Commerce and Aviation professor Tom Machum — who has been teaching the Business of Aviation since 2015 — was chosen by the Class of 2026 to deliver their Last Lecture entitled “What is Aviation? And other life stuff.” Machum is also a Training and Standards Captain, Boeing 787, at a large Canadian airline.

The annual Passing of the Cane ceremony saw the 2026 Grad Class President Alexis Paré pass the cane to 2027 Grad Class President Lauren Peveril 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.  

The class quote was also unveiled — "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure." — Bilbo Baggins, Lord of the Rings 

A number of major graduating awards were handed out during the event. 

The Don Norton Memorial Award was awarded to Makayla Churchill. The award honours a graduating student who has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the university through leadership, service, and meaningful engagement in the campus community. 

Churchill has shaped the Mount Allison experience for others across many parts of campus. She redesigned the MCAT support program, creating a mentorship-based initiative and a shared resource library to make medical school preparation more accessible. She has supported first-year students through the START and Fresh START programs and coordinated large-scale Orientation events for over 600 new students, helping build a strong sense of community from the moment students arrive. Through her work as a social media content creator, she has also helped strengthen campus connection and engagement. As a varsity student-athlete, she has demonstrated leadership, perseverance, and a strong commitment to supporting teammates as co-captain of the women’s varsity swim team for the past two seasons.   

The Frances S. Allison Award went to Kristen Girouard. The award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement while providing exceptional support and service to fellow students. 

Girouard’s contributions have helped create a more connected, supportive and welcoming campus environment. She has excelled academically throughout her degree and has shown that she is able to balance a demanding course load along with being a leader and above all a good friend to many. To list some of her accomplishments during her time at Mount Allison: Teaching Assistant, Edwards House Rep, Entertainment Committee, External Affairs Committee, Biology Advisory Committee, Athletic Trainer, Shine Day Volunteer, O Crew Volunteer, Director of Entertainment & Activities, University Orientation Chair, and Campus Life Coordinator.   

The Charlie Hunter Award is presented to a graduating student who has made an exceptional impact on residence life at Mount Allison through leadership, community building, and support for their peers. This year’s recipient was Andrew-Joseph Munch. 

Munch has been a steady and positive force in residence, serving as a Residence Assistant for three years and as an Assistant Don. He has supported students as they transition to university, helping create a healthy and inclusive living environment while connecting residents with the resources they need to succeed. As a mentor to fellow RAs, he has provided guidance on duty shifts, conflict resolution, and navigating challenging situations. As House Treasurer, he ensured strong communication and helped shape meaningful events for residents. Whether stepping in to help, building connections across personalities, or strengthening his team, his impact has been felt across the community. 

The Gil Latter Memorial Award was presented to Anna Irwin. This award is presented to a graduating student who has made the greatest contribution to the Town of Sackville and the Tantramar region through leadership, service, and community engagement. 

Irwin has built strong connections between the university and the wider community through a wide range of meaningful initiatives. She has volunteered with Scouts for the duration of her four years at Mount Allison.  She ran the weekly Beavers program for kids 5-7 years old since her first year. She has been a cross-country ski coach for the Jackrabbits ski program through the Tantramar Outdoor Club and has been an active volunteer  helping to build and maintain the cross-country ski trails. She has been a member of the cross-country running team at Mount Allison and volunteered at Marshview Middle School as an assistant coach. Her involvement reflects a genuine dedication to creating opportunities for others, strengthening relationships, and giving back in meaningful ways. 
 
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: Wilson Paluch, Rebecca Schelew, Liam Clark-Black, and Elowyn M’Cloud.  

Wilson Paluch has had a significant impact on the university community, through leadership, athletics, student governance, and truly embodies the spirit of this award. He was involved with both Orientation crew and committee, as well as Mounties 4 Mental Health, the Mount Allison History Society, MASU Intramural Coordinator, and was founder and co-president of the Mount Allison Men’s Volleyball Club Team — all while balancing excellence in academics and training as a varsity athlete on the badminton team as well as coaching youth in the sport.  

Rebecca Schelew has taken on roles that directly shaped the student experience across campus. She coordinated six intramural leagues serving over 500 students and introduced flag football as a new sport, expanding opportunities for participation and connection. As a Residence Assistant, she supported a community of 80 students, helping foster a safe and inclusive environment. She has founded and led student clubs, organized events, and contributed as a student athletic therapist, providing on-field care and support to varsity athletes. When the Students’ Union faced a sudden leadership gap, she stepped forward to help stabilize operations and ensure key work continued and took on the role of Vice-President, Finance and Administration.   

