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ALUM NI NEWS
Change
makers
Our alumni, students and researchers are transforming
communities and the lives of others.
SPRING / SUMMER 2021 | U N B.C A /A LU M N I
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CONTENTS
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
VOLUME 29 NO. 2
unb.ca/alumni
PUBLISHER
Michelle McNeil (BBA’03,
MBA’09)
UNB Associated Alumni
02 LETTERS FROM THE PRESIDENTS
alumni@unb.ca
12 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT UNB
EDITOR
Natalie Montgomery
(BBA'99)
28 HOMECOMING 2021
UNB Associated Alumni
CONTRIBUTORS 32 ASSOCIATED ALUMNI
Alisha Bainbridge (BBA’15)
Diane McAdam (BBA’89)
Emma Hickey 37 STUDENT SUPPORT
20
Eric Marks (BA’92)
Jamie Bird (C-SFT’15)
Jenny Knutsson
42 FRIENDS OF ALUMNI NEWS
Jeremy Elder-Jubelin
(BPhil’04, BA’06)
44 BOOKSHELF
Joy Cummings-Dickinson
(BEd’99) STUDENT
Kara Stonehouse
Karen L’Oiseau
46 HITHER & YON CHANGEMAKERS
Kelly Anderson (BA’95)
Sir Howard Douglas Scholars, including
Krista O’Reilly 50 IN MEMORIAM
Mary Duffley Jasmine Eng, excel academically and give of
Natasha Rego (BA’13)
Rob Blanchard (Class of ‘89)
themselves to better the lives of others.
Shonda Cotton
Susan Montague (DLitt’19)
Suzanne Boudreau (BBA’95)
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Creative Juices
thecreativejuices.ca RESEARCH
ON THE COVER CHANGEMAKERS
UNB Changemakers
6 FEATURE: Improving
PRINTING quality of life for seniors
Advocate Printing
14 Combining Indigenous
ADVERTISING
ways of knowing
Email: alumni@unb.ca
Tel: 506.453.4847
with Western science
Next issue: and knowledge
Fall/Winter 2021
18 Measuring deep poverty
Available online:
unb.ca/alumninewsmagazine and its effects
UNB Alumni News is
published by the UNB Research changemaker Dr. Tracey Rickards (Page 10)
Associated Alumni and is
distributed twice a year to
alumni and friends of UNB. Brent Staeben
Material may be printed
in whole or in part with ALUMNI
appropriate credit to UNB
Alumni News, except where CHANGEMAKERS
copyrighted by the author.
24 VICTORIA LABILLOIS:
ISSN 1191-8276 Breaking down barriers
Mailed under Canada Post
Publications Mail agreement
26 KRISTA CARR: Leading a
no.: 40063270 movement for inclusion
Printed in Canada 30 LI SONG: Being the change
she wants to see
34 BRENT STAEBEN:
Fredericton’s impresario
Letters from the
PRESIDENTS
I have long been convinced that
universities exist to change the world
and UNB is a prime example of this truth.
illustrate the many ways UNB is wherever
its people are pushing the world forward. I
encourage you to read the stories and watch
Founded more than 200 years ago as an the videos. I think you will find them to be a
instrument for transformative change, source of inspiration and pride.
UNB has for generations maintained
its deep commitment to advancing the Our mission to serve the public good
social, cultural and economic potential of is deeply ingrained in our history, our
New Brunswick, the region and beyond. present and our future, as set out in our
strategic vision UNB Toward 2030. Visit
Our world at UNB experienced major change unb.ca/toward2030 to learn more. Our
this year, as did the entire world as we vision includes the importance of applying
adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 our academic capabilities toward addressing
global pandemic. Indeed, this past year has some of the grand challenges of our time
been unprecedented for our university and including the necessity to confront our
is best characterized by the resilience and future energy needs, our need to foster
flexibility of our faculty, staff and students. healthy communities, the importance
Our academic community adjusted to of security across our communities and
“alternative delivery methods,” blending our critical infrastructure, and the need
online, remote learning with small in-person to understand and preserve our water
classes where it was safe and feasible to do systems and courses. These challenges are
so. The graduates from 2020 who read this to be understood in the broadest sense —
issue will fully understand the challenges interdisciplinary, multi-faceted, engaging all
associated with this transition in moving to of our intellectual capital from the artistic to
virtual instruction, at-home exams and a the highly technical.
virtual graduation.
With the arrival of COVID vaccines and the
Despite the ongoing challenges of the resolve on the part of UNB and the province
pandemic, UNB students, faculty, staff and that in-person classes and on-campus
alumni continue to thrive. We have many activities will resume in the fall, I have a
incredible people who are passionate about renewed sense of optimism for the future.
our institution and its purpose, and who We know that life will not be exactly as it
continue to effect positive change within was before the pandemic, but I am confident
communities large and small, near and far. that, together, we can work toward a better
“We have many
normal and create an even stronger, more
incredible This issue’s focus on changemakers is vibrant and thriving University of
people who are clear evidence of that. From fostering New Brunswick.
entrepreneurship to supporting newcomers
passionate about
and inclusion, from promoting healthy aging The world needs more UNB!
our institution to tackling poverty, and enriching life on our
and its purpose campuses and more, UNB people are having
and who continue a material impact on their communities.
to effect positive Capturing how UNB is changing the world
Paul J. Mazerolle (BA'89)
change.” is important and is why we’ve recently
UNB President and Vice-Chancellor
launched the UNB is here marketing
campaign (unb.ca/unbishere) to vividly
02
LETTERS FROM THE PRESIDENTS
As we close an academic year unlike
any other, I hope this message
finds you well. On behalf of the alumni
many successful online events this past
year to connect our alumni and students
virtually. All of this while having to navigate
family, I want to extend a warm welcome a new remote work reality of their own.
