MacEwan University Alumni News

THE BESTof THE BESTCELEBRATING

HONOURING OUR 2014

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

alumni news

winter 2014

Sitting Down with a Legend

10 Years in the Making

ALUMNI RELATIONSAND SERVICES

MacEwan.ca/Alumni

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.

STAY CONNECTED.

MacEwanAlumni

@MacEwanU MacEwanUniversity

Alumni

contents

alumni news | winter 2014

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message from the president

a matter of facts Student Awards Office

in one word LeeAnn Zaplotinsky, Early Childhood Development ‘01

the career corner Career Tips, Tricks and Trends

news Mad Hatter’s Gala Celebration

grad school spotlight Unearthing History in the Soil

marketing 101 The Five Best Ways to Get Your Message Heard

fitness feature Six Ways to Fight Off Winter Weight Gain

news CLASSifieds

news Photo Finish

featuresSitting Down with a LegendMusic grad shares songwriting skills with Sir Paul McCartney

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Celebrating the Best of the BestHonouring our 2014 Distinguished Alumni

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10 Years in the MakingFine Art Class of 2004 reunites on campus with Gray Gallery art exhibition

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contributorsstephanie sparks (Bachelor of Applied Communications in Professional Writing ‘06)

Stephanie Sparks is a writer/ editor living in Edmonton. By day, she works as a commu-nications writer at MacEwan University and by night writes

fiction. Her passion for telling stories of all kinds is one she has pursued from an early age.

steven sparling (Theatre Arts, ‘91)

Steven Sparling has acted across Canada, the UK and in London’s West End. He writes for international publications and teaches at the London Col-

lege of Music. Steven is currently pursuing his PhD in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

stephen vincent (Music ‘03)

Stephen Vincent is a profes-sional musician, freelance writer, published songwriter, and bassist for independent rock band Tupelo Honey. Both

an avid reader and devourer of newspapers, Stephen is presently dividing his time between very late gigs and very early mornings studying political science at the University of Alberta.

michelle woodard

Michelle Woodard is a writer at MacEwan University where she spends her days getting the scoop on the endless cool things students, faculty and

alumni are up to. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her spending time with her husband Steve and appreciating language in another way—reading stories or practicing the alphabet with their two young daughters.

departments

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alumni news winter 2014 macewan.ca/alumni

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IT’S EASY BEING GREEN!

Get your paperless copy of M today. If you are interested in receiving M only by email, please send us your name and email address at [email protected]. Thank you!

Alumni Relations and Services MacEwan University City Centre Campus P.O. Box 1796 Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 2P2

Alumni Relations and Services [email protected] 780-497-4273

We are committed to environmental

responsibility.

M is printed usingvegetable-based ink, on

Forestry StewardshipCouncil® certified paper.

We welcome your feedback and comments. All correspondence and inquiries regarding advertisements and story ideas should be directed to:

MACEWAN ALUMNI NEWS

MOVING?

Call us at 780-497-4273 or send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll make sure that your record is updated.

CONNECT WITH US ON LINKEDINMacEwan University Alumni

Patricia Garrett, Social Work, ‘76

Megan Dart, Bachelor of Communications in Professional Writing, ‘06

Stephen McHolm, Arts Administration, ‘95

Jeremiah McDade, Music, ‘98

Solon McDade, Music, ‘98

MAILING ADDRESS

FRONT COVER

Clockwise from top right corner

MESSAGE from thePRESIDENT

david atkinson, President MacEwan University

it’s been five years since our institution

officially became a university. In that

time there has been a great deal of change.

We’ve shifted our focus toward our under-

graduate degree programs, we began a

transition to a governance model that

reflects a traditional university model,

and we’ve gone through a rebranding

process so we clearly present ourselves

for what we are—a university. Building on

this foundation, we have launched a new

Integrated Strategic Plan that describes

where we are going as a university over the

next five years. That’s a lot of change over

a short period of time, most of it having

taken place in just the last three years.

When MacEwan was established over 40

years ago, little did we know what great

things it would achieve and the place it

would create for itself within the post-

secondary landscape in Alberta and, truly,

across Canada. Once the largest transfer-

out institution in Alberta, we began as

a place for students to get their start,

either before quickly launching out into

the workforce, or before completing their

degree elsewhere. Today we are the largest

transfer-in institution in Alberta. That’s

a big change, and it reflects the transi-

tion that the university has gone through

over the past five years. It’s also reason to

celebrate!

MacEwan University’s true legacy is found

in its graduates. It’s not bricks and mortar

that make a university great; it’s the

students who attend, work hard, graduate,

and then are sent out with both the educa-

tion and confidence to change a piece of

the world. We have much to celebrate

as a university and as a community that

acknowledges the achievements of indi-

viduals like those featured in this issue.

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IT’S EASY BEING GREEN!

Get your paperless copy of M today. If you are interested in receiving M only by email, please send us your name and email address at [email protected]. Thank you!

Alumni Relations and Services MacEwan University City Centre Campus P.O. Box 1796 Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 2P2

Alumni Relations and Services [email protected] 780-497-4273

We are committed to environmental

responsibility.

M is printed usingvegetable-based ink, on

Forestry StewardshipCouncil® certified paper.

We welcome your feedback and comments. All correspondence and inquiries regarding advertisements and story ideas should be directed to:

MACEWAN ALUMNI NEWS

MOVING?

Call us at 780-497-4273 or send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll make sure that your record is updated.

CONNECT WITH US ON LINKEDINMacEwan University Alumni

Patricia Garrett, Social Work, ‘76

Megan Dart, Bachelor of Communications in Professional Writing, ‘06

Stephen McHolm, Arts Administration, ‘95

Jeremiah McDade, Music, ‘98

Solon McDade, Music, ‘98

MAILING ADDRESS

FRONT COVER

Clockwise from top right corner

was awarded inMétis Education Foundation

Métis Scholar Awards to 32 students.

An educational and enlightening feature sharing facts and figures about MacEwan University.

Student Awards Office

$6.7MILLION

10/6

$179,000was awarded in Mad Hatter’s Scholarships to 103 students.These are for students that have high academic achievement and are awarded on a competitive basis.The Student Awards Office

managed the distribution of $6.7 million, from internal and

external sources, to more than 5,000 students for the

2013/14 academic year.

$84,000was awarded in

Jimmie Condon Scholarships

to 154 student athletes.

$239,400

Jason LangScholarships

were awarded.

1,369 $440,000 $261,850

ENTRANCE & RETURNING SCHOLARSHIPS

to 356 Arts and Science

students.

to 231 Bachelor of Commerce

students.

475students were awarded fall and winter Bursariesbased on financial need.

x 40

$228,000was awarded to

77 students based on financial need.

Bursaries

STUDENTSUCCESS

was awarded in Annie Hole Bursaries for Children’s Nutrition

to 200 students with children.

$200,000

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In One Word...

