eNews Summer 2020 - Hilltop People
Buttler, Connors, and Others Retire
Seventy-seven years—that’s what professors Bruce Buttler and John Connors have invested in Burman University.
Bruce Buttler, Professor of Biology and long-time Dean of the Faculty of Science, arrived on campus in 1976. During the 44 years that he taught at Burman University, a multitude of students have learned from his expertise and example.
John Connors, Professor of Psychology, has often served as department chair during the 30 years he has taught at Burman. Connors was instrumental in creating the psychology major. Graduates have gone on to medical, dental, allied health, and graduate training in mental health programs.
Read more about Dr. Buttler and Dr. Connors in the commencement program
Shirley Freed, Professor of Education, came out of retirement to chair the School of Education for three years. During this time, she wrote and received grants for integrating the new Alberta Teaching Quality Standard into all education courses. She strengthened the online summer program and fostered increased research activity among the education faculty.
Three staff members also retired during the 2019-2020 academic year.
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Cathie Trenchuk served as Administrative Specialist in the Student Services Office. Her attention to detail and care for students made a difference in the lives of those she worked with—and worked for.
Nicole Paradis-Sydenham served in several offices on campus. Most recently she was an Admissions Officer in the Registrar’s Office. Her infectious smile and undying enthusiasm brightened her office—and the entire campus.
Sandra Nelson was an Administrative Assistant in the Student Financial Services Office. Although she has officially retired, members of the staff are delighted that she still lends her expertise and willing spirit when needed.
Two Professors Join Burman Faculty
Dadria Lewis is joining the Department of Behavioural Studies. Lewis holds a PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education and an MEd and Education Specialist degree. She completed both degrees at the University of Florida. She taught previously at the College of Behavioural and Social Science, Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica.
Kwame Adom is joining the School of Business. Adom holds a PhD in Management with a focus in entrepreneurship from the University of Sheffield and a Master of Business Administration (Finance) degree from the University of Leicester. Before coming to Burman University, Adom taught at the University of Ghana Business School in Accra.
Music: Excellence in Research
Read more about these honourees in the commencement program
Stephen Reasor’s recent book, The Koine Immersion Series, Volume 1, is designed to help students learn, enjoy, and become more comfortable with the Greek language. It will be used at Burman—and on other campuses.
The Staff of the Year award will be given during the summer.
Burman Librarian Chairs Executive Committee for Alberta Libraries
Sheila Clark, librarian at Burman University, is the new chair of the Executive Committee of NEOS, the consortium of government, health, college and university libraries that cooperate to share people, technology, library resources, and collections.
Burman was a charter member when NEOS was organized in 1994. Clark, active in many NEOS initiatives since 2007, will be instrumental in guiding policy and practice for 18 libraries in central and northern Alberta that make up the consortium. These include Burman University, Concordia University of Edmonton, Grande Prairie Regional College, MacEwan University, Keyano College, King’s University College, Lakeland College, Newman Theological College, Norquest College, Northern Lakes College, Olds College, Red Deer College, University of Alberta, Vanguard College, Alberta Government Library, Alberta Innovates—Technology Futures, Alberta Health Services, and Covenant Health.
NEOS members embrace innovative solutions that enhance access and client services. Their vision is “Sharing resources and knowledge to empower people.”
PAA Alum Leads the Way
Like many superheroes, Nursing Hero Corinne Holdal Huedepohl wears a mask. But she doesn’t wear a cape—she wears scrubs.
Corinne, a 1992 alumnus of Parkview Adventist Academy (PAA), received a Nursing Hero award—second place for all of Canada—in June 2020. This recognition celebrates nurses who go above and beyond for their patients and the profession.
Corinne believes that PAA provided the strong educational background that helped her excel in her undergraduate studies at Walla Walla College (now Walla Walla University) and her graduate work at Athabasca University. Her commitment and caring led her to be a trail blazer in nursing.
She is a nurse practitioner at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton—but she’s done more than that. She is the first nurse practitioner in Canada to receive privileges to independently inject Botox for children under anesthesia in an operating room. This procedure helps children suffering from spastisity to move with less pain.
Corinne performs and supports half or more of the monthly spasticity treatments done at the Stollery Children’s Hospital for patients between the ages of 3-17. This results in shortened wait times for treatment and allows physicians to focus on other children whose cases are more complex.
Paving the way for others nurse practitioners to do similar routines was not routine for Corinne. The Glenrose wanted to increase access to care for children, so they consulted stakeholders, reviewed resources, and examined policies and procedures. Corinne, who is committed to helping children, worked with a team of physicians, the Alberta Health Services, and Glenrose and Stollery Hospitals.
As she states, “One of the challenges with getting this permission/designation in the OR is that it was precedent-setting. There were no other programs in Canada allowing nurse practitioners this designation. Nor is there an organization that grants permission or competency in injecting Botox.
“We needed to prove competency, both to reassure families and to satisfy colleagues in the operating room. Thus, a two-year plan was created to designate the progression of skills over time.” Although the protocol is not standardized yet, she believes it could be used as an example to other nurse practitioners attempting to change practice.
When Corinne committed to a two-year education plan, she stepped out in faith: she had no assurance that it would be approved upon completion. Thankfully for Corinne, her young patients, and their families, she and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital can now deliver compassionate care in a more timely manner.
Malcolm Graham, 17th President and the Embodiment of Service, Passes Away.
Malcolm Graham, 17th president of Burman University (Canadian Union College), passed away on 17 May 2020. Loren Agrey, current president of Burman University states, “I received my diploma from Malcolm Graham, and I’ve realized over the years that he is the embodiment of humble service to Jesus Christ, to Adventist education, and to his students.”
Graham’s leadership provided stability for the institution during a time of deep financial crisis, and his dedication and vision put CUC/Burman back on a path to a firm financial setting.
Graham was born in 1931 in a tarpaper shack on his grandfather’s farm near Armstrong British Columbia. He graduated from Burman University (then Canadian Union College) in 1954 with a Bachelor of Theology degree. He was the first alumnus to return as president.
Prior to assuming the presidency of Canadian Union College (CUC) in 1982, Graham earned a master’s degree from Pacific Union College, California, taught in British Columbia and Rwanda, served as education superintendent for the Alberta Conference, and had been the education director for the Canadian Union Conference.
When Graham became president, the College was deeply in debt. The Board of Trustees was fully aware of the financial position of the school but was unable to solve the crisis. One Sabbath, as Graham spent the day in nature seeking God’s guidance for the financial difficulties facing the institution, he remembered the victorious battle of Gideon. This thought developed into the Gideon Club—300 individuals, each giving or being responsible for raising $10,000 for CUC.
Graham was the first member of the Gideon Club. Although he did not know where he would find the funds for his donation, the Lord provided and soon his pledge was fulfilled. The Gideon Club provided stability for the institution until a new plan was developed to clear all indebtedness. Graham’s dedication, determination, and enthusiasm were appreciated by faculty, staff, and the constituency. They also valued his ability to face challenges and his sense of humour.
After leaving the campus in 1987, Graham returned to teaching on an interim basis, filling vacancies in a number of schools across Canada and overseas. His wife, Lorine Beynham, a graduate of CUC, was a secretary who provided faithful support throughout their years of service.
Malcolm and Lorine had three children. Loritha Graham McDuffie, Dari, and Devon Graham. After Lorine passed away in 2000, Malcolm married Elizabeth (Betty) Hill Munroe. They lived in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, and were active in their local church and community. Betty passed away in 2020.
Malcolm Graham was devoted to God, his family, and everyone else he met. To him, no one was a stranger. Everyone was God’s creation.