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StFX AlumniNews
St. Francis Xavier University l Antigonish l Nova Scotia l Canada
In This Issue
6 StFX among
the best in Canada
Students give StFX
enthusiastic thumbs-up
9
9 Aboriginal Health
Human Resources
Initiative
StFX receives an important
new grant to help Aboriginal
students in their educational
journey
10 Celebrating Coady at 50
New home, expanded reach, the
little institute that could
18 The Renewal Continues
Schwartz School construction to
begin
6
18
30
22 Now Graduates,
The Future –
StFX graduates over 1,000
26 Plan Now For
Homecoming ’09!
It’s going to be a great gathering
30 Holistic Health
StFX upgrades to leading edge
wellness services for students
48 Historic Goal
X-Woman helps Canada win
hockey gold in China
10
48
Regular Features
President’s Message 5 l Alumni Association News 33 l The Word From Our Chapters 34 l News Exchange 42
StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 1

From the editor l Helen murphy ‘08
Today’s amazing students
A
committee of the Alumni Association just
finished interviewing finalists for our Alumni
Recognition Awards. These are $1,500 awards given to
one student in each year of undergraduate study at
StFX. In selecting the recipients, we look at extracurricular
involvement and an essay they submit, and then
we meet finalists for an interview.
It’s a long day of meetings, but a tremendously
uplifting experience. Every year we are more and
more amazed at what our students are doing, how
they overcome adversity, and the ways in which they
contribute to the StFX community. At the end of the
day, our five committee members were left feeling the
future of StFX is in good hands.
This year we met a varsity athlete whose soft-spoken,
gentle nature belies his imposing physical presence.
This young man beat the odds to be where he is today
and spends time acting as a role model for young
people. We also met a brilliant young woman who is
determined to make a difference in international social
justice after completing a law degree with a specialty
in that area. And we got to know a first-year student
brimming with enthusiasm for all that StFX has to offer,
and trying to find time to experience it all!
In this issue of AlumniNews, we’re pleased to introduce
you to more amazing students and recent
graduates, including Jessica Gray, winner of the Martin
Luther King Jr. Award, and art students who are weaving
friendships with members of the local L’Arche community.
The abundance of opportunities offered to StFX
students is well appreciated
by our undergraduates.
Speaking at
a recent Board of Governors
event, outgoing
Students’ Union President
Matt MacGillivray
pondered whether
StFX is actually different
from other universities,
and if so, how. He
answered his question
with a resounding yes,
and said the difference is that StFX students are taught
to think, analyze and act not only with their heads, but
also with their hearts. And so I leave you with a few of
Matt’s own words to the board on this topic:
“You teach us to take on the world not just with our
minds but with our hearts; with a passion for whatever it
is we do. We’ve been taught the true purpose of gaining
a higher education; that it’s not just for our own good,
but also for the good of others. We’ve been taught to
not stand idly by and let the world change us, but to
instead stand out and change the world in the way
this university has taught us it should be – fair, just,
equitable, and a place where all humanity can live in
peace and security.”
Hail and Health,
Helen Murphy ‘08
Director, Alumni Affairs
AlumniNews
st. francis xavier university
MANAGING EDITOR
Helen Murphy ‘08
Email: hmurphy@stfx.ca
Phone: 902-867-2243
Assistant EDITOR
Shelley Cameron-McCarron
Email: sacamero@stfx.ca
Writers
Shelley Cameron-McCarron
Photo EDITOR
John Bastin
Email: jbastin@stfx.ca
PRODUCTION & DESIGN
Angela Sears
Email: asears@stfx.ca
NEWS EXCHANGE EDITOR
Glenda Bond
Email: gbond@stfx.ca
PHOTOGRAPHS
John Bastin, Colin Busby
COVER DESIGN
Angela Sears
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Glenda Bond
Phone: (902) 867-2186
Fax: (902) 867-3659
Email: alumni@stfx.ca
deadlines
Fall Issue
copy deadline September 20 for
November mailing
Winter Issue
copy deadline January 20 for
March mailing
Summer Issue
copy deadline May 20 for
July mailing
AlumniNews is published by St. Francis Xavier
University Alumni Affairs and Communications
three times annually for alumni and friends of
the university. Views expressed are those of
the individual contributors or sources quoted.
Contents, copyright © 2008 by St. Francis Xavier
University. Subscriptions to AlumniNews are
available to the public for $21 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: alumni@stfx.ca
Phone: 902-867-2186
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.
CANADA’S PREMIER
UNDERGRADUAT E EXPERIENCE
WWW.STFX.CA
letters
X-Rings Around The World
2008 graduates Clark Tardiff and Megan Goudie at Machu Picchu, Peru. The
duo spent four weeks volunteering in the Amazon Rainforest.
hello from peru
Dear AlumniNews,
Here’s a great X-Ring pic of myself
and Megan Goudie, who also
graduated from X in May in biology.
The picture is of us at Machu Picchu
in Peru. We spent four weeks
together volunteering in the Amazon
Rainforest, and went to Machu
Picchu before this.
Hope all is going great back at
X- I certainly miss it!
– Clark Tardiff ‘08
Thank goodness for
camerons!
Dear AlumniNews,
I wanted to share this fun story
with someone (or a group of
someones who would appreciate
At the Blue Lagoon
My name is Glenn Lyon (BA 1996). I am the regional sales executive
for Icelandair in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. We offer flights from
Halifax to Iceland and to 15 other European destinations. On a recent
trip to Iceland, I snapped this photo of my X-Ring at the famous Blue
Lagoon Hot Springs. I was hoping you might be able to use this for
an upcoming publication.
Honestly, only in Antigonish would
this work! I was reminded of what a
beautiful little community we have
at X, and in Antigonish,
and I had to share this story.
it!) I was a bridesmaid in a wedding
last summer in Antigonish.
The bride and I attended StFX
together, along with many of the
other bridesmaids and guests, and
we all made the trip back to marry
her off in true Xaverian spirit.
In the rush to get from Victoria,
BC to Antigonish, NS, I left my ring
on the side of the bath…! Needless
to say I ended up at an X wedding,
in the wedding party with no X-
Ring. I could have cried.
On a whim, I stopped in at
Cameron’s to see if they could
help me out, and they understood
completely. Not only did they lend
me a ring for the entire weekend,
but they were so kind and understanding,
and even apologized
when they said they would need
Leah Mack ‘03
Pictured top, l-r: Leah Mack (see the X-Ring?), Dawn Umlah, Lindsay (Brown)
Sprague. Bottom: Lori Fitzgerald, Melissa Saunders, Amanda Doiron, Laurie DeBodt.
(All are 2003 grads, except Amanda who graduated in 2001).
to get my contact info for their
records. No visa required, just a
phone number! Honestly, only in
Antigonish would this work!
I was reminded of what a beautiful
little community we have at
X, and in Antigonish, and I had to
share this story. I hope the bride
(Rachel Miller) submits the picture
taken of all the girls with their X-
Rings, any excuse to show off the
rings I guess.
Thanks again for the great magazine,
I look forward to every issue,
it’s like a family update. In the
attached pic, you can faintly see
the lovely, borrowed X-Ring on
my finger, thank goodness for
Cameron’s, I would have felt naked
without it!
– Leah Mack ’03
If you’d like to share your X-Ring story
and photos with us, email the editor at
hmurphy@stfx.ca
2 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 3

President’s page l dr. sean e. riley ‘74
J u s t i n Fox ‘ 9 1
returned to StFX in
March as Director,
Recruitment and
Admissions. A firm
believer in the transformative
power of learning, he followed his
time as a student at X with Master
of Arts and Master of Library and
Information Studies degrees.
No one tells
our story
like YOU do.
Share your experience
and encourage the
next generation to
learn more about StFX.
To help, contact our
Admissions Team
Call: 1-877-867-StFX
Email: admit@stfx.ca
Calling all Alumni:
We want your help
Greetings from Antigonish!
I’m writing to you today to introduce myself and engage you as
ambassadors in our efforts to recruit the best and brightest to StFX.
In the 18 years since I graduated from X, the university’s ability to deliver a
high-quality experience to its students has advanced tremendously. There
has never been a better time to be a student at StFX.
Looking back, I remember how special I felt as a student. Since then,
I have invited friends (and more recently the children of friends) to
participate in the transformative experience that is a StFX education.
I’m calling on you to do the same.
Please take every opportunity to tell high school students and their
parents what made your time at StFX special. By doing so, you’ll help
exceptional young people discover the magic that makes the StFX
experience unlike any other.
I want you to know you’re not alone in this effort. You can contact
Recruitment and Admissions at any time for support and guidance in your
role as an ambassador. Plus, if you know young men and women you’d
like us to speak with, you can direct them to our online referral link (it’s
really quick and easy to complete!) at stfx.ca/referred.
With thanks,
Reason to celebrate
T
his is an historic year on the StFX
campus. We’re celebrating 50 years of
helping emerging countries around
the world build better futures. Yes, the Coady
Institute is a half-century old.
A highlight of our milestone anniversary
celebrations will be the opening of the new
Coady International Centre at the heart of
campus this fall. New construction and the
renovation of Aquinas, Augustine and Somers
Chapel are taking shape now as a stunning new
complex on the historic StFX campus.
While this significant investment will strengthen
the Coady’s education programs for community
development leaders and organizations in some
of the poorest countries of the world, I’m also
very excited about what the strengthening of the
Coady will mean for our undergraduates.
Starting this year, the Coady will be ever more
present in the daily lives of our students, not
only because of its new physical proximity to
students’ daily lives on lower campus, but also
because of stronger ties being made between
the institute and students’ academic and social
lives. I am confident that these new elements in
the student experience will serve to attract more
future leaders to our campus.
The experiences in international development the
Coady is bringing to students is complemented
by other outreach activities at StFX, such as local
and international Service Learning placements,
which students are embracing.
We often encounter high school students who
are planning to take a year off after graduation
in order to gain international experience and
do community service work. Many are pleased
to learn that at StFX they can combine these
experiences with an outstanding undergraduate
education.
showcasing the new Coady International Centre
to our alumni. I am very mindful of the fact
that what we are celebrating this year is in fact
the tremendous legacy of a great alumnus of
this university. The work of Rev. Moses Coady,
a graduate of 1905, now reaches around the
globe through the work of the institute that has
borne his name for the past 50 years. It is the
vision of this determined Xaverian, and others
who founded the Antigonish Movement that
led to the establishment of the Coady Institute,
including Rev. Jimmy Tompkins, that we are
honouring this year.
Please join us in the celebration.
Warm regards,
Justin Fox ‘91
Director, Recruitment & Admissions
I invite you to come back home to StFX for
Homecoming 2009, Oct. 2-4, when we’ll be
Dr. Sean E. Riley’74
StFX President
4 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 5

NewsFlash
What’s New on Campus and in the StFX Community
StFX among the best in
Canada, students say
W
hen asked in a national
survey, a remarkable
95 per cent of StFX
students say they would return
to the university, a whole-hearted
nod that once again places StFX as
one of Canada’s top universities.
The number one ranking this
time, however, comes from the
most important stakeholders of
all – StFX students themselves
– in the National Survey of Student
Engagement published by
Macleans.ca.
“We’re thrilled to have StFX
regarded so highly by those who
matter most, the students,” said
StFX President Dr. Sean Riley.
“There’s no better feeling than
knowing our students are telling us
that we are delivering to them on
our commitment as Canada’s premier
undergraduate experience.”
StFX also scored the highest response
of 96 per cent when asked
to evaluate their entire educational
experience.
Other category highlights,
where StFX again fared among
the top, include:
• 95 per cent reported professors
encourage students to participate
in class discussions
• 95 per cent reported professors
treat students as individuals
rather than numbers
• 97 per cent reported professors
are reasonably accessible outside
of class to help students
• 93 per cent indicated the learning
experiences have been
intellectually stimulating
• 89 per cent reported being
satisfied with the overall quality
of the education received at the
university
Education students off to Scotland for practicum
I
t’s a long way to go for a
teaching practicum, but
Meaghan O’Handley and
Emily MacKinnon couldn’t be happier.
The two education students
traveled to Scotland in March
to complete their final teaching
practicum at a Gaelic primary
school in Portree.
“It’s what we have been working
towards our whole lives,” says
Meaghan, who grew up and first
studied Gaelic in Boisdale, Cape
Breton. “Now with our graduation
from education at StFX approaching,
it puts a nice polish towards
what we’ve been working for.”
“And it’s a nice beginning to our
Gaelic teaching career,” says Emily,
another Cape Breton native, from
Ainslie Glen.
The duo grew up in separate
areas of the island, but travelled
Student teachers Meaghan O’Handley (left) and Emily MacKinnon (second from
right) look over a map of Scotland with School of Education director Dr. Jeff Orr
(second left) and Walter Duggan, the school’s admissions and field coordinator.
similar routes to this point. When
they applied to StFX’s School of
Education, they wanted to incorporate
their Gaelic background into
their teaching, and were thrilled
when the school started offering
a Gaelic methodology course in
2007, taught by Effie Rankin.
The students hope to teach
Gaelic in Nova Scotia after they
graduate, and say the six-week
work experience overseas should
provide many benefits.
StFX B.Ed students do four teaching
placements over their two years,
with an option for an alternative
placement in their final teaching
practice. This is the first time a
student will travel to Scotland for
the practicum, says Walter Duggan,
admissions and field coordinator.
School director Dr. Jeff Orr says
everyone from the Nova Scotia Office
of Gaelic Affairs to StFX Celtic
Studies, to local school boards, to Effie
Rankin and Walter Duggan, have
been extremely helpful and they’re
extremely proud of all who’ve
stepped forward in support. “There’s
considerable growing demand for
Gaelic in schools,” he says.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for
two young people to expand their
horizons in something that they
love,” says Mr. Duggan.
newsflash l what’s new on campus and in the stfx community
Coach Konchalski honoured for
achieving 700 th career win
S
tFX men’s basketball head
coach Steve Konchalski was
honoured for his coaching
milestone of achieving his 700 th
career win. Coach Konchalski
achieved the milestone earlier this
season and was presented with a
commemorative plaque by StFX
President Dr. Sean Riley prior to
the Acadia-StFX basketball game
Saturday, Jan. 10 th .
Coach Konchalski, or ‘Coach K’
as he is more affectionately known
around the men’s basketball scene,
currently had, at the time of this
writing, an all-time career coaching
record of 716 wins and 392 losses,
coaching in just over 1,100 games
throughout his 33 year CIS career,
all with StFX.
Currently in his 34 th season at
StFX as the head basketball coach,
Coach K leads all active CIS coaches
in career wins and is second on
the all-time career win list behind
Jerry Hemmings who coached at
Brandon University for 28 seasons
and achieved 734 career wins. As
he is 19 wins away from surpassing
Hemmings as the all-time career
win leader, Coach Konchalski
should achieve this milestone in
the 2009-10 varsity season.
Under his tenureship at StFX,
New Faces At StFX
Kyler Bell named new Director,
Communications & Marketing at StFX
St. Francis Xavier University has
announced the appointment of
Kyler Bell as Director, Communications
& Marketing.
“Kyler brings a wealth of national
marketing experience to the table.
With his guidance and leadership,
we will accelerate the positioning
of StFX as one of Canada’s best
universities,” said Peter Fardy, Vice
President, Advancement.
Kyler will play a key role in the
development and implementation
of an overall marketing and
communications plan linked to
Kyler Bell
the university’s strategic goals. This
includes defining, building and promoting the StFX brand to a national
and an international audience. Immediate projects include evaluating
and exploiting areas of untapped opportunity, such as redesigning the
university’s website.
Kyler joins StFX from Loblaw Companies Limited, where he was Director,
e-Commerce & Online Marketing. At Loblaw, he was responsible for the
online concept, development, and promotion of Loblaw’s key strategic
private label brands, including President’s Choice and Joe Fresh Style.
Prior to joining Loblaw, Kyler worked for some of Canada’s largest brands
such as AIR MILES, Indigo Books and Music, and Sprint Canada. His responsibilities
there included growth and management of customer segments,
with a strong focus on loyalty and retention marketing programs.
Kyler started in his new role January 5, 2009.
Coach K has won three national
championships (1993, 2000, 2001)
and was named CIS Coach of the
Year in 2001. He has also coached
at the international level, serving
16 years as assistant coach of
Canada’s national team (including
three Olympic Games) and
was head coach of the Canadian
national team for four years. As
a player he led Acadia University
to a national title in 1965 and was
named tournament MVP. A native
of Elmhurst, NY, Coach K has been
named to the Acadia Sports Hall
of Fame, StFX Sports Hall of Fame
and the Canadian Basketball Hall
First StFX alumnus at
the helm –
Gary Waterman
appointed
X-Men football
head coach
Steve Konchalski
of Fame and most recently was
named as a member of Basketball
Canada’s Council of Excellence. In
1999 he was honoured as the inaugural
recipient of the Frank Baldwin
Memorial Award for dedication to
basketball in Nova Scotia.
Gary Waterman ‘92 is StFX’s
new head coach of the X-Men
football team; the first time a StFX
alumnus will lead the team. “Gary
Waterman is the ideal person to
lead our program as we launch an Gary Waterman
exciting new era of X-Men football,”
athletics and recreation services director Leo MacPherson said in making
the appointment. “We share a collective vision for success and renewal of
football at StFX. It is exciting to be able to hire a coach with real ties to our
school and an affection for the place, our traditions and our history.” Gary has
been the X-Men’s defensive coordinator for the past three years. He played
four seasons with the X-Men from 1988-92, graduating with a bachelor of
science degree in physical education. He started as a freshman, and spent
time as both running back and defensive back. He was a team captain,
a three-time AUS all-star, and three-time team MVP. After graduation, he
moved to Mississauga, ON where he was a teacher at Father Michael Goetz
High School. For 13 years he coached football, basketball and track and field.
Upon moving to Antigonish, Gary worked as a full-time physical education
teacher on top of his X-Men coaching duties. “Anyone who lives the StFX
experience carries with them a passion and deep sense of pride for the
university. As an alumnus, becoming the new head football coach of the
St. Francis Xavier X-Men is a dream come true,” he says. Gary will serve as
the offensive coordinator for the 2009 season, where he will work hard to
achieve the same kind of success he’s experienced on the other side of the
ball. He assumed head coaching responsibilities Feb. 1, 2009.
6 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 7

