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Announcements

Community Town Hall scheduled for March 3
Join Dr. Tim Rahilly, PhD, president and vice-chancellor, and the vice-presidents on Wednesday, March 3 at 10 a.m. for a Community Town Hall. Several topics will be covered, including the findings of the recent student and employee surveys, planning for Fall 2021 and the 2021/22 budget. The live stream can be accessed through this link, and questions can be submitted in advance or during the Town Hall using this form. A recording of the Town Hall will also be available for those who cannot attend.

Faculty expert shares two tips on maintaining a healthy mind
Instructor and psychologist Dr. John Streukens, PhD, shares two tips for maintaining a healthy mind. Watch here. Additional resources are available on the new HR Wellness at Work page.

SAMRU elections commence next week
Campaigning for the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University’s Representation Executive Council begins Feb. 21 at noon for the candidates. Voting begins Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. and closes Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. The unofficial results will be announced that evening. All the candidate information (including interview videos in place of the usual in-person debate) will go live on Sunday when campaigning starts. Go to samru.ca/elections for more information and the complete timeline.

Nominate a graduating student for the Centennial Gold Medal
The Centennial Gold Medal is an award given to eligible students at MRU based on a nomination system. Nominees must be graduating from a diploma or degree program, have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher and demonstrate leadership through involvement in campus and community activities. The deadline is March 15 for nominations.

Alberta Inclusive Innovation Initiative (AI3)
An online workshop series presented by Mount Royal University and the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University, with support from HSBC Bank Canada, is reaching out to aspiring business owners from marginalized communities in Alberta to help them bring their ideas to life. The weekly series kicks off online on March 3 and runs through the month. Visit mru.ca/InclusiveInnovation for more information and to register.

Applications are open until March 5 for the annual JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition
During this annual Dragons’ Den-style competition students pitch their businesses to a panel of experienced judges and a supportive audience for their share of thousands of dollars of cash and services. Students and recent alumni can apply until March 5.

Free coffee at The Table when you download Boost
Download the free Boost mobile ordering app, create an account and present the app to pick up your Tim Hortons or Starbucks coffee at the Table at MRU until Feb. 26. It's as simple as showing the app is downloaded on your phone to receive your daily free coffee. Conditions apply, visit mru.ca/FoodServices for details.

Shop local at the MRU Injury & Prevention Clinic    
All services, including massage, physiotherapy and chiro are available at the MRU Clinic. Take advantage of discounted employee rates and the convenience of direct billing. Book an appointment online today and get rid of the knots that are building up.         

Reminder to 'Keep Moving' with Cougars Athletics and Recreation
Don't forget join in on the Keep Moving virtual fitness challenge, where students and employees have free access to 29 on-demand virtual fitness videos from campus recreation providers across Canada. Participants can also take part in live weekly 20-minute movement breaks and roundtable discussions. A leaderboard has been set up for participants to record their minutes and enter to win prizes.

Mount Royal and UCalgary collaborate to create the Student Entrepreneurship Sprint       
A second group of students is now taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and UCalgary's Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking's Platform Calgary Student Entrepreneurship Sprint. This program is an entrepreneurial work-integrated learning experience that allows early-stage student entrepreneurs from across Alberta to gain the knowledge and mindset required to pursue and validate their new idea. Read more.
 
Did you know?
A recent Statistics Canada report states that from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020, Calgary grew by 1.9 per cent, putting the city’s population at 1.5 million according to Calgary Economic Development’s forecast number for 2020. Calgary is also the third most diverse city in Canada. Read more. 

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Nursing student receives prestigious McCall MacBain Scholarship to further education
The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill are Canada’s first leadership-driven scholarships for master’s and professional degree students. After reviewing 735 applications from across Canada (and some from abroad), their selection committees invited Mount Royal nursing student Shani Markus for an interview, after which she was recommended for a regional award valued at $5,000 for graduate studies at any public university in Canada.

Bissett finance students advance to nationals of the CFA Societies of Canada Ethics Challenge
A team of four Bachelor of Business Administration students has won the Alberta-B.C. division of the CFA Societies of Canada Ethics Challenge. The competition included undergraduate and graduate student teams from other universities, and with this win MRU will be representing Alberta and B.C. at the national finals in May.

Faculty of Business and Communication Studies welcomes new elder-in-residence
The Bissett School of Business and the School of Communication Studies are excited to welcome Hayden Melting Tallow as their new elder-in-residence. Hayden is a Blackfoot elder from Siksika and a valuable ally and guide for faculty members, providing perspectives on Indigenization, reconciliation and Siksika ways of doing.

