Community Report
for 2020
STU Today:
More students choose STU
FA C T S & to study Arts FIGURES than any other university in NB
— Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission
STU students
St. Thomas
placeD FIRST
in Canada
at national and international
Moot Court competitions: : the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Competition i n G e n e va ( 2 017 )
and the Osgoode Cup
1,,900 students from — 2014 Alumni Survey 2
42 countries
STU Ranked
Small but not too small–
Top Ten
i n To ro n to ( 2 019 )
ranked #1 for teaching students to write clearly and concisely — Maclean’s 2018
Professors who know your name • Teaching critical thinking • Class size • Scholarships and bursaries — Maclean’s 2016
A Personal Note “Though this year is very different, our community remains strongly connected and supported in many ways.
While our campus stands as the symbol of a distinctive STU education, it is not the only place where these important activities are happening. Indeed, the best of STU happens when our professors are sharing, creating, and achieving with our students wherever they are located. We have taken care to remind our students that the value of a university degree—to them and to society— will be well worth their effort and perseverance, and they are supported every step of their journey as shown in this Community Report. Our society will need engaged young citizens with advanced skills in critical thinking, literacy, analysis, communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Our students, some of whom are profiled in the report, will be well-prepared to contribute. Thank you for your support, during these challenging times and always.” — Dawn Russell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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Making Education Accessible Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation
John McAloon Scholarship
“Being chosen as the recipient of the Irving Scholarship is an honour for which I am most grateful. With the help of the Irving family, I am able to attend STU, the beginning of my journey to becoming a criminal defence lawyer. I am also blessed to get to know, to be coached by, and to play alongside amazing women on the STU women’s soccer team.” — Jazmyne Mclaughlin, 2020 Outstanding Scholar Athlete
John McAloon, BA’50, has been a faithful supporter of St. Thomas in many ways — as a participant and volunteer in events, as a member of the Board of Governors for more than 14 years, and as a donor. Although he has been an annual donor since before Msgr. Martin’s time, John decided he wanted to do more to help students.
In 2014, the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation established an entrance scholarship for an outstanding scholar and student athlete. The scholarship is awarded over the recipient’s first and second years and is for a student athlete who excels academically.
“Creating this scholarship for students defines STU now as much as it has ever done over the years. It is my honour to give back and to support the university which supported me. I am encouraged to know there is a school like St. Thomas — this wonderful community, right here in New Brunswick. I am thankful for St. Thomas and the opportunities it has provided myself and my family, every day of my life.” – John McAloon, BA’50
Joyce Family Bursaries
St. Thomas was privileged to receive a generous gift from The Joyce Family Foundation to create the Joyce Family Bursaries. The intent of these new bursaries is to have a transformative effect for a STUdent.
“Receiving this bursary was a huge game changer for me. It was such an honour to be able to receive funding for my first year of university. It motivated me to work harder after realizing how lucky I was to have received this financial aid. It means a lot to me, and I am forever grateful.” - MacKayla Dunnett 4
The Joan McFarland Endowment One Book at a Time The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) is committed to furthering the education of women. The Fredericton Chapter of the CFUW has been running a book sale in Fredericton for 55 years, raising more than one million dollars and funding over 20 scholarships, 15 of which are endowed. The CFUW supports three $2,000 scholarships at St. Thomas University.
“Many women still have challenges when entering post-secondary education, and we know that the education of women is key to changing their lives.” - Dr. Baukje (Bo) Miedema, President of CFUW Fredericton
After dedicating 48 years to teaching at St. Thomas University, Dr. Joan McFarland is giving back even more to students. She has endowed a fund to annually provide three awards in her name – a scholarship and two prizes – for students marginalized by gender including women, trans, and nonbinary individuals.
“I wanted to give a gift to St. Thomas because they’ve given me a lot for over 40 years. I wanted to encourage more students to study Political Economy, an approach to economics that I used in my research and teaching throughout my career. I worked very hard to develop courses using that approach and to have Political Economy included as an option in the Economics program at St. Thomas.” – Dr. Joan McFarland
Brad Naugler & Stephanie Kohlruss Award
Brad Naugler, BA’00, and his wife Stephanie Kohlruss wanted to make a difference in a student’s life. Although initially looking to leave a planned gift in their will for the future, they also decided to put an additional gift to work right away. In the fall of 2019, the first Brad Naugler & Stephanie Kohlruss Award was given out and their legacy began on campus.
