Connections - Winter 2023

S T U A l u m n i & Fr i e n d s

Ethan Nylen (BA’23) Awarded Rhodes Scholarship What’s New at STU

Winter 2023

Researchers Help New Brunswickers Navigate Aging

Supporting the STU Fund makes an impact for students today!

Scholarships and Bursaries Travel Study Programs Experiential Learning Opportunities Mentorship, Tutoring & Writing Workshops

Thank You!

d in Intereste a new hing establis d or including awar our student s University in y ce a Offi St. Thom s? Contact the ni lan lum estate p ncement and A 40 of Adva at 506-452-21 s Relation ing@stu.ca. or giv

To mak a gift e

that will su visit ww pport students , w.stu.c a/giving or ca 506-45 ll 2-2140 “Being a member of the STU Moot Court team was one of my favourite undergraduate experiences. It provided me with the opportunity to develop the skills and resources to excel in any future program,while also allowing me to meet and work with a group of extremely talented and driven individuals. It is an excellent opportunity for all St. Thomas students, and I highly recommend taking advantage of it during your degree.”

– Maggie Jardine, (BA'23) is a member of STU's Moot Court Team.

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“Being a scholarship recipient has enhanced my STU experience by helping me be more involved with the STU community! STU communities such as the St. Thomas University International Students Association (STUISA), where we celebrate multiculturalism at STU, help new international students feel welcome and share our diverse culture with the rest of the STU community.”

– Estefania Martinez, (BA'24) is a Chancellor's International Scholarship recipient and is on the executive of the St. Thomas University International Students Association, which is supported by the STU Fund.

STU Fund impacts today’s students

Your gift helps to make possible such things as:

Contents

We welcome your comments Phone: 506.452.0521

4 Alumni Association

Email: alumni@stu.ca

8 Giving News

Website: www.stu.ca Facebook: St. Thomas University Alumni

10 Cover Story

Twitter: @StThomasAlumni

11 Profiles

LinkedIn: St. Thomas University (CA)

Connections

16 Campus Watch 24 New & Noteworthy

Connections is a publication of the

Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New

Brunswick, Canada E3B 5G3. It is distributed

free of charge to more than 13,000 St. Thomas University alumni and friends worldwide.

Publisher

Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, St. Thomas University Editor

Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08 Acknowledgements

Ashlen Albright, BA’09

Wanda Bearresto, BA’87 Angela Bosse, BA’18 Jeffrey Carleton Kesang Deker Dionne Izzard

Kathleen Johnson, BA’13 Eric Lewis Jodi Misheal Emily Oleksuk, BA’20 Photos Keith Minchin Design, Layout, Printing Karen Smith Design KarenSmithDesign66@gmail.com Rocket Rocket.ink

Alumni Association Board of Directors 2022-2023 Don Bossé, BA’82, BEd’83 (Fredericton, NB) Dr. Dawne Clarke, BA’95 (Fredericton, NB) Mary Beth Gorey, BA’75 (Fredericton, NB) Alaina Mejia, BA’21 (Corner Brook, NL) Bibi Wassimah Joomun, BA’20 (Ottawa, ON) Suzanne Lalla-Murphy, BA’88 (Fredericton, NB) Dennis Livingstone, BA’73 (Riverview, NB) Sabrina Sotiriu, BA’10 (Ottawa, ON) Margaret (Margie) Tracy, BA’75 (Fredericton, NB) Melissa Wah, BA’10 (Fredericton, NB) Dr. Angela Wisniewski, BA’03 (Fredericton, NB) Brianna Workman, BA’19 (Ottawa ON)

President’s Message

President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting), Dr. Kim Fenwick

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his year has been a time of change and continuity.

STU benefitted greatly from Dawn Russell’s leadership.

Over her 11 years, students received a high-quality education, we developed our research capabilities and increased societal engagement, and became a more welcoming and diverse community.

The respect and affection in our community for Dawn is very evident, and we are looking forward to celebrating her accomplishments.

The selection process for our next president and vice-chancellor is on schedule as we expect to name STU’s fourteenth president in the coming weeks. This follows a national search led by a committee that had faculty, student, board of governors, staff, and alumni representatives.

As you will read in Campus Watch, we are having a very good year. Classes are in person, we have had interesting guest lectures and special events, and we hosted the ACAA soccer championships. We all cheered Ethan Nylen’s Rhodes Scholarship, STU’s second in three years. At our Gala Dinner, we celebrated three distinguished alumni, and there were many students in attendance to see the positive influence of their university and the potential of their degree.

The varied careers of alumni profiled in this issue— neurosurgeon, counselling therapist, foster-care activist, Indigenous advisor—show the impact of STU on individuals and society. •

FE ATURES Innovative

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Solutions to Healthy Aging

Sherry Law uses virtual reality in longterm care homes.

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Mind over Matter How a brain injury

led Dr. Matt Eagles to a career in neurosurgery.

The Journey

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from Foster Care to Campus

Jessie-Lynn Cross is advocating for child welfare rights.

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Connecting with Community Rachel Burke helps

Indigenous youth find connections.

On the Cover: STU researchers create new resource for health and home care systems. From left: Dr. Michelle Lafrance, Dr. Michelle Greason (BA’13, BSW’15), Dr. Janet DurkeeLloyd, and Ashley Erb (BA’21).

Photos by Keith Minchin.

Winter 2023

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Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Gatherings Alumni Men’s and Women’s Basketball Weekend March 3-5, 2023 Fredericton, NB •

Upcoming Alumni Gatherings – We hope you can join us. Details will be sent via email and posted on the website. stu.ca/alumni-events For more information about a gathering in your area, please contact our office at 506-452-0521, or wbearresto@stu.ca

Message from STUAA 1990s Men's Basketball Reunion President Dennis Livingstone

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his fall saw the welcome return of many favourite STU traditions. On campus, it was the return to in-person classes, lectures, and events, or simply grabbing a coffee with a friend in Sir James Dunn Hall.

For alumni, it meant being able to attend alumni events after a two-year hiatus.

We were able to host the STU Alumni Pit Stop during the Harvest Music Festival. We also hosted a 50-year Reunion Weekend for members of the classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972. It was a real treat to see them reconnect with each other, reminisce of their time at STU, and, of course, break out into a Hikety Jike!

STU also hosted its Gala Dinner, the first since 2019. Alumni, friends, and students gathered to raise funds to support students.

At all these events, the feedback was loud and clear — alumni were so happy to gather in person to celebrate their alma mater. At the end of the day, the heart of the STU community is still its people. •

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lumni members of the Men’s Basketball team stopped on campus for a visit and campus tour in October. It was wonderful to reconnect and share memories from 30 years ago. Can’t wait to see everyone back on campus at Alumni Basketball Weekend in March 2023.

Left to right: Chris Cummins, BA’94; Neil Hutchinson, BA’94; Randy McKinnon, BA’95; Jason Jordan, BA’96; Mark Lacey, BSW’95 •

STU Alumni Events Recap

STU Alumni Harvest Pit Stop

Dionne Izzard

Robert Fisher, BA’80

September 15, 2022

We were so excited to host the annual STU Alumni Harvest Pit Stop after a two-year hiatus!

about t u o d Fin nts in e v e i n alum isiting s v y b a e your ar alumni-event / STU.ca ailing or by em stu.ca! @ alumni

(l-r): Anne Doyle, BA’69 and Jane Asher, BA’72, BSW’86

(l-r): Kevin Doucet, BSW’85; Ashley Bearresto, BA’09; Dolores Whalen, BT’70; Margaret Tracy, BA’ 75; and Clara Santacruz, BA’16

(l-r): Kashira Grant and Suzanne Lalla-Murphy, BA’88

(l-r): Don McKay, BA’74 and Dennis Livingstone, BA’73 Winter 2023

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STU Alumni Events Recap

50th Year Reunion for Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972

October 21, 2022 Members of the classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 were finally able to gather and celebrate their 50th reunion. Everyone had a wonderful time sharing memories, laughs and celebrating their time at STU.

