Building a legacy of ideas

street art by David Brunning

Mount Royal has been in the business of generating ideas for the past 100 years, so what better way to celebrate our centennial than to host a speakers series featuring big and innovative ideas.

Centennial highlights

September — President Dave Marshall’s centennial address to the community; 100 tree planting; debut of Royal 100 a special beer thanks to Wild Rose Brewery

October — Kerby Centre centennial celebration luncheon; Feast of Sound and Song

November — Centennial Symposium on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; Library Gallery Exhibit

December —Mount Royal’s 100th birthday bash

January — Centennial digital reader launch

February — Mural Mosaic workshop

Learn more at the centennial website

Legacy of Ideas is one of the signature events during Mount Royal’s 16-month-long centennial celebrations. The six Legacy of Ideas events — starting Sept. 27, 2010 and running through to Oct. 27, 2011 — will spotlight a wide variety of speakers who will engage the community.

“Universities are about generating ideas and sharing those ideas with their communities and this was the thinking behind the Legacy of Ideas series,” says Provost and Vice-President Robin Fisher, who was also on the speaker selection committee. cey logo

“We were interested in presenters who would bring new ideas and present them in different ways — presenters who would be exciting and innovative and, in our centennial year, take us from the past into the present.”

Presenters range from graffiti artists sharing new methods of sharing alternative ideas to environmental leaders to best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell.

Big ideas for a big birthday

Lara Unsworth, centennial events strategist, is looking forward to the buzz these speakers will inspire.

“I’m excited to have all these people on our campus,” says Unsworth. “We wanted something that would engage our entire community.

“Everything about centennial is about leaving a legacy, so what is better than leaving a legacy of ideas?”

The first idea-lollapalooza kicks off with a student-focused event about sharing unconventional ideas.

Everyone is welcome to watch three world-renowned graffiti artists paint three, approximately 1 x 2 metre panels — Sept. 27 through Oct. 1 — between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside Mount Royal’s West Gate entrance. David Brunning

Street art teamwork

New York City’s Cey Adams, Winnipeg’s Graffiti Gallery co-founder Patrick Lazo and Calgary’s David Brunning, aka TheKidBelo, will be working together for the first time.

“It will be interesting to see three ideas come together,” says Unsworth, of the panels which will be another legacy for the Mount Royal campus.

Brunning is also looking forward to the collaboration: “It is an honour to be chosen to work alongside Cey Adams and Pat Lazo. Girl Talk

“Cey's resume is extensive and Pat has been making waves with the Graffiti Gallery for some time now, so the fact we are all painting together for this event is great.

“I am glad … to be chosen to represent Calgary in this 100 year celebration. I'm looking forward to it!” he adds.

The first Legacy of Ideas event will wrap up Oct. 2 with mash-up DJ Girl Talk (aka Greg Gillis), along with Shamik and Cadence Weapon. Doors at Wyckham House open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at the Liberty Lounge and Copywrite.

Inspiring critical thought

Upcoming Legacy of Ideas:

Oct. 16 — Environmental theme in partnership with Under Western Skies
Jan. 27, 2011 — Technology and economy with best-selling author Chris Anderson
March 10, 2011 — Trends and new ideas with best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell
Oct. 27, 2011 — International children’s well-being symposium featuring country star Paul Brandt

Learn more about these events on our centennial website.

— Anika Van Wyk, Sept. 16, 2010