bulletin - spring 2015

ACADIA BULLETIN Spring 2015 1

Spring 2015

Can you gueSSwhat thiS alumnuS

doeS for a living?Page 4

2 ACADIA BULLETIN Spring 2015

Acadia University has a long and storied tradition of academic excellence and innovation that spans more than 175 years. The University’s story is told time and again in the actions and words of more than 27,000 alumni here at home and around the world who are a key part of the Acadia community and its outstanding legacy. In every way and walk of life, Acadia alumni are engaged and involved. They are leaders and trendsetters and we are proud to represent your achievements and accomplishments in the Bulletin, our monthly e-Newsletter and on the Alumni Affairs website. Stand Up and Cheer! #AcadiaU!


From Acadia’s President . . . . . . . . . . . 2

From the AAAU President . . . . . . . . . 3

Alumni Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Eye on Acadia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Alumni Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

AAAU Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Acadia Remembers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Final Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Contents

8 dynamic duoWhen kinesiologist Marki Wong (’13) met Amy Paradis, each knew they were going on a long journey together . Paradis was and still is in a wheelchair after a 2009 car accident that damaged her spinal cord, but with Wong at her side they are headed in a whole new direction .

12 making a ComebackClub sports at Acadia are enjoying a resurgence lately . The range of activities includes men’s, women’s and co-ed teams as well as indoor, outdoor, summer, winter and year-round sports .

26 all in the follow-throughThe Annual Acadia Alumni/Butler Memorial Golf tournament was inaugurated 12 years ago and shows no signs of slowing down . Started by Chris Kavanagh (’74) and Al MacDonald (’86), it is now run by MacDonald and Craig Butler (’91) in support of the Ron and Cyndi Butler Award and alumni in the GTA .

34 Solid SeasonNearly all of Acadia’s varsity teams participated in championship events this year, and the 2014-15 season was highlighted by 34 AUS awards, including all-star recognition, major award winners and a coach of the year nod .

i n e v e ry i s s u e F e at u r e s

COVeR PHOTO: a perfectly timed shot of a lightning strike south of Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 24, 2013. Photo: courtesy of greg Johnson (‘92)


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or Maritimers, the big story of winter 2015 was, well, winter with a capital ‘W’! By the time classes end in early April, we are usually seeing the first signs of spring in Wolfville: the first robin in our backyard; snowdrops in the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens; and even our football

Axemen on the field for some spring workouts . Instead, this year our students were writing exams while the snow was still piled four feet deep on Raymond Field; spring blooms were biding their time; and the robins were wisely sitting tight elsewhere .

But if we’re all feeling like we’ve had a taste of extreme weather this winter, let’s compare notes with storm-chaser Greg Johnson (’92), who, as you’ll see in this edition of the Bulletin, makes us feel like we’ve gotten off pretty lightly .

In addition to Greg, the Bulletin introduces us to numerous other alumni who are doing some remarkable work . Marki Wong (’13) is helping a young accident victim regain her mobility using exo-skeleton technology; Wendy Elliott (’75) and Andria Hill-Lehr (’93) are working on a statue project to commemorate one of World War II’s most intriguing characters, Ladies’ Seminary graduate and resistance fighter Mona Parsons; and we meet Ward Isnor (’65) from Mahone Bay, whose iconic dory-racing photo has been featured on a Canadian stamp . We’ll also learn more about the Denton family, including 106-year-old Acadia alumna Evelyn Denton, wife of one of Acadia’s best athletes of the 20th Century, Harvey Denton .

Our alumni continue to carry the Acadia torch, honouring our traditions, supporting today’s faculty and students, and

ensuring that Acadia remains at the forefront of Canadian universities . From the great many gifts that sustain our Alumni Fund and assist with financial aid, academic programs, and campus beautification; through the leadership gifts that allow us to undertake special projects like the Wu Welcome Centre at Alumni Hall, Andrew H . McCain Arena, Patterson Hall Twenty Wing, Raddall Wing, and the Stevens Centre . Our alumni support Acadia in countless ways – as volunteers, recruiters, mentors and reputation-builders . We are surrounded by the evidence of alumni generosity and involvement, and its beneficial impact on our students, faculty and campus . To each and every one of you, thank you .

Acadia is fortunate indeed to have an alumni network that is so strong, loyal and engaged . We often reference Acadia spirit and we are acutely aware that it is something unique and magical that is passed from generation to generation of Acadia students . We are grateful that our alumni care so deeply about this intergenerational transfer that they continue to be involved in their support of current students, faculty and the operations of the university .

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Bulletin, which, as always, provides a compelling reminder of who we are and why our alumni are so passionate about their alma mater .

Raymond E . Ivany

President and Vice-Chancellor

gRaduaTeS COnTinue TO CaRRy aCadia TORCH

P r e s i d e n t ’ s m e s s a g e


a a au P r e s i d e n t ’ s m e s s a g e

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’m not sure where my first year as President has gone, but what an amazing year it has been! I have met Acadia graduates from every walk of life and no matter where I go, the story remains the same - Acadia has changed many lives . Like you, I am grateful for all I learned here and what I carried with me when I graduated . Your ongoing interest in Acadia confirms what I’ve known for years: Acadia is a great place, supported by

remarkable people, and I am proud to be part of it, both now and in the future .On behalf of the Associated Alumni, I would like to congratulate the Class of 2015! It

was great to spend time with you at Convocation and the Graduation Banquet . When you began at Acadia, you embarked on a path to personal discovery and since then you’ve built a solid foundation upon which to establish a career or meet the world head-on as inspirational leaders and trendsetters . Upon graduation, you will go your separate ways, seeking paths that define your life’s journey . But Acadia alumni also share a common bond, a singular sense of community that connects us, one to the next . Welcome to the alumni family!

I recently attended another celebration – the 13th Annual Alumni Gala Dinner and Silent Auction in Halifax . It was an amazing evening where Dr . Paul Corkum (’65) and Dr . Bruce Galloway (’68) were recognized as our 2015 Distinguished Alumni . Both are leaders in their respective fields and personify the foundational and transformative experience Acadia offers . Each year, the Gala Dinner raises much-needed funds for athletics and student financial aid . This year’s event also generated resources for S .M .I .L .E . and, as a proud father of a S .M .I .L .E . participant, I couldn’t be happier to see alumni supporting this amazing program .

I always enjoy meeting alumni and sharing stories like the ones in this edition of the Bulletin . Each is unique and yet familiar, reflective of the Acadia tradition that has endured for more than 175 years and is as relevant today as it was more than a century ago . I encourage you to keep telling us your stories: in the Bulletin, our monthly e-Newsletter, and on our social media streams . Your endeavours define the Acadia experience and our Association is committed to sharing that story far and wide . Stand Up and Cheer! Doug Jackson (’99)

President, associated alumni of acadia University

aCadia magiC wHeReVeRi gO

volume 98 / issue 1

Publisheroffice of advancement, acadia university

Editor fred Sgambati (’83)

Vice President, Advancement rod morrison

Executive Director, Alumni Affairs and Advancement Strategyian murray (’88)

Production and Events ManagerSandra Symonds

AAAU Board of Directorsdouglas Jackson (’99)hugh Bray (’75)geoff irvine (’87)ryan Conrod (’06)donalda macBeath (’75)matt gray (’06)Kiersten amos (’96)michele gerrard (’88)paul macisaac (’88)tony Stewart (’72)Suzanne Seaman (’97)malcolm Smith (’76)ryan mcCarthy (’10)david hovell (’91)Barry hennigar (’87)matt rios (’14)Becca webster (’13)anne Sedgwick (’01)Jennifer perry (’83) ian macisaac (’86)Barry taylor (’80)lisa peck (’85)nick westcott (’08)Jill wagner (’99)rebecca Carr (’15 – ex-officio)Chelsea penney (’16 – ex-officio)

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 27,000 alumni. all material is copyright ©2015 acadia university, and may be reprinted with written permission.

Acadia Bulletin welcomes Letters to the Editor:fred Sgambatioffice of advancementacadia universitywolfville, nS B4p [email protected]

Advertising inquiries: production and events manageralumni affairsacadia university, wolfville, nS B4p [email protected]

Spring 2015

Team Tornado Hunter and their bulletproof truck, “Flash,” in position to intercept a tornado at Pilger, nebraska on June 16, 2014.



hat do you do when your truck is lifted off the ground by the largest tornado ever recorded? If you’re Greg Johnson (’92), you take heart-stopping photographs and keep driving .

Known as the Tornado Hunter, Johnson is the photographer and leader of a dedicated team who find and photograph extreme weather events . He’s also one of the most successful storm chasers in the world .

“Part of the reason we’ve experienced so much success is that I’ve been fortunate to witness and survive the largest tornado ever recorded on Earth,” he says . “Our truck was actually in the air .”

The storm happened at El Reno, Oklahoma, on May 31, 2013, and killed three storm chasers who were on assignment from National Geographic . “They were friends of ours, on the road about half a mile behind us . It was a tragic day and our most dangerous moment .”

Johnson and his team have experienced several of these once-in-a-lifetime events . Last June, they witnessed and photographed the first-ever recorded twin F4 (half-mile wide) tornados at the same time .

from poli SCi to tornado hunter

But how does an Ottawa boy with a degree in Political Science end up hunting tornados for a living?

“I grew up in Ontario, and all my friends were going to

universities close by, but I decided to leave home,” he says . “Both my parents (Patricia Petrie, ’68, and Doug Johnson, ’70) attended Acadia, but it was not familiar to me or my peer group . The decision to go to Acadia turned out to be one of a long list of decisions throughout my life when there were forks in the road . Every time I made a decision to take the road less travelled, those decisions influenced who I am today .”

Johnson says that being at Acadia taught him to learn how to be on his own and to take risks . “I spent a couple of summers in Wolfville where I didn’t have much money,” he says . “I worked at the dining hall and the Acadia Cinema . Those were tough times, but they had such a huge impact on shaping my ability to take risks today that I would never give them up .”

After a brief stint as a political staffer on Parliament Hill, Johnson got involved with hockey . In 1995, he was hired by the Western Hockey League as a referee and moved to Saskatchewan, where he still lives . “When I moved out here, I fell in love with the prairie culture and prairie thunderstorms,” he says .

Photography was always an interest, and he invested early in digital technology . Five years ago, he sold the advertising firm he had built over the previous 10 years and decided to recreate himself as the Tornado Hunter .

“I really didn’t know if I’d be able to make a living as a storm chaser,” he says, “but I’ve been able to make a much better living than when I had 27 employees and was running an advertising firm . I changed not only a career, but my life .”

By rachel Cooper (’89)

LiFe aS a TORnadO HunTeR

a l u m n i P r o F i l e s

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greg Johnson (‘92)


Now the team has a TV show called Tornado Hunters . It has been picked up by CMT in Canada for a full season starting this September and will also air in the U .S . “It’s a show about the lives of three storm-chasing friends and our desire to capture the world’s most extreme imagery,” Johnson says .