Back row (l-r): William Marshall, BA’71 BEd’72; Bill Richardson, BA’69 BEd’71; Gary Thorne, BA’69 BEd’70; Callum MacPhee, BA’70 BEd’72; Richard Sullivan, BA’70 BEd’72; Gary Parks, BA’70; Mike Flynn, BA’72 BEd’73; Gary Morrison, BA’71 and Bernard Riordon, BA’70.

Front row (l-r): Jeanne Geldart Bentley, BA’70; Mary Bowes, BA’70 BEd’72; Margaret Thorne, BA’70; Beverly Constable, BA’70 CSW’79 BSW’84; Tony Oreto,BA’72; Walter Hughes, BA’71; Don Ross, BA’71; Richard Jardine, BA’71;Mary Margaret Doucet, BA’71 BEd’72; Ernie Doucet, BA’70 BEd’72 and Guy Delisle, BA’70.

Men’s and Women’s

Alumni Soccer Weekend September 30 - October 2, 2022

STU hosted a Men’s and Women’s Alumni Soccer Weekend this fall. We were able to get a photo of our current players with alumni, parents, and supporters.

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St. Thomas University | Connections

STU Gala Dinner October 22, 2022 We gathered at the St. Thomas University Gala Dinner on Saturday, October 22, 2022 to honour distinguished alumni and support our amazing students. With the generosity of our alumni and friends, the event raised $71,810 for our students.

The 2022 Carolyn Layden-Stevenson Distinguished Alumni Award was bestowed upon award-winning journalist Harry Forestell, Provincial Court Judge the Hon. Nicole Angers, and former Child and Youth Advocate and Seniors’ Advocate Norman Bossé.

Winter 2023

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Gift of Knowledge Chancellor’s Lecture on Indigenous Issues

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generous donation by the Hon. Graydon Nicholas and his wife Beth has helped launch a new lecture series on campus.

The Chancellor’s Lecture on Indigenous Issues will bring Indigenous speakers to campus to speak about pressing issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada.

“It’s wonderful to be a part of this new development on campus,” said Graydon Nicholas, STU’s Chancellor and Endowed Chair in Native Studies. “Through this lecture, we will invite Indigenous scholars and Indigenous people from across our country who are gifted and who work tirelessly for the betterment of Indigenous communities.”

The inaugural lecture featured Dr. Cindy Blackstock, advocate for Indigenous children’s rights. In her lecture, “Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past,” she spoke about the importance of engaging people in learning about the diverse history of First Nations to prepare them to implement

the TRC’s calls to action and create an equitable future for all children. A recording of the lecture is available at STU.ca/YouTube.

The Chancellor’s Lecture is funded by a $110,000 endowment established by the Nicholases. In addition, they have recently established the Hatchette-Nicholas Bursary for Indigenous students. This $300,000 endowment will fund need-based bursaries in memory of their son Michael and Beth’s brother Rick Hatchette.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for universities to be leaders in re-setting the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. For STU, this has meant advancing reconciliation through education, dialogue, and collective action. The Senate Committee on Reconciliation is a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous professors, students, and staff who are leading the response to the TRC’s “94 Calls to Action.” The recently created Student Reconciliation Committee has also been very active in working with these objectives.

“STU has a significant number of Indigenous students, Indigenous faculty, a Chair in Native Studies, the Mi’kmaq/Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work, the Native Studies Program, Indigenous Language Programs, courses at St. Mary’s and Elsipogtog First Nations, Indigenous Experiential Learning, and the Wabanaki Centre. With these programs and supports, we are trying to be the leaders that the TRC has called us to be,” said Dr. Kim Fenwick (Acting) President and Vice-chancellor and Vice-president (Academic and Research).

“Graydon and Beth have been long-standing supporters of St. Thomas, and their personal commitment to education and community service aligns with our values.”

Graydon is a lawyer, jurist, former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada. As holder of the Endowed Chair in Native Studies, and as Chancellor, he has brought knowledge and perspective from his experiences in law, social work, Indigenous rights, and public service.

Beth is a lawyer who was Regional Manager of Court Services with the Provincial Department of Justice, and finished her career as Deputy Registrar of the Court of King’s Bench and Court of Appeal of New Brunswick. •

Left to right: Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Beth Nicholas, the Hon. Graydon Nicholas

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St. Thomas University | Connections

by Eric Lewis

Giving Back to STU

Giving News

Connie Munroe Creates Bursary to Support Students

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ifteen years after graduating from St. Thomas University, Connie Munroe has achieved one of her personal dreams: creating a bursary to support future St. Thomas students. It’s her way of saying “thank you” to the community that supported her through a devastating medical diagnosis and long, arduous treatment.

Connie was a single mother of autistic twins in her second year of studies when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002.

“October 3rd was the day that I found the tumour, and October 31st was the official day of diagnosis,” she says. “My boys had been diagnosed with autism about a month before.”

Immediately, Connie’s life plans were put on hold so she could focus on her health.

She went on leave from her part-time job at a Fredericton pub, left school, and flew her twins to Vancouver so they could live with her parents.

“I just put my head down and did everything the doctor told me to. I had to make sure that my children were set up and had good care,” she says. “The hardest thing I ever did was leave my kids in British Columbia to come home. I literally got off the plane in Fredericton and was on the operating table for my third surgery nine hours later.”

Her health challenges led to financial challenges, but thankfully insurance available through St. Thomas provided support.

“Without that coverage, I would never have been able to afford the supplemental drugs that I

needed for my treatments,” she says. “Prior to the cancer diagnosis, I worked three nights a week at the Snooty Fox and suddenly I wasn’t able to work anymore. And we all know that a student loan is certainly not enough to live off of.”

Throughout her treatment, Connie says St. Thomas was extremely supportive. Her professors showed “care and compassion” throughout her journey, providing her with independent work she could do when she was well enough.

“The professors that I had during that year, I still communicate with them. It’s been 20 years but we’ve developed long-term friendships.”

Connie graduated from St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours in History) in 2007. Today, with a clean bill of health and successful real estate career in Fredericton, she is giving back.

“I made a pledge to myself that when I was financially capable, I was going to set up a bursary at the university to give back,” she explains. “This year we’re doing two $750 bursaries.”

Connie plans to invest $100 from every home sale to the bursary fund to support its growth into the future.

“Sometimes people just need a hand up – it’s not a handout, it’s a hand up.” •

Winter 2023

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Cover Story

by Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08

Navigating Aging

New Resource for Health and Home Care Systems

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hen Dr. Michelle Lafrance began working on a project to help New Brunswick seniors and their caregivers navigate the health and home care systems, she had no idea that within months she would be relying on that research for her family.

“I was at a conference and received a weird text message from my father,” the Psychology professor recalls. “It literally made no sense and I started to worry about him.”

Within months, her father was diagnosed with dementia and Lafrance was facing the same obstacles her research hoped to alleviate for others.

Aging in New Brunswick: A User’s Guide – aims to fill in the gaps she faced when taking care of her father.

