The Engineer, the Professor and the Salesman

How Saint Mary’s University gave birth to the Novastorms AI success story

It sounds like a joke setup: “An engineer, a professor and a salesman walk into an AI company. What happens next is unreal!”

But it’s real: after just 18 months in business and a few pivots, Novastorms Data Analytics has landed a 3-year, seven-figure deal with Dubai-based AI software company Qorellian.

So where does the story start?

Emeka Nwankwo MTEI’25

The Engineer

Chukwuemeka (Emeka) Nwankwo MTEI’25 has a unique blend of gravitas and enthusiasm. You can easily trust him, and you have only to ask him a technology question to be impressed by his knowledge.

He came to Saint Mary's University from Lagos, Nigeria, having spent more than six years as a senior software engineer with a Utah-based real estate company. He entered the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation degree program in September 2023. The MTEI degree appealed to Emeka as a way to learn how to build a business around his technological prowess.

While studying in the MTEI program, Emeka discovered the Machine Learning course that Dr. Yigit Aydede taught in another graduate program. He sought special permission to take it. Dr. Aydede, recognizing Emeka’s talent and experience, not only granted him entry to the course, but he soon enlisted him as a research assistant.

"As a software engineer, I'd spent years building systems that moved data around,” said Emeka. “Working with Dr. Aydede, I started asking what that data could actually tell us. Machine learning and AI were the missing piece."

Dr. Yigit Aydede

The Professor

Dr. Yigit Aydede is intense and has a strong “no-nonsense” demeanour.  He got on the AI train early, with research, lectures, and courses centred on machine learning dating back at least a decade. He’s written two books on Machine Learning. As he says, “I became the ‘AI guy’.”

His analytical mind and active involvement in the broader economics and technology field are crucial elements in the Novastorms mix. So are his robust connections – particularly in his native Turkiye.

Kevin Buchan

The Salesman

Kevin Buchan has led the Office of Innovation and Community Engagement since 2014. A curious and gregarious man, he is active in the efforts to commercialize university projects and promote collaboration and research. He co-founded a biotech company in 2018. When Dr. Aydede began seriously considering what Novastorms could be, he brought Kevin on board for his complementary skills in marketing, sales, and promotion, as well as his similarly strategic approach to the business.

The Product

When Emeka talks about Novastorms’ AI product, his excitement is contagious. He will offer you a demo. His hands tap an invisible keyboard, and he gestures a picture to life in the air.

Novastorms AI started by building public information dashboards for the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), using open datasets available to them. There were two main products:

• A neighbourhood dashboard that included school zones and other local information.

• A safety dashboard with a built-in AI chat, so users could ask questions and get insights from the data on the dashboard.

As they developed the AI analytics on those dashboards, they realized the same capability could be much more useful if people could apply it to their own data.

Thus, the current product came into focus: In-House Insights. A private, secure environment where users with their own datasets in protected spaces use AI to explore them and get insights. The model is meant to offer security for sensitive information, like personnel records or health records.

With the successful first sale, the team are now intent on continuing to iterate in response to new technology demands and to seek out new markets. Saint Mary’s University is implementing the product under the oversight of Chief Information Officer Todd Williams.

With a hospital in Turkiye already showing interest, the team are determined to make the case for In-House Insights’ role in health care. As Kevin says, “From a research perspective, getting health data is painful. Rightfully so! No one should share health data.” However, he notes, this keeps the health system from fully being able to utilize the capabilities of AI. With Novastorm’s architecture, data remains guarded and private.

Emeka is grateful for the path that brought him to Saint Mary’s University and looks forward to what the future brings.

"AI has opened up possibilities we're only beginning to understand. If you have an idea, there's never been a better time to explore it and build it into something real. I can't wait to see what comes next."

Bermudians celebrate connections to Saint Mary's

An evening at the Botanist Cafe & Garden Lounge in Bermuda showed why the island's bond with SMU runs deeper than a flight path. 

When Sioma Rudo began her Bachelor of Commerce at Saint Mary's University this Fall, she was following a path her mother had taken too. Before leaving Bermuda, she joined alumni, current students and families at The Botanist Café to celebrate a connection many Bermudian families have passed down through generations. 

Deep roots connect Halifax and Bermuda, dating back centuries. In the 1700s, Bermuda sloops carried salt to Nova Scotia, where it was used to preserve fish, and traded it for cod. For most of the 1800s, the Royal Navy's North American squadron spent summers in Halifax and winters at the naval dockyard in Bermuda.  

Commerce connected the two as well. In 1882, the Merchants' Bank of Halifax, which later became RBC, appointed Nathaniel Butterfield, a Hamilton shipowner and the town's mayor, as its agent in Bermuda. His son Harry trained at the bank's Halifax head office, and the family incorporated its own bank in 1904. Today, the bank operates a support services office in downtown Halifax. 

Sioma Rudo

Sioma arrived at SMU with an impressive record. In August, she was named Bermuda's Overall Outstanding Young Person at the 2026 Youth Trailblazers Out Front Awards. A former deputy head girl at The Berkeley Institute, she earned her associate degree from Bermuda College with distinction, runs two small businesses and has served on the Youth Advisory Board for Bermuda's Youth Mental Health Plan.

She was awarded the Sir Harry D. Butterfield Undergraduate Scholarship, which provides $30,000 a year toward her studies and can be renewed for up to four years. She plans to major in Human Resources Management. 