and congratulations to the almost 2,000
newly minted UNB graduates who received I’m pleased to welcome two-time UNB
their alumni pin and joined our ranks at graduate Jill Jeffrey (BPE’82, BEd’83) as our
this spring’s Encaenia and Convocation incoming president, effective July 1. It has
ceremonies. been a pleasure getting to know Jill over
the past few years, and I know she will be
This summer marks the end of my two- an excellent leader and supporter of our
year term as president of UNB’s Associated alumni community. I hope you will have an
Alumni. It has truly been an honour to opportunity to meet her soon.
serve in this role and I look forward to
continuing to represent your interests on I’ll leave you with a few thoughts as to why I
UNB’s Board of Governors. While it has remain so #ProudlyUNB. UNB has impacted
been an unconventional and eventful and shaped my life in many profound ways.
period due to the pandemic, we adapted Not just a seat of higher learning, UNB is a
to meet the unexpected challenge. Above multi-generational community of alumni
all, the support and pride of our alumni has who, together with the student body,
remained strong. Despite not having had provide the heart and soul of the institution.
the opportunity to meet as many of you in No matter your age or the year of your class,
person as planned, I am extremely proud of we share the UNB experience. If you have
the Associated Alumni’s accomplishments, ever considered giving back to your alma
which have established our strategic position mater through our association as a mentor,
for the future. volunteer or councillor, I highly encourage
you to reach out as it is a very rewarding
I want to highlight a few of these important experience.
milestones. We successfully onboarded a
new executive director and launched our A moment that will always stand out to
new strategic plan through to 2025. We me was attending my parents’ 50th golden
introduced monthly e-newsletters and grad reunion at Homecoming 2019. It was
refreshed this Alumni News magazine to wonderful to hear their classmates, proudly “UNB is a multi-
continue to celebrate our alumni’s many donned in red and black, recount stories of generational
campus life in the late ’60s and describe the
achievements. We’ve profiled several of community of
them in this changemakers’ issue, including impact UNB has had on them.
alumni who,
Brent, Krista, Li, Tracey and Victoria. We
tailored our professional development
I know that we will all savour our next together with the
opportunity to connect and reminisce in
and virtual services for our alumni, while student body,
person. When that can happen safely, I look
continuing to provide much needed financial
forward to seeing you there. provide the heart
support to UNB students, a group that has
and soul of the
been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Sincerely,
institution.”
Thank you to our talented and dedicated
councillors for their work on these
initiatives, along with many others. I also
would like to extend my sincere gratitude
to the Alumni Office staff who implemented
Peter Syroid (BScEng'98, D-TME'98, MBA'03)
these programs so effectively and produced
UNB Associated Alumni President
03
Reducing food waste
one mushroom at
a time
Experts estimate that $49.5 does not change the taste,
billion worth of food is lost or smell or appearance of the
wasted in Canada alone each final application.
year. Recognizing the growing
concern around food safety, The company is growing. It has
UNB science graduate Natasha secured a patent, successfully
Dhayagude (BSc’14) and her co- attracted $2.5 million in seed
founder David Brown, looked to funding, scaled up operations and
nature to find a solution. launched three products in the
market in the fall of 2019.
The answer came in the form
of an extract from white button The ingredients
mushrooms. The founders of
Chinova Bioworks are pioneering
for success
the use of mushroom fiber to
Building on our 235-year legacy
provide consumers and brands
of innovation, UNB has become
with a clean-label solution to
an entrepreneurial hotbed in
food spoilage.
the region. With class sizes
that enable students to build
The technology helps to improve
relationships with faculty
the quality, freshness and
and experiential learning
shelf-life of food and beverage
programming to connect with
products, reduce food waste and
industry and community
ensure an abundant food supply
partners, UNB students are
for the future generations.
uniquely equipped to bring their
ideas to life – and to market.
Eco-friendly
production. Natural Thanks to UNB’s central place
in every way. in the region’s innovation
ecosystem, students from any
Extracted through an eco-friendly faculty can leverage numerous
process, Chiber™ can be used programs, incubators and
in various food and beverage accelerators during any year of
categories like dairy, plant-based their degree program.
dairy, sauces and spreads and
plant-based meat alternatives. Read more about experiential
learning opportunities available
The product is effective against to today’s UNB students at
spoilage microorganisms like unb.ca/experientialeducation.
bacteria, yeast and mold and
Photo credit: Thomas Bollmann
is here.
Where our engineering students
help fishing crews come home safely.
When four students began their engineering journey at the University of New
Brunswick, they had no idea it would lead them towards making one of Canada’s
deadliest professions safer. As part of their fourth-year engineering capstone
course, they created a new, smart life jacket. Now UNB alumni, the team is gearing
up to launch their automatically inflating life jacket with built-in marine radio emergency
communications.
Stories like these confirm our belief that UNB graduates are instrumental in changing the
world for the better. Wherever our people are pushing the world forward, that’s where you’ll
find UNB. Learn more about the LifeTrack team: unb.ca/lifetrack.
IMPROVING UNB researchers
have received
QUALITY
nearly $6 million in provincial
and federal funding for research
to support healthy aging for
seniors in their homes,
communities and care facilities.
of Life for
The three-year Healthy Seniors
Pilot Project will support a range
of applied research initiatives to
examine how governments, in
Seniors
partnership with the community
and private sectors, can better
support seniors.
Visit blogs.unb.ca/newsroom/
for more.