LeeAnn ZaplotinskyEarly Childhood Development, ‘01

If I could dine alone with anyone from any period in history, it would be nostradamus

One book everyone should read the monster at the end of this book by jon stone

One movie everyone should see grease

One song that would be on the soundtrack of my life the lion king: hakuna matata

Favourite place on campus cafeteria

Favorite place travelled mexico

One thing I never leave home without iphone

If I could be one age for the rest of my life it would be 29

Cats or dogs? actually, frogs!

Greatest accomplishment since graduating from MacEwan my three children

If I could eliminate one insect from the earth, it would be spiders

My favourite childhood television show mr. dressup

My MacEwan experience in one word wonderful

University graduates can save more

At TD Insurance, we recognize all the time

and effort you put into getting where you are.

That’s why, as a MacEwan University alumnus,

you have access to our TD Insurance Meloche Monnex

program which offers preferred group rates and

various additional discounts. You’ll also benefit from

our highly personalized service and great protection

that suits your needs. Get a quote today and see how

much you could save.

HOME | AUTO | TRAVEL

You’ve paid your dues. Start paying less with TD Insurance.

Request a quote at 1-888-589-5656 or visit melochemonnex.com/gmu

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. It is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec, by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in Ontario, and by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. in the rest of Canada. Our address in Quebec: 50 Place Crémazie, Montreal (Quebec) H2P 1B6.Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan.

® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Projet : Annonce MMI 2014

Client : TD Assurance

Dossier # : 34_MM9386-14_MMI.EN•gmu(7.25x5)

Province : Saskatchewan

Publication : MacEwan Alumni News

Format : 7.25x5

Couleur : Quad

Épreuve # : 1

Date de tombée : 09/26/2014

Graphiste : Marie-Josée Proulx

Hamelin-Martineau Inc. • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O, Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842-4416 C : [email protected]

ATTENTION : MERCI DE VÉRIFIER ATTENTIVEMENT CETTE ÉPREUVE AFIN D’ÉVITER TOUTE ERREUR/PLEASE CHECK THIS PROOF FOR ERRORS


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theCAREERCORNER

here are nine ideas to take you beyond the gold star:

Start an office ritual to announce achievements: Ring a bell,

play a specific song, grab the maracas or hit a gong. My

previous team used African bongos for every target we hit!

Have a recognition board or an item that could be ceremo-

niously delivered to the top contributor every month, which

is a visual way to recognize individuals or teams.

Don’t forget the small but immediate rewards: High fives,

fist bumps or verbal acknowledgements like “great job” still

go a long way.

Assign sought-after work projects or high-profile opportu-

nities to those who exceeded expectations.

Announce success in company newsletters or in presentations

during office meetings.

Buy a colleague coffee or a treat the next time they do

something exceptional.

Acknowledge key skills, traits or attributes of individuals by

creating unique awards or certificates for their contributions

to the office or team.

Provide perks to those who went above and beyond, such as

a gym pass, a gift card, a work iPad or cell phone, a day off

or permission to work from home occasionally.

Keep it simple by sending a thank-you note. Appreciation

counts.

While recognizing success, remember to acknowledge failures.

Even though something might have fallen flat, oftentimes

taking risks, trying something new and aiming high are worth

celebrating!

If you have questions regarding this topic or any career-

related questions you would like answered, please email

[email protected] with “Career Corner” as the subject line.

CAREER TIPS, TRICKS AND TRENDS

from Karly Gerlach, employer relations specialist at

MacEwan University Career Services.

1

celebrating and recognizing employees is one of the best ways

to engage, motivate and retain staff. It can be as simple as getting

a pat on the back from your manager, but recognition doesn’t always

need to be top down. Your team or department can find inexpensive and

innovative ways to celebrate and recognize success in the workplace.

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MacEwan.ca/Alumni

Our grads aredoing well bydoing good.We are currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Deadline for nominations is December 31, 2014. Award recipients will be honoured at our convocation ceremony in spring/fall 2015.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONSDo you know of a MacEwan University alumnus who has made a significant contribution to our community or has demonstrated outstanding achievement in any of the following areas: • Business • The Arts • Lifelong Learning • Government • The Environment • Community Service

Nomination forms available online: MacEwan.ca/Alumni

For further information or questions, call 780-497-4273 or email [email protected]

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MUSIC GRAD SHARES SONGWRITING SKILLS WITH SIR PAUL McCARTNEY

By Stephen Vincent

SITTING DOWNwith a LEGEND

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through the windows that lined all the separate rooms

of the building, katlin mathison could see the face of the

man recognized around the globe for over half a century.

Like some kind of bizarre dream, Sir Paul McCartney was

gracefully moving through the corridors of the studio and was

heading straight towards the room in which the young musician

from Winnipeg was eagerly waiting. While his time studying at

the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) had helped

“He introduced himself right away, then told me I looked exactly like his nephew. I replied

by saying, ‘Well he must be a really good- looking kid!’ We both laughed, and it really

made things quite comfortable.”

familiarize Katlin with being in the presence of industry leaders,

the reality of the situation did not escape him; in just over the

length of a breath, he would be sitting face to face with a legend.

The meeting with the former Beatle took place in May of 2014,

near the end of Katlin’s second year of study at LIPA and conse-

quently right before graduation. LIPA is one of the leading

performing arts institutions in the world, co-founded by Paul


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McCartney himself. The school is a global hub for top artists

of all mediums, with esteemed performers such as actors Alan

Rickman, Sir Ian McKellen and the late singer Amy Winehouse

being but a few of the artists students have interacted with,

making it a truly special place.

It was a week before meeting Sir Paul that Katlin was pulled aside

by the faculty and told he was one of eight students who would be

able to meet and discuss their work with the school’s illustrious

founder. Feeling both surprised and incredibly fortunate, he knew

this would be an excellent opportunity to grow as a professional.

The week leading up to the session would have Katlin debating

whether to bring in his best songs, or ideas that he felt could use

some work.

“It is quite the strange thing to hear Paul McCartney singing a

song you’ve written.”

The actual moment when McCartney finally entered the room

was admittedly tense for Katlin, though the rock icon was very

quick to introduce himself. “It was actually quite funny when we

met,” says Katlin. “He introduced himself right away, then told

me I looked exactly like his nephew. I replied by saying, ‘Well he

must be a really good-looking kid!’ We both laughed, and it really

made things quite comfortable.”

The two then sat down, with the music legend setting up in front

of the piano as Katlin excitedly tuned his guitar. In prepara-

tion for the meeting, the faculty had stressed that they wanted

to present the students as peers to McCartney, as professionals

working within the same field. As such, the decision of whether

or not to follow the advice of one of the greatest songwriters in

history was Katlin’s alone.

Katlin had made the decision to bring in two songs that he was

quite happy with but still needed work on. The first one he played

was entitled “Without You Dear,” with the lyrics really grabbing

the attention of the iconic songwriter. “He really liked the use of

the word ‘dear,’ and wanted to try repeating it in the following

line,” says Katlin. After trying a few rhythms and singing the song

together, Katlin couldn’t help but realize just how incredible this

situation really was. “It is quite the strange thing to hear Paul

McCartney singing a song you’ve written.”

