Honorary Degree Recipient: James “JC” Curleigh

James “JC” Curleigh

James “JC” Curleigh BComm’89 is Gibson's President and Chief Executive Officer, where he leads the Gibson senior team of proven executives with broad experience in global brand building, finance and product development. JC is a guitar enthusiast and has been a proud owner of both Gibson and Epiphone guitars over the years, including his latest addition – a Gibson 1960’s J-45 acoustic guitar.

Prior to joining Gibson, JC served as the President of the Levi’s brand at Levi Strauss & Co., where he guided strategic shifts, leadership team evolution and market execution for all brands within the Levi Strauss & Co. portfolio, including Levi’s, Dockers, Signature by Levi’s Strauss and DENIZEN by Levi’s. At Levi’s he returned the brand to its iconic status and grew the business profitably every year under his leadership. He has a proven track record from Levi’s of finding ways to leverage heritage and create modern solutions. JC (along with his team) is credited with being the driving force behind the Levi’s resurgence.

Over the years, JC has built a reputation as a brand building expert and has crafted uniquely tailored solutions for a variety of other well-known consumer goods companies, including as president and CEO of KEEN Footwear and of Salomon Sports NA. At KEEN, he steered a young company to years of strong growth and developed a unique brand identity for its future. Additionally, under his leadership at Salomon, he expanded the ski company into a leading innovative action sports brand.

JC holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has furthered his executive education at both Stanford and Harvard. He also has delivered several keynote speeches around the world on progressive brand building, business solutions, and team dynamics. He is a triple citizen of the U.S.A., Canada and the U.K. and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Waterkeeper Alliance. He loves to play music, surf, ski and travel extensively with his wife and three kids.

Honorary Degree Recipient: William (Bill) Linton

William (Bill) Linton

William (Bill) Linton BComm’75 is a corporate director, philanthropist, and investor with over 30 years of business experience. Currently residing in Toronto, he was born and raised in Halifax. Bill comes from a family with a strong tradition of business excellence and giving back to their community through a commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy.

Over the span of his career, Bill has held various senior executive-level positions, including a leading role with one of Canada’s largest publicly traded companies. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Executive Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Rogers Communications Inc. Bill has an outstanding record of achievement in the telecommunications and technology sector in North America. During his tenure as an executive vice president with Rogers, he assembled a best-in-class finance team and significantly strengthened the company’s balance sheet while delivering substantial shareholder value and implementing best practices in financial reporting and controls.

Before his time with Rogers, Bill held other senior executive positions, including President & Chief Executive Officer of Call-Net Enterprises Inc., Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Prior Data Sciences Inc. and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SHL Systemhouse Inc.

Bill serves as a director of Deveron UAS Corp. and TMX Group Limited, as well as a number of private companies. An active investor and advisor, he has provided guidance to many highly successful start-ups in Canada. Along with his wife Marilynne, Bill has been a long-time supporter of St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto and the Toronto Reference Library.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.

Gold Medals and Silver Linings: Huskies hockey alumna Kori Cheverie reflects on ‘whirlwind’ coaching journey

Kori Cheverie

On the evening of February 17, 2022, millions of Canadians tuned into the women’s hockey gold medal game at the Beijing Olympics, cheering on Team Canada from their living rooms.

Saint Mary’s alumna Kori Cheverie BA’12 may have been one of the more personally invested viewers in the country, as she was watching as an assistant coach for Team Canada, despite being more than 10,000 kilometres away from the Olympic Games.

Cheverie describes the first few months of 2022 as a “rewarding whirlwind,” as the New Glasgow, NS native has experienced some of the highs and lows of her career while proudly representing Canada.

In January of 2021, Cheverie was named to the coaching staff of the Canadian National Women’s Team.

“That was a dream come true,” said Cheverie. “Growing up as a female hockey player in Canada, that’s the gold standard. I grew up dreaming of playing for the National team, but that’s one of the great things about hockey, there’s always the opportunity to stay involved in the sport, so to represent Team Canada was a lifelong goal.”

