Folia Montana Fall 2012

Fall 2012

The Magazine for Mount Alumnae and Friends

Remarkable women celebrate being part of Women’s Wall of Honour

Distance learning celebrates 30 years 10 undergraduate programs, 4 graduate degree programs, over 250 courses available.

When will you start?

msvu.ca/distance

Contents I Fall 2012

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LEADER IN FLEXIBLE, QUALITY LEARNING Distance Education marking 30 years of accessible learning

5 MOUNT OLYMPIANS

7 TRIBUTE TO RUTH GOLDBLOOM

Alumnus and student do us proud in London

Dedicated Mount volunteer and supporter passes away

12 DONOR REPORT

20 GOLF CLASSIC

Thanking our generous supporters

Fun day on the links raised $18,000 for alumnae association activities

26 GRADS AROUND THE GLOBE

Meet UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition and Food Security in Ethiopia

On THE COVER: Sister Margaret Young (seated), Noella Brennan Fisher, Ruby Blois and Jennifer Blois talk to Folia Montana Editor Alison DeLory about the privilege of being involved with the Women’s Wall of Honour. See story p. 9-11.

alumnae@msvu.ca www.msvu.ca/en/home/alumnae @MountAlumnae www.facebook.com/MSVAA (Like Us!)

Receive Folia via Email Would you like to receive Folia Montana in your in-box rather than your mail box? A digital edition of Folia Montana is available online. Contact us at alumnae@msvu.ca and the next time Folia is published, we will send you an email with a link to the latest issue.

Message from the President Fall is a wonderful time on our campus, with a new school year beginning and convocation just ahead of us. The grounds come alive with our returning students, who move from building to building against a backdrop of stunning fall colours. There’s no more exciting time at the Mount.

The first-year students we welcomed this semester will see construction start next spring on the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research, and they will help us celebrate the opening of the Centre before they graduate. That fact drives home the knowledge that our deadline to raise the funds for the McCain Centre is fast approaching.

Project TWENTY12 is an exciting and dynamic initiative that will, quite literally, change the face of the Mount.

No other building on a Canadian university campus is dedicated throughout to celebrating and honouring women from all walks of life – a fitting undertaking at a place where the advancement of women is central to our past, present and future.

Much about this project is unique, and nothing more so than the Women’s Wall of Honour. Women will be honoured not only in an installation in the garden at the entrance to the McCain Centre, but also on the “virtual” women’s wall of honour. After buying a brick on the wall in recognition of a special woman, donors can also post a story, memory or picture of their honouree on the virtual wall. Please visit the website www.womenswallofhonour.ca to read these wonderful tributes.

We have raised $9.4 of the $12 million needed to start construction of the McCain Centre*. I invite our alumnae to play a part in this important initiative and help us reach our goal by December 2012. Honour a special woman in your life in a personal and meaningful way through your donation to the Women’s Wall of Honour and Project TWENTY12. Or, as a Mount alumna, support your alma mater and leave your mark at the Mount by buying a ‘brick’ in your own name.

I hope you will join us in celebrating the accomplishments of women while shaping the future of the Mount.

*as of September 20, 2012

Editor’s Note The Magazine for Mount Alumnae and Friends

Editor Alison DeLory, BPR ’98 University Advancement Manager, Alumnae Relations: Shani Pearson Program Coordinator, Alumnae Relations: Beth Pyesmany Arsenault Manager, Development: Anne Thibodeau Program Coordinator, Development: Stéphanie Comeau, BPR ’09 Administrative Assistant: Erin Hemeon (maternity leave) Administrative Assistant: Michelle Innes, CertBusi ’10 Records Clerk: Kathryn Baker Special Events Assistant (Co-op - Summer): Karen Brookins Special Events Assistant (Co-op - Fall): Ashley Cameron Contributors Archives Athletics Distance Learning and Continuing Education Human Resources Nova Scotia Centre on Aging Public Affairs Recruitment Sisters of Charity Student Experience University Advancement COVER Michelle Doucet Folia Montana maintains and strengthens the connection among alumnae, friends and the University through coverage of newsworthy accomplishments, discussion of campus issues, information on Alumnae Association activities, and the sharing of class notes. It appears twice a year.

The digital edition is posted on the University’s website at www.msvu.ca/alumnae Produced by Alumnae Relations, University Advancement, Mount Saint Vincent University Design and production Cathy Little Digital imaging, prepress film & printing Transcontinental Printing Contact Us Alumnae Relations, University Advancement Advancement House Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax, NS B3M 2J6 Canada T: 902.457.6470 T: 1.888.MSV.ALUM (678.2586) (Toll Free in Canada/USA/Bermuda only) F: 902.445.3962 E: alumnae@msvu.ca W: www.msvu.ca/alumnae Publication Agreement Number 40063269

Many women inspire me. Some are writers, artists, politicians, and humanitarians I’ve never met. Some are my mentors and teachers, including several exceptional Mount professors.

Others are my friends; women who have shown dignity and strength while struggling with issues like infertility, illness and discrimination. Younger women, too, have wowed me with their potential, determination and optimism.

I’d love to see them all on the Women’s Wall of Honour, but I had to choose one.

I honoured my mother.

In my tribute to her on the virtual wall, I wrote about her attitude and approach to life. She lives in the moment. My mom can talk to anyone – and she will – but she is as interested in hearing their stories as she is in sharing her own. She is social and above all else comfortable. She loves to read, knows much about current events, is a wiz at crosswords, and sometimes circles the grammatical errors she discovers in magazines. These qualities and her curiosity inspired me to become a writer and editor.

I appreciate that the Women’s Wall of Honour gave me pause to reflect on our relationship and a means of articulating my mother’s influence on me.

Each tribute on the virtual wall (www.womenswallofhonour.ca) is different, emotional and heartfelt, celebrating women who have made huge public accomplishments and those who have led more private yet also meaningful lives. What’s best about this initiative is that the funds raised are part of Project TWENTY12 and will be used to build the Margaret McCain Centre where future students will be educated. One day soon I’ll walk through that building and see my mother’s name carved into the wall and know she and I together helped make it happen.

Letters to the Editor I just finished reading the Spring (2012) copy of Folia Montana. I am very impressed with the changes. The interviews with former students in their current lives were fascinating. I also really liked the book section that highlights authors who went to the Mount. I usually flip through to see if there is anyone I know and that is it, but I shall open my next copy with anticipation.

– Rochelle Smith , BA ’73

Re: Genealogical research leads two women to discover they are half-sisters (p. 16-17, Spring 2012) Thanks, I got the copies of Folia Montana and enjoyed reading the finished product. Liked the layout . . . and looking at the pic of Ferne and myself side by side fancied I finally saw a family resemblance, as did friends and family who also enjoyed the article.

– Anne Marie Montgomery, ACAD ’48, BA ’51

Send letters to: Editor, Folia Montana c/o Alumnae Relations, University Advancement Advancement House, Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada, F: 902.445.3962 E: alumnae@msvu.ca

Then and now: 30 years of flexible, quality distance education

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Take your classroom with y

hen the Mount launched DUET (Distance University In 1992, the Open Learning program was introduced, Education via Television) courses in 1982, classes initially to provide degree opportunities for people in the Nova were shot using black-and-white video cameras and Scotia tourism industry. This venture brought in innovative broadcast to closed circuit televisions. Students watching the technologies such as audiographic teleconferencing, and was programs could phone in with questions or comments. It was an early adopter of on-line learning, paving the way for the cutting edge at the time, and set the Mount on a path toward Mount’s participation in numerous international education becoming a leader in distance education. projects.

Dr. Diana Carl was the first coordinator. “The effort In 1999, the two distance programs became the began modestly and with a wonderfully analytic, creative, foundation of the new Department of Distance Learning and and market-oriented group. (The Mount’s President) Dr. Continuing Education (DLCE) and were renamed “Instructional Margaret Fulton, (OC, DHumL’94) had the vision and put her Television” and the “Multi-mode Program.” In the following energy into getting the support of the national and provincial years, the televised courses moved from local cable to a governments as well as the support of the cable company,” digital channel, and in 2011, taking a cue from students, the Carl says.

Mount ceased broadcasting in favor of online-only access. A Reflecting back, Dr. Peggy Watts, who today is the Mount’s succession of new computer-based platforms followed the director of Distance Learning and Continuing Education, initial software and eventually replaced teleconferencing. says: “It fit the Mount’s focus on women’s education. In Today, 30 years after it all began, 11% of all courses, the 1980s, there was a wave of women returning to the 10 undergraduate and four graduate programs are available workforce after raising families.” Many professionals, such completely via distance. In the past year, DLCE offered as teachers, didn’t have university more than 250 courses, and the number degrees but wanted to upgrade their of registrations in all modes of distance education. Although there were fewer offerings topped 4,500. The Mount offers than 100 students learning remotely more complete credentials (degrees, “We were not only in the beginning, the groundwork was certificates and diplomas) through distance nonetheless laid, and the offerings education than any other university in Nova providing higher and participation expanded rapidly.

Scotia. education, we were Carl says as the program grew, “Distance learning is flexible and the results were thrilling. “One eager accessible,” explains Watts. “It brings the hitting a nerve letter from a distant learner began university to the learner.” People can’t ‘Greetings Women Warriors!’ So, necessarily always come to campus to take and creating a spark.” we were not only providing higher classes – they may have timetable conflicts, – Dr. Diana Carl education, we were hitting a nerve physical limitations, or live too far away, and and creating a spark.” most are juggling work and life responsibilities

msvu.ca/distance

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Goose Bay overcomes technical difficulties in early pilot project Dr. Diana Carl remembers an early DUET pilot project: “We did a first run with a site in Goose Bay, Labrador, working with local residents and the Canadian Communications Authority to provide a downlink.

They planned to gather in a general store (imagine, a small general store!) to take part as a community. The live broadcast would be open for everyone who had either cable or a downlink to see. Governments being governments, the dish arrived in Goose Bay without all needed parts. I was up until about 4 a.m. trying to get a full dish to Labrador but to no avail.

We went live without knowing if they could participate but having them connected by phone. But, those wonderfully creative problem solvers in Goose Bay figured out that they could make it work by using, of all things, bailing wire! And they did it! When they were able to see us, I heard a whoop over the phone that zapped us all.

They were so eager to be part of this effort.”

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along with their studies – but they still want to further their education. Olympian Ryan Cochrane (see article page 5) is an example. He’s a psychology student who continues his studies while also training and competing at regattas internationally. And agreements with international partners, such as Bermuda College, mean overseas students can obtain a Mount degree without leaving their home countries.

The program was nurtured and grew with the participation of thousands of students and under the leadership of many dedicated administrators, staff, and technicians – too many to name here, but all of them committed to excellence.

Watts also credits Mount faculty with three decades of success in distance education, saying they have been willing to jump in and experiment, finding new ways of teaching. “The professors really care about the students,” Watts says.

Carl remembers an initial reticence on the part of some faculty who wanted assurances that the technology would not compromise their content and experiences. This led to her research into the university faculty culture and a series of juried articles that helped raise the Mount’s profile in distance education. DUET required faculty to modify their lectures to suit the medium and to accommodate call-ins, while on-line learning has required completely redesigned delivery methods.

