StFX Alumni News: Summer 2020 by Stfx University

StFX AlumniNews

SUMMER 2020

CONNECTING ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF St. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY

COVID-19 THE StFX COMMUNITY RESPONDS

After a careful review of health and safety guidelines as established by the Province’s Public Health Authority and determining what kinds of activities we can host, the university has made the difficult decision to reschedule this year’s Homecoming 2020. While this is no doubt very disappointing to learn, you must also know we are working on plans to ensure celebrations take place next summer. Yes, that is correct—Homecoming 2020 will actually be celebrated in August, 2021! HOMECOMING 2020 will be celebrated August 20-22, 2021 Reunion Years ending in 0 & 5 HOMECOMING 2021 will be celebrated October 1-3, 2021 Reunion Years ending in 1 & 6 Watch for registration packages in the New Year! alumni@stfx.ca Twitter – @StFXAlumni Instagram – stfxalumni

StFX ALUMNINEWS CONTENTS

The COVID-19 pandemic leaves an empty StFX campus in its wake.

Feature StFX responds to once-in-a-century pandemic

As StFX has responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the transition hasn’t been easy, but through it all, the StFX community has shared a collective commitment to work together, to help one another, and to be flexible, under extremely challenging circumstances.

Contents NewsFlash

Features 3

Campus News

Athletics

Alumni Association Update

News Exchange

StFX Welcomes Dr. Andrew Hakin Getting to know StFX’s 19th President and Vice-Chancellor.

7 Shea Family Football Locker Room Generosity of alumni, new facilities, are gift to the next generation.

22 StFX Alumni Answer The Call From delivering hot meals to those in need to sourcing much-needed PPE, StFX alumni are making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit StFX’s online alumni community: www.stfx.ca/alumni StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE | DR. KEVIN WAMSLEY

REFLECTIONS, AND A LOOK AHEAD My term as Interim President of StFX is drawing to a close and, as I prepare to return to my role as Academic Vice-President and Provost, it gives me pause to reflect on what turned out to be a most unusual year. In some respects, the university shall never be the same; yet, at the same time, the very foundations of StFX were tested but, then, reaffirmed in part by the expression and enactment of the shared values we all drew upon during a year marked by tragedy, upheaval, and uncertainty. We were challenged like never before and called upon to show our colours as an institution. Not only did faculty, staff, and students rise to the occasion, our alumni from around the world stepped in to lend a hand. Hurricane Dorian bore down on campus on September 7, but took a late-evening, sharp turn, sparing us significant damage. The Bahamas were not so fortunate. Our Bahamian students told stories of devastation and feelings of helplessness, as their families struggled to make ends meet in the wake of the storm. StFX alumni stepped forward with $40,000 in emergency relief funds. 2019-20 was also a year of human tragedy. We mourned the victims of the plane crash in Iran; we were devastated by the Nova Scotia shootings, including two alumni and an Antigonish-born officer of the RCMP; members of the HMS Fredericton killed in a helicopter crash; and, a Nova Scotia member of the Canadian Snowbirds was lost on a mission to honour health care workers and raise Canadian spirits during the pandemic. Too many times, the flags of Alumni Flag Plaza flew at half-staff. When StFX students found themselves amid COVID-19, lacking funds to pay rent and buy food and when health regulations and an economic shut-down swept away student jobs, StFX alumni stepped in again. We dedicated the StFX Day of Giving to our students in need. Thanks to the 100 per cent contributions of the Board of Governors, Leadership Council, and President’s Council and, specifically, the generous donations of the StFX Alumni Association, we raised over $300,000 for the Student Emergency Fund. The pandemic forced StFX to close during our winter term. Unfortunately, we had to 2

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cancel Convocation. Degrees were conferred virtually by Chancellor John Peacock ’63 on May 28, and we plan to host the Class of 2020 and their families with a special Convocation in May 2021. It was a year of outstanding student leadership in the face of unusual challenges. Cecil VanBuskirk and Emma Kuzmyk leave their offices as President and Vice-President, Academic of the Students’ Union. 2020 will also be remembered as the year StFX introduced one of the most progressive Sexual Violence policies among Canada’s universities. It was a pleasure to follow President Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93 in office and to continue the work of our leadership team. StFX has always been known for the quality of its academic programs; our professors have always ensured that. However, the September opening of Mulroney Hall not only changed the campus landscape; it now stands as a leading academic facility for teaching, learning, and research, rendering one of Canada’s best student experiences even better. The generosity of the Mulroney family and the many donors is a legacy to StFX, one that now includes many other impressive facilities - the stadium seating, Coach K Court, the Shea Family Football Locker Room and the varsity locker rooms and athletic therapy facility, all located in the newly-christened Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living. The generosity of StFX friends and alumni has given much capacity for the future, a gift to the next generations. Without our alumni, these projects just would not have been possible. It will be the role of our new President to continue to build this legacy. On July 1, StFX welcomes Dr. Andy Hakin, from the University of Lethbridge, as its 19th President and Vice Chancellor and we all wish him well. We also welcomed Elizabeth Yeo as Vice-President, Students and Dr. Dan Belliveau ’88 as Dean of Science, two great additions to the leadership team. In closing, when I agreed to serve as Interim President, I told the Board Chair and our campus community I would not sit as a placeholder; there was too much important work. I endeavoured to bring

Kevin B. Wamsley

students, staff, and alumni together mobilizing the symbolic value of the X-Ring to celebrate the values and sense of community that are StFX’s historical foundation. I tried to articulate, widely, what StFX stands for: diversity, inclusion, respect, accountability and service, as I spoke to our students, to prospective students, and to our alumni chapters, and I hope I acted on these issues when it mattered. What a pleasure it was to speak to you, in person, on video, or through social media. It was wonderful to meet so many enthusiastic, welcoming alums in their hometowns. Being President sometimes means getting credit when things go well. However, what became clear was that being President meant I just needed to let good people do their jobs – our staff at StFX is second to none; always dedicated and always acting in StFX’s best interests. I am grateful we have a professional, skilled team of Vice Presidents, who give everything they have, every day; they, along with our senior managers, shepherded StFX through a difficult period, and that continues. I am grateful to our students, staff, faculty, alumni, donors, and community members who welcomed me into the role, supported me, and held me accountable to do my best work. 2019-20 was the most challenging, rewarding year of my career and I will not soon forget it. It has been an honour to serve as your President.

Kevin B. Wamsley, PhD President & Vice-Chancellor (Interim)

NEWSFLASH WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY

RANKIN SCHOOL OF NURSING PROFESSOR PART OF CIHR STUDY LEADERSHIP TEAM TO HELP IMPROVE COVID-19 POLICY EFFECTIVENESS

SCHWARTZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS STUDENTS HONOURED WITH PRESTIGIOUS $30,000 SOBEY AWARD

L-r, Gerald Schwartz School of Business Dean Dr. Todd Boyle ’95, Mairi McKinnon ’20 and Taylor Kennah ’20.

Dr. Donna Halperin ’93 StFX Rankin School of Nursing professor Dr. Donna Halperin ’93 is one of the co-principal investigators who have received a $500,000 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to address the effects of the COVID-19 public health outbreak on control policies and implementation on individuals and communities. The project, “Understanding the effects of public health outbreak control policies and implementation on individuals and communities: a path to improving COVID-19 policy effectiveness” will examine the cultural dimensions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic such as examining how individuals and communities understand and react to the disease, studying the response of public health, and exploring how public health policy affects individuals and communities. While public health policies are required to control an infectious disease outbreak, these policies can adversely affect individuals and communities, says Dr. Halperin. Quarantine, limitations in movement and public gathering, and other restrictive measures can put a social and economic burden on individuals, which may be disproportionate, depending on their socioeconomic status and other factors. She says healthcare providers are both involved in administering the policy, but are also put at grave risk in caring for patients. Dr. Halperin says this will be a multi-province, multicountry study in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia), Bangladesh, and China (Guangdong).

Two Gerald Schwartz School of Business students at StFX, Mairi McKinnon ’20 of Halifax, NS and Taylor Kennah ’20 of Bathurst, NB, are recipients of the prestigious 2019-20 Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. The award, valued at $30,000 each, is given annually to eight business students studying at Atlantic Canadian universities. Award recipients are selected based on their entrepreneurship, supporting their communities, and their employment experience, by a board of directors comprised of Atlantic Canadian business and academic leaders. “Both Mairi and Taylor are most deserving of this award,” says Schwartz School Dean Dr. Todd Boyle ’95. “Mairi is an outstanding student not only in terms of her academic performance but also in her commitment to both university and community engagement,” he says. Examples of her entrepreneurial skills, leadership, and community engagement are numerous and include her role as president of a successful junior achievement company, invitation to speak at the Canadian Business Hall of Fame gala in 2016, work at the IWK Hospital, student leader for the StFX Service Learning Department, Venture Canada Intern, and volunteer work in a health clinic in Tanzania. “Taylor is a remarkable entrepreneur who has combined her leadership skills, commitment to her community, love for the arts, and creative talent,” says Dr. Boyle. Among her many leadership roles, she serves as president of the Schwartz Women in Business Society. Her leadership also extends into her local community. About three years ago, she founded Bathurst on Broadway, a successful not-for-profit musical theater camp in Bathurst, NB that provides dance, drama, and theater instruction to children aged five to 13 years. StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

NEWSFLASH l WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY

HUMAN KINETICS PROFESSOR CONSULTS WITH LA DODGERS DURING SPRING TRAINING

Dr. Sasho MacKenzie StFX human kinetics professor Dr. Sasho MacKenzie had a unique opportunity over reading week (pre-COVID). He travelled to Arizona for Major League Baseball’s spring training—at the request of the Los Angeles Dodgers. “The focus of this trip was fitting hitters into the most appropriate bat for them,” says Dr. MacKenzie who has been working with professional and Olympic athletes on their training techniques and biomechanics for the past 15 years. In the past six years, he’s focused mainly on the golf industry, but two years ago he started consulting with the LA Dodgers. “I was contacted by their player development department based on my published research and success in the golf industry,” he says. While in Arizona, he was with the Dodgers, who play in the National League, on February 18th and 19th, and with the Texas Rangers of the American League on February 20th. “The process involves the biomechanics of how the hitter swings the bat, the physics of impact

and ball flight and then predicting which bat properties would yield the best in game hitting performance over the course of the season or against a particular pitcher using statistical techniques,” he says. Dr. MacKenzie has teamed with an entity called Baseball Performance Labs and Marucci Sports, the number one bat provider to the MLB. “Marucci is able to custom build the bats based on our fitting recommendations. I also consult with the teams’ performance science departments. What’s the best data to collect on players, what’s the best way to collect that data, and how should this information be communicated to hitting coaches and players.” He says the experience has been good. “Conducting and publishing scientific research is very enjoyable, but being asked to apply your research and knowledge at the highest level of sport has been particularly satisfying.”

SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT StFX Allen Whittaker ’12 says ever since he received his December, 2019 issue of StFX AlumniNews magazine and the StFX Impact Report, it’s all his daughter Adeline (who is not yet three!) wants to read. “I had to make up a story for her!” he says. 4

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We need your feedback! If you haven’t already taken 15 minutes to fill out the alumni survey, please contact shopkins@stfx.ca for your personalized link. All respondents are entered into a draw for: $500 VISA gift card $200 StFX Store gift card $100 StFX Store gift card.

NEWSFLASH l WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY

StFX STUDENTS ATTRACT NOBEL LAUREATE, NASA ENGINEER, WOLF PRIZE AND HERZBERG MEDAL WINNER AS SPEAKERS AT STUDENT-LED PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE

Conference committee organizers include, seated, l-r: Noah Tessema, co-chairs Dean Eaton ’20 and Bryan Canam ’20, and Katie Robinson’20. Back row: Dr. Peter Poole ’87, Thomas Hujon ’20, Mitchell Blacquiere, Catherine Boisvert, Andrew Colledge ’20, Daniel Winters, Sean Murphy ’20 , and Dr. Peter Marzlin. Missing: Claire MacDougall and Duncan Osmond ’20.

When a group of StFX physics students started planning an Atlantic undergraduate physics and astronomy conference, they decided to aim big—and the results have been impressive. The students attracted 2018 Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland; NASA engineer and advocate for diversity and inclusion in science, Renee Horton; StFX alumnus Allan H. MacDonald ’73 ’12, winner of the Wolf Prize and the Herzberg Medal and professor at University of Texas, Austin; and Dalhousie University professor Jesse Maassen, to deliver keynote lectures when StFX hosted the Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference January 31-February 2, 2020. “It’s just amazing what they have accomplished,” says Dr. Peter Marzlin, faculty advisor and StFX physics professor. “This is a conference that happens every year. This is the first Nobel Laureate that has showed up to speak. It’s really amazing. We’re really proud of the students,” said StFX

physics professor Dr. Peter Poole ’87, a Science Atlantic committee member. StFX students and conference co-chairs Dean Eaton ’20 and Bryan Canam’20 say they were thrilled, and a little surprised, they attracted each of the high-profile speakers they invited. “We wanted to set the bar high,” says Mr. Eaton. “We’re more than pleased,” says Mr. Canam. Fellow students and conference committee members Thomas Hujon’20 and Noah Tessema said during an interview at the time that they were looking forward to the conference—a student organized event under Science Atlantic— and the chance to hear from the keynote speakers. “These people are in the top rank of their professions,” says Mr. Hujon. “There is always something to learn from people who have reached a certain success in life. You get an impression of what it takes for someone to be particularly good at what they do,” says Mr. Tessema.

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NEWSFLASH l WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY

STUDENTS RECOGNIZED WITH 2020 ALUMNI RECOGNITION AWARDS

Grace Rheault

Mia Landi

Amy Graham

Emma Boudreau

Grace Rheault of Ottawa, ON (first year recipient); Mia Landi of Canmore, AB (sophomore); Amy Graham of Nepean, ON (junior); and Emma Boudreau of Antigonish, NS (senior), are the 2020 recipients of the StFX Alumni Association Alumni Recognition Awards, which recognize StFX undergraduate full-time students who combine high academic standing with involvement in campus and/or community activities. Each award is $1,500 and is awarded to one student in each of the four years of study.

SIX NATIONAL CCAE AWARDS FOR StFX ADVANCEMENT DEPARTMENT It was quite the successful week for StFX’s Advancement Department, which picked up six national medals out of 10 categories entered at the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) 2020 Prix d’Excellence Awards in May 2020. StFX is a member of the CCAE, along with over 130 other Canadian post-secondary institutions. “The CCAE recognizes best practices in the realm of fundraising, alumni relations, and communications at advancement departments across the country. Annually, the CCAE recognizes “Prix d’Excellence” awards through a peer-led evaluation process. We were thrilled to recently learn that StFX won six of these awards, second only to McGill in the number of awards an institution had received,” says Murray Kyte ’87, VP Advancement. “It is a huge honour to receive one award, let alone six of them! To me, it highlights the quality of our people within Advancement and also across the university as much of the work involves various units working together.” StFX Advancement was recognized with awards in the following categories: • GOLD—Best Alumni Initiative - Celebrating 50 years of Women Athletics, St. Francis Xavier University • GOLD--Best Donor Relations Initiative - Mulroney Liaison Officers, St. Francis Xavier University • GOLD—Best Indigenous Relations Initiative – Indigenous Women in Community Leadership Alumni Gathering, St. Francis Xavier University • SILVER–Best Media Relations Initiative - Mulroney Institute and Mulroney Hall Grand Opening, St. Francis Xavier University • BRONZE–Best Alumni Initiative – Homecoming 2019, St. Francis Xavier University • BRONZE–Best Print Magazine – 2018-19 Donor Impact Report, St. Francis Xavier University 6

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

StFX WELCOMES

DR. ANDREW HAKIN AS 19 PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR TH

Ask Dr. Andrew Hakin what excites him about taking on the role of StFX’s 19th President and Vice-Chancellor, starting on July 1, 2020, and the answers are many. Perhaps most of all though, Dr. Hakin is looking forward to building on StFX’s exceptional tradition of academic excellence, spirit of service and community. “I want to help build the best possible experience for the next generation of students,” says Dr. Hakin, who comes to StFX from the University of Lethbridge where he led as Provost and Vice President (Academic) for the past 13 years, and where he served for 31 years, first joining the university as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry in 1989. “StFX is a school that is held out as providing the quintessential destination experience,” says Dr. Hakin, noting the highly residential environment, emphasis on academics, service and community building that are key parts of the university’s identity.

