Alumni News

Celebrate at KICKOFF.08 All alumni are encouraged to join us at the third-annual KICKOFF on Sept. 13 at McMahon Stadium that will see the Dinos take on their traditional arch-rivals, the University of Alberta Golden Bears. The Dinos are looking to set the tone for a red-hot year in front of their fans (just a hint—we'll be wearing a whole lotta RED). KICKOFF.08 boasts a tailgate party featuring Spolumbo's sausages (free for the first 2,000 guests), lots of interactive booths and the game—it's a great family-friendly way for alumni to celebrate the start of another academic year (and football season) with students, faculty and staff. Reserve your tickets... Learn more...

2-for-1 alumni tickets to U of C dance, drama, music performances We're pleased to announce a new benefit for alumni offered in partnership with the Faculty of Fine Arts: 2-for-1 tickets to more than 100 Department of Drama, Program of Dance and Department of Music productions for the 2008-09 season. The offer is valid for single-event ticket purchases at the door (ask for the alumni offer when you show your alumni card). We look forward to seeing you back on campus and in one of our theatres soon! Upcoming performances...

Alumna rows to bronze in Beijing After a dry first week for Canadians at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, Tracy Cameron, MSc'02, was among the onslaught of Canuck athletes to medal at the start of the second half of the competition, earning a bronze in women's lightweight double sculls rowing. Jessica Zelinka, BA'07, finished fifth in the heptathlon and set a new Canadian record in the process. Learn more...

Girling recognized with MAX award

Russ Girling, TransCanada Corp.'s president of pipelines, is the 2008 recipient of the Haskayne School of Business Management Alumni Excellence (MAX) Award. An astute leader in the energy sector, Girling, BComm'85, MBA'91, joined TransCanada in 1994. He also serves as chairman and CEO of TC PipeLines, GP Inc. and director of Agrium Inc. In 1998, he received a national Top 40 Under 40 award for leadership excellence.

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Celebrating 45 years of geoscience

A book chronicling the 45-year history of the U of C's Department of Geoscience will be published this fall. Realizing the department's lack of historical documentation, Laura Baird, BA'92, started collecting photos from faculty and staff. She received pictures of everything from students hiking up a mountain with pants wrapped around their heads to the department's annual Christmas party. On Friday, Sept. 19 the public can preview the book during the Geoscience Open House and annual Tom Oliver lecture. Alumni interested in purchasing a book are encouraged to pre-order. The final cost has not been determined but it will be under $20. For more information, or to pre-order the book, contact Baird at 403-220-8863.

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Little Gallery hosts alumni exhibition The Department of Art's Little Gallery hosted an exhibition of new sculpture by four alumni over two weeks in August. Ian Cook, BFA'70, Linda Cullen-Saik, BFA'03, MFA'05, Jason Frizzell, BFA'96, and Pierre Oberg, BFA'95, MFA'98, contributed to the show. Learn more...

Are you a U of C alumni and a U of C employee?

If so, we need your help to welcome new employees and to convey to them the contribution they will have on the students, staff and organizational goals at the U of C. It doesn't matter what type of work you do or how long you have been employed at the U of C as all employees have an important impact on our university community. We seek individuals who are willing to be interviewed, write a story or speak briefly at a new staff event. The time commitment will be an hour or less and your stories will make the orientation that much more meaningful. If you are interested in sharing your story, please contact Maria Chirico at 403-220-7964 or email work@ucalgary.ca.

Have you moved recently? You can let us know!

For more alumni news: http://alumni.ucalgary.ca/

Your Alumni Stories

Alumnus new director of MD/PhD program When Paul Beck, MD'90, started his university student career, he wasn't just passionate about treating patients—he was curious as to why these people needed treatment. "Taking care of patients is our biggest responsibility, but we are also responsible for continually advancing medicine to expand our ability to take care of more patients," Beck says. And as the new director of the Leaders in Medicine MD/PhD Plus program at the Faculty of Medicine, he's doing just that. Learn more...

Wilson at home in the dragon's den CBC Television's Dragon's Den, the popular show featuring entrepreneurs who pitch their business plans to a group of Canadian business tycoons (the dragons) in an attempt to raise capital, has recruited U of C Top 40 alumnus Brett Wilson, MBA'85, as a dragon for its third season. Watch Brett and his dragon peers praise or raze the business ideas starting in October. Learn more...

Lydia's legacy An accomplished scientist and resident in laboratory medicine, Lydia Sikora, MD'88, decided to combine her knowledge of basic science with a long-held dream of becoming a medical doctor. Sadly, just a few months after graduation, she passed away in a diving incident off the west coast of Vancouver Island. To honour Lydia and her goal to help others by marrying a career in research with a clinical career, an endowment was established in Lydia's name. Since 1993, this annual award has benefited more than 60 medical students wanting to pursue a serious interest in research. Learn more...

