UNB marked a historic first at its 2025 spring graduation ceremonies with the introduction of two ceremonial stoles honouring, celebrating and recognizing First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and African and African diasporic graduands. The stoles — created by artists deeply rooted in the communities they represent — were worn by students who were graduating on UNB’s Fredericton and Saint John campuses. These visual symbols of cultural identity, achievement and belonging reflect a growing commitment at UNB to reconciliation, representation and inclusion.
When Sascha Boulet-Devost (BScKin’09) reflects on her entrepreneurial journey to reshape health-care delivery and improve access in rural communities, she empathically states, “We’re either setting new standards or challenging every rule that’s held health care back — either way, we’re amplifying our impact!”
On May 16, UNB Law launched the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the faculty’s history. With the goal of $23 million, the Where Leaders are Made campaign will support the people, places and programs that will define the next century for UNB Law through four campaign pillars: student support, classroom experience, experiential learning, and research that confronts societal challenges. For generations, UNB Law has produced a large number of extraordinary leaders: lawyers, premiers, cabinet ministers, judges, Chiefs and Elders, and executives at some of Canada’s most prominent institutions. Its next chapter will take UNB Law’s storied history and build on its past successes and new aspirations.
The 2025-26 scholars are Eric Carroll of Miramichi, N.B., Daniel Hie of Moncton, N.B., Lacey Loder of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., and Lukas O’Connell of Gloucester Junction, N.B. The scholarships, valued at $75,000 each, were established in 2004 by one of Canada’s most accomplished business leaders and philanthropists, UNB Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Richard J. Currie (Class of ’60, LLD’87), who was a Beaverbrook Scholar as a young man. Each year, the Currie Scholarships recognize Atlantic Canadian high school students for their leadership skills, community involvement, academic success, and obstacles overcome.
On May 27, UNB opened the doors to the Allison D. McCain Commons — a stunning, sustainable and state-of-the-art addition to the country’s oldest engineering school. This 18,400-square-foot mass timber and glass structure transforms the entrance of Head Hall on our Fredericton campus into a vibrant hub for learning, collaboration, and innovation. At its heart is the Student Success Centre, a 1,500-square-foot space dedicated to empowering students with tutoring, mentoring, counselling, and career support. Named in recognition of Dr. Allison D. McCain (BScEE’72, DSc’07), a UNB engineering graduate, former UNB chancellor (2013-23) and lead donor to the project, the commons is a bold step forward in our vision to reimagine engineering education for the future.
UNB strengthens its global leadership in biomedical engineering with Dr. Ahmed Shehata’s (PhD’18) appointment as Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering. His work will drive innovation in prosthetic control and mobility research, while training the next generation of experts. He will primarily work with the research team at UNB’s Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBME), a hub of interdisciplinary research activity in mobility and rehabilitation engineering. The IBME has been a global leader in myoelectric prosthesis control for 60 years and continues to lead groundbreaking advances in the field. In addition to working closely with the IBME, Ahmed’s research will span across disciplines and faculties including engineering, kinesiology and computer science, and across other major research centres and initiatives at UNB, including the Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the NB Institute for Research Data and Training, the Centre for Research in Integrated Care and the Integrated Health Initiative.
This summer, seven third-year nursing students from UNB will join the first UNB-Shannex Long-Term Care Summer Institute. Over 15 weeks, students in Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton will gain hands-on experience in Shannex nursing homes, learning from seasoned registered nurses. The program aims to develop leadership in elder care and inspire students to transform long-term care. Funded in part by a $1-million Shannex donation, the initiative supports five years of programming. It builds on the 2023 Nursing Education Design Summit and reflects a shared commitment to preparing future nurses for New Brunswick’s aging population and evolving health-care needs.
Hats off to nursing alumni, as well as current and former UNB nursing faculty members, on receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Lorna Butler, dean; Lynn Nagle (BN’78), adjunct professor at the University of Toronto; Martha Paynter, assistant professor; Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard (MN’01), professor at l’Université de Moncton; Sharon Hamilton, teaching professor; Kelly Scott-Storey (BN’99, MN’07, PhD’13), associate vice president, research, innovation and partnerships; and Cheyenne Joseph, director, health, Assembly of First Nations. If you know of any other medal recipients from any UNB program, let us know so we can congratulate them.
UNB’s Institute of Population Health (IPH) officially opened on April 17, a major step toward improving health and well-being in New Brunswick. The IPH’s education efforts include outreach through public lectures and knowledge sharing. It works to sustain research collaborations, engages with funders and translates findings into policy recommendations. The IPH raises the profile of researchers and informs health policy to improve population health outcomes. It advocates for better health outcomes, connects with partner institutes and decision makers and leads or supports multidisciplinary research, including systemic reviews.
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John Gerhardt (BA’85) received an honorary doctorate of letters for his remarkable achievements in fashion, branding and creativity. He is one of the world’s most esteemed figures in luxury branding.
Carol Loughrey (BBA’70) received an honorary doctorate of letters. She was the first woman to earn tenure in the faculty of business administration at UNB, achieving the positions of assistant dean and associate professor in 1986. She was the first woman to hold an academic administrative position in the faculty.
Subramonian Shankar (MScEE’76) received an honorary doctorate of science. His enduring dedication to philanthropy and innovation is a testament to the profound impact that purpose-driven leadership can achieve.
