FALL 2010 Bulletin - Acadia Universityiacadia.acadiau.ca/iacadia/Press_files/Bulletin+Fall...2 ACADIA BULLETIN FALL 2010 Momentum…it’s a concept we’re all familiar with whether

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FALL 2010

Bulletin

Looking back, moving forward.

Mark your calendar! Upcoming Acadia Alumni Events

November 28, 2010Annual Holiday Carol SingAcadia University

January 16 and 30, March 6 and 27, 2011Sunday Music in the Garden Room http://artsacadia.acadiau.ca/ K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, Acadia University

March 2011Florida Alumni ReceptionFlorida

Spring 2011Annual Alumni Gala Dinner and Silent AuctionHalifax, NS

May 15 and 16, 2011Convocationhttp://convocation.acadiau.ca/Acadia University

June 2011Toronto Alumni Golf TournamentLocation TBA

July 8 to 10, 2011Summer Reunion: Class of 1961 and friendsAcadia University

July 201130th Annual Acadia Alumni Golf TournamentKen-Wo Golf Club, New Minas, NS

Visit alumni.acadiau.ca for more on alumni events.

Acadia’s Academic Open House in October was a record-breaking success! The event attracted over 400 potential Acadia students, plus family members, to learn about programs and life at Acadia.

Thanks to the Associated Alumni of Acadia University for providing buses from Halifax to Wolfville, and to the many alumni parents and friends who travelled from near and far to be part of the day.

Visit http://acadia4u.acadiau.ca for news on student events like Experience Acadia, coming in March 2011. Future students can also join the Acadia Class of 2015 page on Facebook.

Open House

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FeaturesPreparing tomorrow’s leadersPage 4

Acadia pilots innovative leadership program with alumnus Dr. Bill Howatt.

Acadia among the best in Canada Page 5

For the 18th time in 20 years, Acadia ranks in top three undergraduate universities.

Turning the tidePage 22

Alumna Dr. Anna Redden leads Acadia’s role in world class tidal power research.

Alumni profilesPage 30

Meet some alumni who are changing the world.

In Every Issue From the Acadia President . 2

From the AAAU President .. 3

Eye on Acadia ................... 4

Acadia Family .................. 16

Athletics .......................... 19

Letters ............................. 31

Class Notes..................... 40

Acadia Remembers ......... 43

Bulletin

2 ACADIA BULLETIN FALL 2010

Momentum…it’s a concept we’re all familiar with whether we’re thinking about a sports team, a stock market rally, or even a university. Over the past year, we have worked hard to build on Acadia’s rich tradition of academic excellence, while focusing on growth and long-term financial sustainability. We’re pleased with our progress to date and we’re excited about the future. I believe it’s not entirely by chance that this positive momentum coincides with the 150th anniversary of the AAAU.

Last May, the Class of 2010 shared the spotlight with six distinguished alumni who received honorary degrees. This year’s Homecoming was special in part because of the sesquicentennial celebrations and also because of multiple reunions for the Classes of 1975, 1980, 1985, 2000 and 2005. Recently, the AAAU supported our Open House by sponsoring a bus for prospective Acadia students from metro Halifax, one of our most important markets.

These are just a few examples that link the excitement at Acadia today to you, our alumni. University traditions are sometimes portrayed as an anchor that slows institutional progress. However, in my experience at Acadia, I believe our rich history is more like a wave that propels us forward.

I want to thank each of you for contributing to this wave of momentum. Now, here is a brief update on recent signs of progress: Enrolment continues to grow, with this year’s incoming class almost 12 per cent higher than last, which was 12 per cent higher than the year before. In fact, overall student enrolment is up by 4.7 per cent. You can feel the difference on campus and in Wolfville. In addition,

more than 400 prospective students attended our Open House. That’s nearly 200 more than attended last year’s event, which itself was a record-breaker.

Our current students feel it, too. In the recent Globe and Mail Canadian University Report, Acadia placed first in six of seventeen categories, including student-faculty interaction, quality of teaching, and satisfaction with the town or city in which students live. When you consider that one of the most influential sources of information for prospective students is what their friends say about their university, this report helps raise our profile. And as always, Acadia had a strong showing in the Maclean’s University Rankings with a second place finish in the undergraduate category, making us the highest nationally-ranked university in Nova Scotia.

These outstanding results are due, in no small measure, to an extraordinary faculty who continue to distinguish themselves in both their teaching and research. Their work, coupled with a talented and dedicated staff, make Acadia’s personalized education come to life.

Since you crossed the stage in University Hall, you’ve used your Acadia education to build momentum in your own career and life. We are now doing the same thing as we move your University forward—it’s challenging work but we want you to know we are having some fun doing it! In Acadia Spirit,

Raymond E. IvanyPresident and Vice-Chancellor,Acadia University

Gaining momentum

Volume 93 Issue 2

PublisherOffice of Advancement, Acadia University

Editor Kristen Loyst (’02)

Executive Director, Alumni Affairs and Advancement StrategyIan Murray (’88)

Advertising and Production ManagerSandra Symonds

AAAU Board of Directors

Graphic DesignerCathy Little

Printing Transcontinental Printing

DistributorRussell House Marketing

The Bulletin is published twice a year, Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer, by the Office of Advancement, Acadia University. It is distributed on the Acadia campus and by mail to more than 25,000 alumni. All material is copyright ©2010 Acadia University, and may be reprinted with written permission.

Acadia Bulletin welcomes letters to the Editor:Acadia Bulletin EditorOffice of AdvancementAcadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P [email protected]

Advertising inquiries:Advertising and Production ManagerCommunications and MarketingAcadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P [email protected]

Kiersten Amos (’96) Clive Anderson (’89) Hugh Bray (’75)Charles Coll (’84)Frank Davis (’59)Sandra Greer (’85)Angela Harris (’10) Ed Hemphill (’89)Geoff Irvine (’87) Doug Jackson (’99)Chris Kavanagh (’75)Mike Kennedy (’05)

Gillian Latham (’92)Tracy Lightfoot (’96)Tanya Lush (’96)Darren MacLeod (’88) Bruce Phinney (’81)Maura Ryan (’88) Meaghan Sim (’01)Martin Suter (’88) Lana Wood (’82)Jeffery Wright (’95) Christine White (’97) Troy Yeo (’96)

Fall 2010

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We are celebrating something amazing

Fall 2010

It’s our 150th anniversary. That makes our alumni association one of the oldest in Canada. I believe that this milestone indicates that we are one of the finest alumni groups in the country. Not because we are the biggest or the richest, but because we have a long, proud history. And you are a significant part of that history.

Over the past 150 years, we have consistently demonstrated our love for, and commitment to, our institution. That love was evident to me as I watched hundreds of alumni in red and blue celebrating Homecoming weekend in October.

This anniversary year is the right time to remember what makes us special – our school spirit, the academic excellence that fostered our growth, our ability to achieve, our lasting friendships,

and our Acadia family. The course has not always been smooth, but our association and the university continue to support each other and to endure. Like many a long-term relationship, it is critical that partners recognize the importance of the other.

Our association has lost touch with some of you, and we hope this is an opportunity to reconnect. For those who have been here all along, thank you. And to those recent alumni who just joined our ranks, welcome. We need each and every one of you to maintain your relationship with the Acadia family.

During Homecoming weekend, the AAAU board of directors came together to sharpen its focus. We want to help you renew your relationship with Acadia and your classmates. To do this, we’re revitalizing committees dedicated to alumni communications and events. We are also strengthening our commitment to helping to recruit new students, and supporting campus projects and initiatives. The AAAU presence at and around the University is strong and appreciated, and we continue to look for ways to work in collaboration with partners.

As alumni, we are the “leaders” that Acadia has been developing since 1838. It’s up to us to light the way for the generations yet to come to our alma mater. There is no better time to support Acadia. Over the coming months, you’ll be receiving information about the Annual Appeal, and you’ll likely hear from an Acadia student caller. When you get that call, I encourage you to take a few minutes to update your contact information, learn about what’s new on campus, and to offer your support.

I hope you will join our mission to strengthen the Associated Alumni of Acadia University and to help fulfill the crucial role alumni play in the success of Acadia and its students. We need your ideas and your support to take action and make the next 150 years just as wonderful as the last.

Stand Up and Cheer!

Charles Coll (’84)AAAU President

Your AAAU Directors: (Standing, left to right): Charles Coll (’84), Maura Ryan (’88), Darren MacLeod (’88), Jeff Wright (’95), Chris Kavanagh (’74), Tanya Lush (’96), Gillian Latham (’92), Doug Jackson (’99), Sandra Greer (’85), Clive Anderson (’89), Meaghan Sim (’01), Bruce Phinney (’81), Tracy Lightfoot (’96), Kiersten Amos (’96), Christine White (’97), and Alumni Affairs representatives Ian Murray (’88) and Melanie Jackson (’99). (Kneeling, left to right): Hugh Bray (’75), Martin Suter (’88), Geoff Irvine (’87). Absent: Frank Davis (’59), Angela Harris (’10), Ed Hemphill (’89), Mike Kennedy (’05), Lana Wood (’82), Troy Yeo (’96).

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Preparing tomorrow’s leaders

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“I’d prefer my children graduate with more than a degree”

Acadia is launching a pilot program this fall that will deliver leadership training to fourth year students. Not only will it prepare them for success, it will form the basis of a new developmental program that will be available to all Acadia students—the first of its kind at any Canadian university. The program will include developing core leadership skills, personal goal setting, discovering strengths, overcoming gaps, and much more. This leadership program has the potential to create a benchmark that others will want to follow.

The program is being developed thanks to the efforts of Dr. Bill Howatt (’86, ’87), a highly successful international human resource development consultant. We asked Bill to tell us why he decided to help Acadia design and implement this unique program.

Q: What’s your inspiration for developing this program?

A: “When I first came to Acadia, I was a scared 18-year-old and not sure why I was here. I thought it was to play a sport. I was fast giving up on education, especially because my first English professor told me I was basically illiterate. In addition to a wonderful liberal arts degree, at Acadia I got the foundational skills to see my potential. In my case, two clear events happened; one

was tangible and the other intangible, but both were equally important.

My ‘intangible’ was facilitated by professors like Liz Vermuelen and Dr. Tom Herman, who provided me with accommodations and support. Having a learning disability and ADHD, without strategies to learn, learning can be limiting. After five years at Acadia, I left knowing my potential; I could learn and lead, and I no longer needed permissions or others’ approval. Learning eventually became an amazing developmental experience for me, and because of Acadia I am still embracing this. In fact, I am six months away from my seventh degree.

Q: Why do this at Acadia?

A: In today’s competitive world, one has to ask: How can Acadia better measure and describe the unique developmental experiences a student has at (and, based on my experience, only at) Acadia? For the past 20-plus years I have coached football at Acadia, developed young leaders in corporations and government around the world, taught university courses, and authored and taught the addiction counseling curriculum for the Nova Scotia Community College. One common observation is that regardless of the situation, there is a lack of clarity as to how to make decisions about one’s future, gaps in self-confidence, and a lack of foundational core intrapersonal and interpersonal skills required to get along with others and to manage ones’ self. I wondered; what if Acadia put

a leadership framework in place that provided every student who wanted it, the opportunity to facilitate, guide, and measure their success and build on the intangible “X” factor that is already happening?

Q: What would be your ideal outcome from this leadership experience?

A: As a father of three children, ideally I would like each one of them to spend time developing at Acadia. But getting a degree is not enough. I also want them to discover their passion, confidence, and skills to prepare themselves to take their place in the world, whatever they decide that may be. I think this program can help all Acadia students achieve this and fulfill the purpose of pursuing higher education. My sincere hope is that this program will set Acadia noticeably apart from all other institutions in a way that we, as alumni, know it deserves to be.

Q: What are the next steps for this program?

A: Ron Robichaud, Director of the Acadia Centre for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ACSBE), will oversee this program under the guidance of President Ray Ivany. To date, all the deans and chairs are supportive of this pilot. We’ll report back this spring with how our conversation with students went.

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Dr. Bill Howatt guides Acadia students enrolled in a unique leadership training pilot program.

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Rogers Collection of Inuit ArtBy Alisha Whynot (’11) & Laurie Dalton (’01)

The Acadia University Art Gallery has a large collection of Inuit sculpture and prints. Within the collection are approximately 250 sculptures received through a donation from Dr. Arthur W. Rogers (’15) in 1967. The collection highlights aspects of Inuit culture including hunting, dancing, drumming, and also individual animals. There are also Inuit tools and miniature weapons included, such as ulu knives and miniature harpoons.

Through the summer, student Alisha Whynot (’11) worked tirelessly to update condition reports and the database, and to digitize the entire collection, thanks to support from Young Canada Works. The process has been a long one, but one that has been fully rewarding as we have been able to look closely at each work and to identify some of the artists previously unknown. The next step is to continue researching individual artists and works that will form part of a larger exhibit of Inuit sculpture and prints from the permanent collection, planned for a future date.

Stewardship of the permanent collection is an important focus of the gallery. The collection is presented publicly through curatorial research projects in gallery, and can also be found installed throughout the Acadia campus. Works not on display are available for research and consultation. For more information on the Acadia University Art Gallery visit http://gallery.acadiau.ca or call 902.585.1373.

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Mary Tukiliaq Padlayat, Raven

Acadia Centre forSocial Business

Entrepreneurship

Acadia among the best in CanadaAcadia University has been named one of the top undergraduate schools in Canada by Maclean’s magazine in its 20th annual University Rankings issue, released November 10.

Two Atlantic universities placed in the top three positions in the primarily undergraduate category. Acadia placed second, making it the top ranked Nova Scotia university. Mount Allison ranked first, and University of Northern British Columbia third.

“The Maclean’s rankings are a leading source of information for students and their families as they determine which university will be the best fit for them,” said President Ray Ivany. “We believe Acadia has consistently ranked among Canada’s best universities because of our outstanding faculty and our intense focus on meeting the individual needs of students as we help them succeed academically and in life.”

In the 20 year history of the Maclean’s rankings, Acadia has been in the top three 18 times, despite changes to the evaluation methods. The results follow Acadia’s impressive top marks in the Globe and Mail’s University Report, in which Acadia placed first in six of 17 categories with A level grades. As well, the university reached the top six in new questions that gauged opinions on support, innovation, and engagement in local issues, where Acadia placed first in Canada.

