Alumni Benefits
Promoting Peace: 2026 Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Grant Applications Now Open
Atlantic School of Theology is pleased to announce the second annual call for applications for The Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund.
Established in memory of Rev. Alison Etter (MDiv '11), who passed away on Valentine’s Day 2024, this fund carries forward her legacy of community-building, creativity, and deep solidarity. The fund provides annual grants to AST alumni whose work reflects Alison’s values and spirit.
Rev. Alison Etter, part of AST’s community of alumni, was a beautiful person who radiated love. She showed great spirit, wisdom, creativity, and compassion in her ministry and in her life. She was a builder of communities, a reformer of systems, a lifelong learner, and a pilgrim. Alison was a person of deep solidarity and a loyal friend.
The Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund was established by Alison’s family at AST. It has grown thanks to the generosity of friends, organizations, and people who have been impacted by Alison. It is a perpetual fund that will make annual grants from returns on ethical investments.
2026 Theme: Peace
For the 2026 grant cycle, The Alison Etter Fund Committee is seeking projects or continuing education initiatives that build or promote peace in our local communities or the wider world. Whether through public art, community activism, or restorative events, we invite alumni to share their vision for a more peaceful world.
Are you part of a group working on a peace event or a peace walk? Are you working on public art or a public space (like a peace trail or peace garden) to promote peace? Are you engaged in peace activism? Are you working on a publication or a song? These questions are intended to spark a few thoughts.
- Eligibility: All AST alumni (lay or ordained) from any degree, diploma, or certificate program.
- Grant Amount: Up to $3,000 per project.
- Application Deadline: March 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ADT.
Reflect and Connect
Applicants are encouraged to reflect on this year’s theme through the recommended text "Ursula Franklin Speaks". We also invite the community to explore Alison’s legacy through the multi-lingual children’s book "You Are Loved," written by Tom Urbaniak in her memory. This book illustrates a conversation with Alison’s young son, Oliver, about his mom’s life and work. Royalties are invested in the Fund. The book is available through some libraries, major online booksellers, or by emailing Tom Urbaniak. Tom and Oliver are also often available to do readings.
Recipients will be asked to sign a memorandum of understanding, which will include progress reports and transmission of information about their projects.
Before putting something in writing, we invite you to consult Alison’s obituary and read more about last year's grant recipients.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact Jennifer Hartmann, AST's Manager of Philanthropy.
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The Rev. Alison Etter, part of AST’s community of alumni, was a beautiful person who radiated love. She showed great spirit, wisdom, creativity, and compassion in her ministry and in her life. She was a builder of communities, a reformer of systems, a lifelong learner, and a pilgrim. Alison was a person of deep solidarity and a loyal friend. Alison died on Valentine’s Day, 2024, after an illness of three months. She was just 41. |
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The Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund was established by Alison’s family at AST. It has grown thanks to the generosity of friends, organizations, and people who have been impacted by Alison. The Fund is carrying on Alison’s legacy. The Fund is intended to directly support AST alumni (graduates of any degree, diploma, or certificate program), lay or ordained, of any denomination or spiritual tradition. It is a perpetual fund that will make annual grants from returns on ethical investments.
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Alumni pins are presented to AST graduates at convocation each year. If you did not attend your convocation, or if you lost your pin and would like to replace it, you could can the AST at advancement@astheology.ns.ca.
The ASTIAA board of directors is no longer active. Please contact us for information pertaining to our alumni:
Email: advancement@astheology.ns.ca
Alumni Library Card
AST alumni can receive an alumni library card, which grants Novanet borrowing privileges, at no charge. The card must be renewed annually. Please contact Brad Murray to register for a card. (902) 423-0111.
BARA- Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere
Borrow Anywhere, Return Anywhere (BARA) is a Libraries Nova Scotia initiative that provides Nova Scotia residents with the opportunity to borrow from over a hundred libraries across the province, including public, community college and university libraries. As an AST Alumni library card holder we invite you to take advantage of these added library services:
You can return AST Library materials to any participating college, university, or public library in Nova Scotia. For a complete list of participating libraries, please visit the Libraries Nova Scotia website: http://librariesns.ca/
You may also return library materials from public libraries and/or other university or college libraries in Nova Scotia to the AST Library.
Interlibrary Loan
Your alumni library card does not grant you interlibrary loan privileges but you can request books from the AST Library, and participating Novanet Libraries, at your local public library with a valid public library card. Please contact your local library for details.
Open Access Journals
Open access (OA) is the free, online availability of scholarly journal articles, including peer-reviewed materials, and primarily in reference to those which authors publish without expectation of payment.
For more information about available open access resources, please visit the Open Access subject guide on the library website.
Contact Information
If you have questions about library services for Alumni, please contact the library at (902) 423-7986
Visit the AST Library pages for a complete list of our services and resources for students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
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Keep in touch! Please help us to keep our records current.
If you have moved or if you are planning to move, let us know by sending a message to:
Email: astcommunications@astheology.ns.ca
Remember your alumni profile is private. We do not publish addresses or phone numbers, nor do we pass on information unless specifically requested by you. Your email address will be used to send you notices of upcoming events such as lectures, reunions and continuing education workshops.
Pine Hill Divinity Hall supports UCC alumni through the following:
- Continuing Education Bursary for Ministry Personnel
- Fellowship - Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship
For more information, please contact:
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Brenda Munro |
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