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