CBC News - Lalia Halfkenny was the first Black woman to graduate from an institute of higher education in the Maritimes. She was the only Black graduate in her class at the Acadia Ladies Seminary in 1889.

The story of the the New Brunswick-born Halfkenny took two years to uncover. A University of Waterloo researcher found a family connection between Halfkenny and a janitor at the Wolfville school and his relationship with the president helped her gain entry to the Seminary.

Acadia News - “I am honoured to have been recognized for my work and achievements at Acadia and for my potential to become a world-class leader with the support and mentorship of the McCall MacBain Scholarships program,” said Margaret Hopkins. “I am excited for the next round of interviews, and am grateful to have had this experience, regardless of what the outcome will be.”

More than 735 people applied for the fully-funded master's degree opportunity at McGill. Finalists were chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

Giving News - "Together you have helped Acadia not only meet but significantly exceed the most ambitious fundraising goal in its history, and because of this success you have all made us better, and your gifts will bring tremendous and lasting benefits to our students,” said Dr. Peter Ricketts.

The final tally of $86.8 million to support students, faculty, staff and campus infrastructure under each of the four Campaign pillars: Transform; Discover; Inspire, and Build.

Giving News - Through generous gifts from a wide variety of alumni donors, and in support of the University’s commitment to anti-racism, Acadia is pleased to announce the Edwin Borden Awards.

Named in honour of Edwin Borden, an Acadia alumnus who was one of the first Black individuals in Canada to be granted bachelor’s (1892) and master’s (1896) degrees, these awards will recognize community engagement and leadership among Black Acadia students. Three current Black students will be eligible to receive $1,000 in support. A one-time application will be sent to students by [email protected] 

Halifax Examiner - “There’s already strain on particular systems. The health system, the child welfare system, the criminal system. Those are all influenced by people’s mental health,” said Acadia researcher Tanya Surette. “When counsellors are not well enough to do effective work, it has broader systemic influences beyond the client…There are substantial systemic impacts of that as well.”

There are few studies that investigate the factors that promote resilience and help counsellors thrive. But a new Acadia University-based research project aims to find answers to those and other related questions. Surette is leading the project.

Saltscapes Magazine - From May to October each year, about 9,000 sturgeon migrate into the Minas Basin from across the eastern seaboard, says Jessie Lilly, an MSc candidate at the Coastal Ecology Lab at Acadia University. Her research investigates the potential effects of tidal turbines on sturgeon.

Acadia News - Set to run March 6 - April 26 at Jack's Gallery, “Out of the Pandemic” serves to uplift and honour the notion of our universal humanity and interconnectedness while acknowledging all that we may have lost during the pandemic. It also celebrates what we might actually have gained.

CBC News - "We're trying to get [bat boxes] out into the community so that we can support local bat populations by giving bats somewhere safe to sleep that's free from predators and disease," Taryn Muldoon, a second-year biology student at Acadia University, told CBC's Mainstreet.

Two Acadia students have launched a new initiative in hopes of replenishing the dwindling bat population in the Annapolis Valley, while also learning more about the "misunderstood" mammal.

Manning Memorial Chapel - On Saturday, February 27, at 3:30 p.m. attend an online panel conversation hosted by the Manning Memorial Chapel on race, reciprocity, and cultural appropriation. Matters of cultural appropriation have been passionately debated in Canada and other contexts. They will have a conversation that includes two contexts - Jamaica and Nova Scotia.

The matter of how we handle music, starting with music written by Black people and sung in the church is the point of departure. Initial conversations within the Chapel team have been influenced by discussions in the media on cultural appropriation and crossovers in musical genres and ethnic influences. Learn more and register on the Chapel website.

Acadia Art Gallery - The pandemic has shown how integral art is to our daily lives, sense of community and well-being. This curated group exhibition presents the work of Nova Scotian artists whose work responds to, reflects on the impacts of COVID-19. There are many ways to participate. It runs until April 13.

Curated by Dr. Laurie Dalton, this Acadia Art Gallery exhibition is supported in part by a Harrison McCain Emerging Scholar Award.

COVID-19 Campus Update - New mask exemption for Vaughan Memorial Library begins Monday, March 1.

Nova Scotia Health - Public Health Mobile Units in the Valley region

Nova Scotia Health - Potential COVID-19 exposure notice for Western Zone

Nova Scotia Health - Public Health encouraging people in Annapolis Valley and Sackville regions to get tested for COVID-19

Public Health Agency of Canada - New federal travel restrictions effective February 22

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