Remembering Marie DeYoung, former University Librarian

Marie DeYoung was the Saint Mary’s University Librarian from 2008-2018

Lisa Billard met Marie DeYoung in 2009 when she began working as an Administrative Assistant at the Patrick Power Library. This began a journey that Lisa will always be grateful for.

“I learned so much from Marie, personally and professionally, over the next eight years,” says Lisa. “Marie talked about the importance of small gestures of kindness, and I observed her kindness, generosity and calm approach to all matters regularly.”

Marie DeYoung served as the University Librarian at Saint Mary’s for 10 years, from July 2008 to July 2018. She passed away in April 2022 and is remembered with respect by many current Library staff.

“I was very lucky to have Marie for a manager and friend,” says Lisa. “I think of her often with great fondness and will always be grateful for knowing her. For me, she was a gentle mentor who became a dear friend. “

On June 4, 2025, Library staff gathered to plant a beautiful flowering almond tree in honour of Marie’s life, legacy, and contribution to Saint Mary’s. Current University Librarian, Suzanne van den Hoogen, organized this memorial tree planting as a symbolic gesture to the lasting impact Marie made at Saint Mary's and a perfect way to launch celebrations for the Patrick Power Library's 50th anniversary.  

Marie was dedicated to her career as a librarian and recognized for her leadership within the profession. Her time at Saint Mary’s, leading the Patrick Power Library, was a highlight of her career. Marie also had a passion for mentoring staff, students, and new graduates, and this legacy is still felt by library staff today.

Natalie Barte, who started working as a Graduate Student Assistant at the Patrick Power Library in May, received the memorial Marie DeYoung Bursary from Dalhousie University last year to help fund her studies in the Master of Information program.

“I was surprised to learn that the bursary I received came from a woman who once served as the University Librarian at the very library where I now work,” says Natalie. “Though I never met Marie, her kindness and generosity have touched me, and I am truly grateful. It’s an honour not only to receive her support, but to know the legacy it came from.”

The Patrick Power Library would like to give special thanks to Dr. David Richardson, Dean Emeritus, for his thoughtful assistance in selecting and planting the flowering almond tree to honour Marie DeYoung. The tree is visible from the Library’s first floor, the University Librarian’s office on the second floor, and the quad. In mid-spring, the tree will bloom with pink flowers along its branches.

Staff from Patrick Power Library

Dr. David Richardson with Patrick Power Library staff

Dan Phillips plants the memory tree with the help of Peter Webster, Dr. David Richardson and Lisa Billard

Dr. David Richardson

50 years of the Patrick Power Library

The memorial tree planting for Marie DeYoung marks the beginning of the Patrick Power Library’s 50th anniversary. This significant milestone will be celebrated throughout the upcoming fall and winter of 2025-2026.

The vibrant community space known as the “SMU Library” today has existed for only a relatively short period of the university’s over 200-year history.

The original library on the Robie St. campus was the Horne Library, in the McNally building (completed in 1952). It was located on the second floor of the main wing, which today is the Faculty of Arts Commons. In 1965, the library moved to the Burke Building. Less than ten years later, plans were developed to construct a new library to accommodate the growing collection. Construction of the Patrick Power Library was completed around 1975 and the building was significantly renovated for the addition of the Atrium in 2011, a project which Marie DeYoung was instrumental in.

Through its 50-year history, the Patrick Power Library has grown to become a gathering place, learning environment and workplace for thousands of students, faculty and staff. We look forward to celebrating this legacy and envisioning the next 50 years with the SMU community!

Honouring John “Jack” G. Keith

Jack and Yvonne Keith

The Saint Mary’s University community is saddened to learn of the passing of John “Jack” G. Keith CM, DComm’98 and joins with his family, friends and members of the larger Nova Scotian community in honouring his memory and his contributions, including the warm presence and generosity he demonstrated constantly towards the university. His favourite activity on campus was meeting the recipients of the awards that he and his wife Yvonne established and seeing firsthand how much the support meant to our students.  

Jack Keith exemplified the spirit of Saint Mary's by always giving back to the community. When Jack received the Order of Canada in 1993, he was described as a "banker with large reserves of social conscience." He received this honour for his outstanding volunteerism in education, the arts and cancer fundraising. 

Jack’s contributions to Saint Mary's were immense. He served as Chair of the Board of Governors at Saint Mary's from 1994-97 and was the founding chair of the Sobey School of Business Advisory Council, a position he held for 18 years, in addition to many other volunteer roles. Jack was presented the Honorary Gold "M" in 1997 by the Saint Mary's University Student Association which is their highest honour for a non-student in recognition of his many contributions to student affairs. Along with Yvonne, he was a loyal supporter at signature university events and was always on hand to cheer on the SMU Huskies football team.  

The university is flying flags at half-staff in recognition of Jack. His obituary can be found here John "Jack" Keith Obituary - Halifax, NS (dignitymemorial.com) and memorial donations can be made to the Jack & Yvonne Keith Entrance Bursary at John G. Keith Memorial. 

