Class Notes
Read news and updates submitted by fellow alumni by date submitted, news category, faculty of graduation, decade or search for a name. Share your news here.
retired from Western in July 2023 and is a professor emerita in political science. She now holds the prestigious endowed Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership and is Full Professor of Political Studies at Trent University.
and Brandon Harvey, MD’18, purchased their first home together in Carp, ON in November 2023.
and Brandon Harvey, MD’18, welcomed their son, Ellis, in July 2022.
joined Neuberger & Partners LLP Criminal Lawyers as a senior partner in Toronto.
passed away peacefully from acute Lymphoma on December 2, 2021 in Ottawa.
published her most recent book Behind the Mask in October 2023. It includes profiles of 12 legendary hockey goalies, emphasizing the personality traits that make each one unique.
purchased their first home in Glen Cairn, London, ON.
received the Governance Professional of the Year from the Governance Professionals of Canada 2023 Excellence in Governance Awards.
got the job of their dreams as a school board speech-language pathologist.
was recognized in November 2023 by WXN as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in the Amex Emerging Leaders category, recognizing women who have been targeted for successive leadership positions within their organization.
is a senior advisor at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Policy Centre.
passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023 after a 33-year career as a nurse at the Chatham-Kent and Lambton Public Health Units.
Cherish De la Cruz, BA’98, BA’98
joined The Manely Firm P.C. as a managing estate planning attorney.
self-published a novel called Closer to Indigo in September 2022. Set in Victoria, BC, the story takes us through the months that lead to the lead character’s pilgrimage in Spain.
published his first book The Book of Benjamin from Palimpsest Press in October 2023. This literary essay on names, birth and grief is the testament of both a son and a father, contrasting genealogy with larger communal narratives.
published Museums and Societal Collapse: The Museum as Lifeboat in September 2023. This book presents evidence and theories around collapse and extinction while highlighting the responsibility of museums in our changing world.
released two novels in October 2023 from Cometcatcher Press. She Runs with Wolves, He Sits with Kittens is a snarky Toronto-set rom-com and The Gravity of Guilt is a future Earth-colony sci-fi thriller.
accepted the Executive Director position at the Elgin-St Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre. Jodi is passionate about vocational rehabilitation and employment services and continues to be an advocate in her role.
passed away August 3, 2023 in Kingston, ON. She led a distinguished career at the Montreal General Hospital, becoming head nurse of the Postpartum Unit. In 1987 she wed Ron Cunningham and moved to enjoy retirement in the Thousand Islands region.
won a Cannes Lions award for the second year in a row with OLG. The program celebrates creative campaigns in the lottery and gaming sector.
passed away in June 2023 after 27 years of achievements. She was a dedicated environmental, social and governance analyst, a climate action promoter, a mentor to and supporter of youth, and a graceful, silent cancer fighter.
Reshel Perera, BSc’16, MMASc’17, MPH’19
and Jason Knapp, BSc’17, MSc’19, met through Western University during a study-abroad semester in Uganda in 2017. Jason proposed on campus in September 2021 and they were married in March 2023.
recently secured a position at Lambton College as an alumni and donor relations coordinator.
was elected as a member of Parliament for Oxford, Ontario in June 2023.
published his third book, Someone Like Her with Orenda Books in August 2023. Awais’ writing has garnered immense critical acclaim and was reviewed by magazines and newspapers in the UK and Pakistan.
recently published his professional autobiography and fourth book, My Experiences in Medicine, Theology, and Along the Way. His fascinating experiences began as a pioneer in space clinical medicine and ended as an interim minister and explorer of spiritual healing.
is a professor emeritus of clinical psychology at the University of Calgary. In 2023, Keith was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his advocacy in mental health and the promotion of evidence-based practice.
