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

“Acadia was founded 175 years ago today by a small group of community leaders who were determined to provide unrestricted access to higher education,” said Ray Ivany, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “When we think about the times in which that courageous decision was taken, we can’t help but be inspired by what can be achieved through determination and strength of character. It’s an important part of the legacy we are celebrating today. So, too, are the remarkable individuals we are recognizing —including Clara Belle Marshall Raymond, our first woman graduate; Dr. James Perkin, our former President; and Dr. Arthur Irving, Chancellor Emeritus — all of whom have distinguished themselves as role models in citizenship and social responsibility.

“Acadia 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.”

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 – student or faculty – on the basis of religious affiliation. The university that would become Acadia 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. Acadia 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 Acadia in 1896. In 2010, the Associated Alumni of Acadia University celebrated its 150^th anniversary, and is recognized as one of North America’s oldest active independent alumni organizations.

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

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

• Perkin Way – In honour of former President, Rev. Dr. James R.C. Perkin, University Drive will be renamed Perkin Way. Dr. Perkin, Acadia’s 12^th president, was the first Acadia president to rise through the ranks to lead the institution. His term, 1981-1993, was a period of remarkable change for Acadia and the care he exhibited for students, faculty, and staff endeared him to many. An active member of the Acadia and Wolfville communities, Dr. Perkin and his wife, Dorothy, regularly attend Convocation to witness the procession of graduates receiving their diplomas. Acadia’s 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 Acadia 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 Acadia’s 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 Acadia Ladies’ Seminary between 1884 and 1886, the only woman instructor at the time to have earned a university degree. Through Clara Belle Marshall’s courage and leadership, Acadia 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 Acadia 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 Acadia’s history, namely its role as an agent of progressive social change.

Commenting on these special initiatives, Acadia Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60 ) says, “My experience at Acadia 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 Acadia 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 Acadia represents in education and personal development. It’s fitting that we have chosen Clara Belle Marshall, Dr. James Perkin and Dr. Arthur Irving as examples of Acadia’s best.”

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

Acadia’s 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 Acadia’s past and present. A Web site with historical institutional references and information is available at http://175.acadiau.ca.

View our photo gallery of the event.

About Acadia University
Acadia University, 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, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at http://acadiau.ca

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For more information contact:

Scott Roberts, Executive Director

Communications and Marketing

Acadia University

902.585.1705

902.670.8966

scott.roberts@acadiau.ca