But a week before the team was scheduled to fly to Beijing, Cheverie tested positive for COVID-19, meaning she wouldn’t be able to travel to the Games.

“It was devastating news, but the cool thing about our group was we really focused on being a team first,” she said. “When the news came that I wasn’t able to go, I was disappointed but quickly shifted to focus on the silver linings. I went back to Nova Scotia and focused on doing everything I could still do to help us win the gold.”

Despite being stuck on the other side of the world, Cheverie was able to stay involved with the team through virtual meetings and watching all the games live from her living room in Nova Scotia.

“It was a 12-hour time difference, so the math wasn’t too hard… If the team had a 7 p.m. meeting in Beijing, I would be FaceTiming in at 7 a.m. from Nova Scotia,” laughs Cheverie. “It was a hard couple of weeks in terms of sleep schedule, but it was definitely worth it.”

Canada went on to win the gold medal, defeating their American rivals 3-2 in the final. When the final whistle blew, players FaceTimed Cheverie from the ice so she could virtually join in on the team celebrations.

“I talked to the coaches and players every single day and they kept me involved, so I still feel like I was part of the team that won gold.”

Making hockey history

Just two months later, Cheverie reached another major career accomplishment, becoming the first woman to serve as a coach for a Canadian men’s national team when she was named an assistant for Team Canada at the under-18 World Hockey Championships.

“To be honest, when they reached out with that opportunity, I wasn’t thinking too much about being the first woman to coach a men’s team,” recalls Cheverie. “It was just another opportunity to represent my country, work with some great athletes and coaches, and do whatever I could to help the team win.”

“I think it’s important for us as role models, not just for young girls, but for boys too, to be able to see that women can do what men can do in the game.” ”

— Kori Cheverie

Team Canada finished fifth at the tournament in Germany, and Cheverie says it was a great opportunity.

“It was a great experience, even though the outcome wasn’t exactly what we wanted. It was great to be a part of these young athletes lives on their trajectory to pro hockey, and their next career steps.”

Now back in Nova Scotia, Cheverie has had time to reflect on her trailblazing accomplishment of being the first woman behind a Canadian Men’s team bench.

“I don’t think I ever sought out to coach on the men’s side, it’s just kind of where the opportunities have led me,” says Cheverie, who also works full time as an assistant coach for the men’s team at Ryerson University.

“The men have been coaching on the women’s side for a really long time, and there are tonnes of qualified women coaches out there, who haven’t always gotten opportunities in the men’s game,” adds Cheverie. “I think it’s important for us as role models, not just for young girls, but for boys too, to be able to see that women can do what men can do in the game.”

Once a Husky, always a Husky

While her hockey journey has seen her travel around the world, Cheverie credits a large part of her career development to her time at Saint Mary’s University.

Kori Cheverie

“I played at Saint Mary’s for five years and it was a great experience. Looking back at my time there, I got a great education, got to play the sport that I loved, and made lifelong friends.”

Cheverie played at Saint Mary’s from 2005–2010, graduating as one of the most accomplished players in program history. She was selected as an AUS First Team All-Star three times, winning the AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Award twice, was named Saint Mary’s Female Athlete of the Year twice, and represented Team Canada at the 2009 FISU World University Games.

But as one might expect from a future coach, Cheverie points to team success as her greatest accomplishment with the Huskies.

“Winning the AUS Championship in 2010 to finish off my career was amazing, and beating St.FX in the semi-finals was one of my most memorable experiences. Some of my best friends played at St.FX and they were the league favourites for my whole five years, and we didn’t beat them once in the regular season. I’ll never forget beating them in the semi-final, and then going on to win the finals against Moncton.”

Cheverie also credits the roots of her coaching career to her time at Saint Mary’s.