DANIELLE BOUCHARD is an ZOOMERS FOR ALL The expanded Zoomers for All program,
associate professor in the faculty of Dr. Bouchard, in collaboration with which is now being offered in person
kinesiology. Her research primarily Dr. Sénéchal, will expand the Zoomers and online, will make exercise more
focuses on aging, clinical exercise on the Go fall prevention exercise accessible to more New Brunswickers.
physiology, and chronic conditions program across New Brunswick. “Unlike many programs that often
and exercise; more specifically the Focusing on the improvement of neglect rural areas, Zoomers for All,
impact of exercise for those living physical function and maintenance of will be accessible to almost any
with chronic conditions. MARTIN independence for seniors, Zoomers for older adult in the province,” says
SÉNÉCHAL is an associate professor All received $622,044 in funding. Dr. Bouchard. “Many older adults do
in the faculty of kinesiology. His not exercise enough to reap the health
research on the treatment and Zoomers on the Go is a study that and functional benefits.”
management of individuals living educates people 50 years and older
on fall prevention and has them Dr. Bouchard is also adamant that
with obesity and Type 2 diabetes
participate in a 12-week, peer- any research she does needs to be
has a three-pronged approach:
led exercise program. Once they meaningful to her participants.
enhancing the efficacy of lifestyle
have completed the program, the “Knowledge transfer is significant
interventions that target increased
participants are followed by the to me,” she says. “I love to see the
physical activity; understanding
research team for up to 10 years to results of research projects reach the
why individuals living with obesity
look for health care outcomes. “More community so people can have a
and Type 2 diabetes may or may not
specifically, over the 10 years, we plan better lifestyle because we have
benefit from exercise; and identifying
to test if hospital admission, surgeries, seen the benefits.”
predictors and understanding why
some obese individuals remain healthy and visits to physicians have decreased
THE BAND-FRAIL STUDY
despite high adiposity levels. Together, among those who have participated
Dr. Sénéchal, along with Dr. Bouchard,
Dr. Bouchard and Dr. Sénéchal are in the program compared with
will explore how the combination
directors of the Cardiometabolic, similar people in New Brunswick not
of exercise using elastic bands and
Exercise and Lifestyle Lab (CELLAB), participating in the program,” says
education about diabetes management
located at UNB. Dr. Bouchard.
06
RESEARCH CHANGEMAKERS
will affect the functionality among
adults aged 65 and above living with
diabetes and frailty. The Band-Frail
Study: A Provincial Intervention to
Outweigh Diabetes and Frailty in
New Brunswick research project was
awarded $469,645.
“New Brunswick has one of the highest
rates of diabetes and a very high
average age rate in the country,” says Dr.
Sénéchal. “These two factors lead to an
aging population with quickly declining
health and increased chances of fatal
health issues. Through my research,
I have seen the impact of diabetes on the
people of this province and the benefits
that lifestyle interventions can have
on their health.”
The Band-Frail Study is composed
of exercise and education for older
adults living with both frailty and Type
2 diabetes. This program is based on
evidence from a trial conducted in
Europe that saw improved outcomes
for enhanced diabetes management
and physical function in a similar
population.
The 16-week program is delivered twice
a week by a certified diabetes educator
and an exercise specialist. One session
will consist of 20 minutes of diabetes
management education and 25 minutes
of resistance training using resistance
bands. The second session per week will
consist only of the resistance training.
“We are using a pre- and post-analysis to
quantify changes on some of the health
outcomes our group is interested in,
including physical function, glycemic
control (blood sugar), nutrition, and
quality of life. We will also be looking
at sex and gender to catch any potential
differences. In addition, we are
performing a cost benefit analysis of the
program to determine any long-term
cost savings for the province. Finally,
we will be tracking the results of our
participants after five and 10 years, so
we can assess the impact of the program
on long-term health outcomes.”
07
SHELLEY DOUCET (BN’05, care providers are involved
PhD’10) will examine the as members of the co-
improvement of how health design teams. The co-design
and social care providers process involves working
diagnose and support collaboratively with these
persons with dementia. The stakeholder groups to ensure
research project, Co-designing the results meet their needs
Dementia Care in New and are usable.
Brunswick: Building the Future
With public awareness as
Together, received funding of
one of the main goals, the
$495,259.
team is developing a website,
Dr. Doucet is the Jarislowsky resources and promotional
chair in interprofessional activities, using insights from
patient-centred care, formative research with the
associate professor in nursing, target audiences and input
and director of the Centre from the co-design teams.
for Research in Integrated
Together, the teams will use
Care (CRIC) at UNB. She
the resources they develop
and colleagues Dr. Pamela
to launch a campaign called
Jarrett (BSc’87), Horizon
Forward with Dementia, with
Health Network geriatrician
key messages and topics
and associate professor
including ‘find your way
of medicine at Dalhousie
forward with dementia’ and
Medicine New Brunswick;
‘your next steps start here.’
and Dr. Alison Luke (BA’92),
research associate at CRIC, “We anticipate that the
are seeking to improve health project will enhance the
and social care providers’ knowledge and preparedness
knowledge of how to of health and social care
communicate a dementia providers,” says Dr. Doucet.
diagnosis, and how to provide “In turn, this will help
support in the 12 months ensure that people with
following the diagnosis dementia and their care
for persons with dementia partners are receiving the
and their care partners. In supports and levels of care
addition, the team wants to they need. In addition, we
increase the awareness and hope to improve awareness
use of existing services and of the services and supports
supports for persons with available for people with
dementia and their or at risk of dementia and
care partners. their care partners. Sharing
the results of our project
This project involves a
will help other stakeholders
collaboration across five
implement similar projects in
countries: Canada (with
their region. Thus, this study
projects in New Brunswick,
provides an opportunity to
Ontario and Quebec),
share lessons learned and
Australia, the Netherlands,
improve dementia care at
Poland and the United
a provincial, national and
Kingdom. In each country,
global level.”
persons with dementia, care
partners and health and social
08RESEARCH CHANGEMAKERS
CHRIS MCGIBBON (BScEng’88, “Many of the known risk factors for
PhD’94) is a professor of kinesiology dementia are also associated with
and a senior researcher at UNB’s other health conditions such as
Institute of Biomedical Engineering. diabetes, heart disease and stroke,”
His expertise covers a broad spectrum he says. “Reducing risk factors may
of human movement sciences, also translate into less personal and
primarily focused on mobility and overall health care costs associated
balance disorders in seniors and with having dementia and other
in people with neurological and health conditions. So, part of what
orthopedic disorders, and the study of we’re hoping to achieve is bringing
advanced rehabilitation technologies. increased awareness of how
Recently, he’s turned his attention to expensive and resource-intensive the
preventing mobility decline in seniors lack of preventative health programs
at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and and capacity is for our healthcare
related dementia. systems and our society.”
