New home for Saint Mary’s Engineering to open in September 2024

Engineering students work hands-on with robotics

Students walk through the new engineering building space

The building offers space for students to connect and work together

Saint Mary’s University is excited to announce a significant expansion to its engineering facilities that will have an immediate positive impact on enrolment and allow the university to grow the engineering program from 240 to 320 students over the next two academic years.

President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray notes, “Saint Mary’s University has seen an increased demand for our STEM programming in recent years, particularly in our engineering diploma. Our excellent faculty, facilities and ability to provide focused, hands-on learning are very attractive to incoming students looking to build the foundation for their careers. We are delighted to be offering this experience to more students and researchers.”

960 Tower Road

Following a re-design over the spring and summer, SMU Engineering will move into its new home in the existing building on campus at 960 Tower Road. The new facilities will take up all three floors of the 28,000-square-foot building. This significant expansion of engineering space on campus will enhance teaching and learning capacity by providing state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and project rooms.

The first floor will house workspaces where student teams will design engineering projects. The second floor will include three large classrooms and the mechanics of materials lab, an electric circuits lab and thermofluids lab. The third floor will be home to an engineering design classroom and faculty research labs.

““This contemporary building will provide a dynamic environment for the training of future engineers and allow more students to experience the distinct advantages of SMU Engineering: small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities and more hands-on learning””

— Interim Dean of Science Sam Veres

Built to LEED Silver standards and opened in 2013, 960 Tower Road has housed various academic programs over the past decade. The university's administration took an innovative approach to re-purpose an existing building for a popular program that is experiencing growing demand. The new home of SMU Engineering will be ready to welcome students in September 2024.

Saint Mary’s Engineering offers a two-year Diploma of Engineering that provides students with an introduction to scientific principles and a strong foundation in engineering mathematics, design and technical communication before choosing an engineering path to complete their degree. Saint Mary’s has offered engineering for more than 100 years, with classes located in the McNally building since 1951.

Saint Mary’s University a top destination for International Baccalaureate students

Photo: Smith and Whitton

Saint Mary’s University Senate approved an enhanced International Baccalaureate (IB) admissions policy that will allow Saint Mary’s to have one of the leading IB admissions and recognition policies not only in Canada but in the world. 

The university worked closely with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) North America University Relations Team on crafting a policy that offers admission to IBDP and IBCP graduates from the over 180 IB curriculum schools across Canada and more than 5,600 schools in 159 countries worldwide. The new policy further enhances Saint Mary’s strong recognition and support of IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and individual diploma course-taking students.

IBO Senior Recognition Manager US and Canada, Marie Vivas, calls Saint Mary’s enhanced policy “pioneering” and is confident that this will enhance post-secondary options for IBDP and IBCP students while paving a path for other post-secondary institutions to emulate. 

“Our new IB policy allows the IBO and school counsellors to talk to their students and point them to us as a definite place where their programme is accepted, recognized and valued,” says Saint Mary’s Associate Vice-President Enrolment and University Registrar, Dan Seneker. 

 “Research shows that IB students tend to transition to university smoother and outperform their colleagues in their first year,” says Seneker. “Recognizing these students and the intellectual and personal growth that they experience both inside and outside the classroom is long overdue. We are proud to be a leader in this regard and partner with the IBO and Nova Scotia’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in developing this new policy.”

“Having one of our post-secondary partners lead the way in recognizing and celebrating Nova Scotia’s IB students is a great milestone, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Saint Mary’s in further developing IB recognition within our province,” says Mary MacDonald, IB/AP Program Lead, Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.  MacDonald continues, “This is a development that is good for our province and, more importantly, our students.”

The IBCP programme was officially introduced by the IBO in 2017 and was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in more targeted career-related and experiential learning. The IBCP maintains the core elements of the IBDP program (diploma program courses, international-mindedness, approaches to teaching, language development, reflective project, service learning, and personal and professional skills) and adds career-related studies elements that include technical and employability skills. 

For more information on Saint Mary’s various IB admissions policies, please visit www.smu.ca/IB

For more information on the International Baccalaureate Organization and the IBDP and IBCP programmes, please visit www.ibo.org

David Sobey Retailing Centre attracts retail industry veterans to Advisory Council

The David Sobey Retailing Centre (formerly David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing & Services) at the Sobey School of Business is delighted to welcome retail industry veterans Joe Jackman, Julia Knox, Dave S. Sobey and Wanda Walkden to its Advisory Council.

