Alumni news 2025

Six distinguished Dalhousie alumni, including Budge Wilson, Dr. Don Hill and Kishore Mahbubani, were named among Dal’s notable alumni in November 2025 for their leadership, creativity and lasting contributions.

Dalhousie’s notable alumni are recognized for leadership and impact across fields. In June 2025, six distinguished individuals were added, including pioneers in planning, medicine, arts, law, sports and public service. Their achievements continue to inspire and shape communities.

Dalhousie’s notable alumni are recognized for leadership and impact across fields. In March 2025, ten distinguished individuals were added, including pioneers in agriculture, health, innovation, public service, and science. Their achievements continue to inspire and shape communities.

From alumni achievements to donor-supported impact, this year-end collection highlights 25 stories that celebrate the people and generosity strengthening Dalhousie and its communities.

A committed Dalhousie champion, Dale Godsoe (BA’65, BEd’66, MEd’87) studied, worked, volunteered and led at Dalhousie, inspiring all who knew her with her unwavering dedication to lifting individuals and communities.

The 2025 Dal Dentistry Alumni Awards celebration recognized outstanding graduates and community leaders whose contributions and emerging leadership continue to shape and advance the dental professions.

The Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association (DMAA) Alumni Recognition Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in medical research and clinical practice and showcase alumni contributions to the medical school, learners, and the community.

Meet this year's distinguished recipients of the Faculty of Agriculture's Blue and Gold Awards, Carol Versteeg, Dr. Ernest Asante Korankye and Jeannie Van Dyk.

For their 50th anniversary, the Class of 1975 supported the creation of a custom iron arch at the campus herb garden, a collaboration with staff and a local blacksmith that adds a new element to the Alumni Gardens.

The Canada Day announcement of new inductees to the Order of Canada recognized the exceptional achievements of Dalhousie alumni in academia, law, medicine, and public health. Dal Professor Emeritus, Dr. Ford Doolittle was named a Companion, the Order’s highest distinction.

Each year, the Bertha Wilson Honour Society recognizes Schulich Law’s extraordinary alumni and showcases their geographic reach and contributions to law and society.

From the vastness of outer space to the ocean’s depths, American geologist, astronaut and 2025 Aurum Award winner Dr. Kathryn Sullivan (PhD’78) has studied our world from obscure vantage points. All the while, she is forging a path for future explorers.

From grounded dreams to galactic reality, engineer, entrepreneur and 2025 Aurum Award winner Arad Gharagozli (BEng’20) is revolutionizing the global space industry — all from Nova Scotia.

The Schulich School of Law and the Dalhousie Law Alumni Association honour this year’s recipient, Robbie MacKeigan (BA’66, LLB’69), for his contributions to the community and the legal profession.

Jane Arnold (BA’95, MLIS’08), the 2025 DLIAA Outstanding Alumni Award recipient, says it’s deeply meaningful to be recognized by her peers for her commitment to the profession.

For 30 years, Dalhousie has been training nurses at its Yarmouth campus. Now, the daughter of a member of the first graduating class is following in her mom’s footsteps. Stephanie Pitman (BScN’99) and her daughter Tylar feel empowered to care for their home community.

A century-old legacy comes full circle as Melbourne O’Brien’s great-great-nieces and nephew walk the halls of O’Brien Hall, a longstanding anchor of Dalhousie's Sexton Campus.

This year's class of accomplished inductees includes Simon Watts (BScK'13), Scott Bagnell (BSc'91), Carla Ellis (Perry) (BA'03), Jocelyn LeBlanc (BScK'12, MSc'14), Simon Farine (BMgmt'11) and the 2003-04 men's hockey team.

A gift from Leslie McLean (MN’02) and Scott McCain to the Oulton-Stanish Centre will ensure that the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic can provide expanded care to members of the Dalhousie and broader community.

Dr. John Embil (MD’89), a noted internal medicine and infectious disease specialist, and his family have established eight funds and helped to remove financial barriers for dozens of medical students.

Medical innovator and 2025 Aurum Award winner Dr. Allen Eaves (MSc’67, MD’69) has helped shape Canada’s identity as a global leader in cancer research and biotechnology. Looking ahead, he’s keen to make way for the next generation of Canadian scientists.

Dr. J. Donald “Don” Hill (MD’60, LLD’87), a renowned cardiac surgeon and innovator of mechanical circulatory support devices receives the 2025 Dalhousie Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award.

With nearly half of Nova Scotians relying on well water, geologist and 2025 Aurum Award winner Fred Bonner (MAScMRP’97) is dedicating his work to empowering rural Nova Scotians to proactively test their wells so they can live safer, healthier lives.

The Dalhousie Integrated Science Program (DISP) provides a small cohort of first-year science students with an early introduction to research, building the foundation for success over the rest of their degree. See how DISP shaped the experiences of two recent alumni.

Three Dalhousie student-athletes received the Wellnify.ai scholarship, supporting Tigers who identify as Black or African Canadian. The award is backed by Dal alum Travis McDonough (BScK’94), founder of Wellnify.ai.