To accomplish this, he’s working with The diverse team working on NB-
UNB colleagues Dr. Danielle Bouchard PALM includes engineers, physicians,
and Dr. Sandra Magalhaes, and with nurses, psychologists, kinesiologists
Horizon Health Network geriatrician and epidemiologists, among others,
and associate professor of medicine at and represents a strong collaboration
Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, across institutions in the province and
Dr. Pamela Jarrett (BSc’87). beyond. Project partners include UNB,
Université de Moncton, Dalhousie
Dr. McGibbon and Dr. Jarrett, along Medicine New Brunswick, Horizon
with a veritable phonebook of Health Network and Vitalité Health
collaborators, are leading the New Network within New Brunswick, as
Brunswick Brain Health Initiative: well as Western University, Baycrest
Preventing Alzheimer’s by Lessening Hospital in Toronto, Université
Modifiable Risk (NB-PALM), which de Montréal and the University of
received $2,697,913 in funding. California, San Diego’s Alzheimer’s
Disease Cooperative Study, among the
“Interventions that promote physical national and international partners.
and cognitive activity are beginning
to show evidence for slowing the That collaboration will allow the
progression to dementia,” says project to be rolled out in both official
Dr. McGibbon. “In our NB-PALM languages and across the province, as
project, we will offer physical well as engaging with other experts,
exercises and cognitive enhancing building capacity in New Brunswick,
activities to older adults at risk of and sharing the unique capacities
developing dementia, delivered housed at UNB with other researchers.
virtually in their own home. By
making knowledge of strategies to For Dr. McGibbon, that rich tapestry
enhance brain health accessible to of voices and skill sets is part of the
older adults and their caretakers, appeal: “Working with a large and
we will hopefully be able to reduce diverse group is always a learning
their risk for dementia, resulting in experience for everyone involved,
healthier and happier people and and everyone comes out of that
communities.” experience with more than what
they came in with. This means that
Dr. McGibbon also foresees positive everything we do together feeds
impacts beyond reducing dementia forward in innumerable ways. It’s
risk for older New Brunswickers, a remarkable and rewarding thing
and even beyond seniors and their to witness.”
caretakers.
09TRACEY
RICKARDS
MOVING THINGS FORWARD FOR
VULNER ABLE POPUL ATIONS
T racey Rickards (BN’86, MN’05)
considers herself among an army
of ‘subtle changemakers’ – those who
When she returned to UNB to study for
her master’s degree, she began working
at the Downtown Community Health
manager of the Fredericton Downtown
Community Health Centre, and Dr.
Karen Cross from St. Michael’s Hospital
do little things on a constant basis to Clinic, then located in a small home in Toronto, the project provides a
move the needle. on Brunswick Street. whole-person centered approach
within the homes of vulnerable and
As an associate professor of nursing “I loved that we worked with an isolated older adults.
at UNB and the UNB manager of the interdisciplinary team – both a social
Fredericton Downtown Community worker and nurse together to provide “We had done a small pilot project
Health Clinic, she conducts research health and mental health services and before applying for this funding where
to identify transformative solutions access to social development, housing, we went into the homes of low-income
to improve health outcomes for whatever the vulnerable populations seniors in the city who were isolated
vulnerable populations in the region. we served needed. It made a real because of mobility, chronic disease or
impact.” mental health issues. We offered free
Dr. Rickards says she grew up with a foot care as a tool of engagement, and
sense of wanting to make the world a As she continued her work and got while there, we talked to the seniors
better place. “My mom was a nurse, a PhD in nursing from Dalhousie about their health care, wellness, and
my father a forestry professor and both University, Dr. Rickards focused more any other needs they had. Over a period
were tree huggers. My step-mother is and more on research and clinical work of six months, half were able to get out
also an activist, so I had really good on vulnerable populations. She’s now of their homes to come to the clinic for
mentors. I realized early on that I had an embedded clinician researcher health care and we were able to connect
a cushy life and also had the ability to in the larger Fredericton Downtown them with other services as well. We
address certain injustices.” Community Health Centre and recently saw appreciable differences in their
received $1.5 million in funding from understanding of their diseases and
She’s been doing just that. the Healthy Seniors Pilot Project for medications and we saw quality-of-life
Mobile Seniors’ Wellness Network: improvements.”
After graduating from nursing at UNB,
Reaching Rural New Brunswickers.
she worked at the Toronto General
The team saw a gap in rural services
Hospital for a stint and then moved This innovative project has the for seniors who weren’t very mobile.
back to New Brunswick to work at the potential to contribute to the ability At the same time, they connected with
Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital and with of seniors to age-in-place. Along with Dr. Cross, who has created a tool that
the extra-mural program for years. team members Emily Kitts (BSc’05), incorporates a tiny camera on the back
10RESEARCH CHANGEMAKERS
“
I loved that we worked with
an interdisciplinary team to
provide health and mental
health services and access to
social development, whatever
the vulnerable populations we
served needed.
”
of a phone that takes infrared photos of the foot.
“Teaming up helps build research for R&D of the
tool, and allows us to provide foot service for free
to rural seniors to help them prevent more serious
problems,” says Dr. Rickards. “It puts them in touch
with someone on a regular basis who can provide
them with educational services and become a
connector and navigator for them to find what they
need to be safe, healthy and happy at home as long
as they can. It can be life changing for them.”
“The change we’re trying to demonstrate is that
it’s better to stay at home and offer services there
instead of requiring vulnerable seniors to come
to us. And that making regular visits and having
a team of nurses, social workers, occupational
therapists and home support workers is still
cheaper than providing long-term care at a facility.
We have an aging province and we need to help
people remain active members of the community.”
Dr. Rickards says the study is ongoing until October
2022 and she’s thrilled to be working on the project
in a multidisciplinary format. “Getting everyone
working together makes so much sense. We have a
great team. The success we’ve already had proves
that we don’t have to do something huge to make
change. What encourages me every day is that I can
consistently do small things in people’s lives and
make a positive impact.”
