Commerce professor Dr. Moe Hashemi was chosen by the Class of 2024 to deliver their Last Lecture — From Leadership to Communityship: The Heart, the Heat, and the Harmony of Good Teamwork.

The annual Passing of the Cane ceremony saw the 2024 Grad Class President Matheus Crepaldi passing the ceremonial cane to 2025 Grad Class President Victoria McCarvell in a ceremony that has taken place annually on campus since 1930. Each class president’s name is engraved onto the cane as a lasting tribute. A number of major graduating awards were granted during the event.

Major graduating awards

The Don Norton Memorial Award was awarded to Annika Bell. The award honours a graduating student who, during their final year, makes the greatest overall contribution to University life.

Bell will be graduating with an honours degree in visual and material culture studies (VMCS) and a triple minor in sports communication and media, drama, and visual communication and culture. She has been actively involved in athletics throughout her time at Mount A, playing on various intramurals and team clubs and volunteering with the Athletics Centre to organize events and generate content for their website and social media platforms. Bell has also worked as a teaching assistant, Orientation leader, and residential leader.

The Frances S. Allison Award went to Matheus Crepaldi. The award recognizes a graduating student whose record combines high academic achievement, extensive extracurricular involvement, and outstanding service to their peers and the community.

An honours economics student, Crepaldi has worked as a tutor, teaching assistant, and as coordinator for the commerce and economics help centres. He has been an active member of both the commerce and economic societies and held many leadership roles, including as Orientation leader, residential leader, and grad class president.

The Charlie Hunter Award, which honours a student who has shown exemplary student leadership and demonstrated commitment to student involvement and engagement during their time at Mount Allison, was presented to Abby Mullett.

Mullet, who will be graduating with an honours degree in political science, has been involved in various groups and societies. She took an active part in residence life and Orientation and has served as a teaching assistant, notetaker, and secretary-treasurer of the women in political science committee. She volunteered her time both on and off campus, including at the Salem Elementary School, and worked at the Mount Allison summer camps. She was also a representative, captain, and player for various intramural sports.

The Gil Latter Memorial Award is presented to a student who has volunteered their time and demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the Sackville community. This year’s recipient was Evan Jollimore.

Majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology, Jollimore has been involved in Tantramar youth sports for more than three years, coaching both softball and lacrosse teams. In 2022, his efforts were recognized with the Town of Sackville’s Mount Allison Youth Citizen of the Year Award. He has also worked with the Mount Allison Student’s Union (MASU).

Four Gold A Awards were also presented during the Last Lecture to recognize graduating students who have made outstanding contributions to the University community. This year’s recipients are: Suhjung Chun, Pascale Lacroix, Isaac McCardle, and Alysha Walker.

Suhjung Chun, who will be graduating with an honours degree in chemistry with a minor in museums and curatorial studies, has contributed to residence life as a council member and academic mentor. She also served as teaching assistant and held numerous positions within the MASU, including as VP Academic & University Affairs and VP Finance & Governance.

An honours psychology student, Pascale Lacroix has served as a teaching assistant, research assistant, lab coordinator, academic mentor, and notetaker. She contributed extensively to health and wellness initiatives both on and off campus, serving as the Mount Allison Health and Wellness intern, Navigate MtA team lead, working at the Tantramar Community Health Centre, and volunteering with Kids Help Phone, SMILE, MASSIE. She was also involved with the Mount Allison Psychology Society and MtA Health Matters Society.

Isaac McCardle will be graduating with an honours degree in biochemistry with minors in chemistry and international politics. He has been involved with the MASU, Orientation, and served as academic mentor and teaching assistant. He has participated in several initiatives within both the Mount Allison and Tantramar communities, serving as a conversation partner for the MASSIE, volunteering during reunion weekend, and contributing his time with Sappyfest. He was also a member of the cross-country team.

Majoring in economics and minoring in economics and international economics and business, Alysha Walker has taken an active part in the commerce and economics departments, working as a teaching assistant and serving as president of the Mount Allison Case Competition team and the Commerce society, where she organized numerous events and learning opportunities for her fellow students.

Recipients of the Frances S. Allison, Don Norton, and Gold A Awards also received the A. Jane Avard Eaton Student Leadership Award for their contributions to student life and the community.

The Chris Metallic Prize in Indigenous Leadership was presented to Jolie Jeddore. The award was established by the Class of 2016 and recognizes a student who makes the greatest contribution to the indigenization of campus.

Jeddore, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, was raised in a Mi’kmaw-speaking household and has dedicated herself to revitalizing Mi’kmaw language and culture by actively sharing her knowledge with peers and expressing her cultural heritage through traditional beadwork and art.

