Telling the story of 2023
From a new provost to a new degree program and numerous achievements by our students, staff and faculty, 2023 was an eventful year at Mount Royal University. The Communications team is taking a look at some of the year’s highlights by presenting a curated list of our most-read pieces, as well as our biggest celebrations and happenings. Join us in looking back at all we’ve accomplished together as we prepare to welcome 2024.
To see a complete archive of all of our stories from 2023 visit our Media Room home page.
January
Looking ahead with an open mind
In January, Mount Royal welcomed Dr. Chad London, PhD, back to campus as Provost and Vice-President, Academic. “The strength of MRU is its people and I am excited to collaborate with students, faculty, staff, leadership and the broader community to come together in building on Mount Royal's 100-plus years of history in transforming lives through education.”
February
Black History Month
Throughout February MRU presented the voices of Black writers from the community. This year included THE WHITE ROOM, BREAKING: Youth…, untitled, I Too Deserve to Breathe, and BLACKLIT. Additionally, a dinner on campus celebrated Black History Month.
March
Student entrepreneurship programs open doors to 'life-changing' opportunities
Business student Erin Creegan-Dougherty’s business, Maskwa Backcountry Foods, was expanding, thanks in part to her success in one of MRU’s entrepreneurship programs. She said funding through programs like the JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition and ongoing coaching played a key role in the success of her growing business.
Outdoor adventure provides life lessons and endless career possibilities
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (ETOL) student Teegan Neame knew earning his degree would come with a physical component but a graduation requirement of a self-planned and executed expedition longer than seven days pushed him to embark on a life changing journey. Neame spent over 70 days riding his bike along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, something he says gave him a new perspective, in addition to whipping him into shape.
Cougars claim number one in the country
History was made in March as our MRU Cougars’ women’s hockey team won the U Sports National Championship in Montreal. They are the University’s first team to earn the recognition, which is now permanently commemorated with an official banner hanging in the Flames Community Arenas. “It’s an amazing feeling that no matter what happens, we will always be the first team at Mount Royal to bring home a national championship banner,” said outgoing captain and now alumna Tatum Amy.
April
She’s been a staple on 660 City News Radio for over 15 years but MRU alumna Sandra Prusina was also embracing a new role as play-by-play announcer for the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. She was the first female to take on such a role with the league. Reflecting on her time at what was then Mount Royal College, Prusina says she “doesn’t know who this version of me would be without Mount Royal.”
May
MRU science communicator Dr. Sarah Hewitt receives 3M National Teaching Fellowship
Dr. Sarah Hewitt, PhD, was chosen as one of ten recipients across Canada to receive the 2023 3M National Teaching and Fellowship Award. The award celebrates and honors exceptional contributions to teaching and learning. Hewitt, an associate professor in Department of Biology is known for her passion and her work in science communication; sharing and disseminating knowledge with both her students and the broader academic community.
As true crime content becomes more widespread on social media and streaming services, the focus seems to be less on the victims and more on our personal entertainment. Our Spring/Summer edition of Summit magazine took a deep dive into true crime content and the ethics surrounding it. Alumna Racha El-Dib shared her lived experience with the genre after her sister Nadia was violently murdered.
June
Helping Alberta businesses capitalize on hydrogen innovation opportunities
A partnership between Mount Royal University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Edmonton Global led to the development of the province’s first Hydrogen Innovation Accelerator (HIA) program. As hydrogen is forecasted to become a multi-trillion dollar industry in the coming decades, the HIA will help support a transitional energy economy, bridging the gap between the vision for the future and the current reality.
Congratulations, class of 2023!
Another class of graduates walked the stage in June. With more than 2,200 of them – it was one of MRU’s largest ever graduating classes. The University also bestowed its highest honour, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, on six outstanding community members.
July
Discovering the global context of the 'cowboy'
July in Calgary is typically filled with all things western for the Calgary Stampede, including cowboys. However, taking a step outside of Hollywood stereotypes revealed that the real history of the cowboy is much more diverse and widespread than many of us think.
How the Elbow River Camp came to be
The Elbow River Camp has been an integral part of the Calgary Stampede, showcasing and celebrating Indigenous culture. But on the other side of the relationship, respected Tsuut’ina Elder Bruce Starlight reflected on the impact of the Stampede on Indigenous communities.
