Circle 2021
Augustana Campus Alumni Magazine
Message from the Dean
This year, we’re taking a different approach to the introductory messages in the CIRCLE. As you’ll notice, we’ve invited alumna and current Camrose Lutheran College Corporation (CLCC) Board chair, Agnes Hoveland, to provide some introductory remarks. We hope you’ll enjoy hearing from fellow alumni and reading about them on the pages of this magazine.
When we were deciding on the theme of this year’s publication, “alumni communities” stuck out to us for a myriad of reasons. Community has always been an important part of the Augustana experience. This year, as we transition back into an in-person fall semester, it is essential to continue to find support in our communities—which is something our students, staff and faculty were able to do even throughout the physical distance created by the pandemic.
Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, I take great comfort and pride in (and am very grateful to) the various communities that make up Augustana. Whether you’re part of a student cohort at Augustana, a counterpart on the North Campus, a citizen of Camrose and area, a valued member of one of our alumni communities or any combination of the above, I hope you enjoy this year’s issue of the CIRCLE, which celebrates the Augustana experience and the communities of which it's comprised.
Demetres P. Tryphonopoulos
Dean, Augustana Faculty,
University of Alberta
Message from Augustana Alumna
How fitting that the theme of this CIRCLE magazine edition is “community”. Being part
of a caring community has never been more vital than now in these challenging times. We all need a community where we feel heard, accepted and cared for.
Many of us alumni remember a lived experience of close community, learning, playing and caring together in a safe space, with the freedom to question, challenge and explore. It was this sense of community that drew a blueprint that we could carry into the communities in which we now live, lead and serve. We remember faculty and staff who knew our names, who cared who we were and who we could become.
We continue to support and advocate for Augustana—this place we treasure, and a gem within a large, worldclass university—as an accepting, inclusive and diverse community that helps grow global citizens.
I am proud to be a Camrose Lutheran College (Augustana) and University of Alberta alumna, grateful for the students, faculty and staff that enrich the larger community. As residents of Camrose, or as alumni anywhere and everywhere, we can participate in campus events, amazing presentations and research updates—whether it’s about beavers, celestial sightings or multiculturalism.
“Augustana is more of a banquet or an invitation to a balanced lifestyle than a conveyor belt to a printed degree.”
Agnes Hoveland, CLC '64, '68 Dip(Nu)
Camrose resident and Councillor
CLLC Board Chair
Campus Updates
“Update” is a word that our campus community has grown used to seeing frequently (sometimes even hourly!) as the University of Alberta and Augustana transitioned back into a mostly in-person Fall 2021 semester. Here are just a few (of the many) campus updates over the past year.
In February, Augustana celebrated our generous award donors through a digital Community Awards Banquet. View the event’s award-winning video and message from our 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Dr. Deena Hinshaw here.
Following last year’s 110 anniversary issue of the CIRCLE magazine, we launched a digital celebration of Augustana 110 throughout May and June. The celebration included a number of events, a photo collection, alumni Q&A’s, stories and memories. If you missed it, head to the 110 website.
As part of our 110 celebrations, the newly-launched Hesje Observatory was able to raise $20,000 towards new equipment, all thanks to the generosity of the Augustana community.
In late August, Augustana welcomed most of our students back to in-person classes while following protocols set out by the University of Alberta to ensure the health and safety of our community as top priority. In consultation with other post-secondary institutions across the province, the University of Alberta implemented vaccination and masking protocols to ensure the safety and resilience of our campus communities. View the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 at the U of A.
First-year students were welcomed to campus with hot chocolate and our annual bell ringing ceremony.
Our three-week classes (including First Year Seminars) were back in full-swing this year with both in-person and online options. Some courses included professor Stephanie Oliver’s online course on the importance of smell— which had students analyzing critical text and learning about sensory-focused yoga and the perfume industry—and professor James Kariuki’s course on food and nutrition, which included bagel making, a field trip to a beef cattle farm and lessons on nutrition as well as Indigenous food traditions.
