Fundraiser supports Mount Royal bursaries

Since its founding in 1910, hundreds of Mount Royal students, faculty, staff and alumni have served in uniform. Since the First World War, 29 have made the ultimate sacrifice. In keeping with the tradition of forging lifelong connections, Mount Royal University created memorial bursaries in the name of each of the fallen soldiers. The bursaries were announced in 2011 to coincide with MRU’s centennial year.

A select group of guests gathered in the home of philanthropist and community leader Ann McCaig on Sept. 26 to recognize and support the bursary program. A special address from retired general John de Chastelain, Mount Royal alumnus and honorary chair of the MRU Military Memorial Bursaries Campaign, inspired guests to dig deep and support the invaluable bursaries program. The program is MRU’s principal Canada 150 initiative and hopes to raise $4 million, which will ensure endowment for 29 student scholarships each year. Thanks to the invaluable support of guests in attendance at the reception, the campaign is now more than halfway toward its goal.

Sharing the podium this night with de Chastelain were MRU president David Docherty and vice-president Paul Rossmann. Other guests in attendance at the inspirational event included: Werklund Foundation’s David Werklund and his wife Susan Norman; Boyden’s Kevin Gregor; Trico Foundation’s Eleanor Chiu; TransAlta’s Hunter Wight; Marg Southern; Mary Lougheed; MRU Foundation board member and Trimac vice-president Scott Calver and his wife Tina Rossi; Rachel Herbert (sister of fallen soldier Nathan Hornburg) and her husband Tyler Herbert; University of Calgary chancellor Deborah Yedlin; Stella Thompson; Bret “The Hitman” Hart; West Canadian’s George Brookman; Kim Berjian and her husband Mike Smilie; Stephanie Felesky; Bruce Edgelow; Library Foundation chair Pat Moore; Gerry and Anna Maier; Maurice McCaig; and MRU’s Lindsay Cumming and Terry Kellam.

PHOTOS, BILL BROOKS From left, at a reception held in the home of Ann McCaig to recognize Mount Royal University’s Military Memorial Bursaries Campaign are guest of honour, keynote speaker and retired general John de Chastelain, McCaig and MRU president David Docherty.

From left, MRU Foundation board member Scott Calver and his wife Tina Rossi, Rachel Herbert and Tyler Herbert were in attendance to support the bursary program. Rachel’s brother Nathan Hornburg was killed on Sept. 24, 2007, while serving on a NATO mission in Afghanistan.

U of C chancellor Deborah Yedlin, left, and Stella Thompson.

Werklund Foundation’s Susan Norman and her husband David Werklund were among the guests supporting the Military Memorial Bursaries Campaign, MRU’s principal Canada 150 initiative which hopes to raise $4 million.

Bret “The Hitman” Hart joined MRU president David Docherty at the reception held in the home of Ann McCaig on Sept. 26. Thanks to guests, the Military Memorial Bursaries Campaign is now more than halfway toward its goal.

From left, Boyden’s Kevin Gregor, Trico Foundation’s Eleanor Chiu and TransAlta’s Hunter Wight.

From left, Marg Southern, MRU vice-president Paul Rossmann and Mary Lougheed.