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’ 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.

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.

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

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.