The
Honoree
A newsletter for Acadia’s Distinguished Alumni and Honorary Degree Community
Honorary Degree Recipients David Huestis Nancy Nason-Clark, PhD Elder Joe Michael Rick Hansen, CC, OBC Biliana Cicin-Sain, PhD
Issue 5 | fall 2019
Distinguished Alumni Award Dr. David Levy (’72)
Alumni Profiles Dr. Elizabeth Cannon (’82) Dr. William ‘Bill’ Parker (’56)
Tremendous momentum I’m delighted to offer this year’s edition of The Honoree, in which we celebrate the many accomplishments and achievements of Acadia University’s Distinguished Alumni Award and Honorary Degree recipients. It was an honour to applaud you in May during Convocation here on campus and at our annual Alumni Dinner, held at Pier 21 in Halifax. Your accomplishments are truly remarkable and distinguish each of you in your respective fields, establishing a standard of excellence to which we can all aspire. As you know, our historic Campaign for Acadia is in full swing and the support we have received from alumni and friends has been overwhelming! We’ve generated tremendous momentum since unveiling the public phase of the Campaign in October 2018 and we are closing in our $75-million fundraising goal. Success will guarantee our ability to provide our students with an outstanding, transformative educational experience through quality instruction, cutting-edge innovation, and best-in-class facilities – enabling them to follow proudly in your footsteps. Members of our alumni community represent the pride and accomplishment that results from the unique experience Acadia offers and illustrates to incoming students the values that have sustained and continue to define our University. We remain committed to a philosophy and a learning environment that fosters the development of every student as a person, and I am grateful for your own unremitting dedication to Acadia. Yours sincerely,
Dr. Peter J. Ricketts President and Vice-Chancellor
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Issue 5 | fall 2019
Honorary Degree Recipients David Huestis Doctor of Humanities
and Scouting movement. Among his many volunteer
David Huestis graduated
Past-President Scouts Canada, member and Chairman for
from Acadia University with
the Audit Committee for World Scout Foundation (51 million
his Bachelor of Science
members).
in Mathematics in 1963 (Dalhousie 1966). He returned to Saint John to make sure a certain nurse, his wife Faye of 51 years, didn’t slip away. Faye and
responsibilities, he chaired the Centracare Hospital Board, is
For his sustained commitment to public service, he has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Gold and Diamond Jubilee medals as well as Scouts Canada’s Jubilee medal, the Silver Wolf (Canadian Scouting’s highest award) and the Bronze Wolf (World Scouting Highest Award).
David have three children – Paul, Peter and Jennifer – and
A generous philanthropist, in 2016 Huestis and his wife Faye
two grandchildren, Xavier and Oliver. Huestis is President and
revealed their most public donation when they became the
CEO of the Huestis Insurance Group, Atlantic Canada’s largest
anchor donors to Acadia’s science complex renovation project.
independent brokerage operating in more than 40 communities
The David Huestis Innovation Pavilion is the centrepiece of
throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward
an Acadia complex that fosters research, innovation and
Island.
community economic development. Additionally, he has
The commitment “to make the world a better place” is a core value of his business, which comes from deep within himself. An active member of his church community, he has been a leader in different service groups, New Brunswick Health organizations
provided several scholarships for Innovation and Acadia Divinity College. His support for Acadia faculty and students and the work they perform to benefit Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada stands as a gift for a lifetime for the University, positioning it for success in the 21st Century.
Nancy Nason-Clark, PhD Doctor of Divinity
A Professor of Sociology at UNB, Dr. Nason-Clark completed
Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark is a
Department of Sociology from 2008 until 2016, twice as Acting
leading scholar, teacher and
Associate Dean of Arts, and twice as Acting Director of the
advocate in the worldwide effort
Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research.
to reveal instances of sexual
Dr. Nason-Clark served as editor of the international journal
violence, assault and abuse
Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review from 2000-2006 and
of women and support these
she is Past-President of the international Religious Research
survivors in their recovery. Her
Association. She has served also as President of the Association
her PhD in Sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science in England. She served as chair of UNB’s
particular expertise is discussing domestic violence in homes
for the Sociology of Religion and as President of the Society for
that are also deeply grounded in religion or spirituality. Working
the Scientific Study of Religion.
from her home base at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Dr. Nason-Clark is the author of numerous books and refereed scholarly papers, and is a sought-after speaker and workshop leader in the faith community. Her work has taken her to India, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean and her books have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese.
