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MacEwan Alumni News 2 WINTER 2010

www.MacEwan.ca/alumni

Robbie Townsend is living it up in London’s West End.

Robbie Townsend races into the room and folds his tall frame into a chair. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” he says. A quick look at the time reveals it is two minutes past the appointed meeting time. But Townsend is very conscientious of time – a quality he learned in the Theatre Arts programme from the late Tim Ryan. Punctuality and a serious work ethic have helped Robbie succeed in the competitive UK market - traits he attributes directly to Ryan.

After graduating, Townsend performed with Alberta Opera, the Mayfield Dinner Theatre and at the Edmonton Fringe. But two years later he decided he wanted some-thing more. “I left because I want-ed to do some big musical theatre – I wanted to be in a West End show.” So he auditioned for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), a highly regarded school in Glasgow. The school has a good relationship with MacEwan with a number of Theatre Arts students accepted to study there. The training was

rigorous, and Townsend was thankful for the foundation which MacEwan gave him. “MacEwan took me from 0 to 60. It prepared me amazingly. RSAMD took me beyond that.”

Straight from RSAMD, Townsend was plucked to be in Desire Under the Elms at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre. When he learned they were having problems finding an actor to play Peter Pan in their next production, Townsend literally back-flipped his way into the part, playing a 6’2”, acrobatic, North American Peter Pan. One review said, “the stron-gest dramatic stroke is to cast Robbie Towns as an American Peter Pan.”

Townsend, forced to change his name to Towns as there was another actor by that name, has gone from success to success. A year spent touring the UK in Evita was followed by a lead role in Scrooge opposite Tommy Steele. Recently, Townsend just finished a six-week tour of Japan with the Twelve Tenors.

Now in London, Townsend is busy auditioning. How does Lon-don compare to Edmonton? “It’s easier to break into the industry here. There are more auditions. In Edmonton, you audition once or twice a year. Now I am audition-ing two to three times a week.” At one recent audition he met Jerry Mitchell, the director of Broadway’s Hairspray. Only a few years previously, as a starry-eyed MacEwan student, he had spent hours researching Mitchell and his work online, and now he was face-to-face with his hero.

Townsend hasn’t landed a role in the West End yet but has gotten incredibly close. “It’s a bit frustrating…but it’s simply a mat-ter of time.”

And time was what he got. A month after the interview, Townsend was cast in the West End musical Legally Blonde which opened this fall.

Front Cover: Round about

and back again (detail)

by David Foy and Jennifer

saleik. Acrylic paint and

mixed media, 2010.

see article on page 7.

we welcome your feedback and comments. All correspondence and inquiries regarding advertisements and story ideas should be directed to:

Traci Toshack coordinator, Alumni relations and services [email protected]

780-497-5543

MAILING ADDRESS: Alumni relations and services grant macewan university city centre campus p.o. Box 1796 edmonton, AB, canada t5J 2p2

MOVING? call us at 780-497-4273 or send us an e-mail at [email protected] and we’ll make sure that your record is updated.

MacEwan Alumni News

premier: Add Fsc logo

portrait #4 Black 100k

1.25” x 1.42”

We are committed to environmental responsibility.

M is printed using vegetable-based ink and on paper following strict Forestry Stew-ardship Council standards.

Congratulations Nancy!Nancy Ferguson, Advertising and Public Relations gradu-ate, 1987, is the thrilled winner of the iPod contest featuring music from alumnus Martin Mayer. The iPod includes Mayer’s three albums with his new single, “Alone”.

LIvINg LARgE IN ThE ukrobbie townsend’s talent and theatre arts training have taken him far

pho

to b

y r

ebek

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liffo

rd

By steven sparling london, england

“MacEwan took

me from 0 to 60.

It prepared me

amazingly.”

MacEwan Alumni NewsWINTER 2010 3


AccolADes to the 2010 DistinguisheD Alumni recipientsFrom books to birds to Broadway, their passion is their priorityone of macewan’s highly regarded awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to graduates who exhibit outstanding achievements or make significant contributions in one or more of the following areas: service to the community, business, the arts, human development, the environment, lifelong learning, post-secondary education, or government.

congratulations to the following 2010 recipients on receiving this honour.

Alberta Venture magazine. She was a Regional Finalist in the 1993 Canadian Woman Entrepre-neur of the Year Awards; she was named ‘Distributor of the Year’ by IME Ltd., a developer of the Information Navigator integrated library software system; and was chosen as ‘Friendliest Exhibitor’ at the Canadian Library Association conference in 1992.

Andrea Engel Journalism,1991Andrea Engel has spent the better part of two decades in the radio and television business – most recently anchoring Global Ed-monton’s Morning News – but is now taking her career in another direction. Ms. Engel has recently obtained her Real Estate License and now makes residential real estate her professional venture.

She also recently joined the Boys and Girls Club of Strathcona County as a Media Advisor – working to help raise the media profile of the organization.

As a busy mom of two young children, Engel considers her free time precious, but still makes time to volunteer for causes close to her heart. Engel says she feels privileged to walk with one foot in two worlds – as a mother to both a typically developing son, and another with the challenge of autism. She has translated her experiences raising an autistic

Jean Crozier Library and Information Technology, 1974Jean Crozier is a women’s advo-cate, an award-winning writer, and very passionate about arts and culture. She is a life-long learner and an active community member. After graduating from MacEwan – with excellence – Crozier attended the University of Alberta. She graduated from the Bachelor of Science program while working full time, establishing her own business, and raising her family.

