Orientation Welcome

Welcome New Students!

The Campus is BUZZING with excitement today...that's right, the students have arrived on campus!!

Orientation Week promises to be an exciting one, check out the schedule.

I'll post some photos later...

First Class Bash

Halifax three-piece group the Joel Plaskett Emergency is set to welcome Mount A students to Sackville on Tuesday, September 4 with one of the most hotly-anticipated Frosh Week concerts in years.

The concert celebrates the first day of classes and kicks off at 7 p.m. outside the University Centre.

“Joel’s blowing up nationwide, and he’s remained the hometown pride of Halifax and the Maritimes — we’re so excited to have him back after a magical show two years ago in Brunton Auditorium,” exclaims SAC entertainment director Tim Jones.

Supporting Plaskett are his handpicked openers, Torontonian rising stars the Golden Dogs.

Dubbed “one of the best live bands in Canada” by Halifax Pop Explosion executive director Waye Mason and following up on a successful showing at Struts Gallery in Sackville last Spring, the Golden Dogs are said to have the sound of Beatlesque pop-rock.

“Sydney’s Tom Fun Orchestra, the hit of CHMA Radio’s Stereophonic festival are a perfect choice to kick off the night,” adds Tim Jones, likening the Cape Breton seven-piece to a cross between Tom Waits and Broken Social Scene.

The Mount Allison SAC, the hosts of this orientation concert, is enthusiastically trying to revitalize on-campus entertainment for all-ages after a series of quiet years.

As part of this commitment, the vast majority of SAC concerts this year, like the upcoming appearances by Montreal Juno-nominee DJ Champion, Toronto's Great Lake Swimmers, and Polaris Prize winner Final Fantasy, will be all-ages and open to the public.

Joel Plaskett Emergency, the Golden Dogs, and the Tom Fun Orchestra play outdoors in front of the Mount Allison University Centre (152 Main St.), Tuesday Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at Ducky’s Pub and the Mount Allison SAC Office.

(Photo credit: Chris Smith)

Mount A to Host Maritime Premiers

The three Maritime premiers have agreed to hold a joint cabinet meeting at Mount A this fall to discuss issues of mutual concern.

New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham will host Nova Scotia's Rodney MacDonald and P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz in Sackville in late October.

Graham said there are many issues that the three provinces need to work together to address.

"There's also opportunities to continue to work on the Atlantic Gateway initiative. We also have to look at population growth strategies and how to deal with an aging population, and at economic development issues," Graham said in an interview Monday.

Rear full article: Maritime governments to hold joint cabinet meeting in October.

New Regional Director

Congratulations to Brian Chase ('84) who has been appointed as the new Regional Director for the Atlantic Region of the National Parole Board.

Brian is a native of Moncton, and graduated from Polyvalente Mathieu Martin and attended Mount A where he graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology.

He then attended L'Université de Moncton where he studied clinical psychology.

Read more about Brian, and his appointment.

Drawn to the domestic

Renowned Canadian painter Mary Pratt ('57) would have little to apologize for. Now into her seventies, she has an overflowing resume of shows, publications and awards.

Yet, as an exhibit of still-life prints featuring the intense domestic imagery that she is known for continues near Toronto, the artist admits shame at no longer being able to cook muffins from scratch.

Read Mary's interview with the National Post.

House Makes Headlines

MacGregor House made headlines this week:
It's Moving Day - Times & Transcript
Sackville house moves one block down the street - CBC News

Dan Steeves Exhibit

Dan Steeves ('81), 2007 Strathbutler winner, is exhibiting The Still Point of the Turning World at the Peter Buckland Gallery in Saint John from August 10-25.

Dan received his B.F.A. from Mount A in 1981. Since 1982 he has exhibited his work in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Canada, the United States, and in Poland and Japan.

He currently lives in Sackville where he is Printmaking Instructor and Lecturer in the Fine Arts Department at Mount A. In 2007, Dan won the prestigious Sheila Hugh McKay Foundation's Strathbutler Award.

Read more about the exhibit, and about Dan.

MacGregor House Moving

MacGregor House will be moving to a new location this Wednesday, Aug 22 at 9 am.

The two-story house, a former Mount A satellite residence, will be moved one block in its entirety. The house was recently sold and is being moved up the street to the corner of York and West streets, where it will be a private home.

This is actually the second time MacGregor House has been moved, giving it another unique place in Mount Allison’s history.

While access to the site on York Street will be limited, photographers and interested individuals will be welcome to watch this historical move from a distance.

Mount A staff will also be available for questions. Please contact Michelle Strain, Director of Administrative Services at 364-2249 (mstrain@mta.ca) for additional information and a more detailed schedule.

The MacGregor family and House hold a special place in Mount A’s history and although the house is no longer a student residence, we are pleased to see the facility begin a new life as a private home once again.

A Day in the Life

Watch this hilarious video by Marco Perico ('07) and Udai Paniker:



In the fall of 2006, we decided to ask our students to make short films that would give potential students some idea of what Mount A was like.

How they chose to tell their stories was up to them. They attended a one-day film school boot camp, were handed cameras, and went off to shoot their films.

We waited and crossed our fingers…

See more student videos.

Million Dollar Women

Lowell Ann Fuglsang ('71) is part of "Million Dollar Women", a group providing programs (The Joy of Money) that show women how to gain comfort in managing their own financial lives in Victoria, BC.

Lowell has a BA (English) from Mount A, a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, and a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University.

She is also the past President of Board of Directors Women’s Business Network (Victoria), YWCA (Yellowknife) and Business and Professional Women (Yellowknife)

Join a FREE SEMINAR in Victoria (Brown Bag Lunch)
The JOY of MONEY: Money Made Easy and Fun For Women

Presented by The Million Dollar Women
(Angelique Queensley, Chrystyanna Queensley, Fiona Mackay Young & Lowell Ann Fuglsang)

Two dates: August 21st. & September 10th
Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Public Library, Main Branch, Broughton St., Victoria
(Entrance to the right as you enter the courtyard)
Registration at the Door

For more information visit:
www.themilliondollarwomen.blogspot.com

Borden's Closing

The rumors are true, Borden’s Restaurant will be closing its doors in September.

Hopefully, you can be lucky enough to eat at this Mount A hang-out one last time, and to say a sad farewell.

Here's an entry in the Alumni Guestbook: "I'm feeling rather nostalgic for all those times we trekked to Bordie's for a welcome change on MacConell weekends! Many thanks to all the staff there...you certainly all were a huge part of Mt. A years for me! Our breakfast tradition on the final day of the Reunion Weekend will forever change! ....long live Borden's memories! -Janet

New President of NRTEE

Congratulations to David McLaughlin ('78), who has been appointed the new President of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).

David has a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in History and Political Science from Mount A, a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Carleton University (1980), and a Master of Business Administrationdegree from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom (1991).

Read more about his appointment.
Read more about David.

Mount A on iTunes

Mount A has recently joined iTunes U (https://www.mta.ca/iTunes).

This new technology will allow University community members and the public to securely download and listen to class lectures, guest speakers and other campus events, all from the convenience of their computer, iPod or other mobile device.

iTunes U can enhance the classroom experience and allow for intellectual thought and debate outside the classroom, it can help support learning for students, and encourage students to explore supplemental information.

I encourage everyone to explore iTunes U!