Happy New Year fellow Xaverians!

On this, the final day of 2012, we hope that you and yours have a joyous, healthy and prosperous 2013. The last year has been rather eventful for the Xaverian family, and your chapter leaders look to many more great things to come.

Here are some of the things your team is working on for 2013:

• Family Alumni community outreach event(s). One of the pillars of StFX is community stewardship. With a number of alumni involved in organizations such as L'Arche and the United Way, we'd like to plan a family alumni event that's about giving back to our community. The intent would be to organize an event to which alumni and their families could donate time and effort in a safe manner, while at the same time, raising the chapter's profile within the city. If you have any ideas or experiences, please contact the chapter (calgarychapter@stfx.ca).
  
• Hall of Honour Calgary selection committee. With 1300+ alumni in the Calgary area and counting, we'd like to ensure that the great work of some of our local alumni is recognized in the StFX Alumni Association Hall of Honour. We'd like this selection committee to If you can spare a few hours in April to this cause, please contact the chapter (calgarychapter@stfx.ca).
  
• Volunteer database. Our events are getting more involved and we'll need more people to help us set them up, run them and take them down. If you are interested in being one of our event volunteers, please contact the chapter (calgarychapter@stfx.ca) with ways we can get in touch with you when the need arises.
  
• Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary. The Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary is awarded by the Calgary chapter to a deserving first-year student based on academic proficiency, community stewardship and athletic involvement (not necessarily in that order). Leone was a driving force for StFX while she lived and worked in Calgary and we thought of no better way of honouring her legacy than by offering this bursary. We are currently in talks with university officials to allow you to get tax receipts for your donation to the bursary. In addition, when students contact you as part of the Annual Giving campaign, you can put your donation directly to the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary!
  
• Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship. The Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship is a prestigious, multi-year scholarship awarded to a deserving first-year student at StFX. The amount of the scholarship has grown over the years to keep up with the cost of inflation, and often helps cover the cost of tuition and residence life. With our new 'home' on the internet now firmly established, we will make application forms and news about the Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship available online in an easy-to-find location.

There's lots of ways to stay in the loop on what's going on with the Calgary chapter.

• Register your current email address with the chapter (calgarychapter@stfx.ca).
• Join our group on Facebook: StFX Alumni Association - Calgary Chapter
• Follow our Twitter feed: @StFXCgyChapter
• Bookmark our new 'home' on the net: stfxcalgary.blogspot.com.

Hail and Health! And all the best in 2013!

Your Calgary chapter executives
Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Erin, Sarah, Jeff, Lexi, Mike

THANK YOU > StFX Day 2012

Thank you to everyone who was able to join the chapter team in celebrating the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier!

Mass at the Cathedral

An estimated 60 people celebrated the feast day of our patron saint at St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Calgary. Alumni of all ages filled the pews and listened to Fr. Bill Stephenson '57 preside over the Mass. Special thanks to Sue Robichaud for organizing the music ministry and to Fr. Greg Coupal, pastor of St. Mary's Cathedral, for giving our Mass a home, this year. In thanks, the chapter will be donating money to the St. Vincent de Paul society at St. Mary's, for showing such wonderful hospitality.

The wine & cheese reception

After Mass, most people came to the lower parish hall for some wine, cheese and other goodies. Special thanks to Jay Donlevy '92 and Phil Markovich '85 for helping organize the food and drink, and to StFX Alumni Affairs for the great giveaway prizes! Be sure to check your email for whether you won a prize!

Alumni StFX Day Pub Night

There was also an informal gathering of alumni at the nearby Rose & Crown. Thanks to Lexi Tedesco '09, Jeff Paddon '09 and Mike Brain '10 for hosting the estimated 25 people at our informal pub event. 

A shout out to Antigonish

Finally, a huge congratulations to this year's X-Ring recipients. We hope you enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance for the ceremony. After all, it's one of the defining moments of your StFX career. We hope you wear your ring proudly, just like the thousands of alumni who wear it proudly with you.

It was a pleasure meeting many of you at both events tonight. Pictures to come so stay tuned!

Hail and Health,

Oliver Munar '98
President, Calgary chapter
StFX Alumni Association

Happy StFX Day!

Come celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier with your extended Xaverian family in Calgary!

1. MASS will be celebrated at 7 pm at St. Mary's Cathedral (111-18 Avenue SW) in downtown Calgary. Fr. Bill Stephenson '57 will preside.
   
