Alumni news 2023

2023 Aurum Award winner Jeremy Dutcher (BA’13) has had a fundamental impact on the way the traditional tribal language of Wolastoqiyik is shared, transforming our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures and communities.

2023 Aurum Award winner Mona Lynch (LLB’85) quickly joined forces with other women judges from around the world to help their 250 Afghan colleagues find a way out when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

2023 Aurum Award winner Athanasius “Tanas” Sylliboy (MN’20) is advocating for improved health outcomes for Mi’kmaq and other marginalized communities by breaking barriers and lifting voices.

2023 Aurum Award winner Igor Yushchenko (LLM’12) is applying his legal expertise to help fellow Ukrainians—including his own family—seek refuge in Canada.

2023 Aurum Award winner Nada Haidar (BSc’93, DDS’97) says dentistry isn’t just her career, it’s her passion. Following some international volunteer work, Dr. Haidar was inspired after COVID struck to find new ways to help others locally.

This free and open in-person and online event will offer insights as to how ��������app researchers and partners are working to preserve the ocean’s health as they bring it to the centre of global climate action.

��������app researchers are taking bold steps to address gaps in health care, such as access to reliable therapies, data and front-line care. Their work is creating opportunities to achieve better results for people, populations and the health-care system. Join an Open Dialogue Live discussion on February 23 to learn more.

Major Joseph D. Bourque (DDS’51) rarely spoke of what he saw in wartime, but after retiring form the military, continued his legacy of service by operating one of Nova Scotia’s last mobile Public Health dentistry clinics.

With a position at Ubisoft supporting some of the biggest titles in gaming, Tabea Marzlin (BCS’22) is still in awe of reaching her childhood dreams.

Melanie Clarke (BA’06) channels the leadership skills she honed as an all-star member of Dal’s soccer team to a fulfilling career in workplace resolution and Black wellness — and into overcoming cancer.

Dr. Keisha Jefferies (BScN’13, MN’17, PhD’22) discovered a love of nursing as a ��������app student. Now, as a University Research Chair – Emerging Scholar, she is excited to share her research and experience in her new role as faculty.

Associate Director of Roynat in Calgary, Dex Gittens (MBA’12) says his career advancement in financial services mirrors his progression in fitness; both require hard work, consistency, and being open to feedback.

Douglas Mackay (BComm’53, LLD’93) never forgot where he was educated, supporting and championing ��������app for seven decades.

��������app’s Faculties of Computer Science, Engineering and Science hosted the fifth annual Women in STEM Networking Event in Halifax this week, with Dal researchers and alumni participating in a panel discussion about their motivations for pursuing a career in STEM.

Seven individuals appointed to the Order of Canada in late December have ��������app connections.

��������app Tigers men's basketball alum Alex Carson (BSc’22) was selected as a U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian for the 2021-22 season. The elite group was honoured by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

This year's selections for the Faculty of Science's annual calendar showcase the beauty of science that unfolds everywhere from the research lab to rugged landscapes and the ocean.

While Denise Flynn's (DDH’95) dedication and passion as a dental hygienist paved a reliable career path, buying a neglected apple orchard in Corberrie, Nova Scotia, led to an unexpected journey into entrepreneurship.

Arad Gharagozli’s (BEng’20) Galaxia Mission Systems will use the investment to build and launch two nanosatellites into orbit.

Canada’s newest Order of Canada inductees were named in late June, honouring individuals whose innovations have ignited imaginations, and whose compassion has united communities. Joining the ranks of the now 7,800 Order recipients are seven of ��������app’s alumni.

Remembering ��������app alumni as part of the Dal Magazine Spring/Summer 2023 issue. Obituaries of Dal alumni in the ��������app Magazine.

Dal Alumni Days 2023 was an incredible celebration of our shared connection to ��������app. Read about the highlights and see photos from this year's events, which ranged from trivia night and the mentorship mixer to faculty events and a celebration of our alumni award winners.

This year's Open Dialogue Live series zeroed in on Dal’s research strengths — from food security and clean energy, to ocean research, health outcomes and innovation and entrepreneurship — answering the question, ‘How can we use these strengths to help solve today’s greatest challenges?’

Caleigh Wong (DipEng'22, BA’22) and Chantel Findlay (BSc’21) have been chosen to receive McCall MacBain Scholarships this year. They are among 20 Canadians to receive the widely coveted awards, Canada’s comprehensive, leadership-based scholarship for master’s and professional studies.

