Acadia Bulletin - Fall 2015

FALL 2015

MAN & BOY PROFESSOR EMERITUS BARRY MOODY REFLECTS ON A REMARKABLE CAREER AT ACADIA PAGE 4

ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

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ACADIA Fallvisit 2015

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IN EVERY ISSUE From the Acadia President . . . . . . . . . 2 From the AAAU President . . . . . . . . . 3 Alumni Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Eye on Acadia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Associated Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Alumni Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Acadia Remembers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Final Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

FEATURES

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Thirty years in the making Alumna Tracey McGillivray (’15) is having a pretty big year, celebrating her 50th birthday and long-awaited graduation from Acadia.

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Great foundation Relationships forged and skills acquired at Acadia have afforded Simone Jucker (’01) a rewarding career in Abu Dhabi.

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Family affair Acadia “had everything we wanted for our children,” says Jan and Peter Gnemmi. All six of their kids have attended, graduated or will graduate from Acadia.

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Vital support ON THE COVER: Professor Barry Moody (’67) takes a moment to relax in the quad and reflect on his 50-year relationship with Acadia University.

(Photo: Mike Dembeck)

Investment from the alumni community helps Acadia’s student-athletes excel athletically and academically, and the numbers tell a tale of accomplishment and achievement.

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PHOTO: DAN CALLIS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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any of us are increasingly aware that growing media attention is being focused on the nature and value of the undergraduate experience at Canadian universities. Claims and implications are rife that our post-secondary institutions are failing to prepare young people adequately for the job market, that they no longer focus on personal interaction between students and professors, and that the investment being made by students and their parents is not paying strong dividends. The cumulative effect of this coverage is that high school graduates, their parents and others who support them are finding it more and more difficult to make one of life’s most important decisions I believe very strongly that the current debate should not obscure the formidable case in favour of a university education.

With respect to employment outcomes, we know that there will be 13 million more jobs for university graduates in 2020 than there were in 2010 and that the average lifetime earnings of university graduates will be $1.3 million higher than those of high school graduates. Perhaps more importantly, Acadia provides a unique experience where young women and men are both challenged and mentored by our outstanding faculty.

While this level of student/faculty interaction has been a hallmark of Acadia over our 176-year history, it is becoming increasingly rare in contemporary Canadian higher education.

We have not deviated from this model because we continue to believe that Acadia’s special blend of a high academic standard coupled with a rich and supportive learning environment produces extraordinary results. In short, Acadia offers a transformational experience that enables students to recognize and realize their full potential – to grow exponentially. In fact, “grow exponentially” is the new tagline that has emerged from recent brand-building work to which many alumni, students,

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‘GROW EXPONENTIALLY‘ APTLY DESCRIBES THE ACADIA EXPERIENCE faculty and staff contributed. It is also an encapsulation of the Acadia experience and a commitment to our students now and in the future.

This edition of the Bulletin certainly strengthens our case, highlighting excellence and achievement among our students, alumni, and faculty. Dr. Allen Eaves, one our country’s most distinguished scientists and successful entrepreneurs, should make all of us proud to be a member of the Acadia community.

Similarly, Dr. Barry Moody stands as a testament to the direct interest Acadia professors take in their students, while Simone Jucker, Jeff and Leila Richards and Tracy MacGillivray leave no room for doubt that their Acadia experience prepared them well for careers that were far from their minds when they first came to campus. Our current students and recent alumni, including the Gnemmi family, are writing their own stories.

For example, this September Julia Whidden (’13, ’15) began her Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Miami studying sharks and other ocean predators, and dual sport studentathlete Katie Ross (’17) was named a CIS Top 8 Academic AllCanadian, Acadia’s third in a row and the only University in Canada that can make this claim.

What we do at Acadia is not done elsewhere, and our students and alumni provide the proof. For all the reasons post-secondary education is facing challenges, there are an equal number of reasons why it’s thriving, as it always has, at Acadia.

Raymond E. Ivany

President and Vice-Chancellor

AAAU PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Fall 2015

Volume 98 / Issue 2 Publisher Office of Advancement, Acadia University Editor Fred Sgambati (’83) Vice President, Advancement Rod Morrison Executive Director, Alumni Affairs and Advancement Strategy Ian Murray (’88)

AAAU Board of Directors Doug Jackson (’99) Geoff Irvine (’87) Ryan Conrod (’06) Donalda MacBeath (’75) Matt Gray (’06) Hugh Bray (’75) Michele Gerrard (’88) Kiersten Amos (’96) Paul MacIsaac (’88) Tony Stewart (’72) Suzanne Seaman (’97) Becca Webster (’13) Jennifer Perry (’83) Barry Hennigar (’87) David Hovell (’91) Matt Rios (’14) Anne Sedgewick (’01) Ryan McCarthy (’10) Malcolm Smith (’76) Lisa Peck (’85) Jill Wagner (’99) Barry Taylor (’80) Ian MacIsaac (’86) Nick Westcott (’08) Rebecca Carr (’15 – ex-officio) Chelsea Penney (’16 – ex-officio) Graphic Designer Cathy Little Printing Transcontinental Printing Distributor Russell House Marketing The Bulletin is published twice a year, Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer, by the Office of Advancement, Acadia University. It is distributed on the Acadia campus and by mail to more than 27,000 alumni. All material is copyright ©2015 Acadia University, and may be reprinted with written permission.

Acadia Bulletin welcomes Letters to the Editor: Fred Sgambati Office of Advancement Acadia University Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6 fred.sgambati@acadiau.ca 902.585.1725 Advertising inquiries: Production and Events Manager Alumni Affairs Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6 902.585.1708 sandra.symonds@acadiau.ca

PHOTO: DAN CALLIS

Production and Events Manager Sandra Symonds

ALUMNI HAVE OWNERSHIP STAKE IN ACADIA

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n preparing my final Bulletin submission, I’ve taken some time to reflect on my presidency and want to leave you with some final thoughts.

I want to start by thanking my fellow members of the Board of Directors for the Associated Alumni of Acadia University. You have given of your time and talents and made a tangible difference in the lives of many of Acadia’s students and alumni. I have been honoured and humbled to serve with you.

Thank you also to the hard-working staff in the Office of Advancement. You work day and night to keep our alumni engaged in a number of ways: by producing the Bulletin, organizing alumni events worldwide, or helping the University raise much-needed funds. Your love of Acadia is evident in the work you do and the Associated Alumni is grateful for your support.

Thank you also to all the alumni I have met at the various events. I’m always amazed how alumni from all generations share a common experience and love for Acadia. Most recently, I enjoyed reminiscing with Summer Reunion participants who eagerly shared their memories from more than 40 years ago and whose love for Acadia was palpable. Talking to these alumni led me to recall a question posed by Bruce Galloway (’68) at this year’s Acadia Alumni Gala Dinner: “Who owns and is responsible for Acadia?”

The government provides funding, so you could argue that the residents of Nova Scotia do, at least in part. Students pay their share in tuition, so maybe them? But I would suggest that alumni own Acadia. It’s true that as students we paid tuition, but our experience at Acadia was made possible by the alumni before us who gave their time, knowledge, money and other resources to create and sustain the University. They ensured that our experience would mirror their own and now it is our turn.

So I challenge you to give back to Acadia in your own way. Perhaps by encouraging a high school student to attend, making a donation to the University, volunteering to mentor a current student, cheering on our Acadia Axemen and Axewomen, or attending one of the many alumni events held annually. With your support, we can ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the same Acadia experience we’ve all had.

It has been a pleasure representing you, and thank you for the opportunity.

Doug Jackson (’99) President, Associated Alumni of Acadia University

ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

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Barry Moody, browsing the stacks in the Kirkconnell Room at the Vaughan Memorial Library.

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ALUMNI PROFILES

AT ACADIA, MAN AND BOY Barry Moody (‘67)

By Laura Churchill Duke (’98)

“A

collection and dissemination of information about the history of the institution. Perhaps he is best known for his book, Give Us An A, a project for the University’s 150th anniversary in 1988.

PROFESSOR, MENTOR AND FRIEND University archivist Pat Townsend has known Moody for over 40 years, as a professor, mentor and friend. They have worked together on numerous committees, conferences and research projects, and their interaction has left a lasting impression.

Townsend met Moody in one of his classes and she was struck with his ability to see the potential in his students and a willingness to encourage them to succeed in their endeavours.

“He’s such a humble person, very self-effacing, with a delightful sense of humour,” she adds. “His knowledge of the history of the University is phenomenal. He helped to develop my interest in the University and the Baptist community, and he has a strong belief in the institution.”

Tom Herman, retired Professor Emeritus and former VP Academic at Acadia, says there are few individuals who could claim a greater breadth and depth of understanding, or more abiding love of Acadia, than Barry Moody. Few could claim to have had such a positive impact on three generations of Acadia students.

“It is no accident that he is so widely respected by alumni and colleagues from all quarters of campus,” Herman says.

Since retiring, Moody says he misses the daily routine of going to the office and interacting with students. “They are just as stimulating for us as faculty as we hope we are to them.”

Over five decades on campus, Moody has witnessed

PHOTOS: MIKE DEMBECK

cadia has given me so much,” says Barry Moody (’67).

“I like to try to give back, but know I will not be able to give as much as it has given me.”

Humble words from a Professor Emeritus in the Department of History and Classics, who retired in 2013 after 50 years on campus, man and boy.

Moody enrolled as a student at Acadia in 1963 after graduating from Kings County Academy in Kentville. Annual tuition then was $400 and Moody says he still has the original receipt! Having grown up as a Baptist, he notes that Acadia was a natural choice for him.

“At that time, Acadia was predominantly a Baptist university and most Baptists tended to go there,” he says. Acadia also had a great reputation for a quality education and that was a key factor in his decision to attend.

Three years after he graduated with a BA (Honours) in History, Moody returned to Acadia as a full-time faculty member. For the previous two years, he had been teaching summer school as a graduate student at Acadia, but 1970 marked his official start at the University.

“I was lucky I came along at the right time for the job market,” he says. Universities then were expanding rapidly and there were many opportunities for young academics.

Over the next 43 years, Moody forged an exemplary career as a member of the History Department (now called History and Classics), serving 10 years as Chair. His last few years at Acadia were spent as acting Dean of Arts.

“I didn’t expect to enjoy being Chair of the Department or Dean as much as I did,” Moody says. “I was sorry to retire because I enjoyed it so much.”

While at Acadia, Moody contributed significantly to the

ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

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PHOTO: MIKE DEMBECK

University archivist Pat Townsend and Barry Moody review historical material.

many changes, mostly as a result of Acadia’s increase in size.

“When I started,” he says, “there were about 1,000 students.

Now there are three times that number.”

As the University grew, so too did the number of faculty and administrative support staff necessary to keep things going.

Through it all, Moody says Acadia is still a fantastic place for students to blossom and grow socially and intellectually.

Because Acadia is a small university, there are great opportunities for faculty and students to form relationships.

Faculty can identify students’ strengths and weaknesses firsthand and engage them on a higher level. “This,” he notes, “is the real Acadia advantage.”

RETIREMENT PROJECTS Never one to be idle, Moody is involved in several retirement projects, mostly in the Annapolis Royal area, where he lives. He serves on the board of several museum and historical societies, and is restoring a Georgian period house in Annapolis Royal.

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Moody and his wife Sharon (McNamara) Moody (’75) purchased a derelict property across from the Historic Gardens and are returning it to its former glory. You can check out the progress on Moody’s Facebook page, Annapolis Royal House Restoration Project, and watch for details of open house tours.

In his spare time, Moody hopes to write about Acadia’s history, as well as continue working on the history of the Beaubassin region, which is another of his many interests.