“I want to continue to help advance this fantastic institution. We will be committed to building the best possible experience for students,” he says, acknowledging this work will continue despite the current uncertainties and confines presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed realities around the world. “StFX is a vehicle for social transformation—one of the best in the country,” he had said during a February 2020 meet-and-greet held while he and his wife Linda visited campus, and a sentiment he repeated in a later interview. “Many aspects of the university are attractive to me,” he says. This includes returning to an intimate, engaged community. Dr. Hakin grew up in a small community on the northeast coast of England and he says returning to a small, connected community is very appealing. “It feels like a homecoming of sorts, even though I’m not from Nova Scotia,” he laughs. “You know you have a place in the community. This has significant value to me.”

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

Dr. Hakin with his wife Linda

EARLY START While Dr. Hakin doesn’t officially begin his tenure until July 1, he’s had an early start in terms of getting to know the senior administration team. With the reality and challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic, he’s been very much part of the planning process, participating in regular meetings with StFX colleagues over the last couple of months. “I’m beginning to get a good operational understanding and an understanding of the uniqueness of StFX. I think this will serve us well in the months ahead.” And move forward StFX will. “StFX will be open for business in the fall semester,” he says. “I’m not sure what that will look like at this point, face-to-face, online, or perhaps a hybrid approach but thanks to our staff and faculty members, the doors will be open in some shape or form. We have a fall semester planned for September.”

STRONG COMMUNITY Dr. Hakin says one thing that has stood out during this early immersion is the continuation of friendliness, the engagement and connection he noted in his first visits to the StFX community, along with an impressive resilience, strength and a desire to move forward. “I see an institution that like everywhere else, will be challenged by this pandemic. But as a strong community, I feel that we’re better prepared than most to take it on. I’m really feeling that. I’m impressed 8

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by the strength and togetherness of the university. There’s been good leadership…it makes me feel good. I know that I’m entering into an institution that knows who it is and what it wants and is built on a solid platform of experience and is looking to explore some new directions. I’m here to help.” StFX, he says, is capable and will respond to the challenges arising from addressing COVID-19. “We’re building on a really solid ground, which puts StFX ahead of many other institutions,” he says. “The community has built a fantastic organization. People should have confidence in this. We will move though these challenging times. This is not a defining moment for our great university. It is simply a moment to be navigated.”

PRIORITIES, CHALLENGES Dr. Hakin will arrive at StFX in the middle of a global pandemic— something no one could have predicted. And with that, his first priority will be to continue to help manage the crisis and lead the university through the challenges ahead. He will also be focused on getting to know the institution. “I want to get to know our people, what they aspire to, and what drives them. StFX has excellent faculty and excellent staff, who together are clearly very invested in this university. My first goal is to listen very carefully to what they want.” During a full, immersive process planned for his arrival, Dr. Hakin

GETTING TO KNOW DR. ANDREW HAKIN

says he wants to take the time to learn more about the university community. Working with the community to reach a preferred future will require a detailed understanding of where we currently are, our strengths and also our challenges. Changes and upheaval brought on by dealing with the impact of COVID-19 will certainly be among the challenges Dr. Hakin wants to address. How the pandemic affects the solid plans put in place by Interim President Dr. Kevin Wamsley with respect to diversifying of the student body and building national enrollment will be something to watch, he says. Understanding StFX’s unique needs will be key too, he says. For instance, approximately 50 per cent of students live on campus—what will this mean in the current environment in which social distancing is a key strategy to move through the pandemic? Beyond this, continuing to build strong, healthy, residential student living communities will be a priority to further differentiate StFX from other post-secondary environments. Also important is recognizing the challenges of the incoming freshman class who most likely completed their final number of months of high school online and will be entering a new learning and social environment as they arrive at university. “How do we remove the heightened anxiety of this transition? I know that we are working on strategies designed to support student success and resilience – the success and wellbeing of our students will be top of mind,” he says. “Ongoing, it’s ensuring the StFX brand remains a strong attractant for future generations of students, and sustaining enrollment without comprising the Xaverian experience.”

EXCEPTIONAL TRADITION Dr. Hakin says that on joining the university he has the ability to view StFX through the eyes of someone who has viewed them from afar. “But it is only one lens. A whole picture will be formed by putting together all I hear and learn in the days and months ahead,” he says of his upcoming meetings and discussions with a number of groups such as faculty, staff, students, alumni and the greater community. “I feel incredibly proud to be part of this community of StFX,” he said. “We will move forward together.”

Dr. Andrew Hakin comes to StFX from the University of Lethbridge where he began as a faculty member in 1989 and has served as Provost and Vice President (Academic) since 2007. He led the strategy to redefine the University of Lethbridge as a destination university with a strong focus on undergraduate and graduate student experience, leading to important advances in academic programming and significant growth in enrollment, both domestic and international. A champion of diversity and inclusion, he has been recognized for his contributions to education within Indigenous communities. He holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Leicester, in the United Kingdom. He has held numerous leadership roles including president of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association, chair of the university’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, and Associate Vice-President (Academic). He’s received the University of Lethbridge’s Distinguished Teacher Award, the Stig Sunner Memorial Award for research achievement, awarded by the International Calorimetry Conference, and is a member and graduate of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr. Hakin and his wife Linda are parents of Abbey, an elementary school teacher, and Callum, a fourth-year student in the Dhillon School of Business at the University of Lethbridge. Says Mike Boyd ’85, chair of the Presidential Selection Committee and of StFX’s Board of Governors: “StFX’s Board of Governors and the Presidential Search Committee led a thorough and comprehensive process to identify the right leader who exemplifies the values of academic excellence, community engagement and visionary leadership – values that are core to who we are at StFX. Dr. Hakin personifies these values and understands the heritage and close community relationships that continue to make StFX such a strong university. He is a highly experienced and proven leader with an impressive record of improving the student experience, building academic programs and services, and increasing enrollment.” Mr. Boyd also thanked Dr. Kevin Wamsley, who has served as Interim President for the past year and will resume his role as StFX’s Academic Vice President & Provost on July 1. “Kevin accepted the task of Interim President without hesitation and fulfilled the role tremendously well, advancing a number of important initiatives and garnering many accolades from the StFX community,” says Mr. Boyd. “He will continue to play a critical role on our senior management team as Academic Vice President and Provost. On behalf of the entire StFX community, I would like to thank Kevin for his leadership this year.”

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

ALUMNI PROFILE

Dr. Allan MacDonald ’73 ’12

DR. ALLAN MACDONALD: WOLF PRIZE IN PHYSICS WINNER FOR HIS GROUNDBREAKING WORK IN TWISTRONICS

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

For his groundbreaking work in a field known as twistronics, Dr. Allan MacDonald ’73 ’12, an Antigonish, NS native, has received the 2020 Wolf Prize in Physics, generally considered the most prestigious award in physics other than the Nobel Prize. The prize, given annually in Israel, is awarded to top scientists and artists from around the world for “their significant contribution[s] to humankind.” Dr. MacDonald, a professor of physics at The University of Texas at Austin, who has previously worked at Indiana University and the National Research Council Labs in Ottawa, has enjoyed a stellar career. He has been recognized with the Herzberg Medal, the Buckley Prize, the Ernst Mach Honorary Medal and a StFX honorary degree. Dr. MacDonald is a member of the US Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Recently he returned to StFX to deliver a keynote address at the Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference (AUPAC 2020). We recently had a chance to speak with Dr. MacDonald. What was your reaction to learning you had been awarded the Wolf Prize? I certainly was very pleased. I’ve followed my own path in physics, working on ideas that I thought had a chance to lead to new discoveries, even when they were not very popular with fashion setters. I think that’s part of the culture of StFX. For me, this prize was a validation of my approach. Could you tell me briefly about twistronics, and your work in it? I’ve worked most of my career on various kinds of two-dimensional electron systems. That means physical systems in which electrons are stuck in conducting planes that are surrounded by insulating material. Two-dimensional systems are very attractive for applications because they can be manipulated from the surrounding three-dimensional world in which we live. In fact, the transistors in our everyday electronic devices are based on a type of two-dimensional electron system and their manipulation via what is known as the ‘field effect.’ Over the past decade, researchers have made progress with a new kind of

finishing at StFX, I considered applying to med school and to economics PhD programs. In the end, I chose to go on in physics because my girlfriend at the time (now my wife Susan) worked at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, which happened to be across the street from the physics department at the University of Toronto.

two-dimensional electron system based on isolated conductors that are only one layer of atoms or molecules thick. One of the most popular examples is graphene, a very simple system with a single layer of carbon atoms on a honeycomb lattice. Twistronics refers to the ability to change the properties of the conducting layers by placing two of them—one on top of the other—with a controlled twist angle. I realized about a decade ago that if you took two layers of graphene and twisted them to a magic relative rotation angle that happens to be just a bit more than 1 degree, then its electronic properties would change completely. It took experimenters about a decade to develop the technology to do the twisting, but when they did they discovered many interesting properties including forms of magnetism that had never been observed before, and superconductivity (i.e. the ability to carry current without resistance). Magic angle twisted bilayer graphene, as it is known, also turns into an insulator under just the right circumstances. Why physics? What interested you about the subject? I didn’t really have a plan. I wandered around between physics and mathematics and ended up in physics because I realized I liked applied math more than fundamental math. I also took some economics courses encouraged by some friends who were economics majors. I discovered that I really liked the ideas of economics. When I was

How would you describe your time at StFX as a student? It was a wonderful time. I was living in my parent’s home on Highland Drive. There was no thought of doing anything else. My friends from town and I would spend every evening at the Angus L. Macdonald library interspersing studies with cards in the basement lounge. I enjoyed all the big and powerful ideas I was learning in all kinds of different departments – math, philosophy, economics as I mentioned, chemistry, and physics. David Pink in the physics department taught a heroic number of courses, including some very advanced ones that I fully appreciated only later. I grew up a bit and learned some things about myself. I participated in a student drama festival and learned that I was not a performer. I ran in a student government election and learned that I was not a leader. What was it like for you to be back speaking at StFX? I spend most of my summers in Antigonish, so I get a chance to see my former professors regularly. I don’t interact with the undergraduate students much though. The biggest impression I have of the undergraduate physics conference is how impressive the undergraduate students were. Mainly the ones from StFX of course. They are miles ahead of where I was as an undergraduate both in terms of the technical sophistication of what they are doing, and in their ability to communicate with confidence and clarity. Those are things that I had to work on for many years to survive in my field. If you had advice for today’s students, what would it be? Trust your own ideas and your own sense of what is important.

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

A photo overlooking an empty Joyce Family Atrium within Mulroney Hall.

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

StFX RESPONDS TO ONCE-IN -A-CENTURY PANDEMIC BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON

At first blush, it seemed impossible. Campus closed. Classes moved online. Faculty and staff transitioned to a work-from-home environment. As COVID-19, a once-in-a-century global pandemic, swept into Nova Scotia in mid-March 2020, StFX, like everyone else, had to shift to a new reality, and quicklyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one that not many could ever have imagined. In just a few weeks, the StFX team moved almost 2,000 students from campus, translated academic courses to online and alternative delivery, reworked final assignments and marking schemes, adjusted plans for meetings and large-scale events, including Spring Convocation, created and delivered widespread technical support, created the conditions whereby students who remained could live safely on campus, and countless other monumental tasks which maintained the operations of the university, says StFX President Dr. Kevin Wamsley. StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

HOW STFX RESPONDED TO COVID-19 In early March 2020, the university was confronted with addressing COVID-19. When the Province of Nova Scotia and the Public Health Authority mandated universities to shutter operations as much as possible, we began the process of moving courses online, moving our students home, and moving our workforce home to complete its work. Within a matter of two weeks, this was accomplished and only a small group of international students and a skeleton staff of employees remained. Two weeks later, the majority of our employees were working from home and the campus was, for the most part empty and eerily silent – a far cry from a place which normally pulses with excitement and energy. As President, I am proud to state that our entire StFX community tackled this crisis situation head-on. Our faculty and staff carefully transitioned to a virtual community while ensuring the needs of our students and of our infrastructure were met to the fullest extent. Our term was completed, examinations and assignments adjudicated, and grades submitted. They did this through extensive meetings and consultation, hard work, flexibility, innovation and, most importantly, compassion for others. Our employees stood up and answered the call when it mattered and, as alumni, you should be proud. And you should know that our entire staff is working tirelessly to prepare for multiple scenarios in the next stage of operations, whatever that might be. StFX University doors will open again.

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Online meetings are the new normal for StFX staff

To make things more challenging, this was accomplished against the backdrop of a global health pandemic causing stress and uncertainty. The transition hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t always gone smoothly, but Dr. Wamsley says he’s heartened by StFX’s collective commitment to work together, to help one another, to be flexible, and to care for students and each other under extremely challenging circumstances.

HARD TO BELIEVE IMPACT “It’s hard to believe the impact COVID-19 has had, not just within our immediate community, but around the world. One of the important lessons I am taking away is that it is simply amazing what we can accomplish when faced with crisis and we all work together. The creativity and innovation, the willingness to help one another, the collective ‘we can’ mindset, and our true compassion toward others continues to inspire me,” Dr. Wamsley said in an early April update to campus. “We are doing well at adapting to the new reality and I attribute this to the community coming together to care for one another. There are many challenges ahead, but together we will get through them.”

SPIRIT OF COOPERATION On Saturday, March 14, 2020, StFX campus started adapting to a new reality, one that brought with it significant, unprecedented changes, with decisions needing to be made at times on an hour-by-hour basis as new information materialized, and StFX worked to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. On March 14, in-person classes were paused for a week, until Monday, March 23, when

KEEPING YOU INFORMED

academic delivery resumed with an online model for the last two weeks of the term. On March 15, campus closed to the general public, and throughout the week, students began moving home and staff and faculty transitioned, where possible, to a work-from-home environment. “It’s said that people come together during times of adversity and the StFX community has been proving this to be true,” Dr. Wamsley said in March. “The level of collaboration, creativity, thoughtfulness, and, yes, understanding and patience is quite simply something to be acknowledged and be proud of.”

CHANGING, ADAPTING, MEETING NEEDS Across the university, people went above and beyond to meet the challenges, pivoting quickly and looking at untraditional ways to complete the academic year, from librarians sourcing electronic information for students and making themselves available to help, to IT staff who worked tirelessly to ensure technology needs were met, to faculty going the extra mile to reach out to students. “I had reconnected with many of my students but not all of them, so I sent individual emails to the ones I hadn’t heard from and the response was overwhelming. So glad I could reach out (small class sizes, so I know them personally) and so glad I did,” history professor Dr. Donna Trembinski shared on Twitter. “This is probably my favourite thing about teaching @stfxuniversity; how we can get to know our students even from the first year.” Meanwhile, in the StFX Rankin School of Nursing, like other departments across campus, fourth-year honours students Laura Leppan ’20 and Therese McCurdy ’20 gave their final thesis presentations online, with faculty educators, students, family and friends present.

