Barbara Woolsey finds her voice - The University of Regina Magazine volume 29, no. 1 spring/summer 2017 - Degrees Magazine
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volume 29, no. 1 spring/summer 2017 The University of Regina Magazine
Barbara Woolsey
finds her voice
It was selfie heaven in the packed halls of the Riddell Centre in late January as a large and
enthusiastic crowd welcomed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to campus. Trudeau is the first prime
minister to visit the University of Regina since Lester Pearson in the 1960s. Taking the selfie with
Trudeau is Usama Ahmad, a Palestinian-born Engineering and Applied Science student who came to
Canada via Syria. At left is Lucas Campbell and Jasmine Holowaty admiring their photo with Trudeau.
Photo by Trevor Hopkin, University of Regina Photography Department.
Degrees | spring/summer 2017 1
Degrees magazine and its 40,000 copies of Degrees to That’s about the weight of an you know about all the terrific
predecessor, The Third Degree, mailboxes around the world. The average African elephant, the things that are happening in
have been entertaining and fixed costs associated with the largest land mammal on the the U of R world. We remain
informing University of Regina magazine are growing beyond planet. One of the overarching committed to Degrees, just not
alumni and friends since 1989. what our budget can manage. themes of the University’s in its current form.
In those 28 years, we have And, those costs continue strategic plan is sustainability. So what to do? That’s where
brought you thousands of to rise with every graduating As we look for ways to make you, our readers, come in. We
stories of the talents, adventures class, adding some 2,000 new our campus and our world more want your direct feedback. What
and triumphs of people subscribers every year. sustainable, Degrees can no do you want the new Degrees
associated with the University We are not facing this longer escape that scrutiny. mix to look like? Totally digitally
of Regina. For close to three dilemma alone. University The venerable newsmagazine based? A combination of print
decades, we have shone a brief Affairs, the Canadian industry Maclean’s started following a and digital? Would you give up
spotlight on individuals who, in publication devoted to the similar strategy, reducing its your delivered copy? Do you
their own ways, are making the post-secondary sector, ran a printed publication from weekly want to see a Degrees app?
world a better place every day. column almost a decade ago to monthly in January. The print Let us know.
reduction has been offset by
The magazine is the mirror with the foreboding headline You can send your thoughts
digital content on the macleans.
that reflects an amazing “The uncertain future of to uralumni@uregina.ca.
ca website and available
community made up of alumni, alumni magazines.” I, for one, remain optimistic
through the magazine’s app.
students, faculty, staff and In the same issue was the for the future. I hope to continue
Chatelaine and Today’s Parent
friends of the University of announcement that Western to tell stories about fabulous
had a similar print decline and
Regina. I also like to think Ontario’s Alumni Gazette was the Canadian magazines Flare, people associated with the
that it brings us all a little cutting its print version from Sportsnet, MoneySense and University of Regina. To imagine
closer together. three times a year to just once Canadian Business are now being able to tell those stories
Unfortunately, today’s fiscal a year. In a note to readers, only available on the web and in an even more dynamic
realities and the escalating the magazine’s editor said the through apps. manner is truly energizing.
costs of production are Gazette is “taking a new and We know from a 2016 alumni I will share those comments
challenging us like never before. greener approach to the delivery engagement survey that older in the next issue of Degrees
The magazine has arrived at the of our publication” by moving alumni prefer the magazine when we will be that much
fork in the road that we have the other two issues each year while younger alumni favour closer to knowing what the
seen coming for some time. exclusively online. digitally delivered content. future holds.
The fact is, the magazine The greener approach has The magazine has become I trust you will enjoy this issue.
is the University’s most costly also been on our minds. Each unsustainable, but at the same
communications tool. Twice a issue, we mail out more than time it’s one of our best ways to Greg Campbell BFA'85, BJ'95
year we print and mail more than 6,000 kilograms of magazines. keep in touch with you and let Editor
2 Degrees | spring/summer 2017
Editor
Greg Campbell BFA’85, BJ’95
Manager, Strategic Communications
Erin Limacher BAJ’06, MA'16
Alumni Association Board 2017-18
President
Kaytlyn Barber BBA'12
First Vice-President
Bert Yakichuk PGDGCS’73, MEd’77
Second Vice-President
Aadon Fieger BA'10
Past-President The University of Regina Magazine
Brian Hillier DDA'04, BA'04,
MBA'09, MHRM'11 spring/summer 2017
Directors volume 29, no. 1
Scott Cheston CA’05, DIPBA’06, BBA’08, MCert’10, MBA’13
Nora Findlay BA’75, BEd’83, MEd’06
Bob Friedrich BA’76, CPSTST’07 On the cover: Barbara Woolsey BAJ'11, a fresh new voice in international media circles.
Joel Graham BBA’09, BEd’13 Photo by Trevor Hopkin, University of Regina Photography Department.
David Keene CLGAJ’85, DAA’92, CA’92, CCE’92, CDP’99
Emily McNair BBA’11
George Smadu BEd’74, BA’80, PGDEA’88, MEd’91, PHD’08
Lana Vindevoghel BAET’06
Ex-Officio Members
University of Regina Senate Representative
Gwen Keith BEd'74, MEd'77, PGDEA'83, MEd'84
University of Saskatchewan Senate Representative
Lynda Browning BEd'69
University of Regina Students’ Union Representative
Jermaine McKenzie
Alumni and Community Engagement Director
Peggy MacDonald MBA'06
Contributors
Terina Abrahamson
8 20 24
Bill Armstrong
Judy Bird BA'93, BJ'97
Shane Eason BFA'01
Laird Harrison
Trilby Henderson BAJ’05
Trevor Hopkin
Dale Johnson
Todd Korol
Diane Mullan BA’78
Warne Noyce Features Polishing an old gem 24
Craig Pulsifer A $60-million project to renew
Colette Schlamp
Honorary Degree College Avenue Campus is well
Barbara Woolsey BAJ'11 (Luther College) underway. When the project
Recipients 8
All photos by The University of Regina A businessman and is completed in early 2018,
Photography Department unless otherwise noted.
philanthropist, a former Regina will have one of the most
Original design by Bradbury Branding and Design. exceptional educational and
RCMP commissioner, and
Degrees is published twice a year by External Relations at the a corporate leader; meet cultural venues in the country.