Crozier owned and operated the largest and most diverse in-formation management company of its kind in western Canada for almost 20 years, in which she and her staff completed numerous historical projects. Outside of her own business she also wanted to see other women succeed. As a strong supporter of Linda Nider’s Connecting Women business network, Crozier was inspired and became one of the founding members of the Women Business Owners of Canada.

Crozier was honoured as the SAGE Award recipient in Business and Entrepreneurship, an award program recognizing the contribu-tion of senior men and women to the community. Previously, Crozier was chosen as one of ‘Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People’ by

child into a passion for raising public awareness of Autism Spec-trum Disorder.

She also enjoys helping to pro-mote causes that focus on youth and literacy. In the past, Engel has donated her time as a library volunteer to help children with English as a second language. Most recently, she emceed the Strathcona County Library’s an-nual “Leatherbound” fundraiser. She has also shared her love of literacy through “Read-In” week in Edmonton elementary schools and “Linking Generations”, which pairs senior citizens and junior-high aged students.

In fall 2007, Engel received the Consumers’ Choice Award for “Woman of the Year”.

Cheryl FeldsteinSocial Work, 2002Cheryl Feldstein is a spokesper-son, a board president, and an active volunteer – on top of her full-time job as executive direc-tor for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton.

Feldstein is a visionary who credits most of her success as an educator and facilitator to her desire to make a difference in her community. Her passion for the environment sparked when she began as a volunteer with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. Now, with her passion on fire, she spends much of her time educating children, mayors, and international delegates on environmental issues. She has overseen the development of the Wildlife Ambassador program that builds on the school board’s grade four and five curriculum, and helps citizens understand the impact wildlife have on all aspects of their lives.

She is also the spokesper-son on air quality for the Lung Association of Alberta and NWT, and president of the board of the youth-driven media initia-

tive, Active Citizens Television (ACTV), which aims to educate, motivate and ACTV-ate Albertans to discover and pursue sustain-able living practices and promote ecological consciousness.

She is passionate about the environment and believes educa-tion is the key to change. As an active and involved citizen who encourages people in her com-munity to make environmentally healthy and ecologically conscious choices in their daily lives, it is no wonder why Feldstein was named one of Alberta’s “Top 40 under 40” by Avenue Magazine in 2009.

Ryan Silverman Theatre Arts, 1997Talented, humble, generous, committed and hard working, Ryan Silverman has demonstrated throughout his career that gradu-ates from MacEwan have the training and ability to carve out successful careers on some of the world’s most famous stages from Broadway to London’s West End.

Silverman currently lives in New York and is starring as Raoul in the Broadway Production of Phantom of the Opera. Silver-man demonstrates an ongoing commitment to youth and young performers by participating in a number of outreach opportunities. Whether it’s through the Phantom

cast’s “Talkback” sessions and theatre tours for underprivileged children and groups, or donating his talents to not-for-profit groups, Silverman makes a point of en-couraging young people to believe in themselves and what they can achieve.

As part of the cast for Phan-tom of the Opera, Silverman par-ticipates in their semi-annual fund-raising competition in support of the Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids non-profit organiza-tion, helping to raise more than $160,000 for the cause. Funds are used to support a wide variety of social programs nationally and internationally among them aids organizations, health initiatives, meal programs, emergency finan-cial assistance and housing efforts.

In addition to his many stage credits that include touring performances with Phantom, Mamma Mia (first national tour) and West Side Story, Silverman has also secured roles in film and television. He has also had the opportunity to perform with some of the world’s most renowned orchestras, including the Cincin-nati Pops, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Hartford and Modesto Symphony Orchestras, and Edmonton’s own Edmonton Sym-phony Orchestra.

photo by 3 ten photography



FRoM MacEWAN STudENT To MacEWAN STAFF

Employees, who are also alumni, were recognized and celebrated

“I loved the fact that it happened in the first place!” exclaimed a guest when asked to comment on the first annual event cel-ebrating MacEwan staff who are also MacEwan alumni. On May 27th, 2010, an event honouring employees who are also gradu-ates of Grant MacEwan University was held for the first time. The wine-and-cheese-themed event was designed for guests to visit, network and share stories of their transitions from student to staff.

Guests listened to a trio of recent music graduates while nibbling on hors d’oeuvres, sip-ping wine and mingling with other alumni. A short program took place where President Paul Byrne thanked all for their commitment and affinity to MacEwan. “It amaz-es me to see how many of our staff are also former students - it’s a real testament to the special place many of us consider to be our second home,” he said.

“It was lovely to see how many are in this ‘club’,” another guest agreed. “It affirmed the sense of community and family MacEwan instils in its students and staff. I know, as I can attest to both.” Many expressed their apprecia-tion for the opportunity to talk with colleagues and learn about each other’s “MacEwan journey” to their present job. It was surpris-ing to most guests to see just how many staff are also alumni with the guest list totalling 311. MacEwan Alumni Relations and Services were delighted to be able to recognize and celebrate this special group.

“What a lovely event it was! The food

and wine were excellent, and the bright

and open space was a perfect venue

to introduce ourselves to fellow alumni

working on campus.”

Erika Olbey, Design Studies,

Design Foundations

1

2

3

6

5

4



“It was impressive to

see how many grads

MacEwan employs!

This event provided

a great opportunity

to connect with

MacEwan alumni

who are now my

work colleagues.”

