MacEwan University Alumni News

Among the StarsMusic alumnus Jeremy Raymond lands key role in Star Trek film

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Griffins Athletics - Banner of a Year

A Downtown Campus Strategy

Passion for Palliative Care

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Alumni NewsSummer 2014

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FRONT COVER Jeremy Raymond, Music, 2002

MESSAGEFROM THEPRESIDENT

recently our university completed

a comprehensive strategic planning

process. The consultation led to the writing

of an Integrated Strategic Plan that will take

us forward as an institution and provide clear

direction over the next five years.

This transformative plan expresses the com-

mitments we made as a university when we

crafted our University Pillars last year. It is

a roadmap to the transition ahead. It started

when we began offering university degrees

in 2006, continued as we achieved university

status in 2009, and now describes who we

will be as MacEwan University.

The plan is a bold statement on how we seek

to combine the best of who we are with who

we want to become. Our student-centered,

teaching-focused culture is well known,

and as an alum, you experienced it firsthand.

It defines us as an undergraduate university

with a distinctive focus on teaching and learn-

ing informed by the research and scholarly

work of our faculty.

The changes we are making as an institution

call for us to change how we interact with our

external community, including our alumni.

While we have an amazing group of graduates

ALUMNI & FRIENDSYou and a guest are cordially invited to a Night of Theatre

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story

that inspired it, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is the high-flying, splashy

musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager

who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With

nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and

millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a

pilot, a doctor and a lawyer - living the high life and winning the

girl of his dreams. But when Frank's lies catch the attention of

FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end...and finds

something he never expected.

Thursday, November 6, 2014Centre for the Arts & Communications10045 - 156 Street (Main Foyer)

Reception: 6:30pmPerformance: 7:30pm

RSVP to [email protected]: 780-497-4273

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alumni news summer 2014 macewan.ca/alumni

leaders and influencers in our community.

We hope that you will be willing to take a

place of leadership as MacEwan University

looks towards its 50th anniversary.

david atkinson, President MacEwan University

and those who identify with us from some

point over the last 40 plus years, we know

that we have not been as active as we might

have been in engaging you with the continu-

ing life of your institution. We are going to

change that.

We know that our reputation in the commu-

nity is very positive and that it is currently

driving our new student growth. Much of that

reputation is because of you – our alumni.

You are our greatest advocates. Employers

like our graduates, and you have been terrific

ambassadors for the institution. We appreci-

ate that more than you know.

We want you to participate in our future. As

always we are grateful for every student you

send our way – some of them are now your

children! We are looking to you as emerging

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BANNER OFA YEARLesley Koopman (right) and Vanessa Trofimenkoff (left) crossed the finish line 0.36 seconds apart – the closest finish in national championship history.

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volleyball), Kim Bolin (women’s volleyball),

Sydney Lewko (women’s curling) and Madi-

son Porisky (women’s volleyball) were named

Academic All-Canadians, combining league

all-star and academic honours standings.

The women’s volleyball team was honoured at

the year-end banquet with the Cathryn Heslep

Academic Team of the Year Award for their team

GPA of 3.38, edging out the men’s hockey team.

it’s raining all-canadians

Earning an All-Canadian honour, one of the

most prestigious awards in Canada, requires

a student athlete to be selected as one of

the best players in their respective sport.

In 2013/14, the Griffins earned more

All-Canadian honours than ever before with

nine award winners.

Decorated Griffins this season were Megan

Wood (women’s basketball), Erika Vecchio

(women’s soccer), Nicola Weber (women’s soc-

cer), Lesley Koopman (women’s cross-country),

Vanessa Trofimenkoff (women’s cross-country),

James Charpentier (men’s golf), Megan Vermil-

lion (women’s golf), Ryan Matowe (men’s soc-

cer), and Marcus Ernewein (men’s volleyball).

exceptional leadership on the sidelines

Great teams are built by great leaders, and this

year five Griffins coaches were honoured as

coaches of the year.

Cam Leverman of men’s soccer took his

team from a disappointing absence from the

playoffs one year ago to the ACAC champion-

ships this year. His efforts were recognized

not only by the ACAC but also on the national

scene when he was named the men’s soccer

National Coach of the Year.

Other Griffins coaches honoured with ACAC

Coach of the Year nods were Lindsay McAl-

pine (women’s hockey), Rob Poole (women’s

basketball), Eric Magdanz (men’s basketball)

and Tom Kitagawa (curling).

GriffiNS Add ElEvEN NEw chAMpioNShipS to thEir NAME

it’s hard to miss all the new championship

banners hanging in the gym this spring.

In the 2013/14 season, the Griffins brought

home 11 of them, making this an exceptional

year for MacEwan University athletes.

The buzz that’s been generated has paved the

way for the Griffins’ continued climb in the

world of interuniversity sports. This season

was an emotional ride, filled with record-

setting milestones, split-second finishes,

nerves-of-steel moments and absolute elation

with an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference

(ACAC) and national championship gold

medal rush, and the honour of having three

Griffins inducted into the ACAC hall of fame.

national championship triumphs

Three Griffins teams and two individual

athletes found their way onto the national

championship podium.

The women’s soccer team turned in an

undefeated season, the first in CCAA history,

to claim MacEwan’s first women’s soccer

national championship title.

One year ago, the men’s curling team lost the

national final to cross-town rivals, the NAIT

Ooks. This season, however, they made no

mistakes, going undefeated to earn the

Griffins their first men’s curling national

championship title in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

Lesley Koopman and Vanessa Trofimenkoff

finished in the gold and silver medal positions in

the 5km women’s cross-country race that will be

remembered as one of the CCAA national cham-

pionships’ closest and most thrilling finishes ever.

Women’s basketball also had a special team

this season. Earning the ACAC championship

title and punching their ticket to nationals,

the ladies brought home the national bronze

medal, as well as the Fair Play Award for

exceptional sportsmanship.

Men’s cross-country running, men’s soccer,

women’s golf, men’s golf and women’s curling

also qualified for the CCAA championships,

representing the Griffins on the national stage.

record-setting performances

Records are meant to be broken, and the

Griffins set several new records this year.

The season began with the women’s golf

team becoming most successful team in

ACAC history, capturing their third

consecutive ACAC championship,

bringing the team’s total up to seven.

Two records fell to the women’s cross-country

squad when Trofimenkoff and Koopman

crossed the finish line 0.36 seconds apart –

the closest finish in national championship

history. It was also the first time an institu-

tion captured the top two podium positions.

Ryan Matowe of the men’s soccer team used

his position in offense to score a total of ten

goals in nine consecutive games, breaking

former Griffin Ammon Hoefs’ record of nine

goals in four consecutive games.

Not to be outdone by his men’s soccer team-

mate, Jerad Uytterhagen set the ACAC record

for goals in a single match with eight, taking

the record set by former Griffins, John Pino

and David Letourneau, who each had seven

goals in a game.

academic success

Achieving both athletic and scholastic success

is the ultimate goal of any student athlete.

This season the Griffins fielded some of

MacEwan University’s brightest and most

dedicated students. Zach Brown (men’s

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toasts of the griffins family

The end-of-season awards honour the

best-of-the-best within the Griffins family.

