ACADIA ALUMNI PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SPRING 2020 Volume 103 / Issue 1 Publisher Office of Advancement, Acadia University Editor Fred Sgambati (’83) Vice-President, Advancement Rod Morrison Advertising Manager Sandra Symonds Alumni Association Board of Directors Donalda MacBeath (’75) Matt Rios (’14) Tammy Walker (’92) Leah McNally (’07) Ryan Conrod (’06) Jeff Aucoin (’95) Carol D’Amelio (’72) David Davidson (’81) Fred Gilbert (’65) Hilary Arenburg Gobien (’12) Heather Hickman (’77) Christine McRae (’11) Kyle Power (’13) Stephanie Reid (’05) Tony Stewart (’72) Ted Upshaw (’80) Sam Zhang (’05) Tiffany James (’14) Natalie Irwin (’01) Kelton Thomason (’07, ’10) Taylor Wilson (’20, ex-officio) Olivia Shive (’21, ex-officio) Graphic Designer Cathy Little Printing Advocate Printing Distributor Russell 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 28,000 alumni. All material is ©2020 Acadia University, and may be reprinted with written permission. Acadia Bulletin welcomes Letters to the Editor: Fred Sgambati Office of Advancement Acadia University Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6 fred.sgambati@acadiau.ca 902.585.1725 Advertising inquiries: Production and Events Manager Alumni Affairs Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6 902.585.1708 sandra.symonds@acadiau.ca
Alumni Association takes proactive role, stands ready to serve
I
t is not lost on me as I write this message during an unprecedented world health crisis how now, more than ever, we need to acknowledge and applaud the heroic efforts of those who serve: doctors, nurses, health care providers, police officers, public health personnel, first responders, and so many others too numerous to list here. The Acadia Alumni Association, in conjunction with Acadia University and the Office of Advancement, took a proactive approach to the crisis and, conscious of public health, safety and security and in concert with federal and provincial directives, postponed and cancelled a series of alumni events scheduled for this spring. It was a decision not taken lightly, but deemed necessary given global circumstances. Further postponements or cancellations may also occur in the future. Nevertheless, I encourage our alumni family to stay connected and support one another. We need to look forward to better days beyond the pandemic with energy, optimism and a commitment to promote the greater good. If we are looking for inspiration in the interim, we need look no further than the accomplished, dedicated and hard-working alumni that we are proud to call our own. They exemplify the quality and depth of Acadia graduates who have gone on to do great things in their careers or chosen paths. In this edition of the Bulletin, we recognize a sampling of our Acadia alumni who have
chosen service. Their stories and career accomplishments are compelling and they deserve recognition for the work they do, often under very challenging circumstances. To help you stay in touch with your Association and your fellow alumni, you can access all the latest news and updates online through our alumni website, the monthly e-Newsletter, and our Acadia alumni social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The Alumni Association will remain actively engaged in supporting Acadia, its faculty, staff, students and alumni to ensure that, when the pandemic passes, the University can continue to deliver the exceptional educational experience and alumni and community engagement it is known for. To our newest Acadia alumni – our graduating class of 2020 – I extend greetings and hearty congratulations on behalf of the Acadia Alumni Association, recognizing and regretting that you have completed your Acadia experience in such adverse circumstances. You have achieved much and reached an important milestone in challenging times, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments later in the year. Welcome to the next phase of your lifelong Acadia journey.
With best wishes, Donalda MacBeath (’75) President, Acadia Alumni Association
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