Convocation Weekend is a Smashing Success

Although it was cold and overcast at 10 am when Commencement service began Sunday morning, April 27, CUC's newest alumni, recently-granted diplomas in hand, exited the church to a cloudless sky and brilliant spring sunshine.  Thus ended what was deeply satisfying weekend of fellowship and thanksgiving celebrating the end of the 105th academic year on CUC's hilltop.

Alumna Karen Hayde, now a chaplain for correctional institution in Nanaimo, was the commencement speaker.

The class officers presented a Class Gift of partial funding for additional block heater plug ins for the student
parking lot.

During Friday evening's consecration service graduands presented flowers to their closest family members.

Parent of a graduand, Barry Bussey, member of CUC's Board of Trustees, spoke Friday evening.

Dr. David Trim, Director of Archives and Statistics for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists preached the Baccalaureate sermon.

A visually impaired graduate received a standing ovation when she received her diploma.

Dr. Haynal presented the Presidential Medals of Excellence for outstanding academic achievement to Sidney Lakusta-Wong, Kendra Hill and Amanda Baber.

This year's Outward Pursuits graduates pose with Professors DonnaLee and Paul Lehmann.

Religious Studies professors Drs. Herr, Boyd and Matacio, pose with this year's majors.

Bussey, Trim and Hayde Serve as Convocation Speakers

Five of the six English majors graduating this year have been accepted to
graduate programs in the United Kingdom.  

Canadian University College is pleased it will grant degrees to 111 students at Commencement Service, Sunday, April 27, in the College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Because of the large number of graduates and limited seating, tickets are required for admission.  All of the weekend's major services can be watched live online.  The printed program for the weekend can be viewed here.

This year's Commencement speaker will be Karen Hayde who is a chaplain for British Columbia Corrections at an all-male facility in Nanaimo. Prior to her graduating from Canadian University College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Religious Studies (Pre-professional), Karen studied electrical engineering, developed and operated a non-profit organization empowering youth and communities in Northwestern Ontario, coordinated and developed youth conferences and workshops for community groups, and created and implemented social education programs for schools and communities.

For three years Karen was the voice and researcher for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio One’s Black History Month daily radio spots. She also co-authored a children’s ministry training manual. Karen competed internationally as a member of the national Judo team for 11 years and had the privilege of winning a silver medal for Canada at the 1990 Commonwealth Games before retiring in 1996.

Karen studied Chaplaincy at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa and worked as a hospital chaplain before moving to British Columbia in 2008. In her spare time, she enjoys playing her guitar, snowshoeing, bungee jumping, travel, and laughter with friends and family.

Another graduate of Canadian University College, Barry W. Bussey, will be the speaker for Friday evening's Consecretion Service.  After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in in Theology from Canadian Union (University) College in 1987, Mr. Bussey served as the pastor of two churches in Newfoundland. 

In 1992 Mr. Bussey graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario). He practiced law for four years in Newfoundland before taking the position of Trust Services and Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) Director at the Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In November 2000, Barry was nominated as a candidate for the Canadian Alliance Party and ran in the federal election for the City of Oshawa, Ontario riding. From 2003-2008, he was the General Counsel/Public Affairs Director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. In May 2002, he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John’s, Newfoundland). Four years later, after studies at Osgoode Hall Law School, Barry was awarded a Master of Laws degree in Constitutional Law from York University (Toronto, Ontario). Currently, Barry is completing a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario). 

Mr. Bussey has worked in Washington, D.C., New York City and Geneva as the representative of the International Religious Liberty Association at the United States Congress and the United 
Nations. Since July 2011, Barry has served the Canadian Council of Christian Charities as 
Vice President Legal Affairs.

Barry and his wife, LaVonna (nee Corkum), have three children: Carmelle (Michael), Adam, and Seth (Cara) as well as one grandchild, Arianne.

Speaking for the Baccalaureate Service, Sabbath, April 26, will be Dr. David Trim, Director of Archives, Statistics, and Research at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dr. Trim was born in Bombay, India, to missionary parents; raised in Sydney, Australia; and went to England for his college education.

Dr. Trim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History from Newbold College and a Doctor of Philosophy degree specializing in History and War Studies from the University of London. His experience includes ten years on the faculty at Newbold College teaching history and religion, and two years at Pacific Union College in California where he held the Walter C. Utt Chair of History. He was called to the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters in October 2010. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he has published nine books and many scholarly papers. He is married to Wendy, a native of California; they 
have one daughter, Genevieve.

