public art on campus - grande prairie, alberta · • gprh will open with 200 beds, and will have...

Public Art on Campus:Stewart Steinhauer

Connecting Health,Education andCommunity

We have anApp for that!

In Conversation:Richard Podsadaand Cris Seppola

Insurance program endorsed by

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. The program is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in the rest of Canada.

Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *No purchase required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible persons belonging to employer, professional and alumni groups which have an agreement with and

are entitled to group rates from the organizers. Contest ends on October 31, 2013. Draw on November 22, 2013. One (1) prize to be won. The winner may choose between a Lexus ES 300h hybrid (approximate MSRP of $58,902 which includes freight, pre-delivery inspection, fees and applicable taxes) or $60,000 in Canadian funds. Skill-testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Complete contest rules available at melochemonnex.com/contest.

®/The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

Discover why over 375,000 graduates enjoy greater savings

Join the growing number of graduates who enjoy greater savings from TD Insurance on home and auto coverage.Most insurance companies offer discounts for combining home and auto policies, or your good driving record. What you may not know is that we offer these savings too, plus we offer preferred rates to students or alumni of Grande Prairie Regional College. You’ll also receive our highly personalized service and great protection that suits your needs. Find out how much you could save.

Request a quote today1-888-589-5656Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

melochemonnex.com/gprc

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 10:23 AM

.

d 2 t

r ,

Wisdom is published by the Department of Community Relations as a service tothe many constituents of Grande Prairie Regional College.

Vice-PresidentExternal Relations Carmen HaakstadEditor in Chief Lynne NessContributors Joanne Ballance, Lynne Ness, Susan Thompson,

Carmen Haakstad, Elizabeth Beaulieu, Chris NicholPhotography FX Photographic, Susan Thompson, Joanne Ballance,

J. D. Robert Wiebe PhotographyDesign Trina Irons, IronsDesignPrinting Menzies Graphics Group

Postage for the Wisdom magazine is paid under a Canada Post CorporationCanadian Publication Mail Agreement Number: 40048553Return undeliverable mail to:Wisdom MagazineDepartment of Community RelationsGrande Prairie Regional College10726 - 106 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4C4

insideCarmenHaakstad,VP ExternalRelations

“Imagine, ifyou can, aworld devoidof public art:no Statue ofLiberty, no

Eiffel Tower, no Vietnam VeteransMemorial, no Tribute in Light. Nomurals, memorials, or monuments.What would life be like withoutfireworks displays, puppet parades,sculpture parks, and visionaryroadside folk art? These landmarksand special events enhance ourexperience of a place and ourquality of life. They engender asense of pride and communityidentity. They reach audiencesoutside museums, galleries, andtheaters, and they add to the beautyof everyday life. They declare theworth of a place and a time in ourshared culture.“ – Jack Becker“Public Art: An Essential Componentof Creating Communities“(Monograph, March 2004)

GPRC is very proud of the DJCardinal architecture of ourbuilding, and of the sculptureinstallations in the green spacessurrounding our Grande Prairiecampus. Over the summer and fall of2012, our College and ourcommunity were extraordinarilyproud to be the recipients of a veryspecial“loan. “Granite carver StewartSteinhauer delivered a beautifulcollection of new works createdespecially for our community, whichtogether tell the old Cree-Ojibwecultural origins story,“Eaglechild.“

We will have two full years toenjoy them before they are madeavailable for purchase by individuals,corporations or municipalities. Thisgift is the topic of our cover story inthis edition of Wisdom – and thisgift has prompted much thoughtand conversation about theimportance of public art in acommunity.

The installation of the sculptures

3

IN OUR WISDOM

THIS ISSUE

3 In Our Wisdom Editorial:Public Art Builds Community– Carmen Haakstad

6 Health and Education Centre

9 Custom Designed GPRC App

10 Donor Profile: Cyril Gurevitch– Joanne Ballance

14 Recent Gifts

19 Steinhauer Sculptures OnLoan to GPRC– Lynne Ness

16 Faculty Profile: Ken Housego– Elizabeth Beaulieu

28 In Conversation: RIchard Podsadaand Cris Seppola– Lynne Ness

31 GPRC Alumnae Admitted to Veterinary School

24 In Memoriam25 Recent Achievements32 Alumni Updates

EDITORIAL

Public Art Builds Community

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 10:23 AM

Care

4

was an amazing experience, as theheavy granite sculptures arrived andwere settled in place by transporttrucks and picker trucks usually usedfor the movement of heavy oilequipment. Their unusual cargo wasa pleasant surprise to the passers-bywatching these heavy granitesculptures being suspended in the airlike feathers in the wind. There wasan immediate response of pleasureand gratitude from all whowitnessed this installation.

I encourage you to read theartist’s story in this issue explainingwhy he chose to create thesesculptures for our campus. This wasa huge challenge and very costlyventure, as he had to transportthousands of pounds of granite fromall parts of the word to Creston BC,

then to Grande Prairie Alberta. While reading his story I was

thinking about our students. I seethese sculptures as a symbol of apeaceful society where all humans ofall races and the animals of ourplanet live in harmony, not conflict.The sculptures along the park trailand in front of our main entrancescombined with the beautifularchitecture of Douglas J. Cardinalare a spectacular addition to ourcommunity, and I hope we are ableto secure some of them for thegenerations of the future.

The youth of our community areour future. What is it we areteaching, as a college, as a society?How are we preparing the citizensof our future? It is our role as a post-secondary institution to be a source

in our community for art, sports,science - to share the teachings ofthe great philosophers, scientists,artists, poets, mathematicians andthe many professional trades. It isour responsibility to help build asociety which values art, and whichcherishes public art such as thiscollection of granite sculpture.

At GPRC we are grateful toStewart Steinhauer for his vision forour College, and for his generosity inmaking it available for theenjoyment of all in the comingmonths. It is my personal hope thatour community will become knownfor its support of public art, and thatthese sculptures will remain in ourcommunity, beautifying our publicspaces, and enriching our lives.

IN OUR WISDOM

The photo is a closeup of the incredible highly-polished stainless steel “Cloud Gate sculpture” in Chicago’s Millennium Park, by world renowned artist Anish Kapoor.The reflection is of the famous downtown Chicago skyline. This photo was taken by Carmen Haakstad while on vacation. “Gail and I, like many others, enjoy visitingthe public art and galleries that are in so many cities around the world...I hope people will come to see our sculptures at GPRC and enjoy the beauty that we have inour part of the world.” – Carmen Haakstad

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 10:23 AM

Great place to work. Great place to learn.Grande Prairie • Fairview • Edson • Grande Cache • Hinton • Jasper

gprc.ab.caCareer Programs • Degree Completion • Trades • University Transfer

Downloadour App!

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:46 AM

A Community Information Session hosted by the Peace Health AdvisoryCouncil was held at GPRC on November 29 to share facts and progressupdates regarding construction of the new Grande Prairie RegionalHospital.

The Alberta Infrastructure project team, architects, construction manager,and representatives from GPRC and Alberta Health Services were presentto answer questions from the public and to present the architecturaldrawings.

“This is a one-of-a-kind collaboration, a new way of doing business,” saidDon Gnatiuk, GPRC President and CEO. GPRC, which donated the land forthe project, is busy planning for the exciting education opportunitiesafforded by the 4000 sq. metres of teaching and learning space which ispart of the design.

The new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital is scheduled for completion by2017, and Alberta Health Services is working to plan for the new caremodel and future equipment needs.• Current QEII Hospital was designed to serve a population of 22,000.

Grande Prairie population alone is well over 52,000, plus the surrounding region.

• The new hospital will continue to serve as regional hospital for the region

• Radiation therapy will be provided in the new facility for cancer patients, reducing the need for travel to Edmonton to receive treatment.

• GPRH will open with 200 beds, and will have the capacity to expand as needed.

• An 1100-stall parkade will be built as part of the new facility, and will open at the same time as the hospital.

• QEII will continue to serve the region providing services such as ambulatory care, public health, community mental health.

The project partners – Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Health Services andGrande Prairie Regional College – are working together to connectcommunity, health and education as never before.

In the words of Alberta Infrastructure Salvador Ibarra, ProjectImplementation Director, North, “We are not distinct organizations, weare one cohesive group whose objective is the best space solution todeliver the best health programs, the best results for patients, that arepossible. I can assure this community that this facility will be second tonone.”

To view the full presentation from the community informationsession please visit www.gprc.ab.ca/livevideo_archive.html

6

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital on GPRC

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:47 AM

7

CONSTRUCTION FACT• GPRH will be constructed on 533 piles.• Each pile holds 30 meters

of concrete.• Drilling of the piles was completed in mid-November

GPRC Campus – A Facility for the Future

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:48 AM

8

you are interested in what’sgoing on at GPRC, we now

“have an App for that!“ JordanPickup, director of InformationTechnology at the College, hascustom-designed a native app forthree mobile platforms, which is nowavailable in the appropriate appstores for iPhones, Androids orWindows Phones, and at gprc.ab.ca.

Don Gnatiuk President and CEO ofGPRC, is very excited about the newapp, which was announced to theBoard of Governors at their public

meeting on January 24. “I have beenlooking forward to this for a longtime!“ Gnatiuk says. “I am especiallyproud that our staff is soaccomplished. Jordan Pickup, whocreated the GPRC App to serve ourstudents, is not only an esteemedmember of our staff, but is analumnus of our GPRC computertechnology program.“

As of this week, the GPRC App isavailable free at the App Store foriPhones and iPads, in Google play forandroid phones, and in the Store for

Windows Phones. Visitors towww.gprc.ab.ca can download thefree GPRC App from the communitypage or the student homepage.Everyone from students to the generalpublic will find the App a handyaddition to their mobile phones.Contact information, important dates,events listings, theatre events andnews releases are available to allusers. Quick links take the user directlyto the GPRC website, the Students’Association website or the myGPRCportal for students and faculty.