Vanessa Trofimenkoff was honoured as the

Female Athlete of the Year after earning the

women’s cross-country Player of the Year

award, as well as ACAC individual gold and

CCAA silver medals. She was also named

Athletics Alberta Junior Cross-country

Runner of the Year.

Curler Jordan Steinke charted new ice, becom-

ing the first Griffin to repeat as Male Athlete

of the Year. Steinke skipped his team to a na-

tional championship title with an undefeated

record and was named the national champi-

onship tournament’s top skip. Following the

event, he rejoined his world curling tour team

and earned a semi-final placing at the Grande

Prairie, Alberta event.

ladies rule the player of the

year honours

It would be fair to call it the year of the

Griffins women when it came to major award

winners. Griffins women boasted five ACAC

Player of the Year awards: Megan Vermillion

(women’s golf), Vanessa Trofimenkoff (wom-

en’s cross-country), Krysta Hilker (women’s

curling), Megan Wood (women’s basketball)

and Sasha Lutz (women’s hockey).

rookies who turned heads

Cassidy Kinsella (women’s volleyball) and Ryan

Benn (men’s hockey) took the ACAC by storm

this season and were each named their sport’s

respective Rookie of the Year award winners.

Kinsella was instrumental in leading her team

to an ACAC bronze medal as an outside hitter,

while Benn was an offensive wizard, finishing

fourth in regular season scoring with 18 goals

and 19 assists. He also led his team in playoff

points with one goal and three assists.

called to the hall

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Association

(ACAA) will celebrate its first class of Hall

of Fame inductees, and the Griffins will see

three of their own honoured. Gerry Couzens

was inducted in the coach category. As a head

coach for the Griffins women’s basketball

team from 1992-2000, Couzens experienced

only one losing season—his first. In an eight-

year run, Couzens guided the Griffins to a

208-78 record.

Bob Bennett entered the Hall of Fame as a

builder. He was officially the first admin-

istrator in Griffins athletics and in 1973

presented an application to join the ACAA.

Bennett’s foresight and belief that what

were then Grant MacEwan College students

deserved the opportunity to be involved in

competitive intercollegiate sport led to

the beginning of the storied history of the

Griffins program in 1974.

Dr. Lana Common was the first Griffins stu-

dent athlete inducted into the ACAA Hall of

Fame. Her volleyball career (‘93-95, ‘96-98)

is virtually unparalleled. She was a four time

all-star, academic All-Canadian and CCAA

all-tournament team member. She was also

an All-Canadian and the Griffins Female

Athlete of the Year, receiving both honours

on three separate occasions. Lana was also

honoured by delivering the inductees’ address

at the ceremony.

out with a bang

Many of the Griffins teams will move into the

Canada West Universities Athletic Associa-

tion (CWUAA) next season, with men’s and

women’s soccer, cross-country, basketball

and volleyball all making the move. Men’s and

women’s hockey, curling, golf and indoor track

will retain their status in the ACAA.

griffins teams earning acac champi-

onship banners this season: women’s

golf, men’s golf, men’s cross-country,

women’s soccer, men’s soccer, women’s

basketball, women’s indoor track and

women’s curling.

griffins teams earning acac medals:

men’s volleyball (silver), women’s

hockey (silver), men’s curling (bronze)

and women’s volleyball (bronze).

We’re rolling out the red carpet. You deserve it.

Alumni Relations and Services congratulates you on your graduation!

We care about what you do after MacEwan and want to share your success and stories with other alumni and students. Our grads aspire and, in turn, inspire. In return, we offer benefits and services specifically for you.

Don’t forget your VIP pass. Exclusive savings for our members.

DISCOUNTS ON TRAVELReceive discounts on specially designed travel packages throughout the year.

MOVIE TICKETSPurchase discounted movie tickets for Cineplex Odeon Theatres from the SAM Centre at City Centre Campus.

THEATRE TICKETSReceive exclusive discounts on live theatre tickets through Broadway Across Canada.

HOME AND AUTO INSURANCEYour alumni status entitles you to preferred group rates on your home and auto insurance through TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.

HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCEReceive preferred rates on Health and Dental insurance through Manulife Financial.

PREFERRED GYM MEMBERSHIP RATESMacEwan University Sport and Wellness grants reduced membership rates to all alumni.

FACILITY RENTALSTake advantage of reduced facility rental rates when holding meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, or social activities at the university. A wide variety of facilities, equipment and services are available through MacEwan University Conference and Event Services.

MEMBERS ADVANTAGE – TICKET AND DISCOUNT PROGRAMYou can save on many attractions, movies, entertainment and sporting events across Alberta.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTAlumni qualify for a 15% discount on all professional development courses (non credit) through the School of Business.

The privilege is ours. Services just for you.

“M” ALUMNI NEWSProduced three times a year, M showcases MacEwan University alumni and provides articles about the university, programs, and faculty.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDSEach year, MacEwan University recognizes the outstanding achievements of alumni for their contribution to our community. If you know of any deserving alumni, please contact us.

ALUMNI PROGRAM CHAPTERSAlumni Chapters are an excellent way to stay connected with your fellow graduates, build social and professional relations, and work together to make an impact on your industry and the community.

ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCILThe Alumni Advisory Council provides alumni with the opportunity to offer input and advice

concerning matters related to alumni programming. It plays a vital role in developing the alumni community and contributing to the success of MacEwan University. Interested in becoming a council member? Contact us!

VOLUNTEER OR MENTORCome back to campus to share your experience and expertise with current students, or give back by volunteering at various campus events.

FREE EVENTSTake advantage of alumni events and activities throughout the year, including the annual Night of Theatre and a variety of speakers and presentations.

LOOKING FOR A JOB?Alumni are welcome to view numerous job opportunities posted by employers seeking MacEwan University graduates.

Alumni who graduated within the past two years can make an appointment with the Career Services Coordinator to discuss their job search or to submit resumes and cover letters for a free critique.

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?Educational AdvisingIf you are thinking about returning to school, our educational advisors can help. For alumni who decide on graduate school or professional education, there are free programs and services available through our Graduate School Liaison.

Keep in touch.

ALUMNI RELATIONS AND SERVICES(780) 497-4273Email: [email protected]/Alumni

Facebook: MacEwan AlumniLinkedIN: MacEwan University Alumni

You’re going places.TAKE US WITH YOU.

ALUMNI RELATIONSAND SERVICES

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s AMONG THESTARSJeremy Raymond’s feature role in J. J. Abrams’ 2012 blockbuster film, Star Trek: Into Darkness, showcased his skills alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.

photo courtesy of paramount


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it is through adversity that the true

quality of one’s character is often

revealed, as is demonstrated by

professional actor jeremy raymond’s

(music ’02) story. Having been born with

a rare skeletal condition that made him an

outcast as a child, Raymond’s exposure to

music, acting and martial arts allowed him to

discover the incredible depths of his personal

potential. His talent, character and ceaseless

desire to grow as an artist have made him truly

stand out on both stage and screen. Based out

of Vancouver, this native of Cranbrook, B.C.

recently landed a feature role in J. J. Abrams’

2012 blockbuster film, Star trek: into dark-

ness, showcasing his skills alongside some of

the biggest names in the industry.