Michelle Stevenson,

Public Relations

1. Live music was provided by recent music grads: James Clark (piano), Lindsay Woolgar (bass) and Paul Woida (drums)

2. President Paul Byrne and Shirley Galenza, Nursing

3. Lindsay Kirstiuk, Design Stud-ies, Design Foundations and Andriana Bohonos, Design Studies, Design Foundations

4. BJ Anderson, Office Administration

5. Amber Thiem, Accounting & Strategic Measurement and Sarah Fee, Accounting Co-op

6. Derick Walsh, Audiovisual Communications and David Pearson, Audiovisual Communications

7. Erika Olbey, Design Studies, Design Foundations, Wade Bendfeld, Public Relations / Journalism and Jenn Kowton, Visual Communications, Design Studies

8. David Beharry, Public Rela-tions, Jamie White, Manage-ment Studies, Shannon Edge, Public Relations and Michelle Stevenson, Public Relations

9. Sheena Schell, Accounting and Strategic Measurement and Marc Britten, Journalism

10. Rita Long, Audio Visual Technician, Michael Ali, Design Studies, Design Foundations, Karen Pritchard, Audiovisual Communications and Marcel Hamel, Music

11. Kimberly Tavares, Travel Con-sultant, Suzanne Reinhardt, Office Assistant Program, Patti Albert, Rehabilitation Practi-tioner, and Shawna Jansen, Management Studies

12. Barbara Brady-Fryer, Nursing

13. Traci Toshack, Alumni Coor-dinator, Jana Clarke, Public Relations, Trish Howatt, Office Administration and Jason Stuka, Bachelor of Arts

8

7

12

10 13

11

9

photos by sam lundgren



IN ONE WORD is a fun feature that attempts to capture an alumnus in a short interview with one word responses. Interested in being interviewed? e-mail [email protected].

if i could eat one food for the rest of my life it would be chocolate.

it’s sunday morning at 10 am if i’m not sleeping, i’m cooking.

my greatest fear: confined spaces.

i wouldn’t sell my cat, Banana, for a million dollars.

my one favourite place on campus is the library window behind the the clock.

my greatest accomplishment since graduating from macewan is being awarded a Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada research scholarship.

IN ONE WORD . . . heather shurgotholistic health Practioner, 2005

PH

OTO

: Sam

Lun

dgre

n

one lesson garnered from my days at macewan is the importance of deep breathing; don’t let stress get the better of you.

my favourite indulgence on campus is the hot tub.

in one word, macewan students are energetic.

one movie everyone should see is “Everything is Illuminated”.

one book everyone should read is “Blindness” by Jose Saramago.

my macewan experience: inspiring.

heather shurgot in one word: intuitive.

LuCkY NuMBER SEvENmacewan’s seventh degree, the new communications degree, will offer two majors: professional communications and JournalismGrant MacEwan University is pleased to announce its newest academic degree, the Bachelor of Communication Studies (BCS). The BCS will provide students with the core essentials of effec-tive communications, combined with career specializations in two major areas: professional com-munication and journalism.

“The BCS degree reflects three important themes: an increased emphasis on profes-sional skills, increased student demand for formal academic credentials and increased indus-try demand for accreditation. In announcing this new degree, we are reflecting and responding to these three themes,” said Rey Rosales, acting Dean, Centre for the Arts and Communications.

“This degree will come with significant community support in the form of individual, corporate and family foundation donations. A major gift from the Allard Foun-dation Ltd. will fuel a $2M-plus endowment for scholarships, bursaries and awards dedicated

to students in communications,” said Dale Bayley, Vice-President, Community Relations and Fund Development.

Year one of the program includes coursework for both professional communication and journalism. Years two and three provide specialization in editing, strategic or technical communi-cation, or in newsgathering and digital media production. Year three also includes an ethical practice and portfolio course that culminates in a month-long pro-fessional field placement. In their final year, students take a core course in Intercultural Commu-nication augmented by optional credits in an area of specialization or interest.

The BCS degree provides preparation for strategic roles in business, traditional and new media, not-for-profit and public sector organizations. Graduates of the BCS program will have a variety of career opportunities to choose from including commu-nications advisor, coordinator,

consultant or public information officer. Other career opportunities include producer, writer, editor, journalist, reporter, reviewer, ana-lyst or commentator.

Admissions for the new BCS degree opened on October 1, 2010, and the first classes will be offered in September 2011. MacEwan now offers seven undergraduate degrees. For more information please visit www.macewan.ca/communication-degree.

Wayne Coristine, a MacEwan Professional Writing alumnus, speaks of the de-mand for the new degree.



Emerging artists, Jenn Saleik and Dave Foy, in their studio The Partner, acrylic paint and mixed media, 14.5 inches by 18 inches, 2010

MacEwan Fine Arts graduates David Foy and Jennifer Saleik received confirmation of their ris-ing careers after being awarded the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award for 2010.

The duo received their award this past summer from Alberta’s new Lieutenant Governor, His Honour, Col. (Ret’d.) Donald Ethell, at a special ceremony in Government House in Edmonton. Established in 2008 by the Lieu-tenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation, the Emerging Artist Awards provides funding for up to 10 artists from a wide range

of disciplines every second year. The goal of the program is to sup-port promising artists early in their careers, while also serving to raise the profile of the arts in Alberta.

Foy and Saleik, who graduated from MacEwan in 2003 with Fine Arts diplomas, were grateful to hear the news they had won. “It means we can afford the time to solely focus on our practice for at least a year, and this is great,” Foy says. The pair first joined forces in 2004. In 2006, they each earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction from the Alberta Col-lege of Art and Design in Calgary

where they majored in painting. That same year their work was selected as a semi-finalist for the RBC Canadian Painting Competi-tion. “Our practice is based on co-authorship, we work together, at the same time on the same painting,” says Foy. “It’s often like a cramped dance for space as we paint, but that’s part of the whole thing. We mean to make work where who-does-what is not obvious and doesn’t matter to the piece,” he adds.

