Alumni Association Update

PJILA’SI FROM “THE LOVING HEARTS OF A LOYAL PEOPLE”

Words of welcome are a tting start for an Alumni Association president’s last column in the AlumniNews. e words above—Pjila’si from “the loving hearts of a loyal people”—is found on upper-campus, carved in stone in our beautiful new Alumni Plaza. e words were carefully chosen to commemorate the Alumni Association’s 125th anniversary, working together with Elder Kerry Prosper, StFX Knowledge Keeper and respected member of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation.

“Pjila’si” is a welcome in the Mi’kmaq language. From “the loving hearts of a loyal people” is a quote from Dr. Alexander MacDonald ompson, StFX President, during a celebration of StFX’s 50th anniversary. e speech commemorated that StFX was built on the industriousness of its communities, and that its existence was not inevitable. In 2021, those communities have grown ever more diverse, and partnerships are realizing new depths. at his speech was largely referencing settler peoples of Nova Scotia, and that today, we have reclaimed those words to forge a new welcome from a broader coalition of StFX and community, is something for which I am deeply grateful to Elder Prosper and Paqtnkek community members. e words are also a reminder the wide StFX community and its continued good work are not inevitable. We can all play a role in ensuring our alma mater is a place for growth, where change can happen, where progress is made. We know it can be this place because we’ve all experienced its impact.

And so I challenge you to nd a way to commit to our ever-growing loving hearts. StFX has never been, and is not, inevitable. Alumni support deeply matters. Join us at your next chapter event, give back to StFX nancially as you can, remind youth and those seeking an academic challenge that adventure awaits in Antigonish. We have something precious to share – a community of welcome, of loving hearts, and loyal people.

It has been an honour to serve as Alumni Association president, and to do so as our rst open member of the LGBTQ+ community. It gives me such gratitude that our alumni have entrusted the chair to an amazing next president, Katheen Sheridan ’15, only the fourth woman to hold the post. Our alumni council continues to be a strength and our local chapter presidents and volunteers remain best in the country. e Alumni O ce, under Shanna Hopkins’ leadership, is award-winning. We are an organization for all, and all are welcome.

Hail and Health! Marc Rodrigue ’08 President, StFX Alumni Association

Marc Rodrigue ’08

FROM ALUMNI AFFAIRS l SHANNA HOPKINS ’01, DIRECTOR

LESSONS WE HAVE LEARNED

The late Dr. Dan Belliveau ’88, StFX Dean of Science and former Alumni Association council member and former president of the London, ON alumni chapter, presented his son Xavier ’21 with his degree this past May. Dr. Belliveau passed away in August. The Dr. Dan Belliveau Bursary has been established for students with nancial need in the Bachelor of Science Program.

e past 20 months have not been easy, but we are now learning to live with COVID. roughout this pandemic, we have had to change the way we do things in our work life and in our everyday life. Because of this, we have been forced to think outside the box, and at times, outside our comfort zone. As we return to in-person events here at StFX, I cannot help but think of the words spoken by our late Dean of Science, Dr. Dan Belliveau ’88--“Don’t Waste the Pandemic.” Dan rightly encouraged us in his words and actions to take advantage of the things we have learned during COVID, including the ways we had to adapt to be more inclusive and intentional in planning our events and communications, and to carry these lessons with us as we move forward. It is his words that will guide us and remind us that out of this di cult time we have all learned very valuable lessons. ank you, Dan.

Shanna Hopkins ’01

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

Fredericton Iqaluit

CHAPTERS RELAUNCH ON STFX DAY!

After 20 long months, our alumni chapters were so excited to nally be able to greet the Xaverian community in person again! Over 15 chapters – including Victoria, Iqaluit, Calgary, Ottawa, St. John’s, and Halifax – hosted StFX Day Socials, with the o cial relaunch of all alumni chapters taking place on Friday, December 3, with COVID precautions in place. On behalf of our chapter presidents and the StFX Alumni Association, we would like to say welcome back! We are so happy to nally be back out in our communities, reconnecting with our amazing Xaverian family! Stay tuned for more chapter events happening near you. If you didn’t receive an invitation to an event in your area, please update your contact information by visiting

www.alumni.stfx.ca/updateinfo.

Victoria

Vancouver e Victoria alumni chapter had eight spirited individuals who participated in the StFX Reconnect Pub night at the Penny Farthing Pub in Oak Bay. Most of the evening was spent sharing old alumni stories and the challenges and adversity we have all faced. We very much appreciated the ability to gather again in a social setting and remember our X grassroots. Gathering from le to right is Jordan Cramen, Fran Collins, Derek Collins, Shane Hickey, Andrew Lauzon, Susanna Cross, Darlana Withers, and Mike O’Neill. It’s been over two years since the Victoria chapter has been able to host an event and we look forward to the next one. A special thank you to the Alumni O ce for sending out the great X gear and swag.

