community report 2011

World of Opportunity. Community RepoRt 2011

Community Report 2011 1


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Community Report 20112

At the end of 2010, Langara College was reflecting on

its 40-year history and looking ahead to the future.

In 2011 we took a big leap forward, expanding the

world of opportunities for our students and all of the

Langara community.

Langara has long been recognized for its exceptional

learning opportunities and in 2011 we enhanced

our reputation on a global scale. The College

signed Memorandums of Understanding with

four distinguished international institutions in

Australia, India, and England. The partnerships

create not only learning opportunities for students

beyond our campus, but also new collaborative

prospects for faculty.

Closer to home, Langara continued to grow and

innovate. We opened a new Student Engagement

Centre that serves as a hub for student-focused

initiatives and cutting-edge collaborative learning.

The space also houses our thriving Co-operative

Education Program and VOLT, Langara’s new

student volunteer program.

First and foremost.Message froM the President

Other achievements this year included: establishing

the Langara Alumni Association; hosting the

College’s first-ever TEDxLangara event; creating the

new Innovation Fund; and increasing support for

applied research.

We also opened a new Gathering Space for our

Aboriginal community. This is an important

initiative that further establishes Langara as

a supportive institution that provides quality

opportunities for all learners.

This was a record year for Langara and the 23,000

students who attended. I encourage you to connect

with us and learn more about our College and our

commitment to higher learning - here and beyond.

Dr. David Ross President and CEO Langara College


2011 marked the halfway point of Langara College’s

five-year Strategic Plan, a pivotal moment in our

growth and development. Instead of pausing to

celebrate what we have accomplished so far, Langara

continued to forge an exciting path to becoming a

truly global campus.

Building on our strong reputation for quality

education, Langara expanded its reach this year.

Our new international partnerships opened doors

for our campus community: Langara students can

gain a real-world perspective while Langara faculty

can benefit from global collaborations. This is only

one example of how we continue to meet our

Guiding our interests.Board of governors

Anne LippertBoard Vice-ChairVice-PresidentLippert Investments Ltd.

Megahn McCarthyRetired Principal

Zdenka BuricManaging PartnerNational Public Relations

Muneori OtakaBBA StudentLangara College

David BowraPresidentThe Bowra Group Inc.

Brian McGibneyWorkshop Coordinator Fine Arts Department Langara College

Ross ClarkPartner Davis LLP

Mark SmithDepartment ChairInterdisciplinary StudiesLangara College

Kwin GrauerOwner/PartnerSalmon’s Rentals Ltd.

Gerda KrauseEducation Council ChairLangara College

Anh (Teresa) LuBBA StudentLangara College

David RossPresident and CEOLangara College

strategic priorities through increased opportunities

and access to higher education.

Going forward, we will maintain the course we have

set and continue to grow the College’s future.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, thank you for

your support.

Dennis Dineen Board Chair Langara College


In 2011 Langara truly went from local to

global. The College forged international

partnerships with four institutions

spanning three continents, in addition to

running a field school and educational

tours throughout the world.

In September, Langara signed Memorandums of

Understanding (MOUs) with Griffith University

in Australia, INSCOL Academy in India, and the

University of Sussex in England. In November

these new partnerships were rounded out by an

agreement with the Royal Institute of Nursing,

also in India. The MOUs open new doors for Langara

students and faculty to embark on international

projects, exchanges, and research initiatives

with these partner institutions, and to invite our

associates overseas to join us at our home campus.

Broadening our horizons.langara and the world

Five students from Langara’s Co-operative

Education Program also hit the road to participate

in a field school at Disneyworld in Florida. The

program, in association with the University of

California (Riverside) and Disney International

Programs, allowed students to earn valuable work

experience in hospitality and tourism management

at the famous resort.

Rounding out Langara’s international year,

Continuing Studies expanded their successful

series of Educational Travel tours to include a host

of exotic destinations, such as China, France, New

York, and the Galapagos Islands.

Building a gloBal caMPusLangara’s partnerships with Australia, India,

and England open new doors for students and

faculty. It is also an opportunity for the College

to welcome the world.


One of Langara’s core values is to create a

collegial environment for open, inclusive,

and respectful dialogue. This year, we

expanded the forums for campus and

community engagement.

In September Langara’s Philosophy Department

launched Philosophers’ Jam, a new monthly dialogue

series partially funded by the College’s Innovation

Fund. These free public events explored a variety of

topics in 2011, including the idea of “the good city;”

prostitution in Canada; recycling as a religion; and

the impact of competitive sports.

Continuing Studies also established a new

educational resource for our growing, diverse

communities: the Langara Institute. As part of its

2011 programming, the Langara Institute launched

A Week of Learning in October, which offered free

public workshops, presentations, tours, and exhibits

on topics ranging from the creative arts and holistic

health to business and technology. Langara’s

long-running Community Lecture Series – now in

its 58th season – was also presented through the

Langara Institute.

