Sunday@7 Concert Series Opens with a Harpsichord Hoedown

Normally classical music afficionados wanting to hear four harpsichords simultaneously and expertly played would have to travel to the largest cities and most famous concert venues in North America and Europe.  However, music lovers in Central Alberta had the opportunity to enjoy this unique experience at the opening concert of the 2013-14 Sunday@7 Concert Series, September 22, in the College Heights SDA Church.

The all-Bach program was presented by Dr. Wendy Markosky and four fellow musicians from Central Alberta.  A copy of the program with biographical information about each of the artists can be viewed here.  "The piece I enjoyed the most was the final one that featured not only all four harpsichords by also the organ," said one CUC music major.  "The performers were so tightly in sync that you couldn't tell who began each melodic line and who finished it!"

Canadian University College is pleased to offer the Sunday@7 Concert Series in conjunction with its partners and sponsors: The Alberta Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, the City of Lacombe, and SERVUS Credit Union.

The next concert in this year's series will feature exciting works for two pianos and four hands performed by Debra Bakland and Cheryl Cooney, October 20, at 7 pm in the College Heights SDA Church.  Information about all upcoming concerts can be found here.

PAA Seniors Win Class Challenge

One of the wackiest and most entertaining Saturday night events at Canadian University College is Class Challenge.  At this event teams representing each year group at PAA and CUC compete in events ranging from a tug-of-war to relay races to a new event in which each contestant smashed an egg on his/her head, not knowing if it was hard boiled or raw.
  
Because of their grit and determination, this year's event was won by PAA's senior class.  "The seniors didn't win by dominating multiple events, but by simply doing well enough at each event to accumulate the most victory points," explained one observer.

Greg and Kim Taylor Speak for Week in Spiritual Emphasis

Pastor Greg Taylor, Youth Director for the Wisconsin Conference, and his wife Kim, presented 1st semester's Week in Spiritual Emphasis (WISE) using the theme, "It's All About Jesus."  Two meetings were held each day, September 16-20, with morning meetings in the church and evening meetings in the Ad Building Chapel.

Prior to serving as the Youth Director for the Wisconsin Conference, Pastor Taylor worked as a youth pastor, chaplain and academy Bible teacher.  Before taking time off to raise their two sons, Joshua (10) and Matthew (6),  Kim Taylor taught math and science.

"I really appreciated the messages Greg and Kim presented," said one student.  "They showed me how to apply God's word to things I'm dealing with in my daily life." 

WISE speakers Greg and Kim Taylor concluded
each of their messages with a song.

Evening meetings were held in the Ad Building Chapel; attendance was between 200 and 250.  

Jordane Smith, Campus Ministries Worship Director, provided special
music at Monday morning's meeting.

Canadian University College's Campus Ministries team, under the leadership of student director Rebekah Maurice, above, left, will be offering students a variety of service opportunities this school year.  The service "micro-service"
 opportunity was making cards that would be shared with residents of the Royal Oak Manor.

Students Come to CUC from 14 Countries

This year's enrolment of 543 students hail from 14 different countries, including Canada.  The largest contingent (39) have traveled to Lacombe from the United States.  We also have students from:

• The Bahamas (4)
• Bermuda (1)
• Brazil (2)
• Canada (483)
• Indonesia (1)
• Korea (1)
• Malaysia (1)
• Mexico (1)
• Nigeria (2)
• Serbia (1)
• Singapore (1)
• Trinidad and Tobago (1)
• The United Kingdom (1)

Of the students from Canada 212 are from Alberta, 128 from Ontario, 85 from British Columbia, 17 from Manitoba, 17 from Quebec, 10 from Nova Scotia, 5 from New Brunswick, 5 from Saskatchewan, 3 from Newfoundland and Labrador and 1 from Prince Edward Island.

For the 4th year in a row female students outnumber their male counterparts 297 to 246.  The Year One students form the largest group with 212.  There are 131 in Year Two, 95 in Year Four, 87 in Year Four and 18 in the "Open" category.

This year the academic program in which the most students are enrolled is Biology's Bio-Medical Track with 81 students.  Rounding out the "Top 10" of CUC's programs by enrolment are:

• Elementary Education (56)
• Religious - Pre-Professional (45)
• Psychology (39)
• General Studies (31)
• Secondary Education (30)
• Business - Management Track (25)
• Behavioural Science (25)
• Biology (19)
• Business - Accounting Track (17)

President Invites Students to Move from Fargo to Winnipeg

In his remarks at Opening Convocation President Haynal encouraged students to move from Fargo to Winnipeg in how they deal with their problems.  Using a video news clip and historical data, he contrasted how those two cities have dealt with their common problem of the Red River flooding each spring.  Under the leadership of "the Greatest Manitoban," Premier Dufferin Roblin, Winnipeg built the Red River Floodway in the 1960s which has effectively prevented an estimated $10 billion in flood damage.  Fargo has not yet taken action and continues to regularly suffer losses from flooding.

Professor Cristian Neacsu

It is at Opening Convocation that Larry Murrin, our registrar, announces CUC's enrolment data for the new academic year.  Because CUC graduated its largest group ever last April, administration had expected and planned for a decrease in enrolment.  This year's first semester headcount is 539, down from last year's record-setting first semester figure of 576.

At Opening Convocation students also enjoyed hearing CUC's newest faculty member, Cristian Neacsu, director of the Chamber Orchestra, expertly perform the exquisite theme from Schindler's List, accompanied by pianist Debra Bakland.   The printed program for Opening Convocation can be found here.  If you would like to watch a video of the entire event you may do so here.

Canadian University College's registrar, Larry Murrin, shared opening enrolment data with faculty, staff, and students in Opening Convocation.

CUC's new chaplains Shantel Smith and Adam Deibert led the congregation in the scripture reading.

Students Enjoy Annual Welcome Back Bash

Faculty, staff and students gathered in front of the Administration Building, Tuesday evening, September 3, for CUC's annual Welcome Back Bash.  In addition to a free supper, participants enjoyed having their photograph taken, their caricature drawn, and the prize drawings sponsored by SHINE-FM 90.5, Red Deer's Christian station.

The Welcome Back Bash also featured nearly 20 campus club or group information tables manned by students and faculty.   At each table students were encouraged to join the club or sign up for involvement in that groups activities.