It was a full house at Dr. Trimbee’s Powered by Place: State of the University Address on October 19. 

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, Board of Governors, donors, the MacEwan Means Business Campaign Cabinet and community members filled the Betty Andrews Recital Hall to hear the president and vice-chancellor speak about the importance of place and how it influences and powers MacEwan’s future. This incredible support from so many parts of the university community contributes to Teaching Greatness.

After screening an energetic video that featured many of the campus’s iconic spots, the president brought the room back to the history of the seven city blocks upon which the university sits. 

“It is at this place, in this city, on this ground that we continue to forge our legacy,” said Dr. Trimbee. “And in return, MacEwan University – through the work we do, the students who fill our classrooms, the faculty with their passion and knowledge to share – has shaped and influenced our city, our province and beyond. We are truly powered by our place in the centre of Edmonton.”

Beginning with our connection to the land, Dr. Trimbee worked through the directions outlined in Strategic Vision 2030: Teaching Greatness, offering insight into MacEwan’s ties to place from several perspectives: making the campus a welcoming space for Indigenous students, enrolment growth, work-integrated learning, student supports, community partnerships, donors, research and the new School of Business building. 

A dramatic addition to downtown Edmonton, the new building will bring increased vibrancy and energy to our city’s downtown core, she said. “Our new School of Business building will further power our place in O-day’min, opening up our campus to the north – think about it, that’s pretty symbolic, ‘opening our campus to the north’ – and providing opportunities to learn and grow together as a university community.”

Dr. Trimbee closed her address with a statement about the strong ties between place and people. 

“It’s because of this place, our campus, and the power of what goes on inside and outside these walls,” she concluded. “What we do and will do here really couldn’t occur anywhere else. It’s the power of this place and the people within it that makes it happen.”