Snowboarder competing for SMU and Canada at World University Games

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 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   

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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 

Meet your Valedictorians: Fall Convocation 2024

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!

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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.

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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.   

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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. 

Anthropology team unveiling history at Halifax Burying Ground

Source: CBC.ca/Josh Hoffman

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.

Kane Writers Award: Apply by November 30

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

Related reading

• Class of 2024: Kane Writers Award recipient Rheannon Richards BA'24

• Embracing the power of writing with new Kane Award

• Removing barriers to increase access to education

Saint Mary's team has impressive finish at Enactus World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan

Enactus Saint Mary’s team and faculty advisers from Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

Presenters pitching at the top 16 round of competition

Co-Presidents: Paige Bigelow BComm’24, Susan MacInnis, Courtney Dingle and Gabe Martin

Accesstructure team: Hannah Meagher, Ashish Ganapathy and Aneesa Hussain

Early Stage competition presenters: Maya Campbell, Lydia Lee, Vaishali Sachdeva and Rebecca Sullivan

The Saint Mary’s University Enactus team has returned home, buoyed by the thrill of placing in the top 16 in the world, with an exceptional performance at the prestigious Enactus World Cup, held October 2-4 in Astana, Kazakhstan.  

The team's journey to the World Cup began in May 2024, when the Enactus Saint Mary’s team secured the Enactus National Championship title against 49 Canadian post-secondary institutions. This victory propelled them, for the first time in SMU history, to the world's premier stage for student-led business innovation and social impact.  

Facing fierce competition with pioneering solutions 

This year, the Cup brought together teams from 29 countries. The competition was fierce, with talented teams from Germany, Morocco, Republic of Korea and Tunisia, vying for the top prize. While Tunisia ultimately secured the top spot, Enactus Saint Mary's distinguished themselves with their innovative projects, Plastarch and Square Roots, and dedication to social good. Square Roots tackles the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity by rescuing "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded and offering it at affordable prices, and Plastarch is a pioneering enterprise to develop a sustainable bioplastic alternative for food packaging and utensils crafted from an unlikely source—discarded potatoes.  

Co-Presidents of Enactus Saint Mary's, Courtney Dingle and Gabe Martin say," To highlight a specific moment from the 2024 Enactus World Cup that was impactful to our team we would point to the cultural fair that happened before the opening ceremonies. Getting to share local snacks, play field hockey sticks with the other teams, and share our Canadian pride was an amazing experience. Being at an Enactus competition is always such a collaborative experience and that was equally true at the 2024 Enactus World Cup. Meeting teams from across the world and feeling supported by them meant so much to everyone on our team, and it was magical to be able to support students from other countries as well. The 2024 Enactus World Cup was an amazing experience for our team, to get to showcase our work on the global stage and get feedback from such diverse perspectives is something we really value. We are so grateful for all of the support we have had to get to this point and are so proud of every member of our team for their dedication and for the work they have put in to reach this level." 

Courtney Dingle

Gabe Martin

In addition to placing in the top 16 in the World Cup, a team of two Enactus Saint Mary’s team members, Aneesa Hussain and Ashish Ganapathy, and Hannah Meagher from Dalhousie placed second in the Bentley—iTwin4Good Challenge held at the Enactus World Cup with a $2,000 USD prize. Their innovative project, Accesstructure, showcased their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Accesstructure is platform that automates accessibility audits of campus facilities, identifying non-compliance issues across various legislation and standards. The groundbreaking tool ensures that campus environments are inclusive and welcoming for all students, staff and visitors.  

The Accesstructure team reflects the experience saying, “Our biggest takeaway from the competition was the cultural exchange that took place not only during the cultural exhibition but throughout the remainder of the competition and afterward too. Meeting people from different continents, and sharing food, games, and music amongst ourselves helped us broaden our horizons and gain a richer perspective. Another highlight was participating in the iTwin4Good challenge at the Enactus World Cup, where we had the opportunity to present innovative solutions that address social and environmental issues through technology. This challenge reinforced the importance of creating lasting impact and reminded us that, regardless of the differences in our cultures or backgrounds, we all share a common goal: to build a better, more inclusive future. The connections we made and the ideas exchanged throughout the competition will continue to inspire us as we work towards making a meaningful difference in our communities.” 

“We are so proud of the hard work and everything that the teams have accomplished this year. Square Roots, Plastarch and Accesstructure are leading examples of Enactus project success, the impact students can have on the UN SDG goals, and how a social enterprise can continue to grow, evolve and support sustainability in the community and beyond,” said Catherine Fowler, President and CEO of Enactus Canada. 