Storm chasing is a small fraternity . In North America, there are about 12 professional storm chasers, and only one other Canadian .

leave a legaCy, taKe a riSK

Johnson is the author of Blown away: a Year through the lens of the tornado hunter . The book has sold out and won’t be reprinted, because he’s working on a new one .

He also teaches workshops and gives keynote speeches all over the world .

“Whether I’m speaking to a graduation class or to a corporate organization, I speak on two main subjects,” he says . “The first is on building and leaving a legacy, whether it’s corporate or personal . For some people, their legacy is their life with their children; for others, it’s what they leave behind in their community .

“But I also like to talk about making changes in our lives . What I say to people is the same message I give my kids: that whether you’re 60 or 16, you can learn to do something new and take a risk . All the good stuff in life happens when you take a risk .”

iS it fun?

You bet . “Every single day of my life, I say, ‘I can’t believe I’m making a living doing what I’m doing,’” Johnson says . “I’m the happiest guy in Canada .”

Left: a supercell storm brews off the Rocky mountain range in montana in July 2013.

above: The genesis of a violent tornado near Stanton, nebraska, on June 16, 2014.

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Life Officers for the graduating Class of 2015 are (from left to right): Rebecca Carr – President; eileen Hasket – Vice-President;

Victoria Hutt – Treasurer; and mohsin Saeedullah – Secretary.


aradis is Wong’s main client at FootPrints SCI Recovery, a non-profit spinal cord injury centre in Windsor, Nova Scotia . Since Wong began working with Paradis, she has quite literally been following Amy’s lead – on the yoga mat, exercise table, or supporting her in the latest bionic

walking machine that’s making headlines – to unlock one vertebra at a time .

Wong has used her musculoskeletal anatomy book from Acadia to work down Amy’s spine, taking inventory of each vertebra “to see what’s locked and what’s working .” Some of them had enough functioning nerves for Amy to regain some abdominal and arm movement .

Not surprising, Marki offers an appreciative nod to the educational opportunities at Acadia and her program of choice . “There is a phenomenal kinesiology program at Acadia,” Wong says . “You get to know your professors,” and those relationships have paid dividends . “Acadia has been wonderfully supportive with this,” she adds .

Ever grateful to professors René Murphy, Darren Kruisselbrink and Janna Wentzell (’94), and seizing the initiative to grill them for guidance, Wong quickly dispensed with the convention that the post-injury window for improvement was 18 months .

“Eighteen months means absolutely nothing,” she says, grinning widely . Five years on, Paradis is continuing to move forward in every sense, working as the centre’s client services administrator and studying to be a veterinary assistant .

miraCulouS BreaKthroughS

Paradis could always do the splits and has built the upper body strength to hold herself up to do so again, as well as become the first person in Canada to stand and walk in a bionic movement device designed for paraplegics . She now shakes hands with visitors, cooks, and can stand up from her wheelchair on her own .

The combination of neuroplasticity and raw determination allowed these seemingly miraculous breakthroughs, although Paradis did not begin some of the specific recovery work with Wong until two-and-a-half years after the accident, when her family was initially told that the damage was so high up her spine that she would never be able to do much “except move her eyes .”

Paradis’ mother, Marlene Belliveau, told doctors, “you don’t know my daughter .” And after some initial research and forays into new therapies, “we knew exercise could bridge the gap .”

“I’d ask her for 15 reps . She’d give me 16,” Wong says . “It was just intuitive to me that she shouldn’t be sitting there in a wheelchair .

“The absolutely most rewarding thing I could possibly imagine is to see her activate muscles she hasn’t even felt in the last five years,” says Wong, who was hired on the spot in 2013 by Paradis and Belliveau .

Community fundraising in the thousands has been ongoing

By anna-Maria Galante

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When kinesiologist Marki Wong first met

Amy Paradis in 2013, each knew right away

they were going on a long journey together .



for FootPrints SCI Recovery, but its two cyborg-like movement devices (a powered exoskeleton: http://intl .eksobionics .com/ and an even more sophisticated model from Israel, called the ReWalk, which can be used to climb stairs) have required tens of thousands, much of which has come from family savings since 2012, says Belliveau, who is as much a dynamo of determination as her bionic daughter .

And when the duo met Wong, they connected like lightning . “She was so fun,” Paradis says .

“It was her drive, her personality, her willingness and open-mindedness,” notes Belliveau .

Strong mentor

Fresh off the Convocation stage in 2013, Wong was ready to honour her 101-year-old grandfather, Al ‘Papa’ Burke, who died only months before her graduation . ‘Papa,’ as her graduation ring is engraved, told her that longevity was a testament to his belief in the ‘use it or lose it’ principle .

“He was a major contributing factor in my attitude working with Amy,” Wong notes . “He had always been health-conscious and generally a very hands-on, active man . He was still working out at the gym at the Cornwallis base into his eighties!

“I fell into kinesiology quite naturally because it just made sense to me – seeing what Papa was capable of absolutely influenced me there . Our bodies are the one thing that we are

guaranteed to have with us through our entire life . It’s what enables us to do all the things we want to do . Why not learn to take care of it as best as possible?”

Wong now sees Paradis for two to three hours a day, three times a week, sometimes Sundays, and works full-time as a personal trainer in a Halifax gym, commuting from the Fall River home of father Brian Wong (’87) . Her mother, Cindy James (’87), graduated from Acadia’s Recreation program as well .

They were thrilled when Marki returned, a homesick Maritimer, to her Wolfville home after two-and-a-half years at McMaster University . “I realized Hamilton, Ontario was not for me,” Marki says .

But other paths were . “I’m not leaving this girl until she is up walking and fully functioning,” she says . Wong and Paradis have a pact to get matching tattoos of the FootPrints logo on their feet when that momentous day comes .

“I can’t wait to see her get up and walk,” Wong says . “It was incredible to see her get up and stand in the ReWalk . She immediately burst into tears . It was the first time since her accident that she had been able to stand up and hug people .”

Since the pair began working together, Amy’s progress has gone through the roof and Marki attributes this to one thing: incredible chemistry . “I keep her as motivated as possible, and I can’t wait to see her (walk) without the device, because I’m positive she’s going to get there .”

For more on their journey, please visit: http://www .sci-recovery .ca/media/

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Left: marki and amy, who is wearing the

Rewalk exo-skeleton.

wong, preparing to work with amy Paradis

in windsor, n.S.

“It was her drive, her personality, her willingness and open-mindedness .”- Marlene Belliveau .



hen luck, skill and talent come together, the results keep rippling like the wake of a racing dory .

Last winter, Ward Isnor (’65) was surprised to receive an e-mail from Canada Post seeking permission to use one of his photographs on a new postage stamp .

His image of the Lunenburg waterfront would be part of a series depicting Canada’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

“I didn’t actually submit it,” he says . “They discovered that photo in Parks Canada, but I didn’t send it to Parks Canada, either . Canadian Geographic magazine published it last year, and I think they must share a photo bank with Parks Canada . That’s how they got it . It was a really nice surprise .”

How the photo came to be taken was also a stroke of luck, although Isnor has been a photographer for most of his life and has won numerous national and international awards .

folK muSiC and dory raCeS

The 10-year-old image was taken when Isnor and his wife,

Sharron, attended the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, which they do every summer . Sharron bought raffle tickets and won both first and third prizes that year . While first prize was a stack of autographed CDs from the festival’s performers, third prize was a boat cruise around Lunenburg Harbour and the islands, with a lobster dinner .

“After dinner they took us for a ride past the waterfront,” Isnor says, “and, of course, I had my camera along . It was just straight luck that these two guys came along in the dory . They were practising for the annual dory races between Lunenburg and Gloucester, Massachusetts .”

When members of the Dory Racing Association saw the stamp, they invited Isnor to photograph the 2014 races . “I was invited to go on board the race-pace boat as well,” he says . “As soon as they saw the stamp and the dory they were quite excited and contacted me, so that was a lot of fun .”

To celebrate the launch of the stamp, Canada Post held events this summer in Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, and hundreds of people came . Isnor was an honoured guest, as was one of the young men rowing the dory .

Chance may have played a part in alumnus Ward Isnor’s image of

Lunenburg, but his skill made it an easy choice for Canada Post


art for mahone iSlandS

Isnor became a purely digital photographer in 2002 and now shoots all his photos in raw format, working with the data to create images that are as much art as photography .

In November, he donated a framed image to be auctioned for MICA, the Mahone Islands Conservation Association, something he does every year . “We’ve been around for 12 years now, and in 12 years we’ve purchased about 12 islands,” he says . The islands are donated to the provincial government to preserve for public use .

The 2014 fundraiser was the best ever . “I think we raised $76,000,” Isnor says . He donated the Lunenburg image, valued at $400, and it sold for $775 . “I was very pleased with that,” he says . “I’m happy for MICA, because the whole idea is to make money to buy these islands .”

memorieS of aCadia

Isnor first attended Acadia for a Bachelor of Commerce degree after having worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for three years . “I really enjoyed Acadia,” he says . “Our professors always seemed to have time for their students .”

Two moments stand out . “Probably my saddest moment at Acadia was in November of 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated . His death was a shock to everyone,” he says . The following spring, another moment brought his happiest memory . “That’s when I took a young lady to see My Fair lady at Acadia,” he says . “Her name was Sharron Teare, and she became my bride .” They were married in Manning Memorial Chapel in 1966 .

After a stint at Shell Oil, Isnor returned to Acadia for a Bachelor of Education . By the early 1970s he was teaching business and computer courses to high school students in Sudbury, Ontario . “I really enjoyed it, teaching computer subjects at that time . The students were just fascinated by it, and so was I,” he says . When Isnor retired in 1997, he and Sharron returned from Sudbury to Nova Scotia and settled near Mahone Bay .

This year, Isnor’s graduating year celebrates its 50th anniversary . To ask alumni to save the date, Acadia sent out Canada Post postcards featuring his Lunenburg image .

Winning a competition he didn’t enter with a photographic image sparked by a raffle ticket has delighted Isnor . “You know, I’m just enjoying it . It couldn’t have happened at a better time in my life,” he says . “I’m having more fun than you can imagine .”


Two young men practise for the international dory Races at Lunenburg

in the original photo selected by Canada Post.

ward isnor stands beside a poster of the 2014 stamp that bears his image

of the Lunenburg waterfront.

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hen it comes to club sports, Acadia covers all the bases . The range of activities on offer includes men’s, women’s and co-ed teams as well as indoor, outdoor, summer, winter and year-round sports .

Interest and involvement in these clubs is at an all-time high, with students participating to compete, stay fit, or simply try something new . There are currently a total of 19 sports clubs registered through the Acadia Students’ Union, all run by students with support from Student Services, Varsity Athletics and the outside community .

female laCroSSe CluB welComeS noviCeS

Female lacrosse was a brand-new sport for Acadia when the club started last year, and many of its current members had never held a lacrosse stick before signing up . “Our team is very inexperienced,” says Shannon MacKenzie, who took over as president this year, “but the important thing is the girls seem to be enjoying it .”