University of Regina. The magazine is mailed to alumni and friends
of the University. Ideas and opinions published in Degrees do not
this spring convocation’s
honorary degree recipients. No direction home 28
necessarily reflect those of the editor, the Alumni Association or the
University of Regina. Letters and editorial contributions are welcome. On any given night in Canada,
Advertising inquiries are invited.
The U of R Senate - 35,000 homeless people sleep
Window on the World 12 in shelters, in cars, under
To reach us:
Because of its broad public overpasses or in vacant
Editorial/Advertising/Letters doorways. Despite the alarming
Degrees, External Relations representation, the Senate
210 Paskwaw Tower, University of Regina has been described as the numbers, there are some
3737 Wascana Parkway
University's "window on the optimists who believe just a
Regina, SK S4S 0A2 little political will could make
Ph: (306) 585-4402 Fax: (306) 585-4997 world." Take a look inside
E-mail: Greg.Campbell@uregina.ca the body that oversees the homelessness a thing of the past.
University’s academic welfare.
Address Change/Alumni Relations
210 Paskwaw Tower, University of Regina departments
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Regina, SK S4S 0A2 A quantum leap of faith 20
Many are expecting this Feed Back 2
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University of Regina homepage
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Degrees | spring/summer 2017 3
President’s Note
Over the past few years, I reminded the audience co-op placements, and those With the approval of our
it has become a tradition that in 1966, we were still the students earned more than $9 Board of Governors, at this
for me to deliver an annual University of Saskatchewan – million in salaries. time next year I will begin
presentation to the Regina and Regina Campus and we called The presentation also my third term as president
District Chamber of Commerce. some 2,250 students our own. included discussion about the of the University of Regina. I
This “State of the University Some of the landmark buildings University’s first forays into the can’t begin to tell you what an
Address” is a wonderful on our campus – the Classroom areas of Indigenization and honour it is to continue serving
opportunity to provide the and Lab Buildings and the internationalism. Indigenization our University in this way.
business community, and Library, for example – had began in earnest in 1976 under I am more committed than
others, with an update on just been built or were in the the leadership of Dr. Lloyd
activities at the University of ever, both to the University
process of being planned and Barber with the establishment and to the work that I do on its
Regina and report on our most constructed. Many areas still of the Saskatchewan Indian
recent contributions to the behalf. Simply put, the University
lacked sidewalks, and students Federated College (now First
community. In January, I was of Regina is my life. I love this
walked from building to Nations University of Canada),
honoured to present this year’s institution, and I love my work.
building on wooden planks to the first institution of its kind
address, entitled “From Rugged avoid getting bogged down in in Canada. I relayed that I am also looking forward
Brat to Community Leader,” our famous “Regina gumbo.” the number of self-declared to my third term as president
in front of about 300 people, By comparison, our student Indigenous students at the of the University of Regina
many of whom I am pleased to population is now about University, and Federated because I love taking on new
say were our alumni. 15,000 strong, and we have Colleges, has grown by 84 per challenges. The most recent
While many in the audience constructed 1.5 million square cent since 2009 and now makes challenge for us all is the one
assumed that I was the “rugged feet of new space in the past up 13 per cent of the student posed by the nearly $7 million
brat” mentioned in the title, 23 years – including sidewalks, body – one of the highest in provincial government cuts
that wasn’t the case! The title we have experienced since
of course! Dr. Archer would be percentages in the country.
came from a speech delivered November 2016.
hard-pressed to recognize his I noted our long history of
by one of the most respected
old campus. working with international Despite the challenges these
leaders in our institution’s
To demonstrate the partners, and how the University cuts present us, I am confident
history. In the early 1970s, Dr.
homogeneity of our student of Regina was the first university about our future. It is my vision
John Archer, the principal of
body at the time, I showed a in Canada to formalize for us to become more engaged
the University of Saskatchewan
– Regina Campus, said: photo of the 1969-70 Faculty relationships with Chinese with the community, to elevate
“The Regina Campus is still of Administration graduating institutions – again through the our research enterprise to even
a question mark in some class. There were 26 graduates vision of Dr. Barber. I emphasized more acclaim, to engage our
people’s mind. This, too, will – all male and all of European our continued commitment to Indigenous and international
pass. Regina will be proud of ancestry. I then showed internationalism and spoke with communities to an even greater
this rugged brat that squats a photo of the graduating pride about our increasingly extent, and to help our students
so starkly in the southeast class of last year’s Faculty diverse student body. achieve even more success.
environs of the city. Reginans of Business Administration. Approximately 70 per cent of
Together, we can continue
have reason to be proud of There were 340 graduates from our students come from outside
building on the work of leaders
it now, were they to consider around the world – students Regina and originate from more
like Dr. Archer and Dr. Barber.
seriously the great progress from a multitude of ethnic than 100 countries around the
backgrounds. Just as important, Our alumni – some of whom
made in a scant ten years.” globe – something few could
more than half of them were have envisioned 50 years ago. witnessed first-hand the uphill
The progress made in
women. That’s quite a change! Those are but a few of the struggle faced by our “rugged
those ten years was indeed
I also emphasized our highlights of my presentation brat” in its early years – will
noteworthy, but what we
have achieved in the decades tradition of innovation by to the Chamber of Commerce. always play an important
since is truly extraordinary. recounting how, in 1969, we I know from feedback that the part in this. Thank you for
The presentation I delivered established the first Co- audience truly appreciated the your continuing support of
was designed to illustrate operative Education program story of how far the University your University.