All of today’s distance students use an on-line course management system, and in many courses, they sign in to a virtual classroom at pre-set times for class discussions. (These discussions are typically recorded so students who can’t attend ‘live’ can listen online later.) Watts says the trend now is towards interactive distance course designs that allow instructors to focus to a much greater degree on students’ learning outcomes.

Students are surveyed annually about their distance learning experiences and despite occasional frustration with technical glitches, generally praise the usability, convenience, and quality of the classes. The University’s support services too, meet with their approval: “The staff are wonderful and your service delivery is excellent,” one student wrote.

To mark the 30th anniversary, the department held an open house on Thursday, October 25, 2012, from 2-4:30 pm on the first floor of E. Margaret Fulton Communications Centre. Looking ahead to the next 30 years and beyond, DLCE is partnering with the Information Technology and Services Department to repurpose its television studios in the E. Margaret Fulton Communications Centre into what will be called the “digital media zone.” It will offer bookable space that will include an up-do-date media production studio, digital editing suites and a training centre. “With the ongoing advances in technology and pedagogy, it’s important for us to ensure we’re evolving,” says Watts. She continues to collect stories, memories, photos and more to help celebrate 30 years of accessible distance learning at the Mount.

If you can contribute, please e-mail her at peggy.watts@msvu.ca.

Mount student reaches Olympic paddling finals

Mount alum part of gold-winning Paralympic basketball team

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n September, Steve Sampson, BSc ’95, accompanied the Canadian Men’s Paralympic gold medal-winning basketball team to the London 2012 Games as one of two team scouts.

Sampson has a long history playing and coaching stand-up basketball, and played for the Mount Mystics while he studied here.

He became involved with wheelchair basketball in 2008, after he and his wife traveled to China to finalize the adoption of their daughter. (The couple has four children in total, and lives in Hatchett Lake, NS.) While in Beijing, Sampson attended the Paralympics and saw his first ever wheelchair basketball game. “Upon returning home to Halifax, I started to play with the Nova Scotia Flying Wheels wheelchair basketball team,” he says.

Sampson then began taking wheelchair basketball coaching courses and became involved with the junior men’s and national men’s teams. Sampson was head coach for the 2011 Nova Scotia Canada Games Wheelchair Basketball Team, which is co-ed and had its best-ever finish (fifth) during the 2011 Canada Games in Halifax. He intends to coach the Nova Scotia 2015 Canada Games Wheelchair team that is already training, and ran a summer wheelchair league at the Mount. Fourth-year Mount student Joanna Swett (pictured) is the only returning player from the 2011 squad and is captain of the 2015 team.

In London, when Canada was playing, Sampson would watch the game and call the coaches at half-time to report anything he might have seen. At other times, he’d watch and scout other teams. “Some days we were lucky enough to watch three or four games of the best teams in the world!” he says. “We were looking for tendencies the team or players may have, team plays, where they shot from, etc.”

In Canada, Sampson explains, able-bodied and disabled athletes are allowed to play together. He encourages anyone, of any age and ability, to consider the sport. “We start teams as young as seven years old, with many opportunities for new adult players,” he says. You can email Steve at stevesampson@filsonite.com.

Ryan Cochrane of Windsor, NS, a Bachelor of Science student who majors in psychology through the Mount’s Distance Education program, and his kayak partner Hugues Fornell of Quebec, competed in the 2012 Olympics this summer in London. Cochrane was on the cover of the Fall 2009 issue of Folia Montana, at which time he stated that his goal was to compete in the 2012 London Olympic Games. The team finished fourth in the Men’s K2 1,000-metre race, and seventh in the Men’s K2 200-metre race. Cochrane, who is 29, has said publicly he’ll continue training and hopes to compete at the 2016 Olympic games in Brazil. The entire Mount community is inspired by Cochrane’s determination and athleticism, and gathered on campus to show their support for this world-class athlete.

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Dr. Janice Keefe, Dr. Ramona Lumpkin and the Honourable Marilyn More at the Centre’s 20th anniversary dinner.

Centre on Aging now 20 years young

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he Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The Centre opened in 1992 as a place where university resources and expertise would be used to work in partnership with community organizations to improve the quality of life of older people. The NSCA was established at the Mount because of the University’s commitment to education and research concerning aging. It continues to work in partnership with the academic community, governments, private sector, seniors, and voluntary/ professional organizations on initiatives that benefit the aged, their families, and communities.

Dr. Janice Keefe is the NSCA’s director. “The NSCA is the longest standing Centre on Aging in Atlantic Canada and it has worked tirelessly to advance its mission,” says Keefe. “It has been my utmost pleasure to build on past successes and to continue to expand our mandate every day.”

Some of the Centre’s major accomplishments over the past 20 years include the NSCA’s establishing the original Care for the Caregiver project funded by Health Canada in the early 90s.

It developed and delivered a series of education workshops to help caregivers be better prepared for the realities of their situation. The Technology and Aging project was another great success that assessed the impact of technology on seniors and in which older adults, linked with the industry sector, helped to dispel the myths about their relationship to technology.

The Centre also had a significant role in securing the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council-funded Atlantic Seniors Housing Research Alliance initiative that continues to disseminate information about seniors’ housing needs and links research with knowledge users. More recently, the NSCA began working with more than 20 researchers, decision makers and practitioners on a Canadian Institutes of Health Researchfunded study examining the nursing home models of care.

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To mark the 20th anniversary, the NSCA is hosting a conference, “Our Future is Aging: Current Research on Knowledge, Practice and Policy,” in Halifax on November 21-23, 2012. Its purpose is to showcase current research on aging and help foster research collaborations. André Picard, health reporter for The Globe and Mail, will open the conference with a keynote address about the sustainability of our health-care system. Find out more at: www.msvu.ca/agingconference.

Other activities marking the NSCA’s 20th anniversary included a dinner for more than 150 friends and supporters that was held at the Mount’s Rosaria Student Centre in April, and a café scientifique held in support of Caregivers Awareness Month in May. “Our 20th anniversary year has been both exciting and busy and we are now looking forward to continuing our mandate at our new home in the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research under Project TWENTY12,” says Keefe. “We are proud of the fact that the Centre has a solid reputation of excellence and is well positioned to embrace the future.”

Student essay winners at the 20th anniversary dinner.

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life to celebrate

Philanthropist, volunteer and dedicated Mount supporter: Ruth Goldbloom, 1923-2012 Dr. Ruth Goldbloom, OC, DHumL ’85, one of the busiest and most gracious philanthropists in Nova Scotia, died on August 29, 2012.

Goldbloom’s volunteer leadership at the Mount spanned over three decades. She gave tirelessly of her time and energy as past Chair of the Board of Governors, Project One leader and, most recently, volunteering with Project TWENTY12. As recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the Mount, Goldbloom was also an honorary member of the Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association.

Goldbloom was born Ruth Miriam Schwartz in New Waterford, NS, on December 5, 1923. After the sudden and early death of her father, Abraham, she and her five siblings were raised by their mother Rose, who remained a source of inspiration to Ruth until Rose’s death in 1993. Her gratitude for the wonderful life Canada offered her Russian immigrant parents, and her belief in tolerance and diversity, led her to the successful completion of a campaign to fund the opening of Pier 21 in Halifax, now a national museum to honour all immigrants to Canada.

Her lifelong commitment to volunteerism also had her campaigning for healthcare, education, arts and Jewish charities. She was the first woman to chair the United Way campaign for Halifax. She served as public director of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Goldbloom was educated at Mount Allison and McGill universities, receiving a degree in physical education. In addition to the Mount, she also received honorary degrees from McGill, Dalhousie, Mount Allison and Acadia Universities, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and the Nova Scotia Community College.

She raised millions of dollars in support of wide-ranging charities in Canada, and inspired countless volunteers to make a difference in their communities. She was also known for her stories, wit, charm and tap-dancing abilities. At the Mount’s Black Tie Dinner & Bingo a few years ago, she tap-danced her way to deliver a prize to the winner of a bingo game.

She was recognized with many honours, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada, and recipient of the Order of Nova Scotia.

Goldbloom is survived by her husband, three children, seven grandchildren and four great grandsons.

“Ruth’s vision and passion helped form the Mount.

It feels so right that we should tell her story as one of our inspiring women.”

– Dr. Ramona Lumpkin

The spirit, energy and contributions of Ruth Goldbloom will permanently be recognized thanks to civic leaders Colin MacDonald, Mickey MacDonald and Dr. Howard Conter.

These leaders rallied more than 40 donors to honour Ruth Goldbloom as part of the Mount’s future Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research.

The Mount’s ProjectTWENTY12 is a special campaign to raise funds for a new academic building at the University, that will pay tribute to women. Its cornerstone will be a special installation celebrating “Inspiring Women” in the central atrium of the new McCain Centre.

Reaching out to friends in late June, the three men set out to raise $250,000 to pay homage to Ruth through the Inspiring Women initiative.

The groundswell of support for Goldbloom from the community was so great that $500,000 was raised, ensuring that Goldbloom and her late mother, Rose Schwartz, could both be included in the Inspiring Women installations.

The Mount’s President, Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, joined the MacDonalds, Dr. Conter and donors at the Goldbloom’s summer home in July 2012 to share the surprise and make a special presentation. “She was so moved by the tribute to both her and her mother, and by the generosity of her friends. As we were.”

Dr. Lumpkin says the stories of Goldbloom and her mother Rose will lift up generations of Mount students and visitors who pass through the McCain Centre.

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Mount initiative encourages compassionate communities

More than 100 people of diverse religions, spiritualities, cultures, and ages gathered to celebrate Women of Spirit Day.

The Mount’s Office of Spiritual Life works to cultivate a more welcoming, compassionate and inclusive community at the Mount and throughout Halifax. The “Heart & Spirit of Our Communities” initiative is currently underway, already hosting cafés, film screenings and celebrations for the Mount community, including alumnae, to gather and learn together.

Upcoming activities, free of charge and open to all, include: • December – Celebration of Lights: a combined multicultural and multifaith celebration of Diwali, Advent, Hannukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Solstice.

• January 20 – World Religion Day: Initiated by the Baha’i community to celebrate harmony and unity.

• March 3 – Women of Spirit: celebrating women’s experience and expression of compassion, as part of International Women’s Day week.

A further development was inspired by Karen Armstrong, a British author and commentator who is the author of 12 books on comparative religion and an advocate for compassion and the “Compassionate Cities Campaign.”

It is a broad community-based initiative called “Waves of Compassion.”

Spiritual Life Coordinator Kim MacAulay explains: “Since February, people from diverse cultures, spiritual traditions and community sectors have engaged in monthly gatherings, dubbed ‘compassionate conversations,’ to explore how we can intentionally develop and realize compassion as a vital element of a vibrant society.”

From June 11-13, 2013, the international “Waves of Compassion” conference will be held at the Mount (www.wavesofcompassion.ca).

Find out more information: online at www.msvu.ca/heartandspirit; on Facebook at facebook. com/theheartandspirit; or on Twitter @heartandspirit.