As part of our efforts to keep our community updated regarding the upcoming fall term, we have created a few new ways for students and parents to ask questions and receive timely answers: Dedicated website for COVID-19 and FAQs: bookmark stfx.ca/coronavirus as a primary source to find answers to your FAQs. Parent’s Email: parents, families and friends can receive direct communications from StFX. Visit stfx.ca/parents to sign up. Webinar Wednesdays: Every Wednesday at 3:00 PM (Atlantic time) throughout the summer, StFX Student Success Leaders are hosting a live, interactive session for the community to receive updates and ask questions. It’s easy to participate – simply log onto StFX’s Facebook page and join in the discussion.

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LEAVING SPAIN: HOW COVID-19 PROMPTED A QUICK TRIP HOME FOR STUDENT ON STUDY ABROAD Travel-obsessed since high school, StFX modern languages student Enuma MacDonald was in Granada, Spain on a year abroad when COVID-19 changed everything. “My world flipped upside down only a month into my second semester. I won’t lie, I have some experience of being abroad in the time of emergency, but it never gets easier. My study abroad in Spain ended abruptly within five days,” says Ms. MacDonald, of Massachusetts, who has family roots in PEI. “I had to pack up my life within two days to get out on time, under the pressure that Spain may close their borders, similarly as Italy had done. This was my greatest fear, not the virus, but being trapped in a country without my family or friends. Rumour came around that the airports were closing on Monday (when she and her friends were due to leave), which made us all worry right up until our departure. To our luck, the airports did not close until Tuesday, allowing all of us to get to our respective homes safely.” Although it ended on a low, studying abroad was one of the best times of her life. “I wouldn’t have traded it for anything,” she says. “I can’t wait for the next time I get to walk up the tiny, cobbled alleys of the Albaicin for that beautiful view of the Alhambra.”

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An empty courtyard at Xavier Hall

“You could feel the family pride in both students across the internet. I was happy we were able to accommodate the students and include those people in their lives that supported them along the way,” says honours program coordinator Dr. Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine. Adapting to online seemed to work well, she says. The students were able to have their family present in the school’s unique way of presenting. “We had record attendance to support the students’ research.”

STRENGTH OF STFX COMMUNITY “The amount of cooperation everyone has shown, the level of cooperation has been fantastic,” says Andrew Beckett, Vice-President, Finance & Administration. “When you think of it, getting courses online, getting the exam schedule online, moving students over such a short period of time. We had to do so much in the last six weeks,” he said in an April interview. IT Services had to mobilize to support the academic area to get ready to offer online course delivery and exams, field questions from students, and at the same time get faculty and staff set up to work from home, ensuring all tools are accessible to them. The Finance and Human Resources departments, which are more tied to business continuity, worked to ensure operations continue through a combination of work from home and a modified onsite work schedule. Likewise, Facilities Management put in place a work schedule that allowed them to respond to cleaning needs, as well as clean out residences after students moved, and the additional requirements of cleaning spaces where staff are still working. In Security, their function continues on and they tend to be the first point of contact for

CONVOCATION WILL GO AHEAD—IN 2021!

“THE AMOUNT OF COOPERATION EVERYONE HAS SHOWN, THE LEVEL OF COOPERATION HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.” ANDREW BECKETT people on campus. “They’ve been terrific,” Mr. Beckett says. Ancillary Services has been working with the Student Services area to provide whatever services they need, including helping move over 1,600 students off campus within a week. Another big piece of their work was dealing with the short-term requirements of students not able to go home. About 40 students are staying on campus, moving into the apartmentstyle residences. Food Services, a contract service, has also been fantastic in their level of cooperation, he says. Mr. Beckett says behind the scenes have been filled with many heartwarming stories such as that of a nursing student who was on a practicum at a local nursing home when it reported a case of COVID-19. She had to self-isolate for 14 days, something not possible at her off-campus residence. StFX arranged for her to stay on campus with meal delivery. Says Mr. Beckett: “We tried to do our best to be supportive when different needs came up. “It’s an example of the great team dynamic, that whenever anything came up, there was never a concern of who may step up. People stepped up, and it’s been great to see the level of teamwork.”

HERE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS It’s been busy too in Student Services. Elizabeth Yeo, Vice President, Students, says they are seeing significant uptake across the province in the use of eMental Health tools – such as telephone counselling and chat supports.

StFX Class of 2020 senior class copresidents Taylor Kennah ’20 and Jonas Lawrence ’20 have a special message for classmates: Spring Convocation will go ahead on the weekend of May 7-9, 2021. “We are so excited to announce we will be coming together to celebrate. We will have a Xaverian Farewell. We will have a Parent’s Night at the Inn. And you will walk across the stage.” Ms. Kennah says the class, unfortunately, has lost a lot of their ‘lasts’ due to COVID-19. “We have missed out on things like having our last Wing Night at The Inn, eating our last breakfast from The Waffle Bus, grabbing one last coffee at Tall N’ Small and ordering one last slice from Kenny’s or The Wheel. We didn’t get the satisfaction of handing in our last exam or walking out of school for the last time. Above all, we have lost closure. We didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to the place or people who have shaped us over the past years.” Strangely, she says, she believes COVID-19 has brought the class closer together and, amidst the loss of these ‘lasts,’ has emerged a ‘first.’ “ For the first time in StFX history, a class will be coming back approximately one year after graduating to celebrate our convocation. “What I’ve taken away most from this is that the StFX family cares. Our students care, our alumni care, our administration cares, our faculty care. We have earned the right to walk across that stage and thanks to our amazing school, we will get to do just that!” Senior class development officer Allison Britten ’20 agrees that while it’s devasting not to celebrate graduation as planned, she’s grateful for the support and organization that went into an alternative plan. “Our hearts were broken at the news of the cancellation, however, we are overwhelmed by the care and concern of our president, Dr. Kevin Wamsley. This type of support is what makes the StFX family so tightknit. COVID-19 and its devastations has not stopped the Xaverian family from rising above.”

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#OURSTFX: ALUMNI STEP UP

StFX alumni are sharing heartwarming stories of service during the COVID-19 pandemic and helping students at the same time. It’s all part of an initiative by the StFX Alumni Association, which is donating $250 for every story shared, up to a maximum of $20,000, to the Our StFX: Student Emergency Fund. In addition, for every story shared by a Class of 2020 graduate, the Alumni Association is donating $250, up to a maximum of $10,000 to the Family Helps Family: Senior Class Bursary. The Alumni Association response draws from the leadership of council members and chapter leaders, with the support of partners, TD, BMO and Manulife, says association president Marc Rodrigue ’08. “Alumni who can contribute financially to the fund are encouraged to do so, but we know there are many alumni who care deeply about the university, who are doing great things for their families and communities in the face of COVID-19, and who, like many of us, are facing uncertainty. We want them to know their support is very much appreciated and we want to identify and honour the work they are doing! “With respect to the Class of 2020, we know their time at StFX is ending in a way no one imagined. We also know this class is full of spirited, talented and clearly resilient students (now grads!) that give back to their communities. That’s why we’ve asked for their stories too.” Stories can be shared to alumni@ stfx.ca or on social media using the hashtag #ourstfx.

Classrooms sit eerily empty on a campus known for its spirit

She says StFX Student Services has initiated new approaches for career and employment services to support students, especially graduated students who had secured employment and now that’s pending or gone, and students concerned about future employment. They are also supporting community connections online through Facebook and other social media. For example, Gender and Sexual Diversity Advisor Claydon Goering hosted an online coffeehouse in late March attended by 30-40 people, with singing, music, hanging out and enjoying community virtually. “It was such a success, they plan to offer it again.” They’ve also collaborated with Human Nutrition chair Dr. Ann Fox to offer Comfort Food FiX by signing up to partner with a StFX faculty or staff member to cook and share a meal online in real-time. As well, she says Student Services and Academic/Enrollment Student Success teams are working in new ways to collaborate and share information, including streamlining student communications through bulletins such as News You Can Use, and best practices to support students. Staff meet virtually as StFX transitions its services online and introduces new ways of doing things to better support students through online offerings. “Staff value this as a way to ensure that the student experience is more seamless and integrated between departments,” she says.

STUDENT PERSECTIVE “It was obviously a very uncertain and challenging time for our student community,” says outgoing Students’ Union president Cecil VanBuskirk ’20. “We were happy to try to alleviate some of that stress by prioritizing and communicating through our Students’ Union resources, and we were happy to see how much communication came from the university. They did a great job to help alleviate that anxiety in an extremely stressful time.

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“ONE OF THE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT THE StFX CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY IS JUST THERE IS SO MUCH SPIRIT THERE.” CECIL VANBUSKIRK ’20 “It’s almost mind-blowing when you think back, how everyone moved off campus. It really speaks to how responsive our community is and how willing they are to help each other,” he says. Students were gone quickly, most within 48 hours, and nearly all within that first week. Some students had to stay, and he says it was nice to see they were taken care of. “One of the amazing things about the StFX campus and community is just there is so much spirit there,” says Mr. VanBuskirk who recalled seeing a range of emotions as the crisis unfolded. “People were sad they had to say goodbye to their favorite place in the world, and there was much uncertainty about how to deal with the academic year that was remaining, and even how things may look in the fall. StFX continued to address these issues and offer some relief to these anxieties.” Adding to the anxiety was the fact that learning online is hard when you’re not prepared for it, he says, and you have to learn to use a different tool. It creates another stressful situation. “That is such an important conversation that was happening and continues to to happen,” he says. The news that the Class of 2020 will indeed have a graduation, now planned for May 2021, is something he’s grateful for, and he says students are happy to have the chance to return to StFX to say their final goodbyes and absorb the campus once again. “I never expected that. Our community is something special, we value that interpersonal relationship between the student and the institution. “I can’t thank the Alumni Office enough to allow that to happen, and the senior class co-presidents, I’m very grateful.” Mr. VanBuskirk encourages students who are seeking any financial aid or other kind of help to get in touch with the Students’ Union or StFX. “We are happy as a Students’ Union to connect them to those resources and help them through the process.”

CHAPTERS HELPING THEIR COMMUNITIES

In addition to donating to Our StFX: Student Emergency Fund and the Senior Class Bursary, the Alumni Association is making a further $20,000 donation to StFX to support the school and its students through the COVID-19 crisis. And that’s not all. It’s helping alumni chapters help their communities. Unfortunately, all in-person alumni chapter events have had to be postponed during the pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped the chapters from keeping community spirit and community support alive, Mr. Rodrigue says. Each chapter has pledged a $500 grant to use for a community cause, supporting their local community through COVID-19 along with members of their chapter. “The options for the pledge are limitless, but we know across the country there are amazing charities that our chapters support, from StFX itself, to local health service providers, to community food and shelter services, to youth and environmental services. We’re very X-cited to see and be part of the community support our chapters are engaged in.”

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COVID-19 cancelled all sports events on campus

A CARING COMMUNITY: PROVIDING HOPE The StFX community is inspiring. And it’s just that: a community. As COVID-19’s impact grew, so too did the response to help: • Student Emergency Fund established—StFX quickly rallied to help students facing a full-blown financial crisis, establishing “Our StFX: Student Emergency Fund” to provide financial assistance for students facing urgent need, with jobs seeming to disappear overnight. Within the first 24 hours, an astounding $60,000 was raised and the fund had surpassed $306,035 by press time. The funding has been critical to students. “Typically, I work three jobs throughout summer, often going over 70 hours a week to help pay for university costs, but with the COVID-19 outbreak, I’ve lost two jobs and am now limited to working one day a week for the other. Losing work is really hard on all students, but especially those who rely on it to afford their education. I want to thank everyone who has donated, because of you so many of us are able to afford our rent, put food on the table and have hope. Having hope is very important right now and you all have provided that for me,” writes one student recipient. As of June 1, the Student Emergency Fund had provided $205,269 to 237 approved applicants, with awards ranging from $150 to $2,200 per student, helping many who lost part-time employment and/or incurred unexpected costs leaving campus early. For many, returning home hasn’t meant cost-free living as well. The funding helped with needs, including rent, groceries, utilities, increased travel costs to purchase or change flights quickly, purchasing technology to transition to online learning to finish the term, new or increased internet costs, and medical costs. The emergency fund specifically cannot be used to pay tuition or outstanding student account balances. Applicants came from across Canada and nearly 20 countries globally. Application to the program is still open. To learn more about the fund, to donate or apply, please see https://www.stfx.ca/student-emergency-fund. • Xaverian Leaders grants: helping students help—“We need to take care of each other now more than ever.” That’s the word from StFX’s Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership, which put words into action, establishing the McKenna Centre Xaverian Leaders Micro-Grants—six grants of $2,500 each for returning students for 150 hours of work in summer 2020. The grants, which allow students to work remotely, support students who have project ideas that promote solidarity and strive to counteract the effects of physical isolation. To apply for a grant, students pitched ideas that found ways for Xaverians to be there for each other, despite physical distancing.

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The Alumni Affairs office sends many invitations in the mail each year. We’d like to do our part to reduce this paper usage and redirect postage costs to alumni programs by sending invitations by email to our grads whenever possible. We can only do this if we have a current email address for you. To make sure we do, please send an email from your address to alumni@stfx.ca with the subject line ‘save trees’ and we’ll make sure our email invite list is up-to-date. Thank you! The air feels fresher already!

Distance Education Programs for

REGISTERED NURSES Applications are being accepted until June 30 for classes beginning in September. The Post RN-BScN program was awarded accreditation by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) in 2018. • Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Certificate in Gerontological Nursing • Certificate in Continuing Care Nursing

Stand Alone Nursing Courses; • Forensic Nursing • Computers in Nursing • Hospice Palliative Care Nursing

Toll-free: 1-800-565-4371 Email: distance.nursing@stfx.ca Stfx.ca/DistanceNursing

MASTER OF ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM AT StFX

MASTER OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT StFX

A Self-directed, Practice-based, Part-time, Distance Learning Program Do you work with adults? Are you interested in more effective learning as an approach to development and change? Do you want a program that is flexible and affordable?

PART-TIME DISTANCE PROGRAMS Students may complete Master of Education programs in Educational Administration and Leadership or a variety of Curriculum and Instruction areas. These part-time programs require one month of study on campus in July. The remainder of the program can be completed online over a two-year period. These programs may be completed by coursebased, project, or thesis routes.

This program is designed for busy professionals whose work involves motivating and helping adults learn in any context or setting. We are Canada’s first part-time, self-directed, Master of Adult Education program delivered through distance education. The StFX Master of Adult Education program offers individualized, hands-on learning opportunities for professionals. Students can design an academic program tailored to their needs and interests at work or in the community. Our program is open to those having an undergraduate degree in any discipline and two years experience working with adults.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR FULL-TIME GRADUATE STUDY StFX admits a limited number of full-time graduate students annually who wish to develop capacity in teaching/leadership or applied research. Students are paired with faculty who provide them with internship opportunities related to university teaching and field experience in the BEd program and/or research. Students who choose the research-based option may have the possibility of participating in funded research programs in collaboration with full-time faculty.