Identifying and rapidly filling unique gaps allowed Camille Chandra (MBA’17) to ascend in her career with IBM Canada. This former aspiring dentist keeps adapting and evolving, much the same way her industry — big tech — does.

From biology labs to the global stage of the Venice Architecture Biennale, Celina Abba’s (BEDS'18, MArch'20) path into architecture and spatial design has been anything but conventional.

Julia Sarty (BEng'20, MASc’23) lives in Halifax and works remotely for a California-based finance software company. When she did her graduate work in industrial engineering, she worked with a very different set of data — information from the emergency department at Halifax’s IWK Health Centre.

Notable alum Nobu Adilman (BA'95) has taken what he learned at Dal and in Halifax about building performing arts communities to the next level with the drop-in singing sensation Choir! Choir! Choir!

Frank Brown (BSc'91, BEng’94, BEd’95) is celebrating 30 years of teaching mathematics at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development, giving students the freedom to construct their own learning through rigorous problem solving and discovery.

Jakub Orzechowski’s (BComm’03) volleyball talent made it possible for him to come to Dalhousie from Poland with a scholarship. His hard work, and support from the Dal community, helped him excel on and off the court.

Ambitious double Dalhousie grad Indranil Dutta (MEng’04, MBA’08) has invested more than 20 years on campus collecting various degrees, credentials, and professional experiences. He says he remembers his roots and is committed to giving back to the community he loves.

Senator Don Oliver campaigned for social change as a lawyer and as Canada’s first Black male senator. A scholarship created in his name is continuing his legacy by supporting African Nova Scotian undergraduate students.

Dal Social Anthropology and International Development Studies grad Michelle Wang's (BA'24) local activism led to national recognition. She's driven by a passion for community service and academic excellence.

The Nursing 75th Anniversary Scholarship honours the achievements of nursing students and the impact they have on our community.

Dr. Carman Giacomantonio (BSc'87, PGM'97, MSc'98) is the Gibran & Jamile Ramia Endowed Chair in Surgical Oncology Research. His drive to advance cancer treatment is deeply personal and he's at the forefront of the research set to make a lasting difference.

Ronda Bellefontaine (BScAgr’85) is the driving force behind a business to empower farmers with the business skills they need to thrive. From launching her own venture to transforming how financial literacy is taught in agriculture, she's helping producers grow more than just crops.

Dal Alumni Days 2025 offered a mix of panel discussions, networking, and socializing opportunities. Held May 22 to 24, we welcomed hundreds of alumni back to campus for five events.

The outstanding accomplishments of honorary degree recipients are meant to inspire graduates and reflect the character and values of the university. Paul Gauthier (BSc’94) receives this honour at the Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9 a.m. Convocation ceremony.

The outstanding accomplishments of honorary degree recipients are meant to inspire graduates and reflect the character and values of the university. Dal alum Karen Hudson (MES’02) receives this honour at the Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 4 p.m. Convocation ceremony.

The outstanding accomplishments of honorary degree recipients are meant to inspire graduates and reflect the character and values of the university. Dr. Franklin Sim (BSC'60, MD'65) receives this honour at the Friday, May 30, 2025, 10 a.m. Convocation ceremony.

PhD alum Dr. Ernest Korankye (MSc'13, PhD'18) and his supervisor Dr. Raj Lada aim to revolutionize food security with their new company, VerFa.

Kaitlin Guitard (BScAg’18) ensures salmon health and food safety at Mowi Canada West. Her dedication to sustainable aquaculture earned her a 2024 Young Professional of the Year award.

One hundred years after her great grandmother graduated from Dal, Sophie Watts (PhD’23) did the same. Not only is she the fourth generation of women in her family to earn a Dal degree, but she’s also carrying on their tradition of making a difference.

Alon Sobol (MEC’00) was the first Dal student to graduate with a Master’s in Electronic Commerce when he walked across the convocation stage in 2000. He’s gone on to have a dynamic career in product development, e-commerce, business development, strategy and partnerships for companies including Facebook, Spotify, and now, Apple.

Making sure that marine creatures can transition comfortably to the new Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity is a real challenge. But it’s all in a day’s work for Nayla Sernowsky (BSc’24) at Dal’s Aquatron.

Celebrated biomedical engineer, genealogist and medical historian, author, and researcher, Dr. Allan Marble, is among the latest Nova Scotians appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia.

The team behind a new startup working to provide a solution for the removal of carbon dioxide from rivers and oceans earned a top prize at an innovation competition in Norway.

Balancing a demanding career with volunteer work isn’t always easy, but environmental engineer Vincent Sweeney (BEng’86, MASc’89) finds it deeply rewarding. He volunteers with Dalhousie to inspire and support future leaders.

Paulette Cameron’s (BEDS’19, MArch’21) Dancing Between the Lines exhibition immerses visitors in her Prix de Rome research, exploring the transformative role of women in architecture through drawings, interactive installations, and recorded interviews.

