Class Notes
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retired after 56 years as the clergy at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Dartmouth, NS.
is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury and has been awarded one of the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation Emerging Research Fellowships.
was named on the 100 Top Women to Watch of 2024 from Canada International Black Women Excellence at the Black Pearls Gala.
has his second Project T-Dot art exhibit at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport until January 2025. It showcases his 18-year documentary project on Toronto’s hip-hop legacy and is Canada’s largest exhibit on hip-hop culture.
moved into a new home in BC after completing qualitative research on pro-environmental behaviour at Western.
released her debut book, a memoir entitled With Love from Bali.
Julie Campbell, BHSc’02, BScN’14, MN’16
and her family celebrated Homecoming from an aerial view thanks to the Western Cheerleaders.
a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur now co-owns the online art gallery, ARTWRK.ca.
won the New Quarterly’s 2024 Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest for The Isabel Letters, an essay about his correspondence with Canadian writer, Isabel Huggan, BA’65. Both Geoff and Isabel will appear together at the Wild Writers Festival in Waterloo, November 1-3, 2024.
delivered a TED Talk on radical self-care as part of TEDxEtobicoke in June 2024.
welcomed baby Carlos in May 2024. Carols shares a birthday with Sami.
released Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: A Path to Reconciliation in Our Divided Times in September 2024. The book reflects on an epic 13-month, 53-city, 26,403-mile road trip across Canada and the United States.
celebrated 2024 Homecoming with her best friend Aloka Wijesooriya, BHSc’16, at Western’s Alumni Awards celebration.
celebrated her 80th birthday with a 6.5 hour hike to Excelsior Mountain, Washington with her dog Marley.
is appointed professor of comparative law at the University of Oxford as of October 1, 2024.
launched a podcast aimed at challenging normative behaviours and expectations in the business world. Coffee With Her goes beyond industry practices, taking a holistic approach to encourage meaningful change.
released his novel Garbage Boy -The High Bar of Low Expectations in December 2023, the sequel to SCARRED.
passed away in November 2023. Howard played basketball at Western under coach Jack Fairs and is missed by his loved ones.
Enjoying the fall campus weather in purple fashion with my best friend Daisy Gao, MEd’16.
has been nominated for a Theater Library Association of New York City’s annual award for his book, Al Christie: Hollywood’s Forgotten Film Pioneer. The award recognizes performing arts scholarship that demonstrates exemplary use and interpretation of library and archival collections.
retired from the Toronto District School Board as curriculum leader and teacher in June 2022.
and classmates celebrated a Medway Hall reunion in August 2024.
William (Bill) Thomas, HBA’63, MSc’67, MDiv’80
and wife Jette Thomas (nee Petersen), BA’64, celebrated their 60th anniversary on August 24, 2024.
Robin Bailey-Chen, BA’87, MA’89
will be the new director of campus support for Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative, western (US) region. In this role, she will help address antisemitism on university campuses.
was appointed senior vice president & chief marketing officer of Global Industrial Company, effective August 12, 2024.
passed away on December 11, 2023. Todd was a proud member of the 1979 Yates Cup winning football team. Well respected in a long career with General Motors and General Dynamics, Todd had a passion for military history, sports, politics and music. He is greatly missed by his loved ones.
joins the administration team at the Lambton Kent District School Board as an elementary vice principal in September 2024, after 21 years as a secondary special education teacher and coordinator of services.
published her first work of fiction, HR Can Be Murder. The novel explores interpersonal relationships, the complexities of navigating work expectations, and the importance of personal growth – all in the context of a murder mystery.
passed away in Leamington, Ontario on July 27, 2024 at the age of 94. Donald spent three years with Ford Canada and a family tire business before a 32-year career in education with the Windsor Board of Education.
published Culture Clubs: The Real Fate of Societies in July 2022.
purchased their childhood home in Ontario in 2024.
has published her second novel, Cicada Summer in June 2024. The book follows Husha, a young woman who discovers an unsettling short story collection penned by her late mother.
was nominated as a Heritage Champion in June 2024 as part of the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the creation of Lambton County, Ontario.
received the 2023 Civic Accessibility Award from the City of Pickering for significant contributions to the well-being and advancement of people with accessibility requirements.
began a new role in 2024 as a patient care coordinator for a sexual health clinic.
accepted a new position with the University of New Brunswick as associate professor and chair of applied research in sales.
wrote their debut novel Dotted Lines, available on Oct. 1, 2024. This work of fiction takes place on Western’s campus.
