Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
FEATURE STORY CHANGE IS IN THE AIR CLEANTECH CO-FOUNDER TEJ GREWAL — A 2023 ALUMNI AWARDS RECIPIENT — USES AI TO CREATE REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE INNOVATION CAPSTONE COLLABORATION 5 STUDENTS, 3 PROGRAMS, 1 SMART NEW IDEA FOR MAPPING OLD-GROWTH FORESTS IN THIS ISSUE THE MAKEOVER EDITION LINK HAS A NEW LOOK, IN PRINT AND ONLINE! THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI • FALL 2023It’s hard to see unexpected events coming. That’s why there’s insurance. Unexpected events are a part of life. And they seldom come with a “heads up” warning (wouldn’t that be great?). So how can you be prepared for something you don’t see coming? With Manulife insurance plans. They can help protect you and your family against life-changing events that can happen at any stage of your life. Choose from Health & Dental, Term Life, FollowMe TM Health and more. Get your free quote today. Underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife). Manulife,StylizedMDesign,Manulife&StylizedMDesign,andFollowMeHealtharetrademarksofTheManufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and byits affiliates under license. Available to Canadian residentsonly. © 2023 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company.All rights reserved. Manulife,P.O. Box 670, Stn Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2J4B8. *Conditions, limitations and exclusionsmay apply. See policy for full details. Get a quote today. Call 1-888-913-6333 or visit us at Manulife.com/sait Protection for what you don’t see coming.OKI, ÂBA WATHTECH, DANIT'ADA, TAWNSHI, HELLO. SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney. We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. On the Cover: As an international SAIT student, Tejeshwar (Tej) Grewal (BAPT ’18) used his passion for protecting the planet to combine environmental sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) in a device to monitor and detect hazardous and greenhouse gas emissions at remote oil and gas sites. Today he is co-founder of Qube Technologies and his original design has been turned into proven technology, with devices installed at more than 2,000 sites worldwide. Learn how Grewal's achievements are being recognized as one of five SAIT Alumni Awards recipients for 2023. TABLE OF CONTENTS 08 PRO TIPS Satisfy your wanderlust with travel pointers and trip trends from School of Hospitality and Tourism instructor Stephanie Mercredi. 10 FEATURE OPPORTUNITY MAKERS Meet SAIT’s 2023 Alumni Awards recipients — five graduates seizing the opportunity to make a difference. 16 HANDS ON The John Ware Demonstration Kitchen has all the ingredients for a living classroom and live streaming lessons for culinary and beverage students. 18 FEATURE WICKED PROBLEM SOLVING How applied research projects — even unsuccessful ones — are helping SAIT’s Green Building Technologies Lab tackle complex problems like environmental sustainability on a global scale. 24 INNOVATION NEW IDEAS FOR MAPPING OLD- GROWTH FORESTS A recent capstone project shows how students campus-wide use the SAIT Connector for hands- on, high-tech learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration. 26 FEATURE NATOYSOPOYIIS SAIT’s Indigenous resource centre has received a new name — Natoysopoyiis, translated from the language of the Blackfoot people as Holy Wind Lodge — and welcomes a new role to support Truth and Reconciliation on campus. 46 VALUE ADDED LINK’s newest feature brings you the latest on benefits and services exclusively for SAIT alumni. AMY DOWD RED BULL RACING / VIA GETTY IMAGES 1 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK LINK is made possible through affinity programs with SAIT’s partner companies: Using the group buying power of SAIT’s 274,000+ alumni, these partners offer preferred insurance rates and comprehensive coverage. When you choose their products and services, you get low group rates and help support SAIT alumni programs and events. KATE KUNZ PHOTO IN EVERY ISSUE 06 THE BUZZ Your source for SAIT stories across campus and beyond. 34 LOOKING BACK Sparking memories from 50 years of welding programs with a photo from the SAIT Archives. 