Class Connections

Class connections winter 2026

Find out the latest news about your fellow Allisonians

Let us know your latest news by submitting a Class Connection online or e-mailing alumni@mta.ca and we will share it in a future edition of the Record.

Stay in touch on social! Tag or send a message to @mta.alumni on Instagram or LinkedIn (��Ƶ Allison University) with your news.

1960s

Sixty-five years after earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts, the legacy of ��Ƶ Allison graduate and Sri Lankan art educator **Kamalasena Pinnedoowe (’60)** came full circle. This spring, his daughter and her family travelled from London, England, to see his 1960 self-portrait, part of the Owens Art Gallery’s annual display of self-portraits by BFA graduates. “I was quite surprised to see my father in his traditional dress. As far as I can remember, he has always worn a suit. This is quite unexpected — I am now seeing him in a different light.”

1970s

This summer, **Beverley (Mattinson) Fraser ('72), Sharon McIntyre ('73), Val Dann ('73), and Jean (Kirby) King ('72)** met at Cranewood in Sackville, NB to reconnect and enjoy the local art also completed by fellow Allisonian, **Paul Griffin ('92)**.

Congratulations to Lorraine Eden (’70) on being named the recipient of the AIB Fellows Distinguished Service Award. An Economics graduate and Professor Emerita with more than three decades of leadership, mentorship, and commitment to inclusion, Lorraine exemplifies the global reach and influence of ��Ƶ Allison alumni.

Congratulatulations to the Right Rev. Christopher LePage (BMus ’73) on his consecration as a Bishop in the Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America. A proud Island priest and ��Ƶ Allison graduate, Bishop LePage was consecrated in October 2024 and has been appointed Ordinary of the newly formed Holy Orthodox Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown, while continuing his pastoral service in the community.

**Richard Haysom (‘74), Steve Heckbert (‘73), Dave Hutchison (‘75)** during a night on the town.

Michael Coyne (‘75) was chosen by Memorial University on its 100th anniversary as one of the ‘Centennial 100’ — members of the Memorial community “who have made a world of difference at our university, and who have helped our university make a difference in the world”. Michael was appointed in 1986 as founding Head of the Visual Arts Department and the BFA program at MUN’s Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook , where he taught, and served intermittently as an academic administrator, until his retirement in 2015.

Great golf, good company, and lasting memories in the Annapolis Valley! ��Ƶ Allison’s friends gathered at Eagle Crest for their annual day on the greens. Congratulations to the winning trio — Mike Toole ('78), Deb Fash, and Steve Trevor ('73). It was wonderful to see so many former varsity hockey teammates reunited. Pictured: Mike Toole ('78), Steve Trevor ('73), Peter Hazlehurst ('78), Bill Kelley ('77), Peter Mitchell ('74), Greg Fash ('79), Bill Sanford ('75), Louise Hazlehurst, Karen Moore, Sue Trevor ('73), Barb Toole, Sheila Leard, Alan Leard ('76), Laura Mitchell, Tammy Kelly, Pam Sanford ('75), and Debbie Fash.

**Donald Murray’s ('77)** biography of hockey legend and cultural phenomenon Howie Morenz was released in September by Sutherland House Books under the title “*Howie Morenz: The Greatest Season in the Life of Hockey’s First Legend*.” Donald acknowledges the continuing benefit of his Canadian Studies Program lessons, in English and French, that contributed to the final work.

1980s

The Emile Theriault Library and Information Technology Award was established in 2006, to recognizes the efforts of a library support staff member, who has made a major contribution to their library community. The 2025 winner is Christina Pottie (’84). Christina is currently the Communications and Engagement Lead at South Shore Public Libraries, where she has been employed for over 20 years.

We met in 1980 at ��Ƶ Allison in the then all girls' residence, Hunton. We are still the closest of friends! From left to right: Sonya Saunders Annear ('85), Sarah Jane Lake Conklin ('85), Shelley Nicholson ('85), Cathy Legacy Barrett ('80), Alanna Keough MacVittie ('85), Anne Charlebois ('84), and Natalie Campbell Simmons ('85).

During a recent visit to Manitoba, retired VP Anne Comfort (‘86, ‘87), Doug Comfort (‘86, '98) met us and spent time with Ashlee Hodge-Hirshfield (‘23).

The Norman Horrocks Award for Library Leadership was established to honour leadership in the Nova Scotia Library community and is given by NSLA for distinguished contributions to the promotion and development of library service in Nova Scotia. Those contributions should be of lasting significance and may be for leadership of various kinds — ranging from local projects to those of provincial scope and may cover any type of library activity. This year’s winner, Terri Milton (’87), has over 25 years of library experience in university and community college libraries. Since retiring in 2022, Terri has been volunteering with the Valley Hospice Foundation as a Volunteer Librarian.

Congratulations to **Sheryl Crowley (’89)**, who has been selected as one of five Craft NB artists attending Collect 2026 in London, UK, as part of an educational mission. This opportunity, supported by Arts Culture NB, highlights Sheryl’s continued contributions to the craft community and the global reach of ��Ƶ Allison alumni.

1990s

On a recent trip travelling through Japan and South Korea, (L-R) **Steve Daly (’94)** and **Aaron Hicks (’94)** met up in Tokyo for the Opening Day of the Grand Sumo Tournament held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena.

2000s

Did you watch Heated Rivalry over the holidays? Here’s the plot twist you might not know: The series is based on the bestselling novels by Rachel Reid, the pen name of MtA alumna **Rachelle Goguen (’02)**.

**D’Vonne (Ramsay) Roberts (’02)** and Joan Lai (’02) had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect in D’Vonne’s homeland of Bermuda last month. After 23 years apart, it was truly special to share time together again. D’Vonne looks forward to returning to Sackville in May 2026 for her son Xavier’s anticipated graduation from ��Ƶ Allison.

��Ƶ Allison alumni representing at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic Annual Golf Classic: **Cari-Lee Carnell ('05), Colin Carnell ('04), Ashley Wager ('05), and Gary Wager ('06)**

**Rachel Pardoe (BA '07)** is excited to share that her first cookbook, *Sourdough Everything*, is being published with . The book reflects her passion for making sourdough approachable and joyful, while celebrating breads and traditions from around the world. “It’s been such a meaningful project, and I’m so proud to carry a little piece of the ��Ƶ Allison spirit into this work. I even included a sourdough-ized recipe for garlic fingers (a late-night snack my friends and I would enjoy on the way home from the pub!

We’re proud to celebrate Gloria Melissa Carnevale (’08), who recently shared her Iconic Series in public space in Rome — a deeply meaningful moment, both artistically and personally. Featuring her parents and presented in the country they are from, not far from their hometown, the work connected art, family, and history in a powerful way. Gloria shared how special it was to see her work come to life in such an iconic setting and to experience the journey alongside her wife.