On Friday, May 29th, the MPS community gathered in Toronto for the program’s Spring Mixer event at the Bier Markt. Students and alumni, spanning five different cohorts, had the opportunity to reconnect over drinks and delicious food.
The evening was also a farewell celebration for Daniel Henstra who is wrapping up his final term as Program Director, after five years with MPS. His dedication, hard work, and leadership was recognized throughout the evening and more formally in speeches from MPS Program Officer, Sheila McConnell, and incoming MPS Director, Anindya Sen.
Sheila perfectly captured Prof. Henstra’s time as Director by saying “He has tirelessly proven to us that an academic director can be both professional and personal, stern and kind, serious and funny, and most importantly, just himself in all its glory . . . You have consistently been there for all of us over the years and I know you will continue to do so in any way you can.”
Prof. Sen, who will be officially taking on the role of MPS Program Director in July, revealed to the cheers of students and alumni, “In my 18 years of teaching, I have never met anyone that compares to Dan Henstra.”
The President of the MPS Alumni Association, Alana Del Greco, was unable to attend the event, but prepared some words for “our fearless leader –Dan”, on behalf of MPS alumni and students. She attributed the program’s success to Henstra’s work.
After the speeches, Henstra was presented with a memory book of his time as MPS Program Director, filled with a collection of kind words and well wishes from MPS alumni, students, faculty and friends.
The MPS community in Ottawa was not forgotten, and they, too, had the opportunity to celebrate with Henstra this week and to wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.
Check out the evening’s photos on the MPS Facebook page.
-Written by Jessica Wu