2026
President William Lahey and Inglis Professor Stephen Kimber
President William Lahey exemplifies the spirit of the Order of the Ancient Commoner through his longstanding commitment to public service, thoughtful leadership and deep dedication to the University of King’s College. Since becoming President and Vice-Chancellor in 2016, he has championed the traditions and values of King’s while guiding the university toward a strong and forward-looking future. His service to the King’s community reflects the very qualities this award was created to recognize.
William Lahey became the 25th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of King’s College on July 1, 2016. A professor and former provincial Deputy Minister, Lahey received his undergraduate arts degree from Mount Allison University, followed by degrees in jurisprudence from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto.
Throughout his career as a legal scholar and senior public servant, President Lahey has worked at the boundaries between law and other disciplines: history, political science, public administration, economics, health policy and environmental management.
President Lahey began his career as clerk for Mr. Justice La Forest of the Supreme Court of Canada and later practiced with the Halifax firm of McInnes, Cooper & Robertson. After eight years in the Nova Scotia public service, including as Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, he joined the faculty of Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law in 2001, where he served as the Director of the Dalhousie Health Law Institute between 2007 and 2011. He continues to teach Canadian legal history at Schulich Law. He has been honoured for teaching excellence by Dalhousie law students on three occasions, in 2004, 2008 and again in 2015. His research spans the fields of administrative, constitutional, health, environmental and regulatory law.
During his public service career, President Lahey was responsible for legislative reform in a number of areas, including workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety, labour relations and labour standards, health system and health professions legislation, and environmental law. In 2012-2013, he worked again with Mr. Justice La Forest to complete a major review of Nova Scotia’s mental health legislation.
As Deputy Minister, Department of Environment and Labour from 2004 to 2007, President Lahey spearheaded the development of the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, a far-reaching piece of legislation designed to improve environmental law and policy and to make Nova Scotia a leader in integrating economic growth and environmental protection objectives.
President Lahey has been called upon to advise on some of Nova Scotia’s most challenging public policy issues. In 2013, he co-authored a highly-regarded review of the province’s aquaculture industry with his colleague, Dr. Meinhard Doelle, that recommended significant changes to its regulatory framework in accordance with the principles and concepts of sustainable prosperity. In 2018, he completed An Independent Review of the Province’s Forestry Practices, commonly known as the “Lahey Report”, which emphasizes protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. More recently, in 2021, he completed the Independent Evaluation of Implementation of the Forest Practices Report for Nova Scotia (2018).
President Lahey has played a leading role as Board Chair in the founding, and continuing operation of, Efficiency Nova Scotia, which operates today as EfficiencyOne, Canada’s only regulated energy efficiency utility. It is largely responsible for Nova Scotia’s nation-leading success in reducing electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency programs. President Lahey has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs. He was Chair of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents from 2019 until 2023. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Autism Nova Scotia.
In 2019, President Lahey received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration and in 2022, the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal for contributions to education.
Photo of President Lahey by Adams Photography
For nearly four decades, Inglis Professor Stephen Kimber has made an extraordinary contribution to the University of King’s College through his teaching, mentorship and leadership. As a longtime faculty member in the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing and co-founder of the MFA program, Kimber has helped shape generations of writers, journalists and storytellers. His enduring commitment to the King’s community reflects the lasting contribution and stewardship this award was created to honour.
Kimber is an award-winning writer, editor, and broadcaster, and the author of 13 books, including two novels and 11 works of nonfiction. His 2007 novel, Reparations (HarperCollins)—which bestselling Canadian novelist Lawrence Hill called “an entertaining, provocative legal thriller about power and race relations in Nova Scotia… bold, outrageous, and dangerous”—was a finalist for both the 2007 Crime Writers’ of Canada First Novel Award and the Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction.
Reviewer Ian Colford called his 2020 novel, The Sweetness in the Lime, “a quietly powerful novel, poignant with the sorrow of great loss, uplifting with the joy of discovery.”
Stephen is currently working with Halifax-based Two East Productions to develop a new multimedia project, a TV series and a series of novels, about a fictional police detective that is set in Halifax during World War II.
His most recent nonfiction books include Bitcoin Widow: Love, Betrayal and the Missing Millions, a memoir co-written with Jennifer Robertson and published by HarperCollins, and Alexa! Changing the Face of Canadian Politics, a biography of former Nova Scotia and Canadian New Democratic Party leader Alexa McDonough, by Goose Lane. Alexa! won the Evelyn Richardson Award for nonfiction.