“(Former Huskies coach) Lisa Haley had a huge impact on myself, and many other players that she coached. At the beginning of my time at SMU, I had no ambitions to coach, but in 2009 I got the opportunity to help with some girls’ teams here,” she said. “From that moment on, I stayed in the hockey development world.”

Just 34-years-old, Cheverie still has a lot of goals left to accomplish in her coaching career.

“There’s a lot I still want to do in hockey,” says Cheverie. “I really enjoy the scouting side of the game, and obviously coaching, whether it’s on the bench, from the press box or from another continent. I just want to continue to learn and grow, whether it’s on the men’s side or the women’s side, I want to continue to get the opportunity to stay in the game and learn from the people around me.”

And she offers some advice for anyone chasing a dream, in athletics or not.

“Just stick with it,” says Cheverie. “The most important decision I made was continue to play. After my time at SMU, I moved to Toronto to play in the CWHL. That pushed me into an uncomfortable zone that I had to navigate, but it’s how I ended up with my first full-time coaching jobs, and it’s one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s easy to stop playing the sport you love and move on to your career, but you can find so many amazing experiences in the world of sports outside of playing.”

Inspiring words from a proud Huskies alumna who continues to break barriers on and off the ice.

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To learn more about our Ice Hockey teams here at SMU, visit our varsity athletics website.

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. 

Research Matters: Saint Mary’s Announces Historic $3-million Gift to Graduate Student Research

Chancellor Durland and Catherine Durland (centre) with MTEI students

Imagine the difference one person can make when there’s a community of talented, supportive and driven people—world-leading experts—to lean on, learn from and work with to innovate, disrupt and create change. Thanks to a historic gift in support of graduate student research at Saint Mary’s University, future generations of research pioneers and innovators will take another step on the path toward A World Without Limits.

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce the establishment of the Durland Scholarships in Graduate Research. The graduate entrance scholarships are supported by a $3-million gift from the Durland Learning Foundation and the Durland Family to A World Without Limits: The Campaign for Saint Mary’s University, marking the single most significant investment in graduate student research in the university’s history.

“We want this gift to reflect the past, the present and the future. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all the many special faculty members at Saint Mary’s who have so greatly inspired me and so many others throughout the years. Words cannot express our collective gratitude for all you do,” says Saint Mary’s University Chancellor Dr. Michael Durland BComm'87 DComm'10.

“We also wanted to make a gift that will have immediate impact by supporting our current faculty members, students and their extraordinary research. And we wanted to invest in the future of research at Saint Mary’s—to help recruit great graduate students, to help support the future work of our wonderful faculty members, and to encourage researchers from around the world to make Saint Mary’s their home.”

“We want this gift to reflect the past, the present and the future.”

— Dr. Michael Durland

Thanks to the visionary generosity of Chancellor Durland, his wife, Catherine BComm’87, and their family, the Durland Scholarships will strengthen the university’s ability to recruit and retain top graduate students to its research-based programs. The scholarship program will grant supplemental awards of $10,000 per year for graduate students and $15,000 per year for PhD students, as an addition to other awards and funding from the university. The awards are university-wide, renewable and available to students beginning in fall 2022.

“This transformative gift will support us in attracting the best and brightest graduate students to our university, strengthening our research capacity and positioning Saint Mary’s for the incredible growth and success that is outlined in our strategic research plan,” says Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “On behalf of the entire Santamarian community, I want to thank the Durland Family—Dr. Michael Durland, our chancellor, his wife, Catherine Durland, both proud Saint Mary’s alumni, and their family, for their incredible generosity and their vision in supporting graduate research.”

Graduate students at Saint Mary’s work closely with award-winning faculty in an environment that encourages curiosity and creativity among students and faculty alike. Within the university’s 29 diverse graduate degree programs, students benefit from the best of both worlds—close interaction and a sense of community, yet access to state-of-the-art resources and facilities.

