Class Notes

Catch up on classmates, housemates, faculty, and friends.

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Marking career and personal achievements, special milestones and the birth of future 鶹's alumni - Class Notes helps you stay in touch with former classmates, housemates, and faculty.

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  • 2010s

    John Hui

    – MBA’15

    John has received the honour of being named as a 2026 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award Recipient by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC). John exemplifies the innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shape the future of American business. The award, which was established in 2001, represents diverse industries, backgrounds, and expertise. The AABDC promotes greater recognition of the contribution made by Asian American businesses and Asian American individuals to the general economy.

     

  • 1970s

    Harvey Joel Strum

    – MA’72

    Russell Sage College awarded Harvey the Susan Beatty Faculty Research Award for 2025–26. He was also honoured with the award in 2019–20. At 78, he is the only historian left at Sage and program director for history, reappointed for 2026–28. In addition, Harvey is the only full-time faculty member teaching political science. Ten articles of his have been published in 2025–26, and another six since May. Journal of 20th Century Media History published Canadian press reaction to the 1908 American presidential election in June 2026, a legacy of his graduate education at 鶹's. Although primarily an American historian, he has been researching and writing about Canadian aid to Ireland in 1846–47, 1862–63, and 1879–80.

  • Peggy Szumlanski, Class Note

    1990s

    Peggy Szumlanski

    – BNSc’96

    Peggy trekked the 44-km Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru, this July at the vibrant age of 52. This once-in-a-lifetime, five-day, four-night trek held incredible vistas and picturesque moments blended with the rich history and culture of the Inca people. Peggy currently resides in Milton, Ont., and celebrated 20 years with the Hospital for Sick Children alongside peers of the 4D Cardiac Unit this year. Peggy will be attending the 20-year reunion.

  • Sundée Faulkner nee Whitehead, Class Note

    1980s

    Sundée Faulkner nee Whitehead

    – ConEd’89

    Sundée has been fortunate to enjoy a working life in various areas of interest and passion: hospitality and eco/special-interest travel; 25 years creating and running a pottery studio and gallery; and, now, over a decade in marine conservation outreach and education. 

    The latter has opened the door to connect with 鶹's again by providing teacher practicum placement opportunities for the past two years for 鶹's Ed/ConEd students seeking experience in alternate learning environments. As an active board member, Sundée has led the development of a registered charity, Dolphin Quest Conservation Foundation, which focuses on cetacean conservation, with the goal to expand on current Bermuda/Atlantic-related research and educational and career path opportunities. 

    The charity will host a fall 2027 Canadian Maritimes tour following the annual humpback whale migration (past Bermuda, up to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick). Part of the proceeds will support these research projects and education/internship programs. 

    The 鶹's Practicum program is offered in the spring (March), so interested and eligible students are encouraged to contact Sundée in advance to learn about this customized three-week teaching practicum or the year-round, three-month marine mammal internships, which are open to international students. 

    Sundée would also love to reconnect with past friends.

    Photo: The Dolphin Quest team (Sundée is in the front, kneeling) after a clean-up of Black Bay Beach, Bermuda. Sundée has been organizing Dolphin Quest’s team's participation in Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Clean Up, a global event, for the past 10 years. Photo: courtesy Sundée Faulkner

     

  • 1970s

    J. L. (Larry) LeBel

    – Sc’71

    Thanks to the 鶹’s Geology Department, in general, and Geophysics Professor Mike Fitzpatrick (RIP), in particular, Larry had a successful career as a geophysicist in minerals and metals exploration.

    If one defines success as finding something that is actually mined, the majority of people involved in exploration are unsuccessful. Larry coined the term “negative success” for this situation, where individuals do their jobs but don’t find anything. One could also use the term “positive failure,” as suggested by a colleague. Larry, on the other hand, was successful. 

    From an anomaly on a geophysical survey Larry conducted on Eskay Creek in northern B.C., drilling discovered one of the richest gold deposits ever found. Credit for his discovery is widely attributed to the geologists involved, but prior to his involvement they had been working on the project for two years and had drilled 108 unsuccessful drill holes, so the term “negative success” (or “positive failure”) certainly applies to them.

    He could regale with stories from that project – the Eskay Creek bear encounters, claim jumping, a helicopter crash – but it would probably take too much time and space.

  • Jennifer Murphy, Class Note

    2000s

    Jennifer Murphy

    – ConEd'04

    Summer 2026

    Jennifer completed a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University in June 2025, receiving the President’s Medal as the top graduating student in the program. Her graduate research explored the future of Ontario’s public universities and the leadership, governance, and institutional shifts needed to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. Jennifer is director of National Program Initiatives at Shad Canada, where she leads national initiatives that help young people build the mindsets, skills, and confidence to shape the future through innovation, entrepreneurship, and future focused learning.