2007 Classical Artists of the Year

Congratulations to baritone Christopher Bowman (’01), and pianist David Chafe who won the 2007 Classical Artists of the Year at the MUSICNL Awards in St. John’s for their new classical CD, Over Hill and Valley.

This beautiful recording features two English song cycles: "Songs of Travel" by Ralph Vaughan Williams (based on the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson) and "Earth and Air and Rain" by Gerald Finzi (based on the poetry of Thomas Hardy).

Over Hill and Valley is the first collaborative recording project for David and Christopher who have been great friends and have performed together since meeting at the Memorial University School of Music in 2004 as students of the School's Master of Music program.

They also appeared live at the MUSICNL Awards Show at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre this past Sunday evening.

Around the World

How so few Allisonians cover the planet so well!

Here's an email from Charlie Hunter, Director of International Admissions, during his travels this month:

"Have run into 6 Allisonians this week and heard of more:

Tuesday : arranged through Trevor Lewis who brought along Justin Keyes for the three of us to present at Delia school in Hong Kong. I got goosebumps listening to Trevor and Justin explain to the students why Mt A was a good choice for them. Delia teacher Mt A grad Eric MacMillan dropped in. He told us that Charles York and Marcie Dionne are still teaching in the school and that Nick Crowe is now at CP Allen in Bedford.

Wednesday: presented at Shenzhen International School where my contemporary Donna Trafford is the principal and Tracey Anderson is the Music teacher.

Friday: went to American School Shanghai and ran into Cathy Anderson, VP of the class of 86, who is the IB programme coordinator.

Saturday: presented at an agency in Shanghai. UNBSJ were represented there by Mt A grad Jill Rogers, 03."

Pictured above: Cathy Anderson and Kirk Mitchell

GG Lit Award Nom

Congratulations to Rob Winger ('97) for his Governor General's Literary Award nomination for his first book, Muybridge's Horse.

NEW: Rob will be doing a reading at Mount Allison: November 15, 7 pm, Cranewood

Rob grew up in a tiny Ontario town, and has since lived in eastern Canada and Asia. His work has been published in literary journals across the country, and selections from Muybridge’s Horse won first prize for poetry in English in the 2003 CBC Literary Awards judged by P.K. Page, Dionne Brand and George Bowering.

Currently at work at a doctoral degree in English and cultural studies, Winger lives with his family in Ottawa, Ontario, where he skates to work each winter.

The Governor General's Literary Awards come with a prize of $25,000, raised this year from $15,000.

The winners will be announced Nov. 27.

Stanley Cup Family

Kent Huskins, son of Les Huskins ('69) and Bonnie (Bain) Huskins ('69) are pictured holding the Stanley Cup. Kent was a defenseman on the 2006-2007 Stanley Cup winning team Anaheim Ducks, and he recently signed a new two year contract with the Ducks.

Congratulations Kent, Les, and Bonnie!

LIVE @ 5

CTV News - Live Broadcast from Mount Allison University!

Tune into CTV (Atlantic) Live at 5 and Six O'Clock News between 5 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 25 when they broadcast live from Mount Allison University! CTV News is the most watched news broadcast in the Maritimes.

Watch for Mount Allison news and feature stories and look for CTV personalities and crew members on campus (University/Academic Quad and Library areas).

Mount A at top of the class

Good grades for Mount A in The Globe and Mail’s 2007 University Report Card

Mount Allison University enjoyed high marks once again in the 2007 Globe and Mail University Report Card. The report was issued October 16, and saw over 43,000 students and 53 schools participate in the national survey.

Mount Allison University President Dr. Robert Campbell says, “The Mount Allison University Experience is second to none and I’m happy with our rankings.

We offer intense and enriching academic programs, delivered by award-winning teaching faculty, a myriad of extracurricular activities, and a wonderful, close-knit residence system, all on one spectacular campus.

Students receive ‘more than a degree’ at Mount Allison and I’m pleased that this is reflected in such surveys as The Globe and Mail’s University Report Card. ”

Dr. Campbell was also interviewed about life on campus in the Report, which hails Mount A as “another standout in the University Report Card Survey.”

Mount Allison, with a total full-time and part-time student population of 2,245, was ranked in the category for universities with enrolment under 4,000 and received many impressive marks.

Mount Allison received the highest possible top rank, across Canada, in:
• Class Size (A+)
• Academic Reputation (A)
• Recreation and Athletics (A-)

The Sackville university also received A’s in Quality of Education, Student-Faculty interaction, and Campus Atmosphere, as well as grades of A- in the Quality of Teaching, Most Satisfied Students, and Extracurricular Activities.

Mount Allison’s facilities also received good grades. Buildings and facilities, student residences, the quality of technology on campus, as well as the Library, got a B+, while student services, course registration, and the popular campus pub received Bs. Mount Allison’s food services ranked highest in its category with a C+.

