THE GROWING EDGE
BLAZING AHEAD
2024's Fall Grads, Mastering Medicine in Canada, and more!
FIRING UP FOR GREATER RESILIENCY
DR. BRUCE FAWCETT ('88) PRESIDENT AND VICE CHANCELLOR
...we were also rejoicing over the fact that, for the first time in its history, the University is completely debt free!"
In my teenage years, I really enjoyed lighting bonfires at the summer camps where I worked so our campers could sing together around the fire at the end of each day. By the time I was in my 30s, Penny and I purchased a home with two woodburning stoves and my inner teenager could not believe that I was allowed to light fires indoors!
I confess that this fall I was once again involved in lighting a fire indoors. Have no fear – on this occasion a fire extinguisher was placed nearby! The fire was lit on September 20th at a Gala Banquet in The Court (Crandall's gymnasium) where 400 Crandall supporters had gathered to celebrate the University’s 75th anniversary. We lit a fire so we could burn our mortgage!
The fact that we were able to pay off our $12 million mortgage 33
years early would in and of itself be worth celebrating, but we were also rejoicing over the fact that, for the first time in its history, the University is completely debt free! From the construction of our first building on the old Salisbury Road campus in 1949 through to the opening of Mitton Court in 2012, funds were borrowed to allow the University
to expand its facilities. While there have certainly been ups and downs over the years, we have continued to grow, and as former President Dr. Brian MacArthur once observed, “every time the Board of Governors voted to add space, the Lord filled it with more students!”
We are grateful to the Atlantic Baptist Foundation for holding our mortgage and for financial gifts from the University’s supporters that made the elimination of our debt possible. This very important step helps make our University much more resilient in a rapidly changing and challenging postsecondary environment. Please join me in giving thanks to God that we are finally debt free and better positioned for a future of even greater impact in students’ lives.
On the evening of September 20, 2024, Crandall's mortgage documents were burned as part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations. From left to right: Douglas Schofield, Chair of the Board of Governors, Heather Burke, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Ava MacArthur ('27), Business Administration Student, Dr. Brian MacArthur ('70), Former President, and Dr. Bruce Fawcett ('88), President and Vice Chancellor.
Dr. Bruce Fawcett ('88) has served as President and Vice Chancellor since 2012.
Chicken Soup for The Crandall Student's Soul
Deney Taylor ('20), Bachelor of Business Administration 18
Convocation
See this year's 2024 Fall Graduates.
Credits
Frannie Branswell ('20), Marketing & Communications Associate
Darrell Nevers ('08), Marketing & Communications Manager
Cover Photo: Master of Management grad preparing for Convocation
Convocation photography by Dale Preston.
Changes of address should be sent to:
Alumni Relations
Crandall University Box 6004, Moncton, NB E1C 9L7
Tel: +1 (506) 858-8970 Ext. 105 | 1-888-968-6228
Email: alumni@crandallu.ca
The Growing Edge is the magazine of Crandall University. Its purpose is to inform alumni, donors, and friends about the University and to keep them in touch with the life of Crandall, as well as its family and friends.
Alumni letters, unsolicited manuscripts, art, and photos are welcome for possible inclusion. Items for "Alumni News" should be identified by graduation class year.
© 2024 Crandall University. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Printer: Advocate Printing
Publication Number: 40006990
THE NAME BEHIND THE PLACE
DR. ROBERT KNOWLES ('89), EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT
Myron Brinton was born in 1901 in a small community of St. Croix Cove, located on the Fundy Shore of the Annapolis Valley. His privileges in life were not financial but were found in faithful, godly parents who instilled in him a priority of surrender to God and a strong work ethic. Both of these would mark his life and ministry and would be closely intertwined in the responsibilities he took on.
Early in life he committed his life to the Lord and answered a call to ministry. Of course this required schooling, and he entered Acadia University, ill-equipped as a humble country boy for all this would involve. But he was determined to do well, and this included effort to complete his studies and earn the money required to pay his bills. He was undeterred in his commitment to reach his goals.
As a Pastor, he was an eloquent and energetic preacher, memorizing his manuscript word for word so he could communicate intentionally to the people what God had laid on his heart. Along with that, he was known for his ministry of visitation, calling on hundreds of people per year, often on foot. He took on assignments that were small and large, always ready to be obedient to the call of God on his life. He loved his congregations and they loved him.
One of the largest tests of faith in his life would come in 1949. Rev. Brinton (later Dr. Brinton) was one of the original members of the Board of Directors for the “Bible School." He was a leader in the Baptist Convention, having served as President in 1946, and was well esteemed among his colleagues and the wider family. In the 1940’s he was serving at
the Woodstock Baptist Church, and God was blessing that ministry in a mighty way. Hundreds had been baptized and had joined the church.
But the Bible School needed guidance, and Rev. Brinton, who was absent at a critical Board meeting because of a funeral, was tapped on the shoulder to step up and take on the role of visionary leadership that was necessary to establish a new school.
He took on assignments that were small and large, always ready to be obedient to the call of God on his life."
