Store Front Converted to a Student Centre

The store front in the ABC strip mall formerly used by Aldrich Construction, is being converted into a student centre and lounge for CUC's community students.  "More than half of our students live off campus," said Mark Haynal, president.  "We want these students to have a well-appointed place to call their own while on campus."  

Two of Plant Services' top workers, Terry O'Neill and Ron Reimche, work on the double wall (for soundproofing) being installed between the new lounge and the classroom used by Outward Pursuits.

The plan for a converting the unused store front into a student lounge was proposed earlier this school year by SA President Tristan Caro.  Vice President for Student Services Stacy Hunter has spearheaded the project with help from Plant Services personnel.  Once completed, in early March, the new lounge will offer students an appealing and inviting space in which they can study, socialize, and have small group worship services.

Jerrold Ritchey Represents CUC at Breakfast with Government Ministers

Jerrold Ritchey, vice president for advancement, had breakfast Wednesday morning in Lacombe with a group of local citizens and three members of Premier Redford's cabinet.  Representing Premier Redford were:

Deputy Premier Doug Horner emphasizes a point as he speaks to
a group of citizens in Lacombe.

• Doug Horner,  Deputy Premier, President of Treasury Board and Enterprise, Minister Responsible for Corporate Human Resources
• Jack Hayden,  Minister Responsible for Tourism, Parks and Recreation
• Cal Dallas, Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations

These gentlemen visited Lacombe as part of a 4-day province-wide tour that will see Redford and her cabinet ministers visit 25 cities and towns, attending community events and meetings with seniors, students, business leaders and others.   “I think it’s important for us as cabinet to listen to what Albertans are saying," Redford told the Edmonton Journal.  "We’ve done it every single year and we’ll continue to do it because we think it’s important, not only to see what’s going on but also to hear how decisions government is making are affecting people.”

"Those attending the breakfast asked the ministers many questions about health care, education, and Alberta's economy," said Ritchey.  "All three ministers expressed a great deal of optimism about Alberta's future."  

Mr. Ritchey spoke briefly with Deputy Premier Horner and thanked him for his government's support for independent schools.  "Mr. Horner said Premier Redford and her government value giving Albertans a choice when it comes to their children's education," said Ritchey.

MLA Raymond Prins

Also attending Wednesday's breakfast was MLA Raymon Prins who represents the Lacombe-Panoka constituency.  Mr. Prins will be the guest speaker for CUC Community Worship Tuesday, February 28.  "Mr. Prins has been a stalwart supporter of independent schools in Alberta," said CUC President Mark Haynal.  "We look forward to welcoming him to our campus."

Every Work Day Starts with Worship and a Good Laugh 

Dale Horniachek, Director of Accounting Services
shares a few jokes with the group.

A group of faculty and staff meet every workday morning in the president's office at 8 am for worship. In addition to a short devotional thought and a special season of prayer, the group always shares a few good jokes.  

People sign up and take turns leading the morning worship.  Recently someone shared some "It's so cold . . ." jokes that those of us who live in central Alberta certainly understand:

• It's so cold . . . my favourite relative is anti freeze.
• It's so cold . . . even schools of fish have closed!
• It's so cold . . . my mailman just calls and reads my mail to me over the phone.
• It's so cold . . . I have to scrape the window of my microwave.
• It's so cold . . . I eat at Taco Bell just for the heartburn.

Students Speak for Week In Spiritual Emphasis

Our annual student-led Week in Spiritual Emphasis (WISE) began Monday at 11 am.  Robert Greaves, a 2nd-year Religious Studies major spoke, basing his message on Mark 9:24, "Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Robert Greaves, a 2nd year Religious Studies major originally from Ontario, who now lives
in Lacombe, was the speaker for Monday morning's WISE worship service.

There are two worship services each day during WISE.  Speakers at the 11 am service in the church are:
Monday: Robert Greaves, 2nd year, Religious Studies, from Lacombe
Tuesday: Marcia Mejia-Blanco, 2nd year, Englilsh, from Surrey, BC
Wednesday: Maria-Jose Triguero, 2nd year, Elementary Education, from Lacombe
Thursday: Christopher Villacorta-Lopez, 2nd year, Biology, from Calgary
Friday: Alexander Angellakis, 1st year, Religious Studies, from Calgary
Sabbath, 1st Service: Jaden Rajah, 1st year, General Studies, from Lacombe
Sabbath, 2nd Service: Cara Boyce, 1st year, Elementary Education, from Red Deer

The evening service is held at 8:30 pm in the Administration Building Chapel.  This week's speakers are:
Monday: Josias Sanchez, 3rd year, Music Performance, from Mexico City
Tuesday: Zack Loxdale, 1st year, Secondary Education, from Bedford, NS
Wednesday: Erin Thome, Secondary Education, from Okotoks, AB
Thursday: Anthony Kern, 1st year, Religious Studies, from Lacombe

Sandra Koch, Eric Anderson, Ejay Vedoya (guitar) and Jessica Richter (violin) lead
song service at Monday morning's WISE worship service.

