The Week in Review: June 25, 2021

This week marked spring convocation, a highlight of our academic year and a major milestone in the lives of thousands of graduating students. Earlier today, the grads of the class of 2021 and their loved ones gathered virtually to celebrate their achievement and mark their transition from students to proud alumni. Their experiences and education at the U of A have prepared them to harness their potential and take their place among a new generation of leaders striving with purpose to shape a better world. Their stories inspire us; I hope they will inspire you too.

June 25, 2021

Top Stories

Asiedu drew on her experiences as a Black graduate student and her perspective as a scientist to make a powerful case for collecting racial data as a step toward addressing inequality and racism in Canadian universities. (Photo: John Ulan)
Health And Wellness, Research

‘Using my voice to start a conversation’: Grad school experience leads scientist to role fighting anti-Black racism

Evelyn Asiedu is applying her skills as a scientist to promote equity and diversity.

  • June 14, 2021
  • By Gillian Rutherford
Kimberly Fairman, executive director of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, says earning her master's in public health helped her develop skills she can use immediately in her work to improve the health and wellness of northerners through community-based research. (Photo: Supplied)
Research, Health And Wellness

Public health grad uses community-based research to improve health of northerners

As executive director of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, Kimberly Fairman can put what she learned during her master’s to immediate use.

  • June 21, 2021
  • By Gillian Rutherford
Alicia Cardinal in her fancy shawl dancing regalia for the 2020 Manito Ahbee Virtual Pow Wow. This week, Cardinal will become a proud U of A education graduate, fulfilling a childhood ambition to be a teacher like her late father. (Photo: Supplied)
Society and Culture

Education grad and powwow dancer follows in her father’s footsteps

For Alicia Cardinal, attending the U of A to become a teacher was the fulfilment of a childhood ambition and a way to honour her dad’s memory.

  • June 21, 2021
  • By Scott Lingley

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Health And Wellness, Society and Culture

Nursing grad finds career direction after his own health scare in residence

Andrew Choate was so impressed with nurses’ compassionate care that he wants to offer the same to others.
17 June 2021 By Gillian Rutherford
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Health And Wellness

Blending empathy with excellence: Pharmacy doctoral grad’s international experience gives him unique perspective

Damion Barnes wants to help patients from all backgrounds improve their health, one achievable goal at a time.
22 June 2021 By Gillian Rutherford
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Health And Wellness, Business

Combined program was a perfect fit for grad with a passion for business and for helping people

Joseph El-Hamchaoui is the first to graduate from a new master’s program that marries business and physical therapy, and he’s already applying his new skills.
23 June 2021 By Bev Betkowski

U of A in the media this week

'Years of work ahead': Alberta's Indigenous communities to search for and document unmarked graves

Kisha Supernant (Arts) discusses the increasing number of Indigenous communities reaching out for assistance in locating unmarked burial sites.
24 June 2021 By CTV Calgary

Alberta sees spike in rare parasitic disease spread by coyotes, foxes and maybe your dog

Stan Houston (Medicine & Dentistry) led a study on a recent cluster of cases of a potentially deadly tapeworm in Alberta. (Full text requires account)
18 June 2021 By Globe and Mail

Local students aid U of A in construction of a space satellite

Students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School have been aiding the U of A with the completion of a space satellite which will be able to monitor the province for forest fires.
21 June 2021 By Lacombe Online