Saint Mary’s researcher receives Human Rights Award for contributions to Accessibility Act

Dr. Linda Campbell

Environmental Science professor Dr. Linda Campbell and fellow members of the Bill 59 Community Alliance recently received a 2017 Nova Scotia Human Rights Award in recognition of their contributions to Bill 59, otherwise known as the Accessibility Act.

“I was and still am honoured to be a part of this process, working with a truly impressive group of advocates and lawyers,” said Dr. Campbell. “I am really glad that the Alliance's work is getting recognized publicly.  I also want to thank Saint Mary’s Faculty of Science for their support as I worked on this important legislation.”

Presented annually by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Awards acknowledge the work of Nova Scotians who advance human rights at the community level. The Bill 49 Community Alliance helped ensure Bill 59 adequately addressed the needs of Nova Scotians with disabilities through collaboration with the Province.

Earlier this year, their work was recognized with a Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Award from the Partnership for Access Awareness.

Saint Mary's honours the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

Emily Anderson, Vice -President, Peaceful Schools International, Dr. Rohini Banerjee, SMUFU President and Bridget Brownlow, President of Peaceful Schools International

Montreal Memorial Scholarship

Saint Mary's President Robert Summerby-Murray, Civil Engineering student Jessica Giles, SMUSA President Ossama Nasrallah

Students, faculty, and staff came together in remembrance, and to take action, on December 6, 2017, at the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women ceremony held at the Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery.

Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. This day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal.

Jessica Giles, recipient of the Montreal Memorial Scholarship

As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

“Saint Mary’s University stands with the millions of women taking action,” said Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We do it through our values as an institution. We do it through the programs we offer and the training, such as the consent training and bystander training – now better described as ‘upstander’ training because of the need to empower everyone to stand up. We do this through a clear a code of conduct and a policy for the prevention of sexualized violence. Most importantly, we do this by coming together as a community, focused in purpose, to end violence against women.”

November and December are important months for raising awareness of gender-based violence in Canada and around the world. In addition to the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women takes place on November 25 and marks the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which ends on December 10, with International Human Rights Day.

Related

About respect at Saint Mary’s

Honorary Degree: Judith Dietz

Judith Dietz

Judith Dietz is a curator, historian and Saint Mary’s University alumna, BA'84, MA'07, whose discovery at Saint Mary’s Patrick Power Library made national and international headlines and brought a lost relic from over 450 years ago into the public eye.

The daughter of the late Robert Dietz, the first Director and Curator of Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery, Ms. Dietz was born into the arts. Her passion for art and history brought her to the Nova Scotia Museum of Fine Arts in 1973, the predecessor of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

She would go on to become the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s first Registrar in 1984 and the Manager of Collections and Gallery Services in 1994. In this capacity, she was responsible for the Permanent Collection and temporary loans, overseeing the growth of the collection from 300 to 12,000 artworks.In addition to curating numerous exhibitions from historical to contemporary, as well as folk art, she has also written a number of related collection and exhibition articles.Over the course of her time at the gallery, she has mentored numerous art and history students.

Her 1998 exhibition and publication, An Expression of Faith: Sacred Art of Centuries Past, brought focus and attention to a small but significant historical collection of religious art. In 1999 Ms. Dietz was looking through the rare book collection at the Patrick Power Library when she came across a large leather-bound book. Catalogued initially as a “Roman Catholic Antiphonary,” Ms. Dietz quickly realized that there was potentially much more to this illuminated manuscript containing full-page illuminations, numerous portraits of nuns with associated inscriptions, as well as patron’s coats of arms. Subsequent study led to research visits to England, Belgium, the Vatican Secret Archives, and Rome.  Ms. Dietz was able to identify the manuscript as the Salzinnes Antiphonal, a hand-scribed illuminated choir book dated 1554 and 1555, commissioned by Dame Julienne de Glymes, Prioress and former Cantrix of the Cistercian Abbey of Salzinnes, near Namur, in present-day Belgium. 

Ms. Dietz was invited to present her research at the International Medieval Congress in Leeds, England in 2003 and the International Medieval Studies Congress in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA in 2009, 2010, and 2013; International Workshop on Cultural Dialogues, Religion and Communication, in Ottawa, 2009; the Care and Conservation of Manuscript Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2011, among others. She would go on to write her thesis on the Salzinnes Antiphonal as a graduate student at Saint Mary’s University. Her research was a key element in the justification for the conservation of the Salzinnes Antiphonal by the Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, in partnership with Library and Archives Canada.