On September 29, in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Augustana student experience coordinator - Indigneous services, Victoria Delorme, set up a powerful memorial on the Augustana Quad to recognize and honour the victims of residential schools.
Congratulations to all of our graduates as part of the University of Alberta’s Class of 2021! These students have shown incredible resilience and adaptability as they’ve worked through the challenges of a university education while dealing with a pandemic on top of it!
Augustana’s SingAble choir added a colourful submission to the City of Camrose’s “Paint the Underpass” project this year.
This year, Augustana launched the Indigenous Speaker Series in partnership with Cargill, the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life and the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre. The series, offered to all University of Alberta students, staff, faculty and alumni, as well as community members, provides opportunities to engage with speakers, films, music and art performances sharing perspectives from Indigenous peoples, cultures and traditions of Canada.
While spectators were just recently invited back to watch in-person sporting events on campus, the Vikings teams have been excited to be back in action after a year off due to the pandemic. Recently, the Vikings women’s cross-country running team earned third place nationally at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s Cross-Country Running Championship. Runner Reese Bendiksen anchored the Vikings to bronze and finished fifth in the race overall. Amazing work!
This year, the Augustana Library hosted its 25 annual human library! The online celebration offered four human books speaking about experiences of domestic violence, drug addiction, the tragic death of a same-sex partner and a decades-long journey with brain cancer.
Augustana alumni live in
47
different countries across the globe
Alumni Q&A
Anastasia Naylor (Evarts), '13 BA
Leduc, Alberta
Speech-Language Pathologist, Anastasia Naylor Speech-Language Pathology Services
Augustana alumnus and Top 40 Under 40 class member changes the fitness game
According to Tony Nguyen, creating healthier communities requires understanding, flexibility and a bit of muscle. Although he gained a lot of technical skills during his time at university, it was the people he met and connected with that helped him to identify F.R.E.E. Fitness’ unique business model. Recently recognized with a Top 40 Under 40 award from Edmonton’s Edify magazine—we sat down with Tony to chat about his success and how he’s giving back to his community.
Community member supports reimagined music program
Since its founding in 1910, Augustana Campus (then Camrose Lutheran College) has had strong community ties—an institution established by the community to meet the communities’ educational needs. As we approach 2022, the music on campus is transforming to better meet current needs—reimagining the degree program and taking advantage of strong community ties, thanks in part to the generous support from the estate of Camrose community member Gunvor Mygind.
CRAFTING IN THE CLASSROOM
Augustana professor Andrea Korda's Crafting Communities project introduces students and scholars from across various disciplines to a new way to weave together learning and connection (and hair). Conceived as a year-long series of virtual events, Crafting Communities included a series of roundtables on Victorian material culture and hands-on workshops on hair art, broderie anglaise (a form of embroidery), 19th century scrapbooking and block printing, with tutorials and other resources still available online today.
Staff & Faculty News
Augustana wouldn’t be what it is without the people who make up this incredible community. This year, we’re celebrating faculty and staff who have been here for 25, 30 and even 35 years, as well as saying goodbye to those who have retired. To recognize their decades-long dedication, we asked “what’s your favourite memory from your time at Augustana?” and “what’s the biggest change you’ve seen at Augustana over the years?”
25 Years
Charlene Brown
(Music Area Administrator, Fine Arts and Humanities; Administrative Assistant, Academic Departments)
“The biggest change over the years has to be the tearing down of North Hall and moving the music offices and practice rooms into what was the bookstore and coffee house. Of course, all of this made space for the beautiful Lougheed Performing Arts Centre and happened in conjunction with the opening of the forum and the new library! I started out teaching in the basement of North Hall in 1996 and now here I sit in my office on the second floor of the beautiful library building. What hasn't changed... my desire to be a part of meaningful education for all who desire it!”
Cindy Roose
(Director, Augustana Students’ Association)
“I've been here since we had to take black and white photos! Other than a few name changes, the biggest shift at Augustana has been in becoming part of the University of Alberta. The long-awaited library was built and then the forum. And, eventually, the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre. These spaces have changed campus life for students, and they provide opportunities to foster connections with the Camrose community.”