The next song was entitled “Liverpool Monochrome,” which the

Liverpool native described as both beautiful and interesting. The

two then spent most of the remaining time working on the lyrics,

really honing in on a line that was somewhat abstract. “Sir Paul

told me that the difference between a good writer and a great

writer is that you don’t find little anomalies like that in their

lyrics,” says Katlin.

Overall, the meeting was incredibly positive and encouraging,

with the legendary rock star being very complimentary of the

young Canadian’s talent. “He said my songs were really nice and

had a personal touch, which was a comment I really appreciated.”

As their time together came to an end, the two then thanked each

other before departing.

With several months passing since the meeting, Katlin can’t help

but feel enriched as an artist by the experience. Above all, his

commitment to his songwriting craft has never been higher. “The

last piece of advice Sir Paul gave me was to be super critical. Good

is just never good enough. He told me that you just have to write,

re-write, and work on a song over and over until it is great.” While

the countless albums sold and number one hits are undoubtedly

impressive, perhaps it is this tireless love for making music that

truly makes one a legend.

Inspire Excellence

MacEwan.ca/wcm/Donors

Supporting scholarships and bursaries makes a difference in the lives of our students and in our community.

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HONOURING OUR 2014

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

THE BESTof THE BESTCELEBRATING

By Michelle Woodard

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what makes her a distinguished alum?

In her seven years as part of Edmonton’s arts scene, Megan has held numerous board positions

and worked with clients including the Edmonton Arts Council, the Edmonton International

Fringe Festival and the Citadel Theatre. The Wanderer Online named her one of Edmonton’s

Top 100 Influential Women in Business in 2013.

“Put your passion on display for everyone to see, even if it scares you—especially if it

scares you.”

they are social workers, musicians, writers, communicators, business-people, volunteers, artistic directors, dancers and teachers. They are role models. They are community leaders. They are some of the best at what they do. And they are also MacEwan University alumni.

Here we celebrate the talent, dedication and innovative spirit of our 2014 Distinguished Alumni and members of Avenue Magazine’s 2014 Top 40 Under 40 who are alumni or friends of MacEwan University.

We pay tribute to their accomplishments, knowing that they still have much to achieve, and we can’t wait to see what’s to come as they strive to continue doing and being the very best.

best

/best/

adjective

superl. of good with better as compar.

Of the highest quality, excellence or standing: “the best work; the best students.”

PUT YOUR PASSION ON DISPLAY

megan dart, bachelor of communications in professional writing ‘06

Arts crusader; co-artistic producer, Catch the Keys Productions

Distinguished Alumni

Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40

Distinguished Citizen

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When her sister Beth asked her to write a script as part of her

university thesis project, Megan Dart had no idea that penning

the words that set the stage for an ambitious and artistic game of

telephone tag would eventually lead to a career as an arts-based

entrepreneur.

Megan says bringing artists, musicians and writers together in

that first wildly successful project was perhaps one of the most

exciting things she’s ever done artistically. It also kick-started

what would become Catch the Keys Productions, a company that

she and her sister co-own that produces and publicizes unique

arts-based events in Edmonton.

“We have a hard time describing our company because we do so

many different things—curating events, creating opportunities

for artists, creating theatre and throwing parties,” says Megan.

“We’ve settled on ‘community activator’ because a lot of what we

do involves bringing the community together and finding new

connections and collaborations.”

turning your play and passion into your work

In 2012, after seven years of juggling full-time jobs with their

part-time passion project, Megan and Beth quit their day jobs

and invested themselves fully in Catch the Keys.

“It began to take up more and more of our lives, and all of a

sudden we didn’t have time for work anymore. It just made sense

that we would make that leap,” says Megan. “So far, it’s been the

most rewarding experience of my life and the best choice I’ve

made for my career. It’s not always easy to find a way to turn your

passion and your play into your work, but it’s fun, exciting and so

rewarding when you do—work doesn’t seem like work anymore.”

art and profit aren’t mutually exclusive

Starting a business—especially one in the arts—isn’t easy. But the

writer, playwright and poet credits her entrepreneur parents with

inspiring her to become what she calls an “artpreneur.”

“Our parents owned many businesses and have taken a lot of

risks,” says Megan. “They are passionate people who never said

no and always encouraged us to do what we wanted to do.”

She believes strongly that art and profit can and should share the

same space. As she said in her Spring 2014 Convocation address,

“if you think there’s no business in art, you’re looking at it in the

wrong way.”

Today, Megan is an integral part of the Edmonton arts scene,

offering up her artistic business sense to numerous festivals and

from a wide variety of board positions.

Megan’s best moment? “I think it’s still to come,” she says. “This

year has been a huge tipping point for Catch the Keys. We were

named the company in residence with Catalyst Theatre and are

organizing the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts for the second year

in a row. It’s going to be bigger, louder and better than it was last

year.”

poetry slam spotlight

Although Megan spends most of her time making magic behind

the scenes, writing and creating opportunities for other artists,

she’s starting to step out into the spotlight—courtesy of slam

poetry. She was one of five spoken word performers who repre-

sented Edmonton at the Canadian National Poetry Slam Finals in

Victoria in October.

“I’ve been writing my whole life, but I’m not a performer,” says

Megan. “It’s a scary, new experience for me, but the poetry

community is so supportive and has been such an incredible

wealth of knowledge.”

She held her own on the national poetry stage, but even if she

hadn’t, that would have been okay. As she said in her convocation

address:

“Fail gloriously and often. Let your failure catch fire, study how

it burns. Learn the difference between failures that catch quickly

and those that burn long and low, cherry embers glowing. Keep

the fire stoked, for that is what will keep you warm when you

think winter will never end.”

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best moment in your

career, so far?

Being part of the RCMP’s Public Affairs Team for the

2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and working

alongside partner agencies was an absolute privilege. I was

thrilled to be part of such a significant event, and it was

amazing to witness and join the celebration of Canadian

pride and identity. My heart still soars when I hear Nikki

Yanofsky’s “I Believe.”

best idea you’ve ever had?

To make a concerted effort to express gratitude on a daily

basis. This is something I have been doing for more than

two years now. This small act has enabled me to more fully

experience joy and contentment in my life.

best career advice?

Participate in volunteer and educational opportunities that

support the development of knowledge, skills and abilities.

I first received this advice from a career counsellor around

the time I finished university. It resonated because it rein-

forced the concepts of lifelong learning and community

service, which my parents have always encouraged.

best thing about being recognized as one

of the top 40 under 40?

The fact that it also honours all the people in my life who

have helped me to become the person I am, especially my

parents for their love and sacrifices.

narmin hassam-clark,

public relations ‘05

Communications advisor, RCMP

National Communication Services

Each year, Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 recognizes

individuals who are leaders in their field and whose passions

and professions have helped raise the city’s profile through

growth and change. Congratulations to the following alumni

and friends of MacEwan University who were honoured.

what makes her a distinguished alum?

