We are delighted to announce the honorary co-chairs for the upcoming Grace Annie Lockhart Sesquicentennial Celebrations (GAL 150) in 2025 — marking the 150th anniversary of Grace Annie Lockhart becoming the first woman in the British Empire to earn a bachelor's degree.
 
It is with great pleasure that we announce Gita Anand (’82) and Jeanne Inch (’71) as the honorary co-chairs for these celebrations.
 
Gita Anand is a member of the Board of Regents and chairs the Executive, Human Resources and the Academic Affairs committees of the Board. She is one of Canada’s leading employment and labour lawyers and was also among the first recipients of the Grace Annie Lockhart Scholarship. Jeanne Inch is the former Director General and Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Conservation Institute, where she spearheaded numerous national initiatives to preserve Canada’s cultural heritage. Additionally, Jeanne is the great-niece of our third President Robert Inch, who played a critical role in ensuring Grace Annie Lockhart received her degree — tying her family's legacy deeply with our University's history.
 
Additionally, the Grace Annie Lockhart Sesquicentennial Planning Committee will be co-chaired by University Archivist David Mawhinney and Director of Alumni Engagement Carolle de Ste Croix (’90). They will be working closely with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to assemble a variety of events over the remainder of the year.
 
Please join us in offering Gita, Jeanne, and the planning committee our best wishes as they embark on this exciting project to celebrate a seminal moment in the University’s history. We look forward to the inspiration and leadership you and the planning committee will bring to these celebrations.
 
Keep an eye out for numerous celebrations, both large and small, festive and reflective, throughout 2025, reinforcing our role as a leader in education and equality.
 
If you want to learn more, check out this presentation Celebrating Grace Annie Lockhart: 170 years later by Archivist David Mawhinney for her birthday on Feb. 22.