Rediscover what’s important Make a list of the things that are important to you. That’s the life you can live here. Come home to New Brunswick.
www.welcomenb.ca
Redécouvrez ce qui importe vraiment Dressez la liste des choses que vous jugez importantes. C’est ce que vous pouvez vivre ici. Revenez chez vous au Nouveau-Brunswick.
www.bienvenuenb.ca
editor
Some people seek out mentors. Others find them accidently. I was fortunate enough to meet my mentor at birth.
My grandmother was a teacher and a principal and taught me many of the same values she taught in her classroom: embrace knowledge; respect your peers; follow your dreams. But what I appreciate the most about my grandmother – then and now – is her ability to support my endeavours while always finding a way for me to improve. She exposed me to constructive criticism at a very young age. In the second grade, I asked her to read a short story I wrote. She returned my copy full of suggestions in red ink. That’s a mentor for me. It’s not just someone who will pat you on the back and tell you encouraging words. It’s someone who will also give you the tools and the confidence to become a better version of yourself.
Although I still consider my grandmother my biggest role model, I have been blessed with meeting many other mentors: my professors at STU, colleagues, friends, and family members. Thank you all for helping me find my place in the world.
This issue of Connections focuses on mentors. You will recognize Larry Batt on the cover, a man who has mentored countless students and staff at STU over the past several decades. You will also read about a teacher who mentors youth-at-risk, a genocide survivor who uses her story to inspire children, alumni who are mentoring current students, and a young woman who learned the benefits of mentorship through 21inc. Mentors are usually unsung heroes. Take a minute and thank your mentors. Chances are they didn’t even realize they had been mentoring you all along.
From the Editor
from the
Jacqueline Cormier, BA ‘08 Mail: Phone: E-mail: Website:
Alumni Affairs Office St. Thomas University Fredericton, NB E3B 5G3 506-452-0521 alumni@stu.ca www.stu.ca
Special Thanks to: Tom Bateman, BA ‘12 Wanda Bearresto, BA ‘87 Laura Brown, BA ‘12 Jeffrey Carleton Ashlen Henry, BA ‘09 Debbie Hudson Keith Minchin Cedric Noel, BA ‘13 Matt Sheriko BA ‘11
inside this issue on the cover page 8
News from STU Alumni & Friends....................................................... 4 Connecting - Alumni Gatherings............................................................. 5 On the Cover - Larry Batt...................................................................... 8 Profiles...................................................................................................... 10 Campus Watch........................................................................................ 12 Sports Wall of Fame - Call for Nominees............................................16 Retiring Faculty....................................................................................... 17 New and Noteworthy ......................................................................... 19 Tribute...................................................................................................... 22
photo by Tom Bateman
editor
Jacqueline Cormier
design & layout Connections is a publication of The Office of University Advancement St. Thomas University Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada E3B 5G3 Connections is distributed free-of-charge to more than 8,000 St. Thomas University alumni and friends worldwide.
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we welcome your comments Phone: 506-452-0521 E-mail: alumni@stu.ca Website: www.stu.ca
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 3
news
Alumni & Friends
news from STU alumni & friends |
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
As a new school year began, students returned to campus to reengage with friends and re-immerse in their studies. New students arrived to begin their journey at STU. And we as alumni were there as a constant presence through it all. Alumni greeted our international students at the airport. Alumni welcomed students during the Welcome Week T-Pin ceremony. And, alumni came to cheer on our student-athletes as we opened the state-of-the-art Grant Harvey Arena. As we have done for years, our alumni provide mentorship and guidance to our students, wherever and whenever they need it. As we reflect upon mentors within our St. Thomas University community in this issue of Connections, I am immediately drawn to the names of important figures in my life that have served, and continue to serve, integral roles in the lives of many at our university. I recall Jack Dolan’s words of wisdom, “The Good is the enemy of the Better,” words that guide me today. I think of professors Dr. Susan Reid and Julian Walker, who each nudged me along during my studies and continue to provide me with professional guidance today. There is retired registrar and dean of students Larry Batt, who at one point set me back on my academic footing. And, finally, my former classmates and good friends, Phil Ouellette and Cyndi Jenkins, who are constant sounding boards in many of my pursuits. Mentors exist all around us, and at St. Thomas University we are a richer community for them. I encourage all alumni and friends, as you read through the following pages, to reach out to your mentors and extend them a word of gratitude for the role they have played in your life. As the year moves ahead, I look forward to connecting with you all.
Dick Russell, BA ‘06 Sales Representative Bus: 506.455.3948 • Cell: 506.261.0846 rrussell@exitadvantage.ca
Matt DeCourcey, BA ’05
Upcoming Alumni Events Ontario Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Toronto Alumni Reception Time: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM Location: Gallery Grill at Hart House (University of Toronto) – 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada Finger foods will be provided with a cash bar. To help us plan for the reception please RSVP by Tuesday, November 27, 2012 to Wanda Bearresto at 506-4520521 or by email at alumni@stu.ca.
New Brunswick Friday January 25, 2013 Sava the Date St.Thomas University Gala Dinner Delta Fredericton Contact hudson@stu.ca for ticket information.
St. Thomas University CONFERENCE SERV ICE S
Business, celebration, accommodation.
Meeting rooms for groups as large as 650 Four Ballrooms 400+ plush seat theatre 3 beautiful courtyards In-house catering by Executive Chef Michael Greer Seasonal guest accommodations for individuals & groups
independent member broker
4 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
To book your event or for more information:
506.452.0578 | www.stu.ca/conferenceservices
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
gatherings
alumni
LeRoy Washburn Golf Classic — June 22, 2012 Alumni and friends gathered to play some golf at the annual LeRoy Washburn Golf Classic. Proceeds from the tournament went to St. Thomas’s Millennium Bursary Fund and will directly assist student athletes in financial need. Women’s Winning Team: Leitha Dean, BSW ‘84; Anne Smith, BSW ‘94; Jane Buckley, BA ‘81; Debbie Allison
Men’s Winning Team: Nick Zildjan; Brad Devarennes; Kyle Lennie; Kirk Shean
Holy Cross Reunion — June 22-24, 2012 The Holy Cross House reunion was organized by alumni from approximately 1974 -1977 but was open to all alumni who lived in HCH. It was a great way for alumni to reconnect with the university and with each other. Back Row L to R: Wanda Bearresto, BA ’87; President Dawn Russell, BA ’77; Kim Dolan; Paula Carvell-Dennis, BA ‘77; Harris Willett, BA ’73, BEd ’74; Bill Johnson; David Ross; Paul Ross, BA ’78; Peter Wilson, BA ’77; John Hall, BA ’80; Eric Megarity, BA ’76; Lorraine Megarity; Pieter Leenhouts; Carroll Woods Front Row L to R: Tom Dennis, BA ’78; David McMunas; Joe Ryan, BA ’78, BED ‘80; Phil Rocco, BA ’80; Bob Bonner, BA ’75, BEd ’78
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 5
Connecting
connecting |
Connecting
Perth-Andover, NB May 22, 2012 Alumni and friends gathered in Perth-Andover at an alumni reception hosted by MLA Wes McLean, BA ‘04.
