Serving our community of students, alumni & friends

Oct 2009

A new era in environmental research and education Government officials and industry partners converge on Olds College for the official groundbreaking of the Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands. (L to R) Bravin Goldade, Hon. Minister Ted Morton, Hon. Minister George Groeneveld, Carole Calenso-Fair, Gloria Beck, Henry Heuver, Dr. Abimbola Abiola, Bill Quinney, Dennis Westhoff. (Top L to R) Hon. Minister Rob Renner, MLA Richard Marz.

More on page 2

3 6Fall Golf Classic, another year of fantastic weather and fun

Congrats 2009 Olds College GradsComing Events 10Great times had at

the Alumni Reunion

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A new era in environmental research and education

Blessed by pleasant fall temperatures, a sizable crowd gathered on October 15 for the official groundbreaking of Olds College’s Botanic Gardens III and Treatment Wetlands. Numerous government officials were on hand including the Honourable Rob Renner, Alberta Minister of Environment, Honourable George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Honourable Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development. A multitude of municipal and regional representatives including MLA Richard Marz were present as well.

Together, they helped usher in a new era of research that will ultimately help shrink Albertans’ impact on their surrounding environment and its resources. With 11 percent of Canada’s population and only three percent of its surface water, Alberta faces very real challenges in dealing with municipal, industrial and agricultural wastewater.

“The construction of these research-based wetlands is the first of its kind in Alberta,” said Minister Renner. “It’s a double-pronged scientific approach that will treat the College’s storm and waste water while providing us with solid information to help improve our management of Alberta’s wetlands.”

Through this project, Olds College School of Innovation (OCSI) will further Alberta’s Water for Life strategy by working with industry partners and investigating new technologies for treatment and reclamation of municipal grey, swimming pool and saline wastewater.

A significant portion of the province’s wetlands have been lost to date, compromising the environment’s ability to store and purify water. Through this project, OCSI is involved in developing methods to support these environmental processes, saving future generations from confronting the issues of water shortages and contamination. Whether it’s difficult-to-treat examples like municipal grey water, swimming pool water or water by-product from coal bed methane facilities, much of it high in saline, the “wetlands polishing” and desalination processes being investigated promise great results.

“This is a tremendous day for Olds College and a celebration of what we are capable of with the support of industry and government. This several-million-dollar outdoor research laboratory truly marks the beginning of a new chapter in Alberta’s Water for Life strategy,” said Jordan Cleland, Vice President, Advancement, Olds College. “We are in a position now to apply our specialty in real life, hands-on solutions towards preserving the environment.”

Key partners in this innovative $2.9 Million project include prominent developer WestCreek Developments who presented a check for $490,700 at the ceremony, Henry Heuver of Foothills Landscaping and Dennis Westhoff of Westhoff Engineering. Other partners include the City of Calgary, who have contributed $40,000 to the project with an eye towards reducing the impact of urban development and the Town of Strathmore, -- to name just a few.

Oct 2009 2

Amidst his regular duties as Athletics and Recreation Programmer at Olds College, Bob Murray successfully coached Alberta’s Midget Boys team (under-fifteen) to a bronze finish at Basketball Canada’s National Championships in Kamloops, BC this past August. At the same time, the corresponding girls team was enjoying similar success.

“’We want to express our sincere gratitude to the great work of head coaches Dawn Smyth and Bob Murray along with their staffs,” said Paul Sir, Basketball Alberta’s Executive Director. “They provided excellent coaching, leadership and organizational efforts throughout the entire campaign. Basketball Alberta looks forward to the future with our athletes and coaches from the U-15 programs. “

Murray has kept plenty busy on campus as well. He oversees varsity athletics and recreational activities including volleyball, basketball, futsal and curling and steered the men’s basketball team to fourth place in the Alberta College Athletics League this past season.

He also applies his coaching skills with Basketball Alberta, overseen by Basketball Canada. Through them, he is the head coach for The Nike Centre for Performance for Basketball, an elite program for players and coaches designed to teach individual offensive and team fundamentals while also presenting aspects of sports science to the top 13 to 18 year-old male basketball athletes in the province.

“I take great pride in what our athletes are achieving here at Olds College,” said Murray. “At the same time I’ve been quite an advocate for high school sports in Alberta for a while. I believe success in athletics at any level helps pave the way for success in life.”

Balancing Jobs

L to R: David Poppitt, Bravin Goldade, Honourable Minister Rob Renner, Dr. Abimbola Abiola and Bill Quinney.

Oct 2009 3

Following an introduction from the Master of Ceremonies, Olds College’s Dr. Robert Wilson, Vice President, Academic & Research introduced the 2008-09 Valedictorian. This year’s valedictorian was Ms. Kyla McKechnie, an Equine Science student hailing from Saskatoon, SK. In her address she shared the following words of inspiration with her fellow graduates.