Liam Clark-Black has created opportunities that extend well beyond his own involvement as a student. He created and led many opportunities in the community for youth soccer, including the Mounties Youth Soccer Program, ensuring local youth had access to free, high-quality training. He built it into a sustainable program for future students to carry forward. He has taken on many executive roles in many clubs on campus as Co-President of MtA Gives Blood, Co-president of the Economics Society, and the MtA Politics and IR Society, and has been a member of Mounties 4 Mental Health. He supported students as a teaching assistant and peer tutor, all while attaining standing as an Academic All-Canadian while playing varsity soccer. He also managed to squeeze in an exchange program to the University of Kent, England. 

Elowyn M’Cloud has taken on roles that directly support students across campus and has positively impacted the lives of many children in Tantramar. As an Assistant Don, she led a residence team, fostering an inclusive environment and guiding community initiatives while responding to challenges with empathy and professionalism. As a senior campus ambassador, she mentored fellow ambassadors and led campus tours and recruitment events. She supported learning as a teaching assistant, tutor, and notetaker, adapting materials and working one-on-one with students to ensure accessibility and confidence. Beyond campus, she has volunteered with children with exceptionalities through the SMILE program, tutored elementary students in literacy, and provided companionship to patients at the Sackville Hospital. She worked for two years as a summer camp counsellor for MtA Summer Camps. 

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 awarded to Sydney McLean. The award was established by the Class of 2016 and recognizes a student who has exhibited leadership and contributed to the indigenization of the Mount Allison campus. 

McLean is an outstanding student leader whose commitment to community service and student support has had a meaningful impact both on and off campus. She has been volunteering with the Sackville Food Bank since August 2023. This year, she sat on the Board of Directors for the Sackville Food Bank. In addition to this meaningful work, she has been active as a teaching assistant, a Nimbus Tutor, a Smile Program Volunteer, a Field of Dreams baseball volunteer, and this year, she serves as an intern with the Indigenous Student Support Group and spends time each week in the Mawita’mkw contributing to a welcoming and supportive space for Indigenous students. 
   


The Barritt-Marshall Award went to Aiko Valeria Aguilar Jiménez. The award honours the graduating international student who has made an outstanding contribution to the internationalization of campus and the support of international students at Mount Allison. 

Twice serving as International Orientation Chair, Jiménez played a key role in shaping a strong sense of belonging for new students, helping them feel connected and supported from the outset. Through her work with the MASSIE program — as a program coordinator, a residence assistant, and as a conversation partner — she created meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and community-building. Her involvement in the Latin American Student Society and with CHMA further strengthened intercultural understanding on campus by sharing diverse perspectives and highlighting the experiences of international students. Her global outlook is further reflected through her exchange experience in Japan and recognition at the Atlantic Japanese Language Speech Contest, where she earned awards on two occasions. 

The Hibberts Meekins First Generation Graduating Student Award is presented to a graduating student who is the first in their family to attend university and has demonstrated perseverance in financing their education. This year’s recipient is Courtney Cockerill. 

Cockerill came to Mount Allison with one goal: a career in aviation — persevering against tremendous odds to achieve that goal. She worked long hours, fought for funding and loans, and took leaves of absence to save money to continue her education. Undeterred, she returned to university, earning prestigious study grants, presenting research findings at numerous conferences, and receiving honours from industry organizations. She is graduating this year with a thesis studying the barriers faced by women in post-secondary aviation programs. 
   

The Black Student Leader Award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, advocacy, and commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community for Black students on campus. This year’s recipient is Kayla Weekes. 

Weekes has demonstrated exceptional leadership through constant involvement within the Caribbean Students Association, serving as President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. In these roles, she has strengthened community connections and ensured that Black students feel supported and represented. Her impact extends beyond student leadership through mentoring within the Black Student Membership Program and speaking at Black History Month events. Balancing these commitments alongside a rigorous Aviation program, she leads with consistency and care, fostering a strong sense of belonging across campus. 

The Marc-Alexandre Chartrand Award for International Mentorship, recognizing outstanding contribution to Mount Allison’s International Mentorship Program, was awarded to Forest Holbrook. 

Holbrook has demonstrated a sustained and meaningful commitment to the values of mentorship, connection, and community throughout his time at Mount Allison. Having first experienced the program as a mentee in his first year, he continued to build on that foundation by serving as a MASSIE conversation partner. In his upper years, he took on the role of mentor to students from both the United States and Germany. Beyond the program, he has contributed to the international student experience as a three-time International Orientation facilitator, helping to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for new students. Through his writing with The Argosy, he has also helped to share student stories and perspectives, extending his impact as a mentor through thoughtful storytelling and community engagement. 