St. John’s

RECAP

is past October, StFX marked its rst virtual Homecoming. Alumni were encouraged to get out for a walk in their community wearing some X-Gear and submit pictures. We celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Hall of Honour ceremony, formerly known as the Hall of ought. ree community-minded educators were inducted: the late Ronald MacArthur ’51 ’53 from Whitney Pier, NS; Gordon Francis MacDonald ’65 of Middleton, NS; and Laurent Paul Veitch ’68 ’70 from Antigonish, NS.

On the Saturday evening we celebrated our Alumni Awards of Excellence with video interviews of our award winners. e Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Hon. William Patrick Sullivan ’71 and the Young Alumnus Award had co-winners this year: Alex Doward ’11 and Connor Curran ’12. e Friend of StFX Award was also co-awarded to the Town and County of Antigonish on behalf of their residents for their assistance with the Neighbours Helping Neighbours Grocery Program, supporting StFX students in isolation with their grocery and essential needs. is year’s Xaverian Spirit Award was presented to Dr. Marie Arnott, a professor in the Rankin School of Nursing. e last award of the evening was our Chapter of the Year, presented to our St. John’s, NL chapter. eir continued focus to advocate and promote their recently established bursary to support a current student at StFX paid o last spring when they o cially presented their rst bursary to a local student. is bursary will now be presented annually.

If you know someone you would like to nominate for a future Hall of Honour or the StFX Alumni Association Awards of Excellence, please reach out to alumni@stfx.ca for more information.

We hope you can join us as we look to return to in-person StFX Homecomings in the coming year. We will celebrate the Come the Blazes Homecoming – celebrating the Classes ending in 0, 1, 5 & 6 from August 23-25th, 2022 and we will be celebrating our classes ending in 2 & 7 October 14-16th, 2022.

Connor Curran ’12 Co-Recipient Young Alumnus of the Year

Alex Dorward ’11 Co-Recipient Young Alumnus of the Year

Marie Arnott Xaverian Spirit Award Honourable Justice William Patrick Sullivan ’71 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

St. John’s Chapter of the Year

In continuing e orts to keep the StFX community safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Class of 1971 was not able to gather in person this year to celebrate their Golden Grad Homecoming. Instead, they came together virtually as a class this fall. During their virtual meeting, they presented their rst-ever bursary ($2,500) to a deserving StFX student. Years in the making through generous donations from the Class of ‘71, the class successfully met their objective of making the inaugural presentation of their bursary coincide with their 50th Golden Grad anniversary. Kevin O’Keefe ‘71, representing his class, says the bursary provides a meaningful way for his classmates to commemorate their time at X. In addition to their bursary, members from the Class of ‘71 have contributed $1,000 annually for the past 10 years to support the purchase of food vouchers for students in need. “This truly was a class e ort,” says Kevin. “Our time at X gave us all a strong foundation and a chance to grow and position ourselves for future success. We want to give deserving students that same opportunity.” Many thanks to the Class of ‘71 for their generosity!

Xaverians who completed Homecoming Walk/Runs, left photo, Ed MacDonald ‘80 Victoria, BC; middle photo, Tommy Sinclair ‘81 Bermuda; and right photo, Vicky MacLellan ‘07 ‘09 and Jessica MacLellan ‘12 Troy, NS.

Kate Wright ’04

ONE TO WATCH!

Kate Wright ’04, Head of Family Law at Mann Lawyers in Ottawa, ON, was recently named ‘one to watch’ in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers Canada. We caught up for a chat with Kate, who graduated from StFX with a BA degree with an advanced major in philosophy and minor in biology. (Her dad and four siblings are also StFX grads.)

Tell me about being named ‘one to watch.’ Best Lawyers recognizes lawyers who display excellence in private practice. I was very surprised when I heard that I was nominated! What makes this recognition particularly special to me is that it is peer reviewed, meaning that the selection is made by other lawyers in my own community. To have that recognition from my peers is truly humbling.

Could you describe what your job entails? I practice both in family law and wills and estates. A typical day in my family law practice involves advising clients going through a separation or helping clients to prepare Marriage Contracts or Cohabitation Agreements. My focus is to help parties resolve their matters without going to court. As the head of the department, I provide mentorship to junior associates, address sta ng issues and generally just make sure things are running smoothly! In my wills and estates practice, I help clients with estate planning and estate administration. I also assist clients to become guardians for loved ones who are incapable of managing their own property or making personal care decisions.

Tell me about your path after StFX? I was fortunate to participate in the Coady Institute student internship program. It had been a dream and a goal of mine since I had heard about the program as a high school student. My internship was with Honey Care Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. It was an incredible experience and I learned lessons and skills I carry with me today. A er my Coady internship, I headed to Dalhousie for law school. During law school, I spent a semester at the Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic, which was where I had my rst introduction to family law outside of the classroom. I spent a summer working at a personal injury law rm in Calgary, which was a job I landed a er receiving advice from a StFX alumnus living in Calgary. I articled with a national rm in Calgary and then I moved, with my now husband, to Ottawa to be closer to our families. I practiced brie y on my own before joining my current rm in 2010. My husband, Andrew (also an X grad!) and I have two girls, Sophie and Hailey, along with our sheepadoodle puppy, Gus.

