1970
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.
rowed 37 million meters on the Concept2 RowErg machine at the age of 86, making him part of the Thirty Seven Million Meter Club. “Dandy” Don was varsity captain of rowing during his time at Western.
launched his third book “Leaving Lisa” in 2024. This fictional romantic comedy follows four overlapping stories as characters face and navigate major turning points in their lives.
passed away on September 13, 2025 in Lewiston, New York.
passed away on August 7, 2025, at his home in Ottawa. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and respected pension policy leader. A longtime advocate and consultant, he helped shape Canadian pension reform and education, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.
published the second volume In the Writers’ Words, bringing us closer to the minds of some of our major contemporary poets.
passed away on May 8, 2025 in Arizona. He received his PhD in 1996 from Indiana University Bloomington and made significant contributions in Instructional Design, problem-based learning, constructivism, and fostering student ownership.
ran twice the Earth’s circumference at 49,804 miles, achieving an incredible feat. A dedicated runner since 1979, he reached his first “lap” in 2003 and his second in 2024 at 78 years old. His passion and drive continue to inspire alumni and runners alike.
retired from British Columbia Geological Survey Branch and Thompson Rivers University OL faculty. Edward stays active, travels, enjoys motorcycles and volunteering.
retired as a marine geoscientist from the Geological Survey of Canada in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. His career in geophysics took him to many remote parts of onshore and offshore Canada, always in the company of outstanding colleagues.
passed away on December 27, 2024 at the age of 82. He was very proud of his accomplishments at Western and his education provided him with a very successful career in Calgary, Alberta in the IT Department of several different companies over the years.
passed away on July 20, 2024, in Kitchener, ON. He is survived by his wife Lesley MacDonald, their son Nicholas and his wife Sarah (Wilson). After Western, Michael obtained his law degree from the University of New Brunswick and practiced law for 37 years.
released his novel Garbage Boy -The High Bar of Low Expectations in December 2023, the sequel to SCARRED.
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.
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.
shares their fourth digital solo album, Michel Bonin Plays Love Songs, a collection of 11 classic instrumental piano tunes.
came out of retirement and began a new role as Director & Integration Lead, Human Resources at AgeCare, a seniors’ residential community.
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.
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.
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.
won the 2023 G. Randy Roberts Service Award, awarded by the Ontario Association of Architects and exceptional contributions to the membership and profession.
published her second book, Glimpses: Sundown Manor, through Austin Macauley Publishing. Her third book is expected in 2024.
celebrated practicing law for 50 years in March 2023 and currently works in Calgary at DD West LLP.
finished 47 years of law practice and continues to act as general counsel to a private educational college.
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.
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.
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.
Mary Ann Ruypers, BA’74, BEd’76
passed away on July 20, 2022, after a long teaching career in Petrolia, Ontario. Read more.
Alwynne Beaudoin, MSc’78, PhD’84
won the 2022 Lieutenant Governor’s Award by the Alberta Museums Association, in recognition of her research and excellence in the museum community.
was elected Mayor of the Town of Perth and celebrated 30 years in municipal politics in 2022.
and Laird Weagant, BA’73, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September 2022.
A group of MBA’72 alumni came together in summer 2022 for a 50th reunion celebration. [L to R] Hugh Willis, David Mitten, Gregory Katchin, Mac Benoy and James Hodgins.
Barbara Macaulay, BA’75, BEd’76
published a biography This is War and I Ain’t Kiddin’: A Collection of World War II Letters From Dad, honouring her father and everyone affected by the war.
published True Tales of Medical Physics: Insights into a Life Saving Specialty featuring short stories from scientists and medical professionals.
published Writers’ Words Volume II, a collection of interviews with 10 Canadian poets.
produced a virtual music album The Stochastics & Friends with 13 other amateur international physicist-musicians. Learn more here.
CEO of Allanson International Inc., was awarded the 2022 “Sign Professional of the Year” by the Canadian Sign Association, recognizing his 30 years of leadership and contributions.
Mary Anne White, BSc’75, DSc’11
and John Noel, were granted a US patent for “Phase-change Material and Method for Producing Same”.
was appointed as the Finance Committee Chair/Secretary/Treasurer for Head Injury Rehabilitation Ontario. In 2023, George has also been appointed Chairman of Specialty Risk and Intelligence Services Inc., a consulting agency.
was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame as a journalist for his decades of covering motorsports in North America and Europe.
participated in the 29th Annual International Conference on Tinnitus.
has been elected as the rector of the University of Chile.