KICKOFF: game on, party on

There hasn't been an event like it in 40 years at the University of Calgary, but what a great start it will be to our next 40. KICKOFF is the U of C’s once-in-four-decades, all-day birthday bash for you from your U on Saturday, September 9th.

Everyone – alumni, students, faculty and staff – is invited to this celebration to remember. Your family and friends are welcome to join us, and tickets, which are limited, must be reserved in advance. KICKOFF will bring back special memories for many alumni, whether you’re a new grad only months removed from convocation or a retiree who hasn’t been on campus in a couple of decades. Billed as a gritty gridiron rock’n’roll thriller, KICKOFF will have something for everyone: a Dinos game, complete with giant tailgate bash, wrapped in a rock concert, inside a colossal party. Best of all, KICKOFF is a completely free event for everyone, and much-appreciated donations will support a U of C 40th birthday bursary.

McMahon Stadium is host to this birthday bash that also serves as a resounding “thank-you” to all alumni from the past 40 years whose success has made the U of C the standout university it is today. And with music from four decades, KICKOFF will be loud: the Stampeders, Spirit of the West, and Bedouin Soundclash will take the stage in a three-pronged concert at halftime and immediately following the Dinos’ home-opening clash with their chief rivals, the U of A Golden Bears.

KICKOFF will also serve as a chance to reconnect with old friends and classmates, but without the bad suits, crash diets and awkward conversations of a formal reunion. You can hook up with other alumni from your faculty at the tailgate party prior to the football game and concert. Watch your inbox for more information on this once-in-a-lifetime event.

KICKOFF 09.09.06. You will want to be a part of it.

U of C makes new connection with Edmonton alumni

The U of C, SAIT Polytechnic and Calgary Health Region served up a Stampede Breakfast on July 13 to guests and passers-by on Edmonton’s Jasper Avenue to mark the official opening of CALGARY Connection, an office the three organizations will share to better manage relationships with key supporters in the provincial capital.

Most of each organization’s day-to-day work at CALGARY Connection will be independent of one another. The value in collaborating is in sharing facility costs and resources, and in improving access to Edmonton and northern-based stakeholders. The U of C will also use the new office to interact more effectively with our thousands of alumni in Edmonton and area, and to recruit potential students.

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Learning more about brain cancer

Recent research led by the U of C’s Dr. Gregory Cairncross will help physicians better identify different kinds of brain cancer — a finding which will help determine the best course of treatment. Innovative ways to test brain tumours and customize treatments will be developed in a new molecular diagnostics laboratory in the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

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Searching for the fountain of youth

A U of C researcher may have discovered the fountain of youth. Unfortunately, the secret is a lot of water and not much else, according to a new study on how muscles age.

In an article published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, Dr. Russ Hepple and colleagues in the Faculty of Kinesiology report that elderly rats living on a sparse diet that provides them with essential nutrients but a bare minimum of calories have the muscle power of much younger rats, leading to the conclusion that a restricted diet could be central to living a long and active life.

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Toronto alumni play ball at Blue Jays game

U of C President Harvey Weingarten hosted 150 Toronto-based alumni and guests in a Rogers Centre suite on July 19 as the Blue Jays squared off against the Texas Rangers. Prior to the game, alumni enjoyed renewing old acquaintances and making new ones as they munched on ballpark franks, met Blue Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum for autographs, and looked on as Weingarten threw the ceremonial first pitch in front of 20,000 fans.

For Avil Beckford, BComm’91, and president of Ambeck Enterprise, a business information research, analysis and writing services company, it was the perfect occasion to get connected with other U of C alumni living and working in the Toronto area. “I’m not a fan of sport but I thought it was important to take advantage of this opportunity,” she says. “It was a beautiful experience, and there was great camaraderie among the group. It was also nice to put faces to names from the university’s administration.”

David Eisenstadt, BA’66, initially pitched the idea for the event and was instrumental in seeing it through to fruition. The festive evening was one in a year-long series of events to celebrate the university’s 40th anniversary in 2006-07.

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40th anniversary celebrations head for the hills

Join us for ideas, irreverence, words and wine at Ruby Banff, part of the Ruby Tuesday 40th anniversary event series, at The Rose & Crown, 202 Banff Ave. in Banff on August 18th, from 7 to 9pm. This event is free and no RSVP is necessary, but you should arrive early for a seat! Speakers include Dr. Mary Reid, associate professor in biological sciences and director of the BSc Environmental Science Program, and Management of Mountain Pine Beetle in Canada’s Mountain National Parks representative. The evening will provide an engaging discussion on interesting scientific challenges posed by the mountain pine beetle. For more information, email rubytuesdays@ucalgary.ca.

Trudeau to speak at social work gala

Justin Trudeau will present the keynote address at the Faculty of Social Work's 40th anniversary gala, Friday November 24. Workshops and alumni event on Saturday, November 25. Location: Telus Convention Centre. Check fsw.ucalgary.ca for information or email ldulaney@ucalgary.ca.

‘Illustrious son’ tries to change Peruvian politics

Percy Luis Garcia goes by many names and titles—Peruvian, “illustrious son of Pasco,” University of Calgary student, Haskayne School of Business research associate, master’s of Environmental Design, PhD in resources and the environment, among others.

But one new title that could soon be on the lips of more than 270,000 citizens in the Peruvian highlands of Pasco, is Presidente Regional de Pasco (Regional President of Pasco).

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