“As liberal arts graduates, we know the importance of building an education filled with breadth and depth. We also know firsthand what it means to take on student loan debts, and our hope is to make the journey towards higher education just a little bit easier for that next great thinker or writer.” - Brad Naugler & Stephanie Kohlruss
J.D. Irving, Limited Scholarships
In 2005, Brunswick News Inc. donated one million dollars to St. Thomas University to establish the Irving Chair in Journalism. For 13 years, this program brought renowned journalists to campus annually, enriching the offerings of the Journalism Program. This year, the Visiting Chair transitioned into a high-profile annual Journalism Lecture, with the remainder of the endowment transferred to create multiple renewable entrance awards for New Brunswick students. These awards are valued at more than $22,000 each over four years.
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Carol Proctor Estate Gift
Carol Proctor devoted her life to social work and to helping others, and now, with a generous estate gift of $50,000, Carol’s legacy will live on at STU. Her gift, which will help fund scholarships, was made in memory of social work professor Brian Ouellette who died in 2005.
Professor Harry Rigby Bursary
Harry Rigby gave us the gift of music and the STU bursary that bears his name supports students who share his passion. Although he passed away in August, Harry will be remembered fondly by the many students he impacted during his time at STU.
For moreabout n informatiossor Harry the Profey Bursary Rigb ntact the please coent Office at Advancem) 452-2140 (506
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Hatchette-Nicholas Bursary for Indigenous Students With the growing number of Indigenous students attending St. Thomas now approaching 10% of the total enrolment, Graydon Nicholas and Beth (Hatchette) Nicholas saw the need for extra support for these students. With the help of an inheritance from Beth’s brother, Rick Hatchette, who passed away in 2016, they established an endowed bursary fund to provide financial support for Indigenous students.
“I am honoured to be a recipient of the Hatchette-Nicholas Bursary for Indigenous Students. Because of this award, I have been able to access resources which allow me to succeed in my academic career. Thank you for the support.” - Jessica Johnson
“We have many family connections to St. Thomas and thought this would be a good way to both honour those connections and help students at the same time. Rick Hatchette was a strong supporter of higher education and an advocate for Indigenous Rights. He was Legal Adviser for the St. John River Valley Tribal Council and an Adjudicator for the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat. We are happy to make this contribution to such an inclusive university in Rick’s memory and in memory of all deceased members of the Nicholas and Hatchette families.” - Graydon Nicholas and Beth (Hatchette) Nicholas
Gifts in Action
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STU Moot Court Recap Osgoode Cup St. Thomas Moot Court was among the top teams at the Osgoode Cup – a national undergraduate competition in Toronto. Husoni Raymond and teammate Brandon Case finished second, while STU teams of Sarie Lakes and Victoria Loucks, and Valeria Espinal and Marc Edgar, advanced to the quarterfinals.
American Moot Court Association National Tournament Husoni Raymond and Elizabeth Tuck, and Grace Baker and Megan Cormier, tied for 17th place at the American Moot Court Association National Tournament
competed nationwide throughout the season. Olivia Ricketts and Brandon Case finished 33rd. Case was named a top orator, placing ninth overall.
Lions Cup Moot Competition In June, Husoni Raymond and Elizabeth Tuck finished first in the Lions Cup Moot Competition, a virtual event hosted by York University. Raymond received a second place speaker award while Tuck received a fourth place speaker award.
Harrison McCain Foundation
Over the past eight years, the Harrison McCain Foundation has gifted nearly one million dollars to St. Thomas to create and support the Wabanaki Student Centre, and programs and services for Indigenous students which have now become an intrinsic part of the St. Thomas campus. With almost ten percent of our student body comprised of Indigenous students who benefit from this support, STU is very grateful to the Harrison McCain Foundation.
STU Emergency Bursary Fund
In the early days of the pandemic, there were many student requests for If you emergency funding. STU responded by creating the STU Emergency interesteadre in donating Bursary Fund, seeding it with $10,000. The request went out to to the ST E m U e alumni and friends and they responded by generously raising rgency B u r s a F r u y nd $25,000, helping to address food security, housing, and personalwww.stuplease visit .c care funding for our students. a/alum
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Meaningful Student Experience New Campus LGBTQIA2S+ Wellness Coordinator
Cassidy Wilson (she/her) is the new campus LGBTQIA2S+ Wellness Coordinator, a position shared between STU, UNB, and NBCC. Wilson provides counselling to students, acts as a resource for student clubs, provides educational sessions and resources to the campus community, and advises the university on matters of policy and programming related to gender identity and sexual orientation.