“The David Sobey Retailing Centre is extremely fortunate to have retail veterans and innovators of this calibre join our experienced Advisory Council,” says Vivek Sood, Executive Vice President, Related Business, Empire Company Limited and Chair, David Sobey Retailing Center Advisory Board. “The Advisory Council directly connects the centre with the retail sector, providing insights into industry issues and trends, and guiding the centre in its mission to shape the future of retail.”

Canada’s retail sector accounts for 15.6 per cent of Canada’s GDP and employs the most people of all sectors in our economy. “The David Sobey Retailing Centre is an integrated player in Canada’s retail community,” says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, Director, David Sobey Retailing Centre. “We are engaged in real-world retail innovation and training, world-class executive education and events, and research in areas vital to the future of retail including technology, AI, consumer psychology and behaviour, e-commerce and retail competition.”

New Advisory Council members:

Joe Jackman, Founder and Executive Chair, Jackman Reinvents

Joe Jackman is the Founder and Chairman of Jackman Reinvents, a management consulting firm specializing in transformative growth, and the CEO of Catapult Capital Partners, a venture capital and advisory firm focused on accelerating the growth of early-stage businesses.

For over 35 years, Jackman has helped leaders of retail, consumer packaged goods and B2B companies strengthen their strategic positions and accelerate value creation. An inductee into the Hall of Legends by the American Marketing Association, he is the author of the book The Reinventionist Mindset and is widely considered to be a leading expert on change and rapid business reinvention.

Julia Knox, Chief Technology and Analytics Officer and Chief Privacy Officer, Empire Company Limited

Responsible for technology, enterprise data and advanced analytics, Knox joined Empire in 2021 bringing with her extensive experience as a highly accomplished executive at Giant Tiger, where she was SVP, E-Commerce & Chief Merchandising Officer.

Knox’s leadership extends to community service; she serves as the Chair of the Board of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and is a founding activator of ShEO, a non-profit venture capital fund supporting women entrepreneurs. She is also a member of the Grocery Board for GS1 Canada.

Dave S. Sobey, Vice President, Operations, Atlantic, Sobeys Inc.

In his role, Sobey is accountable for Atlantic Operations of full-service and community banner stores. These include Sobeys, Foodland, and participating Co-ops within the four Atlantic provinces.

Sobey serves as the 2022-24 Chair of the Grocery Foundation Atlantic to benefit Atlantic Canada’s children’s hospital foundations and as Co-chair of the ‘Charting Our Course’ capital campaign for the Ship Hector Society to restore and relaunch the iconic ship in Pictou County.

Wanda Walkden, Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer, Staples Canada

Walkden leads Human Resources, Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, ensuring the alignment of these critical areas supports the engagement and retention of Staples’ 11,000 associates.

Prior to joining Staples, Walkden was the VP, Human Resources for Lowe’s Canada. She has over twenty-five years of human resources experience gained in a variety of industries including telecommunications, global outsourcing and retail, and has led the Human Resources function for multi-site teams based in Canada, U.S, Europe and Asia Pacific

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The David Sobey Retailing Centre, founded in 2014, was made possible thanks to a generous and visionary gift by the late Dr. David F. Sobey, CM, DComm’91, Chair Emeritus of Sobeys Inc.

To view the full list of David Sobey Retailing Centre Advisory Council members and find out more about the centre, please visit davidsobeycentre.ca

Saint Mary's partners with KW Legacy to promote Sobey National Innovator Scholarships

Students in the Sobeys Inspiration Hub

Saint Mary's University and KW Legacy are pleased to announce a unique enterprise to promote an exceptional scholarship opportunity. Under this partnership, KW Legacy will publicize the Sobey National Innovator Scholarships to students in the Waterloo region who want to pursue their post-secondary education at the Sobey School of Business in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  

“We believe that by working together, we can make a true difference in the lives of those in our region and support students in their post-secondary dreams. We are proud to partner with Saint Mary's University and support the unique opportunities they provide for so many students. Adding more students from the KW region to the Atlantic Canada mix is a great opportunity to learn, share, and grow between provinces and regions,” says Peter Kalbfleisch, KW Legacy. “Thank you to Saint Mary's and the Sobey School of Business for helping us support students in our region, helping develop our future leaders and making a significant impact in the lives of our youth and community.”  