Since last year the team has almost doubled from 11 players to 21 . Last season they competed regularly against Dalhousie University’s female lacrosse team and in the Nova Scotia 5th Annual Turkey Shoot Lacrosse Tournament .

MacKenzie hopes to see participation in female lacrosse grow across the Atlantic Provinces, where it is currently less common than in Ontario and other regions of Canada . “A lot of our lacrosse players within the Maritimes get recruited from southern States,” she notes . “Wouldn’t it be nice to allow them to have the same lacrosse opportunities closer to home?”

axemen BaSeBall throwS league a Curve

Third-year student David Pilat was similarly motivated by a gap he saw in Acadia’s sporting opportunities when he started Acadia Axemen Baseball last September . Pilat transferred from the University of Ottawa, where he had been poised to play varsity baseball . Discovering there was no baseball at Acadia, he set about to remedy the Axemen’s 19-year absence .

“Our only real goal for the season,” Pilat says, “was to go out, compete, and surprise people .” His determination paid off . In the team’s inaugural game, Pilat threw a no-hitter – a first in the league’s history . The team went on to play 22 games against five other teams in the Atlantic Conference of the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Association and finished third in the league .

Along with the players’ hard work, Pilat credits the team’s success to the support they receive from Acadia and the

acadia’s Club Sports

a real team effortBy Charlotte rogers (’13)

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community . Community members Mike Reid and Chris Burns coach, allowing Pilat to focus on fundraising, marketing and playing . The University covers the team’s league fee and helps with the cost and booking of transportation and accommodation for away games .

Hoping to sustain the momentum gained in their first season, the club looks forward to a slew of exciting opportunities ahead . Next February, for instance, the team will fly to Cuba as the first university club to take part in the Caribbean Goodwill Baseball Tour . The Axemen will play five games against local teams at the Cuban National Team’s stadium, as well as hand out school supplies and baseball gear . The team will be busy fundraising ahead of the trip, and aim to secure corporate sponsors .

David’s hope for next season is to make it to nationals, a goal shared by Acadia’s Executive Director of Student Services James Sanford . “It’s good to see baseball back,” says Sanford, who notes its “important place in the longstanding history of club sports here at Acadia .”

women’S hoCKey team on winning StreaK

One of the longest running athletic clubs at Acadia is women’s hockey, which dates back to 1924 . This season, Acadia finished first in the Eastern Canadian Women’s Hockey League for the second year in a row . Coach Donnie Connell notes, “it takes a very dedicated individual to balance hockey while achieving a degree,” particularly when you consider the array of activities in which the team engages outside of games .

The players run hockey camps and tournaments, mentor girls from the local minor hockey association, and run minor hockey tryouts . When not playing or volunteering, the team is fundraising toward travel and league fees .

Along with the $300 player fee, club members run hockey camps and bottle drives to raise cash . This is supplemented by support from Acadia, including free ice time for practices and funding from the Acadia Students’ Activity Fund .

This year, Connell, along with the team’s management, introduced the Acadia Women’s Hockey Bursary . Managed and awarded by Acadia, the bursary is granted primarily on a needs basis . Some of the funds raised from hockey camps are rolled back into the bursary, and the club relies on outside donations for the rest .

Sanford is impressed by the dedication and hard work of members of Acadia’s sports clubs, and he appreciates their vital place in campus life . “Many students have participated in a sport in high school or elsewhere before coming to Acadia and want to continue . Maybe they’re not prepared for a varsity level commitment, so club sports bridge that gap .”

Sanford emphasizes Acadia’s commitment to continuing the collaboration between students, administration and the local community to ensure Acadia’s vibrant club sports scene thrives for years to come .

Left: The 2014 acadia axemen baseball team.

The 2014-15 female lacrosse team, whose size increased this year from

11 to 21 players.

Lacrosse club president Shannon mackenzie in action against dal.

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By laura Churchill Duke (’98)

Ruth Denton is the first member of her family to perform in Denton Hall

uth Denton makes no bones about it . “As a young musician, I remember thinking it would be really neat to play Denton Hall someday — once I was famous, of course!”

At the time, Ruth was planning to be a music teacher, not a performer, so she thought it would never happen . “I

just added it to an ever-growing wish list of dreams,” she says . That dream came true, however, when she performed at

Denton Hall on the Acadia campus in May . Denton was the first member of the family to play in the building named in honour of her great-grandfather, the Reverend Dr . Harvey Denton (‘30) .

Harvey’s widow, Evelyn (‘30), 106, tells the story of how the building came to be named for her late husband .

Years earlier, Harvey had bestowed a life-changing (albeit private) favour upon Graham W . Dennis (DCL ‘71), who later repaid him by donating money to Acadia for a building to be named in Harvey’s honour .

Ironically, it was the music building . Evelyn says, “Harvey didn’t know the first thing about music, and couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket!”

Nevertheless, Acadia has always been a special place for the Denton family . Harvey and Evelyn met on campus, and their son Tom (‘55) and his wife June (Smith, ’55) are graduates .

Evelyn recalls that Harvey came into her residence looking for her because he had heard she was from a certain town in Nova Scotia and he needed a drive to go to a church there . Evelyn’s father drove, and she orchestrated it so Harvey could stay at their family home for the weekend . The rest is history .

Evelyn, who lives in Halifax, does not travel far these days, and was not able to attend Ruth’s concert . However, she is a very proud great-grandmother . “Ruth is such a smart and wonderful girl,” she says .

It was not her great-grandmother’s experience at Acadia that influenced Ruth’s decision to perform there, but rather her character . Evelyn was, according to Ruth, the first person she remembers who actively encouraged her to pursue a career in music, perhaps because her mother was a piano teacher .

“My great-gram has overcome so many challenging obstacles, from the Spanish Flu to tuberculosis . She even survived the Halifax Explosion when she was very young with such grace and resilience that it inspires me to bring a little bit of light into her life whenever I can,” Ruth says .

She knew that simply the idea of her great-granddaughter performing in Denton Hall would light Evelyn up like a Christmas tree .

Ruth is completing her Master of Music at the University


of Toronto, specializing in Baroque music and majoring in oboe performance . “The oboe and its history has always been my passion,” she says, “and I hope to continue to work as a performer and educator teaching musicians about it and other aspects of music .”

While at Acadia for her concert in May, Ruth planned an educational concert for schools in the surrounding area . She says that historical performances are rarely experienced before reaching a university level of music education, so she wants to bring something new to young ears .

Dr . Christianne Rushton (’98), Director of the Acadia School of Music, says the school is thrilled to strengthen its connections with the Denton family . “We are so pleased to host this wonderful concert of Baroque music, featuring Harvey Denton’s great-granddaughter,” she says .

Rushton adds that Acadia pride runs deep in the Denton family and the School of Music is fortunate to be part of the family . Evelyn was pleased to hear that Rushton heads the School of Music, noting she was friends with Rushton’s grandparents, Vincent (‘43) and Jean Rushton (’43) back in the day .

Acadia connections indeed run deep . Ruth says, “I was extremely excited to have played my oboes in a place that means so much to me and my family .”


Ruth denton prior to her concert at denton Hall.

Tom, Peter and evelyn denton at the ribbon-cutting for the

opening of denton Hall on Sunday, may 3, 1970.

Ruth denton (right) with her 106-year-old great-grandmother

evelyn denton (’30).

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aCadia uniVeRSiTy COnFeRS FOuR HOnORaRy degReeS duRing COnVOCaTiOn 2015

ron JameS

a member of acadia’s Class of 1979, ron James has been called “a man of a million words and a million laughs” by the Globe and Mail. his political and social commentary combined with his energetic on-stage personality ensure his audiences leave his two-hour, non-stop performances exhausted from laughter. ron has received a number of honours for his work, including a gemini award for comedy writing and the 2014 dave Broadfoot Comedic genius award from the Canadian Comedy awards for his impressive and inspiring body of work.

freeman douglaS “elder doug” KnoCKwood

elder doug, as he’s known in his community, symbolizes triumph over adversity. a residential school survivor who reclaimed his mi’kmaw language, elder doug has been an addictions counsellor for more than four decades after overcoming his own struggles with alcohol. immersed in mi’kmaw culture and traditions, elder doug received the grand Chief donald marshall Senior elder leadership award in 2003 and delivered the aboriginal prayer during the 2014 visit to nova Scotia by the prince of wales and the duchess of Cornwall.

rev. terry leBlanC, phd

full time in native ministry since 1979, rev. terry leBlanc grew up in listuguj first nation and Campbellton, new Brunswick. founding director of my people international and one of the founders of the north american institute for indigenous theological Studies, rev. leBlanc seeks to build partnerships between traditional Christian and aboriginal faith leaders to deepen the theological capacity within aboriginal communities. rev. leBlanc has received numerous awards for his work, including the dr. e.h. Johnson memorial award for innovation in mission form the presbyterian Church of Canada. the honouraBle david d. Smith

a 1966 graduate of acadia, david d. Smith, Chief Justice of Court of Queen’s Bench for the province of new Brunswick, set his sights early on a career in law. a judge since 1993 and Chief Justice since 1998, david has been a vocal and public advocate for preserving access to the court system. prior to his appointment to the Bench, david was a community leader in moncton, playing a key role in many organizations that have contributed to the city’s revitalization over the past 30 years.

duRing COnVOCaTiOn may 10 and 11,

aCadia uniVeRSiTy gRanTed HOnORaRy

degReeS TO FOuR OuTSTanding

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COnTRibuTiOnS TO OuR COunTRy

THROugH THeiR wORk On STage, in

COuRTROOmS, and buiLding STROngeR

COmmuniTieS: ROn JameS;

THe HOnOuRabLe daVid d. SmiTH;

FReeman dOugLaS “eLdeR dOug”

knOCkwOOd, and ReV. TeRRy LebLanC,

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OF aCadia. “OuR 2015 HOnORaRy degRee

ReCiPienTS and THiS yeaR’S PROFeSSOR

emeRiTuS, dR. TOm HeRman, STand aS

SOLid eXamPLeS OF HOw imPORTanT iT iS

THaT we inSTiLL an ObLigaTiOn in OuR

gRaduaTeS TO buiLd COmmuniTieS.”

Left to right: Ron James; Freeman douglas knockwood; Rev. Terry Leblanc; The Hon. david d. Smith


On Feb . 7, 2015, Acadia University’s arena was renamed the Andrew H . McCain Arena in recognition of a $1-million gift from Mr . McCain’s six children . Speaking for her siblings, Nancy McCain, who graduated from Acadia in 1982, used the word thrilled several times to describe their reaction to the work .

She said her father, who attended Acadia, was a tremendous hockey fan . The renaming honours him and his connection to the University . McCain called the revamped facility “one of the most beautiful arenas I have ever seen . We are completely thrilled to offer it to Acadia and to the community .”

