macewan university alumni news - spring 2012

Spring 2012

3 CosmetiC approaCh to emotional health

4 one CampUs plan

6 Free thinking grads

11 think loCal, live loCal

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The Future of MacEwan University

MacEwan Alumni News Spring 2012

2 MacEwan News

Front Cover: Concept rendering drawings of macewan University’s one Campus plan

We welcome your

feedback and comments.

All correspondence and inquiries

regarding advertisements and

story ideas should be directed to:

Traci Toshack

Coordinator,

Alumni Relations and Services

[email protected]

780-497-5543

MAILING ADDRESS:


MacEwan University

City Centre Campus

P.O. Box 1796

Edmonton, AB, Canada T5J 2P2

MOVING?

Call us at 780-497-4273

or send us an e-mail at

[email protected]

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Please contact our office at

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MacEwan Alumni News

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IT’S EASY BEING GREEN!

A PERFECT SCORE FROM AN EXCEPTIONAL GRAD

OTTAWA-BASED VIDEOGRAPHER ON FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

the macewan medal of academic excellence

was introduced to commemorate the institution’s

25th anniversary in 1997. one medal is awarded

to a graduate of a certificate, diploma, or

post-diploma certificate program, and one

medal is awarded to a graduate of an applied

degree or baccalaureate degree program

who achieved a ggpa of 3.7 or higher.

It’s not every day that an Office Assistant Certificate graduate comes with a background like Julie Mao.

Julie moved to Canada in 2008 from China after being offered a full assistantship by the Univer-sity of Alberta to pursue a Masters Degree in Linguistics. “Analyzing

Graduating MacEwan University’s Design Studies program in the spring of 2011, Zack Duncan finds himself in the heart of the nation’s capital and opportunity.

Duncan, who majored in Design and Motion Image, now resides in Ottawa working as an ENG camera operator for CTV Morning Live, a four-hour variety morning show that mixes local content with news. After the live show, he gets to shoot a variety of news events in the Ottawa region. “I cover different events in the city, anything from a }scheduled news release to a fire. I’ve also been able to cover for our news editor, gathering video from local and national sources, and given the chance to edit and write as well,” he says.

language data and building data-bases was fun,” says Julie, but it was Julie’s love of the details that took her on a different path.

Having completed her Masters Degree in Science, she headed across the river to MacEwan University and enrolled in the Office Assistant Certificate program.

Duncan credits his MacEwan internship and subsequent summer job with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) for much of his success to date. “Being able to put work experience for a reputable company down on my resume as well as the recommendations I received from my peers at EPS was a big contributor to getting hired out east,” he says. “The technical expertise and confidence I gained from my studies made it an easy adjustment. The fact that my edu-cation prepared me for a wider variety of fields than I origi-nally thought definitely gives me extra pride in what I can do, and appreciation for what I learned at MacEwan.”

With a successful and exciting

“I wanted to make my character-istics of being detailed-oriented and well-organized shine and sparkle” – and that’s what she’s done. Julie was recently hired by MacEwan University’s Office of Communications and Marketing where her administrative skills are praised by her colleagues.

career ahead of him, Duncan is excited for what’s in store next.

“I love what I do. I’m always tak-ing freelance work on the side and would love to become more

involved in the production side of things,” he says. “I really don’t think I’d have the same ability to pursue work without my time at MacEwan.”

Julie received the 2011 MacEwan Medal of Academic Excellence award at this past fall’s Convocation. Julie graduated from the Office Assistant program where she earned a perfect 4.0 graduation grade point average (GGPA).

Award winner Julie Mao

Zack Duncan on set of CTV Morning Live (Ottawa)

www.MacEwan.ca/alumni

3MacEwan News

MAKING FACESHolistic health grad takes cosmetic approach to emotional health

The road to self-discovery is often unpredictable, with many sharp turns, diversions, and detours springing seemingly from out of nowhere. No one understands this more than MacEwan Uni-versity alumna Alanna Chelmick. This graduate of the Holistic Health Practitioner program now works as a makeup artist behind the scenes of some of the nation’s most prestigious events in fashion, music, and entertainment. Though few commonalities leap out between her educational background and present career, Alanna’s path has been illuminated by a consistent desire to help people feel better about themselves. Whether she is touching up Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler’s makeup before a concert, or showcasing the latest trends before the editors of top fashion magazines, Alanna gains great satisfaction in seeing the emotionally transformative power of her work.

Alanna’s educational journey began in 1999 at MacEwan, with the Holistic Health Practitioner program only in its second year. The field takes an interdisciplinary approach to wellness, examining the physical, mental, emotional, and socio-cultural aspects of a patient’s life. Chelmick maintains that this training to look at prob-lems from multiple angles stands as an indispensable skill in her present career.

After graduating from MacE-wan University in 2000, Alanna further explored her interest in hu-

man health and wellness through studying human ecology at the University of Alberta. However, with the financial pressures of student life looming, Chelmick emailed an application to MAC Cosmetics in search of part-time employment. By the time she had graduated from the U of A, her cosmetic career was well under way.

