It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The biggest alumni event of the year is back with 2 weeks of exciting in-person and virtual sessions, activities and special offers from Oct 15 to 30. 

As Alumni All-Access (AAA) 2024 approaches, we’re thrilled to share a preview of the first half of this year’s lineup. From insightful virtual sessions on workplace dynamics to unique in-person experiences like a guided astrophysical observatory tour, there’s something for everyone in the first half of AAA.

Alumni All-Access 2024 is open to everyone — alumni, community members and their families! Space may be limited on some events, so we encourage you to register as early as possible.

For more details and to register, visit the Alumni All-Access 2024 page.

These events offer opportunities to learn, connect and engage with the University of Calgary community, making it a true celebration of knowledge, community service and campus spirit. Here's a closer look at what's in store for the first half of this exciting event series:

October 15: 
We hit the ground running on opening day with a virtual session titled The High-Performing Workplace. This session focuses on building a resilient and productive work environment and will give participants the opportunity to gain insights from industry professionals about enhancing team dynamics and leadership effectiveness. Robert Ellis, BKin’06, senior manager of University of Calgary Athletics, will be joined by Christine Meaden, MCE’01, superintendent of Fusion Collegiate, and Jenifer Snell, BA’07, a certified performance and career-development coach. 

"The importance of enhancing team dynamics and leadership can be summed up in one word: success,” says Ellis. “A strong team not only meets but exceeds goals, reaching new heights (and) a leader ensures everyone is aligned, making each move as efficient and impactful as possible.”

For something extra eye-opening, join us for a caffeinated in-person field trip: a behind-the-scenes tour of Canadian Heritage Roasting Company. This successful Alumni Built Business venture was founded by former wildland firefighters Jamie Parker, BSc’15, and Mike Wenzlawe. Witness how Canadian Heritage Roasting marries fresh coffee with the urge to explore, and how the owners’ love for wilderness and Alberta's clear skies is infused in every cup. Note: there is a $10 charge for this event and attendees receive a complimentary bag of beans.

DID YOU KNOW? Canadian Heritage Roasting Company’s incredible “Buy a Bag, Plant a Tree” program plants one tree for every bag of beans sold. The business has planted more than 101,000 trees in the past three years and is looking to plant a million more by 2030.

Day 1 wraps with EARTHx: The Ice Age Time Traveller, an in-person and livestreamed event in which participants explore the impacts of climate change through the lens of history. Placer gold miners discovered a mummified baby woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) in the Klondike region of the Yukon in the summer of 2022. The mammoth was given the name Nun cho ga by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, which means “Big animal baby” in the Hän language. They have also assumed a guardianship role of this mammoth and, importantly, introduced Indigenous spirituality to the discovery. Hear from Debbie Nagano, an artist, a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in citizen and a member of the Wolf Clan, and Jeffrey Bond, BSc’93, a surficial geologist and former manager with the Yukon Geological Survey. 

October 16: 
Find yourself looking up into the stardust and ether of the night sky? Maybe space and astronomy are more your thing. Learn about the latest research at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory (RAO) while sipping hot chocolate and stargazing on this alumni field trip. This is an in-person event where alumni can experience the wonders of the night sky with a tour led by expert astronomers from Team Astro, a group of volunteer astrophysics and physics students excited to share their astronomy knowledge. 

“We are one of the only universities in Canada with an observatory that consists of research-grade telescopes and our site has three!” says Hadleigh Bluhm, volunteer co-ordinator for Team Astro, as well as an RAO Astrophysics summer student. What also makes the RAO special is that it was built with the intent of public outreach. Adds Bluhm: “It is a place where the public can learn about our place in the universe, astrophysics and telescopes.”

October 17: 
The 2024 Arch Awards will celebrate six visionary alumni who demonstrate extraordinary devotion to thriving and connected communities. Since 1985, the UCalgary Alumni Association has recognized outstanding alumni who demonstrate innovation and excellence in their careers and communities. This year we honour Pat Carlson, BSc'75 (Eng); Dr. Karim-Aly S. Kassam, BA'87, PhD; Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, BA'04; Sumantra Monty Ghosh, BSc'03, MBT'04, MD'09; Joanne Cuthbertson, BEd'73, Hon. LLD'11; and Dr. Asha Hollis, BHSc'17, MSc'22, MD'22.

FEATURE: Why Care about Pat Carlson? (We Do — and With Good Reason)

October 18:
Delve into the world of vet-med at a virtual session titled Dig In! to Animal Care & Vet Adventures with leading experts including Dr. Doug Whiteside, DVM, DVSc, a UCalgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) associate professor who is also the head veterinarian and senior manager at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. “Dr. Doug” will be joined by Dr. Katherine Sparkman, DVM’12, a veterinarian with the Alpine Vet Clinic; Dr. Dayna Goldsmith, BSc’10, DVM’13, a veterinary anatomic pathologist and UCVM instructor; and Dr. Scott Zaari, DVM’13, director of Veterinarians Without Borders. The event will be moderated by Dr. Rebecca Archer, BSc’03, DVM, UCVM’s associate dean. 

FEATURE: Eight Things Your Pet Wishes You Knew

October 19:
Go Dinos! Support your UCalgary Dinos men’s and women’s volleyball teams as they take on the University of Manitoba Bisons in a special Alumni All-Access double-header! This event is a great way to connect with fellow alumni while supporting the university’s athletic teams.

Alumni can register to attend the games for FREE. 

"Playing in the Jack Simpson is a unique experience," says Robert Ellis, who is also a Dinos Volleyball alum. "The energy, fuelled by enthusiastic students in the stands, was powerful and often translated directly into success on the court."

DID YOU KNOW UCalgary Alumni can enjoy a 25-per cent discount on sport-specific season tickets for Dinos Athletics. This special offer is available until Oct. 31! Visit here and use the code 24-25UCALGARYALUMNI25% at checkout. Must be purchased online. 

October 21:
Slice, dice and make a difference at UCalgary's Campus Food Hub! Ladle UP! Volunteer for Food Prep is an in-person event where alumni can contribute to the community by helping prepare meals for those in need. The Campus Food Hub is looking for volunteers to prep ingredients for delicious soups that will be cooked fresh for students. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to reconnect with your alma mater, meet fellow alumni and support our vibrant community.  

“Food insecurity is a critical concern on campus. A recent survey by Meal Exchange (2021) indicated that 47.4% of UCalgary student respondents experienced some level of food insecurity in the 2020–2021 school year.” – Campus Food Hub

October 22:
Explore the future of life sciences innovation at Innovate Calgary's Alumni All-Access tour of the Life Sciences Innovation Hub Labs. Explore state-of-the-art labs, cutting-edge research and see how we're transforming ideas into real-world health-care solutions. Don't miss your chance to dive into innovation with expert insights from Associate Director Alla Bondareva, who holds a certificate in professional management from UCalgary. Limited spots available — secure yours today! 

“The Life Sciences Innovation Hub, in collaboration with the University of Calgary, provides students, researchers and entrepreneurs with access to the infrastructure, equipment and expertise they need to transform life and medical science research into impactful industry solutions.” – Innovate Calgary

Join the Stay Ahead with Digital Transformation webinar to explore the cutting-edge world of digital innovation and learn how to stay competitive in today's fast-evolving technological landscape. Presented by UCalgary Continuing Education, the session features expert insights from Dr. Vui Kien Liau, PhD, associate director of technology programs at UCalgary and a certified Microsoft trainer with more than 15 years of experience in digital transformation, and Wilson Ho, business and digital transformation advisor with Ablegate Consulting Inc. and a visionary leader with more than 20 years of experience in business and digital transformation across fintech, edtech and other areas.  

"Continuous learning empowers our community at all stages of their lifelong learning journey,” says Dr. Sheila Leblanc, DBA, associate vice-president of Continuing Education. “It’s a truly rewarding experience to be able to offer continuing education for our alumni and our community as we continue to expand our resources to support lifelong learning."

DID YOU KNOW that UCalgary alumni are eligible for a 15-per cent discount on Continuing Education courses? Navigate your career and enrich your life through an impressive variety of offerings, from art to IT! Learn more.

UCalgary is creating a ripple effect through its research, community and organizational partnerships. By leveraging institutional resources and building relationships, UCalgary is helping to address water security and sanitation issues on local and global scales. Join us for Creating Tomorrow: Water Research as we explore these relationships, partnerships and the people involved. Hear from the experts currently working on innovative projects and learn more about how you can get involved. 

Alumni programs are made possible through the generous support of UCalgary Alumni Association partners TD Insurance and Manulife.