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Girls get WISE to science

More than 100 people of diverse

Girls in grades seven and eight from across Nova Scotia religion, culture, age gathered forspirituality, five intensive days of science-related workshops, games, demonstrations, and lab to activities and other backgrounds gathered at the Mount this past August. They were taking part in the ‘Girls Get Women WISE’ to Science camp.

The girls got to celebrate of Spirit Day talk and work with women who have careers in science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields.

Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal, an associate professor in the Mount’s Department of Biology (pictured below with several of the campers) is also the Atlantic Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).

She sees the camp as a critical tool in promoting the sciences to girls.

“The WISE camp aims to introduce girls to the exciting side of science by engaging them in lab experiments, teaching them the scientific approach and exposing them to aspects of biology, math and chemistry

that they have not experienced at school,” said FranzOdendaal. “The aim is to expose participants to handson science and to science careers in as many ways as possible so that can make informed decisions about subject choices in later school years.”

Highlights included water challenges, fun with geometric shapes, and lessons about population dynamics and global warming. One of the most exciting developments for Franz-Odendaal was the new zebrafish development module, used for the first time as a teaching tool for school-aged children in Canada. She aims to empower teachers in the Atlantic region to make hands-on science learning more exciting and accessible to students by introducing them to zebrafish.

“This is a unique opportunity to see how a two centimetre-long common pet store fish, the zebrafish, can be used to excite students about science. This fish is used by scientists around the world to understand various aspects of biology, including human disease, and participants in the camp learned why they are so popular,” she said.

“Our daughter inspires us every day. We are blessed for what she brings to us which are some of life’s most important things: love, happiness and laughter.”

– Ruby Blois

Many kinds of

special women honoured on Women’s Wall of Honour

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hey are young and old. Some were born with economic advantages, while others came from humble beginnings. They live – or lived – privately or publicly, and their achievements may be well known or instead, significant to just a few. But what the women whose names will be etched into the Women’s Wall of Honour in the future Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research have in common is that they inspired a grateful person(s) to donate in their name.

When Jennifer Blois, BPR ‘96, found out that her parents were honouring her, she says she was “very touched. It’s a humbling thing.”

Her mother, Ruby Blois, BScN ‘73, says she and her husband chose Jennifer as their honouree because she is bright, ambitious and determined. All sponsors are invited to write tributes for the on-line virtual wall, which is already live at www.womenswallofhonour.ca. “Our daughter inspires us every day. We are blessed for what she brings to us which are some of life’s most important things: love, happiness and laughter,” Blois and her husband wrote.

It’s the personal and emotional engagement that the wall offers, along with a permanent legacy to an important woman in a donor’s life, that have resonated so well with donors.

Honourees don’t necessarily have to have studied at the Mount; in fact, many are mothers, grandmothers and friends who have an indirect connection with our University through their profound impact on someone in our community (see sidebar on Alice Troubridge Drain as an example).

Blois recalls how she became pregnant with Jennifer while she was completing her nursing degree at the Mount.

It was a difficult time, money was tight and she was balancing a full-time job at the children’s hospital with rigorous courses like chemistry. But Blois says hard work and the support of dedicated professors got her through. She’s forever grateful to the Mount, and has returned time and again to volunteer, be it as Chair of the Board of Governors or most recently as Chair of the Leading Women Committee for Project TWENTY12.

The Inspiring Women and the Women’s Wall of Honour are fundraising initiatives for Project TWENTY12, which will be used to construct the new McCain Centre. Blois says she’s thrilled she can be behind the scenes and also a donor for the project, which officially concludes at the end of 2012 with a goal of raising $12 million. “What an opportunity to recognize Jennifer, and to be able to see it in a visible way in the new building will be amazing.” The unique installation is

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“stupendous. To think, after all these the only one of its kind in Canada.

“To think, after all years, that I would be included!” Young Ruby Blois has herself also been these years that I says she feels like she’s lived most honoured (by her husband and of her life at the Mount, going to the daughter), so her name will appear would be included...

Academy and College before entering the on the wall next to Jennifer’s.

It’s a privilege.”

Sisterhood, then teaching music here for Noella Brennan Fisher, QC, a quarter-century. “The whole business ACAD ’59, BA ’62, first heard about – Sister Margaret Young of having a women’s wall of honour is a the Women’s Wall of Honour in Folia brilliant idea,” she says. “It’s a privilege Montana. She says she had been to be included.” planning to donate to the Mount, and Brennan Fisher mentions Young’s “magnetic the opportunity to pay tribute to a dear friend at the same personality” in her tribute on the virtual wall, explaining time was irresistible. She chose to honour Sister Margaret that she has always attracted people to her.

Young, ACAD ’41, BMus ’44, who she first met through Teachers, mothers, friends and daughters – all are their shared love of music. When she was a student at the represented on the Women’s Wall of Honour. Alumnae may College in the early 1960s, Brennan Fisher needed a room also choose to demonstrate their commitment to the future in which to store her drum set. Young, then a pianist and of the Mount by pledging in their own name. Alternatively music professor at the Mount, allowed her to do so in a donors may honour a teacher or a mentor who has shaped spare classroom and even accompanied Brennan Fisher their life. The Wall will be situated in a garden installation at for fun on occasion. The two women stayed in touch in the entrance of the McCain Centre, a beautiful new facility later years through Mount alumnae events. They became that will celebrate women’s contributions to business, closer still starting in 1986 when Young called Brennan public policy, family life, academia, the arts, sciences and Fisher (who was by then a lawyer) to congratulate her on community. becoming the first female member admitted to the Halifax “I like the variety of representation,” says Jennifer Club. Brennan Fisher also received the Alumnae Award of Blois, adding that she’s particularly proud of her mom Distinction in 2011.

Ruby’s leadership. “She’s improving students’ experiences As for Young, she says when she found out she ultimately.” was being honoured on the Women’s Wall, she found it

Annie (Wakim) Saab

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Genevieve O’Hara Brownlow

Jutta Van Der Kuijp

Mary Dee Girroir

Linda Coyle

Noreen Valenta

Alice

by Susan Drain

Alice did not dance Her mouth twitched downward, froze there.

Her arm was crooked, and her hand a claw – a stroke condemned her, trapped her, penned her.

Just forty, with two young boys at the foot of her bed aghast at the familiar woman redrawn askew.

Speechless, all three.

She clawed herself back: to walk, to talk, to smile – but not quite straight.

Held her right arm in an invisible sling, turned up curled fingers to make a pocket, a place to wedge and hold and brace whatever needed two good hands.

And her left hand learned to write when letters were the only tie between her soldier sons and home.

Sometimes I write with my left hand – to be ready should words be struck out of me.

From left to right: Sister Margaret Young (seated), Noella Brennan Fisher, Ruby Blois and Jennifer Blois gather around the grand piano on the second floor foyer of the Rosaria Student Centre.

The piano was donated by the late Mary Dee Girroir, a music teacher and performer who is also honoured on the Women’s Wall of Honour.

With a generous $1,200 donation, a space is reserved for the honoree’s name on the wall. Sponsors may also write a tribute – poetry or prose – for the virtual wall at www.womenswallofhonour.ca.

For more on how to reserve a space on the Women’s Wall, please see p. 29.

Women’s Wall of Honour

This contribution came from Professor and Writing Co-ordinator, Dr. Susan Drain, Department of English. She wrote it for her paternal grandmother, Alice Troubridge Drain.

Artist’s Rendering

Isabel MacNeil

Janet (Pottie) Murray

Esther Chisholm

I. Lorraine Sadler

Winnie Gallant

Mary Elizabeth Church

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From the President’s Desk Dr. Ramona Lumpkin

The history of Mount Saint Vincent University is a story of humanity and growth. From its inception, the Mount has been concerned about the welfare and fortune of individuals and communities, at home and abroad.

Today our University educates a diverse mix of 4,000 women and men from across Canada and from 60 countries around the world. While the Mount’s research agenda and program offerings reflect society’s contemporary needs, we remain on the course set out when the Sisters of Charity founded this institution in 1873. And in all that we do, we remain focused on advancing women in society, on providing the very best educational experience possible to our students, on making important research contributions in our areas of specialty, and on being a fiscally responsible institution.

The Mount’s continued growth and success is due in large part to the generosity of the Mount community, our friends and our partners. This giving includes donations to the Annual Fund; support for student success through gifts to scholarships, bursaries and awards; funds directed to enhancing the work of our departments and programs;

and support for our most pressing capital need – Project TWENTY12.

Launched in May 2011 with a goal of raising $12 million in 20 months, Project Twenty12 has been our funding priority through the 2011-2012 fiscal year. I am pleased to report that thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have raised over $9.4 million and expect to achieve our goal by the end of 2012.

This initiative will see the construction of the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research – the first classroom building we have added to our campus in over 40 years. Not only will the McCain Centre provide us with muchneeded and well-equipped academic facilities, but it will also be unique among Canadian universities as a building dedicated throughout to celebrating women and their accomplishments.

It has been two years since I joined the Mount community and as I continue to meet alumnae and friends, I am struck that we all share a common and deeply held sense of purpose: to ensure that the Mount continues to build on its heritage and to thrive. Thank you for your continued investment in our University.

Thank you We gratefully acknowledge the donors who contributed to Mount Saint Vincent University during the fiscal year – April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

This report includes the names of individuals, corporation, foundations and organizations who gave to the Mount between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

The Annual Giving Recognition Levels are noted in the table to the right – donors are recognized by funds received during the fiscal year. The pie chart outlines the areas, programs and initiatives that were supported.

Thank you to our alumnae, friends, faculty, staff, students, retirees, corporations, foundations and associations for your continued investment in Mount students.

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Annual Giving Levels Chancellor’s Circle President’s Circle Deans’ Circle Scholars’ Circle Learned Circle Ambassadors

$ 25,000 plus $ 10,000 – 24,999 $ 5,000 – 9,999 $ 1,000 – 4,999 $ 500 – 999 $ 100 – 499

Friends

$ 1 – 99

Mystics’ Society

The Mystics’ Society recognizes alumnae making their first gift to the University within two years of graduating with their first degree from the Mount.

1873 Society

Marking the year the Mount was founded, the 1873 Society honours those who have notified the University of their intention to include Mount Saint Vincent University in their estate plans. The University recognizes with gratitude those alumnae and friends whose commitment to the Mount extends beyond their lifetime.

Donor Report April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012

Meet Amanda Wilneff, Class of 2015, from Dartmouth, NS. Amanda is a Bachelor of Arts student and President’s Scholar. Amanda shared the following when she spoke at the 2011 Scholars’ Luncheon.

“The influence this scholarship will have on my life, what it will mean and eventually come to stand for will develop long after my time at Mount Saint Vincent (University)… However, what I can say is that right here, at this very moment, this scholarship is a reminder: a reminder that individuals bestowed an act of kindness, compassion and belief in my capabilities that leads me to a humble remembrance of just how thankful I am to have my sponsor’s support. For that, I give you my dearest gratitude and appreciation.”

