THIS MONTH IN FASS The latest news and events from the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at Dalhousie University
The FASS monthly E-newsletter: Year-End edition (Spring 2024)
Message from the Dean
To our FASS students, faculty, and staff:
Congratulations on making it through the 2023-2024 academic year! While challenges remain, including learning to live with COVID, FASS has shown itself to be a thriving and vital community that houses pioneering programs, including the Black and African Diaspora Studies (BAFD) Majors and Honours program which launched this past fall, and the continuation of the ASSC 1300 and 1400 classes, which introduce first-year FASS students to the Humanities and Social Sciences in innovative and thoughtful ways.
First and foremost, congratulations to the amazing FASS 2024 graduating class who celebrated their convocation on May 28, 2024, and included among their cohort Dalhousie Elder in Residence, Ann LaBillois who was awarded a Bachelor of Arts! I am delighted to see you all take your place in the world and would ask that you please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing, as you become graduates and alumni of the faculty.
The 2023-2024 academic year has been an incredibly busy one for faculty, staff, and students, as FASS had a dynamic presence at the second in-person Dalhousie Open House since 2019 and hosted several incredible lecture events, among them the 2023 Stanfield Conversation on how democracies can meet the challenges of climate change, the 2023 MacKay Lecture Series which focused on Art-Making in the 21st Century, the annual MacKay History Lecture which focused on Ukraine’s history as a nuclear colony, and the annual Shaar Shalom Lecture at Dalhousie, which featured journalist and broadcaster Anna Maria Tremonti, on the subject of intimate partner violence. The Fountain School of Performing Arts held a rich and extraordinary slate of events both in its new performance space, the Joseph Strug Concert Hall, and across the faculty; these performances – including operas, plays, and concerts – demonstrate the depth and breadth of FSPA’s talented students, faculty, and staff. FASS held celebrations for student, staff and faculty award winners (learn more under the Dean's Office announcements below). And I attended a wide array of events that honoured excellence in a variety of programs and departments.
I hope that your time spent at Dalhousie is special and remains both memorable and positive. For those who are returning, see you in September of 2024!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Andrews
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
DEAN'S OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
FASS Retirements Announcements
Congratulations to our colleagues who will retire from Dalhousie University this summer:
Mary Beth MacIsaac, Administrative Coordinator, Department of English
Susan Stackhouse, Associate Director (Productions), Professor – Acting
We extend a huge thank you to each of these retirees for many years of dedicated teaching, support and service to the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the Dalhousie and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences communities.
FASS Faculty and Staff Award Recipients
At a reception held in April, Dean Jennifer Andrews presented several very deserving members of the FASS community with the annual FASS Faculty and Staff Awards! Congratulations to this year's award recipients!
Pictured above, along with Dr. Andrews, are Dr. Colin Mitchell, Norma Ranieri and Michele Edgerton.
Award for Service Excellence:
Dr. Colin Mitchell, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator, Department of History
This annual award honours a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in service and professional contributions to committee processes, departmental and Faculty leadership, and other administrative service.
Award for Excellence in Teaching:
Dr. Emily Varto, Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor, Department of Classics
This annual award honours a faculty member who has made an outstanding contribution to teaching, mentoring, and serving the students of the Faculty. The award is intended, above all, to underline the fundamental importance of effective and/or innovative pedagogy.
Staff Award for Excellence in Service:
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Staff Award for Excellence in Service was jointly awarded to administrative coordinators Michele Edgerton (of the Department of History) and Norma Ranieri (of the Multidisciplinary Centre).
This annual award recognizes a staff member who has made an exceptional contribution to supporting FASS faculty members and students.
Halifax Overseas Club Essay Prize Winner: Jillian Moggy,a BA student in Environment, Sustainability & Society and History for her paper, “‘Strands of Identity and Resilience: Unraveling the Experiences of Indigenous Masculinity in Canada Under British Dominion Through the Microhistory of Hair”
Mushkat Memorial Essay Prize Winner: Evan Curley,a PhD student in Sociology for his paper, “The False Threat of Moderation: Sustaining Traditional Fishing Livelihoods”
The Irving and Jeanne Glovin Award Winner: Nic Kuzmochka, a MA student in Sociology for his paper, “‘Oh to be Queer, Kinky, and Free’: Interrogating the Nature of Respect and Respectability Politics”
In April, the three winners: Jillian Moggy, Evan Curley and Nic Kuzmochk (pictured above with Dr. Andrews) gathered at a reception and presented excerpts from their works to an invited audience.
