Acadia alumni and friends gathered at the Halifax Convention Centre on April 12, 2018 for the 16^th Annual Acadia Alumni Gala Dinner and Silent Auction in support of athletics, student financial aid and other programs at Acadia. A VIP reception hosted by McInnes Cooper started things off, and Peter Harrison (’84) was masterful once again as dinner emcee. It was the first Gala for University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Peter Ricketts, and he was warmly welcomed by a capacity crowd of more than 325 people. Special guests included Chancellor Dr. Libby Burnham (’60), Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Arthur Irving (’52), Chief Sidney Peters representing Glooscap First Nations, Acadia Alumni President Geoff Irvine (’87), Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dr. Carmen O’Neill (’83), and Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient Dr. Aaron Shafer (’07). Guests enjoyed a Silent Auction and supported a special Toronto Maple Leafs prize package donated by Paul Bailey (’75), with raffle proceeds going to the S.M.I.L.E. program. It was a wonderful evening for alumni, special guests and honorees, and we look forward to seeing you next year! Pictured (left to right): Dr. Aaron Shafer (’07), Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60), and Dr. Carmen O’Neill (’83). For more, please see our photo gallery.

(Photo: Peter Oleskevich)