The top 22 Mount Royal stories of 2022
The top 22 most read stories of the year include pieces on new University leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion, welcoming Ukrainian refugees and a tribute to Dr. David Taras, PhD.
— Mount Royal University | Posted: December 13, 2022
A special shout out to those whose stars shone extra bright this year, including all of our 2022 graduates.
Katea Kootenay from Bearspaw First Nation, Treaty 7, crosses the stage after receiving her Indigenous University Bridging Program certificate from administrator Tori McMillan, member of the Berens River First Nation, Treaty 5 (right), at this year's Indigenous Graduation Celebration.
21. Innovation and research capacity grants boost MRU discoveries
Mount Royal University is focused on innovation through research and received a boost in this area from its first three Canada Foundation for Innovation Awards followed by matching grants from the Government of Alberta.
Dr. Gwen O’Sullivan, PhD, professor of environmental science.
20. 'LOVE, Olive Oil, and Coffee'
When a dangerous civil war broke out in Somalia, Lee Hassan was just a small child with a favourite pair of jean overalls and a love for chai tea. As armed factions fought for influence in the fractured country, Hassan and some family members managed to secure spots on one of the very last flights out. It would take 20 years before the conflict would begin to ease and 12 years before he would see his mother again.
A public relations major and a creative writing minor, Hassan recounts his vivid early memories in spoken word.
The last person left standing in season nine of the History Channel’s hit series Alone survived 78 days in the extreme terrain of Northern Labrador. Juan Pablo Quiñonez of Pinawa, Manitoba, is a survival specialist, outdoor professional and wilderness first responder with more than 10 years of experience in outdoor recreation and survival. He is also a graduate of Mount Royal’s ecotourism and outdoor leadership program and credits his learnings with providing him the foundation needed for his success.
Juan Pablo Quiñonez has also recently published a book on survival.
MRU's alumni are making a big impact in Calgary's growing tech economy, which requires all kinds of people and diverse sets of expertise.
By tapping into the expertise of computer scientists, tech companies are implementing interesting business ideas into reality using the power and flexibility of programming and creating solutions for consumers in a range of areas.
17. MRU honours singer, songwriter, author and actor Jann Arden with Honorary Doctor of Laws
Mount Royal University bestowed the recognition upon the Canadian Music Hall of Fame member, who was once a Mount Royal student, during the Spring 2022 Convocation ceremonies.
Jann Arden has had 19 top-ten singles and garnered eight Juno Awards from 19 nominations, including Solo Artist of the Year in 1994, Songwriter of the Year in 1995 and 2002, and Female Artist of the Year in 1995 and 2001.
16. MRU expanding micro-credential offerings
MRU has received funding to develop three new micro-credentials as Alberta continues to expand options for people looking to upgrade their skills or embark on new careers.
Each micro-credential course comes with a digital badge that can be shared online so employers can verify the achievement.
15. Mount Royal University scientist cracks century-old fossil mystery
Tiny shells discovered by a Mount Royal University researcher in 505-million-year-old rocks dating from the Cambrian Period in southeastern B.C. yield new clues about peculiar animals known as stenothecoids, which have puzzled paleontologists for more than a century.
Dr. Paul Johnston, PhD, has spent decades researching famed Burgess Shale.
14. Terry Clark, PhD, brings renewed vision to MRU’s Conservatory
With a new director and full suite of exciting programming, the Conservatory is hitting all the right notes.
Dr. Terry Clark is looking forward to expanding the presence of the Conservatory not only within the University community, but beyond, to see where new connections can be made.
13. Research happens everywhere
A nursing professor’s work is using photography to address global inequities in health care.
"If I didn't have people who opened the door for me in so many ways, I wouldn't be where I am today. When I see students who have that same sort of potential and drive, you find a way to include them in your work," says Mount Royal’s Dr. Aliyah Dosani, PhD.
12. Creating a career in the cloud
Displaced energy professionals are learning new skills through Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start.
Holly Howes is leaving a career as a geologist in the energy sector to create a new path in cloud computing as part of AWS re/Start. She is one of 44 students taking part in the program, offered by continuing education at Mount Royal University in partnership with Energy to Digital Growth Education and Upskilling Project (EDGE UP) 2.0: A Scaling Opportunity.
11. MRU criminal justice grads finding employment in unique field
Practicum placements examining death are offering new perspectives.