Colleague and friend, Dr. Arthur Vincent, encouraged him as he felt Myron had the energy needed for such a task and the connection to Acadia University which was also important in the establishment of such a venture.
After days of struggle and prayer, Brinton surrendered to this unique call and set out to work which involved teaching, recruitment, promotion, and fundraising. Everything was new and it was literally built from the ground up. Surrender now required this strong work ethic to see that the school would become successful.
With modest beginnings of nine students meeting in a basement to 140 students nine years later in two buildings, Brinton saw the dream realized. The students called him “Daddy Brinton," as he was no doubt a guiding father figure to them. He was well respected by students, the Board, his colleagues, and the wider constituency. He was the leader for the assignment.
But to me, Myron Brinton was “Grampie,” a unique role and one which he cherished as much or more than any ministry assignment. I had no say in what family I would be born into, but I have no complaints whatsoever. He and my grandmother, along with my parents, Rev.
Joe and Marion (Brinton) Knowles, gave me a beautiful legacy of faith and ministry to follow in.
In the late 1980s when I was a student at Atlantic Baptist College, the current property on the Gorge Road was donated by Mrs. Ruth Colburne. The campus would be constructed in 1995-96 and I had a thought that it would be most appropriate to acknowledge the faithful legacy of the Brintons in the life of the College. Eventually that led to the establishment of and funding for the Brinton Auditorium by our family, alumni from the 50s, and three churches he had served (Highfield, Woodstock, and Forest Hills). The auditorium would be placed at the center of the main academic building and serve as the chapel, a fitting acknowledgement which tied in well with the heart of the College’s mission from the verse, Colossians 1:18b, a verse which Brinton himself selected as the motto for the school.
Brinton Auditorium continues to house large chapel gatherings where students and employees gather to worship God. To me it has an extra feel – I knew the “name behind the place” very well, in fact, and I know he would be so pleased to see our mission continue in the lives of our students.
Recently the auditorium underwent a major renovation and at the first chapel of the fall semester President Fawcett offered a prayer of re-dedication. To most in the room, they don’t fully understand the “name behind the place,” but I and many others do, and I am privileged to worship with the Crandall University community in that place named in recognition of a hero of faith to many, including myself.
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CRANDALL STUDENT'S SOUL
DENEY TAYLOR ('20), BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Ihave been asked many times why I chose Crandall University for my postsecondary journey and, regrettably, my answer is wholly uninspiring: I didn’t, really.
To save face, I could argue that I chose Crandall because I hail from the quaint, little town of Hartland, New Brunswick, and I am quite fond of a small, close-knit community. Or maybe I could say I was drawn by an education rooted in faith in hopes to cement my own. While these factors certainly played a role in my senior year application process, the truth of the matter is that I was quite literally left with no other choice. Not to be dramatic, but while applying to universities I was directionless, grieving for a terminally ill mother, and, to make matters worse, I was a very inexperienced child making a very uninformed decision. Unwisely, I applied to exactly two institutions hoping to pursue accounting simply because my mother had once told me I suited the profession when I wore a blazer in a Christmas play… and I’ve always been good with numbers. I guess that, at least, was moderately rooted in logic.
Within a matter of months, I was kindly informed that the local college I was looking to attend had completely scrapped their accounting courses. Need I remind you, I applied to two schools. One of which dropped my program with no warning. And just like that, I was sent out across the province in a tailspin. Destination: Crandall University.
The resulting crash wasn’t nearly as dreadful as the picture I seem to be painting. In fact, it was less a fiery catastrophe and more a hard-to-swallow blessing. You know, the God-given kind. While I had an incredibly challenging experience with my mental health during my Crandall days, I met some amazing people, received what, in my humble opinion, was a top-quality education, and, most importantly, encountered God in many ways that I have only really been able to acknowledge in retrospect.
My business professors are what made Crandall for me, and I will not cease in singing their praises until the day I die. Teachers cared in high school, but not to the same extent. Heather Steeves and Rob MacDonald, specifically, put up with my antics and endless questions almost daily. They genuinely invested in my life to see me flourish, and I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be where I am today, a fully certified Chartered Professional Accountant working for a firm that values its community just as much as I do, without their patience, grace, and guidance.
I was introduced to Doane Grant Thornton, the accounting firm that I currently work with, through a few of my part-time professors, who I now work with. Following my time at Crandall, I was offered a position with the firm and part of that position entailed acquiring my CPA designation. The education I received at Crandall was invaluable in this pursuit, especially in equipping me to walk straight out of university with all the required courses, credits, and skills needed to dive headfirst into the CPA program. Taking this next step mid-pandemic also presented me with reformatted exams that were strictly case driven, which not so secretly gave me an advantage considering Heather and Rob made me write more case studies than I could possibly count!
In all seriousness, I have been truly privileged to find a new community I can work alongside who is driven to help others thrive: a value that was instilled in me throughout my academic career. Doane Grant Thornton actively promotes giving back to the community and, while most of my volunteering occurs on personal time, I have had the opportunity to develop relationships throughout my professional career that are allowing me to “pass it forward” and invest fully into others.
