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NewsFlash
WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS AND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY
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The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ‘59 (right), former Prime Minister of Canada, is pictured in this le photo with former U.S. President, the late Ronald Reagan.
Congratulations to the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney ’59, 18th Prime Minister of Canada, who is the recipient of two recent notable honours. Mr. Mulroney is the 2021 recipient of the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy’s Award for Excellence in the Cause of Parliamentary Democracy. “ is award recognizes special Canadians, exempli ed by Mr. Mulroney, who have dedicated their lives to proving that you can be engaged in partisan politics while also earning the respect of colleagues and the admiration of adversaries,” said Cameron MacKay, Chair of the Churchill Society, a non-partisan, charitable organization that honours the life of Sir Winston Churchill by facilitating education, discussion and debate about Canada’s parliamentary democracy. Mr. Mulroney will be the 38th recipient of the Award of Excellence and the h Canadian Prime Minister to receive the award.
THE BEST PRIME MINISTERS AND PRESIDENTS ON CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS Additionally, in a special issue of Policy magazine, Mr. Mulroney, along with Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, are the top ranking prime ministers and presidents of the last 100 years on Canada-U.S. relations. e winners of the Policy bilateral PMPresident Rankings were selected by a jury of 50 prominent Canadians and Americans who were asked to rank their Top Five tandems of the last century.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING: DR. KAILIN WRIGHT WINS AAU DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD
Dr. Kailin Wright
Dr. Kailin Wright, a StFX English professor and Jules Léger Research Scholar, has been honoured for teaching excellence, receiving the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Award for Distinguished Teaching. “I want to say how honoured and humbled I am to be receiving the AAU Distinguished Teaching Award. I am sincerely grateful to the AAU Committee for their hard work and to the StFX community for their support. I am also delighted to share this award with such dedicated teachers as Dr. Kate Krug and Dr. Magdalen Normandeau. At my home institution, I have been inspired by the dynamic teachers around me and in my department. Professor Angie Kolen went above and beyond in guiding me through the application; she is a real leader of teaching at StFX,” says Dr. Wright, also a recipient of StFX’s Outstanding Teaching Award. Since joining the StFX faculty in 2012, Dr. Wright, a specialist in Canadian literature and drama, has made a strong and positive impression with students, and has been a tremendous voice for Canadian, feminist, and Indigenous literature on campus.
DENNIS FLOOD ’80 APPOINTED STFX BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHAIR
Dennis Flood ’80
StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin is pleased to announce that Dennis Flood ’80 has been appointed Chair of the StFX Board of Governors for a three-year term, which started July 1, 2021. Mr. Flood is currently Director and Portfolio Manager at Scotia Wealth Management. “I am delighted to welcome Dennis to the role,” Dr. Hakin said. “With an impressive track record of leadership, coupled with his long history with StFX, Dennis is a perfect t to lead the board in the years to come.” Mr. Flood, who served on the StFX Board of Governors from 2010-16, says he’s honoured and pleased to be part of the amazing story that is StFX. “ e bias to community and social leadership that StFX has consistently delivered, has truly made StFX ‘Canada’s Premier Undergraduate Experience.’” Dr. Hakin also thanked outgoing chair, Michael Boyd ’85, Managing Director and Head, Global Mergers & Acquisitions with CIBC World Markets, for his immense contributions to StFX. Mr. Flood has been in the nancial services industry for over 30 years. He started his career with Citibank Leasing in 1986, eventually becoming their Western Regional Manager for their Medi-Dent leasing division. In 1993, he joined ScotiaMcLeod, now Scotia Wealth Management, where he held progressively senior positions, including over 10 years as Atlantic Regional Managing Director. In this capacity, he was instrumental in the transformation of the rm from an investment management company to a comprehensive wealth management rm. His StFX connection runs deeps. Following in his father’s footsteps, the Rothesay, NB native graduated from StFX. His spouse, Madonna Barry Flood ’83 is a graduate as are three of their four children: Benjamin ’15, Daniel ’17, Michael (UBC 2018), and Meghan ’18. Siblings Geo ’76, Stephen ’82, Laurie ’84, Jane ’89 and Mary Ellen ’91 also attended StFX. Mr. Flood also holds an MBA from Memorial University and a Certi ed Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. He was granted the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors following study directed by the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management. He served previously on the Board of Opportunities New Brunswick (Executive Committee).
