Dalhousie Coast to CoastĀ festivities began on April 21 in Western Canada. As part of Dalās bicentennial anniversary, Coast to Coast is bringing 200thĀ celebrations to alumni across the country where 97,000 Dal alumni live, work and play.
From Vancouver to Winnipeg
Celebrations got underway in Vancouver at The Permanent. An event steeped in Maritime flavour and flair (a theme that will be carried through all 12 coast-to-coast events), Dalhousie President and Vice-Chancellor Richard Florizone began the evening by acknowledging the incredible impact alumni have had on the university over the last two centuries.
āDalhousie has grown from that ālittle college by the seaā to become a national university, and the leading research university in Atlantic Canada,ā he said. āWeāve been able to reach this incredible milestone because of our people. Most importantly, our alumni who represent the very fabric of what pilipiliĀž» is today.ā
Left: Lesra Martin (LLBā97)Ā captured the crowd at the Vancouver Coast to Coast event.
Ģż²¹²Ō»åĢżĀ are two such alumni who spoke at the event. They shared their own Dal experiences and the ways in which it has influenced their careers in health care and law, respectively.
āDalhousie didnāt let me down, and because each and every one of you is here tonight, I believe it hasnāt let you down either,ā Martin said at the event. āWe are now part of history ā a university steeped in tradition. Go back, touch the walls, talk to the administrative staff of your facultyā¦I have no doubt you will feel like you are going home.ā
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Right: The Dalhousie Coast to Coast bus made a stop in stunning Jasper, AB on its way from Vancouver to Edmonton.
Following Vancouver, the coast-to-coast bus travelled to Alberta for festivities at the beautiful Muttart Conservatory Centre in Edmonton and then it was on to Calgary for a lovely evening at Studio Bell with alumni and friends coming together to celebrate their alma mater.
Next it was on to Saskatoon for an evening at The Glen at Crossmount. Speaking at the event in his home province of Saskatchewan, Dr. Florizone commented on the Dal spirit that was palpable at each event. āThis whole tour has felt like a family reunion. Itās been wonderful to connect with alumni and friends across the country.ā
The Western portion of Dalhousie Coast to Coast ended on Friday, April 27 in Winnipeg at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. And like the other Western events, alumni from many faculties, donors, family members, and friends joined together to celebrate Dalās first 200 years and whatās to come in the third century.
Celebrating alumni impact
And if there was a theme that emerged at each event it was this ā Dalhousie alumni are making extraordinary contributions to their communities and helping to build a better world. As the bus travels across Canada, Dal's alumni team will continue toĀ who are doing just that.
³¢¾±°ģ±šĢż, a trailblazer in medicine, advocating for and serving rural areas and communities with significant Indigenous populations. OrĀ , who founded YEGarden Suites, a non-profit initiative that provides information and resources to Edmonton residents who want to build affordable housing to accommodate anyone who needs it.
Coast to Coast rolls on
Dalhousie Coast to Coast will continue in June with events on June 5 in Montreal, June 6 in Ottawa and June 7 in Toronto, with Atlantic Canada events to follow in September. For more information and to register, please visit:Ā . We hope you will celebrate with us in your city.
View more event photos on the Dal AlumniĀ Ģż²¹²Ō»åĢżĢż±č²¹²µ±š²õ.