FIGURESGrant MacEwan University

PROFILES AND PERSPECTIVES, NOVEMBER 2010

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Inside

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Leading lady

In the dark, MacEwan still shines

A meeting of mindsGriffins come out swinging

A leap into the unknown

A passionate pursuit

Alternative Spring Break

Hitting a high note

Snapshots

Living the dream

MacEwan alumni light up the Olympics

Coasting to success

Giving back

On the cover: Hiroka Akaike, B. Comm. student (international business), at the MacEwan clock tower

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1fig·ure \̀ fi-gyər, British & often U.S. f̀i-gər\ (noun)

1) a person, thing, or action representative of another2) a value especially as expressed in numbers3) a diagram or pictorial illustration of textual matter4) appearance made: impression produced Bypermission.FromMerriam-Webster’sCollegiate®Dictionary, 11thEdition©2009byMerriam-Webster,Incorporated(www.Merriam-Webster.com).

18,739 students enrolled in credit programming.

64 full-time programs.

424,173 books, periodicals and audio-visual materials.

$4.9 million in scholarships, bursaries and awards distributed to MacEwan students.

Figures. It’s a word with many meanings.In the most literal sense, figures are numbers. Quantities. Digits.

But in a more — well — figurative sense, a figure can also be defined as a person. An important individual. Someone who makes a difference.

You’ll find many numbers in this publication. Numbers that give a sense of the depth and breadth of our university and the wide scope of the many activities that take place here over the course of a year.

And you’ll find stories. Stories that we hope will entertain, engage and inspire you. Stories of the people who are part of the MacEwan community — a few of the many figures who contribute to making this university an exceptional place to study and work.

Nicholas Starko, BA Honours grad (‘10)

“I dreamed of going to Oxford, but I honestly didn’t expect it,” said MacEwan Bachelor of Arts Honours graduate, Nicholas Starko.

Pulling the application together was a lot of work, but with the support of his instructors and his mentors, he got the online application submitted in the nick of time. He’s now in the United Kingdom studying at the University of Oxford.

The eldest of four, Nicholas moved from the family farm near Lamont, Alberta, to Edmonton to study science. After two years at the University of Alberta, he decided that the atmosphere at a large school wasn’t for him and decided to work for a couple of years. When he heard that MacEwan was going to offer degrees, he jumped at the chance to be among the first with a MacEwan Arts degree. “Coming from a small town and having worked for a couple of years, I was ready to go back to school, and the idea of smaller classes and better access to the faculty intrigued me.”

Living the dream

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Arts grad funded for research in PhilippinesFerdinand Caballero has logged a lot of miles on his MacEwan degree. Now a master’s candidate in social anthropology at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Ferdinand is currently spending a semester in the Philippines conducting field research for his master’s thesis on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Filipino people.

His trip was made possible through a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant and the David Wurfel Award, which provides financial support to a York honours undergraduate or graduate student who is conducting research related to Filipino history, culture or society.

While these awards are competitive and prestigious, Ferdinand remains humble about receiving them. “I was at the right place at the right time, I guess,” he said, later admitting that it also required a lot of hard work. “It’s a love-hate relationship to apply for scholarships because the application process is complicated. But, it’s a rite of passage for graduate students.”

While earning his Bachelor of Arts in social and cultural anthropology at MacEwan, he received many other scholarships, including three consecutive Jason Lang Scholarships. Following graduation in 2009, Ferdinand was also granted an internship at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The placement was one of 10 available each year through the Alberta Smithsonian Internship Program, an initiative between the Government of Alberta and the Smithsonian.

Ferdinand was the first MacEwan student to be selected for placement since the program’s inception in 2006.

“Every award that I’ve won is attached to MacEwan because the people that gave me solid support were MacEwan instructors,” said Ferdinand, noting that the David Wurfel Award and the SSHRC grant were based on letters of recommendation from his mentors at MacEwan.

Once he has completed his master’s in spring 2011, Ferdinand hopes to begin his PhD studies. He’s currently considering a number of universities.

“My priority is to stay in Canada because I believe in the Canadian education system. Currently, I think that Canadian scholars are underdogs, but I have high hopes,” he said. “I want to be a part of the Canadian school of thought for social sciences.” MacEwan degree alumni are

currently enrolled in, or graduated from, graduate and professional education schools at the following Canadian institutions:

Athabasca University (Athabasca, Alta.)Cape Breton University (Sydney, N.S.)Carleton University (Ottawa, Ont.) Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, Ont.)McGill University (Montreal, Que.) McMaster University (Hamilton, Ont.) Memorial University (St. John’s, N.L.) Royal Roads University (Victoria, B.C.)St. Mary’s University (Halifax, N.S.)Trinity Western University (Langley, B.C.) University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alta.)University of British Columbia (Vancouver, B.C.)

After a few years away from the classroom, Nicholas was determined to put his best work forward — in part because he had plans to transfer to another institution to study classics before moving on to graduate school. “My first-year English instructor [at MacEwan] was really influential,” said Nicholas. “He got me really interested in studying English full time. He was unique, different and challenging. So, I decided to stay here to see if it might be a better fit for me.” And it was.

What turned into a chance encounter evolved into a labour of love of literature.

“I’ve always enjoyed reading and am particularly drawn to the older style of English,” he said. “But it was Dr. Romuald Lakowski’s teaching style and nature of storytelling that opened my eyes to how expansive the idea of a story can be and how influential it can be, not just to an individual, but to a society.”

“The support I got from everyone at MacEwan was amazing,” remarked Nicholas. “The faculty were great, they really pushed me to work hard. Even the staff at the library, where I worked part time, were supportive and allowed me to work shifts around my class schedule.”

Oxford, an institution steeped in history and mythology, is a long way to go for a farm boy from Alberta. “It still doesn’t seem real. It’s exciting, daunting, nerve-wracking and more,” said Nicholas. “I really wanted to go to Oxford, but I was very clear with my instructors from the beginning that even though I was submitting an application, I had no expectation of getting in. But they encouraged me and convinced me that I was ready. And here I am.”

While in the two-year Master’s of Philosophy program, studying medieval English, Nicholas will be immersed in the Oxford experience. Sure, he’s excited about living with like-minded academics in one of the residences, but ask him what he’s most excited about, and it’s the opportunity to work with pre-15th century manuscripts.

“I can’t believe it; I’m one of the few students with access,” he marvelled. “The thought of being able to touch and read them is unbelievable.”

University of Lethbridge (Lethbridge, Alta.)University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Man.) University of New Brunswick (Fredericton, N.B.) University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George, B.C.) University of Toronto (Toronto, Ont.)University of Victoria (Victoria, B.C.) University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ont.)University of Western Ontario (London, Ont.)Wilfrid Laurier University (Kitchener, Ont.)York University (Toronto, Ont.)

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Leading ladyA year ago, Dr. Jayne Gackenbach could only have dreamed her expertise in a little-known field would lead her to Hollywood.

One of the foremost authorities on lucid dreaming, Jayne has been performing research in this small area of study for more than 30 years. She initially took interest in the topic during her days as a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, but it wasn’t until she observed her son’s video game habit that she started wondering if there was a connection between gaming and lucid dreaming.

Dr. Jane Gackenbach, psychology instructor

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new full-time teaching faculty hired by MacEwan in the past five years

“When I started my research in the 1970s, I was one of the only experts on lucid dreaming. I think I wrote the first PhD thesis on it in North America — maybe even the world,” said the MacEwan psychology instructor. “My peers used to give me odd looks when I talked about my research at conferences. The biggest change now is that they are starting to say ‘I get it.’”

