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.