STU Alumni & Friends
Winter 2019
Call for Nominations: Distinguished Alumni Award Alumni Weekend Recap Wes Ward, BA’01
The Capital Complex Celebrating 20 Years of Music
What’s New at STU
Supporting the STU Fund makes an impact for students today. Your gift helps to make possible such things as:
To mak a gift e
that will s visit ww upport students , w.stu.c a/givin g or ca 506-45 ll 2-2140
“Few things in my life have been as rewarding as founding the first Canadian Global Brigades Human Rights Chapter here at STU. After leading a team of 17 students who supported pro bono lawyers and delivered educational workshops to dozens of people in rural Panama, I realize STU gives you all the tools and knowledge needed to make a real impact in the world.” – Jimy Beltran, BA’18, is a founding member of STU Global Brigades. The group’s trip to Panama was supported by the STU Fund.
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Scholarships and Bursaries Travel Study Programs Experiential Learning Opportunities Mentorship, Tutoring & Writing Workshops
Thank You.
“Because of STU's Moot Court program, I know law is my calling. It has allowed me to develop a deep respect and passion for law, and to have made it to the national competition in my first year of competing shows me I have what it takes. It is entirely motivating to have a plan for my future because of this experience.” – Emma Walsh, BA’19, competed with STU’s Moot Court team at the American Moot Court Association Nationals.
STU Fund impacts today’s students
d in Intereste a new hing establis rd or including our t awa studen s University in y ffice a O St. Thom s? Contact the i lan lumn estate p ncement and A 140 of Adva at 506-452-2 s Relation mni@stu.ca. or alu
Contents
We welcome your comments Phone: 506.452.0521 Email: alumni@stu.ca Website: www.stu.ca Facebook: St. Thomas University Alumni Twitter: @StThomasAlumni
4 Alumni Association 5 Alumni Weekend Recap 10 Cover Story 12 Profiles
Connections is a publication of the
Connections
Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5G3. It is distributed free of charge to more than 12,500 St. Thomas University alumni and friends worldwide.
Photo by: Keith Minchin
18 Opinion
Publisher Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, St. Thomas University Editor Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08
Acknowledgements Katie Appleby, BA’08 Wanda Bearresto, BA’87 Jeffrey Carleton Ashlen Henry, BA’09 Colin Hodd, BA’11 Dionne Izzard Kathleen Johnson, BA’13 Nicola MacLeod, BA’14 Jason Murray, BA’10, BEd’11 Jodi Misheal Alisha Tucker-Arango, BA’19 Photos Kyle Albright, BA’13 Keith Minchin James West
Design, Layout, Printing Karen Smith Design KarenSmithDesign@eastlink.ca Taylor Printing Group Inc. Tpgi.ca
Alumni Association Board of Directors 2018-19 Margaret (Margie) Tracy, BA’75 (Fredericton, NB) Emily Cochrane, BA’11 (Fredericton, NB) Jane Abernethy, BT’73, BA’75 (Fredericton, NB) Don Bossé, BA’82, BEd’83 (Fredericton, NB) Steven Butler, BA’14 (Halifax, NS) Dr. Dawne Clarke, BA’95 (Fredericton, NB) Robert Fisher, BA’80 (Burlington, ON) Dennis Livingstone, BA’73 (Riverview, NB) Nora Valentino, BA’87 (Fredericton, NB) Dolores Whalen, BT’70 (Fredericton, NB)
19 Campus Watch 24 New & Noteworthy 26 Tributes
Welcome St. Thomas University
F E AT U R E S
from 10
President, Dawn Russell
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n the last issue of Connections, we announced the outstanding group of alumni and friends who have offered their leadership to help St. Thomas in its first comprehensive Capital Campaign. I am delighted to share with you now that members of our Board of Governors and senior administrators, the Students’ Union, and the Alumni Association have also come forth with commitments, collectively pledging $600,000 to the Campaign for St. Thomas. These commitments are very important as we continue to seek support for the University, showing as they do the participation of those who live and work within the St. Thomas community. The Campaign for St. Thomas is focused on several important objectives, beginning with Transforming the Student Experience through the provision of scholarships and bursaries, emergency aid, investment in Indigenous programming and support, and in experiential learning, civic engagement, and study abroad opportunities. Academic Excellence and Leadership in Liberal Arts will include funding for undergraduate research, for a non-endowed chair and two endowed chairs, an endowment for Undergraduate Moot Court, and funding for faculty professional development. Campus Stewardship will allow renovation, refurbishment, and upgrades to both Harrington Hall and Vanier Hall, as well as updates to the Black Box Theatre and our Psychology Labs. Finally, we are looking to establish two new endowed funds: The David Adams Richards Artist in Residence Program, for visiting artists who will enrich the campus by sharing their talents and expertise; and the President’s Special Initiatives Fund, to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and special projects. We look forward to continuing to share stories of St. Thomas success with you.
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A Musical Launchpad The Capital
Complex celebrates 20 years of music, beer, and cheer.
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Master of Glass Ned Bowes, BA’73, restores
stained glass windows at UNB’s Memorial Hall.
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Camp Triumph Matt Sheriko, BA’11, gives kids
with a sick family member a chance to be a kid again.
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Shaping Global Citizens Andrew Keleher,
BA’98, BEd’00, is Head of School at Neuchâtel Junior College in Switzerland.
On the Cover: Wes Ward, BA’01, Owner of the Capital Complex. Photo by Kyle Albright, BA’13 Winter 2019
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Marg ave ! Tracy, BA’75 President of the STU Alumni Association
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email alumni@stu.ca for more information. I hope to see you at a STU event sometime soon.
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Alumni Award. Funds raised at the Gala will support STU students. For more information, please contact alumni@stu.ca
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St. Thomas University | Connections
Saturday, April 27
GALADinner
University Gala Dinner
STU Alumni Weekend 2018
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t. Thomas University and the STU Alumni Association were pleased to host Alumni Weekend from October 19-21, 2018. Here’s a look back at the weekend.
