Christopher (Chris) Wray brings a unique perspective to MacEwan’s Alumni Advisory Council.

Wray graduated from MacEwan University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, after which he worked for the Province of Alberta in Vital Statistics and Corporate Registry. 

He will begin work as a lawyer in the coming year as an articling student after studying law at the University of Calgary from 2019 to 2022.

Wray was a goaltender with the Griffins hockey team between 2013 to 2018 and won league championships in 2017 and 2018. While a student at MacEwan, he enjoyed representing athletes as a member and president of the MacEwan Athletic Council. 

Born and raised in Edmonton, Wray has traveled to Europe and Africa for various backpacking excursions and continues to backcountry camp across Canada. When he has free time, he can be found at his family cabin near Calling Lake.  

We checked in with Wray to discuss his plans for his time as an Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) member – and to ask about his most memorable moments at MacEwan.

What would you say has been your biggest achievement so far?

Since graduating from MacEwan I have completed my law degree and have started working, but the “law world” feels very new to me: I think there is a long road ahead before I celebrate any impact that I may have on the profession. I feel that my biggest achievement is winning back-to-back ice hockey championships with the MacEwan Griffins in 2017 and 2018. I felt the championships acted as a marker for years of hard work and commitment that I put into the sport as a youth. 

You’re a recent grad – what’s your most vivid MacEwan memory?  

My most vivid MacEwan memories come from around the time I met my now fiancée in English class. We didn't talk much then, but we got to know each other through sporting events. She was a goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team, and we had a lot in common with respect to school and athletics. 

Is there a faculty member at MacEwan that made an impact on you during your time at MacEwan?

My English professor William Thompson delivered unforgettable and incredibly good lectures. He helped his students learn and improve their writing skills. He is visually impaired and sets an incredible example for students with similar accessibility challenges. I still think back to his handle on the English language and his interests into varying topics. 

Your bio tells us that you're an avid backcountry camper. What is it about that activity that you enjoy the most? 

What I love about backcountry camping is that there is so much work and planning. It can be like executing a moon landing, as you have to review your equipment, consider your destination and think about your needs. Even when things don’t go exactly the way you anticipate, the opportunity to read and react to things like rain or cold are fun and informative. You learn about how well you planned your trip, and if you are a good or bad camper. Plus, the views and locations in Alberta are well worth the challenge!

What was it about your experience at MacEwan that inspired you to join the AAC? 

I was exposed to some of the alumni while I was a student, and I was inspired to join the council to help connect professionals in the city who are alumni to the current students. And because athletics was a major part of my experience. I want to ensure that all students can experience the community at home sporting events and start to build a MacEwan tradition.

How do you think your experience as a member of the MacEwan Athletic Council will inform your involvement as a member of the AAC? 

My experience with the council allowed me to work in a collaborative environment that addressed multiple needs. Different teams had different challenges but we were able to find common ground and focus on issues that an individual team may not be able to address on its own: for example, we developed a policy to defer assignments that were due during sporting events that was fair to both athletes and the rest of the student body. 

What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the AAC?

I hope to give back to the university and contribute to any new and exciting developments happening at MacEwan in the future. I would like to elevate the awareness of our sporting teams, grow our professional connections and continue to participate in the MacEwan community.