Chapter update: Student Send-off, Stampede Party and more

Hi everyone,

The Calgary chapter hosted its annual Student Send-off last night (Sunday, June 23). We had more than 100 people attending, including 24 new first-year students and their families, a smattering of current StFX students, Megan Cameron '09 of StFX Admissions and a smattering of alumni volunteers. It was a great event full of laughs, great food and excellent discussion. I'd like to personally thank the current StFX students who took time out of their busy schedule to help with the event. They add so much value by being able to relate a current StFX experience to the newest members of the Xaverian family. Also, thanks to our alumni volunteers who helped prepare the event: from securing the venue to getting the BBQ to buying the food and refreshments. Thank you for helping, despite the challenges our city is seeing.

Some of the new Calgary-and-area frosh who will be attending StFX in Fall 2013

Speaking of the flood, we've received a number of questions with respect to our Stampede Party, scheduled for Tuesday July 9th at Libertine Public House (4 pm start). The event is still a go! Tim Lang (StFX VP Advancement) and Shawn Monahan (President, StFX Alumni Association) are still coming!

If you haven't yet reserved your ticket(s), don't delay: space is limited! You're confirmed on the guest list once one of the chapter leaders receives your $5 for the RSVP. Alternatively, you can email your RSVP fee to the chapter at calgarychapter@stfx.ca. Because of the buzz this event has generated, tickets will NOT be available at the door. We hope you can join us for our first Stampede event in a long time. If you can't make it, please spread the word among your respective networks of StFX alumni, family and friends.

Finally, to those affected by the flood, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. The spirit of the Xaverian family is such that we are highly committed to the well-being of our community. We hope that if you were not affected by flood, you will consider finding a way to help someone in need with your time, your energy or more. And if you were among those hit, we hope you will reach out to us and let us know how we can help you.


Hail and Health,

Your Calgary chapter team
Oliver, Jay, Phil, Claire, Sarah, Jeff, Lexi and Mike

StFX Stampede Party

Hello fellow Xaverians!

  

We're long overdue for a party. Even more so, we're really overdue for a party during STAMPEDE!

  

All StFX Alumni, current StFX students (of drinking age, of course) and friends are welcome on Tuesday, July 9th on the second floor of the Libertine Public House (223 - 8 Avenue SW). Tickets are $5 each and will help to offset the costs of putting on the event.

  

Special guests will include Tim Lang '87, VP of StFX Advancement and Shawn Monahan '87, President of the StFX Alumni Association, who are coming all the way out from Nova Scotia so you know there's going to be some pretty big news from StFX to pass along. And hey, the Libertine is downtown and reasonably close to Stampede Park, so what better way to 'ease' Tim into his first Stampede?

Also, as part of the Xaverian spirit to help our community, we will also be collecting loose change to benefit the Canadian Red Cross.

  

Space is limited so be sure to get tickets for you, your friends and family ASAP. You're considered on the guest list (i.e., reserved) once your ticket is paid. Tickets can be paid online (via Interac by emailing calgarychapter@stfx.ca) or arranged by contacting any member of the Calgary chapter executive. Because of the buzz this event has generated by word-of-mouth alone, tickets will not likely be available at the door.

  

Again, here are the details:

• WHO: StFX Alumni, current StFX students and friends
• WHAT: StFX Stampede Party
• WHERE: Libertine Public House (223 - 8 Avenue SW)
• WHEN: Tuesday, July 9
• TIME: 4 pm until close
• COST: $5 each
• WHY: Why not?

For more information, drop us a line at calgarychapter@stfx.ca! See you on July 9th!

  

Your Calgary chapter team:

  

Oliver Munar 403-816-4904

Jay Donlevy 403-703-9232

Phil Markovich 403-988-1086

Claire Barry Claire.Barry@shell.com

Sarah Kinch 403-805-2226
Jeff Paddon 403-919-0374

Lexi Tedesco 403-470-0583

Mike Brain 403-629-1515

Mark Wallace elected Chair of StFX Board of Governors

ANTIGONISH, NOVA SCOTIA -- The Hon. Frank McKenna, Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, is pleased to announce that Mark Wallace, President and CEO of Medgate, Inc., and a StFX alumnus, has been newly elected to succeed him.