Thank You: It’s an honour.

Well everyone, here we are. The Olds College Graduating class of 2009. We did it! Can you believe we’re done? Time seemed to drag on while we tried to get through final projects and exams. Suddenly we’re finished school and onto the next thing in our lives! I had some trouble writing this address. I kept putting it off, distracted and excited with what the future held; I didn’t want to waste time looking back. But that is exactly why we are here today. To reflect on our experience, pass on a couple of thank-yous and celebrate our accomplishments.

If you ask around, you’ll find that everyone’s time at college was different from another’s -- some of us spent the winter in a temperature-controlled building designing landscapes while others were outside dealing with frozen waterers. But there are many things we all have in common. The first is obviously the choice to come to Olds College. Whether we came because of a family tradition, or because of the unique programs offered nowhere else in Canada, we all received something we wouldn’t have been able to get at a bigger university. Our small classes allowed us to make close friends. The hands-on learning gave us an industry edge. The diversity of people from around the country, and the world, meant many debates about which CFL team is the best.

There were some classes like Human Relations, Oral Communications and Technical Writing that we all endured together. While maybe not the most exciting, they were essential for us. Knowing how to fix a tractor won’t get you a job unless you can hand out resumes first! We also endured some pretty strange weather together -- like minus fifty one week and plus five the next, rain in December and blizzards at the end of April. But life went on; the horses weren’t going to clean their own stalls and we could always call up Johnny C to get to the bar.

We all shared the beautiful campus; the way it welcomed us at the end of summer, bright and green until the first snowfall and it turned into a winter wonderland. While it’s not a very big campus, there was always a great deal of activity going on. In one day you could find people walking dogs, driving a team of horses, setting up window displays, climbing trees, surveying land, and chasing calves back into corrals, all of that just for class! Pair that with the ongoing construction and the poor souls driving around trying to find a parking place and you’ve got yourself a very busy place!

We worked hard, but we no doubt played harder. From Roughstock nights to soccer practice, and shop nights to bake sales we kept busy outside of the classroom. Of course we were never too busy for a Thursday night out, often followed by a Friday night and Saturday night out. While we may find our pockets slightly lighter we are not less of an experience. When we look back at our time at Olds College I believe it will be with a big smile and a loud “cheers! “

And speaking of cheers there are a couple of thank-yous that must be said. Now I know you’re all short a beverage for the time being but I would like you to join me in toasting some very important people who helped us get here.

The first goes out to those special people we call our family. Those of you who raised us, fed and clothed us, and occasionally put us in our place when we deserved it. The family who gave us unconditional love, accepting us as we were, quirks and all. While we were learning to walk our feet did the work, you following in whatever direction we went, holding our hands should we fall. Since then you have let us feel our own way through the world, always being there to offer guidance even when we didn’t want to admit that we needed you. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and anyone we call family, this a toast to you! Thank you for standing behind us, thank you for pushing us in the right direction if we steered off course, and thank you for the extra “grocery” money. I can assure you it when to good use! We hope we make you proud in whatever we do. We know that our happiness will be enough. Cheers to family!!

The second thank you goes to our teachers. Teachers: We know we could have tried harder, stayed awake, arrived on time, or just shown up to class. Today we want you to know that without your dedication we would not be wearing these gowns! We know that your carefully planned out lectures and large projects with short deadlines were not done out of spite. Well, maybe they were...but we do know they were done to challenge us, and make us live up to the potential you knew we had. The biggest thing we can say to you to sum up all you have done is thank you for your time. Thank you for your extra help, your patience, your understanding and thank you for moving test dates to Mondays instead of Fridays. Thank you for going above and beyond your job description to share your passion and inspire us!

Of course we need to extend this second thank-you to those who accepted our admission papers, who emptied our garbage cans, to those who ran the bookstore, worked in the library, cleared the sidewalks, offered us condoms, earplugs and a listening ear, to those who helped with our sports team, clubs and tutoring. We ask that you join us in our celebration! Cheers to staff and faculty!

(Continued on page 4)

Olds Graduation 2009 Valedictorian Speech

Oct 2009 4

Grad Daniel Wirch, received the Governor General’s Bronze Medallion, which is awarded for the highest GPA.

