A privilege and an honour to serve

I am thrilled to have this opportunity to introduce myself to the Acadia alumni family. I have nearly a 30-year history with the University - as a student, alum, faculty member, administrator and now as President - and a powerful desire to serve Acadia to the fullest. Since assuming my new role on September 1, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and greeting alumni at several on- and off-campus events, and your generosity of spirit, warm welcome and encouraging words have confirmed my belief that members of our alumni community are peerless and represent the very best of what Acadia is all about. The depth of your talents and interests is remarkable, and the love you have for Acadia is inspirational. I look forward to working with Alumni Association President Matt Rios and members of the Association Board to further their objectives in conjunction with our strategic plan to benefit all members of the Acadia community. This edition of the Bulletin, with its focus on the environment, certainly ticks one of those boxes. It offers an array of stories and highlights research efforts that contextualize the conversation around environmental sustainability and climate change. Change-makers like Ngaio Richards (’98) and Kelli Armstrong (’12) articulate their personal commitment to making the world a better place, and I’m proud to say that the foundation of their determination to effect change locally and globally was built here at Acadia. Of particular note is the item on this year’s Envirothon, hosted by the University and the K. C. Irving Environmental Science Centre. The program challenges high school students in Grades 9-12 to learn about natural resources in a combined classroom and hands-on atmosphere. Envirothon fosters appreciation and respect for the natural world and expands students’ knowledge and comprehension skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The K. C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens are the greatest gifts a university can receive, affording us the ability to introduce young students and thought leaders to natural wonders and encourage them to maximize their potential and make a difference in the world around us. We need to be fearless in framing this important discussion and continue to shine a light on the critically relevant issues of environmental sustainability and climate change. It’s the kind of thing for which Acadia is known, and I’m not at all surprised that we are taking a leadership role. It’s indicative of the momentum I feel right now at Acadia. We are on the cusp of exciting times and great things, and I am prepared to listen, learn more about what matters to you, build trust, create harmony, and lead by example. It’s important also to recognize that we are all human beings and can achieve incredible things when we work together strategically and cooperatively. It’s a privilege and an honour to be Acadia’s 17th President and Vice-Chancellor, and a responsibility I take very seriously. I am incredibly proud to be an Acadia grad and am willing to go the extra mile to ensure that our University meets and exceeds the needs of our students, delivers on the expectations of our alumni, and provides the kind of liberal educational experience that has and will continue to distinguish Acadia now and in the future. Sincerely,

Jeffrey J. Hennessy (’99), PhD President and Vice-Chancellor