StFX AlumniNewsFALL 2010 - St. Francis Xavier University

StFX AlumniNews 

fall 2010 

connecting alumni and friends of st. francis Xavier university 

A new era in 

business 

educAtion 

Gerald Schwartz 

chairman, PreSident and ceO 

Onex cOrPOratiOn 

Gerald Schwartz officially openS $28 Million School

Gus Baker 

Janet Cameron 

Julie Chadwick 

Ed (Adrian) Edwards 

Carol (Doyle) Farmer 

Jane (Cash) Synishin 

Kevin Chisholm 

Rev. Alex MacLellan 

Maureen (O’Brien) Coleman 

Margaret (MacMullin) Gardiner 

Patrick Grannan Shirley (Martinello) Grinnell David Guthro Don Harriman 

Elwin Hemphill 

John A. “Jack” Hogan 

Rheal LeBlanc 

Raymond Levesque 

Bill Liutkus 

Mary Janet MacIsaac Munari 

Paul McGrattan 

Mary O’Regan 

Laura (Ryan) Shea 

Dr. Tony Boxill 

Greta (MacEachern) Cameron 

Douglas Chapman 

Fr. Anthony “Tony” MacDonald 

Don MacLean 

John McHugh 

J. Daniel Phelan 

congratulations to the class of 1960 

Homecoming 2010 

Fr. Charles Cameron 

Joe Fitzgerald 

Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald 

John McLaughlin 

Thomas Rankin 

Bill Tobin 

Bob Campbell 

Burton MacDonald 

Malcolm MacLellan 

Bob Monterio 

Marvin Rheault 

Garth Warren 

Steve Campbell 

Fred Cribb 

Donald Gardiner 

Winfred “Win” MacDonald 

Alistair MacLeod 

Robert Moran 

Catherine (Walker) Roberts 

John Wood 

Steve J. Campbell 

Fred Currie 

Dennis Gillis 

Joan MacInnis 

Douglas “Dugga” MacNeil 

Carmella Murphy 

Garvie Samson 

Gerry Byrne 

James “Soupy” Campbell 

Fred Doucet 

Marjorie Gould 

Ian V. MacIntyre 

Ann MacPhee 

Fergie O’Connell 

Jim Sears 

Rosella Byrne 

A. James Casey 

Jo (M. Josephine) Edwards 

Judy Grannan 

Jack MacIsaac 

Gus Mazzuca 

Steve O’Regan 

Dr. Bill Shea

StFX Alumni news Contents 

On the Cover 

Open For Business! 12 

StFX students were thrilled to arrive on campus in September and start classes in the 

impressive $28 million Gerald Schwartz School of Business. Pictured on the cover, StFX 

President Dr. Sean Riley is seen with several of today’s business students. 

Contents Features 

President’s message 5 

news Flash 6 

Athletics 28 

Alumni Association news 29 

The word From Our Chapters 30 

news exchange 36 

Pictured above (l-r): Dean of Business Leo Gallant; 

The Hon. Frank McKenna, Chair of StFX Board of 

Governors; Gerald Schwartz, Chairman, President 

and CEO, Onex Corporation; Dr. Sean Riley, StFX 

President; and The Hon. Ross Landry, Nova Scotia’s 

Minister of Justice, at the grand opening of the Gerald 

Schwartz School of Business on Nov. 5, 2010. 

Ready For The Future 10 

First-class Schwartz School of Business 

opens, signals new era on campus 

Focus on Faculty 14 

From developing a new parents guide 

to money to helping students gain 

international business experience, Schwartz 

School faculty are making an impact 

Graduate Success 16 

we check in with some recent business 

grads to see where they are now 

“This is The Place That Gave us Our Start” 18 

From far and wide, alumni return to 

celebrate Homecoming 2010 

Visit StFX’s online alumni community, The X-Ring: www.alumni.stfx.ca 

10 

16 

18 

StFX Alumni newS l Fall 2010 1

From the editor l Helen muRPHy ‘08 

X-Spirit in Living Colour 

housands of alumni and friends of 

T StFX flocked to campus for Homecoming 

2010 from Oct. 1 – 3. as we’ve 

come to expect every year, it was a joy-filled 

reunion with an abundance of opportunities 

to catch up with old friends from X. 

Our regularly scheduled alumni events – 

the Welcome Home Dinner, Hall of Honour 

ceremony, Coffee with Coady and of course 

the Homecoming football game (which we 

won this year!) and other events – continue 

to draw large crowds. But every Homecoming 

also boasts its own special events. This 

fall, a highlight was definitely the new Gerald 

Schwartz School of Business. 

This stunning $28 million facility was ready 

for students in September, with a grand 

opening gala planned for Nov. 5. Homecoming 

guests were treated to tours of Canada’s 

newest business school, led by our own 

business students, on the Saturday afternoon 

of Homecoming. We’ve heard so many rave 

reviews from our alumni guests. The Schwartz 

School is truly a jewel on campus. 

Every year, there is also something special 

and unique that happens at our big Welcome 

Home Dinner that kicks off Homecoming 

Weekend on Friday night. This year, a highlight 

was definitely the words of Mary lillian Mac- 

Donald, winner of the Friend of StFX award. 

Mary lillian was employed by StFX for 40 

years, first in the library and more recently as 

Sacristan at the StFX Chapel. 

In her remarks, Mary lillian captured the 

Shopping for premier X-gear just got easier! 

www.alumni.stfx.ca/xgear 

Alumni, family, students and friends 

can now purchase quality university 

merchandise online Most items can be 

crested with your 

choice of the StFX 

University or alumni 

logo, making the 

perfect gift for 

anyone! Visit often 

to discover new 

items as they are 

added to our store. 

2 StFX Alumni newS l Fall 2010 

Alumni Director Helen Murphy with Friend of 

StFX Award winner Mary Lillian MacDonald. 

true spirit of StFX. She embodies the traditions, 

values and joy of StFX. This modest 

woman was rewarded with two standing ovations 

from the crowd of close to 500 alumni 

and friends. If you missed the dinner, we want 

you to hear from Mary lillian, and the inspiring 

words of our other two award winners, Jamie 

Wentzell ’01 (Young alumnus award) and 

alistair Macleod ’60 (Distinguished alumnus 

of the Year). These video clips are now posted 

on The X-Ring, our online alumni community, 

www.alumni.stfx.ca. Enjoy. 

Hail and Health, 

Helen Murphy ‘08 

Director, alumni affairs 

DO yOu KnOw An OuTSTAnDinG 

XAVeRiAn? 

The StFX Alumni Association asks you to think about the 

outstanding StFX grads and friends of the university in your life. 

Each year, we recognize the accomplishments and contributions 

of very special members of the StFX family through the Alumni 

Awards of Excellence and the StFX Hall of Honour at Homecoming. 

But deserving candidates cannot be considered for these honours 

without nominations. That’s where we need your help. 

For more information and nomination information, go to our 

online community at www.alumni.stfx.ca and click on “More Info.” 

The Hall of Honour recognizes alumni whose lives, achievements 

and contributions reflect the StFX tradition of helping others. The 

Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding achievements in the 

following categories: 

Distinguished Alumnus/A 

Young Alumnus/A 

Friend Of StFX (non alumni) 

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED. 

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS APRIL 30, 2011 

mAnAGinG editor 

Helen murphy ‘08 

email: hmurphy@stfx.ca 

Phone: 902-867-2243 

AssistAnt editor 

Shelley Cameron-mcCarron 

email: sacamero@stfx.ca 

Writer 

Shelley Cameron-mcCarron 

ProdUCtion & desiGn 

Angela Sears 

email: asears@stfx.ca 

neWs eXChAnGe editor 

Glenda Bond 

email: gbond@stfx.ca 

PhotoGrAPhy 

John Bastin 

email: jbastin@stfx.ca 

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 © 2010 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.

X-Rings Around the World 

ThRee gRadS SaluTe Canada aT FamOuS baTTle SiTe 

Dear alumniNews, 

My son Kris Hawley ’94 (centre) and I and Ron Joy ’63 (left) recently spent 

two weeks doing a Beaches and Battlefields Tour in France. This picture 

was taken at Beaumont Hamel in France, the site of the July 1 st battle in 

which the majority of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was decimated. 

There are four such memorials throughout France marking battles in 

which Newfoundlanders distinguished themselves. Each site is marked 

with a caribou. There is also a site in Belgium and one in Bowring Park 

in St. John’s. 

– austin Hawley ’67 

SpeCial JOuRney FOR 25Th anniVeRSaRy 


Dating from the 9th century, the 

Camino de Santiago pilgrimage 

in Spain is considered to be 

one of Christianity’s oldest, and 

holiest, of journeys. To celebrate 

our 25th wedding anniversary, 

my wife and I walked the last 

160 kilometres of the route to 

gain an official recognition as 

“pilgrims” by the Church. This 

picture is taken at the end of our 

sojourn and shows the facade 

of the Cathedral of Santiago de 

Compostela, where the tomb of 

Saint James the Great, one of the 

twelve apostles, is located. 

– Daniel Hickey ‘79 

Camino de Santiago, Spain 

SCOneSTOne makeS The newS in QaTaR ThankS TO StFX gRad! 

Greetings alumniNews: 

This is a most exciting story with its origin in Nova Scotia. I took the 

sconestone on a dirt/mountain bike ride this morning to show some 

of my Bedouin friends and their camels. You will find pictured here the 

story of the sconestone at Qatar Canadian School (QCS). This article 

appeared in The Gulf Times (Doha, Qatar) Saturday, June 26, 2010. The 

article says QCS principal Mike O’leary ’76 became the 27 th keeper of 

the sconestone – a symbol to remind all who touch it to try to make the 

world a better place, one kind act at a time. It is passed from keeper to 

keeper, each pledging to do an act of kindness. The sconestone started 

its journey in Nova Scotia. The article tells how the QCS became the 

first school in the world where all students and staff pledged acts of 

kindness. During one class visit Grade 3 student Chloe George, holding 

letters 

“The sconestone – a symbol to remind all who 

touch it to try to make the world a better 

place, one kind act at a time...The sconestone 

started its journey in Nova Scotia. 

Mike O’leary ‘76 ” 

the sconestone said: “if we pass the sconestone around the world we 

may even stop wars.” 

– Mike O’leary ‘76 

The “X” FaCTOR 


after many years of “brainwashing” 

my students at Gretna Green 

Elementary in Miramichi, NB on 

the merits of continuing their 

education in this nation’s finest 

university, St. Francis Xavier 

University, I have my first former 

student who took my advice! 

During a recent visit to StFX with 

my family, I stumbled into former student, Joey Dignam, who proudly 

displayed his X-Ring to me. Here is a photo of Joey and a very proud 

teacher ... moi! 

– Keith Comeau ‘94, Gretna Green Elementary 

Grade 3 French Immersion teacher 

X-RingS in JORdan 

Two 2009 StFX graduates had a 

chance to go into the field on 

an archaeological survey project 

thanks to Dr. Burton MacDonald 

’60, senior research professor in 

StFX’s Department of Religious 

Studies, and director of “The 

Shammakh to ayl archaeological 

Survey” in southern Jordan. 

Dr. MacDonald took his former 

students, Kelly Meagher and Hilary 

lock, into the field with him 

Joey Dignam ‘10 with former 

teacher Keith Comeau ‘94 

Kelly Meagher (l), Dr. Burton 

MacDonald and Hilary Lock (r) 

from april to June 2010 as project team members. Here, the three X 

grads pose at Udhruh, in southern Jordan, a Roman-Byzantine period 

(3 rd -7 th century aD) legionary fortress. Hilary, a member of StFX’s 2009 

President’s Circle of Young alumni, will begin her Ma studies in archaeology 

at Memorial University in St. John’s, Nl in September 2010. 


On September 5, StFX welcomed 1,000 new students – The Class of 2014 – to the university 

community on the most exciting Welcome Day ever! You played a big part by positively 

influencing so many students in their education choices. Your enthusiasm and dedication 

are helping change lives. 

The Class of 2015 will be arriving a year from now, and with your help, the university will 

again attract the best and brightest. 

Thank you again for all you do! 

Recruitment & Admissions 

Toll-free: 1-877-867-StFX 

Email: admit@stfx.ca 

stfx.ca 


Thank you!

Dr. Sean E. Riley’74 

StFX President 

StFX Means Business 

T 

he current post-secondar y 

landscape in Canada demands 

innovation. Projections of declining 

enrollments in the atlantic region and 

increasing competition from elsewhere paint 

a very clear picture: successful universities will 

be those that embrace change, innovate and 

prepare students for the future. 

For StFX, this means continuing what 

we’ve been doing. We’ll continue putting the 

interests of our students first in every decision 

we make and we’ll continue to invest in 

Canada’s very best residential post-secondary 

experience. 

This fall, the StFX community is celebrating 

a wonderful example of our commitment 

to innovation and preparing our students 

for today’s world. The official opening of the 

outstanding new Gerald Schwartz School 

of Business signals to the country that StFX 

means business. 

StFX is now home to the very best facility 

for undergraduate business education in 

Canada. The Schwartz School boasts 80,000 

sq. ft. of high-tech classrooms, modern 

computer labs, comfortable study areas and 

impressive faculty spaces – all with beautiful 

views and energy-efficient design. 

President’s PAGe l DR. SeAn e. Riley ‘74 

On Nov. 5, the StFX community celebrated 

the opening of the $28 million Schwartz 

School with a day of special events, including 

a gala dinner. It was a celebration of the 

latest, very significant investment in the 

decade-long renewal of the StFX campus. 

and it was a celebration of a university ready 

for the future. 

Dr. Sean E. Riley’74 

StFX President 

StFX is now home to the very best facility for undergraduate 

business education in Canada. The $28 million Schwartz 

School of Business opened in September 2010. 

Homecoming 

attendees were 

treated to their 

first glimpse of the 

stunning 306-seat 

auditorium in the 

Schwartz School 

when it ably played 

host to the Hall of 

Honour ceremony. 


newSFlASH 

WHaT’S NEW ON CaMPUS aND IN THE StFX COMMUNITY 

nicholas enjoys 

audience with 

the Queen 

New Brunswick lieutenant-Governor 

and StFX graduate graydon 

nicholas ’68 and his wife, beth, were 

thrilled in June to have a rare, private 

25-minute audience with Queen 

elizabeth ii at buckingham palace 

in london, england. “There’s always a 

bit of nervousness, but she put my wife 

and I at ease…she was very genuine in 

terms of her interest in us. Wow, I was 

touched by that,” Mr. Nicholas said in a 

newspaper interview at the time. The 

Queen greeted the couple in her private 

apartments in the london palace. Mr. 

Nicholas, the province’s first lieutenantgovernor 

of aboriginal heritage, marked 

National aboriginal Day in london as 

part of the visit with the Queen. 


StFX goes the extra mile 

to put its finger on the X-Factor 

E 

ach year, over one million 

Canadians c hoose 

between one of 92 

universities across the country. 

To compete for top students, 

post-secondary institutions have 

to work harder at distinguishing 

themselves as front runners, 

particularly when so many offer 

excellent academics. according 

to the head of recruitment for 

StFX, selling the intangible, softer 

elements of academic life is 

pivotal for success. It is also the 

idea behind a unique initiative 

that has students abuzz. On Sept. 

20, 2010, StFX launched Capture 

the X-Factor campaign, a video 

submission contest challenging 

students to describe not only 

the tangible elements, but also 

Notice in the last issue of Alumni News a list of faculty who receive external funding was printed. Unfortunately there were a small number of errors and omissions in the SHHRc and NSeRc lists. 

these will be corrected in future editions of the list. the level of external funding is one indicator of the hard work by faculty which has resulted in research that has received national recognition, 

which informs teaching at StFX, and which provides students with opportunities to be involved in the generation and application of new knowledge. Keith De’Bell, Associate Vice-President Research 

the exhilarating atmosphere 

that saturates campus life. The 

student who best captures the 

X-factor – that mysterious entity 

that ultimately differentiates StFX 

from other institutions – will win 

a $1,000 grand prize. Student 

videos, once approved, are loaded 

on the StFX contest webpage 

where they receive votes online. 

The 10 videos with the highest 

number of votes go on to a panel 

of judges who will determe who 

wins the $1,000 grand prize. 

Second prize is $500 cash while 

the third prize winner wins a $250 

DCB credit. For full contest details, 

please see www.stfx.ca/x-factor 

D 

uring the recent Royal 

Tour of Canada by 

Her Majesty, Queen 

Elizabeth II, and His Royal 

Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, 

Christina Sylliboy ‘09 (pictured 

in red) had the opportunity to 

accompany her father, Grand 

Chief Ben Sylliboy and greet the 

Royal couple to the Mi’kmaq 

Cultural Village in Halifax, NS. 