Fascinated by contradictions, Foy and Saleik regularly collide ideas into each other and blur the

ACRYLIC ARTISTRY

boundaries between painting and sculpture even further than previ-ous work using acrylic to create two-sided paintings which allows light to travel through them.

Working in tandem to construct very distinctive and imaginative paintings where their alter egos Dave and Jenn appear as shadowy characters, the land-scape is both familiar and foreign. Drawing from Canada’s geogra-phy as well as man-made imagery that persists daily in their world, these two artists set out through the tradition of landscape painting to develop two-dimensional and

three-dimensional painted objects. Foy and Saleik, who grew

up in Edmonton but reside in Calgary, are currently working on two upcoming solo shows and plan to pursue exhibition oppor-tunities throughout Canada and the United States. “Our time at MacEwan was very formative. We not only learned technique, but also work ethic and determina-tion,” says Foy. “Our instructors were inspiring and honest. We had the chance to immerse ourselves, which prepared us, if anything, for the even greater amount of work we have now,” he adds.

talented Visual Arts duo recognized with $10,000 award

LoNdoN CALLINggrad pursues experience abroadRyne Cender is a MacEwan graduate, times two. First, gradu-ating from MacEwan’s Arts and Cultural Management program in 2009, Ryne, not quite finished, added a two-year Management Studies program. Now, in his pursuit of further education, Ryne is enrolled as a Bachelor of Com-merce student. And in pursuit of further experience, Ryne decided to visit MacEwan International seeking an adventure that would set him apart from his peers. An application to The Washington Centre Internship in London was the answer.

The Washington Centre (TWC) Internship is a program where students from around the world travel to Washington, DC, to

intern with an organization and participate in courses related to their field of study. In addition to the internship in Washington, the organization has opportunities to further intern in Australia and the UK. Ryne’s love of the arts and dream of working for the BBC in event or artist management made the choice very simple: London was calling.

Ryne is now interning at Kings-gate Workshops & Trust, a gallery made up of 49 studio spaces in use by artists. Responsible for preparing the gallery for exhibi-tions, Ryne also researches grants and carries out other administra-tive tasks that will prepare him well for employment after his next graduation in 2012. Ryne

states, “The whole experience has really made me define who I am more clearly. It has made me think about how the world works in different cultures. I set out to accomplish new challenges while here, and I already have exceeded them.” The only Canadian in TWC – London program, Ryan is making the most of the network-ing opportunities and sharing his Canadian educational and cultural experiences with his peers.

Since 2009, MacEwan has sent five students to TWC, all of whom have received scholarships from Alberta Advanced Education and Technology for their participation. For more information please visit www.MacEwan.ca/international

MacEwan student and alumnus, Ryne Cender, is interning at Kingsgate Workshops & Trust in London, England, as part of The Washington Centre Internship program.



ESTABLISHED

1971

TOTAL NUMBER OF

CREDIT PROGRAMS

67

TOTAL LEARNERS SERVED

42,266

TUITION FEES (AVERAGE FOR 2008/2009)

$3,254 certi�cate/diploma

$4,268 bachelor degrees

STUDENT SATISFACTION (2008/2009): 96% OF STUDENTS were satis�ed with the overall quality of their education at MacEwan.

TOTAL STAFF

3,410

A MATTER OF FACTS

CREDIT STUDENT PROFILE (2008/2009)

22.3 Average age (full time)

28.9 Average age (part time credit)

79.9 Percentage of students from metro Edmonton

An educational and enlightening feature sharing facts and �gures about Grant MacEwan University. Source: MacEwan Pro�le Fact Sheet 2009/2010

MACEWAN CENTRE FOR

SPORT AND WELLNESS CLIENTS

7,298

NAMESAKE

DR. J.W. GRANT MACEWAN (1902-2000), former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, MLA for Alberta, Mayor of Calgary, author, historian, environmentalist and educator

LIBRARY HOLDINGS 311,363 BOOKS

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND BURSARIES

OVER 3,800 MACEWAN STUDENTS ACCESSED $4.9 MILLION

in funding through scholarship, bursary and award programs in 2008/2009.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES

151,540 m2

STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO

16.4

A NEW ChAPTERThe Community-Based Criminolo-gy Project (CBCP) alumni chapter was founded in September 2010. The chapter consists of sociology alumni who specialized in crimi-nology and who participated in a community field placement with either a public, private, or non-profit criminal justice organization.

The chapter serves three functions. The first is to allow MacEwan alumni to connect: to connect professionally (i.e., employment and volunteer opportunities, educational pro-grams), and to remain connected to the university.

The second function of the chapter is to be of service to po-tential and current students in the field placement. The opportunity for alumni to share their multiple experiences in the CBCP with potential participants in informa-tion sessions will provide students with a better understanding of the placement and expectations. The second purpose may take the form of a mentoring role to current students, i.e., providing guidance. It may be as simple as providing extra support by attending their final presentation at the Sociol-ogy Undergraduate Symposium in April.

Finally, there is a long-term goal for the chapter. That is to financially aid current students in the program. The CBCP alumni hope to be able to lend a helping hand financially for such things as parking, out-of-town conferences, or business attire- whatever could make a student’s placement more enjoyable and successful. This will be more feasible once the chapter grows larger in size.

