DECember 2009 issue
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Student Column
Geology Students Welcome Degree Program
BY JOSH NEVILLE
Mount Royal University
Student Columnist,
Editor’s Note: Josh Neville is in his second year of the geology degree at MRU, and is the vice-president, finance, for the Joli Fou Geologic Society. A member of Joli Fou for two years and on the executive for one, he will be among the first students to receive their bachelor of science degrees in geology at MRU.
Big news means big changes for Mount Royal University’s Joli Fou Geologic Society. The institution’s recent upgrade from a college to university and the new bachelor of science in geology degree has students and faculty excited about the future of MRU’s local geology club.
In the past, students spent up to two years studying at the college and then transferred to various universities abroad. Now, they can study at Mount Royal for all four years and participate in the geologic society for more than just a few semesters.
What does this mean for the club? A steady group of organizers, bigger activities, and a peer network up to and beyond graduation.
Joli Fou seems to be poised to take its place as a major player among other student geology societies throughout the province. At this point, executives are learning all they can from APEGGA student liaison meetings, and have joined forces with clubs from the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta to plan large events, such as a ski trip and the 2010 GeoSkills Conference.
On campus, events have already been met with great success. From a fundraiser rock concert to a well-attended career night, Joli Fou knows how to combine fun with networking and industry knowledge unattainable from class. As the first class of geology majors blazes the trail through third and fourth year, membership will only go up. Eventually, the society will have four years’ worth of geology students on its roster, giving it the ability to carry out activities unheard of in Mount Royal’s college days.
The club aims to foster an envi-ronment of fellowship among its members, and give them advantages both in school and after graduation. With no more transferring to other universities after two years, students will go straight from MRU into the workforce. This is something new for Joli Fou, but we are diligently at work to make sure members have the same knowledge and networking opportunities as their counterparts abroad.
Tremendous support has been seen already from APEGGA, the Geological Survey of Canada, professors and private corporations. The club hopes to build on these relations to create solid industry links and information sources for its members.
That being said, Joli Fou meetings are not just another class. Fun is a huge priority in Joli Fou’s operations. Mountain hikes, squash teams, parties, and an abundance of the geologist’s favourite food, pizza, are all part of the organization’s goal to build lifelong relationships between its members.
As graduates will undoubtedly take different career paths (petroleum, mining, hydrogeology, etc.), a solid and diverse peer network is important throughout their careers. Joli Fou intends to lay the foundations of this network during a student’s time at MRU.
As the years go on, the Joli Fou Geologic Society will certainly be one to watch as it evolves alongside the geology program at Mount Royal University.