Team visiting Canadian Embassy in Astana

Nathaniel Collier, Tyler Hutchinson and Gabe Martin in front of Astana Opera

A student shopping at a souvenir shop

Hanging out at a park in Astana, Kazakhstan

Tyler Hutchinson, Sara Wheeler, Maya Campbell, Gabe Marting in the Astana Grand Mosque

Aneesa Hussain and Mya MacDonald at the shopping mall

Iconic Future Energy Museum Nur Alem

From Halifax to Astana: a once-in-a-lifetime journey  

The journey to the Enactus World Cup was an adventure in itself. Astana, with its futuristic architecture and vibrant culture, provided a stunning backdrop for the competition. 

The team ventured beyond the competition, immersing themselves in Kazakh culture. They engaged with local people, visited iconic architectures, savoured traditional cuisine such as beshbarmak and shashlyk. This cultural exchange fostered understanding and appreciation. 

A visit to the Canadian Embassy in Astana further strengthened their connection with the global Canadian community. They met with embassy officials, discussing the importance of their work and the opportunities and challenges faced by Canadians abroad. 

Almost recovered from intense preparation and competition, a long transcontinental journey and significant time change, the Enactus Saint Mary’s team is already talking about the path to the next National and International championships. 

Join the Enactus Saint Mary's Team! 

Are you a passionate student looking to make a difference? The Enactus Saint Mary's team is comprised of 80 dedicated students from diverse backgrounds, all united by a passion for creating positive change, and is always looking for new members to join its ranks.  If you are interested in joining a dynamic team that tackles real-world challenges, visit their website to learn more about getting involved. 

About Enactus 

Enactus is a global nonprofit organization that empowers students to use entrepreneurial action to address social and environmental challenges. Enactus chapters around the world work together to develop and implement innovative projects that create positive change. Through Enactus, students gain valuable skills in leadership, teamwork and entrepreneurship, while also making a meaningful impact on their communities. 

Enactus can be followed @enactus. To learn more, visit enactus.org.

Saint Mary’s University announces Dr. Margaret MacDonald as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Dr. Margaret MacDonald

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Dr. Margaret MacDonald, a distinguished scholar in the Department for the Study of Religion, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. This prestigious recognition highlights Dr. MacDonald’s significant contributions to the field of early Christian studies and her pioneering work in the social-scientific interpretation of the letters of Paul.

Dr. MacDonald’s research has garnered international acclaim, with her monographs translated into Italian and Spanish, and she has held leadership roles in various academic circles. She currently holds the esteemed Santamarian Chair for the Faculty of Arts at Saint Mary’s University. Her innovative approach has opened new pathways of research, engaging with contemporary issues of power, family dynamics, and gender constructions.

“We are pleased to see Dr. MacDonald’s exceptional work recognized at the highest level,” said Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “Her dedication and groundbreaking research have enriched the academic community at large and spotlights the high calibre of scholarly work being undertaken by so many of our professors in the Faculty of Arts.”

The Royal Society of Canada Fellowship is among the highest honours a Canadian scholar can receive, celebrating outstanding achievement in the arts, humanities, and sciences. 

 One hundred and four new Fellows have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly achievements. 

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the RSC will induct the 2024 Fellows and Members of the RSC College at a ceremony as part of the Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Acclaimed multi-sport athlete turned CBC sports broadcaster

Signa Butler BA’96 Hons’98

As a kid, Signa Butler BA’96 Hons’98 was an early and committed sports fan. She read the sports section of the newspaper from front to back and routinely begged her parents to let her stay up and watch Hockey Night in Canada. She was also the only girl talking sports in the schoolyard with all the guys.

“My ultimate choice of career was not a surprise to anyone who knew me back then,” laughs the CBC Sports play-by-play commentator, host, and writer. Her career spans 20 years, 12 Olympic Games, and a long stint as the national morning sports host. Today, Signa is one of the only women on the network who does play-by-play for a growing list of sports, including freestyle skiing, speed skating, diving, volleyball and soccer.

Growing up in Halifax in the 1980s and 1990s, Signa was always a multi-sport athlete. She played soccer and basketball and was a competitive gymnast, all before high school. When she started at St. Patrick’s High, she added indoor field hockey to the mix. For the next three years, she played soccer, basketball and field hockey at the varsity and provincial levels.

Upon graduation, Signa was recruited by several universities but chose Saint Mary’s because it was a school she was already super familiar with. Her parents, Richard and Christine, are both alumni. She’d grown up going to Saint Mary’s sports camps, and their whole family had attended countless Huskies games over the years.

While her goal was to play both soccer and basketball at University, she soon realized that her greater strength and her best potential lay in soccer. And she was lucky enough to have not one but three phenomenal coaches during her five years at Saint Mary’s.

