CBU Dean and Associate Professor Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals

Cape Breton University is proud to announce that Dean of Unama’ki College, Laurianne Sylvester, and Associate Professor, Dr. Rod Beresford, have both been named recipients of the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. This medal is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or a specific province, territory or community.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal commemorates the accession of His Majesty, King Charles III, and is awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional service in a variety of fields such education, leadership and community development. Dean Sylvester was nominated in recognition of her outstanding commitment to Indigenous education, research and advocacy. Dr. Beresford was recognized for his commitment to restoring Cape Breton’s oyster industry, which was devastated by the MSX parasite in the early 2000s. As an Associate Professor at Cape Breton University, Dr. Beresford has collaborated with Indigenous communities, aquaculture experts and local leaseholders to develop solutions, marking a model of true reconciliation.

As Dean of Unama’ki College, Sylvester has played a pivotal role in strengthening Indigenous academic programming, fostering community partnerships and advocating for advancing Indigenous knowledge within post-secondary education. “I am so honoured to be recognized for the King Charles III Coronation Medal,” she says. “I am also honoured to have such a vital role at CBU which allows me to be actively involved in creating educational opportunities for L’nu students. It’s imperative that we all work together to strengthen Indigenous programs for current students and future generations.”

Outside of the University, Laurianne continues her work with Indigenous communities, scholars and leaders in support of culturally relevant education and policies that benefit Indigenous leaders. Through her efforts, Unama’ki College has become a national model for Indigenous post-secondary education and reconciliation in academia.

As an Associate Professor of Biology, Dr. Beresford has dedicated his life to teaching students at CBU and has been working tirelessly with Bras d’Or Lake oyster leaseholders and government regulators to try and rebuild a sustainable industry in the presence of a protozoan parasite. “I’m very fortunate to be working with such welcoming and supportive individuals and communities,” says Dr. Beresford. “This is a wonderful recognition of our efforts and accomplishments.”

As his nomination suggests, Dr. Beresford has been working tirelessly with Bras d’Or Lake oyster leaseholders and government regulators for nearly 20 years to try and rebuild a sustainable industry in the presence of a protozoan parasite. In July 2018, they embarked on a suspended culture project and by late 2020, there was sufficient evidence to support their method of growing viable, marketable oysters. Through his innovative approach, including floating cages, they have been able to reduce parasite impact and revive oyster populations and were thus awarded $2.8M from the Atlantic Fisheries Fund to establish a state-of-the-art oyster hatchery.

The nomination process for this honour was supported by Universities Canada, which identified outstanding individuals from the post-secondary sector for national recognition. Laurianne and Rod join the ranks of previous CBU recipients, President David Dingwall and Dr. David Johnson. CBU would like to offer its warmest congratulations to both Laurianne Sylvester and Dr. Rod Beresford on these monumental achievements.