The Rudo family travelled to Halifax together so she could see the campus that played such an important role in her family’s lives. 

"I grew up hearing about Saint Mary's," said Sioma. "My mother, along with my aunt and brother, always talked about the friends they made, the professors who pushed them and how Halifax became a second home. When I finally walked the campus with them, I understood what they meant. It didn't feel like I was starting somewhere new. It felt like I was joining something my family was already part of." 

Her story is a familiar one in Bermuda, where hundreds of Saint Mary's alumni have built a lasting connection between the island and the university. The connection rests on practical ties, including a shared time zone, a short nonstop flight and a transfer pathway from Bermuda College. It also rests on a history linking Bermuda and Halifax that goes back centuries. 

“What stands out about Saint Mary’s connection to Bermuda is how deeply it runs through generations,” said Mary Ann Daye BComm'85, Director of Alumni Engagement. “Alumni who graduated decades ago are sharing their stories and advice with students who are just beginning at Saint Mary’s. These relationships have been built by families over many years, and it’s wonderful to see that tradition continuing with a new generation of Bermudian students.” 

Alumni from several decades were in attendance at the send-off event, including Malcolm Butterfield BComm'75, Reeshemah Swan BA'93, Lisa Frias BComm’02 and Kimberley Joslyn BComm’02, who shared their own stories and experiences living in Halifax as university students.  

SMU students Isai Gibbons, Peter Strachan and Sioma Rudo

Second-year Bachelor of Commerce student Peter Strachan spoke about his journey to Saint Mary’s and the challenges he overcame, offering encouragement to students about to begin their own university experience. His advice, drawn from his first year on campus, was warmly received by both students and their families. The evening provided an opportunity for incoming students to ask questions about classes, residence life, and what it is like to make the transition from Bermuda to Nova Scotia.  

“I encourage new students to become involved in a student society. Two great groups are the “run for fun” club and the outdoor society,” said Peter. “In addition to the classes, there are many other activities to take advantage of, including hiking and skating. This year, I am looking forward to hearing firsthand from the business leaders who are coming to campus to connect with students.”  

Ties that run centuries deep 

The two places also share a chapter in North America’s history of Black freedom. At the end of the War of 1812, about 800 of the Black Refugees who fled slavery in the United States for Nova Scotia arrived by way of Bermuda.  

In 1890, at the request of Archbishop Cornelius O'Brien of Halifax, four Sisters of Charity sailed to Bermuda and opened Mount Saint Agnes Academy, which still educates Bermudian students today. The sisters' voyage took four days. Today, the trip takes about two and a half hours. 

Sioma is not the only new Bermudian Husky following a parent to Saint Mary's. Men's soccer newcomer Isai Gibbons, whose father graduated in 2006, joined the Huskies from Saltus Grammar School and the St. George's Colts.  

Isai Gibbons. Source: SMU Huskies

Isai represented Bermuda at CONCACAF U20 Championship and U17 World Cup qualifiers and was nominated for Bermuda's Young Player of the Year in both 2025 and 2026. In September, he played alongside fellow Bermudians Sami Carolo and Kydan Browne as the Huskies drew 1-1 with Dalhousie at Wickwire Field.  

"I believe that I can bring something special to the team," he said when he committed to Saint Mary's this summer.  

As alumni swapped memories of walks along Spring Garden Road and favourite spots around Halifax, one important question needed answering: Is Tim Hortons still on campus? It is, and so is a warm welcome for the next generation of Bermudian Huskies.  

Did you know? Saint Mary's offers a pathway with Bermuda College, where graduates of the college's two-year business associate programs can transfer up to 60 credit hours into the Bachelor of Commerce and may finish the degree in about two years. Learn more about the Bermuda College pathway to a Bachelor of Commerce. 

Alumni who know a Bermudian student considering Saint Mary's can use our form to refer a future SMU student.

50 years of learning: William Thomas MBA’76 reflects on a life of leadership, curiosity and growth

William Thomas MBA’76 returned to campus to celebrate Homecoming and speak at the MBA 50th anniversity celebration

For William Thomas MBA’76, the journey that began with an MBA at Saint Mary’s University 50 years ago has never really been about reaching a destination.

It has been about staying curious, taking on new challenges and continuing to learn along the way. Being a lifelong learner has meant remaining open to new experiences, new perspectives and whatever comes next.

William at the Homecoming football game

William was one of just 16 students in the first cohort of Saint Mary’s MBA program, graduating in 1976. This fall, he returned to campus for Homecoming 2026 to celebrate that milestone, reconnect with former classmates and take part in a weekend that included the MBA program’s 50th anniversary celebration of the first graduating cohort, the Golden Grad Luncheon and a Saint Mary’s Huskies football game. He also spoke at the MBA 50th anniversary celebration representing his class.

Reflecting on his return to campus, William says: “Coming back to my 50th reunion was inspiring. I spoke with many MBA students about the lessons from my global experience. Returning to SMU brought back many fond memories from my two years of living on campus”.

His path to Saint Mary’s was somewhat unexpected. While working at a logging camp in northern Ontario, William began exploring MBA options. He considered several universities, but the small size of Saint Mary’s program stood out.

“I talked to a couple of professors, and I said, ‘This feels really good. It just feels good to me.’”

That personal connection became an important part of his experience. He built close friendships with classmates and relationships with professors that he still remembers decades later.

