Dal News headlines

John R. Sylliboy of Millbrook Mi’kmaw Community was appointed ����tv’s first Vice-Provost of Indigenous Relations. His new role marks a significant step in the university’s commitment to reconciliation, belonging, and systemic change. Sylliboy brings decades of experience in Indigenous advocacy, education, and health, including work with the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat and as co-founder of the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance.

His connection to ����tv began nearly 20 years ago through partnerships aimed at increasing Indigenous representation in health care. Over time, he’s witnessed progress in Indigenous student support, especially in medicine. “There are students studying medicine from our own communities,” he says. “That’s something to celebrate.”

Though he never studied at Dal, Sylliboy’s educational journey is global. He earned a degree in international relations from Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, becoming the first Mi’kmaw student to graduate from a Spanish-speaking university. He credits his family and community for encouraging him to pursue education beyond borders.

Now, he hopes to bring the Mi’kmaw word “Pjila’si” — welcome — to life across campus. “����tv is always bringing people into its spaces,” he says. “I’d like Indigenous people to feel they can go into all parts of the university and experience that welcoming feeling.” — Matt Reeder 

����tv received a $3.5-million gift from the McCall MacBain Foundation to expand its Student Leadership Academy. Announced at the 2025 ����tv Student Leadership Conference, the investment will enhance leadership programming and provide new opportunities for students across disciplines and backgrounds.

The Student Leadership Academy equips students with skills, confidence, and networks to lead in their communities and beyond. The new funding introduced 10 entrance scholarships for incoming students with leadership potential and the ����tv–McCall MacBain Leadership Academy Scholarship for high-performing student leaders. These initiatives offer financial support, mentorship, and applied learning experiences.

“Leadership is about inspiring others, driving meaningful change, and building a better future,” said John and Marcy McCall MacBain. “We are proud to support the next generation of change-makers.”

The McCall MacBain Foundation, known for its commitment to education, climate solutions, and health, has contributed more than $500 million to global initiatives. Its flagship McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University have supported several ����tv students and alumni. 

Dr. Rick Ezekiel, ����tv’s vice-provost of student affairs, emphasized that fostering leadership is central to the university’s mission. “A culture of excellent student leadership is at the core of a vibrant, engaged university community,” he said.

This gift ensures that ����tv students will continue to access high-quality leadership training, helping them make meaningful contributions on campus and beyond. — Christena Copeland

Dr. W. Ford Doolittle, professor emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has been named a Companion of the Order of Canada — the highest honour within the Order. His appointment recognizes a career that has reshaped our understanding of DNA, evolution, and the origins of life.

Originally from the U.S., Dr. Doolittle moved to Nova Scotia in the early 1970s. Over five decades, his groundbreaking theories — once considered radical — have become foundational in evolutionary biology. He challenged conventional thinking with ideas like the “selfish” nature of DNA and gene-swapping in early evolution, helping to establish Canada as a global leader in genome research.

As director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research’s Evolutionary Biology Program for over 20 years, he mentored a generation of scientists and advanced Canada’s reputation in molecular biology. His accolades include the Royal Society of Canada, the Canada Council Killam Prize (2017), and the Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal (2013).

Dr. Doolittle is only the seventh Nova Scotian to be named a Companion. Reflecting on the honour, he said, “It is very nice to join the Order of Canada and be recognized in this particularly Canadian way.” 

Six Dal alumni were also named among the 83 new appointments being celebrated on Canada Day 2025, including Dr. Elizabeth Rollins Epperly (MA’74), The Honourable J. Michael MacDonald (LLB’79), Dr. Earl Bogoch (PGM’74), Dr. Bonnie Henry (MD’90, LLD’22), Maureen McTeer (LLM’93), and Dr. Timothy Whelan (PGM’81). — Ryan McNutt

The Faculty of Engineering received a $1.05-million gift from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation (JSF) to support its Inclusive Pathways to Engineering Careers Program. Launched in 2023, the program aims to remove barriers and increase access to engineering education for equity-deserving groups, with initial pathways focused on Indigenous and African Nova Scotian and Black students.

The program was developed through consultation with community partners and knowledge keepers. It offers tailored supports including scholarships, mentorship, and career coaching to help students thrive academically and professionally. “This donation is more than just financial support — it is an investment in the future of our students and the strength of our community,” said ����tv President Dr. Kim Brooks.

JSF CEO Robert A. Krause praised ����tv’s commitment to empowering underrepresented students, saying, “����tv’s dedication to empowering deserving Indigenous and African Nova Scotian and Black students to graduate as engineers aligns with our mission.”

This gift builds on a longstanding partnership between ����tv and JSF, which has previously supported scholarships for students with disabilities and the Health Sciences Pathway Initiative. — Emm Campbell 

Cathie O’Toole (BA'93) will begin as Dal's next vice president of finance and administration on Oct. 20, 2025.

O’Toole has had a distinguished career in the public sector, recently as chief administrative officer for Halifax. As the city’s top civil servant, she supported a municipal workforce of more than 4,500 in delivering key programs and services across the municipality. Prior to that, she served as general manager and CEO of Halifax Water and as HRM’s chief financial officer.

O’Toole completed her Bachelor of Arts at ����tv and is also a graduate of King’s Foundation Year Program. She holds an MBA from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant who has been recognized as a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) of Nova Scotia.

"As a proud graduate of ����tv University, I am excited to join the executive leadership team at a time when there are some complex financial challenges," says O’Toole. "I look forward to seeing how I can contribute to achievement of ����tv's mission and am committed to approaching each challenge and opportunity in a manner that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and mutual respect."