The King's Connection Magazine Volume 21 Number 3--Fall 2011

NEWS FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE KING’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE /// VOLUME 21 NUMBER 3 /// FALL 2011 Noble Prize Winner > Josh Noble wins the SSHRC scholarship a Bright Future for computing science + PLUS we have two new VPs

PresideNt’s MessaGe Faculty heartbeat n the academic world it pursue their vocations as followers of Christ. In fact, in recent Iis widely accepted that years this same vision motivated several new faculty members to the faculty is the heart of a leave established posts at mainstream universities and to join the university. The quality and ranks of the King’s faculty in the high adventure of integral Christian commitment of the faculty higher education. signif cantly shapes students’ These pages of Connection also tell a great story of blessing with educational experience regard to our younger faculty. Less than two years ago, King’s as well as the prof le and considered shutting down its Computing Science program because of reputation of the institution. low enrolment and faculty turnover. Not only has enrolment improved, How is The King’s University but three new energetic and committed faculty members have College doing in breathed new life into the program. We stand in awe of the way God this regard? has led us in this process. This issue of Connection When I arrived at King’s in 2005, one of King’s prominent institutional sheds light on this question Dr. Harry Fernhout - President concerns was the challenge of f nding new faculty members– Christians from various angles. Looking who are not only experts in their chosen f eld, but who have a passion at it in terms of some our “senior” faculty, we see both remarkable for profess-ing; that is, people who in a lively and winsome way profess commitment and signif cant accomplishments. A couple of years ago what their faith means in their teaching, research and community Peter Mahaffy, professor of Chemistry, was the f rst faculty member service. Another signif cant institutional concern had to do with faculty of a Christian university in Canada to receive a 3M National Teaching leadership; who would take up the mantle of leadership and carry the Award. This year Peter’s outstanding work was recognized again with vision forward when the older generation of faculty retired? the James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry. He is only the second Canadian to receive this Today I don’t hear these concerns nearly as often. In the past f ve years, award. In these pages you can also read about a substantial grant in one search process after another, King’s has been blessed with awarded to Peter and Brian Martin (Math/Physics and Astronomy) from capable candidates who are excited about our mission. Twenty faculty the National Science Foundation, USA, for their work in “visualizing the members, some just starting their academic career and others who are chemistry of climate change.” This highly competitive international grant in mid-career, have joined our team. And the capacity for leadership recognizes the creativity and quality of research at King’s, much of it is clearly evident among our newer faculty; we know where visionary carried out by our students. leadership will come from. What King’s has experienced in this regard is not just a blessing; it’s an everyday miracle. I have no doubt that long-time King’s professors, like Peter, could easily have moved on to fashion very successful careers (with considerably The faculty is indeed the heart of a university. And at King’s that heart more pay!) at mainstream universities. But these faculty members have is beating to the rhythm of our mission “to provide university education stayed, motivated by King’s compelling vision to explore the wonders that inspires and equips learners to bring renewal and reconciliation to of creation, and to inspire and equip a new generation of learners to every walk of life as followers of Jesus Christ, the Servant-King.” THE KING’S The King’s Connection Magazine is Please send any address Please send alumni updates and Direct comments regarding published three times each year for changes to: address changes to: articles to: Alumni and Friends of The King’s Development Alumni Relations Marketing Manager University College. 9125 - 50 Street 9125 - 50 Street Vanessa Christensen 9125 - 50th Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 780.465.3500 ext: 8017 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6B 2H3 T6B 2H3 [email protected] T6B 2H3 or call: 780.465.8314 or call: 780.465.8314 780.465.3500 Toll Free: 800.661.8582 Opt#4 [email protected] 1.800.661.8582 [email protected] Fax: 780.465.3534 2 /// The King’s Connection /// Fall 2011

Features 3 4 5 10 2 Faculty News 3 Newly appointed VP Academic 4 A bright future for Computing Science 5 And the award goes to... 6 An International King’s Moment 7 Campus News 10 Alumni News 12 Foundation News 13 Upcoming Events The King’s Connection /// Fall 2011 /// 1

Faculty News Faculty & staff news neWlY appointed vp For institutional advancement Dan VanKeeken has joined the King’s University College as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Dan has more than 30 years of experience in communications and marketing in a variety of sectors in two provinces, including stints as director of marketing and communications at both TELUS World of Science–Edmonton and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). He is a former journalist, has a communications degree from Athabasca University, is accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators and earned a certif cate in Corporate Community Relations from the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. Prior to joining the King’s community, Dan served as a senior communicator with the City of Edmonton where he led two teams, one supporting City councillors and one supporting the Corporate Services Department. He has been a volunteer fundraiser for various organizations and earlier in his career was responsible for communications and development for the Fraser- Burrard Hospital Society in the Vancouver area. He currently serves as an elder in Bethel Christian Reformed Community Church in Edmonton, where he has also served in worship and youth ministries over the years, and is chair of the Cuba Connection Committee of Classis Alberta North. At King’s, Dan is responsible for our three key advancement functions: Enrolment Services, Development, and Marketing.  The Enrolment Services team: Lesley Huska, Heather Hunter, Diana Kyle, Josh Noble, Hilda Buisman, Angela Sawula, Wanda Thiessen 2 /// The King’s Connection /// Fall 2011