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Alumni Days 2025 a chance to gather, learn and celebrate

Dal Alumni Days 2025 offered a mix of panel discussions, networking, and socializing opportunities. Held May 22 to 24, we welcomed hundreds of alumni back to campus for five events.
People seated in a horseshoe-shape around a narrow black carpet and video screen at the front while a woman stands at a podium at a semi-formal event.

Posted: May 30, 2025

By: Alison DeLory

Photos by: Danny Abriel, Cody Turner,Sonya Jampolskly and Alison DeLory

This year, alumni took part in two fascinating faculty-organized keynote panel discussions, networked at the mentorship mixer, attended the awarding of our flagship alumni awards — theAurum Awards— and enjoyed a delicious meal and the bestowing of the Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award at a brunch celebrating milestone reunions.

Here are some highlights:

Champagne Social

Alumni from the past 70 years from across all faculties came together at Sheriff Hall for the time-honoured Champagne Social, where they enjoyed a buffet brunch and posed for reunion class photos.

A highlight was when Dr. J. Donald “Don” Hill (MD’60, LLD’87), a renowned cardiac surgeon, collaborator and innovator of mechanical circulatory support devices, received the2025 ʹڲapp Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. David Anderson, ʹڲapp’s Dean of Medicine, called Dr. Hill, “a true pioneer, at the forefront of medical innovation…his work has advanced science and transformed lives.”

Drs. Anderson and Hill stand together holding a framed certificate at an event; multi-generational family members gather on a staircase at an event. Above: Dean Dr. Dean Anderson awarding Dr. Don Hill his Golden Eagle.; Dr. Hill with his award and his family at the Champagne Social.
Two people hold a welcome sign at a social event; edible flower cupcakes of various styles arranged on a cake stand atop a yellow tablecloth. Above: Dal staff welcome guests; edible flower cupcakes beautified each table.
A group of 7 people pose together holding a sign "Class of 1995" against a shiny gold backdrop. Above: We celebrated members of milestone grad classes ending in “5” or “0” this year.

The New Space Age

NASA astronaut and 2025 Aurum Award recipient Dr. Kathryn Sullivan (PhD’78) gave the keynote lecture at Alumni Days. She discussed the boom in national space agencies worldwide, the need for traffic management in space, the challenge of space debris, and the imperative of moon ‘sovereignty’ (as expeditions are increasingly mounted by private explorers who may try to ‘claim’ parts of it, e.g., for mining).

Dr. Sullivan also shared that she’s been called “the most vertical person on Earth” for not only has she walked in space, she’s also explored the deepest reaches of the ocean.

A panel event followed at which Dr. Sullivan was joined by fellow 2025 Aurum Award recipient Arad Gharagozli (BEng’20) and Stephen Matier, founder, CEO & director of Maritime Launch. It was moderated by Dr. David Barclay, Dal oceanography professor and host of the Sciographies ʴǻ峦. 

Audience members of various ages seated in lecture-style seats at an event. Above: Community members immersed in Dr. Sullivan’s lecture.
Dr. Sullivan stands on stage and points up at the screen behind her; a slide in her presentation on screen; panelists seated in discussion. Above: Dr. Kathryn Sullivan gave the Alumni Days keynote lecture on “The New Space Age," describing largely unregulated space exploration as a ‘Wild West.' The panel included Arad Gharagozli and Stephen Matier.
A woman stands between four men in a row dressed business casually at an event. Above: Arad Gharagozli, David Barclay, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Stephen Matier, Dr. Charles MacDonald (Dean of Science).

Mentorship Mixer

“Mentorship is not just about solutions or answers, it’s an energy exchange,” mentee Khaled Al-Mahbashi (BACS’23) said during the Mentorship Mixer.

The event was an opportunity forDal Alumni Linkmentors and mentees, plus those curious about the program, to meet in person and discuss their experiences.

A man speaks into a microphone behind a podium; a woman and three men gathered casually at an event. Above: Mentee Khaled Al-Mahbashi describes his positive experiences in the Dal Alumni Link program; attendees mingling at the Mentorship Mixer.
Six people stand casually at an event wearing name tags. Above: Mentor Caroline Blair-Smith (BA’93), second from the right, and guests.

Neville Gilfoy Lecture

The Neville Gilfoy entrepreneurship panelists shared informative, inspiring and entertaining stories about how their companies got their start and how they navigate the health-care technology space. They also answered audience questions around how to turn an idea into the creation of an innovative product.

There was much applause as Hamad Hanafi (MSc'09, PhD'15), founder & CEO of NovaResp Technologies Inc. said, “I think Nova Scotia is the perfect place to start your business.”

In closing remarks Neville Gilfoy's son Jamie, who attended the lecture, said Neville would have loved this panel discussion.

Five event panelists stand in front of soft seating smiling with hands clasped in front. Above: Panelists Ryan Marshall (far left), Dal faculty member Paola A. Marignani, Rashmi Prakash (centre), and Hamed Hanafi along with moderator Leslie McNabb-Kyritsis (BComm’90).
An audience member seated in a classroom at an event speaks into a microphone., smiling with other attendees in the back- and foreground. Above: The audience asks questions about turning ideas into realities.

Aurum Awards

ʹڲapp’s flagship alumni awards, the Aurum Awards, were also handed out. Each year, many incredible Dal alumni are nominated by their peers and the winners are selected by the ʹڲapp Alumni Association.

This year’s honorees include a NASA astronaut and oceanographer, a cancer researcher making ground-breaking discoveries with stem cells, a geologist advocating for community health through well water testing, and an aerospace engineer who's launching satellites into space to solve problems here on Earth. They share a relentless pursuit to understand, heal and expand the boundaries of what’s possible.Explore their stories and videos.

The award recipients stand together displaying their framed award certificates dressed up for the event. Above: The 2025 Aurum Award winners (l-r) Dr. Allen Eaves, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Arad Gharagozli and Fred Bonner.
Galarneau and Bonner stand together holding his award; Dr. Eaves speaks at the podium. Above: Geologist Fred Bonner stands with ceremony host and ʹڲapp Alumni Association President, Jo-Anne Galarneau (BA’03) after receiving his award; medical innovator Dr. Allen Eaves gives thanks to his alma mater after receiving his Aurum Award.
Four people stand in a row at the start of a rolled out black carpet while audience members stand along the sides clapping. Above: The 2025 Aurum Award winners receive a standing ovation from attendees.

Until next year

Thank you to all who joined us for Alumni Days 2025! We hope you return next year.