James Rockwood (BComm’13) always wanted to run a significant company that has a positive impact. Thanks to a business accelerator program at Dalhousie, he’s making that dream come true as founder of CapIntel.

Perry Borden (LLB'02), Schulich Law alum and chief judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia, has a history of standing up for his beliefs.

What’s the best treatment for the leading cause of natural sudden death? Turns out, it’s not the current go-to drugs. A study by Dal alum Dr. John Sapp (MD’94) shows a procedure called catheter ablation is 25 per cent more effective at treating ventricular tachycardia—prompting a global rethink of cardiac care.

Alumni panelists at this Breakthrough Breakfast event hosted by Dal's Faculty of Medicine discussed how innovative research drives equity and accessibility to advance family medicine.

In this Q&A, proud Dal Theatre alum Myrthin Stagg (BA’10) shares that her journey in the film industry has been one of artistic growth and boundary-pushing creativity, most recently thanks to the success of her award-winning short film, Play It Again.

Dr. Ron Stewart, a trailblazer in emergency medicine, left behind a legacy of transformation in patient care. His posthumously published memoir, Treat Them Where They Lie, chronicles his pioneering work—from shaping Los Angeles' paramedic system to revolutionizing Nova Scotia's emergency health services. This final chapter of his life is both a tribute to his lifelong work and an inspiration for future generations of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Constance LeBlanc, CEO of AFMC, is dedicated to advancing medical education, equity, and patient-centered care. A seasoned emergency physician and educator, she will host ICAM 2025 in Halifax, emphasizing collaboration and inclusion. Her leadership fosters innovation, research, and the integration of patient voices in health-care advancements.

Niran Foster (BScAg’19) is committed to making farming not only a family legacy but a way to improve community food security in Nova Scotia, offering affordable, healthy produce through his CNF Family Farm. His work extends beyond his own farm as he mentors youth and advocates for sustainable agriculture practices.

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, alumni, students and friends attended Dalhousie’s 7th annual Women in STEM networking event on February 27 to celebrate and connect generations of women breaking barriers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Through her volunteer experiences, Dal Computer Science alum Tabea Marzlin (BCSc’22) hopes to help increase diversity and inspire the next generation of women considering a career in technology.

Three-time Dalhousie alum, Maddie Hare (BA’17, MA’21, MI’23), says she is driven by maintaining a strong connection to her alma mater. She shares that her volunteer time as vice president of the Dalhousie Library and Information Alumni Association (DLIAA) has been a great way to serve others, while also being a gift to herself.

When surgery sidelined Dal alum Tom Lynch (BA’67) from varsity football, he found a way to stay in the game. Through his ongoing support of athletics at Dalhousie, he’s proven to be a real team player.

From his roots in Uniacke Square to his dedication to improving community health and employment outcomes, Rodney Small (BMgmt’15) is making a profound impact in Halifax’s North End.

Dr. Brent Young (MD’19), member of Sandy Bay First Nation, is a family physician and leader in Indigenous health. His work has been instrumental in advancing Indigenous representation in medicine and fostering inclusivity at Dalhousie Medical School, earning him the DMAA Young Alum of the Year award for his impactful work.

Dr. Deanna Field (MD’05), a family physician and leader in rural medicine, has significantly shaped Dalhousie’s North Nova Family Medicine Residency Program. She expanded the program, mentored future health-care professionals, and balanced her career with community involvement as a coach. Her dedication earned her the DMAA’s Family Physician of the Year Award.

Winner of the DMAA Exceptional Service Award, Dr. Allen Finley (MD’80) revolutionized pediatric pain management after helping a four-year-old cancer patient, Caitlyn, find relief using morphine, leading to six final weeks of quality time with her family. His work developed into pioneering research and clinical programs, influencing global pediatric pain policy and improving countless lives.

Dr. Patrick Holland (MD’20), a former pharmacist, transitioned to medicine to deepen patient care. His leadership during the pandemic and advocacy for resident wellness earned him respect. Now a second-year oncology resident, Dr. Holland remains committed to advancing patient care and contributing to the Maritimes healthcare system.

Dr. Stephen Beed (MD’87), an intensive care physician, is recognized for his work on safe patient handling and organ donation advocacy. His efforts have advanced patient safety and organ donation policies in Nova Scotia. Inspired to create a safer hospital environment for both staff and patients, he developed the Pronatorplus device to prevent health-care worker injuries.

Dr. Miranda Lees (MD'22), inspired by her late mother’s community advocacy, pursued medicine to better care for her family. As associate chief resident in family medicine, she advocates for physician compensation and values compassionate patient care, continuing her mother’s legacy of leadership and service to her community in Saint John, N.B.

Dr. C. Jean Cameron (MD’83, PGM’85), winner of the inaugural DMAA Engagement Award, pioneered the Dal Med MD’83 Class Fund and Wellness Week, promoting physician wellness. Her leadership in reunions, fundraising, and class engagement has left a lasting impact on Dalhousie Medical School.

The Maple Leaf Foods’ exec says fighting for fairness isn’t just her job, it’s her way of life. She's driven to advance sustainability and create a better future.