posted January 16, 2012

BRANDON, MB — Today in Thompson, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University, Dr. Deborah C. Poff met Lovro Paulic, the General Manager of Vale’s Manitoba Operations to accept the company’s donation of $400,000 in support of the Vital Outcomes Indicators for Community Engagement for Children and Youth (VOICE) project. Brandon University is supported in this project through a $1 million-dollar peer-reviewed research grant from the Government of Canada, through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Community-University Research Alliances Program (SSHRC CURA). The University College of the North will share in the award and actively participate in the research activities. The project will also include individuals from Frontier School Divisions, Kelsey School Division and the School District of Mystery Lake.

“This generous donation from Vale will help bring researchers and community-partners closer and make a positive impact in the lives of First Nations and Métis children and youth living in Northern Manitoba,” said Dr. Poff. “We are very grateful for Vale’s interest and financial commitment to this important collaborative venture in research and capacity-building.”

The research activities will be aimed at helping First Nations and Métis children and youth achieve educational and career success.

“The extent of our partnerships such as the contribution from Vale is evidence of the commitment that we all have to building success for our children and youth,” said Dr. Karen Rempel, one of the main investigators in this project. “Our research partnership will build local capacity for community-based skills to use research. The project will also help our Faculty of Education programs adjust to better meet the learning needs of today’s children and youth. The project is a tremendous opportunity to make a difference.”

This project is receiving support from Vale’s top Canadian leadership. According to John Pollesel, Chief Operating Officer for Vale in Canada: “Vale is very proud to support the VOICE project and to stand alongside the project’s many forward-looking sponsors. We believe that every Canadian student deserves a high-quality, inspired education so they can achieve personal and professional success, and Vale is honoured to be part of a project that will see this vision become a reality, especially for Canada’s First Nations and Métis youth.”

Vale is a global mining pioneer that discovers and transforms the minerals that are essential ingredients in the products people use every day. Vale is the world’s second largest producer of nickel, with these operations based primarily in Canada. Canadian operations also produce copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, gold and silver. In Sudbury, Ontario and Thompson, Manitoba, Vale operates mine, mill, smelter and refinery operations; in Voisey’s Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador Vale’s assets include mine and mill operations. Vale employs about 6,000 people in Canada.

The presentation was a special one for Sheryl Moose and her father Patrick Moose. Sheryl, who is originally from Thompson, accepted Vale’s contribution on behalf of Brandon University. Her father, a 31-year employee of Vale Mining, presented Vale’s donation to his daughter.

“I am very excited and grateful to be part of such a wonderful study, said Sheryl Moose, a teacher who is a current graduate student at Brandon University and research assistant on the project. “The VOICE project focuses on Aboriginal student and youth success, particularly educational achievement. This success is really important for communities. The VOICE researchers are people who are dedicated to working with communities for our children and youth. Thank you so much for your donation, Vale. We know we can make a difference for all Aboriginal students and communities in the North.”

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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
villeneuvej@brandonu.ca
http://www.brandonu.ca

BRANDON, MB — Brandon University student Jesse Plessis has won the 2012 Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region Emerging Composers Competition. His latest work for orchestra, Tender is the Night, is an elegy for a recently closed-down pub that he frequented during his undergraduate studies.

“I think this competition is a wonderful way to get young composers interested in writing for orchestra, and that the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will advocate for the winner of this competition by performing their work is just thrilling,” said Plessis.

In fact, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will premiere his work during the Winnipeg Symphony New Music Festival on January 30, 2012 at 8 p.m. in the Centennial Concert Hall. As an additional part of the competition’s prize, Plessis was awarded a two-week residency at the Banff Centre.

“The School of Music salutes and takes great pride in Jessie for this wonderful accomplishment,” said Dr. Michael Kim, the Dean of the School of Music. “Our students and alumni continue to distinguish themselves nationally and internationally as educators, scholars, and performers of great distinction.”

