Fall 2019 | Issue #13

Dear colleagues,

Oki. It is a great honour to serve as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) in this critical transition year. Taking on this challenge while we are asked what the FAS would like to see in the next Dean has caused me to reflect upon the mission of the university in society and the role of a Faculty of Arts & Science within a comprehensive academic and research university (CARU). We would each come up with our own variations on these missions and roles, but I might propose that the mission of our comprehensive university is to inclusively inspire and educate the future leaders who, like us, will advance all forms of knowledge, embark upon creative pursuits and help society navigate the challenges facing humankind and our environment.  

Such a mission is consistent with the fundamental principles and strategic directions in our Strategic Plan, and I would argue that, as we embark upon the second half of our institution’s first century, we are beginning to succeed in this mission. In fact, the University of Lethbridge is developing a reputation as the best research-intensive and student-focused, smaller institution in western Canada that combines liberal education and opportunities for experiential learning, including involvement in original research and creative activity. The Faculty of Arts and Science, housing Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences fields, has served a core role as our seven Faculties and Schools have collectively and collaboratively achieved this reputation.

The ingenuity of faculty from diverse fields has left the FAS in very good shape under the leadership of recent Deans. In a discussion of Dean Cooper’s decanal legacy, Associate Dean Harold Jansen mentioned that we are now a more outward-facing Faculty. I think this is a good way to describe what has been achieved in terms of our connection to the community through the initiation of the PUBlic Professor Series, significant growth of K-12 outreach and the open display philosophy adopted in the Science Commons. Effective community engagement has helped us tell the story of our quality academic programs, relevant research and creative activity, resulting in record enrolments. 

Undergraduate Enrolment
The university is on the cusp of 9000 students, up 2.2%. Faculties of Arts and Science are not always the drivers of institutional enrolment growth, but we are doing very well. Compared to last year, the total number of students in B.A. and B.Sc. programs delivered entirely by the FAS is up 5.7% and 9.8%, respectively, and we have fared particularly well in terms of international and indigenous student recruitment. Graduate student enrolments are at record levels as well. The Science Commons was likely a significant factor in increasing enrolment, but this too was a manifestation of the vision of our faculty members, coupled with exceptional institutional-level leadership support.

In addition to healthy enrolments, there are several accomplishments to celebrate and new initiatives to bring to fruition this year. 

Science Commons- Isttaniokaksini
The Grand Opening of the Science Commons was celebrated with a “Big Bang”. Thank you to all the faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the Advancement and Arts & Science Communications teams who, together, made this event a huge success. It was incredible to see so many of our colleagues devote their Friday and Saturday to the festivities, including the fabulous 5-minute PUBlic Professor event.

Southern Alberta Genome Sciences Centre (SAGSC)
It was a pleasure to announce the new Southern Alberta Genome Sciences Centre (SAGSC) at BIONET 2019, which was held in the new Science Commons from Sept 20-22. The SAGSC will serve as a cornerstone of the southern Alberta hub of BIONET (Bioinformatics Network Alberta), thanks to the efforts of the six founding members of the centre, as well as Vice-President Research Erasmus Okine.  Dr. Athan Zovoilis is the founding Director of the centre, along with the rest of the talented team, which includes Dr. Gerlinde Metz, Dr. Olga Kovalchuk, Dr. Igor Kovalchuk, Dr. Angeliki Pantazi and Tony Montina. SAGSC member Dr. Michael Stingl also provided thought-provoking bioethical and philosophical considerations into consideration as a member of a BIONET panel at the event, providing the pan-Alberta audience with a first-hand experience with the UofL’s transdisciplinary approach.

School of Engineering
Subsequent to approval by FAS Council last spring, the proposed Engineering curriculum passed both the Curriculum Coordinating Committee (CCC) and General Faculties Council. I would like to congratulate everyone involved, but especially Associate Dean Jackie Rice, Dr. Dan Furgason and Diana Young for this accomplishment. With ongoing efforts by the FAS and the Office of the VPA, we plan to produce a proposal for a four-year Engineering program at the University of Lethbridge. Our aim is to have a complete proposal submitted by the end of the academic year.

B.Sc. Common Experience
The new B.Sc. Common Experience will consist of a new required course called Scientific Inquiry and Citizenship (IDST 2100), an experiential learning requirement making use of new Student Experience Transcript, as well as an eventual Year One Team Science course. Following extensive consultation, we plan to seek CCC approval for the inclusion of IDST 2100 as a new required course in our B.Sc. programs, with the first offering in Fall 2020. Dr. Craig Coburn has agreed to work on a sample course outline with the B.Sc. Common Experience committee and to deliver at least one of the inaugural courses.

School of Indigenous Studies
The first two meetings of the School of Indigenous Studies Committee were held this summer and have been productive. While the committee is still at an incipient stage, the next stage is to seek indigenous community input in the form of a wish list, to ensure inclusion of such perspectives as academic, research and community engagement planning takes place. Our ambitious goal is to have a concrete plan by the end of this academic year. I would like to thank Dr. Leroy Little Bear, Dr. Mike Bruised Head, Dr. Jackson 2Bears, Dr. Michelle Hogue, Dr. Henrie Beaulieu, Dr. Don McIntyre, Dr. Inge Genee, Dr. Paul McKenzie Jones and Dr. Andrea Amelinckx for their assistance thus far.

Space Planning
With the launch of the Science Commons, space has come available in University Hall. We are all looking forward to the eventual refurbishment and redevelopment of space for the Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as Fine Arts through Phase II of the Destination Project. In the meantime, however, we need to make the best possible use of existing space in University Hall to enhance research facilities and teaching capacity in the Social Sciences and Humanities. 