The 2007 Report also asked over 43,000 undergraduates to describe the kinds of students they share campus with. Mount Allison students were described as: “ambitious,” “environmentally-conscious,” “politically-active,” and “studious” by their peers.

Read more:
Mount Allison's eastern promise
(Globe & Mail)

Mount A at top of the class
(Telegraph Journal)

Check out the full Globe & Mail University Report Card.

TheFleasKneesTees

Celebrities, Playboy Mansion fundraiser help boost sales of DogMom tees, which help support no-kill animal shelters

You've got a cute little dog rescued from the Moncton SPCA, Tori Spelling's help and a launch at the Playboy Mansion where members of the cast of CSI get on board.

Add the enthusiasm of Mary-Jo Dionne ('94), a talented ad writer, freelance journalist, stand-up comedian, animal lover and now T-shirt designer, and you're sure to have a hit on your hands.

In fact, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the work of well-researched, no-kill animal rescue groups, you'd have to say Mary-Jo's collection of DogMom T-shirts are the bee's knees.

Rather, they are the flea's knees.

Read full article: Cheeky T-shirts a hit for Riverview designer (Moncton Times & Transcript)

http://www.thefleaskneestees.com/

OPEN HOUSE

Mount A is inviting prospective students and their parents, school counselors, teachers, and anyone else who may be interested to visit our beautiful campus — spectacular with its fall foliage — from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, October 26^th.

The day begins with a welcome by President Robert Campbell, followed by mini lectures in the Dunn Building, an information fair in the Athletics Centre, complimentary lunch at Jennings Dining Hall, SAC Clubs and Activities Fair in Hesler Hall, campus tours departing from the ground floor of the Student Centre, a Parents’ and Families’ Information session in Windsor Theatre, and a rock concert, prize draws, and closing in Hesler Hall.

Five prizes of $2000 each in Residence Bursaries will be awarded to potential students!

For details, visit http://www.mta.ca/openhouse/

Please forward this information to family, friends, and colleagues who may be interested in participating in these informative and fun activities!

Vote for Jessica!

GOOD LUCK TO JESSICA, East Coast finalist for CMT’s Karaoke Star!

Vote for Jessica Parisien ('08) of St. George, NB beginning Oct. 11

Mount Allison English student Jessica Parisien could be singing her way to the tune of $10,000 as CMT’s Ultimate Karaoke Star!

Jessica is one of ten East Coast finalists in the national contest and the country will vote this week whether she will continue on to the finals.

The Halifax-based East Coast competition featuring Jessica will air on Wednesday, October 10 at 12 midnight on CMT, with voting opening on Thursday, October 11.

One finalist is chosen from each region and fans can text the name of their favourite singer (the “wildcard”) after each show.

Watch on Wednesday or visit the CMT web site http://www.cmt.ca/shows/karaokestar/main.aspx for more information on how to vote. Voting for the East Coast finalists begins at midnight on October 11.

Facebook members can also join a group to support Jessica as CMT’s next Karaoke Star but still need to text message their vote to CMT or visit the web site for official numbers.

Jessica, a fourth-year English student, is known for a lot more than her karaoke talents at Mount Allison. She is also the news editor for the Argosy, Mount Allison’s student newspaper and plans to continue her studies in journalism at the master’s level at Carleton University next year.

Her involvement with CMT’s Ultimate Karaoke Star, the first contest of this nature organized by the network, began this summer when she auditioned in Halifax.

Prior to being selected in the top ten for the entire East Coast region, Jessica was also crowned champion of Saint John’s Next Country Star competition this summer.

Twelve finalists, two from each region, will be selected and announced on CMT on October 17. Viewers will be able to vote for their pick from October 17 until the 22^nd.

If Jessica is one of the top two singers selected in the East Coast round, she’ll head to Toronto on October 24, where the top 12 from across the country will battle it out in a live two-hour finale that will see the 2007 CMT Ultimate Karaoke Star crowned!

New Dates

Convocation has moved dates for 2008!

Reunion Weekend: May 9, 10, 11 for classes ending in 3 & 8
Convocation: Monday, May 26

New Face at the Owens

The Owens Art Gallery is pleased to announce that Mary MacDonald ('06) has been chosen for the internship position for 2007-2008. Now in its 12th year, this program provides a recent graduate of Mount Allison with a unique and professional experience working in a public gallery.

Alongside the staff at the Owens Art Gallery, Mary will be involved in exhibition installation, the writing of news releases, assisting with educational outreach and visiting artist programs, as well as adding her voice to the Digital Owens Project, a continuing effort to create a virtual place of learning to accompany the already physical gallery.

Originally from Pictou County, NS, Mary graduated from the fine arts program at Mount Allison in 2006 and has spent the last year exploring the artistic community in Halifax, NS. There she developed a great appreciation and interest in sharing that sense of community and aspires to become a liaison between both worlds. Mary is excited to learn from and add to the vibrancy at the Owens Art Gallery and is pleased to be a resident of Sackville once again.