Failing that, he says he has over 50 boxes of paper to sort through at the office he keeps at Acadia. “Being an historian, I’ve never thrown anything out!” he says with a chuckle.

Otherwise, he loves spending time with his family, including his two sons Matthew (’99) and James (’99) and their children.

“Acadia has been a huge part of my life,” Moody says fondly, “and determined my direction in ways I never dreamed of.” https://www.facebook.com/ARHouseRestore?fref=ts

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Paul Bailey Class of 1975 ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

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A SCIENTIST HELPING SCIENTISTS

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By Rachel Cooper (’89)

B

uddy Holly was singing “Peggy Sue” and John Diefenbaker was Canada’s Prime Minister when 16-year old Allen Eaves (’62) began studying biology at Acadia University in 1958.

Today, this pioneer in stem-cell research and bone-marrow transplantation is the recipient of national and international awards for his contributions to cancer research.

At an age when most of his contemporaries are retired, Eaves is president and chief executive officer of STEMCELL Technologies Inc., a biotech company he founded in 1993.

STEMCELL, based in Vancouver, develops specialty products for life science research and sells over 2,000 products in more than 70 countries.

Eaves has dedicated his life to making the world a better place, a lesson he says he learned at Acadia.

ALUMNI PROFILES

“To get people better educated should be our top priority.”

- Dr. Allen Eaves (’62)

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ALLEN EAVES

THE YOUNG SCIENTIST “We were all young,” he says. “In Nova Scotia at that time we graduated from high school in Grade 11, so it was nice to go to a small university. The professors knew a lot and loved to teach. You got to really know your friends, colleagues and the professors, and it was easy to join clubs and be part of the social fabric of the University. It was a great experience.”

Back then, a much smaller proportion of the population attended university. “We were a select group of people who were tasked with making the world a better place,” he adds.

“We felt a responsibility toward society.”

Eaves loved science, especially the biological sciences. For several summers he worked with his mentor, biology professor Sherman Bleakney (’49), to survey inshore marine life. “We formed a scuba diving club, which was new in those days, with Erik Hansen (’49), who taught in the chemistry department,” he says. “We got a contract to do an underwater survey of Louisbourg Harbour. This was before they reconstructed the fort there, so locating where the wrecks were was very exciting.”

After graduating from Acadia, Eaves earned an MSc in cell physiology from Dalhousie in 1964. Following the death from cancer of a family friend, he switched to medicine and completed his MD and internship in 1969. Then, at the University of Toronto, he completed a PhD in Medical Biophysics in 1974, working at the Princess Margaret Hospital (now the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre).

A LIFE’S WORK In 1981 – the same year that cancer took the life of Terry Fox – Eaves became the founding director of the Terry Fox Laboratory and served as the lab’s director for the next 25 years. From 1985 to 2003, he was also head of Clinical Hematology at the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia, both of which had contributed to creating the Terry Fox Laboratory.

While he was head of Hematology at UBC and the Cancer Agency, Eaves was responsible for the creation of one of the first and largest bone-marrow transplant programs in Canada.

Then, in 2006, Eaves turned 65 and was required to retire from his positions at the hospitals and UBC. He moved down the street to his company, STEMCELL Technologies, which continues to support research at the Terry Fox Lab. Why hasn’t he retired? “I love to work, and I’m having more fun than ever,” he says with a laugh. “I’m really running a huge graduate training program. We have 800 employees right now, and we’re growing at 15-20 per cent a year. We have 100 PhDs, the same number of people with MScs, and everybody else has a BSc or a degree in engineering. My biggest pleasure is hiring all these smart young kids who love science. Our tagline is Scientists Helping Scientists, and that’s what we do.”

ADVICE TO YOUNG GRADUATES Eaves would like to see today’s graduates start businesses that address societal and environmental issues. “We need more entrepreneurs. We need more people starting businesses, and not just starting them, but running them,” he says, adding that Canada needs a knowledge-based economy that’s environmentally friendly and not based on natural resources.

Across the globe, Eaves sees technology being used in terrible ways out of ignorance. “To get people better educated – appreciating the natural world and our environment, and maintaining it in a responsible way – should be our top priority,” he says.

“In 100 or 200 years, what will Canada be known for?” he asks. “It shouldn’t be digging up the ground for oil and minerals. It should be retaining the boreal forest and all the animals in it. How do we manage our land, lakes and oceans, and maintain them in a responsible way, while still being at the cutting edge of technology and science globally? That’s the challenge.”

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IN THE MAKING, ALUMNA CELEBRATES LONG-AWAITED ACADIA GRADUATION

By Charlotte Rogers (’13)

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t’s a big year for Tracey McGillivray: 2015 marks both her 50th birthday and her long-awaited graduation from Acadia University.

An operations and business development expert, McGillivray’s work has taken her to the U.S., southeast Asia and most recently back to Canada, where she is Vice-President of IT Services at Rogers Communications.

McGillivray first arrived at Acadia in 1983 to begin her

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Bachelor of Computer Science. She recalls her classroom experience as “a cut above. I learned things that I fall back on to this day,” she says. She also reminisces about the people she met and the buzz of campus life. “I loved studying alongside students from America, China, Iraq, Libya, Singapore and Vietnam. In this small university in a little town in Nova Scotia, you had a microcosm of the world.”

Besides her studies, McGillivray was an RA in Dennis

ALUMNI PROFILES

Tracey McGillivray with Dr. Darcy Benoit and Sharon Watson, “the two people who made it all possible!”

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF TRACEY MCGILLIVRAY

House and played volleyball with the varsity Axewomen.

She was always struck by the level of school spirit at Acadia.

“Whenever there was a men’s basketball game, Acadia’s gym was packed,” she recollects. “By the noise level and the passion, you’d think you were in the Superdome!”

McGillivray thrived academically and in her extracurricular activities, but during the final semester of her degree she faced serious health problems. Pneumonia forced her to miss a lot of class time and, while she managed to finish her coursework and final exams, she was unable to complete the requisite project course.

CATHARTIC EXPERIENCE Fast-forward 30 years, and McGillivray decided it was high time to earn her moment in the Convocation limelight. “I had made up my mind that I wanted to graduate before I turned 50!” she says. She contacted Sharon Watson, Senior Administrative Secretary in the Jodrey School of Computer Science, who immediately remembered McGillivray from her time there in the ’80s. Watson put McGillivray in touch with Dr. Darcy Benoit to ask about completing the course.

When McGillivray described her career since leaving Acadia, Benoit suggested she write a paper on some aspect of her experience in the field. She chose the science behind running an effective IT Service Desk. “It was a cathartic experience to put what I had learned on paper,” she says, “and Dr. Benoit gave me an A!” With all her program credits finally banked, McGillivray arrived in Wolfville for Convocation weekend in May 2015.

She met other Computer Science graduates who immediately welcomed her and asked about her story.

“I was a bit of an anomaly for them,” McGillivray says. “I was older than most of their parents.” However, “meeting the next generation of graduates gave me a lot of optimism for the future. I don’t think they’re afraid of hard work and I don’t think they have the same sense of entitlement as previous generations. I came away feeling so positive and hopeful.”

After crossing the stage herself, and spurred on by the promise she saw in her fellow graduates, McGillivray established an Acadia scholarship fund for female student-

athletes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs. The McGillivray Scholarship provides $1,000 to a qualifying student-athlete each year. McGillivray focused on student-athletes because she believes they become some of the most successful employees after graduation. “They know how to play their position on a team and how to gut it out when the going gets tough.”

She was also keen to help others enjoy the same Acadia experience she did. “A degree from Acadia is earned. It’s not bought and it’s not given to you. The classroom experience, combined with the strong international community and the level of school pride, sets Acadia apart,” she says.

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Camp

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF JORDAN SHERIKO

CAMP

a tribute to alumni family’s vision P.E.I. facility for children impacted by chronic or terminal illness turns 10 this year

By John DeCoste (‘77)

W

hen Jordan Sheriko (’07) was four years old, his dad Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour. After living with it and its effects for nearly 20 years, Tom Sheriko passed away in August 2007.

“Our life revolved around his illness; medical appointments and the like,” Jordan says. “Then mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

That was around the time Jordan, who had just finished his second year at Acadia, and his mom Kathie, who received her first two of four Acadia degrees in 1978, “were talking about offering some kind of an experience for others who were going through some of the same things we had been experiencing.”

Camp Triumph was born – a summer camp for kids with a

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family member (parent or sibling) dealing with a chronic illness or condition.

The Camp, which has always been located on Prince Edward Island and has now found a permanent home near the Island community of Kensington, deals with “the whole spectrum of illness and disease, from cancer to mental health issues.”

Although Camp Triumph turns 10 this year, “this is actually the 11th summer we’ve run a camp,” Jordan says. “It has been quite a journey.”

For the first four years they rented different places around P.E.I. From a one-week camp the first summer, “by our fourth year, we had expanded to three weeks of camps plus a leadership camp” for older campers interested in perhaps becoming counsellors.

ALUMNI PROFILES Jordan Sheriko (’07, left) at Camp Triumph.

The Sherikos anticipated Camp Triumph’s expansion, but realized they needed a dedicated facility. The process of finding one began in the camp’s fourth year.

Wes Sheridan, P.E.I.’s then Finance Minister, “was a keen and interested supporter from the start. He played a key role in our finding a permanent spot” – a lease of land from the P.E.I. government on Malpeque Bay, right next to the Cabot Beach Provincial Park.

The first building was a dining hall. The following year, Jordan says, “we began to build cabins and a lodge. The most recent things we’ve added have been a ropes challenge course and a playing surface.”

of room to grow and expand, and we’re happy to do our part to make that happen.”

To begin with, Jordan and Kathie served as co-directors, but Jordan admits, “mom is the cornerstone.” Today, Kathie is the director and Matt the assistant director. “It’s still very much a family affair, but we have great staff and a wonderful volunteer board.”

Jordan acknowledged that as his medical career has progressed, and especially now that he is living in Ottawa, “it’s a bit harder to get to P.E.I. It’s more of a challenge, but it’s something I can book in advance.”

OPPORTUNITIES TO THINK BIG

He is involved in “a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, like running the charity, which I’m able to do from wherever I am.”

From the start, the aim has been to keep Camp Triumph free for all campers. This is done through the charitable foundation and, Jordan noted, “our goal has always been to become fully sustainable.”

Currently, Jordan says, the camp is on the threshold. Each summer, “we offer three one-week camps, 70 kids each, plus two leadership camps. Our goal is four camps per year in addition to the leadership camps.”

Over 10 years, “more than 1,700 children, from eight different provinces, have been able to come to Camp Triumph for free.” In terms of that, “we’d like to think we’re kind of unique. We would also like to be able to reach the point where we, as a family, can step back and let the volunteers and our paid staff run the day-to-day operation.”

Nevertheless, “it’s amazing to see the growth and development in our campers.

Two of our first campers in 2005 now work for us. A number of other former campers have come back as volunteers, and continue to do so.”

Jordan echoes the sentiments of the rest of his family when he says, “it’s pretty special to see the huge impact the Camp has had in such a relatively short time. It’s really something to be proud of.”

To learn more about Camp Triumph, becoming a staff member or volunteer, or making a donation, visit the camp’s website at www.camptriumph.ca.

Camp Triumph had its start while Jordan was still an Acadia student. His younger brothers, Jeffrey and Matthew, were in high school.

Since that time Jordan has attended, and in 2011 graduated from, Dalhousie Medical School. He did his pediatric residency at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax and, since June of this year, has been doing fellowship training in pediatric rehabilitation at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa.