11BOB
SKILLEN
Thirty years of dreaming,
building and transforming
12W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G AT U N B
On Dec. 4, 2020, Bob Skillen
(BPE’79, BEd’81, MEd’88)
stepped down as vice-president
What do you think is UNB’s most
important role in the province?
Counting your three degrees, you’ve
been connected to UNB for more
than 45 years, what makes you
(advancement) and retired from UNB There is no institution in our society ProudlyUNB?
after 30 years. Michelle McNeil (BBA’03, like a university. It is our mission
MBA’09), UNB’s Associated Alumni to provide opportunities and to UNB’s purpose and its ability to
executive director, sat down with him inspire hope for a brighter future. transform lives and communities.
to reflect on his time at UNB, share UNB is particularly important to New
Brunswick because of our research What is one piece of advice that you
his thoughts on the role of university
intensity. We are effectively an engine can give to our more than 93,000
advancement, and tell us what’s
of innovation for the province. Can alumni about staying connected to
next for him.
you imagine a modern New Brunswick their alma mater?
Tell me about your decision to retire? without UNB?
Staying connected to your alma mater
In 1980, then-prime minister Pierre What are you going to miss most makes for a richer life. You are part of
Trudeau took a walk in the snow, about your time in advancement the UNB story. In many ways, you are
during which time he made the and at UNB? the stewards of the university, past,
decision not to run in the next federal present and future. Take full advantage
election. My walk in the snow came Spending time with bright minds of your relationship with UNB and give
last August when my wife, Gisele, and and passionate people. This includes back when you can in whatever way
I were visiting with our children and people on campus and amongst our you can. Your lives are richer because
grandchildren in Halifax. I had been alumni and donor constituency. I the graduates and university builders
searching for the right time to step have been fortunate to meet so many before you did just that.
down from my role at UNB and found interesting and accomplished people
over the past 30 years. It’s no secret that UNB, and
it. It was as simple as that.
universities across Canada, rely on
What are three things that you are As vice-president (advancement), you fundraising, why does fundraising
most proud of during your time spent countless hours telling UNB’s matter to universities?
at UNB? story to alumni and friends, what is
UNB’s story? Universities would not be what they
I will preface my answer by saying that are today without the generosity
I am a bit of a dreamer, and I like to UNB’s mission is important. We are a of benefactors. Not only does the
create and build. I believe my greatest university with heart and one that has financial support from our benefactors
contributions during my time at UNB a deep sense of responsibility to the fuel our universities with scholarships,
have come through building. Some people of New Brunswick and beyond. state-of-the-art equipment, modern
might think that it was establishing By our nature, we are innovative, and facilities, research chairs and more,
the first vice-president (advancement) we aim to make a difference in our but their belief in us and what we are
office, building a modern marketing communities. We are a resourceful doing to change the world, inspires
office or launching the strategic university, having grown and us to reach higher. Those who invest
partnerships office that gave me the prospered over the past two centuries, in our university, become our
greatest satisfaction but actually, against some pretty heavy odds. If it greatest advocates.
my greatest satisfaction came from were not for the resourcefulness of our
people, we would not have thrived, let What’s next for you?
seeing my academic colleagues realize
their dreams, whether they be chairs, alone survived.
My pen is poised, and I am ready to
centres or institutes, and to do so with write my next chapter. I can’t wait to
You were the Associated Alumni’s
support from our generous alumni and see how my story plays out. For sure,
executive director for 11 years.
non-alumni donors. I also consider there will be lots more time for family
During that time, what have you
myself to be a bit of a provocateur, and friends, and for experiencing the
learned about alumni of UNB?
someone who is not afraid to challenge little but important things in life.
the status quo in search of a better way UNB alumni are fiercely loyal,
of doing things. I would like to think industrious and, for the most part,
that my provocations have come from humble. Essentially, they imbue the
a good place and that UNB is better off characteristics of their alma mater.
because I did not let inertia deter me.
13COMBINING
INDIGENOUS
WAYS OF
KNOWING
with Western science
and knowledge
W ith the guidance and support
of elders from Indigenous
Nations in Canada and abroad, honouring the Indigenous homes
REL ATUHEDRON
Juan Carlos Rodriguez Camacho is where social gatherings with relatives
This process, referred to as
working to improve collaboration and and friends are common.
Relatuhedron, is a neologism that
transdisciplinary research between
emerged from this shared practice. As a place, the Relatuhedron is where
Indigenous and non-Indigenous
“It represents the need for a place sharing knowledge is expressed by art,
researchers and communities.
and a process to inspire and promote diagrams, data, values and narratives.
Dr. Rodriguez, assistant professor at multilevel, multi-perspective, and Dr. Rodriguez and his team plan on
UNB’s Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre and multidisciplinary knowledge-action building a Relatuhedron on UNB’s
faculty of education, has developed to better understand our complex and Fredericton campus that will serve
a multidisciplinary approach to constantly evolving societal systems,” as an interactive art installation for
knowledge sharing and research with says Dr. Rodriguez. visitors and academics alike.
the aim of exploring the “togetherness
of current challenges.” Relatuhedron is rooted in the English Dr. Rodriguez conceives this approach
word relat from relat-ionship, the Latin as a “mangrove tree,” sustaining and
Under a community-based approach, hedra, meaning shape and together protecting rich environments between
Elder Albert Marshall’s Two Eyed- meaning the “shape of relationships.” different kinds of waters and storms. In
Seeing perspectives and the complex Relatuhedron has multiple meanings; the Relatuhedron, the systemic-holistic
dynamic systems perspectives, as a structure, it can be built by perspective to research and resolve
Dr. Rodriguez is inviting academics organizing triangles in the shape of problems results in more flexible and
from faculties and departments across a wigwam, a maloca or “ue”, thus powerful values-based outcomes.
UNB, Indigenous and non-Indigenous
community members to engage and
collaborate in this new dialogue.
