HISTORY INITIATIVES
One of the primary objectives of SAURG, was to capture the history of the Acadia Recreation degree program. Although the program officially began in 1969 along with Physical Education, it was 1972 when the university calendar first listed a different set of course requirements for the two areas of study. In 2012, the decision was made to radically alter the prescribed Recreation curriculum eliminating the leisure studies core, and the following year the program was changed to Community Development.
THE WEBSITE
The Founders of SAURG felt strongly that it was important to capture, record, and make available information about the 40 year history of the Acadia Recreation program. This was a work in progress for 8 years and a priority of the SAURG Board. Various discussions took place during that time as to what format the material would be made available. These discussions involved the Board, SAURG members, and various Acadia departments including Alumni Office, Tech Services, Archives, and Library. It was concluded that creation of a website to house the information would be the means to make it most readily accessible.
The website contains a variety of materials including text, scanned documents, photographs, and videos. It is presented under 5 major headings: Program, People, Partnerships, SAURG, and Range of Influence. The Program section describes when, how, and by whom the program got started; development of the core curriculum; creation of specializations; traditions associated with the program; the Masters program; the Honours program; the addition of community development; and the wind down of the program. The People section identifies the Directors who administered the program; the faculty who developed and delivered it; the support staff who were so instrumental in assisting faculty and administrators; and the Memorial Awards and award winners. The Partnerships sections identifies various types of partners that supported the program; and in particular the Centre of Leisure Studies and the Student Societies. The Scope of Influence section looks at the nature of the content of the degree program and the ways that graduates have been able to apply what they learned in the degree to a wide variety of fields. The SAURG section looks at the origins and development of the Society of Acadia University Recreation Graduates; the types of initiatives with which it has been involved; and the 2012 Conference and Reunion.
The website contains a variety of materials including text, scanned documents, photographs, and videos. It is presented under 5 major headings: Program, People, Partnerships, SAURG, and Range of Influence. The Program section describes when, how, and by whom the program got started; development of the core curriculum; creation of specializations; traditions associated with the program; the Masters program; the Honours program; the addition of community development; and the wind down of the program. The People section identifies the Directors who administered the program; the faculty who developed and delivered it; the support staff who were so instrumental in assisting faculty and administrators; and the Memorial Awards and award winners. The Partnerships sections identifies various types of partners that supported the program; and in particular the Centre of Leisure Studies and the Student Societies. The Scope of Influence section looks at the nature of the content of the degree program and the ways that graduates have been able to apply what they learned in the degree to a wide variety of fields. The SAURG section looks at the origins and development of the Society of Acadia University Recreation Graduates; the types of initiatives with which it has been involved; and the 2012 Conference and Reunion.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECREATION 50TH ANNIVERSARY LEGACY PROJECT
In the late 1960s, 5 Acadia varsity coaches came together to develop a proposal to create an academic program in Physical Education and Recreation at Acadia. The first students were admitted in the Fall of 1969. The 1972 academic calendar prescribed somewhat different courses for those interested in the study of physical education and the study of recreation, although the degree granted remained the same for a number of years. Fall 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the start of the Physical Education and Recreation as a degree program and given that neither Physical Education or Recreation exist any longer as degree names at Acadia, it was important to acknowledge that these programs once existed and that they have storied history.
During the Spring of 2019, SAURG reached out to the School of Kinesiology, and the Department of Community Development to determine whether there was an interest in working together on an initiative that would commemorate the milestone. A small working committee consisting of a representative of each unit met and it was decided that an interpretive sign, erected at the entrance to the old gymnasium building, would be most appropriate. After considerable consultation and discussion, the content was decided upon and a graphic artist designed the panel. The content focuses on the origins of the program(s) and the spirit of engagement that they generated on campus. The panel was free standing, and mounted on a frame.
Funding for the Interpretive panel was generated through a GoFundMe campaign targeted at SAURG members. In the span of a few weeks, Acadia Rec Graduates and friends of the program generated nearly $6000 dollars. Donations were received from students representing at least 30 different graduating classes. The following are the names and graduation years of those who so generously donated, including the three gold star donors: Dr. Charlene Shannon-McCallum ‘96, Kailena Van de Nes ‘05, and Dr. Ron McCarville ‘77.
