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Suzanne Seaman Suzanne Seaman graduated from Acadia University in 1997 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. She was very involved in campus life during her years at Acadia, serving as President of A.C.E., executive member of the Graduation Committee and S.M.A.R.T.T. (Students Maintaining Alumni Relations Through Teamwork), and a volunteer with S.M.I.L.E. Following graduation, Suzanne traveled abroad and returned to P.E.I. to work for her family business, Seaman’s Beverages. After a few years of working in the marketing department, helping to launch their private labels into new markets, Suzanne opted to gain experience outside the family business. She moved to Toronto, where she worked as an Account Manager for an advertising agency,
Brandworks International. After several years of working with various brands including RBC, Nikon, Neilson Dairy, The Globe and Mail, Ontario Hydro and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Suzanne opted to further her studies. She moved to Ottawa, where she studied in sciences, specifically ecology and animal science. She founded her own business, PlanetLove, which married her love of animals and sustainability. The business focused on the development and marketing of eco-chic, therapeutic products for dogs. Shortly after developing her product line, Suzanne and her partner, Jack Eaton (also an Acadia graduate), welcomed their son, Oliver Eaton. Since the birth of their son in 2008, Suzanne has committed herself to being a stay-at-home mom. She continues to work with local Acadia alumni to strengthen relations and volunteers with other community groups. She relishes her time with family and friends, hikes in the Gatineaus and sneaks to the barn to visit her horses whenever she can.
Beverley Richardson Beverley (Trites) Richardson, a member of the Class of 1960, studied secretarial science with a music minor. She was involved in the Acadia Choral Society, Acadia Orchestra (violin), NFCUS, SCM, PC Party, cheerleading, and served as a monitor for Horton Academy girls in Seminary. Beverley entered and graduated from Victoria General Hospital in Halifax from the three-year nursing program then married Dick Currie, whom she met on the Acadia basketball court. The couple has three daughters and eight grandchildren. Beverley nursed private duty for cancer patients in Saint John, N.B., where she was involved with Acadia Alumni (19621968). The couple moved to Boston when Dick attended Harvard Business School, and opened a premature nursery at the Cambridge Hospital. Years later, Beverley and her family settled in Toronto, where she continued to be involved with Acadia Alumni. She was involved also with volunteer work at her girls’ school, grief and bereavement counseling at her church, and fundraising events. Beverley helped take the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Choir to England and Scotland, arranging all
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venues and accommodations prior to the trip. She was the Editor for Crafts for J.A.M. magazine for young people for three years. Beverley traveled extensively, enjoying many Pro-Am golf tournaments along the way. In 1988, she married Acadia grad Grant Richardson, moving to Truro, where he taught Physics and Math. Grant took a year study leave in England, returning to Truro, and set up a 4.5 star Bed and Breakfast (The Silver Firs) which operated for nine years. Special guests included Prime Minister Kim Campbell, a Four-Star General, Vienna String Quartet, and more. In addition, the company catered to wedding parties. Beverley worked on many church boards and the Colchester Hospital Foundation. In 2000, Beverley moved to Wolfville. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, needlework, and painting in watercolour and acrylics. Beverley has been busy for the past four years organizing “Friends of Lucas” as a financial support system for pianist Lucas Porter. She keeps busy on the Board of Landmark East and the Valley Regional (Hospice) Foundation as well as involved in Wolfville Baptist Church organizations. She is presently the President of the Social and Benevolent Society, which organizes and prepares for all church receptions, teas and dinners, including the Divinity College. Beverley is looking forward to serving on the Associated Alumni of Acadia University’s Board of Directors.
Alumni have key role in outreach effort This edition of the Bulletin considers Acadia’s deepening community links and how the University is expanding its reach into areas some people might not necessarily associate with a postsecondary institution. This aspect of outreach and collaboration has long been the norm at Acadia through, for example, our century-old Bay of Fundy tidal power research, but it has been underscored recently by Acadia’s Office of Industry and Community Engagement (ICE), the newly inaugurated Centre for Rural Innovation and the Atlantic Wine Institute. Each is predicated on a wonderful balance between theoretical and applied research, and industry players are starting to stand up and take notice. No big surprise there. Acadia has a long and stellar tradition of educational excellence that has always been ahead of the curve. It offers a rare experience that stacks up favourably against the ‘bigger is better’ trend, and many alumni tell me that the personalized education they received at Acadia was the perfect foundation upon which to build their lives and careers. Our Association is blessed with active and engaged alumni, and I’m proud to be part of the impressive roster of men and women who have taken the tools provided at Acadia and used them to establish enduring community links that stand as testimonials to the value of the Acadia experience. These local, regional and international leaders represent themselves and the University with dignity and grace, serving as de facto ambassadors for Acadia. They are game-changers and innovators, and persistently trace their success back to Acadia’s remarkable on-campus experience. It’s a process come full circle: faculty and students work together to produce innovative results that have an impact well beyond but fully representative of the Acadia community. They deliver concrete results that industry and entrepreneurs can apply to grow businesses, employ people and support local economies. It’s the essence of networking. I can sum it up in one word – momentum. Acadia is rolling right now, extending its reach beyond its walls
AAAU
Close-up: Meet members of the AAAU Board!
to people and communities that will experience the University in new and exciting ways. What you are reading today is part of that process. The Bulletin has reported on Acadia achievements for more than a hundred years and will continue to chronicle the outstanding accomplishments of Acadia faculty, staff and alumni as we move into next year and the University’s 175th anniversary celebrations. I look forward to the journey and think it’s going to be one heck of a ride. All aboard! Finally, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to acknowledge the passing of two prominent members of our Acadia family: Dr. Raylene Rankin and Dr. Millard Cherry. Both lived with gusto, honour and uncommon grace, and stood for all members of our alumni community as prime examples of the Acadia spirit. Dr. Rankin distinguished herself, with her brothers John Morris and Jimmy and sisters Heather (’89) and Cookie (’89), as a musical force to be reckoned with in the hugely successful recording group, the Rankin Family. Individually and collectively, they were outstanding international ambassadors for Cape Breton, the province of Nova Scotia and Acadia University. Cherry, as he was known, personified what Acadia is all about. He was a devoted scholar and warm human being who had a genuine interest in students, faculty and staff. He was Dean of Theology from 1963-1971 and the first Principal of Acadia Divinity College, but many remember him also as a staunch and enthusiastic supporter of Acadia’s various athletic teams. Cherry was considered by many to be Acadia’s number one fan over the past 40 years and, in 2011, he was inducted as a Builder into Acadia’s Sports Hall of Fame. We will miss them both, and offer condolences to their respective families on behalf of their many friends in the Acadia community. Hugh Bray (’75) President Associated Alumni of Acadia University
Nominations open for 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations must be submitted by November 30th, 2012 and forms are available at http://alumni.acadiau.ca/ under the heading ‘2013 Distinguished Alumni Award Nomination Form’.
ACADIA BULLETIN Fall 2012
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