Theme: Truth Told

Truth.

The pursuit of this five-letter word is the responsibility of every post-secondary institution: to seek truths that are sometimes universal, often personal and occasionally just plain controversial.

Truth Told is a response to MacEwan’s calling as a university – to explore truth in its many forms: from historical to scientific; mathematical to moral.

It’s a commitment to MacEwan’s identity as a place where all learners – students and faculty alike – are encouraged to pose questions, challenge their own perceptions and pursue truth.

And while we acknowledge that truth takes on many names and meanings, as a university community, we embrace our truth-related responsibilities.

Betty Andrews Recital Hall, MacEwan University
11110 104 Ave NW
Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 1M9
Canada

Chandelle Rimmer and Tom Van Seters

Canadian jazz musicians Chandelle Rimmer and Tom Van Seters are both well versed in the Canadian jazz scene, having shared the stage with numerous distinguished musicians over the past 25 years. Both Tom and Chandelle are faculty members in the Department of Music at MacEwan University, and recently released their first collaborative project, Stillness Falls, through the university’s record label, Bent River Records. When they first started working together, they decided that they wanted to collaborate not only as performers, but also as composers. They were delighted to discover that in many ways it was easier than writing music in isolation. Sharing in the responsibilities for a composition’s creation and development freed them up in a way that often led to wonderfully unpredictable outcomes.

Jason Garcia

Volunteer Manager

Jason Garcia is a queer non-binary, latinx advocate for survivor-centred response to sexual violence in the city of Edmonton. As the volunteer manager for the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), they manage the most passionate group of volunteers who are dedicated to providing front-line support and empowerment to those impacted by sexual violence. They highlight the importance that trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practices have in a survivor’s healing journey. Throughout their time at MacEwan, Jason continuously advocated for dedicated campus resources and invested heavily in ensuring student voices played an integral part in ensuring campus policies, procedures and supports were survivor-centred. Jason believes it is crucial that survivors are empowered to be experts in their own healing process and strives to ensure this truth becomes more widely accepted, especially with the rise of #metoo.

Katie Biittner

Assistant Professor

Dr. Katie Biittner is an assistant professor in MacEwan’s Department of Anthropology, Economics and Political Science. As an archaeologist, she has been privileged to excavate in several countries – from Tanzania, investigating our origins as modern humans, to Mill Creek Ravine, examining Edmonton’s early industrial days. Recently, her research has shifted to understanding cultural heritage in Tanzania’s Iringa Region, through the local tradition of basket making. Reflecting on her diverse field experiences, including an unforgettable incident when she was accused of practicing witchcraft, Katie has come to understand truths about both her discipline and identity.

Keestin O'Dell

Student Engagement Advisor

Keestin O’Dell is a student engagement advisor at kihêw waciston, MacEwan University’s Indigenous Centre. In this role, he travels to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Western Canada to discuss the university experience, offer information on MacEwan’s programs and build relationships with students and organizations. Keestin shares his own experience at MacEwan, having graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and his passion for Indigenous topics, knowledge and research. Throughout his degree, Keestin drew from both his traditional knowledge and formal post-secondary training, working on many undergraduate projects focused on identity, media, families and masculinity. He is from Frog Lake First Nation (puskiakiwenin 122 and unipouheos 121) and his heritage is Irish and nehiyaw (Cree).

Neill Fitzpatrick

Assistant Professor

Neill Fitzpatrick spent much of his career as a journalist with CBC News and Global News, before becoming a prof at MacEwan. His research focuses on media manipulation and "fake news" in the post-truth/Trump era. As an assistant professor in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications, Neill designs and teaches courses in journalism, media relations and digital communications. While he recognizes there's never been a more challenging time for journalism, Neill also believes there's never been more opportunity for journalists to cut through the noise and share the facts with news consumers.

Petra Schulz

Sessional Instructor

Petra Schulz lost her 25-year-old son, Danny, to accidental fentanyl poisoning in 2014, leading her to co-found Moms Stop the Harm, a national network of Canadian families who have lost a loved one to substance use. Through sharing Danny’s story, Petra has become an advocate for drug policy reform aimed at reducing the harm associated with substance use. She is firm in her belief that substance use is a matter of human rights and health, and should not be criminalized. Petra serves on Alberta’s Opioid Emergency Response Commission and is a research partner on a project exploring mothers’ advocacy. She has been a guest speaker for all levels of government, and at numerous conferences, community meetings and university lectures. In MacEwan’s Faculty of Health and Community Studies, Petra is a distance instructor and curriculum writer for the Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration degree and the Special Needs Educational Assistant program.

Rodney Schmaltz

Associate Professor

Dr. Rodney Schmaltz is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at MacEwan University. His research explores why people fall prey to pseudoscientific claims, and tests strategies to promote and teach scientific skepticism. Rodney’s scholarly interests extend to workplace productivity and self-control, where he focuses on creating evidence-based approaches to improve performance and reduce common workplace stressors. Rodney has also conducted research on ethical review in emergency situations, such as infectious disease outbreaks, and is a past chair of the Research Ethics Board at MacEwan. He is also the co-author of two introductory psychology textbooks.