It’s not just Jayne’s peers who are taking interest in the subject. The worldwide success of the movie, Inception, has taken the concept of lucid dreaming to the mainstream. The movie, directed by Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is a heist thriller about the deliberate manipulation of dreams and the subconscious.

While interest in the movie’s themes have raised awareness about lucid dreaming in general, Jayne’s participation in a Hollywood-produced dreaming documentary is likely to generate even more interest in her research.

Last March, Hollywood came calling and Jayne was flown down to participate in the dream documentary that will accompany the DVD release of Inception. Directed by Academy Award nominee Roko Belic, the documentary also features researchers from Harvard Medical School, Stanford University and the University of California at Santa Cruz.

But Jayne’s research was starting to create a buzz even before her involvement in the Hollywood production. Xbox featured an interview with Jayne in their online publication about her most recent research, which found that video gamers experience fewer nightmares—and even enjoy their nightmares—as compared with their non-gaming peers. “Gamers practice for many hours, sometimes for many years, in a virtual world, and dreams are another kind of virtual world,” said Jayne. “In lucid dreaming, [you are aware that you are dreaming] and you can control your dreams. The more you work with your nightmares, the less likely you are to be frightened by them.”

Her research has been featured in more than 100 publications globally in the past year. Her findings have been reported in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, every Post Media newspaper across Canada and media outlets in Argentina, Australia, Brazil and the Netherlands. It has also been featured on BBC, MSNBC and the national broadcasts of Global TV.

Jayne’s research on gaming and lucid dreaming was conducted with the assistance of students in MacEwan’s Bachelor of Arts Honours program. Her findings have led to her latest project, which will examine whether gaming might be useful in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in soldiers.

World-class faculty, down-to-earth philosophy Asia Pacific Management program chair Dr. William Wei is helping to put MacEwan on the map. Hired in 2007, he wasted no time in making extensive and impactful contributions both inside and outside of the classroom.

Since coming to the university just three short years ago, William has helped bring international academic conferences to MacEwan, co-founded international business conference-planning committees, and been published at numerous prestigious international conferences and in various academic journals. He also has one book published and his second book on business cases is forthcoming.

But, aside from his obvious accomplishments, he also brings a unique perspective as a faculty member with an international background.

“International faculty members do everything from bringing an international perspective to the classroom, to assisting with international study tours, to helping to globalize our curriculum,” said Elsie Elford, dean of the School of Business. “I can certainly say that Dr. Wei brings a global perspective to MacEwan.”

Originally from China, William moved to Germany to complete a master’s in World Heritage Studies and an MBA, before moving to Ireland to complete his doctoral thesis on European and Chinese economic relations. He has translated his international background into numerous opportunities for MacEwan students and the institution as a whole.

Last year, he assisted the School of Business in developing partnerships with universities in China, and he led a group of business students on an international study tour to his home country with Elsie Elford and fellow business instructor Gordon Lucyk.

He also finds time to sit on a number of MacEwan committees dedicated to making it a top-notch university including the Visiting Scholar Committee, the School of Business Internationalization Committee, the School of Business Curriculum Committee, and the Research Council Committee.

But when asked about his role at MacEwan, his focus is clearly close to home. “I think there are three components to my role at MacEwan — teaching, service and research,” said William. “But the first is teaching.”

“Teaching is so interesting and there’s always room to improve. Students are such a vibrant group.”

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Alternative Spring Break

Most of us associate spring break with warm beaches, busy ski hills, late nights, and mornings spent sleeping in. But for 10 MacEwan students, spring break 2010 was a chance to make a difference. MacEwan’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program took them to New Orleans, Louisiana for 10 days to work with Habitat for Humanity.

ASB programs can be found at universities all over North America. They give students hands-on experience with social and cultural issues through service to communities in need.

MacEwan students help build Habitat for Humanity homes in New Orleans

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“The underlying theme of ASB is that if we want the world to be different, we have to change it ourselves,” said Tim Lade, MacEwan’s ASB organizer. “We want to inspire students to advocate for change by challenging values and help them understand the issues affecting communities, including our own.”

One of those students was Erin Meyer, now a third-year nursing student and a senior residence assistant at MacEwan.

“As a kid, I travelled with my family to bring eyeglasses to Trinidad and build houses in Mexico,” she said. “Volunteering is an important part of who I am, so I jumped at the chance to participate in this project.”

According to Habitat for Humanity, which provides access to affordable housing for low-income, working families, nearly half-a-million housing units were ruined because of Hurricane Katrina. Habitat is working to remedy the situation and put the MacEwan crew to work shingling and insulating four houses on a street of Habitat homes in New Orleans.

Progress aside, even five years after the hurricane, the devastation is still evident. “We toured the Lower Ninth Ward,” said Erin. “It was incredibly sad to see row after row of abandoned, ruined houses.”

But the group was impressed with the spirit that has flourished in the hurricane’s wake. “I got a chance to work in the ReStore, where Habitat resells building materials,” Erin said. “The woman I worked with received a Habitat house. Her energy was incredible — she had such joy in coming to the store, giving back the kindness she received.”

While the group put in long days on the job, the experience wasn’t all work — they visited the historic Preservation Hall jazz club and took in an NBA game. “We were there at Mardi Gras,” said Erin. “It’s amazing to see how the community has pulled together. There’s so much optimism — they celebrate with these amazing parades and parties despite the fact their lives were completely shaken up.”

Tim is organizing and recruiting participants for the 2011 trip, which will take students to Jacksonville, Florida, to work with Habitat for Humanity again.

“I’d urge anyone to get involved in this project or as a volunteer in general,” said Erin. “As students, we’re so focused on studying that we sometimes don’t see the big picture. I’m not learning to build houses at MacEwan, but going to New Orleans showed me that I can make a difference no matter what capacity or skill set I have — it’s a matter of having a passion for change.”

beds are filled every year in MacEwan’s residence during the fall and winter terms

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A cultural connectionAfter more than 30 years away from the classroom, stepping into life as a student was a daunting experience for Mary Barkwell. A mental health worker for 26 years, Mary enrolled at MacEwan to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a social worker. “I suffered an injury that kept me from working,” she said. “So I took the opportunity to do something I had always dreamed of.”

While the decision to return to school was easy, the reality was not. The physical stress of her injury aside, Mary was having difficulty adjusting to student life. The rigors of studying. The pressure of exams. Meeting deadlines.

And something else was brewing. At 14, Mary and a younger brother escaped a life of abuse and isolation. “I am proud to say we both finished school, went to university, and built happy and successful lives. But I was disconnected from my spirituality and my roots as an Aboriginal woman.”

Mary’s two daughters, both MacEwan grads, saw their mother struggling and pointed her to the university’s Aboriginal Education Centre, a small step that opened up a new world. Mary quickly began connecting with her roots — and her spirituality. “I felt a connection right from the start,” she recalled.

Pivotal to Mary’s journey was her relationship with Jerry Wood. As the centre’s Elder in Residence, Jerry shares his knowledge of Aboriginal culture, traditional practices and spirituality with students, faculty and staff throughout the university.

Through one-on-one time with Jerry, and participation in activities including women’s circles and drum making, Mary gained insights into herself and her culture. “Jerry’s always teaching — but without preaching,” she observed. “He doesn’t try to give answers. He provides direction so that you find the solution within yourself.”

Mary now works as a social worker for a non-profit Aboriginal society. “I owe the people connected to the Aboriginal Educational Centre a debt I can never repay. They gave me and my family a new kind of strength: we are proud to be strong Aboriginal women who can, and will, make changes in this world.”

“I believe education is a catalyst to understanding all peoples — something that is now more important to me than ever because I am now a grandmother. We can pass our history to the next generation.”