“We appreciate and are grateful for the support of KW Legacy and the Sobey National Innovator Scholarships to provide a student within the Waterloo Region with a scholarship to Saint Mary’s University,” said Jeewan Chanicka, Director of Education for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). “This financial support represents the type of partnership that can provide opportunities for students to continue their academic journey and provide more equitable access to a university education as they work towards achieving their full potential in learning and in life.” 

“These scholarships represent a significant opportunity for personal and professional growth for the recipients, embodying the transformative power of education. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Saint Mary’s University, KW Legacy, and Sobeys, which reflects our commitment to nurturing young minds. This scholarship will make a profound difference in the lives of its recipients, and we are honored to be part of this exciting announcement,” said Lema Salaymeh, Senior Manager of Communications, Waterloo Catholic District School Board. 

The Sobey National Innovator Scholarships are exclusive to Saint Mary’s University and the Sobey School of Business. There are ten renewable entrance awards valued at $50,000 over four years awarded annually. These scholarships are presented to ten exceptional Canadian students each year in recognition of their accomplishments and as encouragement and support for their success in the Sobey School of Business. The initial scholarship in academic year one is $20,000. The renewal value in academic years two–four is $10,000 per year. The total value of each scholarship over four years is $50,000.  

The Sobey National Innovator Scholarship recipients also become members of the Sobey Scholars Network, a special cohort that includes all current and past students, alumni, Chair holders, named Professors and Post-Doctoral Fellows who have been the recipients of philanthropic financial support from the Sobey Family, The Sobey Foundation, Sobeys Inc., and Empire Company Limited.   

“The Bachelor of Commerce program at the Sobey School of Business is one of Canada’s most respected programs at one of Canada's top three undergraduate universities," says Mark Raymond, Interim Dean of the Sobey School of Business. "We teach our Bachelor of Commerce students more than how a good business runs. We show them how to run a business for good—for the long-term and for a better, more sustainable, more responsible world. We equip our students with the knowledge and insights to lead with purpose, and they graduate prepared to make a positive impact on business, organizations and on society."  

Sobey School globally recognized for supporting UN initiative

The Sobey School of Business has been named PRME Champions for 2024-2025. This is the third time the school has been reaffirmed as one of the world’s leading business schools, supporting the United Nations initiative - Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). 

“Once again, we are proud to be recognized as PRME Champions,” says Interim Dean, Mark Raymond. “The recognition places the Sobey School in a select group of business schools across the globe who are committed to sustainability and to educating the business leaders of tomorrow to make a positive impact on the world.”

As PRME Champions, the Sobey School is integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across curriculum, research, and partnerships. Currently, the school’s research agenda is aligned to support the SDGs as faculty generate insights on issues such as corporate social responsibility, poverty-climate change nexus, social entrepreneurship, and the role of gender in venture capital funding. The research intensity associated with the SDGs is a strong point of distinction for the school. Nearly 50% of the faculty have contributed to the portfolio of research aligned with the SDGs with 65% of all research-active faculty engaged in SDG-related research.

The school has also adapted its curriculum to meet PRME objectives and in response to student demand. Professor Miguel Morales notes, “Over the past three years, we have strategically adapted the Bachelor of Commerce curriculum to embed sustainability as a core component. The renewed Program Learning Outcomes place a strong emphasis on sustainability, and in Winter 2024, we are introducing two dedicated sustainability courses. These core courses serve as pillars for developing a deep-rooted awareness of sustainable business practices early in students' academic journeys.” As a result, Sobey School students graduate with a distinct advantage; they are prepared for the new world of business, one that requires responsible leaders to rise to global challenges in new, integrated ways.

For the 2024-2025 PRME programme cycle, the Sobey School has committed to the refreshed Seven PRME Principles and, in keeping with the new principle on Practice to “adopt responsible and accountable management principles in our own governance and operations”, is championing the university’s completion of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Sobey is one of only four business schools from Canada to be considered a Champion of PRME. There are 46 other business schools from around the world to be named Champion. The Sobey School is the oldest and the most accredited business school in Atlantic Canada offering the largest portfolio of disciplines and programs graduate programs east of Quebec.  

New agreement allows Holland College diploma graduates to complete science degree at Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s University has recently signed three cooperation agreements with Holland College, enabling graduates from the college’s Bioscience Technology, Wildlife Conservation, and Environmental Applied Science Technology diploma programs to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at the university.

Graduates of the two-year diploma programs can apply to join the Faculty of Science and School of the Environment. The agreement provides Holland College graduates a streamlined pathway into one of Saint Mary’s ten undergraduate science programs taught by top Canadian researchers and award-winning faculty.