Andrea Wishart, BSc’10, MSc’14
defended her Ph.D. in August, and married Steven Denis in September 2023 in Saskatoon, SK.
returned to London after two years and started a new job at Western in University Advancement in 2023.
landed a teaching contract with the Peel District School Board right out of teacher’s college. She is grateful to Althouse and its outstanding professors.
recently became a self-published author.
came out of retirement and began a new role as Director & Integration Lead, Human Resources at AgeCare, a seniors’ residential community.
published his third book, 101 Fascinating Canadian Music Facts featuring stories and surprising facts collected coast to coast.
recently had their young adult novel, The Sound of a Rainbow recommended by CBC Books. Sharon is a guest speaker at the Niagara Parks Coast to Coast Literary Series, Canada’s Family Women in November 2023.
an assistant professor of history at Saint Mary’s University, published her first book, The American Liberty Pole: Popular Politics and the Struggle for Democracy in the Early Republic with UVA Press in October 2023.
partner John, and enthusiastic big brother Rory welcomed baby Isaac Edward to the world in May 2023.
became Chief Medical Officer for NuraLogix, an AI tech company which was recently featured on CNN’s The Next Frontier.
wrote a children’s book, Kyla and Kyra Go To School.
became the first Toronto police officer to summit Nepal’s Lobuche East Peak – a 6,119m mountain in April 2023. Tom’s Road to 8000M project raises awareness of first responder mental health as he works towards summiting some of the world’s highest peaks.
Bruce Curtis, BA’84, MA’86, MPA’92
was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Canadian Institute of Planners, the highest honour of the Institute, in recognition of excellence, exceptional achievements and service to the planning profession in Canada.
was hired as an assistant professor of instrumental music education at the University of Saskatchewan.
is a proud first-time homeowner after a nine-year search.
operates four businesses in science and health-care fields, as well as manufacturing industries in China.
passed away in November 2022. He was a career businessman and will be remembered with much love by friends and his extended family.
published The Anguish of War, a two-volume set about the war dead of Windsor and Essex County.
passed away in December 2022. Cherished by his family, William had a successful 37-year career with Toronto Dominion Bank.
and Barbara, BA’57, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family in Cancun, Mexico.
and family welcomed baby Cole in May 2023.
published Peacocks & Thorns ~Humour & Beauty in the Darkest Times~: The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County A History and Reminiscences of a Palliative Care Physician in June 2023 with co-author Veronique Perrier Mandal.
published A Philosopher’s Guide to Natural Capitalism: A Sustainable Future Within Reach in July 2023 by Routledge. The book posits that a sustainable future is possible without abandoning capitalism.
won the 2023 Alistair MacLeod prize for short fiction with Rafael Has Pretty Eyes (Goose Lane Editions). Her seventh book, a novel entitled The Gift Child, will be published in fall 2024.
retired in June 2023 after more than 24 years in communications and media relations at Statistics Canada.
married the love of her life, Jake Hindley, in Mexico in May 2023.
is a first-time home buyer in 2023.
Sonia Palleck, DDS’93, MCID’99
has written and published a four-book series in 2023. Leave the Little Light On is a love story for humanity. Sonia painted the covers and narrated the audiobooks while working as a full-time orthodontist.
passed away in April 2023. Walter retired in 2019 after a long career in medicine, including 22 years working at Homewood Sanitarium and at a private practice in Guelph. Beloved by his family, he played tennis, golf and bridge, loved to travel and was an avid sailor.
started Prosper Media, a digital marketing agency.
won the 2023 G. Randy Roberts Service Award, awarded by the Ontario Association of Architects and exceptional contributions to the membership and profession.
published his first book of poems, Insomnio de Fogones.
published her first book, Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future, in July 2023 through W.W. Norton. The book is a global exploration of the eight remaining species of bears and the dangers they face, from polar bears in the Arctic to the spectacled bear of the Andes.
published her second book, Glimpses: Sundown Manor, through Austin Macauley Publishing. Her third book is expected in 2024.
published a debut novel, The Paths We Never Took, in March 2023. The book explores the themes of love, self-sabotage, and commitment while navigating young adulthood.
