Bulletin Retrospective

Bulletin showcases, celebrates more than 100 years of alumni history in print!

As the Bulletin transitions from a print product to a digital format in 2021, we thought it would be appropriate to look back at the magazine’s remarkable history and showcase some of the many memorable moments and wonderful editions that have characterized the publication as the official voice of Acadia’s Alumni Association .

What started as a small leaflet in 1912 has grown over the past 108 years into a 48-page magazine that illustrates campus life and acknowledges outstanding alumni achievement .

The world was different when the first edition was produced in 1912 . Poet Irving Layton, folk singer Woody Guthrie, Pope John Paul I, dancer Gene Kelly and TV chef Julia Child were born during this leap year . Irish novelist Bram Stoker, Canadian strongman Louis Cyr and Swedish playwright August Strindberg died . The Titanic took its illfated maiden voyage and the Olympic Games were contested in Stockholm, Sweden .

Acadia was 74 years old and the Associated Alumni of Acadia College had been in place for more than two decades, having been duly incorporated in June 1860 . The Bulletin arrived with little fanfare: no editor or editorial board was identified, and it was only five-by-eight inches in size . No matter: it was chock-full of information “useful to many” and expected to be welcomed monthly by the University’s alumni .

Indeed, Acadia’s alumni cohort was growing, with 800 members by 1923 . We now number more than 31,000 in 60 countries around the world .

Ever aware of its audience, the Bulletin responded by increasing in size from eight to 16 pages, publishing on better paper and offering larger type . In June 1931, English Professor Harold Sipprell (’27) became the first officially appointed editor and the Bulletin was published jointly by the University and the Associated Alumni .

Sipprell guided the publication until 1945 and was succeeded by Dr . R . S . Longley on an interim basis . Rev . Dr . George E . Levy (’27), a professor of English Bible, was editor from 1947-64 . Political Science Professor Duncan Fraser took over from 1964-68, followed by Bill Parker (1968-72) and then Levy’s niece, Linda Cann (1973 to late 1990s) . Other editors have included Sue Cox Roberts (’83), Jim Prime (’69), Kathleen Martin (’03), Jill Wagner (’99), Oonagh Proudfoot (’93, ’06) and Kristen Loyst (’02) to name a few . I have had the privilege of editing the magazine since 2011 .

According to library records, the Bulletin has changed names twice . It started originally as the Acadia Bulletin, changed to the Acadia University Alumni Bulletin in 1985 and then back to Acadia Bulletin in 2002 .

Each iteration has detailed the University’s successes and challenges and provided remarkable insight into not only the rare educational experience Acadia offers, but the people and personalities that have distinguished it both on and off campus . Our goal in presenting a series of cover photos and context to commemorate the publication’s 108 years of service as a print product is to illustrate some of Acadia’s milestone moments and look ahead with great anticipation to continuing the fine storytelling tradition that has long celebrated the outstanding achievements of our alumni and the remarkable institution they represent .

It’s a fond look back at Acadia and its alumni through the Bulletin’s unblinking eye, and a look ahead toward a new era of promise and achievement that we hope to represent with the same verve, accuracy and ambition as our predecessors . Stand

Up and Cheer!

Fred Sgambati (’83) Editor

February, 1912 The Bow

December, 1920 College Hall

The Acadia Bulletin is a monthly

publication devoted to educational therefore quickly read; it is to present its news in concentrated form and therefore worth reading; its subscription price is to be low On the night of December 1st and 2nd the white building on the hill, known

work . It is to be small in size and

destroyed by fire . The fire, which was

as the College Building, College Hall, and University Hall, was totally probably caused by defective wiring,

was discovered at about elevenand therefore within reach of all . It is to be useful to many and therefore 1912 2012 thirty . Notwithstanding the efforts which we expect many to welcome it as a monthly visitor . Other notes: Articles in this edition focused on Politics; Athletics; Branch Information; and Personals . were made by the students for the first half hour and after that by the town firemen, the building could not be saved . Through the heroic efforts of the students and professors, most of the records of the College office From the Acadia Bulletin: From the Acadia Bulletin Bulletin December, 1920, Vol. IX, No. 12 and of the Treasurer’s office, together January, 1921, Vol. IX, No. 12 with some of the furniture on the ground floor, were salvaged . By early THE CAMPAIGN