Each individual essay contest within this year's FASS Essay Competition had a first prize valued at $6000. Learn more about this annual competition and watch the video recordings of this year's presentations at www.dal.ca/fass/essaycompetition.
Dalhousie Arts and Social Sciences Society (DASSS)
DASSS represents all students in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at Dalhousie University. Before the winter 2024 term wrapped up, the society elected its new executive committee for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Kriti Maini, President
John Grant, VP Internal
Maya Bellamy, VP Academic
Jamal Raaki, VP Finance
Pratik Wani, VP Events
Claudia Dembeck, VP Communications
Nick D’ Entremont, Chair of Council
Claire Goldberg, Senate Representative
Eman Cai, Social Media Representative
They are eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming academic year! More details about how FASS students can get involved with DASSS will be shared in the Fall 2024 term. For now, Follow DASSS on Instagram.
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM STUDENT AWARD WINNERS
Please note: The University Medal is awarded to the student with the highest academic standing in a department, school, or faculty, among graduates of diploma and baccalaureate programs.
Classics Department
University Medal in Classics
Emily MacPherson
University Medal in Religious Studies
Emma Martel
Classical Association of Canada's Senior Latin Sight Translation Competition Sophie Miliner (3rd prize)
English Department
University Medal in English Oliver Robinson
University Medal in Creative Writing Jolena Klymyshyn
Avie Bennett Prize Awarded each year to student(s) for the best essay on Canadian literature submitted from an undergraduate class at Dalhousie during the current academic year. Molly Dineen
Allan & Lura Bevan Scholarship Awarded to a student who will be entering the third year of a general or honours B.A. in English. Margot Peluso-Pope and Carmen Gessell
Bennett Chittick Prize Awarded annually to an outstanding first-year student enrolled in English a 1000 level course. Megan Webb
Graham Creighton Prize Awarded annually to a student(s) entering their 4th year of study in an English Major or Honours programme who has demonstrated a high level of academic excellence. Grace Edwards and William Hydorn
Kim Rilda LeBlanc Memorial Award Established to recognize outstanding interdisciplinary initiatives between the arts and the health sciences, and it honours the memory of this former graduate student in English. The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine, and Health Professions. Marihan Farid, Abbey MacLellan, and Zachary Ford (Medicine)
Paul McIsaac Memorial Prize Awarded to a student in the second or third year of study in the Honours or Majors programme in English who demonstrates an enquiring and original mind. Jewel Pirie
Margaret Nicoll Pond Memorial Prize This prize was endowed by Mr. F.H. Pond of Halifax in memory of his wife, the late Margaret Nicoll Pond, a gifted teacher of English and a devoted alumna and governor of Dalhousie University. The prize is awarded to the woman graduating in English with the highest academic standing. Zia Shirtliffe and Meghan Chestnut
Samantha Li Memorial Award An annual prize (established by family, friends, faculty, and students to honour the memory of Samantha Li) presented to a student in the Honours programme in English. The recipient chosen will most closely reflect the academic and personal qualities of Samantha Li: intellectual reach and creativity; a passion for the exploration of literature and ideas; generosity toward and engagement with fellow students and professors. Zia Shirtliffe
James W. Tupper Graduate Fellowship Two fellowships are awarded by the department, on the recommendation of the Undergraduate Committee, to students selected on the criteria of the GPA of all English classes at the 2000 level and beyond and a clear indication that the student(s) will go on to do graduate work. Meghan Chestnut and Zia Shirtliffe
Patricia Keane Scholarship in English This scholarship is to be granted to deserving students in the English Department at Dalhousie University. Nathanael Eastman
Johnson Nte'ne
Hilda and Albert Tyler Prize To provide an annual scholarship to the leading Honours graduate English at Dalhousie University who intends to proceed to a Master's Degree. Brandon Hachey
Lynne & Clyde Evans Graduate Scholarship Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in Dalhousie’s English Department Jackson Mattocks
Fountain School of Performing Arts
University Medal in Music
Samantha Fullerton
University Medal in Theatre
Emma Sickert
University Medal in Cinema & Media Studies
Hal Rotman
Dalhousie Alumni Association (Women's Division) Medal in Costume Studies Medal presented annually to the graduating student with the highest cumulative GPA in the Costume Studies Program.