Men’s Volleyball Win ACAA Banner The men’s volleyball team had an historic season in 2019-20. After falling in their opening match of the season, the team proceeded to go on an amazing run of 11 straight match victories, which helped them on their way to a ninth ACAA championship.
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The team was led offensively by ACAA Player of the Year, Christian Christie, who had career bests in almost every statistical category. Joining Christie on the ACAA All-Star team were Garret Dickson, Nathan Brown, and Dallas Melnick, who was also named the league’s Rookie of the Year. Head Coach, Henri Mallet, was named ACAA Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
Liberal Arts in Action
Our internship program allows students to put their knowledge to work while they are still studying. Student placements offer personalized opportunities with organizations that focus on advocacy and social responsibility, economic development, business, journalism, policy, marketing, environmental sustainability, and much more. In the 2019-20 academic year, 113 students were placed in paid internships. STU has had many partners in this growing success. An early one was NB Power, which provided invaluable seed money for development. Another is FutureNB which provides funding for additional internship opportunities.
Virtual Eagle Feather Ceremony STU held a virtual Eagle Feather ceremony for Indigenous graduates from the Class of 2020. The annual ceremony is typically held in the morning prior to Spring Convocation, but with restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration was moved online.
“Being part of the virtual Eagle Feather Ceremony was amazing. The connection and emotions made it feel as though we were together again. That connection gave us that feeling of accomplishment, a moment to celebrate our achievements, and an opportunity to give thanks.” - Shyla Augustine, of Elsipogtog First Nation
Orange Shirt Day St. Thomas University commemorated Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 30, 2019. The event included a smudging ceremony, a performance by the Sisters of the Drum, a traditional luncheon of Bannock and Corn Chowder, a screening of We Carry Each Other’s Memories: Residential School Survivors, and a ceremony that included tobacco offerings, closing prayers, and a snake dance. Orange Shirt Day is a national movement in Canada for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to come together in the spirit of hope and reconciliation to honour former residential school
students whose families and communities have been impacted by the policies and actions of the Government of Canada and churches that operated the schools.
Inaugural Indigenous Film Festival
The Senate Committee on Reconciliation hosted the inaugural Indigenous Film Festival at St. Thomas University this winter. The three-day event included the New Brunswick premiere of Alanis Obomsawin’s Jordan River Anderson: The Messenger (2019), as well as the screening of short films by Maritime Indigenous filmmakers, and Basketmaker, a new documentary by award-winning Mi’kmaq filmmaker Cathy Martin. Alanis Obomsawin also hosted a filmmaking workshop for students.
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Faculty Success
Dr. Amanda DiPaolo receives AAU Distinguished Teaching Award Human Rights Professor Dr. Amanda DiPaolo has been awarded the Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teaching Award – an honour which recognizes outstanding teaching over a number of years. DiPaolo is the fifth STU professor to receive this prestigious award from the association, which represents the 16 universities in Atlantic Canada. DiPaolo has helped to expand the Human Rights Program from eight courses to 24 and to establish a new honours program in Human Rights. She teaches courses on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Philosophy of Human
Rights, and conducts independent studies on issues ranging from constitutional law to the Holocaust. She was awarded St. Thomas University’s highest teaching honour, the John McKendy Memorial Teaching Award, in 2017. She also created and leads STU’s Moot Court Program.
“The culture at STU is one where students can feel like they matter. When I was a student at St. Thomas University, I always felt like I mattered to my professors because they put so much effort into providing me with a quality education. That is now what I am trying to do for our students today.” – Dr. Amanda DiPaolo, BA’01
Dr. Kristi Allain Named Canada Research Chair
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Sociology Professor Dr. Kristi Allain has been named a Canada Research Chair in Physical Culture and Social Life. Dr. Allain will examine the ways that power operates through the intersections of physical activity, aging, gender, and Canadian national identity. She will look at why sport celebrates certain kinds of people as national heroes, while excluding others, and how media representations position some as central to national myths, while making others peripheral. She will also examine how institutional policies of sports, government and health organizations impact the ways people engage in, think about, and remember sport and physical activity; how older people understand their participation in sports; and how such understandings challenge or support national identity constructions.
