Student Profile: Alison Banwell

Alison Banwell made the most of her time at the university

When Alison Banwell started her studies at the University of Calgary four years ago, she had some definite goals in mind: to work hard, be open to new ideas and become a globally engaged citizen.

On Thursday, Banwell graduates from the Faculty of Science in the Natural Sciences Program. Along the way, she has received a number of academic awards and achievements, including a PURE Research award and Centre for Environmental Engineering Research and Education award. Last year, she also participated in a full-year academic exchange to Lunds Universitet in Sweden as part of the Arts and Science Honours Academy Program. Her focus there was on paleoclimatology, glaciology and modern climate change.

A willingness to engage with the world

Professor Ralph Cartar heads the Natural Sciences Program. He says Banwell is an exceptional student in many ways, but what makes her different is her willingness to engage with the world. “She is someone who is particularly engaged at the academic-societal interface. She’s someone who is continually willing to take on the world and find her place in it.”

Banwell always knew she would come to study at the University of Calgary. “When I was 13 I came to the university for speedskating, and bought a U of C hoodie from the book store,” she says. “From that point on I started to plan that once I graduated high school I would move to Calgary to skate and go to school.” And as for that hoodie? She says she still has it and it fits!

During her first year, she skated with the Olympic Oval Program and practised for the varsity field hockey team that fall. “Because I was living in residence, I had an amazing student athlete experience since I would wake up on campus, go to the Oval in the morning, go to classes, and then go back and train again at the Oval in the afternoon. I rarely left campus except for competitions.”

A foreign exchange and a stint as student leader

Banwell ended her skating career in the fall of her second year to focus on her studies and prepare for her exchange abroad. However, she continued to keep extremely busy — she was involved on the executive committees of both the Students of the Arts and Science Honours Academy and the Natural Science Students' Association and also found time to be a volunteer tutor for high school students.

Last summer she also coached track and field at the 2014 Canadian Francophone Games. “I have had so many opportunities and choices as a student at the University of Calgary,” says the 22 year old. 

Banwell has recently accepted an offer from Queen's University to attend medical school in the fall.