The young award-winning composer is currently working towards a Master of Music degree in piano performance with Megumi Masaki at Brandon University.

“Jesse Plessis is one of the most talented students I have worked with,” said Masaki. “Jesse is a complete artist: A thoughtful and expressive pianist, a sensitive collaborator, a conductor who commands respect to lead students and faculty, and a composer who weaves and communicates his experiences and imagination into new musical works. I congratulate Jesse on his well deserved recognition!”

As well, his arrangement of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the seminal album by The Beatles, received an acclaimed premiere in August 2011. He has been featured in concert programs at the Casalmaggiore Festival in Italy, as a guest artist with the Lethbridge Symphony, the Musaeus String Quartet, the Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, the International Piano Ensemble, and he has worked with composers John Corigliano and Marcel Bergmann. In May 2011, Plessis was a prizewinner of the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg Scholarship Competition. He is also active as a conductor and his compositions have been performed in Canada, Europe, and broadcast on CBC Radio.

“Since I began studying at the Brandon University School of Music, I have had some of the most incredible musical experiences of my entire life,” said Plessis. “This is in part due to the small class sizes, which renders the professors extremely accessible to the student body. The school also fosters a particularly strong coterie among music students, so that we are always collaborating and encouraging each other to play better, and to go farther in our music-making.”
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762

http://www.brandonu.ca

Brandon, MB — Today, Brandon University’s Senate met to establish the policies that will guide the return to classes for BU students. The Senate, comprised of students, faculty and administration, has approved a policy that will see both terms completed by the end of April.

“Our first term classes will end January 24th, followed by an examination period and second term courses will begin January 31st. Senators are working together to make the compromises we need to implement an academically sound plan. We need to thank students and faculty in advance for their work to accommodate the changes required.” said Dr. Scott Grills, Vice-President (Academic and Provost).

The overall intent of these policies is to respond to the recent strike in such a way that the impact on students and their learning is lessened. The Senate addressed a number of concerns including: new dates for voluntary withdrawal from courses, a modified examination schedule and the unique needs of students in professional programs.

Visit the main page at brandonu.ca for the specific details of the new policies.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762

http://www.brandonu.ca

Topic: MIXED METHODOLOGIES IN ACTION RESEARCH

Brandon, MB — Dr. Charles Conteh, a Brock University Assistant Professor who specializes in Public Policy and related issues, will give a lecture entitled “Managing Canada’s Rural Regions in a Knowledge-Based Economy: The Cases of New Brunswick and Manitoba.”

Hosted by the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University, Dr. Conteh will present his findings about rural economic development policy governance in Canada in the context of a globally integrated economy and the attendant structural shifts in industrialized economies.

Alongside globalization, there has also been a trend towards institutional decentralization in Canada and other industrialized countries as various sub-national regions employ disparate means for adapting to the threats and opportunities of global economic change. The cases of New Brunswick and Manitoba over the past two decades illustrate some of the complexities and challenges of rural economic development policy governance as non-metropolitan regions struggle to carve their niche in the global economy.

The public is welcome to this lecture, which will take place at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, July 14, in the Louis Riel Dining Room, at Brandon University. Please contact the RDI office, during business hours, by Monday, July 11 to RSVP attendance.

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For more information or to register, please contact:

Bev Lischka

Rural Development Institute

Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB  R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-571-8515

rdi@brandonu.ca
http://www.brandonu.ca

Brandon, MB — The Rural Development Institute (RDI) has once again received financial support from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI.) On hand to sign the agreement were Drew Caldwell, MLA for Brandon East, Dr. Deborah Poff, President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University and Dr. William Ashton, Director of RDI. This five-year financial support of $545,000  from the province will help sustain Brandon University-based, RDI-driven research efforts.

“This five-year commitment to RDI’s funding from the provincial government provides necessary resources for the Institute to continue in its important work,” said Dr. Deborah C. Poff, President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University. “RDI leads and informs rural and community knowledge creation and application in Manitoba and with these new resources, it will bring its significant expertise to the ongoing needs of rural Manitobans.”