Christina says she proudly wore 

her Mi’kmaq Regalia and her 

X-Ring. “During this tour, it was 

such an honour to actually share 

a chuckle with Her Majesty the 

Queen and a give a quick Mi’kmaq 

language lesson to His Royal 

Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. 

as I look back, I will cherish those 

memories,” she says.

Allmand appointed president of 

Thomas More Institute 

W 

arren allmand ’54 has been appointed president of the 

Thomas More Institute. The StFX grad, former Member of 

Parliament and human rights advocate, assumed the post 

on June 1, 2010. “Mr. allmand’s experience as a cabinet minister and as 

a leader of organizations concerned with human rights and democracy 

will bring a broad range of contemporary questions and issues to course 

content and activities at the institute,” says Clare Hallward, chair of the 

board of directors at the Institute. “The values of continuing, life-long 

education are essential to the functioning of a successful/healthy 

democracy. These goals were always part of my work as an MP, Minister, 

city councilor, teacher and human rights advocate,” Mr. allmand says. 

“I welcome the opportunity to work with the staff and community of 

Thomas More Institute in furthering this agenda.” 

Fred Rosmanitz appointed 

university Registrar 

StFX is pleased to announce that Fred Rosmanitz has been 

appointed to the position of University Registrar, effective 

September 1, 2010. 

Mr. Rosmanitz brings much experience to the position. He is a 

former registrar at the University of lethbridge, a former assistant 

and associate registrar at the University of Calgary, and most 

recently the director of student services at the Qatar campus of 

the University of Calgary. He has served on many professional 

associations including holding office as the president of the 

Western association of Registrars in Universities and Colleges 

in Canada. 

Mr. Rosmanitz was born in Germany and grew up in Toronto. 

He has an engineering degree from the University of Toronto 

and has also worked as an industrial engineer in a pulp and 

paper mill in Northern Ontario. He and his wife Michelle have 

five children and a recent grandson, all living in Calgary, 

“I am delighted and honoured to join St. Francis Xavier University. 

StFX has a well deserved reputation for academic excellence 

and outstanding student service. I am looking forward to working 

with the faculty, the staff and the students and being part of the 

rich tradition that is StFX. My wife Michelle and I have heard many 

wonderful things about antigonish, about Nova Scotia and the 

Maritimes and we are excited to be a part of this community.” 

neWsFlAsh l wHAT’S new On CAmPuS AnD in THe StFX COmmuniTy 

StFX alumnus Frank Coleman 

named Atlantic Canada’s Top CEO 

Frank Coleman 

C 

ongratulations to StFX alumnus Frank Coleman ’74, President 

& CEO, Coleman Group of Companies, Humber Valley Paving, 

and Humber Valley asphalt and aggregates, who was named 

atlantic Canada’s Top CEO this year by atlantic Business Magazine. 

The award is part of the magazine’s profile of atlantic Canada’s Top 50 

CEOs who have displayed exceptional leadership and contributed to 

the growth of their communities. The award is chosen from the ranks 

of the Top 50 award winners and is the person deemed to have had 

the most outstanding accomplishments, under the most challenging 

circumstances, of the past year. Mr. Coleman is Newfoundland and 

labrador’s first business person to receive this honour. 

CFl Commissioner vists X 

CFL Commissioner, Mark Cohon (third from left) visits StFX and All Canadian 

X-Men (l-r) Tom Lynch, Henoch Muamba, , Dylan Hollohan, along with 

Coach Gary Waterman and former X-Man Martin Rochon. 

CFl Commissioner mark Cohon came to the StFX campus Sept. 21, a 

few days before the historic, first-ever CFl regular season game played 

in atlantic Canada, when the Edmonton Eskimos took on the Toronto 

argonauts in Moncton, NB Sept. 26. Mr. Cohon spoke to a crowd of 

university football players and community leaders at StFX about the 

possibility of a CFl franchise in atlantic Canada. Mr. Cohon thinks it’s 

possible but says, “We’re not there yet.” He says with extra seats added 

to the Moncton Stadium, it will have 21,000 seats for the game, but 

says a franchise would need a stadium with at least 25,000 seats in a 

permanent facility. He said a CFl franchise in atlantic Canada would 

need to have a strong fan base. Mr. Cohon also toured campus and met 

with leo MacPherson, director, StFX athletics and Recreation and the 

president-elect of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). 

Photo: The Western Star 



StFX professor uses mathematics 

to study flocking behavior in birds 

E 

veryone knows that 

birds flock and fish 

school, and that a 

number of different biological 

reasons, such as protection, are at 

play. What is relatively unknown 

is how they do these things. 

Now, StFX mathematics professor 

dr. Ryan lukeman, a 2003 

alumnus, is shining light on the 

issue. 

Dr. lukeman’s research, which 

combines field observations he 

made of ducks in Vancouver, BC 

with mathematical modeling, 

appeared in the July issue of the 

widely-read and multi-disciplinary 

journal, Proceedings of the 

National academy of Sciences 

(PNaS). PNaS has a large, diverse 

readership, and gets as many as 12 

million hits a month on its website. 

“The novel thing about this paper 

is the quality of the data, and 

the comparison to mathematical 

models that it allows,” says Dr. 

lukeman. 

“These ducks were swimming 

in very regular array formations, 

and because they were in two 

dimensions, we were able to 

mathematically reconstruct both 

positions and velocities.” 

Dr. lukeman photographed 

a timed series of images of the 

flock on the surface of the water, 

and used this observed behavior 


to infer what rules of interaction 

were at play in the flock. 

Determining how individuals 

form cohesive, self-organized 

group motion in nature is challenging, 

he says, as models tend 

to be hypothetical, and lack 

comparison with real data. 

“Here, we bridge the gap by 

gathering and analyzing a high 

quality dataset of flocking surf 

scoters, forming well-spaced 

groups of hundreds of individuals 

on the water surface,” he 

writes in the paper entitled Inferring 

individual rules from collective 

behavior. 

“By reconstructing each individual’s 

position, velocity and trajectory, 

we generate spatial and 

angular neighbour-distribution 

plots, revealing distinct concentric 

structure in positioning.” 

The results? Flocking birds 

interact with their neighbours 

in a number of ways, he says. 

They repel at close distances, 

attract at longer distances, and 

align with nearby neighbors, 

enabling the group to move 

cohesively. additionally, these 

ducks have a preference to position 

themselves directly behind 

a neighbour. “With our model, 

we found that repulsion among 

ducks was much stronger than 

other interactions,” he says. 

StFX professor and students discover 

new and intriguing information about 

babies’ first contact 

A 

four-year StFX research 

project has unveiled 

some intriguing results 

about skin-to-skin contact 

between mothers and their 

infants. 

StFX professors, students, and 

community health professionals 

conducted the first-of-its-kind 

research in Canada that focuses 

on the long-term benefits of 

mother and infant relationships. 

“ We followed over 100 

mothers and infants until the 

babies were three months old. 

The results showed that by 

engaging in skin-to-skin contact 

with their babies, mothers 

provided health benefits to 

themselves, to their babies, and 

to the developing mother-infant 

relationship. This was a true 

university-community research 

project,” said dr. ann bigelow, 

StFX psychology professor who 

was the lead researcher. “There 

were a number of collaborators 

from the fields of psychology, 

nursing, medicine, nutrition, 

and anthropology. Students 

were involved with almost every 

aspect of the project.” 

a DVD called ‘Enhancing Baby’s 

First Relationship,’ released in 

July, features testimonials from 

parents and health practitioners 

and provides an overview of 

research findings and personal 

accounts about the effects of 

skin-to-skin contact for the infant, 

the mother, and the developing 

mother-infant relationship. 

The DVDs and supplementary 

information about skin-to-skin 

contact with infants can be 

viewed at: www.mystfx.ca/ 

InfantSkinToSkinContact 

grads well represented at Vienna 

international aidS Conference 

S 

tFX was well represented at the recent International aIDS 

Conference in Vienna, austria, as part of the aIDS Free World 

coalition, with four 2010 grads in attendance. The four were 

all co-presidents of the X-tending Hope Student Society in 2009-2010. 

While in austria, they had the chance to meet Stephen lewis, who has 

strong ties to StFX, on several occasions. Pictured here, l-r, are Stephen 

lewis (co-director, aIDS Free World), lauren Galbraith ‘10, Paula Donovan 

(co-director, aIDS Free World), Robyn Kenny ‘10, Meaghan Hogan 

‘10 and amy Fowler ‘10.

Retired nursing professor 

Sr. Simone Roach named 

to the Order of Canada 

C 

ongratulations to Sister 

Simone Roach, C.M., 

retired StFX nursing 

professor and former department 

chair, who was appointed 

a Member of the Order of Canada 

for her contributions as a leader 

in nursing education and for establishing 

the first code of ethics 

for nurses in Canada. 

Her Excellency the Right Honourable 

Michaëlle Jean, Governor 

General of Canada, announced 

the 74 new appointments to 

the Order of Canada on June 

30. The new appointees include three Companions (C.C.), 18 Officers 

(O.C.), and 53 Members (C.M.). These appointments were made on the 

recommendation of the advisory Council for the Order of Canada. 

Roe does “everest of channel swims” to 

raise funds to tackle hiV-aidS pandemic 

A 

fter nearly 17 long, grueling hours in the 

water, StFX master’s of adult education 

student kristin Roe became the first 

Nova Scotian to swim solo across the English 

Channel – crossing from Dover Harbour, England to 

Calais France on July 22. With the swim she hopes 

to raise $100,000 for the Stephen lewis Foundation 

and the Nova Scotia Gambia association, to help 

tackle the HIV-aIDS pandemic in africa. 

This is not the first time Roe, who works at the IWK Health Centre in 

Halifax, has made waves. In 2005, she completed a single crossing of 

the Northumberland Strait for the Stephen lewis Foundation, raising 

$25,000. She challenged herself to a double crossing in 2008, raising 

another $80,000 for the Stephen lewis Foundation and Farmers Helping 

Farmers. and in 2006, while living in South africa, she became the first 

Canadian to swim from Cape Town to Robben Island, in a fundraiser 

for women living with HIV-aIDS. 


dr. Judith 

Stark named 

to gatto Chair 

in Christian 

Studies 

Dr. Judith Chelius Stark 

’67, professor of philosophy 

at Seton Hall University 

in South Orange, 

New Jersey was named to the Fr. Edo Gatto Chair in Christian 

Studies at StFX for the fall semester 2010. The Gatto Chair was 

established in honour of the life and work of Fr. Edo Gatto who 

taught ancient and medieval philosophy at StFX from 1962 to 

1991. He was killed in a tragic auto accident in 1991 and the Gatto 

Chair was established some years later as a tribute to his dedication 

to the life of the mind at StFX. Scholars named to the Gatto Chair 

engage in research that investigates the role and contributions 

of the Christian tradition to the intellectual heritage of the West. 

While holding the chair, Dr. Stark will continue research that she has 

been conducting on the philosophical and religious principles in 

environmental philosophy and the challenges women are facing 

around the world due to global climate change. She will deliver a 

public lecture this fall on her research and will teach an advanced 

seminar in the philosophy department on environmental philosophy. 

Dr. Stark says she is honoured to hold this appointment, 

named as it is for one of “the outstanding undergraduate professors” 

with whom she studied at StFX. 

Stanley Cup comes to antigonish 

C 

hicago Blackhawks senior official al macisaac 

’91(right and above), an antigonish native and 

X-Man hockey alumnus, delighted fans by 

bringing the Stanley Cup to antigonish and StFX on aug. 

31. Pictured celebrating the Stanley Cup’s visit to StFX are, 

l-r, bill kiely ’67, former national president of the StFX 

alumni association, Mr. MacIsaac, StFX athletic Director 

leo macpherson ’89, retired aD packy mcFarland ‘56, 

and StFX VP advancement Tim lang ’87. 


A World-Class Facility 

for a World-Class Program 

10 StFX Alumni newS l Fall 2010

I 

t’s hard not to be impressed with the new $26 million, 80,000 sq. ft. 

new home of the Gerald Schwartz School of Business. 

High-tech, case-style classrooms, an expansive, yet intimate 306seat 

auditorium, timeless warm wood décor, new faculty offices, student 

study areas complete with plasma TVs, and the stunning Frank mcKenna 

Centre for leadership, leave you with one word: “wow.” 


Schwartz School is open for business 

“This is state-of-the-art,” says Dean of 

Business leo Gallant. “If you look at business 

schools built in Canada within the last five 

years, this has everything that any of them 

have, and more in many respects. 

“and there wouldn’t be as many that are as 

environmentally friendly as this one.” 

But what may be most impressive about 

this gem of a building in the heart of StFX’s 

lower campus is the promise it brings. 

New Chapter 

Dean Gallant, who has taught at StFX since 

1973, aptly sums up the feeling: “We built 

a first-class program here, with top-rate 

students and faculty. Now, we have a firstclass 

facility. It opens up a whole new set of 

opportunities.” 

Faculty now lead students in classrooms 

equipped with the latest in video conferencing 

and in focus group labs equipped 

with two-way mirrors. They teach in Macsupported 

computer labs, and discuss ideas 

around specially-designed research labs. 

The vastly improved classrooms are designed 

with business students in mind, and 

come equipped to support teaching, learning 

and research in an interactive, open learning 

environment. 

as for faculty, for the first time ever, every 

professor is located in the same building, on 

the same floor. Offices are arranged in pods 

of eight and are deliberately not arranged by 

discipline. 

Pictured below: Dean Leo Gallant (seated, front) with the 

faculty of the Schwartz School of Business. 

12 StFX Alumni newS l l Fall 2010 

By Shelley CameROn-mCCaRROn 

Dean Gallant says this should help bring 

new collaborations. “all of our students and 

faculty can come together and work and interact. 

We have a wonderful teaching facility.” 

It also helps on a competitive basis. When 

prospective students and faculty tour the 

facility it makes a difference to see this highquality 

space dedicated to the program. 

In all, the facility provides 35 offices; two 

large computer labs; 10 state-of-the-art 

classrooms; a fully-equipped auditorium; 

student work and study spaces; faculty research 

areas; seminar, meeting and break-out 

rooms; and food court areas. Class sizes range 

from 20-seat seminar rooms to the 306-seat 

auditorium. “We have the full range of classrooms 

sizes, shapes and configurations. Our 

space makes us extremely competitive in the 

Canadian landscape,” Dean Gallant says. 

also in the building, on the first floor, are 

the Co-operative Education program, the 

Student Career Centre and a StFX Enterprise 

Development Centre (XEDC) presence. 

Building standouts include the raked-floor 

auditorium, just off the main foyer, that will be 

used mainly for teaching, but will also provide 

a much-needed venue for panels, guest speakers, 

debates, performances and other events; 

and the commanding 5,000 sq. ft. Frank McKenna 

Centre for leadership, which takes up the 

top floor of the new portion of the building. 

“All of our students and faculty can come 

together and work and interact. we have a 

wonderful teaching facility. The teaching will 

again be unified, and that’s important. 

” 

Dean leo Gallant 

X

long Time Coming 

Funding support from benefactor Gerald 

Schwartz; StFX alumni and friends; and an 

$11.2 million government investment enabled 

the year-long renovation and construction 

project to begin in earnest in august 

2009 on the site of the former science and 

engineering buildings. 

Inside, visitors will find a significant piece 

of heritage: crews removed brick from the old 

door of the MacNeil building, recapturing this 

arch inside in its form and material. another 

interesting architectural aspect is the windows 

and skylights added to the fourth floor, 

previously mostly a vacant attic, now very 

useable space. It houses faculty research labs 

and breakout rooms and a student lounge. 

Says Dean Gallant on the building: “The 

words that come to my mind are professional, 

warm. It won’t date itself. It has an enduring 

design, and it’s world-class.” X 

SChwaRTz SChOOl 

The greening of Schwartz 

When it comes to being green, StFX’s 

Schwartz School can be proud. 

Built to leadership in Energy and Environmental 

Design (lEED) standards, energy 

saving features are found throughout the 

building, which itself is uniquely heated by a 

renewable energy system. Construction crews 

dug 27 vertical wells to create a ground source 

heat pump system that uses the ground as 

a heat sink to provide extremely efficient 

heating and cooling for the building. The geoexchange 

has an 8-10 year return on investment 

and lower annual maintenance costs. It’s 

all part of StFX’s greater efforts to continue to 

support sustainability campus-wide, says Vice 

President Finance & Operations Ramsay Duff. 