“We are delighted to have a new partnership with Holland College, opening doors to more students pursuing their academic goals,” says Dan Seneker, Saint Mary’s AVP Enrolment Management and Registrar. “This agreement will create opportunities for research, internships and exceptional mentorship for students who wish to obtain a Bachelor of Science at Saint Mary’s.” 

Doug Currie, Holland College’s Vice President of Corporate Services, said the college is proud to be able to add Saint Mary’s University to the list of partner universities. “Saint Mary’s University has an excellent reputation and a tradition of academic excellence,” he said. “Our graduates are sure to thrive in this top-tier university.” 

Saint Mary's science and engineering students have access to a range of academic student supports to help them succeed. Thanks to our close-knit, community atmosphere, many of our undergraduates participate in their professor's research projects—a valuable experience that can be hard to come by at larger institutions.

“In the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s we are committed to student success, with a mission to create the next generation of creative thinkers through exceptional Science programming with experiential and interdisciplinary learning opportunities,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Interim Dean of Science. “Through these new agreements, we look forward to welcoming more Holland College graduates to Saint Mary’s for the next step in their education and advancement toward their higher education and career goals.”

Visit smu.ca/futurestudents for more information.

Saint Mary’s University unveils Sobeys Inspiration Hub as flagship of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence

43,000-square-foot expansion designed to foster innovative multidisciplinary collaboration

On October 11, Saint Mary’s University celebrated the new Sobeys Inspiration Hub, a four-storey, 43,000-square-foot building dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation at the university. The Sobeys Inspiration Hub is named in recognition of a $5-million investment in the building, part of an $18-million gift from the David & Faye Sobey Foundation, The Sobey Foundation and Sobeys Inc., as well as the personal donations of Paul and Marsha Sobey, and Janis Sobey-Hames and Chris Hames, all longtime supporters of the university.

The Sobeys Inspiration hub is designed to create a natural intersection for the business, academic and student communities. Its incubators, accelerators and technology labs will provide a catalyst for innovation where students can seamlessly participate in classes, workshops, internship opportunities, seminar series, conferences and business plan competitions. The Hub is adjacent to and integrated with the Sobey School of Business, home to one of Canada’s leading Commerce programs, which has attracted business minds from around the globe.

Students work on the DSC retail robot project

The building is the new home of the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services (DSC). Established through the generous support of the late David F. Sobey, the Centre focuses on cutting-edge retail research, innovation and education and will feature a mock store for testing new retail concepts and technologies, a biometric lab for neuroscience research and a digital lab for developing apps and AI solutions. Students, researchers and industry partners work together at the David Sobey Centre to lead innovation in Canada’s retail sector.

“In today’s world, we must all think differently to make great things happen; where we not only seek, but embrace, new approaches to the old way of doing things,” says Michael Medline, CEO of Empire Company Limited. “That is why we are so excited to see the Sobeys Inspiration Hub come to life. This environment is about tapping into potential, the incubation and growth of ideas, the space to challenge, take chances–and yes, even fail–and in turn, create greatness. Most importantly, it is a space where students are certain to thrive.”

A centrepiece of the Sobeys Inspiration Hub is the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, supported by a $5-million gift from Arthur L. Irving, Sandra Irving DCL’10, Sarah Irving, the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Irving Oil Limited. The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre addresses the needs of the modern student, fostering an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ across all faculties. It features a collider space, discovery zone, digital prototyping lab, meeting spaces and a podcasting production studio. Most notably, this campus expansion arrives at a time when the university is engaging more students than ever across the region and Saint Mary’s students are consistently achieving high-level results in national entrepreneurship competitions.

“We are proud to support Saint Mary’s University in their pursuit to provide the very best in business education, instilling the values of hard work, respect and passionate commitment to community," says Arthur Irving. “We are honoured to have the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre as part of The Sobeys Inspiration Hub, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada.”

The Sobeys Inspiration Hub is a catalyst space that energizes the connection between the Sobey Building and the Loyola Academic Building, fostering innovative multidisciplinary work, and strengthening the connectivity and engagement of Saint Mary’s University’s more than 6,600 students, professors and researchers across all faculties, including Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and Research, and the Sobey School of Business. The hub will also play a vital role in the activities of the David Sobey Centre for Excellence in Retailing and Services.