Matt attended St. Thomas University in Fredericton, then took a Master’s in Communication at the University of Ottawa.

Jeff is a talented artist living in Halifax. Kathie is now retired from a career in education, first as a resource teacher and then a guidance counsellor in Kings County schools.

“The whole family has been involved (in Camp Triumph) in one way or another,” from a hands-on perspective to serving on the board of directors to managing the charitable foundation that raises funds to keep attendance at the camp free for all participants.

Jordan says his Acadia connections, first as a student and then as an alumnus, “gave me opportunities to think big. Lots of people I went to Acadia with, and lots of Acadia grads, have been involved from the start.”

He has trouble realizing sometimes that the camp is now in its 11th year. “It’s an idea that really took off and we couldn’t turn back. We could only continue to move ahead. There’s still lots

BEHIND-THE-SCENES CHARITABLE WORK

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Alumna’s career in Abu Dhabi direct result of relationships forged, skills acquired at Acadia

By Fred Sgambati (’83)

S

imone Jucker (‘01) has parlayed strong organizational skills and a Bachelor of Recreation Management from Acadia into valuable trade relationships and an outstanding career in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A former employee in Acadia’s Continuing and Distance Education program, Jucker later became Manager of International Marketing for the University’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program, relocating eventually to Abu Dhabi, where she has lived since 2004. With over 10 years’ experience in international trade, she promotes Canada across the region and established herself in 2012 as an international trade consultant to assist companies doing business in the Gulf. She was previously Executive Director of EduNova Gulf Commercial Investments LLC and Trade Commissioner for Education and Training at the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi from 2005-07.

Her parents, Peter and Frances Jucker, own Harwood House Bed and Breakfast in Wolfville, and Jucker returns to the Valley regularly to visit them and reconnect with her Acadia roots. In the following Q & A, she shares some thoughts on her Acadia

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experience and how it has shaped her current role as Chair of the Canadian Business Council of Abu Dhabi.

Q. Where are you from originally?

A. Toronto.

Q. What attracted you to Acadia?

A. The Recreation Management program. I remember attending a recruitment information evening at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto and meeting (former VP Student Affairs) Paula Cook (’80) and her team that evening. Prospective students were asked to convene on one side of the room and we sat around in a circle talking about our interests and area of studies. When I first arrived I was thinking Bachelor of Arts with the possibility of a BEd eventually.

Fortunately, I was the last to speak and there had been at least three others ahead of me who kept talking about the Recreation Management program at Acadia. By the time it was my turn I was completely sold on the program and said REC! I am really glad I did and had an amazing four years in the program.

ALUMNI PROFILES Simone Jucker (’01) gives a speech at the Annual Maple Leaf Ball in April, 2015 in Abu Dhabi.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SIMONE JUCKER

Q. Did you live on campus and, if so, in what residence?

A. Yes. For my first year, I was a Barrax girl. At the time we had a newly-renovated residence, so that was a bonus. My roommate was from Calgary and we had a blast together, especially given the fact that 40 per cent of undergrads that year were from Newfoundland and many were in our residence!

Q. What were some of the takeaways that allowed you to do what you’re doing now?

A. Although they weren’t necessarily my favourite classes at the time, the business angle of the Recreation Management degree provided me with some great foundations, including international marketing and communications. To be honest, my love for travel and languages continued to grow during my time at Acadia and I ended up writing my thesis on the motivational factor of independent leisure travel.

My advisor and mentor Brenda Robertson (’75) took a little convincing at first on my area of focus, but soon got on board with it and we were happy with the overall result. I was hoping to pursue such experiences immediately after graduation, but realized a lack of funds wasn’t going to get me very far so I opted for a job at Acadia Continuing and Distance Education. My career soon developed and I became Manager of International Marketing for the newly-established ESL program, which enabled me to pursue international travel on behalf of Acadia to countries such as Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Korea, and the UAE among others.

Q. You have been in Abu Dhabi since 2004. What attracted you to the UAE and how has your role/responsibilities changed since your arrival?

A. On one of my recruitment trips to Costa Rica promoting Acadia’s ESL program, I ended up ‘recruiting’ my husband, who was working there in an international school. After trying a long distance relationship for some time, I decided to take a risk and visit him in Abu Dhabi, where he had moved after growing up there as a young kid. I convinced my boss at the time that I could do my job from anywhere with a decent international airport and connections, so I continued doing this for another one-and-a-half years. Then I applied for a job in Abu Dhabi at the Canadian Embassy as a Trade Commissioner in the Education and Training sector. I was successful, and this is really where my focus on international trade and experience in Canada-UAE relations grew.

During three years at the Embassy, I assisted many Canadian universities, colleges, private and public schools, including private companies and provincial ministries, in learning about the education and training sector within the Gulf region. I later became Executive Director of EduNova Gulf LLC in 2007 and

spent the next five years promoting Nova Scotia’s education and training capabilities around the Gulf region. During this time I became involved with the Canadian community living in the UAE, which is now over 40,000 people, and joined the Canadian Business Council of Abu Dhabi in 2005. Our organization has just celebrated its 10th anniversary.

After the closure of the EduNova Gulf office in 2012, I became an independent international trade consultant. I continue to work with companies, primarily from Atlantic Canada, who want to do business in this part of the world.

Q. Networking and strong relationships seem to be key components to your success. How did your Acadia experience help you to refine these skills, and how important are they in your capacity as an international trade consultant?

A. It’s all about networking and relationships here in the UAE! Building the trust of the local Emiratis is critical in being successful and demonstrating your commitment to the market by having a presence. Canadian companies need to educate themselves before entering this market in order to be successful. I advise companies and individuals about understanding the local business market and serve as their representative on the ground.

Q. What opportunities do you foresee for Canadian enterprise in the UAE in the future?

A. Trade relations between Canada and the UAE are expected to grow over the next few years, especially in fields such as food and agriculture, education, oil and gas, and infrastructure.

Canada has excellent capabilities and know-how in research and development, small/medium-size enterprises, entrepreneurship and public/private partnership models, all of which are of interest to the UAE. The relationship between Canada and the UAE has never been stronger or more important to our joint prosperity.

In fact, two-way trade has almost quadrupled over the past decade, increasing from $564 million (Dh2.06 billion) in 2005 to $2.6 billion in 2014.

Q. What does it mean to you to be a member of Acadia’s alumni community?

A. I’m very proud to be an Acadia alumna and continue to promote and encourage young people to explore for themselves the benefits of studying at a university such as Acadia. I return to Wolfville on every occasion when I get back to Canada as I still own property there and my parents also live in town, so I remain connected to the University and community. I was a speaker and participant at the inaugural Society of Acadia Recreation Graduates (SAURG) conference in 2012 and stay connected with this alumni group, too.

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“That’s one small bite for a man, one giant leaf for mankind.”

Jeffrey Richards, Project Science Coordinator for Space Biology at Kennedy Space Center, examines the growth of red romaine lettuce in the VEGGIE hardware under specialized LED lighting. These plants were Ground Control plants, duplicating the plants harvested and eaten by astronauts onboard the International Space Station.

By Rachel Cooper (’89)

T

ongue-in-cheek headlines around the world celebrated an historic moment on the International Space Station (ISS) this summer. On August 10, 2015, astronauts took a bite of justpicked lettuce they had grown and harvested on the ISS. Jeff Richards (’90) was part of the NASA team that made it happen, thanks to a chance encounter 20 years earlier in Kentville’s Agricultural Research Station, where he was working.

Beside the photocopier lay a job advertisement for a one-year contract at Epcot, Florida, to work with NASA. On impulse, Jeff applied.

A year later he got a call, had an interview and got the contract.

“It was really fun,” he says. “We did some of the initial tests with growing plants under LED lights. They were easily transferrable to space flight, because they had long life potential and generate very little heat. That’s important for a spacecraft or a transit vehicle to another planet.”

When the contract ended, Jeff returned to Nova Scotia, where his wife, Leila Richards (BSc ’86, MSc ’97) had remained.

Although her Acadia BSc was in Home Economics (now Nutrition and Dietetics), the label didn’t reflect her education in physics, organic chemistry and other sciences. After working at Acadia as a food science technician and later with the Canadian Food

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Inspection Agency, she returned to Acadia for an MSc in Biology, specializing in food safety.

WHAT TO TELL THE GRANDKIDS With Leila remaining in Nova Scotia with their two young boys, Jeff took up a position in the wine industry in Ontario in 1997, commuting regularly back to see his family. Then the call came from NASA. Would he be interested in returning for a five-year contract? Jeff and Leila discussed the opportunity.

Leila said to Jeff, “Do you want to tell your grandkids that you could have worked with NASA?” They moved to Florida.

Jeff took up his new post and Leila began working in research and development in the citrus industry. She switched to a career with Walt Disney World, but when it began to take her away from home, she returned to Citrus World, Inc., where she is now Senior Manager, Industrial Procurement and Contract Packaging.

When Jeff’s five-year contract ended, he and his colleagues moved from Epcot to the Kennedy Space Center, where they worked on Mars-related experiments. They simulated the Martian surface to see if some plants would grow and, if not, how to amend the soils. They built one of the world’s best

ALUMNI PROFILES

Leila Richards, a senior manager with Citrus World, Inc., holds the latest design for the company’s Florida’s Natural Growers orange juice. Florida’s Natural Growers is a division of Citrus World, Inc., a cooperative of growers and the third largest orange juice company in the U.S.

PHOTOS: COURTESY JEFF RICHARDS

Astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Scott Kelly enjoy a snack of the lettuce they grew on the International Space Station. (Photo: courtesy of NASA)

Mars atmospheric simulation chambers to study planetary contamination issues, from Earth to Mars and vice-versa.

From there, he transitioned into a role of Senior Research Scientist with the bioregenerative life-support system team to learn more about choosing crops specialized for space flight and growing plants on the ISS. “Most of the astronauts’ food is in pouches,” he says. “Our goal was to have a fresh salad crop to supplement their diet, and to choose crops that would grow well and quickly.”

After nearly 20 years as a researcher, Jeff is now Project Science Coordinator with NASA, helping scientists navigate the complex world of conducting science in space. He is part of the team involved with planning and monitoring plant growth on the ISS and at Kennedy Space Center.

MEMORIES OF ACADIA Jeff and Leila met at Acadia, and their memories remain fresh.

Jeff, from Newfoundland, applied to Acadia because of its solid reputation and because friends were applying. What clinched the decision was visiting the Valley in the fall and seeing the campus for the first time. “It was serene. When I saw the University, how beautiful it was, I thought, ‘I’m definitely going here.’”

Leila, from New Ross, Nova Scotia, was persuaded by her brother, Cyril Hiltz (’74), to transfer to Acadia from Mount Saint Vincent University, where she had spent her first year.

Both recall the personal attention in small classes and the sense of community in a small university, and advise students today to work hard and look for a career they’ll enjoy.

Jeff and Leila hope one day to return to Nova Scotia, but for now they like where their careers have brought them. Jeff’s work may be literally out of this world, but his Acadia studies set him on the path to research.

“An Acadia education can take you to places beyond your imagination,” he says.

GROWING FOOD IN SPACE Lettuce Feast Previews Research Potential of Station (NASA blog): http://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2015/08/10/lettuce-feastpreviews-research-potential-of-station/ Space Station Live: A First for Space Lettuce (video 5:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHyNkm3g5ls Astronauts Take First Bites of Space-Grown Lettuce (video 0:31): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp6zLISoT0k

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Acadia the only choice for Hantsport’s Gnemmi family “We did our research and it had everything we wanted for our children”

By Laura Churchill Duke (’98)

N

othing matches the joy of watching your children, one by one, walk across that stage and get their diploma, ready to take on the world,” says Peter Gnemmi of his six children, all of whom have attended, graduated or will graduate from Acadia University.

