Emily LeBlanc

November 20, 2024

Student Support

SMUSA Wellness Week: November 24-29

Emily LeBlanc

November 20, 2024

Student Support

Join SMUSA and departments across Saint Mary’s for Fall Wellness Week from November 24-29, 2024. This week-long event series hosts activities geared towards mental health and well-being. Events include therapy dogs, paint night, pop-up health clinics, music, exercise sessions, massages, food and so much more. We welcome students, faculty and staff to attend as many events as they like!

Accessibility Information
We aim to make our events inclusive for everyone. Contact SMUSA if you have any questions or concerns.

Prizes!
Wellness Week is packed with fun and engaging events this semester. Attend as many as you can (or at least one!) for a chance to win a $100 gift card, plus other prizes. How to enter?

Check out the Fall 2024 Wellness Week schedule below
Make sure to sign in at every event you attend via a signup sheet or QR code
Two ways to win:
- The students with the highest attendance will win a prize.
- Students who attended at least one event will be entered into a raffle to win a prize (every event you attend counts as an additional raffle ticket).

Results will be shared by December 6!

Sunday, November 24

**RWT Book Club**

Presented by the Res Wellness Team

Noon | Meet in front of the Patrick Power Library and walk to the Halifax Central Library

Monday, November 25

Graphic with event info — **Gender Affirming Care Information Session**

Presented by the Pride Society, Student Health Clinic, RainBEAU Committee, SMUSA Health Plan Office and the North End Pharmacy

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | 5th Floor Common Space, Student Centre

Tuesday, November 26

**Learning Skills Workshop: Focus & Concentration**

Presented by the Student Success Centre

4-5 p.m. | LA 297

Wednesday, November 27

Laptops on a desk — **Fall Finals Pop-Up with the Peer Success Coaches**

Presented by the Student Success Centre

10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Loyola Colonnade | Student Success Centre

Thursday, November 28

Friday, November 29

Wellness Resources

For more information about wellness, please visit SMUSA Wellness Resources and SMU Health, Wellness & Supports.

Emily LeBlanc

November 20, 2024

Entrepreneurship, Media Release

Experience Ventures program brings 152 new experiential learning opportunities for students in Atlantic Canada 

Emily LeBlanc

November 20, 2024

Entrepreneurship, Media Release

Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre Partners with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking to bring Experience Ventures to students across Atlantic Canada. Experience Ventures pairs students with startups and businesses nationwide – giving 2100 students real-world placement opportunities and giving businesses access to emerging talent.

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University has recently signed an agreement to be the Regional Lead Atlantic Canada partner in Experience Ventures, a national program led by The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative. This partnership presents 152 new experiential learning opportunities for students in

Atlantic Canada to work directly with businesses, enhancing their skill sets and gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience. – but also - There are five diverse placement opportunities, including Hackathons, Challenges, Project Experiences, Student-in-Residence, and Interdisciplinary Team Projects. In each placement, students work on real-world challenges, gaining hands-on experience while earning honorariums. Business partners get access to fresh thinking and the next generation of talent.

“Entrepreneurial thinking is essential to enriching lives and advancing prosperity in Canada,” says Anica Vasic, Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. “Our goal is to ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in students across Canada to develop the next generation of talent that will build our future. With entrepreneurial thinking as our north star, we’ve helped students across the nation step outside the classroom and gain the future-ready skills they need to thrive in the new world of work. The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is a recognized Canadian leader in helping nurture this entrepreneurial mindset, which is why we’re so excited to welcome Atlantic Canada into the Experience Ventures network.”

“Young people are ready to dive in, test their ideas and turn their ideas into action. That’s why we’re so proud to support Experience Ventures through the Innovative Work Integrated Learning Initiative. This is about giving students real opportunities to learn and grow, connecting them with startups and businesses from coast to coast,” says The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. “They’ll sharpen their problem-solving skills, gain hands-on experience and carry it forward to their future careers—whether that means launching their own business or stepping into the career they’ve dreamed of.”

How it works:

• Projects run from October 2024 to February 2025.

• Students and businesses apply through Experience Ventures at the Arthur L. Irving. Entrepreneurship Centre.

• Companies provide in-kind support.

• Both students and companies go through an onboarding process and participate in one of five types of entrepreneurial thinking placements.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are vehicles that empower students to change the world and change themselves. Experience Ventures gives students that all-important ‘hands-on’ entrepreneurial experience, working with real businesses on real challenges and opportunities,” says Michael Sanderson, Director, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, Saint Mary’s University. “We are excited to work in partnership with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking to bring these opportunities to Atlantic Canada.

For deadlines and details on all 152 placement opportunities, please visit our website.