newsflash l what’s new on campus and in the stfx community
newsflash l what’s new on campus and in the stfx community
Jordan Croucher invited
on State Visit to Europe
W
The adventure continues
for StFX alumnus
Jordan Croucher, recently
invited to join Her Excellency
the Right Honourable Michaëlle
Jean, Governor General of Canada
on a State visit to the Republic of
Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the
Czech Republic and the Republic
of Slovenia, late in 2008. Croucher,
a Halifax-based artist, starred with
the X-Men basketball team. In 2001,
he was selected as a member of the
national men’s basketball team, representing
Canada in China and fulfilling
one of his lifelong dreams—to
play basketball at a professional level.
When he returned to his community
to work on achieving his musical
dreams, Jordan began work as a
President’s Circle
of Young Alumni 2009
Photo credit: Rebecca Clarke, Photographer
support worker with at-risk students.
He set up extracurricular activities,
started a mentorship program, and
brought in motivational speakers
and athletic trainers to stimulate
and inspire youth. He recorded a
CD that talked with young people
about their lives, dreams and difficulties,
with an underlying message
of positivity and strength. In 2007,
Jordan released his debut album,
No Dress Code. He has received
national nominations and awards,
and has opened for internationally
acclaimed superstars, such as Ne-Yo,
Snoop Dogg, Rhianna, Nas, Kardinal
Offishall, Young Buck, Juelz Santana
and K-OS. In 2008, he accepted the
position of ambassador and spokesperson
for Democracy 250.
The 2009 President’s Circle of Young Alumni at the celebration on Saturday,
May 2 in the Keating Millennium Centre.
Cookies and Cocoa
StFX Practices Random Acts of Kindness
S
tudents passing in
front of the Angus L.
Macdonald Library
on the morning of Feb. 16,
2009, walked into a pleasant
surprise: the smiling faces of
StFX staff and administration
and Students’ Union
executive serving up cookies
and a hot cup of cocoa on a
cold, crisp winter morning.
“The intent here was February
is a gloomy month, the
winter has been long, and
it’s mid-terms, so here’s a
little pick-me-up,” says Keith
Publicover, vice president
recruitment and student
experience. “This was to be
a spontaneous, nice thing, a
random act of kindness. The
intent is to appreciate students
and to be kind and to
do something impromptu.”
Members of senior administration,
Students’ Services
staff and the Students’ Union
set up by the library, one of
the most high-traffic areas on
campus, and served over 400
cups of hot chocolate and
500 X-shaped shortbread
cookies during a three hour
period.
Bob ‘76 and Eileen ‘74 and ‘75 MacDonald were in Montreal in
November for the Grey Cup. Prior to the game on Saturday they
attended a Calgary Stampeders’ Fan Rally where Derek Armstrong
’06 was one of the featured speakers. After the speech, they
compared rings with young Derek!
Dishing it up with
Chef Michael Smith
Culinary icon, Sodexo team up on campus
Hundreds of people came out to meet culinary icon Michael Smith during his
visit to campus on February 2.
A
h, cafeteria food, why the bad rap? On Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, StFX students
spent the day with no less than Canada’s best known chef.
Chef Michael Smith, award-winning cookbook
author, newspaper columnist, roving Canadian
cuisine ambassador, restaurant chef, TV show host
and home cook, was on campus, serving lunch to
students in Bloomfield Cafeteria, signing books, and
commentating on the Iron Chef Competition, which
paired Sodexo chefs, StFX students and university
personnel including StFX President Dr. Sean Riley
into teams for a cook-off broadcast on big screens.
“It’ll be high energy, a great day,” Kevin Fraser, director of StFX’s Sodexo
Food Services, said leading up the big day.
Chef Michael’s visit to StFX is part of an ongoing collaboration he holds
with Sodexo, an international food and facilities management services
company, and StFX’s food supplier.
StFX is also a participant in Sodexo’s Flavours of the World program,
which brings a diverse range of chefs to campus. In November, Sodexo
brought in a chef for an Indian themed day, and in March, students will enjoy
Latin American and Singapore cuisine with two more visiting chefs.
A
Order of Canada
T
h e H o n o u r a b l e
Allan J. MacEachen,
P.C., O.C. has been
named an Officer of the
Order of Canada for his
highly distinguished career
of public service, notably as a
long-serving senator and as
a cabinet minister, where he
played key roles in instituting
imp o r t ant changes to
national health, pension and
social security policies. The
announcement was made
Dec. 30, 2008 by Governor-
General Michaëlle Jean. StFX,
where Mr. MacEachen once
taught economics, holds the
annual Allan J. MacEachen
lecture in his honour.
boriginal students interested
in a career in nursing
now have additional
resources and support to help them
in their educational journey at StFX,
thanks to a two-year $184,000 grant
from Health Canada’s Aboriginal
Health Human Resource Initiative
and the Atlantic Policy Congress
of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat.
To mark this important initiative,
The Hon. Allan J. MacEachen
StFX launches Aboriginal Health
Human Resource Initiative
L-r, Equity advisor Maureen Shebib, Aboriginal student advisor Krista Hanscomb,
Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Communities Dr.
L. Jane McMillan, Bridging program coordinator Mary Rose Julian, John Sylliboy
of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat, nursing professors
Joanne Whitty-Rogers and Cathy MacDonald, School of Nursing chair Dr.
Allene MacIsaac, nursing professor Jane Moseley, and education professor Dr.
Joanne Tompkins.
members of the StFX and Mi’kmaq
education communities gathered
on campus Jan. 19 to celebrate the
launch of the Aboriginal Health
Human Resource Initiative, which
will develop a pilot bridging year
program in the School of Nursing,
and to introduce program coordinator
Mary Rose Julian, a longtime
educator and trusted elder in the
Mi’kmaq community.
8 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 9

on the cover
A rich past, a vital
present and a
vibrant future
By Janet Becigneul
Coady
at
50
W
hen the StFX Board of Governors
boldly established the Coady International
Institute 50 years ago, the
vision was to build a high-calibre international
leadership education institute to build on the
demand that had been arriving on the university’s
doorstep for over 20 years.
The idea was to share the success of the
Antigonish Movement – a movement that
had made a significant difference in the lives
of the people of northeastern Nova Scotia and
beyond – with more people around the world.
The tradition of community outreach, economic
cooperation and service to society that was born
here had piqued the interest of people around
the world, and in their wisdom the founders of
the Coady Institute saw that much of what was
successful here, could and should be shared for
the benefit of others.
Rev. Dr. Moses Coady himself, the institute’s
namesake, had put forth the idea in a letter
written in 1947 to his close confidant Father
Michael Gillis: “We have definitely decided that
our only hope here is to raise about a million or
more, build an International House, and staff
the place with competent professors to take
care of courses, short and long, for people from
everywhere.”
It is hard to imagine that Dr. Coady, or the
visionaries that established the Institute in 1959,
were able to predict the impact that the Coady
would have on the world.
“It is the leaders, the more than 5,000 Coady graduates
in 130 countries, who inspire us as we reach this
historic milestone. You embody the important work
we do. You are the champions of human dignity.”
Mary Coyle, Coady director and university vice-president
10 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 11

on the cover
Right: Joined by StFX president Dr. Sean Riley, Nova
Scotia Lieutenant Governor the Hon. Mayann
Francis and Coady leadership donors, Coady director
Mary Coyle triumphantly broke ground for the
new Coady Institute while the campaign’s original
$1 million donor, Antigonish businessman and
philanthropist John Chisholm (below), drove onto
the lawn in a mini-excavator, and quipped “Gold
shovels might be fine, but we only have a year to
get this thing done!”
The Hon. Frank McKenna, PC, OC, QC, ONB, former Premier of New Brunswick and Canadian Ambassador to the United States, spoke at Coady Celebrates in October,
2008. “The world needs more Coady,” he said to an appreciative Halifax crowd.
Skip ahead 50 years to today. In its first halfcentury,
StFX’s Coady Institute has unleashed
enormous human potential to work on building
a better world. The Institute claims well over
5,000 graduates of its campus-based leadership
educational programs, and countless others
who have had Coady reach out to them in their
homeland through training and partnerships
overseas.
“Our graduates have gone on to work through
their organizations and with their neighbours to
build more prosperous, fair and self-reliant communities
and nations,” says Coady Director and
University Vice-President, Mary Coyle. “Xaverians
should be extremely proud of what their Coady
International Institute has already accomplished,
and I believe they will be excited with what we
are planning for the future.”
Unique in North America, and indeed the
world, the Coady International Institute takes
leaders in community development and heightens
their knowledge, skills, and commitment to
new levels.
The work of the Coady Institute, and its exceptional
graduates and partners, have made a
mark on a number of alumni, including former
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney ’59. He cites the
Institute’s influence in his biography. “They’re
teaching people to help themselves. Enhancing
the self-worth of individuals….so they have an
opportunity to live with dignity,” he writes. “This
whole program is about giving people half a
chance in the belief that if you’re given that, you
will develop it into much more than that. That is
what the Coady is all about.”
Other alumni of note have acknowledged
the impact of the Coady International Institute,
including the Hon. Frank McKenna ‘70, hon.
‘94, Seamus O’Regan ‘92 and honorary alumni,
the Hon. Romeo Dallaire ‘02, Stephen Lewis ‘03,
Louise Arbour ‘03 and Mother Theresa ‘75, who
said: “The spirit of concern which St. Francis
Xavier University expresses in deeds through
its Coady International Institute among the
poor of the world, is very close to my heart.
Your leadership role is deservedly acknowledged
and universally acclaimed.”
Coady adds to unique
StFX experience
In its current location, the Coady Institute
can be easy to miss by some students. It sits on
the edge of campus, and for many students, that
means it’s out of the way.
Students’ Union president, Matt MacGillivray,
believes the move will change that: “With the
new location we’ll certainly see an increase in the
sharing of culture and knowledge that happens
between the Coady participants and the rest of
the student body,” he says. “The foundations of
our university are built around social justice and
community development; and this move to a
central location will solidify the Coady’s place in
our campus community, and will give students
and the Coady an even greater opportunity to
engage in dialogue around the important issues
that face our generation.”
Sara Mahaney, a fourth year development
studies student, who will be entering law school
in the fall, says she came to StFX because of the
Coady Institute: “As a graduating StFX student,
I cannot say enough about the Coady International
Institute. In fact, the Coady Institute’s
Right: Student’s Union president, Matt MacGillivray
congratulates Coady graduates.
presence on the StFX campus was the reason I
chose to attend StFX. As a representation of our
global community, the Coady Institute is a truly
exceptional resource for learning, from development
practitioners who work on the frontlines of
humanity in their daily lives, about what is being
done to address some of the greatest development
issues of our time both around the world
and in our own backyards. I hope that with the
Coady moving into the heart of the StFX campus,
StFX students will take advantage of the great
opportunities that the Coady Institute has to
offer and also make the effort to share with the
Coady what they, the students of StFX, have to
offer as well.”
“For the broader StFX community, Coady is
a window on the social, economic and moral
issues of our world. It translates words into
deeds and enables Canadians to get involved
in bringing about positive change to our world,”
says StFX President Dr. Sean Riley. “I predict here
today that this force will be even more powerful
in drawing students to StFX and in shaping the
experience and values of coming generations.”
“As we celebrate our 50 th anniversary, we are
celebrating all the tremendous accomplishments
of our graduates and partners throughout
the world,” Coyle says. “But we are not stopping
there, because we believe that for this to be an
appropriate celebration of this anniversary, we
must accelerate our efforts to build leadership,
to strengthen communities and to work aggressively
with our partners to finally achieve Coady’s
goal so well stated in Moses Coady’s famous
quote: ‘If we are wise we will help the people
everywhere enjoy the full and abundant life…
to become Masters of Their Own Destiny’.”
• provided educational programming
for 221 development leaders
• sent 15 young Canadians abroad
to work for six months with Coady
partners as part of the CIDA-funded
Youth In Partnership program
(pictured right)
• developed and launched new
distance course offerings in microfinance
• broken ground for the new Coady
International Centre
Coady prepares to move
into its new home
In the fall of 2007, the Coady Institute and
StFX announced it had achieved its goal of raising
funds to build a new home for the Coady
International Institute. In the early summer
of 2008, the university celebrated the official
groundbreaking. Since that time, restoration
of the historic campus buildings and new
construction has been underway in earnest.
The Institute plans to move into its new home
in June 2009.
In the past year, the
Coady Institute has:
• launched a major Ford Foundation-funded
study, entitled Reaching
the Hard to Reach: Comparative
Study of Member-Owned Financial
Institutions in Remote Rural Areas
• published a book on Asset Based
Community Development, called
From Clients to Citizens: Communities
changing the course of their
own development
• co-hosted Global Awareness
Week for all students on campus.
12 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 13

The Coady: The little
Institute that could
on the cover
Coyle highlights the fact that the Coady
Institute is supported by many StFX alumni, and
that the need for support will continue and, in
fact, grow. “The conclusion of the capital campaign
and the opening of the building is as much
a call to action as it is a celebration of our success,”
she said. “We will have to work even harder to
bring more and more exceptional community
leaders here to Antigonish to study.
“We had six donors give a million dollars or
more to support the campaign, all of which was
kicked off by Nova Scotia businessman, John
Chisholm, who entered the campaign as the first
$1 million donor,” says Coyle. “We believe John’s
leadership donation allowed others to see their
way to also making significant donations.”
L-r: Leadership donors John Chisholm, Steve Smith ‘74, Peter Vegso ’66, Graham Dennis and Susan Crocker.
“The Coady embodies the university’s commitment to
social justice which stretches back to our beginning and
before. In many ways, Coady is what makes us unique
among university institutions around the globe.”
Dr. Sean Riley, President, StFX University
Some highlights
of the new Centre
include:
• a doubling of the square footage
of the Institute to 55,000
square feet (43,000 renovated
and 12,000 new construction)
Coady looks to expand its reach
As the Institute prepares to move
into its new home in June 2009, in time
to welcome the 50 th anniversary class, it is
looking further afield.
The Coady International Institute is entering
a new era in its next half century. With
the new centre comes increased capacity
to serve more development leaders from
around the world. “That’s been the motivation
all along,” says Mary Coyle. “Now we
can focus on expanding opportunities to
foster world-class education, innovation,
leadership and community development.
“We are working hard designing new
educational prograims, raising the financial
support to address issues of access and
initiating practical research. Through all of
these efforts, we will continue to work to
build a better world,” she says.
“We will be developing an international
women’s leadership trust, expanding youth
programs to enable more Canadian youth
to experience the world first hand, and
initiating programs to support the development
of leaders among Canada’s Aboriginal
communities.”
Above: Steve ’74 and Kathy Smith are accompanied
by Dr. Sean Riley and Mary Coyle on an early tour
of the construction site.
Coyle points out that, in addition to his personal
donation, Chisholm continued to work diligently
to raise support for the Coady International Institute
from within the Antigonish community,
serving as co-chair of the local campaign team,
along with businessman and StFX alumnus Steve
A recent view of the construction site.
Smith ‘74. Smith used his own $1 million dollar
contribution to leverage a further $2 million from
the local Antigonish community. The campaign
has also had an anonymous $3 million donor.
Peter Vegso ’66, publisher, Chicken Soup for
the Soul Enterprises, Inc. and co-founder of
Health Communications, Inc, made a million
dollar gift to the Coady Institute, as did Chronicle
Herald publisher and honorary doctorate recipient,
Graham Dennis. From there, momentum
continued to grow. Susan Crocker joined StFX
alumnus Mark Wallace as co-chair of the capital
campaign at the national level. “We wanted to
get involved in global development issues and
yet ensure that our gift had maximum impact,”
she says. “With the Coady we found a way to help
leaders bring about positive change in their own
communities. She and her husband, John Hunkin,
also committed $1 million to the campaign.
“The Coady approach brings about more
sustainable development because it is community-led.
Originally, John and I had thought of
contributing to Coady programming one day,
but we soon realized that the building is the
enabler of the whole vision.”
“A wide community of generous supporters–
close to 300 individuals and organizations – rallied
behind this important initiative,” says Coyle.
“Every gift we received is cherished by us and
will be appreciated by the legions of global community
leaders who will enjoy the new Coady
International Centre from this year forward.”
“The Coady Institute’s success with this campaign
has tremendous significance,” says StFX President Dr.
Sean Riley. “Right here, in the calm surroundings of
this university town, we have a resource, a treasure,
that no other university in Canada enjoys. The Coady
supports, by action, the fundamental, precious and
often threatened dignity of people everywhere.
Coady educates leaders with the goal of supporting
self reliance – the ability of people to take control of
their own destiny.”
Below: Coady graduates pose with the statue of Moses Coady, which will be located in the garden of the
new building.
• an expanded Marie Michael Library
and mobile lab, which will
make the library’s many information
resources easily accessible
for all students.
• seven new classrooms with
break-out rooms for smaller
group discussions
• two large 100-seat halls are
included in the classroom total,
venues which will both host
national and international guests
and delegations to campus,
and serve as a new community
resource for Coady, and other,
public events and presentations
• a scenic and inspirational garden,
encompassing an area of 30,000
square feet, will provide an attractive
public space and feature
the bronze monument of Moses
Coady.
Above: Ruth Archibald, Canadian High
Commissioner to South Africa in Pretoria
speaks with Coady grad Dr. Dovahani
Mamphiswana (2001) at the reception she
hosted at her official residence on February
24 th to celebrate the Coady Institute’s 50 th
anniversary.
• a heritage/interpretive component
to showcase the Antigonish
Movement, the story of the
Coady International Institute,
including the impact of our
graduates and partners throughout
the world
• shared facilities with a revitalized
StFX Extension Department.
14 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 15

