Our Community

Your Mount Royal News
April 17, 2025

Mount Royal University

Top stories

A scrapbook-style yearbook page from 1967 featuring cut-out photographs of students in the social work program

65 years of social work

Mount Royal’s social work program marks 65 years of empowering changemakers through education and community.

Read more ...

Emily Kingdon

Researching Giardia

Biology alumna Emily Kingdon is blending lab work and data analysis to help uncover new insight into a global parasite.

Read more ...

Benjamin Rudolph

Icerinks to algorithms

International student Benjamin Rudolph turned his passion for technology into a future of innovation and impact.

Read more ...

MRU marketing students Anastacia Davydov Vargas, Dane Driedger and Judy Gu

Empowering future marketers

MRU students share how volunteering at The Gathering gave them experience and a window into the industry.

Read more ...

Doctor assesses a patient's knee

Welcome Dr. Cristurean

Dr. Alin Cristurean has consolidated his full sports medicine practice at MRU's Health Services Medical Clinic.

Read more ...

Visit the MRU Media Room for all of our stories.

 

Announcements

Submit your Celebrate U nomination by April 30

The deadline for nominating a colleague, student or community member who enriches the Mount Royal community is rapidly approaching. Submit your Celebrate U nomination for those who embody the spirit and values of the University by April 30. Learn more.

 

New cybersecurity training platform

Many employees have explored the new cybersecurity training platform and completed their required training. Have you? Get started now to complete your required cybersecurity training before June 15. Learn more about protecting yourself and our University from cyber threats.

 

HR leadership update

Following a comprehensive search, Bonnie Thompson will be the next associate vice-president of Human Resources at MRU as of May 1. Thompson joined the University in 2022 as director of HR, employee and labour relations. A dedicated member of the MRU community, she has more than 20 years of HR experience in the post-secondary environment. As the AVP of HR, Thompson will lead MRU’s dedicated team of HR professionals in delivering an exceptional employee experience and working towards MRU’s goal to be an employer of choice.

 

Transition in ITS leadership

Chief Information Officer Tom Durnin is retiring from MRU as of June 30. The University extends its deepest gratitude to Durnin for his significant contributions and unwavering dedication. His leadership has been instrumental in evolving MRU’s IT Services department and supporting MRU’s success. A comprehensive search for a new leader for ITS is underway. More information will be provided as the process develops. In the meantime, we thank everyone for their patience and ongoing collaboration in support of business continuity and stability across ITS.

 

G-wing update: Construction on Level 2

A wall will be built on the north side of the second level of Main Street at the end of this month. This work will take place overnight. Please respect all signage for your safety and that of others. Learn more.

 

Bargaining update

For updates on the meetings between the Board and MRFA and MRSA negotiating committees, visit mru.ca/Bargaining.

 

Policy update: Off-campus activities safety policy

The Off-Campus Activity Policy and webpage have been updated to include more resources and tools, as well as a revamped Off Campus Activity Registry Form One. This new simplified online form is required for all travel outside of Calgary, and provides a means for the University to be able to track the whereabouts of employees and students when traveling for University-sanctioned activities. Learn more and view the form.

 

Register for wellness events in May

Join Employee Wellness on April 30 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. as the puppies from CAHS return for Puppy Cuddles in I124. On May 1, we begin a six-week Breathwork and Meditation Series from 12:05 to 12:50 p.m with Ginette D’Entremont from Alchemy Yoga Cochrane. On May 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., the Apothecary returns for a Summer Sun Outdoor Fun Workshop in EA1010. Learn more and register.

 

Enjoy a night of jazz on May 23 in the Nickle Theatre

Get tickets for MRU Conservatory’s Jazz on Lincoln Park. The second installment of the series is coming up on Friday, May 23, and features Calgary’s own incredible jazz musician Jon Day and a fantastic band. The night also includes an intimate chat with the artists so audience members meet the people behind the music. Get tickets for $15 each when you buy two or more.

 

Travel advice and assistance

Concerns have recently arisen over international travel. More information for MRU employees is available through the Office of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement and Risk Management.

 

The 7th International GNPHN Conference

Join us for the 7th International Global Network of Public Health Nursing (GNPHN) Conference jointly hosted by Mount Royal and the University of Calgary (supported by Tourism Calgary). Held July 28 to 30, this prestigious event will bring together public health professionals from around the world. Learn more.

 

Innovations and AI Solutions: Navigating the Future of Practice-based Teaching and Learning

The Faculty of Health, Community and Education is hosting a teaching and learning conference focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and simulation strategies. This conference is for educators in post-secondary institutions or clinical/practicum settings who work with practice-based professions to share best practices, ideas and research. Learn more.

 

Dell’s spring sale

Get great deals on top tech for a limited time during Dell’s spring sale. From April 4 to 18, you can take advantage of exclusive member savings at dell.ca/mpp/myroyal.

 

MRU in the Media — In case you missed it

Calgary author releases children’s book about Punjabi pioneer Harnam Singh Hari

CTV Calgary — Kelly Kaur, faculty

 

Calgary police officers no longer have to provide their name

Calgary Herald — Doug King & Kelly Sundberg, faculty

 

MRU pitch winner

CBC Calgary’s The Home Stretch — Maverick McCullaugh, student

 

Expansive Mount Royal University research incorporates student participation

Calgary Herald — Connie Van der Byl, AVP research, scholarship and community engagement; Jeela Acedo, Anthony Chaston and Jared Fletcher, faculty

 

Mount Royal program brings kids with diverse needs together with students

CBC Daybreak — David Legg, faculty; Logan James and McKenna Gorling, students

 

Mount Royal University, faculty, students and alumni are often featured in the media. To subscribe to the daily MRU Media report, email mediarelations@mtroyal.ca.

 

Bleed Blue

Lynn Moorman awarded the King Charles lll Coronation Medal

Dr. Lynn Moorman, PhD, a professor with MRU’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is heading to Ottawa next week to accept the King Charles lll Coronation Medal. Moorman was nominated by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society for her work with the International Commission on Geographic Education’s study on AI in geography, teaching and learning. The medal is part of Canada’s national honours system and is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

 

Librarian featured in The Conversation

MRU Librarian Richard Hayman writes about Canada’s Tri-Agency draft update to its open access policy in The Conversation. While the draft reaffirms that publicly funded research should be freely accessible to all, Hayman argues it could go further with meaningful monitoring to improve compliance and reduce financial barriers for researchers. Read more.

 

Events

Featured event

Event poster for A TSO TSI I KA KIMAN

Special advance screening: A TSO TSI I KA KIMAN

A TSO TSI I KA KIMAN (Combined Effort) is a documentary film about the Blackfoot creation story of ani to pisi at Mount Royal University. The film is about how the seed of an idea came to life, bringing together and impacting our university, and then began vibrating beyond into the community and has touched the lives of those involved. Get tickets for an advance screening on April 24 at the Bella Concert Hall.


Check out all the events happening in and around campus on our new events calendar.

 

Have a story, announcement or info to share?

Summit and website stories

We would love to hear about your story! Go to the online story submission tool and guidelines.

MyMRU announcements

Please send announcements for MyMRU's homepage to mymru@mtroyal.ca. Review the guidelines.

Start of semester emails, with option for distribution list
sign-up

As each semester begins (August/September and December/January), areas with ongoing employee activities can send an email to all employees describing their semester activities. Employees can then choose to opt in to that area's distribution list (Google Group) for regular updates. If you would like to send an email and/or set up a Google Group for your area, please contact Marketing and Communications for guidelines.

X icon  Facebook icon  LinkedIn icon  Instagram icon  YouTube icon

4825 Mount Royal Gate SW | Calgary, Alberta | T3E 6K6, Canada
ourcommunity@mtroyal.ca | mtroyal.ca

Copyright @ 2025 Mount Royal University, All rights reserved.

Privacy policy | Manage your email subscriptions | View as webpage