Friday, November 28, 2014

Celebrate StFX Day in Calgary!

StFX Day 2014 is almost upon us! Have you RSVPed for either or both of our chapter events yet?

Details are on the graphic below. CLICK THE GRAPHIC (or CLICK HERE) to RSVP. For more information, please contact Oliver at 403 816 4904 or at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.

Hail and Health!


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

A Homecoming 2014 message from the local chapter President

Fellow Xaverians,

On behalf of your local chapter team, I hope you had an excellent Homecoming weekend. Whether you were in Calgary or Antigonish, I hope this weekend was full of good times and fond memories of StFX.

Meet the new StFX President in Calgary!

I was in Antigonish and believe me, there is a lot going on at StFX that is definitely worth sharing with you all. But how about hear it all from Dr. Kent MacDonald '86 '93, our newest President and Vice-Chancellor? Dr. MacDonald will be in Calgary on Friday 07 November and we are holding a reception in his honour in downtown Calgary. We're just putting the finishing touches on the venue but be sure to RSVP your spot on the guest list today.

RSVP for the President's Reception
on Friday 07 November 2014



Lots for our chapter to celebrate

  • Congratulations to Val Turkunova-Rausch '18, who has been named the newest recipient of the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary. Val is currently in a Bachelor of Science program with aspirations to pursue veterinary medicine after StFX.

  • Thank you to Joy Romero '77 for a generous gift to StFX that resulted in the purchase of much needed equipment in the Material Testing Lab, located in the Physical Sciences building. Over the weekend, StFX dedicated a lab in her honour at a ceremony on Saturday morning. So next time you're in Antigonish, check out the new Joy Romero Material Testing Lab.


  • Congratulations to Dave Bernatchez '85 who was inducted into the StFX Alumni Association's Hall of Honour. Dave has been an incredible mentor to so many Xaverians - including myself - and continues to live the values of our alma mater: Whatsoever Things Be True. Congratulations, Dave, on a well-deserved and long overdue honour.


Thanks and acknowledgements

  • To the current students attending StFX, many of whom took the time out of their busy schedules to meet with myself, Phil Markovich '85 and Lexi Tedesco '09 at the Golden X Inn. We were able to catch up on the first few weeks of the new year and, in the process, make the Calgary crew really make its presence known!
  • To Andrew Gannon '06, for working with X-Athletics to organize a fantastic Homecoming celebration in Calgary on Saturday 04 October. The festivities included watching the game live at Booker's, followed by a spirited pub crawl that evening.
  • To Phil Markovich '85, for completing his three-year term as a member-at-large on the Alumni Council. Phil's leadership and expertise are wonderful additions to the Council and he will certainly be missed.
  • To Jay Donlevy '92, who has decided to step back from the chapter executive team after many years in a leadership role. Thanks for everything you have done for the chapter, Jay! Your leadership and ideas around the planning table will certainly be missed, although we know you won't be venturing too far.

Looking ahead

We need your help and enthusiasm to keep our chapter strong.
  • Recommend more welcome additions to our Xaverian family! StFX thrives on attracting the best and the brightest students to grace its halls, and that process starts with all of us as alumni. Support our Recruitment effort with three simple steps: (1) Know the latest StFX facts, (2) Talk about StFX, and (3) Connect the student with our Admissions Team. CLICK HERE for more information about how you can help recruit.
  • Recommend StFX on LinkedIn! Still love StFX? If you're on LinkedIn, write a recommendation for alma mater! LinkedIn is an incredible social media application that definitely helps to enhance the reputation of StFX. In addition, LinkedIn is a great resource for current students and recent grads to start networking, and we definitely need alumni support to make sure that our younger Xaverians can tap into the strong alumni network that separates StFX from the rest. CLICK HERE to recommend StFX to your LinkedIn network.
  • Help us with our events! We have a strong crew of volunteers to help us with our events but many hands make for light work. Our events for 2014-15 include a President's Reception, StFX Day festivities, a Student Information Night, Student Send-off, and a National Dinner (details on the National Dinner will come soon enough...!). Contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca if you can lend a helping hand.

