Daniel Dobroskay Wins 1st Prize in Scripture Song Contest

Daniel Dobroskay performs his scripture song,
which won the $500 first prize.

After listening to the three finalists perform their scripture song at Vespers Friday, February 22, the congregation was invited to text their vote for the first place winner.  They selected Daniel Dobroskay as the winner of the President's 1st Annual Celebration of Scripture Songs.  Brad Nickel took 2nd place, and Claire Ritchey 3rd place. 

Dobroskay's song is a collection of his favorite texts and uses Philippians 3:14 as the chorus.  "The tune for the chorus came to me all at once while I was getting ready for class one morning," explained Dobroskay.  You can enjoy a recording of this song here.

Brad Nickel's song is based on his favorite text, Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  You can enjoy a recording of Nickel's song here.

Claire Ritchey, a grade 12 student at Parkview Adventist Academy, based her song on Matthew 11:28-30,  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Brad Nickel

Claire Ritchey, at the piano, along with two friends perform her scripture song.  Claire attended CUC's high school
division 60 years ago, but did not graduate.  Since then she has dreamed of going back to school and getting
her high school diploma.  Two years ago she enroled at Parkview Adventist Academy; she graduates in June!

CUC Student's Book Available Adventist book Centre and Amazon

Dr. Haynal recently interviewed Luke Heimann at Community Worship.

The Review and Herald Publishing Association recently published a book written by CUC student Luke Heimann, a Religious Studies major.  Titled, To Build a Life, the book is available at Adventist Book Center and online from Amazon in both book and Kindle format. 

During an interview at a recent Community Worship Heimann said, "Because of my background as a building contractor the book uses many comparisons to actually constructing a building, beginning with the foundation through the finished product."  The book opens with Jeremiah 29:11 and asks the question, "You are the builder.  Whose plan are you following?"

Heimann has spoken at many youth convocations across the North American Division.  You can listen to podcasts of his presentations at Manitoba-Saskatchewan Campmeeting here.

Campus Hosts Weekend Focus on Ellen White

Dr. Michael Campbell, an expert in Adventist history, presented four programs about Ellen White, one of the founders of the Adventist church, the weekend of February 23.  Podcasts of each program can be found here.

Dr. Campbell supervised the Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office at Loma Linda University and earned his Ph.D. in Adventist Studies from Andrews University. His dissertation examined the historical and theological significance of the 1919 Bible Conference, the first denominational meeting that examined Ellen White’s writings after her death—and the first time Adventists used the terms “liberal” and “conservative." 

"Canadian University College sponsors special weekend events like this because we believe it is very important for all of us to systematically review and learn more about our fundamental beliefs and historical heritage," explained Mark Haynal, president.

Former CUC President Passes Away at Age 93

Dr. Neville O. Matthews, former CUC president, who tirelessly worked to achieve degree-granting status for Canadian University College, died peacefully this past Saturday at the age of 93 in his retirement home in southern California. Dr. Matthews served as CUC’s 16th president from 1971-1982 when the school was still known as Canadian Union College.

"President Matthews' leadership reflected his deep faith and enduring passion for CUC," said CUC President Mark Haynal. "The Canadian University College community continues to walk in his footsteps and his steadfast commitment to Christian education. Canadian University College will always feel his influence."

Matthews began his education career at Spicer College, India where he taught classes and went on to become the principal of the high school division. After completing his Bachelor of Education and Master of Education degrees, he became academic dean and registrar of the college. Matthews, his wife, Sheila, and their family moved to Canada in 1956. Between 1956 and 1963, Matthews worked in several capacities at Canadian Union College: teacher, high school principal, academic dean, and registrar of the college division.

In 1964, Matthews was appointed dean of Medicine Hat Junior College, now Medicine Hat College, in southern Alberta and went on to become its president. In 1967 Matthews received his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Alberta.

In 1971, Matthews was invited to return as president of CUC. Using the same skills that had garnered strong growth in Medicine Hat—cultivating friendships with government and education officials and refusing to be daunted by a lengthy process—he worked to achieve degree-granting status for CUC.

In 1982 Matthews was asked to serve at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as liaison between the Seventh-day Adventist church and the United Nations. In 1988 after the passing of his wife Sheila, Matthews returned to Spicer College where he served as president in his retirement.

He is survived by his children; Gwen, Jenny-Jeanne, Robyn and Ted.

by JR Ferrer

Alex Tym, on behalf of the Committee of 100, presents a cheque for $100,000 to 
Dr. Neville Matthews that helped pay for the PE Centre in 1985.

