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Celebrating SASAH's Graduating Class of 2025! |
It was a joy to recently celebrate our Year 4 cohort’s graduation. In their fourth and final year of the program, and in addition to their own personal academic journeys, our students collaborated on the incredible Mea Culpa Fashion Show in support of Life Spin and deepened their understanding of youth homelessness with visiting instructor Steve Cordes. They've also accomplished a range of independent research projects that span disciplines, passions, and explorations: archival advocacy in music, creative writing, deconstructing menstrual stigma, filmmaking, understanding the self in travel, barriers within post-secondary education for disabled students, the Chinese queer diaspora experience, and more.
The celebratory afternoon segued immediately into a party for our beloved outgoing Director Aara Suksi. Words were said, commemorative journals were signed, and cake was eaten! Beautiful words about Aara's contributions to the program were shared by beloved Program Coordinator Jen Tramble and former SASAH Directors Joel Faflak and Patrick Mahon. Graduating student and incoming President and CEO of Western Student Council Kathleena Henricus also shared some of her fond memories of Aara and presented a beautiful hand-painted t-shirt from all the graduates as a memento. Aara spoke poignantly to the power of the arts and humanities to better the world. She encouraged graduating students to remain champions of the arts and humanities as they step into the future, especially as the liberal arts and culture are increasingly under attack and financial duress. We echo that encouragement here. See some of the images from our celebrations on our Instagram.
Returning to student work, we'll soon be spotlighting materials from SASAH students made during the 2024-2025 year on our Pegasus platform. Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement! In the meantime, read on for updates and news of some incredible awards received by faculty and students.
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SASAH Director Aara Suksi receives the Edward G. Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching 🏆 |
The 2024-25 Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching have been announced, recognizing faculty members for their “outstanding contributions to the academic development of students.” Our own Dr. Aara Suki has been named as one of the recipients of the Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching, named in honour of Edward Gustav Pleva, Western’s first geography teacher (1938) and head of the department (1948 to 1968).
"With 'combined energy and rigor' Aara Suksi is recognized 'as a superb teacher and scholar who engages critically and creatively with pedagogy at all levels.'
"Suksi’s nominators also applauded her kindness and empathy for students and colleagues, noting, 'Aara has something extra, without which education doesn’t truly matter – she brings her soul to her roles as administrator, teacher and mentor.'
"From enormous success in teaching Greek to revealing the world of classical mythology in online classes of up to 650 students, Suksi also led the launch of the PhD program in classical studies."
Congratulations, dear Aara! |
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SASAH Student Kira McCallum wins the Melanie A. Townsend Scholarship for Museums and Curatorial Studies 🥇 |
Museum London awards annual scholarships to emerging arts professionals in memory of the late Melanie A. Townsend and Steve Mavers. These scholarships are made possible through the generosity and contributions of community members. Melanie and Steve were cherished members of the Museum London team, each leaving an exceptional legacy through their countless contributions and dedicated work. These scholarships honour their lives and the significant impacts they made at ML and throughout the broader community.
The Melanie A. Townsend Scholarship in Museum and Curatorial Studies is designed to assist students at Western University who demonstrate exceptional dedication to curation, museum studies and museology. This year's award winner is Kira McCallum, pictured here with the Museum's Curator of Education, Devon Elliott.
Kira is a Jamaican-Canadian student, pursuing a double Major in Museum and Curatorial Studies and SASAH. Her curatorial perspective is shaped by a deep interest in the intersections of culture, history, and identity, especially within diasporic and postcolonial contexts. She sees curatorial practice as a space for critical reflection and storytelling—one that can bridge the past with the present while creating room for dialogue and cultural continuity.
Rooted in her dual heritage, Kira is particularly drawn to how museums and galleries can challenge dominant narratives, foster empathy, and honour the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities. She is committed to creating thoughtful, inclusive spaces that engage with global histories while remaining grounded in local and personal connections. Kira envisions a curatorial practice that not only preserves the past but activates it - encouraging audiences to think critically, feel deeply, and connect across time and culture. View the Museum London announcement for the award winners here. |
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SASAH Capstone Instructor Steve Cordes Profiled for Western News Steve Cordes is the outgoing Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited. He spoke with Western News about his experience as guest instructor for SASAH's Capstone Class, Understanding and Addressing Youth Homelessness in London, Ontario. SASAH students Kathleena Henricus and Margaret Gleed also share their insights from the course. Read the profile by Keri Ferguson here. Photo credit: Christopher Kindratsky/ Western Communications |
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SASAH Speakers' Series: Matt Hern and Am Johal, now online |
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SASAH Internship Spotlight: Kate Armstrong Museum London recently posted a big THANK YOU to outgoing intern, Kate Armstrong. In Kate's words: "Being an intern at the Museum has been a wonderful way to spend my final semester before I graduate. It has been very inspiring to learn more about Canadian art history and the incredible stories behind so many works in the collection. There's so much incredible art and creation happening in London, and I'm so happy I've had the chance to learn more about it!" View the full post here. |
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Follow SASAH Connections Are you following SASAH on LinkedIn? SASAH Connections is an active group comprised of SASAH students, faculty, alumni, and Advisory Council members. It's a wonderful way to stay in touch, hear about recent experiential learning and career paths, get updates on student activities, and share upcoming opportunities and events with our network. Connect with us today! |
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Community News & Opportunities
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The School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities (SASAH) offers an enriched undergraduate learning experience that is unique in Canada. Students gain practical experience in many career fields in a range of sectors—including arts and culture, non-profit, for-profit, education, and information technology—and undertake opportunities in the London community and beyond. We are grateful for our community: our students and alumni, our teaching fellows, our valued Advisory Council, our community partners and our supporters.
SASAH acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Chonnonton Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.
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