Two of them—Linda Whitehead and Joanne Evans—were head coaches at a time when not many women were in that role. “They fought really hard for resources and equality in those early days,” says Signa, adding that their passion and dedication inspired a group of young women who were student-athletes.

Joanne Evans BSc’89 BEd ’90, head coach from 1995-1997, was similarly impressed with Signa. “She was not only an accomplished soccer player but an excellent team captain, leading with integrity and determination,” says Joanne, who had been a star Huskies soccer player herself. Calling her a “firecracker,” Joanne says Signa was a natural leader, full of the kind of spunk and personality that has made her a success at CBC Sports. “As a Saint Mary’s alumna, I’m so proud to watch Signa advocate for women’s sports across Canada and around the world.”

A firecracker, indeed. During her time on the Huskies women’s soccer team, Signa received numerous awards and accolades. She was a four-time Atlantic University All-Star, AUS MVP, and a first-team All-Canadian in her fifth and final year.

SMU Huskies women’s soccer 1993-1994 team

In addition to making life-long friendships, she fondly remembers the team’s early morning runs at Point Pleasant, the sound of sneakers on the gravel paths as they sprinted up the hills of Halifax’s urban seaside park.  And then there was the Nova Scotia weather during hurricane season when one side of the turf was a lake and the other was a wind tunnel that the ball got stuck in!

Signa credits Saint Mary’s and some of the legendary professors she had in both the English and Political Science departments with creating a foundation for future learning and growth. In fact, it was at Saint Mary’s where some of the building blocks toward her dream of being a sports broadcaster came together. She worked as a writer for the university’s student newspaper, the Journal, covering sports of all kinds, and in her fifth year, took on the role of Editor. She then applied to Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), earning herself a Masters in Journalism.

Signa and her father Rick at the 2018 Homecoming Soccer Alumni Reunion

Signa marvels at how far female university sports, and women’s sports in general, have come in the 25 years since she graduated. “Being a female university athlete in the 1990s, you were largely invisible. You weren’t in newspapers, you didn’t have access to a lot of resources or the best field times, and you probably had to fundraise or pay for your uniform out of your own pocket,” she says. “We were thought of as lesser than everyone else. And I think I’ve taken that lesson and flipped it.”

In her current job, she uses her position to leverage the stories of women athletes, coaches and women’s teams. In her writing, she makes a point of highlighting the women’s side of sport, often choosing an athlete or a sport that is a little lesser known and sending a little airtime their way. “These women deserve to be in the headlines as much as anyone else.”

She’s especially excited these days about the Canadian Women’s Volleyball team who have a female head coach—the only female head coach in the top 30 nations in the world—and who seem poised to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

To say that Signa loves her job is a massive understatement. She feels grateful to have made her dream of becoming a sports commentator come true and has a piece of advice for other young women coming up in sports. It’s something she wishes she’d been able to tell herself during her own university sports career:

“You belong here. You deserve to be here.”

Join Saint Mary’s Alumni in celebrating the 50th anniversary of women in varsity sport at Homecoming this October.

Research Award winners enjoy paid summer internships across campus

Undergraduate students are conducting research with faculty members again this summer, thanks to funding from federal grants, generous donors and Saint Mary’s.

The halls and classrooms at Saint Mary’s are a little quieter after the end of the winter term and the excitement of convocation, but students keen to engage in research activities are creating a buzz on campus.

Every summer, a group of students are chosen to receive undergraduate student research awards. These awards allow students to conduct research and scholarly projects with professors in their fields. These paid internships allow students to learn valuable skills that will serve them well in upper-level courses and eventually in their own honours or graduate-level research.

Many of these award positions are funded by federal government agencies, including the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards program and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Others are offered thanks to generous donors, grants, and funding from Saint Mary’s. In most cases, awards are made possible through contributions from professors’ research grants. Those who receive awards are provided funding to undertake 12 to 16 weeks of full-time work between May and August.

A new category of award was introduced for full-time students in the Faculty of Science for summer 2024 to include a wider array of students. Designed for student-professor teams who propose a research project together, the Dean of Science Access to Research Awards focus on the proposed research project; the student's GPA is not a selection criteria as long as the student is in good academic standing. These awards are jointly funded by the Dean of Science Office and various faculty grants.

These summer research award programs are a great opportunity for our students. However, there are many other opportunities for students to work alongside professors. With research taking place year-round in labs and in the field, students are encouraged to connect with professors to discuss additional opportunities!