Her brother, Stephen McCain (‘81), added, “this is a good project for varsity hockey and the community as a whole .”

The six McCain siblings - Nancy (’82), Stephen (’81), Margie (’77), Allison, Kathy, and Linda – unveiled a plaque as part of the renaming program and were featured as the puck was dropped at that evening’s game .

The 25-year old arena building has a new roof; an elegant new entrance; wood trim; historic photos and murals; improved heating and ventilation; upgraded lighting, sound and video; and a range of other enhancements .

In addition, improvements have been made to the Acadia Athletic Complex entrance and visitor lobby, and the arena has become the only Annapolis Valley facility to feature an indoor 250-metre running track .

By Wendy elliott (’75)

acadia’s mcCain arena formally Celebrated


story courtesy of kingscountynews.ca

attending the official opening of the andrew H. mcCain arena on Feb. 7: members of the mcCain family - allison,

kathy, nancy (’82), Linda, margie (’77) and Stephen (’81) – with Vice-President advancement dr. Rod morrison (rear

left), President Ray ivany (centre), Chancellor Libby burnham (’60, right), and director of athletics kevin dickie (far right).

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1 More than 40 Acadia alumni and friends, representing graduating classes from 1967 to 2013, attended an evening at Home House in Portman Square, London, England on Oct . 30, 2014 . Participants included Sandra Greer (’85), representing Acadia’s Board of Governors, and Vice-President, Advancement, Dr . Rod Morrison . The evening featured enthusiastic conversations interspersed with Acadia news and updates from Dr . Morrison, and greetings from Greer on behalf of the Board . Dr . Morrison also announced the establishment of the Hicks Family Scholar-Bursary thanks to a generous gift of £20,000 from Judy Adams (pictured with her husband Peter) . The social wrapped up with a spirited rendition of “Stand Up and Cheer”, led by Greer and Indrani Lutchman (’84) .

2 Acadia alumni and friends in New York City joined Ian Murray (’88), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs, and Nancy Handrigan (’92), Executive Director of Philanthropy, on Dec . 10 for a holiday

social . The gathering took place at the Office of the Consul General of Canada in midtown Manhattan and featured hor’ doeuvres, light refreshments and plenty of fun and fellowship . Some of the attendees included (pictured): Grant Courtney (’69), Leah McNally (’07), Tamara Jolley (’99), and Geoff Kott (’96) .PHOTO: nanCy HandRigan

3 It was a great night in Wolfville on Friday, Nov . 28 when the Associated Alumni hosted a fireworks show for more than 450 alumni, students and members of the community at Raymond Field . The show corresponded with Santa’s arrival earlier that evening as part of the town’s Night of Lights event . Those in attendance, including Acadia’s Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92) and her daughter Grace (pictured), enjoyed free hot chocolate compliments of the Associated Alumni and capped off the evening with an open skate at the Andrew H . McCain Arena .PHOTO: PeTeR OLeSkeViCH

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Alumni Around the World

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4 Approximately 100 Acadia alumni and guests enjoyed the annual Holiday Social on the Hill Monday, Dec . 1, 2014 in Ottawa . President Ray Ivany brought greetings, news and updates from the University, and the event was hosted by Senator Dr . Kelvin Ogilvie (’63) . Special guests included Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay (’87); Senator Vernon White (’98); MP Scott Armstrong (’88); MP Gerald Keddy (’75); Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (’88); and Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92) . Pictured are: Kate Kooka (’08), Duncan MacDonald (’06) and Sarah Kennell (’08) .PHOTO: ed HemPHiLL

5 Twenty Acadia alumni and friends, including Andrew Rutherford (’01) and Victoria Minkoff (’02), came together for a wonderful Holiday Reception in Montreal on Dec . 3, 2014 . Kindly hosted by Mirko (’82) and Colleen Wicha, guests enjoyed light

refreshments as well as updates from the University . Special guests in attendance included Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ian Murray (’88) and Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92) .PHOTO: nanCy HandRigan

6 More than 50 Acadia alumni and friends gathered for the annual Florida Luncheon on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the Stoneybrook Golf Club in Bradenton . Special guests included University President Ray Ivany and Vice-President, Advancement Dr . Rod Morrison, who brought news and information about Acadia to the gathering . Thanks are extended also to the following volunteers and event organizers who helped to make the luncheon a success: Gary and Gwen Bruce (‘66/’68), Gordon Lummis (‘59), Norm and Jane McIntyre (‘60/’60), Tom Prescott (‘58), and Wayne Langley (’65) .photo: Jane mCintyre

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7 Thirty alumni and friends of Acadia University joined together on Feb . 5 at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club in Bermuda to celebrate their connection to Acadia . Alumnus Charles Swan (‘81) welcomed the attendees and representatives for the University . Dean of Professional Studies, Dr . Heather Hemming (’78), brought greetings from the University and spoke of some of Acadia’s new academic initiatives . Ian Murray (’88), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs, provided a brief update from the Alumni Association and other news from campus . Jim Darnbrough, Acadia’s Executive Director of Enrolment Services, spoke of Acadia’s student recruitment initiatives in Bermuda and around the world . The evening ended with a rousing rendition of ’Stand Up and Cheer’ led by Charles Swan . Alumni Karolyn Darrell-Burgess and Shoshana Williams are working on a plan to have a CariCom element added to Homecoming and are inviting all Bermudian and Caribbean alumni to ‘come home’ to Acadia in October 2017 – stay tuned for details! Pictured are: Mekisha Hill Simmons (’98), Vince Williams (’05), Shoshana Williams (’99), and Karolyn Darrell-Burgess (’00) .PHOTO: ian muRRay

8 About 60 Acadia alumni, friends, and prospective students attended a reception in the Bahamas on Feb . 2, 2015 at the

Green Parrot on East Bay Street in Nassau . Alumnus K . Darron Turnquest (’05) thanked Ian Murray (’88), Executive Director of Alumni Affairs, and members of Acadia’s Enrolment Services staff for visiting the Bahamas and hosting the social event, providing an opportunity to reconnect and reminisce . Pictured are: Tyler Gilbert, Guilden Gilbert (’90), Sandra Gilbert (’91), Madison Gilbert (front), and Acadia Student Enrolment Advisor Jessica Brown (’10) . PHOTO: kenTOn FeRguSOn

9 Acadia alumni gathered for breakfast at the National Club in downtown Toronto on Feb . 12 to hear alumnus and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Clint Davis (BBA ’92), Vice-President of Aboriginal Affairs at TD Bank Financial Group, seen here with wife Hilary Thatcher, speak on the topic of identifying the financial needs of Aboriginal communities and businesses . He also discussed the positive impact Aboriginal-led initiatives can have on a local or regional economy . PHOTO: nanCy HandRigan

10 The Acadia Alumni Pub Night in Ottawa on Feb . 20, 2015 was a huge success, with engaged alumni and friends meeting at Peter Devine’s Irish Pub to reminisce and share stories about their Acadia experience .

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matthew rioS (’14)

Matthew Rios is from Vancouver, British Columbia, and came to Acadia in 2009 to major in political science . He served on the Acadia Students’ Union for three years, serving his last two as President . As ASU President, Matthew has extensive experience on both the Board of Governors and Senate, where he championed issues pertaining to students . He has also spent a significant amount of time advocating for students as the Vice-Chair of Students Nova Scotia, an organization that represents 40,000 Nova Scotia Students . During his time at Acadia he fell in love with the University, the people and the greater community, and fundamentally believes in what this institution stands for . He has a deep understanding of Acadia’s history and is even more deeply invested in its future . Matthew is now working and living in Ottawa as the Director of Government Relations at an advocacy organization .

BeCCa weBSter (’13)

Becca is from Quispamsis, New Brunswick and graduated from Acadia University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology . In addition to serving as the Life President of the Class of 2013, Becca had a number of different involvements during her time at Acadia . She had roles with Global Brigades, the Acadia Students’ Representative Council, Residence Life, S .M .I .L .E ., and the Acadia Dance Collective . She also worked as a Teacher’s Assistant and a Research Assistant . Becca is currently living in St . John’s, Newfoundland and is in her second year of medicine at Memorial University . She is the current President of MUN Global Brigades and has other extra-curricular involvements with MUN Relay for Life and the Faculty of Medicine . In the 2013-2014 year, Becca served as an ex-officio member on the Associated Alumni Board in the role of the 2013 Grad Class President . She greatly enjoyed that term and is now a Director on the Board . Becca also serves as Chair of the Young Alumni Committee, which works to engage recent alumni and increase awareness of the Associated Alumni of Acadia University . If you have any suggestions on how we can better serve our recent graduates, please feel free to contact Becca at rebecca .webster@mun .ca .

a a au P r o F i l e s


There is no doubt that Mona Parsons’ story has touched many lives .

An unlikely war hero, Parsons (a graduate of Acadia Ladies’ Seminary, ‘20) was imprisoned in a Nazi prison camp for sheltering Allied airmen downed over Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II . She escaped in March 1945 and began an epic journey on foot back to her Dutch hometown . She and a companion evaded capture in the chaotic last weeks of the war and Mona eventually made her way to the Dutch border, where she was taken in by Canadian troops .

Parsons retired to Wolfville, where she had lived during her youth and university days, and married retired WWII General Harry Foster . Foster, who is buried in a cemetery on Gaspereau Ave . in Wolfville, was a war hero in his own right, leading allied troops into battle at Juno Beach on D-Day and later, as commander of the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division, liberated the town of Bruges in Belgium, earning the title of honorary citizen for that accomplishment .

The genesis of the Parsons project dates to 2006 when the Women of Wolfville (WOW) incorporated a monologue about Parsons’ life into one of their productions . From then on, she became an important cause for WOW, and a committee is now working hard to fundraise for a statue by local artist Nistal Prem de Boer to honour this wartime heroine .

In 2012 the group moved to have the Wolfville clock park named after Parsons, but this clashed with the town’s policy against naming parks for people . Undeterred, WOW sought to honour Parsons in a different way: by erecting a statue to commemorate her extraordinary life and heroism .

Wendy Elliott (’75) has been one of the driving forces behind WOW’s involvement in the statue project . She has a close personal connection to Parsons . Elliott’s father, Robbins Elliott (’41), was a member of the North Nova Scotia Regiment, the unit with which Parsons found safety on the Dutch border in 1945 . Knowing she was a fellow Nova Scotian who had lived in Wolfville, Robbins visited her in hospital as she recovered from her ordeal .

Andria Hill-Lehr (’93) is also passionate about the project .

She is the author of Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, from nova scotia to nazi europe, and has been trying to raise awareness about Parsons’ remarkable story .

parSonS iS uniQue

“While a number of local women deserve commemoration,” says Hill-Lehr, “Mona is unique in that the activity for which she is remembered – assisting Allied airmen evade capture in occupied Holland – was not something she could be said to have loved, such as a career or philanthropy .” She put her life on the line to oppose injustice, and to help the Allied war effort in the only, exceptionally dangerous, way available to her .