Raymond’s condition is called cleidocranial

dysostosis, a rare skeletal disorder primarily

characterized by developmental irregularities

of the cranium and collarbone, though these

can be accompanied by other bone irregulari-

ties as well. As an infant, Raymond’s skull

was essentially the size of an adult’s, and

his hips developed out of alignment, which

required the use of braces to correct.

Despite the fact that he was able to run and play

like other children, periodic visits to see medical

specialists in Toronto, the United States and even

periodic visits to see medical specialists in Toronto,

the United States and even Israel always served as a

reminder of just how different Raymond was from

his schoolmates. “Since it’s such a rare condition,

even the leading specialists didn’t really have a lot

of experience with it,” explains Raymond. “As a

result, some of these doctors painted a really grim

picture of what I should expect.”

While many of the doctors’ prognoses failed

to materialize, Raymond began to experience

difficulties around age 12 with his primary

teeth not falling out properly, requiring him

to undergo several invasive dental surger-

ies over many years to come. “The physical

impact and the recovery time needed after

that first major operation was far more than

I expected,” he says. “It forced me to quickly

accept the realities of my predicament.”

Though his condition provided several physi-

cal challenges, the psychological impact was

particularly significant. After being treated by

doctors as a subject of medical interest and

enduring the comments made by schoolyard

bullies, Raymond could not help but feel that

he was an outsider. As a result, he became

adept at burying his feelings as a survival

mechanism, and consequently, his self-confi-

dence suffered. However, through his exposure

to music, acting and martial arts, Raymond be-

gan the process of discovering that what made

him different also made him extraordinary.

Raymond discovered his love for both music

and acting in junior high school, high school,

and became the self-described “showiest

concert band drummer ever.” School recitals

would often see him introducing songs while

impersonating Ringo Starr, a performance

that went over so well that “Ringo” would

introduce even the non-Beatles songs. With

his confidence on the rise, it was through his

high school choir that Raymond would truly

find his musical niche. “My sister said they

were really short on males, so I auditioned.

Much to my surprise, people I respected

were saying that I was good! This was a

sharp change in my identity, and I started

singing and playing with any group I could

just to engage with the audience.”

While music and acting provided Raymond a

channel for expression, he also developed an

early fascination with martial arts, which was

inspired by his desire to defend himself from

bullies and to find an outlet for his frustra-

tions. After some judo training, Raymond

learned how to handle himself and developed

the self-control needed to avoid violence.

“Martial art was the first sport that I was really

any good at,” he says. “Natural athletes never

had to work hard to succeed. I had to learn

through failure and to love that failure.”

Raymond’s dedication to combat sports has

built up his confidence tremendously over the

years, with his consequent physical develop-

ment being instrumental in landing many

acting roles.

Fresh out of high school, Raymond’s ever-

increasing passion for music and singing

brought him to Edmonton, where he would

spend the next two years immersed in the

MacEwan University Music program.

The experience was indeed eye-opening,

which proved to be incredibly beneficial for

the young artist. “I learned to pretty much set

my watch by things going haywire,” he jokes.

“Any kind of artistic project has elements of

unpredictability, and the university really

taught us how to roll with that. Whether it

was tracking down players for a coffee-house

performance, organizing rehearsals or

dealing with some kind of last-minute crisis,

we learned how to adapt and get it done.”

Raymond is quick to praise the talents and

teaching style of music instructor Charles

Austin. Describing Austin’s musical ability as

a mastery of technique and theory, Raymond

was inspired by the way his instructor would

enter class and sit at the piano, gradually

silencing the roomful of students as he played.

“To have a teacher model simple mastery

really struck me, both as a musician and an

actor. We give gold statues to actors for doing

the same thing: simplicity delivered effectively.

I got a lesson in that at MacEwan.”

After graduating, Raymond was determined

to pursue his dreams of professional acting.

After being turned down by every theatre

company in Edmonton, he remarkably landed

a feature role in 2004 in a movie entitled the

incredible Mrs. ritchie. Working alongside

Hollywood luminaries James Caan and Gena

MUSic AlUMNUS lANdS KEy rolE iN StAr trEK filM

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Rowlands, Raymond’s performance earned

him a Gemini nomination for Best Supporting

Actor in a Dramatic Production or Mini-

Series. After relocating to Vancouver, the next

several years saw Raymond paying his dues

through small bit parts while tirelessly honing

his craft. Then one day in early 2012, he got

one heck of a phone call.

J. J. Abrams noticed Raymond purely by

chance when Abrams’ father, Gerald W.

Abrams, used his son’s studio to edit footage

for a film. The senior Abrams had produced

a film in which Raymond had a small role,

and Raymond’s 90-second scene caught the

attention of the Star trek director, who was

seeking inspiration for an alien race in his

upcoming film. “The Nibirans were originally

going to be computer generated, but then

they changed the idea and were in search of

an actor with a unique look. When J. J. saw

me, he apparently yelled ‘That’s the guy!

Get me him!’” Within a few weeks, Raymond

was flown down to Bad Robot Studios to be-

gin filming what would be one of the biggest

films of the year.

After meeting with Abrams and other key

players, Raymond learned that his role was

more than just a small bit part. He was not

only to play one character but to provide

the model for an entire alien race known as

Nibirans that were all to be designed around

Raymond’s facial features. “There was one

day where a big group of us Nibirans were

standing together and the audio guy couldn’t

discern which one to attach the microphone

to. We all kept quiet, and it was pretty funny

watching him try to figure it out.”

One remarkable element of his experience

was the level of secrecy surrounding the

making of the film. With paparazzi constant-

ly attempting to catch a glimpse of anything

to do with the enormously popular film

franchise, Raymond was covered in blankets

or shielded by umbrellas anytime he left one

room to go to another. This secrecy contin-

ued well after filming had been completed,

with Raymond legally bound to not reveal

his place among the cast. “For a year and

a half I couldn’t tell anybody,” he recalls.

“When friends would talk about being

excited for the movie, I’d chuckle to myself.

I was able to tell Mom and Dad, but I really

looked forward to surprising people.”

Since the release of Star trek: into dark-

ness, Raymond has been busy working back

in Vancouver. Many of his roles have been for

darker works, such as the IMAX concert film,

Metallica through the Never, an episode

of NBC’s psych, and a movie entitled the

happy face Killer starring David Arquette.

“What interests me is just doing the work,”

explains Raymond, echoing the mentality of

such acclaimed character actors as Anthony

Hopkins and Gary Oldman. “The other day

I was working on a film in Squamish, B.C.

It was really emotional, draining stuff, but I

just love my job.”

It has been a long journey of self-discovery

for this extremely talented and driven artist,

but what is perhaps most remarkable about

Raymond is his ability to embrace what

makes him unique: “I’ve really learned that

it is ok to be different. Being an outsider

from the norm made me stand out from the

crowd.” His refusal to be defined by his physi-

cal difference makes it clear that he is no lon-

ger the exception; he is simply exceptional.

Photo provided by Triumph St. Photography


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An educational and enlightening feature sharing facts and figures about MacEwan University.

The graduation cap is called a

Convocation

Honour Cords are worn by graduates who have received honours standing in their academic studies

Honour Stoles represent significant academic accomplishment and are worn by Bachelor of Arts Honours recipients.

