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volume 34, no. 1 spring/summer 2021 The University of Regina Magazine
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Wascana Park was the location of a unique outdoor theatre experience in mid-March. Come Along was created by Theatre Department students as a means to interact
with a live audience during these pandemic times. Steeped in magical realism, the play presented themes of transgression and transformation. It featured original
musical compositions by Music Department students Anika Zak and Connor Stewart. The cast included Kaydence Banga, Bronwen Bente, Benjamin Matity, Macey Hay,
Tianna Chorney, Owen Westerlund, Billie Liskowich, Brad McDougall, Jadav Cyr and Jiness Helland. Stage management was by Rachel Butt, assisted by Erik Lillico. Music
Department students Anthony Merkel, Joshua Stewart and Nathan Syrnick provided the music. The sold-out show had to close early due to more stringent COVID-19
health measures. Despite the early closure, Media, Art and Performance faculty member Shannon Holmes congratulated the cast and crew and said the experience was
a magical, playful romp of a fairy tale for grown-ups. She added it was lovely to remember what it’s like to play live and see some joy on a spring evening.
Photo by Trevor Hopkin, University of Regina Photography Department.
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 1
Welcome to the 2021 he handles the unit’s IT allows people to video chat Staying in touch with
Spring/Summer edition needs. He has fallen in with friends while playing your alma mater is as
of Degrees. Degrees and love with Saskatchewan and mobile games. important as staying in touch
its predecessor, The Third looks forward to raising his On page 38, U of R with family and friends
Degree, have been informing family in the province, all journalism graduate Kerry (socially distancing of
and entertaining University the while giving back to the Benjoe shares some insights course.) We want to know
alumni and friends since community. His story begins of her journey from residential what you’ve been up to
1989. In those 32 years, we on page 20. school, through a violent since you walked across
have brought you thousands We’ve also got a story that spousal relationship that the Convocation stage
of stories of the talents, profiles three women who led to the loss of her leg, to (or virtually graduated) and
adventures and triumphs are making their mark in homelessness. While many proudly hung your framed
of thousands of people professional sports around the would be defeated by such degree, certificate or diploma
associated with the world. Business Administration events, Benjoe has picked on a prominent wall.
University of Regina. alumna Anita Sehgal is the herself up and today is Please consider devoting
For close to three and senior vice president of telling important stories as a little time to write a short
a half decades, we have shone Marketing and Communications CBC Saskatchewan’s first note about what’s been
a brief light on individuals with the Houston Astros. Indigenous storyteller. going on in your life since
who, in their own ways, are Sidney Dobner, a former You can read these stories you last walked the hallowed
making the world a better Cougars women’s basketball and so much more in this hallways of the U of R.
place every day. The magazine player, is now an assistant issue of Degrees. Maybe you got your dream
is the mirror that reflects an coach for the Milwaukee Bucks What you won’t find in job, travelled around the
amazing community made of the NBA, one of the few this issue is our Class Notes world, welcomed your first
up of alumni, students, woman coaches in the league. section. child into the world or
faculty, staff and friends of And Jaycee Magwood, a recent When I took over the earned your PhD – we would
the University. I also like star with the Cougars women’s Degrees editor’s role like to share that with the
to think it brings us all hockey team, is playing (admittedly, in the days 40,000 some readers who
a little closer together. professional hockey in Sweden. before smartphones) each receive Degrees twice annually.
In this issue, we’d like to You can read about the trio issue of the magazine Who knows, maybe one of
add a few more stories to the starting on page 26. dedicated multiple pages your classmates will read
thousands already told. Starting on page 32, you to Class Notes – the little your submission and be
Our cover story is about can read about some of our updates of the achievements, inspired to look you up to
Rashique Ramiz, a graduate entrepreneurial alumni who milestones and other notable catch up on old times.
student in the Kenneth Levene are making tremendous life events submitted by We look forward to
Graduate School of Business. inroads in the tech world. alumni. However, the glory receiving your Class Note.
Ramiz, who was born in Meet the alumni who started days of Class Notes appear You can email it to
Bangladesh, is realizing his OneShot Golf, a mobile app to be behind us. Slowly, URalumni@uregina.ca.
personal and professional that allows people from all submissions began to I trust you will enjoy this
dreams in Saskatchewan. over the world to play a robotic dwindle to the point where issue of Degrees.
He has landed a co-op mini-golf game. You’ll also today, we aren’t getting
placement at the Childhood meet a graduate who co- many at all. We would like Greg Campbell BFA'85, BJ'95
Trauma Research Centre where founded Bunch, an app that to change that. Editor
www.degreesmagazine.ca
2 Degrees | spring/summer 2021
Editor
Greg Campbell BFA’85, BJ’95
Alumni Association Board of Directors 2020-2021
President
Christine Niemczyk CPR’88, PLC '21
Vice-President
Scott Carson BSc’04
Second Vice-President (Finance)
Roxanne Olynyk BBA’13
Past-President
The University of Regina Magazine
Monica Deters BHJ’04, MPA’09
spring/summer 2021
Directors volume 34, no. 1
Sandra Kitts BEd’80
Carmen Lien BEng'07, MCert’11
Talitha Smadu McCloskey BA’12, CPR’14
On the cover: University of Regina graduate student Rashique Ramiz is living proof that
Jennifer Murray BA’03, BEd’05
a can-do attitude and unbridled resourcefulness can overcome any setback. (Photo by
Robert Ellis BA'70, BAHC'71, MA'78
TonBari Menegbo, DBA’12, BBA’14, CEcon’15 Trevor Hopkin, University of Regina Photography Department.)