Chancellor’s Circle John & Judy Bragg Liz & F. Anthony Comper ’95 Joan Craig ’07 & Jack Craig Purdy Crawford & Bea Crawford Elizabeth Fountain ’79 & Fred Fountain Martha Jodrey & Bruce Jodrey Margaret McCain ’05 Nancy Ruth ’89

President’s Circle Linda Brown ’68 & Hugh Brown Lily Chan ’61 & Paul Chan E. Margaret Fulton ’94 Michael Jackson Alexa McDonough ’09 Hans Uhthoff & Annegret Uhthoff

Dean’s Circle Elizabeth Church Carole Cushing Mike Foran ’89 & Catherine Keating Shirley Forde ’62 Dale Godsoe ’97 Lawrence Hayes Ramona Lumpkin

Lois Dyer Mann Rosemarie Sampson ’68 Lynne Theriault ’71 & Don Theriault

Scholar’s Circle Stephen Allt Louise Ardenne ’89 Paula Barry ’05 Sonja Bata ’89 Robert Berard William Blackburn Ruby Blois ’73 & Eugene Blois Susan Boyd & Russell Boyd Noella Brennan Fisher ’62 Sheila A. Brown Daniel Brownlow Gerard Buckley ’85 & Mary MacDonald Kim Campbell Diana Carl Julie Carroll ’63 Margaret Casey Marion Clorey Susan Covert Katherine Darvesh Kenneth Dewar Susan Drain & Patrick Donahoe Craig Ennis ’00 Sandi Findlay-Thompson ’85 & Bruce Thompson ’97 Jeanne Flemming ’65

Myra A. Freeman ’04 & Lawrence Freeman Kelly Gallant ’90 Tony Goode Martin Haase David Harpp Jeff Hollett Ani Hotoyan-Joly & Michael Joly Brian Jessop Blair Keefe Dennice Leahey ’64 & Stephen Leahey Linda MacDonald ’67 Ann MacGillivary Catherine MacIsaac ’05 & Robert Batherson ’97 Deanne MacLeod ’92 & Mark Forward ’93 Janet MacMillan ’81 Bruce MacNeil Leonard Malone Carolyn Marshall Suzanne McCarron ’86 Mark McCondach ’82 Anne Melanson ’87 Janet Murray ’56 & T.J. Murray Lorri Neilsen & Allan Neilsen Carolyn Nobes ’97 Mary O’Regan ’65 Linda Oliver ’74 Terrence Paris Elizabeth Parr-Johnston

Shani Pearson Andrea Plato & Richard Plato Meredith Ralston Suzanne Reynolds ’66 Lorraine Saab & Richard Lucas James Sharpe Robert Shaw Carol Snow ’04 Diane Tinkham ’73 Sarah Veinot & Gordie Veinot Mary Waisman Margaret Watts Dorothy Wills ’07 Phyllis Yaffe ’11

Learned Circle Michael Bishop Catherine Butler Yvonne Chute Claire Correia ’55 Paul Forward ’87 Amy Gordon ’97 Peter Greenwood Elizabeth Hemeon ’99 Louise Hunt ’74 Janice Keefe Elizabeth Larmond-Elliot ’61 Anne MacCleave ’80 Burton MacDonald Shari MacDonald ’93 Dawn MacNutt ’05

Dan O’Neill Sheri Ostridge ’94 Barbara Pike Joanne Rivest ’86 & Dayle Harrington ’83 Marie Anne Skomorowski ’63 Mary Uhl ’48 & Norman Uhl Catherine Woodman ’84 Myrna Yazer

Ambassadors Janis Aitken ’69 Betty Anderson Nancy Aust ’63 Ninette Babineau ’95 Tex Barkhouse Jo-Anne Belliveau ’75 Katherine Blake ’90 Ilya Blum Wendy Boisvert ’91 Isabel Bonnyman ’36 David Brien ’97 Janet Brisse ’63 Margaret Brown ’79 Robert Brown Holly Burridge ’90 Lily Campbell Anne Carlos ’10 Linda Carnell Swinwood ’92 Jude Carson ’68 Andrew Church Erik Church Matthew Church Phyllis Clark ’54

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Pamela Cochrane ’81 Frances Cody ’81 Joy Collins ’84 Gayle Comer ’05 Valerie Conrod ’80 Mary Cossitt ’52 Teresa Cossitt ’58 S. Lynn Coveyduck ’96 Sheila Crummell ’79 Sheila Cummings ’68 Dawn Dalley ’91 Barbara Darton ’97 Keith Davis ’90 Sharon Davis ’82 Linda DeGrace ’90 Louanne Devanney ’86 Keoki Dickinson ’00 Louise Doran ’71 Catherine Doucette ’56 Wendy Doyle ’70 Patricia Drake Joan Driscoll ’59 Margaret Driscoll ’58 Pamela Duncan ’77 Nancy Dyer ’61 Margaret Ellis ’76 Eileen Farrell ’57 Barbara Fitzgerald ’72 Teresa Francis ’87 Corinne Gaudet ’67 Janice Gaudet ’88 Normand Gendron ’11 Nancy Gilbert ’83 Mary Gilroy ’62 Peter Glenister Joan Glode ’69 Richard Goldbloom Mary Goodman ’78 Janice Graham-Migel ’83 Mary Grant ’69 Elizabeth Guinan ’58 Susan Gunn ’69 Stephanie Hale ’11 Gwendolyn Hampe ’59 Heather Hanson ’11 Vicki Harnish ’74 Jean Hartley Elizabeth Hartnell ’73 Jacqueline Haywood ’64 Elizabeth Hicks Donna Hillier ’88 Sonya Horsburgh ’11 Jill Hurlbert ’12 Jean Inkpen ’47 Stephen Jacobson Roy Jamieson ’10 Barbara Jones ’55 F. Marie Jones ’55 Ramona Joseph ’98 Catherine (Kitty) Kelley ’40

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Elaine Kelly ’82 Juliet King ’07 Jennifer Kinsella ’04 Patricia Kirby ’85 Alla Kushniryk Martha Laurence ’60 Paula Lawlor ’05 Patricia Leader Paulette Luft ’66 June Lumsden Ann MacDonald ’94 Margaret Terry MacDonnell ’74 Barbara MacDonnell-Covey ’74 Ron MacKay Ann MacKenzie Tracy MacKenzie Michael MacMillan Agnes MacNeil ’81 Judith Mader ’79 Anne Mahoney-MacDonald ’96 Jill Mahony-Plummer ’77 Adrienne Malloy Melissa Marshall ’99 Alanna Mason ’92 Roberta Mattocks ’57 Sue McGregor Marvin McKay-Keenan Elspeth McLean-Wile ’79 Andrew McNeil ’04 Ethel Miller Kennie Ka-Nung Mok ’04 Marilyn Montgomery ’92 Anna C. Morris ’70 Janice Mrkonjic ’00 Marguerite Muise ’65 Alleyne Murphy ’97 Dana Murray ’60 & Paul Murray M. Linda Murray ’68 Edith Nelligan ’62 Ruth Nelligan ’62 Jean Nicholson ’83 Deborah Norris ’79 Angela O’Neil ’74 M. Dianne O’Neill Stanislav Orlov Catherine Partington ’63 Stefanie Pavlin ’52 Marguerite Peddle ’52 Lisa Pelley ’91 Betty Peterson ’00 M. Jane Phillips Mary Pothier ’69 Maureen Reid ’98 & Douglas Reid Pauline Reid Hazel Reyno ’64 & Paul Reyno Susan Ringrose ’66 Marilyn Ross ’85

Linda Rowe Fitch ’76 Lara Ryan ’92 & Brett Ryan Dean Salsman Claudette Sapp ’80 Brigid Savage ’95 Erich Schmidt Sandra Schnare ’09 Judith Schurman ’67 Nancy Sheehan ’57 Donald Shiner *Edith Silver ’85 Gillian Sim ’74 Madge Skinner & Ward Skinner Marietta Snetsinger ’91 Corrine Sparks ’74 Della Stanley Alison Stark ’08 Caroline Wolfe Stewart ’90 & Ron Stewart ’08 Brook Taylor Errol Taylor ’89 Martin Taylor Judith Thackray ’63 Anne Thibodeau Amy Thurlow ’89 Roderick Tilley Suzanna Tingley ’87 Evelyn Tucker ’48 Genevieve Vest ’66 David Wainwright Barry Waldman ’84 Richard Walkden ’84 Kathryn Watt ’82 Helen Weir ’69 Isobel Wesley ’93 Florence Whitby ’52 Patricia Whitman ’69 Lisa Whynott ’94 Joy MacKay Williams ’75 Aibing Xia Mary Anne Yurkiw ’77

Friends Selena Acker ’88 Kanika Adekayode ’09 Cicely Alfonso ’64 Gail Allen ’73 Wendey Archibald ’71 Helen Arnold Gladys Ascah ’89 Mary Barker Kathleen Batherson ’63 Carolen Beairsto ’58 Douglas Beall ’07 Constance Beardshaw ’91 Sonja Beck ’10 Elizabeth Bennett ’77 Rose Benoit ’84 Adriana Benzaquen

K. Nicole Billard ’96 & Jeffrey Billard ’98 Barbara Bisson ’80 Karen Blotnicky Nancy Boutilier ’75 Elizabeth Brideau-Asbridge ’60 Judith Brockie ’63 Alan Brown Janet Brown ’89 Mary Buote-Potts ’05 M. Betty-Ann Buott ’96 Stephanie Burdock ’85 Barbara Burke ’66 Joanne Burns-Theriault ’03 Elaine Burrows ’74 Joanne Byrne ’69 Beverly Cameron ’75 Caroline Campbell ’89 Michael Campbell Mary Canfield ’67 Sheila Cardone ’66 Christine Carroll ’82 Mary Casey ’74 Nicole Chretien ’05 Margaret Clack ’95 Kathy Connor

Rhonda Cooper ’84 Norma Craib ’84 Eric Craig ’84 Gail Creaser ’06 Virginia Cronin Rochelle Crosby ’04 Donna D’Eon ’74 Philip Daigle ’10 Laurie Daniels ’90 Mabel Davis ’84 Virginia Deal ’66 Marion Dell ’67 James Delorme ’12 Rita Shelton Deverell J. Colin Dodds Fae-Marie Donathan ’90 Cynthia Doucet ’07 Michele Doucette ’06 Frederick Drebot ’04 Brenda Dwyer ’87 Tracy Embrett ’95 Lynn Evans ’98 Carol Ezekiel ’95 Pamela Fancey ’91 Margaret Ferguson ’94 Rhonda Finlay ’01

Donor Report April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012 Ann Finlayson ’69 Matthew Fleming ’99 Laurie Flindall ’76 Marguerite Flinn ’57 Diane Foley ’63 Susan Forbrigger ’06 Donna Forest-Robertson ’63 Michelle Forrest ’70 Linda Fougere ’91 Barbara Frame ’86 Amy France ’81 Norma Fraser ’89 Heather Fraser-Davey ’68 Sharon Freeman ’85 Judith Fulton ’75 Michelle Gailey ’80 Bertha Galpin ’90 Sonia Gaul ’69 Julie George ’93 Angela Gerard Yvonne Gillis ’81 Constance Glube ’98 Alexandra Gouthro ’87 Nancy Halleran ’02 Marilyn Hamlin ’90 Gloria Hanief ’62 Claire Hanlon Smith ’88 Keri Hardman ’94 Sylvia Harvey ’85 Alice Hickey ’00 Joanne Hickey ’55 Nancy Horne ’80

