Giving Report

Dr. Lorraine (Boyd) Eden Hermann (’70) was the first member of her family to attend university and she and her family overcame many barriers for that to happen. Eden explains that both her parents were raised in orphanages and met during the Second World War. After the war, while supporting his young family, her father was blinded in an accident and left unable to work. Eden’s mother took on a secretarial job and the low-income family struggled to support Eden and her two brothers.

“Despite all the challenges, my parents were active and positive people who encouraged us to learn,” says Eden. “I had the highest marks and was valedictorian of my high school class, but still university was not something my family could afford — it just seemed so unattainable.”

What made Mount Allison possible for Eden?

“Scholarships and bursaries,” she says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Today, Eden is a renowned economist and professor emerita at Texas A&M University. She and her husband, Dr. Charles Hermann, give back to various organizations, and Eden says the couple share a core belief in the importance of lending a hand to the generations after you.

Eden created the Diana and Garnet Boyd Scholar Bursary, named after her parents, to make the Mount Allison education possible for more students from her hometown of St. Stephen, NB. She hopes the award will particularly help female, first-generation students.

“I was really impressed that Mount Allison was willing to work with me to create this innovative model where I could support both graduating seniors at my high school and first-year students at my university,” says Eden. “Marcie Meekins [director of development] was wonderful, helping me create an award that really reflects my husband’s and my philanthropic goals.”

Eden was also thrilled to learn that her bursary was eligible for a matching gift from the Government of New Brunswick. The New Brunswick University Opportunities Fund (NBUOF)
makes limited amounts of matching monies available to universities that are working with donors to create awards for students from the province.

“The match helped me realize I could do something bigger than I first thought, and I hope other Allisonians will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity,” says Eden.

“I know there are many wonderful students out there who should be at Mount Allison and I want my bursary to help them be able to go because at Mount A you are going to get a first-class education.”

Maya Vukelic is the bursary’s inaugural recipient. She is studying chemistry and aspires to be a pediatrician.

“I am honoured to receive the Diana and Garnet Boyd Scholar Bursary,” says Vukelic. “I believe coming to Mount A will help me achieve my dreams, and Dr. Eden’s willingness to be so generous and provide this scholarship has been incredibly helpful and I cannot thank her enough.”

When Dave Shastri thinks back over his life, Mount Allison’s role in it is simply stated, but profound in impact.

“Mount Allison is where I grew up,” says Shastri.

There are two main reasons Shastri has wanted to stay involved with his alma mater. The first is to stay in touch with his former classmates and the second is to find ways to help others get the same great education and growing up experience Mount Allison gave him.

“Mount Allison is something special,” says Shastri. “The environment is one that lets you try new things, is more forgiving when you fail, supports you in trying something else. Mount Allison is a place where you can develop and navigate your own way. It may not be for everyone, but I think there are a lot of people out there that would benefit from this kind of experience.”

Over the years, Shastri has volunteered with many Mount Allison initiatives — from fundraising campaigns to alumni engagement in Bermuda, where Shastri primarily lives. He is a current member of the University’s Board of Regents.

“I’d served on business boards but knew this was going to be different and am very grateful to have committed to it,” says Shastri. “I like all the various voices that come into the process of a university board, how these different experiences work together to help benefit the success of Mount Allison.”

Recently, Shastri made a philanthropic gift in support of the University’s Hub for Innovation and Learning project, which will renovate Mount Allison’s R.P. Bell Library building to provide modern library services as well as facilities designed for collaborative study, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning with community groups.

“I saw the value in Mount Allison’s Hub project right away and was happy to support it at this early stage,” says Shastri. “You see similar projects happening all over the world. These are the environments that allow students to prepare for the complex realities that exist after graduation.”

Designs for the renovated library building are being finalized and construction will begin soon. The project is supported by investment from the federal and provincial governments and by gifts of various sizes from donors. It is Mount Allison’s largest capital project in more than 60 years.

Shastri encourages others to think about giving to Mount Allison, whether through donating their time and skills to a University initiative, making a financial donation, or by sharing their enthusiasm.

“I recently ran into someone at a business conference in London who was from BC and started asking me about Mount Allison because their daughter was thinking of applying,” says Shastri. “I like when that happens. I like having the opportunity to talk to people about Mount Allison, why they should consider attending, the role a place like this can play in their lives.”
 

Marcie Meekins isn’t sure she will ever top a recent Mother’s Day present. It was when she told her mom that she had created a student award in her honour.

Meekins presented her mom, Sandy (Sandra) (Hibberts) Meekins (’80) (’82), with a written story about why she wanted to create the award to recognize Sandy’s role as the first person in their family to attend university and as the person who had instilled in Meekins a love of learning.

“Mom doesn’t get emotional easy,” says Meekins. “But on that day, she was gobsmacked.”

 

Meekins also told her mom she was going to ensure the award’s growth and existence by leaving a gift in her estate plans.

Meekins is Mount Allison’s director of development and works everyday with alumni and friends looking to give to the University and have an impact on future generations.

“I am honoured to work with others on their giving goals and am proud to be a donor myself,” says Meekins.

 

“Mount Allison has been a part of my life for as long as I remember. From learning to swim in the pool, to discovering a love of art at the Owens, to playing in music festivals at Brunton.”

When it came to making Mount Allison a beneficiary in her estate plans, Meekins says she was inspired by other members of the University’s Legacy Giving Society and by the fact that you can have a greater impact than you may think by involving philanthropy in your estate plans.

Meekins also encourages people to think about combining current and legacy giving to create an award today and see its impact. Meekins and her mom have already had the chance to meet several recipients of the Hibberts Meekins First-Generation Graduating Student Award.