Under Pat Garrett’s 25 years of leadership, WINGS of Providence,

a housing agency and program that supports women and children

who have experienced family violence, has grown and expanded

to serve over 980 families and 2,300 children.

“There are days when I drive into work and think to myself, ‘Wow—we really are making a difference in the community!’”

HELPING FAMILIES FIND THEIR WINGS

patricia garrett, social work ‘76

Executive director, WINGS

Q & A with avenue magazine’s

top 40 under 40

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In a world where we’re taught to be prepared to change jobs

more than 10 times during our careers, Pat Garrett is bucking

the trend. For the last 30 years, the executive director of Wings

of Providence has been with the organization that has been

committed to breaking the cycle of violence against women.

“Coming to Wings was one of the best career decisions I’ve made,”

says Pat. “There are just so many barriers for people to succeed in

our world. Empowering women and walking with them on their

journey has been a very satisfying and gratifying experience.

We’ve grown so much in three decades, but the time has flown

by,” says Pat.

the power of personal connections

Even though the number of families Wings is able to help has

grown five-fold during Pat’s time with the shelter, staying true

to its grassroots beginnings is important to her. She tries to get

to know every single family the organization helps, but that isn’t

always easy when you’re serving upwards of 60 women and more

than 100 children in different stages of transitioning away from

situations of family violence.

“I’m not always as involved with the individual families as much

as I would like to be, but I try to at least make sure to know who

everyone is and make sure they know me.”

Her ability to connect with people, really listen to them and ask

questions are key things that Pat says have helped her succeed.

“Especially nowadays, people are so preoccupied that it’s easy to

get distracted. We strive to truly listen to the families we work

with and to meet their needs.”

Meeting the needs of more families meant growing the organiza-

tion from its humble beginnings.

building the road to independence

Moving into a new facility in 2003 and opening an affordable

housing facility in 2012 stand out as some of the best moments in

Pat’s career so far.

“I still sometimes can’t believe we did it,” she says. “Both proj-

ects involved a lot of hard work, but it was such an incredible

feeling to see them open, and I’m so very proud. There are days

when I drive into work and think to myself, ‘Wow—we really are

making a difference in the community and are doing something

special here!'”

best career move, so far?

It’s a volunteer commitment, but I think

that joining interVivos and working to connect

emerging leaders with seasoned leaders was my best

career move, so far. At the time, I had no idea the doors it

would open for me. I’ve met so many engaging and inter-

esting people who want to give back, really care about

where we live and want to make Edmonton a better place.

best moment in your career, so far?

It feels strange to reflect on my career because I feel like

I’m just getting started. There are so many things I still

want to do and achieve. I think the best may be still to

come.

best advice?

I’ve had lots of great advice from career mentors and

people in my personal life, but I draw the most strength

from my contemporaries, including the interVivos board.

Their energy is infectious, and when you’re around

people who are driven and share your interests, it helps

you get to that next level.



This is a very big deal for me and completely unexpected.

It’s great motivation to be among the many Edmontonians

who are doing amazing things. I don’t do what I do for

recognition—I do it to make my city better for my peers

and for emerging leaders. I want them to stay here and

make our city even more engaging and vibrant.

zohreh saher, voluntary sector management ‘03

Even with so many accomplishments to celebrate, Pat says

there’s more work to be done. “There is always something new to

learn and new ways to give back. I’m excited about the innova-

tive things that are happening in the social work field and the

potential they have to impact children. It’s an exciting time to

do what we do.”

Policy analyst at Alberta Urban

Municipalities Association and

president of interVivos

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best moment in your

career, so far?

Becoming a faculty member at MacEwan

University was pivotal for me. My dad’s a university

professor and I grew up in an academic household. I’ve

always really wanted to teach and I don’t want to sound

cheesy, but I think it’s my calling. It’s a huge privilege to be

in a position of mentorship for people who are interested

in mental health—it’s a part of the human experience and

something we all need to be sensitive to, regardless of what

field we work in. When we talk about mental health in an

academic setting, it’s often an “us and them” type of thing,

but I try to have people reflect on their own mental health

experience and focus on self-discovery. It’s okay to have

mental health issues—it’s part of developing as a person.

best career advice?

The phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”

is true in many ways. Go out, network and meet people.

Study hard, but do other things too—keep balanced and

develop socially. To be successful today, you need to be

able to have conversations with people, know things about

what’s happening in the world and be well rounded.



I moved to Edmonton in March 2012, so I haven’t been

here long. While I don’t see myself as typical “top 40”

material, I am extremely honoured to be part of such an

amazing group of people. The Top 40 recognition demon-

strates that Edmonton is a very supportive environment.

Edmonton celebrates its citizens for their contributions –

which, among many reasons, makes it such a great place to

start a project or explore an idea.

Occupational therapist,

Community Outreach Assessment

and Support Team (COAST)

and faculty member

what makes him a distinguished alum?

Under Stephen’s leadership, Honens has become one of Canada’s

farthest-reaching arts organizations, launching the careers of

emerging concert artists. In 2012, Stephen was honoured with the

Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management and in 2013, he

was named an Honorary Fellow of Canada’s Royal Conservatory

of Music.

SEARCHING FOR COMPLETE ARTISTS

stephen mcholm, arts administration ‘95

President and artistic director, Honens

robin mazumder, faculty member, health and community studies, macewan university

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“Everyone should be so lucky to love what they do that much.”

It was a freezing cold winter day back in the early ’90s, but Stephen

McHolm remembers it like it was yesterday. “I saw a young guy

that I knew was in the musical theatre program coming out the

gym at the main campus, walking down the street and singing his

heart out. He wasn’t listening to music. He was just walking down

the street, singing away. I remember thinking back then, ‘what

a crazy guy.’ Now I think ‘good for him’—everyone should be so

lucky to love what they do that much.”

Happily, Stephen McHolm does love his work that much. As

president and artistic director for Honens, he travels the globe

representing an international piano competition with the largest

prize of its kind and a unique artist development program. He

regularly finds himself surrounded by the most talented pianists

out there.

“It’s humbling and inspiring,” says Stephen, who began studying

piano at the age of four but quickly realized when he reached

university that concert pianist would never be his job title.

“Working with musicians who are so talented can either make

you want to practice the piano more often, or never want to prac-

tice again. I’m in awe of their talent, but really, they’re just like

you and me.”

launching musical careers

The fact that he makes his career launching the careers of these

talented musicians is something Stephen finds incredibly rewarding.

“It’s great to be able to share in what’s next for them,” says

Stephen. “We look for ‘complete artists’—musicians who aren’t

machines. They have a deep understanding of the music they are

performing but interests outside of the practice studio as well.

When you get to see them take their first steps onto the world

stage in places like Carnegie Hall in New York or Wigmore Hall

in London, it’s so exciting.”