“In thinking back, that injury was the best thing that could have happened to me,” she said. “I would never have come to MacEwan and I wouldn’t have discovered the centre. Because I reached out to them, I learned so much about myself. I feel grounded. More complete. I have a centre — an understanding of who I am and where I come from.”

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Daryl Lynn Nepoose and Jace Barros, B.Ed. transfer students

It might have seemed strange that a university with a top-notch golf management program didn’t have a competitive golf team, but until last fall, that was exactly the situation in which MacEwan found itself.

35student clubs and societies at MacEwan

The Athletics department decided to do something about it and, in September 2009, MacEwan’s newly formed golf team hit the links wearing Griffins maroon and white. And they came out of the gate with a bang. In team play, the women took gold and the men took silver in their first two tournaments — the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) Regionals and ACAC Provincials.

Those results were good enough to qualify both teams for the CCAA (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association) Nationals in Windsor, Ontario, where the women’s team finished just out of the medals in fourth and the men’s team placed thirteenth.

“I was really impressed, not only with the overall level of play, but also with the commitment of the athletes and coaches to a higher standard of play and decorum,” said Griffins’ athletics manager Ken Schildroth.

“There were some fabulous individual performances, but college and university golf is really a team event. They come at it from a team perspective.”

The MacEwan team was bound to be a strong one from the very start. “From a coach’s point of view, we had the golf management program here that we could draw upon and there was no question that it was a great benefit for us when putting together the team,” said Jodi Campbell, who co-coaches the MacEwan golf team with fellow golf management program instructor Alan Riley.

In fact, of the 12 golfers who were selected for the team, only three were enrolled in programs other than golf management. The performance of the non-golf management students was perhaps the biggest surprise for coaches Jodi Campbell and Alan Riley.

Bachelor of Education transfer student Daryl Lynn Nepoose had a stellar season, taking second place in individual play in Regionals and Provincials. She also came in ninth out of 25 players in Nationals, posting the highest score by an Alberta athlete on the women’s side.

“Daryl Lynn was one of the leaders on the women’s team. She played well all year long,” said Jodi. She enrolled in MacEwan prior to the creation of the golf team and tried out for the team on a whim. “I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but the coaching was awesome,” said Daryl Lynn.

Daryl Lynn’s strong play was recognized when she was awarded the MacEwan Female Athlete-of-the-Year award.

Jace Barros, the only non-golf management student on the men’s team and team alternate, started and ended the season with wins. “It was great to win Regionals, considering it was our first year,” said Jace. “It was a great experience. I was really glad I was a part of it.

The coaching staff couldn’t agree more. “We met goals that we set at the beginning of the year. We wanted to be in the top three teams in Alberta, so we couldn’t be happier with those results,” said Jodi.

Join the clubThe Students’ Association of MacEwan has approximately 35 active clubs on campus each year. The interests range from politics, religion and human rights to dance, sports and games.

Muslim Student Organization (MSO)A long-standing club at MacEwan, the Muslim Student Organization (MSO) has been at the cultural forefront of student organizing on campus. Last year, the MSO partnered with the Students’ Association to offer a multi-faith event. Students, staff and faculty gathered together to celebrate all faiths represented on campus, and hosted speakers from many city organizations that support the faith-based or spiritual needs of students. This group also hosted a hijab awareness event and a “Who is God” forum, open to all.

Common Ground ClubSustainability. The word doesn’t go far enough to capture the scope of this student group. Common Ground made such an impact on campus over the past year that MacEwan Sustainability Week adopted its name — with permission of course. This group helped run events throughout the year and challenged students to consider the effects of peak oil, water contamination, nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage, and more.

BioLifeBioLife is a student-run club, open to students from all programs. Their mandate is to educate and celebrate biological advances in the scientific community and to promote student involvement and awareness of the life sciences. BioLife hosted popular events like Darwin Day to celebrate the famed naturalist’s writings and discoveries. From birthday cake, to readings from Darwin’s works, this proved to be a popular event. They also held fundraisers to bring attention to species extinction and wildlife preservation.

Travel Counsellors’ ClubStudents often prefer to organize around program or faculty affiliation. The Travel Counsellors’ Club enjoys membership almost exclusively from students enrolled in the Travel program. Nevertheless, these students have made themselves known across campus for throwing parties, bake sales and fundraisers. Over the past year, they also helped to raise money for Haiti relief and their own program tour through a calendar sale and themed parties.

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‘‘ The whole day of the run I felt proud to be Canadian, and in the moment I was proud of my accomplishment and very grateful.” JeremyPotter

Going the extra mile

Being chased by TV cameras and photographers down a road lined with young fans hoping for an autograph doesn’t usually happen to MacEwan Griffins men’s volleyball player, Jeremy Potter.

But, in January 2010, Jeremy got to experience stardom first-hand on the streets of Lloydminster, Alberta, as he ran his leg of the Torch Relay for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

“It was definitely a once-in-a lifetime experience; the whole evening makes you feel like a rock star,” said Jeremy.

“The thing that stood out to me most was that I was offered a bus to take a crowd of my friends and family with me so they could cheer me on through the experience. Without those people being there, it would not have been as unforgettable.”

Jeremy ran with the torch for 300 metres. Starting out alone, he was soon joined by cheering fans, the Olympic mascot, family, friends, and MacEwan teammates.

“The whole day of the run I felt proud to be Canadian, and in the moment I was proud of my accomplishment and very grateful. It was a very humbling experience because I got to meet all the torch runners of the day, and we all shared our individual stories with each other. Just to be a part of this group of amazing Canadians was an experience in itself.”

Social Work grads give back

It all started with a few simple goals — to raise enough funds to celebrate graduation and to honour being the first social work class to graduate from MacEwan — the university. The end result was a lot more than expected.

In fall 2008, the Social Work 2010 Graduation Committee came together with students Michelle George, acting as chair and Daniel Cramer as vice-chair. With their leadership, and support from a core group of eight students, they successfully organized the graduation dinner and dance — and raised half of the $6,000 cost of the event, hoping to collect the other half from ticket sales.

“We wanted to keep ticket prices low to help meet our goals and increase participation,” Daniel said. “So, tickets were $25 each and about 130 people attended, which is the biggest event in the program’s history.”

After the event, the committee discovered that their careful planning and successful fundraising had resulted in a surplus. That’s when Daniel came up with an idea: “I thought we could create a student award and challenge the next graduating class to keep it going.” Daniel wanted the award to celebrate community responsibility and stewardship, so it was aptly called the Community Leaders Award.

The one-time cash award is available to first-year students who express commitment to community leadership through volunteer, practicum, or academic work, and who demonstrate financial need.

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Faculty member inducted into Edmonton’s Hall of Fame

Physical Education faculty member Mark Lund was recognized for his outstanding lifetime achievement in the Edmonton sporting community in an induction ceremony in June 2010.

A long-time instructor at MacEwan, Mark holds both a Master of Science and a Master of Arts in Physical Education. His MacEwan colleagues say that he has inspired hundreds of students to pursue careers in physical education, outdoor education and recreation. Mark volunteered to coach 27 teams in canoeing, cross-country skiing and cross-country running at MacEwan for 23 years — the second longest tenure of a coach at the university.

Alongside his teaching and coaching career, Mark has also been actively involved in a variety of sporting activities and associations in Edmonton. Mark’s dedication and hard work in the sports community has allowed him to: • ensure the successes of the Rundle Park Paddling

Centre, the Edmonton Nordic Gold Bar Cross Country Ski Centre, and the Strathcona Industrial Park Biathlon Centre,

• write Mark’s Guide for Alberta Paddlers and contribute to six earlier guides to paddling in Alberta,

• become a founding member of the Ceyana Canoe Club, the Edmonton Paddling Centres Association, and Paddle Alberta (where he is the current president), and

• be a key organizer of the 2008 David Thompson Bicentennial Re-enactment, where 315 people participated in a 3,400-kilometre, 66-day canoe trip through four provinces to honour the legacy of the famous explorer and geographer, David Thompson.

