He left his mark on the U of A - as a student and as premier

Peter Lougheed, '51 BA, '52 LLB, '86 LLD (Honorary), was a statesman, a visionary and a philanthropist - but before all of that, he was a Golden Bear.

As a student, Lougheed embraced campus life from the start, writing for the Gateway and playing football with the Golden Bears - even meeting his future wife, Jeanne, at the Tuck Shop. Classmates were witnesses to his burgeoning leadership skills as Lougheed was elected president of the Students' Union. After he became Alberta's 10th premier, Lougheed continued to help shape the university with the formation of the Alberta Heritage Fund for Medical Research and policies that brought an unprecedented focus on the arts.

But Lougheed's impact has also been felt personally by many on campus. He was a faithful participant in university events. The Peter Lougheed Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students who embody those same qualities he held as a student: leadership in university life, community organizations and cultural activities.

Two alumni who were personally touched by Lougheed share their memories of the man, how he shaped their alma mater and how he touched their lives.

'A New and Daring Vision'

Lougheed (left) played football for the Golden Bears in 1947 and 1948.

His decisions as premier helped cement the University of Alberta as a world leader

The death of Peter Lougheed, '51 BA, '52 LLB, '86 LLD (Honorary), in September brought to a close a remarkable career. For those who had known him, it triggered a profound sense of loss and a flood of memories.

I first met Peter in 1965 in the Glenora home of my neighbour and long-time friend Lou Hyndman, '56 BA, '59 LLB, '00 LLD (Honorary). Peter had just won the leadership of the moribund and seatless Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. (Lou, like Peter and their colleague Gerry Amerongen, '43 BA, '44 LLB, was a former U of A Students' Union president.)

Until close to 2 a.m., four or five of us talked in the kitchen of Lou and Mary Hyndman, '62 BA. I was immediately struck by two Lougheed characteristics: his plan and his passion. He knew the path to power was long and full of obstacles, but he had mapped it out in critical-path detail. Furthermore, he knew why he sought power: he had a new and daring vision of Alberta's destiny within a united Canada.

I was then a junior executive with Sunwapta Broadcasting, and Peter enlisted me as his "Northern Alberta Communications Advisor." My job was to introduce Peter to Edmonton media and to glean free coverage.

I arranged Peter's first telecast on CBC Edmonton: 7½ minutes live with one camera. No retakes! I told Peter that if he leaned into the camera, he would be entering the living room of his target voter. He ate up the camera, delivered his message without flaw and his "Communications Advisor" retired - my role now redundant.

Peter's path to government reflected his formation at the University of Alberta. He was a team player and a leader who never asked his followers to do what he would or could not do. He built a "big-tent" party organization. At a social gathering following a policy conference in Banff, he made a point of introducing Clarence Copithorne, a rancher and Independent MLA, to Reg Basken, a trade-union leader from Edmonton. Clarence was very reluctant, telling Peter that he "wouldn't know what to say to one of those fellows." Peter's reply: "That's all the more reason to meet him." Clarence went on to join Peter's team and serve as a minister. Reg never left the NDP, but he became a goodwill bridge to the Left.

The U of A Tuck Shop played a fundamental role in how Peter Lougheed led Alberta. Peter was smitten with the talented Jeanne Rogers, '51 BA, of Camrose, whose beauty was displayed on the cover of the U of A phone directory. A mutual friend, Dunc Stockwell, arranged a meeting at the Tuck Shop. Peter and Jeanne had many opportunities for romance with others, but once they met, "that was that." They married a year later, and Jeanne was to put her mark on Alberta and Canada through the Lougheed government's enthusiastic and generous support of the arts and culture. She later served on the Canada Council for the Arts.

The Lougheed legacy will endure in Alberta long past Peter's death in September. He foresaw that a modern, urban Alberta would require a diverse economy and a highly educated population in order to play a leadership role in Canada and the world. Thus, he conceived of the Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, which helped propel the U of A medical faculty to global standing. He initiated the concept of matching grants to encourage private and corporate philanthropy. He and Jeanne took a painstaking personal interest in the U of A scholarships they had endowed, coming to Edmonton each year to meet personally with the recipients.

Countless tributes have poured in since Peter Lougheed's death. In reviewing them, I believe the most lasting legacy has been and will be the changed role of Alberta within Canada and the world. Peter foresaw our destiny as an economic, constitutional and moral leader of the Canadian team. Many of us watched him, quietly but tirelessly at work making sure that the legacy was not squandered. He was totally without patience with those he saw as betraying his vision.

He loved the University of Alberta and was proud of its coming of age.

James S. Edwards, '62 BA, '06 LLD (Honorary), is a former broadcaster, member of Parliament, CEO of Economic Development Edmonton and chair of the U of A Board of Governors. He has received many honours, including the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Canada 125 Medal and a U of A Distinguished Alumni Award.

'He had great stature'

Lougheed, shown here at the 2006 scholarship presentation ceremony, took a personal interest in the students who received the honour established in his name.

For one alumna, the Lougheed legacy had a direct and personal impact

I grew up in a home where Peter Lougheed was admired as a statesman and as a wonderful premier for the people of Alberta. So, of course, it was a great honour for me to receive the prestigious Peter Lougheed Scholarship in 1992. But as most recipients will tell you, the bigger honour was the chance to meet the man himself.

I was invited to an annual gathering of past and current scholarship recipients where Peter Lougheed would be in attendance. I observed from afar that, though he was not an overly tall person, he had great stature. And that came from his presence.

We were all in awe of him, but I was even more impressed by his warm and friendly manner. He took the time to meet with each of us as individuals, and he was genuinely curious and interested in our pursuits and passions. He took a lot of time to find out what we were each doing, and he was very encouraging.

I think he knew, too, that as much as we were inspired by him, we would also gain inspiration from being around each other.

I was at a very important point in my education when I was fortunate enough to receive the scholarship.

As a competitive swimmer, I was often asked how I juggled 11 swim workouts a week, travel to compete overseas, and a full academic and campus life. My family and coaches were always my main supports but the Peter Lougheed Scholarship made a critical difference at an important time.

I was in my final preparation for applying to medical school, and this scholarship allowed me to intensely focus on my academic, athletic and community service activities. I'm not sure that I would have achieved my dream of becoming a caring and competent physician were it not for the Peter Lougheed scholarship.

There is a wonderful symmetry to this story.

I am reminded of Peter Lougheed every day, as I am now privileged and proud to work at the hospital that bears his name, the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary. His legacy lives on there and everywhere across this country.

We can continue to be inspired by this legacy and to share in a renewed spirit of appreciation for all that he accomplished.

Keltie Duggan, '94 BA, was the 1992 recipient of the Peter Lougheed Scholarship and is now a doctor at Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary. Duggan competed on the Canadian Olympic Swim team in 1988. She was the U of A's female Athlete of the Year in 1989-90 and paid tribute to Lougheed at the Alumni Recognition Awards this past September when she was elected to the University of Alberta's Sports Wall of Fame. (Photo: Richard Siemens)