Maritime Kitchen Party 1 Georgina Baisley, BA’58 and Ron Planche, BA’68 2 Terri O’Neill and David O’Neill, BA’67, BEd’68 3 Patricia Flynn, BA’66, BEd’73 and Joe Flynn, BA’66, BEd’69 4 Eric McNair-Landry and Katherine Breen, BA’03 5 Mary Beth Gorey, BA’75 and Robert Fisher, BA’80 6 Charline Welling, BSW’88; Trish Seely, BA’81, BEd’82; and Susan Dickeson, BA’81, BEd’82
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STU Alumni Weekend 2018 Harrington Hall Reunion and Social 1 Jodie DeSolla, BA’07, BSW’11 and Katie Walsh, BA’07 2 Michael Grosvold, BA’80; Don “Happy” Holt, BA’73, BEd’74; Mark Giberson, BA’76 3 Corben McLean, BA’10 and Michelle Barclay, BA’11
Bill Richardson Receives the 2018 STU Alumni Award for Service Bill Richardson, BA’69, BEd’71, was the recipient of the 2018 St. Thomas University Alumni Association Award for Service. He received the award on Sunday, October 21 at the President’s Reunion Breakfast Buffet during STU Alumni Weekend. Richardson is perhaps best known in the STU community as the voice of the Thomists. He has been a member of the group for over four decades and continues to sing with them today. In his capacity as the lead singer of the Thomists, Bill has become a much-recognized goodwill ambassador for St. Thomas. He has sung at STU convocations since 1969, as well as at many other STU functions over the years – an inspiring, ongoing commitment to his alma mater.
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Dinner and Dance with the Thomists 8 Don Bossé, 4 Judy and John McAloon, HS’45, BA’50 5 Graham Fawcett; BA’82, BEd’83 Judy Fawcett, BA’74, BEd’76; Jane Abernethy, BT’73, BA’75; and Robert Grant 6 Hope Ann Richardson, BA’77, BEd’78 and Bill Richardson, BA’69, BEd’71 7 Rudy Camby and Dolores Whalen, BT’70
and Heather MacDonald-Bossé, BA’82, BEd’83 9 Robert Hickey; Ila Hickey, BSW’02; Mary McCormack; and Michael Daniel
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President’s Reunion Breakfast Buffet We celebrated alumni from the 1950s through the 2000s at this year’s President’s Breakfast Buffet.
1950s
Celebrating alumni from the 1950s From left: Marg Tracy, BA’75; Claude Cyr, HS’54; Georgina Baisley, BA’58; Lou McGinn, BA’58; Dawn Russell, BA’77
Celebrating alumni from the 1970s
1960s Celebrating alumni from the 1960s From left: Marg Tracy, BA’75; David O’Neill, BA’67, BEd’68; Ron Planche, BA’68; Thelma Innes, BA’68, BEd’70; Patricia Ellsworth, BA’69; Bill Richardson, BA’69, BEd’71; Anne Doyle, BA’69; Dawn Russell, BA’77
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St. Thomas University | Connections
From left: Marg Tracy, BA’75; Michael Flynn, BA’72, BEd’73; James DiPaolo, BA’72; Peggy Holt, BA’73, BEd’74; Dennis Livingstone, BA’73; Hope Ann Richardson, BA’77, BEd’78; Mark Giberson, BA’76; Lou Aubé, BA’74, BEd’75; Don “Happy” Holt, BA’73, BEd’74; Paula Carvell-Dennis, BA’77; Thomas Dennis, BA’78; Jane Asher, BA’72, BSW’86; Dawn Russell, BA’77
1970s
STU Alumni Weekend 2018 1980s Celebrating alumni from the 1980s From left: Charline Welling, BSW’88; Suzanne Murphy, BA’88; Robert Fisher, BA’80; Marg Tracy, BA’75; Greg Byrne, BA’84; Ella Allen, BA’83; Don Bossé, BA’82, BEd’83; Jane Asher, BA’72, BSW’86; Dan Theriault, BA’84; Nora Valentino, BA’87; Michael Grosvold, BA’80; Wanda Bearresto, BA’87; Dawn Russell, BA’77
1990s Celebrating alumni from the 1990s From left: Dawn Russell, BA’77; Karla O’Regan, BA’98; Carrie MonteithLevesque, BA’98; Marg Tracy, BA’75
Celebrating alumni from the 2000s From left: Dawn Russell, BA’77; Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08; David Dennis, BA’08; Jeff Richardson, BA’01; Amanda DiPaolo, BA’01; Julia Thompson, BA’08; Bethany Tompkins, BA’08; Meredith O’Hara, BA’08; Andrew Kelly, BA’08; Marg Tracy, BA’75
2000s Winter 2019
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Cover Story
By Jason Murray, BA’10, BEd’11
Left to right: Tim Rayne BA’03; Wes Ward, BA’01; Zach Atkinson
The Capital Complex
Celebrating 20 Years of Music, Beer, and Cheer
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t’s never easy to break the ice with people. Having great stories helps. Wes Ward often leads with: “While at STU, I bought a van, travelled through central America, and now I own a bar.” This story is of interest to those who spent any time in Fredericton in the past two decades, because his bar is the now legendary Capital Complex. Ward says he never would have graduated from university if it hadn’t been for STU, the culture, and the professors. “STU gave me structure and kept me motivated. The small class size helped me.” Twenty years into the bar and live music business, he is thankful for the overall attitude of the school. “STU made me think outside the box.” The Capital Complex is celebrating 20 years in Fredericton and is a staple among bar-goers and live-music enthusiasts. It’s been recognized as one of Canada’s top places to play and has helped shape the next generation of bands and musicians. Ward says it’s been a great place to promote talent, large and small.
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“The Capital provides the launching venue for all these bands,” he says. Despite having no signage on Queen Street and using very little self-promotion, the Capital is thriving. The Fredericton music scene truly comes to life after 10 pm, and Ward is happy the Capital has been able to play a role in it.
