Acadia University receives $1M gift to transform student centre
Acadia University has received a transformative $1 million gift from the Acadia Alumni Association that will propel the Build: The Student Centre campaign closer to its $24 million fundraising goal. The generous donation, announced during the Acadia Alumni Awards Dinner in Halifax on April 18, sets the stage for a reimagined student centre that will redefine the university experience on the Wolfville campus.
Alumni Association Award Recipients
Annual AGM celebrates retiring directors, welcomes new ones
The Acadia Alumni Association’s Annual General Meeting occurred on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. There were more than 40 attendees from across Canada and internationally. The 2023-2024 Annual Report was presented and is available to view HERE.
The Board celebrated the following retiring members who have dedicated years of service to the Association: Leah McNally (’07), Stephanie Reid (’05), and Sophia Blanchard (ex-officio, ’23).
The Board also welcomed new directors: Taylor Baker (’19), Emma Cochrane (’13), Eric Levy (’05, ’07) and ex-officio member and Class of 2025 Life President, Rachel MacMillan.
Alumni Association Director Profiles
Taylor Baker (’19)
Taylor Baker (’19) is an Indigenous woman with both Coast Salish and Gitxsan ancestry and is a Member of Tsawwassen First Nation. Her lineage runs deep in other Coast Salish territories, such as Musqueam and Stz’uminus. Born and raised on her Nation’s Lands, Taylor moved to Wolfville in 2015 to pursue post-secondary education. Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts in politics (2019) with a minor in history from Acadia. Taylor is elected to Tsawwassen First Nation Executive Council for the 2022-2026 term. In this capacity, she works alongside and collaboratively with the Chief and Executive Council on providing strategic direction and decision-making to the CAO and the Tsawwassen Government. The Executive Council is responsible for passing regulations; directing policies, programs and services; and preparing laws and budget considerations for the Tsawwassen First Nation Legislature. She also represents her Nation at various regional, provincial and federal meetings and gatherings. Taylor is also heavily involved in reconciliation initiatives at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. As a Committee Member on the Speaker’s Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee, she works alongside Hon. Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of B.C., and other First Nation leaders of B.C. to collaborate and provide advice toward true action for reconciliation.
Emily Patterson (’24)
Grad Class Life President of 2024 and an ex-officio board member Emily Patterson is a Nova Scotian who began her academic journey to pursue a business degree in 2020. Throughout her time as an Acadia student, Emily exhibited a strong commitment to community service. In her second year, she actively participated in the Acadia Business Society as a representative and contributed to various events and weekly meetings. In her third year, she dedicated her time to volunteering with the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program, demonstrating her passion for giving back to the community. In her final year at Acadia, Emily and her peers founded the Acadia Women in Business Society, aimed at providing networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to empower female students to succeed in their future careers. Additionally, she became involved with the Investment Council as the Vice-President of Investor Relations, competing in the prestigious annual Venture Capital Investment Competition held at Saint Mary's University.
Following graduation, Emily will move to New Brunswick to work as a strategic business analyst at J.D. Irving Limited, an endeavour for which she is very excited. When she's not engrossed in academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, Emily loves spending time outdoors, reading, or socializing with friends. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow," and this is a motto that Emily fully embraces.
Board of Directors
Christine Luckasavitch (’11) - President
Paul Black (’00) - Vice-President
Barb Anderson (’77) - Secretary
Matthew Saunders (’09) - Treasurer
Matthew Rios (’14) - Past-President
Taylor Baker (’19)
Emma Cochrane (’13)
Allison Dean (’14)
Natalie Irwin (’01)
Eric Levy (’05, ’07)
Moira MacLean (’85)
Emily Wooder MacLeod (’17)
Ron Malcolm (’82, ’83)
Kierstyn Palmer (’22)
Véronique Russell (’16)
Olivia Shive (’21)
Shaq Smith (’16)
Kelton Thomason (’07, ’10)
Payton Wood (’18)
Sam Zhang (’05)
Emily Patterson (’24) - Ex-Officio
Rachel MacMillan (’25) - Ex-Officio
Call for Expression of Interest - Acadia Alumni Association Board
The Nominating Committee of the Acadia Alumni Association invites “Expressions of Interest” from members of the alumni community who wish to be considered as candidates for 2025 vacancies on the Association’s Board of Directors. The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2024. Alumni can also submit at any time for future vacancies.
The Acadia Alumni Association derives strength from the diversity of our alumni community. As a result, the Alumni Association is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and equity in all the work we do. We encourage alumni of all races, colours, religions, genders, gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, national origins, disabilities, or ages to consider this challenging but rewarding volunteer opportunity.
Your Expression of Interest should include a current curriculum vitae, as well as an introductory paragraph or two outlining: 1) your interest in serving on the Acadia Alumni Association Board; 2) what particular skills and perspectives you would bring to the post and; 3) any additional information that would serve to support your ability to represent the diverse alumni population of Acadia University.
All submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee of the Alumni Association and a list of potential candidates developed. Submissions will be kept on file for future consideration (not just 2025 Board vacancies) unless withdrawn by the candidate. Please submit your Expression of Interest to Oonagh Proudfoot ('93, '06), Executive Director, Alumni Affairs at oonagh.proudfoot@acadiau.ca.
Thank you for your interest in Acadia University and the Acadia Alumni Association.
Nominations open for Alumni Association Awards!
Alumni are one of Acadia University’s greatest assets, and the Acadia Alumni Association derives strength from the diversity of our alumni community. As a result, the Association is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and equity in the work they do and encourages nominations from all races, colours, religions, genders, gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, national origins, disabilities, socioeconomic status, or ages as candidates for award consideration.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
The Acadia Alumni Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of an Acadia University alum whose endeavours have distinguished them professionally or in the community and brought honour to the University. This award is intended to honour Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD).
Nomination deadline: July 31 annually. Click here for a Nomination Form.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Acadia Alumni Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of an Acadia University alum whose endeavours have distinguished them professionally or in the community and brought honour to the University. This award is intended to honour alumni with greater than 10 years post-graduation from Acadia.
Nomination deadline: October 31 annually. Click here for a Nomination Form.
Acadia Alumni Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
The Acadia Alumni Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a continued record of excellence in teaching students and future alumni of Acadia University with a focus on the faculty member’s professional and teaching accomplishments. Candidates for this award must be current full-time, part-time or contract members of the teaching faculty and have taught at Acadia University for at least three years.
Nomination deadline: November 30 annually. Click here for a Nomination Form.
For more information on other Acadia Alumni Association Awards, please click HERE