Emma Sickert
Dalhousie Alumni Association (Women's Division) Medal in Music Presented to the graduating student who achieves the highest cumulative GPA in music subjects over the four-year Bachelor of Music degree. Mary Austin
Dalhousie Alumni Association (Women's Division) Prize in Music Presented to the graduating student who has achieved a high cumulative average in music subjects during the four-year Bachelor of Music degree program. (Cheque issued by the Dal Alumni Assoc). Samantha Fullerton
Cinema and Media Studies Award ($900) Awarded to an outstanding graduating student enrolled in the Cinema and Media Studies program. Selected by Cinema and Media Studies faculty members based on the highest overall GPA in Film classes. Nicole Regalado Santivanez
James & Abbie Campbell Prize in Music ($100) *For outstanding achievement in Music. Caleb Ehler
James & Abbie Campbell Prize in Music ($100) For outstanding achievement in Music. Chloe Nash
Christine Zinck Book Award Best graduating Theatre Studies Honours student who is not receiving the University Medal. The recipient is given a book or books that are significant to their area of study. Sadie Quinn
French Department
University Medal in French
Lily Orlando
Marcelle Cendres Sandhu Memorial Prize Annual prize awarded to a Major or Honours student in the Department of French who achieves excellence in third or fourth year French grammar courses. Dd Beaumont
Ruth Murray Scholarship for French Studies Awarded to students who are academically sound and who are participating in a departmental program abroad. At the discretion of the department, the fund may also be used to provide financial assistance for on-campus students majoring in French who have demonstrated above average academic ability. Luke Jones-Hatif
French Department Scholarship Awarded to a student(s) entering the third or fourth year of a Major or an Honours program in French, and who has spent or will spend a year studying in France. The award is based on meritorious performance in French courses. Joël Samson
Professor & Mrs. Robert Lloyd McIntosh Prize in French This fund provides an annual prize for a Major or Honours student who has demonstrated a superior level of achievement in the core courses required for second year Major and Honours students. Currently these courses are 2045, 2201 and 2202. Katharina Springer
Sabah Metlej French Scholarship This fund provides an annual prize for a Major or Honours student in the Department of French who has demonstrated academic excellence and enthusiasm towards the study of French. Irada Qamar
Prix de l’Ambassadeur de Suisse au Canada Awarded to a graduating student who has won distinction by their work in the French language. Grace Rix
Prix de l’Alliance française Certificate/book given at Alliance reception on March 20 – grand prize winner of trip to St. Pierre et Miquelon!) This award is open to students who have demonstrated excellence in their studies while showing interest in both French and Francophone language and culture. Jana Ramia
FSL Bursary recipients Bursary for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language. This program is funded by the Government of Canada and administered by the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC). Julia Bowes
Andrea Garniceanu
Alyssa Koughan
Elisabeth Pickart
Marcus Puddu
Irada Qamar
Amy Randell
Snesha Seebalak
Brooke Wandler
German Department
Marjorie Mader Study Abroad Award recipients $1500 each awarded towards a for-credit study abroad experience in Germany. Cuen Eng and Olivia Temple
2024/25 DAAD Young Ambassador Promoting scholarships for study and research opportunities in Germany to Dalhousie and King's students. Olivia MacDonald
Gender and Women's Studies Program
University Medal in Gender and Women's Studies
Jessica Hannaford
History Department
University Medal in History Emily Frank
George E. Wilson Scholarships: Prize for the most meritorious essay by a first-year student: Ian Monchesky First-year scholarship, for a student with high standing in an introductory History class: Mary Beke Scholarship for students completing an honours or major in History with high standing: Romain Herbinger and Samuel Kennie
Commonwealth Essay Prize To facilitate and encourage the study of Commonwealth or British history. This prize is awarded annually for the best undergraduate essay on a topic relating to the history of Britain and/or the Commonwealth countries and is funded by a gift from Dr. David Jessop and Dr. Karen Ostergaard. Alana Thibault