Stephen says that to do the best work for the people he calls 21st

century artists for a 21st century audience, Honens needs to walk

the talk and be an organization firmly planted in the current century.

connecting contemporary, classical and pop music

“We can’t just present the same old kind of concert in the same old

way,” says Stephen. “I’ve learned that success involves breaking

down the barrier of elitism. We do a lot of programming that links

contemporary classical music, traditional classical music and

even pop types of music together to make music accessible. It’s

not about dumbing anything down but celebrating the very best

in a way that’s exciting and innovative.”

When addressing creative problems, like coming up with a new

style of classical concert, Stephen’s advice is to listen to your gut.

“What I’ve learned is that if you think an idea is the right way to go,

you should stick with it but not be so stubborn that you don’t listen

to people. I look back over the 16 years I’ve been with Honens and

I know we’ve achieved a lot. Before each edition of the triennial

competition, our team gears up for the ‘best Honens ever.’”

So far, they've never been wrong.

best moment in your

career, so far?

There are so many—performing on

stage live with Bollywood actress Karisma

Kapoor; teaching dance to the kids living in the slums

of Nallosopara (a suburb of Mumbai); meeting my

current and most influential dance teacher, Mrs. Joanna

De Souza; opening my own studio in 2011; receiving

my first artistic grant in 2013; performing with

eight live Tabla players; and performing on stage for

internationally renowned fashion design label,

ParveshJai.

best career advice?

Do your research. A lot of business owners, including

myself, learn their lessons the hard way. Sometimes

that’s just the way it has to happen to really emboss

those lessons deep into our skin. Otherwise, research,

research, research—and don’t rush. Too often we are so

excited to fulfill an idea that we jump the gun.



There is so much talent out there, so many creative

people who are just contributing to their society like

crazy, and they remain unrecognized or unappreciated

for their efforts. Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40

gives people a wonderful platform to receive recognition

for their work and their efforts. I am glad platforms such

as this exist.

ashley anjlien kumar, management studies ‘04

Artistic director of the South Asian

Arts Movement Society

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what makes them distinguished alumni?

Brothers Solon and Jeremiah McDade are award-winning musi-

cians who perform and tour alongside their sister as the McDades.

Their album Bloom won a 2007 Juno, two Canadian Folk Music

Awards and an International Independent Music Award.

A MUSICAL FAMILY IN BLOOM

solon and jeremiah mcdade, music ‘98

The McDades

“My best advice is to be honest with yourself as you’re

pursuing your career.”It’s no secret that for most musicians, their music is their life.

It’s true for Solon and Jeremiah McDade too, but in their case, music

is also their family. Literally. The brothers were still in elementary

school when they first joined their parents and their sister profes-

sionally on stage as part of the McDade Family Band. Their music

careers were launched in small towns all over Alberta, at festivals

and even major national and international events, including

the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton and Expo 86

in Vancouver.

Although they each take on other musical projects, blending

family with music has been a constant throughout their careers.

Jeremiah and Solon studied music together and even attended

MacEwan University at the same time, then both moved to

Montreal to continue studying music at McGill University.

Today, their main focus is their band, the McDades, with their

sister, Shannon Johnson. Solon plays bass, Jeremiah plays

multiple instruments, and both contribute vocally.

While sibling rivalry may not be an issue, Solon says that playing

music with your family does come with its own set of challenges.

“No one knows you better than your family, and the thing about

working with your family is that they can be very frank—even

more so than if you were working with strangers or coworkers

who you don’t have a relationship with outside of work.”

But that honesty is something Solon says is a benefit, whatever

your career choice.

“No matter what you do—whether you are an artist, a business-

person, a lawyer or an engineer—my best advice is to be honest

with yourself as you’re pursuing your career. Really try to be frank

with yourself about how things are going and what you need to

do to improve. Pursuing your dreams and pushing yourself to

improve is so very important.”

Getting that push from a family member is a bit different. “When

you’re with your family, they know everything about you and

share your history, so it can get very personal,” says Solon.

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best moment in your career,

so far?

I’m lucky to have had several, but I have to say that

opening for Bon Jovi at Rexall Place and the Saddledome

is close to the top of the list. There were 17,000 people

each night and it was a pretty unbelievable feeling. Some

other “best moments” include getting my first Top 40

single and seeing my songs in MuchMusic’s Top 10.

Growing up, that always seemed like an untouchable

dream.

best idea you’ve ever had?

I would have to say proposing to my wife. I know that

surrounding myself with the smartest, most driven and

hardworking people is key. No one has taught me more

about personal growth and becoming who I want to be

more than she has. Without her love and support, I would

be in a very different place.

best career advice?

Never look at what anyone else is doing, only focus on

what you are doing. It’s great advice that came from

Ralph James, CEO of The Agency Group. In the music

industry, there are so many ups and downs that you have

to take everything with a grain of salt and believe that the

cream rises to the top.



Being associated with some of Edmonton’s best and

brightest. I have been watching the top 40 issue for

several years and have great respect for so many of those

recipients. It’s an honour to be considered one of them.

It’s also great to have a little bit of validation that my

hard work isn’t going unnoticed. I may not be a million-

aire, but I feel that I’m doing some good things, and this

kind of encouragement goes a long way.

dan davidson, music ’03, bachelor of commerce ‘13

Songwriter/performer,

Tupelo Honey

CELEBRATING DISTINGUISHED CITIzENS

By Stephanie Sparks

In addition to the alumni honoured at the Convocation ceremo-

nies in June and November, MacEwan University also presents

individuals with Distinguished Citizen Awards for outstanding

service to their communities and in their fields.

maureen collins

For 10 years, Maureen Collins worked in various positions at the

Edmonton John Howard Society (EJHS) before becoming execu-

tive director in 1990—a position she held until her retirement

earlier this year. Her passion for social justice and crime preven-

tion issues was reflected in the “values-driven” approach she took

in her leadership of EJHS.

Maureen has seen the positive effects of meaningful employment,

stable housing and supportive programs in the lives of people

looking for a chance to start over. Her effective and collabora-

tive leadership qualities contributed to the growth of EJHS, the

development of the staff and the not-for-profit sector.

words of wisdom

“Lifelong learning is so very important.”

But he doesn’t mean that in a bad way. “When you share ideas

and share goals and dreams with your family and you can work as

a team together, it’s very rewarding and special.”

Especially when it comes to sharing an experience like winning

a Juno for your collective work. “Winning a Juno for our CD,

Bloom, was definitely one of the best moments in my career,

being there with all of my family and winning the award with my

brother and sister,” says Solon.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the talented family gets the chance

to repeat the experience. The McDades have plans for a North

American and European tour next year to launch a new album

they are hoping will be ready for the spring of 2015.

M21


susan green

During her 30-year career, Susan held senior positions with

the Government of Alberta, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the

Alberta Cancer Board and the University of Alberta.

