Dal鈥檚 notable alumni have achieved significant accomplishments and are well-known in their respective professional and personal lives. These esteemed individuals have distinguished themselves through their achievements, leadership and contributions to society. They are widely recognized and respected in their professions or through their endeavours. We are proud to showcase them here, and invite you to regularly check back to see new additions as they are added.
A Jamaican-Canadian broadcaster, publisher, civil rights activist and philanthropist, Brandeis Denham Jolly (NSAC鈥58) launched Canada's first Black-owned radio station, FLOW 93.5.听
Robert MacNeil听(LLD鈥00) (1931鈥2024)听was a Canadian-American journalist, writer and television news anchor. He partnered with Jim Lehrer to create the landmark public television news program The Robert MacNeil Report in 1975 which eventually became the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour and is today the PBS NewsHour.
Robin Sharma (BSc鈥85, LLB鈥88, LLM鈥90)听has been a leadership expert, a best-selling author, podcast host and a humanitarian who founded the Robin Sharma Foundation for Children.
Dr. James Edward Carter (BEng鈥73, DEng鈥93) is a leader in the energy sector credited with improving oilsands economics. He鈥檚 worked to improve sustainability within the sector, promote partnerships with Indigenous businesses, and support mining education and research.
Lynda Kuhn (BA鈥77)听is a corporate purpose advisor and champion for food security. She highlights the power of equal opportunity for students through the Wazesha Education Foundation, breaking the cycle of poverty.
Charles McColough
Charles McColough (LLB鈥47, LLD鈥70)听(1922鈥2006)听served as the chief executive officer and chair of the Xerox Corporation for 14 years. He was treasurer for the Democratic National Committee, chaired United Way America, and is namesake of the C. Peter McColough Roundtable Series on International Economics.
John Noseworthy (MD鈥75, PGM鈥78, LLD鈥15) is an American neurologist who served as the president and chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic from 2009 to 2018. A board-certified neurologist, he specializes in multiple sclerosis and is the former editor-in-chief of Neurology.
Lydia Bugden (BComm鈥88)听is a groundbreaking legal professional and the first female CEO of a law firm in Atlantic Canada. She is also a community leader and active volunteer.
Dr. James (Jim) Simpson Palmer (LLB鈥52, LLD鈥87) (1928鈥2013) was a leader in business, tax and international law. He played an instrumental role in the development of Alberta鈥檚 oil and gas industry.听He was also a committed volunteer and sat on Dal鈥檚 Board of Governors.
Calvin Woodrow Ruck (DSW鈥79, LLD鈥94) (1925鈥2004) was a human rights activist and a member of the Senate of Canada. He worked with the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
The Honourable听Anita Anand听(LLB鈥92) has held key positions in Canada鈥檚 parliament including Minister of Foreign Affairs. She鈥檚 also worked as a scholar, lawyer and researcher. She is the first Hindu woman elected as a Member of Parliament and to become a cabinet minister.
Kishore Mahbubani (MA鈥76, LLD鈥95) is a Singaporean diplomat and geopolitical consultant who served as Singapore Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and President of the United Nations Security Council.
Brian Mulroney听(1939鈥2024) was a lawyer, businessman and politician who served as 18th prime minister of Canada. He studied law at Dal, completing his degree at Laval University.
Peter Nicholson
Dr. Peter Nicholson (BSc鈥64, MSc鈥65, LLD鈥95) has held leadership roles in industry, government and academia. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.
Cuthbert Sebastian
Sir Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian (MD鈥58, LLD鈥98)听(1921鈥2017)听devoted his entire life to serving others as a soldier, doctor, and politician. He was鈥痝overnor general of his native Saint Christopher and Nevis, focused on the liberation, enlightenment and advancement of its people.
Dr. Susan Little (BSc鈥83) is a veterinarian, internationally renowned speaker, lecturer, researcher and consultant in feline medicine who has also authored and edited veterinary textbooks.
Caroline Xavier (EMEC鈥02) is a Canadian leader in cyber security. The child of Haitian immigrants, Xavier also holds the distinction of being the first Black person to reach the deputy-minister rank in the federal public service in Canada.
Sports
Dave Andrews
Dave Andrews (BA鈥70) is the former president and CEO of the American Hockey League (AHL). Under his leadership, the AHL became the primary development league for the National Hockey League (NHL), ensuring that players, coaches and officials received the highest-quality training available.听
Ellie Black
Ellie Black听is a Canadian artistic gymnast and Olympian.