This funding and renewed partnership will enable RDI researchers to continue their work. As well, hands-on learning experiences and working opportunities for students within RDI projects will still be available. The research in turn is beneficial for MAFRI, rural communities and the province as a whole. RDI‘s main goal is to help strengthen rural and northern communities through research and the sharing of information pertaining to issues relevant to those particular communities.

“RDI is nationally recognized as a centre of knowledge and applied research in the area of rural community development unparalleled in Western Canada,” wrote Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers in a communiqué about this agreement. “Research undertaken at RDI on immigration, youth migration and community foundations among many other areas helps inform decision-making on rural policy and initiatives.”

In his comments to the assembled crowd, Drew Caldwell, who represented Minister Struthers at the event, expressed the underlying reason for this funding: Research is key to the future of rural Manitoba.

“Our government is committed to continuing to support tomorrow’s rural leaders to ensure a strong future for Manitoba’s rural communities,” Calwell said.

This renewed commitment from the province will allow Dr. Ashton and his colleagues to develop long-range plans for the Institute along with maintaining research activities.

“Of highest importance, this means we can continue to support our students in their thesis development and their research. It means that we can reach into communities, coupled with faculty members, to identify problems and solutions, in Manitoba and across Canada,” Ashton said. “This also means that we can continue to distribute our information on the web, worldwide. That dissemination of knowledge is critical.”

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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762

http://www.brandonu.ca

Brandon, MB — During the 100th Convocation at Brandon University, four outstanding Canadians — Ambassador Gary Doer, Dr. Ray Bollman, Dr. Buffy Sainte-Marie and Heather Bishop — will be acknowledged for their efforts and accomplishments, each receiving an honorary doctorate.

Each convocation ceremony will feature a valedictorian — Chris Pugh (B.Sc. Hons.) on Friday morning, Sara Delisle (B.A. Hons.) on Friday afternoon, Suzu Enns (B.Mus. Perf.) on Saturday morning and Timothy Pedden (B.A./B.Ed. A.D.) on Saturday afternoon.

As well, a number of awards will be presented to faculty members, distinguished teachers and members of the broader community.

Honorary Doctorate Recipients:

• Ambassador Gary Doer — Doctor of Laws (honoris causa): Manitoba’s former Premier, Gary Doer, assumed his responsibilities as Canada’s 23rd Ambassador to the United States of America in October 2009. Ambassador Doer, who hails from Winnipeg, won three consecutive elections as Premier of Manitoba with successive increased majorities. His government introduced balanced budgets during each of his ten years in office while reducing many taxes. In 2005, he was named by Business Week magazine as one of the top 20 international leaders on climate change.

• Dr. Ray Bollman — Doctor of Literature (honoris causa): A former Stanley Knowles Visiting Professor at Brandon University, Dr. Bollman is an agricultural economist and the Chief of the Rural Research Group with Statistics Canada. He has served as President of the Canadian Association of Rural Studies, President of the Canadian Agricultural Economic Society, and as a member of the founding committee of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation. A prolific writer, he has edited a range of documents, including Statistics Canada’s Rural and Small Town Canada Analysis Bulletins.

• Dr. Buffy Sainte-Marie — Doctor of Music (honoris causa): A prolific and successful singer/songwriter, entertainer, activist and humanitarian, Buffy Sainte-Marie has created 17 albums, collaborated on Sesame Street, scored movies, earned a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, taught Digital Music at several colleges, and won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award Oscar. Her concern for protecting indigenous intellectual property and her opposition of the exploitation of Native American artists and performers have kept her in the forefront of activism in the arts for four decades.