So why did I choose Crandall? The uninspiring answer is that I didn’t, really. But, in the funny way that life tends to unfold, I think that might have been the plan all along.
2024 FALL CONVOCATION
FALL 2024 GRADS
Master of Education
Nicole Doiron
Alanna Hallihan
Sonja Tropf
Lindsay Warren
Master of Management
Neha
Preeti
Arinola Adesina
Manish Agrawal
Priyanka Nilesh Aher
Udayjot Singh Ahuja
Rabeya Alam
Aida Alegria Martinez
Chris Aloysius
Jorge Ivan Alvaradejo Velazquez
Mateus Alves Nazareth
Rita Nkiruka Ama
Jileesh Augustine
Huma Aziz
Temitope Aderonke Balogun
Kelisha Rachel Bartholomew
Michael Bech
Megha Bedi
Shaileshbhai Khimjibhai Bharvad
Aditya Chandreshbhai Bhatt
Priyanka Chaudhary
Jagadeesh Pandian Chellapandi
Chika Frances Chikwendu
Rakesh Choudhary
Julian Alfredo Contreras Uribe
Ana Gabriela del Rio Rodriguez
Nithya Devadas
Apeksha Purshotam Dhingra
Eyas El Nabulsi
Emil Emmanuel
Jenavive Ngozi Erondu
Nahin Fatima
Lorena Paola Forero Bohorquez
Ignatious Francis
Gerardo de Jesus Garaviz Almeida
Luisaura Jose Garcia Ricart
Marcia Garmatter
Sonam Gautam
Deepu Geevarghese
Sanyam Gupta
Eli Alberto Gutierrez Quintero
Delowar Hossain
Olubusola Abidemi Idris
Olunma May Isikaku
Shwetaben Pranav Jariwala
Neeta Jawale
Merin Jose
Anto Joseph
Savrin Charles Joseph
Dixitkumar Rameshbhai Kalathiya
Saira Kalissery Balakrishnan
Hemali Mitul Kapadia
Amarpreet Kaur
Gurpreet Kaur
Harsimran Kaur
Manpreet Kaur
Manpreet Kaur
Sohail Khan
Iryna Kremenchutska
Rohit Reddy Kurapati
Shilpa Mariam Kurian
Atulya Lali
Hector Alejandro Lebreault Acevedo
Gina Marcela Lopez Moreno
Chiranjeevi Madhusoodan
Tasheen Mahabub
Atul Jayram Mali
Pavithra Manian
Mohd Khurram Masroor
Bonnie Massey
Sakshi Mathur
Midhu Michael
Sara Moghadam
Edelen Marceli Moreno Mendez
Monika Hemang Mungalpara
Mahla Nabizadeh Mashizi
Himanshu Mukeshbhai Nasit
Vincent Onyedikachi Nnam
Caroline Manka Nyamnjoh
Destiny Obialor
Ijeoma Collins Okoro
Vimalkumar Atulbhai Parmar
Arpan Vinodbhai Patel
Bhavisha Patel
Rushikesh Patel
Vaibhav Patel
Claudia Maria Perez Castillo
Jared Kazahyet Tokan Peter
Faisal Salim Rahman
Sumit Rajput
Samyuktha Rajulapudi
Sushant Rana
Soundararajan Ranganathan
Marcio Humberto Reyes Gonzales
Sherbin Leticia Rivas Perez
Christie Ruff
Niloufar Sadeghianmilani
Salman Salimbhai Saleh
Parminder Singh Sandhu
Sarabjot Sarna
Chaminda Krishan Sembucutti
Arachchige
Gandhari Uthpala Weerasinghe
Sendanayake Achchige Dona
Shillu Shaji
Akashkumar Sitapara
Omotola Olaide Sobanjo
Jaspreet Kaur Sran
Tarun Sucheta
Sujai Sudhakaran
Rose Mary Sumesh
Melinda Sunny
Khadijat Opeyemi Tella
Kuriyan Thomas
Mindy Gissela Torres Garcia
Ugochi Chinyere Udodi-Chimezie
Eno Michael Udosen
Zain Ul-Abideen
Ehizogie Angela Unachukwu
Bobbi-Jo Wagner
Pwint Wai
Analicia Brianna Crystal Williams
Nishant Yadav
Muhammad Yasin
Master of Organizational Management
Mamta
Zainab Suzan Adejo
Yetunde Adejoke Adenaiya
Funmilayo Cyrilla Adetoro
Mariam Adeola Akinsanya
Alexander Boakye
Linzie Cota
Jennifer Chinazor Ebenuwa
Akinlolu Fasanmi
Oyindamola Kafayat Isiba
Neema Khatri
Jereton Tive Lawal
Inei-Tukemi Emmanuella
Letam-Saronwiyo
Navjot Mann
Sheryl McGaw-Douse
Tejasvi Arun Mhatre
Pareshkumar Thakarshibhai
Narola
Omolola Jessica Olapade
Olufemi Oluwaseun Ladele
Onyebuchi Johnson Opara
Sabitha Sathya Narayanan
Nimit Sharma
Richa Verma
Bachelor of Arts
Amber Arsenault
Ashley Chase
Ashley Collins
Drew Duffy
Michelle Keirstead
Jacinda Lefebvre
Kaygie-Ann Matthew
Samantha Saulnier
Kyle Simpson
Leandra Stackhouse
Bachelor of Business Administration
Alfredo Vegas Ramirez
Bachelor of Organizational Management
Blondy Balewula
Laura Good
Bachelor of Technical Education
Stephen Maze
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Lindsay Carter
Marie-Alexandre Mollins
Ching Yi Yang
CONVOCATION AWARDS
The Dr. Dannie Brown Graduate Studies Award in Management
Mindy Gissela Torres Garcia
The Dr. Roger Russell Organizational Management Honours Society Award
Michelle Keirstead
Kyle Simpson
MASTERING MEDICINE IN CANADA
JOSE GERARDO ESCOBAR LOPEZ ('23), MASTER OF MANAGEMENT
I am from San Salvador, El Salvador. In my country of birth, I completed eight years of medical school and four years of general surgery residency, so that I could become a boardcertified General Surgeon.
