CONNECTING ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF St . FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY SUMMER 2022 StFX AlumniNews A LEGACY GENEROSITYOFMAKINGADIFFERENCE:REMARKABLEGIFTSINSUPPORTOFSTFX
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Visit StFX’s online alumni community: www.stfx.ca/alumni StFX AlumniNews CONTENTS NewsFlash 3 Campus News 26 Athletics 30 Alumni Association Update 37 News Exchange 40 Forensic Psychology 14
June 17 was a watershed day on campus as two of StFX’s most loyal alumni, John ’63 and Adrienne ’63 Peacock, announced a $5 million donation to support healthy living for generations to come. Following this, the StFX Alumni Association announced its largest-ever gift to date too. Demand, student opportunity propel StFX’s ever-growing Forensic Psychology into four-year program Day Of Celebration 18 Resilience, strength and skills gained--there was much to celebrate during Spring Convocation May 8. Congratulations to the Class of 2022! A Hearty Thank You! On June 18, the StFX community gathered for the annual President’s Gala to celebrate all those who give so generously to StFX. early July, close to 50 alumni returned to campus for a week of philosophical studies as part of the university’s annual Classics for Classics program. The group studied Plato’s five dialogues (Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo) under the direction of Dr. Steve Baldner, as well as guest lecturers from the university. Several social functions were also enjoyed during the week, highlighted by a memorable dinner banquet. Each year, the program is attended by faithful returnees along with many newcomers, allowing for old friends to reconnect and new friendships to be formed. StFX Alumni Association past and current presidents, Ed McHugh ’79, Glenn Horne ’07 ’08, current president Kathleen Sheridan ’15, Valerie Bobyk ’73, Bill Kiely ’67 ’69 and Marc Rodrigue
’08
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StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 1 Feature Lifetime Legacy of Generosity 6
Contents 3418146Features In
ON THE COVER L-r,
A COMMUNITY COMING
Dr. Andy Hakin, Linda Hakin and Rodger Cuzner ’07
Convocation is always a special time. It is a time to celebrate achievement and a time to be cherished with family and friends. This year’s Convocation at StFX was no exception. The smiles of our graduates and their families as they celebrated their accomplishments, as they celebrated Being Xaverian, is always a great source of pride for our community. With Convocation comes a season of change, which provided Linda and I the chance to visit with Xaverians across North America to meet our alumni and to see firsthand the long-lasting impact that StFX has on our Fromgraduates.Newfoundland & Labrador to the Yukon, to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we connected with alumni, friends of StFX, parents, families, and prospective students. In Newfoundland & Labrador, we were treated to a tour of St. John’s and beyond by Austin Hawley ’67. Getting to know Austin and sharing a day with him while learning more about a city and province where many alumni live was a real treat. Visiting Whitehorse, the provincial capital of the Yukon, provided an opportunity to meet generations of Xaverians in the Mooney family, including Frank ’46, Jamie ’88 and Katelyn ’22, and to connect with Andy Hureau ’61 who gifted his X-Ring back to the university so that it can be awarded to a deserving student. And then on to Boston in the Commonwealth of Dr. Andrew W. Hakin forward to seeing and meeting you in Antigonish, and to continuing to create
AndrewHailconnection.andHealth.W.Hakin, PhD
Massachusetts, where we were hosted by Consul General to Canada and StFX alumnus, Rodger Cuzner ’07. At a function organized at Rodger’s home in Wellesley, Xaverians shared their great stories of the connections that StFX brings. Connection was evident throughout our time here: we enjoyed time with the Wirvins, Michael ’90, Lori ’90 and Kate ’21, we chatted with Duncan MacEachern and David Baxter from the Class of 1994 whose StFX bond created a life-long friendship, and with Kim MacInnis ’86 and Dave Austin ’85 who met at StFX, married, and are proud parents of StFX graduate Kylie ’19. The stories of how StFX impacts lives is beyond remarkable. It is inspiring. Most recently, we celebrated and congratulated Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and James Nasso ’59; John ’63 and Adrienne ’63 Peacock; the StFX Alumni Association; and the Gogan Family who are all giving back to the university to ensure that StFX is more accessible for all future Xaverians. Our university, and the bonds it creates, is truly special.Linda and I look forward to the summer at StFX. We look forward to greeting conference groups to our campus, to connecting with students doing important research over the summer with our faculty members, and to welcoming alumni back to campus for our Summer Reunion Homecoming in late August. We look TOGETHER TO POSITION STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
President & Vice-Chancellor
Austin Hawley ’67 and Dr. Andy Hakin touring St. John’s, NL.
Back row, l-r: Dr. Andy Hakin, Jamie Mooney ’88, Susan Mooney, Stephen Mooney ’86, Danny Guhl ’17 and Amy Lank ’18. Front: Linda Hakin, Frank Mooney ’46 and Katelyn Mooney ’22.
2 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE | ANDREW W. HAKIN P h D
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 3 NEWSFLASH WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE S t FX COMMUNITY
FOSTER
Dr. Cockshutt is an educator who engages and inspires students. She is the recipient of both the J.E.A. Crake Teaching Award in the Faculty of Science at Mount Allison and the Herbert & Leota Tucker teaching award, Mount Allison’s highest award of teaching excellence. She is a scholar of biochemistry with a research focus on the molecular biology of marine picocyanobacteria. Her research program has attracted funding from sources including NSERC and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. In 2004, Dr. Cockshutt started a federally incorporated biotech company, Environmental Proteomics NB Inc., and was its founding CEO and currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer. Through her career path, she has maintained an active research program with numerous publications and citations. She has served as the Academic Editor for PLoS ONE since 2014, and on the Evaluation Group for the NSERC CREATE program and on the Fulbright Canada Scholars & Scholarships Adjudication Committee.
Dr. Cockshutt has served in several leadership positions during her tenure at Mount Allison, including as Head of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. She is described by her colleagues as visionary, effective, results-oriented, an extremely hard worker, an unwavering voice of support for students and an engaging leader.
FINANCE
StFX is pleased to announce that Dr. Amanda Cockshutt has been appointed as Academic Vice-President & Provost, effective May 1, 2022. Dr. Cockshutt comes to StFX from Mount Allison University where she served as the Dean of Science and Graduate Studies.
Dr. Amanda Cockshutt
StFX is pleased to announce that Monica Foster ’90 has been appointed as Vice-President, Finance and Administration, effective August 29, 2022. Ms. Foster comes to StFX from the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) where she served as Vice-President, College Services and Chief Financial Officer for the past 12 years. Ms. Foster has 25 years of progressive financial and operational leadership experience with NSCC and has been a key part of their transformation. Over her career, she has led all financial and operational areas of a large, complex, multiunionized organization. She has experience leading financial and capital planning, human resources, labour relations, information systems, and risk management. She has experience building relationships across numerous diverse stakeholder groups, including students, staff, Board of Governors, and government officials. Prior to her career at NSCC, Ms. Foster worked at TD and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and achieved her CMA designation in 1996. She was recognized as a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia in 2021. A StFX Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, Ms. Foster was active in many societies during her time on campus. She has an extensive network of contacts regionally and nationally in the post-secondary sector, serving in board roles for organizations such as Colleges and Institutes Canada, Halifax Partnership, Halifax United Way, Interuniversity Service Incorporated Board, Higher Education Information Technology Shared Services, Hope Blooms, and on the Task Force for Public Sector Accounting Board on Not-for-Profit Organizations. APPOINTS MONICA ’90 AS VICE-PRESIDENT, AND ADMINISTRATION
STFX ANNOUNCES NEW ACADEMIC VICE-PRESIDENT AND PROVOST STFX
Monica Foster ’90
Dr. Joseph “Joe” Apaloo has been named StFX Dean of Science, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Apaloo had been serving as Interim Dean since July 2021. A full professor of mathematics since 2009, he has been a dedicated faculty member at StFX for over 20 years. Prior to this, he held academic positions at Tufts University and University of Natal [KwaZulu Natal]. He earned his BSc from the University of Ghana, MSc from University of Victoria and PhD from the University of Montana. Dr. Apaloo twice chaired StFX’s Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. He has served on many university committees including the Board of Governors, the Rank and Tenure Committee, the Committee on Academic Review, and the Chairs Selection Committee. Additionally, he served as Chair of University Senate and as Chief Grievance Officer for the StFX AUT. He was also instrumental in StFX-AARMS-CMS Math Camps for Grade 10 and 11 students. Dr. Apaloo is internationally recognized for his research on evolutionary game theory and has interdisciplinary research experience through his work with ecologists, biologists, and economists. He serves on the Executive Board of the International Society of Dynamic Games (ISDG), and is an associate editor of the academic journal Dynamic Games and Applications. He has supervised numerous students, hosted visiting scholars; given over 40 presentations in 10 countries across four continents; and has had his research funded by the University Council for Research, NSERC, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
MadisonLintonTennant ’22
Dr. Joe Apaloo
NAMED
Gregory
Gregory Linton and Madison Tennant’22, two Gerald Schwartz School of Business students, have been recognized for excellence. They are among nine recipients of this year’s $35,000 Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. Recipients are selected by the Frank H. Sobey Awards Board of Trustees, comprised of Atlantic Canadian business and academic leaders, from 30 exceptional nominations provided by the deans of their respective business schools based on their entrepreneurship, supporting the communities in which they live and work, their employment experience and academic excellence. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for our students. The field of nominees is incredibly competitive,” says Schwartz School of Business Dean (Acting) Dr. Bobbi Morrison. The awards build on StFX students’ tremendous success in the competition. StFX has had two award winners each year for the last four years. As well, 13 StFX students have received the award in the last 10 years.
DR. JOE APALOO DEAN OF SCIENCE BUSINESS SOBEYSCHWARTZEXCELLENCE!STUDENTSEARNAWARDS
4 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 NEWS FLASH l WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE S t FX COMMUNITY
FELLOWSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT
Ben Boudreau ’22, a recent graduate of StFX human kinetics and sports management from Antigonish, NS, has been chosen as one of 10 students from across the country to receive the 2022 3M National Student Fellowship Award. The 3M National Student 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. Along with this good news at StFX, in the pool of over one million students enrolled in Canadian post-secondary institutions, the Maple League universities carved out 40 per cent of the spots for student leadership, with one student from each Maple League university recognized amongst the 10 fellows awarded this year, the highest national recognition of student educational leadership in Canada. NATIONAL STUDENT
MULRONEY HALL CERTIFIED LEED®BENGOLDBOUDREAU NAMED 3M
Ben Boudreau ’22
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 5 NEWS FLASH l WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE S t FX COMMUNITY
When it comes to being green, StFX’s Mulroney Hall is gold—LEED® Gold, that is, a global recognition of its outstanding commitment to sustainability. Mulroney Hall, the state-of-the-art teaching and research complex that opened in the heart of the StFX campus on September 18, 2019, has achieved LEED Gold (LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a globally recognized environmental building standard that recognizes exceptional commitment to sustainability in design, construction and operation. To achieve LEED Gold, prerequisites and credits are awarded in seven categories including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation and design process, and regional priorities.
6 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 Adrienne ’63 and John ’63 Peacock
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 7
JOHN AND ADRIENNE PEACOCK $5 MILLION TO AMELIA SAPUTO CENTRE
Their latest gift ensures completion of the renovation of the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living, the athletics and recreation facility that is used by StFX students, faculty, and staff, and by the broader Antigonish community.Theimpact the facility has on so many was one reason the Peacock family wanted to support the project.
John ’63 and Adrienne ’63 Peacock, two of StFX’s most loyal alumni, have given extraordinary service to StFX, both through extensive volunteer efforts and financial contribution. On June 17, they continued this remarkable legacy of generosity, announcing a $5 million donation to StFX, a gift that will support healthy living for generations to come.
DONATE
A LEGACY GENEROSITYOF
BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON
FOR HEALTHY LIVING
“We could see this could make a difference,” Mr. Peacock, Chancellor of StFX, said on the reason they decided to support the project.
“This achievement was made possible by two of StFX’s most loyal alumni: Adrienne and John Peacock, both from the Class of 1963.”
8 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022
Son Kevin Peacock and daughter-in-law Giselle Murphy, executive director of the Peacock Family Foundation, also spoke.