After graduating, William began a career that would take him around the world. He started in marketing and sales before moving into increasingly senior international leadership roles with companies including Procter & Gamble, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Western Union.

William with some of his Paris team at an event in Africa

William and members of his team signing a partnership with La Poste in Paris

A reunion in Paris with a Formula 1 race car

William on campus in 2019

At Bristol-Myers Squibb, Thomas moved to Buenos Aires to lead the company’s Latin American business, overseeing 18 countries. “I loved it. I learned a lot,” he recalled. He later joined Western Union, where he moved to Paris to build the company’s international office and eventually grew the business from $800 million to $2 billion in three years.

“I never set out to be a president or CEO or anything like that,” he says. “I just took on the next assignment. And I said, ‘I’m going to do the best I can.’”

That willingness to take on the next challenge became a defining theme throughout his career. It took him from Canada to Thailand, Argentina, France, and the United States, giving him opportunities to work across cultures and gain experience in markets very different from his own.

“I think you learn a lot when you get exposed to different cultures and different ways of doing things.”

After leaving the corporate world in 2007, William kept finding new ways to learn and contribute to his community. He became involved in philanthropy and Rotary International, served on boards, mentored young professionals, and taught university students about leadership.

And then, decades after earning his MBA, he went back to school.

William and Chantal at SMU Homecoming in October 2026

Thomas and his wife, Chantal Jauvin, completed a two-year Master of Science in Sustainable Business Leadership at the University of Leeds, motivated in part by their growing concern about climate change and their desire to better understand sustainability.

For William, returning to school later in life was a natural extension of the way he approached his career and life.

“You’re never done learning,” he said.

That philosophy also shapes his advice for today’s students. While technical and functional skills are important, William believes leadership skills become increasingly important as people take on greater responsibility.

“If you want to move up in an organization and supervise people and lead groups, you need leadership skills. And those are things that you have to get exposure to and practice.”

Fifty years after earning his MBA, William is still doing exactly that — learning, exploring and looking for what comes next.

“I like learning new things. I think it brings a vibrancy to your engagement.”

From a 16-person MBA classroom at Saint Mary’s to leadership roles around the world, William’s career has taken him places he could not have predicted when he first arrived in Halifax. His return to campus for Homecoming offered a chance to celebrate where that journey began, while reflecting on everything he has learned along the way.

For William, learning has no final chapter. There is always something new to discover, another challenge to take on, and another opportunity to grow.

Saint Mary's University creates new Medical School Pathway with ACSOM

Saint Mary’s biology students now have a pathway to accelerated admission to the American Canadian School of Medicine

Saint Mary's University has signed a Medical School Pathway Program agreement with the American Canadian School of Medicine (ACSOM) in the Commonwealth of Dominica, creating a new pathway for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. The agreement establishes a structured academic pathway that will allow eligible students enrolled in Saint Mary's Bachelor of Science in Biology program to pursue accelerated admission to ACSOM's Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

Through the Saint Mary’s Medical School Pathway Program, students will complete the first three years of study at Saint Mary's before beginning four years of medical studies at ACSOM. Students who successfully complete the first year at ACSOM will receive credits toward their Saint Mary's degree and will be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Saint Mary's while continuing toward their medical degree.

Students who meet the pathway's academic requirements may apply to ACSOM without writing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Students entering ACSOM through the pathway will also receive a scholarship equivalent to at least 25 per cent of standard ACSOM tuition. During the first three years of the agreement, ACSOM will reserve up to 50 spaces annually for qualified Saint Mary's pathway students.

“This partnership creates a new and innovative route from an outstanding undergraduate education at Saint Mary’s to medical school.”

— Dr. Michael Khan, President and Vice-Chancellor, SMU

“For decades, Saint Mary's has produced talented graduates from undergraduate programs who have gone on to stellar careers in medicine and health," said Dr. Michael Khan, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary's University. "This partnership creates a new and innovative route from an outstanding undergraduate education at Saint Mary's to medical school."

"I know the excellence of our science programs, our faculty and our students,” said Dr. Sam Veres, Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research (Interim). “Every year, our students demonstrate the talent, work ethic and academic achievement needed to succeed at the highest levels. This pathway recognizes that excellence and creates an exciting new opportunity for students to pursue careers in medicine.”

"The American Canadian School of Medicine is committed to creating new opportunities for qualified Canadian students to pursue medical education," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, Executive Vice-President for Canada at ACSOM. "Our partnership with Saint Mary's University creates a new pathway for students to pursue their medical aspirations while building on the strong academic foundation they receive through Saint Mary's science programming. We look forward to welcoming qualified Saint Mary's students to ACSOM and supporting their development as future physicians."

The pathway supports Saint Mary's commitment to student success and provides aspiring physicians with a clearly defined academic route from undergraduate studies to medical education. It also strengthens the university's growing portfolio of academic and professional pathways that connect students with opportunities in high-demand fields while enhancing the Faculty of Science's ability to attract and support students interested in healthcare and medical careers.

Students at the American Canadian School of Medicine Source: ACSOM

From medical education in Dominica to clinical training in North America, ACSOM students build their clinical skills through hands-on experiences in hospital and clinical settings during the final two years of the MD program. These experiences allow students to work alongside practicing physicians, apply their medical knowledge in real-world settings, and gain exposure to different specialties as they prepare for postgraduate training. 