Dr . Ron Stewart (’63), the only male on the committee working to honour Parsons’ life, has pledged to raise $10,000 for the statue . His interest in her story began in the late 1970s when he read her obituary in the Acadia Bulletin . “I was immediately taken by her story since I had accumulated a large file on the Dutch resistance, but never anything about Mona,” he said .

Stewart spent the next few years building a file about Parsons’ exploits, promising himself he would do her justice in a biography, but with his increasingly demanding career in emergency medicine, that project receded . When he connected with Hill-Lehr later on, he passed his files over to her to help as she wrote Parsons’ biography . “Mona and I have remained good friends since,” Stewart says .

The statue is expected to cost $25,000 and it is hoped that it will be erected in time for commemoration on Nova Scotia Heritage Day in 2018 . To-date, the Nova Scotia government has contributed $10,000 and WOW $5,000 to the project . It has yet to be determined where the statue will be installed .

Contributions to the project can be sent to the Wolfville Historical Society, marked for the Mona Parsons campaign . Tax receipts will be issued .

http://175 .acadiau .ca/mona-parsons-foster .html http://monaparsons .cahttp://wolfvillehs .ednet .ns .ca/

By laura Churchill Duke (’98)

immORTaLizing an aCadia gRadMona Parsons Project raises funds to commemorate unsung war hero


d e v e l o P m e n t

Support for Syd fund

Hugh bray (’75, left), Past President of the associated alumni of acadia university, was pleased to present a cheque for $6, 834 to

barry Taylor (’80) recently in support of the Sydney Taylor (’13) memorial Fund. The proceeds were raised through the Ron James Homecoming Show

last October. Thank you to Ron James (’79) for his support of this initiative. donations can be made by visiting

https://central.acadiau.ca/development/donation

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Acadia University strengthened its role recently as a regional centre for sports excellence, thanks to a $1 million gift from The Stevens Family Foundation . The Stevens Centre, part of Acadia’s athletic complex, will provide varsity athletes and visiting regional, provincial and national sports teams and individuals with a training environment equal to those that are currently available only in Halifax .

The generous gift from The Stevens Family Foundation

honours the memory of Laurie Stevens, Class of 1955 and DCL 2002 and former member of Acadia’s Board of Governors, as well as the close connection between the Stevens family and Acadia . Several members of The Foundation are graduates of Acadia: Marilyn Stevens (’55), Wendy Himmelman (’79, ’80), Thane Stevens (’80), Foundation Chair Janette Fiander (’82), Scott Stevens (’86), and Tracey Tulloch (’91) .

“Acadia’s reputation as a centre of excellence, both

StevenS Centre new HOme TO HigH PeRFORmanCe aTHLeTeS, COmmuniTy membeRS

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Thane Stevens (‘80, centre) and members of the Stevens family – including Tracey Tulloch (‘91); marilyn Stevens (‘55); wendy Himmelman (‘79); Janette Fiander (‘82), Chair of The Stevens Family Foundation; and Scott Stevens (’85) – with President Ray ivany, Vice-President advancement dr. Rod morrison and director of athletics kevin dickie (left).

academically and athletically, places it among Canada’s leading institutions for the well-rounded student experience,” said Ray Ivany, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor . “We are fortunate to have the Stevens family as members of our Acadia community and have benefited from their commitment to building capacity both on campus and in our region . As active and engaged alumni, the Stevens family sets an example for many others and we are grateful for the support they have offered our student-athletes, our professional coaching staff, our faculty and all community members who pursue healthy lifestyles and high-calibre athletic competition .”

aCadia family through and through

The Stevens Centre will feature a 1,500-square-foot strength and conditioning area accompanied by renovations to existing meeting rooms . Approximately 6,000 square feet of varsity hockey and football locker room space will be added, which will be available to community groups in the off-season . A high performance training centre will meet the needs of athletes and their fitness and strength testing regimes, and provide space for athletes to meet with faculty experts in sport science, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, sport psychology and sport nutrition . It also positions the University to become Sport Centre Atlantic’s first satellite location in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax . This has tremendous value to Acadia through the number of quality events and competitions the institution will be able to attract to campus during the academic year, but especially during the spring and summer . The Stevens Family Foundation hopes to inspire more gifts for the project .

“We are an Acadia University family through and through,”

said Janette Fiander on behalf of the Stevens Family Foundation . “Our parents met at Acadia and later married . Dad served on the Board of Governors, and during his tenure on the Board he brought his financial, business and construction knowledge to help advise and serve to Acadia’s benefit . He was a loyal member, served with pride and aimed to make Acadia an even better University . This gift is intended to honour our parents’ dedication to Acadia while celebrating our pride in Acadia . Our hope is that the gift will have a positive effect on the university community and the wider Annapolis Valley region .”

“I believe the Stevens Centre will play a key role in our ability to recruit and retain students,” said Kevin Dickie, Director of Athletics at Acadia . “Young athletes who visit campus to train and compete will learn first-hand about Acadia as a post-secondary institution . We know a significant proportion of students who now attend Acadia first came to campus for a sports camp, competition or field trip . Many of these students no longer compete in their chosen sport, but, because of their training, prove to be excellent scholars and student leaders .”

“From the outset of our discussions with the Stevens family, it was clear how deep their affection for Acadia is and how much they care about the experience our students have in all areas of campus,” said Rod Morrison, Acadia’s Vice-President of Advancement . “It’s hard not to reflect on how fortunate we are to have, in the Stevens, a family that is extremely interested in the success of the Annapolis Valley – their gift helps Acadia play an even larger role than at present in attracting young people to our area . We know that health, fitness and athletic competition are important aspects of the lives of many young people, so the Stevens Centre is destined to become well-known to future generations of Acadia alumni .”

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“If you think it’s hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball,” Jack Lemmon once said . Craig Butler (’91) has a better idea for bringing people together for golf, fun and fundraising .

If you’re in Ontario in September, sign up for the Annual Acadia Alumni/Butler Memorial tournament at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Georgetown, northwest of Toronto . The tournament, started 12 years ago by Chris Kavanagh (’74) and Al MacDonald (’86), is now being run by MacDonald and Butler, with enthusiastic help from Butler’s family . Both Kavanagh and MacDonald are former Associated Alumni Board members and leaders in the Toronto branch scene . In the past four years, the Alumni/Butler event has raised more than $75,000 for the Ron and Cyndi Butler Award and the alumni group in the Greater Toronto Area .

the ron and Cyndi Butler award

Butler established the award in 2008 in memory of his parents, Ron Butler (’62) and Cyndi Butler . The annual award goes to a varsity athlete pursuing a Bachelor of Science, with preference given to a student athlete majoring in geology . While at Acadia, Ron Butler studied geology and was a member of the varsity football team . Cyndi Butler was a nurse, working at the local hospital .

“We grew up with my parents’ fond recollection of their time in Wolfville,” Butler says . “My dad loved Acadia . I grew

up knowing that was the school I would go to . Luckily, I was accepted, because it was the only school I applied to .” For Butler’s first year, he lived with his sister Kimberley (Butler) Wilson (’88), who was at Acadia at the same time . “She met her husband, Roger Wilson (’87), at Acadia as well,” he says .

the tournament growS

Before organizing the tournament, Butler was supporting the regular Acadia golf tournament that MacDonald and Kavanagh ran . “Al and Chris put a lot of work into running the tournament for those years,” he says . “Since I was already donating prizes to the tournament as well as money to Acadia for the award, I decided to increase awareness of the tournament by tagging on as a lead sponsor .” He began inviting friends and business associates, and in 2014 the tournament hosted 115 people .

“The atmosphere was friendly, laid back, and relaxed,” Butler says . “Everybody gets along well, and there’s lots of laughter throughout the day .”

Last year was the third official year for the tournament, but it began unofficially in 2011 . “Each year it grows,” Butler says . “I think we raised $14,000, $17,000, $21,000 and $25,000 in the four years, so there has been a three or four thousand dollar increase every year .” They get excellent support for door prizes and silent auction items from alumni and his business relationships . Last year, David Bernholtz (’06) of J . Yunger


iT’S aLL in THe follow-through Annual Butler Golf Tournament raises money

for varsity athlete award, Toronto alumni



Left: Craig butler (’91)

Right: daniel Staines, Robert Cortellucci (‘08), Jonathon dionisi

(’08), and mike Sansom (’09) at last year’s alumni/butler memorial golf

Tournament.

Bespoke donated a custom-tailored suit and shirts package worth $1,100 to the silent auction .

Besides Butler as the tournament’s title sponsor, three other alumni sponsored holes: Susan Shone (’65) in memory of her father, Dr . Murray G . Ross (BA ’36; Honorary DCL ’60); Paul Bailey (’75) of Bazil Developments Inc .; and Gary Goldman (’75) of Stafford Homes Ltd . “Hole sponsorships by alumni are a terrific way to raise money for the Alumni Association and the award,” Butler says .

“Last year, as well, there were other key sponsors,” he adds . “Joshua Linde of Walter Caesar makes a high-end natural Caesar mix, and he provided everybody with free Caesars to start the day off . I brought in other volunteers from a restaurant in Mississauga that I frequent .” Butler’s wife, Carla, also persuaded two friends who offer stretch and massage therapy to volunteer their services .

Butler credits Carla and his sister Kim with lifting the tournament to a more professional level . For the 2014 event, Carla and Kim made it their business to organize more silent auction materials, do the decorating, run the raffle, and ensure that the event went off smoothly and professionally . Even the Butlers’ two sons helped on the day . The organizational help of

Acadia staff, especially that of Melanie Jackson (’99) from the Office of Advancement, was instrumental in the tournament’s success, Butler says .

Winners of the 2014 tournament were Scott Fraser, David Hayes, John Hynes, and Andreas Kiedrowski .

ready for 2015

The 2015 tournament, again at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, will take place on Thursday, September 17 . The prize for this year’s putting contest will be a tax receipt for the total amount raised in the contest, which in the past two years has been about $2,000, Butler says .

Watch for registration details in the monthly alumni e-Newsletter and online at www .alumni .acadiau .ca .

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It was a huge night in Halifax on Thursday, April 9, 2015 when nearly 400 Acadia alumni and friends gathered at the World Trade and Convention Centre for the 13th Acadia Alumni Gala Dinner and Silent Auction . The annual event, in support of athletics and student financial aid at Acadia, acknowledged this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients: world-renowned physicist Dr . Paul Corkum (’65) and retired Vice-Chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada, Dr . Bruce Galloway (’68) . Emceed by Acadia alumnus Peter Harrison (’84), the evening featured a pre-dinner reception hosted by McInnis Cooper and remarks from Dr . Galloway, Dr . Corkum, Chancellor Dr . Libby Burnham (’60), President Ray Ivany, University Chaplain Tim McFarland (’92), Associated Alumni President Doug Jackson (’99) and Acadia’s Director of Athletics Kevin Dickie . Another highlight was strong support for the S .M .I .LE . raffle on a travel package to Toronto donated by Paul Bailey (‘75), which netted $4,800, double any previous single-night amount raised at the Gala for the S .M .I .LE . program . For more, see our photo gallery: http://ow .ly/LrMX0


Retired Acadia University professor Michael Bawtree has recently published Volume I of his memoirs, as Far as i remember: Coming of age in Post-War england.

