The Friends of the University of Alberta

2015 ALES Museum Tour

Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) Museum tour

October 5, 2015 from 4-6pm

After spending over 40 years as an animal technician at the University of Alberta’s Edmonton Research Station on South Campus, Jack Francis decided that a museum was needed to preserve and showcase the agricultural research history and work at the University of Alberta and throughout the province. Through a letter to the dean of ALES 15 years ago Jack’s project came to life: the Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) museum.

Today, the museum is home to 400 artifacts that Jack has proudly collected and restored. Jack witnessed many research advances and innovations throughout his career at the Research Station and felt it was necessary to document it and preserve this part of the province’s history for future generations. From a 1916 buggy that Jack restored to X-ray machines and other animal handling equipment, the museum honours the work of U of A agricultural researchers and Alberta farmers through the thoughtful exhibits of equipment and innovations that advanced the industry of animal research and farming techniques in the province.

Join Jack Francis and the Friends of the University for a tour of the ALES Museum on Monday, October 5, 2015 from 4-6pm. The museum is located in the old barn at South Campus, just north of the Saville Community Sports Centre (6647 – 118 Street) and parking is available. We will be meeting at the museum at 3:45pm and the tour will start at 4pm.

This is a free event; however registration is required as space is limited to 25 people. Please register via an email to friendsofualberta@gmail.com. You will receive an email confirming your registration. Once maximum registration is reached, we will take waiting list names to advise of a second potential date once available.

2015 North Campus Tree Tour

North Campus Tree Tour – Is a tree just a tree? Is there a story to tell?…

Join the Friends of the University of Alberta on a walking tour of campus on

Monday, June 8, 2015 at 4 p.m.

where we will learn about some of the unique characteristics of the nature within the U of A campus.

Wayne McCutcheon, University of Alberta’s resident horticulturalist and landscape designer will be your special host for the evening. He has walked the campus grounds since the fall of 1981. For the first 30 years of his time with the University he was Manager of Landscape Maintenance and Construction and since 2011 his primary focus has been as Project Coordinator for Landscape Services. His passion is overseeing landscape beautification and improvements to ensure a safe and pleasing campus for everyone today and for the next 100 years.

Topic of the campus walk: Campus Urban Forest – Trees and Interesting Landscape Features.

For everyone who has been associated with the University of Alberta, its campus has a place in our memories – and its trees through the changing seasons are very much a part of those memories. Much of the original native forest which provided the back drop to the University’s first sod turning ceremony has disappeared as the University grew and grew. However, over the years many new trees have found their way onto campus, including several specimens not native to the Edmonton area. The campus has inherited a truly lovely urban forest of 4,000 trees.

Join us and acquire some basic knowledge of some of the U of A campus specimen trees as well as a bit of landscape history while enjoying some fresh air, exercise, and camaraderie. We encourage you to ask questions, take pictures and relieve stress as you listen to the babbling brooks beside one or two of the seven campus water features.

We will be meeting at 3:45 p.m. in front of the Administration Building, facing the bus loop, at the University of Alberta’s North Campus. The tour will begin at 4 p.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m. Please remember to wear comfortable walking shoes!

We look forward to sharing an evening of learning with you and connecting with U of A’s urban forest.

Date: Monday, June 8th , 2015
Time: Meet at 3:45PM, tour begins at 4:00PM
Tour Guide: Wayne McCutcheon, University of Alberta’s Resident Horticulturist

Topic: “Campus Urban Forest – Trees and Interesting Landscape Features”

Location: Meet at 3:45 p.m. in front of the Administration Building, facing the bus loop, at the University of Alberta’s North Campus.

2015 Annual Dinner

Join us for a fun evening of dinner, socializing and to learn about exciting things happening at the Faculty of Science from our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer, Dean of Science. The program also includes a short Annual General Meeting.

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer, Dean of the Faculty of Science

“What Do Dinosaurs, Poker, Diamonds, and Mars Have in Common?”

Date:	Tuesday, May 5 , 2015
Time:	6:00 PM Cocktails (Cash Bar)
	6:30 PM Dinner ($45 per person)
	7:30 PM Speaker
Location:	The Faculty Club 11435 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton

2012 Annual General Meeting

Found in the archives, thought we would share.

Salutation – (Friends of the University – Monday, May 28, 2012)

There is no greater institution in Edmonton than the University of Alberta. More than 50,000 people work at the University most of the year. And there is no other institution that benefits Alberta more than the University of Alberta because, according to its founder Henry Marshall Tory, its goal is nothing less than “the uplifting of the whole people” educationally. However, I am not going to speak about that, but about the Friends.

The Friends were founded during the 2nd World War, in 1943, as the first NOT-FOR-PROFIT VOLUNTEER PRO-UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATION in Canada. There are now over 100,000 of such not-for-profit organizations. 13 years later, in 1956, the Friends started “Henry Marshall Tory lectures”, a brilliant idea, by inviting to the University very distinguished individuals, to speak on important topics of the day. The first speaker was Mr. Lewis W. Douglas, USA Ambassador to Great Britain, and the last speaker, Mr. David Jacobson, the USA Ambassador to Canada. In 56 years since 1956, we have had 42 of such speakers. The admission to the lectures is free for students, professors and the general public.

Since 1984 the Friends also started to invite excellent speakers to our Annual General Meetings. As of this year, we have heard 27 of them, among them 8 Chancellors and 8 Presidents of our University, many Deans and various other important personalities. Our Chancellors and Presidents, of course, are honorable members of our Society. Besides the speakers, the Friends assist our University in its development, support programs that enrich University life, but its most important role is to build a strong relationship between the University and the broader Alberta community. Friends also provide scholarships for needy students, offer awards for meritorious students, finance bursaries for mature women, support purchases of special books for honorary degree recipients, sponsor special events etc.

One can find more detailed information about Friends on our Website, so – let me finish. Half century ago, USA President J.F. Kennedy told Americans; “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country“. That applies to the Friends of the University of Alberta: they did and can still do a lot, by promoting, encouraging, inspiring and assisting the University in its development, teaching and research! Therefore, to borrow from John McCrae ^{FAMOUS POEM} “In Flanders fields”: “To you, from failing hands we throw the torch…be yours, to hold it high“.

It was a great privilege and pleasure to chair The Friends. Many thanks to all the members, who served with me for the last 20 years, and especially to our fantastic Secretary Treasurer, Mr. Ron Betty. Good luck and all the best to the new Executive and membership and the University of Alberta.

Peter Savaryn

Scan of the original: Download