(Continued from page 3)Our third thank you goes to our one and only friends! Friends we have grown up with, and friends we only met a few months ago. Without you by our side we may have missed class more often, been late for chores, or forgotten about project due dates. Without these friends we might not have been able to figure out where our exams were or what had happened to us the night before! Without our friends we may have never studied as hard, or partied as hard! They were the motivation we lacked when ours died out. They were the laughter we needed when we only had tears. They were a shoulder to cry on when we could no longer hold our own up. Today these are the friends who celebrate this moment with us! Never forget the friendships you’ve built here; they are the people we will take on the world with. It can be scary going out into there but with each other’s strength we will survive, just as we did here. Cheers to friends!

I think there should be a fourth toast. One to us, the class of 2009! We are finding ourselves on the verge of something different and new. This graduation ceremony, this moment in our life, is not an ending or a beginning, merely a continuation. We do not stop being students here. The practical things that we have learned will no doubt be put to use. This was, after all, the original purpose for coming to college; to learn the skills we needed for a chosen career. But along with every carefully laid out plan comes the unexpected lessons. And it is in these unplanned lessons that take place outside of the classroom, that follow no laid-out curriculum, where we grow as a person, learn who we are and who we want to be. Wherever you decide to go, and whatever you decide to do, keep your eyes open for those lessons because while we graduate today we will always be a student of the world.

Olds College is in Mountain View County so it seems appropriate to quote Lee Ann Womack from her song ‘I Hope You Dance.’ “I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance/ Never settle for the path of least resistance/ Living might mean taking chances/ But they’re worth taking/ Lovin’ might be a mistake/ But it’s worth making .”

The bigger the risk you take, the better the reward. Nothing is ever a waste because you can always learn from what you do. As I finished writing this address I again found it difficult to concentrate. Again I began to think of the future. And I realized that I hope all of you are doing the same. I hope you are leaving not thinking of all that could have been. I hope you are leaving thinking of all that you can be. Cheers to us!

Bryan McLean, AHT student received the OCFA Outstanding

Student Award.

Kyla McKechnie, Olds College 2009 valedictorian.

President Dr. Tom Thompson congratulating students on their success.

An amazing year with 645 eligible students to cross

the stage.

Cheri Milaney, Grad guest speaker, gave a riveting speech. Cheri is an

Olds College Fashion Grad.

Oct 2009 5

Olds College is now working closely in partnership with the Government of Alberta and Alberta’s 20 other public post-secondary institutions to create the Apply Alberta program. A new web-based common application and transcript transfer system, it has been designed to provide students with easier access to essential information, services and admission to Alberta’s colleges, universities and technical institutes.

“As a result of new legislation, all universities and colleges in Alberta are moving to a common application system,” said Jeff Suderman, Director of Student of Recruitment at Olds College. “This web application portal will allow students to make application and transfer transcripts to multiple institutions in Alberta through one process. The electronic transfer of transcripts is an element that students will find particularly useful.”

Software is currently being installed and tested. The College plans to begin using the system in December. More information on the Apply Alberta system can be found at www.applyalberta.ca

As multiple factors ranging from economics to safety continue driving evolution within Canada’s $20 Billion dollar-per-year meat industry, Olds College is taking steps to remain at the forefront.

One such step involves the creation of an innovative new program. Olds College has recently added a new Meat Industry Management certificate to its curriculum, the only true gate-to-plate program of its kind in North America. Giving graduates a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the meat industry from slaughter right through to purchase by the consumer, the certificate will build upon the college’s Meat Processing certificate, renowned for its superior hands-on training and stringent standards regarding sanitation and food safety.

“Safety is always one of the big issues in the industry,” says Brad Mcleod, Coordinator of Olds College’s Meat Processing and Management programs. “The other big concern is leadership.”

Graduates of Olds College’s Meat Industry Management certificate program can be expected to become industry leaders in food safety, equipped with the skills to provide management and leadership expertise in their places of employment. The program commences in the spring of 2010 and will be 15 weeks in length.

In addition to ensuring that its curriculum is cutting-edge, the College is also in the process of encouraging and securing funding for a new National Meat Training Centre, to be located on the Olds College campus.

A cut above the rest

On the heels of a strategic framework for repositioning the industry, released by the Alberta Government in 2004, the College undertook a nation-wide needs assessment regarding training. It was determined that a lack of qualified personnel with comprehensive, standardized training was one of the meat industry’s most significant needs. Meeting those needs, the proposed centre would be the only one of its kind in North America.

“There are several steps to make before we have secured the funding and begin construction,” says Mcleod. “But I’m very excited about this new chapter in Olds College history and the opportunity to continue being a leader in meat industry training.”

Olds College is a winner of the Alberta Agriculture Gala Award for Food Safety and Brad McLeod is a recipient of the P. Patrick Award from the Alberta Food Processors Association for outstanding service to the meat industry.

Please join us for the…Olds College Report to the Community & Canadian Equine Centre for Innovation Grand OpeningDecember 8, 2009 1:30-3:00 p.m.

at the Riding Arena in the Canadian Equine Centre for Innovation on Olds College campus.