August
Four-year data science degree at Mount Royal University first in Alberta
Our most-read story of the year highlighted an exciting new program in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing. The Bachelor of Science – Data Science degree, approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education in July, is a pathway to careers as a data scientist, data analyst, data and AI domain architect and many more. The first cohort of students will start in Winter 2024.
September
Building a foundation for early literacy
Reading is an important life skill but it’s something many children struggle to learn. Dr. Jodi Nickel, a professor in Mount Royal University’s Department of Education shed light on “the science of reading” and the importance of supporting young readers.
MRU study lowers temperature on mask politics
Mask wearing was essential during the COVID-191 pandemic but how much did face coverings impact us? Physiology professor Dr. Trevor Day, PhD, and his team conducted a study looking at various masks and their effects on people wearing them with things like heat trapping and rebreathing expired air. “We found that the effects were mild, not physiologically or clinically meaningful, and washed out immediately upon removal of the barrier,” said Day.
Journey to Indigenization: Human spiderweb spreads interconnectedness
A powerful Creation story brought to life as part of MRU’s annual Journey to Indigenization. The story of Ani to Pisi came from Elder Roy Bear Chief’s late older brother Clement and is depicted by a spiderweb. It reminds us how we are all connected in one way or another. That connection was felt in the fall as dozens of students, staff, faculty and community members showed up to join hands and create a physical Ani to Pisi in the MRU soccer fields.
Student’s short film delves into Indigenous heritage
Third-year Anthropology and Indigenous Studies Faith Thompson wrote a first person article, detailing how a class project helped her gain more knowledge about her Indigenous heritage. For the project, she created a short film titled Dad, which was shown at the Asinabka Film and Arts Festival in Ottawa.
October
Opening Minds and Changing Lives with new strategic plan
Mount Royal unveiled a new strategic plan in October, set to guide the University for the next seven years. Vision 2030: Opening Minds and Changing Lives — Mount Royal University’s Strategic Plan 2023-2030 is a roadmap of what’s ahead with the support of a history that spans more than 110 years.The path outlined includes five directions and 10 goals.
2023 marked the launch of Celebrate U, MRU’s employee rewards and recognition program. Dr. Roger Saint-Fort, PhD, a professor of environmental science in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science celebrated 30 years with Mount Royal and shared more about how he came here and how his parents continue to inspire him.
Thanks to an investment from PrairiesCan, MRU announced it will double enrollment to 80 students a year for the Aviation Diploma Program. Part of the $3 million in funding will also be used to support the launch of a new Bachelor of Aviation Management degree program with a new hangar and learning facility at the Springbank campus. “The demand for pilots continues to grow and this investment speaks to the strength of MRU’s aviation program, the vital role of education in advancing the aviation sector and its importance to the future economy of Alberta,” said MRU president and vice-chancellor Dr. Tim Rahilly, PhD.
Akosha Canada renewed Mount Royal’s Changemaker Campus designation for another three years, recognizing the commitment to the values and ideas of changemaking. Changemaker Campuses are part of a national and global community of post-secondary institutions that work collectively to break down barriers to institutional change and foster campus-wide cultures of social innovation and changemaking.
November
New research creates roadmap for aging well in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Aging is a natural part of life but the experience in the more senior years is not universal. A national study by Dr. Celeste Pang, PhD, assistant professor of Women’s and Gender Studies authored Aging and Living Well Among LGBTQI Older Adults in Canada: Findings From a National Study. It explores how aging-related issues impact seniors in the queer and trans communities specifically.
New memorial scholarship helps student-athletes fulfill potential
The Tim Callaghan Memorial Hockey Scholarship was awarded for the first time to a Cougars’ men’s hockey player who shows dedication to academics and demonstrates outstanding leadership through their commitment to the team. The Callaghan family was able to attend a game to formally present their gift and meet the award’s inaugural recipient, Cougars captain Connor Blake.
December
In an increasingly digitized world there seems to be more and more pressure to tip just about everywhere. The cover story for the Fall/Winter edition of Summit looks at what’s driving the shift in tipping culture, how we should navigate it and includes a firsthand account from a veteran server who at one point relied on those tips.
Holiday greetings from Tim, Calvin and MRU students
2023 ended on a heartwarming note with MRU’s 2023 holiday video. President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tim Rahilly, PhD, teamed up with Calvin the Cougar to surprise a few students and spread holiday cheer.