Yaya Wang, DBA’09, BA’11, CPR’14, CPHR’18, MCHR’20, MBA’21
Ex-Officio Members
Gwen Keith BEd’74, MEd’77, PGDEA’83, MEd’84 Senate
Representative – University of Regina
Hannah Tait, President, University of Regina Students' Union
Sarah Fedirko BBA’11, Associate Director, Alumni & Community
Engagement, University of Regina
Contributors
Terina Abrahamson
Bill Armstrong
Mats Bekkevold
10 20 32
Kerry Benjoe BA’00, MJ’20
Adrienne Bilodeau
Sabrina Cataldo BA’97, BJ’99, Cert. PR’04
Marc Courtemanche BFA’04
Christopher Dew
Trevor Hopkin
Lynette Piper
Katie Doke Sawatzky MJ’18
Julie Woldu BAJ’07 Features Taking their game to
Bravo Tango Advertising Firm the next level 26
All photos by the University of Regina
Meet Minister Makowsky Three alumni have parlayed
Photography Department unless otherwise noted. and President Keshen 8 their educational and athletic
Original design by Bradbury Branding and Design. Meet new the new Minister experiences at the U of R into
Degrees is published twice a year by
of Advanced Education, Gene high-profile positions in the
University Advancement & Communications Makowsky and new U of R world of professional sports.
at the University of Regina. The website is located at President Jeff Keshen.
www.degreesmagazine.ca. The magazine is mailed to alumni Alumni take their
and friends of the University. Ideas and opinions published in
Degrees do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, the Alumni
Working together for the (One)Shot at success 32
Association or the University of Regina. Letters and editorial greater good 10 University of Regina computer
contributions are welcome. Advertising inquiries are invited. The Faculty of Engineering, science graduates are making
To reach us:
its students, instructors and their mark in the tech world.
graduates have had a long, Meet four alumni who have
Editorial/Advertising/Letters
Degrees, University Advancement & Communications mutually beneficial relationship carved out some early success.
210 Paskwa �w Tower, University of Regina with MacPherson Engineering,
3737 Wascana Parkway a Regina engineering firm.
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Ph: 306-585-5156 Fax: 306-585-4997
Email: Greg.Campbell@uregina.ca
Learn how MacPherson and
the faculty worked together on
Departments
Address Change/Alumni Relations a project that’s realizing safer, Feed Back 2
210 Paskwa�w Tower, University of Regina healthier and more energy-
3737 Wascana Parkway
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
efficient First Nations homes. President’s Note 4
Ph: 306-585-4503 Fax: 306-585-4997
Email: uralumni@uregina.ca Spring 2021 honorary
Toll-free: 877-779-4723 (GRAD) degree recipients 15 Around Campus 5
(in Canada and the U.S.)
Introducing this spring’s trio
University of Regina homepage of honorary degree recipients Focal Point 16
www.uregina.ca
– one of the world’s most
Spot Light 25
Publication Mail Agreement Number 40065347 decorated masters track and
Return undeliverable magazines to: field athletes, a respected
University Advancement & Communications Alumni News 37
210 Paskwa �w Tower, University of Regina academic and a tireless
3737 Wascana Parkway Indigenous advocate.
Regina, SK S4S 0A2 360 Degrees 38
The resilient young
ISSN 0843-7092
Mr. Ramiz 20
Life has sometimes dealt
Rashique Ramiz some bad hands.
But the Levene Business School
graduate student has made the
best of things in his adopted
country and is now making
a difference at the University
where he is pursuing his dreams.
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 3
President’s Note
Concentric circles achievements of NASA's faculty, research, and creation. By demonstrating expertise
Mars exploration rover This is the sphere in which in diverse professional areas,
Following the Board of Perseverance derive in part transformations occur, and a willingness to challenge
Governors' meetings in early from the vision of a University from which the university's constructively, a strong
May – my last after twelve of Regina alumnus, Larry powerful impact on the wider commitment to accountability,
years of such meetings at the Matthies, who began his society flows. and an unwavering focus on
University of Regina and Royal scientific career in our Around that inner circle the success of the University,
Roads University in Victoria – classrooms and labs. are others – student advising our current Board of Governors
I have been reflecting on the Universities can also be and support, recreation has been a tremendous support
nature of universities and their challenging places – not least and athletics, information to me, as has the Executive
governance. for those called on to administer technology, finance and Team, the Senior Leadership
To call universities them! Rather than monolithic, facilities, administrative team, and Deans' Council.
fascinating places is to they are highly decentralized. offices, governance bodies – As I prepare to retire,
understate. They are key pillars Each of the various faculties has and many more. Varied in I want to thank not only these
of the thousand-year history of much latitude in determining its nature and purpose, the leaders, but all members of
higher education. Within their academic offerings. Individual functions associated with each the University community
walls, transformation takes faculty members have a great of these concentric circles play within these concentric circles
place in many spheres, from deal of freedom in determining a key role in protecting and – students, staff, faculty, and
the personal to the global. what they investigate and sustaining the core: teaching, alumni – with whom I've had
People from around the world create. To an outsider, it can learning, research, creation, the privilege of working over the
come together to learn from perhaps seem a bit shambolic and service. span of nearly four decades.
experts, and indeed to learn at times, a loose collection And I would argue that I'm confident that the University
from, and come to know, each of individuals and programs the outermost circle, a vital of Regina will continue to
other. They encounter and working in virtual independence and protective "skin" for the transform lives, provide
absorb different viewpoints, from one another. Indeed, institution, is the Board of solutions to pressing problems,
different histories, different Clark Kerr, former president Governors, which combines and contribute to a more just
cultures. A chance meeting in of the University of California, faculty, student, and Senate and equitable future for all.
the hallway with someone soon wryly described a university voices with those of members To my successor, Dr Jeff Keshen,
to become a friend for decades, as "a series of individual of the wider community. Indeed, I wish the very best as he
a new perspective on inequality entrepreneurs held together at Regina, five of the eleven assumes the President's role as
outlined in an economics by a common grievance members of the Board are the University nears the advent
seminar, the galvanizing about parking." appointed from outside the of its second half-century.