Finally, after almost four years as your chapter leader, I have decided to pass the reins to a new team. I hope you'll join me in supporting Jeff Paddon '09 and Lexi Tedesco '09 as they bring their own flavour and energy to the chapter leadership. Jeff and Lexi will succeed me on 01 January 2015. Thanks to you all for your continued support of the chapter and its activities!

Hail and Health,

Oliver Munar '98
President, Calgary chapter
StFX Alumni Association

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Calgary grad to be inducted into the StFX Alumni Association Hall of Honour

Hello fellow Xaverians, 

As we embark on another Stampede, I have some great news to pass along. The Alumni Association has named Calgary's own Dave Bernatchez '85 among the inductees to the StFX Alumni Association Hall of Honour this year.

Dave is a former chapter president in Calgary and a former member of the StFX Board of Governors. He remains highly active both in our local Xaverian community as well as with X-Athletics and the Coady International Institute.

The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday 04 October in Antigonish during the annual Homecoming festivities. Please join me in congratulating Dave on this incredible honour!


Hail and Health!

Oliver Munar '98
President, Calgary chapter

StFX Alumni Association

Saturday, May 24, 2014

OFFER EXTENDED: Family Lobster Dinner (30 May 2014)

Great news, fellow Xaverians! 

Due to popular demand, we are extending the deadline for you to get tickets for the Family Lobster Dinner on Friday night! That means tickets are still available. 

Who to invite / who can come 

  • The event is open to all StFX alumni, current StFX students, and both their family and friends. Dinner is at 6:30 pm at the Crescent Heights Community Centre (1101 - 2nd Street NW). The event is perfect for: 
  • Lobster lovers - especially if they are from the Maritimes or went to school in the Maritimes 
  • Families who are considering sending their child/children to StFX in the near future 
  • Families who can't find a babysitter - there's a huge park next to the hall where the kids can run and play 
  • Guests who bought a single ticket but didn't know non-StFXers could attend 
  • Friends of StFX
We will accept lobster dinner orders as late as Tuesday.

Ticket prices

  • General admission: $65 
  • Current StFX students: $40 
  • StFX Class of 2014 graduates: $40 
  • Volunteers: $35 
  • Children 10 and under: FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)


How to pay for your dinner tickets

  • Send an INTERAC payment (via your respective online banking service) to calgarychapter@stfx.ca 
  • Arrange to meet a chapter executive in person (their email addresses are below). We will accept payments in cash or by cheque (payable to StFX University Alumni Association - Calgary chapter) 
  • Contact Oliver Munar at 403-816-4904 to arrange a payment via credit card
Ticket proceeds will go toward future chapter events and to the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary, an award the chapter gives out annually to a deserving student entering his/her first year of post-secondary study at StFX.


What if I can't come for the dinner but can come for the live music?

Admission is $10 per guest and can be paid at the door. Admission for the live music will be open at 8:30 pm.


Dress code

Dress code, schmesh code... think tables covered in newspaper, bibs and claw crackers. This is a casual, fun get-together so don't worry about dressing in your best. Besides, we have a house band - Haggis, who will be playing some great Celtic music beginning at 9 pm - so you'll need to be comfortable.


Additional questions?

Contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.


See you Friday night!

Hail and Health,

Your Calgary chapter team:

Friday, March 21, 2014

Dr. Kent MacDonald '86 '93 named President and Vice-Chancellor of StFX University

To the StFX Community,

On behalf of the Board of Governors and the Presidential Selection Committee, it’s my privilege to announce Dr. Kent MacDonald as StFX University’s 18th President and Vice-Chancellor.

The Board of Governors and the Presidential Selection Committee conducted a thorough and comprehensive search to identify a President and Vice-Chancellor who embodies the academic experience, values, and leadership skills necessary to be president of one of the best institutions in the country. The selection of Dr. MacDonald concludes an eight-month international search in which the Board received expressions of interest from across North America and beyond.