During the Spring of 2019, SAURG reached out to the School of Kinesiology, and the Department of Community Development to determine whether there was an interest in working together on an initiative that would commemorate the milestone. A small working committee consisting of a representative of each unit met and it was decided that an interpretive sign, erected at the entrance to the old gymnasium building, would be most appropriate. After considerable consultation and discussion, the content was decided upon and a graphic artist designed the panel. The content focuses on the origins of the program(s) and the spirit of engagement that they generated on campus. The panel was free standing, and mounted on a frame.
Funding for the Interpretive panel was generated through a GoFundMe campaign targeted at SAURG members. In the span of a few weeks, Acadia Rec Graduates and friends of the program generated nearly $6000 dollars. Donations were received from students representing at least 30 different graduating classes. The following are the names and graduation years of those who so generously donated, including the three gold star donors: Dr. Charlene Shannon-McCallum ‘96, Kailena Van de Nes ‘05, and Dr. Ron McCarville ‘77.
Carol Davis-Jamieson ‘74
Steve Stairs ‘75 Brenda Robertson ‘75 Bill Leask ‘76 Bob Suffron ‘76 Carroll Randall ‘76 Debbie Hum (Stymest) ‘77 Jude Hirsch ‘77 Muggs Tibbo ‘77 Anonymous ‘77 Linda Atkinson (Tanner) ‘78 Linda Johnson ‘80 Janet Margeson ‘80 Kate Friars ‘80 Pauline Doucet ‘82 Laurie Wanamaker ‘86 |
Dawn Ettinger (Bain) ‘87
Deb Covey-Getson ‘87 Dawn Stegen ‘87 Randy Mugford ‘87 Anonymous ‘88 David Woollven ‘89 Michelle Goodwin ‘89 Donna Conrad ‘90 Shelley Wagner-Trombley ‘93 Lori Moody ‘94 Jenn Skuffham’96 Robin Norrie ‘96 Shayna Allen-Strong ‘96 Steven Bidwell (Sullivan) ‘96 Tyler Hayden ‘96 |
Corey and Carrie Evans ‘97
Greg MacRae ‘97 Paula Young (Hustoft) ‘97 Anitra Daigley (Stevens) ‘98 Andrew Trites ‘98 David Wright ‘98 Roberta Watts ‘98 Rosanna Maunder ‘98 Aggie Weighill ‘99 James Yorke ‘99 Meg Cumming (Ross) ‘99 Tim Bell ‘99 Leah Rimmer (Tinkham) ‘99 Christine Baker (Wilson) ‘00 Sue Stanfield (Burley) ‘00 |
Leah Levac ‘01
Simone Jucker ‘01 Gabby Gallagher (Riley) ‘03 Anna Sherwood ‘03 Jackie Oncescu ‘03 Justin Ellis ‘03 Greg Dent ‘04 Margaret Kralt ‘04 Peter Prescesky ‘04 Anonymous ‘05 Eric MacKenzie ‘06 Lindsay Brown (Boland) ‘06 Kate Pearce ‘07 Chris Miller ‘08 Jonny Dionisi ‘08 |
The official unveiling of the plaque occurred during Homecoming, on October 19th, 2019. Fifty people from across the years showed up on a damp, dark, cool Autumn day for the ceremony. SAURG President Carroll Randall served as MC for the event. Laurie (Dickson) Wanamaker, the first James Bayer award winner and SAURG Board member, described SAURG and the process leading up to that day. Liz Vermeulen, one of the 5 founders of the Recreation and Physical Education program back in 1969 spoke, describing the early days of the program. Dr Gary Ness, who served at Director of the School, during the 00s, described the spirit of engagement generated by members of the School. Liz and Carroll unveiled the panel and then hot refreshments and treats were served in the building foyer, compliments of the Community Development Department. Facility tours were available for those wishing to see the extensive renovations that had taken place in the building over the years. That evening, following the football game, SAURG members gathered in the private dining room at Paddy’s pub for a celebratory dinner.