Alumni in the News

The Calgary Herald recently reported on some personnel changes at Calgary-based developer Qualico Communities, including the promotion of Karin Finley, BA'96, BSc'96, to general manager. Karin joined Qualico in 1997 and her new role, effective January 1, will include responsibilities for land acquisitions and day-to-day operations. Read more...

Deborah (Pasternak) O'Malley, BA'02, and husband Andrew are Ottawa-based multi-media artists pairing video and techno music at parties, clubs and openings. The Ottawa Citizen ventured closer to the couple dubbed the Latest Artists to see what the fuss is about. Read more...

Rosanna Terracciano, BSc'01, is described in a profile in the Calgary Herald as a "sometime engineer and full-time devotee" to flamenco. The story details how she first discovered her passion for the dance form while a U of C student and how it shapes her life today. Read more...

Dave McLean, BA'00, and Claire McLean, BA'05, were recently profiled in the Calgary Herald's Neighbours section for their passion for Ultimate Frisbee. Claire is the full-time general manager of the Calgary Ultimate Association, a sports organization that promotes and organizes league and tournament play for over 1,500 players. Calgary hosted the 2008 Canadian Ultimate Championship and Dave served as tournament chair. Read more...

Sherrie McLeod, BA'88, and three partners recently opened a new business, Families First Support Services, that was profiled in the Calgary Herald. Read more...

Betty Jane Hegerat, MSW'73, released a collection of 16 short stories, A Crack in the Wall, in May and was interviewed by the Calgary Herald for the occasion. Read more...

Have you received profile in the media lately? Email us a link and we'll note it in the next issue!

U of C News

Carson to lead Canada School of Energy and Environment Bruce Carson, senior advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, BA'85, MA'91, is the inaugural executive director of the Canada School of Energy and Environment. The School is an innovative research and education collaboration involving the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. Learn more...

Symposium showcases talent of future biomedical engineers Twenty-three undergraduate student researchers spoke on an impressive range of topics at the Schulich School of Engineering at the second annual Summer Biomedical Engineering Research Symposium. Biomedical engineering is the fastest growing field in engineering. It plays a role in a wide range of challenges related to human health, and the students spoke on such issues as tissue mechanics, stem cells and glaucoma detection. Learn more...

Road lessons The Schulich School of Engineering is hosting three Afghan professors to increase their knowledge of road engineering. Khoja Daud Kawkabi, Mohammad Nazir Nejabi and Mir Hosain Razawi are associate professors at Kabul Polytechnic University who train many of the engineers who work for Afghanistan's public works department that wants to improve the country's network of roads. Learn more...

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Campus and Alumni Events

Research in Action: biomedical engineering

Sept. 10: Join us for an interactive presentation and discussion on the U of C's internationally recognized research in biomedical engineering, one of the university's top priorities with more than $7 million invested each year into brain, bone and joint and cardio-respiratory health research. Through successful community partnerships, the biomedical engineering program is improving healthcare and creating promising commercialization opportunities. Speakers include Kristina Rinker, Centre for Bioengineering Research and Education, Janet Ronsky, PhD'95, Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering and co-director, Biomedical Engineering Centre and Garnette Sutherland, neuroArm Project Leader, Faculty of Medicine. For more information or to register, email riaevent@ucalgary.ca or call 403-220-2702.

Foreman completes Chopin Portrait Sept. 13: Pianist Charles Foreman performs his seventh of nine concerts in A Chopin Portrait, Foreman's rendition of the complete works by Frederic Chopin for solo piano. At the conclusion of the 2008-09 Celebrity Series, Foreman will have played 153 Chopin works over three years. This performance will include audience favourites such as the complete Scherzos, and the Mazurkas in c-sharp minor, as well as rarely-played works such as the Bolero, Op. 19, and the Rondo, Op. 16. Tickets ($20/adults; $15/seniors/students; U of C alumni get two for the price of one) at the door. 8 pm, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre. Learn more...

Alumna brings flamenco to Calgary

Sept. 13: Annette Morcos, BSc'92, MBA'97, presents El Sonido del Silencio, a flamenco performance featuring accomplished artists from Spain, including dancer Cristina Hall, guitarist Manuel Alejandro Montero and singer David de Alcala. U of C's University Theatre at 8 pm. Tickets ($32 in advance, $38 at the door) are available online or by calling 403-263-0079.