36 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT News stories, SAIT updates and alumni achievements from the past six months, just ICYMI. LINK’S NEW LOOK BRIAN BOWMAN, DIRECTOR, ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT This issue marks an evolution for LINK — both in print and online — designed to meet your needs as readers and as SAIT alumni. In print, you’ll notice a larger page size, bigger fonts and a design grid to improve readability, all while continuing to give you the content you value: stories about innovation and technology; resources and programs for alumni; information on career development and upskilling programs; and SAIT news. And, thanks to all those who have indicated their interest in reading LINK online, we’ve redeveloped our digital publication to offer better navigation, updated design and more timely content, with stories on trending topics posted throughout the year. In this issue, you’ll find inspirational profiles of the 2023 recipients of SAIT’s Alumni Awards (page 10), travel pro tips and tourism trends (page 8), and an exploration of how applied research at SAIT is tackling wicked problems facing our world (page 18). Dig deeper online with an extended interview with a Yukon chef stewarding a 125-year-old sourdough starter (page 48 and sait.ca/link), and watch alumni social channels to learn how Natoysopoyiis — SAIT’s Indigenous student resource centre — is leading the way in taking meaningful steps towards truth, healing and understanding. I hope you’ll be as excited with LINK’s new look and expanded online content as the LINK team is, and we’ll continue working hard to bring you stories that are distinctly SAIT. Tell us your thoughts — did we hit the mark? Join the conversation on #SAITAlumni or send an email to alumni@sait.ca — we’d love to hear your feedback and ideas. Enjoy! 2 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK IN THIS ISSUE: FALL 2023Stay connected @SAITAlumni Update your contact information by visiting sait.ca/alumni and click on Stay Connected. Check out the Alumni Business Directory at sait.ca/alumni/business-directory . Send us a Class Note by going to sait.ca/alumni/get-involved , then click on Stay Connected and Class Notes. Editor-in-Chief: Brian Bowman Supervising Editor : Astrid Gagnier Managing Editor: Alison O’Connor Editor: Nancy Cope Online Editor: Nicole Brandt Creative Direction, Design and Production: Michelle Atkinson (NMPD ’03) Copy Editor: Cathi Bishop Advertising Sales: Josh Naud Printing: BP Media Inc. Cover photo: Kokemor Studio LINK is published twice a year by SAIT Alumni and Development as a service to Southern Alberta Institute of Technology alumni, donors, students, partners, faculty and staff. LINK invites your comments and letters to the editor. Please direct them to alumni@sait.ca. SAIT Alumni and Development 1301 – 16 Avenue NW Calgary, AB T2M 0L4 Phone: 403.284.7010 Address updates: 403.284.7010 For all other inquires: Email: alumni@sait.ca sait.ca/alumni Publications Mail Agreement No.40064317 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department 1301 – 16 Ave. NW Calgary, AB T2M 0L4 FOCUS ON ALUMNI 04 PROFILE: ANDREA JUAREZ Journalism ’18 23 REMEMBERING STAN GRAD Petroleum Technology ’66, Distinguished Alumni Award ’95 40 PROFILE: SEBASTIAN ARROYAVE MOIR Marketing ’21 42 CLASS NOTES 48 ON THE JOB: CATHERINE (CAT) MCINROY Bakery and Pastry Arts ’16 CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT Giselle Wedemire (JA '13) On the Job: Chef Cat McInroy, p. 48 Talking with Chef Cat is one highlight from a huge year for Wedemire. “I’ve written, designed and self-published my grandfather's memoir; upgraded my education with SAIT's Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement continuing education program; and landed a job in beauty marketing with Modern Beauty. “I’ve also appeared as a virtual audience member for 20 episodes of season 25 of the TV show Divorce Court. As a reality TV addict, it was a dream come true to see how the show is made, and how many people work together to make each taping a success. Plus, the producers noticed my facial expressions and gave me a prime spot behind the litigants! “Despite 5:45 am call times and my nine- hour shooting schedules on various Saturdays in April and May, I was wide awake and constantly awed both by Judge Star Jones' kindness and the well-oiled machine that is the Divorce Court team.” KOKEMOR STUDIO CONTRIBUTORS 2C Media, Cathie Archbould, Rajaraman Arumugam, Michelle Atkinson (NMPD ’03), Sydney Butters, Josie Chu, Nancy Cope, Aron Diaz (JA ’18), Amy Dowd, Calvin D'Silva, Danielle Erickson, Dallas Golden, gorodenkoff, HarderLee Photography, Rachel Henry, Stephanie Joe (JA ’16) , Andrea Juarez (JA ’18) , Claudia Katz, Kokemor Studio, Oleksandr Kozachenko, Ramsey Kunkel, Madelaine Meloche (MLT ‘21) , Wanlee Prachyapanaprai, Caitlin Purcell, Red Bull Racing, Zachary Robertson, Antonieta Rojas, Eric Rosenbaum, Julie Sengl, The Company Inc., George Webber, Giselle Wedemire (JA ’13) , Michelle Woodard 3 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK How was your life at age 25? Mine wasn’t what I had expected. I had gone through some disappointments and, instead of having my future all figured out, I felt lost. I was stuck, with no sense of direction where to go or what to do next. The signs were undeniable — I had hit my incredibly illuminating quarter-life crisis. To my surprise, I wasn’t alone. Many of my friends felt the same uncertainty and anxiety. My curiosity kicked in and I wondered: did previous generations ever experience this? I went on a quest for answers and decided to ask my family, friends, and