Celebrate UAlberta’s Vibrant Community

Our university thrives in autumn as the academic year winds into full swing. You may have noticed that as the trees start to turn, green and gold is cropping up other places as well. On North Campus, thanks to the Faculty of Science, the windows of the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science have been wrapped in the University of Alberta’s colours, and offices on all five campuses are being decked out in preparation for the next few days. They’ll be busy days but also celebratory, as we gather together with neighbours, friends, and alumni at a number of major fall events highlighting the vibrancy of the U of A’s broad community.

I invite you to take a few moments out of your normal routine and join me in celebration at:

Green & Gold Day: Tomorrow, show your U of A pride and spirit by wearing green and gold for the day. Join me in the Quad on North Campus over the noon hour for the 2nd annual Green and Gold Day parade, pep rally, and dodgeball game. There will be food trucks for lunch and more.

Alumni Weekend: Also beginning tomorrow, alumni events are running throughout the weekend. You can bring your families and friends to the Fest of All in the Quad on North Campus or catch a Golden Bears Football game at Foote Field on Saturday. Help raise funds for the United Way at the annual Turkey Trot on Sunday. This year, the 2017 Alumni Awards are on Monday evening, giving us an inspiring start to next week.

A special Canada 150 Community Celebration will be held at South Campus on Sunday, September 24. Please invite your neighbours and join us for a day of family-friendly activities, including a kite festival, musical performances, museum tours, and more. At noon, we will celebrate the grand opening of the Evergreen Pond and the Circle, the university’s gift to the community in honour of Canada’s sesquicentennial.

On the schedule for next week are three events to highlight:

First, at the annual State of the University Address, I look forward to speaking to you about some of the major initiatives and issues that will be on the agenda for the next year. The address runs Tuesday, September 26, from noon to 1 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Please register here.

Second, we will be honouring the achievements of faculty, staff, and students at Celebrate! on Thursday, September 28 in the Myer Horowitz Theatre at 4 p.m.

And third, Friday the 29th is Orange Shirt Day. Our Aboriginal Student Services Centre is calling on all members of the U of A community to join in this national day of remembrance, and to honour the experiences and loss of the thousands of children who were placed in Residential Schools. Please join us.

Many staff, faculty, students, and volunteers across our campuses have been involved in the organization of each of these signature U of A events. My thanks to everyone for your efforts and for your enthusiasm and dedication to the U of A.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow in your green and gold!

David H. Turpin

President and Vice-Chancellor