Students, please contact: paige.bigelow@smu.ca 
Businesses, please contact: denise.benison@smu.ca

About The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary

The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is a dynamic community centre dedicated to fostering student entrepreneurship, empowering faculty innovation, and building a network of entrepreneurial minds. Our mission is to enhance the University of Calgary’s entrepreneurial capacity, enabling our community to drive positive global change. Positioned as a catalyst, the Hunter Hub supports University of Calgary’s vision to become “Canada’s most entrepreneurial university.”

About the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Saint Mary’s University

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University is a creative and collaborative space open to all students in Atlantic Canada. With a focus on growth, innovation and cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, the Centre supports students and businesses – helping both grow and prosper. In the last 5-years, more than 4,000 students and 3,000 businesses have engaged with the Centre.

Le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking s'associe avec Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre afin de proposer « Experience Ventures » aux étudiants du Canada atlantique.

Experience Ventures est une initiative qui connecte des étudiants avec des jeunes pousses et des entreprises établies à travers le pays. Ce programme offre à 2 100 étudiants des opportunités de stage pratique tout en permettant aux entreprises de découvrir et de collaborer avec des talents émergents prometteurs.

Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre de l'Université Saint Mary's a récemment signé un accord pour devenir le principal partenaire régional du Canada atlantique dans le cadre d'Experience Ventures, un programme national dirigé par le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking de l'Université de Calgary et financé en partie par l’initiative d’apprentissage innovant intégré au travail du gouvernement du Canada.

Ce partenariat ouvre la voie à 152 nouvelles opportunités d’apprentissage expérientiel pour les étudiants du Canada atlantique. Ils auront la chance de collaborer directement avec des entreprises, d'améliorer leurs compétences et de gagner une précieuse expérience professionnelle. Le programme propose cinq types de stages différents : marathons de programmation, défis, expérience en projets, étudiants en résidence et projets d’équipe interdisciplinaires. Ces stages offriront aux étudiants la possibilité de s'attaquer à des défis concrets, d'acquérir une expérience pratique précieuse tout en étant rémunérés. Les entreprises partenaires profiteront de l'occasion pour se rapprocher de la prochaine génération de talents et accéder à de nouvelles idées innovantes.

Déclaration du Hunter Hub

« La pensée entrepreneuriale est essentielle pour enrichir la vie et promouvoir la prospérité au Canada », déclare Anica Vasic, directrice principale des partenariats et des initiatives stratégiques au Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. « Notre objectif est d'inculquer un esprit entrepreneurial chez les étudiants à travers le Canada. Nous sommes fiers de former laprochaine génération de talents qui bâtira notre avenir. En adoptant la pensée entrepreneuriale comme fil conducteur, nous aidons les étudiants de tout le pays à développer les compétences nécessaires pour réussir dans le monde du travail moderne. Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre est un chef de file reconnu dans le développement de la pensée entrepreneuriale. Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir le Canada atlantique au sein du réseau Experience Ventures. »

Déclaration de l'honorable Marci Ien, Ministre des Femmes, de l'Égalité des genres et de la Jeunesse

« Les jeunes sont prêts à se lancer, à tester leurs idées et à les concrétiser. C’est pourquoi nous soutenons avec fierté Experience Ventures à travers l'initiative d’apprentissage innovant intégré au travail. L'objectif est de fournir aux étudiants des opportunités concrètes d'apprentissage et de développement, en les connectant avec des jeunes pousses et des entreprises établies à travers tout le pays. Ils amélioreront leurs compétences en résolution de problèmes et acquerront une expérience pratique précieuse qu'ils pourront appliquer à leurs futures carrières, qu'il s'agisse de créer leur propre entreprise ou de décrocher le poste idéal. »

Comment ça marche :

• Les projets se dérouleront d'octobre 2024 à février 2025.

• Les étudiants et les entreprises postulent via Experience Ventures sur le site internet de Arthur L.

Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

• Les entreprises offrent un soutien en nature.

• Les étudiants et les entreprises passent par un processus d'intégration et participent à l’un des cinq types de stages de pensée entrepreneuriale.

• Les entreprises intéressées par les prochains stages doivent postuler avant le 17 octobre sachant que les places sont limitées.

Citation du Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

« L'entrepreneuriat et l'innovation sont des leviers puissants qui permettent aux étudiants de transformer le monde et de se transformer eux-mêmes. Experience Ventures offre aux étudiants cette expérience entrepreneuriale essentielle, en travaillant avec de vraies entreprises sur des défis et des opportunités concrets », déclare Michael Sanderson, directeur du Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre à l'Université Saint Mary's. « Nous sommes ravis de travailler en partenariat avec le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking pour offrir ces opportunités au Canada atlantique. »

À propos du Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking de l'Université de Calgary

Le Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking est un centre communautaire dynamique dédié à promouvoir l'entrepreneuriat auprès des étudiants, à encourager l'innovation académique et à créer un réseau d'esprits entrepreneurs.

