Dal alumni making news

The 2025 Order of Nova Scotia Recipients included John George (Jack) Flemming (BEng’62, LLD’06). A philanthropist and entrepreneur, Fleming was recognized for his contributions to local charities and professional associations.

Laird Niven (BA’81), an archaeologist on Sky HISTORY's The Curse of Oak Island, has been bringing expertise to treasure assessments on the show since 2016. Niven studied anthropology at Dal, which led him to archaeology. He joined the show after conducting an archaeological survey on land owned by Dan Blankenship.

Art East Quilting Co., based in Sydney, N.S., received the Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year award for its international success in quilting design and exports. One of the owners, John MacPhail (DTECH’84), initially came to Nova Scotia to study costume design at Dal, where he met his partner. The company's quilting work significantly grew during COVID, leading to worldwide recognition and collaborations.

Kuala Lumpur-born Dr. Pearl Lee Sullivan (BEng’85, MASc’86), remembered as an 'iron butterfly' at the University of Waterloo, has been honoured through the renaming of its Engineering 7 building. Sullivan, who passed away in 2020, had a distinguished career in academia. The building renaming celebrates her contributions to engineering education, research, and her students.

Notable alum Alex Neve (LLB’87), a visiting professor at Dal and the University of Ottawa, discussed renewing human rights in a fractured world, drawing from his lectures on the climate crisis, atrocities, and divisiveness at the 2025 CBC Massey Lecture series. 

Robert Dysart (LLB’96), previously a Justice of the Court of King's Bench, has been appointed to the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. Dysart was a partner at Stewart McKelvey and had a broad bilingual litigation practice before his 2019 appointment to the Court of King's Bench. Federal judicial appointments are made by the governor general, based on recommendations from the minister of justice.

Tara MacDonald (BA’01) has been named Director of the Centre for Feminist Research in Canada.

Scott R. Campbell (LLB’04), a partner at Stewart McKelvey, has been appointed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court bench. He not only studied law at Dal, he has also lectured on conflict of laws at Dal’s Schulich School of Law.

Malcolm Kempt (LLB’04) has authored A Gift Before Dying, his first novel.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) officially installed Dr. Sarah Cook (MD’05) president on Nov. 7, 2025. Since completing medical school at Dal, she’s practiced family medicine in northern Canada, focusing on broad clinical practice and health equity. Dr. Cook aims to connect with members, amplify hope, and ensure access to family physicians for all Canadians.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced the appointment of Bryna D. Hatt (LLB’07) as judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. She will serve in Pictou. These appointments emphasize transparency, merit, and diversity within the Canadian judicial system.

Laura Warner (MLIS’07) has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Orangeville Public Library, bringing 17 years of leadership experience to the role. She will focus on accessible services for all ages.

Phillips Barristers has expanded to Prince Edward Island with a new Charlottetown office and welcomed Indigenous Litigator Andrew Kirk (LLB’08) to lead its Atlantic Canada practice. Kirk will lead Phillips Barristers’ Atlantic Canada Indigenous Economic Reconciliation and Land Claims Practice. The firm is known for high-impact cases and representing communities in matters of justice, transparency, and reconciliation.

Canadore College has appointed Dr. Sandra Efu (MDE’09) as its new President and CEO, starting in January 2026. Efu, who holds a master's degree in development economics from Dal, brings experience from Keyano College and a focus on student success, community partnership, and Indigenous empowerment. The Board of Governors selected Efu for her extensive knowledge and vision.

Alberta appointed Thomas O'Leary (JD’11) as a new justice in Edmonton to increase court capacity, effective Dec. 1, 2025. O'Leary previously worked as a Crown prosecutor for nine years.

Nurse practitioner Kara Evers (BScN’15), who was inspired to specialize in bariatrics after a presentation at Dal, guides patients through every stage of their bariatric surgery journey at the Halifax Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Clinic. Witnessing the life-changing impact of the surgery is her greatest reward, as patients often share how it helps them achieve important life goals. Evers also leads events like Strides for Obesity, supporting bariatric care in Nova Scotia.

Hannah Ascough (BA’17) has won second place in the Northwest Territories fiction contest.

Biomedical engineer Dr. Shijie Zhou (PhD’18) is developing computational tools, including 3D heart models and AI analysis of ECG signals, to improve arrhythmia treatments. Dr. Zhou's work, supported by grants from the AHA and NIH, aims to enhance ablation procedures and identify targets for cardiac stereotactic body radiotherapy. His technology builds on research from his PhD training at Dal and postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins University.

William (Nick) Hooper (JD’17, LLM’18) has become a partner at Wagner’s Law.

Collingwood native Leigh Wills (BScN’23), a community health nurse in Halifax and musician with the band Bill Ricky, was awarded Country Recording of the Year from Music Nova Scotia. Wills grew up in Collingwood, Ont. involved in music programs. She encourages others to find their voice and make music, drawing inspiration from life and classic country.