July 2009, Vol 8, No 7

First honorary degree conferred in space

Celebrated University of Calgary alumnus Robert Thirsk is entering the record books. Not only do his six months aboard the space station set him apart from most of his peers, he will become the first person ever to accept an honorary degree while in space. Bob will become an honorary Doctor of Laws on July 8, 2009 while orbiting about 400km above Earth.

University welcomes 4295 new alumni

From June 8 through June 12, the Alumni Association welcomed 4295 new alumni from 17 faculties. We could not be prouder to have participated in the culmination of all that hard work, perseverance, and – we hope – great experience. With presentations of honorary degrees to such outstanding citizens as Phil Fontaine, the grads have entered into distinguished company. We know they will continue to achieve great things as part of our alumni family.

Generous scholarship from Schulich grad

Alumnus Robert Wichert has many connections to the University of Calgary. The 1983 chemical engineer graduate's father was an adjunct professor his younger brother Now, this Texas engineer has given a personal gift of nearly $1.3 million to benefit engineering students. This is one of the largest donations in the history of the Schulich School of Engineering. Learn More...

Alumni making bloody good theatre

There’s a praise-winning, blood-soaked show in town and U of C alumni are helping to make it a success. Alumna Rebecca Northan, BFA’96, is one of ten University of Calgary alumni involved in the Calgary production of Evil Dead: The Musical. The play – a musical adaptation of Sam Raimi's slapstick horror trilogy – gives the audience a unique theatre experience. Learn More...

New writer in residence – Alumnus Marcello Di Cintio

The University of Calgary's Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Program in the Faculty of Humanities has named Calgary writer and U of C alumnus Marcello Di Cintio as the 2009 – 2010 Markin-Flanagan Canadian Writer-in-Residence.

Di Cintio will be in residence from August 15, 2009 to June 15, 2010. During his residency, he will devote 50 per cent of his time to community activities, including individual manuscript consultations with local writers, public readings, and workshops, and 50 per cent of his time to writing. Learn More...

Ben Perrin called "hero" by US State Department

Graduate of the Last Decade Award winner Ben Perrin was honoured by Hillary Clinton, and the U.S. State Department in their Annual Trafficking in Persons Report. Perrin is the first Canadian to be recognized by this award and one of only nine people world-wide to be recognized this year. Learn More...

Arch Awards slideshow

On June 4, we honoured our distinguished alumni for 2009. Mr. Peter KK Wong, Dr. Jeffrey Veale, and Mr. Mark Blackwell all received awards recognizing their achievements and bestowing our appreciation on them for all they have done and all they will surely do. While hundreds of pictures were taken during the evening gala, we found about 20 that truly capture the evening's ceremonies and atmosphere. Learn More...

Alumna revamps city park

Always passionate about heritage and cultural landscape, Environmental Design alumna Michelle Reid is leading the City of Calgary's project to redevelop and rehabilitate Calgary's oldest surviving park, Central Memorial Park. While the project aims to maintain and celebrate the historical significance of Central Memorial Park, Michelle, MEDes'06, stresses the importance of acknowledging the current needs of Calgarians. Learn More...