Alumni News
Browse stories about fellow Western grads. And don't miss browsing Class Notes to read updates submitted by your peers.
Alumni lead the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race
Engineering alumni organize Canada’s oldest and largest student engineering competition, the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race.
Sparking confidence through music education
Mary Gillard, BA’82, BEd’83, retired after three decades of teaching high school music and now conducts for Western’s New Horizons Band.
Events, prizes and stories to celebrate the 2026 Winter Games
To recognize this global event, Western Alumni has some exciting opportunities to get involved and learn more about this year’s games.
Legal Information for Sexual Assault program expands eligibility
Chanele Rioux-McCormick, JD’22, co-founded the volunteer Legal Information for Sexual Assault program while in law school.
Annual list of local leaders celebrates Western grads
Ten alumni were named to the 20 under 40 Class of 2026 by London Inc. for their contributions to London, Ont. through work and volunteer efforts.
Alumni honoured locally and nationally
Three alumni were appointed to the Order of Canada and another three named to the London Mayor’s New Year’s Honour List for outstanding contributions.
Michael Faulds named new Mustangs Football head coach
Michael Faulds, BA’09, MA’12, is the new Mustangs Football head coach, following Greg Marshall’s retirement.
Holiday cheer with a side of chills
Kylee Evans, BMus’00, stars in Hallmark’s Mistletoe Murders, delivering the ultimate gift for mystery lovers.
Celebrating Western Education’s longest serving employee
Anna Zuber, BA’88, has spent 38 years supporting Education staff, faculty and thousands of students and alumni.
Asper Fellow embraces challenge of guiding future journalists
Angela Murphy, MA’88, takes on Western’s Asper Fellowship in Media to hone the skills of tomorrow’s journalists.
Daegu Opera House exchange showcases emerging artists, Western on world stage
Hillary Tufford, BMus’15, MMus’17, is ‘resplendent’ in Daegu Opera House exchange.
Western grads win Governor General’s Gold Medal
Grads Breanne Kearney, Jesse Sutton and Alexander Zero received the Governor General’s Gold Medal for academic excellence among graduate students.
Chasing two dreams: From scholarship recipient to future changemaker
Donor generosity gave Rachel Pizzonia, BA’25, BHSc’25, the freedom to dream and to lead.
Elevating Youth Voices Everywhere
Ashwini Selvakumaran, MES’24, asks hard questions that push for greater equity to elevate youth voices everywhere.
Mary Lou Smoke, LLD’22, becomes Elder-in-Residence
Mary Lou Smoke, LLD’22, is a lifelong Indigenous advocate and now is Western’s new Elder-in-Residence.
Peter Howitt, MA69, wins Nobel Prize in Economics
Peter Howitt, MA’69, won the Nobel Prize in Economics in recognition of his work on creative destruction.
Grad Simu Liu holds candid conversation for Western students
Simu Liu, HBA’11, shared his journey of growing up between cultures, struggling with family expectations and facing mental health struggles.
From cultural connection to a world-class champion
Fawn Porter, BSc’20, leads the Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse team with heart.
Homecoming 2025 recap
Thousands of Western alumni from all over the world gathered on campus and virtually to celebrate Homecoming Sept. 26 to 28.
Asha Parekh, PhD’15, is the recipient of the 2025 Engineering Young Alumni Award
Asha Parekh, PhD’15, is the recipient of the 2025 Engineering Young Alumni Award.
Introducing Western’s campaign co-chairs
Perry Dellelce, Kelly Meighen and David Simmonds are engaging fellow alumni Western’s “All in” Campaign.
Western leads largest, longest study on impact of fitness apps
Lisa Nguyen, MSc’24, and kinesiology professor Marc Mitchell examined whether fitness app usage can result in long-term exercise habits.
Free, diverse scientific illustrations boost representation
Priya Modi, BMSc’23, and professor Anita Woods designed a new online tool with diverse scientific illustrations to boost representation.
Midlife career shift led Western education grad to champion child wellness
Joey McDowell, BA’98, BEd’99, reflects on lessons learned as a special education teacher.
Made for each other
Heather Rea-Macaulay, BA’84, became an advocate, fundraiser and compassionate caregiver when ALS struck her husband.
Alum, reservist and MD student receives Canadian Medical Hall of Fame award
Benson Law, BHSc’21, MSc’23, combines his passions for medicine and service to his country.
Boxing champ thrives in Western’s entrepreneurship programs
Shane McCarthy, BESc’25, is a champion boxer turned entrepreneur thanks to the support at Morrissette Entrepreneurship.
Libraries, languages and motherhood: PhD candidate defies stereotypes
Dayanqi Si, MLIS’16, studies how libraries can help second-generation immigrants maintain their mother tongues.
Restoring education in Cambodia: Lifetime commitment’ for Western professor
Kathy Hibbert, BA’82, PhD’05, has been helping to rebuild the education system in Cambodia for more than 15 years.
Western professor, three alumni appointed to Order of Canada
Lorraine Greaves, BA’70, MA’74, Glenn Murphy, BA’84, and Chris Tambakis, HBA’86, were were appointed to the Order of Canada.