On the night of December 1st and To many of the old graduates morning nothing but a smouldering As announced in the December 2nd the white building on the hill, known as the College Building, this was Acadia College. With the exception of Chipman mass of ruins marked the place where Bulletin, the Governors of the University after carefully College Hall, and University Hall, Hall, it was the only building the historic building had been . By a considering the matter, have was totally destroyed by fire. The fire, which was probably caused by defective wiring, was discovered at about eleven-thirty. Notwithstanding the efforts they knew, and it formed a link between the present and the past. Undoubtedly many of the hearts of former students will be stirred when they hear of the strange coincidence, it was burned on the anniversary of the destruction of the former College building by fire, decided that to meet the present imperative needs One Million Dollars is necessary and they decided to ask the friends of Acadia for this amount. It looks From the first edition of the Acadia Bulletin: Feb. 1, 1912, Vol. 1, No. 1 which were made by the students for the first half hour and after that by the town firemen, the destruction of this building, and many memories of former days will crowd in upon them. namely December 2nd . The former fire took place in 1877 . like a big task to secure this, and it is, but not so large but that we can accomplish it if every building could not be saved. Through the heroic efforts of the It was in the Assembly Hall that all the College functions took To many of the old graduates Acadia man and woman and all our friends combine in one this was Acadia College . With the exception of Chipman this Hall was the only building they knew, and it formed a link between the present students and professors, most of the records of the College office and of the Treasurer’s office, together with some of the furniture on the ground floor, were salvaged. By early morning place: receptions, entertainments, and convocations. It was here that graduates for the past forty years received their diplomas, and many distinguished lecturers and visitors were entertained in united effort. It is comparatively not so great a task as that which faced the governors in 1877 when the first College was burned and does not call for one tithe of the sacrifice demanded OUR BOW The Acadia Bulletin is a monthly publication devoted to educational work. It is to be small in size and therefore quickly read; it is to present its news in concentrated form and therefore worth reading; its subscription price is to be low and therefore within reach of all. It is to be useful to many and therefore we expect many to welcome it as a monthly visitor. Other notes: Articles in this edition focused on Politics; Athletics; Branch Information; and Personals. nothing but a smouldering mass of ruins marked the place where the historic building had been. and the past . Undoubtedly many of the hearts of former students will this Hall…. The destruction of it means a very distinct loss to the University. when the first building was constructed. Numerous letters have been received offering aid, ACADIA BULLETIN Spring 2012 19 By a strange coincidence, it was burned on the anniversary of be stirred when they hear of the and all seem to be enthusiastic concerning the campaign. the destruction of the former destruction of this building, and College building by fire, namely December 2nd. The former fire many memories of former took place in 1877. days will crowd in upon

them .

It was in the Assembly

Hall that all the College functions took place: receptions, entertainments, and convocations . It was here that graduates for the past forty years received their diplomas, and many distinguished lecturers and visitors were entertained in means a very distinct loss to the University .

January, 1938 From the Acadia Bulletin

The covers during the 1930s depicted views of University Hall, and this one is no exception . However, this edition of the Bulletin is remarkable in that it denotes Acadia’s entrance into its Centennial Year . It was reported: “Founders’ Day, observed on 16 November, was of unusual interest this year . Ninety-nine years ago 15 November last, the decision to found the University was reached; Founders’ Day, therefore, marked the first day of Acadia’s centennial year .

The enthusiasm and optimism displayed on that occasion boded well for the success of the programmes planned for next August . Even the heavy rains failed to dampen the ardour of the large number of friends and alumni from Wolfville and the Maritimes who gathered to honour the memory of the Founders and to attend the events of the day . ”

April 1963 Chapel Steeple

Completing the steeple: Wednesday, March 13, gave the campus an exciting kind of afternoon when the upper section of the steeple on the Manning Memorial Chapel was put in place . Acadia Street from Horton Avenue west had been blocked off to traffic and signs erected here and there bidding all and sundry to take due precautions for the safety of life and limb . Shortly the two-ton white steel section had been secured to the top of the crane and mechanical lift moved into place (see cover photo) . Once the steel section of the steeple had been secured in its resting place … two workmen went up to place the six-foot-high gold cross on top… . By five p .m ., quitting time for the day, the cross had been secured in its position and this phase of the construction of the chapel had been completed, without a hitch or an accident .