Benefits

“Summer research placements give students a chance to experience research work that complements their academic studies,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research. “This program of Research Awards provides our most engaged and talented students with experiences that not only raise their connection to their studies but also greatly enhance their road to success post-graduation in either the job market or in pursuit of graduate studies. A good number of professors start their academic journey through these kinds of undergraduate research experiences.”

Selecting student researchers

For most positions, students earn their positions based on their academic record, breadth of experience and background, and their application letter—they can apply after their first year of full-time study. If chosen, they are matched with a professor whose work is a fit for their desired research. The Dean of Science Access to Research Award winners are selected based on the prospective value of the experience to both the student and supervisor.

Previous wins aren’t considered in the selection process; however, students with top academic records can earn positions in multiple years. Many Saint Mary’s students have gone on to pursue graduate studies, thanks in part to the experience gained during their summer work on campus.

Learn about this year’s student researchers

Learn about student research opportunities at Saint Mary’s.

Taylor Adams

• Fourth year, Honours Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir

• Research: Conducting research on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) evolution by sexual selection. I will be constructing a pedigree to link reproductive success of lineages with different morphological and behavioural characteristics.

Molly Carruthers 

• Fourth year, Psychology

• Supervisor: Meg Ternes

• Research: I will be working with Meg on research relating to deception detection

Sarah Chiasson

• Third year, Environmental Science

• Supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber

• Research: This summer I’ll be studying European Starlings with Dr. Colleen Barber’s lab, studying the birds’ behaviour, including mate choices and parental investment. To do so, we survey the European Starling population on campus, tracking the individuals through their life cycle.

Claire Cullinan

• Third year, Biology with a certificate in forensic science

• Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau

• Research: I will be doing biochemistry research on the development of diagnostic sensors for healthcare applications. I will be using plasmonic metal nanoparticles to develop nanoparticle-based sensors.

Noha Jereen Hoque

• Fourth year, Honours Physics

• Supervisor: Vincent Hénault-Brunet

• Research: Our research group aims to explore the content, formation, and evolution of black holes in globular star clusters, which are spherical, tightly bound clusters of tens of thousands to millions of old stars around the Milky Way. We need to understand how black holes form, stay and change within these clusters to explore our universe at very large distances.

Abby Jolly

• Third year, Social Justice and Community Studies

• Supervisor: Dr. Val Marie Johnson 

• Research: This summer I will be partnering with the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia, doing research on access to healthcare for seasonal agricultural workers in Nova Scotia. 

Alicia MacDonald 

• Third year, Psychology 

• Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad

• Research: We will be doing a pilot study on a measure of reading comprehension in grades three and four children. We will also be writing a paper on orthographic knowledge and spelling outcomes.

Mimi MacNeily BSc’24

• Major: Psychology 

• Supervisor’s name: Dr. Tiffany Vu

• Research: Assisting in the development and testing of theories grounded in marketing, psychology, and behavioural economics pertaining to charitable giving, sustainability, and consumer well-being. 

Jillian Marks

• Second year, Engineering

• Supervisor: Dr. Jane Ferguson

• Research: Using innovative methods to measure key properties of molten salt mixtures for the development of clean energy sources.

Tehya Mohammed

• Second year, Chemistry and Physics

• Supervisor: Dr. Robert Singer

• Research: We are optimizing the N‑Demethylation process of alkaloids to make it greener. This is an important step in the synthesis of compounds like naltrexone and naloxone. 

Katherine Myers BSc’24

• Major: Honours Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Dr. Marcin Sawicki

• Research: Studying star formation and substructure trends in distance galaxy mergers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope. 

Keegan Riggs

• Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo

• Research: Using data from an x-ray space telescope to analyze blackholes

Madhur Sharma

• First Year, Computing Science and Business Administration

• Supervisor: Dr. Ethan Pancer

• Research: Marketing and AI. We will be analysing the speed of spread and work closely with how virality works to understand the algorithm of different socials.

Daniel Wilson

• Third year, Biology and Geography

• Supervisor: Dr. Erin Cameron

• Research: I'm working on mapping in ArcGIS related to Indigenous knowledge of berry crops in the Northwest Territories and the spread of invasive earthworms in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon. In addition, there's also fieldwork sampling invasive earthworms in North Alberta with the goal of identifying species and determining their rate of spread.

Clara Wrightman-Dillon

• Second year, Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Marcin Sawicki

• Research: I will be analyzing photos from the JWST of the Sparkler Galaxy.

Katherine (Katie) Zinck

• Third year, Chemistry

• Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Tokarz

• Research: I will be using polarization-resolved second harmonic generation microscopy and birefringence to investigate the degradation of otoconia (inner ear crystals that maintain balance) and the structure of teeth.

Megan Barkhouse

• Second year, Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Anne Dalziel

• Research: I will be involved in the collection, care, and research of stickleback and killifish.