If

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:48 AM

9

Custom-designed GPRC App

GPRC students who download theApp will find a few more buttons,with courses, marks and classschedule among their available links.GPRC faculty have links to theirteaching schedules and informationsuch as numbers of studentsregistered in any given class, and allstaff have access to a button tosearch employee listings.

Jordan custom-designed this appespecially for GPRC, with GPRC lookand feel and function. “I wanted itto be functional and rich in content,

not just links to events and news,“Pickup says. “This App has featuresstudents need, things to makestudent life more manageable. “

He has been working on the appin evenings over recent months,while working with Student Servicesto establish the myGPRC studentportal. “It was important to have theonline student portal up and runningbefore launching an App. All theonline services for students are inmyGPRC – now the App provides aconvenient link to that information.“

The App is already flying off the“shelves“ of the various locations fordownload, and Jordan is lookingforward to tracking the numbers asthe word begins to get out about itsavailability. The demonstration to theBoard of Governors was the formal“debut“ of the GPRC App; next weekthe opportunity will begin to bepushed out to current andprospective students.

It is all about services for students.At GPRC,“We have an App for that!“

Now available!

Downloadour App!

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:48 AM

Cyril Gurevitch is a lawyer in theCity of Grande Prairie and longtimesupporter of the GPRC studentawards program; he is also a leader,community builder, planner,advocate, Rotarian, coach, andlifelong learner.

While preparing to interview CyrilI reflected back on how our pathsfirst crossed and realized that over30 years had passed! We first met in1980 when he and his wife,accomplished artist Brenda Strom,moved to Grande Prairie. Cyril hadserved three years with the AlbertaAttorney General’s office inEdmonton before relocating northto work as an associate and thenpartner with the late Steven Burgessin what would become Burgess andGurevitch Law Office. At that time I

worked for Legal Aid of Alberta andour office assigned pro-bono workto lawyers on a rotating basis. Iremember clearly that Cyril alwaystook our requests, even on shortnotice. My first impression of himwas that he was community-mindedand generous. It turns out somethings never change…

When I caught up to him for thisinterview Cyril was back in the cityfor just a few days; his role as aPresident of the Canadian BarAssociation – Alberta Chapter, keepshis schedule as busy as ever. He washeading out as an invited guest tospeak to the Manitoba BarAssociation and would beparticipating in their provincialconference. Not surprising aslifelong learning is one of the

constants in his life, something hecredits his parents for instilling inhim early on. “They believed inEducation; to them, attaining aUniversity education was simply anatural progression from HighSchool – something I like to thinkwe passed on to our children,“ saidCyril. (All three have graduated withdegrees ranging from interiordesign, to nursing, to business.)

His personal educationalexperience and how he arrived at acareer in law, though, is somewhatcircuitous. After attending HenryWise Wood High School in Calgary,Cyril contacted the University ofCalgary counselling service toenquire about taking universitycourses. Not having a clear idea asto what to study, it was suggested

Cyril GurevitchDONOR PROFILE

By Joanne Ballance

ATB Financial is the largest Alberta-based financial institution, with 5,000 passionate and innovative employees who take enormous pride in helping our 660,000 customers in 244 Alberta communities.

We’re an award-winning employer of choice, and we have the best of the best working for Albertans. So if you want abundant career advancement opportunities, direct access to senior leaders and a voice in our future, then we have opportunities for you.

Make your mark with us today.

atbcareers.com

Bring your personality to work.

SAVING І BORROWING І INVESTING І KNOW-HOW

10

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:48 AM

that Cyril undertake ‘interest tests’ –and the results showed bothEngineering and Law as potentialcareers worth pursuing. “At thetime the U of C offered a doubleBA/LLB degree, and so I registered init.“ After his 2nd year of Universityhowever, Cyril took a break andtravelled extensively – firsthitchhiking across Europe andeventually visiting family in Israelwhere he worked for three monthsin a Kibbutz. These were interestingtimes: The year was 1973 and theYom Kippur War was underway atthat time.

Eventually he completed his Lawdegree from the University ofAlberta, and soon after moving toGrande Prairie, Cyril’s support forGPRC began. First his partner StevenBurgess, an avid runner, suggestedtheir firm establish an award tosupport the College’s Cross-CountryRunning Team – something Cyrilsupports to this day. Fast-forward 15years and local MLA Bob Elliottsuggested to Cyril that he apply fora position as a member of theCollege’s Board of Governors. Hecompleted two 3-year terms andwas involved in numerouscommittees including Negotiationsand Board Development.

During his tenure the Collegeincreased the number of degreeofferings, the Carver model wasintroduced for board governanceand there were discussions aboutthe use of college lands across theBy-Pass Road. Restrictions were puton commercial development onthat parcel of land. “We werevociferous and said we cannotgive this land up,“ recalls Cyril.And today, this is the site of the$620 million dollar regionalhospital and education centre.

While his children were young

Cyril would coach them in the GPRCMini-Wolves Basketball Program,and he even took his eldestdaughter on an Art History course inParis, France with GPRC instructorLane Borstad. The College has twicehonoured Cyril’s law firm with theAward for Community Involvementin GPRC Athletics at the annualFestival of Gold Gala, and Cyril wasinducted to the GPRC President’sCouncil in recognition of his workon the Board of Governors.

Cyril’s connections withinthe community cannot beoverstated; he has along list of communityservice, including over25 years as amember of theRotary Club ofGrande Prairie, amember of theKinsmen Club, asPresident of theGrande Prairie UnitedWay, a coach for hockey,basketball, soccer andbaseball, as a leader withthe PC Association -Wapiti, a chartermember ofthe

Heritage Club at the QEII Hospital inGrande Prairie, a director on theGrande Prairie & District Chamber ofCommerce and member of theAirport Commission. Currently Cyrilis serving his profession as aPresident, Canadian Bar Association,Alberta Branch and National CouncilVoting Member.

Cyril looks at his years ofleadership and involvement with theCollege fondly, especially noting the

relationships forged, andthe friendships and

connections thatwere made. “GPRCis a viable andvibrant part ofthe community,“said Cyril,“andhas certainlybeen a part ofmy life since we

arrived here.“

11

In early February 2013, CyrilGurevtich was named BusinessCitizen of year by the Grande Prairieand District Chamber of Commerce.

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:48 AM

1988-2012Celebrating 25 years of College Classic Tradition

Thank You!Thank You!

$100,000Over

Raised

Title Sponsor

Gold SponsorsGold Sponsors

Title Sponsor

Sponsors, Golfers and VolunteersSSSSSSSSSSSppppppppppppppoooooooooonnnnnnnnnnssssssssssooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssss,,,,,,,, GGGGGGGGGGGGoooooooooolllllffffffffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssss aaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnndddddddddddddd VVVVVVVVVVVVVVoooooooooollllluuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnttttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssssSponsors, Golfers and Volunteers

SILVER SPONSORSAquateraCanadiana HomesChrenek Dion & AssociatesFabcor 2001 Inc.Fletcher Mudryk & Co.Great Northern Casino/Service Plus

Inns & SuitesHWD ConstructionKay McVey Smith & CarlstromKen Sargent GMC/Sean Sargent

ToyotaNAW PromotionsQ99 Live RadioReed Energy Group Inc.SPA (Scheuenhage, Popek & Assoc.)Wapiti Gravel Suppliers

BRONZE SPONSORSAlberta Blue CrossAON Hewitt ConsultingAPEGA - Education FoundationCounty of Grande Prairie No. 1EnCana CorporationEnbridge Northern Gateway PipelinesFocus CorporationGrande Prairie Golf & Country ClubPomeroy GroupRural Discovery Destination

Marketing Fund o/b Ramada Inn.StantecTD Insurance Meloche MonnexWillsey Davis & Co.

GIFT-IN-KIND SPONSORSAll Peace ProtectionAquateraBig Country XX 93.1Canadian Tire

Carpet Superstores GPCutting Edge Concrete Ltd.Fountain TireGrande Prairie Golf & Country ClubGPRC Alumni/FoundationGPRC AthleticsGPRC Be Fit For Life CentreGPRC Fitness CentreGPR IndustriesGP-Smoky Constituency OfficeGP-Wapiti Constituency OfficeHappy Trails RV / Peter & Susan

TeichroebHalliburtonMarcy’s FlowersMarmot BasinNAW PromotionsNevada Bob’sFYI DoctorsOnSite Advanced Medical ServicesRocky Mountain Chocolate FactorySawridge InnTD InsuranceThe Dunes Golf and Winter ClubVintage Wine and SpiritsWatson’s Foto SourceWestern Event Rentals

ORGANIZING COMMITTEEBrody Thomson, ChairKevin ChrenekRandy GlennMike HusseyBob MartensSerge MartinIan PerryRon ThomsonJoanne BallanceLynne NessMeghan Noftall

2012 College Classic Winners1st Team – Taxes, Tires and MoneyBrody Thomson, Don Lindsay, KevinChrenek and Jordan Bombier

2nd Team – The Weed WhackersRandy Glen, Chad Wnuk, Art Stirrettand Mike Fredrickson

3rd Team – The PlayboysDarren Kjemhuis, Stewart Wilson,Vince Vavrek and Pete Merlo