His writing has appeared in almost all major Canadian magazines and newspapers. Between 1985 and 2002, he was a weekly political and general interest columnist for the Daily News in Halifax. As a broadcaster, he has been an Ottawa-based current affairs producer for the CTV Television Network and a producer, writer, story editor, and host for numerous CBC television and radio programs. Stephen currently writes a weekly column for the Halifax Examiner and is a contributing editor to Atlantic Business Magazine.
He is a member of the National Advisory Council of The Walrus and has served as the Atlantic Regional Representative on the National Council of The Writers Union of Canada, where he is currently the treasurer. He was previously the president of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia and a national board member of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
2025
Terra Duncan
Terra Duncan, BJ(Hons)’06, MFA’15, was the first person in King’s history to complete a combined honours degree in journalism and early modern studies. Her contributions to governance and student life during her undergraduate years earned her the Margaret J. Marriner Award for most outstanding residence student in 2005, the Warrena Power Award for most outstanding graduating female student in 2006, a Gold and Silver K, and a Distinction Award in 2006—the KSU’s highest honour, awarded to graduating students who have contributed deeply to life at the college.
Of all her student achievements, working with Inglis Professor Dr. William Barker and Dean Leslie Davis on the Presidential Advisory Committee to change the residence structure to coed had the most significant impact on the future of the college, ensuring all genders have equal access to housing options.
While working in the Registrar’s office, Duncan’s contributions to the college were profound. She inspired thousands of students to apply to King’s and under her leadership, enrolment and retention numbers achieved record heights. In the spring of 2013, former President George Cooper announced that King’s would welcome the largest incoming FYP class in the history of the college, in part because of Duncan’s strategic vision and leadership.
Duncan was instrumental in overseeing the admission and administrative processes needed to get the MFA in Creative Nonfiction operational and ready for the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission’s approval. Going above and beyond the scope of her duties, she even designed the gown worn by MFA graduates during Encaenia. Then, she enrolled as a member of the inaugural MFA class, lending extra administrative support during the program’s infancy while pursuing her love of writing.
As a Student Success Advisor at Dalhousie’s Bissett Student Success Centre, Duncan helps prepare students for careers in STEM fields. She keeps a King’s sweater in her office to wear whenever she advises King’s students to make them feel welcome and at home. She is a go-to for those declaring minors in King’s subjects, and for helping faculty, staff and students alike understand the special relationship between Dalhousie and King’s.
2024
Paul MacKay
When Paul MacKay was hired to manage the King’s Co-op Bookstore in 2018, the store was on the brink of financial collapse. MacKay recognized that the King’s Co-op Bookstore, and the King’s community in general, was very special. Leaving a stable management job at Chapters, MacKay came to King’s to see if he could make a difference.
Within three years MacKay had all former debts settled and the accounting back on track. Building on the strong connections he had with publishing houses across Canada and the United States, he put the King’s Co-op Bookstore on the map, turning it into a nationally and internationally recognized and respected independent bookstore in the eyes of authors, publishing houses and consumers alike. He ships books to alumni around the world and has secured loyal repeat customers within the greater Halifax community and beyond. This is in part because of his personal touch. Every book he ships is accompanied by a receipt with a hand-written expression of gratitude from Paul.
In addition to his business savvy and strong relationship building skills, MacKay understands the power of social media. His funny, clever, and interesting posts have attracted followers from around the world, including some famous followers such as John Lurie. Beyond the impact on the bookstore itself, this power to reach greater audiences has made a valuable contribution to King’s brand awareness as a whole. Prospective students and their families on a campus tour often seek Paul out to meet the person behind the posts.
MacKay’s contribution to King’s goes further still. He has leveraged his role to promote equity, diversity and inclusion, routinely promoting books written by underrepresented authors and supporting local writers such as El Jones and Daniel Paul, alongside international superstars like Angela Davis and Desmond Cole.
MacKay is well loved by King’s students and he, in turn, sees and understands them exceptionally well, caring for them with the heart and passion of a student services professional. The books he stocks are a true representation of the variety of lived experiences on campus, and the events he hosts and promotes reflect the values the students hold dear. When the global pandemic hit, the King’s Co-op Bookstore was the only bookstore that remained open during those first months. He delivered course books and gift-wrapped birthday presents from families to lonely students in their greatest time of need. He did this on his bicycle, attracting media attention and putting King’s on the map yet again. Using every ounce of his time and savvy, he kept that bookstore thriving and audiences engaged during a time of incredible economic and social devastation.
MacKay, like the Ancient Commoner himself, is a silent partner in the success of the College. Always listening from the sidelines, he supports and elevates the causes and values of the King’s community.
