Behind the scenes with UCalgary development and alumni engagement, communications, and marketing teams

Have you ever wondered who designed the vibrant, red-and-gold University of Calgary banners hanging from the light standards along Campus Drive?

Do you know who pulls together messages such as the poster in Mac Hall, inviting you to join the full day of activities about exploring identity and mental health on March 5, or the online calendar invitation to attend the Sustainability Awards on March 19?

Or maybe you’ve browsed through the alumni publication, UCalgary Magazine, and wondered how the writer found out about the subject.

On any given day, dozens of marketing and communications professionals are hard at work, celebrating and sharing information about what makes the University of Calgary a special place. Some of these people are directly linked to faculties and administrative units, while others work centrally to support them.  

Communication staff are also lifelong learners, adjusting their thinking and practices as their professions advance. This includes attending conferences and meetings with their counterparts in other post-secondary institutions and in their fields of practice.

Often at these gatherings, UCalgary is well represented among award winners. For example, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement of professionals who work in areas such as communications, marketing, development, and alumni. At the recent Vancouver conference of the CASE District VIII district, which includes Alberta, UCalgary teams and individuals had a great year, as witnessed by the list of communicators from faculties as well as University Relations and Development and Alumni Engagement who collected kudos for their work. Hong Truong, pictured above, won the Rising Star Award.

Along with the awards to staff, there was special presentation at this year’s event. UCalgary President Emerita Elizabeth Cannon received the prestigious Leadership Award for Distinguished Service. Dr. Cannon was recognized for her eight years of leadership, acknowledged for her pursuit of excellence in transforming the student experience, and advancing research outcomes and strengthening community ties. Cannon is well known for her innovative stewardship of UCalgary as well as for her commitment to building a culture of philanthropy to support the university’s ongoing $1.3 billion Energize campaign.