Marcia Mejia-Blanco

Maria-Jose Triguero

Christopher Villacorta Lopez

Zack Loxdale

Ladies Play Historic First Home Basketball Game

Katelyn Hutton blows by her defender on her way to the basket.  
Hutton, a 2nd year Secondary Education major from Embro, ON, 
was chosen CUC Player of the Game by the coaches.

Saturday night's basketball game against the visiting St. Mary's University College's Lady Lightning basketball team was historic in that this is the first time in CUC's history we have had ladies' varsity basketball team.  "Although our team lost, I must say they played with unflagging courage, scrappy tenacity and outstanding sportsmanship," said CUC President Mark Haynal. 

Canadian University College's women's basketball team is coached by Randy Chenowith, assisted by Rainbow Ford.  "We are long on physical talent but short on experience," said Coach Chenowith. "And we're playing against teams where most players have been playing since junior high school. So we have a lot of work to do, but the ladies are willing to work hard and they don't give up."

The three teams our ladies have played thus far are the best three teams in the league. "The fact that we have improved our play with each game is an indication of the ladies' determination and competitive spirit," said Chenowith.   

Ardent fans cheer for CUC's women's basketball team, with special support for their favourite player, Hazel Fronda.

Jeremy Purviance, a 2nd year Adventure Based Youth Leadership major from Garden Valley, Idaho,
takes a shot at Saturday night's game against St. Mary's University College.
What is impressive is that he is shooting over the outstretched arms of the defending centre
who is 7 feet tall!

Campus Ministries Sponsors Revival and Reformation Prayer Conference at CUC

Pastor Virgil Covel

Canadian University College will host "Hearing God's Voice," a revival and reformation prayer conference January 20 and 21.  Leading the conference will Virgil Covel who pastors the Medicine Hat and Brooks (Alberta) Seventh-day Adventist Churches.  "We are presenting this prayer conference because we believe meaningful prayer is the greatest possible tool in this life," explains Donovan Diminyatz, Campus Ministries Leader and a 3rd year Religious Studies major at CUC.  "We are praying that this conference will spark meaningful relationships between the students of CUC and their Heavenly Father, as well as equip them with new ideas, and time-tested truths to aid in their spiritual growth."

Pastor Covel will make four presentations.  Friday night, January 20, at 7:30 pm in the College Heights SDA Church he will present a message titled, "Finding Power," in which he will teach the scriptural model of prayer and how this leads us into a life of power and peace.  The second presentation will be at 10:30 am Sabbath in the cafeteria and is titled, "How to Pray for an Hour and Love It!"  

A special church service will be held Sabbath in Lake View Hall Chapel at 11:45 am during which Pastor Covel will discuss how the Holy Spirit can become the leader in the church, virtually eliminating unhealthy strife and political battles.  The conference will end Sabbath afternoon, January 21, with a presentation in Lake View Hall Chapel at 4 pm.  At that service Pastor Covel will help participants understand how to put everything covered during the conference into practice and experience the joy of praying together.

CUC Offers Study Tours to Cuba, Jordan, South America and Northern BC

Canadian University College consistently offers students a variety of fascinating study tour options each summer; this year is no exception with five trips approved thus far.

Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Ramalingam and Dr. Tennyson Samraj, professor of philosophy, will be taking a group of students to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rain Forest April 25-May 11.

Canadian University College's registrar, Larry Murrin, will lead an archaeological field trip to Jordan, June 23-July 31.  They will be participating in a dig at Tall al-'Umayri, near Amman.

A group of students will travel to Cuba, April 24-May 15, to present evangelistic series in conjunction with ShareHim.

Professors Paul and DonnaLee Lehman will be taking students to Hazelton, BC, May 28-June 18, where they will work with students in an alternative school.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in a joint project involving CUC and A Better World in Bolivia, April 25-May 30, where they will work at CERENID  a home for boys who have been abandoned by their families.  Most of the boys were living on the streets of Santa Cruz before being given the opportunity for good food, education, safety and a better life at CERENID.

Second Semester Headcount is 514

With Friday, January 13, being the last day to add classes, CUC's registrar Larry Murrin today released official second semester enrolment figures.  Our headcount is 514, a less-than-typical decrease from 1st semester of 15.  During the 2010-2011 school year CUC's headcount was 493 first semester and 466 second semester.  Photos below show students in the process of registering, Sunday, January 8, 2012.  

Pianist Bernstein and CUC String Quartet Receive Standing Ovation

Sunday evening's concert featuring pianists Alex Bernstein, Debra Bakland, and CUC's string quartet was one of the best-attended and musically most exciting concerts of this year's Sunday@7 series.  Bernstein began the programme with a heart-stopping performance of Bach's Prelude & Fugue in C# major.  He then played the last piano sonata written by Beethoven, Number 32 in C minor, a piece one historian calls, "a work of unmatched drama and transcendence . . . the triumph of order over chaos, of optimism over anguish."  Bernstein concluded the first half of the program by playing a duet, Mozart's Sonata in D Major, with his former teacher Debra Bakland.

