COMMUNITY NEWS Shannon Kelly
has been appointed Director of Human Resources. She came to St. Andrew’s in October 2020 from Pickering College, where she was the human resources manager, a position she held for 14 years. Shannon is a Western University graduate. She has also completed a post-graduate program in human resource management and holds the CHRL designation. Shannon is very familiar with SAC as she was married to Rob ’94 in Memorial Chapel.
Chris Papalia
has assumed the reigns of SAC’s Summer School. Chris, who began at SAC in 2012, regularly teaches AP Statistics and Data Management classes. It was also announced this spring that Chris would be taking over as Head of Memorial House in August. He has been Head of Laidlaw House since 2014 and before that was Assistant Head of Sifton House. Chris coaches First Squash and First Baseball, formerly coached First Hockey, co-facilitates the Social Justice Council, and runs the R for Data Visualization Club.
Matt MacIsaac
Director of Piping, is in a traditional group, Beòlach, which has been nominated for a JUNO Award in the traditional roots category for its 2020 album, All Hands. The JUNO Awards are Canada’s homegrown version of the Grammy Awards, and the winners will be announced on May 16. The group was also nominated for four East Coast Music Awards (to be announced May 5) and two Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning Instrumental Group of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year. Beòlach is based out of Nova Scotia, where the other three members live, and has been in existence since 1999. Matt plays guitar, pipes, and whistle, and two fiddlers and a keyboardist round out the mix. Matt first learned pipes in 1990 at age 10, developing his piping through various pipe bands in the Maritimes. His guitar playing, in particular, opened musical doors, and he toured with Cape Breton fiddler, Natalie MacMaster, from 2001 to 2009 then from 2013 to 2017, separated by a stint in the military. He began occasionally teaching at St. Andrew’s in 2016 and joined the School full time in the fall of 2019. Though not common knowledge in the School, insiders in the piping world consider Matt one of the best and most talented pipers globally. Though his focus was on the traditional music scene more than the competition circuit, he has achieved and continues to achieve great success when he competes.
RETIREMENTS
and oversight on financial reporting. She was always intuitive and interested in people, helping employees and supervisors navigate the complicated world of pension, benefits, and performance. She was an early adopter of technology and introduced an innovative financial management system to the School. I arrived as the Director of Finance in 1998 to a well-oiled machine, with all credit to Sherrill. She became a trusted business associate and a friend who was worthy of everyone’s respect for how she took care of the organization and its people, along with her warm and caring personality. Her professionalism and strength in dealing with difficult situations were impressive, and she always had time for anyone who needed her assistance and counsel. Many past employees returned to visit, and their first stop was always
Sherrill Knight By Beth Carter
Sherrill Knight officially began her career at St. Andrew’s College on May 1, 1986. The previous summer, she spent three weeks in what was then called the Bursar’s Office, helping prepare the annual audit. It was not long after this that the Bursar, Col. Howard Tetlock, offered her the job to begin the following spring. Sherrill took on her role as the Business Office Manager with the same dedication and work ethic as though it was her own enterprise. In the first half of her career with the School, she had lots of contact with students, arranging their pocket money, transportation needs, and healthcare coverage. For many years, the Business Office and human resource functions were combined, so Sherrill handled payroll, hiring contracts, benefits,
Matt, far left, performing with his band in Glasgow, Scotland.
Sherrill with her partner, Ian.
to say hello to Sherrill and let her know how they and their families were doing. Sherrill took on the role of the Director of Human Resources in 2005. In preparation for this expanded role, she obtained her human resources credentials through Seneca College. She was already a natural in dealing compassionately with employees, and she blossomed in her new role while still maintaining many of her finance manager responsibilities. Sherrill’s job evolved a great deal over the years as St. Andrew’s grew and the Business Office and HR role expanded. A common theme in sentiments shared by employees on her retirement in November 2020 was the patience and genuine care she expressed during their hiring or when they sought help. She was always a true professional with a strong work ethic, and it was my privilege and honour to work with her for many years. Employees past and present wish Sherrill all the best in retirement and thank her for her >> friendship, counsel, and insight. Spring 2021 The ANDREAN
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