ACADIA ALUMNI PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
FALL 2020 Volume 103 / Issue 2 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) 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
Pandemic response shows true Acadia colours
T
he coronavirus pandemic has brought change to our lives in many ways through unprecedented circumstances that have had stunning and dramatic impact. As a global community and to the best of our individual abilities, we have worked hard to manage the change and move forward. Could we have imagined where we are today back in January? I certainly didn’t see the magnitude of what was coming. Perhaps I was in denial or simply oblivious to the dire consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on the world. Regardless, we have had to change and adapt, shift in unusual times, and our Alumni Association has done just that. This edition of the Bulletin looks at the ways in which our alumni community has also come together to support one another and meet the challenges of COVID-19 and the change it has brought. Clearly, the University and the Acadia student population have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. Early on, the University identified the significant financial burden it would place on students and began exploring ways to address their need. The Alumni Association saw the University’s COVID-19 Student Relief Fund as an area where we could make a meaningful contribution. Our initial commitment was approved by our Board at its May meeting, followed by a further contribution in June once the application deadline closed and the number of applicants was finalized. Part of our June commitment included $10,000 for immediate relief for our international students because of the particularly difficult circumstances some were facing. Our total commitment now stands at $100,000. This contribution was made possible through the ongoing support of the Alumni Association by our alumni community, and we greatly appreciate it.
With the cancellation of our many inperson alumni events over the last few months, the Alumni Association and the Alumni Affairs Office created new ways to engage with members of our community. Through our very successful Acadia Virtual Events Series and our virtual Homecoming activities, we forged new avenues of communication and participation. There is great value to being engaged in these challenging times so stay in touch on our various social media channels. We welcome any and all comments on our new initiatives. Finally, and unrelated to the Association’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, I’d like to announce that the Bulletin will shift to a digital format in the spring of 2021. We are excited to take the magazine to this next level and, as our 108-year print history comes to a close, we have included in this edition a fond look back at several of our many memorable covers and issues that shaped the Bulletin over the years. In closing, on behalf of the Alumni Association, I would like to commend the University administration, faculty and staff that have made a Herculean effort to shift so quickly to online and hybrid learning while planning on multiple fronts for the safe return of students, faculty and staff to campus. These changes created stress, upheaval and uncertainty, placing a huge demand on all involved. However, because of this incredible collective effort, Acadia shifted successfully and stands poised to move forward with strength and pride toward a bright future beyond the pandemic.
Donalda MacBeath (’75) President, Acadia Alumni Association
ACADIA BULLETIN FALL 2020 3