2020
The Ancient Commoner sits in the cupola overlooking the quad, self-isolating as he has done for years. The campus is empty these days but the old student who, according to lore climbed to his perch to keep a watchful eye on King’s and to guard its traditions, knows the spirit of the College is as vibrant as ever. And as he does every year when the spring flowers bloom in the quad he chooses up to three members of the world-wide King’s community to be inducted into the Order of the Ancient Commoner. They are people who go above and beyond to support King’s or the Alumni Association.
With physical distancing it would have been easier for the Ancient Commoner to spot these three, but they would stand out in any crowd.
Kate MacKeigan
Kate MacKeigan, BA’09, took full advantage of all King’s had to offer her as a student and now, as an alum, she is paying it forward.
MacKeigan was an athlete–playing on both the women’s rugby and badminton teams. She was also a member of the Haliburton Society and a volunteer with King’s Tutoring Program at St. Agnes Junior High.
Volunteerism must be encoded in MacKeigan’s DNA. When she moved to Ottawa in 2013 MacKeigan volunteered her time as secretary to the Ottawa Branch of the King’s Alumni Association. She and fellow committee members reached out to alumni living in Ottawa to help foster the ties begun at King’s. MacKeigan was also one of the co-organizers and the King’s representative for the Atlantic University Pub Night events held annually in Canada’s capital.
If all that wasn’t enough MacKeigan worked to encourage the next generation of King’s students. She attended the Ottawa King’s Faculty Lecture Tours and Meet & Greets. She mixed and mingled with prospective students and their parents while sharing stories of her time at King’s to help with the vital job of recruitment.
When she moved back to Halifax MacKeigan continued her commitment to King’s. She organized a Worldwide Alumni Celebration (WAC) event in her home in 2018 and again in 2019. MacKeigan continues to be involved with recruitment efforts attending the Halifax Meet & Greets.
John Adams
It’s a good question—does King’s attract volunteers or create them? It is probably both. Like Kate, John Adams, BA (Hons)’10, is a tireless promoter and volunteer on behalf of the university.
As an undergrad Adams played significant roles on campus. He sat on Student Council and he was a member the King’s Theatrical Society (KTS). Wanting to help his fellow students stay active and get involved Adams was the CUBE (intramurals) Coordinator. He was a good athlete himself, winning Rookie of the Year award on the Blue Devils rugby team.
Adams graduated in 2010 but his time with King’s was far from over. He came back to work for the King’s Student Union (KSU) as Internal Coordinator—a venerable guardian of all things King’s … and also highly critical of King’s activities. Both are attributes of the Ancient Commoner.
With his playing days behind him, Adams coached the men’s rugby team, receiving the Rod Shoveller Award (Coach of the Year) in 2013. He was also voted Honorary Class President by the graduating class of 2013.
Adams went to Ottawa to purse an MBA, and then moved to Vancouver to work for MetaLab. Despite how busy his job keeps him, working with top tier companies such as Apple, Disney and Google, Adams still finds time to volunteer for King’s. He was instrumental in starting the Vancouver Alumni Branch, has hosted three WAC events. He attends King’s Faculty Lecture Tour and Meet & Greet events in Vancouver–supporting recruitment efforts of the university, sharing stories of his time at King’s and encouraging other young people as they consider coming to King’s.
Céline Beland
There is more than one generation of King’s students who considered Céline Beland their mom-away-from-home.
Beland came to King’s in 2004 as General Manager with Sodexo. When Chartwells was awarded the food service in 2017, much to King’s delight, Beland and many of her staff decided to stay at King’s.
Beland’s dedication to and compassion for King’s students is legendary. From accommodating dietary needs and restrictions to sleeping in her office to ensure uninterrupted service on a storm day, Beland and her staff always had the students needs top of mind.
Beland spent countless volunteer hours and her own resources to bring just the right touch to important special occasions at King’s: from black-tie dinners at Encaenia, presidential installations to multi-day celebrations such as King’s 225th Anniversary. During the 225th weekend celebration Beland was on hand at King’s largest alumni gathering welcoming hundreds of graduates back to campus, greeting them by name. She was instrumental in helping to create an atmosphere that encouraged alumni to celebrate their university days, reconnect with old classmates, and create new friendships and memories.
Her time at King’s has been filled with growth, friendships and a sense of community. Beland’s thoughtfulness and personal flair were always apparent. Her cheerful, friendly and warm-hearted disposition made her a priceless asset to the King’s community.
Beland retired as Food Services Director in April 2020. A job well done, a retirement well earned.