ACSOM prepares students for both the US and Canadian residency match. Students take the USMLE exams for the US and the Medical Council of Canada exams for residency and licensure in Canada.

ACSOM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) and the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), providing students and families with confidence in the institution's commitment to internationally recognized standards in medical education.

Saint Mary’s joins the University of Waterloo and the University of Windsor as the third Canadian university to establish a medical school pathway to ACSOM.

How Enactus Saint Mary’s and Square Roots are giving students real business experience

Enactus Saint Mary’s students on site at a Square Roots community market

For more than 10 years, Square Roots has given Saint Mary’s University students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience running a real business while making an impact in communities across Nova Scotia.

Nathan and Leah review the Square Roots website

Founded in 2016 by two Saint Mary’s alumni, Mitch Harrison BComm’17 and Ross Arsenault BComm’18 MTEI’20, Square Roots is a program dedicated to reducing food waste and creating affordable access to fruits and vegetables through community markets. Each year, two Saint Mary's students serve as project managers and bring together a team to build on the previous year, bringing their own experience and ideas to the business.

Nathan Crowell was inspired to get involved with Square Roots after seeing the impact student leaders created through Enactus Saint Mary’s. For Leah McNamara, the connection was even closer to home.

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“I got to see all the amazing work that’s happening in each of our communities across Nova Scotia,” Leah shared. “Even just five minutes away from my house, we have a Square Roots location, so getting to see that every few weeks really inspired me to get involved myself here at SMU.”

That hands-on experience has also become an extension of what students are learning in the classroom.

Both Leah and Nathan are Bachelor of Commerce students at Saint Mary’s, and their experience with Square Roots and Enactus has given them the chance to put what they learn in the classroom into practice. By working on a real business, they’ve seen how concepts from their Commerce courses apply outside the classroom.

Square Roots is one way students involved with Enactus Saint Mary’s can gain real-world business experience while working on projects that create meaningful impact. For the students managing Square Roots, the opportunity is about more than running a business; it’s about learning by doing and continuing a project that has been passed down by Saint Mary’s students.

Want to get involved? Square Roots is looking for community managers and volunteers. You can also join Enactus Saint Mary’s to get involved with other projects like Square Roots. Email squareroots@enactussmu.ca to learn more or get involved!

Consent Awareness Week: Oct. 1-8, 2026

Consent Awareness Week is an annual initiative led by the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative (SVPI) under Saint Mary’s Sexual Violence Support Centre. The initiative centres on building a campus culture grounded in consent, respect, safety and open communication.

Held Oct. 1–8, Consent Awareness Week provides opportunities for the Saint Mary’s community to learn more about consent, boundaries and healthy relationships, and to consider how we can all contribute to a culture where consent and respect are part of everyday interactions.

Explore the initiatives and activities taking place throughout Consent Awareness Week and learn more about consent and sexual violence prevention at Saint Mary’s.

Therapy Dog Drop-In

Thursday, October 1
1:30-3:30 p.m.
5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Drop by for fur-filled break to destress with a certified therapy dog.

Football Tabling: Spin for Consent

Friday, October 2
7-9 p.m.
Huskies Stadium

Learn, spin and win with SMU’s Athletic Ambassadors at our pop-up info table during the men’s homecoming football game!

Consent Tabling at the Women's Rugby Game

Saturday, October 3
2-4 p.m.
Huskies Stadium

Learn, spin & win with SMU’s Athletic Ambassadors at our pop-up info table during the women’s homecoming rugby game!

Crafting & Consent

Tuesday, October 6
4-6 p.m.
5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Drop by to make a craft and join in conversations about consent at Saint Mary's. Craft materials will be provided or you can bring your own project to work on!

Sex Trivia with SMUSA

Wednesday, October 7
7-9 p.m.
The Gorsebrook Lounge

Drop by The Gorsebrook Lounge for a chance to learn, answer trivia and win some prizes!

Book Club

Thursday, October 8
4-6 p.m.
5th Floor Student Centre Lounge

Join the SVPI team for our inaugural book club meet & greet. Help choose our first book and enjoy some light refreshments on us!

Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month

October is Mi’kmaq History Month, a time to celebrate and learn about Mi’kmaq culture and heritage.

The theme for Mi’kmaq History Month 2026 is Healing and Wellness, and is based on teachings shared by the late Elder Murdena Marshall. From the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC), “This year’s theme invites people across Mi’kma’kik to reflect on healing as a lifelong journey—one rooted in understanding ourselves, our histories, our relationships, and our responsibilities to one another.”

Learn more at mikmaqhistorymonth.ca.

October 1 is Treaty Day, which commemorates the treaties between the Mik’maq people of Nova Scotia—who have occupied the land for thousands of years—and the Crown. Learn more about Treaty Day here.

Saint Mary's University acknowledges that the university is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. Learn more.

2026 Mi’kmaw History Month poster celebrates lifelong healing journeys. Designed by the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) in partnership with artist Gerald Gloade and in collaboration with Elders, cultural practitioners, translators, and the Mi’kmaw History Month Committee.

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Events

Indigenous Film Series

Every Thursday, October 1-29
6-8:30 p.m.
Patrick Power Library, Room 135

In recognition and celebration of Mi’kmaq History Month this October, join us every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Patrick Power Library Classroom for an evening of impactful cinema, honest conversations, and free snacks.

