UCalgary Launches Hunter Student Commons to Enhance Student Experience and Encourage Entrepreneurial Thinking

Calgary, AB – Launching today on the site of the former MacKimmie Block, the new Hunter Student Commons building enhances the student experience and provides a central innovation space for the University of Calgary. The new complex is designed to be a place where students can explore something, create something and even disrupt something.

The opening is the culmination of three significant building projects across UCalgary made possible by $270.6 million in support from the Government of Alberta. It includes $135 million to create the brand-new Hunter Student Commons, helping UCalgary improve accessibility and the student experience, as well as the MacKimmie Tower redevelopment and upgrades to the Professional Faculties Building.

“This new state-of-the-art space in the heart of campus will foster talent and innovation for years to come. Together: government, institutions, industry, and stakeholders can develop Alberta’s world-class post-secondary system to attract and develop the best and brightest – from Alberta and from around the world.”

Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education

Hunter Student Commons is named in honour of the Hunter Family, whose ongoing philanthropic support, including $40 million to establish the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, has helped UCalgary become Canada’s entrepreneurial university.

“Thank you to the Government of Alberta for making this redevelopment possible. And a very special thank you to the Hunter family for enabling this vision where our students, faculty and staff can come together to explore the incredible possibilities of innovation and how we can impact the world.”

Dr. Ed McCauley, PhD, president and vice-chancellor, UCalgary

The top floor of the building is the permanent home of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, replacing its temporary location in MacEwan Student Centre. Established in 2017, the Hub offers an innovation sandbox, workstations for startups, and event space to promote networking and engagement. The new permanent location gives UCalgary an expanded central innovation space to build entrepreneurial momentum on campus. 

"We wanted to equip the next generation with an entrepreneurial mindset so they can be prepared to change careers multiple times over.”

Derrick Hunter, MBA’90, president and CEO of Bluesky Equities Ltd. and a trustee of the Hunter Family Foundation

“It’s really important to have a central space for the community to demystify entrepreneurship. We might have people come in here who aren’t sure about the innovation ecosystem. Making it tangible and making people know each other and support each other to build their businesses. Hunter Student Commons will be game-changer in building and amplifying innovation at the University of Calgary and across Calgary.”

Keri Damen, executive director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking

The Hunter Student Commons building is also the new home of UCalgary’s Registrar’s Office, which includes Enrolment Services, and provides advisors who can deliver answers on everything from finance to graduation requirements. Future students can also meet with recruitment teams, access admissions workshops and take tours from a new Prospective Student Hub.

Already a national leader in green-building practices, the University of Calgary’s Hunter Student Commons is a zero-carbon certified for design building along with the redeveloped MacKimmie Tower. As a smart building, Hunter Student Commons provides real-time analytics on energy performance. Solar panels on the walls capture Calgary’s abundant sunshine, while the use of concrete and glass allow it to use the elements as natural heating and cooling systems.

 

Media inquiries
Jacqueline Sinnett
Advisor, Media and Issues Management 
Office of Advancement  
403-389-3476
jmsinnet@ucalgary.ca

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top-five research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 35,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of startups. Start something today at the University of Calgary.

 

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