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DAL200: A 200th Anniversary Portrait Dalhousie University

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“No one person has seen all of Dalhousie: all its iterations, all the personalities that helped to form it and have, in turn, been formed by it.  This book is a witness to the University’s two hundred years.  It is a cloud chamber, a place where transformation in time and space has been frozen, offering glimpses into multiply memories.”

Mona Holmlund, A 200th Anniversary Portrait Dalhousie University

“No one person has seen all of Dalhousie: all its iterations, all the personalities that helped to form it and have, in turn, been formed by it. This book is a witness to the University’s two hundred years. It is a cloud chamber, a place where transformation in time and space has been frozen, offering glimpses into multiply memories.” Mona Holmlund, A 200th Anniversary Portrait Dalhousie University

DAL200 is a historic once-in-a life event that celebrates Dalhousie’s journey over 200 years.  We are witnessing a significant milestone that allows us to pause for a moment and reflect on past achievements even as we look forward to the opportunities that await us in the coming decades.

Dalhousie University: A 200th Anniversary Portrait

Dalhousie University: A 200th Anniversary Portrait, curated by Mona Holmlund with the opening epic poem by celebrated poet and alumnus George Elliott Clarke, is a profound exploration into the past, present and future of Dalhousie University.   To order your copy of  A 200th Anniversary Portrait Dalhousie University, visit Dalhousie University Bookstore.

“Dalhousie’s 200th anniversary is an occasion to celebrate our past, thank those who have contributed to our success, and look to the future.  Throughout these pages, see what we have achieved together, and dream about what’s next.”

President’s Message

Dr. Richard Florizone, Dalhousie’ 11th President

Dalhousie University: A 200th Anniversary Portrait

Dalhousie University: A 200th Anniversary Portrait

Dr. Kathleen Kevany: Eating as a political, social, spiritual act: The World Peace Diet

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Eating as a political, social, spiritual act: The World Peace Diet

File 20180814 2894 12p57bc.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1
Moving to a plant-based diet is one of the top things we can do to stop climate change.
Photo by William Felker/Unsplash

Kathleen Kevany, Dalhousie University

We must believe that we are capable of creating “a place of love and mutual assistance and understanding.” This is how visionary Tim Berners-Lee described the utopianist John Perry Barlow at the time of his death, adding: “I don’t think he was naïve.”

Our current climate change crisis calls for this type of bold, inspiring and transformative action. The book Drawdown, The Most Comprehensive Plan to Reverse Global Warming, put out by Project Drawdown, explains, maps, measures and models solutions that are already in place.

“Drawing down” occurs when we succeed in reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere on a year-to-year basis. This is not a daydream. We are currently achieving this on a small scale. If we scale up these efforts we can reverse global warming.

Escalating climate change need not be inevitable like the duration of this summer’s extreme heat. It is not too vast or too hard or too complex for us to tackle. It is the most important goal for humanity to undertake at this time.

Eight of the top 25 actions to achieve this reversal involve food. Each one of us can rethink the food we are producing, eating and wasting. And we can call for more government and industry action to support sustainable food systems.


Nothing more fully and powerfully influences the daily lives of everyone than our food.
Alexandr Podvalny/Unsplash

The World Peace Diet offers one way. This diet encourages mindful eating. Advocates say that many animal-based eaters become so largely because of cultural, social and familial pressures. They argue that it is not necessary to carry on these unexamined and outmoded traditions.

Food impacts everything

Eating is personal, public and political and impacts all aspects of human life. Nothing more fully and powerfully influences the daily lives of everyone than our food, food choices and food systems. Food is a tool to nourish life but also for taking political action and for averting the dangers of climate change and preventing unnecessary harm.

If we shift to plant-based diets and plant-rich living, our water, land and fuel will be used more efficiently and ethically. When we channel grains and legumes to animals and away from human consumption we make it more challenging for small producers to compete in the global supply chain and for the poor to obtain adequate nourishment.

An array of problems arise from animal agriculture — diet-related diseases, food insecurity and inequality, hunger as well as obesity, escalating health-care costs, animal commodification, along with water and air pollution, biodiversity loss and soil deterioration and land degradation.


Left to right, Brad Wall, former premier for Saskatchewan, his wife Tami, film director James Cameron and his with Suzy speak with local farmer Albert Vandebery prior to their funding announcement for a new pulse food processing facility in Vanscoy, Sask., last September.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

As it takes many times the resources to produce the same amount of food through animal products, eating more plants and less meat, dairy and eggs would enable a fairer distribution of the world’s food and resources.

Many researchers and activists are calling for more sustainable global food systems.

A report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on “livestock’s long shadow” shows that animal agriculture — meat production and consumption — is heating up and polluting the planet’s resources.