14RESEARCH CHANGEMAKER
“Relatuhedron is a place and a
mindset where that collaboration can
safely be explored.”
less valued. I can see this in all areas of DLitt’19); Elder Dr. David Perley (MA’08,
BUILDING NEW
society,” says Dr. Rodriguez. DLitt’19); Elder Albert Marshall;
OPPORTUNITIES
Natasha Simon (BA’98), director of the
“I am looking to build new “Relatuhedron is a place and a Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre; Dr. Jen
opportunities, a machine of mindset where that collaboration Rowett (BScKin’03, MEd’11, PhD’19),
possibilities, based on differences can safely be explored. It is a non- counselling and leadership professor
and commonalities respecting both judgmental space where the open in the faculty of education; Andrea
Indigenous and Western cultures,” he process of discovering and developing Belczewski (BSc’92), senior teaching
says, “like effective solutions guided new ways to interconnect and work associate at the Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey
by equality, sharing, collaboration transdisciplinarily might flourish. Centre; and Dr. David Danto, program
protecting relationships between Relatuhedron invites participants head of psychology at the University
human-culture and nature.” to challenge problems and discover of Guelph-Humber.
their own understanding of what is a
“It is a space to work revising the
practical implication of the intention The team is currently exploring
systems values of our age, on many
to collaborate.” funding research sources to include
dimensions of health and well-being,
opportunities for both undergraduate
happiness, and productive lives. These
UNB’S REL ATUHEDRON and graduate students at UNB and
are not utopic ‘good things to do,’
EXPERIENCE UNDER community members. Dr. Rodriguez
but practical and realistic good ways
to resolve small everyday problems,
DEVELOPMENT AT THE aims to develop a course on this
MI’KMAQ -WOL ASTOQEY practice and share this methodology
learning together how to share and
CENTRE with teachers on topics of interrelated
practice our knowledge and shared
Dr. Rodriguez, who teaches curriculum, so that they may
possibilities.”
quantitative research analysis, learn collaborative skills helpful in
The Relatuhedron is also a place Indigenous perspectives in science, and addressing future challenges within
to review our understandings Indigenous education within UNB’s the provincial curriculum.
and skills on collaborative work. faculty of education, has fostered an
Dr. Rodriguez is also in the process of
“In a competitive world, there are interdisciplinary team at the Mi’kmaq-
finalizing two books on his experiences
few opportunities to learn how to Wolastoqey Centre that is in the
with the Relatuhedron in Canada and
collaborate in a supportive way. process of researching and developing
abroad, sharing lessons learned from
Competitive attitudes are promoted UNB’s Relatuhedron experience.
this methodology. Those works are
by the culture as a way to succeed,
The team receives the guidance of expected to be shared for publication
while collaborative alternatives are
Elder Dr. Imelda Perley (BA’94, MEd’02, and release between 2021 and 2022.
15W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G AT U N B
Engineering students
simulate plan for
SOLAR
ENERGY Power says that the team is proud of
the work it did. “We designed our plan
in a way that it can easily be
reproduced and hopefully used in
other places.”
“At the beginning of the year, I didn’t
F our electrical engineering
students studied the viability
of implementing more solar energy
to scan potential risks and mitigate
them before the infrastructure is
physically built.
know who was going to be in my group
or what project I was going to have,”
says Haley. “When Liam came to me
in Canada using a Smart Grid Digital with a project that was so impactful
Twin. This project is a major step “Digital twins are one of the most and of this magnitude, I was excited to
towards creating more large-scale popular forms of digital analysis right be part of it.”
renewable energy options in New now,” says Hogan. “This software
Brunswick and reducing the country’s gives us a window into the future of “The overall scope and raw impact of
carbon footprint. what potential risks might come up this project are what drew me to it the
and allow us to avoid them without most,” says Everett. “At times it was
Josh Power, Liam Hogan, Braden spending unnecessary money or time not easy, but the highs are even higher
Haley and Alex Everett, worked with building the structure.” when you finally get it working and can
mentors to collect data and design move forward.”
a digital twin, which is a software Smart Grid is part of a research
representation of an electrical initiative developing new tools and Power, Hogan, Haley and Everett
infrastructure/distribution system, technology to help reduce greenhouse won the IEEE NB Chapter prize for
where a solar farm could potentially be gas emissions. The grid detects changes technical excellence for their project
built. By creating a digital replica in local power usage to improve at the 2021 UNB Design Symposium
of the solar farm, the team was able efficiency, reliability, quality and safety. held virtually in April.
For all of the design symposium projects and winners, visit
unb.ca/fredericton/engineering/design/symposium.html
16Measuring
DEEP
POVERT Y
AND ITS
EFFECTS
D aniel Dutton sees his research into
deep poverty in New Brunswick as
a building block towards a future where
professor of community health and
epidemiology at Dalhousie Medicine
New Brunswick, has authored a report
Deep poverty in New Brunswick:
A description and national comparisons
is part of broader research into the
there is more understanding and better for the New Brunswick Institute for social determinants of health and the
solutions for the poorest of the poor in Data, Research and Training at UNB, impact spending on social services has
our society. that shines a light on the nature and on the lives of the poor.
prevalence of extreme poverty in
Dr. Dutton, adjunct professor in the the province.
sociology department and assistant
18RESEARCH CHANGEMAKER
“The objective of this report was to many people living in deep poverty,’ For reference, he says the 2016 deep
add clarity to discussions about what it or whether we look at that number and poverty threshold was $11,328 for a
means to live in deep poverty,” says say, ‘We should decrease that number’.” one-person household.
Dr. Dutton. “We are trying to
preemptively avoid that academic Using data from the Canadian Income Dr. Dutton’s past work includes studies
discussion about how you define Survey for the years 2012 to 2016, on homelessness, a phenomenon he
poverty by just putting the numbers Dr. Dutton was able to construct a finds fascinating.
out there and giving people a common consistent picture of who is living in
deep poverty in New Brunswick. In any “In Canada, we have opportunities to
language to discuss deep poverty, and
given year, there are approximately intervene with people who do not have
also describing the state of affairs of
100,000 people living below the a place to stay,” he says. “That is one
people living under that poverty line.”
poverty line in New Brunswick, and of the most fundamental things we
New Brunswick has struggled approximately 18,000 of them live in can affect.”
for generations with entrenched deep poverty.