Unfortunately, my home country is well known for the high rate of insecurity and poverty, both of which were aggravated during the COVID 19 pandemic. This was the catalyst for my family to decide to start looking into different countries to live, in the hopes that we could change our lifestyle and have a better future. I was interested in Canada because I thought I could go and obtain a Master’s degree on top of all of the education that I already have.
Once we decided on Canada, I started searching for the specific program and university, as well as the province that my family and I would settle in. There were many good options, but we found Crandall University and the Master of Management program, and I thought it was a very modern, well established program that would meet my educational needs.
In January 2022, I started in Cohort 14 of the Master of Management program, and from the very first day I knew that
There were many good options, but we found Crandall University and the Master of Management program, and I thought it was a very modern, well established program that would meet my educational needs."
As part of the program, from May to July 2023, I did my internship as a Clinical Assistant for an Orthopedic surgeon in Moncton. I was able to apply all of the knowledge that I obtained from my various degrees and due to the Master of Management I felt more secure and was able to manage my daily activities with more capacity.
I had made the right choice. The university is located in a city, which has the perfect balance between an urban and rural lifestyle, with many things to do and explore. I have never had any experience in living in such a multicultural community; I met awesome people from all around the world, as well as highly trained professors that guided me and who I was able to learn so much from.
Currently, I am working for the Moncton City Hospital. My title is Clinical Associate for the Surgical Department, and I am a physician member of the New Brunswick Medical Society (NBMS). My daily activities are to provide healthcare attention to patients who have been admitted to the hospital, assistance in the operation rooms, and emergency consultations.
My story is evidence that the Master of Management program provided by Crandall University is designed for all backgrounds and can help working professionals succeed in any field.
EMPOWERING STUDENTS & ENRICHING CAMPUS LIFE
KARAN KANANI ('24), GSS PRESIDENT 2023-2024
Understanding the Graduate Student Society (GSS)
The Graduate Student Society (GSS) is an essential pillar of our university, representing the voices and interests of graduate students. Elected annually by their peers, the GSS is comprised of several key positions: President, Vice President External, Vice President Internal, Vice President Student Services, Vice President Finance & Operations, and Vice President Events & Programs. Together, these leaders work diligently to enhance the graduate student experience.
Enhancing Student Life
The GSS plays a crucial role in organizing diverse events that cater to career development, counseling, recreational activities, cultural celebrations, and more. Recognizing that many students are far from their families and friends, these events aim to create a supportive and joyous environment. From career fairs to cultural festivals, the GSS ensures that every student finds a sense of belonging and relief from their daily struggles in a new country.
Achievements of the GSS 2023-2024 Committee
The GSS 2023-2024 committee had a long-term vision centered on aiding students in their transition to university life. Here are some of the significant milestones achieved during this term:
1. Establishment of the Crandall Graduate Student Society Scholarship:
Recognizing the financial challenges faced by many students, the committee set aside a portion of their budget each month. By the end of the term, these funds were allocated to establish the "Crandall Graduate Student Society Scholarship," which will award scholarships to two students annually. This initiative aims to support students financially and academically for years to come.
2. Upgrading Water Dispensers:
Addressing the practical needs of students, the committee identified issues with water dispensers in the basement classrooms, where students had difficulty filling their water bottles. The GSS 2023-2024 allocated funds to upgrade these dispensers, ensuring they are more user-friendly and better suited to student needs.
3. Enhancing the Student Lounge Experience:
The committee focused on improving the Graduate Student Lounge to make it a more welcoming and functional space. As a result, students are now utilizing the facilities more than ever before. The lounge has become a popular spot for relaxation, study, and socialization. The GSS continues to enhance the lounge based on student feedback, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the student body.
