U of C News

Plants in fertile ecosystems struggle for survival Tropical rainforests and other regions that are home to the widest range of plant and animal species may be at the greatest risk of extinction due to increasing sexual competition among flowering plants. As the number of birds, bees, and other pollen transporters declines around the world, competition for their attention is becoming increasingly fierce for plants that need their services for reproduction—to the point where species in the most fertile areas of the world are struggling for survival. “Many plants rely on insects and other pollen vectors to reproduce. We’ve found that in areas where there is a lot of competition between individuals and between species, many plants aren’t getting enough pollen to successfully reproduce,” said Dr. Jana Vamosi, an evolutionary biologist and post-doctoral research associate in the U of C’s Department of Biological Sciences. Learn more...

Haskayne Business Students Just Keep Winning

Undergrad students at the Haskayne School of Business came first in six events at the Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (ICBC) held at Queen’s University in mid-January. It’s the 28th year in a row business students from U of C have won at the competition. Seven Haskayne teams competed against teams from 28 universities, including schools from the United States and Hong Kong. “ICBC includes more schools and is the longest-running, most competitive, undergraduate business case competition in the world,” said Dr. Bob Schulz, who has been coaching U of C ICBC teams since the competition started in 1978.

Learn more...

New PM Is a U of C Grad

Canada’s newest leader, the 22nd prime minister, is a two-time graduate of the University of Calgary. Stephen Harper earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1985. He went on to complete a master’s degree in economics as well, in 1991. Harper still keeps in contact with some of his professors from U of C, namely Tom Flanagan of the Department of Political Science, who is considered a long-time close advisor to Harper.

For more U of C news, pick up a copy of OnCampus or read it online at http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/

OnCampus went online with an e-newsletter for readers who want the latest U of C news. If you'd like to subscribe, send an e-mail to cturne@ucalgary.ca.

Alumni News

Winter issue of U magazine ready for reading The latest issue of U magazine is about to hit your mailboxes. With an international theme of global sustainability, it will be mailed to all alumni living across the globe. Stories include a profile on a engineering graduate student from China who was jailed for three years for being a Falun Gong practitioner, U of C educators who have helped create a whole new education system for Kosovo, as well as details on how the university’s $710-million plan and four new buildings will create more space for students and researchers.

Nominate Someone You Know for an Arch Award The deadline is quickly approaching to nominate an outstanding graduate you know for an Arch Award. Divided into the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award, Arch Awards recognize alumni who have had distinguished careers and lives of community service, or more recent graduates who have made an incredibly strong start in their professional lives. To download a nomination package: www.alumni.ucalgary.ca

Graduate and composer wins award University of Calgary music graduate Vincent Chee-Yung Ho (BMus’98) was recently awarded the 2006 Emerging Composer Award by the Canadian Music Centre, Prairie Region. The $1,000 prize will be presented to Ho on February 15 as part of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Centara Corporation International New Music Festival. Ho’s orchestral, chamber, and piano works have been performed in North America, China, France, and Italy.

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

Campus & Alumni Events

Special rate for energy conference

Alumni get a special rate to attend the Global Energy Conference on January 31 from 6 to 9 pm at the Calgary Epcor Centre (205 8 Avenue SE). Regular price is $150, but alumni can attend for $45. Speakers include: Jim Dinning, Greg Melchin, Pat Daniel, David MacInnis, Avery Shenfeld, Shyamala B. Cowsik, Shri M. S. Srinivasan, and Spencer Abraham. To RSVP, call Christine Haub at 220-6096.

World without borders dinner and discussion

The International Business Students Association (IBSA) invite alumni and students to the World Without Borders Panel Discussion on February 3 at the Delta Bow Valley, Calgary. The evening starts at 7 pm, and the ticket price of $40 includes dinner and discussion. To RSVP, e-mail IBSA at ibsaonline@gmail.com

Drama department stages the Marriage of Figaro

The U of C’s Department of Drama will run the Marriage of Figaro, a play by Pierre-Augustin De Beaumarchais, from February 14 to February 25 (except February 20 and 21) at 7:30 pm, as well as a 2-for-1 Sunday matinee on February 19 at 2 pm, at the University Theatre. Alumni can also buy 2-for-1 tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday performances.