For more information, please contact Samantha Lawrence at (780) 221-7269 or [email protected]

Introducing the newly formed Community-Based Criminology Project alumni chapter.


www.MacEwan.ca/alumni www.MacEwan.ca/alumni



The program helped me transition into a new career path without losing the passion of my life – working with people and making a difference in human service.

Thinking about moving ahead?

Human service professionals can now get the skills they need to move into a management position through MacEwan’s Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration degree.

Offered on a part-time distance delivery basis, you can complete your degree on your time and in your community.

Find out more.Call 1.888.497.9390or visit www.MacEwan.ca/hsa

BAHSA GraduateBusi Pfupa

A writer, producer, web developer and director, Jamie Bourque is an amazing tribute to the MacEwan’s Design Studies program.

Who said the entertainment industry is tough to break into? Jamie Bourque could not be more pleased with his chosen career after recently graduating in 2009 from MacEwan’s Design Studies program with a major in Motion Image.

Since 2009 Bourque has worked at Bogart Productions Inc. in Edmonton. He also founded Square Pixel Inc. and is part owner of Sweetgrass and Sage Inc., production companies that focus on projects with aboriginal content. A writer, producer, web developer and director, Bourque is amazed at his success so soon after graduation. “I do owe a lot to the Design Studies program. The guidance I have received from my instructors and use of the equip-ment to develop concepts that I am now taking into production with major broadcasters all helped me get to where I am,” he says. “I have managed to get shares in production companies by utilizing my concepts for documentaries, which in turn caught the atten-tion of executive producers and broadcasters,” he adds.

Bourque’s already impres-sive list of credits include pieces such as Our Home and Native Land - Canada’s Heroines, a documentary series on aborigi-

nal women who go above and beyond for their communities, and Atypical Gender, a one-hour documentary that follows the lives of transgender people at various stages of their transition. His body of work also includes documen-taries on aboriginal war veterans, residential school survivors and aboriginal youth as role models.

Bourque has worked on inde-pendent projects with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Métis Settlements General Council in Ottawa, Canada Council for the Arts, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), and Bravo!FACT. He is also developing an anima-tion series, entitled Mother Earth

ENTERTAININg EdMoNToN motion image grad Jamie Bourque has home court advantage

and Me, to help reintroduce and teach aboriginal languages to Ca-nadian children. Bourque is a 2010 Aboriginal Role Model Award win-ner through the National Aboriginal Health Organization and sits on the Aboriginal Healing Foundation as a youth advisor.

Born in Edmonton, but raised on the Buffalo Lake Métis Settle-ment, Bourque always wanted a career in video production. “It is what I have done since I was a child – shooting music videos, horror films and imaginary award shows with my cousins back home. It is my passion,” he says. “MacEwan prepared me for the industry in many ways. A portfolio to gain employment, the ability to showcase my work, accepting cri-tique and using it to my advantage, the experience of working with clients, and of course knowledge,” says Bourque. “I have been told that the main reason why I have re-ceived employment so quickly was because of my portfolio,” he adds.

As for the future, Bourque will be using his talents right here at home. “I am definitely going to be staying in Alberta. I love the area, the diversity of the land and culture,” he says. “Alberta is my home, and I want to contribute to it by developing productions in my home province,” he adds.

“I am definitely

going to be staying

in Alberta. I love the

area, the diversity of

the land and culture...

Alberta is my home,

and I want to con-

tribute to it by devel-

oping productions in

my home province.”



JAZZ PARAdISE SouTh oF ThE BoRdER

Graduating from MacEwan’s Music Program in 2007 with a diploma in jazz performance, Duran Ritz recently won the audition for the drummer’s chair for the University of North Texas’ (UNT) One O’Clock Lab Band.

A prestigious role for a student, Ritz will become part of a band which dates back to 1947. Every year, hundreds audition for a spot in the big band made up of 19 instrumentalists and one direc-tor. The UNT is noted as having the first Jazz Studies major in the country, and the One O’Clock Lab Band has received six Grammy nods over the years, two of them in 2010.

On the recommendation of a friend, Ritz first auditioned for UNT’s Jazz Studies program and instantly knew that this was where he needed to go to push his drumming to the next level. “After seeing the lab band, I was blown away,” he says. “Those guys were so much better than me. I never thought I could make the band, but I always wanted to,” Ritz added. Upon learning he had made the band following three rounds of auditions, Ritz was excited yet terrified. “I still don’t think of myself

duran Ritz earns prestigious spot in grammy-nominated band

Duran Ritz (top right) with the University of North Texas’ One O’Clock Lab Band.

“So many of the

drummers that I

look up to have

been in this band...

It is a huge honour

to carry on this lega-

cy that spans over

half a century.”

as ‘one of those guys’, so I feel like I need to work hard to rise to the occasion,” he says. “It means a lot to be a part of the band. So many of the drummers that I look up to have been in this band,” Ritz says. “It is a huge honour to carry on this legacy that spans over half a century,” he adds.

As a member of the One O’Clock Lab Band, Ritz is also aware of and ready for the commitment. “In addition to practicing and learning the music, we rehearse four days a week, and perform somewhere different at least once a week,” he says. For the fall semester the band will be performing in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, followed by a trip to Ireland to play the Guinness Festival and an additional perfor-mance in London, England. In addi-tion to recording an album entitled Lab 2011, the band also has plans to travel to New Orleans and San Antonio for educational conferences and to Houston for a concert with the Houston Symphony.