“Those are also wonderful days for my mom,” says Meekins.

Jules Alie (‘07) is happy his philanthropy can support two causes important to him —
soccer and Mount Allison University.

Alie played Mounties Soccer for three seasons, earning accolades as MVP, conference
all-star twice, and serving as the team’s assistant captain. After graduation, Alie
stayed connected with the soccer program and his teammates.

“I think that so many people can benefit from the Mount Allison experience — it’s
transformative and powerful,” says Alie. “I currently sit on a committee where we
raise funds and create engagement events to keep the many generations of players
connected and together. The program was started in the 1940s by Clarence “Tessi”
Terceira and we want to see it continue and do our part to help it grow.”

Alie went on to a career in sport operations and spent six years working with
Canada Soccer. He has a deep love and appreciation for the sport and believes there
is something truly special about competing in Sackville and at Mount Allison, citing
the tight-knit community, a shared passion for athletics, and how much teammates,
staff, and community members care about supporting everyone’s success.

Alie is supporting Mounties Soccer with his own philanthropy. He makes monthly
gifts to the program and has established the Jules Alie Bursary to support Black
Canadian student-athletes on the men’s soccer team.

"It’s important to me to support the next generation and in particular to support young people who look like me,” says Alie. “I want to ensure more young students of colour, more Black students, get the opportunity to attend Mount A and benefit from this incredible experience.”

Alie says he started giving monthly in 2016 and really liked the convenience and routine of it, that a relatively small amount each month could add up and really make a difference. His monthly donations to the men’s soccer program itself help fund everything from team travel and meals to extra coaching. Alie encourages others to support the program and remember that every dollar counts and has an impact on future generations.

“Philanthropically, I’m really in this for the long run,” says Alie. “Providing these opportunities and supporting an institution that supported me so much is very important.”

Alie is a member of Mount Allison’s 1839 Society, which recognizes and celebrates donors who make the University a philanthropic priority, donating more than $1,000 in a calendar year. Members of the 1839 Society receive special communications and exclusive updates and invitations from Mount Allison.

To learn more, visit mta.ca/annualgiving

 

From her time as a student to her service on the Board of Regents, and all the moments in between, it is difficult to overstate the impact the late Suzanne Crawford (’79) had on the Mount Allison community.

“She was a dear friend and our University is forever grateful for her leadership and generous heart,” says Lynn Loewen (’82), Mount Allison’s Chancellor. “Suzanne was a volunteer, donor, counsellor, and one of the University’s greatest advocates. Those lucky enough to have known Suzanne understand that her legacy is characterized both by her professional contributions and work ethic, and by the warmth, optimism, and good humour she brought to all her interactions.”

Suzanne’s connections to Mount Allison were multi-generational. Her father, Purdy Crawford (’52), was a former University Chancellor, and he and his surviving wife, Bea, made many tremendous contributions to Mount Allison life. Suzanne’s sister Sarah is a member of the Class of 1995 and serves on Mount Allison’s Board of Regents. And the most recent Crawford family member to cross the stage at Convocation Hall was Suzanne’s daughter, Evelyne, in 2022.

When Suzanne passed away in April 2023, her family established the Suzanne Crawford Harper Hall Fund, to continue her legacy with Mount Allison and philanthropy. A new lounge space in the residence will be named in her honour.

“Suzanne lived in Harper Hall as a student and the experience was one of the most important of her life with Mount Allison,” says Sarah Crawford. “Like many Allisonians, she was happy to share memories of her time at Harper and reflect on all the friendships she made. I know it would mean a lot to her that we are helping future students get a similar kind of residence experience.”

Harper Hall first opened its doors in 1965 and since then more than 8,000 students have called it home. The building is undergoing improvements to both interior and exterior infrastructure, including upgraded student rooms, inviting social spaces, and a new roof and windows.

“Providing students space for community building, self-discovery, and the forging of life-long friends — this has always been part of Mount Allison’s identity and in particular our residence experience,” says Loewen. “The Mount Allison community is honoured that Suzanne’s great legacy will live on in Harper Hall, helping transform the lives of future generations of young people.”

Harper Hall is scheduled to re-open in September 2024, and the Suzanne Crawford Harper Hall Fund is a significant support to the extensive renovations underway.

Renewing physical spaces is a priority at Mount Allison, as witnessed through our current upgrades to residences and athletic facilities and the upcoming library renovation project.
 

BMO has donated $250,000 to Mount Allison and created the BMO Excellence Scholarship.

This entrance scholarship, awarded to students from Atlantic Canada, is valued at $40,000 ($10,000/year for four years).

“The University is deeply appreciative of BMO’s commitment,” says Dr. Robert MacKinnon (‘78), Mount Allison’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “The impact of these types of scholarships is tremendous, making university financially possible and recognizing a student’s hard work.”

Julia Simm is the inaugural recipient of the BMO Excellence Scholarship. She is from Halifax and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science with a major in environmental science.

“I am extremely grateful to be granted this opportunity to move through university without having to worry about tuition and expenses,” says Simm. “More than just an award, the BMO Excellence Scholarship is the road to my future and a means to achieve everything I have ever aspired for.”

Simm hopes for a career working with wildlife and is passionate about opportunities to give back to her community and planet.
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This is the bank’s most recent investment in student support at Mount Allison. Existing BMO scholarships have provided students vital financial aid for more than a decade, supporting 113 students.
 

Left: Sam Adeyemi, BMO's regional vice-president personal banking and Julia Simm, inaugural BMO Excellence Scholarship recipient.