Just a few months after launching the guide in September, the public’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Lafrance has since teamed up with Horizon Health and the Department of Social Development to distribute the guide to more New Brunswickers.

“The guide was put together by researchers and practitioners in New Brunswick who work with older adults,” she said. “Our aim was to help older adults in New Brunswick navigate the complex landscape of information, services, forms, and resources. There is no one-stop shop for services and healthcare issues for seniors in the province.”

The project was led by Lafrance and project manager Ashley Erb (BA'21), with the collaboration of Dr. Michelle Greason (Social Work), Dr. Janet Durkee-Lloyd (Gerontology), and research

assistant Lauren McWilliams (BA'20) at St. Thomas University, researchers at the University of New Brunswick and the Université de Moncton, Karen Lake Caregiving Consulting, and the Collaborative for Healthy Aging and Care. The project was funded by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation and the New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network, with additional funds granted by the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation and St. Thomas University.

The idea stemmed from Lafrance’s SSHRC funded study on caregivers of older adults. One of the most consistent things she heard during her interviews was how people felt overwhelmed when trying to access resources or services and how there was a need to gather information in one place.

Aging in New Brunswick: A User’s Guide is a ten-chapter document that deals with issues from long-term care homes, to financial or legal matters, to equipment available for making everyday movements easier.

Project manager Ashley Erb was a student when she started working on the project with Lafrance. She says there was a pressing need for a guide written in clear language which dealt with the critical “pain points” of aging.

“Navigating a complex system is difficult for most people, let alone those who could be in crisis or dealing with a family member or friend needing help or care,” Erb said. “We hope this guide will take away some of the guesswork and reduce the navigational burden that so many people seem to face when trying to find information.”

“It’s what I wish I would have had when I went through this with my dad,” Lafrance adds. “There are a lot of manuals out there on how to take care of children but there are no manuals on this. I hope it helps a lot of people.”• Aging in New Brunswick:A User’s Guide is available in English and in French and can be downloaded for free at STU.ca/aging-in-nb. Print copies of the guide are available in New Brunswick public libraries and will be available for free by calling 2-1-1 later this year.

Left to right: Ashley Erb (BA’21), Dr. Michelle Greason (BA’13, BSW’15), Dr. Janet Durkee-Lloyd, and Dr. Michelle Lafrance

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St. Thomas University | Connections

Profiles

by Angela Bosse, BA ‘18

Innovative Solutions Sherry Law Uses Virtual Reality in Long-Term Care Homes

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ounselling therapist Sherry Law is combining virtual reality and therapy to aid New Brunswick seniors.

The inspiration for her company, Innerva Virtual, came to her after her grandmother, who lived in Hong Kong, fell ill in 2013.

That winter, as Law scrambled to help her parents rebook cancelled flights back to Hong Kong during a series of snowstorms, she started thinking about the densely populated environment her grandmother was living in.

“I felt helpless in that moment, so I very quickly started merging the idea of assistive tech for senior care,” she said.

“I started wondering, what could happen with mental health if I were to put my grandmother on a virtual beach right now?

That was the beginning of my direction in merging health and technology.”

Law realized many seniors in New Brunswick could benefit from her idea.

After completing her Master of Education in Counselling at the University of New Brunswick, she started approaching long-term care homes to continue her research. Law partnered with York Care Centre and received funding from The Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation.

While conducting her research on mental health and virtual reality, Law recognized other gaps in the healthcare system for long-term care centres, like fall prevention and dementia screening, and started to think about how virtual reality could be used to address those problems.

“The moment a senior takes a fall, it impacts their confidence and their willingness and readiness to partake in social events, so they start hiding out because of the shame and

because the healing process is prolonged as you’re aging. All these factors ricochet in the life of a senior the moment they take a fall.”

Innerva Virtual is still in the research and development stage, Law said, but the software platform she is building has been supported through various start-up grants.

While her work at Innerva Virtual progresses, Law is taking on a new challenge as President of the College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick, the regulatory body for therapists in the province.

She is excited to grow the community of licensed counsellors and plans to bring her unique expertise and interests into this new role.

“Since COVID, there’s been an uptick of technology used for remote meetings and collaboration, and I find that a lot of counselling therapists feel outside of their scope when it comes to anything tech-related. I can set standards of what counsellors need to know and provide them information and training in these areas.”

Law said following her passions has allowed her to create a nonconventional career.

“I’m interested in things like cryptocurrency and VR computers. I’m a co-captain of an e-sports team. I was able to create these programs and

initiatives on my own because I was following passions and I was following my values. I did not wait for permission.” •

Winter 2023

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by Jacqueline Cormier, BA’08

Mind over Matter

How a Brain Injury Led Dr. Matt Eagles to a Career in Neurosurgery

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r. Matt Eagles traded his hockey sweater for surgical scrubs. After concussions forced him to end his competitive hockey career, he developed a passion for helping others with brain injuries.

He is now a chief neurosurgery resident in Calgary.

“I got interested in brain injury through hockey,” the former Tommie and Moncton Wildcat said. “I had three concussions in 10 months that really put an end to my competitive hockey days, and so I had an emotional investment in brain injury.”

While in his final year of medical school at Memorial University, he chose to specialize in neurosurgery post-graduation. He was matched with the University of Calgary’s neurosurgery program, where he is about to begin the sixth year of his residency.

“I think being an athlete, I was certainly drawn to surgery. The stakes are high and there’s an element of adrenaline flow that happens to you when you’re operating, similar to when you’re playing a sport. So I got interested in neurosurgery.”

He spends his days caring for patients who are in the hospital with neurosurgical conditions, from meeting patients in the emergency room, to taking care of them on the floor, to operating on them, to caring for them postoperatively.

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St. Thomas University | Connections

Dr. Matt Eagles, BA ‘13

Despite his interest in concussions leading him to this career, he says he seldom treats patients with concussions.

“I do see a lot of head injuries, but typically not something you would classify as a concussion. It's ironic because I got interested in brain injury because of concussions. For the most part, those are taken care of by primary care and emergency physicians,” he said.

“The head injuries that I see are typically more severe. I see a lot of brain trauma and am quite familiar with the effects that this can have on patients and the long-term implications that it can have on their lives.”

Eagles said his job is extremely fulfilling, but also very taxing on him and his family. He is appreciative of the support he receives from

his wife, who is also a resident physician. He and his wife have an 18-month-old daughter, Anne-Marie.

“This is very humbling work. The brain is what gives us our sense of humanity and determines who we are,” he said.

“It’s not uncommon for me to take care of patients who have lesions in their brain next to their speech centre. You feel a great deal of responsibility to protect that area because language is such an important part of our humanity. If somebody wakes up and they can’t communicate, that’s certainly not a good outcome. I guess those stakes were what drew me to this, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do it.”

Following his residency, Eagles will be doing a fellowship in Chicago in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery. •

Profiles

by Eric Lewis

Connecting with Community Rachel Burke Helps Indigenous Youth find Connections

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rowing up outside of her Indigenous community always left Rachel Burke feeling disconnected and unsure of her roots.

The St. Thomas alumna eventually found those roots and her own role within the Wolastoqey community in New Brunswick.

“I grew up with the non-Native side of my family and I always felt kind of awkward when I had to reintegrate (into Sitansisk or St. Mary’s First Nation),” she says. “I thought there’s no way I’m ever going to be able to work with the community in a meaningful way, but I have realized that the way I’m Indigenous is in helping my Indigenous community. It’s my job to understand tradition and be able to help people if I can.”