More than 40 people, including former University President Dr . J .R .C . Perkin, attended the launch at Wolfville’s Blomidon Inn in March and listened as Bawtree read short excerpts from the book . A media release from Like No Other Press says the book offers an absorbing and sometimes hilarious account of Bawtree’s unusual upbringing during wartime England, and during the difficult years after the war’s end .

We learn of his stint as a very young boarder in an all-girl’s school, living for much of his childhood in an Elizabethan mansion run as a hotel by his adventurous parents; many years at boys’ boarding-schools, taught by brilliant and dedicated eccentrics; two years in the British army, where at the age of 19 he commanded a platoon of 36 men; and then studying at Oxford University under one of the world’s greatest literary critics . The book closes as he steps on board ship bound for Canada, his distinguished career still before him .

Playwright, educator, author, TV host and stage director of some 60 plays and operas, Bawtree is well-known across Canada for his pioneering work in theatre . In British Columbia, he founded the drama program at the birth of Simon Fraser University . He served as Arts Planner at the Banff Centre in Alberta, and as founder and director of Banff’s internationally recognized Music Theatre Studio Ensemble .

He worked for 10 years at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, as dramaturge, stage director and director of Third Stage, and finally as Associate Director . He founded COMUS Music Theatre in Toronto with Maureen Forrester .

He served as director of drama at Acadia University in Wolfville and, while there, founded and for four years directed the Atlantic Theatre Festival . He is known for his frequent portrayals of Joseph Howe, and is the author of a young adult’s novel, Joe howe to the rescue . In 2002, he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for services to the community .

The book is available at bookstores or direct from the publisher at [email protected]

Taylor Maclellan CochraneL A W Y E R ST M C

Making Service A Matter of Practice Since 1835

“PROUD TO REPRESENT ACADIA UNIVERSITY”

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

retired aCadia profeSSor releaSeS memoir


Acadia will host the CIS Women’s Soccer Championship in 2016 .

Canadian Interuniversity Sport made the announcement late last year, indicating that the 30th anniversary edition of the championship in 2016 will take place at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia .

Acadia’s Director of Athletics, Kevin Dickie, is thrilled to be hosting the event . “With our combined success in athletics and academics and our significantly enhanced facilities, we believe hosting at the CIS level continues to make us a top national program . What I am most excited about is that the rest of the country will have a chance to see the special integration we have with our community and how big a deal athletics is on our campus .”

Acadia has previously hosted the competition twice in its early days: 1989 and 2000 .

Head coach Amit Batra of the Axewomen soccer team was

delighted that Acadia was chosen as the 2016 Championship host . “It is a true honour to be selected to represent Acadia and the Atlantic University Sport conference as host of the 30th edition of this tournament . I feel it’s fitting as Acadia is one of the pioneers in women’s university soccer and has a storied history, including a national championship and six conference titles .”

Batra added, “it’s also important for the AUS to continue to host, as historically it has delivered five national championships and countless other medals over the years . There were many great schools with a strong history in the sport that could have won the bid and all would have done a great job . We know how high the bar is set and we know it’s also our responsibility to deliver an amazing National Championship experience for all the teams, the community, the University, the fans, and for soccer itself . It’s exciting for our program and for all the players past and present who have put Acadia on the national map, and we look forward to making the most of this opportunity .”

acadia university to host 2016 women’s Soccer national Championship

acadia’s Raymond Field will be the focal point when the CiS women’s

Soccer Championships come to wolfville in 2016.

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Acadia University and the Department of Athletics have formed a partnership with Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic (CSCA), designating Acadia’s Athletics Complex and the Stevens Centre by the CSCA as a satellite centre for the training of elite athletes in Nova Scotia .

The Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic’s mandate is to assist Atlantic Canada’s athletes and coaches in achieving their optimal performance .

“The CSCA is pleased to work with Acadia University to provide leadership in training the region’s top athletes . Our partnership will ensure that dedicated physical training expertise will be provided to identify athletes and coaches who may develop to be provincial team athletes and even future Olympians and Paralympians .” said Ken Bagnell, CSCA President .

Acadia’s Director of Athletics, Kevin Dickie, and Bagnell have had ongoing discussions regarding a partnership since

the spring of 2011 . Partnering with the CSCA will allow athletes from Windsor to Yarmouth the opportunity to receive the same level of physical preparation for their sport as they do at the CSCA’s primary training centre in Halifax .

Dickie pointed out that the distinction of having Acadia University designated as a CSCA satellite centre is an important step in creating national awareness of Acadia Athletics . “We’ve got a clear desire to be a national program,” Dickie said . “The new Stevens Centre and the partnership with the CSCA allows us to be a destination for young people, young athletes, and female and male coaches who are trying to find a way to be the best they can be . We become that place through the partnership we have with Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic and Kinduct Technologies .

“In terms of physical training, mental training, nutrition, physiological and biomechanical knowledge, we have the experts and the infrastructure right here,” Dickie noted .

acadia, Canadian Sport Centre atlantic announce partnership

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Added to the list of distinctions that the Stevens Centre brings to Acadia is the recent announcement that the Athletics Complex will be one of 27 Canadian locations named as a Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence . Additional sports will be included in the coming months . Volleyball Canada and Volleyball Nova Scotia continue to partner to deliver the VCCE program in Nova Scotia, and Wolfville becomes the next distinct location in the country for athlete development in the sport of volleyball .

Noted by Volleyball Canada, the VCCE program is designed specifically to prepare athletes who are committed to the sport of volleyball and preparing to pursue their volleyball career . It aspires to allow local athletes ready to take their game to the next level to benefit from the training processes that are based specifically on individual skill development .

“It’s an honour to be one of the two VCCE hosts in Atlantic Canada,” said women’s volleyball coach Michelle Wood . “It demonstrates that Volleyball Nova Scotia is invested in taking the development of our young volleyball players to the next level to help them compete across Canada . We have some very talented athletes in our centre and are fortunate also to be in a position to mentor five female coaches, all of whom are former AUS volleyball players .”

Elliott Richardson (‘10), who heads Acadia’s Strength and Conditioning program, pointed out the importance of the Stevens Centre and Acadia’s designation as a CSCA and VCCE satellite centre . “With Acadia being a centre for high performance, local athletes will now have greater access to both physical preparation and technical skill development right in their own backyard,” he said . “I think you’ll see more and more athletes from this region playing for Provincial and Canada Games teams because of this initiative .”

Local aspiring athletes will work with Acadia’s Strength and Conditioning Team, led by Richardson, who has helped to elevate the level of performance of Acadia’s 11 varsity teams over the last four years .

Aside from strength and conditioning, athletes will also have access to resources including: biomechanics; rehab/medical services; mental skills coaching; and nutritional consulting . An established and reputable School of Kinesiology faculty, many of which are already involved with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic, will be a tremendous benefit to all local athletes as well .

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While the 2014-15 season did not reap any AUS championships, nearly all of Acadia’s teams participated in championship events this year, which was highlighted by 34 AUS awards, including all-star recognition, major award winners and a coach of the year nod .

Nine individuals were honoured by the CIS as All-Canadians or major award winners . Acadia also reached an all-time high of 95 Academic All-Canadians out of roughly 285 athletes – the highest per capita in the country and seventh among 53 CIS members .

The Axewomen cross-country team completed its season with a fourth place finish overall at the AUS championship meet hosted by Moncton .

On the soccer pitch, the Axewomen and Axemen participated in their respective championship weekend . The Axewomen completed their regular season schedule with one loss, five wins and seven ties . Finishing fourth, Acadia eliminated host Dalhousie Tigers in the quarter-finals and fell to UNB in the semis .

Coaimhe McParland captured CIS and AUS honours as the Community Service Award winner . Alana Fairfax and Emily Nickerson were named first team AUS all-stars and Laura Gray was added as a second team all-star . Nickerson was honoured also as a first team CIS All-Canadian .

The Soccer Axemen finished the regular season in fifth with six wins, five losses and two ties . Eliminated from the AUS playoffs after a quarter-final loss, the Axemen had two players honoured as AUS all-stars . Third-year defender Andrew Snyder was on the first team while teammate Cochrane Noseworthy Smith earned second team honours .

This year’s football season produced a 3-5 record and a berth in the AUS semi-final at St . F .X . Leading throughout, the Axemen lost 18-17 on a 24-yard St . F .X . field goal with seven seconds left .

However, the team had seven AUS all-stars, including Jesse St . James, Drew Morris, Ryan Begin, Brian Jones, Ethan Charters, Kirby

By eric Cederberg (’94)

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Varsity squads rideroller-coaster season, nab AUS/CIS all-star, major award nods

above: all-Canadian Janna Slevinsky in action.

Page 34: The hockey axemen break out against Smu in

auS semi-final action.


Fletcher and Brett Backman . Jones was named the AUS Most Valuable Player while Sean Stoqua won the AUS Community Service Award . St . James, Morris and Begin were honoured as CIS All-Canadians .

Defeated by the St . F .X . X-Women in an overtime loss in the 2013 AUS championship game, the Axewomen rugby team fell short for the second year in a row in the AUS finale . Finishing the season with a 4-2 record and placing second, the Axewomen had four players on the AUS all-star team, including Janna Slevinsky, Shannon White, Michaela Haley and Erin Beazley . Slevinsky was named a CIS All-Canadian .

The basketball teams were the only varsity squads not to see playoff action . A season of ups and downs for both, they are each clearly on the cusp of bigger things to come .

In his seventh season coaching the Axewomen, head coach Bev Greenlaw announced his retirement . During his time here, he built the Axewomen into an AUS contender, capturing an AUS title in his fourth season . Third-year guard Aprille Deus was honoured with the AUS Community Service Award .

The 5-15 hoop Axemen just missed capturing the last playoff spot . A highlight of the young squad was first-year guard Ben Miller, named AUS Rookie of the Year and a CIS All-Rookie team member .

In their third year under head coach Michelle Wood, the Axewomen volleyball team finished the season in the sixth and final spot for the AUS championship weekend . Losing in five sets to the host UNB Varsity Reds, Acadia’s Sarah Ross was named a second team AUS all-star .

In the pool, the Axemen and Axewomen swim teams were led by interim head coach David Fry (‘72), who had spent his previous years coaching at Dalhousie . Fry, an Acadia swim alumnus, came home to coach the Acadia program to one of its most successful seasons since its return in 2007 . Fry was named AUS men’s swimming coach of the year . Both women’s and men’s teams

finished second overall at the AUS championships . Senior swimmer Luc Boudreau and rookie Rebecca

MacPherson were named Most Valuable Swimmers at the AUS championship . MacPherson was also named AUS championship rookie of the year . Twenty-five medals were won at this year’s meet and seven swimmers were AUS all-stars: MacPherson and Boudreau, Emily Halajian, Laura Beck, Hayden Adams, Elizabeth Skuriat and Justin LeBlanc . Skuriat was named the AUS Community Service Award winner .

