StFX Alumni News - Fall 2022

CONTRIBUTING TO OUR HEALTH

Joseph Ambrose David Anderson Phyllis Anderson Marguerite Beaubien-MacLean Jerry Bray

David Caissie Alvin Cameron Joe Cameron

Lorna Carroll-Plemel John Chiasson Elaine Chisholm Anita Coady Marcel Cormier Jim Cuttle Brendan Dalton Edward Dickhaut

Heather (Dillon) MacDougall John Doyle Fonse Faour Sean Flanagan John Fogarty Gregory Foley Kenneth Gillis Robin Harnum

Millie Hatt Belinda Ho man

Irene Howley Catherine Johnston Sharon Lawlor Ron LeLievre Calvert Leng Jim Leone

Lauchlin MacDonald Thelma MacDougall Kenrod MacIntyre Joanne MacKenzie Marlene MacLellan Agnes MacMillan Nancy Marenick Al Maxwell

Firman McCormick Lynn McGrath Lucy Miller Margie Morrison Linda Neville June Noble Dan O’Connor Roberto Piccinin

Patrick Pittman Mark Romanowsky Renee Romanowsky Debbie Rutherford Ronald Ryan Anne Sajatovich Barry Schnare Heather Sproule

Jackie Sunderland Jo-Anne Taylor Williams Gerard Tompkins Adrian Van Berkel Joan Walsh Leona Williams

Golden graduate Leona (Chiasson) Williams ‘72 places the rugby ball in place for the homecoming ceremonial kick-o by Krista (Chisholm) Ronberg ‘97 prior to the X-Women Rugby game. Looking on are representatives from celebrating years: Gerard Keenan ‘57, Nancy Doherty ‘62, Bill Kiely ‘67, Cathy Motherwell ‘77, Constance Wrigley-Thomas ‘82, Veronica Visentin ‘87, Judy St. Jean ‘92, Andrew Howlett ‘02, Krista Walsh ‘07, Matthew Cullen ‘12, Brooke Newsome ‘17, Sarah Elliott ‘22, Linda and Dr. Andy Hakin, and Leo MacPherson ‘89.

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A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER TO POSITION STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS

As we look forward to 2023, as an institution, we are focused on our priorities. With the imminent release and launch of our new strategic plan, together, we are embarking on the goal of building our university the way it was meant to be. We are focused on building tomorrow’s citizens.

e proposed Institute for Innovation in Health is a much-needed academic facility, which will support the future of health care in our province and beyond. It is a top academic priority to bring together over 75 of our health-related researchers to build synergies that will better support the health care system. StFX is a di erencemaker in the province of Nova Scotia, and with the Institute for Innovation in Health, we are building the pathways to increased success.

We are not standing still. I am proud to be part of a university that is on the move, yet has not lost sight of the importance of positive traditions that have shaped the experience we provide. Hallmarks of our Xaverian experience are traditions like Homecoming, connecting with alumni, and our X-Ring and Convocation ceremonies. With two-and-a-half years

of a virtual world almost behind us, it was wonderful to connect in person with so many StFX students, alumni and donors over the last few months. roughout our travels to receptions in alumni communities, reunions on campus, and welcoming students and parents to StFX, we are buoyed by your energy, enthusiasm and continuity. Your engagement is essential to helping move StFX forward. Our relationships inform our shared future. is fall, we were excited to cheer on our students in many pursuits. We are proud to share that StFX had two students who were regional nalists for Rhodes Scholarships and that four students were recognized for their engagement in positive change through leadership as regional nalists for McCall MacBain Scholarships. Two of the StFX fall sports teams, X-Men Football and X-Women Cross Country, won the right to represent the AUS Conference in their respective U SPORTS championships. e Uteck Bowl was hosted by StFX in late November and although not victorious, the outstanding performance of the X-Men on the national stage made us very proud while our X-Women Cross Country placed in the top 10.

Please continue to watch as your StFX makes an impact, and we build our university the way it is meant to be. We are on an exciting journey.

Hail and Health.

Andrew W. Hakin, PhD President & Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Andrew W. Hakin

Dr. Andy Hakin and his wife Linda serving lunch during sta appreciation week.

StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin addresses Fall Convocation 2022

StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin delivers remarks at the o cial opening of the new X-Women Rugby locker room in StFX’s Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living.

WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE S t FX COMMUNITY

SISTERS OF ST. MARTHA’S GIFT $500,000 TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS STUDENTS

e Sisters of St. Martha’s congregation showed their incredible generosity by announcing substantial gi s to St. Francis Xavier University and Cape Breton University to honour Sister Dorothy Moore and Sister Veronica Matthews.

e Marthas have donated $250,000 to each university, which received matching funding, resulting in a total $1 million towards supporting Indigenous students. is gi will establish scholarships at both StFX and CBU, one for an Indigenous student in nursing and one for an Indigenous student in education. e scholarships will be awarded to a rst-year Indigenous student from one of the seven eastern Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia, including Membertou, Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, We’koqma’q, Potlotek, Paqtnkek and Pictou Landing.

“As a community that aspires to be inclusive, fair, and equitable, today is another step forward in reconciliation,” said StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin. “ is generous gi by the Sisters of St. Martha, matched by the Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment, will support Indigenous people in their chosen eld. A half a million dollars in new scholarships will impact generations of Indigenous people to come.”

Beginning in September 2023, students at StFX and CBU are eligible for a $10,000 renewable scholarship, making the path to post-secondary education a bit clearer.

Sister Dorothy Moore, an honorary degree recipient of CBU, knows what it’s like to yearn for an education. Born in Membertou in 1933, she attended multiple schools, including two years at the residential school in Shubenacadie, where it was forbidden to speak the Mi’kmaq language. Against her parent’s wishes, she enrolled at St. Joseph’s school in Sydney – the rst Mi’kmaw person to “jump the Membertou fence,” as she says. It was one of her many ‘ rsts’ a er graduating from Holy Angels High School (as its rst Mi’kmaw

student), she became the rst Mi’kmaw person to enter a Roman Catholic order when she made her vows as a Martha in 1956. Her staunch belief in the power of education led her to embark on a lifelong career as a teacher, administrator, and later, faculty member at CBU. She has been particularly in uential in advocacy to preserve First Nations languages, and has been recognized with the Order of Nova Scotia, the Order of Canada, and three honorary degrees. She is one of the founders of Indigenous education at CBU, dating back to 1984 when she rst advocated for the Mi’kmaw Resource Centre, which would eventually become Unama’ki College.

Although Sister Dorothy was the rst Mi’kmaw person to become a Catholic nun, she was soon joined by Sister Veronica Matthews, in whose honour the second scholarship has been created. Sister Veronica was also born in 1933, down the road in Eskasoni. She entered the Sisters of St. Martha in 1955 and made her vows in 1957. She graduated from St. Martha’s School of Nursing in Antigonish and completed her BScN at Dalhousie. Her work in Indigenous health care made her a deserving recipient of an honorary degree from StFX in 2015. Sister Veronica’s family has many medical practitioners, including paramedics, a midwife, and a doctor. Her grandfather was a great medicine man and passed along his love for and devotion to the people to his granddaughter. Recognizing the debilitating e ects of diabetes on people in First Nations, Sister Veronica started the rst certi ed Indigenous diabetic clinic in Atlantic Canada in 1997. She has worked closely with StFX faculty and sta over the years, as they collaborated on community health initiatives and sought solutions to common problems. She’s mentored and encouraged countless young people to pursue education in healthcare elds.

StFX is honoured the Sisters of St. Martha trusted in StFX to support the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

DAVID GRAHAM ’92 NAMED STFX VICE-PRESIDENT, ADVANCEMENT

DR. ANDY HAKIN HONOURED FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION

StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin has announced David Graham ’92 as Vice-President, Advancement.

Mr. Graham comes to StFX with over 30 years in management and executive roles focused on fundraising, operational excellence, and marketing communications, most recently, serving as the Chief Executive O cer, Brigadoon Village.

“We’re thrilled to welcome David back to his alma mater,” said Dr. Hakin. “Widely recognized for his leadership capabilities and achievements, David is a true ambassador for the institution, and we are looking forward to having him as part of the leadership team.”

A proud StFX alumnus, Mr. Graham graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and has maintained a strong a liation with the university over his career including as past president of the Halifax alumni chapter. He credits his time as an undergraduate student at StFX as being instrumental in shaping his character and skills in leadership, preparing him with the tools necessary to engage stakeholders and deliver organizational growth.

“I am excited to be returning to the StFX and Antigonish communities, which had such a formational in uence on me,” said Mr. Graham. “StFX has such a strong legacy and story to share. I look forward to engaging with those who know and love StFX, as well as representing the Xaverian values and spirit to those just getting to know Canada’s leading undergraduate experience. “ ank you to Dr. Hakin and the selection committee for o ering me this incredible opportunity.”

For the last 10 years, Mr. Graham has led Brigadoon Village as CEO, an organization which under his leadership has transformed from modest beginnings to a spectacular camp for children living with health conditions and other life challenges. Prior to Brigadoon, he spent 15 years as Director and CEO with Camp Kandalore. Mr. Graham has been recognized for his leadership as Top 50 CEO in Atlantic Canada.

Mr. Graham began his new role in January 2023.

StFX President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Andy Hakin’s exceptional service to the Province of Nova Scotia in the eld of education was recognized Oct. 18, 2022 during an investiture ceremony at Government House. e Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, presented Dr. Hakin with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, honouring Dr. Hakin’s outstanding leadership role. e commemorative medal is presented in honour of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s succession to the throne and is awarded to residents of Nova Scotia who have made signi cant contributions to Canada, Nova Scotia, their community or to their fellow citizens. In his over 30-year career, Dr. Hakin has been a steadfast champion of advancing education, both as a professor of chemistry, and as an administrator. He is driven by the belief that education has the power to open doors for everyone. Since joining StFX in 2020, Dr. Hakin’s contributions have been exemplary, particularly in leading the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, says StFX Board of Governors Chair Dennis Flood ’80. While many post-secondary institutions across the country went fully online, StFX made a measured decision, welcoming students back to campus where about 75 per cent of classes were held inperson. is was a remarkable achievement for StFX students, faculty, and sta during a very tumultuous time, Mr. Flood says. And at its heart was recognition that people coming together is at the centre of the StFX experience, that StFX not only educates its students, but it also prepares them for a life of engagement, that people coming together—community—makes a di erence.

David Graham ’92

Linda Hakin and Dr. Andy Hakin

STFX STUDENT INSPIRES LOVE OF SCIENCE IN YOUTH IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Helping grade school children in her home community of Hay River, Northwest Territories fall in love with science was how StFX student Victoria Tweedie-Pitre spent part of her summer. Ms. Tweedie-Pitre, a third-year honours biology and chemistry student, designed and presented a science outreach program in three schools in the small northern community where she grew up—at the local Francophone school École Boréale (her former high school, where she facilitated activities in French), the English school, Princess Alexandra, and Chief Sunrise, the Indigenous school, meeting with mostly junior high school aged students. “My goal was for them to fall in love with the science and to want to do more,” says Ms. Tweedie-Pitre, who was awarded a Special Award for Independent Outreach Honorarium funded equally by X-Oceans Outreach and an EDI Capacity grant from the StFX Biology Department. She planned everything before she le StFX in spring, organized the outreach activities, and shipped the equipment north. e outreach was particularly important to her, she says, as her experience in the Territories has been that there’s not a lot of drive to pursue much a er high school. “Kids don’t realize what else is out there.” She wanted to help inspire the youth, to show them opportunities that are available. “Seeing them enjoy it so much, and to nd it fascinating, that was my goal, for them to see that science is cool,” she says.

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH SATELLITES

Dr. Hugo Beltrami, Canada Research Chair in Climate Dynamics and a professor in the StFX Department of Earth Sciences, is part of a major multi-satellite mission that will improve extreme weather prediction, climate modelling, and monitoring of disasters. e Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced Oct. 18, 2022 that Canada will contribute to the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission led by NASA. Canada’s contribution is estimated at more than $200 million. It is currently slated to launch in 2028 and 2031. Dr. Beltrami is part of this project which includes a Canadian university consortium of 13 universities across the country. Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity. e dynamics of our planet’s atmosphere are changing. We need better environmental prediction to support adaptation and climate resilience. e AOS, including its Canadian contribution, will measure aerosols and clouds, and how they interact to impact Earth’s weather and climate. Canada’s contribution to the AOS is the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission. It consists of two Canadian instruments on a Canadian satellite and a third instrument on a NASA satellite, all planned for launch in 2031. ese innovative instruments will provide critical data, enabling Canadian climate scientists and weather forecasters to better understand and predict extreme events, like severe storms, oods, droughts and poor air quality conditions. HAWC and AOS data will be fully accessible. Led by NASA, the AOS team includes the Canadian Space Agency, JAXA (Japan), CNES (France) and DLR (Germany).

Rankin School of Nursing students Ella MacLeod and EJ Colocado

CONTRIBUTING TO OUR HEALTH

BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON

It’s no secret health care is increasingly overburdened and a key challenge facing governments and communities across Canada today.

How can StFX help? It’s a question StFX administrators, its faculty and students, many of whom have long been involved in health practice and research, are ready to answer.

“We’re a university. We’re here to serve the public in the best way we can,” says StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin. “Improving health care is a major focus in Nova Scotia right now. We’re looking at ourselves as a partner in the health system, and asking important questions about the ways we can best help and support. We know that we can bring new ideas to the table. Our role is not to be an ivory tower. It is to be responsive to the needs of our community and those beyond.”

“WE ARE A PARTNER IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM.”

Establishing the $55 million Institute for Innovation in Health, a planned hub at StFX to address shi ing health needs in rural Nova Scotia - through collaborative learning, professional development, and community-responsive research - is viewed as a critical step in the university’s plans to better support the health system.

e Institute, designed to bring faculty, sta , and community members together with the tools and space needed for people with ideas to gather and collaborate, supports a shi toward preventive health, of keeping people well and out of the hospital.

Currently, StFX has raised about half the project funds from the federal government and private sources and is looking to secure the rest before the Institute can proceed. It’s hoped it will be completed by 2024.

“We’re looking to raise the funds required in short order to address the needs of the province,” Dr. Hakin says.