experience of being recognized But it is precisely this University. This not only signals Jeff, you are coming into an
and engaged by an admired decentralization that has the University's accountability institution that is well-governed
professor who stops to chat been a major factor in as a publicly-funded institution by its Board, well-supported
after class – for students, these sustaining universities over established by an Act of the by generations of alumni, and
are just a few ways in which the last millennium. Rather Saskatchewan Legislature, animated by its motto, As One
universities can, in the span than embodying a "chain of but also reminds us of the
Who Serves. As an alumnus,
of a few minutes, alter the command," a university can University's deep roots in the
I will watch its growth and
direction of their lives. usefully be conceived as community that surrounds and
continued success with pride
Universities are also home a series of concentric circles. supports it.
and pleasure.
to groundbreaking research, At the center is the innermost Perhaps more than ever in
innovation, and creative circle, the core. That core these times of pandemic and
activity. The speed with which encloses teaching and research, global economic uncertainty,
Sincerely,
coronavirus vaccines were and is the one in which the a high-functioning Board is
developed in recent months mission of the university is key to a healthy university. Dr Thomas Chase
has its roots in university- accomplished through daily It has been my great privilege Interim President and
based research. The stunning interactions between students, to work with such a Board. Vice-Chancellor
4 Degrees | spring/summer 2021
Left: Incoming president
of the University of Regina,
Dr. Jeff Keshen.
Centre: The Honourable
Ralph Goodale.
Right: Dr. Douglas Farenick,
dean of the Faculty of Science.
Appointments 11 books, including 1995’s the United Kingdom of Great Mathematical Sciences (PIMS)
Social Welfare Policy in Canada, Britain and Northern Ireland by and represents the University of
Following an almost year-long which he co-edited with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Regina on the TRIUMF (Canada’s
national search, the University Dr. Raymond Blake, a professor In his new position, Goodale particle accelerator centre)
of Regina announced the of history at the University will provide strategic advice to Board of Management. Farenick
appointment of Dr. Jeff Keshen of Regina. the Prime Minister on areas of is an alumnus of the University
as the institution’s eighth importance to people in Canada of Regina, where he studied
president. Keshen joins the His book Propaganda and and the United Kingdom. This mathematics and computer
University after serving for Censorship During Canada's includes many current and science as an undergraduate
three and a half years as Great War received the best ongoing challenges including student. In his spare time, he
vice-president at Memorial non-fiction book award from the COVID-19 pandemic, enjoys swimming and cycling.
University’s Grenfell Campus in the Writers Guild of Alberta. climate change, pursuing post-
Corner Brook, Newfoundland. It was also shortlisted for Brexit trade and creating job Following a national search,
Previously he served as dean, the Canadian Federation for opportunities. Lori Campbell BA’94 (FNUniv),
Faculty of Arts at Mount Royal the Humanities and Social BA'95, MAEd'16 has been
University in Calgary. He Sciences’ Harold Adams Innis Dr. Douglas Farenick BSc’84 appointed the inaugural
also served as chair of the Prize for the best book in the has been reappointed to associate vice-president
Department of History at the social sciences. His book a second five-year term (Indigenous Engagement).
University of Ottawa and was Saints, Sinners and Soldiers: as dean of the Faculty of Campbell’s term began
an adjunct professor in the Canada's Second World War Science effective July 1, 2021. June 1, 2021. Campbell is
Centre for Military, Security was shortlisted for the Raymond Farenick received his PhD in 2-Spirit ne-hiýaw a-pihta-
and Strategic Studies at the Klibansky Prize for the best mathematics from the University wikosisa-n and is a band
University of Calgary. book in the humanities, of Toronto in 1990 and held member of Montreal Lake Cree
another prize awarded by the a two-year postdoctoral Nation, Treaty 6 territory. She
He holds a doctoral degree Canadian Federation for fellowship at the Centre de is an intergenerational survivor
from York University with a the Humanities and Social recherches mathématiques of the Indian Residential School
research concentration in the Sciences. The book was also at the Université de Montréal system and a child from the
history of war and conflict. recognized with the C.P. Stacey before beginning a tenure- Sixties Scoop. She has spent
He was the recipient of the Prize for the best book on track position at the University her career advocating for social
Government of Ontario’s military history. of Regina. He was promoted justice and working towards
June Callwood Outstanding to the rank of professor in a more equitable society for
Achievement Award for Keshen’s term begins July 1, 2002. Farenick has served as all. She was the University of
Voluntarism for establishing 2021. He will make the move to associate dean (Research) Waterloo’s first senior director
the University of Ottawa's Regina with his wife Deborah of Science and head of the of Indigenous Initiatives and in
Experiential Learning Service. Moynes-Keshen and children Department of Mathematics that capacity played a crucial
He was a double nominee Jacob and Maddie, who will and Statistics. His professional role in the university’s earliest
for the 3M National Teaching both attend the University of leadership roles have included Indigenization planning.