Dr. MacDonald was born in Halifax and raised in New Glasgow. He is a graduate of StFX with a Master of Education in 1993, and a Bachelor of Science, Physical Education, in 1986. He completed his Doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania where his research focused on higher education management. He also holds an MBA from Université d'Ottawa.

Dr. MacDonald is currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Algonquin College, an institution with over 20,000 students and campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke, Saudi Arabia, and a newly constructed campus in Kuwait that will be opening later this year. He has held increasingly complex roles within higher education, having served as an Academic Chair; Dean, School of Business; Executive Director, Strategy and Business Development; Vice President, Student Services and Development; and Vice President Academic.

He brings a deep understanding of higher education enrolment management and the pragmatic application of digital technologies in the learning environment. He has lectured and addressed audiences in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In addition to his post-secondary academic pursuits, Dr. MacDonald has led private sector and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario and has been a teacher in the K-12 system in Canada and New Zealand.

Dr. MacDonald is married to Mary-Ellen MacPhee, also a StFX graduate, and they have four children: Adam, a 2013 StFX graduate; Matthew, a junior at Algonquin College; Meagan enrolled in her first year at StFX; and Patrick, a junior at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville, ON.

Dr. MacDonald assumes his duties as StFX President and Vice-Chancellor on August 1, 2014, after nearly two decades of unprecedented growth and momentum under the leadership of Dr. Sean Riley.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the members of the StFX Presidential Committee for their tireless work over the last eight months. A very heartfelt thank you to Rob Bennett, Dr. William Sweet, Kim West, Angus MacIsaac, Dr. Charmaine McPherson, and Ben Gunn-Doerge. Working alongside such talented and dedicated individuals was truly inspiring.


Mark Wallace
Chair, StFX Board of Governors
Chair, StFX Presidential Committee

Monday, February 17, 2014

SAVE THE DATES

Hello fellow Xaverians!

Your Calgary chapter team has a lot on the go over the coming months. Here's a sneak peek so you can book your calendars now!


  • FAMILY LOBSTER DINNER: Friday 30 MayBack by popular demand, we're holding another Family Lobster Dinner for StFX alumni, current students, family and friends. No need for the suit and tie - think bibs and a lot of newspaper - as you enjoy succulent lobster with your extended Xaverian family!

  • $65 general admission, $40 for current StFX students, $40 for Class of 2014 graduates, $35 for volunteers - if you can volunteer, please drop the chapter a line at calgarychapter@stfx.ca
    More details to come so stay tuned!
  • CASINO FUNDRAISER for the Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship: Friday 07 & Saturday 08 June
    The Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship is a prestigious renewable scholarship offered to students from Alberta to attend StFX. The casino fundraiser helps the scholarship society to continue sending the best and brightest students from Alberta to attend StFX.

    We need volunteers to cover the various shifts over the course of the two days, from chip runner to cashier to count room. If you can spare a few hours on a Friday or Saturday (day or night), please email the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.
  • STUDENT SEND-OFF: Sunday 22 June
    One of the anchors of our calendar, the Student Send-off is reserved for new StFX students, their families, and a smattering of alumni and current StFX students. Our special guest will be Matt Dolansky '13, the StFX Admissions Advisor based in Calgary. If you are a current StFX and would like to attend, please contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.
  • STAMPEDE PARTY: Wednesday 09 July
    We have a date and we're just finalizing the venue! Come enjoy the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' with fellow alumni, family and friends! More details to come so stay tuned!
  • FAMILY HIKE & PICNIC: August
    The chapter is currently investigating family-friendly trails in either Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park. Have any ideas? The trail should be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and kids of all walking ages. Send your ideas to the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca - we'll provide the watermelon and the bottled water!
Again, we could use some volunteers to help us with these events. If you have some time to spare, please contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca and we'll put you on our 'will call' list.

Hail and Health,

Your Calgary chapter team
Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Sarah, Jeff, Lexi & Mike