4. Establishment of the GSS Office:
To provide a central location for student inquiries and support, the GSS set up an office in Stultz Hall. This office serves as a hub for all GSS activities and a place where students can seek assistance, get involved, and learn more about ongoing initiatives.
Looking Forward
The efforts of the GSS 2023-2024 committee have laid a strong foundation for future students. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term goals, they have created a legacy of support and enhancement for the graduate student community. We hope that future committees will continue this trajectory, finding new and innovative ways to help students thrive.
The Graduate Student Society remains committed to enriching student life, advocating for student needs, and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community. As we look to the future, the GSS will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the graduate experience at our university.
SCHOLARSHIP GIVING
MRS. GILDA RYDER ('83), SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & PLANNED GIVING
Crandall University is a community where lives are impacted socially, spiritually and academically every day. How do we make the Crandall experience more accessible to even more students? The answer is easy: by offering scholarships, bursaries, awards and prizes that support those who want to attend.
Throughout the years various alumni groups and individuals have established endowments that have provided perpetual funds. Alumni recognize that their role can now be to bless others. They were once provided opportunities of extra-curricular activities, high quality teaching and opportunities for personal mentorship and making life-long friends. Alumni classes give “so that those who come after us will have the same opportunities (and more) to create some of life’s most precious moments.”
The university is honored to work with alumni and donors to develop meaningful giving opportunities. Contributions can be given to any of the following endowments by earmarking the specific fund when sending donations:
Endowed Fund Balance in Endowment (As of June 30, 2024)
We all can have a part to play in carrying this legacy forward. For more information reach out to gilda.ryder@crandallu.ca –506 - 863-6444 or send your donation to donations@crandallu.ca
GARNET AND KAY WHEATON LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Former Board member and Crandall supporter Garnet Wheaton has donated significant funding to establish 30 new entrance scholarships for undergraduate students at Crandall University. The $2,500 scholarships, named for Mr. Wheaton and his late wife Kay, are designed to attract young promising leaders to Crandall University. Scholarships are awarded to students based on their previous leadership experience and their potential to make an impact in the church and society.
Recipients will be invited to attend periodic President’s Leadership Forums in their first year which will feature a catered lunch and a presentation from a significant leader who has made a distinguished contribution in their field. Students will be invited to dialog with the speaker and discuss with their peers what they learned and how to integrate what they’ve learned in their own practice of leadership. Students will be involved in a defined leadership role and will be invited to an exclusive capstone retreat near the end of their first year of study.
“Kay and I have long believed in the promise and potential of young people. With this gift I’m hoping to lay a foundation for students and help them to be better equipped to lead in the years ahead. Our businesses, communities, and churches need effective leadership to grow and thrive”, commented Mr. Wheaton.
Students who would like to apply for this new scholarship can contact the Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Awards at david.cook@crandallu.ca or (506) 858-8970 Ext. 434.
CRANDALL HOSTS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
On the weekend of September 20-21, 2024, Crandall University celebrated our 75th anniversary with a homecoming celebration.
Originally opened in 1949 on Moncton’s Salisbury Road as the United Baptist Bible Training School, the institution that would become Crandall University began as a high school at a time when secondary education was not widely accessible. Over time, and as the needs of the community evolved, UBBTS grew into a junior college, taking the name Atlantic Baptist College in 1970, and in 1983 ABC was chartered by the Province of New Brunswick to grant Bachelor’s degrees. In 1996, the College moved to a new campus on Gorge Road in Moncton, expanding not only its capacity but also its degree programs, taking the name Atlantic Baptist University. Finally, in 2010, ABU expanded its campus and took on the name by which we know it today: Crandall University.
On Friday evening, the celebration gala featured three video vignettes, each highlighting the story of a person with a different connection to Crandall. The event included an update from President Fawcett, who announced a major update and refresh coming to Colburne House and invited those present to join together in supporting the project. In addition, Chancellor Don Simmonds shared a message with the nearly 400 guests in attendance.
“Canada as a nation is only 157 years old, so reaching 75 years as an institution is no small thing,” said Chancellor Simmonds from the platform during his address at the gala.
He went on to share that the history of Crandall is marked by a series of “defining moments,” each moment leading to the next, over the course of those 75 years. But more important than those moments were for the institution is the fact that Crandall has at its core the ability to prepare students to face the “defining moments” that will shape each of their lives.
The evening concluded with the announcement that Crandall has finished paying off the mortgage on campus facilities. The announcement was celebrated with the burning of the mortgage documents.
The rest of the weekend had a community focus, with alumni and community members joining together for a BBQ and an afternoon of activities. Alumni reunions covering the various eras took place at different locations on and off campus, and families were invited to Magic Mountain for an afternoon of mini golf and arcade games, as well as a free treat at the Magnetic Hill Wharf Village.