Fellowship Award and was Regina. (See the profile on vice-president (West) of the
awarded both the Ontario Keshen on page 9.) Canadian Mathematical She previously served as
Leadership in Teaching Prize Society (CMS) and chair of director of Shatitsirótha'
and University of Ottawa's University of Regina alumnus that organization’s Finance Waterloo Indigenous Student
Excellence in Education Prize. and former Member of Parliament Committee. Farenick is a Centre and program developer
for Regina-Wascana, the resident of the Canadian and adjunct lecturer in the
Keshen is the author of five Honourable Ralph Goodale BA’71, Council of Deans of Science, Indigenous Studies academic
books and more than 25 has been appointed as High serves on the board of the program at St. Paul’s University
scholarly articles. He has edited Commissioner for Canada in Pacific Institute for the College at the University of
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 5
Waterloo. promotion of mental health recently released Arab Media Research
Campbell holds two and resilience among people and the Politics of Terrorism:
undergraduate degrees in who live with mental illness Unbecoming News. He has Dr. Mauricio Barbi, a professor
Indigenous Studies and and their caregivers. Her published more than 50 in the University’s Department
Psychology, a master’s degree research has been supported peer-reviewed journal articles of Physics and member of
in Adult Education and is by multiple funders including and book chapters. the international board of the
working towards a PhD in Social the Canadian Institutes of Hyper-K collaboration, is part
Justice Education. Health Research, Centre for He is a founding member of of a team of researchers who
Aging + Brain Health Innovation, the Center on Hate, Bias and received significant funding
She is a sought-after public Social Science and Humanities Extremism; a senior research from the Canadian Foundation
speaker, educator and media Research Council of Canada affiliate at the Canadian for Innovation (CFI). In total, the
expert. Campbell is the and Alberta Health. Network for Research on University of Victoria received
recipient of a wide range of Terrorism, Security and Society; $5.4 million to lead the Hyper-K
academic and community She has received international and a member of the Digital project. Barbi and his team at
honours including the Ontario recognition from the National Life Institute. He served the University of Regina received
Women’s Directorate Leading League for Nursing (NLN) for as grant reviewer and chair $1.4 million from the total
Women Building Communities her enduring and substantial of the Multi-disciplinary grant. The Hyper-Kamiokande
Award, University of Waterloo’s contributions to nursing Committee-Social Sciences detector – called the Hyper-K
Equity and Inclusivity Award, education, was inducted as at the SSHRC from 2017 – acts like both a microscope
UNESCO Global Action Program a fellow in the NLN Academy to 2020. and telescope, going from
Award for Regional Centre of of Nursing Education and observing elementary particles
Expertise on Education and received the Alberta Nursing University of Regina alumnus to using neutrinos to observe
Sustainable Development, and Education Administrators Award John G. Hampton BA’09 the sun and supernovas. The CFI
for Leadership in Psychiatric has taken over the helm at funding will allow the team of
the 2021 national Women of
Nursing Education. the MacKenzie Art Gallery, researchers to continue working
Inspiration Award.
making headlines as the first on detecting elementary
Dr. Aziz Douai was appointed Indigenous executive director particles through the Hyper-K
Following a national search,
the University of Regina’s and CEO of a public art gallery project, part of an effort that
Dr. Cheryl Pollard has been
dean of the Faculty of Graduate in Canada. Hampton is includes 84 institutes in 17
appointed dean of the Faculty
Studies and Research on a curator, artist and countries.
of Nursing. The five-year
January 1, 2021. Douai holds administrator who joined the
appointment is effective July
a PhD in Mass Communications MacKenzie team as Director Three University of Regina
1, 2021. Pollard previously
from Pennsylvania State of Programs in October 2018. researchers have been awarded
served as associate dean
University and a Master He holds a Master of Visual close to $600,000 from
of the Faculty of Nursing at
of Science in Advertising Studies – Curatorial Studies Saskatchewan’s Agriculture
MacEwan University. Prior to Development Fund (ADF)
from Boston University. from the University of Toronto,
joining MacEwan University, and a BA in Visual Arts from for their livestock and
He has lectured on global
she managed interdisciplinary communication issues in the University of Regina. forage-related research
teams within the home North America, Europe and He is a citizen of the Chickasaw projects. This funding is part
living, supportive living and the Middle East. A Fulbright Nation, United States and of $7.5 million in total funding
rehabilitative health service scholar, who has received Canada and grew up in announced by Canada’s
sectors. In recognition Social Science and Humanities Regina. He has previously Minister of Agriculture and
of her ability to create and Research Council (SSHRC) held positions as executive Agri-Food Marie-Claude
lead high performing teams, and international competitive director of the Art Gallery of Bibeau and Saskatchewan
Pollard was honoured as research grants, he highly Southwestern Manitoba, artistic Agriculture Minister David
a 3M Health Care Quality appreciates the importance of director of Trinity Square Video, Marit.
Team Award winner. research funding to graduate and curator at Neutral Ground
student success. Artist Run Centre. In addition Kerri Finlay, associate professor
After completing an to his role at the MacKenzie with the Faculty of Science,
undergraduate psychiatric Douai maintains an active Art Gallery, Hampton holds an received $279,125 for her
nursing degree, she earned research agenda focused on adjunct curator appointment project Sulfate removal from
a PhD in nursing from the disruptive communication at the Art Museum at the agricultural ponds for improved
University of Alberta. Her technologies, international University of Toronto, an cattle health: evaluating
doctoral work focused on the communication and conflict, adjunct professorship at the regional and local controls.
application of relational ethics. with a special interest in the University of Regina and is Through her research, Finlay
Pollard continues to be an MENA media and politics. He the co-chair of the Indigenous will help address water quality
active scholar and collaborative is the author and co-editor Curatorial Collective board concerns that could affect
researcher committed to the of three books, including of directors. cattle health on the Prairies by
6 Degrees | spring/summer 2021
identifying controls of sulfate funding through the Canadian Donor news of Journalism, was tasked by
concentrations in cattle- Institute for Advanced Research the Foundation’s board to
accessed dugouts and ponds (CIFAR) AI Chairs Program. CIFAR When Samit Sharma MEng’98 come up with a proposal as to
on farmland. She will then use is a Canadian-based global first came to Regina from why the School deserved the
this information to evaluate research organization. India in 1996 to study at funds. He examined the needs
mitigation opportunities to Artificial intelligence (AI) is the University of Regina, his of the School of Journalism and
improve water quality. becoming more and more introduction to cold weather, determined that establishing
integral to our everyday lives, as he said, was more than a Chair and having it occupied by
Dr. Wu Peng, assistant professor and the federal government offset by the warm welcome a working journalist would serve
in the Faculty of Engineering has given a boost to Canadian he received from the people the School and the students
and Applied Science, received AI researchers so they can of Regina and the campus best and would complement
$149,000 for his project more rapidly increase their community. Sharma came to existing scholarships for
The application of artificial contributions to the field. Canada thanks in part to students and the state-of-the-
intelligence in agricultural land a scholarship for enrolment art equipment that is already
flooding prediction in Southern The appointment will allow as a graduate engineering available to them.
