Purchase Mount Royal University: A Work of Art, today!
Don't miss out on this beautiful commemorative art book, telling the story of MRU's first 100 years, using our mural mosaic images. Available at the Mount Royal BookStore until supplies last.
Leave your lasting legacy
Donate to the centennial mural project and receive your own piece of history.
Parade of great ideas and work
What better way for Mount Royal University to celebrate 100 years in the Calgary community then to take part in one of our city’s premier events — the Calgary Stampede parade.
On July 8 Mount Royal will have a very visible role in the official kickoff to the greatest outdoor show on earth. Mount Royal’s Stampede parade participation includes:
- trio of floats
- vintage cars
- 100 people in the parade
- 250-person strong cheering section
"This unique project brings together Mount Royal support staff, students, alumni, faculty and administration,” says Marc Chikinda, dean of the Faculty of Communication Studies, who is co-chairing Mount Royal’s centennial Stampede parade float committee. “... it is just too darn much fun to have missed!"
Attend the paradeAll Mount Royal community members are encouraged to attend this year’s parade – wear your Mount Royal colours and cheer for our floats as they go by.
For more information including seating options visit the Calgary Stampede Parade website. |
Chikinda and co-chair professor Jerre Paquette both have fond memories of being a part of the committee that put together Mount Royal’s Stampede parade entries in 1990 and 1991. Bragging rights were earned as Mount Royal won prizes both years.
Floats — you can’t have just one
When you are trying to celebrate 100 years, just one float wouldn’t do. So Mount Royal has had three, 3.6 metre high floats built.
We don’t want to ruin the surprise, but watch for a huge globe, a paper airplane big enough for students to ride and a live “Cougar” cake topper.
The 16-member centennial Stampede parade float committee includes students, staff and faculty. They have been responsible for the float’s theme, organizing the 100 parade participants, costumes, choreography, finding flatbeds to transport the floats, shuttle buses and more.
It may be a lot of work but the committee members say it is definitely worth it.
“As a new employee, the Stampede float committee has given me the opportunity to become more involved in the MRU community,” says Laurel Duurtsema, buyer, Supply Chain Services. “The committee has introduced me to other staff and faculty and is an example of how proud everyone is to be part of the 100 year birthday celebrations.”
It takes a village
The floats will be accompanied by 100 parade participants. Almost 200 people volunteered to show their Mount Royal spirit in the parade — the successful 100 were selected through a lottery.
Once chosen, they attended three after-work rehearsals to perfect their choreography. They will also be present for the official Stampede parade entry judging at Fort Calgary, July 7.
"I wanted to be a part of the parade because it is such an exciting time in the city,” says Aimee Doucette, a member of the centennial Stampede float committee and events liaison in Events and Conference Services. “I want to show my support for the Mount Royal University community in a big way — I’m proud to be an employee and an alumna. Having the chance to be a part of centennial float is a great honour."
Mount Royal’s incoming president will also participate in the parade. David Docherty, PhD, will ride in a 1962 Ford Thunderbird (T-Bird) convertible with his family.
— Lara Unsworth, July 6, 2011