Baccalaureate degree hoods are black with royal blue interior. The degree is represented by the trim of the hoods:

Applied Degree hoods are royal blue with a chevron and trim that represents the discipline to which the applied degree pertains:

students will graduate at the spring 2014 ceremony, representing 54 degree, diploma and certificate programs

MacEwan University graduates wear regalia based on tradition that carries symbolic meaning about credentials earned and areas of study:

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Child& Youth Care

Bachelor of Commerce

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Applied Business Administration Accounting and Bachelor of Applied International Business and Supply Chain Management

Bachelor of Science

in Nursing

Black-

doctor (faculty), master (faculty)

bachelor (faculty and baccalaureate

graduates) and applied degree

(faculty and baccalaureate

graduates).

ApricotGold

Bachelor of Communication

Studies

CrimsonWhite

Drab

Bachelor of Applied Communicationsin Professional WritingCrimson

Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration

The University presented its first

Bachelor of Arts degree.

Peacock

Chamois Drab

silver and white vee-stoles are worn by certificate and diploma graduates

Maroon-

diploma, certificate and post-diploma

certificate graduates

comes from

the Latin word

convoco, which m

eans to call together by sum

mons

MacEwan’s first convocation was held in 1973 with 160 graduates representing 18 certificate and diploma programs.

1973 160 18

June

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Another successful Mad Hatter’s Gala presented by Mediaco wrapped up on April 26 with more than 600 guests in attendance. Guests enjoyed an evening of stunning Mediterranean glamour and sumptuous cuisine as they celebrated an era defined by aristocracy and monarchy.

As the gala welcomed guests to the bright lights and red carpet, the real stars of the night were the many MacEwan University students who will benefit from the scholarships and awards supported by the money raised through the generosity of our guests and sponsors.

Thank you to everyone for making the 2014 gala a wonderful success.

A NiGht iN MoNAco-MoNtE cArlo

MAD HATTER’SGALA 2014

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03 04 05

02

01 - hats off to all the volunteers who made the night a great success.

02 - 2014 honorary mad hatters, greg christenson

and jill didow. 03 - hats came in all shapes and sizes at this

year’s gala.

04 - allan gilliland, program chair, music

05 - guests enjoying a glamorous night out in

monte carlo style. 06 - president dr. david atkinson, and his wife

terry atkinson.

07 - guests had the opportunity to rev it up in the race car simulator.

08 - music alumna allison nichols with “the last calls” performing at this year’s gala.

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06

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09 - left to right: cameron mccoy, president of the students’ association of macewan unversity, fabjola gera, bachelor of commerce ‘14 with brigjilda gera.

10 - megan dart, bachelor of applied communications

in professional writing ‘08 (right) with sister beth dart (left).

11 - gurvinder bhatia with wife aimee hill enjoying

the slots in the casino royale.

12 - this year’s best ladies’ and men’s hat went to ali ghan (left) for his dapper white and black striped top hat, and susan jackson (right) for her gold egyptian-inspired headpiece.

13 - current school of business allard chair, dave

mowat, wife wife sandy mowat. 14 - this year’s “monto carlo” theme inspired many

stunning hats and fascinators.

15 - the 2014 mad hatter’s gala presented by mediaco treated guests to an evening of glamorous decor and entertainment in support of students.

16 - guests came prepared for some fun at the gala’s

casino royale. 17 - vice president, student services, cathryn heslep

18 - guests came out in fine fashion to support students.

09

12

13

14

16 17 18

15

10 11

M15



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At MacEwan University, staff and faculty

were encouraged to organize their own Green

Impact teams that were each made up of a

whole department, staff on a specific building,

or a group of people who work closely together.

Teams were then given access to the Green Im-

pact online workbook containing various actions

they could implement in their areas. Each action

was worth a set number of points based on

perceived impact rather than ease of implemen-

tation. Teams were encouraged to work through

their workbooks at their own paces, upload

evidence to show that actions were completed

and earn as many points as they could.

In January 2014, 22 student volunteers

were trained to act as Green Impact Project

Assistants (GIPAs) and then matched with

the teams. This provided teams with extra

enthusiasm and capacity to complete their

actions while allowing the students to develop

their leadership, communications and project

management skills. Additionally, the Office

of Sustainability provided ongoing support

to teams by hosting weekly drop-in sessions,

sending bi-weekly email updates and regularly

updating a complementary Green Impact

resources site.

On March 14, 2014, teams were asked to

submit their online workbooks. Following that,

GIPAs who had received additional training

were assigned to teams (different from those

they had previously assisted) to review the

provided evidence and validate the submis-

sions. This auditing process is vital, as it adds

an additional level of accountability to the

in october 2013, macewan university’s of-

fice of sustainability, in partnership with

the students’ association of macewan

university (samu), signed up to be the first

international institution to take part in Green

Impact, an environmental engagement pro-

gram run by the National Union of Students

in colleges, universities, and community

organizations across the United Kingdom.

This intiaitive aims to empower people to

reduce the environmental impacts of their

day-to day-operations while encouraging

friendly competition and providing recogni-

tion for participants’ efforts.

StUdENtS, StAff, ANd fAcUlty coMiNG toGEthEr to MAKE A diffErENcE

GREEN IMPACTGOES INTERNATIONAL

M17


small, tangible and practical change to

practices, policies and communications

within the Green Impact teams.

• It is anticipated that six teams will receive

bronze awards, six will receive silver awards,

and two will receive gold awards at the

Green Impact Awards ceremony.

• Strategic goals outlined in our Campus

Sustainability Plan are being fulfilled, and

points will be contributed towards the uni-

versity’s 2014 application for Sustainability,

Tracking, and Assessment Rating System

(STARS) certification.

As the first international institution to success-

fully pilot and deliver the program, MacEwan

University is positioning itself to be a leader

in this area. There are now 15 additional

non-UK higher education institutions that

are interested in adopting the versatile Green

Impact model and are looking to MacEwan

University’s pilot to learn best practices for

international implementation.

MacEwan University’s Office of Sustainabil-

ity has signed up to take part in the program

again for the 2014/2015 academic year and is

looking forward to recruiting more students,

staff and faculty in the fall to help improve the

university’s Green Impact.

program and verifies the teams’ final results.

Based on the confirmed number of actions com-

pleted, teams will receive one of four awards at

the Green Impact Awards ceremony: ‘working

towards,’ bronze, silver, or gold. Special awards

will also be presented to those who demonstrat-

ed leadership and innovation in sustainability.

MacEwan University has much to be proud of

following its Green Impact pilot:

• A total of 14 Green Impact teams were

recruited that were made up of 85 staff and

faculty members in areas of the university

that represent approximately 305 people.

• Over the course of the pilot, there were 694

actions undertaken, each of which was a

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the march 12 announcement of provincial

funding of $30 million for the construc-

tion of the centre for arts and culture

building signaled a significant step forward in

the university’s downtown campus strategy.

The announcement by Dave Hancock, then Min-

ister of Innovation and Advanced Education and

now Premier, gives the go-ahead for construction

to begin this fall on the $153 million project.