Sydney Blackmore

• Third year, Astrophysics 

• Supervisor: Dr. Greg Christian 

• Research: As per the description found on the SMU research opportunities webpage: the “… project will consist of analysis of recoil singles data from an experiment measuring the 22Ne(alpha, n)25Mg reaction. This reaction is important as a neutron source for the slow neutron capture process, which creates around half of the elements heavier than hydrogen." 

Rachel Crawford

• Fifth year, Biology & Psychology double major, with a certificate in Health, Wellness, and Sport in Society.

• Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad.

• Research: I'll be working with Dr. Conrad to study the effects of orthographic knowledge on reading comprehension in children and to pilot reading comprehension testing materials with elementary school-age students.

Maria Dereje

• Second year, Criminology

• Supervisor: Dr. Veronica Stinson

• Research: A variety of projects and developing research skills

Rebecca ElChater

• Fourth year, Double major in Biology and Psychology, with an Honours in Chemical Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Clarissa Sit

• Research: I will be studying Fictibacillus enclensis, which is a bacteria that can promote plant growth and act as a natural fertilizer. I will perform extractions and sample analyses to determine its mechanism of action on plants.

Yacklin Huang

• First year, undetermined major.

• Supervisor: Dr. Mengjun Hu

• Research: Discuss Data Analytics topics with supervisor weekly; read classic textbooks of relevant directions to gain important insights.

Zéa Jones

• Fourth year, Anthropology and Religious Studies

• Supervisor: Dr. Sveva Savelli

• Research: Reviewing field notes and aiding in excavations at Incoronata greca, in Italy. 

Zoe MacDonald

• Third year, Psychology 

• Supervisor: Dr. Jim Cameron 

• Research: Very broadly- exploring the psychology of astronomy, as in feelings of awe (often induced via astronomical events) and how it can increase social cohesion/global citizenship identification and prosocial behaviour, as well as more general attitudes and beliefs surrounding astronomy, life in the universe, etc. 

• Baxter Madore

• Fourth year, Honours Computer Science

• Supervisor: Dr. Stavros Konstantinidis

• Research: I am currently modernizing and adding features to the I-LaSer formal language web server at SMU.

 Lindsey McNamara

• Fourth year, Honours Mathematics

• Supervisor: Dr. Mitja Mastnak

• Research: I will be studying the simultaneous triangularization of collections of matrices and further topics in linear algebra/abstract algebra.

Janine Mombourquette

• Fourth year, Honours Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir

• Research: Conducting research with Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Lucy Pothier-Bogoslowski

• Fourth year, Honours Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo

• Research: I am working on observational high energy astrophysics with X-ray data taken of active galactic nuclei. This work probes the extreme regions around supermassive black holes.

Sarina Scoville

• Fourth year, Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson

• Research: My research project will encompass molecular and synthetic biology, as well as microbiology. Under the supervision and support of Dr. Chiasson, my research will focus on the identification of genes related to nitrogen-fixation and the symbiotic relationship between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and legumes. 

Connor Smith

• Third year, Chemistry

• Supervisor: Jane Ferguson

• Research: My research this summer is to help design and start construction of an Archimedean density apparatus to measure the density of molten salt systems.

Kaveh Wornell

• Third year,  Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir

• Research: This project will explore the metabolic costs of courtship behaviour in Japanese medaka. In this species, males perform a characteristic courtship 'dance' to attract females and advertise their fertility. Furthermore, the degree to which fin size may increase or decrease the metabolic demands of the behaviour is not known. This work will entail a physiological study to assess the difference between the metabolic rate of males at rest and while they are performing the courtship behaviour.

Saint Mary’s hosts annual celebration of history and heritage

Art of Unconventional Warfare

Awards ceremony

Bite of History

Blackberrys Crumble

Butterbox Babies

Canadarm

Fine...I'll Move

Group of Hertiage Fair students at Saint Mary's

LEGO Louisbourg

Louisbourg

My Family's History

The Royal Canadian Navy

Francis Pegahmagabow

Students at the podcasting workshop

Scottish dancing

Tales from the past

Tracing My Roots

Walter Gretzky

Whale Watching

From “Blackberry’s Crumble” to a LEGO version of the Fortress of Louisbourg, history and culture were on display as Saint Mary’s University hosted the 2024 Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair.    

The June 6 and 7 event featured projects by 59 students who were selected at school and regional fairs across the province. The learning opportunity is designed for students in Grades 4 through 9, encouraging them to explore Canadian culture, history and heritage while gaining research and public presentation skills.

