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Achievement honoured
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STFX GRADUATES OVER 300,
StFX graduated over 300 students from across its four faculties and bestowed an honorary degree upon one of its own, acclaimed author, journalist, and social critic, Linden MacIntyre ’64, during Fall Convocation December 4, 2021 in the Keating Centre. Several major honours were also presented. ese included the University Outreach Award to Dr. Leslie Jane McMillan, Anthropology; the Outstanding Sta Teaching Award to David Maillet, Modern Languages; and the Community Partner Recognition Award to Nexos Comunitarios.
Dr. MacIntyre, recognized for his outstanding career in investigative journalism and his distinctive contributions to Canadian society, told Convocation this is a great day, but perhaps in ways not yet obvious. e real signi cance comes into focus gradually as time goes by, he said in an address that ended in a standing ovation, Dr. MacIntyre recalled scenes from his 1964 graduation with his parents, who he said believed his university education was a passport to a world they could only dream about. But what did he really have that would be useful, he wondered? A er awhile, the answer came. “It isn’t quite what we learn,” he said. “It’s deeper than that. It’s learning how to learn, how to accept the necessity of learning constantly from everyone we meet, from every encounter.” Learning is an endless process, and a well-lived life is all about learning endlessly, he said.
StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin congratulated all graduates in reaching this signi cant milestone. “ e strength and resiliency of our university is our people, and this obviously includes our students. Today, as we celebrate our graduates, I would like to acknowledge how they have grown, adapted, and demonstrated great resiliency.”
Society’s need for a better future has never been so great and as a university, we’re helping answer this need, he said, with graduates embracing their collective strength to bene t all.
Chancellor John Peacock ’63 advised graduates to use the knowledge gained at StFX for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
“My fellow graduates, take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you will go,” said class speaker, Master of Education graduate Mary Denny ’21 of Eskasoni First Nation. Ms. Denny, a vice- principal in Manitoba, couldn’t be at Convocation and pre-recorded remarks. “I truly believe pursuing education is one of the most sacred experiences we can take on our journey through life. It opens endless possibilities and gives us the knowledge to make all our dreams come true.”
Dr. Linden MacIntyre ‘64 at Fall Convocation
Honorary X-Ring recipient Sheree Christie ‘22 celebrates the surprise honour with her family at home. X-Ring guest speaker Prof. Jonathan Hood ’08
POWER OF THE XAVERIAN SPIRIT
e power of the Xaverian spirit is the ability to come together and thrive. And that’s what 2021 X-Ring keynote speaker Professor Jonathan Hood ’08 challenged members of the Class of 2022 to do as they received their coveted X-Rings on December 3rd, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier.
“You all have the ability to change the atmosphere in any room you enter. I want you to remember that,” said Professor Hood, who joined StFX this year as the rst tenure-track faculty member for the Sport Management Minor. He holds a master’s degree from Western University and is completing his PhD at the University of Toronto and is a former CFL linebacker and top special teams player. e X-Ring represents that you are seen, that you have the strength and support to overcome, and you have the ability to support others on your journey moving forward, he said. Recalling his own journey, Prof. Hood said he initially struggled when he came to StFX, however, the Xaverian Family surrounded and looked a er him. At StFX, you get that intimacy and intimacy is required as university is hard, he said. Classmates and friends may be struggling. Give them your time and attention so that everyone moves forward. “You have that power and I want to challenge you to embrace that spirit.”
EXCITEMENT, PRIDE
Pride and accomplishment were palpable as students received their X-Rings. As well, 80 Class of 2021 graduates resubmitted their rings to participate. StFX also welcomed supporters spread out in viewing rooms across campus following COVID-19 protocols.
StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin said many things make the X-Ring special. “It symbolizes the transformative educational journey at StFX that is unique to you. It serves as a daily reminder that you are a Xaverian,” he said. “Use your StFX values to make a di erence all around you. e world will be a better place because of what you can o er.”
Senior Class co-president Ailie Sullivan ’22 was master of ceremonies and Nathan Penman ’22, fellow co-president, gave remarks. ey teamed with class development o cer Nicole Youssef ’22 to establish a Senior Class Gi for students requiring nancial assistance with textbook purchases. Chancellor John Peacock ’63 pledged to match every dollar donated by a student up to $5,000. e honorary X-Ring, always a guarded secret, went to Sheree Christie, recently retired from Facilities Management.