“This transformative gift will support us in attracting the best and brightest graduate students to our university”

— Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray

Saint Mary's University is known for research that addresses pressing world issues such as climate change and the environment, where leading researchers restore salt marshes. The university's researchers engage in scholarship at the intersection of climate and communities, including work with

Indigenous and international communities on challenges facing their livelihoods and conservation efforts. The university fosters innovative scientific research, from combating balance disorders to understanding black holes and building the newest great space telescope. The Sobey School of Business challenges our understanding of global migration, immigration and what it means to be a modern, global citizen. The school is also engaged in research around innovation in business and workplace studies, including the pandemic's impact on employers and employees and what the big virtual shift means for companies and their employees moving forward.

The examples above in climate change and the environment, community connection and innovative science, modern global citizenship, and innovation in business and workplace studies represent the five strategic research priorities and areas that will be supported through today’s graduate scholarship announcement.

“The Durland Scholarships in Graduate Research are closely aligned with the university’s new strategic research plan and will promote and support a broad spectrum of graduate research activity in Arts, Science and Business, bringing forth new collaborations, knowledge and innovations,” says Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President of Academic and Research. “These new scholarships will bolster our research by enabling us to recruit the best and brightest students to work and train in our labs, where we will foster and nurture their passion and potential in a rich and thriving collaborative research environment, leading to new discoveries, new innovations and new pathways toward A World Without Limits.”

SMU Community Surpasses Giving Tuesday Goal

Giving Tuesday Goal surpassed again this year!

On November 30, Saint Mary’s alumni, faculty, staff and friends worked together to raise more than $27,000 to support the Student Wellness Fund and promote food security for SMU students this Giving Tuesday.

Thanks to the generosity of the J & W Murphy Foundation and a top-up by the Saint Mary’s Alumni Association, all individual gifts were matched. Gifts and the matching funds will directly impact students through initiatives such as the on-campus Community Food Room, the Enactus Saint Mary’s Square Roots vegetable bundle program, as well as provide care packages for students not able to travel home this holiday season.  
 
A huge thanks to the Saint Mary’s community for making this Giving Tuesday one of the most successful ever. Thank you for helping keep our students fed, learning and thriving.

Top Canadian Business Leaders Lead New Sobey School Programs

Bradley Farquhar and Joe Power

The next great wave of entrepreneurs is benefiting from the advice and expertise of three top Canadian business leaders joining the Sobey School of Business through the new Sobey Executive-In-Residence and Alumni-In-Residence programs. 

Ian D. Smith

Ian D. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership, and Purple Cow Internet Co-founders and Saint Mary’s University alumni, Bradley Farquhar BComm’08 and Joe Power BComm’11 are the inaugural class of executives taking part in the new in-residence programs presented by the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network. The network hosts in-residence programs, such as Executive-In-Residence (EIR) and Alumni-In-Residence (AIF), giving students access to some of Canada's and Nova Scotia’s top business leaders. They are selected based on their passion for entrepreneurship and their ability to provide students with a breadth of advice and information.

“The Sobey School of Business is proud to welcome Ian, Bradley, and Joe as our inaugural business leaders taking part in the new Sobey Executive-In-Residence and Alumni-In-Residence programs,” says Mohammad Rahaman, Associate Dean, Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement at the Sobey School of Business. “They bring with them knowledge and expertise from which our students will greatly benefit. I appreciate their commitment to joining with us as we prepare the next generation of great Canadian entrepreneurs for success."

Ian D. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Seafoods. Smith joined Clearwater in May 2010 and has over 33 years of international experience in the food and consumer products industry. Prior to joining Clearwater, Smith held senior leadership positions at the Campbell Soup Company within Canada, the United States and China. Prior to his time at Campbell’s, Smith held various marketing, sales and international business development positions with Allergan, Colgate-Palmolive and the Gillette Company.

