Alumni E-News

Alumni E-News is aimed at keeping alumni and friends of NSAC up-to-date with news from the university including important announcements, student and alumni achievements, athletic news and upcoming events. You will still receive your alumni magazine, the Agricola News, by mail.

In this monthly, E-newsletter you'll find brief news items and for many, a link to our alumni website for more detailed information.

Announcements

NSAC President Hicks going to Dubai

Dr. Philip Hicks has tendered his resignation and has accepted an offer from the United Arab Emirates' Higher Colleges of Technology, to head up the Dubai Men's College, effective later on this fall.

"The Higher Colleges of Technology, or HCT, system is the premiere post-secondary educational organisation within the Emirates. There are over 16,000 students enrolled in the 14 Colleges, and Dubai Men's alone, boasts a student body of around 2,000" said Hicks.

He adds: "They pursue studies in business, communications technology, engineering technology, education, health sciences and information technology. Like NSAC, the HCT offers educational opportunities at the diploma, undergraduate and post-graduate degree levels. They have embarked on an unbelievably dynamic phase of growth and expansion unparalleled elsewhere in the world. I am very much looking forward to offering my services and assistance to help guide that growth in directions that will realise the ambitions of the Emirati nationals".

Dr. Leslie MacLaren will serve as Acting President of NSAC following the departure of Dr. Hicks at the discretion of Deputy Minister Paul LaFleche. We wish Dr. Hicks well in this exciting new adventure for him and his family.

Alumni

Where are they now?

Here is your chance to let other alumni know where you are and what you’re doing! Please send us an email at alumni@nsac.ca and let us know what you’re up to – you just might be featured in an upcoming issue of Alumni E-News. We look forward to hearing from you! Please send along a picture if possible!

This month's profile features Kimberly Sheppard

NS’s next generation banding together

By SARA KEDDY
Kings County Register

Justin Beck “always thought at some point” he’d take over his family’s farm.

“I enjoy it.”

But the challenges facing young farmers put many at a disadvantage when they start out. Nova Scotia agriculture officials - and the young farmers themselves - want to help.

“Energetic young farmers seeking other EYF between the ages of 18 and 40” with “passion” are being sought for a revived Nova Scotia Young Farmers’ Forum.

“It’s a group of young farmers - here and nationally,” says Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture policy analyst Brad McCallum. “We’re trying to promote better sharing between them.

Click here for the complete article

NSAC Alumni - Embracing their World

Our August alumni profile has been posted on the NSAC website. Please visit http://nsac.ca/alumni/profiles/ to read all about the activities of Amy Higgins, Class of 2006.

Awards

Dr. Robert Gordon, Class of 1985, NSAC Dean of Research, Canada Research Chair, receives Premier’s Award of Excellence

The Premier's Award of Excellence is the most prestigious award a Government of Nova Scotia employee or team can receive. This highest form of honour recognizes outstanding on-the-job contributions of employees and teams of employees. To receive it is to know that your work made a difference to the people of Nova Scotia - an achievement of which you can be proud for a lifetime.

Dr. Robert Gordon is a 2007 recipient of this award. Dr. Gordon has dedicated his career to the public service of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region by implementing creative and innovative solutions to problems in agriculture and the environment. He has made numerous contributions to applied research, outreach programs, environmental training and education, environmental improvements in the agriculture sector and the development of government programs and services in resource management. Also, his reputation as a leading authority on climate-related issues is well known throughout Canada.

In 1996, Dr. Gordon took on the challenge of providing an environmental audit service for farmers. The result is the Nova Scotia Environmental Farm Plan Program that includes more than 925 farms across the province. This program is now recognized nationally as the standard by which other programs are measured.

The passion brought to his work and the desire to make a difference shown by Rob in delivering quality research and outreach programs and his keen interest in teaching and mentoring young people in Nova Scotia, is second to none.

Rob was also recently appointed Director of Research at NSAC. Dr. Gordon is an Associate professor and recent Canada Research Chair with the Department of Engineering. He has been Interim Director of Research at NSAC for the past year.

The Director of Research is responsible for working with faculty and staff to meet the research goals of the University and its academic departments. In this part-time role, he promotes and actively develops the research effort on campus to help foster research growth and excellence.