2. A wine and cheese RECEPTION will follow Mass in the lower parish hall at St. Mary's. For those who can't attend Mass, the reception will begin at 8 pm. We'll have some StFX swag to raffle off!
   
3. The chapter has reserved the upper landing at the Rose & Crown (1503 - 4 Street SW) for an ALUMNI PUB NIGHT. The reservation is from 830 pm until close.

This year's X-RING CEREMONY for the class of 2013 begins at 11 am Calgary time. Watch it live by visiting www.x-ring.ca.

Hope to see you sometime today! Happy StFX Day!

Your Calgary chapter executives,

Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Erin, Sarah, Jeff, Lexi and Mike.

REMINDER: Join the Calgary Chapter for StFX Day

December 3, the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier, is around the corner! The Calgary chapter is pleased to offer you the following events for you, your family and friends to celebrate with the Xaverian family, including the class of 2013 who will be getting their much-coveted X-rings!

1. MASS for the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier. Join Fr. Bill Stephenson '57 as he presides over Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral (111-18 Avenue SW). Mass begins at 7 pm.
   
2. StFX Day WINE & CHEESE. After Mass is concluded, join us in the basement parish hall of St. Mary's Cathedral (111-18 Avenue SW). The reception begins at 8 pm. We'll have some great StFX merchandise to auction off!
   
3. StFX Day PUB NIGHT. It may be a Monday night, but StFX Day is a day to celebrate! We have the upstairs landing at the Rose and Crown (1503-4 Street SW) starting at 8:30 pm, so people who go to the Mass and the Wine & Cheese can make it too.

All of the events are free of charge (although donations to the chapter are welcome). And speaking of welcome, if you'd like to volunteer, please drop the chapter a line!

See you on December 3!


Your Calgary chapter team,

Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Erin, Sarah, Jeff, Lexi and Mike

Mentors needed: StFX SAINT program

Only 30 days until December 3! Congratulations to the class of 2013 as you prepare for one of the defining moments of the StFX experience.

December 3 is always a special day in the Xaverian calendar. It is the feast day of our patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. As members of the Xaverian family, we'd like to remind you of a great opportunity for you to reach out to the class of 2013.

SAINT is an email-driven Career Mentoring Program. The program matches StFX students with alumni currently employed in the student's chosen field of study. Once matched, the student has an invaluable opportunity to ask questions, seek advice and guidance, glean the expertise of a seasoned professional and acquire knowledge that would otherwise go untapped.

For the Mentor, it is a great way to make a difference in the life of a student and stay in touch with the pulse of the campus.

Interested? Sign up today! Or visit the SAINT website for more information!

Death of Prof. Leo P. Chiasson (Biology)

The university community is saddened to learn of the death of Professor Leo P. Chiasson of the Department of Biology on October 30.

Dr. Chiasson attended StFX where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1938 and a Bachelor of Science degree in 1940. He studied at the University of Toronto where he completed a doctoral degree in Biology in 1944. Later that year he began a long and distinguished career as professor of Biology and head of the Biology department at St FX.

“Leo P.” served on numerous University committees and the Board of Governors and played a lead role in the planning and construction of the J. Bruce Brown Hall. In 1987 Dr. Chiasson received an honorary degree from StFX.

“Leo P.” had five children, two of whom graduated from StFX. A granddaughter is currently a student at StFX.

“Leo P.” was very active in the community on school boards, the St. Ninian’s Parish, the Knights of Columbus, St Martha’s Hospital Board and the Nova Scotia and Canadian Hospital Associations.

The funeral Mass will be held Monday, November 5th at 10:30 am in St. Ninian Cathedral.  Burial will be in St. Ninian’s Cemetery. A reception will follow at McKenna Centre.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Leo P. Chiasson Endowment Fund at StFX. Our sincerest condolences to the Chiasson family during this difficult time.

A preview to the Alumni News

Hello fellow Xaverians!

The newest Alumni News is about to be issued but there's just so many great things to tell you about that we couldn't wait!