A Love Letter to the Fredericton Music Scene Tim Rayne, BA’03, is the man behind the documentary series, The Capital Project, which explores music and what it means to people. It’s been described as a “love letter to the Fredericton music scene” and to the Capital Complex. Although he now owns and operates RayneMaker Productions, Rayne began his media career at the campus radio station, CHSR. There, he helped rebuild momentum and a strong audience for the local music scene. He would often have local and touring bands drop in to the studio, promoting shows at the Capital. He saw the amazing talent Fredericton was producing first-hand. The film provides a way to share these same
types of stories with a larger audience. “The Capital Project is about innovation and the diverse music being made in this city and province,” Rayne says. Rayne documented what’s been happening in the music scene by conducting hundreds of interviews about music and performances, from all-ages shows, to punk rock, metal, hip hop, indigenous and indie rock. All were on the fringe at one time. Some still are. Matt Carter is a longtime scenester, musician and recent member of the 2018 Polaris Music Prize grand jury. He cut his teeth in the STU Journalism program and on stage at the Capital Complex. He sees a direct connection between the venue downtown and what Tim Rayne is trying to do with the film. “It’s about expressing what music means to people everywhere,” Carter says. Carter thinks the film is about much more than the Capital Complex venue. The film shows us what teachers who spent a lot of time at the Capital are now doing in their classrooms, what some musicians are doing to chase their dream of becoming professional, and how others use music for peace every day.
A Musical Launchpad Zach Atkinson is the General Manager at the Capital Complex. He does the band bookings, among many other things at the Complex. He thinks the importance of places like the Capital are vital to the local and Canadian music scenes. With the closure of a wide variety of venues in cities across the country, the Capital has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to diversity. They’ve done everything from open mic nights, to drag shows, to live comedy, and speaker series. The events aim to be safe, fun and welcoming, because Atkinson wants to treat people how he wants to be treated. “Our first motto was ‘The friendliest bar in Fredericton’, so we go with that.” He thinks the Capital Project film shows the diversity of interests and music being made in Fredericton – today and over the past 20 years. A long list of bands have played their first shows at the Capital. Now they play all over Canada and the world. Without a space to start, they might not have had the chance to move on. Atkinson wants bands
of all kinds to share their music. He is actively seeking music on a weekly basis. “This is where music starts – where many bands play their first shows.”
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Photos by: Kyle Albright
It’s even about the community which comes together to sit, chat, watch, and have a beer. “It’s a very intimate space to play. You engage with the audience; people love that.” Carter also thinks it’s important to archive this moment in time. He started Grid City Magazine a few years ago to start a conversation about the local music and arts scene. His website is an extension of what the locals started in church basements and all ages halls before anyone was old enough to play shows in bars. Kate Butler, BA’06, arrived in Fredericton 15 years ago. She began writing for The Aquinian, covering bands and making her way to the Capital Complex. There, she found other likeminded people. “I found a community of people at the Capital – people I’m still friends with today.” Butler’s love of music led her to start her own music label She Said Feck Records. She credits her time at STU with giving her confidence and the music community for being so supportive. She’s very excited about Tim Rayne’s new film. “I’m glad it talks about our healthy music scene. It’s as strong as it’s ever been.”
Playing a show at the Capital Bar: Brookside Mall
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Profiles
by Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08
Master of Glass
Ned Bowes Restores Stained Glass Windows at UNB’s Memorial Hall
Ned Bowes, BA’73
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ed Bowes spent 2,000 hours at his workbench during his latest restoration project. The master stained glass artist was the University of New Brunswick’s artist-in-residence
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and spent 13 months restoring seven stained glass windows in Memorial Hall. The windows were originally installed between 1926 and 1943 and are dedicated to fallen soldiers, former UNB professors, literary figures, and prominent New Brunswickers. When Marie E. Maltais, director
St. Thomas University | Connections
of the UNB Art Centre, noticed the deteriorating condition of the stained glass windows, she started searching for a qualified conservator and began a fundraising campaign to pay for the project. “While stained glass artists are quite rare, even rarer are those
who have the knowledge and expertise to work with old glass on an architectural scale,” Maltais says. “Fortunately, Ned, who lives just outside Fredericton, was able to step in and take the lead.” Bowes has been working with stained glass for 43 years. He took a course with the English
2 1 “It’s something I’ve never grown tired of. At this point in my life, I am still working at it because there are so few people who do this type of work, and there is still work to be done.” Bowes’ art is also displayed at St. Thomas University. The St. Thomas Aquinas stained glass window [1] and the Virgin Mary stained glass window [2] are hung on each side of the Great Hall in George Martin Hall. He says it means a lot to him to have his work displayed at his alma mater. “I see it as recognition of some of the things I’ve done in the past with my company Shades of Light. It’s a fulfillment where you are recognized by your peers and you get an opportunity to practice your art and make a living.”
Photos by: James West
artist Robert Hunt and says this completely changed his life. He then opened his studio, The Light House, in Calgary before moving back east and opening Shades of Light in Fredericton. In 1980, he was awarded the title “Maitre de Vitraux” from the American Stained Glass Institute. He has been working on large restoration projects throughout New Brunswick, Barbados and North America for more than 38 years. “I love looking at something that needs to be fixed and knowing that I can fix it. It’s so rewarding. If you’re a builder or an artist and you build something, you’re getting so much pleasure in taking a raw product or a fragile product, such as glass, and creating something,” he says.
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Camp Triumph
Matt Sheriko, BA’11
Giving Kids with a Sick Family Member a Chance to be a Kid Again
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camper sits on the edge of the platform at the top of Camp Triumph’s climbing wall, taking in the view of PEI’s Malpeque Bay from 40 feet up. Matt Sheriko unclips their harness from the wall, then clips it to the zipline. The child looks up at the steel cable that runs from the top of the wall to a pole across the field. Doubt. Fear. Hesitation. Then decision. They push off the wall and into empty air. For a moment they are weightless. Then the cable catches them as gravity reasserts itself and they fly over the heads of their cheering peers, yelling and laughing in the sheer thrill and joy of that moment. “That’s the moment, when I’m standing on the tower,” says Sheriko, Camp Triumph’s Director of Operations and Advancement. “I can see everything. I can see the whole community. I can see our camp. I can look and say, ‘Wow. This is what we’ve built.’”
