The University of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) is excited to recognize two distinguished alumni with its major awards for 2022, naming Dr. Dennis Sumara (BA/BEd ’80, MEd ’90) as winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award and Felipe Civita Ferreira (BMgt ’14) as recipient of the Young Alumni Award.
“Dennis and Felipe are outstanding representatives of ULethbridge and the alumni association for their commitment to making a real difference in their communities,” says Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94), University of Lethbridge Alumni Association president. “The work they do, both in a professional capacity and as volunteers, embraces the liberal education ideals we learned as students as they strive to create a more equitable and inclusive society. Their willingness to do the work to accelerate positive change is testament to their character and we are proud to recognize them with these honours.”
Sumara, a professor at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education, is a champion for working to bring equity, diversity, inclusion and interdisciplinarity into teacher education.
Civita Ferreira, a Brazilian national who came to Canada at the age of 17, embraced his new country and has taken the lead in supporting international development projects around the world while also helping to better the experience for refugees and newcomers as they enter Canadian society.
Sumara and Civita Ferreira will be recognized at the ULAA’s Let There Be Light Night on Friday, October 14, 2022, 7 to 10 p.m., Science Commons Atrium. Tickets are available at: encompass.ulethbridge.ca/LTBLN2022.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Dennis Sumara (BA/BEd ’80, Med ’90)
Dennis Sumara is a preeminent teacher, scholar and leader in the field of education. But in 1976, he had a different career ambition. Keeping a promise to his mother, he enrolled at the University of Lethbridge, with plans to leave after a year to become a hair stylist in Toronto.
Sumara, however, soon changed his mind. During the first week of classes, he met professors and was introduced to books and ideas that changed not only what he knew, but also who he believed he could be.
Eventually, Sumara earned three degrees at the University and was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic achievement during his graduate studies. He then completed a PhD in education at the University of Alberta and won the Dissertation of the Year award from the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies.
In 2009, Sumara was appointed dean of the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education, and during the next 10 years, he initiated significant changes to the school’s curriculum, policies and planning. Today, he remains on faculty as a professor of language and literacy education and his work to bring equity, diversity, inclusion and interdisciplinarity into teacher education has put him at the forefront of his field.
As a researcher, Sumara has focused on imaginative engagement, an innovative approach to education that incorporates students’ emotions, intuition and creativity into the teaching and learning process.
During his career, Sumara has made an enormous impact on teacher education and his accomplishments have brought tremendous distinction to the University of Lethbridge.
Young Alumni Award
Felipe Civita Ferreira (BMgt ’14)
Felipe Civita Ferreira has spent his life cultivating a keen understanding of the wider world. Originally from Brazil, he speaks three languages fluently and has lived in multiple countries. Along the way, he has dedicated himself to making the world more peaceful, equitable and inclusive.
Civita Ferreira moved to Canada at 17, and while studying at the University of Lethbridge, he immersed himself in extracurricular activities. In addition to participating in national case competitions, he volunteered on various committees, held several on-campus jobs and even hosted his own CKXU radio show.
Civita Ferreira completed a master of global business at the University of Victoria and is now a Certified Project Management Professional and a Certified Scrum Product Owner.
Working in Canada’s technical and vocational education and training sector, Civita Ferreira has partnered with several Canadian post-secondary institutions to lead and support the implementation of international development projects around the world. These projects have, for example, supported eyecare services for women and girls in northern India and developed curriculum for food technology, agriculture and culinary arts programs in Kenya.
Locally, Civita Ferreira has also made a significant impact. A former member of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Youth Council, he has also served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the board of governors of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC). In recognition of his work to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Civita Ferreira was named to the ACGC’s 2018 list of the Top 30 Under 30.
Civita Ferreira is particularly passionate about helping people to lead a healthy lifestyle. In collaboration with the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, he co-designed a wilderness program that helps refugees and newcomers to Canada access safe and inclusive outdoor experiences, such as hiking trips.
For more on each award winner, see their full citations at ulethbridge.ca/unews/alumni.
Attached Photos: Dr. Dennis Sumara and Felipe Civita Ferreira.
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Contact:
Trevor Kenney, News & Information Manager
403-329-2710
403-360-7639 (cell)
@ULethbridge
