The University of Lethbridge has lost one of its most endearing community members, retired mathematics professor Dr. Dennis Connolly (LLD ’17), who passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the age of 81.
Connolly was one of the longest serving employees of ULethbridge, signing on with the Department of Mathematics in 1967 and only retiring in 2021, marking just over 54 years of teaching, mentoring, volunteering, supporting, cheering and generally embodying the spirit of the University.
“Since meeting Dennis in the stands at the old University gym cheering on Pronghorns basketball, we became good friends and I consider him an icon, not only at ULethbridge, but in the larger community,” says longtime ULethbridge supporter Knud Petersen. “His enthusiasm, kindness and generosity were second to none and he left a positive effect on thousands of students and community members.”
Connolly’s arrival at ULethbridge is the stuff of legend and befitting of the man who would become an institutional cornerstone. Having just completed his master’s degree at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) in the spring of 1967, the Australian-born Connolly had a friend from his homeland join him on a celebratory cross-North America road trip. The duo happened to arrive in Lethbridge during the historical April 27, 1967, snowstorm and literally had their car buried on the road. Forced to wait for the snow to melt, Connolly saw in the Lethbridge Herald that a new university was set to open in September, and they were advertising for professors. Connolly walked over to the University (which was then at the site of Lethbridge Polytechnic), and spoke to the head of the math department, Laurence Hoye, and put in an application. He started full-time teaching in September of that year.
“Dr. Dennis Connolly’s unmatched commitment to the University of Lethbridge and its students over the past 58 years is an inspiration to us all,” says Dr. Matt Letts, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “From the time of his appointment, thanks to an April 1967 snowstorm that disrupted his North American road trip, Dennis valued the importance of getting to know each and every one of his students, mentoring them in their academic, artistic and athletic pursuits. Dr. Connolly’s meaningful impact on well over 10,000 students will never be forgotten.”
Connolly was born in Wagga Wagga, Australia in 1944, and was the eldest of four siblings. A strong student in school, he excelled at mathematics and English literature. Shortly after turning 17, he began his undergraduate studies at Sydney University, focusing on atomic physics. He switched to mathematics in his second year and upon graduation, earned a Commonwealth Scholarship, allowing him to begin his graduate studies in Canada. Following completion of his master’s and two years of work at ULethbridge, he was granted study leave, allowing him to complete a PhD in mathematics at University of York, England. It was there he met his wife, Catherine. They married in England in the summer of 1972 and later welcomed children David and Helen (currently an instructor in the ULethbridge Academic Writing Program).
Over the course of Connolly’s accomplished career, he taught more than 36 different courses (a total of 225 classes) in the math department to both undergraduates and graduates — teaching more than 10,000 students in total. His accolades were many, including recognition as the Students’ Union Excellence in Teaching Award winner in 2019, the 2009 Senate Volunteer Award, an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2017, and the honoree of the 2019 Wine & Dine: Arts & Science Scholarship Dinner. In 2017, as part of Homecoming Weekend and the University’s 50-year celebrations, Connolly was gifted the Blackfoot name Itiiomaahkaa, which fittingly means Long Journey.
An exemplary scholar, Connolly published works on statistics, probability and casino gambling. He lectured on numerous and varied topics, including sundials and projectiles and wrote about predicting the tides, mortgage renewals and league schedules. In 1994, he utilized his advanced knowledge of statistical analysis to assist in a monumental Australian legal case involving radiation poisoning of 20,000 servicemen and women who had been involved in the British Department of Defence’s nuclear testing program near Maralinga, Australia.
Connolly’s approach to teaching was an extension of his approach to life, marked with empathy, understanding and kindness.
“I take a photo of each student on their first day in class and ask them to write a little summary about themselves,” he said at his Arts & Science honoree dinner in 2019. “It helps me to learn more about them and that way it’s easier when I’m marking papers because I think: ‘David has done much better this time around or Emma is well on her way to graduate school with these marks!’ It’s much easier and more interesting to mark papers if you know a bit about the student.”
One of the founders of the Supporting Our Students (SOS) initiative, Connolly was engaged in every aspect of the ULethbridge experience. He was a staunch supporter of Pronghorn Athletics and could be seen at virtually every game played, even traveling to support the Horns women’s rugby and men’s basketball teams at national championship events in Trent, Ont. and Halifax N.S, respectively. He was also a patron of the arts and a constant presence at ULethbridge Opera Workshops and Faculty of Fine Arts productions.
Connolly was an ardent and generous supporter of multiple scholarships and programs in athletics, the arts and more. In addition to his commitment to SOS, he also supported the PUBlic Professor Series. The Dr. Dennis Connolly Scholarship Fund was established in 2019. In recognition of his life and achievements, please consider making a donation to the fund on the Tribute and Memorial Gifts page.
This notice will be updated when plans for a memorial service for Connolly are finalized. The University of Lethbridge will lower its flag on the day of his memorial.