What drew you to law? I’ve always had an interest in helping others and in justice. Very o en I’m working with clients going through a challenging time in their life - a separation, a death - and I hope that I can take away some of their burden by addressing their legal issues in a compassionate and empathetic way. e family law system has many aws, but I’m motivated to help clients in a di erent way than the traditional litigation route. It’s always my goal to have clients feel that they have been heard and understood.

Are there other awards/accomplishments? I was on the board of Family Services Ottawa for seven years and previously sat on the Family Law Section Executive and the Young Lawyers Section Executive of the Ontario Bar Association.

You’ve mentioned StFX is a huge part of where you ended up in your career. StFX is such a wonderful, tight knit community. It’s a place where I was able to grow as a person and gain con dence. Being involved in student government during my time at X was a terri c opportunity to develop leadership skills. StFX was also where I realized that law might be a good career for me. Initially I had plans to pursue med school but the science courses I was taking didn’t excite me in the way I thought they would. A philosophy class I took in second year made me realize I had a much greater interest in working through ethical and moral issues and applying logic to solve problems. I loved the class so much that I switched my major and really began to consider law as a career option. e small classes and having professors who were readily available were two other aspects that contributed to my success in the philosophy program. I was lucky to have Dr. Steve Baldner as my advisor for my senior paper and always appreciated the thoughtful discussions and debates we would have. A er leaving X, I have bene tted from a strong alumni community. I’ve received career advice and mentorship from other alumni and had clients come to me because I was an X grad.

Any advice for today’s students? I think the best advice I can give to today’s students is to try everything that interests you and to challenge yourself to try new things. If something isn’t working for you, don’t be worried about making a change. Leaving big law a er articling and pivoting in my legal career to expand into wills and estates were two changes that came from not being totally satis ed with what I was doing at the time.

What’s something surprising about yourself? When I was in Nairobi working at Honey Care, I received training to become a level one apiarist! I don’t keep bees but who knows – maybe I’ll pick it up again someday!

MOBILIZING X-WOMEN RUGBY PLAYERS AND FANS

StFX women’s rugby is celebrating 35 years since inception, from its modest roots as a group of women who wore cast-o men’s jerseys to a nationally dominant team. A cabinet of former women players have come together to build a community of supporters and raise $350,000 over ve years, with the aim of cementing the team’s ability to succeed for the next 35 years. e funds will go directly towards the team’s greatest needs - scholarships and bursaries, training facilities, and exhibition travel. ey are calling on former players, parents, and fans of women’s rugby to join them in this rst campaign for a women’s team sport at StFX. If you make a donation of any size, your name will be inscribed on the Giving Wall in the X-Women’s Locker Room. Special locker plaques also available. To make a donation, please visit www.stfx.ca/xwomenrugby or contact Alexis MacDonald (apmacdon@stfx.ca) for more information.

LOST X-RINGS

LOST Man’s ’70 Man’s ’71 Man’s ’77 Woman’s ’10 Woman’s ’13 Woman’s ’14 Woman’s ’17 Man’s ’17

Woman’s ’10 Woman’s ’13

Contact the Alumni O ce at 902-867-2186 or alumni@stfx.ca

DUE TO ALL THE CHANGES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY CANADA POST PLEASE MAKE SURE THE ALUMNI OFFICE HAS YOUR CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS

ALUMNINEWS IS PUBLISHED TWO TIMES PER YEAR. DON’T MISS OUT!

BE SURE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IS CORRECT WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. ALUMNI@STFX.CA

MASTER OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT S PROGRAMS AT St tFX FX

PART-TIME DISTANCE PROGRAMS

Students may complete Master of Education programs in Educational Administration and Policy or Curriculum and Instruction. The programs are typically completed online over a two-year period. These programs may be completed by course-based, project or thesis routes. Educational Administration or Curriculum and Instruction. The programs are typically completed

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR FULL-TIME GRADUATE STUDY

StFX admits a limited number of full-time graduate students annually who wish to develop capacity in teaching/leadership or applied research. Students may be paired with faculty who can provide internship opportunities related to university teaching with faculty who can provide internship opportunities related to university teaching and eld experience in the BEd program and/or research. Students who choose the and eld experience in the BEd program and/or research. Students who choose the research-based option may have the possibility of participating in funded research research-based option may have the possibility of participating in funded research programs in collaboration with full-time faculty. Scholarships may be available for full-time graduate study.

For more information contact

Continuing and Distance Education

Tel: 1-877-867-3906 or (902) 867-3906 E-mail: med@stfx.ca E-mail: med@stfx.ca