1
2
3
1. Wes McLean, BA ’04; Wayne Roach, BA ’90; Paul Leahey, BA ’67 2. Sharon Eagan and Nanette Chiasson, BA ’79, BEd ’81 3. Stuart Dunbar, BA ’84, BEd ’89, and Dawn Russell, BA ’77, President and Vice-Chancellor 4. Erin-Beth Baker, BA ’06; Nicole Kennedy, BA ’06; Ann Marie (Baker) Flanagan, BA ’87, BEd ’90
4
6 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
Connecting
Alumni Reception at Miramichi Irish Festival July 21, 2012 St. Thomas University alumni and friends gathered at the St. Michael’s Basilica during the Miramichi Irish Festival on July 21, 2012.
1
2
3
1. Left to Right: Brian Loggie, BA ’72; Charlotte Loggie; President Dawn Russell, BA ’77; Charlotte Casey, BA ’76, BEd ’77 2. Left to Right: Wally Jimmo, BA ’59; Don “Happy” Holt, BA ’73, BEd ’74; Ernie Doucet, BA ’70, BEd ’72 3. Left to Right: Natalie McCluskey, BA ’03; Kari Parsons, BEd ’05; Brian McEachern, BA ’08
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 7
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
The End of an Era The Friendly Registrar Retires By Laura Brown, BA ‘12
For 36 of his 41 years of working at St.Thomas University, Larry Batt has read each and every St.Thomas University graduate’s name as he or she walked across the stage toward the rest of his or her life.
PHOTO: TOM BATEMAN
Cover Story
cover story |
This year’s spring convocation marked his 37th - and his last. The former registrar and dean of students retired effective June 30, 2012.
“I was such a mobile young fellow in my early years, that the idea of staying and making something my home was a good feeling.”
Thomas?’ So I went to the University of Saskatchewan, with a student population of 10,000 at that time, and I got higher marks there than I had at St. Thomas.”
“Each student is her own person and deserves the attention, even if it is for 10-15 seconds. My goal was to pronounce the graduate’s name and hometown correctly. I would also try to make sure they didn’t trip going across the stage,” Larry said.
Little did he know, his affiliation with STU would span some 49 years and counting.
After that, he went to Dalhousie University on a Killam Scholarship to get his master’s in English.
“He presided over graduations like a proud father welcoming each one of his STU progeny over the stage,” said STU sociology professor and friend, Sylvia Hale. “He delighted in being able to add little personal comments to signal the uniqueness of each student coming across the stage.” Larry’s first encounter with STU came out of luck. His father worked in the Royal Canadian Air Force, so Larry attended over 14 different schools, depending on where his father was stationed in Canada.
“It’s incredible how much of a home STU has been for me. This place helped create who I’ve become. I was born in Belleville, Ontario, but I was there for such a short time that I don’t remember a street name there.” When STU moved to Fredericton in 1965, Larry went with it. In his student days, he was the editor-inchief of The Aquinian, a residence advisor in Harrington Hall and valedictorian of the class of 1969.
In 1963, they landed in Chatham, N.B.
His loyalty to the school travelled with him to the University of Saskatchewan in his third year, when he was granted a national exchange scholarship that allowed him to go to any Canadian university for a year.
There, Larry went to St. Thomas High School, an all-male school, which was connected to St. Thomas University at the time. After graduating, it was natural for him to go to STU.
“Some friends in my class would tease me a little bit because I was getting good marks. They said, ‘Yeah, but how well would you do in a big university?’ They’d really be asking the question, ‘How good is St.
8 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
“I found that I was strong. I was in graduate school and doing graduate classes and my STU academic background was just fine.” From these personal undergraduate and graduate experiences, he never had any doubts about the quality of his STU academic experience. He finished his master’s programme and started working on a doctorate before questioning what he really wanted to do. “I wrote to Father [George] Martin around Christmastime in 1970, and I said I was thinking of taking a break from graduate studies and looking for a job.” Larry asked for reference letters and transcripts. Instead, he got a visit from Martin, the then-registrar of STU. “He drove to Halifax, took me out to dinner and said, ‘How would you like to be my assistant registrar?’”
Cover Story
According to the History of Saint Thomas University: The Formative Years 1860-1990, Larry was offered an annual salary of $7,500 for the position. In 1975, Martin became president of the university and wrote Larry a letter, offering him the job of registrar.
“For 10 years...each March, the three of us would gather in my residence suite in Harrington Hall for two or three evenings,” Jennings said. “Then, it was a task that involved juggling timeslots, avoiding conflicts among similar courses and helping departments to schedule. It gave us also an opportunity to get together, share stories and fill the room with smoke – all three of us smoked – two of us pipes and one, cigarettes.”
In December 1973, Larry had his first date with his wife Elaine at a STU dance. The next December, they were married. With both her arts and education degrees from STU, Elaine went on to work as a teacher and literacy coordinator in Fredericton. All three of their children spent time at STU. Larry could name another 20 in his extended family who also attended the university. It was when his oldest daughter Laura was five that Larry was met with a struggle that redefined how he saw his job. Laura was diagnosed with cancer at the age of five, which meant Larry was in and out of his office all the time, sometimes traveling to the IWK Children’s Hospital or sometimes taking her for chemotherapy in the local hospital. He began asking students for their phone numbers in case he had to reschedule an appointment. “It was a very significant part of my career to have that happen. It made me a better registrar because I was more sensitive to what students and their families were dealing with in their own lives.” Sylvia Hale said she learned this about Larry when she first came to STU in 1975 -- the way he cared about each student who came to him with a particular situation and in need of help.
PHOTO: TOM BATEMAN
Father John Jennings, former history professor and chaplain, remembers helping Larry with the course scheduling for students, along with English professor Fenton Burke.
Throughout his career, Larry Batt says he was mentored by Msgr. George Martin.
“When things went wrong, like a single Mom finding herself homeless and at a loss to know how to continue her studies, or students suddenly burned out of their apartments, as soon as Larry heard about it he acted to offer support and counselling and figure out what STU could do to help,” she said.
Larry’s office looks out onto the upper courtyard of STU. He’s watched as buildings have popped up and as the student population increased from 299 in 1964 to more than 3,000. Sitting behind his desk, he pulled out a weathered, yellowing file, thick with letters and notes of thanks from over the years. “When Father Martin first hired me, he said to me, ‘Larry, there will be some people who will want to register their complaints with you. For a balance, I want you to keep another file called ‘Commendations.’ Over the years people will write and say thank you; those comments are worth keeping and remembering!’” Patrick Malcolmson, a political science professor, said he used to call Larry “the great fireman.” “You never get credit for the bad things that never happen. There were many bad things that did not happen because of Larry. When students and their families had problems, Larry dealt with them in ways that always made it clear that STU was about treating students and their families as people.”