Originally from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Ritz would love to come back to Edmonton one day and teach. “Jazz is a passion of mine, and I want to be involved in it as much as possible, how ever that might look,” he says. “MacEwan was a really great experience. It exposed me to what the world of a professional musician is, and it showed me that there is so much more music beyond rock and roll. MacEwan laid the foundation for where I am at in my career today and I am very thankful for it,” he adds.

Ritz will graduate from UNT with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies in 2012. He also plans to pursue a Masters in Jazz Performance.



WE hAvE A PRogRAM FoR ThATmacewan launches external marketing campaign“No time for full time?” MacEwan has an answer and, in particular, a program for that. MacEwan’s Strategic Communications and Corporate Marketing Department, along with the faculty and school marketing departments, have been working hard to develop a new look and tagline for recruit-ment marketing and advertising. The “We Have A Program For That” campaign literally hit the streets on September 13 with a new eco-friendly street-washing crusade when MacEwan’s web address and campaign slogan were stencil-washed on select Edmonton sidewalks. “Station Domination” also occurred be-tween September 13 and October

10 when the Churchill LRT station was virtually covered with MacEwan advertising and posters.

The campaign, speaking to the uniqueness of MacEwan, will run for three years with hopes of increasing application numbers and attendance at recruitment events, and improving awareness of MacEwan’s university status. Long-term goals include estab-lishing a clearer understanding of MacEwan’s place in the post-secondary sector and positioning MacEwan as a first-choice institu-tion. Any questions?

For more information on the campaign please visit www.MacEwan.ca/Today.

Get noticed!Alumni - explore employment and

training opportunities

Organizations - connect with students,alumni and faculty

Visit www.MacEwan.ca/careerfair to see who’s attending!

Wednesday, January 2610 a.m. to 3 p.m. • City Centre Campus

Thursday, January 2711 a.m. to 2 p.m • South Campus

MoNEY MATTERS

Friendly advice from the Student Resource Centre on paying back student loans

To new alumni with student loans: do not forget about loan payments! The Student Resource Centre (SRC) stipulates the first payment must be made six months after completion of studies -- November 1 for most.

For many, the predetermined federal/provincial loan terms of payment may work into one’s budget. However, if payments cannot be made or if payment terms need to be changed, the loan provider(s) must be con-tacted and asked about Loan Repayment Assistance. The SRC stresses communication is key.

For updates, including address or banking information, loan provider(s) may be contacted by phone or online. If changes of personal information are not communicated, payments may be inadvertently missed.

Missing payments immediately affects credit rating, the SRC warn. Loans may be sent to a collection agency, and GST or income tax refunds may be used to repay defaulted loans. The government could also take legal action.

To make an education investment count, keep loans in good standing. For more information contacts Edulinx (Alberta Loans) at

1-866-827-0310 or www.edulinx.ca or National Student Loan Service Centre (Canada Loans) at 1-888-815-4514 or www.canlearn.ca.



Mayhem, said Shannon Szaba-dos, is a good word to describe her life since she returned from the Vancouver Olympics, where she backstopped the Canadian women’s hockey team to the gold medal.

“It’s been pretty crazy. I had no idea going into the Olympics what it would be like at the Olympics and I definitely had no idea what it would be like after,” she said Monday at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan University, where she’s back at classes and playing goal for the Griffins men’s team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

“I thought life would just go back to normal. It’s been anything but that. It’s been wild, it’s been fun, been busy. I’ve gotten to share my experiences with a lot of people, got to do a lot of things I

LIFE NoT BACk To NoRMAL FoR oLYMPIC goALIE By John Korobanik

normally otherwise would not have done.” The goaltender from Sherwood Park was the centre of attention again when she ad-dressed a jam-packed room of MacEwan athletes and students anxious and excited to meet and hear her speak about her career and Olympic experience.

“There’s always something going on, like today, that reminds me of the Olympics, brings up the memories, and it’s just been so much fun,” she said. “I miss the Olympics. At the same time, I’m glad it’s over because it was pretty stressful.” Now into her third year of a physical education program, the 24-year-old has every inten-tion of finishing her degree and continuing her hockey career she hopes will take her back to the Olympics in 2014.

President Paul Bryne and Shannon Szabados posing for pictures with a black licorice cigar to make light of the post-Olympic criticism of the women’s team for going back on the ice to pose for pictures with beer and cigars.

The goaltender was the center of attention when she addressed a jam-packed room of MacEwan athletes excited to meet and hear her speak about her career and Olympic experience.

“That’s what I’m hoping. I’m 24, I’ll be 27 the next Olympics, I’ll still be young enough so as long as everything goes well, stay on the team and be in Russia.” Before posing for pictures with a black licorice cigar handed out by MacEwan to make light of the post-Olympic criticism of the women’s team for going back on the ice to pose for pictures with beer and cigars, Szabados said there’ll be no problems re-adjust-ing to being a student-athlete.

“It’s what I was doing before the Olympics,” she said. “I was on the national team and playing here

so it’s just about finding the bal-ance. Last year, the whole team took the year off, all moved to Calgary to train for the Olympics so I would train all day and go home and rest.

“Now I’m training all day and doing my homework at night, so that will be a bit of an adjustment. But, as I said, I’ve done it before.”

Carrying her worn and dented gold medal with the blue ribbon showing a lot of wear and tear, Szabados is adamant playing for MacEwan will keep her game where she needs it to be for the next several seasons.

“It’s definitely helped me the last couple of years. I have a great coach here, Jamie Langley. The year before the Olympics, his goal was to help me get better so he would literally let me hand-pick what games I wanted to play and make sure I got enough shots and enough games that I was ready.

“It showed in the Olympic year. I was definitely prepared.”