“The Schwartz School, like the Coady International 

Institute before it, was an excellent 

opportunity to continue the commitment to 

sustainability. Not only do the highest performance 

standards extend the building’s life, it 

helps manage and lower costs and improves 

environmental controls. Helping lead the way 

are Facilities Management’s leon Maclellan, 

Shaun Chisholm and Kevin latimer, all certified 

lEED consultants.” X 


Students, employers discover the Co-op difference 

Jessica Nichols knew she wanted to take advantage of StFX’s Co-operative 

Education program, which integrates classroom learning through 

professional work experience. “Joining Co-op was about preparing me 

for my future,” says the fourth year BBa accounting major, who started 

her transition from student to professional on a 12-month work term 

with Sobeys atlantic, one of the Co-op program’s partners. 

“Co-op students are prepared, confident, and can handle learning 

curves,” says her supervisor at Sobeys, Keith MacKay ’97, who says Co-op 

helps students hit the ground running as new grads. 

One such example is 

lindsey Walker ’10, who 

completed a 16-month 

work term with Sobeys, 

and was offered full-time 

employment. Sobeys nominated 

her, and she won 

StFX’s 2010 Convocation 

prize of Employer’s Choice 

award for Excellence in Cooperative 

Education. 

StFX Dean of Business 

leo Gallant says collaboration 

with industry enhances 

the experience for students 

and faculty, and helps create 

relevant program op- 

tions for students. Co-op students work in all sectors including government, 

corporate and non-for-profit. Other local employers include aC 

Williams MacDonald Inc; NewPage Port Hawkesbury; the Nova Scotia 

Department of Environment; and the United Way of Pictou County. X 

The Co-operative Education program is located on the first floor of the 

Gerald Schwartz School of Business. For more information on the program, 

email co-op@stfx. 

hoW stFX PrePAred me KARA (CAMERON) DORT 

“at StFX I learned about the opportunities, 

challenges and benefits to 

becoming a Ca,” says Kara (Cameron) 

Dort ’04 of New Glasgow, NS, 

who is now director of international 

financial reporting standards (IFRS), 

at Sobeys Inc. where she is managing 

the transition from Canadian 

accounting standards to IFRS for 

Sobeys and its parent, Empire 

Company limited. “I connected 

with professors who held the 

designation including leo Gallant, 

Mary Oxner, Ken Macaulay and 

Bob Madden. Each of them played a big role in my decision. I listened 

to their experiences and learned from them the lifestyle, not just the 

book work, of being in business. an ‘Invest X’ trip to New York City’s 

financial district helped solidify the decision. I still refer back to these 

professors and their teachings when I come across challenges in my 

career. They gave me technical knowledge to start my career, and also 

the connection to the business world that I needed to lead me to a 

profession I truly enjoy. 


L-r: New grad Lindsey Walker mentors 

Jessica Nichols 

Dr. Gabrielle Durepos 

Back (l-r); Dr. Todd Boyle and Dr. Tom Mahaffey. Front (l-r): Students 

Holly MacLennan and Colton White 

Seated (l-r): Dr. Tom Mahaffey, students Justin MacLennan, Kristie Forbes, 

Elizabeth Woodworth. Standing (l-r): Professor Leo Gallant and Dr. Ken MacAulay

Prof. Neil Maltby 

Prof. Bob 

Madden 

Focus On Faculty 

Prestigious Thesis award 

a StFX business professor who 

came up with a unique approach 

to looking at how companies develop 

history to tell stories about 

themselves has been recognized 

with a prestigious, international 

thesis award. Dr. Gabrielle (Gabie) 

Durepos won the Critical Management 

Studies (CMS) Dissertation 

award at this year’s academy of 

Management conference held 

in Montreal in august. and, with 

7,231 submissions organized into 

1,801 sessions, and with over 

8,000 program participants representing 

close to 80 countries, the 

2010 annual meeting was a huge 

affair. Dr. Durepos had to compete 

with scholars from around the 

world for the highly-valued prize. 

Impressive Safetynet-Rx 

Research lab 

addressing important 

medication safety issues 

From cutting-edge technology 

to a paperless office environment, 

Canada Research Chair 

in Integrative IT in Small and 

Medium-sized Enterprises, Dr. 

Todd Boyle’s SafetyNET-Rx lab in 

the new Schwartz School is the 

most start-of-the-art research lab 

in Canada dedicated to exploring 

issues surrounding medication 

error reporting and learning in 

retail pharmacies. 

The lab is impressive with, 

among other things, numerous 

iPad, iMac, and tablet computers, 

text-to-speech software, voice 

recognition software, specialized 

software and tools for qualitative 

and quantitative research, 

and two servers to support its 

website and data. 

But perhaps most impressive 

is the work happening inside; 

research that will help retail pharmacies 

better report and learn 

from medication errors and near 

misses. The facility allows for improved 

collaboration with team 

members at Dalhousie University, 

international research teams, 

pharmacy regulatory bodies, and 

retail pharmacies, Dr. Boyle says. 

In addition to $160,000 in 

research infrastructure awards to 

equip and maintain the lab, the 

team has brought in five grants 

and an additional $400,000 within 

the past two years – a significant 

achievement that funds 

seven student positions. The 

lab is federally and provincially 

supported through the Canada 

Foundation for Innovation and 

the Nova Scotia Research Innovation 

Trust. External research 

grants have come from the 

Social Sciences and Humanities 

Research Council of Canada, 

Canadian Institutes for Health 

Research, and the Nova Scotia 

Health Research Foundation. 

hoW stFX PrePAred me JAMIE WENTzELL 

“Small class sizes and attention to individual students allowed for a greater understanding 

of subject material,” says Jamie Wentzell, a 2001 grad, originally from 

Bridgewater, NS, who at just 33 years of age was appointed CEO of Homburg 

Canada Incorporated in June 2010. 

Jamie, a varsity hockey player, four-time academic all Canadian and multiple 

scholarship winner while at StFX, is married to alana and father of two, Casey and 

Grace (“future alumni,” he says.) “Professors work in close proximity to students, 

allowing them to develop a close working relationship with each student and 

make the university experience memorable. Playing on the varsity hockey team, I 

developed a keen understanding of the need to be a team player and I have been 

able to carry that over to my leadership within Homburg. Team building and the 

willingness to work together for a common good is what makes a company strong 

in this tough economic time.” 


live lobster markets in Germany? 

Hardwood flooring in Poland? 

StFX delivers rich on-theground 

international 

experience 

It’s not every undergraduate 

business student who can tell 

you about the market for live 

lobster in Germany, or hardwood 

flooring in Poland. But a 

group of 11 students are well 

versed in international importexport 

marketing techniques 

after spending five months in 

Europe researching markets for 

three local companies. 

The students were part of 

Interparse, short for International 

Trade Education in Partnership 

with Small and Medium Sized 

Enterprises, a program which operated 

under the Canada-European 

Union Programme for Cooperation 

In Higher Education, 

Training and Youth. Within this 

co-operation, Human Resources 

Skills Development Canada, 

funded the project through its 

International academic Mobility 

program. 

“It was fantastic,” says Prof. 

Neil Maltby, who led the initiative 

at StFX with colleague Prof. 

Bob Madden. The project was 

implemented in Prof. Maltby’s 

third-year international business 

course. 

“The students who went on 


the exchange not only got the 

typical benefits of taking courses 

and experiencing another 

culture, they also got the very 

applied experience of investigating 

the market, in the market, 

for a company that’s actually 

interested in exporting there. 

It’s a very real project in the field 

applying all the concepts they 

learned about in the classroom, 

and gaining great resume experience. 

“The students across the 

board said it was great.” 

Prof. Robert Madden and 

the Warsaw Connection 

When Prof. Robert (Bob) Madden 

was chair of the StFX business 

department in the mid-1990s, 

he found himself at a meeting in 

Detroit sitting beside a dean from 

the University of Calgary who 

asked if he would be interested 

in teaching in Poland. His reply? 

I don’t think so. Then one day, 

Prof. Madden received a voice 

mail. There’d been a cancellation. 

Would he consider filling in? “It 

was the most rewarding teaching 

experience I had in my life,” 

hoW stFX PrePAred me GREG MACDONALD 

as senior trade policy analyst at agriculture 

and agrifood Canada, Greg 

MacDonald ’02, an honours finance 

graduate originally from antigonish, 

NS, travelled extensively to Geneva 

for over a year as part of negotiating 

sessions for the Canadian negotiation 

team of World Trade agriculture 

negotiations and the Canada-European 

Union free-trade negotiations. 

“although hectic, it enabled me to 

learn much about the world of international 

trade negotiations,” says 

MacDonald, who holds a masters’ of arts in international affairs 

from Carleton University. While at StFX, he ran varsity cross country, 

was a four-time academic all Canadian, and aUS Conference 

all-Star. “My academic experience developed my critical thinking 

and analytical skills. The structure of the StFX business program 

provided me the opportunity to get a well-rounded education 

in business and round out my education with a wide range of 

courses from other fields. Prof. Neil Maltby’s international business 

course cemented my interest in international trade and business.” 


the long-time StFX accounting 

professor says of his first venture 

to the Warsaw School of Economics 

Executive MBa program. 

“They could use what I was 

teaching in their jobs tomorrow.” 

Since then, Prof. Madden has 

enjoyed a distinguished 15-year 

relationship with the European 

school, teaching financial reporting 

and managerial finance there 

for three weeks each December 

and May. and from this partnership, 

many benefits have come 

to StFX. Student exchanges were 

formed, StFX colleagues became 

involved, and European students 

have become interested 

in a StFX education. For instance, 

former MBa student, Boguslaw 

Hass, was so impressed with his 

education, he wanted the same 

kind of exposure for his daughter 

Karolina. She came to StFX on 

exchange and liked it so much, 

she finished her degree here with 

the highest marks in her class. 

“There’s been so many benefits to 

StFX from this little experiment,” 

says Prof. Madden, who has 

taught at StFX since 1971, and is 

often feted by former students as 

a mentor and for his enthusiasm 

for teaching business. Still, ask 

him about his major contributions, 

and he turns the praise 

away: “The best thing I ever did 

was recruit three top professors, 

(former roommate) leo Gallant 

(the current dean), (and former 

students) Ken Macaulay and 

Mary Oxner to StFX.” 

Business Faculty Help 

Develop Financial Guide 

For New Parents 

No doubt about it, having a baby 

affects your life and your budget. 

In a unique outreach effort, faculty 

and students at the Schwartz 

School and StFX’s Department of 

adult Education teamed up to 

develop a New Parent’s Guide 

to Money, a pilot program designed 

to give new parents the 

tools they need to make better 

decisions about money. 

The result is an engaging, 

informative brochure that offers 

“He is giving us one powerful tool 

to do the job. How profoundly 

moved we are by this. 

” 

The Hon. Frank mcKenna on 

mr. Gerald Schwartz’s gift to StFX 

five simple steps to financial 

health. 

“It’s meant to get people 

started thinking about the issues 

they should be thinking about,” 

says business professor Dr. Ken 

Macaulay, the project’s principal 

investigator, who teamed his 

financial literacy expertise with 

that of colleague Dr. Tom Mahaffey, 

a marketing specialist, on 

the project. 

Key to the project’s success, 

Drs. Macaulay and Mahaffey say, 

are business students, Kristie 

Forbes, Elizabeth Woodworth 

and Justin Maclennan, who 

researched and designed the 

brochure from the ground up. 

This program is supported by 

the Social Sciences and Humanities 

Research Council of Canada, 

the Canada Research Chair in the 

Schwartz School, and the Guysborough 

antigonish Strait Health 

authority. For more, please see 

www.parentsguide2money.ca X

Official opening of the Gerald Schwartz School of Business a grand success 

L 

oud, long applause 

met Canadian business 

leader Gerald Schwartz 

when he took to the podium 

Nov. 5 at the official opening 

of the state-of-the-art business 

school at StFX that bears his 

name. 

In a sincere speech to those 

gathered in the Gerald Schwartz 

School of Business, the CEO, 

chairman and founder of Onex 

Corp., recalled when he first met 

StFX President Dr. Sean Riley, he 

was entranced “that he had a vision 

to create the best university 

of its size in this vast nation.” 

It was this vision – the potential 

to help students by helping 

create a world-class facility – that 

prompted him to get on board. 

Now, this $26 million facility will 

help propel StFX’s already impressive 

program to the forefront 

of business education in Canada, 

if not North america, he said. 

Upwards of 600 people gathered 

on campus throughout the 

daylong celebration that included 

the official opening, building 

tours and a gala evening dinner. 

The StFX business program, 60 

years rich, is poised for a new era in 

business education, Dr. Riley said. 

This new home is part of the 

university’s plan to compete 

nationally and internationally 

for the best students, he said, 

but it is also to provide excellent 

opportunities for students in the 

region. 

among the many to thank, Dr. 

Riley gave nod to Mr. Schwartz 

for his early and steady support, 

without which other sources of 

funding may not have come, and 

acknowledged the significant 

boost near the end with the 

government’s Knowledge Infrastructure 

Program. 

A new era 

in BuSineSS eDuCATiOn 

“Today is clearly a turning 

point,” Dean of Business leo 

Gallant said. “The building is a 

springboard...We have tremendous 

faculty and students, this 

will allow us to grow and develop 

to our true potential. It will enable 

us to become more.” 

The Hon. Frank McKenna, chair 

of StFX’s Board of Governors, says 

he is humbled and overwhelmed 

by what Mr. Schwartz has done. 

He endowed the school financially, 

and also with the gift of 

his global reputation. Making 

the gift that much more pro- 

hoW stFX PrePAred me KAROLINA (HASS) KRySTyNIAK 

“Studies at StFX truly changed my life,” says Karolina (Hass) Krystyniak, a Warsaw, 

Poland native who graduated in 2008 with honours in accounting, ranked No. 

1 on the Dean’s list, and was nominated to Kappa Gamma Pi Society. Karolina 

has since gone on to obtain a master’s in economics at the Warsaw School 

of Economics, passed level I and II CFa exams, won a prestigious Fullbright 

Scholarship, and is applying for PhD programs in finance in the U.S. She also 

recently married. “I was lucky to work under the supervision of a passionate 

academic, Prof. Ken Macaulay, who became my first mentor who taught me 

to observe closely and ask questions. While conducting research for my master’s 

thesis, I had a great opportunity to cooperate with Prof. Shantanu Dutta 

who provided me not only with academic consultation and advice but also 

inspired and motivated me. at StFX I had the opportunity to work as a teaching 

assistant, which gave me an amazing opportunity to work with students. 

This whole experience evoked my aspiration to pursue an academic career.” 


Below, l-r: Dean Leo Gallant, Hon. Frank McKenna, Gerald Schwartz, Dr. Sean Riley 

and MLA Ross Landry. 

found, Mr. McKenna said that Mr. 

Schwartz, being so globally connected 

could have supported 

many things, yet he chose a business 

school in a part of Canada 

and at an institution with which 

he has no real association. 

“Because he saw something... 

that all too often we don’t see 

in ourselves, we have a robust 

heart, but we don’t always have 

the tools. He is giving us one 

powerful tool to do the job. How 

profoundly moved we are by this. 

I can guarantee you, we won’t let 

you down.” X 


Homecoming 2010 

Above: Homecoming was a wonderful chance to rekindle old friendships. Here, members of the class of 1960 catch 

up at the Golden Grads dinner. Right: Katie Fleming International Development Award recipient Anna Meela-Kulaya. 

T 

hey came home from 

Paris and Rome, Calgary 

and Cairo, from New 

Jersey and Ottawa. They came 

from the Class of 1932 through to 

the Class of 2010. They came back, 

hundreds strong, to celebrate StFX 

Homecoming 2010 on Oct. 1-3. 

and what a great time they had. 

“We have a great love for this 

campus,” Joe Parks, an alumnus 

from the Class of 1951, said. 

“This is the place that gave 

us our start, where we honed 

our skills,” agreed Jim “Soupy” 

Campbell, who celebrated his 

golden anniversary – 50 years 

since graduating, with an added 

distinction. He was one of four 

distinguished alumni inducted 

into StFX’s prestigious Hall of 

Honour on Oct. 2. 

“It is certainly great to be back 

home and this is home.” 

The buzz was evident around 

campus all weekend. 

The Charles V. Keating Centre 

looked elegant as almost 500 

people gathered for the official 

kick-off to Homecoming 2010, 


“ 

It is certainly great to be back home and 

this is home. 