“ e days of building an academic building that only serves the university’s needs are over. e Institute must have connections into the community. It will have impacts on the health and well-being of Nova Scotians. It will contribute to improvements and changes in our healthcare system and serve the professional development needs of a broad range of healthcare professionals.”

“What really resonates with me,” says StFX Associate Vice-

President Research & Graduate Studies Dr. Richard Isnor, “is that we need to start thinking of health as more than doctors and nurses taking care of sick people…and to think about how our academic programs and research can contribute to upstream approaches to health and wellness, from addressing the social and economic determinants of health, traditionally under-served populations, and health promotion e orts across the lifespan. We must look at what we can do as an educational institution to bring a “health in all things” perspective to bear in our research, teaching, professional development, and service to community.”

is includes building o strengths already inherent at StFX— educating students who go into meaningful careers in many health professions, community outreach and service programs that encourage wellness, nutrition, mental health, and physical activity, and long-established health research programs that directly impact the community or lead to health innovations.

In fact, about 75 of StFX’s faculty researchers, across disciplines, contribute to health innovation in Nova Scotia. StFX also hosts the National Collaborating Centre for the Determinants of Health. Further, approximately 40 per cent of StFX students are enrolled annually in health-orientated studies. With over 50 per cent of students coming to StFX from outside Nova Scotia and over 55 per

Dr. Erin Mazerolle

cent of StFX graduates remaining in the province, we are doing our part in growing the capacity of our provincial health system.

“One of the most valuable assets we have at StFX is the time and capacity of talented individuals who have the ability to undertake research and outreach activities to impact upstream health outcomes that is really in short supply in the health system,” says Dr. Isnor. “We have capacity to make time for research, for re ection, for experimentation whilst immediately bringing bene ts to the overall wellness of our community.”

Dr. Isnor has organized several “getting to know you” forums with Nova Scotia Health, community organizations, and StFX academic researchers and sta , and in early 2023, is teaming with VP Student Services Elizabeth Yeo to organize a joint meeting with Nova Scotia Health that’s planned to lead to even broader sessions to see how partners can work more closely together and understand pressing opportunities.

Communication was also key in creating opportunity to bring a mobile health clinic, a provincial pilot program designed to reduce the load on ERs, to campus in November, which helped StFX students seeking care and helped ease pressure on the local hospital.

“ e idea of StFX working for the bene t of community is far from

new. It goes back to the Antigonish Movement,” Dr. Hakin says. “We’re retracing our footsteps. By giving to the community, we believe we can create better outcomes for all. It’s exciting, where we’re dusting o that history in a new reality with respect to what’s needed by today’s society.”

Both Dr. Hakin and Dr. Isnor stress this collaborative work is happening now, but they want to push it much further.

“We’re trying to create an environment where linkages are more obvious and a place where ideas can ow,” Dr. Hakin says.

Dr. Isnor says alumni and donors can support the project in many ways from supporting research chairs to scholarships, to professional development activities for health workers, including special events and speaker series.

In January, StFX will hire a design rm to start consultations within StFX and with external stakeholders to discuss how the space can maximize our health programs, how to be ready for the future, and meet community needs.

“It will set the seeds of the dream,” says Dr. Hakin, “to try to bring people together in a natural cluster, that will give them community and connect them to the mission of giving back to the community.”

“It does enable people to see an alternative future,” says Dr. Isnor.

“We have capacity to make time for research, for reflection, for experimentation whilst immediately bringing benefits to the overall wellness of our community.”

Dr. Richard Isnor

Dr. Katie Aubrecht

Dr. Chris Gilham

MEET SOME OF THE STFX FACULTY AND STUDENTS INVOLVED IN HEALTH RESEARCH

DR. BRITNEY BENOIT ’10

SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE, PARENT-LED PAIN MANAGEMENT

“It’s my hope that the work I am doing contributes to the recognition of the powerful role of parents as partners in the health care of their children.” ~

Dr. Britney Benoit

Dr. Britney Benoit ’10, faculty member in the StFX Rankin School of Nursing, is working on research she hopes will play a part in supporting e ective, parent-led pain management for infants during painful procedures.

Tell me about your research.

My research program is centered on improving maternal and infant health care and outcomes by supporting parent-led interventions, such as breastfeeding and parent-infant skin-to-skin contact, as part of newborn care. I focus on testing and translating these accessible and non-invasive approaches as part of routine care of infants and families during times of pain, stress, and transition. My research program spans generation of new knowledge, synthesis of existing knowledge, and translation of knowledge into health system policy and practice. To do this, I work in collaboration and partnership with numerous

stakeholders, including clinicians, health systems leaders and decision makers, and families. Studies that I have ongoing are focused on parent-led interventions for pain management and fostering supportive environments for breastfeeding. Several key projects include: (1) Co-development of implementation interventions to support parent-led infant pain management in rural communities; and (2) Identi cation of barriers, facilitators, and context-driven strategies to support implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative to promote breastfeeding in hospital and community care environments across Nova Scotia.

What impact do you hope it will have?

I want my research to play a part in all new parents being supported to hold their baby in skin-to-skin contact immediately a er birth and during any painful procedures throughout infancy. I also want families to be adequately supported in feeding and caring for their new baby. It’s my hope that the work I am doing contributes to the recognition of the powerful role of parents as partners in the health care of their children.

Tell me about yourself.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in human nutrition at StFX, my Master’s of Science (Applied) in Nursing at McGill University and my PhD in Nursing at Dalhousie University. During my PhD, I received a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship for my research examining the impact of breastfeeding on processing of pain in the newborn brain during clinically required painful procedures – which received the Dalhousie University Doctoral esis Award in Engineering, Medical Science, and Natural Sciences. I held the inaugural Health Sciences Research Chair with Nova Scotia Health here at StFX and have received

funding from the QEII Foundation, Nova Scotia Health, and Research Nova Scotia to support my research program at StFX.

HEALTH-SEEKING IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ACROSS CULTURES

Learning more about any di erences in mental health and help-seeking in university students across two di erent cultures, in Canada and Ghana, was the subject of research for fourth-year StFX psychology student Akua Amankwah-Poku of Accra, Ghana this past summer. Her study, funded by a Scotia Scholar Undergraduate Research Award from Research Nova Scotia, focused on comparing factors that in uence mental health and help-seeking in university students in Canada and Ghana. “I conducted extensive background research into the two countries to get a better understanding of the cultural di erences between them in relation to my variables of interest,” she says.

“I researched the perception of mental health in each country, access to mental health services and factors that in uence helpseeking. e aim of the study is to identify if there are any di erences in mental health perception, service access, and help-seeking

AKUA AMANKWAH-POKU MENTAL

in university students across the two countries and to nd ways to bridge the gap if there are any.” She is supervised by StFX psychology professor Dr. Erin Austen ’96.

program really motivates me because, being a Newfoundlander, colorectal cancer really hits close to home, as the rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) is close to double the national average. ere’s also the puzzle aspect of it all – in my current data set, we have data on over 800,000 genetic markers for about 2,400 participants, and so you can imagine that trying to piece together the potential links, the interplay between some combination of these genetic markers and how they can impact CRC risk is really interesting and perplexing at the same time.

What impact do you hope it will have?

both the unique challenges that living with a chronic disease represent as well as the bene ts that an active lifestyle can bring.” ~ Dr. Ryan E.R. Reid

Dr. Ryan E.R. Reid joined the StFX faculty in 2020, where he is an assistant professor in the Human Kinetics Department and is cross-appointed to the Computer Science Department.

Tell me about your research.

WHY ATLANTIC CANADA IS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY COLORECTAL CANCER

“My current research program really motivates me because, being a Newfoundlander, colorectal cancer really hits close to home, as the rate of CRC is close to double the national average.” ~ Dr. Derrick Lee.

Dr. Derrick Lee is an associate professor in the StFX Department of Mathematics & Statistics. He has taught at StFX since 2017.

Tell me about your research.

My primary research focuses on identifying environmental and genetic risk factors for cancer and in the interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental exposures, particularly in breast cancer and colorectal cancer. A current Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funded project is exploring why Atlantic Canada is disproportionately a ected by colorectal cancer, as the rates in this region are higher than any other region in Canada. I am also interested in bioinformatics and statistical learning, particularly in relation to statistical genetics.

What drew you to health research?

I was always interested in medicine and health, but knew medical school wasn’t really what I wanted to do. On the other hand, biostatistics and epidemiology was a natural t for me, as it combined many of my interests and skills. My current research

To potentially identify a set of genetic markers that could be used as biomarkers in novel, early screening programs. CRC has one of the highest mortality rates, but early screening programs can help catch the disease in the early stages, maximizing the chances a person can get treatment when the disease is much more treatable.

Could you speak about results?

At this point, the research is still in progress, as everything has slowed down due to the pandemic, so until we have all the data, I can’t really comment. With that said, we are seeing some interesting and potentially exciting signs in the early stages.

USING MOVEMENT TO HELP COMBAT IMPACTS OF CHRONIC DISEASE

“Growing up, both my parents lived with diabetes. My mother has had type 1 diabetes for nearly 55 years and has always practiced physical activity to help minimize comorbidities associated with her disease.

erefore, from an early age, I understood

e long-term goal is to improve the use of movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) in primary health care to combat the negative health e ects of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. e Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology outlines 24-hour movement guidelines for optimal health that are underutilized in the clinical environment. One reason for this is the lack of an objective measurement tool for clinicians to use. Commercial activity monitors, like Fitbit and Apple Watch, may be a way for clinicians to gain access to this information, but the health care system is not ready for the inclusion of these devices. In my research, I am developing clinical methodology and computer so ware to integrate commercial activity monitors into the clinical environment. Currently, I am still in the early stages of my research program. I started the Wearable Movement Sensors Lab in January 2020. To advance my work on clinical methodology, I have supervised 10 undergraduate research projects in the Human Kinetics and Health departments focusing on the perceived barriers and facilitators of integrating activity monitors and movement information into health care visits. My lab has investigated this from multiple viewpoints including patients, medical students, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians. During this time, I have also supervised three MSc students in computer science who have worked on the computer so ware necessary to integrate these tools into a clinical setting.

What drew you to health research?

Growing up, both my parents lived with diabetes. My mother has had type 1 diabetes for nearly 55 years and has always practiced physical activity to help minimize comorbidities associated with her disease.

DR. DERRICK LEE

DR. RYAN E.R. REID

erefore, from an early age, I understood both the unique challenges that living with a chronic disease represent as well as the bene ts that an active lifestyle can bring. What motivates me to keep doing this research is knowing that I can continue to help people to adopt a more active and less sedentary lifestyle, and then I can watch their psychologic and physiologic health improve substantially. Knowing that I play a small part in that brings me a lot of joy. What excites me about the future of this area of research is the promise of more advanced wearable health monitors. In the past 20 years, there has been an exponential improvement in computing technology that has allowed us to go from pedometers to small wrist worn monitors that can track sleep, sedentary time, physical activity, heart rate, arrythmias, pulse oximetry (important in understanding sleep apnea) and link these health variables to your own mobile device.

Tell me about your research.

I am involved in developing and evaluating school-based work related to student and educator mental health literacy, including those in the process of becoming teachers, and boys-speci c programming aimed at improving their health outcomes, and the health outcomes of those around them, especially their current and future partners. Overall, the work I do could be seen as prevention and health interventions. Increasing mental health literacy and helping young men seek help when they need it are both associated with improved health outcomes, for example.

What drew you to health research?

Since a very young age I have had immediate family experience with severe mental illnesses. I’ve been an advocate most of my life for improved mental and physical health. My undergrad degrees were in psychology and philosophy and when I entered the teaching profession, I was quickly drawn towards working with students with mental health problems and mental disorders, which I did for several years. I ended up supporting school-based administrators and educators in their direct work with students with these needs. My graduate work was borne out of a desire to move more upstream in this work, and reach those becoming teachers, as well as those already working in education.

What impact has this research had?

and physical health now and long term!

DR. CHRIS GILHAM

IMPROVING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

“Overall, the work I do could be seen as prevention and health interventions. Increasing mental health literacy and helping young men seek help when they need it are both associated with improved health outcomes,” ~ Dr.

Chris Gilham

Dr. Chris Gilham is an associate professor in the StFX Faculty of Education. He is researching mental health literacy of educators, and boys-speci c groups for developing healthy relationships and has done research to evaluate school-based programming that could help disrupt cycles of domestic violence.

e mental health literacy work I’ve been a part of has consistently increased educators’ and students’ knowledge, reduced stigma and even increased help-seeking attitudes. In one study, pre-service teachers also reported increased self-e cacy for inclusive practices in classrooms. More than 15,000 people worldwide have participated in the free online modules known as Learn Mental Health, which I helped create in partnership with Western, UBC and teenmentalhealth. org (now known as mentalhealthliteracy. org). e work I’ve been involved with for girls programming increased girls’ key developmental assets, and most recently an evaluation of GuysWork showed decreases in adherence to unhealthy masculinity norms. I’m really proud of these outcomes! e goal of the work is improved mental

TRANS

AND QUEER YOUNG ADULTS’ EXPERIENCE WITH PRIMARY CARE IN NORTHEASTERN RURAL NOVA SCOTIA

“One of my favourite things about nursing is having the privilege of hearing people’s stories. at’s what my research project is about— nding out trans and queer individuals’ experiences with primary care,”

~ Laura Hughes McKay

Laura Hughes McKay, a fourth-year nursing student from Truro, NS, has launched a survey to explore the experiences of trans and queer young adults with primary care in northeastern rural Nova Scotia. To conduct the research, she received a Scotia Scholar Undergraduate Research Award from Research Nova Scotia. “One of my favourite things about nursing is having the privilege of hearing people’s stories,” she says. “ at’s what my research project is about— nding out trans and queer individuals’ experiences with primary care. Doing this and receiving the Scotia Scholar award has meant that I am better able to give my research my undivided attention.” Although at times it has been overwhelming, she says one of the best parts “has been being able to learn the process by teaming up with my super smart and supportive supervisor Deborah Mansell. I have also learned so much by receiving feedback from experts in the community who are passionate about trans and queer health.”

LAURA HUGHES MCKAY

DR. TODD BOYLE WORKING WITH PHARMACY REGULATORS TO DEVELOP AND ACCESS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACIES

“My primary focus for the past ve years has been assisting pharmacy regulatory authorities with developing, deploying and/or assessing continuous quality improvement standards of practice across their jurisdiction.”