Last March, MacEwan reversed the decision to temporarily close the aquat-ic centre citing the need for a more consultative and transparent process. With that decision, President Byrne called for a Sport and Wellness Review Task Team to be convened co-chaired by Jerry Zdril, President of the Fac-ulty Association, and Cathryn Heslep, Vice-President Student Services. The Review Task Team has been mandated to make recommendations pertain-ing to the future configuration of the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness, beyond the aquatic centre, but excluding the gymnasium, within a fiscally sustainable model and aligned with the Single Sustainable Campus plan. The Review Team, which began meeting in May, is charged with developing and recommending options for the future of MacEwan Sport and Wellness based on student and member needs, utilization pat-terns, and the current spatial footprint. The team is to work collaboratively to establish a vision, make recommendations based on internal stakeholder feedback (students, faculty and staff of the university), and conduct a wide consultation within the university on the types of equipment, aquatic, studios and multipurpose space needs. The team is working towards submitting a report with recommendations for a retro-fitted centre that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty members within a financially sustainable model. The membership, in addition to the co-chairs, includes representation from:

• Students’AssociationofMacEwan• MacEwanFacultyAssociation• MacEwanStaffAssociation(whichincludesaMacEwanalumnus)• OfficeoftheProvost• Facilities• FinancialServices• StudentServices• Externalpublicmember,whoisanannualmemberof MacEwan Sport and Wellness

WhAT’S hAPPENINg WITh ThE AQuATIC CENTRE?

The Review Team will also be supported by a number of internal resources including Institutional Research, Community Relations and Fund Development, and Strategic Communications and Corporate Marketing.

To date, the Review Team is reviewing pertinent documentation, developing data-gathering instruments, touring the centre and receiving presentations from interested groups such as the Physical Education Faculty, all of which is important to inform the recommendations to be developed.

President Paul Bryne reflects on the December 31, 2010 deadline of the recommendations, “Since we are in the process of gathering information from our stakeholders and then assessing the impact on MacEwan Sports and Wellness, the final recommendations will likely not be presented by December 31, 2010.”

What is the status on the aquatic centre now? As requested, steps are being taken to reduce operating costs and increase opportunities (i.e., Masters Swim, 55+ Stay Fit Water Fitness, Intro to Kayaking, etc.), while at the same time ensuring the physical education curriculum needs and the needs of the students are addressed.

Based on current information and the outcome of the work of the Review Task Team, the aquatic centre will continue to remain open and remain part of the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness.

For further information, contact Jerry Zdril, President, MacEwan Faculty Association ([email protected]) or Cathryn Heslep, Vice President, Student Services ([email protected]).

News from the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort

Subject to conditions, minimum attendees are required. Valid on events actualizing before January 15 2011 and on new group salesagreements only. Subject to change and availability. No cash value, no substitutions.

Management reserves all rights.

Treat your meeting guests to a themed coffee break on us

For meetings booked and actualized from now until January 15th 2011, enhance your menu with one of our fall & winter themed breaks.*

Choose from one of the following to add that extra spice to your upcoming event at the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort.

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1986

JudITh (duBEAu) dICkIE (Management Studies) is the Pro-vincial Coordinator for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Judith, her husband, Ronald, and their two children live in Carvel, Alberta.

dAvId MINTY (Business Ad-ministration) has accomplished many things in the past twenty years since graduating from Grant MacEwan University. Presently he is the General Manager of a $50 million company, Bavaria BMW, and has been since 2006. He also has over ten years of banking experience, including personal, business, and investment bank-ing. He lives in Edmonton with his wife, Liana, and family.

gLoRIA SIT (Dance), Director of Grand Jeté Dance Studio, fondly remembers her days at Grant MacEwan University. After graduation, she performed for a few local dance troupes in Canada. Gloria now lives, works, and dances in Kin, Hong Kong. In 1996, Gloria returned to Hong Kong and began teaching in CCDC Dance Centre and a num-ber of secondary schools. Her recent work included choreog-raphy for various organizations, music production for Hong Kong Treble Choir and chief adjudicator for Schools Dance Festival. Gloria formed her own dance group, in 2005, called Grand Jeté – a ballet term meaning a large jump from one foot to the other foot symbolic of her vision about life and how one takes one big step after another. Gloria is the Artistic Director of Grand Jeté, as well as

Honourable Artistic Director, cho-reographer and teacher of Sherine School of Ballet.

gEoFFREY TAYLoR (Arts Administration), director of Authors at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Ontario, received an honourary degree from the School of Creative & Performing Arts at the Humber Institute of Technol-ogy and Advanced Learning on November 7, 2010. Taylor was honoured for his contribution to the promotion of Canadian books and authors.

1989

gEoRgE kouFogIANNAkIS (Music) is back in his hometown of Edmonton, performing, recording, and sharing his passion for world jazz music with his high school band students, after some time abroad in the United Kingdom to complete his MMus in Jazz Studies. His latest CD release, “Generations - Greek Oud Jazz”, was nominated for “World Re-cording of the Year” at the 2010 Western Canadian Music Awards, after also receiving nominations for “Jazz Album of the Year” at the 2010 Independent Music Awards and “World Solo Artist of the Year” at last year’s Canadian Folk Music Awards. This release was also just chosen as the featured CD for September 2010 on the World Music and Jazz internet music station, “Radio Art”, broadcasting from his family’s homeland, Ath-ens, Greece. For more information on George’s music, visit him on the web at: www.geok.ca.