Mrs. Peacock has served on the Board of Governors and was a national campaign chair with Annual Giving, and Mr. Peacock has been Chancellor of the university since 2018. Together, they’ve been long-time supporters of the Coady Institute, and in 2016, established the Dr. John T. Sears Chair in Corporate Social Responsibility in honour of one of John Peacock’s most beloved professors.
“StFX is a special place, it’s special to us, and it’s because of all the people here who really care,” Mrs. Peacock said as she thanked everyone for attending.
“Not only does this mean that we can now finish the work to make the Saputo Centre fully accessible for all its users, it also marks a milestone: the Peacock family have now become the most significant alumni donors in StFX history.”
It was truly a day of celebration, as immediately following the ceremony, the StFX Alumni Association announced their largestever gift to StFX, $500,000 to help support the completion of the Amelia Saputo Centre. The association was inspired by the Peacocks who had challenged StFX: they would donate up to $5 million if the university could find matching pledges from other donors.
Board of Governors Chair Dennis Flood ’80 thanked the Peacocks for their enduring support.
“You couldn’t ask for a better family,” Ms. Murphy said. They are generous in spirit, kind and are firmly devoted to their family, their community and the community here at StFX.
“I’m thrilled to share with you now that, thanks to the support of alumni and friends of the university, we’ve reached our fundraising goal for the next phase of the renovation of the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living, a building at the heart of campus that welcomes students, faculty, staff, and members of the Antigonish community on a daily basis,” he said.
Kevin recalled as a child how he would see his parents strike up conversations with other people they met, connected because they wore an X-Ring. “For us, it was a real introduction to that sense of community, of being part of something bigger,” he said. As generous as his parents have been to StFX, the reverse is true as well, he said. The school has been generous to his parents too. “We’re proud to be here today, to see the community that’s been an integral part of their lives.”
“A lot of people benefit, what better project to really support,” he told the large crowd gathered in the Joyce Family Atrium of Mulroney Hall to recognize the contributions of the Peacock family and to celebrate the completion of the fundraising campaign for the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living.
Iain Boyd, Chief Campaign Officer, Xaverian Fund, who served as master of ceremonies, noted their tremendous impact on StFX. “Their commitment to StFX is beyond description,” he said. “John and Adrienne are special.”
Just as the ceremony ended, Mr. Peacock also noted his twin granddaughters, who are entering Grade 7, are here today, “to expose them to this wonderful place,” he joked, ‘for some day.”
Mr. Flood said the Peacock family has supported the university for decades, both financially and with incredible amounts of time.
Mr. Peacock said he is incredibly pleased to say StFX has fully matched the Peacocks’ generous gift.
Many special guests were in attendance at the event including members of the Peacock family, and friends.
“This remarkable gift will have a lasting impact on countless StFX students, staff, and faculty members – not to mention the community members who visit campus regularly,” notes StFX President, Dr. Andy Hakin. “We are tremendously grateful to Agnico Eagle for their support and their generosity and are excited to put their gift to good use.”
St. Francis Xavier University is pleased to announce a $5 million gift from Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and the renaming of the Physical Sciences Complex. This gift, which has enabled StFX to secure an additional $3.5 million in matching funds, will be directed to three key areas:
Agnico Eagle is also making a significant contribution to the newlyestablished Agnico Eagle Physical Sciences Fund, an endowment that will create predictable resources for future use.
- The Vincent Nasso Bursary Fund, which will make a StFX education more accessible for Black, Indigenous, and Inuit students; and - The renovation of the Saputo Centre for Healthy Living, the hub of athletics and recreation for StFX and the broader community.
Additionally, StFX will take this opportunity to honour James Nasso ’59, Agnico Eagle’s long-time board chairman and board member. Mr. Nasso is passionate about education, and StFX in particular. He served previously on StFX’s Board of Governors and was Deputy Chair of the Xaverian Spirit Campaign from 1988-92; at the time, the campaign was the largest StFX had ever conducted, raising more than $21 million.
AGNICO EAGLE GIFTS $5 MILLION TO STFX GIFT INCLUDES NAMING OF THE NASSO FAMILY SCIENCE CENTRE IN HONOUR OF LONG-TIME AGNICO EAGLE BOARD CHAIR,
- In the near term, the funds from Agnico Eagle will enable physical science departments in the Faculty of Science to purchase new lab equipment and update existing technology. This latest gift complements the company’s previous support of the Faculty of Science at StFX, which hosts nation-leading researchers in fields such as emissions reductions; gold nanotechnology; volcanology; igneous petrology; and biogeochemical feedbacks to climate change.
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 9
Jim ’59 and Jackie Nasso
“In recognition of his lifetime commitment to StFX and in consideration of Agnico Eagle’s gift to the university, StFX will be re-naming the Physical Sciences Complex as the Nasso Family Science Centre,” Dr. Hakin reveals. StFX has put together a video that highlights the impact that Agnico Eagle’s contributions will have on StFX, and Mr. Nasso’s legacy. Go to youtube and search for Agnico Eagle Gift to StFX. JAMES D. NASSO ’59
Picture it. It’s 1893 and about 50 StFX alumni have gathered on campus for two days to discuss forming an alumni association. On their agenda? Fanning the flames of friendship—and supporting StFX, an institution that’s given them much.
10 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022
Fast forward nearly 130 years and the StFX Alumni Association is still going strong, promoting fellowship and support for alma mater— most recently gifting the university $500,000 to help StFX complete the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living (formerly known as the Oland Centre).
$500,000
ASSOCIATIONALUMNIGIFTS
The funding will help move StFX’s current recreation centre in the Amelia Saputo Centre upstairs to a larger, more inclusive space, with more accessible and gender-inclusive change rooms and locker rooms. “This is our largest-ever gift to date, doubled from our last gift in 2018,” association president Kathleen Sheridan ’15 said during a FOR OVER 129 YEARS, THE STFX ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN
June 17 ceremony on campus with many of StFX’s volunteer Alumni Council and chapter presidents on hand.
She says the Alumni Association is pleased to help StFX in this important project that will provide a more diverse, inclusive space and benefit students, staff, faculty and the greater alumni community for generations.
She says if COVID showed us anything, it’s how important physical and mental health are. “This project directly helps with that.”
“We’re proud that our gift has inclusion and access at the forefront.”
ALMA MATER AND SPREADING THE XAVERIAN SPIRIT. 000 TO HELP COMPLETE AMELIA SAPUTO CENTRE FOR HEALTHY LIVING
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 11
“We were inspired (to make this gift) when an anonymous alumni donor family, later revealed to be the Peacock family, offered to match gifts to see the finalization of this project,” says Ms. Sheridan.
As a not-for-profit organization, she says one of the association’s priorities is to assist the university where it can.
BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON
SUPPORTING
WAYS TO BECOME INVOLVED Ms. Sheridan says there’s often a misconception that to be an engaged member of the alumni community, one needs to be making large financial contributions to the university. While financial donations of any and all sizes are critical to the success of StFX, one doesn’t have to open their pocketbooks. Getting involved is easy.
“It’s not lost on the association that the space (the Amelia Saputo Centre) is right next door to the Alumni Aquatic Centre, and its helping reinvigorate a space that alumni were at the forefront of creating,” Mr. Rodrigue says.
12 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 VERY MUCH IN LINE
Then there’s the support of major projects, including the establishment of Alumni Flag Plaza in 2018, as well as past projects such as the Alumni Gates, Alumni Aquatics Centre, Memorial Field and Memorial Rink, in honour of Xaverians who served in WWI.Additionally, the Alumni Council itself acts in an advisory role to StFX on alumni affairs and appoints individuals to alumni positions on the StFX Board of Governors.
“This is very much in line with what the Alumni Association does and what it has done historically,” says association past president Marc Rodrigue ’08. Since its 1893 founding, the association, a separate organization from the university, has always been in the background, assisting the university, he says. This support has come in many forms, from hosting president’s receptions and chapter events to sponsoring scholarships and bursaries, including entrance scholarships for children of alumni; a $2,000 scholarship for a high school student who has overcome adversity; and annually four $1,500 Alumni Association Recognition Awards to current students.
“It’s an opportunity to create a space, a home turf, where people can learn and grow and come together, much like the Oland Centre has done,” he says. “We get an opportunity to join a partnership with other funders to bring that space forward and to update it and help that legacy continue for generations.”
Fostering that connection between StFX and its alumni is something that’s always been at the forefront of the association, now 52,000 members strong, with chapters across the globe and a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaged alumni.
“We get an opportunity to join a partnership with other funders to bring that space forward and to update it and help that legacy continue for generations.”
Maureen and the late Jim Gogan HonDoc ’97
It’s because of these affinity partnerships that the association can make these donations to StFX, she says. “There are any number of ways to give back,” agrees Mr.“It’sRodrigue.agreatway to stay connected and relive some of the magic.”
FROM THE GOGAN FAMILY CREATES NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Ms. Sheridan says alumni can also contribute financially to the association by taking advantage of group rates and unique benefits offered through affinity partnerships with TD Insurance, BMO and Manulife, “which support the development of alumni programs, and allow us to make these kinds of gifts.”
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 13
Thanks to a generous $1 million gift from the Gogan Family, announced during the President’s Gala on June 18, the James and Maureen Gogan Family Scholarship has been established at StFX, making it more affordable for outstanding students from the Maritimes interested in studying at StFX’s Gerald Schwartz School of Business.
Marc Rodrigue ’08
$1 MILLION GIFT
It’s also a great way to support current students and the next generations of students, to make sure that magic is preserved for them. “StFX had such impact on our lives, we have the chance to hand that legacy on.”
The newly-established scholarship valued at $10,000 a year and renewable for a total of four years will be awarded annually to an exceptional high school student with a minimum average of 90 per cent. Of equal importance, successful applicants will also have a strong track record of extracurricular participation in the community and in school and be committed to contributing to student life at StFX. The scholarships are open to direct from high school students from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
“There are so many ways to involve yourself with the association to consider yourself an engaged alum.” Alumni can attend and/or volunteer at chapter events. They can use their voice to be an ambassador for the university, sharing good news stories, and recruiting potential students. They can write reference letters for prospective students and nominate for the Alumni Awards of Excellence. They can mentor a StFX student or recent graduate through the XConnects Mentorship Program: https://enpointmentorship.com/c/stfx
DEMAND, STUDENT OPPORTUNITY PROPEL STFX’S EVER-GROWING FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY INTO FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM
L-r, Chris Lively ’06 ’13 ’14, MUN doctoral candidate in forensic psychology, who has taught two core program courses, StFX psychology professor and program coordinator Dr. Margo Watt ’93, and Ryanne Chisholm ’01 practicum coordinator.
14 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022
Helping students better understand prisons and their populations was a goal StFX psychology professor Dr. Margo Watt ’93, a clinical forensic psychologist, had from the start. For over two decades, this goal has had far-reaching impacts on StFX—and its students—most recently with the launch of a new four-year program. In September 2021, StFX introduced Applied Forensic Psychology, a program that grew from a seed Dr. Watt planted in 2000 when she offered a single forensic psychology course a year after joining StFX faculty. The course offered field trips and a Service Learning component.“WhenIcame to StFX, I felt strongly students should be getting inside prisons,” says Dr. Watt, who in 1999 had completed a full year doctoral internship with Correctional Services Canada. She knew the general public’s knowledge of prisons and their populations, including why they’re there and how they’re treated,
CEWIL was excited by the project and encouraged Dr. Watt to apply for another grant. She did, receiving further funding in February, which led to the same opportunity extended to second-year students.
Students’ learning takes place at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice, she says. “That’s my primary focus, helping people better understand mental health and its role in the criminal justice system; helping students gain insight and skills in better understanding why people do the things they do.”
“This is the work that I think is important.”
Adding to the student experience, Dr. Watt has successfully secured several large grants, which have benefitted senior students in the specialRecentconcentration.projectsand grant funding have enabled students to collect data at Nova Scotia Archives on Nova Scotia Hospital admissions in the 1860s and 1870s; work with Antigonish RCMP to digitize archival data on arrestees; and with clinical doctoral students from Dalhousie University in running a group-based intervention program.
“That’s how it started. It’s been an evolution since I started at StFX.”
Dr. Watt also successfully received funding to support student practicum opportunities with the Correctional Service Canada (CSC).