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Full disclosure time. Matt and I graduated from STU in 2011 from the journalism program. He introduced me to camp and I’ve volunteered there since 2012. It is the most worthwhile thing I do. Camp Triumph is for kids who have an immediate family member with a disability or chronic or terminal illness. The camp is provided at no cost to the families. All parents have to do is get their kids to the gate. Those kids carry a heavy burden. They learn too early that the people they love can get sick or die and that bad things can happen to good people. It’s a lesson the Sherikos learned first-hand. Matt’s father, Tom, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer six months before Matt was born and was given two months to live. Scarcely a month later, Matt’s parents were involved in a serious car accident that left Matt’s mother, Kathi, with two broken legs. She has chronic pain and mobility issues to this day. But Kathi and Tom, still parents to 4-year-old Jordan, 20-month-old Jeff, and with Matt on the way, were determined to make the best of things. As Tom’s illness progressed and the boys got older, they turned trips to the surgeon in Montreal into a chance to go to Expos games. They built family time out of hours in waiting rooms. Two months stretched into years. In 2003, the idea that became Camp Triumph was born. “It was an idea that my oldest brother Jordan had, that there’s a lot of camps and services for kids who are sick, but there’s not a lot for the kids who are in the background, like my brothers and I were,” says Sheriko. “I remember kayaking with him in New London Bay on the Island and him saying offhand, ‘Oh, we’re gonna start a summer camp.’ At fourteen I thought, ‘Yeah, right.’” The family decided to launch the camp in the summer of 2004. Jordan and Kathi were developing it when Kathi was diagnosed with breast cancer. She barely permitted her diagnosis to slow her down. Instead of opening in 2004, the first summer of Camp Triumph was in 2005. Camp was two tents (one for boys and one for girls) in a field at an abandoned theme park on PEI. Without a permanent home it was a struggle to organize a camp each year. In their fifth summer, the government of PEI leased them a piece of old farm land near Cabot Provincial Park for the nominal sum of $1. “We had four years of camps; we weren’t going to stop. We didn’t want to lose that momentum,” says Sheriko. “In the spring we built a dining hall and bathroom and that summer we slept in army tents. The next year we had cabins that were built by the carpentry
Profiles
by Colin Hodd, BA’11
program at Holland College. We were lucky enough to win a contest with Aviva to build our lodge. From there we added a little each year. By the time 2012-2013 rolled around we had an amazing facility that was complete.” All this was achieved through another story’s worth of hard work, community spirit and sacrifice. But the legacy of camp is in the 70 kids who come to each of the four summer sessions. “We never knew what the impact would be. One of the campers said that it’s like their birthday and Christmas combined,” says Sheriko. “A lot of former campers are now staff members. These kids have an opportunity to do great things in the world and to be really productive citizens and leaders. There’s that really positive aspect to this unfortunate situation in their families.” Tom Sheriko fought for more than 18 years against that initial two-month prognosis. He died in the fall of 2007, the week Matt was supposed to start his first year at St. Thomas. “We had a celebration of his life, then I drove up and stayed with my grandparents the night before I was to come and start at St. Thomas,” says Sheriko. “It wasn’t the way people think of someone passing away, where it’s sudden or it’s a couple of months and you have to come to grips with it. It was my whole life. My dad can die at any time. I never really processed that and never really understood that fully.” Kathi knew that Matt needed time and space to deal with what had happened. She called the res life office at St. Thomas and spoke with Ryan Sullivan, who arranged to move Matt from Rigby to Harrington, where he was (un)fortunate enough to meet another young student named Colin Hodd, among others. “The experience at STU wouldn’t have been the same without being in Harrington, without meeting those people. That was a great outcome from a terrible tragedy happening. That’s very
important to me, what STU did for me. The opportunities that STU gave me allowed me to get through a tough time in my life and to use that tough time as a building block for the person I’ve become.” A place like Camp Triumph doesn’t survive by accident. It survives because people like Matt, Kathi, Jordan and dozens of volunteers pour their time and energy into keeping it alive, dragging part-timers like me along with them. Matt spends his summers doing everything and anything that needs doing, from carpentry to managing staff to planning leadership programs. During the year he works to raise awareness, raise money, and find enough volunteers to make sure another summer of camp is possible. That the camp looks as nice and new as it does 14 years on is a testament to the care people take of it, not a measure of the money it has. In truth, each penny is stretched to make sure camp continues to exist, and continues to be free for the kids and families who need it most.
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Anyone reading this who has the time or the money, or both, to become part of this incredible place can visit www.camptriumph.ca.
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Profiles
by Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08
Shaping Global Citizens
Andrew Keleher, BA’98, BEd’00
Andrew Keleher is Head of School at Neuchâtel Junior College in Switzerland
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ndrew Keleher is shaping global citizens – quite literally. He’s the Head of School at Neuchâtel Junior College, an independent school that allows Canadian students to study in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Neuchâtel Junior College exclusively offers the pre-university year – Grade 12 or a gap year of enrichment. It’s a small school; enrollment averages around 70 students. “Students come to us after Grade 11 in their
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home province to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. It’s Canadian curriculum on Swiss soil,” Keleher explains. The students live with Swiss families to improve their French and to be better immersed into a new culture. And since Neuchâtel is a four-hour train ride from Milan, Munich, and Paris, students get to visit many parts of Europe during their year at the school. “The complexity, diversity and accessibility of art, history, advanced science and culture here in Europe is astounding. Switzerland is conveniently in the heart of it all. Our trips add tangible meaning to the classroom experience.” For instance, the students visit Belgium and France in November and are in Flanders Fields on Remembrance Day. In the spring, they visit Greece and Italy, putting classical civilizations into perspective. The students visit CERN, near Geneva, which is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. “For the first time in their lives, they become global citizens, and they carry these informed, tolerant, perspectives with them for the rest of their lives.” Keleher says students also participate in service
learning trips through organizations like Habitat for Humanity in eastern or southern Europe, and the WE organization in Kenya. “This is hugely beneficial to understand how to help at the grass-roots level, but our students also learn to appreciate how their education and leadership can one day positively impact the world on a global scale.” Leonard Wilde founded the school in 1956 because he understood the benefit of exposing students to international experiences and to a small school environment away from home. “Wilde was ahead of his time. Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, as our students do, is even more relevant today, in the digital world in which we now live. The physical distance from family and friends back home, and living within a new language and culture, is a catalyst for students in becoming more independent, confident, courageous and adaptable.” Keleher began his educational career in public schools in Toronto and Saint John before transitioning to the role of Principal at St. Andrew’s Regional High School, a small, Catholic, independent school in Victoria BC, where he remained for eight years before moving on to Neuchâtel. Becoming an educator was a natural fit. In fact, both of his parents were teachers. He also followed in his father’s footsteps when he chose to study at STU. His father is STU Sports Wall of Fame inductee Joe Keleher, BA’68, BEd’70. “I owe so much to St. Thomas – a place where I spent five years and that launched me on the path to a blessed career. I have so many great memories.