~ Dr. Todd Boyle

Dr. Todd Boyle is a full professor in the StFX Gerald Schwartz School of Business and works with pharmacy regulators to develop and assess quality improvement programs for community pharmacies. He has served as Acting Dean of the Schwartz School and is currently Department Chair. Dr. Boyle was a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair from 2007-17.

Tell me about your research.

My research focuses on the challenges and outcomes of medication incident reporting and learning in community pharmacies. In the past, this has included developing, implementing, and assessing quality improvement programs for pharmacies. More recently, I work with Drs. Bobbi Morrison and Tom Maha ey from the Gerald Schwartz School of Business exploring patient trust in pharmacists and pharmacy regulatory authorities (the body that regulates pharmacists and pharmacies). However, my primary focus for the past ve years has been assisting pharmacy regulatory authorities with developing, deploying and/ or assessing continuous quality improvement standards of practice across their jurisdiction.

Could you speak about results so far? I help Canadian regulatory authorities with de ning, implementing, or assessing standards of practice related to continuous quality improvement and medication incident reporting and learning. ese practices are required to be followed by community pharmacies and therefore helps to enhance the safety of pharmacy practice in Canada.

What impact do you hope it will have? Continue to enhance patient safety in Canadian pharmacies by providing the tools and supports needed for pharmacy sta to learn from medication incidents and near misses and plan and implement meaningful changes.

What excites you about being a researcher at StFX?

e people. I have had the pleasure to work with some excellent health researchers in the Gerald Schwartz School of Business. I really enjoy the research culture and excitement that exists both within the school and university.

Dr. Erin Mazerolle joined StFX in 2020 and is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology (cross-appointed to Computer Science).

Tell me about your research program. I use imaging techniques to better understand the healthy brain and di erences in neurological diseases such as essential tremor and multiple sclerosis. I’m especially interested in “neurovascular coupling” or the relationship between activation of brain cells and blood ow to meet the energy demands of those brain cells.

What drew you to health research? is might sound strange, but I really like to break things! By that I mean, I like to nd the limits of technologies and methods, and demonstrate the conditions that lead to failures. For example, I showed that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) - a popular method to measure brain function non-invasively in humans - can’t be trusted in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

What impact do you hope the research will have?

Here at StFX, I hope to make an impact by bringing more brain imaging technologies to a rural context. Almost all brain imaging research takes place at large urban centres, which excludes a lot of people!

DR. ERIN MAZEROLLE LOOKING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE HEALTHY BRAIN

“I hope to make an impact by bringing more brain imaging technologies to a rural context. Almost all brain imaging research takes place at large urban centres, which excludes a lot of people!” ~ Dr. Erin Mazerolle

Tell me about awards and accomplishments. I’m a co-principal applicant and executive committee member of the Vascular Cognitive Impairment Health Research Training Platform (VAST), a multiprovincial, multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funded training platform which provides stipend support for student researchers. We’re also developing new educational content related to vascular cognitive impairment. is six-year grant provides $2.4 million in funding and I’m excited about what we’ll be able to accomplish.

DR. KATIE AUBRECHT ’05

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

“I will consider my research successful if it raises awareness of the critical role that communities play in supporting mental health and wellness. Quality mental health care is person-centered, place-based, culturally appropriate and safe; it improves relationships and conditions. ere is no quality without community.” ~ Dr. Katie Aubrecht.

Dr. Katie Aubrecht ’05 is Canada Research Chair Health Equity & Social Justice Tier II; an associate professor in the Department of Sociology; and Director, Spatializing Care: Intersectional Disability Studies Lab. Dr. Aubrecht’s research is multi-faceted and focuses on mental health and wellbeing. Her overall goal is to improve the quality of mental health care and self-perceived mental health and wellness of people living in rural communities.

She was appointed by the Nova Scotia Government Department of Justice to lead an inaugural independent review of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, looking at preventing and removing barriers to accessibility for persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia, including people with mental health disability.

Her research also focuses on postsecondary student mental health in rural

institutions as well as COVID-19 pandemic response and impact on older adults experiencing isolation.

“I will consider my research successful if it raises awareness of the critical role that communities play in supporting mental health and wellness. Quality mental health care is person-centered, place-based, culturally appropriate and safe; it improves relationships and conditions. ere is no quality without community,” says Dr. Aubrecht, who leads a collaborative, applied action research program that uses sociological theories and methods to analyze the social determinants of rural mental health across the life span. She also has a lengthy list of professional service involvements.

Dr. Aubrecht has a long association with StFX—the very rst year she started at the university was 2000 when she enrolled as an undergraduate student!

KEALEIGH HALLIDAY

NURSING IN HOME ENVIRONMENTS

“As the Canadian population continues to age and more people opt to stay in their homes for as long as possible, understanding the ways in which home nursing is working well or can be improved will become increasingly important.”

~ StFX student Kealeigh Halliday

Doing research work that could bene t countless future individuals receiving acute or long-term nursing in their home environments is how Kealeigh Halliday, a fourth-year BASc in Health student spent last summer. e Barrie, ON native was a recipient of the Scotia Scholar Undergraduate Research Award from Research Nova Scotia and spent 16 weeks researching ‘Client Experiences with Home Nursing’ based on care provided by the Victorian Order of Nurses in Antigonish. She is co-supervised by Drs. Christina Holmes and Janet Purvis. “I was fortunate enough to receive Scotia Scholar funding in order to learn about the experiences of clients who have received or are currently receiving home nursing care from the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) in the Antigonish region. is qualitative research allowed for in-depth accounts from clients who have received care within the past year on topics such as client-centered care, client engagement, and any perceived barriers or facilitators that they may have encountered,” Ms. Halliday says. “ is opportunity allowed me to give my full attention towards a topic which is currently lacking research but could undoubtedly bene t countless future individuals receiving acute or long-term nursing in their home environments. As the Canadian population continues to age and more people opt to stay in their homes for as long as possible, understanding the ways in which home nursing is working well or can be improved will become increasingly important. I am hopeful that this research will not only be helpful to VON home nursing clients and sta within the Antigonish community, but also for other regional VON units and home nursing organizations.” Ms. Halliday also thanked the VON for agreeing to be a community partner on this project, “because without their cooperation, this study would not have been possible.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

DR. SUSAN SCHAYES ’84 HONOURED AMONG TOP 50 WOMEN LEADERS OF GEORGIA FOR 2022

A StFX alumna who has lived her life by a mantra of trying to make a di erence has been honoured among Top 50 Women Leaders of Georgia for 2022.

Dr. Susan Schayes, originally from Ponoka, Alberta and now based in Atlanta, Georgia where she is the Chief Transformation O cer (CTO) for ChenMed, a national leader in primary care, received the honour from Women We Admire, which celebrates the accomplishments of women leaders. Dr. Schayes is the only physician on this year’s list and is honoured “for her expert clinical and business contributions helping the hyper-growth company transform care of the neediest populations through nearly 100 centers in 12 states,” reads a release from the organization.

As ChenMed CTO, Dr. Schayes is accountable for preparing new center leadership teams to transform care with VIP service that delivers best-in-class health outcomes. Dr. Schayes also oversees creation of a road map for growing each ChenMed center opening in a new market. Recently, she also launched Fellowship in Transformative Care (FIT), speci cally designed to train ChenMed physician

leaders of the future.

“Dr. Schayes is a tireless champion for the highly personalized primary care that’s absolutely vital for underserved seniors living with major and multiple chronic diseases,” says Jessica Chen, M.D., ChenMed Chief Clinical O cer. “A humble healer, with an uncanny ability to inspire both patients and other physicians delivering VIP care, Dr. Schayes constantly helps ChenMed innovate. Her keen eye for improving the patient experience is reinforced by e ective coaching to generations of physician leaders – all energized by her resolute focus on ‘doing whatever it takes to transform care, one patient at a time’.”

STFX FOUNDATION

Dr. Schayes spent three years at StFX, where she took biology, from 1981-84, and was a freshman starter on the X-Women basketball team, its rookie of the year, and a second team AUAA all-star. She also excelled academically—including nishing rst in her class in her third year, when she was accepted into and entered medical school.

“I loved my time at StFX. It was

educationally, professionally, and personally ful lling. I loved the family atmosphere, the congeniality.”

She also loved the university’s Catholic framework, and the faculty and sta who invested in and cared about her success.

“I nished the top of my class in my third year. e reason I could do that is because of the people who poured into me,” she says. “It allowed me to be academically successful.”

She recalls once scoring a perfect 100 on a nal physics exam, and her basketball teammates jokingly telling her, “Okay, your new name is Vector.” ree women from that team went on to become doctors—Dr. Adele Belliveau ’83, Dr. Barb (Hassler) Smyth ’86 and Dr. Schayes —“which is unheard of,” she says.

Dr. Schayes says StFX provided an enriching and rewarding environment, and its service mission aligned with her own.

She says she knew she wanted to be a doctor since she was ve. Having meaning and purpose in life is important to her, and through medicine she has been able to impact people and communities.

Dr. Schayes formerly was a faculty member for 16 years at Emory University School of Medicine, where she was the Division Chief of Family Medicine, as well as the Residency Program Director for the Emory Family Medicine Residency Program.

Prior to this, she worked for the University of Toronto, and was in private practice. As the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians educator of the year in 2012, she has been a champion of educating and training medical students, residents, physicians, and other allied healthcare learners for more than two decades in two countries.

She earned an M.D. from the University of Alberta and an M.P.H. in Management from Emory University. Dr. Schayes did her Family Medicine Residency at Queen’s University. She is board certi ed in family medicine in both Canada and the United States, and actively practices medicine.

As for advice for today’s students?

“A liate yourself with higher education institutions, companies and businesses that have meaning and purpose and nd your calling and passion so that you are able to make a di erence in the world.”

Dr. Susan Schayes ’84

CAMPUS NEWS

STFX TEAM REACHES FINALS OF BANK OF CANADA’S GOVERNOR’S CHALLENGE

BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN

In ation is at the top of mind of many Canadians, and four StFX students are advising the country’s central bank – the Bank of Canada – how rising prices can be brought back under control. Will Girling (BA honours in economics with subsidiary in mathematics), Mallory Long (BSc joint honours in economics and mathematics), Carly MacDonald (BSc honours in economics with subsidiary in mathematics) and Matt West (BBA joint honours in business and economics) greatly impressed the judges of the Bank of Canada’s Governor’s Challenge monetary policy competition. is event requires teams of undergraduate students to analyze Canadian and international economic and nancial developments in order to advise the Bank of Canada how it should set its trend-setting policy interest rate. e rst round of the competition saw teams from 26 Canadian universities presenting their work remotely to Bank of Canada o cials. e StFX team nished at the top of its six-university division, coming ahead of teams from universities that are more than 10 to 15 times its size. e StFX team will now compete against the other four divisional winners at the national nals, taking place at the Bank of Canada head o ce in Ottawa on February 3-4, 2023

Research work to better understand the brain, work that could potentially help people with degenerative brain disease, was in the spotlight recently as StFX computer science master’s student Athar Omidi defended her thesis on aligning human brain images in a “functional” space instead of a physical space. e value of this work is to not only better understand the brain, but to better help people with degenerative brain disease as their brains may di er in shape quite a bit, says her supervisor, computer science professor Dr. James Hughes. e work provides a framework for aligning brain function in a high-dimensional space rather than in three physical dimensions using a form of sophisticated mathematics within the eld of Optimal Transportation. Machine learning was used to analyze the transformed brains to ensure the accuracy of the novel alignments. e project started as a master thesis under the supervision of Dr. Hughes and mathematics professor Dr. Ryan Lukeman with guidance from psychology professor Dr. Erin Mazerolle. Ms. Omidi successfully defended her master’s thesis in October in front of an examination committee that included the external examiner Dr. Mark Daley, the Vice President, Research at the Canadian Institute of Advanced Research and professor at the University of Western Ontario.

Two projects carrying out important climate change research at StFX will be funded in part by the Government of Canada. On Nov. 23, two StFX faculty members, Dr. Andrew MacDougall and Dr. Dave Risk, were awarded over $2 million in funding from the Climate Action and Awareness Fund. Dr. MacDougall, Coordinator, Climate & Environment, has been awarded $1,557,149 and will lead a project, quantifying the climate bene t of nature-based solutions in Canada. StFX is the lead institution on this research in a partnership with three other universities (Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and Concordia.) Dr. Risk, earth sciences professor and head of the Flux Lab, has received $475,500 in funding and will conduct research on COntinuous MEthane mapping in Western Canadian oil and gas Towns (COMET).

OVER $2 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH

L-r, Dr. Dave Risk and Dr. Andrew MacDougall

L-r, StFX students Will Girling, Carly MacDonald, Mallory Long and Matt West

Athar Omidi

STFX WELCOMES NEW BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEMBERS

St. Francis Xavier University is pleased to welcome three incoming board members Cynthia Dorrington, Jamie O’Reilly ’98 and Marie Walsh ’87 to the StFX Board of Governors, the university’s senior governing body; as well as student representatives, Violet Silva, Brendan Roberts and Joshua Kroker; and ex-o cio members, Eileen Alma and Dr. Amanda Cockshutt.

CYNTHIA DORRINGTON

Cynthia Dorrington, CPA, CMA, is the President of Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc., a boutique consulting rm working with small to medium-sized organizations across various industry sectors from start-ups to businesses undergoing growth, to business mergers/acquisitions with an emphasis on strategically positioning its human resources and managing change. Expertise in organizational strategy and design, people strategy and advisory services inclusive of EDI, change management, and board governance has allowed Vale & Associates the opportunity to provide consulting services to clients locally, nationally, and internationally.

JAMIE O’REILLY ’98

Jamie O’Reilly is a Managing Director in the Corporate Solutions Group within Citibank’s Global Markets division. He is also active in the community. He is a board member (Past-Chair) of Youth Employment Services (YES), and has mentored young professionals through Citi’s programs, and through the CFA Society Toronto. He graduated from StFX with distinction, and as an Academic All-Canadian athlete. Mr. O’Reilly completed an MBA from Saint Mary’s University and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He resides in Toronto with his wife Michelle ’99, ’01 and their three children.

