November 2005 ISSUE

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Gary Wicentowich

STUDENT COLUMNS

How to Juggle Life,
School and Athletics

Editor’s Note: Gary Wicentowich, a new student columnist for The PEGG, is in his final year of electrical engineering at the University of Alberta. He is currently president of the Engineering Students’ Society, and he plays an active role on campus. He likes sports, politics and going for beers with his friends.

Life as an engineering student is demanding. Most students take about six courses and deal with multiple assignments, seminars, labs and often exams all at once.

But for Diana Hughes the effort is compounded by another role — varsity athlete. Diana is a starter for the University of Alberta Pandas Field Hockey Team, which has made its mark in Canadian Interuniversity Sport with a number of key wins in the league this year.

“It’s a challenge to keep on top of everything, but I wouldn’t do it any other way,” says Diana, now in her fifth year of mechanical engineering. She has been playing on the team throughout her university career, and was named a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All-Canadian last year. This year, she’s one of the assistant captains of the team — in just one of her many leadership roles on campus.
On top of being a Canada West All-Star, Diana has the added responsibility of being the president of the Mechanical Engineering Club, and a voting member of the Engineering Students’ Society board of directors.

IN THE FIELD For Diana Hughes, field work takes many forms. In addition to being a successful student, she’s also a successful athlete.

How has Diana managed to juggle all of these commitments? “I’ve had a lot of help from supportive friends and family who keep me focused and sane.”

Diana notes that good time management is the key to not getting caught behind. This is not always easy, especially when the team leaves for entire weekends for games on the road.

Varsity athletes generally practice about six days a week, something that Diana is committed to. “We practice outside until mid-November, regardless of whether there is snow on the ground,” she says.

What does the future hold for Diana? “I’m looking for a permanent engineering job right now, and we’ll see where that takes me. I’m confident that the value of my experiences here at the U of A will take me far.”

Alumni Asked To Lose Their Hair
Last year the University of Alberta Engineering Head Shave raised over $13,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Throughout the event, nearly 50 students and faculty members shaved their heads to support this great cause.

On Friday, Nov. 25, the second annual Engineering Head Shave will attempt to build on last year’s success, by inviting the professional engineering community to participate. There are great gifts and prizes available for participants.

If you are interested in shaving your head to help raise funds for cancer, please contact our Engineering Head Shave coordinators at headshave@ess.ualberta.ca.

New Name,  Mementos Needed
The Engineering Students’ Society is considering renaming its infamous Engineering Week. As well,
we’re looking for any photos or mementos from past Engineering Weeks, so we can scan them into our archive.

If you have any ideas or comments regarding the renaming of Engineering Week, or any mementos, please contact enggweek@ess.ualberta.ca.