Before settling in Hantsport, Nova Scotia in 1995, the Gnemmi family was living in California, where Peter was a practicing dentist. One of the reasons the family decided to move to Hantsport was its proximity to Acadia.

There was no family tradition of attending Acadia, but as matriarch Jan Gnemmi concedes, they’ve started one. “We did our research and it had everything we wanted for our children,”

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Peter adds.

Jan agrees. “I knew Acadia was a very good school, with lots of opportunities for the children to be able to stay involved in local theatres, music and sports. Besides, it was close to home if they needed anything.”

As the eldest child, Elizabeth (Gnemmi) Hirtle was the first to attend Acadia. Studying at Acadia between 2001 and 2002, she later transferred to the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

Christina (Gnemmi) Ozon (’07), Joseph (’12) and Michael (’15) all graduated from Acadia. Philip and Margaret will graduate in 2017, and all six siblings say they were happy to attend Acadia.

“Acadia was chosen because it was the closest to home,” Joseph says. “We’re a very close family and it had a reputation as a good school.”

Michael notes that once one of them went to Acadia and loved it, the rest followed without hesitation.

Having other siblings on campus didn’t seem like such a big deal for the Gnemmis. As Jan says, because each child is different, they had different experiences and opportunities.

Some lived on campus, others commuted from home. Some

EYE ON ACADIA

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE GNEMMI FAMILY

The Gnemmi family (from left to right): Elizabeth, Michael, Jan, Joseph, Peter, Cristina, Margaret and Philip – as they are today and when they were were growing up.

were in arts and others in sciences.

“When your siblings are in completely different programs and residences, you don’t tend to notice them much,” Philip says. “In fact, it gets pretty easy to forget they’re even there!”

As Michael observes, sometimes you wanted to just separate from your family. “Acadia is not so big that there weren’t chance encounters with siblings, but not so small that you couldn’t pursue your own social calendar,” Joseph says.

Having siblings on campus, especially in the same degree program, has its advantages, Joseph points out. “It’s great to have someone you trust implicitly show you the ropes and shortcuts, and give advice on courses and professors and everything.”

Over the course of 15 years that the Gnemmi siblings will have been at Acadia, there have been quite a few changes at the school, especially in technology.

Christina attended when the Acadia Advantage program was in full swing and students received a laptop from the University.

“I love that they have a choice of computers now, but it’s crazy to remember how much of an advantage having a laptop, let alone your own laptop, was even 10 years ago,” she says.

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES Michael says all six siblings are completely different people with totally unique outlooks on life.

“When we talk about some of our experiences at Acadia, they’re all different,” Michael says. “We all found our niches and each of them are very diverse, which is fascinating.”

However, putting six children through university is no easy feat. “Luckily, our parents and grandparents put a lot of value in higher education,” Elizabeth says, and had the foresight to plan ahead.

The Gnemmis were fortunate that Peter’s parents started education funds for each of the children when they were born, and Peter suggests that even though early on things may be tight financially, it pays to start your children’s education fund when they’re young. “Then contribute to it regularly, rather than accumulate things. This actually works,” he says.

Two members of the Gnemmi family – Philip and Margaret – are still students at Acadia. Jan and Peter subscribe to Acadia’s Performing Arts Series and regularly attend the Sunday Music in the Garden Room concert series at the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre.

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Cookie distribution program celebrates 20 years satisfying crunch-time cravings

By Charlotte Rogers (’13)

T

wenty years ago, Kings Presbyterian Church in New Minas began distributing exam-time cookie packages to just a handful of happy Acadia students. The program has grown steadily since then and last December 160 students signed up. At approximately eight cookies or treats per box, over 1,200 goodies were distributed across campus in 2014 alone.

Minister Tim Archibald (’86) began the program when he came to Kings Presbyterian in 1995. “We were a small congregation at the time,” he recalls, “but there were a lot of Acadia students among us. We thought it would be neat to do something for them and especially for those who weren’t from the local area.”

The idea for cookie care packages was born. Word spread

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quickly from the students in the congregation to their friends around campus and a sign-up sheet was circulated. Kings churchgoers donated home-baked treats and volunteers gathered to pack them in tins that were labelled with each student’s name. The volunteers then delivered the tins to residence rooms.

Each year since, the project has evolved to accommodate an increasing uptake. Kings partnered with University Chaplain Tim McFarland (’92) to help get the word out across campus, and McFarland now includes a note about the cookies in an allstudent e-mail early in December. A shortage of tins one year led the Church to switch to plastic boxes, which Sobey’s donates to the project. When it became impractical to deliver the boxes to residence rooms, McFarland offered the Manning Memorial

EYE ON ACADIA

Chapel as a pick-up point.

Now he refers to himself laughingly as the ‘cookie dealer.’ “A week-and-a-half into the exam period, the hallway outside of my office is filled with boxes,” he says. He notifies students, who come and rummage through the stack for their personalized packages. “It’s great to get the chance to chat with students who wouldn’t otherwise come to the chapel,” McFarland comments.

PHOTO: CHARLOTTE ROGERS

TIMELY TREAT Davita DesRoches was one of the delighted recipients of last year’s boxes. The cookies were a timely treat for DesRoches who, as an English and Math double major, juggles a hectic schedule at exam time. “It’s really special and thoughtful that a community organization would go out of its way for students,” she says.

It’s a sentiment shared by many. Kings receives dozens of thank-you e-mails each year from students and their parents.

One student writes, “The cookies are delicious and are making studying much more tolerable!”

A parent in Ontario reported her daughter’s “absolute joy when she picked up her box,” since “it will be some time before she is able to come home to my Christmas baking.”

Recently, the Women’s Group at Kings took over coordination of the cookie program. “We feel it’s a great expression of our Church’s mission statement,” says group member Mary Montgomery. The statement reads, “Welcomed ~ Healed ~ Home. For the Glory of God,” and Montgomery hopes the program gives students “a sense of connection and community.”

The vision has spread beyond Acadia, too. After a writeup about the program in national magazine the Presbyterian Record, a group of churches in Kingston, ON, began distributing treats at Queen’s University. “Others churches have also mentioned starting something similar for their local universities,” Montgomery says.

Asked whether the Women’s Group ever worries about the day when demand exceeds supply, Montgomery says they will invite other congregations to partner with Kings if student sign-ups continue to rise. Barbara Wedsworth, another group member, interjects. “Every year you hear, ‘We’ll have to put a limit on this,’” she laughs, “but then we just keep baking!”

Left: Acadia student Davita DesRoches receives her box of cookies from University Chaplain Tim McFarland (’92).

Above: Volunteers at Kings Presbyterian Church in New Minas prepare cookie tins for Acadia University students.

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Alumni big part of both past, present ACADIA RELAYS

Left to right, Dick Campbell (’65), Ray Baltzer (’65), Jane Cayford (’67) and Bob Dugas (’81) were four of a group of Acadia alumni involved with the 2015 Acadia Relays held May 1 on Raymond Field. (John DeCoste)

By John DeCoste (‘77)

W

hen the Acadia Relays track and field meet was resurrected in 2013 after a hiatus of more than 40 years, Acadia alumni stepped up to be part of both the organization and the annual events themselves.

First held in May 1926 as a showcase for high school athletes, many of whom ended up attending Acadia, the Acadia Relays were held annually until 1942, when they were cancelled for the duration of the Second World War. Resumed in 1946, the Relays continued until 1967, at which time a number of factors contributed to their demise, including the retirement of long-time Acadia track and field coach Major Fred Kelly, who had been a driving force behind the Relays, and work had begun on a new Acadia gym.

The move to resurrect the Acadia Relays began in 2008, after Field Turf and an all-weather running track was installed on Acadia’s Raymond Field.

A committee was struck that included Acadia graduates Richard Foot (‘67) and Dave Morton (‘85) as well as Acadia professor (and cross-country coach) Dr. Rene Murphy and wellrespected athletics coaches Ueli Albert and Steve Wohlmuth.

Throwing and jumping areas were added to the Acadia complex and by 2013 Raymond Field was prepared not only to host the ‘modern’ Acadia Relays, but school track and field meets as well.

The Kings-West Hants District and Western Region track and

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field competitions were held at Acadia in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

In addition, this year Acadia also hosted the NSSAF provincial meet.

SAW THE POTENTIAL The third edition of the modern Acadia Relays took place May 1, 2015. Competitors from high schools and junior high/middle schools from as far away as Bridgetown and Milford took part in five events, all of them fully co-ed with boys and girls on the same teams.

Foot, who deserves a lot of the credit for reviving the meet, served as head marshal for this year’s meet.

“When I saw the new track being built, I saw the potential to both revive the Acadia Relays and also to host district, regional and even provincial competitions here,” he said.

Foot competed in the original Acadia Relays in 1963 and 1964 as a high school student in Bridgetown before coming to Acadia, where he was also part of the track and field team.

In 2008, “Barry Corbin (’68) and I were both teaching parttime here at Acadia. We thought it would be great to resurrect the Relays, which were always such an event in the past.”

Foot and Corbin had an informal chat and, from those beginnings, the Relays were reborn. Corbin volunteered at the 2013 and 2014 Acadia Relays, but missed this year’s event.

Foot did some research into the history of the original Acadia

EYE ON ACADIA

Richard Foot (‘67) was event marshal for the 2015 Acadia Relays. Foot was an important part of the group that worked to revive the Acadia Relays in 2013. (John DeCoste)

PHOTOS: JOHN DECOSTE

Art Marshall (‘69) came all the way from Bridgetown to volunteer at the 2015 Acadia Relays. (John DeCoste)

Relays. When the event began in 1926, “it was the first track and field competition in Nova Scotia open to athletes (at the time, all male) province-wide.” Women were first permitted to compete in 1955.

Among other things, Foot found that Gideon Prescott, grandfather of Tom Prescott (‘58), “was a member of the organizing committee for the first-ever Acadia Relays.”

Tom Prescott, not surprisingly, was one of the Acadia alumni Foot recruited to volunteer at the meet. “I’ve been here all three years,” Prescott said. “I’m glad to see them revive this event and I hope it continues to grow into the future.”

Prescott was a judge for the Relay events, “making sure the baton gets passed properly – and anything else Richard needs doing. I like to come to these events and watch, and as long as I’m here, I may as well be working.”

FUN TO GIVE BACK Bob Dugas (‘81) is from a more recent era of Acadia graduates.

A retired teacher, he said, “when I did my practice teaching, Richard was my supervising teacher. We’ve known each other for years. He asked me if I was interested in volunteering, and I said absolutely.”

Dugas is too young to have competed in the original Acadia Relays, but he was a provincial triple jump champion at Digby Regional High School in the 1970s. “I coached track at Horton,

and cross-country at Port Williams. It’s fun to volunteer and give back.”

Ray Baltzer (‘65), a retired teacher and middle school principal, was also among the volunteers at the event. “I did track and field in high school and I remember coming to track meets here, but I never did the Acadia Relays,” he said, “though I did spend a lot of time on this field playing football.”

Like Foot, Prescott and Dugas, Baltzer said, “I like to be able to give back. We all spent a lot of time doing track in our younger years. It’s great to be able to do this and get out in the fresh air.”

Baltzer added that he “got to see some old friends, some of whom I competed against.” For the athletes of today, “it’s a great chance to get some early practice in before the school meets.”

Art Marshall (‘69), also a retired educator, made the trip from Bridgetown to volunteer at the meet. “When I was in high school,” he said, “we used to bring teams up here to run in the original Acadia Relays. Dick Campbell, who is also here today, Richard Foot and I were on the same relay team.