We'll be screening a mix of thought-provoking films that explore challenging realities, celebrate Indigenous resilience, and showcase incredible storytelling. Whether you are looking to expand your worldview, support Indigenous arts, or simply unwind with friends and free snacks after a long day of classes, there is a seat for you.

• October 1 - Finding Dawn

• October 8 - Singing Back the Buffalo

• October 15 - The Secret Path

• October 22 - 8:37 Rebirth

• October 29 - Rhymes for Young Ghouls

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The Traditional Districts of Mi’kma’ki, the Land of the Mi’kmaw

Tuesday, October 20
1:30-2:30 p.m.
CLARI- Atrium 340

Just as Canada is divided into provinces and territories, Mi’kma’ki, the Land of the Mi’kmaw, was traditionally divided into nine distinct districts. This presentation would explore these districts through the Mi’kmaw language, including how the verb-based language provides insight into the origins and meaning of each place’s name.

This three-part EDIA Speaker Series features Dr. Gerald Gloade, an artist, educator, storyteller, naturalist, Elder and visionary from Millbrook First Nation.

 To register for the session, please send an email to EDI@smu.ca

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Mi’kmaq Heritage Game Night

Friday, October 23
7 p.m.
Huskies Stadium

Cheer on the Huskies football team as they host the Mount Allison Mounties at Huskies Stadium! The game will open with Mi’kmaq drummers and an honour song, with drumming at halftime and an Indigenous vendor market.

Get tickets

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Resources

Indigenous Student Advising and Student Space

The Indigenous Student Advisor at SMU acts as a bridge between Indigenous students, Saint Mary’s University and community organizations, supporting students through academic, personal and cultural guidance. Students can make an appointment with Kylar Johnson, the Indigenous Student Advisor at Indigenous.Advisor@SMU.ca. 

Qomuti is an on-campus space designed by and for Indigenous students. Located in Loyola Academic Room 286, Qomuti (pronounced ho-mo-dee) is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “a place of safe haven.” This space was created through community consultation and is intended to be a welcoming home on campus for Indigenous students to gather, study, share, smudge, and feel rooted in culture and connection.

Find out more about the space and how to connect with Kylar at smu.ca/indigenous-community.

Kylar Johnson, Indigenous Student Advisor, holds a smudging ceremony on campus ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Kylar Johnson and members of the SMU community offered drumming and song at Spring Convocation 2026

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The Patrick Power Library is featuring a display of the Mi’kmaq History Month posters from the past five years

Patrick Power Library

The Patrick Power Library strives to reflect Mi’kmaw presence, history and knowledge within our spaces and collections. We are proud to be the home of exhibits that support this vision, including a locally crafted dreamcatcher and Ta’n Etl-klo'tasik koqoey (a phrase meaning “where the items are kept or taken care of”), an exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq people. This exhibit features a collection of Mi’kmaw cultural objects selected by community members and is on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

The Patrick Power Library has developed a resource collection that includes books and videos related to Mi’kmaq History. Be sure to also look at the Library’s Indigenous Studies Subject & Research Guide. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card or accessed online using your SMU email and password.

Red Dress Installation

The Red Dress installation will be on display in the Library from October 2-9 in honour of Sisters in Spirit Day, which is observed annually on October 4 to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse (MMIWG2S+) people. This video on LinkedIn shows last year’s installation of red dresses accompanied by powerful messages.

Fred Smithers Centre launches live chat for digital support

The live digital chat offers a new way for students to connect with the FSC team.

Members of the Saint Mary’s community can now connect with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC) through a new live chat service, providing a convenient way to ask questions and connect with the team online.

The live chat works like a digital drop-in. During staffed hours, students and other members of the Saint Mary’s community can use the chat to ask questions related to FSC services and support, with a member of the FSC team available to respond in real time.

Live chat hours:

• Mondays: 10 a.m.–noon

• Wednesdays: 9–11 a.m.

• Thursdays: 2–4 p.m.

“Reducing barriers is at the heart of what we do at the Fred Smithers Centre,” says Becca Chaytor, Interim Manager, Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility. “Adding a live digital chat tool gives students another way to connect with us in a format that may feel more comfortable and accessible than a phone call or an in-person visit. It means students can ask a question when they have one, without having to worry about knowing exactly where to start or which person to contact. It’s another small but meaningful way we can make support easier to access.”

How to use the live chat

A grey and white chat icon is located at the bottom right section of the browser window on the FSC site. When the live chat is active and an FSC team member is online, the chat icon will turn red.

To start a conversation:

1.       Click the chat icon to open the chat window.

2.       Enter your name and email address.

3.       Select your visitor type.

4.       Type your question into the Message box.

5.       Select submit.

A member of the FSC team will join the conversation shortly!

Visit the Fred Smithers Centre’s Guided Video Tutorials for a step-by-step demonstration of the chat function.

What if live chat isn't available?

If you visit the chat outside of staffed hours, the chat icon will appear light grey to indicate the chat is not active, and an away message will let you know the team is not currently online.

You can leave a message through the chat, and the FSC team will follow up by email as soon as possible.

Privacy disclaimer

Please do not share sensitive or personal information, such as medical diagnoses or documentation, through the live chat. If you need to provide the Fred Smithers Centre with sensitive or personal information, please send it by email so it can be shared and stored securely.

Please note that FSC chat conversation transcripts are saved and can be accessed by both the user and members of the Fred Smithers Centre team.