Ann Howe Allen Howell ’96 Diana Whalen Jennifer Hutchinson ’10 Michelle Innes ’10 Shirley Jollimore Lorraine Joudrey ’64 Alan Joyce ’93 Velma Kaiser-Whitlock ’06 M. Claire Keindel ’51 Nancy Kemp ’77 Sandra Kerr ’77 Kim Kienapple Catherine Kilvert ’62 Claudia Kingston ’98 Traci Knott ’07 Dianne Kristoff ’78 Ronald Laffin ’01 Andre Lamontagne ’02 Patti Landry ’95 Stuart Laplace ’07 Suzanne LeBlanc ’77 Johanne Leclerc ’61 Sharon Lemmon ’87 Dianne Lindsay Beverly Lobecker ’63 Cornelia Locke ’71 Canda Long ’73 Ellen Louth ’06 Mary Lowes ’01 Shirley Ly ’79 Aileen Lynegh ’99

Marion Lytle ’37 Allan J. MacDonald Breagh MacDonald ’11 Judith MacDonald ’73 Megan MacDonald ’08 Paul MacDonald ’89 Sharon MacDonald ’88 Anne Marie MacEachern ’68 Robert MacEachern Claire MacEwan ’12 J. Robert MacGillivray ’85 Brigitte MacInnes C. Gertrude MacIntyre ’70 Linda MacIsaac ’61 Heather MacKay ’89 Barbara MacKeigan ’82 Shirley MacKenzie ’81 Tracey MacKenzie ’92 M. Marlene MacLellan ’96 Elizabeth MacMillan ’65 Julie MacMillan ’82 Amanda MacNeil ’04 Elizabeth Maloney ’50 Maria Mancini-Fulmer ’84 Sheilagh Martin ’63 Ann McBain ’67 Agnes McCully ’90 V. Francine McIntyre ’82 Patricia McKelvie ’94 Daniel McKenna ’12 Norma McLean ’79 Elizabeth McRae

Antje McVeigh ’84 Donna Meagher-Stewart ’70 Colleen Meahan Ferguson ’79 Bruce Melanson Jeannette Melanson ’63 Terri Milton Shirley Moir ’42 Patricia Moore Sadie Moore ’59 Mary Morash ’80 Diane Morgan ’91 Theresa Morrison ’79 Brian Morse (student) Sandra Mosher ’77 Patricia Mulatz ’72 Coleman Munroe Julia Murphy ’59 Lemuel Murphy ’85 Donna Myers Keating ’90 Ethel Nelson ’81 & Gerald Nelson Kathleen Nolan ’83 Martha Norris ’68 Geraldine O’Brien Marie O’Malley ’52 Karen Oldfield Anita Opalka ’90 Iris Owen ’69 Susan Oxfordlane ’10 Isabel Palmeter ’72 Sharon Parker ’71 Patricia Parks ’79

Heather Parris ’07 Linda Partington ’67 Nancy Pasquet ’01 Olive Pastor ’86 Helen Pegg Linda Pike ’90 Cynthia Plant-Hansen ’81 Zita Poirier ’61 Margaret Power ’71 Marie Anne Power Beverly Prevost ’72 Diane Racette ’98 Kim Raine ’88 Jereme Ramsay ’06 Patricia Ratteray ’55 Cynthia Reardon ’76 Robert Rebellato ’03 Margaret Redden ’81 Kelly Regan DeNel Rehberg Sedo John Reid Lynda Reid ’04 Claudine Renault ’71 Christene Reynolds ’82 Mary Reynolds ’05 Natalia Richardson ’00 Marie Riley ’65 Colleen Robbins ’85 Colleen Robicheau ’76 Marie Rocheleau ’09 Carol Rogers ’66 Joan Rogers ’72

The Mount’s Annual Fund Program Every gift makes a difference!

Your monthly or annual gift can have an immediate impact on a Mount student. Your gift will help provide scholarships, bursaries, library acquisitions, new facilities, support to departments and faculties, support to Athletics and much more. With the generous support of alumnae and friends, Mount students receive the best learning environment in today’s society.

The Mount is able to make an immediate impact.

When you receive your request in the mail or when a Mount student calls, please give generously and help Mount students succeed. You can also make a gift online by visiting www.msvu.ca/waystogive.

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Black Tie Dinner & Bingo

The 13th Black Tie Dinner & Bingo will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. Tickets are $125. To purchase your ticket contact University Advancement @ 902.457.6764 or giving@msvu.ca.

This black tie (optional) event is filled with good food, great prizes and mountains of merriment! It begins with a welcome reception, followed by a beautiful culinary feast prepared by the Mount’s chefs. After enjoying a sumptuous dessert buffet and bidding on the silent auction items, guests will enjoy an evening of exhilarating and entertaining bingo, led by local ‘celebrity’ bingo callers.

On November 1, 2011 Mount Saint Vincent University hosted the 12th Annual Black Tie Dinner & Bingo. With more than 160 guests in attendance, this event raised over $20,000 to support Project TWENTY12.

Thank you to our generous sponsors of Black Tie Dinner & Bingo 2011:

Trina Rogers ’01 Sharon Ross ’80 Angela Sabean ’06 Cheryl Sacamano ’88 Margaret Samson ’62 James Sawler Carolyn Scanlan Lori Scott ’86 Susan Settle ’86 Natalie Simmons ’04 Chantal Simons ’00 Marilyn Singer Barbara Skidmore Betty Skuffham Nancy Slater ’77 Dorothy Smith ’84 Julie Smith ’12 Janis Sobey-Hames ’76 Janet Sollows ’05 Elizabeth Sovie ’96 Deborah Sowerby ’76 Dawn Spurrell Henderika Steenweg ’05 Dorothy Sumarah

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Gold

C. Susan Taylor ’86 Roseanne Thibault ’84 Linda Thistle ’97 Donna Thompson ’12 Mark Titchmarsh Barbara Trainor ’59 Patricia Uthe ’89 Sherrie Vanderaa ’03 Joan Walker ’65 Dorothy Walsh Durocher ’59 Heather Ward Huskins ’92 Marilyn Watson ’83 & Robert Watson ’83 Pamela Whelan E. Diane Wile ’91 Geraldine Williams ’77 Mary Williams Peter Williams ’90 Marilyn Wilson ’74 Heather Withrow Kowalczyk ’04 Susan Woelber ’80 *H. Kris Yeates ’93 Denise Zareski ’01

Lena Zenchuk & Gerald Zenchuk George Zinck ’76

Corporations, Foundations and Organizations Atlantic Lottery Corporation Bell Aliant Regional Communications Bloom BMO Bank of Montreal The John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation Brown Children Inc. CIBC Atlantic Clayton Developments Limited Clearwater Fine Foods Inc. Colour The Liz and Tony Comper Foundation The Craig Foundation Dalhousie University

Bronze

Deloitte The Economical Group Insurance Greater Halifax Partnership Halifax Port Authority Halifax Protestant Infants’ Foundation Halifax Regional Municipality Harrison McCain Foundation Hayes Developments Limited Heritage Gas Limited Institute of Corporate Directors Insurance Bureau of Canada International Women’s Forum Jazz Air LP Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette KPMG Charitable Foundation

KPMG LLP Lucky Rabbit Pottery Macdonald Chisholm Trask Insurance MSV Alumnae Association MSV Alumnae Association Toronto Chapter MSVU Department of University Advancement MSVU Faculty Association MSVU Psychology Society MSVU Students’ Union Nova Scotia Power Inc. Olga Korper Gallery Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Overstock Outlet Inc. Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. Partington Sales Power Corporation of Canada Presentation Sisters Psychologists in Schools Association

Donor Report April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012 RBC Foundation RBC Royal Bank Scotiabank Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception Stewart McKelvey TD Bank Group TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Theodore R & Vivian M Johnson Scholarship Foundation Theriault Financial Services University of British Columbia WBLI Chartered Accountants Women’s Executive Network Foundation

Estates The Estate of Jean Guildford The Estate of Mary Sparling The Estate of Mary M. Young

Gifts were made to the Mount to Honour

The Estate of Patricia Keene The Estate of Marial Mosher

Gifts were made to the Mount in Memory of Geraldine Anthony ’51 Robert Bagg Georgette Bergstrom ’66 Colleen Connick Muriel Duckworth ’78 Regis Dyer Larry Fisk Anna Godwin ’40 Marjorie Hayes Patricia Hooper Francis Huck Sheila Huck ’52 Valery Kushnyrik Dyrick McDermott ’94 Muriel Nelson Patrick O’Neill Myrna Slater ’96 Noreen Valenta

Christine Bell Noella Brennan Fisher ’62 Mira Chatt E. Margaret Fulton ’94 Claire MacEwan ’12 Daniel McKenna ’12 Brian Morse (student) Nancy Ruth ’89 Judith Scrimger Julie Smith ’12

Mystics’ Society

1873 Society

Marie Rocheleau ’09 Sonja Beck ’10 Normand Gendron ’11 Michelle Innes ’10 Roy Jamieson ’10 Breagh MacDonald ’11 Claire MacEwan ’12 Daniel McKenna ’12 Brian Morse (student) Susan Oxfordlane ’10 Jennifer Hutchinson ’10 Sandra Schnare ’09 Julie Smith ’12 Donna Thompson ’12

*Evelyn Burnham ’82 Jane L. Cook & David J. Marcogliese S. Lynn Coveyduck ’96 Brenda Hattie ’01 Janet MacMillan ’81 Carolyn Nobes ’97 Elizabeth Parr-Johnston, CM M. Jane Phillips Barbara B. Pike Rosemarie Sampson ’68

While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, please accept our apologies for any errors or omissions. Please contact University Advancement at 902.457.6470 or email giving@msvu.ca if you believe we made an error on this list. Alumnae donors are listed with the year of their most recent degree from the Mount.

* We are saddened by the loss of our friends and community members.

FEEDBACK

alumnae@msvu.ca

www.msvu.ca/en/home/alumnae

@MountAlumnae

www.facebook.com/MSVAA (Like Us!)

The 1873 Society... Be a part of the future The 1873 Society is a special group of alumnae and friends of Mount Saint Vincent University who have honoured the University by making a provision for a future gift. A planned gift can have significant tax advantages, making a bequest a win-win for your loved ones and for future generations of students.

As a member of the 1873 Society, you will receive a certificate and a membership pin to wear in honour of your generosity.

We are planning a tomorrow filled with promise and opportunity…and we’re Planning Tomorrow Together. Thank you for considering becoming a partner in the Mount’s success now and well into the future.

