The Globe and Mark

I was at work this week, busy doing something, when I got a call on my cell from an unknown number. I ignored it, probably a credit card company or a stalker.

That afternoon, I checked my voicemail.

"Mark, it's Corinne calling from Harvey Weingarten's office at the University of Calgary, and I'm calling with a very late invitation. My fault, I've been away on the Christmas break, and I returned just this week.

"The editor-in-chief of the Globe & Mail, Ed Greenspon, is going to be here in Calgary on January 19, next Monday, and Harvey is taking him out for dinner. We were wondering if you would like to join them.

"There are a few other people attending as well. If you're available, can you let me know? I can also let you know who the other attendees are. Thanks Mark! Bye."

Guh?

It was almost 5:00 on Wednesday. I called back immediately, and caught Corinne before she left the office. I thanked her for the invitation and accepted. She was delighted.

After I hung up, I took a moment. Why the hell was I being invited to dine with Harvey Weingarten and Ed Greenspon?

I called my mom. She thought it was pretty cool. "What if they've got the wrong Mark Hopkins?" I asked. "So what?" she replied.

See, Mark Hopkins is a pretty common name. There's a hotel in San Francisco, a sculptor in Colorado, an American railroad magnate... and Dr. Mark Hopkins, a conductor and music instructor at the University of Calgary.

The next morning, I got an e-mail from Corinne that invited me to a seminar, featuring Ed Greenspon, for the "senior leaders and emerging leaders here on campus". It also listed the dinner attendees: a couple Associate Vice-Presidents, a Provost (?), the Dean of the Haskayne School of Businesss... and no mention whatsoever of Mark Hopkins. Further convinced that they had the wrong guy, I shot an e-mail back:

"I have to admit, not being an Associate Vice-President of anything, that I feel somewhat out of my depth in that list of names. I guess I fit into the "emerging leaders" category!"

I thought this was my out. If they had the wrong guy, this would definitely clue them off. Then I got an e-mail back from Corinne, two minutes later:

"That's great news. I will be at the seminar, so don't hesitate to come and introduce yourself to me."

Guh?

Finally, on Friday, I received the full, final list of highly Google-able attendees. We've got:

Ed Greenspon (Editor-in-Chief, The Globe and Mail)

Mr. Greenspon's Wikipedia entry reveals a long history of investigative journalism (starting with unveiled corruption in the residence student government at Carleton University!). He's the co-author of Double Vision, a book about the Liberal government of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. He's been EiC of The Globe and Mail since 2002.

Harvey Weingarten (President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary)

Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten is the U of C's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor, a position he's held since 2001. He is a doctor of psychology, with a PhD from Yale.

Catherine Bagnell Styles (Associate Vice-President, External Relations, University of Calgary)

Ms. Bagnell Styles worked in marketing with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Canadian Airlines and Wardair before landing the External Relations gig at U of C. She's the current President of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

Colleen Turner (Associate Vice-President, Communications, University of Calgary)

Ms. Turner is the editor over at U Magazine, which kind of makes her my boss.

Len Waverman (Dean, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary)

Dr. Waverman holds a PhD from M.I.T., was awarded the medal of Chevalier dans les Ordres de Palme Académique by the Government of France, and came to the U of C from the London School of Business. He is apparently a "world-renowned expert in international telecommunications and resources management". Neat.

Alan Harrison (Provost and Vice-President Academic)

Provost! What a great, and slightly ambiguous, title. It refers to a "senior academic administrator" at an institution of higher education. Dr. Harrison (PhD in economics from the University of Essex) is a Provost twice over, first at Carleton and now at U of C. He has two kids and enjoys jazz music.

Leslie Reid (Faculty of Science)

Dr. Reid is the U of C's first Tamaratt Teaching Professor in Geoscience, and is the star of an "Innovators" video produced by U of C External Relations. (Catherine Bagnell Styles, was this your doing?) She knows the difference between "using" and "utilizing", which has always mystified me.

Tom Flanagan (Department of Political Science)

Dr. Flanagan is senior fellow in the Fraser Institute, a "free-market think-tank", and a member of the Calgary School, which Dr. Radha Jhappan has referred to as the "department of redneckology". He's been called "The Prince of Darkness" by CBC's Ira Basen for the views expressed in his book First Nations? Second Thoughts, and "The Man Behind Stephen Harper" by The Walrus for his role as Harper's national campaign director.

Rod Love (consultant)

Mr. Love was the Executive Assistant to Mayor Ralph Klein, and remained hitched to that wagon until he became Chief of Staff to Premier Ralph Klein. He ran unsuccessfully in a Calgary-Buffalo provincial by-election in 1992 and created Rod Love Consulting Inc. in 1998. He's a recipient of the Governor General's Medal for Outstanding Community Service, and sits on the board of governors of the University of Calgary and the Canada West Foundation.

... and ...

Mark Hopkins (local arts enthusiast, columnist for several Calgary publications, and U of C young alumni)

I've heard of this guy... doesn't he have a pompous t-shirt with his name on it?

So. Should be an interesting meal.

I still have no idea why I was invited to this event, though I suspect I'm meant to represent Calgary's "leaders of tomorrow" or something. Regardless, I'm going to print me some business cards and try not to spill any wine!