• Heather Bishop — Doctor of Laws (honoris causa): Musician, singer/songwriter, social activist, keynote speaker, visual artist, author and tradeswoman, Ms Bishop has released 14 acclaimed folk and children’s albums. She is a recipient of both the Order of Manitoba (2001) and the Order of Canada (2005). Her most recent CD, released in the spring of 2009, is entitled my face is a map of my time here. Highly admired for her social activism, she has championed feminism and the environment, speaking out against racism, homophobia and discrimination of any kind.

Valedictorians:

• Christopher Pugh: Born and raised in Brandon, Christopher Pugh graduated from Vincent Massey High School, where he distinguished himself in the Grade 12 provincial exams, scoring top marks in physics, chemistry, biology and math. In 2007, he entered Brandon University and is now graduating with an Honours Degree in Science with a major in Physics and a double minor in Mathematics and Computer Science. While at BU, Christopher helped create the Brandon University Physics and Astronomy Club and is proud to be number one on the SUDS Wall of Fame. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus having recently received his fourth degree. After offers from several institutions including Cambridge University, he has chosen to attend the University of Waterloo in the fall to pursue a Master of Science in Quantum Information.

• Sarah Delisle: After completing a BA in History at Concordia University and then realizing history was more of a passion than a potential profession, Sarah moved to Brandon to pursue Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies. After three years of learning about natural hazards, social vulnerability and sustainable mitigation, she is graduating again and already planning on heading back to class. In the fall, Sarah will be starting her Master’s degree in Geography at McGill University where she will be looking at issues around climate change adaptation and food security in Southeast Asia. Sarah hopes to become a professor in the future.

• Suzu Enns: During her undergraduate years, Suzu performed in the Winnipeg New Music Festival, Brandon University New Music Festival and Brandon Festival of Arts, as well as with the International Youth Wind Orchestra and Winnipeg Wind Ensemble. A winner of several scholarship, she has been an instructor in the Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory of Music at BU. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Music Performance (Clarinet) Degree. Suzu has been chosen as a finalist in the TD Canada Trust Elora Festival Competition and has also been accepted into the Orford Woodwind Octet Program for summer 2011. In the fall, she will be pursuing graduate studies in Clarinet Performance at the University of Ottawa.

• Timothy Pedden: Tim was born and raised in Portage la Prairie, and after high school, he pursued his studies at Brandon University, graduating with an Honours Degree in Arts in 2006, with a major in History. Although he was accepted into the Faculty of Education at Brandon University in 2007, Tim decided to move with his fiancée, Leia Pfeifer, while she attended the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. In 2009, Tim returned to pursue his studies at the Faculty of Education at Brandon University. Last summer he married Leia and they moved to his hometown. This academic year, Tim was the president of the Education Student Society while maintaining an excellent academic average.

Award Recipients:

• Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Community Service — Darlene Paquette: The Technical Resource Assistant in the School of Health Studies at Brandon University, Ms Paquette garnered a 2010 YWCA Women of Distinction Award for her commitment to the community, to non-profit organizations for the past 30 years and for raising thousands of dollars for various local charities. She is a member of several boards, including the Brandon Friendship Centre Board of Directors, CancerCare Manitoba First Nations and Inuit and Métis Community Partnership Committee. Darlene is celebrating her 42nd year as a cancer survivor and feels blessed with each day. Only recently seeing herself as a social advocate, she is dedicated to improving the lives of others.

• Brandon University Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Teaching — Dr. Patrick Jackson: Originally from Dauphin, Dr. Jackson obtained a diploma in psychiatric nursing in 1971, then graduated from BU with two undergraduate degrees in 1974.  Six years later, he defended his Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology at McMaster University. He became a Brandon University faculty member in Biology in 2004, and chaired the Zoology Department in 2006. He teaches all undergraduate levels and serves on a number of BU committees, such as the Senate Executive, Senate Research, Curriculum and Academic Planning and Animal Care. He has served on decanal search committees as well as departmental and faculty committees. In addition, Dr. Jackson lends his expertise when counselling students, particularly in the biomedical fields.