Interest in the course proved so high that in 2013, StFX introduced a Two-Year Special Concentration in Forensic Psychology. The unique-in-Canada program provided academic knowledge and hands-on experience participating in practica in various settings, such as prisons, courts, law offices, mental health clinics, addiction services, and other community-based organizations. In 2018-19, Dr. Watt was approached yet again about expanding, and began the process.
“The program has always grown somewhat beyond my vision… which is exciting,” says Dr. Watt. In fact, with Applied Forensic Psychology just entering its second year, StFX had well over 300 applications by last November for the program and eventually accepted 81 students for this coming academic year. The growth has allowed for the hiring of new faculty and staff. This year, two StFX grads joined the program: Ryanne Chisholm ’01 (BA-Psyc; MFA-theatre, York) assumed the practicum coordinator position and Chris Lively ’06, ’13, ’14 (MUN doctoral candidate in forensic psychology) taught two core program courses.
In her 2014 case study book, Dr. Watt said that Dostoyevksy’s claim that: ‘While nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer; nothing is more difficult than to understand him,’ basically sums up her passion for this field.
“The addition of Ryanne and Chris has opened even more opportunities for student learning and skill development. For example, Ryanne trained some of the senior students to act as clients for junior students to practice their interviewing skills,” Dr. Watt says. What excites her about the expansion?
Cooperative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) has funded two projects for hird- and fourth-year students students to receive training tailored to serve community-based clients from Atlantic Region of CSC. Over the past eight months, about 70 students have been paid ($14/hour) to attend twice weekly training sessions. Once the students were trained and gained enhanced security clearance, they conducted wellness checks and treatment satisfaction interviews with community-based clients of CSC (parolees) under the supervision of CSC mental health professionals.
“I came with the idea that students need to get into prisons to gain a better understanding of their world and themselves. For 23 years basically I’ve been able to watch that evolve.”
Dr. Watt credits the field trips—where students meet and interact with inmates and correctional staff—and the course material with helping fuel the popularity.
“Many great people have reminded us that we never know our society until we get inside our prisons. People, such as Dostoyevsky: ‘The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons,’ and Nelson Mandela: ‘It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.’
The Alanna Jenkins Legacy Fund, named for a StFX grad and valued friend of the program killed in Nova Scotia’s mass murder, also helps support student research related to mental health and criminal justice.
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 15 was lacking, and believed it paramount we understand.
“In addition to having Ryanne and Chris, I am excited by the immense promise of this program. Since coming to StFX, I have tried to provide students with unique experiences and learning opportunities that they can carry with them long after they leave StFX.
“It’s benefitted everyone and it’s been a huge opportunity for students, who are getting paid for their work and earning valuable practicum experience and hours.”
“Since coming to StFX, I have tried to provide students with unique experiences and learning opportunities that they can carry with them long after they leave StFX.” Dr. Margo Watt ’93
She says what distinguishes the students is their practical training combined with their experience. All students are required to do a practicum every year. Student feedback indicates how beneficial these experiences are for their subsequent study and work.
“The field trips (pre-COVID) were huge. They were transformative forThestudents.”program’s compelling rate of success also speaks to its value. Dr. Watt says about one-fourth of students continue to graduate studies. Additionally, many go on to become social workers, and increasingly go into policing and the law. Many others work in corrections, social services, and community organizations.
REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITY
David Biddle ’22 of Halifax, NS applied to the special concentration as he was majoring in psychology and had an interest in law and thought it would be the perfect blend. “To say the least, I was not disappointed. I had the opportunity to participate in practicums that pertained to my interests despite the impact of COVID. I researched what it took for patients to be admitted to the Nova Scotia Hospital during the 19th century and conducted wellness checks on formerly incarcerated individuals. The program/concentration not only sparked my interests but taught me valuable life skills. We learned the value of an evidencebased approach to interviewing and had our critical thinking skills nurtured through class discussions.”
Preet Banga came from New Delhi, capital city of India, to take forensic psychology at StFX. “I am very passionate to build my career as a clinical-forensic psychologist and I knew I made the right decision to come to StFX. I was lucky to meet with Dr. Margo Watt in my first year at StFX and even luckier to become a member of the Watt Lab.” She says Dr. Watt’s research areas (anxiety sensitivity; anxiety-and related disorders, personality characteristics among particular offender populations; and prediction of risk for violence) aligned with hers. “When I told Dr. Watt I wanted to study climate change anxiety, she was very supportive and encouraging. Dr. Watt agreed to supervise my research project this summer, and we were successful in receiving the Irving Research Mentorship Award. I am very grateful to have her as my supervisor and mentor.”
16 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022
“For the past two years, I have had the privilege of being a part of such an amazing program. This program has introduced me to so many great people and provided me with countless opportunities for learning,” says Ella Mulvihill ’22 of Pembroke, ON who was interested in learning about the law, mental health, the criminal justice system, and how they intersect. “My practicum placements gave me hands-on experience where I was lucky enough to watch and learn from professionals in their field.” In summer 2021, she worked at Forging Forward Counselling Services, which continued into a practicum throughout the 2021-22 school year. Also that year, through the CEWIL-funded project, she was trained to provide wellness checks with clients negatively impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. She was also trained to provide post-treatment exit interviews with clients who had participated in psychological counselling following release from federal custody.
Nathan Penman ’22 of Sydney, NS came to StFX to pursue psychology and answer one question: why do we do what we do? He knew StFX offered forensic psychology but was quite disinterested. “I wanted to study and understand humans, not the small percentage that are criminalized. I have since learned that criminality is a microcosm of human behaviour and the experiences and broader structures that influence it. By studying those who have been most affected by internal and external factors, I could look under the microscope at influences that shape humans and make our behaviour comprehensible.” He applied into it after his second year. The hands-on opportunities appealed, but now graduating, he says he’s leaving with a rich understanding of how human psychology works and the influences that shape us. Because of his studies, he’s now preparing to apply to law school. Penman says the experience that caught him most by surprise was becoming a journalist through the program. He interviewed fellow students and alumni and wrote articles (including one published by the Canadian Psychology Association) and recorded podcasts with the help of the campus radio station.
FORENSIC STUDENTS ON THE PROGRAM’S APPEAL Preet Banga
Nathan Penman ’22 $250/ticket, tables of ten $2,500
DINNERNATIONALEAST SAVE THE DATE Join us and our keynote speaker, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist MARNIE M c BEAN, O.C. For more information, please contact Wendy Langley Director of Development T. 902-867-5182 • E. wlangley@stfx.ca THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 AT THE HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTRE
Understanding your own potential can help ignite both your own and the potential of others. That was the advice StFX honorary degree recipient Dr. Minh Kauffman, an innovator in international educational exchange and community development for over 50 years, gave the StFX Class of 2022 during Spring Convocation celebrated May 8 as StFX awarded degrees and diplomas across all four faculties, Arts, Science, Business and Education. It was a day marked by achievement—and looking ahead to the future.“Asyou leave Antigonish, please reflect on how your time at St. Francis Xavier has helped build your sense of your own being, to discover your own assets and potential. Your challenge going forward is to continue that self-discovery not just for self, but so that your becoming can be a service to those who have not had your splendid opportunities,” said Dr. Kauffman. “Just as the flame of one candle can light many tapers, your command of your own potential can ignite the potential of others.”
Dr. Carole Roy Dr. Katarin MacLeod ’94 ’00 Dr. Mike Melchin
KNOW YOUR POTENTIAL, AND HELP IGNITE THE POTENTIAL OF OTHERS
ACHIEVEMENT HONOURED
18 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022
As StFX celebrated the Class of 2022, highlights during morning and afternoon ceremonies also included several major honours to StFX faculty.TheOutstanding Faculty Teaching Award went to three recipients:
Dr. Carole Roy, Department of Adult Education; Dr. Zeynep Ozkok ’07, Department of Economics; and Dr. Katarin MacLeod ’94 ’00, Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum & Leadership.
StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin told the Class of 2022 that we come together to recognize extraordinary achievement—the extraordinary achievements of you, our graduates. These achievements have come in a time like no other, he said, noting the last 27 months have provided challenges and hurdles for all of society. By working together, we have succeeded in preparing you. “The Class of 2022 is ready to take on whatever is thrown at them.”
The University Research Award was presented to Dr. Mike Melchin, Department of Earth Sciences.
SMALL DIFFERENCES, BIG IMPACT
“You’ve made it!” StFX Alumni Association president Kathleen Sheridan ’15 said as she warmly welcomed graduates to Canada’s most engaged alumni network. “I hope you take a moment today to pause and truly reflect on this achievement in each of your lives. You should be so proud!”
Dr. Minh Kauffman Dr. Zeynep Ozkok ’07
“Remember this: you are strong, you are resilient, and no matter what the world around you has to say, you are capable of anything.”
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 19
“THIS IS RESILIENCE”
She reminded her classmates of the strength and skills gained.
Everyone should be so, so proud, senior class speaker MacKenzie Le Vernois ’22, an honours chemistry graduate, told fellow graduates. Sitting here today with your degree, pushing through every storm, “this is resilience.”
Afternoon senior class speaker Jack Millbank ’22 of Ottawa, ON, a Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, said at one time we all stepped on this campus for the first time, not knowing what to expect. At one point, we all had that moment of belonging, that this was just the beginning.
Dr. Hakin also challenged the students to use their StFX experience, the leadership potential gained, to make a difference. “You are primed to create change and right now I would argue that change is never more necessary.”
StFX Chancellor John Peacock ’63 told graduates when they arrived at StFX, they participated in the Xaverian Welcome and recited the Xaverian Commitment. “Last night, most of you attended the Xaverian Farewell and made the pledge to recommit yourself to the pursuit of excellence. You’ll soon transform, from StFX students to StFX alumni, joining a large group of graduates who proudly wear the X-Ring and think fondly of their days on campus. My wife, Adrienne (’63), and I met here more than 60 years ago, and StFX feels to us what I imagine it’ll feel for you: like the beginning of our lives,” he said. “The Xaverian Commitment is not a baseless collection of words; it is what defines us. You are bright, committed individuals—and society needs you to make a difference.”
Learn about food product dating, sometimes there is confusion about ‘best before’ dates and ‘use-by’ dates. Best before dates indicate when a product will be at its best flavour and quality, most foods will last beyond their ‘best before’ dates if they are stored properly. Conversely, foods marked by a ‘use by’ date must be consumed before or on that date.
Dr. Marcia English TACKLING FOOD WASTE
Addressing food waste is a big problem globally. We thought it a good idea to look at Nova Scotia, at what’s right here, and to try to use local products to tackle this. One area of research looks at lowbush blueberry leaves, often seen as waste and traditionally left in the field. The leaves, however, have high antioxidant value, and we’re investigating their antioxidant potential. We’re also making a biodegradable food wrap that involves plant material strengthened by chitin, a protein found in lobster shells that otherwise would be wasted. We’re using an eco-conscious extraction process. It’s sustainable, doesn’t create toxic by-products, but it isn’t efficient. We’re conducting research on this and hoping to make some real progress. How important is to reduce food waste? The need to reduce food waste is serious. In Canada, farm production is often left in the fields – sometimes because supply exceeds demand, and sometimes because “misshapen” or “ugly” fruit doesn’t always sell. We also lose food in processing plants, which account for about one-third of the waste in Canada. Food waste and food loss is an important challenge for the industry. It impacts the nutritional quality of food, and it impacts the environment. A lot of the waste when decomposed contributes to methane, a greenhouse gas, which is not good for the environment. How prevalent is food waste? Canadians waste about 50 per cent of food from the field to the kitchen. Domestic food waste has also increased in Canada during
20 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 FACULTY PROFILE
ASK A SCIENTIST:
COVID. With more people cooking in their kitchens, waste volumes have shifted from restaurants to homes. Why is it such a hot topic now? Several reasons. More people are recognizing the impact food waste and food packaging have on the environment. Food prices have also soared in cost, and with COVID-19 delaying supply chains and slowing delivery, people are realizing how important local food sources are. What can be done? Providing Canadians with better information about food waste—and what to do about it—is a good first step. Solutions are also emerging in other areas. As food processors deploy digital technology in their plants, it should become possible to identify points in delivery and manufacturing where food is wasted and do something about it in real time. Research is also happening to recover functional ingredients in foods that would normally be thrown out. Governments also need to invest in the food industry, just as they invest in energy to put renewable power in place. Many challenges with food waste are due to poor practices in efficient processes. As we support this research, we can help bring about change in how we process foods. What can individuals do? Any tips for storing/stretching food? Or organizing to best see/use food? Fortunately, we can do something about food waste at home, starting with value-added processing in the kitchen. When you have overripe bananas, make banana bread, or turn berries into jam. Plan meals before shopping, so that you only buy what you need. Think about what you are going to cook and find creative ways to use your leftovers. Check your refrigerator often and keep track of what you have and what needs to be used. Storing foods in the right way can also help reduce food waste. Freezing is a great way to store food to keep them from going bad before you are ready to eat them.