4th Team – The Water HazardsIan Perry, Marg Martel, NataliaReiman and Kevin Tink

McCullough CupLow Gross Men Keith Aiken

Boccioletti CupLow Gross Women Natalia Reiman

Low Net Men Bill TurnerLow Net Women Marilyn Kapellar

Brody Thomson,Chair

Tit

Pla

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:48 AM

on

resident’sPgprcball



Midsummer Nights Dream,A

Thank you!Over

Raised$83,000

nersneyKevin

sirrett

on,

en

eiman

rapellar

GOLD SPONSORSFabcor 2001 Inc.Northern Mat and Bridge Ltd.Risley EnterprisesRural Discovery Destination

Marketing FundTowne Centre FurnitureWithers LPXerox

SILVER SPONSORSChrenek Dion and AssociatesCrystal CentreEnCana CorporationFletcher Mudryk and Co. LLPGreat Northern Casino &

Service Plus Inns and SuitesHeartbeat ProductionsKen Sargent GMC and Sean

Sargent ToyotaNorthern Metallic Sales

(GP) Ltd.PepsiCo Beverages CanadaRitchie Bros AuctioneersStantecTD Insurance Meloche MonnexWeyerhaeuser

BRONZE SPONSORSAlliance PipelineATB FinancialBig Rig Truck CollisionKay McVey Smith and

CarlstromThe Association of Professional

Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)

WestJet

FRIENDS OF THE BALLArt Work - Carmen HaakstadArt Work - Ed BaderArt Work - Joan DollArt Work - Laura St. PierreArt Work - Melissa FinlayArt Work - Naomi DutekomArt Work - Tina MartelAON Hewitt ConsultingDrip MechanicalFYI DoctorsHouse DressingJade Cash ATMMarlin TravelParty Bus EntertainmentRoyal LePage - Jeannie Schultz

and Gail HaakstadSomething BorrowedWestern Event Rentals

GIFT IN KINDAffordable EleganceAli Al-AsadiAnne Driedger and

Gail ShermanEMS FoundationFabriclandCandace McKimCastaspella BoutiqueCrerar’s Rustic Log FurnitureCrystal CateringDan BaliskyDunvegan GardensEdward’s Factory OutletForbes and Friends Flair

BoutiqueGPRC AlumniGPRC Be Fit for LifeGPRC GymGPRC Wolves AthleticsGPRC Student Artwork -

Celeste WalshGPRC Student Artwork -

Rachel HrudkoGrande Prairie Golf and

Country ClubGrande Prairie Storm HockeyGreen Blade Landscape Co. Grimshaw TruckingHealth Hut

Heaton PhotographyHelios Salon and Day SpaHertz Equipment RentalIndigo BoutiqueInternational Star RegistryLion’s Den PubLove Life Hot YogaMarathon Training - Bill

CorcoranMarcy’s Flower BoutiqueMirage Holistic SpaQuilts Etc.Royal LePage - Kelly McLeodSafewaySpecial Event RentalsThe Keg Steakhouse and BarTim Heimdal DesignTotem Building SuppliesTowne Centre FurnitureVintage WinesWalk Run and MoreWatson’s Foto Source

THANK YOUArt Gallery of Grande PrairieG.P. Dancers AcademyGPRC Office Administration

and Hospitality Student volunteers

Grande Prairie Boys’ ChoirHarpist - Hannah Irwin

The President's Ball was plannedand organized by a committee ofvolunteers under the leadershipof Chair Sharron Barr. l-r CandaceBoyne, Darcie Coulter, WhitneyCard, Lori Bombier, Carly McLeod,Gail Sherman, Lynne Ness,Sharron Barr, Meghan Noftall,Susan Thompson, SharifiHoussian, Carolyn Vasileiou,Derek Hall.

Titanium Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:49 AM

14

Joanne Ballance, Alumni Development Manager receives a $40,000 donationfrom Jason Zelling, Food Service Representative for Pepsi Bottling Group

Grande Prairie RCMP Officer in Charge, Ray Noble, and the Archie HarveyMemorial Golf Tournament organizing committee, presented a cheque in theamount of $13,370 to the GPRC Alumni/Foundation. On behalf of the College,Joanne Ballance, GPRC Community Relations, accepted the cheque, whichrepresents the past five years of support for two student bursaries at GPRC.

Ron Regnier, General Manager of Grande Prairie’s Canadian Tire Store, presentsa cheque to GPRC President and CEO, Don Gnatiuk, and VP External Relations,Carmen Haakstad. This generous donation represents their annual sponsorshipfor the College Classic and President’s Ball.

Bear Creek Broadcasting donated $30,000 once again this year with $20,000going to scholarships and $10,000 to the Peace Country Idol event.

RECENT GIFTS

Donations helped the Room of Plenty at GPRC provide support to140 students and over 80 children in the 2011-2012 academic year, andis on track to equal or exceed those numbers in 2012-13.

The Room of Plenty is an on-campus food and supplies bank whichcan be accessed by students, and which helps to stretch the often tightfinances of a student budget. The Room of Plenty also gathersdonations of cash, toys and groceries to prepare Christmas Hampers tohelp make the holiday season a little brighter for students in need.

Donations are generated at a variety of social events at the College,and the fund is the appreciative recipient of individual and groupdonations. A donations jar at Bernie’s coffee bar in the GPRC concoursegathered donations of over $900 in just over one year. The “stuff-the-window” initiative of the Bookstore staff generated donation of 1462items plus $100 in gift cards and $60 cash just in time to support the

Donations to Room of Plenty at GPRC pro

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:49 AM

15

David Dunsworth, Xerox Sales Agent (Micro Computers Plus Ltd.) presentedGPRC with a cheque in the amount of $5,000. Jordan Pickup, Director ofInformation Technology, and Carmen Haakstad, VP External Relations acceptedthe donation, thanking Xerox for the support.

Don Gnatiuk, GPRC President and CEO, and Joanne Ballance, AlumniDevelopment Manager accept a cheque in the amount of $25,000 from RBCrepresentatives Kevin Kleininger, Regional Vice-President, and Fred Gardner, VPCommercial Banking. The funds support a scholarship in the BusinessDepartment and Aboriginal programming at GPRC.

The landscape at GPRC Fairview Campus was transformed when equipmentand buildings from a former Shell Canada pilot project arrived and called thecampus home. Don Gnatiuk, GPRC President and CEO, and MalcolmMayes, General Manager of Shell's In-Situ Operations, unveil the ShellCanada Learning Lab sign on-site at GPRC Fairview Campus.

Joanne Ballance and Carmen Haakstad of GPRC Community Relations receivecheques from Kevin Chrenek, Vice President & Associate Portfolio Manager atChrenek Dion & Associates, in the amount of $3,200 in support of their namedscholarships at GPRC.

hamper project in December.The United Church is one community group which has been an

ongoing supporter of the Room of Plenty, and organizers extend aspecial thanks to them for the continued extraordinary generosity.

Cash donations are always welcome, as are non-perishable fooditems and household items. Items always in short supply are: kids lunchsupplies (granola bars, juice boxes, fruit cups, puddings, etc.); nutritiousquick meal components; personal hygiene items such as shampoo,conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine hygiene items,toilet paper, or deodorant.

The kindness and generosity of donors throughout the College andin our community has made the Room of Plenty a very successful andwell-utilized program, which has really helped our students succeed intheir education goals. Thank You!

GPRC provide needed support to students

GPRC was a beneficiary of the third annual TD Tree Days event in 2012. TD Friendsof the Environment Foundation chose GPRC as one of the locations selected acrossCanada. TD Canada Trust employees and several GPRC employees volunteered theirtime on a sunny Saturday afternoon in April to plant twelve large trees near theformer site of the now-demolished Anderson Hall residence.

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:49 AM

16

I first met Ken Housego at Grande Prairie Regional College while he wasgetting ready to teach drawing class. As I watched him gear up with a thickcanvas apron and a leather tool belt, I had to wonder – just what kind ofheavy-duty drawing does he teach? Now that I have seen his exhibition titled‘Then and Now’ - his exhibition at The Center for Creative arts in 2012 – Ithink I understand.

Ken Housego’s work is a contemplative exploration of materials – hispaintings are drawings, are sculptures, are assemblages, are poems. His workdoesn’t worry about medium-specificity; his surfaces hold paint, pastel, ink,pencil, and found objects while negotiating both two and three-dimensionalspaces at once. In his own words: His paintings are built. They go in and outof planes – flipping between aerial views to stable horizon lines, they are halfshelf, frame, object and collection. Images and objects engage in a dialoguecreating a counterpoint narrative that celebrates materials and a life.Repeating themes like boats, hearts, moons, farming tools and bones create arhythm of story telling. These icons seem to map out a personal narrative, apersistence, demanding that these symbols mark a weight, a memory andecho.

In Susan Stewarts book “On Longing” she suggests that there may be aphenomenological correlation between the experience of scale and theexperience of duration. She explains that when looking at things inminiature, time feels arrested, that it does not correspond to the change andflux of real lived time and thus opens us to reverie. I think of this whilelooking at the miniature hand carved wooden shovels, spades, grain silos andtrees placed strategically against the painted landscapes in Ken’s work. These

FACULTY PROFILE

By Elizabeth Beaulieu

KEN HOUSEGO

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:50 AM

assemblages are almost likedioramas, they draw you in to aplace of stillness, nostalgia andimagination. The toy-like miniatureobjects are like prairie artifactsconnoting a pioneering history. Theassemblage- paintings seem toreflect on work of the hand and ofthe land with a gaze set uponhorizon lines and light that can onlydescribe prairie knowledge. Thisgaze is philosophical; it questionsdistance, gravity, and perspectivein the material world and in therealm of emotion.