50 th Anniversary Gala – stay tuned
Celebration and grand opening planning underway
This fall, the Coady International Institute is planning a special 50 th Anniversary
Gala celebration and grand opening of the Coady International Centre.
A day of celebration, special tours and a gala dinner, it will be an event you
won’t want to miss. “Plans are underway, and we are awaiting confirmation of
a number of very special guests to help us officially open our new centre,” says
Coyle. “We will be announcing the date for the special celebrations shortly.”
Stay tuned to the StFX and Coady web sites for updates.
Below: Construction activity inside the new Coady International Centre.
Grads gather around the globe
to celebrate Coady’s 50 th
Coady alumni have begun gathering
at alumni events around the
world to celebrate this milestone
year for the Institute. In January,
a 50 th anniversary celebration
was held in Zambia, co-hosted
by Coady partner organization,
Women for Change. Forty-five
Coady graduates, friends and partners
were in attendance, including
a representative from the Canadian
High Commission.
The group
was proud to host
the first of many
international 50 th
anniversary celebrations.
Among the attendees,
Sanyambe
Mweemba, a 2006
Coady graduate,
wrote: “I thank the
Coady for making
me what I am today.
The lessons and
Sanyambe Mweemba, a
2006 Coady graduate, thanks
Coady for making her what
she is today.
practices made me motivated,
and I look forward to the best in
life. Empowering local communities,
particularly young women,
will always be part of me. I will
never forget the experience at the
Coady.”
In February, Canadian High
Commissioner Ruth Archibald
hosted Coady graduates, staff and
friends from South Africa for a special
50 th anniversary
celebration at her
residence in Pretoria.
According to
Coady’s assistant
director, Gordon
Cunningham, the
opportunity to
gather with the
Institute’s alumni
from South Africa
was powerful: “It
was simply aweinspiring
to see
Coady graduates
who had come to
Coady as community development
workers with very few rights under
the apartheid system, now serving
their communities as members of
parliament or deputy mayors or
even as the head of a construction
company. Here they were mingling
with each other at the home of
the Canadian High Commissioner
and reminiscing about their time
together in Antigonish.”
Plans are underway to hold
celebrations in Ghana, India, Nepal,
Egypt and Bangladesh, and other
Coady graduate groups are looking
for innovative ways to mark the 50 th
anniversary. All StFX alumni who
live, work or travel to these areas
are invited to attend these events.
“The new Coady International Centre, located in
the historic core of our beautiful StFX campus, will
be the launch pad for the next-generation Coady
Institute – a world class Canadian institution
which will unleash tremendous human energy
worldwide.”
Mary Coyle, Coady director and university vice-president
“My experience with the Coady Youth In
Partnership Program was phenomenal. I went
to Rwanda hoping to contribute in some way
but I came back with far more than I feel I gave.
My first-hand exposure to development issues
has granted me a clearer understanding of how
I can effect change as an individual, and a passion
to share this knowledge with people in my
own community. The Coady Institute has been
integral in my development as a global citizen.”
C.J. MacMillan’ 07 (pictured below in Rwanda)
Coady YIP Intern 2007-08
Coady and StFX move to preserve history online
StFX and the Coady International Institute
have forged a new partnership with the
federal Department of Canadian Heritage to preserve
important archival materials chronicling
the history of the Antigonish Movement and the
Coady International Institute. The project’s goal
is to create a portal to the history of the Movement
while shining a light on the present-day
work and positive outcomes of organizations
that followed on its heels, including the StFX
Extension Department and the Coady Institute.
The federal government is contributing $45,000,
which will be matched with in-kind and cash
contributions from the university.
The project is scheduled to be completed this
summer and, according to Coyle, it “will help
more Canadians become aware of how efforts
that are being made in their own backyard are
strengthening communities around the world.”
“Scholars will have greater access to important
archival material that they can use to gain and
share insight into the significance of the creation
and early years of the Coady International
Institute from a variety of perspectives,” says
Rita Campbell, special projects librarian at StFX’s
Angus L. Macdonald Library.
Bill Timmons, a faculty member with the StFX
School of Education, adds: “The Coady materials
would be especially beneficial to any educator
Dr. Moses Coady with international group, 1949-50.
Commemorative Coady Institute book
to be published this fall
The Institute is working on a special edition
book that will look at the Institute’s first 50 years
through the accomplishments of its graduates,
its partnerships and the global themes and
movements it has influenced. But Coyle says the
book will go much further. “It will be much more
Coady’s first class, 1960-61.
on the cover
who may want to research particular topics
related to the Antigonish Movement and the
many legacies left behind by Coady and others.
Being able to gather and present most of
the Coady information in a user-friendly, digital
format will be a great advantage to students,
teachers, scholars and researchers both locally
and around the world.”
The project is a joint initiative of the StFX
Archives and Angus L. Macdonald Library, the
Coady International Institute’s Marie Michael
Library and the StFX School of Education.
The federal funding for the project is provided
by the Canadian Memory Fund, through the
Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canadian
Culture Online Program.
than a history,” she says, “as it strives to look at
how the Coady Institute is positioned to launch
into the next phase of its impact and influence
in the world.”
Well-known writer Noah Richler is researching
and writing the book. X
16 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 17

StFX Legacy Circle
Plan to Make A Difference
The new StFX Legacy Circle is being launched to recognize the
commitment of alumni and friends who have confirmed a legacy
gift to StFX in their estate planning.
Legacy gifts from alumni and friends are important and will ensure
StFX continues to offer the highest quality undergraduate education
to future generations of students.
A legacy gift to StFX offers a number of benefits:
Above: Celebrating the news are (l-r) Vice-President
Finance and Operations Ramsay Duff, Academic
Vice-President and Provost Dr. Mary McGillivray,
Antigonish MLA Hon. Angus MacIsaac, Hon.
Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, StFX President Dr.
Sean Riley, Antigonish Mayor Carl Chisholm and
Antigonish County Warden Herbert Delorey.
$22.7 million investment;
construction may begin as
early as four to six weeks
“We’ve got great students
and great faculty and now
we’re going to have them
in a great facility.”
Schwartz School director
Leo Gallant
Schwartz School
gets green light
O
n April 30, the campus community was
thrilled to hear federal cabinet minister
Peter MacKay and Nova Scotia Premier
Rodney MacDonald announce a $22.7 million
investment toward completion of StFX’s Gerald
Schwartz School of Business and Information Systems.
The announcement comes as part of the
federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
“The entire StFX community is thrilled at this
remarkable demonstration of crucial investment
in the future of Canada,” StFX President Dr. Sean
Riley says. “We would like to thank the federal
government for its initiative in supporting business
innovation research, and the province of
Nova Scotia for its timely movement to support
the economy by investing simultaneously in
education and in job creation.
“With this commitment, we will be able to
break ground on the new Gerald Schwartz
School of Business and Information Systems
within four to six weeks.”
The funding will provide a welcome new
home to approximately 850 students enrolled in
the school. The facility, to be located in the heart
of the campus, will create additional space for
state-of-the-art teaching and research labs.
Academic Vice-President and Provost Dr. Mary
McGillivray says everyone at StFX is excited at
the opportunities this allocation of infrastructure
money will provide for students.
“The renovations this money makes possible
will result in vastly improved classrooms and
presentation rooms, as well as seminar spaces
all designed to be conducive to newer modes
of learning and teaching. Of even greater significance
is the fact that this enhanced space will
provide support for markedly enhanced research
activity in an interactive, open learning environment
that will enable our students to prepare for
their roles as future leaders in the new economy.
We are delighted.”
Leo Gallant, the director of the Schwartz
School, agrees.
“We’ve got great students and great faculty
and now we’re going to have them in a great
facility,” he says. “We’ll have first-class, 21 st century
classrooms, labs and facilities.” X
• You can participate in the education of generations of students by
supporting a university which has been important in your life.
• It offers the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in the name of
a loved one, a friend, or in your own name.
• It enhances your lifetime relationship with StFX.
• It can create a tax benefit for you or for your estate.
• You decide how the gift will be designated. Your gift can be used for
scholarships, bursaries or awards, special projects, academic chairs or
for another purpose that is important to you. Unrestricted gifts are
most welcome as they can be used for the areas of greatest need.
• Members of The StFX Legacy Circle will receive a membership
certificate, a welcoming gift and an annual newsletter, and will be
listed with their approval on The StFX Legacy Circle honour roll.
If you have already made
a gift to StFX in your will,
please let us know and you
will be included in the StFX
Legacy Circle. To become a
member, contact:
StFX Legacy Circle
Planned Giving Office
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-3380
mhartery@stfx.ca
18 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 19

Poignant
moments
S
tFX President Dr. Sean Riley stood and
greeted and shook hands with students
as they filed into the Charles V. Keating
Millennium Centre for the 2008 X-Ring Ceremony.
Students cheered and flashed victory signs, guest
speaker Danny Graham gave an impassioned
speech about the importance of community, and
Dr. Mary McGillivray, academic vice president and
provost, was visibly moved when she received
this year’s honorary X-Ring. Those were scenes
from a very poignant X-Ring Ceremony held
on campus Dec. 3, 2008, and webcast around
the world. Parents and family filled the Oland
Centre and an overflow room in the Keating
Centre to watch the ceremony. Nowhere else in
Canada, North America or perhaps the world is
there such a ceremony, with students leaving as
such wonderful, recognizable ambassadors for
their university, Dr. Riley said. In a ceremony that
included candle bearers lighting a large X, and
violin, jazz and vocal performances, students
also took time to remember the values of social
justice and the iconic Moses Coady. Students’
Union president Matt MacGillivray read from
mark X-Ring 2008
Rev. Coady’s writings from 1948. Guest speaker
and StFX alumnus Danny Graham, former leader
of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and now chief
negotiator for the Province of Nova Scotia in the
Mi’kmaq rights and title negotiations, told the
crowd he was president of the Students’ Union
that initiated the first X-Ring ceremony in 1982.
“The feeling you feel right now, at this moment
is unmistakably the feeling of community. You
have studied, danced, loved, cried, won and lost
together in your precious years here,” he told the
students. “In six months you’ll cross this stage
and enter a world more uncertain than at any
other time. You may feel overwhelmed, you may
wonder if you can make a difference, my answer
is you betcha. Graduation from StFX is more than
a milestone, it’s a feeling, so take a moment to
feel it; it’s a feeling of profound connection and
community with other human beings. If you grow
that feeling, you’ll have more to offer.” In a moving
part of the ceremony, academic vice president
and provost Dr. Mary McGillivray, described as an
unfailing champion of StFX, was presented with
the honorary X-Ring. As members of the class of
Dr. Mary McGillivray, academic vice president and
provost, was visibly moved when she received this
year’s honorary X-Ring. Below: Guest speaker Danny
Graham ‘83.
2009 felt the ring’s weight on their fingers, Alumni
Association president Ed McHugh took to the
stage to welcome students to the “greatest alumni
family” and told them to “take care of yourselves,
take care of others, and think of this day.” X
Forever a Xaverian
A graduate speaks to graduates
Editor’s Note: Through a series of wonderful events around Convocation Weekend 2009, we were once
again reminded of the special power of the StFX community. Here we share the text of a speech by
graduate Pat Connors ’09, delivered during the Convocation baccalaureate Mass.
T
hank you. Father Danny asked me to
speak today to you – as a graduate to
graduates, and as a graduate to you –
clergy, faculty, administration, and staff. He asked
me to speak about my experience at this school,
and how it has prepared me for life. But I think I
would be remiss if I used this opportunity to talk
only about myself. So today, I will talk to you about
my time at X, and how it has helped me for my
future but also I hope to speak more broadly to
our combined experience, and what that experience
will mean for our future.
First and foremost, StFX has given me an opportunity
to obtain a great education. This may
seem obvious. But this, of course, is what we came
for, what we paid for, and what we all worked so
hard to obtain – not just an education but indeed
a great education. I’ve spent the last week thinking
about that. A great education; a Xaverian education.
For me, what really sets StFX apart from all
other schools is the professors. It is dedication
of faculty to students, the ability to form close
working relationships, the fact that professors
know your name. I don’t think the importance of
that can be overstated.
Needless to say, the great academic experience
is not the only characteristic that sets StFX apart. X
is a close-knit community where students, faculty,
and administration rely upon and help each other;
it is a community where the people sitting around
you, who four years ago were strangers, evolved
into friends, and from there became more like
family; it is a community where the students – and
maybe some faculty and administration – have a
never-ending list of occasions to celebrate, yet we
celebrate each occasion like it is the last.
Without a doubt, this has been the StFX experi-
ence from beginning to end. Whether it was the
seemingly open-door policy in residence, the
immediate enthusiasm of o-crew members, or
a personal introduction and handshake from Dr.
Sean Riley at registration on the first day, no other
school – no other community – makes you feel
as welcome, as wanted, as at home as X. Whether
at homecoming, residence hockey games, St.
Patrick’s Day, Halloween, X-Ring, or just a random
night during the week Xaverians know how to
celebrate – with pride, passion, and fun. Whether
you are a varsity or intramural athlete playing
with heart, a musician or performer entertaining
the crowds, a Students’ Union member leading
activities and events, a society member planning
trips, fundraising and advocating for a cause, a
newspaper writer or radio broadcaster, there is a
place for you in this community, a place for you
to give back to the local and broader community,
a place for you to be a proud Xaverian.
My time at X, however, hasn’t all been a celebration.
It hasn’t strictly been about academics
and extracurricular involvement, and it wasn’t all
a breeze. Much of my time at X, at least since the
end of first year, has been a struggle. This struggle
has its roots in the last day of first year; a day seared
into my conscience. That was a day filled with
excitement from looking back fondly on my first
year, of looking forward to returning home, and,
of course, seeing my parents, who had arrived to
take me home. But that excitement soon turned
to fear. We had just got on the highway when my
father’s cell phone rang. It was his doctor; I knew
Dad had been sick but the news was not good. We
rushed home, Dad was hospitalized that evening,
and two days later diagnosed with colorectal
cancer. Immediately, life changed. It is hard to
explain, and could seem somewhat paradoxical
but what had seemed important two days earlier
– exams, marks, finding a job – suddenly seemed
unimportant, and what had seemed trivial two
days earlier – being able to hug your parents, to
talk to them face-to-face, to see them smile – suddenly
seemed of paramount importance.
My Dad struggled, he fought – and fought hard,
for the next two years. Beside him, my family, our
friends, and myself struggled to support Dad, to
understand the disease, to come to terms with
why this was happening to our Dad. Last April,
after the most courageous two-year battle, Dad
passed away. Our struggle was mutated. Still trying
to understand, to comprehend but most of
all to adapt, to survive, to find happiness in a life
without a man whom we all loved and who loved
us all, who gave us more than we could ever ask
for, and who was, and forever will be my idol.
I don’t tell you this story to make you feel sorry
for me, or with the intention of eliciting your sympathy.
I tell it with the intention of demonstrating
the power of the Xaverian community. And, I tell
it because this struggle was a defining point in
my Xaverian experience, just as struggle was a
defining point of your own Xaverian experience.
We have all had struggles. I think of my friend
who knew next to no English when he came
here but quickly adapted, graduated and found
work in Nova Scotia; I think of my friend who has
helped his family immigrate, and start a new life in
a new and foreign land, all the while maintaining
top marks in business; I think of other friends who
are the first in their families to go to and graduate
from university; I think of countless friends
who have worked hard each day over the last
four years, despite not knowing if their student
loan would come through, or if they would have
enough money to finish the year. Loss, change,
fear, uncertainty – we have all struggled; we have
all faced down adversity along the path of our
achievements. Completing our undergraduate
degree amidst these struggles is no small feat.
But for me, I often wonder if I would have been
able to do it at another school; if I would have succeeded
despite my struggles. Of course, there is no
definitive way of ever knowing that. But what I do
know is that the Xaverian community – my friends,
my professors, the administration of this school;
people who had become like family, people who
were more like mentors, or others I barely knew –
offered a hand up when I had been knocked down,
and the encouragement I needed to complete this
degree. It is the close-knit community, its helping
and caring members that make StFX a truly special
place. This allows us to thrive despite our great
struggles. I think we can all give some credit to the
Xaverian community for helping us, sustaining us,
and making us stronger as individuals. I have gained
a valuable academic education, I have made lifelong
friends, and I have learned what it means to live in
a community. I will carry my Xaverian experience
into the future, and build on it to the benefit of my
family and friends, and the broader community. I will
forever be a Xaverian. X
20 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 21

Now graduates,
the future …
Under a warm sky, air full of promise,
StFX celebrates Spring Convocation 2009
By Shelley Cameron-McCarron
I
t’s Sunday, May 3. 8:30 a.m.
Already, the day is warm. A palpable feeling
of promise fills the air.
Proud parents mill about on the lawns outside
StFX’s Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre,
chatting, laughing, snapping last-minute pictures.
Kids are in Sunday best. The crowd, in good
spirits.
StFX President Dr. Sean Riley, on his way into
the building, has been pulled into a group photo,
mugging it up with a bunch of smiling Human
Kinetics students.
A soon-to-be grad spots a friend, gives an
impromptu hug, confesses how nervous she is,
then rushes off to join the line-up for the procession.
Adam Gillis, a kilted bagpiper in full Highland
regalia, plays ¾ marches, tunes of glory, Green
Hills of Tyrol and The Battle Is O’er, as moms,
dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends
file inside to pack the centre, eagerly awaiting
the 1,053 black-robed seniors who will process
into the building during morning and afternoon
ceremonies during Spring Convocation 2009.
“That’s my girl!” a dad cries out.
“Way to go Mom!” comes a little voice from
a child no more than six from in front of the
stage.
“Yeah!”
Graduates pump their arms in victory as they
walk across the stage. Several audience mem-
bers cheer and hoist giant orange Bristol board
signs as friends collect their diplomas. Parents
hold flowers, ready to present, with many, many
hugs of congratulations.
“We pause to be thankful in a very personal
way for the thousands of life stories coming
together today,” Dr. Riley tells Convocation.
“The students are now part of the collective
DNA of StFX, but each graduate has his or her
own life story.”
Convocation is a special day for many, including
four outstanding individuals whom
StFX honoured with the degree Doctor of Law,
honoris causa.
Nova Scotia entrepreneur and philanthropist
John Bragg, Montreal economic and cultural
leader Hélène Desmarais, dietitian and StFX
alumna Helen Bishop MacDonald, and eminent
nuclear physicist Dr.
Arthur B. McDonald all
received honorary degrees
during Sunday’s
ceremony.
Other honours went
to business professor
Brad Long and chemistry
professor Dr. James
Cormier who each
received Outstanding
Teaching Awards,
while psychology professor
Dr. Margo Watt
was honoured with the
President’s Research
Award.
Dr. Bishop MacDonald
encouraged graduates
to avoid conformity,
to follow their
own ideas, and to try to
make every day matter.
“If you can accomplish
enough of those days,
you feel fulfilled.”
Dr. Arthur McDonald had three pieces of
advice: have clearly stated objectives for your
career, never stop learning, and have respect for
all members of your team. He also encouraged
graduates to have a good sense of humour and
to have fun.
Continuing on these inspiring themes, Dr.
Desmarais told students to embrace risks and
challenges, and to look for the opportunity to
make a difference.
2009 graduates Duncan Raymond and Mark
Carras spoke on behalf of the senior class.
“Welcome to the strongest alumni association
in the world,” Alumni Association president Ed
McHugh said as he urged graduates to test the
network of the X-Ring.
“StFX is proud of you and of what you contributed
to the life of the university,” Bishop Raymond
Lahey, university chancellor said in his remarks.
“It’s a thrill to imagine all the roads you will
travel,” Dr. Riley said.
X
Prof. Brad Long
Dr. James Cormier
Dr. Margo Watt
Dr. Hélène Desmarais
Dr. Arthur B. McDonald
Medalists 2009
The University Silver Medal awarded for
the highest average in the final three
years of an honours, advanced major or
major degree program
• Bachelor of Science to: Corinne Janet
Dewar, Antigonish, NS
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing to: Katie
Breen Aikens, New Glasgow, NS
• Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
to: Anne Catherine Harasym,
Nelson, BC
• Bachelor of Arts/Science in Human
Kinetics to: Jacquelyn Bobbie Richardson,
Halifax, NS
The University Silver Medal for the highest
average in the two years of the Bachelor
of Education program to: Megan
Ashley Ross, Barney’s River, NS
The Governor General Medal for the
highest average in the final three years
of an honours program in the Faculty
of Science to: Corinne Janet Dewar,
Antigonish, NS
Dr. John Bragg and Chancellor Bishop Raymond
Lahey
Dr. Helen Bishop MacDonald with Dr. Sean Riley
The University Silver Medal awarded for
the highest average in the final three
years of an honours, advanced major or
major degree program
• Bachelor of Arts to: Lindsay Alexandra
Balson, Victoria, BC
• Bachelor of Music to: Brendan John
Douglas Melchin, Antigonish, NS
The Gerald Schwartz School of Business
and Information Systems: The Silver Medal
for the highest average in the final three
years of Bachelor of Information Systems
to: Heshin Tshering, Bhutan and ONEX
Corporation Gold Medal for the highest
average in the final three years of
Bachelor of Business Administration
to: Rebecca Jane MacKenzie, Toney
River, NS
The University Gold Medal for the highest
average in the final three years of
an honours program in the Faculty of
Arts to: Lindsay Alexandra Balson,
Victoria, BC
22 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 23

