网曝吃瓜

November 15^th is Founders' Day at 网曝吃瓜, and the University today launched a year-long celebration of its 175^th anniversary with a community reception featuring leading members of the 网曝吃瓜 community, major gift announcements, and new individual awards and honours.

鈥溚�曝吃瓜 was founded 175 years ago today by a small group of community leaders who were determined to provide unrestricted access to higher education,鈥� said Ray Ivany, 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淲hen we think about the times in which that courageous decision was taken, we can鈥檛 help but be inspired by what can be achieved through determination and strength of character. It鈥檚 an important part of the legacy we are celebrating today. So, too, are the remarkable individuals we are recognizing 鈥攊ncluding Clara Belle Marshall Raymond, our first woman graduate; Dr. James Perkin, our former President; and Dr. Arthur Irving, Chancellor Emeritus 鈥� all of whom have distinguished themselves as role models in citizenship and social responsibility.

鈥溚�曝吃瓜 today also owes much to the generosity of so many individuals and organizations over the years, and we are delighted to recognize their support, and to announce a special gift of $1 million from the McCain family, all six children of Andrew H. McCain.鈥�

On November 15, 1838, Nova Scotia Baptist leaders met near present-day Wolfville and decided to open a college from which no one would be barred 鈥� student or faculty 鈥� on the basis of religious affiliation. The university that would become 网曝吃瓜 was born. It has remained solidly focused on being an open and accessible institution, providing students with a highly personalized educational experience and pursuing academic excellence ever since. 网曝吃瓜 has also been at the forefront of social and cultural change.

Its first woman graduate, Clara Belle Marshall Raymond, Class of 1884, was one of the earliest women in the British Commonwealth to earn her Bachelor of Arts. Edwin Howard Borden, Class of 1892, was one of the first persons of African descent in the Commonwealth to be granted a degree and he went on to earn his Master of Arts from 网曝吃瓜 in 1896. In 2010, the Associated Alumni of 网曝吃瓜 celebrated its 150^th anniversary, and is recognized as one of North America鈥檚 oldest active independent alumni organizations.

The Founders' Day celebration included three special tributes and honours:

• The Arthur L. Irving University Medal 鈥� Dr. Arthur Irving (鈥�52) is 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Chancellor Emeritus, having served as Chancellor between 1996 and 2010 鈥� the longest serving Chancellor in 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 history. Dr. Irving and his brothers, James and John, donated the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens to 网曝吃瓜 in honour of their parents. Dr. Irving and his wife Sandra (鈥�74) dedicated themselves to ensuring the massive construction project proceeded according to plans and kept its main purpose 鈥� facilitating student success 鈥攊n sharp focus. They continue to be steadfast and tireless ambassadors for 网曝吃瓜 and champions of the Arthur Irving Academy for the Environment.  The Arthr L.  Irving University Medal will stand among 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 highest honours for individuals with a strong connection to 网曝吃瓜 and whose accomplishments and/or contributions have brought eminence to 网曝吃瓜 that clearly differentiates it from other undergraduate universities. Recipients will have walked in Arthur Irving鈥檚 footsteps by demonstrating an unsurpassed commitment to the future success of 网曝吃瓜 and a unique contribution to its reputation.
  
  

• Perkin Way 鈥� In honour of former President, Rev. Dr. James R.C. Perkin, University Drive will be renamed Perkin Way. Dr. Perkin, 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 12^th president, was the first 网曝吃瓜 president to rise through the ranks to lead the institution. His term, 1981-1993, was a period of remarkable change for 网曝吃瓜 and the care he exhibited for students, faculty, and staff endeared him to many. An active member of the 网曝吃瓜 and Wolfville communities, Dr. Perkin and his wife, Dorothy, regularly attend Convocation to witness the procession of graduates receiving their diplomas. 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Convocation tradition is a march by graduands toward Convocation Hall along University Drive and naming the route they follow Perkin Way honours the contribution Dr. Perkin made to 网曝吃瓜 during his career and reminds graduands of the rich history of their alma mater.
  
  

The Clara Belle Marshall Raymond Memorial -- In 1884, Clara Belle Marshall from Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia, became 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 first female graduate, shattering an invisible barrier that had previously been broken at only a handful of institutions in the British Commonwealth. After earning her Bachelor of Arts, she taught at 网曝吃瓜 Ladies鈥� Seminary between 1884 and 1886, the only woman instructor at the time to have earned a university degree. Through Clara Belle Marshall鈥檚 courage and leadership, 网曝吃瓜 reflected and reinforced its founding principle of accessibility, extending a welcoming hand to students without regard to gender, race, nationality or religious affiliation. This openness to change and commitment to equality has allowed 网曝吃瓜 to become a highly regarded post-secondary institution. The Clara Belle Marshall Raymond Memorial, to be installed in University Hall, will serve as a reminder to all students of an important aspect of 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 history, namely its role as an agent of progressive social change.

Commenting on these special initiatives, 网曝吃瓜 Chancellor Libby Burnham (鈥�60 ) says, 鈥淢y experience at 网曝吃瓜 was transformative. I had the opportunity to find out who I was and what I was capable of achieving and, like my classmates, I was inspired by the 网曝吃瓜 alumni that preceded us. Celebrating our 175^th anniversary is a chance for us to reflect upon what we, together, have achieved and to honour the people we feel best exemplify what 网曝吃瓜 represents in education and personal development. It鈥檚 fitting that we have chosen Clara Belle Marshall, Dr. James Perkin and Dr. Arthur Irving as examples of 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 best.鈥�

During the celebratory program, Nancy McCain (鈥�82), on behalf of her brothers Stephen (鈥�81) and Allison and sisters Kathy, Linda, and Margie (鈥�77) , announced that the family will donate $1 million to 网曝吃瓜 for an extensive renewal of the arena, which will henceforth be known as the Andrew H. McCain Arena. The gift to 网曝吃瓜 by Andrew McCain鈥檚 children is in honour of his lifelong love of hockey and the family鈥檚 desire to provide the 网曝吃瓜 community with facilities that will make a positive contribution to overall health and well-being. 

网曝吃瓜鈥檚 175^th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the balance of 2013 and well into 2014, concluding next Homecoming Weekend. Many more celebratory events are planned, including those that feature other influential personalities from 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 past and present. A Web site with historical institutional references and information is available at .

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网曝吃瓜 网曝吃瓜
网曝吃瓜, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada's premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes, and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, 网曝吃瓜 offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. 网曝吃瓜 also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open 网曝吃瓜. For more information about 网曝吃瓜, visit our website at

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Scott Roberts, Executive Director

Communications and Marketing

网曝吃瓜

902.585.1705

902.670.8966

scott.roberts@acadiau.ca