ReCon: Inspiring Our Academic Community
Welcome to Rachel Skow's Personal Fundraising Page!
I am so excited to share with you the experience that is ReCon!
This year, I got involved in the ReCon planning committee, and had no idea what exactly it was that I was a part of; I had been to other conferences, but none compared to ReCon. Our annual graduate student retreat/conference is about building our graduate student family. Recon is about embracing everything our faculty has to offer, from dancing with a disability, to tourism in foreign countries, to holding your breath while exercising at maximal output. The diversity and breadth of knowledge our faculty offers surpasses anything I have experienced, and at ReCon, I got the chance to immerse myself into something new that had a feeling of familiarity.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about ReCon and why it is such a huge passion of mine, and support us in continuing to bring this joy to future students and members of our Faculty.
Our ReCon
ReCon is an annual graduate student REtreat and CONference run for students, by students from the Physical Education & Recreation Faculty. At ReCon, we promote and celebrate graduate student research, leadership, and professional development, in a supportive environment that encourages interaction and builds community among students, staff, and professors. We also retreat to the mountains for a number of recreational and social activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and yoga. ReCon may only be one weekend in the mountains, but the sense of community that it develops helps to support students for the entire year!
Check out our program to see what we did at ReCon IV!
“It’s a great way to start the year and get to know other people. It brings us closer together as a faculty. And the breakfasts are AWESOME and so were the mountains.” (anonymous, ReCon III evaluation)
Our Graduate Program
The Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta is an exciting community for graduate students! This renowned faculty in physical education and leisure studies comprises diverse perspectives and approaches to human movement. We have graduate students come from all over the world to specialize in a multitude of fields, including sport, recreation, adapted physical activity, sociology, psychology, dance, physiology, coaching, and more! This is highlighted at ReCon, where a truly multidisciplinary academic conference takes place over the span of three days.
Our graduate program aims to ensure all students are able to effectively communicate/present their research ideas, and to develop professional skills for success in their careers. We as graduate students have expressed the need for opportunities to develop the skills necessary to progress in academia. ReCon was developed as a unique initiative to address this need!
Our Campaign Goal
To ensure the sustainability of the event moving forward, we have embarked on this fundraising project with a goal of raising at least $10,000. In addition to the base funding provided by our faculty, this money will help subsidize the cost for students at ReCon, allow us to offer more enhanced opportunities for the next three years, and making sure that each student has the opportunity to attend the event. The funds we raise will be put directly into an account that is devoted to hotels, transportation, food, and any other costs incurred directly by graduate students attending ReCon.
Our Successes
ReCon has been running for four years and in that time has grown to a conference that was attended by approximately half of our student body in 2013. Each year our program expands to include new and innovative directives. Two years ago we initiated the inspirational student-nominated Rod Murray Memorial Address in collaboration with our graduate student society and Rod's family and friends. This past year we invited an alumni speaker to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our faculty, and we also expanded our scientific program to include short oral presentations. Those who have attended also indicated how much they enjoyed the conference, with 95% of last years attendees saying that they would recommend the conference to others!
ReCon is also a wonderful uninterrupted opportunity for new students to become acquainted with their program, develop professional skills, and bond with fellow students. Twenty-three of the twenty five new students in our faculty attended the conference last year.
“The best part about my first year in graduate school was ReCon” (Mathieu Wiest, 1st year PhD student).
ReCon also creates opportunities each year for graduate students to take on small and larger leadership positions on the committee. Each year we have had more and more students get involved, and last year there were six students on the committee as well as other students on sub-committees! This student-run aspect of the event is unique and integral to the success of ReCon.
In closing, we hope that you believe (as we do!) that ReCon is an event and tradition in our graduate program that should continue for years to come. Your support, may it be financial or by word of mouth, will be key to making this happen! Thanks for taking the time to learn about ReCon!
ReCon is an annual graduate student REtreat and CONference run for students, by students from the Physical Education & Recreation Faculty. At ReCon, we promote and celebrate graduate student research, leadership, and professional development, in a supportive environment that encourages interaction and builds community among students, staff, and professors. We also retreat to the mountains for a number of recreational and social activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and yoga. ReCon may only be one weekend in the mountains, but the sense of community that it develops helps to support students for the entire year!
Check out our program to see what we did at ReCon IV!
