Combining sharp insights and extensive research into the intersection of media, politics, democracy and technology, Dr. David Taras, PhD, was a leading academic in communications, sharing his knowledge with his students and the public at large. 

A professor of Communications Studies and Ralph Klein Chair in media studies, Taras was also a mentor to colleagues and students, past and present. Before coming to Mount Royal in 2010, Taras taught at the University of Toronto, the University of Amsterdam and the University of Calgary, where he served as the Ernest C. Manning Chair in Canadian Studies. While there, he received the Students' Union Award for Teaching Excellence five times and was inducted into the Teaching Excellence Awards Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2005, the province awarded him an Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005, recognizing his contributions to society. 

“David believed deeply in the value of democracy and was well known across our campus community, the city of Calgary, the country and internationally as a leading expert in the area of Canadian media policy and its relationship to Canadian identity and democracy,” said Dr. Tim Rahily, PhD, president and vice-chancellor of Mount Royal.

In a recent interview with Sally Haney, chair of Journalism and Digital Media and Broadcast Media Studies at MRU he spoke of how much teaching meant to him. “I just love the classroom. I love the challenges of the classroom, I love people. I love reaching out, and most of all, I loved being able to lift those who didn’t seem to have a future. And I would be the helping hand, the guiding word, (teaching) the tricks of the trade. But most of all, I’d be there to encourage and to cheer them on. So I would say in the classroom, I was cheerleader-in-chief.”

A scholar, an author, policy expert, media personality, champion for students, and cherished colleague, Taras's presence will be missed on and off campus. 

To read more about Dr Taras and his life and contributions, click here. 

This memorial fund, created in memory of David, will be used to support students and to promote in all of our graduates the values that he embraced.