From card catalogues to AI: Peter Webster named Saint Mary’s University’s first Librarian Emeritus
Peter Webster
Saint Mary’s is pleased to honour a distinguished career in library and information science with the naming of Peter Webster as its first-ever Librarian Emeritus. The title will be officially conferred at the Spring Convocation Ceremonies in May 2026.
Webster is being recognized for a 32-year career defined by leadership and a lasting impact on the scholarly and research landscape at Saint Mary’s and beyond.
“I can think of no one more deserving,” said Suzanne van den Hoogen, Dean, University Library and Archives, in a formal recommendation brought forward by the librarians and managers of the Patrick Power Library, citing Webster’s decades of service and national leadership in the field.
With a special interest in technology, Webster played a central role in building powerful digital systems and collaborative networks for sharing and accessing academic research, while helping generations of scholars navigate an increasingly complex information environment.
A transformational career
Webster “fell into” library work when he took a job as a clerk at a city public library. “I loved the public service work and turned out to be good at working with technology,” he says, a combination that led him to pursue his MLS and would define the course of his career.
Webster joined Saint Mary’s in 1993 as Information Technology Services Librarian and later served as Associate University Librarian from 2010 to 2023, as well as Acting University Librarian during key periods of transition.
During his time at Saint Mary’s, he was instrumental in guiding the Patrick Power Library through one of the most significant periods of change in academic publishing and information access. From early work in electronic resource management to more recent leadership on artificial intelligence and scholarly search, Webster has been widely recognized as an expert in library systems, digital infrastructure, and information access.
“It is an understatement to say that Peter’s career has spanned a period of massive change,” says Hansel Cook, Associate Dean, Library Strategy, Planning and Assessment. “Throughout it all, he has been at the forefront. With 35 published journal articles, book chapters, and other works, Peter’s impact has been spread to professionals, students, and academics around the world.”
Expanding access to knowledge
During his career, Webster witnessed firsthand the huge shift from primarily print collections to digital environments and was deeply involved in helping academic libraries make this transition.
“There has been a remarkable transformation in scholarly information in my time,” says Webster. “The move from paper journals to almost exclusively online publishing, from on-site to almost constant 24/7 online access, and the sheer increase in information access have had enormous impacts.”
Webster’s work has been central to expanding access to scholarly resources at Saint Mary’s. Through regional and national licensing agreements and collaborations, the number of journals, ebooks, and research materials available to Saint Mary’s scholars has grown exponentially.
Webster also contributed to major national initiatives, including the Canadian Research Knowledge Network and the Canadian Digital Alliance, strengthening shared research infrastructure across Canada. Regionally, he served as President of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association and received its Merit Award for outstanding contributions to library services.
Librarians in the age of AI
Webster’s career progressed alongside the rapid evolution of the information landscape, from the early days of the web to today’s AI-driven tools.
While search technologies have made finding information easier, he notes that evaluating its quality has become more complicated.
“The information environment is more complex than ever before,” he says. “Both students and faculty are confronting new challenges understanding the quality and credibility of all the information available to them.”
This is where librarians have a key role to play.
“The ‘one-stop shopping’ online searching that folks have come to rely on is dependent on a huge amount of librarian work under the hood,” he says. “This is doubly true for AI searching; the quality and accuracy are dependent on having consistent, standardized quality information to work with. The future success of AI search will depend on a great deal of ongoing librarian work behind the scenes.”
A lasting impact
In addition to his leadership in systems and strategy, Webster has made a lasting impact through teaching and mentorship. Over his career, he has taught research skills of all levels to thousands of students and worked closely with faculty on complex research and data needs.
“Peter has been the person faculty turn to for specialized research advice,” says Cook. “His expertise, generosity and collaborative spirit have made a lasting impact on both teaching and research at Saint Mary’s.”
Colleagues describe him as a trusted mentor and an invaluable resource. One noted that he remains “the person his library co-workers, university faculty, and others in the field go to for advice and consultation.”
For Webster, these relationships are the highlight of his career.
“My fondest memory will be working with students and faculty on so many fascinating research projects,” he says. “Helping people solve challenging problems and find the information they need has always been the most rewarding part of the job.”
Looking ahead
Webster says he is “proud, honoured and more than a little humbled” to receive the Librarian Emeritus designation and is especially pleased to be the first at Saint Mary’s to be recognized in this way.
In retirement, he plans to stay active through travel, cycling and volunteer work, while continuing his research and writing in library and information science.
With his emeritus appointment, Webster will remain connected to the university community, continuing a career dedicated to advancing access to knowledge and supporting research excellence.
Peter will receive his Librarian Emeritus designation during the FGSR ceremony on Tuesday, May 26. Spring Convocation ceremonies can be viewed via livestream. Visit our website for ceremony times, livestream link and more.
Saint Mary's welcomes new Sexual Violence Advisor, Rachel Field
Rachel Field
Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Rachel Field has stepped into the role of Sexual Violence Advisor within the Sexual Violence Support Centre (SVSC) in Student Affairs and Services (SAAS).
In this role, Rachel will support students, faculty and staff in navigating and responding to experiences related to sexual violence and harassment, while also contributing to prevention, education and awareness initiatives across campus.
Her work includes providing confidential, trauma-informed support and response; supporting awareness and education initiatives through collaboration and oversight of the Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative and the Athletic Ambassadors Program; collaborating with campus and community partners to strengthen coordinated care and response pathways; and contributing to ongoing efforts to foster a safe, supportive and informed campus community.
Rachel brings a varied and interdisciplinary background in community-based support, education and care work. Most recently, she worked as a Community Outreach Worker with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education within the SchoolPlus program. Prior to this, Rachel worked across a range of settings, including addictions support services, youth care environments, and therapeutic practice contexts, including work as a music therapist. During her undergraduate studies at Acadia University, she also served as a resident assistant, contributing to student support and community-building in residence life.
Rachel is currently completing a Master’s of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University and brings a broad foundation of training, practice and lived professional experience across multiple helping professions.
“I try to approach people with empathy, consistency and clear boundaries,” says Rachel. “My work is grounded in a humanistic approach that recognizes people already carry a great deal of strength and resilience within themselves. Support, to me, is about helping create space for people to reconnect with that in a way that feels safe, respectful and collaborative.”
“Trauma-informed practice is often talked about as creating a ‘safe space,’ but safety is deeply personal,” Rachel explains. “What’s most important to me is being transparent, clear and responsible, while recognizing that every person’s experience and needs will look different.”
Rachel is thrilled to join the Saint Mary’s community and looks forward to experiencing the energy of the start of the academic year in September, from checking out the Welcome Weeks activities to Huskies games.
Please join us in welcoming Rachel Field to Saint Mary’s University!
Worlds colliding: Accounting, Science & Arts Interdisciplinary Colloquium
If you are an applied science researcher looking for solutions to combat environmental problems like, say, innovative ways to remediate legacy gold mining waste materials, the accounting standard for contaminated sites might not be on your go-to list of tools and methods.
But it could be.
This was the bold premise behind an innovative interdisciplinary event held at Saint Mary’s on April 10, 2026. Researchers from Saint Mary’s Arts and Science Faculties were invited to share a piece of research they are working on. Professors of Geography, Environmental Science, Engineering and Astronomy and Physics took part: Linda Campbell, Valeria Montes Urrego, Karen Harper, and Athanasios Psaltis.
A team from the Accounting department of the Sobey School of Business then reflected on what methods, approaches and tools academic accounting might offer on the same project. These professors included organizers Vasiliki Athanasakou, Matthew Boland, Amna Chalwati Mohamed Drira, and Ming Liu, as well as Khin Phyo Hlaing.
Innovative insights presented
In the popular imagination, “accountant” is often positioned as an opposite to “creative”, but the presentations required enormous creativity. The event gleaned rich insights, as organizer Dr. Vasiliki Athanasakou pointed out:
“In particular, the vital role of accounting and disclosure in supporting remediation and more complete recognition of environmental liabilities; the importance of accounting and taxation in enabling the economic viability of innovative environmental solutions; the remarkable wealth of natural capital data that remains underexplored in reassessing ecosystem value; and the need to embrace a mix of methods to strengthen the external validity of complex, interdisciplinary phenomena.”
There is a certain kind of power in hearing an accountant speak about the real market values of biodiversity and its effects on GDP worldwide in conjunction with the scientist pointing out the value to the ecosystem.
Panelists call for stable funding and dialogue
The lunchtime fireside discussion engaged practitioners and academics who drilled into the real barriers of tackling long-term problems with evidence-based and practitioner-informed solutions. Panelists expressed frustrations with isolated policy development and implementation while ignoring the experience of practitioners. The gap can lead to unintended consequences or simply policy failure. For their part, researchers recognized the value of the findings brought by application. All agreed that unstable funding did not support long term outcomes.
Dr. Athanasakou noted, “The fireside discussion further emphasized the importance of clarity and certainty in investment projections as a key condition for translating evidence into action; the growing need to bring together scientists, companies, investor representatives and policymakers into shared dialogues; the central role of trust and governance in making those dialogues meaningful; and the importance of policy and governance consistency in supporting sustainable, long-term decision-making.”
Panelists were:
Adel Merabet, Professor of Engineering, SMU
Danika van Proosdij, Geomorphologist and Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, SMU
Timothy Bachiu, Director of Research at Net Zero Atlantic
Donald G. LeBlanc, President of RDA Atlantic
Rob Rashotte, President, Global Training and Education, Cato Networks and student in the Sobey Executive Doctorate of Business Administration program.
Duncan P. Williams, President & CEO at Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Sparking new creative collisions
Interdisciplinary approaches really shine in an intimate community like Saint Mary's University. The day concluded with a cross-project discussion on opportunities for future research with doctoral students, which was also attended by a dual-credit co-op class of high school students. Interdisciplinary, intergenerational and reflecting a commitment to innovative ways to solve real-world problems.
The Accounting, Science and Arts Interdisciplinary Colloquium was, in many ways, a perfect distillation of the Saint Mary’s University promise of a world without limits.
New major in Sustainability Management launches at Saint Mary's
“Sustainability is a competitive advantage.” – Mary Barra, CEO General Motors
Environmental responsibility and equity are key career themes for today’s students. A new Sustainability Management major in the Sobey School of Business Bachelor of Commerce program will help students address real challenges, such as climate change, responsible resource use and social impact, through a business career. Students will learn how organizations balance environmental responsibility, community and societal well-being, and economic success.
The program includes courses like Sustainable Finance, Sustainability Accounting, Reporting and Assurance, Business Ethics and Responsibility, and Economics of Sustainability, as well as elective courses in Arts and Science. While the major is a standalone program, it has been specially designed to work well as a second major alongside other disciplines such as Finance, Management or Marketing.
The program will include important experiential learning elements that deepen a student’s understanding outside of the classroom, including opportunities to work hands-on with organizations on real sustainability challenges. Graduates may pursue careers in fields like responsible investing, corporate sustainability management, ESG analysis and sustainability consulting.
The new Sustainability Management major is a natural next step for the Sobey School, as our students and alumni have long demonstrated commitment to environmental and social sustainability, through building social enterprises like Square Roots; societies like Enactus, Women in Business and the new Sustainability Society; and through participating in national and international case competitions themed for ethics, responsible leadership and sustainability.
Commitment to sustainability
The Sobey School of Business is a signatory to PRME, a United Nations initiative. Its focus is ensuring that business schools equip future leaders with the skills needed to balance economic, social and environmental goals, with particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sobey is a PRME Champion school, signalling a greater commitment and intention to be a thought leader in responsible leadership.
Our research centres focus on topics related to sustainability, including social entrepreneurship and impact, immigration economics, and co-operative businesses.
Saint Mary’s University has a reputation for environmental and social responsibility that is evident in everything from our research endeavours to our academic programs to many on-campus activities and initiatives. The new major joins a number of sustainability-focused undergraduate programs at the university.
Highlighting the SMU Community during National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate people who give their time, skills and energy to strengthen communities across Canada. At Saint Mary’s, many faculty, staff, students and alumni across the university quietly give back and make a meaningful difference through volunteering.
Through initiatives such as the Co-Curricular Recognition program and Community Service Learning, volunteering has also become an important way for students to put their learning into practise while making a positive impact.
“Volunteering enriches the student experience by connecting academic content to real-world situations,” says Christy Starkey, Co-Curricular & Career360° Lead at Saint Mary’s. “It helps build professional connections and offers a meaningful way to give back to the community.”
The impact is impressive: in 2025, over 450 students volunteered a total of 22,000 hours with 111 local organizations, including the IWK Foundation, Chisholm Services for Children (Links Literacy program), Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank and more.
This week, we are highlighting just a few of our student and alumni volunteers who are committed to making things better for all. Read on to be inspired and join us in thanking volunteers across SMU for all that they do!
Yusupha Njie
Yusupha is a third‑year Bachelor of Science student double-majoring in computer science and business administration. As Coordinator of the SMU Community Food Room, he proudly oversees a team of more than 50 volunteers, providing essential support to fellow students.
In 2025, Yusupha logged the highest number of CCR volunteer hours, contributing an exceptional 840 hours.
“To me, being part of a community means showing up for one another and ensuring everyone has the support they need to succeed.”
Deana Symes
Deana, a fifth-year Master of Science in Applied Science student, was recently named the 2025-26 Huskies Female President's Award winner for Outstanding Academic and Athletic Performance for her commitment to her rugby team and community, as well as being a five-time Academic All-Canadian and Dean's List recipient.
A leader with women’s rugby, she pairs excellence on the field with service off campus, volunteering as an assistant coach with Sackville High Rugby, supporting the SMU Community Food Room, serving as a medical responder at campus sporting events and being an active member of the Chemistry Society.
Melissa Alvarez Del Angel
Melissa, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science Honours student majoring in psychology, is highly involved on and off campus. She has provided extensive support to students as a Senior RA and she volunteers at Peter’s Place, assisting individuals recovering from brain injuries. Melissa is also involved in the French Woodland Conservation Project and has supported initiatives at the IWK Foundation.
“Volunteering has allowed me to give back to a community that has given me so much, and to create a positive difference, even if only in a small corner of the world.”
Noah Martin
Noah has made a lasting impact through sustained volunteer leadership and community engagement. He completed a work‑integrated learning placement with Shelter Movers, which provides moving and storage services to individuals and families fleeing abuse. He continued as Lead Volunteer with Shelter Movers, mentoring students, coordinating volunteers and modelling trauma‑informed practice.
His long‑term commitment to both Shelter Movers and the Nova Scotia Environmental Network has strengthened community partnerships, built trust and ensured meaningful, ongoing learning opportunities for future SMU students.
Naomi Onyechi
Naomi is a third-year Arts student majoring in psychology and criminology who participates in the Co-Curricular Recognition and Community Service Learning programs.
Following her CSL placement, she continued volunteering with the Halifax Association for Community Living. She is one of the first recipients to receive the Community Engaged Learning Certificate, which celebrates students who have gone beyond the classroom to meaningfully connect their academic learning with community-based work.
“Volunteering is an invaluable experience that changed how I connected with my schoolwork, as it took theories I saw in my textbooks and showed me what it looked like in a real-life context. I got to grow with a team and learned new ways of connecting with people, which helped expand my mind on what inclusion could look like.”
Maddie Vanderlinden BA’24
While completing her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Intercultural Studies and French, Maddie built a strong sense of community through her involvement with SAGA (Students Acting for Global Awareness), the French Society, WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and as a Welcome Weeks Leader—connections that made her experience unforgettable.
Today, she continues that connection as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Committee, roles she stepped into immediately after graduating.
“I chose to continue volunteering with SMU as a way to stay connected after graduating,” she shares. “I had such a positive experience during my time there.”
Empowering women through bold ideas
In celebration of International Women’s Month, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre brought together students and founders for an Innovation Sprint featuring FemXchange, a growing platform designed to help female+ individuals share skills, build connections and support one another.
The sprint welcomed 14 students from Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University, all tasked with tackling a real challenge: how FemXchange can grow sustainably through partnerships while continuing to engage the right members and stakeholders. The opportunity came at the perfect moment, as conversations are already underway to deepen collaboration between FemXchange and the Centre, particularly in ways that could better connect students, alumni and existing programming.
“I was blown away by the bright, diverse minds in the room,” said FemXchange Founder Caroline Mastropaolo. “As a solo founder, having such a range of fresh, objective perspectives is incredibly valuable. I’m excited to hit the ground running with all these new ideas.”
Not only were students solving for business growth, but they were doing so for a platform rooted in empowerment and access. As a bonus, all female participants received one year of free access to FemXchange, turning the experience into something that extends well beyond the classroom.
The solutions presented reflected both creativity and strategic thinking. First place went to Saint Mary’s University arts student, Stuti Sandhu, who proposed partnerships with university alumni offices, venture capital firms and small business insurance companies. Her idea also highlighted an important social impact angle, suggesting the platform could support survivors of domestic violence and economic abuse by promoting financial independence.
Second place was awarded to commerce student Isabella Scuse and science student Abdinasir Ali, both from Saint Mary’s University, who developed a multi-partnership approach. Their strategy included collaborations with Etsy to support DIY entrepreneurs, Credly for certifications, Shopify for scaling businesses and RBC for funding and financial literacy.
Third place went to Saint Mary’s MBA students Laura Thompson, Benjamin Broadbent and Noah Zelin-Opps. Their plan focused on partnerships with universities, professional organizations and platforms like PrestaShop, alongside a detailed activation strategy that included chatbot integration and a WhatsApp ecosystem.
Overall, the Innovation Sprint highlighted what’s possible when the right people, purpose and timing come together.
If you’re interested in learning more about the next Innovation Sprint, sign up for our newsletter.
From campus to community: Maddie Vanderlinden’s alumni journey
Maddie (on the right) volunteers with SMU Alumni during Homecoming
For Maddie Vanderlinden BA’24, staying involved with Saint Mary’s University was a natural next step after graduation—and a meaningful way to stay connected.
While completing her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Intercultural Studies and French, along with a minor in Asian Studies, Maddie built a strong sense of community through her involvement with SAGA (Students Acting for Global Awareness), the French Society, WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and as a Welcome Weeks Leader—connections that made her experience unforgettable.
Today, she continues that connection as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Committee, roles she stepped into immediately after graduating.
“I chose to continue volunteering with SMU as a way to stay connected after graduating,” she shares. “I had such a positive experience during my time there.”
For Maddie, volunteering is about supporting students and helping foster the same welcoming environment she experienced. She’s especially enjoyed attending cultural events like Caribanza and believes it’s important for alumni to show support for student societies and the work they do.
We are very grateful to Maddie for her continued involvement and the energy she brings to the SMU community.
Her advice for students and new graduates:
“Getting involved before you graduate makes the transition to alumni engagement much easier—but it’s never too late to start.”
2025-26 Huskies Athletic Awards Night: Mikanovich, Zinck-Marier named Athletes of the Year
New Bachelor of Engineering degree starting this fall
Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new program, the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Resource Engineering.
The first cohort of students will begin in September 2026 and will choose to specialize in one of two distinct streams: Mining Engineering or Renewable Energy Engineering.
Designed in collaboration with industry, the new degree builds on a 100+ year history of delivering foundational engineering education at Saint Mary’s. The BEng is modern, interdisciplinary and is squarely aligned with regional and national priorities.
From the materials used in buildings and technology to the energy that powers homes and cities, engineers play a critical role in designing systems that responsibly produce and manage the resources required to support society.
The Bachelor of Engineering in Resource Engineering equips students to address the full lifecycle of resource development, from land use planning to construction and operation to reclamation, with a balanced curriculum that addresses technical, environmental, economic and societal considerations.
The two program specializations feature common core programming, with education in areas such as environmental impact assessment and risk management, lifecycle cost analysis, project management, geomatics and engineering design.
Students who specialize in Mining Engineering will undertake additional study in surface and underground mining methods, structural geology and rock mechanics, and environmental contaminants. Students in the Renewable Energy Engineering stream study solar and wind systems, biomass utilization, grid integration and energy storage technologies.
Along with coursework, the program includes 16 months of integrated co-op work placements, allowing students to connect in-class learning with real-world experience and to begin building their industry networks prior to graduation.
“Hands-on work experience is such a critical part of engineering education,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Dean of Science at Saint Mary’s. “We’ve created a co-op program structure that’s ideal for both students and employers, where students will be able to spend 16 continuous months with a single employer, or two consecutive eight-month terms with different employers and really have the opportunity to establish themselves in the workplace, be valuable employees, and build relationships that jumpstart their careers.”
Students will study in SMU’s Engineering building, which opened in 2024
The importance of hands-on learning is apparent throughout the engineering curriculum at Saint Mary’s, with students undertaking a range of laboratory experiences and design projects beginning in first year. Students in the Resource Engineering program will get to complete five courses focused on engineering design, including an industry-based design course connected to co-op, and a two-semester-long capstone project.
“Our class sizes are strategically kept small, which gives our students opportunities for one-on-one interactions with professors for support or extra challenges, or to think about next steps in their academic and future careers,” explains Don MacNeil, the director of the Division of Engineering.
“Working in small teams facilitates the creative thinking process and encourages students to consider other perspectives, allowing them to generate innovative solutions to tackle real-life and challenging problems.”
The Division of Engineering, part of the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s, is based in the university’s new Engineering Building, located on campus at 960 Tower Road, Halifax.
Huskies student-athletes raise record $28,489 for Special Olympics in annual MotionballU event
Research Expo highlights innovation and collaboration across campus
President Michael Khan learns about a SMU research project at the Research Expo
Saint Mary’s welcomed more than 150 participants to this year’s Research Expo, a key annual event showcasing the range of research underway across campus. The Expo featured 30 exhibitors and a series of engaging three‑minute pitch presentations on topics spanning early‑literacy challenges, health and well‑being, and end‑of‑life care preferences.
The Research Expo is an annual event that allows faculty, staff, students and external partners to connect, exchange ideas and spark new collaborations. Representatives from Science, Arts, and the Sobey School of Business joined colleagues from industry, government, and community organizations to explore ongoing and emerging projects from across the university.
Dr. Bitu Hurisso, Chemistry Lab Technician, received the Staff Research Recognition Award from Dr. Adam Sarty, AVP Research and Dean of FGSR
An event highlight was the presentation of the Staff Research Recognition Award, given annually since 2010 to a staff member who has demonstrated exceptional support for faculty research. This year’s recipient, Dr. Bitu Hurisso, serves as the Chemistry Laboratory Technician and is widely recognized for his expertise, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to student and faculty success. Dr. Hurisso was praised for his solutions‑focused leadership, his expertise in maintaining advanced instrumentation, and his valued role as an instructor and mentor to students within the chemistry department.
The Research Expo is hosted by the Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) within the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, which works to facilitate research partnerships between Saint Mary’s scholars and external organizations, including companies, government bodies and not‑for‑profits.
By bringing people and ideas together, the Research Expo continues to strengthen connections across campus and support the vibrant research culture at Saint Mary’s.
For more details about the presenters, visit the Research Expo website.
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The Research Expo was featured on CTV News