Voices of Acadia
to leave the Board so they managed to find a way to keep me on as a government appointee. I remained on the Board for 18 years. “I was also active in the last capital campaign, Tides are Turning. It was the first time we had ever really engaged the alumni in fundraising. Acadia had a history of staying in contact with alumni – hosting social functions – but never really asking for money. The Board at the time led the charge and contributed almost $8 million to the campaign. It was unprecedented. As I recall, there were over 300 alumni that contributed in a meaningful way to help that campaign become successful, and we hit the $50 million target. “George Bishop (’65) was Chairman of the Board and a key guy to the Tides are Turning campaign. There was some pressure on those of us who had some financial wherewithal to lead by example. I think it was a turning point for Acadia to get alumni so re-engaged after a long period of time and to get that type of financial support.” “Recently, we’ve been trying to raise $2 million from about 20 people – $100,000 each – for a renovated Patterson Hall. To me, the business program has an opportunity to be showcased on campus. Given its importance to the student population and to the financial strength of Acadia, it’s a no-brainer. “Vice-President, Advancement Rod Morrison suggested getting $100,000 from each of 20 people, which will be enough to complete the renovation of Patterson Hall. I said I’d do $100,000 if we could get 19 others to do the same thing – all or none. We embarked on that and we’re now at 17 people, with other donors naming individual rooms with additional gifts. It will create a building that the school can be proud of and make it a legitimate centre of activity for business at Acadia. “The reality is the university isn’t going to be able to invest in itself unless it gets support from alumni. Without help, it doesn’t have the necessary financial resources. Major gifts from alumni are absolutely critical to keeping things going. “Acadia dramatically changed my life. I met my late wife, Sheila Nickerson (’68), in my second year. My closest friends today graduated from there. I’ve been Jim Durrell’s best man twice and he’s been mine twice. My wife’s two sisters went to Acadia. I have a daughter who went, a cousin who went, and two stepdaughters who have gone so there’s
a family connection that is real and ongoing. I have 10 grandchildren and I would hope that one or two or more of them will end up there in due course. “All graduates say similar things about what a great experience Acadia was, but what they all have to know is that the wonderful experience only happens if you can afford to make it happen. No matter how small the gift, alumni should be thinking of giving back and keeping this experience alive for future generations. “Acadia has a wonderful leader in charge. We are so lucky to have somebody with Ray Ivany’s skills. Ray has an open approach to sharing information and engaging other people. He lets people know what the realities are and still maintains a great relationship with the powers that be at the provincial government. I’d love to be on the Board now just to be a part of what he’s doing because it’s inspiring.” –
Jim Durrell As quarterback and co-captain of the Acadia Axemen football teams of the late ’60s, Jim Durrell (’68) learned valuable lessons about leadership and life. After graduating with a degree in business, the Montreal native put those lessons to good use. He ran for and was elected Mayor of Ottawa in 1985 and remained in that position until 1991. He was the first president of the Ottawa Senators hockey team, a franchise that he is largely responsible for bringing to Canada’s capital city. He secured the 1988 Grey Cup game for Ottawa and delivered a Triple-A baseball franchise. He is currently 14