“The continued success of Acadia University in the Maclean’s ranking is a testament to the commitment of the university to its academic programs and overall student experience,” said Jon Cottreau, Acadia Students’ Union president. “Based on feedback from Acadia students, I am not at all surprised that Acadia University has placed very highly again this year.”

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Discovery questLiving the environmental lesson

By Oonagh Holmes (’93)

In June, 40 Grade 11 students from the Maritimes and northeastern United States travelled to Acadia University for a week at Discovery Quest. This experience-based learning program, launched in 2003 in partnership with Irving Oil Ltd., introduces youth to environmental stewardship, entrepreneurship, and a host of skills that help them prepare for future careers. The focus of the week is reducing over-consumption and wasteful practices. Anita Knopov, from Brookline High School in Massachusetts, wasn’t sure what to expect. “I had never been to Nova Scotia, and would probably not have been able to find it on a map prior to this,” she said. “When we got to Acadia, right away all my fears were gone. “I had always laughed at the people who said that one week was a ‘life changing experience,’ but now I actually truly understand that this is possible,” said Knopov.

During their stay on the Acadia campus, Discovery Quest participants experience campus life and interact with academic and business leaders. But their focus is to track their rates of consumption. They use high-tech equipment to monitor the daily water and power supplied to their rooms in Whitman House. They weigh food waste, record shower times and temperatures, and do an inventory of their garbage and recycling. Instead of flying to Nova Scotia, participants travelled on the same bus. In short, they actually live what they learn. Dr. Paul Arnold of the Ivan Curry School of Engineering at Acadia is responsible for the Discovery Quest program. He’s also a chemical engineer with research interests in municipal waste, recycling and composting systems. He said this first-hand experience is the heart of Discovery Quest. “Over the years, the program has evolved into a living, dynamic, real-world exercise,” Arnold explained. “It offers the opportunity of reducing consumption practices short-term with

the hope of instilling long-term habitual change both at Acadia and throughout the region.” During the week, student teams are also challenged to develop innovative solutions to environmental issues. This year’s topic was ‘alternative energy.’ Equipped with notebook computers supplied by Acadia, participants created goals and implementation plans for their case project, culminating in a major presentation. A winning team is chosen on the last day. Irving Oil awards each winning team member a $1000 scholarship to any university. Should the winners decide to attend Acadia, the University provides a matching $1000 grant. This year’s top team consisted of Kate Bulger (Phillips Academy Andover, MA), Nevin Varghese (Bloomfield High School, NJ), Kaitlyn Carroll (Mercy High School, CT), Nadya Karpova (Brookline High School, MA). To find out more about Discovery Quest, contact [email protected].

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Now in its eighth year, Discovery Quest continues to support high school students in gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.

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By Pamela Maher

The books available for loan were unique, to say the least. During a two-day event this October at Acadia’s Vaughan Memorial Library and the Wolfville Memorial Public Library, anyone and everyone who dropped by was able to borrow a living “book”—a real, live person with a story to tell.

The event was called the Human Library. Many Acadia students, staff and faculty, as well as numerous community members, participated as “books” and “readers.”

The concept was adapted from the first Human Library initiated ten years ago by “Stop the Violence,” a youth organization in Copenhagen, Denmark. The idea is

challenging, but simple: sit down one- on-one with a person for 30 minutes and discuss their personal story.

Some of the fascinating stories at Wolfville’s Human Library included: “75 Years as a Social Activist;” “Former Russian;” “10 Years of One Meal a Day: Growing Up in a Refugee Camp;” “Midwife, Osteopath and Queer Mom;” and, “My Life in Broadcasting;” by CBC Radio host Don Connolly.

By the end of the event, many of our Living Books were exhausted, but most had had conversations unlike any they had experienced before. “I actually enjoyed sharing my experience with others, and seeing them enjoying my story was a great moment,” said one Living Book.

Our book “readers” felt equally inspired after hearing the Living Books’ stories. When asked about the most important part of her discussion with her Living Book, one participant said it was “just to know the strength of the human spirit and meet truly inspirational people.” Wolfville’s Human Library had 22 Living Books, who were borrowed over 90 times throughout the two-day event.

Ready to learn? Let’s get started. openacadia.ca

Life Lesson #42:

Education is like a pair of jeans.We’ve got you covered with a variety of programs available online, on-campus, and on-site. Continue a life of learning with an Acadia education that fits your lifestyle — whatever shape it might be.

…and more!

It has to fit you

just right.

Flexible Learning

•OnlineCourses&Certificates

•Spring&SummerCourses

•EnglishforAcademicPurposes

Community Programs

•ProfessionalDevelopment

•AcadiaLifelongLearning(50+)

•HugginsHighSchoolScienceSeminar

Teaching & Education

•MasterofEducation

•TESOLCertificate

•CertificateinFrenchProficiency

The Human Library Connecting through story


Celebrating campus sustainabilityWhat do water bottles, paper towels, picnics, Avatar, and the University of Minnesota have in common? They were all part of the first Campus Sustainability Week. To raise awareness about sustainability issues, the Arthur Irving Academy for the Environment partnered with the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program, Student Affairs, the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens and student groups on campus to organize a weeklong celebration of sustainability.

“Our hope is to raise awareness about important sustainability issues, but also to encourage students, staff and faculty to become stewards of their campus and community,” said Jodie Noiles, Sustainability Projects Coordinator.

Highlights of events included a “Chain of Consumption” disposable water bottle exhibit which extended from Wheelock Dining Hall to the Beveridge Arts Centre, movie night, a residence energy challenge, paper towel-free week pledge and campus-community scavenger hunt. The keynote presentation for Campus Sustainability Week was given by Mr. Lowell Rasmussen, from the University of Minnesota, who was invited to give a public talk on greening efforts at that institution. Campus Sustainability Week also coincided with the launch of the new Environmental and Sustainability Studies program.

By all reports, the first event was a great success and plans are already underway for Campus Sustainability Week 2011.

Two students in Acadia University’s Jodrey School of Computer Science have developed and launched a mobile ‘app’ for use on Apple Computer’s iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Fourth-year students Ryan Wooden of Canaan, NS and Alex Sanford of North Alton, NS, uploaded iAcadia to Apple’s App Store on September 30.

Wooden and Sanford began working on iAcadia in 2009, under the direction of computer science associate professor, Dr. Darcy Benoit. Benoit wanted to use the research as preparatory work for his new course in mobile and ubiquitous computing now being offered at Acadia.

“Mobile computing is exploding worldwide, and it’s important that we work in the same space as our students,” said Benoit. “There were more than 1.2 billion mobile phones sold around the world last year, so this is where innovation is taking place. Our students text more than they email, so what better way to develop an app than to have it done by the students themselves? I saw my job as setting them up, asking a few questions and getting out of the way. The result has been phenomenal. To our knowledge, this is the only app that has been entirely developed by students.”

iAcadia has a number of useful features for alumni, as well as prospective and current students. From iAcadia, a user can:

• downloadandplayuniversityvideos;

• receiveAcadianewsupdatesand varsity sports scores and information;

• lookupcampusphonenumbersand email addresses and call or email directly from your device;

• connecttoAcadia’ssearchable,expandable campus map;

• lookupcourseinformation;• connecttonewsfeedsfrom

Acadia University, the Acadia Students’ Union, and the Athenaeum.

“Alex and I were looking at Stanford University’s app and we just decided we could do it better,” said Wooden. “We wanted ours to be different. We had a great deal of freedom to develop our own app, but we also had to do all the work. I think if I’ve learned anything, it’s that I’d like to see if I can do this for a living.”

Since being launched quietly in September, the app has already been downloaded nearly 1000 times. Download it for free at http://iacadia.acadiau.ca/.

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iAcadia app connects alumni, students to campusAcadia first Nova Scotia university to create ‘app’ to meet growing demand for products for mobile devices

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By Fred Sgambati (’83)

Though Dr. Marsh Conley now lives and works in Halifax, Acadia University is still very much on his mind.

Conley retired in 2000 after a distinguished 29-year career as Professor of Political Science at Acadia, specializing in peace studies, human rights and international organization. During his tenure, he combined academics with volunteer work overseas and mentored scores of students in human rights advocacy and international relations.

Currently, he is president of Conley International Educational Consultants, a group of 14 professionals with a combined experience of 160 years of international work in training, management, research, strategic planning and organizational transformation.

He says the political landscape has changed in the last number of years. “I find continually that people in Africa in post-conflict society say they remember Canada, but always ask, ‘Where are you?’ We’ve had a good seven or eight years now of not seeing Canada play

a significant role on the international human rights stage,” and he finds that troubling.

Persistent outreach

It should come as no surprise that Conley’s accomplishments have involved persistent outreach. “It makes my life vital and I don’t see retirement as doing nothing,” he said. “It’s important to me to show what can be done and there’s a commitment to trying to give back, to use the skills I have to help train and organize people to make their lives better.”

He maintains an Acadia presence now through the Acadia International Internship Program. He has had as many as 23 students at one time involved and a total of 152 interns have gone through to this point. Seven Acadia students—two in India and five in Ghana—participated this past summer.

“My passion has been able to instill interest in these interns and a number have donated support for an organization I’m sponsoring now, The Movement for Gender Equality in Liberia (MOPGEL).”

Conley says he first met the founder and members of MOPGEL in 2006 while training peacekeepers at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana. This group of Liberians was attempting to make a difference for the almost 45,000 refugees in the Buduburam refugee camp.

MOPGEL created a number of programs to help minimize gender inequalities and injustice in Liberian society through advocacy, awareness, research, education, economic empowerment and the environment. However, since the refugee camp closed, “they are now back in Liberia and need our help even more,” he says. For additional information, visit: www.mopgel.org.

Meanwhile, Conley cherishes his Acadia connections. He’s a founding member of the Nova Scotia Men’s Round Table Cooking Club, whose 10 members meet in Wolfville the first Monday of every month to share fellowship, food and wine. They also fundraise for charitable organizations and have a great time doing it. “My closest friends are people who live in Wolfville,” Conley said, “and I still see myself as an Acadia guy.”

Dr. Marsh Conley: reaching out to give back

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By Laura Churchill Duke (’98)

“You don’t have to like everyone, but at least be civil.” These wise words from my mother are often easier said than done. We’ve all worked with them: the person who knowingly (or unknowingly) makes offensive or disparaging remarks, the ringleader of the rumour mill, or the one who just won’t listen. The workplace is not always a civil or respectful environment.

“It is important to recognize that employees generally do not display poor work ethic or undesirable behaviour simply because they feel like it,” explains Dr. Michael Leiter, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair at Acadia’s Centre for Organizational Research and Development (COR&D). Leiter was recently awarded funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research to conduct a three-year action project on using civility to build healthier workplaces. Already this research has led to several Honours and Masters theses.

“Often there are issues occurring in the workplace that elicit this behaviour. Reasons can include anything from problems at home, to bullying in the workplace, to a conflict with the management style in your area of work,” says Leiter. It is therefore important to identify and address the problems to create a healthy workplace.

In most cases, incivility in the workplaces comes down to three main excuses. Pressure: “I was so stressed I snapped at you;” Toughness: “You gotta kick butt to get anyone to work around here;” and, Sensitivity: “I wasn’t really rude; people here just

are too precious and lack a sense of humour.” Results showed that using these excuses is associated with increased rude behaviour at work.

In collaboration with other researchers and decision makers, Leiter and Dr. Heather Laschinger, of the University of Western Ontario, implemented a program called Civility, Respect & Engagement @ Work (CREW). With the help of the COR&D team comprised of Lisa Speigel, Audrey Kruisselbrink and Erika d’Eon, the CREW program was implemented in various healthcare settings across Nova Scotia and Ontario.

CREW is a process that includes leaders, managers, and employees and creates positive changes for the top line (people) and the bottom

line (productivity and profits) of an organization. “Most places have organizational policies for workplace bullies,” explains Leiter, “but they don’t have policies on eye rolling. This is where CREW comes in.”

CREW encompasses a series of meetings, the first setting the ground rules and making a “safe” environment. Working together, the group defines: “What is civil behaviour in our work environment?” and “What are norms of behaviour in the group?” Once the basic ground rules are set, the group can identify the issues on which to focus, set goals for improving teamwork, and strive to achieve these goals. “Once there is a safe, strong group, individuals in the groups will start to speak up,” says Leiter.

Everything I learned in kindergarten…Be nice, especially at work

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Faculty honours

In June, the Statistical Society of Canada (SSC) awarded its 2010 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Paul Cabilio, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The award recognizes Cabilio’s “voluntary work and dedication to the SSC spanning a period of many years, and his meticulous attention to detail.”

Recently, the Association of Atlantic Universities named Dr. Brenda Robertson (’75) (School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology) as the 2010 recipient of the Anne Marie MacKinnon Instructional Leadership Award. Robertson was recognized for being a passionate, compassionate and innovative teacher who challenges students to learn. This isn’t the first time Robertson has been recognized as an outstanding teacher; she just received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the Society of Parks and Recreation Educators in the United States, and also holds several Acadia teaching awards, including the Faculty of Professional Studies Outstanding Teaching Award, the Acadia Students’ Union Outstanding Teaching Award, and the 2008 AAAU Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“They will enforce the ground rules because they are supported.” Civil behaviours therefore become ingrained into the work culture as there is no longer tolerance for, or an atmosphere that accepts aggressive or negative behaviour.

And the research shows that it works not only in healthcare, but in any organization.

Take for example a situation in a hospital unit. The manager explains the situation: “Working on one of the most challenging units in the hospital, our staff team was in desperate need of some unity. All of us had such a hard time working here on a day-to-day basis because we experience a lot of sadness and a lot of death. That drives you apart. Most days are bad days, so that leads to us being snappier and ruder to each other than other units. We decided to try CREW and what a difference it made! Over time, we gradually became a unit who would stop and ask each other if they needed help, or say, “Hey, I noticed you’re a bit behind today. What can I help you with?” We started identifying the problems we had and building a team, not just a group of employees. It has made a world of difference on the floor.”

Coming up with pathways to civility can be as easy as having ready-made thank you cards that staff members can fill out and give to colleagues; creating a code word, such as “ouch,” to say every time a colleague unknowingly says something hurtful; or rewarding staff. Employee recognition doesn’t have to be elaborate and expensive,

as long as it is meaningful to the employee.