Also celebrating 25 years:
Stacy Lorenz
(Professor, Social Sciences; Associate Dean Academic)
Varghese Manaloor
(Professor, Social Sciences)
30 Years
Kim Misfeldt
(Professor, Fine Arts and Humanities; Vice Dean)
“One of my fondest memories is the announcement party that Augustana threw for me in celebration of my 3M teaching award. In talking to other 3M award recipients across the country, I quickly realized that Augustana gave the best party. Another fond memory would have to be taking part in Faculty Follies over the years. The last Faculty Follies performance had over 800 people attend! And, the last of my favourite memories has to be watching students succeed and become who they’re meant to be.”
Gary Snydmiller
(Associate Professor, Social Sciences)
“When I first came to Augustana, we didn't have any money (as a private school, we didn't get the same support from the Government of Alberta) so we were cash strapped and had to find ways to make things work. Then we had the merger with the University of Alberta and things improved dramatically (new buildings, we were able to create partnerships within the community and seemed to have secure funding). Recently, with government funding cuts to the U of A in particular, we seem to have come back to when I started and are struggling to find ways to do the work we do with less money and have lost some of the gains we had made within the local community (you could say we have come full circle).”
35 Years
Paul “Sparky” Johnson
(Professor, Fine Arts and Humanities) - Retired in 2021
“I remember a production of A Trip to Bountiful, a story of an elderly woman who wanted to visit her home before she passed, being performed in our little on-campus theatre.
On one night, there were a significant number of elderly people in the audience. The power went out during the last scene change of the play–the building was so dark you couldn’t see a hand in front of your face. On the unanimous request of the audience, we scrambled to gather as many flashlights, ushers and audience cell phones as we could to finish the play.
After the performance, cast, crew and able-bodied audience members helped the frailer members exit the theatre. To our surprise, the custodian had brought his truck to the front of the building and trained his headlights on the door, allowing people the opportunity to see their way out to the parking lot. It saved the situation and, at the same time, epitomized all that is good about Augustana as cast, crew, patrons and staff all contributed to a moment of fellowship and community.”
Congratulations to professor Johnson who also retired this year!
Other Retirees
Lilas Bieloptocky
(Supervisor, Food Services) - Retired in 2021
“In 2008, Augustana Dean Roger Epp came to my office in the food service department and asked if there was any way we could address that year’s campus theme of “field to fork” with a meal for our students, staff and faculty. Because a majority of the food services staff had a farming background of some sort, I felt our department could pull this off and make a difference.
I started phoning farming communities to see what they had in their gardens. In addition, we locally sourced beef, flour from Camrose Sunny Boy Foods (to prepare homemade buns) and berries to serve with our dessert. We even went out to a farmer’s residence east of Camrose to pick enough beets for dinner!
The end result was a standing ovation from about 400 students, staff, faculty and local food suppliers who attended this reception. It was all so worthwhile, and it was a start to sourcing more local food as it created an awareness of who our suppliers were in the surrounding areas. It definitely wasn’t easy, but it was a team effort!”
We wish Lilas all the best in her retirement!
Bill Hackborn
(Professor, Science) - Retired in 2021
“One of the fondest memories of my time at Augustana is getting to know my students, helping them achieve their educational goals, being a part of their Augustana lives beyond the classroom in some cases and enjoying continuing friendship with a few of them up to the present day.”
Congratulations to professor Hackborn who retired earlier this year after presenting a recorded Professorial Lecture titled “Is Mathematics Socially Constructed?”.
Petr Mirejovsky
(Professor, Social Sciences) also retired earlier this year.
Congratulations and thank you for your service to Augustana!
Keith Harder
(Professor, Fine Arts and Humanities) - Retired in 2020
“The fondest memories from my teaching career are of the art exhibitions that students mounted at the end of each year to showcase their individual accomplishments. The great strides the students made were admirable and heartwarming.
