Inaugural Lecture
Join us on a journey through time as distinguished speakers, Paul MacDougall, Senior Instructor II in Health Sciences, School of Education and Health; Dr. Felix Odartey-Wellington, Associate Professor of Communication, School of Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie, Dean of the School of Science and Technology; and Dr. Mary Beth Doucette, Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies and Associate Professor, Shannon School of Business, guide us through lectures reflecting our past, present and future.
This unique and historic celebration is a tribute to 50 years of academic excellence at CBU, inspired by Dr. Donald F. Arseneau’s first inaugural lecture, “Xavier Traditions,” in 1974, a defining moment in our journey from the College of Cape Breton (CCB) to the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB), and now, our beloved CBU.
Faculty and members of the academic community are invited to participate in a 50th Anniversary photoshoot adorned in academic regalia at the Great Hall. Please gather at 10:45am for the group photo, scheduled at 11:00am, followed by a processional to the Boardmore Playhouse. The event will conclude with a reception at the Pit Lounge.
For those without academic regalia, the necessary attire will be provided. As seating is limited, general admission guests are also encouraged to RSVP. If you can attend, please fill in the form to RSVP by Monday, January 19.
If you have any questions, please contact 50anniversary@cbu.ca.
Faculty Bio
Paul MacDougall
Paul is a Senior Instructor II in Health Sciences at CBU. He began his work career with CBU in 1999 but his relationship with CBU dates to 1976 researching a high school history project in the Beaton Institute. Over the decades he has studied science, arts, and business at CCB/CBU. He has also written or co-written eight plays, all produced at the Boardmore Theatre, and published a book with CBU Press. He is a regular contributing interviewer to Coast Radio (89.7 FM), writes a monthly column for the Cape Breton Post on local sports history and is an ardent Capers fan.
Dr. Felix Odartey-Wellington
Dr. Felix Odartey-Wellington is an Associate Professor of Communication. He joined CBU after a career as a lawyer and broadcaster in Ghana, and graduate studies in Canada. A former ICTJ-IJR Justice in Transitional Societies Fellow and Edward S. Rogers Sr. Doctoral Scholar, Dr. Odartey-Wellington holds a PhD in Communication and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan and York Universities, an MA in Media Studies from Concordia University, a Graduate Diploma in Transitional Justice from the University of Cape Town, BL Professional Law Qualifications from the Ghana School of Law, and a BA (Honours) Double Major in Law and Political Science from the University of Ghana. He is a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Outside the classroom, Dr. Odartey-Wellington is a Public Affairs Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, communicating for the Canadian military in Atlantic Canada and abroad. He is also the host of #Research@CBU on Caper Radio, CBU’s campus-community radio station.
Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie
Stephanie obtained her BSc from Mount Allison University in the year 2000. She continued to pursue chemistry in graduate school at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where she earned her PhD under the supervision of Professor Paul Carlier in organic chemistry in 2005. In 2005 she accepted a post-doctoral position in Professor Cathleen Crudden’s group at Queen’s University. In 2009 Stephanie started at Cape Breton University as Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry. She is now Full Professor of Organic Chemistry, and Dean of the School of Science and Technology, and runs a National Science and Engineering Research Council funded research program with mainly undergraduate students. As one of three inaugural NSERC Chair for Inclusion in Science and Engineering in the Atlantic Region she will lead systematic change in rural and remote areas. She’s a leading advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Chemistry in Canada and champions policies benefiting marginalized and under-represented groups. Her work within the CSC and CIC is extensive resulting in measurable changes making Chemistry in Canada a more inclusive and diverse community. Stephanie has already made history at CBU as the first female Dean of the School of Science and Technology at CBU.
Dr. Mary Beth Doucette
Mary Beth Doucette, Associate Professor, Ph.D., MBA, B.Eng. is a Mi’kmaq/Canadian from Unama’ki’ (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) and Membertou community member. Professionally, she holds the Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies at Cape Breton University’s Shannon School of Business. Her research is focused on Indigenous-led business Community Economic Development, policy administration, and curriculum development. Mary Beth has worked with organizations that strive to use collaborative co-learning approaches to integrate an Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing lens throughout their operations and she was honored to be appointed as the Co-Chair of the Bras d’Or Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative in the spring 2023.