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by Nicola MacLeod, BA’14
Building an
Adventuring Community
Nicola MacLeod, BA’14
by Women, for Women
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he GTFO Adventure Club started in the Summer of 2017 with a question … Are there more New Brunswick women interested in getting outside? The thought was on one of our cofounder’s mind when she took to her Facebook to ask her friends. After noting a keen interest, she put together a survey and asked women to share with whoever might be interested. Three hundred responses were received and reviewed. The survey data made two things very clear: • There were hundreds of women who were interested in becoming more active in the outdoors, but they saw barriers; • There was a strong desire for a women’s only space. From this, The GTFO Adventure Club was born. Over a year later, we are now a fully formed, volunteer-based group operating out of Fredericton. Our mission is simple: to build confidence, capacity and community in New Brunswick
women through outdoor adventure. Our core executive team is a group of four life-long adventurers: Joanna Nickerson, Kaylee Hopkins, and two past St. Thomas University students: Stefanie Bouchard and myself. We have a variety of outdoor interests including skiing, paddling, sailing, camping, hiking, and climbing. Since officially forming GTFO, we’ve hosted events centred around skiing/snowboarding, hiking, snowshoeing, navigation, climbing, paddling, scuba diving, yoga, and camping. In addition to these events, we put on a Wednesday Walk at a different Fredericton-area trail every week,
and in 2017, we brought the No Man’s Land Film Festival to New Brunswick for the first time. We love what we do, and clearly dozens of women do too, because they have responded by joining us. The positive response, quite frankly, has been overwhelming! With GTFO, it doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or getting out for the first time. We are a place for all women looking to adventure, and we aim to make that adventuring accessible. Based on what came out of our initial survey, one of our main objectives was to work to remove or mitigate the obstacles women saw as barriers to being active in the outdoors. Those barriers could be financial, lack of experience, or intimidation stemming from lack of community. We strive to put on as many free events as we can and work
with community partners to offset costs. We choose venues or trails accessible by public transit where possible, set up carpooling, and create welcoming and safe spaces for trans and queer women, newcomer women, and survivors of sexual violence. Since forming, we’ve met SO MANY women who have tried something new because of the opportunities GTFO has presented them, and it’s something we’re so proud of! We have a community of women who are just as excited as we are about what we do, and that’s really reassuring to us as four volunteers putting our heart and soul into planning these stellar events and creating an amazing network of women helping women. Rock On! And come GTFO with us!
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Stay up to date with GTFO! Check out our website at gtfonb.com. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/gtfonb. Follow us on Instagram @GTFONB Winter 2019
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Opinion
by Katie Appleby, BA’08
A Career in Global Business
Katie Appleby, BA’08
Katie Appleby Speaks to First-year Students Katie Appleby, BA’08, leads VentureWeb’s global Staffing and Recruitment Service where she manages a team of talent management professionals for 600 clients in 30 countries. She spoke at the Commencement Ceremony during Welcome Week 2018.
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ome of you have travelled near and far to be here, and no doubt many have made sacrifices to attend university. But if anyone has any doubts, you need not worry. Your decision to choose STU was the right one. For those who are first-generation university students like I was, congratulations. It’s a lot of work to brave the unknown; and yes, you are meant to be here. Tomorrow’s your big day: your first day of classes. You may be asking, “what the heck is a liberal arts education?” It’s ok not to know right now; it will begin to make sense very soon. A liberal arts education will develop every one of you in unique ways. I can say with certainty, no matter what profession you choose, the knowledge and skills from your degree will be essential to the
St. Thomas University | Connections
workplace and essential to life. You will have your professors to thank for this. They will bring dedication, rigor, and academic expertise to their teachings; they will challenge you to speak up and encourage you to be open to new ideas. I also encourage you to get out of your comfort zone. Be brave enough to ask questions in class and have the courage to broaden your perspective. When I attended STU, I was a first-generation university student who didn’t know what to expect.
But I can tell you those turned out to be the best years of my life. They created a foundation for me to use reason, logic, and learning about alternative perspectives before forming an opinion. When I graduated, I was prepared to enter the professional world. Now, my work has taken me to places that I never imagined I’d see. I am privileged to have colleagues in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. From my professional experiences, I have learned about international employment law, human resources, advocacy, policy, and governance. Finding a career you love is important, but you also have a commitment to social justice and equal rights as a liberal arts graduate. It’s our generation of young activists who will be the organizers for change. Tomorrow, the first day of a liberal arts education awaits you! Seize your opportunity.
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Campus Watch
STU Celebrates Summer Convocation
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ducation makes change. Courage makes even more change. This was Elizabeth Weir’s message for the graduating class of 2018 at STU’s Summer Convocation. Weir, a respected parliamentarian and international development expert, received an honorary degree from St. Thomas University. She spoke to the 115 graduates in applied arts, arts, social work, and education about the courageous group of students from Parkland, Florida who, in response to a shooting in their school, are determined to change the laws that have made access to guns too easy. Within days of the shooting that killed so many of their classmates, these students had organized national marches and protests. They debated against members of the National Rifle
Association on network television. “Their fight is focused and uncompromising. And they have already had successes with a number of states adopting restrictions on weapon sales,” she continued. “I have to think that this success is in no small measure because in 2010, the State of Florida adopted a comprehensive public civics education program, including debates and mock trials. One civics teacher reported that when her school was closed because of a shooting threat some students insisted on staying to write letters to politicians asking for stricter gun control.” Weir compares the importance of this public civic education program to STU’s new program in Law, Politics, and Society. “STU’s new program gives students the
skills to make change. The result will be a generation of engaged young citizens. And we need more of these students,” she said. “STU has given you the knowledge and tools to make change. And so, we will now look to you, people who are going to change this world.”
