Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

President Emerita, University of Calgary

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon is president emerita of the University of Calgary after serving as president and vice chancellor from 2010 to 2018

Media

U of C looks forward to the next 50 years

Calgary Herald, April 30, 2016Online

URL: http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/cannon-u-of-c-looks-toward-the-next-50-years

We began a year’s worth of celebrations around the University of Calgary’s 50th anniversary on Friday. We will be honouring our past, while priming ourselves for the future, but really, we’ll be celebrating you...

University of Calgary kicks off year of 50th anniversary celebrations

UToday, April 29, 2016Online

URL: http://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-04-29/university-calgary-kicks-year-50th-anniversary-celebrations

The University of Calgary officially marks its 50th Anniversary today, launching a year-long celebration to honour the legacies of the past while engaging the community in a rich discussion about the future...

University of Calgary provides shelter for Fort Mac evacuees

UToday, May 10, 2016Online

URL: https://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-05-10/university-calgary-provides-shelter-fort-mac-evacuees

“I am so proud of how our university community has come together during this critical time of need,” said President Elizabeth Cannon. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the disastrous fires in northern Alberta, and with the firefighters and other first responders working tirelessly to contain it. Please know the entire University of Calgary community is behind you, and we will continue to work hard to support you in any way we can.”...

University of Calgary to celebrate 50th anniversary at alumni event

Calgary Herald, April 29, 2016Online

URL: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/university-of-calgary-to-celebrate-50th-anniversary-at-alumni-event

As a teenager in the 1970s, Robert Thirsk often tagged along with his older brother, an engineering student, to the contemporary, exhilarating, just-blossoming University of Calgary campus...

Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning opens at U of C to much fanfare

660 News, April 18, 2016Online

URL: http://www.660news.com/2016/04/18/taylor-institute-for-teaching-and-learning-opens-at-u-of-c-to-much-fanfare/

University of Calgary officials are promising it will change the field of education with a new facility where students can investigate new avenues of learning...

President Cannon receives honorary degree from University of Montreal

UToday, June 10, 2016Online

URL: http://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-06-10/president-elizabeth-cannon-receives-honorary-degree-university-montreal

This week, President Elizabeth Cannon has been conferring degrees on the class of 2016 — the University of Calgary’s newest graduates — but last Friday she was the one on stage receiving a degree...

President Elizabeth Cannon applauds government's commitment to post-secondary education

Market Wired, April 14, 2016Online

URL: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/president-elizabeth-cannon-applauds-governments-commitment-post-secondary-education-2115185.htm

"We would like to thank the government for moving quickly to provide additional funding to the post-secondary system. This support is critical to meeting the growing demand from new students and those looking to upgrade their skills during the economic downturn," said President Elizabeth Cannon. "We look forward to working with the Minister of Advanced Education to develop a strong and sustainable future for funding and tuition. All Campus Alberta institutions are working together to enhance efficiencies and provide a full range of world leading education options for Albertans."...

President Elizabeth Cannon thanks the Calgary community for unwavering support

UToday, April 29, 2016Online

URL: https://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-04-29/president-elizabeth-cannon-thanks-calgary-community-unwavering-support

When we begin a year’s worth of celebrations around the University of Calgary’s 50th anniversary on Friday, we will be honouring our past while priming ourselves for the future. But really, we’ll be celebrating you...

Great cities need great universities

UToday, April 14, 2016Online

URL: http://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-04-14/great-cities-need-great-universities

Universities need more, not less, engagement with business and community. This was the message delivered by University of Calgary President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon to community and business leaders in a speech hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday...

Fortney: U of C to celebrate 50-year milestone

Calgary Herald, February 24, 2016Online

URL: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/fortney-u-of-c-to-celebrate-50-year-milestone

In 1982, Calgary had fewer than 600,000 citizens, its tallest structure was the 191-metre-high Calgary Tower and its mayor...

Elizabeth Cannon named new chair of Universities Canada

UToday, October 29, 2015Online

URL: https://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2015-10-29/elizabeth-cannon-named-new-chair-universities-canada

University of Calgary President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon recently began a two-year term as chair of Universities Canada’s board of directors effective Oct. 28, 2015...