In addition to serving on a number of boards, Susan is currently

the director of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards

Foundation and acting chair of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor

Commission. She has also played major roles in Habitat for

Humanity Edmonton and Edzimkulu, a small charity that helps

South African children with AIDS.

words of wisdom

“It’s incredibly important that you are more than your work. You are your

family and your community. You are how you treat others.”

liz o’neill

Liz O’Neill, executive director of Boys and Girls Clubs Big

Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area, has been devoted to

serving children and youth for over 30 years.

In addition to her work on a number of boards (her current

board work includes the deputy chair position for the Edmonton

Community Foundation), Liz was named MacEwan University’s

2010 Dr. Charles Allard Chair in Business—the first person to be

honoured for leadership in the non-profit sector.

words of wisdom

“I have never achieved anything alone. I have always been surrounded

by great people who do so much of the heavy lifting, and I very much like

working as part of a team.”

The Office of the University Registrar is looking for copies of parchments over the years! Whether you graduated in the

70s, 80s or 90s, we'd love them to be part of our

historical parchment project.

COPIES CAN BE SENT TO:

[email protected]

or:

Office of the University RegistrarMacEwan University

Room 7-118 Attention: Darlene James

10700 104 AvenueEdmonton, AB T5J 4S2

HISTORICALPARCHMENTS

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it all began when one of tiffany shaw-collinge’s former class-

mates mentioned that it had been 10 years since their fine art

class had graduated. Ten years is an important milestone, and

Tiffany couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of her former

classmates were up to. So when she suggested putting together

a reunion/art show, her classmates and former faculty members

jumped on the idea.

“I’d never planned a reunion before,” says Tiffany, who works for

Edmonton architecture firm Manasc Isaac. “I’ve been a curator

on several projects, so it’s not outside my realm to organize shows

of this nature.”

Tiffany and classmates, Brenda Draney, Lindsay Farr, Kyleanne

Flemming, Robert Harpin and Amy Leong formed a planning

committee. The five had kept in touch since graduating, and they

decided to take a collaborative approach to planning the reunion.

“At first, it was just going to be a get-together, but then we

thought most of the people—at least half—were still painting, and

if not professionally, then on the side,” says Tiffany. If they were

still creating art, it made sense to combine the reunion with an

art exhibition.

FINE ART CLASS OF 2004 REUNITES ON CAMPUS WITH GRAY GALLERY

ART ExHIBITION

years in the

making

10

By Stephanie Sparks

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throwback theme

With support from the Students’ Association of MacEwan

University and Alumni Relations and Services, the committee

decided to host the 10 Again Fine Art Reunion exhibit in MacEwan

University’s Gray Gallery from September 12 to October 3.

Because the event was going to be part reunion, part art show, the

committee needed buy-in. Each committee member was respon-

sible for contacting their classmates through social media and

their own personal connections. They asked each alumnus if he

or she would be willing to contribute a piece of artwork. And not

just any piece of work—it had to fit the theme: “self portraits.”

“Self portraiture was a huge—and stressful—part of our time

at MacEwan,” says Robert, currently a public art officer for

the Edmonton Arts Council. Having a laugh and a cringe, the

committee members were reminiscing about the portraits they

had created during their time in the program. “Some were great

and some were just awful, and that’s all part of the learning

curve.”

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“It was a painful process of drawing and painting your face over

and over again, but drawing the body is a good exercise in general

because you’re learning human anatomy as you do it,” says Tiffany.

The committee decided that a theme around self-portraiture

would be broad enough that classmates who were no longer

creating new work could still submit something and not feel

alienated by the subject. “We were less interested in the work

than in seeing what everybody has been up to,” says Robert. “That

was the critical part of this whole thing.”

interpretations, 10 years later

They decided to leave the medium open—asking for any work of

self-portraiture, even if it was a recent photo. By the submission

deadline, they had collected pieces from 19 of the 27 Fine Art

2004 alumni.

“To have that much participation in our graduating class 10 years

later was great to see,” says Lindsay Farr, who is currently an intern

architect at Riddell Kurczaba. “During our time at MacEwan, we

drew and painted ourselves over and over again, so to see every-

body’s interpretations of that 10 years later was awesome.” fine art lessons

The submissions spoke volumes about the people who had

created them—what had transpired in their lives over the past

decade. Many, like Robert, remained in the arts scene, whether

working full-time in the field or contributing to it in addition to

other work.

“MacEwan is where my run in visual arts started, and I’m still in it,”

he says. “I pride myself on that fact because in school, you’re inun-

dated with statistics about what percentage of artists are going to

remain artists after they’ve graduated, and it’s shockingly low. Our

year really clicked though, and it was beautiful to see that many of

us are involved in the arts in one way or another.”

Others had taken the lessons of perseverance and patience and

used them in pursuing new passions—writing, stage design and

even bodybuilding.

Not all of the stories were happy ones, however. Two classmates

had passed away since the class of 2004 had last been together.

Dawn Fenton’s daughter chose to contribute a piece, “String

Theory,” in her mother’s memory.

The submissions told all these stories and more, and were pack-

aged together in a catalogue that was distributed at the opening

night gala on September 12. While not every classmate could be in

attendance, the turnout was impressive, drawing over 60 guests,

including staff, faculty, alumni and family members.

M25


controversy and catharsis

The evening was not without a bit of controversy. A few class-

mates were resistant to placing their work next to Robert’s

tongue-in-cheek contribution (which read “High Expectations

Low Results”), lest it be interpreted as a dig at their own work,

though it was not intended as such.

“It’s happened to my work in the past—something that I see as

flippant and humourous can be taken another way and be a bit

controversial,” says Robert. “A few people didn’t necessarily want

to hang their work next to mine because they thought their work

could be seen as this ‘high expectations, low results’ thing, when

really I was just referencing myself in this piece.”

you’re scrolling through facebook or flipping through your

calendar when you remember that you graduated from univer-

sity almost 10, 20, 30, or 40 years ago. A class reunion would

mark the special date and reconnect you with old friends. The

problem? Where to start.

plan early.

Alumni Relations and Services liaison Rebecca Chelmick

suggests that you consider what your upcoming milestone might

be and plan at least six to 12 months ahead. This will ensure a

better turnout (advance notice may give guests a chance to fit

the event into their schedules) and will allow you ample time to

pull the event together.

reach out to classmates.

Social media is a great resource for reaching out to your fellow

classmates. You may be linked to many of them already, and

their contact information will be up-to-date, which is key. Reach

out to a few and ask them to help you connect with others,

and use your alumni office to help spread the word. Although

He adds, “I’m always amused when people find my work contro-

versial. At least that means they’re paying attention. That’s the

most I can ever ask for.”

Lindsay’s piece has a less light-hearted feel, and she describes it

as part of her series of psychological self-portraits. “It made sense

to submit this piece of work, but it does have a dark undertone,

and I feel nervous displaying that side of myself,” she says.

But, as Tiffany explains, that’s what fine art is about.

“The thing about the Fine Art program is you’re always divulging

a lot of personal information through your artwork, and that’s

cathartic in a way,” she says. “But you know a lot about your class-

mates because of that, so it’s nice to touch base with them again.”

