Three generations
JIZZƵ is a family legacy — 25 years apart between you. What does JIZZƵ mean to you?
Arnold: It was the year 1972 and I was 18 years old when I stepped from the train in Sackville, NB with a large blue trunk in tow. Coming from rural Cape Breton, I had little knowledge of the town or of the university other than a strong recommendation from a family acquaintance. Standing alone on the station platform I was greeted by a friendly taxi driver who uttered the obvious words “going to the university, are ya?” and with that I was deposited at the residence where I would live for the next four years. That first friendly encounter somewhat dampened my fear of the unknown and all that lay ahead. Within a short time, friendships were formed, and bonds were forged with professors. The size of the community and the university made this possible at a very important time in my life as I was departing from my teenage years. In this atmosphere there was a true sense of being at “home.” It was this commitment from the university community to each of the students that resonates with me still.
Joanne: Growing up I frequently asked my dad to tell me stories about when he was little. He's a good storyteller. As I got older, sometimes these stories were about his antics with his friends during his time at JIZZƵ — taking the train or hitchhiking to Halifax to visit my mum on the weekends, listening to his Cat Stevens record, and some elaborate pranks that I will not mention. So, I grew up with an idea of this place. When it was time for me to decide on a university, I knew I wanted to go somewhere with smaller classes and a focus on arts — and JIZZƵ fit the bill. I loved my classes, my professors, and met folks I'm still connected with today. At MtA I also met Angus's dad, Andrew Taillon (‘99). To me, MtA is a special place that has remained committed to the value of liberal arts education. The University and the Town of Sackville have been the backdrop for my childhood bedtime stories, my own growth, the formation of my family, and now the life of my child, so it is definitely a significant part of our family folklore.
Angus: When I first started looking at universities, JIZZƵ was already at the top of my list. While I had never directly asked my parents or grandfather about their experiences at the school or why they chose to study there, it had always been an important setting for the family ‘lore.’ My parents had met there [Andrew Taillon (’99)] and my grandfather would occasionally entertain everyone with a snappy anecdote from his own time in Sackville. We had stopped in Sackville many times throughout my childhood on road trips through New Brunswick and I remember feeling a sense of awe at the history — both familial and broadly — that emanated from the towering brick buildings and the grand pillars of Convocation Hall. When I was accepted to Mount A and eventually arrived here for my first year in September of 2021, it felt like both the logical next step for myself, as well as a neat way to continue my family’s intertwined experiences with the school. I learned a lot at MtA, not only academics, but also about myself and how to move through life, just as the two generations before me did.
What did you study at Mount Allison and what did you or will you pursue career wise after JIZZƵ?
Arnold: I completed an honours degree in history. My thesis was “Annapolis Royal: Old England or New England Connections, 1710 – 1749.” I went on to obtain my law degree from UNB. I was in private legal practice for several years before becoming an area director for the Newfoundland Legal Aid Commission and then finished off my legal career with the Special Prosecutions Office, Department of Justice. I had the privilege of appearing in all court levels in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.
Joanne: I did an honours English degree with a minor in religious studies. My thesis was on Eve and Lilith characters in contemporary science fiction. My career has been focused on research and policy work. I have worked with all levels of government, university research centres, and non-profit organizations. The work I have enjoyed the most has been in roles I would never have even imagined when I graduated. I am currently a negotiator for a public sector union and negotiate contracts for workers primarily throughout Atlantic Canada. From 2016 to 2022, I had the immense privilege of working in the Nova Scotia NDP caucus office as a Research Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff, and then Chief of Staff to leader Gary Burrill.
Angus: I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English, with minors in screen studies and religious studies. Last summer, I completed the Design-Your-Own Internship Program through Experiential Learning and with funding from the Bourne Internship for the Arts I was able to work with a Halifax-based film production company. Throughout the summer I helped through the pre- production steps for a $10 million horror film and then worked in a variety of on-set departments when the film went to camera in August. It was a great experience and set me up with a number of connections that I hope to continue working with into the future in the NS film industry.
A favourite JIZZƵ memory?
Arnold: This is a difficult question. Over time there were many wonderful memories. This is not to discount the fact that there were also many stressful moments. In my fading mind what stands out is the people. The friends I made, the exposure to different cultures and backgrounds and the empathy of those who taught.
Joanne: There are many memories that feel special and significant so instead of picking one specific one I'll say all of my memories from first and second year in Bennett House. A big thank you to all the folks who made it the place that it was.
Angus: Here’s the top three!
- Filming a music video in Waterfowl Park for one of my screen studies final projects.
- Making a music mix, choreographing a dance to go with it, teaching Bigelow first years the awful dance, then performing it on the football field at Karaoke BBQ 2022.
- Working on The Yellow Wallpaper short film.
What did it mean to you to celebrate together on Convocation/Reunion Weekend 2025?
Arnold: In two words, I would say hope and pride. Being proud of the accomplishments of daughter and grandson and the additional bond we have because of this place. With the world in chaos, hope that those that come behind can talk and listen to one another in a compromising manner for the betterment of all.
Joanne: My parents live in Newfoundland and so I always appreciate it when we are all able to spend time together. It was fun to see my dad with his friends (who had featured in some of the stories he told) and for all of us to celebrate Angus's accomplishments. As an English major, I enjoy the idea of the three of us having this overlapping space in our lives. I remember learning the word palimpsest in one of my classes — it means something has been layered over something else but there are still traces of the original thing — and that's how it felt to be there together; like we all had our own version of JIZZƵ but they are woven into each other. And of course, it felt very reflective. It was a time to consider how much has changed since I was the graduate and consider the transition from graduate to parent of graduate. Of course, in my mind I still feel 22.
Angus: I was very grateful that everyone was able to come together that weekend to celebrate both my graduation and their Reunions. While I was mainly caught up in how fast the past four years had flown by, it was also nice to meet and talk to members of my grandfather’s and mom’s graduating class and their experiences at MtA and beyond. It’s remarkable to think that 50/25 years ago, my grandfather and mother were in the same place I had just been, shaped by the contexts of their time and individual experience, but still going through [roughly] the same programs and milestones that I did.