RSVP your attendance by December 1 to Barb at 403-507-7720 or bdixon@oldscollege.ca Bring your boots!

Oct 2009 6

Call it the beginning of a winning streak. For the second year in a row, the annual Olds College Fall Golf Classic was blessed by sunny skies as golfers assembled on September 16 at the Olds Central Highlands Golf Course to help generate important funding for Olds College Broncos Athletics.

While record temperatures were being logged across the province, 144 golfers, 70 student volunteers and over 30 staff and alumni gathered to help generate $40,263 in funding for the Olds College Opportunities Fund, which in turn will help support the career goals of Olds College Broncos athletes.

“Life as a College fundraiser has been a little trickier in the time since the Alberta economic engine cooled,” said Jordan Cleland, Vice President, Advancement at Olds College. “However, the vast majority of our long-term friends came through for us. We also went out and made some new friends and had 144 participants with a waiting list as of 2 weeks ago — and fully subscribed our sponsorship 3 weeks ago. I can’t begin to describe how pleased I am with this support.”

After a 9 a.m. breakfast, golfers gathered for a shotgun start. Throughout the 18-hole competition, there were numerous side contests ranging from Hole-in-One to Most Accurate Drive. Participants were greeted at every hole by helpful Broncos athletes, whose presence helped illustrate the importance of support for the Fall Golf Classic.

“It was great to witness the interaction between our sponsors, guests and our student athletes,” said Greg Lendvay, Director of Health and Wellness at Old College. “It was instantly obvious that our students truly understand and appreciate the support this event generates, and our guests realize that these activities genuinely generate support for real people who will learn many life skills through their pursuit of athletics.”

Cleland and Lendvay were also quick to credit BFI Canada, title sponsor for the 2009 Olds College Fall Golf Classic, who are in the second year of their three-year term as primary sponsor. “BFI Canada have become an important partner,” said Cleland. “And we look forward to golfing with them under sunny skies next year as well.”

Smiles all around for this years Fall Golf Classic

Board Chair Bill Quinney, Edmonton MLA David Xiao and team with two students.

Olds College Alumni Association President Laurinda Parkinson and her cohorts.

Tournamanet title sponsor BFI Canada with some grateful students. Innisfail Rotary President and

lawyer Joe Lehane ready to go.

Olds College President Dr. Tom Thompson with a small cross section of our students.

Oct 2009 7

World SkillsCalgary 2009The 2009 World Skills competition, held in Calgary in early September, seized the province’s attention for several days and was considered by most observers to be a phenomenal success. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Stampede Grounds, where the event took place, it may have been difficult to spot evidence of the hard work of numerous Olds College faculty and staff. But if you knew what to look for, it was indeed extremely visible.

Two individuals shouldering a particularly heavy workload were Dave Moroz and Jack Berggren of Olds College’s School of Environment. Beginning on August 17 they, along with many other dedicated volunteers, literally toiled day and night to help create the Landscape Pavilion’s 15 sites for the Landscape Gardening competition. With Olds College being the only post-secondary institution in Canada to offer year-round landscaping courses indoors, the value of their expertise was invaluable in assembling the topsoil, gravel, plants, shrubs, bricks and other elements that were carefully meted out in equal amounts for each team.

“I witnessed much of their work firsthand,” said Dick Thomson, Chair of Olds College’s School of Trades and Career Studies. “And not only did they do excellent work in regards to that competition, many staff were busy elsewhere also. One area that comes to mind immediately is in the Try-a-Skill area where high school students formed huge lineups to try their hand at welding, heavy equipment tech and landscape gardening.”

One particular highlight came from within the Global Skills Village at the Career fair tent, where interest in Olds College courses was extremely high.

“It was phenomenal, just phenomenal. This was probably the best event I have ever been at,” said Tori White, Student Enrolment Officer. “With the number of students we have seen interested in our entire range of courses, it has been hard to get a moment to step away. In only two and a half days of the event, we gave out 700 view books.”

With enrolment already expected to increase at Olds College by one to two per cent for the 2009-2010 year, it was a level of interest that speaks to the value many are currently placing on the real life, hands-on skills the competition showcases.

The World Skills Calgary 2009 competition wrapped up with awards and closing ceremony at the Stampede Corral on Sunday Sept. 6. A celebration of the World Skills Champions took place Monday during halftime at the CFL Labour Day Classic at McMahon Stadium.

Lorne Code and Dan Daley, discussing the day with Jordan Cleland, VP Advancement.

Dave Moroz, Jack Berggren, and Darren Thompson (Workshop

Supervisor for WorldSkills London 2011) volunteering

at World Skills.

