I was in Athens, Ohio last week participating in International Space University (ISU). Ohio University is hosting ISU’s Space Studies Program for nine weeks this summer. 101 young professionals from 35 different countries are in attendance and learning about space across theme areas that include sciences; engineering; applications; policy, economics and law; management and business; human […]
University of Calgary
Nellie’s North is a place that offers great opportunities for the benefit of all Canadians
This morning we held the convocation for the 2015 University of Calgary graduates in Education. During this ceremony, we also conferred an honorary degree on Nellie Cournoyea, the first female aboriginal government leader (premier of the Northwest Territories) and the longest serving public figure in the North. I noted that it was Senator Georgette Habib […]
Sheldon Kennedy has faced his fears in a way that few dare to do
This afternoon we held the convocation ceremony for the 2015 University of Calgary graduates in Environmental Design, Kinesiology and Social Work. In addition to celebrating our new graduates, we also awarded Grant MacEachern (a longtime friend of our university) with the Order of the University of Calgary and Sheldon Kennedy with the honorary degree Doctor […]
Connecting with Calgary’s leaders
In my role as Chancellor I plan and host three Chancellor’s Club events per year. Chancellor’s Club is a forum where community, business and academic leaders come together to engage in spirited conversations on compelling topics, network, and meet the high-achieving students who benefit from the Club’s support. Each Chancellor’s Club event has a […]
Magical evening with Diana Krall
My wife Brenda and I were at Place des Arts in Montréal last night to attend a concert by Diana Krall. Some dear friends and family members joined us for a memorable evening. The concert was superb. Diana and her band played a wide variety of music from 1920s jazz to American standards to blues. 3,000 […]
Science literacy in our country matters
I was in Hamilton, Ontario today to help my colleague Dr. Bonnie Schmidt with an important funding announcement for her organization Let’s Talk Science. Bonnie and I are kindred spirits in that we both advocate for enhanced STEM skills in Canada. Let’s Talk Science is a national organization that engages youth in science, technology, engineering and […]
Time is right for Senate to develop a new strategic plan
As Chancellor, I observe that the Senate of the University of Calgary is doing many things right. Several of our current projects (e.g. Lecture of a Lifetime, Senate Service Award) are successful and well aligned with our mission. However, the time is right for Senate to develop a new strategic plan; to re-align and improve […]
Bonnie is the glue that holds us together
The University of Calgary has many boards, committees and councils. The highest level board is the Board of Governors. This Board is responsible for the stewardship of the university on behalf of the people of the Province of Alberta. It has ultimate oversight of major issues of the university.This year the Board has had to […]
The communicative power of art
Along with several of my Senate colleagues and other art aficionados, I attended the opening reception of PUSH 2015 this evening in the Contemporary Calgary (C2) gallery at City Hall. PUSH is an exhibition of artwork from senior Bachelor of Fine Arts students at the University of Calgary. 36 emerging artists showcase their art to […]
University of Calgary’s library more than just a place to house books
I toured the University of Calgary’s Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL) today. The library opened in 2011 and is one of the most state-of-the-art research and learning libraries in Canada. University librarian Tom Hickerson toured me around the library’s six floors as a proud father might do. Tom had every right to feel this pride […]