Alumni - uLethbridge Stories

A Year of Grace and Patience: Taking on Covid-19 as a First-time Principal: Matthew Bekkering (BSc '06, BEd '08, MEd '17)

Lethbridge Pronghorns Basketball captain returned to the UofL to pursue a master’s in educational leadership after serving in roles as an informal school leader for seven years. “I wanted a more clear-eyed understanding of what leadership could be."

Wellness and Gratitude: "Although I hate the routine, I need the routine", Dan Grassick (BSc/BEd ‘02)

“Until my hospitalization I was sort of aware that I wasn’t totally healthy and wasn’t making the best choices, but I kept prioritizing my work over my health. When I woke up in hospital, I realized it was time to recheck my priorities and develop some work-life balance.” - Dan Grassick

The Weight of the World: When the Personal becomes Professional becomes Political

2020 Alumni Honour Society inductee, Dr. Angela Grace (BFA/BEd ‘96, MEd ‘03), shares her career journey on her path to becoming a registered psychologist!

Alberta Teachers' Association William Aberhart Gold Medal Goes to Sophia Larney (BEd ‘21)

"Being awarded this medal by the Alberta Teachers' Association— that has continuously advocated for well-funded public education and research-based curricula in the face of budget cuts and questionable policy decisions—feels big." – Sophia Larney (BEd '21)

Seeing Connections Between Math and Everyday Life: Raeesa Shivji (BSc/BEd ’21)

Reflection allows students to see connections between math and everyday life, notice how numbers inter-relate, and discover multiple ways of problem-solving. “Talking it out helps expand and solidify learning and helps develop reasoning skills," says Raeesa Shivji.

Book Launch: Sometimes Reading is Hard by Dr. Robin Bright

In this webinar, author-educator Robin Bright will explore a new perspective of what balanced literacy looks like, and how to apply that new perspective to teaching reading every day. Teaching reading is everyone's responsibility.

Dr. Shayne Dahl (BA '07) named uLeth's first Banting Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Shayne Dahl (BA '07) has been named the University of Lethbridge's first Banting Postdoctoral Researcher. Shayne will be studying global Shugendo with the Department of Religious Studies.

Undergraduate Teacher Research: Generating New Knowledge and Resources

We want to prepare teacher graduates to think with a disposition of curiosity,” says Dr. Pamela Adams, noting that the Faculty of Education was founded on a strong base of reflection.

Gold medal winner Dr. Katie Wilson (BSc Co-op '13, PhD '19) blends research with travel

At uLethbridge Dr. Katie Wilson (BSc Co-op '13, PhD '19) majored in biochemistry during her BSc and then went on to complete a PhD in computational chemistry. She won many awards including an NSERC Vanier Scholarship, which is one of the most prestigious PhD scholarships in Canada.

Tackling Racial Underrepresentation in Majority White Schools: Deema Abushaban (BSc/BEd ’21)

“I was the only person of colour with a level of authority in the school. When they [female Muslim students] told me they couldn’t speak to anyone else, I realized the detriments of underrepresentation are very, very great,” says Deema Abushaban (BSc/BEd ’21).

'Reconciliation and Land Use Planning' by Perry Stein (BA '09)

Alumnus Perry Stein (BA '09) shares his reflections on how to bring reconciliation into the planning profession.

Incorporating Blackfoot Values into Early Education: Kate Lawless (BA/BEd ’21)

Not being Indigenous, Kate Lawless (BA/BEd ’21) was concerned about appropriating and teaching aspects of a culture not her own. So she approached Faculty of Education instructor and Blackfoot Elder Don Shade for advice.

Shining Graduate - Chloe Devoy (BSc '21)

"Having a liberal education has allowed me to learn more about myself. It encouraged me to explore opportunities outside of my primary field of study and fall in love with subjects that I hadn't originally considered." ~ Chloe Devoy (BSc '21)

Shining graduate - Antoine Gendron (BSc Co-op '21)

Through liberal education, Antoine grew into his role as a global citizen and developed trans-disciplinary approaches to critical thinking.

Shining graduate and this year's recipient of the Gold Medal in Fine Arts - Dylan Bauer (BFA '21)

Dylan Bauer (BFA '21) learned that courses are only one facet of your university experience. From working as the sound board operator for the University's 2018 production of She Kills Monsters, to playing in the jazz ensemble, his talent shone through.

Shining graduate and this year's recipient of the Gold Medal in Science - Jhanvi Mehta (BSc '21)

"I hope that I'm able to carry forward the critical thinking skills and community-oriented mindset I've developed at the University of Lethbridge with me into the medical field." Gold Medal recipient Jhanvi Mehta (BSc '21) studied neuroscience at uLethbridge and completed her honours thesis.

Shining graduate and this year's recipient of the Gold Medal in Arts - Grace Forster (BA '21)

"I hope to use the tools I have gained in my education at the UofL and in my future education to contribute to positive solutions." Gold Medal recipient Grace Forster (BA '21) studied political science at ulethbridge.

Shining graduate - Kristine Villaluna (BSc Co-op '21)

Kristine Vallaluna (BSc Co-op '21) will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in applied statistics, with a concentration in economics and a minor in computer science this spring. She will begin her next chapter at the U of T for the Master of Science graduate program starting this fall.

Shining graduate and this year's recipient of the Silver Medal of the Governor General (Undergraduate) - Janelle Bykowski (BSc '21)

This year's winner of the Silver Medal of the Governor General (Undergraduate), Janelle Bykowski (BSc '21), is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. At uLethbridge, Janelle enjoyed conducting research in chemistry professor Dr. Michael Gerken's lab.

Haley Shade (BSc ‘21) kept her end goal in sight and received three offers to medical school

“Oki, nitankoowa Omahkamootstakii. My Blackfoot name is on Omah’kamootstakii which in English means ‘big victory.’ My English name is Haley.” Biological sciences graduate Haley Shade (BSc '21) will graduate this spring with four independent studies, three NSERC awards and her honours’ thesis.

Shining Graduate - Sahara Adamitz (BMus '21)

"I have so many memorable experiences from my time at the University of Lethbridge. Every performance I have done has been special, and being surrounded by a great music community made it all the better. These memories will be with me for years to come." ~ Sahara Adamitz (BMus '21)

Calgary Campus Shining Graduate: Ronke Ogunbiyi (BMgt '21)

My most memorable Lethbridge experience is getting to know the people, whether it was the staff or fellow students, a very diverse group of people. Each and every one of these connections deeply enriched my time at U of L and made my learning experience a joyous one.

Calgary Campus Shining Graduate: Pamela Johnson (BHSc '21)

As a single mom of 3, working full time as a LPN, it never seemed like the time would be right. The post-diploma Bachelor of Health Science program provided me with such an amazing opportunity to achieve my dreams.

On Becoming a Teacher: Five Questions with Dominique Point du Jour (BEd '21)

There are two pieces of advice Dominique Point du Jour can give to those who are about to begin their teaching journey. "Be humble...persevere. Each day is a new opportunity to make a difference. If you are able to positively affect one student's day, you are doing something right."

Calgary Campus Shining Graduate: Krisanta Mae Armintia (BMgt '21)

Krisanta Mae Armintia (BMgt '21) believes that education pays the best interest and we should never stop learning. Learn more about Krisanta's experience and highlights as an international student at the Calgary Campus.