Regarding her relationship with makeup, Alanna states, “I was never really one to wear a lot when I was younger. I was actually a tree planter for a while, so you can imagine I wasn’t really carry-ing makeup with me.” It wasn’t until after her time at MacEwan that Alanna became exposed to the true artistic potential inherent in cosmetics. “I was watching a friend applying her makeup, and I was just fascinated by the texture, the colours, and the overall trans-formative power of it”. This ability of cosmetics to bolster one’s self-esteem really spoke to the holistic healer within Chelmick. Within two years after first starting with MAC, she was already training staff at other stores.

Alanna describes her job as a trainer as being part artist, part educator, and part salesperson. It involves training and develop-ing each artist working in stores under her supervision, teaching communication skills, product knowledge, and improving their technical proficiency. “My job is so wonderfully diverse,” says Chelmick. “On any particular day I could be working in a store, in

a training facility with twenty people, or assisting artists during a trend presentation for major fashion magazine editors.”

This enthusiasm and profi-ciency has served Alanna well. Her talent has taken her all over the country, working with artists at several JUNO Awards as well as with athletes during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. As these musicians and sports heroes accept their accolades, they inadvertently act as canvases, displaying Alanna’s abilities to the world.

However, it is the more intimate moments that Chelmick states are the most rewarding parts of the job, citing an event occurring at the 2011 JUNO Awards. Jazz singer Kellylee Evans came backstage after just hearing she won Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. “She was just so overwhelmed,” says Chelmick.

“So full of joy that she won! And while I fixed her makeup for the photographers, she sang for the whole crew backstage. It’s these moments that really make me love my job.”

Though her career was both satisfying and rewarding, the time for a change had arrived. After seven years of working out of Edmonton, Alanna decided she was ready to take a chance on herself, relocating to Toronto in 2011. The move was a smart one, placing her in the nucleus of Canada’s entertainment and fashion industry, yielding nearly immediate results. While working

during the Toronto International Film Festival, Chelmick made a connection with actress Gabrielle Miller (“Corner Gas”, “Robson Arms”). This working relationship has blossomed, with Alanna now Miller’s personal makeup artist.

Although seemingly light-years removed from either of her previous fields of study, the desire to help others has been

a steadfast companion through-out her career.

“I always thought I’d be doing health promotion differ-ently,” says Chelmick, “but seeing people be inspired, empowered, or even just smile when they see themselves is an amazing feeling.”

Alanna demonstratiing new techniques at a MAC training session.

Above and Below: Alanna at the 2011 International Indian Film Awards in Toronto.


4 MacEwan News

MACEWAN’S ONE CAMPUS PLANPlaying a part in Edmonton’s downtown revitilization

The MacEwan Single Sustainable Campus Project is a vision for a new, efficient, vibrant, integrated, downtown campus. This vision will allow MacEwan to continue to grow and develop as an outstanding undergraduate university support-ing a student population of 17,000 students by the year 2030. By consolidating campuses – MacEwan South Campus and

the Centre for the Arts and Communications Campus – to the City Centre Campus in the downtown core, MacEwan’s space and resource utilizations will be optimized, students’ learning experiences enhanced, and future unified growth facilitated. The consoli-dation project will be beneficial, in that it will meet MacEwan’s growth expectations, both in

terms of programs and number of students, as well as to respond to opportunities that are available with a single, sustainable campus model.

Consolidating provides equi-table learning conditions for MacE-wan’s students. With all campuses in one central area, students have access to residences, food services, library, fitness/wellness facilities, and technology

which at the end of the day im-proves student satisfaction on cam-pus. The consolidation progress has already begun with the move into the new University Service Centre (USC) which provides a new, state-of-the-art home for over 200 administration and support staff.

The next step is the relocation of the Centre for the Arts and Communications Campus onto the City Centre site. Currently in the planning and design stage, the new Centre for the Arts and Communication campus is on track to break ground in 2013. This new academic building will provide music recital, theatre and gallery space for MacEwan’s arts programs along with multi-pur-pose spaces for students. MacEwan University is optimistic that the existing west-end campus and south-side campus will

be sold this year which will pro-vide funds for the estimated $90 million dollar building.

Approved in July 2010 by Edmonton’s City Council, the new Capital City Downtown Plan outlines strategies that are directly aligned with the goals of MacEwan’s downtown consolidation. Specifically, the Downtown Plan has listed MacEwan’s expansion as one of the four concurrent catalyst projects that will contribute to a revitalized downtown. MacEwan’s City Centre Campus is considered to be part of the area called the “Warehouse Cam-pus Neighborhood”, and is further identified as its own sub-area within that neighbourhood. When the campus Consolidation Project master plan was first

“Consolidation of our campuses will substantially enhance the level and

quality of the student experience at macewan, and will be a major addition

to edmonton’s ambitions for downtown revitalization.”

– dr. david atkinson,

president, macewan University

Concept rendering drawings of MacEwan University’s One Campus plan.


5MacEwan News

initiated, a great deal of impor-tance was placed on the arrival of a new LRT station at 105th Avenue and 105th Street (MacEwan Station). Last year, the City of Edmonton approved a new West LRT line. Although the final route and station layouts have not been finalized, the plans are currently showing two new stations near City Centre Campus - one at 112 Street and 104th Avenue, and the second near 107th Street (exact location yet to be deter-mined). Effectively, the City Centre Campus would be served by two LRT lines in the future and would be bookended with a station on either end.