Susan Buggey Atlantic World History Scholarship Awarded to a History major in recognition of the importance of studies in history that connect Atlantic Canada and its people to a multicultural world outside its region, nation and continent. Sophie Keddy
Edith and Rose Goodman Scholarship For students with the highest marks in Canadian history courses. Kaia Magerman and Sophie Keddy
Tom & Ada Jennex Undergraduate Scholarship in History For a History major finishing third or fourth year who demonstrates academic excellence in the study of the Atlantic World. Alice Twa
LVK Scholarship For students who excel specifically in History. Katelyn Topshee
Bowes Graduate Prize To provide an annual award to a graduate student in History whose academic focus is on Halifax or Nova Scotia history and whose work overall demonstrates a high level of academic merit. Alex Robben
Flint Prize Richard Yeomans
International Development Studies Department
University Medal in International Development Studies
Veronika Kemperman
Best Honours Thesis Prize Stephen Abbott
Italian Studies Program
Premio del libro del Console generale della Svizzera a Montreal 2024 per l' italianistica (The Book Prize of the Consul General of Switzerland in Montreal 2024 for Italian Studies) Lincoln Osborne
Law, Justice and Society Program
University Medal in Law, Justice and Society
Zeynep Oncu
Philosophy Department
University Medal in Philosophy Kayla Marie Beals
F. Hilton Page Award (Best Honours Thesis in Philosophy)
Kayla Marie Beals
Roland Puccetti Memorial Award (Best Undergraduate Essay in Philosophy)
George Arnott
Political Science Department
The Eric Dennis Gold Medal Founded by Senator William Dennis and Mrs. Dennis, this medal is awarded upon graduation to the student who stands first among those taking First Class Honours in Government and Political Science. This is the University Medal in Political Science. Cora Fletcher
The H.B. McCulloch Memorial Prize Awarded annually to the student who, among all the first- and second-year students registered in introductory classes in Political Science, is judged to have written the best essay in the second term. Maddy Burd
The Women in Politics Scholarship This scholarship was established in September 2020 through the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences by Sarah Dobson, a Dalhousie Political Science and Law graduate and Grace Evans, then a current Political Science student. The Women in Politics Scholarship supports the next generation of women-identifying students in the field by encouraging and inspiring their career aspirations. This award is given annually to two students who have identified as female with preference given to applicants who have voluntarily self-identified as belonging to a designated group as defined by the University, declared a major in Political Science, and demonstrated academic capability. Grace Catton and Emily La Rocque
The Commonwealth Political Science Prize Awarded annually to the student who receives the highest grade in Political Science POLI 2410 and POLI 2420. The Commonwealth Prize was established by John Beveridge, who graduated from Dalhousie University in 1971. Mira Posluns
Rear-Admiral F.W. Crickard Prize in Political Science This award is offered once a year to the undergraduate student who has been nominated by a faculty member for the best IR paper in a Political Science course. Coby Steer
The James H. Aitchison Award In 1979 Colleagues of Dr. J.H. Aitchison established a fund from which an annual prize would be awarded in recognition of the best undergraduate Honours essay. The fund was established to honour Professor Aitchison who was instrumental in founding the department. Kate Walker
The Doris Boyle Prize Awarded for the best essay written by a graduate student in International Relations. Doris Boyle served for many years as Administrative Secretary of the Centre for the Study of Security and Development (formerly Centre for Foreign Policy Studies), from its creation in 1971 until her retirement. The prize was created by faculty and research staff of the Centre to honour her contributions to the activities of the Centre. Aliza Chow
The Political Science department’s award winners will also be announced in their upcoming newsletter scheduled to be released some time in June. Check out their newsletter webpage next month to find the Spring 2024 edition!