Mount Royal University alumna Taylor Dube-Mather and Professor Janne Holmgren, PhD, at Calgary's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
10. MRU secures more than $3.3-million to expand flagship business growth program
A donation of $500,000 from TD Bank Group to Mount Royal University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, combined with federal and provincial funding, has provided the foundation for the province-wide expansion of the Institute’s Growth Catalyst program plus additional initiatives, which are set to trigger the creation of hundreds of new jobs and deliver millions in economic impact to Alberta over the next few years.
Dr. Simon Raby, PhD, is an associate professor of innovation and entrepreneurship and academic director of Growth Catalyst, which assists small- and medium-sized businesses to achieve and more readily sustain new episodes of growth.
9. Congratulations, class of 2022!
From June 1 to 3, Mount Royal University held its first in-person Convocation ceremonies since 2019 and the feelings on campus were those of celebration, camaraderie, community and perhaps a touch of melancholy.
Graduates inspire with courage, resilience and the ability to make change.
8. High-demand MRU programs to expand due to Alberta at Work Initiative
Working for Alberta Health Services on its robotic process information initiative, Olga Koldachenko says learning people skills in the co-op placement has augmented and enhanced the education she is gaining through Mount Royal University’s high-demand computer science programs.
Student Alissa Stirling preparing to take Alberta's Minister for Advanced Education, Demetrios Nicolaides, for a flight. MRU's Aviation Diploma and the Bachelor of Business Administration also received funding.
7. MRU Residence welcomes Ukrainian refugees
Dozens of Ukrainians who had to flee their country after Russia’s February invasion are living on the Mount Royal campus.
The East Residence townhouses provide four individual bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and living room.
In a planned gift to MRU, well-known Calgary philanthropist and businessperson Joan Snyder donated $5 million in support of Mount Royal’s world-class music and speech arts Conservatory and the Cougars women’s hockey team, which finished first overall in the Canada West conference last season.
Joan Snyder appreciated the importance of the Mount Royal Conservatory for its incredible record of training some of the world’s best artists for more than 100 years and the gift of music it provides.
5. MRU Aviation Diploma program receives $8.1 million as part of partnership with WestJet
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Alberta and WestJet Airlines will see $8.16 million in funding for the expansion of Mount Royal University’s Aviation Diploma program.
MRU’s program teaches aviation and business theory while building connections between students and MRU’s airline partners. Photo courtesy Alex Praglowski.
4. For the love of hockey … and each other
A nationally recognized media personality, sports announcer, journalist, author and musician, Mount Royal alumnus Harnarayan Singh’s story is one of honesty, integrity and a whole lot of heart. In the face of bias, skepticism and discrimination, Singh’s innate talent and professional excellence has led him to achieving the dreams manifested during his small-town Alberta childhood.
Harnarayan Singh has maintained close ties with his alma mater, sharing his pride in being a Mount Royal broadcasting graduate at many public engagements across Canada.
3. Alberta broadens pathway to a health-care career for internationally educated nurses
Hana Sahyouni, an internationally educated nurse originally from Lebanon who is now living in Calgary, has been diligently trying to get back to practising health care as a registered nurse, but has faced delays in the system of accreditation. New funding is working to change that.
From left: Health Minister Jason Copping, Philippines Consul General Zaldy Patron; SAMRU VP External Tera Leigh Cardinal, former premier Jason Kenney, Bridge to Canadian Nursing student Hana Sahyouni, and Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides after government announcement at MRU.
2. David Taras remembered as scholar, friend, colleague and public intellectual
Combining sharp insights and extensive research into the intersection of media, politics, democracy and technology, Dr. David Taras, PhD, was a leading academic in communications, sharing his knowledge with his students and the public at large. Taras, who passed away in the summer after battling cancer, was a professor of communication studies and held the Ralph Klein Chair in Media Studies at Mount Royal University.
Dr. David Taras loved teaching, mentoring and enlightening public through media.
1. First Mount Royal senior leader in equity, diversity and inclusion announced
Dr. Moussa Magassa, PhD, is someone who has spent his life facing barriers to entry that were created to keep people like him out. This is, in part, what has directed his education and a career that centres equity, diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Moussa Magassa comes to MRU from the University of Victoria, where he has spent the past 15 years advancing anti-racism, anti-oppression and human rights education programs through progressively senior roles.