However, the most memorable moment was the day that the Lutheran Church conference debated transfering Augustana University College to the University of Alberta. It was an intensely emotional day of high drama and high stakes. The announced decision to move forward was cathartic. The outcome was an opportunity for great developments in programming, infrastructure and professional accomplishment. I don't think there has been a more pivotal moment in my career.”
We wish all the best to professor Harder in his retirement!
This year, Augustana hosted two Distinguished Professorial Lectures to celebrate faculty members who have been appointed as full professors. Professor Mélanie Méthot presented her lecture “Lessons on Subjectivity: The Sad Story of Bigamist Julie Russell” online, while professor Morten Asfeldt presented “Wool Socks, Long Johns and a Toque: My Favourite Teaching Attire” in-person with a digital attendance option. Be sure to keep an eye out for another lecture coming next year.
We’re excited to announce that three new faculty members have joined us this year. Lucas Crawford joined our fine arts and humanities department as an associate professor in July, while we also welcomed assistant professor Justin Tetrault to our social sciences department in September. Starting in January, we will also welcome assistant professor Willow White to fine arts and humanities.
The Augustana music department was happy to announce choir director John Wiebe’s new role as director of music (academic).
The Augustana student life department welcomes four new student experience coordinators (SECs) as well as Vikings business operations coordinator and interim conference services coordinator, David Ritz. The SECs include Daniel Damile (on campus living), Victoria Delorme (Indigenous student services), Anika Chessall (identity and transitions) and Madeline Smith-Ackerl (recreation and wellness). Welcome to Augustana!
Student Academic Services also welcomed Lori Ireland to their team in the role of student advisor with a focus on Community Service-Learning (CSL).
This year, Augustana art professor Andrea Korda received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada insight grant for her project “Artful Teaching and Visual Instruction in Early 20th-Century North America”. This project will look at moments of overlap and influence between artists and educators. Head to our Expert Corner story to read about another one of professor Korda’s projects, Crafting
Communities.
Augustana science professor Anne McIntosh received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada discovery grant for her project "Recovery Across a Gradient of Disturbance Novelties: Patterns and Drivers of Understory Plant Community Dynamics in Northern Lodgepole Pine Forests." Her research focuses on understanding both how and why understory plant communities respond to different types of disturbances.
Congratulations to professor Roxanne Harde and professor Janet Wesselius whose edited collection Consumption and the Literary Cookbook was awarded a South Atlantic Modern Language Association book award.
Earlier this year, professor Glen Hvenegaard was awarded the Battle River Watershed Alliance’s OTIS Award for an individual who is outstanding in stewardship and who supports healthy communities.
Earlier this year, chemistry professor James Kariuki created a new award in support of Black students at Augustana. The Professor James Keffa Kariuki Award is available to any student with satisfactory academic standing who is enrolled in the first year of studies at Augustana, is of African descent and who self-identifies as Black, African-Canadian, African-American, or of Afro-Caribbean or Afro-Latino heritage.
Music instructor Roger Admiral’s ensemble, Ultraviolet, was awarded a Canada Council for the Arts Research and Creation grant to work with four composers across Canada for a unique concert experience next March.
Augustana professors Peter Berg and Jeremy Sylvestre have spent time over the last year creating an online learning platform to provide physics and mathematics lessons to university students in Africa and throughout the rest of the world. The open resource is being built by professor Berg and Sylvestre alongside faculty members at the University of Eswatini in Africa to create free online lessons for one of their master’s programs.
Class Notes
1950s
1970s
'75 Bob Large retired two years ago after teaching elementary school for 20 years, working at an outdoor education centre for four years, working in a photography lab for seven years, earning two degrees from the U of A and a photo technician diploma from NAIT. Bob’s highlight of this time is playing hockey for the Vikings during the 1974-75 season. Bob and his wife, Judi, live in Edmonton, AB, close to their daughter, Ember.