” 

Jim “Soupy” Campbell ‘60 

the Welcome Home Dinner. 

attendees were treated to brilliant, 

funny and touching remarks 

from the evening’s three alumni 

award winners: 40-year StFX employee 

Mary lillian MacDonald 

(Friend of StFX); businessman Jamie 

Wentzell ’01 (Young alumnus 

award); and internationally celebrated 

author alistair Macleod ’60 

(Distinguished alumnus award); 

who delighted the crowd with 

their acceptance speeches. 

Retiring StFX alumni president 

andrea Maclean-Holohan ’59 also 

received special honours during 

the ceremony for her unwavering 

commitment to alma mater. 

On Saturday, a piper led the 

crowd into the stunning new 

theatre at the Schwartz School 

of Business for the ever-inspiring 

Hall of Honour. One of the centerpieces 

of Homecoming, the 

ceremony annually honours 

individuals who embody the 

principles of StFX. Their portraits 

hang in the angus l. Macdonald 

library, providing the university 

community with a sense of history 

and sense of the contributions 

of its alumni. 

The crowd rose to its feet for 

each of the four inductees, Jim 

“Soupy” Campbell ’60, Dr. Burton 

MacDonald ’60, Sr. Dr. Helen 

aboud ’57 and Dr. Wayne Patterson 

’65. 

The student alumni Recognition 

award winners also read 

their essays on what it means 

to be a Xaverian. Student Tayrn 

Grant ’12 summed it up when 

she said, “StFX has awakened me 

to my own potential.” 

School spirit was in full force 

all weekend. alumni took part in 

campus walking tours, caught 

up with old friends, bought 

crested X-gear, visited old haunts, 

gathered across campus for 

seven reunion dinners, including 

the Golden Grad dinner, took in 

Homecoming kitchen ceilidhs 

and pub nights, celebrated 

Coffee for Coady and the Mount 

St. Bernard College Tea, toured 

the new Schwartz School, 

participated in the alumni 

Mass, supported alumnus, 

Halifax Herald cartoonist Bruce 

MacKinnon, in his book launch, 

and, of course, watched StFX 

defeat Mount allison 37-26 in the 

Homecoming football game. 

Overheard at the closing 

brunch: “We should do this every 

two years; we shouldn’t wait for 

five!” X

Pictured right: Back (l-r): Mary O’Regan ‘60, Mary Janet MacIsaac Munari ‘60, 

Daniel MacLeod (son of Alistair MacLeod). Front (l-r): Alexander MacLeod (son 

of Alistair MacLeod ), Alistair MacLeod ‘60, Anita MacLeod and Mary O’Regan. 

Jim “SOupy” Campbell’S dedication to St. Francis Xavier University is 

without bounds. In fact, it’s often been said he bleeds “Blue and White.” 

During his successful career as an entrepreneur and businessman in 

greater Boston, he never lost sight of his roots to antigonish. He has 

been a member of the StFX President’s Club for over 25 years. He has 

guided young students to the school, contributed financially, is a stalwart 

protagonist of the football program, and is an intensely loyal and 

devoted athletics supporter -- both at StFX and in Massachusetts. He 

also organized in his adopted hometown of Scituate, Ma, the annual 

and ongoing St. Patrick’s Day parade. With his life partner, his late wife 

Janet, he was a long-time organizer of Boston alumni events. 

SR. dR. helen abOud’S entire career of service to others truly reflects 

StFX’s values and tradition of helping others. a Sydney, NS native, 

she graduated from StFX in 1957 with a BSc in home economics. She 

pursued further education in the field of nutrition and in 1974 earned a 

PhD in foods and nutrition, with a minor in microbiology, from Cornell 

University. Sr. Helen served as chair of StFX’s Department of Nutrition 

and Consumer Studies (now Human Nutrition) from 1974 to 1989. Described 

as a gifted teacher, exceptional in her ability to mentor, guide 

and encourage students, her 32-year legacy as an educator inspired 

many young minds in Mount St. Bernard and StFX classrooms and 

homeCominG 2010 

The alumni awards of Excellence 

L-r: Dr. Sean Riley ‘74, Friend of StFX Award winner Mary Lillian MacDonald, 

Distinguished Alumnus Award winner Alistair MacLeod ‘60, Young 

Alumnus Award winner Jamie Wentzell ‘01, and Alumni Association 

president Andrea MacLean-Holohan ‘59. 

The 2010 Hall of Honour Inductees alumni Recognition award Winners 

Alumni Association president Andrea MacLean-Holohan ‘59 (centre) poses 

with Hall of Honour inductees (pictured l-r) Jim “Soupy” Campbell ‘60, Dr. Burton 

MacDonald ‘60, Sr. Dr. Helen Aboud ‘57 and Dr. R. Wayne Patterson ‘65. 

L-r: Alumni Recognition Award winners Kyle Kennedy MacDonald (3 rd year, 

Inverness, NS), Mary Anne Gillies MacDonald (1 st year, Antigonish, NS), 

Taryn Grant (2 nd year, Calgary, AB) with Dr. Sean Riley ‘74. 

beyond. Sr. Dr. Helen aboud’s life truly has been marked by a deep 

compassion and dedication to support and improve the lives of others. 

dR. wayne paTTeRSOn of Moncton, New Brunswick has had a remarkable 

career in education, academia, government and politics. He 

is currently a full professor of computer science at Howard University 

in Washington, DC; his published writings are numerous and varied; 

and he has received many funded grants. In other words, he is at the 

top of his field. Since his departure from campus in the mid-sixties, he 

achieved his PhD in mathematics from the University of Michigan and 

an MSc in computer science from the University of New Brunswick, and 

embarked on a career in post-secondary education. 

dR. buRTOn maCdOnald graduated from StFX in 1960. He earned his 

master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, and his PhD from the Catholic 

University of america. Today, he is a senior research professor in the StFX 

Department of Religious Studies and in the Department of anthropology. 

His research, numerous publications in scholarly journals and books are 

widely respected. also important are the seminal contributions he has 

made and continues to make to communities in Jordan and at home 

through his archaeological survey work, excavations of early biblical and 

iron-age sites in Jordan, and his work with young people. 


Does it really matter which 

credit card you use? 


Dear St. Francis Xavier University Graduate; 

Yes, it really does matter which credit card you use, and here’s why. 

When you choose the St. Francis Xavier University MasterCard from 

BMO Bank of Montreal, every purchase you make helps support your alma 

mater with no additional cost to you. 

BMO Bank of Montreal is one of StFX’s valued affi nity partners. Over the last few 

years, your Alumni Association has worked with BMO to build the foundation 

for a successful affi nity credit card program… one that not only generates 

revenue to support our work, but also offers valuable benefi ts that personally 

reward you for using the card! 

The St. Francis Xavier University MasterCard offers great reward choices 

including: 

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• No Fee or Premium CashBack MasterCard 

Whether you’re looking for a great value no fee credit card or faster rewards 

collection, the St. Francis Xavier University MasterCard offers you both. 

If you don’t have a St. Francis Xavier University MasterCard yet, we invite you 

to review the card features online at bmo.com/stfx. If you already have one, we 

thank you, and hope you’re enjoying the personal rewards from using the card. 

Make the choice that matters. Please help support our University by applying 

today and selecting the card that’s right for you. 

Andrea MacLean-Holohan 

StFX Alumni Association National President

How can I reward myself 

and help my alma mater? 

Get the BMO ® St. Francis Xavier University MasterCard ®* 

Reward yourself with 1 AIR MILES ®† reward mile for every $20 spent 

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1. Award of AIR MILES reward miles or CashBack rewards is made for purchases charged to your account (less refunds) and is subject to the terms and conditions of your BMO MasterCard 

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Alumni 

HAppenings 

Classics for Classics l Student Send-Offs l Physical education Reunion 

The 2010 Classics for Classics class 

Classics for Classics 

receives rave reviews 

A 

s the second annual Classics for 

Classics – a week-long event inviting 

alumni and friends back to the 

classroom on the StFX campus, but this time 

without examinations – headed into the 

record books, participants were raving about 

the experience and already looking forward 

to next summer’s event. 

In all, 25 participants attended the July 

4-9 event to study and discuss philosophy. 

Teaching is led by StFX philosophy professor 

Dr. Steve Baldner with the help of numerous 

guest lecturers from the Faculty of arts. 

This year’s theme was René Descartes, 

Meditations on First Philosophy. 

Dr. Baldner says the program came about in 

2009 because of two convictions he’s long held: 

that alumni want to continue the education 

started, but not ended, during their undergraduate 

years; and that StFX should do something for 

alumni who have been so supportive. 

The event was free for StFX alumni, with a 

nominal cost for non-alumni. 


alumni association at work on campus 

Members of the Alumni Association Council from across Canada and the US gathered for 

their annual meeting at StFX on Sept. 30. The day began with an informative presentation by 

StFX President Dr. Sean Riley on current and upcoming priorities and activities within the StFX 

community.

Student Send-Offs 

T 

his year was a record-breaker in terms of student send-offs 

hosted by chapters of the StFX alumni association. Sixteen 

alumni chapters hosted new students and their families for a 

warm StFX send-off this past summer. These events come in all shapes 

and sizes, from summer picnics, to BBQs and dinners. 

VAnCOuVeR, BC 

The annual beach picnic in Vancouver is a big draw. 

lOnDOn, On 

New students and their families gathered for a post-golf tournament 

barbecue in London. 

TRuRO, nS 

The Truro & Area chapter held its 2 nd Annual Student Send-off on August 

25 th , hosted by Jeff ‘98 and Chantel ‘97 Bishop. A great gathering of returning 

students and alumni helped welcome the first year students and their 

families into the X family. 

anTigOniSh, nS – Graduates of StFX’s 1996 physical education 

class held a three-day reunion in antigonish in august. attendees 

said it was a great way to re-connect. Pictured here, class members 

gather for a Family BBQ at 66 Hawthorne St. antigonish. 

also pictured are some of the children of Class of ’96 members. 

– Dale Brown, ’96, ’02 

alumni association Council: 

Current, incoming and retiring members of the alumni association 

Council gathered for a group photo following their annual meetings 

on Friday, Oct. 1. Pictured here, back (l-r) are: Matt Johnston ‘03, Dan 

Merzetti ‘91, Paul Fraser ‘82, Shawn Monahan’87, John Fleming ‘81, 

Helen Murphy ‘08, Tanya andrews ‘02, Ed McHugh ‘79, Ellen Cecchetto 

‘81, Jacqui Janes ‘91, Claudia Maclean ‘92, Karri Cameron ‘92, Kathy 

achorn ‘71, Tim lang ‘87, andrew Howlett ‘02. Front (l-r) Jay Donlevy ‘92, 

andrea Maclean-Holohan ‘59, Jack lamey ‘95 ‘99, Morag Graham ‘68, 

Drew Smith ‘90, Kevin MacSween ‘89. Missing from photo: Jeff Bishop ‘98 


aThleTiCS 

StFX Athletics Announces 

2010 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees 

S 

tFX Director of athletics & Recreation leo MacPherson is pleased to announce this year’s inductees into the 

StFX Sports Hall of Fame. “StFX athletics has a long and rich heritage and it is wonderful when we have the 

opportunity to pause and recognize the people that have helped make our nationally prominent athletic 

programs so special,” he says. “We are extremely proud of these inductees and their place in our history and tradition 

of excellence.” 

Four athletes comprise the 2010 induction class including Burns McPherson, football (1970); Diane Orsini, basketball 

(1971); Don Dempsey, football (1985); and David Purcell, hockey (1988). Being inducted into the builder category is 

former X-Men hockey coach Danny Flynn (1979); and the 1986 aUS champion X-Women soccer team was inducted 

into the team category. 

The StFX Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1976 and exists to honour those individuals who have contributed 

significantly to StFX sports as athletes, teams or builders. 

burns mcpherson (1966-1970) was a 

member of the 1966 national champion 

College Bowl team. He was a starter as 

a punter, kickoff specialist and defensive 

halfback and in his final two years 

played on punt returns, kickoff returns 

and flanker. Burns was an aUS defensive 

all-star in 1969 and in 1970, he played nearly every 

minute of every game on both offense and defense. 

diane Orsini (1967-71) was a threeyear 

captain and forward with the 

X-Women basketball team. She was a 

three-time team MVP, led the X-Women 

in scoring in 1969 and 1970 and was the 

high scorer of the conference in 1970. 

Diane was the first female recipient 

of the StFX athletic ring, acknowledging her four-year 

athletic contribution. 

don dempsey (1981-1985) was 

an X-Men football running back and 

throughout his career received numerous 

national and conference distinctions, 

including CIS all-Canadian 

status and aUS MVP honours on two 

occasions. Don was a two-time StFX 

Male athlete of the Year and upon the conclusion of 

his career was the third ranked career rusher in aUS 

conference history. 

david purcell (1984-1988) led the 

X-Men hockey team in scoring for four 

consecutive seasons. He was a threetime 

aUS all-star and two-time aUS 

MVP. His final season in 1988 saw him 

lead the conference in scoring and earn 

CIS all-Canadian recognition. David was 

a three-time StFX Male athlete of the Year, and currently 

sits fifth overall in the aUS record book in career regular 

season scoring and second overall in career goals. 


daniel (danny) Flynn (Class of 1979) 

coached the hockey X-Men for 10 

seasons from 1995 to 2005. an X-Men 

alumnus himself, Danny helped rebuild 

and establish a premier men’s hockey 

program, winning two CIS silver medals 

and ultimately winning the teams’ first 

and only CIS national championship in 2004. Coach 

Flynn led a nationally ranked X-Men program for eight 

straight seasons and is on record as the winningest 

coach in X-Men hockey history. 

1986-87 women’s Soccer Team – The 1986 X-Women 

soccer team, under the direction of head coach Peggy 

Gallant, won the first-ever aUS soccer title for StFX and 

the first ever aUSsanctionedconference 

championship 

victory for any female 

sports team at StFX. 

Team members of 

the celebrated squad 

were the first recipients in StFX athletics history to receive 

golden X’s for their victory. 

Team members include: laurie (MacKenzie) Boucher, 

Trina (Ross) Chisholm, Sharon Cunningham, Marsha 

Fairfield, Tanya (MacMillan) Feltmate, lorraine Gavin, 

Heather Hickson, Joanne (Cecchetto) Hubert, Jane 

MacDonald-lacey, Shelene (Burke) MacDonald, Chrissy 

MacDougall, Colleen (Chisholm) MacDougall, Karla 

Marsh, Margot McKenna, Michelle (MacDonald) Mertens, 

lynn (MacIsaac) Murphy, Janice (Thompson) Pedlar, 

Sheena (Granville) Quish, Kathy Ross, Susan (lawson) 

Stewart, assistant coach Theresa Doyle and head coach 

Peggy Gallant. 

all inductees were honoured during an induction 

ceremony Sept. 30 at the Charles V. Keating Centre. 

Induction ceremonies take place every two years. 

StFX Athletes 

in the news 

• As of press time, 

X-men linebacker 

henoc muamba is 

currently rated 11 th 

overall on the CFl’s 

early prospect list 

for the 2011 draft. 

He is the only AuS 

player on the list of 

15. 

• X-women rugby 

athletes Jessica 

Jacobs, Olivia 

demerchant, 

Stephanie 

mackinnon and 

beth macneill 

were members of 

Canada’s u20 team 

who won gold at 

the international 

north American 

Caribbean Rugby 

Association 

(nACRA) regional 

tournament in the 

Bahamas this past 

summer. 

• Recent X-women 

rugby graduate 

ghislaine landry 

participated at the 

international world 

university Games 

in July in Spain 

with Team Canada 

where they placed 

fourth overall. 

• The AuS defending 

X-women soccer 

and X-women 

rugby teams 

have been ranked 

in the Canadian 

interuniversity 

Sport (CiS) Top 

10 early on in the 

2010 season.

L-r: StFX President Dr. Sean Riley, Danny Flynn, Don Dempsey, Diane Orsini, Dave Purcell, 

Burns McPherson, and Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson 

L-r (back row): StFX President Dr. Sean Riley, head coach Peggy Gallant, Laurie (MacKenzie) 

Boucher, Lynne (MacIsaac) Murphy, Tanya (MacMillan) Feltmate, Shelene (Burke) 

MacDonald, Director of Athletics & Recreation Leo MacPherson, Lorraine Gavin, and Colleen 

(Chisholm) MacDougall. L-r (front row): Trina (Ross) Chisholm, Heather (Hickson) Taylor, 

Susan (Lawson) Stewart 

15 th AnnuAl SEARCh ASSoCiAtES 

toRonto intERnAtionAl RECRuitmEnt FAiR 

Jan. 28-31, 2011 

Delta Chelsea Hotel, 

Toronto 

Visit www.searchassociates.com for 

dates. Information sessions in October and 

November, as well as teacher conferences 

attending will be posted on this website. 

