May 2009, Vol 8, No 5

History in the making

Distinguished alumnus Robert Thirsk, BSc'76, fills our U magazine cover for the Spring issue (in your mailbox in a couple of weeks), and deservedly so. Later this month, Bob will rocket skyward aboard a Soyuz vehicle to start a historic six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. We've created a page dedicated to Bob's amazing journey where you can send him a message, "get fit" with Bob and catch all the latest mission news.

» Send a "best wishes" message to Robert Thirsk

Hong Kong community-builder leads Arch Awards

We're pleased to announce our 2009 Arch Award recipients are Peter K.K. Wong, BSc'83, Jeffrey Veale, BSc'97, MD'00, and Mark Blackwell, a third-year Haskayne School of Business student. These richly deserving recipients inspire today's students and make the entire University of Calgary community proud. We'll celebrate them at an invitation-only gala in Calgary on June 4. Learn More...

Houston chapter has liftoff

Shiva Shenoy, BSc'02, the inaugural president of the new U of C alumni chapter in Houston, will tap into his boundless energy to help build an alumni network that will welcome new grads to the city in the future. Learn More...

H1N1 influenza update

Canada is reporting 140 cases of the H1N1 flu nationally, Alberta Health has confirmed 24 cases of the virus in Alberta. In all but one case in Alberta, those affected are exhibiting symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and the vast majority of cases recover completely. If you need more information or are seeking guidance before travelling, the U of C has daily updates, or you can visit Health Canada's site.

A legacy with impact

Not long after she finished high school, Erika Pochailo, BA'70, BEd'84, found herself divorced with a small son. So, she headed to U of C, took out student loans and graduated with a BA in Economics. She and her second husband, Maurice, both received education degrees and went on to become teachers. When he died, she wanted to celebrate his memory. Learn More...

Mossop's legacy grows

Grant Mossop, BSc'70, MSc'71, PhD'73, lived life to the fullest, always enlivening and encouraging everyone around him. When the 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient passed away suddenly, many were searching for a way to acknowledge and express their gratitude for the impact he had had on their lives. In response, his family created The Grant Mossop Graduate Scholarship in Geology, an endowed scholarship which will be awarded for the first time this fall. Learn More...

First film alumni ready to take on movie world

What does one do with a degree in film studies? Ask Sarah Windsor or Matt Bigg—two fourth-year communication and culture students who know firsthand. When classes are out, they are serious about making it in Alberta's burgeoning film industry. Learn More...

Education alumna a Woman of Vision

Barbara Bannon, BEd'73, DipEd'81, a Calgary educator, innovator and principal at Olympic Heights Elementary, a vibrant southwest school with one of the largest and most diverse student populations in Alberta. Recognized as the March 2009 Global Woman of Vision, her story will be aired on Global Television as part of a one-hour special on May 9. Learn More...

Coffee sleeve queen

If we had an award for the first alumna to have her face plastered on a mass-produced coffee cup sleeve, it would go to Theresa Howland, BComm'99, Bullfrog Power's western region VP. Good Earth Cafe is celebrating their relationship with Bullfrog on their 100 percent recycled sleeve, complete with Theresa's snap. Learn more about Good Earth Cafe's commitment to the environment...

APEGGA recognize three alumni

The 2009 APEGGA Summit Awards recognized three U of C alumni among 12 recipients: James Haslett, MSc'68, PhD'70, (left) for technical service; Mark Petovello, BSc'98, PhD'03, for early career achievement, and Ian McIlreath, PhD'77, for professional service. Established in 1920, APEGGA regulates the practices of engineering, geology and geophysics in Alberta. Learn More...

Are you interested?

Many universities offer educational travel programs as an alumni benefit. The U of C is in the early stages of researching if such a program would appeal to our alumni, and what destinations would be attractive. If you are interested in hearing more about this program as we put this together, please email us and we'll be happy to give you the inside scoop in the coming months.

We're also curious to know if you would like to pursue volunteer opportunities with others from the U of C community, such as working with fellow alumni, students, faculty and friends on a Habitat for Humanity build. If this appeals to you, please let us know and we'll channel your gift of time into a larger group effort.

Thank you.

Geography Department reunion

The Department of Geography is planning a September 2009 reunion of graduate students and staff from 1964 to 1972. A reception is planned for Friday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Administration Building's Atrium to celebrate, get reacquainted and reminisce on a time when the university was young, and the campus a mere shadow of its present landscape. Further details are available from lholford@ucalgary.ca.

Spring reading gets cheaper

Want a head start on your cottage reading? U of C alumni receive a 10% discount on regularly priced books at Calgary's Owl's Nest Bookstore when you show your alumni card. Don't have an alumni card? Click here for details on how to get one.

Meteor hunters break records

The spectacular asteroid fireball that lit up the skies of northern Alberta and Saskatchewan last November has now broken the Canadian record for meteorites recovered from a single fall, according to the U of C's Alan Hildebrand, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Planetary Science, who is leading the search for the remains of the asteroid fragment. More than 1000 meteorite pieces have been discovered in farmers' fields in the Buzzard Coulee region just southeast of the border city of Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan and thousands more remain to be recovered now that the search has resumed. Learn More...