President's Blog On Vacation Until January 7, 2013

The President's Blog will enjoy a brief "vacation" until the new semester begins, Monday, January 7, 2013.  

On behalf of the faculty and staff of Canadian University College, I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Outward Pursuits Final Exam Is Front Page News

A final exam given at CUC made the front page of the Red Deer Advocate, fortunately for all the right reasons. 

For their final exam students in the course International and Advanced Wilderness First Aid faced a simulated mud slide in a Nepalese school in a Northern Himalayan community.    The students performed first aid triage and treated 30 volunteer victims each with a specific “injury" and in conditions ranging from dead to slightly injured.  Over the course of the exam the volunteer victims, mainly grade 8 and 9 students and teachers from College Heights Christian School,  were tagged with appropriate colour triage tags, treated and/or moved out of the danger zone, and ultimately to a warm, safe transport rescue area.

The first aid students had to contend with winter weather, limited first aid supplies, screaming victims, possibility of personal injury, a broad spectrum of physical injuries, psychologically impaired victims, and media personnel including one from the Red Deer Advocate daily newspaper who were asking directed questions.

The Outward Pursuits students kept their focus and dealt with the circumstance in a professional, effective and efficient manner.  It was so stressful and realistic that one student said,  “I never want to have to deal with this in real life!"  Students agreed that they are better prepared after having completed the simulation.  

“Students who complete this course should be able to help out in anything from a Haitian earthquake to flooding from typhoons in the Philippines like has happened recently — and maybe even a weekend camping trip,” said instructor Paul Lehmann.

To read the story published by the Red Deer Advocate please click here.

First Annual Scripture Song Contest Offers $500 First Prize

The President's 1st Annual Scripture Song Contest begins January 7 and offers a prize of $500 to the first place winner.  "The start of a new year and a new semester is a great time for us to sing a new song to the Lord," said Mark Haynal.  "This contest will focus our students' creative energy on new songs that help us memorize scripture."

The contest is open to any current student of Canadian University College or Parkview Adventist Academy.  Entries must be submitted no later than Monday, February 18, 2013.  More information about the President's 1st Annual Scripture Song Contest, including all of the rules and prizes, can be found here.

Students Share the Meaning of Christmas with Drama

Student actors in the play To Find a Home taught the congregation about the meaning of Christmas at Vespers Friday evening.  With a cast and crew of more than 30, the play was written and directed by Shynell Wilson, a 3rd-year Elementary Education Major from Ajax, ON.  The program for this event can be found here.

Silverwinds Band Spreads Holiday Cheer

Silverwinds Band, under the direction of Lann Lieurance, presented its Christmas Concert Saturday night, December 8, in the Administration Building Chapel.  The program included a delightful mix of music that included familiar hymns, folk music, and traditional Christmas songs.  A copy of the program can be found here.

Flyin' Bob Amazes Faculty and Staff at Christmas Party

There truly was something special in the air at this year's Faculty/Staff Christmas Party: Flyin' Bob.  Billed as a "one-man three-ring circus," Flyin' Bob Palmer, who lives in Red Deer, amazed adults and children with his feats of juggling, balance, and daring.

To accommodate Bob's high-flying antics, the event was held in CUC's gym. It began with a delicious supper of Mexican food and ended with Flyin' Bob's performance.  "Three cheers for our Social Committee for presenting such an enjoyable event for the whole family," said Mark Haynal, president of CUC.  "Watching the delight on the faces of the children as they watched Flyin' Bob was just as much fun as watching Bob!"

The social committee this year is chaired by Brenda Hodgins, Director of Food Services.  She is assisted by committee members Audrey Haggkvist, Carolyn O'Neill and Diane Southcott, who in turn are helped by their spouses and a wonderful assortment of other volunteers.

Final Exams Begin with . . . Singing

Students began taking final exams today.  At 7:40 am, amidst the stress of last-minute cramming, could be heard the sound of students singing Christmas carols!  Prior to giving them their final exam, Dr. Bruce Boyd, chair of the Department of Religious Studies, led his students in three carols chosen to bring peace to the hearts of his students.

Community Enjoys Choral Union Christmas Concert

The church was filled to capacity Friday evening for Choral Union's annual Christmas Concert under the direction of Dr. Wendolin Munroe.  This concert, one of Canadian University College and Parkview Adventist Academy's three seasonal musical gifts it presents to the community, offered a delightful mix of old and new choral Christmas music and readings by Dr. Joy Fehr, vice president for academic administration.  

A copy of the program can be found here; a list of Choral Union personnel and those who generously sponsor this organization can be found here.  (Better photos of this event will be added soon.)