Special offer to candidates attending. 

Special discount for “X” grads. 

50–60 international recruiters attending, 

representing over 80 schools worldwide. 

Click on banner on main webpage 

featuring Toronto SEARCH fair or 

click on 2011 FAIR SCHEDULE, 

then click on Toronto Fair for 

additional information. 

ContACt 

raysparks@eastlink.ca 

oR viSit 

www.searchassociates.com 

X-Women Capture 

CIS Rugby Gold 

I 

t’s gold again. The StFX X-Women Rugby team are 

once again national champions! 

In a thrilling 17-12 overtime win at the Canadian 

Interuniversity Sport (CIS) final played at Trent University in 

Peterborough, ON, the X-Women downed the Concordia 

Stingers to capture the gold medal and national bragging 

rights. 

It’s the second time in school history that the X-Women 

are CIS champions. They first claimed the title in 2006 in 

london, ON. 

a perennial powerhouse, the X-Women are also 13-time 

atlantic conference champions in as many aUS seasons. 

In a newspaper interview following the championship, 

StFX head coach Mike Cavanagh credited a quick start by his 

players for giving his team the edge in the game. “They kept 

control of the ball and kept up their intensity throughout. 

Hats off to Concordia for a great game. They never gave up.” 

diplOma in 

adulT eduCaTiOn 

national program of excellence 

Canadian association university Continuing education 

Excellence is what St. Francis Xavier University’s Diploma in 

adult Education is all about. It is the #1 choice among adult 

educators and HRD professionals. Now in our 29 th year. 

It is available to you in major centres across Canada or 

ask about our in-house programs. 

Our 2010/11 schedule includes Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, 

london, Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary. 

limited enrollment – 30 seats per module 

www.stfx.ca/academic/adulted-diploma 

Email: dipaded@stfx.ca 

Toll-free: 1-800-563-7839 

Fax: (902)867-2486 

Business hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm atlantic 


COady inTeRnaTiOnal inSTiTuTe 

Coady Celebrates annual benefit 

dinner pays tribute to Mary Coyle 

F 

ormer Coady Institute director and 

StFX Vice President Mary Coyle’s 

legacy was celebrated at a gala 

dinner in Halifax on September 17th. 

Gord Cunningham, interim director of the 

Coady Institute and a colleague of Mary’s for 

more than 20 years was Master of Ceremonies. 

Video tributes poured in from across Canada 

and around the world from leaders such as 

former Prime Minister Paul Martin, the Hon. 

Frank McKenna, lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire and 

the Hon. Flora MacDonald. Tributes came from 

Hon. Peter MacKay, Stephen lewis and Nova 

Scotia liberal leader Stephen McNeil. Former 

youth interns alexis MacDonald and lindsay 

MacMillan, both in Toronto, said Mary Coyle’s 

influence helped shape their lives. 

Tributes also came from around the globe. 

Jayshree Vyas, the managing director of SEWa 

Bank in India thanked Mary for her initiatives with 

the Indian School of Microfinance for Women, 

and Coady graduate Sebastian Matthews, chair 

of the Greater Rustenburg Foundation, said 

Mary’s influence is shaping development in his 

home country of South africa. 

StFX President Dr. Sean Riley spoke 

admiringly about Mary’s contribution to the 

Coady Institute, to StFX, and to the world 

through her remarkable tenure as the Coady’s 

longest serving director. 

“I travelled with her and saw her in full flight 

with the Coady network in India, in Egypt, in 

Ethiopia, in Zambia, in Nepal, in Kenya and 

in many other places too long to list,” said Dr. 

Riley. “I have heard her introduced on several 

continents, not as Mary Coyle, but as Mary 

Coady. 


“You have left the Coady positioned for the 

future. You ask us only this: to continue that 

mission even more successfully on into the 

future.” 

1 

2 

“Mary’s Coyle’s influence, building on Moses Coady and his 

beliefs, I believe has made the Institute a force not only for the 

first decade of the 21st century, but it is one that is going to 

be felt for decades upon decades to come. 

– Rt. Hon. Paul Martin ” 

4 

1. Jane Matara of Kenya (far left) and Dale O’Brien of Antigua and Barbuda pose with former Coady 

Institute director Mary Coyle and former StFX Alumni Association president Valerie Bobyk. 

2. Mary Coyle at the podium at her tribute evening. 

3. Andrea MacLean-Holohan, president of the StFX Alumni Association, speaks with Coady Institute 

diploma program participant Sr. M. Prema S.R.A. 

4. Coady Institute diploma program participant Turyamaha Erican of Uganda, the recipient of the 

Elmer and Roberta King Bursary, meets with Elmer King and his wife Pauline. 

3 

a fund has been established, the Mary 

Coyle Special Opportunities Fund, to seed 

new initiatives and opportunities for growth 

at the Coady.

Class of 2014 receives warm welcome! 

Over 130 O-Crew out in full force to welcome freshman class 

T 

he pink shirts. You 

couldn’t miss them on 

campus Orientation 

Week. 

a whopping 134 spirited upper 

class students – all similarly 

clad in can’t-miss bright t-shirts 

– were out in full force as volunteer 

members of the Orientation 

Committee, known as the O- 

Crew, to welcome new students 

and do their part to ensure the 

freshmen class started the year 

right. 

Ceilidh Chase wouldn’t have it 

any other way. 

When the fourth-year honours 

history student from Halifax, NS 

first arrived on campus herself 

four years ago, the first thing she 

saw was a similar zany group of 

students jumping up and down 

on the university boulevard, 

cheering her arrival on campus. 

The next thing she saw was her 

mother’s tears. 

“It absolutely touched her so 

much that people would be so 

welcoming. She said she never 

felt so good about leaving me 

somewhere. She was pushing 

me out of the car,” laughs Chase. 

“I always wanted to do that for 

someone else.” 

This year she did. 

Teaming with Brianna Hunter, 

a fourth-year human kinetics 

student from Heidelberg, ON, 

the duo, as Orientation co-chairs, 

staged a fun, welcoming Ori- 

entation Week with a theme of 

One love. Chase says the week’s 

theme was all about promoting 

positive house spirit and positive 

house rivalries, and the notion 

that you can have healthy relationships 

with your rival house. 

“I really think that the One 

love theme has actually got 

people thinking,” says Hunter, 

this year’s senior class president. 

“They really feel they’re part of a 

community. 

“Yes, it’s the excitement of 

(starting) school, and it’s the 

excitement of meeting people 

and attending fun events, but at 

the same time, they’re getting 

the full idea of what the Xaverian 

community is about. and I hope 

ORienTaTiOn week 2010 

the O-Crew shows that to them.” 

Orientation is the culmination 

of efforts by academic staff, 

student leaders and the student 

services team, says StFX Director 

of Student life Corinna 

Fitzgerald. “Students, parents 

and guardians were given a 

warm StFX welcome on Sunday 

and students were given several 

options of events during the 

week that would help ease their 

academic and social transitions. 

It really was a team effort and I 

hope that once students settle 

in, they have the information 

and resources they require to be 

successful during their time at X.” 

Highlights from the week included 

the President’s Welcome 

and Information Sessions, house 

meetings, academic advising, 

individual course registration, 

several cheer-offs, a talent show, 

Shinerama, Buddy Olympics, a 

hypnotist, the Classified concert, 

a town clean-up effort, and this 

year’s brand new semi-formal 

Frosh Week awards night, which 

closed the week. 


Distance education Programs for 

reGistered nUrses 

applications are being accepted until June 30 th for classes 

beginning in September. The Post RN-BScN program was awarded 

a 7-year accreditation by the Canadian association of Schools of 

Nursing (CaSN) in 2006. 

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

• Certificate in Gerontological Nursing 

• Certificate in Continuing Care Nursing 

Toll-free: 1-800-565-4371 or 1-800-588-2246 

email: distance.nursing@stfx.ca 

www.stfx.ca/academic/continuinged/nursing.html 

Funding for chapter events, student initiatives 

made possible through success of alumni services 

C 

an you help a student in financial 

need get an X-Ring, just by getting a 

good deal on car insurance? are StFX 

Day events made easier to organize because 

you’ve signed up for a new credit card? 

When it comes to StFX’s affinity partners, 

the answer is yes. 

“We’ve been very fortunate to have sponsorship 

dollars for very worthwhile programs 

and events as a result of alumni participation 

in our affinity Partner programs,” says 

andrea Maclean-Holohan, president of the 

StFX alumni association. “It’s really a win-win 

situation,” she adds. “Our alumni are getting 

preferred rates and benefits, while our affinity 

Partners are able to sponsor a variety of activities 

because of the success of these programs.” 

StFX’s affinity Partners include TD Meloche 

Monnex for car and home insurance, BMO 

Financial for the custom StFX credit card 

program, and Manulife Financial for life and 

disability insurance. 

The number of StFX alumni taking advantage 

of these services grows every year, in 

some cases by eight-to-nine per cent. as a 

result, the StFX alumni association has expanded 

the number of programs and events 

that benefit from these sponsorship dollars. 


last year the association launched a new 

program to help students in financial need 

purchase an X-Ring. Two students last year 

and again this year have been able to get their 

X-Rings as a result. 

These affinity Funds also support an annual 

Student leadership Conference on campus, 

as well as a variety of other student events. 

also in 2009 the association, together with 

StFX alumni affairs, launched a new program 

to help alumni chapters fund StFX Day events. 

This year that program is being expanded to 

address other event sponsorship needs with 

our chapters, especially in terms of new events 

targeting young alumni and families. In 2010 

funds have also been set aside to support 

the student yearbook, the Xaverian annual, 

which has had significant financial challenges 

in recent years. 

“We really want our 32,000 alumni to know 

how their participation in these alumni programs 

helps in so many ways,” says Maclean- 

Holohan. “We’ve been very careful about the 

partnerships we’ve entered into, and we’re 

fortunate to be working with high-quality 

organizations that respect our priorities and 

mission, as well as the privacy and preferences 

of our alumni.” 

Mitch Hudson 

MEMORiAl SCHOlARSHiP 

eSTABliSHeD AS leGACy TO lOnGTime StFX emPlOyee 

as a legacy to her late husband, Mitch Hudson, a longtime StFX employee, Donna 

Hudson, StFX’s Scholarship Officer, has established the Mitch Hudson Memorial 

Scholarship to recognize his valued contribution to generations of StFX students 

and staff. The entrance scholarship will provide a financial award for academically 

excellent students from the antigonish area. 

The award will be an entrance scholarship for a student entering StFX directly 

from high school. The recipient must have a minimum average of 85 per cent or 

the minimum average required for an entrance scholarship at the time of entrance. 

The recipient must also be a resident of the town or county of antigonish, must 

have graduated from an antigonish town or county high school, and have a record 

of leadership and participation. 

Mr. Hudson, StFX’s former mailroom supervisor, was a loyal member of the 

Xaverian community for nearly 40 years. On Dec. 3, 2009, the Feast Day of St. Francis 

Xavier, he was awarded the honorary X-Ring during the annual X-Ring Ceremony. 

For more information or to contribute to the fund, please phone (902) 867-5017 

or email lhenke@stfx.ca

AlUmni AssoCiAtion UPdAte l AnDReA mACleAn-HOlOHAn ‘59, PReSiDenT 

The future looks positive 

T 

he StFX alumni association 

soon wraps up 

a very productive year. 

We’re welcoming new faces 

around the council table and had 

fruitful discussions among new 

and current chapter leaders at 

our annual fall meeting. We’re all 

encouraged to see the number 

and success of alumni events and 

the all-time high alumni engagement. 

We had an active spring 

and summer with 33 events 

including dinners, Presidents 

Receptions, pub nights, golf tournaments 

and student send-offs. 

What a pleasure it was to attend a 

number of these from Vancouver 

to Moncton. Special thanks to 

chapter volunteers and alumni 

affairs staff for making our events 

so successful. We also appreciate 

the assistance and presence of 

admissions & Recruitment staff 

at our student send-offs. 

Our alumni Council – 19 alumni 

representatives from 11 zones 

– meets annually face-to-face 

the Thursday of Homecoming. 

The association’s annual meet- 

Left: Alumni Association President 

Andrea MacLean-Holohan speaks 

with new StFX students at the 

Annual StFX Picnic and Student 

Send-off In Vancouver in July. 

eXPeRienCe STunninG lAnDSCAPeS AnD unRiVAlleD 

HeRiTAGe ADVenTuReS wiTH FRienDS AnD FAmily FROm StFX. 

The Teachers’ Tour 

to Gros morne national Park 

and l’Anse Aux meadows, nl 

Including visit to 

Baddeck, Cape Breton 

For full details visit 

www.alumni.stfx.ca 

(events) 

Aug. 1 – 6, 2011 

$ 850/person 

double occ. 

$ 100 reserves 

your place! 

this tour has been specially designed and scheduled for educators and retired educators. Bookings will be reserved 

for teachers until Jan. 2011 at which time any remaining seats may be purchased by other alumni and friends. 

itinerary subject to change, departure subject to number of registrants. 

ing follows on Friday afternoon. 

The executive committee’s focus 

this year is the successful implementation 

of our new council 

structure, by-laws, policies and 

procedures. These efforts are 

putting our alumni network on 

solid footing for the years ahead. 

Our focus continues to be supporting 

recruitment efforts and 

chapter development. Planning 

is underway for three regional 

workshops for chapter leaders 

and council members in 2011. 

last year we launched a new 

program to provide financial 

assistance for our chapters’ StFX 

Day events. This year we plan 

to expand to provide other assistance 

for special events. 

We were pleased to honour 

three outstanding Xaverians with 

alumni awards of Excellence 

at the Homecoming Welcome 

Home Dinner. Equally important 

for us is the annual Hall of Honour. 

Four Xaverians who reflect 

our values and traditions were 

inducted this year. On campus, 

our efforts supporting students 

are growing. We now have programming 

to help students in 

need purchase their X-Rings and 

Xaverian yearbook. We help with 

Andrea MacLean-Holohan ‘59 

Alumni & FRienDS ROAD TRiP 

Road Trip to Boston 

A trip through Boston’s rich history 

Tour includes: 

Historic Walking Tour 

Boston lunch Cruise 

Dinner and Ceilidh with Boston alumni 

Dinners in Bangor and Saint John 

For full details visit 

www.alumni.stfx.ca (events) 

Frosh Week events and sponsor 

an annual student leadership 

conference. These and other 

initiatives are made possible 

through alumni participation 

in our various service programs 

(insurance from TD Meloche 

Monnex and Manulife Financial; 

custom StFX credit cards from 

BMO). We’re grateful for your 

support of these programs. 

The future of StFX and our 

worldwide alumni network – 

now 32,000 strong -- is very positive. 

We’re all working towards 

one goal: the continued success 

of our beloved alma mater. 

May 18 – 

May 23, 2011 

$ 850/person 

double occ. 

$ 100 reserves 

your place! 


eDmOnTOn, AB 

New and returning Edmonton students were joined by X-Alumni at the Edmonton summer picnic 

on August 11. 


CHAPTeR 

neWs 

We continue to grow in number of chapters and, by extension, the 

number and variety of chapter events. This year we had more student 

send-offs than ever before, at 16. These events are a wonderful and 

warm welcome to the Xaverian family, before our new students even 

step foot on campus. look for more exciting alumni chapter events 

in the coming months. We hope to see you there! 

Contact your chapter presidents for upcoming X-events in your area. 

www.alumni.stfx.ca 

ChAPter neWs 

edmOnTOn, ab 

The StFX Edmonton chapter came together 

on august 11 th , 2010 to host a fun summer 

picnic for the new and returning students for 

StFX, and to gather the Edmonton alumni. It 

was a beautiful summer night in the heart of 

Edmonton, and a crowd of 40 people enjoyed 

an evening of good food, good conversation 

and some cold beverages. The new students 

had a chance to meet each other, and get 

some last minute advice from recent grads, 

Chelsea Mitchell ’10 and Jen Ross ’09, while 

their parents had an opportunity to meet 

some of the alumni, and get comfortable with 

the great legacy of StFX. 

The response to the event was terrific. 

Those that attended had a great time, and 

many others sent their regrets due to vacation 

or other plans. There are photos from 

this event (as well as some past events) on 

our Facebook group page. 