The New Pornographers come to campus

Vancouver’s indie-rock supergroup the New Pornographers will appear in concert on Saturday, February 18 in MacEwan Hall. Special guests are Novillero. All ages welcome, doors open 7 pm for 8 pm showtime. Tickets available through Ticketmaster, Megatunes, and Sloth Records.

Hear, touch, feel, create at the languages of material workshop.

In conjunction with The Hundred Languages of Children display from Reggio Emilia, Italy, University of Calgary alumni are invited to bring their families to a half-day workshop on Family Day, February 20. Come and enjoy a half day with your children and family exploring, discovering, and celebrating hundreds of types of materials and ways materials can be used to learn and to display what has been learned. The workshops are geared for ages 3 to 93! Workshops run from10 am to noon or 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Space is limited, so RSVP with the workshop you’d like to attend along with the number of family members attending: 220-4344 or 100Languages.children@ucalgary.ca. A suggested registration fee of $5.00 per family will subsidize the cost of supplies and refreshments.

MBA Networking Reception

The Haskayne School of Business is hosting an MBA networking reception at the Ranchman’s Club (710 13 Avenue SW) on February 15 from 5 to 7 pm. The cost of $35/person includes appetizers and beverages. To RSVP, call Kerri Savage at 220-3175 by February 6 or watch for your e-mail reminder.

New lecture series on energy, environment, and the economy

The Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) presents the ISEEE Distinguished Lecture Series, a stellar series of public lectures by internationally prominent experts and engaging speakers in various disciplines. Pat Wood III, immediate past chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; independent director of Sunpower Corp (a solar technology company) and Texas Genco (a competitive power generator) kicks off the series on Thursday, February 16 at 7 pm. For free tickets, contact Sherry West at 220-8517 or wests@ucalgary.ca

A night on the pop culture of wrestling

Ruby Tuesdays, the 40th anniversary speakers series with off-the-wall topics continues on February 21 with The Pop Culture of Wrestling and Bart Beaty. Beaty says, “Wrestling presents a strange space between performance and lies … it’s a pop culture phenomenon and it provides a fertile subject for students to think about critically.” The free event starts at 7 pm in the Prairie Ink Bakery & Restaurant of McNally Robinson Booksellers (120 8 Avenue SW).

Alumni invited to private event in Fort McMurray

The U of C is hitting the road and holding a private event in Fort McMurray for alumni that will precede an Open House for the entire Community. Join President Harvey Weingarten on Thursday, March 2 at 6 pm at the Sawridge Inn and Convention Centre (Highway 63 and Mackenzie Blvd.) RSVP by February 27 to alumni@ucalgary.ca or 1-877-220-8509.

Dance and Be Merry for Robbie Burns Day

The U of C Pipeband will be hosting their seventh annual Robbie Burns Supper and Dance on February 4 at McMahon Stadium's Red and White Club. Tickets are $40 and include a traditional supper, entertainment and dance. Tickets are available by calling: 720-6364 or 253-5899. Doors open at 6 pm.

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

Your Alumni Stories

Never Too Late for Adventure   It’s usually recent university grads who travel oversees to teach, before settling down to build careers, families and homes. Ray McLeod (BA’66) and his wife Maureen (BEd’66) are proof that such an adventure is possible at any time of life. The couple, who are in their 60s, has just returned to Calgary after nine years of living abroad. They traveled to Asia to teach English, spending five years in Japan and another several years in China.  Read more...

January 23 is on the books for being the "most depressing day" of the year. The limited daylight hours, the post-Christmas blues, and the cold makes January a tough month for many people. A recent study by a U of C researcher says that "mindfulness" can help people from plunging into a full depression. Learn more...