• President’s Faculty Excellence Award — Dr. Bernadette Ardelli: Graduating with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Parasitology from the University of Guelph in 2000, Dr. Ardelli was a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University before joining the faculty at Brandon University in 2006. Her research has focused on the development of control strategies for infectious diseases that are problems of poor and marginalized populations. In her laboratory, she develops control strategies for infectious diseases and also examines why some strategies fail. She has secured research funds from a number of agencies and this has allowed her to offer research opportunities to both undergraduates and postdoctoral researchers.  In addition to research and teaching, Dr. Ardelli participates on various University committees.

• President’s Faculty Excellence Award — Dr. Kenneth Beesley: Dr. Beesley has spent the last nine years of his three decades of teaching at Brandon University, where his courses focus on sustainability and rural development and related issues. As well, he advises undergraduate and master’s thesis students, serves as the Department’s coordinator of the undergraduate program in Rural and Community Studies, has been the Department’s Chair, and has participated on various committees. He has edited or co-edited several books including The Rural-Urban Fringe in Canada: Conflict and Controversy (2010), in addition to scores of other documents.  He received his Ph.D. (Geography) from the University of Waterloo.

• Senate Lifetime Achievement Award — Alixe Ryles: With a B.A. from Brandon College in hand, Alixe enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1942. Four years later, she attended the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work, and began working with the Children’s Aid Society in Winnipeg.  In 1948, she returned to Brandon and married Thomas Ryles.  She eventually returned to the workforce and became the Regional Director of the Department of Social Services for the Western Manitoba Region.  In the 1970s, she helped develop the Child Related Income Support Program in Winnipeg. Mrs. Ryles retired in 1983, but continues to contribute through volunteer work.

• Senate Lifetime Achievement Award — Dr. Arthur Blue: After serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Dr. Blue studied at the College of Idaho, where he obtained a B.A. in Psychology, followed by a M.S. in Child Psychology at Utah State University, followed by a Ph.D. in the same field from Iowa State University.  A teaching position at the University of Western Ontario first brought him to Canada and this was followed by a position at the University of Saskatchewan and two decades at Brandon University. Dr. Blue, now a professor emeritus, forged and established the Department of Native Studies at BU, the first of its kind in Canada.

• Senate Award for Excellence in Research — Dr. David Greenwood: On faculty at Brandon University since 2004, Dr. Greenwood, who is originally from Australia and holds degrees from the University of Adelaide, is a member of the Department of Biology. His research uses plant fossil records to reconstruct climates of the geological past for periods when a naturally enhanced greenhouse effect caused the world to be significantly warmer than the present day. A prolific writer, editor and speaker, he has supervised or co-supervised five graduate students and three postdoctoral fellows. Dr. Greenwood’s research is supported by grants from several funding agencies.

• Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching — Dr. Shannon Gadbois: It is with genuine enjoyment that Dr. Gadbois interacts with her students in the introductory psychology courses as well as courses in the psychology of sport, human learning, and memory.  With a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Queen’s University to her credit, she is currently conducting a collaborative research project on the relationship between extracurricular activities participation and positive youth development. Dr. Gadbois also conducts research on the relationship between university students’ learning approaches in relation to academic performance as well as on gender issues in academia.

Distinguished Teacher Award Recipients:

• Annette Gross: Born and raised in Brandon, Ms Gross attended Brandon University for her first year, then completed her degrees, B. Hum. Ecol. (Nutrition) and B. Ed. at the University of Manitoba.  For 28 years, she has been a teacher in the Brandon School Division.  During 15 of those years, she was involved in the coaching of volleyball, basketball and soccer. Her curiosity for knowledge has helped her design strategies and activities that put fun and the ‘awe’ back into learning, while challenging her students to become responsible, independent, and active participants in their own education.