Dr. Neville Matthews with Blake Wile, 1982.

Maclean's Report Identifies Canadian University College's Strengths

For the first time ever Canadian University College is ranked with other Canadian post-secondary institutions in Maclean's online report of 2012 National Survey of Student (NSSE) results.  The report of NSSE scores from 69 Canadian institutions showed CUC listed in the Top 10 in three of the five benchmarks.  Were scores for all five benchmarks combined for an overall score, preliminary analysis shows CUC would be listed 5th.

Although this is the first time CUC's students have participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement, this instrument is used by more than 1400 universities in Canada and the United States to identify aspects of the undergraduate experience inside and outside the classroom that can be improved through changes in policies and practices more consistent with good practices in undergraduate education.

"Even though we are pleased with nearly all of our results, like the other institutions do, we will use the data to make changes to improve and enhance the full spectrum of students' experience at CUC," said Mark Haynal, president.  "Using this data, we have already implemented specific changes in the area of academic challenge that we believe will benefit our students."

The five benchmarks Maclean's reported online are: Supportive Campus Environment, Student Faculty Interaction, Active and Collaborative Learning, Level of Academic Challenge, Enriching Educational Experience.

While CUC's results in NSSE's five benchmarks were published only on Maclean's website, the February 18 print edition listed how CUC's 1st and 4th year students responded to two NSSE questions:

Question 1:  How happy are you with your university education?
CUC 1st Year Student Rating: 45, which is above the NSSE average for 1st year students of 39.  CUC is listed 15th in the group of 69 Canadian universities.
CUC 4th Year Student Rating:  34, which is lower than the NSSE average for 4th year students of 41.  CUC is listed 31st in the group of 69 Canadian universities.

Question 2: Would you go back to school at your university?
CUC 1st Year Student Positive Response: 54, which is above the NSSE average for 1st year students of 45.  CUC is listed 17th in the group of 69 Canadian universities.
CUC 4th Year Student Positive Response: 39, which is lower than the NSSE average for 4th year students of 46.  CUC is listed 39th in the group of 69 Canadian universities.

"I'm very glad our 1st year students report being quite satisfied with their experience at CUC," said Haynal.  "Even though our 4th year students rated us much higher than did 4th year students at most of Canada's major univerisities, we are carefully studying the data to determine ways we can more fully satisfy our 4th year students."

Special Weekend Services Focus on Black History

Lyle Notice, a CUC graduate, and now associate youth director for the Alberta Conference, was the featured speaker at Black History Weekend.  Friday evening, February 8, Pastor Notice's topic was, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."  His message Sabbath morning was titled, "Where Do We Go From Here?"  In addition to Pastor Notice's special messages, all services featured soul-stirring drama, praise singing, and special music provided by a number of CUC students.

Students Enjoy Prom at Lacombe Memorial Centre

More than 200 students enjoyed an evening of great food and fine entertainment at the Student Association's annual banquet, held this year Sunday evening, February 10 in Lacombe Memorial Centre.  Many students contributed to make the special evening possible.  Their work was coordinated by John Masigan.

Focus on CUC History:
The Amalgamation of Canadian Junior College and Battleford Academy in 1931

In the fall of 1931 Canadian Junior College adopted a sister academy in Saskatchewan. It is amazing that this happened because CJC had been literally destroyed by fire on May 28, 1930.  

Why didn’t the Western Canadian Union board propose to amalgamate the two schools at Battleford, SK instead of Lacombe?  Battleford Academy had its struggles with small enrollment and a small constituency for financial support but it did have buildings. 

Battleford Academy's main building.  (This photo was taken several years after the school closed.)

However, out of the smoking ruins of CJC’s three main buildings, two majestic concrete buildings were erected within five to six months during the depression when money was scarce and materials limited.

Canadian Junior College's new Administration Building (centre) and West Hall in 1931.           

Denominational recommendations provided that a constituency should have 12,000 members before opening a junior college. The Western Canadian Union took a bold step in faith to operate a junior college at Lacombe with a membership of only 4,500 in the Union. A message to the Western Canadian membership stated: “This concentration of effort and interest at Lacombe is bound to result in increased efficiency spiritually and scholastically. So let us rally around the school at Lacombe.” Wouldn’t these board members be proud to know that sixty-six years later the school on the hill became the university college for Canada?
            

