Tying the knot on campus

Uli Schermaul and Kathrin Christine Hoehn, both exchange students from Germany to Mount Allison in 2001, “tied the knot” here on campus on August 12, 2011.

Susan LeBlanc, Deputy Clerk of the Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick, officiated at the ceremony.

Uli was involved in printmaking, painting, and drawing during his studies at Mount Allison, while Kathrin studied both English and French.

Dan Steeves, who became friends with Uli while he was here studying at the Fine Arts Department in 2001, has remained in contact through the years, and he noted that the couple have wanted to return to campus for a number of years.

He was pleasantly surprised when he recently received an e-mail from Uli saying that he and Kathrin were not only planning to make a visit but that they were also going to be married while they were here on campus. He was also pleased to be asked to be part of the ceremony as a witness for the groom.

Donna Sharpe, who currently works as an ESL Instructor at Mount Allison, teaching MASSIE students from Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan, also took part in the ceremony as a witness for the bride. Donna owned the Sanderling Bed and Breakfast in Sackville when Kathrin first came to Mount Allison and she was the first person that Kathrin met when she came to Canada. Donna became a good friend of both Kathrin and her family, and she often invited both Uli and Kathrin to her home for tea and conversations during their year in Sackville.

Other members of the “Mount Allison Family” who were present at the ceremony included Dr. Rainer Hempel, retired professor of German, who was the head Mount Allison’s exchange program in 2001; Dr. Maritza Fariña, current Spanish instructor who taught both Uli and Kathrin when they attended Mount Allison; Mona Estabrooks, Assistant Director Alumni Relations; and Sue Seaborn, University Advancement Communications Officer.

We wish Uli and Kathrin many happy years of married life. It was wonderful to have them back on campus and to share their special day here at Mount Allison.

A first graphic novel

Temple Bates ('96) consciously leaves room for interpretation - what are Hermodditites? Little children? Creatures? Creepy old men? Are they futuristic or medieval? Are you looking at them, or are they looking at you?

Her first graphic novel, Hermoddities, portrays contemporary comic art and traditional paint on canvas. The result is remarkable.

The Toronto-based, and Mount Allison educated, artist, who also plays in electro synth goth-pop band Pony Da Look, showcases work from the past decade in Hermoddities, including: CatPeeps, sometimes they're people, sometimes they're cats; Bird With A Ball Foot; and graphic collaborations with Winnipeg's Drue Langlois (formerly of the Royal Art Lodge) on Capistrano and Sweet Peel.

In Capistrano lead character Tristen poignantly asks, "Can't you see that your self-centered lifestyle - with your machines and comforts - has killed your heart?"

She challenges viewers to see what's between the lines, what distorts and blurs boundaries? Part hermetic oddities, part hermaphrodites, all gorgeous.

Read full story: A yearbook for circus strays (Telegraph-Journal)
See her work: http://www.templebates.com/