Malcolmson said as a result of the way that Larry treated people, STU maintained a great reputation over the years. It was in December that Larry decided it was time to leave STU. At 63, he realized he couldn’t be around forever. “My dad was 65 when he retired. My mother and father then had 10 years of good health together, until my dad came down with Parkinson’s. So in terms of their retirement life, they had 10 years together. There are no guarantees. Elaine and I are looking forward to a long, happy, and healthy time as a retired couple. It’s time to get started.” But Larry says he’ll still make sure he has a presence on campus, taking in some public lectures and participating in the various activities of the alumni association. “Part of my pride with the place, and everyone’s pride, is that we’re small and caring. We’re a little defensive,” he said. “We tend to say, ‘If you don’t know about STU, well, you should, because we’re the very best!’” Larry Batt will remain one of STU’s greatest ambassadors. “It has been a wonderful, long experience at STU doing very different things. But it was all dealing with students who were coming to university and finding ways of supporting them,” Larry said. “So, when I look back and I think about what I liked and how much I enjoyed my career, it was literally my home and extended family. “I’m leaving on a high, and that’s a nice way to go.” ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 9
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
Mentors Making a Delivering a message of hope By Jacqueline Cormier, BA ’08 Solange Tuyishime is a beauty queen who understands that pageants are about much more than gowns and sashes. They’re about community and goodwill.
PHOTO: keith minchin
Profiles
profiles |
Dr. Sue McKenzie -Mohr and Sandra Barton, BSW ‘88
Giving back through mentorship
in his or her life, and the social worker is attempting to assist the individual with that goal,” explains one of the course’s past instructors, Dr. Sue McKenzie-Mohr.
By Jacqueline Cormier, BA ’08
“Students have the opportunity to develop direct practice skills that social workers often need in a wide range of settings because they’re always interacting with people. These skills are not only important for counseling roles. For example, students work on communications skills, expressing empathy, developing trust in a relationship, and assisting with goal setting.”
Sandra Barton says mentorship is an important part of social work. That’s why the supervisor with the department of Social Development in Fredericton welcomed the invitation to be an alumni mentor at STU’s School of Social Work. Barton is one of about 14 alumni who supervises and mentors students in the Generalist Social Work Practice Skills course. She’s been involved for more than 10 years and loves reconnecting with her alma mater and meeting the next generation of social workers. As part of the course, students pair up with another student. Over an eight-week period, they meet to discuss an issue in their lives they would like to resolve. One week, the first student wears the social worker hat and counsels the second student. The following week, the roles are reversed. The sessions are videotaped and then reviewed by the alumni mentors on a weekly basis, who give the students feedback on their direct practice skills. “Students have this opportunity to experience what a lot of social workers do in direct practice when they regularly meet with someone who is trying to create a change 10 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
Although Barton’s main reason for participating is to give back to her university, she says it also helps her own career because she gets to reflect on the skills she uses on the job. “It has kept me really grounded in my practice,” she says. “It keeps things fresh; it keeps me thinking about why I’m doing what I’m doing as well.” She says mentorship is important, no matter how long you’ve been in your career. “I’m still being mentored,” she says. “It’s a never ending cycle that’s all about growth. We’re never going to know everything, so we’re always going to need the influence of other people to help shape our practice. There’s a heavy reliance on our peer support and having people mentor us so we can learn and grow and develop.”
“Unfortunately we live in a world where you need some sort of title to gain a greater voice. Just having that title allows you to reach out in places you wouldn’t Solange Tuyishime normally have BA ’05 the opportunity to go, or it would take you much longer to get there.” Tuyishime entered her first pageant while she was a student at STU. Since then, she has gone on to win many titles, including most recently, Ms Galaxy 2013. She’s always used her pageant titles to help others. Most recently, she became an official ambassador for UNICEF Canada and the official spokesperson for the National UNICEF Day Campaign. During the campaign, she visits schools and speaks to children about UNICEF and encourages them as they raise money for the campaign. “It feels really good to deliver a message of hope to children and youth who are really excited to hear from you.” She often uses her own story to make the children understand what it’s like in wartorn countries. Tuyishime was born in Rwanda. Her family escaped civil war there and settled in Congo, only to find more violence, bloodshed, famine, and disease. When she was 13, her family managed to escape war and genocide and moved to Canada.
Although she says she is blessed to have found a peaceful life in Canada, she never loses sight of her roots. In fact, she recently visited Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake and says seeing pain and suffering definitely brought her back to her childhood in East Africa. “You really get to see how much people are in need because we lose that perspective. You know it’s bad; you see it on TV. But when you see it in real life, it makes it so much more real and I think it convinces you more of why you do what you do.”
Always rooting for the underdog By Cedric Noel, BA ‘13 Whether he’s mentoring students in his classroom or on the basketball court, teacher and coach Fred Connors uses a similar approach to encourage his students to succeed. “Just keep it simple. Get the foundation in place, and then you can build a bigger house. But until you’ve got that foundation in place, there’s no sense in building anything…just work on the foundation,” he said.
where they thought they had no shot, and I’ve always rooted for the underdog,” he said.
The program includes a province tour to discuss policy initiatives, pairs up participants with established mentors and also offers networking and mentorship opportunities with peers.
In September, Connors started a new job as a resource teacher at Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton.
Guérette, who is passionate about official language rights, was paired up with official language advocate Gino LeBlanc.
“This is my opportunity to try and get to these kids earlier and help them out while they’re still in the school system.”
She says the other 21inc participants also mentored her along the way and helped her see her province in different ways.
He’s also been the head coach for the STU women’s basketball team eight seasons, and even with all of his success, he’s primarily known as a coach who cares and gets to know his players. He said he learnt this while teaching at the alternate sites.
“Everybody was coming to the table with different experiences or points of view from all over the province. They were all fabulous people. I really look up to all of them as well because they’re all doing such different and amazing things.
“I see teaching as coaching and coaching as teaching; it’s all the same thing. I’m either teaching basketball or coaching students through life or math. They’re the same to me,” said Connors.
“You have one community but there are millions of perspectives on it. You can have one province, but you can have so many different life experiences in a community. I really appreciated how we looked at the community, the private sector, and the different cultures, and saw the different communities within it and really analyzed different perspectives.”
Grad has fond memories of 21Inc By Jacqueline Cormier, BA ’08 Christiane Guérette knows the value of mentorship.
Fred Connors BA ‘00
Connors arrived at STU in 1996. He played varsity basketball and made a name for himself on the court, proving himself as an integral part of two ACAA championship teams. A year after graduation, Connors was hired to teach at alternate sites – educational facilities set up for kids who can’t function in the school system. He said the experience changed his life. “Alternative education was a great fit for me. I was able to help kids who were at a point
“I personally need a mentor if I get involved somewhere. I need somebody who can provide me with perspective and keep me grounded.” Guérette Christiane Guérette acquired both BA ‘02 perspective and mentorship when she participated in the 21inc program in 2009. Founded by STU alumnus Tim Coates in 2007, 21inc has since grown into a wellrespected program that trains, supports and inspires young leaders in New Brunswick. In 2012, the program expanded to include Nova Scotia.
Guérette is now the operations manager at Family Services Saskatoon. Although she’s no longer living in New Brunswick, she says she is still the province’s biggest supporter. “21inc has been impactful in my life. Even though I’m not in NB today, I still work for NB and I still have great dreams for NB.”