“It’s a great way to start the year and get to know other people. It brings us closer together as a faculty. And the breakfasts are AWESOME and so were the mountains.” (anonymous, ReCon III evaluation)
Our Graduate Program
The Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta is an exciting community for graduate students! This renowned faculty in physical education and leisure studies comprises diverse perspectives and approaches to human movement. We have graduate students come from all over the world to specialize in a multitude of fields, including sport, recreation, adapted physical activity, sociology, psychology, dance, physiology, coaching, and more! This is highlighted at ReCon, where a truly multidisciplinary academic conference takes place over the span of three days.
Our graduate program aims to ensure all students are able to effectively communicate/present their research ideas, and to develop professional skills for success in their careers. We as graduate students have expressed the need for opportunities to develop the skills necessary to progress in academia. ReCon was developed as a unique initiative to address this need!
Our Campaign Goal
To ensure the sustainability of the event moving forward, we have embarked on this fundraising project with a goal of raising at least $10,000. In addition to the base funding provided by our faculty, this money will help subsidize the cost for students at ReCon, allow us to offer more enhanced opportunities for the next three years, and making sure that each student has the opportunity to attend the event. The funds we raise will be put directly into an account that is devoted to hotels, transportation, food, and any other costs incurred directly by graduate students attending ReCon.
Our Successes
ReCon has been running for four years and in that time has grown to a conference that was attended by approximately half of our student body in 2013. Each year our program expands to include new and innovative directives. Two years ago we initiated the inspirational student-nominated Rod Murray Memorial Address in collaboration with our graduate student society and Rod's family and friends. This past year we invited an alumni speaker to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our faculty, and we also expanded our scientific program to include short oral presentations. Those who have attended also indicated how much they enjoyed the conference, with 95% of last years attendees saying that they would recommend the conference to others!
ReCon is also a wonderful uninterrupted opportunity for new students to become acquainted with their program, develop professional skills, and bond with fellow students. Twenty-three of the twenty five new students in our faculty attended the conference last year.
“The best part about my first year in graduate school was ReCon” (Mathieu Wiest, 1st year PhD student).
ReCon also creates opportunities each year for graduate students to take on small and larger leadership positions on the committee. Each year we have had more and more students get involved, and last year there were six students on the committee as well as other students on sub-committees! This student-run aspect of the event is unique and integral to the success of ReCon.
In closing, we hope that you believe (as we do!) that ReCon is an event and tradition in our graduate program that should continue for years to come. Your support, may it be financial or by word of mouth, will be key to making this happen! Thanks for taking the time to learn about ReCon!
Throughout this campaign I have been repeatedly asking myself, "what does this campaign [and ReCon] mean to me?" For me, ReCon has been a learning experience. A very valued learning experience. I remember my first ReCon, it was the third time I had presented research to an audience, and the first time I felt like I kind of knew what I was doing. I had senior PhD students ask about my research and compliment me on my presenting skills. It made me think "wow, I think I might be able to do this...I might really belong in this field." Those senior PhD students were very important role models to me. From them I learned about poise, dedication, and the importance of service to the communities we identify with. It is because of those positive early experiences that I am here today, reflecting on why ReCon is so important and calling out to all my networks for their support. We [students] need this. We need to feel supported in our academic community in order thrive. When I hear students say they may not be able to go to ReCon because they don't have enough money, it hurts my heart a little. I want everyone to have access to the positive experiences I did. With your help we can reduce the financial burden to students and give them the opportunity to build important support networks. And if I haven't convinced you yet, here is what other students have to say about why ReCon is important for new students:
"ReCon made a huge difference for me as a new student because it was a chance to meet my colleagues and faculty members, and learn about their research in a weekend dedicated to this. Now I see friendly faces around campus that make me feel at home and connected with my faculty." - Kim Curtin.
"Moving from England ReCon gave me the opportunity to feel a sense of community when I first arrived in Edmonton. It enabled me to meet the faculty in a relaxed environment, and in a nonthreatening manner exposed me to the type of research that is conducted within our faculty. This really helped me start my PhD program feeling safe, supported and motivated!" - Laura Watson
"As a new student, ReCon was important for me to meet my fellow grad students and get acquainted with the diversity of research in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. Without this conference, I wouldn't have established such a broad support network and I probably would have felt fairly isolated in my own research field for the duration of my studies. Considering mental health issues are a growing problem in university students, it is important that new students feel connected and supported by their peers. ReCon provides this opportunity to all new grad students in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation." - Kim McFadden
"I think for me, one of the best things about ReCon is that it's a low stress environment. I can tend to be anxious about meeting new people, so the fact that ReCon provides a variety of ways to get to know people (e.g., professional development seminars, dinners, etc.) has been really helpful for me." - Ariel Dimler
"I think the best thing for a new student would be getting to know some of the other students in the faculty. Especially because this conference is hosted the first week of class, and immediately after the orientation where they may have met some other new students also planning to attend ReCon. I know one of my lab-mates got to present some undergraduate research that we were going to publish and get some feedback on it. Its also a cool way to present your proposal for your research and get some feedback before starting!" - Rachel Skow
Thanks for your support thus far! We have 9 days to go in our campaign and we've reached 43% of our goal! Let's finish strong!
