UCalgary Alumni Magazine - Winter 2011

Winter 2011

tdroden — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Lost and found

tdroden — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:10:00 +0000

When the men with guns come, go east where the sun rises. That's what James Nguen remembers being told as a little boy. So the morning after armed militia attacked his village in southern Sudan, slaughtering every living thing they found, he did. East towards Ethiopia on a dusty, deadly path walked by thousands of suddenly orphaned children that the world would come to know as Sudan's Lost Boys.

Give and take in Ghana

tdroden — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Ghana is a nation steeped in contrasts and possibilities. It is rich in ancient traditions, a one-time hub for gold and ivory exports and a modern model for other African countries with its political structure and economic growth. At the same time, it is a country whose population struggles with poverty and where governments embrace emerging global concerns but often lack the resources to address their impacts on citizens. Among the contrasts and possibilities, Ghana remains a vulnerable nation.

The world is their classroom

tdroden — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Immersion in a new language. Exotic people and places. New foods and cultural flavours. Independence and travel. These are just a few of the reasons that every year more than 1,000 University of Calgary students choose to study abroad.

The experience enhances education, broadens horizons and often opens new doors to career choices. And it's an exhilarating way to learn.

From the borders of Carway to Durban

tdroden — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:10:00 +0000

Rather than halt her in her tracks, borders crossings have taken Christine Bradley, BA'00, around the world.

In the late '90s, criminology student Bradley (nee Millar) aspired to become an RCMP officer. That changed the summer she landed a job in border control at the Carway, Alberta—Piegan, Montana border crossing through a federal student work experience program.

"I was hooked," she says. "There was always something happening. One time I was searching through a motorhome and this guy had a jar of his mother's ashes. He carried it around with him everywhere."

Hosting sports in Dubai

tdroden — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:05:00 +0000

As managing director of IMG Middle East, Greg Sproule, left, hosts major sports talents like world champion tennis player Roger Federer.

From small-town Red Deer in the 1980s to the bright lights and luxury of Dubai, Greg Sproule's global journey has taken him around the world. It all began with one decision during his second year at the University of Calgary.

Tapping into the power of curiosity

tdroden — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Dr. Monica Kidd is not what many would consider a typical scientist. In addition to holding two science degrees and finishing up her medical residency, she's the author of two novels, a work of non-fiction, a book of poetry as well as a number of films and award-winning radio documentaries.

Pedalling to a sustainable future

tdroden — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:15:00 +0000

European cities such as Copenhagen (Denmark), Freiburg (Germany) and Amsterdam and Groningen (the Netherlands) are renowned for their bicycle culture and sustainable urban planning.

Dr. Byron Miller, associate professor in geography and director of the urban studies program at the University of Calgary, is in Groningen investigating why cities like these make significant progress in implementing alternative modes of transportation while others do not.

Maasai herders tell story through pictures

tdroden — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Three elders go to fetch water near Endulen as zebras graze in the background.

In a corner of the world that sees its fair share of Western tourists, it must have been incongruous for veterinary medicine professor Dr. Frank van der Meer to see dozens of local Maasai people walking around their native Tanzania—snapping photographs with digital cameras.

Search is on for elusive tusked wasp

tdroden — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:05:00 +0000

Dr. Rob Longair is on the hunt for a very unusual wasp in Africa; one he learned about three decades ago and likely hasn't been captured for more than a century.

"It's strikingly different. It has strange protrusions on its abdomen," says Longair, who recently returned from a research trip to Liberia. While there, he spread the word about his search to villagers and conservation officers.