STU Alumni in the 21inc Family 2005: Tim Coates (BA ‘03) 2005: Peter Smith (BA ‘93; BEd ‘95) 2008: Ryan Griffith (BA ‘02) 2008: Phillippe Ouellette (BA ‘04) 2008: Kalin McCluskey (BA ‘09) 2008: Jennifer McCumber (BA ‘06; BSW ‘07) 2009: Christiane Guérette (BA ‘02) 2010: Duncan Gallant (BA ‘10) 2010: Ryan Sullivan (BA ‘00) 2010: Angelique Wojcik Simpson (BA ‘04) 2012: Christy Clarke (BA ‘08) 2012: Vanessa Paesani (BEd ‘10) 2012: Matt Sheriko (BA ‘11)
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 11
Profiles
Difference
STU alumni have been involved since the very beginning. This year, three more STU grads - Christy Clarke, BA ‘08; Matt Sheriko, BA ‘11; and Vanessa Paesani, BEd ‘10 joined the 21inc family.
Campus Watch
Campus Watch P r e s i d e n t ’ s
M e s s a g e
Sharing the gift of experience I am thrilled that this issue of Connections focuses on the importance of mentorship. From STU’s most public face for four decades, our longtime registrar Larry Batt, to our professors, coaches, and the work of organizations like 21inc, mentorship is ingrained at STU. We were practising it long before it became a popular strategic goal for many post-secondary institutions and workplaces. I fully realized the importance of mentorship after I graduated from St. Thomas University and began my studies in law and then entered the workforce. There were very few female mentors in law firms or law schools then, but I was fortunate in having strong role models who were accomplished senior male lawyers and scholars. One outstanding leader was Purdy Crawford who had a positive influence on so many young men and women. I think the fact that many of these early mentors of mine had young daughters helped them to see the value of being a positive influence on a young person’s life. Many of us from that period are now acting as mentors in the workplace and community. The importance of sharing one’s experience with young people cannot be understated. I see the value of it on campus every day with our faculty and their students. Our faculty often mentor students even beyond the classroom by guiding them through graduate scholarship processes, advising them on possible careers, giving them relevant experience and employing them as research assistants. 12 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
Mentoring graduates and students is also one way alumni can give back, especially at a time when jobs seem scarce and young people may feel overwhelmed. Last year, our employment and student life coordinator Carrie Monteith-Levesque and others brought in alumni for a “Speed Mentoring” event. These students were able to sign up to speak with those alumni working in fields of potential interest to them. It was such a success that we are doing it again this year. Mentoring is a selfless act, perhaps the most underappreciated personal attribute we can each bring to the workplace.
Sullivan Named President-Elect of International Admissions Organization St. Thomas University’s director of international recruitment, Ryan Sullivan, BA ’00, was named president-elect of the Overseas Association of College Admission Counsellors. The organization is comprised of 1,300 professionals from over 100 countries dedicated to helping students make informed choices about their post-secondary education. His work has taken him to over 40 countries promoting St. Thomas University and Canada as a study destination for international students. Grads Receive SSHRC Funding Four recent graduates from St. Thomas University have been awarded funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in order to pursue their education. Katrin MacPhee, BA ‘12; Christina Moss, BA ’12; and Emily Bossé, BA ’11, were each awarded a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program Master’s Scholarship valued at $17,500. As well, Teresa Devor, BA ’09, recently received funding to pursue her PhD in history.
Campus Watch
St. Thomas University celebrates summer convocation
St. Thomas University celebrated Summer Convocation by conferring degrees on 135 graduates in arts, applied arts, and education. On a warm evening, President and Vice-Chancellor Dawn Russell welcomed the graduates, their families, and guests to the courtyard, calling the day a milestone for the summer class of 2012. “Today marks a new beginning for all of you and today we formally recognize your achievements and your successful completion of your academic programme,” said Russell. “We’re proud of you all. We know that apart from the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired at St. Thomas, life teaches us that success requires personal qualities, talents, and skills that we can neither teach nor test in university.” During her valedictory, Jillian Johnston from Fredericton, NB, talked about how many of the graduates have chosen their respective careers not just for the money, but because they want to make a difference in this world.
Jillian Johnston of Fredericton delivered the valedictory.
“My favourite quote that drives my motivation is, ‘To the world we may just be one person, but for one person we may be the world,’” said Johnston. “If we can go through our careers and make a difference in even one person’s life, it will be worth every effort, enthusiasm, every hour of work we put in. We’ve all had someone like that in our lives or we wouldn’t be here today.” Miramichi folk singer and community volunteer Susan Butler was the recipient of an honorary degree. She began by addressing the graduating class and congratulating them on all their hard work and achievements. “What a wonderful setting; I hope you people will keep tonight in your heart for many years to come. I have to say it’s surreal; I’m honoured and very humbled to address you this evening.” University Medal Winner The winner of the university medal was education student Sheralynne Deveaux from Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Miramichi folk singer and community volunteer Susan Butler was the recipient of an honorary degree. ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 13
Helping students understand literature Campus Watch
Matt Robinson joins department of English Dr. Matt Robinson’s first spoken word as a child was “read” and ever since then it seems that he has done nothing but. A native of Fredericton, Robinson is an alumnus of STU, attending from 1994-1998. Throughout his student years, he took several classes in poetry, but it was the modernist period that captivated him. “What I really like about modernist poetry is that it is some of the hardest to understand in the English language, so I figured if I was going to do something in English, it would be that.” Robinson has been teaching part-time for five years and he started in September as a full-time professor. After graduating from STU, Robinson earned a masters and doctorate from the University of New Brunswick. His area of academic specialty is American literature and he has published several works on modernist American literature. During his time as a student, Robinson was involved in many campus groups. He believes that the sense of community at the university is still very strong and why he still feels right at home.
“Like for a lot of people at St. Thomas, their years here are some of the best years of their lives. I felt I owed something to STU, and as soon as I came back to teach, I felt at home.”
Seeing the spark of understanding
Matt Robinson joins department of philosophy The newest member of the department of philosophy has gone through a long geographic and academic journey to arrive at St. Thomas University. Dr. Matt Robinson left his hometown of Toronto after high school to attend King’s College in Halifax. He stayed in that city for eight years as he completed a bachelor of arts at King’s College and a master’s in classics at Dalhousie University before moving to Boston to do his PhD. Robinson acknowledged the importance of a liberal arts education to his development and says the courses he took during his first year changed his career path. He had originally set out to study environmental law, but the Foundation Year Program inspired him to investigate philosophy more deeply and that drive has never gone away. While studying at Dalhousie, he would later teach in the Foundation Year Program at King’s. “That really is what made me want to teach at a small liberal arts school: the close intellectual contact with students, the full immersion of philosophy and history – it really sold me on academic life and motivated me to pursue my doctorate.” 14 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
Robinson said that he is excited to start teaching at St. Thomas and that he is eager to get involved with the community on campus. “I’m looking forward to being part of the intellectual community and forming intellectual relationships with students, as well as getting involved with all the activities that happen on a small campus.”
Faculty Deans and Assistant Vice-President (Research) St. Thomas University appointed Dr. Michael Boudreau as Dean of Humanities, Dr. Kim Fenwick as Dean of Social Sciences and Dr. Gayle MacDonald as Assistant Vice-President (Research). St. Thomas University President and ViceChancellor Dawn Russell said that the university is now of a scale and complexity that requires academic faculties under the leadership of deans.