LaLonde and McNarland are Hockey Tournament MVPs

Danny LaLonde (HS 04) and Ajay McNarland (HS 10) were named Most Valuable Players for this year's Fun Fest Hockey Tournament.  LaLonde's team (Team 1) won the tournament, defeating Team 2 by a score of 6-2.  
Playing on the championship team this year were: Brett Anderson, Cody Anderson, Raymond Anderson, Brad Kay, Danny LaLonde, Dustin Livadney, Lyndon McAfee, Royce Odiyar, David Richter, Derek Richter, Todd Schafer, Tyler Schafer (goalie), Jake Wilkins and DJ Wombold.  For a full listing of the teams please click here.

Steve and Tricia Gabrys Receive Young Alumni Service Award

Steve and Tricia (Leavitt) Gabrys, both of whom earned their degrees in Elementary Education at CUC in 2001, were given the Young Alumni Service Award during the Fun Fest Weekend church service.  Since beginning their teaching ministry in Port Hardy both Steve and Tricia have devoted their time and considerable talent to helping hundreds of boys and girls develop a lasting, loving, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (To read remarks made by Dr. Haynal upon presenting the award please click here.)

Steve and Tricia moved back to Lacombe in 2005 where he now serves as vice principal and teaches Grade 5 at College Heights Christian School.  Tricia has blessed the community with her work for the music programs of both the College Heights SDA Church and the church school.

Omar Palmer Returns to Preach for Fun Fest Weekend

The featured speaker for this year's Fun Fest Weekend was Omar Palmer who graduated from CUC with a degree in Religious Studies in 2002.  In addition to his training at CUC Palmer has completed a Masters of Divinity degree at the Andrews SDA Theological Seminary and is pursuing specialized training and certification as a Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor.  Palmer is currently the senior pastor at the Meadowvale SDA Church in Mississauga, ON.  

In addition to the blessing of Pastor Palmer's preaching, the congregation was also inspired by the anthem, "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho," performed by CUC/PAA Choral Union, under the direction of Dr. Wendolin Munroe.  

To view the complete Fun Fest Weekend Program please click here.

Chamber Orchestra Presents "Of Nature and Nocturnes"

Canadian University College's Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Aaron Au, presented its first concert of the school year Saturday night, November 24, in the College Heights SDA Church.  The program offered two numbers inspired by nature's beauty, and two works suitable for an evening of quality entertainment.  The performance's published program, including a roster of the orchestra's personnel can be found here.

Saturday night's concert was the orchestra's first under the direction of Dr. Aaron Au.  Dr. Au completed his Doctorate of Music in 2007 at the University of Alberta where he was  Killam Scholar and was also awarded the University of Alberta PhD Scholarship.  Additional program notes about Dr. Au and a list of the orchestra's generous sponsors can be found here.

CUC President Falls Through Ice Into Elizabeth Lake

CUC's president Mark Haynal took an icy plunge into Elizabeth Lake, joining Outward Pursuits students in their ice rescue lab.  For the first part of the lab Haynal "rescued" a student and then was "rescued" by two students. 

After jumping in the second time Haynal was required to wait in the polar water for a minute and then rescue himself.  "An experience like this helps one put into perspective all of life's other unpleasant tasks," said Haynal.  "The next time I am dealing with a difficult or stressful situation I can simply remind myself, 'Things could be worse; you could be treading water in frigid Elizabeth Lake.'"

"As unpleasant as this experience was, I must commend Professors Paul and DonnaLee Lehmann for how thoroughly they prepared the participants and how vigilant they were in ensuring everybody's safety," said Haynal.  

Canadian University College offers a variety of Outward Pursuits programs that make use of Alberta's beautiful and varied geography for lab experiences.  To learn more about these programs please click here.

Aurora Claim Silver and Bronze at Volleyball Tournament

Our men's volleyball team took second place and the ladies claimed third place at the Alberta Colleges Athletic League tournament held last weekend at Ambrose University College in Calgary.

The ladies won their bronze medals by defeating St. Mary's University College Lightning in five games. Sara Concha was named the games most valuable player (MVP). This is the second straight Bronze finish for our ladies. Team captains Katelyn Hutton (left) and Kimberly Luymes were named to the 2nd Team All Conference All Stars and are shown below holding their banner.

The men won silver losing to the Ambrose Lions in the gold medal match. The Lions were heavily favoured going into the finals having lost only one game during the regular season. This is the first ever silver medal for the men's volleyball program and comes a year after their first ever bronze medal. Team captain Kyle Harrison was named CUC's MVP of the game. Harrison was also named to the 2nd Team All Conference All Stars.

As is their custom, the men invited their opponents to join them in prayer at the end the gold medal games.