When I think about the students who crossed the Convocation stage this spring, I find myself returning to the quotation chosen by the Class of 2026:

“I think I'm quite ready for another adventure.” — Bilbo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Taken from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the quote now joins a growing collection displayed on plaques in the Wallace McCain Student Centre. It is part of a relatively new Mount Allison tradition. Each graduating class selects a quotation that reflects its shared experience and outlook, leaving behind a small piece of itself for future students to discover. 

I have become quite fond of this tradition. Years from now, long after final exams, residence life, and late nights in the library have faded into memory, these quotations will remain. Together, they will tell the story of generations of Mount Allison students standing at the threshold of what comes next. 

The Class of 2026 could hardly have chosen a more fitting quote.

An adventure is, by definition, a journey into the unknown. It requires curiosity, courage, and a willingness to embrace opportunities that may not have been part of the original plan. In many ways, that spirit captures what a Mount Allison education is all about. 

As I read through the stories in this issue of the Record, I was struck by how many alumni have lived exactly that kind of adventure. Many have followed paths marked by unexpected turns, fortunate coincidences, hard work, and the courage to say yes when opportunity knocked. 

What connects them is not a common destination. It is a shared willingness to keep learning, growing, and exploring.

That is one of the great gifts of a Mount Allison education. The University does not provide a single roadmap for success. Instead, it equips students with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to chart their own course.

The alumni featured in these pages have done just that. Their stories remind us that life's most meaningful journeys are rarely straight lines. They unfold one decision, one relationship, one opportunity, and sometimes one leap of faith at a time. 

Wherever this issue finds you, I hope these stories encourage you to reflect on your own adventure and the many twists and turns that have brought you to where you are today. 

And to the newest members of the alumni family, the Class of 2026: may your next adventure be every bit as rewarding as the one that began here at Mount Allison. 
 
Carolle de Ste-Croix ('90) 
Director of Alumni Engagement

PS: Please join us for an upcoming truly Atlantic Canadian alumni gathering, Heave Away, happening in Halifax Oct. 23-25, 2026. Watch our social media for more info!