His colleagues from MacEwan’s department of Physical Education sum up Mark’s contributions: “It would be safe to say that — in the creed of the late Dr. [J. W. Grant] MacEwan — the vineyard which Mark has been part of, is better than he found [it].”

New name, same game

It’s a hub of student life on the university’s City Centre Campus, home to the Griffins athletics teams and one of the finest facilities of its kind in Edmonton.

And in March 2010, the building got a new name: the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness.

The centre is a focal point of the downtown community: hundreds of people come through its doors on any given day — students enrolled in a course or getting a workout in before or after class, student athletes in training, and members of the community taking advantage of public memberships to the facility.

The reason for the name change? Recognition of a $2.5 million donation to the university by the Christenson Family Foundation.

Long recognized as a force in property and real-estate development circles, the Christenson family will now be noted for having a lasting impact on the quality of life of MacEwan students and the community — in two important ways.

First, a portion of the donation will be placed in an endowment, which will fund awards dedicated to Griffins student athletes. A strong awards program will assist the university in recruiting and retaining high-calibre student athletes — maintaining the university’s tradition of championship athletics.

Second, the remainder of the donation will be set aside to establish a renovation and maintenance fund for the long-term development of the centre’s fitness area, three-court gymnasium, aquatics centre, and squash and racquetball courts.

Griffins athletics teams — men’s and women’s basketball, hockey, soccer and volleyball, as well as cross-country running, curling and golf11

In March, undergraduate students from three Alberta universities converged on MacEwan to show off their research and presentation skills.

Students from MacEwan, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary attended MacEwan’s Collapse Conference: An Undergraduate Conference about Consumption, Sustainability and Change, which examined issues such as globalization, climate change, economics, politics and sustainability.

A meeting of minds

Saeed Jafaei, B. Comm. student, Eric Tebby, BA grad (‘10), and Dr. Franca Boag, anthropology instructor

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The conference gave undergraduate students an opportunity to present their research findings to faculty and peers — an experience normally reserved for students in graduate-level studies. “These undergraduate student conferences allow students to present their research in a friendlier environment,” said conference organizer and MacEwan anthropology instructor Dr. Franca Boag. “It’s less intimidating than a national conference, where you simply show up as an anonymous student.”

Saeed Jafaei, a student in MacEwan’s Bachelor of Commerce program, agrees. He presented his paper Sustainability in Family-Owned Small Retail Business during the “Consumption, Commerce and Sustainable Business” session. “It was very good. I was a little bit nervous to present, but I feel that my education went one level higher.”

And Saeed, who is planning to start a double master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in International Business (MScIB) at Vancouver Island University in January, says presenting at various undergraduate conferences gave him a real leg up on the competition when applying to graduate school.

“Getting into a master’s program is competitive. This type of experience definitely creates an advantage for people who are going on to graduate school. In the academic world, it’s all about publication, publication.”

These conferences also allow students to network and collaborate with faculty and students from other programs, other campuses and even other institutions. “You can get two or three students from universities around the world working on the same research project,” said Saeed.

Eric Tebby, a recent graduate of MacEwan’s Bachelor of Arts program, presented his paper Prehistoric and Contemporary Adaptation to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation during the “Complexity, Politics, Resilience and Change in Pre-history” session. He also plans to pursue graduate studies, but says the benefits of attending conferences aren’t limited to students planning to pursue master’s or PhD programs.

Eric has taken the initiative to get involved in numerous projects related to his area of study, including a paid research assistant position for an underwater archeology project. He recommends that undergraduate students look into opportunities such as conferences, field schools or a semester abroad. “You see people who are obsessed with building their resumés and getting high grades, but the different experiences you can participate in are almost more important — not only to future studies, future interests, future jobs, but also to yourself.”

Franca also highly recommends that students participate in extra-curricular activities, such as student conferences. “It really enriches their academic experience. It allows students to be exposed to different ways of thinking — of analyzing things from different perspectives.”

The students who came from other institutions told conference organizers they didn’t have access to similar opportunities at their own institutions. “We had students from both the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary attending the conference, and we would love to have them attend again in the future.”

Franca said the feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. “Students loved it. It was a big success and they want us to hold one every year.”

Hands-on learningStudents in one of MacEwan’s degree programs are getting some shiny, new toys to play with.

In September 2010, students in the Bachelor of Science program got their first glimpse at the five new labs constructed over the summer. The new facilities will provide laboratory learning space for students in the biological and physical sciences — two of the six majors in MacEwan’s Bachelor of Science program launched in fall 2009.

“These wonderful laboratory facilities are a tremendous asset to student learning,” said Dr. David Higgins, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science. “Labs are fundamental to science. You cannot do science without engaging in laboratory work.”

He pointed out that the labs will allow students to engage in more sophisticated experiments, which will advance student learning through all four years of the Bachelor of Science program.

“We built labs for the sake of learning,” he said. “This new facility will enable students to genuinely progress in their laboratory experience.”

The new facility consists of five modern, undergraduate teaching labs equipped with instruments worth more than $1.5 million. The labs feature a number of specialized service areas, such as an aquatics facility, a tissue culture laboratory, a microscopy suite, and a nuclear magnetic resonance facility.

“Not only do our students have access to state-of-the-art analytical instruments, but our faculty members are very accessible and our class sizes are small,” said Dr. Robert Hilts, chair of the Physical Sciences department. “I think these are great educational advantages for our students.”

While the facility provides students with a safe, clean and modern environment to conduct their research, the space will also allow work to be performed one-on-one with faculty — an opportunity not quite so readily available to undergraduate students attending larger universities.

“We want students to have as many hands-on experiences as possible and our faculty members are eager to have students assist them with their research,” said David.

Starting in fall 2011, the first year of the MacEwan Bachelor of Science degree will be offered at Olds College. www.MacEwan.ca/Figures

The approval of MacEwan’s newest degree was music to the ears of MacEwan faculty, prospective students and the Edmonton music community.

After 10 years of planning and preparation, MacEwan is now accepting applications for the Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music program, launching fall 2011.

Hitting a high note

Bob Gilligan, chair, Music program

“Students have been asking incessantly. ‘Why can’t I do my degree here?’ So it’s long overdue,” said Denise Roy, dean of the Centre for the Arts and Communications. “More and more — like many other professions — there is a need for higher education to really succeed and open up options. This will be the only [bachelor’s] degree in Canada that will focus on all forms of contemporary popular music.”

MacEwan has long been known for producing top-notch graduates from the Music diploma program, but students wishing to complete a degree in jazz and contemporary music had to leave Edmonton to do so.

“In the past, a lot of our grads were leaving the province, and they wouldn’t come back,” said Bob Gilligan, chair of the Music program. “We were losing many of these great musicians. They would make connections in their new community and would stay.”

Students entering this degree program will have the choice of three majors: performance, composition and general. Students in the general major will have the option to minor in music career management, or recording and technology.

“The focus on career management is really important and the focus on technology is very exciting,” said Denise. Students in the degree program will also spend more time completing general arts and science options.

Bob is quick to correct the common misconception that the diploma program will be ending. “There will be spots for 30 students to start in the degree program and we will continue to accept 90 students into the diploma program,” said Bob. “There will be a separate application and audition process. And students can apply to both programs.” This is welcome news to students who are looking to study music at MacEwan. One of the university’s most competitive programs, the Music diploma gets approximately 250 to 300 students vying for those 90 spots every year.