“We can all agree that every human
poverty. Dr. Dutton says the province
Dr. Dutton says that in New Brunswick, being should have access to food and
traditionally has had low rates of
income poverty is measured using a a place to stay, yet people are still
social assistance compared to most
number of key indicators, including the experiencing homelessness. I like
other provinces.
Low-Income Measure (LIM) after tax. studying outcomes that are policy
However, he says the problem is Deep poverty is measured as having an amenable, so we could develop
stubborn. Dr. Dutton’s findings show income at 50 per cent or less of the LIM rules that eliminate some forms of
that those living in deep poverty are in a given year. homelessness if we put the resources
more likely to be single, living alone, into it. It is interesting to me to see
middle-aged and on social assistance. While recently, the amount was how governments make decisions
His report states that having children increased and indexed to the cost of and how those turn into outcomes for
or being over the age of 65 are both living, Dr. Dutton says one government individuals living their lives.”
protective of deep poverty due to the solution to deep poverty would be to
additional government transfers that raise single social assistance payments
target those households. For instance, to a level above 50 per cent of the LIM.
receiving Old Age Security at age 65 can
immediately lift an individual out of
“
extreme poverty.
“Most of the people in deep poverty
are single, meaning they don’t qualify
for couples’ benefits and they don’t
Most of the people in deep
have children,” he says. “So now we
have a target group of people where an
poverty are single, meaning
intervention would probably alleviate
deep poverty and we have a measure of they don’t qualify for
couples’ benefits and they
what success would look like, meaning
”
we would know how many people are
don’t have children.
in deep poverty and if that number
goes down, we can call that success.”
“We wanted to shine a light on what
these numbers are and ask whether we
as a society are willing to say, ‘That’s
okay. We are willing to tolerate that
19NOT FOR Ourselves Alone
T his spring, 17 students were inducted into UNB’s
Sir Howard Douglas Society. Established in 2006,
membership in the society is intended to recognize, promote,
In this issue, we are tipping our hats to the 2020
and 2021 scholars, and while we can’t profile all
cultivate and encourage outstanding UNB undergraduate of them, we are proud of these changemakers.
students who have achieved academic excellence, while
Bios of all of the 2020 and 2021 Sir Howard Douglas
actively participating in extracurricular or co-curricular
Scholars and the induction ceremony can be found at
activities, particularly volunteer activities, after completing
at least year two of their undergraduate studies. Scholars unb.ca/president/shd.
exemplify the society's motto, Non Nobis Solum: Not for
Ourselves Alone. The Sir Howard Douglas Society has 245
members, made up of UNB students and alumni.
2020 SCHOL AR S
Sarah Liberty (BA), Kingston, NB | Fahim Rahman (JD), Edmonton, AB | Alisha-Lynn Helen Lapointe (BSc), Florenceville-Bristol, NB | Shanece Wilson
(BScEng), West Branch, NB | Mathew Gracie (BA), Fredericton, NB | Morgan Meade (BBA), Corner Brook, NL | Jackson Weir (BSc), Saint John, NB |
Matthew MacLennan (BScEng), Quispamsis, NB | Dayna Alexander (BBA), Woodstock, NB
2021 SCHOL AR S
Natasha Vatcher (BSc), Oromocto, NB | Ava Hicks (BA), Fredericton, NB | Mila Veljanovska (BSc), Saint John, NB | Sarah Kelly (BSc), Hanwell, NB |
Dalton Killorn (BScEng), Charlottetown, PEI | Reid Sutherland (BA/BSc), Westville, NS | Jordan MacDonald (BA), Saint John, NB |
Jasmine Eng (BSc), Fredericton, NB
20STUDENT CHANGEMAKERS
FAHIM R AHMAN from Edmonton, AB, graduated with a
juris doctor from the Fredericton campus in 2020. He pursued a
legal education to change lives and break down social structures.
Committed to serving both local and global communities, he
volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada, on missing and
murdered Indigenous women with the New Brunswick Aboriginal
Peoples’ Council and with the Fredericton Legal Advice Clinic.
“My belief in helping others stems from a sense of
respect and acknowledgement towards everyone
who has helped me be the person I am today,” says
Rahman. “Behind every accomplishment I am proud
of, I can think of at least one person who helped me
achieve that. So I know that if I am able to help at least
one more person, I can both pay things forward
and hopefully help them accomplish their
goals too.”
As the only member of his family to enter the legal
profession, Rahman says that he didn’t really know
what lawyers did on a daily basis. “I assumed
they were either preparing to go to court or were
actually in court. Assisting a lawyer on a pro bono
matter was a great way for me to better understand
the profession, and how the law, which may
seem neutral on its face, actually affects
people differently.”
Rahman adds that he was, “also lucky to work with
professor Jula Hughes who taught me that lawyers
can apply their knowledge of the law in ways
to help the community without going to court,
either by being an advocate, helping others
understand their rights, or drawing attention to
inequalities in the law’s application to people.”
Rahman finished his clerkship at the Court of
Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Calgary last March.
He is now completing his articles at Shores
Jardine LLP, a boutique law firm in Edmonton
that focuses on administrative law.
21MIL A VEL JANOVSK A from Saint John, NB, will
graduate with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in
biology-psychology, from the Saint John campus in 2022.
She is founder and president of the UNB Saint John Chess
Club, a Currie Scholar mentor, vice-president of the Golden
Key Honour Society, a science tutor at the Flora Beckett
Math and Science Help Centre, orientation leader, and
bilingual judge for UNB STEM science fair. Outside of
UNB, she volunteers as a bilingual translator with 211
New Brunswick and with the Saint John Regional Hospital.
“I volunteer because communities have to be
resilient and come together to help the most
vulnerable in difficult times, like during the current
pandemic,” she says. “We need to come together
to help each other. There are countless possibilities
and ways that we can better our community.”
“Volunteering at the hospital allowed me to give
back and help the seniors to have a little more fun
in their day. I cherish all the memories I made at the
hospital, and I am humbled to help brighten
their day.”
