Teaching Award

Congratulations to Steven Van Zoost ('92), a high school English teacher at Avon View High School in Windsor, NS, who is the 2007 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Teaching Award.

Steven was a member of the Education faculty of Mount Saint Vincent University in 2005-06, where he taught teachers in Masters Programs and continued to work on his Doctorate in Philosophy, Education from the University of South Australia. He has a Masters of Education in Curriculum from Acadia University, and a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Commerce, from Mount A.

He received a Roy C. Hill Award (a national award for innovative classroom practices) from the Canadian Teachers' Federation 1997 and a Governor General's Gold Medal, in Educational Research, from Acadia University.

Read more about Steven's work, and his many accomplishments.

Exhibition: Works on Paper + Canvas

Alum Harold Feist's exhibition Works on Paper + Canvas, from the Collection of the Art Gallery of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie, ON will be held September 20 to October 27, 2007.

This exhibition of Harold’s works on paper and canvas represents the artist’s evolution from the beginning of his career to the present.

As the exhibition suggests, Harold’s own evolution has undergone transformations, from the brutish spirals to the rough colour wheels of the early seventies, the bold radiating colour spokes of the later seventies and early eighties and the vapourous topographic fields and lattice-work grids he currently explores.

At each stage, the brilliant colourism is underscored by Harold’s ability to synthesize intelligible structure with an intuited sense of the raw force and physical determinism of the material itself; nature and culture fused in exquisite complex harmony.

Read more about Harold's exhibition: Works on Paper + Canvas.

Climate Wars

Highly regarded Canadian journalist and international affairs analyst, Gwynne Dyer, will give a talk at Mount A entitled Climate Wars on Tuesday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Brunton Auditorium, Marjorie Young Bell Music Conservatory.

Based on a forthcoming CBC “Ideas” series and Random House book of the same name (to be released in April 2008), the lecture looks at the frightening geopolitical implications of large-scale climate change. The talk is co-sponsored by l’Université de Moncton and Mount Allison University.

Dyer’s articles are published in over 175 newspapers in 45 countries. Dyer’s recent book, Ignorant Armies: Sliding into War in Iraq, reached number-one on the best-seller list in Canada in 2003.

His other best-selling books include Future Tense, War, and his most recent book, After Iraq, which was number three on this list this past spring. Dyer collaborated with Tina Viljoen on a documentary television series, War, one episode of which was nominated for an Academy Award.

He won Gemini awards for The Human Race, and Protection Force, a series on peacekeepers in Bosnia. Dyer is also an award-winning broadcaster of such series as The Gorbachev Revolution, based on his experiences in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union in 1987-90, and Millennium, based on the emerging global culture.

More about Gwynne Dyer & Climate Wars

In the Fast Lane

It’s news that Gary Ross ('10) can find his way to MacAulay Field most days, let alone put up Hec Crighton-type stats for the Mount Allison Mounties.

Gary is a rarity in Canadian university football, blending gridiron success with wife Tenecia and two sons — four-year-old Gary and two-year-old Denzel — and a 3.8 grade-point average in sciences at the New Brunswick school.

He also helps his wife run a daycare for five or six other children on the days he doesn’t have classes.

His role in the improvement of the Mounties in the last two seasons can’t be overstated. His 60-yard punt return touchdown Saturday helped his team beat St. Francis Xavier 25-13 for its first win of the season.

Read more of the article: In the Fast Lane The Chronicle Herald

PSE Commission Report

So, what does Mount A think of the recently-received recommendations of the Commission on Post-Secondary Education in its final Report?

Read on!

Former NFL/CFL quarterback to speak at Mount A

A former professional quarterback and social activist will be the guest speaker at Mount A's Speaker's Series on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback Donald G. McPherson will speak at Crabtree Auditorium at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome and there is no admission charge.

McPherson was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988, after a college career at Syracuse University. During his time at Syracuse he won the Maxwell Award and finished second in the 1987 Heisman Trophy voting.

He also played for the Houston Oilers and for the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders.

After retiring from football in 1994, McPherson joined the staff of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, before becoming the first executive director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University.

As a social activist he has founded several outreach and mentoring programs, and states that the standard constructions of masculinity and femininity both limit men's emotions and overall well-being as well as contribute to gendered violence.

Put Us in the CENTRE!

Make sure to look in your mailboxes this week for cards from students asking: "Put us in the CENTRE!"

We need your help to put us in the new Student Centre, which is set to open in September 2008.

Go to the site for more info!

Class a Float

Maurice Tugwell ('68) is having an experience of a lifetime...for the next four months, he will be teaching young students overseas...on a ship!

Here's an excerpt from his blog:

"The days leading up to St Petersburg: The second and third days out were characterized by fair weather - PEI ferry crossing seas. The instructors were all busy with our courses, while balancing other responsibilities. We teach while at sea, do field trips while in port.