Providing an excellent example
Dr. Trevor Day, PhD, of the Department of Biology, has been awarded the 2021 Mentor Award from the Health Sciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research. The nomination for this award was co-ordinated by previous MRU students, who provided letters of support, with input provided from current students and Dr. Sarah Hewitt, PhD, acting chair of biology.

Foggo appears in John Ware Reclaimed
Renowned Calgary historian and filmmaker Cheryl Foggo’s award-winning documentary John Ware Reclaimed “re-examine(s) the mythology surrounding John Ware." Dr. Richard Foggo, PhD, an associate professor of child studies and social work at MRU and Cheryl Foggo’s brother, appears in the documentary, saying that after their initial discovery of John Ware as children “who knew … I would become part of a much bigger celebration of Black History Month to be shared with others." Watch.

Practising what he teaches
Instructor J. Ashley Nixon has published two books this year: Cobbled Together, where he photographs places found in his mother’s poetry, and Social Camouflage, in which he explores how the pandemic is impacting us socially through photography. A selection of photos from Social Camouflage is included in the exhibition Fire and Masks at cSPACE King Edward as part of the Exposure Photography Festival 2021.

Seneca partners with Mount Royal for Stepping Up
Seneca College has partnered with Yellow Brick House for the first year of its own three-year Stepping Up program, thanks to a $244,800 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. Stepping Up was developed by Mount Royal University, and program results have shown that educating students on dating and relationship violence prevention significantly improves their ability to support their friends and peers. Read more.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events.

Audiovisual Tips for Streaming and Pre-Recorded Content
Mon., Feb. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
Find out what camera you can use as a webcam and how to achieve higher quality audio, plus best practices and free tools and software for video. Register.

Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality
Tues., Feb. 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. — Online
Explore augmented reality and learn about the industry and educational applications and how to integrate this emerging technology into your classes and research. Register.

Creating Video Essays
Tues., Feb. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
This workshop includes a walkthrough of the planning and production stages of creating a video, as well as basic video editing using Adobe Rush. Register.

Finishing 3D Prints with Sanding and Paint
Tues., Feb. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
The Maker Studio staff will teach how to sand, prime and paint your 3D prints. Register.

Supporting Each Other as We Support Student Wellness (Day 1) Tue., Feb. 23 from 2 to 3 p.m. — Online
Join a conversation about how the pandemic and switch to remote learning has impacted student wellness, as well as how we can support students in these environments. Register.

Make a Wearable Device with Circuit Playground Express
Tues., Feb. 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. — Online
Learn how to run simulations of simple programs for the Circuit Playground Express virtually and programming basics to create your own interactive wearables. Register.

Exploring Indigenous Education Part 2
Wed., Feb. 24 from 2:15 to 4 p.m. — Online
The Office of Academic Indigenization and a panel of experts will explore the uniqueness of Indigenous education and how we can bring more of this into our educational journeys and lives. Register.

Editing 360-Degree Photos and Videos with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere
Thurs., Feb. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. — Online
Find out how to process, edit and view your 360-degree videos and photos using Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. Register.

Creativity and Making for Change Series: Blackfoot Craftivism and Culture
Thurs., Feb. 25 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
Building on the introduction to Craftivism, this deep dive will explore the relationship between craftivism and culture. Register.

Trico Changemakers Studio Presents Changemaker Conversations
Thurs., Feb. 25 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
Join the Changemaker Conversations to engage in generative dialogue towards action around pressing social issues. Register.

Make a Cellphone Holder Using 3D Modelling in Fusion 360
Fri., Feb. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Online
Navigate software to create a sketch, create a shape and save and export your model cellphone holder for 3D printing. Register.

Black History Month: Desire to Make a Difference — Community, Responsibility and Integrity
Sat., Feb. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. ― Online
Join the Caribbean Associations of Calgary's virtual celebration of Black History Month. More information.

Supporting Each Other as We Support Student Wellness (Day 2)
Tues., March 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. — Online Description
Bring your own experiences and strategies to share as we connect with each other to develop a community of support and learn from one another. Register.

International Student Information Session
Wed., March 3 from 7 to 8 a.m. ― Online
International Recruitment Officer Morgan Loberg will provide prospective international students with information about MRU degree and diploma programs and specific admission requirements. Register.

Omar Ba: Art and Social Justice Education Series
Wed., March 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. — Online
Contemporary Calgary introduces four interactive digital education sessions focusing on the work of Senegalese artist Omar Ba and led by Dr. Kelly Sundberg, PhD, associate professor of justice studies. Join.

Thinking About Making: Introduction to Critical Design and Critical Making
Thurs., March 4 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
This event will help participants understand a variety of critical approaches to design practice such as critical design, discursive design, speculative design and critical making. Register.