009 training year. The award is presented to the person who achieves the highest overall mark in their final period of training and receives a strong recommendation from their employer.

Spicer completed his final period of technical training at Lakeland College in February 2009. “The atmosphere at Lakeland is really positive. It was a good place to take my training,” he says.

Spicer works at Webb’s Machinery in Vermilion.

In 2009 Todd Field of Vermilion won a Top Apprentice award for the parts technician trade, an award that went to Garret Trayhorne of Wainwright in 2008. Both completed their training at Lakeland.

Alum scores in top ten in cfp exAmAchieving top marks at the college level is a noteworthy accomplishment but to score in the top 10 on a national professional certification exam, that’s in a league of its own.

In the June 2009 adjudication of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam, Lakeland College alumnus Derek Dedman scored among the exam’s top 10 finishers across Canada. The result is a remarkable achievement. Only 409 of the 1,029 people who wrote the exam passed.

Originally from Regina, Sask., Dedman attended Lakeland at the Lloydminster campus. He was a member of the Rustlers men’s volleyball team and had a young family with a new baby back home. His academic achievements included a spot on the Dean’s List in 2008 with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, and an academic award from the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference in 2007.

Leanne Sauer, a business instructor and practicum coordinator for financial services students, says she’s not surprised Dedman achieved such a high standing on the national professional certification exam.

“As a student, Derek’s abilities and strengths were evident to everyone who had the opportunity to work with him,” says Sauer. “He worked very hard, was a good role model and was very personable and respectful to instructors and fellow students.”

Others in the financial services industry also noticed his potential and abilities. Last spring while on practicum, he was recruited for a financial planner position with the Royal Bank where he remains today.

Dedman says his time at Lakeland College helped prepare him in many ways for his future.

“I know that I owe Lakeland College a lot,” says Dedman. “Without the support of the college’s instructors and staff, I would not have been as successful on the exam. Lakeland College did an exceptional job to help me to prepare for the exam and for my career. Coming to Lakeland was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Lakeland College nominated two alumni for Provincial Awards Celebrating Excellence (PACE). Derek Dedman, Class of 2009, was

nominated in the Outstanding Alumnus category while Robert C. McLeod, Class of 1989, was nominated in the Distinguished

Achievement category. McLeod was elected as a member of the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories in 2004. He

currently is the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Matt Spicer

Derek Dedman

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Lakeland College has offered environmental sciences programs for years but this fall the format will change to focus on one environmental sciences diploma that has four majors.

Students will take a common first year of study before specializing in environmental monitoring and protection, environmental conservation and reclamation, wildlife and fisheries conservation, or conservation and restoration ecology.

“This change was made to make it easier for prospective students to see that all major environmental areas of interest are available within one diploma. They just need to decide which environmental major or focus fits their career goals,” says Mel Mathison, dean of the School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Lakeland College. While students are asked to declare a major when they apply, there is some flexibility so students can switch majors before the end of their first year.

Graduates of each of the four environmental sciences majors will have a very specific skill set, says Mathison.

• Environmental monitoring and protection grads will be monitoring specialists with skills in air and water quality sampling, spill response and environmental protection. Focus is on protecting natural resources and preventing environmental damage.

• The conservation and restoration ecology major focuses on evaluating and repairing disturbed natural areas such as wetlands, forests and grasslands. Graduates will have skills specific to land use planning and urban conservation as well as habitat restoration and species-at-risk conservation.

• Those completing the environmental conservation and reclamation major will have skills related to reclamation procedures and industrial site assessments with a focus on returning industrial land disturbances back to a productive state.

• Wildlife and fisheries conservation graduates will have wildlife and fish conservation, identification, habitat, ecology and field skills.

neWprogrAmming

Veterinary medical assistant begins this fall at Lakeland. Applications are being processed now. Graduates from this one-year certificate program will be able to work in veterinary clinic and hospital settings to provide animal care and assist animal health technologists and veterinarians. As an added bonus, graduates may ladder into the animal health technology program which opens the door to even more opportunities.

Starting this fall, six pre-employment programs will be offered at the Vermilion campus. Pre-employment programs will include carpenter, electrician, heavy equipment technician/automotive service technician, instrument technician, steamfitter-pipefitter and welder. The programs include 12 weeks of in-class and lab instruction plus a four-week practicum placement.