The inside of the Landscape Gardening

Tent, created by our Olds College

volunteers.

Tons of interest in Olds College Programs this year at the recruiting booth.

Fantastic efforts from our Olds College Staff and Volunteers!

Olds Parade 2009

Oct 2009 8

Aligning itself with eight other Canadian post-secondary institutions that share an emphasis on hands-on, career-focused education, Olds College joined Polytechnics Canada this summer.

“We are pleased that Olds has chosen to join us,” said Polytechnics Canada CEO Nobina Robinson. “Olds College’s strong institutional history and leadership in applied research will greatly benefit the association. The Olds College School of Innovation is one of the most successful college-based research institutes in Canada with its impressive track record of federal research funding, and the Bell e-Learning Centre is one of the most advanced video-teleconferencing facilities in Canada.”

Polytechnics Canada is an alliance of nine research-intensive, internationally-recognized post-secondary institutions committed to producing career-ready graduates who combine critical thinking with theoretical understanding and practical competence. The other members of Polytechnics Canada are: Algonquin College, BCIT, SAIT Polytechnic, Conestoga College, George Brown College, Humber College, Sheridan Institute and Seneca College.

“I look forward to collaborating with other Polytechnics Canada member institutions to influence the federal higher education policy framework,” said Olds College President Dr. Tom Thompson. “The importance of hands-on, technical education seems to be inching higher on the radar screen of government at the moment and it is critical that we keep moving forward.”

Olds College Joins Polytechnics Canada

The expression “Learning outside of the classroom” took on new meaning for five Olds College students over the past summer. Supported by a variety of industry funds or grants, The Olds College School of Innovation (OCSI) hired student research assistants to help in research including working with water sampling, composting, biogas and biodiesel.

Over the summer, research assistants are involved with a wide variety of research activities, usually under the tutelage of a resident staff member. Additionally, students are encouraged to plan and run their own research projects. If their written research proposals are accepted, they are provided budget and a time to manage their own project under the supervision of their project advisor.

Two such students were hired specifically utilizing a portion of the $2.3 million dollar grant Olds College received from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) earlier this year.

Recent graduate Aaron Tutt (Land and Water Resources,‘09) from Peace River researched ways to treat and use wastewater from biodiesel production. Ashton Parkin from Okotoks was another intern whose research proposal was approved (Land and Water Resources,‘09). She conducted a study of the use of glycerol, another biodiesel byproduct, as a dust suppressant. Both students say their daily work resulted in experience and knowledge that will further their educational and career goals. “This job has been like learning in a great class”, said Tutt in an interview conducted during the summer. “We are surrounded by inspirational scientists and researchers and the networking opportunities are amazing,” he noted.

“The extensive tours and public speaking we do with various groups has really helped develop professionalism and communication skills,” said Parkin. Tutt is continuing studies with the University of Alberta this fall in the Environmental Sciences, Land Reclamation program. Parkin plans to undertake further studies in the future and is using this internship to broaden her learning experience and explore careers in research and development.

At the time of publication, OCSI was in the process of hiring new students to research positions for the school year. All students must be enroled in full-time programs at Olds College to be awarded a position.

In addition, OCSI holds an annual student research project competition to encourage student-led research. Individual, group or class submissions are accepted. Judging for this year’s students will take place in April 2010 with $6000 in prize money to be allocated to the top three individual and group projects and their supporting faculty advisors.

OCSI student research assistants

Ashton Parkin studies the use of glycerol as a dust suppressant.

Aaron Tutt researched biodiesel waste water usage.

Oct 2009

Once again we have had a very successful Summer Reunion. The weather was ideal, and the weekend went off with only a minor glitch when the bar did not open for the cocktail hour! We managed to get through that with the exceptional help of Jody and the crew from Chartwells. We received a total of 242 registrations, 8 last minute cancellations, and 28-plus drop-ins. I think this year is the best year for attendance since I have been working at the reunions.

The Friday evening Hall of Fame was a very popular event, and we were proud to name Buck Godwin and Jim Stone as our newest members. Their photos and plaques were mounted on the Wall of Fame, and were viewed by many Alumni in attendance that evening.

Saturday morning’s Annual General Meeting went very quickly. Brett Humphries, our new Alumni Officer, was introduced to the Alumni, and the message he put forth was the idea of satellite alumni groups to reach out to younger alumni and those who live a greater distance away and desire to maintain a closer connection to the College. We strongly support him with this project and encourage anyone who may be interested in this to contact Brett.

We were pleased to have President and Mrs. Thompson join us for lunch on Saturday. They were kept busy socializing with the Alumni prior to lunch, and the address given by President Thompson after lunch was very well received.

