2024 Order of the University of Calgary Recipient

UCalgary Students’ Union Director of Legal and Human Resources, whose remarkable advocacy efforts as a student leader and continued champion for student needs at the university significantly enriches campus life.

Branden Cave came to the University of Calgary in 2012 from his family’s farm near Rimbey, Alberta. Branden quickly became involved in the student movement and served in leadership roles with various student groups such as the former Residence Students’ Association and the Students of the Arts and Science Honours Academy.

Cave eventually served as Students’ Union Vice President Operations and Finance in 2016 and was elected President of the Students’ Union in 2017. During his time with the Students’ Union, Branden took a leading role in the resolution of the longstanding Mac Hall dispute, which secured the perpetual rights of students in the building and established a groundbreaking partnership between the Students’ Union and the university. He also advocated municipally, provincially, and federally on student issues – particularly for adequate campus infrastructure funding. 

In 2017, Cave received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with first class honours from the University of Calgary. He received a Master of Science degree in economics and econometrics with distinction from the University of Nottingham in 2019, and his law degree from the University of Toronto in 2022. After completing his articles with the national law firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in 2023, Cave rejoined the University of Calgary Students’ Union as Director, Legal and Human Resources where he now helps coach and mentor the next generation of student leaders.