Two Stories of Fur Coats from the CUC Archives

(As we put memories of a harsh and long winter behind us, CUC's archivist, Edith Fitch, presents a couple of stories about fur coats.  Notice the very substantial fur coats worn by those in the photo above.)

A. G. Daniells
GC President 1901-1922

Elder A.G. Daniells, the longest serving president (1901-1922) of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, attended the second Quadrennial Session of the Western Canadian Union Conference in Calgary, February 12-21, 1924. Mrs. C.L. Stone, wife of CJC’s former president 1922-1923, noticed that Elder Daniells did not have a warm winter coat. She spearheaded a drive to raise money to buy him a fur coat. Eleven months later in January, it was C.L. Stone’s privilege to get the coat from Payne Furriers in Calgary and wear it all the way to New York City to deliver it to Elder Daniells where he was holding meetings. Two days later, Professor and Mrs. C.L. Stone sailed for Panama.

The February 10, 1925 Western Canadian Tidings printed a thank you letter from Elder Daniells dated January 23, 1925.

Dear Brother and Sister Stone:

            I am writing this note to express my appreciation to you and all the kind hearted friends in Western Canada who united in presenting to me this warm and splendidly made over coat Bro. Stone has brought to me. Many times in my cold rides during the last twenty-five years I have felt the need of a wool or fur coat, but really never expected to have one. But by the action of dear friends in Western Canada I now have just what I need in this respect.

            This has all been a great surprise to me as I knew not what was going on until the arrangements were all completed. I cannot repay you, but I can appreciate your brotherly kindness and thank you all with my whole heart.

Your sincere brother,

A.G. Daniells

C. L. Stone
CUC President 1922-23

The second story is an announcement in the April 13, 1926 issue of Western Canadian Tidings.

Professor Stone, who is now in Inter-America, would like to sell the fur coat which he had made from Persian lamb pelts while he was in Canada. This coat was not worn very much, and he will sell it for $100.00. For further particulars write the Tidings, College Heights, Alberta.  (In an earlier advertisement he was asking $150.00 for the coat!)

Campus Lockdown Lifted

Our campus went into lockdown Saturday night, April 19, shortly after 10 pm because a student saw two individuals on campus who appeared to be carrying rifles.  He immediately notified Campus Security and they initiated the lockdown procedure.  Occupied buildings were secured, occupants went to safe places in those buildings and access to the campus was suspended.

The Lacombe Police responded promptly to Campus Security's call and rounded up and questioned the suspects.  Their investigation revealed four PAA students had been moving around campus with two of them carrying paintball guns (minus the usual canisters).

Just after 10:30 pm police confirmed there was no threat to our campus and the lockdown was lifted.  

I am grateful that a CUC student quickly reported what he understandably thought was suspicious behaviour.  I greatly appreciate the prompt response by Campus Security and the Lacombe Police.  I am also thankful that we have in place a lockdown procedure that the dormitory and gymnasium staff promptly followed.  Most of all, I am very relieved this turned out to be a false alarm.

Choral Union Presents Its Spring Concert

The Canadian University College and Parkview Adventist Academy Choral Union presented its sacred spring concert Friday evening, April 11 in the College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Video of the entire concert has been provided below.  The printed program for the evening can be viewed here.  A list of choir members and sponsors can be viewed here.

The concert featured a special appearance by Josh Friend, who may be Canada's lowest bass singer. Dr. Haynal interviewed Friend, who is a pastor at the 1st Christian Reformed Church in Red Deer, who then teamed up with Proclaim for two gospel numbers.  The interview and performances with Proclaim begins at the 1 hour point in the video below.

Acronaires Bring the Circus to Town

The Acronaires presented their circus-themed Home Show to packed houses Friday and Sunday afternoon, April 11 and 13 in the CUC PE Centre.  Using a large, elevated stage in the centre of the gym, and with Stacy Hunter, vice president for student services, serving as the ringmaster, the Acronaires wowed the audience with a daring, action-packed show of tumbling, gymnastics and acrobatics.

You can view the entire show from the two best seats in the house in the livestream video archives section of CUC's website.