Typically ships and boatsconnote voyage and travel, Ken’sboats and ships are shapes, theyare like apparitions, ghosts ordreams lacking detail butunderstood. Integrated into Ken’spaintings one will find: Tinornaments from Mexico, mooringcleats and pieces of ocean-wornwood – hearkening to places faraway from Northern Albertawhere his studio is located.

Hand-carved woodensculptures of bones are attachedwith wire to several paintings.

These large femur bones are plainand strong, acknowledging themortal body with confidence as theyframe images of painted moons.

The reoccurring imagery of themoon in Ken’s work has thepresence of a portrait, centered onthe canvas – meeting the viewer’seye almost in a contest, almost likea mirror. For me these paintedmoons speak of enduring time andof wisdom. Their volumous weightsuspended on the canvas is bothreassuring and vulnerable as youexplore their cratered surfaces andthe material treatment of glowinglight and textures.

There is a constant play offloating and sinking in Ken’scompositions. In one work textwraps and bends around the imageof a giant lobster claw suspended bya string. The text reads “every day isa good day unless you becometrapped, boiled and eaten and yourship- family is sinking”. Beside this

work is a large texturally developedpainting hung upside down withthe silhouette of a boat on an oceanhorizon and a breathy red heartflying through the picture plane.Other works hold carved boats onshelves that extend strings thattether weights set out just inchesfrom paintings of ocean and prairielandscape. Similar to reading poetry

there is suspense between thestanzas of his images and objects;there is space, balance, timing andrepetition.

Color also shares a strongpresence in Ken’s work. His boldcoloration using deep oranges, redsand yellows juxtaposed withsensitive tonal variations of pastelblues seems to break all the rules.As the old adage goes “you have toknow the rules the break the rules”and with Ken’s work this rings true.Similarly there is a sophisticatedsense of humor that arises in thework – a sort of play within grandthemes. For instance in his painting‘I do’ -that he describes as beingabout marriage - there is an almostcomical image of a baked turkey.This ‘quirky’ symbol quickly nestlesinto the rest of the work as beingfirmly rooted in a sense of place andtime, like much of Ken’s personallexicon.

What is most striking about Ken’s

work is that it is unique, it does notconform to an aesthetic that isfamiliar. It is challenging because itbreaks rules, and particularly sobecause it breaks rules with suchmaturity and persistence.

The boat-lined horizons in Ken’swork remind me of Joyce Wieland’sfilm ‘Sailboat’, his color andtypeface are reminiscent of GregCurnoe (though I might only besaying that because I know Ken likesCurnoe’s work). His persistence ofsymbolism reminds me of ReneMagritte – but really Ken’s work isdefinitely his own and that is thegreatest accomplishment an artistcould achieve.

It is difficult to write about Ken’swork without writing about Ken. Athis opening for “Then and Now”he spoke warmly of family,acknowledging his son Ian’sinfluence on his work, expressinghis appreciation for the local figuredrawing classes at The Centre forCreative Arts and his role as aProfessor at Grande Prairie RegionalCollege. He described his exhibitionin terms of sharing and

acknowledged that all the viewerswere patrons. As he has done inprevious exhibitions he arranged forone painting to be won in a ballotdraw during his opening.

The exhibition ‘Then and Now’brings together a practice that feelsalive, the result of an artist who isactively investigating materials withcourage and is firmly rooted in hisartistic line of inquiry. The feeling ofdiscovery and lack of pretense in thework is refreshing. I was delightedto see Ken touch his paintings anddemonstrate how they were hung –removing works from the wall toshow their hardware in the middleof his opening. Ken’s presence as anartist, teacher and member of thecreative community is an anchor inthe vast northern prairie. His workgenerously shares lessons aboutmaterials, composition,craftsmanship and personalexploration.

Paintings/Assemblages/ DrawingsBalance, Form, Object-symbol

Place, Distance, Mind. Artifact. Glow. Heavy.

17

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:50 AM

18

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:50 AM

Steinhauer SculpturesOn Loan to GPRC

Grande Prairie citizens have beenenjoying the public sculptures byStewart Steinhauer which are nowon loan to GPRC. From the grizzlymom and cubs at the top of BorstadLookout (sliding hill in this season!)to the“Sweetgrass Teachings“ blackbear and white bear flanking themain entrance, these massivegranite works are attracting plentyof attention.

The series was created to tell anold Cree-Ojibwe cultural originsstory, as described by Steinhauer inhis “The Good Life“ on page 22. Thetelling begins with the Grizzlyfamily situated near BorstadLookout at the eastern edge of thecampus.

The grizzly family is called“HappyTime“, representing the first stagein the seven life stages from the“eaglechild“ story. “Happy Time ismeant as a lead-in piece to the

entire exhibition, when approachedfrom the city end, along theMuskoseepi Park walkway,“explainsSteinhauer. The mother and twocubs are an evident attraction forlocal families utilizing the park –little footprints in the snow andgranite cubs from which mittenedhands have tenderly brushed thesnow are clear signs of the affinitychildren feel for the sculpture.

Happy Time was situated carefullyby Steinhauer, who positioned themother and cubs on the base sothat,“when placed on BorstadLookout, they would be watchingpeople coming up the footpath outof the valley bottom, except for the‘wandering’ cub, who would belooking at people on their way backto town. “

Steinhauer says the piece isplaying on several themessimultaneously. “First, of course, is

the reference to the Eaglechildstory; in that positioning it isforeshadowing the Eaglechildsculpture at the far end in front ofthe College. Secondly, it is also anobvious reference to the name ofthe park, Muskoseepi, which is Creefor Bear Creek. Thirdly, it is a lessobvious reference to the fact thatGrande Prairie lies in grizzlyterritory, not vice versa. Fourthly, atleast in my mind, the grizzly familyis asking the human viewer: ‘Is thereroom here for each of our species topeacefully co-exist?’“

The tall and graceful StarWomanis nestled into a curve of thesignature Cardinal architecturewhich is the exterior wall of theTheatre. StarWoman appears in aCree legend recounting the creationof Turtle Island (North and SouthAmerica). As soon as the land hastaken form, she comes hurtling out

19

By Lynne Ness

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:53 AM

of deep space and crash lands onthe new earth. Jumping to her feet,she is pregnant with the firsthuman, a being conceived by themixing of earth life and star life.

The Four DirectionsGrandmothers assembly has beenplaced near the parking lot at thenorth side of the College. Thegranite from which they have beencarved has come from quarries intheir respective directions: in thesouth is the ThunderbirdGrandmother, in the west is theBear Grandmother, in the north isthe North Wind Grandmother, andin the east is the MoonGrandmother.

“The four directionGrandmothers are the femininecounterparts to the circle ofGrandfather faces on the base ofthe Eaglechild sculpture, using thesame corresponding type of granitein each of the four directions,explains Steinhauer. Eaglechild,situated on the island near theTheatre entrance, is the centerpieceof the collection.

The four base rocks represent theGrandfathers of the south, west,north and east with related coloursand implied values. Above sits themysterious woman who turned intoa sweatlodge; she is Mother Earth.Sitting in her lap, loved, protected,nurtures, is the little Eaglechild inhis first sweatlodge ceremony. DownMother Earth’s back are the sevenstones, speaking of the seven stages.

Two imposing bears flank themain entrance near the flagpoles.The white Spirit Bear stands to oneside, and on the other is SweetgrassTeachings bear, with the teachingscarved into his base: HumbleKindness, Sharing, Honesty,Determination.

“I enjoy the Cree stories asmagical realism, a now popularizedliterary form,“ says Steinhauer. “Ialso enjoy Cree stories as profoundmetaphor, speaking in coded poeticform about universal realities. “

For the coming month until fall2014, the citizens of Grande Prairieare enjoying the Cree storyEaglechild in the form of imposinggranite sculpture – thank youStewart Steinhauer!

20

Photos: J. D. Robert Wiebe Photography

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:54 AM

21

“I enjoy the Cree stories asmagical realism, a nowpopularized literary form”

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:54 AM

GForAlu780

Animwee

By Stewart Steinhauer

In March of 2011, I visited the Douglas Cardinal-designed Grande PrairieRegional College, looking for a potential exhibition site for a collection ofnew works not yet created. Stimulated by the combination of architectureand geography I found there, aided and abetted by the enthusiastic responseof college staff, I began work on a ten piece exhibition, based on the tellingof an old cree-ojibwe cultural origins story, “Eaglechild”.

Although 20 years have passed since I first heard the Eaglechild story, told tome in my late uncle’s sweatlodge, at Saddle Lake Cree Nation, as an answerto a “tobacco question”, I continue to discover new meaning from the story.Without formal training as either an artist or a stone sculptor, I have beenearning my living carving stone since 1991, an activity I began as aspontaneous response to the birth of my first child, the day after that child

was born, in July of 1973.

The Cree cultural explanation for my stone carving activities is based on aCree worldview concept about spiritual gifts received at birth, hiddeninside, which one must seek as one grows to maturity. In this explanation,my gift is to work with stone, as an assistant to a spiritual being, the Rock

Grandfather, who has an obligation to help fragile humans withcommunication.

In this particular exhibition of sculpture, the Rock Grandfather is talkingabout the vision of what a good life is, as gifted to Cree Peoples in a verydistant past, but still alive and well today, and perhaps an indicator of an

important possible future path for all of humanity.”

Miyo Pimatisiwn -The Good Life: anindigenous perspectivein granite

22

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:54 AM

23

Celebrate the rich history ofGPRC Fairview CampusFor more information please callAlumni Development at GPRC:780.539.2719

Animal Health Technology program 40th anniversary is theweekend of July 18, 19, 20, 2013 at Fairview Campus

July 2013 – reunion for charter class of 1951 – days and timesbeing negotiated among the members of the charter class.