The new building will be constructed on current

land holdings, which lay adjacent to the Robbins

Health Learning Centre. The building will be a

state-of-the-art teaching facility that will house

various academic programs, including visual and

A DOWNTOWNCAMPUS STRATEGY

performing arts. The new building will enable

the university to enhance current programming

and meet the enrolment demands anticipated

for the future. The target date for delivery of the

Centre for Arts and Culture is September 2017.

Proceeds from the sale of the west and south

campuses will be combined with $25 million

from an institutional fundraising campaign.

An additional $33 million will come from

institutional reserves to pay for the estimated

capital cost, along with $9 million in financing

for the parkade and retail construction. Thus far,

the fundraising campaign has not yet begun, but

the university will be seeking interested partners.

south campus set to move

MacEwan University’s downtown campus

strategy has been part of a long-term strate-

gic plan designed to create efficiencies and

MAcEwAN cAMpUSES ArE coMiNG toGEthEr for thE ArtS

“this signals a turning point for MacEwan University. our downtown campus strategy

brings all our students together to share in the resources of our city centre campus and

the richness of the emerging arts district. our creativity and scholarly work will contrib-

ute to the growth of culture and the prosperity of Edmonton as we provide the very best in

undergraduate education.”

~ dr. david w. atkinson, president macewan university

“this expansion puts students first by consolidating classes downtown. Students will

have greater access to the services they need to be successful, including modern facilities,

recreation centres, libraries, residence and more amenities. MacEwan University is an

important partner in campus Alberta, and i’m excited that the university will be able to

achieve its vision of a single, sustainable downtown campus.” ~ dave hancock, premier

M19


to provide all students with the resources

and services they need to be successful in

their studies. City Centre Campus has long

offered the majority of the institution’s

academic programing while serving as the

central hub for student services and ameni-

ties, student clubs, varsity athletics, retail,

libraries, faculty and administration.

The first step toward consolidating to City

Centre Campus is moving South Campus

operations to City Centre this summer.

The move will include offices, support areas,

the library and classes. The next step will be

moving the operations of the west-end cam-

pus once the new Centre for Arts and Culture

building is completed.

To safeguard the sustainability of programming

at City Centre Campus, the university has pur-

chased land surrounding City Centre Campus

to ensure future enrolment growth is not inhib-

ited. The university’s ability to acquire this land

is the result of prudent fiscal management and

has required no new government funding.

twenty years ago an abandoned corridor

of Edmonton’s downtown was transformed

to create MacEwan University’s city centre

campus. Since then, the university has ex-

panded its breadth of programming to become

a leading undergraduate institution serving

nearly 14,000 full-time students in credit pro-

grams – the majority of whom are enrolled in

degree-related programming.

in 2005, a student residence became a part of

the infrastructure that creates the university’s

downtown campus community. the robbins

health learning centre was completed in

2006, and in 2011 a ground-breaking admin-

istrative space, the University Service centre

(USC), opened. By providing office space to

over 200 staff, the USc enabled the university

to repurpose former administrative offices into

additional teaching and learning spaces at

city centre campus. the new centre for Arts

and culture building will begin construction

this fall and is set to open in September 2017.

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AIN’TLIFEGRANDKirsta Franke is the proprietor and director of the 124 Grand Market. Now in its third year of operation, the market provides a delightful blend of popular food trucks, live entertainment, various arts and craftwork and plenty of fresh, locally produced foods.

M21


sometimes all it takes is the right condi-

tions for the character of a community

to truly shine. Journalism graduate Kirsta

Franke (‘10) provided such an opportunity for

the 124th street area of Edmonton, where she

established the 124 Grand Market in May of

2012, attracting a great deal of attention to this

increasingly hip district of Alberta’s capital city.

At present, Franke is the proprietor and direc-

tor of the 124 Grand Market, while she’s also

employed by the 124th Street Business As-

sociation as its marketing and events director.

Now in its third year of operation, the market

provides a delightful blend of popular food

trucks, live entertainment, various arts and

craftwork, and plenty of fresh, locally produced

foods. However, what really distinguishes the

124 Grand Market is its Thursday evening

hours of operation. “I was never one to wake up

early enough on Saturday mornings to go buy

fresh produce,” jokes Franke, who conceived of

the idea of an evening market while working in

the restaurant industry. With many of the city’s

food enthusiasts keeping the same working

hours, there was definitely a demand for

such a venture.

While Franke’s present career centres

around marketing and communications,

her educational journey began within

MacEwan University’s Journalism program.

Initially drawn to enrol by her interest in

photojournalism, Franke found the program

rewarding on many fronts. “I was always

a great communicator,” says Franke.

“The Journalism program really helped me

improve my ability to approach new people

and ideas, as well as to be more analytical

instead of reactive.”

After graduating in 2010, Franke found it

difficult to secure full-time employment

within her field of study. With advances in

communication technology constantly chang-

ing the entire nature of journalism, finding

a job became frustrating. “Most publications

were only offering unpaid internships instead

of actual jobs,” remarks Franke. “The experi-

ence would be great, but there wasn’t a lot of

opportunity there.”

Not one to sit idle, Franke began working at

a restaurant on 124th street and soon began

to fall in love with the burgeoning neighbour-

hood. With encouragement from a co-worker,

Franke began volunteering for the 124th Street

Business Association, deepening her relation-

ship with the community. Recognizing the

lack of nearby grocery stores or other produce

vendors, she was then struck by the idea of

starting a different kind of farmers’ market.

After sharing her idea with members of the

Business Association, they enthusiastically

granted Franke the funding needed to make

it a reality, with the community flocking to

participate in the new venture. “I didn’t antici-

pate how successful the market was going to

be. I guess it goes to show how the area really

needed something like this.”

With her market making such a positive

impact on the community, Franke was ap-

proached by the Business Association and

offered the job of marketing and events

director. This role sees Franke involved

in community relations, committees and

planning special events such as the winter

street festival, All is Bright on 124, this past

November. Featuring live music, artisans, ice

sculptors and various other entertainments,

the event succeeded beyond expectations,

drawing well over 10,000 people.

Despite her career moving in a different

direction than her educational background,

Franke values her educational experience at

MacEwan University. “The program really

teaches students how to talk to different kinds

of people. I rely on my communications skills

daily, and MacEwan gave me this founda-

tion.” With communication being so integral

to her career, Franke is contemplating return-

ing to the university and working towards a

Communications degree, though that is but

one of many goals that this dynamic young

woman is entertaining. Others include estab-

lishing a farm camp to educate children on

the food system, as well as various other

local food initiatives.

With Edmontonians magazine listing Franke

as one of its Sizzling 20 Under 30 in 2013, it is

clear that her accomplishments are just the be-

ginning of a very promising career. While she

does entertain the idea of one day experiencing

life in another city, her heart most certainly

belongs to Edmonton. “This is a city made of

movers, shakers and builders. I realized that

if I wanted to make my career in Edmonton,

I would have to build it myself.” Her efforts

have not only secured her a place in the city

she loves but have also made life just a little bit

grander for the entire community.