people I admire about their experiences. What were the opportunities they had seized and the challenges they had to endure? How have their lives been transformed since they were 25? And what advice do they have for today’s 20-somethings? Interviews have always been my favourite part of being a journalist, and I’m a firm believer that by talking with others, we can learn from their experiences and wisdom and, ultimately, learn about ourselves. As I listened to their powerful stories, I realized these inspiring conversations would make a compelling podcast. So I launched Project 25, now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. It features episodes in English and Spanish, my first language, so listeners in Calgary and Mexico (where I emigrated from) can access the podcast and benefit from the advice provided. As I reach the 30-episode mark, my interviews include five fellow SAIT alumni with whom I connected during my studies, in the workforce and through mutual friends. They’ve provided some of my favourite lessons — check them out on the next page. Through Project 25, I’ve learned that the feelings that arise during the quarter-life crisis are valid but, more importantly, I’ve witnessed the power of community, learned to find the magic in the unknown, and understood that no matter how weird things get, everything will be okay. TALKING THROUGH 25 WHY I CREATED A PODCAST ON NAVIGATING THE QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS PROJECT 25 Host Andrea Juarez (JA ’18) talks with people who have already lived through turning 25, one of life’s most confusing times. Find their stories and advice for today’s 20-somethings on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. TEXT BY ANDREA JUAREZ, JOURNALISM '18 PHOTO: ARON DIAZ (JA ’18) 4 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK ALUMNI PROFILE: ANDREA JUAREZ (JA ’18) “Ask yourself how you measure success — do you measure it as having a big home and making a lot of money? Or do you measure it as how you treat other people and how kind you are?” LEAH HENNEL Journalism ’98 Honorary Degree ’22 Award-winning photojournalist Leah Hennel’s work appears in major publications and international news networks including the Globe and Mail, the Guardian and Reuters. She has photographed Summer and Winter Games for the Canadian Olympic Committee and recently published two photography books. PHOTO: HARDERLEE “Take as much as you can from the buffet of life, because if you are still figuring out who you want to be or who you are, the best way to do it is to expose yourself to different experiences.” HECTOR FLORES New Media Production and Design ’17 With a background in business development, communications, public relations, audiovisual and theatre production, graphic design and entrepreneurship, Hector Flores is Student Experience and Business Sustainment Specialist with SAIT’s Office of the Registrar. He’s also a father, tireless volunteer and accomplished actor. PHOTO: ANTONIETA ROJAS “Take chances because you’re never going to live this moment again. That's for everybody. Know that being old is a privilege and that you don't have to freak out now. You don't have to have it all figured out.” ADORA NWOFOR Petroleum Land Administration ’07 Adora Nwofor is a comedian, an activist, an anthropologist, a stylist, a mom, a public speaker and an entrepreneur. President of Black Lives Matter YYC, she’s also the writer, producer and host of Calgary Art Development’s Living a Creative Life web series. PHOTO: KOKEMOR STUDIO “Don’t listen to social media or to the preconception that you need to have everything figured out by 25. All realities are different, and it’s okay for you to make a mistake or to realize a certain path isn’t for you and start over. Starting over is an act of bravery.” JORGE TORRES Business Administration ’11 Director of Development at Haskayne School of Business with the University of Calgary, Jorge Torres is a fund development manager, a father, an artist, an avid hiker and volunteer who is passionate about making a difference. PHOTO: MADELAINE MELOCHE (MLT ‘21) “If you were successful at everything you did, you’re not growing and you’re not learning. Put yourself out there and fail a ton, because that’s when the funny and memorable stuff happens.” CANDICE WARD Journalism ’08 Freelance sports photographer Candice Ward shoots for Getty Images and other outlets. Named to its 2016 Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity list by Canadian Women & Sport, she also received an Aboriginal Role Model Award for Arts/Media in 2018. PHOTO: HARDERLEE FIVE ALUMNI INSIGHTS FROM PROJECT 25, SELECTED BY PODCASTER ANDREA JUAREZ 5 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK THE BUZZ Your source for what’s happening across campus and beyond. Looking for stop-the- press information on SAIT news and events? Find it at sait.ca/alumni. THE BEES ARE BACK! Fourth-year BBA student Jack