STFX WELCOMES EMILIE CHIASSON ’02
Emilie Chiasson ’02
Emilie Chiasson ’02 has joined StFX’s Advancement Department as Senior Development Executive for Coady Institute. For the last 10 years, in her role as Regional Director for Ovarian Cancer Canada, Ms. Chiasson has been a champion for women’s health. She has worked extensively in fund development, programming, government relations, and event management. Relationships are her forte, and she looks forward to contributing to the Coady’s incredible work. She was awarded the Young Alumna of the Year award by StFX Alumni Association in 2020. Ms. Chiasson is also a columnist for e Saltwire Network where she shares upli ing and o en funny stories from her daily life and inspiring people around her. A er living away for nearly 20 years, she is calling Antigonish, NS home again.
STFX TOPS COUNTRY IN STUDENT SATISFACTION, SECOND IN REPUTATION— MACLEAN’S
StFX leads the country when it comes to student satisfaction, and ranks second overall in reputation, according to the annual Maclean’s University Rankings. e 2022 Maclean’s rankings saw StFX ranked #1 in student satisfaction in the primarily undergraduate university category. StFX received high marks in crucial categories, including nishing atop the student satisfaction category as well as #1 in course instructors and #1 in extracurricular activities. StFX ranked second nationally for both reputation and for residence living and placed third overall in experiential learning and in academic advising support. In the overall ranking of Canada’s 19 primarily undergraduate universities, StFX placed ninth.
Dr. Andrew MacDougall ’08
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR IN IPCC REPORT
Dr. Andrew MacDougall ’08, StFX Coordinator, Climate & Environment, is a contributing author for the most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), approved by 195 governments and publicly released Aug. 9, 2021. e report is a comprehensive assessment of climate science, involving the work of hundreds of experts. is is a major achievement for Dr. MacDougall, says Dr. Richard Isnor, StFX Associate Vice President, Research & Graduate Studies. “ e IPCC reports represent the very latest scienti c assessments on global climate change and are compiled by top climate scientists from around the world. Being part of this process is a signi cant achievement given the importance of these reports to international negotiations and action on climate change.”
LIFECHANGING IMPACT
Xaverian Scholarship and Bursary Fund tops $50 million, still more work to do
BY SHELLEY CAMERON-McCARRON
At its heart, the Xaverian Scholarship and Bursary Fund has always been about helping students—a remarkable e ort to raise $50 million to open the doors to post-secondary education, to impact lives for the better.
So, as the StFX community gathered Nov. 3, 2021, the mood was definitely celebratory as the university announced the Xaverian Fund had surpassed its fundraising target, however, with more work to do.
“Today is a day of a celebration. It is a day of accomplishment, a day in which we acknowledge through strong commitment, new opportunities have been provided,” StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin told those gathered in the Joyce Family Atrium, Mulroney Hall.
The Xaverian Fund has made a di erence to so many students, he said.
Financial aid for students in need more than doubled since the Xaverian Fund was established in 2014, increasing from $400,000 annually to over $1 million annually and growing.
As well, 109 new scholarship and bursary funds have been established and over 3,000 scholarships, bursaries and nancial awards have been supported through the Xaverian Fund. e Jeannine Deveau Educational Endowment Fund has provided 668 scholarships and bursaries for African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students from across the Maritimes; over 75 students in the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government have bene tted from renewable scholarships and bursaries; and over 100 students in the Gerald Schwartz School of Business have received renewable scholarships.
“ is fund is helping to change lives through the sheer number of scholarships provided,” Dr. Hakin said.
It was an ambitious, important goal that then StFX President Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93 pledged in October 2014. He pledged to make a StFX education accessible to all. He set a goal to raise $50 million for student scholarships and bursaries, so that the most talented students, regardless of background can attend StFX and receive the highest quality education.
“Seven years later, we celebrate that the ambitious goal has been achieved,” Dr. Hakin said.
STILL WORK TO DO
But still there is work to do.
“Financial need for students unfortunately continues to grow,” Dr. Hakin said. “ e need remains to increase the number of scholarships and bursaries.
“While $50 million was the initial target for the Xaverian Fund, we will continue to build the fund to increase the number of scholarships and bursaries available for students.”
Dr. Hakin thanked and acknowledged all who contributed to this remarkable step in StFX’s history.
“Every donation has made a di erence,” he said, noting how the Xaverian Fund has unlocked the door to human potential, one of the greatest gi s anyone can give.
Meredith Cudmore-Keating ’22
Dr. Hakin also thanked StFX Advancement sta for their hard work in this endeavour, and he speci cally noted the e orts of Xaverian Fund Chief Campaign O cer Iain Boyd ’75 “serving as a true champion in the fundraising e orts.”
STRONG TEAM
“Our campaign success was the result of a strong team e ort by the Advancement unit and other areas of the university. I am most grateful for their support,” said Mr. Boyd.