The detailed study of the antiphonal led to several significant national and international partnerships and related multidisciplinary projects that have culminated in a publication and the acclaimed exhibition, Centuries of Silence: The Discovery of the Salzinnes Antiphonal on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, May 5, 2017 to January 28, 2018. The exhibition is scheduled to travel to Namur, Belgium in 2020.

Ms. Dietz has been a member of numerous advisory committees including the Canadian Heritage Information Network, Canadian Museums Association, and the Museum’s Assistance Program. She received recognition for her contributions from the Canadian Museums Association in 2000 and in 2005 the Honourable Myra A. Freeman, former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, presented her with a certificate recognizing her years of dedicated service to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and to Government House. In 2007, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlantic Provinces Art Galleries Association.

In 2005, Ms. Dietz opted to retire to pursue her research interests, but continues her affiliation with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia as Associate Curator of Historical European Art.

Saint Mary’s University is honored to bestow a Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa to Judith Dietz.

Honorary Degree: Melvin (Mel) Boutilier C.M. O.N.S.

Melvin Boutilier is an incredible entrepreneur and trailblazer of social enterprise, whose commitment to community has helped two generations of those in need in the greater Halifax Regional Municipality.

Melvin Boutilier was born in a rural community in Nova Scotia on January 29, 1928.  He was one of ten children and felt early in life the pain of poverty. It was here in this humble setting that he developed his sensitivities to the needs of the poor and underprivileged. At eight years old he set up a podium (a wooden orange crate) and spoke to an imaginary audience. He told them that he intended that “when he grew up, to make a positive difference in the lives of others, relieving want and hardships wherever he could do so.”

After a successful career in government and the construction industry, some people may look to quietly take an early retirement but not Melvin Boutilier; he took the opportunity to fulfill his dream as a volunteer and focus on addressing challenges in the Halifax community. His wife was also shared his dream and was happy to assist him by remaining in her career for 65 years.

Melvin Boutilier

In 1983, with no funds and a limited food source, he and five friends established Community Care Network (commonly known as Parker Street Food Bank) in a single car garage. This venture grew more rapidly than expected and exposed many other needed services such as providing clothing, shoes, household items including furniture. A furniture bank was started in a rent-free building and was a great help to many families. An emergency fund was created to care for crisis situations in low-income families such as being unable to pay for heating fuel, power or fill medical prescriptions. Two thrift stores were set up to help support these programs. Later, it was possible to buy a warehouse in which all the services could be housed with greater efficiency.

The necessity of another step to help eliminate poverty was clear, people wanted and needed self-sufficiency. Training began with computer skills for students supported by the provincial government. Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) assessed the program and determined that the program could be used as credit for students who wished to continue at NSCC. Every student was given a donated computer refurbished by the program’s refurbishing department, staffed by two full-time technologists. Later an adjacent building was purchased and used as The Skills Development Centre. Working with the provincial government, Nova Scotia Community College and Millwright College, over 100 students in various trades graduated and 80% found employment.

After being Executive Director of the Community Care Network for 31 years, Mr. Boutilier left the network and organized another charity named the Metro Care and Share Society. This charity is centered on education and using knowledge to help eradicate poverty. The Halifax Scholars Program (HSP) provides guidance to students currently in high school and awards scholarships to those facing financial and other barriers, hindering their access to post-secondary institutions. HSP wants to cultivate in youth the presence of hope, determination, and a realization of the importance of education.

After decades of service to his community, it is fitting that Mr. Boutilier’s work has been recognized by the municipal, provincial and federal governments and 15 community organizations. Among his recognitions are: the Order of Canada, Order of Nova Scotia, Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year, and the Theresa Casgrain Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, awarded yearly to one man and one woman in Canada.

Mr. Boutilier is a role model for the graduates of Saint Mary’s University and demonstrates the values that help to build stronger and healthier communities.

Saint Mary’s University is honoured to bestow a Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa to Melvin Boutilier.

Dr. Val Marie Johnson helps repatriate Inuit cultural materials in the Northwest Territories

Dr. Val Marie Johnson

Earlier this month, with funding from the Saint Mary's University Dean of Research and Dean of Arts, Dr. Val Marie Johnson—of the newly created Department of Social Justice & Community Studies—undertook a Community Research Outreach trip to Inuvik and Aklavik, in the homelands of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in peoples in the Northwest Territories.

The principal purpose of Dr. Johnson’s trip was to share with community members her historical research on Shingle Point Eskimo Residential School, which operated in the region from 1929 to 1936, and to negotiate the return of copies of archival material documenting the School’s students and staff.

The materials shared with community members included many photos of the School’s students and staff, students’ colouring and drawings, staff and student letters, and School records on students. Dr. Johnson discovered the material in her research on relations between white women staff and Inuvialuit, Inuinnait, Iñupiat, and Gwich’in students and staff at the School.

"It's the living history of this region," Dr. Johnson told CBC North Radio while she was in Inuvik. "My desire is to have this material accessible to people whose living history this involves, as much as possible."

This cultural repatriation of the material is being arranged by collaboration between Dr. Johnson, the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod Archives in Toronto, where the material is now housed, and the Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre in Inuvik. The Anglican Church operated the School.

Dr. Johnson also visited with community Elders and descendants of former Shingle Point students, and hosted community events in Inuvik and Aklavik about her research, the materials, and the plans for their new accessibility to community members in the region.

SMU Chemist Wins 2017 Professional of Distinction Award

 Dr. Jason Clyburne

Dr. Jason Clyburne, Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Environmental Science at Saint Mary’s University, was named the winner of the 2017 Professional of Distinction Award at the Discovery Centre’s 15th Annual Discovery Awards for Science and Technology on November 23.

The Professional of Distinction Award honours world-class scientists who demonstrate ingenious thinking in the creation of unique ideas, concepts, and perspectives within their field. Previous recipients of this award have gone on to receive the highest science recognitions in both Canada and the world, including the Nobel Prize.

Dr. Clyburne is the first recipient in this category from Saint Mary’s University.

“Dr. Clyburne is internationally recognized as a leader in the study of green chemistry,” says Dr. Steven Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Science. “He has established a tremendous reputation for creative, elegant chemistry in pursuit of environmental solutions.”

A second Saint Mary’s faculty member was honoured at this year’s Discovery Awards Gala. Dr. Sam Veres, Associate Professor in Engineering, was one of three finalists in the Emerging Professional category. Less than five years into his professorship, Dr. Veres’ research has shown great promise to help reduce chronic pain related to soft-tissue damage.

Dr. Jason Clyburne – 2016 Professional of Distinction Winner

Dr. Jason Clyburne is widely recognized as a leader in the study of green chemistry, particularly in the field of ionic liquids and nucleophilic carbenes. His pioneering research, which involves the application of designer chemicals and materials to the removal of environmentally hazardous substances from industrial processes, is widely recognized for its potential to mitigate a wide range of environmental issues. In his young but robust career, Dr. Clyburne has built a reputation for excellence and creative innovation, and his colleagues repeatedly describe his work as “novel,” “creative,” and “original.” Most recently, Dr. Clyburne’s discovery of the elusive CO2 compound cyanoformate (published in Science) received significant scientific and media attention, particularly due to its promising implications for the future and direction of carbon capture technology.

Watch Dr. Jason Clyburne’s Discovery Award Finalist video

Read more about Dr. Jason Clyburne’s cyanoformate discovery

Dr. Samuel Veres – Emerging Professional Award Finalist

Dr. Samuel Veres

In fewer than ten years, biomedical engineer Dr. Sam Veres has made rapid progress through the scientific/engineering education cycle, and his work has provided fundamental insights into the structural changes that occur in mechanically overloaded soft tissues. By exploring mechanical damage to connective tissues in a novel way—with focus on the basic biomechanics of failure rather than the inflammation/healing responses that have occupied clinical medicine—Dr. Veres is working to develop new therapies for the treatment of tendons, ligaments, and the intervertebral discs of the lower back.  

Stories from overseas

Meghan Dratschmidt, a SMUworks program assistant with Global Learning and Intercultural Support, was the emcee for today’s Stories from Overseas and also presented on her experiences studying in Brazil

The Studio for Teaching and Learning hosted the seventh annual Stories from Overseas on Friday afternoon, bringing to a close a very busy and engaging International Education Week at Saint Mary’s University.

This year’s Stories from Overseas included presentations from 21 Canadian and international students, who shared their experiences participating in study abroad programs coordinated by the office of Global Learning and Intercultural Support. Stories ranged from Nik Shymko’s internship in Uganda and Jiaming Wu’s culinary adventures in Halifax, to Claudia Méndez’s Dominican Republic exchange and Svetlana Negoda and Joanna Feniyanos’s laughter-filled summer in a tiny Irish village. Through these stories, the students engaged the audience with reflections on unique intercultural experiences that have profoundly enriched their learning at Saint Mary’s University.   

International Education Week is an annual celebration held in more than 100 nations around the world each November to highlight the important role that international education plays in fostering global citizenship.

For more information on international opportunities at Saint Mary’s University, contact the Global Learning and Intercultural Support office at gocentre@smu.ca.

Professor Alexander MacLeod tours with prestigious British literary magazine

Dr. MacLeod speaking at the Shalespeare and Company event.

Saint Mary's professor Alexander MacLeod, of the Department of English Language & Literature, spent part of the past month on tour in England and France with Granta, the prestigious British literary magazine, as it promotes its special Canada issue.

Dr. MacLeod—whose 2010 story collection Light Lifting was nominated for both a Giller Prize and a Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award—has a new short story entitled “Lagomorph” in Granta 141: Canada. His work shared space in the issue with other Canadian writers including Falen Johnson and Catherine Leroux, with whom he appeared at London’s Canada House and Paris’ Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

On November 22, the group visited the renowned Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris.

Macleod's story, Lagomorph, is featured in the current issue Granta 141: Canada.

“The trip has been amazing so far,” said Dr. MacLeod, who was able to spend the night in Shakespeare and Company’s storied guest room, used in years past by writers from Samuel Beckett to the Beats.

Maclean’s Brian Bethune wrote about Granta’s Canada issue, singling out Dr. MacLeod’s contribution as “suspenseful, moving, and…hilarious.”

Related

• Unravelling Atlantic Canada on the Arts with Impact site.
• MacLeod's story collection Light Lifting was a shortlisted nominee for the 2010 Scotiabank Giller Prize,[1] and the 2011 Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award.

Research symposium discusses impacts of changing demographics in Atlantic Canada

Break out sessions

Ian MacDonald, Chair of CARP NS

Interview with Global Television

Keynote speaker: Dr. Suzanne Cook, York University

Dr. Cook is a thought leader on work and aging.

A discussion on the future of work and housing in Atlantic Canada is underway today at Saint Mary’s University. The Impact of Demographic Shift on the Future of Work and Housing in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia perspective) is a one-day research symposium to discuss the future of work and housing in Atlantic Canada in light of the region's aging population. 

Keynote speakers include:

• Simon D’Entremont, Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Seniors
• Dr. Suzanne Cook, York University

The event also features two panels of experts, who bring years of experience to the discussion.

Panel on the Future of Work

• Dr. Karen Foster,  Dalhousie University
• Thomas Storring, Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury
• Jo-anne Stone, The Stone Group
• Ian MacDonald, Volunteer Chair CARP N.S.
• Moderator: Terry Murphy, Saint Mary’s University

Panel on the Future of Housing

• Dr. Martha MacDonald, Saint Mary’s University
• Jillian MacLellan, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Benjamin Nycum, Nycum William & Associates
• Kevin Hooper, United Way Halifax
• Moderator: Ian Munro, Halifax Partnership

Similar events are planned in NB, PEI, and NL. Based on the proceedings of these events, the Atlantic Research Group on Economics of Immigration, Aging, and Diversity will prepare a report to be released in the coming months.

Sino-Canadian Trade Summit at Saint Mary's

Trade experts, government officials, business executives and researchers came together on Thursday, November 16th, to discuss trade between China and Nova Scotia at Saint Mary’s University. The summit provided a platform for the exploration of trade and business relationships between Nova Scotia and China, as well as enhancing educational and cultural understanding.

Dr. Ye Jianming, Dean of the School of Management, Xiamen University, China

Minister Counsellor Xia Xang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada

Centre: Honourable Tony, Nova Scotia MLA for Cole Harbour-Portland Valley

Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor, Saint Mary's University

Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority & Chair, Board of  Governors, Saint Mary’s University, with Minister and Counsellor Xia Xang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada

Minister and Counsellor Xia Xang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada, with Dean Pat Bradshaw, Sobey School of Business

Ian Smith, CEO at Clearwater Seafoods

Bruce Chapman, General Manager, Northern Pulp Nova Scotia with Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority & Chair, Board of  Governors, Saint Mary’s University

Maria Pan, Director, Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University

Kelliann Dean, Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Affairs, Nova Scotia Government with Christine Yang, International Relations Officer, Intergovernmental Affairs, Nova Scotia Government

William Allaway, CEO and Owner, Acadian Maple Products

Dr. Stephen Jones, CEO, 4Deep

Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority

Speakers and presenters included:

• Dr. Prof. Ye Jianmin, Dean of the School of Management, Xiamen University will attend as the designated representative of the President of Xiamen University
• Karen Oldfield, President & CEO, Halifax Port Authority
• Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University
• Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority
• William Allaway, CEO and Owner, Acadian Maple Products
• Ian Smith, CEO, Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
• Dr. Stephen Jones, CEO, 4Deep

 The goals of the summit were to:

• Celebrate existing trade relations between Nova Scotia and China
• Explore ways to grow bilateral trade
• Build mutual understanding and cultural appreciation across cultures

Speakers included experts in international trade, Canadian and Chinese government representatives, and local business leaders with trade experience.

The Nova Scotia Sino-Canadian Trade Summit was a partnership between Saint Mary’s University, the Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University, and the Sobey School of Business.

ACOA Invests $300k into business growth and startup programming

See the original story at http://www.smu.ca/academics/sobey/bdc-funding-announcement-2017.html

Two students recognized with inaugural Fred and Nali George Scholarships

Fred George, Mariah Williams, Nali George, Susan Summerby-Murray, Jake Arsenault, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray

Students at Saint Mary’s University are already benefiting from a generous gift from Dr. Fred and Mrs. Nali George. Fred George received an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Saint Mary’s in 2011 and is the recipient of a Saint Mary’s Distinguished Community Service Award. He and his wife, Nali, are dedicated philanthropists who share the University’s commitment to global awareness and social responsibility.

Jake Arsenault

“I am very grateful to be the inaugural recipient of the Fred and Nali George Scholarship in Entrepreneurship,” said fourth year Bachelor of Commerce student, Jake Arsenault. “It’s a great honour to be acknowledged by such an accomplished and generous family. This award will certainly alleviate some of the financial stress I experience as a full-time student with my own business.” 

A 5th generation woodworker who was born and raised in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Arsenault launched a business while taking a Sobey School of Business course called Structuring the Startup. His company, Creative Urban Timber, is focused on repurposing Nova Scotian trees into beautiful tables and other unique creations.

Mariah Williams

As the inaugural recipient of the Fred and Nali George Scholarship in Geology/Business Studies, fourth year Geology major Mariah Williams is also the beneficiary of the George family’s generosity. “I am extremely grateful for the George family’s philanthropy and support and very honoured to see my hard work rewarded in this way,” said Williams. “In addition to helping me balance a heavy academic workload with part time employment as a research assistant, this award will afford me the time to engage in co-curricular activities and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.”

In addition to maintaining top marks in her Bachelor of Science program, Williams serves as Vice-President of the Saint Mary’s University D. Hope Simpson Geology Society. Last summer she worked as a Geo technician in the Yukon on the exploration site at Triumph Gold: an experience she hopes to use as the basis for her Honours project in deposit exploration.

“I am delighted to see these new endowed scholarships having an impact on such promising young people,” said Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Fred and Nali George are valued members of the Saint Mary’s community. Thanks to their generosity, our students will go on to do remarkable things.”

The Fred and Nali George Scholarship in Entrepreneurship is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student in the Sobey School of Business who has declared a major in either Entrepreneurship or Global Business Management. The Fred and Nali George Scholarship in Geology/Business Studies is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student who is enrolled at Saint Mary's University in a major or honours program in Geology, with preference given to students in the BSc combined Geology and Business Program.