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.

Randy Ruggles Makes Four Presentations on Creation and Evolution

Randy Ruggles, author of the book Evolution: Fact or Fiction, made four presentations on campus the weekend of November 3.  Citing much recent research Ruggles explained why new discoveries in biology, astronomy and paleontology have rendered evolution dead.  "The truly scientific evidence points clearly and unequivocally toward the existence of an Intelligent Designer," said Ruggles.

Mr. Ruggles was recently interviewed by Bill Santos on It Is Written.  You can watch that interview here.

Campus Holds Special Remembrance Day Service

Because as an institution and as individuals we do not want to forget the service and sacrifice of those who fought for Canada, Canadian University College hosts a special Remembrance Day Service at Community Worship on the Tuesday before November 11.  This year's service was presented by Lacombe representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Students Explore Options at Career Day

PAA Student Kuriny Chuol (centre) was excited to meet for the first
time in his life a composer, Gem Fitch seen here with her
husband Victor.

Men and women representing 26 different professions set up information tables and chatted with students at CUC's annual Career Day.  Organized by Wanda Johnson and the Student Success Centre staff, the event was held in the cafeteria Thursday afternoon, November 1.  Just a few of the professions represented were:

• Optometry
• Banking
• Real Estate
• Photography
• Farming
• Human Resources Management
• Biology Research

"The professionals who attend are always so pleased to visit with our students," said Crystal Johnson, one of the event's organizers.  "I always get very positive comments from our guests about our students."

Choral Union Raises Money for Proposed East Coast Tour

Supporters of CUC's choirs enjoyed a delightful mix of exotic food and music at a fundraising program titled "Somewhere Beyond the 7 Seas."  Students raised more than $900 that will help fund the choir's proposed concert tour of the east coast.  The event was held Saturday night, October 27 in the Snack Shop.

The choir is also selling citrus fruit this year.  If you would like to order some please email Dr. Munroe: wmunroe@telusplanet.net or leave a message on her phone at 403.782.4310 with your name, phone number and your order. You may also call 403.782.3381 ext. 4089.

Students Lead Primary Sabbath School Every Week

Davina James, Maria-Jose Triguero, Venessa Brenya, Adam Bussey
and Sidney Lakusta-Wong are just five of more than 30 CUC students
who have run Primary A Sabbath School each week for nearly two years.

Two years ago when the church nominating committee couldn't find anyone willing to lead Primary A (grades  1 and 2) Sabbath School, CUC students Davina James, Sidney Lakusta-Wong, and Maria-Jose Triguero took on the challenge.  "We are happy we've had this opportunity to be an influence for good," said Lakusta-Wong, who was on the nominating committee.

Over the past two years more than 30 of their CUC classmates have helped the three ladies put on a meaningful program for the children each week.  Jay Johnson and Adam Bussey have been two of the regular helpers.  "We're doing this because we want to show the boys and girls a God who is our friend, who is always there for us," said Triguero.