1 Education graduate Shania Maguire, BA’17, BEd’18, from Saint John, NB, delivered the valedictory address. 2 Respected parliamentarian and international development expert Elizabeth Weir, received an honorary degree from St. Thomas University. 3 Education student Cassie MacPhail, BA’17, BEd’18, from Riverview, NB, earned the university medal.
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Eagle Feather Ceremony
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arlier this spring, in a ceremony that was the first of its kind in Canada, graduating Indigenous students were gifted with an Eagle Feather, which identify the carrier as a messenger for respect, truth, courage, and wisdom. Each student carried their Eagle Feather as they received their degrees at Convocation.
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Campus Watch STU Finishes Second in International Moot Court Competition
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or the second consecutive year, students from St. Thomas University were among the best at the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Emily Williams and Camille Xavier finished second at the international competition, falling to Buenos Aires University in the final round. “I’m incredibly proud,” Williams said. “We worked hard to prepare, and we’re glad it paid off. It’s incredible that STU has been in the final for two years in a row.” Last year, students Abbie LeBlanc and Navy Vezina, BA’18, were crowned champions at the event after defeating Buenos Aires University.
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Grad and Professor Published in Law Review
Pride Week
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ride Week was held during September to raise awareness of the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. The week kicked off with an opening reception and the raising of the pride flag, followed by a picnic, a workshop on consent and relationships, a coffee house and a gathering to write encouraging letters to politicians.
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atthew LeBlanc’s list of achievements is growing. The class of 2018 graduate – a Francis M. McLaughlin Scholarship recipient, former Vice-President Administration for the Students’ Union, member of Theatre St. Thomas and STU Jazz, and Moot Court competitor – is now also a published scholar. LeBlanc, along with Dr. Tom Bateman of the Department of Political Science, co-authored “Dialogue on Death: Parliament and Courts on Medically-Assisted Dying” which was published in the Supreme Court Law Review and Assisted Death: Legal, Social, and Ethical Issues after Carter.
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St. Thomas University | Connections
New Major in Law, Politics, and Society
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new interdisciplinary major in Law, Politics, and Society will study the relationship between law, political life, and Canadian society. Coordinated by Dr. Tom Bateman, the program is designed to allow students to examine the nature of law and its influence on Canadian politics, as well as how laws are made and changed.
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New Perspective from Hertog
Class Discussion Leads to Published Article for Prof-student Duo
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olitical Science student Jonathan Taylor, of Saint John, NB, and Great Books student Abbie LeBlanc, of Fredericton, NB, earned a spot in the Hertog, a two-week seminar program in Washington, DC. Taylor was part of the Literature and Politics program that focused on Shakespeare and Plato, while LeBlanc was part of the Great Debates: Ancient and Moderns section that focused on Aristotle and Machiavelli. Both were able to explore new perspectives on influential texts, and the theory and practice of politics alongside other participants from different backgrounds. This experience was able to cement both their decisions to pursue graduate school.
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r. Matt Dinan, BA’06, and Michael Pallotto, BA’18, published a scholarly article based on a class discussion in the International Journal of Philosophy and Theology. Together they co-authored “Joseph Ratzinger’s ‘Kierkegaardian Option’ in Introduction to Christianity” – an analysis of the influence of Søren Kierkegaard on the writings of Catholic theologian Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI). Pallotto completed an honours in Great Books and a major in Catholic Studies and had worked with Dr. Dinan on several projects before this article.
A Look at Lectures
Dr. Teresa Bejan, Associate Professor of Political Theory at the University of Oxford, delivered the Annual Great Books lecture titled, “Two Cheers for Mere Civility.”
Bob Rae delivered this year’s Vigod Memorial Lecture in Human Rights titled, “Human Rights in the Age of Populism.” Mr. Rae is a successful politician, lawyer, mediator, teacher and writer.
Dr. Michael Geist, Professor of Law and Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law presented “Using Law Responsibly: Law Meets Technology” as part of the McKenna Centre Distinguished Speaker Series.
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Dr. Marvin Westwood, Counselling Psychology Professor at the University of British Columbia and developer of the UBC Veterans Transition Program, delivered this year’s John McKendy Memorial Lecture on Veterans with PTSD.
STU alumnus Dr. Christopher Cochrane, BA’00, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, delivered the Annual Political Science Lecture on “Culture War and Public Opinion.”
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Campus Watch
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TU Global Brigades spent nine days in Los Terrones, Honduras, working with locals to address concerns about access to clean water, and digging trenches and laying pipes for a new system. This was the second service trip for the STU chapter of Global Brigades, which launched in the fall of 2016. Chelsea Connell and Robyn Metcalfe participated in both trips and have been able to see education, community engagement, and social justice come together in a life changing way.
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Global Brigades
Indigenous Flag Raising
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n October, St. Thomas University raised two permanent flags on campus. Alongside the Canadian, New Brunswick, and St. Thomas University flags, we are now also flying the flags of the Welastekewiyik (Maliseet) and the Mi’kmaq Grand Council. St. Thomas is located on the traditional territory of the Welastekewiyik. Prior to moving to Fredericton, St. Thomas was in Chatham, which is the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq. e
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STU Cares Day of Action
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TU Cares Day of Action embodies STU’s spirit of service by connecting students with the community to learn about the work of local community organizations, and to do hands-on work to support them. Volunteers learned about several issues, including poverty, food security, environmental preservation, homelessness, domestic violence, youth, and community building.
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Social Work Community Action Fair
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he 2018 Community Action Fair celebrated St. Thomas University’s social work students’ engagement on issues that concern them and their communities. The fair showcased community projects led by local nonprofit organizations, such as No One is Illegal Fredericton, United Way, and Autism Connections, among others.
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Grant Recipients
STU Professors Receive Grants from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Dr. Kristi Allain (Sociology) will investigate the potential of shifting the way we celebrate sports in Canada by including winter sports of older Canadians in our national celebrations of sport and in our national identity.