The event was possible because of the volunteer 

efforts of a number of alumni. People 

like Jane Smith ’88, Ben Soutar ’01 and lisa 

Walzak ’93 made sure that the barbeque and 

food were good for everyone. larry and Charlotte 

MacDonell ’59 and Dave and Maureen 

Fleiger 56 greeted everyone, and made them 

feel instantly welcome. Some of the others 

who ran around to set up, clean up and host 

were Paula Gillis ’80, Jensen lutes ’07, Heather 

MacDonald and Beth arbuckle ’05. 

The Edmonton chapter is currently organizing 

an alumni event for this fall (October) and 

making plans for a StFX Day celebration. To 

make sure you know about the event, either 

e-mail the chapter (stfxedmonton@hotmail. 

com), look up our group page on Facebook 

(StFX alumni association – Edmonton Chapter) 

or keep a look out on the StFX webpage 

(under “alumni”). 

Philip markovich, 

edmonton Chapter President 

p.markovich@shaw.ca 

CORneR bROOk, nl 

after a number of years without an active 

alumni chapter, things are getting underway 

again in Corner Brook, Nl. Dr. Sean Riley 

hosted a lovely President’s Reception on aug. 

18 at the beautiful Humber Valley Resort. Fifty 

alumni and guests were treated to an update 

on the exciting happenings on campus and 

Dr. Riley’s vision for the future of our beloved 

alma mater. Stay tuned to the alumni site at 

www.alumni.stfx.ca for news on a StFX Day 

event in Corner Brook. If you’d like to get 

involved with the new chapter, contact the 

alumni affairs Office at alumni@stfx.ca 

eaSTeRn Cape bReTOn, nS 

The Eastern Cape Breton alumni chapter

held its annual StFX Day Mass at St. anthony 

Daniel, followed by a reception and aGM. The 

2010 new Student Send-Off was held at the 

Sydney Marine Terminal (The Big Fiddle) on 

august 10th. With a great view overlooking 

the harbour the new students heard from recruiting 

and alumni staff on what to expect at 

X. The younger members of the local executive 

spoke of their experiences at X and a fun 

game of X-trivia was played by all. The event 

was spearheaded by Tanya andrews ’02 and 

Barbara Shaw ’61, assisted by other executive 

members. In upcoming events, the local aGM 

will be held in conjunction with our annual 

StFX Day Mass and Reception at St. anthony 

Daniel in Sydney. local alumni will also again 

be the congregation on Mass for Shut Ins early 

in the new year. 

– Tanya andrews ’02 

John Shaw ‘62, 

Cape Breton Co. Chapter President 

johnshaw@alumni.stfx.ca 

CalgaRy, ab 

The Calgary chapter has had a busy few 

months. The summer began with the annual 

Student Send-off. Brittany landry ’07, StFX 

admissions advisor, flew out from antigonish 

to meet 12 new first-year students (and 

their families). Eight returning students also 

attended, offering their perspectives to the 

new students on what to expect from StFX 

life. Travis Rasch, who is heading to StFX for 

his first year, tells the chapter that “It was a 

great interactive event. The current students 

allowed me to get a better view of the university 

from their point of view.” Special thanks 

to Brittany, the organizers, and especially the 

new and returning students for making this 

year’s send-off a resounding success. 

The chapter would also like to congratulate 

its first recipient of the leone Campbell 

Memorial Bursary. Graeme Hodgkinson, 

a graduate of Westmount Charter School, 

intends to pursue a degree in physics while 

playing soccer for the X-Men. The bursary 

commemorates leone Campbell ‘63, an active 

alumna in the Calgary community and Hall of 

Honour inductee. 

a lot is planned for the coming months. 

StFX President Dr. Sean Riley returns to Calgary 

in the fall to host a President’s Reception for 

Calgary-area teachers. Make sure you’re on 

the chapter’s distribution list so you can stay 

up-to-date with the details. If you’re not sure 

you’re on our list, send a note to the chapter 

at calgarychapter@stfx.ca today! 

StFX admissions will also visit during the fall 

to meet with Calgary-area guidance counsellors 

as part of its new strategy to spread the 

good word of StFX. Finally, the fall-winter season 

culminates with the Feast Day of St. Francis 

Xavier. Because of scheduling, the chapter will 

hold its celebration on Thursday, December 2 

so keep that day free! The chapter is currently 

looking for volunteers to help leona Whitburn 

’62 organize the Mass and reception. If you 

can help, contact the chapter today. also, let 

us know if you have plans for other StFX day 

events and we’ll pass the word along! 

as always, the chapter continues to update 

its alumni database. If you have recently 

moved to the Calgary area (or recently moved 

away), drop the chapter a line at calgarychapter@stfx.ca. 

You can also join our group on 

Facebook: StFX alumni association – Calgary 

Chapter. We welcome your thoughts and 

eASTeRn 

CAPe 

BReTOn, 

nS 

CORneR BROOK, nl 

ideas and especially your volunteer time to 

keep Calgary-area alumni in touch! 

– Oliver Munar ‘98 

Jay Donlevy ‘92, 

Calgary Chapter President 

jdonlevy@telus.net 

VanCOuVeR, bC 

Over the past year our chapter has hosted 

four events. Beginning in November with the 

StFX X-Women Rugby team competing for a 

National Championship at UBC. The X-Women 

came into the tournament ranked number 

2 in the nation and they did not disappoint. 

after a tremendous over time win in the 

semi finals vs. Guelph on a field goal kick by 

Courtney Malcolm, the X-Women ended the 

tournament and year finishing second only 

to the number one ranked lethbridge Pronghorns. 

alumni affairs director Helen Murphy 

organized a reception for the team on Friday 

night and our chapter hosted an event at 

Smiley’s Public House following the final game 

with 45 students and alumni in attendance. 

On December 3 rd , 2010, we hosted our annual 

StFX Day celebration starting with a 

StFX Day Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral in 

downtown Vancouver followed by our X-Ring 

event at Smiley’s Public House. Fifty StFX 

alumni were in attendance. 

Our third event was of course the 2010 

Vancouver Winter Olympics. It goes without 

saying that the Olympics were the highlight 

of the 2010 year here in Vancouver capped 

by Sidney Crosby’s overtime winner. In 

addition to the games, there was a ton of 

Maritime music and events being held at the 

Backstage lounge on Granville Island (known 

as “atlantic Canada House” for two weeks in 

February) featuring DRUM (with StFX alumnae 

anna ludlow), Sloan and Wintersleep to 

name a few. 

Our chapter hosted an event on the first 

Saturday of the Olympics at Smiley’s Public 

House featuring aaron MacDonald. aaron 

put on an amazing performance. We had 90 

alumni join us in a packed house with alumni 

all the way from Whitehorse to Cape Breton. 

The event was so much fun and we sincerely 

thank aaron for coming all the way out to 

Vancouver for the event. 

On a beautiful July 11 th , we hosted our 9 th 

annual Vancouver Chapter student send off 


ChAPter neWs 

VAnCOuVeR, BC 

barbeque at Prospect Point in Stanley Park. 

The event continues to be a tremendous 

success with 60 students, parents and alumni 

joining us for the event. StFX alumni association 

president andrea Maclean-Holohan was 

kind enough to join us for the event along 

with Megan Cameron from StFX admissions. 

We very much appreciate andrea and Megan 

joining us for the event to which they provided 

some great information to parents and 

new students with what is currently happening 

at X. In addition, we had annual grill king al 

Beaton on burgers and raffled various prizes, 

from a night at the Renaissance Vancouver to 

Sequoia group of restaurants gift certificates. 

The event raised $500 for the scholarship fund. 

We would like to say a special thanks to; Suzanne, 

Candace and al for their contributions. 

Planned events for 2010/2011: 

1. StFX Day Mass Holy Rosary Cathedral: 

Dec 3 rd Vancouver BC 

2. StFX Day celebration on Dec 3 rd (Venue TBa) 

3. Spring Event-(Date & Venue TBa) 

4. 10 th annual Student Send off BBQ at Prospect 

Point Picnic Site in Stanley Park (July 2011) 

matty Johnston ‘03 

Vancouver Chapter President 

matt.Johnston@alumni.stfx.ca 

OTTawa, On 

Our annual student send-off BBQ at the Britannia 

Yacht Club on the Ottawa River was another well 

received event by students and parents alike. 

On Wednesday august 18th, 27 new students 

along with their families and friends enjoyed a 

picture-perfect evening by the water. It was a 

very interactive session that was informative 

and appreciated, particularly by the parents. 

Special thanks to Darby Van Tassel, StFX’s Ontario 

admissions advisor and Mark Kolanko, Manager 

of Recruitment who addressed the crowd and 

answered student and parent questions. Best 

wishes to the new students at X! 

Karri Cameron ’92, 

Ottawa Chapter President 

karricameron@rogers.com 


lOndOn, On 

The 5th annual london chapter Golf, BBQ and 

Student Send-Off was held at Hickory Ridge 

Golf and Country Club in london on Saturday, 

June 12th. It was a beautiful hot, sunny day 

and we had our largest turnout ever! Congrats 

to the winning team of Stephan and lloyd 

Martin and Brielle and Ed Perl! They took home 

the much sought after london Chapter Golf 

Day Trophy to have and to hold until next 

year’s event! Prizes were also awarded for 

closest to the pin (ladies was won by Ellen 

Hickey; men’s by Stephan Martin) and long 

drive (ladies was won by Brielle Perl; men’s 

by Stephan Martin)! The remainder of our 

prizes (including the grand prize of a round of 

golf for 4 at any of the top notch provincially 

owned golf courses in PEI) were awarded to 

happy winners by draw!! 

Post-golf, the BBQ and 2010 Student 

Send-Off was held at the home of Pat and 

Gerry lowe. We had a great mix of alumni, 

current students (and their spouses) and new 

students and their parents in attendance. a 

great time was had by all. Thanks to Darby Van 

Tassel for attending and speaking to the group 

and spending time with the new students 

and their parents one-on-one. Those new 

to StFX remarked how comforting it was to 

meet other members of the “X family” before 

attending in the fall. a huge thank you to Tracy 

Smith, Joanne Campbell and Pat lowe for putting 

together the meal – it was excellent! and 

I would like to thank Jessica Smith, Justin Fox, 

Glenda Bond, and Helen Murphy from StFX for 

all their support behind the scenes! 

Mark the date Saturday, June 11, 2011 

on your calendar! That will be when we will 

hold our 2011 london Chapter Golf, BBQ and 

Student Send-Off!! 

The next event in london will be our annual 

StFX Day event. It is planned for Saturday, 

December 4 th , 2010. We will be returning to 

one of our most popular locations – Molly 

Blooms Pub on Richmond Row in london. 

Details to follow by email. If you have any 

AnTiGOniSH-GuySBOROuGH 

questions, contact myself or any of the local 

committee members - Ellen Hickey, Roger 

Campbell, Petra Brown or Drew Smith – by 

email at londonchapter@stfx.ca. Mark the date 

Saturday, December 4 th 2010 on your calendar 

– it’s sure to be a great time as always! 

Gerry lowe 80, 

london Chapter President 

lowe.family@sympatico.ca 

ST. JOhn’S, nl 

after enjoying a great summer, the St. John’s 

chapter of the StFX alumni association has 

set the date for its StFX Day event. It will be 

held on Friday, December 3rd at the last Drop, 

193 Water Street, from 6-9 p.m. This will be 

another great event for local alumni to have 

a chance to get together to see old friends. 

If anyone would like to help in planning this 

event or become more involved with the 

local chapter, please contact Jacqui at (709) 

726-2126 or by email at jkjanes@yahoo.com. 

Please also join our facebook group at StFX 

alumni St. John’s Chapter to keep up to date 

on upcoming events. 

Jacqui Janes, 

St. John’s Chapter Co-President 

jkjanes@yahoo.com 

TOROnTO, On 

Not too many years ago, John and Trudy 

Young invited alumni to their home in Toronto 

to reconnect Xaverians to one another 

and their alma mater. Throughout the years, 

John and Trudy have stayed committed to 

this chapter and have both organized and 

sponsored, what has now become, very successful 

annual events. We were shocked and 

saddened to hear of John’s sudden passing 

earlier this year. We are forever grateful for 

his presence and will remember him as the 

caring, high-spirited, and StFX loyalist that he 

was. Please contact and visit us when you are 

in Toronto; we look forward to sharing stories 

about John with you and plan to continue 

to build on his legacy. We can be reached at

stfxtoronto@gmail.com or on facebook. 

Upcoming events for the chapter include 

the annual general meeting on Friday, November 

26th at 6 p.m. at the Newman Centre, 89 St. 

George St; and the StFX Day Mass/Reception 

on Friday, November 26 from 7-10 p.m., also at 

the Newman Centre. Toronto events for 2011 

include the Toronto President’s Reception on 

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 (Place TBD); the annual 

StFX Toronto Golf Tournament on Tuesday, 

May 31 st, 2011 at Carrying Place, Kettleby, ON; 

and the 2011 Student Send-off scheduled for 

June, 2011 at Joe Badali’s, 156 Front St, Toronto. 

Andrew Howlett, 

Toronto Chapter President 

stfxtoronto@gmail.com 

mOnCTOn, nb 

The Moncton alumni chapter hosted its 

annual student send-off BBQ for new and 

returning StFX students and parents. lots of 

fun was had outside, with the X’s – towels and 

flags – hung on the clothesline. It was a very 

relaxed atmosphere to lighten the first year 

jitters. We would like to thank national alumni 

president andrea Maclean-Holohan ‘59 for 

the use of her cottage in Shediac. Moncton 

chapter alumni were also represented at 

the Saint John student send-off golf tournament. 

Congratulations to our sister chapter 

for a great turnout. We would like to thank 

StFX President Dr. Sean Riley for hosting the 

President’s reception at Rouge in downtown 

Moncton in the spring. We may see another 

event like this. Stay tuned!! Be sure to mark 

your calendars for December 3rd at Molson’s 

Brewery 9:30-11:30 p.m. all wearing X-Rings 

and friend are welcome. 

– Claudia Maclean ‘92 and Jack lamey ’95 ‘99 

Claudia maclean ‘92, 

moncton Chapter Co-President 

cmaclean@rdmaclean.com 

anTigOniSh, nS 

On Sunday, august 22 nd , the antigonish-Guysborough 

alumni chapter hosted its annual 

alumni barbeque and new student send-off. 

This year’s event was held on campus in the 

new and beautiful Coady Gardens. It was attended 

by alumni, family, current students, 

and new students. The location proved to be 

a great venue for the annual event and we 

look forward to seeing it continue to grow 

in popularity. 

a very special thank you to Richard MacIsaac 

our MC for the occasion as well as Matt 

Cameron and Tom Currie for their great entertainment. 

Thanks to alumni affairs and to the 

recruitment department for their support. 

The local alumni chapter would also like 

to wish Suzanne Delaney, a local grad, good 

luck as she prepares to cycle across Canada as 

one of over 40 cyclists taking part in the Sears 

National Kids with Cancer Ride. as part of this 

fundraiser, Suzanne had to raise a minimum 

of $25,000. She is the only rider from Nova 

Scotia and she has raised over $65,000 for 

the IWK Children’s hospital located in Halifax, 

NS. Her trip begins on September 9 in Vancouver 

and ends in Halifax on September 23. 

a celebration in recognition of her hard work 

and dedication to fundraising for kids with 

cancer is planned for Suzanne in antigonish 

on Sunday, September 26th. Suzanne is an 

inspiration to us all and an example of an 

individual embodying the true St.FX spirit. 

Congratulations Suzanne. 

– Nicole Proctor, ’91, ‘93 & Sheila Runnalls, ‘98 

amheRST, nS 

about 40 new and returning students, parents, 

alumni and friends gathered at the Cecil 

Small lions Park for the inaugural student 

send-off this summer. Barbeques were set up 

and hamburgers and hot dogs were the order 

of the day. a feeling of excitement was evident 

as the noise level increased as the evening 

wore on. Questions asked included those 

about residence and courses. alan Berkvans 

represented the StFX alumni association 

ChAPter neWs 

lOnDOn, On 

at the event and after a short presentation, 

he circulated among the crowd, answering 

questions and making his presence known. 

The cake was cut by 18-year-old amanda lee 

Millard and 81-year-old Val legere ‘51. It was 

a very good evening as several people were 

heard to say. 