For the first time since the program’s return, Acadia sent both men’s and women’s teams to the CIS championship in Victoria, B .C ., with seven swimmers qualifying and an eighth attending with the relay team .

The Axemen hockey team didn’t win the AUS championships for a second consecutive year, losing the best-of- three final to the UNB Varsity Reds, but Acadia did punch a ticket to the CIS championship for a second year in a row as an AUS entry . Finishing number two in the conference standings with a 20-5-3 record, the Axemen defeated the Saint Mary’s Huskies in game five at home in a best-of-five semi-final to advance against the V-Reds .

Third-year forward Brett Thompson finished second in the AUS points race with 19 goals and 19 assists, first overall in goals . He was named a first team AUS all-star and second team All-Canadian . Mike Cazzola was a second team AUS all-star while rookies Remy Giftopoulos and Zach Franko were on the AUS All-Rookie team . Franko was named also to the CIS All-Rookie squad .

At the CIS championship, hosted by St . F .X . at the Halifax Scotiabank Centre, the Axemen fell short in a heartbreaking quarter-final loss to the UQTR Patriots . Ahead 5-2 in the third period, the Axemen were forced into sudden death overtime after the Patriots scored three unanswered goals to knot the game at five .

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mary r. patterson (’34) —elizabeth p. woodman (’40), Wolfville, NS—Charles e. hubley (’41), Nepean, ON—frances C. dow (’42), Saskatoon, SK—Sylvia m. mahar (’42), Salisbury, NB—eunice K. Bannerman (’44), Dartmouth, NS—d. Keith Campbell (’45), Belleville, ON—margaret C. maclean (’46), Belleville, ON—roger a. Cunningham (’47), Windsor, ON—ronald e. Crosby (’47), Ottawa, ON—June h. dickson (’48), Calgary, AB—ralph m. logan (’48), Halifax —raymond S. wile (’48), Bridgewater, NS—Kenneth g. Sollows (’49), Yarmouth, NS—william S. dexter (’49), Kenora, ON

frances alexandria (Slater) romkey (’49), LaHave, NS—margaret a. Clark (’50), Halifax, NS—rosalie a. hartigan (’50), Calgary, AB—dennis w. perry (’50), Chester, NS—ralph e. turner (’50), Kentville, NS—ann d. manning (’51), Kentville, NS—murray Joe Smith (’51), Windsor, NS —thomas h. haliburton (’51), Avonport, NS—horace f. eaton (’51), Seattle, WA—virginia t. Kinsman (’52), Truro, NS—John g. lees (’52), Merigomish, NB—l. roscoe potter (’52), Wolfville, NS—norma J. roop (’53), Aylesford, NS—edwin h. Jacobs (’59), Weeki Wachee, FL—ella mounce (’60), Newport, NS

Barbara i. hatton (’60), Dartmouth, NS—david edward armstrong (’60), Truro, NS—hugh d. hubbs (’61), Cobourg, ON—daryl S. gates (’63), Port Williams, NS—w. Barry lovett (’64), Halifax, NS—donald wilson moore (’66), Waverley, NS—wayne m. macleod (’68), Amherst, NS—John robert neary (’68), Kentville, NS—Judith a. tutty (’69), Glace Bay, NS—melvin ricard purdy williamson (’70), Riverview, NB—velma a. Kane (’72), edmonton, aB—virginia h. Stephenson (’73), Winnipeg, MB—lan Kwan Sum (’76), North York, ON—lynn e. degrandis (’78), Oakville, ON —ian george Jamieson (’79), Dunedin, NZ

peter J. Cleyle (’81), Fort McMurray, AB—h. reuben Cohen (’83), Moncton, NB—alexander gordon Carrington Smith (’86), Orleans, ON—mary e. Cutten Short (’93), Union Bay, BC—david malcolm King (’93), Lower Cape, NB—phillippa ann (ferguson) wilson (’00), Marigold Farm, BH—Stephen faoro (’06), Port Moody, BC—lori l. harris (’06), Bedford, NS—emma tichenor, Jersey City, NJ—mary ganong, New Minas, NS—althea J. larsen (hor), Halifax, NS—Sarah hastings, Cambridge, ON—gordon B. Swinamer, Coldbrook, NS —david wynn, Bridgewater, NS

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

We produce this list to the best of our ability with the information provided . If there is a discrepancy or error, please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 902 .585 .1459 .


1950sJOHN VACHAL (‘51) is enjoying retire-ment in Seattle after a career at Boeing and Canadair in Aeronautical Engineering . He can be reached at jvachal@hotmail .com

THOMAS RALSTON (TOM) DENTON (BA ’55) has received the Order of Manitoba, the highest honour Manitoba can award, as “a voice of compassion for the world’s refugees for over 30 years” and for helping “thousands of refugees find sanctuary in Canada .” The investiture was by The Honourable Philip S . Lee, Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba and Chancellor of the Order, and with the participation of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall .

BURTON RUSSELL (‘57), a native and lifetime resident of Kentville, Nova Scotia, has been elected in the builder category to the newly-formed Maritime Sport Hall of Fame, with induction ceremonies held at the BMO Centre in Bedford, Nova Scotia on May 27, 2015 . A teacher-athletic coach in the Kings County school system for 35 years, he has written 11 books on the history of Nova Scotia sports, including hurrah acadia in 1985 and acadia’s hockey axemen in 2012 . During the fall of 2000, he was inducted as a builder into Acadia University’s Sports Hall of Fame .

1960s

MARY COOKE (’60) and Director of Alumni Affairs IAN MURRAY (’88) met in January to discuss plans for summer reunion 2015 . Mary was sporting her new sweatshirt, a gift from her daughter, that reads, “All women are created equal, but only the finest become Acadia graduates .” We couldn’t agree more!

DR. BOB ABELL (BSC ’64) has just released his fourth book and third novel, Fireballs . This follows his release earlier this year of the novel trails, for which Fireballs is a sequel . These two books are new-adult themed, with the main protagonist, Shelley, a Ph .D . Ecology Student at the University of Tucson in Arizona . The action/adventure/romance is set against a backdrop of ecological and environmental issues . These follow the short dystopian novel the Corporation, (2nd ed . 2013), and a non-fiction look at the causes of wealth inequity and the impact on our economic and political freedom: salvaging Capitalism/saving

Democracy (2012) . Available from Rovell by call or e-mail to books@rovell .com, or through Amazon as paperback or Kindle editions .

BRITA HOUSEZ (’64) was born in Germany and grew up in France and Montreal . After graduation from Acadia University, Brita moved to Grenoble, France to pursue graduate studies, and ultimately resided there for 10 years . Upon returning to Canada she worked as a communications consultant for a public relations firm; raised her two daughters; and, after moving to St Catharines, began what has become long-term interests in food and nutrition, and painting and design . The former interest led to the publication of three cookbooks beginning with the national bestseller tofu Mania . This was followed by the soy Dessert and Baking Book and Pleasures Pure and simple, an all-purpose cookbook . In pursuance of her art, Brita’s work has evolved from realistic nature scenes to impressionistic and abstract designs characterized by vibrant colours and striking designs . These works have been sold at a number of galleries in Southern Ontario . In addition, Brita has donated numerous pieces to a variety of charities including several Acadia fundraisers . In recent years a growing focus for Brita has been her five grandchildren, who range in age from six months to 22 years . Nevertheless, she still finds time to prepare gourmet meals for friends and family, do sudokus and walk daily with her partner Chuck, a retired mathematics professor .

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1970s

BRUCE BELIVEAU (’73), who played JV basketball, varsity soccer and volleyball while at Acadia, sends this update . “After 40 years with Elk Island Public Schools in Sherwood Park, Alberta, I retired in December 2014 . I especially enjoyed my last five years as Superintendent of this school division, the sixth largest in Alberta . Married to Karen (Merrithew) nearing 39 years, with two children, ASHLEY (’04), and Andrew . We will now have more time to spend with our grandson, Noah, do a little traveling and play more golf . We continue to visit the Valley every couple of years and have always dreamed of settling back there one day . I am still active in sports, playing volleyball in the Edmonton men’s league with a team that has been together for over 40 years . We travel the world playing in the Masters’ Games . Next is New Zealand in 2017 . Hi to all .”

1980sNANCY-JEAN THOMSON (‘80) has just published her first novel . nerve line is a poetic and painterly view of the world of horse racing . It includes a touch of true history, a dose of magic, and a palette full of surprises . It will settle you on your porch swing then take you through the lush Irish countryside and out to the Rocky Mountains and ranchlands for a spell . Please see the nerve line page on Facebook, or visit Nancy’s website at www .bronzehorsecommunications .com . The novel is available on Amazon, as are Nancy’s books of poetry: soul’s Flight, the illuminated life, and Communion .

Here is an update from ROXANNE (KAISER) MCGAW (’84, ’88), who says, “I am happily living in Halifax and working as an administrative assistant at both Cornwallis Street Baptist Church with DR. RHONDA BRITTON (’13) and Grace Chapel with Rev . Mark Harris .”

REV. DR. DOUGLAS KELLOUGH (’86) was recently elected president of the Journal of Pastoral Care Publications, Inc . (Atlanta, GA), publisher of The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling as well as books and monographs in the fields of pastoral/spiritual care, pastoral/spiritual integrated psychotherapy and education/supervision in pastoral/spiritual care and counseling/psychotherapy . Doug is a Past President of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care/L’association canadienne .des soins spirituels (CASC/ACSS) . He is the Chaplain to the Cardiac Sciences Program at St . Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, where he has served for the past 11 years . He earned a BSc at U . of Alberta in 1973, went to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY (MDiv 1976), and Acadia Divinity College at Acadia University (MTh 1986 and DMin 1997) .

1990s

FRANCIS YIP (’90) was promoted to Group Vice-President of Verizon Asia Pacific . In his new role, Yip is responsible for delivering strategic cloud, security, mobility, network and connected machines solutions to Verizon’s multinational enterprise clients across the Asia-Pacific region . Based in Hong Kong, Yip was most recently Verizon’s managing director for North Asia, with responsibility for Verizon’s business in Hong Kong, China, Korea and Taiwan . Prior to joining Verizon, Yip was responsible for managing Dimension Data’s North Asia operations . He has also held senior management positions at Equant (now Orange Business Systems), including general manager for China . A native of Singapore,

Yip is fluent in several languages including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Malay .