DR. HUGO BELTRAMI AWARDED $1.4 MILLION FOR TIER I CRC IN CLIMATE DYNAMICS RENEWAL

Dr. Hugo Beltrami, a professor in StFX’s Department of Earth Sciences, has had his Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Climate Dynamics renewed for an additional seven years. e Honourable FrançoisPhilippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, recently announced the government investment of over $139 million to support 176 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs across 46 institutions in Canada. e CRC renewal carries $1.4 million in research funding. CRC Tier 1 chairs are awarded to outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their elds. Dr. Beltrami has held a Tier 1 CRC in Climate Dynamics since 2015. e focus of Dr. Beltrami’s CRC program for the next seven years will be on characterization of the heat and mass transfer regime between the lower atmosphere and the rst few hundred meters of the Earth’s crust. e proposed program is articulated around four axes: (1) Earth Energy Imbalance (EEI): e Temperature of the Earth. (2) Paleoclimate Modelling (3) Evolution of Permafrost (4) Land from Space. “ e renewal of Dr. Beltrami’s Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Climate Dynamics for a further seven-year period signi es the internationally recognized impact of the research he and his students have undertaken in an e ort to understand heat exchange near the Earth’s surface,” says Dr. Richard Isnor, StFX Associate Vice-President Research & Graduate Studies.

Marie Walsh is Chief Administrative O cer at Cape Breton Regional Municipality. She graduated from StFX with her BBA and received her CGA designation in 1992. Ms. Walsh recently served on the A ordable Housing Commission of Nova Scotia and currently sits on the Provincial/Municipal Service Exchange Renegotiation and Municipal Government Act Review. She is also treasurer of the Destination Cape Breton Board of Directors. She resides in Westmount, NS with her husband and is fortunate to have her three boys, their wives and two granddaughters all living in CBRM.

NATIONAL AWARD

FOR

STFX COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSOR

A paper that StFX computer science professor Dr. Jacob Levman co-authored on sample size considerations in machine learning applied to medical imaging has gained national acclaim, receiving e Editor’s Award of the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. e paper is co-authored with Dr. Pascal Tyrrell of the University of Toronto. Dr. Levman says he was pleased and surprised by the national award. “I had already noticed that despite the paper being quite recent it was already been cited on a regular basis, but I wasn’t expecting it to receive top honours from a strong journal.” eir paper, ‘Sample-Size Determination Methodologies for Machine Learning in Medical Imaging Research: A Systematic Review,’ looks at the scienti c literature to assess sample size determination methods (i.e., how many samples do you need for your given application), for machine learning applied to medical imaging. It demonstrates that this area of research has a paucity of studies devoted thereto, says Dr. Levman who hopes this work will spur additional interest among the machine learning applied to medical imaging research community towards contributing to higher standards for developing reliable machine learning technology for medical applications. Dr. Levman and Dr. Tyrrell have also founded the Real-mi initiative (https://www.real-mi.org/), an e ort towards establishing high standards in reproducibility and explainability in machine learning applied to medical imaging.

MARIE WALSH ’87

X-WOMEN RUGBY LOCKER ROOM OPENS ‘TOP LEFT’

When X-Women Rugby debuted at StFX in 1984, it was with borrowed jerseys, volunteer coaches and a “radical” idea that women could play full contact sport. ree-plus decades, six U SPORTS national titles and 22 AUS conference championships later, the program celebrated another milestone on Oct. 15, 2022 as a community gathered to o cially open the new X-Women Rugby locker room in StFX’s Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living.

Standing among current and former players, parents, fans and supporters, the X-Women Rugby Cabinet—who exceeded their fundraising goal for revitalizing the space—announced the locker room will be named, “TOP LEFT” in honour of the team’s longtime mantra and battle cry.

“Talk about energy in this room. It’s fabulous, I love it,” StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin said as he shared with the crowd that the original fundraising goal of $350,000—a nod to 35 years of women’s rugby on campus—has been surpassed. Over 150 donors have given $390,000 to the campaign to date, funds that will support endowed bursaries and leadership awards for players and fund exhibition travel and the revitalized locker room.

“ is is more than a space in which athletes prepare for games; it is the heart of the team, a space for connection, friendship, joy and even sometimes small disappointments,” Dr. Hakin said as he o cially

opened the locker room. “Ultimately, it is a space in which women belong.”

PASSION AND PEOPLE

“You can feel the passion in this room! is is what this X-Women Rugby campaign has been about – passion and people,” emcee and X-Women Rugby Campaign Cabinet member Alexis MacDonald ’99 said.

Ms. MacDonald said the fundraising campaign, a rst for any women’s sport at StFX, was born out of a passion for women’s rugby and a desire to seek equity in women’s athletic funding.

“A former player from 1984 remembers talking about the ‘women’s rugby movement’ in hushed tones, like it was a dangerous concept. Women playing a full-contact sport like rugby was considered radical. Fast forward to 1998—only 14 years later—when X-Women Rugby became a varsity-level sport. Today, the team claims 22 conference championships and six national titles.”

Maureen O’Brien ‘91 said the catalyst for her to become involved in the campaign cabinet was the 2019 national championships. “During one of the matches, on a cold November day, the gals on the sideline were wearing warming capes. When they turned around, on the back of the capes it said, ‘StFX Football.’” And I thought: “Why was our national championship team STILL having to wear borrowed gear?!”

She says as a female-led committee, they wanted the fundraising

StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin joins the X-Women Rugby Cabinet Members and StFX Senior Admin in the o cial ribbon cutting: Mary Giles ‘09, Alexis MacDonald ’99, Coach Mike Cavanagh, Joanna Alphonso ‘18, Veronica Visentin ‘87, Michele Chiasson-Suart ’85, Eryn Hessian ’00, Suzanne Anderson ‘90, Mary-Eileen O’Brien ’91, Monica Foster ‘90 (VP Finance & Admin), Maureen O’Brien ’91, and Leo MacPherson ‘89 (Director of Athletics & Recreation).

campaign to be di erent, to represent their ideals and that of the rugby team—diversity and inclusiveness. “It is also about equity. Everywhere, women’s sports are chronically underfunded. It came down to ‘if we don’t do this, then who? If we don’t do this now, then when?’”

Eryn Hessian ’00, ’03 agrees. e campaign cabinet member says many feel a responsibility to ensure the future of a team, sport and community they love. “We joke about borrowed jerseys, but everyone who has ever pulled on a StFX jersey can remember those rst few seconds when you did. Instantly you can feel the con dence and the courage of everyone who has worn one before you. From the rst StFX athlete to wear his jersey in 1901, to the young athlete who will wear hers for the rst time today, there is a reason why they put that X over your heart. And the ‘Top Le ’ battle cry was born.”

StFX Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson ’89 said this is a remarkable celebration for X-Women Rugby. “I am a massive fan of rugby culture. e X-Women Rugby team really knows that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Current team co-captain Annie McMullon said that when the team rst heard the locker room was to be named ‘Top Le ,’ many players got emotional as it is their core mindset. is takes it one

step further, she said. “We hope to carry your legacy forward.” Head coach Mike Cavanagh says he is so appreciative of the donors and the cabinet. “I think the most amazing thing that this campaign did was bring together the club players and the varsity players. ey were like the cousins we had never met. You knew they were family, but you just hadn’t heard their stories yet. Now we know each other’s stories. We appreciate so much what the club members did.”

“What we are most proud of,” Ms. MacDonald said “is that this campaign engaged alumnae like no other. Eighty per cent of contributions were from women. We also received donations from every single grad year across 35+ years, including current players and their parents. Rugby is a special sport – people just love it, and the support is wide-ranging.”

Although the campaign met its goal, the cabinet isn’t ready to rest. ey understand for the team to remain competitive, fundraising must continue. Becoming an annual donor is as important as contributing to the campaign. e cabinet hopes the support they’ve stirred up in individuals towards women’s rugby is a commitment that lasts a lifetime.

Donations and locker plaque purchases are still accepted at www.stfx.ca/xwomenrugby.

“You can feel the passion in this room! This is what this X-Women Rugby campaign has been about – passion and people,”

Alexis MacDonald ’99 Rugby Campaign Cabinet Member

Eryn Hessian ’00 (right) shares the meaning behind ‘Top Left’. Maureen O’Brien ’91 (left) shares her inspiration for getting involved.

Co-captains of X-Women Rugby team Annie McMullon ’23 and Maddie Ross ’23

Former X-Women rugby players: Bethany Johnston ’90, Courtney (Doherty) Oland ’91, Henry Barry ’91, Jackie (Lewis) Burton ’90, Jane (MacNeil) Lumsden ’90, & Carolyn Whitburn ‘92

MOMENTS TO CELEBRATE: HOMECOMING ’22 FILLED WITH HIGHLIGHTS

As alumni from far and near returned to campus Oct. 14-16, 2022, to celebrate StFX’s rst in-person fall Homecoming since 2019, the weekend provided many moments to celebrate.

Key among them were the ‘golden’ moments, celebrating the Class of ’72, the 50-year reunion class; as well as honouring several Xaverians for their inspiring life of service.

e Hall of Honour ceremony, initiated by the Class of ’91 Legacy Committee to recognize members of the StFX community who have carried on the tradition of helping others, saw four people inducted on Saturday morning: the late Judy O’Donnell ’58; James “Kie” MacIsaac ’58 ’62; Gary Yabsley ’69; and Verna MacDonald ’80.

at evening, Xaverians honoured at the Welcome Home Dinner included: Claire Ryan ’06, Young Alumna of the Year; Patricia MacLellan, Sodexo, Xaverian Spirit Award; Fred Doucet ’60, Distinguished Alumnus of the Year; and Sean Ryan, StFX Students’

Union general manager, Friend of StFX. Chapter of the Year was presented to the Yarmouth, NS chapter.

Homecoming provided many opportunities to renew friendship—at the Mount St. Bernard tea, on campus walking tours, and at Co ee with Coady, which celebrated the 2021 and 2022 Katherine Fleming International Development awards with recipient Rabi Adamu Musa on hand.

is year also welcomed new events, including the inaugural Pride of StFX Breakfast and Awards. e annual event honours leadership in or support of the 2SLBGTQIA+ community with two awards—one recognizing a StFX student and one a StFX alumnus. Congratulations to Kale Buchanan and Allan Ferguson ’86, inaugural recipients, respectively.

Saturday was a full day with alumni gathering to mark the o cial opening of the Carty-Wood Gate at Memorial Field, celebrating the

Claire Ryan ’06, Young Alumna of the Year Patricia MacLellan, Sodexo, Xaverian Spirit Award Fred Doucet ’60, Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Sean Ryan, StFX Students’ Union general manager, Friend of StFX Maureen Du y-Mason ’78 accepts the Chapter of the Year award on behalf of the Yarmouth, NS Chapter

legacy of longtime faculty and rugby coaches, Dr. Ed Carty and the late Dr. Derek Wood, as well as the late Dave Bernatchez ’85, who served as inspiration for the dedication. Mr. Bernatchez was also remembered during the Class of ’85 Dave Bernatchez Memorial Reception and Dinner, followed by a Saturday morning bench dedication in his honour in Xavier Gardens.

A jubilant crowd also gathered Saturday at the Amelia Saputo Centre for the o cial opening of the X-Women Rugby Locker Room, named ‘TOP LEFT,’ in honour of the team’s longtime mantra and battle cry, before the X-Women took on Acadia in front of the home crowd.

e weekend rounded out with class dinners, athletic events, a farewell mass and brunch. “It was incredible to have our alumni back on campus for the rst time since 2019, interacting with our current students, renewing old friendships, and reigniting the Xaverian spirit in each of them,” says Alumni A airs director Shanna Hopkins ’01.

L-r, Alumni Association past president and speaker Marc Rodrigue ’08 and inaugural Pride of StFX recipients, student Kale Buchanan and Allan Ferguson ’86.

Alumni Association president Kathleen Sheridan ’15

Hall of Honour inductee Verna MacDonald ‘80 (second left) with her family, husband Dr. Tom Maha ey ’90 (second right), daughter Mia ’12 and son Connor.

StFX students and alumni take position at the starting line for the Homecoming Fun Run.

HOMECOMING & SUMMER REUNION CLASS PHOTOS

Class of ‘85 Dave Bernatchez Memorial Dinner

FEELS LIKE HOME: STFX WELCOMES THE CLASS OF ’26

One could feel the energy driving onto StFX campus on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 as StFX welcomed over 1,000 rst-year students who arrived for Welcome Days 2022, spread over two days again this year.

“As soon as I came to campus, I just felt so happy. I was ready to call this home,” says Braelyn Spencer, a rst-year Gerald Schwartz School of Business student from the Ottawa Valley, who made her rst trip to the east coast to attend StFX. She and her mom Jennifer arrived in Antigonish a few days early and had been visiting the StFX campus every day since.

“We’re just so excited for her, for this opportunity,” says Jennifer. “You can feel she’s in good hands. You can feel it on campus, the positivity. She’s not just a number here. It’s wonderful.”

Braelyn says she decided to attend StFX, sight unseen, as she had heard positive things about the school. “I liked that it was in a small town,” she says. “I knew I’d feel a part of it. I knew it had a good sense of community, and I knew there were small classes. I really liked that.”

TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY

Keisha Lambert, a rst-year human kinetics student from Halifax, NS, arrived on campus with her older sister, Mya, a third-year business student. “Overall, I’m looking forward to everything,” says Keisha, who read good things about her academic program—and

heard good things from her sister. “I made a lot of close friends and also developed relationships with my professors,” says Mya. “I like how tight-knit it is here, you can form relationships.”

Abbey Dennis, a rst-year kinesiology student from Moncton, NB, says she is excited to be a member of the StFX community. Her mom, Kim, says their son, a fourth-year business student, has had a good experience at StFX, and that’s comforting. “Just how our son interacts with his professors, there’s an emphasis there that it’s important to feel connected,” says her dad, David. “Even a er StFX, there’s a real community, which the school really fosters.”

WELCOME TO STFX

“Today for us is a very special day,” StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin told students and their supporters during the President’s Welcome. “ is is why we’re here. It’s you…We’re here to support you on your journey.”

ere is something special about this place, something you feel when you come on this campus. It’s the way people support each other, Dr. Hakin said. He encouraged the incoming students to think about ways they too can give back and continue this Xaverian legacy.

Students’ Union president Brendan Roberts also le students with advice: get involved. “Your StFX experience will be what you make it. Take every opportunity to get out of your comfort zone.”

