It is hard to believe our first semester has nearly passed and we are approaching already the Christmas season. I wish Christmas greetings to all students, faculty and staff at this very special time of year.
As I look around campus I am always impressed by the ethnic diversity we have here at the University of Lethbridge. We truly are a global community with students from virtually every corner of the planet. What impresses me is the manner by which U of L students embrace the international culture that surrounds them. I know this because of the many stories I hear of our students making an impact on a global level.
We have a number of students who take advantage of study tours to international destinations and many more who volunteer abroad, helping to spread the word that the University is globally conscious and responsible.
It is hardly surprising then to see U of L grads employed as part of our armed forces, representing both their country and the University in some of the world's most troubled locations. It is wonderful to see these young men fly the University's flag in these far-off lands and I wish upon them a safe return to Canada once their tour of duty has been completed.
Hearty congratulations to the Pronghorns women's rugby team on their third consecutive CIS championship victory. To win a national championship is wonderful but to do it three straight years, and in such a dominant fashion, is truly remarkable. We should be very proud of these young women and all the attention they have brought to the University of Lethbridge.
In keeping with Pronghorn Athletics, it is important to remember that our athletes are students as well and that the term "student-athlete" be taken to heart. Therefore it was good to see the Pronghorns qualify 41 of their student-athletes for the Academic All-Canadian team, an increase of six students from the previous year. Special mention should be made of the women's soccer and rugby programs, which led the way with eight Academic All-Canadians apiece.
Congratulations also to Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden and his iGEM team for their recent gold medal performance at the iGEM competition in Boston, as well as the efforts of Dr. Howard Cheng's computer programming teams that posted the University's best-ever results at the ACM Rocky Mountain Regional Programming Contest.
Finally, kudos to student Scott Lamb of Claresholm who managed to sink a half-court shot and win the Bill's Bomb for Books promotion at a recent Pronghorns men's basketball game. His prowess lightened my wallet and netted him a $500 gift certificate at the University Bookstore.
Enjoy the Christmas season, use the University's Operation Red Nose program if you're out enjoying some Christmas cheer and I look forward to seeing everyone renewed and refreshed in the New Year.