For more information, please contact Department of University Advancement at 902.457.6470 or by email at giving@msvu.ca

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Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association Board of Directors

President’s Message

2012-13

HONORARY PRESIDENT Dr. Ramona Lumpkin

Executive Committee

Deanne MacLeod, BBA ’92 The 2012-13 academic year is underway which means that another alumnae weekend has taken place, fall convocation has happened, and, this year, the completion of Project TWENTY12 is just around the corner.

Over the last year and a half, it has been my privilege to have had the opportunity to be a Project TWENTY12 volunteer. To participate in a project that involves so many people who are passionate about the Mount and committed to its future has been inspiring, to spend time discussing the many women who will be honoured in the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research has been very humbling, and to have the opportunity to meet some of the inspiring women who will be honoured in the Elizabeth and Fred Fountain Atrium has been a tremendous honour.

All of us have the opportunity to participate in Project TWENTY12 through the Women’s Wall of Honour. For most of us, it will be an easy task to think of a woman who is well deserving of a lasting acknowledgement of what she has done for us, our families or our communities. I hope that you will consider making a gift to Project TWENTY12 in honour of a special woman who has touched your life.

Your alumnae association is working hard to plan activities and events for the upcoming year. Please watch your email and our Facebook and Twitter postings to stay connected and join us!

Sincerely,

President: Deanne MacLeod, BBA ’92 Vice President: Lisa Whynott, BOA ’94 Immediate Past President: Sheldon Miller, BBA ’99 Secretary: Tanya Baggio, BBA ’95 Treasurer: Tracy Newman, CA, BBA ’00

Members at Large Alison DeLory, BPR ’98 Tanya Lorimer-Charles, BBA ’89 Todd Jackson, BBA ’99 Adrienne MacDonald, BTHM ’06 Melissa MacKinnon, BPR ’04 Brian MacLeod, CertBusi ’97 Kelly MacLeod, MAEd ’01, MEd ’05 Terri Mann, CertBusi ’03, BTHM ’06 Sabitha Masih, BEd ’99, MEd ’02 Stephanie Shute, BA ’11 Erin Tomlinson, BPR ’04, BEd ’08 Caroline Wolfe Stewart, BScHEc ’90

Student Representative Zac Quinlan, MSVU Students’ Union

Alumnae Representatives on the Mount Board of Governors Deanne MacLeod, BBA ’92 Lisa Whynott, BOA ’94 Caroline Wolfe Stewart, BScHEc ’90

Ex Officio Shani Pearson, Manager, Alumnae Relations

Alumnae Gather in St. John’s St. John’s is always a lively place to visit and this June was no exception. Alumnae met President and Vice-chancellor Ramona Lumpkin, who was at her first Mount alumnae reception on the Rock to hear the latest news about the Mount and share their memories and stories about favourite professors.

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Mount displaying rich history through This fall, the Mount launched its new Facebook timeline, proudly showcasing our rich history. While the timeline template has become standard for all personal and fan pages, the Mount is taking advantage of the ‘Highlights and Milestones’ feature, giving a unique opportunity to share photos and landmark events. The Mount is the first university in Nova Scotia to leverage Facebook’s timeline feature in this way.

With close to 140 years of historic achievements, the Mount’s Facebook timeline focuses on milestones and highlights that align with the University’s strategic goals and mission. Photos range from a 1915 issue of Folia Montana to a 1965 image of The Picaro, the launch of DUET (Distance University Education via Television) in 1982, and the first Nancy’s Chair in Women’s Studies, among others.

The project was spearheaded by the Mount’s Public Affairs Office, and relied on historical data and photos from many individuals in the community. Sharing the Mount’s history using new technology and social media gives members of the community an opportunity to learn more in a fun and engaging way. The concept has also been incorporated into the Mount’s recruitment materials for the coming year, and new students are encouraged to add the Mount to their own Facebook timeline.

With more than 50 milestones, this will be a living project to which past, present and future members of the Mount community can contribute. Suggestions for the Mount’s timeline can be sent to timeline@msvu.ca. Visit the timeline at: Facebook.com/MountSaintVincentUniversity.

Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association founded Mount Saint Vincent Fires destroys Mount Academy founded

1873 1915 Seton Academic Centre

‘timeline’

Seton Academic Centre opened

1921 1925 1951 1966 1971

Mount Saint Vincent celebrates 140th Distance Education anniversary introduced

1979 1982

1998

2013

First co-operative education program introduced First graduating class Rosa Parks awarded from Mount Saint an honorary degree Vincent University

Mount Saint Vincent College opened Folia Montana first published

Mount alumna’s new book chronicles her life with schizophrenia Erin Lynne Hawkes, BSc ‘02, has just published a book called When Quietness Came, A Neuroscientist’s Personal Journey with Schizophrenia. While studying at the Mount, Hawkes underwent her first major psychotic break and spent four-and-a-half months in a psychiatric hospital. Despite her illness, she excelled academically and intellectually, graduating in 2002 with honours. “I just ploughed through it and just tried so hard,” Hawkes said in a radio interview with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “I would tell myself ‘well, if I can work very hard, and study and do well at school. . . I mustn’t have schizophrenia.’ It was my way of denial.”

After being chosen for a National Science and Research Council scholarship, Hawkes moved to Vancouver and earned an MSc in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia (UBC), despite numerous hospitalizations and

medication trials. She is employed now in a neuroscience laboratory at UBC, has contributed to a number of academic papers, and has published two personal pieces in Schizophrenia Bulletin’s “First Person Account” series. When Quietness Came is her first book.

In an article in the National Post newspaper, Hawkes advocates for involuntary treatment for the mentally ill, writing: “Being involuntarily hospitalized and medicated against my will saved me from my suicidal self.” Her auditory hallucinations were filling her ears with voices saying “Die, girl, die!” and she was immersed in delusions including one in which tiny rats were eating her brain.

The book was published by Bridgeross Communication and can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Chapters/Indigo in Canada, and is available for Kindle.

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Golfing for a Good Cause Gold Sponsor Mount alumnae and friends gathered at Granite Springs in July 2012 for another great day on the links. Sprits were high as, once again, fair weather added to a great golfer experience. Members of the Mount’s Students’ Union were on hand to thank the golfers and sponsors who raised more than $18,000 for alumnae association initiatives supporting Mount students.

Thanks to gold sponsor Stewart McKelvey for its continued support of this important alumnae association event and much gratitude to all the sponsors, golfers and volunteers who make the annual MSV Golf Classic a resounding success.

Silver Sponsors

MSV Golf Classic 2012 Committee Co-Chairs Rick Walkden, CertBusi ‘84 Stephanie Hale, BOA ’03, MEd ‘11

Committee Dave Brien, BBA ‘97 Karen Brookins Scott Daniels, BBA ‘03, CIT ‘10 Shelley Fergusson, BBA ‘87 Karen Harrie, DipBusi ‘08 Áine Humble, Faculty Representative Jill Hurlbert, BTHM ’93, MEd ‘12 Sheldon Miller, BBA ‘99 Shani Pearson Beth Pyesmany-Arsenault Don Theriault, Hon. Alumnus

Volunteers Alanna Mason, BSc ‘92 Meagan Chaffey, MSVU Students’ Union Julie Smith, MSVU Students’ Union Zach Gallant, MSVU Students’ Union Lisa Whynott, BOA ‘94

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Grand Green Sponsors

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In keeping with an honoured Mount tradition, we present orchids to the following outstanding members of the Mount community.

Two members of the Mount community receive Exceptional Service Award Congratulations Ruby Blois, BScN ’73, and Janet MacMillan, BPR ’81, on receiving the Exceptional Service Award from Mount Saint Vincent University. Both Blois and MacMillan have been loyal and dedicated volunteers at the Mount, serving both as member and chair of the Board of Governors and its standing and ad hoc committees.

They have both tirelessly raised funds for the Mount, most recently through their leadership in Project TWENTY12.

Honorary doctorate named to Order of Canada

Look who joins our alumnae

T

he Mount awarded honorary doctorate degrees to Budge Wilson, CM, ONS, a Nova Scotia writer of worldwide acclaim, Stephen A. Jarislowsky, CC, GOQ, a Canadian financier, businessman and philanthropist, and Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain, one of the most influential scholars and writers on ethics and politics in the world.

The awards were granted during three separate convocation ceremonies that took place in May 2012.

Budge Wilson has written more than 30 works of fiction for both children and adults, and has been translated and published around the globe. A graduate of Dalhousie University, in 2004 Wilson was made a Member of the Order of Canada, and in 2011, she was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia.

Stephen A. Jarislowsky graduated from the University of Chicago and the Harvard Business School. He started the investment management firm Jarislowsky Fraser Limited in Montreal in 1955, and is now chairman and chief executive officer. Jarislowsky is active in educational, cultural, and charitable activities, and has endowed more than 23 university chairs, including the Mount’s own Gail and Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Learning Disabilities.

Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain is widely recognized for her work exploring the role of women in social and political thought. Elshtain is currently the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. She is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles.

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Dr. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC, DHumL ’98, was recently appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions to public and environmental policy.

Fulton celebrates 90th birthday Dr. E. Margaret Fulton, OC, DHumL ’94, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a family celebration in Victoria, BC.

Mombourquette wins Teaching Innovation Award Dr. Peter Mombourquette, Department of Business Administration & Tourism and Hospitality Management, received the Teaching Innovation Award at Spring convocation for outstanding teaching innovation resulting in a significantly enhanced learning experience for students. It is only the second time this award has been presented since it was first established in 2007.

Kenny wins Alumnae Award for Teaching Excellence Dr. Wade Kenny, Department of Communication Studies, received the Alumnae Award for Teaching Excellence at Spring convocation. It is presented annually in recognition of superior teaching and in appreciation of a faculty member’s contributions to the high standards and goals of higher learning.

Eghan receives Diamond Jubilee medal Dr. Felicia Eghan from the Mount’s Department of Family Studies and Gerontology received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on August 17, 2012 for contributions to the province.

Business administration degree accredited The Mount’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) has been accredited by the Canadian Institute of Management.

The Institute determined the Mount’s BBA degree program meets the criteria for granting exemption from the academic requirements for two professional designations: Certified in Management (CIM) and Professional Manager (PMgr). Graduates of the Mount’s BBA program can now, after completing two years managerial work, skip the course matching step and go directly to the application stage.

Refer a Student Whether you graduated from the Mount last year or 35 years ago, you have something in common with all other Mount alumnae: you’ve been educated in a welcoming environment, with personalized attention, and been rewarded with completing a challenge.

This experience binds you to all other Mount alumnae, and it also empowers you to be a Mount Ambassador. With your firsthand knowledge of the Mount, you are an excellent resource for the people in your life who are considering their post-secondary options.

Potential Mount students are everywhere. They could be young adults who just finished high school or community college, other members of your family, co-workers, community members, or even your neighbours.

The Recruitment and Alumnae Relations Offices want to make it easy for you to share the Mount with the people in your life.

At www.msvu.ca/referastudent, you will find information on our programs, scholarships, and application deadlines that will be helpful when you are speaking to prospective students. You can also access a copy of the viewbook, one of the Mount’s marketing tools, and our Refer a Student Form.

