Crunching the numbers: student-led project uses open data to improve the lives of Nova Scotians

Sobey School of Business Professor Dr. Matthew Boland and Master of Business Analytics students Tasneem Quazi and Rahul Kashyap.

Earlier this year, professor Matthew Boland and a team of graduate research assistants at Saint Mary’s University embarked on a new data analytics project. 

Armed with open data from the Nova Scotia government, the team had a simple but shared goal—to use that data to better the lives of Nova Scotians.

“It's really important to try to make some local impact” - Matthew Boland.

Boland is an accounting professor at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University. He created the project for his students in the Master of Business Analytics program to show the local importance of data analytics. 

“It's really important to try to make some local impact,” says Boland. “That's what this project was about for me and our students.” 

The inspiration for the project struck last year when Boland stumbled across the Nova Scotia Open Data Portal. This website was launched in 2016 to make government data more accessible to the public. It includes information on everything from crime statistics to Crown land in the province.

The website presented an opportunity for Boland, who specializes in advanced data analytics. Although the Open Data Portal is available for free to everyone, he knew most people wouldn’t have the time or resources needed to make sense of the data. 

He decided to bring the website to his students.

“I asked them to start looking through the data…and think about a research question that this data could answer that would be of interest to Nova Scotians,” says Boland, who is from Berwick in the Annapolis Valley. 

Boland invited the students to use that data to study topics of their choosing, so long as they related to the province. He also asked students to combine their data with other available data sets to find new insights into these topics. 

The resulting studies covered a range of issues. One used data on fishing and aquaculture to predict the migratory patterns of invasive fish species in the province. Another looked at the relationship between air pollution and rates of asthma in Nova Scotia counties. 

Boland says he hopes these studies will help lawmakers and regulators find new ways to safeguard health and well-being in the province—from protecting native fish to keeping the air clean.

The students plan to make their findings and methodologies available for free to the public. Those interested will be able to use the code the students created to analyze the data, allowing them to replicate the study. 

Boland’s project is happening amidst a larger push toward better data analytics solutions in the province. In March, the Nova Scotia government announced it would spend $25 million to expand healthcare data analytics and management programs at Saint Mary's.

Moving forward, Boland’s project will be formalized as a class offered to graduate students. He hopes it will inspire others to pursue their own research, using data analytics to better the world around them.

“If some of this someday could help inform regulation or just be one small piece to a larger puzzle that helps…I think that would be pretty awesome,” says Boland. 

Dr. Ethan Pancer receives Teaching and Learning Innovation Project grant

Dr. Ethan Pancer

Congratulations to Dr. Ethan Pancer on being the recipient of this year’s grant for a Teaching and Learning Innovation Project.

As a professor of Marketing in the Sobey School of Business, Dr. Pancer will engage students in service-learning experience about how consumers make decisions when they join programs designed to cultivate positive behaviour changes. As the teacher steering such learning, Dr. Pancer expects to develop a general and transferable teaching strategy for helping students to connect community experience with concepts from entrepreneurship and marketing.

EDBA Excellence: Dr. Gary Ernest

Gary Ernest, medical doctor and student in the Executive Doctorate of Business Administration (EDBA) program

Throughout his 41-year medical career, Dr. Gary Ernest EMBA’97 has welcomed babies into the world and watched patients draw their last breaths. The family doctor who practices medicine in Liverpool, NS, knows all too well the importance of having access to a primary care physician.

Currently, the provincial waiting list for a family doctor has hit record highs in Nova Scotia, with over 140,000 names and more added every day—a burden also being felt in other provinces across the country.

“The provision of primary healthcare is one of the arch stones of our healthcare system,” says Dr. Ernest. “When you look at the number of people waiting for a primary care provider, it’s huge, and the implications and consequences are not hard to imagine.”

During the early stages of the pandemic, in addition to his medical practice, Dr. Ernest served as the President of Doctors Nova Scotia. It was a chaotic time to work in the medical field, and one of his primary jobs was keeping physicians engaged and supported in any way possible.