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

24

Lucien Arthur Côté Lucien Arthur Côté, resident of

Donnelly, passed away in June 2012 atMorinville, at the age of 78. Lucienwas born in McLennan, lived all his lifein Donnelly and was a farmer at heart.Lucien was a charter student ofFairview College, class of 1951.

Aleda “Perky“ McCulloughThe name of Perky McCullough has

long been synonymous with sport andwith the College Classic golftournament. Following her passing inFebruary 2012, a scholarship

endowment was established at GPRCin her honour. The Perky McCulloughLeadership award will annuallyrecognize students who have hadsignificant involvement andoutstanding leadership in the field ofathletics, as either an athlete or avolunteer.

Mike MercerMike Mercer, a second-year Heavy

Equipment Services student at GPRCFairview, whose home was inVancouver, passed away in a motorvehicle accident near Grimshaw,Alberta in December 2012.

Trenton Perrot Trenton Perrot was a

volunteer on the GPRCAlumni/FoundationBoard of Directors atthe time of his passingin November 2012.Trenton was highly

regarded for his involvement innumerous community organizations.

Kendel TangRetired GPRC

Psychology instructorKendel Tang passedaway in September2012. He started atGPRC on September 1,1979 as a part-time

instructor in Grouard. On August 15,1988, he became a full-timePsychology instructor. Kendel was anextremely active participant with theCollege - in the classroom, taking runsaround the reservoir or playingbasketball in the gym. He was knownfor his encouraging influence on GPRCstudents.

Donna Tink Donna Tink, a lifelong

resident of the GrandePrairie district, wasknown to be a lifelongenthusiast forliterature andeducation. She served

as Chair of the GPRC Board ofGovernors, served terms as presidentand treasurer with the Friends of thelibrary, and for years operated her

own bookstore The Compleat Reader.Donna was president of the local,provincial and national Councils ofWomen. She was appointed by thePrime Minister to the Federal AdvisoryCouncil on the Status of Women.Donna Tink passed away in January2013.

Roger Warner Former Fairview College staff

member Roger Warner passed away inJanuary 2013. Roger was the Directorof the Community Relations forFairview College and later NAIT until2008, when he went on medical leaveuntil his retirement last year.

Melodie Wilton Melodie Wilton,

former GPRC Directorof ContinuingEducation, was ahighly esteemedsupporter of theFriendship Centre

movement locally, provincially andnationally. At the time of her passingin January 2012 Melodie was ExecutiveDirector of the Grande PrairieFriendship Centre, and a steadypresence at GPRC in support of theon-campus friendship centre andinitiatives such as the Elder-in-Residence program.

Morgan Szmata GPRC student Morgan Szmata,

resident of Grande Prairie, passedaway suddenly on Saturday, December22, 2012 in Grande Prairie at the ageof 19 years.

IN MEMORIAM

Proud Supportersof GPRC

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

25

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

AWARDS and RECOGNITIONSQueen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medals: GPRCPresident and CEO Don Gnatiuk wasamong the Albertans honoured with theQueen Elizabeth II Jubilee medal,presented “to community builders“ by Lt. -Gov. Donald S. Ethell at a ceremony inGrande Prairie on January 18. The medalswere presented to“community builders. “

Other members of the GPRC communitywho were recognized included long-timeinstructor and coach Leigh Goldie, andretired history instructor Jerry Petryshyn.

GPRC Athletic Department has beenawarded a 2012 Crime Prevention Awardcited for “commitment by staff to teachingyour athletes to be leaders in ourcommunity; through various mentorshipideas, involvement with the community onvarying levels is extraordinary!” Dramainstructor Annie Smith and the Fine ArtsDepartment were also awarded for theirinvolvement with teaching their studentsthe Virtues Program, and for the students'productions and performance of the Anti-Bullying plays.

Anthropology instructor Scott Johnsonhas been awarded the prestigious NationalGeographic – Committee for Research andExploration Grant which will fund hisresearch in the Yucatan and Gulf of Mexicoin summer 2013.

GPRC nominee Senator Dennis Pattersonwas the recipient of the 2012 PACEDistinguished Achievement ProvincialAward.

At the 2012 GPRC President’s AwardsLuncheon, Elizabeth (Beth) Sheehan waspresented with GPRC’s highest recognitionfor contributions to excellence in

education, the 2012 Board of GovernorsAward of Distinction. Christina (Tina)Nelson received the GPRC DistinguishedVolunteer Award 2012, and Gary AllenBorstad was awarded the GPRCDistinguished Alumni Award 2012.

Charles Sanderson – Nominated for the2011 Top Instructor Award. The AlbertaApprenticeship and Industry TrainingBoard requested nominations fromregistered apprentices who took technicaltraining between November 2010 andNovember 2011. Charles was noted by hisnominator as being consistently positiveand enthusiastic and always very kind andcompletely approachable.

Jim Smith, P. Eng., former chair of theGPRC Alumni/ Foundation Board, wasgranted Honorary Life Membership withAPEGA. The award was presented onApril 19 at the prestigious SummitAwards® held at the Shaw ConferenceCentre, Edmonton. APEGA regulates thepractices of engineering and geosciencein Alberta. The Association's authority isderived from provincial statute. With over60,000 Members, APEGA has served thepublic and its Members since 1920.

Dr. Melissa Day of the Centre forResearch & Innovation (CRI) andeconomics instructor Dr. CharlesBackman have each been awarded anAACTI CAP Talk’s seed grant to advancetheir applied research and innovationinterests.

Kelly Socha received a CARNA/TDMeloche Monnex Scholarship for Master’sLevel studies awarded by the AlbertaRegistered Nurses Educational Trust(ARNET.)

Nursing instructor Liz Richard was therecipient of the Alberta NursingEducation Administrators (ANEA) NursingEducation Leadership Award for 2012.

The GPRC Students’ Association created anew Award of Recognition in 2012 torecognize members of support staff who“go above and beyond what is requiredin their jobs, to help us succeed, andtherefore help serve the students ingeneral.“ The first ever recipient of thenew award was Phil Gorman, office andclassroom support technician inInformation Technology.

Heartfelt accounts, written by students,support the annual nominations for the

Excellence in Teaching Award, and are anindication of the impact an excellentinstructor can truly have to a student’spost-secondary experience. SusanBeaumont, Academic Upgradinginstructor, was the 2012 recipient of thisStudents’ Association award.

The annual GPRC Employee Recognitionevent included presentation of theDistinguished Employee 2012 awards toLibrarian Jennifer Thomas and AnimalHealth administrative support Lenora(Lin) Roy, based upon nominations fromcolleagues and final assessment by aselection committee of College executivemembers.

The Grande Prairie & District Chamber ofCommerce celebrated some outstandingaccomplishments of their more than 1150members at the Canadian Tire ChamberBall held February 2, 2013. Gordon &Carol McLevin of Cardon Homes acceptedthe Dan H. Minchin Award, in recognitionof their longstanding support of theChamber and the community. CarolMcLevin serves GPRC as a currentdirector on the GPRC Alumni/Foundationand Gord and Carol are members of theGPRC President’s Council through theirPlanned Gift to the College. Past Chair forthe GPRC Board of Governors CyrilGurevitch was recognized with theBusiness Citizen of the Year Award andpast Board of Governors Chair MichaelO’Connor was recognized with theAbove and Beyond Award.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALSCarolyn Vasileiou, instructor andcoordinator of the Hospitality andTourism program at GPRC, has fulfilled allthe requirements of the Master of Arts inLeadership program at Royal RoadsUniversity.

Sheryl Heikel has fulfilled all therequirements of the Graduate Diploma inInstructional Design (GDID) throughAthabasca University. Heikel is aninstructor in the Academic Upgradingdepartment at GPRC.

Matthew Bain has received his Master ofSport-Exercise Psychology from ArgosyUniversity.

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

26

APPOINTMENTSDr. René R. Gadacz (Arts & Education,Sociology) has been appointed to theexecutive board of the Canadian EthnicStudies Association (U of Calgary) wherehe will serve a two year term as member-at-large. He will also assume duties as amember of the editorial board of theCanadian Ethnic Studies Journal,published out of the U of Manitoba.

Susan Bansgrove, VP Academics andResearch, has been appointed Vice-Chairof the Council of Senior AcademicOfficers, Alberta Association of Collegesand Technical Institutes.

Laurie Sutherland, VP Administration,has been appointed Vice-Chair of theCouncil of Senior Business Officers,Alberta Association of Colleges andTechnical Institutes.

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTStudent athlete Katie Spaidal, WolvesWomen’s Soccer, was named a CCAA AllCanadian at the CCAA Awards Banquetheld in conjunction with the CCAAWomen’s Soccer Nationals. Thisprestigious award adds to an illustriousathletic career for Katie. She has beennamed to 4 ACAC All Conference teams –a GPRC record, won a number of ACACand CCAA Academic awards, ACACAthlete of the Week awards and has beenselected as the GPRC Female Athlete ofthe Year. She is in the Teacher EducationNorth Program, works full time with theGP Soccer Association, plays hockey andindoor soccer. And she was part of theGPRC Wolves Women’s Cross CountryRunning team that won the ACAC Silvermedal at the Conference Championships.

Wolves Women’s Curling team wontheir second consecutive ConferenceChampionship defeating NAIT 8-2 in theGold Medal game, and went on toachieve Silver at the CCAA NationalInvitational in March in Ontario.Congratulations to Coach Caryl Sallowsand all the members of the WolvesCurling Program.

GPRC congratulates Alumna HeatherNedohin who placed Third in the 2012World Women’s Curling Championships.