For more information contact: Department of Adult Education Email: aesecret@stfx.ca Telephone: 902.867.3952 /1-(866)-203-1086 www. stfx.ca/masterofadulted

For more information or to receive an information package, contact Continuing and Distance Education: Tel: 1-877-867-3906 or (902) 867-3906 E-mail: med@stfx.ca

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Andrew Beckett, Kevin Wamsley, Trudy Shea (widow of the late Robert “Mel” Shea ‘56), Fran Shea ‘56, Jim Shea ‘67, Bill Shea ‘60, Leo MacPherson ‘89, John Caplice ‘87, Gary Waterman ‘92

Kelly Shea Lyden and mother Trudy Shea

“The support from our alumni has always been the foundation on which we have built our culture of family.” ~ Bailey Wasdal

Martin Rochon `86, John Caplice `87

OVERWHELMING ALUMNI RESPONSE INTEGRAL TO

SHEA FAMILY FOOTBALL Small, outdated, and unable to hold all team members, the X-Men Football locker room didn’t meet the needs of a competitive varsity program. So a group of StFX alumni decided to give back—to a university they say has given them so much. Their efforts, started with a generous foundational gift from the Shea family of Boston, MA, whose involvement with StFX football dates back to the 1950s, ended up raising over $1 million, leading to the grand opening of the Shea Family Football Locker Room this past fall in the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living at StFX. “To have it be such an overwhelming success really says a lot about StFX and the strength of our alumni,” says John Caplice ’87, Campaign Chair, who noted that in the three months of the campaign’s public phase, they had over 100 individual donors to the project, exceeded their target, and closed ahead of schedule. “It says that those of us that wear the X-Ring have a real strong affinity for StFX and what it’s meant to us. It’s a proof point of that

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extraordinary connection we always say we have with our alumni.” Mr. Caplice, who serves on the StFX Board of Governors, says his involvement began around June 2017 when then StFX President Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93 talked about the concept, noting the Shea family, longtime supporters of StFX and X-Men football, had put into place a foundational gift, providing an opportunity to put together a broader campaign to build on. Mr. Caplice was on board. “It’s important to give back,” he says, “as we saw during the campaign, there is just a strong emotional connection to StFX. StFX and X-Men Football have meant a lot to us and the impact it has had on our lives is pretty significant. “I think it was very important to us in those formative years, setting us on a great path in life. “Those of us who can, we believe we have the obligation to give back.”

Neil Greene `91, Mike McCarthy `94, Pat Jancsy `85, Kevin Wamsley, John Caplice `87, Martin Rochon `86

Pat Jancsy `85

“…there is just a strong emotional connection to StFX. StFX and X-Men Football have meant a lot to us and the impact it has had on our lives is pretty significant.” ~ John Caplice ’87

Mary and the late Fran Shea ’56

LOCKER ROOM PROJECT StFX AND THE SHEA FAMILY-BIG IMPRESSION ON OUR LIVES “We’ve always had a place in our heart for the football team,” says Dr. Bill Shea ’60, a retired orthopedic surgeon, who with his brothers, the late Bob Shea ’56, the late Dr. Francis Shea ’56, who recently passed away in December 2019, and Jim Shea ’67 were fixtures of X-Men football teams throughout the 1950s and 1960s. “Over a period of 10 years, there was always one of us on a varsity team at StFX,” he says. During this time, Don Loney, legendary father of football in the Maritimes, also arrived on campus. Dr. Shea recalls during his student days, both the great success those X-Men teams enjoyed as well as the spirit it gave to campus. He recalled too the discipline they learned on the field, and in the classroom—a discipline, he says, that served them well for success in later life. “We give credit, having gone to StFX,” he says. “StFX made a big, big impression on our lives.”

Led by gifts from the four brothers, multi-generations of the Shea family also contributed to the fund, and this fall, when the locker room officially opened, over 30 members of the extended Shea family, many wearing X-Rings, attended the grand opening. “We were very proud,” Dr. Shea says. “The whole weekend was beautiful.”

ENORMOUS IMPACT “It’s difficult to put into words exactly what the brand new Shea Family Locker Room means to the X-Men football program. When it comes to team cohesiveness, a renewed sense of pride – not to mention a fantastic recruiting tool – the impact of the Shea Family Locker Room has been enormous,” says X-Men head coach Gary Waterman ’92. “The original locker room had only 49 lockers in it, though we usually carry around 100 players. Thinking back now to the challenge StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

StFX Football Alumni

Shea Family Football Locker Room Honourary Chairs Bob Shea ’56 (posthumously) Dr. Francis Shea ’56 Dr. Bill Shea ’60 Jim Shea ’67

Campaign Cabinet & Lead Gifts John Caplice (Chair) ’87 Larry Kelly ’71 Paul Rogers ’83 Frank Muller ’84 Pat Jancsy ’85 Martin Rochon ’86 Neil Greene ’91 Michael McCarthy ’94

Captains Brad Thompson ’76 Paul Kane ’84 Don Dempsey ’85 Tim Lang ’87 Tom McKenna ’88 Gary Waterman ’92 Andre Arlain ’98 Jamie O’Reilly ’98

of having to split up the players into different locker rooms at the start of each season, we are now in a much better position,” he said. “We are very grateful to not only the Shea Family, but also campaign chair John Caplice ’87 and the many alumni, including the campaign cabinet of Larry Kelly ’71, Paul Rogers ’83, Frank Muller ’84, Pat Jancsy ’85, Martin Rochon ’86, Neil Greene ’91 and Mike McCarthy ’94 who worked tirelessly to make this dream become a reality. The Shea Family Locker Room is a representation of the lifelong passion, loyalty and commitment of each and every one of our supporters.” X-Men quarterback Bailey Wasdal says there’s a rich, deep history in StFX’s football program. “The support from our alumni has always been the foundation on which we have built our culture of family. They provide us constantly with the resources and tools so that we

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can start at a much better place than they started at, and we can ascend even higher. That’s how we keep evolving.” “Our locker room both represents and displays the tradition that our alumni started, which is the base that we build on today. Thanks to our alumni that constantly give back, we’re able to reach new heights every year. Our new home is indicative of the support that we receive that allows us to be competitive on the field,” he says. StFX President Dr. Kevin Wamsley also added his thanks. “I’ll never forget the first time I walked into the completed Shea Family Locker Room. I thought, this is one of the best facilities in North America—here at StFX. Generations of student-athletes are going to directly benefit from the generosity of our donors, particularly the Shea Family. Having the proper infrastructure at universities is so important to create opportunities for studentathletes and to enable our outstanding staff to do their work,” Dr. Wamsley said as he commended all involved for their vision and determination in raising the funds necessary for the completion of this wonderful project. “The StFX community strikes again and we are so grateful.” CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY Mr. Caplice says deeper discussion with the university in fall 2017 led to the direction of the campaign structure and strategy. Building on the Shea family foundational gift of $275,000, they identified and solicited the support of a campaign cabinet and lead donors. This phase included the raising of an additional $420,000. With an established target of $1 million, Mr. Caplice says the cabinet added a team of campaign captains who did two things – they were early

adopters, they were ‘selling’ lockers, where people had the option to buy a full locker or team with someone to buy half of the locker each and put their name and grad year on the locker. The captains bought lockers and committed to doing a lot of the legwork to solicit additional gifts in the campaign’s public phase. In establishing a demonstrated need and a reason to give, he says it was pretty easy to make that emotional connection to StFX. “The response was overwhelming from football alumni. One of the great things all of us found is it really gave us an opportunity to connect or reconnect with X-Men football alumni. “Really it was our privilege,” he says. “It was very humbling to see the support from so many people, and then for that support to become a reality.” The campaign would not, and could not, have been successful without the support from StFX, he says, including from past president Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93, current president Dr. Kevin Wamsley, VP Finance & Administration Andrew Beckett, VP Advancement Murray Kyte ’87, Director of Athletics Leo MacPherson ’89, Director of Development Wendy Langley ’92, then Athletic Fund Director Alexa Zarins ’14 and Communications and Marketing Director Kyler Bell. “Those of us who worked on and participated in the campaign are hopeful that it can serve as model for other varsity teams to emulate. I think that’s one of the legacies,” says Mr. Caplice. “I also want to thank the Saputo family for their transformational gift of $10 million in support of health, wellness and athletics at StFX. We were in the fortunate position to be able to build on the Shea family gift, coupled with the transformational gift from the Saputo family, to leave a generational gift to future student athletes at StFX.”

LAUNCHING THE POINT AFTER CLUB An innovative approach to supporting X-Men Football and the university “One thing we all took away in moving forward was the need to continue to support StFX and X-Men football. With that in mind, a number of leaders from this campaign have set out to launch an initiative where we want to engage alumni, family and friends of X-Men football in a lifelong relationship of support for StFX and X-Men football,” Mr. Caplice says. “To that end, we’ve quietly gone about launching a new initiative called the Point After Club with an objective of raising in excess of $100,000 per year.” Once established, proceeds of the Point After Club will be used to support the annual operating budget of the football team as well as to give a meaningful amount back to StFX for non-athletic, campus-wide restoration and heritage projects. “It is important to all of us that we honour our obligation and commitment to support StFX,” he says. Mr. Caplice says they were still in the quiet phase of launching the Point After Club campaign when, with circumstances related to COVID-19, they decided to suspend and defer those activities until a more appropriate time. Prior to this, he says, they had already secured commitments of $70,000 per year for each of the next five years. “Stay tuned for more information surrounding the launch of this exciting new initiative.”

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A crowd, several thousand strong, gathered for a Black Lives Matter march held in Antigonish in early June.

EDUCATION IS KEY: STUDENTS SPEAK ON ANTI-RACISM EFFORTS, WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE AND LEARN AS MI’KMAW AND BLACK VOICES

Editor’s Note: As Black Lives Matter protests (including an Antigonish march several thousand strong) and Indigenous marches and movements asking for justice sweep the world, several StFX students, those directly impacted by racism, agreed to share their experiences and voices, and answer questions on what can be done to promote anti-racism. “What if we had that community? What if we had that opportunity to dream big?” asks Tamara Cremo, one of a number of Indigenous and Black StFX students and graduates who’ve come together in conversation to share their voices on anti-racism efforts. Education is key, they say. So too is stopping and listening to the people racism is affecting. Like her peers, Ms. Cremo reflected on the need to have community, to feel welcome, to be able to listen and to give each other the space to be heard so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from each other, to not feel excluded, to share and honour differences, and to feel honoured and respected. “We’ve always had these conversations, for years…now it’s putting action to it.” For Michael Adetola, one simple step would be to see more diverse representation on campus. In fact, Mr. Adetola, a second-year StFX education student

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who completed his undergraduate degree at StFX in 2019, didn’t have his first Black teacher, Wendy Mackey, until he started his education degree. He says her inclusion and sociology class was the first experience where he could talk about and share his experiences and help him recognize those experiences and himself as a Black man on campus. “You don’t have to be an athlete or in a higher up position like Barack and Michelle Obama, I’d like to see more representation, more teachers, more students, to be known on campus.” Racism, he says, still happens. “There’s been change, undoubtedly, there’s been change, but this is still going on. Times have changed, but we still have work to do.” Summer-Joy Upshaw agrees. “The times, they have changed, but racism hasn’t, and that’s where we need to nip it in the bud,” agrees Ms. Upshaw, a 2020 StFX BSc in human kinetics and human nutrition graduate, who is working

“The times, they have changed, but racism hasn’t, and that’s where we need to nip it in the bud.” Summer-Joy Upshaw ’20 in a summer research position. “We need to confront it more than ever,” says Mr. Adetola, who says he believes if society wasn’t in the midst of a pandemic with more people, with more time, on their phones, seeing the news, they likely wouldn’t care as much about the issue as they do now.

MORE REPRESENTATION KEY More representation, more relevant, mandatory courses for faculty and students are something that Ramona Morris, a 2020 StFX BEd grad who is working as a research assistant with education professor Dr. Lisa Lunney Borden ’93 ’94 ’01; and as a student assistant with Terena Francis ’01, StFX Coordinator, Indigenous Student Affairs, says she would like to see as well. “To be able to survive and to move forward, you need that support. There are some students who don’t finish their semester,” she says as they arrive facing challenges, feeling excluded, facing cultural shock, and learning how to feel safe before they even start their education. Ms. Francis, who along with her advisor work on campus is also a StFX graduate student, agrees more representation is key. While there are certainly those who are culturally aware and supportive, she says there are currently few Indigenous employees on campus. She says she would like to see more relationship building and collaborating across campus. The Student Diversity Engagement Centre is a small unit, with a big job, and it doesn’t always have enough resources to support students when they come to campus,

she says. She would also like to see a mandatory Mi’kmaq course for all first-year students, which she says would start work towards reconciliation. “Education is the key.” Speaking as a student, Ms. Francis says she is thankful for the Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment Scholarship Fund at StFX, which is aimed at making a university education more accessible to members of the African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq/ Wolastoqiyik communities. She says the fund is helping her pursue her education. Ms. Upshaw says she’s had Black professors in both the human kinetics and human nutrition departments, which is good to see, but it’s not enough. She became involved in the Students’ Union her fourth year. “There are things in place that made it feel we have community, but that is not everyone’s reality,” she says. How do we maximize our reach, bridge the gap and create these opportunities for all, she asks. Ms. Upshaw says gaps still exist and we need to push forward and support and promote these opportunities for all students. There are things being done—including efforts like X-Project and new opportunities at the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership— but it all starts in the classroom, she says, with education, and implementing a mandatory cultural competency course. Being exposed to opportunity is a key. “You’ll see the results,” says Mr. Adetola.

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Pictured are some of the Deveau Scholars at a past Deveau Scholarship Dinner.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE DEVEAU EQUITY FUND HELPING BREAK BARRIERS, SUPPORT AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIANS AND MI’KMAQ/WOLASTOQIYIK STUDENTS

When the Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment Scholarship Fund was announced at StFX in October 2015, it was said to have the power to transform lives. Nearly five years later, the fund—which makes it easier for Mi’kmaq/Wolastoqiyik and African Nova Scotians to access a university education—continues to help break barriers by educating young minds. It helps allow students to spend more time on their courses, crucial to their future, helps allow students to excel beyond expectations, and helps foster a more inclusive campus. Ms. Deveau ’44 who enjoyed a successful career as a nutrition professor in Montreal, gifted $8 million to StFX, the largest private alumni donation of its kind in StFX’s history. The fund can grow to $13 million as it is tied to a matching initiative from other sources. Any donations received will be matched by the Deveau Fund. The bursary program has supported 113 students and the scholarship program has supported 170 students. The scholarships and bursaries paid to date total $609,278.69. StFX Indigenous Student Affairs Advisor and MEd candidate Terena Francis ’01 sees the impact. “I have always seen the potential in the Mi’kmaw students I worked with, however, for different reasons some weren’t reaching their full potential. I feel that there were a lot of reasons why, such as lack of funding, lack of supports, lack of understanding, etc. I believe with the Jeannine Deveau Equity Endowment Fund we are

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supporting university students to reach their full potential, whether it be through programming, financial support, educational support or cultural support.” “I am grateful and I feel blessed to be a member of the Deveau Fund committee. It is amazing as a Black educator to be in a position to discuss the success of Black students,” says Wendy Mackey, committee member, Faculty of Education professor and PhD candidate. “I cannot thank the Deveau family enough for their generous offer. Hearing the students’ stories and being able to make a difference for other Black students is quite amazing. I wish I had that opportunity when I was an undergrad student.” “We are very pleased that the Jeannine Deveau Equity Fund has provided StFX with the capacity to financially support so many African Nova Scotian students and Mi’kmaw/Wolastoqiyik students,” says Dean of Education Dr. Jeff Orr, chair of the Jeannine Deveau Equity Endowment Fund Committee. “Our work has shown that this fund is making the difference for many students who simply would be unable to participate in university without this assistance. We have much more to do as we work to continue to provide students with a culturally responsive curriculum and with other holistic programming that addresses their needs. I am very pleased to see the willingness and commitment of faculty to continue to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.”

THREE StFX STUDENTS AMONG 10 INNOVATIVE, INSPIRING STUDENTS NAMED AS 2020 3M NATIONAL STUDENT FELLOWS

GEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF CANADA MEDAL FOR BEST THESIS

L-r, StFX students and 3M National Student Fellows Emma Kuzmyk, Adelaide Strickland and Claire MacDougall Three incredibly innovative and inspiring students at StFX—Adelaide (Addy) Strickland, Claire MacDougall, and Emma Kuzmyk—have been named as 2020 3M National Student Fellowship Award recipients. The fellowship honours up to 10 full-time diploma and undergraduate students at Canadian post-secondary institutions who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their lives, at their post-secondary institution. These students embrace a vision of education that enhances their academic experience and beyond, the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education has announced. Only 10 students from across Canada were awarded the 3M National Student Fellowship Award. Three are StFX students. “I am incredibly honoured to have been selected as a 3M Student Fellow!” says Ms. MacDougall. “I am very proud of Emma and Addy for their accomplishments as well. They are both inspiring leaders who do incredible work at StFX. I am so grateful for all of the incredible opportunities I have received as a StFX student and to have so much support from my community.” “I’m beyond proud of the accomplishments of myself and of my friends, Addy and Claire,” says Ms. Kuzmyk. “The fact that the three of us have been selected for this award reflects the community of StFX, and how we often raise each other up to accomplish great things.” “I am so honoured to have been selected for this fellowship, and excited that I get to experience it alongside two other amazing women from StFX,” says Ms. Strickland. “I’m also looking forward to seeing what we’re able to achieve this year in partnership with the rest of the fellows.”