Scenes from our Canadian University Alumni Homecoming 2024 Ñ a joint school celebration of Homecoming for 24 Canadian schools. Our Western/ Ivey squad were strongly represented and we all had a great time getting to know fellow alumni!
Celebrated Homecoming 2017.
launched The Ultimate Entrepreneur’s Handbook in June 2024, a how-to guide on starting and growing a business.
is the co-editor and co-author of The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in the Legal Profession, published in April 2024.
was awarded the University of Toronto Faculty of Music’s Teaching Award. The award recognizes excellence, commitment and innovation in teaching, as well as the recipient’s role in enhancing the student experience.
Paramvir Vassan, MPH’13, MPH’13
and family welcomed their first child, a baby boy on February 9, 2024.
retired from the Ontario Fire Marshal in October 2023 after 31 years as a forensic fire protection engineer.
graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2024 with a master of education in education policy and analysis.
has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Liszt Society as editor of the ALS Newsletter. Other ALS activities have included artistic director of the 2018 Liszt Festival and a jurist for the 2021 Los Angeles International Liszt Competition.
released her debut novella The Dragonfly Gambit in April 2024. Anna is a Theodore A. Sturgeon Memorial Award finalist, and her Pushcart-nominated writing has appeared in many publications.
got into a master’s program for physiotherapy in 2024.
John Holland, Artist Diploma’01, MMus’04, Artist Diploma’01, MMus’04
published The Lost Tradition of Dvo≈ôák’s Operas: Myth, Music, and Nationalism in October 2023. The book examines Antonín Dvo≈ôák’s operas and vindicates and validates him as an often-overlooked opera composer. This research began at Western.
welcomed Margaret “Maggie” Christen Siobhan Griffin, born December 29, 2023.
became a Canadian citizen in April 2024 after six years in Canada and three years with Western University.
As a staff member, Homecoming has become so special to me. Seeing grads from 50+ years return to campus to relive their memories at the Golden Anniversary Brunch is always a favourite. Their stories remind me why Western and our alumni are so special.
became a sculptor after almost 30 years in the telecommunications industry. His sculpture of Terry Fox was installed at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
helped the Texas Rangers win the 2023 MLB World Series championship as their manager of pitching analysis.
started a new position within the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western in September 2023.
had a beautiful baby girl in March 2024.
published two books in 2023 for a total of eight. She created and contributed to her own anthology, Canada: Brave New World, as well as Maggie, her mother’s unfinished book, which she published through her own imprint Peache House Press.
was purple and proud in Antarctica this past December, completing her goal of travelling to all seven continents.
was nominated for a Juno Award for “Best Underground Dance Single” in 2024 with his production/DJ duo Smalltown DJs.
married Zoey Kapusinski in Toronto, ON, in April 2024.
passed away peacefully at his home in Kyle, Texas on April 15, 2024. Cles worked as a lighting technician at the Stork Club as a teenager, before pursuing his medical degree at Western.
From first-year student in 2014 to alum and employee Ñ 11 years of Western Homecoming memories! Grateful to keep celebrating with purple pride, then and now. HereÕs to many more!
William (Bill) Schoedel, BA’51, MA’52
passed away on April 1, 2024 at age 94. After Western, Bill attended the University of Chicago, ending with a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christian studies. He had a successful career as a university professor. Bill was an avid reader of all subjects, particularly music and nature.
Betty Seldon-MacFarlane, BA’48, MLS’70
passed away in London on February 9, 2024. Betty taught in the Department of Secretarial Sciences and was an executive assistant for two Western presidents. She retired from Western in 1988, receiving the designation Professor Emerita. Betty had a reputation as a perpetual optimist, always looking on the bright side, as evidenced by her ever-present smile. She will be missed by her loved ones.
became a partner of Metcalfe, Blainey & Burns LLP (MBB Law) in February 2024 and was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario.
has joined the team of dedicated primary care physicians at Holy Cross Medical Group’s Wilton Manors office in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He has a deep-rooted interest in preventative medicine, sexual health, LGBTQ+ health and HIV medicine.
published a book on the crisis of meaning in society amid several chaotic world issues.
started Alibi – a software platform helping nightlife venues boost sales and retention. Alibi was selected out of thousands of applicants for Techstars Silicon Valley – the world’s largest pre-seed investor and accelerator.