This year’s participants – some in costume – shared their knowledge on everything from Viola Desmond to “Canada’s greatest hockey dad,” Walter Gretzky. One student shared beautiful sketches of African Nova Scotian settlements, while others recreated historic church steeples and even a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway.

“The Heritage Fair puts the spotlight on budding young researchers from across the province,” said the event’s organizer, Dr. Kirrily Freeman, Director of Outreach and Experiential Learning for the Faculty of Arts. “It’s an annual highlight here at Saint Mary’s, where the students have a chance to hone their presentation skills while connecting with the expertise of our Arts faculty and heritage partners.”

Coinciding with the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day operations in the Second World War, the event had half a dozen projects on military history topics. Pride in family heritage was also front and centre, with several students tracing their family roots.

The History of the North Bay Fisherman’s Co-op

Decorated with fishing nets, photos and lobster dip, a project from Antigonish indicated that history is still being made, with a placard noting, “There is a first for everything: My mom is the first female member of the North Bay Fisherman’s Co-op. She is also the first female captain of a boat where she fishes out of.”      

The student delegates and their parent chaperones arrived June 6 to set up their displays, get acquainted at a banquet, and settle into their residence rooms. On both days, the students attended podcasting and geocaching workshops, plus astronomy sessions in the Burke-Gaffney Observatory.

The Heritage Fair projects were open for public viewing on June 7, followed by an awards ceremony, both in the in the McNally Theatre Auditorium. The awards recognized student research in such areas as Indigenous and African-Canadian heritage, environmental history, equity and justice, immigration studies, sport history, and the history of science and technology. The judging panel included professionals who are active in the fields of culture, history and heritage: professors, archivists, librarians, museum curators, museum interpreters and more.

Dianne Chiasson: forty-plus years of enduring friendship in sport

Dianne Chiasson BA’81

You won’t find Dianne Chiasson BA ’81 Hons sitting around watching other people play sports. She’s a doer, not a watcher. And an adventurous doer at that.

A multi-sport athlete at Saint Mary’s in the late ‘70s, Dianne has remained active right into her retirement years. In the decades since she graduated, she’s taken up running, biking, golf and skate-skiing. She’s completed numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and has participated in many Grand Fondo biking events.

She’s always been this way - active and athletic. As a child with a father in the Air Force, her family moved around a lot—Labrador, Goose Bay, Northern Quebec—but wherever she went to school, she played whatever was presented. “If it was on offer, I tried it,” she laughs.

In Grade 7, the family settled in the Annapolis Valley, in Auburn, near the base in Greenwood. Dianne played volleyball, basketball, softball and field hockey, in addition to running track, but was soon faced with having to choose her favourites due to overlapping schedules. A sports camp in Halifax one summer helped develop her basketball and field hockey skills; these ended up being the two sports she would carry with her to university.

But excelling at certain sports didn’t stop Dianne from venturing further afield. She even tried out for her high school hockey team, even though she couldn’t skate very well. “My basketball coach wasn’t very impressed with that,” she says. “But it was fun - why wouldn’t I try it?"

Dianne displayed the same independent streak when it came time to figure out what to do after high school. She went against the grain for someone living in the Valley: “I didn’t want to choose Acadia because everyone I knew was going there.” She was drawn to the big city, so when Saint Mary’s offered her an academic scholarship, that cinched the deal.

She decided to study Political Science and became a star player on both the Women’s Basketball and Field Hockey teams. She was named Female Rookie of the Year in 1978, as well as MVP of the basketball team, and earned Female Athlete of the Year for three years running. She was also selected All-Conference on numerous occasions for both field hockey and basketball and received All-Canadian honours.

“Dianne was an immensely talented and hard-working athlete, but someone who didn’t draw attention to herself and her own accomplishments,” says Kathy Mullane, who served as the coach of both women’s field hockey and basketball at the time. “She was our top player and won most of the athletic awards in her years at Saint Mary’s, but was incredibly humble. She was someone you wanted on every team, just a consummate team player, fitting in with everyone and so consistent in her play and positive attitude.”

In addition to her accomplishments on the field and the court, Dianne also excelled academically. She earned a full academic scholarship each year at Saint Mary's, accumulating 14 A's in 15 courses and was interviewed for a Rhodes Scholarship.

Once she graduated, she worked for a year in the Registrar’s Office at SMU before moving west to work for a small oil and gas company. After five years in Calgary, the East called her back home, and she returned to Halifax to secure a job with the Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia. Her political science degree came in handy, as did the Intro Accounting course she’d taken and liked at Saint Mary’s. Dianne got her accounting designation and spent the rest of her career working as an auditor.