one thing – the remarkable in Western Canada. I reminded has come. I also know how
transformation that has taken the audience that we are much our contributions are Sincerely,
place at the University in the still a leader in the area. In appreciated by members of Dr. Vianne Timmons
past five decades. 2016, we had 772 students in our community. President and Vice-Chancellor
4 Degrees | spring/summer 2017
Left: David Senkow
Centre: Andrea Sterzuk
Right: Jacqui Shumiatcher
Donor news Andrea Sterzuk BEd’97, the alumni, development, donor the most recent President’s
associate professor of relations, and finance and Community Award in recognition
An anonymous donor has Language and Literacy administration functions of her commitment to the
gifted $1 million to help Education, has been appointed of External Relations. community and support of
restore historic Darke Hall. The acting dean of Education the arts. Jacqui and her late
donation brings the University for one year, effective July 1. Erin Limacher BAJ’06, MA’16 husband, Morris Shumiatcher,
closer to its goal of raising $3 Sterzuk holds a PhD in second- will assume the role of have been supporters of the arts
million to bring the performance language education from McGill director of Communications and community organizations
hall back to its former glory University. She joined the and Marketing for a two-year for decades. They each received
while ensuring it meets today’s University of Regina in 2007. term. Limacher has been the Saskatchewan Order of
technical standards. Announced Prior to her academic career, with the University for more Merit; Morris in 1997 and Jacqui
in 2011, the College Avenue she worked as a public school than 10 years and served in in 2001. The Shumiatchers
Campus Renewal Project is teacher in rural Saskatchewan a management role within have also contributed to
the University’s priority capital and in the Canadian Arctic. External Relations since 2010. the University of Regina
fundraising project. It is aimed She enjoys gardening and She brings to the position over the years. They have
at restoring and preserving learning languages. During the a unique combination of funded student scholarships
the historic College Avenue summer months, she can be knowledge of the University, and donated to fine arts
Campus, enabling it to continue found participating in cycling, expertise in communications programming, including a
as an economic, educational running and swimming, and planning and development, generous contribution to create
and cultural hub for the city competing in local triathlons and enthusiasm for promoting the Shu-Box Theatre. In 2014,
of Regina. (See related story, and road races. the achievements of faculty, Jacqui supported the College
page 24)
staff and students. Avenue Campus Renewal
Bruce Anderson will leave the
Project through a unique gift of
Comings and goings position of associate vice-
Accolades more than 1,000 pieces of their
president (Development) in
personal art collection valued
David Senkow, associate dean External Relations to return
In mid-May, President and Vice- at approximately $3 million.
(Academic) and associate to the Paul J. Hill School of
Chancellor Vianne Timmons
professor (Accounting), has Business and the Kenneth
Levene Graduate School of received an honorary degree United Way Regina has
been appointed acting dean
of the Faculty of Business Business effective July 1. from Mount Allison University. recognized the University’s
Administration for one year, Anderson will return to his Timmons was recognized for her commitment to the community
effective July 1. Senkow holds teaching duties as well as work in three areas: advocacy by awarding it the Farm Credit
a PhD in accounting from the assume the role of the faculty’s and empowerment of women Canada Commitment Award
University of Minnesota. He executive lead, Outreach. leaders; internationalization; for its achievements and the
joined the University of Regina Anderson will play a critical and disabilities and inclusion. success of its record fundraising
in 1992. Since 2008, he has role identifying partnerships The award was special for a campaign in 2016. Thanks to the
served the Paul J. Hill School that advance the faculty’s couple reasons: Mount Allison work of campus volunteers, this
of Business and the Kenneth strategic goals, creating was where she earned her year’s campaign raised more
Levene Graduate School of advocates for its programs and first degrees in English and than $108,000, the highest
Business as associate dean helping assess support for a Psychology; and her honorary amount ever for the University’s
(Academic). Senkow's research new business building. degree was presented to her by United Way campaign.
and teaching is in accounting, Mount Allison’s chancellor, the
including management Kim McKechney has been CBC’s Peter Mansbridge. Earlier The University of Regina
accounting and accounting appointed to the new role this year Timmons was awarded is one of three Canadian
theory. During the summer of associate vice-president CTV Regina’s 2016 Citizen of universities to make the
months, he can be found (External Relations) for a two-year the Year. Times Higher Education
competing with his Super Gas term, effective July 1. McKechney Young University Rankings as
race car at drag racing tracks will provide executive leadership Honorary degree recipient one of the world’s best 200
in Western Canada and the in communications and Jacqui Shumiatcher LL.D universities under 50 years
United States. marketing, as well as oversee (Honorary)’02 was awarded old. Compared to last year, the
Degrees | spring/summer 2017 5
University scored higher in four BSc’16 received second prize mentor, Walsh is paired with taught a graduate course in
categories: teaching, citations, at the 2017 James Ham Safe promising doctoral students health-care economics until
international outlook and Design Award Competition known collectively as Trudeau the age of 80. A student award
industry income. for their innovative rapid scholars. The mentors share has been named in his honour
attachment interchange their knowledge with the — the Dr. Jack Boan Medal
Biology student Shelby Bohn system for forklifts. The system students in the social sciences in Economics. He’s a strong
finished runner-up in a national helps reduce workplace and humanities. U of R Press advocate for refugee students
video contest called "Science, injuries when changing forklift was launched in 2013 under and helped start the U of R
Action!" put on by the Natural attachments. The award was Walsh’s leadership. Since then, Group for Refugees, which has
Sciences and Engineering presented to the trio on May 3 it has produced six national helped dozens of refugees to
Research Council of Canada. at a national safety conference bestsellers, two of which are receive an education at the
Bohn, a master’s student, in Mississauga, Ontario. scholarly titles, a rarity in University of Regina.
is studying how bats on the The system is now in use at academic publishing.