The Barritt-Marshall Award went to Lestyn Lobo. The award honours the graduating international student whose contributions to the internationalization of campus and the community have helped to promote cross-cultural understanding and co-operation.

Lobo, an aviation and psychology student, has worked as a campus ambassador, health ambassador, tutor, and event services staff. He also served as International Orientation chair and mentor for the international mentorship and MASSIE programs.

The Hibberts Meekins First Generation Graduating Student Award, presented to a graduating first generation university student who funded their own education through work, loans, and financial aid, was awarded to Jocelyne Woodin.

Woodin, an honours English student minoring in history, took an active part in numerous clubs and societies, including Jack.Org, ATLIS, and the English society, and worked as a residence assistant as well as at the Drew Nursing Home.

Two new awards were introduced this year.

The Marc-Alexandre Chartrand Award for International Mentorship, recognizing outstanding contribution to Mount Allison’s International Mentorship Program, was awarded to Abu Bakarr Talib Jalloh.

Jalloh, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce in aviation, has worked to facilitate cross-cultural connections and support among international students by fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment and providing transition assistance through and beyond the mentorship program.

The Crake-Sawdon Award in Print Journalism, recognizing a graduating student who has significantly contributed to journalism at the Argosy, was presented to Emma Yee.

A music student and Bell Achievement Award recipient, Yee has been involved with the Argosy throughout her time at Mount Allison, most recently as Co-Editor in Chief. She has also served as president of the Music Student Society and worked as a teaching assistant and research assistant.

University Leadership Pins were presented to graduating students in recognition of their extensive co-curricular leadership on campus or in the local Sackville community. Recipients include:

• Bailey Andrews
• Chelsea Ansems
• Abigail Austin
• Ainsley Baillie
• Molly Baxendale
• Annika Bell
• Shannon Bowes
• Suhjung Chun
• Rebecca Cotton
• Matheus Crepaldi
• Madeleine de Ste-Croix
• Haley Fitzgerald
• Isabella Gallant
• Beyonce Gibbons
• Abi Hamilton
• Leor Handlesman
• Olivia Hart
• Evan Jollimore
• Olivia Jourdrey
• Kaia Knockwood
• Isabella Lirette
• Pascale Lacroix
• Jaclyn Leblanc
• Christopher Lewis
• Meredith Lewis
• Tevin Lewis
• Zoe Lindensmith
• Lestyn Lobo
• Grace MacIntosh
• Emma Mackley
• Isaac McCardle
• Suchet Mittal
• Abby Mullett
• Julie Murray
• Anh Pham
• Logan Pipes
• Anne Price Lautenschlager
• Radka Sevcik
• Hilary Shea
• Ellie Smallwood
• Julia Smyth
• Rachel Sokyrke
• Katherine (Katie) Stewart
• Aramis St-Gelais
• Elaine Treash
• Xaiver Tshimpangila
• Alysha Walker
• Alivia Warr
• Elias Wood
• Jocelyne Woodin
• Emma Yee

MASU Departmental Award recipients who have made significant contributions to their academic department include:

• Mia Cochran (aviation – science)
• Courtney Cockerill (aviation – commerce)
• Hannah MacIntosh (biology)
• Emily England (chemistry)
• Isaac McCardle (biochemistry)
• Aakaksha Khandwaha (computer science)
• Maggie Kerr (mathematics)
• Shannon Bowes (physics)
• Pascale Lacroix (psychology)
• Matheus Crepaldi (commerce and economics)
• Christophe Lirette (geography)
• Madelyn Kennedy (environmental studies)
• Ally MacInnis (environmental science);
• Meredith Lewis and Madelyn Kennedy (political science)
• Olivia Hart (PPE)
• Ainsley Baillie (international relations)
• Isabella Matchett (sociology)
• Haley Pitre (POLS-IR PPE – politics)
• Harley Ann Siddall (Canadian public policy)
• Benjamin Bonnell (Canadian studies)
• Abi Hamilton (classics)
• Sarah Tardiff (drama studies)
• Jocelyne Woodin (English)
• Nasya Owens and Lydia Paterson (fine arts)
• Shivanya Ra Albas (art history and museum & curatorial studies)
• Meg Aylward (history)
• Kiran Steele (modern languages and literatures)
• Emma Yee (music)
• Maeve Powning (philosophy)
• Martina Berko (religious studies)
• Leor Handelsman (community engaged learning)
• Sophia Fleming (women’s and gender studies)