Summer 1984 Dr. Marion Grant

Acadia’s Woman of the Century Dr . Marion E . Grant . Psychologist and educator Dr . Marion Elder Grant ’21 was honored at the alumni banquet as Acadia’s ‘woman of the century’ and recipient of the Associated Alumni Gold Medal . After a stint as Dean of Women at Baylor College for Women in Texas, Dr . Grant returned to Wolfville in 1936 to begin her career of 27 years at Acadia, 24 of which as Dean of Women . She also taught in the school of education and department of psychology from 1936 until 1960 at which time she was named full professor and head of the psychology department . During her tenure at Acadia, Dr . Grant served on the University Senate and numerous committees, was a founding director of the Acadia University Institute, held a two-year term as president of the Associated Alumni and served as a member of the Board of Governors .

Spring 1996 Acadia Advantage

Cover: Beginning this fall, Acadia becomes the first electronic campus in Canada . Unanimously approved by the board of governors, Acadia Advantage will make computer technology an integral part of almost every aspect of campus life . Using course-specific software, the Acadia network, and the Internet, students will use notebook computers as tools to enhance discussion and for work inside and outside the classroom . (Cover by Semaphor Design; photography, Dan Callis)

Fall 2013 Acadia Since 1838

Looking back over the last 175 years, Acadia has stood above the rest many times as an institutional and community leader, helping to shape students’ lives and discourse on higher education across the country . “Acadia has never had the feeling that education belonged to the elite,” says Barry Moody (‘67), retired professor and former head of Acadia’s Department of History . “Education is and should be for everyone .”

This concept has shaped Acadia’s philosophy, from its humble beginnings to present day, and underscored the University’s unique role as a post-secondary school . Here are just some of the ways Acadia has been ahead of the rest throughout its 175-year history, as noted in our cover story: no religious discrimination; a practical education; Clara Belle Marshall Raymond, the first woman to graduate from Acadia and one of the earliest females to graduate in the British Empire; Edwin Borden (1892, 1896), Acadia’s first graduate of African descent, and also a member of Acadia’s varsity baseball team; lectures on Canadian literature; the Acadia Advantage; alcohol awareness leadership; and a proliferation of Academic AllCanadians .

Fall 2016 The Face of Change

Social activism and a commitment to make people’s lives better has been a hallmark of many Acadia alumni throughout the years, but few represent the face of change as dramatically as Jawad Nabulsi (’06) . The activist and social entrepreneur says Acadia changed his life and gave him the opportunity to see democracy in action . Those fundamental lessons informed his thinking and encouraged him to create the Nebny Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on education, health care and job creation for youth .

Nabulsi endorses a strong international presence among Acadia students and faculty, saying, “there’s value for people coming from abroad to live in such a small town, but there’s also value for Canadian students to interact with international students . We both benefit from each other and the cultural interaction . I feel lucky to have been part of Acadia . When you go to a small school, and it’s a good school, you feel special . You feel a close bond . ”

Spring 2020 Strong Leadership

It’s a classic Acadia story: students arrive in Wolfville, have a transformative educational experience, earn a degree, then go out and change the world . There’s a certain magic to it, a water-into-wine alchemy that defines the Acadia experience and produces people who, at the end of their academic journey, sprout metaphoric wings and take flight, full of confidence and anticipation, determined to accomplish great things .

Five such people have done just that – soared after graduation from Acadia and thrilled now to return to their alma mater with purpose and intention to share accumulated knowledge and hardearned professional acumen with the University’s administration and today’s students: Dean of Arts, Dr . Laura Robinson (BA ’88; HC ’88); Dean of Pure and Applied Science, Dr . Suzie Currie (BSCH ’91); Dean of Theology and President of Acadia Divinity College, Dr . Anna Robbins (MRE ’93; MAT ’97); Dean of the Faculty of Professional Studies, Dr . Ann Vibert (BA ’74); and Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and Director, Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research, Dr . Anna Redden (BSC ’79; BSCH ’82; MSC ’86) . All are proud to be Acadia alumnae and each is delighted to return to the University and contribute to its academic success both now and in the future .