2021

December

Nursing alumnus makes a difference in Haiti

Andrew Nguyen joins seven-person team, providing assistance to 300 patients

Michelle DeWolfe elected to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars

A helping hand in a time of need

Feden Abeda is leading the charge for the new Office of Safe Disclosure

Funding boost from Government of Alberta helping adults with disabilities access post-secondary experience at MRU

Canada’s aging population has changed, new report finds

Supports for the elderly are geared towards a homogeneous, pre-war era population

decolonization poster campaign hits hard but finds an audience at MRU

inspiration came through past poster successes

New certificate brings in-demand skills to Continuing Education at Mount Royal University

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting micro-credentials offered in early 2022

The top 10 for 2021

These are the most-read Mount Royal stories from the past 12 months

A star is named

Dr. Gaye Watson Warthe, PhD, has been recognized for her exemplary leadership in the area of gender-based violence

November

Open House 2021 welcomed future students in person and online

Participants had the opportunity to tour campus and learn about student services and programs

From the classroom to the community

Work-integrated learning opportunities grow with help of federal funding

24 hours of giving

MRU will celebrate its generous donor community on its first Giving Day Nov. 30

MRU community members honoured at Top 7 Over 70 Awards

Recognizing incredible contributions later in life

MRU Giving Day – Matthew Fudge

Bachelor of Computer Information Systems

MRU Giving Day – Whittnie Gaqui

Bachelor of Communications — Public Relations

MRU Giving Day – Zoe Letourneau

Bachelor of Nursing, 2021

MRU Giving Day – Brittany Reid

Bachelor of Education — Elementary

Playing to win

Conservatory alum Kevin Chen wins prestigious international competition

What’s old will be new again

Four large, modern classrooms coming to W-wing next summer

MRU historian examines enduring 'thrifty gene' myth in new book

Challenge!

MRU donor to match funds for new scholarships on Giving Day Nov. 30

October

Event and Theatre Services raise the curtain to a new season

Performances and classes resume in-person for Fall 2021

$40,000 TransAlta gift supports Indigenous Housing Program

Tipi and outdoor upgrades enrich living space

Professor and psychologist offers practical guide for first-year students

Laptop? Check. Portable charger? Check. Mount Royal psychologist’s first-year survival guide? Check.

Tsuut’ina Nation and MRU Cougars partner to celebrate sport

Cougars hockey games taking place at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex

MRU geology professor zeroes in on Newfoundland rocks through new documentary about Ireland

Ireland and its geological connection to Newfoundland brought Dr. Jeff Pollock, PhD, to The Rock this summer

From ammonites to zinc

Geology students spread out to work across the west and north

Our alumni do it all

Congratulations to an inspiring group of MRU alumni for making this year’s Top 40 under 40

September

Food literacy research project unearths positive outcomes

Garden to Plate is for everyone

MRU sees enrolment climb as students, faculty and staff return to on-campus learning and services

New cross-campus framework puts suicide prevention in focus

Emphasis on prevention, intervention and postvention

Tsuut’ina Nation celebrates Education Assistant graduates

Program offered in partnership with Mount Royal University’s Faculty of Continuing Education

Mount Royal gears up for a fresh semester

After an atypical 18 months, faculty and staff welcome students to campus

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education program adds new credential

Four courses added to program for students with developmental disabilities

Bell rings for first virtual reality class at Mount Royal University

New course brings together psychology, computer science and philosophy

From darkness to light: Old Sun Community College marks 50th anniversary

College began as a satellite campus of Mount Royal

Campus community marks National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Events include guest speakers, presentations, intergenerational healing series and other opportunities to learn about Indigenous Peoples and histories

August

New dean of the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies announced

Dr. Kelly Williams-Whitt, PhD, will begin her new role Aug. 23

Thinking inside the box

Students land $10,000 award for inclusive activity program

Celebrating Pride in our comm(unity)

Pride Week celebrations to include a mix of in-person and virtual events for all

MRU set for takeoff with province’s Strategic Aviation Advisory Council

A new Strategic Aviation Advisory Council (SAAC) will advise the provincial government on how the aviation and aerospace sector can boost economic...

July

Expression of hope for Canada Day

Pre-contact seeds to be planted on campus

SAMRU Care Packages ease food insecurity

Support is available to students all summer long and beyond

June

Change leader Hal Kvisle received an Honorary Doctor of Laws June 7

Passion for learning guided Mount Royal from college to university

MRU to bestow Elder Miiksika’am with an Honorary Doctor of Laws June 8

Mount Royal’s Indigenous spiritual leader and advocate 'epitomizes education'

Canada's Parliamentary Poet Laureate Louise Halfe presented with Honorary Doctor of Laws

Canada's Parliamentary Poet Laureate prescribes 'fierce determination'

Pioneering police chief Christine Silverberg receives Honorary Doctor of Laws

Fighting discrimination with community-building and integrity

Unique research projects drive Case Study course

Massage Therapy students present findings virtually

A loss becomes a legacy

Celebrating the life of Agnes Stephanson Cooke

You did it, alumni! Thank you for your inspiration

Mount Royal celebrates its largest-ever graduating class at Spring 2021 Convocation

Positively impacting the lives of children and youth

MRU alumna shares how finding the right program made all the difference

Library Awards for Research Excellence recipients announced

Recognizing outstanding scholarly projects

Reflections of growth after graduation

Bachelor of Education students look at themselves then and now

'The neatest thing in the world'

