Powerful Storm Knocks Down Trees

A violent storm Saturday night knocked down trees on campus and made the CBC Edmonton news.  The powerful combination of very high winds, heavy rain, marble-sized hail and much lightning struck campus just before 10 pm and raged for nearly 45 minutes.  The power was off for more than 2 hours.

Under the direction of Director of Plant Services Darren Bishop, campus clean up began early Sunday morning.  Bishop said the trees that the storm felled were ones CUC has been planning to remove!  In fact, an offering was taken Sabbath morning of Homecoming Weekend to help cover the cost of replacing many of our campus' old cottonwood trees with younger, more hearty trees.  

If you would like to partner with us to replace the fallen trees please contact Jerrold Ritchey at jritchey@cauc.ca.  Shown below are Thomas Elliott and Austin Gibbons who might have slept in Sunday morning, but instead joined the grounds crew cleaning up campus.

Philip Swierszcz, CUC's grounds crew leader, spent most of Sunday with his chain saw cutting up huge
fallen limbs into smaller pieces.

Two CUC Grads Fill Important Campus Positions

Rhanda Bonet-Graham

Canadian University College is pleased to welcome back on campus two of its graduates, Melody Ilacas and Rhanda Bonet-Graham.

Mrs. Bonet-Graham, who completed her degree in Music Performance in 2001, will be serving as CUC's Capital Campaign Manager.  In addition to her degree in music, Bonet-Graham also holds a degree in Business Administration from La Sierra University.

Since leaving CUC in 2001 Bonet-Graham has worked in marketing for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Children's Chorus and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.  "While in Toronto, Rhanda established herself as an outstanding communicator and marketer," said CUC President Mark Haynal.  "I am thrilled to have someone with so much talent and experience joining our advancement team."

Melody Ilacas

In addition to assisting the Office of Advancement with ongoing fundraising initiatives and events, Bonet-Graham will manage the campaign to raise money for CUC's new Library/Learning Centre.

Ilacas, who completed her degree in Business Administration at CUC in 2009, will be working as a recruiter serving students in the eastern half of Canada.  Since leaving CUC Ilacas has earned an MBA and is now working on an M.Div., both at La Sierra University.

Shantel Smith Selected as CUC's New Associate Chaplain

Shantel Smith, who describes herself as "Canadian born, first generation Italian and Jamaican," has accepted a call to serve as CUC's associate chaplain.  Smith fills a position most recently held by Janice De-Whyte who will be teaching at Loma Linda University.

In 2010, Smith completed her undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and Theology at Tyndale University College and Seminary, in Toronto.  In May, she was awarded a Master of Divinity at Andrews University.  

While at Andrews University Smith helped found The Stoplight Project which "works for the social, spiritual and personal well-being of sex trafficking victims in Cambodia, empowering them through Christian counseling, education and vocational training."

Smith comes to CUC having already gained experience in mentorship, global missions, and a variety of outreach programs.  She is passionate about soul-winning and student spiritual growth.  "I am very pleased the Alberta Conference has assigned Shantel to the College Heights Church and our campus," said President Mark Haynal.  "God has blessed her with a rich array of talents and abilities that I know will bless all of us at CUC."

CUC Prepares New Amphitheatre and Computer Lab for Students

Each summer a variety of renovations and improvements are made on campus.  This summer the Committee of 100 is funding the complete renovation of the 21st Century Lab in the John McKibbin Education Centre and classroom 041 in the basement of the Administration Building.  In addition to these projects and other smaller ones, the exterior of the library is being fully renewed, something that was long overdue.  

The new amphitheater in the Education Centre will feature tables and chairs on six different levels with a maximum seating capacity of 122.  The computers that were in the Education Centre have been moved to 041 in the Administration Building.  That space, which had been one of the most crowded and unappealing classrooms on campus, will now be an attractive and inviting computer lab.

The Committee of 100 has also purchased approximately 60 lockers that will be installed in four locations across campus.  These lockers will be made available to students who live off campus.

"I am extremely grateful for the generosity of the members of the Committee of 100," said Dr. Haynal.  "This wonderful group of CUC-supporters, under the leadership of Victor Fitch, has done so much to enhance our campus and our students' experience."  

The Committee of 100 is in the process of recruiting additional members.  Members commit to contributing $500 a year to support Committee projects.  During the summer of 2012 the Committee of 100 sponsored the renovation and modernization of two lobbies in Maple Hall.