StFX STUDENT WINS $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP IN NORTHERN RESEARCH StFX student Christopher Yurris of Yellowknife, NWT, who is entering the fourth year of a BA degree with an honours in political science and a subsidiary in sociology, has won a $5,000 POLAR Northern Resident Award, and is one of 11 recipients of the 2020-2021 Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) Awards and Scholarships program. The award will help him pursue research on consensus government in the Northwest Territories, and the research will culminate in his political science honours thesis.

Shae Nickerson ’20 Shae Nickerson ’20, of Hazel Hill, Guysborough County, NS, has capped off her student career at StFX winning a national medal for outstanding work on her thesis. Ms. Nickerson, who graduated from StFX in May with an honours BSc in geoscience, was awarded the Léopold Gélinas Medal for her BSc thesis from the Geological Association of Canada Volcanology and Igneous Petrology Division. The award annually recognizes the most outstanding undergraduate thesis written by a Canadian student or an international student studying at a Canadian university that comprises material related to volcanology (the study of volcanoes and volcanic rocks such as basalt) and/or igneous petrology (the study of the processes responsible for the origin of igneous rocks such as granite). Nominated theses are evaluated based on originality, validity of concepts, organization and presentation of data, understanding of volcanology and petrology, and depth of research.

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ALUMNI PROFILE

Chris Costello ’01

HELPING THE HOMELESS: CHRIS COSTELLO ’01 FOUNDS TOE2TOE TO HELP OTHERS STAY HEALTHY 30

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part of the team, that they’re actually doing something.” While they accept all socks, Toe2Toe looks specifically for white socks. The reason? When someone removes their shoes and notices a coloured stain, it can alert them to a potential problem to check out.

Helping people maximize their health and wellbeing is a passion for Chris Costello, a 2001 StFX chemistry graduate, former occupational therapist, and now Avalon University School of Medicine MD candidate, who in 2015 started Toe2Toe (http://toe2toe.org/), a non-profit foundation that collects and distributes socks to Montreal’s homeless population. Toe2Toe has collected and distributed over 40,000 pairs of new socks, creating partnerships and bringing together volunteers ranging from elementary school students to business leaders. Could you tell me about Toe2Toe? The inspiration started with my experience in medicine. I observed that no matter why someone from the homeless population was brought to the ER or hospital, these patients constantly presented with some kind of foot problem, including minor or severe infections, cuts, punctures and lacerations. These observations prompted a concern and curiosity. Then in 2015, I required inpatient medical attention in Montreal. My roommate at the hospital was a homeless boy named Matt. We became friends and had a lot of valuable conversations. When I was discharged, I asked Matt what the homeless population needs that the general public doesn’t think about. Matt responded: socks. He said “I can go right now and get a jacket or a hat. I can find food somewhere. I can even find shelter if I have to…But I can’t find new socks and sometimes I wear the same pair for four to six months.” I made the connection between his statement and observations I was having in medical practice and education. Lack of foot hygiene creates a comfortable environment for pathogens such as bacteria, fungus, and virus to thrive. Talking to Matt is what started Toe2Toe. Preventable foot conditions Completing an internship in Las Vegas, Mr. Costello worked with a podiatric surgeon, who he told about Toe2Toe.

What’s next? Toe2Toe currently distributes socks primarily in Montreal, and has made distributions in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary. On Canada Day 2021, Mr. Costello hopes to organize an event where socks for the homeless will be distributed across the country.

The surgeon expressed this was a “brilliant idea and is critical in caring for patients in the homeless population.” The surgeon told him of completing foot surgeries and amputations due to these infections, explaining how any cut, puncture wound or laceration in the foot, gives pathogens access to the blood stream. This causes preventable foot conditions leading to pneumonia, kidney infection, UTI, meningitis, cardiac and vasculature problems. Meaningful work, medical solutions “I do like supporting the underdog. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed. And also people don’t realize how meaningful helping out really is,” says Mr. Costello, who gives presentations on Toe2Toe to groups from grade school students to sports team. “Kids love it. They’re not just asking for money, they’re asking for something specific. They feel they’re more

Impact of StFX StFX contributed so much more to my life far beyond my knowledge in chemistry. My StFX experience with academics, the football team, campus police and volunteer opportunities, specifically with Best Buddies, educated me on the value of creating symbiotic relationships between groups and organizations that may not appear to be connected, but, trust me, they can be. The easiest example is my time with Best Buddies. There were several events I organized for Best Buddies, that all I had to do was mention this during a football team meeting, and I would get a slew of volunteers to help run the event. The positive relationships and experiences built between organizations and groups that might not appear to be able to connect, stands out beyond anything as impactful and influential. Advice for today’s students? 1. Understand the personal and public value of developing symbiotic relationships between groups. Never doubt how groups can work together and help each other. 2. Set SPECIFIC goals and keep pursuing them regardless of difficulties you may face. 3 .Identify and value positive influences in your life.

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CAMPUS NEWS THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY LIVING: SODEXO CANADA ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES FOR HUMAN NUTRITION STUDENTS

FORMER CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. DELIVERS ALLAN J. MACEACHEN LECTURE

L-r, Bob Hale ’88, StFX director, Ancillary Services, Sodexo customer service manager Kris Benoit and general manager Tim Hierlihy, Department of Human Nutrition senior lab instructor Brenda Hanlon ’85 and dietetic educator Sarah O’Brien ’05. StFX human nutrition students will have access to new scholarships and bursaries thanks to the generosity of Sodexo Canada. Sodexo, the campus food provider at StFX, has established the Sodexo Canada Scholarship, two non-renewable individual scholarships of $5,000 each to be awarded annually, one to the top-ranked incoming first-year student and one to a third-or fourth-year human nutrition student from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island who shows professional and academic promise and a commitment and interest in working in the food service industry. As well, Sodexo has established the Kevin Fraser Memorial Bursary, in memory of the late Kevin Fraser, former Sodexo general manager at StFX, which will see five bursaries of $1,000 each presented annually to a first-or-second year student from Nova Scotia enrolled full-time in the Human Nutrition Department. Representatives from both the Human Nutrition Department and Sodexo say the two have long enjoyed a reciprocated relationship, a relationship which grew under Mr. Fraser, who they say did a lot for students on campus and in his community.

ACCLAIMED BLACK FEMINIST AUTHOR, ACTIVIST AND EDUCATOR DELIVERS 10TH ANNUAL DR. AGNES CALLISTE AFRICAN HERITAGE LECTURE

Robyn Maynard

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Robyn Maynard, award-winning author of Policing Black Lives and a Vanier Scholar at the University of Toronto, delivered the 10th Annual Dr. Agnes Calliste African Heritage Lecture Series, organized by the StFX Department of Sociology, on Feb. 6, 2020. The lecture, named in honour of the late Dr. Agnes Calliste, a celebrated academic and sociology professor who taught at StFX for over two decades, was established to honour Dr. Calliste’s legacy and to continue her work of bringing esteemed speakers to campus during African Heritage Month to showcase excellence in Black scholarship and community leadership and speak on issues of race and racism. Maynard, an acclaimed author, activist and educator, spoke on the topic of ‘Black Life, Black Liberation and the Climate Crisis.’

David MacNaughton David MacNaughton, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, delivered the keynote address in this year’s Allan J. MacEachen Annual Lecture Series in Politics at StFX. Mr. MacNaughton’s talk, “Difficult Choices for Canada in a Chaotic World,” took place Feb. 27, 2020. This annual lecture series was established in 1996 through the support of friends and associates of the late Hon. Allan J. MacEachen ’44. Over the years, speakers have included four former Canadian prime ministers, the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, the Rt. Hon. John Turner, and the Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien, as well as distinguished academics, politicians, journalists and a justice of the Supreme Court, and have included Linden MacIntyre ’64, Preston Manning, the Hon. Bob Rae, the Hon. Frank McKenna ’70, Dalton Camp, Senator Jerry Grafstein, the Hon. Roy Romanow, Dr. Margaret MacMillan, Dr. Jennifer Welsh, the Hon. Flora MacDonald, Senator Lowell Murray ’56, the Hon. Dr. Donald J. Johnston, Allan Gregg and the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin.

StFX’S COADY INSTITUTE TO LEAD $10 MILLION PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, LOCAL COMMUNITY, CONNECT DURING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

StFX students Anamika Saxena (left) and Eshitha Chitla (right), both of India, are pictured with StFX Gerald Schwartz School of Business professor Rhonda McIver (second right) and her family during the Home for the Holidays program.

L-r, Central Nova MP Sean Fraser ’06; Coady Executive Director Gord Cunningham; Eileen Alma, Coady, Director, Women and Indigenous Programming; Senator Mary Coyle; StFX President Dr. Kevin Wamsley; and Anthony Scoggins, Coady Director of Education Programs.

It was a celebration of good news on the StFX campus March 4 when it was announced StFX’s Coady Institute is leading a collaborative five-year project to strengthen gender equality and women’s leadership opportunities around the world. Sean Fraser ’06, Central Nova MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, was on campus for a special funding announcement of nearly $10 million from Global Affairs Canada for a project, titled ENGAGE! Women’s Empowerment and Active Citizenship, which will see Coady work with organizations on the ground in communities across five countries, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, and Tanzania, to strengthen individual and organizational capacity while providing tools and opportunities for women to increase their own empowerment. The partner’s projects will focus on areas such as leadership development, social enterprise, climate adaptation, leadership and management education and future of work all with the goal of gender equitable change. Co-designed by Coady Institute and five partner organizations, ENGAGE! will advance gender equality and poverty reduction by enhancing women’s capacity to participate in the social and economic life of their communities. The five organizations joining Coady Institute, marking its 60th anniversary, in this initiative are long-standing partners with strong experience in advancing gender equality and community change. They include Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India; Organization for Women in Self Employment (WISE) in Ethiopia; Gender Training Institute (GTI) of the Tanzania, Gender Networking Programme (TGNP); Christian Commission for Development (CCDB) in Bangladesh; and Centre Haïtien du Leadership et de l’Excellence (CLE) in Haiti.

Getting together for a meal with friends and family over the holidays is a time-honoured tradition. This year, that circle grew wider as a group of StFX international students and members of the local community connected over Christmas through a new program at StFX called Home for the Holidays. The StFX Office of Internationalization arranged the program to connect international students studying at StFX with families in the community during the holiday season. StFX is home to students from over 40 countries around the world, and many are interested in learning more about Canadian holiday culture, says Donald Rasmussen, StFX’s International Student Advisor. This year, he says 17 students were matched with eight host families, and reaction has been positive. “I was super excited. I really wanted to engage, and I was a little emotional as I was missing my family,” says Anamika Saxena of India, one of three students to spend time with StFX Gerald Schwartz School of Business professor Rhonda McIver and her family, enjoying a meal and a visit. “It meant a lot for me, to rebalance my emotions, and to have people around me.” Eshitha Chitla, also of India, says it was a great chance to meet people, to learn more about Canadian culture and for people here to learn more about her culture. Prof. McIver says her family was interested in getting involved as they wanted to know some of the international students better, to learn about their culture, and to help the students feel more at home on campus. Mr. Rasmussen, who the students praised for his support of international students, says the program received immediate interest from faculty and staff, as well as members of the broader Antigonish community. His office plans to run the program again next year.

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ATHLETICS TYRA MEROPOULIS AND DAN HAYFIELD NAMED 2020 STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Tyra Meropoulis

Dan Hayfield

Tyra Meropoulis is a second-year business student from Edson, AB playing forward with the X-Women hockey team. She had a breakout season, leading the nation in both points (37) and goals (26), being named the top womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hockey player in U SPORTS. Also the AUS most valuable player, her 26 goals put her in a tie for third in the AUS record books for most goals scored in a single season. The AUS all-star and U SPORTS first team All-Canadian was the playoff MVP in helping lead the X-Women to a first place finish and AUS championship banner.

Dan Hayfield is a fourth-year arts student from Exeter, UK who wrapped up his fifth season as a striker with the X-Men soccer team. The four-time AUS all-star led the conference in scoring (11 goals) and was third overall in the nation. He helped lead the X-Men to a second place finish in the conference and a berth in both the AUS final and the U SPORTS championship tournament. He was named a U SPORTS first team All-Canadian for the third time in his career. His impressive career 38 goals puts him second overall on the X-Men career scoring list and sixth overall in the AUS record book. Hayfield was offered a spot at S.S. Monopoli in the Serie C professional league in Italy.

COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS

Amy Graham

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Sam Lake

Paul MacLellan

The recipients of the 2020 StFX Community X-Cellence awards were female co-winners Amy Graham (X-Women Hockey) and Sam Lake (X-Women Rugby), along with Paul MacLellan (X-Men Cross Country) in recognition of their outstanding community initiative and involvement, volunteer experience and extra-curricular contributions outside of their varsity and academic experiences.

ATHLETICS

BANNER SEASON FOR X-WOMEN HOCKEY PROGRAM

The StFX X-Women are the 2020 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women’s hockey champions. They skated to consecutive victories over Saint Mary’s University to sweep the AUS championship series 2-0, claiming their first conference banner since 2015, after three consecutive appearances in the AUS finals. After finishing the season tied for first place (22-5-1) with SMU, the X-Women earned a first round playoff bye, then defeated UPEI 2-0 in the semifinals. The win marked the 11th AUS championship banner in team history and earned the X-Women a trip to the U SPORTS national championship in Charlottetown, PEI. StFX played to a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 overtime victory over Montreal in the quarterfinal game. Their season then came to an abrupt end as the tournament was cancelled after only one day due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The X-Women closed the season on a 17-0 winning streak, dating back to late November.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Second-year X-Women forward Tyra Meropoulis from Edson, AB was honoured as the U SPORTS women’s hockey player of the year. This marks the fourth occasion that an X-Women hockey athlete has won the coveted national Brodrick Trophy. Previous winners include Daley Oddy (2018), Sarah Bujold (2017) and Brayden Ferguson (2008).

WINTER SPORTS WRAP-UP The X-Men Hockey team placed fifth overall with a 12-13-5 record in AUS competition this season. They lost out in the AUS quarterfinal series to Moncton. The X-Women Basketball team were seventh in the AUS standings (3-17), finishing just out of playoff contention, while the X-Men Basketball team earned a first round playoff bye after coming second overall with an 11-9 record. They defeated UNB in the AUS semifinal game before bowing out to Dalhousie in the championship game. The X-Women Track & Field team placed second at their respective AUS championship, while the X-Men Track & Field team was third overall. StFX athletes won five individual and two relay AUS gold medals, taking home a total of 17 medals.

StFX Athletics had 91 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians for the 2018-19 season - those student-athletes who have achieved an 80 per cent average or above while consuming a year of eligibility competing for a varsity team. The Athletics Director’s awards for academic achievement, presented to the top StFX male and female academic

student-athletes were Amy Graham from the X-Women hockey team and Rhodes Scholar Liam Elbourne from the X-Men soccer team. Many of the athletes were in attendance at the annual celebratory breakfast, along with their invited faculty member guests.