alumni profile
alumni profile – Talking with paul wiseman ‘89
Warren Chiasson performing with some of Toronto’s top players at the Lula Lounge.
Warren Chiasson one of top six
vibraphonists of last half century
Editor’s Note: The following excerpts come from an article written by Pat MacAdam that appeared in the
Ottawa and Toronto Suns
I
t’s a giant leap from $7 a night gigs at
Whitney Pier’s Polish Hall to Carnegie Hall.
Looking back at his teens in Sydney from
his Third Avenue apartment in New York, Warren
Chiasson chuckles:
“The going rate was $7. We were pushing
for $8. Our rival, the Polish accordionist, Johnny
Paruch, felt that $7 was a nice comfortable figure.
He didn’t want to rock the boat.
“I wanted to charge $10 a man for New Year’s
Eve at the Knights of Columbus for a trio. My
bassist, “Red Mike” MacDonald, remarked: ‘Hey,
man, don’t do it. You’ll ruin our market’”.
Warren’s big break happened when a chance
meeting with New York promoter, Paul Brown,
led to an audition with George Shearing.
When he was 15, he was “inspired by a
George Shearing Quintet recording of ‘I’ll
Remember April’”, which led him to study
modern jazz. He listened to recordings by
Shearing, Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano and
Duke Ellington, practicing late into the night,
memorizing their solos.
A week after his audition, the kid from
Cheticamp was part of the The George Shearing
Quintet, touring the world “playing opposite
the likes of Dave Brubeck and The Modern Jazz
Quartet”.
Today, the New York Times calls Warren
Chiasson “one of the six top vibraphonists of
the last half century”.
His formal musical training began at age nine
with classical violin lessons. By 13, he was playing
with top Scottish fiddlers, performing at dances,
stage and radio shows.
In high school, he played trombone. Today,
he plays four other instruments – vibes, violin,
piano and guitar.
He completed a freshman year at Xavier
Junior College and a sophomore year at StFX,
where we were contemporaries. After seeing
Lionel Hampton in concert at the Glace Bay
Miners’ Forum, he bought a small xylophone
and dropped out of college.
He had toyed briefly with the prospect of
a career in medicine or dentistry but decided
to make music his life. He enlisted in the Royal
Canadian Artillery Band as a buck-private
trombone player and practiced eight hours a
day on his vibes.
He played the trombone in the military band,
the violin in the salon chamber group, guitar
and piano in the dance band and the occasional
vibes’ solo.
When the offer came from Shearing, Sergeant
Chiasson still had a year-and-a-half of service left.
A sympathetic commanding officer expedited
the paperwork for early release so he could join
Shearing at the Newport Jazz Festival and a week
of concerts in Lenox, Ipswich and Marblehead,
Mass.
Lionel Hampton was Warren’s greatest
influence.
“I saw him first in concert with future jazz
greats Clifford Brown, Quincy Jones and Art
Farmer”.
If “Hamp” was in the area where Warren was
appearing he’d drop in and sit in. He played his
“King David Suite” on Warren’s vibes at Club “777
Barrington” in Halifax. In later years when Warren
was “doing a gig at Sonny’s Place on Long Island,
he walked in with a lady friend and, much to my
delight, played on my vibes”.
In 1988, Warren was invited to play the vibes
in Hampton’s place at Carnegie Hall at the 50th
anniversary re-creation of the historic Benny
Goodman 1938 concert. He filled in opposite
clarinettist Bob Wilbur who represented the
deceased Goodman.
The Associated Press reported: “If Jess Stacy
was the hero of the 1938 concert, in 1988 that
honour goes to vibraphonist Warren Chiasson”.
The New York Times reported that Warren’s
Carnegie Hall performance resulted in “a
standing ovation before this knowledgeable,
sold-out audience.
One of the rare Canadian appearances of the
U.S. superstar was at Toronto’s Lulu Lounge. Paul
Youngman wrote: “I was not expecting such
a physical performance. This vibe player puts
his whole body into playing, heart and soul. At
times, I thought I was watching a dancer with
his fancy footwork. His distinctive brand of
four-mallet technique …has to be seen to be
believed”.
His biography is awesome.
He composed the percussion and played
in 1,700 Broadway performances of “Hair” over
four-and-a-half years, appeared in “Foxy” with
Bert Lahr, in Michel LeGrand’s “Brainchild” and
on the Grammy Award winning album, “Blues
‘n JAZZ” with B.B. King.
He has played every major jazz festival in the
U.S., toured with jazz-pop diva Roberta Flack,
played with Chet Baker and Tal Farlow and made
over 100 recordings.
He recorded three of his own albums – “Good
Vibes for Kurt Weill” (Billboard’s Pick of the Week),
“Quartessence” and “Point Counterpoint”. He also
cut three albums with Shearing.
His prowess as a four-mallet artist makes him
a popular teacher at Master’s classes.
In 1977-78, he was Musician/Artist in Residence
at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax. In 2006 the
Atlantic Jazz Festival honoured him for being
the first Nova Scotian to forge a professional jazz
career. X
M
edical breakthroughs. Awards.
Media coverage. Paul Wiseman ’89
has been enjoying a stellar career.
Now the Sydney, NS native has added the Keith
Laidler Prize in Physical Chemistry for 2009 by the
Canadian Society for Chemistry. The award is for
a scientist residing in Canada who has made a
distinguished contribution in the field of physical
chemistry while working in Canada. Paul is currently
an associate professor in the physics and
chemistry departments at McGill University. In
late 2007, he led a team that made a significant
breakthrough in the rapid detection of malaria.
This discovery could, and probably will have, a
positive influence in both the medical and financial
aspects of health care in countries suffering
from widespread malaria infections.
StFX: Paul, congratulations on your most recent
award. How does it feel to receive such a significant
honour so early in your career?
Paul: I was pleasantly surprised. I knew that McGill
had nominated me, but I had no expectation
that it would come through. It really reflects on
the strength of the research team of graduate
students, postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate
students who have worked in my laboratory.
StFX: The research team you lead at McGill has
developed a radically new technique that uses
lasers and non-linear optical effects to detect
malaria infection in human blood. Could you
tell us about this?
Paul: You may be familiar with harmonics
in acoustics. For example, any pipe in a pipe
organ will have a specific length and it will
emit a given frequency of sound called the
fundamental frequency. However, it will also
emit frequencies that are integer multiples
of the fundamental and these are the higher
harmonic frequencies of sound. We are doing
the same type of thing but with laser light in a
laser scanning microscope we built. The laser
light has a fundamental frequency and when
we focus laser pulses lasting on the order of
100 femtoseconds (a femtosecond is 10 to the
power minus 15 seconds…very short time!) on
certain types of materials, they emit harmonic
light (multiples) of the laser frequency. I had the
idea to try to image the malaria infected cells
when I saw a talk about the malaria pigment
and its molecular structure, and thought it might
make an ideal source for third harmonic light.
Four years later when we had the funds and
built the microscope, we tried it and the infected
blood cells basically lit up! When we focus the
infrared laser we detect strong violet third
harmonic light coming from those blood cells
that contain the pigment (and hence parasites).
It worked the first time we tried it, which is rare
in science. It has been eye opening to learn the
scope of the devastation that malaria causes in
endemic countries so the hope that our idea
may contribute positively to early and accurate
diagnosis definitely drives me.
StFX: You’ve also been part of a collaboration
to bring ICS/ICCS software to the SickKids im-
aging facility to apply its value to real biological
research. Could you talk about the project, and
its implications?
Paul: My group develops image correlation
and fluctuation methods that allow us to
determine what is happening at the molecular
level when we image cells that have proteins
with fluorescent probes attached. We can
determine how the labeled proteins are moving
and how they interact. Researchers in other
labs around the world have begun to use them
for studying processes such as cell migration
and cell signaling which play important roles
in many areas of embryo development and in
diseases such as cancer. My lab approaches it
from the biophysical side of things and asks
what information is hidden in the images that
we can access through clever application of
physical principles.
StFX: What role did StFX play in your career
and life path?
Paul: StFX played a central role. It really felt like
a family there and there was a strong bond
between students and faculty alike. I definitely
benefited from the small school environment
and I think I would have been somewhat lost in
a larger university.
StFX: Do you have any favorite StFX memories,
or a particular mentor?
Paul: I think back about two faculty members
who have passed away: Dr. Secco and Dr. Bunbury
and remember their classes fondly in terms of
their dedication, clarity, enthusiasm and sense of
humour. I try to model my own teaching on what
I benefited from at StFX. As well, Dr. Rom Palepu
was my first scientific mentor at UCCB before he
moved to StFX and I owe him so much for the
mentorship and guidance both in class and in
my first endeavours in the research lab.
StFX: Dr. Johnathan Comeau did his PhD under
your supervision and is now teaching at StFX.
How did this come about?
Paul: Jon worked for Dr. Gerry Marangoni (with
whom I worked in a lab for a summer) at StFX
and was taught by Dr. Palepu. They suggested
my lab as a place to do graduate studies. I was
quite fortunate to get a student of Jon’s calibre
as I started my lab.
StFX: You’re the keynote speaker at StFX in May
for the APICS undergrad chemistry conference.
How will it feel to return to campus?
Paul: I am very excited. It will be a sort of
homecoming for me and a chance to see former
professors. It will also be my first chance to see
the new science building and how the campus
has changed. I think my parents in Sydney are
excited about the visit home too! X
24 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 25

Schedule of Events
Friday, October 2
10 am – 9 pm
Homecoming Registration &
Information. Registration is free &
everyone should register! Hospitality
Suites, Keating Millennium Centre.
1:30 pm
Campus walking tour
Meet at Homecoming registration at
1:15 pm
3 pm
Annual General Meeting
StFX Alumni Association. All alumni
are encouraged to attend. Conference
Room, Keating Millennium Centre.
6 pm (reception)
for 7 pm (dinner)
Welcome Home Dinner
A homecoming event for everyone!
Presentation of Alumni Awards of
Class Reunions
Class of 1949, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Luncheon, Alumni Lounge, Bloomfield
Centre, 12 pm – 2 pm. Class of 1949
is also invited to attend the Golden Grads
dinner at a special reduced price. For more
information and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1949
Class of 1954, Fri., Oct. 2
Class Reception, Alumni House, 4-6 pm
Class of 1954, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Luncheon, Conference Room,
Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre,
12 pm – 2 pm
Class of 1954 Dinner
New Coady Institute, 6 pm reception, 7
pm dinner. For more information and
Excellence. Advance tickets sales only.
For tickets, call 902-867-2186 or email
gbond@stfx.ca. Business attire. Main
Stadium, Keating Millennium Centre
9 pm
Homecoming Inn Pub Night
Big Fish to perform. Casual dress.
MacKay Room & Lounge, Bloomfield
Centre
Saturday, October 3
8 am
Registration for 5K Fun Run
Oland Centre
9 am
5K Fun Run
9 am – 6 pm
Homecoming Registration &
Information continues, Hospitality
Suites, Keating Millennium Centre.
to register, visit www.alumni.stfx.ca/
classof1954
Class of 1959, Thurs., Oct. 1
Class Meet & Greet, 5 pm
Class of 1959, Fri., Oct. 2
Class Meeting, Crystal Cliffs, Time TBA
Class of 1959, Sat., Oct. 3
Golden Grads Dinner, Main Stadium,
Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre, 6
pm reception, 7 pm dinner. For more
information and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1959
Class of 1964, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Dinner, Lobster Treat Restaurant
6 pm reception, 7 pm dinner. For more
information and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1964
9:30 am
Coffee with Coady
An event to celebrate the alumni-Coady
connection, featuring the Katherine
Fleming award presentation, breakfast
refreshments, and a tour of the new
Coady Institute.
11 am
Hall of Honour
Induction of 2009 Hall of Honour
Candidates and Student Alumni Recognition
essay presentations. Reception
to follow. Hall of Clans, Angus L.
Macdonald Library
1:15 pm
Campus Walking tour
Meet at Homecoming registration
at 1 pm
1:45 pm
Ceremonial Football Kick-Off
Class of 1969, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Dinner, Conference Room, Charles
V. Keating Millennium Centre, 6 pm
reception, 7 pm dinner. For more information
and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1969
Class of 1974, Fri., Oct. 2
Class Meet & Greet, Jack’s Bar, Bloomfield
Centre, 4 pm – 9 pm
Class of 1974, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Dinner
Council Chambers, Bloomfield Centre
6 pm reception, 7 pm dinner. For more
information and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1974
Class of 1979, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Dinner, location TBA, 6 pm reception,
7 pm dinner. For more information
2 pm – 5 pm
Homecoming Football Game
StFX v. Acadia. Registered alumni &
guests can purchase tickets ½ price at
the Homecoming registration desk only.
Intermission & post-game receptions,
Main Gym, Oland Centre
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Mount St Bernard College Tea
Everyone welcome – refreshments
served. Location TBA
6 pm (reception)
for 7 pm (dinner)
President’s Reception and
Golden Grad Dinner – Class of
1959. Classes more than 50 years out
are welcome to attend this dinner but
you MUST contact the Alumni Office
for cost and to register (902) 867-
2186. Business attire, Main Stadium,
Keating Millennium Centre
and to register, visit www.alumni.stfx.
ca/classof1979
Class of 1984, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Dinner, St. Ninian Place, 6 pm
reception, 7 pm dinner. For more
information and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1984
Class of 1989, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Brunch, location and time TBA
Class of 1989, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Reception, Alumni Lounge,
Bloomfield Centre, 7 pm. For more
information and to register, visit www.
alumni.stfx.ca/classof1989
Class of 1994, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Dinner, Bloomfield Cafeteria,
Bloomfield Centre, 6 pm reception, 7
Additional class reunions for the
classes of ‘49, ‘54, ‘64, ‘69, ‘74, ‘79, ‘84,
‘89, ‘94, ‘99, and ‘04. For details visit
www.alumni.stfx.ca/homecoming
2009 or contact Jessica Smith at (902)
867-3760 or jasmith@stfx.ca
9 pm
Homecoming Inn Pub Night
Admission: $10. Casual dress, MacKay
Room & Lounge, Bloomfield Ctr. Live
entertainment TBA
Sunday, October 4
11 am
Alumni Mass
University Chapel, class seating.
10:30 am – 1 pm
Farewell Brunch
Tickets also availabe at the registration
desk or at the door, Main Stadium,
Keating Millennium Centre.
pm dinner. For more information and
to register, visit www.alumni.stfx.ca/
classof1994
Class of 1999, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Gathering, Golden X Inn, Bloomfield
Centre, 6 pm. For more information
and to register, visit www.alumni.stfx.
ca/classof1999
Class of 2004, Fri., Oct. 2
Class Meet & Greet, Golden X Inn,
Bloomfield Centre, 6 pm
Class of 2004, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Luncheon, Pat’s Place, 12 pm
Class of 2004, Sat., Oct. 3
Class Gathering, Piper’s Pub, 6:30 pm.
For more information and to register,
visit www.alumni.stfx.ca/classof2004
L’Arche core members and StFX students, like Tommy Landry and Parnell Davis MacNiven, found they were
weaving friendship as much as art.
Tapestry in the community
StFX, L’Arche, Service Learning partner in crafting
Noah’s Ark, building friendships
welve pieces of tapestry, woven with
love and care, hung proudly in a place
of honour on a wall in L’Arche Abelard
House on West Street. On Jan. 9, dozens of
people were visibly moved by the heartwarming
stories and power in each piece.
“This is amazing,” L’Arche community leader
Gus Leuschner said. “Beautiful,” agreed Florence
Riley, L’Arche’s day programs co-coordinator, as
she looked out the picture window, the StFX
campus visible in the background, and mused
on the growing friendship between the university
and L’Arche.
“Joining and sharing are key components of
what we have accomplished over the last few
months,” agreed Murray Gibson, who in September
initiated a unique pilot project in his StFX weaving
studio. Through Service Learning, students in
his Art 222 class partnered with members of the
L’Arche Horizons and Cornerstone programs to
create the multi-part tapestry of Noah’s Ark. The
course’s focus was ‘tapestry in the community’ and
he says it was created to provide an enjoyable and
meaningful learning experience.
Students and L’Arche core members found
they were weaving friendship as much as art.
“I like coming every Wednesday and learning
how to do different things,” says L’Arche core
member Miriam MacDonald.
“It takes the university to a whole other level,”
says student Olivia Giuliani of Ottawa, ON who
spoke of her time with L’Arche core member
Mark Bowie as life altering. “It’s not just a class. It
makes me rethink how I live…Everybody gets
so busy that you don’t go out of your way to
make those connections, but this is part of your
course.”
The student-L’Arche pairs first made coasters
together, then each L’Arche member chose an
animal for the Ark. Based on this inspiration, the
students wove the tapestry. The project continues
with 12 more tapestries this term.
“Art can be a bridge, and it was almost a literal
bridge that brought us to Abelard House and
L’Arche over to the StFX campus,” says Gibson.
“It’s been a great privilege to be welcomed into
your community.” X
26 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 27
Check www.alumni.stfx.ca for updates. Looking for top quality X-Gear? Visit our new online store at www.alumni.stfx.ca/xgear
T
StFX’s Pioneer Program
Canada’s first Service Learning
program began at StFX in 1996,
and is still going strong. The
academic program focuses on two
main aspects: course based and
immersion service learning. In the
former, students work with community
members on local issues,
through academic assignments
that link back to their classroom. In
2007-08, this involved 904 student
experiences. Immersion Service
Learning is an intense cross-cultural
experience offered during Reading
Week or at the end of second term.
Students, with faculty leaders, travel
to locales such as Cuba, Grenada,
L’Arche Ottawa, Belize, and Guatemala.
In 2009, 72 students with
seven faculty leaders participated.
Endowment fund established
On the 10 th anniversary of Immersion
Service Learning, officials announced
a new endowment fund
started by Antigonish residents
Hugh and Doris Gillis. Students
must self-fund their travel, so the
fund should greatly enhance participation
opportunities. “It should
enable more students to participate
in the program which is so attuned
to the traditional StFX support for
social justice,” says Dr. Hugh Gillis, a
former academic vice-president. Dr.
Doris Gillis, a human nutrition professor,
has been a leader with the
program. The fund is open to others
for donations. All money goes
directly to students with financial
need. For more information, please
contact Linda Henke, 902-867-5017,
lhenke@stfx.ca