Research at a Glance Mitacs Research Social Grant Innovation Dr. Albert Banerjee Research Fund (Gerontology) is studying the experience of social isolation among older adults. The project’s goal is to contribute to the development of community-based strategies to address social isolation in Fredericton, NB.
SSHRC Insight Development Grant
In her research, “Frozen Food and the Pursuit of Empire,” Dr. Julia Torrie (History) is exploring connections between industrial food technology and imperialism from the 1890s through the 1970s.
NBIF COVID-19 Research Fund Dr. Janet Drukee-Lloyd (Gerontology) will assess communication strategies in the New Brunswick long-term care sector in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three St. Thomas University professors were awarded Social Innovation Research Fund Grants by the New Brunswick Innovation Fund and the NB Social Policy Research Network. Dr. Susan Reid (Criminology) is exploring the benefits of video conference play dates between incarcerated mothers and their preschool children. Dr. Michelle Lafrance (Psychology) will look at information and system navigation for older adults and their caregivers in NB. Dr. Gül Çalıskan (Sociology) will conduct a communitybased narrative inquiry into economic immigrant retention in Fredericton.
AGE-WELL Grant Dr. Clive Baldwin (Social Work) and Dr. Bill Randall (Gerontology) are researching inclusive interactive apps to reduce older adults’ social isolation and digital marginalization.
Harrison McCain Awards
The Harrison McCain Faculty Awards create research opportunities for faculty scholars and for annual student research assistants and internships. Here are some of the research projects being funded this year: “Populism and the Personalization of Executive Leadership in North America and Europe” by Dr. Jamie Gillies (Communications and Public Policy) “Hearing Settlement Workers in Schools: New Brunswick Pilot” by Dr. Gül Çalıskan (Sociology) “Objective Desire: A Material History of Everyday and Extraordinary Aluminum Artifacts of 20th Century Life” by Dr. Brad Cross (History) “Mindfulness in North America: An Intellectual and Cultural History, 1950 to 2010” by Dr. Catherine Gidney (History) “A Comparative Study of Arts-Based Collaborative Teaching and Learning Practices Between University Professors and Undergraduate Students in British Columbia, Ontario, and the Maritimes” by Dr. Lisa Mitchell (Education) “Canada and the Huawei Conundrum” by Dr. Shaun Narine (Political Science) “Perspectives of Transition from Engineering Programs to Industry” by Dr. Shaunda Wood (Education)
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Student Success Elizabeth Tuck, BA’20 Named Rhodes Scholar
Elizabeth Tuck has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and one of the most prestigious international scholarships and provides recipients funding to study at Oxford. It is awarded annually to only 11 students across Canada.
STUdent Wins Provincial Experiential Learning Award
Dustyn Forbes has won the FutureNB Student Excellence Award. The award recognizes undergraduate students who participated in an experiential learning opportunity, have contributed to their community, and demonstrated personal and professional growth. Forbes worked with local theatre company Solo Chicken Productions. He was a full-time dancer with the company and was also responsible to teach classes.
Husoni Raymond Named NB Multicultural Council’s International Student Champion
“I’m excited to keep learning and researching, because I am so passionate about what I study. I think it’s going to change me and open me up in ways that I can’t comprehend right now.” – Elizabeth Tuck, BA’20 12
Husoni Raymond has been recognized by the New Brunswick Multicultural Council for his outstanding leadership and promotion of cultural diversity within the St. Thomas community. Raymond, who is from Kingston, Jamaica, received the Council’s International Student Champion Award, which is presented to an individual who is actively involved in their community, offers support to their peers, and promotes and celebrates the contributions of international students. Raymond has been involved in the STU community through Moot Court and has been active in the Students’
Union, serving as the Vice-President Administration before becoming the first black student to be elected President. He’s also spearheaded Black History Month on campus, which included panel discussions, poetry nights, and documentary screenings.