The music department will also continue to foster strong ties with the music community. MacEwan is the only Canadian institution that the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) visits to audition music students and is also the only institution in the world to have a transfer agreement in place with the prestigious music school.

A labour of loveMacEwan fine arts instructor Agnieszka Matejko has thought long and hard about what she would say if her own children came to her and told her they were thinking about studying art.

“A lot of parents ask me, ‘Why would I want my child to study art? They’ll never make any money,’” said Agnieszka.

She admits that it’s not an easy road. In fact, she struggled as an emerging local artist early in her career. But, rather than waiting around for art galleries to call, she created opportunities to get her art out into the community — an enterprising attitude she hopes to instill in her students.

“If artists sit around in their studios waiting for a gallery to call, it can be depressing. Getting their art into the community can give up-and-coming artists the energy and confidence to keep working.”

Last year, MacEwan students built and displayed totems in Butler Memorial Park near MacEwan’s Centre for the Arts and Communications in west Edmonton. This year, she is hoping her students will get to take part in a tape-art project at the University of Alberta Hospital.

She says her students aren’t the only ones to benefit from the public art projects she oversees. The totem project was done in collaboration with the City of Edmonton’s revitalization of the Jasper Place neighbourhood. She hopes the University Hospital project will inject a little beauty into the lives of those staying and working there.

“What would our lives look like if we couldn’t hear music in a coffee shop, or have artwork hanging on the walls of our homes, or if we couldn’t appreciate beautiful buildings?”

She also believes that art has the capacity to not only bring beauty to people’s lives, but also to open a window into other’s experiences and help people connect with the struggles that others may be living though. Two of Agnieszka’s most recent projects focused on the issues of homelessness and the struggles faced by teens with Tourette’s Syndrome.

“Many artists have found a way to earn a good living doing what they love and make a profound contribution to society in the process.”

“Art is what keeps me waking up in the morning with excitement.”

NEW COMMUNICATION STUDIES DEGREE Starting in fall 2011, MacEwan will launch the Bachelor of Communication Studies degree. “MacEwan has always offered students quality learning opportunities in the communications and journalism fields,” said Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. “This degree offers students yet another option when planning their futures.” www.MacEwan.ca/Figures

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ARTS MANAGEMENT DIPLOMA ANNOUNCED MacEwan announced its new two-year Arts and Cultural Management diploma, starting fall 2011. The new diploma is the only Canadian credential in the field that can be completed either in the classroom or entirely online. www.MacEwan.ca/Figures

Amber Schultz, Bachelor of Child and Youth Care grad (‘10) 25

Choosing to work in the child and youth care field takes a certain kind of person; one who’s passionate about people, one who sees others’ strengths no matter what their circumstance. For Amber Schultz, it’s more personal than that.

A passionate pursuit

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As the first deaf person to graduate in Alberta with a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree, Amber is giving back to her community. And as a child who grew up in the foster care system, it’s also about helping deaf children cope in a hearing world. “My passion and focus is on children,” Amber signed to her interpreter. “There aren’t enough role models, resources or services out there, and deaf children fall through the cracks. I want to be a leader in the community, advocate for change and provide more services for the deaf community.”

Amber credits her experiences at MacEwan for helping her to turn her life around. “MacEwan and the Child and Youth Care program have such a good reputation that, when I was ready, there was no question where I was going to go.”

During her first two years in the program, she realized she had more to offer. The program gave her the personal skills she needed to understand and come to terms with her childhood experiences. “Finding my own identity not only helped me professionally, but personally as well,” she said. “I’m very thankful for that. My instructors also inspired me to open up, stretch my thinking and see how my background unfolded and how to apply it.”

Even though the program has a near 100 per cent employment rate, Amber faced some unique challenges finding a job. “It’s hard to find work as a deaf person because that’s not how the system is set up. If I am able to set up a centre of services for deaf individuals, run by deaf individuals, that would be a dream come true.”

A fourth-year practicum trip to Ukraine strengthened her resolve. There, she was embraced by the deaf community from the moment she arrived. “Even though we speak a different sign language, I still felt connected; we could understand each other.” During her three-week trip — which included stops in Lviv, Kyiv and Odessa — she discovered a very strong deaf community, but with resources, supports and tools that were much less advanced. “We are so fortunate here as deaf Canadians to have the opportunities available to us,” commented Amber. “They earn $150 per month if they are lucky, either working in a factory or as an artist. The artists there are so expressive and that was very inspirational.”

Inspired by the art and culture of the deaf community and armed with the tools and support gained at MacEwan, Amber will be attending Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. to obtain her PhD in clinical psychology. “It’s where I need to be. It’s one of the few graduate schools primarily for deaf individuals,” said Amber. “From there, I plan to set up my own business providing services for the deaf community in Edmonton.”

certificate, diploma and degree programs offered by the Faculty of Health and Community Studies in complementary and allied health, human services, public safety, and nursing25

Scenes of a crimeOn any given day, Room 303 at MacEwan’s South Campus can transform into a bank, a bar or a grocery store.

Known as a scenario training room, it’s a large classroom space that features movable walls where an endless number of crime scenes can be set up. Supplied by a storage room full of props and furniture, it can also be transformed into outdoor scenes, a jewelry store, a restaurant or an apartment — complete with kitchen, living room and bedroom.

“Studies show, the more realistic the situation, the better the training for the student,” said Dave Patterson, chair of the Police and Investigations program.

Students in both the police studies and the investigativestudies majors of the program use the room for the practical application of techniques they learn in class. They can perform blood splatter analysis, practice crime scene measurement, evidence gathering, and practice photography and sketching.

“We used to set up crime scenes in a hallway or a classroom and ask our students to imagine — now they don’t have to imagine,” said Dave.

The idea for building the room came from program instructors who are current members of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and the RCMP. As subject matter experts, they knew that police forces across Canada use this type of room to train officers for real-life scenarios.

Dave says that when they were building the room in 2009, it was created with more than just students in mind.

“We’ve had tremendous partnerships with the EPS and the RCMP for 35 years, so part of the mandate in constructing this room was to produce something those agencies could use as well. They provide field placements for our students — it’s nice for us to give back.”

The EPS will use the room for future training of new recruits. They have already used it for a blood splatter training session and for testing the capacity of 3-D technology in reproducing crime scenes. Working with the EPS, Dave says they are considering how both students and law enforcement can use the nursing simulation lab in the Robbins Health Learning Centre for interdisciplinary crime scene training in a hospital setting.

Alexa Pendzich, Public Relations grad (‘10)

Ask anyone who knows her, and they’ll tell you that Alexa Pendzich is passionate about cycling.

How passionate, you ask? Well, she used to commute from her home in St. Albert to her public relations classes at MacEwan by bike and by bus every day. She also started a blog, a Twitter account and a Facebook page extolling the virtues of cycling.

And last year, she successfully lobbied the City of St. Albert to outfit all of its buses with bike racks — a project that earned her some serious recognition by her peers in the public relations community.

Coasting to success

“The Green Preparedness project took about two years,” said Alexa. “I lobbied city council, wrote letters to the editor, and used some guerilla tactics like writing chalk art messages on bike trails, bus stops and even the mayor’s parking space.”

Alexa’s campaign was so effective that the city approved $75,000 to make their buses more bike-friendly and fast-tracked the upgrade. Her strategies also impressed some of the best and brightest in the public relations community. Alexa was selected as one of the winners of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill student awards — widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in business communications.

“Just having the project approved by the city was amazing,” said Alexa. “Receiving such an amazing award was just the icing on the cake.” Winning the award, however, was no easy task. The 2010 Gold Quill Awards Committee received more than 900 applications from 28 countries. Of those 900 applications, only 106 submissions were selected to receive awards: 32 Awards of Excellence, 71 Awards of Merit and three student awards.