"We have a clothes washer reserved for staff only, so I busied myself early one sunny morning catching up on laundry. There is no dryer - one hangs the more sensitive items in one's room, the others on the ropes (no shortage of these on a sailing ship although they are called lines) on deck. It was amusing to look out the windows of my classroom, seeing the big container ships and freighters going by, partially screened by my socks and tee shirts blowing in the breeze."

Read Maurice's blog.
Read more about Class a Float.

Homecoming FRIDAY

Homecoming Weekend is fast approaching!!

Here's what's up for Friday:

12pm-8pm	Craft & Artisan Market	Sackville Civic Centre
12pm-12am	Hinchey's Rides & Midway	Main & King Street
4pm	Men's Soccer - Mount A vs. MUN	Park Street Field
6pm	Women's Soccer - Mount A vs. MUN	Park Street Field
8pm	Performing Arts Series - Montréal's Kleztory	Convocation Hall
8:30pm	Battle of the Bands	Bridge Street Tent

Check out the rest of the HOMECOMING WEEKEND SCHEDULE!

Time Capsule Opening!

The secret is almost out…

This Saturday, September 22nd, join distinguished Mount Allison graduates, the Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, Chancellor Emerita, and Wallace McCain at 10:30 a.m. in the Crabtree Auditorium, Mount Allison University campus, as the Trueman House time capsule is officially opened.

The time capsule was discovered behind a plaque — commemorating Mount Allison men and women who served in the Second World War — inside the brick cairn located beneath the Trueman House porte cochère during renovations this spring.

Trueman House, which opened in 1946, was a men’s residence for many years before becoming a co-ed house in 1995. The building is currently undergoing renovations and will be the home to Mount Allison’s new Student Centre, scheduled to open in September 2008.

Everyone is welcome to attend this ceremony and witness history in the making.

See the full schedule of this and other Homecoming events during the weekend of September 21-23.

If you are unable to attend in person, we are planning to web stream the event LIVE: http://www.mta.ca/inthecentre/timecapsule.html

Music Career Revived

Calgary singer-songwriter Anthony Burbidge ('93), who also plays guitar and piano, will perform songs from his first CD in 14 years, appropriately titled Newborn, in concert at the Okanagan Centre for Positive Living Sunday.

A graduate of the classical music program at Mount A, Anthony, now 35, released his well-received debut CD, Road to Rome, of original pop rock songs in 1993.

However, disaster struck soon after when a mysterious illness robbed him of his energy, health and voice.

Read full story: Calgary musician’s career is revived
Visit Anthony's Web site or his MySpace page.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Congratulations to Wallace McCain ('51), chairman of the board of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. and co-founder of one of the world's largest frozen food companies, who will receive the coveted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2007 Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. McCain will be rewarded for his outstanding accomplishments at a gala presentation on October 18, 2007.

A New Brunswick native, Mr. McCain graduated with a B.A. from Mount A in 1951. Since then, he has received honourary degrees from Mount Allison University, University of King's College, University of NewBrunswick, Dalhousie University, Trent University and University of Toronto.

Read more: McCain to be presented with Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

It's a Wonderful Life

It's A Wonderful Life - Owens Art Gallery opening reception 5pm

To celebrate Struts' 25th anniversary, the Owens Art Gallery will open its premier fall exhibition featuring the work of thirty artists who have participated in the Open Studio Artist–in-Residence Program.

During their residency, for one month, artists from across Canada and abroad call Sackville home, creating and interacting with the community through workshops and presentations.

The exhibition will include innovative painting, drawing, installation, and video works from a broad range of contemporary Canadian artists including: Lucy Pullen, Eric Walker, Penny McCann, Deborah Margo, Kathleen Sellars, Carl Zimmerman, Goody-B. Wiseman, Mike MacDonald, Shary Boyle, Peter Flemming, Rita McKeough, Craig Francis Power, Robyn Moody, Candice Tarnowski, Hadley + Maxwell, Graeme Patterson, Jerry Ropson, Uta Riccius, Chad VanGaalen, Marilou Lemmens & Richard Ibghy, Daniel Barrow, Ian Birse & Laura Kavanaugh, Leah Garnett, Marc Bell, Amy Lockart, Mitchell Wiebe, and Elisabeth Belliveau.

Owens Art Gallery invites you to the opening of It’s a Wonderful Life and a birthday celebration for Struts Gallery on Friday 14th September at 5:00 pm. The exhibition continues to 19 October 2007.

Small-town life continues

While quiet, small-town life may drive many restless young people out of Maine, it was exactly what drew David Mitchell ('91) back to his hometown.

David grew up in Calais and attended boarding school at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass.

He graduated from Mount A in 1991 with a B.A. in English and political science, then stayed on for a fifth year to play hockey and earn a second bachelor’s degree in education.