In November we hosted our first-ever TEDxLangara,

a student-led initiative presented in collaboration

with Langara’s School of Management, Alumni

Relations, Co-operative Education Program,

President’s Office, and Communications & Marketing.

The sold-out event drew more than 75 students from

various disciplines and featured eight distinguished

leaders, including former Vancouver mayor and

Langara alumnus, Sam Sullivan. In the spirit of

the theme, “leadership inspiring our world,” and

in keeping with TEDx tradition, students had the

opportunity to interact with speakers and connect

with other attendees during scheduled

networking breaks.

On the social media front, we continued to maintain

our strong connection with students. This year, the

Langara Facebook page exceeded 4,000 members,

while our Twitter followers topped 3,000. But it was

our iPhone app that achieved the gold standard,

capturing a 2011 National Council of Marketing and

Public Relations Medallion Award. The app, which

has been an instant success with students since it

launched in 2010, broke the 4,000-downloads barrier

earlier this year.

Expanding dialogue.new oPPortunities for connecting


Leadership inspiring our world.


Langara strengthened its local and

global community connections this

year with the launch of two new

student volunteer programs as well

as the revitalization of the Langara

Alumni Association Board.

VOLT, our student volunteer program, was

successfully launched in the fall and the

results have been positively energizing.

In less than a year, over 200 students

have joined the program. VOLT empowers

students to connect with rewarding

volunteer opportunities on campus and in

the local community.

To boost international volunteer

opportunities for students, we established a

new partnership with the C.A.R.E. Society.

Up to eight Langara students per year are

now eligible for travel funding assistance

that will enable them to pursue international

service, education, and humanitarian

assistance projects.

Beyond the classroom.student and aluMni engageMent

To create an enduring student experience,

Langara also strengthened its alumni

connections this year. In February a newly

incorporated Langara Alumni Association

(LAA) was launched. Helmed by a 10-member

board, the LAA aims to promote and enhance

the relationship between Langara alumni

and the College by providing services,

activities, and programs that encourage the

involvement and participation of alumni.

In May we celebrated the successes of our

outstanding alumni and recognized the

contributions of two graduates in particular.

Bruce Hurst, a 1975 Langara alumnus and

acclaimed leader in the CGA profession,

received the Outstanding Alumni Award for

Business Achievement, while accomplished

journalist and author Gary Mason received

the Outstanding Alumni Award for

Professional Achievement.


soccer l BasketBall l BadMinton


Langara Athletics unveiled a new look in

2011 – the “Falcon in Flight.” With rebranded

uniforms and a revamped gym, our sports

teams were ready to get in the game.

The regenerated logo, a fierce orange, black, and

white falcon pictured in descent, embodies the spirit

of determination and skill exemplified by Langara’s

athletic squads. In the spirit of competition, the

new logo was developed through a contest that

invited students and members of the community

to submit their design concepts. The victorious

design debuted in September when Langara’s

championship-winning soccer teams took to the

pitch at Vancouver’s Empire Field for their season

opening games. Langara’s varsity basketball and

badminton squads got their chance to wear the new

design when their seasons kicked off in November.

Four athletes from the Falcons were named to

the BCCAA First All-Star team in 2011: women’s

basketball star Carling Muir, Michelle Francis from

women’s soccer, and men’s doubles badminton

dynamos Chris Chung and Pierre Tang. Another

eight Falcons were named to the BCCAA Second

All-Star and All-Rookie squads.

Making the team.the new langara falcons

On a national note, Lana Rockhill, women’s soccer

captain, was elected to the CCAA All-Canadian

team. Lana, a third-year general studies student

at Langara, led her team to a bronze finish at the

BCCAA provincial championship after scoring nine

goals in 12 games.


Since opening its doors in 1970 Langara

College has undergone continuous

development to meet the needs of our

growing campus community, and 2011

was no exception.

This year, the College proudly opened its first

Student Engagement Centre, fondly dubbed “The

Hub.” The facility is home to Langara’s successful

Co-operative Education Program, VOLT student

volunteer program, and student clubs as well as

other student-focused initiatives.

The Hub also houses a cutting-edge “Learn Lab,”

a multi-faceted classroom designed to support

collaborative learning for students. It is a highly

flexible space with 20 mobile desks that allow

students to arrange their workspaces into different

configurations and take advantage of four display

stations – a standard projector and screen, a

Polyvision smartboard and projector, and two

flat screen televisions. Langara is the first post-

secondary institution in Metro Vancouver to pilot

the “Learn Lab” concept.

Breaking new ground.caMPus enhanceMents

A community garden was also established on the

Langara campus in 2011. The initiative, driven by

the College community, has led to the area being

recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat site by

the National Wildlife Federation.