Burke graduated from St. Thomas in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts and Political Science and Sociology and a minor in History. In her last academic year, she was hired as the university’s Indigenous Experiential Learning Coordinator. The position helped draw Burke closer to her Indigenous roots.

“The trust that Clara Santacruz, Manager, Experiential Learning and Career Development, gave me in doing what I thought was right for our Indigenous students was just what I needed,” Burke says. “And I could say the same for everyone in the Student Services team. They were there to support me, and they wanted to learn. I’ve never really been someone that people go to for Indigenous knowledge, even though I have some of it. And they valued that in me, which really helped me.”

Burke is now senior advisor to the Wolastoqey Tribal Council and Wolastoqey Nation executive directors. She is also a member of the Sitansisk Youth Council and part of the 2022-23 cohort for the National Learning Community’s 4Rs Youth Movement, a youth-driven initiative that was launched to bring Indigenous and

non-Indigenous young people together in the spirit of reconciliation.

“I found my way toward an Indigenous focus in my work,” Burke says.

“I learned that I was a little bit more knowledgeable than I thought, and my experience was more valid. I was welcomed with open arms.”

Burke plans to enroll in law school but for now she is enjoying her current position in her community.

“What I really like is that I’m not thinking of my community as only St. Mary’s now,” she says. “I belong to so many different communities.

I’m part of the Wolastoqey community, but I’ve met people from all nations. I now feel part of the larger Indigenous community, and I have shifted my world view to think more broadly. It’s just very fulfilling to have the opportunity to support and strengthen my community.” •

Rachel Burke, BA ‘21

Winter 2023

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Profiles

by Eric Lewis

The Journey from Foster Careto Campus and Beyond

Jessie-Lynn Cross is Advocating for Child Welfare Rights

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essie-Lynn Cross’s journey from her youngest days to graduating from St. Thomas University was marked by trauma and tragedy. Today, she is working toward becoming a policymaker to help those who have suffered similar challenges.

Cross grew up in towns and cities all over Canada. Her favourite childhood home was Fredericton where she lived for a year.

“I just remember how green it was,” she says, laughing. “There was never any litter on the ground and people really cared about their lawns. I just remember I really loved the area.”

Cross remembers seeing St. Thomas and knowing in her heart that it was the university she wanted to attend. But by age 14, after experiencing years of domestic abuse, Cross entered the Newfoundland and Labrador child welfare system. Her dreams of becoming an English major and eventually an author were replaced with aspirations of helping others.

“I wanted to do criminal prosecution,” she says. “I really wanted to make sure that victims don’t end up in the situations that I did. But I still wanted to go to St. Thomas.”

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In May 2022, Cross graduated with distinction from St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Human Rights.

Studies have shown that less than three per cent of people from child welfare go on to complete post-secondary education, but Cross was determined to reach her goals.

She overcame many challenges along the way: the stigma often placed upon former youth in care, sexual violence, financial issues, a revolving door of social workers, and the deaths of not only two childhood friends from foster care but also her foster father.

“There’s good and bad in all of our stories,” Cross says about youth who have lived in foster care. “Our stories need to be normalized, and society needs to normalize our success, whatever that might look like.

Whether that success is getting a post-secondary education, becoming financially stable, or overcoming addictions, they are all significant. We’re not just going to jail,

St. Thomas University | Connections

we’re not just getting trafficked, we’re not just ending up homeless.

It’s true that these outcomes are much more common, but that is why we need to have policies in place that make these outcomes less likely.”

Cross is now living in Toronto, working as a research assistant with the International and Canadian Children’s Rights Partnership.

She plans to pursue a law degree, but her goal is now to work in family law and ultimately a child and youth

advocate’s office where she can influence policy change that can help others.

“It’s very frustrating when you see that your entire life is being dictated by policies created by people who have nothing in common with you,” she says. “So, my dream is to take my experience and my education to make policies to help people from child welfare systems.” •

by Kathleen Johnson, BA’13

“Educa tio impact n is the most fu Equipp l form of activ is in with th g communitie m. es s in publ kills to engag e ic workin debate, practi g cal problem skills, and what I solving skills ho is to the w pe to contribu orld.” te

Ethan Nylen, BA’23

A Dream Come True

Ethan Nylen Awarded Rhodes Scholarship

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ourth-year student Ethan Nylen, of Saint John, NB, is one of 11 students from across Canada to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship this year to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and one of the most prestigious international scholarships and provides recipients funding to study at Oxford.

“When the selection committee called me to tell me I was a Rhodes Scholar I was in disbelief. I called my parents to share the good news,” Nylen said.

“It was an honour to be considered for the award in the first place. Even now, I have a hard time putting into words how thankful I am.”

Nylen is completing a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Great Books and a major in Political Science. He plans to continue his studies in the Master of Philosophy in Politics program and further his research on Sir Francis Bacon’s political theories.

Nylen, a Dean’s List student and Francis M. McLaughlin Scholarship recipient, has been an active member of the St. Thomas and Fredericton communities since arriving on campus in 2019.

In partnership with STU Campus Ministry, he recently founded a community GED tutoring program. He coordinates the program, develops training materials, recruits and trains volunteers, and acts as a tutor to help those in the program earn their GED and secure sustainable employment.

This is a fitting initiative for Nylen, who hopes to dedicate his career to providing education for marginalized communities.

“In my experience, education is the most impactful form of activism,” he said.

“Equipping communities with the skills to engage in public debate, practical working skills, and problem-solving skills is what I hope to contribute to the world.”

In addition to this, Nylen is the president of the Great Books Society, has competed with

the STU Moot Court team, and is currently an Engagement Intern with the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

Nylen is also a campus tour ambassador, a Welcome Week volunteer, a varsity athlete with the STU Tommies Cross Country team, and a tutor with the STU Writing Centre.

“STU is a special place. There are not many liberal arts institutions which have such a strong focus on community building and student involvement,” he said.

“This has been inspiring and has shown me that STU students are capable of amazing things.”

Nylen’s experience with the liberal arts has given him the ability and confidence to engage in challenging discussions and debates and has exposed him to high-quality research. The supportive learning environment has allowed him to take intellectual risks, which will be invaluable as he begins his studies at Oxford.

Nylen is the fifth St. Thomas student to be named a Rhodes Scholar since 2003. • Winter 2023

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Campus Watch

“Choose Kindness and Generosity“

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STU Celebrates Summer Convocation

arla Saunders wants her fellow graduates to face life’s challenges with curiosity, kindness, and generosity.

In her valedictory address at Summer Convocation, she spoke to the more than 100 graduates who were receiving their bachelor’s degrees in applied arts, arts, and education, and their master’s degrees in social work about the importance of staying open to new possibilities—even when they seem

challenging or scary.

“Change and challenging experiences can teach us what we’re capable of. If we can stay curious and engaged, they can help us to push ourselves farther than we thought we could go and grow in ways that we never expected,” said the Miramichi, NB, native who received her Bachelor of Education.

Saunders was also awarded the University Medal for Academic Excellence in Education.

The Hon. David Adams Richards—awardwinning author, Canadian Senator, and STU alumnus—was the guest speaker at Convocation. He spoke to the graduates about the importance of compassion and empathy in the classroom and society.

“Empathy is the one thing I ask you to take forward into the future. Every lesson will be ennobled by it, and no lesson is ever worthy without it.” •

”A Transformative Experience” – Tessa Burns, MSW ’22, Reflects on the Master of Social Work Program

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essa Burns crossed the stage as one of the first graduates from the Master of Social Work program at Summer Convocation.