Feedback is welcome!

The FSC welcomes feedback from students using the new service. After a chat session, users may be invited to provide a brief rating or feedback about their experience.

Chat users can also share feedback with the FSC at fsc@smu.ca.

Saint Mary’s University welcomes Mark Gosine as Chair of the Board of Governors

Mark Gosine

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce that Mark Gosine BA’95, KC, ICD.D, is the new Chair of its Board of Governors.

A Saint Mary’s alumnus and longtime member of the Board, Gosine joined the Board of Governors in 2019 and has taken on progressively senior leadership roles. He became Chair of the Governance Committee in 2020 and, in 2022, Chair of the Finance Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board. He succeeds Alan R. Abraham Jr. BComm’80, who served as Chair from 2022 to 2026.

“Saint Mary’s gave me an education and a community that have stayed with me throughout my career, and it’s an honour to serve the university as Chair,” says Gosine. “I’m grateful to my fellow governors for their confidence. I look forward to working with Dr. Khan and our whole community to keep Saint Mary’s strong for students today and for generations to come.”

Gosine brings extensive international business and legal experience to the role. A senior legal executive, lawyer and business adviser, he has worked with boards and management teams on strategy, governance, major transactions and complex business matters across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

He was formerly Executive Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of WildBrain Ltd. (formerly DHX Media), where he oversaw the company’s global legal and regulatory affairs and played a key role in its international growth. His experience has also included board roles with private and joint-venture companies, including businesses co-owned with the Charles M. Schulz family and Sony Music Entertainment Japan.

Today, Gosine advises public and private companies through his business, media and technology law practice, providing strategic, transactional and general counsel services. He has also served as part-time faculty at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.

Gosine holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and was appointed Queen’s Counsel, now King’s Counsel, in 2020. His professional recognition includes the Legal 500 General Counsel Powerlist for Canada, the Canadian Lawyer Innovation Award for In-House Dealmakers and the Lexpert Canadian Deal Makers Mid-Market Award.

His first career was in music, which he pursued after studying jazz at St. Francis Xavier University. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Saint Mary’s in 1995 before earning his law degree from Dalhousie University.

“I am delighted to welcome Mark Gosine as Chair of our Board of Governors,” says Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Michael Khan. “Mark has served Saint Mary’s with dedication since joining the Board in 2019, bringing thoughtful leadership to both governance and finance. His international experience and deep connection to this university will be tremendous assets in the years ahead.”

Students from across Canada put their ideas to the test during Innovation Sprint with Blyyss

Student presenters at the Innovation Sprint for Blyyss.

On September 19, 20 students from four Canadian universities came together at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University for an Innovation Sprint with Blyyss, a Nova Scotia-built grocery platform that helps people find affordable food and shop with local, independent grocers. 

Over the course of the afternoon, six teams of three to four students were challenged to develop a strategy to attract and retain grocers for Blyyss’ flyer feature, which helps users discover deals and promotions from local grocery stores. 

The four-hour sprint gave students a chance to work together, share ideas and turn their thinking into a short pitch. Students from Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, Memorial University and Athabasca University took part, with students bringing different backgrounds and perspectives to their teams. 

Teams present a one-minute pitch. Selected teams moved on to a second round, where they had three minutes to present.

The challenge was especially meaningful for the founder Conrad Scotchburn BComm’26, a Saint Mary’s alumnus who is currently completing his degree, Master of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI) at the university. Conrad is a 2026 Frank H. Sobey Award recipient. He also founded the Saint Mary’s University Artificial Intelligence Society and played on the SMU Men’s Basketball team. 

“I brought a real problem to the Innovation Sprint, one we hadn't solved ourselves and left with ideas I'm using and testing. The students asked questions I hadn't thought to ask and the energy in that room was vibrant and useful to me as a founder. I'd do it again without hesitation!” — Conrad Scotchburn, Founder and CEO of Blyyss 

Teams had an hour and a half to develop their ideas before presenting a one-minute pitch. From there, selected teams moved on to a second round, where they had three minutes to present their strategy followed by a question-and-answer period. 

The winning team was made up of Connor Stewart and Patricia Tagliapetra from Dalhousie University and Jameka Woodside from Saint Mary’s University. Cooper Roberts, Nathan Crowell and Reva Bharadwaj from Saint Mary’s placed second, while Erik Batista from Memorial University, Nafey Narmeen and Zonaira Abro from Saint Mary’s and Suman Singh from Athabasca University placed third. 

“The experience has been nothing short of exceptional. It was a great intellectual exercise that allowed me to network with like-minded peers, build my confidence in collaborating with others and learn to incorporate, build on and tweak one another’s ideas to create a final piece. In the end, our collective efforts earned us first place.” — First Place Winner, Jameka Woodside, Commerce student at Saint Mary’s  

The Innovation Sprint is part of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s efforts to give students opportunities to build their skills, meet other students from across the region and work directly with local businesses. 

If you’re interested in being a part of a future Innovation Sprint, learn more here.  

Collaboration to uncover the history of Acadie’s capital formalized by Saint Mary’s University and French research partners

Version française

Delving deeper into the history of the political and religious capital of 17th-century Acadie at Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce National Historic Site of Canada at Fort Point, near La Have, Nova Scotia, is the subject of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Saint Mary’s University and a consortium of French research institutions.  