• Jim Hartle: Born in Brandon, Mr. Hartle grew up on a farm outside of Rivers, where he completed high school. A Brandon University graduate, he first taught in Lynn Lake, followed by a couple of years in Hartney. In 1984, he returned to Brandon to teach at Vincent Massey High School where he has been ever since. He is currently teaching mathematics with a focus on advanced placement calculus. He loves to perform in front of his captive audience and takes it as a daily challenge to get the students excited about the course material.

• Brooke Hopper: Born and raised in The Pas, Mrs. Hopper is a graduate of Brandon University, who began her teaching career in Norway House. An offer to teach a Grade 8 class within the Kelsey School Division in The Pas followed. She has discovered an affinity with this group of students and feels she can really help guide them in the right direction, instil confidence in themselves and their abilities, encourage pride in their education, and make positive choices.  Mrs. Hopper continues to teach grade 8 at Scott Bateman Middle School, as she has for the past five years.

• Micheline Lafrenière: Raised in Somerset, Mrs. Lafrenère graduated from the Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface. Her teaching career started at the French Immersion school in Powerview, where she taught for 13 years. She then transferred to École Dugald School for one year, before transferring to École Edward Schreyer School in Beauséjour where she has been for the last four years. Her passion is promoting the French language through various activities.  She enjoys coaching volleyball, baseball and badminton.

• Lisa Oliver: After completing science and education studies at Brandon University, Ms Oliver started her teaching career in Dauphin, and is now teaching in Melita. Her teaching career has provided her with many incredible experiences, including travelling with the Deloraine School Club to Europe as well as Turkey and Egypt, and coaching volleyball, track and field, and cross-country running.  As well, she has been a member of a provincial championship volleyball team.

The four convocation ceremonies at Brandon University will take place Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4, at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

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For more information, contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve

Communications

Brandon University

270 – 18th Street

Brandon, MB  R7A 6A9

Tel. 204-727-9762

http://www.brandonu.ca

Brandon University and its Board of Governors invite all Brandon University employees, retirees, and their guests to attend the annual Long Service Recognition Event on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. A reception will begin at 2:30 p.m. and presentations will follow at 3:00 p.m. The event will take place in Clark Hall Room 212.

During the ceremony, BU will be saying farewell to the following employees:

Roderick McGinn, Faculty of Science, 32 years
Tom Mitchell, Library, 30 years
David Paul, Faculty of Education, 29 years
Robert Annis, Rural Development Institute, 28 years
Sharon Springer, Student Services, 24 years
Lorraine Humphries, Physical Plant, 21 years
Renee Will, School of Health Studies, 20 years
Valoree Munro, Campus Manitoba, 13 years
Glen Carruthers, School of Music, 12 years
Barbara-Jean Jackson, School of Health Studies, 11 years
Dolores Samatte, Faculty of Education, 9 years
Linda Gradwell, Information Technology Services, 9 years
Tom Koritar, Physical Plant, 8 years
Karen Nelson, School of Health Studies, 7 years
Kristin Balciunas, Financial & Registration Services, 7 years
Amy Ashcroft, Registrar’s Office, 6 years
Lisa Bridges, Faculty of Education, 5 years
Pin presentations for long service recognition will also be made to the following employees:

Academic and Research:
Linda Burridge, 40 years
Beverley Lischka, 10 years

Administration and Finance:
Deb Berkan, 20 years
Bill Myers, 10 years

Ancillary Services:
Karen Lafournie, 30 years
Laura-Lee Lauder, 25 years

Faculty of Arts:
Beverley Nicholson, 30 years
Morris Mott, 25 years
Fattaneh Zehtab-Jadid, 20 years
Steve Robinson, 15 years
Denis Combet, 10 years

Faculty of Education:
Arnold Novak, 40 years
Steven Dzubinski, 35 years
Sherry Peden, 15 years
Alexa Okrainec, 10 years

Financial & Registration Services:
Erlin Zurawski, 20 years
Jacquie Esplin, 10 years
Karen Stewart, 10 years
Sally Spiss, 10 years

