April 28, 2006 Source: :
http://www.mta.ca/news/?id=1009 East and West Academic Partnership Inked CALGARY, AB and SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University’s Meighen Centre, Calgary Academy, and Foothills Academy in Calgary are pleased to announce a partnership that will develop East and West Centres of Excellence for research in the area of learning disabilities and support services for students with learning disabilities. Memoranda of Understanding were signed by Mount Allison and the two institutions on April 27 in Calgary. "Through the Meighen Centre, Mount Allison University has been conducting research and providing specialized services to students with learning disabilities since 1988," says Dr. Ken Ozmon, President of Mount Allison University. "The Meighen Centre assists approximately 50 students per year from across Canada and we are very proud of our 85% graduation success rate. As of 2003, over 100 Meighen Centre students have graduated from Mount Allison." Initiatives of the East and West Centres of Excellence include: • Engaging Mount Allison honours students in the development of research programs in conjunction with the Academies; • Sharing mutual expertise on easing the transition from high school to university; • Sharing teaching techniques; • Sharing and maximizing the use of technology in both teaching and learning; • Establishing more scholarships for students graduating from Calgary and Foothills Academies to attend Mount Allison University, where they will receive the support needed to achieve success at the undergraduate university level. "The goal of the program at Foothills Academy is to prepare students to be the best that they can be," says Gordon Bullivant, Executive Director of Foothills Academy. "Our collaboration with the Meighen Centre at Mount Allison University will help us achieve this goal, and allow us to further enhance our research in the understanding and treatment of those with learning disabilities." "This partnership will prove invaluable in helping us give every student the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to be successful as students and as productive, contributing members of society," says Peter Istvanffy, President and C.E.O. of Calgary Academy. "We look forward to working with the Meighen Centre at Mount Allison University to ensure our students have a positive and rewarding undergraduate university experience." Four new scholarships have been established to offer financial support to graduating students from Calgary Academy and Foothills Academy. A graduate from each school will receive a full-tuition scholarship — a value of approximately $6,500 per year —renewable over four years. The second scholarship, offered to one graduate of each school, is a one-time entrance scholarship valued at $6,000. About Calgary Academy (www.calgaryacademy.com) Calgary Academy, an accredited private school, was founded in 1981. Since its inception, Calgary Academy has grown from a handful of students and teachers operating out of rented facilities, to the present 17-acre campus that houses a staff of more than 100 professional educators and over 600 students. Calgary Academy is a pioneer in developing school design concepts for students with special learning needs and offers two specialized academic programs: A Comprehensive Program for students who often have academic school deficits and, although intellectually capable, are struggling in school; and a Transition Program for students with academic skills at or above grade level who would benefit from further development of their skills and learning strategies. About Foothills Academy (www.foothillsacademy.org) Foothills Academy was established in 1979 with a dual purpose: to offer a full time educational and treatment School Program for students with severe learning disabilities; and to provide, to the greater community, a Community Services component consisting of assistance to professionals and parents as well as research, tutoring in-service, lectures, and the publishing of materials relevant to the learning disabled child. One of the most notable examples of community support is the establishment of the permanent facility in northwest Calgary. The international award-winning facility was two years in the planning and facilitates flexibility for classroom groupings, observation of students, and demonstration of teaching/treatment techniques, research, planning, etc. About Mount Allison University (www.mta.ca) Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick is one of the smallest liberal arts and science undergraduate universities in Canada, with an enrolment of around 2,250 students. Because of its size, its location within a small community, and its residential nature, Mount Allison offers a number of social, cultural, athletic, and academic influences and opportunities. Mount Allison University has ranked amongst the top two undergraduate universities in Canada by Maclean’s magazine for 15 consecutive years, a record of achievement unmatched by any other university. Photo caption >From left to right are: Peter Istvanffy, President and C.E.O., Calgary Academy; Dr. Kenneth Ozmon, President and Vice Chancellor, Mount Allison University; and Gordon Bullivant, Executive Director, Foothills Academy, Calgary. —30— For further information please contact Susanne MacDonald, Communications Officer/Event Planner, Mount Allison University, tel: (506) 364-2529 (smacdonald@mta.ca).
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