Notre mission est de renforcer la capacité entrepreneuriale de l'Université de Calgary pour favoriser un changement positif à l'échelle mondiale. Le Hunter Hub soutient la vision de l'Université de Calgary de devenir « l'université la plus entrepreneuriale du Canada. »

À propos du Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre et de l'Université Saint Mary's

Le Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre de l'Université Saint Mary's est un espace créatif et collaboratif accessible à tous les étudiants du Canada atlantique. En se concentrant sur la croissance, l'innovation et la culture entrepreneuriale, le Centre soutient activement les étudiants et les entreprises dans leur développement et leur réussite. Au cours des cinq dernières années, plus de 4 000 étudiants et 3 000 entreprises ont collaboré avec le Centre.

Emily LeBlanc

November 18, 2024

Entrepreneurship, Alumni

Students innovate retail at Market Price Hackathon

Emily LeBlanc

November 18, 2024

Entrepreneurship, Alumni

Students pitching their ideas for Market Price’s business strategy in winter

A team of students who won the first place at the Hackathon with Matthew Smith BComm’18 and Lauren Ferguson BComm’20

Matthew Smith BComm’18 and Lauren Ferguson BComm’20 kicking off the event with their presentations

Lauren Ferguson BComm’20 working with students

Students brainstorming for presentations

More than 30 undergraduate students from Saint Mary’s, Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent and NSCAD gathered for the two-day Market Price Hackathon held on October 30 and November 6. The event brought together talented students to take on an engaging challenge: boosting foot traffic during the winter months for an alumni-owned retail business, Market Price.

In collaboration with the David Sobey Retail Centre and the Experience Ventures team at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, this hackathon offered students the unique chance to dive into the world of retail innovation. They were mentored by Market Price’s own dynamic founders, Matthew Smith BComm’18 and Lauren Ferguson BComm’20, who provided hands-on guidance from start to finish, as well as by retail expert Rameesh Venkat, Director of the David Sobey Retail Centre. Market Price's unique branding, inspired by a fish market, tells a visual story that students thoughtfully integrated into their Hackathon concepts. This narrative, woven into Market Price’s space and branding, served as a critical design anchor for student teams as they developed ideas.

Students tackled their task with innovative ideas, ranging from immersive in-store experiences to community-driven events. They used entrepreneurial thinking to craft strategies that would draw in customers despite Halifax’s chilly winter. One unforgettable idea came from a student team who proposed an attention-grabbing “Break the Ice” event. Their concept? Encasing a pair of Market Price’s signature sneakers in a giant block of ice displayed outside the store during winter. Shoppers and passersby would have the chance to chip away at the ice, with the lucky first person to fully break through winning the shoes. The idea sparked excitement among mentors and students alike, showcasing the team’s creative approach to engaging the community and drawing in new customers.

“The Market Price Hackathon was incredible!” shared one student participant. “Being able to work with real business owners like Matt and Lauren while getting direct input on our ideas really gave us a taste of the entrepreneurial world.”

"It was great to be part of it. We learned a lot from the students, and it was really nice to get involved with the community and our alumni connection [at Saint Mary’s University]," says Lauren. “I definitely recommend other businesses participate in the Experience Ventures Hackathon, especially small businesses in the community—it really gets you involved and sparks some great ideas,” Ferguson added.

More opportunities are coming for you! Spots are limited—find our upcoming events and sign up today here.

Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables post-secondary students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. Experience Ventures is funded by the Government of Canada and is delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions nationwide. Saint Mary’s University’s Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is the Regional Lead Atlantic Canada partner in Experience Ventures.

Rachelle Boudreau

November 14, 2024

Accessibility focus groups and survey

Rachelle Boudreau

November 14, 2024

We want to hear from you!

Please help us make Saint Mary’s University a more accessible and inclusive place for everyone!

We invite you to share your experiences and insights by participating in a focus group and/or completing our accessibility survey. Please consider taking part —your feedback is essential to shaping our 2025–2028 Saint Mary’s University accessibility plan.

Focus Groups

We will be hosting focus groups on the following dates:

Monday, November 25, 3:00 pm
On campus (details will be provided upon registration)
Please register before November 21, 2024
Thursday, November 28, 10 am
On campus (details will be provided upon registration)
Please register before November 25, 2024
To register, please use your SMU email account to contact Jennifer Webb (jennifer.webb@smu.ca) and include the following information:
- full name
- role (student, employee, other)
- any accommodation requests

Survey

The survey will be open on November 28, 2024. Watch for the link in the next Saint Mary’s University community bulletin!

