Solving conflict the Santamarian way

The Saint Mary's University Conflict Resolution Society and their Senior Program Coordinators with Saint Mary's President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

For the 13th consecutive year, Saint Mary’s University students representing both undergraduate and graduate study within the faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce, will depart for Northern Ireland to facilitate peace education workshops. These 18 students leave for Northern Ireland today and will begin working with elementary school children throughout Belfast, Northern Ireland, once they arrive.

This long-standing and unique experiential program is a remarkable collaborative effort, coordinated through Saint Mary’s University, Peaceful Schools International and the student led, Conflict Resolution Society. Between November 2016 and February 2017, Saint Mary's students have successfully facilitated a series of peace education and conflict resolution workshops with more than a thousand local children.

Saint Mary’s students visited schools across Halifax for the workshops including: St. Catherine’s Elementary, Inglis Street Elementary, St. Mary’s Elementary, Oxford School Elementary, Halifax Independent School, Halifax Grammar School and Sacred Heart School of Halifax.

"This project is a reflection of the long term commitment made by Saint Mary's University and Peaceful Schools International to the promotion of peace education and conflict resolution locally and globally," said Bridget Brownlow, the Conflict Resolution Advisor at Saint Mary's and a Senior Program Coordinator for this initiative. "Over the past 12 years, the deep and transformative impact of this program is consistently highlighted by student participants as 'life changing'."

"It remains a true privilege to work alongside our students as they volunteer with children and youth in a spirit of collaboration and goodwill that may help to eventually create a more peaceful world."

The topic for the 2017 workshops is ‘Diversity and Inclusion: Sharing Being Unique’.

 The 2017 student group will be accompanied by Senior Program Coordinators Bridget Brownlow, Conflict Resolution Advisor and Part-time faculty, Political Science / Irish Studies and Emily Anderson, Vice-President, Peaceful Schools International and B.A. Program Advisor. Three faculty members will also be accompanying the group, Dr. Ashley Carver, Assistant Professor, Sociology/Criminology, Dr. Catherine Loughlin, Associate Dean, Research, Sobey School of Business and Dr. James Morrison, Professor, History.

Agreement signed for historic Salzinnes Antiphonal exhibition

Front: Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President, Saint Mary's University; Nancy Noble, Director and CEO, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; Back: Erin Sargeant Greenwood, Vice-President of Advancement, Saint Mary's University; Judy Dietz; Diane Chisholm, Chief Advancement Officer, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

A cultural artifact of international significance owned by Saint Mary’s University will featured at the Centuries of Silence: The Discovery of the Salzinnes Antiphonal exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia later this year as a result of an agreement signed Feb. 2, 2017.

The Salzinnes Antiphonal is a hand-scribed illuminated choir book dated 1554 and 1555, originating from the Cistercian Abbey of Salzinnes on the outskirts of Namur, Belgium.

Illumination is the embellishment of a manuscript with luminous colours including gold and silver. The Salzinnes Antiphonal includes rare full-page illuminations, decorated initials and is unique in that it provides an extraordinary document from the mid-sixteenth century containing religious text, musical notation and vivid illuminations portraying named nuns and patrons’ coats-of-arms. The manuscript contains sung portions of the Divine Office and was used by the choir during the cycle of daily prayers.
 
“The Salzinnes Antiphonal is an important historical and cultural document connected to our own history as an institution,” said Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We are extremely pleased to share a piece of history with Nova Scotians by partnering with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.”
 
The exhibition is scheduled for May 5, 2017 and will be on display until October 29, 2017.
 
The Salzinnes Antiphonal was donated by Bishop James M. Hayes to the Patrick Power Library, at Saint Mary’s in 1975. Originally catalogued as a “Roman Catholic Antiphonary”, it was discovered in 1999 and identified in 2002 by Judy Dietz, who was the Manager of Collections and Gallery Services at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia at the time.

For more information on the Salzinnes Antiphonal and its discovery at Saint Mary's visit: http://www.smu.ca/academics/archives/the-salzinnes-antiphonal.html. 

Saint Mary’s University introduces new Vice-President, Academic and Research

Dr. Malcolm Butler

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Malcolm Butler (pictured) as Vice-President, Academic and Research, effective July 1, 2017.

“I am delighted to announce this appointment,” said Dr. Summerby-Murray. “Dr. Butler comes to us with the vision and experience to lead the Saint Mary's community in the realization of our Academic Plan. He also brings a wealth of institutional knowledge as a former Dean of Science and professor of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary’s.”

Dr. Butler has been the Dean of Science and a professor in the Department of Physics at Carleton University since 2010. Under his leadership, the Faculty of Science made significant progress in developing new programs, increasing enrolment, attracting external funding, and advancing and building a stronger research profile.

Prior to his role at Carleton, Dr. Butler spent 17 years as a professor in the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary’s. A tireless advocate for Saint Mary’s University, he was Dean of the Faculty of Science from 2006 to 2010 and Department Chairperson from 2003 to 2006.
 
Malcolm Butler received his PhD in Theoretical Nuclear Physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1988 and his honours B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics and Applied Math from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, graduating summa cum laude in 1983. Prior to arriving at Saint Mary’s in 1993, he worked as a research associate with TRIUMF National Laboratory and as an assistant professor and research scientist with the Department of Physics at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Saint Mary’s continues to support and encourage students and immigrants from around the globe

As a member of Universities Canada, Saint Mary’s University supports the statement made by our national association.

As Canada’s International University, Saint Mary’s continues to support and encourage students and immigrants from around the globe.

Students from over 115 countries are currently studying at our university, contributing to the advancement of higher learning for all of us as aspiring citizens of the world.

Our University is known for our excellent support services for international students with over 33 percent of our students arriving from destinations beyond Canada.

Discriminating against peoples in any way, including on religion or country of origin, goes against the principles of respect, the values of our university and the Santamarian experience. Please be assured of this university’s continued commitment to fair process, diversity, principles of non-discrimination, and the transformative power of education to ensure global understanding. As Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, pointed out over the weekend, “Diversity is our Strength”. 

If you are an international student from one of the countries named by the executive order and have concerns, please contact our International Centre.

If you are a faculty member or staff member who believes that your future mobility, including prospective travel to the United States, may be affected by the executive order, please contact your academic dean or immediate supervisor for advice.

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.