The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s food supply could be disastrous. Hoarding, international trade disruptions, shortages of farm workers and processing plant closures, among other issues, threaten to push global food security to the tipping point. Associate professor of history Donica Belisle assesses the Canadian food security situation and puts today’s challenges in an historical context.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult enough on individuals who are fortunate to be able to work from home. Families that have endured job loss are finding it even more challenging. But post-secondary students in our communities are some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, often facing the stresses of financial hardship while trying to stay on top of daunting academic workloads. Now there is a way to help struggling students – the University’s Student Emergency Fund.
Marah Mattison had a unique internship opportunity this past semester. Through a Faculty of Arts internship at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum she realized a dream – to curate a museum exhibition. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the exhibit has yet to be unveiled. By completing the curating project, Mattison became the first University of Regina history student to earn an honours degree by completing a hands-on project rather than writing a paper. No doubt that also helped her gain acceptance into the Heritage Studies and Public History program at the University of Minnesota – the first Canadian to do so.
More than four decades ago, some pioneering faculty members took the first tentative steps to establish a film program at the University of Regina. In 1980, the first of the University’s film degrees was handed out. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has put a halt to this year’s 40th anniversary celebrations of the only degree-granting film program between the Great Lakes and Vancouver.
Part of the inspiration for YWCA Regina’s new $45 million Centre for Women and Families opening in 2022 in Regina are six simple leather chairs in the organization’s current lobby. They are always occupied because they offer safe refuge for anyone who needs it. No one is ever asked to leave. Meet four U of R graduates who are leading YWCA Regina into a new era.
Usually Dale Eisler can be found serving as senior policy fellow at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy or senior advisor on government relations to University President Vianne Timmons. These days, Eisler may be more likely meeting with Hollywood producers or having brunch with A-list movie stars. Eisler is now in the movie business. A book he wrote loosely based around an incident in his family history has made it to the silver screen.
Danielle Major is one of those rare and gifted all-around students who defied the odds from an early age. She is an exceptional academic all-star athlete, and student coach. In short, she excels in, well, everything.
Graduates of the University’s Therapeutic Recreation program have brought music to a Regina retirement residence. The program has struck a chord with residents who are coming together and discovering the benefits that music brings to their lives.
Still early in his career, Tyler Willox has already established himself as a leader within Regina’s business community. While a student at the University of Regina, Tyler founded the Regina chapter of 5 Days for the Homeless, served as Vice-President the student union and as President of the Business Students’ Society, as well as a member of the U of R Senate.
Paul McLellan not only graduated from the University of Regina, but also champions his alma mater every opportunity he gets. A self-described life-long learner—he received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the U of R in 1981, trained at SIAST (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic) to become a journey person electrician in 1982, and returned to U of R to receive his Executive MBA in 2009—and passionate ambassador for the University of Regina, Paul served on University’s Board of Governors from 2008-2015. He served as Chair from 2011 to 2013.