In recent months, there have

been two other initiatives that are promoting revitalization in the downtown area, in particular the 104th Avenue corridor, a new arena for the Edmonton Oilers and a new location for the Royal Alberta Museum. These projects will help add density to Edmon-ton’s downtown core and will further enhance the development opportunities in the area. As such, MacEwan’s plan to consolidate, and increase the student population at the city’s core is well-timed with these initiatives. In particular, a key driver of moving the Centre for the Arts and Communications Campus from its Jasper Place location to downtown was to integrate MacEwan’s Fine Arts

& Communications programs into the growing arts and entertainment district along 104th Avenue. Again, this direction is consistent with the principle outlined in the Capital City Downtown Plan, of growing the status of creative arts, entertainment and culture downtown.

This is a very exciting time at MacEwan University as we embark on creating a single sus-tainable campus and Edmonton’s downtown university. The future starts now.

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6 Arts

Nestled just west of the City Centre MacEwan University campus are the offices of FREE, a full-service advertising agency that has been making some serious waves in the marketing world. Beyond their front door lies an environment that is simply buzzing with artistic energy. Having just rebranded as of December 2011, this team of enthusiastic individuals consistently fuses imagination and insight to launch successful campaigns for a wide range of clients.

Close proximity is only one of many connections FREE has with MacEwan. For one, nearly half of the entire staff consists of former MacEwan students, with all but one of the designers within the creative de-partment being alumni. This extraordinary association wasn’t discovered until after MacEwan’s Alumni Relations and Services department had already chosen to hire FREE to design this publication. Not only does this mean that M is an alumni magazine designed by alumni, it showcases the ability of MacEwan graduates to stand out in the professional world.

Quite astonishingly, the MacEwan affili-ation does not end there. Though originally from Quebec, art director Valéry Goulet

now doubles as an instructor at MacEwan, teaching design advertising and illustration techniques at MacEwan’s Centre for the Arts and Communications Campus. Her talents are not only a key contributor to FREE’s suc-cess; they are also responsible for the crafty illustrations that adorn this feature.

Part of what sets FREE apart from other agencies would be the seemingly unbridled energy and enthusiasm they share for the quality and effectiveness of their work. Much of this can be attributed to the youth of the staff, which has an upper limit of a mere 34 years of age. According to account manager Danny Israel, himself a former MacEwan student, sharing close quar-ters with MacEwan University has been a blessing. “MacEwan is just so conveniently close,” remarks Israel. “It’s great that we are both within arm’s reach of the city’s creative district, which benefits both us and the graduates we hire.”

FREE first entered the world officially on December 1st, 2011. Formerly McRobbie Optamedia, this company scoured their brains for nearly six months to find a name that truly encapsulated what they were. “It was kind of comical,” laughs Israel. “Our careers involve finding ways to help clients

identify themselves, yet it took us so long.” The word “free” has been recognized as having an unparalleled quality for grabbing attention. For this agency, the fit couldn’t have been better.

On November 30th, 2011, the power of their new moniker was revealed with “The FREE Store;” a pop-up shop that gave every customer one free item. The concept gener-ated a whirlwind of activity on social media forums leading up to the launch, resulting in the store being cleaned out in less than two hours. This exceptional event received coverage on every local news network, a feat never accomplished before in the Edmonton advertising world.

When asked about other success-ful accounts, Israel shows just as much delight when describing smaller projects as he does those of massive corporations.

“We can work with basically any budget,” confidently exclaims Israel. “Whether the client is a massive conglomerate or a single person business, we can do our thing and make them very happy.”

Often, it is the smaller projects that let these designers flex their creative muscles. One such example was a Star Wars exhibit at the Telus World of Science. “As soon as

they told me about the project I knew I had to get the account,” says Israel. “I had been giving them projects from the energy sector for the last six months, so I felt I owed it to them to bring in something really fun.” The team jumped on it, developing an interactive brochure that provided a crash-course in Jedi dualism.

With the agency almost bursting at the seams with imagination, Israel is quick to state that creativity for creativity’s sake just isn’t enough. Work that produces results is based on insight. FREE’s celebrated

“Innovation Fridays” (agency-speak for beer-fueled brainstorming) have played a huge role in generating amazing ideas, yet the creative staff works hand in hand with the strategy and account departments to deliver meticulously targeted campaigns that get results.

Clearly, the success of this young compa-ny and its uncanny connection to MacEwan is no accident. These talented graduates not only inspire present and future students, they have also proven themselves to be vital components of an agency on the move.

valery goulet, art director Part-Time Instructor -Design Advertising &

Illustration techniques

alumna Caitlin scruggs, Creative Professional Writing, Design Foundations and Design Studies

2005/2010

michael Brechtel, director of strategy Former Bachelor of Management Transfer

Program Student

alumna alicia schaeffer, Creative Design Foundations & Design Studies

2009/2011

danny israel, account manager Former Bachelor of Commerce Transfer

Program Student

alumnus michael Wichuk, Creative Design Foundations, 2003

alumnus Jon manning, Copywriter Theatre Arts, 2004

andrew Benson, Creative Former Digital Arts and Media Student, 2005

WE ARE FREESoaring advertising agency has remarkable MacEwan connection


7Business

What’s wrong with a little healthy competition? For MacEwan Univer-sity School of Business students who compete in many business competitions over the course of the year, it’s extra experience, perspective and value gained before they even graduate.

