90832891 - Fall2021

Giving

Acadia the springboard to a lifetime of wonderful memories and relationships for Pete and Sandi Connelly

The number one song when Pete Connelly graduated from Acadia in 1964 was ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ by the Beatles. Oh Henry bars went for a nickel, and 10 cents was enough to buy a comic book at the local variety store. Lester Pearson was Canadian Prime Minister and Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States.

Giving

New financial awards dismantle barriers to post-secondary education, promote anti-racism initiatives

Acadia University is committed to amplifying conversations about deeply entrenched inequities by supporting Black and Indigenous students, focusing on anti-racism initiatives, and dismantling barriers to post-secondary education through the creation of new financial awards for these students, including the Black Lives Matter and Truth and Reconciliation Commission (BLM/TRC) Awards, the Lalia Halfkenny Award, and the Edwin Borden Awards.

The Campaign for Acadia

The Campaign for Acadia concluded in December 2020, exceeding its $75-million goal by nearly $12 million and amassing a total of $86.8 million to support four pillars of thematic endeavour: Transform, Inspire, Discover and Build. Our report details the Campaign’s remarkable success and illustrates in no small way the positive impact it continues to have on #AcadiaU, now and in the future. Check it out: https://bit.ly/3ANop1B

Jennie Rand

#AcadiaU Associate Professor Jennie Rand ('99) knows the difference donations can make. Crediting her positive experience as a student at Acadia, Jennie returned to campus to teach and continue her research into water and wastewater treatment. Receiving a Harrison McCain Faculty Award allowed her to work with new technology on campus and create exciting learning environments for her students. “Donations (show) that somebody really cares, that somebody thinks enough of this institution and of the students that attend this institution to make an investment in them.”

Victoria Stevens

Originally from Maine, USA, Victoria Stevens (’21) is a proud #AcadiaU Math and Computer Science graduate. A strong student, Victoria was concerned when applying for post-secondary school that her good grades wouldn’t be acknowledged. However, receiving the MacNeill Scholar-Bursary from Acadia “was such a relief, and I was so grateful to know that my hard work (was) noticed.” The MacNeill Scholar-Bursary is available through the kindness and generosity of Dr. H. Gordon MacNeill, (BA ’48, DCL ’87, DD Knox College) and Barbara MacLellan MacNeill (BA ’50).

Alumni return, embrace magical moments at Homecoming 2021

Members of the alumni community braved overcast skies and slightly wet weather to come together on the Acadia campus October 14-17 for Homecoming 2021. Things were a little different than in previous years because guests at a number of events were required to pre-register, offer proof of vaccination and a photo ID upon arrival due to the lingering coronavirus pandemic, but spirits were high and several activities made the weekend come alive in true Acadia tradition! A full slate of varsity athletics was on tap, with the Acadia Axewomen basketball team starting things off Thursday evening with a big win over the Dal Tigers! We welcomed members of the 1981 Vanier Cup-winning national championship football team back to campus for a reunion reception Friday and sports fans enjoyed women’s rugby and hockey that evening as well. The Acadia Alumni Association Board of Directors met in the Wu Welcome Centre to start the day Saturday and a Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony later that morning welcomed Bruce Beaton (’92, ’96), Andrea Burk (’06) and Ed Shannon (’79) to the hall. Our signature Backyard BBQ was another huge hit, with 250 people on the Clark Terrace and surrounding area by Alumni Hall enjoying the musical stylings of The Non-refundables and the opportunity to reconnect after a virtual celebration last year. A big thank-you to the Acadia Alumni Association, BMO Mastercard, iA Financial Services Inc. and Stirling Fruit Farms for sponsoring this year’s BBQ. The football game between Acadia and Bishop’s then took centre stage and although Bishop’s prevailed 15-14, a packed house thrilled to a halftime ceremony that included legendary coach and honorary alumnus John Huard and the presentation of the 1981 Football Axemen John and Helen Huard Award. Later, women’s basketball returned to the spotlight with the presentation of the Laura Sanders Award in honour of Sanders’s outstanding contributions to Acadia Athletics. There was a women’s basketball reunion/meet and greet in the new Sports Hall of Fame Room at the Athletic Complex following the contest between Acadia and StFX. Former Acadia Basketball Axeman Steve Konchaski was honoured on his incredible career in coaching at StFX. Our swim team acquitted itself well at the Jack Scholz Swim Meet and the hockey Axemen remained undefeated at home after a win over Moncton. The women’s rugby team capped their weekend by defeating StFX and ended the regular season a perfect 6-0. Sunday Music in the Garden Room and a Chapel service rounded out this year’s schedule. It was an action-packed weekend, and together we proved that Acadia Cares. Thank you to everyone who attended, followed the rules and played safe. We look forward to seeing you next year at Homecoming 2022!