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STFX COADY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE

Patrick Ekodere posing with a steer in the field prior to sale

Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India with masks

COADY ALUMNI CREATING CHANGE IN CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES During this period of challenge and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, StFX’s Coady Institute staff and alumni remain dedicated to bringing about positive change in their communities and contributing to a much larger agenda of reducing social injustices around the world. “The COVID-19 crisis is bringing untold stories of misery and grief from around the world, but there are also wonderful stories,” says Gord Cunningham, Executive Director Coady Institute. “Stories of emerging local leaders and groups of citizens working together, innovating, and responding to the pandemic to support those who need help.” These stories range from Canada to Africa to India and beyond. Jasmine Collis (Indigenous Women in Community Leadership, 2019) has been developing live and recorded videos for Qalipu First Nation membership to stay connected in Newfoundland and Labrador. “I have recorded (from a safe distance) videos of a local trapper showing the community how to skin and board fox furs and a demonstration on safety and survival when he is trapping in the woods,” Ms. Collis says. She has also participated in question and answer videos regarding how Non-Insured Health Benefit Support Specialists are responding to COVID-19, and how the processes have changed during

this time of uncertainty. Jordan Bowden (OceanPath Fellowship, 2016-17) is using his skills to help manufacture and supply personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 in the Montreal area. “I have brought together people from a very wide variety of backgrounds to collaborate an initiative to create 3-D printed face shields

“COADY’S WORK HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT IS TODAY, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BE EVEN MORE CRITICAL IN A POST-COVID-19 WORLD” GORD CUNNINGHAM for healthcare workers (which are) in critically short supply,” he says. “To date, we have donated 723 urgently needed shields, which were created by makers and companies across Montreal. The approach I have been encouraging in this group has been heavily influenced by the asset-based community development approach I learned [at Coady Institute].” In Africa, Patrick Ekodere (Strengthening Inclusive Economies, 2019) is working with

pastoralist communities of Northern Kenya under the Northern Rangelands Trust organization to address some of the financial challenges of COVID-19. “The COVID-19 pandemic has struck us hard, physically, financially, emotionally, and psychologically,” Mr. Ekodere says. “As a social enterprise, my work has borne the brunt of this pandemic from closure of all livestock markets to diminished end market for our beef. We are providing the people an opportunity to sell cattle as a livelihood support strategy to beat poverty and financial impoverishment so that they can afford to buy food and basic requirements during this hard moment.” Elsewhere, the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India, a long-time partner with Coady, has created a decentralized production model for protective masks that involves less logistics and time for delivering it to the local hospitals and customers. As per the last count, the number of masks had reached 20 million by April 12. This work demonstrated by women has also inspired a national #Mask India movement. “While much is still uncertain, one thing is very clear to me—Coady’s work has never been more important than it is today, and I believe it will be even more critical in a post-Covid-19 world,” Cunningham says.

GO TO COADY.STFX.CA/CORONAVIRUS-COVID-19 TO LEARN HOW COADY GRADUATES ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. 36

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

UPCOMING EVENTS Check out www.stfx.ca/alumni for a complete listing of upcoming events and up-to-date details. AUGUST 20-22, 2021 Homecoming 2020, Antigonish, NS Celebrating Reunions for years ending in ’0 & ’5 OCTOBER 1-3, 2021 Homecoming, Antigonish, NS Celebrating Reunions for years ending in ’1 & ’6

We need your feedback! If you haven’t already taken 15 minutes to fill out the alumni survey, please contact shopkins@stfx.ca for your personalized link.

DIPLOMA IN

ADULT EDUCATION National Program of Excellence

Canadian Association University Continuing Education Excellence is what St. Francis Xavier University’s Diploma in Adult Education is all about. It is the #1 choice among adult educators and HRD professionals. Now in our 38th year. It is available to you in major centres across Canada or ask about our in-house programs. Our 2020 schedule includes Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary.

Limited enrollment – 30 seats per module www.sites.stfx.ca/adult_education_diploma/ Email: dipaded@stfx.ca Toll-free: 1-800-563-7839 Fax: (902)867-2486 Business hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm AST

All respondents are entered into a draw for: $500 VISA gift card $200 StFX Store gift card $100 StFX Store gift card.

FRAME IT IN

TYLE!

StFX DEGREE & PHOTO FRAMES

For a detailed view of the frames or to order online, visit www.stfx.ca/frames or contact the Alumni Affairs Office at 902-867-2186 | alumni@stfx.ca

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PLEASE MAKE SURE THE ALUMNI OFFICE HAS YOUR CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS ALUMNINEWS IS PUBLISHED TWO TIMES PER YEAR. DON’T MISS OUT! BE SURE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IS CORRECT WITHIN OUR SYSTEM.

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StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENT’S RESEARCH ACCEPTED AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Pictured, l-r, are StFX faculty Dr. Karen Blair, Dr. James Hughes, and Dr. Katie Aubrecht ’05

FUNDING FOR PROJECTS TO HELP INFORM BEST COVID-19 PRACTICES, SUPPORT NOVA SCOTIA HEALTHCARE DECISION MAKING AND PLANNING StFX faculty Dr. Katie Aubrecht ’05, Dr. James Hughes and Dr. Karen Blair have each received funding to conduct research to inform the best COVID-19 practices and support healthcare decision making and planning that benefits Nova Scotia. The three researchers are recipients of nearly $130,000 in funding from the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition. Partners include the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation, IWK Health Centre, IWK Foundation, QEII Health Sciences Foundation, Dartmouth General Hospital and Research Nova Scotia. Dr. Aubrecht, a StFX sociology professor and Canada Research Chair Health Equity & Social Justice, has received $54,908 and will work to enhance supports for vulnerable older adults living with dementia and their caregivers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Hughes, a computer science faculty member, has received $42,000 and will lead a project to provide direction on deployment of COVID-19 tests and other interventions. Dr. Blair, a psychology professor, is recipient of $32,559.99 and will co-lead a study with Dr. Kathryn Bell of Acadia University that looks at interpersonal relationships as a source of risk and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, including LGBTQ+ experiences. Dr. Richard Isnor, StFX Associate Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies, says StFX researchers responded strongly to the Nova Scotia Covid-19 Health Research Coalition rapid response initiative. “We are delighted at the excellent success rate of our researchers in this highly competitive initiative, as well as how research efforts have been quickly adapted to this pressing health priority. It speaks to the exceptional quality of research at StFX,” he says. The projects include:

DR. KATIE AUBRECHT Project: “Evidence to assess the impact of COVID-19 on community-based dementia care in Nova Scotia.” This study will contribute to, clarify, and enhance the best evidence-in-the-moment about programs and supports for vulnerable older adults living with dementia and their caregivers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amount: $54,908

DR. JAMES HUGHES Project: “Employing Hyperheurisitics to provide direction on deployment of COVID-19 tests and other interventions.” This study will employ a type of artificial intelligence called a hyperheuristic to provide direction on how to deploy COVID-19 tests, vaccines, or other interventions. Amount: $42,000

DR. KAREN BLAIR Project: “The Ties that Bind: Interpersonal relationships as a source of risk and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.” This study will compare Nova Scotians’ wellbeing and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic with other jurisdictions, assess LGTBQ+ Nova Scotians’ wellbeing and coping during the pandemic relative to LGBTQ+ individuals in other jurisdictions, and examine Nova Scotians’ experiences with intimate partner violence during the pandemic in comparison to other jurisdictions. Amount: $32,559.99 38

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

Travis MacDonald Summer research work conducted at StFX on an app that combines music and computer science to help assist musicians practicing their instrument—the app listens to the user play and matches the key—has proved so successful for undergraduate student Travis MacDonald of Greenhill, NS, that he will present his work at a prestigious international conference. Mr. MacDonald conducted the research last summer in the Computer Science Department under the supervision of Dr. James Hughes. Mr. MacDonald wrote a scientific article from the work, which was accepted for publication in a top international venue, New Interfaces in Musical Expression, and he was invited to present a poster at a conference that was scheduled to take place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatory, Birmingham, UK. He was also awarded funds through StFX’s James Chair student travel program to attend. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the conference has since transitioned online and will take place in July. Mr. MacDonald will participate virtually.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UPDATE l MARC RODRIGUE ’08, PRESIDENT

CHALLENGES, CHANGE, AND ALUMNI MAKING PROFOUND IMPACT The world seems a much-changed place since the last edition of the AlumniNews arrived on our doorsteps. Our local and national communities, our families and our alumni, have all faced tremendous challenges, and unthinkable losses. Our university, like so many, has been required to shut its doors and operate with a greater online presence than ever before. Our students have mastered online learning. Our family in Nova Scotia has been hurt by unimaginable tragedies. And yet, we persevere. Across the country and around the world, StFX alumni are courageously stepping forward, earning all of our admiration. Some are in the medical field, like Dr. Adam Harris ’08 in Halifax, Dr. Tito Daodu ’08 or soon-to-be Dr. Alex Corrigan ’18 in Calgary, and Dr. Andrew Howlett ’02 in Toronto. Many are working in the nursing field, like Marie Lacey ’85 in Winnipeg, or in allied health services, like Curt Wetmore in Toronto. Some are working to keep their

communities fed, like Corbin Bourree ’10 in Calgary. Some are working in law enforcement to keep us safe, like Sam MacInnis ’08 in Fredericton. Some are working in government or in parliaments across the country and around the world, looking to shape public policy that supports us all, like Glenn Horne ’07 ’08 in Antigonish. Even more alumni are volunteering their time to support those at risk, are donating when they can to support the front line workers and the innovators who will lead us through this, and all alumni are supporting their families, born and chosen, through this. Alumni of StFX may be few in number, but we are profound in impact! I am so pleased that throughout these pages you will find stories of alumni doing amazing things, supporting our university, and making it possible for future generations of alumni to experience #OurStFX. We are so very blessed that so many students have been able to do so under the interim presidency of Dr. Kevin Wamsley, an

Marc Rodrigue ’08

inspiring member of the StFX family in his own right, and we look forward to (and welcome) all those students who will come to know StFX during the presidency of Dr. Andrew Hakin. Hail and health, safety and comfort to you all. Hail and Health! Marc Rodrigue ’08 President, StFX Alumni Association X

FROM ALUMNI AFFAIRS l SHANNA HOPKINS ’01, DIRECTOR

THEY WILL CROSS THE STAGE, DEPARTMENTS BAND TOGETHER TO ENSURE CONVOCATION!

Jonas Lawrence ’20 and Taylor Kennah ‘20 – Senior Class Co-Presidents

On March 12, 2020, along with many parents, alumni and friends, we gathered at the Bell Aliant Centre on the UPEI campus to cheer on our X-Women Hockey team as they began their quest for a national title. After a nail-biting game and a come-frombehind win, the blue and white scored in overtime to advance to the tournament semi-final only to find out 30 minutes later that the tournament was cancelled due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Within four days of sitting at that rink, our

province began to shut down, campus began to clear out, and our staff transitioned to work from home. As our team began those first meetings online, looking ahead, one thing was clear: no matter what happened in the coming months, we had to find a way to celebrate Spring Convocation. Simply mailing out parchments to our graduates was not enough. We were faced with quite a challenge. We couldn’t host Convocation as planned in May. So, for the following five weeks, our team worked with the

senior class co-presidents, Taylor Kennah ’20 and Jonas Lawrence ’20, along with many campus departments, to ensure that the Class of 2020 would indeed have the chance to experience a StFX graduation, that they would indeed walk across the stage. We are pleased to say that StFX will hold a graduation weekend for the Class of 2020 in May 2021. I know it may seem that Convocation is months away, but ask alumni and they will tell you that time will fly: May 9, 2021 will be here before you know it. To our graduating seniors, we are looking forward to the day we will all gather back in Antigonish, on campus, in residence and at the Inn, and that we will join together to celebrate you and your Convocation. Class of 2020 – we salute you and can’t wait to see you next May! Hail and Health! Shanna Hopkins ‘01 Director, Alumni Affairs X StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

StFX ALUMNI ANSWER THE CALL

THE MANY STORIES OF STFX ALUMNI GETTING INVOLVED TO HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19, BOTH ON THE FRONTLINES AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ARE HEARTWARMING AND INSPIRING. HERE, WE SHARE JUST A FEW.

NURSE COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT TO JOIN THE FIGHT “Nursing has always been a passion for me. It has always given me strength and purpose. I knew I needed to join in the fight and somehow play a part in trying to help. Being at home would have been way harder,” says Shelly McHugh ’80, who came out of retirement to help in the pandemic. After working 36 years as a nurse, she retired from her clinical leader position at Halifax’s IWK Health Centre’s Neonatal Department four years ago and worked part time/ casual up to two years ago before fully retiring. “Back in March when I realized the enormity of what this pandemic meant, I immediately understood that our health care system may need help. After being inspired by a nursing friend, I applied to get a temporary licence from the Nova Scotia College of Nursing. I first called the IWK to find out if they needed help and I was answered within hours. I told them I was open to go anywhere required. I have to admit that as I was driving back into work via the Bedford Highway that first day, I was nervous about not knowing what I would be doing or where I would be going, but I had faith in my workplace and I knew I was doing the right thing. As it turned out, they needed help in the Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness Department, which is basically taking care of the hospital staff who are taking care of the patients,” she says. “It has been eye-opening and ever-changing. Under the guidance of wonderful leaders, I work with a small team of retired nurses who assess the varied needs of staff around things like who needs to self isolate, who needs to be referred for swabs, who needs educational guidance and very often, who needs emotional support. It is a privilege to assist with our frontline staff who are the real heroes.” 40

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

GRADUATE SENDS MASKS FROM CHINA TO ANTIGONISH Around March 15th, when the COVID-19 situation was settling in China, Bin Liu ’12, an SAP software engineer working for Leoni in his hometown of Changzhou, a city of around five million people, read the news that Canada had COVID-19 cases “and even our quiet Nova Scotia had some cases.” Mr. Liu, vice-president of the Chinese Student Society at StFX during the 2010-11 academic year and part-time help for the StFX International Student Office during that time, decided to send a quantity of protective masks to the StFX International Student Office, which were donated to Antigonish’s St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. “The idea came from my friends in Canada, who sent masks to China when the whole COVID-19 thing began in January. And after I heard the same situation happened in Canada, I thought I might be able to do the same for my second hometown, Antigonish and my alma mater. After all, StFX and the people in Antigonish helped me a lot while I had no idea how to live in a different culture, and taught me how to see the world in different perspectives. Sending some masks is the least I can do,” he says. By chance, some local friends shared information on social media that they can help send masks to North America. “So I made a decision to purchase some masks and mail them to StFX,” he says. “By that time, there was already news regarding personal protective equipment commandeered by non-Canadian governments. Initially, I was worried about whether the shipment can reach Antigonish. Luckily with the help of a friend in StFX, all masks arrived.” On StFX, he says: “This environment not only helps people like me adapt to different cultures better and overcome some difficulty in studying, but also made me realize that helping others can also help myself realize the capability I have. For example, I never thought

I could get some PPE and ship it from China to Canada in a couple of weeks.”

PEN PAL PROJECT KEEPS StFX STUDENTS, COMMUNITY CONNECTED Now, more than ever, it’s important to connect with others and our community, says StFX student Alyssa Spridgeon who came up with a unique project to do just that. The Xaverian Pen Pal Project brings together StFX students with local students and senior citizens to promote positive inter-generational relationships between StFX students and community members, while helping alleviate challenges surrounding physical distancing created by COVID-19. Ms. Spridgeon of Whitby, ON, a psychology student, who also plays for X-Women soccer, says the idea formed after her English professor (and McKenna Centre for Leadership Director) Dr. Mathias Nilges suggested in their first online discussion following the cancellation of in-person classes that we shift thinking from “social distancing” and instead think of it as physical distancing with an opportunity for social solidarity. “I had read about different age groups that were especially affected by social distancing, particularly senior citizens who could no longer receive visits from family and friends. I also have a younger brother and considered how the loss of seeing friends and the structure of school would be affecting younger students.” She says all this, combined with her own feelings of isolation and missing StFX, brought about the idea of a pen pal project to connect students and community members.