Prairies interact with their Parkland Carpet One in Regina. Pat Patton, the University’s
environment. She is exploring Ross King BA’83, MA’86,LL.D director of Security and
the habitat that silver haired Janessa Fox, a student at the (Honorary'12) is the winner of Operations, has been named
bats use during the summer, Paul J. Hill School of Business, this year’s RBC Taylor Prize for Security Director of the Year in
when females gather together recently received first-class his book Mad Enchantment: Canada by Canadian Security
in small groups to raise their treatment when she met Air Claude Monet and the Painting magazine. The magazine cites
babies in hollow trees. Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu. of the Water Lilies. The prize was her accomplished security
Fox, a third-year accounting announced at a gala luncheon career and instrumental role in
A team of students from the student, joined nine other in Toronto by Noreen Taylor, the development of the sexual
Paul J. Hill School of Business business students from across founder of the prize and chair of violence awareness program,
received the School of the Canada to meet Rovinescu at the Charles Taylor Foundation. Man Up Against Violence.
Year award at the JDC West an event honouring him as The RBC Taylor Prize is given Patton has been with the
Business Competition held
CEO of the year. Each student to a Canadian author whose University for 20 years. She
at the University of Alberta in
received a scholarship for book best demonstrates also received the Outstanding
January. JDC West is a student-
$7,500 in recognition of their superb command of the English Alumni Award — Professional
run competition providing
academic leadership and language, an elegance of Achievement from Mount Royal
opportunities for business
extracurricular activities. style, and a subtlety of thought University in Calgary.
students from 12 Western
and perception. In 2006,
Canadian universities to achieve
Livia Castellanos, associate King won the Governor Three members of the Cougars
excellence in academics,
vice-president (International) General's Literary Award for women’s hockey team were
social responsibility, sporting
and social competitions. The and chief international officer Non-Fiction for The Judgment part of the silver-medal-
Hill team also placed: first at UR International, was of Paris: the Revolutionary winning Team Canada at the
in the categories of social, honoured with the Education Decade That Gave the World Winter Universiade in Almaty,
participation, volunteer hours, award by the Intercultural Impressionism. He was a Kazakhstan in January. Kylie
finance and international Dialogue Institute in Regina. University of Regina honorary Gavelin, Alexis Larson BSNU’16
business; second in marketing The award was presented at the degree recipient in 2012. and Jaycee Magwood brought
and debate; and third in Institute’s annual Friendship home second-place medals
accounting and athletics. This Dinner and Award ceremony Jack Boan, professor emeritus from the world’s biggest stage
was the ninth year that a Hill in March. The Intercultural in economics, was the recipient for university sports. The event
team has placed in the top three Dialogue Institute is a non- of the Lifelong Global Citizen features athletes from around
for the School of the Year award, profit organization whose Award by the Saskatchewan the world and is organized by
which is more than any other purpose is to promote respect Council for International the Fédération Internationale du
school in the competition’s and mutual understanding Cooperation. The annual award Sport Universitaire. About 2,000
12-year history. The Executive among all cultures and faiths recognizes Saskatchewan athletes were in Kazakhstan for
of the Year award was presented through partnerships with other residents who make significant the games.
to the Hill team co-captains communities, and cultural, contributions to international
Cari-Lynn Schoettler BBA’17 and religious and inter-religious development, cooperation, Briefly
Danielle Lane BBA’17. The award organizations. peace and justice. Boan, who
is based on strong leadership, is 99 years old, has been On Friday, January 13, Howard
selflessness and the portrayal Bruce Walsh, director of connected to the University Letyon-Brown, an integral part
of true JDC West spirit. the University’s publishing for more than half a century. of the University of Regina’s
house, U of R Press, is He started teaching at the Conservatory of Performing Arts
Faculty of Engineering and one of 11 accomplished University in 1962 and retired for more than 60 years, died at
Applied Science students Derek Canadians named as a 2017 in 1983. After retirement, the age of 98. The Australian-
Grain BASc’17, Zachary Hass mentor by the Pierre Elliott he remained active in the born violinist has taught
BASc’17 and Michael Taylor Trudeau Foundation. As a University community and hundreds of students, including
6 Degrees | spring/summer 2017
Left: Jack Boan
Centre: Pat Patton
Right: Howard Leyton-Brown
several who have gone on of, the Man Up Against Violence reactors. The $1.1 million antibiotic resistance. Those
to international stardom. movement at the University. multidisciplinary project, understandings will translate
He immigrated to Canada in A copy of the report is available led by Esam Hussein, dean into critical health-care
1952 and became head of at: https://www.uregina.ca/ of the Faculty of Engineering advancements in Canada and
the string department of the ursafe. and Applied Science at the around the world. The support
Regina Conservatory of Music, University of Regina, is being comes from the Canadian
a position he held until his Once again, University of funded by the Sylvia Fedoruk Institutes of Health Research, a
retirement in 1987. He served Regina students stepped up Canadian Centre for Nuclear federal funding agency.
as director of the Conservatory for the annual 5 Days for the Innovation. The project will
from 1955 until 1986. He also Homeless. Five students spent help Saskatchewan graduate Two projects in the Department
served as the conductor of the five nights camped outside the students develop expertise in of Biology received funding of
Regina Symphony Orchestra Riddell Centre entrance to raise the engineering, geological, almost $900,000 to acquire
from 1960 to 1971, and as funds for and awareness of geographical, regulatory and cutting-edge tools needed to
its concertmaster from 1978 homelessness. Paige McNabb, economic factors of building conduct world-class research.