School of Heath Studies:
Renee Will, 20 years
John Simpson, 15 years
Renee Robinson, 15 years

Human Resources:
Debra Murray, 20 years

Information Technology Services:
Tanya Joice, 10 years

Library:
Tom Mitchell, 30 years
Heather Coulter, 25 years
Carol Steele, 10 years

School of Music:
Wayne Bowman, 30 years
Terry Stamper, 25 years
Gregory Gatien, 10 years

Physical Plant:
Warren Wotton, 25 years
Darlene Commer, 20 years
Alice Calvert, 20 years
Keith Parker, 15 years
John Carter-Squire, 10 years
Ginny Goebel, 10 years

Registrar’s Office:
Janet Olmstead Wood, 40 years

Faculty of Science:
Betty Peloquin, 30 years
Gerald Dueck, 30 years
Bruce Forrest, 25 years
Jeffrey Williams, 25 years
Wenonah van Heyst, 10 years

Student Services:
Paul O’Driscoll, 30 years
Anita Allan, 25 years
Douglas Pople, 25 years
Cynthia Klassen, 20 years
In Memoriam:
Peter Giesbrecht, Information Technology Services
For more information, please contact:
Kristen Fisher
President’s Office
Brandon University
204) 727-9714
fisherk@brandonu.ca

“The course work is going to be done online through Moodle (a course management system), and so we wanted the students together to get to know them and for them to know us because so much of being a graduate student is the experience and the working together as peers,” said Dr. W. Dean Care, the Dean of the School of Health Studies at Brandon University. “We wanted to get them off to a good start.”

BU President Dr. Deborah Poff welcomed the students to the campus on Thursday.

“ We’re extremely pleased that we have a full cohort in the first entry class into this exciting, new Master of Psychiatric Nursing,” she said. “The immediate interest and enrolment of qualified candidates from different parts of the country are an indication of how successful this program is going to be.”

Once again, Brandon University has taken the lead and has developed a unique program, following in the footsteps of the University’s introduction of Canada’s first Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing program launched in 1995.

“This is a very exciting time for the School of Health Studies. The program has been in the works for several years. There’s a real need for a Master of Psychiatric Nursing in this country,” said Dr. Care. “These students are the future leaders in this field.”

Upon his arrival at BU in 2008, Dr. Care became involved in talks about the possibility of such a program. At a certain point, it became obvious that an institution, rather than the original consortium-based group, had to take the initiative. Dr. Care pledged that Brandon University would ensure that this program would come to fruition.

Now, these students hail from near and far: A few hail from Brandon and the area, while others live in other provinces or territories. In attendance for the orientation session was Brandon University alumna Candice Waddell. She is currently working as a community psychiatric nurse in Cape Dorset, NU. Waddell not only hopes to be more knowledgeable for her patients through her studies, but also wants to be on the cutting edge in her profession.

“I’m hoping to eventually be a psychiatric nurse practitioner and this is the next step in order to do that,” she said. “My job is very autonomous and that’s another reason why I want to take the Master’s because I’ll have the education then to back the position that I’m doing right now.”

She knows her work is cut out for her, but Waddell is not daunted, especially after having met the other students here the last two days.

“It looks like we’ve got a really good group of people and I think we’ll really be able to support eacher other,” she said.

A psychiatric nurse from Burnaby, BC, Shannon Flannery was thrilled to learn about this opportunity and jumped at the chance to be one of the first to tackle this program.

“We want to advance our profession. We’re all very dedicated to psychiatry and personally, I want to make a difference,” said Flannery, who did her undergrad online and was attracted to this Master program because it also is delivered in this manner. “You can work full time while you’re doing this and get full support online — from instructors or the help desk — and what I’ve seen so far is that the computer system is far superior to what I had before.”
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communication Officer
Brandon University
P: (204) 727-9762
communications@brandonu.ca