Not only does the CREW process create a more positive work environment, it is great for an organization’s bottom line. Results from surveys administered throughout the process show that the CREW program helped to decrease missed days by 30 per cent, and significantly increased engagement with work. These increased feelings of energy, involvement, confidence and dedication with work translated into receiving $240,000 more value from employees in units with 100 employees. In the end, this also means better service for clients, not to mention the time and aggravation saved for managers and employees caught up in negative work situations. These positive scores persist even a year after CREW had been implemented.

Placing awareness and creating the time and space for people to explore civility, respect and engagement in the workplace can have a positive impact on shifting people’s behaviour. It is time for us to stop tolerating uncivil behaviour in the workplace and start looking at how teams can support one another and to increase the bar as to what behaviours are acceptable and what are not! Working together as a crew, anything is possible.

For more information about Leiter’s research or the CREW program, visit www.workengagement.com, email [email protected] or phone 902.585.1671.

Dr. Brenda Robertson with her aunt, Diana (Chew) Wieschkowski (’53), upon receiving the Anne Marie MacKinnon Instructional Leadership Award.

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Feeling insecure in relationships may pose health risk

People who feel insecure in relationships, or who have a hard time getting close to others, may be at greater risk for certain health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, according to a recent study led by Dr. Lachlan McWilliams of the Department of Psychology.

This was the first study looking at adult attachment and a range of health conditions. McWilliams and S. Jeffrey Bailey, an Acadia grad student, examined data on 5,645 adults from the National Cormorbidity Survey Replication. They found that feelings of insecurity in relationships were positively associated with a wide range of health problems.

Participants rated themselves on three attachment styles: secure, avoidant, and anxious. Secure attachment means

feeling able to get close to others and being willing to have others depend on you. Avoidant attachment refers to difficulty getting close to others and trusting others. Anxious attachment refers to the tendency to worry about rejection, feel needy and find others are reluctant to get close to you.

Individual attachment styles are influenced by several factors. “Genetic influences are thought to play a role,” said McWilliams. “However, most theory and research concerns the notion that relationships in early life shape how you see yourself and others in relationships.”

The authors found that avoidant attachment was positively associated with pain conditions, such as frequent or severe headaches. Anxious attachment was positively associated with a wider range of health conditions, including

some defined primarily by pain and several involving the cardiovascular system, such as stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure.

McWilliams explained there could be several reasons for these associations. “For example, those with insecure attachment tend to use external methods of regulating emotion, such as smoking and drinking, which could easily lead to poorer health,” he said. “There is also some evidence that those with insecure attachment react more strongly to stress, for example increased blood pressure, which could also lead to more cardiovascular disease.” He also noted the possibility that those who experience poor health may have developed less secure attachments as a result of their health conditions.

The Observatory Ivy for War Memorial Gymnasium

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Much of that history has been made by alumni. Or, rather, by graduating students as they become alumni. Since the early 1900s, nearly every graduating class has presented the university with a class gift, a tradition of saying “thanks” to Acadia. Some of those gifts are tangible, like gates and walkways. Some were intangible, like loans to help senior students graduate in the 1930s and 1940s. Some, like the 1912 observatory, no longer exist but still had an impact on students for many, many years.

Those gifts are part of what makes Acadia what it is. They contribute to the character of the campus, and remind today’s students that they are surrounded—and supported—by those who came before.

As we celebrate this AAAU 150th anniversary year, there’s no better time to look back at some of the class gifts that have shaped the campus over the years:

1912 1920When you’re on the Acadia campus, you’re surrounded by history.

This may leave some wondering whether it’s possible to alter an attachment style in order to have a positive influence on health. Although research hasn’t directly tested this possibility, McWilliams suggested that parenting interventions or counselling designed to foster more secure attachment may prove to have longer-term health benefits. However, more research is needed.

“These findings suggest that insecure attachment may be a risk factor for a wide range of health problems, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Longitudinal research on this topic is needed to determine whether insecure attachment predicts the development of cardiovascular disease and the occurrence of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks,” said McWilliams. “The findings also raise the possibility that interventions aimed at improving attachment security could also have positive health outcomes.”

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Large chandelier in Convocation Hall

East gates to Raymond Field

West gates to War Memorial Gym

Senior Walk from University Hall to Emerson Hall

Stone gates in front of Vaughan Memorial Library

Pavement on University Hall north steps

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Pumpkin people

During October, some unusual visitors appeared on Acadia’s front lawn…a crowd of pumpkin people were created and maintained by students in the School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology, as part of a first year course assignment.

Student teams were tasked to learn about community events and what they mean to community members. While exploring the popular harvest festival in the region, students learned how to construct pumpkin people, just like the ones that appear every fall throughout the Annapolis Valley.

Axe Radio on the airAxe Radio is now on the air! Launched last April with support from the AAAU, this student-led online radio station is off to a good start. A dedicated group of student volunteers are now broadcasting almost every kind of music you can think of, along with comedy and information programming, every day from noon to 10 p.m. AST. Listen live from http://axeradio.acadiau.ca/.

Filing cabinet and periodicals for the library

$375 used as a loan to support seniors in need of financial help to graduate

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New research centre to focus on healthy ecosystemsSeveral Acadia labs have come together under one umbrella as the Centre for Analytical Research on the Environment (CARE). Research at CARE will contribute to better knowledge of the fate of contaminants in the environment and processes that support healthy ecosystems. Research will focus on drinking water quality, waste water treatment and monitoring organic contaminants, environmental biogeochemistry, and trace metals in the environment.

Research will be led by by Dr. John Murimboh (Chemistry), Dr. Nelson O’Driscoll (Tier II Canada Research Chair, Earth and Environmental Science), Dr. Jennie Rand (’99, Engineering), Dr. Anthony Tong (Chemistry) and Dr. John Roff (formerly of Earth and Environmental Science). The centre was created with support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

One of ten official research centres at Acadia, CARE will offer students unparalleled opportunities to participate in world class research using sophisticated equipment.

Finding innovative ways to get teens activeDr. Chris Shields (School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology) is one of the co-investigators in a major Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant aimed at promoting physical activity among teenagers.

The project, entitled Transformational Teaching and Adolescent Physical Activity: Adolescence in Motion (AIM) Trial, is led by Dr. Mark Beauchamp, University of British Columbia. It will apply and test an innovative framework of teaching to influence and enhance physical activity among adolescents.

Investigating anti-breast cancer agentsDr. Amitabh Jha (Chemistry) has received a significant two-year research award from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Atlantic Region. With collaborators Dr. Catherine Too (Dalhousie University) and Dr. Christopher Barden (IWK Health Centre), Jha will lead the project to develop anti-breast cancer agents. Jha’s research team is creating and evaluating novel selective estrogen receptor modulators that could show promise in controlling breast cancer growth.

Jha also received a two-year award from the Breast Cancer Society of Canada and the QEII Foundation earlier this year, in support of his ongoing research to design and synthesize new drugs for the treatment of breast cancer. The long-term objective of the research is to develop effective and safe anti-breast cancer agents that improve survival and quality of life for those with breast cancer.

Toolkit for preventing and treating diabetesThree Acadia researchers have received a major grant from the Lawson Foundation to support the second phase of a research project aimed at preventing and treating type 2 diabetes using physical activity. Dr. Jonathan Fowles (School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology) and his research team have created a “Physical Activity and Exercise Toolkit” that has generated interest across Canada, thanks to its effectiveness in improving the confidence of diabetes educators in offering physical activity counseling. Now, Fowles and colleagues Dr. Chris Shields (SRMK) and Dr. Matt Durant (School of Nutrition and Dietetics) will focus on further refining the toolkit, translating it to French, and implementing it throughout Atlantic Canada over the next two years. This second phase of research will make it easier for health practitioners to use the toolkit to promote exercise in clinical practice.

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The hour 7:00 reads ’77 on University Hall tower clocks

Campus map at north gates

Acadia University sign on front lawn

Steps at northeast corner of Students’ Union Building

Walkway in front of Manning Memorial Chapel

Security lighting on campus

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Fireplace in Students’ Union Building

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Stained glass window above University Hall south doors

University seal in University Hall north entrance

Walkway between Beveridge Arts Centre and University Hall

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Improving food security policyDr. Alan Warner (School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology) and Professor Barb Anderson (’77, School of Nutrition and Dietetics) are two of the co-investigators in a major Community-University Research Alliance, supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Under the direction of principal investigator Dr. Patty Williams, Mount Saint Vincent University, the project aims to better understand the determinants of community food security, and to build capacity for improved food security policy. The project will engage a broad range of stakeholders, including those most vulnerable to food insecurity, and the organizations that serve them.

New opportunities for student researchersDr. Anna Redden (’79, Biology, Director of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research) and Dr. Anthony Tong (Chemistry), have created new opportunities for student involvement in research thanks to support from Environment Canada’s Science Horizons Program.

Under Redden’s mentorship, an intern will work with the Invasive Species Alliance of Nova Scotia to identify current and future research needs on invasive species. The intern will be involved in the design and delivery of an invasive species questionnaire to horticulture professionals.

An intern working with Dr. Tong will help develop methods, obtain and analyze samples and interpret data for the project, Investigation of Pharmaceuticals in Water in Nova Scotia. The project will identify and quantify 20 commonly-used pharmaceuticals from samples of urban and rural waters in Nova Scotia.

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CoRRECtion In the Summer 2010 issue of the Bulletin, we incorrectly stated that pheromones identified in Dr. Kirk Hillier’s lab have already proven effective in protecting crops from pests.The sentence should have stated that technology developed in Hillier’s lab will soon be used to protect local vineyards and blueberry fields. We apologize for this error.

In September, Acadia University and Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society signed a memorandum of understanding establishing Acadia as an academic partner of the Aylesford Lake year-round recreation and research facility for youth living with chronic illness.

Dr. Tom Herman, Acadia’s Vice-President Academic, expects this partnership will provide a host of benefits. “Brigadoon will have access to our content experts and our students through their faculty advisors, and Brigadoon volunteers and staff will have new options for internships and research,” said Herman. “Of course, the important beneficiaries of this will be young people who face chronic illness, and their families.”

“Brigadoon is thrilled and proud to be partnering with Acadia University and looks forward to working with its students, faculty and staff. Brigadoon’s efforts to improve the lives of children, youth and families living with a chronic illness are greatly enhanced by Acadia’s legacy of academic excellence and community involvement. The potential of learning and teaching opportunities with Acadia is limitless, as is the national and international impact both organizations can achieve by working together,” said Todd Bethune, Chair, Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society.

Academic partnership with Brigadoon Village

Contribution to Student Health Services

Reusable water bottle filling stations in BAC and Huggins Science Hall


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familyThe Stultz

Stultz family members and friends (from left to right): Dr. Valerie Fitzpatrick (daughter of Enid and Dr. Geoff Fitzpatrick (’58)) and her daughter, Katie; nina and Richard Stultz; Mary Jo and Sam Fanaroff; Richard’s daughter, Arianna Stultz and her boyfriend, Chris Radler; Richard’s son Alexander Stultz; Art and Margaret Duboyce; John and Sue Cross; Erma Stultz; and Sandra Ward.

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By Kristen Loyst (’02)

A mother’s firm belief in the value of education is what brought five of six siblings in the Stultz family to Acadia. At one point, those five siblings—Walter (’27), Harold (’28), Mary, Laura (’30) and Charlie (’32)—even attended Acadia at the same time during the 1920s. Several generations have followed those five siblings to Acadia. Their descendants converged on the Acadia campus recently, to honour the memory of the five Stultz siblings through the dedication of a unique altar cross for the Manning Memorial Chapel.

The Stultz family

According to Margaret (Cross) Duboyce, daughter of Laura (Stultz) and Rev. James Cross, the Stultzes were a New Brunswick farming family. She related that her grandmother, who trained as a teacher, was adamant that her children would be educated.

“There are tons of stories about my grandmother’s grit. Her life’s work was instilling a love of learning in her children,” said Duboyce. “There was no question of them all going to school. My mother used to say, ‘In my family, you just weren’t allowed to be stupid!’”

The three oldest children, Harold, Walter and Mary, attended normal school and worked as teachers to earn money prior to attending Acadia, which explains how five children of different ages could have ended up at university at the same time. The siblings likely chose Acadia because of their Baptist faith. When all five were at Acadia at the same time over two years, their parents followed them to Wolfville.

“They were a very close family,” said Duboyce. “My grandmother rented a house and moved with her children to take care of them during those two years. I even found records that my grandfather hired someone to work the farm so he could spend the winter in Wolfville at one point.”

All of the siblings had an inclination towards the sciences. After graduating, Harold and Walter went on to graduate studies at Yale University. Mary followed her brothers to Yale after a couple of years at Acadia. Sadly, she died while attending the Yale School of Nursing.

Harold became an entomologist with the Canadian federal civil service, specializing in apple orchard insects. His spouse, Zoa (MacCabe) Stultz (’26, ’28), also completed Acadia undergraduate and graduate degrees. All five of their

children went on to graduate from Acadia: Sandra (Stultz) Ward (’58) and Erma Stultz (’68) live in Wolfville, Richard Stultz (’62, ’63) and Enid (Stultz) Fitzpatrick (’60) live near Toronto, ON, and Mary Jo (Stultz) Fanaroff (’56) lives in England with her husband, Sam Fanaroff, who designed and crafted the altar cross. Harold’s great-grandson, Jason Ward, graduated from Acadia in 2008, and one of Harold’s grandchildren is now attending Acadia.

After graduating from Yale, Walter embarked on a 50-year career as a professor of human anatomy at several American universities, and raised his family in the United States. He taught at the University of Vermont until forced to retire at age 65, after which he was promptly recruited by the University of California, San Diego, to set up the anatomy division of its new medical school. He taught there for 10 years (and was twice named “Professor of the Year”), then capped off his successful career at Dartmouth College’s medical school until his second retirement at age 80.

Charlie earned a Bachelor of Arts and also had a background in chemistry. He returned to New Brunswick to run the family farm after graduation and continued his scientific interests there.

The Stultz

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He worked on experimental tree grafting, and also developed a new type of apple and early blueberry cultivation. Charlie’s great passions were sculpting, painting and poetry.

Laura worked with the Canadian federal civil service as a botanist, specializing in seed analysis, until her marriage to Rev. James Cross, a graduate of Mount Allison and Dalhousie who was a military chaplain during the Second World War. The couple had three children. Margaret Duboyce’s two brothers studied elsewhere, but she completed two years at Acadia as part of a medical technology program prior to earning an arts degree from Carleton University. During that time she met her future husband, Art Duboyce (’65), thanks to a blind date set up by Erma Stultz and Art’s roommate, Rex Dunn (’65, ’67).