1992

vIRgINIA (PoWERS) ASh-MoRE (Arts Administration) has filled varied roles for the Citadel Theatre, Alberta Ballet and the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association. Currently, Virginia has been running her Ashmore Demolition & Salvage business for the last 12 years. Virginia’s interest in saving the planet one piece at a time and in recycling as much of her buildings as possible has become a real passion for her.

1993

dEREk BRookS (Arts Admin-istration) from Edmonton was re-cently employed by the Harcourt House Arts Centre. Derek is the Executive Director and started working for Harcourt House in April 2010.

1994

STEvE PARENT-koRBIE (Microcomputer Management) is married and lives in Edmon-ton with his spouse, Randy. He works for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in the ISD department. Steve has been the Application Analyst there since February 1999.

2000

RuSSELL SoLoWoNIuk (Help Desk/Software Support) lost his sight in a car accident in 1984. In 2000 he graduated from the Help Desk/ Software Support certificate program offered at Grant MacE-

wan University at the time. He then volunteered in the Assistive Computer Technology department where he is still employed today. Russell has tried downhill skiing, surfing, and his latest adventure had him driving a race car in the “Blind Behind the Wheel” event to raise funds for Alberta Guide Dog Services held at Edmonton International Raceway in Sep-tember. He finished 1st and 2nd respectively in his heats. Solo-woniuk exclaims, “It was a totally awesome experience and over $7000 was raised!”

2001

ChRISTINE dukE-hoLLINS (Arts and Cultural Management) has been living in Surrey, British Columbia, for the last four years with her husband, Clayton, and two children, ages six and two and a half. Chrissy is a certified yoga instructor and through yoga therapy works with people with injuries or chronic conditions.

2002

LANA (AgECouTAY) hILL (Journalism; Native Communica-tions) is currently working for Imperial Oil on the Kearl Oil Sands Project in Fort McMurray as a Stakeholder Relations Advisor. Lana is also the Executive Vice President of the Girls Inc of North-ern Alberta Board of Directors and was recently appointed to the United Way of Fort McMur-ray Board of Directors. In 2009 she received the Aspiring Young Woman of the Year Esquao Award from the Institute for the Advance-ment of Aboriginal Women. Lana resides in Fort McMurray with her family and husband, Shawn.

2004

AShLEY kuMAR (Management Studies) is the Artistic Director & Manager of Sharara Entertainment Group (SEG) Indian Performing Arts Studio & SEG Fitness Group. Since graduating from MacE-wan, she constantly applies the skills she developed to run her business. In fact, Ashley actually implemented the business plan she had to prepare as an assign-ment in one of the classes and has been running an East Indian

dancing school (teaching Classical and Bollywood style) since 2007 on the south side of Edmonton. She is passionate about con-stantly learning and developing her knowledge as a business owner, fitness instructor and as a dance choreographer and hopes to share this passion with others.

ShEENA SChNELL (Accounting and Strategic Measurement) is presently the Director of Finance and Operations with the Students’ Association of Grant MacEwan University. She resides in Edmon-ton with her family.

2006

CoLE WILLETTE (Management Studies), after graduation, enrolled part-time in a Bachelor of Man-agement program at Athabasca University and has five courses currently remaining. Cole thanks MacEwan for providing a very positive and life-changing learning experience. “My time at MacEwan has created career opportunities in places where they previously did not exist,” shares Cole. Since 2009 Cole has been the Team Leader/Manager with the Govern-ment of Canada in the Citizenship & Immigration department. He lives in Vegreville with his wife, Lorraine.

2010

MARk SouThRoN (Manage-ment Studies) is a recent MacE-wan graduate and a Systems Analyst with the Government of Alberta. He lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta.

hAvE NEWS To ShARE?

Let your classmates know what you have been up to by sharing your stories and successes in the CLASSifieds.

Send us your update and receive a $5 gift card redeemable at any MacEwan Bookstore. Submissions can be sent by e-mail to [email protected] or by mail to: Alumni Relations & Services, Grant MacEwan University, PO Box 1726, Edmonton, AB T5J 2P2

High resolution photos are welcome and will be used when space permits. We reserve the right to edit submissions for content, length and clarity.

George Koufogiannakis

Gloria Sit

Ashley Kumar

Russell Solowoniuk with Navigator Alar Aksberg



A PhoTo FINISh

Early Morning. Photo by geraldine (dawe) Lynch, Nursing, 2003. Do you have a talent for photography? The alumnus who submits the published photo will receive a $100 gift certificate for any

MacEwan Bookstore. Photographs can be submitted to [email protected]. For more details please visit www.MacEwan.ca/Alumni.

Projet : Annonce MMI 2009

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No de dossier : 09-MM8019-09 TDI-EN•gmu (9.75x6.625)

Province : Saskatchewan

Publication : Moving On

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Date de tombée : 25/01/10

Graphiste : Yannick Decosse

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Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. 1 Certain conditions and restrictions may apply.

*No purchase required. Contest ends on January 14, 2011. Total value of each prize is $30,000 which includes the Honda Insight EX and a $3,000 gas voucher. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Skill-testing question required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible people of all employer and professional and alumni groups entitled to group rates from the organizers. Complete contest rules and eligibility information available at www.melochemonnex.com. Actual prize may differ from picture shown.Honda is a trade-mark of Honda Canada Inc., who is not a participant in or a sponsor of this promotion.Meloche Monnex is a trade-mark of Meloche Monnex Inc., used under license.TD Insurance is a trade-mark of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, used under license.

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Insurance doesn’t need to be complicated. As Grant MacEwan University Alumni, you deserve – and receive – special care when you deal with TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.

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