Sustainability researcher Marco Springmann and his team, with the Future of Food project and the British Heart Foundation predict that the global adoption of a vegetarian diet would result in 7.3 million less deaths per year. A massive swing to a vegan diet, experts say, would result in additional prevention of obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular mortality.

The Plant-based Prevention Of Disease conference, hosts events to educate the public that plant-based diets can prevent diseases. And Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary, a political, social and spiritual movement challenges us when saying, “If we can live well without causing unnecessary harm, why wouldn’t we?”

Leaders of such organisations imagine a world where all beings are fed, loved and nurtured. It seems such imaginings offer pretty good returns. We will all benefit from the outcomes of this type of diet change: people will be healthier, there will be less premature death and disability, and provincial budgets could save some resources to attend to additional priorities beyond health care.

Plant-rich living, mindful eating

Animals suffer and lose their lives to the food system, but workers in slaughterhouses also face precarious, psychologically demanding, low-paying jobs.

As writer Jonathan Safran Foer suggests, this system often treats “living animals like dead ones.” Human workers fare only slightly better. Slaughterhouse work is physically demanding and exacts significant mental and emotional strain.


Reducing meat consumption is better for the planet and also more ethical as no animals are harmed.
Sam Carter/Unsplash

Maybe our ignorance is not so surprising. The opaque nature of our food systems – including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) – is by design. Ag-Gag laws, are present in “virtually every significant livestock producing state.” These laws make it a “crime for anyone, including employees of CAFOs, to take pictures that document animal abuse or environmental violations.”

When it comes to food choices, we are encouraged not to examine exploitative relationships with animals or other people. Humans have become ‘rationalizing, ready to disregard science, morals and our well-being, so we can slaughter and consume animals.

By reducing animal agriculture, we also could improve health, stabilize grain prices, enhance food security and prevent unnecessary harm and violence. Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet says:

“Food is a source and metaphor of life, love, generosity, celebration, pleasure, reassurance, acquisition and consumption. While concurrently, it can be a metaphor of control, domination, cruelty, and death. Eating can be a purposeful, intimate act, a regime of self-care and love, and a powerful political message.” In the wise words of the Lorax by Dr. Seuss, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

We can choose a non-violent lifestyle. We could choose not to take a life to eat. We could eat an array of nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables to meet our nutritional requirements without giving up on taste or satisfaction.

Movie director, James Cameron isn’t launching the biggest pea protein production facility in Canada because he thinks it will be an idea that will fade. This is the way forward.

Peas are loaded with helpful vitamins like K that strengthens bone health. They provide high fiber, low fat and a powerful source of vegetable protein. And when fresh they taste like summer in your mouth.

Choosing peas can help to build the place of love and mutual assistance and understanding that John Perry Barlow envisioned. Food could be our greatest vehicle for more peaceful, mindful and sustainable living.

Kathleen Kevany, Associate Professor Sustainable Food Systems, Director of Rural Research Centre, Dalhousie University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Denise Hinds & Patrick Law: Grand Champions, Deeper Learning

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Denise Hinds

Denise Hinds

The Centre for Executive and Graduate Education (CEGE) provides opportunities for deeper learning by delivering robust course content in ways that engage students to study, integrate and apply what they have learned. Deeper learning fosters competencies required to participate within our social milieu: critical thinking, collaborative and communication skills.  CEGE’s commitment to their students was dramatically evidenced in the GLO-BUS Simulation introduced by Dr. Carolan McLarney in the 2018 winter semester of International Business.

GLO-BUS is an International Business Strategy Simulation. Participants run companies that compete for global market leadership in two product categories: (1) wearable video cameras that deliver stunning video quality and have powerful photo capture capabilities (comparable to those designed and marketed by global industry leader GoPro) and (2) sophisticated camera-equipped copter drones that incorporate a company designed and assembled action- capture camera and that are sold to commercial enterprises.

Patrick Law

Denise Hinds, Patrick Law and Golnaz Zilabi were members of “IRIS Cameras,” the class team that finished 1st place in the GLO-BUS simulation exercise conducted during IB Winter 2018. In late July, an invitation was given to “IRIS Cameras” to participate  in the GLO-BUS Best-Strategy Invitational (BSI), an event to manage a GLO-BUS company in competition against companies from 10 to 11 other universities and business schools. The Invitational was to be conducted online from July 30 – August 18 and entailed a 10-round playing of GLO-BUS among participants from universities worldwide. Denise and Patrick accepted an invitation to represent Dalhousie University.

Dr. Carolan McLarney is delighted to announce that Denise and Patrick, under the company name ‘Jenuine Cameras’ won first place on August 10, 2018, becoming the 2018 GLO-BUS BSI “Grand Champions”.