At MacEwan University, we make it a priority to give students the opportunity to utilize and ap-ply theoretical skills and knowl-edge learned in the classroom in a competitive environment. The out-of-class application of skills is something the School of Business takes very seriously and strives to offer students in order to maxi-mize the value of their education. Having these sorts of opportuni-ties and challenges throughout the course of their program, MacEwan business students will hit the ground running once they enter the world of business, and will offer future employers, clients, as well as themselves, a much higher value.

Business students are encouraged throughout the year to be active in a wide variety of business competitions that reflect and challenge the skills and knowledge gained from their respective programs.

Some of these competitions are hosted on campus, including the School of Business’ fifth annual Amazing Case Competi-tion, which took place this January at South Campus. This competi-tion challenges teams of business students from the Management Studies and Accounting and Strategic Measurement diplomas to analyze, devise recommenda-tions, and create a presentation based on a business case study received only hours prior. A panel comprised of both MacEwan University faculty and business community representatives – this year Lynne Fisher from Conroy

Ross and Gavin Martinson from Telus – judged the teams recom-mendations and presentations.

Students are also involved in several annual competitions out-side our halls, including the CMA Board Governance Competition held in March in Calgary, and the Manitoba International Marketing Competition held each January at the University of Manitoba.

The CMA Board Governance Competition challenges students to see organizational chal-lenges from the perspective of a board. Through this competition, students will gain an understand-ing of board obligations, as well as how the board relates to the company, its management and stakeholders. Students will also experience the most current cor-porate governance practices. This competition takes place in Calgary over the course of two days. The top three teams will be awarded a total of $17,000 in prizes.

MacEwan University business students have participated in the Manitoba International Market-ing Competition (MIMC) held in Winnipeg for the past three years. While some competitions are one- or two-day events, the MIMC is an eight-week competition culminating with all the participat-ing teams from around the world congregating in Winnipeg to pres-ent their decisions and strategies used throughout the competition to a panel of judges made up of internationally recognized market-ing experts.

With every week represent-ing a full year, an online system

produces the results of each year based on all the teams’ decisions and how they relate to the simu-lated marketplace.

The practical experience gained by Business students by participating in these business competitions is an immeasur-able part of their education. The School of Business will continue to provide its students with competitive and educational opportunities so they can apply learned skills outside the class-room, be challenged by real-world problems and actively formulate solutions in order to offer future employers and clients a competi-tive edge.

if you would like to become involved as a mentor

or judge, or to sponsor a business competition at

macewan, email [email protected].

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE

From left to right, Amazing Case Competition winners and judges Gavin Martinson (judge), Amanda Williams, Hasaan Khan, Cameron Easingwood, Liangliang Yu and Lynne Fisher (judge)

MacEwan University’s School of Business


8 MacEwan News

WAYS YOU CAN SAVE... Take these with you.

Travel Benefits:

MacEwan University Alumni Relations and Services is proud to partner with UniGlobe Geo Travel to offer discounted travel packages for our alumni. Our first alumni destination package is a Girlfriends Getaway to Palm Springs.March & April Departures – 3 nights from $1165Includes:Return airfare, three nights accommodations at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa (based on 2 sharing), daily continental breakfast buffetsPlus:Ride & dine tram excursionTwilight Jeep Adventure to the San Andreas Fault$100 Mission Hills Spa Voucher

To book or to receive further information please contact:[email protected]

Movie Tickets

You may not be able to skip classes or hit up the beer gardens anymore but you can still buy cheap movie tickets from the SAM Centre at City Centre Campus.

Theatre Tickets

Receive exclusive discounts on live theatre tickets through Broadway Across Canada.

Home and Auto Insurance

Your alumni status entitles you to preferred group rates on your home and auto insurance.

Health and Life Insurance

You are eligible to receive preferred rates on Heath & Dental insurance through Manulife Financial.

Discount on Apple Products

MacEwan Bookstores offer great discounts to alumni on Apple computer software and hardware products.

Facility Rentals

Take advantage of reduced facility rental rates when holding meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, or social activities at the university. A wide variety of MacEwan facilities, equipment and services are avail-able through Conference Services.

Preferred Gym Membership Rates

MacEwan Sport and Wellness grants reduced member-ship rates to alumni.

Diploma Frames:

Show your pride! Three styles of specialty designed frames with the MacEwan logo can be purchased at all convocation ceremonies or through any MacEwan Bookstore.

Members Advantage:

You can now save BIG on many attractions, movies, entertainment and sporting events across Alberta. Order what you want, when you want. This service is provided to all alumni by logging onto:www.membersadvantage.caTo access, please use alumni code: gmalumni11

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU... Services for you.

“M” Alumni News:

Full of stories and information, M will showcase MacEwan alumni, their accomplish-ments and stories, which are as diverse and inspiring as the university itself. Produced three times a year, M provides articles about the university, programs, faculty and alumnni.

Distinguished Alumni Awards:

Each year, MacEwan recognizes the outstanding achievements of alumni for their contribution to MacE-wan and our community. If you know of any deserving alumni, please contact Alumni Relations and Services.