Smith currently participates as a director on a number of boards and advisory councils focused on international trade and public policy, including the Business Council of Canada and the Asia Business Leaders Advisory Council of the Asia Pacific Foundation. He is a graduate of McGill University (BA Economics, MBA), a former Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and currently serves as Honorary Colonel of 36 Canadian Engineer Regiment located in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Bradley Farquhar graduated from Saint Mary’s University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a double major in finance and marketing. Farquhar is a native of Nova Scotia, aspiring astronaut, and co-founder of Purple Cow Internet. Future business goals include the building of space habitats that orbit the Earth to serve paying customers offering a once in a lifetime view of our blue marble. Passions include endurance challenges with notable accomplishments of swimming the English Channel, summiting Denali, running 250 miles across the Sahara Desert, and most recently racing 14 dogs a thousand miles across Alaska in the Iditarod race.

Joe Power grew up in Nova Scotia and graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2011. In 2013, Power moved to the United States of America to chase his entrepreneurial goals in the green energy space. Since then, he has collected significant accolades such as receiving the INC 5000 fastest growing US business award three years in a row and the top Energy Reduction Company award for California five years running. Power loves playing hockey, IronMan triathlons, travel and time with family and friends. In 2019, Power decided to do something different. Power partnered with SMU grad, friend, and successful entrepreneur Brad Farquhar to co-found Purple Cow Internet. The goal was simple, drive change and cost for internet access in Nova Scotia. 

The term for the EIR and AIR programs is one year, and the executives begin their time with the Sobey School the start of November 2021. 

New SMU Scholarship Supports Aspiring Writers of African Nova Scotian Descent

Floyd Kane BA'92, on the set of Diggstown, the show he created.

Saint Mary's University is launching an innovative new scholarship to support aspiring writers of African descent upon graduation.  

“I thought of this as a way to encourage Black Nova Scotians who want to pursue a career in writing,” says Floyd Kane BA’92, a writer, filmmaker and TV producer from East Preston, whose philanthropic gift makes the new award possible for students in the Faculty of Arts.  

“A lot of people’s dreams are limited by their financial backgrounds, and I just wanted to remove that barrier from the equation. So if you have the drive and ambition to pursue your dream, you can go and do it and not have to worry about where your next meal comes from or how you’re going to pay your rent.”

The new Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award is open to students who self-identify as being of African descent, with first priority to students of African Nova Scotian descent. Award recipients will receive $30,000 upon graduation to help mitigate the burden of financial debt; to support them in further post-secondary studies or training such as internships, apprenticeships or self-directed projects; and to advance their aspirations for careers in writing. Find the application form here.

"Saint Mary's recognizes the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in all fields of research and study, including the creative arts and industries," says President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Writing and storytelling are essential tools for sharing our province's unique histories and experiences. This award will help us support African Nova Scotian students by reducing financial barriers as they embark on their next steps toward careers in writing. We are committed to creating possibilities for our students, celebrating their creative talents, and working together toward a World without limits."     

Floyd Kane BA'92

After graduating from Saint Mary’s, Kane’s next steps were a law degree then working as legal counsel and a production executive on such notable film and TV projects as This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Shake Hands with the Devil, and the Oscar-winning documentary Bowling for Columbine. But writing was always his first love so he eventually chose to make it a more central aspect of his career, starting with his drama series North/South. He has since written for numerous TV shows and produced the 2015 feature film, Across the Line, his story about a North Preston hockey player aiming for a professional career on the ice.

“One of the things I realized as I got into the industry is that I never saw Black Nova Scotians portrayed in Canadian film and television, so that was a goal I wanted to accomplish, to be able to bring those stories to the screen,” says Kane.

Those stories are resonating widely with audiences, not just in Canada. His acclaimed series Diggstown, which shot its third season in Halifax this summer, airs nationally on CBC-TV and will soon be seen in the U.S. on the FOX network. The show’s central character Marcie Diggs is a legal aid lawyer from North Preston who surfs in her spare time and works hard for her clients, challenging social injustices that strike a universal chord far beyond Nova Scotia. 

Kane recalls local tourism ads from the time he was growing up: “It was all these people who were sailing and surfing and having lobster dinners. And they were all white. What I love about Diggstown is that it’s an opportunity to recast the Nova Scotia narrative but it puts Black and Indigenous people at the centre of it.”