The altar cross

The dedication of an altar cross in honour of these five siblings is itself a unique story. It all started with Rev. James Cross, who wanted to commission a work of art in gratitude for surviving the Second World War.

Cross commissioned his nephew-in-law, Sam Fanaroff, to craft an altar cross of solid brass inlaid with copper. Fanaroff is a noted artist who works primarily with metals. He is one of only a few craftspeople in England qualified to restore sanctuary items from old churches. He has created many modern works for churches and secular pieces, as well.

The altar cross is the only existing replica of an original that was part of an altar set for the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity at Hurstpierpoint, England. The candlesticks belonging with this replica didn’t make it to Canada since, as Fanaroff remarked, they “were too heavy to carry.”

The altar cross was housed for many years at Highgate United Church in Ontario, where Cross once served as minister. When the church was

decommissioned, the altar cross was returned to the family. Duboyce felt it would be appropriate to dedicate the cross to the place that had meant so much to her family.

Rev. Virginia Cookman, University Chaplain, said the addition of the cross to the chapel is special. “It is very unusual to have a handmade cross. These are usually made by mass production,” she noted. “This will beautify our sanctuary, and

will give people a focus to their worship. It also fits well with the work done in the chapel, which was all handmade.”

The cross dedication took place during the Sunday, October 3 evening service at the chapel. During the dedication, several members of the Stultz family shared their thoughts and memories. Fanaroff provided a wish for the future. “The nature of the cross is such that it will last as long as this university and beyond, and I hope it finds favour with this generation and all the subsequent generations who come to worship here.”

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Altar cross hand-crafted by Sam Fanaroff, and dedicated in memory of members of the Stultz family.

Another service of

“…I do not hesitate to praise Cajun’s as the place to get Acadia merchandise, for the service and the price. Keep up your outstanding work.”

LEE MAYBEEMaster of Education (Guidance), Acadia Class of 1988Former Axemen Football Coach

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Alumnus earns AUS Coach of the Year

An Acadia alumnus and professor is the new coach of the Axewomen rugby team, and has been named Atlantic University Sport Coach of the Year.

Dr. Matthew Durant (’99) is an Associate Professor in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia, and has an extensive background in rugby as a player and administrator. In his first year with the Axewomen program, Durant compiled a 4-2-0 regular season record and added a semi-final win in October against Saint Mary’s to advance to the Subway AUS Women’s Rugby Championship.

Hired in mid-summer, Durant was able to attract several quality student-athletes to Acadia and put together a competitive team despite having a short recruiting period. The Axewomen’s only two losses during the regular season came at the hands of the 12-time defending AUS champion StFX X-Women.

As a current player of the Valley Bulldogs RFC, Durant captained the Bulldogs to three McCurdy Cup (NS Premier Division) championships in the past five years as well as the Maritime Premier Division Caledonia Cup Championship in 2008.

Former Argo joins football coaching staff

This summer, former Toronto Argonaut Special Teams coordinator Marcello Simmons joined the 2010 Axemen football coaching staff.

Simmons, who assisted the Axemen last season in training camp as a linebacker coach and this past winter as a defensive back coach, will bring a wealth of experience to this year’s staff compliment in the defensive backfield.

Simmons has played two seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars respectively and seven seasons in the CFL, wrapping up his career in Toronto. He joined the Argos coaching staff immediately following his playing career in 2003 as the Argos Special Teams Coordinator.

Head coach Jeff Cummins is thrilled to have Simmons back this season, playing an important role with the defensive backfield and special teams. “Marcello adds a fresh professional perspective to our defense, special teams and staff. We have been friends for 15 years now and Argo teammates back in 1995. I guarantee his influence on our players will bring positive results on the field and off. I am really excited to have such a great coach and friend to help us get back to our championship ways.”

New Axewomen soccer coach

Halifax native Amit Batra, is the Axewomen soccer team’s new coach. Batra has been given the task of returning the team to national prominence.

Batra’s coaching career at the collegiate level includes two seasons with the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics women’s soccer program beginning in 2008. While with the Mystics, Batra posted an undefeated 2009 season.

Named as the 2009 Atlantic College Athletic Association and Canadian College Athletic Association women’s soccer Coach of the Year, Batra’s Mystics captured the 2009 ACAA Championship and earned a spot at the CCAA National Championship.

Over his two season career with Mount Saint Vincent, Batra experienced only one regular season loss in 2008.

Enthusiasm is shared between Acadia and Batra on his appointment. “Acadia has a proud history in women’s soccer, including several Atlantic University Sport titles and a National Championship banner. Many great players have worn the Acadia uniform. I feel privileged to have been selected to lead this program into the future. The team has a strong core of players and we’d like to build on that,” Batra said.

SportsNews

Football Canada Cup on campus Acadia played host to the Football Canada Cup, welcoming more than 400 high school athletes and coaches to campus from across the country. Teams stayed in residences and experienced life at Acadia over two weeks last July, while the community enjoyed several exciting games between these provincial teams.

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The inaugural Kristin Pipe Memorial Golf Tournament was held last July at Granite Ridge Golf Club in Milton, ON. The event was a great success, with 54 players enjoying a great day on the course in support of the Kristin Pipe Memorial Award.

The tournament and award celebrate Kristin’s (’03) legacy. He was an outstanding Acadia student and football player whose prospects for a professional sports career were cut short by a rare form of leukemia. He passed away in 2005.

The Kristen Pipe Memorial Award is awarded annually on recommendation of the Director of Varsity Athletics and the Varsity Football Coach to a second or subsequent year Acadia varsity football player. The recipient should be committed to excellence both as a student and athlete while demonstrating exemplary leadership and dedication both on and off the field. The recipient will demonstrate similar characteristics that made Kristin Pipe so special.

Thanks to all those who participated in the tournament, and to the many who contributed to the award. Lead by a

generous gift from Iain Ferguson (’04), the event raised over $7,500. This is a fantastic result that will help continue the award for years to come. The tournament was organized by Michael Black (’05), Dan Carnevale (’03), Nick Comly (’04), Karl Ortmanns (’04) and Derek Smith (’05).

The next Kristin Pipe Memorial Golf Tournament is planned to coincide with the Acadia Axemen Football Rally 2011 at Homecoming in October, 2011. For more details on the award or the 2011 Kristin Pipe Memorial Golf Tournament, contact Donnie Ehler ([email protected]) or Derek Smith ([email protected]).

Hockey Honour Roll

Friends of Acadia hockey gathered on November 6 to celebrate the 31st Annual Acadia Hockey Honour Roll Induction Ceremony. Following the evening varsity hockey game, Ken Cullihall (’94), Mark McFarlane (’95) and Jeff MacLeod (’96) and Dr. Jim MacLeod, head athletic therapist and interim Director, Varsity Athletics, were inducted to the Hockey Honour Roll for their contributions to the Axemen hockey team and to Acadia. Photos from the ceremony will be printed in the spring 2011 Bulletin.

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Past and present coaches and athletes honoured former football coach John Huard at a special Acadia Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony last summer. Huard was officially inducted in the fall of 2009, but was unable to attend the ceremony due to health concerns. Huard was also the honourary chair of the Football Canada Cup, which took place on the Acadia campus in July.

First Kristin Pipe Memorial Golf Tournament

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Dr. Jim MacLeod to head Varsity Athletics

Acadia Kinesiology professor and head athletic therapist, Dr. Jim MacLeod, has been appointed the University’s Interim Director of Varsity Athletics. Dr. MacLeod has been at Acadia since 1981 when he accepted a part-time teaching position and joined Acadia’s football team as its therapist for its run to the 1981 Vanier Cup.

“Acadia is fortunate to have highly qualified and dedicated individuals, such as Dr. Jim MacLeod, who are well

equipped to lead Acadia’s varsity sports program,” said President Ray Ivany. “Jim has been working with our varsity athletes and coaches for almost thirty years and has been an important part of our success during that time. But he has also distinguished himself with Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic programs as well as within his academic discipline and profession. Jim has represented his country and Acadia exceedingly well throughout his career and I look forward to the contribution he will make to our varsity sports program.”

Dr. MacLeod received the Acadia Kinesiology Society Professor Appreciation Award in 2005 and 2009 and the Acadia Players’ Association Spirit Award in 2009. He was the 1988-89 president of the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association and was inducted into the CATA’s Hall of Fame in 2005. He has twice been to the Olympics (1992 and 2000) and once to the Paralympics (1988). He was Canada’s Chief Athletic Therapist in 1988 and 1992, and assistant Chief Therapist in 2000. He has been a member of Canada’s therapy team at the Commonwealth Games and World Student Games multiple times. Dr. MacLeod has been Acadia’s head athletic therapist since September, 1981 and provides expert support to student athletes on all aspects of sport performance including their obligations under the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

“I am excited to give back to Acadia University in this way,” said Dr. MacLeod. “Over the years, while teaching the students and working with the athletes, I have gained a unique perspective on varsity athletics and what this department brings to the University and to the Valley. Our coaches are of the highest calibre both professionally and personally, and I look forward to working with them as we lead our athletes to success.”

Axewomen soccer standouts inducted to NS Sports Hall of FameTwo former Acadia soccer stars have been inducted to the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame. The induction of Cindy Tye and Janice Cossar coincides with the anniversary of the Axewomen soccer team’s 1990 CIS championship win.

Cindy Tye (’94) was one of the all-time greats in Atlantic university women’s soccer, and she went on to a stellar senior career. Tye was a conference all-star in all five of her seasons at Acadia, and she helped the Axewomen capture the CIS national championship in 1990. She earned All-Canadian honours in 1994 and 1995 and was named Acadia’s “Athlete of the Year” in each of those seasons as well. She capped her career with the Atlantic conference MVP award in 1995.

At the senior level, Cindy has been an all-star several times and earned league MVP honours. Her teams have captured six medals at national championships. Tye played for the national women’s team in 2001 and 2002, earning six caps in international competition. She’s involved on the sidelines as well, coaching provincial youth teams and at the National Training Centre-Atlantic.

A talented multi-sport athlete, Janice Cossar (’91) earned national recognition in three different sports. On the soccer pitch, she was a standout goaltender who led the Acadia Axewomen to a Canadian university silver medal in 1988. Cossar was named MVP of the national tournament and earned All-Canadian honours three times in her university career. She went on to play for the national women’s soccer team from 1987-1990 and represented Canada at a FIFA international women’s tournament in China.

Cossar also starred in field hockey, earning two Atlantic all-star nods during her university career. In her appearance at the Canada Games, she recorded a whopping 14 of Nova Scotia’s 16 total goals. And she stood out on the ice as well, where she was a five-time All-Canadian in ringette and also played hockey.

First Kristin Pipe Memorial Golf Tournament

The 1990 Axewomen soccer team celebrating its CIS championship.

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By Rachel Cooper (’89)

Since November 2009, a tidal power turbine six storeys tall has been sitting on the sea floor in 40 metres of water in the Minas Passage near Parrsboro. It will be lifted from the Minas Passage after one year of testing. Dr. Anna Redden (’79, ’86), Director of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER), will be there to see it come out of the water.

Twice a day, about 100 billion tonnes of water move in and out of the Bay of Fundy – that’s more than the combined flow of the world’s fresh water rivers. Devices that can withstand this harsh environment will earn the “Fundy Standard,” an unofficial world benchmark. “It is probably one of the most significant sites in the world in terms of the amount of energy available for harnessing,” Redden says. “But it is also one of the most difficult in terms of the physical stress on any device deployed there.”

Almost a century ago, Acadia engineering professor Ralph Clarkson designed a prototype tidal power generator for Cape Split. He and then Acadia University President George Cutten, with others, formed the Cape Split Development Company to build and deploy the prototype. When they could not raise the $2.5 million needed, the project died.

Fast forward to the 1970s. The price of oil was skyrocketing, and so was interest in alternative energy. Biology professor Dr. Graham Daborn and his colleagues began an investigation of the ecological consequences of a proposed barrage-style tidal power development in the upper Bay of Fundy. He convened a major workshop at Acadia in 1976 and edited its proceedings: Fundy Tidal Power and the Environment.

From that workshop grew the Fundy Environmental Studies Committee, a highly productive body that Daborn co-chaired. Redden was an Acadia student then, being supervised by Daborn for her Honours BSc and then MSc.

When the committee wound up in 1984, the first North American tidal power generating station was coming online at Annapolis Royal. (The station remains the only one in North America and one of only three in the world.)

A year later, Daborn spearheaded the creation of ACER – the only estuarine research centre in Canada – and became its first director.

Redden was the first student to work in the centre. She wrote her MSc thesis there, looking in part at environmental issues associated with the Annapolis tidal power station.

“When I left Acadia in 1986, I said to some friends that I was going to come back for Graham’s position,” she says with a laugh. “I couldn’t think of any better thing. I went off to do my PhD in Newfoundland and spent quite a few years as a university professor in Australia. When Graham’s job came up, I was encouraged to apply, and with excitement I did.”

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Turning the tideAlthough Daborn retired as director of ACER in 2004, he is still actively involved with ACER and remains in high demand as an expert on the Bay of Fundy, and on tidal energy related matters.

For Redden, her return meant coming full circle, not just personally and professionally, but also in respect to tidal power research.

“When I left with my MSc, research on tidal power at Annapolis Royal was in high gear,” she says. “And within 12 months of my coming back, tidal power developments started to emerge in an even bigger way.”

Acadia’s involvement in the latest initiative began in 2006. That’s when Nova Scotia Power approached ACER to lead the environmental studies for a development in the Minas Passage. In 2009, FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy) was officially formed to develop and manage a tidal power test facility in the Minas Passage, with Redden on its board. In the same year, Acadia received multiple grants for research related to the impacts of tidal energy extraction from the Minas Passage.

More recently, the Fundy Energy Research Network (FERN) was created. Its website (http://fern.acadiau.ca) went live last month.

“Graham and I have led the charge on that one,” Redden says. “We obtained funding earlier this year and have hired a coordinator, housed here at the centre.”

All the pieces are now in place, she says. “We have a research mandate, and, unlike any other place in the world, we have an independent research network, FERN. We are partnering with FORCE to conduct research associated with its demonstration facility for ready-to- test turbines.”

Acadia has been at the heart of research and academic activity around tidal power for most of the past century. Today, seven Acadia scientists and numerous students across three departments in the Faculty of Science are actively involved in work related to tidal power developments in the Bay.