JoUrNAliSM GrAdUAtE fiNdS hEr plAcE iN thE city ShE lovES By lAUNchiNG fArMErS’ MArKEt

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Michelle StevensonPublic Relations, 2000

If I could dine alone with anyone from any period in history, it would be: my grandmas

One book everyone should read: animal farm, george orwell

One movie everyone should see: to kill a mockingbird

One song that would be on the soundtrack of my life: “radioactive” by imagine dragons

Favourite place on campus: gymnasium

Favourite place traveled: costa rica

One thing I never leave home without: iphone

If I could be one age for the rest of my life it would be: 14

Cats or dogs? dogs

Greatest accomplishment since graduating from MacEwan University: tbd

If I could eliminate one insect from the earth, it would be: centipedes

My favorite childhood television show: fraggle rock

My MacEwan University experience in one word: relevant

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M23

An entrepreneur at heart, Sallis will likely

follow that path after graduate school. “I want

to travel, see the world and experience new

things, but I can’t tell you where I’m going

to be in five years. I think that’s exciting –

I could make my way back to Alberta or find

myself in a tiny country on the other side of

the world. I like being outside of my comfort

zone and investing in experiences because

that’s what really changes you as a person.”

After travelling to Austria on a student ex-

change trip in the second year of his Bachelor

of Commerce program, Sallis was inspired to

pursue international business and motivated to

get top marks. Getting excellent grades resulted

in an invitation to join the MacEwan Univer-

sity chapter of the Golden Key International

Honour Society, which focuses on academic

excellence and has more than 400 chapters at

colleges and universities around the world.

“It was the last year of my degree, and I want-

ed to get more involved and engaged–to try to

give back and make the school and community

around me a better place,” says Sallis. So, he

applied for—and was awarded—the presidency

of MacEwan University’s Golden Key chapter.

As he was researching graduate schools, Sallis

discovered a Hult scholarship specifically

for Golden Key members. “When I looked at

Hult, I found it was really unique and aligned

perfectly with my goals.” Sallis added Hult

to his list of graduate school possibilities and

applied for the scholarship. “The reason I

chose Hult wasn’t because of the scholarship,

but getting it was the icing on the cake.”

when jesse sallis (bcom, ’14) walked

through the doors at macewan univer-

sity to begin studying in the bachelor of

commerce program in 2010, his only focus

was getting through the semester. Almost four

years later and a degree in hand, his goals are on

a completely different scale. Recently awarded

a prestigious scholarship to Hult International

Business School, Sallis will make his way to

London in September for an intensive one-year

Master of International Business program.

JESSE SAlliS, BAchElor of coMMErcE, 2010

GRAD SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

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FITNESS FEATURE

nutrition

Ever wonder what your fitness level is? Are

you a rookie, a veteran, or a hall of famer?

By tailoring your nutrition to your activity

level, you’ll be on your way to building a

healthier you. Find your level and review

the rules of play.

know your game

rookie

Rookies should focus on striving for optimum

health, absence of disease, more activity and

less sick time. Rookies take pride in their

active daily living, meeting the Canadian rec-

ommendations for physical activity, which for

adults aged 18-64 years means accumulating

at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-

intensity aerobic physical activity per week.

Rule #1: Eat daily from all three macronutri-

ents (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) using

the recommended ranges for intakes. See the

chart for a breakdown of what these ranges are.

Rule #2: Calories ingested should equal calo-

ries expended to maintain weight.

veteran

Veterans have gone through the rookie stage

and are ready for the next step. This includes

working towards a weight goal, running a 5

or 10km race, joining a Zumba or yoga class,

or taking part in a Corporate Challenge event.

Rule #3: Long-term weight loss success is best

achieved by increasing caloric expenditure by

250 calories per day while decreasing caloric

intake by the same amount.

Rule #4: Hydrate before, during and after exer-

cise, aiming to drink one to three litres of water

per day, particularly in hot or very cold weather.

hall of famer

Health is a priority for hall of famers, but

so is taking on big or intense challenges.

Examples include physique competitions,

marathons, ironman triathlons and provincial

or national events.

Rule #5: Fuel up two hours prior to activity,

consuming a small meal that is high in com-

plex carbohydrates and low in both fat

and protein. Save simple carbohydrates for

during and immediately after your activity.

Rule #6: Manage electrolytes like sodium,

potassium, magnesium and calcium. Adults

have been shown to sweat up to two to four

litres of fluid per hour in hot environments

and at high intensity exercise levels.

Rule #7: Within 30 minutes of your activity,

replenish glycogen stores and repair muscle

damage by eating a snack high in both protein

and carbohydrates but low in fat.

Why the rules? It’s all about playing fairly and

giving your body the best opportunity for suc-

cess and health throughout your life. To help

implement these rules, learn about each of the

macronutrients, what the best sources of them

are and how they function in the body.

eat like a champion

simple versus complex carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are our main source of energy.

Fruit, vegetables and grains are good sources

of starch and dietary fiber, providing us with

complex carbohydrates. These foods tend to

be lower in calories but higher in nutrients

(vitamins and minerals) than simple carbohy-

drates, such as sugar. We refer to this as nutri-

ent density. Regardless of the type consumed,

carbohydrates are metabolized to form glucose

tipS to hElp yoU AchiEvE yoUr hEAlth ANd lifEStylE GoAlS


M25

for immediate use, then anabolized to form

glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles

for later use.

complete versus incomplete proteins

Proteins of animal origin are considered

complete proteins because they provide us with

all essential amino acids (building blocks of

protein) that our bodies cannot synthesize from

within. We consume them from food sources

such as meat, fish, milk, eggs and cheese.

Foods that are low in one or more of the es-

sential amino acids are considered incomplete

protein sources. When consuming incomplete

proteins, it is important to combine foods to fa-

cilitate optimal amino acid intake. For example,

rather than eating rice alone, mix it with beans

and squash or beans and corn to yield a more

complete protein intake.

saturated versus unsaturated fats

Fats are crucial for our well-being and stress

management, contributing to hormone, joint

and brain health. Good sources of fat include

unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, includ-

ing olive, canola, and soybean oil, as well as

coconut oil and various seed oils, like sesame.

Limit butter, hard margarine, shortening, and

lard (animal-sourced fats), selecting polyun-

saturated fats as often as possible. Remember,

if you are a meat eater, you are already con-

suming saturated fats via your protein sources.

When you are following the rules, playing

injury-free and looking for game-winning

strategies, remember the following:

• Expand your variety of fruits and vegetables,

and try to eat from the whole colour spectrum

• Choose high-quality proteins often

(e.g., legumes, whey, dairy)

• Snack every one to one and a half hours,

dividing your intake into four to six small

meals per day.

• Improve your macronutrient sources;

for example, choose steel cut oats instead

of quick oats, or whole grain rice instead

of instant rice

And, of course, seek the expertise of nutrition-

al coaching from either a Registered Dietician

(RD), an International Olympic Committee

Sports Nutritionist (IOC – SN), or a Certified

Sports Nutritionist from the International So-

ciety of Sports Nutrition (CISSN) to optimize

your daily nutrition.

Susie Materi is a Bachelor of Kinesiology

graduate with a Masters in Motor learn-

ing & Motor Development. She is a certified

strength and conditioning coach with the

NScA, an Nccp ii weightlifting coach, and

a current student of ciSSN. She coaches for

the high performance research and training

centre at the University of Alberta, ASdc-cr,

and is the corporate wellness manager for

MacEwan University.

