U of L creates Leskiw scholarship

The University of Lethbridge is honouring its first leader with a scholarship in his name.

Fifty years ago, Russell Leskiw became the University of Lethbridge’s first acting president, guiding the institution from its birth on Jan. 1, 1967 through its first six months.

In honour of his legacy, the U of L recently established the Dr. Russell Leskiw Memorial Scholarship and, this fall, the first scholarship was given to education student Kelcey McCarthy.

“We’re very pleased that the U of L is doing this and know that students will appreciate this scholarship,” Russell’s widow, Evelyn Leskiw, says in a news release. “Our three adult children are delighted and realize that this is a very special tribute to their father.”

McCarthy, a fifth-year student in a combined biological sciences and education program, is no less honoured and appreciative.

“I’m very grateful to the Leskiw family and the donors who helped create this award,” McCarthy says. “I’ve read about Dr. Leskiw and what he did for the University, and I feel very honoured to receive this scholarship.”

Evelyn, who now lives in British Columbia, says their years in Lethbridge were exciting, and seeing the University take its first steps as a separate entity was pretty heady.

When Dr. Sam Smith became the U of L’s first president, Russell became dean of the faculty of education. In its first year, the faculty of education had seven members, a number that doubled the following year. Russell had focused his doctoral thesis on long internships patterned after the medical and legal professions, and the U of L’s education program evolved to have a significant focus on practicum.

“To have the opportunity to put some of that into practice was really satisfying for Russ,” Evelyn says.

McCarthy, who’s from Edam, Sask., about an hour east of Lloydminster, is currently completing her third and final practicum at a Lethbridge high school. She can attest to the value of those practicums.

“I’ve had really good experiences here,” McCarthy says. “The education faculty is just phenomenal and all the experience you get to have in practicums, that’s been really great for me, too. I’ve had awesome teachers to work with and they really helped push me and become a better teacher myself.”