Alumni
Happenings
Xaverians at Obama Inauguration l A Most Excellent Adventure for ‘08 Grads l Toronto Chapter Bursary Established
“Educating the Emersons” – the Emerson family chronicled their adventures to the U.S. presidential inauguration
for The Globe and Mail. Seen here are George ‘83 and Charmain Emerson, with their children Noah,
Miles and Campbell.
Charmain Emerson sees the X-Ring on a stranger’s
hand and quickly befriends Vuka Nkosi ‘94 from
Johannesburg.
“…Vuka and I stood there
as graduates of a little
college on the periphery
of North America, but
one that also happens
to support a pioneering
institution for community
organizing, the Coady
International Institute…”
George Emerson ‘83
Miles (8), Campbell (12) and Noah (11) Emerson just before Barack Obama
would be sworn as President of the United States. These boys were part of a
family convoy that drove 12 hours from Toronto to stand amongst two million
citizens of the world to see a community organizer become president - the kind
of history that StFX community organizers like Jimmy Tompkins and Moses
Coady would be happy to witness.
assume the most powerful office
in the world, thanks to his skills at
motivating people. This is quite an
achievement considering Obama’s
humble beginnings, and a testament
to what can be gained in the practice
of community development.
We said our goodbyes in the
café, and wished Vuka and Tlhalefo
good luck in navigating the massive
crowds descending on Washington.
Getting to the Washington Mall the
next morning was a challenge in
making sure we didn’t lose three
young boys and their 80-year-old
Grandma amidst two million people
all jostling to get the best view. (We
did lose Grandma for a couple of
hours – but found her eventually.)
We stood in the freezing cold
for hours, increasingly numb and
impatient. But all the stress was
forgotten when Obama was told,
“Congratulations, Mr. President,” and
two million people gave the most
hearty, joyful cheer. I will never hear
a sound like that again.
There was great anticipation for
his inaugural speech, which has
been much analyzed since. But for
me, the first three words were the
ones that resonated the most. “My
fellow citizens,” Obama said. He did
not say, as American presidents
usually do, “My fellow Americans.” He
chose the word, “citizen,” and at that
moment I thought of Vuka, my fellow
Xaverian all the way from South
Africa, witnessing another great moment
in history, when the promise
of citizenship made not a small step,
but a giant leap forward. X
Toronto chapter
establishes bursary
T
he StFX Toronto alumni chapter is proud to announce that it will
be offering an annual bursary of at least $500 to a student of the
Greater Toronto Area attending his/her freshman year at StFX. An
endowment fund at StFX was established by the Toronto alumni
chapter in December 2008 and will provide its first bursary in June, 2009.
The criteria for this bursary will include financial need as well as a personal
essay to be submitted to the Toronto chapter nominations committee for
review and selection.
The bursary was initiated by past presidents of the Toronto chapter,
Becky Doyle ‘99 and Martha Black ‘01. It has been made possible by successfully
planned and executed alumni events over the past few years
including the annual golf tournament and the Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Day Reception. A number of local alumni have supported the chapter in
many ways and in particular we would like to recognize Dr. John ‘54 and
Trudy Young, Jim Nasso ‘59, Sean Boyd (StFX Board of Governors) and
Bill McDonnell ‘77 for their generous support and efforts.
The Toronto alumni chapter is excited to support future Xaverians
through this endeavour as we carry out our mission to enrich the Xaverian
experience for our friends, students, and alumni of StFX. X
1 2 3 4 5 6
By George Emerson ’83
Xaverians at Obama Inauguration
O
n the day before Barack Obama’s
inauguration, in a crowded café in
suburban Washington D.C., my wife
Charmain started chatting to a man wearing
an X-Ring – and that’s when I had a feeling that
we were part of a gathering of the citizens of
the world.
My family (my wife, our three boys, along
with Charmain’s mother, uncle, aunt and cousin)
all thought we had endured a long journey to
witness history – 12 hours driving from Toronto.
But then Charmain discovered that the man with
the X-Ring, Vuka Nkosi ’94, had just gotten off a
20-hour flight from Johannesburg, South Africa
with his friend Tlhalefo Moloi (a graduate of Saint
Mary’s in Halifax) - and so we felt our journey was
small in comparison to theirs.
Vuka told us what moved them to come
such a long way, at such great expense: “When
Nelson Mandela was freed, everyone around
the world, Americans, you Canadians, everyone
supported us. So we came to support America
at this historic time.”
I’d heard many stories X alumni will tell about
making new friends because of the sighting of
an X-Ring on a stranger’s hand. But when Vuka
spoke of his motivation for being in Washington
on January 20, 2009, I had a new appreciation
for what unites us – not merely as people lucky
enough to go to a decent university, but as citizens
who have a need to participate in a larger
community, to reach beyond our own selfish
and parochial interests.
Vuka and I stood there as graduates of a little
college on the periphery of North America, but
one that also happens to support a pioneering
institution for community organizing, the Coady
International Institute. And here we were, about
to witness a community organizer, Barack Obama,
’08 Grads Hit the Road on a Most Excellent Adventure
Dear Alumni News,
Here are a few shots of some 2008 X grads who took a trip last May right
out of Antigonish, driving from the East Coast to the West, making stops
with new and old X friends on the way. Pictured here, starting at Lane Hall,
(1) where StFX started for most of us on the trip, are (l-r): Jamie Stinson, Jon
Adams, Nick Dewolfe, Marc Rodrigue, and Glenn Horne (taken by Dean of
Students Joe MacDonald). The “Atlantic Ocean” shot (2) was taken by the
ferry to Prince Edward Island on the first day of the trip (l-r): Glenn Horne,
Marc Rodrigue, Jamie Stinson, Jon Adams, and Nick Dewolfe; “Old Quebec
City” (3) was taken by some American tourists who noticed the ring – we
filled them in on the whole story! (l-r): Marc Rodrigue, Jamie Stinson,
Glenn Horne, Nick Dewolfe, and Jon Adams; “Montreal” (4) is taken in old
Montreal (l-r): Glenn Horne, Nick Dewolfe, Marc Rodrigue, and Jamie Stinson;
“Vancouver” (5) (l-r): Jamie Stinson, Kim Jansz, Marc Rodrigue, Nick Dewolfe,
Jon Adams, Jena Beals, and Carly Wignes, a friendly street performer in
Vancouver’s Gastown; and the one titled “Pacific Ocean” (6) which was taken
in Vancouver Harbour has (l-r): Jon Adams, Jamie Stinson, Marc Rodrigue and
Nick Dewolfe. All in all, the trip was a great success, with only a few minor
mishaps (a busted-into van in Vancouver!). The highlights were incredible,
and the trip was a great way to cap off the X experience!
– Marc Rodrigue ‘08
28 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 29

on campus
StFX upgrades to offer leading
edge wellness services
S
tFX’s newly enhanced student
Health Centre is much
more than a place to go for
a common cold or a sprained ankle.
Students can now book a therapeutic
massage, visit a naturopathic
doctor, see a chiropractor and talk
with nurses and physicians about
their overall wellness.
“In addition to having a general
practitioner, we want it to be inclusive
of a person’s total health,” Health
and Counseling director Angela Marshall
says of the centre, re-opened
March 2 after an extensive six-week
$500,000 renovation.
The changes – which have seen
the introduction and broadening of
health services on campus – came
about primarily because of student
requests for better, holistic, health
support.
“Working closely with our students,
we recognize and understand
their changing needs, and we continue
to evolve to ensure we meet
those needs.”
Here, Dr. Jeanie Cameron, physician with the StFX Health Centre is seen with a
student during the Centre’s open house.
ling program, massage therapy,
all accessible using their Students’
Union Health Plan.
Marshall says she’s particularly
proud that they have worked out a
way to direct bill the insurance company
so that students won’t have to
fill out claim forms or pay up front.
Students who have opted out of the
health plan can also take advantage
of these services; however, cost will
vary according to insurance policy
coverage.
Students can count on the same
great access to physicians and nurses
but can expect shorter wait times,
Students voted in the 2008 Students’
Union election to support a
capital campaign of $25 per student
to be directed towards renovations
in Bloomfield Centre, the Students’
Union building.
Responding to these needs, the
StFX administration worked with the
students to introduce and expand
the programs designed specifically
for them.
Students’ Union president Matt
MacGillivray says students will most
definitely benefit from these renovations.
“The new health centre is
fantastic. On the most basic level, students
now have a comfortable space
to visit during uncomfortable times,
wait times will decrease because of
the extra examination rooms, the
waiting room is also equipped with
two screens for health information,
wireless internet, and cable TV.”
The Health Centre is also introducing
a great deal of new services:
naturopathic medicine, sports medicine,
a chiropractor, a peer counselbecause
the centre now has four
brand new examination rooms to
accommodate students, she says.
Each room is equipped with state-ofthe-art
equipment and safety features
that meet and exceed code. The centre
also offers a slate of new services
including wellness clinics for men and
women, and an outreach program
that sees nurses go into residences on
a weekly basis. This will allow students
to develop relationships and become
more comfortable with the nurses,
making the transition of coming to
the health centre that much easier,
Marshall says. X
Never worry about changing
email addresses again!
With the use of StFX Email Forwarding, you can
establish a lifetime email address which does
not change. You can give this address out to
family, friends and associates without worrying
that it will be altered in six months to avoid
spam or because you relocate or change jobs
or Internet service providers.
Here’s how it works:
You create an email address in the online alumni community
by providing a name (yourname@alumni.stfx.ca). This address,
however, is not a “real” email address with an email box and email
server. Instead, when emails are sent to that address, they
are automatically forwarded to the real email address
you have on file in the online community. Each time your
email address changes, you simply update your personal email
address on file, and all email reaches you without you having to
inform everyone of the change.
SIGN UP FOR LIFETIME EMAIL TODAY AT
WWW.ALUMNI.STFX.CA
Classics for Classics
Want some intellectual stimulation
this summer? Come back to
campus and study Plato!
No exams, we promise.
Topic: Plato’s Republic
Dates: July 13-17, 2009
Faculty: Led by Dean of Arts, Dr. Steve
Baldner, with related lectures from
professors in Philosophy, History, Art,
Literature and Religious Studies.
Cost: Free for alumni, $100 for nonalumni
($100 deposit from alumni is
reimbursed after course); nominal cost
for outings during the week.
Accommodations: Available in
beautiful Governors Hall at discounted
rate
Register by contacting
Helen Murphy,
Director, Alumni Affairs,
hmurphy@stfx.ca 902-867-2243
Jessica Gray receives
Martin Luther King Jr. Award
J
essica Gray, a second year
nursing student from
Dartmouth, NS, is the 2009
recipient of StFX’s Martin Luther
King Jr. Award.
Jessica received the award
Jan. 19, 2009 during the Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day held
in the MacKay Room, Bloomfield
Centre.
As she accepted the award,
Jessica spoke of King’s worldwide
impact and his influence, still felt
in society today. She spoke of
how his contributions were not
just for one race, but for all races
to come together in tranquility.
“My personal goal is to defy
any stereotypes and make my
own small contribution,” she said
in noting how much the award
means to her.
“I want to be a role model and
show that race is never a factor.”
Jessica Gray
The Martin Luther King Jr.
Award is presented annually at
StFX to a Black Nova Scotian student
with the highest academic
average. X
Alumni Award winners
Congratulations to the 2009 Alumni Recognition Award winners. The students
had to write an essay and go through an interview process.
1 st year: Mariah Giberson, Moncton, NB 2 nd year: Jessica Fry, Castlegar, BC
3 rd year: Mary Cranmer-Byng, Mississauga, ON 4 th year: Lindsay Balson, Victoria, BC
3 rd year: Kwame Osei-Peprah, Toronto, ON (no photo available)
30 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 31

alumni profile
Editor’s Note: The following are excerpts from a story by Mike Mullen
published Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 in the Telegraph-Journal, Saint John, NB.
He practised
compassion, fairness
SAINT JOHN - With Justice Robert
J. Higgins ’56 (StFX’s 2006 distinguished
alumnus award winner)
facing mandatory retirement from
the Court of Queen’s Bench, his
family can breathe easy that he
has no plans to pursue one of the
few things he always felt he missed
out on in life. “One of my big regrets
is I never got into motorcycling,”
Higgins, who was appointed to
the court in 1979, said during an
interview in the comfort of the
home in Millidgeville where he
and his wife Rosemary (Keenan),
raised their four grown children. “I
rode a couple of times, but I never
got into motorcycling,” he added.
“My family would get so upset
every time I wanted to get into
biking. “It’s too late now, I think, to
get into that.”
But with both he and Rosemary,
with whom he does most everything
these days, in good health, he
has no plans to slow down, either.
They’ll continue to keep physically
active, walking and enjoying their
camp, spending time with their
eight grandchildren and travelling.
Higgins will also continue to sail,
read and re-read the classics and,
at the request of lawyer friends, do
some mediation work and continue
the friendships the avid sportsman
made during his youth.
Justice Robert Higgins ’56 with his wife Rosemary Higgins.
Born in Saint John on Jan. 13,
1934, he was the third of four closeknit
sons of the late John J. Higgins,
who along with his brother Ned
operated a clothing store, Higgins
Bros., on King Street. Their mother,
Helen (McGuire), died when little
Bobby was just two years old. His
dad brought in a former nun from
St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish,
NS, named Eileen Elliott
who, along with his father, became
the biggest influence on Bobby
Higgins during his growing-up
years on Waterloo Street, Wellington
Row and Sewell Street. “(Elliott)
was very nice, but very strict,” Higgins
recalled. “We used to win all
the spelling bees and everything
because she would make us spell
our words in a lineup and do 50
words, or whatever it was. And if
you missed one, you had to go
back and start all over again.” She
and his father ingrained in the
Higgins boys to “work hard, be fair
and the importance of family,” said
Higgins.
Like his eldest brother and former
mayor, the late Tom Higgins,
he planned to go into teaching. But
after completing his bachelor of
arts at St. Francis Xavier University,
where he played varsity sports, he
recalled how his father asked him
what he was going to do. He had
never given the legal profession a
thought, but his father’s suggestion
that he might take law at the
UNB Law School around the corner
from his Sewell Street home, led
him to take that path in life. X
alumni association update l ed mchugh ‘79, President
Cheers to our female athletes
A
s I write this, it is early March. A group
of us have just watched our women’s
basketball team give it everything they
had in the AUS (Atlantic University Sport) Conference
semi-final against Cape Breton University.
The night before, we totally overpowered UNB
in a conference quarterfinal. It was interesting to
watch as UNB has been a powerhouse in female
athletics for decades.
Through the years, there has been plenty written
about the success of our male varsity teams.
Obviously, we don’t win everything every year,
but our male teams have created an image that
we will always be a contender in any sport we
play.
Historically, there has not been as much
coverage of our female varsity teams in the
mainstream media. Despite the equal coverage,
website content and media information
provided by StFX, the external coverage is still
not balanced.
Upon closer examination of our recent varsity
sports’ records, our women have performed at
an exceptional level.
Here are a few highlights:
I will start with this year’s edition of the blue
and white female hoopsters. They were a treat to
behold. They were in every single contest they
played. They competed with intensity and class.
They won 10 more games than last season and
many felt that rookie coach Matt Skinn should
have been named the AUS Coach of the Year. My
prediction is that he will win it next year as that
award always seems to be one year out of sync.
Our women’s hockey concluded its AUS season
with a close loss to Moncton after totally
dominating the conference for years. We have
had the most successful franchise in the history
of the AUS league. We are hosting the CIS (Canadian
Interuniversity Sport) women’s nationals
at X in late March. That tournament is back at X
based on the stellar job we did hosting it in the
past.
On the Sunday afternoon of this past Homecoming,
Shelly and I watched our very strong
female soccer team in action and then our
women’s rugby team. If you have not heard
the story behind this rugby team, do a little
research. They have had two tragedies in the
past two years, fought past after both and won
conference titles. At the last two nationals, they
brought home medals both times, including our
first-ever national female sporting championship.
Last season, their regular season record was
6-0 and they outscored their opponents – 416-0!
They won the league championship over Saint
Mary’s 52-0. At one point during the season, the
AUS website’s Question of the Week was whether
our women were going to give up any points
during the regular season!
Our women’s soccer, volleyball and track and
field teams are competitive in every contest they
play. They make you proud to support the blue
and white.
And what about the individual female sporting
achievements of Ghislaine Landry (rugby)
and Brayden Ferguson (hockey)? Not only were
they both named the 2008 co-Female Athletes
of the Year at X, but each one was named the
CIS Player of the Year in their respective sports.
They are the first females ever at X to earn such a
distinction. Ghislaine just repeated the feat again
this year and Brayden just got back from China
with Team Canada winning a gold medal at the
World University Games.
One more highlight has been our women’s
cross country team. They won the first ever CIS
team medal for X with a bronze in 2007 after
winning the AUS championship.
Ed McHugh ‘79 cheers for the X-Women at the AUS
Basketball tournament.
I am a fan of any student who volunteers his
or her time for any cause or organization that
makes StFX or any community more vibrant
and responsive. The commitment to be a varsity
athlete is huge. It can bring higher visibility, but it
also brings responsibility. It is a great life-building
way to spend your time, but so is involvement
in the Students’ Union, X-Project, tutoring, oncampus
societies, Best Buddies, etc. The list is
endless.
However, our women athletes at StFX are
certainly making us proud each time they suit
up to represent the blue and white! X
Hail and Health,
Ed
Justice Robert J. Higgins ’56, who retired from the Court of Queen’s Bench on
his 75th birthday, is surrounded by court staff.
32 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 33