1. StFX National Dinner arrives in Calgary.
For the first time, the StFX National Dinner will be in Calgary. Join host Frank McKenna and emcee Amanda Lang at the TELUS Convention Centre on Tuesday, October 23. Our special keynote speaker is the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney. More than 500 senior government and business leaders are expected to join us. This is definitely an event you won't want to miss! Read more.
2. Alumni Engagement Program begins.StFX students are calling all alumni to make sure that your contact information is current. If you get a call from a 902 area code, please pick up! So many people come in and out of the Calgary area and we want to make sure you can be contacted for events such as the StFX National Dinner or other big events. You can also take the opportunity to pledge financial support to StFX as part of the Annual Giving campaign. Monies can go to a direct fund or specific areas of the university: scholarships and bursaries such as the Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship or programs such as StFX Athletics or given academic programs.
3. StFX launches comprehensive athletics leadership academy.It's a first in Canada, and its potential is significant. StFX is the first university in Canada to launch a comprehensive athletics leadership academy, partnering with worldwide leader in sports leadership development, the Janssen Sport Leadership Centre, to offer a formal leadership program on campus. The StFX Athletics Leadership Academy launched in October with 54 student-athlete participants, representing all varsity sports. It will run throughout the academic year. Read more.
   
4. Calgary's Cole Grbavac the newest recipient of the Danny Gallivan Memorial Scholarship.
   The Danny Gallivan Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Canadian male and female varsity athletes who combine qualities of leadership with academic excellence. The award is currently valued up to $5000 per year and is renewable for up to four years as long as the recipient remains on the academic Dean's List. Hockey fans may recognize Cole as captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers last year. Congratulations Cole! Read more.
5. Calgary chapter names Cate Civitarese the newest recipient of the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary.Cate impressed the selection committee with her desire to pursue post-secondary education after taking a break after high school. In addition to her academic studies towards her undergraduate degree, Cate is also playing hockey for the X-Women. Congratulations Cate!

SAVE THE DATE: FEAST DAY OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER (03-DEC-12)

Aside from the StFX National Dinner on October 23, the next event on our chapter calendar is the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier on Monday, December 3! It's a great opportunity to connect and reconnect with fellow alumni as we celebrate the day of our patron saint. And for the first time in a while, our celebration DOESN'T conflict with parent-teacher interviews!

Please note the change in venue. The Mass will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral beginning at 7 pm. The reception will be in the lower parish hall, just to the west of the sanctuary, beginning at 8 pm.

We need volunteers. We are looking for volunteers for the Mass: music ministry, readers and a communion minister. We are also looking for volunteers to help with the wine-and-cheese reception to follow. And of course, we're open to gatherings after the formal reception. Contact the chapter with any help you may provide. A formal e-vite will be sent in the next few weeks!

Hail and Health,

The Calgary chapter execs

Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Erin, Sarah, Jeff and Mike

Alumni Pub Night: September 22, 2012

How does the saying go?

"I got a feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night..."

When it's a balmy 23C+ on a Saturday night in Calgary, you get not just a good night, but you get a great night.

An estimated 100+ StFX Alumni and friends filtered in and out of St. James Corner on Saturday, September 22, to enjoy a nice, casual pub night. With the Celtic/rock sounds of 'Fraid Knot on the stage, this pub night was a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, to network, and to relax.

A huge thanks to Lexi Tedesco for putting the event together. With the Hitmen season opener on the same night, the attendance was sparse to begin with, but quickly grew once the game was over. As if there were any doubt...

UPDATE: The latest on Dr. Riley

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am pleased to announce the return to work of Dr. Sean E. Riley, President and Vice Chancellor. Dr. Riley resumed his duties effective Monday September 10, 2012. The Board wishes to recognize and thank everyone for their contributions during Dr. Riley's absence. A special thanks to all members of the StFX senior administration team and in particular, to Dr. Mary McGillivray, Academic Vice President and Provost, for her leadership as Acting President.

Sincerely,

Hon. Frank McKenna
Chair of Board of Governors

StFX Alumni & Friends Pub Night - Sat, Sept 22

Book the babysitter...
Mark it on your calendar...
And for some - prep your liver...

All StFX Alumni and friends are invited to a night filled with fun and laughs at St. James Corner (1219 - 1 Street SW)!

'Fraid Knot (Calgary's own East Coast / Celtic Rock band) will be performing so there is sure to be some stomping, sing-a-longs and, of course, SOCIABLES!!!

• No cover
• Dress Code: Casual  (Retired StFX House / Pub Crawl shirts welcome)
• Drink Specials: $4.95 Caesars, $4.00 House Wine, $4.95 Stella Artois (16 oz and bottles)

See you there!