“We kicked o the campaign with 100 per cent participation from the Board of Governors, followed by outstanding participation by faculty and sta . I want to acknowledge the 58 campus volunteers who canvassed their colleagues. ank you for your tremendous e ort. e support at home was the springboard to success.”
Mr. Boyd says one of the most satisfying aspects of fundraising is experiencing the joy donors receive from supporting students in nancial need. “ e Xaverian Scholarship and Bursary Fund has given donors the opportunity to participate in the life of the university. During my 30 years of fundraising for StFX, I have never worked on a campaign that has received such wide support from alumni, friends of StFX, and corporations. Donors understood the pressing need for more scholarships and bursaries and were delighted to help.”
Students’ Union VP Academic Meredith Cudmore-Keating ’22 said everyone who steps foot on the StFX campus knows we have something special, a community where everyone can nd their place. She thanked all donors and fundraising sta for their generosity and belief in the specialness of this community. “Your contributions will go on to have an immeasurably positive impact on many students.”
Iain Boyd ’75
Lisa Dorsey-Boyd ’87 and Mike Boyd ’85
MIKE BOYD ’85 AND LISA DORSEY-BOYD ’87 ESTABLISH $1 MILLION ENDOWMENT, TIPPING THE XAVERIAN FUND OVER $50 MILLION
In June 2021, Mike Boyd ’85, then Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, and wife Lisa Dorsey-Boyd ’87, tipped the Xaverian Fund over the $50 million mark when they established a $1 million endowment to support Indigenous students from the Maritimes, African Nova Scotian students, and students from Atlantic Canada.
Half of this new endowment—$500,000—supports Atlantic Canadian students and the other $500,000 supports Indigenous students from the Maritimes and African Nova Scotian students. is latter portion is matched by the Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment Fund adding an additional $500,000 to the endowment, bringing its total to $1.5 million. ese entrance awards, valued at a minimum of $5,000 each, are renewable, and support students who demonstrate leadership, who’ve made an important contribution to their community and who demonstrate nancial need.
“ is university has enriched our lives in many ways—providing both of us with an excellent academic experience, many lifelong friendships, and the opportunity to be part of a community which believes in the importance of service and giving back to others. Lisa and I are delighted that we can do our part to make a StFX education possible for the leaders of tomorrow,” said Mr. Boyd, Managing Director and Head of Global Mergers & Acquisitions at CIBC Capital Markets. e endowment also honours Mike’s parents, Louis “Lou” ’55 and Dorothy “Dot” Boyd, who married in 1959 and raised seven children in Dartmouth, NS, six of whom graduated from StFX, who along with Mr. Boyd include siblings, Christopher ’88, David ’89, Timothy ’89, Peter ’92 and Ian ’92.
Aliyah Fraser
Kendra McDonell Alyzandra Torreon ’21
CHANGING LIVES
STFX STUDENTS SHARE THE IMPACT
Alyzandra Torreon ’21, Rankin School of Nursing graduate and Sweeney Bursary recipient who moved with her family to Canada from the Philippines over a decade ago, had inscribed an anatomical drawing of a heart on her X-Ring to show that StFX holds a special place in her heart. “ at’s due to the wonderful generosity and the heart of the people here at X and in the whole community,” says Ms. Torreon, now a cardiac surgery nurse at the Halifax In rmary. “A special shoutout to the Sweeney Foundation for the bursary I received because without their heart and generosity, I would not be where I am today.”
Arthur L. Irving Family Scholarship recipient Ben Fairhurst of Calgary, AB speaks of his passion for learning about societal issues, why they come about and how we can x them. “My studies in Public Policy and Governance have been an incredible experience so far, and I’m able to keep coming back thanks to your generosity. I hope I can continue reaching the expectations of your scholarship program in the future.”
“I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. ank you so much for investing in my future,” says Aliyah Fraser of New Glasgow, NS, Mila Mulroney Scholarship for African Nova Scotians recipient, Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health student, and X-Women basketball player. “ is award has allowed me to ourish as a student and athlete.”
“ is award will make such a huge di erence in allowing me to pursue my goals,” says Bachelor of Arts student Kendra McDonell of Ottawa, ON, Barry O’Leary Leadership Award recipient, who plans to pursue an education degree a er her BA. “I hopefully will be able to give back in some way to others as you have given to me.”
Donors share why they gave, what resonated.
