By Fred Sgambati (’83, ’85)

A night of celebration. That’s how Executive Director, Alumni Affairs Oonagh Proudfoot (’93, ’06) described the Acadia Alumni Awards Dinner at Pier 21 in Halifax on April 18, 2024.

It was an opportunity to celebrate the very fabric of Acadia, she said, as more than 300 Acadia alumni and friends came together to honour and applaud this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Don Clow (’83), Acadia Alumni Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient Dr. Caroline Cochran, and The Athenaeum and Acadia Alumni Student of the Year Award recipient, Spencer Richard (’22, ’24).

Proudfoot hosted the event, welcoming attendees and honoured guests, including University President Dr. Jeff Hennessy (’99) and his wife Erin (’94, ’96); Chancellor Bruce Galloway (’68, ’03 DCL), Board Chair Henry Demone (’76); federal, provincial and municipal political representatives; ASU President Sadie McAlear (’24); members of the Alumni Association Board; and past Alumni Association Award and Honorary Degree recipients.

Podium speakers included Dr. Hennessy, who commented on his first eight months as University President, saying that it has been extremely busy, but incredibly rewarding. “The quality of the learning experience and engagement of our students is extraordinary,” he said, and he extended a special shout-out to Acadia’s student-athletes, with the swim team and the AUS champion women’s volleyball team earning special recognition.

He added that he has met many Acadia alumni during the eight-month period, reaffirming that “they are the most accomplished, engaged alumni anywhere.” He thanked them and the Acadia Alumni Association for their generous and ongoing support, and congratulated the three award recipients, saying, “you represent the best of what Acadia offers.”

$1-miilion gift

Alumni Association President Matt Rios (’14) spoke next, echoing Hennessy’s sentiment that Acadia’s students are its greatest asset. He underscored the comment by announcing an incredible $1 million gift from the Acadia Alumni Association that will propel the Build: The Student Centre campaign toward its $24 million fundraising goal. The donation sets the stage for a reimagined student centre that will redefine the university experience for generations to come. For more, see the full story HERE.

Rios also announced that the Acadia Alumni Association will match any contribution made to the campaign up to $250,000 in the hope that future students will have access to the same transformative opportunities “that we as alumni have experienced.”

Rios’s term will conclude in May, and Alumni Association Director Matthew Saunders (’09) thanked Rios for his service as the 100th President of the Alumni Association, adding that Acadia is a better place because of him.

Proudfoot introduced the award recipients individually and each in turn took centre stage for a Q. and A. session. Don Clow talked about his experiences as a football Axeman and the tremendous impact of legendary coach John Huard on his outlook as an athlete and a businessperson. “It was an amazing experience,” he said, that resulted in lifelong friends.

Philanthropy includes passion, talent, perspective

He said that Acadia is one of the top schools in North America and supporting the University wasn’t just about writing a cheque. Philanthropy includes passion, talent and a certain perspective and willingness to get involved. He also announced he would donate $25,000 on behalf of his family to kick off the Alumni Association’s matching fund campaign.

Caroline Cochran, who has been a professor at Acadia for 10 years, was next. Student success was a familiar theme during the conversation, and she said her focus was to “make sure that each student feels recognized and important.” She lauded the strong sense of commitment her students demonstrate and the value of learning mathematical processes. When Proudfoot asked if the University community could bank on 10 more years from her, she said immediately, “Absolutely!”

Spencer Richard discussed the family atmosphere within the Acadia football community, noting that he has had “plenty of mentors, and I hope to have mentored others along the way.” He also spoke passionately about his six-year experience with the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program, saying it has been the biggest part of his life over the past six years. “The experience of connecting with someone on a human level” has changed his life in ways he couldn’t have imagined when he first became involved.

Honour and privilege to serve

Chancellor Galloway then took the stage to applaud the honorees, saying, “you make all of us proud to be part of the Acadia family.” He noted that his term as Chancellor will conclude in June and said that it has been an honour and a privilege to serve the University in this capacity.

He also thanked Paul Bailey (’75) for once again donating the S.M.I.L.E. raffle prize of a Toronto Dream Weekend that included airfare from Halifax to Toronto, two tickets to a regular season Toronto Maple Leafs home game, hotel accommodations for two nights, and $500 in cash for meals, cabs and entertainment.

A total of $4,780 was raised to support S.M.I.L.E. and the winning ticket belonged to Vice-President, Academic (Interim) Dr. Kate Ashley (‘96).

The following event sponsors were also acknowledged for their financial and in-kind support: TD Insurance; Irving; Chartwells; BMO; Dexter Construction; Crombie; Mattatall Signs; Industrial Alliance Financial Group; Sodexo; McInnes Cooper; and Coach Atlantic.

Vice-President, Advancement Nancy Handrigan (’92) said afterward, “it was an amazing night: a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Don, Caroline and Spencer, and to see alumni and friends, Board members, donors, and so many students. There was such a tremendous spirit, passion and love for Acadia in the room. I am grateful to the Alumni Association for its generosity, and extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to all who have supported our Build: the Student Centre campaign so far and this year’s Acadia Alumni Awards Dinner.”

For more on the Dinner, please see our photo gallery.

To support the Build: the Student Centre campaign, where opportunities unfold, wellness is prioritized, and diversity is celebrated, please click HERE.

Pictured above, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Don Clow ('83) with Alumni Association President Matt Rios ('14).