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Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Open doors for others, Unama'ki grads told
It was a message of support, encouragement and hope that the 2025 graduates from Unama'ki College were gifted with when they attended the 39th Annual Grad Banquet and Gathering last week. Keynote speaker was Tanas Sylliboy, one of the first Mi'kmaq students to graduate from CBU's nursing program. He spoke about the importance of paving the way for generations of students coming up behind all the alumnae and grads in attendance at the banquet in Membertou. 'I want to do whatever I can so that there can be a 2nd, 3rd, 4th person and so on,' he told the grads. He said he always wants to make a path for others in future generations. He expressed gratitude for those whom he has looked up to and follows. 'At CBU, I didn't have to leave my community or remove myself from my language,' Sylliboy said. He is grateful he learned in an environment where he was with people who thought, spoke and looked like him. Being with people he understood and who understood him gave him a comforting sense of belonging and reduced the stress of higher education. As for his nursing career of the last decade, he told a story of sitting beside an Indigenous person's bedside who looked to be very afraid. 'I told him 'don't be scared, I'm here.' Sylliboy said. 'It's what our medicine is – to care for people.' He encouraged the new grads and alumnae to open doors for other people. 'To quote Lily Gladstone (American Indigenous actress and recent winner of a Golden Globe): 'It's not about kicking that door open. It's about standing and holding that door open for the next person,' he said. Sylliboy continues to forge new beginnings as he just completed his first year of medical school. The evening began with Master of Ceremonies and CBU Alumna Barb Sylvester expressing some of the frustration she felt herself years ago when trying to get an education at the post-secondary level. After a slow start in an education system designed by colonial standards, she flourished once she discovered CBU's In-Community program which bridges gaps for accessibility, belonging and culture and aims to support Indigenous students overcome barriers to their success. Sylvester said she is grateful for the unique learning opportunities Unama'ki College at CBU offers Indigenous students. Unama'ki College Dean, Laurianne Sylvester, commented that the banquet was bringing together two powerful collaborations: alumnae and grads of 2025. She said the alumnae represent strength, resilience and achievement. 'Wherever you have gone, you have carried your identity and education and represented us well,' Laurianne Sylvester said. She told the graduates that CBU is proud of all that they have accomplished. 'You are proof of what is possible,' she said. CBU President and Vice-Chancellor, David Dingwall, said it has been a 39-year relationship between the school and the Indigenous community. He spoke at the banquet about the creation of the Donald Marshall Jr. Building, a place of science, technology and innovation. Dingwall said it is now planned to be 120,000 sq feet and four stories. 'It will represent Indigenous people in a way that never has been seen before,' he announced. CBU Chancellor Annette Verschuren congratulated the graduates and spoke about the importance of community, culture and education. An accomplished businesswoman, Verschuren is also an executive advisor to the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment. 'I want to be involved in a project for you,' she told the grads and alumnae. 'You are important in our world in going forward.' Potlotek's Brady Doucette was announced as the winner of the Nikanewistoqewa'j Award. In English, it translates as 'The One Who Stands for Us All.' In an energetic acceptance speech, Doucette said he is the first Doucette to receive a Masters of Education degree and the youngest in his community (at 27 years) to be granted a Master's Degree. 'I dropped out of university twice, and switched programs seven times!' he said. 'And growing up, I wanted to be a Pokemon Master.' He said as a youngster, his classroom was the kitchen and his best teacher was his Mom. Doucette, the great-grandson of revered Chief Noel Doucette, said he chose to study education because he wants to reclaim the tradition of storytelling as he goes forward. Forty students graduated from Unama'ki College this year in a variety of studies and from four provinces. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CBU to partner with university in IL to boost academic success