Beyond 2020
“STU prepared me by providing skills to adapt to any situation. By participating in extracurricular activities on campus, I developed the leadership skills that I use every day in my current position.” —Roger Miranda, BA’15, Economist, Province of New Brunswick
“At STU, I was able to develop connections with professors—many of whom are established leaders in their fields. This has helped me tremendously. STU helped me develop my communication and critical thinking skills and master the ability to excel under deadlines, multitask, and adapt to different situations quickly, and this has helped me every day in my role.” —Thea Johnson, BA’14, National Marketing Specialist, A.P. Reid Insurance Stores
“My courses at STU taught me the value of great writing. The field is changing rapidly, and new digital skills are expected, but the foundation of any journalist should be the ability to tell an accurate story, and writing is at its core.” —Oscar Baker, BA’16, Indigenous Affairs Reporter at the Cape Breton Post
“STU gave me the tools necessary to explain complex issues to my clients, other lawyers, and the court. You can learn a lot through practical experience, but STU is the best place to learn how to think critically about an issue.” —Benjamin Lord, BA ’15, Associate Lawyer At Canty Lutz Delaquis Grant
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Facts and Figures Where Our Students Are From
Donations at STU
Full-time Students by Province, 2019-2020
NB — 72.9% NS — 8.4% PE — 2.4% ON — 3.1% Other Provinces — 3.5% International — 9.7%
Where is Your Money Going?
Student Awards — 40% Student Experience — 28% Academic Initiatives — 21% Greatest Need — 9% Athletics — 2%
Who is Giving to STU? (by # of Donors)
Economic Contribution of STU Attracts 101 full-time faculty to the city Employs 76 part-time faculty Employs 93 full-time staff members Educates 2,000 students every year Granted 5,716 credentials since 2010 14
Alumni — 46% Faculty and Staff — 14% Organizations and Foundations — 7% Friends — 33%
STU Budget at a Glance How Our Students Are Supported Awards Disbursed 2019-2020 Scholarship — Entrance: first-year
Number
Value
434 $ 922,902.06
Scholarship — In Course
55
$ 117,369.81
Scholarship — Renewals
321
$ 1,096,024.71
Total Scholarship
810
$ 2,136,296.58
Bursary — Entrance: Undergrad
224
$ 264,106.53
Bursary — In Course
260
$ 226,572.01
23
$ 21,250.00
Total Bursary
507
$ 511,928.54
Other Awards
63
$ 229,905.54
Total Other Awards
63
$ 229,905.54
Bursary — Post-Baccalaureate
GRAND TOTAL
2020-2021 Budgeted Revenues
Tuition and Fees — 49% (15.3 M) Operating Grant — 47% (14.7 M) Other — 4% (1.1 M)
1,380 $ 2,878,130.66
Notes: Excludes President’s International Scholarship, International Bursary figures (processed as a tuition waiver) and NB Practicum Bursaries
2020-2021 Budgeted Expenses
Academic — 58.3% (18.3 M) Administration and General — 16.5% (5.2 M) Student Services — 8.6% (2.7 M) Physical Plant — 6.7% (2.1 M) Fiscal Transfer to UNB — 6.4% (2.0 M) Computing Services — 3.5% (1.1 M)
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Board of Governors Ex officio Most Rev. Christian Riesbeck, B.Soc.Sc, STB, MDiv – Founding Member Dawn Russell, BA, LLB, LLM – President and Vice-Chancellor Kim Fenwick, BSc, MA, PhD – Vice-President (Academic and Research)
Faculty Tom Bateman, BA, MA, PhD Karla O’Regan, BA, MA, JD, LLM, PhD Christina Szurlej, BA, MA, PhD
Appointed Tammy Augustine, BA, LLB Tanya Chapman, BA, BEd David Farrar, BA, LLB David Ferguson, BA Peter Forestell, QC, BA, LLB (Feb. 2023) – Chair Krista Han, CPA, CA, FEA Tom Isaac, BA (Honours), MA, LLB, LLM Carolyn MacKay, BN, MBA Daniel McCarthy, BComm, FCPA, DComm Phillippe Ouellette, BA, MA Vaughn Sturgeon, BA, CPA, CMA Stephen Ward, BA, MA, PhD Bill Whalen, BA, APR, FCPRS
Observers Jeffrey Carleton, BA, MA – Associate Vice-President, Communications Lily Fraser, BSc, MHA, CPA, CGA – Vice-President, Finance and Administration Jodi Misheal, BA, BEd – Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Relations Sarah Kohut – President, Students’ Union
51 Dineen Drive, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5G3 www.stu.ca
www.stu.ca
Alumni Don Bossé, BA, BEd, MMus Marg Tracy, BA