CEGE Connection reached out to Denise and Patrick for their insights into the BSI Invitational:

Denise Hinds & Patrick Law:

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ‘What’s in it for me?’”

Brian Tracey

When we set out on the BSI journey, we agreed that we must believe that the product or service of our company would benefit others and be good for the world.  We decided to name our company ‘Jenuine’ as a play on the word ‘Genuine’ and a way to represent our business beliefs.  In addition, we were drawn to the meaning of “jen” which signifies “the cardinal Confucian virtue of benevolence to one’s fellowmen.”

 “Begin with the end in mind.”

Stephen Covey

From the start, we worked with two principles to give us the edge over the other schools:

  1. Long-term fundamentals beat short-term decisions every time: Other competitors will focus on short term gains because it feels good “in the moment” but does not guarantee long-term results.   We used this knowledge to our advantage and directed our efforts on choosing sustainable strategies.
  2. Measure what matters and ignore what doesn’t:  Rather than revisiting past trends to determine whether our strategies were working out, we stayed focused on our competitive advantages. In the end, our company fundamentals were the most important benchmarks of our performance and success.

“In business, I look for economic castles protected by unbreachable moats.”

Warren Buffett

Speaking of competitive advantages, we wanted to set up a “moat”.   We realized early on that our product had to be as different as possible in good ways.  As Sir John Templeton once wrote, “If you want to have a better performance than the crowd, you must do things differently from the crowd.”  We focused on developing a long term durable competitive advantage by selling/producing our products with larger margins than our competitors. To learn more on this topic, there is a great article on moats (durable competitive advantages): Measuring the Moat by Vishal Khandelwal.

“…investing isn’t about beating others at their game. It’s about controlling yourself at your own game.”

Benjamin Graham

We did several things to buy into the inherent margin of safety, from our high cumulative R&D approach; our sensitivity analysis activity; to the number of workstations added and robotic upgrade investments.   Of course, forecasting and competitive assumptions played a significant role, as did marketing our product well.  We agreed with Henry Ford, that “stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time”. 

The best way for us to strategize our next move, was to try to understand our competitors by preparing for every round.  This in turn required us to review the competitive intelligence report, financial statistics, benchmarks pages to see if we were meeting or beating our targets (in order of importance). In the words of Warren Buffett, “risks come from not knowing what you’re doing.”

What do business students need to know?

“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.”

Samuel Johnson.

In everything we do, we must do it with integrity. As business students, we need to make long-term decisions for those long-term benefits.  As students in the MBA (Leadership) stream, we chose to get involved in an extra-curricular activity to showcase our talents and education.  We discovered that the GLO-BUS Best Strategy Invitational was not just about business strategies, ethics, marketing, competitor assumptions, financials, or player psychology.  It was about a deeper, more profound recognition that we are involved within a global community that requires our highest participation and best efforts.

Dalhousie University and, in particular, the Centre for Executives and Graduate Education (CEGE) offers students the required lessons, the deeper learning to thrive within the competitive world of business. More importantly, CEGE creates an inclusive environment that fosters critical thinking about engaging within a world that offers many opportunities and possibilities.

DAL200: Fashion Statement 1818

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“Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.”

 Jane Austen

Regency Fashion, Photo Credit Michelle Hunter

Regency Fashion, Photo Credit Michelle Hunter

Michelle Hunter attended a DAL200 display of Regency Fashion that featured fashion designs of 1818, the year Lord Dalhousie received the royal approval to establish Dalhousie University via Lord Bathurst.  For those fashionistas who enjoy following historical fashion trends, this post is dedicated to you!

The year 1818 is at the end of the Regency period (1811-1820).  At this time, Canada was mostly under British rule.  Therefore, fashion was very much inspired by what was worn in England.  The Regency era is famous for its high-waisted, Empire-line silhouettes reminiscent of Ancient Greek dress.  Ladies of the Regency era typically owned various types of gowns for different occasions and times of the day, such as morning dresses, walking dresses, and evening dresses.

Regency Fashion, Photo Credit Michelle Hunter

Regency Fashion, Photo Credit Michelle Hunter

The dress presented here would likely have been an evening gown, worn by a well-to-do woman of the middle class, or by a higher-class woman.  In 1818, waistlines were very high at just below the bust.  Embroidery, appliques, and flounces on skirts were very popular. Lace overlays and tulle were also widely used that year.  Machine-made net and gauze had been on the rise since around 1810.