Rachelle Boudreau

November 14, 2024

What you need to know about a possible Canada Post strike

Rachelle Boudreau

November 14, 2024

Canada Post has provided the following update on the current labour negotiations with CUPW:

While we are all hopeful that an agreement will be reached, there is a possibility that a labour disruption may occur.
Strike action could begin on November 15 if postal workers can’t negotiate a new contract.
Since a labour disruption remains a possibility, customers are encouraged to take precautions.

What this means for postal service at Saint Mary’s

Canada Post will not operate in the event of a full labour disruption. Mail and parcels will not be delivered and no new items will be accepted.
Mail and parcels currently in the postal system would be secured for the duration of a disruption and be delivered as quickly as possible when they resume operations.
Since Canada Post is considered an essential service, they could be legislated back to work if there is a strike.

Mail Services encourages all departments to seek out other ways to communicate and send data.

You may wish to consider:

Using electronic means of scan/e-mail/fax whenever possible.
Consider using one of our courier agreements:
1. Local courier: All Points Courier/Medic Delivery Services
2. UPS/FedEx: NOTE: UPS, FedEx, and other major courier deliveries to rural areas also could be affected because, in certain cases, Canada Post carries these documents and parcels for the last few kilometres of their journey.
  Dan Wile, Mail Services, McNally Main 023

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact:

Dan Wile, Mail Services, McNally Main 023
P: 420-5178
E: dan.wile@smu.ca

Emily LeBlanc

November 13, 2024

Athletics and Recreation, Faculty of Arts, Student Success

Snowboarder competing for SMU and Canada at World University Games

Emily LeBlanc

November 13, 2024

Athletics and Recreation, Faculty of Arts, Student Success

Tristan on a ski hill in snowboard gear — Tristan Weigelin

While many of us are dreading the arrival of winter snow, Tristan Weigelin can’t wait for it. Next week, the Dartmouth athlete heads to the Yukon for pre-season training to prepare for an international snowboarding competition. In January, he will represent Saint Mary’s University and Canada in the snowboard cross competition at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Torino, Italy.

With little time left to prepare for the trip to Europe, the first-year Arts student is focused on training and fundraising, along with his schoolwork, as the fall term wraps up. He invites the SMU community to join him on Saturday, November 16 for a Pub Night Fundraiser at the Gorsebrook Lounge on campus. Drop by from 7 to 10 p.m. to meet Tristan, win prizes and enjoy a night out with friends. Up for grabs are winnings from a 50/50 draw, a snowboard, and two full-day lift tickets and rentals at Ski Martock.

Tristan’s earliest experience with downhill snow sports was at age four when he first started skiing. He recalls, “Apparently, after my first ski lesson, I went up to my mom and said, ‘That was fun. When can I snowboard?’”

He got his first snowboard at age eight and has been “shredding up mountains ever since.” His whole family has enjoyed snowboarding for years, and his younger brother Owen also races competitively.

Tristan wears a SMU tshirt and poses with his snowboard inside the Gorsebrook pub — Tristan will host a fundraiser at the Gorsebrook Pub on November 16 to support his trip to the FISU World University Games in Italy

A member of the Nova Scotia Snowboarding Team until going solo recently, Tristan has won more than 40 medals and was the provincial series champion in 2018, 2019 and 2022. In 2023, he represented Nova Scotia at the Canada Winter Games, and he has seen success in races across the country. He appreciates the adrenaline rush of racing and the discipline and focus required to navigate the various banks, turns, rollers, jumps and other challenges of a Snowboard Cross track.

Tristan is among six athletes representing Canada in snowboard cross at Torino, including four men and two women. They’ll have just a few days to practise on the track in Italy before the competition begins on January 13. A few weeks ahead of time, all participants will receive a CGI version of the track to study, a 3D digital model of what to expect. In the meantime, Tristan is busy with fitness conditioning, weight training and specific workouts for core strength, balance and agility.

“Snowboarding has shaped who I am, both on and off the slopes,” he says on his Snow Athletes Canada webpage. Competing in the sport has helped to develop qualities that make a difference in school and everyday life as well, from patience and flexibility to handling pressure.

Tristan chose Saint Mary’s for his studies because the university offered programs in both criminology and Japanese studies, and he’s also dabbling in literature and ancient studies courses during his first year.

“I’m taking a collage of things I’m interested in,” he says, adding that he hopes to study abroad in Japan for a year while completing his degree.

Right now, he’s balancing schoolwork with fundraising efforts to help toward $10,000 in upcoming travel costs, accommodations in Italy, coaching and race fees and equipment, plus pre-season training in the Yukon from Nov. 22 to December 2.