“What can be more satisfying than knowing you are creating opportunities for deserving students to experience all that StFX has to o er,” say Tom ’71 and Gail Hayes who created the omas J. Hayes and Family Scholarship, supporting full-time African Nova Scotian undergraduate students. “ e matching dollar program funded by Jeannine Deveau was the icing on the cake for us in creating a scholarship in our name for African Nova Scotian students. Kudos to Dr. Kent MacDonald ’86 ’93 for making this initiative a priority and a special mention to Iain Boyd ’75 for playing a key role in exceeding the $50 million goal!”
Father-and-son Frank ’49 and Kevin McGilly ’86 created the McGilly Bursary to help current students experiencing nancial hardship that jeopardizes their ability to stay at StFX to complete their studies. e nancial aid team can use it at its discretion to help students in need. “ ere are several reasons my dad and I decided to contribute to the Xaverian Fund. StFX is a bond we share, and the bursary is a way to celebrate that bond and show our gratitude and pride as Xaverians. We wanted it to help address, however modestly, the growing problem of accessibility to education. One in six university students in Canada drops out before completing a degree, and nancial hardship is one of the main reasons. It’s a great loss when that happens, both for that student and for society. So, we wanted to help StFX students facing nancial adversity to stay at X and make it a bit easier for them to ful ll their dreams,” says Kevin. Recipients have written to the McGillys about their challenges and triumphs. “I can’t overstate how gratifying it is
to us to know that they were able to continue their studies. It’s one of the most rewarding things either of us has done.” e McGillys, to their knowledge the only father-son duo to edit the Xaverian Weekly, have gone to each other’s milestone Homecomings, including Frank’s 70th reunion in 2019 and say contributing to the Xaverian Fund is an obvious way to thank StFX for these shared experiences and the special place it holds in their lives. “We hope our donation helps other students and families build their own StFX bonds and memories.”
Supporting young women in science and giving back to StFX were two main reasons Ted ’65 and Ann ’65 Turcotte established the Ted and Ann (MacDonald) Turcotte Bursary, which supports female students from Cape Breton and Massachusetts develop their potential in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering or mathematics programs.) “I always felt indebted to StFX. I felt my education provided such an important foundation,” says Ted, originally of Lowell, MA, who spent most of his career in technology. Ann, originally from St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, taught math for many years, ending her career as a guidance counsellor. “StFX has been very important to me, and to my family, I really wanted to give back,” she says. Ann says her ties to StFX started early through family, and she was truly appreciative of support she received as a student. Both say they wanted the bursary to target young women, o en underrepresented in the technology eld. “I knew, just give them con dence and provide support, then wow, they could do it,” says Ann.
In 2015, representing his aunt, Jeannine Deveau ‘44, Bill Gunn was exploring options to support the educational achievement of African Nova Scotians and Indigenous Canadians, in particular for the Mi’kmaw First Nation. In speaking with those communities, he learned of some unfortunate historical relations, but also of positive recommendations for speci c faculties and undertakings at StFX that might be the basis of building further. “And so it has proven to be. We developed a strategy of matching funding from other donors if they would agree also to channel their funds to support educational opportunities at StFX for African Nova Scotian and First Nation (Mi’kmaw) learners,” he says of the Jeannine Deveau Education Equity Endowment Fund. “ e results have been extraordinary, with signi cant additional resources leveraged. I’m led to believe the Deveau funding has begun to be transformational for StFX. Possibly. But there is more to do, in creating opportunities and to make StFX a more equitable learning environment. To that end, there is more Deveau matching funding available, and I’m hopeful others might join the e ort.”
Kevin McGilly ’86
THE XAVERIAN FUND HAS OPENED DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS.
Here, some highlights: • 109 new scholarship and bursary funds established. • Over 3,000 scholarships, bursaries and financial awards supported. • 4,000 donors, including 58 donors contributing $100,000 or more. • StFX Board of Governors has 100 per cent participation, contributing over $2.5 million. • 50 per cent of full-time faculty and professional sta donated. • Financial aid for students in need more than doubled since the fund was established, going from $400,000 annually to over $1 million annually and growing • Donations have ranged from $10 to $6.24 million.
Stephen Lund ’79
COMMUNIITY BUILDER
Stephen Lund ’79 likes to build community.
And for over 30 years, the StFX business graduate and current CEO of Toronto Global—an organization working to attract new international investment to the Toronto region—has used this skill well to help organizations thrive.
“I really like working with teams, building teams and building strong cultures, working with companies and seeing results,” says Mr. Lund, who in his current role works with companies from around the world (think Twitter, DoorDash, Net ix) to help them get set up in the Toronto region.
It’s the latest role in a noteworthy career that’s seen Mr. Lund take on leadership positions in banking venture capital, nance and economic development.
Notably, he’s served as CEO of both Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) and Opportunities NB (ONB) and is a former New Brunswick Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Small Business.