CAMPUS NEWS
DR. MATHIAS NILGES NAMED EDITOR OF LEADING HUMANITIES JOURNAL STFX’S UNIQUE-IN-CANADA SPORT MANAGEMENT MINOR CONTINUES TO GROW
Dr. Mathias Nilges
StFX English professor Dr. Mathias Nilges has been named editor of one of the world’s top journals in the study of contemporary culture, arts, and theory, Postmodern Culture, a non-pro t, scholarly, peerreviewed interdisciplinary humanities journal published by Johns Hopkins University Journals. “I am deeply honoured to have been given opportunity to serve as editor of one of the leading journals in my eld of research, a publication that I have admired since my time as a student and that has published some of the biggest names in cultural criticism and theory as well as world-renowned authors,” says Dr. Nilges, a faculty member since 2008 and director of StFX’s Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership since 2018. “We have also created an editorial assistant position for an undergraduate student in English at StFX,” he says, “which will provide future students in my department with a fantastic opportunity to work in academic publishing.” A unique-in-Canada program o ered at StFX that brings together students in the Gerald Schwartz School of Business and the Human Kinetics Department to study sport management, continues to grow and become more formalized, now with the addition of its rst tenure- track appointment. Jonathan Hood ’08, an expert in sport management has been named the rst tenure-track faculty member for StFX’s Sport Management Minor, which o ered its rst course, SMGT 101, in winter 2018. “A er three years of consistent enrollment, the minor now has a tenure-track position. is is very exciting and attests to the minor’s growth and popularity. Having Jonathan who is a former CFL player, who ran his own charity and motivational speaking business, will provide interesting perspectives for students in the SMGT minor,” says human kinetics professor Dr. Charlene Weaving, who sits on the Sport Management Minor committee with Dr. Neil Maltby and Dr. Denton Anthony from the Gerald Schwartz School of Business and Dr. Ornella Nzindukiyimana from the Human Kinetics Department. “While there are sport management degrees across Canada, the Sport Management Minor – connecting a business program with a kinetics program is unique in Canada,” says Dr. Maltby.
Prof. Jonathan Hood ’08 (centre) is pictured with business student Renee MacLeod (left) and human kinetics student Ben Boudreau, both taking courses in the Sport Management Minor
EXCELLENT STANDARD EARNS TRUSTED REVIEWER DISTINCTION
StFX physics professor Dr. Peter Marzlin has been recognized as a “Trusted Reviewer” by IOP Publishing, one of the top publishers of physics journals internationally. e status acknowledges that the recipient has demonstrated a high level of peer review competence, with the ability to critique scienti c literature to an excellent standard. e IOP says about 15 per cent of their referees may become a Trusted Reviewer. is recognition builds on a similar award given to Dr. Marzlin by the American Physical Society (APS) a few years ago when he was recognized as an ‘Outstanding Referee.’ is lifetime achievement award recognizes exceptional contributions to refereeing papers for the APS. is means Dr. Marzlin assesses manuscripts for the most prestigious physics journals in the world for publication in the APS
Dr. Jordan Matley
In a new study, a StFX aquatic resources professor is providing novel insight into where to focus research to optimize relevance to management within the growing eld of movement ecology of aquatic animals. Dr. Jordan Matley is the lead author of the research paper, ‘Global trends in aquatic animal tracking with acoustic telemetry,’ released in the journal, Trends in Evolution and Ecology (TREE). e article, he says, is a comprehensive review of research studying movement ecology of aquatic animals and was designed to help direct similar research in the future. “Along with my co-authors, I was thrilled to have this work published in a high-impact journal like TREE. We put a lot of e ort in comprehensively reviewing over 1,800 articles and incorporating a global perspective, so it is rewarding knowing that our ndings will reach a broad readership.”
e Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at StFX unveiled its inaugural conference on economic growth in Atlantic Canada. e Atlantic Economic Forum, planned for spring 2022, brings together heads of industry, policymakers, academics, students and other opinion leaders to discuss challenges facing the Atlantic provinces. Participants will also provide recommendations on how to address those issues. e event’s aim is to stimulate economic growth in the region. “ e forum will solidify the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government’s position as not only an exceptional educational facility, but an essential contributor to the future of the Atlantic Canadian economy,” said Dr. Don Abelson, founding Director of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and Steven K. Hudson Chair in Canada-U.S. Relations. e Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund, is providing a non-repayable contribution of $200,000 to StFX to plan and host the forum. e Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59, the Honourable Frank McKenna ’70 and the Honourable Sean Fraser ’06 will serve as informal advisors and play a role in building political and nancial support.
HUMAN NUTRITION, ANTIGONISH FARMERS MARKET PARTNER IN COMMERCIAL KITCHEN
StFX has nalized an agreement with the Antigonish Farmers Market that will allow StFX, through its Department of Human Nutrition, to access the market’s commercial kitchen for teaching and entrepreneurial activities. One of the rst activities saw StFX nutrition students both learning and giving back to the community as they served 50 takeout meals on Nov. 1 to local frontline health care workers and their families as part of their Introduction to Food Service & Quantity Food Production course.
