Parker: Carol Ryder never ceases to give of her time and enthusiasm

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This city is blessed by the many people who selflessly give of their time and energy to make it a better place to live. Carol Ryder is someone who shines with her enthusiasm, especially in the fields of education and the arts.

In a decade of service, he most recently served 10 years as chair of the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) volunteer board and immediately took on the role of co-chair of Contemporary Calgary.

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Ryder was on the board for a year prior to the chair position when the institution was known as the Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD). One of the major accomplishments during his leadership was leading the vision and gaining government support for AUArts' transition from a college to a university (ACAD). At that time, the other three of the four major Canadian art institutions had university status. The move to Calgary's University of the Arts means better funding, stability, the high status of 95 full-time and part-time faculty, the ability to attract more students, including international students, and greater visitor appeal.

It also meant that undergraduates did not have to go elsewhere to get their Master of Fine Arts degree.

This is a big step for the college which is celebrating 100 years^th Anniversary in 2026.

In addition to his volunteer work, Ryder is a donor who has established a fund for student scholarships.

Prior to the AUArts fellowship, Ryder also served as Chair of the Board of Governors of Bow Valley College (BVC), reflecting his passion for post-secondary education in Calgary and Canada. After his term ended, he volunteered for three more years as a member of the committee overseeing the expansion of BVC, its original building, and the addition of the new South Campus 6.^th Avenue SE

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His influence and experience in education extends beyond the city limits as Vice-Chair of the Association of Canadian Universities Councils. He is a past chair of the Board of Chairs of the Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutions.

For six years, Ryder served as executive director of Calgary 2000, leading legacy projects that included the city's Millennium Celebrations and the major development of Shaw Millennium Park. But art has always been his main passion.

He was heavily involved as a former board member of the Calgary Museum of Contemporary Art, which merged with IMCA and the Calgary Art Gallery.

Ryder is currently actively involved as co-chair of Contemporary Calgary with Kelly Strait, founder and owner of Mode Models, which currently represents many of the top models on the world's fashion scene. A visual arts venue for modern and contemporary art, the 50,000 square meter former Calgary Planetarium building has been transformed into a world-class gallery offering outstanding local, national and international contemporary art programming.

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And the repair work continues. The latest new gallery is the Morris and Anne Dansiger Observatory Gallery, which opened last month. Fundraising continues and will be boosted by Contemporary Calgary's annual DADA Ball and Auction event on May 25, which draws nearly 2,000 attendees.

Carol Ryder never has to worry about how she'll make it through the day. In addition to his volunteer commitments, he is actively involved as a partner and director of the family real estate company Lawson Investments, which is led by his nephew and President Justin Ryder. Now he is working on a residential tower at 5^th Development plans for its West Block at the southwest corner of 10 Street SW^th avenue and 1^Art Street SW, and the development of large tracts of land east of the city in Rocky View County.

Calgary benefits greatly from the selfless enthusiasm of people like Carol Ryder.

Notes:

The University District continues to attract more businesses to its busy retail street. People who live in the Northwest have long been frustrated by the lack of good restaurants and are happy to welcome the addition of one of Calgary's best restaurateurs. Connie DeSouza and John Jackson opened CHARCUT and Connie and Jones Pizza in the Alt Hotel. Also announced this year will be a veterinary clinic in the University District, Stephen's Cleaners and Hot Yoga in the University District.

David Parker appears regularly on The News. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.

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