Celebrating 2024
Join us in taking a moment to reflect on 2024 and all it brought for the Mount Royal community. In between annual celebrations like the Crowchild Classic and Convocation, we launched a new Bachelor of Aviation Management degree, welcomed a new director to the School of Nursing and Midwifery and signed the Buffalo Treaty. Keep scrolling to see more of our 2024 highlights, a list curated by the Mount Royal Communications team.
January
Mount Royal University ranked No. 19 top Canadian employer by Forbes
Each year Forbes releases a list of Canada’s Best Employers and we were thrilled to be the only Alberta post-secondary institution to make the top 50, coming it at 19.
2024 Crowchild Classic marks 10 years of U Sports rivalry
More than 10,500 fans packed the Saddledome for the annual Crowchild Classic. The 2024 edition of the event marked a decade of games between Mount Royal's Cougars and our crosstown rivals U of C Dinos.
New MRU innovation centre focused on aging population
We are all future older people, according to Jocelyn Rempel, Chair in Older Adult Health and associate professor in nursing. That’s why the Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging was created. It serves as a place for aging adults, faculty, students, innovators, care providers and industry partners to address the unique challenges and opportunities associated with growing older.
February
Mount Royal University launches Bachelor of Aviation Management
MRU launched a new degree program, setting up students for careers in aviation operations and management. “Mount Royal is proud to be playing a vital role in advancing the aviation sector and its importance to the future economy of Alberta. This new degree is an important step in that growth,” said Dr. Chad London, PhD, provost and vice-president, Academic at MRU.
Black History Month: MRU’s Amos Nkrumah
In honour of Black History Month, we connected with Dr. Amos Nkrumah, PhD, an assistant professor of sociology. He’s in the midst of a seven-year project looking at challenges faced by Sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees.
QriTical research hub helps foster connection, belonging for MRU’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Launched by co-leads and co-founders Dr. Corinne L. Mason, PhD, and Dr. Celeste Pang, PhD, QriTical Hub offers a meaningful space for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, faculty and community members. MRU Associate Vice-President of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement Connie Van der Byl said the new hub will encourage faculty and students from across the University to engage with interdisciplinary 2SLGBTQIA+ research and pedagogies.
March
Inclusion Week focuses on meaningful dialogue and action
March 18 to 23 marked MRU’s first ever Inclusion Week! Led by the Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion, it was a time for the campus community to engage in meaningful dialogue and action towards building a more inclusive future.
From MRU to the Netflix home page
Members of the MRU community noticed a familiar face on their screens. General Education professor Dr. Carolyn Willekes, PhD, appeared in the Netflix series Alexander: The Making of a God, sharing her knowledge of the cavalry of Alexander.
Transitional vocational students embrace the moment at Special Olympics Canada Winter Games
Students from Mount Royal University’s Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) were well represented at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2024. David Hall was a torch bearer and relay representative leading up to and for the opening ceremonies while Michael Nauss competed in five-pin bowling. Jerome Rakochey was on the official cheerleading team and the exhibition floor hockey team that played against Calgary Flames alumni, and ceremonial dancer Lily Manywounds took to the floor at the event’s opening ceremonies.
April
Space flights, 60 days of head-down bed rest, astronauts' sensitive feet and balance impairments
From astronauts to pillownauts, we took a closer look at the research of Biology and General Education professor Dr. Nick Strzalkowski, PhD, that aims to help travellers to space. Strzalkowski is part of a team looking at sensitivity changes in participants spending 60 days in head-down bed rest to better understand sensory adaptations that occur during space flight.
Sootsiman project shares knowledge and culture
Students in the Bachelor of Child Studies program took part in a sootsiman project, an Indigenous, hands-on experience based on Blackfoot tradition. Spending time in the Library’s Maker and Media Commons, each student created their own sootsiman, or decorated rawhide bag.
May
Compassionate leadership and community impact
Ahead of Convocation in June, we announced our 2024 Honorary Degree Recipients: Gord Gillies, Eleanor Chiu, Wayne Chiu, Charles Osuji, Roy Bear Chief, Ron Ghitter and Lois Mitchell. "MRU’s Honorary Doctors of Laws are, first and foremost, leaders and builders who have given back to their communities. The recipients have achieved great things in their fields and it is our honour to recognize their outstanding service, extraordinary standard of excellence in their work and contributions towards the betterment of society,” said Dr. Chad London, provost and vice-president, Academic.
