Amid all the exciting things happening at Acadia this year, three distinguished members of our campus community were marked for a special honour. In 2024, Dr. Késa Munroe-Anderson (School of Education), Amanda Peters (English), and Dr. Jeff Hennessy (President and Vice-Chancellor) were awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

The medal is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

30,000 medals are being awarded to Canadians making a difference with nominations coming from government officials and organizations across the country.

“Our country is stronger when we recognize diverse voices and perspectives,” says Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. “The King Charles III Coronation Medal provides us with the opportunity to honour Canadians of all cultures, backgrounds and identities, who have contributed to the growth and success of Canada. As we present these medals across the country, I hope we can be inspired by the resilience, creativity and innovative spirit of Canadians.”

 

In the first ceremony to bestow this award in Canada, Dr. Késa Munroe-Anderson was recognized by Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc for her service to education. Among Dr. Munroe-Anderson’s many achievements is her leadership in the collaborative partnership between the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute and Acadia University.

“What an honour it was to receive The King’s Coronation Medal,” says Dr. Munroe-Anderson. “It was humbling to stand with 27 other outstanding Nova Scotians who have made valuable contributions to our province and country.”

Amanda Peters, who was recognized for her involvement in the arts by MP Kody Blois, also received the Coronation medal. Peters is an instructor of creative writing and Indigenous literatures in Acadia’s department of English. Her 2023 novel, The Berry Pickers, is a multi-award winning book and is currently being translated into 15 different languages around the world.

At the medal ceremony, Blois said of Peters and her fellow recipients that they “are deeply admired by community members across Kings-Hants” and that their community is proud of them.

Finally, our President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jeff Hennessy was selected by Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc as a recipient of the Coronation medal for his outstanding work in service to education.

President Hennessy is a dedicated pedagogue with a deeply rooted relationship with Acadia.  While he began his academic career here as a student, Dr. Hennessy explored academic institutions across the country before landing back in Wolfville in 2023 to begin his tenure as President and Vice-Chancellor at Acadia. Dr. Hennessy holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Toronto, a Master of Arts from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Music from Acadia University, and a Bachelor of Science from Trent University.

A huge congratulations to these outstanding members of the Acadia community! We can’t wait to see where the new year will take them.

 

Images sourced from The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and MP Kody Blois's Facebook posts.