Receiving a well-deserved standing ovation are, from left to right, Alex Bernstein, Josias Sanchez, Aaron Boscanin,
Joshua Flynn, and Greicy Perez.

Following intermission Bernstein was joined by CUC's string quartet for a performance of Shostakovich's quintet.  Canadian University College's string quartet consists of an international group of students: Aaron Boscanin, violin (USA), Josias Sanchez, violin (Mexico), Greicy Perez, viola, (Venezuela), and Joshua Flynn (Canada).  A short video excerpt from the scherzo movement is provided below.

The outstanding performance of Shostakovich's demanding work drew a standing ovation from the audience.  Bernstein rewarded the audience with an encore, playing Liszt's transcription of the final movement of Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde.  A short video excerpt is provided below.

It Is Written Canada Presents Programs at CUC

Bill Santos is Speaker/Director
of It Is Written Canada

Bill Santos, speaker for It Is Written Canada, will speak for vespers tonight and Sabbath services tomorrow, January 13 and 14.  An additional special program will be held Sabbath afternoon at 4 pm.  Joining Pastor Santos for these meetings will be singer/pianist Evaldo Vicente, who is also director of donor relations for It Is Written Canada.  For more information about these events and other things happenings at CUC, please read Campus Connections, a weekly publication available online at: http://cauc.ca/studentservices/campusconnections

It Is Written Canada, a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, is a television media ministry committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ first and foremost to the people Canada, and secondly to Portuguese-speaking areas of the world through national and international television programming, Countdown to Eternity Bible Prophecy Seminars, and the development of resources to support church evangelism.

CUC Grad is New Pastor at College Heights SDA Church

Masiel Davilla, the newest pastor at the College Heights SDA Church, 

presented the message, "We're All a Little Messy," at 

Opening Convocation.

The speaker at 2nd semester's Opening Convocation was Masiel Davila, the new pastor for nurture, visitation and training at the College Heights SDA Church. Using very humorous examples from her own life, Pastor Davila explained how all of us have "messy lives," but the Good News is Jesus loves to help us no matter how messy our life is.

Pastor Davila, who completed her MDiv at the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in December, earned her bachelor's degree with a major in religious studies and a minor in counselling at CUC in 2005.  Born in the warm country of Nicaragua, Pastor Davila moved with her family to Saskatchewan as a child.  

Maj-Britt Rusk has gone on 42 Marantha trips since 2000.

Other highlights of Opening Convocation were: A Chopin prelude played by Nicole Thorp, singing the school song, special music by Enoch Attey, a poetry recitation by Marthe-Paul Jerry, and Dr. Haynal's interview with CUC Archivist Maj-Britt Rusk.  Mrs. Rusk started going on Maranatha trips in 2000 when she was 73 years old.  Nearly 12 years later she has completed 42 trips!

Lacombe City Council Terminates Agreement with CUC

At the January 9, 2012 Regular City Council Meeting, a decision was made to terminate the Legacy Pointe/Residential Housing Development Initiative (REHDI) agreement between the City of Lacombe and Canadian University College.

City Council approved the Legacy Pointe/REHDI agreement in 2008 in response to the 2005 to 2007 housing boom and the escalating housing prices that accompanied it. More specifically, the REHDI project was aimed at assisting first time homeowners who were finding market prices to be unaffordable. Also of importance was the establishment of an area in Lacombe that offered a new type of development (affordable housing interspersed with diverse market homes in a walkable neighbourhood).

The work carried out on the Legacy Point project reflected engineering design standards that included smaller carriageways, sidewalks on both sides of the street, and wider lanes for servicing purposes.

Originally, the project development area was 300 acres. This was negotiated down to a 15 acre development site in recent discussions between the City of Lacombe and Canadian University College. 

“I fully understand the concerns some have about the REHDI Project and appreciate why City Council took this action,” said Canadian University College President Mark Haynal. “It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Christie and Norma MacQuarrie. I know they love Lacombe and consistently work to do what is best for our city.”

“Canadian University College will begin working with other developers to develop the land in a manner that benefits both our institution and people who want to build or buy a home in Lacombe,” he added.

Pianist Alexander Bernstein performs Sunday at 7 pm

Alexander Bernstein, Pianist

Alexander Bernstein, a former student of CUC Professor Debra Bakland, will be the featured artist at the next Sunday @ 7 concert, January 15 at 7 pm in the College Heights SDA Church.  After studying with Professor Bakland for nine years, Bernstein continued his piano studies at Harvard University.  He is currently pursuing graduate studies in piano performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

In addition to solo performances, Bernstein will also perform a four-hand piano work with guest artist Debra Bakland and a piano quintet with the CUC String Quartet.

Later this semester the Sunday @ 7 Series will present Voicescapes Vocal Ensemble, February 5, and the Montreal Guitar Trio, March 25.  More information about the Sunday @ 7 Series and music at CUC can be found here.