Her mother, Carla Gregan-Burns, had a similar experience 40 years ago when she became one of STU’s first Bachelor of Social Work graduates.

“It’s been incredibly special for us to share a passion for this line of work and the values that guide our practice as social workers,” Burns said. “Being one of the first graduates of STU’s Master of Social Work program is a privilege.”

Burns completed her Bachelor of Social Work at STU in 2016. After spending six years in the field, she was eager to return to the classroom and build on her knowledge and professional experience.

“While the Bachelor of Social Work prepared me to become a social worker, the Master of Social Work provided me with an opportunity to critically reflect on my social work practice and build on that foundation to advance my skills.” •

The first cohort of the Master of Social Work program graduated at Summer Convocation

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St. Thomas University | Connections

Convocation

New Major and Certificate in Digital Arts

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t. Thomas University is offering two new programs: a Major in Digital Media and Creative Arts and a Certificate in Digital and Media Literacy.

The Digital Media and Creative Arts program explores the relationship between digital media, the arts, and society, and involves the examination of digital media and the creation of digital arts. Students will have hands-on learning opportunities including internships, access to video, audio, and editing equipment.

“This major is for students who are contemplating a career in the digital creative industries, ranging from mobile journalism, podcasting and video game design to digital music production and multimedia installations and performances,” said Dr. André Loiselle, Dean of Humanities.

The new Certificate in Digital and Media Literacy combines courses in digital and media literacy with workshops and experiential learning to give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and apply conceptual understanding in real-world settings. •

STU GED Tutoring Program Changing Lives of Fredericton Unhoused

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TU Campus Ministry, in partnership with the Fredericton Public Library, is providing one-on-one tutoring sessions to Fredericton unhoused individuals and the general public to help them acquire their General Education Development (GED) diploma.

Ethan Nylen, a fourth year STUdent, is leading and coordinating the program, which is being funded by the Canadian Catholic Ministry Grant.

Nylen and former Campus Minister Dr. Vivien Zelazny met with Warren Maddox, Executive Director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc, who identified a need for

residents to complete their GED and find sustainable employment.

“This seemed like a practical need STU was well equipped to serve as we have many bright students with good study habits,” Nylen said.

STU Campus Minister Claire Morrison stressed the importance of embracing new challenges through volunteering opportunities, which is a core component of STU’s education model.

“Volunteering helps us grow in compassion, which is an education beyond the classroom,” she said. •

Winter 2023

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Campus Watch

‘Launch Your Future’ Interns Make an Impact

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he Office of Experiential Learning and Career Development’s Launch Your Future Internship program gave students the opportunity to earn professional experience, clarify career goals, and develop transferable skills. The program, which was made possible by RBC Future Launch, allowed students to propose their own internship placement with an employer of their choice anywhere in Atlantic Canada. Each student was awarded $9,000 to cover full-time wages for a 14-week period, as well as help with housing and travel.

“I really enjoyed that this program was focused on your career goals. It prioritized what you were studying or what you are interested in doing after school.”

— Rachelle Wilby, who worked with the Crime Prevention Association of New Brunswick.

“I created a 6-week program, with activities ranging from resume and cover letter workshops, university visits, financial literacy workshops, food handling—all skills that can strengthen their resume before they start university.”

— Minahil Fatima, who worked with immigrant and refugee youth at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton.

“I really enjoyed my placement. I love the people, I love the connections that I’ve made, and it also has helped me clarify where I’m going next.”

— Pablo Costa, who worked with the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.

“My internship allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of chronic illness on children, as well as learn important skills such as problem-solving, communication, and creative thinking.”

— Emily Bessey, who worked as the Child Life Programming intern with Camp Triumph in PEI. •

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St. Thomas University | Connections

Four STUdents named FutureNB and FutureWabanaki Award Winners

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TUdents Chanté Laverlot, Jazna Ward, Juliane Martin and Noah Deas have been selected as FutureNB and FutureWabanaki Student Excellence Award recipients.

The awards are given on an individual basis to students in New Brunswick who have demonstrated excellence in experiential learning through their university.

“My internship made me want to participate more within the Fredericton community and the community at STU. The new things I learned and skills I gained will continue to be with me throughout my life.”

— Chanté Laverlot, who interned at The Ville Cooperative

“It was a very enriching and rewarding experience. I was able to harness multiple tools while I did my internship, including running a website, handling all social media posts, and managing communications between our director and other organizations. I was able to do it under Indigenous supervision which gave me a lot of confidence.”

— Jazna Ward, who interned with the Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick

“My internship enhanced my experience at STU, giving me confidence in my communication skills. It has also helped me to be a more thoughtful person and has taught me more independence.”

— Juliane Martin, who interned with the John Howard Society of Fredericton

“My internship placement helped to put the various skills and lessons I’ve learned during my degree so far to practice in a supportive environment. My experience during my internship has made me a better student, leader, and artist.”

— Noah Deas, who interned with Solo Chicken Productions •

Orange Shirt Day at STU

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TU commemorated Orange Shirt Day on September 29 as campus was closed on September 30 to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students, faculty, and staff wore orange in support of survivors and those who were lost to the residential school system. Ceremonies and activities were organized to encourage the campus community to reflect on the painful legacy of residential schools in Canada. •

Enactus STU Attends National Conference

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embers of Enactus STU had the opportunity to network with students from across the country, exchange ideas, and share their projects at the Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto.

Enactus is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. The National Exposition was the first in-person event for the STU group since the beginning of the pandemic.

Isabella Mehlitz, a fourth-year STUdent from Fredericton and co-president of Enactus STU, said the event highlighted the importance of addressing issues from the social sciences and humanities perspective.

“People thought it was odd that we were from a small liberal arts school, in a very business-oriented environment. But we broke that stereotype and I’m very proud of that,” she said.

“A liberal arts education, in addition to Enactus, has helped me develop a strong sense of social responsibility and transferable intellectual and practical skills that I can use in real-world settings.” •

STU Cares Day of Action

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ach year, STUdents have the opportunity to participate in the STU Cares Day of Action—a day that provides a meaningful way for students to learn about the work of local community organizations through hands-on volunteer experience.

“There are so many great ways in which you can get involved in Fredericton that deciding where to help is slightly overwhelming.

STU Cares allowed me to learn about what makes the community so unique and meet new students,” said Grace Beaulieu, a third-year STUdent from Maine.

This year, students volunteered at the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Ability NB, Habitat for Humanity, Fredericton Community Kitchens, and Hayes Urban Teaching Farm. •

Winter 2023

19

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ourth-year STUdents Elisha Gunaratnam and Julia Evans recently attended the Human Rights Research and Education Centre conference ‘Our Charter, Our Rights: The Charter at 40’ at the University of Ottawa.

Gunaratnam presented her research findings on the implementation of international human rights obligations in New Brunswick, specifically regarding the United Nations’ recommendations for human rights training for police.

Evans attended the conference as part of her honours thesis research on Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which deals with what the Charter applies to and the limits to its application. •

STUdents Attend Human Rights Research and Education Centre Conference

STUdent Chloé Doiron on International Exchange in Sweden

road) b a g n i udy “(By st eated more r I have c s, made more ed ie v memor friends, and li I lifelong eriences than e l xp more e ght imaginab u ever tho ch a short su within f time.” o period

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St. Thomas University | Connections

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TUdent Chloé Doiron fulfilled her dream of studying abroad last semester.

The third year French and Psychology student went on exchange at Örebro University in Sweden where she took courses in Intimate Partner Violence, Health Psychology, Child-Parent Relationships in Society & Families, and Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence.