Dr. Nason-Clark founded the RAVE Project at UNB as a means of providing support to families of faith that have been shattered by domestic violence. Her view is that religious congregations silence incidents of abuse and her work is committed to providing direct support to families and individuals as well as equipping faith leaders and religious scholars with the tools to intervene and help rebuild lives and communities.
Issue 5 | fall 2019
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Honorary Degree Recipients Elder Joe Michael Doctor of Humanities
up with Mi’kmaq as his first language and deeply respectful
Mi’kmaq Elder Lawrence
combined this knowledge with contemporary policing practices
Joseph Michael is a highly
to increase cross-cultural awareness and develop the RCMP’s
regarded inspirational and
Aboriginal Community Policing model that remains part of the
spiritual leader within Nova
force’s cadet training program in Regina. Before retiring from the
Scotia’s Mi’kmaq community,
RCMP as Detachment Commander, he became the force’s Pipe
Indigenous communities
Carrier responsible for performing sacred rituals and ceremonies
across Canada, and on
and helping all races better understand Aboriginal culture.
Acadia’s campus, particularly with students interested in learning traditional knowledge. Most notably, “Joe Mike” was the first Mi’kmaq member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police when he was appointed Special Constable on the Indian Brook First Nation and it was during his 25-year RCMP career that he earned the respect he enjoys today from Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities for his unique contribution to Canada’s justice system.
of methods of traditional knowledge and practices, and he
In 2014, he formed Weaving River Consulting, a cooperative venture with three other colleagues aimed at promoting balance between contemporary and traditional knowledge, teachings and practices to organizations and individuals. His relentless passion for educating youth has made him a regular visitor to university campuses in Nova Scotia and at Acadia in particular, where he played a key role in the Mawio’mi of 2015 and 2017. In addition to consulting and teaching, Joe Mike carves talking sticks that have made their way around the world and are a symbol of his
Joe Mike joined the RCMP as restorative justice principles
belief in the power of storytelling and finding balance.
and practices were beginning to take root in Canada. He grew
Rick Hansen, CC, OBC Doctor of Humanities
Between 1980 and 1984, Hansen won six Paralympic
Rick Hansen is Canada’s
and nine gold medals at the 1982 Pan-Am Games in Halifax.
Man in Motion. Over the past 40 years he has become a champion for accessibility and philanthropy. He is easily one of Canada’s most recognizable and influential personalities.
medals. He also won 19 wheelchair marathons, three world championships in wheelchair racing between 1979 and 1984
In 1985, Hansen embarked on his Man in Motion World Tour, a historic 26-month, 34 country, 40,000 km wheelchair marathon. Fueled by his two original dreams of a world without barriers for people with disabilities and a cure for paralysis after spinal cord injury, The Tour raised $26 million and changed the way people with disabilities were perceived. Hansen established The Rick Hansen Foundation in 1988, and for over 30 years the Foundation has raised awareness, changed attitudes, and
On the way home from a fishing trip, Mr. Hansen was in a car
improved the quality of life for people with disabilities. Currently,
accident and thrown from the back of a pickup truck. At age 15,
Hansen and the Foundation are rethinking how people of all
he injured his spinal cord and was paralyzed from the waist down.
ages and abilities access the spaces where we live, work,
His new reality came with challenges, but with determination, a
learn and play. The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility
sense of humour and a lot of heart, he found a way to keep doing
Certification™(RHFAC) is the only program that rates, certifies
the things he loved and began to make new dreams.
and showcases accessible buildings.
In 1976, Hansen enrolled at the University of British Columbia
Hansen has received numerous honours, including being named
and became the first person with a disability to graduate with a
a Companion of the Order of Canada and a member of the
degree in Physical Education from the university. He channeled
Order of British Columbia. To-date, he has received 21 honorary
his natural athletic ability into track and wheelchair marathoning.
degrees worldwide.