During those years, she stayed connected to Saint Mary’s and enjoyed volunteering her time as a scorekeeper for the women’s basketball games. She marvels at the opportunities that now exist for young women to continue playing sports after university graduation. And she has a piece of advice for the new players coming up:

“Enjoy every minute of it because it goes by so fast.”

Forty-plus years later, the thing that Dianne cherishes the most are the friendships she still has with a handful of the other women on those Huskies sports teams. “After all these years, we still get together, and we still enjoy each other’s company,” she says. “Our friendships are the thing that remain and are something I am most proud of.”

By Renée Hartleib

Spring Convocation 2024

Members of the Saint Mary’s community celebrated for academic achievement and leadership

Hundreds of graduates, alongside their families, friends and SMU supporters, celebrated Spring Convocation from May 15-17, 2024. Proud new members of the SMU alumni community filled the sunny lawn of the McNally building after their ceremonies to enjoy their special day.

Among the graduates were numerous award and medal recipients recognized for their academic distinction. The convocation program lists the recipients of the Governor General’s Gold and Silver medals, along with a list of recipients of faculty, departmental and donated awards.

Meet the Valedictorians

Six valedictorians delivered heartfelt and inspiring speeches to packed auditoriums and online audiences. Read their full biographies in the convocation program and watch their speeches in the ceremony recordings.

Alexia Jo-Ann Bourgeois
Bachelor of Commerce

Born and raised in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Alexia is a proud French-Acadien. Before her time at Saint Mary’s where she majored in marketing, Alexia played varsity soccer, earned her private pilot’s license, and is a longtime member of the Rotary Club. At Saint Mary’s, Alexia founded a club called “GalPal” where a group of student innovators developed a solution to fight against gender-based violence and sexual assault on campuses.

Nyah Sahyoun
Bachelor of Commerce

Nyah was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, by her Palestinian father and Saint John-native mother. After working hard in her studies and completing three co-op placements, Nyah graduated with a double major in Marketing and Human Resource Management.

Jonathan Cornelius Mansvelt
Bachelor of Science

Jonathan’s time at SMU was spent supporting students as a teaching assistant, chemistry lab demonstrator, tutor at the SNAP Centre and President of the Campus Medical Response Team. He graduated with Honours Psychology, summa cum laude, and was presented with the Governor General’s Silver Medal, given to the top undergraduate student who graduated between September 2023-May 2024. 

Itai Kuwodza
Master of Arts, Atlantic Canada Studies

Itai is a two-time Saint Mary’s graduate, having previously completed her Bachelor of Arts degree. Her graduate thesis, titled Performing Diversity: Black Bodies in Atlantic Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions, was driven by a desire to understand how race permeates higher education and racialized learning. As a former SMU Husky, teaching assistant and coach, she is ready to begin her PhD studies at Acadia University.

Holly Kanyamunyu
Bachelor of Arts

Born in London, England, Holly’s family relocated to Halifax when she was four years old, where they lived on campus while her mother pursued her MBA at the Sobey School of Business. Her love for SMU led her to work with the Recruitment team. She also researched in the Dean of Science lab and helped to lead the African Student Society as Creative Director. She graduates with a major in Psychology and a minor in General Business.

Madison Vanderlinden
Bachelor of Arts

From Cole Harbour, NS, Maddie graduated with a double major in French and Intercultural Studies, complemented by a minor in Asian Studies. With a passion for global learning and outreach, Maddie spent her time at Saint Mary’s supporting incoming international and exchage students, volunteering and working with Students Acting for Global Awareness (SAGA) and the Global Learning & Intercultural Support Office.

Teaching excellence

Dr. Margaret McKee

Faculty were among those recognized during Convocation for their service to the Saint Mary’s community and their innovations in teaching and learning. Dr. Margaret McKee, Associate Professor of Management and Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Professional Graduate Programs within the Sobey School of Business, was awarded the Geraldine Thomas Education Leadership Award for her sustained commitment to fostering transformative learning environments grounded in principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and ethical leadership.

Dr. Valerie Creelman

Members of the alumni community acknowledged Dr. Valerie Creelman, Professor of Communication within the Department of Marketing and Communication at the Sobey School of Business, with the Father William A. Stewart, S.J. Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Students consistently praised the active, experiential, and applied learning environment she creates in her classes and her deep respect for diverse student learning needs.

Dr. David Wicks, retired Professor of Management and former Dean of the Sobey School of Business, was awarded Professor Emeritus status at Spring Convocation.

Honorary Degrees

Four people were recognized for their commitment to advocacy, diplomacy, education and community engagement and were granted honorary degrees at Spring Convocation.

Kevin Murphy BComm’92
A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Kevin Murphy boasts extensive business experience alongside his important work in disability advocacy As the Senior Parliamentary Speaker in Canada, Murphy founded and served as the first Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Network in 2019. Read more.