Russian Studies Department
The Yuri Glazov Memorial Award Dr. Glazov believed that a liberal education is intimately bound up with a sense of citizenship and civic responsibility. To honour his memory, the Professor Yuri Glazov Memorial Award is given annually to students who demonstrate excellent academic performance and who are engaged in extracurricular activities that give back to their communities. Steven Batteke, Milo Fowler, and Thomas Robson
Chinese Studies Program
Chinese Studies Prize
Lukas Sawatzky
Chinese Studies Scholarship Awards An annual scholarship provided by The Chinese Education Promotion Association of Nova Scotia for students taking a minor in Chinese Studies who have achieved high academic standing and demonstrated an interest in Chinese culture. Anthony Borsellino
Isabel Estivill Bustillos
Laura Bradshaw
Sarah Abraham
Sociology and Social Anthropology Department
The University Medal in Sociology Anna Bakowsky
The Reverend H. S. Prince Prize A monetary prize awarded to the “extraordinary undergraduate student” who shows the highest level of mastery of and commitment to sociological research, as reflected in both their GPA and their Honours thesis). Evan Lorant
The Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Outstanding Graduating Sociology Student Awards Recognizes the strength of graduating students’ sociological research. Michael Slinger (MA level)
Rachel McLeod (Honours BA level)
The University Medal in Social Anthropology
Michelle Wang
The Social Anthropology Prize A monetary prize awarded to the student who has submitted the best thesis among those graduating with Honours in Social Anthropology. Robyn Bristol
The Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) Outstanding Graduating Anthropology Student Awards Recognizes the strength of graduating students’ anthropological research.
Daniel Salas Gonzalez (PhD) Sarah Mingo (MA)
Eleanor Waite (Honours BA level)
Spanish & Latin American Studies
University Medal in Spanish
Stephen Abbott
Alumni Citizenship Award Recognizing the significant contribution of a graduating student toward building a community atmosphere in the department. Benjamin Ráfales-Nordoff
de Carteret Memorial Prize Established as a gift in memory of the late Norman S. and Helier S. de Carteret and their sister, Phyllis de Carteret Nielsen, the de Carteret Memorial Prize is to be awarded on the recommendation of the Executive Committee of the Department to an outstanding student in the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies. Mohamed Al Ajmi
Michelle Wang, whose own parents immigrated to Canada from China in the 1990s, met with other second-generation Canadians for her honours thesis on how food shapes cultural identities and experiences.
Krista Collier-Jarvis took a fascination with scary stories to new level with a dissertation focused on contemporary zombie narratives and contagion, inspired by research into Indigenous Gothic, popular culture, museologoy, and creative approaches to trauma.
Daniel Nwobi of Nigeria was looking for a program that encompassed the multidisciplinary tools he’d need as an actor. The Fountain School offered that and so much more.
Ann LaBillois long dreamed of going to university. When she finally did so at Dal after entering retirement, it opened new avenues for learning and an opportunity to share her wisdom and life experiences as Dalhousie’s Elder-in-Residence.
Dress code, flexible: A presidential robe reimagined in time for Convocation
Dal President Kim Brooks recruited a Costume Studies student to create a new design for her ceremonial garb, one that better reflects the land Dal sits on, the university's values, and her own identity.
Dal English grad named Halifax’s ninth poet laureate
Anna Quon (BA’89) will be the city’s resident poet, storyteller or spoken word artist, acting as an ambassador and advocate for literacy, literature and the arts.
Uncovering untold stories: History MA student named a finalist in SSHRC Storytellers Challenge
Judith Meyrick has earned a spot as one of the 25 finalists in the 2024 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Storytellers Challenge for A Dubious Honour, her write-up about locating archival files about the expropriation of land from Mi'kmaw people at a settlement in Cape Breton.
Waltzing through the Victorian era with Dalhousie’s Costume Studies program
Graduating Costume Studies students transported guests back to Victorian England last week during 1837: A Presentation of Historical Dress, showing off petticoats, corsets, ballgowns, bustles and more of their creations inspired by the era.
From nitrogen to activism: Unveiling Dalhousie’s 2024 Doctoral Thesis Award winners
Drs. Joseph Bedard and Tari Ajadi are being recognized for exceptional dissertations that have made significant and original contributions to the academic community and Canadian society.
Saluting Dal's top student leaders: Introducing the 2024 Board of Governors' Award winners
The Dal community is full of amazing students who inspire their peers, lead by example and make a difference in their communities. But for those students who truly go above and beyond, there’s Dalhousie’s Board of Governors’ Award — the university’s top honour in student life. Meet the four students being recognized this year for their outstanding achievements.
Beyond the books: This year's Dalhousie Impact Awards winners lead with purpose
The Dalhousie community gathered last week for the 13th annual Impact Awards, celebrating the efforts and achievements Dal students and student groups make outside of the classroom.
