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#14. Graduate from College with a B.A. and B.Ed.

Completed April 23, 2000 @ Canadian University College

West Hall - Literature, Philosophy, History, Band

The Back of the Library where I worked for 4 years and took naps during the day

The Administration Building where I worked in the computer lab and fought with the mean registrar

The Education Building where I took mostly boring education classes

The College Heights SDA Church where we had afterglow and listened to Pastor Ron Sydenham

The Chan Shun Science Center - Calculus +

The Cafeteria where I bummed food and worked my freshman year

I began my post-secondary education at in the fall of 1994 at Canadian Union College near Lacombe, Alberta.  I had planned to study the classical guitar and become a performer or teacher and so I started out in the music program.  After one year I left to volunteer as a teacher in the Marshall Islands.  I resumed my studies in the fall of 1996 and switched over to the History department.  The school changed its name to Canadian University College that year - yeah, I think it's a rather generic name too. I added the education component winter 1998 which added 2 years to my education.  The B.Ed. was granted from Union College in Nebraska - place I have never been, but where my father is an alumnus also and has never been.  I graduated April 23, 2000.

The Lord blessed me enormously while I was at CUC. He gave me over $16,550 in scholarships.  He gave me food and lodging with my Mother the entire 5 years I was there - thanks mum.  He blessed me with some of the greatest teachers in our atmosphere - namely Mr. Keith Leavitt, Dr. Joy Fehr, Dr. Tennyson Samraj, Dr. Larry Herr, Mr. Bill Cemer, Mrs. Karen Bottomley, Dr. Deva Doss, Dr. Ranko Stephanovic,  Dr. Terry Graham - thank-you you all taught me so much. God provided jobs for me to work off my bill (not that I didn't have to take out a loan or anything). At the library I worked 4 years as an evening supervisor. I also worked at the cafeteria as a clean up boy, as a math tutor, a guitar teacher and a student pastor. I was blessed with numerous amazing friends from all different places in the world.  God even blessed me with a wife while I was there.

Time never stood still, I was always busy with something.  Working with campus ministries I led Afterglow for 3 years.  I contributed as a writer for the Aurora Chronicles (article below), took pictures for the yearbook, performed at the first 2 Malepalooza concerts...  

View my Degrees

Canadian University College - 3 year Bachelor of Arts in History, minor in Mathematics

Union College - 4 year Bachelor of Education, Secondary Education, specialization in History

Aurora Chronicles April, 2000

I Bid You Farewell,
I Don’t Know When I’ll be back...

Call ’em by Zaak Robichaud

LEONARD Cohen couldn’t have sung it better. So this is it. I’m almost done. In 2 weeks I will be a college graduate. But what does that mean anyway. I jumped through a hoop. A mighty expensive Christian hoop. (I’m glad it’s not goop that I jumped through.) In 2 weeks, interest will begin to compound on my student loan and I will begin life as a poor man. Meanwhile, I sit at the library circulation desk waiting, waiting, waiting for graduation to come, just 303 hours away. Shall I impart some of this expensive wisdom – most of which I learned outside of the classroom.

First off – Afterglow, thank you to all you singers; I’ve enjoyed praising with you. Caution to future Afterglowers, don’t let it become formal, that is not Afterglow’s nature. Let it happen as people unite after Vespers to praise God and share with each other. You don’t need a leader, just a humble spirit, a desire to gather together; and having a Kris doesn’t hurt. Encourage each other and pray pray pray.

Secondly – YOU are ultimately responsible for your spiritual life. I hear people complaining that CUC is not spiritual enough. Well, why should it be? Jesus did not die to bring the Ad building and the P.E. Complex to heaven, He died for individuals. So, if you want this environment to be spiritual, pray with your friends, pray for people, study your Bible, discuss issues out loud and freely, ask for advice and help when you need it and PRAISE YOUR MAKER everyday. I’ve had a wonderful spiritual experience at CUC the last 4 years I’ve been here. What did you think was going to happen when you came to CUC? Was the Spirit going to smack you in the forehead?

Thirdly – YOU are ultimately responsible for your schooling. Don’t put all your faith into your advisor. Plan your education as though you are paying $17.50 an hour to sit in class. Hold your teachers accountable, sure, but who’s supposed to do the bulk of the work Buddy?

Fourthly – YOU are ultimately responsible for change. Don’t complain. You can be emotional and distraught, but come on, no one is going to listen to a whiner (Pen is Mightier are you listening?).

I can’t think of anything else that’s really important. I’m tired of school right now. I’ve even said on occasion that I hate school. But then again, I’ve been told that I will miss it as soon as I’m done. I’m sure I will because people are usually right – especially when they are college graduates – ha ha ha. So can I leave you with one message, not from Leonard Cohen, but from me: Walk on the grass. That has made all the difference, especially with my knees.