NSAC students receive recognition at scholarship luncheon

Nine undergraduate students were recently honoured at a scholarship luncheon at the university. The students were awarded prestigious Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs). These scholarships provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to work on a research project in the natural sciences and engineering for 16 weeks.

Students’ summer projects focus on research that addresses problems for the sheep, mink, blueberry and lobster industries as well as the organic sector.

Photo caption:Top (Left-Right) Rebecca Conway, Daniel Gillis, James DawsonBottom Margaret Graves, Catherine Pal, Melissa Murray, Amanda Smith and Katherine Rutherford. Missing: Jody Nelson.

Click here for the complete article.

Events

Atlantic Agricultural Science and Communication Workshop 2007

What are the prospects for the bio-economy in the Atlantic Region? Will it be innovation or exploitation? Can we look forward to healthy and prosperous rural and agricultural communities if Atlantic Canada pursues a bio-renaissance?

At Nova Scotia Agricultural College we have decided to explore these questions during the Atlantic Agricultural Science and Communication Workshop (AASCW 2007) being held at the NSAC campus in Truro on November 15 and 16, 2007. Click here for the complete article.

Agri-Golf Classic

The 11th annual Agri-Golf Classic was held on Friday July 27th at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club in Sussex, NB. Major Sponsors included EastLink, Pepsi , and Pfizer. Major prize sponsors included RBC (10,000 hole in one), New Holland (25,000 tractor and loader hole in one) Downey Ford Sales (F-150 Super Cab 4X4 XLT hole in one), Stonehame Chalets, Meloche-Monnex, AJ Walkers and Chartwells.

Sampling/product sponsors included Molson Canada, Scotsburn Dairy Group, Scotian Gold and Eden Valley Farms. Many other prize sponsors donated draw prizes and enabled most of the golfers to leave with an extra gift!

Winners
Overall - Sussex View Farm (led by Alumni Dave and Brian McCullum)
Business - Shur-Gain
Farm - Fisher Farm
Alumni - Steve Watts
Sponsor - EastLink

Specialty Prizes
Putting Contest - Dave Thompson (Greg Caldwell's Team)
Closest to the Hole - Josh Arenburg (CIBC team )
Longest Drive - Lisa Carpentier (RBC) and Shane McCullum (Sussex View Farm)
Accuracy - Dick Huggard (Jim Goit Team)

Caption: Alumni winning team. (L-R) Doug LeClair, Kyle Murray, Steve Watts, Arnold Hagen, Darren Peters

Caption: Sussex View Farm - Overall Winners

Summer Reunion 2007

A "mini” summer homecoming was held on Thursday July 26th to coincide with NSAC’s annual Open House and Agri-Golf Classic. The NSAC Alumni and Family Barbeque was held in the Alumni Gardens at 4:00 p.m. Alumni had the opportunity to tour campus during open house, visit with retired faculty and staff and enjoy the grounds of campus.

Photo Caption: Members of the Class of 1952 enjoyed the entertainment and BBQ at the Alumni and Family BBQ in Alumni Gardens on July 26th.

Development

Donation Update

Donations to NSAC as of the end of July 2007 are running just about even with the average of the last 5 years.

Click image to see a larger view.

As we prepare for the annual mail appeal please consider giving generously to NSAC and make this the best year ever. Remember all donations go directly to helping students and improving programs at NSAC.

Just a reminder.. There is a great new home and auto insurance program for NSAC Alumni.

In case you missed earlier notices, NSAC has an affinity partnership with TD Meloche Monnex, offering home, automobile, small business and travel insurance to all NSAC alumni, faculty and staff.

Thanks to this exclusive partnership, you can enjoy preferred group rates for your home and auto insurance. In addition, TD Meloche Monnex is holding an exclusive contest for NSAC alumni, faculty and staff. Simply request a no-obligation quote from TD Meloche Monnex before December 31, 2007 and you could WIN a 42" Plasma TV valued at approximately $2,000. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered in the WIN a Mercedes-Benz R 350 contest!

This is a great opportunity that you will be hearing more about over the next few months. For more details on both contests and to find out how much you can save on your insurance, click here.

Marketing On-Line Poll

I would attend more NSAC varisty games if... ?
Click here to take our 5 second poll!

Last Month's question:

What kinds of activities would you be interested in attending during Homecoming 2007 on October 19th and 20th.

You can find the complete results here.