“Choosing to study abroad was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Doiron said. “I have created more memories, made more lifelong friends, and lived more experiences than I ever thought imaginable within such a short period of time.”

Doiron’s professors in Sweden have encouraged her to travel during her exchange, which has helped her learn about other cultures. She has travelled within Sweden and has visited France, Norway, England, Hungary, and Switzerland. Doiron plans to visit Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Poland before the end of her semester abroad.

“The highlight of my exchange so far would be taking part in an organized trip to Norway.

Not only is Norway breathtaking but being able to explore it with other international students made it even better! We went hiking, cruised in the fjords and visited beautiful little towns and cities,” she said. •

Campus Watch

The Cor Lecture nell Series

Lectures at STU T Dr. Cindy Blackstock spoke about the importance of engaging people in learning about the diverse history of First Nations to prepare them to implement the TRC’s calls to action and create an equitable future for all children as part of the inaugural Chancellor’s Lecture Series on Indigenous Issues. •

Dr. Oddgeir Synnes spoke about his longstanding experience using creative writing among older adults, including those in palliative care and dementia care, during the Creamer Memorial Lecture. •

he Cor nell Le ctur named after ST e Series was Up Christin e Corne rofessor Dr. away in ll who p 2021. Th assed is lectur scholar e and th ship in her nam e and ind e are fit ications t in g o tributes f the hi she was gh rega held by r d her colle in whic and by h agues, s the Un tudents iversity .•

Dr. Michelle Greason spoke about “Narrative Engagement in Social and Health Care,” as part of the annual John McKendy Memorial Lecture on Narrative. •

This year’s Endowed Chair in Criminology and Criminal Justice Lecture discussed “Defunding the Police: A Slogan or a Vision and a Way Forward?” The event, hosted in collaboration with the New Brunswick Black Artists Alliance, included a lecture by Dr. Sulaimon Giwa, a presentation by Dr. El Jones on her new book Abolitionist Intimacies, and a presentation from poet and author Thandiwe McCarthy. •

Dr. Mary Townsend spoke about “Aporia on the Woman Question in Plato’s Republic,” as part of the Cornell Great Books Lecture. • Dr. Wendy Wong spoke about the challenges digital technology poses to the realization of human rights, during the Vigod Memorial Lecture in Human Rights. •

Winter 2023

21

Deans’ List

Campus Watch

St. Thomas University Honours 363 Students to Deans’ List for 2021-2022

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hree hundred and sixty-three students at St. Thomas University have been named to the Deans’ List for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The Deans’ List honours full-time students in Arts and Social Work who achieved a grade point average of 3.7 or better on a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Patricia Forestell, a fourth-year English Language and Literature Honours STUdent from Fredericton, said support from the STU community facilitated both her academic success and personal growth.

“The incredible community here has shaped me into who I am. I have been so lucky to make lifelong friends during my time here, who have helped me grow into the person I am proud to be today.”

Keegan Burns, a third-year History Honours STUdent from New Maryland, didn’t think attaining the Deans’ List was possible, but the learning environment at STU inspired him to push himself academically.

“I’ve found a variety of courses offered at STU that I find deeply fascinating and critically challenging, which in turn has allowed me to practice better educational habits,” he said.

He’s also benefitted from the small class sizes and individualized attention from professors.

“I also owe much of my success to the professors at STU who have consistently found ways to keep myself and other students engaged, while offering valuable insight and one-on-one advancement outside the classroom.” •

Patricia Forestell Keegan Burns

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St. Thomas University | Connections

STU Hosted 2022 Indigenous Film Festival

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he 2022 St. Thomas University Indigenous Film Festival took place from October 28-30. This year’s festival included the feature films Wildhood by Bretten Hannam, The Ice Walk

by Eliza Knockwood, and Blood Quantum

by Jeff Barnaby.

The festival also included short films by Natalie and Carr Sappier, Tara Audibert, Asha Bear, Brandon Mitchell, Desmond Simon, Mélanie Briere, Corrina Merasty, Cathy Martin, Natalie Clifford, Jennie Williams and Kennlin Barlow.

The Indigenous Film Festival is a threeday event that showcases Indigenous filmmakers and is hosted by the Senate Committee on Reconciliation. •

Faculty News I

n October, the official portrait of former Lieutenant Governor the Hon. Graydon Nicholas, STU Chancellor and Endowed Chair in Native Studies, was unveiled at the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. The portrait was painted by Wolastoqiyik artist Natalie Sappier. Nicholas was Lieutenant Governor from 2009-2014.

Nicholas is also being honoured with the Christian Culture Series Gold Medal by Assumption University in Windsor, ON. This prestigious award recognizes laypeople for their efforts in contributing to “Christian ideals” in modern society. Past recipients include Marshall McLuhan and former Governor General, the Hon. Michaëlle Jean.

The Unfinished Melody, a documentary directed by and starring STU Fine Arts professor Dr. Martin Kutnowski, was selected for the 2022 Silver Wave Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of an ensemble of classical musicians from New Brunswick going on a concert tour to Latin America in September 2019, not knowing that the pandemic is about to hit.

English professor Dr. Stewart Donovan was one of the poetry judges for the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Awards.

“Having spent over 40 years writing, editing and teaching poetry, I knew (or knew of ) many of the poets who had submitted their work.

And I believe —without any exaggeration— that the overall quality of the poetry was very high indeed, and our country can feel proud that this kind of writing is flourishing in the age of TikTok.” He and the other judges read 188 books of poetry before selecting the winner, Annick MacAskill. •

Research at a Glance Dr. Julien Defraeye received a SSHRC Insight Development Grant of $32,985 for his project entitled “Entre l’homme et la bête: éthique et esthétique dans le récit de chasse Québécois contemporain.”

Dr. Matt Dinan received a SSHRC Insight Development Grant of $35,516 for his project entitled “Kierkegaard’s Socratic Political Philosophy.”

Dr. Arielle Dylan and Dr. Clive Baldwin received a SSHRC Connection Grant of $24,780 to organize a conference on the topic “Social Work

and Spirituality: Interfaith Forum to Address Current and Future Challenges.”

Dr. Gül Çalışkan along with UNB co-applicant Dr. Sophie Lavoie received a SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant of $24,975 for their project entitled “Community-Building Through Storytelling: Amplifying Fredericton’s Promise of Home.”

Dr. Tyler Bancroft received a New Brunswick Health Research Foundation Grant of $44,799 for his project entitled “Establishing a New Brunswick Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Laboratory.” •

Book Launches and Research Celebrations Dr. Jamie Gillies (Communications and Public Policy), Political Marketing in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Palgrave MacMillan) Dr. Grant Williams (School of Education), “The House That STEM Built” (web-based video series and educational materials)

Dr. Robin Vose (History), The Index of Prohibited Books: Four Centuries of Struggle over Word and Image for the Greater Glory of God (University of Chicago Press) The Gatherings: Reimagining IndigenousSettler Relations (University of Toronto Press) by Shirley N. Hager and Mawopiyane..

One of the coauthors of the book is St. Thomas University’s Elder-inResidence Miigam’agan. • Winter 2023

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1960s

New & Noteworthy

Doug Underhill (BA’68 BEd’69) published his 14th book, The Donnie Grant Story AGAINST THE ODDS.

1970s

The Canadian War Museum has accepted one of David Whittaker’s (BA’75) paintings in its archives. David has been a graphic designer for over 40 years now (Whittaker Design.com) and also has a fine art studio.

Elder David Gerard Perley (BA’76) and his wife Elder Imelda Mary Perley were named to the Order of Canada for their work as renowned educators and knowledge keepers who have contributed to the academic and cultural landscapes of their province.