StFX human nutrition professor Dr. Marcia English leads the X-Food Research Lab where key areas of research tackle food waste, examining the challenges the industry faces and looking for solutions.
Could you tell me about your research?
“It inspired me to think beyond, of how we can fix this problem.”
Farrell, volunteer executive director of GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, has been named one of 10 remarkable national honorees of the L’Oréal Paris 2022 Woman of Worth program for her work in establishing Canada’s first community food literacy centre addressing food insecurity through the educational framework of food literacy.
When a building came up for sale in the neighborhood where she worked, she purchased it with an idea to help. She knew she wanted to do something around food.
Farrell says the subsidized market is a way for people to stretch their income in a dignified way, providing choice and a sense of
“Ouragency.motto is so important because it is not a handout. They have a choice. They have options. They still have to pay. It’s not a lot of money, but it still gives them that empowerment of being able to provide for themselves.”Shesayswhen people have access to affordable heathy food, it takes away pressures, reduces anxiety, and helps prevent chronic illness. Research, she says, shows people living on low incomes have higher rates of health conditions related to dietary intake. Continuing as is, is not sustainable, she says. “You see it in the enormous health care costs directly related to dietary intake, and it’s preventable.“It’sabout levelling the playing field, to be able to afford and to choose good food… We’re not doing enough as a society to level this playing field and make it right. It’s really social justice advocacy.”
Farrell, a hobby farmer herself, says it’s gratifying to see the difference GROW is making.They’ve received enquiries from others on how to set up similar programs, and she says they’re looking at how they can do that in a way that’s sustainable.
With the award comes a $10,000 grant for GROW, a registered, volunteer-run charity, which once a week operates a low-cost fresh produce market for those living on low incomes. They also have a pantry and community kitchen with opportunities to cook, share food and programming resources.“Foodis a basic human right, but unfortunately right now, it is a privilege,” says Farrell, a Diploma in Adult Education graduate who emigrated to Canada from Switzerland in 2001. At GROW, she created a physical space that responds to food insecurity. “Beyond this much-needed community hub, my team of volunteers is also fostering numerous programs and collaborations creating sustainable positive change and allowing low-income residents of all ages and cultural backgrounds to enjoy a healthier, more just future with food.”
Now, her efforts have been recognized nationally.
“I would really like to see this type of model expand.”
Pam Farrell ’06 CHANGING THE WAY WE ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY
Through research, vision and community input, the idea behind GROW, which is funded primarily by private donations and fundraising efforts, took shape. She knew she wanted GROW to strengthen the community too and change the way society addresses food insecurity.
Farrell was working as a teacher in Niagara when she noticed some of the food students were bringing to school. This prompted her to think about food decisions. At the same time, she was completing
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 21 ALUMNI PROFILE
Helping those most in need access fresh, healthy food—and doing so in a way that gets to the root of the problem—was the aim when Pam Farrell ’06 founded Canada’s first food literacy centre in 2019 in a disadvantaged region of Niagara Falls, ON. She wanted to ensure that those with barriers to accessing fresh food didn’t have to make the tough choices between buying milk or vegetables or meeting another need.
Farrell says she was surprised, excited and honoured by the national recognition of the work she and her team of about 25 core volunteers are doing. “It was a huge acknowledgement of those efforts and kind of gave a weight behind what we’re doing.”
research on food insecurity as part of her doctoral studies in food literacy at the University of Calgary. Research told her that, for a variety of reasons, only about 25 per cent of people who fall into the category of food insecure access food banks, indicating many aren’t meeting the needs of the people they’re trying to help.
STITCHING TIES
Julie Pink ’22 Kay Pink
WHAT SPARKS YOUR JOY?
22 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022
It’s been a tough few years, so we put out a call to StFX alumni and friends wondering how they build joy into their day. Did they write down three good things that happened each day, learn a new skill or nurture an old one? Did they make it a point to connect more with friends or have a standing get-together time with family? Here’s what some of our community has been doing to bring more happiness into their life.
Julie Pink ’22 of Burgeo, NL never thought she’d be taking her Nan to Walmart via FaceTime to help pick out colours for a blanket she was making. Knitting was never a consideration for the recent StFX human kinetics graduate—or so she thought. But enter the COVID-19 pandemic, and English 112, where Prof. Katie Edwards challenged students to come up with a creative project, the UnEssay, something themed around loneliness. Pink looked around her home and noticed many knitted things. She had no idea how to knit, but thought she’d give it a hook, starting by watching YouTube tutorials. “It was brutal in the beginning,” she laughs. “I couldn’t get anything going.” She called her Nan, Kay Pink, in Ramea, a tiny island village near Burgeo, for help. “She was a bit shocked,” says Pink. “But pretty excited.”
“Creating that connection with family, when I wasn’t able to be close by. I’d chat with my Nan every day. The connection was nice. “I didn’t feel as alone with it anymore.”
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 23
Pink says her Nan started sending tutorials—filmed by Pink’s grandfather.
Luke MacDonald @LukeShoeFitter I really love giving the world a hug by picking up litter, especially in Antigonish. This is inspired by Moses Coady & the #AntigonishMovement @CoadyStFX #WorldLitterRun Oh, & @ halfcockedbeer! #JOY2TheWorld #OneLove @AntigonishTown @ AntigonishCo @AntigonishChmbr @litterati GHorne @GlennHorne Spending time with these two gomaches, watching them discover the world, brings me incredible joy! AS SEEN ON TWITTER
“It was funny, sometimes the needles weren’t in the video.” Soon, the duo were on FaceTime or texting almost nightly. If Pink missed a couple of days, her Nan would check in. She soon went from making a tiny square to a dish cloth to a quilt, learning along the way she liked it. “I kind of got completely lost in it.”
When Pink returned home, she brought the blanket to Ramea to show her grandmother. “She was crying. She was really happy.”
Pink says while it was nice to gain a skill and earn a mark for class, what really sparked her joy was family.
CRICKET CONNECTION
Getting together to play cricket with friends and fellow students on the StFX Stadium field was a joy for StFX master of applied computer science student Narender Krishna Rapolu of Hyderabad, India. Since the moment the group of students got the okay to use the grounds from the X-Rec team, Narender says they were playing four or five times a week this past spring, with up to about 28 international students, hailing from locales such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as Canadian students joining in the fun. “We love playing the game, it keeps us motivated,” says Narender. “It keeps us fresh, and it brings people together. It’s good to have that connection when you’re far from home.” Narender says he encourages everyone to live life fit and healthy by getting into sports at school as it “is the only place in life where we get plenty of time and chances to take, improve mental health and meet similar mindsets. Proud to be a Xaverian.”
ALUMNI RECOGNITION
The winners of the 2022 Alumni Recongnition bursary each receive $1500 and they are: Julianna Drake, first-year Business student from Halifax, NS; Arielle Aucoin, second-year Human Kinetics student from Cole Harbour, NS; Fern Hatcher, third-year Distance Nursing student from Halifax, NS and Ben Boudreau, fourth-year Human Kinetics student from Antigonish, NS.
PRESIDENT’S RECEPTIONS RETURN
StFX President Andy Hakin joins Ocean Playground at a recent performance at Crystal Cliffs. L to R: Peter Davison ’94, Décota McNamara, Anna Ludlow ’05, Andy Hakin, Ray Mattie ’97, Scott Ferguson ’84, John Chiasson ’83
HAPPENINGS
Each year the StFX Alumni Association’s Alumni Recognition Committee reviews essays submitted from undergraduate students in their first, second, third and final year of student. The committee then selects three students from each of the years and conducts in-person interviews.
Golden Horseshoe
Julianna Drake Fern HatcherArielle Aucoin Ben Boudreau
24 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 ALUMNI
AWARD WINNERS
Whitehorse
St.
DavidJohn’sBaxter ’94, Duncan MacEachern ’94, President Dr. Andy Hakin and wife Linda at a reception in Wellesley, MA. Dave Austen ‘85, Kim MacInnis ’86, Mary Jessie MacLellan ’87 ’18 and Robert Higgins ’85 catch up at a recent alumni reception in Wellesley, MA.
After two years of hosting virtual events, the Alumni Affairs team along with President Dr. Andy Hakin and his wife Linda, were excited to get back on the road to meet and greet with our amazing alumni. With spring stops in St. John’s, NL, Boston, MA and our first-ever visit to Whitehorse, YK, Andy and Linda are looking forward to a busy fall travel season, which will allow them the opportunity to meet our alumni across the country.
Claire Ryan ‘06 Young Alumna of the Year
James “Kie” MacIsaac ’58 ’62 Judith (McGrath) O’Donnell ’58 (posthumously) Gary Yabsley ‘69 Verna MacDonald ’80
The StFX Hall of Honour recognizes members of the StFX community who have carried on the StFX tradition of helping others. The Hall of Honour serves as an inspiration to current students to ensure this StFX tradition continues. The 2022 inductees
Sean Ryan General Manager StFX Students’ Union Friend of StFX to formally
James “Kie” MacIsaac ’58 ’62 Judith (McGrath) O’Donnell ’58 (posthumously), Gary Yabsley ’69, and Verna MacDonald ’80 have promoted StFX and its ideals through involvement in their communities.
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2020 25
Jean Alfred “Fred” Doucet ‘60 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
announce the winners of the 2022 Alumni Awards of Excellence. STFX ALUMNI AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
2022 HALL OF HONOUR
Each year at Homecoming, we honour our Alumni Awards of Excellence winners. These awards recognize the contributions and accomplishments of special members of our Xaverian Family. It is our honour
Patricia MacLellan XaverianSodexoSpirit Award
It’s one of Edinburgh’s most iconic events and for the month of August, StFX student Scout McKee will be part of it. Ms. McKee, a third- year physics student from Fredericton, NB and a longtime highland dancer, has been selected to perform in the iconic 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “It’s a dream come true,” says Ms. McKee, selected as one of 50 highland dancers to perform at the world-renowned Tattoo, held nightly from Aug. 5-27 at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. The Tattoo celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from throughout the world, celebrating musicians and performers from across the globe.
DANCE
Harlee Melinchuk ’22Scout McKee
“Upon learning that I was selected as a scholarship recipient, I was pleasantly surprised and very excited! I am grateful to the Bank of Canada as scholarships, such as this one, are extremely important in increasing diversity and representation in the economics and finance sector,” Ms. Melinchuk says. She credits her professor Dr. Greg Tkacz, a Department of Economics faculty member, who made one of her classes aware of this opportunity. DREAMS BANK OF CANADA MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN IN ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
“I’m beyond excited and very grateful. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for awhile,” says Ms. McKee, who had to submit a written application as well as undergo a video audition to be considered as a performer. The Tattoo, with a history stretching back almost seven decades, is making its return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. McKee is the daughter of John McKee ’92 and Allison Chisholm ’93.
Additionally, Ms. Melinchuk, who graduated from StFX in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in economics and a subsidiary in mathematics, has accepted an offer of employment from the Bank of Canada to work as a research assistant in the Canadian Economic Analysis department starting in June 2022 for a one-year term. This offer is separate from the scholarship award.
It’s good news for Harlee Melinchuk ’22. The Edmonton, AB native is the successful recipient of a Bank of Canada Master’s Scholarship for Women in Economics and Finance, which includes $10,000 for master’s studies and mentorship from a Bank of Canada employee.