Concerto Concert Features Student Soloists

Student soloists performed excerpts from major orchestral works at Canadian University College Orchestra's annual Concerto Concert, Saturday evening, April 12, in the College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church.  The printed program can be viewed here.  A list of orchestra personnel and sponsors can be viewed here.  If you would like to support the orchestra scholarship program please contact Cristian Neacsu at neacsuc@cauc.ca or 403-782-3381 x4072.

Basketball Teams Earn Double Silver at ACAL Tournament

Both the men's and women's basketball teams claimed silver medals at this year's Alberta Colleges Athletic League tournament held at Canadian University College March 13 and 14.  The event received much coverage in the local press. Please click the links to read the Lacombe Globe and Lacombe Express articles.

The championship games can be viewed in CUC's livestream video archive.

Evensong Celebrates God's Gift of Springtime

The focus of the final Evensong of the academic year, Sabbath evening, April 5, was God's gift of spring weather which has finally reached the CUC hilltop. 

Readings and prayers by Dr. Denise Herr, professor of English, and musical selections by CUC students focused the minds of listeners on the beauty and delight of the new season.  

This was the final evensong in which four of our graduating musicians will participate.  Video of their performances can be found below.  The printed program can be viewed here.

$202,000 In Awards and Scholarships Distributed

Just over $202,000 in awards and scholarships were given to 155 student recipients at CUC's annual Awards Night ceremony, Tuesday, April 1.  The evening's printed program with a complete list of recipients and amounts can be viewed here.

Of the money distributed Tuesday evening, $118,000 came from endowed or annually funded scholarships provided by CUC's alumni and friends.  The remaining $84,000 came from government or other institutional sources.

New this year was the $500 Charles E. Weninger Scholarship awarded to Kelly-Ann Melnychenko, a 2nd year Biology major, for outstanding character and scholarship.  

During his welcome President Haynal commented that none of us have gotten to where we are at this point in our life without much help and support from other people. "The cycle of one generation helping the next is a beautiful thing," Haynal told the students.  "It is a cycle that I challenge those of you who will receive help tonight to continue once you are able."

If you would like to be part of this powerful cycle of support that has blessed so many CUC students over the years, please contact Development Support Specialist Diane Southcott at 403-786-2529 (direct line).

Kingsley Moyo, a 2nd-year Religious Studies major from Red Deer, received
a $1000 Grosso Educational Scholarship from Dr. Clarence Grosso, who
established this award.

A special moment during the program was when former CUC President Victor Fitch
was able to present his granddaughter, Kayla Fitch, a 3rd-year Education major
from Calgary with the $3000 Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada Office
of Education Scholarship.

Jazer Abraham Samudio, a 2nd-year Religious Studies major from Coquitlam, BC,
was this year's recipient of one of only 3 $4000 President's Divisional Scholarships.

Jasmine Cater-Gordon, a 1st-year Elementary Education major from Etobicoke, ON,
was presented with a $2500 Ivan and Helene Crawford Education Scholarship
by Diane Southcott, who oversees the establishment and management of
scholarships at CUC.

Michael Jakovac, a 3rd-year Biology major from Burnaby, BC, is presented the
$12320 Legend Scholarship by last year's recipient Sidney Lakusta-Wong, a
4th-year Biology major.  This generous scholarship is made possible each
year by six CUC alumni: Brad Oetman HS94 C97, Trevor Cadogan HS93 C97,
David Cadogan HS93 C97, Sunil Ilapogu HS94 C97, Ian Lund HS94 C97 and 98,
and Rob Clark Jr HS92 C97 and 98.

Professor David Jeffrey, Dean of the School of Business presents the $3000
Dean's Scholarship for Excellence to Danae Brousson, a 2nd-year Business major
from Fort St. John, BC.

Joshua Perkins, a 3rd-year Biology major from Courtice, ON, is presented the $3000
Division of Science Dean's Scholarship for Excellence by Dr. Laurence Wong.

Anthony Jones, a 2nd-year Religious Studies major from Stettler, AB, receives
the $1500 Earle and Josephine Emda Scholarship from CUC Vice President for
Financial Administration Darrell Huether.

Alison Bloomfield, 3rd-year Elementary Education major is presented with
the Albin and Pat Anderson Memorial Scholarship by the Anderson's
daughter, Carol Nicks.