“The way students learn as well as how and where they learn is a strong consideration for us. This transformational addition to our campus is a demonstration of how we are responding to the needs of our curious, forward-thinking scholars who need the environment and resources for those natural collisions to happen–so different perspectives can come together to create innovations for the times ahead,” says Saint Mary’s University President and Chancellor, Robert Summerby-Murray.

In an early effort to spur entrepreneurship and innovation for the province, the Government of Nova Scotia made a significant contribution to this project with its funding of $11 million in 2018. The Government of Canada is contributing $8 million to support green energy and green infrastructure on campus, which includes the Sobeys Inspiration Hub. 

“The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to the Sobeys Inspiration Hub, a space on campus that will provide programming designed to help under-represented groups, as well as supporting small business owners, those with an interest in entrepreneurship and those seeking employment services. This outstanding addition to Saint Mary’s campus will make the possibility of entrepreneurship a reality for more community members,” says Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax.

Kim Thúy, renowned author, to receive Honorary Doctorate

Saint Mary’s University will bestow an honorary doctorate on award-winning author Kim Thúy at the 2023 Fall Convocation.

Kim Thúy

Kim Thúy’s story began when, at age ten, she fled post-war Vietnam with her parents and siblings. In 1978, the Thúy family joined the mass migration of more than a million Vietnamese known as Thuyền nhân Việt Nam, the “boat people”, who took to the sea in makeshift boats. After living in a refugee camp in Malaysia, Thúy and her family settled in Granby, Québec. 

Thúy held several careers over the years as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer and restaurant owner before she decided to write about the refugee experience. Her debut novel, Ru, first published in French in 2009, tells the story of her family’s long journey from Vietnam to Québec and the discovery of their new home in Canada. Ru — which translates as "lullaby" in Vietnamese — won the 2010 Governor General’s Literary Award and was shortlisted for the New Academy Prize in Literature. Thúy’s published oeuvre includes her 2017 collection of cross-stories of exile titled À toi, with French-Slovakian-Swiss author Pascal Janovjak.

Thúy’s novel mãn in 2013 explored the power of cuisine and connection to family and identity. It was in 2016 that Vi was published, navigating the migratory experience from Thúy’s mother’s experience. Beyond her creative work, Thúy assumed the role of the Québec representative for Le Petit Robert and was a contributor to the book L’Autisme expliqué aux non-autistes. In October 2017, Thúy wrote Le secret des Vietnamiennes, a cookbook containing recipes from Vietnam. 

Thúy’s books have been distributed across 43 countries and territories and have been enjoyed in 31 languages. Thúy lives in Montréal where she devotes her time to writing. She holds a degree in linguistics and translation and a degree in law from the Université de Montréal. In 2015, she was a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. Among the many honours she has received, Thúy was knighted Chevalière de l’Ordre national du Québec by the Government of Québec in 2015, and knighted Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Republic in 2023.

“Saint Mary’s University is honoured to recognize Kim Thúy,” says President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Her writing illuminates the immigrant experience and Canada is enriched by her contributions to literature and to society.”

Thúy will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters at Fall Convocation on September 23, 2023. The convocation ceremonies will be live-streamed at www.smu.ca/graduation and on the SMU Halifax Facebook page.

Sobey School of Business launches new Bachelor of Commerce curriculum

Leadership and innovation in sustainability and entrepreneurship

The Sobey School of Business has launched its new Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) curriculum in time for the Fall 2023 academic term. After extensive consultation with students and stakeholders including alumni, business leaders and entrepreneurs, new core courses have been developed in sustainability, entrepreneurship and operations management to complement Saint Mary’s exceptional foundational business courses in management, finance and accounting.  

“Business is constantly changing, and we have adapted our curriculum to respond to demands from industry and students alike,” says Interim Dean Mark Raymond. “Today’s students are extremely conscientious and mindful of their place in the world. Here, students learn the fundamentals of good business as well as how to do business for good.”

BComm student Adrianna Timmons (left) speaking at the 2023 PRME Global Forum

BComm student Adrianna Timmons learned about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in her first-year classes and then travelled with her professors to New York to speak at an international conference supported by the United Nations. Back in Halifax, she is planning a new student society to promote sustainable business practices.

“It was eye-opening. There were people from institutions around the world, all dedicated to making a change and developing groundbreaking tools, everything from software to management practices. It really gives me hope for the future.”