“Then, when we came to Acadia, we all ran track for Major Kelly. The last team we ran on ended up winning the Maritime Intercollegiate championship.” Marshall added, “a lot of us volunteering here today have plenty of past connections, both with each other and with Acadia.”

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SAVE THE DATE! Summer Reunion 2016 July 8-10 at Acadia!

Classes invited back include: 1976 – 40th Reunion 1971 – 45th Reunion 1966 – 50th Reunion 1961 – 55th Reunion 1956 – 60th Reunion 1951 – 65th Reunion 1946 – 70th Reunion 1941 – 75th Reunion FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT SANDRA SYMONDS AT 902-585-1708 OR E-MAIL sandra.symonds@acadiau.ca

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Upcoming Acadia Alumni Events – Saturday, November 14, 2015 Hockey Honour Roll – Monday, November 30, 2015 Ottawa Social on the Hill – Tuesday, December 01, 2015 Montreal Reception – Tuesday, February 02, 2016 Bahamas Reception – Thursday, February 04, 2016 Bermuda Reception – Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Florida Luncheon – Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Alumni Gala Dinner MORE INFORMATION ON THESE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE http://alumni.acadiau.ca

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ASSOCIATED ALUMNI OF ACADIA UNIVERSITY BALANCE SHEET AS AT MARCH 31 Restated

Unaudited 2015 Unaudited 2014

Assets AAAU/Acadia Joint Account $ 244,727 $ Affinity Fund 343,324 Allan Fulton Fund 13,020 Constance Hayward Fund 274,397 Carr Fund 42,607 General Fund (Alumni Hall) 58,754 Graham Fund 16,314 Toronto Fund 5,537 Vesta Magee Fund 29,328 Total Assets $ 1,028,008 $

138,118 363,762 12,846 270,726 42,037 57,968 16,096 7,043 28,935 937,531

Committed Funds Athletics Proposal All Canadian Awards Banquets $ Axeman Celebrity Hockey Dinner Female Athlete Awards ‐ Hockey Honour Roll Signage Women in Sport Gala ‐ Varsity Sport Special Initiatives‐

$

2,000 $ 2,000 10,000 2,000 2,500 3,500 7,000 29,000 $

– – 20,000 – – – – 20,000

175th Anniversary Proposal (2014-2016) Branch Events $ Homecoming Weekend Sunday Music in the Garden

$

23,500 $ 5,000 8,000 36,500 $

– – – –

Other Alumni Hall Painting and Refurbishment $ – $ 5,538 Graduation Class Parents’ Night 1,500 – President’s Fund 10,000 10,000 Recruitment – 1,100 Rev. White Symposium 500 – Staffing Commitment – 60,000

$ 12,000 $ 76,638 Total Committed Funds $ 77,500 $ 96,638 Uncommitted Funds $ 950,508 $ 840,893

AAAU PROFILES

IAN MACISAAC (’86) Residing in Halifax and originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Ian graduated from Acadia University in 1986 and commenced working for Scotiabank that same year. Having held various branch and electronic banking positions, Ian joined the home financing solutions team in 2009. Since that time, he has consistently been one of the top performing home financing advisors in Atlantic Canada. Ian was Vice-President of the Acadia Students’ Union and very active in student life. As a musician, he has achieved success at international pipeband competitions, having competed throughout Canada, USA and Scotland. Ian’s daughter, Heather Chisholm, and his brother, Ross MacIsaac, are also Acadia alumni. During his spare time, he enjoys fly-fishing, hockey and personal fitness in addition to playing the bagpipes.

LISA PECK (’85) Lisa has lived in the Halifax area since the age of four. She graduated from Acadia in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, and went on to enjoy a very successful 30-year career in human resources, working for several departments within the federal public service. Lisa currently occupies the position of Public Service HR Manager at the RCMP for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. She is a member of the Human Resources Association of Nova Scotia and a member of the Halifax-Cornwallis Women’s Progress Club, which provides support to a number of local charities. Over the years, Lisa has been an enthusiastic Acadia alumna, attending several Homecomings and other Acadia events. She currently resides in Dartmouth and has two wonderful sons, one of whom is currently attending Acadia.

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PHOTO: FRED SGAMBATI

4

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4A

ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

2 PHOTO: FRED SGAMBATI

PHOTO: PETER OLESKEVICH

weekend 2015!

PHOTO: MELANIE JACKSON

PHOTO: PETER OLESKEVICH

Homecoming 1

4B 3

6 1 On Oct. 16, a gift from Ross and Susan Eddy of 19 pieces of art by renowned Canadian artist David Silverberg was unveiled in the Wu Welcome Centre in Alumni Hall at Acadia University. On hand for the occasion was Peter Eddy, his wife Nakita, their child Hannah, and artist David Silverberg.

PHOTOS: FRED SGAMBATI

5A

3 Former and current Executive Directors of Alumni Affairs Steve Pound (’72, left) and Ian Murray (’88) share a laugh at the Associated Alumni’s annual Backyard Barbecue on the Clark Terrace, Wu Welcome Centre.

6A Terrace at the Wu Welcome Centre in Alumni Hall. They later watched the football Axemen fall 38-21 to Mt. A on Raymond Field.

6, 6A Other Homecoming highlights included the Coaches’ Roast and Sydstock on Saturday night. At the Roast, legendary Acadia coaches 4, 4A, 4B (left to right) Jeff Cummins, Sonny Wolfe, Three different alumni groups returned to John Huard and Bob Vespaziani were feted Acadia during Homecoming 2015: Class of 2 by former players, while second-year ESST 1996, (pictured: Suzanne Seaman, ’97, and Eleven inductees were welcomed into the Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame Saturday morning, Tracy Lightfoot, ’96); Class of 2005 (by the hay student Emily Murray (pictured with Board Oct. 17, including: Wendy Bedingfield; Gordie bale in front of Alumni Hall); and Barrax, Class Chair Paul Jewer, ’94, and Sydstock founder Barry Taylor, ’80) received the Sydney Taylor of 1983 (group shot in the Great Room, Wu West; Ed Gataveckas; Brian Walling; Dara ’13 Memorial Award, given to a returning (Moore) Ramirez; and Larry Jusdanis; the 1977- Welcome Centre). student in the Faculty of Arts who has 78 basketball Axemen; and the 1977, 1980, enriched campus life as an active Acadia 1986 and 1995 football Axemen. Pictured are 5, 5A citizen through academic, on- or off-campus members of the 1995 football Axemen after A huge crowd turned out for the Associated leadership or activities. the induction ceremony.

Alumni’s Backyard Barbecue on the Clark

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PHOTOS: PETER OLESKEVICH; IAN MURRAY

5

Wu Welcome Centre officially opens!

Breaking ground 2014

Nov. 2014

Dec. 2014

Jan. 2015

April 2015

Sept. 2015

The Wu Welcome Centre in Alumni Hall is now open and available to serve Acadia University’s alumni, faculty, friends, special guests and members of the community.

By Fred Sgambati (’83)

I

n November 2013, the Wu family of Hong Kong provided Acadia with a gift of $1.5 million to construct the Centre at Alumni Hall. The Centre is a tribute to Hong Kong businessman Dr. Jieh Yee Wu from his children, Jean, Patrick, Lily (’63), Doris (’64) and Timothy (’66), Philip and their families. Lily’s husband, Dr. Andre Lau (’61), is also an Acadia alumnus. The Wu family’s connection to Acadia is well-established with the Wu Wing of the Vaughan Memorial Library, also named for Dr. Wu. The 3,600-square-foot addition to Alumni Hall will serve as an entry point to campus. The multi-purpose building will be a venue for recruitment events, alumni reunions, faculty meetings, and campus presentations as well as housing offices for the Office of Advancement and other campus staff.

It is expected to be a hub of campus academic, social, and community-building activity.

The new and renovated two-storey building matches and complements the appearance of historic Alumni Hall. New heating and ventilation systems, LED lighting throughout, and restoration of key interior finishes such as floors, trim and walls in Alumni Hall ensure that the entire complex presents every

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visitor with a pleasant experience in a modern and energyefficient environment. Parking for up to 21 visitors, perimeter plantings and – thanks to a special gift from the J.T. Clark Family Foundation – a 4,000-square-foot exterior space to be known as the Clark Terrace make the Wu Welcome Centre one of Wolfville’s most attractive outdoor and indoor features.

Dr. Rod Morrison, Acadia’s Vice-President, Advancement, says, “I am thrilled that the Wu Welcome Centre is now open and available to alumni, faculty, staff, members of the Acadia community and our many friends in Wolfville and the surrounding region. The Wu family has a long and enduring relationship with Acadia and, on behalf of the University, I would like to thank them for their tremendous gift and ongoing interest in Acadia. Their generosity has provided a warm and welcoming reception area for visitors and a focal point for campus that will serve the University for generations to come.

We are extremely grateful to the Wu family for this remarkable gift.”

Members of the campus community interested in touring the building or booking the Great Room for meetings should contact Debbie MacMillan at debbie.macmillan@acadiau.ca

PHOTO: PETER OLESKEVICH

Patterson Hall new home for F.C. Manning School of Business

Dr. Rod Morrison

Paul Jewer

P

Dr. Ian Hutchinson

Meg Keevil

atterson Hall is the new home of Acadia’s F.C. Manning School of Business, thanks to the support of alumni and friends who contributed to an ambitious building renovation.

On October 22, Manning School students, faculty and staff had an opportunity to extend their gratitude to all the donors to the project, and to celebrate the official opening of Patterson Hall.

A total of 46 individuals committed nearly $2.5 million to finance the dramatic overhaul of the building. According to Dr. Ian Hutchinson, Director of the Manning School of Business, “this has been a dream of ours for a long time, and now it’s a reality because of our illustrious and generous supporters. Our faculty and staff are reveling in this outstanding new space.”

Extending thanks on behalf of President Ray Ivany and Acadia’s Board of Governors, Board Chair Paul Jewer (’94), himself a graduate of the Manning School, emphasized that “this new home for the School marks a new chapter in a continuing story of excellence and accomplishment here at Acadia.”

Dr. Rod Morrison, Vice-President, Advancement, applauded all of those who had rallied behind the fundraising effort,

Donors pictured at the event: (front) Peter Miller, Rob Jeffery, Ryan Sutherland, Bobby MacNeill, Evan Phinney, Lana Wood, Jane McIntrye, Pat Schurman, Sandra Greer, Margo Schurman Thompson, Patricia Hastings and Lorraine Bishop; (back row, left to right) Ross Munroe, Kelly Cochrane, Bruce Galloway, Gordon MacNeill, Don Clow, Nader Haddad, Charles Coll, Bruce Phinney, Charlie Coll, Ron Smith, Bill Thompson, Norm McIntyre, Tim McIntyre, Don McIntryre, Michael Schurman, Bob McKim, Bert Frizzell, John Greer, David Hastings and George Bishop. Donors missing from the photo: Paul Bailey, Henry and Rena Demone, John and Linda Carter, Fred and Elizabeth Fountain, Margaret and David Fountain, Robert K. Irving, Jack and Faye MacDonald, Bob Reeves, Beverly Smith, Michael and Gwen Trask, Jann and Stephen Wetmore, Robert A. Balcom and Shari Balcom, Shelley, Matthew and Stuart Clow, Kathryn Coll, Hailee Coll, Susan Haddad, M. Ross Langley and Tracy Langley, George MacLeod, Jim Mills and Leilany Garron-Mills, Steven Perry, Keith Skiffington, Verne Wood, Tim Formuziewich, Tom Foran, and Francis Yip.