GYM OWNER PAYING IT FORWARD HELPING OTHER BUSINESSES When Evolve Fitness in Halifax, NS closed March 15th due to the COVID-19 pandemic, within 36 hours they were 100 per cent virtual,

working to offer weekly boot camp, yoga and cardio sessions. “This was free for our members, but we wanted to raise money for local businesses that were hurting, especially our clients who own businesses, so we let people join from anywhere in the world for a minimum donation of $5 and max of $500, which also netted them one of our spin bikes for the duration of our closure,” says Evolve owner and head personal trainer Mathew Benvie ’09, who was traveling when they closed and cut his trip short to come home. “My twin brother Mitch was in the trenches and having conversations with clients who knew they were going to suffer so he suggested we turn our virtual program into a fundraiser. We knew our clients were going to need our support with health and fitness and if it was all done virtually, we knew we could impact many people who wouldn’t be able to get to a gym. It was a win-win idea as they would be more apt to join for a great cause and then we knew we could provide a great service to them and make an impact on their health.” Reaction has been overwhelming, he says, with people getting behind it, sharing it and connecting them to news outlets and other avenues to promote. As of April 30th, they’d not only raised $65,000 for other businesses, “but our clients were pretty upset we weren’t keeping any for ourselves so they created a weekend long event where we did special workouts and had a Cape Breton kitchen party live on Facebook and raised another $25,000 to help us out.”

MED STUDENT HELPING HEALTHCARE WORKERS STAY ON THE JOB “Once schools and daycares were forced to close, many healthcare professionals found it became difficult to go to work because they no longer had access to childcare. Our volunteers have stepped up in a huge way to fill that gap and allow frontline healthcare staff in Calgary to go to work knowing that their family will be well looked after,” says third year University of Calgary medical student Alex Corrigan ’18, one of the student organizers with “Students for Healthcare Providers,” an initiative that connects volunteers with front-line healthcare providers in need of help with things like childcare, groceries, and dog walking. Along with helping to organize, Mr. Corrigan also volunteers to look after two kids when their parents work. He says all Canadian medical students had clinical placements suspended in mid-March due to COVID-19. “At first, it was disappointing, but within a few days, programs linking students with healthcare providers in need started popping up all across the country.” Their group has matched over 60 vetted volunteers with healthcare providers who need a little help to continue with their life-saving work.

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

their skills to do something to help in this current COVID crisis,” he said during an April 24, 2020 CBC Radio interview. What is particularly heartening in this collaboration, he says, is that “in no one’s mind is this a money-making proposition. It’s entirely a humanitarian effort.”

PUTTING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS TO USE SOURCING MEDICAL SUPPLIES Much like most entrepreneurs, Clark University professor Dr. John Dobson ’88 and Lisa (MacDonnell) Dobson ’88 ’17 (both working tirelessly to source medical supplies for healthcare workers in the Boston area where they live, and for nursing homes in Antigonish) had a desire to help in the fight against COVID-19, but at first they weren’t sure how. Dr. Dobson says the idea emerged from the pandemic itself. “As the crisis was unfolding, I was in contact with my former students in China to see if they were ok. As the crisis receded in China and began to reach North America, they reached out to see if I needed any masks. I was fine, but I saw news reports of hospitals and clinics running out of supplies.” He tasked his Clark students with finding factories producing PPE, while he looked to see who needed what in the States. “Slowly, we started making the right connections both in China and U.S./Canada. Our first shipment was small, only 1,000 masks. But slowly we began increasing the volume.” As of April 30, 2020, Dr. Dobson and his students had supplied 70,000 masks and 250 medical coveralls for Boston Medical Center, 100,000 gloves and masks for High Crest Nursing Homes in Antigonish, and masks for multiple organizations in Worcester, MA. Says Dr. Dobson: “Over the years, I taught numerous Chinese students who are now working in China. Through these students’ connections, we were able to source and place orders from FDA approved medical suppliers. Myself, my wife Lisa, and my students continue to source additional medical supplies and have recently placed additional orders to help the personal protective equipment (PPE) needs for smaller health care companies.” Reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, from the students and their learning experiences working on problem-solving in a pandemic to those they’ve helped. Dr. Dobson says it was wonderful to see students using his DYME methodology to problem solve during the crisis and place ideas into action to assist others.

SPEARHEADING CANADIAN EFFORTS TO PRODUCE EASY-TO-MANUFACTURE HOSPITAL VENTILATOR Dr. Arthur McDonald ’09, StFX honorary degree, Order of Canada, and Nobel Prize recipient, is spearheading Canadian efforts to produce an easy-to-manufacture hospital ventilator. Dr. McDonald is a professor emeritus in particle astrophysics at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and one of the scientists at the forefront of this international project to create a new ventilator to meet the demand for this essential piece of equipment. Dr. McDonald, former director of the SNO Lab project at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015. “What’s been most amazing about it is the tremendous number of people on our collaboration who are highly motivated to use 42

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

NURSING ON THE FRONTLINES Maria MacDougall ’99, an Antigonish, NS native living in Vancouver, BC, is a public health nurse educator, who works for the BC Centre for Disease Control, a program under the Provincial Health Services Authority. For the past few years, she has supported the provincial TB program. In mid-February, she was asked to support the newly-developed COVID-19 Hotline to provide negative results to people across the province. At first, the calls were managed by two nurses, seven days a week. By March 1, the volume increased significantly from about 100 calls/week to 100-200 calls/day. “We had to keep expanding our team and changing our work processes to keep up and provide the negative results in a timely manner since waiting for results significantly impacted people’s lives.” She worked on the hotline until the end of March. “It was an intense time and information and decisions were changing week-to-week, then dayto-day, and at one point, minute-to-minute! While my task was simply to provide people their negative test result, many phone calls were much more than that.... especially as the severity of the pandemic increased. People needed to talk, to hear reassurance, to try and understand, and to feel socially connected and express their emotions,” she says. In early April, she went back to support their TB programs COVID-19 response plan, which allowed her to work from home, a good thing as her partner, David Liu, an ICU physician and department head has been working nonstop clinically and operationally managing the COVID-19 response. The couple have two young children. It’s been a challenging time, but she says they find time to play, have fun and virtually connect with family and friends (many from StFX), which helps them cope. “We have been dedicated 7 p.m. pots and pans noise-makers!” She says she always had the idea of working in health care in mind, especially since her mother and grandmother were nurses, but she wasn’t sure in what capacity she would find herself. “I participated in the Coady International Youth Internship Program in 1999-2000 and my time in Ghana confirmed that the most important thing we have in life is our health. I wanted to work in an area that promoted people’s health, where I could do some clinical work, but also have the option to impact the broader, more upstream social determinants of health and so I chose nursing!”

PASTA IT FORWARD: LAWYER FEEDING COMMUNITY Frances Tibollo ’10, an Ontario-based lawyer, has mobilized her community through Pasta it Forward, an initiative that’s served over 40,000 meals (by May 6th) to frontline workers and Canadian homes. “The mission of Pasta it Forward is simple, we want to help anyone in need, for whatever reason by providing them with our signature Pasta al Forno product. The meal is delivered at no cost by our generous team of volunteers,” says Ms. Tibollo. They’ve served dozens of hospitals and long-term care facilities, police stations, fire stations and weekly serve about 200 families. The idea was inspired by a random act of kindness by her friend who bought two lasagnes for a family in need. “The family was so pleased they reached out asking if the “meal program” had any more meals to offer. This was when my friend called me asking what could be done. At this point I offered to buy the next two trays. After meeting the woman in person and understanding she not only fed her own family, but shared with others in need in her apartment building, I was inspired to take this to the next level. Right now, so many people are being stretched extra thin and so we hope to fill the gaps whenever we can to help out with a few dinners with our pasta. The portion we send out is frozen and quite large so it can be prepared and consumed over a couple days.” As for her personal motivations? “I have always believed that to whom much is given, much is asked,” she says. “I am so fortunate to have never experienced hunger in my life, in addition to coming from a large family it broke my heart to think of the many seniors who were at home alone and couldn’t go to the grocery store, or the families who may have lost their jobs and have children at home to feed.” Ms. Tibollo says they’ve been fortunate to have special guests join them on delivery including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Celebrity Chef David Rocco and, recently on a massive delivery to Ottawa, four StFX alumni: Minister Lisa MacLeod ’97, David McKernan ’10 (and his wife Sarah), Natasha McConnery ’09, and her brother, Michael Tibollo ’14. Sister Mercedes Tibollo ’20 is also actively involved in Pasta it Forward.

HATS TO HELP HEALTHCARE Murdena (Eddy) Kolanko ’75 ’76, a retired educator and an avid quilter who lives in Big Pond, Cape Breton, designed and assembled scrub hats complete with buttons on the side to allow for personal protective equipment masks to be attached, rather than around health care workers’ ears, to outfit both the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Care Unit at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, NS. “My daughter-in-law, Julia (Coffin) Kolanko ’08, is a clinical educator with Nova Scotia Health Authority, Eastern Division. She had asked if I could make a scrub hat with buttons that she and some of her colleagues could wear. Wearing a mask for an entire shift was not comfortable due to the elastic pulling around the ear. Scrub hats are not typically outfitted with buttons and there was a problem finding them,” says Ms. Kolanko, who worked 41 years in education, the majority of which was in Labrador City and several years with Nova Scotia Community College. “So, I browsed the Internet until I found what looked like a suitable solution. I shared my crude pattern, with some step-by-step photos. I found a YouTube video and some pictures on Pinterest. I sketched out a pattern, made a few and sent them up to Antigonish for them to try. Once I knew the fit and design was good, I made more.” She embroidered the caps with ER and ICU so they would find their way back to the departments after housekeeping laundered them. She’s also since shared the pattern with others, including with a lady in Sydney Mines who has made dozens for paramedics and health care workers in Cape Breton. “I think X embodies the values Nova Scotians’ have developed through many generations. We are a culture of family and community and to help where needed, however menial, is a natural practice. We are a connected culture, to want to do something to fill a need reflects that. Every gesture of support will help to build our collective response because we strive to keep caring and service to others cultural threads in our community.”

HOMECOMING 2020 will be celebrated August 20-22, 2021 Reunion Years ending in 0 & 5 HOMECOMING 2021 will be celebrated October 1-3, 2021 Reunion Years ending in 1 & 6 Watch for registration packages in the New Year! alumni@stfx.ca • Twitter – @StFXAlumni • Instagram – stfxalumni

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

NEWS EXCHANGE Gabrielle Gillis September 12, 2019

Send News Exchange items to Glenda Bond, Alumni Affairs Office St. Francis Xavier University, PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5 Phone: (902) 867-2186 • Fax: (902) 867-3659 • Email: alumni@stfx.ca

’40s

Hon. Murray J. Ryan QC, ’44 retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia celebrated his 101st birthday in February 2020.

’80s Jaime McMichael ’10 and Adam Gillis Joey Raymond Vlasic December 16, 2019

Angela (MacGillivray) ’17 and Charles Vlasic Isla Rivers, July 18 2017 and Jack Rivers, November 17, 2019

Tony Watson ’88 completed a two-year term as president of the Hong Kong Society of Financial Analysts (HKSFA) in February 2020. The 6,700-member HKSFA is the fourth largest of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute [CFAI]’s 150+ affiliate societies. CFAI is the world’s leading organization of investment professionals with over 170,000 members worldwide. Murray J. Ryan, ’89 ’91 was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in September 2019 for the riding of Northside-Westmount.

’90s

Neeta Kumar-Britten ’92 ’06 lives in Sydney, Nova Scotia with her family where she teaches elementary school. She is the Nova Scotia representative with the Chairman’s Advisory Group of the Terry Fox Foundation and welcomes all Xaverians across Canada and around the world to participate in the Terry Fox Runs.

Dr. Tania Sullivan ’98, an ER specialist at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish, NS, runs a simulation program at the hospital that helps health-care providers and learners prepare for emergency situations. She is featured in the cover article of the March 2020 publication of “Doctors NS” for her work using simulators for “Code” emergency training in hospital. The training combines the paramedic/nursing philosophies of immediate team action into in-hospital emergencies. Ivano Cozzi ’13 is the nurse/ paramedic part of the team, and is also part of the article. Blair MacNeil ’93, Vice President & General Manager of Bacardi Canada, will be expanding his role to lead National Retail Sales (NRS) for Bacardi USA. In addition to his current responsibilities, Blair will now be overseeing the National Accounts team in the U.S. He will continue to be based out of Toronto, Canada.

’00s

Troy Smith ’04 was named assistant coach of Team Canada in the Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Lisa Bélanger ’07 has launched

Stephanie (Snow) ’09 and Travis Rivers

a new book, Cup of Mindfulness: For the Busy and Restless. Dr. Bélanger hosted a virtual launch May 13, inviting people from across Canada to tune in to learn how to incorporate short, daily brain practices to improve focus, manage stress, improve performance and deepen relationships. The event, she says, comes at a time when people are especially feeling over-stimulated and distressed as lives are thrown out of typical routine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emma Logan ’19 was part of the Nova Scotia championship team that competed in the national curling competition, the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She was also the first deaf athlete to play in the Scotties. Clay Moore of Montgomery, TX offered a Texas-sized thanks to the finder of his class ring, the X-Ring. In The Times-Independent in late December 2019, he wrote: “Can you publicly thank Ms. Colleen Tibbetts on my behalf in your paper? I participated in the Jeep Jamboree in October. On one of the trails near Kane Creek, I lost my college ring. Ms. Tibbetts found it weeks later while on a

cattle drive. She reached out to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who in turn contacted me. She refused a finder’s fee or paid shipping from me and simply offered me a ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.’Will you mention this story in your paper so she can be recognized by her neighbors? That would please me greatly. Thank you! Merry Christmas!” Keeping it in the Family

(L-R) Blaise Dobbin ’90, Megan Dobbin ’20, and Michelle (MacGillivray) Dobbin’91 Whitehorse ,Yukon

Lorna Carroll- Plemel ’72 and Peter Chisholm ’86

Alexander Sanford April 13, 2020

Beauden Volikakis, February 28, 2020 with big brother Theodore. Beauden Volikakis, February 28, 2020 with big brother Theodore

Local family appears on Family Feud Canada

Beth (Chisholm) Sanford ’08

Son of Manos Volikakis ’05 ’07 and Beverly Burns ’07

Team captain Denyse MacDonald, Craig Bobbitt (Jackie’s husband), Jackie (MacDonald) Bobbitt ’88, Geralyn MacDonald and Megan MacDonald and Gerry Dee ’94 host of the Canadian Family Feud.

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

David G. Barry ’66 with granddaughter Kaelin Barry ’22, wearing Dave’s vintage ‘X’ jacket Kimberley Taylor ’17 ’20 and Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan ’92 hold up their X-Rings at the PDAC 2020 conference. Ms. Taylor will also be working in Natural Resources when she starts her new career in September. She will be part of the Policy Analyst Recruitment and Development Program, Natural Resources Canada’s accelerated development program for master’s and PhD graduates. She says: “It was amazing to connect to Seamus O’Regan at the conference through our StFX rings demonstrating how special the X-Ring really is!”