At the time, there was a lot of upheaval for doctors in the province. The pandemic prevented many of them from seeing patients in their offices and major shifts needed to be made to help doctors provide care. Other physicians lost their practices or had them greatly reduced, meaning they faced the financial consequences of a decreased practice. Some doctors were also being employed to do things outside of what they would normally do to help patients.

In June 2023, Dr. Ernest was recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service to the public as the President of Doctors Nova Scotia. The awards were given by provincial governments across Canada to individuals who devoted themselves to the service of others during the pandemic through their job, volunteer work or contributions to their community.

“I came home one day and my wife told me a special delivery had come from the Nova Scotia Health Authority. She pulled out the medal and letter—I was shocked—it wasn’t anything I had thought about receiving.”

Helping people is at the heart of what Dr. Ernest does. So, it was natural that he further his education and help facilitate out-of-the-box solutions and address challenges facing the medical care system. In addition to being a doctor, he holds an extensive education from the Sobey School of Business—an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from 1997, a Certificate in the Directors Education Program, and he's currently in the first cohort of the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) program.

After he graduates from the EDBA program in 2025, Dr. Ernest wants to use his education to drive innovative solutions to tackle the challenges facing the strained medical system across the country.

“I’d like to do consulting work in healthcare transformation,” he says. “It’s an issue that is front and center on everyone’s agenda because it has become increasingly clear over time that although our healthcare system has many excellent qualities, there are aspects of it that need to change in order to cope with current and future demands.”

Dr. Ernest is enjoying his time in the EDBA program, which provides him with a new challenge while preparing him for the next chapter. He appreciates the evidence-based management aspect of the program, which uses critical thinking and the best available evidence to make decisions. It’s a familiar concept to him as a respected physician helping Nova Scotians each day.

Sobey School of Business accepts EQUIS Award

(L-R): EFMD President Eric Cornuel, Sobey School of Business Dean Dr. Harjeet Bhabra and EQUIS Director Professor Alfons Sauquet.

In June, Sobey School of Business Dean Dr. Harjeet Bhabra travelled to the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Annual Conference in Lyon, France, to accept the business school’s EQUIS Award.

On October 25, 2022, the Sobey School of Business achieved EQUIS accreditation. This international accomplishment places high value on research and knowledge mobilization efforts and keeps the school on a short list of excellent academic institutions. The Sobey School is also AACSB accredited, making it part of the one percent of business schools worldwide to have AACSB and EQUIS accredited.

“This is one of the many ways we are upholding our ongoing commitment to excellence,” said Sobey School of Business Dean Dr. Harjeet Bhabra. “As the oldest and largest business school in the Atlantic region, we have a responsibility to provide quality education to our students, further research and knowledge mobilization, and uphold responsible ethics and leadership.” 

EQUIS accreditation benchmarks the business school against international standards in governance, programs, students, faculty, research, internationalization, ethics, responsibility and sustainability.

The EQUIS accreditation is valid for three years. It is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration.

Sobey School of Business receives international recognition for societal impact

(L-R): Economic Professor Dr. Mark Raymond, MBA student Yu Chung Chiu (Jacky), Sobey School of Business Director, Strategy & Accreditation Jane Mulatz, and BComm student Adrianna Timmons.

The Positive Impact Rating (PIR) is the only ranking measuring the positive impact of business schools and the only student-based rating of its kind. The PIR was developed by an international task force and was first released at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2020.

The rating is based on data collected by student associations from 69 business schools from 25 countries. Students assessed their business schools on how they perceive their positive impact on the world, which goes beyond the contribution to business and the economy and addresses the need for positive societal impact.

The fourth edition of the Positive Impact Rating was announced at the 2023 PRME Global Forum. Bachelor of Commerce student Adrianna Timmons and MBA student Yu Chung Chiu (Jacky) attended the PRME Global Forum in New York thanks to a generous gift from Bill Linton BComm’75 DComm'22 and Marilynne Linton.

“I’ve always been really proud to be a student at Saint Mary’s University,” says Timmons. “For the Sobey School of Business to take part in a survey that gives students a voice and to implement their feedback says a lot about the school and what it’s been doing to support sustainability and having a positive impact on society.”

Societal impact and purpose have become the new focus not only for business but also for business schools. Participating schools were placed into five categories. “Transforming Schools” are those with a positive impact culture embedded in governance and systems, with visible results of progress in many impact dimensions. This was the first year the Sobey School of Business took part in the Positive Impact Rating Report.  

Business booming for BComm student

Arsh Shaikh, Bachelor of Commerce student and business owner

When you walk into any of the four Flynn’s Dairy Bar and Convenience stores in the Halifax area, you are quickly immersed in a wide-ranging world of tasty treats. From classic candy delights to rare delicacies—Flynn’s has it all:

Noodle gummies – check!

Jolly Rancher slushies – you know it!

Dunkaroos pancake mix – you bet!

This is only scratching the surface. The store is also home to creative milkshakes crafted with your favourite cookies, candy and chocolate—and let’s not forget the ice cream.

The business opened in March 2020, starting with the first location in downtown Halifax and has grown since then with a store on Spring Garden, one in North-end Halifax (5552 Kaye Street) and another in Spryfield (383 Herring Cove Road).

The stores are run by Raees Shaikh and his sons Arsh and Zaid. Arsh is a second-year Bachelor of Commerce student at the Sobey School of Business. His journey to entrepreneurial success in Halifax started with his business-minded family and he credits his grandfather and father for igniting his professional passion.

“Growing up, I wanted to be a pilot,” says Arsh with a smile. “When I was 13, my father gave me an opportunity to take on some responsibilities at one of the businesses he owned while he was away. When he got back, I was eager to take on more work and wanted to learn as much as I could.”

From there, Arsh continued to hone his business prowess. In 2018, his family made the move from India to Canada. When it was time for him to attend university, he started doing his research and learned more about the Sobey School of Business and knew it was the right fit for him.

“My professors are like family, they treat everyone really well, says Arsh. “They listen and they’re flexible and understand what’s going on with their students, they’re very caring and supportive of your education and goals.”  

The knowledge he’s gaining from his degree is providing a more solid foundation for his business expertise.

“My Bachelor of Commerce is helping me improve my writing skills,” he says. “It’s helping me be more strategic, to better understand the principles behind accounting and further enhance my relationship-building skills.”

Arsh has been able to strike a balance between maintaining his studies and running Flynn’s through clear, consistent communication with his professors as well as taking on a course load that’s right for him. When he’s done his BComm, he knows what he wants to do next.

“I’m going to pursue a master’s degree and it’s going to be at the Sobey School of Business,” he says with a smile. “I enjoy how passionate people are here and how your professors get to know you by name.”

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Pursue your passion at the Sobey School of Business

Future business leaders graduate from cross-cultural program in China

BNUZ-SMU graduating cohort

Xiong Yuhan graduated magna cum laude and will pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Glasgow this fall

Lu Haowen stands outside of the Joint BComm program office in the BNUZ Library. He will head to Australia later this summer to begin a master’s degree at the University of Queensland.

Graduates from the Joint Bachelor of Commerce Program complete two degrees: a Bachelor of Commerce (major in finance) from SMU and a Bachelor of Economics from BNUZ.

Zhu Jiahui (left) and Li Xiaoyu (right) celebrate their graduation together on one of the many green spaces at BNUZ.

Zhang Jinyang, seen here with the BNUZ graduation gown and cap, graduated cum laude and will soon head to the Netherlands to pursue his postgraduate studies at Utrecht University.

Zou Ying is excited to begin a master’s program at University College London in September.

Friends and classmates Ye Yiting (left) and Yu Hanya (right) enjoy one last afternoon at BNUZ following their graduation.

This past week, the sixth cohort of students graduated from the BNUZ-SMU Joint Bachelor of Commerce program based in Zhuhai, China. Twenty-six graduates received both a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Economics from Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, with 19 earning a major in finance.

Prof. Zhong Xin, Dean of the International Business Faculty at BNUZ, offered words of encouragement to the graduating cohort, “Graduation is not the end, but a new beginning. Continuous learning is crucial, and lifelong growth is the key to success in an ever-changing world. I wish you all the best as you embark on this journey, reaching new heights and achieving happiness along the way.”

She went on to express her “heartfelt gratitude to the faculty and staff of the International Business Faculty and the Sobey School of Business for their ongoing dedication and guidance” to the students in this partnership program.

The Joint Bachelor of Commerce program allows students at BNUZ to experience a truly cross-cultural undergraduate education, with half of their courses taught by BNUZ professors and the other half taught by visiting SMU faculty. More than 400 students have graduated from the program since it began in 2014, with graduates earning a reputation as high performers in business and finance.

This fall, more than half of the graduating cohort will begin postgraduate programs around the world, including in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Others will enter the workforce directly or begin preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam in China.

Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business, highlighted the importance of this international education experience in his congratulatory message to this year’s grads, “The uniquely global perspective you have acquired throughout your studies will form the foundation for your future growth as business leaders both in China and beyond. We congratulate all of you on reaching this important milestone, and we wish you continued success as you join the ranks of our extensive alumni community.”    

The longstanding partnership between Saint Mary’s University and Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, dates back to 2002 and has included a range of 2+2 programs in Arts, Business and Science, as well as a number of other exchange programs and summer institutes for students, faculty and members of the community.

More than 40 SMU faculty members from the Sobey School of Business and the Faculty of Arts have travelled to Zhuhai to teach in the Joint Bachelor of Commerce Program since 2016, which has led to collaborative research opportunities with the International Business Faculty at BNUZ.  

We proudly honour the achievements of this year’s graduates in Zhuhai, and we extend our warmest welcome to the newest members of our 55,000+ global alumni network.

Fulbright Canada Community Leadership Program

Settling in a new country is full of unknowns. Immigrants navigate the uncharted waters of adjusting to a new culture, new surroundings, and a new life. During a time of great transition, understanding financial practices and rules in their new country can be daunting.

Fulbright Canada, in partnership with the United States Embassy in Ottawa and Sobey School of Business of Saint Mary’s University, recently hosted a Community Leadership program. This one-of-a-kind event connected 50 new immigrants from 23 different countries and five continents: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America. The speakers, session chairs and facilitators included finance professors from Dalhousie, Saint Mary's and Mount Saint Vincent University as well as practitioners from Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Health Canada, Investment Group and McInnes Cooper. The two-day event also received support from the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia to connect immigrants to the informative material.

Participants engaged in discussions, breakout sessions and had opportunities to network. Presentations covered personal financial management, consumer credit, real estate management, safeguarding from scammers, career choices and taxation.

The program was developed by Fulbright Canada Research Alumni Chair and former Dalhousie University professor and current professor of economics at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. Fazley Siddiq. The program’s creation also involved a Strategic Committee including two Sobey School of Business faculty members, Dr. Mohammad Rahaman and Dr. Ashraf Zaman.

“First and foremost, our goal is to help immigrants integrate within the greater Canadian society,” says Dr. Siddiq. “This program is focused on giving them more than basic financial skills. We’re giving them financial management skills which includes everything from making good investment decisions to informed choices with respect to mortgage loans, car loans, saving for retirement and more.”

Dr. Fazley Siddiq

Zahra Bazzi and Shiella Macion attended the Fulbright Community Leadership program. They both felt it was beneficial.

“This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to learn about personal financial management in Canada,” says Bazzi. “The sessions were very informative.”

“I appreciate the networking opportunity and to get to know people who don’t necessarily have the same background as me but have immigrated to Canada,” says Macion. “I have a background in the finance industry, but there are things that I have learned that are enhancing my understanding.”  

Zahra Bazzi and Shiella Macion

The event also included special guests: U.S. Consul General for Atlantic Canada Lyra Carr, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, the Honourable Steve Craig, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Honourable Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education, Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, and Jennifer Watts, CEO of ISANS.

The Honourable Steve Craig, Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray, U.S. Consul General for Atlantic Canada Lyra Carr, Sobey School of Business Dean Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Fulbright Canada Research Alumni Chair Dr. Fazley Siddiq and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage.

Saint Mary’s University’s Sobey School of Business hosted the program. The school is the oldest and largest business school in the Atlantic region, and it was more than happy to welcome the participants, subject matter experts and special guests.

“Partnering with Saint Mary’s helped us reach a lot of people. There are many immigrants living in Halifax, and the city has numerous experts from academia and the banking sector who volunteered their time to be here,” says Dr. Siddiq. “When I spoke to the Sobey School of Business’ Associate Dean, Dr. Mohammad Rahaman, he was quick to suggest that the university host the event.”  

Dr. Siddiq hopes participants walked away from the session with a good knowledge of financial management and that they feel inspired to continue to learn and ask questions.

Dr. Pat Bradshaw appointed Professor Emerita

Dr. Pat Bradshaw (center) with President Robert Summerby-Murray and Dr. Jeff Power at Spring Convocation

Dr. Patricia (Pat) Bradshaw was appointed Professor Emerita at the Spring 2023 convocation ceremonies. This distinction is an honorary rank awarded to members of the university who have served with excellence, upon or following retirement from full-time academic duties.

Dr. Bradshaw completed her term as Dean of the Sobey School of Business in May of 2018, celebrating with a special event with alumni and colleagues. She taught as a Professor of Management, retiring in September 2022. She received the Associate Alumni of the Year award in 2017 for her dedication and support to the university.

As Dean, she was responsible for building consensus around a compelling mission for the school and establishing strategic priorities to ensure 80 full-time faculty, 3200 students, key donors, community leaders and more than 20,000 alumni felt aligned with the School’s direction.

With an annual economic contribution to the province of Nova Scotia of over $329 million by this AACSB accredited School, her position was focused on creating an impact with purpose and ensuring that resources of the School were mobilized to help build prosperity in the province.

Previously, Bradshaw was an Organizational Behaviour Professor at the Schulich School of Business, York University and held roles such as the Chair of the University Senate, Treasurer of the faculty union and Chair of the Organization Studies Area. Her research interests include governance of non-profit organizations, change management and organizational power and politics from an intersectional feminist and social justice lens.

Bradshaw is currently on the board of Feed Nova Scotia and has been on the Board of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council as well as being Chair of the Board of the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia. She was one of the founding co-chairs of the Nova Scotia Nonprofit COVID-19 Coalition, and is currently active as a consultant and facilitator in the areas of strategic planning and non-profit governance.

Watch a recording of the Spring 2023 Bachelor of Commerce convocation ceremony here.

Meet your Valedictorian: Oratile Mogae BComm'23

Oratile Mogae BComm’23
photo: Ashley Brown

As Oratile Mogae prepares to walk across the stage on convocation day to receive her Bachelor of Commerce degree and deliver her valedictorian address, she’s humbled by the honour of representing her graduating class. 

“It’s a surreal feeling,” she says with a smile. “We’ve all had our own journeys to get here, and I recognize graduating will mean something different to everyone—it’s going to be a special day.”     

Looking back at her own journey, growing up in Bedford, Nova Scotia, the decision to attend Saint Mary’s was easy.  

“The Sobey School of Business is one of the top business schools in Canada,” she says. “The university also has a reputation for smaller class sizes and having a close sense of community on campus—much like a family.”

Family is important to Mogae, and she’s quick to share that her parents have always been her biggest cheerleaders every step of the way. As an African Nova Scotian woman, creating an inclusive family-like atmosphere for Black students is something she is passionate about.

A journey of inclusion

Saint Mary’s strives to create an academic environment that is inclusive, equitable and dedicated to embracing global perspectives, something she values deeply about the university. Her passion for inclusion sparked her to create the university’s first Black Student Society.

Previously, there had been African and Caribbean Student Societies, but Mogae wanted to create a hub where all Black students on campus could come together and have a safe space to connect. “Some Black people don’t identify with a specific background,” she says. “For example, they don’t only identify as African or Caribbean—they identify as Black.”

To get the ball rolling, Mogae and her friend Aba Owusu-Biney applied to create the society with the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA). Once approved, she became the society’s president and they set up a governance structure. The Black Student Society officially began in the fall of 2022 and the team hit the ground running, planning activities and events.  

“We hosted a paint and sip, open mic, a skate night and a workshop for Black professionals in the workplace,” she says. “Black History Month/African Heritage Month was our biggest month, and that went really well.” 

Members of the Black Student Society at an event

She’s proud of the inclusive environment she helped create for current and future Black students, and she’s honoured by the lasting impact the society will have for the university. 

“For Black students, especially international students, to have a source of family on campus is so important,” says Mogae. “To be able to create a home environment is quite special.” 

She encourages everyone to continue to ask questions, learn about and support Black culture. She says the struggles Black students face are different, and not everyone might understand, but allowing people to feel heard and supported goes a long way.

As she writes the next chapter of her own post-university journey, Mogae hopes to start her own business, continue to learn in a World without limits and keep creating safe spaces for Black students to thrive.

Spring Convocation takes place May 17-19, 2023. Watch the ceremonies live at smu.ca/graduation or on our Facebook page.

Meet your Valedictorian: Emperor Ben Robertson MTEI'23

Emperor Ben Roberston MTEI’23

When Emperor Ben Robertson was selecting a school to obtain his Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation degree, he knew Saint Mary’s University was the right choice.

The university's commitment to providing high-quality education, unique experiential learning opportunities, a vibrant location and extensive student support services contributed to his decision.

His education has provided him with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of technology entrepreneurship and equipped him with the knowledge to help businesses thrive in the digital age.

Q&A with Emperor Ben Robertson

Where is your hometown?: Accra, Ghana.

What was your favourite class?: Out of all the classes I took in my MTEI program, my favourite courses were Technology Entrepreneurship and Tech Strategy and Productivity.

What was the best piece of advice you received?: The most profound piece of advice that has had a significant impact on my life did not come from anybody I know personally. It was a quote that I stumbled upon while walking down Barrington Street that read, "Think and act like failure is impossible for you." This simple yet powerful quote has transformed my perspective on how I approach my goals.

Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?: Throughout my academic journey, I was fortunate to have had many exceptional professors who delivered transformative lectures. However, one professor in particular, Dr. Ramesh Venkat, had an enormous impact on me. Thanks to Dr. Venkat's exceptional teaching, I gained a deeper understanding of marketing and developed valuable skills that have been essential to my career. His influence on me has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the impact he has had on my personal and professional growth.

What was your thesis research?: I collected data on the challenges that businesses faced and explored ways to create opportunities for them to succeed in their respective locations. One of the most intriguing aspects of this research was its timing, as it was conducted during the post-COVID period when businesses were transitioning to new ways of operating. By talking to business owners, I gained valuable insights into their challenges and how they were adapting to the changing business environment.

Overall, this experience gave me a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in the Halifax-Dartmouth area. It also allowed me to develop key skills that are essential in any business environment, including communication, research and problem-solving skills.

What advice would you give to your younger self?: If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I would tell them to try new things and challenge themselves as much as possible. I would encourage them to embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process and to adopt a mindset of "failing fast and failing often."

The reason is simple: by trying new things and taking risks, we are more likely to stumble and fail along the way. However, each failure provides an opportunity to learn and grow; the more we fail the faster we can learn and adapt. This can lead to faster progress and success in the long run.

Do you volunteer in the community?: As a passionate individual interested in promoting economic growth and prosperity, I volunteer as a member of the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Youth Council (REPYC). This council is an initiative aimed at promoting economic growth and prosperity among African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia.

What are your future goals?: I am excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. I am confident that with my skills, knowledge and experience, I will be able to make a meaningful contribution to a multinational company while also pursuing my passion for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Spring Convocation takes place May 17-19, 2023. Watch the ceremonies live at smu.ca/graduation or on our Facebook page.

Meet your Valedictorian: Laura Eamon BComm'23

Laura Eamon BComm’23

At 17, Laura Eamon jumped at the chance to attend university halfway across the country from where her family lived. After experiencing personal challenges with alcoholism, she struggled to complete the first year of her studies. 

In 2012, she returned to Nova Scotia. After getting sober, completing a diploma at NSCC and working at Nova Scotia Health, she decided to attend university while staying close to her incredible and supportive family.

After hearing about a close friend’s experiences at Saint Mary’s University, she decided to apply, and the rest is history.

During her Bachelor of Commerce journey at the Sobey School of Business, Laura received many awards and recognitions, including the Elaine Leventhal Bursary, the SSHRC Explore Undergraduate Summer Research Award, the Daughters of the Vote Delegate, the Handyside Ethical and Social Responsibility Award, the Canadian Conservation Corps Participant and the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. Laura is also a member of the Sobey Scholars Network, a network that includes all current and past scholarship recipients, alumni, chair holders, named professors and post-doctoral fellows who have been the recipients of philanthropic financial support from the Sobey family, The Sobey Foundation, Sobeys Inc. and Empire Company Limited.

Q&A with Laura Eamon

Where is your hometown?: Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia.

What’s your major?: I’m graduating with a major in Economics with a Co-op Distinction.

What activities were you involved with at Saint Mary’s?: I was Treasurer with Saint Mary’s University Environmental Society for one year.

What was your favourite class?: I enjoyed all the math classes I took because working through long problems with multiple steps and a correct answer at the end is very satisfying. I found it interesting learning about Atlantic Canada’s recent history, and I loved learning how economics can be used in any industry and in any country to explore why things happen the way they do.

What’s your favourite space on campus?: Probably everyone’s favourite space on campus is the Atrium with the living wall and the library with the incredible floor-to-ceiling windows. That’s where it feels most like the traditional university experience.

Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?: Professor Tiffany Vu was always an incredibly thoughtful, engaging teacher throughout my time at Saint Mary’s. She is kind, strong, and making waves in her field. She believed in me, let me explore my thoughts in class, asked me to come on as a teaching assistant and worked with me to get the SSHRC Explore Undergraduate Summer Research award and Frank H. Sobey Excellence in Business Studies award.

What advice would you give to your younger self?: You’re never too old or too invested to start over, be a beginner, and change your mind. Stay organized, and always ask for help.

Who inspires you?: The main reason I’m walking across the stage to get my degree is my family: my husband, my two stepdaughters, and my mum. I couldn’t have done any of this without their support and sacrifices. I wish my dad was here to see me as the first in our family to graduate from university. I speak publicly about my experiences and alcohol use because of him.

Do you volunteer in the community?: I volunteer with the Sackville Rivers Association as the social media coordinator.

What are your future goals?: I hope for a bright future filled with local adventures and happy experiences with my family. I hope for slow days of joy and quick days of pain. I want to work with a team of open-minded, caring individuals for an organization making a positive impact on the planet and its people. I hope I respect my values of variety, well-being, and sustainability.

Spring Convocation takes place May 17-19, 2023. Watch the ceremonies live at smu.ca/graduation or on our Facebook page.