to 1989. Leyton-Brown was Siobhan Neary, Joshua Exner, small modular nuclear reactors, The projects are led by biology
awarded the Distinguished Sasha Shupe and Rebecca which will inevitably play a role faculty members Chris Somers,
Flying Cross in 1944 for his Perigny raised $51,353.27 for in the clean-energy mix. Richard Manzon, Christopher
service as a bomber pilot. Carmichael Outreach, a Regina- Yost and Andrew Cameron. The
He was named a Member of based charity that provides a The Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian funding was made available
the Order of Canada in 1986, variety of services for people in Centre for Nuclear Innovation by the federal and provincial
received the Lifetime Award for need. That significantly exceeds is also collaborating with governments, the University
Excellence in the Arts in 1991, last year’s total of $37,000 the University of Regina’s of Regina’s Faculty of Science
Saskatchewan Order of Merit in and surpasses the fundraising Department of Physics on a and participating vendors
1996 and the Queen’s Golden totals of similar campaigns at project that has the potential through both cash and in-kind
Jubilee Medal in 2002. 19 universities across Canada. to revolutionize plant research. donations. The Somers and
(See story, page 28) The PhytoPET is a real-time Manzon project focuses on
Efforts to end sexual assault imaging detector used to detect freshwater fisheries. Cameron
and violence at the University of Research how plants respond to a number and Yost will use the funding
Regina received a major boost of environmental stresses, from to create a new functional
with the release of the Gender- Early this year, the University drought to infections to insect microbial genomics laboratory
based Violence Prevention launched its Strategic Research infestations. The project is the for the University of Regina’s
Needs Assessment Report and Plan 2016-2021, which will first of its kind in Canada, and Institute for Microbial Systems
the establishment of a new guide the University’s research has been made possible thanks and Society.
position responsible for leading endeavours over the next to a $1.45 million contribution
the University’s Gendered five years. As stated in the from the Fedoruk Centre, Droughts on the Prairies could
Violence Prevention Strategies. document, the plan’s vision is which is funded by Innovation become more frequent, more
Roz Kelsey BPAS’98, BEd’00, that the University of Regina Saskatchewan. severe and longer lasting in
MSc’05 will serve as the “develop and maintain a the years ahead, according to a
University’s first director of supportive and diverse research Minister of Public Safety and new book edited by University
Gender Violence Prevention environment and a culture of Emergency Preparedness Ralph faculty members. The book,
Strategies and will take the lead excellence for all scholars.” Goodale BA’71 announced Vulnerability and Adaptation to
on implementing the report’s $1,123,815 in federal Drought, is co-edited by three
recommendations to address A team of 14 researchers from funding for Mohan Babu, an Department of Sociology and
gender-based violence. Kelsey the University of Regina and assistant professor in the Social Studies faculty members:
is a professor in the Faculty of the University of Saskatchewan Department of Chemistry and Harry Diaz, Margot Hurlbert
Kinesiology and Health Studies is studying issues related to Biochemistry who is working BAdmin’86, and Jim Warren
who established, and is chair establishing small nuclear to understand and combat BA’80, BEd’82, MA’85, PhD’14.
Degrees | spring/summer 2017 7
Spring 2017
honorary degree recipients
A former RCMP commissioner, a corporate leader and a businessman and
philanthropist, are the most recent honorary degree recipients.
By Dale Johnson and Greg Campbell BFA'85, BJ'95
a number of professors from University of Regina. They made a
Beverley
huge impression on all of us,” she says.
As a new RCMP officer, she was posted to a number of
detachments in British Columbia, where she worked in a
Busson variety of areas.
Busson became the first woman in the RCMP to be promoted
to inspector when she took over responsibilities in North
Battleford in 1992. She was later transferred to Vancouver and,
in 1998, she was named the RMCP’s first female commanding
Beverley Ann Busson didn’t officer, and returned to Saskatchewan.
realize the long-term impact Although she is now retired from the RCMP, Busson is well
of being in the first class aware of the leading-edge work the University is doing in the
of female RCMP members
field of law enforcement.
training in Regina in 1974.
“My son-in-law is one of many members of the RCMP that
“When I look back, my
has studied and graduated from the University of Regina
troopmates and I were, I
and is presently pursuing a masters in Police Studies there.
believe, naively unaware that
I have always encouraged those around me to make formal
what we were undertaking
learning an important part of their professional development.
would be looked upon as
The University of Regina has been a leader in facilitating an
groundbreaking, or that
environment that combines academic study together with life
we were trailblazers for the
experience to create learning applicable to the real world and its
Photo by Craig Pulsifer next generations of female
members or others in challenges. This is especially evident in the policing field in this
traditionally male roles who came after us,” she says. new and complex world.”
Busson went on to break a lot of ground during her career with the As she reflects on her career with the RCMP, she says times
RCMP, culminating in being named the first female Commissioner in 2006. have changed for the better.
A big reason for her success is her belief in – and practice of – lifelong “I now routinely meet with members, both male and female,
learning. Busson earned an education degree and worked with children who work together and do so with respect, yet [they have] little
with special needs in the early 1970s, before her RCMP training. During recognition of how different it was just 40 some years ago. I take
the 1980s, she studied criminology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, great pride in the number of female police officers and police
British Columbia. She then earned a law degree at the University of British leaders in the force and how their role is accepted without a
Columbia in 1990. blink. That is real progress – and how it should be.”
“I have long believed in the value of continuous learning and feel Busson will receive her honorary degree on Friday, June 9.
strongly that the professionalization of policing rests on fostering learning “I was very surprised and humbled to be named a recipient of
and the critical thinking that comes from learning throughout one’s life,” an honorary degree. I have made it my life’s work to try to make
she explains. a difference and, in my journey, had the opportunity to do it at
Busson clearly remembers when she first arrived in Regina to start many different roles within the RCMP,” Busson says.
training with the RCMP. “Regina in 1974 was a very interesting place for
a young woman from Nova Scotia. My troop arrived in September, just in
time for winter. Need I say more?”
During her training, Busson encountered the University of Regina,
which had become an independent institution just a few months earlier.
“I recall that at least one of our courses on diversity was co-instructed by
8 Degrees | spring/summer 2017Although his career took him to several countries, his
Tim
fondness for his native province never left him.
“It is truly extraordinary how many people from
Saskatchewan went on to be highly successful in other parts
Hearn of the country and in numerous walks of life. A significant
number of other energy company CEOs also came from
Saskatchewan. I again attribute this to the character and
culture of the province,” Hearn says.