Saint Mary’s University and a consortium of French research institutions are formalizing a new international partnership to advance archaeological and historical research at Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce National Historic Site. Saint Mary’s is joining researchers from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Grenoble Alpes, and Direction des Archives et de l’Archéologie d’Indre-Loire as members of the newly established La Hève Research Consortium. 

"This project aims to update knowledge - currently incomplete and little-known - regarding a historical heritage shared by Canada and France," said Dr. Frederic Aitken, Chargé de recherche hors classe CNRS. "A cross-university Franco-Canadian collaboration involving various multidisciplinary research laboratories, private-sector entities such as museums, and civil society stakeholders will enable the pooling and enrichment of diverse forms of knowledge." 

From left, Nicolas Robinet,Ingénieur d’étude UGA, Wesley Weatherbee, Archaeologist and Anthropology Laboratory Technician, Saint Mary's University, Dr. Frederic Aitken, Chargé de recherche hors classe CNRS, and Dr.  Adam Sarty, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Saint Mary's University, Jonathon Fowler, Professor of Archaeology, Saint Mary's University, gather at the university.

"This MOU is the next important step in our ongoing collaboration, said Dr.  Adam Sarty, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Saint Mary's University.  “By bringing together researchers from Saint Mary’s, France and our local community, we can apply new technologies, expertise and perspectives to a site that still has much to tell us. This partnership also creates exciting opportunities for our students and for the public to engage directly with archaeological research.” 

Aerial view of the Fort Point peninsula, where Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce stood in the 17th century. LaHave river to the right.

Saint Mary’s researchers have been investigating the site since 2024, combining archaeological excavations with advanced remote-sensing techniques, including electromagnetic induction, ground-penetrating radar, drone-based multispectral imagery and LiDAR. Their work provides new evidence from the surviving remains of the settlement and challenges the longstanding assumption that the fort was entirely lost to coastal erosion. To date, researchers have identified evidence of a palisade line, earthworks and ground levelling, a relatively well-preserved structure believed to be the chapel, and an artifact-rich midden containing pottery, Venetian glassware, gunflints and other materials, providing new insights into life at the fort. 

The research is also bringing new context to artifacts recovered during earlier investigations and held in regional collections. Objects in the DesBrisay Museum collection in Bridgewater, including a muzzle-loading pistol barrel and a lead pilgrim token, have been re-examined in light of the current research and relocated to the Fort Point Museum for interpretation. The work builds on earlier archaeological investigations at the site, including a 1977 project in which Saint Mary’s University Anthropology students participated. 

Saint Mary's University Archaeologist and Anthropology Laboratory Technician, Wesley Weatherbee, begins a ground penetrating radar survey of the 17th century chapel of Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce.

"Lunenburg County Historical Society has long been committed to bringing attention to the importance of Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce and its place in the history”, said Jessie Grigg-Farquhar, Executive Director, Lunenburg County Historical Society / Fort Point Museum. "We’re excited about what this new research partnership can bring to our understanding of the site and of early life in LaHave. As a small, volunteer-supported museum with limited financial and human resources, partnerships like this give us an opportunity to contribute to meaningful research and expand what we know about this important part of our history." 

Community engagement has been central to the project, with Saint Mary’s researchers working closely with the Fort Point Museum and hosting public archaeology excavations that allow visitors to see the research firsthand. The La Hève Research Consortium will build on this foundation through further archaeological and historical research, artifact analysis, student learning, knowledge sharing and public engagement, with the shared goal of increasing awareness of the significance of Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce in Nova Scotia, Canada and France. 

Established in 1632 by French Naval Captain and Knight of Malta Isaac de Razilly, Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce served as the capital of Acadia and the administrative, legal and religious centre of the French colony of La Hève. The site is an important part of the early history of the Atlantic region and Canada, as well as of the longstanding historical relationship between Canada and France. The area also has an earlier connection to French exploration as Samuel de Champlain visited the region in 1604, naming it after La Havre de Grâce in France, and it was among the earliest locations mapped during his voyages. 

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Media Contact: Margaret Murphy, AVP, External Affairs  
Email: Margaret.Murphy@smu.ca 
Phone: 902-229-2264 

Une collaboration entre l’Université Saint Mary’s et des partenaires de recherche français du CNRS et de l’Université Grenoble Alpes pour mieux connaître l’histoire de la capitale de l’Acadie

English version

Une nouvelle entente entre l’Université Saint Mary’s et un consortium d’établissements de recherche français permettra d’approfondir les connaissances sur le fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce, capitale politique et religieuse de l’Acadie au XVIIe siècle. Le lieu historique du Fort-Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce de La Hève se trouve localisé sur le site de Fort Point, près de LaHave, en Nouvelle-Écosse. 

L’Université Saint Mary’s et ses partenaires français officialisent leur collaboration afin de faire progresser les recherches archéologiques et historiques sur ce site. L’Université se joint à des chercheurs issus de deux laboratoires de l’Université Grenoble Alpes (i.e. G2ELab et PACTE) au sein du nouveau Consortium de recherche de La Hève sous l’égide du CNRS. 