“I’ve come back to my roots and to research topics that were making big news when I left and are making big news again,” Redden says. “It’s

been fun and exciting, and I feel very fortunate. On top of all that, I get to work with Graham again. He has been my mentor since my first year at Acadia.

“Acadia has a unique, nurturing culture,” she adds. It’s a place where both students and faculty have access to exciting opportunities to grow and thrive. For tidal energy opportunities, the time is now.”

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A turbine deployed in the Bay of Fundy, 2009-10

Photo courtesy of Nova Scotia Power Inc.


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“I never imagined that when I signed up to work with the Campus Police that it would be one of most significant parts of my university career. My experience at Acadia Safety and Security is something that I would never in a million years wish to relinquish.” ~ Nancy (Turner) Sweeney (’07) From the early years of Acadia University, there has always been some form of campus police. In the beginning, the university had complete disciplinary jurisdiction over students and over all activities on university property. The Provost, who also served as the Dean of Men, held overall responsibility for discipline. According to Merv Parker (’66), author of Chief-Constable (in which he covers his experience with the Acadia Campus Police), student disciplinary matters on

campus were handled by the student judicial committee, a group of students elected annually by the student body. These student officials, also known as provosts, were responsible for things like traffic and crowd control at sports events and campus activities. Provosts were distinguished by large red and white pin-on buttons and armbands. Because of his experience as a police constable in his home town of Middleton, NS, in 1964 Parker was selected to be the Provost’s assistant and later the head student provost. In 1965, he and another student with a law-enforcement background were asked to draft a proposal for a campus police force. This proposal was similar to the existing system, but the head would be a sworn peace officer who could lay charges and fines against student offenders before the courts of law.

Student members of the Acadia Provost Corps would receive an hourly wage when performing their campus policing duties. Shortly after the adoption of Parker’s proposal, the Provost Corps was renamed Acadia Campus Police to conform to similar bodies at other maritime universities. Until the 1980s, campus police officers worked for the Acadia Students’ Union. Then, in 1982, the Safety and Security Department was created and took over the Acadia Campus Police. The first Director of Safety and Security, Bob Groves, and Patti Davis, former administrative co-ordinator for the department, laid the foundation. The name of the student force was changed from Campus Police to Student Security in the 1990s. This name is still used to today.

Campus Police: Then and now

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“As you can imagine,” says Davis, “I saw many changes during my 26 years working there.”

Today there are two divisions of Student Security: the Campus Patrol (affectionately known as the “Yellow Jackets” or YJs) and the Special Events Security. The Special Events Security work at events, and Campus Patrol, not surprisingly, patrols the campus. The YJs are usually the more experienced members of the security staff, and when a 911 call is dispatched they are often the first people on the scene.

Despite the structural changes, the role of student security has remained the same. “We are there for the protection and safety of the students,” explains Nancy (Turner) Sweeney (’07) who was a member of the Campus Patrol from 2003 to 2007. Mary-Lou (Flynn) Donnelly (’78) served in the Campus Police from 1976 to 1978. “The football games were the most fun, while the hockey games were the worst, because we froze and there weren’t always a lot of people there, not like the

football and basketball games,” says Donnelly. “Note, too, that we only ever worked the men’s events!” “We took tickets and made sure people didn’t sneak in, prevented inebriated patrons from getting in, and kicked the inebriated patrons and rowdies out,” she says. If students are caught drinking in public, their liquor is confiscated and dumped, and they may be fined if they are repeat offenders. “Many times, the bottles are quite full,” says Sweeney, “and it would break our hearts to dump them, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do!” Members of the Student Security staff are trained to handle emergency situations. Michael Robinson (’04), who worked for the Campus Patrol over the last decade, says the training is intense.“We had a week of orientation with several speakers from the campus community and external emergency service agencies. We learned about non-violent crisis intervention, CPR first aid, verbal interventions, and interviewing techniques.”

Robinson says it’s a tough job. “Sometimes I am sure the student body didn’t like us but I worked with a great group of dedicated men and women who wanted nothing more than a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors to study and play,” explains Robinson. “It isn’t just about parking tickets and write-ups.” As is the case with a great deal of extra-curricular activity on campus, membership in the Student Security has had an influence on many students’ future lives. Robinson gained the foundations he needed for a career in policing. “Acadia Safety and Security provided me the stepping stones and experiences I needed to achieve this goal. I gained the ability to problem-solve, think critically and make quick decisions based on good judgment.”

Left: Merv Parker (’66), Head Student Provost, investigating illegal use of Acadia’s steam tunnels by students in winter 1965.

Above: Eileen Bernasconi (‘79) was campus police from 1976-1979. At that time, they wore white jackets with “Acadia Campus Police” on the back. “I was always amused by the creative stories people made up when they were trying to get past us to get into events for free,” says Bernasconi.

Others: Campus police on patrol, from the 1978 yearbook.

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A passion for music: Barbara Butler and the St. Cecilia Concert Series

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“While a student at Acadia, I had no thoughts of becoming a concert presenter,” explains Barbara Butler (’70), piano major. It was at Acadia that her piano professor, Felicita Kalejs (aka “Mrs. K”) opened her eyes. “Mrs. K introduced me to piano repertoire in a way that I hadn’t experienced before.”

After graduation, Butler began a career in school music, and in 1989 she started the St. Cecilia Concert Series. “I planned to do some performing myself. That quickly changed as I became more interested in creating opportunities for other musicians,” said Butler.

The St. Cecilia Concert Series is a chamber music series based in Halifax, NS, with a strong presence at St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg, NS, where Butler is Music Director. The series presents classical music, featuring an eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental performances, highlighted by artists from the local, national, and international concert stage.

In addition to her work with St. Cecilia’s, Butler is the artistic and managing director of Musique Royale, a summertime music festival that presents concerts around Nova Scotia, including Acadia’s Manning Memorial Chapel. Musique Royale celebrates its 25th season this year.

“Cecilia’s Retreat, my home, is a venue for both series,” says Butler. “I’d always wanted a place of my own for house concerts.” Butler combines music with food and friends, just as chamber music began four-hundred years ago. With seating for 65 people, Butler hosts events such as ‘Breakfast with the Blues’ and ‘Toasting the Classics,’ where guests not only get a great concert; they get brunch, too.

Butler is busy presenting about 100 events a year. It is her passion. “Music societies like St. Cecilia or Musique Royale can fill many gaps and create opportunities for artists and audiences. The forum for music education is as far as the imagination can take you,” she said.

For more information, visit www.musiqueroyale.com and www.stcecilia.ca.

Barbara Butler with Senator Willie Moore and jazz pianist and Senator Tommy Banks at a recent concert at Cecilia’s Retreat.

Concertgoers enjoy food and music at Cecilia’s Retreat, Barbara Butler’s home.


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By Fred Sgambati (‘83)

Dale Kavanagh is an internationally-acclaimed classical guitarist now living in Germany, with 15 CDs to her credit. She is Professor of Guitar at the Musikhochschule in Detmold, Germany, was Musician-in-Residence at Acadia between 2003-2010, and is currently on faculty at the Koblenz International Guitar Academy.

She is one of the guitar world’s most gifted interpreters, but hasn’t forgotten her hometown roots, nor her Acadia connection. Kavanagh grew up in Wolfville, right next door to War Memorial Gymnasium.

Small wonder she chose Acadia when it was time to consider post-secondaryeducation. “I grew up practically oncampus,” she said in an e-mail interview, “and because my mother worked at the University at the time, it was a natural choice.”

She studied at Acadia for two years and received degrees at Dalhousie and the University of Toronto. However, “Acadia did give me a good foundation,” she said, “plus hope in pursuing my dream.”

First guitar student at Acadia

That dream involved a landmark course; Kavanagh was the first guitar student ever at Acadia.

She says she always wanted to study music and is thankful to Vernon Ellis (’52), former head of the School of Music, for taking her on as a guitar student. “I had received instruction in piano and clarinet, but my true love was the classical guitar. Including the study of classical guitar in university programs anywhere was a relatively new concept, so it was rather daring of Mr. Ellis,” she said.

Classical guitar studies were rare at the time, but “Mr. Ellis was very open to trying out new instrumental possibilities in the Music Department. The time of my studies at university was a very exciting period for classical guitar in Canada,” she noted. Ken Davidson, her teacher at Acadia, and her later teachers at Dalhousie and the University of Toronto were all involved in establishing serious study of the classical guitar in Canada. “I was, luckily, exposed to the top performers and teachers in the world,” she said.

Important legacy

She has transformed the legacy of her teachers into one of her own, performing around the world and being a master-class teacher at nearly every major international music festival that includes classical guitar.

Connecting with artists as a musician, composer and educator is crucial for Kavanagh. “It’s extremely important to pass on to the next generation the ideas that we have learned. No book or YouTube video can do it as well as a real, present, living person!” she said.

“As Musician-in-Residence I was able to bring back home to Acadia the international ideas and musical information that I had accumulated. Being able to pass on what I have learned is very fulfilling and important to me. In fact, I would have been happy to have continued at Acadia.”

However, “I believe I was able to show the students at Acadia that if they truly want something and work hard they can achieve that goal, even if they have not been brought up in a big city where many more opportunities are available.”

Certainly Kavanagh has made the most of her opportunities. Whether at home or abroad, she recognizes the value of giving back and continues to do that to define both her personal and musical destiny.

First guitar student following her dreams

Dale Kavanagh, an internationally renowned classical guitarist, was Acadia’s first guitar student.

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By Sylvia (Newcombe) Jacquard (’83) Growing up, Dr. Susan (Crouse) Crompton (’85) dreamed of working overseas with a medical mission, but her work with people in need ended up being closer to home. Crompton graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her fondest memories of her Acadia years are of her participation in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She found the leadership opportunities the club offered prepared her for the speaking engagements that are part of her life today. She graduated with her medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1989. Marriage, children and a private practice in Sackville, NB put her plans for overseas mission work on the back burner.

But her mission work happened much sooner than she anticipated. In September 2005, Cal Maskery, director of Harvest House Ministries in Moncton, NB, approached her about the need for medical care for people at the local

homeless shelter. He asked if she would help set up a health care clinic at the Harvest House facility. She agreed, feeling that God was calling her to minister to marginalized people as Jesus had done. With nurse-practitioner Angie Arsenault-Daigle, Crompton started a one-room clinic, taking time from her regular job to volunteer at the clinic a few hours a day, a few days each week. She was “scared at first” not knowing what to expect, but learned that simply listening was an important part of the work. She has heard some heartbreaking stories, like how a father introduced his daughter to cocaine when she was 12, which became their father-daughter activity. She saw that many people have “been dealt a harsh deck of cards.” Being part of Harvest House made the clinic very visible and busy, so they soon needed more space. By March 2007 the clinic expanded into a facility that was a first of its kind in the city, but the turning point came in September 2007 when the local health authority agreed to fund staff and supplies, enabling Crompton to work at the clinic full time.

The facility needed a name and it was Crompton’s literary daughter, Emily, who suggested Salvus, a Latin word meaning “safe and well.” The name fit well, since the health centre provides a safe and welcoming place where those experiencing homelessness, poverty and addiction can receive medical services, care and counseling. Salvus Clinic is now open daily and has over 1000 patients. The clinic now offers expanded services for new immigrants to Canada, and has connected with a local AIDS group to offer free bloodwork to high-risk clients. For her groundbreaking work with this underserviced population, the YWCA honoured Crompton with the City of Moncton Women of Excellence award. Since June 2009, Crompton has also been working part-time as the clinical director for At Home/Chez Soi, the Moncton site of a five-year, multi-city federal research study on the potential benefits of housing for homeless clients with mental illness.

Even though her work at home is demanding, Crompton is still able to satisfy her desire to work overseas. She and husband Dr. John Crompton volunteer with RotoCleft Peru for two weeks every other year. Supported by a Florida Rotary Club, the Cromptons and other medical professionals help clients in Peru with cleft lip and palate issues.

A calling to help

Dr. Susan Crompton (centre) and staff of Salvus Clinic.

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By Fred Sgambati (’83)

For renowned astronomer Dr. Dale Frail (’83), the sky’s the limit, and then some.Dr. Frail, who works at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Socorro, New Mexico, USA, was recently awarded a prestigious Fellowship from the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Acadia, Frail received his Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Toronto in 1989. He’s best known for landmark contributions to the understanding of gamma ray bursts, providing key insights into these super-energetic and once-mysterious explosions. In 1992, he was co-discoverer, with Alex Wolszczan, of the first planets outside our own solar system.

He plans to use the Guggenheim Fellowship to focus on his research in several areas, including neutron stars, cosmology and gamma ray bursts. “There are some fantastic new telescopes coming on line soon that will allow me to do some experiments that I could only dream about a few years ago,” he added. “I’m going to have some fun!”

Basic foundation

A self-described ‘army brat,’ Dr. Frail lived in many places, including Germany and all over Canada, before returning to Nova Scotia when his father retired from the military. He said he has always considered Nova Scotia his home.

However, “Acadia is where I received the basic foundation that has served

me well as a scientist. I was pushed hard at Acadia by professors who knew me personally, and I was surrounded by supportive friends, many of whom have stayed in contact all these years later. The Department of Physics still has excellent faculty and students, and Acadia remains a great university to get a start in the sciences.

“I was a child of the space program,” he added, “and my early interest in science began there. However, it wasn’t until I got back to the dark skies in Nova Scotia that my interest in astronomy blossomed. When I arrived at Acadia, this interest was encouraged and helped along by Professor Roy Bishop.” When asked if he could describe his work in layman’s terms, Frail replied with tongue firmly in cheek: “No!”

Then said, “Actually, it’s pretty easy. We all have questions about the world that we live in and our place in the Universe; questions like, ‘Are there planets around other stars? How was the Universe formed? How are stars born and how do they die?’ Well, in my work I have the privilege of not only asking those types of questions, but I get to design experiments that try to answer them. These days I am mainly focused on gamma ray bursts, which we believe are related to the death of massive stars and the birth of black holes. While I use telescopes across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, my particular specialty is radio interferometry.”

Visits Acadia every chance he gets

“My family is still in Centreville,” he said, “so I visit Acadia every chance I get. The last time I was at Acadia was

to speak at the Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference (AUPAC) in February 2010.