Pre-employment programs are a great way to learn entry-level skills and work toward becoming a registered apprentice. Employers also like pre-employment grads as they come on board with one-year apprenticeship training and specific industry-required safety certifications.

it’s exciting And it’s the only progrAm of its kind AVAilAble in AlbertA

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Lakeland College trades students are residual beneficiaries of the 2009 WorldSkills competition as some of the state-of-the-art equipment, tools and technology used during the skills competition is now at the college.

The international competition held last fall at Calgary was hosted by government and industry partners. The Alberta government spent some $16 million on new trades-related equipment and technology for use during the competition. After the competition, the provincial government offered many of the new items to Alberta secondary schools that offer career and technology studies, and to colleges and technical institutes that offer apprenticeship and technical training.

Lakeland College received 32 items including fluke scope meters, generators, bench power supplies, transmissions and work benches. The estimated total value of items received was just over $100,000.

Worth notingLakeland College’s first-ever graduating class of sign language interpretation students will participate in convocation ceremonies this May at the Vermilion campus.

The diploma program is offered in Edmonton at the University of Alberta. The full program of study spans 16 months and includes a 12-week internship.

Lakeland College’s sign language interpretation program is one of only five programs for American Sign Language interpreters available in Canada. Among this year’s graduating class are two deaf interpreters – another first for ASL interpreter education programs.

The sign language interpretation program will be offered again starting in January 2011.

A graduate of Lakeland College’s bachelor of applied business: emergency services (BAppBus:ES) program received national recognition for his leadership skills and commitment to protecting his community.

Les Karpluk received the Full-time Career Fire Chief of the Year award during the 2009 Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) annual conference in Winnipeg.

“It’s a tremendous honour and a very humbling experience to receive this award,” says Karpluk, fire chief of the 50-member Prince Albert Fire and Emergency Services Department. “I also know that you don’t get an award like this without good people behind you. I work with a great group.”

Karpluk was in the first cohort of the BAppBus:ES program and graduated from the program in January 2007. “I was the deputy chief of the department at that time. I believe taking the program contributed greatly to my promotion to fire chief,” he says.

Standing:Merle whiteLeft to right:Boyd whiskyjackYvonne CarterClaudette Harper

Alberta and Saskatchewan’s diverse population is increasingly being reflected in Lakeland’s student body as a growing number of First Nations and Métis people study at the college.

“We realized that more needed to be done to develop an environment at Lakeland that creates a sense of belonging for all students regardless of their background,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Vice President of Academic, Innovation and Research.

Carla Bohnet was hired last year to serve as the college’s aboriginal cultural facilitator and throughout the academic year she coordinated a number of activities including a round dance, traditional feast and Lakota pipe ceremony, construction of a teepee with contributions of both staff and students, and a variety of aboriginal workshops including a hand drum making workshop. She also developed and delivered a cultural awareness seminar to Emergency Training Centre staff, a group that is involved in a number of training initiatives with First Nations and Métis organizations.

Lakeland’s School of Agricultural Sciences and two other educational institutions along with aboriginal communities and organizations, various levels of government, and the agricultural and agri-services sectors are involved in a new project titled Inroads to Agriculture. The partnership will coordinate and prepare Aboriginal Peoples for agriculture-related education and training, followed by their recruitment, retention and advancement as long-term employees in the agriculture and agri-services sectors.

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experiences expAnded to students With post-secondAry inclusion supportsPost-secondary inclusion has proved to be a successful experience for two Lakeland students and others at the college.

Thanks to a partnership with the Alberta Association for Community Living and provincial funders, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Lakeland College offers support to students with developmental disabilities. Students audit courses in their program of study and receive support from Jill Applegate, post-secondary inclusion coordinator at Lakeland. Applegate makes necessary modifications to course work and exams and facilitates the inclusion of students within the college community.

Student Erin Acton began her studies in the event coordinator program in the fall of 2008. Her long term goal is to be self-employed and to own a business. Jessica Morrell, a student in the animal health technology program, also began in 2008 and wants a career working with animals.

Working with program chairs and faculty, Applegate supports students to identify learning objectives for labs and assignments and makes modifications so that course work aligns with the students’ career goals. She also helps facilitate volunteer opportunities for Erin and Jessica so that they develop relationships with others outside of the classroom.