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

MacFarlane has distinguished herself through clear, engaging, and thoughtful journalistic writing. As a writer for The Argosy, she has reported on campus and community issues, conducting interviews and producing well-crafted articles that reflect strong research and multiple perspectives. As news editor and later co-editor-in-chief, she maintained high editorial standards, ensuring clarity, structure, and adherence to journalistic style. In addition to managing 30+ staff and fostering a positive, productive work environment. Her writing extends beyond campus through work as a freelance reporter, where she covered local events and community stories, interviewing a variety of locals and government officials. Across these roles, her writing is consistently insightful, well-structured, and grounded in a strong understanding of audience engagement. 

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: 
Agnes Grace, Alena Grandy, Chinenye Okponwa, Daniel Hennigar, Eleanor Patterson, Hadiya Hayat, Heath Patterson, Jedediah Sears, John Roberts, Kayla Trites, Lauren Guyader, Lauren West, Marissa Emberly, Miki Williston, Tallulah MacNeil, Yvanna Tchatchoua 
 
MASU Departmental Award recipients who have made significant contributions to their academic department include: 

Faculty of Science 
Maya Hammersley (Aviation-Science), James Fell (Aviation-Commerce/Social Sciences), Rory Hennessy (Aviation-Arts), Gillian Currie (Biology), Heath Patterson (Chemistry), Lily Schwartz (Biochemistry), Dylan Kim (Computer Science), Andrea Caron (Mathematics), Sarah Littlejohn and Zoey Henrichs (Physics), Elowyn M’Cloud (Psychology), Emily Brown (Health Studies) 

Faculty of Social Sciences 
Jedidiah Sears (Canadian Public Policy), Evan Wood (Commerce), Esther Emmanuel (Economics), Barrett Dobie (Geography), Forest Holbrook (Environmental Studies), Marissa Emberly (Environmental Science), Pedro Caze Dos Santos Santana (Political Science), Sadie Shelly (PPE), Emersynn Hefferan (International Relations), Samuel Buehrle (Sociology) 

Arts 
Liana Baxter (Music), William Miller (Philosophy), Nate Lesser (Religious Studies), Weylin Smith (Community Engaged Learning), Geneieve Corriveau and Hailey Sisk (Feminist & Gender Studies), Natasha Imbeault (VMCS), Joel Davis (Canadian Studies), Addison Merry (Indigenous Studies) 

The MASU TA Excellence Award was presented to Marissa Gilbert. The award honours a full- or part-time student at Mount Allison University who has been a TA for at least one course during the academic year in which the award is presented. Nominees are evaluated on three criteria: commitment, going above and beyond, & course engagement. 

Gilbert has been a TA for several courses in the chemistry program:  Introductory Chemistry 1, Inorganic Chemistry 1 & Inorganic Chemistry 2 teaching laboratory, where she was required to demonstrate advanced laboratory techniques to large groups of students, explain difficult chemistry concepts, and ensure the safety of student carrying out laboratory chemistry experiments. Gilbert has shown strong dedication to teaching through several activities that has benefitted MtA students and school-aged students in the community. She has also been involved with the Let’s Talk Science, worked as chemistry tutor for high school students and has supported Mount Allison students in an introductory French Class as a notetaker for the Meighen Centre, and is also a volunteer for the MASU Academic Mentorship Committee.   

The MASU Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Sacha DeWolfe. The award is presented to a full- or part-time faculty, lecturer, librarian, or administrator engaged in teaching activities who is employed at Mount Allison University during the 2025–2026 academic year. Nominees are evaluated on four criteria: student dedication, innovation, student academic success, and service. 

DeWolfe, an assistant professor in the Canadian Studies program who teaches courses in Indigenous studies and community engaged learning, came to Mount Allison University in 2021 from the Government of New Brunswick, where she served as the Director for the Office of First Nation Education. Since then, she has served as the director of the First Nation Community Based Experiential Learning Program. Each summer, the program brings together students from Mount Allison and students from Elsipogtog, Esgenoôpetitj, and Neqotkuk First Nations. The program has enrolled hundreds of students, and secured millions of dollars in funding for First Nations. In Sackville, DeWolfe integrates experiential learning in her courses through field trips to First Nations. She knows that reconciliation at Mount Allison University takes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. In her teaching during the 2025–2026 academic year, DeWolfe has empowered them both. 

Congratulations to all!