Since retiring from his 41-year career with Imperial
Tim Hearn, retired chairman,
Oil, Hearn has served on a number of boards, including
president and chief executive
the C.D. Howe Institute, the Calgary Homeless Foundation,
officer of Imperial Oil Limited,
the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (now Business
credits his career success to
Council of Canada) and the Royal Bank of Canada. He has
growing up in Regina.
also been a director with Tuckamore Capital Management
“That is where a lot of my
Inc. (now ClearStream Energy Services) and Viterra Inc.
personal characteristics and values
He is currently a director with ARC Resources Ltd. and
were developed, which were
CGI Group Inc.
hugely influential and beneficial
In addition to his work on corporate boards, he serves as
throughout my life,” says Hearn.
a member of the advisory board at the University of Calgary
Hearn was born in Regina. He
graduated from the University of for the School of Public Policy and, previously, the Cumming
Manitoba in 1967 with a Bachelor School of Medicine Advisory Board. He was a member of
Photo by Todd Korol
of Science. the joint committee of the Commission for Environmental
“While Saskatchewan was a great place to grow up and develop, unfortunately Cooperation and currently serves as chair of Hearn and
at that time if you weren’t going to work in agriculture or public service, there Associates.
were not a lot of other opportunities for young graduates. So many of us left to “In accepting this award, for me it is truly an
pursue new horizons elsewhere,” he explains. acknowledgement that much of my success in career and
Fresh out of university, Hearn joined Imperial Oil as a marketing representative life directly emanates from my Saskatchewan roots and
and was promoted to increasingly senior positions over the years. He says growing upbringing,” he says.
up in Regina helped him develop the skills he needed to climb the corporate ladder.
“Some of the important characteristics that were ingrained in that
environment were: diligence and dedication to all important tasks;
encouragement for creativity; ingenuity, but underpinned with a strong element
of pragmatism; commitment to honesty; and integrity in everything one did.
And all of this was reinforced by maintaining a strong element of humility in all
aspects of life,” he says.
Hearn held a variety of positions in marketing, logistics, and systems and
computer services. He was named vice-president of Marketing Retail for Imperial
in 1986 and vice-president of Marketing Retail and Commercial Business in 1990.
He later served as vice-president of Human Resources at Imperial Oil’s
parent firm, Exxon Mobil Corporation. He was worldwide vice-president of
Intermediates for Exxon Chemical Company and later became president of
Exxon's Asia-Pacific operations, based in Singapore.
Degrees | spring/summer 2017 9While supporting many Jewish causes, Levene’s parents
Ken
also stressed the importance of contributing to the general
community in which they lived. Levene’s father served as
president of the Regina Rotary Club and chaired the Salvation
Levene Army fundraising drive. His mother was on the executive of the
Regina branch of the National Council of Women.
Levene earned a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill
University and an MBA from the Harvard School of Business.
Upon his father’s passing in 1962, Levene, with the valued help
When Ken Levene learned from and support of his mother Margery, became the third generation
President Vianne Timmons that he operator of Crescent Furniture. In 1984, they decided to close
was receiving an honorary degree, his the business, ending 55 years of continuous family operation.
first reaction was “Why me?” Since “I’m proud to say we had a good reputation all those years
then, he has come to see the honour in the business,” he says. “We treated our customers and
as a family one. employees right. One thing I did with the new owners was have
“I am honoured and humbled them sign a letter that I gave to each employee guaranteeing
by this honour,” Levene says. “It they wouldn’t lose their jobs or suffer a pay cut.”
not only honours me but it also In 2005, Levene made a $4-million donation to the University
honours my mother and father and to establish the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business.
So, how did the establishment of the school come together?
my grandparents and the influence
“It started with my suggestion to Donor Relation’s Darlene
they had on me. If my grandfather
Photo by Todd Korol Freitag that I give a scholarship to a business student,” says
hadn’t left the old country, none of
Levene. “That was followed some time later with a lunch
this would have happened. I share the honour with my predecessors.” meeting in Calgary with Darlene and then dean Garnet Garven.
In many ways, Levene’s story begins with the story of David, his immigrant It was then that I proposed the creation of a graduate school of
grandfather, who left the oppression of his native Russia in 1911 for a better life in business at the University in my name. After some resistance
North America. He said his goodbyes to his parents and siblings and also to his young to the designation of the word ‘School,’ my suggestion was
wife and baby daughter, with whom he would be reunited as soon as he found a job. accepted and an agreement was finalized with then president
Levene’s grandfather arrived in New York and began working as a presser in a David Barnard.”
dry cleaning shop. He soon concluded that toiling on his feet for 12 hours a day As part of the gift agreement, Levene established an advisory
in 35 degree heat was not his vision of a better life. He wrote a friend from Russia board, of which he is a permanent member.
who was living in the small town of Plum Coulee, Manitoba. Before long, David “It’s very pleasing when a graduate comes up to me and thanks
was on his way to Canada. me,” he says. “That’s part of giving back. What I like about the
Although he spoke little English, he obtained a horse and wagon and began gift is that it’s not like putting your name on a building. This is
peddling dry goods and other assorted items to the surrounding area. Soon, he a continuing, living entity that goes on. It’s also very satisfying
earned enough to bring over his wife and daughter. After a few years, he could personally to be involved as an advisor to the school.”
afford to buy a general store in Southey, Saskatchewan. In 1929 he pursued a new Levene is retired and lives in Calgary.
business opportunity in Regina and founded Crescent Furniture. “I made my gift for three reasons,” Levene says. “The first
Eventually, he built larger and more modern premises, which were completed was to honour my parents for what they did for me. The
just before his untimely passing in 1943. second was to give back to the community. The third reason
Ken Levene’s father, David, entered the business and was later joined by his was to create something that would continue to drive the
brother-in-law Joe, who had returned home after serving overseas with the success of Regina and Saskatchewan and create a climate of
Canadian Army. Together, they added branches in Swift Current and Moose Jaw. opportunity for others.”