Veljanovska says that her best piece of advice that
she has received came from one of her mentors
“whom I dearly cherish,” and “I often reminded
myself of this advice during my journey as an
undergraduate student. He told me: ‘The three
keys to success are preparedness, opportunity and
luck. Luck may bring you new opportunities, but in
order to succeed, you must prepare and work hard
beforehand’.”
As for her future plans: “I have great aspirations
for the future,” she says. “Having seen the effects
brought by COVID-19 in my community inspired
me to pursue a new career path in research in the
field of public health and epidemiology, and I will
continue to share my passion for chess with the
younger generations.”
22STUDENT CHANGEMAKERS
JASMINE ENG from Fredericton, NB, graduated with a
bachelor of science degree in honours biology-chemistry from
the Fredericton campus this spring. She got involved in her
community specifically to build an inclusive and welcoming
environment for everyone. “Everyone deserves the right to feel
like they belong and to be treated with kindness,” she says.
One way that she has worked towards building inclusiveness
was through her role as co-president of the Best Buddies
Chapter, an organization that pairs students with individuals
in the community who are living with intellectual or
developmental disabilities. Beginning in her first year, and
up until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Eng volunteered at the
University Women’s Centre. “I am passionate about gender
equality and wanted to become more involved on campus,”
she says. “The centre is a safe space for students of all genders.”
On why she volunteers, she says: “volunteering with various
community and school organizations has been a part of my life
for as long as I can remember. I seek opportunities to take action
about things I am interested in and it makes me happy to know
that I can make a difference.”
Eng credits her family for helping her become the person that
she is. “Although it’s cliché, one great piece of advice that my
parents had always told me is, ‘Put yourself in their shoes.’
From a young age, this instilled in me the importance of having
empathy for others and to have an open mind. I believe it’s
important to recognize that everyone has different experiences.
This has driven me to work towards addressing the disparities
that exist in our community with compassion. Understanding
other perspectives and worldviews enriches the way that we
see the world.”
In keeping with her dedication to helping others, Eng will study
medicine at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL, this fall.
“I am excited to continue learning, growing and contributing
to my community.”
23Victoria LaBillois:
BREAKING
DOWN
BARRIERS
As a Mi’gmaq entrepreneur and a female
in a traditionally male-dominated field,
Victoria LaBillois (BA’91, MBA’04), has faced more
than her share of barriers.
Hailing from Listuguj, QC, in the traditional
territory of Gespe’gewa’gi, LaBillois crossed the
bridge to Campbellton, NB, to attend high school
and then studied in the bachelor of arts program
at UNB. After university, she landed a job with
the federal public service in Ottawa, where she
started attending Powwows and noticing t-shirts
being worn with Indigenous designs. She jumped
into the t-shirt game, but without any kind of
business plan or training. “I learned the hard
way that I knew nothing, but that I really enjoyed
business,” she recalls.
She returned to her community and began taking
distance learning courses in business before
making the decision to return to school full time
in 2002 to study for an MBA at UNB. “It was
such a positive experience for me. Having some
work experience and then coming back to the
classroom made me treat the MBA like it was a
job.” Her work ethic showed. LaBillois graduated
with the E.D. Maher award for having the top
average in her class.
After learning about passive income in school,
LaBillois’s first move was to purchase real estate,
but when she went to the bank for a mortgage to
buy an apartment building, she didn’t qualify for
an affordable down payment program because
she lived on a Canadian reserve. She persevered,
started a small company and sold handbags to
make her down payment.
24ALUMNI CHANGEMAKER
“
Barriers don’t stop me. I just find ways
”
to go over them or around them.
It was at that point that wind over them or around them. I to give back after being named
energy projects were taking off walk on the jobsite like I own it, a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful
in Gaspésie and the area, and because I know I belong there. Women Top 100 Award Winner
LaBillois knew this was the field I guess growing up on a reserve in both 2019 and 2020. She also
to be in. “This was a new industry setting and being treated like a teaches financial literacy to
in our territory and I looked at second-class citizen has taught Indigenous youth. “I’ve pieced
the low hanging fruit – which me to be resilient.” together curriculum through
was the heavy equipment needed telling our own story about
to construct it. I didn’t want our Through her companies, colonization and the systemic
community to be bystanders LaBillois has created important racism in business that can hold
while outside companies swept in employment opportunities for us back. This kind of teaching and
to do the work. I wanted to bring the Mi’gmaq workforce and has mentoring fills my cup.”
highly skilled Mi’gmaq people helped bridge race relations,
to the table.” playing no small part in creating This fearless leader and
an economic renaissance in changemaker says she didn’t
She started writing her business the territory. She also served as set out to create change. “I just
plan and four months later, in co-chair for a national Steering didn’t want to be a spectator any
April 2011, she put the first piece Committee with the Canadian longer. I wanted to be a part of
of equipment on the wind park. Construction Association, the economy and create my own
“I had to learn everything. I overseeing development of an opportunities and help lift up
researched the industry from Aboriginal Engagement Guide for others. Entrepreneurship is an
scratch. I was confident because I small- and medium-sized amazing way to do that.”
had the tool kit for business, and enterprises.
having the MBA allowed me to be “I didn’t get here by myself.
taken more seriously.” Not only that, she also Others have worked very hard
coaches others to jump into to create a path in front of
As the owner and president of entrepreneurship as well. me. I’m grateful for that. It’s
Wejipeg Excavation Inc., and She’s served as a mentor in very satisfying to be part of a
co-owner and president of the Indigenous Women in movement to lift everyone up at
Wejuseg Construction, LaBillois Community Leadership program the same time. A rising tide lifts
has become an integral part of at the Coady International all boats.”
excavation and contracting in Institute at St. Francis Xavier
wind park development across University and in the JEDI
the region. “There were not a lot Aboriginal Business Accelerator
of women in the field at the time Program. She mentors young
and no Indigenous construction women in the Women’s Executive
companies. But barriers don’t Network (WXN) mentorship
stop me. I just find ways to go program, which she says is a way
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