“The cooperation of the program chairs and faculty has made the learning experiences for Erin and Jessica, as well as for other students and me, very positive,” says Applegate. “They’ve been great to work with.”

Program faculty also note other dynamics that have developed as a result of having Erin and Jessica in their classes.

Dr. Terri Rowat, animal health technology program chair, says her students have been able to develop an appreciation of different learning styles and patience with each other.

Laurie Harris, an instructor in the event coordinator program, adds that her classes have also benefited from being involved with the inclusion project as it has demonstrated that experiences at the college level help to expand opportunities for all students.

Earlier this year the Alberta Association for Community Living presented Lakeland College with the Community Living Award. The award recognizes “the exceptional commitment and action of Lakeland College in welcoming and facilitating the inclusion of students with developmental disabilities.”

While the award is greatly appreciated, Applegate emphasizes that the real reward is seeing the students experience success, develop relationships and learn new skills that will help them prepare for meaningful careers in their chosen area.

“Everyone who has been a part of this experience has learned a lot about what it takes to make post-secondary inclusion work,” she says. “This college community has proven over and over that they have the capacity to be inclusive and have been a leader for others in this area. I think it’s important to recognize that we all benefit when everyone is included.”

Dr. Terri Rowat with student Jessica Morrell.

After completing university transfer courses at Lakeland and transferring on to other institutions, 100% of students say they made the right choice to come to Lakeland first.

University Transfer Study, June 2008

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olympic torch moment Lindsay Bosch wouldn’t normally like waking up at 4:30 am, but on Jan. 13th, she didn’t mind at all.

The Lakeland College student was the day’s first Olympic Torch Relay torchbearer, carrying the flame near E.S. Laird School in Lloydminster. She lives in Maidstone, Sask., and had to be in Lloydminster at 5:45 am, half an hour before the relay started.

“I’ve always wanted to take part in the Olympics. The torch relay was my participation and it was incredible. I can’t think of anything else that I’ve done that was as exciting as carrying the Olympic Torch,” said Bosch, a student in the professional accounting program and financial officer on the Students’ Association at the Lloydminster campus.

Family and friends lined the route to cheer for Bosch, but she didn’t hear anything. “I was focused on the road and on carrying the torch – it’s heavier than it looks,” she said.

collAborAtion mAkes educAtion degree possibleWhen Lakeland College started offering the University of Calgary’s bachelor of education: master of teaching program at the Lloydminster campus last fall, the college received accolades from many people in the community.

“We got a lot of credit for bringing this program to Lloydminster, but that credit must be shared with people from the University of Calgary, the Lloydminster Catholic School Division and the Lloydminster Public School Division. Without their support and willingness to collaborate, this program would not be offered at Lakeland,” says Judy Sarsons, dean of the college’s School of Arts, Science, Business and Academic Services.

There are 14 students in the two year after-degree program which prepares people to teach in an elementary school setting. Currently the Lloydminster Catholic School Division and the Lloydminster Public School Division are providing student placement sites for practice teaching assignments. This fall East Central Alberta Catholic Schools as well as Buffalo Trail Public Schools will also provide field experience sites.

Students in the program say that taking the program at the Lloydminster campus has been a great experience.

“With the program at Lakeland College, I can remain active in the community while I pursue new ways to contribute further to our community’s growth and well-being,” says student Lori Young who lives near Kitscoty. “I’ve really enjoyed the program. It’s been excellent and the partner schools have been great.”

Lakeland is currently in discussions with the University of Calgary about hosting another program cohort in 2011.

Lindsay Bosch

Lori Young

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donors increAse VAlue of AWArds progrAmA combination of new award donors and long-time supporters increasing the value of their awards has resulted in Lakeland’s awards program growing by almost $500,000 in only 10 years.

During the 2009-2010 academic year, $640,932 in bursaries, awards and scholarships was presented to Lakeland College students. Students were recognized for accomplishments in a variety of areas including academics, leadership, participation, community service and athletics.

To celebrate and acknowledge the incredible support of donors, changes were made to the format of the Awards Night ceremonies. Donors and award recipients were invited to a celebration dinner and reception. Students sat with their award donor so they could say thanks and share information about their Lakeland experience.