Northern California
chapter news
London, ON
The X-Spirit was alive and strong at the London, Ontario chapter gathering to celebrate StFX
Day on November 28, 2008.
Chapter
news
X-Rings around the world celebrate StFX Day
From Abu Dhabi to Amherst, and all points in between,
December 3 was once again embraced and celebrated
around the world. This year the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier
was also chosen for alumni gatherings to kick off chapters in
Mississauga and Hamilton. Together with Antigonish, that
brings to three the number of new chapters in the StFX
network launched in the past year, with plans for more in
the near future. Consider it a baby boom, of sorts, for the
StFX family!
(Back, l-r) Lisa McCarthy ‘86, Lynn Gardiner-Stewart ‘77, C.J.
(Jamieson) Healy ‘98, (front , l-r) Susan Ammon ‘82 and
Barbara Giacomin ‘73.
Northern California
The Northern California Chapter met on December 7 th at
H.S. Lordships in the Berkeley Marina, Berkeley, California.
Five StFX grads were in attendance and had a great time
talking about our experiences at X.
Any other Northern Californian or Bay Area Alumni
please contact C.J. at catherinemhealy@hotmail.com for
news on future events.
– C.J. (Jamieson) Healy ‘98
Ottawa
ottawa, ON
The Ottawa alumni chapter celebrated the Feast of St.
Francis Xavier with a Mass at St. Patrick’s Basilica church,
lead by our special guest, Bishop Raymond Lahey, Chancellor,
StFX. A wine and cheese reception was held following
Mass where alumni met and mingled, sipped and
savoured. Thanks to everyone who joined us that evening,
some alumni from as far away as Kinston, ON. Of course, a
special thanks to Bishop Lahey who was able to attend on
this special day. The festivities for some continued at the
Royal Oak where a few more ‘socials’ were had. Thank you
Ottawa alumni for your continued support.
– Karri Cameron ’92
London, ON
A hearty crew gathered at the Scots Corner Pub in London,
ON, on November 29, 2008 for our Southwestern Ontario
gathering. The weather finally cooperated, allowing 27
alumni, accompanied by friends of the university, to show
the X spirit is alive and strong here in London. The evening
opened with Andrew Knight ’06 reciting the Xaverian
prayer. Gerry Lowe, our vp, said words in memory of one of
our local alumni who recently passed away and will always
be missed at our events, Blake “Santa” Brady, ’51.
Ed McHugh, our national alumni president was
on hand to deliver an informative update on the
goings on back at the university. Stephanie Mills
’08, a new member of the President’s Circle of
Young Alumni, was recognized and welcomed
to our London community. Fond memories were
recounted of our chapter founder, Troy Stanley ’95,
who recently relocated to Calgary. His hard work
and dedication resulted in our recent chapter
recognition award this year. We are sure he will
continue to further the “X cause” out west. Overall,
a wonderful mix of alumni and friends was on
hand to celebrate StFX Day and recount stories
of their days at X. Our next event will be in June,
gathering present students, their families and
alumni for a golf tournament and barbeque.
– Drew Smith
Prince George, BC
On StFX Day in Prince George, BC, we had 12
alumni along with some spouses and partners. We
had alumni from the 1960’s to alumni from the 06
graduating class. A good night was had by all as
we enjoyed some stories about our times at StFX
and how we all came to live in Prince George, as
well as some good food and drinks. We are hoping
to have some lobsters flown in during May.
– Brent Arsenault
Prince Edward Island
On December 6, the Prince Edward Island alumni
association gathered to celebrate StFX Day. Festivities
were well attended by alumni, young and
old alike. During Mass at Lady of Assumption Parish
in Stratford, Father Phil Callaghan welcomed
our group, specifically noting the fascinating
power the X-Ring holds, and which StFX graduates
exhibit. Following Mass, alumni gathered
at The Merchant Man Pub to share experiences
and meet fellow alumni. Our chapter is extremely
pleased to welcome many new alumni who have
decided to become active in the chapter and who
are determined to spread the X-spirit here on PEI.
The evening was topped off with traditional fiddle
tunes performed live by alumnus Ward MacDonald
’03. The Prince Edward Island chapter would like to
graciously thank Athletics Director Leo MacPherson
Prince George, BC
who was in attendance on the 6th. Leo kindly
brought our alumni up to speed on what is new
and exciting on campus, while exhibiting the
current successes of the university. We truly look
forward to gathering again in the spring!
— Heather MacAulay
St. John’s, NL
Bill Dilny hosted his last StFX Day as president of
the St. John’s and Newfoundland and Labrador
Chapter on Friday, November 28 at the Last
Drop in St. John’s. Bill for the past seven years
has been doing a superb job organizing these
events and has been one of main forces with Ron
Joy making sure we have StFX Day every year. A
big thank you from everyone and I am sure they
will still be of great assistance in continuing to
organize these events.
We had a great turn out with alumni ranging
from new graduates to those who graduate over
50 years ago. People reconnected with old friends
and made new ones. Everyone talked about what
it was like when they were at StFX, where they lived,
what the food was like when they were there and
how many changes have taken place since they
left. The one common thread though, was what
a great time they had when attending StFX and
how it has shaped their lives. A common theme
that never seems to change.
We had several draws for different StFX treats,
thank you to the Alumni Office. For anyone who
wants to become involved with the chapter,
contact president Jacqui Janes at jkjanes@yahoo.
com.
– Jacqui Janes
CALGARY, AB
The Calgary alumni chapter had a great StFX Day
event and Mass on Dec. 3, 2008, held at the FCJ
Christian Life Centre. About 70 people attended,
which is up from last year. That was probably
Prince Edward Island
Moncton
due partly to mild weather, but also because
I think we are reaching more people with the
updated email list.
– Jay Donlevy
Moncton, NB
Moncton alumni gathered at the Molson Brewery
Nov 28 th for a tour of StFX via video, and
also a tour of the brewery. Peter Fardy, VP of
Advancement, came from Antigonish to give us
a StFX update. Thank you to all who turned out.
We welcome all Moncton alumni at our future
events. Please join our chapter and give your
ideas. We would like to hear from you. Our next
event will be the student send-off in August.
www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.
php?gid=37741942438
CALGARY, AB
Happy New Year, fellow Xaverians! The last few
months have seen quite a bit of activity for the
Calgary chapter, despite the free-fall in the price
of crude oil!
First off, the Calgary chapter would like to extend
a big congratulations to Irene MacDonald
‘73 for her induction into the Hall of Honour at
StFX. The induction ceremony took place October
4 in the Hall of Clans at the StFX library. Irene
said of the experience, “It was quite humbling to
think that I was being rewarded for something
that I enjoy doing so much.”
The blue and white were out in full force at
the end of October, when the X-Women came
to Lethbridge for the national university rugby
championships. The final result may not have
been what the X-Women had been hoping for,
but hopefully the team can take solace in the
terrific number of StFX supporters who came
from near and far to cheer them on. According
to Phil Markovich ‘85, “At several points in the
final match, the StFX fans were able to drown
St. John’s , NL
34 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 35

chapter news
chapter news
Amherst
Pictured are (front l-r): Chris Murray ‘73; Pat Durnan
‘99; Margaret Montrose ‘77, ‘78; Kari Bragg ‘05; Diane
Legere ‘81; Dale MacDougall ‘80 (middle l-r): Barry
Anderson ‘68; Karen Bishop ‘05, ‘07; Matthew Ripley
‘03: Peter Mattatall ‘83; Andrew Handly ‘06, ‘08; Blaise
Dobbin ‘90 (back l-r): Monique Hallee ‘07; Laura
Dillman-Ripley ‘02; Michelle Cormier ‘03; Wayne
MacDougall ‘79; David Milner ‘66
out a much larger home-town contingent of
University of Lethbridge fans.”
The big winter get-together happened December
3, the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier, for our
annual Mass and reception. Organized by Leona
Whitburn ’62, the Calgary chapter had its biggest
crowd yet! Many thanks to the readers, musicians
and gift bearers, and a special thanks to Fr. Bill Stephenson
’57, who again presided over the Mass.
Also, thank you to all who helped organize the
reception. According to one alum, “It was nice to
have wine this year, it makes the reception more
spirited.” Yes, pun intended.
The next big event is March 14, 2009, for the
Annual Alumni Pub Night. The popular Celtic
band ‘FRAID KNOT is reprising its visit from
Abu Dhabi Alumni
Four Abu Dhabi alumni celebrating X Day on Dec 3 rd . We
also celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving together in October!
We would appreciate it if any other alumni in Abu Dhabi or
environs could get in touch at chs226@emirates.net.ae so
we can enlarge our celebratory group!
Hail & Health,
Elaine Fortune ‘64
Mississauga
last year, which, as many alumni remember, was
a rockin’ good time. Tickets are limited, this year,
because of a change in venue, so make sure you
get yours early!
As always, the chapter is looking for ways to keep
its alumni database current, especially among newer
grads. If you or someone you know has moved
to the Calgary area, recently, drop the chapter a line
by registering with the “X-Ring” at alumni.stfx.ca, or
e-mailing the chapter at stfxcalgarychapter@gmail.
com. The chapter also has a home on Facebook!
And for the benefit of those grads who expect to
re-locate to southern Alberta after Senior Week,
the chapter hopes to have a “Xaverian Welcome
to Calgary” sometime in the summer or fall.
— Oliver Munar ‘98
Amherst, NS
Alumni form both sides of the Nova Scotia / New
Brunswick border gathered on December 3rd
at Bella’s Café in Amherst to celebrate StFX day.
With a solid turnout of 17 alumni in attendance,
X-rings ranged from 1966 to 2007. Highlights
and happenings from campus were delivered,
along with video presentation
and prize raffle. With the usual
story telling and memories
shared, a good time was enjoyed
by all.
– Blaise Dobbin ‘90
Toronto, ON
Hello from Toronto. Although
some people think Toronto is
the centre of Canada, we all
know it is really Antigonish. Nevertheless we are
X-cited to update you on the activities that have
taken place over the past year with the Toronto
chapter. In May of 2008 we had our 5 th annual
golf tournament organized by Bill McDonnell ‘77.
A success as always, these tournaments provide
the chapter with financial sustainability for other
events, as well as our ability to create an endowment
fund with the university for our annual
bursary (see our bursary update on page 29).
On the eve of this tournament our local executive
grew from one to four as local alumni
John Ratchford ‘91, Heather Shillington ‘01 and
Andrew Howlett ‘02 joined Martha Black ‘01 to
assist in planning future events. The former three
were later ratified at the AGM on December 5th,
carrying the responsibilities of treasurer, secretary
and president, respectively.
In June 2008 we arranged for a wonderful
student send-off and welcomed our freshmen
class to the Toronto alumni network before they
packed their bags and headed east. The following
months were met with considerable planning to
pull off one of our most X-citing events to date.
December 5 th , 2008 began with a well attended
and thoughtful debate at the annual
general meeting chaired by one of our “senior
advisors” Dr. John Young ‘54 ‘05. Following this,
former university Chaplain and beloved Fr. Paul
MacNeil concelebrated mass at the St. Thomas
Aquinas Church.
Afterwards over 125 local alumni and friends
joined by Helen Murphy `08 gathered for a lovely
reception that lasted late into the evening at the
Newman Centre, the Roman Catholic Student
Toronto
Centre and Parish at the University of Toronto. This
elegant and historical building, decorated by John
Young’s collection of NS and StFX flags and memorabilia,
provided a wonderful ambiance for many
cheers and conversations. Those present were
spoiled with Wheel Pizza flown in from Antigonish,
cooked in-house and served right out of the box,
accompanied with Keith’s, Molson, Coors Light
and Niagara wines. The event was made possible
by the generous gift by Jim Nasso `59 and Sean
Boyd (StFX Board of Governors) of Agnico-Eagle
Mines Limited.
The final X-citement came down to the raffle,
which included a large flat screen TV donated by
Leon’s as well as an original artwork by Dr. John
Young. Before people left with souvenir Wheel
Boxes (plus or minus pizza inside) Helen injected
us all with the X-spirit, providing us with the latest
news and ideas springing from StFX. The only
thing missing that night was donair sauce, but
we promise to provide it for the Feast of St. Francis
Xavier event in 2009 (December 4th at the Newman
Centre).
In the meantime, please contact us at stfxtoronto@gmail.com
and join us at our open-executive
meetings this year. We also look forward to seeing
you at the golf tournament on May 19, 2009 at
Edmonton
the Kleinburg Golf & Country Club, as well as the
student send-off and our new family-day event
planned for this summer. New ideas are always
welcome. You can also check out Andrew’s upcoming
StFX blog for further updates and other related
and unrelated matters at www.alumni.stfx.ca.
On behalf of the StFX Toronto chapter executive
and alumni, our warmest regards,
– Andrew Howlett ‘02
Edmonton, AB
Edmonton alumni planned a get-together to
celebrate StFX Day. Mass was celebrated at St.
The Jewel of the Campus
StFX Prof. Tom Roach publishes
book on the history, art of the
StFX Chapel
nyone who has ever stepped inside the
A
StFX University Chapel is immediately
struck by the artwork inside. From the terra
cotta colour of the walls and the greys of the ceiling,
to the bronze statue of St. Francis Xavier and to the
intricate woodwork, the art combines to present a
harmonious feeling. What one may not realize is the
story behind the art is enthralling in itself.
Much of the aesthetic changes came about due
to the dramatic changes that came in the early 1960s
with the Second Vatican Council.
Now, a new book by retired StFX professor Tom
Roach, The Jewel of the Campus: A History of the
StFX University Chapel and Its Art (StFX University
Press), takes readers along the journey behind the
art’s inspiration.
The book was launched on March 27 in the StFX
Art Gallery.
“What fascinated me,” says Prof. Roach, who taught
Classics and Art at StFX for 30-plus years, “is that it is
a microcosm of the changes that swept through the
church following the Second Vatican Council.”
Among these changes was the recommendation
that priests, who previously said Mass in Latin with their
back to the people, now stand behind the altar, facing
the congregation, and deliver Mass in the vernacular,
in an effort to encourage greater participation.
In his book, Prof. Roach takes one through this
history, and illustrates how the interior of the chapel
looked before and after its transformation while
explaining the liturgical changes envisioned by the
Council, and how the principal artists, Earl Neiman
and Angus Macgillivray, interpreted both the Council
and the X-Spirit in their work.
The artists themselves also drew Roach to the project.
As a member of the art department at the time
of the transformation, he worked with both Neiman
and Macgillivray.
Neiman, a renowned New York-based artist with
commissions in Europe and the States, completed the
main mural on the chapel’s back wall and the two panels
on either side of it, as well as the bronze sculpture
of St. Francis Xavier. Macgillivray, a talented local artist
who also taught in the StFX art department, did most
of the sculpture in wood including the huge cross over
the altar, the tabernacle and the carvings of the Stations
of the Cross that appear on the left side wall.
“Professor Roach provides an excellent review of
Edmund Parish with Father Leo Cordeau, and
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph MacNeil, presiding.
Assisting with the buffet that followed in the
church hall was Sister Anna Cordeau. Although our
group is not large, I do believe we set a record with
each of the decades from the 1940s to the present
(seven different decades) being represented. We
are currently planning a student sendoff/BBQ for
July, and we’re wanting to make it more inclusive
for all alumni and especially those with young
families. Watch your email box and alumni website
for details as they become available.
– Michael Mitchell ‘78
the challenge faced
and met by administrators,
architects and
artists in adapting an
already beautiful example
of Georgian
Colonial architecture to meet the need of some
revisions to accommodate the liturgical changes envisioned
by Vatican Council II,” former StFX president,
Rt. Rev. Malcolm MacDonell, writes in the book’s
forward.
“This development involved the coordinated efforts
of strong personalities of different backgrounds; but
they had in common a real sense of the all-importance
of spirituality and its essential relationship with art.”
Dr. Malcolm MacLellan, Dr. Gregory MacKinnon,
Neiman and Macgillivray found common cause in
the aesthetic rearrangement and decoration of the
chapel interior, he says.
“They and we are indebted to Professor Roach for his
careful research and very readable account of their work,
an enterprise in which he played a much greater role
than his account would suggest,” Fr. MacDonell writes.
Copies of Dr. Roach’s book will be available at the
launch and from the StFX Bookstore. All proceeds
from sales will be donated to the Chapel maintenance
fund.
36 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 37

chapter news
chapter news
attending with his wife Odette, also spoke about
StFX. Our annual Golf and Dinner Day will be held
Friday June 5, 2009 at the Candiac Golf Club. If
you wish to attend please do, or if you need more
information please email Gerry Roy at gerry.roy@
videotron.ca (new email address).
– Kevin MacSween ‘89
England
The StFX Day spirit was alive and well in London, England, where alumni and friends gathered for a StFX Day event on Dec. 7, 2008. Pictured here in the first photo, are Dean MacPherson,
Dale Brown, Mark Van Berkal, Corrine Chisholm, and Kelly Webb-Page. Photo 2 shows future X-grads, children of Dale Brown ‘96, Dylan Buzugbe ‘26 and Daryl Buzugbe ’29.
Truro, NS
About 50 Truro Area Alumni and Friends gathered
a ‘little early’ to celebrate X-Ring Day this year. The
group got together on November 24 th to make
sure their special guest speaker, Dr. Sean Riley,
could attend. Roadside Willies in Bible Hill was the
venue for this year’s gathering. Aside from the usual
catching up with old friends, an X-Trivia and best
X-stories contest made the laughs even louder this
year. Thanks to Dr. Riley - and everyone for coming
out to celebrate with us in Truro.
Truro, NS
Sudbury
Sudbury, ON
After close to a 40-year hiatus, a StFX event was
again held in Sudbury, ON. Organized by Judge
Bill Fitzgerald ‘61, Bill Mackasey ’59 and Stephanie
Manarin ’08, a group of some 18 persons attended
Mass and dinner celebrating the feast of Saint
Francis Xavier at St. Patrick’s Parish. The group
was met at the church entrance by a piper who
then led a procession into the church. Mass was
concelebrated by Pastor Fr. Jim Hutton and Fr.
Tony Man-Son-Hing. Fr. Tony is the StFX Ministries
program co-ordinator for the Sudbury region.
Following Mass, hors d’oeuvres were served
in the church hall while the group watched the
StFX Day greetings video supplied by the Alumni
Department. A couple of persons brought their
yearbooks along for the event. During dinner a
great many stories were exchanged including,
of course, one about an X-Ring. Dr. Julie Connolly
‘96 shared with us that her ring was lost on
campus the very day it had been received. The
brand new ring had flown off during a snowball
fight. Later that night it was recovered from a
large snowdrift after many hours of digging.
Bill Fitzgerald and Bill Mackasey had earlier discovered
they had both driven in the same 1940
Packard hearse while at StFX. Some enterprising
students had purchased it at a good price from
a local funeral home. It was then converted into
a station wagon and made available for hire.
Due to the enthusiasm shown and encouragement
for follow-up events, arrangements have
now been made for a pub night at Grumblers on
Friday evening, April 24. Thanks are due to all those
who were able to attend and contribute to a great
evening. All Sudbury area alumni are encouraged
to attend the April 24th pub night, even if they did
not make it to the December 3 rd celebration.
MONTREAL, QC
On November 27, 2008, the Montreal chapter
celebrated StFX Day with a sit-down dinner
at The Biftheque Steakhouse. Guest speaker
Ed McHugh ’79, president of the StFX Alumni
Association, spoke of the role alumni play with
today’s students and the potential students of
tomorrow. Sixty alumni and friends came out to
enjoy a great meal while catching up with old
friends and new Xaverians in the Montreal area.
Guy Savard, chair of the StFX Board of Governors,
Class of ‘61 “mini reunion”
Eight of us gals from the class of ‘61 get
together every two years for a “mini
reunion”.... we have been doing so since
1990. This past September we were in
Lake Eugenia in Ontario (about 4 hours
north of Toronto airport). Pictured above
are (back row) Betty McDonough McNab,
Connie Hogan Rankin, Ann Morrison
Taylor, Sheilah Stead Pierson, Sammie Troy
Berry (front row) Carol Richardson Kaye
and Theresa Cormier Davis.
Sydney, NS
Alumni and their families from the eastern part
of Cape Breton formed the congregation on
the November 30 th Mass for Shut Ins. Fr. Jake
Andrea ’59 celebrated the Mass. On December
2 nd , we held our annual Mass and Reception at
St. Anthony Daniel parish in Sydney. After Mass,
there was mixing and mingling and a very
brief meeting was held to elect the chapter
executive for the
current year. Then
came the highlight
of the gathering,
the presentation of
a brick from the old
chapel with an engraved
plaque to Fr.
Jim MacLean ‘38 (inset).
Fr. Jim then told
us of some of his
memories at StFX
and followed by leading us in a vigorous rendition
of Hail and Health. Guest speaker, Bill Radford,
director of the StFX Extension Department,
Upcoming Events
gave a short talk on the continuing tradition of
extension involvement in Cape Breton. Photos
of these events and others can be seen on the
chapter’s Facebook group page: www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=57679490332
Saint John, NB
The Saint John chapter of the StFX alumni
gathered at uptown martini bar Sebastian to
celebrate StFX Day on December 3. Over 70
members of our alumni chapter braved the
winter weather to mix and mingle over drinks
and appetizers. Randy McLellan shared the latest
news from campus, and welcomed a handful
of new alumni to their first chapter event.
We are now looking to summer and plans are
underway for our annual golf tournament and
Check out www.alumni.stfx.ca for a complete listing of upcoming events and up-to-date event details.
Montreal Golf Tournament , June 5/09
Candiac Golf Club. Contact Gerry Roy (450) 653-2045
Alumni Ride for Heart & Stroke, June 7/09
Toronto
London, ON Golf Tournament and Student
Send-Off BBQ, June 13/09
Hickory Ridge Golf Course. Contact Drew Smith
(519) 473-0420 or drew.smith@rogers.com
President’s Gala, June 13/09
StFX. Contact: Catherine Burke, 902-867-2359,
cburke@stfx.ca
Toronto President’s Reception, June 17/09
Location TBA, details at www.alumni.stfx.ca
13 th Annual Ottawa StFX Alumni Family &
Friends Best Ball Golf Tournament, June 20/09
1 pm, Canadian Golf & Country Club, 7842 Hwy.
#7 Ashton, ON. $110 per person (18 holes, cart
and dinner). To register your foursome, email
ottawachapter@stfx.ca or karricameron@rogers.
com before June 12.
PEI golf tournament and BBQ, June 20/09
Contact Heather MacAulay, 902-687-3663
StFX Adopt an Athlete X-Men Soccer Golf
Tournament, June 24/09
1 pm, D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club, Okatoks, AB. For
further information email: AdoptAnAthlete@
gmail.com or call 403-253-4840
Classics for Classics (Plato course for alumni),
July 13-17/09
StFX. Contact: Glenda Bond 902-867-2186,
alumni@stfx.ca
Fr. Kehoe Golf Tournament, July 23-24/09
Antigonish. Contact Krista McKenna 902-867-
5381, kmckenna@stfx.ca
Vancouver Chapter Annual Picnic, July
26/09 Stanley Park, Prospect Point picnic site,
2-5 pm. Visit www.facebook.com/home.php?#/
event.php?eid=71455629492 or the Vancouver
Chapter site at www.facebook.com/home.php?#/
group.php?gid=24110819111&ref=mf Contact
Saint John, NB
Sydney, NS
student send-off. This event, held in August in
Hampton, NB, continues to grow in popularity,
and we anticipate the 2009 event will be our
biggest (and best) yet!
– Claire Ryan ‘06
Matt Johnston 1-877-792-6688, ext #3 or matt.
johnston@terracogold.com
Saint John Golf Tournament and Student
Send-Off, August 14/09
Contact: Randy McLellan randy.mclellan@kinek.
com
Family Day: Free Blue Jays Game, August
23/09 Toronto. Contact: Andrew Howlett 647-
654-0797
St. Martha’s Alumnae Dinner, Thurs., Oct. 1/09
St. Ninian Place, Antigonish. Contact Emma Lee
MacDonald, 863-1402, prior to Sept. 17 for tickets.
Homecoming, October 2-4/09
See www.alumni.stfx.ca for details.
* Please note: the Dundee Resort weekend, July
31-Aug. 2/09 has been cancelled.
38 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 39