HAVE A MILESTONE COMING UP OR WANT TO RECONNECT WITH CLASSMATES?

CHECK OUT THESE TIPS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED.

they are unable to contact alumni without their consent due to

Canada’s recent anti-spam legislation, they are able to promote

your event through newsletters and other publications.

ensure there’s interest.

If only a handful of people want to get together (or an over-

whelming number are excited by the idea), this will greatly

affect the size and scope of the event and help you start plan-

ning accordingly.

form a committee.

Having a group collaborate on the event planning will take the

load off one person. However, ensure one person is willing to

lead to keep things organized.

contact your alumni office.

Share your reunion plans with your alumni office. Even if you

don’t need help, they can provide advice, information and

resources to help make your event a success.

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TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR CLASS REUNION

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for 30 years macewan university’s mad hatter’s gala has

engaged corporate and community support to raise vital

funds for student scholarships, awards and bursaries.

These funds make a significant difference in the lives of

our students—helping them through financially difficult

circumstances and encouraging them to continue along

their path as they pursue a higher education.

This year, to celebrate our 30th anniversary, we are

returning to our roots. With a magical and enchanting

Alice in Wonderland theme, guests will be transported

back in time to the year of our first gala and the inspira-

tion that started it all. Alongside iconic characters such as

Alice, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat and, of course,

the Mad Hatter himself, guests will get a taste of the fasci-

nating world Lewis Carroll created.

As graduates from the university, your presence at the

gala is a testament to the outstanding education that

MacEwan provides, showcasing your success and talents

to community leaders.

A Trip Down Memory LaneMAD HATTER’S GALA SET TO CELEBRATE ITS 30TH YEAR

Grab your most whimsical hat and join us down the rabbit hole

on April 25, 2015 to celebrate 30 years of helping students reach

their educational goals.

Alumni of MacEwan University receive a special rate of $349

per ticket. Early Bird registration is now open. Visit our website

to register. MacEwan.ca/Alumni

FOR MORE INFO PLE ASE VISIT:MacEwan.ca/Griffins

m27


clay pots, ancient tools, coins and pieces

of bone leap to mind when most people

think about studying archeology, but

kari carter, a recent macewan university

anthropology grad, isn’t digging for

artifacts. The answers she’s looking for

are hidden right in the dirt.

Kari began her graduate studies at

McMaster University this fall and will be

contributing to a larger research project

looking at changes in people’s economic

use of fisheries at Namu, one of the oldest-

known sites on British Columbia’s central

coast. With the support of a highly coveted

Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Council (SSHRC) graduate scholarship,

Unearthing History in the Soil

KARI CARTER BEGINS MASTER’S RESEARCH IN ANTHROPOLOGY

Kari is looking at the chemistry of sedi-

ment samples from the site and searching

for clues about what people in the area

were doing thousands of years ago.

An x-ray fluorescence machine is her

regular lab partner as she analyzes trace

elements in a series of sediment samples

collected from shell middens—essentially

piles of kitchen waste made of empty

shells. What’s Kari looking for in these

ancient shellfish leftovers?

“Middens are complex depositional envi-

ronments that can tell us a lot about the

different refuse activities of the people who

created them,” says Kari. Finding out what

the people responsible for the middens ate

and the other things they were throwing

away will help create a picture of what was

happening during that time.

Learning about the past and applying that

knowledge to the present and the future

is what drew Kari to study anthropology,

Last summer, Kari Carter spent her days

hiking through the woods in Northern B.C.

in search of potential archeological sites

as part of her summer job doing consulting

archeology work. In the fall, she headed

east to continue her SSHRC grant-funded

research at McMaster University.

but her interest in the stories that soil

can tell began with an introductory soil

science course early in her undergraduate

degree. Later, when her anthropology

faculty member, Paul Prince, offered up

some soil samples he had collected from

an archeological site in Northern B.C.,

Kari’s anthropology major and earth and

atmospheric sciences minor merged into

an independent study project. Looking

at the changes people make to the soil

where they live not only gave her valuable

experience, it also inspired her graduate

research.

“I’ve been so fortunate to learn from

great mentors and see many examples of

fantastic research,” says Kari. “I’m excited

about the opportunity to explore in detail

something I find so interesting and focus

all of my efforts on my research.”

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be clear on who the message is for (and not for)

Whatever your message, it isn’t for

everyone. Think of one to three people

you know who would be absolutely right

to act upon your message. What are their

common characteristics? Now go after

them and people like them. If you’re

stumped by this, then start by figuring out

who your message is NOT for. If you’re

promoting veganism, you probably won’t

target cattle farmers. Start by eliminating

people who aren’t right for your message,

and see who is left. Talk to them.

tell a story

Part of being overwhelmed with informa-

tion is that we don’t know what to do with

most of it. We save emails, we scribble on

bits of paper, we make notes in our phone,

but nothing ever sticks. Most people

just aren't wired to remember random

smatterings of information, and that

includes members of your target audience.

However, tell a story, one that is simple

and compelling, and people will remember

it for a long time. How to find your story?

Start by thinking about how you would tell

your message to the one or two people you

envisioned in step one. What would you tell

them about what you are doing in order to

get them excited and interested?

use an image

It’s a cliché, but a picture really is worth

a thousand words. Find an image that

encapsulates your story and use it with

your message at all times. Where to find

one? You could comb through stock

photography websites, though a lot of the

images on them are terrible. Better to grab

your camera and go out into the world

searching for something that catches your

eye. Take loads of photos (knowing you’ll

delete most of them) and find an image

that is unique to you. Or, hire a graphic

designer to draw something for you (if

money is tight, try fiverr.com).

make the crucial details simple

Remember that story you told your ideal

audience members? Does it include the

crucial who / what / where / when / why

THE FIVE BEST WAYS TO GET YOUR MESSAGE HEARD

details of your message? Decide which

details are important in order for someone

to take the action you want them to and

which details can be left to a later time. If

you are trying to sell something (an event,

a product or a service), it is likely going

to take several steps to get your audience

members to buy. So, plan to release infor-

mation in stages: crucial details first, with

more details to follow. This helps to avoid

overwhelming people. Each time the story

is told, it needs to include only the crucial

details for making the next decision.

repeat. a lot.

Once you’ve got your story, your image,

the crucial details and your audience,

you need to repeat your story over and

over again. And when you think you can’t

possibly tell your story one more time, do.

Your next listener might just be the one

you are looking for.

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4

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if you have a message you are trying to get

across—whether promoting your next gig,

selling your house, growing your cause

or launching your own business—you are

going to have to work harder than ever

to get your message heard over all the

clatter, shouting, tweeting and posting.

but it is possible! here are five tips for

spreading your word.