One of the most unique aspects of the Sobey School of Business BComm program is the extent of customization and flexibility. There is the option to participate in the co-op program, international learning experiences and students can choose majors and minors relevant to them such as marketing, economics and entrepreneurship, integrating elective courses from Arts and Science in everything from Indigenous culture to computing science. The result is a contemporary program, providing students with knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on people, organizations and the planet.

The Sobey School of Business is one of the most highly respected business schools in Canada, one of only seven business schools in Canada and the only school in Atlantic Canada to be awarded accreditation with AACSB and EQUIS–global organizations that conduct rigorous quality reviews of business schools around the world.  

Saint Mary’s University is known for providing students with unparalleled access to knowledgeable faculty, academic and peer support, hands-on learning opportunities and research opportunities. In keeping with providing an exceptional student experience, the university will open new buildings in Fall 2023. The Sobeys Inspiration Hub will foster innovative multidisciplinary work and entrepreneurship, bringing together BComm students and students from Arts, Science and Graduate Studies along with professors, researchers, entrepreneurs and business executives.

Sobey School recognized again for positive impact on Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Region

The Sobey School of Business, the largest business school in Atlantic Canada and one of the top business schools in Canada, has received the Business School Impact System (BSIS) designation for a second time in recognition of its intellectual and social impact on Nova Scotia and beyond. 

 “We were advised today that we have again received the BSIS designation confirming that the Sobey School’s impact reaches far beyond its economic contribution and also influences the business and cultural life of the Atlantic Region,” says Saint Mary’s University President, Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray.

“Saint Mary’s University is known for our research that addresses real-world problems and for our strong partnerships with local businesses and communities. The BSIS designation demonstrates the role of the Sobey School in fulfilling these key strategic priorities for the University.” 

In 2016, the Sobey School was the first business school in North America to be awarded the BSIS label for its economic impact, and now is the only one to receive a second affirmation, this time for its intellectual and societal impact.  An international review team using a methodology developed by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), the leading international network in the field of management education, re-examined the business school over a three-year period (2020-2022).  

Sobey School professor Ather Akbari with students on the Halifax waterfront

“This BSIS reassessment has seen SSB confirm its position as a strong and highly visible business school, firmly embedded in the business and cultural life of the region. The impact demonstrated on the impact zone since the first BSIS  assessment in 2016 is compelling in terms of scope and ambition. The commitment of the leadership team, faculty and staff has ensured that the school continues to make significant impact gains across the intellectual and societal impact dimensions.”  BSIS Final Report, July 2023 

The BSIS external review is a comprehensive and multi-dimensional assessment process that evaluated a business school's impact on its region. Reviewers examined the Sobey School faculty’s scholarly publications and a pre-visit report and then conducted a campus visit in March 2023. In their Impact Report, reviewers noted key accomplishments related to intellectual impact.

• An impressive 94% of faculty are active researchers; 70 Sobey School faculty members have produced 223 journal papers in 173 different journals. 

• Research topics are based on regional problems with a national or global relevance.  

• Conferences profile the intellectual impact of the School with significant number of conference papers and presentations and two large academic conferences hosted on campus.  

• Local managers are enthusiastic about the professional development benefits they gain from collaboration with the Sobey School. 

• The School has demonstrable strength in developing and sustaining research partnerships with regional companies and organisations (32 over the past 3 years).  

The BSIS review team also noted that the School has a growing reputation for its societal impact through research and teaching as well as its own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives. Evidence of the School’s commitment to CSR includes: 

• 92% of business students receive instruction in CSR and sustainable development and have the opportunity to work with businesses. 

• The Sobey School is one of the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatories since 2014 and PRME champions since 2020. 

• CSR and sustainability are attractive to actual and potential students.  

• There is wide evidence of activity mapping against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (teaching, research and engagement activities).  

• Societal research is growing in impact and visibility with 48 professors focused on societal research through four research groups.  

• Service learning is a clear differentiator for the school and its students. 

• Saint Mary’s University reduced carbon emissions by an impressive 40% in 2022 and is installing one of North America’s tallest solar arrays on its path to green energy production. 

“It is gratifying to receive external validation that our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability is a distinguishing hallmark for the Sobey School. We know that this differentiator attracts students, and helps faculty and students stay connected, says Acting Dean, Mark Raymond. “Service learning is now embedded in our renewed BComm Program – it’s another example of the School’s impact on business and society.” 

In 2016, a BSIS review found that the Sobey School had a financial and economic impact of $329 million on the Province of Nova Scotia. 