Saskatchewan. Wu’s research Zilles to bolster current student in the Industrial
will address the need to better partnerships, create new ones Systems program under
understand the interaction and exchange research ideas. professor Sanjiwan Bhole. Briefly
between agricultural activities, She will work closely with the
climate change and flooding Alberta Machine Intelligence Now, Sharma is repaying The University of Regina’s
in the prairies. Wu and his Institute (Amii) in Edmonton, that kindness with some Registrar’s Office is working
generosity of his own, with the Paul J. Hill School of
research team will employ one of Canada’s three national
specifically a $100,000 Business and the Faculty of
a three-pronged approach AI Institutes, along with Mila
donation to create a new Science on a transfer credit pilot
to analyze and predict the in Montreal and the Vector
scholarship for engineering project that will benefit newly
agricultural flooding in southern Institute in Toronto.
graduate students. Each year admitted students coming to
Saskatchewan.
for the next 10 years, one the U of R from other post-
The Prairie Adaptation Research
$10,000 scholarship will be secondary institutions. Through
Dr. Denise Stilling, associate Collaborative (PARC) has
awarded to a deserving the pilot project, these students
professor in the Faculty of launched ClimateWest, a new
student. Sharma said the can receive a preliminary
Engineering and Applied non-profit, regional hub that
decision to give back to the transfer credit assessment
Science, received $150,000 will deliver credible climate
University came after some within two weeks of their offer
for her project Discoveries in information, research data and
reflection of how his life was of admission. University of
extrusion pulping agricultural adaptation guidance tailored to
impacted by the support Regina registrar James D’Arcy
crop residue into compostable the Prairie region. ClimateWest
of a scholarship – a career says a quicker assessment not
products. Stilling’s research will work with people, only saves students time and
that includes his founding
will help address the negative communities, businesses and of Gaia Power Inc., a power money by getting credit for
environmental impact of single- governments across Manitoba, development firm that courses they have previously
use plastics. Crop residue Saskatchewan and Alberta to develops renewable power taken, but also helps them
from cereal and flax straw has help address both the risks projects, including some to see how their transferred
proven to be ideal for single use and opportunities generated that are operating in courses fit into what’s required
packaging products and can by climate change. PARC is Saskatchewan. for their U of R program.
also be used for compostable one of three founding partners
dinnerware. Stilling’s of ClimateWest along with For many years, the Leader-Post Wendy Preikchat is the assistant
research will look at using the the International Institute for Foundation has been an ardent registrar and leads the transfer
crop residue to potentially Sustainable Development and supporter of journalism and credit pilot project. Preikchat
manufacture decomposable the Prairie Climate Centre at the School of Journalism at the and her project team began to
drinking straws, stir sticks, the University of Winnipeg. University of Regina. Despite develop the new transfer credit
container sleeves and medical the Foundation dissolving process in the fall of 2020 by
devices, such as temporary ClimateWest will help address operations, its support will still looking at system capabilities,
drainage stents. the urgent need highlighted in be felt for many years thanks mapping out the assessment
the recently released Prairie to the board’s decision to process and cataloguing the
The University of Regina’s provinces chapter of the provide a donation of $400,000 many transfer courses. In
Dr. Sandra Zilles, Canada Regional Perspectives Report, to establish the Leader-Post January, they began to use the
Research Chair in Computational part of the National Research Foundation Chair. new credit transfer process for
Learning Theory, is one of the Council of Canada’s national new students in the Hill School
researchers who received an assessment process on climate Mark Taylor BA’00, BJ’04, of Business and Faculty of
AI Chair and federal government change. department head of the School Science.
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 7
Following his retirement from
the Roughriders, Makowsky was
first elected as an MLA in 2011,
and then re-elected in 2016
and 2020. When it comes to
advanced education, as in most
areas of our lives, he sees the
rapid transition to digital
communications and tools
affecting how post-secondary
institutions deliver their programs,
as well as how students select
what they will study and in what
formats. This will likely mean
more courses delivered online
or using a hybrid format. He
adds that there is increasing
interest in what is called micro-
credentialing, where students
Meet Gene Makowsky,
advance their professional
or academic accreditation by
selecting programs or courses
the new Minister of
Photo by Trevor Hopkin.
that they find most relevant and
that allow them to develop skills
Advanced Education
in specific areas in a relatively
short period of time. He expects
this approach to upgrading skills
will continue to grow.
By Bill Armstrong Against this background of
change, Makowsky believes
the Ministry’s role is to support
institutions with funding to help
The Honourable Gene safeguarding the health and the interest the U of S Huskies them through the pandemic
Makowsky was appointed safety of students, teachers and football program showed in him recovery period. This is in line
Minister of Advanced Education support staff. He is impressed by when he was in Grade 12. with the province’s growth
in November 2020, following how the institutions responded. Makowsky received his plan for the 2020 to 2030 time
his re-election as MLA for “I think they did a great job bachelor’s degree in education, period, which includes targets
Regina Gardiner Park in the of pivoting to a hybrid model of with distinction, from the for population and labour force
October 2020 provincial general education in a short amount of University of Saskatchewan growth. In particular, the Minister
election. In addition to the time,” he says. “That included in 1996. However, the idea of notes the progress made in
province’s two universities and strictly online learning, and in being a teacher and coach – increasing the participation
their federated colleges, the situations where hands-on lab at least as a full-time vocation of Indigenous people in the
Ministry’s portfolio includes work was required, the safety – was put on hold while he workforce by 19 per cent. He
Saskatchewan Polytechnic, of students and instructors was enjoyed a 17-year career as also points to the $23.3 million
eight regional colleges, handled in the best manner an offensive lineman with the allocated in the Spring 2021
three institutions delivering possible.” Saskatchewan Roughriders provincial budget to support
Indigenous educational Makowsky grew up in (he was a member of the the First Nations University of
programs and services, and Saskatoon and completed his Grey Cup winning team in 2007). Canada, the Gabriel Dumont
private vocational schools. education there. He enjoyed his He served as a substitute Institute and the Saskatchewan
Makowsky was appointed K-12 experience and decided teacher in the off-season, Indian Institute of Technologies.