“I am very proud to have come from Acadia, but I am always aware of the fact that much of what I’ve accomplished so far has come from simply being lucky. Several times I have been in the right place at the right time so that I could be part of some exciting new discoveries in astronomy, and I’ve been privileged to collaborate with some of the most brilliant scientists from around the world. All I really am,” he concluded, “is a kid from Centreville with a horseshoe in one pocket and a four-leaf clover in the other.”

The sky’s the limit

Dr. Dale Frail, who works at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Socorro, New Mexico, USA.


By Kristen Loyst (’02)

When Kimberly Hurley graduated with her Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2007, this former Axewomen basketball captain wasn’t sure what she wanted to do.

But, she and best friend Marissa Izma had been doing a lot of reading about Africa, and wanted to know what it was really like. “We wanted to be in a rural area, but in order to find the real need, we needed to go and volunteer,” explained Hurley. “It wasn’t going to happen by searching the internet in Canada.”

Equipped with plane tickets, the pair took a post-graduation year off to volunteer their skills. They landed in South Africa and started looking for opportunities. They knew there was a need to help in rural Malawi and Zambia. The flight to Zambia was affordable, so that’s where they went. After meeting a Zambian woman who ran her own charity providing school fees to rural kids, Hurley and Izma were dropped in Kibombomene and told they could help in any way they wanted.

Kibombomene is a region of about 10,000 people in northwest Zambia, located 25 kilometres from the nearest health clinic, and 50 kilometres from the nearest high school. Zambia is largely dependent on foreign aid, yet little of it reaches rural communities like this one.

They had a “father” in the village who spoke English and hosted the pair in his home. Hurley and Izma quickly learned that speaking English, one of Zambia’s many official languages, is essential

for landing a job but is rarely spoken in villages. So, they began teaching English to kids and adults. Within a month they were approached by the village chief and elders with a proposition to work with the community to build a high school.

“For the majority there, they’re farmers. They don’t really have a choice to go to a city for school, because it means paying school fees, buying uniforms, paying for transportation or accommodations, food, having shoes, pencils, books, all these things we wouldn’t think of,” explained Hurley. She further noted that the chance to stay in school decreases the prevalence of issues like youth alcoholism, teenage pregnancies and prostitution.

Hurley and Izma were inspired to take action. “We’re all living in the same world, we all deserve the same opportunities,” Hurley explained. “I’m lucky enough to be born in Canada and to have great opportunities for an education. For them, they should at least have that choice.” That idea is at the heart of Same World, Same Chance (www.sameworldsamechance.org/), the non-profit organization Hurley and Izma founded to bring education and basic health care to Kibombomene.

The organization is guided by a Zambian board that owns the project and leads the on-the-ground work, while a Canadian board provides advice and oversees

fundraising. The long-term goal is to build a fully-equipped high school with residences and a health centre that will be owned by the community. The facilities are planned to be self-sustaining through an on-site organic farm that will feed staff and students while generating profits.

Already, two classrooms and one office are complete and the roof is on a second building containing three more classrooms and an office. Plans are well underway to start classes in 2012 once staff housing is finished.

Hurley is now in Canada, completing a Master’s in Audiology at the University of British Columbia while working with the Same World, Same Chance Canadian board.

She looks forward to using her audiology training to open a hearing clinic in Zambia—no such clinic currently exists there—and to creating opportunities for Zambian students to receive audiology training in Canada. She’s passionate about building community and encouraging others to get involved, whether with Same World, Same Chance, or with any community effort.

“Acadia was a huge part of my life, and I felt that I was part of a community while I was there. I’m hoping the Acadia community will feel a connection with this project,” Hurley said. “Our goal is to get people on board and welcome them to our community. It’s not necessarily about donations, but the idea of inspiring people to do good on their own.”

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Same World, Same ChanceMarissa Izma (left) and Kimberly Hurley (’07) (right)

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Dear Bulletin,My name is Arnie MacAskill (’75), an Acadia supporter from day one. My father, brother, uncle

and many cousins have passed through the halls at Acadia.

The last time I was home to Nova Scotia was in 2007. While I was home, my dad Alex (’49) and

I dropped by Acadia to have a look around. We were in the sports complex having a look at the

trophies, pictures and achievements of the Acadia athletes. I noticed my Dad was looking very

intently at a photo. There was my Uncle John MacAskill (’52) pictured with the Acadia Maritime

Championship hockey and rugby teams.

I could see in my dad’s face a look of sadness and disappointment as he gazed at the pictures.

That was the year my dad, a star with the Mount A. hockey and rugby teams, decided to take his

Bachelor of Education at Acadia so he could play hockey with his brother. It was never to happen.

Dad and another Acadia student were headed to Cape Breton on a motorcycle for Thanksgiving.

They got as far as Falmouth when they were hit by a truck. My dad spent the next six months in

the Windsor Hospital. He missed out playing for Acadia and with his brother that year.

I said to my dad, “It sure would have been awesome to have played with those teams.” Still fixed

on the pictures, he said in a low tone, “Yeah it would have been nice to have played with John.”

He stood there looking at the pictures for a few more moments and I said to him,

“You know, dad, if you had been in those pictures and on those teams, the rest

of the kids and I wouldn’t be here today.” Dad turned and looked at me, a

smile a mile wide spreading across his face. “That’s right,” he said.

You see, my dad’s nurse for those six months in hospital

became his wife, and my mom.

Take care,Arnie MacAskill

Hello!

I graduated in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Music Therapy, with a concentration in voice, at the

age of 25. I was diagnosed with a learning disability (dyslexia) in 2002. I really doubted if I had

what it takes to earn a degree. Well, I started at Acadia in September 2004 and I never looked

back! The small class sizes and student centre resources allowed me to thrive and my GPA

jumped from 1.8 (pre-diagnosis) to 3.3 within my first semester!

The summer of 2007, before my fourth and final year, my uncle passed away at the age of 67. He

had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 15 years earlier. Watching him suffer with this

horrible disease impacted my life in unexpected ways. In my heart, I knew there must be SOME

way I could help.

In November 2007, I volunteered to sing at a Music for MS concert given by Crystal French

(’05). Her mother had passed away from MS and we both shared the same desire...to help

somehow. At my senior voice recital in April, few of my family members could attend. This

gave me a great idea: I would present another recital in my hometown, Grand Falls-Windsor,

NL, and donate all proceeds to the MS Society of Canada, in memory of my Uncle and in

honour of those affected by MS.

I had originally intended this to be a one-time thing, but I couldn’t close the book just yet.

It’s been over two years since graduation and that first MS recital. I have now performed

in THREE annual recitals with my former voice teacher, Aimee Doiron.

We have raised nearly $2000 from the recitals and a CD from this year’s recital. We are

already planning next year’s recital with Grand Falls-Windsor’s 100-member community

choir. Next year I hope to double what we raised! If this can make a difference in one

life, then I have done what I set out to do.

As for my life after Acadia, I completed my clinical internship in Music Therapy with

Eastern Health in St. John’s, NL in May 2009. I will receive my Bachelor of Music

Education at Memorial University in May 2011. After this, I hope to start a Master of

Music in Vocal Performance.

I credit Acadia for making me who I am today and for providing me with not only a degree,

but also the education I received from living in a different province, meeting friends from

everywhere, and the life lessons that can only be learned on your own.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story,

Megan Saunders


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LettersUnlike most Acadia alumni, I grew up in Wolfville and lived at home through my

undergraduate years, 1947 to 1952, when most things were very different than in

2010. My brothers and I could go to any university we wanted—as long as it was

Acadia, as that was the only one we could afford, even living at home.

My first two years at Acadia were not towards a degree there, instead preparing for transfer to other

institutions that offered other subjects that interested me. I attended classes and labs faithfully, and never

failed a course, but I spent more time on other activities than studying for courses. I’d led my high school

classes without studying, so knew no better—until my university marks arrived.

At the end of my second year, Dr. Fritz Rothberger of the Mathematics Department (and a friend of my

parents) called me in and told me off for not working at my studies. How could I expect to complete a

degree that was worth anything in that way? He gave me another chance by extracting a promise that I’d

take second calculus at summer school—and would work at it.

In retrospect, it was a pity no one told me off like that after my first year!

Anyway, it worked, and so did I. Collaboration with John Godin (’50), a mature student and Second World

War veteran, helped me in developing study habits during that summer course. After changing subjects

again, and three more years on campus, I completed Honours Chemistry and graduated from Acadia with

the University Medal in that subject. What followed later resulted from Dr. Rothberger’s telling me off.

Now, after three more degrees elsewhere and a career in the Public Service of Canada, I’m long retired

but still busy writing (after appropriate study) on subjects I never thought of pursuing while at Acadia. My

wife and I hosted Dr. Rothberger on his occasional visits to my mother in Sackville, NB, when both were

in their later years; that may be considered belated acknowledgement that I owed him something for his

appropriate—if not obviously kind—words to me nearly half a century before.

A.J. (Tony) Erskine (’52)

Anyone at Acadia from 1958 to 1960 probably used and know me as William.

In the summer, I worked in the maintenance department at Acadia as an electrician. I used to enjoy a tour of

the whole campus to read all the electrical meters and a few water meters. My assistant and I always picked

a beautiful day and always arranged to have a break at the Dining Hall for a cold glass of milk and a couple

of cookies. I also revamped the radio studio in Wilton Hall (since demolished). With a professor, we put out 13 one-hour

taped programs to local universities and 12 or so universities in New England, as well as a series of shorts

for CBC. In my first year, I stayed at Dr. Lumsden’s, then was married just before my second year, with two kids in

2.5 years. Married 50 years as of August 22, 2009! My son, Dr. Peter Nickerson, is now a kidney transplant

specialist. Recently, he was appointed Dean of Medical Research at the University of Winnipeg.

Got carried away but each of the grads have a story to tell. Cheers!

William/Bill Nickerson (’62)

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What a thrill to be looking through the

summer 2010 Bulletin and coming across

the photo spread of the Class of 1910.

I immediately recalled my grandfather

Harold C. Robinson graduated from Acadia

in 1910 and was able to pick him out in the

upper right hand corner. This is a photo I’m

sure no one in my family ever saw.

My great grandfather, William H. Robinson,

graduated in 1881, my grandfather in 1910,

my father, Kenneth C. Robinson in 1944

and yours truly in 1971, completing four

generations of Acadia graduates.

Thanks for the wonderful photo.

Andy Robinson

Dear Alumni,I shall be 102 on November 12. I taught grade 11 English for many years and

now I cannot spell!I first went to Acadia in the spring of 1926. I finished up my grade eleven at the

Seminary. It was the last year for the old beloved place and I was glad I could have

those fine months there. They never knew that I had taught myself the first half of my

grade eleven (in bed) and Miss Palmer wrote to mother and told her she discovered

that I had lead my class, but because I was there for just half the year she had not

considered me for the prize.I went back in the fall and joined the Class of 1930, but a year later they discovered I

had T.B. I finally got my degree 39 years after my Class graduated.

Now I want to tell you about my one claim to fame. The fall afternoon when I got

my degree, I did not know one soul in the procession as we went from the gym to

College Hall. Then I found myself on the platform. There were two big chairs and in

them two dear friends who knew all about the arthritis in my legs and knees—those

knees that I had to get on to the little stool in front of Dr. Watson Kirkconnell. Sitting

beside him was Dr. Harvey Crowell, Chairman of the Board of Governors. He forgot

that he had an open mic hanging around his neck and he leaned over to me

and said, “Bless your dear heart!” I have always claimed that I am the

only person to be given a blessing with an Acadia degree.

Evelyn Powell Denton (’30)

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Sit down and remember: How Acadia moulded a foreign student

While 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of the Alumni Association, it is also a milestone for me, because 50 years

ago, I arrived at Acadia as a freshette from Hong Kong. I ended up teaching and retiring in Canada, and it all

began with Acadia.

First, the big question is, “how did I choose Acadia?” It was just a simple recommendation from my brother-in-

law’s brother. He told my parents of Acadia’s location and background, and said, “It is excellent for a girl.” My

parents took these words as gold. Thank God, he was right.

I couldn’t find Wolfville on the map. I headed to Acadia without knowing exactly where I was going. Not to worry.

There was the Dean of Women, Mrs. Kinsman, majestic and silver-haired, standing on the Wolfville railway

platform to welcome me. Next day, I met Miss Thompson, the kind and understanding registrar that all Chinese

students loved. Together with Mrs. Calkins, Whitman House’s housemother, these three important ladies formed

my first impression of Acadia. I knew I would be in good hands.

I was very fortunate to have Diane (Whalen) Swanzey (’60) as a roommate. She got me into the “swim of

things” on our floor full of senior year students. Somehow Madelyn “Clem” (Wadden) MacKinnon (’61), Marilyn

(Schurman) Corkum (’61) and Dorothy (Jardine) Puett (’61) took a liking to “Diane’s little Hong Kong girl” and

started “Canadianizing” me. They included me in pajama parties and coffee chitchats. They showed me how to

bake brownies and put up hair rollers. Diane introduced me to apples and ice cream--all these were new to me!

Other freshettes on the floor even invited me home. Jean Archibald took me home for my first Canadian home-

cooked meals. Eleanor (Archibald) Chase (’63) and Beth (Archibald) Kalejs (’63) invited me home for Christmas

and Sandra McNairn invited me to spend the summer with her in Toronto. It was my first taste of Canadian big

city life.

Sandra and the Archibald sisters had United Church ministers for fathers, which led to me joining the United

Church in Wolfville and in every city and town where I have worked. It also gave me the background needed to

be a church organist/choir director.

Though music is my passion, it is in education that my career rests. After years as a guidance counselor, I

became the first full-time principal of a fledgling private high school for international students in Ontario.

Looking back on my study, work and life in Canada, I am happy with my decision to pursue my educational

career in Canada. I am enjoying retirement without regret. Thanks to Acadia and its alumni.

From Mabel Tse-Chi Young (’63)


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1 Alumni Affairs Executive Director Ian Murray (’88), Robyn Murray, Ashley LeCroy and Lesley-Anne Steeleworthy (’00) at the Alumni Harbour Cruise in Halifax last summer.

2 Pat Ryan (’78) and Chris Kavanagh (’74) at the Homecoming alumni barbeque.

3 The deck was full at the Alumni Harbour Cruise in Halifax last August.

4 Former Sem residents at the Seminary House reunion last August.

5-6 Once again, plenty of Acadia alumni joined the Atlantic Universities Pub Night in Ottawa.