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 About BSIS 

The Business School Impact System (BSIS) scheme is designed to determine the extent of a school’s impact on its local environment – the city or region in which it is located. The BSIS process is offered in collaboration between EFMD Global and FNEGE (Fondation Nationale pour l’Enseignement en Gestion des Entreprises), as a service to EFMD members in any part of the world. The impact of the business school is analysed based on the following seven areas of impact: financial, educational, business development impact as well as intellectual, societal, image, and impact within the impact zone selected by the school and its regional ecosystem. 

There are currently 63 schools across 19 countries that have received the BSIS label. 

Multi-million-dollar gift strengthens university’s leadership in sport, business and health

(L-R): Jule Naugler, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Scott McCain, Leslie McLean, Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, Dr. Colin Howell at the announcement of the $3-million gift supporting the Centre for the Study of Sport and Health.

Saint Mary’s University has a rich tradition of excellence in varsity athletics, interdisciplinary undergraduate education, community-engaged research and outreach, and world-class business education. Now, thanks to a $3-million gift from Scott McCain and Leslie McLean, the university is poised to forge a stronger strategic partnership between academics, athletics, research and industry—focused in the university’s Centre for the Study of Sport and Health.

“Sport brings us together, unites us and enriches our lives and our communities,” says McCain. “Leslie and I are pleased to join with Saint Mary’s University in this transformative endeavour.”

Leslie McLean and Scott McCain

McCain and McLean each have deep connections to the areas of sport, health and business—McCain is the Chairman of McCain Foods, director of SeaFort Capital Inc., and owner of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, while McLean is a consultant, educator, researcher and advanced practice nurse who, apart from other areas of practice, has experience in public health, social determinants of health and mental health.

“It is widely recognized that sport plays an integral role in health,” says McLean. “By partnering with Saint Mary’s University, we can make a direct contribution to the lives of young people involved in sport by furthering their career goals and, in turn, watch them advance health and wellness in communities across Atlantic Canada and beyond.”

The strategic investment by McCain and McLean will build on the university’s strong track record of excellence in varsity athletics, academic rigour and community engagement. It will strengthen the school’s capacity to harness talent and invention and to train the next generation of scholars, researchers and community leaders as well as professional athletes, coaches, and sport industry professionals and entrepreneurs. It will enable dedicated resources to grow academic programs in this distinctive area and establish formal wellness, leadership and mental health programming for varsity athletes and students across all faculties. 

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Scott McCain and Leslie McLean, Saint Mary’s will become one of the country’s leaders in sport innovation, combining the strengths of internationally recognized researchers and dedicated faculty to create the next generation of sport industry trailblazers, health and wellness policy-makers and community leaders,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

In recognition of the transformative donation and its impact, the Centre will be renamed in honour of Scott McCain and Leslie McLean. This gift marks continued support from these prominent philanthropists for Saint Mary’s University; they previously established the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Diversity Excellence Award in support of undergraduate Black and Indigenous students.

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How the $3-million gift will support key areas of the Centre for the Study of Sport and Health

New Curriculum for a New Generation of Experts

Dr. Madine VanderPlaat

Fueled by the philanthropic investment from McCain and McLean, Saint Mary’s will drive curriculum development to build a strong pipeline of highly qualified professionals with expertise at the intersection of sport, health, society and business. The gift will fund new academic programs available to students across the university, building on the success of the certificate in Health, Wellness and Sport in Society from the Faculty of Arts and creating new programs in the renowned Sobey School of Business. Graduates of these programs will form new cohorts of leaders in the burgeoning sport and health industry, worth $85 billion in North America alone.

Madine VanderPlaat, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research, says, “This strategic investment will provide new and exciting career training and opportunities for our current and future students. We know there will be strong demand and we look forward to meeting it with innovation and exciting programs and experiential learning in sport, business and health.”

Knowledge Creation and Research Impact

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald

The gift will expand research capacity and resources, enabling greater collaboration from a wider range of scholars, students, and community members, all dedicated to sport and health.  Researchers and visiting scholars will inform government policy and influence the work of practitioners and professionals working in sport development and sport business. Research outcomes, insights and recommendations will be shared through national and international forums and networks, project-specific workshops, national conferences, and speaker series.

“Through our partnership with Scott and Leslie, the Centre will grow its capacity to make global research connections, contribute to community programming, engage with varsity athletes, and expand on academic programming in Arts with a future focus in Business,” says Cheryl MacDonald, Director of the Centre for the Study of Sport and Health. “It’s an honour to have been entrusted as collaborators based on our shared vision of higher education and socially responsible approaches to sport, business, health, and wellness.”