celebrated practicing law for 50 years in March 2023 and currently works in Calgary at DD West LLP.
passed away in December 2022 in Waterloo after a long history of Multiple Sclerosis. Bob’s career was with Mutual Life of Canada at their head office where he helped clients and employees achieve financial security. He will be missed by his loved ones.
finished 47 years of law practice and continues to act as general counsel to a private educational college.
recently was married.
published a young adult novel Cultivating Sunshine in March 2023.
got engaged to Colin Duck in December 2021 during a walk at Western. They are looking forward to their wedding in July 2023.
retired from her career as a lawyer to be a writer. Her second book, Grief and the Spirit World: A Search for Comfort, was just released.
Meg U’Ren, BA’03, BEd’04, MPED’20
filmed an episode of House Hunters International for HGTV which documented their house buying process in Ireland.
Cornelia (Corry) Janssen-Hendriksen, BA’13
wrote a young adult fiction novel titled Magic at the Rink, which explores grieving the loss of a loved one.
is now the Chief of Oncology for Hamilton Health Sciences (Juravinski Cancer Centre).
published his first book Clinking Outside the Box, The World in a Glass. The book is an offbeat, humorous look at the world of wine, beer and spirits from the perspective of an industry veteran.
headlined the It’s You I Like: The Music of Mr. Rogers concert in April 2023.
had her business The Canadian Barley Tea Company featured in the February 2023 issue of Women’s World Magazine.
published her debut book of poetry Safety Razor. These poems are shaped by her education at Western and her subsequent studies at the University of Cambridge in Old Norse language and Literature.
and Ben Robertson, BA’12, were purple and proud at their wedding on September 10, 2022, along with bridesmaids other King’s grads Rachel Sterling and Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries.
published a third graphic novel in the original series The Demonhuntress.
joined the Ivey Business School as their new Research Officer.
published her first children’s book, Music Is All Around Me, about enjoying music through nature and the five senses.
won the 2022 Prairie Fire McNally Robinson Booksellers Short Fiction Contest for his story Excavations, which will appear in the summer edition of Prairie Fire.
launched his AI business; Jackrabbit Ops.
began as the Chair of the University of New South Wales Galleries Advisory Board. For more than 20 years, Natalia has been a pre–eminent advocate, advisor and benefactor for Australia’s visual arts, culture, and design sectors.
released her fourth work of fiction, Our Forever Place, under her pen name Maren Hill. A retired chiropractor, she now writes women’s fiction, romance, and children’s literature.
passed away December 19, 2022, at his home in Durham, North Carolina. A partner to his wife of 58 years and father to eight children, Winston was a distinguished professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Penn State University.
passed away from breast cancer on December 3, 2022. She was a loving, wonderful friend. She leaves behind her husband Scott and two beautiful daughters, Sophie (age 5) and Olivia (age 2). Read more.
passed away on July 4, 2022 at the age of 89 after a 37-year nursing career in Ottawa, ON. Read more.
Robert Mackenzie, BA’71, MBA’73
passed away on October 16, 2022. Rob was Western’s University Student Council president from 1971 to 1973. Upon graduation, Rob joined the diplomatic service, representing Canada over a 37-year career.
passed away on October 14, 2022 in St-Lazare, Quebec. He enjoyed a 38-year career with The London Life Insurance Company. He played with the Montreal Alouettes football club in 1954/55/56 and the Western Mustangs football and hockey teams.
Mary Ann Ruypers, BA’74, BEd’76
passed away on July 20, 2022, after a long teaching career in Petrolia, Ontario. Read more.
Virginia Armstrong, BA’52, BA’53
passed away after a short illness in August 26, 2022. Virginia enjoyed a fulfilling teaching career and travelled the world after retiring.
Joan Evelyn Ban (nee Valley), BA’55
passed away peacefully on August 26, 2022 in her 88th year.
passed away unexpectedly on August 10, 2022. Will’s close friends from King’s University College are establishing a memorial lecture in his honour.