'78 Kenny Gbadebo shares that his experience at Camrose Lutheran College, coupled with his education, has been the driving force behind him founding two non-profit organizations that help disadvantaged individuals since 1982. Kenny was grateful to professors Jane and Jack Ross, who helped him at a difficult time when he came to Camrose, AB, in 1975. He mentions that they made an impression on him and believes he has the obligation to assist others like himself in Canada. He currently resides in Windsor, ON, and is the executive director for YouthConnectionAssociation. Kenny writes “Camrose shaped my life today and I will never forget my overall experience as the only Black person in the town for four years before moving to Edmonton.”
'78 Susan Yackulic (Tainsh) has been recognized as the Coach Developer of the Year, 2019 by the the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
1980s
'86 Parker Sjogren, ’88, is currently living in Calgary, AB, with his wife and two sons. He has acquired a Professional Risk Manager (PRM) designation and recently started a new job as a senior quantitative analyst with Suncor.
'86 Craig Wentland has been serving as chaplain at Augustana since 2005 and also teaches in religious studies. Craig notes that it’s great to be a small part of the Augustana experience for current students, including sharing the fruits of his backyard garden, wood-fired earth oven and gelato-making skills.
'89 Craig Wilson has been named senior broadcast producer of the CBS Weekend News. As a producer and writer, Craig has contributed to nearly every broadcast at CBS News in his nearly three-decade-long career at the network. Since February of 2020, he has produced the CBS Weekend News. When the pandemic struck, he took the broadcast ‘on the road’–producing it with the anchors, producers and facilities at 12 CBS stations and affiliates across the United States. Craig has earned three Emmy Awards. He is also the winner of two Writer’s Guild of America awards for best news writing!
1990s
'93 Peggy Peng shares that she was a doctor in China before studying in Canada to gain a new experience and learn something at the same time. Peggy mentions that she always appreciated how Augustana accepted her. Now living back in China, Peggy is working as a doctor, physician and an expert on traditional Chinese medicine. She has served in a republic hospital in her city for 38 years. Even though she is at a retirement age, Peggy continues to work in the clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. After COVID-19 calms down, she plans to visit Canada, with Augustana being an important stop to visit and see the changes.
'94 Colin Millang is now serving as a Lutheran pastor in Sherwood Park, AB.
'96 Le Farris (Duong) works as a coordinator financial services for the New Brunswick Civil Service Pension Plans and Employee Benefits. Le mentions that Augustana will always remain special to her as it was the springboard to pursue her financial education and degree. Le mentions the many memories she has from her time at Augustana—being part of the students’ association, fine arts association, Sangkor, Model UN, the student newspaper and many residence events.
'97 Vaughn Roste was recently on set in Atlanta, GA, filming his award-winning short FIREFIGHTER, which will soon be in postproduction.
’97 Jenelle Saskiw (Eluik). During her time as mayor of Marwayne, AB, Jenelle had the opportunity to chair many provincial and federal boards and committees. A highlight of hers is the work completed as the national co-chair of the Rail Safety Working Group, which reviewed rail safety regulations following the tragedy at Lac-Mégantic, QC. The experience she gained has allowed her to join the Railway Association of Canada as the proximity manager, working with communities across Canada to promote rail safety.
'99 Sherri Wilkins (Gunn) took a reflexology course after her degree and now owns a clinic in Winnipeg, MB, where she practices and teaches reflexology.
2000s
'03 Hans Olson won a Rosie Award, an Alberta Film & Television award, in October 2020. Hans received the Best Editor (Non-Fiction Over 30 Minutes) award for nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, directed by Tasha Hubbard and coproduced by the National Film Board of Canada. The film has won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Feature Length Documentary.
'05 Joel Lefèvre published his book Forcing the Hand of Justice: Seeking the Truth About My Brother’s Death and My Family’s Fight Against a Broken System (the NYPD) on April 19, 2021. His book is now available for purchase on Amazon and through his publisher, Friesen Press.