"ReCon made a huge difference for me as a new student because it was a chance to meet my colleagues and faculty members, and learn about their research in a weekend dedicated to this. Now I see friendly faces around campus that make me feel at home and connected with my faculty." - Kim Curtin.
"Moving from England ReCon gave me the opportunity to feel a sense of community when I first arrived in Edmonton. It enabled me to meet the faculty in a relaxed environment, and in a nonthreatening manner exposed me to the type of research that is conducted within our faculty. This really helped me start my PhD program feeling safe, supported and motivated!" - Laura Watson
"As a new student, ReCon was important for me to meet my fellow grad students and get acquainted with the diversity of research in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. Without this conference, I wouldn't have established such a broad support network and I probably would have felt fairly isolated in my own research field for the duration of my studies. Considering mental health issues are a growing problem in university students, it is important that new students feel connected and supported by their peers. ReCon provides this opportunity to all new grad students in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation." - Kim McFadden
"I think for me, one of the best things about ReCon is that it's a low stress environment. I can tend to be anxious about meeting new people, so the fact that ReCon provides a variety of ways to get to know people (e.g., professional development seminars, dinners, etc.) has been really helpful for me." - Ariel Dimler
Thanks for your support thus far! We have 9 days to go in our campaign and we've reached 43% of our goal! Let's finish strong!
We are half way through our campaign and we're are so happy with the support we've received thus far!
One great thing about ReCon is that it provides an opportunity for students to take on leadership roles. This past year we had 7 graduate students organize the event, and another handful of students support them. The focus of the graduate student organizers is to plan an event that is truly tailored to the wants and needs of their fellow graduate students. Helping organize ReCon is very meaningful to the student organizers. Check out the video testimonial below that highlights Jodie Stearns' experience with ReCon. Jodie has been the Co-Chair of the ReCon Committee for the past two years. http://youtu.be/jUcCax6lmTA
Want to help us get the word out about ReCon? Please share our campaign on social media:
Twitter: Help support graduate students at #ualberta offer enhanced educational opportunities https://ualberta.useed.net/projects/125/home
Facebook: Supportive academic communities allow students to flourish. Help Physical Education and Recreation Graduate Students at #ualberta build their supportive community and offer enhanced educational opportunities: https://ualberta.useed.net/projects/125/home
One great thing about ReCon is that it provides an opportunity for students to take on leadership roles. This past year we had 7 graduate students organize the event, and another handful of students support them. The focus of the graduate student organizers is to plan an event that is truly tailored to the wants and needs of their fellow graduate students. Helping organize ReCon is very meaningful to the student organizers. Check out the video testimonial below that highlights Jodie Stearns' experience with ReCon. Jodie has been the Co-Chair of the ReCon Committee for the past two years. http://youtu.be/jUcCax6lmTA
Want to help us get the word out about ReCon? Please share our campaign on social media:
Twitter: Help support graduate students at #ualberta offer enhanced educational opportunities https://ualberta.useed.net/projects/125/home
Facebook: Supportive academic communities allow students to flourish. Help Physical Education and Recreation Graduate Students at #ualberta build their supportive community and offer enhanced educational opportunities: https://ualberta.useed.net/projects/125/home
We've reached 33% of
our goal!
Wow! Thank you so much
to our supporters
for helping us reach the 33% milestone! We've had such great success early on in our campaign and are
excited to keep the momentum going!
ReCon is an important event in our faculty as it represents the beginning of a culture shift among graduate students. Academic pursuits, from classwork to scholarship and job applications, are inherently competitive. It is easy to feel like your fellow colleagues are competitors and lose sight of the fact that we can all learn from each other. Attending ReCon provides an opportunity for students to create support networks. By the end of the weekend we feel more like friends and colleagues and less like competitors. This is the kind of environment that will help graduate students flourish.