The photos were the highlight of the day, but we were also pleased with the transportation we had available for conducting tours. The “People Mover” from Olds Ag Society was a real hit, and the College bus held 38 people each trip. The campus has changed drastically over the last few years, and many people unfortunately missed out on the tours because we simply ran out of time. For anyone wanting to tour the campus, it can be done anytime during the week, just by contacting the Office of Advancement in advance and arranging a tour.

Another very well attended event was the Worship Service on Sunday, organized by the Class of ’59. It was a cowboy church, and included some western entertainment. An appropriate ending to a very enjoyable weekend.Your support, by attending the Reunions, is invaluable to the OCAA as the profit realized from the Reunion is our only major fund raising event for the Association. We do a Casino every two years, and those proceeds are mainly used to support scholarships and bursaries.

The other major event from summer was the 2009 Graduation. I was invited, as President of the Alumni Association, to speak at the Board of Governors Pre-Grad luncheon. I was asked to speak on the Alumni Association – past, present and

our plans for the future. I was only given 10 minutes in which to do this so I really had to talk fast!

The OCAA were selling Diploma frames at the grad, as well as a few of our souvenirs and they were well received. Thanks to the OCAA board members who volunteered their time

to look after this project.

The Alumni Proficiency Graduation Prizes are open to any student graduating, and there are two $500 prizes. Students must demonstrate proficiency, leadership,

and participate in extra-curricular activities. They must contribute to college life, participate in clubs and sports, and be involved with the OCSA and Olds

community as a whole. The recipients of this year’s Alumni Proficiency Graduation prizes were Sean Hernandez, a former OCAA Board member, and Kyla McKechnie, 2009 Valedictorian.

Another term is now beginning for the OCAA Board and we look forward to it with enthusiasm. We have two new board members as of our September meeting. Marj Brewin and Sandra

Hanson are our new Directors. The Faculty representative is Jason Switzer, and OCSA representative is Andrew Corrigal.

Respectfully submitted,Laurinda ParkinsonPresident, OCAA

9

ALUMNI REVIEWOlds College AlumniAssociation Boardof Directors 2008-2009

President Laurinda Parkinson ‘69

Vice PresidentJason Finnigan ‘01 Past PresidentSandra MacKinnon-Jahn ‘86

Honourary PresidentEdith Edge ‘51

TreasurerTodd Morrison ‘01

SecretaryGary Coen ‘58

DirectorsJames Burns ‘67Glen Alred ‘58Curtis Miller ‘03John Perry ‘63Marjorie Brewin ‘59Joan (Sandra) Hanson ‘59

OCSA RepAndrew Corrigal Faculty RepJason Switzer

Olds College PresidentDr. H. J. (Tom) Thompson

Andersen, Svend Agriculture, 1936------- -------- --------Skeith, Stewart Agriculture 2 – 1, 1952------- -------- --------Johnson, Gabrielle Home Economics, 1945 ------- -------- --------Heberling, Jeffery Spurrier Ag. Production, 1986------- -------- --------Yelland, Sherman Agriculture 2 1, 1937------- -------- --------Jones, Del Agriculture, 1955------- -------- --------

MemorialsThe Alumni Board respectfully notes the passing of the following Olds College Alumni and staff, and extends its condolences to their families and friends.

Soderberg, Carl “Fred” Frederick Telander Matriculation, 1928------- -------- --------Kemp, Gavin Arthur, Ph. D. Agriculture 2 - 1, 1947------- -------- --------

Ogilvie, Graham Ronald Agriculture, 1970------- -------- --------Laing, Gordon Robert William Agriculture, 1959------- -------- --------Feragen (Johnson), Alma Home Economics, 1929 ------- -------- --------Robertson (Friend), Audry Home Economics, 1939------- -------- --------Metzger, Glen RayAgriculture, 1937------- -------- --------

Oct 200910

2009 ALUMNI REUNION

From July 17-19, hundreds of Olds College alumni reconnected, reminisced, and celebrated the brief but highly influential time they spent as Olds College students. This year’s annual event boasted many good reasons to return and, with every passing year, graduates seem to be placing an increasingly greater emphasis on the value of their time at this unique institution.

“It is with very good reason that the College named our entire alumni body as Partner of the Year at our Gala event in March,” said Laurinda Parkinson, President of the Olds College Alumni Association. “Often in the course of simply living their own lives, they have proven to be our greatest ambassadors. The fact that many are now forming their own chapters, whether it’s the newly formed Broncos Athletics chapter or West Central Alberta group, speaks to the enduring impact Olds College has on our students’ lives.”