'05 Carole Preston has joined her husband, Severin Heiberg, ’02, and fellow Augustana alumnus Richard Bruneau, ’99, at the new location for Fox & Fable Book & Game Café on main street in Camrose, AB. She washes a lot of dishes and tells humourous stories at the counter. Carole is also completing an art psychotherapy diploma program at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy and plans for a studio in the basement of 'The Fox'. Her two littles are now seven and three. They enjoy riding their bikes fast, canoeing in the shade of umbrellas, all obnoxious kids’ shows and wearing out their mama and papa.
'07 Martina Brewer (Tobler) is currently working on her pharmacy assistant diploma and working at Remedy's Rx Pharmacy in Wembley, AB.
'07 Holly Walkey (Parker) had an exciting year and a half. Since graduating, Holly developed a deep passion for travelling the world and helping others to do the same. Last February, she decided that she would start her own business, Plan My Trip, where she offers custom travel planning and preplanned itineraries. While it has been a struggle to launch a business in the travel industry during a global pandemic, Holly shares that getting her business off the ground has been wonderful. To date, she has had the opportunity to work with amazing clients. Seeing the joy her planning brings people reassures her that she is headed down the right path!
'08 Daryl Bissillion. After graduation, Daryl moved to Edmonton, AB, and started working in the restaurant industry. Daryl mentions that he always served through university but didn’t see it as a career. However, 14 years later, he is now the general manager for Cactus Club Cafe.
2010s
'11 Joel Jackson started his new job as the assistant strength & conditioning coach with the Edmonton Oilers hockey team on July 1, 2021.
'11 David Ness. After graduation, David worked with Alberta Wildfire as a wildland firefighter for two years. During this time, he completed his Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification. David continued to work as a forest firefighter until he was hired by the Calgary Fire Department in 2013. David works at one of the busiest stations in the city and plans to continue firefighting for as long as it fits with what is best for him and his wife.
'11 Tyler Sehn is working at the Camrose Association for Community Living and supports individuals who self-identify with a disability to obtain employment. He also works with families facing challenging behavioural concerns. Tyler shares that he is an indie-published author of a fantasy trilogy and two standalone novels.
'11 Kendall Warawa has had a lot happen since graduation! He has completed an after degree in education at the U of A’s North Campus, afterwards landing his first teaching position in Two Hills, AB, where he worked for five years. During this time, he met his wife, Holly, started his family with their first child, Shelby, and completed his master's in educational studies at the U of A. Currently, he and his family live in Vegreville, AB, with Kendall teaching at Vegreville Composite High School. Kendall has worked as a sessional instructor at the U of A and he and Holly renovate homes in their spare time. A Vikings curling alumnus, Kendall has been playing on the World Curling Tour since graduation, and he is now coaching curling to school kids in Vegreville. In July, they welcomed the newest addition to their family, baby Lukian.
'14 Alisha Andrashewski, since graduating from Augustana, has gone on to pursue dental school in New York City, NY, through the NYU College of Dentistry. Upon completing dental school in 2019, Alisha proceeded into pediatric dental residency at the University at Buffalo/ Oishei Children's Hospital to specialize in working with the pediatric population. Since completing residency in June 2021, she has relocated back to Alberta and has accepted a position as an associate at a pediatric dental office in Edmonton, AB.
'14 Andrew Greenidge started his company, AG Strength and Conditioning, in the Parkland County area operating out of two gyms in Stony Plain, AB. Andrew remarks that it was his experience working as the athletic therapist for the Vikings men's basketball team that guided him into this direction. Business is growing fast and he says he is lucky to call himself one of the busiest trainers in the area.
'14 Monique Jarrett shares that, after earning her medical degree from the University of Alberta in 2019, she is currently in her final year of family medicine residency in Edmonton, AB.
'14 Emily Kolodychuk (Kabotoff) and Tyler Kolodychuk, ’14, were married on August 14, 2021, and had many fellow Augustana alumni attend the celebration. Congratulations, you two!
'14 Lori Nelson is currently completing her master of professional education in applied behaviour analysis from Western University. Lori supports individuals with Autism working towards their goals, and she will be travelling with the Global Autism Project in 2022 to help establish services in underdeveloped countries.