Michelle Murphy is Bachelor of Nutrition and

food Science graduate and a current student

of the ioc diploma in Sports Nutrition. She

serves as both an academic advisor and nutri-

tion coach at MacEwan University.

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GOING THEDISTANCE“I am so passionate about palliative care,” remarks Lisa Bailey. “People often think it’s a very depressing line of work, but it allows you to meet so many amazing individuals. Making this time just a little easier for them is so beneficial and rewarding.


M27

pASSioN for pAlliAtivE cArE BriNGS rEGiStErEd NUrSE BAcK to cAMpUS

advances in medical science and meth-

ods of treatment are constantly alter-

ing the healthcare industry. Registered

nurse and graduate of MacEwan University’s

Post-Basic Nursing Practice certificate Lisa

Bailey can attest to this fact. Her passion for

learning and continual professional develop-

ment directed Bailey to further her education

well into her career, with distance learning

paving the way.

Since 2005, Bailey has been employed as a staff

nurse at Red Deer Hospital within the oncology

and palliative care unit. Palliative care is an area

of health that focuses on relieving the suffering of

patients undergoing treatment of curable or in-

curable illnesses, as well as patients nearing the

end of life. “I am so passionate about palliative

care,” remarks Bailey. “People often think it is a

very depressing line of work, but it allows you to

meet so many amazing individuals. Making this

time just a little easier for them is so beneficial

and rewarding.”

Although Bailey’s enthusiasm for nursing is

evident, her entry into the field happened

somewhat by chance. Originally wanting to

pursue a career in sports psychology, she

spent a year studying physical education at

the University of Calgary before realizing it

wasn’t the right fit for her. She then made

the choice to try nursing, with the idea

that it might provide a stepping stone into

the medical field. However, shortly after

commencing studies in the nursing program

at Calgary’s Foothills Hospital, she felt

right at home.

After a few years of intense study, Bailey gradu-

ated in 1994 and proceeded to work in the field.

She was introduced to the world of palliative

care upon taking a side job, and she soon

developed a strong passion that would direct

the course of her career. “I just loved working

with palliative care patients and their families,”

remarks Bailey. “It is such a privilege to be

allowed into this part of their lives, while seeing

the love and strength of families and friends.

It is quite an honour.”

The next several years saw Bailey working

diligently. Yet her desire for knowledge and

professional development had her yearning

for a return to a more institutional learning

environment. After some research, Bailey took

the leap and enrolled in MacEwan University’s

Post Basic Nursing Practice: Palliative Care

certificate program. “I really wanted to get more

education,” she explains. “Things change all the

time in the nursing profession, be it in research,

policies, etc. Distance learning seemed like a

great option since it allowed me to learn a great

deal without totally changing my life.”

Despite the drastically different learning

environment, Bailey quickly felt very comfort-

able with studying online. Through phone

calls, emails, and web-based message board

discussions, she was able to confidently tackle

her coursework while feeling very much con-

nected to other students within the program.

While this sense of online community was a

great help, much of her motivation also came

from the course material itself. “Every class I

took had a direct relevance to my career.

For someone like myself who had been work-

ing in the field for several years, it was really

motivating to see the practical application of

everything I was learning.”

Under this modern yet increasingly popular

educational model, Bailey was able to excel at

her studies, graduating in November of 2013

and earning two scholarships along the way.

To top it all off, she was also awarded the

Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence,

an award granted by each faculty to the

student graduating with the highest academic

standing. “I was so shocked and surprised,”

says Bailey. “I always felt that the coursework

was so valuable to my profession, so it was

already a very rewarding experience. But being

awarded the Dean’s Medal was really special

and such a great feeling.”

With such a positive learning experience under

her belt, Bailey is excited to further her educa-

tion, with her long-term plan being to achieve

a master’s degree. “I will always be a lifelong

learner,” she says. “I just enjoy discovering

new things all the time. You’d be amazed at

what you can learn if you just give it a try.”

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for jennifer davidson, working within

the family business has instilled an

understanding of the value of a work-

place that empowers and supports its

staff. This is certainly the case at Dynaline

Industries, where the family-oriented corpo-

rate culture has allowed both the employees

and owners to thrive within a positive and

nurturing working environment. As a gradu-

ate of MacEwan University’s Supply Chain

Management and International Business

program, Davidson works as operations

manager, overseeing much of what makes

this Edmonton-based company succeed in

today’s marketplace.

ALL IN THEFAMILY

SUpply chAiN MANAGEMENt GrAdUAtE rEtUrNS to fAMily BUSiNESS

Dynaline Industries is a wholesale distributor

of privately branded auto, farm and industrial

products with a supply network that spans much

of the globe. “Our company is all about forging

relationships with our customers,” says Da-

vidson. “We try to find ways to make their jobs

easier, and that is why they want to do business

with us.” Whether dealing with product vendors

in China or India, or with small businesses on

the Canadian prairies, the family dynamic of

this business makes customers feel valued,

allowing the company to grow steadily while

retaining clients over the long term.

Having grown up watching the family busi-

ness grow from humble beginnings, Davidson

quickly learned the value of hard work from

an early age, with her summers and weekends

spent working in the warehouse or answering

phones as a teenager. This work ethic made

higher education a priority for her, and choos-

ing MacEwan University was the next step in

her professional development. “MacEwan really

seemed like a great fit for me, with smaller

classes being quite appealing. All of us in the

Supply Chain Management program became a

very tight group of friends, with many of us still

friends today.”

Davidson praises the value of the practicum

component in preparing students for a success-

ful career. In her case, she was hired by Bantrel,

a Calgary-based engineering, procurement and

construction company. Davidson was hired

as a quality analyst and quickly made a strong

impression, with Bantrel making it clear that

they were interested in her remaining on staff

permanently after her graduation from the

university in 2007.

While it was natural for Davidson to study the

industry within which her family business oper-

ates, it was becoming less certain whether she

would return to Dynaline. Bantrel recognized

her skills and certainly offered a great deal of

opportunity. However, the combined impact

of the economic downturn of 2008 and the

distance from loved ones made the choice to

return to Dynaline an easy one, with the posi-

tion of operations manager becoming available

at the right time.

Each day sees Davidson organizing much of

what makes the Dynaline machine function.

Moving numerous products across vast distanc-

es can be quite complicated, and it’s not without

the occasional hiccup. Recently, a transport


M29

strike in Vancouver required Davidson to be

creative, finding alternate shipping routes

through Seattle and Prince Rupert. Other chal-

lenges can include everything from constantly

fluctuating exchange rates impacting profit

margins to simply finding the right warehouse

staff. “My job is different every day,” remarks

Davidson. “It keeps me on my toes, and that’s

why I love it.”

Much of her job satisfaction is credited to

returning to such a positive work environment,

which she now plays a key role in nurturing.

Evidence of this can be seen in the quarterly

“fun days,” which involve group sports or scav-

enger hunts, while her father involves all staff

members in discussions of company goals and

achievements. Additionally, staff can partici-

pate in wellness programs that provide funding

for gym memberships, nutrition plans or a

multitude of other health-promoting initiatives.

Furthermore, employees that demonstrate

particular initiative can be granted a peer-nom-

inated Above and Beyond Award, recognizing

their value to those they work with.

