April 19, 2006 Source: :
http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2006/black_loyalist_19apr.html Acadia University Responds to Black Loyalist Heritage Society Arson Tragedy (Wolfville, NS) - Acadia University’s Centre for the Study of Ethnocultural Diversity (ACSED) today pledged $6,000 in support of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society to help reconstitute its twenty-year genealogical project, largely destroyed when its Birchtown office was deliberately set on fire on March 31, 2006. "The work being performed by the Black Loyalist Heritage Society is doing a great deal to advance an understanding of ethnocultural diversity in Atlantic Canada," said Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, Acadia University President and Vice-Chancellor. "I’m delighted that Acadia, its students and faculty can contribute in a significant way to this initiative which combines the mission of the University to engage students in transformative education and the mission of ACSED to promote ethnocultural understanding. Our faculty knew instantly that we had to help the Society reclaim records lost in this tragic fire, and I applaud them on their quick response." In addition to the $6,000 contribution, two senior students will be hired through ACSED to work full-time on site over this summer to assist in this vital reclamation project. Acadia’s prompt response was facilitated by the existence of its community research partnership between ACSED and the Mugomeh Conference. The Mugomeh Conference, developed through the leadership of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, is a coalition of African Nova Scotian community organizations and academic researchers, in which Acadia faculty members are active participants. Acadia’s Dr. Robert Pitter is Co-Chair of the Mugomeh Conference and Acadia’s Dr. Jan Marontate is a member of the Conference Board. Both are also active members of ACSED which is directed by Dr. Jim Sacouman, a professor in Acadia’s Department of Sociology. Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. For more information about Acadia, visit our website at http://www.acadiau.ca -30- For more information contact:
Scott Roberts
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Acadia University
P: 902.585.1705
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