26 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 CAMPUS NEWS
STFX VP DR. RICHARD ISNOR CONTRIBUTES TO NEW REPORT ON INTELLIGENCEARTIFICIAL
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 27
If you’ve ever walked down Main Street in Antigonish and failed to notice a pioneer cemetery moldering away behind the Irving gas station, no one would blame you. The burying ground, first opened in the 1820s, has been closed to burials since the 1870s and was neglected for much of the 20th century, says StFX history professor Dr. Barry MacKenzie ’07. But now students in Dr. MacKenzie’s Introduction to Public History class at StFX are bringing some of those early pioneers back to life, so to speak. Partnering with a local cemetery restoration committee, and as part of their course, the students made an important contribution to an ongoing public history project in their community last term by researching records to learn what they could about those buried in the cemetery, which at one time was part of a complex of buildings and property owned by the Diocese of Antigonish that included the present-day section of downtown now occupied by buildings between the John Paul Centre and Town Hall.
Dr. Richard Isnor, StFX Associate VicePresident, Research and Graduate Studies, is a contributor to an important new report that identifies the opportunities, challenges, and implications of deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enable scientific and engineering research design and discovery in Canada. Over the past year, Dr. Isnor served as a member of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) Expert Panel on Artificial Intelligence for Science and Engineering, which recently released Leaps and Boundaries, a report in which the CCA, on the request of the National Research Council of Canada, examines the legal, regulatory, ethical, social, and policy challenges associated with deploying AI technologies to enable scientific and engineering research design and discovery.
Dr. Richard Isnor Jenny Li ’22
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY: STFX STUDENT CONTRIBUTES ON NATIONAL STAGE
Jenny Li ’22, a graduating honours sociology student from Calgary, AB, has long been an active leader in student mental health on the StFX campus. Now, Li has taken their passion for mental health advocacy to the national stage. Li, who is extensively involved with Jack.org, a non-profit organization of young people working to revolutionize mental health in Canada, helped facilitate the organization’s national mental health summit, Next 10, a hybrid confer ence held in-person in Toronto and online in March. Li, the Network Representative (NR) for Jack.org, representing the province of Nova Scotia, and Chapter Lead for Jack.org Antigonish, was one of three speakers at the “Building an Inclusive Summit” workshop, and co-facilitated a collaboration session on mental health stigma.
BRINGING PIONEERS BACK TO LIFE
Step into the Warren Gardens at StFX and take a seat by the large, central, raised peanut-shaped bed and you may notice sacred plants growing— Eastern White Cedar, Sweetgrass, Pearly Everlasting, Tobacco, and Wild Strawberries. There are patches of Wild Blueberries, Woodland Poppies grown from seed, White Snakeroot and Black It’sElderberry.anewmedicine garden on campus. All the plants have medicinal value and are indigenous to the area.
“I was very honoured she would ask me. It’s matching my skills and interest with a need they expressed,” says Ms. McGrath.“This is just the beginning.”
“As settlers colonized this place, we brought plants from other places as well,” she says.
NEW CREATES SACRED, LEARNING SPACE
Ms. McGrath says the medicine garden came about after a conversation with Terena Francis, Coordinator, Indigenous Student Affairs. StFX’s Diversity Engagement Centre is a Service Learning community partner, with which they meet regularly. During a meeting, Ms. McGrath mentioned she volunteered for the Butterfly way Project, a national volunteer program that sees volunteers work in their community to restore vital habitats for insects. Thanks to an East Coast Credit Union grant, she put in 10 gardens last summer around town at non-profit and public spaces. The experience piqued her interest in indigenous plants, which have evolved over thousands of years along with the insects.
Now, plants that’ve been here for thousands of years that are essential to the ecosystem don’t get put into gardens and it’s a challenge to find most indigenous plants in garden centres.
As part of the conversation, Ms. Francis said she would love to have a medicine garden on campus as a cultural practice for students and staff. She asked Ms. McGrath if she would be interested in leading the gardening aspect.
“The idea is to create a space on campus for Indigenous students, staff and faculty to practice their culture, to have a sacred healing space,” says Arlynne McGrath, community support coordinator with Service Learning, and one of those behind the project.
“It’s also a teaching tool, and to show people the beauty of the plants, and the history of this place. For 14,000 years, the Mi’kmaw people have been here.”
28 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 support this project and have this opportunity to learn.”
Ms. McGrath says the medicine garden, which is still a work in progress, is not only a peaceful place, it offers opportunities for learning, including learning the traditional Mi’kmaq names for the plants and their medicinal value. She says the garden, located close to Kiknu, the StFX Student Indigenous Centre in Coady West, is a partnership with the StFX Indigenous Student Affairs Office and with StFX Grounds.
MEDICINE GARDEN
“I’m just trying to make it happen. For me, this is a way to take action to decolonize the campus and to build relationships,” she says. “I get a lot of joy out of gardens and learning about plants. I am excited to Insightful, informative and interesting. The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59, Canada’s 18th prime minister, returned to StFX virtually on March 17th for an engaging afternoon of discussion as he spoke on the challenges of leadership during turbulent times as part of the StFX Distinguished Speaker Series. Dr. Adam Lajeunesse, assistant professor in StFX’s Mulroney Institute of Govern ment, moderated the Zoom event. The discussion ranged from invoking the Emergencies Act to covering Canada’s economy as well as international issues such as the situation between Russia and Ukraine.
The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59 and Dr. Adam Lajeunesse L-r, StFX Knowledge Keeper and respected Mi’kmaw Elder, Kerry Prosper ‘09 and Arylnne McGrath
Earlier this year, we launched the Future Xaverians program, designed to reward our alumni for doing what they already do—re ferring prospective students to StFX. While in its infancy, we’ve already had some great success with the program. If you have a family member, friend or neighbour who would benefit from sharing a similar experience that you had at StFX, we would love if you could send them our way by submitting their information at (www.alumni. stfx.ca/refer).We’vehada lot of new folks start with the recruitment team this past year as well. I’d love to introduce:
• Brennah Agnew (BA, ’21) - The Territories & Western Canada
This past month, the McCaig-Waller family in Calgary were so gracious to host a group of prospective students and their families for a barbecue with our Student Success Leader, Brennah Agnew ’21.
• Tania Tesson (BA, ’21) - Eastern Ontario and Québec
We are also excited that over the coming months, we will be expanding the team to provide greater outreach and support into key international markets. Stay tuned!
Hail & Health, Brian AssociateScriverRegistrar, Recruitment
A year into my role as Associate Registrar, Recruitment, and I cannot count the number of times I’ve been struck by how absolutely incredible our alumni are.
• Shane Arsenault (BBA, ’21) - Guysborough & Antigonish counties, Cape Breton and Southern Ontario
At this event, the prospective students and their families were welcomed into the StFX community. It provided the opportunity for Brennah, and the alumni family to allay the fears and anxieties of going halfway across the country to StFX.
• Ian Kemp (BA, ’19, MA) – Halifax Regional Municipality, the South Shore of Nova Scotia, and the USA
• Dylan Meraw (BASH, ’22) - Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and the North Shore of Nova Scotia
• Heather Butler (BBA, ’11) – Tours & Special Events Coordinator
AN UPDATE – A YEAR IN
To connect with any of the team, please visit: www.stfx.ca/ chat-with-usWhilethis year has had its challenges, we’re off to a great start, and I’m optimistic for a fantastic fall 2022, in part, because of the tremendous support we have received from Canada’s most engaged alumni network. Thank you for your ongoing support!
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 29
Danielle Franada and Liam Hawel
DANIELLE FRANADA AND LIAM HAWEL NAMED 2022 STFX STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
X-Women Rugby fifth-year fullback Danielle Franada ’22 and X-Men Hockey first-year forward Liam Hawel were honoured as the 2022 StFX student-athletes of the year.
STFX ATHLETICS BOASTS RECORD NUMBER OF U SPORTS ACADEMIC ALL-CANADIANS
Franada, recent business graduate from Grande Prairie, AB, led the AUS this season in scoring with 76 points. The AUS most valuable player and two-time conference all-star was also a U SPORTS first team all-Canadian. She currently sits fourth overall in the AUS record book in career points (273) and is tied for the most career conversions (104) in AUS history.
30 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 ATHLETICS
StFX Athletics was pleased to honour a record-high 103 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians from the 2020-21 season, those student-athletes who achieved an 80 per cent average or above while consuming a year of eligibility competing for a varsity team. The total including 38 male and 65 female student-athletes, exceeded the previous record of 96 set in both 2019-20 and 2017-18. The Athletic Director’s awards for academic achievement, presented to the top StFX male and female academic student-athletes were Amy Graham (X-Women Hockey) and Aidan Doherty (X-Men Cross Country/Track).
Hawel, a business student from Arnprior, ON, led the conference in points (37), goals (18) and assists (19) and tallied the second-most goals and the third-most points in the country. He was honoured as an AUS first team all-star, AUS all-rookie, AUS rookie of the year and AUS most valuable player. At the U SPORTS level, he took home the rookie of the year award, was named to the U SPORTS all-rookie team and was a first teamOtherall-Canadian.majoraward winners at the athletic awards gala included Community X-Cellence awards winners Chloe Oleksiuk (X-Women Hockey), Alyssa Spridgeon (X-Women Soccer) and Bailey Wasdal (X-Men Football). StFX Football head coach Gary Waterman was honoured as the 2022 StFX coach of the year while the ‘X-Ceptional Award,’ which recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to contribute in a positive manner to StFX Athletics, was awarded to StFX Vice-President, Finance and Administration, Andrew Beckett.
Gregor MacKellar
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 31 ATHLETICS X-MEN HOCKEY EARN U SPORTS BRONZE MEDAL
X-Women Cross Country/Track graduate Jane Hergett received national recognition as U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian as she was one of eight student-athletes from across the entire country honoured with the elite commendation.
Connor Ross Matt Spencer ’01 David Muenkat Jane Hergett
WINTER SPORTS WRAP UP COMPETITIVE AUS SEASONS THE
A pair of X-Men Football student-athletes were selected in the 2022 Canadian Football league (CFL) draft in May. Offensive lineman Gregor MacKellar was chosen sixth overall in the first round by the Toronto Argonauts, while tight end Connor Ross was selected 58th overall in the seventh round by the Ottawa Redblacks.
The X-Women Hockey team placed third in regular season play with a 15-6-0 record and after defeating Moncton in a single quarterfinal playoff game, they eliminated Saint Mary’s 2-0 in the best-of-three AUS semifinal series. The UNB Reds went on to defeat the X-Women 2-0 in the league championship series. On the basketball court the X-Men came second overall in AUS regular season play with a 10-6 record. They defeated UNB in the quarterfinal game but lost out to UPEI in the conference semifinal. The X-Women basketball team placed seventh overall with a 2-14 record and lost out to eventual AUS champion Acadia in the quarterfinals. On the track, the X-Women Track indoor runners took home eight medals at the AUS championship, including five gold. Aidan MacDonald won both the 600m and 1000m events, while Siona Chisholm won both the 1500m and 3000m. The X-Women 4x800m team won gold, while on the men’s side of the track the team earned one bronze medal.
X-Men Basketball forward David Muenkat was selected first overall in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) U SPORTS 2022 draft by the Scarborough Shooting Stars. The third-year arts student from Brampton, Ont. is the first ever X-Men to be drafted into the CEBL.
IN
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The X-Men Hockey team earned a hard fought 3-2 overtime victory over Ryerson to secure the national U SPORTS bronze medal in the championship played at Wolfville, NS. The X-Men defeated Brock 3-0 in the quarterfinal game before falling to Alberta 7-3 in the semifinals. The win marked their fourth medal achieved at the national level over the past six seasons, having previously won bronze in 2019 and silver in both 2018 and 2016. The X-Men were 2022 AUS finalists, bowing out to UNB in the conference championship game after posting a 17-5-2 regular season record in second place.
X-Women Basketball now have a new head coach behind the helm as StFX alumnus Matt Spencer ’01 returns to guide the program. Spencer has been coaching U SPORTS women’s basketball for over two decades, most recently as an assistant coach at Laurentian, and from 2013 to 2020, he ascended to a full-time associate head coaching position with Calgary.
Mallory Yawnghwe ’16 is a graduate of StFX’s Coady Institute. She is the founder and CEO of Indigenous Box – a custom gifting and seasonal subscription box company that procures their products exclusively from Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Yawnghwe emphasizes that Indigenous Box isn’t just a business, but a movement.
