Ralph Scurfield inducted into Calgary Business Hall of Fame

Ralph T. Scurfield was an influential and notable Calgarian who helped shape this city. He was president of the NuWest Group and a prominent homebuilder and land developer in Calgary area. Scurfield believed strongly in the value of business education and felt that the Faculty of Management could benefit from a dedicated building which gave Scurfield Hall its namesake, which houses the Haskayne School of Business. On Oct. 22, Scurfield was inducted into the 2015 Calgary Business Hall of Fame.

“I was excited to hear about my grandfather’s induction, the honour is well deserved. My grandfather passed away 30 years ago, so it was incredible that the Calgary business community recognized his contributions in building Calgary as a leading business city in Canada,” said Scurfield’s granddaughter, Kendra Scurfield, who is currently doing her MBA at the Haskayne School of Business.

Calgary Business Hall of Fame stated that Scurfield was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame because of his business success, entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic contributions.

John Dielwart, Keith MacPhail, and Doug Ramsay were also inducted this year.

​​​​​​​Ralph Scurfield.

“[These men] are all noted not only for their considerable business accomplishments but their dedication to philanthropic endeavours,” said Scott Hillier, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta. “They exemplify the true character of Alberta through their unwavering spirit, vision and determination; they have set the benchmark for business excellence as both citizens and mentors in our global community.”

The Calgary Business Hall of Fame was established by Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta and, for the past 12 years, has recognized prominent Calgarians who have exemplified entrepreneurial and philanthropic success in the business world.

Scurfield was a big supporter of education. “My grandpa believed in continuous education. After completing a management certificate program at Harvard Business School, he came back with the realization that in order for Calgary to be a leading business community it needed a business school,” Scurfield says.

“He saw the business school as something that could promote executive education for Calgary companies. For grandpa, a business school was something that he saw as having the power to shape the future of Calgary. 

“My grandfather was a visionary. In business he was creative. He used to say, ‘I have one purpose, to serve the community. All else will follow through.’ ”