Two Join the AACE Board

Lynne Nieman

Lynne was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan and received her first degree at the University of Saskatchewan. After working overseas in West Africa in adult education, extension and rural development for four years, she returned to Canada to pursue a Master's Degree in Extension Studies at the University of Guelph. Her thesis, on Leadership Roles of Farm Women, was completed in 1993.

Lynne is currently a businesses development specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in Claresholm. She has been with the department for 15 years, with special interests in rural community development, rural leadership and facilitation, and sustainable agriculture and its link to sustainable rural communities.

Reni Picton

Reni Picton has been employed in the field of adult education and training for over thirteen years. From 1983 - 88, she worked for the Red Deer Canadian Mental Health Association where she was responsible for the recruitment, selection and training of volunteers and the development and delivery of educational programs on emotional health and wellness. In 1985, Reni became a certified trainer for Alberta's suicide Intervention Program and continues as an active trainer throughout the province. Her work history also includes an 8 year stint at Red Deer College as Manager for General Programs in the Community Education Department, which included the responsibility for all federally-funded training programs and co-ordination of conferences and special events.

In April, Reni left the College and is now self-employed in Red Deer as an adult education and training specialist. Her areas of expertise and interest include project management, career transition and special events coordination. Reni received a CACE Certificate from the University of Alberta in June and intends on pursuing a Master's Degree in Adult, Higher and Continuing Education at the University of Calgary. She has been a member of AACE since 1990 and looks forward to serving on the Board.

AACE Awards Presented To Osberg and Seymour

Diane Osberg: Recipient Of The Ray Jewison Memorial Award

That Diane Osberg should receive the Ray Jewison Memorial Award should come as no surprise to those who have worked with her. For the past twenty years, she has shared her many talents and abilities with AACE, serving as Communication Coordinator, Newsletter. Editor (twice), Journal Editor, Co-Chair of the Visions '89 conference, Board Secretary, Vice-President and President (twice). He energy and vision have helped give AACE a renewed sense of purpose and direction, and we have profited from our company with her.

Diane's work with AACE is but one aspect of her commitment to lifelong learning. She is a founder, organizer, networker, innovator, problem-solver, educator and pusher for the kind of community and institutional-based programming that excites and energizes adult learners to get the most out of life. She is also someone who has been in the right place at the right time, building a career based on emerging trends and collaborating with those shared her vision.

Diane's early work was rooted in the community, where she began the first Time Out program in High River and later served as the first Coordinator of Foothills Continuing Education Council from 1971 - 1975. Having launched a successful adult education program at home, she used her new knowledge to help set up further education councils in neighboring communities. At about the same time, she met Ray Jewison, then Director of Continuing Education at SAIT. Diane's assessment of the needs of adults in rural communities for credit programming created a role for her as a SAIT outreach coordinator. As the program grew, so did Diane's responsibilities with SAIT, first as Assistant Director in 1978 and finally Director of Continuing Education in 1986 when Ray moved on to be SAIT's Vice-President.

At the present time, Diane is Director - Elderhostel Prairie Region for Elderhostel Canada. At SAIT, she had begun seeing program possibilities for seniors and was asked by Elderhostel Canada Director Bob Williston to help develop programming on the prairies. Under her leadership, the Prairie region now boasts programs offered by 64 agencies, including further education councils (now called adult learning councils), postsecondary institutions, ranches, lodges, hostels, and educational centres. As with her other ventures in adult education, she has seen Elderhostel evolve into year round programs that better suits a fitter and more active aging population. Her latest Elderhostel innovation is to market travel study programs with travel agencies.

Above all, Diane is a doer, devoting countless hours to volunteer boards. Her resume lists membership and board involvement with no less than 27 different organizations, including the University of Calgary Senate, Calgary Further Education Council, Alberta Educational Teleconference Council, Northwest Adult Education Association, Canadian Distance Education Association, Alberta Learning Opportunities for Women, OCO Olympic'88 Education Committee and the Minister's (Provincial) Advisory Committee of Further Education. Her many responsibilities stem from a premise that the only way to get something done is to join a committee. That she works best with others reflects both a collaborative spirit and a desire to keep on learning.

Gary Seymour: Recipient Of The Lifelong Learning Award

Gary Seymour is the Dean of Community Education and Program Development at Medicine Hat College. He has worked at the college in a variety of capacities for over twenty years. Initially an instructor in Geography, Biology and History, Gary was seconded from the MHC Faculty to Community Education in 1970. As Dean, he has provided leadership in the development of many MHC programs, including Travel Consultant, Aviation Training, Automotive Services Technology, Health Care, Oil Rigging Training, Alberta Feedlot Training, Health Care Aid, and Massage Therapist.

Gary's innovations in community education at MHC have been shared with other institutions and adult learning councils through AACE presentations. A strong advocate of the council concept in Alberta, Gary has been actively involved with LEARN and supported professional development opportunities for coordinators throughout the province. A champion of those less likely or unable to make use of traditional learning opportunities, he has piloted literacy and life skills programming at MHC and initiated the New Worlds For Woman Program.

Gary's involvement extends beyond the wall of Medicine Hat College into his community. He has been instrumental in creating partnerships with trainers, employers and educators to meet the education and training needs of local business. He was a charter member of the Medicine Hat and District Industrial Training Committee, and has volunteered his time on several boards, including the South Eastern Alberta Travel and Convention Association and the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club.

Gary continues to show his leadership and innovation through the challenging times we experience today. He has been a valuable resource to all members of these committees and never fails to share his valuable knowledge and expertise.