Class of ‘79 leverages its success to help the next generation

As a defensive lineman with the Edmonton Eskimos (now ‘The Elks’), David Fennell, LLB ‘79, led his team to six Grey Cup championships—many of them while earning a law degree. But he credits much of his subsequent achievements, including the creation of one of the world’s largest exploration companies, to his time at the U of A Faculty of Law.

“The education that I received there enabled me to have an awful lot of success,” he says. “And I want to make sure that others have the same opportunities that I and the rest of my class have had.”

Now, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame member is leveraging that success to grow the Law Class of 1979 Memorial Bursary, which has been supporting second-year law students since 2008. Until March 2027, Fennell will match every donation made to the fund, regardless if it is made by one of his classmates or not, effectively doubling the impact this essential support will have for students with financial barriers. His generosity is an extension of a longstanding tradition of giving in a graduating class known for its professional achievements and collegiality.

The Class of 1979 is distinguished by an unusual number of judicial appointments, including former King’s Bench justices June Ross and Donna Shelley, current Justice Eric Macklin, and Supreme Court of Canada Justice Mary Moreau—the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. Former Alberta premier Dave Hancock is also among their ranks. “In law school, we all got exposed to what is, in my personal view, an exceptional group of individuals,” says Fennell. “And we developed lifelong friendships and a great respect for our classmates that has carried us through the years.”

“I promised my classmates I’d only do one ask a year,” says Jennifer Oakes, LLB ’79 with a laugh. “But the response has been amazing.” Oakes is a longtime organizer of the bursary, and attributes the surge in support both to an acknowledgement of rising tuition and living costs, and the commitment of the class to helping the next generation of lawyers succeed. “Having a law degree opens so many doors,” Oakes says. “We wanted to give that opportunity to new students coming in.”

The bursary is awarded to second-year students—those who have demonstrated commitment to their studies, contributions to their community, and are in need of financial support. The inaugural bursary in 2008 was approximately $1,000, and now, the projected amount is $6,000, reflecting the surge of fundraising momentum.

Retired Justice Donna Shelley, LLB ‘79, believes the bursary addresses a critical need. “It’s important to support anybody who’s talented and hardworking but may be prevented from pursuing their dreams because of their circumstances,” she says. Contributing is a matter of both gratitude to the faculty and a sense of responsibility to the community: “Many members of our class have achieved considerable success. This is one way to give back to the faculty and to the profession.”

Shelley notes that the class is not only unusually successful, but unusually closeknit—even after decades. These bonds have been nurtured by decades of formal reunions and informal gatherings—much of it coordinated by their beloved classmate, the late Jean Coutts, LLB ‘79. Shelley notes that Coutts almost single-handedly organized six reunions and, after her passing, several people had to step up to accomplish what she had managed on her own.

For Oakes, the matching commitment from Fennell is a powerful catalyst: “We’re very grateful to Dave. His offer is truly wonderful, and it will give the fund a tremendous boost.”

Give now to support the next generation of lawyers and changemakers through the Class of 1979 Memorial Bursary, with your donation being matched dollar for dollar thanks to alumnus David Fennell.