Mr. McDonald, who received both his Arts and Education degrees from BU, is a retired financial advisor, former school teacher and military officer. He has served in a number of volunteer capacities with the University: member of the fundraising team which raised more than $8 million dollars for BU between 2004 and 2007; Board member of the Brandon University Foundation and current volunteer for the BUILD Campaign. He and his wife Verda have also provided generous financial support to Brandon University.

Dr. Jeff Bales is a partner in Smiles Specialty Centre with his wife Dr. Trudy Corbett. His involvement with Brandon University Foundation has been considerable: member of the board from 2004 until 2011, during which he was active in raising more than $8 Million for Brandon University; Foundation President in 2007 and 2008. In addition, Drs. Bales and Corbett have been on-going, gracious supporters of the University.

Mr. Nathan Peto, BU Foundation President, says both gentlemen are well-deserving of the awards. “Dick is one of the most devoted University fundraisers that I have ever met. Jeff’s commitment is also second-to-none. The Foundation would be hard-pressed to find two more worthy recipients.”

Media are welcome to attend although the luncheon is by invitation only to the more than 150 new and existing ‘Order of the Sheaf’ members being recognized for their contributions to Brandon University.

Organized in a collaboration between Indigenous Peoples Centre and the Brandon University Aboriginal Student Council, with the support of campus and community partners.  <INSERT QUOTE?>

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

Program

5:30 pm – Doors Open

6:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies

• Opening Prayer with Elder Frank Tacan
• Greetings from BU President and Vice-Chancellor, President Dr. Deborah C. Poff

6:15 pm – Grand Entry

• Drum Honour Song for the Aboriginal Students
• Metis Honour Song by Stephen DeMontingy
• Graduates Recognition
• Friendship Dance
• Regular Songs
• Potato Dance and Jigging
• Closing Prayer with Elder Frank Tacan

Snacks to follow

BU’s Rural Development Institute (RDI) has released two reports examining both the geography of where people live and work and the indicators of strong rural municipalities. The reports, funded by the Province of Manitoba, are intended to inform discussion about rural amalgamations as proposed in the government’s Bill 33.

“Using census data, we identified 18 self-contained labour areas within the province and the municipalities within those geographical regions,” says RDI Director Dr. Bill Ashton, who has been involved in rural amalgamations in Alberta and New Brunswick. “We have determined that strong municipalities positioned for capacity and growth should meet two key baseline thresholds: population of 3,000 or more and tax base of $130 million or more.”

“Our research,” says Dr. Ashton, “indicates that strong rural municipalities are not islands but rather engines of growth and economic development.

The reports are available at http://www.brandonu.ca/rdi/publications/rural-adaptation-and-change/.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. RDI functions as a not-for-profit research and development organization designed to promote, facilitate, coordinate, initiate and conduct multi-disciplinary academic and applied research on rural issues.

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Members of the public can get help with plant, tree and lawn problems from BU experts. You can submit questions via email, online, or during the weekly horticultural hotline radio program broadcast on 880 CKLQ each Tuesday from 9-10 am. Digital photos are also welcomed, and have become an important diagnostic tool.

“This is the only horticultural extension service still available to Manitoba residents,” says Dr. Bill Paton, professor of Biology and director of the program since it started in 1976. “We look forward to another season of serving people in this province and Saskatchewan, too.”

Through the years, the BU Horticultural Hotline has been on the leading edge of discovery. Paton says new varieties of weeds, diseases and insects have been brought to their attention, which sparked further scientific study and, in some cases, immediate action. “Our program discovered that Dutch Elm Disease had moved into Manitoba in the mid-1970s,” he says.

Email questions and photos to the BU Horticultural Hotline at hortline@brandonu.ca. Or, talk with the experts during the open-line radio program on 880 CKLQ Tuesdays from 9-10 am by calling 204-725-2525 or toll free at 1-888-221-0880. You can also listen online and submit questions at www.cklq-com

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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Brandon University professor Dennis Oleson was recognized for 45 years of service in the department of psychology on Wednesday. Oleson was responsible for all statistics and research methodology courses, many of which he designed, at BU.

The department of psychology professor was awarded for 45 years of service Wednesday as BU and its board of governors recognized him along with other long-service and soon-to-be-retired employees. This year marked the first time the university has honoured an employee with this many years of service.

“This is the first time we’ve had to design a pin for someone with 45 years of service for the past 20 years we’ve been hosting this event,” Kristen Fisher, administration officer in the office of BU president Deborah Poff, said. “Unfortunately we don’t have the pin here today, but we hope to be able to present it to him by Friday.”

The event, hosted inside the Lorne Watson Recital Hall at BU, is one of importance every year, Fisher said.

“These are the people who are here everyday for the students, so it’s important that they be recognized for their many years of dedicated service.”

Oleson came to BU in 1968. In addition to serving as chair of the department of psychology for more than a decade, he was also responsible for all statistics and methodology courses, most of which he designed himself.

One of the biggest changes he’s noticed is how BU has grown over the years, he said.

“It’s developed quite a bit since 1968,” he said. “Aside from getting bigger and better, it’s gotten better in the sense that it’s more diverse, we’ve got students from all over the place now which wasn’t quite the case in 1968.”

But with getting bigger, Oleson admits it’s lost a “certain personal touch” that he remembers once existed.

“There’s been lots of change, mostly for the better and it will continue to change and continue to get better,” he said. “What people have to realize is a university is a living, growing thing.

“Students will keep coming so long as we have something for them to come here for.”