THIS IS YOUR MOMENT: FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS COMMIT TO EXCELLENCE DURING XAVERIAN WELCOME

“ is is your moment.”

at was the message StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin delivered to the incoming Class of 2022, who gathered in black robes in the University Chapel Sept. 18, 2022 for the Xaverian Welcome ceremony. e ceremony is one of three important institutional occasions during one’s time at StFX, where all new students are invited to commit to a life of thought and service as they join the Xaverian community. e commitment is renewed during the students’ senior year, during the X-Ring ceremony and at Convocation.

“ is is indeed a rare moment, a moment you as an individual can start a blank page,” Dr. Hakin said as he told students we’re gathered at StFX on a shared mission to produce citizens who change the world.

“You must, must engage,” he encouraged. “ is is a moment in which you must be bold.”

Education, he says, serves as that gold key that will open many doors. But it is up to you to take larger steps, to push yourself.

“You are Xaverians. at means stepping up to a di erent level of interaction,” Dr. Hakin said. “Let those Xaverian values shine.”

It was a message reiterated by Students’ Union president Brendan Roberts.

“Today you have a chance to think about who you want to be when you leave this university,” he told the incoming class.

StFX Chaplain Fr. Donald MacGillivray ’79 added many would say StFX is a special place marked by a unique thing called the Xaverian Spirit. What is this spirit, he asked? It can be summed up in two words: Friendship and service. e Xaverian Spirit is fueled by the friends made, the shared experiences, the community found at StFX. It’s also about service. Since StFX was founded, our forebearers believed we receive an education not only for ourselves, but what we can o er to the world, he said.

Academic Vice-President and Provost Dr. Amanda Cockshutt noted how the ceremony introduces the incoming class to academia and to Xaverian values. is time of transition to university is one of the few opportunities in life to do things di erently, she said as she encouraged students to take advantage of this opportunity to discover their passions academically and as a member of the community. “I wish you all the best in your university experience.”

Dr. Andy Hakin

“LET THE JOY SINK IN!”

“Can you feel it? Can you hear it?’

ose were the words StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin asked just under 1,000 students, clad in black robes, sitting in the Keating Centre on December 3, 2022 about to receive their much-anticipated X-Ring.

ere’s a crackle in the room, a buzz, Dr. Hakin said. “It’s called excitement. It’s called X-Ring Day. You’re here. But it’s also the Feast of St. Francis Xavier.”

St. Francis Xavier was a bit of a traveler. He went on journeys, and he made a di erence, he said.

“What a journey you’ve had,” Dr. Hakin told students as thousands watched the livestreamed ceremony from Wisconsin to British Columbia, North Carolina to Ottawa, while parent viewing rooms were set up on campus. Not only have you been on a tremendous academic journey, your journey has allowed you to experience

community, to be in a place where we learn to be with each other, where we learn to understand di erences, where we learn that we’re not always right, where we learn to be a good citizen, and we learn to give back.

STEP IN, STEP UP

Guest speaker Dr. Tania Sullivan ’98, Emergency Medicine Physician Lead at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, also encouraged the senior class to keep these Xaverian values close as they journey forward.

Dr. Sullivan said when people ask for advice on becoming a doctor, the only thing she keeps coming back to is “be the best you.

“My point is there is no right path to what you want. ere is simply the one you, and only you, can make. Be the best you. Be relentless and be authentic.”

Honorary X-Ring recipient Andrew Beckett ’23 makes it four rings in the Beckett family, shown with daughter Kayleigh (Beckett) Perkins ‘09, son and daughter-in-law Christian ’14 & Allie (Kinney) Beckett ‘14

Talking about her life as an ER doctor and stepping in as the St. Martha’s COVID lead, she spoke about what it was like to be on the front lines and what it was like to be part of a larger community who worked together to maneuver through these di cult times. “It is about showing up, instead of giving up,” Dr. Sullivan told the students.

Dr. Sullivan also spoke about moving on versus moving forward. e pandemic highlighted many injustices, and we cannot move on from this. “We must move forward.”

She challenged students to commit to moving forward as stewards of doing better. “We are here today and coming out the other side… because we were willing to be in it together.”

LET THE JOY SINK IN

Renee MacLeod, co-president of the Senior Class, encouraged

classmates to stand up and “to let the joy sink in.” StFX, she said, is a place like no other, where you feel a sense of community, where you learn to build compassion for others, where you’re shaped into leaders. “I’ve grown in more ways than I thought possible, and so have all of you.”

Fellow Senior Class co-president Ryder Ferris served as master of ceremonies. He announced this year’s Senior Class Gi , the UneXpected Relief Fund, will help support students who experience unexpected crisis.

In a touching moment, the honorary X-Ring went to Andrew Beckett, the recently retired StFX Vice-President Finance & Administration.

Dr. Tania Sullivan ’98

Ryder Ferris, Senior Class co-president

HOPE AND EDUCATION. Ranim Al Zhouri ’23 (centre) celebrates StFX Day and her new X-Ring with brothers Majd ’20 (left) and Aghyad ‘22. The Al Zhouri family was one of the rst Syrian refugee families to arrive in Antigonish in January 2016, thanks to SAFE (Syria-Antigonish Families Embrace.) All three siblings now have X-Rings, and in May, all three will be StFX grads. Both brothers are currently completing engineering degrees at Dalhousie University.

STFX GRADS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE; HONORARY DEGREE BESTOWED ON FAISAL JOSEPH ’82

Celebration, achievement, and a touch of magic lled the Keating Centre Dec. 4, 2022 as StFX graduated over 350 students, and bestowed an honorary degree upon Faisal Joseph ’82, a lawyer and advocate for the Islamic community in Canada.

StFX also bestowed two major honours during Fall Convocation 2022. Yogesh Ghore, a senior program teaching sta member at Coady Institute, was honoured with the Outstanding Sta Teaching Award, and the Outreach Award was presented to Dr. Maureen Coady ’76 ’92, faculty member, Department of Adult Education.

In an inspiring address, Dr. Joseph, who received a standing ovation for his remarks, told graduates there are several themes he’d like them to take from today. e rst is perseverance and overcoming obstacles in life. “It’s important to keep swinging, no matter how di cult…Just keep swinging,” he said, noting eventually they’ll hit their goal.

Another is friendship. He encouraged them to always nurture the friendships made at StFX.

“I want you to think about making a di erence. Because making a di erence is what you should aspire to do.” Mr. Joseph said he doesn’t care about how big or small, but that you contribute to improving the human condition.

He also le graduates with several tips. Respect people with less power than you, and act accordingly with kindness. Don’t seek happiness but try to make happiness for others. Be intellectually rigorous and honest. Identify your own biases and prejudices, be openminded, and don’t be judgemental. No matter your occupation, be a teacher. Share your ideas. And nally, don’t rush. You don’t need to know what you’re going to do for the rest of your life today.

Dr. Joseph also spoke about his student days, thanking StFX for the foundation provided. He told graduates their X-Ring symbolizes many di erent things, noting there is no place he can go without something extraordinary happening because of it. is included a forum in Vatican City, where he was received by Pope Benedict XVI. Conversation turned to Pope Benedict’s storied ring. “You have a very attractive ring as well,” came the reply. When Dr. Joseph started to explain his X-Ring, he heard, “I know the ring.”

“He knew the ring!”

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin encouraged graduates to make a di erence.

Dr. Faisal Joseph ’82 ’22

Dr. Andy Hakin, Dr. Mary-Ellen MacPhee ’87 ’05 ’22 and Chancellor John Peacock ’63

Dr. Andy Hakin

“We place great faith in your ability to change society for the better,” he said in remarks that congratulated students and encouraged them to strive to make positive change.

“Education changes lives,” Dr. Hakin said.

“Each person’s path is unique. But our hope is your experiences at this very special university has provided you with the knowledge, skills, and tools to fully engage with life and to make a di erence.” is is a special day for all being recognized. It is also a special day for all who have supported you, University Chancellor John Peacock ’63 said as he opened Convocation. He encouraged graduates to continue to seek ways “to improve your lives, your communities, and the world.”

“Every single one of us had to overcome challenges to get to where we are today,” graduating class speaker Mary Anne MacKeigan ’99 ’22 of Whycocomagh, NS said. She encouraged classmates to think about those who helped them get to where they are today. “ is sense of community does not end with diplomas and degrees today. I challenge you: wherever you live, become part of that community. Show up. Get involved.”

Kathleen Sheridan ’15, StFX Alumni Association president, welcomed graduates into the alumni community. “I have no doubt you will continue to do amazing things as you strive to be thoughtful citizens of the world.”

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT

Faisal Joseph was born in Truro, NS, and graduated from StFX in 1982. A er earning his law degree from the University of New Brunswick

in 1985, he began his legal career with Burchell, MacDougall and Gruchy, where he was promoted to partner in 1990. In 1994, he relocated to London, ON, where he joined Lerners Law Firm.

Mr. Joseph has enjoyed a successful career, having been recognized by the Premier of Ontario in 2011 for his expertise in dra ing hate-crime legislation, as well as for his views on security and international justice. In 2015, he was awarded the Law Society Medal, the highest honour bestowed by the Law Society of Ontario. In the a ermath of the events of September 2001, which precipitated a low point in relations between Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians, Mr. Joseph became a de facto spokesperson of the Islamic community in Canada. More than 20 years later, he is still a familiar and respected presence in the national media. In 2009, he participated in a three-day forum on issues of peace, security, and social justice in Vatican City, where he was received by Pope Benedict XVI. He continues to call for greater interfaith dialogue between Muslims and Christians, who together comprise half of the world’s population.

Mr. Joseph is a particular hero of the Islamic community in his adopted city of London, ON (which boasts the highest per capita Muslim population in Canada), but he is also an inspiration to all Canadians as a respected champion of inclusion, dialogue and understanding.

Dr. Maureen Coady ’76 ’92

Yogesh Ghore

Mary Anne MacKeigan ’99 ’22

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

ALUMNI RECEPTIONS

It was a busy year for our Alumni Chapters as we adapted to hosting in-person events again. Several chapters hosted student send-o receptions this past summer and in the fall, President Andy Hakin and his wife Linda were excited to nally get out to start meeting some of our amazing alumni. e fall brought stops in Sydney, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto and we look forward to more travel in the spring. Many Xaverians gathered across the country and abroad as many of our chapters hosted Feast of St. Francis Xavier events on December 3.

PORTLAND

CALGARY

EDMONTON

HALIFAX

TORONTO

YARMOUTH SAINT JOHN

YARMOUTH

VICTORIA

OTTAWA

SYDNEY

A CALL to ARMS

In early October, StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin was fortunate to have an opportunity to meet with some of StFX’s most in uential and generous leaders to discuss the state of the university, where it’s going, its pressing needs, and the economic and environmental realities that are being faced. High among priorities is engaging the next generation of alumni to become involved.

e need for more alumni to become StFX ambassadors and donors and understand the realities the university is facing was a topic of conversation when the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59 and Mila Mulroney ’04 hosted Dr. Hakin and his wife Linda for dinner at their penthouse in Montreal. In attendance were StFX Board of Governors Chair Dennis ’80 and Madonna ‘83 Flood, Chancellor John ’63 and Adrienne ’63 Peacock and the Hon. Frank ’70 and Julie ’72 McKenna.

e conversation provided much insight, including that StFX is in

need of its next generation of alumni leaders, those willing to give back to their beloved institution.

To do this, StFX needs its alumni—its best recruiters—to talk about their experiences with potential students. Dr. Hakin also spoke about the need to complete the Institute for Innovation in Health, the next step in the Xaverian Commons project, which focuses on improving the health of rural communities, and how StFX needs to engage its alumni in understanding the many projects needed to secure the future of the campus.

THE NEEDS ARE REAL

“ e infrastructure, including academic needs, are large. e support needs are large. A need to improve our communities through education is more than pressing. Our needs are real and we can’t step away from them.” Along with advancing the Institute for Innovation

hosted StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin and his wife Linda for dinner at their penthouse in Montreal in early October. The dinner, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held to celebrate the appointment of Dr. Hakin as the 19th President of St. Francis Xavier University. Pictured, clockwise from Dr. Hakin are Mrs. Mulroney ’04, the

in Health, projects include replacing the antiquated heating plant, which is neither sustainable nor e cient, and a $20 million retro t to Cameron and MacKinnon Halls to improve living and learning conditions for students.

Returning alumni o en fondly reminisce about the beauty of these iconic residences, however, the reality is the rooms haven’t been renovated since the 1980s and are at risk of falling below the standard expected in today’s competitive landscape. “If we don’t do it now, if we don’t put in the work, we risk falling too far behind,” says Dr. Hakin.

“From a gi perspective, unrestricted funds are what we need,” said Dr. Hakin on the best way alumni can nancially support StFX. is way the donation can be used to address the most pressing needs.

Alumni can also give in other ways, including sharing their stories with potential students. “ e strength of our alumni is amazing. eir stories of their experiences inspire the next generation of students. We

After dinner, StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin took the opportunity to discuss the scal realities of StFX and the future of the university with some of StFX’s most generous donors. Pictured here with Mr. Mulroney ’59 and Dr.

need them to be our ambassadors out there working as our recruiters.”

Mr. Mulroney urged all alumni to join him in supporting the future of StFX. “We have all bene tted from the tight-knit, academically-excellent community that is StFX, a university that has provided us with so much—lifelong friends, rewarding careers, success in life. As alumni, it is imperative we step up, in whatever manner we can, in this time of great need.”

Together we are building our university the way it’s meant to be.

TO SUPPORT STFX UNIVERSITY, PLEASE CONTACT

“AS ALUMNI, IT IS IMPERATIVE WE STEP UP, IN WHATEVER MANNER WE CAN, IN THIS TIME OF NEED.”

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE BRIAN MULRONEY ’59

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59 and Mila Mulroney ’04

Hon. Frank McKenna ’70, Adrienne Peacock ’63, Board of Governors Chair Dennis Flood ’80, Linda Hakin, Mr. Mulroney ’59, Julie McKenna ’72, Chancellor John Peacock ’63 and Madonna Flood ’83.

Hakin (at centre) are clockwise, Linda Hakin, Chancellor John Peacock ’63, Adrienne Peacock ’63, Mrs. Mulroney ’04, Julie McKenna ’72, Board of Governor Chair Dennis Flood ’80 and Frank McKenna ’70.