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Issue 5 | fall 2019
Honorary Degree Recipient Biliana Cicin-Sain, PhD
oceans agenda as founder and president of the Global Ocean
Doctor of Science
climate nexus in the context of the UN Framework Convention
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, who received her PhD in political science from UCLA and completed her
Forum. She is currently working on addressing the oceans and on Climate Change, especially in mobilizing the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action 2016-2021 and in leading the UNFCCC Ocean Action Days as well as contributing to the UN negotiations on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.
post-doctoral training at
Dr. Cicin-Sain’s international ocean work has been recognized
Harvard, is President of the
through a number of awards, including, inter alia, 2019 Prince
Global Ocean Forum, and
Albert I of Monaco Grand Prize of Marine Sciences; 2018
past director of the Gerard
Pioneer of the High Seas, French National Sea Center, France;
J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy and Professor of Marine
2017 Champion of the Ocean award, Monmouth University;
Policy at the University of Delaware.
2010 Laureate for the Elizabeth Haub Award for Environmental
An expert in the field of integrated coastal and ocean governance, she has authored over 100 publications in the field, and has forged international collaboration among all sectors of the international oceans community to advance the global
Diplomacy; 2010 honorary doctorate in maritime law by Korea Maritime University; 2007 US Coastal Zone Foundation Award; 2007 Elizabeth Mann Borgese Meerespreis (Prize of the Sea), Germany; and 2002 co-recipient of the Ocean and Coastal Stewardship Award (US).
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Dr. David Levy (’72) Dr. David H. Levy (’72) is arguably one of the most enthusiastic and famous amateur astronomers of our time. Although he has never taken a class in astronomy, he has written over three dozen books, contributes to three astronomy magazines
discoveries, the most famous being Shoemaker-Levy 9 that collided with Jupiter in 1994; a few hundred shared asteroid discoveries; an Emmy for the documentary Three Minutes to Impact; five honorary doctorates in science, including one from Acadia in 1995; and a PhD that combines astronomy and English Literature. Currently, he is the editor of the web magazine Sky’s Up! and has a monthly column, Skyward, in the local Vail Voice paper. Dr. Levy continues to hunt for comets and asteroids, and lectures worldwide. He lives in Vail, Arizona with his wife, Wendee Wallach-Levy.
and has appeared on television programs featured on the Discovery and the Science Channels. Among Dr. Levy’s accomplishments are 23 comet
For a full list of Acadia’s Honorary Degree and other distinguished award recipients please visit our Advancement website https://www2.acadiau.ca/alumni-friends/alumni/awards.html
Issue 5 | fall 2019
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Alumni Profile
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon (’82) Dr. Elizabeth Cannon (’82) is president emerita and a professor
opportunities to excel, particularly in science, technology, engineering
of geomatics engineering at University of Calgary. She served as
and mathematics. She generously supports scholarships for women
president and vice-chancellor from July 2010 to December 2018.
in science and engineering (W.I.S.E.) at Acadia, as well as female
Dr. Cannon is a passionate advocate for the importance of higher
athletes on the University’s varsity swim team.
education in driving discovery and innovation, finding solutions for the world’s greatest challenges, and fostering the talents of the young women and men who will become our future leaders.
She is the recipient of many honours and awards, including the Johannes Kepler Award from the U.S. Institute of Navigation, the world’s most prestigious satellite navigation prize; NSERC’s E.W.R.
An expert in geomatics engineering, Dr. Cannon’s research has
Steacie Memorial Fellowship, one of Canada’s premier science and
been on the frontier of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) since
engineering prizes; the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers’
1984 in both academia and industry, and she has commercialized
Young Engineer Achievement Award; and, in 2013, the Gold Medal
technology to over 200 agencies worldwide. She has a long
Award from Engineers Canada.
history of working effectively with industry and the surrounding community, has served on numerous public and private sector boards, with national advisory groups and community committees, including positions as: past-president of the U.S.-based Institute of Navigation; board member and interim chair of the Canada Foundation for Innovation; and board member of the Royal
In 1998, she was selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40; in 2006, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network; and in 2009 was recognized with the ASTech Outstanding Contribution to Alberta Science and Technology Community award.