Dr. Bruce Galloway

beginning with Dr. Bruce Galloway (’68), the volunteer leader of (and the first donor to) the “Twenty Wing” campaign, which targeted 20 gifts of $100,000 to complete the building. There was a parallel and complementary effort to secure additional gifts to name individual rooms in Patterson Hall. Morrison noted that the “successful completion of this project is a boon not only to our current students, but to prospective business students who are considering Acadia.”

Dr. Galloway concurred, recognizing all of his fellow Patterson Hall donors for making the transformation possible. “It’s a group,” he said, “that reaches from Nova Scotia all the way to Hong Kong and Singapore. We’re all proud to have contributed to this project and to the future of the Manning School.”

Meg Keevil, a fourth-year Marketing student and President of the Business Society, agreed. “I can’t tell you how proud we feel as Manning students,” she said directly to the donors, “when we walk through the doors of Patterson Hall. You are role models for us and we are committed to emulating your example – to achieve our goals, to build meaningful careers, to contribute to society, and to give back to Acadia.”

This is just one way Acadia University invests in its students.

Encourage a future student to apply today and: • Explore Acadia’s 200 degree options • Enjoy a campus ranked as one of the 10 most beautiful in Canada by the Huffington Post • Experience a premium education at one of the top undergraduate universities in the country Call 1.877.585.1121 or visit recruitment.acadiau.ca to learn more. See you in September!

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No Coincidence Convergence of four Acadia alumni a strong testament to Acadia values, commitment to community

By Charlotte Rogers (’13)

I

t’s not unusual for Acadia graduates to leave Wolfville ready to take on the world and effect positive change.

It’s certainly remarkable, however, when four alumni from different walks of life come together with a sense of empowerment and purpose that reflects in many ways the values embodied in the Acadia experience.

When Shelley Fleckenstein (’85) opened Kings Physiotherapy Clinic, New Minas, in 1995, she employed just one other physiotherapist part-time. Twenty years later, the clinic has grown to a 28-strong team of physiotherapists, occupational and massage therapists, psychologists and a pedorthist. Four additional co-owners have joined Fleckenstein, three of whom are Acadia alumna.

THE TEAM Fleckenstein grew up in Wolfville and studied biology at Acadia, where she was studious and social in equal measure.

“At exam time, I would have a 14-hour schedule for the day,” she remembers, “but I also went to a lot of parties and never missed a SuperSub or Exit 10 dance.”

Monique Comeau (’93), Director of Tiered Services, recalls a similar Acadia experience. “I had so much fun – too much fun sometimes!” she admits, but adds, “because I was happy, I was successful.” Following her BSc in biology, Comeau gained a place in the highly competitive physiotherapy program at Dalhousie University.

Director of Physiotherapy Services Kim Kerr (’87) also entered the Dalhousie program from Acadia before joining Kings in 2008. Raised in New Brunswick, Kerr was recruited to the Axewomen basketball team. She credits her time as a student-athlete for helping her to develop the leadership and time management skills she employs every day in her job.

Like Kerr, Patricia Rose (’86), Director of Mental Health Services, came to Acadia from New Brunswick. “I chose Acadia because I had attended summer music camps there in Grades 7 and 8,” she explains, “and I thought the place was just awesome.” Rose earned her BAH in psychology and remained at Acadia for her MSc. She later taught courses at the University before joining the Kings team in 2000.

Though the four alumni co-owners, along with Aylesford-

“PROUD TO REPRESENT ACADIA UNIVERSITY”

T MC

Taylor Maclellan Cochr ane L A W Y E R S

Making Service A Matter of Practice Since 1835

Tel: (902) 678-6156 | www.tmclaw.com

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ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

DEVELOPMENT

PHOTO: COURTESY OF KINGS PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

Clockwise from centre: Monique Comeau; Patty Rose, Kim Kerr, Nicole DeEll and Shelley Fleckenstein.

STRONG FEMALE LEADERSHIP

raised Director of Finance and Administration Nicole DeEll, grew up across the Maritimes, Fleckenstein says it’s no coincidence that all chose to make their lives in the Annapolis Valley. “That’s the draw of Wolfville and the Valley community,” she says.

Fleckenstein began inviting some employees to become co-owners as a way to reward loyalty and spread the responsibilities of ownership. “I had a lot on my plate as a businesswoman and a mother,” she says.

All the current owners juggle running the practice with busy personal lives. “We embrace a work-family balance here,” Rose says, “and support each other in being involved parents as well as strong business leaders. We all cover for one another so no one misses a Christmas concert or hockey game.”

GROWTH THROUGH RISK

PAY IT FORWARD

When Kings opened, it was one of the only stand-alone physiotherapy clinics in the area. “The situation presented an opportunity, but also a challenge,” Fleckenstein says. “I had to persuade referral sources to support a different practice. I put on a business suit and went door-to-door. I opened the clinic in October, and by Christmas we were run off our feet.”

It was around this time that Comeau, fresh out of Dalhousie, was searching for her first physiotherapy job. She visited Kings to inquire about openings. “You walked in the door and I said, ‘You’re hired!’” Fleckenstein laughs.

Though she was glad of the help, Fleckenstein says hiring Comeau was a leap of faith. “We didn’t have enough work for another full-time physiotherapist,” she says, “so I stepped away from some of my caseload to help build hers.” The risk paid off, and there were soon enough clients to keep all the staff busy.

It’s through this spirit of risk-taking that Fleckenstein, and later the other owners, grew Kings over the next two decades.

As well as serving clients from local towns, Kings has established contracts with employers, nursing homes, workplaces and schools as far as Bridgewater and Yarmouth, and serves clients traveling from distant areas in the southwest region.

Kings prides itself also on community-mindedness. “It’s part of our underlying philosophy; we discuss it with every candidate we interview,” Fleckenstein says.

Comeau works to promote health and wellness in the community through partnerships with local organizations like the Kentville Squash Club and Valley Indoor Soccer. The clinic invests in non-health related groups too, and every month supports at least one local cause through an event, collection or donation.

The team also pursues ways to sustain links with Acadia.

Kings sponsors Acadia hockey and in 2014 the Shelley Fleckenstein Athletic Award was established to help a female student-athlete interested in a health care career.

Keen to strengthen ties with Acadia’s kinesiology and biology departments, Kings hosts students for work experience “as a way to ‘pay it forward’ and to help future recruitment,” Fleckenstein says.

It’s easy to see why an ongoing relationship with Acadia is important to the four women. “People see us as a strong business, but also a strong family,” Rose notes, “and we credit our Acadia family for launching us on this incredible career path.”

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PHOTO: COURTESY ACADIA ATHLETICS

By Fred Sgambati (’83)

P

op quiz: What’s the best word to describe Acadia Athletics? Outstanding? Exciting? Entertaining?

All of those, for sure, but perhaps the most appropriate?

Excellent. Acadia’s athletic programs produce perennial winners and contenders, and provide sports fans locally and beyond with high-quality action that is second to none.

Webster’s defines ‘excellent’ as eminently good. Each of Acadia’s 291 varsity student-athletes personify that quality while competing in 11 different sports, including men’s hockey, football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s rugby, women’s crosscountry, and men’s and women’s swimming.

In the 2014-15 season, for instance, eight teams participated in an AUS championship weekend; two went to

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CIS championships; five were ranked in the CIS Top Ten; and two athletes earned silver medals at the AUS Indoor Track and Field Championship. There were 10 CIS major award winners, All-Canadians and All-Rookies; 33 AUS major award winners, AllStars and All-Rookies; one AUS MVP; and one AUS Coach of the Year.

Acadia also had 107 CIS Academic All-Canadians in 201415, number one per capita in Canada, and one CIS Top Eight Academic All-Canadian – who also received the Governor General’s medal, magnifying the honour – out of 11,000 studentathletes in Canada.

Acadia student-athletes average 69 hours a week between their studies and their teams, and spend an average of 575 hours collectively per week in the areas of community involvement,

ATHLETICS

Photos left to right: Taylor Makin (left, hockey Axemen) and Paloma Anderson (basketball Axewomen) embody the kind of community involvement typical of Acadia’s varsity student-athletes. They played a one-versus-one game and the loser had to trim his/her hair. Paloma came out on the short end – her hair was donated and $200 was raised for cancer research. The event was held during noon hour at Wolfville School.

Dr. Rod Morrison; Dr. Bruce Galloway

sport camps and casual fundraising. They are, literally and figuratively, at the top of their game.

Athletics Director Kevin Dickie says, “our goal is to give student-athletes the best experience possible during their time at Acadia. Our motto is Proud, Confident, Together. Those three words describe our program, and our student-athletes are very aware of the University’s long history and tradition of athletic and academic excellence. When they come into our program, they stand on the shoulders of those who have come before them and actively seek that next level, athletically and through their service to the surrounding community.”

REAL TEAM EFFORT But success like this isn’t automatic. It takes a huge team effort to be so consistent, something that alumnus Bruce Galloway (’68) knows full well.

Galloway came to Acadia from Montreal in the mid-1960s.

He was a star defensive end for the football Axemen, later being named to the 1960s All-Decade Team, and spent his first two years in the faculty of Science. However, on the advice of fellow student (and now lifelong friend) Jim Durrell (’68), he transferred to Commerce. The rest is history.

Galloway was hired at the Royal Bank of Canada immediately after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce. He remained at RBC throughout his entire 33-year career, serving as ViceChairman from 1994 until he retired in 1999. During his career, he was responsible for managing the bank’s global treasury operations, the corporate banking division and wealth management businesses.

His service to Acadia remained constant during that time.

He chaired the Acadia Advantage campaign in the 1990s, was Executive-in-Residence at the Business School from 2000 to 2002, and served as a member of the Acadia Board of Governors for almost two decades, 1991 to 2009. Recently, he devoted his energy to the “Twenty Wing” campaign to complete Patterson Hall as the new home of the F. C. Manning School of Business.

For him, one thing is clear: giving back is important.

“Involvement with team sports,” says Galloway, “requires a

willingness to adapt to the skills, attitudes and abilities of other team members while trying to achieve a common goal – winning.

Learning how to win or lose with grace while constantly trying to improve is what it’s all about.

“Acadia has an enviable history of athletic achievement in many sports despite its relatively small student population and the limited budgets that support athletics. Achieving even greater success will require better training, coaching and improved facilities such as locker rooms, high-performance training and fitness programs. These features attract top student-athletes and ensure a higher level of success. Acadia has not had the financial resources in its operating budgets for some time to make many of these additional investments, and that’s why it is so important for alumni to recognize that their financial support is essential to make these improvements a reality.”

Dr. Rod Morrison, Acadia’s Vice-President, Advancement, agrees. “Our student-athletes and coaches demonstrate both consistency and a commitment to excellence that has long been the hallmark of personal, academic and athletic achievement at Acadia. We are dedicated to providing the finest facilities and experiences for student-athletes now and in the future, and we encourage members of our alumni community to contribute to ensure that we can meet this vital commitment. Bruce Galloway is certainly represents this ethic, and we are grateful to him for his support of campus initiatives like the recently completed Twenty-Wing campaign for Patterson Hall and his volunteer work on the Stevens Centre project.”

“I have been an active supporter, both with my time and money for many years,” adds Galloway, “and believe strongly that since Acadia had such an impact in shaping my life that it is personally rewarding to give back what I can. I would ask all alumni that benefited from Acadia’s athletics to think about how they can invest to help ensure an even better future for our student-athletes.”

For more information on ways and means to give to Acadia Athletics, please visit http://giving.acadiau.ca/athleticexcellence.html .