In the classroom, Oleson taught students over the years how to think like a psychologist and how to approach problem- solving systematically using the scientific method. Through his teachings, psychology majors learned how to identify and understand internally valid research. Along with his course load, he also served on a number of university committees and played an active role in the formation, certification and ongoing executive functioning of the BU faculty association.

But his 45 years of service weren’t all about work — with his retirement fast approaching, he will also be leaving the university with many good memories.

“Between the students and dealing with faculty members it’s been fun all around,” he said. “I’ve got some qualms about leaving the place I’ve been here so long, but new things will happen and I won’t loose touch with Brandon University. I’ve got too many friends here that will certainly outlast me.”

He adds that having BU in the Wheat City has really added something special to the community.

“Brandon as a city is very lucky to have a university like Brandon University here, even just this building (Lorne Watson Recital Hall) is something that people in Brandon should be coming to see in terms of the musical things that are put on here.”

As for his plans when he’s off the BU payroll as of Sept. 1, he said he’s looking forward to his retirement.

“I’m just going to retire, no more plans, 45 years of planning is long enough.”

» lenns@brandonsun.com

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition May 9, 2013

Dr. Heather Duncan obtained her Masters of Education at BU and PhD in Education Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Currently, Dr. Duncan is Associate Professor and Educational Leadership Program Coordinator at the University of Wyoming. She is also editor of the “Rural Educator” journal.

BU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Poff says, “Heather’s experience with rural leadership and emerging educational development, coupled with her familiarity of Brandon University and the surrounding community, will be invaluable in shaping our education programming.”

Dr. Duncan has teaching and leadership experience in Manitoba, the US and Scotland at the grade school and university levels, and awards including the Governor General of Canada Gold Medal, Brandon University Gold Medal, and University of Wyoming Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award.

“Education is my passion,” says Dr. Duncan, “and I welcome this opportunity to help take BU’s strong undergraduate and Master of Education programming to the next level.”

Dr. Duncan begins a five-year term as Dean, Faculty of Education, on July 1^st, 2013.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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The annual Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) conference drew approximately six dozen participants from universities, colleges and technical institutes across Canada. BU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah Poff says the gathering featured exceptional content.

“I have attended SWAAC conferences since the first in 1987,” says Dr. Poff, “and the speakers and panel discussions in Brandon have been among the strongest ever.”

Keynote speaker Amanda Lindhout detailed her horrific capture and 15-month long confinement in war-torn Somalia. Lindhout was a freelance journalist when kidnapped for ransom in August 2008. Upon her release, Lindhout established the Global Enhancement Foundation, a charity which has raised millions of dollars for programming primarily for women in Africa.

Other speakers included Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Karen DeYoung, ethics writer Dr. Joanne Ciulla and Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, President of Mount Saint Vincent University.

SWAAC provides a forum and a collective voice for women in senior administrative ranks in Canada’s academic institutions.  Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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John Jackson investigated the experiences of registered psychiatric nurses working in Manitoba, writing a study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

“I feel this is ground-breaking research,” says Jackson, who has just completed his third year in BU’s Psychiatric Nursing program. “There is a lot of existing research in specific areas of psychiatric nursing including children and the elderly but very little about the challenges facing nurses themselves.”

Jackson initiated the research, partnering with Dr. Patrick Morrissette, professor of Psychiatric Nursing at BU to co-author the article. Dr. Morrissette says he does not know of another undergraduate student within the program who has conducted and published research as the principal author.

“John saw a need and carried through,” says Dr. Morrissette. “He has shown that important research can be conducted at the undergraduate level at small teaching-oriented institutions such as ours.”

Jackson is presenting his findings this weekend in Winnipeg, MB at the World Congress of Psychiatric Nurses. View the full journal article at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpm.12064/full.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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The Henry Champ Gymnasium, first opened in 1965, has been home to four Canadian university national championship teams. The gym has undergone a year-long refurbishing as part of BU’s Healthy Living Centre development. Updates include a refinished hardwood floor, all new paint including the classic Brandon University Bobcats logo on a feature wall, a refurbished stage and mezzanine featuring configurable space for meetings or sports plus a new judge’s booth overlooking the gym.

Henry Champ was BU Chancellor 2008-2012, a lifelong sports enthusiast and dedicated BU Bobcats fan.

“During his student days at Brandon University, Henry was a remarkable athlete and passionate supporter,” says BU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Poff. “He stayed connected to BU sports through his entire life and recruited top athletes to campus. Our University is a better place because of Henry Champ’s dedication and commitment.”

A native of Hartney, MB, Henry attended BU in 1957 and 1958. He would travel the world through the next five decades; one of the world’s top foreign correspondents reporting from places including El Salvador, Nicaragua, Chile, the Middle East, Vietnam and Washington, DC.

The dedication ceremony is open to all and starts at 3:00 pm in the Henry Champ Gymnasium, Healthy Living Centre, 2010 Louis Avenue, Brandon MB.

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Robertson is one of the most trusted faces in TV news, spending 35 years as Chief Anchor and Senior Editor of the country’s most-watched national newscast, CTV National News. A broadcaster since 1952, Robertson is a three-time Gemini award winner, and member of both the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.

“Lloyd’s efforts as a journalist and communicator have made Canada a better place,” says BU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah Poff. “We applaud his career, his contributions and his national pride.”

In addition to television work, Robertson was honourary chairperson of the Terry Fox Run. In 2006, he received an honourary degree from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.

Robertson will receive his BU degree next month, along with 600 BU graduating students.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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