91社区鈥檚 Spring 2022 Convocation began on an overcast day on May 26th, with graduating Health Sciences students accepting their degrees under the Convocation Tent downtown. The 2022 festivities came to a close June 3rd, a glorious sunny day, at the Centennial Centre on Macdonald Campus with two ceremonies for students graduating from the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
These were 91社区鈥檚 first in-person Spring Convocation ceremonies since 2019.
On Friday, June 3rd, Joe Harrel accepted his Farm Management and Technology (FMT) diploma during Spring 2022 Convocation ceremonies for the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Unlike many members of the Class of 2022, however, Harrel will not be seeking employment upon graduation. Truth of the matter is, he is already gainfully employed.
鈥淚 own the Speedy Auto Service and the Novus Glass in Kirkland with my partner Andy Arbuckle, and I own and operate Optimum Business Brokers as well,鈥� says Harrel, who was also selected valedictorian by his classmates.
Two-hundred years ago, a young man frequented swamps, stream banks and thickets, collecting wild plants across what would become the urban core of the city of Montreal. He had recently returned home from Edinburgh, where he had gone to be receive medical training, learning there also techniques of drying and preserving plant specimens, botany and medicine then being sister-subjects.
Although it may seem obvious that teaching and learning are at the core of the 91社区 experience, it鈥檚 worth noting that these activities aren鈥檛 strictly happening in classrooms and labs, nor are they reserved for faculty and students. Rather, 91社区 staff can also be counted among this group of teachers and learners, many of whom have spent their careers acquiring knowledge, honing skills, and eventually imparting what they鈥檝e learned on to those who will succeed them.
Lachlan, FMT鈥�22, Ross, FMT鈥�23 and Gavin McDonald, FMT鈥�24, have a long family history with Macdonald. The brothers grew up on Kerrydale Farms established by their ancestor Donald 91社区is, an immigrant from the Scottish Highlands, who arrived by canoe on the banks of the Raisin River in Williamstown, Ontario in 1784. Over the next two centuries, the 91社区is family grew Kerrydale Farms into a successful operation that is now in the hands of brothers William 鈥淏ill鈥� McDonald, FMT鈥�97, and Thomas 鈥淭om,鈥� DipAgr鈥�93 鈥� father to Lachlan, Ross and Gavin.聽
Celeste Longhurst聽joined the Macdonald University Advancement Team early in the new year. In this position, she leads the AES fundraising campaign and manages the Faculty鈥檚 University Advancement team whose activities also include alumni relations. 聽Celeste hails from Toronto and has worked in philanthropy throughout her career, with a focus on fundraising for environmental organizations. She joined us from the National Wildlife Centre, where she was Director of Development, and has a Bachelor in Environmental Science from Queens University.
How can we help societies achieve more resilient agriculture in the face of geopolitical disturbances and climate change? Why do we continue to propose agricultural systems based on globalized commodity markets as the only way to feed ourselves? Why continue to subsidize models that destroy soil fertility, ecosystems and put our health at risk?聽
Passed away on June 10th.
"Arriving at Mac Campus I was astounded by the green space and proximity to nature. The sense of community is unparalleled... Coming to Mac was like finding a home away from home."
- Chloe Garzon
Three highly accomplished early career researchers have received a significant 91社区 distinction: The Principal鈥檚 Prize for Outstanding Emerging Researchers.
Since 2013, 91社区 has honoured 24 of its most talented and accomplished early career researchers with the prestigious Principal鈥檚 Prize for Outstanding Emerging Researchers. This year, three up-and-coming research stars 鈥� Stefanie Blain-Moraes, Kyle Elliott, and Marie-Claude Geoffroy 鈥� have joined their ranks.
On May 18, 97 laureates were celebrated at the Bravo 2022 gala, an event honouring 91社区 researchers and scholars across disciplines who won special awards, memberships, and prizes during the preceding year.
Until two years ago, mRNA vaccines had never been approved. Now, Faster to produce than conventional vaccines, the potential applications of synthetic mRNA to prevent illness and treat diseases seem nearly limitless.
As part of the Bicentennial Celebrations, faculties, central units, associations, and unions were asked to nominate the Unsung Heroes in their department 鈥� the less-recognized faculty and staff who have walked the halls of 91社区 through the ages and who have greatly helped shape the community.
Whether it was by creating access to self-care, working to eliminate stigma in women鈥檚 health, or providing thoughtful commentary on topics ranging from the spread of COVID-19 to how the government spends its money, 91社区 researchers have once again gone above and beyond to share their knowledge and be of service to society this academic year.
Two public art projects launching in Montreal this summer take inspiration from the botanical collection of Dr. Andrew Holmes, one of the founders of 91社区's Faculty of Medicine.