several months after the that an education degree would which he says was sometimes “Teachers, staff and students
COVID-19 pandemic disrupted satisfy his combined interests challenging, particularly when have shown resilience and
the work of the province’s in sports and education. The an early-morning phone call an ability to adapt quickly to
post-secondary institutions and idea of being a teacher and meant he had to fill in on short changes that no one could have
their students. This gave him coaching high school athletes notice. The upside, he observes, expected,” Makowsky says.
a unique perspective on how really appealed to him. Staying is that he met and worked with “I think those qualities will
they had adapted to the abrupt in his hometown and attending great people, and was spared help our post-secondary sector
changes required to continue the University of Saskatchewan a teacher’s least favourite recover and contribute to our
their educational mission, while was an easy decision, helped by chore, marking. province’s future growth.”
8 Degrees | spring/summer 2021The changes COVID-19 has I think are inspirational.
brought on Canadian society are It is comprehensive; it is
not lost on Keshen. In fact, they accessible,” he says. “It is
remind him of what happened connected to and really wants to
during wartime. be involved in its community.”
“Social crisis calls for the best Keshen believes the benefits
from people under very stressful of community connection go
circumstances,” he says. “It also both ways. As budgets tighten
accelerates change. (Wartime) across the post-secondary
really did teleport change in so sector and government funding
many areas that we knew had decreases, partnerships with
to happen. It transformed our other university stakeholders
society.” such as Indigenous communities,
In the environment created by as well as not-for-profit,
COVID-19, Keshen sees the need non-governmental and industry
for universities to be flexible organizations, will become vital.
and responsive to the needs “Establishing partnerships
of students on campus and off. to leverage the potential that
Offering more intensive you have within the University,
Meet Jeff Keshen,
courses and a hybrid of online to enrich it through connections
and in-person learning are to others, is going to be
Photo courtesy of Jeff Keshen.
experiments that will need to important,” he says.
the new U of R happen, he says.
“If we’re pre-conditioned to
In return, Keshen sees the
University as a community hub
president
think in a certain way, I’m not providing opportunities for the
sure that we’re going to get it local community to better itself,
completely right,” he adds. to exchange ideas and to learn
However, in his opinion, the from all that researchers have
By Katie Doke Sawatzky on-campus university experience to offer.
will always have priority. “Universities have expertise
“University is not just about in so many areas that affect the
learning in the classroom. daily lives of people. We can
When Dr. Jeff Keshen arrives Keshen comes to Regina It’s also about the connections show the tremendous good
to begin his term as eighth after three and a half years as you make, about growing as an that we can do in people’s
president of the University of vice-president of Memorial individual, about encountering lives. I see the University and
Regina on July 1, he will hit the University in Corner Brook, people from so many different the community it serves as
ground running. Newfoundland. Previously he parts of the world. That’s intrinsically linked.”
Keshen will be taking the served as dean, Faculty of Arts absolutely essential.” He believes working towards
administrative reins of at Mount Royal University in All Our Relations: kahkiyaw reconciliation is also about
a university just three years Calgary. He also served as chair kiwâhkômâkaninawak, the partnerships and reciprocity.
away from its 50th anniversary of the Department of History University of Regina’s 2020- Memorial University is on
and one year into a new at the University of Ottawa and 2025 strategic plan, was what traditional Mi’kmaw territory
strategic plan. This means was an adjunct professor in sold Keshen on the University, and 20 per cent of the students
celebrating strengths and the Centre for Military, Security along with the institution’s are Indigenous. Keshen wants
making improvements, and Strategic Studies at the commitment to Equity, Diversity to see First Peoples as part
while the institution is University of Calgary. and Inclusion (EDI) and of the fabric of the university
preparing for its second year A professor of history as Indigenous ways of knowing. community, something the
of educating during a global well as an author and editor Keshen helped develop U of R is committing to in its
pandemic. of several books and articles, Memorial’s 2020-2025 strategic plan to provide educational
But Keshen is excited about Keshen’s research focuses on plan, which is similar in scope opportunities to Indigenous
the job. war and society, particularly and vision and targets more communities across the
“The University of Regina on the home front. His earlier retention of Indigenous province over the next
is young and young at heart,” work focused on censorship students and Indigenous five years.
says Keshen. “It’s open to and propaganda. Most recently, programming. Strengthening “If any place has the
experimentation. I think it’s he’s turned his attention to the university’s roots within responsibility… to lead in
a tremendously exciting place families and wartime, studying the community is a key theme redressing and showing the
with an amazing future and the changing roles of women, in both plans. way of improving for the benefit
I think that people want to see impacts on children and ways “The U of R strategic plan of us all, it is the university,” Keshen
it shine.” the economy was transformed. champions ideals, which says.