That sense of possibility in storytelling ignited for him as an undergrad at Saint Mary’s. Kane started out as a Commerce major, switching to Arts after producing a play at age 19. In a pivotal course in 19th century literature, one of his projects was tackling an update to the 1847 classic, Wuthering Heights. “I just loved the idea that I could take this book and put Black people into the narrative in a textual way. There has always been talk that Brontë may have intended Heathcliff to be Black.”

Kane maintains a close connection with Saint Mary’s by serving as a member of the Board of Governors, and he’s thrilled to help create this opportunity for aspiring writers, to reduce financial roadblocks as they graduate.

“I really hope it’s transformational for those who will receive it. I hope it helps them to continue to pursue whatever dreams they have,” he says.

The award is named for his mother Edna and his late aunt Velma, who always supported his dreams. 

“Everything starts with them,” says Kane. “Even though we were poor, my mother made sure we never wanted for anything. My aunt bought me a Smith Corona typewriter when I was in Grade 7, and I taught myself to type. The first things I ever wrote were on that machine. Professionally, she’s the reason why I’m here and personally, my mom inspired the ambition that got me here. So I wanted to honour those two great Black Nova Scotian women who never had the opportunities I had.”

A writing career isn’t limited to writing novels, poems or film scripts, he adds. For award eligibility, it could be anything from creative writing to non-fiction history books, digital communications, or continuing an academic path in an Arts and Humanities discipline. As part of the application process, available soon on the website, students will submit a personal statement essay outlining their career goals.

Kane’s main advice for young writers?

“Don’t give up,” he says. “Don’t be dissuaded by naysayers. Keep doing the work. Put your head down and just persevere …. In all honesty, this is the only thing I could ever see myself doing.”

For information on the Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award, including the online application form, see Faculty of Arts Awards and Funding. 

News release: New SMU Scholarship Supports Aspiring Writers of African Nova Scotia Descent

Floyd Kane BA'92, on the set of the show he created, DIggstown.

Saint Mary's University is launching an innovative new scholarship to support aspiring writers of African descent upon graduation.  

"I know the challenges and barriers that face aspiring writers of African Nova Scotian descent because that’s my lived experience," says Floyd Kane BA'92, the person behind this generous philanthropic gift. "This award is named in honour of my mother and aunt—two women who supported my dreams from the beginning.  I am proud to have the opportunity to pass along that support to the next generation of African Nova Scotian writers via an award that bears their name." 

The Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award has three main goals. To mitigate the burden of financial debt and insecurity for undergraduate students of African Nova Scotian descent in the Faculty of Arts. To support them in pursuing further post-secondary studies or training such as internships, apprenticeships, self-directed projects. And lastly, to advance their aspirations for careers in writing. The award recipient will receive $30,000 in support of these goals.

"Saint Mary's recognizes the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in all fields of research and study, including the creative arts and industries," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Writing and storytelling are essential tools for sharing our province's unique histories and experiences. This award will help us support African Nova Scotian students by reducing financial barriers as they embark on their next steps toward careers in writing. We are committed to creating possibilities for our students at Saint Mary's, celebrating their creative talents, and working together toward a World without limits."   

A member of the Saint Mary's University Board of Governors, Kane is a successful writer, filmmaker and television producer with numerous projects shot internationally – and in Nova Scotia, such as the feature film Across the Line (2014) and current hit TV series Diggstown, airing nationally on CBC-TV and soon in the U.S. on the FOX network. Kane grew up in East Preston and currently resides in Toronto. He was inspired to establish the award as a result of seeing talented fellow African Nova Scotian writers face challenges in pursuing careers in the arts and culture sectors due to barriers such as limited access to financial support.

The Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award is available for applications this academic year. For details and the online award application form, see Faculty of Arts Awards and Funding.

Saint Mary’s Looks to Future with New Brand Story

Saint Mary’s University is looking to the future with the launch of a new brand.      