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Christian Brothers University announced Tuesday that they are exploring a formal partnership with a university in Illinois. According to a CBU news release, they announced a Letter of Intent for a formal partnership with Lewis University, a fellow Catholic and Lasallian institution located in Illinois. They say the LOI marks the beginning of a collaborative planning process, signaling a mutual intention to explore a new path ahead. CBU's accreditation on probation; school says things are turning around CBU said the following in the press release: No immediate changes to academic programs are planned, and we expect the upcoming school year to proceed as usual with our scheduled academic offerings. The LOI marks the first step in a careful, intentional and shared process. Both institutions will begin a comprehensive evaluation to explore opportunities, address challenges, and shape a future built on their combined strengths. Forums, listening sessions, and strategic planning will help determine the most beneficial path. A decision on whether to proceed with a full agreement is expected this coming fall. CBU says it must immediately cut millions from budget They say the aim is to align academic programs with workforce needs and adopt a financially sustainable model,' said CBU. CBU says the following would help their students: Offering new high-demand programs in aviation, business, engineering, healthcare, and technology. Creating stronger pathways for commuters, adult learners, and transfer, international, traditional, and graduate students. Growing online and hybrid course offerings to increase accessibility and flexibility for traditional and non-traditional students. Extending the reach of both CBU and Lewis University into new markets through academic innovation. They say the partnership will help elevate both institutions' ability to meet regional and national needs. 'The Board of Trustees fully supports this careful evaluation process and remains focused on ensuring the best long-term outcome for CBU and its stakeholders,' said Emily Greer, CBU Board of Trustees Chair. 'We believe this step holds great promise for CBU's future, and we are committed to making thoughtful, mission-driven decisions every step of the way.' Lewis University is located in Romeoville, Illinois, which is 35 miles southwest of Chicago. The university serves nearly 8,000 students with 80 undergraduate majors, over 35 graduate programs, and a Catholic and Lasallian mission. In October 2023, WREG reported cuts were made at Christian Brothers due to a $7 million deficit. In December 2024, an accreditation board voted to keep Christian Brothers on continued probation for another 12 months under close scrutiny. The university was first placed on probation in December 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sunday World
12-05-2025
- Sunday World
Gang rapist Thomas O'Neill moved beside hated rival Dessie Dundon for having ‘shiv' in prison
Heroin dealer O'Neill was moved 'on punishment' to the Challenging Behaviour Unit (CBU) in Cork prison late last month Dessie Dundon is serving life for the murder of Kieran Keane Thomas O'Neill is serving two years for dealing heroin and cocaine Vile gang rapist Thomas O'Neill has been moved from the Midlands to Cork prison — just doors away from hated rival Dessie Dundon — after the predator was caught with a 'shiv' in his cell. Heroin dealer O'Neill — who is serving a two-year-sentence for drug offences — was moved 'on punishment' to the Challenging Behaviour Unit (CBU) in Cork prison late last month. His new cell is one landing beneath and six cells down from infamous gangster Dessie. Dessie is currently 21 years into a life sentence for the murder of rival crime boss Kieran Keane and the attempted murder of Keane's nephew, Owen Treacy, in Limerick in January 2003. Now, sources say there are major fears in the Munster prison that the proximity of the two could lead to unrest in the prison. O'Neill's wife April Collins was a State witness 'There was a lot of surprise that O'Neill would be sent down here when we are already holding Dessie,' the source said. 'Anyone who is in any way familiar with what happened in Limerick would know these two have no reason to have any fondness for each other. 'Hopefully it's a very short-term arrangement as he's only down on punishment after he was caught with a shiv in his cell in the other place. 'Nobody wants to see what would happen if they somehow came face to face.' O'Neill, notorious in his own right for his involvement in the Cratloe Woods gang rape, came to the attention of the Dundon gang in 2017 when he married State witness April Collins. Collins is the former partner of Dessie's brother Ger. Her evidence in the Shane Geoghegan murder trial saw Dessie's brother John jailed for life. She also gave evidence against another brother, Wayne, who was subsequently jailed for life for the murder of innocent businessman Roy Collins. Dessie Dundon is serving life for the murder of Kieran Keane Similarly to the Dundons, O'Neill is heavily involved in drugs in Limerick. In November 2024, he admitted six counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act and was jailed for two years for having cocaine and heroin for sale or supply in Limerick city. O'Neill's sentencing hearing, held before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, heard that an armed Garda unit saw the mobster allegedly drug-dealing while leaning into the rear of a Hyundai Tucson car, outside a house at Hyde Avenue. When the armed gardaí