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Alumni Events Chancellor’s Reception 2015 Approximately 50 Acadia alumni and friends gathered at the National Art Gallery in Ottawa on May 29, 2015 to celebrate the life and work of Alex Colville and to be thanked for their support of the University. The event was hosted by Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60) and other speakers included President Ray Ivany and Senator Kelvin Ogilvie (’63). Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (’88) emceed the event and alumni attendees spanned the generations, from Dr. Granville Nickerson (’42) to Matt Rios (’14) and Taryn Krochko (’15). Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and conversation and, following remarks at the podium, had a private tour of the Colville Exhibit.

PHOTO: NANCY HANDRIGAN

Hong Kong Reception Acadia University’s Vice-President of Advancement Dr. Rod Morrison (left) hosted a reception in Hong Kong for Acadia alumni and friends on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Havana Bar, Lan Kwai Fong. Guests enjoyed light refreshments and heard updates about the University from Dr. Morrison.

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PHOTOS: NANCY HANDRIGAN

Lobster Picnic in the City More than 50 Acadia alumni and friends attended the annual Maritime Lobster Picnic in the City at the historic Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club on Saturday, May 30, 2015.

Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (‘88), and Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92) brought news and updates from the University at this great family-friendly event that featured fine food, fellowship and special activities for the children.

PHOTO: NANCY HANDRIGAN

Vancouver Reception Forty Acadia alumni and friends gathered for a reception in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar in Gastown. Attendees enjoyed light refreshments and heard updates about the University from Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (‘88), and Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92).

PHOTO: NANCY HANDRIGAN

Calgary Reception Building on the momentum of alumni enthusiasm and remembering the warm welcome last year, representatives from Acadia University returned to Calgary on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 for a reception at the Escoba Bistro and Wine Bar. Approximately 70 people turned out to meet fellow alumni and friends for light refreshments and to hear updates about the University from Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (‘88), Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92), and Alumni Association representative Donalda MacBeath (’75).

PHOTO: NANCY HANDRIGAN

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Alumni Events Edmonton Reception Representatives from Acadia University were in Edmonton at Hudsons Downtown on Thursday, June 18, 2015 to share updates and information about the University with 20 Acadia alumni and friends. Attendees enjoyed light refreshments and heard from Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (‘88), and Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92). There hasn’t been an alumni event in Edmonton in many years, and it was great to reconnect. Thanks to all who came out!

PHOTO: NANCY HANDRIGAN

Super Summer Reunion!

More than 130 Acadia alumni and friends celebrated milestones July 10-12 during Summer Reunion 2015 at Acadia University in Wolfville. The Classes of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1974 and 1975 and their guests returned for a fantastic weekend of festivities. The Class of 1965, with 39 members in attendance, marked its 50th anniversary during the Reunion. Other highlights included Friday night’s Meet and Greet at the Sheldon L. Fountain Learning Commons; a 50th Anniversary Pinning Ceremony for the Class of 1965 at the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, a special photo exhibit featuring the art of alumnus Ward Isnor (‘65), the Alumni Banquet Saturday evening; and Sunday morning’s Memorial Service at the Manning Memorial Chapel. For more, please visit: http://ow.ly/SR3ES PHOTO: PETER OLESKEVICH

Alumni Butler Golf Tournament More than 100 Acadia alumni and friends came together at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Georgetown, ON on Thursday, September 17, 2015 for the 4th Annual Acadia Alumni Butler Memorial Golf Tournament. Funds raised from the tournament support the Ron and Cyndi Butler Award, given to deserving Acadia students on the basis of academic standing and athletic achievement. A big thank you to Craig Butler (’91) of CIBC Wood Gundy for being the Primary Sponsor of the tournament and helping to organize the event in cooperation with staff from Acadia’s Office of Alumni Affairs. Participants included (pictured) Derrick Provo (’88), John Goudey (’75), Allan MacDonald (’86), Lynda McCowan (’74), Steve Kelly (’75), Jan Tingley (’69), Ross Munro (’76), and Alan Stewart (’99).

PHOTO: NANCY HANDRIGAN

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Acadia Remembers We are saddened to report the following deaths in the Acadia community: Aleda E. Meloche (’34) Berwick NS

June Clark Hill (’48) Patten ME

Raymond J. Parsons (’57) Kingston NS

Robert N. Scott (’81) Fredericton NB

Margaret Demmings (’38) Woodstock NB

Elizabeth J. Chisholm (’48) Port Williams, NS

Henry Borden (’60), —

Pauline M. Fitzsimmons (’81) Tantallan NS

—

James Bruce Henderson (’83) Ottawa ON

— —

Jean E. Osborne (’39) Toronto ON —

Ruth E. Ollerenshaw (’40), Mississauga ON —

Claude Elliott (’40) Lawrencetown NS —

Doris P. Jelly (’40) Albany, PE Arthur N. Bourns (’41) Burlington ON —

Charlotte Agnes Church (’41), Knowlton QC —

Helen Armstrong (’42) Wellesley MA —

Philip E. Gibson (’43) Annapolis Royal NS —

John B. Stewart (’45) Heatherton NS —

Eunice Kathleen Bishop Bannerman (’45) Dartmouth NS —

Catherine M. Calvert (’46) Vancouver BC —

Shirley Joyce Williston (’47) Sydney NS —

William B. Cunningham (’47) Sackville, NB Jay Arthur Levine (’48) Inverness NS

—

Julius S. Bixler (’49)

Robert Trueman Colpitts (’60) Saint John NB

Alonzo R. Blackmore (’50) Moncton NB

Rodney Ryan (’60) Head of Chezzetcook NS

— — —

Frederic D. Grimmer (’50) Kentville NS —

F. Robert Langin (’51) Kelowna BC —

—

—

—

George Fraser Matheson (’51) Hemmingford, QC —

Ruth Fraser (’51) Halifax, NS —

Alfred S. Bradley (’51) Pittsfield MA —

Shirley King (’51) North York ON —

Betty A. Kelso (’52) Niagara Falls ON —

Roy L. Kellock (’52) —

Murray N. Morse (’52) Truro NS —

Shirley A. MacKenzie (’55) Islington ON —

Donald C. Bowen (’55) Calgary AB —

Terry Brian Tingley (’56) Bayside NS —

Lillian Ann Elliott (’56) Truro NS

—

Elsie Merle Clarke (’61) Halifax, NS

— —

—

Flora Isabel MacDonald (’84) Ottawa ON —

Douglas Kinsman (’62) Saint John NB

Scott George Leonard Slipp (’87) Wolfville NS

Eric Wray Smith (’62) Truro NS

Scott Walker (’93) Wolfville NS

— — —

Paul H. Sutherland (‘63), Riverview NB —

Richard R. Parker (’63), Centreville NS —

Alexander Miller Finney (’64), Chester NS —

Donna Elizabeth Gursky (’64), New Germany NS —

Coral Janice (Cann) Hurlburt (’67) Yarmouth NS —

Ralph Hatfield Burnett (’68), Moncton NB —

Harold Scott MacDonald Coxeter (’71) —

Mary E. Morrison (’71) Mississauga ON —

Alvin W. Jessamy (’79) Yonkers NY

— —

Donald J. Ross (HOR) Summerside PE —

Alma F. Giffin (HOR) Port Williams NS —

Gerald F. Tynes Dartmouth NS —

Donald M. Hall Berwick NS —

Michael Brylinsky Centreville, NS —

Garry W. Alexa Coldbrook, NS —

Klaas Gerrits Kentville NS —

Vivian (Burke) Wyer Liverpool NS

We produce this list to the best of our ability with the information provided.

If there is a discrepancy or error, please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 902.585.1459.

ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

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CLASS NOTES

1950s

on July 14, which made the surprise birthday party held at his home on July 19 an even bigger surprise! Current Chancellor DR. LIBBY BURNHAM (‘60), pictured here with Dr. Irving, was one of many Acadia alumni and friends sending birthday greetings and best wishes on this happy occasion.

(’92), who spoke with Beryl at length about genealogy.

GLENN and CRYSTAL WALLIS (both Class of ’64) of River Phillip, Nova Scotia, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!

Acadia’s Executive Director for Alumni Affairs, IAN MURRAY (’88), caught up with DR. KATHERINE (“KIT”) BICK (BSC ’51, MSC ’52, DSC ’90, PHD ’57 BROWN) on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 in Charlottetown, where she was visiting family and a guest speaker at the NeuroConX Innovation Exchange on July 12th. NeuroConX brings together researchers, business leaders, clinical investigators and investment professionals to discuss the latest therapeutic approaches in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. As a native P.E. Islander and an acclaimed expert on dementia, Kit spoke on the topic of how senility became a disease and other aspects of her research.

Chancellor Emeritus DR. ARTHUR IRVING (‘52) celebrated his 85th birthday

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Friendships made at Acadia deepen and endure over the years. Four friends – (left to right: ELEANOR PALMER (’59), Wolfville; LOUISE MCCLEAVE (’59), Fredericton; SHIRLEY KAULBACH (’59), Ottawa; and IRENE DAVISON (’59), Kensington) met in Shediac, Nova Scotia this summer for their 10th consecutive annual luncheon. Missing from the photo: MURIEL AXELL (’59), Halifax. Stand Up and Cheer, ladies!

1960s Acadia’s Executive Director for Alumni Affairs, IAN MURRAY (’88), enjoyed a pleasant visit with RICK (‘62) and Beryl Henshaw for morning coffee in their home in Vancouver in June. After attending the Alumni Reception at the Rogues Kitchen later that evening and reminiscing about Acadia with grads from all decades, the Henshaws were off on a planned trip into the Okanogan with their RV. This photo was taken by Acadia’s Executive Director of Philanthropy NANCY HANDRIGAN

DAVID and VALERIE COLE (also both of Class of ’64) of Amherst, Nova Scotia, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 3, 2015. Congratulations!

Congratulations to alumna JOAN EATON (’68), who celebrated her 100th birthday at the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre on Saturday, June 13. (Photo: Shelley Fleckenstein)

1970s Pictured are SUSAN (‘72), RON (‘69) and JULIA (‘05) MITTON. Susan is retired from a successful career with the CBC and

CLASS NOTES

appeared as a Witness before House of Commons Standing Committees on Finance and Human Resources. She was a delegate to the International Council of Women (ICW) Triennial in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2006. She has also been profiled in Canadian Who’s Who, Who’s Who of Canadian Women and similar publications.

currently serves on the Acadia Board of Governors. In recent years, Ron wound up his law practice and has been consulting in the field of University Advancement.

Susan’s mother, CHARLOTTE (‘46), wrote for the Athenaeum while a student and Ron’s father, REV. HAROLD (‘44), served as the President of the Divinity College and Dean of Theology. Since her graduation from Acadia with a combined degree in Business and French, Julia has made her living in Paris and the south of France in the food industry. She was the Directrice Generale of a successful enterprise based in Paris for five years and currently is part owner of a traveling restaurant business called The Paris Popup.

KAREN MONNON DEMPSEY (’72) was inducted as President of the National Council of Women of Canada at the AGM in Montreal in May 2015. Karen graduated from Acadia with degrees in arts and education and studied business at Dalhousie and Mount Saint Vincent Universities. She has extensive experience in the fields of organizational management, logistics, and advocacy.

Karen has authored NCWC Briefs and

It has certainly been an eventful time for JOHN DECOSTE (‘77). John, who celebrated 20 years as a sports reporter with the Kings County Advertiser and Register in September 2013, was the recipient of three major awards during the first six months of 2014. In May, a series of five of John’s sports features written in 2013 was judged best in Canada by Newspapers Canada in the category of Best Sports Coverage. Three of the stories in the winning package were profiles of Acadia athletes: Katie Ross, Emilie Chiasson and Christopher Owens.

Also in May, John received the Atlantic University Sport Media Award for a second time (he was also the inaugural winner of the award in 2009). As the conference award recipient, John automatically was nominated, for a second time, for the CIS Fred Sgambati Media Award, named for legendary Canadian journalist and broadcaster Fred Sgambati Sr. In early June, John received the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation Media Award for his coverage of high school sport. Also in 2014, John released his first full-length sports book, entitled Living the Dream:

The Acadia Axemen at the Nationals 1963-2013. The 50-year history of Acadia men’s basketball at the nationals is the result of three-and-a-half years of research. From 1994 on, John drew from his own history of reporting on Axemen basketball, and the book also contains a number of his photographs. The book is available at a number of bookstores in the Kentville-Wolfville area, and can also be ordered from John, who can be contacted at robardecoste@ns.sympatico.ca.

After 26 years of teaching and administration with the University of Alberta, GARRETT EPP (’79), Professor Emeritus English and Film Studies, has moved to northern France, where he is working part-time with the Université Catholique de Lille and the European Summer Program there. (See http:// www.univ-catholille.fr/european-summerprogram/esp.asp.)

Brigadier-General HUGH COLIN MACKAY (’79) assumed the duties of Surgeon General for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from Major-General Jean-Robert Bernier on June 10, 2015. MacKay joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983 as a Signals Officer. In 1989, he was selected for the Military Medical Training Program at the University of Toronto and completed his Doctor of Medicine in 1993. An officer of the Order of Military Merit, MacKay is Canada’s 39th Surgeon General. The Canadian Forces Surgeon General is the senior departmental advisor on all matters related to health.

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CLASS NOTES

1980s Acadia alumni KENG GIAP TAN (CAS, ‘83, left) and JAMES WONG (BA, ‘82, right) set out on a successful trek to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo in May 2015. On the same trip, both men also participated in the Borneo International Marathon. Stand Up and Cheer!

COLONEL (RET’D) DOUGLAS W. BUTT, MSC, BBA, CD (‘83) and JOAN E. (FISHER) BUTT, BSA (‘83) have returned home to the Annapolis Valley after Doug’s retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces with more than 36 years of service. They are residing on Joan’s

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family’s homestead in Somerset. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work; we always enjoy reading the Bulletin!

SHELLEY FLECKENSTEIN (’85) has been named one of the Top 50 CEOs

by Atlantic Business Magazine for a third year in a row. The Top 50 CEO Awards are Atlantic Canada’s premiere celebration of corporate leadership excellence. Nominations are submitted by readers, and nominees are judged according to their corporate, community and industry leadership; their company’s growth in recent years; and their unique managerial abilities. Shelley, a physiotherapist with 27 years of experience, was profiled in the May/ June 2015 issue of Atlantic Business Magazine and recognized at a formal awards gala event on May 7, 2015 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. She is the founder (1995) and current co-owner/director of Kings Physiotherapy Clinic, and also Regional Manager - Mainland Nova Scotia with CBI Health Group.

A quick update from PETER S. BROWN (’86): “I am retiring from Chevron after a 29-year career in international oil and gas exploration and development. It’s been good fun and we have a lot to be thankful for – certainly for the great geology education I got at Acadia from 1982-1986. As we approach retirement, both Johanna and I are looking forward to a little slower pace out in the beautiful Gulf Islands, offshore British Columbia.”

SALLY WAY, CINDY JAMES and JOANN MACWHIRTER – all Recreation Management grads from 1987 – gathered to welcome Juliana Way (Sally’s daughter) to the First Year Class of 2015. Juliana travelled from Australia to take Theatre

Studies at Acadia. They are pictured here at FORCE – the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy in Parrsboro, N.S., site of Acadia Tidal Research.

This Acadia water bottle made it to the summit of Mount Katahdin (1,600 metres) in Maine’s Baxter State Park thanks to the hard work of Moya MacDonald, daughter of ANDREW MACDONALD (BBA ‘89) and SUSAN BELL-MACDONALD (MEd’ 04) and the granddaughter of alumnus PETER BELL (‘72). Way to go, Moya!

CLASS NOTES

1990s CATHY SIMPSON (’90) was named recently as Board Chair of the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation. As chair of NBIF, Simpson oversees an independent non-profit that invests in growth-oriented companies and applied research. Since beginning in 2003, NBIF has helped to create over 50 companies and 350 applied research projects. She was born in Newfoundland and moved to Nova Scotia while young, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia before starting her career in New Brunswick.

the pen name Troy Kent, The Reading Promise tells the tale of a young mother whose promise to read to her newborn becomes her legacy. Guindon has been a high school English teacher for over 20 years in Ontario.

SARAH FOOTTIT (’98) is proud to announce the birth of her beautiful baby girl, Kate Madeline Foottit. Kate was born October 11, 2014 at Mt Sinai Hospital in Toronto, weighing eight pounds, six ounces.

Mason (7), Noel (5) and Cole (2), along with their parents, JOSLYN (MOORE) DURANT (‘98) and DR. MATTHEW DURANT (‘99), Associate Professor in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics and Head Coach of Women’s Varsity Rugby at Acadia, are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Durant clan, Lyla Kathleen, born March 11, 2015. Our family continues to reside near Canning, N.S., where we breed Labrador Retrievers. We can be contacted at www.labridgekennels.com .

Author TROY GUINDON (’91) writes to let us know that his children’s book, The Reading Promise, was a winner in the 9th annual 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards, in the category of Children’s Picture Books (ages 4-8). Under

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CLASS NOTES

2000s Born to BARRY BANKS (‘04) and JILLIAN BAMBRICK BANKS (‘04), twin girls – Baylor Kathleen Lee and Elizabeth Clara Grace – on May 14, 2014 In Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

BRIANNE (MCNEELY) NETHERCOT (’01) and her husband, Mark Nethercot, recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The two were married in Ancaster, ON on August 9, 2014. Bri and Mark are the proud parents of two-anda-half-year-old Gavin and are expecting their next baby in early January. Brianne works as an Elementary School Music Teacher for the Peel District School Board and Mark owns and operates the Fool and Flagon Pub in Hamilton, Ontario.

ROB JEFFERY (’05), a chartered accountant and director of taxation at Sobeys Inc., was appointed to the CBC Board of Directors for a five-year term by the Government of Canada in May, 2015. He also serves on the boards of the Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia and Acadia University’s F. C. Manning School of Business. The Acadia graduate served two terms as treasurer for the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia until February of this year.

My name is ANDREW SNOOK (’05). In April 2015, I launched my first full-length novel, Remy’s Dilemma, which is now available in print and digital versions through a wide variety of channels

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(Chapters Indigo, Kobo, iBooks, Amazon Kindle, etc.). Here is a brief synopsis: ‘The world is coming to an end. That’s what Remy Dilemma believes, anyway. While double-checking his lifelong to-do list to ensure he has led a rich life, he realizes he hasn’t come close to completing his goals. Panicked and short on time, Remy embarks on a chaotic road trip to complete the most important item on his bucket list – finding the answer to man’s greatest question. There’s just one problem. Detective Tobias Gray, the most respected criminal profiler in the Toronto Police Department, thinks Remy is a serial killer; and he’s not the only one who has come to that conclusion. Armed with a green crayon, smiley-faced stamp and a pack of cigarettes in a race against time, the story’s main character, Remy, carves a path of hilarious destruction, baffling and infuriating the police, his government and every other person he encounters.’ This past March, I also became the editor for Canadian Forest Industries magazine, one of Canada’s oldest publications (started in 1881), Canadian Biomass magazine and Rock to Road magazine. I am also a proud husband to my wife, Cristine, and our two beautiful daughters, Emily (2) and Sofia (born March 2015).

MAYA (DAVIS) MCINTOSH (‘07) and FRANKIE MCINTOSH (‘05) are happy to announce the birth of their majestic daughter, Stella, on July 2, 2015. Following a phenomenal home birth, Stella continues to create magical moments in the lives of her parents.

Explore the adventures of our homebirthing, breastfeeding, cloth-diapering, baby-wearing, fun-loving, globetrotting family at: www.bermudaglobetrotters. com.

CLASS NOTES

2010s My name is CAROLANN DEYOUNG (’11) and I am sending an announcement that I’d love to read in the Acadia Bulletin!

My finance, ALEX KALL (’09), and I got engaged on New Year’s Eve 2014. We met at Acadia University in 2007: I was in my first year, Alex was in his third.

We were in the big band ensemble: he was the bassist and rhythm section leader and I was the pianist. We’ve been together ever since, for seven years. He proposed on NYE and the next day we drove from Halifax to Wolfville and took photos on campus. We’re currently living

in Fredericton, NB. I’m completing a BEd at St. Thomas and he is working toward an MBA in entrepreneurship at UNB. We frequently come back to Wolfville and love stopping into Denton Hall, the Irving Centre, and Paddy’s Pub, of course!

On July 13, 2015, KIMBERLEY (COLEMAN) BECK (BSCH ‘05) and her husband, David Beck, were thrilled to welcome their first child, Samantha Charlotte Beck, weighing five pounds, five ounces. Samantha’s first visitor at home was proud grandmother LYNN COLEMAN, administrative assistant in the Acadia School of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Kimberley works as a statistician in Ottawa at Statistics Canada, where David works as a computer programmer.

To commemorate their youngest daughter completing her Masters in Inclusive Education at Acadia, the Randalls decided it was time for a family photo on campus. From left to right: son-in-law ERIC COVERT (’98); ALLISON (RANDALL) COVERT (’10); on the sign, LINDSAY RANDALL (’15); grandson and future graduate ANDREW COVERT (’28); DAWN (MARTIN) RANDALL (’74, ’76); and CARROLL RANDALL (’76).

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Final Frame In each edition of the Bulletin, we reserve space on our final pages for a fond look back at the way we were. Do you know the people in this photo? If so, send me an e-mail at fred.sgambati@acadiau.ca.

First person to identify them will win an Acadia sweatshirt (valued at $70.00). Please include your name, address and phone number in your response. We will reveal the answer, the winner and have another image for you in the spring edition. Look forward to hearing from you. Have fun!

do better with a

CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL WEALTH MANAGER csi.ca/ciwm “The keys to successful client-advisor relationships are communication and trust.”

® Registered trademark used under authorization and control of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ScotiaMcLeod is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., Member CIPF.

I am passionate about helping my clients build their financial futures and working with them to address their challenges and opportunities at

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ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

each life stage.

Excellent communication skills, expert knowledge and understanding my clients’ unique needs are the keys to strong and successful relationships.

In our last edition, Bob Dugas of Port Williams, N.S. was the first to identify Hubert Peter A. Miller, Walsh bba ‘89, cfp,(#35, fcsi, ciwm Wealth Advisor ’82) and Keith Skiffington Senior (#74, ’82).

A &former Director, Wealth Management hockey Axemen, Bob is an ’81 grad who lived peter.miller@scotiamcleod.com in Eaton House as a student.

Bob bba ‘88 AngelaNow L. Clair,retired, Administrative Associate was a teacher in the Annapolis Valley for a total angela.clair@scotiamcleod.com of 32 years: 12 at New Minas Elementary School and 20 years at Port Williams School.

His wife, 1.902.679.4915 • 1.877.842.3188 Kentville, Nova Pam (Graham, ’80), is an alumna whoScotia has taught www.themillergroup.ca for 33 years at Horton District High School in Greenwich.

FPO

In our last edition, Andrew Stevenson (’82) of Halifax, N.S. was the first to identify the photo of Mike Swan (’82).

Andrew is a partner and co-founder of Bloom Wealth and Legacy Planning in Halifax.

ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2015

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