Energized by you

Be inspired by stories of how giving ignites positive change for students, research and in our community

Having immigrated to Canada as children, alumni Patricia Gonzalez and Slavko Uzelac understand the hardships that come with starting over. When they established the Learn, Lead, Inspire Award in 2019, they did so to make life a little easier for students who have children.

David Moll

Finding balance — on and off the court

Like all student-athletes, Ezeoha Santiago has had to perfect the art of balancing two demanding pursuits: athletics and academics. Thanks to donors and volunteers, the Sixth Man Club has his back.

When Gail and David O'Brien established the O'Brien Institute for Public Health, they did so out of a passion for medicine and education — and a belief in the critical importance of public health. One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute has more than demonstrated its immeasurable value.

Precision testing in the palm of your hand

With a boost from UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem, a new COVID-19 test could improve health outcomes in populations far and wide.

Research institute finds solutions to real public health challenges

Interdisciplinary approach at O’Brien Institute for Public Health is changing lives around the world.

For his ninth birthday, Cade Morey decided to do something different. Instead of asking for presents, he kindly requested that friends and family donate to lung cancer research, in hopes of helping people like his poppa.

Creating value from waste

Innovative agricultural company Ceres Solutions Ltd. is thriving with help from the University of Calgary’s entrepreneurial programs and business networks.

Getting a leg up

Paying it forward has always been second nature for Tannis Kemp. So a scholarship that aims to help students who give back to the community has found its perfect match.

Harley Hotchkiss, who passed away in 2011, had a famously big heart and wide philanthropic reach. His family continues that legacy of transformative positive impact, in particular through their vision and giving around brain and mental health research at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Science meets business

Setting his sights on marine life as the key to unlocking solutions to environmental problems, Haskayne Legacy Scholarship winner Matias Totz aims to give back while innovating.

Hope for adults with OCD

Researchers at the Cumming School of Medicine have partnered with Alberta Health Services to develop an innovative, integrated clinical research program to address challenges in treating people with OCD.

The 2014 Brentwood tragedy that saw five young people senselessly lose their lives was an unspeakably heartbreaking event. But it also inspired an outpouring of compassion and generosity. In striving to help young adults build personal resiliency, Calgary rancher and businessman John Simpson helped create UCalgaryStrong — a dynamic, campus-wide initiative aimed at equipping students with skills to become grounded leaders able to cope with the stress of student life.

Youthful Ambition

At 15, Carolina Romeo started university, made the varsity field hockey team, and was awarded one of the most prestigious renewable scholarships on campus.

Loneliness Matters at Every Age

Researchers at the Mathison Centre are working to not only debunk damaging mental health myths around depression in seniors, but also rapidly uncover solutions.

Upstanding Citizens

Upstanders speaks to heart of the donor whose gift established UCalgaryStrong nearly five years ago.

Remote Doesn’t Mean Alone

How a visionary gift fuels excellence in teaching — and enabled the university to pivot to online learning without skipping a beat.

Clear Minds, Open Hearts

A milestone gift both empowers students and provides a path to accessible mental health for vulnerable Calgarians.

Young Man, Old Soul, Unforgettable Legacy

A memorial scholarship celebrates the legacy of a brilliant young alumnus.

Meanwhile, Back at the Largest Outdoor Classroom in North America . . .

The campaign’s largest (by the hectare, that is) gift transforms animal-health education.

First-Gen Trailblazer

The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking empowers an innovative alumna to pioneer wider access to higher education.

The Art of Building Resilience

A special scholarship drives a star student-athlete to win on the mat and in the classroom.

Sunny Ways

The campaign’s youngest donor puts his grandfather first and supports the future of cancer prevention and treatment.

Personal Best

UCalgaryStrong gives a young leader courage and strength to be herself and find success.

Meet the Energizers

The visionaries, legends and game-changers who drove the campaign — and brought it home

Meet our donors

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Every two months, we'll bring you personal stories behind UCalgary's Energize campaign, illuminating the supporters and recipients who make this university great. We'll also share the latest in UCalgary research, innovation and entrepreneurship — advancements that are made possible by you.

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