Campus Watch
Faculty Books
Out of the Blue, a Memoir of Workplace Depression, Recovery, Redemption and, Yes, Happiness Jan Wong, Journalism In her latest book, Out of the Blue, A Memoir of Workplace Depression, Recovery, Redemption and, Yes, Happiness, STU journalism professor Jan Wong tells her own story. For twenty years, Jan Wong had been one of the Globe and Mail’s best-known reporters. Then one day she turned in a story that set off a firestorm of controversy, including death threats, a unanimous denunciation by Parliament and a rebuke by her own newspaper. For the first time in her professional life, Wong fell into a severe clinical depression. With wit, grace and insight, Wong tells the harrowing tale of her struggle with workplace-caused depression, and of her eventual emergence … Out of the Blue.
The Canadian Regime Dr. Patrick Malcolmson St. Thomas University Professor Dr. Patrick Malcolmson and former STU professor and now President of Algoma University Dr. Rick Myers have authored a new, fifth edition of their highly-acclaimed book, The Canadian Regime: An Introduction to Parliamentary Government in Canada. The book focuses on the inner workings of Parliament and explains the rationale for Canada’s relatively complex political system. It challenges readers to think of the Canadian political system as an organic entity where change in one area will affect the rest.
City of Order: Crime and Society in Halifax, 1918-35 Dr. Michael Boudreau, Criminology Dr. Michael Boudreau released his new book, City of Order: Crime and Society in Halifax, 1918-35 through UBC Press. The book looks at how Interwar Halifax was a city in flux, a place where citizens debated adopting new ideas and technologies, but agreed on one thing – modernity was corrupting public morality and unleashing untold social problems on their fair city.
Artist in Residence David Adams Richards Wins Fiction Prize St. Thomas University alumnus and Artist in Residence David Adams Richards’s latest novel, Incidents in the Life of Markus Paul, has won the Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize. The prize is awarded annually by the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. Incidents in the Life of Markus Paul was called “a stark, stunning and profound new novel” which “exposes Canada’s rawest nerve” by the National Post. The Globe and Mail said the book made for “classic tragedy, but Richards’s larger picture includes a moral lesson at once topical and timeless.” ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 15
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
Sports Wall of Fame
sports wall of fame |
St.Thomas University seeks nominations for Sports Wall of Fame Inductions St. Thomas University is seeking nominations for inductees to the 2013 St. Thomas University Sports Wall of Fame. The St. Thomas University Sports Wall of Fame was launched in 2010 to recognize individuals and teams who have made a significant contribution to the athletic programmes at St. Thomas University, and who, as a result of their contributions, have enhanced the image and the reputation of the institution. Inductees can be athletes, builders (coaches, managers, athletic staff or administrators), or teams. Nominations can come from any individual with an interest in STU athletics. The dead16 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
line for nominations is November 30. All nomination packages must include the following: • A completed nomination form; • Covering letter from the nominator which includes an overall statement of recommendation of the nominee; • A biographical sketch (press releases, newspaper articles, statistics, etc.) documenting the nominee’s merits in relation to the selection criteria for the award. The selection committee is made up of the vice-president (finance and administration), the director of athletics, a representative appointed by the St. Thomas University
Alumni Association and five wall-of-fame members. The committee will select the inductees by January 15 and an induction ceremony will take place on June 23, 2013. The nomination packages are available on stu.ca. For more information, please contact Mike Eagles, Director of Athletics, by email meagles@stu.ca or by phone at 506-460-0378.
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
Honouring our mentors
STU says goodbye to four retiring faculty members Sandra deVink on
Frank Cronin on
“I think the turning point in John’s scholarly writing was with the publication of the ground breaking book, Ecology and Social Work: Towards a New Paradigm. This was the beginning of more than a decade of a significant body of scholarly work which includes the publication of four books for which John was an editor. As well, John has made significant contributions and provided leadership in the scholarship on Social Work and Spirituality and Indigenous Social Work around the World.
“I always admired Jonathan’s commitment to his students, to his university, to his Faculty Union and to STU’s athletic programme… Truly, he exemplified in spades the mens sana in corpore sano that characterizes our liberal arts tradition…
John Coates
His scholarly work, which is impressive, includes being a guest editor in a number of journals, and an editorial board member of several international journals. In addition, John has published many articles in refereed journals and many book chapters. He has also carried out research and written reports for various organizations, such as the United Way of Fredericton and Oromocto and Human Resources Canada for which he wrote the report: The Context of Homelessness: A Look at New Brunswick. John has a very strong track record of service both to the University and to the Fredericton Community. Even if he is retiring, John will continue to be engaged with his community through being a founding and active member of the Greater Fredericton Social Inclusion, and to his profession through continued scholarly projects.” Sylvia Hale on
Peter MacDonald “We arrived at STU the same year, 1975. Peter MacDonald was my immediate office neighbour. We supported each other through crises in production and consumption of lecture notes. Peter offered his expertise, based on years of teaching high school prior to STU. Peter soon wove himself into the department. He served as chair of social sciences (comprising sociology, political science, anthropology and economics). We appreciated his calm, organized manner. He was so well organized that anthropology prof Richard Costello noted he even organized matches in parallel lines in the ash tray. This was back in the days when profs still smoked in their offices. But he was more than just organized. Peter was thoughtful, considerate, reasonable and patient… In his teaching, Peter brought a detailed, organized vision and clear logical thinking to the classroom. His goal was to challenge his students to think clearly. He would begin with a particular theory, carefully lay out its assumptions, evidence, and convince his students by its insights. Then, he would shift to a new perspective that placed their convictions in doubt. From Peter, students learned not ‘what to think’ but how to think.”
Jonathan Rahn
He possessed a wonderful memory for his students’ names, and could rhyme off their parents and grandparents, not a few of whom, of course, over the period of 43 years had been his students. He had a thespian side and delighted the members of the drama club one year when he appeared at a party, he being their academic adviser, mind you, dressed up in a Roman Toga. He was a voracious reader, decidedly fixed in habits that he had cultivated over the years: he read between 5 and 7 AM; he read a specific number of paragraphs or pages at each sitting, and accordingly had four or five books on the go at any one time; he corrected ten examinations or papers per day, and never deviated, never less and never more. We might say that long before contemporary astronomers developed their Goldilocks zone of habitable exoplanets, Jonathan had developed his own Goldilocks zone of markable examinations and papers…” Sylvia Hale on
Anne Stapleton “Anne brought central and deep awareness of social injustice to her courses. Her goal was to penetrate complacency, heighten awareness. She wanted students to use sociology as a tool to think and to act in the world. Whatever the text book she used in class, Anne always brought the material up to date. She would scour daily news for relevant info and examples she could apply to her lecture. She used films, the internet. She was an invaluable colleague in digging up current information, the latest reports, magazine articles. She always willingly shared these with us. I personally owe much to Anne’s ideas on how to make Intro to Sociology come alive. She was especially valuable to me in suggesting materials for my textbook. Anne was always ready to make herself available for students. She often came to campus on days when she was not teaching. Students who took Intro from Anne commonly looked for other courses by her.” Anne cares for people. She goes out of her way to offer help, even taxi services for sick friends.”