“I’m pleased to be passing the baton to someone as tremendously talented and dedicated as Mark,” says Mr. McKenna.  “He has demonstrated strong leadership in his distinguished career and we look forward to his continuing contributions to StFX.”

Mr. Wallace has been a member of the StFX Board of Governors for six years. He is President and CEO of Medgate Inc., a global leader in occupational health and safety software with offices in Canada, the U.S., England, and Australia. He has held that position since 2003 and also sits on the Medgate Board of Directors.

“Mark has long made significant contributions to his alma mater, including playing an instrumental role in the expansion of StFX’s Coady International Institute,” says StFX President Dr. Sean Riley. “On behalf of the StFX Board of Governors, I welcome Mark as Chair, and look forward to continuing great work together.”

“It’s an honour to be elected to this position,” says Mr. Wallace. “I truly believe that StFX has a model of education that sets it apart from other institutions in Canada. It’s the right model and I consider it a privilege to be able to have a direct influence in its growth.”

Prior to his position at Medgate, Mr. Wallace was President of ADB Systems International Ltd., a software and services company publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and in the U.S. Previous to this, he served as Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary and a member of the executive management team of AT&T Canada Corp., a national telecommunications service provider now known as Allstream. While at AT&T Canada, he was a frequent speaker at conferences and in the media on telecommunications industry issues.

Mr. Wallace is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University (1980) and the University of Victoria and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. He has served as a member of the StFX Board of Governors, the Board of Directors of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, and the Board of Directors of the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club.

StFX President Announces Succession Process

Earlier today Dr. Sean Riley, President of St. Francis Xavier University, announced his desire to initiate a succession process for the president.

“It has been a true honour to serve as President of St. Francis Xavier University. It’s been my privilege to work with many of the best faculty and staff in the country over the years to make StFX one of the best institutions in Canada,” said Dr. Riley.

“I’m humbled by the notion that I have had an opportunity to directly influence the lives of thousands of young, bright leaders.”

Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, the Hon. Frank McKenna, said a search for a new president will be launched by the Board of Governors in the near future. Dr. Riley will serve until a new president is selected. 

“On behalf of the StFX Board of Governors, I thank Dr. Sean Riley for leading StFX through a period of unprecedented growth,” said Mr. McKenna. “Entering his 18^th year as President, he established StFX University on a national and global stage as one of the best. His focus and dedication to the student experience is legendary.”

“On a personal level, I want to thank Sean for being an incredible inspiration and a dear friend.”

A native of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Dr. Sean Riley has had a remarkable career dedicated to public service, education, and community development, both locally and on the international stage. A graduate of StFX in 1974, and a Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate in international relations from Oxford University, he returned to Nova Scotia in 1996 after careers in government, finance, and business to become the 17^th President of StFX.

Over his term, Dr. Riley has been instrumental in implementing an aggressive infrastructure and campus renewal program. Under his stewardship, over a quarter of a billion dollars was generated and invested in StFX to build academic spaces, classrooms, programs, and residences. He also worked tirelessly to enhance an experiential learning model, one that provides students with exchange and service learning opportunities around the globe.

“StFX was extraordinarily fortunate to have Dr. Sean Riley at the helm,” said the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, a StFX graduate. “It is amazing to witness the growth and national recognition StFX has achieved during Sean’s tenure. This is a true testament to his leadership.”

Recent graduate and student leader, Nick Head-Petersen said “Dr. Riley is involved and extremely engaged with students. He was always interested in our progress and encouraged us to push our own boundaries.”

“Dr. Sean Riley's contributions to StFX are too numerous to list,” said Shawn Monahan, President of the StFX Alumni Association. “We have been so fortunate to have one of the greatest University presidents in Canada leading StFX. On behalf of StFX alumni, I thank Sean for all he has contributed to StFX.”

Dr. Riley is a member of Order of Canada. Dr. Riley recently has been national Chair of Canada World Youth, and an institutional board member of the Royal Society of Canada. He currently serves on the Premier's Advisory Council on the Economy, on the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust, the Board of the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation, and on the Board of Directors of Agnico-Eagle Mines. He is a former board member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada as well as a member of provincial and regional university organizations.