10 Degrees | spring/summer 2017Last year, Moe Mathieu accepted a job as Luther College’s food services manager. That may seem
like an odd career move for a man who has worked in three Michelin-starred restaurants and
once turned down a job at The Fat Duck, which is, according to Restaurant Magazine, the best
restaurant in the world. But Mathieu’s a guy who doesn’t let grass grow under his feet. He likes
adventure and challenge. His culinary career started auspiciously – peeling potatoes for his
mother’s catering business. Soon he was graduating with honours from the Canadian Culinary
Institute and later earned his Red Seal, Canada’s highest gastronomic certification. Mathieu
started the popular Regina restaurants Beer Bros. and The Willow and most recently taught in
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Professional Cooking program. Today’s special: peri peri, Mafe stew
with fry bread, feijoada with pita chips, Baba ghanoush, akara and jollo.
D Why did you want to manage a D You earned a wrestling scholarship
university cafeteria? to the University of North Dakota State.
Are there any similarities between
Working for my alma mater (Luther
wrestling and being a chef?
High School) was on my bucket list
so when the opportunity came up I Training hard and getting beat up.
jumped at it.
D What would you say to people
D What are your hopes for the Luther who are intimidated to take on an
College cafeteria? ambitious recipe?
I hope we can elevate the game a Recipes are guidelines for the most
little, put a few more smiles on part. If you think you like the food
faces and give people more food because of the picture or can taste the
experiences. food by reading the ingredients, then
you are on your way to success.
D What is your favourite dish
D Describe the satisfaction you get
to cook?
from people appreciating your food.
Tourtiere! It a family thing. We
make it every Christmas and it is It’s all about the food reminding people
special every time we make it. We made of something. I made a cheesecake for
it part of our program at Luther last a menu once that was caramel popcorn
Christmas and when the flour cleared flavoured. It reminded a bunch of
we sold over 100 meat pies. people who enjoyed it about going to
carnivals and fairs as kids and going to
D We live in an age when chefs are the movies and enjoying crackerjacks.
celebrities. What explains this? This is a total win for me because that’s
what it is all about.
People gravitate towards people with
skills, passion and drive. Chefs seem to D In your mind, does Saskatchewan
have these things in droves, so yeah, have a quintessential dish?
it is fun to watch them. I used to like
cooking shows, but now I find the food So hard to say one thing but perogies
celebrities are more food enthusiasts come to mind as it is part of many
rather than gritty chefs. cultures' celebratory menus. It seems
like a lot of people make this part of
D For the average person who has their meals. Don’t we have a drive-thru
not experienced the height of culinary perogy restaurant?
excellence, tell us about an occasion
you had with food that blew your mind?
Alinea, in Chicago. The restaurant is
too much. One of the dishes used a
balloon filled with scented air to rest
the plate on and as you ate the dish
you "tasted" the air that was slowly
flowing out of the balloon. Even me
trying to explain this is nuts. Just such
cool food they build there.
Degrees | spring/summer 2017 11The Senate has a variety of duties
and powers that help it ensure the
academic welfare of the University of
Regina. Most of the broader issues
of academic policy are reserved for
its approval. Concerning academic
affairs, it’s the ultimate court.
By Bill Armstrong
Photos by Trevor Hopkin, University of Regina Photography Department unless otherwise
noted. Senate photo courtesy of University of Regina Archives and Special Collections.
The U of R Senate –
window on the world
12 Degrees | spring/summer 2017J
im Tomkins, Judy Cormier and U of R Senate casts a much wider net. Its
Bob Krismer took very different membership encompasses the experience
paths to become members of the and viewpoints of senior executives,
University of Regina Senate, but faculty members, the heads of its
they share a common belief that their federated and affiliated colleges, deans
work contributes to the well-being of and academic directors, representatives
the University. Senate is big – Tomkins, of the student body, alumni elected by
Cormier and Krismer are among nearly their peers, the minister and deputy
100 members who contribute their minister of Advanced Education, the
perspectives to decisions determining present and past Chancellors of the
the University’s academic direction. University, and representatives put
Tomkins is serving his second three- forward by about 40 professional and
year term as chancellor of the University occupational organizations in the
of Regina, which automatically makes province. The reasons for this unique
him a member and chair of Senate. configuration go back to Saskatchewan’s
His experience also includes his time early years, when people were flooding
as the University’s vice-president into the newly created province.
(Administration) from 1998 to 2005 and “In 1907, just two years after University Secretary Glenys Sylvestre is
Saskatchewan was created, the overseeing a project to institute an electronic
as president and vice-chancellor from voting system in time for the fall Senate election.
2007 to 2008. (He was a Senate member in population was growing rapidly, and
those positions as well.) With the depth people thought, ‘We should have
and breadth of his experience, he is the a university,’ ” explains Tomkins. One further change is in the works.
ideal person to explain Senate’s role and “However, there were few people with Previous district elections have been
the singular features that set it apart. any experience or background in higher
conducted by mail, with information,
The responsibility of a senate at education, so the legislation creating the
nomination forms and ballots all on paper.
almost all universities – including at University of Saskatchewan in 1907 tried
University Secretary Glenys Sylvestre
the University of Regina – is to be the to draw in some of those experienced
BAdmin'94 says her office will switch to
senior academic decision-making body people by including representatives
electronic voting by fall 2017, reducing
for the institution, Tomkins explains. from their professional and occupational
the cost of distributing information and
The senates at the University of Regina organizations on the Senate. And, until
administering the district elections. She
and the University of Saskatchewan about 10 years ago, the section of the
also expects that managing the vote
are unique in Canada because of their University of Regina Act regarding Senate
electronically will improve the response
broad-based membership. Most other had not changed much since the 1907
rate for nominations and balloting, as
universities have a senate comprised of legislation. The wording has been
it has at other universities that have
faculty members. updated, but the original idea remains.”
adopted the practice.
