For immediate release – Sept. 9, 2008
Victoria, B.C. – Royal Roads University (RRU) is celebrating its 68-year history as an educational institution with a three-day homecoming event this weekend. Homecoming 2008 will welcome alumni from the university as well as Royal Roads Military College and its various predecessor institutions.
In addition to RRU alumni, the class of 1958 will be celebrating its 50th year since graduation and the classes of 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1988 will also be reuniting. This will be the largest gathering of ex-cadets at Royal Roads since the closure of the military college closure in 1995.
Saturday will be devoted to professional development activities that are open to the public. Kyle MacDonald, who received international attention in 2006 when he wound up trading one red paperclip for a house, will be the keynote speaker at 11:45am.
“Kyle demonstrates better than anybody the power of relationships and one simple but great idea,” said alumni services manager Christine Gross. “Trading one red paperclip for real estate is a clear example of entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainability – core RRU values.”
A gala reception and banquet will be held Saturday evening while Sunday will mark a special commemoration – the re-dedication of the original flagpole/mast for Royal Canadian Naval College which had been raised in front of Hatley Castle when the college was created in 1942, two years after the HMCS Royal Roads was founded to train junior naval officers. The 30-meter mast been restored by craftspeople from the Department of National Defence’s Fleet Maintenance Facility at CFB Esquimalt. It has been placed outside what was originally the vice-commandant’s house.
“This location will allow it to be viewed from the strait by our naval servicemen and women as they leave and return from duty,” said RRU president Allan Cahoon. “It will also allow it to be at the centre of a proposed legacy garden that will pay tribute to all the ex-cadets who are part of the rich history of this site and this institution.”
For more information about Homecoming 2008 events and registration, see www.royalroads.ca. (Note: same-day registration for Pro D day events will be accepted in Grant building, room 228)
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Agenda of Events Open to the Media:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Royal Roads Learning and Heritage Showcase
Various heritage and university program displays will highlight the evolution of Royal Roads’ educational legacy. Historical military college photos and artifacts will be showcased alongside program exhibits that demonstrate the university’s dedication to developing skills in leadership, management, sustainability, conflict management, tourism and communication, through various levels of programs. Open to the public.
Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. - Professional Development Day
For a registration fee of $50, participants may choose to attend two of six learning opportunities, as well as the lunch keynote speech by Kyle MacDonald. Open to the public. (Note: same-day registration for Pro D day events will be accepted in Grant building, room 228)
Session One: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
A) Dancing with Systems: An Introduction to Playing with/in Systems
Rick Kool, Environment and Sustainability Professor, Royal Roads University
B) The Power of Possibility: Creating Value Through Negotiation
Doug Kerr, Associate Faculty, Royal Roads University
C) Leadership in the Movies
Dr. Graham Dickson, Director, Centre for Health Leadership and Research, Royal Roads University
Keynote Presentation and Brown Bag Lunch with Kyle MacDonald
11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enjoy a brown bag lunch (included with registration fee) with featured keynote speaker Kyle MacDonald who has planted more than 100,000 trees, delivered more than 1,000 pizzas, and eaten one scorpion. He also started with one red paperclip and after 14 trades, ended up with a house. His inspirational and humorous presentation “Anything is Possible” will motivate anyone who has a dream.
Session Two: 2:15 – 3:45 p.m.
A) Social Networking: The Power of Influencing Others
Paul Mohapel, PhD, Continuing Studies, Royal Roads University
B) Conflict Crackers!
Judy Carter MACAM, BA/Sc, CACE, JDip, BMCert, Royal Roads University
C) What Can We Learn From The Garden?
Paul Allison, Gardener and Educator, Royal Roads University.
Sunday, Sept. 14 - 10:30 a.m. Mast re-dedication ceremony, Vice-Commandant’s House Lawn (west end of campus, near the RRU Recreation Centre)
11:15 a.m. – Alumni Community - Building Reception
Join us as we pay tribute to the past and reflect on the future with the unveiling of the commemorative stone which will be placed in perpetuity to honour the 2008 Homecoming.
12:30 p.m. – Tour: “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
Manager of Grounds and Gardens, David Rutherford, will lead a tour about the natural elements of the campus as well as the history of campus buildings, current building usage and plans for future campus development.
