To my friends in The Bahamas, let me take this late opportunity to wish you all a happy new year. I hope 2019 brings you peace, harmony, good health, and prosperity!

 

There have been a few nice Acadia-Bahamas developments I want to share with you as, indeed, the long and proud history we share continues to be blessed.

 

First, I want to celebrate the almost 120 Bahamian scholars who are studying on our campus: terrific young women and men who are making their own way and their own mark on our alma mater. We couldn’t be more pleased to host them and we continue to be impressed by their conduct, which was on full display October 19^th when THE BAHAMIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO CANADA, HIS EXCELLENCY MR. ALVIN SMITH, visited our campus to spend some time with them. These fine young men and women gave Mr. Smith a full and proper Acadia welcome and I know he thoroughly enjoyed his time with them. His Excellency has a standing invitation to visit Acadia at any time (hopefully wearing the new Acadia hoodie presented to him by the students).

 

Second, Acadia was thrilled that Class of 2006 alumna KEREL PINDER of Freeport agreed to sit as a volunteer, representing the Caribbean, for the CAMPAIGN FOR ACADIA. Kerel, along with other acclaimed leaders from across Canada, the UK, the US, and Asia have come together to help Acadia raise $75 million to help students and to drive infrastructure renewal on our campus. Kerel attended the Campaign Cabinet meeting last fall and while she was on campus provided an exceptional guest lecture on entrepreneurship for business students in Acadia’s F. C. Manning School of Business. Kerel’s contribution had a big impact on campus, and we are honoured by her commitment.

 

Third, and perhaps my favourite update, is that Acadia has hired alumna JOY BETHEL, Class of 2015, as our new International Enrolment Advisor! Joy will be focusing her student recruitment efforts on the Caribbean and Latin and South America. Joy drove from Halifax to Wolfville through a nerve-wracking early winter blizzard to get to her interview on campus and still blew the lights out with her answers! We are so proud to have Joy representing us as she hits the road to spread the ‘Acadia gospel.’

 

You’ll have a chance to connect with Joy and Kerel, along with Acadia’s President Dr. Peter Ricketts, on the evening of Wednesday, February 20^th when I’ll host a social gathering for alumni and friends at Luciano’s. If you’re in Freeport, join Kerel and I for an early supper on Friday, February 22^nd. Please see the details for both events below and remember to RSVP so I’ll know you’re coming.

 

If you have a young scholar in your life who would like to learn more about Acadia, please note that Joy will host a Parent-Student Information Session the evening of February 21^st at the British Colonial Hilton. For more information or to register contact Joy at 902-698-9901 or joycelyn.bethel@acadiau.ca.  

 

Acadia is grateful to those of you who’ve supported the ANTHONY A. SMITH MEMORIAL SCHOLAR-BURSARY. The cost of education is expensive and we know finances can be a challenge. The University does all it can to ease this burden for our Bahamian students, including awards like Anthony’s. Please click HERE to make a donation. You will be simultaneously paying memorial tribute to one of your own while helping to support a student today. Every gift is welcomed and appreciated.

 

I can’t wait to see you soon … please mark your calendar and plan to join in.

 

Stand Up and Cheer!

Ian