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 17
Retiring SectionFaculty Title
retiring faculty |
Retiring Faculty
The Joy of Words By Roger Moore, Professor Emeritus at STU I started writing full time on July 1, 2009. This has enabled me to release a great deal more energy into creative activities. These include critical and editorial work, translation, creative writing (poetry and prose), web page building, and photography. Editorial Work This continues apace. Currently I am editor of the bilingual STLHE Newsletter, of which I have been the co-editor since 2010. Number 59 came out in June in time for the STLHE Conference in Montreal and number 60 will appear this fall. I am also an associate editor with the STLHE Green Guides for Teaching and I have helped bring four of these guides from manuscript to publication. Other editorial work consists of sitting on the editorial boards of CJSoTL (the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning), AULA (the education review of the University of Salamanca, Spain), and Calíope (the Journal for the Renaissance and Baroque Poetry Society of America). In addition, I have just been elevated to the consejo honorífico of La Perinola (the International Quevedo Review, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain), the first Canadian to be honoured this way. Translation In September 2011, I was invited to be the honorary translator (Spanish / English) for the Alcalde (City Mayor and Provincial Governor) of Avila in Spain. I have collaborated with Avila for several years now, and recent work has centered on the 450th Anniversary Celebrations of the Founding of the Convent of St. Joseph in Avila (24 August 1562), the first of the foundations of St. Teresa. During this period I have translated a booklet on the Saint’s Foundations from Spanish to English and I have helped with the bilingual webpage - www.sanjosedeavila.es - for the 450th Anniversary Celebrations. I also translated the official book of photographs 450 años de San José, available online. My next major translation project will be the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa (1515-2015). In October 2012, I will be inducted into the Institución Gran Duque de Alba, the province of Avila’s literary and cultural academy, as a miembro colaborador. I will be the first Canadian to receive this honour. Creative Writing I have had some success with prose writing recently and The Key was selected as a finalist for the CBC Short Story competition (2010), while The Weavers won the WFNB Short Story Competition in the same year. In 2011, my first novel, People of the Mist, was runner up in the WFNB David Adams Richards Novel Prize and in an effort to improve it, I enrolled in the Humber College Creative Writing School (January 2102). I will graduate from that program this October. Two other novels wait to be polished and I have learned to love this medium. Dewi Sant, a book of seasonal memories from Wales was published in conjunction with the New Brunswick Welsh Society (2010), a year after All About Angels (my ninth poetry chapbook) appeared. My ninth poetry collection, Monkey Temple, came out on 23 April 2012, a day my monkeys now share with William Shakespeare, the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Miguel de Cervantes, and St. George of England. 18 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
Workshop Facilitation In Montreal, last June, I delivered one of the first 3M Master Classes on Teaching to the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This workshop engaged the conference theme and was entitled: “Breaking Down Barriers and Extending Borders: The First Hour of a Creative Writing Workshop.” I have offered several creative writing workshops over the last few years, most recently in Saint John at the high school writing celebration The Write Stuff where I ran two workshops, one on writing journals, another on short stories, and I also hosted a Blue Pencil Café. In June, I facilitated a writing seminar in Fredericton for the NB Film Coop. I am happy to say that the students who attended those events are still corresponding with me and I continue to critique their work online. Web page building The Ongoing Online Quevedo Bibliography continues to operate and is now hosted at http://etcdev.hil.unb.ca/Roger.Moore The purchase of an IMac led me to create an artistic web page at http://web.me.com/rogermoorepoet. This page ran for over two years and received more than 7,000 hits. The page contained podcasts, a blog, poems, stories, photos, photo poems and video poems. The blend of image and voice was fascinating and the 12 video poems on view merged photos and words in a quite innovative fashion. Unfortunately web.me.com was dismantled on June 30, 2012, and this creative webpage is currently looking for a new host. All of these tasks have one thing in common: words and working with words. I take a delight in playing with words whether they be mine or another’s. Language in all its forms still excites me and I am happy to work in English, Spanish, or French. The world right now is a wonderful place in which to live and I rejoice in the magic spun by the shuffling of words and the placing of them in a living time and space where they can be seen, sensed and enjoyed by those who also take a delight in language.
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
classmates
news from
& friends around the world
1960s Ron Wallace, BA ’68, BEd ’70, retired several times but is now starting his fifth year in Rwanda where he heads an international school system. He has four grown children in Calgary. gronwallace@gmail.com After leaving STU, Doug Brown, STU ’6869, held many jobs and then had a 35 year career with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, retiring in 2008 as a store manager and acting district manager. He would love to hear from those that were at STU in the late 60s and early 70s. browners03@gmail.com
1970s Murray Jackson, BA ’73, retired in 2004 from a 31-year career with the Canada Border Services Agency. He now creates and syndicates thematic crossword puzzles.
1980s Jim Higgins, BSW ’86; BEd ’90; BA ’99, was offered a literacy mentor position at the new Anglophone South School District, working out of the St. Stephen office for the 2012-2013 school year. Tom Isaac, BA ’87, has written a new book, Aboriginal Law: Commentary and Analysis. This is the fourth book in Tom’s educational series on Aboriginal law, published by Purich Publishing. In her first book, Fredericton, a Celebration, Carlena Munn, BA ’89, has captured the true spirit of Fredericton. Profiling over
65 families (including STU alumni), artists, entertainers, athletes, businesses and local personalities, Munn showcases why Fredericton is a great place to live, work, and visit. In addition to intriguing stories about people we encounter every day, she presents a stunning visual display of scenes and events throughout the year, landmarks new and old, and the beautiful landscape we have come to love. Fredericton, a Celebration is now available for purchase. 100% of profits minus printing costs will be split equally between the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the Fredericton Food Bank. Books purchased directly from the author result in more funds for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the Fredericton Food Bank and you don’t pay the tax! This book will make a great gift for all occasions for friends and family who have everything, or live away from the community. It is also a great gift item for that special client. Students and teachers will receive a 10% discount as well as anyone who purchases 10 books or more. For details, please email frederictonacelebration@hotmail.com.
1990s Marcy (Gravestock) Comeau, BA ’98’s niece, Hailey Leah Rheault, was born during Marcy’s frosh week at St. Thomas University. Marcy left her sister’s side in the hospital to register for her first semester classes and made it back just in time to watch the birth of her niece. Needless-to-say, it was one of the most exciting and unforgettable weeks of her life! Marcy wrote: “Over the years, I have bought her many STU memorabilia and have “convinced” her that STU is the greatest university! I am proud to say 18 years later she is following in my footsteps. Hailey was awarded a St. Thomas Renewable Scholars Award, the Harrison McCain Scholarship, and the Knights of Columbus Scholarship, along with several local scholarships. Altogether, she earned $24,850 in scholarships and bursaries! I couldn’t be a prouder aunt and I am honoured that she chose my alma mater as her university of choice. I am proud to say that St. Thomas has an amazing student going there this year.
Hailey is on left. ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 19
New & Noteworthy
new & noteworthy |
New & Noteworthy
�eddings Rebekah (MacPherson ) Henick, BA ’09, married Mark Henick, BA ’10, in July. There were lots of STU alumni at the wedding reception. From left: Jacob Baisley, BA ’10; Duncan Gallant, BA ’10; Mark Henick, BA ’10; Rebekah Henick, BA ’09; Lise Deveau, BA ’09; Dan Murphy, BA ’08; Melissa Wah, BA ’10; Alyce MacLean, BA ’09.