approached O'Neill, he became aggressive in an effort to distract the officers who observed drugs deals on the rear seat of the vehicle, it was heard. Gardaí seized the car and found 23 heroin deals and 18 deals of cocaine bagged up on the rear seat. Gardai also obtained CCTV evidence showing O'Neill and two others engaging in drug dealing. Gardai searched O'Neill's home and found seven more heroin deals, drug paraphernalia, as well as a set of keys to and registration certificate for the Hyundai Tucson. Prison shiv After his arrest, O'Neill told gardaí the drugs were for his own use, that he smoked ten bags of heroin a day, and that the deal bags were for 'bird seed and seeds for flowers'. Prosecuting barrister, John O'Sullivan, said while the total amount of drugs seized from O'Neill (€616) might have been regarded as a low amount by some, it demonstrated the thug was actively dealing cocaine and heroin. Mr O'Sullivan described O'Neill as a 'veteran of the criminal justice system since he was a juvenile', and he highlighted O'Neill's conviction and nine-year sentence in 2004 for his leading role in 'a gang rape that achieved considerable notoriety'. O'Neill was one of four youths and an adult man who raped a woman at Cratloe Woods, Co Clare, on January 23, 2004. Thomas O'Neill and Dessie Dundon News in 90 seconds - 12th May 2025 O'Neill, Dean Barry and Darragh Ryan, were all aged 16 at the time and their accomplice Jason Ring was 14. The four were armed with a golf club, a screwdriver, a shovel and a wheel brace, and threatened the woman and a male who had travelled to the woods in the early hours of the morning. O'Neill and his accomplices ordered the pair out of their car and struck the woman with a golf club after she refused to give one of the gang a kiss. The man was ordered into the boot of the vehicle while the four youths took turns raping the woman in the car. The gang threatened to burn the car with the man inside it, and assaulted him a number of times with the golf club. O'Neill and the others pleaded guilty to rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm, and were jailed for a total of 31 years. April Collins and Ger Dundon O'Neill was described by then sentencing judge Paul Carney, now deceased, as the 'ringleader' and the 'director of operations' of the gang. He was jailed for ten years with the final 12 months suspended. Mr O'Sullivan told O'Neill's sentencing hearing for drug dealing that O'Neill had previous convictions for violent disorder, assault with intent to cause bodily harm, false imprisonment, intimidating a witness, robbery, having a mobile phone in jail, affray, possessing drugs for sale or supply, and road traffic offences. O'Neill's' barrister, Liam Carroll BL, told the drugs sentencing hearing that O'Neill was struggling with heroin addiction at the time and that he is currently on a drugs treatment programme in prison and engaging in education and cookery classes inside.
CBC
19-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
CBRM council pledges half a million dollars toward university's capital campaign
Social Sharing Cape Breton University's capital fundraising campaign is getting a nearly half-a-million-dollar boost from Cape Breton Regional Municipality. CBRM councillors made the pledge Tuesday to help the university pay for buildings and infrastructure, as well as student scholarships, through its Forever CBU campaign. Mayor Cecil Clarke said it's not unheard of for council to provide large gifts for the good of the community. "Previously, council had made a donation to the hospital foundation for $500,000 over multiple years," he said in an interview. "That carried over during my first term from the previous administration, so it's not like council has not made community investments in the past." CBU president David Dingwall asked for a donation of $5 per person based on CBRM's population, and council unanimously agreed. In 2023, Statistics Canada reported CBRM's population had reached nearly 105,000. At $5 a head, that would be at least $470,000. Dingwall said CBU is more than half way to its goal of raising $205 million. Coun. Steve Gillespie told council that improvements at CBU under Dingwall have been "astounding," especially with the coming medical school that will train doctors locally. "The Cape Breton medical campus is probably the most important one," he said. However, Gillespie questioned how CBRM would be able to make such a large contribution. Clarke said the money could be spread out over several years, or it may be funded out of an anticipated budget surplus that could be more than $1 million by the end of March, if there are no last-minute snowstorms. "If the rest of this month Mother Nature stays kind to us, it may help us find some extra resources," he said. Staff have been keeping a list of spending priorities over $25,000 for council to consider if the surplus materializes, and Clarke said the CBU donation is now being added. "It will be part of a bigger list of things, and again I hope that the year-end surplus may be enough that we can accommodate this and other priorities."
