It is hard to fathom the fall semester is coming to a close and we are already preparing for the Christmas break.
I have believed always that Christmas comes at exactly the right time in the academic calendar. We begin the fall semester with much energy and enthusiasm, excited by the promise of new discoveries in our classes and research projects and invigorated by the influx of new people to campus.
As December rolls around, we have all worked hard to achieve our goals and are in need of a break. With classes coming to an end and exams taking our focus, students, faculty and staff alike look forward to some down time and Christmas offers that perfect opportunity to reconnect with family members and recharge our batteries for a new semester and a new year.
The University continued to distinguish itself this past semester with a number of successes on a variety of fronts. Both academically and athletically, we had many reasons to celebrate. Congratulations to Faculty of Fine Arts Associate Professor Dr. Leslie Dawn for winning the Raymond Klibansky Prize for his book, National Visions, National Blindness: Canadian Art and Identities in the 1920s.
I would also like to commend Faculty of Management Academic Assistant Dan Kazakoff and his group of IME students for making it to the finals of the Queen's University Inter-Collegiate Business Competition to be held next month in Kingston, Ont.
These successes showcase the University for all it has to offer its students and not coincidentally, reflect well on the institution when annual rankings, such as those conducted by Maclean's and the Globe and Mail, are compiled each fall.
It should be noted that such ranking lists serve only as a snapshot view of the strengths and weaknesses of the various Canadian universities. Their methodologies are not without flaws, whether they use the quantitative approach of Maclean's or the Globe's student survey focus. They do, however, provide a starting point for debate and can be helpful to prospective students when used in such a way.
That the University of Lethbridge performed very well in each ranking indicates that we are doing an excellent job for our students, regardless the criteria used. We will not rest on our laurels and instead continue to confirm our place as one of the best academic choices in the country.
It has also been a big semester for the Pronghorn athletic program. On the heels of the University's national championship women's rugby squad comes the Pronghorn men's hockey team, back in the national rankings for the first time in six years. Their six-game winning streak into the Christmas break leads fans to thinking about what might be possible in the season's second half.
Pronghorn teams may take a break from their schedules over the holidays but that doesn't mean they are not working. Operation Red Nose enters its 14th year here at the U of L, and I encourage everyone to consider using this valuable service while they are out enjoying the festive season.
Looking ahead to January, the U of L's new Strategic Plan will be put into action. Just approved recently by the General Faculties Council, the plan will now be presented to the University's Board of Governors. Congratulations
to co-chairs Andy Hakin (Vice President Academic and Provost) and Nancy Walker (Vice President Finance and Administration) and all the committee members who worked on this very important project.
The Christmas season is a wonderful time of year, and I want to wish you all a warm and joyous holiday.