Along with Saturday’s pub night on campus, two more fundraisers are coming up:

Oxygen Hot Yoga and Fitness hosts a yoga fundraiser on Sunday, November 17, 1-2 p.m.; 960 Cole Harbour Rd., Dartmouth.

Colleen’s Pub in Dartmouth hosts a fundraiser on Friday, December 6, 7-10 p.m., with live music by Jeff Bonang; 200 Waverley Rd., Dartmouth

Related reading:

Follow Tristan’s competition updates on Instagram at @tristan_snowboarding

Visit Tristan’s fundraising page on the Snow Athletes Canada website

Learn more about the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games

Emily LeBlanc

November 13, 2024

Convocation, Student Success, Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts

Meet your Valedictorians: Fall Convocation 2024

Emily LeBlanc

November 13, 2024

Convocation, Student Success, Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts

Three students will address their graduating classes at the upcoming Fall Convocation ceremonies at Saint Mary’s University. These graduates, recipients of the John and Heather Fitzpatrick Valedictorian Awards, were selected for their academic determination, involvement on campus and in their communities, and their unique journeys to the graduation podium.

All graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed at smu.ca/graduation on November 14 and 15. Congratulations, graduates!

Krystal Lowe

Master of Science, Applied Psychology
Faculty of Graduate Studies | Thursday, November 14 at 2 p.m.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Krystal Lowe relocated to Halifax in 2013 with a dream of building a more meaningful life. She will graduate with a Master of Science in Applied Psychology (Forensic Stream) from Saint Mary’s University as a mature, first-generation student. Krystal’s academic journey began at 23 when she completed her high school diploma at the Nova Scotia Community College before enrolling at Saint Mary’s, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Psychology in 2022.

Krystal’s master’s research, Suicidality Among Individuals with a History of Criminal Behavior – A Test of the Three Step Theory of Suicide, earned her both the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s, and Scotia Scholar’s Master’s Award. During her time at SMU, she has worked as a teaching assistant and research assistant in the Department of Psychology, focusing on topics at the intersection of psychology and law. She also assisted with research on sexual violence on Canadian campuses in the Department of Criminology and served as the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative Coordinator, where she facilitated programs and workshops for the SMU community. Simultaneously, Krystal worked with Public Safety Canada as a research analyst in the Corrections Research Unit, where she assisted with files related to risk profiling, sexual violence and coercion in federal custody, and best practices in reducing recidivism. Her publications include work on domestic violence disclosure schemes and correctional psychology, and she remains an active researcher.

When she isn’t working, Krystal enjoys writing, yoga, and hiking with her fiancé and two dogs. After graduation, Krystal will continue her work as the Education and Prevention Coordinator with the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, where she is deeply passionate about developing training and education to support the well-being of those working in the violence-against-women sector, as well as public education to reduce domestic and intimate partner violence.

Krystal expresses deep gratitude to those who have supported and empowered her throughout her academic journey, particularly Dr. Marguerite Ternes, Dr. Veronica Stinson, Dr. Diane Crocker, and soon-to-be Dr. Dee Dooley, for their mentorship and guidance.

Anubhav Gupta

Bachelor of Commerce
Sobey School of Business (undergraduate) | Friday, November 15 at 10 a.m.

Born and raised in Chandigarh, India, Anubhav graduates from the Sobey School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce, summa cum laude, achieving a GPA of 4.29 with a double major in Finance and Computing & Information Systems.

Anubhav began his on-campus involvement as the Financial Director for the Commerce Society and a presenter for Enactus Saint Mary’s, where he secured first place in the national Scotiabank Climate Action challenge. He was also a Teaching Assistant with the Finance Department, a Global Skills Opportunity Ambassador, a Residence Assistant, and the Co-Curricular Record Engagement Facilitator. Anubhav served as the Vice-President (Advocacy) for SMUSA where he sat on the university’s Board of Governors, served as the primary spokesperson to the government, championed the student voice on several EDIA issues, and successfully spearheaded initiatives like the Zero Textbook Cost Course List and the Final Exam Weightage Regulation. During his time at SMU, he also received several awards, including the Academic Achievement Award, Chrysler Canada Scholarship, SMUFU Gold Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and the Student Leadership Recognition Award.

Passionate about making a difference, Anubhav aspires to take the lessons learnt at SMU and contribute to the community. He wants to study further and is presently trying to unravel what career path to embark upon – while the future is uncertain, Anubhav is excited about the endless opportunities to continue to learn and grow as an individual. He credits the wonderful friends he made at SMU, his professors, the mentors he has found here, and his family for their unwavering support that has made his achievements possible.  

Magnolia Lillian Rice

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Faculty of Arts & Faculty of Science (undergraduate) | Friday, November 15 at 2 p.m.