Colin Babiuk, chair of MacEwan’s Public Relations diploma program and one of Alexa’s former instructors, is less nonchalant about her award win. “Alexa was in our accelerated diploma program and she was competing against degree students from around the world,” he said. In fact, he points out, the two other student category winners were Royal Roads University students — one a Bachelor of Arts student and the other pursuing a master’s degree. Colin believes that Alexa is an excellent example of the high-calibre students MacEwan produces. “It goes to show that the skills and abilities that our students learn stack up against the skills gained by students in degree programs,” he said.

While Alexa initiated the Green Preparedness project on her own time, she believes that the skills she learned at MacEwan lent a great deal to her campaign. “The program taught us how to be strategic in our communications efforts, how to track media coverage, to be aware of the key public, and about the different means of communication.”

She also incorporated her love of cycling when she landed a practicum position at the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters (EBC) Society — a local non-profit group that seeks to increase bicycle ridership and awareness in the Edmonton area.

As part of her work with the EBC, she helped launch the www.DingDing.ca campaign, which aims to match people with their perfect bike on a mock internet-dating site. So far, the campaign has generated a lot of buzz in the online community.

Colin Babiuk thinks she’s one to watch. “She’s very civic- minded. She is focused and has affected some big changes in the community.”

NEW ACCOUNTING MAJOR Students can now apply for admission to MacEwan’s newest major in the Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting, which is set to launch in fall 2011. www.MacEwan.ca/Figures

Culture collision courseIn May 2010, MacEwan business students had the opportunity to take part in study tours to either China or India, with approximately 20 students taking part in each tour.

“When you’re sitting in class and talking about doing business abroad, it doesn’t click in,” said Slavica Monteith, a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student who took part in the India study tour. “In India, we were faced with the difficulties of doing business in a country other than our own. That was a really big learning experience.”

The study tour was shaped as a three-credit elective that focused on academic, business and cultural visits.

Participants took in lectures by professors from MacEwan’s partner institutions and visited a variety of successful businesses in each country. And, students on the China study tour got to meet with Alberta premier Ed Stelmach while in Beijing.

Students also got a glimpse of Indian and Chinese cultural life. Those on the China tour got to visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, while the students on the India study tour visited the renowned beaches of Goa, the Taj Mahal, the Elephanta sea caves and the Delhi Haat market.

“It was a good balance between learning about business and culture. Both are really valuable,” said Slavica.

The tours are just one way the School of Business seeks to provide students with international learning experiences.

“The opportunity for business in [India, China and Brazil] is exploding. They want to know about western business practices and we need to know about their culture and the way they do business,” said Elsie Elford, dean of the School of Business.

The faculty is looking to build on the university’s long history of international business education, such as the well-established Asia Pacific Management program and the International Institute of Business in Kyiv, Ukraine.

“We need to expand students’ horizons because they could be working for a global company, travelling or working overseas,” said Elsie. “Our dream is that every business student could have an international experience of some kind, whether it’s exchange, study abroad or internationalization in the classroom.”

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800

16 years old. That is how old Hiroka Akaike was when she moved to Canada on her own. 7,888 kilometres. That is how far she moved — from Tokyo, Japan, to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Sitting on the plane looking down onto Edmonton, all Hiroka could think was, “How am I going to live here? It’s so small compared to Tokyo.” Hiroka’s route to MacEwan was a non-traditional one — coming at a young age to attend high school — but it is a route that many international students choose to take when they’re looking for a Canadian post-secondary education.

Knowing that she wanted to study abroad, Hiroka went to several education fairs in Japan. She had it narrowed down to the United States or Canada, but says it was an “unbelievably supportive and encouraging” Edmonton Public Schools supervisor that sold Hiroka on coming to Canada, more specifically Edmonton.

Hiroka Akaike, B. Comm. student (international business)

Approximately

A leap into the unknown

800 international students come to MacEwan every year

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There and back againWhen Kelcey King enrolled in MacEwan’s Bachelor of Science program in the fall of 2008, she was simply excited that she would be one of the program’s first graduates.

She didn’t consider the possibility that her post-secondary experience would include travelling around the world. However, after one of her friends did a semester of study in Europe, Kelcey wanted to see if the same opportunity was available to her.

In her search for more information, she stopped by the MacEwan International office. She found that, while the main focus of the office is working with international students who want to study in Canada, they also work with Canadian students who are interested in studying abroad. In fact, she found out that MacEwan International has partnerships with post-secondary institutions in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

Kelcey — focused on maintaining good grades while studying abroad — felt that it would be an easier transition in an English-speaking country, so she chose to go to Ireland. She enrolled with the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) where she took courses in biotechnology.

To help immerse herself in the Irish culture, Kelcey used her Canadian experience to become more involved at AIT. Captain of the women’s intramural soccer team at MacEwan, Kelcey is also an active volunteer around the university. At AIT, she joined the soccer team, which took home the gold medal from the intervarsity tournament, and tried several different Irish sports like hurling and Gaelic football. Kelcey also attended many of the international students’ events.

“I would tell any student to try a semester abroad. You learn so much about yourself and really appreciate where you come from. It forces you to step out of your comfort zone, so you need an open mind, but the friendships you make along the way are so valuable and worth every ounce of nervousness you have before you leave.”

“I wanted to live where she lived. So, I looked into what post-secondary options were available in Edmonton. When I saw MacEwan and the University of Alberta were both in the city, I knew that I would have great opportunities and made my decision.”

Hiroka participated in the home-stay program, which allowed her to complete high school in Edmonton while living with a host family.

“I didn’t speak any English when I came, so communicating was hard.”

She explains that it wasn’t just thinking of the words themselves, but also how to say them. “The English language is very literal, so I had to alter my way of thinking and translate the words at the same time.”

Once she completed high school, Hiroka moved into MacEwan’s residence and began University Studies International (USI) — a program developed for international students who are looking to eventually begin a degree, diploma or certificate program at MacEwan. While completing the USI program, Hiroka began planning her post-secondary career. She eventually chose to pursue a diploma that integrated her native culture — a two-year diploma in Asia Pacific Management.

Close to the end of her second year, Hiroka decided she wasn’t quite ready to leave MacEwan yet and enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce program, majoring in international business, from which she will graduate in June 2011.

In the third year of her commerce degree, Hiroka wanted to become more involved in the MacEwan community and decided the best fit for her would be the International Student Club.

“I felt like I had a lot to offer to this club since I am an international student myself. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and make connections,” Hiroka said. “And to see domestic and international students learning about different cultures and languages is inspiring.”

Hiroka is the president of the International Student Club and also volunteers at MacEwan events all year long. She says that MacEwan’s welcoming instructors, counsellors and students made it easy for her to get involved — she only wishes she had started sooner.

“I would encourage all international students to volunteer on campus. It has really enhanced my experience and it’s a great way to practice your English.”

‘‘ I didn’t speak any English when I came, so communicating was hard.”

308

Geoff Bacchus, alumnus and Theatre and Shop Operations manager at MacEwan, was a bright part of the celebrations in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Geoff Bacchus, Theatre Production grad (‘89)

MacEwan alumni light up the Olympics

23308 MacEwan alumni work at the university

A jazzy successAt a young age, James Clarke began to capture the attention of the Edmonton jazz community. In fact, some may recognize him from his performances at the Edmonton International Jazz Festival — a huge accomplishment for a 20-year-old.

The talented, young pianist graduated from the Music Performance diploma program at MacEwan in 2010 and is now pursuing a degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University.

Born and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta, James started studying music at only four years of age. He says that although he’s been performing in the Sherwood Park Music Festival since age 10, it wasn’t until he came to MacEwan that he really began getting into the Edmonton music scene.