Dr. Samanti Kulatilake, PhD, an associate professor in Sociology and Anthropology, was announced as a 3M National Teaching Fellowship Award recipient. “To represent Anthropology, the Faculty of Arts and MRU as a recipient of a 3M National Teaching Fellowship Award is an incredible honour,” Kulatilake said. “It is a gift I proudly share with colleagues, students and communities that I serve here and in Sri Lanka. This recognition inspires me to further explore pathways to develop transversal skills among undergraduates at MRU and beyond."
June
Congratulations, Class of 2024!
In June we celebrated more than 2,100 graduates, one of our largest graduating classes ever! Six ceremonies between June 12 and 14 officially welcomed Mount Royal’s newest alumni, celebrating their academic achievement.
Mount Royal Library takes on Homosaurus Project
To mark Pride Month, we took a look at an important initiative project at Mount Royal’s Riddell Library and Learning Centre. The Homosaurus Project is an international effort that aims to make library search terms more inclusive. Jules De Guzman, a member of the 2024 Bachelor of Arts — Sociology graduating class, was hired by the library to work on this project.
July
Mount Royal recognized at annual athletic therapy awards
Four individuals from MRU were recognized by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA). Each year CATA recognizes and celebrates outstanding athletic therapists by honouring the best in the field with various awards.
New leadership continues MRU’s tradition of excellence in nursing and midwifery
Mount Royal University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery welcomed a new director over the summer. After more than two decades of dedicated teaching at Mount Royal, Dr. Charles Osuji, PhD, was appointed to the role.
August
MRU instructor named one of Canada’s top immigrants
One of our faculty members was named to the nation’s respected 2024 Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Awards list. Kelly Kaur relocated from Singapore to the Great White North in 1985 to pursue academic studies. She joined Mount Royal’s teaching staff more than 30 years ago, and in that time has helped shape the minds of thousands of students.
MRU’s Bachelor of Arts – Psychology program to receive funding for 105 new seats
Mount Royal was pleased to host the Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney who announced the new Mental Health Professionals Enrollment Expansion grant program. The program will see 12 post-secondary institutions supported with nearly $10 million in funding over three years to create 761 new seats across various programs. Mount Royal will see 105 of those new seats.
September
Mount Royal University signs on to Buffalo Treaty
Mount Royal University took a significant step in advancing its commitment to indigenization and decolonization by signing the Buffalo Treaty, a historic collaboration among First Nations to rejuvenate and restore the buffalo population. The signing ceremony, hosted by the Kainai First Nation and the International Buffalo Relations Institute, took place in Stand Off, Alta., marking the 10th anniversary of this landmark agreement, and following three days of ceremonies, teachings, and songs with new and past signatories from across North America and beyond.
Most of us can’t fathom running a marathon, let alone an ultra marathon… Our Spring/Summer 2024 edition of Summit included this story, which looks at the art and science of ultra running.
October
Blending the art of hospitality with the precision of payroll
In October, we took time to recognize Mount Royal’s payroll manager Adina Novasat through Celebrate U, our employee rewards and recognition program. As the payroll manager, Novasat ensures that everyone at Mount Royal University gets paid and paid on time.
AgeCare funds Research Chair in Aging at Mount Royal
Less than a year after its inception, the Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging was able to celebrate a huge milestone thanks to AgeCare. A $600,000 donation will be used to fund the AgeCare Research Chair in Aging. The chair will undertake research to understand the multifaceted aspects of aging and develop innovative solutions with technology to enhance the quality of life for older adults, as well as advocate, educate, and collaborate on issues involving aging and seniors care.
November
Uncovered seafood mislabelling leads to major deception
A study, co-authored by by Dr. Jon Mee, PhD, an associate professor at Mount Royal University, sheds light on just how widespread seafood mislabelling is in Calgary. The findings, published in PeerJ Life and Environment in September 2024, are striking, revealing about one in five seafood products sold in Calgary was mislabelled.
MRU plays key role in bringing the 'Olympics of geology' to Calgary
We applauded a huge achievement for Dr. Katherine Boggs, PhD, of Mount Royal University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences! Boggs and Dr. David Eaton, PhD, from the University of Calgary co-chaired the committee bidding to host the International Geological Congress (IGC) in Calgary. Their bid was successful and the “Olympics of Geology” will be held in Calgary in 2028.
December
Mount Royal University's beloved mascot, Calvin the Cougar, and President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD, are on a mission to create the ultimate holiday bucket list, inspired by ideas from MRU students.
Optometry School partnership with Waterloo
In an exciting step forward to cap the year's achievements, Mount Royal University and the University of Waterloo signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the creation of a school of optometry in Alberta. A new school of optometry would be the first in Western Canada and only the third nationally.