2012 Student Send-off

On Sunday, June 24, the Calgary chapter hosted its annual Student Send-off at the Mt. Pleasant Community Hall. About 90 people, including 25 new first-year students, shared pizza and conversation with local alumni and current StFX students before they head to Antigonish in the fall.

Some Calgary-area members of the StFX Class of 2016

There was definitely a lot of information shared that night: from how to order food in the Student Union Building (and avoid the wrath of Joyce) to life in residence to the new way to register for classes online. Special thanks to Megan Cameron '09 of StFX Recruitment for walking the students through the registration process and answering any questions about what students can expect over the course of the summer from the university.

Events like these don't come together overnight. A big thanks to Claire Barry '01 and Erin Lowe '05 for organizing most of the logistics for the event, particularly the hall and the food. Also a special thanks to our alumni volunteers for helping plan and put on the event for such a big crowd.

Finally, everyone who attended received an application for the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary. The deadline for the application is July 31. The recipient will be informed in August and the money hand-delivered in October at Homecoming 2012.

Have a great summer everyone!

Oliver Munar '98

President, Calgary chapter

Volunteers needed: Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship Committee

The Dr. Ed O'Connor Scholarship Committee needs your help.

The scholarship committee was founded by dedicated Calgary alumni in the 1970s to provide opportunities for Alberta based students to attend StFX. The scholarship has grown over the years where we are able to offer scholarships in the amount of $6500/year for four years.

Funding for the scholarship is raised through a charity casino licence. For the scholarship to earn its share of the casino proceeds, we have to provide volunteers to perform various duties under the supervision of casino employees and consultants. No experience is necessary; training and meals are provided on site.

Here are the shifts over the course of the two-day casino:

Location: Stampede Casino (421 12th Ave SE)

Day One: Friday August 24
Day Shift: 11:00 am to 7 pm Cashiers (2) Banker (1) Chiprunners (2)
Night Shift: 6:15 pm to 3 am Cashiers (2) Banker (1) Chiprunners (2)
Countroom: 10:00 pm to 3 am - Seven (7) people

Day Two: Saturday August 25Day Shift: 11:00 am to 7 pm Cashiers (2) Banker (1) Chiprunners (2)
Night Shift: 6:15 pm to 3 am Cashiers (2) Banker (1) Chiprunners (2)
Countroom: 10:00 pm to 3 am - Seven (7) people

If you are able to assist or know someone that can, please contact Dave Bernatchez via email (david.bernatchez@shaw.ca) or by calling 403-283-8261 and let him know what shift(s) you can fill.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and assistance.

Student Send-off 2012

SAVE THE DATE: Student Send-off 2012

The next Calgary chapter event is our annual Student Send-off. This year, the event is on Sunday, June 24 from 5 until 7 pm at the Mt. Pleasant Community Hall (602 - 22 Avenue NW).

Purpose

For those who are unfamiliar, the annual send-off is an opportunity for the local chapter to meet the newest members of the Xaverian family: the newest students to StFX and their families. We host a BBQ and allow the new students to mingle with local alumni and, more important, current StFX students.

Part of the program includes a visit from StFX Recruitment and Admissions. Parents generally have just as many questions about what to expect as their children do. So while the students can mingle with their peers, parents can ask questions of alumni and StFX Recruitment and Admissions. And everyone gets fed at the same time!

Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary

Also at the Send-off, the chapter has applications for the Leone Campbell Memorial Bursary. The bursary is awarded by the chapter for a deserving incoming StFX student based on academic proficiency, athletic involvement and community stewardship. An electronic version of the bursary application will be made available after the Send-off.

Spread the word

Invitations to students and their families will be sent in the coming weeks. The event is open for new StFX students and their families, as well as current StFX students. For further information, or to ensure you are on the list of invitees, please contact the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.

Thank you for coming to Family Lobster Boil 2012

Thank you to everyone who came to the Calgary chapter's Family Lobster Boil on Wednesday, May 16. I personally want to extend special thanks to our team of volunteers who helped put this event together.

• To our planning committee: Jay Donlevy, Phil Markovich, Claire Barry, Jeff Paddon and Mike Brain. Events like this don't happen overnight. This talented team of leaders planned every last detail of the evening, from the venue to who would supply what equipment and beyond.
  
• To our resident lobster expert Bill Ellsworth, who definitely showed that he's no slouch when it comes to lobster cooking for larger groups of people. His advice proved to be invaluable in getting the lobster cooked in a timely (and might I say delicious) manner.
  