“At MacEwan, not only do you get the best of the academic side, but you also get great networking opportunities. That’s a tough thing when starting your music career — you don’t know who to talk with or where to play. University really helped ease me into to the business side of things.”

James is now maximizing his business skills while making a name for himself in both classical and jazz music. The recipient of many local and national awards, his goal is to take his music career to an international level. He hopes that his involvement in U22 Productions, an organization that promotes outstanding young talent, will help him get there. Through James’ involvement in U22, he landed a feature in a CBC television documentary.

In the documentary, James talked about the hidden jazz gems in Edmonton like the Yardbird Suite as well as his second performance in the Edmonton International Jazz Festival with the James Clarke Trio — the group comprising himself and two other MacEwan alumni, Lindsay Woolgar and Paul Woida.

With a full album in the works, James is excited about the possibilities for his future, which is evident when he so passionately speaks about music — jazz in particular.

“Jazz gives me a way to divert my mind during tough times,” he said. “If I’m having a little bit of a down period, I can always go to the piano and release all my stress and tension through music.”

James Clarke, at the Edmonton International Jazz Festival

Geoff is a specialist in pyrotechnic effects, among other talents, and was hired to lead a nightly show during the 2010 Olympics. He coordinated the installation and daily show operations of the pyrotechnic and live flame effects for a Government of B.C. show called Ignite the Dream. The 10-minute show ran twice every night at Vancouver’s Robson Square Celebration Site with lights, lasers, artists, pyrotechnics, and live flame effects celebrating the momentous athletic event.

“The shows take a lot of time to set up, and even more time to take down, but when everything comes together and you hear the excitement in the crowd, you know it was all worth it,” Geoff said.

Geoff wasn’t alone in his travels to Vancouver. In fact, the company that put on the shows — Calgary-based Pro FX Inc. — is co-owned by MacEwan Theatre Production alumnus, Eric Salter-Pedersen. Also providing their expertise on the journey were Theatre Production graduates, Brad Mitchell and Jeff McApline.

Geoff also lent his skills to his fellow alumni as they executed a pyrotechnic extravaganza for four nights as part of the Victory Ceremonies held at Whistler’s Medals Plaza. The show included a provincial celebration, medals presentation, and live concerts. It was here where Geoff got to witness Canadian athletes receiving gold medals.

“It was an amazing and inspiring opportunity — to be so close to the Olympic excitement and the athletes that work so hard and so long to make it to that podium,” Geoff said. “It shows people what can happen when you really put your mind to something.”

Geoff, who graduated from MacEwan’s Theatre Production program in 1989, says it is important for alumni, faculty and staff to remain current in the industry, something this opportunity provided him.

“I watch the Olympics on television and the most exciting parts to me are the ceremonies and their extravagance. I never thought in my lifetime that I would have the chance to work on something I usually only admire,” he said. “MacEwan teaches students real-life, practical skills, and over my last 21 years here, I am proud to have seen our graduates go on to make successful careers for themselves.”

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3Dustin Tellier, B.Comm. student

Volunteers. They are the unsung heroes of the MacEwan community and they come in all shapes and sizes.

They are faculty, staff, alumni and students. One of those students is Dustin Tellier. Currently in his third year of the Bachelor of Commerce program, Dustin has found time to balance his studies, a part-time job, and his volunteer work in and around MacEwan.

Giving back

3 major business competitions won by MacEwan School of Business students in 2009/10 Read more in the “Business savvy pays” story (above) and www.MacEwan.ca/figures

25

Business savvy paysIn January 2010, five students from the School of Business took on the world to win the Manitoba International Marketing Competition — one of the most prestigious competitions of its kind.

Team MacEwan — Peter Jaffray, Anand Pye, Rachel Kok, Moses Apomah and Matthew Mowbrey — claimed victory over competitors representing business schools from 14 countries including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Nigeria, Switzerland, Brazil and Australia. Beginning in October 2009, they marketed a simulated business that produces sensors, running it as they would a real-life business.

“We won all the first prizes — for strategy, simulation and presentation,” said team faculty advisor and business instructor Dr. Makarand Gulawani. The team took home the Walter Good Cup and a $4,000 cash award for their efforts.

However, just completing the competition was a monumental challenge. To start, each team had to develop an international marketing strategy and then apply it during the eight-week online simulation, during which time they marketed their fictitious product — a venture that succeeded or failed dependent on real-world variables.

They had a budget, they got a (virtual) bank loan, they had to decide whether or not to give dividends and deal with the outcome. They also had to monitor each decision they made and gauge the effects of those decisions on their business. Fall too far behind the competition and they risked being unable to catch up to their peers; abandon their original strategy, and they risked losing in judging.

“They had to stay ahead of their competition in all aspects of the simulation — stock prices had to be higher, market share had to be greater, profits had to be higher, and they still had to pay their (virtual) employees properly or they would go on strike,” said Makarand.

After completing the simulation, they were also judged on how closely they stuck to their strategy and how close they came to their profit projections. The final presentation was run like a shareholders’ meeting, where judges reviewed the final product as if they were potential investors.

“The team was judged on their understanding of running a business, their strategy and their presentation,” said Makarand. “Were they just putting in numbers and getting by on luck? Were they just out to make a profit? That’s what the judges considered in the end.”

Makarand believes his team’s success proves that the School of Business is doing an excellent job of preparing its students for the real world. “I am more than pleased with the result. We were able to showcase our quality and our standard of work to faculty and students from around the world.”

His volunteer contributions include his role as ambassador at MacEwan, his year as co-president of the Aboriginal Student Club and his involvement in various community programs.

“Dustin has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and it’s quite a pleasure to have him around,” said Barb Scuccato, who oversaw Dustin’s involvement with the MacEwan Ambassador program. “He has a real ‘can-do’ attitude.”

Dustin’s been recognized for his community service and academic performance a number of times. A recipient of the MacEwan Ambassador Award, the Aboriginal Business Leadership Award, the Métis Education Foundation Scholar Award and the Jason Lang Scholarship, Dustin says that the awards he has received help him balance school and work and allow him even more time to volunteer.

“It’s really cool to get recognition for something you enjoy doing,” said Dustin. “It helps pay for living expenses, tuition and textbooks. Basically, I don’t have to worry about keeping a full-time job while I’m in school.”

Eva Stang, manager of the Aboriginal Education Centre, has worked with Dustin in his capacity as a volunteer for the centre and the Aboriginal Student Club. She believes that it’s his approachability and dedication that make him such a valuable member of the MacEwan community. “People are often surprised that Dustin is so young and so focused. He is a really great role model for students,” said Eva.

She also sat on the scholarship selection committee for the Métis Education Foundation Scholar Award, which Dustin has won twice. She says that there are a few things that set Dustin apart when being considered for awards. “The selection committee is looking for somebody who’s really involved in their community,” said Eva. “He’s very proud of his culture and he gives a lot back.”

And while he has received a number of scholarships recognizing his volunteer work at MacEwan, his involvement at the university is only the tip of the iceberg. He has also volunteered with a tax preparation program for low-income Edmontonians and with food hamper distribution through his community centre.

So why does Dustin volunteer? His answer is simple.“It’s fun to give back to the community. It’s a really great opportunity to hang out with your friends and help out at the same time.”

6Dana Schmidt, MacEwan’s sustainability officer

In the dark, MacEwan still

shines

One hour. No power. Campus challenge. These words were the theme for the first-ever Earth Hour Campus Challenge. The challenge involved students, staff and faculty from MacEwan, NAIT, Norquest and the University of Alberta in a competition to see which institution could receive the most Earth Hour pledges.