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 9Working together
for the greater good
In 2019, an innovative engineering project
brought together U of R engineering
students, their mentors, professional
engineering associations, employees of
several community-minded companies,
T
he University of Regina and local firm
and residents of Star Blanket Cree Nation. MacPherson Engineering have enjoyed
The goal? To make First Nations homes a 25-year relationship that has seen the two
parties collaborate in numerous ways.
safer, healthier and more energy efficient. Together, the partners have developed unique
Mission accomplished. The project is just engineering curriculums and embarked on award-
winning community projects. The firm has a long
one illustration of the connections between history of providing Co-op placements and innovative
MacPherson Engineering and the U of R. engineering solutions, mentoring students and
hiring U of R graduates.
The strong working relationship between the
By Bill Armstrong University and MacPherson Engineering dates back
to the company’s incorporation in 1996. In fact, the
Photos by Trevor Hopkin, University of Regina Photography Department, unless
otherwise noted.
company’s first project with the University took place
that same year. Since then, notes company president
Murdoch MacPherson, numerous U of R students
10 Degrees | spring/summer 2021donation of our time and knowledge – particularly to the
engineering program – that we are especially proud of.”
Two engineers with MacPherson – Jared Larson and Brad
Lulik BASc’16, MASc’20 – have been heavily involved, serving
as teaching assistants in engineering labs and as mentors to
teams of fourth-year students completing their projects. Larson,
a MacPherson Engineering partner specializing in HVAC
engineering (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), and
Lulik first met at a Regina Engineering Students’ Society mixer,
when Lulik was in the second year of his industrial systems
engineering undergraduate program.
Larson would later mentor Lulik and other members
of a fourth-year student team on their capstone project
(a culminating assignment at the end of the academic program)
in 2016. The team worked on an energy assessment of the
building that houses the Little Souls Daycare in Regina,
a non-profit organization with limited financial resources.
The project went on to win a global design competition
sponsored by ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, a volunteer-run
international organization that promotes standards and best
practices for the engineering profession.
In other professions such as medicine, explains Dr. Esam
Hussein, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied
Science, students interact with professionals in the field. “We
try to do this in engineering, especially through the capstone
projects: design projects intended to give students a taste of
what real engineering is.”
Fourth-year students present their capstone projects to their
family, friends and peers on Project Day, one of the highlights
of the school year. Because of public health restrictions, Project
Day 2020 and 2021 were presented virtually over several days.
At the time Larson was mentoring the student team, he was
also serving as student activities chair for the Regina chapter of
ASHRAE. The organization was looking for ways to make closer
connections with the University of Regina and encouraging the
development of a full HVAC course at the University.
Engineers Brad Lulik (left) and
As a first step, in 2013, Larson was invited to speak to an
Jared Larson epitomize the engineering class, with a similar invitation extended the
connections between MacPherson following year. The interest shown by students led to a decision
Engineering and the University’s to develop a full course. At that point Larson recruited Lulik
Faculty of Engineering and
Applied Science. to provide industry input to help faculty members develop
the course. Larson describes the course as a joint venture, with
faculty handling the lectures while Lulik and other practising
professionals serve as teaching assistants and help students
with lab work.
have completed Co-op placements with the company, “We designed the course to leave the door open for industry
along with summer students from various technical and participation, including U of R alumni and representatives
degree programs. “Presently, 35 per cent of our team from ASHRAE,” says Larson. “We think the HVAC course gives
started out with MacPherson Engineering as students,” our students a leg up on grads from other universities.”
he notes. Lulik and Larson both agree that working with students is
The ties go even deeper. The University has always been rewarding and a good investment of their time. Lulik recalls
willing to entertain the company’s ideas while expanding how, as a student, he was grateful when members of industry
the limits of sustainability, MacPherson says, pointing to shared their time with him. “I understood they were busy,” he
the combination heating and cooling system installed in the says, “but somehow they found time to offer advice and point
campus’ Research and Innovation Centre and the radiant me in the right direction.”
floor cooling system in the K šik Tower residence. Lulik is also a vocal champion for the student teams he
In recognition of the company’s $15,000 donation mentors. Two teams received grants from ASHRAE and APEGS
toward the College Avenue Campus Renewal project, the (Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of
University named the mechanical room and several fan Saskatchewan) to help them build their own lab apparatus
rooms in the College Building in the company’s honour. as part of their projects. One of those teams won a Global
“We appreciated that,” MacPherson says, “but it is the Excellence Award at an ASHRAE conference in 2020. Currently,
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 11U of R Engineering students install RadiantLink, a heat transfer system, into a home on the Star Blanket Cree Nation. (Photo courtesy of Aura Lee MacPherson.)
he adds, another team has received a grant from ASHRAE to Lulik notes that the techniques used today to promote
help them design and build a refrigeration system that was part energy efficiency and indoor environment quality have a lot in
of their capstone project this year. common with traditional Indigenous design. As an example, he
Lulik’s and Larson’s experience and expertise were crucial notes that the tipi is intentionally designed to promote natural
to the Blanket of Warmth for Our Nations Homes project, an ventilation by raising or lowering the buffalo skins. Further, the
initiative designed to improve housing conditions on the Star stones placed around the fire inside the tipi serve as a radiant
Blanket Cree Nation. The project’s beginnings came when Aura heat source, which helps maintain the temperature during
Lee MacPherson (Murdoch’s wife), then the office manager for winter nights.
MacPherson Engineering, worked with Wendell Starblanket The MacPhersons realized that the variety of tasks involved
of the First Nation to organize a ceremony at the Treaty 4 in the project would require recruiting other participants.
Governance Centre in Fort Qu’Appelle. Aura Lee, a strong believer in the United Nations’ 17 goals
A chance remark by Starblanket about mould, high humidity for sustainable development, including the need to develop
and poor air quality in the basement of his home on the First partnerships to achieve those goals, set to work finding
Nation caught her attention. At his invitation, the MacPhersons partners. She began cold-calling potential sponsors and
visited Starblanket’s home and assessed the conditions in the suppliers for the project. “In my heart I was thinking ‘Do not
basement. They recognized that the patented hybrid passive make me tell Wendell this cannot happen,’” she recalls.“To my
heating technology developed by a Canadian company called sheer amazement not one person said ‘No’ to the project.”