Peter Pacey (BEd’75) received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Fredericton at the Arts Achievement Award reception this summer. Peter is the founder of the long standing Calithumpians Tour & Theatre Company. He has had a varied career as an educator, performer and heritage interpreter.

He is also a writer and producer, co-author of Building Capital, a guide to Fredericton’s Historic Landmarks.

1980s

Ron Gaudet (BA’83, BEd’84) is married to his wife Joanne and has two daughters, Jenna and Natalie. He is currently the Principal at Gaudet and Associates and Vice Chair of the Economic Developers Association of Canada. He is a Past CEO of Economic Development Greater Saint John, CEO of Economic Development Windsor Essex, ON, and Past CEO of Economic Development Greater Moncton. During his career, he has been honoured with many awards including Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Canadian Economic Developer of the Year, and Top 50 Atlantic Canadian CEOs. He is a past board member at STU. On his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and gardening.

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St. Thomas University | Connections

News from classmates and friends around the world

Susan McCarthy (BA’84) retired after 34 years with Correctional Service of Canada. She has been married for 31 years and has two adult children.

Michael White (BA’85, BEd’86) is a retired teacher from the Toronto Catholic District School Board, where he worked for 35 years.

He is married, has two daughters and lives in Oakville, Ontario.

Michael Comeau, K.C. (BA’89) was appointed Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Justice and Public Safety for New Brunswick.

1990s

Michael Lavigne (BA’91) married Cheryl Hurley (BA’90, BED’92) in 1992 and then moved to British Columbia. After a 30 year career in Education, Cheryl is currently the owner of Follaine Counselling Therapy and Michael is President and CEO of a Panasonic company.

They have four daughters: Keara, Keillan, Ariana and Anika.

After graduating from STU, Jamie Price (BA’94) received a BEd from UNB and then moved to Toronto, and taught for 21 years. He is now Vice Principal.

In 1998, Bertha (Diotte) Fairley (BA’95, BEd’96) and her husband moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta to pursue their careers. When they moved, their twins were twelve years old. For the majority of her career in Alberta, she worked for the local community college. On September 30, she retired. As the Dean in the School of Continuing Education at Keyano College, she feels she has accomplished her career goals and is now looking forward to the new chapter in her life. Their plan is to return to NB and travel to Fort McMurray regularly to visit with their children and enjoy their seven grandchildren.

Melanie (MacPherson) Kells (BEd’96) has been an International Science teacher since 1997.

She has lived in United Arab Emirates, Korea, China, India, Jamaica, Hong Kong, and Latvia.

She is married and has two children and spends her summers on PEI with her family.

Shawn Carter (BA’96) has been a North American Integration Architect at IBM for 22 years.

Steven Hinkley (BA’97) was appointed a Judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta on May 4, 2022.

Darci Arch (BA’99) taught English as a Second Language in Gwangju, Cheollanamdo, Republic of Korea. She worked in Child Protection in Northeastern Alberta. She also worked in addictions counselling in Northeastern Alberta and has worked in various retail stores. She presently works in GNB’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure and lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Colin Wetmore (BA’99) is married and has an eight-year-old daughter. He is working as a Canadian Foreign Service Officer, currently serving at the Canadian High Commission in India. His previous postings were in Korea and Indonesia.

2000s

Bette (Capen) Miles (BA’00) just retired after

35 years of teaching.

Margaret (Peggy) McEachreon (BA’02) is married. She started a new career with WorkSafe NB as a Policy Analyst in August 2022.

Mary Jane Brawn (BA’02) worked overseas from 2004-2007. She then taught for Halton School Board in Ontario. She is now with Anglophone North School Board in New Brunswick.

Kris McIllwraith (BA’02) is a Senior Manager at Rogers Sports & Media.

Paul MacDonald (BA’02) owns an English school in South Korea and is also a professor of English Education at Wonkwang University. He finished a PhD in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages a couple of years ago, and he and his wife spend time between Newfoundland and Korea.

Maureen Batt (BA’03) and Grej won an East Coast Music Award for Classical Recording of the Year.

Miguel LeBlanc (BSW’03) has been selected by the Association of Social Work Boards to receive the 2022 Glenda McDonald Board Administrator Award for Outstanding Commitment to Social Work Regulatory Board Service. LeBlanc has been employed as executive director of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers for more than 15 years. During that time, he has helped social work students gain an understanding of ethical social work practice and encouraged faculty members of universities in New Brunswick to become registered members with NBASW. He also was instrumental in leading the association’s formal process for handling complaints against members, including development of a mediation process to resolve complaints.

Crystal (MacFarlane) Cernivz (BA’04, BEd’05) a former standout for the women’s volleyball team, was inducted into the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s (CCAA) Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding four-year career with the Tommies.

Melissa (Wilson) Wright (BA’04, BEd’05) is a teacher at Kennebecasis Valley High School and was recently inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame. Melissa is the first Canadian educator to be inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame since its inception in 1998. This honour is presented to educators who demonstrate exceptional leadership by improving the school’s climate and culture, which is tied to improvements in academic achievement among all students at their respective schools.

Andrew Sim (BA’06) is the Director of Sales for Sobeys Wholesale.

After STU, Mélissa Cormier (BA’08) entered the world of non-profit organizations where she honed her communications and marketing skills.

She is currently the Marketing Director for Le Pays de la Sagouine,, one of New Brunswick’s largest tourist attractions.

Alexandra Earle-Lambert (BA’08) is a clinical social worker and owns a private practice (with two colleagues) in Lunenburg, NS. Mitchell LaPointe (BA’08) is married with two daughters. After completing MSc and PhD degrees, he is happy to be back in NB as a faculty member in the Psychology Department at Mount Allison University.

Lee-Anne Lavell (BSW’09) is a Youth Internship Manager with a nonprofit organization.

Fraser MacAlpine (BA’09) married Dr. Cynthia Mancinelli on June 4, 2022 in Montreal. Fraser and Cynthia currently reside in Kingston, Ontario. Fraser graduated with a major in criminology and currently works as a Correctional Officer for the Province of Ontario.

Morgan (Roherty) Mitchell (BA’09) obtained her CA degree after graduating from STU in 2009 and is currently a Financial Specialist at NB Power. She married her husband, Chris, in 2017 and welcomed their first daughter together, Macy, in 2021.

Following her BA, Shawndra (Dunn) Thompson (BA’09) obtained a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at UNBSJ. She is currently the Director of Nursing at a local Nursing Home. She is married with three children.

2010s

Alicia (Yvonne) Pate (BA’11) recently got married (June 2022–after postponing three times due to COVID!). She has two sons:

Harrison (4) and Sullivan (1) and works at the University of New Brunswick.

Crystal Cline (BA’11) completed a Master of Arts at Memorial University. She moved to Houston, Texas and is a stay-at-home mom.

Robert Johnson (BA’13) opened an indoor mini putt in Fredericton in December! Good Guys Golf houses a 10-hole mini putt course complete with a bar, birthday party room, golf simulator, and arcade machines.

Meredith (Gillis) Kerr (BA’13) started working on a Certificate in Creative Writing through the University of Calgary’s School of Continuing Education while on maternity leave with baby #2 during the pandemic. She hopes to have it finished by the end of 2023. She and her husband Jordan now have three daughters: Rebecca (5), Elizabeth (3), and Christina (1).

She recently returned to work part-time and made the jump from the newsroom to print and digital ad sales at Lakeland This Week.