“We’ve been so fortunate because that means that hundreds of thousands of dollars have gone back into the pockets of Indigenous entrepreneurs, promoting the Indigenous economy, strengthening the Canadian economy, and doing what we said we would do to elevate and champion Indigenous people in a way that is from us, made with us in mind, but for everybody to enjoy,” Yawnghwe says. Yawnghwe, who is from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB, came to StFX in 2016 as a participant in Coady Institute’s awardwinning Indigenous Women in Community Leadership Program.
“My role as a Cree woman, as an Nehiyaw woman, is to build relationships, to strengthen our community, to be a gateway to the beauty and the legacy that we hold as Indigenouswww.indigenousbox.capeople.”
Mallory Yawnghwe ’16 Mallory Yawnghwe ’16
“We bring Indigenous values into modern commerce, where we’re elevating and building the community, and creating and strengthening the Indigenous supply chain,” Yawnghwe explains.
In 2021, Yawnghwe and her husband and business partner, Kham Yawnghwe, pitched Indigenous Box to an organization that offers start-up grants for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Their pitch earned them a $5,000 investment. One year later, the company has earned more than one million dollars in revenue.
“Every post that I read, every unboxing video I see, people are talking about connections – understanding where they come from, understanding their responsibility to be allies, or finding connection within their own community, within their own nations.”
“We bring Indigenous values into modern commerce, where we’re elevating and building the community, and creating and strengthening the Indigenous supply chain.”
“It was an opportunity for me to talk about social enterprise, talk about what that could look like from an Indigenous lens, and also to hear all the perspectives of the other women who were all on their own journeys,” she says reflecting on her experience.In2020,the Institute launched a campaign to expand their programmatic offerings for Indigenous leaders, which led to a million-dollar fundraising campaign and the creation of the Circle of Abundance – led by an advisory group of Indigenous women leaders from across Turtle Island. Yawnghwe is an active member of the advisory group.
INDIGENOUS BOX GROWS TO $1 MILLION IN FIRST YEAR
“You know, this story isn’t about me. It isn’t about us building this business. It’s about our community coming together and people seeing how, if we just work together, we can do some pretty incredible things.
“With the Circle of Abundance, my relationship with Coady has now come full circle – where I get to participate in providing a good space for other women to Yawnghweflourish.” says the key to the business’ success is simple: “connection.
32 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 STFX COADY INSTITUTE
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 33 PLEASE MAKE SURE THE ALUMNI OFFICE HAS YOUR CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS DUE TO ALL THE CHANGES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY CANADA POST ALUMNI NEWS IS PUBLISHED TWO TIMES PER YEAR. DON’T MISS OUT! BE SURE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IS CORRECT WITHIN OUR ALUMNI@STFX.CASYSTEM. 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 FRAME IT INTYLE ! St FX DEGREE & PHOTO FRAMES UPCOMING EVENTS Check out www.stfx.ca/alumni for a complete listing of upcoming events and up-to-date details. ALUMNI RECEPTIONS*PRESIDENT’SOR Cape Breton, NS Halifax, NS Saint John, NB Pictou, *Toronto,Calgary,Ottawa,NSONMontreal,QCEdmonton,ABABONPortland,MEBangor,MEAswefinalize dates and details for upcoming fall events, please ensure the Alumni Office has your current contact information so you can stay up-to-date with events. You can update your records by email alumni@stfx.ca or calling 902-867-2186. THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 St. Martha’s School of Nursing Alumni Banquet Reception: 6 PM, Dinner at 7 PM St. Ninian Place Tickets available prior to Friday, July 28. Janet Gottschall, 902-863-9414 or email painters@gmail.comatlanticcathedral FRI-SUN, AUGUST 26-28 SUMMER REUNION Antigonish, NS FRI-SUN, OCTOBER 14-16 HOMECOMING Antigonish, NS SAVE THE DATES MARCH 2023 STFX X-MEN BASKETBALL HOSTING USPORT NATIONALS Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 National Dinner East Halifax NS OCT 14 - 16, 2022SUMMER REUNION FRI-SUN, AUGUST 26-28 Antigonish, NS HOMECOMING FRI-SUN, OCTOBER 14-16 Antigonish, NS
Anne and Dr. Dan McKenna ’79
“Your support means so much to StFX and it makes a huge difference in the lives of our students. Sincerely, we thank you for all that you do to help StFX,” Master of Ceremonies Wendy Langley, Director of Development, said.
34 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 PRESIDENT’S GALA THANKS AND RECOGNIZES ALL WHO GIVE SO GENEROUSLY
This special evening annually thanks members of the President’s Club for their support, and recognizes those members reaching milestones, including new Lifetime Xaverian Patrons, new 20-Year Xaverian Patrons and new 10-Year Xaverian Patrons.
Thank you! We couldn’t do it without you. That was the message June 18 as StFX welcomed alumni, friends and supporters to the Keating Centre for the President’s Gala 2022, a night to celebrate and thank all those who contribute so generously to StFX.
Murray Kyte ’87, Valerie and Jack Sullivan
Ellen M. Costello
Recognizing Amit and John Hamilton
Brendan Roberts, Catherine Conners Kennedy ‘86, Bob Conners ‘85 and Dr. Amanda Cockshutt.
Helen Castle
Dave and Maggie MacPherson
Hildegarde Mahoney Students’
Union NEW XAVERIANTWENTY-YEARPATRONS
J. Michael Daly
Daniel and Anne McKenna
David and Maymie Ronan Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland
Karen M. Gardiner
Dr. Richard Isnor and Karen Gardiner ’89 Murray Kyte ’87 and Isabel Cunningham Murray Kyte ’87, Mary O’Regan, Steve ’60 and Suzanne O’Regan
StFX
Years of President’s Club Membership
Timothy W. Hynes
Colleen M. McAloon
Judy Steele and Bruce Towler
Brenda M. Lehmann
Paul M. Alexander
Isabel Cunningham
Recognizing Consecutive
Jack and Valerie Sullivan
Jane and John Lesaux Martin Liddy
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 35 Among those receiving milestone honours during the ceremony, were: NEW XAVERIANLIFETIMEPATRONS
$100,000 and above in lifetime giving Minoli
Kent MacDonald and Mary-Ellen MacPhee
Jim Bickerton and Theresa MacNeil
Craig M. Smith
20
Stuart R. Davie Donner Canadian Foundation
Michael and Anne O’Connor
Brendon Roberts, Wendy Langley ‘92 and Dr. Amanda Cockshutt.
Dan and Cindy McCarthy
James P. Randall
Robert M. Harvey Howard J. Haskings
Dr.
Robert E. Romanowsky
Murray
D. Keith Suddaby and Mary Visentin Stobart, Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93, Dr. Mary Ellen MacPhee ’87 ’05 and Dr. Amanda Cockshutt. Kyte ’87 with John Hamilton and Minoli Amit Jim Bickerton and Theresa MacNeil with Dr. Richard Isnor L-r, Julia Schmitt ’21, Brendan Roberts, Naomi Stobart, Joshua Kroker and Ben Fairhurst accept on behalf of the StFX Students’ Union.
Naomi
John Peacock ’63
Louis
Murray Kyte ’87 and Helen Castle ’56 Richard Isnor and Stu Davies ’76
36 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 NEW XAVERIANTEN-YEARPATRONS Recognizing 10 Consecutive Years of President’s Club Membership Phil C. BobLeanorDeBruyneR.DobsonKennedyand Catherine Connors WendyKennedyLangley and Todd Gorman G. Angus MacGillivray Marilyn A. MacLean
Enjoy your summers, and I look forward to connecting with many of you over the coming months as we celebrate Summer Reunion in August and fall Homecoming in October.
Kathleen Sheridan
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 37 RE-ENGAGING CANADA’S “MOST ENGAGED ALUMNI NETWORK” ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UPDATE l KATHLEEN SHERIDAN ’15, PRESIDENT
It is with much excitement that I write my first message as the new president of the StFX Alumni Association, only the fourth woman to hold this role in its 129-year history! Let me start by thanking now past president Marc Rodrigue ’08 for all his hard work and dedication.Thetheme of the association’s efforts as of late has been ‘re-engagement.’ StFX alumni chapter activities have started to resume, from St. John’s in the east, whose chapter celebrated Dr. Andy Hakin’s first President’s Reception, to Canada’s North, where the Yellowknife alumni chapter held its inaugural event. In mid-June, the association’s governing council came together for in-person meetings for the first time in 2 ½ years. We were fortunate to have StFX alumni chapter presidents, dedicated, on-the-ground leaders, join as attention is turned to reinvigorating chapter activities after a two-year standdown.
Hail and Health!
Kathleen Sheridan ’15 President, StFX Alumni Association
Shanna Hopkins
The flowers and trees in front of Alumni House are in full bloom, another season of change. With change comes great opportunity and as I look forward to the opportunities ahead, I would like to take a quick moment to reflect on the past. For this change of season is also symbolic of the changes in our team here at Alumni House. This spring we celebrated and said goodbye to two longtime colleagues, Alumni Assistant Glenda Bond and our Ceremonial Officer Joe MacDonald ’74 as they turned the next page in their books to retirement. At the end of June, we also feted and said our farewells to Murray Kyte ‘87, VP, Advancement, and at the end of the summer, Maddy Horne ’19, our Programs Coordinator, will return to school to start working on her law degree. On behalf of all alumni, I would like to truly thank Glenda, Joe, Murray and Maddy for their dedication to the students and alumni of StFX. The retirement of Glenda and Joe provided us with the opportunity to welcome two more great individuals to our team. Rita Myatt is our new Alumni Assistant and Barry MacKenzie ’07 has accepted the role of Ceremonial Officer for the university. Both Rita and Barry have been welcome additions to our team and they both look forward to getting to know Canada’s most engaged Hailalumni!and Health!
Throughout the years, particularly during the unpredictability of the last few, the association has been unwavering in its objectives, one of them being to advance and promote the best interests of StFX. It is in this spirit of partnership and engagement that, on June 17, we were proud to publicly announce and celebrate our largest-ever gift to the university of $500,000 towards the final renovations to the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living. This project puts accessibility and inclusion at the forefront and will have a lasting impact on all members of the StFX and greater Antigonish community for generations.Whilefinancial contributions such as this are important and critical to ensuring the future of StFX and the Xaverian experience, I cannot emphasize enough that so many different avenues exists as to how to be an involved member of the StFX Alumni Association. Featured in this edition of the AlumniNews is a profile on the organization, including some of the ways to contribute back to a community that has had an immense impact on so many of our lives. I encourage all to take a read and consider how you can be (re-) engaged as an alum with StFX, as we look towards building an even stronger network together!Onafinal note, I want to thank Murray Kyte ’87, Vice-President Advancement, for all of his work with the Alumni Association during his time at StFX, in addition to Maddy Horne ’19, Program Coordinator, Alumni Affairs. We wish them both well in their next chapters!
SEASONS OF CHANGE
FROM ALUMNI AFFAIRS l SHANNA HOPKINS ’01, DIRECTOR
’01 Maddy Horne ‘19, Shanna Hopkins ‘01, Rita Myatt, Janine Linthorne, Barry MacKenzie ’07 and Murray Kyte ’87
Shanna Hopkins ’01 Director, Alumni Affairs
In a similar vein, work has also begun with the Barrington Consulting Group on the association’s next strategic plan to identify gaps and opportunities on how best to engage and support alumni in today’s world. Stay tuned as to how you can be involved in this important process!
’15
IN RECOGNITION OF LEADERSHIP IN OR SUPPORT OF THE *2SLGBTQIA + COMMUNITY *(Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender +) AWARDS TO BE GRANTED TO: • ONE ALUMNI • ONE FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT Awards will be presented at the 2022 Homecoming Breakfast taking place Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 8 AM CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Please provide two letters of support to amacdona@stfx.ca. Nominations will close September 16, 2022 Students $10 Alumni $20 To purchase tickets for the event please visitwww.stfx.ca/xprideawardsTHEFIRSTANNUAL AWARDSOFPRIDESTFX
Dr. MacKenzie works with several PGA players and coaches, as well as being a researcher and professor at StFX. He has been an engineer consultant for the golf company Ping and he is a biomechanics advisor and software developer for another golf company called Footjoy. He has published over 20 golf-related articles in a variety of journals.
