Campus Notes, Student Success, Alumni
Emily LeBlanc
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Entrepreneurship

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Award-winning Square Roots food bundle program partners with Hellmann’s

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Square Roots bundles. 

Square Roots bundles. 

The award-winning Square Roots food bundle program is partnering with Hellmann’s to help combat food insecurity across Nova Scotia.

“At Hellmann’s, we believe that food is too good to be wasted,” said Andria Prada, Senior Assistant Brand Manager at Hellmann’s. “Square Roots fights issues of food waste and food insecurity at both farms and restaurants. They redirect perfectly good food that would be thrown away, into the hands of communities. Hellmann’s is proud to support Square Roots.”

Launched in November 2016, Square Roots fights food insecurity, food deserts and food waste in Nova Scotia through a monthly, affordable and healthy food bundle service. The food bundles cost $5 and $10 each and feature 10 pounds of fruits and vegetables sourced locally from the Annapolis Valley. There is also a $60, three-month bundle where members can purchase a bundle for themselves and a family in need.

“For two years in a row, the Square Roots bundle program has won the Hellmann’s Food Security Challenge, which opened the door to this partnership,” said Becca Watts, Square Roots bundle program manager. “We are proud to announce that all future bundles will feature a recipe book and coupon for a free Hellmann’s product. We want to thank them for their support as we fight food insecurity in Nova Scotia.”

The August bundle includes corn, cucumbers, apples, potatoes, carrots and a recipe book and free product coupon.

There are currently ten franchises throughout Nova Scotia, and the program continues to look towards expansion by finding community champions to bring Square Roots to their community.

Square Roots is an Enactus Saint Mary’s social enterprise. With over 100 students, Enactus Saint Mary’s currently operates eight projects and social enterprises and one process. These range from consulting with entrepreneurs on the autism spectrum, to forming food-based social enterprises, to operating a computer literacy program for young people. Enactus Saint Mary’s is proud to partner with the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre to offer its programs.

For more information about Square Roots, pick-up locations or to order a bundle, visit www.squarerootsfood.ca . 

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Growing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Saint Mary’s shines a light on alumni entrepreneurs

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A sold-out crowd gathered to hear from Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray and three entrepreneurial alumni at a Halifax Chamber of Commerce luncheon on May 24.

More than 120 guests attended “Growing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Halifax and Beyond”, where Dr. Summerby-Murray highlighted Saint Mary’s leadership and vision for creating a thriving economy and then interviewed Ross Simmonds, Janet Chiang and Gregg Curwin - all proud Saint Mary’s alumni at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.

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Premier Stephen McNeil on campus to congratulate Enactus team on the success of the Square Roots food token program

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Premier Stephen McNeil came to Saint Mary’s recently to congratulate Enactus team members on the success of the Square Roots food token program, as they prepare for a national competition. Enactus is a global student organization focused on addressing social issues through entrepreneurship. A total of 38 students are heading to Toronto next week to compete in the Enactus Canada National Exposition.

The Province of Nova Scotia recently supported Saint Mary’s work in entrepreneurship when it announced an $11 million investment for the creation of the Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation (EDI) Hub on campus.

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Saint Mary’s enhances entrepreneurship and innovation through new centre

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To celebrate more than 25 years of cultivating entrepreneurship at Saint Mary’s, the school is today introducing the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre.

Meet the disruptive entrepreneurs from Saint Mary's

Meet the disruptive entrepreneurs from Saint Mary's

“Although Saint Mary’s has always aimed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset within our students across all academic disciplines, we’re now taking our focus on entrepreneurship to the next level,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.To launch the new entrepreneurship centre, more than 200 Saint Mary’s alumni, business partners, and government representatives are gathering tonight at a special venture showcase. In conjunction with the centre’s launch, the university is also kicking off a creative campaign celebrating graduates’ entrepreneurial successes.

“We created this campaign to highlight the immense number of inspiring stories that started in the hallways of Saint Mary’s University,” says Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “Today, and over the coming months, we’re celebrating the success of our alumni by showcasing the great entrepreneurial careers launched by graduates in Arts, Business, and Science.”

The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre, formerly known as the Sobey School Business Development Centre (BDC), has played a key role in building workforce skills, creating employment, supporting start-ups, and growing companies. It has also offered undergraduate and graduate students hands-on business research and consulting experience.