ANDREW (‘DREW’) COLES (’92) was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of InnVest, effective late January, 2015 . Coles has held senior management positions in the Canadian hospitality industry and served as Vice-President, Hotels at Oxford Properties Group . From 2010, Coles was Oxford’s senior leader responsible for the investment performance of its luxury hotel portfolio . Under his leadership, the Oxford hotel portfolio experienced exceptional investment performance, income growth and capital reinvestment . In previous roles, he worked with Delta Hotels and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, General Electric Capital and Choice Hotels International . He holds an Honors MBA from Webster University (St . Louis, Missouri), a BA Economics from Acadia, and serves as an active Board Member of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada .

DR. TREVOR JAIN (’93) has upgraded his education and qualifications . A former C o l d b r o o k resident and Acadia graduate in biology and computer science, Jain is currently employed as an Emergency Medicine Specialist at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Charlottetown, P .E .I . On Sept . 25, 2014 he graduated with his MSc in Disaster Medicine from the University of Brussels, Belgium and the University of Avogadro Piedmont in Novara, Italy . The degree focused on aspects of disaster medicine and management, utilizing an international team of faculty from the World Health Organization and the Red Cross, as well as subject matter experts in their own fields from different universities . The son of Dr . Nirmal and June MacGregor-Jain of Coldbrook, he lives in Charlottetown with his wife Kara and twin daughters, Sydney and Natasha .


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www.dineoncampus.ca/acadiau Chartwells at Acadia University

@Acadiafood


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In August, LISA POMFREY-TALBOT (‘94) released her first book, Jennie Fowler nighttime Prowler, published by Cathydia Press (www .cathydiapress .ca) . It is the first in a series of chapter books for young readers and is available in print and as an e-Book . Lisa lives in Bridgewater, N .S . with her husband and two daughters . You can connect with her by liking her author page on Facebook .

LORI BARKER (’98) and DENNY BARKHOUSE (’94) were thrilled to welcome Summer Willena to the family on September 17th, 2014 . It now means Mom and Dad are outnumbered! Summer is already sporting her Acadia duds .

LINDSAY (CAMPBELL) PEACH (’99 BSC, MHSA), has been appointed Vice-President, Integrated Health Services – Community Support and Management, for the Nova Scotia Health Authority . In that role, she has accountability for Mental Health and Addictions, Continuing Care, Seniors’ Health, Rehabilitative and Psycho-Social Services, and Spiritual Care as well as oversight for Northern Zone operations .

2000s ALICE WALSH’S (’01) latest book, Murder on Foley’s island, has been released by WindyWood Publishing . Here’s a glimpse: People on Foley’s Island are thrilled to have the renowned hypnotist, Prospero, perform at the community hall . However, when Prospero calls his hypnotized subjects back to the stage, Jake Peckford is not with them . After the show, concerned friends and relatives go looking for him . Hours later, when the archbishop is found murdered on the beach, Jake becomes the prime suspect .

KATRINA (RENOUF) CROSBY (‘02) and MATTHEW CROSBY (‘02) are pleased to announce the birth of Elliot Alexander Crosby on April 17, 2014 . Big brother Owen is thrilled with his new partner in crime .

An Acadia University alumnus has received one of the mortgage industry’s highest honors . ADAM ROY (’03), Sr . Manager for Strategic Sales and Information at MCAP, has been named as part of Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine’s Hot List for 2015 . This list, compiled annually, honours 50 people who have made waves in the mortgage industry over the last year . Honorees are nominated by their peers, and range from small-town mortgage brokers to CEOs of international companies . “The Hot List represents the best of the best that the Canadian mortgage industry has to offer,” said CMP editor Vernon Clement Jones . “This list is a who’s-who of the industry’s influential players .”

Murder on

Foley’s IslandMurder

on Foley’s Island

Murder on

Foley’s Island

People on Foley’s Island are thrilled to have the renowned hypnotist, Prospero, perform at the community hall. However,when Prospero calls his hypnotized subjects back to the stage,Jake Peckford is not with them. After the show, concernedfriends and relatives go looking for him. Hours later when the archbishop is found murdered on the beach, Jake becomes theprime suspect.

A severe storm prevents the forensics team from crossing overon the ferry, and Blanche St. Croix, a rookie RCMP officer, findsherself in charge. As she proceeds with the investigation, shefinds secrets, cover-ups, and no shortage of suspects. Even thearchbishop has a few skeletons in his closet. But when the truthcomes to light, it is far more shocking than anyone could haverealized.

$9.99Can. & U.S.

Published by WindyWood Publishinghttp://www.windywoodpub.com

Cover design: Robin BourqueCover photos: Greg Ryan

Murder on Foley’s Island

Alice Walsh

Alice W

alsh

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What critics are saying about AliceWalsh’s work: “Powerful and well-written.” – National Post“A page turner.” – The Coast“Walsh keeps her readers in suspense... be prepared for

a great ending.”– Crime Scene“Walsh paints a vivid portrait of the Newfoundland

outport.” – Atlantic Books Today

Award WinningAuthor


2000s

Thanks to ADAM MACNEIL (’03), who sent this wonderful note to our Office of Alumni Affairs . “I write to you at the request of my father, Harold MacNeil . I was very happy to open a gift from my parents this past Christmas that contained a beautiful tie adorned with the Acadia crest . I understand that you went out of your way to get this tie to my parents ahead of the holiday season and I wanted to extend my thanks . My father indicated to me that you had requested a picture of me wearing the tie . In fulfillment, attached you will find a picture of me in my office in the Department of Health Sciences at Brock University . Behind me is a painting of University Hall by my talented grandmother, Dolores Dugie of Halifax . She painted this as a gift to me shortly after I graduated from Acadia, knowing how much I cherished my time in Wolfville, and it now hangs in my office here in St . Catharines as a reminder of that time in my life and a great conversation starter . I met my wife LORI (MCEACHERN) MACNEIL (’03) at Acadia when we were both completing our BSc Honours degrees in the Department of Biology . We are both now working and teaching here at Brock .

Despite the fact that we continued our education at Dalhousie, when each of us is asked about our alma mater it is always Acadia we speak of first . Thank you again for the tie; it will give me even more opportunities to speak about how special a place Acadia is . A proud Acadia alumnus, Adam MacNeil .”

On November 8, 2015, CEILIDH YOUNG (BBA ’03) and ALEX CHURCHILL (BA POLI SCI ’02) wed on the beautiful pink sand beach of Harbour Island, Bahamas in front of family and friends . Alumni in attendance included Maid of Honour and sister of the bride Ceallahn Young, brother of the bride THIRNAN YOUNG (‘07), groomsman CHRIS GOODERHAM (’01) and DAVE MALONEY (’01) . Ceilidh and Alex currently reside in Toronto with their dog, Harley .

AMANDA VELLA (’04) is one of avenue magazine’s 2014 Top 40 Under 40 . Currently Director of Finance and Business Planning and Performance Improvement at Canadian North Airlanes, Amanda was nominated by the Edmonton-based publication for helping change the business culture at one of Canada’s fastest growing airlines . In her university years, she was a leader, serving as a training officer for more than 100 cadets while also instructing youth — many of whom could not drive cars — to fly through the open skies . Amanda has also served as the YWCA’s president, and sits on the board as treasurer . She dedicates 20 hours monthly to the YWCA fundraising committee, developing its leadership centre for aspiring young women .

c l a s s n ot e s


c l a s s n ot e s

2010s

JENNIFER (PEREIRA) CLONEY (‘10), and her husband, Jonathan Cloney, would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Amelia . She was born on August 13, 2014 at the Moncton Hospital . She is such a little sweetheart!

JON MANN (‘11), recently gave a Ted Talk on how the film Jaws explains social movements . Since graduating from Acadia, Jon graduated from the New York Film Academy (Screenwriting) as well as written a short documentary (Drink ‘em Dry) . He also wrote/directed/produced a feature-length documentary (Project Power) . Catch his Ted Talk at: https://www .youtube .com/watch?v=3MwbmtXcEjw

On February 4, 2015, REBECCA PINEO (BKIN ‘12, BED ‘13) and Evan Blenus welcomed their beautiful daughter, Clara Hadleigh Blenus, to the world . Clara arrived at 9:50 p .m ., weighing nine

pounds, five ounces and measuring 22 inches long . Rebecca and family are living locally in Canning, N .S . She is looking forward to spending time at home with baby while continuing her studies toward a diploma of Osteopathy .

LUCAS OICKLE (BMUS - COMPOSITION, ‘13) and CHIHIRO NAKAI (BBA; currently an Acadia long-distance student) were married in 2014, and held their wedding this summer past on June 16th . “We held our wedding at a small shrine in beautiful rural Tokushima, Japan (with a traditional Shinto ceremony) accompanied by all of Chihiro’s family as well as my parents, who made the long flight from Halifax .

It was a beautiful day, and after taking pictures we were treated by the Nakais to an 11-course traditional Japanese meal . The next day, we departed to spend the next four days touring the gorgeous island of Shikoku and its four prefectures . Chihiro and I moved further north after the marriage and spent the remaining two months of the summer in Yokohama . We are now living in Vancouver, where I’m just finishing my Masters in music composition at the University of British Columbia and Chihiro is working on her permanent residence application and taking care of our two newly adopted cats, Taro and Ponzu .”

MARK YOUR CALENDARUpcoming Acadia Alumni Events

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015 – HockEy cElEbrITy DINNEr JULY 10 -12, 2015 – SUmmEr rEUNIoN FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 – 34TH ANNUAl AcADIA AlUmNI Golf ToUrNAmENT - VAllEy AUGUST 29, 2015 – moVE-IN DAy THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 – 4TH ANNUAl AcADIA AlUmNI bUTlEr mEmorIAl Golf ToUrNAmENT - ToroNTo OCTOBER 17, 2015 – 20-ISH yEAr rEUNIoN, clASSES of ‘94, ‘95 AND ‘96. for DETAIlS, coNTAcT: JEff WrIGHT (‘95) [email protected]; or TrAcy lIGHTfooT (‘95) [email protected].

OCTOBER 15-18, 2015 – HomEcomING WEEkEND

morE INformATIoN oN THESE EVENTS cAN bE foUND oN oUr WEbSITE: http://alumni.acadiau.ca


Final FrameIn each edition of the Bulletin, we reserve space on our final pages for a fond look back at the way we were . Do you know the person in this photo? If so, send me an e-mail at fred .sgambati@acadiau .ca . First person to identify him will win an Acadia sweatshirt (valued at $70 .00) . Please include your name, address and phone number in your response . We will reveal the answer, the winner and have another image for you in the fall edition . Look forward to hearing from you . Have fun!


In our last edition, Bob Dugas of Port Williams, N.S. was the first to identify Hubert Walsh (#35, ’82) and Keith Skiffington (#74, ’82). A former hockey Axemen, Bob is an ’81 grad who lived in Eaton House as a student. Now retired, Bob was a teacher in the Annapolis Valley for a total of 32 years: 12 at New Minas Elementary School and 20 years at Port Williams School. His wife, Pam (Graham, ’80), is an alumna who has taught for 33 years at Horton District High School in Greenwich.

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