Reflecting on the weekend celebrations, Dr. Robert Knowles, Crandall’s Executive Vice President expressed his gratitude for everyone who took part in the festivities: “We are thrilled that so many were able to come out and take part in the celebrations this weekend. For 75 years, this institution has been in the business of transforming lives, and all of those who came out to show their support are testament to that legacy of faith and education. To everyone who has called this school their home over the last 75 years, we are truly grateful to have been part of your journey.”
SIGNIFICANT DONATION TO CRANDALL ARCHIVES
KEITH GRANT ('96), ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY
The George A. Rawlyk Library could hardly have hoped for a more significant donation to the newly reorganized Crandall University Archives! This summer, Dr. Jim Murray, son of former UBBTS/ABC principal, Dr. Stuart Murray, deposited several boxes of records, photographs, and memorabilia on behalf of the family.
The boxes contained photos of faculty, staff, and students, including delightful candid pictures from UBBTS/ABC quartet road trips, choirs, and the university hockey team. There are scores of Dr. Murray’s sermons, many of them not previously published.
Prior to his service as college President, Dr. Murray was a widely sought-after revival preacher, and one of the treasures of this archive are the meticulous records he kept of revival meetings around Atlantic Canada, including the names of individuals who made spiritual commitments, and in some cases, the earnest questions about faith that hearers gave Dr. Murray, written on envelopes or slips of paper.
WHAT YOU CAN DONATE
• Class notes
• Diaries, journals, and letters (during or after university)
• Photos (labeled is best)
• Student newspapers (e.g. The Beacon)
• Yearbooks (especially UBBTS)
• Newspaper clippings (dated is best)
• Books published by or about alumni, staff, or faculty
• Audio and video recordings
• Maps, charts, and architectural drawings
• Memorabilia
• Digital copies of any of the above (ask us how)
This rich collection will now be sorted, labelled, and stored for preservation in the new purpose-built space in Crandall’s George A. Rawlyk Library. You can look forward to displays of some of these and other items in the months ahead.
As Crandall University celebrates its 75th year, the need to tell its unique institutional story has never been greater. Crandall’s newly-renovated George A. Rawlyk Library includes a dedicated archive and special collections space to preserve university records.
LOOKING FOR ALUMNI, STAFF, AND FACULTY STORIES
Alongside official university records, the Rawlyk Library also wants to preserve the stories of alumni, staff, and faculty from UBBTS, ABC, ABU, and Crandall. Those personal stories show what it was like to work and study day to day – how friendships were formed, what classrooms, teams, and choirs were really like, how lives were changed, how things changed over time. That means preserving the ordinary as well as the official.
CONTACT US!
If you have questions about donating material to Crandall’s archives and special collections, please contact Dr. Keith Grant, at 506-858-8970, Ext. 142 or keith.grant@crandallu.ca.
Rawlyk Library will do an assessment to make sure the materials are a good fit for the collection and that they can be adequately preserved.
FACULTY NEWS
Bruce Fawcett (’88) & Amy Lean MacArthur
President Fawcett (PhD, University of Wales) and Dr. Amy Lean MacArthur's (PhD, University of New Brunswick) article “Attitudes toward sexuality and substances among young Canadian Baptists and their leaders: Exploring personal, psychological and religious factors” (co-written with Leslie Francis, Ursula McKenna, and Dan Pyke ('04)) was published in the Fall 2024 edition of The Journal of European Baptist Studies
Keith Grant (’96)
Dr. Keith Grant (PhD, University of New Brunswick) presented a paper at the Canadian Society of Church History at McGill University on June 18, on African Baptist Nova Scotian leader Richard Preston.
Dieu Hack-Polay
Dr. Dieu Hack-Polay (PhD, University of Surrey, EdD, University of Lincoln) published an article titled "Total Cultural Capital" in Journal of Management Studies. He also published an article titled "Intra-migrant workplace conflict: impediment to improving migrants' workforce integration" in Discover Global Society, and was a guest speaker at the Anti-Racism University Forum 2024 (Fredericton).
Wendy Bokhorst-Heng & Cathlene Hillier
Dr. Wendy Bokhorst-Heng (PhD, University of Toronto) and Dr. Cathlene Hillier (PhD, University of Waterloo) were awarded a SSHRC publication grant for their forthcoming book, Fostering Human Flourishing: Diversity and Equity in Canadian Schools in December 2023.
Amy Lean MacArthur
Dr. Amy Lean MacArthur's (PhD, University of New Brunswick), recent publication, "Thriving in First Year Higher Education Settings", a chapter in Wellbeing in Higher Education Settings, is available through Emerald.
Robert MacDonald
Prof. Robert MacDonald (MBA, Saint Mary's University) and Dr. Amy Lean MacArthur recently published "The Strategic Implications of Biblical Sustainability" in the Christian Business Review
Greg Maillet
Dr. Greg Maillet (PhD, University of Ottawa) published his book entitled Recovering Consolation: Sam’s Enchanted Path in The Lord of the Rings. It is available on Amazon.
