We are all Dinos

Several thousand first year students have arrived this week at the University of Calgary. I see energy, smiles and spirited conversation everywhere I walk today on campus. Exciting stuff.

The University has planned a week-long Orientation program to ease the Class of 2019’s  transition to university life. Our intent is to welcome the freshmen to their new campus and to create a positive connection with their new peers.

Although Orientation Week is full of fun and frivolity, it officially began this morning with a formal ceremony. The New Student Induction Ceremony included a full academic procession and welcoming remarks from President Elizabeth Cannon, Mayor Naheed Nenshi and other honoured speakers. Since I am an alumnus, I was asked to say a few words about what it means to me to be a member of the University of Calgary community. This is what I had to say:

Congratulations on your admission to the University of Calgary – a bold, dynamic and forward-thinking University. You are Calgary’s best and we are proud to have you here as Dinos.

I am the Chancellor but at one time I was, like you, a first year student. I recall my arrival on this campus. I was a bit worried. While I had done well in high school in Calgary, I had heard that university life would be a different matter. At university, I would have no home room teacher, no one who would check to see if I showed up for class or if I handed in my assignments. I wondered if I would get lost on the large, maze-like campus. I worried that I wouldn’t meet the higher expectations.

To make a long story short, I excelled at the University of Calgary – precisely because there was no home room teacher. I excelled because I had the opportunity to take responsibility for my own education.

The knowledge and skills that I acquired as an undergraduate student were significant in my success as an astronaut. But my University of Calgary experiences were not confined to the lecture theatre and laboratories. Extra-curricular experiences were key parts of my learning experience. It would be a tragedy, in fact, if anyone graduates from here and can only define their university experience in terms of courses and the LRT ride to and from campus each day.

As a former first year student at the University of Calgary, allow me to pass on some advice:

First of all – get to know your classmates.

The names Soren Christiansen, Glen Fischer and Don Louie don’t mean anything to you. But these three names and the names of 27 other mechanical engineering classmates mean the world to me.

I remember studying together on campus with these classmates. Late into the evening hours, we worked on design projects, debugged computer programs and wrote lab reports – together.  Working together was collaborative, synergistic and much more fun than working solo. We helped each other succeed.

And during off-hours, we played football and hockey together, went skiing in the mountains and partied hearty.

Consequently, a special bond was formed amongst us – a friendship that has endured now for four decades.

I encourage you to get to know and work with a wide array of other students. Interactions with your classmates will be just as formative as anything you do in a lecture theatre or lab. The development of collaboration and human relations skills are so important to your education.

Secondly – get to know your professors.

I remember one of my late professors, Dr. Graham Walker, who took an interest in my future ambitions. He recommended that I go on to medical school following graduation from the Schulich School of Engineering.  I followed his advice and that became a factor in my eventual selection as an astronaut. I am so grateful to Dr. Walker.

In my past year as Chancellor, I have met dozens of professors. All of these professors enjoy chatting and shooting the breeze. Take advantage of your professors’ office hours to get acquainted. Be assured that there is at least one professor here on campus who understands you and is interested in your career aspirations. Find that professor and get to know her or him well. Don’t be anonymous.

And lastly – look out for each other.

Amongst your first year classmates, there will be some students whose adaption to university life and culture will not be easy. There will be some international students who struggle with English as a second language. And there will be some students who are too timid to ask questions in class and will consequently fall behind. At the end of each class, take a look around your lecture theatre. Who’s looking perplexed? Introduce yourself. Go for coffee and ask that student how you can help.

University is a team sport. It’s unacceptable that any individual merely survive university. The expectation is that we will all thrive – together.

These are my secrets for your success over the next four years. These are also some of the personality traits that characterize a Dino.

I’ve always pursued activities that take me out of my comfort zone. Launching atop 4 million pounds of explosive propellant took me out of my comfort zone. Even taking on the Chancellor role at the University of Calgary takes me out of my comfort zone. I wish the same for you.

Yes, at the University of Calgary we are asking you to take your academic game to the next level – to the adventurous space where the most significant achievements are usually accomplished.

We are asking you to perform at a high level but to have fun at the same time. Learning should be characterized by good times. Therefore, if at any moment over the next four years you find that you are not having fun, stop and re-evaluate – because you’re probably doing something wrong.

We are all Dinos.
Dinos embrace all aspects of learning.
Dinos take care of each other.
Dinos keep out of our comfort zones.
And Dinos have fun.

Welcome to the University of Calgary!