My four-year term as Chancellor of the University of Calgary is coming to an end. It has been an enjoyable ride. Many people think of the chancellor solely as the official who attends formal university events and participates in convocation. The chancellors of Alberta’s three largest universities have responsibilities that go beyond simply presiding over […]
chancellor
Honouring a trailblazer
The University of Calgary understands that campus culture must underpin our actions. Campus culture, according to our institution’s Eyes High strategy 2017-22, means overcoming structural, social and cultural barriers to create a safe, inclusive, healthy and respectful environment — one that values diversity and the dignity of every person. We’re still learning about inclusion and […]
Retiring UCalgary Senator Gord Aker kept wheel of progress accelerating
Gord Aker has been a stalwart University of Calgary volunteer. For six years he held a variety of leadership positions within Senate, and mentored several students and new senators. Most significantly, he helped craft a new strategic plan for Senate that will guide our actions until 2019. Gord is retiring as a senator and participated […]
Powerful words about a powerful and great man: the Honourable Dr. Murray Sinclair
On Monday afternoon we held the convocation ceremony for the 2017 University of Calgary graduates in Medicine, Law, Nursing and Veterinary Medicine. In addition to celebrating our new graduates, we also awarded Jo-Ann Munn Gafuik (a longtime and stalwart staff member of our university) with the Order of the University of Calgary and Senator Murray […]
How we can help future innovators spark change in our world
Even though we graduated 41 years ago, I stay in touch with fellow mechanical engineering classmates from the University of Calgary. We met up last evening at Juree’s Thai Place Restaurant to meet Janet Le, one of two recipients of this year’s Dan Mercier Class of 1976 Engineering Award. This annual get together is also […]
One of the best jobs: choosing and conferring honorary degree recipients
The conferring of honorary doctorates (Doctor of Laws, honoris causa) at convocation is a satisfying duty for a University of Calgary chancellor. An honorary degree is the highest honour awarded by our institution. It is our way to profile extraordinary individuals as well as the level of excellence to which we all aspire. Our Senators […]
Per ardua ad astra – through adversity to the stars
I am delighted to see a public service announcement about explorer David Thompson that has been aired repeatedly during prime time on CBC TV. Rick Hansen (the Man in Motion) narrates the short vignette. This is what he says: “In 1788, David Thompson was working for Hudson’s Bay Company when he suffered an accident, breaking […]
There will actually be a Thirsk Street. What an honour!
There was a buzz of excitement on campus last weekend as the University of Calgary turned 50 years old. While Friday, April 29 marked the official anniversary date, there was much fun and frivolity throughout the weekend as we celebrated the important milestone. Many former students, faculty and staff returned to campus to join the […]
Pioneering ‘venture philanthropy’ in Canada
Today I was in Vancouver to participate in a Board of Directors meeting for LIFT Philanthropy Partners. LIFT is an organization that is pioneering ‘venture philanthropy’ in Canada. While the notion of venture philanthropy is novel, I find the concept to be intriguing and promising. In a nutshell, LIFT Philanthropy Partners uses the methods of venture […]