And the Bells Ring

Meet the CBU Alumna behind the beautiful church bells in downtown Sydney.

Completing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance in 1994 and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1995, Glenda Watt now owns and operates G-Fit Fitness Studio in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She’s also well-known in the local Cape Breton community for serenading downtown Sydney by playing the chimes of the former St. Andrew’s Church, which is now the Highland Arts Theatre.

On Saturday, May 9, 2020, Glenda made a special trip up to the chimes, and welcomed the CBU class of 2020 to the Alumni family by playing “Rise Again” by Leon Dubinsky, the University’s official song that traditionally closes each convocation ceremony.

Glenda was first shown how to play the chimes by her brother, George Watt (Data Processing’86), who was the Chimer at St. Andrew’s Church. Playing the bells since 2013, 25 years after her lessons, Glenda says the response from the community is always positive.

“There’s rarely a time I play - even those days I just climb up to the tower for fun - that I don’t receive a message of gratitude from someone I have never met who just happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time. It really is heartwarming!”

Given the current circumstances happening around the globe, as well as within the province of Nova Scotia, Rise Again and the message it brings has become more meaningful and inspirational than ever.

Glenda says she’s honored to have played Rise Again to welcome the newest cohort of Alumni into the family, and leaves them with this message:

“The education I received at CBU has become a part of my DNA, and I don’t realize how often I put it to use. The friendships I made continue, and I think of my professors regularly and fondly. I’m so sorry you have to miss the convocation you worked so hard for, but hold on to all your experiences at CBU. Nobody can ever take that from you!”

Glenda started her fitness journey and career almost 40 years ago, after graduating from Cape Breton University. Pairing her CBU education with a Personal Training Certification, Glenda started working as a Group Fitness Instructor in local commercial gyms. In 2010 she opened G-Fit Fitness Studio and has been successfully operating it ever since.

To find out more on supporting Cape Breton University, visit www.cbu.ca/alumni