Alumni Program Chapters:

Alumni Chapters are an excellent way to stay connected with your fellow graduates, build social and professional relations, and work together to make an impact on your industry and the community. Alumni Advisory Council (AAC):

The Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) is representative of every MacEwan school and faculty. The AAC provides alumni with the opportunity to offer input and advice concerning matters related to alumni programming. It plays a vital role in developing the alumni community and contributing to the success of MacEwan. Interested in becoming a council member? Contact us! Volunteer or Mentor:

Come back to campus to share your experience and expertise with current students or give back by volunteering at various campus events.

Events:

Take advantage of alumni events and activities throughout the year including the annual Night of The-atre and a variety of speakers and presentations.

Looking for a Job?

Alumni are welcome to view numerous job opportuni-ties. These employment opportunities are posted by employers seeking MacEwan graduates.

Alumni who graduated within the past two years can make an appointment with the Career Development Coordinator to discuss their job search or to submit resumes and cover letters for a free critique.

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL? Eductional Advising:

If you are thinking about returning to school, MacEwan educational advisors can help.

For alumni who decide on graduate school or professional education, there are free programs and services available to you through MacEwan’s Graduate School Liaison.

DON’T FORGET TO CALL... Keep in touch.

Alumni Relations and Services wants to congratulate you on your recent success at MacEwan but we’re not here to celebrate this one accomplishment, we’re here to celebrate your life accomplishments. We care about what you do after MacEwan and want to know and share your success with other alumni and students. Our grads aspire and, in turn, inspire.


Grant MacEwan UniversityRoom 7-288, 10700 104 AveEdmonton, AB T5J 4S2

(780) 497-4273Email: [email protected]

www.MacEwan.ca/alumniFacebook: MacEwan Alumni

YOU’RE GOING PLACES.take Us With YoU.


9MacEwan News

Plug i n t o Bennet t Jones .

Bennett Jones LLP/MacEwan Plugged Into Business Speaker Series.

May 1, 2012 David Dodge, O.C., former Governor of the Bank of Canada and recipient of the 2011 Vanier Medal.

Your lawyer. Your law �rm. Your business advisor.

c a l g a r y | t o r o n t o | e d m o n t o n | o t t a w a | b e i j i n g | d u b a i | a b u d h a b i

2011/2012 ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCILThe Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) was established in 2009 in order to advise and support MacEwan in creating and enhancing services and opportunities for alumni. Members of the Council represent the interests of all MacEwan alumni and act as advocates on their behalf. They play a vital

role in developing the alumni community and help them stay connected to MacEwan. Further, the AAC, in junction with Alumni Relations and Services, supports alumni in their personal and professional development, and strives to continue to add value to a MacEwan education.

Left to Right: Brent Taylor, Audio Visual Communications (1994); Adam Guiney, Bachelor of Arts Transfer (2006); Traci Toshack, Coordinator,

Alumni Relations and Services; David Beharry, Public Relations (2011); Patricia Feduk, Social Work (1994); Vanessa Ruth, Bachelor of Arts

(2008); Rebecca Bissonnette, Management Studies (2003); Rebecca Chelmick, Alumni Liaison; Greg Munro, Bachelor of Arts (2010);

Daniel Eggert, AAC Chair, Bachelor of Arts Transfer (2006)

Questions about the alumni advisory Council

or interested in becoming a member? please

contact traci toshack at (780) 497-5543 or

[email protected].


10 Arts

Volunteering is a great way to support students, gain volunteer experience, and enjoy a fun-filled evening at one of Edmonton’s sig-nature fundraising events. All pro-ceeds raised create scholarships, bursaries and awards to support MacEwan University students. A number of different volunteer positions are available - from the arrival of our first guest to the last auction bid, organizers need help with facilitating registration,

welcoming guests, manning silent auction tables, and a variety of other positions. Volunteer times are flexible, and a light dinner will be provided.

If you are interested in volunteering, or would like more information, please contact Hes-sen Zoeller at 780-633-3355 or [email protected].

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: 2012 MAD HATTER’S GALAPRESENTED BY SYNERGY PROJECTS LTD. Shaw Conference Centre | Saturday, April 14th, 2012

volunteers sponsors:

Front row left to right: Melissa Walker – Bass - Music Program, 2009; Sophie Heppell - Saxophone - Music Program, 2009; Jesse Dollimont - Lead Vocals - Music Program, 2009;

Vicky Berg- Keyboard and Harmony Vocals - Music Program, 2009; Back row left to right: David Riddel – Guitar - Music Program, 2009; Nich Davies – Drums - Music Program, 2010

Attendees of the 27th Annual Mad Hatter’s Gala, presented by Synergy Projects Ltd. will once again have the opportunity to enjoy The Consonance. The pop and jazz-influenced musical group who met while studying at MacEwan University, and have since gone on to play together over the past several years. This marks the band’s third appear-ance at the gala; they offer a wide range of music from funk, soul, older rock and their own original music. “We love playing at the gala. MacEwan is where we met and formed, so we love to support the school that created our band,” says Vicki Berg, the band’s keyboardist.

The Mad Hatter’s Gala is one of Edmonton’s signature events and the university’s biggest fund-raiser with all funds raised going to support scholarships, bursaries and awards to support students.

The Consonance’s latest EP October, is available for purchase on iTunes.

THE CONSONANCE BRING THEIR TUNES TO THE 2012 MAD HATTER’S GALA


11MacEwan News

CLOSE TO HOMEOrganization encourages shoppers to think local first

As any student of MacEwan’s political science or economic programs will tell you, this age of advancing globalization has provided consumers with far greater access to products from overseas markets than ever before. However, this economic expansion has had some detrimental effects on local markets, resulting in negatively impacting businesses and professionals within one’s own community.