The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy
I am delighted to announce that Dr. Alexander Darku has been appointed as Interim Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy until June 30, 2020. Dr. Darku has previously served as the Associate Director and has been serving as Acting Director since the departure of Dr. Susan McDaniel from the directorship. This will be a critically-important year for the Prentice Institute, as we implement recommendations from the Academic Quality Assurance (AQA) review and search for a permanent Director. Dr. Darku would be pleased to hear from Prentice research affiliates with ideas on how to help the institute reach its potential.

Microcredentials
In the context of what may prove to be a more difficult budgetary environment in the coming months, the Deans have been asked to encourage faculty members to develop creative ideas for new academic programming that may provide new revenue streams. Particular new approaches that are being promoted include the concept of stackable credentials or microcredentials, as well as programs with intensive delivery models and online and blended learning. If you have good ideas along these lines, please bring them to the attention of the Dean’s Office.

New Faculty Members
I am delighted to welcome the eight new colleagues who have joined our Faculty over the past year.

Dr. Matthew Bogard, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Dr. Pasquale Bosso, Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy
Dr. Andrew Fiori, Assistant Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science
Dr. Laura Keffer-Wilkes, Instructor III, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Kelsey Kendellen, Instructor III, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Dr. Julie Lee-Yaw, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Dr. Jenny McCune, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Dr. Conor Snoek, Assistant Professor, Indigenous Studies

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts and Science!

Promotions
I am pleased to congratulate the following faculty on their recent promotions:

Dr. Theresa Burg, Professor, Biological Sciences
Dr. Craig Coburn, Professor, Geography and Environment
Dr. Nathan Ng, Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science
Dr. Inge Genee, Professor, Modern Languages and Linguistics
Dr. Robbin Gibb, Professor, Neuroscience
Dr. Gideon Fujiwara, Associate Professor, History
Dr. Heather Ladd, Associate Professor, English
Dr. Jean-Baptiste Leca, Associate Professor, Psychology
Dr. Nehal Thakor, Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Wayne Lippa, Instructor III, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Kudos
Dr. Borries Demeler was awarded the prestigious 2019 Svedberg Award for Lifelong Contribution in Analytical Ultracentrifuge Research and Applications at the recent Analytical Ultracentrifugation conference held in New Zealand.

Dr. Athena Elafros has won a Parkland Faculty Award for her research project, along with Sessional Instructor Tiff Semach and undergraduate student Wednesday Culley, entitled GSAs in Alberta: Past, Present and Future.

New International Agreements
In collaboration with UofL International, the FAS has developed a double degree agreement with Hokkai Gakuen University (HGU). This agreement, which will see HGU students transfer into Humanities fields at the UofL, was developed during a visit by HGU representative Jérémie Bouchard.  We hope to see this document approved, with final signatures, during a visit to Sapporo by Andy Hakin and Paul Pan in October.

Subsequent to GFC approval of affiliation agreements, work is underway to produce transfer and exchange agreements with the University of Waikato (New Zealand; led by Dr. Paul McKenzie-Jones), as well as Universidad del Valle and Universidad de Antioquia (Colombia; the latter led by Dr. Luz Ospina). Early additional work is underway to establish new agreements with the University of Lagos (Nigeria; led by Dr. Dan O’Donnell) and the University of Plymouth (United Kingdom; led by Dr. Carly Adams).

Dr Nēpia Mahuika, Senior Lecturer and Convenor of History at the University of Waikato, is currently on campus, delivering outstanding talks and workshops on Māori History and Research: Methodology and Ethics. A Fulbright scholar, Nēpia is the current chair of the National Oral History Association of New Zealand. His most recent book, Rethinking Oral History and Tradition: An Indigenous Perspective (OUP) is due for release in late 2019. 

Aside from the biggest snowstorm of the century arriving within six days of the end of summer, Fall 2019 is off to a fabulous start, with the launch of a spectacular new facility and a multitude of exciting initiatives underway. On behalf of the Dean’s Office team in the Faculty of Arts and Science, I look forward to seeing how we can build on this momentum to weather the impending storm and achieve great outcomes together this academic year.

Best wishes,

Matt

The University of Lethbridge Faculty of Arts & Science is pleased to honour mathematics professor, Dr. Dennis Connolly at our 2nd Annual Wine & Dine: Arts & Science Scholarship Dinner.

Ticket sales end on October 7, 2019.

Join us for an evening of great wine, fine dining and celebration to raise funds for Faculty of Arts & Science student scholarships. This wine pairing dinner will offer a unique experience and provide you with a fun and informative presentation which will boost your knowledge and confidence with Australian wine. This unforgettable night will honour Dr. Dennis Connolly by creating a place for people who support the University of Lethbridge and recognize the importance of supporting our students to come together.

Thursday, October 17, 2019
6:30-9:30PM

Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
320 Scenic Drive S, Lethbridge, AB

Semi-formal / Formal attire

Individual Tickets $150 | Table (8) $1,000

Proceeds from the event will support a newly formed scholarship established in Dr. Connolly's name.

Fall 2019 Open House

Saturday, October 26, 2019

11AM - 2PM | Science Commons Atrium

Fall Open House is coming up and we would like to thank everyone who has volunteered their time to this important event, we know that our weekends are valuable and busy! However, this particular recruitment activity has a very good record of attracting and retaining students, so your time here will be very well spent. The purpose of Open House is to introduce prospective students to the university and give them an idea of the people and activities that they might encounter. This is the largest prospective student event we host on campus and this is our time to shine! Open House is designed for current high school students, prospective graduate students and transfer students considering uLethbridge for Fall 2020.

Public Professor Series

The PUBlic Professor Series is back for another season! The upcoming lectures are sure to be thought-provoking and encourage open conversation. No matter what, there will be something for everyone. See the lineup below.