Born and raised in Vermont, USA, Magnolia Rice is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, with Honours in Criminology and a minor in Anthropology.

During her time at SMU, Magnolia was heavily involved in the community both on and off campus, acting as President of the Anthropology Society, Vice-President of the Criminology Society, a Pack Leader, a member of the Art’s Societies Gala Planning Committee, and a volunteer for multiple open-houses and campus events. She was also involved in the 7th Step Society of Nova Scotia, where she volunteered and wrote grants with people who have had conflict with the law, and she is currently involved in their Youth Justice program as a grant researcher. These experiences bolstered her sense of community, and she currently works as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at Common Good Vermont, working to strengthen Vermont’s nonprofit sector.

During her final year at SMU, Magnolia was a Teaching Assistant for the Criminology Department. She wrote her Honours Thesis on the motivations behind alcohol consumption in Vermont and was awarded the McMullan & Rege Honours in Criminology Convocation Award.

Magnolia is very grateful for the people she met at Saint Mary’s and would like to specifically thank her parents and family, her incredible friends, and her professors for supporting her throughout her degree. She could not have done this without them.

Read the convocation program

Emily LeBlanc

November 7, 2024

Sobey School of Business, Student Success

Preparing students for the workplace with AI learning

Emily LeBlanc

November 7, 2024

Sobey School of Business, Student Success

Anubhav and Bryce stand behind a laptop on a table. There is a mural behind them. — BComm student Anubhav Gupta with Bryce Cross

Anubhav Gupta, a Bachelor of Commerce student at Saint Mary’s University, is experiencing firsthand the integration of cutting-edge AI technology in his education. Under the guidance of Sobey School of Business Lecturer Bryce Cross, who heavily incorporates large language models (LLMs) into his PhD research, Gupta and his classmates are getting unique exposure to AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot.

Large language models (LLMs) have automated many low-end tasks. In finance, LLMs can be used to rapidly sift through vast volumes of text or numerical data to extract valuable insights that would otherwise be nearly impossible to find. Previously, students would manually download data, conduct tests, and interpret results. Now, they can input data into models like ChatGPT and receive answers almost immediately, allowing them to focus on theoretical aspects and implications.

Bryce wears a blue blazer and tartan tie and glasses. He smiles. — Bryce Cross

“In our financial statement analysis course, we emphasize understanding these tools. Students learn to prove concepts using statistical methods. We’ve known for a long time that markets are efficient in incorporating new information into stock prices, but students can now use an LLM to interpret data and demonstrate concepts like market efficiency in real-time, driving home lessons that were previously somewhat abstract in the minds of students. Integrating LLMs into the curriculum ensures students are well-prepared for the modern workforce,” says Cross.

“Professor Cross loves talking about his research, and he tries to integrate it with the concepts he’s teaching,” Gupta shared. This approach has allowed students to engage with AI in practical ways, such as a bonus point assignment where they used ChatGPT to analyze mystery companies, prompting the model to match anonymous balance sheets to the correct industry. “It was an interesting experience to see how AI and LLMs work and their limitations. You can use it, but you can’t replace the knowledge you’re learning at university,” Gupta explained.

The evolution of data handling: from 1995 to today

In 1995, data handling was a meticulous process. Creating datasets with 3,000 or 4,000 observations was a significant achievement, as databases were manually compiled from documents. For example, to find out Apple’s revenue in 1994, a data provider would manually enter information from SEC filings into a database. These databases were closely guarded and contained extensive information on various topics.

Today, advanced models can process vast amounts of data almost instantaneously, recognizing patterns and extracting relevant information. “This advancement allows researchers to analyze data more efficiently and answer complex questions that were previously very difficult, or impossible, to answer,” says Cross. “At Saint Mary’s University and the Sobey School, we are preparing students to use these advanced tools in the workplace. Embracing these technologies improves efficiency and opens new possibilities for research and analysis,” Cross explains.

Applications for AI in the classroom and workplace

Gupta believes that this exposure to AI will be beneficial in the job market. “I think the job market is still a bit hesitant towards AI, but that will change dramatically as AI progresses,” he said. He emphasized the importance of being able to use AI effectively, noting that while AI might not replace jobs, it will certainly change how tasks are performed. “For example, we can use AI to develop business cases. It helps to start with AI-generated content and then improve and adjust accordingly.”

Anubhav stands in a hallway. He smiles, wearing a red sweater and glasses. — Anubhav Gupta

Gupta is currently interning at Nova Scotia Power with the business value team. He even found using AI helpful in his role on the student social committee. “I’m throwing an event for interns, and I used Copilot to create a checklist of steps, which made things easier,” he said. Additionally, Gupta has utilized AI for academic purposes, such as preparing presentations and drafting outlines for papers. “Many students use ChatGPT to get a draft structure or outline, which is encouraged by professors,” he noted.