Liz (Corbett) Fecteau, BA ’09, BEd ’10, and Aaron Fecteau, BA ’09, were married August 11, 2012 in Rothesay, NB. The wedding party was full of STU alumni. From left: Duncan Gallant BA ’10; Lydia MacDonell BA ’11; Myles MacKenzie; Caitlin Cormier; Andrew Lockhart, BA ’10; Misha Nowicki, BA ’08; Aaron Fecteau, BA ’09; Liz Fecteau, BA ’09, BEd ’10; Parrish Arnott; Amanda Arnott, BA ’09, BEd ’10; Corben McLean, BA ’10; Alexandria Brubacher, BA ’10, BEd ’11; Greg Quinn; Jennifer MacDougall, BA ’09.
Matthew Brennan, BA ’06, and Emily (Coldham) Brennan, BA ’07, were married on July 13, 2012 at St. Michael’s Basilica in Miramichi, NB. After they graduated from STU, Emily and Matt moved to Sydney, Australia to study their MBAs. They spent over a year in Australia and travelled to New Zealand and Fiji. They then decided to come back home to start searching for their careers. Emily is now an associate at Cape Consulting Group (a public relations and corporate reputation firm) and Matt is a financial solutions analyst at Owens MacFadyen Group. They both work in Moncton and live in Riverview. From Left to Right: Billy Dealy, BA ’06; Jamie McIntosh, BA ’07, BEd ’08; Kristian Tellefsen, BA ’07; Erin Shipman; Matthew Brennan, BA ’06; Emily (Coldham) Brennan, BA ’07; Michael Brennan, BA ’06; Sarah Couper Tellefsen, BA ’08; Logan Stewart, BA ’08; Marina (Squarey) Stewart, BA ’07, BEd ’08. 20 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
Jennifer M Hammond, BA ’00, returned to campus with former alumni Trevor Furlotte, BA ’99, in the summer of 2012, twelve years after graduating from STU with her BA. It was the best two days spent touring Fredericton and campus. She lived in Harrington Hall during her first two years at STU. In 1995, she was among the first females to “officially” live in Harrington Hall. She wrote, ”I loved my time at STU and remember my time there fondly. I look forward to returning to STU to visit. This time I will not let 12 years pass by. I currently live in Fort McMurray, Alberta. I would love to reconnect with the ladies of Harrington Hall 1995-1997, maybe it’s time for a reunion!” Two days after her visit to Fredericton, Jennifer lost her beloved father Matthew Hammond, after a brave battle with lung cancer. jen_hammond@hotmail.com Kelly (White) Walsh, BA ’03, graduated from University of Maine with highest honours in education and is currently teaching in school district 8. kellydawnwalsh@gmail.com Amanda Clark, BA ’05, started a tenure track job at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on August 1. Jessica Fenton, BA ’05, BEd ’06, worked with Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers in 2009. This summer, she helped facilitate a teacher institute with Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers. jess_darf@yahoo.com Connie (Penney) Palmer, BA ’06, and her husband John Palmer, BA ’03, are living in Thessaloniki, Greece. She has recently written a book about her experiences at women’s monasteries throughout Northern Greece and it is being published by Conciliar Press (an American publisher). The Scent of Holiness: Lessons from a Women’s Monastery will be released this fall. Sandy Lugar, BA ’07, is a sales representative for Labatt Breweries in Saskatchewan. Since graduating, Fraser MacAlpine, BA ’09, became an Assistant Coach of the Royal Military College hockey team. He is also the Social Media Manager for Royal Military College Athletics in Kingston, Ontario. gyrvs@stu.ca Lauren McNeil, BA ’09, is working with Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG). Her internship is sponsored by the Canadian organization, Human Rights Internet. Recently, she assisted with logistics for a high profile conference: People’s Power,
futurealumni
New & Noteworthy
2000s
Jennifer Denty, BA ’07, BED ’08, is thrilled to announce the birth of her beautiful baby boy. T.J. (Tyler James) was born on May 12, 2012, weighing 7 lbs 13 and a half oz. She is currently home in Newfoundland on maternity leave but can’t wait to return to her classroom in Rigolet, Labrador and introduce all 49 of the k-12 students of Northern Lights Academy to her son.
Kayla Wilcox puts her liberal arts degree to use every day. Wilcox has twins - Henry and Claire who are 8 months old, and a toddler - Edward - who is 2.5 years old. She’s a mom who says the skills she learned at St. Thomas University also help her at home. Wilcox majored in sociology and minored in English and psychology. Her background in research helps her stay up to date on findings about food and toy safety, among other parenting issues. “For instance, I research the materials toys are made with to make sure they contain safe plastics. A lot of kids’ toys are made with PVC products, which leach harmful chemicals when they are handled. It’s not good for them,” she said. “There are useful websites that list the chemicals used in various toys. I often refer to them to ensure that my kids are playing with safe toys.” Still, she says it’s the critical thinking skills she learned at STU that help her the most. Sometimes what you research won’t apply to your child, and you’ll have to think critically to adapt the research to your life. “When I was a first-time mom, I read People’s Parliament. This conference questioned the accountability of South Africa’s government and also its ability to facilitate participation amongst citizens. She was also given the task of live blogging throughout the conference so people across the country could follow it in live stream. More recently, she has been working on a project with the community law centre on the traditional courts bill. The bill has been highly contested by civil society organizations and rural citizens as it has been deemed unconstitutional, discriminatory towards women as well as a list of other issues. The bill would give traditional leaders absolute authority, leaving citizens without access to South Africa’s legal system.
Kayla (Bennett) Wilcox, BA ’06, her husband, Chris Wilcox, and big brother, Edward, welcomed two more little bears into their family on January 13, 2012. Henry and Claire arrived two minutes apart and have made the Wilcox family complete.
a lot - especially about routines. But I found that my child didn’t fit inside the box. You can’t be too stressed about that. You have to accept the child you’re given. They have a unique personality, and you have to work around that. But again, that’s where your arts degree comes in because you’re thinking outside of the box. You’re using your critical thinking skills.”
