‘I wear my barley ring with great pride’
Gathering honours Dal AC graduating students with memories, special ring
Dalhousie Agricultural Campus graduating students were recently honoured during the annual Barley Party, with 81 rings presented to Faculty of Agriculture students.
Established in 2010, the Barley Party is the annual celebration for students who have purchased a Barley Ring, the campus’s widely recognized graduation ring. Held in Jenkins Hall in Bible Hill, students and their supporters enjoy a meal and one-by-one are called to the front of the room to accept their Barley Ring.
Students are also welcomed to the Agricultural Campus Alumni Association by Dr. Robyn McCallum, chair of the Alumni Association and are presented their rings by Dean Dr. David Gray.
“This ring means so much to me,” said McCallum, Class of ’13 and ’17.
“It reminds me of my time at the AC, how agriculture has shaped me and how I’m part of the AC community. I wear my barley ring with great pride,” she added.
Coming back to the Barley Party as the alumni association chair is special for McCallum as 2023 marks 10 years since she first graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture.
“Seeing the Barley Party grow to this level, filling Jenkins Hall, watching families receive the ring together is truly special. I am honoured to still be involved with the AC in this way,” she said.
One such family is the Briggs from Plaster Rock, N.B. Allyson is the current president of the Dalhousie Agricultural Students’ Association and is graduating with a degree in agricultural business. Her dad, Derek, graduated in 1998.
“It’s special to be receiving a ring with dad,” said Allyson. “He’s been a major role model for me throughout my life and I can attribute a lot of my love for the AC and the agriculture industry to him,” she added. “I vividly remember growing up and hearing him speak fondly of his memories at the AC and I’m happy to now have my own memories to share with him.”
Allyson is attending the University of New Brunswick in the fall to study law. Her dad is vice-president Business Banking, BMO Financial Group in Plaster Rock.
Brother and sister duo Gabby and Hans Schenkels also received their rings, following in their father John’s footsteps (Class of ’91). Growing up on the Schenkels Farm in Miramichi, N.B., influenced the duo. Gabby hopes to contribute to the fight against climate change and will be joining the New Brunswick Soil and Crop Association as their northshore agro-environmental co-ordinator in May while Hans will receive his diploma in dairy business management.
“It was really fun to receive my ring with Hans. We’ve both made great friends here and have learned a lot,” shared Gabby.
In addition, honorary rings are awarded to those who do not meet the criteria for a Faculty of Agriculture ring but who are extremely deserving of the honour. These individuals are ambassadors and supporters of the institution and have made outstanding contributions to the Faculty of Agriculture community.
This year’s honorary ring recipient is Dr. Peter Havard, the longest-serving faculty member on campus. Havard is a professional engineer and a lifetime member of Engineers Nova Scotia because of his long-standing service to the profession.
Havard is approachable and kind. He is always eager to answer questions and his interest in student learning goes beyond the classroom.
Many students can tell you no real due date exists with Havard. If they are willing to put the time and the work into an assignment, he is willing to make the time to ensure they receive credit for it. He is less concerned about grades and far more concerned about his students’ ability to understand a concept.
It’s not uncommon for students to approach Havard for help with classes he does not even teach, as he is willing to go out of his way to explain a concept. He’s one of the first professors who engineering students encounter in their first year and it does not take long for students to begin viewing him as a fatherly figure. Students will strive for high grades, not only for their personal success, but to make Havard proud.
Havard shares with students the best advice he was given as an engineering student: “just give it your best shot.” This advice is accompanied by his unwavering care and support.