After teaching and coaching soccer, hockey and baseball at private schools in Massachusetts and Michigan, David decided to return to his home state and pursue a law degree at the University of Maine School of Law.

Read David's profile in the Bangor Daily News:
Calais: Small-town community makes life worthwhile for lawyer

Photo credit: Bangor Daily News/Kate Collins

Shine On!

Over 400 Mount A students are set to participate in Shinerama, the annual fund raiser held on many Canadian campuses in support of cystic fibrosis research on September 8.

Supporters might notice many students sporting a stylish accessory this year —“Shine On” limited edition pendants, produced by Terra Cotta Pendants of Stoney Creek, NB, especially for this campaign.

Terra Cotta Pendants has produced a Shinerama sun clay aromatherapy pendant, and $5 from every sale will go directly towards the campaign.

The pendant, called “Shine On,” was designed by Mount A student Natasha Gosselin, daughter of owners, Auguste and Lori Gosselin.

Pendants are $10 and are available for purchase by e-mailing sacshinerama@mta.ca, and will be sold on Shine Day at 13 locations in Amherst, Sackville, Dieppe, Shediac, Moncton, and Riverview.

The Shinerama team is an ambitious one, with a fund raising goal of $17,000 for this year.

http://www.terra-cotta-pendants.com/

A member of the Shinerama committee, Natasha was instrumental in the partnership for the fund raising campaign.

For further information about the 2007 Mount Allison Shinerama campaign please contact campaign director Jill Fraser at 364-2231 (sacshinerama@mta.ca).

Mount A Performing Arts

Tickets are now available for Mount Allison’s Performing Arts Series 2007-08...this year's lineup promises a great variety of music, beginning on Friday, Sept. 21 with the exciting sounds of Kleztory, a klezmer group from Montréal that is taking the world music scene by storm.

Continuing through the academic year, you’ll have the opportunity to hear diverse artists Trio Mosaique (classical music by three of Canada’s finest musicians), Red Priest (a wild baroque music ensemble bringing us a Hallowe’en Special, “Nightmare in Venice”); and Canadian artists Anne-Julie Caron, marimba, J.P. Cormier, singer-songwriter and Hugh Russell, baritone.

Subscriptions to the season are only $120 for adults, $50 for students.

Single tickets are $25 and $13. But there are terrific specials as well!

If you purchase an adult subscription, or single adult ticket to a Convocation Hall event, you can bring a child (age 4-18) for free to that concert.

For more information or to purchase a subscription, call 364-2662 (voice mail only) or e-mail performarts@mta.ca.

More information is also available on their website, http://www.mta.ca/departments/PerformingArts

1st Canadian Naval Officer arrives in Nanisivik

Sub-Lieutenant Fraser Gransden ('05), of the HMCS Halifax, recently became the first Canadian naval officer to arrive by sea at Nanisivik, Canada's future deepwater Arctic port.

Fraser, who arrived at Nanisivik via the CCGS Terry Fox on August 15, was raised in Maitland and attended Brockville Collegiate Institute before graduating from Mount A under the naval officer training program.

Captain Marc Rothwell welcomed SLt Fraser Gransden to Nanisivik as shown in the photo. Fraser, a bridge watchkeeper onboard HMCS Halifax spent the last week onboard CCGS TERRY FOX for arctic navigation familiarization.

This included icebreaking navigation through the ice and berg infested waters of Hudson Strait, Foxe Basin, Fury & Hecla Strait, Gulf of Boothia, Prince Regent Inlet, Lancaster Sound, Admiralty Inlet and Strathcona Sound.

Emerging Artist 2007

Mount A grad Deanna Musgrave ('05) is the selected artist for Greenarm and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery's Studio Watch-Emerging Artist Series 2007.

The opening reception for the exhibit will be held Saturday, September 8 from 4-6 pm at the New Brunswick Museum at Market Square in Saint John.

The exhibition runs September 8th to December 2d.

Read more about Deanna, and her exhibition:
www.deannamusgrave.com
The Next Big Thing (Telegraph Journal)
Artist Selected (Times & Transcript)
Studio Watch: Emerging Artisits Series (Leadership Fredericton)

Photo credit: Karen Ruet Photos

Entertainment Hall of Fame

Congratulations to John Gray ('68), playwright/composer/performer, who was honoured by the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, which honours BC residents who have made an outstanding contribution to entertainment in British Columbia, across Canada, and around the world.

Educated at Mount A and the University of British Columbia, John was founder of Tamahnous Theatre which went on to produce his most celebrated work, Billy Bishop Goes to War (1978).

John has won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award, the Chalmers Award and the Governor General's Award (all for Bishop...) and the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Rock and Roll.

In 2000, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for "his contribution to Canada's cultural landscape".

John lives in Vancouver with his wife and their two boys.

Visit John's web site to learn more about his work.
Read more about the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.