Nick Carruthers ’16 and his grandfather Bruce Macdonald ’50 pictured at Nick’s graduation from StFX and this past Christmas when Grandpa Bruce gave his X-Ring to Nick, who had lost his.
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 39 THE GIFT WE SHARE STFX PROFESSOR MAKES INTERNATIONAL NEWS AFTER GARNERING TOP RECOGNITION IN THE WORLD OF GOLF X-RING STORY l ALUMNI OFFICE Dear Alumni News, My name is Nick Carruthers and I graduated in 2016. A couple of years ago I tragically lost my X-Ring while swimming in the Calgary Bow River. I had not replaced it and this year for Christmas my grandfather Bruce Macdonald, who graduated in 1950, gave me his X-Ring as a gift. This gift meant the world to me as my Grandpa always spoke so highly of his time at X. He still talks about the seven day train journey from Calgary he had to take at the beginning of each school year and how his X-Ring only cost him 20 bucks. His love for StFX was a big part of why I went as well. Our shared experience at StFX will be something I now get to cherish for the rest of my life. (I will not be losing this one). My Grandpa Bruce still receives the AlumniNews and I wanted to share this story for him.
A StFX human kinetics professor is making news internationally—and garnering top recognition in the world of golf. Dr. Sasho MacKenzie has been credited by the winner of the 2022 US Open, Matt Fitzpatrick, with transforming his ability to generate clubhead speed, which ultimately played a role in Fitzpatrick winning one of the top titles in golf. The professional golfer says Dr. MacKenzie’s speed training system called “The Stack” worked wonders for his long drive. The program is basically a weighted club that has different weight levels to allow the golfer to do overload and over-speed training. It can be paired with a training app which builds programs customized to the golfer. Dr. MacKenzie is the co-founder of The Stack System, along with his partner, Marty Jertson, who is the VP of Fitting and Innovation at Ping.
Dr. MacKenzie has also been Mr. Fitzpatrick’s biomechanics coach for the last several years and worked with the US Open champion and his coach, Mike Walker. As part of his efforts with Fitzpatrick, the StFX professor attended the Masters to assess his driving at one of the biggest tournaments in professional golf. Since Dr, MacKenzie is located in Antigonish, he can coach Mr. Fitzpatrick virtually using the The Stack app.
StFX human kinetics professor Dr. Sasho MacKenzie trains PGA players like Chris Como
•
NEWS EXCHANGE
Alumni gather at the official kick-off of the Yellowknife Alumni Chapter. From l-r, Todd Stewart ‘96, Randy Caines ‘10, Tony Campbell ‘71, and Dean MacInnis ’92.
Milan Zarins Kovacevic April 14, 2022 Alexa Zarins ’14 and Nino Kovacevic ’24.
May 12, 2021 Elise Kathleen Morrison
St. Francis Xavier University, PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5 (902) 867-2186 (902) 867-3659 Email: alumni@stfx.ca
November 18, 2021 William Andrew August 19, 2021 Tiffany Briand Boudreau ’10 and Grant Boudreau.
Denise Davies ’69 will have a second edition of “Out and About Antigonish” published in May. The first edition was popular and has sold out. The second edition will have updates. ’
80s Steve Engyel ’84 After a rather successful 30-plus years in the banking world, split between BMO and CIBC with an initial sojourn within the Ontario Credit Union system, doing a whole lot of different things, Steve, Class of ’84’s resident crazy man of the communications block, is retiring. The people in the banking sector are breathing a sigh of relief. A parting word to all who remain in the working world – never stop being a rebel because there is always something to rebel against! Peace out!
Jennifer (Lewis) McMullen ‘03 is the proud principal of Bluenose Academy (currently working on her doctorate in educational administration) and husband Trevor ’03, teaches art and English at Parkview Education Center in Bridgewater. Jennifer says their time at StFX really built the foundation for where they are now. Pam Farrell ’06 has been named as one of 10 remarkable national honorees of the L’Oréal Paris 2022 Woman of Worth program for her extraordinary work in establishing Canada’s first community food literacy centre for addressing food insecurity through the educational framework of food literacy as the founder of GROW Community Food Literacy Centre. ’10s Elizabeth Bishop ‘13, the creator of The Conscious Service Approach™, has just published a book Conscious Service: Ten Ways to Reclaim Your Calling, Move beyond Burnout, and Make a Difference without Sacrificing Yourself. The book aims to help all types of service providers understand and move beyond burnout and compassion fatigue while discovering a renewed energy for serving others.
Phone:
60s Marilyn Garner ’62, now living in New Mexico after many years as a Chicago therapist, is thinking of returning to Canada while still in good health, and would be happy to hear news from anyone still standing! She can be reached at maricollages@gmail.com.
’00s
Jennifer ’03 (Lewis) & Trevor McMullen ’03 with their future X grads, Callum (14) and Maeve (10).
Simone Dyall ‘16 (MAdEd) has just been promoted to the position of Director, Public Engagement Executive Council, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. ’20s Hatim Noorbhai ’20 has a new job as a marketing specialist at Osgoode Properties in Ottawa. He has been with the company for six months now and is loving it! Exchange items to Rita Myatt, Alumni Affairs Office
Ruby Lydia Boudreau
• Fax:
Steve Lloyd ’84 ’02 of Okotoks, AB has published a book, The Game Is Hard Enough: A Guide for Performance Sports Parents. It is available through Amazon.ca and Amazon.com and more information is available at thegameishard enough.ca. His friend and mentor Coach K was part of his journey in putting this together. ’90s Julie Connolly ’96 since graduating has become a physician and continues to practice in northern Ontario. She is a single parent of five children, and for the last seven years, has written a column for The Medical Post (a newspaper for Canadian physicians) dubbed Solo Parent, Solo Practice. Her articles centre on the interface between single parenthood and medicine, and she has now widened her audience by moving onto Substack -com/https://drjulieconnolly.substack.
40 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 ’
Kate (Dunlop) Morrison ’09 and Brad Morrison ’11. Christian ’14 and Allie (Kinney) Beckett ’14. Lacey Phinney ’21 and her husband CJ are pleased to announce the addition of their beautiful daughter, Evelyn Phinney, born on December 29, 2021, just under three weeks after Lacey graduated from X. Pictured here with big brother Carter. Charles Edinburgh Chisholm, born March 22, 2021 to Douglas ’06 and Kyla (Dal ’14) Chisholm, Halifax, NS. Proud grandparents, Judy ’84 & Charlie ’79 MacInnis and Bernie ’74 & Brenda ’75 Chisholm of Antigonish. Special nephew to Uncle Nick ’12 and Krista MacInnis. Nephew to many X grads of the Chisholm and MacInnis clans!
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PART-TIME DISTANCE PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 41
MASTER OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT St FX
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 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
Alumni
airs
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.
sure our email invite list is up-to-date. Thank you! The air feels fresher already! Update your Records Make sure your records are up-to-date to ensure you are receiving the most current StFX information. To update, visit www.alumni.stfx.ca/updateinfoALUMNIASSOCIATION
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FULL-TIME GRADUATE STUDY
alumni@stfx.ca with the subject line ‘save trees’ and we’ll
The A o ce address to make
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
42 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 A. Emerson Dunphy ’43 ’47 Isabel Martha Chisholm ’47 Paul John Brown ’48 Joseph Chisholm Lyons, Q.C. ’48 Michael James Concannon ’50 Samuel Leo MacDougall ’50 ’51 Rev. Harold D. Moreshead ’51 Charles “Charlie” Mullally ’51 Roderick Alexander “Rod” Chisholm ’52 Henri E. Saulnier ’52 John Russell Ratchford ’54 Terrance Alban Wolff ’54 Hon Doc ’13 Dorothy Leona Purvis Cain ’55 Douglas Damian Taylor ’55 William “Bill” Norman Dionne ’56 John L.K. Gravett ’56 Vernon MacDonald ’56 Father Gilbert James Stuart Mason ’56 Sr. Helen Theresa Aboud ’57 C. Robert Corriveau ’57 John D. LeBlanc, Jr ’57 Duncan Francis MacDonald ’57 Bernard “Bernie” Patrick MacDonald ’58 Richard G. Parent ’58 Andrea MacLean Holohan ’59 Carl MacKenzie ’59 Malcolm Joseph “Malkie” Nemis ’59 ’60 John David O’Leary ’59 Donna Maria O’Leary ’59 William Daniel “Bill” Durant ’60 ’61 Adrian “Ed” Edwards ’60 Claude Filiatrault ’60 Paul Andre Jobe ’60 Robert J. Ojolick ’60 ’61 Daniel Joseph Cormier ’61 Elizabeth Anne “Betty” McNab ’61 Henry Francis “Frank” Smith ’61 Ann Margaret (Ronan) Boyle ’62 Joseph Edward Green ’62 Brian Patrick Kasouf ’62 ’65 John “Jook” Munroe ’62 Robert L. Ahern ’63 Joseph Raymond (Ray) Chiasson ’63 Peter M. Kelly ’63 Dr. Eugene Glenwood Newry ’63 Henry Joseph Bannish ’64 Anthony Gerald “Tony” Delaney ‘64 Larry Lamey ’64 ’65 Barbara Margaret (Sheehan) Howard ’65 Rev. Horace Montague “Monte” Peters ’65 Lawrence William MacNeil ’66 Craig Alan Webster ’66 Lillian Rosalie Donovan ’68 Joseph Daniel MacDonell ’68 Bernard Hugh Francis MacInnis ’68 ’70 Stephen Michael Moseychuk ’68 Robert M. “Bob” Crosby ’69 Sr. Carmelita MacDonald ’69 Michael John Anthony McIntosh ’69 Philip Robert (Bob) Nazar ’69 Robert Wayne Heskett ’70 Mark A. Coté ’71 James Louis MacDonald ’71 Mary Jessie “Mary Jess” (MacKinnon) MacDonald ’71 ’72 ’77 Rev. Peter Thomas McLeod ’72 Lawrence Clinton MacNeil ’73 Michael A. Molinario ’73 Daniel Joseph Gillis ’74 Pearl Genevieve (Mauger) Whittier ’74 ’75 John “Jack” McAdam ’77 Patrick James MacCormick ’78 Wilfred Charles MacIsaac ’78 Dr. Kirby W. Moore ’78 Edward Allan “Eddy” MacLeod ’79 Michael David Race ’82 Bishop Remi J. De Roo (Hon Doc ’83) Joyce White ’84 Dr. James Thomas Fahey ’86 Justin Nicholas Liengme ‘92 Ronald Charles LeBlanc ’92 ’03 Sean O’Reagan ’92 ’93 Stephen “Stevie” Daly ’94 Simon Charles Gatto ’96 ’09 Sherise Noelle Paul-Gould ’01 ’12 Beno Ngiwore Narcis ’03 William Terrence “Terry” McIntyre ’04 Olive Mary Wyllie ’09 Richard James “Jimmy” Sabattis ’11 Wilf Bean ’78, former staff John Leo Doiron, former staff Claude P. Lanfranconi, former faculty Donald Peter “Donnie” MacNeil, former staff Arthur Allan MacPherson, former staff Sr. Mary Patricia McCarney, CND (formerly Sr. St. Joseph Claude) MSB Raymond William Murphy, former staff Jackson James Michael Whiteman, student Gerald Alexander “Sonny” Landry, former staff DECEASED LOST X-RINGS LOST Man’s ’62 Man’s ’70 Woman’s ’86 Woman’s ’08 Woman’s ’14 Man’s ’19 Woman’s ’22 Contact the Alumni Office at 902-867-2186 or alumni@stfx.ca MANAGING EDITORS Shanna Hopkins ’01 Email:Email:shopkins@stfx.caKylerBellkbell@stfx.ca ASSISTANT EDITOR Shelley Cameron-McCarron Email: sacamero@stfx.ca WRITER Shelley Cameron-McCarron DESIGN & PRODUCTION Andrew Conde Email: aconde@stfx.ca NEWS EXCHANGE EDITOR Rita Myatt Email: rmyatt@stfx.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Rita Myatt Phone: (902) 867-2186 Fax: (902) 867-3659 Email: rmyatt@stfx.ca SUMMERDEADLINESISSUE copy deadline April 15 for June WINTERmailingISSUE 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 © 2021 by St. Francis Xavier University. Subscriptions to Alumni News are available to the public for $14 a year, single copies $7. Letters to the editor are welcome. Address correspondence to: AlumniNews St. Francis Xavier University PO Box 5000 Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5 Email: Phone:alumni@stfx.ca902-867-2186 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. StFX AlumniNews OCT 14 - 16, 2022 FRI-SUN, OCTOBER 14-16 Antigonish, NS
StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 43 WHERE ARE YOU? How important is it to keep in touch with your alma mater? Plenty! At StFX, there’s so much going on – from alumni road trips to student send-offs each summer in cities and towns across the country and beyond. If we don’t have your current contacts, we’re not able to send out event notices, alumni mailouts, or the AlumniNews magazine, mailed free of charge two times a year to StFX alumni and friends. If you’re plugged into the StFX network, you can stay in touch with friends, 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: Izal Yahya ’90 Denise Marie Sullivan ’90 Craig Terrence Duffy ’90 Bruce Irving Anderson ’90 Shaun Kirkpatrick ’90 James Anthony Ryan ’90 Wesley David Neal ’90 Willem Jacob Wolters ’90 Jennifer Jill Palmer ’91 Patricia McNamara ’91 Marie Lucas ’91 Patrick Dominic Visentin ’91 Lisa Anne Marie King ’91 Bonnie Elaine Warren ’91 Deborah Marie McKinnon ’91 Julie Christine McFaul ’91 Michelle Lynn Osmond ’91 Wendy Lynn Lamirande ’91 Jo-Ellen Beck ’91 Isabel Theresa Thompson ’91 Geraldine Wagner ’91 Lynn Marie Tilley ’91 Joanne E Reid ’91 Cheryl Louise MacPherson ’91 Margaret Jane Pratico ’91 Julia MacNeil ’91 Cynthia Ann Holt ’91 Scott Ian Tattrie ’92 Jane Oram ’92 Heidi Diane Lund ’92 Kimberly Anne Keizer ’92 David Richard Aylen ’92 Drew Bishop MacDonald ’92 Hasimah Samat ’92 Bryan Timothy Tremblay ’92 Michail Pakkidis ’92 Tracy Lyn Carmichael ’92 Victoria Ellen Shaw ’92 Glenn William Jamieson ’92 Justin Nicholas Liengme ’92 Paul Anthony Woolaver ’92 Lisa Marie Vipond ’92 Janet Leanne MacDonald ’92 Eileen Longueville ’92 Pauline Jean Pye ’92 William John Jenkins ’92 Debra Jo Rutledge ’93 Kimberley Ann McNamara ’93 James John Conklin ’93 Karen Dawn Sampson ’93 Joann M Burns ’93 Krista Marlene O’Toole ’93 Jeffrey David Delannoy ’93 David Rodney Gallant ’93 Barbara Ann Leblanc ’93 Robert John Bezjack ’93 Trudi Thomae ’93 Michelle Sherisse Cormier ’93 Douglas James Cooke ’93 Nancy Elaine Beaton ’93 Obidiah George Moore ’93 Robert Lee Hoyt ’93 Elizabeth Marie Brown ’93 Brian Alexander Chisholm ’93 Sarah Jane Austin ’94 Allister Dean MacPherson ’94 Elaine Piper ’94 Michael Charles Leishman ’94 Lori Jeannette Nicholson ’94 Francis Peter O’Connell ’94 Brenda Marie MacIsaac ’94 Danita Mary McInnis ’94 John F Potter ’94 Beverly Dianne Sutherland ’94 Susan Marie Barry ’94 Wolfgang Pelzer ’94 Sybil Doris Cameron ’94 Louise Bray ’94 Mary Elizabeth MacInnis ’94 Kandis Phyllis Thompson ’94 Barbara Coe ’94 Tammy Marie Bourque ’95 Arthur Stephen Price ’95 Gabryel Emanuel Joseph ’95 Bernadette Flood ’95 Kevin Joseph White ’95 Kimberley Christine MacDonald ’95 Daniel William King ’95 Maryse Charette ’95 Francis Joseph Rossong ’95 Christina Margaret Boyle ’95 Mark Roger Patrick Smith ’95 Mary Catherine Walsh ’95 Keith Patrick Scott ’95 Gordon Ivan Barker ’95 Margaret Ann E Harvey ’95 Jean Marie MacPhee ’96 Gregory James Morin ’96 Christopher Andrew Murphy ’96 Raymond Kai Man Cheng ’96 Elizabeth Blaney ’96 Oussama Adnan Harb ’96 Kevin Michael Foran ’96 Jeanette Anne Sharkey ’96 Carol Lynn McNeil ’96 Wendy Lynn Ward-Brohman ’96 Stephen Kyle Kennedy ’96 Stephen Michael Murray ’96 John William Fritz ’96 Lynette Marie MacEwan ’96 Kan Hsuen ’96 Robert Daniel Howatson ’96 Beverley Justin ’96 Dawn Marie Gillis ’96 Stacey Annette Ward ’96 Brandice Dawn Tobin ’97 Ian Christopher Leblanc ’97 Mariette Martineau ’97 Michelle Lynn Bruce ’97 Sio Meng Mak ’97 Leasa Louise Stanley ’97 Deborah Ann Murphy ’97 Angela Diane LaBonte ’97 John C Jamieson ’97 Raymond Barkhouse ’97 Allan James MacKinnon ’97 Frances Monica Warner ’97 Patricia Caroline Collins ’97 Aaron Troy Marchand ’97 Angela Rose MacPhee ’97 Darryl Gordon Purvis ’97 Paul Kenneth Chisholm ’97 Tania Anne Doucet ’97 Angela Anne Runnalls-Briand ’97 Michael Alexander Chadwick ’97 Lisa Marie George ’97 Andrea Raylene Forgeron ’98 Sherryl Marie Harrison ’98 James Clayton Walker ’98 Elisabeth Mariann AbiDaoud ’98 Scott Angus MacNeil ’98 Holly Dawn Peley ’98 Peter Sidney Mitchell ’98 Natalie Muise ’98 Donna Bulman ’98 Nicole Cecelia MacDonald ’98 Heather Ann van der Linde ’98 Angel Meridith MacKenzie ’98 Michelle Lynn Waye ’98 Susie Paula Pacheco-Doppelreiter ’98 Michelle Ellen Hart ’98 Barbara Jean Caulfield ’98 Craig Joseph MacPhee ’98 Vanessa Madonna Landry ’99 Donald William Chisholm ’99 John Farrugia ’99 Patrick Stephen MacGillivray ’99 Dennis Elliott Murphy-Odo ’99 Cheryl J Leahy ’99 Joseph Thomas Leblanc ’99 Michele Lynn Murray ’99 Rocco Ciccone ’99 Julie Corine Paquin ’99 Evelyn Marie Gavel ’99 Blair Joseph MacKinnon ’99 Paul Thurton ’99 Frederick Kenneth Silver ’99 Michael James Vandenhoff ’99 Kimberley K Starratt ’99 Margaret Louise Eddy ’99 Liza Gaudet ’99 Nichol Delaura Peterson ’99 Mary Elizabeth Robertson ’99 Joseph Royden Gillis ’99 Margaret Rose Connors ’99 Melissa Dawn Roy ’99 Krista Amelda Jenkins ’99 Sheri Lee Urquhart ’99 Noralea Arsenault ’99 Leigh Amber White ’99 Crystal Leeanne Dandy ’99 Jacqueline B Faber ’99 Aden L Wells ’99 Shelley Anne Kaiser ’99 Brenda Joyce MacDonald ’99 Shelley Faye Smith ’99 Loretta Edith Ransom ’99 M Lorraine Heighton ’99 Sean Aiden Dalrymple ’99 Thera Beth Breau ’99 Kimberly Deborah MacNeil ’99 Angela Ann MacDonald ’99 Tammy Lynn MacNeil ’99 John Patrick Simon ’99 William Radford ’99 Nancy Eliz MacLean ’99 Records Researcher, St. Francis Xavier University 1-888-739-0031 • records @stfx.ca Alumni, family, students and friends can now purchase quality university merchandise online from the StFX Store. X-GEAR ONLINE STORE OPEN NOW Shopping for premier X-gear just got easier! SHOP.STFX.CA Enjoying a spring afternoon outside Alumni House are Cierra (11) and Mackenzie (6), children of Rita Myatt, Alumni Assistant. SHOP.STFX.CA SHOW YOUR STFX PRIDE
Hail &
44 StFX ALUMNI NEWS l SUMMER 2022 FROM UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT l MURRAY KYTE ’87, VICE-PRESIDENT, ADVANCEMENT THE IMPORTANCE OF ALUMNI SUPPORT
Every time a new issue of the Alumni News is published I say to anyone listening that it’s my favourite, and this one is no different. Wonderful stories of celebrations, achievements, and in-person gatherings on campus are highlighted in this summer’s edition, including the return of in-person Spring Convocation for the Class of ’22! For all the great stories within, allow me to focus on one general theme as I make my departure from StFX and the Vice-President’s role after 6.5 years, and that is alumni support and what it means toTheStFX.cover picture depicting presidential leadership of the StFX Alumni Association symbolizes the critical importance of alumni who step up and lean into volunteer roles, all in support of their alma mater. Our alumni history is chock-full of examples whereby the very existence of the university depended on alumni support. Much of our X experiences as students were only made possible because of our alumni family who came before us. As an alumnus who has had the high honour and deep privilege of working for the university and seeing firsthand all the various levels of support by alumni, I offer two observations.
MurrayHealthE.Kyte ’87, M.Ed, LL.B, B.B.A Vice-President, AdvancementMurray with a loyal and committed Xaverian, Fr. Stan MacDonald ’54
Murray Kyte ’87
The first is the deep sense of commitment that some alumni have toward the university—they cannot do enough for X, feeling that giving back is a personal responsibility for the innumerable benefits they received from an X education. It is their way of paying it forward. They volunteer on boards or committees, help to fundraise, donate and advocate for X in their communities. They form the backbone of alumni engagement, for which the university heavily depends upon. The feature stories of the StFX Alumni Association’s largest-ever gift, Agnico Eagle’s gift in honour of Jim Nasso ’59, and John ’63 and Adrienne Peacock ’63 magnanimous family gift, all represent this deep sense of gratitude and paying it forward for the betterment of current and future Xaverians.
The second observation is the myth that StFX “doesn’t need alumni support” as it is brimming with students and has plenty of financial reserves and wealth. This is simply not true. The challenges ahead require that this myth be busted—for without continued alumni strong support, there’s no StFX. The needs of the university have never been greater and having more alumni get involved in various ways is required. I implore alumni to contact the Alumni Office to see how they can make a difference, to get involved in your local alumni chapter, get other alumni involved, get behind a fundraising initiative that speaks to you—perhaps the Day of Giving, Residence Renewal, a family funded bursary or scholarship or even Kevin’s Corner, the student food bank. There’s no better time to jump in. For those who are involved or were involved in the past, a great big thank you. As many have heard me say, an investment in StFX is a wise one. It remains a special place, helping students become engaged citizens, which in today’s world is much needed. Cathy and I are proud to be alumni and parents of StFX graduates, and we will continue to invest in the university in various ways for years to come. And we will see all our Class of ’87 classmates back on campus this October for our 35th Homecoming!
SUMMER REUNION FRI-SUN, AUGUST 26-28 Antigonish, NS HOMECOMING FRI-SUN, OCTOBER 14-16 Antigonish, NS
Get a quote and see how much you could save! Go to tdinsurance.com/stfxalumni Or call 1-888-589-5656 Feel confident with preferred rates on Home and Car Insurance. StFX alumni could save more when they bundle their Car with Home, Condo and Tenant Insurance. The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY It is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. in Quebec, by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in Ontario, and by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. in the rest of Canada. Our address: 50 Place Crémazie, 12th Floor, Montréal, Québec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial legislation, this car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. All trade-marks are the property of their respective owners. � The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. 8062-0220 Return undeliverables to: Alumni Office St. Francis Xavier University PO Box 5000, Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5 Canada