Men’s dress was very much inspired by dandyism (being preoccupied with fashion but appearing nonchalant about it) and the Romantic movement. Dark colours of rich cloth (such as velvet) were very fashionable, as were short hairstyles and high boots.  Breeches were on a decline and being replaced by pants or trousers.  A typical Regency man would have worn the three-piece suit, consisting of the pants/trousers, a waistcoat, and a coat.  A white linen shirt would also have been worn underneath the waistcoat, as well as a neckcloth or cravat around the neck.  The black silk top hat was preferred by most men of the time.  Overall, the Regency era favoured long and lean silhouettes and is often associated with tales of romance and Jane Austen. (This information was recorded on the 1818 Information signage on display. See photo below)

Regency Fashion, Photo Credit Michelle Hunter

Regency Fashion, Photo Credit Michelle Hunter

DAL 200: Coast to Coast: The Last Leg of the Journey

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DAL200 Bus

 

Dalhousie University is taking the DAL 200 festivities coast to coast. The DAL 200 Bus is charting a course across Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax, to celebrate Dalhousie’s 200th anniversary milestone with our vibrant alumni communities. The last leg of the journey begins September 13th at Saint John.  Next stops are Charlottetown (September 14th), St. John’s (September 17) and Truro (September 27th). Join alumni and friends, notable guest speakers and Dalhousie leaders for a memorable evening of celebration for Dal’s 200th.

Homecoming Weekend 2018 from September 27 – 30th.

DAL 200 – An unparalleled year of celebration.

A time to imagine our third century, together.

Saint John

Coast to Coast: Saint John 2018

Thursday, September 13, 2018

New Brunswick Museum

Charlottetown

Coast to Coast: Charlottetown 2018

Friday, September 14, 2018

Prince Edward Island Convention Centre

St. John's

Coast to Coast: St. John’s 2018

Monday, September 17, 2018

The Rooms

Truro

Coast to Coast: Truro 2018

Thursday, September 27, 2018

MacRae Library, Dalhousie University

Dal200a

François Trépanier: A Strong Voice for Innes Ward, Ottawa

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François Trépanier, MPA(M) 2009

François Trépanier, MPA(M) 2009

“While in Ottawa, I was delighted to meet with MPA(M) alumnus, François Trépanier! After a very distinguished career with the Federal Government, François has thrown his hat in the political ring! He is a candidate in Innes Ward, Ottawa, with a strong and progressive platform on environment and municipal transportation.”

Martine Durier-Copp

Martine Durier-Copp & François Trépanier

Martine Durier-Copp & François Trépanier

François Trépanier MPA(M) graduated in the Class of 2009.  He embarked on his MPA(M) journey while serving as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, a career that spanned 28 years.  François’s pursuit of knowledge continued after graduation when he went on to complete a M.Ed degree.  Michelle Hunter recalls, “François was a stellar student and always brought much to the conversation.”

CEGE Connection reached out to François on the campaign trail. François graciously took time out of his busy schedule to discuss his vision and dedication to his community.  October 22, 2018 is Voting Day.  CEGE Connection will be following the election with great interest.  Our thoughts and best wishes will be with François, his wife Laurie, and children, Victoria and Justin, during this exciting time.

François Trépanier:

I want to be a strong voice for Innes Ward, Ottawa. This is where my family chose to live and volunteer within a vibrant and compassionate community.

Innes Ward is one of the greatest areas in the City of Ottawa, rich in people, culture, and scenic beauty. Surrounded by the lush greenbelt, family friendly parks and outstanding recreation spaces, the neighbourhoods of Innes Ward are the ideal places to live, work and play.

Innes Ward

As Innes Ward city council candidate, I want to be a STRONG VOICE FOR INNES.

The knowledge and experience acquired during my career in the Canadian Armed Forces and, more recently, operating a successful training consulting business with clients located in the City of Ottawa, has prepared me to serve the citizens of the Innes Ward.

The Community

I believe that together, we can continue to make our ward a great place for our families, ensure the protection of our environment and encourage a vibrant and growing local economy.

François Trépanier
September 2018

 

Homecoming 2018 – Welcoming Dalhousie’s Third Century

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Homecoming 2018

2018 celebrates DAL200, the historic 200-year milestone for Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie’s Homecoming 2018 will be known as the Homecoming that welcomed Dalhousie’s third century.  Update your contact information to make sure you don’t miss out on receiving your Homecoming invitation!

The Rowe Atrium

On September 29, 2018 at 9:00 am, the Faculty of Management will be hosting a breakfast in the Rowe atrium.  Join Dr. Tony Walker in room 1020 for a panel discussion, followed shortly thereafter by Dr. Rick Nason’s “Rick’s Rant.” Weather permitting, Dr. Peter Duinker will be leading a walking tour of the 200th Anniversary learning groves.

Rick's Rant September 29, 2018While many of us will be unable to attend Homecoming 2018, highlights will be shared via social media and Dalhousie News. Homecoming 2018 is about being members of a remarkable alumni community that remains committed to life-long learning and academic excellence. We look forward to your contribution within our CEGE Connection community.  You will be joining other like-minded individuals who share our vision of inspiring transformative solutions for society.

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