was elected as the President of the Hamilton Law Association in 2023-24. Hussein is the first Muslim and refugee to become president of an Ontario law association.
released her first children’s novel Maya Plays the Part, featuring autism representation in a story with musical flair.
has published their first book, Microaggressions in Medicine (co-authored with Lauren Freeman) by Oxford University Press. The book analyzes microaggressions that occur in medical contexts and their harmful consequences.
passed away on February 12, 2024. After graduating from Western, he studied at UofT and returned to Sarnia to take over his dad’s pharmacy. Neil and his much-loved wife Fay married in 1955 and had three children. He will be remembered for his kindness and humour.
Julia Devereux, HBA’25,BHSc’25
Getting in the spirit for Homecoming with my roommates!
was appointed to the University of Calgary’s Board of Governors in March 2023.
was awarded the silver medal at the 2024 Skate Ontario Adult Figure Skating Championships in Kanata, Ontario in the Silver Artistic event. Emily also achieved a season-best score in the Silver Freeskate event and is looking forward to training again for the 2024-25 season.
published her first poetry collection, Northerny, with the University of Alberta Press in February 2024.
competed against 26 other past champions on the top-rated US quiz show Jeopardy! in the Season 39 Wild Card Tournament. His quarterfinal aired on February 14, 2024.
released the English version of their third book of fiction, Illusion of Power. The story takes place in Montreal’s city hall about a mayor who confronts administrative and political pitfalls while navigating his personal life.
shares their fourth digital solo album, Michel Bonin Plays Love Songs, a collection of 11 classic instrumental piano tunes.
won the Pottersfield Prize for Creative Nonfiction for his debut memoir, Hell of a Ride, about a 7,000-kilometre solo bicycle trek across Canada in support of mental health initiatives. The book comes out March 15, 2024.
Farah Ismail, BScN’00, MScN’03
is a masters prepared nurse and lawyer. Check out the attached feature in Lexpert Magazine about her journey as SVP, Chief Legal/ Privacy / Compliance at SE Health.
published a children’s book in February 2024. With This Note is a story about listening to your body and trusting your gut feelings.
will celebrate the release of her debut picture book in March 2024. Published by Amicus Ink, Was It a Cat I Saw? is the story of a lost cat, a found friend and a girl who speaks only in palindromes.
celebrated her wedding in Sanya, China with other Western alumni in January 2024.
will marry Andrew Pople in June 2024.
is the artist and internationally recognized calligrapher behind @peakpaperco. Her guided grief journal titled Forget You Not from Blue Star Press & Penguin Random House releases in February 2024.
and Amar Gupta, MBA’17, founded brüst protein coffee and were featured on CBC’s Dragons’ Den in January 2024. They received three offers and closed one deal with Arlene Dickinson to fund their functional coffee business. brüst is now available at Costco, Loblaws, and through retailers across Canada.
is the Executive Director at Level, a national justice education and human rights nonprofit. Shelan is leading Level in building a future of equity and justice through innovative programs focused on youth, law students and the legal sector.
is the president of SXULTRASONIC Group, an innovative research and development enterprise based in Shenzhen, China. In 2023, the company was named Top Drug Discovery and Solutions Provider in Asia-Pacific, awarded by Pharma Tech Outlook magazine.
Kent Floreani, DDS’87, MClD’92
celebrates being accepted to dental school 40 years ago. Kent is still working part-time and plans to ski and travel in 2024.
welcomed twin daughters Kaia and Isabel on October 24, 2023. Mom and dad are very excited to welcome the mini Mustangs to their family.
died in March 2023 in Hamilton, ON at the age of 97. Trained as a medic during World War Two and later specializing in ENT, Don worked at the Hamilton McGregor clinic from 1954-1981.
has joined the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), NATO’s new flagship innovation program, as Communications Director. She will be taking up her post in London, UK in early 2024.
published their first book Authentic Collaboration: A Bridge to Meaningful Connection in 2023. The book is about developing healthier relationships with yourself, others and the Earth.
began Somewhat Grumpy Press Inc. in the spring of 2021. At that time, the company had published one book. The company now has 10 non-fiction titles from six authors, and more coming soon.
is hosting a 40th class reunion on Homecoming weekend, Sept. 27 to 29, 2024. Please contact ldferland@comcast.net and linda.sinnaeve@hotmail.com for more information.