'14 Taryn Story. Following her time at Augustana, Taryn went to complete the education after degree program at King's University in Edmonton, AB. Upon graduation, Taryn started working at Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School in Sherwood Park, AB. Taryn now also coaches the senior women's basketball team and helps run the student council. Taryn shares that “seeing growth in future leaders and athletes has been the most rewarding part of being a teacher.”
'15 Kelaine Brand left her position as Augustana's conference services coordinator in fall 2020, moving from Camrose, AB, to Vancouver, BC, to take a job in film as an office production assistant (OPA) working on Netflix’s Midnight Mass. She stayed on with the Intrepid Pictures/Netflix team through the production of The Midnight Club, initially as an OPA and then as a clearance coordinator and assistant to producer Kathy Gilroy. One year in, with Midnight Mass now released on Netflix, The Midnight Club production wrapped up and The Fall of the House of Usher in pre-production, she’s looking forward to what comes next!
'15 Sheldon Browse completed his doctor of chiropractic medicine degree in Portland, OR, in 2018. Now practicing in Calgary, AB, and Okotoks, AB, Sheldon loves brewing beer and raising his greyhound puppy on the side.
'16 Caitlin Ash taught herself how to crochet during her second year at Augustana. Over the past year and a half, she has been able to create custom crochet items for friends and family. Most notably, she made several Bernie Sanders dolls, which she sold and donated the proceeds to mutual aid groups in Edmonton, AB.
'16 Alyssa Belanger and her spouse, Mike Haig, AUG ‘16, would like to share the birth of their son, Lochlan. Congratulations on your growing family!
'16 Jill Metrunec, after completing her chiropractic degree, is currently working as a chiropractor in Edmonton, AB. '16 Jessie Veronelly is excited to announce that she is working at her dream job! Jessie started working at a forest school in Calgary, AB, in 2019, which are place-based, child-led programs that promote nature and play-based learning.
'17 Deanna Funk. After graduating from Augustana, Deanna was accepted into the Cumming School of Medicine in Calgary, AB, where she completed her medical degree. She then matched to the rural family medicine residency program in Grande Prairie, AB, through the University of Alberta, where she is now in her second, and final, year. Last year, Deanna was awarded the Lionel A. Ramsay Award for being a source of support and assistance to her fellow residents. Right now, Deanna is living in Grande Prairie with her husband, mini American Eskimo puppy named Benzo and her orange cat named Cheddar. Deanna shares that she is looking forward to providing primary care to northern Alberta and helping address the need for family doctors.
'18 Jessica Dostie completed her master of arts in counselling psychology in December 2020. She is now a Canadian Certified Counsellor in Camrose, AB.
'18 Sarah Glinski (Morland) is a registered dietitian working at the Cross Cancer Institute in Calgary, AB.
'18 Rhaea Larson has started a career in the tech industry since graduating. Most notably, two years ago, she began working with an Edmonton tech start-up, RWI Synthetics, as their business operations coordinator and has since been promoted to business operations and communications lead. The company is focused on creating equitable and inclusive futures for all by addressing the social and human elements typically left out of traditional mathematical modelling methods. In 2020, Rhaea was accepted into the master of business administration program at the University of Alberta and is working towards graduating in June 2022.
'18 Eric Skretting. While Eric has not gone in the direction of singing in his career, he has worked at the Canadian National Railway as a train reporting representative since graduating and has now begun studies at MacEwan University to obtain his medical office assistant diploma. Eric has certainly missed the wonderful years spent at Augustana, but it has helped propel him into areas and challenges he had not thought of.
'18 Cameron Vilcsak. After graduating from Augustana, Cameron moved to Montreal, QC, and started making and selling tables. Here, Cameron landed his first real client for his woodworking—McGill University. During the time he returned to Alberta to work during fire season, Cameron started a woodworking YouTube channel, with his videos now having been seen by over 100 million people. Cameron has now moved to Vancouver, BC, rents his own woodshop and is fully self-employed. Some of his more notable clients include The Fairmont and their Whistler Art Gallery, 33 Acres Brewing and LADbible. Designing, video editing, creating and making his own schedule has made Cameron feel like he is on the right path for the first time since graduating.