7 Eight teams of students and alumni braved rain and cold for the 98th Bulmer Relay Race at Home-coming.

8 AAAU President Charles Coll (’84) and Acadia President Ray Ivany cutting the AAAU anniversary cake at the Homecoming alumni barbeque.

9 Class of 1980 members reunited at Homecoming.

10-14 Players at the 29th Annual Acadia Alumni Golf Tournament had perfect weather to enjoy a day on the course. Here are some teams showing their “Acadia spirit”! The team of Carey Edwards (’78), Derek MacKinnon (’03), Rod Murray (’83), Marc Roach (’06) and Nathan Theriault (’04) won the tournament.

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Summer reunion1 Class of 1960 Vice President Anne Archibald Fraser

and Acadia President Ray Ivany at the 1960 class reception.

2 The Class of 1950 in the Garden Room. Left to Right: George M. Perry, Gladys (Webster) Perry, Margaret (Menzies) Back, Kay (Card) Montrose, Louise (Devillez) Maddison.

3 A small but mighty group of Class of 1955 members. Back Row (left to right): Peter Paris, John Taylor. Front Row: Nadia (Putnam) Creegan, Isabel (Townsend) MacVicar, Margery (Harris) Anderson.

4 The Class of 1960 took home the reunion cup for the highest proportion of active members attending the summer reunion.

5 Eight Home Economics grads were part of the 1960 reunion class.

6 Verlie Wile (’71) and Louise Waters (’70) at the 1970 class meeting.

7 The summer reunion crowd stayed late for the post-banquet dance, with music by Brian Johnston’s (’68) Big Valley Swing Orchestra.

8 A lobster lunch at nearby Hall’s Harbour kicked off the 2010 Summer Reunion weekend.

9 Class of 1945 members Audrey Cowan, Anna (Sandilands) Thomas, Millard “Joe” Wright, Alice (Trites) Auld and Lorraine (Holt) Spracklin.

10 Class of 1940 members Mildred (Francis) Irvine and Dr. George Allen got the reunion banquet crowd to its feet, leading a spirited version of “Stand Up and Cheer.”

11 The Class of 1960 around their class gift to Acadia, the University Hall west stone gates. Front Row (kneeling or sitting, left to right): Al Whittle, John Snow, Don Burns, Phyllis (Abell) Parker, Betsy (Chase) Holt, Jane (Golding) McIntyre, Jean Smith, Enid (Stultz) Fitzpatrick, Marilyn (Prescott) Adams, Margaret (Muir) Wagner. Second Row (standing): Ruth (Nichols) Gates-Jensen, Anne (Archibald) Fraser, Janet (Kinsman) Parker Vaughn, Sandra (Crowe) Kempton, Ted Taylor, Margaret (Williams) Routledge, Bev (Trites) Richardson, Carol (Waye) Rankin, Norm McIntyre, John Wightman, Jane (Lent) Wightman, Glen Manthorne, Macha (Delap) MacKay, Elizabeth (Crouse) MacLaren, Mary (Richardson) Cooke, Diane (Whalen) Swanzey, Libby Burnham (Sedgwick), Georgie Lee (Goodwin) Taylor. Third Row (far right): Fran Sault, Eric Lind, Elizabeth (McIsaac) Ritcey. Missing from photo: Wendall and Sandra (Franklin) Kerr, Pam (Gillespie) Tonary, Hedley Hopkins.

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AAAU FINANCIAL UPDATEAssociated Alumni of Acadia University Balance Sheet As of March 31, 2010

ASSETS Audited Audited 2010 2009

AAAU/Acadia Joint Account $ 152,306 $ 163,204 Affinity Fund 233,337 222,167 Affinity - Life Insurance 26,910 20,771 General Fund (Alumni Hall) 62,160 61,553 Constance Hayward Fund 451,016 468,502 Carr Fund 39,442 39,057 Graham Fund 15,102 14,954 Vesta Magee Fund 27,418 28,612 Allan Fulton Fund 12,053 11,935

Total Assets $ 1,019,744 $ 1,030,755

COMMITTED FUNDS Audited Audited 2010 2009

Capital Campaign Contribution $ 478,000 $ 500,000 Scholarships 10,000 10,000 President’s Discretionary Fund - - Student Calling Program 184,780 184,780 Excellence in Teaching Awards 1,500 3,000 Student Summer Grants 10,000 10,000 Funding for New Branches 5,000 5,000 Football Field Enhancements - 50,000 Student Initiatives - 1,000 Traditions Initiative 3,531 5,000 School Visit Program 4,746 5,000

Total Committed Funds $ 697,557 $ 773,780

Uncommitted Funds $ 322,187 $ 256,975

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

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS SINCE 1835

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS SINCE 1835 “PROUD TO REPRESENT ACADIA UNIVERSITY”

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For 150 years members of the Associated Alumni of Acadia University have enhanced academic and personal growth for thousands of Acadia students. This tradition of support is something to be proud of!

We are excited about this year’s calling program – offering students valuable work experience while connecting with alumni all over the world. When you receive a call this year from an Acadia student, we encourage you to share stories and experiences, reminisce about your days as a student and please, give generously.

Uphold the tradition by making a donation today. Your support is truly appreciated!

902.585.1459 1.866.222.3428 [email protected] www.acadiau.caTo make a gift online, visit http://giving.acadiau.ca

Acadia alumni continue to support today’s students

Investing in today’s students.Empowering tomorrow’s leaders.

1950s

In June, Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, conferred upon DR. ARTHUR IRVING (’52) a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, in honour of his lifetime of leadership in business and in environmental stewardship.

FERnE StEWARt McCoMBE (HoR ’58) reports that 28 Horton Academy grads held a reunion in Moncton, NB, recently. Everyone enjoyed reconnecting with classmates, and the group intends to do it all again in 2013.

1960s

The CLASS OF 1961 Reunion Planning Committee is pleased to announce that DR. BOB SUTHERLAND (’61) will be delivering a public talk during the 50th reunion of the Class of 1961 this summer, July 8 to 10, 2011.

Bob’s talk, My Fifty Year Journey since Acadia: Changing Perspectives, will relate memories of times at Acadia, his career highlights and family experiences that have influenced his perspectives on life and the challenges of cancer. Bob will provide an overview of how cancer is viewed now compared to when he began his career. He will discuss some of his discoveries and perspectives on significant advances, and also his leadership in translating research discoveries to commercial products that benefit patients.

Bob holds a B.Sc. (Hons. Biology, 1961) and Doctor of Science honoris causa (1985) from Acadia, and PhD in Biophysics, University of Rochester (1966). He has extensive experience in biomedical research in academia and business, and is presently Senior Investment Officer with the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research. Bob has received the Radiation Research Award (1977) of the Radiation Research Society; U.S. National Cancer Institute MERIT Award (1987); Senior U.S. Scientist Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (1983); and Distinguished Service Award of the University of Rochester (2007).

GRAHAM ABBOTT (’64) and DEANE ALLEN (’64) first met 50 years ago at Acadia at War Memorial House in the fall of 1960, and continued to be roommates at Horton and Evangeline Inn residences. After graduating with Commerce degrees, Graham returned home to St. John’s, NF, and Deane to Amherst, NS. With their wives, Betty and Nancy, they have visited back and forth between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia every four or five years. In 2009 they decided if they were going to have a travel vacation together, they should do it soon! In April 2010 they traveled by cruise ship to Bermuda, Ireland, Scotland, England and France.

Congratulations to STEVE KONCHALSKI (’66), who was recently honoured by Canadian Interuniversity Sport with the Jean-Marie De Koninck Coaching Excellence Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions to university sport as demonstrated by long-term commitment and leadership as a coach. Konchalski, who completed his 35th season at the helm of the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men in 2009-10, is the winningest coach in CIS men’s basketball history with a career overall record of 755 wins and 403 losses (.652). In 1994, he was inducted to the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame for his record as an Acadia athlete. He captured a CIS title as a player with the Axemen in 1965 when he was named MVP of the national championship.

Yankees fans, skip to the next Class Note….JIM PRIME (’69) has been appointed Acting Lieutenant-Governor of the Red Sox Nation for Nova Scotia. As an appointed Governor, Jim is responsible for connecting Red Sox Nation members in the province with their favourite team. Like many Nova Scotians, Jim is a die-hard Red Sox fan, and has authored several books on the subject of baseball, many with Red Sox themes. He is co-founder, with Don Hyslop and DAVE RITCEY (’83), of the Bluenose Bosox Brotherhood (BBB), a group of some 200 rabid Red Sox fans from across the province. Among other projects, the BBB was successful in bringing the 2007 World Series trophy to Halifax where it was viewed by thousands of enthusiastic fans. Thus far, the BBB has raised more than $5000 for the Jimmy Fund and the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax.

1970s

DR. ROBERT WALKER (’73) has been named Senior Vice-President responsible for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s Nuclear Laboratories. His primary responsibility will be leading AECL’s research and development efforts in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering.

CLASS NOTES

Share your news with us!Submit a class note to tell us about a new job, recent promotion or award, wedding or family addition. Deadlines for submissions are April 1st for the spring issue and October 1st for the fall issue. Class notes are subject to editing.

Office of Advancement: 512 Main Street, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6 CanadaEmail: [email protected]: 902.585.1459 Toll Free: 1.866.222.3428 Fax: 902.585.1069

CLASS NOTES

40 BULLETIN FALL 2010

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1980s

STEPHEN BOWES (’80) (Distinguished Alumni Award winner) was recently promoted to the rank of Brigadier General with the Canadian Forces, and is taking on the role of Commanding Officer of Land Force Atlantic, based at Royal Artillery Park in Halifax.

KIM MEECHAN (’80) writes, “I was glad to have made the trip to Wolfville for Homecoming. It was great seeing some old friends and the best part of the visit was touring Chase Court and finding our old rooms. The four of us in the picture lived in Chase Court 4C in 1977. Returning this year was a blast! Lots of changes to the layout of the residence, but we could still figure out where our rooms used to be. In the picture are (left to right): ANN GRANTMYRE (’80), MARY MCNALLY, JILL (TAYLOR) LEON (’79) and KIM MEECHAN. The students who came out of their rooms to see what all the commotion was about were sure surprised to see four smiling alumni, all excited to be back in Chase Court after 33 years!”

CHARLOTTE BURKE (’83) has been appointed to the boards of both Postmedia Network Canada Corp. and its subsidiary, Postmedia Network Inc. Burke sits on a number of boards and advisory councils, including Acadia’s Board of Governors. She is also helping drive innovation in Canada as an advisor to early stage high tech companies with MaRs, a not-for-profit innovation centre. Burke currently works with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC Venture Capital) helping Canadian entrepreneurs build global technology-based companies. She also owns a consulting firm focused on advising early stage start-ups and large companies seeking to commercialize new technologies.

JIM MILLS (’82), KEITH SKIFFINGTON (’82) and SCOTT MACINTYRE (’84) of Office Interiors, Dartmouth, NS, announced in September that Office Interiors was named one of the Top 100 Servicing Dealers in the Office Equipment Industry in North America, and the only Canadian Dealer to achieve this elite recognition.

FRED (’85) and WENDY (’85) ARMSTRONG are proud and excited to announce that their daughter, Kalley, has been recruited to the Harvard University women’s ice hockey team. Kalley, who just began her first year of studies there, will play forward on the team. Prior to attending Harvard, Kalley captained the Toronto Junior Aeros club team during the 2009-10 season and led the team to Junior Provincial and PWHL League Championships.

In May, Royal Roads Corporation announced the appointment of TERI ANDERSON (’86) as its Chief Financial Officer. Anderson has been providing financial consulting services to private and public companies since 1999, after five years as a senior financial manager at Nova Scotia Power, and five years in public accounting practice with Ernst & Young.

1990s

The Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors has named VANCE KRUSZEWSKI (’93) Chiropractor of the Year for 2009, for his contributions to the public and his profession.

MELINDA HATFIELD (’95) and her husband, Dave Backe, are pleased to announce the birth of their first child, Zara Alexis Backe, on December 7, 2009.

TRACY LIGHTFOOT (‘96) and Todd Dupuis were married June 19, 2010 on a beautiful day in Charlottetown, PEI. Many Acadia alumni were in attendance, and a great time was had by all! Tracy and Todd are living in Bonshaw, PEI. Tracy is a producer with CBC and Todd is Executive Director with the Atlantic Salmon Federation.

BMO Bank of Montreal has announced the appointment of LAURA CHARLTON (’98) as Vice-President, Nova Scotia District. She has taken leadership of a team of over 285 professionals who serve customers through BMO’s network of more than 25 branches in Nova Scotia.

Congratulations to KEELAN GREEN (’98), who was recently named President of Thornley Fallis & 76design, a communications and marketing firm and creative services agency.

CHRISTIANNE RUSHTON (’98) just completed her DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree at Stony Brook University. Christianne and her husband MICHAEL CAINES (’96) currently teach at Acadia’s School of Music. Pictured is the Rushton/Caines family: Christianne, Michael, Aaron (age two), and Mimi.

ROBERT ARMSTRONG (’99) and ALISON O’MARRA-ARMSTRONG (’99) would like to announce the arrival of Georgia Mclearn Armstrong, born early Saturday November 7th, 2009. Georgia, a bouncy baby girl, was born at home in Bracebridge, ON. She was so eager to meet the world that her Dad delivered her in the bathroom a short two minutes before the midwife arrived! Rob was thrilled to put his Acadia rugby moves to good use, and we were all pleased to welcome a happy, healthy and hungry new member to our family! Jake is a tickled big brother, who slept through all of the excitement and awoke the next morning to the best surprise ever...a BABY! The family currently resides in Muskoka, ON, but will be making a big cross-country move to Vancouver Island this fall where Alison will be taking on a Humanities teaching position at Queen Margaret’s School and Rob will be putting his pilot qualifications to work on the west coast.

CLASS NOTES

2000s

LINDA MCCONNELL (’00) and Stephen Taylor welcomed their second daughter, Kristin Ann, on May 3, 2010. Kristin joins her big sister Danielle, who is three years old. The McConnell-Taylors make their home in Edmonton, AB.

The Public Prosecution Service of Nova Scotia has announced JAMES GIACOMANTONIO (’01) as a new Crown attorney for Dartmouth, NS.

