Always Blue

Mount Royal University alumni stories are powerful — and now, they have a new home.

The Office of Alumni Relations is proud to introduce Always Blue with President Tim Rahilly: An MRU Alumni Podcast, a new monthly storytelling platform that celebrates the experiences, perspectives and impact of Mount Royal University graduates around the world.

Hosted by MRU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tim Rahilly, Always Blue features open conversations with alumni and MRU community members from diverse fields and paths — educators, pilots, nurses, artists, leaders and more, who share how their post-secondary experience continues to shape who they are and where they’re headed.

“I'm excited to converse with the MRU community for this initiative. We're looking forward to getting to know more members of our community and sharing stories,” Rahilly says.

The premiere: 'Permission from the universe' with Tala Abu Hayanneh

In the premiere episode of Always Blue, Rahilly and alumnus Scott Cruickshank, a long-time communications specialist and graduate of Mount Royal’s Journalism Diploma program, sits down with Tala Abu Hayyaneh, MRU student leader and president of SAMRU (Students' Association of Mount Royal University). Hayyaneh shares her journey from being a new student in Canada searching for belonging to becoming a confident advocate for policy reform, accessibility and student voices. The conversation explores leadership, resilience and how education can be a powerful tool for community impact, setting the tone for a podcast rooted in purpose and possibility

And that spirit is at the heart of Always Blue; sharing stories of belonging, growth and leadership that begin at Mount Royal and continue to shape lives long after graduation.

“MRU has been transformative in my life, and I’m excited for listeners to hear more about the people, experiences and community that make Mount Royal so special,” Hayyaneh says.

Stay tuned

Episode two, which features 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient, podcast afficionado, playwright and inclusion advocate Ashley King, is also available for listening now.

Keep an eye out for new episodes on a monthly basis.

We look forward to sharing the stories that keep the MRU community always blue.