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Love, the Magician

Sept. 19-20: young pianist Jason Cutmore has won critical praise for his "brilliant technical finesse" and "deep emotional penetration" and for the "charismatic generosity of communication in his music." The program, an eclectic mix of lighter and more serious works, newer and older works, will uplift and entertain the mind. Tickets ($25/adults; $18/seniors/students; U of C alumni get two for the price of one) at the door. 8 pm, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre.

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Scramble with Haskayne students on the golf course

Sept. 26: Featuring a fun-filled day of 18-hole Texas Scramble at Lakeside Greens with 25 teams of four. Groups consist of two Haskayne students paired with two members from the corporate community. It's a great opportunity for Haskayne alumni to share knowledge and experience with students during a day of golf! The tournament includes a hot buffet breakfast, lunch and awesome prizes and giveaways. Register by September 11.

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Jazz fans, this is the ¡Bomba!

Sept. 29: ¡Bomba! has toured across Canada at jazz and folk music festivals to great public and critical acclaim. With an inventive mix of instrumental, percussive and vocal song and music, Bomba showcases Cubop, Son, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Afro-Cuban Bata, Bossa Nova, Samba and modern Latin-Jazz. Tickets ($18/adults; $12/seniors/students; U of C alumni get two for the price of one) at the door. 8 pm, University Theatre.

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Death by Chocolate Oct. 8: An event designed specifically for Schulich School of Engineering alumnae! Join us for a ladies-only evening complete with wine and fabulous chocolate. Come and socialize with your fellow female alumni and hear from wonderful speakers about their personal experiences as women engineers. The evening's keynote is Josephine Hill, recipient of the 2008 Minerva Mentoring Award and associate professor and the Zandmer/Canada Research Chair in Hydrogen and Catalysis at the Schulich School. Her talk is "Women in Engineering: More than a Female Version of Dilbert." Fairmont Palliser Hotel, 6 pm, cost is $30. Learn more and register...

Husky Dino Cup fever Oct. 16-18: Don't miss the heart-pounding action of the 2008 Husky Dino Cup, the prestigious tournament showcases some of North America's most talented volleyball programs. Support your Dinos as they face off against NCAA Division I opponents UCLA and George Mason along with Canada West conference foes UBC and Trinity Western. Call 403-220-DINO for tickets. Learn more...

Get the goods at Open House 2008

Oct. 18: Do you know someone who is considering attending university in the future? If so, the U of C extends a special invitation to all alumni to attend Open House 2008. In its 11th year, Open House will welcome more than 5,000 prospective students, families, alumni and guests to learn more about the U of C's faculties, programs, services and get a small taste of what campus has to offer. In a tradition that started two years ago, alumni and their guests who pre-register will be granted exclusive early-access to the interactive faculty and service exhibits, allowing you to get the goods and beat the crowds! Open House will be held from 10 am to 4 pm with special alumni access at 9:30 am.

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Don Juan in Chicago Oct. 21-Nov. 1: Alumni can take advantage of the new two-for-one single ticket and season subscription offer for U of C grads with Don Juan in Chicago by David Ives. The story is a quirky and clever journey of a sexually-naive 16th century Spanish nobleman living in a poorly decorated Chicago apartment. Season subscriptions are only $40 for adults (and single tickets are $15 before the alumni 2-for-1 offer is applied). Purchase tickets at the door. University Theatre, 7:30 pm, except 2 pm matinee Oct. 25. Learn more...

Making a difference from Kandahar to Calgary

Oct. 22: The Canadian Group Psychotherapy Conference is hosting a free public lecture at 7:45 pm at the Delta Lodge (Kananaskis) with Sally Armstrong, a human rights activist, documentary filmmaker and writer. She'll deliver the Dr. Julius Guild Memorial Lecture with a talk titled "Who Cares? Making a Difference from Kandahar to Calgary," dealing with the emotional trauma for people in conflict zones. The lecture is part of the CGPA conference addressing such issues as mental health, lifestyle management and therapy. For free lecture tickets contact Doreen at 416-465-8756 or email Doreen.cgpa@sympatico.ca.

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Positively Pink: breast cancer 101 for patients, survivors, supporters

Oct. 26: The brainchild of alumna Barbara Walley, BSc'83, MD'90, a medical oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Positively Pink is the largest public educational event in Alberta covering the prevention, treatment and recovery from breast cancer. Keynote is Margaret Trudeau. Tickets are $30 including lunch and are available online or by calling 403-263-0079.

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For more events, go to http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/

A $2.1-million investment in digital imaging research is helping physicians make more accurate diagnoses and allowing doctors to remotely receive medical images on their iPhones. The research will rapidly identify brain regions at risk during acute stroke, find new methods to predict how a brain tumor will respond to therapy, and better gauge the effectiveness of new Multiple Sclerosis treatments. Learn more...