Having worked within the restaurant industry for 25 years, Jessie Radies observed first-hand how her local economy was suffer-ing. In an effort to curtail this out-ward cash flow, Radies founded Live Local: a non-profit organiza-tion committed to supporting Alberta’s independent businesses. Since its inception, Live Local has brought together hundreds of local businesses to promote and support their local economy. For MacEwan graduates with designs on working in the Capital Region, this comes as welcome news.

“Live Local helps citizens, independent businesses and communities support inde-pendent entrepreneurs, keeps locallyowned business in busi-ness, and gets people working together to create healthy, vibrant communities,” says Radies. “Live Local understands that creating strong local economies creates even stronger global economies. It starts at home”.

Live Local organizes several initiatives that raise awareness of the value of a thriving local market. One such event is the Shop Local First campaign, an event that encourages consumers to think about how their spending affects their community. By shop-ping local, consumers are sup-porting people who live and work in their own neighbourhoods, ultimately contributing to a higher standard of living enjoyed by those with whom they interact on a daily basis.

With many alumni working as entrepreneurs within Alberta’s economy, it is not surprising that several have become members of Live Local. Sandra Mattar, herself a former MacEwan student, currently owns and operates Headcase Hats. Having been a longstanding participant in MacE-wan fundraisers such as the Mad Hatter’s Gala, Mattar understands that the vitality of a community depends on member involvement.

Few industries have been affected more by globalization than food production, a fact that Live Local member and alumnus Patrick Earl fully understands. As Economic Development Coordi-nator for Sturgeon County, Earl spearheaded the Surgeon County Bounty: an event aimed at provid-ing local producers, chefs and processors with an opportunity to promote and expand value-added agriculture in the region. Through

this initiative, this Visual Com-munications and Public Relations graduate has helped connect regionally based food produc-ers and processors, ultimately boosting the local economy while improving the quality of consumer goods available.

Live Local understands that living locally goes beyond just supporting our local shops, pro-ducers and restaurants. It is also about being involved in the com-munities that we call home. In addition to Headcase Hats, Live Local members Williams Engineering and Transcend Coffee are official sponsors of the afore-mentioned Mad Hatter’s Gala. Other events in Edmonton such as the Whyte Avenue Art Walk, Ice on Whyte Festival, MacEwan Wellness Events and Edmon-ton’s Deep Freeze have all been influenced and supported by Live Local affiliates.

For many present and future MacEwan alumni, a strong local economy is an important con-tributor to their career success. Fortunately, Live Local continues to raise awareness of the value of supporting local businesses, while additionally fostering a shared sense of community among those who live and work together. For more information on Live Local, local events and how you can be involved please visit www.live-local.ca.

Ready for the next step?

Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration www.MacEwan.ca/hsa

Human service professionals can now get the skills they need to move into a management position through the Bachelor of Applied Human Service degree.

Offered on a part-time distance delivery basis, you can complete your degree on your time and in your community.


12 MacEwan News

public relations, 2009

in one Word is a fun feature that attempts to capture an alumnus in a short interview with one word responses. Interested in being interviewed? E-mail [email protected].

if i could eat one food for the rest of my life it would be bagels.

it’s sunday morning at 10 am if i’m not sleeping, i’m dead.

my greatest fear is falling.

if i could invite any one person to my birthday party, dead or alive, it would be cake.

i wouldn’t sell Canada for a million dollars.

one book everyone should read is Basket Case.

one movie everyone should see is Anchorman.

one song that would be on the soundtrack of my life is Someone Who Is Cool, The Odds.

one thing i want people to know about me: FIERCE

my one favourite place on campus is Tim’s.

my greatest accomplishment since graduating is job!

one lesson garnered from my days at macewan is study.

my favourite indulgence on campus (food or other) is tea.

in one word, macewan students are supercalifragilisticexpialadocious.

my macewan experience in one word: valuable.

“Jill” in one word: Air.

IN ONE WORD . . . Jill Scheyk

an educational and elightening feature sharing facts and figures about macewan UniversityA MATTER OF FACTS

MacEwan Student ResidenceMacEwan has room for 833 students in its housing facilities

Currently, 95, or 11.4%, of students living in residence are from abroad.

(All together: 20 Countries are represented)

(All together: 54 Programs are represented)

(All together: 197 Towns/Cities are represented) Age ranging from 16 to 35 years old

China Mexico Ecuador Saudi ArabiaUganda

Brazil France Hong Kong TaiwanIndia

TEN The top

Most represented countries areFIVEThe top

Most represented domestic towns/cities

FIVEThe top

Programs taken by students in residence

57%Ladies

43%Gentlemen

Women to Men The Ratio of

Edmonton

Calgary

Whitecourt

Fort Mac

Vegreville

Nursing

B Comm.

Science

Arts

University Studies International


13MacEwan News

A DAY OF CULTURE

The Aboriginal Education Centre and Aboriginal Student’s Club of MacEwan University celebrated its fifth Annual “Aboriginal Cul-tural Day” on February 10, 2012 at City Centre Campus. The purpose of this annual event is to share the rich cultural diversity of Aboriginal people with MacEwan students, faculty, staff and public. The day acknowl-edged the importance of health

in our daily living, and working to achieve balance in our emo-tional, mental, physical and spiritual being.