Donica Pottie BA’85
Her remarkable journey from a Saint Mary’s graduate to a Canadian ambassador exemplifies resilience, dedication and global citizenship. Pottie’s advocacy as a diplomat extends beyond borders in her support of human security, women’s rights and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, which she has publicly defended in countries where these rights are restricted. Read more.

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Lawrence (Larry) Freeman, K.C.
As a partner at Stewart McKelvey law firm, Larry Freeman has provided counsel to clients for over 40 years. He has been deeply involved in several community organizations, notably serving as a member of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors in 2008 and Board Chair from 2019-2022. Read more.

Karen Hudson
Local educator and community leader Karen Hudson brings an innovative approach to her role as Principal of Auburn Drive High School. In 2018, she pioneered the first Africentric Cohort in math and literacy within a public school. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to empower students by infusing Afrocentric concepts into the curriculum. Read more.

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Congratulations graduates! Visit smu.ca/graduation for more information, links to the convocation program and recorded ceremonies. Browse the full convocation photo album here.

Rheannon Richards of Dartmouth receives 2024 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award

Rheannon Richards (right) receives the Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award from Dr. Sara Malton, Interim Dean of Arts

Rheannon Richards BA’24 was busy writing when she found out she was going to receive the 2024 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award.

“I was sitting at the corner of my couch with my laptop, working on a big paper that was due in one of my English classes,” she says. “I got the email and I saw the subject line ‘Kane Award’ and my heart dropped into my stomach. When I read the first line, I just started crying. I was so shocked and excited. I’m a big woman of faith, so I started praying too.”

Rheannon got a heartwarming ovation on May 17 upon receiving the second Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award during the spring graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts. Made possible through a generous gift from Floyd Kane BA’92, the innovative award is open to undergraduate Arts students of African Nova Scotian or Black/African descent who aspire to careers in writing, broadly defined. The inaugural recipient was Trayvone Clayton BA’23 of Halifax. Valued at $30,000, it’s one of the most substantial student awards in Saint Mary’s history and one of the largest graduation awards at any Canadian university.

“I still have moments where I can’t even believe this is happening,” says Rheannon, who graduated with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. “It’s also really meaningful to be the first Black woman to receive this award. Even with the money aside, just that I can be recognized as a representative of what this award means, that’s a huge deal for me.”

Along with her academic essays, creative projects and avid journaling, Rheannon also embodies the power of words and language through her community work. As a literacy tutor who was born in Bermuda and moved to Dartmouth at age five, she has helped both children and adult newcomers to Nova Scotia with their writing and conversation skills. As a volunteer with the English Conversation Club at Faith City Church, she enjoys using her literary skills to help people from all over the world build their confidence in using the language.     

Rheannon Richards

Also a volunteer basketball coach and former Husky, Rheannon received the USPORTS Academic All-Canadian Award in 2021 and has been a Dean’s List student every year. She has also maintained part-time jobs at the Zatzman Sportsplex front desk and on campus as a ticketing assistant for Husky games.

Rheannon is ‘extraordinarily intelligent and diligent’ and has a ‘positive effect on the world around her,’ according to award recommendation letters from several of her professors. She ‘perpetually shows herself to be intellectually curious, industrious, prepared and highly committed’ and ‘her writing has consistently demonstrated both her creative and analytical skill,’ they said.  

“Coming out of high school, I knew I wanted to go to university right away,” says Rheannon, who attended Woodlawn High School (then known as Prince Andrew High). She has commuted across the harbour throughout her time at Saint Mary’s and says living at home with her mom has helped her stay focused.

“It helps a lot to be somewhere familiar while you’re adjusting to your studies,” she says. “I had a moment at home the other day when I just looked out the window and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m actually done.’ Four years … I don’t know if I want to celebrate or cry!”

She’s excited to pursue a career in the human resources field, where she hopes to also continue exploring her interests in law and teaching. This fall, she’s starting the Human Resources Management graduate certificate program at the Nova Scotia Community College, with law school a future possibility to enhance opportunities in the labour relations field.

“I think my experience studying the humanities has really prepared me for whatever comes next. It’s interesting to look back and see how my writing has improved and my ability to communicate has become so much better,” she says.

For new students just starting out at Saint Mary’s, her advice would be to keep an open mind. “It’s good to have a plan, but it’s okay if the plan changes. Explore all sorts of different classes, get involved and build new friendships. Put a foot into as much as you can and really take advantage of the university experience because it goes fast!”   

Related

• Removing barriers to increase access to education

• Embracing the power of writing with new Kane Writers Award

• Apply for the 2025 Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award