INDIRA SAMARASEKERA: President, 2005– “I envision our institution as a world-class, dynamic centre for learning and discovery. Quite simply, I imagine creating one of the world’s great universities right here: A university that inspires momentous achievements and elevates the human spirit. Dream to do it. The more we define and describe our dreams, the more straightforward it is to turn (Top) His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, received an honorary degree in 1983 — perhaps more importantly to local royal watchers, he arrived in town with the late Princess Diana. While here, Charles also officially opened the World University Games (Universiade) and addressed a special convocation. His trip across the Atlantic also marked the last time the ship HMS Britannia came to Canada. (Middle) On receiving an honorary degree in 1968, Pierre Elliot Trudeau said, “This is a fortunate setting for a community of scholars; a place where there is a disposition to open-mindedness and enquiry; a place not tied up in a monotone culture or restricted by narrow horizons; a place with an outlook as broad as your prairie landscapes and an awareness as high as your skies. Scholars know that only in such a setting can a university pursue its proper purpose; to seek out, as the motto of the University of Alberta states, Quaecumque vera.”
them into step-by-step plans for action. We must create from our vision and values statement a roadmap for our path to the second century — or better yet, a blueprint for building the University’s future.”
(Bottom) Mother Teresa receives an honorary degree in 1982 at a special convocation held in St. Paul, Alberta. Winter 2007/2008
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