When you complete the Refer a Student form, we will send your prospective student a copy of our viewbook, along with a letter that can be personalized with a message from you.

We have an opportunity to encourage others who will thrive in our environment to learn more about the Mount. Together, we can actively build the Mount community.

Did you know…

The Recruitment Office works to promote the Mount’s profile while attracting new students.

We work with students, parents and guidance counselors and plan open campus days, campus tours, school visits, public information sessions, social media, and more. Over the next few months, student recruitment officers will be travelling throughout the Atlantic Provinces, Ontario, Alberta, the New England states and various locations internationally.

To request a viewbook, or to find out more about what we do or when we’ll be in a town near you, call 902.457.5540 or e-mail recruitment@msvu.ca.

Deanne MacLeod, President of the Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association, presents Peter Glenister with his alumnae pin.

Honorary alumnae membership granted to Mount retirees Join us in congratulating Mount faculty and staff who retired this year.

Together, they have accumulated 314 years of service at the Mount.

In recognition of their considerable contributions to the Mount community, students and alumnae, the Alumnae Association Board of Directors is pleased to welcome them as new Honorary Members of the Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association.

Peter Glenister, Library Helen Arnold, Secretarial Services & Print Shop Eric Densmore, Facilities Management Glenn Hollett, Security Hazel Martin, Child & Youth Study Dr. Anne MacCleave, MA ’80, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education Dr. Randall Fisher, Department of Business Administration & Tourism and Hospitality Management Ann Pelley, BA ’85, Library Linda DeGrace, BPR ’90, Human Resources Carol Snow, BA ’92, CertBusi ’04, Secretarial Services & Print Shop Ray Krulicki, Facilities Management Dr. Dianne Looker, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology & Anthropology Dr. Wanda George, Department of Business Administration & Tourism and Hospitality Management Dr. Janet Guildford, Department of History

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Class Notes Please let your classmates know what you are up to by sending a brief update to alumnae@msvu.ca, and if you’d like, please include a high-resolution photo, too. Our featured model this month is Laura Melanson, BPR ‘05. On November 12, 2011, Laura married her longtime love, Darrell Whitman. “It was a completely untraditional and unique affair, a great time was had by all!” Laura writes. The newlyweds have since celebrated with a honeymoon to Walt Disney World and have bought their first house.

1970s Claire Lawson, BA ’71 Claire writes: “Hello to my friends in ’71 and ’72. Thanks to social media I have been able to reconnect with Kathy Dundas McKay, Diane Buffett and Kathy Balmanno. I ended up in San Diego and Kathy B. in Laguna Niguel. Who would have known?”

Rochelle Smith, BA ’73 Rochelle owns Grand River Yarns in Stoney Creek, ON. She sells hand-dyed yarn, notions, needles, kits, accessories, books, CDs and patterns for knitters at her shop and from her web site: www.grandriveryarns.com. Her email: Rochelle@grandriveryarns.com.

Wilhelmina (Cromwell) Heyliger, BA ’77 For 30 years, Wilhelmina lived and worked as an accountant in Bermuda. She currently resides in Toronto.

Karen (McDonald) Lydiard, BA ’78, BEd ’80 Karen is retiring from the Halifax Regional School Board after 32 years of teaching.

She and her husband, Patrick, will be doing some major renovations on their home as they prepare to make a possible move to PEI in the next year or so. She would love to hear from old friends and colleagues. Her email: kmlydiard@nstu.ca.

Amanda Muise, LEGSE ’85 Amanda married artist/illustrator Geoffrey T. Isherwood on Sept. 30, 2011.

Terri Perreira, BA ’85 Terri is a self-employed vocational and rehabilitation consultant, and vocational evaluator in Ajax, ON. Her work involves preparing transferable skills analyses, labour market surveys, vocational assessments, vocational evaluations, and paper reviews. She also conducts job search training program.

Patrick Sullivan, BBA ’85 Patrick Sullivan is the new chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency.

Patrick, who has 20 years of leadership and marketing experience, was previously president and CEO of a number of startups and large organizations, and has a strong background in marketing, including e-marketing. “I have been an ambassador of Nova Scotia for many years. To get to come home and work on behalf of a strong tourism brand is such a privilege,” Patrick says in a press release.

1990s

1980s Maggie Lapp, BA ’81 Maggie is currently the executive assistant to Dean Peggy Cunningham in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University.

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John Tillmann, BBA ’90 John and Theresa Kuhn welcomed their daughter Annie Bell Kuhn Tillmann into the world on May 31, 2011.

Alanna Mason, BSc ’92 Alanna, who is also a past member of the Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association Board of Directors (2009-2012), was recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to the province of Nova Scotia. Alanna set 17 provincial swim records as a youth, two of which still stand 31 years later.

She has been coaching Special Olympics Swimming for four years and is currently the head coach for the Dartmouth Dolphins Swim Club, and was Swim Nova Scotia Volunteer of the Year. Twice in the past two years, Alanna dove into the water to rescue an unconscious swimmer.

She is pictured receiving her award from Premier Darrell Dexter at a ceremony held on Aug. 17, 2012.

Lisa Payne, BBA ’92 Lisa is a life coach, speaker, and author who has launched two books: What If They Knew? Secrets of an Impressive Woman and Freeing Godiva: A Woman’s Journey to Self-Empowerment. She has also rebranded her business to Life Transitions – It’s Your Time for a Fresh Start. Lisa currently lives in Mount Pearl, NL with her two children, Joel and Sydney. Contact her through: www.LisaLPayne.com.

Class Notes Caroline Matemachani, BHEc ’95, MHEc ’96 Caroline writes: “I am very happy because of the experiences and quality of education I got from the Mount. Thanks to the team of lecturers who were in the department. I am currently running my own business in food services. I would like to get in touch with Patricia Travers and Moreen Griffiths.” Send mail to: PO Box BE 475, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.

2000s Krista (Mackarous) Heatherington, BAA (CYS) ’02, BAA (FS) ’04, CertCR ’04 Krista writes: “I am a proud mom-again for a handsome baby boy, Isaac, born March 20, 2012. I am getting married Sept. 29, 2012 to my best friend, Reg Duffy, and our three children will be the flower girls and ring bearer. We both look forward to the best future ahead surrounded by our family!”

Amy (Robinson) MacAulay, BAA (CYS) ’04 Amy is a birth doula and the new business owner of Embrace Doula.

She invites everyone to check out her web site: www.embracedoula.ca.

Chantal (Brushett) Beaver, BAA (FS) ’04, MA (FS) ’07 Chantal was married in 2010 and welcomed her first son, Jack, in 2011.

“After five years with the YWCA Halifax, this past January I moved on to the position of Executive Director of The HUB Family Resource Centres in Alberta,” she writes.

Kimberly Walsh, BPR ’06 In June, Kimberly became a publishing label executive and co-owner of Fierce Ink Press Co-op, an innovative company that is bridging the gap between traditional and self-publishing models. The publishing label is dedicated to producing high quality books of fiction and short non-fiction pieces by Atlantic Canadian authors who write for young adults: www. fierceinkpress.com. The company has already won a start-up award.

Monica Njoku, BPR ’06, CertMktg ’11 Monica has been named by 21inc as one of its 21Leaders: a bi-annual, parttime 10-month advanced leadership experience that increases the abilities, expectations and ambitions of Atlantic Canada’s top young people. Over the past six years, Monica has worked throughout Canada on projects including Olympic fundraisers, art exhibits, and civic events for the Halifax Regional Municipality. She recently accepted the position of Alumni Officer at Saint Mary’s University.

Julia (Mouland) Atkinson, BPR ’06 & Eric Atkinson, BA ’05, BEd ’07 Julia works in Paris as Head of Intranet Communications for Total, an international oil and gas company. She is married to fellow alum Eric Atkinson who works in the e-learning field and also at Total. The couple lived in Calgary after graduating and before moving to France.

“It is clear our combined three MSVU issued degrees (plus my concentration in French at the Mount) have prepared us for this challenge of working in France.

We wouldn’t be here without them!” Julia writes. E-mail: julia.atkinson@total.com.

Crystal Vaughan, BA ’08 Crystal won first place in the creative nonfiction category of the 35th Atlantic Writing Competition in August. Her winning entry was a polyphonic story called “Pieces” that she wrote for Clare Goulet’s creative writing class at the Mount in 2007. “I was going through some of my old writing last summer and came across my polyphonic story. I decided it was finally time to look at it with fresh eyes and edit it, making sure to keep my instructor’s comments in mind,” Crystal says. “Perhaps this (award) will give me the push and the confidence I need to keep submitting my work.”

Jake Yorke, BSc (Hon) ’08 Jake, the Mount’s first Rhodes scholar, completed his D.Phil at Oxford recently and has started medical school at Dalhousie University. He was valedictorian and recipient of the President’s Prize when he graduated from the Mount, and was featured on the cover of the Spring 2008 Folia Montana.

2010s Gerald Bartels, MAP ’10 Gerald has been granted the prestigious Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship to work on his PhD project, titled: “Communication and the emergence of creativity: A constitutive approach.”

Matt DeCourcey, MPR ’10 Matt has been awarded an Action Canada Fellowship for the coming year.

Action Canada is the only Canadian fellowship that offers both senior leadership development and crosscountry conferences to enhance an understanding of Canada and public policy choices for our future. Fellows are chosen from all sectors, including business, science, government, academia and the professions.

Lesley Carson Mountain, BA ’11 Lesley Carson and Stephen Mountain were married in Runaway Bay, Jamaica on March 20, 2012, which was the first day of spring and the vernal equinox. “We were both fair skinned and had not visited tanning beds prior to the trip. We prayed our wedding photos would not be of a couple who looked like lobsters.”

Lynn Coveyduck, BPR ‘96, Melissa MacKinnon, BPR ‘04, Sheri Ostridge, BPR ’94 and Brooke Yeats, BPR ‘98

Lynn, Melissa, Sheri and Brooke all took part in the two-week Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference this year. The conference was created to broaden the perspectives of future leaders in business, unions and public administration to better understand the influence of their organizations on the general welfare of the community. Participants come from different regions of Canada, different perspectives and different careers, but all are identified as high potential individuals expected to achieve senior leadership positions in their organizations and communities.

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Grads around the globe Name: Dr. Joan Nteboheleng (Kolane) Matji, BScHEc ‘89 (Matji also earned an MSc in human nutrition from the University of London in 1991, and a PhD in public health nutrition from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2009) Where I live now: My permanent home is in Pretoria, South Africa; currently residing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Job: UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition and Food Security in Ethiopia

What brought me to Ethiopia was . . . the opportunity to support nutrition interventions in one of the largest UNICEF programs in the world. Further, the scale of the nutrition problems in the county enables me to engage in almost all aspects of nutrition program management. It exposes me to emergency nutrition coordination and also working on the development aspects of nutrition. A few strategic actions in a country like Ethiopia truly translate into saving thousands of children’s lives annually, and therefore there is both a moral and ethical obligation to work in this context and it’s also very rewarding.

