Energized by you
Be inspired by stories of how giving ignites positive change for students, research and in our community
![Two young female students chatting in indoor garden area](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_hero_cta_mobile/public/2023-04/140915_EDIT_Student_Life-0019_0.jpg?h=bb82eece&itok=evjq3cP3)
Backing North America's #1 sports science school
Gary Durbeniuk has been a part of the UCalgary community for more than four decades, as a student, alumnus, staff member and, throughout it all, donor. He shares how student awards helped him and his wife, Karen, and inspired them to create a scholarship for students at the university's evolving Faculty of Kinesiology.
Rethinking what it means to be a man
The Silver Gummy Foundation is on a mission to teach youth about healthy relationships and gender equity. Their support of a first-of-its-kind research professorship is paving the way.
Sikh Studies rooted in community
The Faculty of Arts' Sikh Studies program is set to expand, thanks to community support and a record-breaking Giving Day crowdfunding campaign.
Finding balance — on and off the court
Like all student-athletes, Ezeoha Santiago has had to perfect the art of balancing two demanding pursuits: athletics and academics. Thanks to donors and volunteers, the Sixth Man Club has his back.
Investing in the future of engineering
As a member of the very first class of engineers to graduate from the University of Calgary, Gordon Forbes is a part of UCalgary history — and he’s investing in its future with a legacy gift in support of the next generation of engineers.
Paying it forward
Having immigrated to Canada as children, alumni Patricia Gonzalez and Slavko Uzelac understand the hardships that come with starting over. When they established the Learn, Lead, Inspire Award in 2019, they did so to make life a little easier for students who have children.
Hitching your wagon to a cause greater than yourself
When Gail and David O'Brien established the O'Brien Institute for Public Health, they did so out of a passion for medicine and education — and a belief in the critical importance of public health. One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute has more than demonstrated its immeasurable value.
Precision testing in the palm of your hand
With a boost from UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem, a new COVID-19 test could improve health outcomes in populations far and wide.
Research institute finds solutions to real public health challenges
Interdisciplinary approach at O’Brien Institute for Public Health is changing lives around the world.
The campaign's youngest donor set his sights on cancer research
For his ninth birthday, Cade Morey decided to do something different. Instead of asking for presents, he kindly requested that friends and family donate to lung cancer research, in hopes of helping people like his poppa.
Creating value from waste
Innovative agricultural company Ceres Solutions Ltd. is thriving with help from the University of Calgary’s entrepreneurial programs and business networks.
Getting a leg up
Paying it forward has always been second nature for Tannis Kemp. So a scholarship that aims to help students who give back to the community has found its perfect match.
Elevating brain science — and creating a lasting legacy
Harley Hotchkiss, who passed away in 2011, had a famously big heart and wide philanthropic reach. His family continues that legacy of transformative positive impact, in particular through their vision and giving around brain and mental health research at the Cumming School of Medicine.
Science meets business
Setting his sights on marine life as the key to unlocking solutions to environmental problems, Haskayne Legacy Scholarship winner Matias Totz aims to give back while innovating.
Hope for adults with OCD
Researchers at the Cumming School of Medicine have partnered with Alberta Health Services to develop an innovative, integrated clinical research program to address challenges in treating people with OCD.
Creating a caring community
The 2014 Brentwood tragedy that saw five young people senselessly lose their lives was an unspeakably heartbreaking event. But it also inspired an outpouring of compassion and generosity. In striving to help young adults build personal resiliency, Calgary rancher and businessman John Simpson helped create UCalgaryStrong — a dynamic, campus-wide initiative aimed at equipping students with skills to become grounded leaders able to cope with the stress of student life.
Youthful Ambition
At 15, Carolina Romeo started university, made the varsity field hockey team, and was awarded one of the most prestigious renewable scholarships on campus.
Loneliness Matters at Every Age
Researchers at the Mathison Centre are working to not only debunk damaging mental health myths around depression in seniors, but also rapidly uncover solutions.
Upstanding Citizens
Upstanders speaks to heart of the donor whose gift established UCalgaryStrong nearly five years ago.
Remote Doesn’t Mean Alone
How a visionary gift fuels excellence in teaching — and enabled the university to pivot to online learning without skipping a beat.
Clear Minds, Open Hearts
A milestone gift both empowers students and provides a path to accessible mental health for vulnerable Calgarians.
Young Man, Old Soul, Unforgettable Legacy
A memorial scholarship celebrates the legacy of a brilliant young alumnus.
Meanwhile, Back at the Largest Outdoor Classroom in North America . . .
The campaign’s largest (by the hectare, that is) gift transforms animal-health education.
First-Gen Trailblazer
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking empowers an innovative alumna to pioneer wider access to higher education.
The Art of Building Resilience
A special scholarship drives a star student-athlete to win on the mat and in the classroom.
Sunny Ways
The campaign’s youngest donor puts his grandfather first and supports the future of cancer prevention and treatment.
Personal Best
UCalgaryStrong gives a young leader courage and strength to be herself and find success.