Explore Acadia University's strategic plan in action with this May 31 recap of news and events. |
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FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK |
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Flags on University Hall will fly at half-mast today and for the next few days in memory of the 215 children whose remains were discovered in a mass grave at the former residential school in Kamloops, BC.
This latest discovery is a painful reminder to us all of the horrific legacy of residential schools, and it must reinforce our commitment to walk together on the path of truth and reconciliation.
By taking action today and every day, we can ensure that this kind of atrocity will never happen again in Canada. Read more.
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CBC News - All first-year biology students at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., now learn about Mi'kmaw traditional knowledge thanks to the efforts of one student who was tired of seeing Indigenous perspectives ignored in science.
Leah Creaser, a member of the Acadia First Nation, said she often felt out of place and uncomfortable in her university biology classes.
She remembers taking a first-year lab about plant identification and waiting for her professor to talk about how the Mi'kmaq have been using those same plants for thousands of years. It never happened.
When her professor Juan Carlos López suggested she create her own lab based on Mi'kmaw traditional knowledge as part of a research topic in her third year, she said yes right away and then took it a step further.
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Acadia also honoured our Class of 2020 and announced the honorary degree recipients joining that grad class. |
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Acadia News - Millions of people took in Dr. Kyle Lowry's convocation address thanks to social and traditional media coverage. Lowry generously shared his life story and a quote to live by:
"Booker T. Washington said, 'Those happiest are those who do most for others.' So, remember Acadia family, leading is not only about achieving your own goals but is also uplifting others to achieve theirs."
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U SPORTS - Shaquille Smith ('16) helped the Axemen win a pair of AUS medals – including a conference championship in his rookie campaign. He was also the winner of the AUS Men’s Basketball Community Service Award in his graduating year.
Smith has been involved with various fundraising opportunities spearheaded by the Axemen, including a recent Basketball Golf Tournament, and successfully raising $300,000 in public and private funding to build an outdoor basketball court in his hometown of North Preston, N.S.
Smith wanted the next generation to have an easier time than he had pursuing both sport and academics. In a social-economically challenged part of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the new court in North Preston is an oasis for the community youth to congregate and sharpen their basketball skills.
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Acadia News - “It is an honour to be appointed the Dean of Libraries and Archives at Acadia University,” said Heather Saunders.
“I am excited to support the library and archives research resources and personalized service supporting students' transformative experiences at one of the most reputable universities in the country. After moving back to Canada amidst the disruption of COVID-19, I cannot imagine a more serene place to set down roots than the Annapolis Valley.”
Saunders will assume her position on July 15.
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Acadia News - The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) has celebrated the distinguished career of recently retired Vice-President, Advancement Dr. Rod Morrison by naming him as the recipient of the 2021 CCAE Outstanding Achievement Award.
Nancy McCain ('82), who joined Acadia's Class of 2021 with an honorary doctorate for her own philanthropic achievements, says: "Giving back to the community is core to Rod, in his personal, and his professional life. This spirit is what has enabled him to be so successful in helping others to see the merit in giving back to the Acadia University community."
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Giving Video - Meet Victoria Stevens ('21) recipient of the MacNeill Scholar-Bursary, made available through the kindness and generosity of alumni H. Gordon MacNeill, (BA ’48, DCL ’87, DD Knox College) and Barbara MacLellan MacNeill (BA ’50). |
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Giving News - “One of the most important reasons I give to Acadia is that my first job after Winnipeg was through a fellow Acadia alumnus,” says Mabel Young. “He put a lot of faith in the fact that I graduated from Acadia. He hired me without even meeting me.”
After a long and rewarding career as an educator and counsellor, Young has devoted her life to music and supporting students’ dreams.
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Acadia News - Assistant Professor of Chemistry Nicoletta Faraone is on the front lines of battle with a pesky parasite all too familiar to many Nova Scotians: ticks.
Faraone's work is only becoming more important as climate change creates a more hospitable environment to ticks. “Particularly here in the Maritimes and in Canada in general, where we are experiencing warmer winters, we are expecting an increase in the population."
To help combat ticks, she is experimenting with their sensory system and exploring their sense of smell to analyze more effective deterrents. Faraone is working with local entrepreneur Lisa Learning of AtlanTick on a new repellent spray that will offer 95% efficacy and longer protection than their original product.
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Health and Wellness - Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced on May 28, that the province will reopen gradually under a five-phase plan.
“Our phased plan will allow us to safely enjoy summer with public health measures in place while we work at getting most of our population fully vaccinated,” said Premier Rankin. “Then we should be able to further ease restrictions in the fall and ease into a new normal of living with COVID-19.”
Each phase is based on COVID-19 activity, public health and testing capacity, hospitalizations and vaccination rates. Phases are expected to last between two and four weeks as long as certain criteria are met in these areas.
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Nova Scotia Health - Public Health encourages all Nova Scotians to get tested regularly as one of the ways to live safely with COVID-19 and protect your community. The University Club serves as a test site.
Drive-thru appointments are available to help people who have mobility and sensory issues have easier access to the vaccine. If you can’t access a community or pharmacy vaccination clinic, you can book a drive-thru appointment. Festival Theatre serves as a drive-thru vaccination site.
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Acadia COVID-19 Information - Acadia University took measures to shut down most aspects of campus as part of a province-wide effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Acadia's restrictions are currently in effect until the second week of June. Those who can work from home should. |
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Acadia Alumni Awards Celebration 2021 - Acadia President Dr. Peter Ricketts, Alumni Association President Donalda MacBeath (’75), Executive Director, Alumni Affairs Oonagh Proudfoot (’93, ’06), and Alumni Awards Committee Chair Jeff Aucoin (’96) will welcome members of Acadia’s alumni community live on Microsoft Teams to officially launch this year’s celebration at 7 p.m. ADT on May 31.
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