Jason Haldane and the Funk Familysiblings were inducted into the WolvesWall of Fame in October 2012. JasonHaldane played GPRC Wolves Volleyballfrom 1990-1992 and has not quit playingsince. He was part of Canada’s NationalTeam Program from 1992-2004. RecentlyHaldane participated in the 2012 LondonOlympics as a member of Team GreatBritain, and continues his pro careertoday. The Funk Family siblings –

Tanya, Rick, Brad and Bryan all playedvolleyball for GPRC. Starting with Bryan in1991 and finishing with Rick in 2001, theyhave amassed quite a record. Togetherthey have acquired seven ACAC AllConference selections and one CCAA AllCanadian Award. The three brothers wereall members of the 1999-2000 GPRCWolves team which won the CCAA bronzemedal here at home. The involvement didnot stop with playing as they havecoached and officiated, and arecontinuing to coach.

RETIREMENTS Jackie Wilson – Jackie worked startedworking at GPRC in 1982, shortly aftermoving to Grande Prairie from her“Bonnie Scotland” with her husbandStewart. She continues to be part of theCollege Community. Her husband Stewartand her two children Patrick and Kaitlinare all alumni of GPRC and Stewart iscurrently serving on the Board ofGovernors.

Omana Pillay – Omana joined theDepartment of Science at GPRC in 1982 asa laboratory technologist in Chemistry.One of her favorite parts of her job wasinteracting with students who were newto chemistry courses and watching themgo from being shy and afraid of the lab,to being bold and confident in their skills.

Medha Karnik - Medha came to GPRC in1984 and worked as a Physics/EarthScience Lab Technologist in the ScienceDepartment. At that time, her husbandSubhash was also working at GPRC as aMath Instructor in the ScienceDepartment.

Dianne McDonald - Dianne joined theArts and Education Department at GPRCin September 1999. Over the years,Dianne was an active member on manyCollege committees, and was also a keenvolunteer in the community at large.

Bert Reynolds – Bert retired after 30years as an instructor at GPRC Fairview,beginning in the Plumber/Steamfitterprogram, and later instructing in ESL,Small Powered Engine Mechanics,Welding and Turfgrass.

PUBLISHED WORKS and EXHIBITIONSThe works of Elisabeth Belliveau, artistand GPRC instructor, were featured in thefirst show of the year at aka gallery inSaskatoon. The exhibition of newdrawing writing and video work, titled“if found – return to me“ was at thegallery January 11th to February 16th, 20Urban Vernacular: Residency andBillboard Project Residency are projects ofartist Laura St. Pierre, who is also aGPRC instructor, and are presented at aka

gallery, Saskatoon, for the month ofMarch 2013. Her Urban Vernacular Serieswas also a feature exhibit at Gallery 44 inToronto in March 2012

Fine Arts instructors Elisabeth Belliveauand Laura St. Pierre are both amongthe 36 artists from nine Albertacommunities featured in the 2013 AlbertaBiennial of Contemporary Art, presentedJanuary 26-May 5, 2013 at the Art Galleryof Alberta.

The book “Translating Maya Hieroglyphs“written by Scott A. J. Johnson, who isan instructor at GPRC, is now availablefor pre-order on Amazon. com.

The novel “Whitetail Shooting Gallery“by Annette LaPointe, is now availableon Amazon. ca. LaPointe, in addition tobeing an award-winning author andGiller Prize nominee, is an Englishinstructor at GPRC.

An exhibition of the work of artist (andGPRC instructor) Ken Housego washosted at the Creative Arts Centre in

Grande Prairie in February 2012. “Thenand Now“ contained nine new works anda sampling of works from his two-yeartraveling exhibition,“Dreams do notCome With Titles,“ which returned homein Fall 2011.

Carmen Haakstad and Jim Stokespresented a collection of works as theopening exhibit of the newly renovatedPrairie Art Gallery – Journey 2012. Thetwo artists planned this duo exhibition torelate their personal journeys in the 30years of their friendship, and those oftheir homesteading ancestors, inspired bythe Peace Country’s bountiful prairielandscapes.

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

27

A broken ankle, a broken nosebut no broken heart. Third yearpoint guard and GPRC teamcaptain Josh Nicol is a tough kid. Inthe opening game of the firstseason he suffered a minor anklefracture but was back to play witha bone chip the followingweekend. In the first game of thesecond semester an elbow to theface broke his nose, Josh stoppedthe bleeding and finished thegame only to have it broken againthe following weekend. However,it was the heart wrenching newsthis summer that his mother wasdiagnosed with breast cancer thattruly had the potential to break hisheart. But true to form, Joshstepped up and got back in thegame.

The quiet, undisputed leader ofthe team chose to respond to the

news through positive action. Joshtook it upon himself to organize afundraising event called “WolvesShoot Down Breast Cancer”. Teammembers joined in by sporting pinklaces, socks, bracelets and warm-uptops. The coaching staff, led by theauthor (Josh’s father Chris,) haddressed with pink shirts, ties andribbons throughout the season. Our

At Work in our Community

Marketing Students Give BackMarketing Students Give Back

The students of CibyllaRakestraw’s Marketing StrategiesClass recently presented a chequeto the Swan City Rotary Club inthe amount of $9,235 in supportof their educational and healthprojects in southern Ethiopia.

This amount represents half ofthe money raised through theirannual class project - organizingand producing the popular PeaceCountry Idol competition. Theother half of the funds raised willbe used for the students to visitvarious businesses andorganizations in San Franciscoduring reading week.

The GPRC Wolves Women’sVolleyball Team ran a verysuccessful Dig Pink weekend in thefall to create awareness and raisemoney for Breast Cancer Research.They conducted some fund-raisingactivities during the weekend andwere generated some contributionsfrom businesses. The team madetheir contribution to the CanadianCancer Society: the total amountraised was $1319.00.

Team GPRC was part of the verysuccessful Relay for Life 2012 inGrande Prairie, and honored toachieve Gold status with a total of$12,815.56 toward our community’stotal of $560,000 – an amountwhich was the highest in Albertaonce again. “We have such anamazing community spirit in ourlittle city!“ says team captain TanyaKinderwater. Team GPRC is alreadyenthusiastically at work to beat theirown record at the Relay for Life2013.

Grande Prairie Regional College Aims to Shoot Down Breast Cancer 2012-13“Tough Guys Wear Pink”

women’s team opened in the pinkwarm-up tops while students fromD Taylor School sewed pinkribbons on the uniforms.

The final cheque presentationtook place this past weekend asthe Wolves hosted Augustana whoalso chose to wear pink for thegame in support of Josh’s mom.Josh’s initiative has raised over$4000 for the Canadian BreastCancer Foundation.

Josh’s mom has been a pillar ofpositivity throughout and hertreatments and has felt the loveand support of family and friends.Aum recently completed hertreatments and is doing well. Weintend to return to Tobago tocomplete our 25th anniversary tripthat was cut short last summer.

Tough Guys Wear Pink and LoveTheir Moms.

The GPRC United Way Teamraised a total of $17,597.50 for the2012 United Way Campaign.Individuals throughout theinstitution made donations throughpledges as well as to the Bake Saleand the Silent Auction, United WayBreakfast and 50/50 ticket sales. TheGPRC United Way CampaignCommittee included John Agak,Natalie Amyotte, Sharron Barr,Dianne Bedford, Bonnie Braun,Shelly Brown, Maureen Clarke, PeteDechant, Lori Fleming, Gaitane Gilje,Alan Iwaskow, Casandra Jordan,Marian Mark, Velda McKenzie-Diederich, Lisa Osterhold, MarianPickup, Jean Reston, Kim Richardson,and Karen Workun. Former GPRCBoard of Governors Chair, MikeO'Connor, is the Honorary Chair ofthe Grande Prairie and Area UnitedWay Campaign Cabinet. SusanBansgrove, VP Academics &Research, and Marg McCuaig-Boyd,VP Fairview Campus are alsomembers of the Campaign.

By Chris Nichol

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

he atmosphere at nine10 pulseswith the positive energy of thepartners and staff – and with the

passion of potential. After all, that hasbeen one of the key qualities behindwhat is becoming a notable go-forwardteam: passion. Or, as one partner putsit, “That passion to learn and to grow.“

There have been many parallelsalong the path to this partnership forGPRC alumni Cris Seppola and RichardPodsada. Both graduated from theComposite high school in GrandePrairie. Both were students at GPRCfrom 2000 to 2002. Both wereemployed by GPRC after graduation.Both loved working at the College, butfelt a strong drive to start their ownbusinesses. And both have the talent

and energy to make a success ofwhatever they decide to tackle.

It was several years before thoseparallels began to converge. Cris, whocompleted a blended officeadministration/business administrationdiploma specializing in e-commerceand marketing, launched nine10 in2006. She and her first business partnerstarted in a home basement, andbegan to develop a client base.

Richard meanwhile, with his Fine Artsdiploma in Interactive Digital Design,had set up shop working from home asa freelance web developer (in thebasement, of course!) and his clientbase included GPRC where he wascontracted to redesign the website.

When a nine10 client’s marketingneeds included a website, Richard andCris ended up working together. “We

did that, and a few other projects hereand there, and learned that we workedwell together. It seemed like a good fit;we decided to join forces,“ Crisexplains. Nine10 acquired DreamDigital Ltd. and they have not lookedback since.