Reflecting on the future, Gupta mentioned a senior professor’s comparison of the current AI revolution to the Internet revolution. “In five years, AI will become an indispensable tool, so it’s good that we’re getting some exposure to it right now as undergraduates,” he said.

As Gupta prepares to graduate with a double major in finance and computing and information systems, he is optimistic about his career prospects. “I’m hoping to work in finance and use my computing and information systems major to supplement my finance knowledge. Fintech is an emerging field that everyone is talking about,” he shared. Gupta is enjoying his time at Nova Scotia Power and hopes to find a full-time opportunity there.

He is also on a path of discovery, having coffee chats with diverse professionals to figure out his ideal future career. “I enjoy finance, and I’m good at it, but I also enjoy working with people, and I want to make a difference.”

When asked about the best part of being a BComm student, Gupta highlighted the community at Saint Mary’s University. “I was involved with the Global Exchange office, Career and Experiential Learning, and various societies like the Commerce Society and Enactus. You find your community here; with that support, there are endless opportunities,” he said. Gupta also found mentors in his professors, who continue to support him.

As AI continues to evolve, students like Gupta are at the forefront, learning to navigate and leverage these powerful tools in their academic and professional lives.

Study business at Saint Mary's

Emily LeBlanc

November 5, 2024

Entrepreneurship, Student Success

Innovation Sprint: from classroom to community—students gain hands-on learning and make impact

Emily LeBlanc

November 5, 2024

Entrepreneurship, Student Success

Students ignite change at L’Arche Homefires with innovative solutions.

Students learning about one of the L’Arche Homefires’ programs, Applewicks

Students and L’Arche Homefires

Ryan Oxner (L’Arche Homefires Rep) and a winning team of students from Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie, Iram Shaikh, Noof Al Shehhi and Pari Mehra

Ryan Oxner (L’Arche Homefires Rep) with a team composed of Krutik Chaudhary (Dal), Yash Roushan (Dal) and Luke Mainwaring (Acadia) who won the third place

Ryan Oxner (L’Arche Homefires Rep) with a team of Acadia students Patrick Stanbrook and Tyler Kennedy who won the second place

Students brainstorming solutions and preparing for their presentation

Last week, a dynamic group of 19 students from Saint Mary’s University, Acadia University, Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University joined forces in an Innovation Sprint to address a real-world challenge faced by L’Arche Homefires, a local organization dedicated to creating inclusive communities for adults with developmental disabilities. Innovation Sprints are led by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, a leader in bringing students and businesses together to solve problems.

L’Arche Homefires offers a variety of programs, including Applewicks, where adults with special needs create beautiful handmade products, such as candles, to generate revenue. However, the organization was seeking innovative solutions to enhance its online presence, optimize its retail operations, and increase foot traffic.

Through a series of collaborative workshops, brainstorming sessions, and expert mentorship, the students delved into the heart of L’Arche Homefires’ challenges. They explored potential strategies to address major concerns around sales and growth strategy for their store and helped build a strong business plan.

A team of students—Iram Shaikh and Pari Mehra from Saint Mary’s and Noof Al Shehhi from Dalhousie—impressed L’Arche Homefires with an innovative solution. They built a list of proposed weekly activities and a timeline from November to December, improving brand awareness and increasing revenue streams. At the end of the day, the team ultimately won first place with a $1,000 cash prize.

Participating students said, “Learning everything about L’Arche Homefires was very impactful.” “Having the learning experience with L’Arche Homefires, but also learning about a part of our community was incredible.” “A major takeaway is that practice will make progress.” By participating in Innovation Sprints, students gained invaluable practical skills, made connections with industry professionals and contributed to the growth and success of local businesses.

About Innovation Sprint

Innovation Sprint is a short, focused event that brings business and keen, creative students together to generate ideas and solutions to business problems. During the Innovation Sprint, participants:

engage in time-sensitive bursts of intensive problem-solving and developing business solutions;
receive insightful resources and mentorship, helping them address business challenges;
learn how to facilitate rapid and effective outputs to challenges they may face in their business. This is a unique entrepreneurial experience that can be translated into their own chosen fields;
collaborate with students from across Atlantic Canada from various faculties and disciplines.

At the end of the Sprint, businesses choose the winning teams. First-place winners receive $1,000, second-place winners receive $700, and third-place winners receive $300.

Join an upcoming Innovation Sprint!