Fitzgerald has been part of SAIT’s Beekeeping Club since 2022. “When I found out about the club from a classmate, I was like, ‘Sign me up!’” he says. Now that renovations in the John Ware Building are almost complete, Fitzgerald is helping re-establish three colonies on the building’s roof. “As pollinators, bees are a critical part of the ecosystem,” says Chef Kate Symes, a culinary instructor with the School of Hospitality and Tourism. “They support the growth of trees, flowers and plants. Without bees our plates would be bare and our gardens empty.” Starting November 1st, you can buy SAIT Beekeeping Club honey from The Odyssey, currently located on the main floor of the Senator Burns Building. KEEPING PACE WITH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION In September, Spartan Controls presented SAIT with $1.58 million, enabling the Institute to upgrade physical infrastructure and create new Student Awards benefitting both the School for Advanced Digital Technology (SADT) and the MacPhail School of Energy. The gift will also support SAIT’s International Society of Automation student club and fund collaboration between the MacPhail School of Energy and SADT – mirroring the increasing blurring of occupational lines in industry. To help ensure the instrumentation workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves, the gift includes particular provisions for Indigenous student awards. “Spartan’s support will enable SAIT to keep pace with the digital transformation taking place across the energy sector,” says Dr. David Ross, SAIT President and CEO. “Across our 40- plus years of partnership, Spartan has affirmed their belief in our institution through multiple initiatives, and this investment speaks volumes to their commitment to the evolution of SAIT and the growth of our programming.” 2C MEDIA PHOTO CALVIN D'SILVA PHOTO 6 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK NEW AND NOTEWORTHYCAMPUS CENTRE UPDATE In May, SAIT selected BIRD Construction with GEC Architecture as the design- build partner for the Campus Centre Redevelopment Project. BIRD is well respected in Canada’s construction industry. Their work includes the Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton, University of Calgary MacKimmie Tower Redevelopment, Calgary’s Central Library and renovations to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. GEC works across Canada from studios in Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Their work includes the large-scale renovation and expansion of Bow Valley College’s north and south campuses downtown. This design phase for the new SAIT facility dedicated to promoting health and supporting student learning, community and wellness will continue through early 2024. Track the project's progress at sait.ca/campus-centre VIEW FROM THE SAIT/AUARTS/JUBILEE CTRAIN PLATFORM — AUG. 15, 2023 MICHELLE ATKINSON (NMPD'03) RAISING NEURODIVERSITY AWARENESS People who identify as neurodivergent have a mind that naturally processes, learns and behaves differently from other people. The Neurodiversity Alliance is a new volunteer committee of staff, faculty and students providing programming and support to the SAIT community, working to enhance inclusivity, improve the student experience and reduce discrimination. Alumni are welcome to share their experience with neurodiversity and be part of the process. Email neurodiversity@sait.ca 81% In SAIT’s 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, 81% of employers say they are interested in their employees upskilling with micro- credential courses. DID YOU KNOW? In the same survey, employers listed technical skills, work ethic/ professionalism, and critical thinking/ problem solving as the three competencies they value most. HISTORICAL RECOGNITION FOR HERITAGE HALL’S MURALS Twelve murals — painted in the staircases and hallways of what is now called Heritage Hall — have been recognized by Alberta’s Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women for their historical value. “This is wonderful news, because it means the murals are protected as character- defining elements within Heritage Hall and SAIT,” says Tracy Wylie (CVT ’12), Project Manager with SAIT’s Facilities Management team. “They are now eligible for provincial grant funding to help preserve and maintain them.” The murals have been added to the official list of key elements of this distinctive building, which opened in 1922. Known as the Main Building until 1985, it was home to the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (or PITA, as SAIT was called before 1960). Painted by students from PITA’s Art Department between 1949 and 1955, the murals are a legacy of the department’s leadership in developing Calgary’s arts community. Learn more about the murals at sait.ca/HH100. 7 THE MAGAZINE FOR SAIT ALUMNI SAIT.CA/LINK PREFER TO READ LINK ONLINE? Let us know at sait.imodules.com/ReadLINK STAY CONNECTED @SAITALUMNINext >