By Steven Sparling

Alumni Discount on Professional Development Courses

• Business Analysis • Communications • Conflict Management • Human Resources • Leadership • Management • Project Management • Supervision

Alumni receive a 15% discount on Business Continuing Education in-class, non-credit courses

To register, or for more information on our courses and the alumni discount: Call 780-497-5207

School of Business Continuing Education and Corporate Learning

MacEwan.ca/Business/CE

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MARKETING

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do you notice the numbers on the scale

creeping up when the snow starts to

fly? If so, you are not alone. On average,

surveys show that adults can pack on four

to seven pounds during the winter months.

Why? Because when temperatures drop,

we tend to stay inside and are more likely

to reach for those comfort foods like egg

nog, seasonal treats and mac and cheese.

So the good news about winter weight gain

is that reduced exercise and increased

eating are two factors we can change.

This year, try a different approach: make

it your best winter ever by embracing the

season and enjoying the outdoors. There

are plenty of activities that are fun, chal-

lenging and big calorie burners. So put

down the fork, bundle up and head outside

to try the six winter activities that burn the

most calories.

six winter activities that burn the most calories.

(Note: Calculations are done for an individual weighing 150 pounds. Calories burned may be more or less depending on weight and fitness level.)

snowman building

When’s the last time you built a snowman?

Get some exercise while having fun. Grab

your kids, friends or coworkers on a sunny

winter day, build a snowman and burn

349 calories an hour. But why stop at

one? Build many! Maybe you can create a

masterpiece that rivals Calvin and Hobbes’.

snow shovelling

Shovelling snow may be a mundane task,

but it’s a great aerobic exercise that works

your arms, back, legs and core. Getting

out and clearing the driveway will burn off

408 calories per hour. Shovel your neigh-

bour’s driveway for an extra calorie burn

and get in your good deed for the day.

sledding

Sledding combines a great workout with

some winter fun. Sure, going down a hill is

effortless, but getting up the hill is where

you will get your workout in. Sledding is

great for leg muscles and burns an impres-

sive 478 calories an hour. Don't forget to

take the kids!

snowshoeing

Find a pair of snowshoes and get walking,

running or hiking. Snowshoeing allows

you to enjoy the winter scenery while

getting in a challenging workout. One

hour of snowshoeing can burn more than

500 calories.

ice skating

Ice skating is one winter sport that you can

do indoors or outdoors. It's a great aerobic

workout that burns up to 543 calories per

hour and helps strengthen your core as

you try to balance on the thin blades. Got

a competitive side? Burn even more by

grabbing a hockey stick and playing a little

shinny at the local outdoor rink.

cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing works every major

part of your body, including shoulders,

arms, back, chest, abs and legs. It can be

enjoyed in numerous parks, and best of all,

cross-country skiing knocks out around

550 to 650 calories per hour.

So the next time the snow flies, get active

outdoors, burn calories and fight off winter

weight gain!

For more fitness and nutrition articles,

swim workouts and sample exercises,

visit our blog:

sites.macewan.ca/sportandwellness

Anita De Boer holds a Bachelor of

Physical Education degree from the

University of Alberta and is certified

with the Canadian Society for Exercise

Physiology. As a member of MacEwan

University’s Sport and Wellness team,

she specializes in working with people

with specific health conditions and those

recovering from injury, as well as begin-

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FITNESSFEATURESIx WAYS TO FIGHT OFF WINTER WEIGHT GAIN

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C I T Y C E N T R E C A M P U SG Y M

Social Work, ‘91 These ladies pictured above graduated from

the evening Social Work program and have

continued to meet and correspond with each

other for over 23 years, creating an everlasting

friendship.

Back row, left to right

florence mills After graduation Florence

worked at A Safe Place and then the Family

Centre until she retired. She continues doing

mission work with her church and volunteers

in the community.

have news to share? Let your classmates know what you have been

up to by sharing your stories and successes

in the CLASSifieds. Submissions can be sent

by email to [email protected] or by

mail to:

Alumni Relations and Services,

MacEwan University, PO Box 1726,

Edmonton, AB T5J 2P2

High-resolution photos are welcome and will

be used when space permits. We reserve the

right to edit submissions for content, length

and clarity.

glenys mcmillan Glenys worked at the

Family Centre until her mid-60s and then

with Child and Family Services. She retired

in 2002 and moved to Vancouver, B.C. to be

with her family.

maxine haining Maxine worked for Alberta

Social Services for 23 years, consulting with

families or social workers for Services to

Children with Disabilities/Child Welfare and

Services to Persons with Disabilities in the

transitional process. She retired in 2005 and

moved to Ottawa.

judy buck After graduation Judy worked for

Decsa and then ABC Headstart. She retired last

year and now volunteers in her community.

helen damer Helen worked for the Family

Centre while going to school and continued

there until she retired. Sadly, she passed away

in 2009.

alice rachinsky Alice is the executive

director at Uncles and Aunts at Large and has

been there for over 30 years.

sister celerina estacio After a long battle

with cancer, Sister Celerina passed away this

year at the age of 58. She spent 28 years in reli-

gious life and after graduation worked in child

welfare before returning to the Philippines in

2001 where she served the poor for 10 years

with the Sisters of Providence. She returned

to Edmonton in 2011 and worked at Wings of

Providence. Sister Celerina always put others

before herself and will be greatly missed.

jan neuman Jan spent 18 years with

Canadian Mental Health, and now works in

private practice providing community-based

psychosocial rehab. She also works at the

Edmonton Remand Centre in addictions and

mental health.

Front row, left to right

lorraine chaput Lorraine was the execu-

tive director at Our House Addiction Recovery

Centre for over 15 years before moving over to

Uncles and Aunts at Large where she retired in

2013. Lorraine continues to be involved in her

community.

heather dale Heather currently works in

human services with the Alberta Government.

After graduating, she worked in Lac La Biche as

an outreach worker, and the Family Centre.

melissa cuerrier (Theatre Production, ‘01)

Melissa has come full circle. After graduating

from the Theatre Production program, she

went on to complete a BFA in Theatre Design

(with distinction) and an MA in Drama from the

University of Alberta. Being both a designer

and technician has greatly influenced her work,

both scenographically and academically. The

skills and work ethic she gained at MacEwan

have supported Melissa throughout her career.

This past May she returned to MacEwan as the

of chair of the Theatre Production program.

andriana bohonos (Design Studies, ‘07)

In July Andriana’s print piece appeared in

Cake & Whiskey: The Sweet & Spirited World

of Business magazine as part of an article about

colour palettes for interior spaces.

taylor lamoureux (Bachelor of Commerce, International Business, ‘13) Taylor was recently accepted into the Master

of Global Business program at the University

of Victoria where he will join students studying

in Victoria, Taiwan and Austria. Upon comple-

tion, Taylor will be required to complete an

international internship.

M31


Do you have a talent for photography? Show us your skills. The alumnus who submits the published photo will receive a $100 gift certificate for any campus mstore. Photographs can be submitted to [email protected]

For more details visit MacEwan.ca/Alumni.

Out of university.Into the community.


Our grads aspire and, in turn, inspire.

MacEwan.ca/Alumni

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