RadiantLink had the potential to improve those conditions. The 2018 partnership with the Star Blanket Cree Nation,
RadiantLink is a heat transfer system that uses a coil MacPherson Engineering and Uponor – the panels and tubing
attached to the furnace to heat a food-grade glycol mixture that supplier – installed the system in Starblanket’s home in just
is pumped through plastic tubing attached to wall panels and one day. While the Starblankets could feel the improvements
then covered with drywall. The system turns the walls into in the basement, the next step was to measure what differences
passive heat sources. passive heating had made to health, safety and comfort. Since
12 Degrees | spring/summer 2021Aura Lee MacPherson sees the University of Regina as “craving
problems to solve”, she approached the Faculty of Engineering
and Applied Science for help.
Professor Amr Henni, who was teaching a U of R capstone
project course at the time, proposed a project to his students
that would involve measuring the conditions in Starblanket’s
basement over the winter and comparing them to those in
a similar home nearby without the passive radiant heating
system.
A team composed of Kennedy Dollard BASc’19, Anton Movchan
BASc’19 and Jeremy Shiplack BASc’19 took on the project.
At the beginning of the heating season in October, the team,
with Lulik’s guidance, installed data loggers and sensors in two
basements to: a) monitor temperatures and humidity and b)
measure natural gas and electricity consumption. Cables were
installed from a data collection point inside to a fixture outside
the homes so that the students could download the data every
few weeks without having to enter the homes. In February
2019, the team began preparing their Capstone presentation.
They found that the basement with the radiant heating system
was 3.5˚ C warmer than the basement without the system, and
surface humidity reached a high of 41 per cent in Starblanket’s
basement, compared with levels as high as 55 per cent in the
other home. The lower humidity meant mould would be less
likely to form in the space with radiant heating. They also
found that the radiant heating system did not increase natural
gas consumption, but instead reduced electricity consumption
by almost $900 a year, since space heaters were no longer
needed in the basement.
As the second part of their project, the team also performed
energy modelling in a similar home and prepared schematics
and sizing requirements for a second installation. By making
some simple changes, such as replacing copper fittings
with PVC piping, they trimmed 30 per cent from the cost of
materials for the second installation. “Brad (Lulik) made sure
we had all the elements documented; that we had a well-
rounded project,” Dollard observes. “We could not have done
it without his guidance.”
Larson says when the team made their Project Day presentation,
he could see and feel the pride they had in the work they
had done, knowing that the project made a positive difference.
The student team then presented a written proposal for
a second project at Star Blanket. With a $5,000 grant from
APEGS and monetary and in-kind support from MacPherson
Engineering, Uponor, Fries Tallman Lumber and Anaquod
Plumbing and Heating, the second installation was completed
in June 2019.
The members of the student team assisted with the
installation, a postscript to the completion of their graduating
year. While the work was underway, a community lunch was
held on the First Nation, where people could learn more about
the installation, assist with the work or visit with others.
In a video produced afterwards, Chief Michael Starr said the
project was about connecting, partnering and making each
other feel welcome.
“The best part of the entire project,” Dollard says, “was
seeing something you designed go in and make a difference.
When I was choosing a field of study, I wanted to choose
something that would help people – that would have an
impact. I think there has been a shift in the last 10 years within Top: University of Regina Engineering graduate Brad Lulik.
Centre: MacPherson Engineering’s Jared Larson is a teaching assistant
the profession, with more emphasis on how engineering can in engineering labs and mentors fourth-year U of R engineering students.
serve people.” Above: Esam Hussein, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Degrees | spring/summer 2021 13Chief Michael Starr of the Star Blanket Cree Nation, Aura Lee and Murdo (Murdoch) MacPherson. (Photo courtesy of Aura Lee MacPherson.)
The Blanket of Warmth project created another development Soon after the project was completed, the United Nations
opportunity, where representatives from the University and Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable
MacPherson Engineering travelled to Chief Payepot School Development in Saskatchewan recognized the project at its
north of Regina to host an engineering workshop, discuss the award ceremony for sustainability initiatives. The project
applied sciences and share the story of the work done at Star is also earning accolades from the industry. The team was
Blanket with the students there. While the workshop was an honoured to receive the APEGS 2021 Exceptional Engineering/
optional activity for her, Dollard says it was important for her Geoscience Project Award at the organization’s annual
to be there. It is important to have role models who are recognition event on April 30 and Sustainable Architecture &
a reflection of yourself, she says, and having visible female Buildings magazine selected the project for a 2021 Canadian
role models in a field dominated by men was pivotal in her Green Building Award.
decision to pursue engineering. MacPherson Engineering is currently working with
“Participating in community outreach is most important in Henni and four capstone students on a continuation of the
Indigenous communities, as these communities are severely project, wrapping the plastic tubing around the windows
under-represented in engineering. I hope to encourage in a renovated home and collecting the data over the
some of these students to see engineering as an option for winter months. “The results look promising,” says Aura Lee
them, with the hopes of creating future role models for their MacPherson, “and we expect to soon know if this should
communities,” she says. be added to the Blanket of Warmth for Our Nations Homes.
Dean Hussein says the Star Blanket project is the one that We continue to improve the system and look for grants
is closest to his heart, because it shows young people what to improve homes with poor air quality on Star Blanket
engineering is about, while solving a real problem affecting Cree Nation.” D
people’s everyday lives. “We may not always notice it in
operation, but our quality of life depends on it, for example, in Bill Armstrong is a Regina freelance writer and amateur
the water, heat and power we rely on,” he says. photographer with a strong interest in Saskatchewan history.
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