17 minute read
NewsFlash
WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY
STFX ANNOUNCES NEW ACADEMIC VICE-PRESIDENT AND PROVOST STFX APPOINTS MONICA FOSTER ’90 AS VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Advertisement
Dr. Amanda Cockshutt
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. 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. 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. 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.
Monica Foster ’90
DR. JOE APALOO NAMED DEAN OF SCIENCE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE! SCHWARTZ STUDENTS EARN SOBEY AWARDS
Gregory Linton
Dr. Joe Apaloo
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. 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.
Madison Tennant ’22
MULRONEY HALL CERTIFIED LEED® GOLD
BEN BOUDREAU NAMED 3M NATIONAL STUDENT FELLOWSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT
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.
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. Ben Boudreau ’22
A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
JOHN AND ADRIENNE PEACOCK DONATE $5 MILLION TO AMELIA SAPUTO CENTRE FOR HEALTHY LIVING
BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON
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.
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.
The impact the facility has on so many was one reason the Peacock family wanted to support the project. “We could see this could make a difference,” Mr. Peacock, Chancellor of StFX, said on the reason they decided to support the project.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“This achievement was made possible by two of StFX’s most loyal alumni: Adrienne and John Peacock, both from the Class of 1963.”
Mr. Peacock said he is incredibly pleased to say StFX has fully matched the Peacocks’ generous gift.
“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.” Mr. Flood said the Peacock family has supported the university for decades, both financially and with incredible amounts of time.
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.
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.”
Many special guests were in attendance at the event including members of the Peacock family, and friends.
Son Kevin Peacock and daughter-in-law Giselle Murphy, executive director of the Peacock Family Foundation, also spoke.
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.”
“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.
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.”
Jim ’59 and Jackie Nasso
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, JAMES D. NASSO ’59
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: - 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. 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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
$500ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GIFTS ,000
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.
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).
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 SUPPORTING ALMA MATER AND SPREADING THE XAVERIAN SPIRIT.
BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON
June 17 ceremony on campus with many of StFX’s volunteer Alumni Council and chapter presidents on hand.
“We’re proud that our gift has inclusion and access at the forefront.”
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.
“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.
She says if COVID showed us anything, it’s how important physical and mental health are. “This project directly helps with that.”
VERY MUCH IN LINE
“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.
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. “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.
“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.
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.
“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
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.”
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. Rodrigue.
“It’s a great way to stay connected and relive some of the magic.”
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.”
$1 MILLION GIFT
FROM THE GOGAN FAMILY CREATES NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
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.
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.