“We have a very good partnership,“says Richard. “We started out with a lotof great ideas, and are just really onthe same wavelength. My longtimedream was to own a business – a realbona fide business, not a sitting-in-the-basement-on-a-computer type ofbusiness – you know, staff, growthpotential, that type of thing.“

“It is a big decision, coming out of ajob you love, leaving the good salaryand the benefits and the amazingpeople and the opportunities foreducation,“ Cris adds. “It is a big leap

28

IN CONVERSATION

By Lynne Ness

T

GPRC Alumni Mak

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

of faith – in yourself! It is sointeresting. You start doing somethinglike this because you love it, and oneday you wake up and Whoa! Wait, Iown a business! And suddenly your jobchanges, your whole focus has tochange, and instead of being theperson who does all the technical work,suddenly you are contributing to otherpeoples’ lives. There are so manypeople here who are depending on usto do a good job. So really, now I amworking for my staff – I feel a massiveresponsibility – some days you wake upand you think wow, this is reallyhard...and then there are all thesepeople in your life who are soimportant and there is just no way youwould ever let them down. That’s justone more reason to keep going, otherthan drive and success and all that.“

The company is still building andexpanding its team and defining itsbusiness model. They share space withCompetitive Edge Business Solutions –another young company owned byGPRC alumna Emily Tarney. Therelationship is deeper than just space:Competitive Edge provides theadministration function for nine10 –everything from reception to payroll tofinancial development.

The two companies are committed togrowing together, rather than apart –and they cannot help but be aware oftheir start together at GPRC. “Emilywas Students’ Association presidentwhen I was attending, and a goodfriend of mine,“ says Cris. “It is sointeresting because all of the peoplewe are close to now who are ourbusiness peers – they are all people we

met and worked with at GPRC.“ “It is interesting how one institution

puts you on a path, connections aremade, and your future is affected,“note Cris and Richard. “You don’t reallythink about it at the time, but it is soevident now.“

“Nikki Thompson, for example, ourmarketing coordinator,“ Richard pointsout. “She is a graduate of GPRC –tourism and marketing. She is one ofthe most creative people I’ve ever met -and really passionate too. I think that isa big thing in terms of bringing peopleon and building a team. I want peoplethat...I guess I kind of want people whoare a little like me. I mean, nobodypaid me, nobody told me to sit forhours and hours to learn to design ordo whatever – I just loved doing it.That passion to learn and to grow is

Fresh, Energetic, and Talented:

Make Successful Partners

29

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 10:11 AM

30

something I look for in people. “The future just keeps getting more

and more exciting at nine10. Therecent merger with Go Social, RyanBlais, is a development which Cris andRichard are proud to announce. “It isreally fascinating because the wholesocial media marketing is somethingour company was missing – we knew alittle, but Ryan is really, really brilliant,“Cris says. “The transfer of knowledgebetween us already in just a couple ofmonths has been enormous. We are allvery focused on the same goal, which isa really great thing, because you can’trun a company if everybody is allscattered. We are very fortunate tohave this kind of partnership – heapproached us in October, so this has

been very sudden, but we knew abouteach other and had worked together alittle bit, so it was an easy decision.““He is really good at business, a go-getter!“ Richard adds.

“We do a lot of businessdevelopment here for ourselves,“ theypoint out. “It is very important to set agoal and direction and then go for it.This is such a good partnership becausewe all want the same thing: the goal isdefinitely to be a well-recognized full-service marketing agency where wetake all the types of media and putthem together to provide the clientwith measurable results. And thebeautiful thing about digital is weknow exactly what the return oninvestment is. We can track what isworking, what isn’t. You can tweak itas you go. Really fascinating, a greatflow.“

For Richard, the development of thebusiness is never very far from that ofthe community at large. “I always liketo keep things as local as possible,sometimes it’s not realistic or won’thappen because you just can’t find ithere or whatever, but this is a growing,moving and shaking kind of town. Alot happening here – we have foundsome great employees – and partners! -here.

“I actually think giving back to thecommunity is important, has alwaysbeen important to us. We always havesome sponsorship going on,“ Richardexplains. “In 2011 we implemented aprogram where we are always doingone major sponsorship project for anorganization in the city at any giventime. We just finished one for Odysseyhouse – rebranded them, gave them anew website. They really needed it. Wedo some research to select the projects– look at the need and a variety ofother factors. We want to give back.We did a poster recently for BigBrothers, Big Sisters. It has always beenimportant to us to give back and helporganizations grow – ultimately itmakes the community better. It feelsgood. “

“I like contributing the economy, andbeing able to give jobs – whether itsone or three or seven doesn’t matter. Ithink that helps everyone in thecommunity. As we grow and get moreinvolved in the community, there is somuch I am learning about what goeson here,“ Cris adds. “There is so muchto learn about the business community,it is so supportive. At the end of theday, in our line of work, you are sellingto other businesses. We are really

fortunate to have been able to startthis business here in Grande Prairie,and really fortunate to have thesupport that we do. And it isfascinating that suddenly part of ourjob is to be a part of the communityand make it better – a huge job, butalso fun and interesting at the sametime. Sometimes finding your voice is alittle intimidating, but you just have toget out there and do it. “

“Someone posted on our facebookpage – ‘a young talented team’,“Richards says. “It makes me think aboutour team, and the fact that I wouldalways pick attitude over skills.Somebody can know everything in theworld but if they’re just downrightgrumpy and mean to people or don’twant to learn, or grow or adapt, theyjust wouldn‘t survive here, especially inthis industry. You have to adapt, beflexible. We are constantly evolving. “

“We are well on the road to ourgoal,“ Cris says. “Getting our teamtogether. The comments from ourclients are sometimes surprising, andoften gratifying. We hope people seeus as the full-service agency we striveto be – and I think they do.“ Thepartners are already hinting at anotherannouncement in the near future.Meanwhile they are concentrating onstrengthening their market position,and refining their client base.

“I am always looking for a good fit, agood energy in the room, whenmeeting with a new client,“ Richardsays. “That is the kind of relationshipwhere those things matter – wherepositive ideas come out instead ofsitting at the table challenging eachother, you both look in the samedirection at the goal. For us as anagency, our target is the larger clients –clients with the budgets and resourcesto get really creative. That’s what wewant to do – to create work, and getgreat results. You can’t do that withoutbudget and resources. Something Ihave learned especially in my transitionfrom contractor working for myself torunning a business, is that the word‘no’ will get you much further inbusiness than the word yes. A hard-won lesson over time, but I rememberbeing a freelance contractor, you sayyes to everything, take stuff on, andpretty soon you get bogged down andthings start falling apart around you.You don’t have focus, and you can’tmove ahead. The word ‘no’ is veryuseful – and honest.“

For both Richard and Cris the

We are all veryfocused on the samegoal, which is a reallygreat thing, becauseyou can’t run acompany if everybodyis all scattered.

We always have somesponsorship going on. In2011 we implementeda program where weare always doing onemajor sponsorship projectfor an organization in thecity at any given time.

“

”“

”

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

Two GPRC Alumnae Admitted toVeterinary School – Direct fromGPRC!

relationship with GPRC is ongoing –both as client and as alma mater. Theyare frequently asked to come speak tocurrent students – to provideencouragement and motivation. Theyaccept without hesitation.

“I love coming back and sharing withpeople what is possible, because 10years ago there is no way I would havebelieved I could be doing what I amdoing now,“ says Cris. “GPRC kind ofgave me that kickstart. I always wantedto go to College, but did not feelconfident. Thoughts like ‘it’s kind ofscary, I don’t know if I can get in, am Ismart enough’ were enough to keepme from starting. I was working at GPInn, with someone who also worked atthe registrar’s office. He brought me anapplication, and made me fill it out. Hewas adamant, said you are doing this!That’s where it all started, andeventually I learned that I could do it,that it was okay for me to be there. Ifit hadn’t been for Tracy, I don’t think Iwould have gone. If I could talk to himnow I would most certainly tell himthat he did the right thing. It isinteresting being in this position now,because I would certainly take thatknowledge and apply it – I can enticeother people like me to actually attendbecause I understand it can actually beterrifying. I was afraid. Plus, I can nowtell them college life is awesome!“

“I am really grateful to the College –to my instructors, to fellow students, toeverybody there for the opportunitiesI’ve been given,“ Richard adds. “Igained so much through my educationthere, through working there,developing a network there – GPRC hashad a huge impact on my life. I wentthere to get into 3D animation – thenlearned that what I was doing (websitedevelopment) was what I actually liked.I tell students now that you can learnthings about yourself at various stagesalong the way. It is okay to changeyour mind, to choose a new direction.The important thing is that you areable to say to yourself ‘this is what Iwant to do, what I want to do forother people’.“

“Running a business is fascinating. Itis the hardest work!“ says Cris. “But itis also the most rewarding, because youdo it. Some days you wake up and youdon’t want to do it, but you getthrough it, and then suddenly you canhandle things that you never dreamedyou would be able to. We are sofortunate!“

31

“Exams are never ending in vetschool it seems,” according toMichelle Lange. Michelle is one oftwo GPRC students who wereaccepted direct into the prestigiousSchool of Veterinary Medicine at theUniversity of Saskatchewan inSaskatoon. She and fellow GPRCalumna Jeleena Neufeld bothachieved the highly unusualacceptance into the program aftercompleting two years ofundergraduate Science studies; themajority of students in theirprogram have full B.Sc., multiplescience-based degrees or evenMasters degrees.

“The small class size and individualattention that instructors couldprovide was a huge benefit while atGPRC,” says Michelle. “In vet school,I am surrounded with studentsfrom a variety of educationalbackgrounds. Two years ofundergraduate studies is theminimum to apply for vet school,however, being accepted with onlytwo years is definitely not the norm.My quality education at GPRC hasenabled me in many aspects to havethe background needed to succeedwhile surrounded with suchexperience even though I only havetwo years of undergraduate studies.

Michelle is in her first year of the

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, withplans to practice as a vet in a mixedanimal practice and return to thePeace Region. “Also, I'd like tobecome actively involved with VetsWithout Borders and facilitatespay/neuter programs in developingcountries,” Michelle adds. “I have apassion for animal welfare - petoverpopulation is a key componentof many of the challenges and issuesanimals face today.”