Dr. Christopher Mushquash (PhD’11) has shifted the relationship between communities and researchers, enabling more meaningful and relevant research and advancing the understanding of mental health in Indigenous communities.

Jillian Arany-Ruyf (BSc’13) is a Fisheries Management Officer and volunteers her time answering digital surveys as part of Dal's Insight Circle.

Member of the Dentistry Alumni Committee since 2012, Halifax-based dental hygienist Denise Zwicker (BDH'12) gives back to her faculty in both a professional and personal capacity.

Gayle Murdoch (BComm’04, MBA’06) is the senior vice president, sales effectiveness and performance at Canada Life, and a volunteer with Dal's MBA Advisory Council.

Dr. Scott Swinden (BSc’70) is president of Swinden Geoscience Consultants Ltd. and volunteers with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences' (EES) alumni committee.

Cape Bretoner Darren MacDonald (BScK’96) lives and works in Sydney Forks, N.S., but stays connected to Halifax and to Dal through his volunteer positions.

Faren Bogach (LLB’07) is founder and lawyer at Construct Legal in Toronto and a mentor with Dal's Alumni Link program.

Halifax-based orthodontist and Assistant Professor in Dal’s Faculty of Dentistry Dr. Lee Erickson (DDS’77) has volunteered his time in many different ways.

Nathan Murray (BScAgr’11) remotely volunteers his time and talent as secretary of the Agriculture Alumni Association Board. In his day job, he is an agile coach with Farm Credit Canada in Saskatchewan.

Dr. Ivan Silver (MD'75) considered retiring before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. He's glad he didn't because the need for geriatric psychiatry care has never been greater.

Courtney Bragg (BA’13) always looked up to her big sister Meghan Bragg (BScHP’09). Five months after Meghan’s passing, Courtney finds comfort in Meghan’s daughter’s presence, and in the legacy of community service Meghan created.

Dr. Margaret Oulton (PhD’75) — a professor and prenatal researcher who made a discovery that would eventually lead to the safe delivery of over 10,000 infants across our region — is the inaugural recipient of the ��������app Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Computer scientist Varsha Hemrajani (MEC’21) is a user interface (UI) developer and volunteers with Dal's Women in Tech mentorship program.

Robin Hennigar (BEng’66, MEng’68) is a one-time volunteer, who helped organize a Tech-TUNS-Dal reunion with his classmates from ’68.

A teacher in Dartmouth, April MacQueen (BSc'06) has been a Dal volunteer since the mid-2000s.

Novelist K.R. Byggdin is the recipient of the 2023 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award for Wonder World.

"Independent living is about having choices, making decisions, taking risks, making mistakes, and taking responsibility.” - Jen Powley.

The Blue and Gold Awards program honours alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to the Faculty of Agriculture, their communities, Atlantic Canada, and beyond.

Enjoy a look back in photos at some of our fall ��������app Engineering alumni events.

The Bertha Wilson Honour Society recognizes Schulich Law’s extraordinary alumni and showcases their geographic reach and contributions to law and society. Meet the 2023 inductees.

The ��������app Medical Alumni Association (DMAA) Alumni Recognition Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in medical research and clinical practice and showcase alumni contributions to the medical school, students, and the community.

Halifax West Member of Parliament Lena Metledge Diab (MPA’87, LLB’90) sponsored Bill S-246 establishing November as Lebanese Heritage Month across Canada.

Alum Kate Clark (MPlan’18) helps lead a team of Planning alumni and students at Dal's Planning for Equity, Accessibility and Community Health (PEACH) Research Unit.

Entrepreneur Taylor Quinn (BA’15) and recent grad Rose Schoonhoven (BMgmt’21) have been working together as mentor and mentee through the ��������app Alumni Link program for the past four months. They meet virtually once a month to discuss Schoonhoven’s career plans, her recent wins and struggles, and chat about their shared interest in Halifax’s non-profit sector.

Nine universities and NSCC joined forces to raise funds for their student-led food security programs on campus through the Food Security Project.

Remembering ��������app alumni as part of the Dal Magazine Fall/Winter 2023 issue. Obituaries of Dal alumni in the ��������app magazine.

A look back at 13 stories about and for our alumni community that we were proud to share this year.