In Continuing Studies a new centre for Holistic

Health training was opened at our Broadway Centre.

With a stunning view of the Vancouver skyline, this

customized facility offers a variety of programs

and certificates in alternative modalities, natural

healing, and wellness.


From packed exhibitions to critically

acclaimed performances, 2011 was a banner

year for the arts at Langara.

February marked the return of the annual World

Community Film Festival, BC’s largest showcase of

social justice documentaries. In collaboration with

CoDevelopment Canada and the World Community

Development Education Society, Langara welcomed

film audiences interested in getting to the heart of

social and environmental issues facing local and

global communities.

Langara’s professional theatre school Studio 58

continued to dazzle in 2011 – the program’s 45th

season – with performances of Shakespeare’s The

Comedy of Errors, a production of the Orwellian

1984 , another installment in the “Risky Nights” series

entitled La Marea, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and

Jazz-era murder mystery The 13th Chair.

The Masters Lecture Series, featuring top

photographic artists John Paul Caponigro, Greg

Girard, and Phil Borges, was another highlight of

the year, along with a speaker series hosted by the

Langara Centre for Art in Public Spaces. The College

also welcomed celebrated installation artist Samuel

Roy-Bois to campus as the Artist-in-Residence for

2011/2012. Roy-Bois’ ongoing project “Nothing Blank

Forever” – a large glass cube containing a film studio,

constructed in the centre of campus – continued

to hold the artistic community in thrall as 2011 drew

to a close.

The year ended with the inaugural “Art-fully Yours”

art and design auction in December. The gala

event featured more than 300 one-of-a-kind pieces

created by students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

The array of items ranged from photography and

painting to crafts and ceramics. Highlights from

the auction block included a series of images from

Langara’s Professional Photo-Imaging Program

called “Merging Time” and 18 handcrafted paper

wreaths created by students enrolled in our Design

Formation Program. In the end, thousands of dollars

were raised for creative programming at Langara.

The same evening played host to the opening of

“Muse: An Exhibition of Myths and Mannequins,”

an ethereal show presented by the second-year

students in Langara’s Design Formation Program.

The innovative exhibit, featuring antique

mannequins, transformed the design studio into an

enchanting realm of imagination.

Stretching our imaginations.arts take centre stage


In 2011 Langara received the largest

endowment scholarship in the College’s

history. We also took our first step towards

establishing an infrastructure that promotes

innovative thinking, sustains research and

scholarly activity, and increases institutional

academic capacity.

Through the generosity of the estates of Jeani Read

and Michael Mercer, Langara has established a

historic $1.4 million endowment scholarship and

mentorship honorarium for Journalism students.

The Jeani Read-Michael Mercer Scholarship

for Journalism and Jeani Read-Michael Mercer

Journalism Project Mentorship Award represent

the largest donation to date for the College and will

be used to encourage budding journalists to pursue

excellence in their profession.

One priority of Langara College’s Strategic Plan is to

build institutional capacity, and in 2011 we actively

pursued ways to foster a culture of innovation,

scholarship, and collaboration. Our newly

established Scholarly Activity Steering Committee

aims to support the development and maintenance

of scholarly activities and academic research.

Applying knowledge.innovation and scholarshiP

As part of its scholarly activity initiative, the College

also reached a Memorandum of Understanding with

the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of

Canada (NSERC), enabling Langara faculty to pursue

scholarship opportunities and be eligible to apply for

federal research grants and awards.

In addition, Langara established the Innovation

Fund. The goals of the Innovation Fund include

providing funding for new and existing programs,

activities, or service opportunities, as well

as conducting applied research to improve

administrative and educational aspects of the

College. Projects funded to date include:

• Exploring situated learning activities with mobile devices

• Creating a virtual component within the Langara Writing Centre

• Developing a business plan for the operation of an exercise physiology lab

• Developing an area for the surface and sub-surface recovery and analysis of artificial remains and artifacts

• Introducing an augmented reality technology to College publications

• Examining the learning experience of introductory psychology students

• Exploring the possibility of converting solid waste into biochar

• Creating community engagement opportunities for philosophy students

social media

alumniLooking to connect with fellow Langara alumni?

contact:Pam Robertson

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 604.323.5948

advancementInterested in making a difference in a student’s

educational future through Langara’s Scholarship and

Bursary Program?

contact:Sue Street


Phone: 604.323.5674

Connect with us.langara and You

Facebook:

facebook.com/langaracollege

twitter:

twitter.com/langaracollege

Youtube:

youtube.com/langaracollege

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Langara College100 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, BC Canada V5Y 2Z6

tel 604.323.5511 | fax 604.323.5555


www.langara.bc.ca

community report 2011

Documents

langara community

langara students

langara faculty

langara alumni association

campus community

global campus

quality opportunities

aboriginal community