Alumni had the option of attending, among numerous activities, a reunion lunch, class photo shoots, touring the continually-evolving Olds College campus and dining at the official reunion dinner. A Grand March, led by the returning Class of 1959, and dance was held after.

One of the highlights this year was the Hall of Fame Ceremony where two honoured alumni, Jim Stone and the late B. J. “Buck” Godwin, were recognized.

Considered to be the father of Olds College’s horticultural programs, Godwin was an extremely popular instructor at the College, his tenure lasting from 1963 to 1988. Godwin was highly respected within his field and at different times held many positions, including President of the Alberta Horticultural Association and Director for the Western Canadian Society for Horticulture. Godwin passed away in 2008.

Jim Stone spent 34 years teaching at Olds College until his retirement in the fall of 2005. Throughout his entire life, he has displayed an impressive work ethic and strong belief in community involvement that can be seen through the near-countless initiatives he has been continually involved in. Stone has served as a board member for the Mountain View Association for the Mentally Handicapped, worked with the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta as a mentor for Sustainable Pasture Management, and served as Project Manager at the Sangalo Institute of Science and Technology in Bungoma, Kenya, to name just a few examples.

Looking back to 1959, one of the honoured years at the 2009 Alumni Reunion. 50 years ago, the school orchestra played at the Saturday night dances, always an enoyable time!

Buck Godwin’s family received the Hall of Fame recognition on behalf of the honoured alumn.

Below; A walk in the Botanic Gardens reveils a bronze plaque and tree that were planted in honour of Buck Godwin, the Olds College Hort Club planted it in his memory on their graduation day.

Jim Stone receiving his Hall of Fame award from Alumni President

Laurinda Parkinson.

Gearing up for a tour around campus to see all the new wonderful things that are happening at Olds College.

Class of 1969, 40 year reunion.

Oct 2009 11

ERNEST AUGUST MENGERSEN, 1945 -2009

Ernest Mengersen, a well respected educator and entomologist

who shared his passion for the natural world with his peers and students at Olds College, was laid to rest

Saturday July 25, 2009 at the Church of the Nazarene in Olds.

Following a diverse and impressive period of both education and work experience in Canada and the U.S., Mengersen took a contract position at Olds College in 1976 to teach a wide

range of Agriculture courses from Botany to Entomology. He became a permanent staff member in September 1977. Health problems eventually resulted in his departure from Olds College in 2004.

When Mengersen arrived at Olds College, there was a collection of approximately 10,000 insects, assembled by Horticultural instructor Buck Godwin and his students. When Mengersen left, the collection had grown to approximately 55,000 specimens. Most of the additions were made by him, but many were made by his students, especially through insect collections they made as part of the entomology classes that they took from him. This collection is regarded to have the best representation of short-grass prairie ecozone Lepidoptera in Western Canada.

Along with author Hugh Philip, Mengersen wrote the widely used book, Insect Pests of the Prairies, published in 1989 by the University of Alberta, Faculty of Education. In the June 1989 Entomological Societies of Canada and Alberta publication Entomologists of Alberta, authored by Paul Riegert, Riegert recognized “Ernest Mengersen for his yeoman effort to contact all living Alberta entomologists and obtain biographical details”.

Widely respected for his love of teaching, Mengersen was also known for his respect for the intricacies of nature. In a 2003 interview, he left us with several quotes that sum up his beliefs and passions. “We live in a fragile environment and every living thing, large or small, has an important role in the ecosystem,” he said. “No one knows how far we can alter the environment with climatic change before we start to notice habitat changes, for example. But the insects are one of the first things to give clues to those answers.”

Olds College Alumni Glenn Osborn and his wife Vera have been recently recognized for their years of devotion to the Draft Horse industry. Nominated by the Saskatchewan Draft Horse Association, they were presented with an Honour Scroll at 2009 Saskatchewan Livestock Convention in Regina. SK.

Glenn graduated from Olds College in 1961. He and Vera currently ranch at Weyburn, SK, and raise Black Simmental cattle under the name Three Star Simmental.

L to R: Roberta Freitag (presenter), Glenn Osborn.

Information submitted by Monica Osborn, Olds College Class of 2004.

On October 1st, 2009, Dr. Allan Warrack was presented with a University of Alberta (U of A) Alumni Honour Award at the Francis Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton, AB. Dr. Warrack graduated from Olds College with an Agriculture 2 – 1 Diploma in 1956. He subsequently studied at the U of A and completed graduate studies at Iowa State University before returning to the U of A to teach in the agricultural economics department.

In 1971, he entered politics and was appointed as Minister of two portfolios. He has served on many public and private boards and is a member of the National Research Council of Canada as well as aU of A professor Emeritus of Business.