MacEwan placed second overall in the challenge with more than 400 pledges. Pledges that came, in large part, due to the efforts of the university’s new Office of Sustainability.

“It was so inspiring to see students, staff and faculty rise to the challenge and take part in this global movement,” said Dana Schmidt, MacEwan’s sustainability officer. “It was also refreshing to collaborate with the other sustainability officers from the three institutions. I feel this challenge has really set the stage for future partnerships and working together to foster student, staff and faculty ambassadors for sustainability.”

1,298 participants from the four Edmonton institutions joined millions of people around the world and turned off their lights for Earth Hour to promote environmental stewardship and a commitment to sustainability. And MacEwan’s administration was more than happy to do its part, too.

In addition to participation in the Campus Challenge, the university committed to turning off all non-essential lighting and electrical usage on its four campuses for Earth Hour.

6

What else are we doing?Waste Reduction WeekWaste Reduction Week aims to inform and engage Canadians about the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices and strives to educate, engage and empower people to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. MacEwan provides education and awareness campaigns during this week to promote sustainability on campus.

Common Ground WeekCoordinated by the Students’ Association, this event showcases various projects, strategies and events occurring at MacEwan, throughout Edmonton, and across Alberta relating to sustainability.

Lighting retrofit projectIn spring 2009, a lighting retrofit was completed at MacEwan’s Alberta College Campus. The current T-12 florescent lamps were replaced with T-5 metric lamps, which could equal savings of more than $250,000 per year and decreased energy consumption. The lighting retrofit project is now taking place at City Centre Campus.

Enhanced recycling programSince July 2009, MacEwan has had new blue-box recycling receptacles available at all four campuses. The program is in partnership with the City of Edmonton, and is a one-stream collection that doesn’t require any sorting. This is the first non-residential collection for the City, which primarily collects from residential areas only. 

Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance (ACAA)MacEwan acts as a board member and is on the executive committee for the ACAA, which was formed in 2006 to address air quality in the Edmonton capital region. It brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from all three levels of government, various industries, non-governmental organizations, and other entities in the region.

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)MacEwan was spotlighted by AASHE for completing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory in 2010. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities across North America and comprises institutions that facilitate sustainability initiatives on campus. The association provides a forum and resource-base for institutions addressing environmental stewardship.

Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association (ACIFA)MacEwan is a member of ACIFA and at the annual spring conference, presented its approach to sustainability and its vision for creating a sustainable campus.

Dana is looking forward to next year’s challenge, but has a lot planned in the meantime as well.

“The challenge is a great way to engage people and raise awareness about sustainability, but we need to keep this at the forefront of people’s minds all year long.” As such, the Office of Sustainability has been vital in establishing activities and projects throughout the year to keep sustainability top-of-mind, such as the Commuter Challenge and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

The Commuter Challenge is a national challenge that encourages Canadians to commit to a more sustainable way of travelling to work for one week. This year, 38 of MacEwan’s staff and faculty either walked, cycled, rode the bus, carpooled or telecommuted to work. Their efforts resulted in some big savings: as a group, they saved 427.8 kg of greenhouse gas emissions; 1,342 km of distance travelled; $218 in transportation costs; and burned 8,298 calories.

Led by the university’s Facilities department, MacEwan also undertook a comprehensive study to calculate greenhouse gas emissions on campus and its carbon footprint as part of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

“A carbon footprint measures the impact our activities have on the environment and, in particular, climate change,” Dana explained.

In relation to other post-secondary institutions across Canada, MacEwan compared well. The university’s next step will be to establish emission reduction targets, as well as draft a Campus Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Strategy.

“Developing a campus sustainability plan is my main focus,” said Dana. “But, it’s exciting to be able to build on our namesake, Dr. J.W. Grant MacEwan’s legacy: ‘I believe I am an integral part of the environment and, as a good subject, I must establish an enduring relationship with my surroundings.’”

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cubic yards of additional waste will be diverted from landfills each day, thanks to improvements to MacEwan’s recycling program

Certificates and diplomasAccounting and Strategic MeasurementAcupunctureArts and Cultural ManagementAsia Pacific ManagementCorrectional ServicesDesign StudiesDisability Management in the WorkplaceDisability Studies: Leadership and CommunityEarly Learning and Child CareEmergency Communications and ResponseFine ArtGeneral StudiesHearing Aid PractitionerHolistic Health PractitionerHuman Resources ManagementInsurance and Risk ManagementLegal AssistantLibrary and Information TechnologyManagement StudiesMassage TherapyMusicOccupational Health NursingOffice AssistantPolice and InvestigationsPsychiatric NursingPublic RelationsSocial WorkSpecial Needs Educational AssistantTheatre ArtsTheatre ProductionTherapist AssistantTravel

Post-diploma certificatesCardiac Nursing Executive Leadership in the Non-Profit SectorPerioperative Nursing for Registered NursesPost-Basic Nursing Practice: Hospice Palliative Care and GerontologyProfessional Golf ManagementWound Management

University and college entrance programmingEnglish as a Second Language (ESL)Preparation for University and CollegeUniversity Studies International

Baccalaureate degreesBachelor of ArtsBachelor of Child and Youth CareBachelor of CommerceBachelor of Communication StudiesBachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular MusicBachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science in Nursing

University transferBachelor of Education transferBachelor of Physical Education transferBachelor of Science in Engineering transfer

Applied degreesBachelor of Applied Business Administration — AccountingBachelor of Applied Human Service Administration

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ContributorsShannon Edge, Allan Linklater, Krysta Smith, Kevin Spila and Janell Stuka. Additional content: M Magazine, www.jamesclarkejazz.com.

PhotosLaughing Dog Photography, Tim Lade (pg. 6), Kim Griffiths Photography, (pg. 11, Mark Lund photo), Leroy Schulz (pg. 11, Christenson family photo) and FocalPoint Photography (pg. 23).

Design and layoutCut+Paste Design Inc.

Contents copyright 2010 by Grant MacEwan University. No part of this publication should be reproduced without written permission.

MacEwan Creed

I believe instinctively in a God for whom I am prepared to search.

I believe it is an offence against the God of Nature for me to accept any hand-me down, man defined religion or creed without the test of reason. I believe no man dead or alive knows more about God than I can know by searching.

I believe that the God of Nature must be without prejudice, with exactly the same concern for all His children, and that the human invokes no more, no less of fatherly love than the beaver or sparrow.

I believe I am an integral part of the environment and, as a good subject, I must establish an enduring relationship with my surroundings. My dependence upon the land is fundamental.

I believe destructive waste and greedy exploitation are sins.

I believe the biggest challenge is in being a helper rather than a destroyer of the treasures in Nature’s storehouse, a conserver, a husbandman and partner in caring for the Vineyard.

I accept, with apologies to Albert Schweitzer, “a Reverence for Life” and all that is of the Great Spirit’s creation.

I believe morality is not complete until the individual holds all of the Great Spirit’s creatures in brotherhood and has compassion for all. A fundamental concept of Good consists of working to preserve all creatures with feeling and the will to live.

I am prepared to stand before my Maker, the Ruler of the entire Universe, with no other plea than that I have tried to leave things in His Vineyard better than I found them.

– TheHonourableDr.J.W.GrantMacEwan(1902–2000),1969

The MacEwan Creed is a personal declaration written by Dr. J.W. Grant MacEwan, for whom the university is named.

Dr. MacEwan was a well-known author, agriculturalist, politician, educator, nature lover and philanthropist who lived by the principles he espoused.

Grant MacEwan UniversityP.O. Box 1796Edmonton, AB T5J 2P2

Phone: 780.497.5040Fax: 780.497.5001Toll Free: 1.888.497.4622

www.MacEwan.ca/figures