2010s After getting her BA from St. Thomas University, Andrea Hynes, BA ’10, moved to Dublin, Ireland to study a Masters in Theatre and Performance. She loved her time in Ireland and got to do some acting with the local theatre group. She is now the physician recruiter for the Physician Recruitment Taskforce of Sarnia Lambton in Sarnia, Ontario. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to marketing Sarnia Lambton to prospective family physicians and their families. andrea-hynes@hotmail.com
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 21
Tribute
Tribute Dr. Rosemary Clews 1944-2012 Written by Dr. Suzanne Dudziak School of Social Work
Rosemary Clews, colleague, friend, and mentor to many at St. Thomas, passed away suddenly on April 18, 2012. A memorial service held in the STU chapel recalled the highlights of Rosemary’s life and career. Rosemary was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1944, but spent her formative years in England until she returned to Canada with her own two children, Aaron and Miriam, in 1993. Prior to coming to Canada, Rosemary had pursued a full-time career as a social worker and despite the traditional gender roles of 1980s Britain and an inhospitable environment for women in management, Rosemary moved into social work administration. By the time she returned to Canada, she had managed to obtain three master’s degrees in social work, deviance, and management while raising two young children. Rosemary’s academic career took off in 1993 when she became assistant professor of social work at the University of Regina’s Saskatoon campus. During this time, she also began a distance doctoral program at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. When she completed her PhD in the fall of 1999, she was one of the first graduates of this newly established program. Her doctoral research focused on “enriching anti-racist social work curriculum: sensitizing concepts from New Brunswick.” Rosemary came to St. Thomas University to teach in the Social Work Department in 1996. Rosemary was a much loved teacher who believed strongly in student-centred learning and participation in the classroom. She designed and taught courses in her areas of interest which included anti-racist social work, social work and aging, work with oppressed groups, and rural social work. Rosemary was also a prolific researcher. In addition to research in her own areas of interest, she participated with colleagues Bill Randall and Delores Furlong in the early development of narrative studies at St. Thomas. She also supported the evolving network of qualitative researchers, forged by Debbie van den Hoonaard and Will van den Hoonaard. Rosemary’s passion for research and writing led to much success as she advanced quickly through the ranks from assistant to associate to full professor by 2005, having completed numerous funded research projects and even more publications based on that work. She also presented at many national and international social work and narrative conferences. 22 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012
In 2002, Rosemary broke new ground yet again when she was appointed assistant vice-president (research), a new position that she pioneered, becoming the first female to be part of STU’s senior administration. During her time in this role, she thoroughly enjoyed offering support to faculty as they designed and sought funding for their research projects. She often commented that this mentoring work made all the other bureaucrat work worthwhile. When it came to the pursuit of funding possibilities for STU, Rosemary left no stone unturned. She was pivotal in helping the university obtain three Canada Research Chairs. As a result of her work in this position, she greatly increased the profile and reputation of STU in terms of research. Rosemary held this position until her retirement in 2009. Although the final chapter of her life, her retirement, was cut short so unfairly, as with everything in her life, it was lived to the fullest. The embodiment of “life-long learning,” Rosemary was a voracious reader and member of two book clubs and had become a docent at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, learning and teaching about art history. She was also a regular attendee at the Monday night film series and the Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera series and was an active member of the Fredericton Unitarian Fellowship and the Raging Grannies, who performed at her memorial service. Her love of travel took her on many adventures with friends such as Lorna Drew and to visit her son, Aaron in Budapest or Aunt Ruth in Saskatchewan. Rosemary Clews was a singular person both strong and gentle in personality, fiercely intelligent and articulate yet incredibly kind and generous in spirit. In remembering Rosemary, all of us at St. Thomas University have much to be grateful for; she gave so much of herself, her talent and her time to making our lives better.
Tribute
Tribute The Honourable Carolyn Layden-Stevenson Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
1947-2012 Written by Larry Batt, BA ‘69 Friend and colleague At 12 noon on Monday, July 2, 2012, Fr. Jack Dolan celebrated the funeral mass in memory of The Honourable Carolyn LaydenStevenson, who passed away on June 27, 2012 in Ottawa. The pews in St. Dunstan’s Church in Fredericton were packed with fellow distinguished judges and lawyers, family and friends. There were many accolades describing Carolyn’s accomplishments in the fields of education and law. It was made clear that Madam Justice LaydenStevenson had made her mark on the Canadian legal landscape. I would like to recognize the longstanding and loyal commitment which she made to St. Thomas University, her alma mater. I remember fondly working with her in our early days at STU, two young members of staff determined to promote the reputation of the university and support our students. I have been fortunate to have enjoyed her close friendship over 40 years, from her student days, through her wedding in the STU chapel, and the birth of her two boys during her law studies and early law career. My wife Elaine and I have shared all of our mutual family milestones with both Carolyn and her sister Margie. After graduating from Teachers’ College in 1967 and teaching for two years in Saint John, she returned to Fredericton to attend St. Thomas University, receiving her Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1970 and 1971. Her dynamic personality and organizational abilities so impressed the president of STU at that time, Msgr. Donald Duffie, that he asked her to serve as Dean of Women in Vanier Hall, replacing Mrs. Woods who had died in the summer of 1970. Completing her studies and Dean’s work at STU, Carolyn returned to her career in education, teaching in elementary and junior high levels in Fredericton. After completing her MEd in 1979, she combined teaching and guidance at George Street Junior High School. In the Winter 2008 edition of Connections, Carolyn was recognized by STU for her legal studies and judicial career with the headline of the cover reading “From Liberal Arts to the Law.” Later that same year, December 12, 2008, she was appointed to the Federal Court of Appeal. In the Winter 2010 Centenary edition of Connections, celebrating our most distinguished alumni, Carolyn was featured again. Her dedication to STU was recognized also in President Michael Higgins’ invitation to Carolyn to co-chair the University’s Centenary Celebrations, including Homecoming 2010. In spite of her heavy schedule at the Federal Court of Appeal, Carolyn demonstrated her love of STU by immediately agreeing to the role, taking it very seriously with the same drive and standards which she took on all of her life’s tasks. She told me how much this homecoming
role meant to her. And I am thrilled that she was recognized by her alma mater for her many accomplishments as a STU graduate. All those who encountered Carolyn in her early days at STU or along her multi-faceted career paths have a common theme in their comments: she was a caring and supportive person, who was always ready to listen and to offer a helping hand. As serious as she was in her many responsibilities, her quick wit and infectious laughter were also signature aspects of her friendship with so many. Dear Carolyn, your friends and colleagues from STU thank you for all that you have done for STU and the STU community. Along with your family members, we too will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
In Memoriam
The St. Thomas University alumni affairs office, STU Alumni & Friends, and the university community extend condolences to the family and friends of the following alumni and faculty who passed away recently:
Bruno Bobak, LLD ‘84 September 24, 2012
Florence Tays, BSW ‘00 August 7, 2012
Irma Ferlatte, BA ‘90 September 6, 2012
Susan Farris-Arsenault, BA ’74, BEd ’76 July 5, 2012
Ron Alto-Larocque, STU 88-90 August 18, 2012 Harry Doyle, BA ‘72 August 12, 2012
Hon. Carolyn LaydenStevenson BT ’70, BA ’71 June 27, 2012
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • CONNECTIONS FALL 2012 23
make a big difference That’s why, at Johnson Insurance, we pay attention to the details.
Above and beyond extensive coverage, here are a few of the other ways we take care of STU Alumni and Friends: Savings and discounts AIR MILES® reward miles 24/7 live customer support Dedicated service representative
er Memb nt Discou le Availab
Contact us today for a quote, and to learn more! (Provide Group ID Code: TS)
1-800-563-0677 | www.johnson.ca/stthomas_alumni
Home & Auto Insurance
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No.40015079
Home and auto insurance is available through Johnson Inc., a licensed insurance intermediary, also operating as “Johnson Insurance” in Ontario/Atlantic Region (NB, NL, NS, ON, PE). Policies are primarily underwritten by Unifund Assurance Company (Unifund). Unifund and Johnson Inc. share common ownership. Only home insurance is available in BC, SK and MB. An alternate plan is available in QC. Eligibility requirements, limitations and exclusions may apply. AIR MILES® reward miles awarded on regular home and auto insurance policies underwritten by Unifund. At the time the premium is paid, one AIR MILES reward mile is awarded for each $20 in premium (including taxes). AIR MILES reward miles not available in SK, MB or QC. ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Johnson Inc. (for Unifund). CAT.08.2012