Faculty of Science alumnus and donor David Robertson in the field. Dave is supporting the next generation of scientists with a scholarship for students in geology or geophysics.
Alumni donations are a great honour to the Faculty of Science; they embody the trust and respect of past graduates, as well as their desire to give back to the students and research initiatives of today. For some alumni, like David Robertson, their education leads to exciting careers all over the world, which makes for all the more gratitude when their generosity comes back to the University of Alberta.
David Robertson earned two degrees from the University of Alberta, completing his BSc honors in 1963 and his MSc in geophysics in 1966. He remembers his time at the university fondly, recalling paying his annual tuition of $250 by working at Safeway, where he earned $1.25 an hour.
"My time was a pleasant but intense ritual where I was more or less focused on my studies. Honors physics demands a lot of work, even if you're smart," said Dave. "But I most enjoyed the camaraderie and empathy of my fellow students, who were intelligent, like-minded, and somewhat rebellious."
Around the world
After graduating, Dave followed his growing desire for adventure and travelled abroad to pursue his PhD at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
"I wanted to expand my horizons, experience adventure, and meet unanticipated
challenges," said Dave. "I wrongly regarded myself as a frontier 'bumpkin' and the University of Alberta as a remote 'bush league' college. How wrong I was! But you have to find that out on your own.
"Oxford offered some research on some 'boring' rocks in Scotland, while Leeds offered a million-square-mile field study in Africa. I chose Africa of course, and it turned out to be the greatest adventure of my life. Driving a Land Rover alone from Nairobi to Zimbabwe collecting rocks certainly made me grow up fast."
After these travels and experiences with a variety of institutions, Dave decided to give back to the University of Alberta, for which he had developed a great deal of respect.
"I used to go to conferences in Washington, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and other cities in the U.S.A. to present and listen to various papers," said Dave. "My own professors and fellow graduate students at the U of A were the best of them."
Giving back to the community
"I feel that I've been an extremely fortunate person. But I found third year difficult; I wondered if I was in the right program, and how I would finance my education," Dave reflected. "I figured if a student makes it to third year, they have 'the right stuff' and can successfully graduate. A little financial help is always welcome, though."
With that in mind, Dave established the David K. Robertson Award in Geophysics and Geology, a scholarship designed to help third-year students specializing in geophysics and geology succeed by providing just that sort of financial help.
This generous award isn't the only way that Dave gives back to the community. Dave and his husky, Pika, make regular visits to a soup kitchen where Pika acts as a therapy dog.
"Pika is a lovable, fluffy dog who loves people, especially children, and enjoys attention and affection," said Dave. "St. John's Ambulance offered a therapy dog course, and we took it. It was a wonderful experience for both me and Pika. I wish everyone could do it. You wouldn't believe how people light up with joy when Pika visits them."
Supporting the spirit of exploration
Dave has also made a planned gift to the Faculty of Science, planning to support additional scholarships and research at the university.
"I figure my assets would be best used by the university," said Dave. "I read in the most recent Faculty of Science 'Contours' magazine that Professor Steven Bergens is doing research on how to convert greenhouse gasses to useful by-products. Hugely important!"
Supporting students and research that aim to blaze new trails, like that of Professor Bergens, is important to Dave. On selecting deserving students for the award and choosing to make these generous donations to the Faculty of Science, Dave has this to say:
"Dean Schaeffer has said that 'scientists prefer to take the road less travelled, and that has made all the difference.' A Ferrari is very impressive and fast, and everyone says 'ooh, ahh' when they see one. But a Ferrari can only travel on the beaten trail, on smooth, wide, paved roads. No way could they go overland where no one has gone before. I'll choose a Jeep any day."