For immediate release: October 2, 2004

Acadia installs 14th president at fall convocation

(Wolfville, NS) - Acadia University celebrated the Installation of Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb as its fourteenth President this morning at a special fall convocation ceremony.

The fall convocation ceremony also included the awarding of an honorary degree to Dr. Barbara Le Blanc, a prominent and respected member of the Acadian community, and a community service award to long-time Wolfville resident Jack Herbin.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves in our community and beyond,” said Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb. “Barbara Le Blanc has made a substantial contribution to the culture of Nova Scotia over the past 20 years by promoting and highlighting Acadian history and culture. And Jack Herbin, through his many contributions to the community, has become part of the very fabric of Wolfville.”

Dr. Le Blanc, a professor at Université Sainte-Anne, has been involved in several important community organizations, serving as president of the Acadian provincial association, the Société Promotion Grand-Pré and the Canadian Association of Folklore. Dr. Le Blanc is currently working in co-operation with members of the Société Promotion Grand-Pré to design interactive activities to be used at Grand-Pré National Historic Site. She holds two degrees from Dalhousie University and two from Laval University.

A new Acadia University Community Service Award acknowledges the importance that Acadia places on the contributions made by an individual to their community. With an increasing focus on teaching Acadia students how to be engaged citizens, the recipients of this award serve as inspirational role models.

Mr. Herbin, Acadia’s first Community Service Award recipient, is a long-time resident and former owner of Herbin's Ltd. Mr. Herbin has shown invaluable commitment through community service, including becoming the third generation of his family to serve on the Wolfville Town Council. He has served several other organizations, often as chair, including Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital, the Wolfville School Board, St. John's Anglican Church, Home Fires, the Acadia Child Development Centre, Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Wolfville Curling Club, and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

During the installation ceremony, best wishes for Dr. Dinter-Gottlieb’s presidency were brought by The Honourable Myra Freeman, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; The Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services; The Honourable David Morse, Minister of Community Services; Robert Stead, Mayor of Wolfville; Dr. William Barker, President of the University of King’s College, representing Universities, Colleges and Associations, and members of the Acadia community.

Biographies:

Dr. Barbara Le Blanc - Honorary Graduate, Doctor of Letters

Well-known for her dynamic and inspirational presentations, Dr. Barbara Le Blanc is a prominent and respected member of the Acadian community who has contributed greatly to the culture of Nova Scotia over the past 20 years. Originally from Cape Breton, Dr. Le Blanc currently teaches at Université Sainte-Anne.

Dr. Le Blanc uses her talents as an educator to promote and highlight Acadian history and culture. She has conducted workshops and developed creative educational programs for children and visitors to national historic sites such as Grand-Pré, Fort Anne and Port-Royal as well as the Nova Scotia Museum. Dr. Le Blanc has also collaborated in producing a video and teachers’ manual in French and English on traditional Acadian dance.

Dr. Le Blanc has held an important leadership role in the efforts of the Acadian community. She was a key participant in persuading the Nova Scotia government to purchase land adjacent to Grand-Pré National Historic Site. This decision prevented commercial development projected to jeopardize the integrity of this historic site.

Involved in several important community organizations, Dr. Le Blanc has served as president of the Acadian provincial association, the Société Promotion Grand-Pré and the Canadian Association of Folklore. Dr. Le Blanc is currently working in co-operation with the personnel of the Société Promotion Grand-Pré to design interactive activities to be used at Grand-Pré National Historic Site. She holds two degrees from Dalhousie University and two from Laval University.

[Webmaster's note: Jack Herbin is the son of John Frederic Herbin 1860-1923 who purchased the land he believed was the site of St-Charles-des-Mines Church in Grand-Pré. This had also been the site of the cemetery where the Acadians had been buried. Thus began the development of today’s Grand Pre Historic site. John-Frederic’s mother was Marie-Marguerite ROBICHAUD and was born in Meteghan Jack Herbin -Acadia University Community Service Award]

Jack Herbin is part of the very fabric of Wolfville, Nova Scotia. A long-time resident, he is the former owner of Herbin's Ltd., established in 1884 by his grandfather, John Frederic Herbin, who graduated from Acadia University in 1890 and offered incredible support to the University.

Jack Herbin, a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, was involved in farming as a young man. However, in 1950, he succeeded his late father, Frederic George Herbin, as owner of Herbin's Jewelers. Since that time, he has become well-known and greatly appreciated by generations of Acadia University students, staff and faculty as well as residents throughout the Annapolis Valley. Through many family milestones - graduations, awards, engagements, and weddings – Mr. Herbin has served his community well with excellent service and commitment.

He has also shown invaluable commitment through community service, including becoming the third generation of his family to serve on the Wolfville Town Council. Although modest about his involvement, Mr. Herbin has served several other organizations, often as chair, including Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital, the Wolfville School Board, St. John's Anglican Church, Home Fires, the Acadia Child Development Centre, Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Wolfville Curling Club, and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. Mr. Herbin, along with his family, has also maintained an active interest in Acadia, especially the athletic teams of whom he has been an enthusiastic and loyal fan for many years.


© Lucie LeBlanc Consentino
Acadian & French Canadian Ancestral Home
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