The day Dal hit "The Coast"

Coast readers know what they like — and they certainly like Dal.

For the second consecutive year, Dalhousie has been named Best University in The Coast’s “Best of Halifax” readers’ poll. The full results will be published this Thursday. (Nov. 7 update: Read the full results online.)

The Best University category had been retired by the Halifax-based weekly newspaper for several years, but returned to the poll in 2012. While it’s perhaps not surprising that Dalhousie, as Halifax’s largest university, has carried the category for two years running, President Florizone says the award speaks to Dalhousie’s deep connections with the city.

“It’s hard to imagine Halifax without Dalhousie — and vice versa — so it’s wonderful that Coast readers have given us their stamp of approval,” says Dr. Florizone. “It’s a nice reminder of how important it is for universities like Dal to be strong community partners — through our teaching, our research and through our facilities and services.”

Celebrating some familiar faces

Some of Dal’s “Best of Halifax” stalwarts also made return appearances in this year’s poll. Theatre’s Roberta Barker finished runner-up for Best Professor — a category she’s won five times previously.

"I am extremely honoured to be on the list, and so grateful to my students past and present who have been kind enough to vote for me," says Dr. Barker. "There are a lot of really fabulous professors in Halifax and, compared to many of my colleagues, I feel a bit unworthy of appearing on this list."

She credits her continued presence on the list to the students who help make her classes so engaging.

"In the Theatre Department at Dalhousie and at King's College, we have some of the most exceptional students in Halifax. It is a joy and a privilege to get to work with them, and they're a constant inspiration to me to try to keep improving as a teacher."

Another “Best of Halifax” regular is Sexton Campus’ ever-popular T-Room. This year, the T-Room finished second in both Best Student Hang and Best Trivia.

Hosted by longtime organizer Stan Selig and Pharmacy student Matt Morrison, the T-Room’s trivia night takes place every Friday at 9:30 p.m., and is something of a Halifax institution. It features questions about history, pop culture, literature and everything in between.

"T-Room trivia feels like being at a party with all your friends every Friday,” say Stan and Matt, writing by email. “We have a blast hosting, and we love seeing people having a good time, which I think they do, because we don't sit at our computers voting on theCoast.ca for weeks at a time [insert incriminating photo here]. Thank you, T-Room Trivia-goers, and thanks to The Coast for the years of shout outs; we're very grateful."

Look for the full “Best of Halifax” poll results online and on the streets of Halifax.