FIONA’S FURY

AND OUR THANKS

When post-tropical storm Fiona, the most-costly extreme weather event ever recorded in Atlantic Canada in terms of insured damages, ripped through the region on Sept. 24, 2022, it knocked out power, toppled trees, and le extensive ooding and property damage—its fury certainly touching down in StFX and Antigonish. At StFX, the storm caused infrastructure damage estimated at over $6 million, says VP Finance & Administration, Monica Foster. Nearly every building sustained some damage and at Marguerite Hall (Mount Saint Bernard), the roof was destroyed, leading to water damage to the residence and to half of the Rankin School of Nursing.

Student Services VP Elizabeth Yeo says over 100 on-campus students were relocated in the middle of the storm. ey’ve been accommodated in other residences while repairs continue. Nursing faculty and sta were also displaced, with the hope of returning for the winter term.

Additionally, J. Bruce Brown’s roof had to be replaced, 50 mature

trees were uprooted and had to be removed, and repairs done at Crystal Cli s and West Street.

Fiona knocked out power for over ve days in many areas. Cell service and other telecommunications were also interrupted in Antigonish.

Many campus buildings, including residences, were without power and hundreds of o -campus students went days—some over a week—without power. Flooding temporarily displaced about 50 o -campus students. About 10 were let out of their leases as damage was so extensive.

“Care for students’ wellbeing was paramount as some had to cope with damage and loss as well as displacement from their homes and regular community support. Flexibility with academic accommodations were provided for those who experienced signi cant disruptions,” says Ms. Yeo.

StFX knew the gi of giving and receiving in the hurricane’s a ermath. “Alumni graciously stepped up and donated over $15,000 to an emergency fund distributed by our Students’ Union, providing meal tickets and grocery cards to students in need,” she says. “We were fortunate to receive assistance from residents of the town and county, with many opening their homes to students. e United Way Pictou County also provided funding for meal tickets and grocery cards. Faculty, sta and students supported each other in so many ways.

“We express huge gratitude for the rst responders and those who secured the safety of campus and students – Safety, Security and Risk Management teams, Facilities Management, Housing, Residence Life professional and student sta , and those who supported students during the closure and transition back to full operations such as the Sodexo team, the cleaning sta , Health and Counselling Center, advisors for Black, Indigenous, International students, academic advisors, student and academic services and

support sta .”

e Students’ Union executive team convened an emergency meeting to determine immediate and longer-term needs, says president Brendan Roberts, including having the Drive U van assist Marguerite residents moving to their new buildings. He says the university got Morrison Hall Meal Hall open as soon as possible and began accepting cash so that o -campus students could get a warm meal. e Students’ Union fully restocked Kevin’s Corner Food Resource Centre with non-perishable foods that did not need to be cooked. Additionally, with the help of Tim Hierlihy (Sodexo) and Bob Hale (Ancillary), they distributed nearly 1,000 meal hall passes to students.

Ms. Yeo says the support from so many allowed StFX to continue to help a ected students. “ ere were many lessons learned, which is being factored into planning and preparation should such an event happen in the future.”

ATHLETICS

X-MEN FOOTBALL WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE AUS BANNER

e StFX X-Men football team defeated the Mount Allison Mounties 21-14 in the 2022 AUS Loney Bowl to win their second consecutive conference championship banner, taking home the Jewett Trophy once again. e X-Men had a perfect 8-0 record in regular season competition and had 13 studentathletes honoured as AUS all-stars. e win earned them the

right to host the U SPORTS Uteck Bowl national semi nal game at StFX Stadium against the Canada West champion Saskatchewan Huskies. e X-Men were tied 13-13 with the Huskies midway through the fourth quarter before SASK pulled o a 36-19 win.

X-WOMEN CROSS COUNTRY RUN AWAY WITH AUS CHAMPIONSHIP

e StFX X-Women Cross Country team won their second consecutive AUS championship this fall at the 10km championship race held in Charlottetown, PEI. ird-year runner Allie Sandluck was the overall individual champion, leading a strong StFX pack with ve of the top 10 nishers. e X-Women went on to a ninth-place nish

at the U SPORTS national championship in Halifax, NS. e X-Men Cross Country team won the bronze medal at the AUS conference championship and were 15th at U SPORTS. Fourth-year runner Jacob Benoit was the individual AUS bronze medalist and came 11th overall nationally, earning second team all-Canadian status.

CHAMPIONSHIP

StFX Athletics and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic (S|E|A) will be hosting the U SPORTS Final 8 Men’s Basketball Championship at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS from March 10-12, 2023. Basketball fans will have the opportunity to cheer on the eight best university basketball teams in Canada, including the StFX X-Men as the host school.

Long-time StFX coach Steve ‘Coach K’ Konchalski will serve as the Honourary Chair of the event. Coach K retired in March 2021 a er serving 46 seasons as X-Men Basketball head coach. e winningest men’s basketball coach in Canadian university sport history, he won three national championships and nine AUS conference championships during his time at StFX.

Ticket packages for the championship are on sale now at www.ticketatlantic.com. More information on the 2023 U SPORTS Final 8 can be found at www.goxgo.ca/ nal8 and stay tuned for details on alumni reunions and events in Halifax in conjunction with the championship.

StFX X-Men football head coach Gary Waterman ’92 was the honoured recipient of the Frank Tindall Trophy as the top coach in the country for U SPORTS football. In his 14th year in charge at StFX, Coach Waterman led the X-Men to an undefeated 8-0 record and their second straight Loney Bowl championship – the h overall in his tenure. His X-Men currently have the longest active regular-season winning streak in the country (15 games), a run that began on Oct. 26, 2019. Waterman has a career coaching record of 66-55, including regular season and postseason play.

“Gary Waterman is, rst and foremost, an outstanding person. We are so proud of the work Gary has put into building our football program,” commented Leo MacPherson’89, StFX Director of Athletics & Recreation. “He drives a successful team culture through deep connections, caring and core values; it all starts with him as the value-set leader for the program.”

Waterman becomes only the second X-Men coach to win the Frank Tindall Trophy, following John Stevens in 1997.

GREY CUP CHAMPIONS!

StFX alumni Gregor MacKellar ’22 and Henoc Muamba ’11 are Grey Cup champions. e former X-Men Football athletes are members of the Toronto Argonauts who recently defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23 to win the 2022 Canadian Football League (CFL) title. Muamba was honoured as the most valuable player and outstanding Canadian in the Grey Cup victory.

Muamba, along with several former X-Men teammates and his brothers, is also a founder of the LIFT Bursary, a $3,000 bursary for a Black student leader at StFX. Passionate about increasing diversity at StFX, Muamba wants to expand this bursary to nancially support more Black student leaders.

To learn more and donate, visit: www.alumni.stfx.ca/li bursary

SOCCER AND RUGBY WRAP UP COMPETITIVE SEASONS

e X-Men Soccer team had a successful AUS season this fall, posting a 7-3-2 regular season record in second place and qualifying for the AUS championship game. e X-Men fell 2-0 to Cape Breton but earned a berth in the U SPORTS national championship in Kamloops, BC. StFX lost a close quarter nal match to Montreal and then fell in penalty kicks to TMU in the consolation semi nal.

e X-Women Soccer team came in fourth place in the AUS standings with an 8-3-1 record and competed in the AUS championship. ey defeated Saint Mary’s 6-4 in the quarter nal but lost out 1-0 to Cape Breton in the semi nal game.

e X-Women Rugby team had a competitive regular season, placing third in the conference with a 3-3 record. ey lost a very close 14-12 game to eventual AUS champion UPEI in the semi nal playo game.

COACH K NAMED HONORARY CHAIR OF ’23 U SPORTS MEN’S BASKETBALL

GARY WATERMAN ’92 HONOURED AS U SPORTS NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

X-Men captain David Muenkat, head coach Tyrell Vernon ’13, honourary chair Steve Konchalski and Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson ’89 at the press conference to announce StFX and S|E|A hosting the 2023 U SPORTS Final 8 championship

LASTING LEGACY ON WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

For more than seven decades, Dr. Ela Bhatt ’99 advocated for the rights of women workers in India as founder of the SelfEmployed Women’s Association (SEWA) of India established in 1972. e lawyer and social activist passed away November 2, 2022, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire SEWA’s 2.1 million women members working in the informal sector across 18 states in India, women around the world, and alumni of Coady Institute.

For her leadership, StFX awarded Dr. Bhatt an honorary doctorate during the university’s Fall Convocation ceremony in 1999. e citation highlighted Bhatt’s leadership, success, respect, and compassion as providing “an undeniable reminder of our duty to one another as human beings. Ela Bhatt not only points out the responsibility we have to those less advantaged, in the true Xaverian spirit, she inspires each of us to embrace it.”

Dr. Bhatt dedicated her life to the pursuit of social justice and the empowerment of women, helping them to earn a living and making visible their individual labour or small enterprises. SEWA continues to ght poverty and advocate to protect workers

from exploitation.

For 40 years, Coady Institute and SEWA have partnered in the co-creation of knowledge about social enterprises and pioneering an asset-based approach to community development. Dr. Bhatt was a member of the Institute’s Honourary Patrons’ Council made up of accomplished leaders who support Coady’s mission to build the capacities of community leaders and organizations worldwide.

advance gender equality and poverty reduction by enhancing women’s capacity to participate in the social and economic life of their communities in India, Haiti, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Bangladesh. In partnership with the Gerald Schwartz School of Business, the Sears Internship in Social Enterprise initiative helps StFX students learn about Coady’s and SEWA’s approaches to development.

Yogesh Ghore, Strategic Partnerships Advisor and Senior Program Teaching Sta at Coady Institute, was a friend of Dr. Bhatt and has worked alongside SEWA with many other Coady colleagues over the decades.

“It’s hard to describe Elaben’s pathbreaking work on women’s empowerment and the kind of in uence she had on shaping my thinking and our work at Coady Institute. is is an end of an era, but her legacy and the strong movement she created continues,” Mr. Ghore says.

Coady is currently working with SEWA on several key initiatives including ENGAGE!, a ve-year project working to

“She gave hope and faith to over two million SEWA sisters in India ghting the good ght every single day, and many more across the world. Her compassionate leadership, simplicity, values, and principles will continue to inspire us.”

“It’s hard to describe Elaben’s path-breaking work on women’s empowerment and the kind of influence she had on shaping my thinking and our work at Coady Institute. This is an end of an era, but her legacy and the strong movement she created continues.”

Yogesh Ghore

Ela Bhatt ’99 (left), former StFX Vice President and Coady Executive Director Mary Coyle, and SEWA Managing Director Jayshree Vyas during a visit in India. Senator Coyle paid tribute to Bhatt in the Senate of Canada after Bhatt’s death.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Check out www.stfx.ca/alumni for a complete listing of upcoming events and up-to-date details.

SAVE THE DATE

MARCH 10-12, 2023

STFX X-MEN BASKETBALL HOSTING USPORT NATIONALS

Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023

NATIONAL DINNER EAST

Halifax, NS

SAVE THE DATE

MAY 6, 2023

CLASS OF 2020 & 2021 CONVOCATION

Antigonish, NS

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, OCT. 13 - 15, 2023

HOMECOMING

Antigonish, NS

OCT 14 - 16, HOMECOMING2022

FRI-SUN, OCT 13-15, 2023

The Name?

Residence?

This year, Dr. Steve Baldner will lead us in the study of Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Parts I and II. Edited by A.P. Martinich & Brian Battiste. Broadview Press, 2010. ISBN: 9781554810406

Tuition?

We charge a modest fee of $100, but this fee is waived for all alumni. This is our chance to do something for you!

Date?

July 3-7, 2023. The rst class meets at 9:30 am on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Limits?

We may have to limit enrolment to keep the class size optimal for discussions. It’s advisable to reserve early.

Reserve a Place? Please

NEWS EXCHANGE

’

50s

Dr. Sheldon Currie ’57, a longtime member and former chair of the StFX English Department, was recently appointed to the Order of Canada. Dr. Currie was for several decades the ction editor for The Antigonish Review, and is the author of four novels and several collections of short stories. Most notably, his work The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum was adapted into the Gemini Award-winning lm Margaret’s Museum.

’80s

Martha Goguen ’82 has recently published “The Banyan Tree Club,” her seventh illustrated children’s book:

“The Banyan Tree Club is a very curious bunch At rst glance they appear quite out to lunch But a mystery hidden within is my hunch

A whole village in an upside-down tree?

With strange characters like an Elephant Yogi?

I don’t know about you, but that sparks my curiosity!”

She says it is like a cup of chicken soup for the child’s soul and for the yoga enthusiast’s inner child. The book series is available on Amazon.

Teena Dawson ’83 retired in September 2022 after 30+ years in the retirement and nancial services industry. Now every day feels like the Sunday of a long weekend and she is enjoying not having to wake up to an alarm! To keep in touch, her email address is teenaintoronto@yahoo.ca.

Lisa Keenan ’87 was appointed King’s counsel in New Brunswick in November 2022. This honorary designation is given to lawyers with at least 15 years’ experience who have demonstrated outstanding practice, shown integrity and leadership, and made contributions to excellence in the profession.

’90s

Roe J. McFarlane ’93 has been living in Chicago and working in the educational technology sector. He was recently appointed as President & CEO at Inspera U.S., a leading global digital assessment platform.

Linda Jane Liutkus ’98 has been working with the Plan International o ce in Kyiv, Ukraine. While dealing with the challenges of power outages in winter, the team has been successful in getting funding and launching their rst two projects, with another four projects planned in the coming year to assist with humanitarian needs arising from the con ict in Ukraine.

’10s

Marielle Lespérance ’10 won her 8th world championship and 15th Canadian title in highland dancing this summer, tying the all-time national record.

