President Cannon’s farewell to community

For the past eight years, U of C president and vice-chancellor Elizabeth Cannon has tirelessly worked to transform the U of C into one of the top universities in the country. In 2017, the U of C was named one of the Top 200 universities worldwide. From her collaborative creation of the Eyes High campaign that has raised $1.3 billion to the phenomenal increase in sponsored researchto name but a few of her accomplishments, Cannon has left an indelible mark that will benefit students, research outcomes and the greater community for years to come.

Such a magnificent legacy is cause to celebrate and that is precisely what scores of friends and colleagues did recently as they gathered in the BMO Centre for President Cannon’s Farewell to the Community. Heartfelt tributes, anecdotes and the occasional good-natured ribbing (Cannon’s penchant for stunning stilettos springs to mind) were delivered by a who’s who in business, academia and politics.

Taking to the podium this night were: emcee Jim Dinning, chancellor emeritus; Universities Canada president Paul Davidson; Alberta Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt; Mayor Naheed Nenshi; U of C provost and vice-president (academic) Dru Marshall; Engineered Air chairman and philanthropist Don Taylor; U of C Chancellor Deborah Yedlin; and Cannon’s understandably proud husband, Gerard Lachapelle, professor emeritus, Schulich School of Engineering.

Others in attendance included: U of C president-elect Ed McCauley; Hunter Family Foundation’s Doug Hunter; Matco Invesments’ Mike Tims; philanthropist Joan Snyder with U of C’s Sybil Choles; Werklund Foundation’s David Werklund and his wife Susan Norman; philanthropist, community leader and chancellor emeritus Ann McCaig; Garry and Ruth Ramsden-Wood; Mary Rozsa de Coquet; Kim Sturgess; RBC’s Jeff Boyd; CANA Construction’s John Simpson and Jollean Hancen; Jamie and Brenda Mackie; Jaymal and Rupa Ruparell; Calgary Economic Development executive chairman Steve Allan; Peter Garrett, U of C associate vicepresident, research and innovation; Sundial Growers president Geoff Thompson; Dinos football past director of alumni Jack Newmann; Cheryl Dulaba; Ron Mannix; Shane Homes’ Cal and Edith Wenzel; West Coast Development Trust vice-chair Stephanie Felesky; dean of the Haskayne School of Business Jim Dewald; philanthropist and community leader Dick Haskayne; Anne Fraser; Cannon’s proud children, son Rene Lachapelle and daughter Sara Lachapelle; and others pictured.

From your friends at the Herald, heartfelt thanks for all you have done for the university and the community and best of luck with your future endeavours.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS There can be no doubt that University of Calgary president and vice-chancellor Elizabeth Cannon, second from left, left an indelible mark at the U of C in her eight years at the helm. Pictured at Cannon’s farewell to the community event are her proud family, son Rene Lachapelle, husband Gerard Lachapelle and daughter Sara Lachapelle.

From left, U of C president elect Ed McCauley, Hunter Family Foundation’s Doug Hunter and Mike Tims.

From left, Sundial Growers president Geoff Thompson, U of C provost Dru Marshall, Dinos Football alumni Jack Neumann and Cheryl Dulaba.

U of C Chancellor Deborah Yedlin and her husband Martin Molyneaux.

Calgary Economic Development executive chairman Steve Allan, left, and U of C associate vice-president Peter Garrett.

Jaymal and Rupa Ruparell.

From left, Stephanie Felesky, Jim Dewald, Anne Fraser and Dick Haskayne.

RBC’s Jeff Boyd, Jollean Hancen and CANA Construction’s John Simpson.

From left, at the celebration of University of Calgary president Elizabeth Cannon’s eight years of leadership are Ruth and Garry Ramsden-Wood, Mary Rozsa de Coquet and Kim Sturgess. Cannon retires as president and vice-chancellor Dec 31.

From left, Evelyn Main and her husband Jim Dinning with Ann McCaig.

Don and Ruth Taylor

U of C’s Sybil Choles, left, and philanthropist Joan Snyder.

Brenda and Jamie Mackie.