U of L alumni like you are illuminating the world
and we want to hear about it.
So, we’re asking you:
What does it mean to shine?
“To shine, to me, means to be committed to a cause, be engaged with like-minded individuals and to see that my time and abilities are making a positive difference.” Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02)
A two-time U of L alumna, a U of L Mom, Alumni Honour Society inductee and an active Board and Senate member, Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02) is no stranger to convocation. That being said, the Spring 2015 Convocation held special meaning to Janice, and to the University of Lethbridge. On May 28, 2015, Janice was officially installed as the U of L’s 13th chancellor. She is the first U of L graduate to hold the position in the institution’s near 50-year history. “To be installed as chancellor, and then sit there and look at this sea of students in their gowns, was a really surreal and emotional experience,” she says. “I was, and still feel, so absolutely honored.” As the University’s primary ambassador to the community, Janice will lead the Senate and its more than 60 delegates as the University prepares for its next 50 years.
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“My parents were lifelong proponents of combining skills plus opportunities with hard work for the benefit of other people. I think people who do that shine.” Dr. Jon Doan (PhD ’06)
Photo by Leslie Ohene-Adjei
For the more than 110,000 Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease, there is no known cause or cure. Being able to manage their symptoms, however, can make all the difference. Alumnus and U of L researcher Dr. Jon Doan (PhD ’06) is leading a multidisciplinary research group that has teamed up to advance symptom management strategies for people living with Parkinson’s disease. They are taking their research to ice rinks across Canada, using skating and hockey stick-handling skills as forms of therapy. “When we tested people living with Parkinson’s, we found they skated safely and skillfully at significantly greater velocity than their walking and with significantly bigger arm swing,” explains Jon. “Most interestingly, when these patients did some walking locomotion after an episode of skating, they also walked significantly faster than they did before the skating session.”
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“When you’re confident and doing what you love, you shine. I’m shining when I’m teaching aboriginal studies to my students. They inspire me to be my best.” Eddie Wolf Child (BA ’14, BEd ’15)
Photo by Rob Olson
Eddie began his studies at the U of L in 2008 in the First Nations’ Transition Program. From the Siksika Nation reserve, Eddie credits his success to the support of his community, his role models and his sheer, steadfast determination. In 2014, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies and in 2015 with a Bachelor of Education. “In life, we all go through struggles,” he says. “But to overcome your struggles, you have to put in the work.” It’s a lesson he’s now passing on to his students at Old Sun Community College. “I’m so happy to be home in my community teaching my people,” he says. And in just a few short months, he’s already making a difference. “At Sun College’s graduation, the valedictorian said, ‘I would not be standing here today if it wasn’t for Eddie Wolf Child.’ In that moment, I knew, I’m really doing something.”
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“When someone shines, they have a certain confidence to them – they are happy in what they are doing and with their life – and it’s contagious.” Paije Ottoson (BMgt/BEd ’04)
Photo by Leslie Ohene-Adjei
It was an a-ha moment that set Paije Ottoson’s (BMgt/BEd ’04) life on a whole new trajectory. “I remember sitting in my office one day and saying, ‘I just want to paint.’” Soon after, Paije left her career in banking and set out on a new path, combining her education and business background with her passion for art. After months of planning and hard work (from conceiving the business plan right down to laying the studio flow), Smudge Art Studio Inc. opened its doors in downtown Lethbridge. “As children, we all create. Then, somewhere along the way, some of that gets lost,” Paije says. “When artists come into Smudge, they can feel that inspiration again.” In only 18 months, Smudge has attracted accolades including, the 2014 Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce & BDC Business of the Year Award in New Venture/New Business, 2015 Best of the Best in Best Place to Take the Kids and 2015 Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge in the General Stream category, and most importantly, is inspiring artists of all ages.
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“For me, to shine means to shed light as a leader on the boundless opportunities that exist in business and in life. To give 100% in everything you do and pay back your good fortune whenever possible—and to inspire others to do the same. To leave this world better than you entered it.” Anil Pereira (BMgt ’87)
Photo by Leslie Ohene-Adjei
As a highly respected Silicon Valley entrepreneur, executive and advisor, Anil Pereira (BMgt ’87) has a unique vantage point on tomorrow’s technology and business landscape. The founder and CEO of multiple startups, and former executive at VeriSign and American Express,
Anil now spends his time advising a select group of high-pro le, early-stage ventures on multiple continents. As such, he has a glimpse into the future like few others — and it’s a vision he’s sharing with today’s students at the University of Lethbridge. In addition to serving as the senior advisor for the U of L’s new AGILITY innovation and entrepreneurship program, Anil makes his way back to campus each semester to connect with students as an executive in residence in the Faculty of Management. He brings with him decades of industry experience and connections, boundless energy and enthusiasm, and the latest innovations (like the virtual reality device he’s been demonstrating in student-oriented workshops).
“I’m thrilled to be part of the U of L’s journey to build a true destination university for the 21st century,” says Anil. “A lot has changed since I graduated 25-plus years ago. The Faculty of Management is thriving with engaged and enthusiastic students and AGILITY is destined to become part of the new fabric of the University. It builds upon the U of L’s liberal-education foundation by integrating innovation into programming across disciplines, helping students scale to new heights by preparing them for careers of the future.”
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“To shine, to me, means having a positive attitude, staying true to your values and beliefs as a person, and finding what fulfills you and gives you purpose.” Kim Veldman (BN ’14)
Photo by Leslie Ohene-Adjei
As an undergraduate nursing student at the U of L, Kim Veldman (BN ’14) excelled in the classroom, on the court and in her community. A first-team Canada West all-star and two-time winner of the Pronghorn Female Athlete of the Year Award, Kim was also just the second women’s basketball player in Horns history to win a CIS major award when she earned the Sylvia Sweeney Award for excellence in basketball, academics and community service. “Being a Pronghorn had a huge effect on my life,” she says. “The busier I was, the better grades I got.” Off the court, Kim got hands-on experience working in rural hospitals during her practicum and gave back to her young basketball fans as a volunteer reading buddy. Today, she’s a graduate student at the U of L and is working toward a new goal: inspiring the next generation of nurses.
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“For me, to shine means to be fully present – not just in music, but in life.” Dr. Andrew Staniland (BMus ’00) U of L Alumni Association’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Photo by Bo Huan
The process of composing music is different for every composer. For U of L alumnus Dr. Andrew Staniland (BMus ’00), it’s a deeply solitary process. “I like to keep my composition in my imagination as long as possible,” he says. “Composing is really about creating a work of art.” Considered one of the most influential voices of our time, Andrew has amassed more than 100 national and international performances of his work; garnered a long list of awards and accolades. Andrew is a professor of music and an innovative researcher at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he is inspiring a new generation of composers and musicians. “In my experience, love and passion for creativity is totally contagious, as is the pursuit of musical mastery,” he says. “I was moved and inspired by my teachers who had these traits, and in turn, I have the privilege of perhaps inspiring others the same way through music and through teaching.”
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Randy Kobbert (BMgt ’86)
Over the years, many individuals have been proud to call this university their own. As president of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association, I am honoured to represent the more than 40,000 U of L alumni worldwide. I hope you share my pride in our alma mater and all we have accomplished so far. And on the eve of our 50th anniversary, I hope you know this is just the beginning.
As alumni, we play an important role in the U of L’s story – we represent its past and will help shape its future. Whether you live in Lethbridge, or across the world, there are many opportunities to connect with your fellow alumni and deepen your connection to our university. I encourage you to connect with each other to celebrate the achievements of your fellow alumni and the success of our community.
Remember: big movements begin with small acts. Connect with us on the U of L Alumni Facebook page. Share your story and learn more about other alumni by celebrating their stories. And most importantly, let others know that you’re a U of L graduate, and help spread the world about the difference our university and fellow alumni are making in communities around the world.
Sincerely,
Randy Kobbert
President, University of Lethbridge Alumni Association
