Your LINK with SAIT
Contributor spotlight
In every issue of LINK magazine, we introduce readers to a fellow SAIT graduate whose work is featured in that edition.
For Spring 2025, we're showcasing Fred Bretzke (Master Journeyperson '84), whose holographic recreation of a National Plumbing Code technical drawing has been used to illustrate this story.
Photo: Brittney Wojcik-Harrison
Fred Bretzke (Master Journeyperson '84)
2024/25 Cadmus Trades Teaching Chair
Featured in: Teaching code with tech
For Fred Bretzke, mountain climbing is more than recreational. “I can’t spend too much time behind a computer, so I break that up with hiking and climbing,” he says.
But sometimes Bretzke’s outdoor excursions lead him right back to the computer. “Every time I go into the beautiful Alberta mountains, I get ideas.”
That’s exactly how Bretzke’s latest project came to be.
“One of my academic chairs suggested I try for the Cadmus Trades Teaching Chair,” Bretzke explains. Unique in Canada, it lets SAIT instructors explore new ways of teaching. “I had applied before and came in second in 2012.”
But this time, he had no project ideas. “So I went climbing.”
And it worked. “I started thinking, well, QR codes are popular now, and my 3D plumbing videos are posted on YouTube.”
So Bretzke submitted a proposal to create an interactive version of Canada’s National Plumbing Code appendix, complete with QR codes and holograms — earning him the 2024 Cadmus Chair and resulting in an innovative approach to demonstrating plumbing codes and their practical application for students.
— Sal Sawler
Meet the Spring 2025 team
Editor-in-Chief
Brian Bowman, Associate Vice-President, Advancement
Supervising Editor
Astrid Gagnier, Associate Director, Alumni and Stakeholder Relations, Alumni & Development
Managing Editor
Alison O'Connor, Manager, Advancement Communications, Alumni & Development
Print Editor
Nancy Cope, Alumni Publications Editor, Alumni & Development
Online Editor
Nicole Brandt, Digital Communications Specialist, Alumni & Development
Creative Direction, Design and Production
Michelle Atkinson (NMPD '03)
Copy Editor
Colleen Lavender
Advancement Assistant
Lou Boromeo
Advertising Sales
Astha Vohra
Printing
BP Media Inc.
Print Cover Photo
Kokemor Studio
Contributors
2C Media, Alyssa Athanasopoulos (RTBN ’09), Allison Bautista, Fred Bretzke (Master Journeyperson ‘84), Brian Buchsdruecker, Cheng Feng Chiang via Getty Images, Josie Chu, Nancy Cope, MartinM303 via Getty Images, Sarah Graham (RPAS ’23), Ryan HK (JA ’06), HarderLee Photography, Kokemor Studio, Lisa Marie via Getty Images, Torval Mork via Getty Images, Ashley Naud (JA ’10), Keagan Perlette, Tuan Pham, Zach Robertson, Eric Rosenbaum, Roth and Ramberg Photography, SAIT Archives, Sal Sawler, Julie Sengl, Giselle Wedemire (JA ’13), Brittney Wojcik-Harrison, Michelle Woodard
Social Media
Kelsey Nixon, Communications Specialist, Alumni & Development
Advertise in the print LINK magazine
LINK connects with readers through well-crafted stories showcasing the impact SAIT alumni and educators are making on the trades, technology, business and research. Our primary audience is SAIT alumni — entrepreneurs, leaders and community builders with practical skills and pride in their alma mater.
For more information or to book your advertisement in LINK, please contact Astha Vohra by email at astha.vohra@sait.ca.
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.