Don Moore
Prof. Don Moore (MBA, Université de Moncton) was once again recognized by the Schulich School of Business for Consistency in Excellence of Teaching workshops in Project Management at various locations throughout Canada. This is the third time Prof. Moore has received this award in his efforts of developing and delivering quality programs in their Master's Certificate in Project Management, focusing on Project Risk Management.
Raymond Reza
Dr. Raymond Reza (PhD, University of New Brunswick) received his Master of Laws (LLM) in International Business and Commercial Law from Ruskin University in Cambridge (UK).
Sergio Ribeiro
September 2024, Civic Tech Moncton held its inaugural meeting, marking an exciting step forward for technological innovation in the community. Three students from Crandall University, Carolina Rincon, Elizabeth Arellano, and Xue Pengju (Danny), lead Civic Tech Moncton. They were involved in course projects on integrating organizational behaviour models with digital transformation strategies. One of the students, Carolina Rincon, is a research member of the Digital Transformation & Management (DT&M) group which is led by Dr. Sergio Ribeiro (PhD, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná), focusing on Civic Tech research.
ALUMNI NEWS
Emily Tardif ('21) recently graduated with her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and is now a Licensed Counselling Therapist (cand.) doing private practice out of Miramichi Counselling Centre.
Sara Parks ('09) coauthored a book titled, "Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient Mediterranean" which received Honourable Mention for the 2024 Best Book in Jewish Studies award from the British and Irish Association for Jewish Studies and won the 2023 Frank W. Beare Award for outstanding book in the areas of Christian Origins, Post-Biblical Judaism, and/ or Graeco-Roman Relitions from the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies.
Lauren (Everett) Smith ('16) and her husband
Josh Smith welcomed son Ezra in August 2024.
Rev. Duane I. Berry, '60
Shirley Estey, '53
Eric H. Jones, '67
Uche Ogbonna (student)
Carolyn Patterson, '63
Ronald M. Stanley, '58
Shawna Peverill ('86) took on a new role of Director of Student Services after 16 years as the Registrar of Acadia Divinity College.
A NEW ROLE
DIANE BUSTIN, ALUMNI RELATIONS COORDINATOR
It is with excitement that I join the Crandall team as Alumni Relations Coordinator. In this role, I am looking forward to connecting with Alumni I already know, as well as having the opportunity to meet and to have conversations with those whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. Over Crandall’s history of 75 years, there are numerous alumni whose experience at Crandall provided them with academic knowledge and skills, but also contributed to shaping them as a person. I will be blessed to hear these stories and to share them.
Although I am not a graduate of Crandall, I have a very long connection with this university. I was born and raised in Moncton and during my high school years, I began dating a handsome boy from my youth group who decided he would attend Atlantic Baptist College, the very small Christian liberal arts college on the Salisbury Road. My plan was to become a Registered Nurse and although I attended a local nursing school, I spent a lot of time hanging out at ABC and joining in on whatever activities and events I could be part of. I remember being so impressed by faculty and staff and how they were so interested and invested in the students. It was community. I married Dennis Bustin (that handsome boy I had dated) and he graduated from ABC, but eventually returned to his alma mater and served at Crandall as a member of the History faculty for almost 30 years. Once again, we had the privilege of directly being a part of the Crandall community. My involvement with Crandall has continued through the years with enrolling in classes, participating in the school choir for staff, students and alumni, and attending many events.
My career in nursing spanned 30 years and included varied experiences in hospital and community nursing. During this time, I also had the opportunity to hold other employment roles that have provided me with the chance to gain skills and knowledge in other areas. These roles included Coordinator of Visiting International students, English Additional Language tutor in the Anglophone East school district, and over 15 years serving on staff at churches in children’s ministry. These different roles have not only provided me with the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge, but God has used them to shape and form me. It was on the Crandall’s website I found the posting for this position, which interested me and I knew I would enjoy being part of the Crandall team. After consideration and prayer, I applied and here I am! I am confident God will use the past experiences He has provided for me as I continue to serve Him here at Crandall. I am thankful now to be part of the Crandall community as staff.
Even though Crandall has grown and transformed over the years, it remains rich in its history of community and care for its students. My goal in this role is to continue to foster this relationship with our grads and to build and develop the Alumni community and connections. By doing this we strive to keep recent and past grads connected and aware of how they can still be engaged with Crandall, and how Crandall can still be community, encouragement, and support to them.
I look forward to connecting with you as I settle into this new role at Crandall.
gift!
The Office of Alumni Relations wants to celebrate this milestone with Crandall alumni by sending you a free bib for your little one! We’d also love to share your announcement in the next edition of The Growing Edge. Send us an email with your announcement to alumni@crandallu.ca.
Diane and Dennis ('86) Bustin with their family.
THREE GENERATIONS IN RESIDENCE
REV. DR. TODD MACLEOD ('82), SENIOR LECTURER OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL STEWARDSHIP
The story of my family cannot be told without also telling the story of Crandall University. The two stories run parallel for most of Crandall’s 75 years. The intersection of these stories reaches back to the late 1940’s when my wife Karyn’s grandfather, Baptist pastor Dr. A.C. Vincent, served on the committee whose mandate was to bring a new Bible School to the Maritimes.