“It is time for Saint Mary’s University to assert our place boldly among the top Canadian universities and proclaim our advantages at home and around the globe,” says Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “This is the brand for our university and for our times. Saint Mary’s University offers a bright, ambitious vision for the future.”  

The new brand platform results from months of qualitative and quantitative research and extensive consultation with a diverse group of more than 3,000 faculty, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders.   

The new treatment includes a logo, wordmark and tagline, ‘World Without Limits.’    

“‘World Without Limits’ is a wonderful distillation of who we are and what Saint Mary’s strives for every day. It is about investment in people, about economies, international relations and social prosperity, changes in science, technology, environment and business. It is also about acknowledging and tackling the very real limitations placed on diverse and marginalized cultures and peoples, and addressing the mental health issues that many grapple with every day. It is about Saint Mary’s bold vision and our commitment to our university community, for Halifax and for Nova Scotia,” says President Summerby-Murray.    

“More than an updated look and feel, our new brand platform is a powerful way of telling the Saint Mary’s story,” says Erin Sargeant Greenwood, Vice-President, Advancement. “Saint Mary’s offers a unique experience. We are a caring community, more typically associated with smaller universities, combined with the research and student engagement opportunities of the largest institutions. We are moving the university forward in a way that reflects our traditions and values and embraces our bright future.”   

Related links

• Learn more about our new brand platform

• Learn about the Sobey School brand

• Learn about the Husky logo

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A Passion for Storytelling

PhD graduate Shelley T. Price has a long-standing relationship with Saint Mary’s University. For the past 28 years, she has been active in the university as a student, instructor, and staff member. A true Santamarian, Price also obtained her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and her MBA in Human Resources at Saint Mary’s.

“I am a loyal person, and I made Saint Mary’s my home,” explains Price. “I felt like I always had something more to learn, and I am passionate about learning. Somewhere along the way, I saw myself continuing to pursue degrees at Saint Mary’s until I finished a PhD.”

Born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, and raised in Southwest Nova Scotia (Mi’kma’ki), Price’s inspiration comes from Indigenous peoples’ stories and lived experiences. Her great-grandmother’s work, Woman of Labrador, was a catalyst to explore her peoples’ memories and stories through her PhD in Business Administration.

“I found a world of possibilities in academia that I never knew existed,” says Price. “The multi-paradigmatic approach allowed me to explore my voice and the wisdom of my peoples. I was so grateful to have found a space in business academia, where all of me was welcome: my fears, my anxieties, my hopes, and my dreams toward sustainable, just, and equitable ways of managing and leading organizations.”

Price’s passion for storytelling and her identity as a bi-racial Inuk woman has informed her research. Her dissertation title is Storytelling leadership: Connecting heart, mind, body, and spirit to stories of the old ways and old days of Labrador. The focus is on exploring a plurality of sustainable, just, and equitable practices of being, doing, knowing, and relating in leadership.

“Discrimination, harassment, exploitation, and oppression are still far too common in organizational contexts, and I think it is important to explore trauma-informed and culturally safe and humble approaches to decolonize management and leadership practice and education,” says Price. “I want to continue helping Indigenous peoples through my research. I think it is important to make space in academia for the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples.”

Currently, Price is an Assistant Professor at St. Francis Xavier University in the Department of Management. Over the years, she has worked at Saint Mary’s in various roles, including an instructor in the Management Department, as the Manager of Custodial Administration and Sustainability in Facilities, and in the Continuing Education and Teaching English as a Second Language departments.

“Saint Mary’s was my home. There were far too many wonderful experiences to count, and I am sad to see the adventure come to an end.”

As an advocate of social and environmental justice, Price wishes to extend a call to business leaders to engage in reflecting on how they will respond to #MMIWG2S #IndigenousRights #MeToo #Pride #MentalHealthAwareness #MakeMuskratRight #ClimateAction #BlackLivesMatter.