If you are interested in contributing to Lakeland College’s awards program, please phone 1 800 661 6490, ext. 5401.

cApitAl projectsThe most prominent head gear at Lakeland College lately has been a hard hat as many capital projects have started and others are slated to begin this year.

Ralph Troschke, Vice President of Student and College Services, says that there are 13 capital projects in progress or soon to start at the college. These include:

• Development of the Trades Centre mezzanine at the Vermilion campus to create nine additional classrooms plus office space and student study areas.

• Retrofitting of existing space at the Lloydminster campus to create a child development centre that will serve as a living lab for college programs.

• Modernization of the Applied Engineering building including new ventilation, heating and electrical systems. This space is used by welding and steamfitter-pipefitter programs at the Vermilion campus.

• Renovation of two residence buildings at the Vermilion campus.

• Construction of a student activity centre at the Vermilion campus.

• High voltage distribution upgrade at the Vermilion campus.

• Water treatment facility for Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre.

Lakeland College received funding for three projects through the federal government’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program. Additional funding was also received from the Government of Alberta.

In addition to these projects, Convergint Technologies staff members have been working on a number of jobs at Lakeland including security and fire alarm upgrades, college-wide transition from a hard key system to wireless card access, and upgrades to the automation system for heating and air control.

The company is in the process of conducting a free energy audit of the Vermilion and Lloydminster campuses.

“Lakeland College is a valuable client to Convergint and a leader within Alberta colleges. We wanted to do something that may help the college,” says Rick MacDonald, operation manager at Convergint’s Lloydminster office. The company is first looking for items that are low cost or no cost such as lighting. “For example, classrooms that aren’t occupied but have the lights left on. Motion presence detectors would save lighting costs,” he says. These opportunities and revisiting and changing how the mechanical and electrical systems operate can result in significant energy savings with the cost of renovation recovered within a year.

The company next looks at annual infrastructure upgrades and will pinpoint some upgrades that will improve energy efficiency. Convergint will also provide recommendations on items that do require a capital expenditure but will save money in the long run.

“We expect to complete our preliminary study in June and then we’ll share the results with the college. If they want to pursue any of the items, we’ll be happy to help,” says MacDonald.

Troschke says the college looks forward to seeing the results of Convergint’s audit. “Decreasing Lakeland’s energy consumption makes sense not only economically but also environmentally.”

Bachelor of commerce student Janey Rolheiser receives the Meyers Norris Penny LLP

Scholarship from Darren Carleton.

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1 800 661 6490 • www.lakelandcollege.ca

AthleticsNeil Bratrud wrapped up his golden collegiate curling career with one more gold medal.

Bratrud skipped Lakeland College’s mixed rink of Alicia Barker, Reid Johnston, Adelle Clark and alternate Dexter Lethbridge to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) title in March. For Bratrud, a bachelor of commerce student at the Lloydminster campus, it was his second consecutive mixed title. He previously won two men’s championships with Lakeland and one with NAIT. This was the final year of ACAC eligibility for Bratrud.

Bratrud and Barker were named skip and third respectively on the mixed all-star team. In early April Bratrud was named the Lakeland College Male Athlete of the Year.

Lindsay Makichuk, a member of Lakeland’s curling team and a bachelor of commerce student, received the Charles (Chuck) Mortar Award. Voted on by the ACAC curling coaches, the award is presented to a player who exemplifies sportsmanship, dedication, passion and promotion of the sport of curling. Makichuk also won the award in 2008. In February Makichuk of Lloydminster competed in the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

“Lindsay is really well liked in the sport. She’s so friendly and such a talent. She’s been a pleasure to coach,” says curling coach Peter Wilkinson.

The Rustlers had a number of student-athletes excel not only in their sport but also in the classroom. Volleyball players Brianne Collette and Carmen Dubnick as well as basketball player Jillana Knauft were named ACAC All Conference Players and were also named Canadian Colleges Academic All Canadians for achieving provincial all star status while maintaining an honours grade point average. Collette was named the Lakeland College Female Athlete of the Year.

Also named ACAC All Conference Players were men’s basketball players Nebojsa Bratic and Troy Barnes.

2010-2011 ACAC soccerand cross-country running

New

Lakeland’s Lindsay Makichuk (left) played lead for Team Alberta at the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Neil Bratrud and Brianne Collette are the 2009-2010 Lakeland College athletes of the year.