– Barry anderson 

SainT JOhn, nb 

The Saint John alumni chapter hosted its annual 

golf tournament and student send-off on 

august 20 at the Hampton Golf and Country 

Club. Golfers enjoyed a sunny afternoon on 

the links, and new students and their parents 

had a chance to meet current students, 

alumni and representatives from the StFX 

alumni Office during the cocktail hour and 

over dinner. Plans for the next chapter event 

on December 3 are already underway. 

Claire Ryan ‘06, 

Saint John Chapter President 

saintjohnchapter@stfx.ca 

piCTOu COunTy, nS 

The Pictou County alumni chapter hosted its 

7th annual Student Send-Off in august at the 

Nova Scotia Museum of Industry in Stellarton. 

mOnCTOn, nB 


ChAPter neWs 

In addition to 27 frosh, there were also numerous parents and returning 

students in attendance. 

Second year students were in attendance and addressed the crowd 

with helpful tips. 

Two representatives from StFX admission discussed many things 

such as registration, room keys, line-ups, room set-up, and how to deal 

with roommates. 

also in attendance were Jane MacDonald and Mary Hawa-Turay from 

the StFX Student Career Centre. They talked about student employment 

opportunities on campus. 

Many thanks to the alumni Office as well as countless individuals 

in the admissions Office, and a great big thanks to all the local alumni 

who helped with this BBQ. 

Paul Fraser ‘82, Pictou County 

Chapter President 

paul.fraser@sobeys.com 


lOnDOn, On 

Four friends from the Class of 1980 enjoyed a weekend reunion in London, 

ON in summer. Pictured here in August are, left to right, Lowleen (Huestis) 

Coles, Colleen Beson-Nolan, Anne (Gordon) Mackenzie and Shirin (Huq) 

Hossain. Say the foursome: “We will always cherish our memories of X.” 

diSplay wiTh pRide 

StFX DeGRee AnD PHOTO FRAmeS 

For a detailed view of the frames or to order online, 

visit www.alumni.stfx.ca or contact the alumni affairs 

Office at 902-867-2186 or email alumni@stfx.ca 

SAinT JOHn, nB 

UPCominG eVents 

Below is a listing of upcoming events. For full details and 

registration information, go to www.alumni.stfx.ca (events 

listing), email alumni@stfx.ca or call 902-867-2186. 

nov. 26 

StFX Day event, Toronto 

nov. 30 

President’s Reception for StFX 

Teachers, lougheed House, 

Calgary 

dec. 2 

StFX Day event Calgary 

dec. 3 

StFX Day Events 

Northern California, Sudbury, 

antigonish, Moncton, St. John’s 

Saint John, Vancouver, 

Yarmouth 

dec. 4 

StFX Day event london, ON 

dec. 12 

Fall Convocation 

Jan. 

Mass for Shut-ins, Sydney 

mar. 5 

annual alumni Dinner, Florida 

For further information contact 

Kathy achorn at mkachorn@ 

msn.com 

apr. 20 

President’s Reception, Toronto 

apr. 21 

President’s Reception, Halifax 

may 1 

Spring Convocation 

may 11 

President’s Reception, Vancouver 

may 12 

President’s Dinner (Maritime 

lobster Dinner), Calgary 

may 18-23 

StFX to Boston alumni and 

Friends road trip 

may 25 

President’s Reception, Saint John 

may 26 

President’s Reception, Truro 

may 31 

alumni & Friends Golf 

Tournament, Toronto 

June 1 

South Shore President’s 

Reception, Bridgewater 

June 2 

President’s Reception, amherst 

July 

Classics for Classics, StFX 

aug. 1-6 

The Teachers’ Tour to Gros Morne 

and l’anse aux Meadows 

aug. 24 

Student Send-off, Halifax

GrAdUAte stUdies 

in edUCAtion 

distance, On-line, Face-to-Face 

StFX University, renowned for its enduring commitment to quality educational experiences for students, is 

now accepting applications for full-time and part-time study in the Master of Education program. 

The StFX program 

• facilitates the preparation of educational leaders 

• furthers the professional growth and development of practicing educators 

• engages educators in research activities 

• examines educational issues 

• contributes to the knowledge of teaching, learning, curriculum and administrative processes 

Many alumni have chosen to return to StFX to complete full-time and part-time MEd programs. Students 

can complete a course-based, project-based or thesis-based MEd program in Educational Administration 

and Leadership or a variety of Curriculum and Instruction areas. MEd programs can be completed by one 

month of study on campus in July, followed by remaining courses completed on-line, or at one of our four 

centers in Halifax, Yarmouth, Truro or Sydney. 

For more information about benefits and opportunities, please see the Continuing and Distance 

Education website at: www.stfx.ca/continuinged/Graduate.html. To receive an information package, 

call 1-877-867-3906 or (902) 867-3906 or email: med@stfx.ca. Application deadline: March 1. 

Katherine Laura McDonald ‘33 

Stephen MacAdam ‘40 

Leo Maurice Albert ‘42 

Dr. Vincent Grant ‘42 

Janet Catherine (Chisholm) Landry ‘42 

Nora Nunn MSB ‘42 

William (Bill) F. Burke ‘43 

Douglas Sheltinga ‘44 

Bernard Steele ‘45 

Charles Hugh Fraser ‘47 

James G. “Jim” MacDonald ‘47 

Dr. Eldred Hugh MacDonell ‘47 

William S. “Bill” Ritchie ‘47 

Maureen Frances MacGillivray ‘48 

John J. Shaffrey ‘48 

Ronald MacDonell ‘49 

George A. St. Onge ‘49 

Alvin Edgar “Al” Storey ‘50 

Dr. D. Barry Shaw ‘53 

John Young ‘54, ‘05 

H. J. Elmer Power ‘55 

Sr. Ann Mary MacNeil ‘58 

Fr. David H. Stokes ‘58 

Guy Doyle ‘59 

John Alexander “Jackie” MacInnes ‘60 

Rosemary (Murray) Wright ‘60 

Thomas Nicholas Curran ‘62 

Colin Francis Harrietha ‘63 

deCeaSed 

James Michael Greaney ‘64 

Franaoise “Fran” Campbell ‘65 

Susan Patricia Law ‘65 

Frances Teresa (MacPherson) Mansfield ‘68 

Ronald George Clancy ‘69 

Robert Douglas “Bob” Schnare ‘70 

Mary I. Smith ‘70 

Lloyd Benjamin Pistone ‘71 

Leo Macdougall ‘72 

Louis Gyori ‘74 

Thomas Michael Jala ‘74 ‘77 

Mary Jessie MacDonald ‘74, ‘78 

Rita L. (McCarron) Cavanaugh ‘75 

Alfred MacLean ‘75 

Cheryl Susan (Hepburn) Campbell ‘78, ‘00 

Kathleen Mary (Peeples) LeJeune ‘80 

Kathryn (Dickson) MacDonald ‘80, ‘81, ‘08 

Rev. James Ignatius Attwood ‘83 

Mary Jean McGrath, Hon Deg ‘85 

Adam Rosier Archibald ‘88 

Harriet Marjorie Johnston ‘91 

Margaret “Dr. Granny” Johnson, 

Hon. Deg. 1994 

Raymond Phillip Belland ‘96 

Nicole Gwendolyn Heighton ‘10 

Shelby Rose Gerrior, Current Student 

Paul Young, Former Student 

Prof. Derek Wood, Former Faculty 

We’d like you to keep in touch! 

How important is it to keep in touch with your alma mater? 

Plenty! at StFX, there’s so much going on – from an alumni 

road trip on the StFX bus to New York this spring to student send-offs 

each summer in cities and towns across the country and beyond. 

If we don’t have your current contacts, we’re not able to send out 

event notices, alumni mailouts or the alumniNews magazine, mailed 

free of charge three times a year to StFX alumni and friends. If you’re 

plugged into the StFX network, you can stay in touch with friends, 

find mentors, visit the online community, the X-Ring, and keep up 

to date with all the details of Homecoming, and chapter events in 

your area. We’d like to reconnect with some those with whom we’ve 

lost touch. If you have a current contact of or information on any of 

the following alumni, listed by decade, please contact: 

1950’s 

Murdock Joseph Aucoin BSC’58 & BED’59 

Stuart A MacMillan BA’57 

John J “Jack” Nearing BA’52, EDUC’54 & BED’55 

Gerald Edward O’Brien BA’53 

Yolande M Potvin HEC’52 

James K Reed BA’54 

Magnus J Seng BA’56 

Donald W Thibeault BSC’56 

Robert Clifford Thornclike BCOM’52 

John D Wolstenholme DIPE’56 & BSC’63 

1960’s 

Margaret P Nagata BA’63 

Nestor V Ortiz DIPE’63 

Mary Ellentia Philpott MA’69 

Judith Mae Quinn BSA’69 & BED’71 

George Andrew Robertson BBA’69 

Stephen J Sernyk BSC’65 

Joseph J Starzomski BSC’65 

Paul Babeiha Tinyebwa BA’69 

William J Vareski BA’61 

Edith Anne Zorychta BSC’66 

1970’s 

Vincent Gerald Marchand BA’72 

Alex B Noseworthy BA’75 & BED’76 

Paul Richard Offinga BSC’76 

Stephanie Anne Paterson BSA’75 

John Davidson Reeves BSC’77 

Lorraine Sampson JRDIP’70, BA’75 & BED’76 

Michael P Todkill BBA’70 

Elizabeth M Villemure BSC’71 & BED’71 

James Birger Watson BA’78 & BED’78 

Jacqueline Gail Young SRDIP’70, BA’71 & BED’76 

1980’s 

John Francis Nugent DIPJ’82 

Wendy Marie Orli BA’80 & BED’81 

Alexandra Margaret Paproski BA’88 

Jill Florence Quinlan BA’89 

Sharon Leigh Reynolds BA’80 

Linda Lee Sampson BBA’82 

Jennifer Farrell, Records Researcher 

St Francis Xavier university 

1-888-739-0031 • jfarrell@stfx.ca 

Cyril M Tobin BA’81 & BED’82 

Paulinus J Usoroh BA’83 

George L Vanaudenhove DIPE’83 

Bonnie Kathleen Weyman BA’83 & BED’84 

1990’s 

Joann Marie Osbourne BA’94 & BED’95 

Andrew Gordon Panciuk BA’92 

Marian Rose Richards-Pettipas BSC’95 & BED’98 

Mildred Myra Salonga DIPADE’94 

Maureen Margaret Toner BSC’91 

Sheri Lee Urquhart BAH’99 

Michelle Sara Vandereep BA’93 & BED’94 

Matthew Wilfred Wagner BA’98 

Kenneth Joseph Young BED’94 

Qingshun Zou BBA’93 

2000’s 

James G Morrison BBA’02 

Anne Marie Murtagh Coffin MED’03 

Julie Anne North-Melanson BSC’04 

Christopher Scott Peters BA’02 

Christopher James Joseph Rathwell BED’01 

Melanie Shelagh Scott BSC’02 

Paul Anthony Tarrant BAHK’01 

Tammy Lee Veinot BA’01 

Oswald Frederick Wilson DIPM’03 

Richard Gabriel Young BED’01 


neWs eXChAnGe 

50 th wedding anniversary 

Ed ‘59 and Diane Russell 

on a cruise to the Bahamas 

Guy Walter Costello, Father’s Day ‘10 

First grandchild of Janeen & John 

M. Costello ‘74, Fort Myers, FL 

Son of David Toye ‘86 

Benjamin Toye (X ’17) – 

National Motocross Champion, 

turning professional 

’50s 


ed ‘59 and diane Russell 

recently celebrated their 

50 th wedding anniversary 

with a cruise to the 

Bahamas. They were 

accompanied by their 

three children and four 

grandchildren including 

denise brouwer ‘84 and 

her daughter marieke 

brouwer ‘13. 

’60s 

John Maranor ‘55 and Family 

dr. Joseph petrie ‘65 

and his married partner 

Mark are very pleased to 

announce the birth of 

their third son, andrew, 

brother to alexander and 

Nicholas. This is the second 

surrogate birth for 

Dr. Petrie and the first for 

Mark. Dr. Petrie, Mark and 

their sons reside in their 

c. 1840 mansion/guest 

house in Key largo, Florida. 

The 40 room “Coral 

Tree Inn” was originally 

built by the Rockefeller 

family. The last Rockefeller 

resident of the mansion 

went down with the 

Titanic in 1912. 

Sean mcgrath ‘69 has 

recently retired from his 

position as a director 

Front (l-r): Marion (wife of 53 yrs), John ‘55, daughters Karen & Jennie 

Back (l-r): son Kevin (1979-80 StFX), grandsons Justin (11) & Jacob (17) 

and senior project manager 

with alcatel-lucent 

in Ottawa. This was a 

second career as he had 

already retired from the 

Canadian armed Forces 

as a lt Col in 1990. He is 

enjoying retirement but 

keeping busy with golf, 

grandchildren, and parttime 

studies in the PhD 

management program 

at Carleton University. 

He would love to hear 

from any old friends or 

classmates who would 

like to contact him at seanpmcgrath@gmail.com. 

’70s 

nancy Reddin, ‘70, 

would be pleased to 

hear from her classmates 

(nreddin@gmail. 

com) and enjoyed seeing 

many of them at 2010 

Homecoming. Now that 

she has retired as dietitian 

at the hospital in 

Montague, PEI, she and 

her husband, Pat Rush, 

plan to go RVing in the 

southern States this winter 

and will be watching 

for X-Rings. 

lawrence barron ’71 

’72 has taught school 

in northern Cape Breton 

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 

for 34 years. He recently 

published a book entitled 

“Ingonish Roots” about 

the early Irish settlers in 

Ingonish and the history 

of Victoria County Council, 

which was founded 

in 1851. 

brenda macdonnell 

‘78 retired from teaching 

after 30 years at the Newfoundland 

School for the 

Deaf in St. John’s and has 

moved “home” to Sydney 

Cape Breton. 

’80s 

gary Vermeir ‘80 is now 

the business agent for Ia- 

TSE local 849 representing 

the Motion Picture 

Production Technicians 

in atlantic Canada’s busy 

film and television industry. 

He lives in Dartmouth 

with his wife angela and 

their two teenagers, Ella 

and Max. 

Tom hester ‘82 has recently 

retired as a sergeant 

from the Massachusetts 

State Police. His 

business, Tom Hester Real 

Estate l.l.C. located in 

Dennis, Cape Cod Ma 

has also merged with 

Century 21/ Shoreland, 

Rona MS Bike Tour, July 24 & 25/10 – from Windsor to Wolfville 

Trevor Lloyd ‘02, Geoff Regan ‘80, Shauna MacKinnon ‘84, and Jennifer 

Corkum ‘10 – Contact the MS Society Atlantic Division and help us end MS. 

with offices located in 

Hyannis, Harwichport 

and Provincetown. Tom 

would love to hear from 

classmates, friends and 

alumni at 508-648-8310 

or homesoncapecod@ 

yahoo.com 

david Toye ‘86 recently 

sold all his restaurants 

to take it easy after 

a long career in the 

hospitality industry. His 

son Benjamin (X’17) is 

the big news - national 

motocross champion 

and turning professional 

in august. They have 

just returned from the 

U.S. Championships in 

Nashville. David had a baby 

in ‘85 with ann marie 

macdougall ‘87 and John 

David MacDougall (Mount 

allison) is now 25 years old 

which he says will shock 

classmates! 

d a v e “ yo k o O n o” 

Townsend ‘88 has (entirely 

predictably) drifted 

over to Japan, where he 

teaches Cape Breton English 

to hapless locals. He 

has also published a set 

of “humorous” essays, “Pogey, 

Poutine and Warm, 

Furry Beavers (Plus Twenty 

Other Reasons to Enjoy 

Being Canadian),” which 

Adam (3), Eric (June 3/10), 

Rory (5) 

Karen (Robertson) ‘96 

and Andrew Saweczko

Coby Zephyr, 5, class of 2027 

Al ‘96 

and Sarah Tepper 

is available online through 

the Chapters and amazon 

websites. Ex-denizens of 

“3 rd Mac” and/or the “Pink 

Flamingo” are invited to 

contact him via yonooo@ 

hotmail.com. 

’90s 

kevin ‘96, ‘98 and Tammy 

‘96 burke continue to 

teach at the Kaohsiung 

american School in 

Taiwan. Prior to living in 

Taiwan, they spent five 

years at the american 

International School of 

Kuwait and three years 

teaching in Canada. Their 

two beautiful daughters, 

Emily (5) and Samantha 

(3) were born overseas 

and are learning Chinese. 

a special hello to past 

members of XCF! 

al Tepper ‘96 is living in 

the london area in the 

UK with his wife Sarah. 

