After making it through 2020 together, we knew 2021 would bring both ups and downs as we continued to navigate life with COVID-19. Despite these challenges, this year has brought so many wonderful moments and successes at CBU, and we wanted to share them with you in the Best of 2021 round up. From all of us here at CBU, have a safe and happy holiday season; we can’t wait to see you again in 2022! 

Our Students Excelled Despite the Challenges

What we are most proud of at CBU is the quality of our students. This year they continued to thrive as they adapted to every curveball 2021 threw their way. Here are a few of our student-highlights for 2021: 

• Leah Burns: Striving for Success in Hard Times
• Mitchell Hiscock: Adapting to Online Learning
• Inaugural Graduating Class for the BASE program
• Megan Shapka: Becoming a Change Maker
• Ashraf Selwaness: Worth the Wait
• Maggie Berk: Overcoming Obstacles
• Rebecca Lambke: Ready to Compete
• Kairo Coore: Soccer Dreams on the East Coast
• Amelia Carlini: Field of AUS Dreams
• Lefin Paruvaparampil Chacko: Helping Hand
• Jatin Joshi: Fueling his Passion
• Vincepreet Singh: Foodbank Coordinator

Two more classes of incredible students graduated from CBU:

• MacKenna King
• Caelan Budhoo
• Nadine Prosper
• Ganiyu Abass
• Euan Bauld
• Elizabeth Fraser
• Annabelle Bugay
• Foysal Ahmed

Our Faculty Adapted to Provide the Best Online Learning Experience Possible

We would like to give a special shout out to our faculty members who adapted to both remote and in person teaching, continuously supporting our students through it all. Your dedication has made all the difference.

Our Researchers Worked on Innovative Projects 

This is only a sample of the incredible work accomplished by our researchers in 2021. We can’t wait to see the new heights reached next year. 

• Dr. Allison Mackie: Detecting COVID-19 in Wastewater
• Dr. Heather Sparling Named D’Arcy McGee Beacon Fellow
• Mary Beth Doucette: Truth and Reconciliation
• Dr. Kevin McKague: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
• Dr. Katherine Jones: Riverside Knowledge Path
• 23 CBU Researchers Receive RISE Grants
• Dr. Peter MacIntyre: Bridging Communication Gaps
• Dr. Sylvia Burrows: Challenging Gender Violence
• President’s Awards in Research
• Maskwiomin Project Awarded
• Distinguished Teaching Award: Kate Krug

We Celebrated Virtually and In Person

As restrictions lifted and gathering limits increased, we worked tirelessly to bring events back to life at CBU while keeping safety as our number one priority. Here are some of the highlights from the 2021 events scene: 

• Six Honorary Degree Recipients Recognized 
• Spring 2021 Convocation
• Special Convocation
• Highlanders Conference
• Health Research Conference
• Honorary Chair of the 2021 U Sports National Championship
• Tuition Waiver for Former Youth in Care
• Diwali Celebrations
• Community Conversation on Mental Health

Existing Relationships Were Nurtured and New Partnerships Formed

Here at CBU, collaboration is integral. Partnerships like these help us to reach our strategic goals and better serve the needs of our students and community.

• Chair in Healthy L’nu Communities Announced
• Poland Exchange Opportunity
• New Downtown Location
• CUBE MOU and Scholarships

We Announced New Roles

Growth and innovation are so important to the CBU community, and we are thrilled that 2021 brought us new roles and teams:

• Business Intelligence Unit
• New Dean of Unama’ki College
• Special Advisor to the Vice President Academic and Unama’ki College
• Visiting Professor Alana Pindar

We Gave Back to the Community Who Supports Us

During this season of giving, we are proud to have contributed to food banks across the Island, with the help of our wonderful food bank coordinator, and all of the faculty and staff who yet again donated in lieu of a holiday party.