Dr. Michelle Lafrance (Psychology) will explore the experiences of informal caregivers in New Brunswick, focusing on those providing care to older adults. She will look at two factors: language and geographical location.
Dr. Clive Baldwin (Social Work) will seek to understand the lived experience of those who join or practice in new religious movements and alternative spiritualities.
Dr. Tony Tremblay (English Language and Literature) will seek to understand why New Brunswick has been characterized as being “backward” in public narratives.
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Dr. Erin Fredericks (Sociology) will explore strategies for empowering queer, trans, and Two-spirit youth in North America to imagine their futures.
Campus Book Launches Award-winning author Jacques Poitras launched his book Pipe Dreams about the rise and fall of the Energy East pipeline and the broader battle over climate and energy in Canada. Political Science professor Dr. Shaun Narine launched his book, The New ASEAN in Asia Pacific and Beyond, which traces the organization’s political and economic development and explores its impact within Southeast Asia and beyond. It considers ASEAN’s role regionally and regarding the external powers which influences the regional environment. Prior to the implementation of the Equal Opportunity program in the 1960s, most New Brunswickers, many of them Francophone, lived with limited access to welfare, education, and health services. Social Work professor Dr. Laurel Lewey, BA’83, co-wrote the book, New Brunswick before the Equal Opportunity Program: History through a Social
Work Lens, which examines the observations and experiences of New Brunswick’s early social workers, who operated under this system, and illuminates how Premier Louis J. Robichaud’s Equal Opportunity program transformed the province’s social services. History professor Dr. Robin Vose edited the book To Live Like a Moor: Christian Perceptions of Muslim Identity in Medieval and Early Modern Spain. The book, which was written by Olivia Remie Constable, traces the many shifts in Christian perceptions of Islam-associated ways of life. Using social, legal, literary, and religious documentation, the book reveals the complexities and contradictions underlying a historically notorious transition from pluralism to intolerance. STU’s Dr. Michael Dawson and Dr. Catherine Gidney, and UNB’s Dr. Donald Wright launched the book Symbols of Canada. Our national symbols come in many forms, from objects – like the red-uniformed Mountie, the maple leaf, and the beaver – to concepts – like free healthcare, peacekeeping, and saying “eh?”. But where did these symbols come from, what do they mean, and how have their meanings changed over time? Symbols of Canada gives us the real and surprising truth behind the most iconic Canadian symbols revealing their contentious and often contested histories.
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New & Noteworthy 1970s
Dr. Stephen Ward, BA’73, just published a new book, Disrupting Journalism Ethics. The book sets out to disrupt and change how we think about journalism and its ethics, especially in an age of digital and global media.
1980s
Dr. John L. McLaughlin, BA’82, has published his seventh book: An Introduction to Israel’s Wisdom Traditions (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018). McLaughlin is Professor of Old Testament/ Hebrew Bible in the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College and an Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto.
News from classmates and friends around the world
Kevin Doucet, BSW’85, is a Family Liaison Officer at Gagetown’s Military Family Resource Centre. In June, he received the Joint Personnel Support Unit’s Commander’s Commendation for his exemplary performance. Kevin was awarded this honour in recognition of the way he consistently planned, organized and executed numerous programs designed to effectively combat and educate families regarding PTSD. His award states that the success of events such as the couples counselling retreat, child behaviour and teen mental health awareness training are expressions of his exemplary dedication and commitment to military families. Tom Isaac, BA’87, who is a partner at Cassels Brock, was named one of the nation’s “Top 25 Most Influential” lawyers by Canadian Lawyer.
1990s
Awardwinning author David Adams Richards, LLD’90 LLD’90, has released his latest book, Mary Cyr, a new novel with an extraordinary and unforgettable woman protagonist who is sure to become one of the great characters in our literature. Willie O’Ree, O’Ree LLD ‘92, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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St. Thomas University | Connections
2000s
Sheri Shannon, BA’00, is working as the business development manager for NB with the law firm McInnes Cooper. Sheri is currently living in Sussex, NB. Dr. Rhonda Stone, BA’05, is a veterinarian at Valley Veterinary Hospitals Ltd. Dr. Dave Snow, BA’07, published the book Assisted Reproduction Policy in Canada: Framing, Federalism, and Failure. The book highlights how paying attention to multiple policymakers can improve our knowledge of health care regulation. Snow is an assistant professor in the department of Political Science at the University of Guelph.
Dr. Mark Harding, BA’08, is an assistant professor in the department of Political Science at the University of Guelph. We spotted some journalism alumni with Steve Murphy at the CTV Election Roundtable, which was hosted at STU: Nick Moore, BA’08; Laura Brown, BA’12, Steve Murphy, Nicolle Carlin, BAAJ’02.
In Memoriam The St. Thomas University Alumni Relations office, STU Alumni Association, and the university community extend condolences to the family and friends of the following alumni who passed away recently:
2010s
Vanessa Paesani, BEd’10, is now the director of The Pond-Deshpande Centre’s social venture accelerator, BE.FOR.CHANGE.
Barbie Sue Doucette, BA’11
Meredith (Gillis) Kerr, BA’13, moved to St. Paul, AB in 2014 to work as a radio host and reporter. She met her now-husband shortly after moving there and they got married in July 2016. They welcomed their daughter on October 24, 2017. She is now working at the St. Paul Journal.
November 11, 2018
November 8, 2018
in memoriam
Lawrence Durling, Former Vice-President (Finance)
Matthew James Hines, BA’08 October 29, 2018
Prof. Richard Kennedy, professor emeritus October 28, 2018
Raymond Fraser, BA’64, LLD’16 Last fall, Raquel Poley, BA’13, BSW’16, received the prestigious Gladys Neale Award to help fund her Masters of Social Work at Dalhousie University. Brittany Stairs, BA’13, is working as a midwife in British Columbia.
Elizabeth Strange, BA’14, is working as a settlement outreach and community awareness worker at Saamis Immigration Services Association, providing assistance to newcomers to Canada. Sharisse LeBrun, BA’16, is the director of the TNB Theatre School.
