荔枝视频

Editor鈥檚 Note: The Short List is a new monthly column dedicated to the events we hope will raise the roof. Each column will be penned by a U荔枝视频 Alumni champion whose eclectic interests will be reflected in their piece. We launch our first Short List with a column by our U荔枝视频 Alumni Association president and chair: Helen Sunderland.

Welcome to 2020 and to the U荔枝视频 Alumni Association (UCAA) sparkling new board page! I鈥檓 Helen Sunderland, your president and chair of the board of directors. You may have seen my article in U荔枝视频 Alumni magazine last fall, where I spoke of my background and my passion for giving back to our alma mater. 

This is the first installment of UCAA board members鈥� top picks to appear in this monthly newsletter. It鈥檚 a chance for you to get to know us better and an opportunity for us to share what鈥檚 on our minds and what the Alumni Association has been doing.

As I shared in my magazine column, I鈥檓 a double alumna from U荔枝视频, holding both an undergraduate degree in music and an MBA. Even though I鈥檝e spent most of my career in the software industry, I still have a great passion for the arts. I especially enjoy the winter season in 荔枝视频 for arts activities 鈥� whether it鈥檚 live theatre, opera, dance, symphonic or choral concerts, art exhibits 鈥� and now is precisely the time to get out and see what鈥檚 going on in the U荔枝视频 community and beyond.

I鈥檓 personally planning on attending a number of arts events in 荔枝视频 over the next few months and, in particular, I鈥檇 like to draw your attention to the 荔枝视频 Philharmonic concert on Friday, March 6 (also on Saturday, March 7). Our very own distinguished alumna, Dr. Kelly-Marie Murphy, who also happens to be a classmate of mine, has been commissioned to write a new orchestral piece that will be performed by the CPO that weekend. Save the date for March 6 and stay tuned for a casual alumni event to celebrate at the CPO with other U荔枝视频 alumni.

And, of course, there are many sporting activities that I intend to attend. Kick off 2020 by cheering on our , the annual women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 hockey showdown with crosstown rival Mount Royal University 鈥� on at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Jan. 30. I鈥檝e attended a number of times in the past and this event always a provides a good time with a spirited rivalry between the schools 鈥� I highly recommend it.

And, why not come out two days later for the inaugural 鈥淎lumni Battle of Alberta?鈥�  against rivals, the University of Alberta Pandas and Golden Bears, on Feb. 1 and enjoy an exclusive alumni ticket offer for the whole family.

Let鈥檚 not forget our careers! I鈥檓 also planning to attend the (lots going on with the basketball battle on the same day)! This is an opportunity to take a Saturday for yourself and your career. There will be multiple speakers to inspire you, whether you鈥檙e just starting out, looking for a career change, or thinking about refreshing what you鈥檙e already doing. 

With so much going on in 荔枝视频, on and off campus, there is no shortage of activities to participate in. I鈥檓 hoping to see you out at these events. Please come and introduce yourself!

Wishing you a marvelous start to a new year and a new decade.