Amanda Lindhout Shares a Message of Hope and Forgiveness

Internationally-known speaker and humanitarian Amanda Lindhout, spoke to students at Community Worship about her 460-day ordeal as a hostage held by Somali kidnappers and the lessons in hope, compassion and forgiveness she learned from that experience.  

Lindhout says several factors helped her surivive the horrible experience.  First, her memories of what she left behind, "memories of home, my family, friends, Canada." Second, her dreams for the future, "the dreams of what I could do with my life if I made it out of that very difficult situation alive."

"I dreamed about what I could do to make Somalia a better place if I made it out," said Lindhout.  She said that in spite of her brutal treatment by the militiamen, she  was deeply moved by the strength and kindness of the Somali people, especially the women.

Lindhout is the founder of the Global Enrichment Foundation an incorporated non-profit organization that seeks to promote peace and development in Somalia through sustainable educational and community-based empowerment programs, while undertaking humanitarian and life-saving emergency interventions in times of crisis.  Lindhout will publish a book about her life and work in September titled A House In the Sky: A Memoir.

Statue of The Sower Placed in Administration Building Lobby

The inscription at the base of the sculpture reads,
"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel."

A bronze sculpture titled, The Sower, commissioned four years ago by former CUC President Andrea Luxton, was placed in the administration building lobby Thursday afternoon.  Inspired by the Biblical story of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the statue was created by world-famous Adventist sculptor Alan Collins and cast at a foundry in Pendleton, Oregon.  

Most of Collins' work has focused on Biblical stories told in outdoor sculptures, which he has described as "24-hour, 365-days-a-year silent sermons."  With the installation of The Sower, Canadian University College joins five other Adventist universities in featuring Collins' work on their campus.

Born in 1928, Collins began his work in England, carving in stone.  Perhaps his best-known work in that country was done for Guilford Cathedral.

In 1968 Collins moved to the United States and subsequently taught at three Adventist institutions: Atlantic University College, Andrews University, and La Sierra University.  Now retired, Collins lives in Phoenix, Oregon, where he continues to create works of incredible beauty in wood, clay, stone, concrete and bronze.

Renowned Lawyer Speaks for Community Worship

Gerald Chipeur, Q. C., a graduate of CUC's high school division in 1979, and now a partner at Miller Thompson, one of Canada's most respected law firms, spoke to students at Community Worship about "appealing to Caesar."  Using Acts 25:10 as his text, Chipeur shared details of cases where he had appealed to judges and authorities to ensure the religious liberties of those being oppressed.  The program for this event can be found here.

One of the cases Chipeur shared with students was that of Larry Renaud, a custodian for the Central Okanagan School District who faced Sabbath work problems.  This matter was eventually resolved by the Supreme Court of Canada which ruled that an employer was under a duty to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees to the point of undue hardship.

Most recently, Chipeur served as counsel for an intervener in the Euthanasia action before the British Columbia Supreme Court.  Private sector and public sector clients also seek his opinion and advice on health law, regulatory, contractual and ethics issues.

Mr. Chipeur is a Contributing Editor of the Charter and Human Rights Litigation Quarterly and is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, and the International Commission of Jurists.  His scholarship includes articles on legal topics such as the Constitution, hospitals and healthcare, the environment, education, administrative law, human rights, elections, charitable organizations and public safety.

Mr. Chipeur has served on Canadian University College's Board of Trustees and presently serves on the board of directors of a number of charities with a focus on health and the sciences.

Students Present The Princess and the Pea: The Musical

Canadian University College's Drama Society presented three performances of a musical version of the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, January 26 and 27, in the Administration Building auditorium.  A special performance for home-schooled and elementary students and their families was presented Friday afternoon, January 25. The musical was directed by Julie Thompson and assistant director Megan McConnell.  A copy of the program, including photos and bios of each member of the cast, can be found here.

Second Semester Enrolment is 551

Canadian University College's opening enrolment for second semester is 551.  There is typically a decrease in enrolment between 1st and 2nd semester due to students completing their program, transferring to another institution, or withdrawing for academic or personal reasons.  Thirty-three students who were not here 1st semester have joined the campus family for 2nd semester.  Fifteen of them are new to CUC; 18 are returning after an absence of less than one year.

The photos below show scenes from the "welcome back" event the Student Association hosted in Lakeview Hall at the start of the second semester.

Students Present Week in Spiritual Emphasis

This semester's Week in Spiritual Emphasis, January 14-19, was planned and presented almost entirely by CUC students.  Coordinating this carefully and prayerfully planned event was Jessica Hall Campus Ministries Worship and Program Director.  

Each morning and evening meeting offered students the opportunity to sing, pray, and be encouraged by a short testimony and a longer message, all presented by fellow students.  Student speakers shared how God was leading in their life.  The complete schedule of those who contributed to the Week in Spiritual Emphasis can be found here.  The week's theme song was Let Me Rediscover You.

Dr. Neil Nedley Presents Weekend Seminar on Wellness

Dr. Neil Nedley, President of Weimar Center of Health and Education presented four very well-attended research-based presentations at CUC January 11-12 on how to optimize brain function and emotional health.  Nedley, is also a full-time practicing physician in Internal Medicine with emphases in Gastroenterology, Mental Health, Lifestyle Medicine, and the difficult-to-diagnose patient.

Dr. Nedley's presentations are based on his recently published book, The Lost Art of Thinking.  In it he writes, "You don't have to settle for an average, or even above-average brain.  By incorporating these simple, yet profound strategies, you can be the next thought leader in your community.  Not just because your outlook on life is better and more filled with purpose, but because you will possess a superior and balanced brain that can be a source of education, motivation, and relationship-building for those around you."

Alberta's Premier Presents Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal to President Haynal

Alberta's Premier Alison Redford presented a Diamond Jubilee Medal to CUC's President Mark Haynal at a ceremony in Edmonton Tuesday, January 15.  Before presenting the medal to each president of Alberta's 26 publicly-funded post-secondary institutions, Redford said, "Alberta is fortunate to have such dedicated, visionary leaders in the post-secondary system. I wanted to recognize these leaders, and celebrate the work they do to help build our world-class centers of learning."

The official news release for the event explained that the Premier presented the medals with Enterprise and Advanced Education Minister Stephen Khan while the presidents were in Edmonton for a meeting of Campus Alberta stakeholders.

“Campus Alberta is a great example of how the advanced education system is being innovative in meeting the needs of learners,” said Minister Khan. “I was very proud to help recognize these leaders in Alberta’s post-secondary system.”

The Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians are being recognized.


"It was an honour to meet the premier and Minister Khan and to receive this medal," said Haynal.  "While I may have been the one who represented CUC at this event, it is the talent and dedication of this institution's faculty and staff that have made CUC an important part of Campus Alberta." 

President Haynal, back row, third from the left, with the other medal recipients posed for a group photo with Premier Redford, front and centre, and to her left, Enterprise and Advanced Education Minister Stephen Khan.

For more information on Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Alberta, and for a list of recipients’ names, please visit: http://alberta.ca/diamondjubilee.cfm.

CUC Chaplain Paul Antunes Accepts Call to Brazil

Paul Antunes, who has served as CUC's chaplain since 2007, has accepted a call to Brazil, where he will be an associate pastor at the São Paulo Adventist University Center Church.  In addition to assisting with normal pastoral duties at this 4000-member church, Antunes will also coordinate all programming and work to develop its TV ministries.

"We are all very sad to see Paul leave," said Mark Haynal, President of CUC.  "He has been a wonderful friend and mentor for our students and a valuable coworker."  During his time at CUC Pastor Antunes increased both the quality and quantity of spiritual programming on campus and the breadth of opportunities students have for leadership in campus ministries.

Pastor Antunes presented his "farewell" sermon to students at 2nd semester's Opening Convocation, Tuesday, January 8.  The title of his remarks was, "The Best Place on Earth is . . ."  He assured students that the best place to be is always where God wants you to be.

Staff Member Donates Hair to Cancer Patients

After letting her hair grow for 4 years, Dana Tenerife, CUC's Project Support Specialist, cut it off and donated it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.  Her locks will be used to make real hair wigs for women fighting cancer.  "I felt it was my duty to aid those less fortunate than me," explained Dana.  "Who knows, maybe one day I could have a need for just such an item." 

Dana says another reason she enjoyed doing this was for the "entertainment factor of walking into a hair salon and seeing the look of horror on the stylist's face when you tell her to cut 14 inches off!"

Although she has been growing her hair more than 4 years with donating it as her goal, it wasn't until just recently that Dana decided to donate it to Beautiful Lengths.  "I chose Pantene's program because I have several friends and family members who have fought and survived breast cancer," she explained.  While Beautiful Lengths makes real hair wigs for women fighting any form of cancer, many of their recipients are battling breast cancer.