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Can compassion build champions? 

It’s no surprise that sport glorifies toughness. We’ve all heard the phrases “Suck it up. No pain, no gain." What if the real competitive edge isn’t about pushing harder, but being kinder with ourselves when things get tough? After nearly two decades of working with athletes, Dr. Leah Ferguson (BA'07, MSc'09, PhD'14) has learned that self-compassion — not harsh criticism — is what helps athletes thrive. In a culture that tells us “don’t be soft,” athletes often become their own harshest critics. Yet, self-compassion isn’t soft; it’s strategic. It helps athletes bounce back from failure, focus under pressure and strive for excellence without sacrificing well-being. Dr. Ferguson’s talk draws from her lived experience as a young dancer, expertise as a leading scholar in self-compassion in sport research, and applied work with athletes to reimagine a sport system where compassion and competition coexist.  

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Can a drug house be a home? 

When most doors are closed to them, where can someone find home? Society often rejects and stigmatizes people who use drugs, leaving them feeling unwelcome everywhere, but drug houses can provide a sense of belonging and safety when all other doors are closed. Drawing on stories of lived expertise, community engagement and research Maryellen Gibson’s (BA'16, MPH'18, GTPC'24, GCSUW'24) talk explores the concept of “home” and challenges assumptions about people who use drugs. Through this talk, she highlights how systemic stigma perpetuate suffering and urges us to rethink narratives, recognize the humanity of people who use drugs and build a society where everyone can feel at home.   

Class notes

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Alumni Book Nook

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In Memoriam

USask Alumni has noted, with sorrow, the passing of the following graduates, faculty and staff.