Kwame Osei ’10 has recently authored a new children’s book, ‘Yes, I am,’ about diversity, inclusion and positive a rmations. The book empowers children while also exposing them to di erent cultures, he says. “Words are powerful. Words are often the di erence between a person’s ability to achieve and a person’s inability to achieve. The purpose of this book is to empower every child who reads it through powerful and a rming words. This book will help to build a foundation of undeniable con dence and self-assurance in children,” he says. “When we whole heartedly love ourselves and know ourselves, we are then able to dream beyond the falsehood of our limited beliefs.” For more, please see Link to: https://www.amazon.ca/ Yes-A rmations-childrenKwame-Osei/dp/0993641539

Victoria Fogarty ’16 is currently in the process of completing her Master’s of Science in Negotiation and Con ict Resolution at Columbia University in New York

’20s

Jack Pittman ‘22 and Hannah Bance ‘22 are two newly graduated StFX students who will be backpacking across Europe in the coming months and would love to reach out with other alumni. Hannah graduated with a BASc in Health and Jack with a BA. They will be traveling throughout the months of December to mid-April, visiting Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey. It would be amazing to be able to meet with other alumni living in these countries who are willing to make connections with us, they say. To contact us, you can email us at JackHannahEU2023@gmail. com. They greatly appreciate your support.

Janice ‘98 and Steve Murphy are delighted to share the birth of their daughter Maggie Hazel. Maggie was born on September 30, 2022 in Calgary, AB and joins proud big brother Hunter.

Isla Ford, July 13, 2022 Stephanie ’14 ’17 and Darcy Ford ’17.

Elliot Campbell Benson June 30, 2022

Katie Carys Vlasic, February 1, 2022

Jonathan David Rogez-Walsh September 24, 2022

Lindsay Hat eld ’12 and Michael Benson ’14

Angela (MacGillivray) Vlasic ’17 and Charles Vlasic

Becky Rogez ’ 11 and Stu Walsh ’11

Oaklyn Nicole MacCuspic May 31, 2022

Nicole Deleskie ’09 and Tyler MacCuspic

Amy (Bond) ’13 ’14 and Jordan Smigelski were married on June 25, 2022 at Crystal Cli s, NS. The couple reside in Blackfalds, AB.

Meaghan Cormier ‘08, ‘18, ‘21 and Mark MacDonald ‘06 were married in Dartmouth, NS on May 22, 2022. Pictured here with StFX students, past and present, who attended the wedding.

Class of 2007 BSc human nutrition friends gather for a 15-year reunion in Cavendish, PEI. From l-r, Teri Emrich ’07, Tara Kinnear ’07, Sara Squires ’07, Ashley Brioux ’07, and Jensen Thomas ’07.

Sonya Jewkes ’14 and Marshall Lane ’14 recently became engaged. The happy couple will tie the knot in the fall of 2023.

Skyler McLean ’15 ’17 and Michael Staples ’16 are happy to announce their engagement. The wedding will take place at the StFX University Chapel in July 2023.

During homecoming weekend, Kathleen MacIntosh ’47 catches up with several alumnae in Mulroney Hall. From l-r, Krista Walsh’‘07 (Netherlands), Kim Carroll ‘05 (Bible Hill), Colleen Sorensen ‘06 (Ontario), Ashley MacInnis ’07, and Megan Coles ‘07 (Berwick).

’15

Kevin O’Brien ’61 (centre) with friends Janet and David Ross at the X-Men’s nal regular season football game. Janet and David are the parents of X-Men football star Connor Ross and X-Women rugby team co-captain Maddie Ross.

The various children of John ’08 and Alicia (Noonan) Adams ’08, Natalie Fleming ’08, Jamie Stinson ‘08, Glenn Horne ‘07 ‘08 and Sarah MacDonald ’09 ’22 getting a head start on their future StFX degrees this summer at the new Mulroney Institute of Government.

Members of the Northern California alumni chapter cheering on the Blue Jays. From l-r, Margaret MacDonald ’96, CJ Healy ’98, Jack Healy ’26, and Ross Thompson ’96

Janine (Nash) Connell ’06, teacher at Bliss Carmen Middle School in Fredericton, NB, is pictured with her students Adi, Lily and Olivia. The students met virtually with StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin to learn more about StFX and Antigonish to complete a school project.

Alumni gather in Lusaka, Zambia for the launch of a dialogue series for the Nyapachuma Memorial Foundation in support of young women and girls. From l-r, Dr. Debbie Castle, MAEd ’81; Kayi Nakazwe, BA ’10; Tio Sikazwe, married to Yatuta; Dr. David Fletcher, MAEd ’93; Yatuta Sikazwe, BA ’12; Dr. Adetoun Ilumoka, friend; and Dr. Emily Sikazwe, MAEd ’06, LLD ’11.

From l-r, Abby MacDonald ‘22, Nathan Penman ‘22, and Alison Walsh ’22 at Lake Bled, Slovenia.

Victoria Fogarty ’16 standing beside statue of the Scholars’ Lion at Columbia University, New York City.

Kathleen Sheridan

with her grandfather, Jim Dineen ’66, and cousin, Peter McIntyre ’07, at her sister’s wedding this past summer.

Calvert Leng ’72 submitted this photo taken in May 1983 of a gathering of X alumni in France. These individuals were stationed at the Canadian military bases in Lahr and Baden, Germany. Back row, l-r: Jean Jenkins, (Joan Leng), Margaret Ann MacDonald, Mike O’Leary. Front row, l-r: Paul Jenkins, Cal Leng, Mrs. O’Leary.

A visit with some local alumnae who proudly display their X-Rings. Mary Agnes (MacLellan) Kennedy, BSc Home Ec ‘48 (seated) with daughter Susan Kennedy Horn, BA ’78 / BEd ‘79 (left) and Mary P.D. MacDonald, BA Music ’72 (right).

Photo of St. Francis Xavier sculpture by Robert Ferguson ’71 and his wife,Debbie (Tompkins) Ferguson ‘76 on a recent trip to Greece and Malta. While in Malta, they toured the iconic St. John the Baptist church in Valletta, capital of Malta.

Henoc Muamba ’11 (centre) is one of two StFX alumni who are Grey Cup champions. Muamba and Gregor MacKellar ’22, former X-Men Football athletes are members of the Toronto Argonauts who recently defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win the 2022 Canadian Football League (CFL) title. Muamba, who was honoured as the most valuable player and outstanding Canadian in the Grey Cup victory, is pictured here with Kwame Osei ’10 and brother Kelvin Muamba, who are also former CFL players.

X-Men Football alum Travis Kuipers ’02 (bottom row, 2nd from left) along with his co-workers from Ontario’s Hydro One pose for a picture with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston in Pictou County where the crew helped restore power after the recent devastation caused by hurricane Fiona.

Peyto Lake, Ban National Park, Alberta – Diana Kendall ’20, Ryley Fry ’20, and Jessica Doherty ’20

Joseph Chmielecki ’76 and his wife Marion welcomed their ninth grandchild, Mila Rae Tobin in May 2022

Mt Everest Base Camp, Nepal –Victoria Morley ’20

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa (April 2022) –James Cummings ‘92

Times Square, New York Shane Arsenault ’19

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF STFX

A er a few years of virtual reunions, what a joy to come together for two in-person Homecomings and celebrate all things StFX! In August, the Alumni Association was nally able to induct our 2020 Hall of Honour alumni: the late Fr. Ronald Duncan Smith ’47, the late Leo A. MacDonell ’54 ’56 ’74, and the late Martina Riordon ’70. At the Welcome Home Dinner, the association o cially presented its 2020 Alumni Awards of Excellence to Michael Higgins ’70 (Distinguished Alumnus), Emilie Chiasson ’02 (Young Alumna), Fr. Stan MacDonald ’54 (Xaverian Spirit Award), the late Helen Mattie (Friend of StFX), and Chapter of the Year to Ottawa. At October Homecoming, the recognition continued! e association inducted James “Kie” MacIsaac ’58 ’62, the late Judith (McGrath) O’Donnell ’58, Gary Yabsley ’69, and Verna MacDonald ’80 into the Hall of Honour. e 2022 Alumni Awards of Excellence were given to Jean Alfred “Fred” Doucet ’60 (Distinguished Alumnus), Claire Ryan ’06 (Young Alumna), Patricia MacLellan of Sodexo (Xaverian Spirit Award), Sean Ryan of the Students’ Union (Friend of StFX), and Chapter of the Year to Yarmouth. e association also proudly supported the inaugural Pride of StFX Awards, where student Kale Buchanan

SEASONS OF CHANGE

A er two and a half years of not being able to host events, it has been great getting back on the road and seeing alumni again. is past summer, a er two years of planning, we were thrilled to be able to host the Classes of ’70 and ’71 to celebrate the 50th reunion of their StFX graduation. Similarly in May, 2023, we look forward to hosting both the Classes of ’20 and ’21 to o cially walk across the stage and close the chapter on their StFX academic journey. It has been enlightening to see our chapters return to in-person events and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our alumni chapter leadership teams and volunteers who continuously create meaningful opportunities for our alumni to come together to connect and reminisce. As we look to the new year ahead, we look

and alumnus Allan Ferguson ’86 were recognized for their leadership in support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

During both homecomings, the association celebrated the student Alumni Recognition Bursary winners. Our 2020 recipients were Grace Rheault, Mia Landi, Amy Graham, and Emma Boudreau, and from 2022, Julianna Drake, Arielle Aucoin, Fern Hatcher and Ben Boudreau.

Also in October, Dr. Hakin received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, honouring his outstanding leadership role in education. In November, several former StFX leaders also received this award for their contributions to society.

On December 3rd, 900+ students received their X-Rings—the third most recognized in the world—and on December 4th, 350+ alumni were welcomed into the association at Fall Convocation. During this special time in the university’s calendar, I encourage alumni to look to their own X-Rings as a constant reminder of their lifelong connection to the Xaverian community. All alumni and friends can play a part to ensure StFX and its spirit continue to thrive now, and for generations to come. ere are many ways, both large and small, to give back and be active members of the Alumni

On a nal note, welcome to Beth MacNeil-Cameron ’13, Programs Coordinator, Alumni A airs. One of Beth’s focuses is to support our dedicated alumni chapters. Let me also o er enormous thanks to outgoing alumni councillors Flo Campbell (treasurer) ’83 ’84 ’05, Paulette McKenna ’82, and David Graham ’92 for their years of service to the association. We are excited to welcome David as the new VP Advancement and look forward to working together!

Wishing you a bright 2023 and I look forward to seeing alumni and friends at National Dinner East on April 1 in Halifax!

Hail and Health!

Kathleen Sheridan ’15 President, StFX Alumni Association

forward to continuing to connect with alumni at upcoming events, including at the National Dinner East in Halifax on April 1.

Hail and Health!

Shanna Hopkins ’01 Director, Alumni A airs

FROM ALUMNI AFFAIRS l SHANNA HOPKINS ’01, DIRECTOR

Association!

Kathleen Sheridan ’15

Shanna Hopkins ’01

Paul Allen Teri Arsenault Betty Boyd Corinne Cameron Lester Capstick David Case Ann Dacey

Mary Doherty Liz Egan

John Gabriel Miriam Gillis Margaret Haber Ken Johnston Richard Kee e

Sylvester Landry Paul Leblanc Michel Leger Terrence Lenihan Elaine Lynch

Lelia Machnik Donna Machowski

Betty MacNeil

Pat MacNeil Wilf MacNeil Neil McDonald Frank McKenna Burns McPherson Pamela McPherson

Colleen Murphy Jane Palmer

Pat Palmer Sister Theresa Parker Gerald Pembroke Marilyn Pembroke

Howard Phee

Nancy Reddin Trish Rubin Pierre Samson Theresa Schultz Joe Scott Terry Smith Joe Weakland

Mary Wiles Karen Zappia

Wendy Aitken Roseline Anderson

Donna Brushey Peggy Burke Susan Burke

Alice Campbell Marjorie Casey

Linda Cook Ed Doherty Gerry Egan Robert Ferguson Barry Fraser Elizabeth Gouthro Tom Hayes

Barbara Jensen Dennis Josey Larry Kelly Janet LeFebvre Marty Lyons Delores MacDonald Pat MacDonald