« Ce projet vise à actualiser les connaissances, encore incomplètes et peu diffusées, sur un patrimoine historique commun au Canada et à la France, a déclaré Frédéric Aitken, chargé de recherche au CNRS. Une collaboration franco-canadienne entre établissements universitaires, faisant appel à divers laboratoires de recherche pluridisciplinaires, à des organismes tels que les musées et à des acteurs de la société civile, permettra de mettre en commun et d’enrichir différentes formes de savoir. » 

Nicolas Robinet, Ingénieur d’étude UGA, Wesley Weatherbee, Archaeologist and Anthropology Laboratory Technician, Saint Mary's University, Dr. Frederic Aitken, Chargé de recherche hors classe CNRS, Dr.  Adam Sarty, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Saint Mary's University, Jonathon Fowler, Professor of Archaeology, Saint Mary's University.

« Ce protocole d’entente marque une nouvelle étape importante dans notre collaboration, a déclaré Adam Sarty, doyen des études supérieures et de la recherche à l’Université Saint Mary’s. En réunissant des chercheurs de Saint Mary’s et de France ainsi que des membres de la communauté locale, nous pourrons apporter de nouvelles technologies, compétences et perspectives à l’étude d’un site qui a encore beaucoup à nous apprendre. Ce partenariat offrira aussi à nos étudiants et au public des occasions stimulantes de participer directement à la recherche archéologique. » 

Vue aérienne de la péninsule de Fort Point, où se dressait le fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce au XVIIe siècle. La rivière LaHave est à droite.

Depuis 2024, les chercheurs de Saint Mary’s étudient le site en combinant des fouilles archéologiques et des techniques avancées de télédétection, notamment l’induction électromagnétique, le géoradar, l’imagerie multispectrale par drone et le LiDAR. L’étude des vestiges de l’établissement apporte de nouveaux éléments qui remettent en question l’hypothèse longtemps admise selon laquelle le fort aurait entièrement disparu sous l’effet de l’érosion côtière. À ce jour, les chercheurs ont relevé des traces d’une palissade, de terrassements et de travaux de nivellement, ainsi qu’une structure relativement bien conservée qui pourrait être la chapelle. Ils ont également repéré un dépotoir riche en artéfacts, dont des poteries, de la verrerie vénitienne et des silex de fusil, qui éclairent la vie au fort. 

Les recherches apportent aussi un nouvel éclairage sur des objets trouvés lors de fouilles antérieures et conservés dans des collections régionales. Des pièces de la collection du DesBrisay Museum, à Bridgewater, notamment un canon de pistolet à chargement par la bouche et une médaille de pèlerin en plomb, ont été réexaminées à la lumière des recherches actuelles et transférées au Fort Point Museum pour y être présentées et interprétées. Ces travaux s’inscrivent dans la continuité des recherches archéologiques menées auparavant sur le site, notamment un projet de 1977 auquel ont participé des étudiants en anthropologie de l’Université Saint Mary’s. 

Wesley Weatherbee, archéologue et technicien du laboratoire d'anthropologie de l'Université Saint Mary's, commence un levé au radar de pénétration de sol de la chapelle du XVIIe siècle du fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce.

« La Lunenburg County Historical Society s’emploie depuis longtemps à faire connaître l’importance du fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce et sa place dans l’histoire, a déclaré Jessie Grigg-Farquhar, directrice générale de la Lunenburg County Historical Society et du Fort Point Museum. Nous avons hâte de voir ce que ce nouveau partenariat de recherche nous apprendra sur le site et sur les débuts de la vie à LaHave. Pour un petit musée soutenu par des bénévoles et disposant de ressources financières et humaines limitées, de tels partenariats nous permettent de contribuer à des recherches importantes et d’approfondir notre connaissance de cette partie de notre histoire. » 

La participation de la communauté occupe une place centrale dans le projet. Les chercheurs de Saint Mary’s travaillent en étroite collaboration avec le Fort Point Museum et organisent des fouilles archéologiques ouvertes au public, qui permettent aux visiteurs d’observer les recherches de près. Le Consortium de recherche de La Hève poursuivra ce travail par de nouvelles recherches archéologiques et historiques, l’analyse d’artéfacts, la formation d’étudiants, le partage des connaissances et la participation du public. Ses membres ont pour objectif commun de mieux faire connaître l’importance du fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce en Nouvelle-Écosse, au Canada et en France. 

Établi en 1632 par Isaac de Razilly, capitaine de la marine française et Commandeur de l’Ordre de Malte, le fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce a servi de capitale de l’Acadie et de centre administratif, judiciaire et religieux pour les colonies françaises en Acadie. Le site occupe une place importante dans l’histoire ancienne de la région de l’Atlantique et du Canada, ainsi que dans les liens historiques de longue date entre le Canada et la France. La région est également liée à une période antérieure de l’exploration française : Samuel de Champlain s’y est rendu en 1604 et il a cartographié la région sous l’appellation de « Port de la heve » en mentionnant sur cette dernière un point de vue remarquable qui est dénommé « Le Cap de la Héve » associé à la lettre F. Le nom évoluera ensuite en cap de la Hève en référence au cap du même nom situé au nord du Havre de Grâce, en France.

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Contact pour les médias 

Margaret Murphy, vice-rectrice adjointe aux relations extérieures 
Courriel : Margaret.Murphy@smu.ca 
Téléphone : 902-229-2264 

Contact médias

CNRS/Université Grenoble Alpes  
Nom Aitken Frédéric, chargé de recherche au CNRS 
Courriel :  frederic.aitken@g2elab.grenoble-inp.fr 
Nom Robinet Nicolas, ingénieur d’étude UGA 
Courriel :  nicolas.robinet@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr