The year in photos
Our best shots of 2016
Celebration. Loss. Building. Discovery. Growth. Hope. 2016 was a year of extremes. Here we share some of our favourite photos that capture the events—and the sentiment—of the year that was.
Welcoming
Who knew that thousands of insects taking up residence on the roof of Building 5 would generate such buzz (and oh, so many puns)? People can’t seem to get enough when it comes to the university’s colony of bees—and their honey. The spoils from the hives’ first harvest sold out in 23 minutes flat.
Each November the university invites thousands of prospective students to Open House to check out its programs. This year, a stellar sunrise lit up the university’s iconic towers and added to the warm welcome offered by hundreds of university students, staff and faculty. #nofilter
In May, MacEwan Residence transformed into a temporary home for 784 evacuees from Fort McMurray. In the weeks that followed, students, staff and faculty members rallied to help our new community members who had been displaced by devastating wildfires.
Old friends share new beginnings during the Annual Downtown Campus Block Party.
Celebrating
At the end of January, we celebrated cultural diversity at Global Awareness Week.
Elaine Beltaos, mathematics associate professor, shared her passion for pie and pi in March for Pi Day 2016.
Bill Comrie’s game-changing $1.5-million donation to MacEwan University Athletics in 2015 allows the men and women’s hockey teams to each award six $5,000 scholarships annually beginning in 2017/18. In honour of Bill’s generosity, MacEwan University installed a bust created by internationally acclaimed sculptor Greg Polutanovich in the lobby of the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness.
You didn’t have to look too far to find a variety of interesting characters roaming MacEwan’s halls on Halloween.
Building
In its second year of construction, the new Centre for Arts and Culture really began to take shape. We’re looking forward to a Year of Celebration in 2017—an opportunity to say goodbye to the old Centre for the Arts and Communications and welcome our colleagues to their new state-of-the-art downtown home.
Alumna Brenda Draney, who was commissioned as the artist for the atrium space in the new Centre for Arts and Culture, shared her vision for the impressive, airy space on a summer sneak-peek of the building.
Creating
In August, the Aboriginal Education Centre was renamed Kihew Watston, which means “eagle’s nest” in Cree. The home away from home for MacEwan University's Indigenous students is a place to gather, work and grow in a community that honours the distinctive knowledge of Indigenous peoples.
A rare behind-the-scenes look at a Theatre Production student creating some of the magic that sets that stage during the university’s theatre season.
A palette of possibilities.
Remembering
In October, photos of red dresses were displayed throughout campus as part of the REdress Photography Project to honour the memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The photos and dresses were a jarring reminder of those who should be here, but are not."
Discovering
Samuel Mugo, associate professor in Chemistry, (above) and Anna Pienkowski, assistant professor in Earth and Planetary Sciences, joined eight other MacEwan researchers who have received funding through NSERC since 2014. In total, university faculty members have to date received $710,000 in Discovery Grants in addition to two smaller Discovery Development Grants.
Performing
The Big Band and Showcase Band performances are always a hit. Students David, Allie and Ali shared their thoughts about stepping on stage.
Theatre Arts students brought Nice Work If You Can Get It, Heathers and Curtains to life on stage during the 2015/16 theatre season.
Changing
There’s no doubt that the landscape of MacEwan’s neighbourhood is changing—the addition of Roger’s Place, the Royal Alberta Museum, the Brewery District and MacEwan’s own Centre for Arts and Culture were all part of our chat with alumnus and City Councillor Scott McKeen.
Inspiring
We know it’s our people who make us great. That’s why we’ve featured stories from more than 40 alumni and faculty members, including Sheila Hordal and her therapy dog Bazzinga, in the university’s Connected, Engaged, Inspired campaign. Get to know our people.
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