“Approaching the BDC’s 30-year mark, we’ve helped thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of graduates,” says Michael Sanderson, the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneur Centre’s Acting Director. “As a bridge to the community, we’re pleased to see the repositioning of our role through the launch of the Saint Mary’s Entrepreneurship Centre; we’re ready for growth.”

“Saint Mary’s has been developing and mentoring entrepreneurs for decades,” says
Dr. Summerby-Murray. “We’re proud to play a key part in the ongoing growth of Atlantic Canada. And I hope that when our federal, provincial, and industry partners look to Saint Mary’s, they see eager learners and doers who spark innovation within our region, across Canada, and around the world.”

The Saint Mary's Entrepreneurship Centre

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Michael Medline, President & CEO, Sobeys Inc., engages sold-out crowd about changing customer trends

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““The fun part is growing, growing sales, growing your brand. But you have to have the structure first, or you are building on sand.””

At an evening event on Thursday, March 22, Michael Medline, President & CEO, Sobeys Inc., engaged a sold-out crowd about changing customer trends, evolution in e-commerce, and solutions for the future.

Review the event play-by-play on Twitter: #MedlineSMU

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Province of Nova Scotia invests in entrepreneurship, innovation and discovery at Saint Mary’s

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Entrepreneurship, discovery and innovation are being recognized at Saint Mary’s University with a significant investment from the Province of Nova Scotia.

On Thursday, March 15, the Province of Nova Scotia announced an investment of approximately $11 million for a new facility dedicated to growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nova Scotia.

“Since I became President, we’ve made entrepreneurship a strategic direction for the university and we’ve been working and investing in this field,” said Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We are incredibly pleased and honoured by this significant investment in the future of Saint Mary’s and Nova Scotia.”

The new Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation (EDI) Hub will be a catalyst for knowledge creation, innovation and commercialization. Located on the Saint Mary’s University campus, this facility will be an on-campus innovation superhighway. It will bring together students and professors from all of the university’s faculties and connect them with entrepreneurs, businesses and the external community to drive an innovation agenda.

This project aligns with Saint Mary’s overall capital and campus master plans. It also advances the ‘Discovery and Innovation’ and ‘Intercultural Learning’ components of the Saint Mary’s University 2017-2022 Strategic Plan.

For more information about entrepreneurship at Saint Mary’s visit our Entrepreneurship activity page.

On Social

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Student entrepreneurs from across Canada at Saint Mary’s for business development conference

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Pictured here are (l-r): event organizer Kaitlyn Touesnard; Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, Dean, Sobey School of Business; Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax; Michael Sanderson and Sarah Meany, both of the Sobey School Business Development…

Pictured here are (l-r): event organizer Kaitlyn Touesnard; Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, Dean, Sobey School of Business; Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax; Michael Sanderson and Sarah Meany, both of the Sobey School Business Development Centre.

Andy Filllmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, helped welcome more than 180 budding business owners to the Starting Point Entrepreneurship Conference running at Saint Mary’s from Feb 20-22. Student entrepreneurs have come from across Canada to develop their business ideas, learn from experts and vie for business funding.

The conference brings student entrepreneurs from post-secondary institutions and high schools from across the country together to work with entrepreneurs, CEOs and start-up experts. The students have the chance to work directly with the entrepreneurs to help bring their business ideas to fruition or grow an existing business. At the end of the conference, students have a chance to win cash investments for their businesses.

“Young entrepreneurs play a crucial role in growing the Canadian economy and, as such, help ensure our country’s long-term prosperity,” said Andy Fillmore, MP for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Giving this latest generation of innovators the tools they need to succeed is critical to building a strong and vibrant future for all Canadians. The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting business start-ups and creating jobs for the middle class and those looking to join it.”

This conference wouldn’t be possible without the support of the local business community, key partnerships and financial support. This includes an investment of more than $150,000 over two years from the Government of Canada through ACOA’s Business Development Program.

The conference is organized by the Saint Mary’s University Sobey School Business Development Centre (SSBDC). Over the past five years, SSBDC programs have provided opportunities to more than 4,500 students, allowing them to be engaged in curricular and extra-curricular activities.

To learn more about the Starting Point Conference visit www.startingpointconference.com.

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Celebrating business excellence among alumni at the Halifax Business Awards

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Dave O’Connor, winner of the Gold Award for Business Leader of the Year

Dave O’Connor, winner of the Gold Award for Business Leader of the Year

Saint Mary’s University is celebrating the success of the Saint Mary’s alumni and business leaders who were a part of the 2018 Halifax Business Awards.

Joe Metlege (left) receives the Silver Award for Business Leader of the Year

Joe Metlege (left) receives the Silver Award for Business Leader of the Year

The sold-out award ceremony from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce took place in the brand new Halifax Convention Centre. It was a spectacular night of entertainment, prestige, and celebration, recognizing risk takers and the success of Halifax’s thriving business community.

It was a particularly spectacular night for Saint Mary’s University alumni. Saint Mary’s University is pleased to congratulate Christopher Webb, BA’97, and Dave O’Connor, BComm’92, who both took home top prizes. Mr. Webb is the Co-owner of PAVIA Gallery – Espresso Bar & Café. PAVIA won the 2018 Gold Award for Business of the Year. Mr. O’Connor is the President of GLOW The Event Store and was the recipient of the Gold Award for Business Leader of the Year.

The University is also celebrating:

  • Joseph (Joe) Metlege, EMBA'12, President, JONO Developments Limited & Templeton Properties Ltd., who was the recipient of the Silver Award for Business Leader of the Year;
  • Leah Skerry, BComm'09, CEO, Squiggle Park, who won the Silver Award for Innovative Business of the Year; and
  • Jean Paul (JP) Furey, Bcomm'03, CEO, BlueLight Analytics, who won the Silver Award for Export Business of the Year and the Bronze Award for Innovative Business of the Year.
Jean Paul Furey (left) receives the Silver Award for Export Business of the Year

Jean Paul Furey (left) receives the Silver Award for Export Business of the Year

Also worthy of praise are the contributions of the Santamarians whose business acumen was recognized by being nominated.

Congratulations to:

  • Ross Argante, BA’01, a Partner with Integrated Staffing Limited, who was nominated for Business Leader of the Year;
  • Chris Robertson, Bcomm'02, Owner, Home Instead Senior Care Cape Breton, nominated for Business of the Year;
  • Steve Davies, EMBA'98, President, Third Wave Consulting Inc., nominated for Innovative Business of the Year;
  • Jeff Farwell; BComm'00, Owner, J Farwell Sailing, nominated for New Business of the Year; and
  • the great group of Santamarians at B4Checkin, nominated for Export Business of the Year, that includes:
  • Martin Mackinnon, MBA'88, CFO and Co-Founder
  • Steve Miles, Bcomm'84, Vice President – Operations; and
  • Greg Thompson, EMBA'04, VP - Customer Relations
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Sobey School of Business MBA program recognized for quality

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QS, a global career and education network, has released its worldwide ranking of the top MBA programs. Saint Mary’s University’s Sobey School of Business MBA program ranked #10 in Canada and in the top 200 internationally.

QS rankings are based on three surveys: a global academic survey, a global employer survey and a survey completed by universities. Institutions are rated on performance in categories of Employability, ROI, Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes, Thought Leadership and Diversity. Learn more about their methodology here. 

Sobey scored 3rd in diversity, 6th in ROI and 9th in entrepreneurship and alumni success in the Canadian list. The school ranked 44th in the world for diversity. Other universities on the list include Toronto, Western, McGill, York, Queen’s, HEC Montreal, UBC, University of Alberta and Simon Fraser.

Dean Patricia Bradshaw

Dean Patricia Bradshaw

“We are proud that the Sobey School of Business offers world-class education, and we remain committed to making an impact with purpose,” said Dean Patricia Bradshaw. “We are particularly proud of this recognition of our diversity.”

“One of our key strengths is our faculty members’ diversity and the way they set the tone for international and domestic students working together, collaboratively and inclusively.”

The Sobey MBA program, redesigned in 2015, incorporates immersive experiences such as local service and an international trip that offers students cross-cultural opportunities to experience and learn global business up close. The well-respected program has been graduating students for more than 40 years.

QS is a global organization that links students with higher education institutions. They host well-attended and known MBA recruitment events, and have staff offices throughout the world.