MICHAEL KENNEDY (’05) was disappointed that he wasn’t able to run in the Annual Bulmer Relay Race this year, as he was invited to London, ON, to accept a “Volunteer of Distinction Award” for his work with the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

JULIA MITTON (’05), daughter of SUSAN (’72) and RON (’69) MITTON, writes: “I’m an Acadia Business School grad who has been living and working in Paris over the last three years, and I was just over to London for work. DEREK SMITH (’05) has been in London for just over three years working with First Energy Capital. We had both recently read a piece in the Globe and Mail (September 15, 2010) by another Business School grad, CHRIS GRAHAM (’04). Chris is in his second year at Oxford studying History and working on a novel. We thought it would be great to have a little reunion. We got someone to snap this shot on the greens of Trinity College (Derek is on the right). As for my professional endeavours, I am the Director of Human Resources for Experimental Group, a three-year-old start-up in the luxury cocktail bar business—four businesses in three years here in Paris, and the London venue opening in late 2010!”

HOLLY STEWART (’06) and BRODERICK MOSSMAN (’07) announce the birth of their son,

Byron Andrew, on March 22, 2010. Proud first-time grandparents include GRETA (JAVOREK) and RODERICK MOSSMAN (both ’82).

SHANE WALKER (’07) and MARY JANE TINGLEY (’08) were married in Ottawa on October 24, 2009. Proud parents are DEBBY (MARSHALL) (’79) and BRIAN WALKER (’79), JANE (SQUIRES) (’76) and DALE TINGLEY (’76). The Tingleys also report that JAMES TINGLEY (’05) married Sarah Fisher on June 30, 2008.

To celebrate Homecoming, LEO BOUDREAU (’07) sent some love to Wolfville from the streets of Korea. Check YouTube for his rendition of “Homecoming,” a take on Stan Rogers’ “Watching the Apples Grow.” http://bit.ly/alkYn2

In June, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations elected ZACH DAYLER (’08) as its new National Director. Dayler has been heavily involved in student leadership serving as an executive representative and president of the Acadia Students’ Union, and later as the interim Executive Director for the Halifax Student Alliance. Throughout both his student government and academic experiences Dayler has focused on public participation and engagement. He is passionate about the student experience and the importance of education and training.

CALISTA MORRISON (’09) has been accepted to join an educational expedition to Antarctica with Students on Ice as both a mentor and a student. Students on Ice is a unique initiative dedicated to taking students from around the world on research-based learning expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Only about 100 students participate in this experience each year.

JESSICA VAUGHAN (’09) is now living in Toronto and is a Sales Representative for Royal LePage Estate Realty Inc. She writes: “Hello Acadia grads now living in Toronto/GTA! If you’re looking for a place to rent/buy and need a Realtor you can trust – that’s me! If you have any questions about market conditions, neighbourhoods, etc. please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or through my office at 416-690-2181.”

Theatre grad and 2010 Valedictorian ROB RAMSAY (’10) is appearing in the TV comedy, Blue Mountain State.

42 BULLETIN FALL 2010

Alumni in print

A Hare in the Elephant’s trunkBy Jan Coates (’81)Published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside Limited

In the spring 2007 Bulletin, Jan Coates wrote about former Acadia student Jacob Deng, his experiences fleeing civil war in Sudan, and the non-profit organization he

founded. That experience inspired Coates’ recent novel for young adults, A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk.

“After I spent two hours with Jacob in preparation for writing the Bulletin article, I knew I had to write his story, even though to that point I hadn’t written anything longer than 1,000-word picture book manuscripts. This book is definitely a work of fiction, a novel inspired by Jacob’s story, but he’s been involved all along in its development. He’s about to graduate with a commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in October.”

Jacob, with thousands of others, fled for his life and spent months walking through deserts and crossing crocodile-infested rivers, only to spend years living in refugee camps. Many of these so-called Lost Boys of Sudan died from starvation, attacks by wild animals, and war, but many, like Jacob, survived. Through it all, Jacob was guided by the memory of his mother, and her belief in education as the key to escaping the cycle of violence.

Coates has woven Jacob’s story into novel form so readers can learn more about this courageous and determined young man and his hope for his homeland. Coates will share the proceeds from the novel with Jacob’s charity, Wadeng Wings of Hope (www.wadeng.org), which raises funds for children’s education in Southern Sudan. The book is available at http://www.fitzhenry.ca/.

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Alumni in print

Loomer, Allison P. (’33), Green Bay, WIReeve (McCausland), Mary E. (’38), Victoria, BC Manning (Edwards/MacLellan), Norma M. (’41),

Bridgewater, NSMacPhail, Robert R. (’41), Fontana, CAJaques (Poole), Barbara V. D. (’43), Dalhousie, NB Hatfield (MacIntosh), Dorothy M. (’45) Hartland, NBDeWolfe, John B. (’46), Calgary, ABHuskilson, Wilfred E. (’48), Shelburne, NSMcLaughlin (Dobson), Marguerite (’48), Riverview, NBWilliams (Julien), Paula P. (’48), St. George’s, GRENADAHurlbert, Bernard Stuart (’50), Chapel Hill, NCMacpherson (Giberson), Patricia (’50), Toronto, ONJefferson, Raymond K. D. (’51), Wolfville, NSIrving, John E. (’54), Saint John, NBBarteaux, John Wallace (’55), Erie, PAClark, John Ivor (’55), St. John’s, NLHillis, George B. (’55), Truro, NSElliott, Harold Bradford (’56), Truro, NSAtkins, Norman Kempton (’57), Ottawa, ONFennimore, Joan E. (’58), Charlottetown, PEGiffin (Robinson), M. Jane (’58), Cobble Hill, ONBuffam, William T.R. (’61), Perth, ONOickle, Donald N. (’64), Summerside, PEElliott-Doshen, Linda (’64), Ottawa, ONChiasson, Adrian Simon (’66), Baddeck, NSFox (Rivers), Cathy Elizabeth (’79), East Mountain, NSHartlen, Robert “Bob” Wilson (’83), Lunenburg, NSPotter, Grant Royce (’86), Annapolis Royal, NSGraves, Timothy Alan (’91), Port Williams, NSBailey, Patricia “Pat” Lynn (’91), Truro, NSBeaton, Aaron Daniel (’95), Judique, NSColeman, Carol (’98), Fredericton, NBCarr, Shirley G. E. (HON ’84), Niagara Falls, ONFairfax, Donald Edward (HON ’95), Cherry Brook, NSEagles, Edward A., former English ProfessorJames, Ian Sr., former Art Department head and founder

of the Acadia Art GalleryMitton, Marguerite, former teacher, Horton AcademyThibault, Gisele Marie, former Sociology Professor

Correction: In the summer 2010 Acadia Remembers list, we incorrectly identified Harry “Nick” R. Oldale (’58), Westmount, NS, as Harry E. Oldale. We apologize to the Oldale family and friends for this error.

Acadia remembersWe are saddened to report the following deaths in the Acadia community:

one Hundred Years of Canadian Military Mapping 1903-2003: An illustrated HistoryBy John C. Sinclair (’55)Published by the Military Mapping Historical Committee

Retired Canadian military engineer John C. Sinclair has been involved in mapping throughout his career. “My surveying background began on the lawn behind U-Hall,” he noted. In his recent book,

Sinclair explores the Canadian Mapping and Charting Establishment’s long history of providing geographic information to the Canadian Forces in peace time and war, and its reputation for producing some of the best maps in the world. The book is available from the Military Mapping Historical Committee, 246 Tompkins Avenue, Orleans, ON, K1E 1H2, or email [email protected].

“Distinction Earned”: Cape Breton’s Boxing Legends 1946-1966By Paul MacDougall (’81)Published by Cape Breton University Press

Distinction Earned highlights the accomplishments of significant Cape Breton fighters. Between 1965 and 1967 five national boxing champions in different weight classes were from Cape Breton.

Paul MacDougall, an Acadia biology grad now teaching Public Health

at CBU, has collected dozens of interviews from participants, enthusiasts and their heirs, from which has evolved this account of an amazing sporting record. The book’s title is taken from a citation of Cape Breton boxers at a Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame investiture. http://www.cbu.ca/press/

the Man Behind the Mission: A Biography of Silas tertius RandBy Shirley Soleil (’76)Self-published

In this book, Shirley “Sunny” Soleil explores Rand’s upbringing and education at Horton Academy and Acadia, and his significant work with First Nations peoples. Rand became a friend of the First Nations people of the region, advocating on their behalf in areas of politics, education,

religion and society. During his life, Rand translated the Bible into the Mi’kmaq language, as well as many legends, dictionairies and reading books, offering a richness to the First Nations culture that would be lost without Rand’s dedication to preserving it.


Eliza (Bligh) Calhoun (1905)

Eliza (Bligh) Calhoun, according to her son Reginald (Rex) (’50) was the first woman to graduate from Acadia with an Honours Math degree. Not only was she gifted with numbers, she was gifted with artistic abilities. She used these talents to capture the second College Hall during her time as a student.

Calhoun came to Acadia as a student based upon a letter to her family from the University’s inception. According to her son, in 1838, Calhoun’s great-grandfather donated $100 to help establish Acadia. In return he was granted a letter stating that every 50 years, a member of the family was entitled to attend Acadia for free!

While a student, Calhoun and her future husband Thomas Calhoun (’05) seemed to be the life of the party. Because dances were prohibited at this time, Thomas Calhoun would often break out his ukulele and serenade Eliza with Stephen Foster’s tune Nellie Bly – which instantly became her nickname.

Calhoun painted many scenes of the Wolfville area, including one of Cape Split. To do so, Calhoun traveled by horse and buggy to Scott’s Bay and then hiked to the Split.

Beverley (Trites) Richardson (’60)

Bev Richardson has fond memories of her time as an Acadia student in the 1960s, evident in her paintings of the University. Over the past few years, Richardson has painted several pieces that show campus buildings, and especially University Hall.

In the piece featured above, Seminary House is prominent, as this is where she lived while a student. “I enjoy painting the lines and the architectural details of the buildings.”

To get the full details, Richardson spent a lot of time touring the campus looking at and appreciating the finer details of the buildings. In this version, Richardson has taken some artistic license by moving the Acadia sign to a different location, in order to place some context.

What’s in your Attic?Do you have any paintings or photos of University Hall or previous College Halls? Tell us about them, or better yet, send us a picture so we can create a display. Send your letters and photos of paintings to:Acadia Bulletin Editor, Office of AdvancementAcadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6

[email protected]

University Hall, forever captured

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Many of Bev Richardson’s paintings depict the Acadia campus, like this winter scene.

Eliza Calhoun’s painting of second College Hall.


It’s not uncommon to see students and alumni taking photographs of the Acadia campus. But over

the years, Acadia has captured the artistic imagination of a few student and alumni painters, too.

Be “Inspired” to make a difference!Join Acadia alumni everywhere and get your “Inspiration” print now. This incredibly beautiful piece of art is produced as a “giclée” print (transfer on canvas) that has the same rich visual feel and warmth as the original painting.

“Inspiration” prints are now available in two sizes, 24”x30” and 16”x20”. When you purchase either format at $275 (taxes and shipping included), you will receive a portion of the purchase price as a tax receipt from Acadia University.

Every purchase of an “Inspiration” print contributes to financial aid for Acadia students.

About “Inspiration”The idea for the painting and prints came from hockey alumni Peter Sheppard (’71), Chris Kavanagh (’74), and Paul Bailey (’75), who knew this stunning image would inspire fellow alumni to enhance student recruitment through scholarships and financial aid. The “Inspiration” program is a result of their collective vision and generosity.

The original painting will be auctioned at the Annual Alumni Gala Dinner in Halifax in spring 2011, so more bidders can participate. But you can support students now through this exclusive print program.

Get your “Inspiration” print today and make a permanent impact on the future of your university!

With our sincere gratitude,Your AAAU directors

Did You Know?• The“Inspiration”oilpaintingbyrenownedartistVadim

Dolgov has a retail value in excess of $12,000. • “Inspiration”isbasedonanoriginalphotobyalumnus

Mike Dembeck (’98).• Allproceedssupportstudentfinancialaid—thegreatest

gift you can give your university and future students! • Youreceiveataxreceiptwhenyoupurchasean

“Inspiration” print.

Framing Options AvailableThanks to the Westmount Gallery in Toronto, you can have your “Inspiration” print framed before shipment. When placing your order, indicate your interest in framing and a Gallery representative will contact you.

to view or to purchase an “inspiration” print, visit http://giving.acadiau.ca/inspiration_Print.html

Order your “Inspiration” print today! Visit http://giving.acadiau.ca/Inspiration_Print.html

Insurance as simple as

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

1 866 352 6187www.melochemonnex.com/acadia

TD Insurance Meloche Monnex is the trade-name of SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY who also underwrites the home and auto insurance program. 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.1Certain conditions and restrictions may apply.*No purchase required. Contest ends on January 14, 2011. Total value of each prize is $30,000 which includes the Honda Insight EX and a $3,000 gas voucher. Odds of winning depend on the number of

eligible entries received. Skill-testing question required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible people of all employer and professional and alumni groups entitled to group rates from the organizers. Complete contest rules and eligibility information available at www.melochemonnex.com. Actual prize may differ from picture shown.Honda is a trade-mark of Honda Canada Inc., who is not a participant in or a sponsor of this promotion.Meloche Monnex is a trade-mark of Meloche Monnex Inc., used under license.TD Insurance is a trade-mark of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, used under license.

Insurance program endorsed by

Request a quote and you could

Group home and auto insurance

Insurance doesn’t need to be complicated. As a member of Acadia University, you deserve – and receive – special care when you deal with TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.

First, you can enjoy savings through preferred group rates.

Second, you benefit from great coverage and you get the flexibility to choose the level of protection that suits your needs.1

Third, you’ll receive outstanding service.

At TD Insurance Meloche Monnex our goal is to make insurance easy for you to understand, so you can choose your coverage with confidence. After all, we’ve been doing it for 60 years!

for Acadia University Graduates

Projet : Annonce MMI 2009

Client : Meloche Monnex

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Province : Atlantique

Publication : The Bulletin

Format : 8.5x11

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Épreuve # :1

Date de tombée : 16/12/09

Graphiste : Yannick Decosse

Hamelin Martineau • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O. Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842 4416 F : 514 844 9343ATTENTION : Merci de vérifier attentivement cette épreuve afin d’éviter toute erreur.

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Documents

FALL 2010 Bulletin - Acadia Universityiacadia.acadiau.ca/iacadia/Press_files/Bulletin+Fall...2 ACADIA BULLETIN FALL 2010 Momentum…it’s a concept we’re all familiar with whether