This year’s Key Note speakers included Daryl Lynn Nepoose and Jed Johns. Daryl Lynn, a former Bachelor of Arts student, shared her athletic achievements as a member of the MacEwan Griffins Golf Team. Nepoose was honored with the 2009/2010 “Female

Athlete of the Year” for MacEwan University and was recently the recipient of the Athletic Achieve-ment Award at the Alberta Aborigi-nal Youth Awards. Nepoose also shared how her hard work and dedication in sports and education has helped her achieve a healthy and balanced life as an Aboriginal person.

The second key note speaker was Jed Johns, MacEwan’s current

Students’ Association President and Bachelor of Arts student. Jed shed some light on how he main-tains a work/school/life balance as a full-time student while head-ing up the Students’ Association.

The day was also celebrated with West Coast Performers and Metis Child and Family Jiggers, who had the audience dancing, singing along, and tapping their toes. Lastly,

the dances of the First Nations people were celebrated with the many colours, beautiful regalia, traditional dance steps and history of the dance.

MacEwan celebrates Fifth Annual Aboriginal Culture Day

MacEwan University’s website provides all the details of your university experience: the names of the programs and courses, the career options, the cost of tuition. But the student experi-ence at MacEwan University is much more than the sum of its parts. Small class sizes, engaging faculty, hands-on learning and student life activities combine for an engaging, fun and, ultimately, applicable education.

The Faculty of Health and Community Studies is excited to announce the launch of its blog in February 2012. The blog high-lights interesting stories, people and activities in the faculty and

its many programs. As the blog compiles information, it will give prospective students extensive insight into what they can expect at the university. However, it will also offer unparalleled access for alumni and other stakeholders into the goings-on of the faculty and its programs, including new technology and facilities, research and program updates.

As well as the current happen-ings, the blog will document the ongoing journeys of alumni. Every graduate uses their education dif-ferently. Some start careers in the field they graduated from. Some take non-traditional career paths. Some choose to raise families.

Some continue their education or choose a different education path. But the university in some way shaped the life of each graduate.

What is your unique story? How did your education in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies shape your future? What lessons would you share with your younger self as you started your post-secondary education?

Share your alumni story! Visit the Faculty of Health and Community Studies blog at www.MacEwan.ca/HCSblog, click on the “Contact” menu or email us directly at [email protected].

HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE AT MACEWAN UNIVERSITY SHAPE YOU AND YOUR CAREER?

Screenshot of the Faculty of Health and Community Studies’ new blog.

Women’s traditional dancers of all ages Traditional male dancer

Teen male fancy dancer


14 Arts

Ellen Chorley created Edmonton’s first-ever Snow Globe Festival of Children’s Theatre this past December and was met with overwhelming support from the community.

Chorley, who graduated MacEwan University’s Theatre Arts program in 2004, started the project as a way to provide affordable entertainment for children during the festive winter season. “I was noticing that a lot of family-oriented entertainment and activities around Christmas are really, really expensive. I wanted to create something that was both entertaining and afford-able,” Chorley explains.

The festival, which ran from December 20 through 24, 2011, featured three full-length chil-dren’s plays performed on the Avenue Theatre stage located on 118 Avenue in Edmonton. “All 10 of our student matinees completely sold out – we had over 1,400 students see our shows in five days,” she says. While the public performances were also well received, Chorley hopes the festival becomes a winter tradi-tion that draws families year after year. “One of the many, many wonderful things about creating and producing children’s theatre is that there are going to be people in the audience who have never seen a play before,” she says. “I do hope we foster an appreciation of the arts, but more than that, I hope we foster imagination.”

The Snow Globe Festival of Children’s Theatre was produced by Chorley’s company, Promise Productions, which she began in 2006 shortly after graduation.

“My two years at MacEwan made

me the hard worker I am today– it really trained me for the profes-sional world,” Chorley says.

“I think one of the great things about MacEwan students is that they don’t wait for someone to give them work – they are trained to go out and make their own work. This tool was absolutely invaluable to me as I was lucky to be cast following graduation, but I was also creating my own proj-ects, my own career.”

Born and raised in Edmonton, Chorley has been performing her entire life. Up until 2010, she was working in Edmonton and Calgary as a playwright, producer and actor. In addition to working full time as an artistic associate for Northern Light Theatre, Chorley also works with adults with au-tism through the Autism Society of Edmonton and teaches drama to kids with Foote Theatre School at the Citadel Theatre.

Adding to her already impres-sive list of achievements, Chorley was also nominated for an Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Fringe Work in 2011 (for her play The Fairy Catcher’s Companion – the only children’s play to be honoured in that category), received the Enbridge Nextfest Emerging Artist Award in 2011, and nominated for a City of Edmonton Mayor’s Evening for the Arts Emerging Artist Award in 2008. Chorley also recently co-founded a new the-atre/burlesque company (Send in the Girls Burlesque) and wrote, produced and acted in her own sold-out, held-over show (Tudor Queens: A Burlesque) at the 2011 Edmonton Fringe Festival, earning her the first-ever Staff Pick Award.