In high school, Rebecca Boone, BA’17, BEd’18, competed on her school’s Envirothon team. Teams complete tests in soils, aquatics, forestry and wildlife. They also create an oral presentation based on a scenario. Winners at the provincial and state level move on to compete at the North American competition. As a student, she attended two North American competitions. After high school graduation, she became the team’s advisor. This year, the team won for the fourth consecutive year at the provincial level. They competed in Pocatello, Idaho against 49 teams from across Canada, the US and China. The team placed 9th in their oral presentation.
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October 22, 2018
James Middleton, BA’03 September 9, 2018
Patrick G. Lawrence (Laurie) Keoughan, BA’76 BEd’77 September 1, 2018
J Paul Lordon QC, BA’65 August 25, 2018
Frederick Lawrence (Ned) Landry, LLD’09 August 25, 2018
Sara Mae Helen Burns, BA’14 August 10, 2018
Eugene O’Brien, BA’50 BEd’54 July 26, 2018
Francis (Frank) Joseph Ronald Ervin, BA’50 July 22, 2018
Tim MacTavish, BA’80 June 12, 2018
Frances Jean Ezzy-Jorgensen, BA’69 April 29, 2018
Barry Collrin, BA’68 March 27, 2018
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Tributes Lawrence Durling 1947-2018
Celebrated author
Ray Fraser
BA’64, LLD’16 1941-2018
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Professor
Richard (Dick) Kennedy 1933-2018
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rofessor Richard (Dick) Kennedy died peacefully on October 28, 2018 at the York Care Centre, with his wife of 59 years, Prof. Judy Kennedy, at his side. Dick was a popular Professor of English at St. Thomas University for thirty years, renowned for his care for his students and love of humour. He graduated from Assumption College (now University of Windsor) with a BA in English, then went on to earn a Master of Arts at the University of Western Ontario. After a year of teaching in France, Dick returned to his studies and earned a Master of Arts and a B.Litt. from Oxford University. It was during his studies at Oxford that he met Judy Grundy, who would become his partner in life and scholarship for the next five decades. He came to STU in 1966 and was named head of the newly created Department of English. He would chair the Department for 15 of his 30 years. He was also a charter member of the Senate at STU and was instrumental in the development of the Native Studies, Women Studies and Gender Studies, and Irish Studies Programs. In 2003, Richard and his wife, Judith, were each named professor emeritus for their service to their department and St. Thomas University.
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St. Thomas University | Connections
ong-time Vice-President (Finance) Lawrence Durling passed away on November 8. Lawrence began his career at St. Thomas as Vice-President in 1991 after serving as Director of Finance and Chair of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Working with Dr. Daniel O’Brien, he played an instrumental role in developing St. Thomas into one of the best undergraduate universities in Canada. During this period, there was significant growth in the number of students, faculty, and staff, and in the expansion of academic programming and infrastructure. He retired from STU in 2011 and moved on to become Vice-President Finance for Atlantic Education International Inc., a part of the Provincial Government that arranges education partnerships, teaching abroad opportunities, and brings international high school students to New Brunswick. Lawrence was a devoted father and grandfather and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed many sports and being active. He will be remembered for his kind smile and confident and silent demeanour, and for his dedication to his work, family and friends. An avid supporter of the Tommies, Lawrence created an entrance scholarship at STU in his name for student-athletes. If you would like to contribute to the Lawrence Durling Scholarship fund, please contact the Office of Advancement at 506-452-2140.
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t his passing, President Dawn Russell issued a statement on Ray Fraser. We were saddened to hear of Ray’s death. STU was very proud of his achievements as he was an accomplished novelist, poet, teacher, and journalist. He was actually a two-time alumnus, a graduate in 1964 and an honorary doctorate in 2016 when he delivered a message to our graduates about the value of a liberal arts education. While at STU in the early 1960s Ray founded the university’s first literary magazine, The Tom-Tom, and played varsity football and hockey. He was indeed a “working writer” and was the author of twenty-two books, including twelve books of fiction, seven poetry collections, two biographies, and his memoirs. Five of his books are listed in Atlantic Canada’s 100 Greatest Books. He was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 1978 for his novel The Bannonbridge Musicians. In 2009, he received the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for High Achievement in English Language Literary Arts, and in 2012 was named to the Order of New Brunswick. His last novel, Through Sunlight and Shadows, was about growing up in small-town New Brunswick. Ray Fraser served literature and New Brunswick very well. He will be missed at STU and by our province’s literary community.
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STU ALUMNI AWARDS
Call for Nominations The Carolyn Layden-Stevenson Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of living STU alumni who have earned prominence as a result of their outstanding professional achievements and/or service to society. Deadline: January 31, 2019
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The awards will be bestowed at the STU Gala on Saturday, April 27, 2019.
Visit STU.ca/alumniawards for more information about the award guidelines and to download the nomination package.
Seeking Nominations
STU Seeks Nominations for 2019 Sports Wall of Fame
The Sports Wall of Fame was launched in 2010 to recognize the significant contribution of individuals and teams who have enhanced the image of the institution. It includes athletes, builders – coaches, managers, athletics staff or administration – and teams.
The deadline for nomination is January 7, 2019.
For more information, please visit STU.ca/sportswallnominations or contact Lily Fraser, Vice-President, Finance and Administration, by email vpfa@stu.ca or phone (506) 452-0533.
Jamie Eddy jeddy@coxandpalmer.com 506.462.4751
Dedicated to finding solutions to workplace issues Issues such as workplace harassment, human rights law, occupational health & safety, and terminations are always on the minds of employers. You can rely on Cox & Palmer’s experienced New Brunswick team for all of your employment and labour needs.
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An exciting benefit for you as a St. Thomas University alumni. Get preferred rates and coverage that fits your needs.
You save with preferred insurance rates. An affinity program partner of
Take advantage of your alumni privileges. You have access to the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program. This means you can get preferred insurance rates on a wide range of home, condo, renter’s and car coverage that can be customized for your needs. For over 65 years, TD Insurance has been helping Canadians find quality insurance solutions. Feel confident your coverage fits your needs. Get a quote now. HOME | CONDO | CAR | TRAVEL
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