'19 Charity Brandt started studying at North Campus to earn an education degree. By 2023, she’ll be qualified to teach biology and social studies.
'19 Chiedza Mutize was recently accepted into the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law and has moved to Windsor, ON, to begin her studies. She is also volunteering at a legal aid clinic in Windsor, assisting low-income and vulnerable individuals’ access to legal resources.
'19 Melissa Wilk started working for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as a junior policy analyst in the Environmental Protection branch. She is still in the midst of her master of arts in international affairs at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carelton University. In addition to specializing in Latin American and Caribbean studies, Melissa is completing a research project related to the COVID-19 pandemic and food system vulnerability.
2020s
'20 Karen Wagner cycled from coast-to-coast with her brother this past summer. Her brother started in Vancouver, BC, and she started in their home town on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Together, they biked to Nova Scotia after Karen finished up the first year of studying occupational therapy.
'21 Arnold Gihozo is exited to share that, in May, he started to work for the company Areto Labs as their lead software engineer. He notes that it has been amazing to apply his education within the workforce and to see how community work can integrate with technology to break structures of inequality in our society.
In Memoriam
- '41 Thelma M. Dorin (Bratrud),
of Calgary, AB, on December 3, 2020 - '42 Charlotte M. McFarlane (Vikse),
of Kamloops, BC, on January 26, 2021 - '45 Ruth A. Grue (Ramstad),
of Camrose, AB, on April 26, 2021 - '45 Thelma Ries (Larson),
on November 7, 2020 - '46 Olaf Melvie,
of Calgary, AB, on October 30, 2020 - '46 Dennis Strilchuk,
of Edmonton, AB, on September 29, 2020 - '48 Ernest E. Felzien,
of Calgary, AB, on January 23, 2021 - '49 Norma Branes,
of Camrose, AB, on May 13, 2021 - '49 Alfhild Syms (Naslund),
of Edmonton, AB, on September 12, 2021 - '50 Ken Midbo,
on August 25, 2021 - '51 Vivian Sallows (Holte),
of Rimbey, AB, on July 29, 2021 - '54 Verna Kuefler (Klug),
on February 1, 2021 - '57 Dale L. Bjornson,
on October 20, 2020 - '57 John A. Lyseng,
of Vernon, BC, on July 11, 2020 - '59 Darryl Trueman,
on November 1, 2021 - '65 Edmund Tessman,
of Red Deer, AB, on September 5, 2020 - '70 Dianne Willisko,
of Edmonton, AB, on July 31, 2021 - '71 James Cunningham,
of Calgary, AB, on January 27, 2021 - '72 Joel Zimmerman,
on April 23, 2021 - '73 Murray Van Dyke,
on October 6, 2020 - '75 Heather A. Waldie,
of Edmonton, AB, on January 23, 2021 - '76 Dixie L. Bowen (Redmond),
on February 26, 2018 - '82 Grant Bergquist,
on April 8, 2021 - '82 Colin Halley,
on January 20, 2018 - '82 Danielle M. Nichols (Armitage),
on January 25, 2021 - '84 Sharilyn Sorensen (Becker),
on December 26, 2020 - '89 Marion Bennett,
of Camrose, AB, on April 3, 2021
Former Staff & Friends
- Tena Augustin, of Camrose, AB, on July 26, 2021. Tena was a cook at Camrose Lutheran College.
- Dorothy Gibson, of Camrose, AB, on December 23, 2020
- Garry Gibson, of Camrose, AB, on October 21, 2021
- Grete Olson, of Camrose, AB, on December 1, 2020. Grete was a cook at Camrose Lutheran College.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of professor emeritus Garry Gibson.
Garry “Gibber” Gibson’s heart of gold, love for people and infuence are woven into the texture of Augustana. Since 1964, Gibber’s passion and determination created athletic and physical education programs on our small, rural campus that have been recognized provincially, nationally and internationally, despite limited resources.