• To our kitchen staff: Consuelo Munar, Oscar Munar, Phil Markovich, Mike Brain. Thank you for preparing the food and for ensuring the steady supply.
  
• To our bartenders: Tom Charuk and Heather Bannier. It's never easy to be a bartender for a group of StFX Alumni but you were both fantastic. And to Lexi Tedesco, Marlee Boyle and Jay Donlevy for handling liquor ticket and raffle ticket sales.
  
• To our special guests: Shawn Monahan, Tim Lang and Dr. Sean Riley, thank you for flying across the country to visit with us. Your presence definitely reminds us that with your leadership, our Xaverian legacy is well placed.
  
• To the various business partners, particularly the Mt. Pleasant Community Association, Great Events and Boyd's, for providing such wonderful service and helping us put the event together.
  
• And finally, to all of you for your continued support of the chapter. It's because of you that our chapter remains strong and vibrant. We definitely have to do this again sometime.

Our next event

The chapter's next event is the annual Student Send-off on Sunday, June 24. For those who are unfamiliar, the Student Send-off is a networking possibility for new first-year students to meet with university officials (from Recruitment) and current StFX students. Over dinner, the new students learn about what the first few days of campus life is like, how to register for classes, and generally what life is like in Antigonish. We can definitely use a few hands to help us out, so if you're interested, drop the chapter a line (calgarychapter@stfx.ca).

Hail and Health,

Oliver Munar '98

President, Calgary chapter

StFX Alumni Association

SOLD OUT: Family Lobster Boil 2012

Thank you!

We are officially sold out for the chapter's Family Lobster Boil 2012 with Dr. Sean Riley! That also means we will not be admitting people at the door because we had to order our food in advance.

Stay tuned to this website for more events offered by your Calgary chapter. Pictures of the event to follow. You can also join our group on Facebook (StFX Alumni Association - Calgary chapter) and follow us on Twitter (@StFXCgyChapter).

The Calgary chapter executives
Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Erin, Sarah, Jeff, Mike

Last chance for Lobster Boil tickets!

We have to get our final numbers in so we have enough lobster! If you haven't reserved your seat for Lobster Boil '12 yet, what are you waiting for?

WHO: StFX Alumni, current StFX students, friends of StFX
WHAT: Lobster Boil '12 with Dr. Sean Riley
WHEN: Wednesday, May 16 (Reception begins at 6:30, dinner begins at 7:00)
WHERE: Mt. Pleasant Community Hall (602 - 22 Avenue NW)

HOW TO RSVP: By credit card online (alumni.stfx.ca) or by cash/cheque (arrange via email, calgarychapter@stfx.ca)

See you there!

Tickets for Family Lobster Boil '12 are going quickly!

Only two weeks left until the Family Lobster Boil with Dr. Sean Riley!

Tickets are now $60 for alumni and guests, and $40 for current StFX students. There's also a deal if you get six or more tickets at a time.

In case you've forgotten, here are the details:

WHO: All Calgary-based StFX Alumni, family and friends; current StFX students
WHEN: Wednesday, May 16 from 6:30 pm - 10 pm
WHERE: Mt. Pleasant Community Hall (602 - 22 Avenue NW)
HOW TO RSVP: By credit card online (alumni.stfx.ca) or by cash/cheque (arrange via email, calgarychapter@stfx.ca)

See you there!

Got your tickets yet?

Tickets for the 2012 Family Lobster Boil with Dr. Riley are going quickly - probably because the ticket prices will be going up soon!

Tickets are $50 per person ($30 for a current StFX student) for only one more week! In case you've forgotten, here are the details:

WHO: All Calgary-based StFX Alumni, family and friends; current StFX students
WHEN: Wednesday, May 16 from 6:30 pm - 10 pm
WHERE: Mt. Pleasant Community Hall (602 - 22 Avenue NW)
HOW TO RSVP: By credit card online (alumni.stfx.ca) or by cash/cheque (arrange via email, calgarychapter@stfx.ca)

See you there!

Welcome to the Calgary chapter of the StFX Alumni Association!

Welcome to our new blog!


Not everyone is on Twitter or Facebook, so we decided to put up a web page that doesn't require any passwords or subscriptions to access the information. Stay tuned to this site for the latest information coming from the chapter, particularly with respect to coming events!

Send any feedback, comments or event ideas to the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca.