A year of innovation, impact and growth: celebrating the first year of Experience Ventures at Saint Mary’s

Last Fall, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre signed an agreement to be the Regional Lead Atlantic Canada partner in Experience Ventures, a national program led by The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative. Experience Ventures pairs students with businesses, giving students real-world placement opportunities and businesses access to emerging talent.

For students in Atlantic Canada, the program delivered 161 outstanding experiential learning placements with 47 businesses, ranging from startups to established enterprises. While the businesses were many and varied, all were dedicated to mentorship, training and experiential learning and keen to connect with and benefit from students’ fresh thinking and current knowledge. By participating in Experience Ventures, students added work and learning experience to their resumes and made valuable connections with industry leaders.

The collaboration extended beyond Saint Mary’s University, with post-secondary students throughout the region from Acadia University, Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Community College, University of New Brunswick and more participating in this dynamic initiative.

Lasting impact on students and businesses

Matthew Orr, a third-year University of New Brunswick student, worked with HomeschoolToGo, a New Brunswick company whose mission is to make bilingual, holistic homeschooling accessible to families worldwide. As part of his project-based experience placement, Matthew worked closely with HomeschoolToGo’s leadership team, assisting in financial management, auditing processes, and market analysis.

He played a key role in refining the company’s financial operations—collaborating with bookkeepers and CPAs to address accounting discrepancies, building financial models and developing strategic projections. Matthew’s dedication and talent led to a continued role with HomeschoolToGo after completing the placement.

Matthew shared, “This program broadened my skill set, especially in venture capital and startup operations, investment rounds, projections and forecasting. It also helped me build a great relationship with my employer.”

“I am so grateful to have been considered for this program,” says Houlie Duque, CEO and founder of HomeschoolToGo. “Finding valuable talent is difficult to do while simultaneously operating a demanding business. Thanks to Matthew, I have been able to cut fractional CFO expenses for my company. He is a dedicated young professional who brings great strengths to the Financial Department at HomeschoolToGo! I look forward to continuing to work with him for many years”.

Experience Ventures: a community of collaboration

Experience Ventures owes its success to the collaboration and support from businesses that contributed their time and expertise in mentoring students and university faculty and staff who promoted the program to students and, in some cases, even participated. The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre team extends a special thanks to the University of Calgary’s Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, who were instrumental in helping deliver this program, and to the students who seized the opportunities to put their learning into action, make valuable connections, and gain relevant experience for their resumes.

Business student recognized for excellence in leadership, athletics and entrepreneurship

We are thrilled to announce that Taylor Lougheed, a remarkable student in the Sobey School of Business, has received the prestigious 2025 Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. In addition to this award, Taylor is also a Sobey Scholar, a recognition that highlights her exceptional academic and leadership potential.

A natural leader, Taylor has proven herself in multiple areas. As a manager at Scholar’s Edge Painting, a student-run business, she led her team to generate impressive sales and build lasting client relationships. Her experience taught her invaluable skills in communication, problem-solving and resilience—qualities that will serve her well in her future career.

Taylor embodies the perfect blend of entrepreneurial spirit, academic excellence and athletic leadership as the Assistant Captain of the SMU Huskies Women’s Volleyball team. Her dedication and discipline shine through as she motivates her teammates and balances her studies. She is also involved in various campus organizations, including the SMU Women in Business Society and the Saint Mary’s Athletic Council. These experiences not only define her leadership style but also set the stage for an inspiring and successful career ahead.

Looking forward, Taylor aims to pursue her CPA and MBA, laying the foundation for owning a successful and financially sustainable business. With hard work and a natural ability to inspire others, she is poised to become a promising leader in the business world.

Philosophy: the smartest career move you can make

The logical choice in an AI-driven world

In every field, from medicine to business to public policy, employers are looking for graduates who can think deeply and act responsibly. Professionals are increasingly expected to make effective decisions that are morally sound. Critical thinking is among the most in-demand skills in today’s job market.

In healthcare, people face life-altering choices affecting patients. In business, companies must balance profits with social responsibility and environmental impact. Philosophy helps students approach these dilemmas with both competence and conscience.

Philosophy grads consistently outperform their peers on graduate school entrance exams like the LSAT, GRE and MCAT.

“It’s not about winning debates or getting into shouting matches,” says Angus Mancini-Miller, a third-year philosophy student. “It’s about justifying your beliefs. If you work in business and maybe you are trying to convince someone to invest, or you are pitching an idea, applying for a job, or discussing a topic in really any field… philosophy sets you up to defend your position.”

For Angus, studying philosophy is more than an academic pursuit—it is a transformative tool for understanding the world and refining the way we think. It helps students become more mindful and reflective in their personal lives, encouraging them to challenge their assumptions and understand the perspectives of others, ultimately improving relationships with family and friends.

Sam MacQuarrie, Angus Mancini-Miller and Kyle Foster founded the SMU Philsophy Society

“Even if you just take one class, philosophy makes you a better reader,” he says. “It helps you to read not just for information, but you also start noticing how things are written and why they’re written that way.”

Angus, along with fellow students Kyle Foster and Sam MacQuarrie, co-founded the SMU Philosophy Society.

“We now have a community where we can have philosophical conversations, whether about school or just ideas that intrigue us,” says Angus. “The society has grown over time, with 10 to 15 regular members. I’m living in the things I'm passionate about. I am living in my passion, which is awesome.” 

Because AI can’t think about thinking

Philosophy teaches students how to think about concepts like fairness, autonomy and justice. These skills are increasingly important as we interact with AI-driven systems in the workplace. Understanding the societal impact of AI is not just a technical challenge—it’s a moral one.

AI is revolutionizing industries and reshaping workplaces. It is already influencing our daily lives, from hiring practices to decision-making algorithms. With political turmoil, social divides, economic instability and the complexities of AI, the global landscape is full of challenges.

At Saint Mary’s, philosophy is brought to life by professors who are passionate about helping students grow. Dr. Shelagh Crooks, a member of the philosophy department, exemplifies how a great professor can shape your university experience.

Dr. Crooks is a recipient of the Dr. Geraldine Thomas Educational Leadership Award, the Father William A. Stewart, SJ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, the Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teaching Award, and a 3M National Teaching Fellow.

“If we consume AI, we have to consume it with a critical eye,” says Dr. Crooks. “One of the things you learn in all philosophy classes is to be a skeptic and not to accept what you hear at face value. Instead, ask yourself, ‘Why should I accept this as truth?’ That is not something people do naturally.”

Dr. Shelagh Crooks

“One of the things you learn in all philosophy classes is to be a skeptic and not to accept what you hear at face value. Instead, ask yourself, ‘Why should I accept this as truth?’ ”

— Dr. Shelagh Crooks

“Take Descartes, for example. Doubt for him became liberating. I ask my students, ‘What does doubt feel like to you?’ Most students say, ‘When I am doubting, I feel anxious’ and that the feeling is unpleasant. But we need to doubt to know more—to know better.”

A global perspective, grounded in thought

With the support of his professors, Angus spent part of his summer abroad in a fellowship program at St. Olaf College near Minneapolis, Minnesota. The fellowship focused on philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, allowing him to dive into intensive research at the world’s most extensive Kierkegaard library.

“We would read for hours every day. Then when the library closed, we would play pool, hang out and talk about everything we read. It was probably one of the best months of my life.”

Philosophy is not just an academic discipline—it is a way of approaching the world. Whether you are passionate about technology, social justice, human resources, commerce or health sciences, studying philosophy will develop the skills to thrive in an ever-evolving and complex society.

Learn more

• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

• Master of Arts in Philosophy

AI device predicting UTIs wins $10K at The Arena

Manak Bajaj, a second-year PhD student from McMaster University, has been awarded the $10,000 grand prize in The Arena, Saint Mary’s University’s national pitch competition, for his breakthrough product, Wonder Guard—an AI-powered catheter bag module capable of detecting and predicting urinary tract infections (UTIs).

After 29 days of intense competition, with over 60 participants from 37 post-secondaries across Canada, Manak Bajaj won the grand prize of $10,000 for his product called Wonder Guard—an AI-powered Catheter Bag Module capable of detecting and predicting urinary tract infections (UTIs). Wonder Guard integrates electrochemical biosensors for real-time detection, quantification, and prediction of UTIs. This allows immediate diagnostic feedback to users and health information systems for AI-driven clinical decisions.

Wonder Guard app

“The Arena was a fantastic event! I profoundly enjoyed the challenges brought on by each round, and each iteration taught me so much about how to share the story of Wonder Guard,” said Bajaj. “I am grateful to be the Champion of The Arena 2025, and I’m eager to advance our efforts to create a lasting impact on patients’ lives. Thank you to all the judges who participated in my rounds—your feedback has given Wonder Guard a stronger pathway to market.”

The Arena, presented by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University, is Canada’s premier national pitch competition for student entrepreneurs. This year’s event welcomed 64 students from leading institutions, including the University of Toronto, McGill University, Queen’s University, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Waterloo and universities throughout Atlantic Canada.

During the month of March, students competed in a head-to-head pitch format, presenting their business ideas to panels of expert judges. In total, $17,000 in prizes were awarded: $10,000 to the first-place winner, $5,000 to the runner-up, and $1,000 each to third and fourth place.

“The calibre of world-changing ideas from these young entrepreneurs is impressive. They are inspired and inspiring,” said Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. “These students are going to make their mark on our world, and the Centre is delighted to help them realize their dreams.”

The Arena is generously sponsored by Metronomics, a company founded by Shannon Byrne Susko BComm’89 BSc’92, a Saint Mary’s University alumna and successful serial entrepreneur. Susko has been recognized among Canada’s Top 25 Inspirational Women Leaders and Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

Since its launch in 2021, The Arena has awarded $95,000 in prizes and showcased more than 320 student business ideas from across the country. With a focus on growth, innovation and cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is Atlantic Canada’s premier hub for cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and driving open innovation.

SMU community members receive King Charles III Coronation Medal

Saint Mary’s University is delighted to congratulate four members of the SMU community who recently received a distinguished honour: The King Charles III Coronation Medal.

The medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, and recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community in Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to our country. In total, the medal is awarded to 30,000 deserving individuals.

Congratulations to the recipients on this achievement!

Dr. J. Colin Dodds

Dr. J. Colin Dodds, President Emeritus and Director of the Master of Finance Program at the Sobey School of Business, was nominated by Rick Perkins, Member of Parliament, South Shore-St. Margarets, and received the medal in recognition of contributions to post-secondary education and community service.

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Dr. Karly Kehoe

Dr. Kehoe, history professor with the Faculty of Arts and the university’s Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities, was presented with a medal in recognition for exceptional and sustained contributions to the mission and goals of the Royal Society of Canada. Learn more about Dr. Kehoe’s research.

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Aileen K. McGinty

Aileen K.McGinty, Senior Crown Attorney with Dartmouth Wellness and part-time instructor with the criminology department, was nominated by the Canadian Mental Health Association in recognition of her contributions to mental health in Canada.

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University, was nominated by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in recognition of exceptional contributions to education in Canada and in elevating Canada’s presence in international education.

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About the Coronation Medal

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was established to mark the 2023 Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III It will be awarded to 30,000 individuals across Canada, including 4,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The medal program is administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, with nominations provided by a list of partner organizations.

The Canadian Heraldic Authority designed the medal, which was approved by the King himself and manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. Struck in nickel-silver, its front side features a crowned image of His Majesty King Charles III wearing coronation robes, with the text, “CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX” (Charles III, by the Grace of God, the King) and “CANADA.”

The medal’s reverse side portrays the Royal Cypher (the monogram surmounted by the Canadian Royal Crown), over the Canadian Coronation emblem. The medal’s sides are inscribed with the date of the Coronation and “VIVAT REX” (“long live The King”). It is attached to a ribbon in dark blue, red and white, identical to the United Kingdom’s Coronation Medal ribbon.

Dr. Karly Kehoe receives King Charles III Coronation Medal

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Dr. Karly Kehoe has received the King Charles III Coronation Medal. An internationally recognized advocate of science diplomacy, Dr. Kehoe is a professor of history and the university’s Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities.

Dr. Kehoe with Alain Gagnon, President of the Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) nominated her for the award, presenting it to her at a March 27 ceremony at its headquarters in Ottawa.

“I am grateful to have received the King Charles III Coronation Medal from The Royal Society of Canada,” says Kehoe. “As academics, our role must be to work as hard as we can to make our societies better, smarter and more inclusive. It's been my privilege to work with these inspiring people to activate change.”

The medal honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

The Royal Society of Canada nominated 30 individuals who have made significant contributions to its mission over the past 25 years. Other medal recipients included Chad Gaffield, Constance Backhouse and Julia Wright.    

Kehoe is a past president of the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (2020-2022) and is the founder and lead of RSC’s At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) program. This program emerged out of her extensive work to support academic researchers whose work has been disrupted by war, conflict and threats of violence. In addition to ARDAA, she co-founded the At-Risk and Academic Refugee Membership programme (Young Academy of Scotland) and the At-Risk Scholar Initiative (Global Young Academy).

Also a Fellow of the International Science Council (ISC), Kehoe is a member of its Freedom and Responsibility in Science Standing Committee. She currently chairs the RSC’s Sustainable Migration statement committee for the S7 (science academies of the G7).

Research publication award

Kehoe also recently received the Peter M. Toner Research Publication Award, for her monograph Empire and Emancipation: Scottish and Irish Catholics at the Atlantic Fringe, 1780-1850 (University of Toronto Press, 2022). Administered by the University of New Brunswick, this award supports the publication of scholarly works in Irish Canadian history by scholars worldwide.

“It was wonderful to receive this news – and completely unexpected. It’s nice when really hard research work gets recognized like this,” says Kehoe.

Kehoe is the academic lead and board chairperson for the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies, based at Saint Mary’s. Through her own research, Kehoe explores settler colonialism and how religious minority migrants acquired and exercised colonial privilege in the north Atlantic world between c. 1750 and c. 1850. Underpinning this research is the pioneering work she has been doing since 2010 on the complex links between Catholic colonialism in the Caribbean and what would become Atlantic Canada.

Kehoe is the convenor of the Scottish Historical Review Trust and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She co-edits the Histories of the Scottish Atlantic book series with Edinburgh University Press. Recent publications include The Scottish Highlands and the Atlantic World: Social Networks and Identities (Edinburgh University Press, 2023), co-edited with Annie Tindley and Chris Dalglish. She is a collaborator on the current SSHRC-UKRI funded research project “One People, Two Places,” looking at historic linkages between Cape Breton Island and Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Coronation medal background 

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was established to mark the 2023 Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. It will be awarded to 30,000 individuals across Canada, including 4,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The medal program is administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, with nominations provided by a list of partner organizations.

Related:

• History professor joins International Science Council Fellowship

• Saint Mary’s University historian unveils discoveries on Catholic migration in Atlantic Canada

Student-led startup named Canadian Champion at Hult Prize National Competition

Founded by Sheheryar Khan, a soon-to-be graduate in the Diploma in Engineering program at Saint Mary’s University, Alaagi is on a mission to replace traditional plastics with sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Using seaweed and other marine resources, the company creates fully compostable plastics.

The Alaagi team—comprised of SMU students Sheheryar Khan, Gabe Martin and Vaishali Sachdeva—was named National Champion after competing against 19 other teams from across Canada at the competition held in March at McGill University.

Kate Ramirez of the Hult Prize with Vaishali Sachdeva, Sheheryar Khan and Gabe Martin of Alaagi, and Hult Prize Advisor Aarondeep (Aaron) S. Bains

Another Saint Mary’s team that competed was Sociable, an online platform founded by Olivian Sanderson and Jason Phonchareon. The platform aims to help students build meaningful relationships through shared interests and community events.

With the national win, the Alaagi team immediately moves on to the next phase of the competition, working toward the grand prize of $1 million to be awarded at the Global Finals in London in September 2025. Alaagi has been mentored through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and is currently incubated through Enactus Saint Mary’s.

““Working with the team at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre was truly transformative. They supported my vision and taught me fundamental skills like how to pitch and manage my business. But I also have to credit my mom—she sent me to Saint Mary’s and to Canada to chase my dreams.””

— Sheheryar Khan

Alaagi Founder Sheheryar Khan presents at the Hult Prize Canadian National Competition

The Hult Prize is a globally recognized social entrepreneurship competition that challenges students to tackle the world’s most pressing issues through innovative business ideas. Each year, more than 187,000 students from 113 countries and 1,324 universities participate, pitching solutions for a chance to win $1 million.

“The Canadian National Competition was competitive and exciting! It was amazing to see teams from across the country come together—not just as competitors, but as colleagues supporting one another through the process,” said Kate Ramirez, North American Regional Manager of the Hult Prize. “This was the first Canadian National Hult Prize competition, and it set the tone for what’s to come.”

The Hult Prize competition consists of five stages. With their national win, Alaagi enters Stage 3: the Digital Incubator. Alongside 60 top teams from around the world, they will refine their ideas, validate product-market fit, build proof-of-concept models, and develop go-to-market strategies. Successful teams will progress to Stage 4: the Global Accelerator, held in person in London this August, where 28 teams will receive intensive mentorship, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities. Of those, eight will be selected to compete in the Global Finals in September, pitching their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges for the $1 million prize.

Follow the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre online for more updates on Alaagi’s journey and other student entrepreneur success stories.

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The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University is Atlantic Canada’s premier hub for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and driving open innovation. Over the past five years, the Centre has supported over 4,000 students and 3,000 businesses through programs, mentorship, and entrepreneurial engagement activities.

Students build their own drones in hands-on workshop

STEAM Lab participants pose with their Wi-Fi controlled drones at Saint Mary’s University

During the winter term, a group of students took on the challenge of building fully functioning, Wi-Fi-controlled drones. The workshop was hosted by STEAM Lab, an exciting hands-on program where university students bring STEAM concepts to life by building their own projects over six interactive sessions.

Throughout the program, students enhanced their skills in electronics, programming, 3D printing, and design in a supportive environment that was open to learners from all backgrounds. At the end of the program, they kept the drones they built.

“STEAM Lab has been an incredible experience, providing hands-on learning in an engaging way,” said Abdiaziz Aden Muse. “Through this program, I’ve gained valuable problem-solving skills, collaborated on exciting projects, and explored innovative ideas that sparked my curiosity. The supportive environment and knowledgeable mentors made learning both fun and rewarding. STEAM Lab has truly inspired me to think creatively and approach challenges with confidence.”

“The drone building, programming and collaborative environment allowed me to explore new technologies while building real-world applications,” said Michael Ofori Maccarthy.

Thanks to our partners at EurekaTec and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre for supporting this adventure in STEAM. Explore the gallery below to see the process unfold!

Highlights from the 2025 Venture Capital Investment Competition at the Sobey School of Business

Dalhousie MBA team

Queen's Smith MBA team

UNB MBA team

U of T Rotman MBA team

Waterloo Undergraduate team

Waterloo MBA team

York Schulich MBA team

Wilfred Laurier Undergraduate team

Queen's Smith MBA

Waterloo MBA team

Harvinder Kaur (SpaceBeacon)

Ugochi West

Judge

Bryn Davis Williams (DOUBL)

Kory Henn

Judge

Gena Arthur (Pure Paints Lab)

Judge

George Palikaras

Judge

Dr. Ellen Farrell

Host, Saint Mary’s University

The Sobey School of Business was thrilled to host this year’s highly anticipated Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC), which brought together 72 talented graduate and undergraduate students from some of Canada’s top institutions, including the University of Waterloo, Queen’s University, Schulich School of Business and the University of Alberta.

Canada’s Venture Capital Investment Competition has become a landmark event in the venture capital industry, providing universities across the country with the opportunity to test and nurture the next generation of professionals.

All judges for the competition are venture capitalists, business angels or members of the VC program at Sobey School of Business. “The competition showcases a remarkable wealth of talent,” said Dr. Ellen Farrell, leader of the VC program, who is renowned for her innovations in venture capital. Her accomplishments include founding the Venture Grade: Student Venture Capital Fund, co-founding the Masters in Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI) Program, creating InvestorQ&A, and winning the prestigious Father William A. Stewart, S.J. Medal for Excellence in Teaching.

This year, all of the featured startups were women-owned, highlighting the growing impact of women entrepreneurs in the venture capital space. Co-organizers Ellen Farrell and Andrew Ray praised the featured startups and celebrated the diverse representation from across Canada, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.

To learn more about the undergraduate competition, visit: Undergraduate Canada VCIC

To learn more about the MBA competition, visit: MBA Canada VCIC

Event to examine the role of Acadian soldiers in the First World War

165e Batailon Acadian, 1916

The Gorsebrook Research Institute (GRI) for Atlantic Canada Studies is pleased to welcome Dr. Gregory Kennedy for a public presentation on April 3 at Saint Mary’s University.

Lost in the Crowd: Acadian Soldiers of Canada’s First World War

• POSTPONED: Date to be announced

Dr. Kennedy is a leading historian from Brandon University. The presentation will focus on his recent award-winning book about Acadian participation in the First World War, Lost in the Crowd: Acadian Soldiers of Canada's First World War (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024).

The event will follow an interview format with Q&A to follow. Dr. Kennedy will be in discussion with Stefanie Slaunwhite BA’14 MA’17, PhD candidate in History at the University of New Brunswick and graduate of the Master of Arts in Atlantic Canada Studies program at Saint Mary's University.

Dr. Gregory M. W. Kennedy is Professor of History and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Brandon University. A historian of early Canada and particularly of New France and the French Atlantic World, Kennedy has published two monographs and numerous scholarly articles and book chapters. His first book, Something of a Peasant Paradise? Comparing Rural Societies in Acadie and the Loudunais, 1604-1755 (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2014), was awarded the Canadian Historical Association’s Clio prize for the best scholarly book on Atlantic Canadian history and is also available in French with Septentrion (2021).

His second book is Lost in the Crowd: Acadian Soldiers of Canada's First World War (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024). It was recently named winner of the New Brunswick Scholarly Book Award by the Journal of New Brunswick Studies/Revue d’études sur le Nouveau-Brunswick.

Dr. Kennedy also co-edited a collection of essays in French entitled Repenser l’Acadie dans le monde: Études comparées, études transnationales, forthcoming in May from McGill-Queen’s University Press, as part of its Rethinking Canada in the World series. A second collection of essays in English, Military Service and Society in Atlantic Canada Communities, is in progress. His current research focuses on mobility, migration, and military service in French Canada, contributing to an SSHRC-funded partnership project, “Trois siècles de migrations francophones en Amérique du Nord”.

All are welcome to attend this event in person or online. Bookmark Halifax will be on site with copies of Dr. Kennedy’s books.

GRI Lecture Series 2025

Dr. Kennedy’s event falls amid a series of spring presentations as the Gorsebrook Research Institute continues its GRI Lecture Series 2025. On March 14, the lecture series launched with "Fogs Love This Shore: Living with Fog in Atlantic Canada," with Dr. Sara Spike of the Department of History at Dalhousie University. On March 28, SMU History alumnus Alex Myrick MA’21 presented “The Meyerian Diaspora and Nova Scotian Psychiatric Reforms, 1913-1970.

Coming up on Friday, April 11: "Cousins of the Empire: Nova Scotia and Bengal, 1756-1867," with Dr. Madhuparna Gupta, Instructor, SMU Department of Political Science and Global Development Studies. Noon to 2 p.m. in McNally North room 219 and online.

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The Gorsebrook Research Institute (GRI) for Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary’s University is a regional hub for research and collaborative scholarship in Atlantic Canada. Its Atlantic Canada recognizes First Nation communities and their land sovereignty, the ethnic and cultural diversity of those who were settled as part of forced immigration and colonization, and those who are here by their own choice and agency. Its mandate is to provide an interdisciplinary research environment that facilitates exchanges and partnerships among researchers at Saint Mary’s University and affiliates from many different fields who can come together to improve understandings of Atlantic Canada. Learn more on the GRI website.

Pizza, jazz and sustainability

Sobey students explore global solutions in Chicago 

Eighteen students from Canada, the US and Mexico participated in the Developing Climate Leaders course, pictured here on-site at Top Pallets in Chicago

SMU students Dakota Burrows and Barbara Ellis (3rd and 4th from left) present with teammates from Dominican University and Universidad Anáhuac at Top Pallets in Chicago

Students visited Top Pallets in Chciago to learn about sustainable supply chain management

SMU students joined Sobey School of Business professor Dr. Rahman Khokhar (pictured speaking) for the Developing Climate Leaders course

Rahman Khokhar, Dakota Burrows and Barbara Ellis among other students during a visit to Top Pallets

The Dean of the Brennan Business School at Dominican University in Chicago, IL welcomes the students and instructors

The vibrant energy of jazz, the universal love for pizza and the critical need for climate change solutions—an unexpected fusion of experiences shaped the Sobey School of Business students' transformative trip to Chicago, proving despite apparent divisions, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico can unite over global sustainability. 

During February's reading week, six ambitious Bachelor of Commerce students from SMU ventured to the Windy City for the "Developing Climate Leaders" course, guided by Dr. Rahman Khokhar, Associate Professor of Finance at the Sobey School of Business.  

Now in its third year, this innovative program showcases how cross-border cooperation can further sustainable business practices. 

International efforts in action 

Teamed with peers from Dominican University (Chicago, IL) and Universidad Anáhuac (Mexico), the students dove into assessing sustainability practices at companies like Top Pallets, Wintrust Financial, and Pepper Construction. 

Their mission was clear: to bring fresh, actionable insights back from their research. This work was supported by funding from the 100k Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund and the Linton Family Sustainability in Business Trust, established by Bill Linton BComm'75, DComm'22 and Marilynne Day-Linton. 

During their stay, the students presented their findings to company executives on-site and toured the facilities, gaining direct insights into operations and real-world experience. 

"Being able to interview the COO of Top Pallets opened my eyes to the critical role of green supply chains,” said Barbara Ellis, a second-year undergraduate student. “I loved collaborating with a cross-cultural group of students. We came up with solutions to practical business problems that could have a real impact."  

Halifax to Chicago: beats and eats  

The cultural experiences formed a core part of their journey. From tasting Chicago's legendary deep-dish pizza to grooving to a live jazz band, the students immersed themselves in the local scene.  

“I am starting to understand how different cultures might approach sustainability initiatives. Before this trip, my perspectives were short-sighted, but now I see the importance of hearing from different viewpoints,” said Zayna Eissa, a second-year undergraduate student and Sobey National Innovator Scholar. “I also loved trying new foods and I really admired the architecture in Chicago. That’s the beauty of international learning."  

“Just getting out of Halifax over the break,” said Cole Fraser, a third-year undergraduate student, on his highlights of the trip. “The food scene, visiting the Morton Arboretum, and the nights spent exploring downtown Chicago with a great group of students were unforgettable.” 

Empowering students as sustainable business leaders 

The course included various team efforts, including a social media campaign promoting carbon neutrality and a real-world sustainability challenge about Walmart and one of its suppliers.  

Through this exercise, students strengthened their problem-solving and presentation skills, gained insight into supplier negotiation dynamics, and explored how sustainability decisions today can significantly shape global supply chains of the future.  

The Sobey School of Business is proud of its commitment to fostering future leaders who are ready to tackle the world's pressing environmental issues with innovative, culturally informed approaches.  

Additional resources 

• Sobey School globally recognized for supporting UN initiative

• Sustainability Initiatives

• Bachelor of Commerce at Saint Mary’s

• Certificate in Sustainability Business