Leadership & Wellness Programming

Leadership and social responsibility training and personal development opportunities will be offered in conjunction with SMU’s Athletics and Recreation Department with a focus on the dynamic connections between the physical, mental and social components of both individual and community well-being. The development of this programming will ensure that student-athletes are well-positioned to pursue their academic and professional goals and become impactful and healthy role models in their communities.

Julie Naugler

"The Health, Wellness and Sport in Society program at Saint Mary's has not only shaped my academic career but also instilled in me the values of leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of health and sport,” says Julie Naugler, who received a Certificate in Health, Wellness and Sport in Society and is currently an MBA student in the Sobey School of Business.

“I am a firm believer in the transformative power of the business side of sport. With this generous donation, I am filled with joy and just a hint of envy for the new opportunities it will bring. The world of sport is in need of exceptional leaders in its boardrooms and arenas, and I have full confidence that this gift will nurture and produce them."

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Bob Dawson, leader in the fight against racism, to receive an honorary doctorate

Saint Mary’s University will recognize Bob Dawson BA’71 with an honorary doctorate in Civil Law at the 2023 Spring Convocation, celebrating his leadership in fighting racism both on and off the ice. While attending Saint Mary’s University in 1967, Dawson became the first Black athlete to play in the former Atlantic Intercollegiate Hockey League where he was often the target of verbal and physical abuse.

In 1970, he became a member of the first all-Black line in Canadian university hockey, which included Darrell Maxwell and Percy Paris. His commitment to fighting racism did not end when he left university but continues to the present day.

Bob Dawson and teammates recognized as the first all-Black line at SMU Homecoming in 2017

After completing his Masters in Social Work in 1973 at Dalhousie University, Dawson joined the Public Service of Canada in Halifax and later moved to Ottawa in 1980 where he worked for 37-years in human resources management and received several awards for contributions to employment equity and diversity. 

“We are very pleased to honour Bob Dawson,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “He has carried his commitment to fight racism beyond the hockey arena and into the wider Canadian society. He shows us what it means to be a leader and live by values that will inspire others, especially future generations.”

As a member of the Ottawa-Carleton Area Police Community Council, Dawson helped develop a community action strategy to prevent, manage and resolve critical incidents involving the police and communities of colour. While with the National Capital Alliance on Race Relations, he established and implemented the “Police-Minority Youth Program”, a community-based initiative to improve relations between the police and youth and was recognized with a Civilian Citation in 1992 and Community Service Award in 1993 from the Police Services Boards for the cities of Gloucester and Ottawa. 

Over the years, Dawson has worked with numerous community organizations and universities to organize events and conferences to address racism in hockey. One of his proudest moments came when his request to Canada Post for a stamp to commemorate the “125th anniversary of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHLM)” was approved and issued on January 24, 2020. He is currently working with the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa to create an archival collection on the CHLM. Since February 2021, Dawson has been working with students and staff at the R.I.S.E. Academy on hockey-related initiatives, which included an anti-racism campaign entitled “Blow The Whistle on Racism”.

Dawson played for the SMU Huskies from 1967-1971

An accomplished sportswriter and historian, Dawson writes extensively on Blacks in various sports, especially hockey. On January 25, 2015, he received from Black History Ottawa the John G. Dennison Award for excellence in the study, preservation, and promotion of Canadian Black history and culture. In 2022, The Hockey News recognized him as one of the Social Change Advocates Making An Impact for his work in the areas of anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.

On February 22, 2022, the NHL’s Ottawa Senators presented Dawson with a Senators’ jersey in appreciation for his contributions to growing the game of hockey in Ottawa. At the Carnegie Initiative Summit in January 2023 in Toronto, he was presented with the Carnegie Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to challenging the status quo to make hockey more inclusive.

In recent years, Dawson has returned to his alma mater to reunite with teammates and to host conferences devoted to ending racism and promoting equity and inclusion for Black athletes.

“Bob has been a lifelong ambassador of Saint Mary’s University as an athlete, a scholar, and a professional and he has dedicated his life to Black inclusion in Nova Scotia and beyond,” says Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, Associate Director of Outreach and Instructor, Centre for the Study of Sport & Health. “His intellectual and practical contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in hockey specifically have informed my own work as a sport scholar. I consider it a privilege to have been asked to deliver the citation for his honorary degree at the graduation ceremony in May.”