Living here suits me because . . . most Ethiopians think I look like them so it makes it easier to be accepted, however, when they realize I cannot speak Amharic they are disappointed. The most difficult part of being here is that I am without my two daughters and their father (who still live in Pretoria, South Africa) and I am often home sick and quite miserable. There is a daily flight to South Africa from Ethiopia that takes five hours.

The biggest culture shock has been . . . realizing the calendar year and time in Ethiopia are different from anywhere else! Ethiopians celebrate the New Year on September 11 and Christmas on January 6.

The best thing about living here is . . . learning about the richness and depth of Ethiopian culture, including the religious festivals.

Going to the Mount helped prepare me to live and work in Ethiopia by . . .teaching me that hard work, diligence, focus and faith serve as a foundation for professional fulfillment. During my years at the Mount I was determined to excel in all my work and learned that there is no space for complacency.

These attributes help me daily here where I have to supervise 38 people.

The best experience I’ve had working in Ethiopia is . . . working with a team of highly professional nutritionists who understand the country context well and are committed to the values and mission of UNICEF. What I like most about life in Ethopia is . . . that sometimes the impossible gets done in a split second and results in saving thousands of children’s lives!

What I miss most about going to the Mount is . . . the grounds, the engaging and committed staff, and the Christian values. The fact that that Mount has unapologetically focused on women’s education and the enhancement of leadership skills of women in society.

The advice I’d give to alumnae considering working abroad is . . . you will never regret it. You will be so overwhelmed with new knowledge and you will be forced to gain more knowledge way beyond what you thought was your threshold.

In this feature, Folia Montana profiles alumnae working abroad. If you are currently employed outside of Canada and willing to talk about how your time at the Mount helped prepare you, we’d love to hear from you. Email: alumnae@msvu.ca.

Shopping for Mount Gear just got easier!

Visit the bookstore’s e-store where alumnae, students, faculty and friends can purchase quality crested merchandise online.

Even better, you can choose to personalize your purchase with either the Mount Alumnae or University logo.

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Check out the e-shop at http://msvu.fundytextile.com/ to order your Mount gear.

IN TOUCH Do you know the face?

Can you help identify the faces, when exactly the photo was taken, and what they were up to? Please let us know. Contact: Editor, Folia Montana at alumnae@msvu.ca, or Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6.

Online Communities Join our online communities on Facebook and LinkedIn. You will find Mount alumnae groups on both social networking sites. Also, become a fan of Mount Saint Vincent University on Facebook! Find friends, hear about alumnae events and stay connected.

And follow us on twitter @MountAlumnae Folia via Email Prefer to read Folia at your computer?

Let us know by contacting alumnae@ msvu.ca and the next time Folia is published we will send you an email with a link to the latest issue.

Class notes What are you up to lately? Let your classmates know your news by sending pics and announcements to alumnae@msvu.ca Address Changes Moving? Help us keep you informed about the Mount. Call 902.457.6470 or 1.888.678.2586 (toll free in Canada/USA/Bermuda), email alumnae@msvu.ca or update your contact information online at www.msvu.ca/alumnae Advertising Advertising inquiries 902.457.6433 or alumnae@msvu.ca. Discount available for alumnae.

You knew the face I recognize all of the faces because they were in my years (1983-1985) but I can only name Jane Pryor in the top left corner as I went to Truro Junior High school and CEC with her. This is likely the group from the child studies program.

– Teri Pereira, BA ’85

My grandmother (Shirley Woolaver) can identify a few of the faces. The lady at the upper right is Michelle Gallant. She’s married now and she came from Cape Breton.

Fifth from left with a vest, white shirt and boot visible is Marie Claire Leblanc, from Clare. She’s married too.

– Jonathan Riley

I recognize many of the girls but the only name I can remember is that of Michelle Gallant on the far right, back (blouse with the tie). I believe it is either the 197980 academic year but may be 1980-81 and was taken in what was the French residence, a house to the right of SAC where the Institute for the Study of Women is now located.

–Maggie Lapp, BA ’81

Correspondence Alumnae Relations University Advancement Advancement House Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax NS B3M 2J6 F: 902.445.3962 The Mount respects your privacy and we want you to know that it is important to us. We use your information to keep you informed of Mount events and news, including the distribution of Folia Montana and Alumnae e-news. The information is used to administer our programs and services which includes allowing our affinity partners to occasionally send you information about products or services we consider valuable. In these cases, we protect your privacy as we never provide your name or contact information directly to the supplier; all contact is through a third-party organization operating under strict rules of confidentiality.

You can, of course, choose not to receive such communications. If this is your preference, please let us know by calling 902.457.6470 or 1.888.MSV.ALUM (toll free in Canada/USA/ Bermuda) or via email at alumnae@msvu.ca

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A

life to celebrate

Sister Mary Olga McKenna Sister Mary Olga McKenna, BA ’47, a well-loved and highly accomplished member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, died peacefully in Caritas Residence on May 1, 2012.

Born in Charlottetown on August 14, 1920, McKenna left the Island in 1936 when she was 16, to join the congregation of the Sisters of Charity in Halifax. Following her profession of vows in 1939 and her perpetual commitment in 1945, she continued her spiritual journey and education within the congregation. McKenna studied at PEI’s Prince of Wales College, earned a BA from Mount Saint Vincent College, an MA and PhD from Boston College, and an Associateship from the University of London, England. She was a teacher for 25 years in the USA and Canada before joining the Mount’s education faculty where she taught future educators for the next 22 years. McKenna had appointments as Chair of the Department of Education, Coordinator of Student Teaching, and Director of Graduate Studies at the Mount. She also had appointments on several key advisory committees within the Nova Scotia Department of Education, served on provincial and national boards and associations, and ascended to presidency of the

In memoriams 1940s “Mary” Paula (Burbridge) Aitken April 19, 2012 Sister Mary Conlon (Mary Carmella), BHEc ’42, BEd ’56 May 30, 2012 Golda Ethyl (McPhee) Glinz, ACAD ’40 January 11, 2012 Sister Katherine Horgan (Mary Rhoda), BA ’42, BLS ’53 October 5, 2011 Sister Mary Olga McKenna, BA ’47 May 1, 2012 Frances “Fran” Christine (Saulnier) Power, ACAD ’47 March 15, 2012

1950s “Pat” Patricia Theresa (Joseph) Arab, BA ’59, BEd ’60 April 21, 2012

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Canadian Philosophy of Education Society.

Once retired from teaching, McKenna engaged in full-time research. She wrote for various publications and published books, including, Charity Alive: The Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Halifax, 1950-1980. In her final 10 years, Sister Olga successfully completed genealogies on her paternal and maternal ancestors dating back five generations to her Irish roots. She earned many awards in her life, including honorary membership in the Delta Gamma Society International, an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Prince Edward Island, the Docete Award for Catechetical service in the Archdiocese of Halifax, and a Sister Mary Olga Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Award. Upon retirement from the Mount, she was granted the title of Professor Emeritus.

She is survived by several half-brothers and half-sisters, and nieces and nephews, and was pre-deceased by her eight siblings. Memorial donations can be made to the Sister Mary Olga Jubilee Scholarship. To donate, please call 902.457.6470 or 1.888.678.2586 (toll free in Canada/USA/ Bermuda) or donate online at www.msvu.ca.

The Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association has made a donation towards Alumnae Association scholarships and bursaries in memory of the following alumnae and friends.

Sister Doris Coveney (Helen Alphonsus), BHEc ’54 May 26, 2012 Christine Therese Dunn February 23, 2012 Audrey Elizabeth (MacDowell) Ellis, ACAD ’53 June 10, 2012 Sister Florence James Kline, BA ’56, BEd ’66 May 11, 2012 Mary (Murphy) Nelson, BA ’57 July 16, 2012 Nora Eileen Pelham McKay, ACAD ’55, BA ’61, BEd ’62 February 26, 2012 Sister Joan White (Helen James), BA ’59 November 20, 2011

1960s Sister Joan Gilmore (John Patrick) BSc ’66 October 11, 2011

Joanne Marie Keating, ACAD ’65 May 4, 2012

Mary Catherine Orman, BA ’98 September 1, 2012

Sister Helen “Nellie” Stewart (Marie Alexis), BA ’62 May 26, 2012

David Wright, BA ’98 August 19, 2012

1980s Teresa “Terry” Bishop, BA ’85 January 16, 2011 Evelyn Eudora (Porter) Burnham, BA ’82, CertGer ’82 June 17, 2012 Edith Gertrude Silver, BA ’85 June 15, 2012 Dr. Ruth Goldbloom, DHumL ’85 August 29, 2012

1990s Kelly Joanne (Carter) Mullen April 20, 2012 David Wright, BA ’98 August 19, 2012 Helen Kris Ann (Richards) Yeates, BA ’93 May 11, 2012

2000s Sabrina “Bree” Murdock, BEd ’00 September 2, 2012 Richard Rosarie Forand, MEd ’08 April 2, 2012

2010s Serkan Karagoren, BBA ’11 September 12, 2012

Mount Community Margaret Lawrence (Harrison) Barnes Former Employee William “Bill” Fong Former Employee Daniel Meunier Former Chaplain

Women’s Wall of Honour Celebrate a remarkable woman in your life. www.womenswallofhonour.ca

You can visit the virtual Women’s Wall of Honour at www.womenswallofhonour.ca. Here you will find photographs and read commemorations, tributes and moving accounts about the women being honoured.

You too can participate: · Honour your mother, sister, daughter, wife · Celebrate a friend or mentor · Ensure your legacy at your alma mater · Pay tribute to a special teacher · Commemorate a special occasion in a woman’s life · Memorialize a woman dear to you This unique initiative is the only one of its kind in Canada, and its home will be Canada’s leading university primarily focused on the advancement of women.

To reserve space on the Women’s Wall of Honour, contact us at: University Advancement Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax, NS B3M 2J6 Tel: 902.457.6470 Email: giving@msvu.ca www.womenswallofhonour.ca Each name on the Women’s Wall of honour is the result of a generous $1,200 sponsorship.

Your donation can be a one-time gift, or paid in installments. Call 902.457.6470 to make arrangements.

“I never thought my alumni group rates could save me so much.”

– Kitty Huang Satisfied client since 2009

See how good your quote can be.

At TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, we know how important it is to save wherever you can. As a member of the Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae Association, you can enjoy preferred group rates on your home and auto insurance and other exclusive privileges, thanks to our partnership with your association. You’ll also benefit from great coverage and outstanding service. We believe in making insurance easy to understand so you can choose your coverage with confidence.

Get an online quote at

www.melochemonnex.com/msvu or call 1-866-352-6187 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. The program is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in the rest of Canada.

Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *No purchase required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible persons belonging to employer, professional and alumni groups which have an agreement with and are entitled to group rates from the organizers. Contest ends on January 31, 2013. 1 prize to be won. The winner may choose the prize between a Lexus RX 450h with all basic standard features including freight and pre-delivery inspection for a total value of $60,000 or $60,000 in Canadian funds. The winner will be responsible to pay for the sale taxes applicable to the vehicle. Skill-testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Complete contest rules available at www.melochemonnex.com/contest. ®/ The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

Fall 2012 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Advancement House Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax NS B3M 2J6 Canada