Winter 2023

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New & Noteworthy Kevin Stewart (BA’13) and his wife Jen have opened counselling therapists.

First Light Distillery in Hanwell, NB, where they produce signature gins, cream liqueurs, vodka and rum. After graduating from STU, Andrea Guevara Colindres (BA’17) worked with the human rights commission Ross Kinney (BA’14) co-edited a book published by in Honduras. After one year, she returned to Canada Chapel Street Editions about a New Brunswick writer and worked as a graduate program officer at UNB. and journalist, titled Walks with a Three-Legged Cat. She finished her master’s degree (MPA) at DePaul Ross works at the Legislature. He has been named university and was able to secure a job at Fisheries and Volunteer of the Year by Diabetes Canada multiple Oceans Canada right before graduation. Her current times, and was the #1 fundraiser in Canada for the role involves being a Financial Analyst. She has a son, 100th anniversary of the discovery of Insulin in 2021. Matteo, who is four years old.

Cedric Noel (BA’14) was nominated for the Polaris Prize Long List for his album Hang Time.

Elizabeth Strange (BA’14) is working in politics as an Operations and Correspondence Officer for the Official Opposition caucus in Alberta.

Anika Young (BA’14) is a Clinical Social Worker who is working with veterans.

Abby (Clarke) Moore, (BA’18, BSW’20) a former starting goaltender for the women’s hockey team, was named a Hockey Canada BFL Female Coach of the Year for her leadership and dedication as bench boss of the U18 AAA TNT Reds.

Anatasha (McIntosh) Lyons (Certificate in Native Immersion Education ’18) is an Education Language Coordinator at Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc.

2020s

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Right after graduation in May Zachary Greer (BA’16) has won the 2022 Jane LeBlanc 2020, Wasiimah Joomun Music Composer Award. Greer is a New Brunswick(BA’20) started her role as Executive Director for the based composer for film, television, and advertising.

New Brunswick Student Alliance until April 2022.

In March 2022, she moved to Ottawa and started Yilin (Catrina) Ren (BA’16) worked at Western her current job at the Canadian Alliance of Student University as the International Recruitment Officer Associations as their Member Relations Officer. after graduation. She then started a part-time MEd program at the University of Toronto last year and Maria Caicedo (BA’21) moved to Toronto a year ago will be finishing it next year. She currently works and started working at a fast-growing start-up as one of as the Director of International Recruitment and the first members of their sales team so she is helping Partnerships at Wesleyan College in the USA. shape the sales strategy.

H. Isabelle Agnew (BA’17) started working as a Dylan Corbett (BA’22) recently started his first year of Communications Officer for the NBASW in 2018, a Master of Arts in European, Russian and Eurasian and also began a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) part-time online that fall. She is now Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. His the Library Director at the Dre-Marguerite-Michaud graduate research is focused primarily on the Balkan region, with a particular focus on Italian irredentism in Library in Fredericton, NB. Her daughter was also 1940s Croatia and what that can tell us about modern born in July 2020, smack dab in the middle of the examples of irredentism. He is also focusing more pandemic. generally on Balkan defence and security matters past, present and future.

Kelsey (Hartlen) Daley (BA’17) is a Health Services Portfolio Manager with Workers’ Compensation Megan Gibson (BA’22) is currently enrolled as a Board in Nova Scotia. She is responsible for managing its traumatic psychological injury program, Master of Arts in International Affairs candidate at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at permanent impairment assessments, medical Carleton University where she is specializing in Health, advisors, psychologists, social workers and registered Human Displacement and Humanitarian Policy.

St. Thomas University | Connections

In Memoriam We extend condolences to the family and friends of the following alumni and friends who passed away recently:

Dale MacMullin, BA’93 November 11, 2020

A. Neil McNally, BA’71 April 27, 2021

Becky Thompson, BSW’98 June 12, 2022

Maureen Bonnell, BA’66 BEd’67 June 13, 2022

Richard Mockler, BA’51 June 18, 2022

Evan Walsh, BA’12 July 3, 2022

Ed Welch, Former Women’s Volleyball Coach July 5, 2022

G. Patrick Gorman, K.C., BA’63 July 23, 2022

PJ Veniot, BA’77 July 25, 2022

Donnie Ross, BA’64 BEd’67 September 1, 2022

Malcolm Miller, Former Faculty Member September 21, 2022

Paul Penney, BSW’82 September 26, 2022

Heather MacDonald-Bossé, BA’82 BEd’83 October 30, 2022

Madelyn Ramier, BA’99 November 4, 2022

Walter Vail, BA’71 November 6, 2022

Sherrie Noble, BSW’89 November 15, 2022

Ludovic Joseph Manuel, BA’66 November 26, 2022

Be Part of the Future

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STUdents are asking for your perspective.

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Connects, a networking platform

506-452-2140

Securities | You can give publicly-listed securities such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds to St. Thomas University through your estate. A donation of securities is a great way to make a significant difference to our students and university. The elimination of the capital gains tax on gifts of securities may create a considerable tax advantage for you.

that matches alumni with

planned giving

Bequest | Consider leaving a Bequest for St. Thomas in your Will. You can either determine a set amount, leave a percentage or the remainder of your estate to St. Thomas University once all other bequests and expenses have been paid.

Beneficiary Designation | You can name St. Thomas University as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, life insurance or insurance annuity assets.

If you have been thinking about including St. Thomas in your plans for the future, please contact Dionne Izzard at dizzard@stu.ca or 506-452-2140.

students and recent grads for

career inspiring conversations, either online or in person.

All you have to do is meet a

student virtually once a month.

Chat on the phone or exchange emails. Answer their questions, share your experience and provide insight.

Join today:

stu.ca/stuconnects/alumni

stu.ca/stuconnects/alumni

Planning for the future is a key part of ensuring the people you love and the institutions you hold dear are part of your legacy. Leaving a planned gift is an easy way to declare your commitment to St. Thomas and to safeguard the future of its students.

Imagine knowing that your connection to St. Thomas will serve as a catalyst and motivation for future learners. Many students, every year, benefit from the thoughtfulness and planning of those who have chosen to make St. Thomas part of their legacy.

Winter 2023

27

An exciting benefit for you as a St. Thomas University alumni.

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TD Term Life Insurance is an individual life insurance plan underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. Not available to residents province of Quebec. restrictions may by SECURITY The of TD the Insurance Meloche Monnex Some program is underwritten INSURANCE COMPANY. It is distributed

by Meloche Monnex Insurance apply. NATIONAL See Insurance Policy for coverage details, including and Financial Services, The Inc. 5% in Québec, Melocheis Monnex Financial Services limitations and exclusions. premiumbysavings available Inc. inapplicants Ontario, andwho

by TD Insurance Inc. in the rest of Canada. Our to eligible apply for aDirect newAgency TD 10-Year or 20address: 50 Place Crémazie, 12th Floor, Montréal, Québec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial Year Term Life Insurance policy.

This offer cannot be combined legislation, our car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British with any otherManitoba offer and is subject toWide change or Solution® may be travel insurance Columbia, or Saskatchewan.

Horizons withdrawn at any time. ® The TD Insurance logo andInc. other are by Royal & Sun is administered

by RSA Travel andtrademarks is underwritten AllianceofInsurance Company of Canada. and claims assistance, claims the property The Toronto-Dominion Bank orMedical its subsidiaries. payment and administrative services are provided by the administrator described in the insurance policies. All trade-marks are the property of their respective owners. ® The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of 960-23307-3534_LifeAndHealth The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40015079