chapter news
Annual General Meeting – StFX Alumni Association
Southern California
Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre,
Conference Room C
October 3, 2008
Call to Order
Ed McHugh, President, called the meeting
to order at 3:10 pm and welcomed
50 members in attendance.
noted the number and types of events
held for alumni. He spoke about communications
and the need to do more
on brand awareness and positioning
and mentioned past media inserts in
national newspapers.
the Legacy Circle. They also have
three estate planning seminars in
Halifax, Saint John, and Antigonish
for the Fall.
• The President’s Club Gala has been
modified to recognize consistent
long time donors.
• There has been a change in the tax
law that eliminates the tax on capital
gains of donated stock.
Present
Pictured at the February gathering are, front row
Ed McHugh ‘79, President
Prayer
(l-r): Margaret MacArthur, Dorothea Petrie (wife of
Austin Hawley ‘67, 1 st VP
Ed McHugh opened the meeting with
the late Daniel Petrie, ’42, LL.D. ‘74), Shirley (Martinello)
Grinnell ’60, and Sally Thoun ’85. Back row:
Janet-Lynn MacNeil ‘91, 2 nd VP the Alumni Prayer.
Director of Alumni Affairs’ Report
Andrea MacLean-Holohan ‘59,
Helen Murphy gave an overview of her
At the April gathering are l-r: Tony Fedoryk, ’99, Cindy Fedoryk, ’95, Cindy McInnes, Helen Murphy, ’08, Greg Fr. Vern Boutilier ’58, Ray MacDonald ’81, Fr. Danny
Secretary
Approval of the 2007 AGM minutes report and noted the following:
Winston, ’79, Ray MacDonald, ’81, Margaret MacArthur and Gerard MacArthur ’52
MacLennan ’85, and Gerard MacArthur 52.
Bill Kiely ‘67, Past President
Minutes of the 2007 AGM were approved.
Motion by Valerie Bobyk, March was a success
Welcome from StFX President
• The alumni bus trip to Boston in
Helen Murphy ‘08
Southern California alumni gathering
Jessica Smith ‘97
seconded by Austin Hawley, motion • Homecoming 2008 attendance was Dr. Sean Riley welcomed all alumni in
for two events – Southern California alumni had
Kennedy MacLean ‘69
carried.
the highest, two new Homecoming attendance. He spoke on the various
the pleasure of gathering on two occasions over StFX friends, new grads, set to bike across Canada to raise
Paul Fraser ‘82
Inn Pub nights, and the use of the events the alumni host across the
the winter and spring months. On February 22, money for L’Arche, learn about their country, themselves
Kevin MacSween ‘89
Business arising from minutes
bus during the weekend
world including successful student
2009 the alumni chapter gathered to welcome
Troy Stanley ‘95
None were noted.
• Introduced the Alumni New Student send offs. He also talked about student
Fr. Danny MacLennan, ’85, StFX Chaplain, to
Jeff Bishop ‘98
Referral program
recruitment and noted that StFX’s enrollment
increased by 1% this year. He
California and the return of our snow bird Fr. Vern
says they hope to bike about 100 kilometres a
David Ronan ‘59
Correspondence
• Student engagement – this year’s
Boutilier ’58 of the StFX Board of Governors. Fr.
day, over a 70-plus day stretch. “We’re not racing
Morag (Macdonald) Graham ‘68 None were noted. All correspondence Student Union has made alumni also spoke about the diversity of the
Vern and Fr. Danny jointly celebrated a Dixieland
across, we’re in it for the experience.”
Ellen (Campbell) Cecchetto ‘81 goes directly to Alumni Affairs or E. engagement a priority. The two student
programs, SAINT and SALUTE, students from all parts of the globe.
student population as StFX attracts
Mass at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church in Encino,
Skye, who’s crossed the country before, but in
Barbara (MacLean) Shaw ‘61 McHugh and dealt with at that time.
CA. The very lively Dixieland Mass is celebrated
a car with his family, says they’ll learn a lot about
John Shaw ‘62
are strong and growing
annually at the St. Cyril of Jerusalem to commemorate
the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
He’s worked as a day camp counselor with
themselves on the trip.
Michael Mitchell ‘78
President’s Report
• X-Ring online community is being Unfinished (or New) Business
Jay Donlevy ‘92
Ed McHugh circulated and reviewed reviewed and is still a work in progress.
and highlighted the changes to the
Andrea MacLean-Holohan reviewed
in New Orleans. Following the Mass a reception
L’Arche Antigonish. The two grads now hope to
Jack Lamey ‘95, ‘99
his report highlighting the following:
was held at the parish rectory. Fr. Danny enjoyed
raise money for the organization nationally.
Heather MacAulay ‘07
• Homecoming 2009 schedule of • The launch of the President’s Circle New Alumni Association Governance
his spring break in Southern CA and we hope he
They admit the trip will be a struggle for
Jacqui Janes ‘91
events
of Young Alumni in May was a success
with 65 inaugural members. was approved on a motion by David
Model. The new Governance Model
will return again before too long. We were once
awhile. They’re nervous, but excited.
Bernard LeVert ‘58
• Chapter development update
again very blessed this winter to have Fr. Vern
“I wanted to see Europe after school, but I
Kie MacIsaac ‘58
including the newly formed Antigonish-Guysborough
Chapter and open soon at www.alumni.stfx.ca/ motion carried.
• Online store to buy X-Gear will be Case, seconded by Morag Graham,
with us in California for several months. We are
yan Seale and Skye Purdy collected their remember someone saying seeing Canada is
Linda MacIsaac
hopeful he will return to California next winter.
R
StFX diplomas in May. Now the two pretty amazing. It’s an intimate way to look at
Mary Campbell Nash ‘58
chapter events such as Student xgear
On April 25, 2009 the chapter was pleased to welcome
Helen Murphy ‘08, StFX Alumni Director, their next excellent adventure planned. They’ll Ryan and Skye hit the road in late May from
friends, roommates since first year, have your own country,” Ryan says.
Mary A. Campbell ‘58
Send-Offs and social events like StFX • New staff member is Jessica Smith. Nominations and
Joe Parks ‘51
Day celebrations.
Jessica’s position is funded through Elections Committee Report
as we gathered at the Hilton Waterfront Beach pound 6,900 kilometres of pavement this summer,
crossing Canada by bicycle to raise money months time.
Halifax with a plan to be in Vancouver in three
Dan LeBlanc ‘88
• His goal of organizing a Service frame sales and the online store Bill Kiely, Past President, presented the
Resort in Huntington Beach. With a pleasant
Duke MacIsaac ‘53
Learning trip for Alumni to Mexico
nominations committee report. He
ocean breeze and a typical sunny Southern for L’Arche Canada.
They have recently opened an account and
Doug MacMaster ‘53
• He also commended Helen Murphy Director of Advancement
reviewed the members of the Executive
and Members of the Board. He also
California afternoon, local alumni joined to
“We’ve just graduated and are looking forward say donations will be collected throughout
Joan MacLellan MacMaster ‘53 and the Alumni Affairs staff on their Relations’ Report
welcome Helen and her traveling companion to exploring Canada on this exciting journey. After the trip and given to L’Arche at the conclusion.
Edward R. Brien ‘53
quality work on our behalf.
Iain Boyd gave an overview of his report
and highlighted the following: of the new Council. The six Standing
reviewed the terms and elections dates
Cindy McInnes. We were also pleased to welcome
Cindy Fedoryk, ’95 from Ottawa who was hope to gain a fresh perspective of the Canadian Seale, c/o 11 Augustus St. Cornwall, ON, K6J
completing our undergrad schooling at StFX, we Donations can be made out to either Ryan
Pat Buzas ‘53
John MacIsaac ‘58
Vice President of
• There is a great need for scholarships
and bursaries
Legacy, Chapter Development, Nomi-
Committees are: Awards of Excellence,
in town visiting her brother Tony Fedoryk ’99. landscape. We look forward to the experience 3V7, Skye Purdy, c/o 1681 Lower Sunken Lake
CP (Patrick) O’Neill ‘58
Advancement’s Report
Helen provided all with updates on StFX and and hope that we can raise some money and Road, Wolfville, NS, B4R 2RZ, or people can
Paul Keenan ‘58
Peter Fardy noted the attendance • At the end of the fiscal year, there nations, Recruitment and SAINT.
the many changes to the campus over recent support for the L’Arche community along the donate directly to L’Arche through the website,
Roger Boudreault ‘58
number for Homecoming is increasing was $7.6 million raised and over 2009 Executive are:
years. Many StFX stories were shared of the days way,” the duo writes about their plans on their http://www.larche.ca. Ryan can be reached at
Paul Seems ‘68
and StFX is striving to improve it each $13.2 million in new commitments.
Past President – Bill Kiely
President – Ed McHugh
on campus when lights went out at night and blog, crossingcanada2009.blogspot.com.
ryanseale@alumni.stfx.ca, Skye at skyepurdy@
Phil Markovich ‘85
year. He reported that $7.5 million was
all students had to attend 7 a.m. Mass each day.
“It seemed like a good time to do it,” says alumni.stfx.ca, and both via cell phone (902)
Shelly Culligan McHugh ‘80
received from annual giving, planned • Annual Giving employs 40 students 1 st Vice President – Austin Hawley
This was the first alumni gathering that we have 21-year-old Ryan, a psychology graduate from 872-2453.
Michael “Diker” Campbell’58 giving, and capital campaigns. The who reach out to approximately 2 nd Vice-President – Janet-Lynn MacNeil
been fortunate to have the StFX alumni director Cornwall, ON, who came up with the idea after Bike trip towns include Halifax, Truro, Amherst,
Anne Campbell
Coady Campaign raised $16m. The 18,000 alumni and parents of current
students. During the calls, call-
Secretary – Andrea MacLean-Holohan
join us. Thank you Helen! X
reading about a similar venture in his hometown Sackville, Moncton, Fredericton, Woodstock,
Marie MacDonald ‘58
Gerald Schwartz School campaign
newspaper. He approached his friend Skye, 22, Edmunston, Rivière-Du-Loup, Quebec City, Trois
Joe Curry ‘63
has raised $10m and the university ers update their records and inform Adjournment
of Wolfville, NS, who graduated with a degree in Rivières, Montreal, Cornwall, Ottawa, Pembroke,
Valerie Bobyk ‘73
hopes to close the campaign in 2009. them of any programs.
E. McHugh adjourned the meeting at
development studies and political science. Skye’s North Bay, Sudbury, Sault St. Marie, Thunder Bay,
David W. Case ‘70
He also acknowledged Helen Murphy’s • Planned Giving launched a new program
during Homecoming called Minutes prepared by: Jessica Smith and Andrea MacLean-Holohan
approximately 4:00 pm.
answer? “I’m in.”
Dryden, Kenora, Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina,
Peter Fardy
work as Director of Alumni Affairs and
“We’re not avid bikers. We’re doing it for the Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Medicine Hat, Calgary,
Iain Boyd ‘75
40 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 experience and the challenge,” says Ryan, who Banff, Kamloops, Whistler, and Vancouver. X
Jim Bowne ‘67
StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 41

Teotihuacan Pyramids, Mexico
“Scratch one thing off the bucket list”
Jessica Redpath O’Donnell, Nov. 16 /07
Sophie Bronwyn, Aug. 4/08
August 17/07
news exchange
Send News Exchange items to Glenda Bond, Alumni Affairs Office
St. Francis Xavier University, PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
Phone: (902) 867-2186 • Fax: (902) 867-3659 • Email: alumni@stfx.ca
Upcoming political book
Pat MacAdam ‘56, author of
“Mulroney’s Man”
Dr. Wilfred Gallant ‘65, ‘69,
retirement on his 66 th birthday
Assoc. Prof. Emeritus for 36 years,
Sch. of Social Work, Univ. of Windsor
February 7/09
Austin Hawley ‘67
65 th birthday
‘30s
On January 16 th , 2009, relatives
and friends of Father
Malcolm MacDonell ‘38
gathered for a luncheon
in honour of his 90 th birthday.
Many fond memories
were shared about StFX’s
14 th president, a man who
has dedicated his life to
StFX and who is still very
active, engaging with students,
faculty and staff on
a regular basis.
In appreciation of
Fr. MacDonell’s lifetime
of service to StFX, the
university announced
the establishment of
The Reverend Malcolm
MacDonell Prize for
Celtic Studies, which will
be awarded annually at
Spring Convocation.
‘50s
Dr. Jock Murray ‘59
‘89 has received the
2009 Dr. Lawrence
McHenry Award for
contributions to the
history of neurology. This
is one of the American
Academy of Neurology’s
major awards and was
presented to Dr. Murray
when he delivered his
award lecture on “Dr.
Samuel Johnson’s Stroke”
at the Academy’s annual
meeting in Seattle in April
2009.
Pat MacAdam ‘56 who
has been an Ottawa
insider since the early
1950s has just published
a new book “Mulroney’s
Man: Memoirs and
Misadventures of an
Ottawa Insider.”
‘60s
Kevin Concannon ’64
U.S. President Barack
Obama announced in
April 2009 his intent to
nominate StFX alumnus
Kevin W. Concannon
’64 as Under Secretary
for Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services at
the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Concannon
will serve with Secretary
Tom Vilsack. For the last
25 years, Concannon
has been director of
four health and human
service agencies in three
states – Iowa, Maine
and Oregon, and has
dedicated his career to
improving the lives of
millions. As director of
the Iowa Department of
Human Services (DHS),
Concannon headed
an agency that serves
close to one million
Iowans each year. He
has also been Maine’s
DHS commissioner,
director of Oregon’s DHS
and commissioner of
the Maine Department
of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation. In
these offices, he helped
transform state welfare
systems, led a major
initiative in prescription
drug access, championed
improvements in child
support and child care
programs; and led longterm
care system reform
for the elderly. He has
also held many national
leadership roles. A native
of Portland, Maine, Kevin
and his wife M. Eileen,
have four grown sons.
Dr. Joseph Petrie ‘65
has been appointed
national director of
resident program
administration by Allegro
Corporation of Canada,
a privately owned and
operated Canadian chain
of retirement homes
located in Quebec,
Ontario, western Canada
and British Columbia.
Dr. Petrie maintains his
principal residence in
Ottawa and his secondary
residence in Key West,
Florida.
John P. Gorman ‘68 the
president of the Class
of 1968 has returned
to Ontario after 22
years residing in British
Columbia. He is looking
forward to their class
reunion in 2009, and
hopes the class has a
grand showing. “Time is
moving on for us baby
boomers, so it is time to
get together and bring
each other up to date.”
Joanna Macgillivray ‘69
is still living in Waterloo
and says she is not quite
ready to retire but is
getting there quickly!
‘70s
Mary Lou Hansen ‘70,
manager of the Children’s
Loft at Confederation
Centre Public Library,
has been presented with
the 2008 Nora Bateson
Mike McPhail ‘77, president,
Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists
Award for Excellence in
Library Service. Thanks to
Mary Lou, the Children’s
Loft is a vibrant, active
destination for infants,
toddlers and children. She
has also been involved
in the creation of an area
within the library for
teens, and she always
demonstrates enthusiasm
and dedication to public
library service.
Samuel Aggrey ‘71
is impressed with the
achievements and
developments which
StFX University continues
to accomplish. He would
like to wish the university
and the community
God’s choicest blessings
and more grease to their
elbow. Hail and Hearty!!!
Yves Rossignol ‘74 is
still going strong after all
these years. “Laissez les
bons temps roulez mes
amis.”
Mike McPhail ‘77,
president of the
Mississippi Valley Field
Naturalists overcame his
fear of heights to climb
the Pyramid of the Sun
Steve Engyel ‘84 – Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame & Museum, Cleveland
(Teotihuacan Pyramids)
while on a club eco-tour
to visit the amazing
Monarch Butterfly
Sanctuaries in Mexico.
Jay Underwood
‘78 of Elmsdale, NS
is anticipating the
publication of his new
book “Ghost Tracks” in
April. This book re-tells
10 Nova Scotia railway
ghost and supernatural
stories, some of which
are disproven by
Underwood’s research,
and some of which have
to be left to the readers’
imagination! This will be
Underwood’s fifth book
of Nova Scotia railway
lore.
Congratulations to our
Frank Baldwin Award
recipient – We here at the
StFX Alumni Office would
like to congratulate our
very own Ed McHugh
’79, president of the
StFX Alumni Association,
who has been chosen by
Basketball Nova Scotia to
receive the prestigious
Frank Baldwin Award.
The award recognizes
individuals who have
Carrie Redpath
and Chris O’Donnell ‘86
made a long-term and
significant contribution
to the development of
minor basketball and
basketball in general in
Nova Scotia. Ed received
his award March 22 nd at
the Nova Scotia Sports
Hall of Fame. He joins
X-Man basketball coach
Steve Konchalski who
was the award’s first
recipient back in 2001.
‘80s
Michael J. Ross ‘81 is
teaching high school
English and history in
Frontier, Saskatchewan.
Antigonish native and
StFX business grad,
Kevin Cameron ‘83,
has been hired as Nova
Scotia Premier Rodney
MacDonald’s ‘94 new
Karen Nancarrow ‘92
and Bruce Lyne
deputy chief of staff.
Mr. Cameron replaces
Stephen Greene, who was
appointed to the Senate
in December 2008. Mr.
Cameron spent the last
18 months as a senior
policy advisor with the
Department of Economic
and Rural Development.
Prior to that, he worked
as a business consultant,
as president of the
Halifax Mooseheads,
and as director of
business development
with the Canadian
Olympic Association. He
received the StFX Young
Alumnus Award during
Homecoming 2001.
Bill Gorman ‘84 has
been appointed a
Crown Attorney in the
New Glasgow office of
the Nova Scotia Public
Prosecution Service.
John Hennessey ‘85
(aka Hendog) has taken
a two-month leave of
absence from his equine
sports medicine practice
in the Toronto area to
tour Europe by bicycle
solo. You can check out
his progress or drop
Darlene (Dunn) ‘93, ‘94
and Jason Rumbolt
Hugh Colin Allan, Apr. 20/08,
brother to Adyson Mary
Kara and
Brendon MacGillivray ‘93, ’04
Cameron (4) & Ryan (5 months)
Ann (Cameron) ‘95
and Glenn Arsenault
Sarah Jean, Dec. 8/07 with
Abigail, 6 and Brady, 4
Natasha LeBlanc ‘96
and David “Rouge” Hackett ‘96
Colonel L.G. (Jerry) Gillis, ‘71
Going strong after all these years.
Future X-Grads
Appointment – General Manager
X-Alumni in Bermuda
September 6/08
John Francis (June ‘06) and
Anna Sophia (Oct. ‘07)
July 21, 2007
Isabella (8), Madeline (6),
Jackson (4) & Eliott (1)
July 12, 2008
Inducted as Officer of the Order
of Military Merit
Yves Rossignol ‘74 – Laissez les
bons temps roulez mes amis.
Seven grandchildren of
Mary Delorey ‘75, ‘76
Robert (Rob) Belliveau ‘77
Brunswick Pipeline, Saint John, NB
Kevin ‘79 & Danette ‘77, ‘79 MacRae
visiting her sister, Lezlie ‘84 &
brother-in-law, Terry ‘84 Pimentel
in Bermuda.
Cindy (Murphy) ‘96
and John Davison
Mary Ann Barker ‘96
and Glenn Hubbard
Joanne (MacLeod) ‘97
and Derrick Haverkort
Katherine (Cameron) ‘97
and Jack Chisholm ‘98
Jessica Lodu
and Robert Cameron ‘98
42 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 43