Recently, he was named chair of the Conference Board of Canada’s board of directors.
“I’ve been really lucky in my career,” says Mr. Lund, who grew up in Saint John, NB, in a family with seven children ( ve of whom attended StFX). Not only has he held jobs he’s enjoyed, he’s been able to achieve results and share that success with the greater team.
Along the way, he’s been an active volunteer (following his parents’ lead) and a lifelong athlete.
PROFOUND IMPACT
Mr. Lund says he didn’t hear of StFX until high school. He enrolled in business but really wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.
“StFX, in looking back now, had a profound impact on my life,” he says, calling it one of two instrumental events. e other is his marriage.
“It gave me some con dence in myself, and it developed a strong network of friends. My best friends today are from StFX. We look to StFX as a real strong foundation.”
For advice for today’s students, Mr. Lund shares two tips.
“One, have con dence. Bet on yourself. Take a chance. Keep improving. If you have a goal, go a er it.
“And two, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re at StFX, you already have a great opportunity, there’s a huge built-in network. People from StFX like to help fellow StFX people.”
StFX, where he played varsity and junior hockey and co-founded BurMac, a hockey game to raise money for charity (“I had no idea it would last so long,” he says) had signi cant impact.
“I’ve been really lucky. StFX got me started, I had some great job opportunities. I’ve gotten involved and tried to give back.”
ACHIEVING SUCCESS
A er StFX, Mr. Lund earned an MBA at Queen’s, moved to Toronto, got married (he and wife Sandy wed at StFX), moved to Bermuda for ve years, returned to Nova Scotia for 20 years, raising sons Connor and Shaun, and spent ve years in New Brunswick before his current role.
Over the years, he served as vice-president of one of Canada’s largest venture capital rms and a corporate banker with Canadian and international banks, obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation, and completed executive-level studies at Harvard, University of Chicago and Queen’s.
Amongst many accomplishments at NSBI and ONB, he points to career highlights in Nova Scotia as being named by fDi Intelligence (Financial Times) as the best-performing region in North America in attracting inward investment (“that’s such a great team accomplishment,”) and in New Brunswick, being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2018.
“One of the things I really enjoyed,” he says of this time “was speaking with businesses across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and helping them in any way we could.”
Accolades have certainly come (“even though I’m being recognized, it’s really recognition of the team,” he says), including being named one of the Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada ve times by Atlantic Business Magazine; one of the Top 500 most in uential people in Financial Centres worldwide; and induction into Atlantic Business Magazine’s CEO Hall of Fame.
Additionally, he’s served on numerous boards, including the IWK Children’s Health Centre and the QE2 Hospital Foundation. He was a champion for Junior Achievement and was the inaugural chair of the Heart & Stroke Hockey Heroes Fundraiser. He’s participated in the World Triathlon Championships, the Boston Marathon, and the Canadian University Hockey Championships. rough it all, his care for community has been a hallmark.
Being Xaverian
AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY
Being a good neighbour and caring for your community is something that StFX students demonstrated in spades last year while everyone learned to navigate the restrictions that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, StFX is building on that sense of caring and looking out for each other, investing in a multi-year campaign reminding StFX students to continue to make a di erence and work together to take on community issues. is fall, StFX introduced Being Xaverian, designed to help students understand the potential StFX has for them, and how they, as Xaverians, are expected to contribute to the community in positive ways, says Elizabeth Yeo, Vice-President Students.
It’s to help students think big picture, relate it to themselves, their interactions and our community, really from day one, she says.
In concert with the campaign, and to help reinforce positive behaviours, Student Services launched three interactive, online modules this summer targeted at rst year students promoting education, outreach and resources around social movements issues such as MeToo, Black Lives Matter, anti-racism, sexual assault and mental health. e modules were followed up with a series of programming this fall, Ms. Yeo says, that builds on that theme of taking personal responsibility and creating a culture of respect and looking out for each other. Materials were also provided to o campus students, and StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin, Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher, Warden Owen McCarron, and other members of the leadership team continued the practice started last year of making o -campus house calls to talk with students, including on how they can make positive contributions to the community.
“ e program has big ideas that I think are really exciting for StFX students,” Ms. Yeo says. “Many students bring a deep interest and commitment to community and social justice to StFX.
“We’re emphasizing that positive community. You’re able to have fun, but you’re doing it with care for your community, and ultimately, that’s what being a community member is about.”
She says having that supported by a campaign builds on that sense of community responsibility to take on these community issues. “It’s that sense of social responsibility. Everyone can bring that individuality, all their gi s and talents, together to make a di erence.”
