UNews - Robert Brawn

Brawn Family Foundation gift to sponsor U of L student in Semester at Sea program

trevor.kenney — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:41:39 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students will have the opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to the generosity of the Brawn Family Foundation and the Semester at Sea program.

Kelley Buckley, left, and her parents Carole and Robert Brawn, announced the Brawn Family Foundation gift to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Each year, the Brawn Family Foundation will provide a scholarship for one U of L student to take part in Semester at Sea. Established in 1963, Semester at Sea consists of 100-to-110-day international passenger ship voyages where students visit up to 15 countries in one semester. They learn from leading faculty and international experts, engage in hands-on field experiences and service projects at each destination and earn academic credit.

“The whole goal of our foundation is to give back and create a bigger, better community,” says Kelley Buckley (BA ’84), one of Dr. Robert Brawn’s (LLD ’16) daughters and director of the Brawn Family Foundation. “My father realized what a powerful program Semester at Sea was. Both of my kids, my sister’s kids, my sister and I have all sailed and he just felt it made a dramatic difference in our lives. As well, since four of our family are U of L alums, this was a great way to combine two programs that have impacted our lives.”

Each year, more than 2,000 participants circumnavigate the globe aboard the MV World Odyssey. Sponsored by Colorado State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the program champions a global comparative experiential learning model as it connects students to world challenges and fosters global awareness through profound international learning experiences.

For Buckley, the experience was transformative, and she attests that each family member who subsequently went to sea was similarly influenced.

“You realize how small the world really is and how impactful your footprint can be in the big picture,” she says. “It’s changed all of our lives and we just feel that everyone needs an opportunity to go outside their comfort zone and look at the big global picture and see how small the world actually is. Everything you do can make a difference.”

She describes the ripple effect of a Semester at Sea education.

“Just one student sailing and then coming back can change a handful of students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and then they change another handful and it just grows from there,” she says.

The Brawn Family Foundation scholarship will be available to students across all disciplines at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Eligible participants must be a second-year undergraduate student, a Canadian resident or permanent resident and have been accepted to participate by Semester at Sea. Applicants must have successfully completed 10 courses with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and will be required to answer essay questions for consideration, focusing on how they expect their voyage will impact their education and how the experience will be translated and promoted on campus upon their return.

Paul Pan, executive director International at the U of L, says the goals and mission of the Semester at Sea program align with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s internationalization strategy which encompasses liberal arts ideals and the strategic direction of graduating global citizens.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is committed to the internationalization of our campus,” he says. “Providing our students with educational abroad experiences such as the Semester at Sea program is vital in providing our graduates with global perspectives, international and intercultural skills and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world.”

U of L students can now apply to be the first successful U of L Brawn Family Foundation scholarship candidate to sail with Semester at Sea. Contact the International Office at 403-329-2053 for more information.

Energy sector entrepreneur Robert Brawn to receive honorary degree

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 17:48:37 +0000

Robert Brawn, a successful entrepreneur and valuable contributor to the Canadian energy sector, will be presented with a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honorary degree at the Fall 2016 Convocation ceremony.

“One of the true leaders in Alberta’s energy sector, Robert Brawn is also an influential voice in his community and through his family’s foundation, has made a valuable contribution to bettering society,” says U of L Chancellor Janice Varzari. “We’re very excited that he has accepted our offer of an honorary degree and are looking forward to celebrating the spirit of philanthropy he and his family epitomize.”

Robert Brawn’s enterprises have consistently been regarded as important players in the Canadian energy sector, have employed multiple U of L graduates and been committed to bettering Alberta communities for decades.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will present Brawn with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the Fall 2016 Convocation ceremony on Saturday, October 15, 2016 in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Robert Brawn

It is one thing to be a leader in the business world, and Calgary’s Robert Brawn has been that – widely regarded as a pioneering entrepreneur who has been a major driving force behind Canada’s energy sector.

It is quite another thing to leverage that professional success to become a leader in the community – an area in which Brawn and his family has excelled at for years.

A graduate of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, Brawn began working as a chemical engineer for Mobil Oil, eventually striking out on his own by purchasing an oil-recycling refinery in Edmonton and establishing his first business, SL Refineries, which would later become Turbo Resources.

As President and CEO of Turbo Resources, Brawn grew his company’s portfolio from $1 million in sales to over $500 million in 12 years. He would go on to lead a number of other successful business ventures, all the while seeking ways to give back to his community through initiatives such as The Brawn Family Foundation.

In 1976, the Brawn Family Foundation was established and quickly gained recognition as a key contributor to worthwhile community causes. In 2007, the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Brawn Family Foundation the Generosity of Spirit Philanthropic Family Award, a testament to the foundation’s ongoing dedication to serving the interests of the Calgary community.

Brawn’s enterprises have consistently been regarded as important players in the Canadian energy sector, have employed multiple U of L graduates and been committed to bettering Alberta communities for decades.

A father of four and grandfather of nine, Brawn is a loving husband of 55 years to Carole. He currently presides over a private investment company, and serves as director for a number of private and public companies.

Calgary-based businessman Robert Brawn to receive U of L Honorary Degree

trevor.kenney — Fri, 27 May 2016 21:33:20 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce the fifth of its 2016 honorary degree recipients – Calgary-based businessman, entrepreneur and community leader Robert Brawn.

“A true entrepreneurial pioneer, Robert Brawn has established himself as one of the major drivers behind Canada’s energy sector,” says U of L Chancellor Janice Varzari. “All the while, he and his family have made invaluable contributions to the community through a number of philanthropic efforts. We are very pleased that he has accepted our offer of an honorary degree.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will present Brawn with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2016 Fall Convocation Ceremony on October 15, 2016.

Robert Brawn

As an astute businessman and entrepreneur, Robert Brawn has made an indelible impression on the Canadian energy sector.

As an astute businessman and entrepreneur, Robert Brawn has made an indelible impression on the Canadian energy sector. Away from the office, he has parlayed business success into community leadership, giving back through philanthropy and volunteerism.

As President and CEO of Turbo Resources, Brawn grew his company’s portfolio from $1 million in sales to more than $500 million in 12 years. His strong business acumen would lead to his involvement in a number of other successful ventures over the ensuing years.

Brawn also established a reputation as a leader in his community by serving on a number of community organizations and establishing the Brawn Family Foundation. Since its inception in 1976, the foundation has contributed to a number of worthwhile causes. In 2007, the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Brawn Family Foundation the Generosity of Spirit Philanthropic Family Award, a testament to the foundation’s ongoing dedication to serving the interests of the Calgary community.

UNews - Robert Brawn

Brawn Family Foundation gift to sponsor U of L student in Semester at Sea program

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Energy sector entrepreneur Robert Brawn to receive honorary degree

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Calgary-based businessman Robert Brawn to receive U of L Honorary Degree

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