2019 Softball Canada AGM Joan Maxwell Chiz ’65, Jane Baird Barry ’65, Allene MacPherson Goforth ’65 and Marg Rideout Duncan ’65 attending 2018 Hall of Honour Induction

Vancouver BC

(L-R) Richie Connors ’02 ’04, Amy Lank ’18 and Darren Gerrior ’93

Frigid temperatures couldn’t stop alumni in Iqaluit, Nunavut from showing their X spirit this X-Ring Day! Pictured are (back) Ambrose Livingston ’79, Rinaldo MacDonald ’10, Krista Thompson ’05, Bridget Campbell ’11, (middle) Tess Thurber ’12, Patricia MacNeil ’02, Shauna Beaton ’01, Kelsey Munden ’14, Sierra LeBlanc ’17, (front) Emilia Nevin ’17, Shannon Hessian ’07 and Sharon (MacDonald) Nowlan ’03. April 6, 2018

Thomas Sinclair `81 pictured at the finish line of the Bermuda International Half Marathon. He was proud to wear his X shirt for the run. He ended up second place in his age group. Also running the half marathon was his good friend Willie DeSilva ’83. Willie actually ran in the Bermuda International Triangle Challenge where he ran three races in three days (the mile, 10K and the half marathon.) After the race, Willie and Thomas were thinking how much fun it would be if other alumni who enjoy running such events came down to participate in the Bermuda Triangle Challenge that is held mid-January each year. It’s a fun weekend of racing.

Aug 17, 2019

Willie DeSilva ‘83 running in the Bermuda International Half Marathon.

Lindsay (Ferguson) ’15 married Dylan Provost

Kerri Veno ’16 ’18 married Brandon Niles of Valley, NS

Terry “Ace” McCann ’59 and his wife Mary showing their support for our students

$500 VISA gift card $200 StFX Store gift card $100 StFX Store gift card.

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

StFX AlumniNews

DECEASED Robert Fabian “Bob” Burchell ’50 Rita Carmel MacDonald ’50 Hon. (ret.) Justice D. Merlin Nunn ’50 ’52 William Malcolm MacEachern ’51 Miriam H. Smith ’51 Rev. Dr. John Joseph Dolan ’52 Arthur Joseph LeBlanc ’52 Fr. John Lawrence MacLennan ’52 Jean Marie (MacEachern) Quirk ’52 John Tulloch Sears ’52 (faculty/staff) Patricia (MacNeil) Gallant ’53 Pierre Joseph Samson ’53 Moise Cleophas “Cleo” Cormier ’54 James William Morris ’54 Paul Andrew Sullivan ’55 Fr. Gerald Joseph Curry ’56 Joan Marie (Keating) Ryan ’56 Dr. Francis Xavier Shea ’56 Rev. Frederick Albert Carrigan ’57 Charles “Charlie” Flaherty Franco ’57 Cyrus Joseph “Joe” MacLellan ’57 Barry Andrew Donald Leger ’55 ’58 Edward Anthony Conroy, Sr ’58 John Thomas MacDonald ’58 Peter Boucher ’59 Maureen MacGillivray ’60 John Croll Mackley ’60 David E. Clarke ’61

Joan Marie (Fontaine) Meade ’61 ’64 David Joseph Parker ’61 Mary Elizabeth (Brosha) Walsh ’61 John Joseph Currie ’62 Sheila Marie Fennell ’62 Margaret Ann “Peggy” Moriarty ’62 John I. Tapley ’62 Sylvia Catherine (Nedder) Tenn ’62 Karen Margaret Fidgen ’63 Philip Violette ’63 John MacDonald Adams ’64 Allan Joseph MacDougall ’64 Terrence John “Terry” Quinn ’64 Raymond Wayne Docker ’65 Olga MacDougall ’65 Leo Joseph “Big Leo” MacNeil ’65 Joseph Michael “Mike” Muise ’65 ’66 ’77 Angus Louis Bonaparte ’66 Sr. Coline Chisholm, CND, ’66 Jean Rene Joseph Lauzon ’66 Wayne Francis Austen ’68 Paul Henri Seems ’68 William M. Dundon III ’69 Mary Dorothea (Murphy) Hynes ’69 Jeffery “Jeff” Rose ’69 Fred Albert Basile ’70 Sr. Margaret “Peggy” MacFarlane ’70 Donald Gregory “Greg” MacGillivray ’70

Mary Lou Boyd ’71 ’72 Rayford P. D. McIntosh ’71 William David “Bill” McKinnon ’73 James Burton Riley ’73 Karen P. (Bain) Anema ’76 Melanie Anne (Woodhouse) Jardine ’78 Francis (Frank) Xavier MacDonald ’78 Brad Thompson ’79 Deborah Anne (Currie) Blennerhassett ’80 Marion Elizabeth “Betty” Matheson ’80 Jane Stephenson ’81 ’82 Timothy Wilfred “Tim” Hines ’86 W. Andrew MacKay, Hon.Doc. ’86 Monique Anne (Doiron) Willis ’88 Daniel Robert Sutherland ’93 (faculty) Keith Michael MacSween ’94 Glen Francis DeCoste ’98 (staff) Natasha Biteznik ’99 Kathleen “Kaye” Hawboldt-Allen ’02 Alanna Susanne Jenkins ’05 Daniel Sean Hickey ’09 Lisa Rebecca (Kierstead) McCully ’13 Luke Lawrence Batdorf, former faculty Eileen Theresa Bray, staff Anne Kathleen Cameron, staff Evelyn Mae “Evie” Grew, former faculty Tila Lyn Kellman, former faculty

In April 2020, as the world woke to the devastating news of a mass shooting in Nova Scotia, StFX was saddened to report that these events have direct ties to the StFX and Antigonish communities. Among the victims, StFX alumni Lisa McCully ’13 and Alanna Jenkins ’05, as well as Cst. Heidi Stevenson, who grew up in Antigonish County and whose mother is a former StFX employee. On April 24, the Xaverian community joined together for a two minute pause to honour the legacy of those whose lives were lost, to stand with their loved ones, their communities and the entire province. In the days after, a group came together at StFX to establish the Alanna Jenkins Legacy Fund to help support a summer research grant for a forensic psychology student proposing to examine mental health and criminal justice issues, with special preference given to mental health and corrections. During her time with the Correctional Service of Canada, Ms. Jenkins did mental health training with correctional staff and had an abiding interest in mental health in the workplace.

LOST X-RINGS LOST Woman’s ’91 Woman’s ’97 Man’s ’10

Woman’s ’11 Man’s ’14 Man’s ’16

Woman’s ’19 Woman’s ’20

Contact the Alumni Office at 902-867-2186 or alumni@stfx.ca 46

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

ASSISTANT EDITOR Shelley Cameron-McCarron Email: sacamero@stfx.ca WRITER Shelley Cameron-McCarron DESIGN & PRODUCTION Andrew Conde Email: aconde@stfx.ca NEWS EXCHANGE EDITOR Glenda Bond Email: gbond@stfx.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Glenda Bond Phone: (902) 867-2186 Fax: (902) 867-3659 Email: gbond@stfx.ca DEADLINES SUMMER ISSUE copy deadline April 15 for June mailing

REMEMBERING, HONOURING STFX’S LOSS

Man’s ’68 Man’s ’74 Woman’s ’75

MANAGING EDITORS Shanna Hopkins ’01 Email: shopkins@stfx.ca Kyler Bell Email: kbell@stfx.ca

WINTER ISSUE copy deadline October 15 for December mailing AlumniNews is published by St. Francis Xavier University Alumni Affairs 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 © 2015 by St. Francis Xavier University. Subscriptions to AlumniNews are available to the public for $21 a year, single copies $7. Letters to the editor are welcome. Address correspondence to: AlumniNews St. Francis Xavier University PO Box 5000 Antigonish, NS B2G 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. 1993, 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 Affinity Partners, please send us a note using the contact information on this page.

Shopping for premier X-gear just got easier!

shop.stfx.ca

X-GEAR ONLINE STORE OPEN NOW Alumni, family, students and friends can now purchase quality university merchandise online from the StFX Store.

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 sendoffs 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 three times a year to StFX alumni and friends. If you’re plugged into the StFX network, you can stay in touch with friends, find 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

Moira MacMullin and Clair MacMullin daughters of Blaise MacMullin, StFX photographer/videographer and Helen MacMullin

A Isabel Pope ’96 Aaron Alexander MacIsaac ’96 Abraham Deforest ’99 Adele Marie Pellerin ’97 Adelle Janet Crawley ’97 Adrien Herve Helfenbein ’96 Agnes Baxter ’93 Andrejka Lokar ’96 Angel Meridith MacKenzie ’98 Catherine Rosalie Chisholm ’91 Cathy Jean Biggar ’99 Charles C MacIntyre ’91 Charles Catto ’98 Heather Rebecca Leblanc ’91 Hin Ling Chu ’96 Hollie Lynn Quick ’99 Hollie Mae Dawson ’99 J Peter Smith ’98 Jacqueline B Faber ’99 Jennifer Wagg ’98 Jessica Louise Mifflen ’99 Joann Marie Osbourne ’94 Joanna Dale Bruce ’98 Joanna Ruth Garvey ’96 Joseph Michael Gillis ’95 Judith Norman ’99 Judy Marie Dobuck-McNeil ’96 Julia Catherine Brazill ’91 Julie Corine Paquin ’99 Julie-Anne Nihmey ’99 Mark England ’92 Melanie Joyce Gammon ’92 Paul Richard Standing ’92 Paul Shannon Worth ’93 Paul Sidney Farrell ’91 Pauline Elavine Leonard ’92 Pauline Jean Pye ’92 Raymond Barkhouse ’97 Raymond Kai Man Cheng ’96 Rebecca Mary MacEachern ’97

Robert Andrew Geddes ’99 Robert Asheleigh Colborne ’95 Robert Borden Post ’92 Robert Brian Jones ’98 Sandra Lynn Hughes ’93 Sheila A McDonald ’92 Sheila Ann MacKinnon ’99 Sheila Davis ’99 Sheila Margaret MacDougall ’93 Sheilah MacKinnon-Drover ’92 Sheldon L Plant ’99 Stacy Lynn MacMillan ’93 Stan Richard MacLellan ’92 Stephanie Ann Devine ’98 Stephanie Ann Mikes ’94 Stephanie Anne Bullock ’98 Susie Paula Pacheco-Doppelreiter ’98 Tania Anne Doucet ’97 Tanya G Smith ’96 Theresa Cherwonka ’91 Theresa Gaudett ’99 Timothy Troy Seymour ’99 Tina Marie Anne McClenaghan ’97 Tina Marie Melanson-Brewster ’94 Tom Buckley ’91 Tracey Alexandria MacDonald ’94 Tracey Lynn Banfield Hillier ’90 Tracey Lynn MacDonald ’97 Tracey Scott Devereaux ’95 Tracy Lyn Carmichael ’92 Tsz Ping Regina Ho ’91 Twila Dawn Neely ’98 Valerie Lynn Guptill ’99 Vanessa Madonna Landry ’99 Victoria Ellen Shaw ’92 Wade Dean Collier ’95 Wai Kwong Leung ’93 William James Fitzgerald ’95 Zandra Dahne Harding-Thalmann ’91 Zuchang Pei ’93

shop.stfx.ca StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

FROM UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT l MURRAY KYTE ’87, VICE-PRESIDENT, ADVANCEMENT

SPIRIT OF SERVICE—WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A XAVERIAN Reading the stories within this edition of the AlumniNews of alumni who stepped up to assist others as COVID-19 unfolded has me feeling especially proud and honoured to be wearing an X-Ring. Collectively, they represent the very essence of what it means to be a Xaverian—that is the commitment of service. It is through service to others that one discovers meaning and purpose, which offers rich opportunities for awareness, personal growth, development and fulfillment. We learn this through our time as students at StFX through the various opportunities of getting involved, participating, experiencing, leading —the exercising of the mind, body and spirit, all the while guided by a caring, supportive faculty and staff. StFX is a special place for this very reason and because of it, we all have been enriched in so many ways. And with this enrichment, comes a corresponding duty—a duty to ensure future generations of students can experience a StFX “education.” Some take this as an active duty, volunteering time with local StFX chapters, the Alumni Association and other leadership positions such as serving on the Board of Governors. Others are strong

advocates within their community, influencing university-bound high schoolers to consider an X education. Still others offer their support through financial means, donating funds to the various fundraising initiatives at the university. No matter how one chooses to serve, we deeply appreciate all that you are doing. Thank you. It is within the spirit of service that I would like to recognize a Xaverian who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership in support of StFX. John Caplice ’87 came to X from Toronto to play football, earned a degree in business, became an accountant and was successful in the corporate sector. He married Ambrosia (MacKinnon) ’87, his university sweetheart, who has forged a successful career in the banking sector. Together, they have three daughters, two of whom are within the X family, Erin ’19 and Mary ’22, and the third, Sarah (a 2017 Dartmouth grad), would have attended X but for an Ivy League university where she was a varsity rower. I knew John as a student at X, but we were not close as we ran in different circles, but since joining the university, I’ve come to admire and appreciate his leadership,

Murray Kyte ’87 commitment and service toward StFX. He has served as a member of the StFX Board of Governors for the past six years and has played a lead role in the Board’s investment committee work. John has also been the volunteer leader driving the successful rebuilding of the Shea Family Football Locker Room and now, the Point After Club, which seeks to assist the football team with some operational funds, but also provides the university with funds to help capital projects aimed at campus renewal. I can say without hesitation, these projects would not be where they are without John’s tireless drive and commitment. His leadership and vision have been infectious, influencing other alumni volunteers and donors to get involved. In addition, many of his concepts and ideas have served as models for other fundraising efforts within the university. In addition to the countless hours John has given in support of the university, John and Ambrosia have also been lead donors. Thank you, John and Ambrosia, for all that you have done, for giving back and we look forward to our continued work together. Hail & Health,

John Caplice ’87 with daughters Sarah, Mary ’22 and Erin ’19 on their way to base camp Mount Everest, May 2019, after Erin’s convocation from StFX.

StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2020

Murray E. Kyte ’87, M.Ed, LL.B, B.B.A Vice-President, Advancement X

Will Davidson ’93

There’s no denying Will Davidson’s ’93 love for StFX. The musical director at Woodstock High School proudly wears StFX crested socks, X alumni hoodies, sports a StFX license plate on his truck, has X swag in his classroom, and centred behind his office desk is a picture of StFX’s Xavier Hall, a gift from a former student. Throughout his 23-year teaching career, the high school teacher—he received the Minister’s Excellence in Education Award in 2016—has promoted StFX as a post-secondary option. StFX, in turn, has seen significant increase in applications from the New Brunswick school, including this year when it welcomes four new students, including two major scholarship recipients. Sharing his passion for StFX is simple: “For me, that place, the culture, the whole atmosphere, it really brought out the best in me,

and qualities I didn’t even know I had. I’ll be forever grateful.” It’s an experience he can see students benefitting from. StFX, he says, taught him about a strong sense of community, allowed him to pursue multiple interests—in music, and social sciences too—to meet great faculty and friends, and prepared him for life after graduation. “I felt like I experienced the world, even though I was in a small town.” Mr. Davidson says it’s important for alumni to share the StFX experience, especially as one gets further away from StFX, and students may not be as familiar with the school. “There’s a certain culture at StFX that resonates with certain people, and I’m one of them. I had a wonderful experience there. I really felt I had a place there.”

Share your experience with a prospective student and connect with our Recruitment Team.

Admissions & Recruitment Toll-free: 1-877-867-StFX (7839) • email: admit@stfx.ca

• stfx.ca

Over $300,000 raised... and counting! In April, we launched the StFX Emergency Relief

“Being an international student is hard enough; this grant

Fund to support those students who needed help

gave me some peace of mind in the midst of all the chaos.

the most. Over a handful of weeks, the Xaverian

My parents (who are in

Community has raised nearly $305,000 to provide

Ecuador) were at peace once I gave them the news of how

crisis financial support to students who are deeply

the university helped me. I am so thankful for my Xaverian

affected by COVID-19.

community and how they got my back when my family is not around. I will make sure to give back and help others.” Maria Cordova, BA Human Kinetics Ecuador

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Thank you. Your generosity has enabled over 230 students to continue their goal of pursuing a StFX degree.

To help, visit stfx.ca/relief