THEATRE AFICIONADO REALIZES DREAM Inaugural children’s theatre festival proves a successful experiment

Alumna Ellen Chorley


15MacEwan News

1985

SUZANNE SEADON (Early Childhood Development) I worked a summer at the U of A Hospital in paediatrics (recre-ation therapy department). Next I worked with preschool chil-dren in childcare for a few years before embarking on an educa-tion degree (elementary major and special education minor). I Married the love of my life, Craig Seadon, the summer prior to the fourth year of my degree program. Shortly after graduation, and the first summer off since I was 15

years old, I began working in the Black Gold School District first as an educational assistant, a sub-stitute teacher and eventually as a teacher. I have had the wonder-ful privilege of teaching students in kindergarten, grade one, and grades three to six in French as a Second Language. After going full circle, I am currently teach-ing two classes of kindergarten students and am in my glory. If it were not for my post-secondary training at MacEwan, I might not be where I am today. I enjoyed the small class sizes and the ‘big happy family’ feeling while there.

I have gone back to take an events management course in the public relations program and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a life-long learner. Thank you, (Grant) MacEwan!!

1992

SUSANNE HUBE (now Ritchie) (Environmental Graphic Design) is self-employed as a graphic designer and portrait artist. When she’s not in her office creating ads, logos and brochures, she can be found drawing cartoon portraits at various events and festivals in and around Edmonton. Her clients as a graphic designer include the City of Leduc, The Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts and the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation. Susanne grew up in Edmonton but now calls Leduc, Alberta home with her husband and two children (Lauren and Evan).

2008

JACLYN GUENETTE (Social Work recently launched Vantage Assessments. Vantage Assess-ments is a company that offers personalized career assessments and more. These assessments are valuable tools for people deciding on a career path, about to finish school, or looking to make a ca-

My role is very exciting as I get to meet many exciting people and help them protect their most valued assets. My goal is to become a franchised agent of The Co-operators.

MEGHAN QUAGHEBEUR (Bachelor of Arts) I am currently enrolled in the Master of Counsel-ing Psychology program at Atha-basca University and working on setting up a practicum placement for September 2012.

2011

JENNIFER CARBERT I finished my program at Grant MacEwan in April of 2011. From there I went on to do my internship at the Tisdale Recorder/ Parkland Review. After six months working in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, I moved back to my hometown of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan to take on the posi-tion of Editor for the local newspa-per, the Meadow Lake Progress.

reer change. All assessments can be done from the privacy of your own home and include a FREE in-terpretation session with a quali-fied professional. I credit Grant MacEwan and the Social Work program for giving me the skills needed to create a business that provides a valuable service. For more information about Vantage Assessments, visit our website at www.vantageassessments.ca

2009

SHAUN MASLYK (Bachelor of Commerce) After the winter semester in 2008 I decided I was going to take a whole one year off from school, even though I only had one semester left. The reason: I wanted to see the world. With only six months to work I found the highest paying job possible and found myself work-ing 60-80 hours per week. Over the six months my fiancé and I worked extremely hard and spent next to nothing in order to save for a dream trip. Our goal was to travel around the world for ten months and not work the entire time. We did accomplish our goal, and it was brilliant! I returned and completed my degree and now find myself working as an Associ-ate Agent with The Co-operators.

Let your classmates know what you have been up to by sharing your stories and successes in the CLASSifieds. Submissions can be sent by e-mail to [email protected] or by mail to:

Alumni Relations & 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.

have news to share?

Contact780.424.8310

[email protected]


16 MacEwan News

A PHOTO FINISH

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At TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, we know how important it is to save wherever you can. As Grant MacEwan University Alumni, you can enjoy preferred group rates on your home and auto insurance and other exclusive privileges, thanks to our partnership with your institution. You’ll also benefit from great coverage and outstanding service. We believe in making insurance easy to understand so you can choose your coverage with confidence.

Insurance program sponsored by

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“I never thought my alumni group rates could save me so much.”

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

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

organizers. Contest ends on January 31, 2013. 1 prize to be won. The winner may choose the prize between a Lexus RX 450h with all basic standard features including freight and pre-delivery inspection for a total value of $60,000 or $60,000 in Canadian funds. The winner will be responsible to pay for the sale taxes applicable to the vehicle. Skill-testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Complete contest rules available at www.melochemonnex.com/contest.

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

Projet : Annonce MMI 2012

Client : Meloche Monnex

No de dossier : 57-MM8779-11_MMI.EN•gmu (9.75x6.625)

Province : Saskatchewan

Publication : MacEwan Alumni News

Format : 9.75x6.625

Couleur : Quad

Épreuve # : 1

Date de tombée : 30/01/2012

Graphiste : Yannick Decosse

Hamelin Martineau • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O. Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842 4416 F : 514 844 9343ATTENTION : Merci de vérifier attentivement cette épreuve afin d’éviter toute erreur.

57-MM8779-11_MMI.EN•gmu (9.75x6.625).indd 1 12-01-25 4:12 PM

do you have a talent for photography?

the alumnus who submits the published photo

will receive a $100 gift certificate for macewan

Bookstores. photographs can be submitted

to [email protected].

For more details visit www.MacEwan.ca/Alumni

“Tree of Light” Louise Ellis, Rehabilitation Practioner, 1992 Taken at Ashland Dam by Warburg, Alberta

macewan university alumni news - spring 2012

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