September 24/05
Olivia Dawn, May 1/08
Sadie Grace, July 1/08
July 30/05
Myah Caterina, Apr 16/08
October 8/05
Owen Michael, March 26/08
October 6/07
July 20/07
Ashlyn Carsyn, July 12/08
Kelly (White) ‘99
and Shawn Ward
Kelly (White) ‘99
and Shawn Ward
Margo (Olscamp) Chiasson ‘99, ‘01
and Steve Chiasson ‘98
Anna Di Giorno-MacEachern ‘99
and Stephen MacEachern
Anna Di Giorno-MacEachern ‘99
and Stephen MacEachern
Krista (MacKinley)
and Gerald Sheehan ‘00
Krista (MacKinley)
and Gerald Sheehan ‘00
Kim (Colson) ‘01
and Chris Tobin
Alison (Chisholm) ‘02, ‘05
and Owen MacLennan
Alison (Chisholm) ‘02, ‘05
and Owen MacLennan
July 19/08
Sharon (Charles)
and Andrew Johnson ‘00
Emilie Lois, Aug. 25/05
Sharon (Charles)
and Andrew Johnson ‘00
Haley Violet, March 20/08
and Sophie Ellen, May 19/05
Heather (Jackson) ‘00
and James Pomeroy
him a note at www.
somevetsomewhere.ca.
Charlene Landry-Kyte
‘88 ‘92 and her husband
Andrew Kyte `90 currently
reside in Belleville, ON,
along with their children:
Rory, 19, Eilidh, 16,
Isobel, 9, and William, 7.
Charlene is co-ordinator
of the International
Baccalaureate Programme
at Nicholson Catholic
College and Andrew is
a sales rep for Deloro
Stelite. “Our door is always
open to old friends and
alumni; contact us at
akyte@sympatico.ca”
Royden Trainor ‘88 has
taken a position as vice
president organizational
development and
general counsel for
the Eminata Group in
Vancouver. Royden
was recently a guest
speaker at a meeting of
senior Canadian higher
education policy officials
in Ottawa where he
was introduced as the
leading expert in higher
education accreditation,
regulation and legal
issues in the country.
Royden would love for
classmates to track him
down at royden.trainor@
eminata.com
‘90s
Michael A. McPherson
‘90 received his M.Ed.
in curriculum studies
from Mount St. Vincent
University in October,
2008. Congratulations
from your wife Jocelyn
and children Leah and
Robert!
Alison Rowter ‘91 and
Shaun MacNeil are thrilled
about the arrival of their
son Jacob on Sept 22/08.
Alison is on maternity
leave from her job with
the federal government.
Alison can be reached
at rowtermacneil@
ns.sympatico.ca
Darlene (Dunn) ‘93, ‘94
married Jason Rumbolt
on August 17, 2007 in
Banff, Alberta. They are
now living in Calgary,
Alberta where Darlene
teaches high school
math for an online
Catholic school. Looking
forward to hearing from
education grads ‘94 at
darlene.dunn@gmail.com.
Joseph Odhiambo ‘94
has changed jobs in the
federal government,
moving from the
Office of Greening
Government Operations
to Environment Canada
where he is a senior
policy analyst for the
International Affairs
Branch (Climate Change).
His area of responsibility
is Australia/Asia-Pacific.
Joseph was also recently
chosen as one of 10
Canadians for the
Canada Meets Germany
Trans-Atlantic Exchange
Programme sponsored
by the Canadian and
German Embassies. Joe
can be reached at Joseph.
Odhiambo@ec.gc.ca
Stacey S. Wilson ‘96 has
been recently promoted
to the position of national
sales manager for Canada
with Trend Micro out
of Toronto. She can
be reached at stacey_
wilson@trendmicro.com
Mary Ann Barker ‘96 and
Glenn Hubbard moved
to NS in 2008, after
eight wonderful years in
Vancouver, BC. Relocating
with them were John
Francis, born June 2006
and Anna Sophia, born
October 2007. It’s great to
be home!
Katherine (Cameron)
‘97 and Jack Chisholm
‘98 are currently living in
Cornwall, ON with their
four children, Isabella (8),
Madeleine (6), Jackson (4)
and Eliott (1). They would
like to send greetings to
all of their phys ed friends
from the classes of 1997
and 1998. They can be
reached at kat.chisholm@
hotmail.com
Cst. Travise Dow ‘99
was greatly honoured
to receive “The Award
of Excellence” from the
Mounted Police Foundation
on Nov. 15, 2008.
This award for outstanding
community service
is presented each year
to four deserving RCMP
members in the four
regions of Canada. The 4 th
annual Mounted Police
Foundation Gala was
held in Toronto and was
hosted by Brent Butt,
from the show Corner
Gas. Cst. Dow’s name was
submitted by the executive
of the Rocky Mountain
Rams football club in
Cranbrook, BC. for his five
years of dedication and
commitment as coach.
Travise, a former X-Men
football player, took his
knowledge and love of
the game to the field for
five years to become a
role model to “his boys.”
His friends, family, and
Rocky Mountain Rams
players say they are so
very proud of Travise.
Pamela (Canning)
Boisvert ‘99 Upon
completion of her master
of law in Aboriginal issues
and dispute resolution,
Pamela was offered
a position as a senior
policy advisor with the
Indian and Northern
Affairs’ Intergovernmental
Relations Directorate
through the federal
government’s
Recruitment of Policy
Leaders Program. She
currently resides in
Ottawa with her husband
Jacques and sons Joshua
and Elijah.
‘00s
Laura Dillman ‘02 and
Matt Ripley ‘03 were
married on August
18, 2007 at the StFX
Chapel. There were many
Xaverians in attendance
including Laura’s dad Jim
‘73, several members of
the Antigonish County
Benoit and Sears families,
and many former
residents of Bishops Hall
and 71 Hawthorne Street.
Laura is currently working
as media relations
co-ordinator at Mount
Allison University.
Natasha Myers ‘04 is
the proud mother to Ava
Marie Myers born January
27, 2009.
Sophie Delia, June 5/08
MIchelle (Bell) ‘02
and Michael Parsons
August 18/07
Laura Dillman ‘02
and Matt Ripley ‘03
September 17/05
Allison (Flynn) ‘03
and Tim Earle
August 2/08
X-Alumni at the wedding of
Mary (Jamieson) ‘02
and Matthew McHenry ‘01
June 14/08
Sarah (MacDonald) `03
and Jack Syperek
October 18/08
Crystal (Brophy) ‘03 (bride)
and Terry Boudreau ‘03 (groom)
with Jason Carter ‘96 (l)
and Fin MacDonald ‘06 (r)
Chloe Christine Ann, Sept. 30/08
Kirsten ‘02 and
Troy Sampson
July 26, 2008
Norma Campbell ‘03, ‘04
and Andrew Harty ‘01
October 12/08
StFX alumni at the wedding of
Coralee (LeBlanc)
and Jeff Reid ‘03
Jacob Cooke, April 28/08
Logan Aaron, August 27/07
X-Alumni at the 2008 Yukon Teacher’s Association Conference
April 10, 2009
Lilly Anna Fraser, May 18/08
Ronan Anne, June 20/08
Sept. 20/08
July 25/08
Joshua Dawson, Feb. 18/09
Jacqueline (Kell) ‘00
and Michael Cooke
Angie(Reid) ‘00
and Russell Zavitz
Front (l-r): Andrea Fougere ‘01, Stella (Mooney) Martin ‘77 & Betty (Stoke) Burns ‘98, ‘08. Middle
(l-r): Jon Heaton ‘03, “Townie” Gaime McVicar, Odette Burns ‘04 & Amanda Wren ‘05. Back (l-r):
Jonathan Hale ‘05, Mike Gallant ‘97 & Sandy Silver ‘92. Missing from photo: Denise Chisholm ‘89.
Vicki Sheaves ‘00
and Paul Ploughman ‘00
Krystale (Penny) ‘04
and Edwin Fraser ’05
Caitlin (Murray) ‘03
and Al Ramsay ‘00, ‘03
Kara (Cameron) ‘04
and Matthew Dort ‘01
Chrissy MacNeil ‘04, ‘06
and Ardell Hawley ‘08
Amanda Weyman
and David MacVicar ‘05
44 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 45

Maxime William, August 20/08
All Blacks Rugby Game
2009 Yearbooks
still available for order
An event for everyone at Homecoming 2009
Robyn-Anne Williams ‘05
and Jean-Louis Fortier ‘03, ‘05
Lost
Lost
&
Found
Woman’s ‘52
Woman’s ‘62
Man’s ‘92
Man’s ‘97
Man’s ‘99
Man’s ‘05
Man’s ‘06
Woman’s ‘06
Woman’s ‘08
Man’s ‘09
Kim Lewis ‘06, Chris Cherkas ‘06 and Krista
Shea ‘06 in Christchurch , NZ
StFX Alumni Affairs
is now on Twitter!
Follow us at
twitter.com/StFXAlumni
Class of 2009 – Do not miss out on your
ABSOLUTE last chance to order this
special memoir of your years at StFX. The
yearbook committee receives e-mails all
the time from alumni wishing they had
ordered their yearbook. Unfortunately,
extra books cannot be produced as the
yearbook is an unfunded project.
The 79th volume of the Xaverian Annual
can be purchased until July 31st, 2009.
Please include your mailing address so
that the book can be sent to you. Books
will be mailed out at the beginning of
October.
For more information or if you have
any questions, the Xaverian Annual
can be reached at annual@stfx.ca or
902-867-2385.
To order your
yearbook, please
send $30 cash,
cheque (payable
to ‘StFX Yearbook’)
or money order to:
StFX Yearbook
PO Box 5000
StFX University
Antigonish, NS
B2G 2W5
The
magic
of
coming
home
obituaries
deceased
Welcome Home Dinner
StFX mourns passing of
student Robyn Peddle
The StFX community was
deeply saddened to hear
of the sudden passing of StFX
student Robyn Marie Peddle, 19,
a second year Bachelor of Arts
student from Portugal Cove,
NL. Robyn was killed in a car
accident on Monday, January 5,
2009. Robyn will be missed at
StFX by faculty, fellow students
and all who knew her. Robyn
was a new and very active
member of student Campus
Police. She was also an anthem
singer at StFX basketball games.
StFX mourns passing of
student Nick Sheehan
The StFX community was
saddened to lose one its
student members, Nicholas
Sheehan, a first-year 18-year-old
student from Fredericton, NB,
who died March 8, 2009 after
a fall on campus. Friends and
family members gathered on
campus March 17 for a memorial
service at the University Chapel
to remember and celebrate
Nick’s life in song, story and
prayer. Our thoughts and prayers
go out to Nick’s family, friends
and classmates.
Ernest H. O’Hara ‘37
Elmar Jeremiah Kane ‘45
Dr. Leslie J. Drake ‘49
David Roy “Jack” MacDonald ‘50
John MacNeil ‘50
Charles Reginald MacDonald ‘51
Paul S. Cormier ‘53
Norman Joseph MacNeil ‘53
John A. Kite ‘54
Peter O’Callaghan White ‘54, ‘55
Rev. Robert A. “Bob” Day ‘56
William J. “Bill” Dolan ‘62
Madeline (Sangster) McGowan-Smith
‘62, ‘65
Sr. Catherine Peters ‘62 & former faculty
Robert Joseph Kavanagh ‘63
John Campbell ‘65
Curtis S. Keites ‘65
Gregor Daniel McKinnon ‘66
John Francis Boyle ‘67 ‘68
Sextus Raymond Clifford Feehan ‘68
Edmund Thomas Doucette ‘69
Alayne Keough ‘69
John Arther Murphy ‘69
Matthew Ryan, Q.C. ‘69
David P. Bungay ‘72 ‘73
Simon J. Larade ‘73
Michael Charles “Charlie” MacMillan
‘73 ‘74
Donald Matheson ‘73 ‘74 ‘80
Rev. Msgr. George W. Martin, Hon Deg ‘80
Josephine B. Lynam, Hon Deg ‘85
Arlene Lillian (MacKenzie) MacDonald ‘87
Raymond Tremblay, Hon Deg ‘92
Bethany Elizabeth (Crane) Johnson ‘94
Margaret B. (Sweet) Jennings, MSB
S. Margaret Bonvie
Robyn Marie Peddle, current student
Douglas A. Delaney, StFX bus driver
Nicholas John Sheehan, current student
Sr. Catherine “Cappy” Peters, former
faculty
Connor Allan Timmons, current student
Whether it’s your reunion
year or not, be sure to
include the Homecoming
Dinner in your plans for
this fall. Catch up with old
friends and rediscover your
X-Spirit on campus. Enjoy
a lovely meal and great
atmosphere in the Keating
Millennium Centre.
After Dinner...
You’ll want to take in our
newest Homecoming event:
the Homecoming Inn Pub
Night in the MacKay Room
at Bloomfield Centre. We’re
expanding the Golden X Inn
experience with popular Halifaxbased
band Big Fish.
Welcome Home Dinner tickets are
$50 each. Advance tickets only.
Contact the Alumni Office
(902) 867-2186
alumni@stfx.ca
or book your ticket(s) through
the X-Ring online community at
www.alumni.stfx.ca
(902) 867-2186
alumni@stfx.ca
www.alumni.stfx.ca
The prestigious Alumni Awards of Excellence will be presented at the
Welcome Home Dinner.
46 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009 47

Update
Have you moved, changed careers, been promoted?
We’d like to hear about it.
Update online at www.alumni.stfx.ca/updateinfo
X-ring story l Alumni Office
Full Name: _______________________________________________
Class Year: ______________________________________________
Spouse’s Name: __________________________________________
Is spouse an ‘X’ alum? ____________ Year: _______________________
Address
Street: __________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________________________
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Information you would like to have published in the ‘News Exchange’
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_______________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Return your X-Update to:
St. Francis Xavier University, Advancement Records
PO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
Phone: (902) 867-5327 • Fax: (902) 867-3659
Toll-free: 1-888-739-0031
Email: alumni@stfx.ca
Date: ___________________________________________________
Brayden Ferguson flashes her X-Ring after helping Team Canada win gold.
X-Woman Brayden
Ferguson wins hockey
gold for Canada
W
hile her X-Women teammates
were wrapping up AUS regular
season play, fifth year veteran
forward Brayden Ferguson was winning a
gold medal for Team Canada. Ferguson was
a member of the Canadian women’s team
at the 24 th Winter World University Games
held recently in Harbin, China.
The team finished the international tournament
with a perfect 7-0 record, including
a 3-1 win over the host Chinese team in the
gold medal game, making history as the
first-ever women’s gold medalists in the
debut of the sport at the University Games.
The Canadian team consisted of CIS players
from teams across Canada, comprising an
all-star team.
Ferguson was one of three AUS players
on the team and the only one from StFX.
The Toronto, ON native and last year’s CIS
Player of the Year rounded out the seven
games with six points (three goals, three
assists), including Team Canada’s first ever
goal scored in their first round robin game,
an 11-0 win over Great Britain.
The Canadians were 5-0 after round
robin play with victories over Great Britain
(11-0), Finland (5-0), Slovakia (6-3), China
(7-1) and Japan (4-1). They advanced to
the gold medal with a 10-1 semi-final routing
over Slovakia and despite the packed
hometown crowd in Harbin for the gold
medal game, they kept their perfect record
intact and defeated the Chinese 3-1.
Ferguson joins fellow Xaverians Sam
Roberts and Stuart MacRae who earned
gold medals for the Canadian men’s hockey
team in 2007 at the World University Games
held in Torino, Italy. This year’s Canadian
men’s team consisted of Canada West conference
all-stars and earned a silver medal,
losing to Russia 4-2 in the gold medal
match.
Ferguson returned to the X-Women
line-up in time to join them for the AUS
championship March 6-8 at UPEI. X
48 StFX Alumni News l Spring/summer 2009

Many of our readers will recognize some of these legendary figures in the history of StFX, l-r, Tom Roach ’53, Father George Kehoe
’52, Don Loney, former alumni director (1979-84) and storied StFX football coach for 17 years, musical legend John Allan Cameron
’66, F.X. MacNeil ’52, and Donald Kennedy ’52. The photo came to us from Russell J. Fougere, ‘57. We did some research and learned
it was taken at a variety show and a number of different groups participated. This collection of characters was billed as the “Irish
Mist” singers. According to Tom Roach: “Any suggestions that we were fortified with Irish liqueurs before we went on stage are
completely unfounded. Don Loney’s dad had worked on the railroad for years so Don suggested the overalls and caps. We sang a
rendition of “Railroad Bill” and other songs in a similar vein. It was a memorable experience and the fact that Don Loney’s boxer,
“Rebel,” urinated on the stage near the end of our performance probably had more to do with the dog’s nervous disposition than
with the quality of our singing.”

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