University Remembers Former President, Kenneth Ozmon OC

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon Installed as President, 1979

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon Visits Bermuda, 1981

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon and Terry Donahoe During National Universities Week, 1983

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon With Astronaut Roberta Bondar, 1992

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon and Jack Keith, 1993

Dr. Kenneth Ozmon and Friends Breaking the Sod for The Tower, 1986

Breaking the Sod at Site of Future Sobey Building, ca. 1996

Saint Mary's Huskies Team Photo with Dr. Ken Ozmon, 1998

The Saint Mary’s University community honours the memory of and recalls with fondness former university president Kenneth (Ken) Ozmon OC, who passed away 23 February 2022. Born in 1931, he taught at various U.S. and Canadian universities before coming to Saint Mary’s. Kenneth Ozmon became president in 1979, serving for 21 years until 2000 and leading the university through a period of great change and progress. Dr. Ozmon was president during a time of considerable growth in enrolment and several capital campaigns; he was proud to break ground on the Sobey Building with Dr. David Sobey and then Premier John Savage in 1996 and celebrate the building opening in 1998. He is also known for his strong interest in assisting youth with disabilities and in creating more inclusive models for university participation. His advocacy made a lasting impact on Saint Mary’s University and other universities in the region, and this was recognized with him being made an Officer in the Order of Canada in 1998 for his “outstanding contribution to education.”

“Ken Ozmon’s leadership contributed directly to the growing stature of Saint Mary’s University throughout the 1980s and 90s. The international outreach that took shape under his presidency and his strong belief, which he translated to the institution, in the right for everyone to have unobstructed access to post-secondary education were key drivers of the university’s vision and mission,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Robert Summerby-Murray. “His firm stamp is evident in the Saint Mary’s we know today.” Ken remained connected to the institution and was a familiar and faithful presence at varsity games cheering on the SMU Huskies. He made a special trip to campus in October 2021 when he toured The Dauphinee Centre and the site of the new Sobeys Inspiration Hub. Ken was delighted to see the progress underway and expressed his ongoing great pride in the institution he served for so long.

The university is flying flags at half-mast in recognition of his legacy and in sympathy with his family at his passing.

Saint Mary’s mourns the passing of Dr. Alfonso Rojo

Dr. Rojo teaches a Biology class circa 1962

It is with heavy hearts that Saint Mary’s University announces the passing of Professor Emeritus Dr. Alfonso Lucio Rojo. He passed away peacefully at his home in Halifax on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at the age of 96.

Dr. Rojo joined Saint Mary’s University and founded the Biology Department in 1961; he was also instrumental in establishing the Faculty Union (SMUFU). For twenty-seven years, Dr. Rojo worked across the hall from his wife, Dr. Enriqueta Unturbe Rojo, the first woman professor at Saint Mary’s University. When he retired in 1986, Dr. Rojo was named Professor Emeritus. He maintained an active research practice well into his 90s.

All three of his children are Saint Mary’s alumni. His daughter, Monica Rojo, taught Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics from 1995 to 2009.

Saint Mary’s mourns the passing of Dr. John Leonard McMullan

John Leonard McMullan, BA, MA, PhD, age 68, passed away on July 13, in Halifax.

McMullan was a well-loved member of the Department of Sociology & Criminology from 1985 until his retirement in 2014, after which he was named Professor Emeritus. Known for his warmth and enthusiasm—and for challenging students with lively and provocative subject matter—he was a greatly  respected academic and contributor to his field. 

The winner of a President’s Award for Excellence in Research in 2012, and the author of eight books on crime, historical criminology, law enforcement, and justice, Dr. McMullan held visiting scholar positions at Cambridge University, The London School of Economics and Political Science, Simon Fraser University, and Concordia University.

He was also a Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and a member of the executive board of the Nova Scotia Criminal Justice Association.

It is with regret that Saint Mary’s announces his passing.

Dr. John Leonard McMullan

Saint Mary's mourns the passing of Dr. Edward McBride

Edward John McBride, 83, BS, MA, DCL (Hon.), of Halifax, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully at his home at Parkland on the Gardens on May 31, 2017.

McBride was a popular member of the Department of Political Science from 1967 to 1994. He received the William Stewart Medal for Teaching in 1987, was named Professor Emeritus in 1990 and received an honorary Doctor of Civil Law in 2012.

Read SMU’s McBride made future leaders on the Chronicle Herald site.

Edward John McBride

Saint Mary's community mourns the passing of Archbishop James Martin Hayes

On behalf of Saint Mary's University, President Robert Summerby-Murray expresses  condolences on the passing of Archbishop Emeritus James Martin Hayes on August 2, 2016 at the age of 92.

Archbishop Hayes received a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s in 1943, in addition to honorary degrees from many universities. While serving as the ninth Archbishop of Halifax from 1967 to 1990, he also served as Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University.

The eldest child of Leonard James and Rita (Bates) Hayes, Fr. James was raised near Halifax in Herring Cove, Nova Scotia. He is remembered as a kind, well-respected leader and an effective advocate for the renewal of the whole Church. Ordained to the priesthood in 1947 at the age of 23, Archbishop Hayes was a guiding influence in the ecumenical movement. He helped create the Atlantic School of Theology in March 1971, where Catholics and Protestant denominations have studied together for more than four decades. This was the first time that three denominations united to form one educational institution in Canada. Today, Saint Mary’s University values its important relationship with the Atlantic School of Theology.

Archbishop Hayes retired as Archbishop of Halifax in 1990 and entered into full-time ministry caring for the sick and the dying, as Chaplain in Palliative Care at QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax until his retirement from this ministry in 2012.