As a mature student who hadattended other post secondaryinstitutions in former years, Michellesays she found GPRC veryaccommodating while providing asolid education. ”As I was almosttwice the age as the averagestudent, I naturally had someconcerns about how I would fit intothe classroom dynamics and adjustto life once again in school whiletrying to gain acceptance into ahighly competitive program like vetmed. However, the instructors werewonderful! They recognized many ofthe challenges I faced and helpedguide me through the initial stagesof my readjustment until I had mybearings once again. Without thatextra effort on their part, I'm notsure if I would have been able tomove forward and succeed as I did.”

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

32

1971-1972Sharon (Wald) Stanich Bachelor of ArtsAfter completing two years at GPRC, Iattended Mount Royal College inCalgary and took Interior Design forone year. I came back to Grande Prairiethe next year because myboyfriend/fiance/husband (whom I metwhile I was at GPRC) was back here. Ibecame a floral designer here andworked for Campbell’s Flowers, RosesFlowers and Flowers by Tracy Belle. Ialso had my own home-based flowerbusiness for several years. I startedworking for Carlton Cards in 1985 andam still merchandising for them today. Ialso do merchandising for a companycalled Powerhouse. Harvey and I weremarried in 1975 and we have one 19year old daughter, Robin, who took theUnit Clerk program at GPRC in the Fallof 2011. I chose to attend GPRC becauseit was close to my home town ofFairview, AB. I thoroughly enjoyed mycollege experience. Some of myfavourite professors were Bibi Laurie,Irene Hutton and Paul Lemay.

1979-1981Barbara (Bain) VeldhuisPre-Law / CommerceI served as a Provincial Court Judge,Calgary Criminal Division from June2007 to June 2011. I was then elevatedto the Court of Queen’s Bench ofAlberta in Calgary on June 24, 2011. Iam a cutting- horse enthusiast and havecompeted in major competitions inCalgary, Oklahoma, and Texas.

1984-1986Brent LantiComputer Systems Technology &Electronics EngineeringInvolved with Wolves:1984 –Wolves Mascot)I’ve been working for Shaw CableSystems since 1988. I currently live inVegreville, AB and have been marriedfor 17 1/2 years and have threechildren. My favourite memory of GPRCwas meeting so many great people. Iloved being the mascot for thebasketball games even if it was for ashort time - got to hang with fellowcomputer nerds, and with the jockswith their bizarre handshakes and

greetings. I also spent some time withthe break dancers…lots of greatmemories. Is the campus paper stillcalled the“Grapevine“? There was aName-the-Paper contest and theypicked mine as the winner WOW whata legacy eh?

1996-1998Jennifer (McDonald) KeayBachelor of EducationTransfer ProgramInvolved with Wolves: 1996-1998I am currently a high school SocialStudies teacher at Hilltop High Schoolin Whitecourt, AB and keep in closetouch with my BFF from GPRC - JoeBissell. If it wasn't for Joe (who was myroommate 1997-98) I would never havebecome involved in the Wolves SwimTeam or Drama Productions - inparticular Alice in Wonderland. Myfavourite memories of GPRC revolvearound the drama program -particularly with Roxanne, Dick & Rob(the Tech. Instructor). Being the stagemanager for Alice was incredible andignited a love for theatre in me that Icannot extinguish!

ALUMNI UPDATES

Jason SimiganJason attendedGPRC in 2007 as aUniversity Transferstudent inEngineering. Hewent on to theUniversity ofAlberta and in2011 heobtained hisdegree in ElectricalEngineering with a focus in NanoEngineering. Jason returned to GrandePrairie after graduation and works withAztec Engineering as an Engineer inTraining (EIT) where he provides projectmanagement in the area of pipelinedesign and licensing. Jason says GPRCprovided him with a smooth transitioninto the demanding engineeringprogram; the smaller class sizes andpersonable instructors helped himadjust to the heavy workload required.Jason enjoys the field of engineeringbecause of the continuous learningenvironment it provides. You mayrecognize Jason because his photo was(and still is) emblazoned on the GPRCbus wrap.

Doris (Labrecque)LandryDoris was raised inFalher, Alberta andattended bothFairview College(1982 - SecretarialCertificate) andGrande PrairieRegional College(1986-88 -University Transfer, Education).Doris met husband Marc Landry at GPRCwho was studying music and science.They were both active on student councilwhere Doris was VP Student Activities. “Iloved my time on council. I learnedabout politics on a small scale and gaveback to the College Community“, saidDoris. “I was also involved with theCollege newspaper – The Tapestry –where I did proofreading and wrote anadvice column called Ask Rita. “And for atime Doris performed a one-act comedyshow called Rita Rae at the on campuspub nights. “I have nothing but goodmemories of GPRC - I loved myinstructors and the small classes. Any badexperience was easily resolved.“

Doris has a keen interest in educationand youth oriented activities and hasbeen involved as a volunteer in a varietyof community organizations since herteen years. Fully bilingual, Doris is

presently employed at Ecole St. Gerard inGrande Prairie where she has theopportunity to use her organizationalskills and interact with youth in aneducational setting. She is a pastrecipient of the Swan City Rotary ClubExcellence in Education – Service aboveSelf Award.

Doris served as volunteer, as well asAssistant to the General Manager andPresident for the 2010 Arctic WinterGames Host Society. Doris believesstrongly in the philosophy and values ofthe Arctic Winter Games, specifically thatthey provide opportunities for NorthernYouth to travel and interact with theirpeers culturally and athletically in a safefair arena. Her knowledge and hands onexperience with the Grande Prairie 2010Host Organization were recognized andin 2012 Doris was appointed to representAlberta as a director for the ArcticWinter Games International Committee.“I am honoured to be a part of the ArcticWinter Games because they are so youthand Northern-centered. They are somuch more than a sportingcompetition,“ said Doris,“the culturalcomponent of these games is anopportunity for all participants, whetheryou are an athlete, a performer, coach,or mission staff to share your ownculture while being exposed to those ofothers.“

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

Nominations welcome for our annual Alumni Awards.

Alumni Award of ExcellenceThis award is intended to recognize specific, recent accomplishments of GPRC alumni. The accomplishments may include such things as local, national or international honors, major championships, appointments to high office. This award will be offered when appropriate candidates are nominated, not necessarily each year.

Steps to the Greater AwardNew in 2013! This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of GPRC alumni early in their careers or community service (within 12 years of receiving a GPRC credential).

Distinguished Alumni AwardThe most prestigious award of the GPRC Alumni/Foundation, this award was established torecognize GPRC alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their professions, and/or in service to their community, society or GPRC. The Distinguished Alumni is an example of alumni success for current and future GPRC students.

Members of the public and the College community are invited to submit nominations for these awards.Go to gprc.ab.ca/alumni

Download the nomination form and submit beforeDecember 31 each year.

Help us recognizethe achievementsof GPRC Alumni!

33

1999-2002Emily (Tarney) ThiessenBusiness AdministrationI currently work in the BusinessDevelopment 2area of CompetitiveEdge Business Solutions Inc. “My timeat GPRC created some of the fondestmemories of my life. Thank you GPRC“!

2000-2006Cris SeppolaOfficeAdministrationand BusinessAdministration After graduationin 2002, I got ajob at GPRC inthe WorkforceDevelopment(now Continuing Education)department. While employed at GPRC, Ialso took classes. After four years oflearning and development, I foundednine10 Incorporated. What started as adesign agency has now developed intoa full-service marketing agency. Thisindustry is always moving and shaking!After seven years of running this

business, I’ve learned so much; thanksto GPRC, I had an excellent foundationto help me get started. I don’t thinkthere’s only one favourite memoryabout GPRC that I could mention; it wasthe whole experience that wasamazing. Caring instructors, interestingclasses, life-long friends, and an instilleddesire to keep learning are the thingsthat make GPRC great!

2000-2002Richard D.Podsada Fine Arts –InteractiveDigital DesignMajor Owner/ManagingPartner of nine10Incorporated - afull-servicemarketing agency in GrandePrairie, AB. My favourite memory ofGPRC: Meeting a good friend by goingto the same wrong classroom on thefirst day of school.

2004-2007Michelle (Davis) PimmTeacher Assistant (Disability &Community Support Specialization)I got married in 2007 and have beenworking in the disability field at variousagencies in Grande Prairie for six yearsnow. I have been a front line workerand I am currently a Planning Facilitatorfor Rehoboth Christian Ministries.

2010-2012Michelle LangeBachelor ofScienceI am currentlyenrolled in theDoctor ofVeterinaryMedicineprogram at theWestern Collegeof Veterinary Medicinein Saskatoon, SK.

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:55 AM

34

feel good about your money.

SHARING $44.3 MILLION IN PROFITS FEELS GOOD. Northgate branch Downtown branch Patterson branch10130-117 Avenue 9930-99 Avenue 9701-84 Avenue780-513-2827 780-357-2938 780-357-2300

Let’s talk.

1.877.378.8728

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:56 AM

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:56 AM

Postage for the Wisdom magazineis paid under a Canada PostCorporation Canadian PublicationMail Agreement NumberPM# 40048553

11311 99 Street,Grande Prairie, AB

780 539 9292 • 1 888 440 8473

STORE HOURS:Monday - Saturday 7:00am - 10:00pmSunday & Holidays 8:00am - 7:00pm

for days like today™

Wisdom_WIN12-13_WIN12-13 2/21/13 9:56 AM

public art on campus - grande prairie, alberta · • gprh will open with 200 beds, and will have...

Documents