Rain Doesn't Dampen Spirits at Man-Sask Camp Meeting

No, Dr. Haynal did not just swallow a mosquito, the photographer simply
caught him in mid-sentence most likely preparing to say a word beginning
 with the letter "p" as Julio Davila looks on.

Thunderstorms and tornado warnings did not keep CUC representatives from their camp meeting duties at Camp Whitesand, near Theodore, Saskatchewan.  Proclaim provided music and programming for the Youth, Young Adult, and Adult venues Friday night and Sabbath, July 5 and 6, and a full concert Sunday afternoon, July 7.

Julio Davila, who completed his degree in Religious Studies at CUC in April, joined Dr. Haynal during Sabbath School to talk about their recent ShareHim trip to Guatemala.  Davila is now works as a Bible Worker in Saskatoon.

Rod Jamieson spoke briefly during Sabbath School, giving the congregation an update on Park View Academy.  In addition to its ongoing high quality academic and spiritual programming. PAA will be making aviation ground school available to students as an elective.

Dr. Haynal led the congregation in the Sabbath School lesson study, the first in this quarter's series on revival and reformation.  Proclaim concluded the Sabbath School program by singing Gentle Shepherd.

(Photos by Andrea Komor Leaist)

Clyde Hannebury Receives Staff of the Year Award

Clyde Hannebury has been chosen to receive this year's Staff of the Year award. Hannebury, who has worked at CUC for 15 years, serves as the Custodial Supervisor. Dr. Haynal presented the award at the annual staff picnic, Tuesday, June 25, which was held in the cafeteria this year because of rain. 

When making the presentation Dr. Haynal said, "In May I spent all day, every day for 3 weeks with a group of students on a ShareHim trip in Guatemala. It got to the point where the students kind of forgot I was around and would speak openly about various things that happened while they were at CUC. I was deeply gratified to hear how often the students talked about specific faculty or staff whom they admired or appreciated. I want to thank all of you who work here for the positive impact you have on our students. Each of you, in your own way, in great and small ways, are a blessing to our students." 

"Because I so very much appreciate what you all do, it is always a little frustrating that at this time of the year we give to only one person the Staff of the Year Award. This year we had nearly three times as many nominations for this award than we have had in the past. And, while each person nominated was entirely worthy of the award, one person received the majority of the nominations. Listen to some of the things they said in their nominations: 

• I truly believe that this individual is kind, always willing to help, solves problems in a timely and efficient manner.
• This individual is always pleasant not only with staff, but with student workers. This individual exhibits a wonderful Christian character.
• Even when this individual is busy, running between jobs, if we have an issue, he makes sure our problem is sorted out as quickly as possible.
• This individual is always willing to go the second mile. This individual is thoughtful, hard-working and dedicated to excellence.
• This individual is an unfailingly dependable staff member.
• This individual takes pride in his work.
• This person has amazing attention to detail.
• This person is always cheerful. 

"And, this being Canada, even nominations for Staff of the Year mention hockey! After listing all sorts of good reasons why this individual should receive the award, the nomination concluded with: 'He deserves this for showing up to work with the same dedication even after his beloved Maple Leafs were brutally dismissed from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.'  

"It gives me great pleasure to present this year’s Staff of the Year award to a disappointed Hockey Fan, but outstanding employee, Clyde Hannebury."

CUC Representatives Begin Camp Meeting Circuit

Each summer representatives from CUC visit  every camp meeting in Canada.  At the giant one-day event Sabbath, June 29, in Toronto, before a congregation of over 7000,  Dr. Haynal interviewed the Ontario Conference's newest pastor, Robert Greaves, who completed his degree in religious studies at CUC in April.  (Photo coming soon.)

Proclaim, CUC's touring quartet, provided music for the Young Adult, Youth and Adult divisions.  Jerrold Ritchey, vice president for advancement, operated a CUC information booth near the main auditorium, and Tiniel Parredon, CUC recruiter, met with potential students and their parents at a booth near the venue in which the youth met.

Dr. Haynal's camp meeting duties this year include:

• Sabbath School at Man/Sask Camp Meeting, July 6.
• A Seminar on Improving Your Self-Control at the Alberta Camp Meeting, July 15, 16, and 17.
• Sabbath School at the Maritimes Camp Meeting, July 27.
• A Presentation at Quebec Camp Meeting, Thursday, August 1.
• A Presentation at British Columbia Camp Meeting, Sabbath afternoon, August 3.

A highlight of the evening meeting at the Ontario Camp Meeting was a performance by the Ghanaian Choir.