Emily LeBlanc

November 4, 2024

Sobey School of Business, Alumni, Athletics and Recreation

Celebrating Women in Business: Highlights from the 2024 Conference

Emily LeBlanc

November 4, 2024

Sobey School of Business, Alumni, Athletics and Recreation

Women in Sport Business conference panel

Panellists with moderator Cheryl MacDonald

Shannon Susko opened the event

Keynote speaker Signa Butler shares with the crowd

Audience members participated in a Q&A

Signa Butler with conference attendees

The 6th Annual Women in Business Conference, held on October 3, was a remarkable gathering that celebrated the achievements and contributions of women in the sport business landscape, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of women in varsity sport at Saint Mary's. Drawing over 120 participants, including student-athletes, alumni, former SMU women athletes, and community partners, the event created an inspiring atmosphere filled with energy, collaboration, and a shared commitment to empowering women.

Under the theme "Game On! Celebrating Women in Sport Business," the conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers. Keynote speaker Signa Butler BA'96, a seasoned CBC sports and Olympics commentator, captivated the audience with her compelling stories and insights. She shared her journey from athlete to working in the sport business world, breaking barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field. Accompanying her was special guest speaker Shannon Byrne Susko BComm'89 BSc'92, a serial entrepreneur and leadership coach, who shared invaluable lessons on resilience and empowerment in the business world.

The event also included an engaging panel discussion that showcased dynamic women making significant strides in the sport industry.

Panelists included:

Keisha Turner BA'12, Co-founder of Starberry Drink Co. and Akwekon Enterprises Inc.
Justine Colley-Leger BComm'14, Director of Athletics at Halifax Grammar School
Meghan Chayka, Co-Founder/CEO of Stathletes, a hockey data and analytics company
Brittany Burke, Co-founder, CEO, and Manager of JUST Cycle

The panel was moderated by Cheryl MacDonald BA'10, CEO of Sport New Brunswick, who facilitated a rich discussion on their journeys and the future of women in leadership roles.

This year's conference not only celebrated women's remarkable achievements but also set the stage for future collaboration and innovation among women in sport business. The event highlighted the incredible power that women hold in business, leaving a positive impression on those present.

We are grateful to our sponsors for their invaluable support, including:

Metromonics – Champion Maker Sponsor
The Sobey family, the Sobey Foundation, and Sobey Inc. – Cheer Master Sponsors
Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health and Vallis Law and Strategic Solutions – Sideline Super Supporter Sponsors
Evolve, CIBC Wood Gundy, and O'Regans – Fabulous Fan Sponsors
In-kind sponsors included Halifax Wanderers, Halifax Tides, and Evolve.

As we reflect on this year's conference's success, we eagerly anticipate next year's event and look forward to continuing this vital conversation about empowering women in the business world.

Emily LeBlanc

October 31, 2024

Faculty of Arts, Research, Faculty/staff

Anthropology team unveiling history at Halifax Burying Ground

Emily LeBlanc

October 31, 2024

Faculty of Arts, Research, Faculty/staff

Dr. Jonathan Fowler, an Anthropology professor at Saint Mary’s, is using ground-penetrating radar at the Old Burying Ground in Halifax. He and his team will use the data to create an interactive map that unveils the history of the people buried there.

“For the first time, we’re coming through here with surveying gear and very high precision GPS equipment, and we’ve mapped…over 1,200 stones,” says Fowler in a video interview with CBC in September 2024. He explains that there is a 1:10 ratio for headstone markers to people buried at the Grounds.

Learn more about this work and its importance to Halifax’s history at CBC.ca.

Watch the video at CBC.ca

Emily LeBlanc

October 29, 2024

Black AfricanNS community, Alumni, Faculty of Arts, Convocation, Student Success

Kane Writers Award: Apply by November 30

Emily LeBlanc

October 29, 2024

Black AfricanNS community, Alumni, Faculty of Arts, Convocation, Student Success

2023 recipient Trayvone Clayton with Edna Kane

The Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award supports aspiring writers of African Nova Scotian and Black/African descent. Valued at $30,000, the award will be presented to an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts upon graduation from Saint Mary’s.

2025 award criteria

To be eligible, undergraduate BA and BES students must:

be graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2025,
be Canadian citizens or permanent residents,
identify as Black/African descended, with priority going to African Nova Scotian students,
have good academic standing,
have demonstrable financial need, and
aspire to a career in writing, broadly defined.

This award was established through the generosity of alumnus Floyd Kane BA’92, a writer, lawyer, filmmaker and creator of the acclaimed TV series, Diggstown. It aims to reduce financial roadblocks for graduating students by supporting them in pursuing further studies, training or self-directed projects to advance their writing aspirations.

Broadly defined, a career in writing can include (but is not limited to) creative writing, poetry, songwriting, spoken word performance, film/television writing, multimedia creation, or an academic career path in the arts and humanities.

Application deadline: Saturday, November 30, 2024

Learn more and apply today!

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