MacEwan University: student life on campus

The 411

If I wrote the school motto:
“Exam stress? Don’t worry, we have puppies!”
Best cheap lunch:
Oven offers pizza, pasta and weekly specials
Best hangover breakfast:
Friends and Neighbours on Whyte Ave, with both traditional and vegan eggs benny
Favourite campus food:
Sushi
Best bar for hanging out:
Towers. If you want a quick bite to eat and a drink after class, it has a great atmosphere and a few cozy spots to do some studying.
Best Pizza:
Famoso on Jasper if you’re looking for a more authentic fire-grilled pizza, Steel Wheels if you need a late-night pizza while bar hopping
Where to live:
In residence
Best place to study:
The far end of Building 7 has some comfy couches and it’s usually very quiet, otherwise the library always has some quiet corners on the third floor
Best campus giveaway:
MacEwan Book of the Year. Enter an essay or creative piece on the current book and be entered to win $700.
Best campus events:
The pop-up PAWSS events, because everyone needs puppy cuddles
What surprised me most about the school:
Smaller classes have made a massive difference in my education
Best live music venue:
Rogers Centre
Weirdest campus tradition:
Be prepared to say your name and something “unique” about yourself in almost every class

PROFILE: MacEwan University | Edmonton, Alta. | Founded 1971

MacEwan University is easily identified by its beautiful towers and the large clock nestled between two of its buildings. Beyond the beautiful architecture is a vibrant community of students and faculty, moving forward as a modern, diverse university. MacEwan’s main campus is downtown, only a block from the new Rogers Place, which hosts many hockey events and live concerts. It has train and bus stops, which make it easy to travel anywhere in Edmonton. The school has options for everyone, offering bachelor’s degrees in science and art, as well as various diploma and certificate courses. MacEwan is also home to the kihêw waciston Indigenous centre, which welcomes all students to hang out, visit and take part in various cultural events. Smaller class sizes offer more opportunity to participate in class discussions and receive guidance from the many amazing professors. Allard Hall opened in September 2017, creating a space for theatre, design, photography and other fine arts students.

After Class
MacEwan hosts one of only a few conferences in Canada for English undergraduate students focused on literature and creative writing. These events bring students together to share their own essays, listen and discuss various topics. MacEwan Book of the Year is a unique event, uniting students from many different faculties to read a single Canadian book published in the last five years, meet the author and participate in a student contest. The Interdisciplinary Dialogue is a one-of-a-kind research project involving three forums, discussions and a student research day. This year’s dialogue is all about Indigenous ways of knowing and research.

Local Vibe
MacEwan has a small-town vibe, with so many amazing events and activities to enable students to get involved on campus. It doesn’t take long to get comfortable finding the best routes to class and a regular study spot. Being downtown, it’s also easy to explore everything Edmonton has to offer. The new Royal Alberta Museum is only a few blocks away, as is the Muttart Conservatory, if you need an escape to a jungle oasis. If you love hockey, head to the SAM Centre to buy discount student tickets.

More Info
Visit samu.ca or macewan.ca/macewannews for updates on student life and upcoming events.