Mount Royal University


Mount Royal University is a public university in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally “Mount Royal College,” Mount Royal University was granted university status in 2009 by the provincial government. The university has an average class size of 30 students and currently offers 13 degrees and 37 majors, in addition to diplomas, post-bachelor certificates and a variety of credit-free programs.

History

Mount Royal University was founded on December 16, 1910, by Alberta provincial charter under the Arthur Sifton government and officially opened on September 8, 1911. Originally "Mount Royal College", the institution was the brainchild of Calgary Reverend George W. Kerby who sought an opportunity for higher education to benefit young people from rural homes in the area. The provincial charter as presented in the legislature by R. B. Bennett was titled "Bill 48, An Act respecting the Calgary College". However, Premier Sifton, Kerby, and others agreed not to use Calgary for the name of the new college.
In 1931, Mount Royal became a post-secondary institution as Mount Royal Junior College, offering transfer courses to the University of Alberta and later to the University of Calgary. In 1972, Mount Royal moved from several buildings in downtown Calgary to a new campus in Lincoln Park on land previously used as an air force base. A war memorial honour roll is dedicated to Mount Royal alumni who have volunteered for active service in the Canadian Forces.
In 2017, Mount Royal University was awarded the Ashoka Changemaker Campus designation joining 44 universities which are leading higher education in the area of social innovation and changemaking.

Academics

Faculties

  • Faculty of Arts
  • *Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies
  • *English, Languages, and Cultures
  • *Humanities
  • *Interior Design
  • *Psychology
  • *Sociology and Anthropology
  • Bissett School of Business
  • * Accounting
  • * Aviation
  • * Finance
  • * General Management
  • * Human Resources
  • * Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • * International Business
  • * Marketing
  • * Social Innovation
  • * Supply Chain Management
  • School of Communication Studies
  • * Broadcast Media Studies
  • * Information Design
  • * Journalism
  • * Public Relations
  • Faculty of Health, Community and Education
  • * Child Studies and Social Work
  • * Education
  • * Health and Physical Education
  • * School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • Faculty of Science and Technology
  • * Biology
  • * Chemistry and Physics
  • * Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • * Mathematics and Computing
  • '''Faculty of Continuing Education'''

    Institutes

  • Institute for Community Prosperity
  • Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Miistakis Institute

    Centres

  • Centre for Community Disaster Research
  • Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging
  • Iniskim Centre
  • Mokakiiks Centre for Scholarship of Teaching

    Studios

  • Trico Changemakers Studio

    Research Hubs

  • QriTical Queer + Trans Research Hub

    Performing Arts Centre

In July 2015, the $69.69 million Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts officially opened, accommodating the growing Mount Royal Conservatory, which is a musical conservatoire in operation since 1910 that serves up to 10,000 Calgarians annually. The TCPA houses 43 soundproof rehearsal studios, six ensemble suites, and the 787-seat Bella Concert Hall designed by Pfeiffer Partners Architects in cooperation with Sahuri + Partners, who used a "contemporary interpretation of the rural barn on the expansive prairie of Alberta" in their design. The Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts is named after the family name of businessman, philanthropist, and Calgarian Don Taylor who donated $21-million to the project. Additionally, the namesake of the Bella Concert Hall is Mary Belle Taylor, Don Taylor's mother, who was affectionately known as 'Bella.' In addition to its design, the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts is notable for being a LEED Gold certified building and for being highly accessible for users with diverse physical abilities. While built with the needs of the Mount Royal Conservatory in mind, the TCPA and its various spaces are considered a community resource.

Library

Mount Royal University officially opened the Riddell Library and Learning Centre on September 7, 2017, replacing the previous library, which opened in 1972. The Riddell Library is named after Calgary businessman Clay Riddell who contributed a sizeable donation to the project. The $100 million facility features more than 16,000-square-metres of space, 34 study rooms, 1,700 seats, access to 3D printing, and even a cafe.

Athletics

The Mount Royal University athletic nickname is the Cougars. The Cougars transitioned to Canada's top level of amateur athletics for the 2012–13 season, moving to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canada West conference. The university supports eight teams competing in men’s and women’s basketball, hockey, soccer and volleyball.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni of the university include: