Statement from the President

Over the past forty-eight hours, we have gathered across this country and beyond to mourn the loss of life resulting from Sunday’s attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec.

Yesterday’s memorial event on our campus reinforced our continued commitment to respect for diversity and affirmed our shared understanding that an attack motivated by hate against any particular religious or national group goes against the values of higher education that we hold dear at Saint Mary’s University.

On behalf of the University, I offer condolences to the families of those whose lives have been lost and I affirm the support we will provide to students, faculty and staff of Muslim faith, in our multi-faith, multi-national community.

As Canada’s international university, we have taken on a bold responsibility for diversity, respect, tolerance and understanding – and we take on this responsibility during a challenging period in history. I am confident in the strength of our academic community, its ability to foster a sense of global citizenship, and its adherence to Santamarian values. 

President and Vice-Chancellor
Rob Summerby-Murray

University-community partnership launch YouTube-based sign language tool

Interpreter Ashley Campbell and Dr. Linda Campbell

Imagine travelling across Atlantic Canada without knowing how to properly pronounce the names of the towns and cities you are visiting. For members of the deaf community, knowing the local sign for place names across Atlantic Canada has been difficult—until now.
 
Today, Jan. 30, marks the launch of the Atlantic Provinces Sign Language Place Names Map. This map is a first of its kind online tool that contains place names from across Atlantic Canada in American Sign Language (ASL) and the regional dialect Maritime Sign Language (MSL) shared with viewers through YouTube.
 
“Anytime you travel or go to a new place, one of the first things you want to know is the name of that place,” said Dr. Linda Campbell, a member of the project team and professor at Saint Mary’s. “For deaf people, we often have difficulty knowing the correct sign for places we visit as each community often has its own local sign to refer to their area.”
 
“The last thing anyone visiting a new community wants to do is to continually mispronounce that name and it is pretty obvious when you are signing the wrong sign.”
 
There are many cities across the Atlantic Provinces that have unique sign names that demonstrate the present day sign languages used, which is a mix of both ASL and MSL. This map will be particularly helpful to ASL and MSL communicators as using correctly articulated and appropriate signs is critical for clear sign language communication.
 
All on-screen signers are local deaf community members, and the project was funded by deaf and interpreting community organizations.
 
Try the map.

Special guest speaker leads 2017 Winter Convocation at Saint Mary’s University

2017 Winter Convocation Special Guest Speaker Saeed El-Darahali, President and CEO of SimplyCast.

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce special guest speaker Saeed El-Darahali, President and CEO of SimplyCast, for the 2017 Winter Convocation.

Mr. El-Darahali is an alumnus with a Bachelor of Science, an HR Certificate and a Master of Business Administration, all from Saint Mary’s University. In addition to the prominent role he plays within his own company, Mr. El-Darahali heads a committee on immigration and retention for the OneNS Coalition, shares his knowledge as a teacher and lecturer at the Sobey School of Business, and hires and mentors many Saint Mary’s graduates.

“Mr. El-Darahali exemplifies what it means to be a Santamarian,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. “As an alumnus who runs his own international company, he shows our students the opportunities that exist in Nova Scotia for new graduates.”

Winter convocation takes place this Friday, January 20, at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. and will feature graduates from:

• Sobey School of Business- Bachelor of Commerce, Certificates/Diplomas in Business
• Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research- Graduate Degrees in Business
• Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Science, Certificates/Diplomas in Arts & Science
• Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research- Graduate Degrees in the Disciplines of Arts & Science

For more information on graduation and convocation at Saint Mary’s visit http://www.smu.ca/academics/graduation.html.

Mawio'mi Indigenous Gathering a Success

Student Services Senior Director Tom Brophy; Indigenous Students Society Treasurer, Jody Paul, and Co-President, Elora Gehue; Society member Salina Kemp and Elder Billy Lewis.

Indigenous culture was celebrated today at the inaugural Mawio'mi Indigenous Gathering as part of Saint Mary’s University’s Winter Welcome.

“This is just the first of a series of cultural events that we hope to have here on campus” says Elora Gehue, Co-President of the Saint Mary’s Indigenous Students Society. “We had a really good turnout and I think that this event will serve as a great foundation for the future.”

The event was organized by the Saint Mary’s Indigenous Students Society Co-Presidents Elora Gehue and Boyce Campbell and Student Services Senior Director Tom Brophy. The event featured well-known drumming group Eastern Eagle, a fancy shawl dancer, a jingle dress dancer, a traditional basket weaver and more.  Attendees were also treated to the traditional Mawio’mi dish, fry bread tacos, which was very well received.  

When asked to describe the event, Tom Brophy, Senior Director of Student Services, said the event represented a humble beginning from which he believes many good things will come and he looks forward to continuing to work with the Indigenous Students Society in the future.

Notable Indigenous speakers included Captain Don Julien, Elder Billy Lewis and Sandra Racine, a traditional Mi’kmaq basket weaver. Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray was also in attendance and participated in the smudging ceremony and later presented Elder Lewis with an offering of tobacco. Ossama Nasarallah, Vice-President of Student Affairs, was also present and provided a welcome on behalf of the Saint Mary's University Students' Association.

As the event came to a close, an elder prayer was led by Elder Lewis and the Eastern Eagle drumming group finished the event with the Mi’kmaw Honour Song.

A Capital Idea: Venture Grade Student Venture Capital Fund to Embark on a North American First

The Venture Grade Student Venture Capital Fund at Saint Mary’s University is about to embark on a journey that represents a first for the university and North America—student venture capitalists investing a fund that they raised themselves in promising  high growth start-ups.

Venture Grade gives students applied and pro-active learning experiences as part of a suite of private equity asset courses. Students learn what it takes for growing firms to successfully compete by assessing risk, making investment decisions, and supporting the entrepreneurial economy of the Atlantic region.

“The Venture Grade Fund is a student-led venture capital fund where students raise the capital, assess the risk and make the investment,” said Dr. Ellen Farrell, Professor of Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship. “The students have a goal of raising $250,000 for the fund. “

“I call this learning entrepreneurship from ‘the inside out.’  Entrepreneurship students are learning the qualities desired by entrepreneurial financiers so they are well equipped to raise finance when they start their own businesses. ”

 The students plan to make their first investment later this semester.

Click here to read more about the great work being done by the Venture Grade students as told by The Chronicle Herald.

Dr. David Leitch receives Nova Scotia Human Rights Award

Dr. David Leitch

Dr. David Leitch, Director of the Fred Smithers Centre of Support for Students with Disabilities at Saint Mary’s, has received the Dr. Burnley Allen "Rocky" Jones Individual Award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. The award recognizes Dr. Leitch's 30-year career of improving access to education for people with disabilities.
 
Each year the Commission honours deserving Nova Scotians, nominated by their peers, for work in the field of human rights, social justice and advocacy.
 
In his nomination materials, Dr. David Leitch was described as a compassionate and incredible human being who is not afraid of a challenge and who has been a committed change-maker in the lives of people with disabilities.
 
As Director of Counselling at Saint Mary's, he spearheaded the establishment of Fred Smithers Centre for Support for Students with Disabilities.
 
His research supported the view that persons with disabilities were significantly under represented within higher education.
 
Prior to St. Mary’s, Dr. Leitch was a Director of Help Line, where he gained insight into the struggles faced by many members of our community.

Student leaders represent Saint Mary’s at the APC Climate Change and Tech Career Conference

Saint Mary's students Salina Kemp, Boyce Campbell and Elora Gehue at the APC Climate Change and Tech Career Conference.

Three student leaders are attending the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat’s Climate Change and Tech Career Conference this week on behalf of Saint Mary’s University.

Salina Kemp, Boyce Campbell and Elora Gehue are the students attending the conference and will participate in sessions ranging from addressing climate change issues at Lennox Island through new technology to the interconnectivity of the environment, economy, foreign policy, sustainability and humans rights.

One of the goals of the conference is to bring First Nations community delegates that work with youth and employment together with university and college representatives that feature science and tech post-secondary programs. Once they are together, the conference aims to encourage the sharing of ideas featuring existing partnerships and initiatives, to foster new relationships among First Nations and educators.

Conference attendees Boyce Campbell and Elora Gehue are also the Co-Chairs of the Indigenous Students Society here at Saint Mary’s. The society aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students to socialize with, and learn about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in order to enhance learning opportunities and the educational experience for Indigenous students at Saint Mary's University. The society does this by holding Indigenous events, gatherings, and cultural ceremonies to bring together both Indigenous, and non-Indigenous students.

University and Archdiocese announce agreement on Canadian Martyrs Church property

St. Thomas Aquinas Canadian Martyrs Parish and Saint Mary’s University are pleased to announce an agreement regarding the purchase and sale of the Canadian Martyrs Church property, located on Inglis Street.

In making the announcement today, Father Mark Cherry, Pastor, said, “The sale accomplishes the goals of the Transition Team and will benefit the entire Parish. We are now able to move forward with our future redesign and development of our St. Thomas Aquinas site that will greatly enhance our services to parishioners and enable us to more effectively carry out our broader spiritual mission.”

Pending the normal conditions and approvals being satisfied, it is anticipated Saint Mary's University will take possession of the land and buildings by Spring, 2017.

Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University, noted, “The acquisition of the property recognizes the shared history of our two institutions, University and Archdiocese. The property will complete Saint Mary’s University’s presence as “the world within one city block.”

St. Thomas Aquinas Canadian Martyrs Parish and Saint Mary’s University are delighted to have reached this important milestone.

Government of Canada supports ground-breaking research through new Canada Research Chairs

Dr. Christa Brosseau, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry; Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary’s University President; Andy Filmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax; Dr. Todd Ventura, Associate Professor, Department of Geology

Saint Mary’s University was pleased to welcome Mr. Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, and representatives from Dalhousie University to the Saint Mary’s campus today to announce new Canada Research Chairs being named to both universities.

The Canada Research Chairs Program supports and attracts the world’s best researchers, in the fields of engineering, and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

“Being named a Canada Research Chair is one of the highest honors that Canadian researchers can achieve,” said Saint Mary’s University President, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray . “These researchers are at the forefront of their respective fields, and their work embodies the type of innovation that will help strengthen our economy and our society.”

From ensuring nanotechnology is sustainable to improving our understanding of the human microbiome, exploring the impact of nitrogen on different ecosystems, investigating the transformation of organic matter into oil and gas and studying the cultural history of Europe’s “small nations”, these Canada Research Chairs (CRC) are truly making an impact on our world.

Dr. Christa Brosseau –  Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry:
Dr. Brosseau is the Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Chemistry and Materials. Dr. Brosseau’s research focuses on sustainable nanotechnology. While nanotechnology has made great strides over the last several decades, the idea of sustainable nanotechnology hasn’t been a focal point. Dr. Brosseau aims to make sure that the future of nanotechnology, whether for human health, renewable energy or other purposes, is a sustainable future.

Dr. Todd Ventura – Associate Professor, Department of Geology:
Dr. Ventura is the Canada Research Chair in Petroleum Systems, Geochemistry and Reservoir Characterization. His research investigates how organic matter deposited at the Earth’s surface becomes transformed into oil and gas once it is buried deep underground. This research will help improve our understanding of what the molecular composition of oil actually is and how that composition changes over time. This has the potential to improve the efficiency of finding oil reserves while minimizing impacts to the environment from its extraction.

Erin Sargeant Greenwood named new Vice-President of Advancement

Erin Sargeant Greenwood [high-res]

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce the appointment of Erin Sargeant Greenwood to the position of Vice-President of Advancement, effective Feb. 1, 2017.

Sargeant Greenwood is coming from the University of Waterloo where she held leadership positions in Advancement since joining in 2008, first as Associate Vice-President, Development, and most recently as Interim Vice-President, Advancement. As Interim Vice-President, she was responsible for strategic fundraising and alumni relations programs across the university, locally, nationally and internationally and accountable for raising more than $50 million per year for the university.

"Erin brings more than 20 years of experience in advancement and not-for-profit management to Saint Mary's," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary's University. "We are very pleased to welcome someone who is a strategic, collaborative leader to this critically important position and we look forward to working with Erin in the near future.

The Vice-President, Advancement portfolio is new to Saint Mary’s University and has an important role to play in advancing the goals and ambitions outlined in our Institutional Strategic Plan. Sargeant Greenwood and the Advancement team will provide leadership to the entire university community in deepening the university’s focus on friend-raising and fundraising, on engaging external benefactors, our internal community, and our alumni, encouraging them to connect with and give back to the university with its 214 year-old history of providing value and values.

During her time at University of Waterloo, Sargeant Greenwood provided exemplary leadership to portfolios that spanned all aspects of development including annual, planned, major and principal gifts, along with faculty relations and campaign strategy. Her portfolios also included strategic direction for donor relations and stewardship, alumni relations and advancement communications. In addition to serving on university committees and representing the university in the community, she was a resource to the Board of Governors and a member of Senate.

Sargeant Greenwood has also been a leader at organizations such as York University, Nipissing University and Branksome Hall and as a consultant at KCI Philanthropy where she successfully led two hospital campaigns and worked with more than 15 not-for-profits across every sector as Associate Vice-President of the firm.

Sargeant Greenwood is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a member of CASE, CCAE, CAGP and AFP. An active volunteer and conference presenter, Sargeant Greenwood is well-known and respected as an advancement leader in Canada and beyond.

Saint Mary’s launches Success Maps to support students

Dr. Steven Smith, Dean of Science, introduces Success Maps.

Saint Mary's has launched Success Maps, a tool to help students set goals, track accomplishments, discover new opportunities, and prepare for their post-graduation career.

Students using the site will be given guidance on their specific academic requirements and suggestions for other worthwhile activities tailored to their year and their major. They can use the site on their own, and as a tool to review their progress with academic advisors.

Saint Mary’s is the first university in Atlantic Canada to offer such a resource to its students, and only the second in Canada.

The launch was attended by Karen Oldfield, Board Chair; Robert Summerby-Murray, President & Vice-Chancellor; and Dr. Steven Smith, Dean of Science.

Kitrina Godding (BSc ’05) spoke about her experiences at Saint Mary's as being a strong foundation for her life as a geologist, offshore surveyor and accomplished SCUBA diver.

Interest in creating the conditions that enhance student learning and supporting students in their educational goals is at an all-time high at Canadian universities.

The Success Maps tool is representative of Saint Mary’s University's ongoing efforts to help students make successful transitions into university, through their academic programs, and into the larger community as knowledgeable citizens of the world.

SMU student contributes profiles to African-Canadian war heroes celebration

Until November 18, visitors to the Patrick Power Library can get a look at one Saint Mary’s student’s contribution to a national effort to commemorate Canada's contributions to the First World War.

James During (right, beside his profile of Pte. George Downey) is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in History. He researched and wrote biographies of five African-Canadian soldiers for an exhibit in Parks Canada’s “‌Hometown ‌Heroes" initiative, which commemorates the stories of Canadians who fought in the Great War, with exhibits at National Historic Sites nationwide. A permanent display of James’ work can be found at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, with the Patrick Power Library hosting a copy.

James’ research focused on members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the only black battalion in the Canadian Forces during World War I. The battalion, largely comprising African-Nova Scotians, also included black soldiers from Ontario, Western Canada, and the United States.

James conducted research at the Nova Scotia Archives and the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.

James During