Battleford Academy's Class of 1920 included: Samuel Crooks,
Lena Farnsworth, Hulda Hoehn, Mary Swanson,
Maurice Roberts, Cecil Mayor, Leonard Light,
Edward Hoehn, and Ludlow Davy.

After 15 years of operation, Battleford Academy closed its doors after the graduation ceremonies in 1931 and its 142 graduates and several hundred students then claimed CJC/CUC as their Alma Mater.

The first 50-year reunion of Battleford Academy and Canadian Junior College students was held in 1978 with 15 in attendance.

The first 50-year reunion of Battleford Academy and Canadian Junior College students was held in 1978 with 15 in attendance.  They are: Albert Tetz 1924, Blanche Palmer Tetz attended 1919, John Berfus attended 1916, Esther Roth Befus 1928, William G. McCready, 1915 and 1921, Helen Knutson Rippington 1927, Eunice Keller Hnatyshyn 1924, John Hnatyshyn 1925, Hazel Simmonds Newcom 1928, Mr. Newcom, Anna Leiske Wetzel 1927, Bernice Deer Shearer 1924, Frank W. Shearer 1928, Myrtle Miller Pierce 1924, Warren Pierce 1927.

President's Note:  This glimpse of CUC's history is the first of what will be a monthly feature prepared by Edith Fitch, who does brilliant work in our Archives Office.  If you have questions related to CUC's history, you can reach our volunteers in Archives by e-mailing archives@cauc.ca

Students Present "My TESTimony" Youth Rally in BC

Twenty-three CUC students travelled to Deer Lake SDA School in Burnaby, BC, the weekend of February 2 to present a series of meetings and workshops for 180 youth in the Greater Vancouver area.  The theme of this youth rally was Distractions from God.  Each program dealt with different aspects of things that distract one from a God:

• Friday Evening: What are the Distractions that Young People Face?
• Sabbath Morning: How Do We Get Rid of (or Escape) These Distractions?
• Sabbath Evening: What Do We Do After We Escape These Distractions?

Each program consisted of praise and worship, original skits written and performed by the students, personal testimonies, special music and the main speaker.  Carvy Luceno coordinated the praise and worship, Richard Gray led the drama team and Jorge Torres was the main speaker.  Coordinating the entire event was Kryzia Abacan.  The weekend program can be found here.

In addition to the three main meetings, the students also presented five workshops:

• Girl Talk - Presented by Jen Negoescu and Cherise Martens
• Hearing God's Voice - Presented by Richard Gray, Marc Andrade and Bobby Chilaka
• The High School Experience - Presented by Andrel Wisdom, David Fletcher and Mitch Keenan
• The Worldly Pull - Presented by Jorge Torres, Brad Nickel, and Harrison Chokka
• Kids Time - Presented by Maria Triguero, Jennis Singla, and Ammmishaddaih Flores

The youth rally was jointly sponsored by Canadian University College, Deer Lake SDA School and the British Columbia Conference.  Canadian University College's sponsor was Saida Mejia-Belonio, one of our recruiters.  "The event was a huge blessing to all who participated," she said.  "Students, teachers and parents from the BC area repeatedly told me how great the program was and how refreshing it was to see young people leading out and being great examples to their peers."

Students Cheer for Basketball, Acronaires and Drum Line all in One Saturday Night

Students enjoyed a full spectrum of wholesome fun Saturday night, February 2.  The evening began with the ladies' Aurora Basketball team playing tough but eventually losing to the Ambrose University College Lions 68-48. 

Throughout the evening CUC's ladies' soccer team sold baked goods, raising $550 for their service project.  All evening the CUC Drum Line played, adding excitement and energy to each event.  The Chamber Singers sang the national anthem before both basketball games.

In the second game of the evening, CUC's men's basketball team soundly defeated the Lions 88-40.  The half time show for this game was presented by the Acronaires.  The team amazed the crowd with a variety of daring and skillfully executed group and individual routines.

Evensong Offers Music and the Spoken Word as the Sabbath Ends

Second semester's first Evensong service was held Sabbath, February 2, at 4 pm in the College Heights Church.  Ten students performed musical selections ranging from a movement of a Mozart concerto from the Classical Era to a 20th century piece for unaccompanied alto flute written in 2002 by Ellen Lindquist.  The spoken word was provided by Dr. Joy Fehr, vice president for academic administration.  The Evensong printed program can be found here.  Musical highlights are offered in the  two video clips below.