Elizabeth Cannon: Trudeau's Appearance At Reception 'A Huge Signal' For Universities Canada

The Huffington Post, October 28, 2015Online

URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/28/university-organization-praises-fresh-tone-as-trudeau-drops-in-on-meeting_n_8410982.html

Elizabeth Cannon, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary, says she was "thrilled" by Trudeau's unannounced, short visit and address Tuesday night at a reception near Parliament Hill hosted by Canada's university umbrella organization, formerly known as the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada...

A Wise investment in the infrastructure of Canadians' minds

Calgary Herald, April 7, 2016Online

URL: http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/cannon-liberals-invest-in-the-infrastructure-of-canadians-minds

Canada’s view of infrastructure is changing. The federal budget made it clear that infrastructure means more than wastewater, highways and bridges. As vital as these things are, Canada also needs infrastructure that supports the mind — technology-enhanced learning environments, sustainable campuses and the modern research facilities that nurture curiosity and discovery...

Biography

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon is president emerita of the University of Calgary after serving as president and vice chancellor from 2010 to 2018. A champion for advancing the mission of the university and fostering excellence in higher education, she led the development of the university’s transformational Eyes High strategy and its $1.3 billion Energize campaign through a focus on impact and a strong institutional culture. Before her presidency, she was dean of the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.

Cannon is an internationally recognized researcher of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in both industrial and academic environments and has commercialized technology to more than 200 agencies worldwide. Currently, she is a speaker on leadership, strategy, and innovation, as well as author of the book Enhancing Your Higher Education Presidency: Fifteen Lessons on Leadership and co-author of the Strategic University Management: Future Proofing Your Institution. She is an active seed-stage investor and mentor, particularly for female-founded companies, and serves on numerous non-profit and corporate boards.

Cannon is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering as well as an elected foreign associate of the National Academy of Engineering. She served as co-chair of the Business-Higher Education Roundtable, was a past chair of Universities Canada, and was a member of the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) in addition to many other boards and advisory councils. Currently, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Aga Khan University, a Fellow of the Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies and a Director of the Gairdner Foundation. Cannon has received more than 80 teaching, research, and leadership awards including the Johannes Kepler Award from the U.S. Institute of Navigation, an NSERC Steacie Award and the Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada. She was selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, has received four honorary degrees, and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Recognition/Reconnaissance

Wired Woman Pioneer Award | Professional

2002 Wired Woman Society

NSERC / Petro-Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering | Professional

1997 - 2002

Johannes Kepler Award | Professional

2001 U.S. Institute of Navigation

Gold Medal Award | Professional

2013 Engineers Canada

Honorary Doctor of Laws | Professional

2013 University of Ottawa

Honorary Doctor of Science | Professional

2010 Acadia University

Honorary Doctorate | Professional

2016 University of Montreal

Elected Foreign Associate | Professional

2011 U.S. National Academy of Engineering

Fellow | Professional

2004 Royal Society of Canada

Fellow | Professional

2004 U.S. Institute of Navigation

Fellow | Professional

2000 Canadian Academy of Engineering

Distinguished Alumni Award | Professional

2014 Acadia University

Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women | Professional

2006 Women's Executive Network

Canada's Top 40 Under 40 | Professional

1998 The Globe and Mail

Centennial Leadership Award | Professional

2012 APEGA

Betty Vetter Award for Research | Professional

2001 Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network

Additional Titles and Affiliations

Professional Engineer (Alberta)

Fellow of Engineers Canada

Fellow of Geosciences Canada (Hon)

Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering

Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Fellow of the U.S. Institute of Navigation

Expertise

  • Technological Innovation
  • Teaching
  • Systems Development for Positioning and Navigation
  • Science and Technology
  • Research and Development
  • Post-Secondary Program Development
  • Post-Secondary Institutional Leadership
  • Post-Secondary Education
  • International Partnership Development
  • Institutional Sustainability Strategy
  • Institutional Strategic Development and Leadership
  • Higher Education Leadership
  • Higher Education Administration
  • Government Relations
  • Global Positioning Systems (Gps)
  • Geomatics Engineering
  • Executive Leadership
  • Community Relations
  • Careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Board Leadership

Education/Éducation

  • University of Calgary
    Geomatics Engineering
    PhD, 1991
  • University of Calgary
    Geomatics Engineering
    MSc, 1987
  • University of Calgary
    Geomatics Engineering
    BSc, 1984
  • Acadia University
    Mathematics
    BSc, 1982