While the senate at the U of S has The legislation also provided for
elected representatives from districts “We are hoping to encourage alumni
delegated more of its powers of academic who want to continue their relationship
approval to the Faculty Council, the across the province. The drafters
recognized that a university in what was with the University to be involved,”
then a predominantly rural and agrarian Sylvestre says. “In the future, Senate
province would benefit from having could be making decisions about
residents represented on Senate. expanding the University’s reach, such
Saskatchewan has changed as new community-based programs,
dramatically since then: the province’s or master’s programs delivered at a
population is concentrated in cities and distance. These are the kind of initiatives
towns, and the University of Regina – where the outside perspectives of the
after a period as a satellite campus of district representatives are very helpful.”
the University of Saskatchewan – has Elected Senate members serve three-
become an independent institution. year terms and can be re-elected for a
The University of Regina now has about second term. Senate meets three times
70,000 alumni represented on Senate by a year: in February, and just before the
14 graduates from 12 electoral districts spring and fall convocations. Matters
in the province. coming to Senate for consideration
“With the growth in student originate from many areas within the
enrolment numbers – including First University, and include: the granting
Nations and international students – of degrees, diplomas and certificates;
we are a provincial university, and our establishment or changes to faculties,
The University of Regina Senate has been a alumni representation needs to reflect departments and courses; admission
long-standing fixture since the University of that,” says Tomkins, who chairs Senate requirements and academic standards;
Regina Act came into effect in 1974. Shown on and also sits on the 11-member Board establishment of new research institutes
the opposite page is a 1984 Senate meeting.
Above: Jim Tomkins is Chair of Senate by virtue of Governors, which is responsible for or centres; student discipline and student
of his role as University of Regina Chancellor. administrative matters. appeals. Much of the groundwork on
Degrees | spring/summer 2017 13these matters has been delegated to the identity as separate from the University find they are able to make their most
faculties and council executive before of Saskatchewan, it reached into rural significant contributions – and gain their
they reach Senate for a final decision, southern Saskatchewan, providing richest insights into the inner workings
Tomkins explains. opportunities for part-time students to of the University – through committee
“Senate meetings last about three achieve their educational goals,” Cormier work. Elected members can serve on
hours, and it may seem like a lot of the says. “After my convocations, I was Senate, joint Senate-Council and Faculty
issues dealt with are rubber stamped. pleased to continue this legacy by being Council committees. Now in her second
Those issues have already received a a sessional lecturer for the University three-year term, Cormier has served
great deal of scrutiny at various levels of Regina, teaching courses in rural on several committees, including the
before arriving at Senate” he says. “There communities. I agreed to let my name Faculty of Education and the Faculty of
are occasions, though, where the unique stand for election to Senate because Graduate Studies and Research.
perspectives of external representatives I wanted to contribute and support “It is committee-level discussions that
are very useful, often through their work both the academic community and the I find interesting,” says Cormier. “They
on committees.” broader community,” she says. provide an insight into how the University
is adapting. For example: how courses are
Judy Cormier BEd'84, PGDC&I'91 Bob Krismer received his arts and
changed, discontinued or added in the
and Bob Krismer are two such education degrees from the University of
context of changing needs; how bylaws
representatives. Cormier is one of two Saskatchewan, but attended a summer
are formalized to reflect changing practice;
members elected to represent Regina, session at the University of Regina
[and] how students experience due process
while Krismer was elected to represent that helped him complete his physics in terms of discipline.”
the district that encompasses North major and his arts degree. He wears Krismer concurs, noting that
Battleford and Prince Albert. Both grew many Senate hats, having served as the committee work enables elected
up in small town Saskatchewan: Cormier Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation Senate members to have some initial
at Glenavon, southeast of Regina, and representative to the University of influence on decisions that may end
Krismer at Ardath, northwest of Outlook. Regina Senate from 2002 to 2008, prior to up at the Senate table. “Discussions at
Cormier took classes at both the being elected to two terms representing the committee level are generally full
College Avenue Campus and what was the North Battleford-Prince Albert and lively,” he notes. He is particularly
then called the “new campus” from district. He has also served on the U of S concerned that first-year students face
1967 to 1969, qualifying for a teaching Senate for six years. obstacles to their success because they
certificate. While she taught at schools “Having been a teacher for 32 years, enter university lacking some basic skills
in rural Saskatchewan, she took night, I am keenly interested in education and – specifically math and English skills.
summer and off-campus classes and the programs and course offerings for He helped initiate a review of the issue,
completed her Bachelor of Education our graduates at both our universities,” and looks forward to hearing results
degree in 1984. She then earned a Krismer says. “Not only do I represent from the review. Krismer also thinks
Diploma in Curriculum and Instruction my community, but I also have learned the University of Regina is on track to
following the same routine of part-time how complex governing a university realize many innovations in the field of
study, before pursuing post-graduate is as it works to deliver on its mission the environment, global warming and
degrees out of province. and vision.” carbon capture, and in the area of digital
“I am so grateful that, as the As you might expect with such a large and technical advances.
University of Regina was establishing its body, many elected Senate members “The University of Regina has also
done a great deal to accommodate
a diverse population, not only with
our Aboriginal community, but also
to a large immigrant and overseas
population,” Krismer says. Cormier
agrees and hopes that the current
reduction in funding from the province
will not compromise the range and
quality of offerings at the University
of Regina. “I feel it is coming into its
own on a provincial, national and
international stage,” she states.
For more information on Senate, please
contact Lana Jankowski at 306-585-4436
or lana.jankowski@uregina.ca or visit the
following link: https://www.uregina.ca/
president/governance/senate/index.html.
Photo by Warne Noyce
Bill Armstrong is a Regina freelance writer
Left: Judy Cormier is one of two elected Senators representing Regina. Bob Krismere is the Senate and amateur photographer with a strong
representative of the North Battleford-Prince Albert district. interest in Saskatchewan history.
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