Ensuring that staff members are both appreci-

ated and in good health has been a huge factor

in Dynaline’s success. Notably, sales in May

2013 was record breaking for Dynalime Indus-

tries, an accomplishment Davidson credits as

being a real team effort.

Davidson’s accomplishments were recently

recognized by Edmontonians magazine,

which named her as one of the city’s Sizzling

Twenty under 30. “I was pretty honoured to

be included in the Sizzling Twenty under 30.

I didn’t know until afterwards that hundreds of

people were submitted, so being chosen made

me feel pretty special,” Davidson explains.

Though Davidson remains modest about how

much she’s managed to achieve so early in her

career, it’s safe to say that she’s only just begun.

Her business may be all in the family, but she’ll

be making waves that span the globe.

3. Make contact. With LinkedIN, searching

for and connecting with a potential mentor

is easier than ever before. Joining associa-

tions and attending professional gatherings

and conferences are also great ways to

identify a potential mentor.

4. Schedule a meeting. Discuss your objectives

in developing a possible mentorship. Be clear

about your goals, time commitment and

follow-up steps. Ask questions and listen to

ensure both parties understand the terms.

Also find out if there is something you can

help with as the mentee. Mentorship should

be a two-way street where you can give a

fresh perspective to the mentor.

5. Maintain and persevere. Set specific topics,

meet regularly and agree to share updates

of achievements or expertise. Don’t let the

relationship fizzle, keep track of your goals

and revisit them often.

interested in mentoring? career Services

hosts numerous events throughout the

year. to get involved, please contact

[email protected].

whether you are starting your first job

or you’re a seasoned professional in your

field, you can benefit from having a ca-

reer mentor. Working with a mentor might

sound intensive, but it’s about developing a

purposeful relationship to inspire growth,

change and professional development through

sharing knowledge and resources.

Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Identify your expectations. What do you

specifically want to work on, or which skills

would you like to develop? Think about

your goals and objectives, as this will help

you choose the right mentor and make the

most of the relationship.

2. Do your research. When looking for a suit-

able mentor, reflect on what success

means to you. Whom do you admire and

why? How did his or her career progress?

If your career hero is not accessible,

look for someone with an equivalent back-

ground in your community.

cArEEr tipS, tricKS ANd trENdSfrom Karly Gerlach, employer relations

specialist at MacEwan University

career Services.

M30

ma

ce

wa

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ew

s

kim wheeler (Journalism, ‘95)

Kim Wheeler began her journalism career at

the Edmonton Journal in 1994 and worked

for the Canadian Press/Broadcast News before

leaving journalism to pursue a career in mar-

keting and publicity. In 2008 she joined CBC

Radio One and produced four seasons of revi-

sion Quest, for which she won a silver medal at

New York Festivals. Kim was also short-listed

for a Prix Italia for her work on the series,

indian Summer, which told stories and shared

songs of Aboriginal Canadian musicians.

On CBC Radio 3, Kim created and developed

three seasons of Ab-originals, a weekly pod-

cast of the hottest Aboriginal music in Canada.

It was the precursor for CBC Music’s Aborigi-

nal music community, where Kim developed

digital content and programmed a 24/7 digital

music channel. She currently sits on the board

for Aboriginal Music Manitoba, which presents

Aboriginal Music Week each year and for

which Kim also works as a music programmer.

After leaving CBC, Kim launched her own com-

pany, KIMAGE Entertainment, which manages

musicians and writers and provides publicity to

clients across Canada.

dr. naomi lefebvre sell (dance, ‘96)

Dr. Naomi Lefebvre Sell recently graduated

from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Mu-

sic and Dance in London, England with a PhD

in Creative Practice (Dance). Her thesis title

was dharmakaya: An investigation into the

impact of Mindful Meditation on dancers’

creative processes in a choreographic Envi-

ronment. Her research is being published as

a co-authored chapter with Professor Sarah

Whatley entitled “Dancing and Flourishing:

Mindful Meditation in Dance Making and

Performing,” in dance, Somatics and Spiri-

tualties: contemporary Sacred Narratives,

leading voices in the field, which is due to

be published this spring.

This summer, Naomi will present her re-

search at the World Dance Alliance Global

Summit in France in a panel presentation

entitled Interdisciplinary Approaches to

Learning and Teaching for Contemporary

Dancers in Conservatoire Training.

After graduating from MacEwan University,

Naomi furthered her education, receiving her

BFA Dance in 1998 from Simon Fraser Uni-

versity, and her MA Choreography in 2004

from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music

and Dance, where she also has been a senior

lecturer since 2005.

dustin anderson (dance, ‘96)

Dustin Anderson is a professional children’s

performer touring nationally with the original

state-of-the-art anti-bullying presentation,

Message in a Bottle. Drawing from the high

quality training he received while attend-

ing MacEwan University, Dustin entertains,

engages and inspires young audiences.

heather keenan (design Arts, ‘74)

As one of the first students in the Art and

Design diploma program, Heather Keenan

left her mark on the Centre for the Arts and

Communications campus, helping to build

and set up some of the specialized rooms,

such as the darkroom for photography

students. Since then, she’s gone on to work

as an administrative assistant in the Faculty

of Human and Social Development in the

Dean’s Office at the University of Victoria.

She’s also putting her artistic talents to work

and pursuing a painting career.

cheryl mckay (legal Assistant, ‘00)

Coupled with her Legal Assistant diploma

and certificate in Human Resource Manage-

ment, Cheryl McKay has enjoyed a career

in human resources, specializing in labour

relations. As the adjudication advisor for the

Government of the Northwest Territories,

Cheryl represents the government’s interests

at arbitrations and human rights adjudica-

tion hearings in addition to working with the

unions that represent the public servants of

the Northwest Territories. The skills Cheryl

acquired at MacEwan University continue to

benefit her current role.

heather reeve (travel, ‘02)

Excited to move back to her hometown,

Heather Reeve is now working with students

in the same high school she graduated from.

She enjoys being a part of students’ educa-

tion and proudly shares her success as a

MacEwan University graduate.

juanita onyschuk (née schilperoort) (Office Administration & Secretary Studies, ‘93)

For the past five years, Juanita Onyschuk has

worked at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital in

Grande Prairie, having previously worked with

Greenways Podiatric Services Inc. for over

ten years. She is interested in upgrading her

current skills and plans to register in some

business administration classes.

have news to share?

Let your classmates know what you have been

up to by sharing your stories and successes

in the CLASSifieds. Submissions can be sent

by email to [email protected]

or by mail to:

alumni Relations and services,

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.

M31


“Summer” Jasper Park Lodge

Aminah Syed

Journalism, ‘06

Do you have a talent for photography? The alumnus who submits the published photo will receive a

$100 gift certificate for any campus mstore. Photographs can be submitted to [email protected].

For more details visit MacEwan.ca/Alumni

Out of university.Into the community.


Our grads aspire and, in turn, inspire.

MacEwan.ca/Alumni

If undeliverable, please return to: Alumni Relations and Services, MacEwan University, City Centre Campus , P.O. Box 1796, Edmonton, AB, Canada T5J 2P2

PUBLICATION AGREEMENT #40063489

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MacEwan University Alumni News