Volume 3, Number 2Publication mail agreement:40010029

Submissions may be edited for content and length.

Olds College Horizons is published four times per year by the Office of Advancement. We welcome comments, letters and suggestions for stories. Please email Rick Overwater roverwater@oldscollege.ca fax 403-556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street, Olds, Alberta, T4H 1R6

Editor: Rick Overwater, Communications CoordinatorPublisher: Shannon Northey, Manager of Development & Corporate CommunicationsDesign: Myriah Barr, Graphic Design and Multimedia CoordinatorPrint: Calgary Colorpress

Oct 200912

Be kind to the environment!When you have finished reading this issue of Olds College Horizons, please pass it along to a friend or recycle it. Thank you.

Check out www.oldscollege.ca for more details on these and other Olds College stories.

We’d like to hear from you!Please send us your comments, stories or suggestions for future articles. Let us know how we’re doing! Olds College Horizons is published four times per year by the Office of Advancement. Please email Rick Overwater roverwater@oldscollege.ca, fax (403) 556-4704 or write 4500-50 Street Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6.

Nov 6, 2009Preview Day Animals, Agriculture & Trades

Nov 27, 2009Preview Day Horticulture, Land, Business & Fashion

Dec 8, 2009Report to the Community & CECI Grand Opening

Jan 15, 2010Preview Day Animals & Agriculture

Feb 12, 2010Preview Day Horticulture & Land

March 12, 2010Growing the Legacy Gala

Mar 19, 2010Preview Day Trades, Business & Fashion April 10, 2010Open House May 2010GeoData Collection & Mapping Week

Coming Events

The Olds College Broncos will host a Parent/Alumni weekend on November 13 & 14, 2009. There will be nine feature games in volleyball and basketball over the two days. The intended purpose is to recognize our current athletes’ parents, allow them the opportunity to meet each other, and show their support. It is also important that we honor our Alumni, and build a true sense of pride.

This will be the first set of games in the newly renovated Frank Grisdale gymnasium as there has been the addition of a new floor, score clock, 30 second shot clocks, stereo system, game day table, game day chairs, volleyball system, and home team change rooms in the past three years.

On Friday the 13th, there will also be a social on campus located at the Crossing in the new Bell e-Learning Centre at 9 p.m. You can visit www.gobroncos.ca for more details as they are finalized.

We are looking for this to be an annual event, where next year will feature the new Health and Wellness Centre, as well as some Alumni games. If you would like to confirm your attendance, please email alumni@oldscollege.ca.

Go to www.gobroncos.ca for game times!

Parent/Alumni Recognition Weekend

Fibre Week & Hort Week, enduring week-long programs sucessful once againFibre Week saw over 200 participants, instructors and merchants converging on the College campus, arriving from six Canadian provinces and nine US states. Participants registered in five levels of the Olds College Master Spinner Certificate program as well as in the 26 different Fibre Arts courses including the ever popular Fibre Arts Camp for Youth. Students learned from an international cadre of instructors how to work with natural fibres in many different ways, including judging raw fleece, spinning different kinds of fibre, dyeing, weaving, felting and more.

Producers from across Canada entered a record 220 fleeces for judging in the Alpaca, Llama, Mohair and Wool fleece shows.

“There are countless reasons why the people within this industry are so passionate about natural fibres and why the United Nations designated 2009 as the official year-of-natural-fibre,” said Otto Pahl, Olds College Fibre Week coordinator. “Not only are so many important items in our lives fashioned from these highly-adaptable, renewable substances but the impact and benefits of using natural fibers are felt in many areas including the agriculture industry that supplies them.”

Echoing Fibre Week’s success, Hort Week also had plenty of great news to report in the following month.

“Thirty-five courses with 381 registrations filled the Land Sciences Centre with floral arrangements and gardening projects,” said Marilyn Klatt, Olds College Continuing Education Program Manager in the School of Environment. “We had an excellent group of enthusiastic new and returning participants and instructors.”

The week kicked off with the Gardeners’ Forum. This year’s topic was “In Your own Back Yard,” a look at growing, sourcing and enjoying local food. Several more busy days followed with some of the more popular courses being Grape Growing in Northern Climates, DIY Pruning, Build a Pond Workshop, Foraging for Wild Edible Plants and Yoga in the Botanic Garden.

One particular highlight was the Touch of Class Floral Design show Thursday evening, celebrating “Forty-five Years of Flowers.” Five past and present Hort Week floral designers looked back at floral design and Hort Week over the past 45 years. They also shared memories of Buck Godwin -- a popular instructor at Olds College from 1963 to 1988 -- and his contribution to both Hort Week and the Floral industry.

Instruction on weaving natural fibres has proven to be a popular annual draw at Olds College.