He is a senior executive 

in digital publishing. He 

has an amazing five year 

old son named Coby 

Zephyr (class of 2027?). 

Get in touch via altepper.com 

on twitter @ 

Aaron Hovey, June 4/10 

Lori Simms-Hovey ‘00 

and Greg Hovey 

Abigail Marlo, May 9/03 and 

Brady James Xavier, Feb. 11/10 

Stephanie (Hubert) ‘98 

and Colin Bush ‘97, ‘98 

altepper or find him on 

Facebook. 

paul mcneill ’99 has 

been appointed by the 

National Film Board to the 

position of producer at its 

atlantic Centre in Halifax. 

In his new role, McNeill 

will be responsible for 

producing documentaries 

and animation, as 

well as interactive projects 

with directors, producers 

and digital media makers 

in the Maritime provinces. 

dale ‘99 and alicia (goff) 

Cooper are ecstatic to 

welcome Shae amelia, 

born January 15 th , 2010. 

They are thoroughly enjoying 

their beautiful baby 

girl at their farm in Centre 

Burlington. Dale is happily 

teaching science and 

math at Millwood High 

School in lower Sackville. 

’00s 

Jamie Symonds ‘01 has 

been accepted into a 

master’s program at Harvard 

Extension School 

- Master of liberal arts 

(alM) in Information 

Technology with con- 

Michael Tyler, May 17/10 

Denise Lynn (Hines) ’01 

and Stephen Melanson 

Shae Amelia, January 15/10 

Alicia (Goff) and 

Dale Cooper ‘99 

centration in Information 

Management Systems. 

Captain greg Juurlink 

‘02 has recently returned 

to his new home in Fredericton 

NB from a 10-month 

deployment to afghanistan 

flying the CH146B 

Griffon helicopter executing 

Chinook escort, reconnaissance, 

light transport 

and close combat attack 

missions with M-134 mini 

guns. He logged over 550 

combat flying hours in 103 

missions. Capt. Juurlink, 

who was pictured previously 

in the alumniNews 

in a super sonic X-Ring picture 

from an F-18 fighter 

jet, says, “The Canadian 

Forces has been good to 

me and my X-Ring.” 

Jeremy bennett ’06 is 

a motivational speaker, 

mentalist and entertainer. 

His book “The Power of 

the Mind: How I Beat OCD” 

has been published by 

Flanker Press. 

edwin Fraser ‘05 and 

krystale penny ‘04 welcomed 

their second child, 

Harrison James Fraser on 

June 17, 2010. 

Sears National Kids with Cancer 

Ride fundraiser 

Suzanne Delaney ‘01 is cycling 

from Vancouver to Halifax 

Thomas Murray, Jan. 15/07 & 

Norah Joan, Apr. 2/09 

Andrea (Kelloway) ‘99 

and John Dalzell 

miscellaneous… 

Trevor lloyd ‘02, geoff 

Regan ‘80, Shauna 

mackinnon ‘84, and 

Jennifer Corkum ‘10 

all participated in the 

2010 Rona MS Bike Tour 

held July 24 th and 25 th . 

It’s an annual event put 

on by the MS Society of 

Canada as a major fundraiser 

across the country. 

It’s also a test of endurance 

as cyclists bike from 

Windsor to Wolfville, NS, 

and back the next day 

rain or shine. They were 

among over 400 participants 

this summer and 

are always recruiting new 

team members. Contact 

the MS Society atlantic 

Division and help us end 

MS. 

Plans are underway to 

hold a reunion of the 

StFX Folk Choir 1978- 

82 or thereabouts July 

13, 2011 in antigonish. 

The group is on Facebook 

or email Yvonne 

leFort ylefort@clear.net. 

nz or Delores Boudreau 

delores@ns.sympatico. 

ns for further information. 

They’d love to see 

everyone there. 

August 7, 2010 

Stephanie (Horwill) ‘02 

and Greg Feltham ‘04 

September 26, 2009 

Allana MacDonald ‘00 

and Bob Mills 

February 3, 2009 

Jennifer (MacKay) ‘00 

and Kevin Rent 

Morgan Jenna, June 2010 

Jennifer (MacKay) ‘00 

and Kevin Rent 

Lydia Jewel Susan, March 16/10 

Shona Bowes ‘01 

and Ryan Smith 

Oliver Xavier, Feb. 27/10 

Stephanie (Horwill) ‘02 

and Greg Feltham ‘04 


10-mth deployment to Afghanistan 

Captain Greg Juurlink ‘02 flying 

the CH146B Griffon helicopter 

October 17, 2009 

Erin (Trenholm) ‘03,’05, 

Larry Tate, and 

Amanda MacGillivray ‘08 

Alysa Loretta, Dec. 1/09 

Allison (Flynn) ‘03 

and Tim Earle 

July 3, 2010 

Cindy (Larade) ‘05 

and Carl Howard 

Mother conquers Louisville Ironman 

Jensen Lutes ’07, proud supporter 

of her mother, Marlene McVicar ’84 


September 12, 2009 

Rachel Hebb ‘02 

and Nick Deriger 

July 14, 2006 

Erin (Cadigan) ‘03 

and David Petruska ‘03 

Callum Kenneth, Jan 6/08 

Jennifer McMullen ‘03 

and Trevor McMullen ‘03 

Adriana Georgia Faith, March 12/10 

S. Patricia (Gillis) ‘07 

and Andrew F. Koning 

August 21, 2010 

Danielle (Thow) ‘08 and 

Matthew MacLennan ‘08 

Joey Michael, April 27/10 obitUAries 

Ali and 

Matt Johnston ‘03 

Kasey Olivia, Dec. 19/07 & 

Jack Xavier , Feb. 17/10 

Erin (Cadigan) ‘03 

and David Petruska ‘03 

Jack Kenneth, May 9/10 

Brandie Underhill ‘04 

and Pat Simonson 

Dominican Republic, May 26/10 

Jen Wattie ‘07 

and Erik Ross 

July 17, 2010 

Karolina (Hass) Krystyniak ‘08 

and Jakub Krystyniak 

prof. derek wood 

The university community is saddened to 

learn of the death of Professor Derek Wood, 

71, former professor and chair in the English 

Department, who passed away aug. 

10, 2010. D.N.C. Wood, a senior research 

professor, retired a number of years ago 

but continued to teach courses part-time 

in Renaissance literature. 

Prof. Wood studied at St. John’s College, Oxford, and graduated from 

the University of Oxford in 1962 with an honours English degree, an 

M.a. in 1965, and a B. litt. in 1969. He joined the English Department 

at StFX in 1969 and had a distinguished teaching and research career. 

His scholarly activity focused on 17 th Century poet John Milton. He 

held offices locally and provincially in the Nova Scotia Council of 

University Faculty associations (NSCUFa). 

His warm commitment to his many students was returned; many 

stayed in touch long after graduation. a fine athlete, he played cricket 

and rugby at Oxford, and was a long time coach, along with Professor 

Ed Carty, of the StFX men’s rugby team. 

He is survived by his wife Grazia, children lara (Jason aube) and 

Marco, grandson Jack, and many friends who admired his friendly 

charm and linguistic, elocutionary, and athletic abilities. 

StFX loses esteemed alumnus 

StFX is mourning the loss of alumnus John 

Young ’54 who passed away July 17, 2010 

in Toronto. He was 79. 

Mr. Young, who received an honorary 

degree from StFX in 2005, long embraced 

his relationship with StFX, from his student 

days to later establishing alumni House 

on campus, a place for visiting alumni to 

refresh and reconnect with alma mater. 

He and his wife Trudy helped revitalize the Toronto chapter of the 

StFX alumni association. In addition to hosting events at their home, 

they were driving forces behind the chapter’s StFX Day event and 

alumni Golf Tournament. 

Mr. Young served on the StFX Board of Governors for the maximum 

two terms, in numerous leadership capacities for four consecutive 

StFX capital campaigns, and as a member of the university investment 

committee. He also established a bursary endowment to support 

StFX students in financial need; provided tremendous support for 

the StFX prayer book, Prayers for the Xaverian Family; and supported 

and promoted the Fr. Kehoe athletic Endowment Fund. His art work 

is part of the university’s permanent collection 

along with his wife Trudy, Mr. Young is survived by his daughter Vicki, 

sons John and Greg and granddaughter Tess. Memorial donations can 

be made to the John H. Young Bursary Endowment Fund at StFX. 

Shelby Rose gerrior 

With great sadness, the StFX community 

learned of the passing of Shelby Rose Gerrior, 

18, of louisdale, NS, on august 18, 

2010, as the result of a motor vehicle 

accident. Born in antigonish, she was the 

daughter of James and Rhonda (Hopkins) 

Gerrior, louisdale. She was a second year 

bachelor of science student and active in 

the community, involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Donations in 

Shelby’s memory may be made to “a Walk for addison Murray Fund.” 

Sister Catherine (Cappy) peters, Cnd 

after a long, courageous challenge with cancer, Sr. Catherine (Cappy) 

Peters, CND died Feb. 25, 2009 at Rocky Mountain House, aB. as StFX 

professor of home economics for 30 years, she shared her passion 

for teaching young adults the skills they could use to contribute to 

society. In 1991, when she went west, she continued her passion for 

teaching, in numerous informal ways. She leaves behind a legacy of 

caring, compassion and justice for the equality of all.

Student caller Claire Smith, Education student from Gander, NL 

ReaSOnS TO giVe 

Make an investment in the future of StFX – Help people 

like you. 

The need 

It’s true. The annual Giving Program is indispensable to 

StFX. This yearly phone appeal to the Xaverian Family 

raises Gifts to Live By, gifts that create opportunities through 

education. StFX, like all universities, is challenged by the 

increasing cost of providing a quality education while 

government funding continues to be strapped. 

Money raised through annual Giving is used for the 

immediate needs of the university to improve quality of 

life on campus. Your gift, when combined with thousands 

of other annual gifts, makes a significant difference. 

whaT iT SuppORTS 

annual Giving creates scholarships, provides financial 

aid for students in need, funds library acquisitions, helps 

varsity athletics, and numerous academic departments 

and programs. 

Annual Giving Appeal 

RAiSeS FunDS TO SuPPORT AnD enHAnCe 

THe StFX eXPeRienCe. 

“ 

StFX students give their university 

the highest satisfaction rating in 

Canada. When asked to evaluate 

their entire educational experience, 

96 per cent placed StFX at the top. 

” 

Maclean’s February 2009 National Survey of Student Engagement 

StFX’S legaCy: 

your contribution helps ensure that 

StFX maintains its reputation 

as the most supportive 

and engaged alumni. 

Students represent the promise 

of the future. Help give them the 

best education by contributing to 

the Annual Giving Appeal. 

TaX adVanTage 

The table below is a guide only and shows the tax benefits for residents of Nova Scotia. Other regions may vary. 

Please check with your accountant or tax advisor to confirm tax credits. 

Annual Pledge Annual Tax Credit* Monthly Cost to you after tax credits Daily Cost to you after tax credits 

$ 10,000 

$ 4,600 

$ 450 

$ 14.80 

5,000 

2,300 

225 

7.40 

2,000 

920 

90 

3.00 

1,000 

460 

45 

1.50 

200 

92 

9 

.30 

* this assumes your other annual charitable donations equal $200 or more and the pledge is a personal donation. the tax credit can only be used to reduce personal incomes taxes. Any unused 

credit can be carried forward for five years as a credit on future years’ personal incomes taxes. Note: Donors who contribute $500 and above per year qualify for the StFX President’s Club and receive 

many other benefits, invitations to events, and information. Your support truly makes a difference! 

“ 

My experience at StFX has been 

phenomenal. i have been able to 

get a degree from one of the most 

respected universities in the country 

and it would not have been possible 

without scholarships and bursaries 

such as the Alumni Recognition Award 

and Livingston topshee Bursary. 

Awards like these really help students 

like me who do not come from financially 

privileged homes. these awards give the 

opportunity for students to earn a great 

education without the financial burdens, 

which can become stressful.” 

” 

Kwame Osei-Peprah ‘10 

Bachelor of Human Kinetics 

annual giVing | PO Box 5000, Antigonish, nS, B2G 2w5 | Toll Free: 1-888-222-0227 | annualgi@stfx.ca 


Update 

Have you moved, changed careers, been promoted? 

We’d like to hear about it. 

Update online at www.alumni.stfx.ca/updateinfo 

Full Name: _______________________________________________ 

Class Year: ______________________________________________ 

Spouse’s Name: __________________________________________ 

Is spouse an ‘X’ alum? ____________ Year: _______________________ 

aDDRESS 

Street: __________________________________________________ 

City: ___________________________________________________ 

Province/State: _____________ Postal/Zip Code: ________________ 

Phone: (________) ________________________________________ 

Fax: (________) ___________________________________________ 

Email: __________________________________________________ 

Homepage: _____________________________________________ 

EMPlOYMENT INFORMaTION 

Company: ______________________________________________ 

Position: ________________________________________________ 


City: ___________________________________________________ 


Phone: (________) ________________________________________ 

Fax: (________) ___________________________________________ 

Email: __________________________________________________ 

Homepage: _____________________________________________ 

EMPlOYMENT INFORMaTION FOR SPOUSE 

Company: _____________________________________________ 

Position: _______________________________________________ 

Street: ________________________________________________ 

City: ___________________________________________________ 


Phone: (________) ________________________________________ 

Fax: (________) ___________________________________________ 

Email: __________________________________________________ 

Homepage: _____________________________________________ 

WHO CaN alWaYS REaCH YOU? 

Name: _________________________________________________ 

Position: ________________________________________________ 


City: ___________________________________________________ 


Phone: (________) ________________________________________ 

Fax: (________) ___________________________________________ 

Email: __________________________________________________ 

Homepage: _____________________________________________ 

Information you would like to have published in the ‘News Exchange’ 

section of our alumni News. 

_______________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________ 

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: ___________________________________________________ 


X-rinG story l Alumni OFFiCe 

The Ring of Friendship 

Roommate’s ring as meaningful as my own 

Pictured are both of us wearing our (Barb’s) X-Rings. On the left is Sharon MacDonald 

and on the right is Barb MacInnis-MacNeil, both class of 2003. 

D 

ear StFX alumniNews, 

I have been meaning to write 

this letter for awhile now. 

In 2006, three years after graduating 

from StFX, I embarked on a solo round 

the world trip. about two-and-a-half 

months into my travels, my bag was 

stolen. In it was everything I needed to 

travel – my passport, credit cards, plane 

tickets – and my X-Ring. I returned 

home devastated. 

Upon my return, my good friend 

and former roommate from StFX, 

Barb, heard about my bad luck. She 

reminded me that when we were in 

fourth year and picking out our X- 

Rings, she had expressed interest in 

having a white gold ring instead of the 

traditional yellow gold. I, however, had 

lOST 

FOUND 

& 

lOST 

Man’s 1949 

Woman’s 1957 


Man’s 1962 

Man’s 1975 

Man’s 1987 



convinced her to ‘stick with tradition’ 

and get the yellow gold ring instead. 

a few years later when Barb married, 

she decided to go back to her original 

choice and ordered a new white gold 

X-Ring, which would match her wedding 

rings. Now, Barb told me, her yellow 

gold X-Ring was sitting in a drawer, 

with no one wearing it. She told me I 

could have it, to replace my lost one! 

So now I wear Barb’s original X- 

Ring – it is my colour, my year, and fits 

perfectly. It reminds me that in this 

Xaverian family, we would gladly give 

one another the shirt off our backs, or 

the rings off our fingers! 

Sincerely, 

Sharon MacDonald ‘03 





Man’s 2005 

Man’s 2006 

Man’s 2007 



Man’s 2009 

Man’s 2010 

FOund 


Found at homecoming: Man’s money clip left behind at the merchandise store during homecoming. 

If this belongs to you please call Glenda at 902 867-2186 or email gbond@stfx.ca to identify.

The new Gerald Schwartz School of Business (centre) provides a dramatic update to the Antigonish skyline.

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-MM8019-09 MMI.EN•stfx (8.5x9.125).indd 1 1/21/10 2:25:34 PM 

Province : Nova Scotia 

Publication : St-Francis Xavier Mag. 

Format : 8.5x9.125 

Couleur : couleur 

Épreuve # :1 

Date de tombée : 16/12/09 

Graphiste : Yannick Decosse 

Hamelin Martineau • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O. Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842 4416 F : 514 844 9343

StFX AlumniNewsFALL 2010 - St. Francis Xavier University

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