As the year comes to an end, we looked back on some of our favourite moments at Lethbridge College. We had gold medals, new supports for our students, the opening of Canada's first Wildllife Analytics Lab and more. Check out our Top 10 countdown:
10. Skills Canada winner Walter Loedeman
Walter Loedeman, a fourth-year Heavy Equipment Technician apprentice, brought home the gold – twice – winning both Skills Alberta and Skills Canada in May. He is now gearing up to compete in the Heavy Vehicle Technician category of the WorldSkills Competition in France in 2024.See the full story.
9. STEM kits
We brought Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to life for K-12 students this year – creating and distributing more than 70 STEM kits to Alberta schools – filled with free resources, tools and activities that showcase real-world applications of the curriculum.See the full story.
8. LCSA Food Pantry
More students than ever have experienced food insecurity this past year – but the LCSA and college community have been committed to helping however they can. That includes adding a community fridge in the hallway behind the E.C. Fredericks Theatre (CE1365) in December, where perishable items can be added to and accessed at any time. To make arrangements to donate to the LCSA Food Bank, email lcsa@lethpolytech.ca or call 403-320-3373. See the full story.
7. ACAC Basketball Championships
All roads lead to Lethbridge as the best women's basketball teams across the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) competed for a conference championship and a spot at the 2023 CCAA National Championships. First-year Kodiaks student-athlete Kitawna Sparks was honoured as ACAC South Rookie of the Year and named to the All-Conference First Team. See the full story.
6. START Centre grand opening
In March, our Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) Centre opened, providing opportunities to apply virtual reality and/or augmented reality technologies to solve challenges in key sectors like agriculture, health care and emergency response. See the full story.
5. Coulee Fest
Every year this fair just gets better and better! With live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a marketplace and tons of games and activities there is something for everyone! See the full story.
4. Wildlife Analytics Lab
We opened a new Wildlife Analytics Lab this year that offers fee-for-service cementum analysis of wildlife teeth, creating training, research and employment opportunities for students. The lab is the first of its kind in Canada. See the full story.
3. Strengthening our reputation in applied research
We placed 11th in the 2023 Research Infosource ranking of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, jumping from 16th in 2021 and 29th in 2020. That's a new high point for Lethbridge College's Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The college ranked first in Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding, which invests in research infrastructure, the kind of investment that supports even more research. See the full story.
2. Indigenous milestone and memories
This past year included a number of significant moments on the college’s path toward reconciliation, including:
- Buffalo Treaty Signing
- Winter Count Robe
- Truth and Reconciliation Week
- Introduction of Indigenous jerseys
- A buffalo-themed issue of Wider Horizons
And let's not forget our first Métis Celebration Day. All of these events reflect our Lethbridge College commitment to truth and reconciliation.
1. Convocation
How could Convocation not be number 1!? It’s a chance for the college and our community to celebrate our students’ amazing accomplishments and look forward to what’s ahead. Because What Happens Next Matters Most. Our spring and fall celebrations always feature some inspirational moments as we showcase students who demonstrate resilience, determination and readiness to make the most of their college education and experiences. See the full story.