By the fall of 1951, when the United Baptist Bible Training School (UBBTS) was just three years old, my mother, Joan White, recognized her need to put down deeper roots of faith. She decided that Bible School was the place to start. That fall, a team from UBBTS visited her church, and her father suggested she consider that school. In January 1952 she moved into dorm. That fall she noticed a new student, Lloyd MacLeod from Oak Bay, NB. What followed was a relationship which has seen two successive generations follow in their steps to Crandall. A few years later, Dr. Vincent’s son Frank, Karyn’s dad, spent a year at UBBTS. Years later he returned to work in Planned Giving.
By the 1980s the next generation of Vincents, MacLeods, and Morehouses took their turn at Atlantic Baptist College (ABC). Seven children or in-laws of Lloyd and Joan or Frank and Joanne attended ABC on the Salisbury Road, including Karyn and me. We all lived in dorm, which stood at the center of College life. In turn seven grandchildren also attended Crandall University, some of whom experienced life in both Colburne House and Mitton Court. Dorm life provides the best way to fully experience transformational university life. As Karyn and I were moving our children Amanda and Jenna into Colburne House, and later Mitton Court, we knew that here they would
take their first steps towards establishing their own lifelong homes.
I am excited to have returned to Crandall University over a year ago, so many years after leaving the Salisbury Road campus for the last time. My current role as Senior Lecturer of Management allows me to spend much time on campus. It is exciting to see a growing number of students around campus who are turning to Crandall for its quality university education in a transformational context. So many of them call Colburne House home for the years they are here. I am excited about the plan to provide a much-needed upgrade and refresh to this “home away from home.”
Lloyd ('53) and Joan (White, '53) MacLeod
In my second role as Director of the Center for Organizational Stewardship, I visit a lot of churches, providing assistance in matters of governance and strategic planning. Through the service that Crandall provides through me, we are saying ‘thank you’ to churches. Many of them helped UBBTS get off the ground, and many of these continue to support Crandall University to this day. I am grateful for their part in helping to transform three generations of our family.
Our family has left a mark on the University, both directly and by reputation. Even more, the University’s mission of transforming lives has played a significant role in shaping our family. Every facet of campus life has contributed to that impact.
We know that many more students will be able to call Crandall University home. Their time in Colburne House will help shape them into the people God is preparing them to be, and for the service to which He is calling them. I can’t wait to see how this significant upgrade and refresh will help set the stage for such an impact!
We celebrate 75 years of Crandall, and almost as many years of transformational life throughout three generations of our family and more generations to come.
From left to right, Todd MacLeod ('82) with daughter Jenna ('21), wife Karyn (Vincent, '90), and daughter Amanda ('19)
ATHLETICS UPDATE, FALL '24
JIM DRUART, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND RECREATION
Crandall University Athletics continues to grow and improve with 50 first-year athletes coming into our programs this year. We now have over 120 athletes competing for and representing Crandall University around Atlantic Canada and North America!
We continue to believe our studentathletes are called to a higher purpose, to excel in academics and athletics and become leaders and mentors in the greater community. We are pleased to announce that a record 39 studentathletes received the CCAA National Scholar Award last year. This award is given annually to student-athletes who participate in varsity athletics and have also achieved excellence in academics.
This year, our men’s Cross Country team was crowned ACAA league champions for the fourth consecutive year at the ACAA Cross Country Championships in Charlottetown, PE. Head Coach Brandon LeBlanc was also recognized as the Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Our men’s soccer team
was fighting for a playoff spot until the final game of the season, coming up just short and finishing fifth in the league. Boxing returned to Crandall in October as we hosted teams from the University of Connecticut, Ohio State University and West Point Military Academy.
Our expectations are high and we continue to take positive steps to grow our programs. We have faced challenges and found some success, showing great resiliency, strength and character. We continue to build a culture founded on faith, integrity, respect, and community. On behalf of the coaches, staff and student-athletes of Crandall University Athletics, I once again wish to express my sincere and deep gratitude and thanks to the Crandall community for your continued support and commitment to athletics.
FALL ATHLETIC AWARDS
Cross Country
Men's All-Conference: Luke Purdy, Jackson Culberson, Luc Blanchette
Women's All-Conference: Laura Sanchez Fonseca
Women’s Soccer
Women's First Team All-Conference: Simona Romano
Women's Second Team All-Conference: Sarah-Lee Philosca-Bastien
ACAA Gerry LeBlanc Award: Julianna Augustine
Men’s Soccer
Men's First Team All-Conference: Ethan Druart
Men's Second Team All-Conference: Wyatt McDonald
ACAA Goalkeeper of the Year: Evan Couturier
CCAA All-Canadian: Evan Couturier
ACAA Cross Country Coach of the Year
Brandon LeBlanc (Fourth Consecutive)
ACAA Conference Title
Men's Cross Country Team (Fourth Consecutive)
ACAA Conference Silver Medal
Women's Cross Country Team