If you want to help us build a strong and supportive academic community, please share check out and share our link: https://ualberta.useed.net/projects/125/home
ReCon is an important event in our faculty as it represents the beginning of a culture shift among graduate students. Academic pursuits, from classwork to scholarship and job applications, are inherently competitive. It is easy to feel like your fellow colleagues are competitors and lose sight of the fact that we can all learn from each other. Attending ReCon provides an opportunity for students to create support networks. By the end of the weekend we feel more like friends and colleagues and less like competitors. This is the kind of environment that will help graduate students flourish.
If you want to help us build a strong and supportive academic community, please share check out and share our link: https://ualberta.useed.net/projects/125/home
Jodie Stearns
Mick Lizmore
Laura Watson
Ann Jordan
Annie Selzler
Raeleen Hunter
Kim McFadden
Kim Curtin
Ariel Dimler
CJ Blye
Rachel Skow
Stephen Hunter
Kateline Hladky
Christina Mackay
Shintaro Kono
Chen Chen
Heather Larson
Farhad Moghimehfar
Meaghan MacKenzie
Gave $5.00
Tasuku Terada
Gave $5.00
Bud and Barb Wilkes
Gave $10.00
Michael Lizmore
Gave $25.00
kaylie ramsay
Gave $50.00
Ariel Dimler
Gave $75.00
Lyndsey Nelson
Gave $15.00
Nick Dagostino
Gave $10.00
Christina Lau
Gave $50.00
Michele Wellsby
Gave $25.00
Cindy Abbink
Gave $25.00
Sara Al-Kayssi
Gave $10.00
Kelly Koole
Gave $100.00
Lisa Cook
Gave $25.00
Joanna Auger
Gave $50.00
GARRY WHEELER
Gave $100.00
James Denison
Gave $100.00
Shannon Dimler
Gave $200.00
Ian Reade
Gave $25.00
TERRY DANYLUK
Gave $75.00
Rick Reinbolt
Gave $300.00
Art Quinney
Gave $300.00
xin zhong
Gave $75.00
Paige Wakefield
Gave $5.00
Colin Hill
Gave $50.00
Wei Ni
Gave $68.00
Kateline Hladky
Gave $25.00
Barry Mitchelson
Gave $250.00
Duncan Jacob
Gave $100.00
Craig Stearns
Gave $50.00
Elaine Betchinski
Gave $100.00
Keri Blue
Gave $100.00
elizabeth halpenny
Gave $50.00
Rachel Skow
Gave $25.00
Jess Walker
Gave $25.00
Graeme Nicolson
Gave $100.00
Marie Horman
Gave $100.00
Inez McFadden
Gave $100.00
Pei Sun
Gave $25.00
Chao Huang
Gave $18.00
Wilma MacMillan
Gave $25.00
Lawrence Abbink
Gave $50.00
Valerie Hawke
Gave $100.00
Mary Ann Rintoul
Gave $25.00
Brian McFadden
Gave $100.00
Marcel Bouffard
Gave $100.00
Samantha Adomako-Ansah
Gave $25.00
Dana Dragon-Smith
Gave $25.00
Ann Jordan
Gave $50.00
Huang Zhiyang
Gave $100.00
John Amis
Gave $25.00
Tara Cheng
Gave $50.00
Sean Cai
Gave $25.00
Nancy Lizmore
Gave $100.00
Kerry Mummery
Gave $1,000.00
Laurel VDK
Gave $10.00
Kelvin Jones
Gave $100.00
Donna Goodwin
Gave $100.00
Christina Loitz
Gave $50.00
Lyle Ostrander
Gave $300.00
Ann Jordan
Gave $100.00
Sheila Graham
Gave $25.00
Eric Upton
Gave $100.00
Matthew Racz
Gave $10.00
21 supporters have chosen not to be listed for "ReCon: Inspiring Our Academic Community".
Make an Impact
Path Paver
Give $10
Provides reduced bus transportation for one student!
Food Fan
Give $25
Provides a meal for one student!
Gatekeeper
Give $75
Covers conference registration for one student!
Dream Weaver
Give $100
Covers one night accommodation for one student!
Weekend Warrior
Give $300
Covers full weekend accommodation for one student!
Conference Climber
Give $500
Covers full weekend accommodations, registration, and bus transportation for one student!
Peak Provider
Give $750
Provides full weekend sponsorship of one student!