Student’s award-winning research into exoskeletons inspired by sister

The role of libraries in an age of disinformation

Mount Royal University Library helps steer through the haze

Second World War pilot Ken Lett donates $2.4 million to MRU aviation program

Love of flying and business leads to gift geared towards student success

May

Small-business leaders get answers to pandemic-related questions

Leading Through COVID-19 and Beyond emphasized need for communication

Three-day virtual event celebrates excellence in teaching and learning

After a one-year absence, Mount Royal’s annual Celebrate! Teaching and Learning event moved online to bring together campus and community

Journalism alumna forges her own path

Emma Gilchrist shares how journalism has changed for the better

Meet the SAMRU 2021 executive

Provincial post-secondary cuts; EDI; get out the vote on the priority list

MRU lands D'Arcy McGee Beacon Fellowship

Fellowship connects leading Canadian and Irish academics

MRU partners with Ambrose University to offer more English language training for international students

Agreement sees MRU’s LEAP program create new English language pathway for Ambrose students

Crushing it during an extra challenging academic year

10 stories of students who made major scholastic impacts in 2020/21

Distinguished Faculty Award recipients announced

Exemplary contributions recognized, extraordinary commitment acknowledged

MRU and Shaw connect on Community Podcast Initiative

$100,000 donation powers innovative audio storytelling hub

Finance students take first place in ethics case competition

2021 national championship awarded

April

MRU students win second place in the 2021 Econ Games

Student research moves towards a more just and sustainable future

Catamount Fellowship Community Showcase happens April 9

Propelling start-ups towards success

Annual JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition happens April 12

Capping off an MRU education

Health, Community and Education students finish off their programs with culminating experiences

A program that provides more than education

Student shares how studying at MRU led to greater self-understanding

Creating positive impact in the Calgary community

MRU alumni shares her passion for social work

Discovering the right fit for a meaningful career

MRU alumna returns to further her focus

Vivacity

Using tech for good to improve the lives of our most vulnerable citizens

Chinook Aerosports takes flight

LaunchPad 2021 recipient lands close to $30,000 in start-up funds

Students show 'grit and determination' in researching diverse social problems

Inquiry, discovery and impact

2021 Research Recognition Award winners announced

Entrepreneurs find footing with free workshop series

Alberta Inclusive Innovation Initiative provides practical skills training

Leading Through COVID-19 and Beyond created for Alberta business owners, managers

Online event features panel of experts

Mount Royal University names AVP Indigenization and Decolonization

Dr. Linda ManyGuns, PhD, will be the senior Indigenous leader at MRU

Room to grow

$15 million gift from Taylor Family Foundation will transform Mount Royal University student spaces

Machine learning transforming supply chain industry

MRU to lead workshop sharing knowledge in new field

March

Feminist powerhouse playwright in the wings for March 8

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm is this year’s writer-in-residence

10 powerful conversations

MRU celebrates International Women’s Day 2021

New memoir for Professor Robert Boschman

White Coal City chronicles multigenerational trauma

MRU unveils Bachelor of Social Work Degree as Albertans cope with pandemic

The degree is a bridge to fullness in the social work profession

Rare transactions

The Institute for Community Prosperity creates a framework for non-profit amalgamations

New Conservatory course sings praises of music therapy

Virtual course provides overview of evidence-based practice

February

The need for systemic change

MRU students share how racism has affected their lives

Podcast series explores how racism in sports mirrors broader society

Mount Royal University Cougars Athletics and Recreation has produced a diversity and inclusion podcast series

Lack of representation in education an obstacle for BIPOC students

Marva Ferguson urges reflection and a careful reconsideration of the education system that is in line with the changing demography of Alberta

MRU’s World Wetlands Day Symposium dives into world’s water crisis

Research points to importance of mountain ecosystems

Write and submit a poem … it just might help

Calgary Poet Laureate Natalie Meisner building digital jukebox of poetry for healing

Contest underway for SAMRU Representation Executive Council

Online voting starts Feb. 22

Athletic therapy student finds her calling through adversity

Jinan Daqqa establishes communities through sport

Years of environmental advocacy recognized

Professor Israel Dunmade speaks on teaching, research and advocacy in academia

Equity, diversity and inclusion infused throughout Harry G. Schaefer Mentorship Program

Now entering its ninth year, the Harry G. Schaefer Mentorship Program has matched 151 MRU students with 105 industry professionals offering...

Alberta Inclusive Innovation Initiative pivots during the pandemic

Workshop series offers updated entrepreneurial skills to diverse groups

January

Discovering the complexities of trade

Students go online for 'remarkable' WTO simulation

A behind-the-scenes glimpse into The Umbrella Academy

Alumnus and award-winning cinematographer Craig Wrobleski director of photography for Netflix’s hottest show

Building community through good food

MRU and Chartwells celebrate new partnership

Heart and hustle

Laurie Pilson Memorial Award developed to remember a past Cougars player and support those currently on the ice

Free concert series brings comfort and community

Winter Solace highlights power of music

Changemaker Conversations 'motivate to action'

Trico Changemakers Studio series designed to keep inspiring progress

Mount Royal virtual Career Expo begins Jan. 25

Valuable pre-event sessions start Jan. 13

New certificate makes the most of digital media marketing

Online courses at MRU taught by industry experts

Let’s talk … and keep talking

MRU recognizes mental health as a priority on Jan. 28 and throughout the year

Turning talk into action

Children’s Mental Health and Addiction Studies Certificates offer practical knowledge through online learning

Past Stories