Society of Canada, the Alberta Ingenuity Fund, and the TELUS
Born and raised in PEI, Dr. Cannon was a member of Acadia’s
SPARK World of Science. She is currently Chair of the Canadian
swim team and graduated with a BSc in Math and a CAS in 1982,
Knowledge Research Network board of directors, member of the
continuing her education with a BSc, MSc and PhD in geomatics
board of directors of the Association of Universities and Colleges of
engineering from the University of Calgary, where she later became
Canada (AUCC), and is Vice-Chair of the U15 Group of Canadian
the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor. From 1997 to 2002, she
Universities.
held the NSERC/Petro-Canada Chair for Women in Science and
Dr. Cannon is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the U.S. Institute of Navigation, and was inducted as a foreign associate into the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2011.
Engineering for the Prairie Region. In this capacity, she focused on raising public awareness about science and engineering careers for women. She has received honorary doctorates from the University of Ottawa, Acadia University and Université de Montreal, and was the Acadia Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award
Throughout her career, Dr. Cannon has championed women in
recipient in 2014. She is married to geomatics engineering professor
non-traditional areas and worked to ensure that women receive
Gérard Lachapelle and has two children.
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Issue 5 | fall 2019
Alumni Profile
Dr. William ‘Bill’ Parker (’56) William ‘Bill’ Parker (’56) was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec and
Now retired, Bill received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma
grew up in Drummondville, Quebec. He came to Acadia University
mater in 1998, and he and his wife Margaret Ann (Eaton, ’57) remain
in 1952, earning a BA in Economics over the next four years,
avid advocates for Acadia. Their children – Derek (’80), Heather
graduating as Life President of the Class of 1956. During that time,
(’81, ’83), David (’84); his brother Gerald (’59), his mother Elaine D.
he was Students’ Council Representative and Chairman of the
Rice (’24), his grandmother Lulu Bliss Dobson (1887) – as well other
Athletic Awards Committee. A fine athlete, Bill captained the varsity
family members, are all Acadia graduates. Their granddaughter is an
Axemen hockey team in his junior and senior years; played varsity
Acadia student at the present time.
golf; and was a member of the varsity track and field team that won two Maritime Intercollegiate Championships, in 1953 and 1955.
Bill says he feels fortunate to have participated in athletics under the mentorship of Fred ‘Major’ Kelly, Director of Athletics. “The
Following graduation, Bill returned to Quebec, working for American
Major coached all sports at Acadia and he had a huge impact on
Textile Ltd. in Drummondville, Quebec and then the Iron Ore
my life. Sportsmanship was most important; there was no time for
Company of Canada, Schefferville, Quebec. In 1963 he became
foolishness, and the value of teamwork was crucial. He was a strict
Acadia University’s first Director of Alumni Affairs and worked
disciplinarian and highly respected by me and all athletes.
closely with the Executive Committee of the Associated Alumni of Acadia University. That role expanded in 1969 to include Information Services and later, Development. Bill was appointed Vice-President External Relations in 1985 and was responsible for alumni activities, public affairs, community and government relations, special events and fundraising. He was involved in raising funds for the
“During my years at Acadia, I worked with five presidents: Dr. Kirkconnell (’64), Dr. Beveridge (’37), Dr. Sinclair, Dr. Perkin (’95) and Dr. Ogilvie (’63). I also worked with Chancellors H.P. McKeen, Dr. Charles B. Huggins (’20), Dr. Alex Colville (’75), and Dr. William Feindel (’39).
construction of several new buildings on campus (including the
“The most gratifying experience I had at Acadia was with our
War Memorial Gymnasium Extension and the Arena) and Academic
students and alumni, with whom I have maintained continuous
Scholarships. Bill is known, unofficially, as “Mr. Acadia” because of
contact and have established lifelong friendships.”
his dedicated role as Acadia’s Ambassador.
This article originally appeared in Voices of Acadia, Vol. I.
Issue 5 | fall 2019
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Upcoming Events Annual Business Banquet
Campus
October 17, 2019
Homecoming Weekend
Campus
October 17-20, 2019
U SPORTS University Cup
Wolfville
March 12-15, 2020
Acadia Alumni Association AGM
Wolfville
May 9, 2020
Convocation Campus May 10-11, 2020
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Annual Alumni Dinner
Halifax
May 14, 2020
Summer Reunion
Campus
July 3-5, 2020
Annual Alumni Golf Tournament
New Minas
July 24, 2020
Issue 5 | fall 2019