Scott MacDougall

E. Lorraine Macleod Frank Machnik Mike Marenick Donald MacIsaac Maureen McKinnon Janet MacKinnon

Peter Milewski Claire Mills

Brian Murphy Richard Murtha Kevin O’Keefe Lorraine O’Keefe Carm O’Neill

Diane Orsini Dave Peralta

John Power Nadine Power David Quinn Mary Regan Catherine Ross

Marie Salamoun-Dunne Don Scott Deborah Weakland

Sr. Madeline Connolly ’41 Hon Doc ’86

Jeannine Germaine Deveau ’44

Hon. Justice Murray James “Rick” Ryan, Q.C. ’44

Rev. Gregory A. MacKinnon ’46 Hon Doc ’04

Celine Marie (Brennan) Hatherly ’47

Joseph Roland Cantwell ’50

John Hugh Currie, C.M. ’50 Hon Doc ’08

Dr. Maurice “Moe” Allen Harquail ’50

Robert Michael Joyce ’50

Michael Win eld Hackett ’51

Rev. Malcolm “Mosie” John MacNeil ’51

Sr. Mary Eileen McEachern ’51 ’72

John Jeremiah Carroll ’52

Charles A. H. DeGrace ’52

John Joseph Dunn ’52

Gordon Vincent Penny ’52, former faculty

Frank James Kuta ’53 ’54 ’79

James D MacFarlane ’53

George Harold Mooney ’53

Mary Isabel “Marybel” (Hachey) Oland ’53

Anne M. (MacDonald) Black ’54

Thomas Ronald “Ron” Coleman ’55 ’56 ’70

Rev. Leo Joseph Floyd ’55

Joseph Cosmas Pezzarello ’55

Julian Henry Richards ’55

Margaret Jean (MacNeil) Upton ’55 ’56

Joan Marguerite Gibbins ’56

Arthur Francis Lightbourn ’56

L. Brian Malone ’56

John Clement Roberts ’56 ’58

Ernest Joseph Stepaniak ’56 ’58 ’63

Marie Ronalda (MacNeil) Welsh ’56

Maureen G. (Hogan) Doyle ’57

James “Jim” Colin Grant ’57

Lawrence Alexander MacDonald ’57 ’76

Sr. Mary Cecilia MacDonald, CND ’57 ’70, former

faculty

Phyllis (MacDonald) McLeod ’57

Stephen Thomas O’Farrell ’57

Francis “Albert” White ’57

Mary Celeste MacPhee ’59 ’77

Edward “Ed” S. Russell, Jr. ’59

Arthur Samuel “Sam” Wakim, Q.C. ’59

Velma Marguerite Barkhouse ’60

Kevin Leo Chisholm ’60

Barclay John Cunningham ’60

Burton MacDonald ’60, Professor Emeritus

Ronald (DD) Angus MacDonald ’60

Karen Marie (Clarke) Campbell ’61

Dr. Calvin “Cal” Allan Cullingworth ’61

William Francis Meehan ’61

William John Vareski ’61

Michael Francis Blackmore ’62

Kathryn “Grace” (Cameron) Labbé ’62

Maurice “Moe” Francis MacDonald ’62

Kenneth Paul Mastroianni ’62

Doris Mary (Hille) Rooney ’62

Erwin Lorenz Zodrow ’62

Richard A. Johnson ’63

Paul Joseph Forhan ’64 ’65

Barbara Helen (Fraser) McKenna ’64

Wallace “Wally” Leo Cooke ’65 ’67 ’77

John Michael Herold ’65

Neil Gerard MacPherson ’65

Stuart A. Knight ’69

Marlene Florence (Doyle) Burke ’66 ’79

Spence Moar Fraser ’66

Yves Gregoire ’66

Sr. Rita Chisholm ’67

Paul Francis McGoldrick ’67

James Joseph Joyce ’69 ’71

Katherine Lucy MacLean ’69

Edward Joseph McHale ’69

Sr. Maria Lawrence O’Keefe ’69 ’76

William “Willie” M. Romkey ’69 ’75

Louis Joseph Stubbert ’69 ’70

William “Bill” Joseph Connell ’70

Bert Elliott MacNabb ’70

Roslyn Elaine (Murphy) Wintermans ’70 ’71

Dr. Francis “Frank” Armand Gaudet ’71

John David “Dave” Poirier ’71

H. Gerry Riopelle ’71

Joseph August Rodrigues ’72

David William Slade ’72 ’73

Frank Allan Mason ’73

Ron Anthony Abbass ’74

Henry John “Harry” Townsend ‘74

Audrey Irene (Connor) Chiasson ’75

Marian Ann (MacDonald) Draper ’75 ’77

John Howard Whidden ’75

Lavinia Sarah Vokey ’76 ’77 ’80

Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph Pierrynowski ’77

Richard “Rick” Ralph Thomson ’77

Michael William Joyce ’78

Donald Gerald Bradley ’80

Douglas Joseph MacMaster III ’81

Bradley Vincent Maloney ’82

Paula Jane (McGinnis) McDonough ’82

Darlene Margaret (MacDonald) Murrant ’83

Alfreda Margaret (Hayes) Tate ’84

Ronald Paul Joseph Blair ’86

Courtney Anne Floyd Campbell ’91

Glen Joseph O’Neil ’91

Pauline “Dolly” Sheilah (Sheppard) Peters ’92

Rachel Lynn MacFarlane ’95, sta

Natasha Donne (MacEachen) Forbes ’96

Angela Marie (Scott) Roach ’96

Ela Bhatt, Hon Doc ’99

Patrick Michael Doyle ’00

Peter Michael MacDougall ’00

Christopher David Kaiser ’02

Carl Cli ord Pelletier ’02

Phillip Harold Jennings ’03

Stephen Thomas Campbell ’04

Meghan Elizabeth Fraser ’05

Angela “Angie” Sharona Ann Stevens ’20

Robert “Rob” “Bear” Charles Barrett ’21

Liam Frederick Scott Dee ’21

Shawn Edward Maloney ’22

Kingsley Lenin Brown, former sta

Sheila Marie Deon, former sta

Peter G. Henke, former faculty

Gerald “Gerry” Austin Hills, former faculty

Jean Marie Kennedy, former sta

Jane Scott (Hanley) MacGillivray, former sta

William Michael “Bill” Wallace, former sta

OCT 14 - 16, 2022

Antigonish, NS

MANAGING EDITORS

Shanna Hopkins ’01

Email: shopkins@stfx.ca

Kyler Bell

Email: kbell@stfx.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Shelley Cameron-McCarron

Email: sacamero@stfx.ca

WRITER

Shelley Cameron-McCarron

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Andrew Conde

Email: aconde@stfx.ca

NEWS EXCHANGE EDITOR

Rita Myatt

Email: rmyatt@stfx.ca

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Rita Myatt

Phone: (902) 867-2186

Fax: (902) 867-3659

Email: rmyatt@stfx.ca

DEADLINES

SUMMER ISSUE

copy deadline April 15 for June mailing

WINTER ISSUE

copy deadline October 15 for December mailing

AlumniNews is published by St. Francis Xavier University Alumni A airs and Communications two times annually for alumni and friends of the university. Views expressed are those of the individual contributors or sources quoted. Contents, copyright © ’21 by St. Francis Xavier University. Subscriptions to Alumni News are available to the public for $14 a year, single copies $7. Letters to the editor are welcome. Address correspondence to:

AlumniNews

St. Francis Xavier University PO Box 5000 Antigonish, NSB2G 2W5

Email: alumni@stfx.ca

Phone: 902-867-2186

Personal Information: St. Francis Xavier University gathers and maintains records of personal information for the purposes of admission, registration, provision of educational services, ongoing contact with students and alumni, and soliciting support for these and other University activities. The collection, use and disclosure of personal information by the University is governed by the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, S.N.S. ’93, c.5. Information provided to the University from time to time will be maintained in the University’s records. The personal information provided may be used by University personnel and disclosed to third parties as required or permitted by applicable legislation or in accordance with the purposes for which it is collected. If you wish to have your contact information removed for the purposes of any mailings to alumni from St. Francis Xavier University, the Alumni Association or our A nity Partners, please send us a note using the contact information on this page.

FRI-SUN, OCTOBER 13-15, 2023

X-GEAR

ONLINE STORE OPEN NOW

Alumni,

WHERE ARE YOU?

How important is it to keep in touch with your alma mater? Plenty! At StFX, there’s so much going on – from alumni road trips to student send-o s each summer in cities and towns across the country and beyond. If we don’t have your current contacts, we’re not able to send out event notices, alumni mailouts, or the AlumniNews magazine, mailed free of charge two times a year to StFX alumni and friends. If you’re plugged into the StFX network, you can stay in touch with friends, nd mentors, visit the Alumni website, and keep up-to-date with all the details of Homecoming, and chapter events in your area. We’d like to reconnect with some of those with whom we’ve lost touch. If you have a current contact or information on any of the following alumni, listed by decade, please contact:

Records Researcher, St. Francis Xavier University 1-888-739-0031 • records @stfx.ca

Edris Genene Grant-Cunningham 82

Silvia Lucrecia Perez ’80

Damiana Elamthuruthil ’86

Ahmad Sherim ’86

Godfrey M Chakabuda ’80

Jacqueline C Septon ’89

Gary Robert Spencer ’88

Teresa Carolyn Grey ’85

Suzanne Bergeron ’82

David Joseph MacDonald ’86

Wendy Rose Carroll ’85

Leonard Levi Thompson ’81

Bernadette Maria Thompson ’80

Martha Lee Boyle ’87

N Corinne Cogan ’89

Linda Anne Kempster ’84

Gordon J Scopel ’80

Roy Pringle MacDonald ’80

Natalie Ann Tonet ’85

Nathalie Deraspe ’85

Linda Diane Cichelly ’86

Laura Joan MacGillivray ’89

Carol Spekkens ’84

Cynthia Macknight MacIntosh ’87

Irene Burns ’87

Eileen Frances Egyedy ’80

Arminta C Mahoney ’83

Elaine P Janz ’83

Joseph Paul Roach ’84

Bonnie Kathleen Weyman ’83

Paul Graham Boyle ’86

Shawn Michael McIntyre ’83

David Noel O’Connor ’84

Max Prangnell ’87

David Shawn MacDonald ’87

Mohamad Mansour ’85

Jean Catherine Tompkins ’85

John Matthew MacDonald ’84

James Grant Johnson ’86

Charlene Iris Mader ’87

Ali A Farhat ’84

Koula Kovanis ’86

Ruth Anne Piitz ’87

Patricia Eliz Minehan ’86

Judith Anne Chinn ’87

Ronald Harris ’86

Jode Tarlow ’82

George Corcoran ’82

Connie Dianne Croft ’81

Sheila Marie Oliver ’81

Samir El ’81

Allister James Gillis ’81

Mary Rosanne Gillis ’81

Christina Maria Leblanc ’81

Karen Curley ’81

David Clarence Parker ’83

Bonnie V Vanechuk ’82

Judith Louise Purcell ’82

Mary Ann MacKay ’81

Raymond G MacLellan ’81

Joselyn Ann McQuade ’80

Allan Russell Nantes ’80

J Stirling Dorrance ’81

Shaun C O’Neill ’83

Asghar H Talasaz ’83

Stephney Cheryl Mason ’85

George Vincent Haley ’82

Teresa June Sigler ’86

Raymond Savard ’86

Thomas Grant Carmichael ’87

Darlene Dale Tilly ’89

Bruce Clarence Bradley ’82

Henry James Maitland ’80

Edward E English ’82

James Beaton MacPherson ’82

Patrick Harrop ’82

Douglas F Hawes ’85

Darlene Mahoney ’85

Gisele Marie Aucoin-Kyne ’81

Seamus Richard Marriott ’82

Theodore A Scholten ’85

Mark Andrew Hebert ’87

Kathryn J McGarry ’87

Alan Charles MacPherson ’83

Sharon Ann Cunningham ’89

John Francis Nugent ’82

John Domingo Inyang ’82

D Christopher Hope ’82

Bettina Nolting ’82

Sylvia Nalule Male ’87

Maureen Ann Bayne ’85

Kin Kwong Paul Lau ’83

Mohamad Salah Salame ’86

Keng Whee Chua ’86

Brian James Tracey ’81

Diane Louise MacIntyre ’84

Joanne Michelle Burke ’86

William Bernard Thomas ’82

Paul Douglas Tupper ’87

Jill Marie Newhook ’88

Jennifer Ann Beaton ’88

Leo James Morrison ’84

Russell G MacDonald ’85

James Ryan MacIsaac ’83

Eleanor Rae Millard ’83

Karen Gail Crane ’84

Mohammad Reza Naghii ’84

Wendy Lee Dutton-Webb ’84

Laurie Jean McKay ’81

Wayne Carson Rathwell ’80

Reginald Gerard Jessome ’86

Janet Rae Chisholm ’85

Sandra Carolyn Brewster ’80

Joan Louise Campbell ’80

Siavash Kharrazmi ’83

Judith Anne M McGrath ’83

Mary Teresa Morrow ’83

Kimberley Mae M Wilson ’83

Jacqueline Mary Pearson ’87

Darrell Michael Peters ’87

Robert James Gri n ’80

Damon Arnold Harvey ’89

Bruce Edward Gregerson ’81

Kevin Wesley Jones ’81

Bradley Boyd Kinsella ’81

Janice M MacDonald ’81

Colin Herman Chisholm ’82

John Francis Vickers ’82

Janet-Rae Simpson ’83

Judith Ann Burdge ’81

Karen Iva Mazzocca ’88

Laurie Patrice Gilbert ’80

Deanna Lynn Purvis ’83

Carla Kim Martell ’80

Peter Gerard Rinehard ’80

Deborah Frances Sehn ’80

Mary Margaret Shaw ’80

Geo rey F McKay ’82

Carolyn Ginger Fillier ’83

Kerry Shawn MacLellan ’83

Rosemary Elizabeth Bushell ’80

Kenneth Manson Phillips ’81

Andrea Everett ’81

Christopher N MacNeil ’81

Michael Joseph Murray ’89

Donna Marie McDougall ’87

Paul Lennox Scott ’87

Wanda Helena Cox ’88

Kimberly Jean Bird ’82

Michele Lynn Cormier ’82

Sandra Jean Dalton ’85

Francine E Sarrazin ’85

Wayne Tapper ’85

Reginald Boudreau ’86

Ismail Jamal Muhanna ’86

Lizabeth Anne Laureijs ’88

Alice Frost ’80

William Owen MacLean ’82

Linda Anne Braund ’81

James R Burton ’81

Allison Grace Nickerson ’82

Jane Anne Doucette ’80

Donna Agnes Anne MacKinnon ’87

Robert Michael Munro ’87

Patrick O Ikejiani ’85

Nancy Ann Hoare ’84

Myrna Anne Monck ’84

Geo rey Arthur Clow ’88

Helene Anne Lebel ’88

Yvonne Michelle Brennick ’83

Wilfrid Victor MacKinnon ’87

Melvin Payne ’86

Evelyn Ann MacNeil ’83

Lana Bethany Barkhouse ’86

Beverly Ann Ferguson ’89

W Sean Cleary ’84

Catherine Ann MacLellan ’82

Peter Andrew Giuliani ’84

Patrick C Hackett ’81

Anna Rita Nabuurs ’81

Susan Michele Syms ’82

Ronald Laurie MacDonald ’89

Robert Bruce MacNeil ’86

Daryl Wayne Duncalfe ’86

Bernard Michael Hogan ’82

Jo-Anne Eliz Abraham-Krieger ’83

Leo David Darrah ’89

Jane Keeping ’87

Megan Lynn O’Connor ’86

Ann Kerry MacIntosh ’81

Susan Jane Mantin ’82

Judy Ann Aucoin ’84

Kwan Fu Ng ’85

Ronald Carl Pohl ’85

Katherine Stevens ’81

Judy Ann O’Reilly ’86

Alphonse Malcolm Landry ’85

Anthony Bruce Parker ’87

Future Xaverians Anna, Teddy and Charlie; children of StFX Alumni A airs Programs Coordinator Beth MacNeil-Cameron ’13 and Tyson Cameron ’12

WONDERFUL WEEKEND CELEBRATION AS ALUMNI RETURN FOR SUMMER REUNION

Campus once again hummed with good cheer and camaraderie as StFX welcomed alumni back to alma mater Aug. 26-28, 2022 for Summer Reunion. Distinguished guests during the weekend included members of the StFX Class of ’70 and the Class of ’71, who returned to campus to mark their ‘Golden Grad’—50 years since graduation—at the rst homecoming celebration held on campus since the

COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. e weekend featured a range of events from class dinners, walking tours and cheering on X-Men Football to a season-opening win to the Hall of Honour ceremony, the Welcome Home Dinner, and the Golden Grad dinner. e StFX Alumni O ce thanks everyone for attending.

Class of 1991

Class of 1980

Class of 1975

Golden Grad Dinner

Xaverian Family Picnic

Homecoming Football Game